[sandbox]

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair surprises himself: he adapts to the Basin a lot quicker than he expected.

The camps feel -- snug, he decides. In a good way. Trees overhead, a limited number of egress points, a vantage point so high it puts every night by the ladder to shame: they're not the stone walls of Skyhold, but maybe they're the next best thing. After an initial restless night or two, he sleeps soundly.

(Knowing he's surrounded by lots of people with sharp, pointy weapons? Also helpful.)

Joining the patrol rotations seems like a decent next step. No point in being in the field, especially after all that training with Bull, if he's just going to twiddle his thumbs all day.

Comments

[howtoactfereldan]

"A few hours ago," he says, mildly enough. "I do have people to meet with, you know."

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair pulls a face -- it's a milder version of the faces he made when Cullen assembled the desk -- but doesn't press further.

"What would you like me to do for you while I'm here?" he asks instead.

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen looks alarmed, then mildly disgruntled.

He sits up straight, which has the side effect of pulling away from Alistair. "You're not here to be my adjutant."

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair's brow creases; he straightens in kind, though it's diminished somewhat by his chin barely clearing the top of the desk.

"I know," he says. Doesn't sigh, much as he'd like to. "That's not how I meant it."

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen raises his eyebrows in (slightly skeptical) question.

[bringspeopletogether]

He lifts his shoulders in a small, faintly helpless shrug. His mouth quirks.

"More like checking in as Double Commander, I suppose."

[howtoactfereldan]

"...my turn to report, then."

With a faint smile, Cullen relaxes again, and begins to take off his vambraces. "Yes, I've eaten. I've gone outside in the last six hours. In the next day or two I'll accompany Lieutenant Farrow along the river to visit our camps there. At some point I hope to see the Inquisitor, but it's not a need at this point in time. Then I'll pay a visit to Stone-Bear Hold, I'll no doubt be invited to participate in feats of strength which I will do my damndest to avoid, and then I'll visit the treetop camps on my way back here. At which point, Farrow and Harding and I will make some decisions about the Inquisition's needs in the area and how best we can maintain our presence here to protect Professor Kenric's interests while strengthening our relationship with our Avvar allies. And then, Double Commander, we get to go home."

[bringspeopletogether]

As Cullen delivers his report, Alistair settles his chin back on his arms, smile growing.

"Excellent news, Commander," he says once he's done, as gravely as he can. "I'm glad to hear it. However, I do have one important question about a matter you've mentioned there."

He untucks one hand long enough to raise a finger.

"Will the feats of strength be shirtless?"

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen looks up in the middle of removing a pauldron. "What difference does that make?"

[bringspeopletogether]

Cheerful: "It'll let me know how much time I need to take out of my busy Double Commander schedule to observe the proceedings."

Beat.

"Unless you successfully avoid it, in which case the answer is 'none.'"

[howtoactfereldan]

"None," Cullen says promptly.




"You know I save that for you."

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair's grin softens: not shyer, exactly, but more private.

"Lucky me," he murmurs, warm.

[howtoactfereldan]

"I don't know about that," Cullen says, cheerfully enough. He picks up a chunk of raw silverite and puts it on top of the reports. "I should read more, take one last walk around camp, but I'm done with meetings for the night, at least."

[bringspeopletogether]

"Would you like company on the walk?" asks Alistair. He pushes away from the desk. "Or is it Commander business only?"

[howtoactfereldan]

"Depends on whether you can keep your hands off of me for the duration." Serene. "I'm afraid I have to look official."

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair heaves himself to his feet with a sigh. "I suppose I can be good," he says. "Though if you don't mind -- "

He steps closer, the better to brush his fingers over Cullen's shoulder.

"I could get a little of it out of my system now?"

[howtoactfereldan]

With deliberation, Cullen removes his breastplate and puts it on the desk.

He leans against Alistair, and murmurs, "I wish you would."

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair smiles. He rests his hand more heavily on Cullen's shoulder; after a moment, he begins to knead, slow and firm.

His other hand moves to the back of Cullen's neck, thumb circling over the knots.

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen lets out a long, slow breath, lowering his head.

Mumbled, after a moment: "You don't have to do this. Your day was far more strenuous."

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair shakes his head.

"I like being able to look after you." Soft. "Let me?"

[howtoactfereldan]

"Fussing, you mean," he grumbles, but doesn't protest further.

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair suppresses a laugh. (If Cullen can do the kindness of only protesting a little, Alistair can do the kindness of not laughing, no matter how good-natured.)

He continues to work on Cullen's neck. Some moments later, the hand at Cullen's shoulder slides down and circles to the front of Cullen's chest, fingers splayed.

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen opens an eye, and turns a little to squint up at Alistair.

"You missed," he informs him.

[bringspeopletogether]

"Did I?" His tone's innocent; the smile he gives Cullen, not so much. "I'm sorry."

Alistair trails his other hand down Cullen's back, taking his time. Enjoying the feel of each muscle.

Once that hand finally lands on Cullen's abdomen, and Alistair wraps him in a loose embrace, he adds, "Oh, dear. Seems like I missed again."

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen sighs, content, and leans into the embrace.

"I forgive you," he murmurs, and settles his hands on Alistair's arm.