[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]

"Find Harding, if you can. She'll give you good information. And she's -- kind."

She was at Adamant. She knows. And she knows not to bring up anything.

"Trust yourself. Because you can. And if you can't do that, remember I trust you."

[bringspeopletogether]

He can feel his throat tightening. Alistair shuts his eyes.

"Can you..." Hesitant. (Like he's requesting something far more ridiculous than what follows.) "Tell me why you trust me?"

So he knows. So he can remember, if things get bad.

[howtoactfereldan]

"Two months doesn't destroy a lifetime of good instincts."

Cullen tightens his hold on Alistair. "You've done the work to get here. And it was hard work. Yesterday you did the right thing and followed the chain of command just as you ought to. And frankly, Alistair -- " Wry. "You didn't give in to me just now asking if you wouldn't change your mind and come along."

He raises his head just enough to kiss Alistair's shoulder. "Anything that might be conceivably wrong is overcome by what's very right with you."

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair swallows around the lump in his throat, and manages a nod after a moment.

"I suppose if I can grow out of stepping into traps at every opportunity, I can re-develop those bits the Fade took," he mumbles.

[howtoactfereldan]

"You're well on your way."

He leans his head against Alistair's.

"Trust your instincts. And trust your experience. I do."

[bringspeopletogether]

He shapes a halfhearted smile.

"I'm glad one of us does," he says, not much louder.

[howtoactfereldan]

"I'll carry that for you as long as you need."

Cullen settles down again. "The day's going to come where you realize you can. And it'll happen sooner than you think." He traces idle patterns on Alistair's chest. "Think some time about how many times you should have died, and didn't. It can't all be luck, Alistair. At least some of it's skill. And that includes the Fade."

Softer: "And that's what I trust."

(Alistair came back.)

[bringspeopletogether]

So much for the lump going away.

Alistair's arm tightens around Cullen, drawing him an inch closer; he kisses the top of his head, and blinks a few times to try and get his eyes to stop stinging.

"I'm so lucky I have you," he whispers.

[howtoactfereldan]

Mostly gentle, a little arch:

"...give your skill some credit there, too."

Cullen nestles closer.

[bringspeopletogether]

And that, finally, draws a small laugh out of Alistair.

"Competent enough to stay alive and competent enough to make you fall in love with me? I suppose I do have some talent after all."

[howtoactfereldan]

"Your talents are quite impressive."

[bringspeopletogether]

"Careful." He rests a hand on Cullen's hair, mussing it gently. "I'll have an ego the size of a castle if you keep this up."

[howtoactfereldan]

"A castle without stairs?"

[bringspeopletogether]

"Not a one."

His laughter gains a solid footing.

"Gentle slopes everywhere you look. Or it's all one level and just a very broad sort of castle."

[howtoactfereldan]

"I look forward to seeing what shape it takes. Which I suppose would require more effort on my part."

[bringspeopletogether]

"By showering me in compliments every two minutes, you mean?"

[howtoactfereldan]

"Every five." After a moment. "I'm willing to be patient."

[bringspeopletogether]

"One of your many virtues."

He smooths his palm down Cullen's hair, resting it on the back of Cullen's neck.

"My properly-sized ego thanks you."

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen arches his neck a little, and lets out a soft sigh.

(And, after a beat, tightens his hold on Alistair.)

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair's smile warms further.

He presses Cullen's neck, fingers gently seeking out the familiar places where his muscles tend to cramp.

[howtoactfereldan]

"Skill," he murmurs.

[bringspeopletogether]

He chuckles. "Fortunate for me," he says, as his fingers continue their work, "I've had plenty of opportunity to practice on a willing recipient."

[howtoactfereldan]

"Fussing," he mumbles, sleepy.

[bringspeopletogether]

"It's my last chance for a few days."

Quieter than he means. Still smiling, though.

"Can you blame me?"

[howtoactfereldan]

"Mm. No."

His fingers curl inward, resting on Alistair's chest.

"But you have to rest too."