Athelstan didn't know how to answer because it rationally doesn't make sense. It hadn't when he'd first heard it and yet... He keeps his hands clasped tight and he's staring down at Ragnar's hand on his pants, still feeling uneasy.

"Yes," Athelstan says, at least knowing what Ragnar is really asking. Dodger hadn't been rough even when he wouldn't stop. He bit his lip. "He warned me, it was my fault," Athelstan says quietly.

"Please don't leave," he adds, his voice a bit more desperate than he wanted to sound. He'd been avoiding Ragnar, the misunderstanding and anger and pain all clouding things but now all he knew is he didn't want Ragnar to leave him.