[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]

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."

[howtoactfereldan]

"Thanks."

It sounds much more like mmks.

[bringspeopletogether]

A soft rumble of laughter. Alistair squeezes Cullen's hand one more time, then drifts into silence.

And soon after, sleep.

[howtoactfereldan]

One of the shutters must have opened a little in the night, because Cullen is awakened by a thin beam of sunlight right to the eyes.

This makes him whine like a sulky toddler. Only briefly, but it's very heartfelt.

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair, having endured no such sun-related abuses, remains fast asleep.

While Cullen's whine isn't piercing enough to wake him up, it does nudge his brain a little: unconsciously, he hugs Cullen closer, letting out a soft sigh.

[howtoactfereldan]

Oh. That's... really nice, actually.

Cullen inches down just enough that the light isn't in his eyes any more and settles again.

(For once there's no accompanying feeling of I don't deserve the comfort. Alistair has him; he's safe; he's grateful.)

[bringspeopletogether]

The sad truth of a sunrise: eventually, the sun moves.

Which means twenty minutes later -- give or take -- it's Alistair's turn to crack open an eye, get hit in the face by the same beam of sunlight, and let out a displeased grumble.

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen didn't quite achieve proper sleep -- just mild dozing.

He presses his head back against Alistair's shoulder, as it's easier than trying to move his hands. The noise he makes is probably meant to be calming and reassuring.

[bringspeopletogether]

The grumbling fades: less subsiding than reorienting. A few moments pass in silence before Alistair hums, small and contented, and touches his lips to Cullen's hair.

"Morning," he mumbles.

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen hums his assent: it is indeed morning.

Since his arms are occupied, he slips his foot between Alistair's ankles, hooks it around Alistair's heel.