Free to Love

"I knew I couldn't stop him," Roderick whispered softly. "I feared more how you would react to finding me violated than to being despoiled. I feared I might lose your love."

"I would have killed him for daring to lay an unclean hand upon you. No one will ever touch you without retribution. But my love for you, that will always be steadfast. I do so swear," Vidarr said, lifting Roderick's face so the young man could see the sincerity in his eyes. "I will always love you."

"Make love with me?" Roderick asked, his eyes radiating anxiety. "I need to see *you* above me, feel *your* touch upon me. I want to see *your* face when I close my eyes."

Vidarr fought to keep his tenuous control at the look in Roderick's eyes. His young love had been the victim and still he was suffering, this time fearing Vidarr's rejection. The big man wanted nothing more than to strip Roderick and pound into him, reclaiming what was his in the most primal of ways, however, he knew he needed to proceed with caution. With love.

He carefully removed the tattered remains of Roderick's clothing, growling softly in anger and grief at every cut, scrape or bruise. He bent his head to reverently kiss each in turn. Vidarr had not doubted that Roderick would try and fight, but each mark on the normally unblemished skin stood as testimony to the struggle his love had suffered. Seeing the physical evidence, Vidarr pictured Roderick's desperation. As he finally denuded the lithe form, he buried his head into Roderick's dark curls, grasping desperately to the younger man.

"Forgive me, Roderick," he pleaded. "Forgive me for failing to protect you as I should; for leaving you alone to face such a beast as Eirikk." Vidarr's voice cracked under the emotion and he felt his tears fall to land on Roderick's neck. A gentle hand began to stroke his head and shoulders.

"There is nothing for me to forgive, Vidarr. Neither of us knew the depths of Eirikk's deviousness or depravity. All I need from you is your love. Please love me."

"Always, my sweet," Vidarr vowed, rubbing roughly at his eyes. He pulled his own clothing from his body, uncaring of where it fell. All that mattered to Vidarr now was showing his young mate, with his body, just how much he did love him, would always love him. He swallowed past another lump in his throat as Roderick opened his arms and spread his legs in silent invitation.

Vidarr nuzzled at Roderick's face, peppering small kisses over damp cheeks until reaching Roderick's lips. They kissed deeply, Vidarr's tongue racing into Roderick's mouth to plunder the warm depths.

He moved slowly, kissing his way down the younger man's jaw and breastbone, nuzzling at the smooth navel until he reached Roderick's erect manhood. He lapped at the pool of silvery desire and kissed the dripping ruby-red head of the slender rod. Moving lower, he laved at his mate's sac, swallowing one precious orb then the other to soft sighs and sweet mewls of pleasure. Vidarr reached the mounds of his lover's nether cheeks. He hastily pushed soft furs under slim hips to raise the creamy buttocks. He spread them wide to stare hungrily at the small, dark tightly furled rosebud. It looked so tiny, so fragile, so vulnerable that Vidarr could scarcely belief this was truly the portal by which he entered paradise on earth. His tongue swiped at the darker flesh. Encouraged by Roderick's deep groan Vidarr licked again. And again.

His tongue circled the pucker and then delved within to taste a darker, earthier Roderick, yet still his same, sweet love. He began to thrust eagerly into the tight sheath as Roderick's defences gave way under the insistent, tender assault. Vidarr growled his triumph as his lover moaned and writhed, reaching with slender hands to fist in the blond's thick mane. Vidarr tried to get deeper, his beard rubbing against Roderick's inner thighs, his fingers digging into taut cheeks to spread them wide. A sudden jerking of Roderick's body and an undulating wail of Vidarr's name heralded Roderick's release. Vidarr purred wordlessly, his tongue continuing to thrust relentlessly, as Roderick's seed arced from his untouched shaft.

Vidarr moved to kiss Roderick deeply once again. He then dropped his head, suckling at sensitive breasts and was shocked by a soft whimper of pain. He stared at the small dark nub, and realised there was bruising and broken skin. His eyes locked with Roderick and he saw the shimmer of tears in the expressive orbs. He dampened his anger. Roderick would think Vidarr was angry with him. Instead the big blond carefully kissed the injured flesh, licking gently around the unblemished skin and then kissing Roderick's lips.

"I will always love you," he whispered.

As he tenderly nursed at the small nub, he coated his fingers in salve and delved between Roderick's spread legs. He sought the downy declivity and began to carefully open his young lover to accept his aching shaft.

"Your touch inflames me so that I can scarcely bear it," Roderick whispered. Already his sated organ was beginning to twitch back to life under Vidarr's tender and insistent lovemaking. Roderick moaned his appreciation of the gentleness at his breast by Vidarr's mouth and tongue and the knowing fingers deep within him that rubbed that special spot. He writhed mindlessly, focussed only on the pleasure his mate bestowed, all else forgotten.

"I will love you today and all our days," Vidarr vowed as he pressed his spear against Roderick's sheath.

"Be inside me, my warrior," Roderick breathed. "Unite us."

Vidarr pushed forward and immersed himself in searing heat. The still-tight sheath rippled its acceptance and welcome. Vidarr felt slender legs wrap around his bulky girth, small heels digging demandingly into his muscular buttocks.

"Let me feel your strength, Vidarr," Roderick pleaded. "Give me your seed."

"I will show you Valhalla, my dark beauty," Vidarr vowed in return.

For long moments the only sounds in the small house were the slap of flesh on flesh and the gasps, moans and sweet cries of joy from two men who sought to share their bodies and pleasure their mates. Vidarr drove his sword long and deep into Roderick's scabbard, whilst the smaller man clenched inner muscles, matched each thrust with a movement of his own and clung tightly to powerful shoulders. Vidarr reached between their bodies in a synchronised motion on Roderick's hot, hard need, the wail from his beloved heralding his appreciation of the touch to his manhood. He pulled firmly at the swollen flesh as their mouths met in a frenzied clash of tongue and teeth. They reached their zenith together each cry of fulfilment blending with the other to produce a harmony of shared joy. Roderick's release bathed their bodies as Vidarr's seed burrowed deep into the clenching channel.

It was a long time before each man recovered his wits and breathing began to slow down. They traded sweet kisses and tender touches, murmuring of their love and devotion almost wordlessly.

"When the time comes for me to enter Valhalla, should I be told you cannot be with me, then I shall not go in. There is no greater pleasure than I have found when I am in your arms and I will not leave you," Vidarr avowed.

"When you leave this world, I will follow close behind you. A man cannot live without his heart and you are mine, Vidarr," Roderick replied.

"Then we are decided," Vidarr smiled, kissing the flushed, beloved face. "This world and whatever lies beyond we will face together. I will always love you."

"I will always love you, Vidarr," Roderick promised in return.

As the afternoon passed into evening, the men slept entwined. Unseen golden chains of love bound the two men together. They shone brightly with an unbreakable strength and would never tarnish, binding the lovers for eternity.