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Athras wasn’t sure how long it had been since Adamant. His time during the day was still a whirlwind of tasks that while mundane were necessary. Meetings with visiting dignitaries, meetings with Cullen and the others to discuss strategies, decide what needed to be done, looking after his companions after such a harrowing journey. Pretending that he was fine. He couldn’t allow anyone to think otherwise, not with how many people depended on him, needed him to be untouchable, unassailable. Pretending that he wasn’t still affected. That he didn’t see the twisted landscape when he closed his eyes, that he didn’t dream of that wretched corner of the Fade, the fear that seemed to permeate every inch of it.

He knew he couldn’t continue like that. He needed to dispel the thoughts that seemed to echo through him at any moment of quiet or calm. And what was the best way to better combat such a thing? Knowledge. Know your fears and they become less. So in the scant bit of free time he had, he all but buried himself in the task. Conversations with Solas were nothing new, but the length at which they spoke was. More books from the library piling the desk in his quarters about the Fade and the demons that inhabited it. Instead of tossing uneasily in an attempt to sleep he’d started simply getting up, spending long hours at his desk immersed in their pages as he tried to make some sense of things.

He hadn’t even bothered with dressing for bed, knowing that in this state he wasn’t about to sleep anytime soon until he all but passed out over a book. Instead frowning as he studied, pouring over the words of long-dead scholars as he tapped the back of his quill nib against his notes, a reflexive nervous sort of movement. He knew he had to conquer the issue. He couldn’t continue like this, not for long and who knew what the consequences could be for those who followed him, put their faith in him if he failed them in this. He couldn’t let that happen.

Something had to give and it couldn’t, it wouldn’t be him.

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"It is satisfying isn't it?" Smiling at the light touch, undressing once his hair had been dealt with. He dressed very simply in comparison to his lover when in Skyhold, and it didn't take long for him to be setting the clothing aside, letting out a thoughtful hum as he peered back at Dorian, taking a moment to just... admire him.

"Of course, I'm guessing that you also enjoy being a scandal for scandal's sake too." Athras teased gently even as he was returning to the bed sliding in under the covers and nestling right in against him. Once settled he slipped an arm around his waist to tuck in even closer, resting his head against Dorian's chest, taking a moment to breathe in the scent of him, a smile still on his lips.

Yes, this was definitely preferable to earlier.

Everyone dressed simply compared to Dorian, even the Orlesians though they would never admit it. They stole all their fashion from Tevinter. Foolish Southerners.

"There's a little fun it that, I won't deny." He wrapped an arm around him immediately. As much as he played at being distant and above such things as emotions he adored cuddling and affection, craved it even. While he was better about asking for it and not playing it off as some joke he still struggled sometimes. Athras was terribly understanding.

Dorian warmed his fingers with a bit of fire magic and pressed them against his back, massaging some of the kinks and stiffness out. "I like this most of all, though."

After the incident with Dorian's father? Athras couldn't help but understand why it might be harder to be genuine about emotions, especially pertaining to romance. Just being patient with his lover, which honestly wasn't hard when he enjoyed affection and intimacy as well especially with Dorian. Not that Dorian had to ask often; Athras was an affectionate person in general, finding it difficult not to simply settle into his lover's arms at every opportunity.

"I can't say I disagree with that, this is absolutely wonderful..." Especially when those hands started working over his back, the warmth against skin and over tense muscles earning a low, content sort of sigh as he all but melted in against Dorian in response.

"Gods above but you do spoil me..."

This particular trick he had learned in his whoring and drunken stupor days but he wasn't going to share that with Athras. He was still horribly ashamed of that. Sometimes he thought maybe he wouldn't be judge but then his courage failed him.

"Spoil you? Ha!" Dorian made the laugh sharp and overly dramatic on purpose. "This is nothing, amatus. Bathing you in gold and jewels, the finest leathers, furs and silks, and the sweetest scented oils and soaps that would be spoiling you. This is nothing."

He no longer had the fortune to do that sort of spoiling but this felt like enough because of how Athras responded. Dorian paid special attention to the back of his neck and shoulders as best he could at this angle because of how he hunched over the desk. The tension was so easy to find.

Not like Athras would judge him. Be sad for him that he'd been in that poor of a mindset perhaps, but never judgement.

"It doesn't feel like nothing..." He was almost purring that reply as Dorian's hands worked over his shoulders, up his neck. Knots and tense muscles definitely obvious under that skilled touch, the elf more than happy to lay right where he was and be pampered. "Feels amazing is what..."

He definitely needed this more than he would admit. Alone it was so hard to relax, to put aside the responsibilities and worries of the day. A sense of obligation bringing little twinges of guilt, irrational as it might be. But with Dorian he felt none of that, was able to simply relax, be in the moment and enjoy the time they spent together.

"Invite me up earlier and I can give you a proper massage," he purred, his voice smooth as honey and warm as the fire in his fingertips. Honestly, he couldn't go five minutes without seduction. It came as natural as magic to him.

It was good, though, to see his work have such obviously pleasurable results. Athras already looked better. Now, to get him to sleep. That seemed to the solution to his needs.

