running by your side

[hallarider]

[for pavus_redemit]



It was never difficult to find Dorian. Sometimes, it felt as though the Tevinter mage made a point of making himself as accessible as possible, being out in the open for everyone to see. It was a good idea when Bramen truly thought about it, something to dispel the idea of a cloaked magister working away in secret, researching blood magic and crafting secret potions to control minds - all rumours the Inquisitor had heard in passing about his lover. Thoughts that made Dorian chuckle and roll his eyes, easily dismissing their jeers and accusations. That was one of the things Bramen loved most about him.

Not a day passed that Bramen didn't feel as though there was something new he'd come to appreciate and adore something about Dorian. Perhaps it was foolish, maybe it was a bit silly but he was a foolish and silly elf at times. Dorian often made him feel as such, in the best way possible. That was why Bramen wanted to show appreciation for the man, something to show he cared. He cared, that he listened. Oh, how he listened to the tales the mage had, captivated by the history of Tevinter. There was so much in Dorian's own culture that had parallels within Bramen's own, it was fascinating to uncover. Every time they spoke, he learned a little more.

But one story had stuck with the elf for a long time now. One story he recalled so vividly as he now ascended the stairs towards the library, holding something wrapped in cloth in his hands. He remembered stargazing with the mage, curled up together in his room as they watched stars falling from the sky. He recalled Dorian's words, the feeling of his warm body in the cool night air - and that's why he had this now. He clutched that cloth tightly, reaching the top of the stairs as he made his way over to Dorian's little nook, smiling warmly and fondly as he looked over to the chair his lover so often made himself at home in. He wasn't in that chair now but he was close by, pulling a few books off the shelf - a little evening reading no doubt.

Bramen kept that cloth clutched close, a tender look in his eyes as he watched Dorian for a moment more.

"A bit of light reading?" he asked, letting his mouth crack into a smile. No doubt some of those books were for the morning - or merely to reference a page or two. Though Dorian often got sucked in to more than a few pages. He was always thirsty for knowledge.

Hopefully what was wrapped up in this cloth would fascinate him all the same.

Comments

[hallarider]

Bramen's bookshelves were hardly things he used. When he'd first arrived, they'd been filled with Chantry propaganda as Dorian had called it and the moment the man started spending more time here, he'd promptly cleared out what he deemed filth. It was largely just Dorian's books now along with a few written by Varric and several choice volumes of Genitivi's work - mainly the Chantry scholar's writings on the Fade and magic, things that caught Bramen's eye. Of all the Chantry writings, Dorian seemed to hold Genitivi's with esteem. All the more reason Bramen was pleased to keep them within the man's reach here in his bedchambers.

Though it was true - much of Bramen's room was being taken over by Dorian's own belongings. Though the man had arrived with nothing at all in the South, being part of the Inquisition gave him time to amass all sorts of things. All of his books, trinkets shaped like skulls and dragons, a number of robes and formal wear that all hung next to Bramen's own attire - among a number of other things he kept tucked away from view. Vials of oil, a blindfold, bits of rope - most things that Bramen had admitted to being hesitant about using, shying away from the idea of spicing things up a little more. Maybe tonight though. Maybe.

Bramen didn't waste time in the undercroft though, not with thoughts of Dorian in mind. He could already envision his lover laying their in his bed- their bed, half undressed, the fur blankets cushioned behind him. He could already see that inviting look on Dorian's face, the way the man would urge him to come closer. He kept his chat with Dagna brief, telling her Dorian's reaction to the staff - the idea made her clap her hands, quite eager to see just what the mage could do with it once it was done. He promsied she'd be the first to see him test it out and then bid her and Harritt a farewell. He returned to the main hall and made his way up towards his chambers.

Just as the herald entered his room and began to climb the stairs, a loud caw-! came from the window. One of Leliana's ravens swooped into the room, flying over towards the bed with a letter in its beak. The bird perched down on the headboard, shaking its feathers out as it cawed again, trying to get Dorian's attention. It certainly had Bramen's, the elf standing at the stairs and staring over to the bird. It made almost a purring sound, dropping the letter onto the bed next to Dorian, the red-eyed bird now staring at Dorian, waiting for the mage to accept it.

