[sandbox]

[bringspeopletogether]

Skyhold gets quieter and quieter as the days move on. It's not a complete stand-down; there's cleanup to do, stragglers to round up, the same sort of business Alistair remembers from the months after the Blight. The Thaw, as Wardens call it. Thedas is thawing again, but the fortress only grows colder for it.

He won't lie: he'd feel warmer if Kieran and Morrigan were still there.

When Cullen suggests a vacation, Alistair lights up, only to deflate slightly when he realizes they'll be "vacationing" in Orlais. There's business to attend in Val Royeaux -- not the sort of business that'll keep Cullen occupied from sunup to sundown, but enough to require an in-person visit for a week or so. On the one hand: Orlais. On the other: he can't argue that time away from Skyhold, especially in Cullen's company, will help.

...So will the cheese, probably.

(Look, as Alistair has said many a time, he is a very predictable man.)

They room at a small place in the university quarter that's downright plain for Val Royeaux. Libraries for Cullen, a cafe around the corner for both of them, limited contact with people trilling about whatever stupid, petty scandal's hit the court this week -- it could be far worse. Alistair takes to writing his letters at the cafe, usually accompanied by some flaky pastry or another.

Today, they're cheese-filled. It's hard to descend too far into a personal funk when you've got a cheese-filled pastry.

Comments

[howtoactfereldan]

And why Cullen answers in kind. "I've been told I'm not terrible with strategy, once or twice."

(There's always the chance that Cullen might outlive Alistair, but not have the mental faculties to know it.

As far as he's concerned, they're both aware that any time they have at all is a gift, and any domestic fantasies are mere bedtime stories to keep the worst of the shadows at bay.)

[bringspeopletogether]

"Definitely not terrible." He closes his eyes. "So not-terrible they even gave you an army, I heard."

[howtoactfereldan]

"It mostly runs itself," he says modestly.

[bringspeopletogether]

"Leaving you enough time to fetch some sugared almonds for the love of your life when he's moping." Alistair's smile finally returns. "Lucky for me."

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen laughs softly. "I'd fetch you sugared almonds any time."

[bringspeopletogether]

"Wait until I shake you awake in the middle of the night with a sugared almond craving."

Peaceably, as he tilts his head just enough to kiss Cullen's chin.

[howtoactfereldan]

"As long as we're somewhere I can obtain them, you're welcome to do it."

Alistair wouldn't really do it, he figures; even if Alistair did, it's not like Cullen can't function on little to no sleep.

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair chuckles. "You're so good to me," he murmurs. "...You'll make faces if I say I don't deserve you, won't you."

Considering the faces Alistair makes every time Cullen says that, it'd be only fair.

[howtoactfereldan]

"Really wretched ones," Cullen agrees, still running his fingers through Alistair's hair.

[bringspeopletogether]

"Mm. Then I won't."

That comes out on a long, contented sigh. He wraps one hand around the bag; his free arm wraps around Cullen's middle.

[howtoactfereldan]

"...if I'd known you liked them so much I'd have got you some a long time ago."

[bringspeopletogether]

He cracks open one eye; his smile turns lopsided again.

"They're nice enough," he says. "But it's especially nice to be lured out from the Blanket Caverns by something sweet."

[howtoactfereldan]

"And to think I almost went with something practical." He leans his head against Alistair's for a moment. "Are guests allowed in the caverns? Or is it a one-cave, one-hermit sort of thing?"

[bringspeopletogether]

"Guests are allowed once they've been properly vetted. Or if they've bribed the head hermit with treats."

He squeezes Cullen, a little.

"I think you pass muster."

[howtoactfereldan]

"There. My objective achieved." Cullen closes his eyes.

[bringspeopletogether]

Another soft laugh.

Shifting about as little as possible, Alistair digs out two more almonds from the bag. One, he pops into his mouth.

The other he waves just beneath Cullen's nose.

[howtoactfereldan]

"You'd best be careful," Cullen warns, "or I might eat that."

[bringspeopletogether]

"Oh, dear." His smile's audible in his voice. "No. Anything but that."

Very, very lightly, he touches the almond to Cullen's lips.

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen takes it. For just a moment he can taste Alistair's fingers -- the sugar clinging to them, mostly.

He lets the taste sit on his tongue for a moment before observing, low, "I thought we agreed we didn't like sharing."

[bringspeopletogether]

"I don't like sharing you." He trails his fingers down Cullen's throat, letting his hand come to rest over his heart. "I like sharing with you. What's mine is yours, all that business."

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen's eyes are half-lidded. For a moment he just watches Alistair's hand.

Maybe he shouldn't say it now. Maybe it would help to have a distraction.



Low:

"I like it when you're selfish about me."

[bringspeopletogether]

"You do?"

Soft; intrigued. Idly, he traces a slow circle with his forefinger.

[howtoactfereldan]

"Mm-hmm." It comes out on a soft sigh. He can't quite keep from pinking when he says, "I like being yours."

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair smiles.

"You always will be," he whispers. He touches his lips to Cullen's neck. "I like that you're mine. That I'm the only one who gets to see you like this."

A pause.

Softer, "And I like knowing I'm yours, too."

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen shivers pleasantly.

"Even when you have to go out in a scarf?" he murmurs.