"You'll rarely know that sort of relaxation and joy." Dorian would have him as putty in his hands with that which would certainly be a seduction. That was why they would need more time.

"You make it sound so tempting... I think I'll have to do just that..." He certainly didn't mind that seductive nature, finding it to be part of the charm that was uniquely Dorian. But for the moment seduction was the last thing on his mind, as without the pressing worry keeping him awake, the combination of actually laying down for a change, and his partner's skilled hands soothing the aches from him were doing wonders in sending him towards the rest he desperately needed.

"Never going to want you to stop at this rate..." Murmured more than spoken, that tiredness he'd been pushing away starting to sneak into his tone even as he was relaxing further, fingers idly stroking over the skin they rested against, an automatic sort of affection.

"I won't," he said softly, all the warmth and affection that he normally kept behind a wall of flirting and sarcasm right there for Athras to hear. The look on Dorian's face was impossibly tender and utterly smitten.

Rumors always had him using sex and romance to get the Inquisitor under his thumb to win favor. There was even talk of blood magic. It was all bullshit. Dorian adored Athras. Loved him even. If anything it was him who bespelled Dorian.

It was foolish the lengths he would go to for this man for the tenderness he got in return.

That tone had Athras peering up at Dorian, and with expression his lover was wearing just had his heart swell as he shifted to press a kiss, light and sweet, to the corner of his mouth in response.

He didn't care about the rumors other than the annoyance that those gossiping were disparaging Dorian in the process. He knew that they weren't true, and Dorian made him so intensely happy that he didn't care at all what others might think about their romance. It was the moments like these where even briefly, his lover let him in, set aside his mask that made it all worth it.

"You're so good to me, ma vhenan..." When had he fallen so completely for him?

"You did get the best man in the Southern countries." He blushed a little at getting caught staring so openly. Usually he was much better at this. "Also the smartest and he's telling you to get some sleep."

Athras was so close and if Dorian could just keep himself quiet for a few minutes he was certain he would have him deeply asleep. The real trick would be keeping the messengers and servants away when the sun rose so that he could get a beautiful full night's rest.

It would be the hardest bit of magic Dorian had ever attempted: to convince the world to leave the Inquisitor alone.

"Mhmm... most handsome too..." He murmured in agreement, even as he was shifting back to rest his head against Dorian's shoulder with a soft, content-sounding sigh.

As exhausted as he was it certainly wouldn't take long for him to be fast asleep, squirming slightly to tighten his grasp on his lover, one leg shifting over Dorian's before he finally went still, seeming content that the man was well and truly tangled in his grasp.

He definitely needed the rest, and if anyone could chase the morning retinue away, it would be him. Despite the clear trust Athras had for him, the servants still viewed him with some unease, were rather easy to chase away as a result. Assuming nothing world-shaking happened, the mage might just succeed in helping to let Athras sleep in.

He would absolutely never admit to it but Dorian watched him sleep for a few minutes. He let himself feel all the soft, sweet, painful things he felt for Athras as fully as he could feel them. This was, after all, where he felt safest to feel them.

Eventually, he followed his lover into sleep. It might surprise some people but Dorian was quite the early riser. He had to be one for study and two to look so flawless every day. It was easy for him to be up before Athras.

It was more difficult for him to extract himself from his very cuddly lover in the morning, though. After a long night it would be terrible for him to wake Athras trying to get out of bed so he could protect him from messengers and servants.

What was that? Dorian wanted to get up?

Unfortunately for him, his lover was quite the impressive one when it came to clinging in his sleep. Though while normally he'd be woken by Dorian's attempts to slip free, spend the time watching the man get ready for the day as he dozed just a little longer, this time he was quite soundly asleep. A good thing, he needed the sleep, desperately so after the past few days, and it might just make it a bit easier for Dorian to escape his rather tenacious grip.

Though once he no longer had the man in his grip, there would be a small grumble slipping from the elf as he snuggled in on the spot where the comforting scent of Dorian's cologne lingered, along with the warmth the spot still had.

He might be able to handle the cold when needed, but gods did he hate it.

Thank the Maker he managed to untangle himself and Athras stayed asleep. This was a good start to the day.

Dorian did his best to make himself presentable without all his tools and fine things but he deemed himself ready for war. He strolled out and instantly shooed away servants and took messages with the simple excuse that the Inquisitor was bathing.

Since he was used to dealing with servants and slaves when they argued with him he held his ground and pushed until they gave and he won. He did have one go get food to bring back but was very explicitly ordered him not to knock on the door.

It took a little while, but soon enough? They all got the picture, and there was nothing but blissful peace once food had been delivered. It was questionable how long said quiet would last, but for now Dorian had succeeded.

By the time this had been accomplished, the sun had been creeping slowly higher, and once it got to the point that the light filtering through the window cast over the bed? Athras had just hidden himself more completely under blankets to avoid the light, not entirely asleep but not yet awake either, with a small noise of protest. The gall of the sun, rising like that. And as slight as he was, once he was under the blankets so completely, it was almost hard to see he was still in bed.

Dorian settled by the fireplace, this place was always so bloody cold, with breakfast and one of Athras' books. There was never a bad time to read and he was certain that as soon as he left some waiting messenger would spring up and pounce on the sleeping Herald.

