[ It's only been a year since his departure from the Inquisition, though it feels much longer than that. So much has happened in a short time span that it makes his head spin. He had only been home a month before he had to set out for Halamshiral, and honestly, a month hadn't nearly been enough time to process everything or even make arrangements. He should have communication from home in his room when he gets back to it so he can continue to get everything in order. There are several different emotions at war with him, but mostly, he's exhausted.
He hates traveling, hates the circumstances, and hates feeling like he's on the edge of something, about to teeter forward.
Dorian feels more settled now, having had a bit of rest and a change of clothes. His armor is on, though in less of a battle sense and more a diplomatic one. The familiar masks are up, and nothing is out of place. He feels a little more whole, but of course there's something missing, has been for a year, though he's loathe to admit it. Admittance of the fact makes him seem needy. He's almost willing to concede the matter.
Of course the rest of the Inquisition's Inner Circle would arrive- it was only common sense that they would, but it was something that Dorian still found himself caught unawares by. Actually seeing the Chargers make themselves at home in front of the closest pub makes his heart swell and hurt all in the same instance. It had been an entire year without his better, much larger half, and simply seeing him makes butterflies rise in his gut. ]
[ Bull couldn't really say Halamshiral was a place of comfort for him, but it had a tavern, and that was something. The last year had gone by both quickly and painfully slowly after the defeat of Corypheus. He'd kept the Chargers busy, of course, but it had been more about keeping himself busy than anything productive. He hadn't expected anything beyond a steady paycheck after the Qun had banished him, but what he'd found at Skyhold mean more to him than anything else in the world...and it'd been gone for a year.
Only it wasn't. He wrote when he could, which had been twice but it counted, but it had been over a year since he'd heard Dorian's voice and he wasn't sure he could take much more of it. He almost thought that would be better, even though with every repeated reading of those two letters, he heard the mage's deep and smooth tones accentuating every word, if he could just hear his voice again.
When they arrived, Bull made his way to the tavern first, grabbing a mug of ale and listening to what was what around the place. Lots of whispered intentions, flurries of activity, a Tevinter ambassador? That was something he never thought he'd hear. Tevinter didn't have allies. When more of the talk turned to less-than-idle gossip about how attractive this foreign ambassador may be, the hopeful anticipation that rose in his gut was too much to keep him inside so he finished off his mug quickly and saw himself out.
And stopped in his tracks. The armor was different, new and probably ceremonial, and Dorian was nervous (why wouldn't he be?), but looked well, safe, whole. He took a breath he hadn't noticed he was holding, and the giant was to him and wrapping his arms around the mage in two strides. ]
Dorian, you were being sent to Halamshiral but you couldn't write?
[ Of course there's no stopping Bull once he's gotten his mind set to something, though Dorian doesn't have a mind to even consider it. Bull's arms wrap around him and he feels at ease. The air wheezes out of him in an aborted laugh, and his arms wrap around Bull's neck. It doesn't matter that they're out in the open for the moment- it's simply them reuniting after too far apart. ]
I apologize, being home was a bit more chaotic than I anticipated. I was only home for about a month before I was sent.
[ Maker it felt good to be able to run his hands over Bull's skin again. ]
I'm quite all right, you overgrown sap. [ Says the fop who has yet to let go. ]
Unfortunately, no. [ He sighs, weary. ] The Ambassadorship was a position given to me by my father- to act as liaison for Tevinter during the summit. It was little more than a position to get me out of the way.
[ There was a big thing Dorian wasn't saying and that cold knot was just getting bigger and bigger. Whatever it was, it was bad, and he didn't want to tell Bull about it. ]
Since you're a fancy Ambassador now, they gave you a room right? With a door?
[ Bull would be lying if he said part of the reason he wanted to get Dorian alone was to have him, but he also wanted to know what Dorian was hiding. ]
[ Oh, Dorian has every intention of bedding him, it's been far too long, and he really needs to be close to Bull right now. He's the only one capable of making him feel like he isn't drowning.
With an arched brow, Dorian turns and sashays toward the room he's been given. Enjoy the view from back there, Bull. ]
[ At times, sex between the two of them was sharp and desperate, but this time it was something...more, and yet less about the need for climax and more about the need for closeness. It lasted well into the afternoon, and Bull made no motion to leave once they were both spent.
He enjoyed the closeness, an arm casually wrapped around Dorian, holding him against his side, and looking around the room, at least as much as he could from the angle. ]
[ Every time he's with Bull, it's like a breath of fresh air. Every interlude holds a different meaning. There's no rush, no pressing need to be anywhere today- people far more important are still arriving. It's a slow, needful thing, and every kiss, every touch helps keep him surfaced from the chaos.
