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

[pavus_redemit]

"Good." Dorian snuggled closer to make his point. He didn't want to go anywhere and he didn't want his lover to go anywhere. There was too much on Bramen's shoulders at any given time and he took all the time he could to have their time alone.

He chuckled deeply and began to trail his fingers up and down on Bramen's ribs. "That was much more fun than some light reading. That was much more engaging and satisfying."

It was a bone deep satisfaction that settled in his muscles and around his heart because Bramen loved him. That was the best feeling in the world. He had no sense of worry, no fear that he would be asked to leave one day. He had this, love and sex, and everything he ever wanted.

[hallarider]

Alone time with Dorian was among the most important. Whether they were intimate, whether they simply read together, talked or took a walk, every moment with his lover was precious. He loved feeling Dorian near, he loved the feeling of his hands across his skin - but most of all, he loved him. With Dorian at his side, he often felt as though he could do anything.

"Ma'arlath, ma vhenan," he murmured softly, fondly. The Inquisition wouldn't be the same without this beautiful man. He never wanted to be without him.

[pavus_redemit]

"You still haven't told me what that means." He suspected he knew what it meant thanks to context but he would have liked to hear it.

It would be are for Dorian to say it. Those words still choked him with a bit of fear. It would get easier with time, hopefully because Dorian would get over his fears. He could trust Bramen would stay with him through it.

[hallarider]

Context wasn't hard to guess at but there was something different about saying it out loud, about speaking it in the common tongue. He breathed out through his nose before leaning back a bit, trying to get a better look at the man who curled up so close to him. He wanted to be able to watch his face, look him in the eye as he spoke the words in a way they both would understand.

"I could give you a long explanation," he began, smiling as he looked at Dorian against him, his handsome paramour looking at him almost expectantly, "Break it down, explain each part of it..." he wet his lips a little, leaning in again to kiss Dorian's brow before he shifted beneath him, letting the man settle a bit more against his smaller frame.

"But ultimately, it means I won't go astray. It means I'm here, joining you in all things that you'll allow," he cooed the words softly, stroking through the man's hair again, brushing back dark strands, "It means I love you, my heart."

[pavus_redemit]

There was that momentary clench of his heart at the words because they still scared him. Then he smiled and leaned in to kiss Bramen gently.

"If you go, I will follow," he said softly, his lips brushing against Bramen's with each word. "My heart is yours, always."

He hesitated before the next part. Shifting away from his lover, he sat up enough to pull off one of his rings. He picked up Bramen's hand and slid it on to his finger. "In Tevinter we exchange iron rings as a sign of devotion to someone. I may not always be able to say the words but you will have this."

[hallarider]

Bramen was touched as he felt that ring slip on his finger. He looked down at it - a simple band of iron, a design carved into it but nothing extravagant. Though right now, in this moment, it felt like the most extravagant thing. A ring, a quiet gesture, a small reminder of what they shared. He gazed at it for a moment more before reaching out to take Dorian's hand, lacing their fingers together and squeezing the man's hand.

He hoisted himself up a little, not wanting to break the contact between them for longer than necessary. Bodies close again, Bramen let his forehead rest against Dorian's own.

"You won't need to say it," he murmured quietly, leaning in for a soft kiss against his lover's, "With this, I'll always know."

[pavus_redemit]

"Of course that's the point," he teased, slipping back to the more comfortable sarcasm and jokes than the emotional honesty they were experiencing. "Keep up, amatus."

It was hard for him to be that vulnerable for long and he hoped Bramen understood. Usually, his lover was quick enough to pick up on what Dorian truly meant versus what he said.

He ran the fingers of his free hand down Bramen's cheek gently. He had truly been given a gift with this man.

[hallarider]

Turning his head, Bramen kissed against Dorian's wrist and gazed at the man before him. Never before had he felt like this, around anyone. What he carried for Dorian was real, something he couldn't describe. The way the man made him feel, especially in moments as this. As the two men had proven time and again, however - one didn't always need words.

"We should get you cleaned up," he said, nuzzling against Dorian's hand, leaning into that comforting touch, "So we can relax properly." In each other's arms, safe and warm.