Bramen moved closer to the bed, clearing his throat a little before holding out his arm for the bird. "Expecting a letter?" he asked, canting his head a little. The bird saw Bramen's arm and took it as a sign to move, jumping and flapping over to the elf, perching there instead. The rogue gave the raven a light scratch under its beak, smoothing the feathers on its chest and eliciting another almost purr from the creature.

[pavus_redemit]

After spending all his days listening to those birds cawing constantly Dorian was an expert at ignoring them. So, the bird at the end of the bed was easy to tune out and pretend it didn't exist.

"No," he said calmly when Bramen appeared. "And I'm not dealing with it now. I have plans. Plans that include you. Send that winged beast away."

Dorian would deal with the letter after he had his time with Bramen. They made plans and he refused to let the bird interfere as they so often did when he had been romancing Bramen in the library. Stupid feathered rats except they were terribly intelligent and Dorian wanted to test that one day.

[hallarider]

The raven snapped at Dorian, letting out a defiant caw as it gripped Bramen's arm, spreading its wings in a threatening display. Leliana's pets knew when they were being ignored - and this one in particular didn't much care for it. Bramen tried to stroke the bird's feathers, smoothing them down and getting it to settle, a chortle coming from its throat.

"It looks like it has a Tevinter seal on it," the elf said, moving closer to the bed before reaching down to pick up the letter. He examined the wax seal - it was most certainly something from the Imperium, the seal far too elaborate for anything in the south - even something from Orlais. The bird cawed again and ruffled its feathers, seemingly determined not to go anywhere until Dorian accepted what the beast had brought.

[pavus_redemit]

"Does it look like a dragon eating its own tail or does it look like someone tried to merge dwarven art with Tevinter styling?" he asked, still refusing to look up from his book.

The seal would determine what his response would be. If it was a letter from his father he would kick it off the bed and ignore it until tomorrow morning. He was in a good mood and he didn't want his father to ruin it.

However, if it was from Mae he would be willing to read it. She usually had good news for him. She was worth delaying his plans with Bramen for.

His father could rot in a pit.

[hallarider]

Bramen examined the letter closely, brow knitting a little as he looked at the seal. "I'm not sure what Dwarven art mixed with Tevinter styling looks like... But it's not a dragon eating anything," he said, offering the letter to his lover. The raven seemed content with that and gave another chortle from its throat, spreading its wings and taking flight again - a single flap and it was out the balcony, returning to its roost. The bird trusted Bramen would get the man to read whatever letter it was, its duty done for the time being.

With the letter in Dorian's hands, Bramen opted to sit at the foot of the bed - unbuckling his boots and slipping them off. "Who is it from?"

[pavus_redemit]

"Then it's not my father." Dorian put his book down, sat up and took the letter from Bramen. "As long as it isn't from him, I'm interested to read it."

He broke the seal with a finger, flipped the letter open and read the neat, crisp lines of Tevene.

"It's from Maevaris Tilani. You should remember her. She's helped us before with information. She was also married to Varric's cousin for a time," he mumbled a bit while he read, trying to speak common while reading Tevene was a somewhat difficult task. "Wonderful woman. I'm terribly fond of her though she's convinced the south will be the death of me as I'm too delicate and pampered."

[hallarider]

With his boots off, Bramen chose to unbutton the high neck of his shirt along with the buttons that went down it. Enough to open it up, loosen the form-fitted outfit. It was far from what he'd prefer to wear on a daily basis but the Inquisitor needed to dress accordingly. He'd grown used to it over time at least. He listened intently to what Dorian had to say, glad to know the letter wasn't from the man's father - though he had a feeling if it was, the mage would've simply crumpled it up the moment it reached his hands.

The name he'd mentioned sound familiar though. Maevaris Tilani. he did recall her being their connection in Tevinter, recommended by Dorian himself. He didn't know much about the woman but assisting her had proven beneficial to the Inquisition on more than one occasion now. The rogue moved closer to Dorian, choosing to lay at the man's side. He propped himself up on one arm, allowing for the other to drape across Dorian's stomach, smiling as the name slowly clicked in his mind.

"The one who called you a hothouse orchid?" he smiled, tone almost teasing. Ignoring the fact that Bramen had needed to ask what exactly a hothouse was originally.

[pavus_redemit]

"Yes, that one." He rolled his eyes at that. Of course that was the thing Bramen remembered. He was not so delicate and certainly did not need constant tending like those flowers did.

He ran a hand through Bramen's hair now that his lover was close enough to touch. "She says there's talk among the slaves and lower classes about you. You're becoming a bit of a hero to them. And apparently so am I..."