Afterward, caught between the bone-deep fatigue and the sated bliss, Dorian stays nestled against Bull's side, his hand on his heart. He rolls his eyes and utters a groan. ]
[ He'd seen a lot worse. Hell, most brothels were gaudy on purpose. Still, he couldn't shake the bad feeling he'd had since earlier, when he'd mentioned the Ambassadorship, and he reached over, wrapping his large fingers around the hand Dorian had left on his chest. ]
[ ...Ah. There it was. Of course Bull would figure it out, despite how much he wanted to simply have this until he had to face reality once again. He stays silent for a long moment, fingers curling around Bull's much larger ones before he sighs, weary. ]
I'm afraid not. I was going to wait to discuss it until after, but you've rather beaten me to it..
[ He says discuss, but he knows what he has to do. It's unfair to continue to do this to Bull. ]
[ He nodded slightly at the news, not altogether unexpected. Dorian had dreams of redeeming Tevinter, after all, and it was a little difficult to do something like that when you weren't there. It was dangerous, of course, but the solution was pretty clear. ]
[ He loves his country so deeply, it deserves to be better than what its become. Now, he has the position that he needs to truly cause change. His yelling on the floor will actually garner traction. Dorian can't not take the seat that he's been given. Still, all of that seems so far away when there's still so much he needs to do in his personal life.
Dorian jolts upward to look at Bull, confused. ]
I'm sorry, what? I-- Bull. You realize that asking you to come to Tevinter is suicide, right?
[He hadn't felt this happy or good in a long time. He wasn't sure anyone had ever made him feel the way Dorian did before, or would again. He didn't want anyone else. How could he even-]
[ He sits up, moving his legs off the bed. Mostly to avoid looking at Bull. He doesn't want to give in, despite how desperate he is for all of this to work. It's not fair to either of them, is it? Bull shouldn't be tied down by some Magister he doesn't get to see because his career is too important. ]
Dorian...I know what you're doing. It's noble...kinda hot. If anybody can make a difference, it's you.
[He moved a large hand to Dorian's shoulder, still holding him, but giving it a gentle squeeze.]
Shit, you helped save the world. Isn't that where Tevinter wants to be? That important? Who better to show them they can do it without being dicks than you?
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chiming
@theirondragon
Date: 2018-08-19 06:31 pm (UTC)From:He hates traveling, hates the circumstances, and hates feeling like he's on the edge of something, about to teeter forward.
Dorian feels more settled now, having had a bit of rest and a change of clothes. His armor is on, though in less of a battle sense and more a diplomatic one. The familiar masks are up, and nothing is out of place. He feels a little more whole, but of course there's something missing, has been for a year, though he's loathe to admit it. Admittance of the fact makes him seem needy. He's almost willing to concede the matter.
Of course the rest of the Inquisition's Inner Circle would arrive- it was only common sense that they would, but it was something that Dorian still found himself caught unawares by. Actually seeing the Chargers make themselves at home in front of the closest pub makes his heart swell and hurt all in the same instance. It had been an entire year without his better, much larger half, and simply seeing him makes butterflies rise in his gut. ]
no subject
Date: 2018-08-20 09:27 pm (UTC)From:Only it wasn't. He wrote when he could, which had been twice but it counted, but it had been over a year since he'd heard Dorian's voice and he wasn't sure he could take much more of it. He almost thought that would be better, even though with every repeated reading of those two letters, he heard the mage's deep and smooth tones accentuating every word, if he could just hear his voice again.
When they arrived, Bull made his way to the tavern first, grabbing a mug of ale and listening to what was what around the place. Lots of whispered intentions, flurries of activity, a Tevinter ambassador? That was something he never thought he'd hear. Tevinter didn't have allies. When more of the talk turned to less-than-idle gossip about how attractive this foreign ambassador may be, the hopeful anticipation that rose in his gut was too much to keep him inside so he finished off his mug quickly and saw himself out.
And stopped in his tracks. The armor was different, new and probably ceremonial, and Dorian was nervous (why wouldn't he be?), but looked well, safe, whole. He took a breath he hadn't noticed he was holding, and the giant was to him and wrapping his arms around the mage in two strides. ]
Dorian, you were being sent to Halamshiral but you couldn't write?
[ It was a big hug. Not sorry. ]
no subject
Date: 2018-08-20 09:52 pm (UTC)From:I apologize, being home was a bit more chaotic than I anticipated. I was only home for about a month before I was sent.
[ Maker it felt good to be able to run his hands over Bull's skin again. ]
no subject
Date: 2018-08-20 10:00 pm (UTC)From:Yeah...? I'm just glad you're okay. And Ambassador, huh? Does that mean I'll be seeing more of you?
no subject
Date: 2018-08-20 10:43 pm (UTC)From:Unfortunately, no. [ He sighs, weary. ] The Ambassadorship was a position given to me by my father- to act as liaison for Tevinter during the summit. It was little more than a position to get me out of the way.
no subject
Date: 2018-08-20 11:29 pm (UTC)From:[ A small chilled knot was forming in the pit of his stomach but he was choosing to ignore it. ]
no subject
Date: 2018-08-20 11:30 pm (UTC)From:[ He does let go of Bull, shifting with a bit of unease. ]
no subject
Date: 2018-08-20 11:36 pm (UTC)From:Since you're a fancy Ambassador now, they gave you a room right? With a door?