[pavus_redemit]

"A good plan." Dorian kissed him one more time before he slid away and moved towards bathroom to clean up. "Perhaps we should ask fr a bottle of wine to be sent up. We can drink and cuddle."

He would love to lie around, drinking and reading with Bramen cuddled up to him. He picked up the wash cloth and warmed the water with a bit of magic.

"Unless you'd rather keep the servants away."

[hallarider]

With Dorian having excused himself to wash up, Bramen rolled on the bed to pile the pillows up a little more, making it a bit easier to lean back against the headboard. There was a bit of a draft to be had in the large room but nothing his mage couldn't fix. His mage and a set of warm furs, curled up and reading together. Almost a dream come true in that by itself.

He wrapped one of the fur blankets around him, adjusting it around his shoulders as he called back to his lover, "If you want wine, I could put my pants back on and go fetch a bottle," he said, offering a short laugh. He would much rather avoid bothering with the servants right now. In fact, he rarely bothered with them to begin with, often opting to do everything by himself. That included fetching wine.

[pavus_redemit]

Dorian made an annoyed sound. "No wine is worth you putting your pants back on."

He only cleaned what was necessary before he climbed back in to bed, sprawling on the furs. He laid his head in Bramen's lap and sprawled around him.

"I'd much rather you stay here with me. I'll remember to bring the wine next time."

[hallarider]

With his lover now in his lap, Bramen could only smile. His hands came down to smooth through Dorian's hair, pushing back those dark strands, fingers moving down to trace the shape of the man's cheeks, letting him lightly feel the caress of that metal band now around his finger.

"I think I'm happiest here as well," he said, beaming down at the man he loved. "Are you warm enough?" he asked, one hand slipping down to the pelt they were laying on top of and stroking through it. It was a dark pelt, a black wolf - a colour similar enough to Dorian's hair. His lover's hair was, of course, much softer.

"I know you're not a fan of cold nights."

[pavus_redemit]

Dorian stretched into Bramen's fingers and sighed softly with pleasure. He would melt for the simplest of pets. A little attention to his hair and he turned to a puddle of soft, cuddly mage.

"When I get cold I'll get under the fur," he said, brushing his fingers along Bramen's thigh. "I think you like how I look right now."

The fur feels a little rough but not unpleasant. He liked how the texture of the fur felt against his skin each time he moved around.

[hallarider]

"I do rather like the sight," Bramen grinned, and resting now on Dorian's chest. He was perhaps a bit more accustomed to fur beneath him than Dorian was and though the mage might have found the sensation odd, it was nothing short of a comfort to his elven love. It provided enough heat for now, even in the chilly room.

"I don't imagine you had much use for fur in Tevinter," he began, returning to his lover's hair and idly combing through it, something to ease and relax them both. "Well, beyond fashion I suppose..." he didn't stop smiling, twirling a short strand around his finger.

"Fur tends to be a lot more practical when you're Dalish."

I has smoothie

[pavus_redemit]

"Oh, fur and feathers pale in comparison to dragonling and dragon skin," he said as he tilted his head back into his touch. "But I am learning to appreciate it."

He grinned at his love and leaned up to kiss him slowly and softly. "What fur is a luxury for you? I will wrap you up in it."

That would be a great gift for his lover, something softer for them to roll around in. It would be easy enough to find. Ferelden nobility was obsessed with fur and so were the Orlesians. He could have it in days.

nom :9. it is far too cold here for delicious smoothies.

[hallarider]

Dragon scales were nice and the leather made from a dragonling's hide proved itself quite formidable - but when it came to daily attire, Bramen would take fur any day. He couldn't help but laugh a bit at his lover's offer, warmly accepting the kiss and returning it fondly.

"The fur I find to be a luxury?" he asked, running a hand down Dorian's chest, splaying his fingers and stroking out towards the man's arm, "Take a guess."

It wasn't difficult to guess. A bit more difficult to acquire, however - after all, Bramen never looked pleased to see halla pelts in Orlesian shops.

it's 7 degrees here. fuck the cold i wanted a smoothie

[pavus_redemit]

"Halla, of course," Dorian said with a little chuckle. That would be very difficult to find considering how protected halla were and he would never buy from Orlesians. He had seen Bramen's distaste.

