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]

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.

[pavus_redemit]

Bramen looks so wonderful when he's dazed, drunk on how they made each other feel. He tugged the shirt off once the last button popped free and threw it towards a corner. With all that skin bared to him Dorian only had one course of action.

He began to kiss down Bramen's neck, to his chest, trailing kisses everywhere. This was his, all his, and loved just as strongly as he loved. He bit down on Bramen's collar bone, hard, intent on leaving a mark behind.

This was his lover, his love. Everyone could see, would see that Bramen was his and loved him.

[hallarider]

The elf swallowed hard before his mouth hung open again, letting out a breathless gasp at the feeling of those lips trailing across him. He sucked in a breath through his nose, his hands coming up to grasp either side of the man's head as he kissed down his throat and towards his chest, biting his collar bone. Fingers threaded through Dorian's hair, stroking it back and clutching at the man's head. Another sound came from the back of his throat, something half a moan and half a sigh, all but imploring his partner to continue.

"Dorian..." he murmured the man's name, opening his eyes and blinking a few times, trying to gain his bearings in all of this. He smoothed through that hair, one hand slipping down towards the man's back, braced against the leather of his top. Dorian had asked to hear only moans and his name falling from Bramen's lips - but that wasn't a promise the herald could entirely keep. He did his best to glance down towards his lover, hoping to catch a glimpse of where else those lips wanted to kiss.

"I can't let you have all the fun."

[pavus_redemit]

That got his attention enough for Dorian to draw back and look at his lover. "You had better not just lie there. Come join the party, darling."

All the passion was because of happiness. Dorian felt so much joy he couldn't contain it all. They should be celebrating, reveling in their love for each other. He wants Bramen to participate and get involved.

"Put those clever fingers of yours to use," he whispered along his ear, ending with a little bit to the lobe.

[hallarider]

"I don't plan on it," Bramen grinned, both hands wrapping around his lover's shoulders as he pulled himself up a bit more, meeting Dorian's mouth. He kissed the man firmly, taking that attention away from one of his long ears for the moment. His hands clutched at Dorian's back, an eager sound coming from the back of his throat as he traced down Dorian's back.

"All these buckles," he murmured against Dorian's mouth before kissing him again, briefly this time before nuzzling the tip of his nose against Dorian's own. "You do love making it difficult, don't you?" he teased, drawing his hands down to Dorian's sides. Buckles were hardly a challenge for the deft hands of a rogue, those fingers of his starting to loosen the straps and work at the metal clasps.

"Next time I ask you to wait for me up here, I should be more specific..." he turned his head, kissing along Dorian's jaw, speaking between each kiss he placed, "Namely, that I'd rather have you undressed and draped in furs."

[pavus_redemit]

"Fashion as a price," he said with a laugh. It took a bit of twisting to shrug out of his leather top but he was good at it from practice. "That would have been great instruction. I would have followed it precisely."

Next time he'll strip bare and wrap himself in the furs that decorate Bramen's bed. It would be a very pleasant surprise for his lover and get them right here much faster.

He twisted his fingers in Bramen's hair and dragged him into a kiss. It had been too long since the last one. How could he go so long without kissing his wonderful man?

[hallarider]

Of course, all in the name of fashion. In any other circumstance, Bramen might have shaken his head, rolled his eyes a little - but right now, there was no time for that. With Dorian's top removed, Bramen had access to all that exposed skin. He lay back down against the bed, pulling his lover with him before running his hands all over that back. He gasped a little against Dorian's mouth before their lips met again, not wanting to break the kiss longer than necessary. Both men were hungry and they were needy, wanting this contact more than anything now.

Who knew a few words could stir this kind of reaction?

Bramen's hands moved down along Dorian's back and along the man's sides, feeling every available inch of flesh. Dorian's broader form over him, he panted lightly against the man's face as their lips parted again, eyes closed as his lips found Dorian's chin. "I'll bear it in mind," the elf murmured, fingers splaying across the small of Dorian's back, "For next time... And the time after that."

[pavus_redemit]

"Should I just be nude every time I come here?" he teased, nibbling along Bramen's jaw. "Walk in and strip for you? I will be right there for you, whenever you tire of your work you could slide into bed with me without any trouble."

It's a lovely little fantasy but too many people come to Bramen's quarters to talk and drop off reports for that to be possible. Dorian likes his privacy and doesn't want others seeing him naked.

However, he wants Bramen naked. He sits back on his heels and goes after the ties of his lover's pants.