no subject
Date: 2018-08-20 11:45 pm (UTC)From:Of course they did. It's a bit too Orlesian for my taste, but it's a bed on solid ground, and the curtains do well against the sun.
no subject
Date: 2018-08-21 12:09 am (UTC)From:Well, what are you waiting for?
no subject
Date: 2018-08-21 12:20 am (UTC)From:With an arched brow, Dorian turns and sashays toward the room he's been given. Enjoy the view from back there, Bull. ]
no subject
Date: 2018-08-21 01:29 am (UTC)From:He enjoyed the closeness, an arm casually wrapped around Dorian, holding him against his side, and looking around the room, at least as much as he could from the angle. ]
Damn, you're right. It's really Orlesian.
no subject
Date: 2018-08-21 01:37 am (UTC)From:Afterward, caught between the bone-deep fatigue and the sated bliss, Dorian stays nestled against Bull's side, his hand on his heart. He rolls his eyes and utters a groan. ]
Repugnant, isn't it?
no subject
Date: 2018-08-21 01:48 am (UTC)From:[ He'd seen a lot worse. Hell, most brothels were gaudy on purpose. Still, he couldn't shake the bad feeling he'd had since earlier, when he'd mentioned the Ambassadorship, and he reached over, wrapping his large fingers around the hand Dorian had left on his chest. ]
You're not coming back after the summit, are you.
[ It was a confirmation more than a question. ]
no subject
Date: 2018-08-21 01:52 am (UTC)From:I'm afraid not. I was going to wait to discuss it until after, but you've rather beaten me to it..
[ He says discuss, but he knows what he has to do. It's unfair to continue to do this to Bull. ]
no subject
Date: 2018-08-21 01:57 am (UTC)From:So, after the summit, how soon do we leave?
no subject
Date: 2018-08-21 02:02 am (UTC)From:Dorian jolts upward to look at Bull, confused. ]
I'm sorry, what? I-- Bull. You realize that asking you to come to Tevinter is suicide, right?
no subject
Date: 2018-08-22 02:31 am (UTC)From:[ Okay so it was undercover, and it was in secret, and he never really went to the really fancy places. ]
Besides, it sounds like you going to Tevinter is, too.
no subject
Date: 2018-08-22 02:57 am (UTC)From:I can't ask that of you. Besides, there are still things I've yet to take care of. [ Like trying to get his mother to see reason. ]
no subject
Date: 2018-08-23 03:23 pm (UTC)From:You didn't ask.
no subject
Date: 2018-08-23 03:48 pm (UTC)From:It's.. probably for the best that we stop this. [ Maker, it's like a knife to the heart as he says it, but his voice is surprisingly even. ]
no subject
Date: 2018-08-23 09:04 pm (UTC)From:No.
[He hadn't felt this happy or good in a long time. He wasn't sure anyone had ever made him feel the way Dorian did before, or would again. He didn't want anyone else. How could he even-]
I can't.
no subject
Date: 2018-08-23 09:13 pm (UTC)From:I...see.
no subject
Date: 2018-08-23 09:45 pm (UTC)From:You think I'm going to let a few asshole Magisters come between us?
no subject
Date: 2018-08-23 09:50 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2018-08-23 10:11 pm (UTC)From:[He takes a breath.]
You're my Kadan. Tell me what that means.
no subject
Date: 2018-08-23 10:15 pm (UTC)From:[ He sighs, fingers gripping the edge of the bed. ]
You said it means 'my heart'.
no subject
Date: 2018-08-23 10:25 pm (UTC)From:[And he moved to the side of the bed and wrapped the silly little mage up in his arms.]
You ever known a guy to live without that?
no subject
Date: 2018-08-23 10:27 pm (UTC)From:[ He lets himself be wrapped up in Bull's strong arms, turning his head so he can bury his face in his shoulder. ]
I'm just.. not certain how we're going to do this.
no subject
Date: 2018-08-23 11:31 pm (UTC)From:[He kissed the hair atop Dorian's head.]
And if you need me, I'm there.
no subject
Date: 2018-08-23 11:32 pm (UTC)From:[ Dorian affectionately headbutts his shoulder. ]
Perhaps a bit too much at times.
no subject
Date: 2018-08-23 11:44 pm (UTC)From:Yeah, I know, so stop acting like you've got to make this huuuge sacrifice for everyone's good. It's bullshit.
no subject
Date: 2018-08-23 11:45 pm (UTC)From:I suppose you're right...
no subject
Date: 2018-08-23 11:53 pm (UTC)From:[He moved a large hand to Dorian's shoulder, still holding him, but giving it a gentle squeeze.]
Shit, you helped save the world. Isn't that where Tevinter wants to be? That important? Who better to show them they can do it without being dicks than you?