Dorian

“Are you talking about that pet of yours that almost bit your arm off and damaged my tower?”

A smirk held Dorian’s lips when he returned his gaze to lock eyes with the warrior, but his own eyes held an affection he wouldn’t admit to out loud. Not yet anyway.

Maker, he had almost killed the remaining apprentices at this very Circle. Swallowing, he looked away. This didn’t feel right. At all. Yes, he wanted to leave it all behind, but would Dorian even like him if he knew that the rumors might have been closer to the truth than he expected? He bit his bottom lip, a tight frown on his face. “I’m not, Dorian”, he confessed weakly. “I’ve done terrible things in the past.”

“What matters is that you’re here now. I’m here now. And if it’s all the same to you, here we’ll stay until I’m called away on a hunting and or murdering spree with the Inquisitor. I like who you are, Cullen.”

“It depends on what you’ve had in mind. I can imagine a few things that would work just fine the way we’re dressed - or undressed - now.” There was a pause after Dorian’s last  words and Cullen’s hand found the mage’s wrist. “I would never want to”, he said in earnest, slightly shaking hand running up the mage’s arm in a slow, gentle gesture. “Thank you, Dorian.” He meant it. Had the mage been a less trusting and courageous man, he might have withdrawn now, and Cullen couldn’t have blamed him for it. But he hadn’t and it made his heart beat faster in excitement and gratitude.

“I was actually quite nervous when I first met you. My encounters with Templars and, being honest, any non-mage in general were quite concerning. Didn’t help I’m so devilishly handsome and charismatic. Just about anywhere I went I was hunted down or convinced to go to the Circle, because it’s fun with fun Templars that do fun things! Honestly, I’d heard your name before I came here. Rumors are vicious in Tevinter. I thought you’d be frightening. Good to know you’re just this adorable man that is equally as confused as everyone else.”

After a few seconds, it was over and he seemed to have found what almost resembled composure. He took another deep breath, hoping the memories would fade quickly. Maybe he should go for a walk. Or change the subject. He didn’t know. “I’m sorry, Dorian”, he said softly, unable to forget the look on the man’s face as he extinguished the fireball Dorian had conjured. “I’m… trying to leave that behind me.” He did. He had hoped he would had gotten furhter than that. “All of it, save for what I’ve learned in combat.” The Commander put his hand back on Dorian’s. “I have wanted it long before I met you”, he continued on, “but now I want it even more.” He looked into the other man’s eyes, a sad, almost rueful and troubled smile on his lips. “Until I’ve got it under control.” He didn’t mean to hurt him. “I didn’t mean to betray your trust.”

Charming eyes closed for a moment in thought; allowing Cullen’s words to register properly in his mind. “These things take time, as I’m sure you know. I understand. What kind of man would I be if I simply left your side because you hold previous trauma? Atrocious, I was raised to be proper and polite. Not brought up by savages. Prime Proper member of society. A proper homosexual, one might say. I know this will not be the last time this happens, but I believe in you. You’ve caused me no harm.”

“Are you talking about that pet of yours that almost bit your arm off and damaged my tower?”

“If I didn’t know better,” The mage moaned out softly, returning his lover’s kisses playfully and rather enjoying the little trick that seemed to catch on. “I would think you enjoy spoiling me.” His voice was tender, but it held an ache, a desire for much more than this.  Dorian’s hands captured Cullen’s and laced their fingers together; something he rarely did. 

“For a long time, it made me fear magic more than anything else.“

“You know, in Tevinter, magic rules over the majority. Our Templars are nothing like the ones here, in fact, they’re more of a formality and a hindrance one Mage sends to another out of spite. They’ve no fangs, Commander. All bark and no bite as they say in the South. So imagine my surprise when I traverse down here and suddenly... Templars are doing their job? Genuinely, actually actively doing what they’re supposed to be doing. It was the first time I’d ever run from a group of them, but there’s a first time for everything. I certainly never imagined myself in bed with one either. But I could not think of myself being with a better man.”

”I’m sure I could take over his duties! I’m good at eating things.”

“Oh, I’d love to hear anyone that overheard that sentence start a rumor. Very well, if you’re willing, I suppose you can have the job.”

“Are you talking about that pet of yours that almost bit your arm off and damaged my tower?”

Eyes filled with desire, voice just the same; Dorian shifts at his lover’s hint, ready for things to proceed. “I know.” His reply is playful. “But I do love hearing you say it.”

“Ooooh, That’s my brother… Bit of a prat.”

“He seems to be nowhere around. Shame, really. He’s missing out.”

“Please, let me explain”, he said softly after they broke apart, looking at Dorian with a vaguely sad expression on his face.

“There, now. If you have it, tell me.”

“Wilbo… Wilbo Orkenbulb…. The third!”

“Well you see, now we have conflicting information. The man I’m looking for is Ser Wilbo Orkenbulb the Fourth.”

“Are you talking about that pet of yours that almost bit your arm off and damaged my tower?”

Now the small chuckle turned into a soft laugh. “Charming”, he whispered, pushing his fingers deeper inside the warm body of his lover after pulling him a little closer to his chest. His own erection was leaking already, but he didn’t pay it any mind. Too focused on gently stretching the other, Cullen moaned softly into the kiss that followed, closing his eyes in complete trust he had in the handsome mage on top of him. “You sure can try, my love”, he added with a smirk. “I’m not going to stop you.”

“I suppose I’ll just have to work a little harder.”

“Well… who am I to say no. Let’s go.”

“Before that, I need to ensure your name matches with the new recruit. So you are...?”

… Do you have a cheese taster? Can we switch jobs?

“Oh really? I recall that position being filled recently, are you also the official wine tester? I do say, new blood is always fun. Come, we’ve forty-seven new cheeses and eighty-four wines that need testing.”