[hallarider]

As Dorian eased back, Bramen's hands moved along with him, slipping along warm skin and towards Dorian's arms. He stroked up and down the man's forearms, watching as he worked the ties on his trousers. A smile crossed his face, running his hands up and down Dorian's arms as he worked. "Maybe not every time," he said with a short laugh, shaking his head. Every time might be a little much. He enjoyed doing this with the man, he adored his company - but there was so much more to them than simply the physical.

Though slipping into bed and laying with his lover any time he wanted was appealing. Sexual or not, he loved to simply be near the man.

"We'd hate to surprise Josephine or Cullen."

[pavus_redemit]

He gave his lover a look, one eyebrow raised. "Darling, don't offer me the chance to embarrass the Commander because I will take it and revel in it."

Honestly, Bramen should know better. Dorian's friendship with Cullen was mostly taunting and teasing each other over chess and in the tavern. Dorian would leap at the chance to see the man turn bright, bright red.

"Josephine wouldn't bat an eye," he said casually as he tugged the ties loose on Bramen's pants. He looked very pleased with himself as he finishes the task. He was this much closer to his lover naked and very smug about it.

[hallarider]

He knew of the odd friendship Cullen and Dorian had. He knew quite well Dorian did what he could to tease the former templar - and his commander often tried to respond in kind. It was nice to see them getting along, even if it was a bit unusual for some. A light chuckle escaped him, followed by a sigh as he gazed up at Dorian.

"Still," Bramen smiled, hands moving over top of his lover's own, stroking the backs of them, "I'd rather that I be the only one who sees you undressed like that from now on."

It was no secret that Dorian had been with other men before - he'd admitted as much, explaining how it could never be more back home. That was back in Tevinter though - here, in Skyhold, here with Bramen, it could be. It was more. The elf squeezed Dorian's hands before sitting up a little more once again. It would make it harder to remove his trousers but now he could bring his hands to Dorian's own hips, dragging them around to the front of his own pants and working on unfastening the belts there, chuckling again as he tried to sit up onto his own knees, leaning in for another kiss.

"And... What did I say about you having all the fun?"

[pavus_redemit]

"I can't help it. I want you naked and you know how I get what I want," he said but he leaned back to give Bramen plenty of room to work. "I can't help it that you get distracted."

He was fine with Bramen being the only one to see him naked. He's certainly the only one Dorian wants to touch and cuddle with while naked. The time they bathed together was a fond memory, one of his favorites.

"This is quite a lot of fun," he mused. "All the anticipation keeping us fumbling around. It's like being young again."

[hallarider]

He did get a little distracted but much of it was just wanting to prolong these moments with the other man, wanting to indulge in as much of him as he could for as long as possible. That wasn't a crime, was it? He leaned in for another kiss, still smiling as he worked Dorian's pants undone, pushing them part-way down his hips. As the elf shifted, his own pants slipped down too, breathing through his nose before he dipped his head down and began to kiss at Dorian's throat.

"I am young, Dorian," he said with a short laugh, placing warm kisses across that neck. His hands stroked across the mage's hips and back up to his sides, drawing across towards his stomach as his lips trailed down towards his shoulder. "I tend to fumble a lot," he was still smiling though, teasing himself as he said it.

[pavus_redemit]

"Hush, you're going to make me feel old." He rose up on his knees and wiggled out of his pants for Bramen. Then he slides down to tug Bramen's pants down his hips.

At last they're both naked and Dorian lays himself on top of Bramen. Dorian's not too much older than Bramen but older and certainly more experienced. His lover was such a quick learner.

"You don't fumble, darling, but you are easily distracted."

[hallarider]

"I fumble a little," he admitted, shifting along with Dorian as the pair of them finished undressing. Being pushed back down to the bed by Dorian's larger form, Bramen brought his arms around Dorian's shoulders and began to rub across them, turning his head to continue kissing at the mage's jaw. He had very little experience with any of this - and much of what he had to go on was all Dorian's instructions. The man was right though - he was a fast learner.

His hands trailed down the mage's back, nipping beneath his chin as he breathed out. "And maybe I do get a little distracted..." he pressed a wet kiss against Dorian's throat, making a contented sound in the back of his throat as he shifted beneath his lover, pressing their hips together. This was always how he liked to begin things - a lot of touching, kissing, building up to a point where he could touch every part of the man over him.

"How old do you think I am, anyway?"

[pavus_redemit]

"Younger than I am," he mused as he tilted his head for Bramen's attentions. He loved that, the little kisses and touches his lover bestowed on him while they tangled together in bed. "Perhaps not by much, though."

He shifted to lie at Bramen's side so that he could run his hand up and down Bramen's chest and over his hip. He brushed his fingers lightly along his cock. "It's good. It means we'll have a long life together. Plenty of time for this."

