nohallaback | For pavus

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

pavus_redemit

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 Date: 2016-09-30 01:21 pm (UTC)

From:

nohallaback

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.

From:

pavus_redemit

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.

From:

nohallaback

"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.

From:

pavus_redemit

"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.

From:

nohallaback

"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.

From:

pavus_redemit

"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.

From:

nohallaback

"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."

From:

pavus_redemit

"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."

From:

nohallaback

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?"

From:

pavus_redemit

"Then you go get the water started and I will get my oils."

He kissed him gently before he rose gracefully from the edge of the bed and strolled out for his own quarters.

On his way he sent back a few messengers who thought they could seize the opportunity of his leaving to get to the Herald. He was not a fool and knew they would make their move. They were practically vultures.

From:

nohallaback

While he was certain that Dorian had been chasing away servants and messengers, Athras was unaware of his efforts as he left to continue their peace and quiet. Humming absently to himself as he finally got out of bed, not bothering with dressing at this point seeing as he was simply going to be getting into the bath once it was ready.

And really, even the idea of a nice, hot bath was a soothing thing. Once he was sure the temperature was to his liking, he let the tub fill, undoing his hair from it's braid to fall loose again, taking a brush to it to make sure there were no tangles hiding that would snarl worse when he was bathing.

From:

pavus_redemit

Dorian had all sorts of oils and lotions for skin and hair, luxuries that he was certain Athras hadn't experienced his life on the road and... poor. He really tried not to think of it as less or worse than his life these days. He was getting better.

"You had better be relaxing and enjoying yourself right now," he said when he arrived back at his room with a few bottles in his hand. "If I find you working I'm going to have to give you a spanking."

From:

nohallaback

While Athras enjoyed the travelling his clan did, he was discovering that there were some perks to a less transient lifestyle.

"The only thing I'm working on is indulging what vanity I do have." He replied, almost finished with brushing his hair at this point, more just taking his time because, well, he did like this little grooming chore.

"Though that threat of yours just tempts me to act up rather than behave."

From:

pavus_redemit

Dorian put the oils and lotions he brought with him on the wardrobe before he came up behind him and pressed his nose into Athras' hair. He was quite enamored with the long strands and how well he maintained them.

"We will certainly pamper this," he said when he pulled back. "And the rest of you."

Of course, he couldn't help but notice that the water hadn't been run yet. This was one of those things he used to have servants for but Dorian had adapted. He could manage this simple task.

From:

nohallaback

"Keep this up and I'll be absolutely useless for anything." Not that he minded the pampering, on the contrary he loved the undivided attention it brought, the time it allowed he and Dorian together. He had to think of a way to return the favor in a way that the other man would enjoy. "A right terror, and then where will we be?"

Doubtful to be true, but it was fun to pretend.

((do you have an aim or skype or plurk so we can chatter a bit easier? nbd if not but PMs have never been the most reliable on my end for some reason and ooc like this is not the most efficient XD))

From:

pavus_redemit

"Well, hopefully not everything."

Of course the Inquisitor had the nicest quarters in Skyhold and that included a private bathing chamber. It wasn't as luxurious as Dorian's in Tevinter but it would do. A few well practiced spells and the deep stone tub was filled with perfectly warm water.

He poured a few of the oils into the water, filling the room with the scent of ebrium and other spices. "Alright, amatus, it's ready for you. Time to get in."

[I don't use aim or plurk and skype is the devil in my opinion so PM works best.]

From:

nohallaback

"I'm sure there are a few things I could still be encouraged to do, at least for you." If his chambers were much nicer, Athras wouldn't have any idea what to do with himself. As it was it was more space to himself than he'd ever had before and that in itself took some getting used to.

Barely clothed as it was it was simple enough to strip completely naked, setting everything aside before stepping into the tub. He let out a soft hum of appreciation at the feel of the water over skin as he settled in, just enjoying the spread of heat, the scent of spices permeating the air relaxing in it's own way he was finding.

Yes, he was clearly alright with this arrangement, relaxing further as moments passed, offering Dorian a warm smile.

"This is positively decadent, ma vhenan." Not that he seemed to mind it in the least.

((No worries I'll make it work on my end. 83))

From:

pavus_redemit

"I was thinking the same thing." Only he wasn't thinking about the water. Dorian swept his eyes over Athras in the bath. He had seen him naked quite frequently now but he still loved to look at the long lean shape of him. Being a knight-enchanter had made him quite fit and even thin he was muscled.

He was unsure if he wanted to join him or let him actually bathe and continue to relax. No, he knew what he wanted but he wasn't sure what was the right thing to do.

"Tell me what you'd like," he said, leaving the decision to Athras. "Should I join you or leave you to your own?"

From:

nohallaback

He had a feeling that Dorian didn't mean the bath, lips curling in a small smile in response as peered at his lover, enjoying his attention.

"I would like very much for you to join me." As if he'd pass up more time with his lover where there wasn't some mission to accomplish, or responsibilities hanging over their heads. "I couldn't think of a more perfect start to the day."

From:

pavus_redemit

That was exactly the answer he was looking for.

Dorian stripped out of his clothes and left them neatly folded on the bed. There was no way he would risk his lovely clothes to the water which he expected to get splashed around quite a bit.

He got into the water behind Athras and pulled him into his arms, wrapping them around his middle and nuzzling his ear. "Thank you for inviting me. Here I thought I would have to seduce you."

From:

nohallaback

He shifted to let Dorian settle in before leaning back against his chest, smiling as he tilted his head to accept the nuzzling. Hands sliding over the arms around him, fingernails lightly scraping along the backs of Dorian's hands.

"Well, being seduced by you is always enjoyable." He turned slightly in his lover's grasp so he could press a kiss to his lips, slow and affectionate. "Just as much fun as seducing you if I'm being honest. Starting to think you're just wonderfully enjoyable all around."

From:

pavus_redemit

"It's taken you this long?" Dorian pretended to be offended by that. He knew Athras found him incredibly charming, witty, and desirable. His lover had said so many, many times when they were alone and whispering sweet nothings to each other.

He picked up an oil specifically made to be rubbed in when skin was wet and poured it into his palms. After rubbing his hands together he picked an arm and began to rub it into Athras' skin.

"I will have to double my efforts to get you to notice me and how incredible I am."

From:

nohallaback

"It took me this long to realize that this all wasn't just some wonderful dream." He was never shy with sentiment he'd found, happy to shower Dorian with all the affection he could, to try and make his lover feel just as loved as he did.

Letting out an appreciative sigh at the feel of Dorian's hands smoothing over his arm, easing back against him again.

"But by all means feel free to remind me of just how amazing you are."

From:

pavus_redemit

"You wouldn't be the first to call me a desire demon," he said with a laugh. He would absolutely love to be a desire demon if he got the choice. Not possessed by one, mind you, but the one doing the seducing and sinning. What fun.

He lavished attention on his arm and when it was well coated in the oil he moved on to the other arm.

"That battle mage armor of yours has really made you fit," he commented with appreciation as he massaged the muscles of his arm. "I should teach you some Tevinter staff fighting techniques. You'll be even more unstoppable."