[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]

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.

[bringspeopletogether]

A playful growl. "Right then."

Alistair swings his leg over to straddle Cullen; both hands grab his forearms with intent to haul him up to sitting.

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen does as he's dragged. "That's halfway, ser, but I don't think I can make it the rest of the way."

[bringspeopletogether]

"Maker's breath, Commander, if you can't do as you're told I'll have to sling you over my shoulder like a sack of potatoes. Is that what you want?"

(Alistair could totally pull it off. Warden strength means never having to say ow, I just dropped that massively heavy object right on my foot.)

[howtoactfereldan]

A moment's thought.

"Yes," he says, finally, "but also you could move a few feet to your right."

[bringspeopletogether]

In perfectly normal tones: "Oh, yes, I suppose I could."

He lets go of Cullen and scoots aside.




And, two seconds later, tackles him around the midsection to sling him into a fireman's carry.

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen squawks.

And prays, more silently, that nobody's eavesdropping and decides it would be a good idea to make sure the commander isn't dead or in the process of becoming thereof.

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair's laughing. Once he's on his feet, he spins Cullen in a quick circle, then -- with care -- lowers him out of the carry.

"All right, Commander." Cheerful. He claps him on the shoulders. "Good to see you upright."

[howtoactfereldan]

"And dizzy." Cullen steadies himself by leaning against Alistair. "But I followed orders."

Pause.

"Ser."

[bringspeopletogether]

"You followed them very well, Commander." With his hands at Cullen's shoulders, it's the work of seconds to draw him in. One hand slips to the back of his neck. "Well done."

That's all the warning Cullen gets before Alistair kisses him.

[howtoactfereldan]

And Alistair's pleased with him.

The thought floods his senses, makes his chest tighten in a way that isn't unpleasant at all. Cullen locks his arms around Alistair, and does his best to be good.

(When he thinks about this moment later, he will make himself blush, and facepalm: it's embarrassing, being this predictable.)

[bringspeopletogether]

He draws out the kiss for as long as he can, slow, thorough. Ensuring Cullen knows just how pleased he is.

He keeps his hand at Cullen's neck when they finally drift apart; he keeps his eyes closed, forehead resting lightly against Cullen's. "There," he whispers, with the soft pride of one surveying another's work.