[hallarider]

Bramen's eyes closed, moving closer to his lover and shifting his hips. A light hum escaped him as Dorian touched him, the rogue's own fingers stroking along the mage's hip and down towards his cock, mirroring what Dorian was doing to him. "We'll go with that," he said with a short laugh, craning his neck towards the mage and claiming his mouth for another kiss.

Another sound of contentment as he began to brush along Dorian's length, wrapping his hand around the shaft and starting to stroke the man. His mouth found its way to kiss along the mage's face again, beside his mouth, his chin, along his jaw - anywhere Bramen could get his lips. He loved every minute he could spend like this with the man beside him, that heat between their bodies, that steady build up.

He sighed across the man's face, his free arm slipping around Dorian's shoulders as a leg came out to stroke across his own, an ankle curling around the mage's. Anything to bring them closer, Bramen's nose rubbing against Dorian's between their short kisses.

"Plenty of time to have you at my side... And for me to be by yours."

[pavus_redemit]

That was love, wasn't it? Dorian knew passion and ached for that but this was a long, deep need that he ignored. The risk with Bramen was this deeper need, this love that built deeper and stronger each day they were together.

He slid his freehand into Bramen's hair so that he felt as if he was wrapped around him. "I want ages with you," he said softly, his voice full of emotion. He could only be vulnerable like this with him.

He matched his touch to Bramen's and it almost felt like they were one person. Dorian had never felt closer to his lover before, never allowed himself and now that he had it was better.

[hallarider]

These rare moments were among those that Bramen cherished the most. He kissed Dorian in response to that - they couldn't truly spend an age together but they would try. The elf was intent on making the most of everything they had. He kissed his lover in response, lips lingering against Dorian's mouth as his hand wrapped around the base of Dorian's cock. He slowly began to stroke along the man's shaft, a steady touch as he worked the man stiff.

He breathed out across Dorian's lips and pressed their noses together again. Right now, he wanted nothing more than to give the man everything he wanted, everything he could never have in his homeland. "Kiss me, Dorian," he murmured those words, offering up short kisses beside the mage's mouth, urging the man to claim his.

"So long as my heart beats, it's yours."

[pavus_redemit]

What a foolish request. Dorian was already kissing Bramen but he kissed him harder, deeper, with all the force of what he felt for his lover. His heart was all Bramen's, the whole of his Tevinter passion was his love's.

"Is that what you wanted, darling," he said, his voice almost a growl. "Tell me what you want and it's yours. Anything."

Anything within his power to give Bramen and many things beyond it. He had already figured out how to manipulate time with magic, everything else would be simple in comparison. If Bramen wanted to moon itself Dorian would pull it out of the sky.

[hallarider]

Bramen didn't want the moon. He didn't need it. His free arm moved further around Dorian's shoulders, encircling them as he continued to stroke his partner's length, breathing across Dorian's face. He returned each and every kiss that the man had for him, just wanting to stay close to the man laying next to him. His foot idly began to stroke along Dorian's own, across the side and up along the man's ankle.

"You," Bramen murmured, lips against the mage's own, bodies a tangle of limbs. He released his grip on the man's cock, bringing his hand to Dorian's chest as he pushed the man back onto the mattress. He untangled himself from Dorian's legs and slipped the arm away from his shoulders, using that to brace himself against the bed as he rolled over, on top of Dorian now - his legs nestled between the man's own. He leaned in for another kiss, bodies pressed together, Dorian's arousal pressing against his stomach.

"All I want," he began, bringing one hand up to rest against Dorian's cheek, "Is you."

[pavus_redemit]

There was a little moan of regret when Bramen took his hand away but Dorian's an impatient man and he never liked Bramen's hands somewhere else.

"You sap," he said softly as he rested his forehead against Bramen's. "Now I have to insist you make love to me. Since you're going to be so romantic."

His tone was gentle though his words were meant to be mocking. Dorian wanted to make love, to have Bramen wrapped around him so close that they felt like one person.

[hallarider]

The elf began to rock his hips against Dorian's own, leaning in to steal another kiss. "Make love to you?" he said with a grin, eyes closed as braced a hand against Dorian's shoulder, offering better leverage as he moved against the man. He was indeed being romantic, perhaps a little too syrupy for his partner's tastes but he spoke from the heart. It was something he couldn't simply stop.

Another stolen kiss as he breathed out across Dorian's face, bumping his nose against the man's. "But I haven't even started talking dirty to you," it had been an eventful evening, even without their brand of alleged dirty talk.

"And here I was, about to suggest you write home to your father about that staff I'm having made for you."