[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

[bringspeopletogether]

"I didn't."

A smile tugs at his lips.

"I was counting your laundry and mine together."

[howtoactfereldan]

"That's still not a full sack."

[bringspeopletogether]

"The coat's at least a quarter of a sack on its own," he points out.

[howtoactfereldan]

"The coat's a special case. And I don't wear it any more regardless."

[bringspeopletogether]

"All right, all right."

He presses a kiss to the top of Cullen's head.

"We can think about the laundry when there's two-thirds of a sack to be done. How about that?"

[howtoactfereldan]

"I'm washing my socks more frequently than that," he mumbles. "Socks are a special case."

[bringspeopletogether]

A quiet laugh. "I'll allow that as well. Just because I love you so much."

Beat.

"And so your feet don't smell."

[howtoactfereldan]

"More the latter than the former, I'm sure." Cullen settles down again. "Enlightened self-interest."

[bringspeopletogether]

"I promise to love you even if your feet smell," says Alistair, loyally, "but I will admit non-smelly feet are a nice bonus."

[howtoactfereldan]

"Mm."

He tucks his face tight against Alistair's neck.

"Does this mean we can wash now?"

[bringspeopletogether]

"Yes." With a fresh thread of laughter. "Absolutely."

Another kiss to Cullen's brow; another soft squeeze before he eases back.

"Come on."

[howtoactfereldan]

Now, finally, Cullen stands. "And speaking of laundry -- where's my clothes? If I've got to haul water I'm not doing it naked."

[bringspeopletogether]

"More's the pity," sighs Alistair before gesturing to their packs. "They're over there."

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen's not quite in the mood for grinning. He does manage a pretty good smirk, though.

He pulls his shirt over his head. "We can't all be exhibitionists, Alistair."

[bringspeopletogether]

To which Alistair reclines on the bed, stretching out along its full length, and tucks his arms behind his head to afford Cullen the best view.

Loftily: "I'm sure I've no idea what you're talking about."

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen has just managed to pull on his trousers.

He looks at Alistair, raising his eyebrows. His smirk hasn't gone anywhere. "No? Completely unfamiliar?"

[bringspeopletogether]

"Utterly," he says, cheerful, and stretches out his arms.

...Is he flexing?

(Yes. Yes, he is.)

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen tilts his head to the side.

"Is this your way of saying you'd be happy to haul all the water?"

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair snorts and folds his arms atop his belly.

"I try to flirt," he declares to the ceiling, "and I'm sentenced to hard labor. I see how it is."

[howtoactfereldan]

The instant Alistair takes his eyes off of him, Cullen makes his move. There's not enough room to take a flying leap onto the bed, but there's enough for him to pounce.

He straddles Alistair's lap, pressing himself up over Alistair's face on his arms, still smirking.

"Your flirting was terrible," Cullen informs him. "And I didn't issue a sentence. I asked a question. Precision, Theirin."

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair yelps, flailing a little before his hands find purchase on Cullen's hips. He starts to laugh.

"Always reminding me to do my best work," he says, "and scolding me when I don't. I'd be helpless without your guidance, love."

[howtoactfereldan]

"Mine," Cullen agrees, "and Chantry sisters everywhere."

[bringspeopletogether]

Serenely:

"You offer much better motivation than a Chantry sister, though."

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen presses down closer, hovering just above Alistair's face. "Oh? And what's that?"

[bringspeopletogether]

In reply, Alistair winds a hand around the back of Cullen's neck and pulls him into a kiss.