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[Dodger's body shivers from head to toe, and he feels chills from the sensations as Ragnar indulges him in pain. His mind nearly goes blank from the force of his own orgasm, and he lets out some strangled mixure of a moan and an attempt at Ragnar's name as he comes and promptly crumples into the sheets, exhausted and spent.]

Fuck... [It takes some effort, but he twists around enough to catch Ragnar's lips in a tired kiss.] How'd you get that good...?

[He stroked Dodger a few more times through his orgasm, letting go of his hair and then letting him collapse forward. Half falling forward himself, he caught himself on one hand, his other moving to finish himself off. On the second stroke, he was following suit, climaxing over Dodger's lower back with a heady groan.

After a few ragged breaths, he joined Dodger, collapsing down beside him, trying to force his breath to even out as he pressed his forehead against the back of Dodger's neck. His panted breaths ghosted over Dodger's skin until he tilted his head to softly kiss the spot.

He wrapped an arm around Dodger and returned the kiss lazily.] Hm?

[Dodger is happy to curl up against Ragnar, shifting just enough to lay comfortably in his arms. He could happily fall asleep like this, but he doesn't have to ask to know Ragnar would be gone by the time he woke up.

He's silent a little longer than he intended to, because more than anything he wants to say... that he loves him, that he wants him to spend the night. Stupid things like that, that he knows will be rejected because that's not how they work. He just shakes his head, before pressing another kiss to Ragnar's lips.]

It's just been a while since someone's... [He hesitates.] ...Nevermind. How are you feeling?

[Ragnar's mind was already wandering. He was worried about how much of the argument Gyda had heard. And likely Athelstan would have questions and criticisms, something he really wasn't in the mood to deal with. All of which was why he'd come here. He hadn't wanted to think or deal with any of that. Dodger had been a distraction, surely he knew that too. A friend with benefits, one he'd been told he should avoid.

A soft smile tugs at the corner of his mouth at Dodger's kiss.]

Since someone has what? You don't want to say? [He gave him a puzzled look, but obviously wasn't pressing too hard. He turned his head to gaze emptily up at the ceiling at Dodger's question, sighing softly.] I am fine.

[He opens his mouth, briefly considering if he should elaborate. After some thought he just shakes his head, and reaches to play idly with Ragnar's hair. His expression is one of gentle admiration, as he wonders how the fuck he managed to get a man this dreamy in bed with him, and how long he'll be able to keep him there.

His expression sombers a bit, and he shifts to prop himself up on his elbow, watching Ragnar's expression as he speaks.]

We should talk about Ivar. Not now, if you'd rather not. But I don't want any more surprises because of him.

[And surely Ragnar can appreciate that, too.]

Edited 2018-01-28 15:39 (UTC)

[He closed his eyes when Dodger once again brought Ivar up and sighed heavily before fixing Dodger with a tired, steady gaze.]

What other surprises do you expect to come up?

[His tone was even, a forced calm, but he had, after all, asked Dodger what he thought Ivar might say if he hadn't been throwing a temper tantrum when he'd come to warn Ragnar about him. He really wasn't sure what to expect to hear come out of Dodger's mouth at this point.]

You care about him, right? I don't want you getting dragged into our shit again.

[Which means giving his own warnings about Ivar, even if he can tell Ragnar doesn't want to hear it.]

Ivar knows the reason I can't... you can't top me. Because he's tried to force himself on me. It comes up every so often, when we fight - he knows it gets to me. And I can't- I get carried away when he gets in my head like that. [He grimaces.] I'm just telling you this so that if he ends up with his throat burned open, you don't come storming after me again.

...As much as I liked the make-up sex.

[It really wasn't that Ragnar specifically didn't want to hear about Ivar and the things he'd no doubt done. Nothing his son could have done would surprise him, honestly, and some of it might actually make him proud. It was more that he didn't want to think or hear about any of this. But Dodger was right. He likely should.

He actually smirked a little, obviously finding the warning about injuring Ivar to be amusing in a way.]

Dodger. You and... and us, Ivar and I, we are from very different places. It is against the law where we are from to rape someone, another free man or woman. But that law only applies to our people. Not those we conquer. Not those we fight. Not those we enslave. That is his choice. It is your choice to fight back, of course. [He shrugs.] And if he cannot fight you and win, then he should not have tried to take you in that way.

It would be... well deserved. I would not be angry. That is what happens when you lose a fight, you get injured or you die. He is my son, but you would not be in the wrong.

I would then be in the right to challenge you to a fight. Either you would win, or I would, and then the matter would be settled.

[He doesn't like that answer. He actually doesn't like it at all. His brow furrows, and he gives Ragnar a testing look.]

But you wouldn't be rushing to kill him for breaking laws, huh. That's just for me.

[Sure, he can understand the family connection. That's the whole reason his brother wants him dead - he could kill anyone, but he'd killed his brother's father. Still, it seems unfair to be told he'd be on his own in a fight and simply wouldn't be punished for attacking his rapist.]

You judged me for raping and killing, so why not judge your son. You know as much about him as you do about me.

