[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]

"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.

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen could observe that the silence is the best thing he's heard all day, but that would rather defeat the purpose.

So he lets it go for a few moments longer before lifting his head enough to kiss Alistair's neck. "Anything you'd like to do with the rest of the day?"

[bringspeopletogether]

He suppresses a shiver, badly.

"Besides crawl into bed and make up for the time we spent missing each other?"

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen laughs quietly. "Before we get distracted, yes."

[bringspeopletogether]

"Well..."

He trails a hand down Cullen's spine, thoughtfully.

"I have my cheese. I wrote my letters. I took a walk. I could take another walk and finish a few more letters, but there's nothing pressing to share."

After spending far too much time thinking about Rainier for his liking, Alistair's ready to shove that news away in a box somewhere. Lavellan isn't making her decision for a few days; that could mean a few days' peace, if Alistair's of the right mind.

[howtoactfereldan]

"'Important news: Cullen remains a satisfactory partner.'" Cullen taps a finger thoughtfully on Alistair's back. "'Thanks to his incredible foresight, we have expanded our planning to include an entire herd of cattle, and no, we shan't be sharing our bounty unless you come muck out the stables at least twice.'"

[bringspeopletogether]

"'He also learned a new drinking song,'" adds Alistair cheerfully. As he nuzzles Cullen's neck, "'Since I've forgotten most of my Orlesian, I'll have to assume it's something incredibly filthy, and as soon as I've memorized it I'll be sure to sing it all the time.'"

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen laughs, low. "Two drinking songs, Theirin. Details are important."

[bringspeopletogether]

"Two?" He draws away an inch, laughing as well. "What was the other one?"

[howtoactfereldan]

"I'm not telling you, because it is filthy."

[bringspeopletogether]

"Not even if I ask very, very nicely?"

His fingertips circle the base of Cullen's spine.

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen squirms just a little.

"You'll never make me talk."

(He sounds like he hopes Alistair plans to try.)

[bringspeopletogether]

"Are you sure about that?" he murmurs in Cullen's ear, struggling not to laugh. He brushes a light kiss over his earlobe. "Are you absolutely sure?"

His hand splays wide on Cullen's lower back.

[howtoactfereldan]

"The Maker is on my side, you reprobate." Cullen is also stifling laughter. (Also tightening his fists in Alistair's shirt.) "Do your worst."

[bringspeopletogether]

So cheerfully: "Right then."

Alistair wraps both arms firmly around Cullen's waist and heaves him off his feet.

He doesn't actually throw Cullen onto the bed once he gets there -- it's more like a mutual toppling -- but the intent is there. (As is a lot more laughing. He's not even trying to stifle it any longer.)

[howtoactfereldan]

"Oof."

Cullen grabs Alistair by the collar, grinning. "You big oaf." And kisses him soundly.

[bringspeopletogether]

That's one way to get the laughing to stop!

Alistair returns the kiss eagerly, hands fastening to the sides of Cullen's shirt. When they have to come up for air, he says, "Your oaf."

That's immediately followed by another long, thorough kiss.

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen seems very focused on rucking up Alistair's shirt enough to get his hands on bare skin. "My only oaf."

[bringspeopletogether]

"Always," he breathes against Cullen's cheek. "Yes."

Cullen's hands on his skin are all the extra motivation Alistair needs. He squirms out of his shirt; within moments he's flung it aside so he can get to work on Cullen's own clothes.

[howtoactfereldan]

"Mm." Slowly Cullen runs his hands up and down Alistair's back. "I do hope you weren't planning on stopping with this."

[bringspeopletogether]

As his fingers unknot the laces of Cullen's trousers -- as he pulls in a breath, back curving into Cullen's touch -- "Oh, not for some time yet."

He's smirking, with a faint wicked edge.

"We've nowhere to be until sunrise."

[howtoactfereldan]

"And you did say you would do your worst," Cullen reminds him.

Hopefully.

[bringspeopletogether]

A low laugh. "I did."

He has to raise himself off Cullen for a moment to get his trousers the rest of the way down; his own soon follow, landing in a heap on the floorboards.

"I suppose that means you're not ready to talk yet, ser?"

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen frames Alistair's face gently with both hands.

"Alistair," he says, seriously, "am I ever?"