[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]

Alistair beams.

"I've been practicing," he says, serene, before leaning up to kiss Cullen properly.

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen takes the opportunity to roll onto his side and fling an arm over Alistair.

If he cannot steal the blankets, Alistair will just have to be a giant cushion.

[bringspeopletogether]

O CRUEL FATE.

-- wait, no, the opposite of that. Alistair is totally fine with being a cushion.

He snuggles close, one hand finding its way to Cullen's hair to tangle there, loosely. He lets out a contented sigh.

[howtoactfereldan]

"Should've got under the blankets first," Cullen mumbles sleepily.

[bringspeopletogether]

In response, Alistair shifts onto his side, loosening the tie on his robe. Once it's undone, he drapes one side of the robe over Cullen as if it were a blanket.

"There you go." Cheerful.

[howtoactfereldan]

"Now you'll be that paperweight I didn't want."

Cullen is possibly disgruntled that Alistair moved.

[bringspeopletogether]

"Best for both of us that we get under the proper blankets, then. Come on, Commander."

He kisses his forehead, then draws back just enough to start worming his way under the quilt.

[howtoactfereldan]

Still grumbly, as he follows suit:

"Not the Commander right now. Can't command anything."

[bringspeopletogether]

"Mm. I'll have to think up a better nickname for you soon."

Once they're both under the covers, Alistair settles on his back and tugs Cullen's arm into its original spot across his chest.

"Or stick with 'Rutherford,' I suppose."

[howtoactfereldan]

Well. That's one way to make Cullen less grumbly.

He settles his head on Alistair's shoulder and closes his eyes.

"I can veto anything horrid," he mumbles.

[bringspeopletogether]

A soft laugh. "Of course," he agrees, winding his hand through Cullen's hair again. "And I swear to ignore any input Varric might offer."

Fond as Alistair might be of Curly.

[howtoactfereldan]

"'S why I love you." It comes out on a sigh.

[bringspeopletogether]

His smile softens. "I love you, too."

Alistair leans his head against Cullen's, closing his eyes.

"...Could just keep calling you 'love.'"

[howtoactfereldan]

"Shan't veto that one, I think." Amused.

[bringspeopletogether]

"Oh, good," he sighs. "That's a relief."

Lightly, he scrunches Cullen's hair in his fingers.

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen wrinkles his nose.

"I should cut it before you start braiding it."

[bringspeopletogether]

Deadpan: "You would look very fetching with a braid or two."

He continues fiddling with Cullen's hair, though -- for now -- no braids ensue.

"I could help you cut it. If you'd like."

[howtoactfereldan]

"It was the fashion when we were young." Cullen sounds a little surprised by the memory. (Only a little.) "I prefer not to revisit it. And I really prefer not to get out of bed."

[bringspeopletogether]

"Not after we finally made it here," agrees Alistair with a chuckle. "No, any fun hairstyling events will have to wait for later."

Beat.

"Or possibly never."

[howtoactfereldan]

"Never."

Cullen prods Alistair in the chest.

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair squirms, laughing, and catches Cullen's hand so he can kiss his knuckles.

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen's smile broadens for a moment before his eyes fall closed.

Murmured: "Are we sleeping? Resting up?"

[bringspeopletogether]

"Perhaps," he murmurs against Cullen's hair. "If that's how you're so inclined. Anything begun on the chaise can be continued later."

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen cracks open an eye.

"Sounds like you're... not so inclined."

[bringspeopletogether]

Dignified:

"All I'm saying is, you did mention something about ink earlier." Beat; then, more seriously, "But I don't mind if you'd rather sleep. Truly."