[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]

"The cheese is rank."

[bringspeopletogether]

"I wouldn't be so cruel as to put smelly cheeses in your bedroll!" he protests.

[howtoactfereldan]

"All cheese smells," Cullen says, patient.

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair wrinkles his nose. "But there's a difference between a nice mild cheddar and something so pungent even I wouldn't eat it."

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen considers this.

And says in Alistair's ear:

"Tomorrow, you're allowed to say the word 'cheese' ten times. No more. If you exceed that limit, there will be consequences."

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair turns just enough to squint at Cullen.

With exaggerated hopefulness: "Fun consequences?"

[howtoactfereldan]

"No." Ominous. "I'll cut you off."

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair's mouth falls open.

"Cruel, Rutherford," he says, and starts to roll to one side like a boat about to capsize.

[howtoactfereldan]

Looks like Cullen has two choices. He can abandon ship... or he can cling tightly to Alistair in order to make it impossible to merely shrug him off.

It's true, however, that Cullen doesn't want to ruin his good work with a scuffle. Man overboard it is, then.

He rolls onto his back and stretches.

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair shifts to the side a little so he can keep rolling, turning nearly a full circle to face Cullen.

Whereupon he promptly flings an arm over Cullen's chest with another contented sigh.

[howtoactfereldan]

"The lumps have migrated," Cullen observes. "Frightening."

[bringspeopletogether]

"And they seem to have attached themselves to you as well." Solemn, as he rests his head on Cullen's shoulder. "Extremely frightening."

[howtoactfereldan]

"Ah, well."

Cullen closes his eyes.

"It was a good run."

[bringspeopletogether]

"I promise," says Alistair loyally, "I will always love you no matter how many lumpy you might get."

[howtoactfereldan]

"Can't do this any more once they take over," he points out.

[bringspeopletogether]

"Don't doubt my perseverance."

Light, smiling, as he presses a kiss to Cullen's shoulder.

"I'd find a way."

[howtoactfereldan]

"I'm still cutting you off if you go over." Peaceful.

[bringspeopletogether]

"Ugh."

Contrary to the noise he makes, however, Alistair snuggles closer.

"Fine. A burden I'll have to bear for the sake of my delicious, dairy-filled future, I suppose."

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen carefully pats Alistair's hair.

[bringspeopletogether]

To which Alistair wrinkles his nose, but doesn't protest.

Protesting too strenuously, after all, would involve moving.

[howtoactfereldan]

"Now go to sleep," he murmurs. "Or pretend."

[bringspeopletogether]

He huffs a tiny laugh.

(His only tell: his arm tightens around Cullen, a little.)

"Too much talking?" Amused.

[howtoactfereldan]

"...yes."

It comes out a little plaintive.

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair muffles another laugh against Cullen's shoulder. "All right."

He closes his eyes.

"Less talking, more resting. Love you."

[howtoactfereldan]

"You too. Now shh."

He plans to lie awake and think. Difficult to do when Alistair is droning on about cheese. Some droning is fine. But Cullen, though he's a ashamed of it, has his limits.