[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]

Mumbled:

"If you were raised by dogs in the Anderfels, how'd you turn out as a barnacle?"

(But Cullen isn't pushing him away.)

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair cracks a smile.

"Funny story, that," he says, lighter. "I wandered a little too far from the pack one morning. Found a shipyard with rather a lot of boats in it. The barnacles on their hulls tried to convince me a life of lazing around stuck to things was a far better life than being a dog, and they aaaaaaaalmost managed it. The dogs found me a day later clinging to a boat."

[howtoactfereldan]

"A day as a barnacle was enough to undo years with dogs?"

[bringspeopletogether]

"I wanted to see the world, Cullen." Lofty. "What better way than by sticking yourself to a boat?"

Beat.

"Look, they were very persuasive barnacles."

[howtoactfereldan]

"I'd express doubt, but I'm reaping the benefits."

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair laughs, low. "My well-rounded education wasn't just for me," he agrees.

[howtoactfereldan]

A quiet sigh; his eyes close. Cullen lets himself relax against Alistair.




"Did you figure out what we're doing for the rest of the day?"

[bringspeopletogether]

"We could go to the lake today, instead, if you'd prefer," he murmurs. "Get an early dinner. If you need to finish your work, I have a few things to keep myself busy as well."

[howtoactfereldan]

He nods a little.

"Getting some air sounds... nice." That's a little rueful; he can't even come up with adequate words for something that simple.

[bringspeopletogether]

A small, indulgent smile. "All right."

He presses one more kiss to Cullen's temple, then starts to disentangle himself.

[howtoactfereldan]

Rather than getting up, Cullen flops on his back. "I might need a minute."

[bringspeopletogether]

That spurs another low laugh out of Alistair. He settles his hand on Cullen's hair.

"As many as you need," he says.

[howtoactfereldan]

"You're not going to try to herd me upright?"

[bringspeopletogether]

"Why would I do that?"

Warm; amused.

"We've nowhere pressing to be. The lake will still be there if we leave a few minutes late."

[howtoactfereldan]

"You might find it a refreshing change of pace to be the taskmaster."

[bringspeopletogether]

"Maybe if you're still like this in fifteen minutes."

He smooths his hand back over Cullen's hair.

"Otherwise I'll save it for the next time you fall asleep at your desk."

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen leans his head into Alistair's hand. "I confess I'd like to see it."

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair's eyebrows quirk.

"Would you."

His fingers wind a smidge deeper into Cullen's hair.

[howtoactfereldan]

He squints up at Alistair. Innocent: "You sound surprised."

[bringspeopletogether]

"It's true. I'm shocked." Solemn. "Just shocked. It's almost like you're saying the Double Commander ought to command."

[howtoactfereldan]

"Mm."

For just a moment there's a faraway look in Cullen's eyes.

"Yes."

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair's grin widens. He lets go of Cullen's hair, propping his hands on either side of Cullen's shoulders as he leans over him.

"Commander." As stern as he can make it without giving in to laughter. "Get up right this instant."

[howtoactfereldan]

Is it Cullen's birthday?

(If it was Cullen's birthday, it might be a little more serious. Just a smidge.)

"Ser, I can't, ser. There's something blocking me."

[bringspeopletogether]

"That's no excuse! Tackle it out of the way, man!"

Some of the laughter sneaks through on that, much as he tries.

[howtoactfereldan]

"I can't, ser, it's against regulation."

Smirking.