[Ragnar exhales softly, a quiet, almost nonexistent laugh at the question.]

It is the duty of the person being wronged, or someone acting on their behalf, to exact a revenge they feel is appropriate.

[He tilts his head, rough fingertips drawing idle patterns over Dodger's skin as he tries to figure out a way to explain the way these things worked where he was from. From the look on his face, he didn't seem to necessarily agree.] I do not condone rape. It's... [He makes a face.] To me, it has always seemed like something a weak man would commit, a man who has doubts about himself. But, although I can disapprove and tell him so, it is not my right to stop him unless he was acting against myself or my family. Just as I would not stop you. I would treat you and him no different.

[He frowns a little.] I did not ever judge you for killing. I only wanted to know why you did.

[Well... Dodger doesn't like the answers he got, but he guesses that's his own fault for bringing up questions he didn't really want answers to. AFter a moment he just huffs and curls up closer to Ragnar.]

He doesn't need your protection. Doesn't need you seeking revenge for him, either. Trust me, he could fight half the city alone and make it out on top.

[It's still satisfying to hear the implication that Ragnar looks down on his son for the threats, but it's overshadowed by the reminder that Dodger is removed from all of this. That he doesn't have anyone who would defend him the way Ragnar had been willing to defend Ivar. Hell, he can't even remember the last time he did.. maybe Cain would have cared, but not enough to go kill Ivar.]

Would it make you happy if I stopped trying to kill Ivar, or start shit with him? Or would you rather we settle our shit without you?

Who said I would protect him?

[He smiles softly as he presses a kiss into Dodger's hair, wrapping his arms around him as he nuzzled closer.]

If he was in a position where he was not able to and deserved revenge, then I would step in. We are blood. That is my duty. Otherwise, you are right. And he is on his own to exact his own revenge and fight his own battles. [In other words, Ivar would have to be dead or close to it for Ragnar to feel like he needed to take revenge on his son's behalf.]

Mm. Just leave me and my name and what you and I do out of it. You are both men. Your disputes are your own. Settle them as you see fit.

[Dodger nods slowly. Benny had always nipped things between him and his brother in the bud, when they started getting too intense with their fighting. He'd always gotten the sense it was just because the noise was annoying, not because he cared what happened to his son particularly. Dodger's almost a little jealous of Ivar having such an even-minded father.

With a grunt of confirmation, he shifts slightly to fit more comfortably against Ragnar.]

Then I won't mention you to him. We've got enough to fight about on our own, anyway.

[As much as he would love to hold Ragnar's affections over Ivar... oh well.]

I have told him that I thought his feud with you was petty and unfounded. But... [He shrugged a little.] You know Ivar.

[The dried blood caked to the side of his neck and shoulder and the hole in his hand should make it very clear that both of them knew Ivar.]

Antagonizing him is not going to do you any favours though. [He tilted his head, nuzzling into Dodger's hair before brushing a light kiss over the top of his ear, exhaling contently.]

[He lets out a little huff, tugging Ragnar closer to kiss his lips.]

If you want me to leave him alone, tell me and I will. [He kisses him again, his fingers running idly over Ragnar's chest and down along his stomach, just enjoying the feeling of his body.] You matter more to me than he ever did.

[He returns the kiss lazily, but is already thinking that he should probably get up and get going, regardless of how much he wanted to avoid... well, everything. Now Dodger had pushed himself in to be part of the problem instead of this very separate, removed escape for him. And yet, here he was.]

Do what you want, like I said. I just... [He smiled softly to himself, lips hovering by Dodger's, suppressing the quiet little chuckle that threatened to escape when Dodger's fingers slid along the sensitive scar across his abdomen. His muscles twitched slightly under his touch.] It is difficult. Watching you... not doing any favors for yourself.

[He looks dissatisfied by that... but he can't force Ragnar to take control of him. And more than that.. the criticism hits a little sharper than it would from anyone else.]

Then what do you think I should be doing? [His hands still, and he glances up to focus on Ragnar's eyes.] I'm not a man that does well on his own. I need someone else calling the shots.. or people get hurt.

I already told you. [Ragnar doesn't sound annoyed, smiling softly as he runs his fingers through Dodger's hair.] I think it is pointless and, honestly, a little harmful to you just from the sheer aggravation it seems to cause you to continue to antagonize Ivar.

[Ragnar frowned slightly, a little confused by what Dodger was saying.] What do you mean? You are your own person. How would someone else decide better for you? Would you not end up... [he paused, trying to figure out the right way to say what he wanted to]... resenting them, in a way?

Men are just men. They make mistakes.

... You should ask the gods for guidance. [He knew Dodger didn't share his faith. In fact, he didn't seem to have much of a leaning toward any religion. But anytime Ragnar didn't know what to do, he'd always try to find a quiet place and see if Odin or one of the other gods wouldn't give him some direction.]

[He's about to let the argument run another circle, but... this is what happened with Reaper, isn't it. He can't force someone to be his master no matter how much he enjoys their anger.

Instead, he offers a solemn shrug.]

