waldorph:

therealfoxxcub:

lavishness:

prancing-uboot:

Are we not going to talk about how Athelstan had to explain to Lagertha the joys of being a sub?

SURE, LET’S TALK ABOUT IT. *chinhands*

MY. EXACT. REACTION.

FINE, OKAY, LET’S TALK ABOUT IT. Let’s talk about the way he had his body turned towards Lagertha the whole time, his shoulders hunched in just a little bit. Let’s talk about the way he was so centered, but kept his head tilted down. How he had that small smile just hiding in the corners of his mouth, and how she looked at him like she was finally understanding. It’s not an act; it’s not something he’s doing to stay alive, to stay in her good graces or even in Ragnar’s good graces. He is happy when someone else is in charge. When he can give his life up for someone else’s cause, when he doesn’t have to worry. It’s why he’s so suited to being a monk—because what’s a monk but a slave to God? And it’s why he’s so suited to them. They never have to remind him of his place because he quietly enforces it to himself because hecan breath in that space, and he’s thought about it enough that he can speak eloquently on it; advocate it for another. Lagertha is only ever going to be toppy as shit, and her ambitions are second only to Ragnar’s. She would rather die before becoming a slave; before belonging to someone else. Athelstan genuinely might not know how to survive without living for someone else’s good. 

And Ragnar seemed to get that instantly, got it in the boat after the initial raid, when he stared Athelstan down and all Athelstan did was hunch in and drop his eyes. Confirmed it when he put his blade to Athelstan’s neck and then told Athelstan he was free if he wanted to go and heard footsteps behind him. 

But I think this was the moment Lagertha got it; that Athelstan is happy to serve, and take direction, and belong to someone.