[sandbox]

[bringspeopletogether]

No Orlesian nobles pounded down their door to demand their hound back, so when Alistair and Cullen left Halamshiral, the newly-dubbed Gruyere happily trotted alongside their horses.

A few weeks after -- which included some quiet conversation, a few orders placed with a few merchants, and almost an entire extra pack of gifts slung over one of their mounts -- Gru just as happily trotted along as they turned for South Reach.

Years of correspondence led Alistair to build an elaborate image of Cullen's family in his mind; Mia, perhaps, more fully realized than the others, but everyone with a name and a voice to match their letters. They're...not wholly inaccurate? But Mia's definitely shorter than he expected, and one or two of the children a little louder.

(Mia's voice, however, adopts exactly the pitch he imagined it would when Alistair brings up the whole I'm-your-brother-in-law-now thing.)

It's a nice place. Just the right kind of rambunctious, with all the kids running around; just the right kind of homey.

If only Cullen weren't -- well, reacting more or less precisely how Alistair worried he'd react to the reunion.

Comments

[howtoactfereldan]

"...who's that, then?" Amused. "You?"

[bringspeopletogether]

"...I suppose it's possible."

Sheepish, as he nestles closer.

After another long beat: "Or more than possible."

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen laughs, quiet, warm.

"You said it. I didn't."

[bringspeopletogether]

"I notice you're not arguing the point, however."

He nips at Cullen's earlobe, light and teasing.

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen wrinkles his nose. "Can you blame me? I'm very tired. Someone made me do some very strenuous things."

[bringspeopletogether]

"Oh, no." Laughing softly. "How dare they? Tell me who did it; I'll fight them for you."

[howtoactfereldan]

"Now Alistair," he murmurs reproachfully, "one thing's true about me, and my siblings will confirm it. I'm no snitch."

[bringspeopletogether]

"Admirable, if disappointing." He sighs. "Ah well, it was worth a try. I'll just have to find this dastardly person on my own."

[howtoactfereldan]

"Going somewhere, then?" Cullen inquires.

[bringspeopletogether]

"I didn't say I was going to find them right now."

He kisses Cullen's temple.

"It'll take time. Research. Lazing about with my husband. All the important things."

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen closes his eyes in pleasure and resettles himself against Alistair. "Good luck with all that, then."

[bringspeopletogether]

"Much appreciated, love," he murmurs into Cullen's hair.

A few moments of contented silence pass.





"...Could maybe do with dinner eventually, though. Just to keep our strength up."

[howtoactfereldan]

"Well, yes." Without opening his eyes. "And a wash would be good."

[bringspeopletogether]

A sheepish chuckle. "Yes, that too," he says. "Think the bath would hold both of us?"

[howtoactfereldan]

"One way to find out."

Cullen, however, is not stirring.

[bringspeopletogether]

"Send Gru to investigate for us?"

[howtoactfereldan]

In reply, Cullen yawns. Broadly.

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair laughs, warm and fond.

"Agreed," he says, and smooths down Cullen's hair. "Go back to sleep, love. I'lll wake you when my stomach starts growling."

[howtoactfereldan]

"You'll wake me when you get bored, you mean." Peacefully.

[bringspeopletogether]

"Hey," says Alistair, too cheerful to be affronted. "I'm perfectly capable of finding a deck of cards and entertaining myself."

A beat.

"If I think of a good joke, however, all waking-you-up bets are off."

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen glances back up -- and then away, again.

"Don't leave?" It's a little hesitant.

[bringspeopletogether]

His joking demeanor fades. Alistair tightens his embrace, a little, in reassurance.

Soft: "I won't leave. I promise."

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen curls more tightly against him, and doesn't reply.

[bringspeopletogether]

If he asks, it might ruin the moment. But --






"What is it?" Even softer.

[howtoactfereldan]

Faintly:

"Anything this good won't last."