It was a fascinating read though boorish and dry in its explanations of the Veil. It must have been one of Solas'. It sounded just like a lecture from the man.

Occasionally he glanced over to make sure his lover was still sleeping peacefully and when he saw that he had vanished under the covers he couldn't help the bark of laughter that escaped.

The Herald was terribly adorable sometimes.

Edited 2016-09-30 13:21 (UTC)

The messengers were of course waiting. It was clear nothing would get through until the man they were gripingly calling 'That damn dragon of a man' allowed it. Or until he stopped guarding the Inquisitor quite so jealously.

"Has no business being that bright out..." Was that small protest from under the blankets sounding a bit sulky? Perhaps. Athras was not much of a morning person, clearly.

A shift from under the blankets as he peered sleepily over at his lover, clearly debating the virtues of leaving his warm nest to instead settle in with him while things were still mysteriously calm.

A dragon, how flattering.

"I'm sure the sun will make a formal apology for shining," he said, skimming for the final sentences of the paragraph. He neatly marked the page and then rose from his seat. He went over and kissed him gently. "Good morning, amatus. Feeling well rested?"

Athras looked well rested. He certainly had more color to him and didn't look quite as terrible as last night. That was quite the compliment from Dorian who was willing to admit that without any effort at all Athras looked lovely in the mornings.

"I would hope so... it's rather rude of it to wake me like that." Keeping the blankets around him to keep out the chill, Athras tilted his face up for that bit of affection before returning the kiss in kind.

"I'm feeling much better for some sleep, yes." He didn't feel like he was going to drop where he was, didn't have the sleep-deprived sensation of shifting walls or floors. Always a fun thing that.

"What time is it anyways?" He never was a morning person it always took him a little while to wake even on the best of days.

"Long after your servants think you should be up," Dorian said with absolute smugness. He could go look and get a more accurate measurement but he didn't feel like giving an actual answer. The more vague he kept things the longer Athras would rest.

He gently trailed his fingers down Athras' cheek and then left his hand resting on his chest. It was such a lovely thing to have mornings like this with no shame, no hiding from what he felt. There was only Athras' adoration and love.

"I thought perhaps you might enjoy a long bath this morning followed by breakfast and then maybe I'll let you work." He thought by then Athras might have had enough rest to make up for all that he had lost.

"Somehow that doesn't surprise me... I usually don't get woken by the sun." His smile hinted that he knew that Dorian was purposely keeping that answer vague, but honestly? He didn't mind it. He did need the down-time, and appreciated the fact that his lover had ensured he could get it.

Dorian could doubtlessly feel his heart beating under his touch, even as Athras slid a hand along his arm to catch him lightly by one of the many straps of his outfit so he could lightly guide him in for another kiss.

"That sounds lovely to me." The chance to indulge in a longer bath sounded like bliss honestly, especially with Dorian's efforts keeping anyone that might bother him at bay. Clearly he needed his lover around more often if this was the result.

"Would you like me to fetch some scented oils from my room for you to try," he offered, circling his finger around his chest. "Perhaps wash those hard to reach spots for you?"

Dorian's smile was sharp and slightly wicked. He so loved teasing Athras and flirting with him. It was fun when he could do it in the open without any fear of reprisal or ugliness. When they were alone it was so easy, so natural to flirt and tease and let himself be happy.

What a sense of freedom.

"Hmm..." He tilted his head slightly, with a playfully coy sort of thoughtful look, unable to help the goosebumps that trailing touch of Dorian's was raising over his skin.

"I can't say I'm not tempted... I do so like when your attention is all mine," The ease he saw in his lover in moments like this was something that made him happy; after everything that had happened he loved to see Dorian at ease and happy like he was now. "Of course that might just be me being a bit greedy."

"Amatus, the world is asking so much of you. Be selfish," Dorian purred. They would both give up so much of their personal life to do good, to do bigger things. Athras had to save the world and Dorian had to save his country.

For this morning and any moment they could steal Dorian wanted to be selfish, foolish, and reckless. Before Athras he never would have done such a thing. He never would've been in the position to be such a person.

"I'd love to make you even later to your duties. Annoying the servants is rather fun."

There was so much that they both would lose along the way, so much they had to do, to go through that honestly he could see what Dorian meant. He refused to think of the upsetting 'what ifs' of their situation, but at the same time... he'd regret not taking these moments with Dorian when he could get them. He loved the man too much, found so much delight in his company.

"With you being so charming how could I ever deny you your fun?"

For pavus_redemit

I was digging out screenshots so I can make more icons and my god I forgot the nutcracker outfit XDD

At least now you can change those to something less ballet

The fact that Dorian didn't simply burn his and start a nudist trend is boggling XD

Excuse you, he made it look amazing.

Well obviously he makes everything look amazing even plaidweave.

Plaidweave is the worst invention of the north

Pure evil is what it is. And yet Dorian rocks it.

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Dorian stop being so cute it's not fair XD

nope never

Wow how rude >80

Phones are hard to tag from >_<

Eesh I know that feeling. @@

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