[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]

"I can whip one up, I'm sure." He grins. "Scribble on the back of my shield if necessary."

[howtoactfereldan]

"Very unprofessional, Theirin." He resettles his head on Alistair's shoulder. "We have standards, you know."

[bringspeopletogether]

"Oh, well. My apologies, ser."

He goes back to carding his fingers through Cullen's hair.

"In that case I'll be sure to scribble everything in the back pages of the nearest book instead."

[howtoactfereldan]

"Would those be the books you stole from the library, or the books you stole from me?"

[bringspeopletogether]

Serene: "From the library, of course. I'm not so cruel as to deface your property."

[howtoactfereldan]

"Ah, of course. How could I ever slander your character in such a fashion."

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair tsks. "I'll let it pass this time," he says. "But only because I love you."

[howtoactfereldan]

"As usual, far more generous than I have any right to expect."

No ire, or self-recrimination: the response is automatic, without force behind it.

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair exhales another soft laugh, leaning his head against Cullen's.

"Exactly as generous as you deserve," he says: less argument than reminder, falling into the gentle, familiar rhythm of oft-repeated conversation.

[howtoactfereldan]

"Allegedly." Content; he closes his eyes again.

[bringspeopletogether]

"Mm."

Alistair runs his palm up and down Cullen's back, slow.






Whispered: "Hey. Cullen. Guess what?"

[howtoactfereldan]

Without missing a beat: "We won?"

[bringspeopletogether]

"We won," he echoes, beaming.

[howtoactfereldan]

"The winning noise happens out there." Cullen lazily flails his arm at the wall. "The winning peace and quiet happens in here."

[bringspeopletogether]

He chuckles. "Of course," he assures Cullen, and catches the flailing hand. "The winning noise will still be going on after you've slept for a week, I'm sure. Whether there'll still be any wine left to go with it...that's another story."

[howtoactfereldan]

"I trust in the existence of Josephine's exclusive stash, Theirin."

[bringspeopletogether]

"True. ...Will you abandon me to the wine, or can I join the exclusive stash party?"

[howtoactfereldan]

"Depends on what you've been up to while I've been sleeping for a week."

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair offers his most winning smile.

"Saving all the noise for outside and making absolutely no noise inside?"

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen pats Alistair's chest. "Good man."

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair laughs, quietly, and touches his lips to Cullen's temple.

"See?" he murmurs. "I can be trained."

[howtoactfereldan]

"To be fair, I knew that." Comfortable. Content. "'S what makes you a qualified adjutant."

[bringspeopletogether]

"Mm. Then I suppose I'm glad I've lived up to expectations."

He winds a curl of Cullen's hair around one finger.

[howtoactfereldan]

A soft sigh escapes him.

"Exceeded," he mumbles.

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair's smile softens. He smooths down Cullen's hair; lets his hand rest atop his head.

"Get some sleep, Commander," he whispers. "I'll be here. Very quietly."