howtoactfereldan: (as a boulder stands before the tide)
Cullen ([personal profile] howtoactfereldan) wrote2016-09-22 07:07 pm

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He could not say how long he spent in the Arbor Wilds. Nor could he say how long he spent away from their forward camp, fighting his way through to the gates of the temple. Days, certainly. At least two. Perhaps three. Bolting down potions, to lessen the effect the red templars had on him and to help him stay awake. The potions didn't provide for witnessing the sight of a few of his ruined brothers and sisters, hearing the sound of more of them hissing his name, before Cullen and his men cut them down.

A few bad gashes, here and there. (More scars for the collection.) His right side feels like one giant bruise. It was not clear why Corypheus quit the field until Leliana's agents made it in, and found Samson, and discovered the empty well. And the shattered eluvian.

Cullen was already swatting away healers -- too many of his soldiers were worse off, and he was beyond not in the mood for magic -- when word came: Charter had concluded that the Inquisitor's party, likely in the company of Morrigan, went through the eluvian. Probably back to Skyhold.

Cullen, in Leliana's company, was examining the remnants of the bodies of the Grey Wardens when confirmation of Charter's theory arrived.

Less than an hour later, bruises and all, Cullen was on a horse headed north to the next available station to swap out his mount and keep riding. Corypheus fled the field; there's no reason he wouldn't go after Skyhold; and even if he didn't Cullen needs to know what happened --





Shadows are long, and the mountains reflecting blue and gold light, when the horn sounds and Cullen rides through the sally port. A stablehand is there, to lead the horse to Master Dennet. He's not sure how his legs are holding him up, but he's not going to stop to find out. The war room, first, and then if the Inquisitor isn't there --
bringspeopletogether: ([warden] look to the sky)

[personal profile] bringspeopletogether 2016-10-19 06:08 pm (UTC)(link)
Alistair draws another long breath.




"All right."

He's hunched in, a little, completely unconsciously. One hand cradles his elbow; the other hands loose.

What else can he say to that?
bringspeopletogether: ([warden] look to the sky)

[personal profile] bringspeopletogether 2016-10-19 06:18 pm (UTC)(link)
All's quiet, for a beat or two. Then: footsteps.

The bed sinks again.

From much nearer than before, wry and self-deprecating (and still, under it all, a touch baffled): "Maybe tomorrow will be the mythic day I'm not an idiot. Seems like today is a wash in that regard."

Alistair unlaces his boots.
bringspeopletogether: ([warden] look to the sky)

[personal profile] bringspeopletogether 2016-10-19 06:31 pm (UTC)(link)
So's Alistair. (For now.)

Boots off. He swings into bed, stretches out next to Cullen; turns his attention up to the tree branches.

...Is that a bird's nest up there? Maker.
bringspeopletogether: ([warden] and hope has fled)

[personal profile] bringspeopletogether 2016-10-19 07:16 pm (UTC)(link)
He didn't used to worry this much about being an obnoxious ass, did he? He's not sure. Alistair folds his arms behind his head, trying to suss out if that tangle of twigs really is a nest.

(He also rarely has people who say don't leave. And if Alistair did have to venture out on his own nowadays, in the state his mind's in -- well. Who knows how far he'd make it.)

One. Two. He counts his breaths, trying to stay still.
bringspeopletogether: ([warden] look to the sky)

[personal profile] bringspeopletogether 2016-10-20 12:00 am (UTC)(link)
Alistair doesn't hesitate: he untucks one arm and settles it around Cullen.

"It's all right," he murmurs.
bringspeopletogether: ([warden] look to the sky)

[personal profile] bringspeopletogether 2016-10-20 12:31 am (UTC)(link)




"You went through something awful." Quiet. "A special kind of very personal awful. You came back hurt. You don't have anything to keep you busy. And when everyone comes back, some of that awful's going to come back with them."

He tightens his hold a little.

"I'd be a bear, too."
bringspeopletogether: ([warden] the dawn will come)

[personal profile] bringspeopletogether 2016-10-20 12:41 am (UTC)(link)
Alistair smiles, faintly.

"I've made it this far," he says, gently teasing. "What's another twelve hours?"
bringspeopletogether: ([warden] look to the sky)

[personal profile] bringspeopletogether 2016-10-20 12:47 am (UTC)(link)
Damn it. Alistair has got to stop joking about this sort of thing already.

He sighs. "To translate that from my native 'poor joke' dialect into something intelligible," he says, "I don't mind staying. I want you to not be miserable. And you insist my staying doesn't make you miserable, so."

Alistair lifts his eyebrows.

"Here I am."
bringspeopletogether: ([warden] and hope has fled)

[personal profile] bringspeopletogether 2016-10-20 12:58 am (UTC)(link)
...What did he say this time?

(No. Alistair just got through laying out why Cullen's not at his best, and Alistair's name was nowhere on that list. Cullen can be a bear; Alistair can figure out how not to take it personally.)

He closes his eyes, kneading the bridge of his nose. "Why not? Do I have to pull out my Double Commander badge again?"
bringspeopletogether: ([warden] look to the sky)

[personal profile] bringspeopletogether 2016-10-20 02:43 am (UTC)(link)
"I might. I could make one. Little piece of paper that says 'Double Commander,' it'd be very official and authoritative."

He scrubs the side of his hand across his forehead.
bringspeopletogether: ([warden] look to the sky)

[personal profile] bringspeopletogether 2016-10-20 02:46 am (UTC)(link)
"Good thing we have the tarp, then, isn't it."

Alistair sighs and rolls onto his side, facing Cullen.
bringspeopletogether: ([warden] look to the sky)

[personal profile] bringspeopletogether 2016-10-20 02:53 am (UTC)(link)
Unwilling, a small smile tugs at the corner of Alistair's mouth.

"See, that's when I take a second piece of paper, coat it in wax, and fold a tiny umbrella to hold over the badge," he says. "Forget keeping the rain off myself. The badge is what's really important."
bringspeopletogether: ([warden] look to the sky)

[personal profile] bringspeopletogether 2016-10-20 03:04 am (UTC)(link)
"It's another important part of being Double Commander." A beat; a quiet sigh. "Cullen..."

Carefully, he settles a hand on Cullen's back.

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