Cullen (
howtoactfereldan) wrote2017-01-14 09:30 pm
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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.)
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.)
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He looks at the place the line hits the water. Nothing yet.
"You know I wanted to join the Order from a very young age. That meant I spent as much time as I could get away with at the Chantry. And my brother Branson was -- I suppose dismissive is the best way to put it. As much as a seven-year-old can be dismissive. In a fit of pique I headed toward the village, but I wanted a path where nobody could find me. And then I went over that ridge on the other side -- and there it was."
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He leans his head onto Cullen's shoulder.
"I would've stayed the entire day had it been me. Did you?"
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"Yes. Yes I did."
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A wave slaps against the pier. The fire crackles behind them.
"...Perhaps we could go for a walk later." Softer. "Do our own exploring. If you'd like."
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"I -- as long as we stay in sight of the lake -- "
Words.
"I don't want to see -- anything."
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He covers Cullen's hand where it rests on his shoulder.
"I know." Still soft. "I wasn't thinking we'd venture too far. Just -- along the shoreline."
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He leans his head against Alistair's.
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He circles his free arm around Cullen's waist, smiling faintly.
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"The fish could hurry," he mumbles. "So we can do more of this."
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"I should point out that we've got some time before the fire burns down enough," Cullen says.
Innocently.
"We did have quite an early start. If we rested a while, that would be fair."
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Looks at Cullen.
As solemn as he can, "You make a compelling point, Commander."
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Alistair runs his fingers along Cullen's hairline, tucking a stray, misbehaving curl behind his ear.
"Sloth's not nearly as pleasant alone."
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(As evinced by the way he pinks, just a touch.)
"We've a plan, then?" Beat. "Let's put a rock on that bait sack, lest your hard labor escape."
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Alistair sneaks a quick kiss, then heaves himself up to go fetch the necessary rock.
(He is not sticking his hand in the water to try and dig one out of the lake bed.)
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He pulls the hook out of the water, and notes with extremely mild irritation that the bait's gone. All the more reason to get back to it after a little rest, he thinks.
Bedrolls, then. Cullen's got every intention of napping in the sun like one of Skyhold's barn cats.
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(Water this cold is just begging to be flung down the back of some unsuspecting person's neck. Not Cullen's, though. Alistair isn't that much of an ass.)
As he returns, drying his hands on the hem of his shirt, his eyebrows rise at the sight of Cullen setting up their bedrolls. "Oh." With some surprise. "Outside, then?"
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"When's the last time you got to be lazy in the sun?"
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He starts to smile: tentative, but pleased.
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He settles next to Cullen.
"Very well. I accept your generous and very lazy offer."
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