[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]

Cullen looks -- nervous.

"You don't have to." Quiet. "That's why I'm showing you, before I send it. I just thought -- she's nicer than Goldanna, I can promise you that. Nosy, but -- she means no harm."

[bringspeopletogether]

Wondering:

"You're really all right with me doing this."

[howtoactfereldan]

"Only if you want to," he hastens to say. "I just thought -- you're not going anywhere, so... why not?"

[bringspeopletogether]

He looks back down at the letter. Alistair's holding it with much greater care all of a sudden, like it's plated in gold leaf.

She's nicer than Goldanna, Cullen said. Like Mia could be his sister instead, if he wanted.

"You're really -- " He stops there, overwhelmed. (Not that he was going to say much beyond a dazed repetition of his earlier half-question.) Suddenly aware he hasn't answered Cullen: "I want to. Yes. I'd love to."

[howtoactfereldan]

There's more relief in his smile than he's aware. "All right. Good. I thought you might, but I -- wasn't sure."

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair nods. He turns a wobbly smile toward Cullen.

And then -- still taking care with the letter -- he drags him into a fierce hug.

[howtoactfereldan]

Oh.

Well.

Cullen laughs a little into Alistair's shoulder; it's more to dispel nerves than anything. "You'll regret it," he murmurs. "She's very nosy. Wants to know everything."

[bringspeopletogether]

"Somehow I think I'll endure," says Alistair, with a suspiciously watery laugh of his own. "Can always start making up stories about how I was raised by dogs in the Anderfels."

[howtoactfereldan]

"Tell her the one about the spiders who gave you a medal." A lingering kiss in the hollow of Alistair's temple.

[bringspeopletogether]

He closes his eyes with a tiny hum of pleasure. "I do like that one."

Another squeeze, and he lets Cullen go -- only so he can take one of his hands again. The wondering note returns to his voice.

"You're letting me meet your family."

[howtoactfereldan]

"...kind of," Cullen says, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand. "Not that I wouldn't, but -- it's letters, it's not in person. Not yet. But -- why wouldn't I? We decided we're stuck with each other, yes?"

[bringspeopletogether]

"Next best thing to in person," says Alistair. "The best current circumstances allow."

His smile softens.

"And I suppose we did, yes."

[howtoactfereldan]

"Then -- not mine or yours. Ours. Remember?"

[bringspeopletogether]

And that even includes something as precious as Cullen's family. It's --

Well. It's nearly like getting a family of his own, too, isn't it.

(Dammit, Rutherford, Alistair is trying not to start up with the manly sniffling over here.)

He nods; leans his forehead against Cullen's for a moment, before drawing him into another embrace.

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen hooks his chin over Alistair's shoulder and rubs his back in slow circles.








"Remember I asked for mercy in that letter from both of you," he murmurs.

[bringspeopletogether]

Another tiny laugh, a bit muffled. "You'll have it," he promises. "Nothing too embarrassing, I swear."

Beat.

"Might try drawing how your hair looks in the mornings, though."

[howtoactfereldan]

"...could be worse."

[bringspeopletogether]

"Much," he agrees, and pulls back enough to kiss Cullen soundly.

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen threads his fingers through Alistair's hair, content.

(Three benefits: Alistair's happy, Mia gets the information she's after, Cullen doesn't have to struggle to come up with words beyond 'still alive.')

[bringspeopletogether]

Once the kiss breaks, Alistair murmurs, "You already told her about me, then?"

[howtoactfereldan]

"...some time ago, yes."

Cullen isn't sure whether he should be surprised Alistair's asking, or sheepish Alistair put the pieces together.

[bringspeopletogether]

His smile grows.

Light, "Did I earn any particularly embarrassing stories?"

[howtoactfereldan]

"Only at my expense." And isn't Cullen glad for that now. "I might have mentioned you dragged me to a tavern against my will to do something most people would call 'enjoying a drink.' Or that she shouldn't worry about whether I'm taking care of myself because I'm being monitored very closely."

[bringspeopletogether]

"I'll be sure to clarify that you enjoying that drink ended with me cursing about stairs, then."

He nestles close again.

"And that I'm glad to alleviate some of her worries."

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen huffs a little, smiling, but doesn't contradict or protest.








"She doesn't know about the Fade," he says, after a moment. "And she doesn't know about the lyrium."