[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

[bringspeopletogether]

"I'm sorry I worried you." Wry. "Next patrol ought to go better. I hope."

It's much easier to believe that now than it would've been ten minutes ago. Cullen's influence, as always.

[howtoactfereldan]

"Don't apologize." Quiet. "And it should. It's only your second one. Still getting used to it again."

[bringspeopletogether]

"Yes." He sighs. "Being impatient again. Maker's breath, if I broke my ankle you'd see me trying to run on it the next morning, wouldn't you."

[howtoactfereldan]

"Try an hour later." With affection.

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair huffs out a more fully-formed laugh. "At least an hour and two minutes. Give me some credit, Cullen."

[howtoactfereldan]

"An hour and three, then. I can be quite generous, you know."

[bringspeopletogether]

"Always."

Smiling, he touches his lips to Cullen's jaw before resting his head back on Cullen's shoulder.

[howtoactfereldan]

"So other than that."

Light.

"How was it?"

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair sighs again.

"Not terrible," he says. "Not comfortable, but not terrible. Bit difficult to make small talk when 'so, how did you join the Inquisition?' turns into a ten-minute story about Clarel and all the rest."

[howtoactfereldan]

"Mm."









"If it would help, you've my permission to tell them you're trying to seduce the commander."

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair bursts into laughter, burying his face against Cullen's neck.

"What do you mean, trying?" he manages after a moment. "I thought I already had."

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen is grinning. "That's why you joined up. To try. That you succeeded should be obvious."

[bringspeopletogether]

"Things have worked out quite well for me in the Inquisition, really," says Alistair, loftily, as if addressing a crowd of recruits. "Thrilling adventures, saving the world, kissing the commander every night -- "

[howtoactfereldan]

"Make sure to tell them that's not a perk they get with their pay."

[bringspeopletogether]

Another snicker. "Of course."

He squeezes Cullen's hand.

"You only get the perk if you joined months ago, have known Commander Cullen for twenty years, and happen to be me. It's their own fault for not meeting the requirements."

[howtoactfereldan]

"How true," Cullen says with a sigh. "Perhaps I'll mention that the next time I'm forced to make a formal visit to the Orlesian court."

[bringspeopletogether]

"Heartbreaker." Fondly.

[howtoactfereldan]

"What if I brought you with me and you stabbed everyone who put a hand where it didn't belong? Then I could be a breaker of something else. Such as lungs."

[bringspeopletogether]

"...I'm not sure stabbing is the right solution," says Alistair, thoughtful. "A whack over the head, maybe. With something large and heavy."

[howtoactfereldan]

"As long as something important gets broken as a deterrent." Peaceful.

[bringspeopletogether]

"For you," solemnly, "I will smash the most expensive vase in the whole of Orlais."

[howtoactfereldan]

"I was hoping for smashed heads, but I suppose that will do."

[bringspeopletogether]

"No reason it can't be both. A vase smashed on a head."

[howtoactfereldan]

"More heads than vases," Cullen says, sorrowful. "What happens when you run out?"

[bringspeopletogether]

"I'll be sure we've got a well-stocked cart of vases with us." A sage nod. "And maybe substitute some plates or crockery if need be."