howtoactfereldan | (no subject)

Cullen links his arms around Alistair's waist, tucking his face into Alistair's neck.

When he's sure he's under control, he settles his chin on Alistair's shoulder and murmurs, "Stone-Bear Hold? Away from the spiders. And gurguts. And everybody."

"So long as you promise to do one feat of strength for me."

He threads his fingers through Cullen's curls.

"Doesn't even have to be a public one."

He sighs, soft, content.

"For you, I'd manage two or three."

A quiet laugh. "Riches beyond imagining," he murmurs in Cullen's ear, warmly, as his fingers continue their work.

Those are very good sounds and Cullen likes them a lot. He does his best to winkle even closer, which is difficult, given they're still standing. "With or without a shirt, as you choose."

Ever the helpful one, Alistair wraps his arms even more securely around Cullen.

"Shirtless, of course," he says with another soft laugh. "I would never turn down a chance to see you without your shirt."

He lifts his head a little. "That sounds like you think this tunic is terrible and I should get rid of it."

(Hopefully.)

"It's the worst." Solemn. "I think we should throw it in the fire during our honeymoon as well. Can I help you out of it?"

"I'll get out of it faster if I do it." Cullen pulls away, just a little -- enough to start undoing buttons. "Don't want you to get distracted."

"I suppose that's fair." He spreads his hand at the base of Cullen's neck, traveling down Cullen's spine until he can lace his fingers together at the small of his back. "I can get a bit distracted when you're taking off your clothes."

Cheerfully innocent.

Cullen laughs quietly, and turns in Alistair's arms -- the better for Alistair to ease the horrible tunic off his shoulders. "You'll make me too vain to function, Theirin. Careful."

"If it's yet to happen in two years, I think you'll be all right," says Alistair, peaceably, as he slides the tunic off. He presses a kiss to the nape of Cullen's neck. "Besides, all I'm saying are true things."

Cullen huffs a breath and pulls his shirt over his head. "I do hate it when you're right."

Then, free of clothing on the upper half of his body, he leans back against Alistair. "Better?"

"Mmm. Much, yes."

He runs his hands down Cullen's bare sides; circles them in front to pull Cullen closer.

"Handsome man."

Cullen snorts; it's in an effort to cover a shiver. "What did I just say about vanity?"

He leans his head against Alistair's.

Alistair snickers. "Would you rather I say 'adequate man?' 'Serviceable man?'"

He patterns light circles over Cullen's abdomen.

He's not quite ticklish, but the movement's enough to induce some squirming. "Unremarkable man."

"Hm. I'll say that for the sake of your vanity," says Alistair, wrapping his arms securely around Cullen, "but that's all. You're very remarkable to me."

Cullen rests his hands on Alistair's, and closes his eyes.

"Get out more." Small smile.

"To Stone-Bear Hold, for instance?"

Smiling, he presses a kiss to Cullen's shoulder.

"And South Reach?"

A small, content sigh.

"You really do enjoy missing shirts, if Stone-Bear Hold is your first thought. The more, the better, is that it?"

"It's on my mind because you literally just mentioned it for our honeymoon," he protests, laughing, and gives Cullen a squeeze. "You're the only one I enjoy seeing shirtless, husband."

"Come now," he murmurs. "Other fine specimens exist. It's all right to admit that."

Alistair hums low in his throat.

"Perhaps," he acquiesces. "But it's like admiring a nice painting. Not the same as admiring you."

It's unfortunate that Cullen is en deshabille; it's easy to see how his blush extends down his neck and shoulders.

"Ridiculous," he huffs, as though that will do any good.