[sandbox]

[bringspeopletogether]

Back to Skyhold. Back to work.

Alistair resumes training with the Chargers a few days after his and Cullen's return; the company got back from Halamshiral just before the Basin group showed up, Bull explains, so he was giving them a rest before picking up exercises again. Krem fills Alistair in on all the details as they're exchanging blows. Some of it is just Orlesian Worst Game Ever nonsense, but since it ends with a whole lot of shamefaced nobles with no mercenaries to their names, Alistair's pretty damn pleased.

(Maybe he can get the new mercenaries in on his plan to dress up the training dummies in Orlesian garb. Hmmmmmm.)

Cullen's in a war room meeting by the time Alistair's done. He throws some water on his face and heads for the kitchens -- maybe he can split a small meal with Kieran before Morrigan's return.

Comments

[bringspeopletogether]

As if hearing Cullen's unspoken thoughts: "I'll keep watch if you want to sleep."

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen shakes his head a little. "Maybe in a while."

If things go badly --

He'd rather be awake and present right now. For a while. That's all.

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair cracks a lopsided smile, despite himself. "I'm very glad for the company, then."

He tightens his hold on Cullen's hand.

[howtoactfereldan]

"We're all right for now, Alistair."

Quiet, as he weaves their fingers together.

"Rest when you can."

[bringspeopletogether]

He draws a long breath. Lets it out slowly. His eyes are starting to sting: never a good sign.

(The leaves above them look too green for this hour as they reflect back the light of the Breach.)

"If I doubt," he mumbles, half to himself and half to Cullen, "it's a good thing."

[howtoactfereldan]

A soft, rumbly laugh.

"Yes."

[bringspeopletogether]

Cullen's laughter loosens a couple of the knots in Alistair's back. He sighs -- not quite as trembly, any more -- and leans against him more heavily.

His eyes stay on the hole in the roof.

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen gives it a minute.





"Looking at it won't make it easier," he murmurs. "Learned that in Haven. Right up close."

[bringspeopletogether]

"I don't know what else to do."

One corner of his mouth tugs up, wry.

"Except rest, but that won't happen yet."

[howtoactfereldan]

"Could light a candle, put it in a corner, try describing what the shadows look like."

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair snorts a weak laugh.

"Might wake Kieran," he says.

[howtoactfereldan]

"If he didn't wake when two grown men were tossing him around like a sack of flour, he's out."

Cullen gently ruffles Alistair's hair.

"I'll take that to mean you just don't want to."

[bringspeopletogether]

"I suppose," he mumbles.

Another beat passes. Then Alistair lifts his head, shifting to face Cullen in full.

"Listen." He frees his hand so he can touch Cullen's cheek. "If things end up...ending. If Corypheus wins, or if this illusion falls apart, even if this has, has all been some thrall -- it's the happiest I can ever remember being. You've made me so happy, Cullen. Every moment of this has been -- beyond worth it."

His throat starts to lock up again. He swallows; pushes through it.

"Thank you, for everything you've done. Everything you are. I love you."

[howtoactfereldan]

Well. He --

Cullen takes in a shaky breath. Lets it out.

He touches his forehead to Alistair's.

"Not an illusion. Not some thrall." Rough.

"And one day you'll listen, when I say there's no need for thanks."

[bringspeopletogether]

A choked laugh, with less humor than he'd like.

"I think the world may end first."

[howtoactfereldan]

"But not today, my love." With quiet conviction. "Not today."

[bringspeopletogether]

And he was doing so well at maintaining his composure.

...All right, he wasn't. At all. But at that, Alistair gives up on maintaining it entirely, wrapping his arms around Cullen as he buries his face against his shoulder.

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen doesn't say anything -- just leans his head against Alistair's, arms tight around him, rocking slowly back and forth.

[bringspeopletogether]

It takes some time, but eventually, Alistair subsides as the worst of the emotion leaches away.

He exhales, turns his head just enough to touch his lips to Cullen's neck: another thank-you, silent as it may be.

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen grips a little tighter for a moment. If this is where Alistair feels comfortable, far be it from Cullen to be the one to let go first.

[bringspeopletogether]

No complaints from Alistair.

He clings for another moment or two before, slowly, easing his hold. He scrubs the heel of his palm across his eyes, not even trying to be discreet about it.

[howtoactfereldan]

Discretion is overrated.

He runs his palm up and down Alistair's back, watching, worried.

[bringspeopletogether]

"'M all right," he mumbles, in direct contradiction to...well, everything. A long breath follows. "Had to..."

An absent gesture toward his face.

"Keep it together for Kieran. Very strict rules. Only one Theirin crying at a time."

[howtoactfereldan]

A quiet laugh.

"Stupid rule," he tells Alistair.

[bringspeopletogether]

That garners a tiny smile. Alistair scrubs his eyes again, then resumes leaning against Cullen.

"Thought so, too. That's the real reason I didn't want to be king. Too much time checking schedules if you need a good cry."