Cullen (
howtoactfereldan) wrote2017-01-14 09:30 pm
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
(no subject)
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.)
no subject
He doesn't say I don't deserve this, because it'll just start it all over again.
(But he's thinking it.)
no subject
He doesn't do more than that though. No attempts to guide Cullen back to the tent; no drawing him closer, or pushing him further away.
No words.
no subject
Slowly, carefully, attuned for any sign of resistance, Cullen turns to bring his arms around Alistair, blanket and all. Like a damp, surly bat.
no subject
(Damp, surly, and cold. At least Alistair's body heat can help with the last bit.)
His fist tightens in the blanket.
no subject
"I mentioned I was difficult?"
no subject
There's very little emotion in his voice.
no subject
Smaller: "I'm sorry, Alistair."
no subject
"Thank you," he whispers. "I appreciate it."
no subject
"I'll try." Uneven. "To -- remember it's all right to ask for things. Can you remind me?"
no subject
He kisses the top of Cullen's head.
"As often as you need."
no subject
Then, smaller:
"I don't know why, but today -- I don't like thinking about it as -- revenge. It -- bothers me."
no subject
It's more exhalation than word, full of dawning comprehension.
"I'm sorry, then. I didn't mean to -- set something off."
no subject
"Freely given," he murmurs, "or not at all."
no subject
Alistair wraps his arm more snugly around Cullen.
"I won't joke about that sort of thing anymore."
no subject
Then, light, lingering, he kisses Alistair's neck, and says softly right in his ear:
"I fear what joke you'll replace it with."
no subject
His mouth twitches in a badly suppressed smile.
"Two cookies are in an oven. One turns to the other and says, 'Hot in here, isn't it?' The second one says, 'Maker's breath! A talking cookie!'"
no subject
He lets his forehead fall on Alistair's shoulder.
no subject
"I save ones like that to make all my other jokes look good in comparison."
no subject
no subject
More 'light breeze' cold than 'ice cube' cold by now, but still.
no subject
no subject
Alistair finally draws back, but only so he can take Cullen's hand.
no subject
"I think that was both my best and worst idea," he muses.
no subject
Whatever Cullen needs to do to clear his head -- even if it's jumping in a freezing-cold lake for five minutes -- Alistair approves.
no subject
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...