He circled the jut of Bramen's hip slowly with a finger as he thought about it. "But you'd like to see me sprawled in them, wouldn't you?"

Not that he objected to the idea. He could get some silk scarves and they could have a lot of fun. Dorian also imagines the little deer are very soft. They certainly look soft.

It's -25 C (-13F) here. :'D

[hallarider]

Bramen closed his eyes, enjoying the feeling of Dorian's hand, the way he traced at his hip. "I would," he admitted, wetting his lips as he eased back a little more, into the pelts and pillows. "A robe made of hart leather," he murmured, both hands moving now to Dorian's shoulders and rubbing at them.

"The trim of halla fur, bone and antler decorating it," the idea in his mind intrigued him, fingers spreading towards Dorian's collar and back to his shoulders, humming thoughtfully. "Place a mark of Falon'Din on the back, stain it into the leather," a chuckle escaped him now, eyes open as he looked down at his love.

"I'd like to see you return to Tevinter wearing that."

Finally! Someone living somewhere colder than me!

[pavus_redemit]

Dorian rolled slowly on to his stomach so that Bramen could trace symbols easier. Falon'Din, the friend of the dead, entirely appropriate for Dorian.

"As long as I wouldn't be insulting your culture by doing so it sounds like a beautiful robe," he said with a happy sigh. He did like beautiful robes and missed his massive wardrobe.

He spread his hand across Bramen's hip and then down his thigh. He loved touching Bramen like this, casual, easy because they had been together for a long time and were very comfortable with each other.

it has been way too cold the last few days.

[hallarider]

"So long as it's crafted by Dalish hands, I don't think there'd be any problem," he smiled, running his hands down Dorian's back as the man settled in his lap. He traced idle runes against the flesh, vague letters in his language - bits and pieces he'd learned among his clan. One day he'd teach them to Dorian, he knew the man would love to learn.

"That robe with your new staff, you'd be the envy of every magister."

It's going to get that way here this week.

[pavus_redemit]

"All these gifts. You're spoiling me." Dorian nuzzled against Bramen's stomach. He loved how fit his lover was. It was incredibly sexy. "I want to get something for you. Don't argue. I'm going to get you a beautiful set of daggers and some lovely belts to wear them on."

Not that Bramen couldn't craft beautiful weapons himself but Dorian wants to give something. He didn't know rogue armor from warrior plate in reality but a short conversation with Cole and he could get Bramen some daggers for use when enemies closed in on him.

[hallarider]

Bramen smiled at the feeling of Dorian nuzzling his stomach, the tight skin and sturdy muscle not relenting to the weight against him. His body was built for hunting - walking great distances, riding without growing tired, firing a bow and brandishing daggers. The forest had sculpted him in ways a city never could.

"You don't need to get me anything at all," he smiled, fingers running along the back of Dorian's neck. He was told not to argue - but he'd argue. He always would when it came to material things.

"I don't need anything. I've already got you."

[pavus_redemit]

"Of course you argue," he said with a heavy sigh. He looked up at Bramen with an amused little smile on his face. "Too bad, I'm going to get you all the gifts in the world."

Even a better ring if Dorian could find one that felt appropriate. He might enchant something himself to provide protections or enhancement of Bramen's natural skill.

"They make you smile, amatus. I want to make you smile."

[hallarider]

Shifting under his lover, Bramen's hands moved to hold either side of Dorian's face, smiling warmly. He would've leaned down to kiss the man if he could reach but for now, he had to settle. He patted the man's cheek, shaking his head.

"You already make me smile, Dorian," he made him smile every time he called him that affectionate name. He made him smile with just about every word he ever spoke.

[pavus_redemit]

"How am I supposed to do anything but kiss you after that?" He pushed up on his arms and did exactly that, kissing Bramen deeply.

He rested his forehead against Bramen's. "You make me happy as well."

Happy wasn't the perfect word for it but it was good, close to the truth. Euphoric was better but seemed too much.