[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 snorts a tiny laugh.

"One thing I've always admired about you, love," he says, as he gives Cullen a light squeeze, "is your diplomacy."

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen chokes.

"That's..."

What's the word he's looking for.

"Downright tragic," he finishes on a laugh.

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair's laughing, too.

"Keep in mind," he says, "that the mere thought of sending me on a diplomatic mission would probably make Josephine burst into tears. Never feel bad about your diplomacy when I'm around."

[howtoactfereldan]

"She'd rather send you than me." Wry. "People actually like you."

[bringspeopletogether]

Loyally, as he hugs Cullen closer like a stuffed animal:

"I like you."

[howtoactfereldan]

"Diplomacy is for people you don't like." Cullen sinks back into Alistair, boneless. "Leave me to show them which one's the pointy end, where I belong."

[bringspeopletogether]

"So...that's a no to my overly complex plan to infiltrate Orlais with nothing but a fake mustache, ingratiate myself with the nobles, then give you everything you want when you arrive to negotiate."

[howtoactfereldan]

"If you can accomplish it," Cullen says, oh so very mildly, "I shall do my part."

[bringspeopletogether]

"Wonderful," he manages around a fresh wave of laughter, then kisses Cullen's earlobe.

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen squirms a little. "Don't try to make me change my mind."

[bringspeopletogether]

"I would never."

He hooks his chin over Cullen's shoulder with a contented sigh.

"I'll behave."

[howtoactfereldan]

Dry:

"You would never."

[bringspeopletogether]

"I would, on occasion." Sheepish. "Mostly by looking sad and forlorn."

(Is it too soon to joke about that? He -- ought to be careful. Possibly yell Maker's breath a druffalo's in the kitchen!!! if a change of topic is required.)

[howtoactfereldan]

"A valid tactic, considering your level of skill."

He pulls Alistair's hand closer, kisses his knuckles.

[bringspeopletogether]

All right. So far, so good.

As solemn as he can manage: "There might even be whimpering, in the most dire of circumstances."

[howtoactfereldan]

Completely innocently:

"Or the best of circumstances."

[bringspeopletogether]

"True," he says, without losing an ounce of solemnity. "True. It's a very versatile noise that way."

[howtoactfereldan]

"Your diplomacy and your versatility. Two quality traits."

[bringspeopletogether]

"I seem to remember you mentioning something about my handsomness as well."

Beat.

"And possibly my humility."

[howtoactfereldan]

"All of those things," Cullen agrees. "Especially your humility."

[bringspeopletogether]

Satisfied: "I thought so."

He closes his eyes; starts stroking his thumb over the side of Cullen's hand after a moment.

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen stifles a yawn.

"Resting?" he mumbles.

[bringspeopletogether]

"I think so," murmurs Alistair.

He's definitely hitting that warm, comfortable stage where -- fun as other activities might be -- sleep seems just as nice.

"Sleep well. Love you."

[howtoactfereldan]

"Love you too." Barely audible. "Wake me if you need... anything."

[bringspeopletogether]

"I will."

He yawns, expansively.

"Only serious things. Not...puppies. Or whatever. Promise."