I'd never thought about it until about a year ago, when I got here. I've always been under someone else's control. That's just how the world worked back home, I didn't care. With someone else in charge of me, I never had to worry if what I was doing was right... or smart. I just did it. And now I've spent a year not knowing what to do with myself.

[The comment about gods, though, makes Dodger let out a short little laugh, and he grabs Ragnar's hand to guild it to the sigil tattooed on his chest.]

I've tried religion... it's the reason I burn people that try to fuck me. [His grip tightens a bit, just for a moment, before he lets him go.] I only need one faith - the words of the man that has my loyalty. He decides what's right and wrong, who lives and dies, and I make it happen. That's how it's always been.

That... that is what a dog does, Dodger. [He gave Dodger a mostly indiscernible, but subtly sad look.] You want to be a dog? Or do you want to be a person?

[He'd expected Dodger to laugh at his suggestion to look towards the gods but eyed the sigil with obvious curiosity, tracing his fingertips over it.] This was a symbol for your god? Is he not angry that you have abandoned him? [Ragnar was sure that Odin would probably strike him down if he ever truly turned his back on him.]

Maybe... in the absence of a man like that. You should just... not kill. And not pick fights you may not win. [He shrugged again, fingers still tracing the tattoo.]

All things considered... I'd rather be a dog. I'm not built for making my own way in the world.

[It's not something he would have admitted so easily a year ago... but life without a master has done wonders to his self-awareness.]

The god we worshiped wasn't real. [He sighs softly.] It was something to believe in when I didn't have anything else. But it was all just smoke and mirrors.

[That last point has him quiet for a while, and he pulls Ragnar closer to give him a long, warm kiss, after which he presses their foreheads together affectionately.]

That's the one thing I can't do... I've gotta spill blood to keep me sane. It's like eating and breathing to me.

[Ragnar sighed but seemed happy to press his forehead to Dodger's after humming contently into the kiss. He tilted his head just a little to brush their noses together, fingers sliding from the tattoo to Dodger's side.]

Why do you not join the guard? There is plenty to kill outside the fences. And people would actually appreciate your efforts. [His lips almost brushed Dodger's as he spoke.]

My gods are very real. I do not know if they are here. I would like to think they are. I would not mind going with you. Into the woods, outside the fence. I know how to listen to them. Perhaps they will say something to you.

[He tilted his head, kissing him again unhurriedly.] If you want.

I'm done with gods.

[He says that with a quiet force; he's not accepting discussion on that, and moves onto the other topic as he sighs contentedly into the next kiss.]

I've helped the guard before. It doesn't go well. [He tips his head back, giving Ragnar plenty of access to his neck should he choose to take advantage.] You know how dogs are trained, right? You give them treats when they're good, you hit them when they break your rules. [No, Dodger.] I figure... if no one's gonna stop me, I'll do whatever I feel like. Not like I know what's gonna go over well. But everyone around here's a fucking goody-two-shoes, they just try to go off on me about... not killing people, not stealing shit, not talking down to freaks, it's fucking boring. And it doesn't stick because I don't give a fuck what they think, so why should it, right?

[He takes a deep breath, and lets it out in a huff.]

Back home my master gave me strict rules - when to eat, when to sleep, when to get up and run errands for him. He gave me money to pay for my apartment, he beat me if I hurt someone he didn't want me to. He gave me free run to do whatever I wanted with the people who pissed him off. It was nice... that's the sort of shit I'm used to. It just doesn't happen here.

[Ragnar nodded without any further protest. He had no intention of pushing it. It was why he'd given him the choice in the first place. 'If he'd wanted'. Obviously, he didn't. The gods were fickle anyway, taking as much as they gave. At least, in Ragnar's experience, they did.]

How does hunting beasts beyond the fence go wrong? [That seemed like it warranted some kind of explanation. It didn't make any sense to Ragnar. All someone had to do was leave the safe zone and then they were free to hack up and tear apart any animal they came across without reserve.

Ragnar sighed deeply when Dodger once again compared himself to a dog, rolling his eyes when he explained training.] But you are not a dog. They are simple animals. Men are not so simple. Even you.

[He rolled his eyes again as Dodger elaborated, telling him about his old master.] Good luck finding someone like that. I have never met anyone who desired to keep people like animals. [Which should make it very clear to Dodger that Ragnar had no desire to assume that role for him.]

That's the problem with this place... they were all over the place back home. Everyone just wanted to control each other like wolves fighting for a scrap of meat.

[He sighs heavily, rolling over to straddle Ragnar and press a kiss to his lips.]

Not all men are created equal, Ragnar. Some people are made to serve, some people are made to break and some people are made to die. And some people are made to find those weak links and break them off. That's how humanity keeps evolving. There's so many heroes here, talking about the greater good, world peace, freedom and equality, blah blah blah. Someone should put them to the test... see if they really believe in all that crap when their own lives are on the line.

[He presses another kiss to the Viking's lips, and trails down to kiss his neck before shrugging.]

But that's just what Augustine would do. You're not the kinda person to take a city by force, huh?

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