(no subject)

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen is fine in the field. He can set up a tent, build a fire, find water safe to drink, make something edible. But he hasn't traveled enough to get the knack of what's wise to bring.

These days it makes little difference, given his status: he helps to set up camp, but there are runners and adjutants to find and fetch things. And there are few enough of them, this time -- not the massed force of the Inquisition, but a patrol's worth of soldiers and scouts and accompanying support -- that in the evenings, Cullen finds himself... restless.

It's akin to the reason he doesn't frequent the Herald's Rest, but there's no office to hide in, and no paperwork to justify staying in the tent.

At least tomorrow he and Alistair will peel off to where Honnleath used to be, to spend the night and rejoin the rest again late the following day.

(This may also contribute to his fidgeting.)

Comments

[bringspeopletogether]

"You, me, steak for breakfast -- oh, maybe a mabari in there as well -- "

He thinks this over.

"Yes, I think that's everything I need."

[howtoactfereldan]

"I knew you'd like our mabari more than you like me."

[bringspeopletogether]

"How does that mean I like the mabari more than you?" he asks, laughing a little.

(It's a serious question, despite that.)

[howtoactfereldan]

"Because your sacred vision isn't complete without one."

[bringspeopletogether]

"It isn't complete without you, either," Alistair points out. He's gone a little quieter. "And you'll notice I nearly forgot to include the mabari."

[howtoactfereldan]

"But then you didn't," Cullen says peaceably.

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair sighs -- it sounds good-humored enough, fortunately -- and leans his head against Cullen's.

"I'm putting it on record right now," he murmurs, "that I love you more than any mabari. And always will."

(Somewhere, ten random Fereldans just gasped in horror and didn't understand why.)

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen almost says a likely story, or until we actually have one, that doesn't count.

But then he remembers what happened the last time Alistair told Cullen he loved him, and Cullen thought he was joking.

So he doesn't say anything.

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair turns his head to kiss Cullen's temple.

"What was it you said once?" His smile grows. "Plenty of mabari, only one you?"

[howtoactfereldan]

That forces a smile out of him; he colors, a little.

"Something like that." Quiet. Warm. "All right."

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair chuckles. His hand moves to the back of Cullen's neck; he draws his thumb along one of the spots that's prone to cramping.

Soft: "What do you need from me tonight?"

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen lowers his head -- this time because it feels good.

"Mm."

Pause.

"Don't steal the blankets."

[bringspeopletogether]

"Done."

His other thumb joins in the massage.

"And should I accidentally do it in my sleep, I grant you permission to shove me and steal them back."

[howtoactfereldan]

"You know I won't." Smiling. "I'll suffer in silence. With my frostbite."

[bringspeopletogether]

"I despair for you sometimes," says Alistair, gentle and fond. His thumbs keep working. "But I love you."

[howtoactfereldan]

"Only sometimes?"

His eyes close. A little more absent: "Means I'm improving."

[bringspeopletogether]

"Mm-hm," agrees Alistair. "A bit more each day."

[howtoactfereldan]

"Ugh," is Cullen's cutting reply.

He shifts away, then -- but not too far. Enough to flop on the bedroll on his stomach.

[bringspeopletogether]

"What?" Alistair's starting to laugh again. "I'm agreeing with you! And improvement's a good thing!"

He stretches out next to Cullen.

[howtoactfereldan]

"Relentless positivity is not an attractive trait in a blanket-stealer," he says, muffled.

Then, smaller:

"Could you -- "



He shakes his head, and doesn't look up. "Never mind."

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair's smile dims, a little, as he regards Cullen.

Quiet: "What is it?"

[howtoactfereldan]

You spend your adolescence and adult life absorbing the message that your needs aren't relevant, and you don't shake that without conscious effort.

Cullen doesn't want to be any trouble.

"Never mind. It's fine."

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair lets out a breath.

In silence, he rests his palm between Cullen's shoulder blades. Doesn't move beyond that.

[howtoactfereldan]

"It's fine," he insists. "I'm tired, you're tired -- it's fine."

[bringspeopletogether]

"...All right."

Quiet. A little unsure.

"Can I -- " He moves his hand, very slightly -- more to indicate its presence than anything. "Do this much, at least?"