Dorian trailed off for a moment while he considered that little piece of information. "Huh. My pariah status means I'm the 'good magister' trying to help the people by abandoning the usual trappings and fighting against the upper class."

[hallarider]

Maybe Dorian didn't need to be tended to like a delicate flower but that didn't mean the man would reject the attention. Bramen leaned into his lower's touch and exhaled a bit, moving to rest his head against Dorian's chest. He kept his eyes off the letter though, closing them instead as his lover read, idly stroking along the man's side.

"It's good they're talking about you," he smiled, turning his head a bit to nuzzle into Dorian's side, "Showing the world what a Tevinter mage can do, what a man from Tevinter should do." Dorian defied convention, he was far and away from the vision many had of the magisters in the Imperium. Rejecting blood magic, standing for what was just, doing the right thing. More men needed to be like Dorian.

"I'm guessing many slaves and lower class so happen to be elves..." he murmured that a little softer, face still pressed against his partner. "That part's something even the humans seem to chatter about. I suppose long ears and Vallaslin are things that draw attention though."

[pavus_redemit]

"Most are elves. The vast majority." Dorian used to find slavery acceptable, beneficial in some cases. Now, it always brought up a slick sense of dread in his stomach. It was one more thing he had to fix in his homeland. "I'm not surprised they're inspired by you but me? That's... well, flattering but not what I was expecting."

He imagined he'd end up like his ancestor, the traitor who was executed. The reason his father was so obsessed with Pavus being a proper Tevinter house again. If the lower classes were supporting him, venerating him, it would cause quite a stir among the Altus and Magisters.

"You draw attention because you're handsome, darling." He patted Bramen's shoulder, hoping to placate what sounded like a wounded ego to Dorian. "I understand exactly how the masses feel as they gaze adoringly at you."

[hallarider]

He drew attention because he was an elf. There wasn't any two ways about it. It wasn't worth dwelling over though, just another thing to push into the back of his mind. Some things couldn't easily be changed and that as all right. He was happy for Dorian at the very least, the man bringing attention in his homeland, drawing the eyes of so many. He opened his eyes, smiling a bit as he looked up at Dorian.

"If anyone is being stared at for being handsome, it's you," he said with a short laugh, hand trailing over and across Dorian's stomach. "I'm glad you're causing a stir back in your homeland - you aren't afraid to do the right thing." He traced small, idle patterns along Dorian's stomach, breathing out as he shifted a little, turning his head to kiss at the mage's jaw.

"You're the one who stood up when nobody else would."

[pavus_redemit]

"I ran quite far," he muttered as he set aside the letter. He could read it again later and focus on the details then. Right now, he had his lover lavishing attention on him and he needed a minute to think. "I could have stayed and fought from Tevinter. My father was quite a large threat, yes, but perhaps I could've done more."

Of course, if he had stayed he wouldn't have met Bramen. He wouldn't have joined the Inquisition. He wouldn't have fallen in love with the handsome elf lying beside him now.

"But I don't regret leaving as I did. The south is generally horrible and backwards but there is one bright spot." He leaned down and kissed his love gently.

[hallarider]

Craning his neck up, Bramen returned Dorian's kiss, breaking away in order to nestle his head against the mage's shoulder, nuzzling against his throat. "You could have stayed in Tevinter... But the Venatori would've tried to find a way to silence you," despite knowing so little about his lover's homeland, it didn't take much to determine what the Venatori would've done to him. It wasn't as though Dorian Pavus was an unknown mage, his family had rank and power. "Even with your father's support..." he murmured that a bit quieter, exhaling.

"You came here for a reason. You stayed for a reason," Bramen clutched his hand a bit tighter against the leather of Dorian's top, closing his eyes again. "What does Maevaris think of it?" The woman cared enough to write, evidently.

[pavus_redemit]

His father would have found a way to silence him once his first attempt failed and he found a better way to get what he wanted. Dorian didn't bring that up. It wasn't pleasant to talk about and he wanted to keep things pleasant.

"Mae finds it delightful but dangerous. Some who support you and support me have been threatened. The lower classes are outright killed, not that the Magisterium is concerned with such things." There was a bit of anger in his voice at that and guilt as well. He doesn't want to be the reason anyone gets killed. It's a horrible feeling.

