[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

[bringspeopletogether]

"What?"

Smiling.

[howtoactfereldan]

"I'm acknowledging your presence." A kiss at the corner of his mouth. "I find I quite like it."

[bringspeopletogether]

"I'm glad."

(Relieved, too. A little of that finds its way into Alistair's voice, try as he might.)

He wraps his arms more firmly around Cullen's shoulders. "I missed you."

[howtoactfereldan]

"You mean you missed my scintillating opinions."

[bringspeopletogether]

"Yes." Solemn. "Even the wholly incorrect ones about -- "

Um.

"...that...dairy-related thing I shouldn't talk about."

[howtoactfereldan]

"What, our herd of cattle?"

[bringspeopletogether]

"We've an entire herd now?"

He starts to laugh again, low and fond.

[howtoactfereldan]

"Things that need jam also need butter, Theirin."

[bringspeopletogether]

"Hm. That seems like a remarkably correct dairy-related opinion." Thoughtful. "I must have taken a wrong turn somewhere."

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen takes the opportunity for a kiss.

And says, lightly, "Sorry, what was that? I got distracted."

[bringspeopletogether]

"...my cue to shut up and look pretty, then?"

Not that Alistair minds terribly.

[howtoactfereldan]

"At least the latter part won't be a challenge for you."

[bringspeopletogether]

That garners a tiny snort of laughter.

"Flatterer," he murmurs, before stealing another kiss of his own.

[howtoactfereldan]

"Truth-teller," he counters after a moment.

[bringspeopletogether]

"Mm. I'd argue -- "

Another kiss, lighter.

" -- but this is more fun."

[howtoactfereldan]

"I must not be terrible at it, then, if you prefer it to talking."

[bringspeopletogether]

"Not terrible at all." Solemn. "Exceedingly un-terrible, in fact."

[howtoactfereldan]

"Good." The word comes out on a sigh; he tucks his face in the curve of Alistair's neck, and tightens his hold. Muffled: "'S what I like to hear."

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair turns his head just enough to kiss Cullen's temple. He settles one hand back in his hair; picks up the slow kneading again.

Murmured: "I'll tell you that as often as you need, too, should you like."

[howtoactfereldan]

He leans his head into Alistair's hand. "You just like talking."

[bringspeopletogether]

"A side benefit." He draws his thumb along Cullen's hairline. "Not the main one."

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen lets out a mm of appreciation. Maybe acknowledgment. Maybe both.





"I missed you too." Soft.

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair's smile warms.

"You're stuck with me." No louder. "And I'm -- relieved you're still all right with that."

[howtoactfereldan]

"Try humbled by it."

[bringspeopletogether]

As improbable as it may seem when he's on a full-bore rambling streak, Alistair does sometimes find himself at a loss for words. Like now.

He fits his arms more snugly around Cullen; draws him closer, in silence.