(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]

"Yes." Still soft, but without hesitation. "Of course."

He kisses the top of Cullen's head.

"As often as you need."

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen lets out a breath.

Then, smaller:

"I don't know why, but today -- I don't like thinking about it as -- revenge. It -- bothers me."

[bringspeopletogether]

"Ah."

It's more exhalation than word, full of dawning comprehension.

"I'm sorry, then. I didn't mean to -- set something off."

[howtoactfereldan]

He nods against Alistair's neck.

"Freely given," he murmurs, "or not at all."

[bringspeopletogether]

"Yes."

Alistair wraps his arm more snugly around Cullen.

"I won't joke about that sort of thing anymore."

[howtoactfereldan]

Another nod.

Then, light, lingering, he kisses Alistair's neck, and says softly right in his ear:

"I fear what joke you'll replace it with."

[bringspeopletogether]

He hums, low in his throat.

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!'"

[howtoactfereldan]

"Ugh."

He lets his forehead fall on Alistair's shoulder.

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair pats him, snickering faintly.

"I save ones like that to make all my other jokes look good in comparison."

[howtoactfereldan]

"You mean the one where you suggested that we start entangled and then end up swimming? Because Alistair, we're well situated for that -- "

[bringspeopletogether]

"No." Laughing outright now. "I take that one back. You still feel cold."

More 'light breeze' cold than 'ice cube' cold by now, but still.

[howtoactfereldan]

"A smart man would retreat inside his tent, then. What do you think?"

[bringspeopletogether]

"I think," he says, "that sounds like an excellent idea."

Alistair finally draws back, but only so he can take Cullen's hand.

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen stays close, holding the blanket together with his free hand.

"I think that was both my best and worst idea," he muses.

[bringspeopletogether]

He chuckles. "Once we've gotten you warmed up, we can move it firmly into 'best,' I think."

Whatever Cullen needs to do to clear his head -- even if it's jumping in a freezing-cold lake for five minutes -- Alistair approves.

[howtoactfereldan]

"I'm plenty warm," he protests. "Unless you're objecting on your own behalf, which is reasonable."

[bringspeopletogether]

"Hugging you isn't quite like hugging an icicle any longer," Alistair allows.

He tugs Cullen into the tent.

"Like hugging one of Skyhold's walls, perhaps."

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen immediately sheds the blanket and flops on his bedroll. "So I'm stern and uninviting, then."

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair laughs.

"Strong, quiet, and good at protecting people, I'd say," he corrects as he flops alongside.

[howtoactfereldan]

"Cold and unfeeling?" He stretches.

[bringspeopletogether]

"Until it gets some sunlight."

He drapes an arm across Cullen's chest.

[howtoactfereldan]

"And then it's lazy and unmoving." He ruffles Alistair's hair.

[bringspeopletogether]

"Exactly." He grins, and only wrinkles his nose a little at the hair-ruffling. "See? A flawless metaphor."

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen heaves a sigh. "Of course. Perfection." Dry.

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair kisses Cullen's cheek.

"You've much better hair than a stone wall, though."