He wrapped an arm around Bramen's shoulders and held him closer to him. His lover comforted him simply with his presence at his side. "I might have to find a way to help."

[hallarider]

He knew there were places his supporters would be killed It was a terrible feeling, one that was often difficult to stomach - but they were fighting a war. That was the nature of war, people died. He'd killed enough by his own hand, even before he became the herald. Long before the conclave, he knew the consequences of it all.

"Is there any way to get word out? Tell the lower class in Tevinter that they can seek refuge here in Skyhold? That they can support the Inquisition?" he asked, though a part of him doubted it would be fruitful. If word got out that people from the Imperium were fleeing to aid the Inquisition, action would be taken. Strong as the Inquisition's forces were, there wasn't enough to take on the entire Imperium and Corypheus' forces at once.

[pavus_redemit]

"You'll have slave hunters attacking every elf they see in Inquisition uniforms to see if they're an escaped slave," he warned. "It's legal for slave owners to send hunters after any slave and recapture them in any land even the free ones."

It was another policy that Dorian didn't like. It wasn't something that could easily be changed either. He brushed his fingers up and down the side of Bramen's arm as he thought about it.

"You could attempt to contact the Liberators. They're a group, very secretive, within Tevinter society that smuggles slaves to free countries. They're quite hated by much of the Magisters."

[hallarider]

Bramen nodded, understanding as best he could. It seemed so wrong to him but Dorian knew what he was talking about. He's trust the man on this without a second thought. "I'll bring it up with my advisers," he said, hand resting on Dorian's chest. "Leliana might be able to get some more information... I'll run it by her," he said, though his spymaster no doubt already knew. Even though that letter was sealed, he had a feeling Leliana already knew of its contents. She had her ways like that.

"Have things always been that way? In Tevinter, I mean..." he asked, shifting to sit up a little more. The conversation for the evening had taken a bit of an unexpected turn, making Bramen wet his lips a little as he looked to Dorian. "Everything seems so corrupt... But when I met Felix, he seemed decent. Even Alexius, there was a piece of him that still seemed reasonable," Which was why bramen had decided to employ him, to have the magister serve by researching magic and artefacts for the Inquisition.

Even Dorian's father seemed like a man who could be reasoned with. He still didn't know what Dorian and Halward had spoken of when he'd left the two of them alone in that Redcliffe tavern - but he knew that burned bridges took a great deal of time to rebuild.

"Every Altus in the Imperium can't possibly be so... Blind and cruel, can they?"

[pavus_redemit]

He sighed heavily. How could he explain the complex mess around slavery and power in Tevinter?

"It's... it's more than that, Bramen. So many of us don't think slavery is wrong. It's how things are," he explained, struggling over his words. "There are a few like me who saw their slaves as people and treated them well but I still owned them. They're property and so many feel as if they can treat them however they wish. And not to mention most abuses aren't reported or prosecuted."

He pinched the bridge of his nose between his fingers, trying to think of how to word this all. "It's not corruption, it's... acceptance and comfort. It is how things have always been so why change them? The system has worked for eons and no one wants to change it because change will definitely bring about the fall of the Empire. Even though things are falling apart anyway. Some are deliberately cruel but most are just... settled in their ways."

[hallarider]

It was a difficult matter to speak on - but Bramen understood that. He sat up a little more, reaching out to touch his lover's face, stroking Dorian's jaw as he listened. Not everyone in the Imperium was bad, there was just a certain way to things. A certain way so few wanted to change. He could understand that.

"We feel the same way about elves who live in cities," he began, letting his fingers rest against the man's chin. "Their lives aren't easy but the city life is much easier than a nomadic one. They are set in their ways, they feel they've found their lot in life - to sacrifice what little they have, most can't do it. I imagine it's similar for your people, they cling to the old way of life because it's easier. There's less risk," he frowned a little, breathing out his nose.

In a sense, that was why his people roamed. It was easier to pack up and move than it was to settle, to try and gain the trust of people. They would cling to their old ways and damn anyone who thought otherwise. It wasn't quite the same - but there were similarities to be drawn.

He managed a thin smile though, brow creasing as he pat his lover's cheek. "But... You're speaking now with someone who considers the life of a deer on par with that of his own family. I realise that old ways can appear a bit... Senseless at times."

[pavus_redemit]

"I know there are evil Magisters," he said softly. "I know there are some that take advantage of the system. Most of them are probably Venatori now and we'll defeat them but the others just don't care which can be worse I suppose."

Dorian didn't know much about any lower class lives, city elves or nomads like Bramen. That life was a mystery to him. He was pampered, completely comfortable his whole life until he left Tevinter.

"Tevinter is very senseless. They're so blinded by the past glory that they'll let everything fall apart around them without care. I just... I want to save my people and their culture. Mages can be good, strong without the damn Maker saying we're mistakes and shunned from birth." There was so much passion in his voice and an old hurt, the one he held deep. He was so tired of being told he was a mistake, flawed and broken.

[hallarider]

Bramen shifted again, moving in between Dorian's legs and kneeling there. His hands came out to rest on the man's shoulders, rubbing them lightly before he leaned forward, kissing the mage softly, hushing him. Those hands of his moved from Dorian's shoulders and to his face, resting their foreheads together. He heard the passion in Dorian's voice, he felt it keenly. He himself wasn't a mage - but that didn't matter, did it? He could still understand his lover's plight. He still recognised Dorian's desire for change.

"The people I have loved the most have all been mages," he explained, voice soft, "You don't need to convince me of anything, Dorian." He stroked along the man's cheeks, fingers moving back into his hair. He looked his lover in the eye, keeping their faces close together as his fingers stroked the hair on the back of the man's head, breathing out slowly through his nose.

"No mage should be cast aside," The tips of their noses touched, Bramen turning his head to kiss Dorian softly once more, eyes closing now, "Especially not someone like you."

[pavus_redemit]

"Just when I think I can't possibly love you more," he said softly. "You say wonderful things like that."

Dorian didn't know how he managed to love this strongly. Surely one person couldn't feel all this and stay whole. Some part of them would break trying to hold it all in.

"I'm going to change it. All of it. It may take me years and I may only start the change but it will." He would see his homeland made better and be respected again. He would make sure, most of all, that others like him could love like this and not be ashamed. "With you at my side I can do anything."

[hallarider]

The elf offered up another soft kiss to his partner, letting his hands slip down to the mage's cheeks and then down his neck. Hearing things like that made his heart stir, his chest feeling warm. It sent an indescribable feeling through him to hear those tender words murmured so quietly. Dorian was often tender, he was often intimate - but all of that was done through actions. He very rarely spoke such sweet things, so rarely did he get the opportunity to see Dorian with his walls down. He'd usually hide his feelings behind humour and wit, puff his chest out like a bird strutting about. A single sweet word and usually the man would withdraw, laughing it off and saying he was getting too sentimental.

He didn't laugh this time. Maybe that's what made it mean all the more. "I'll stay by your side as long as you'll have me," the Dalish rogue whispered, one hand stroking along the side of Dorian's neck. He stayed close, keeping their foreheads together. Eyes still closed, mouths close enough to feel each other's breath. He swallowed, feeling his heart pounding a bit faster, his pulse in his ears.

"I love you too, Dorian."

[pavus_redemit]

The best response to that was to kiss Bramen until neither of them could breathe. It was the only response to that sort of confession since Dorian couldn't form words. He was loved by this amazing man who understood him and loved him anyway.

"We are done talking," he said, his voice rough with passion. "The only things I want to hear from you for the rest of the night are your moans and my name."

He grabbed the open front of Bramen's shirt and tugged, too impatient to deal with buttons. He wanted skin, his lover wrapped around him and in him.

[hallarider]

The sudden kiss was a surprise, enough to make Bramen's eyes widen but he quickly found himself able to relax, drinking it in as he returned it. Dorian's fervent passion wasn't going unnoticed and the elf welcomed every bit of it. The words had struck a chord in the man, just as they'd done to him - and this was most certainly a welcome way of showing it. His hands moved down Dorian's shoulders as their lips parted, panting lightly. Before he could speak, Dorian had cut him off with those words, that demand of his the Bramen could only nod at.

Still left breathless, he let Dorian tug at his shirt, two of the buttons coming undone in the process. More of his chest was exposed, laying back as letting his lover climb over him. Bramen blinked a few times, his head still swimming from that kiss, letting his hands come down to fumble with the rest of those buttons. Dorian's buckles would be far more difficult. A light moan passed Bramen's lips, uncertain of what else to do, not wishing to disappoint him. With those buttons undone, his hands slid up Dorian's forearms, the elf arching his back to lean up, catching his lover's mouth in another firm kiss.