#daific

Malcolm/Anders - “Waiting for Someone” - HOT. AS. HELL. ding ding ding ding oh mY FUCKING GOD my FAVORITE rare pair

Iron Bull/Cullen - “Bull’s Heart” - gentle and sweet, hot af with the size difference and the d/s and “kadan” aaaaaaaaaaa

Fenris/Anders - “soft as snow (but warm inside)” - exquisite art of an extremely soft and beautiful moment, i could cry

Anders/Karl/Hawke - “Chemistry is you touching my mind and setting my body aflame” - great poly! the sexy blasphemy is so much fun and they deserve to be happy together ;u;

Cullen/Dorian - “Mutually Beneficial” - quite literally every thing about cullrian I love in one fic, it really has it all! HRHGHGH AMAZING

‘Fen’Harel positioned his other Knight at F6.

After much pondering, I sent my additional Knight to E2.

We had played this many times, our minuscule stone soldiers battling it out on black and white tile, hypothetical bloodshed and casualties. None of it mattered; just idle play to keep the weapons of the mind sharp and polished.

But here, in this tiny capsule of idyllic tranquility; everything was at stake. This was no more a game, in fact it was battle.

A war without swords or arrows, a war fought with the mind alone.

Everyone is making Cassandra sad so I am here to single-handedly fix it. 

Ellana is running early for a meeting with Leliana to discuss some intelligence reports in preparation for their next expedition when she hears voices above her.

More specifically, hears Cassandra’s voice.

She had hidden it well in the months since but her rejection that day on the battlements still stung.

But she was content to keep things the way they were if it meant that Cassandra was still in her life. Was one of her closest friends, besides Dorian that is.

She stops halfway up, still out of sight but close enough to hear most of what is being said. Doesn’t want to interrupt the conversation between the old friends. Is curious to know exactly what sort of things two of the most powerful women in Thedas discuss in their downtime.

“Why don’t you tell her? It is doing you no good to keep this to yourself. It isn’t noble to torture yourself in such a way Cassandra. This isn’t one of your books. It’s your own heart, own happiness you are denying yourself,” Leliana’s voice rings out, sounding concerned.

“Ugh I know this is nothing like one of my books - just because - I know Leliana,” Cassandra sighs.

Ellana shuffles nervously, it feels like an invasion of privacy to linger but she is curious. Wants to know who they are talking about. So she can send whoever she is to the furthest reaches of Thedas.

But she isn’t that petty. Would never deny Cassandra her happiness. Even if it meant she didn’t find it with her. Even if it was a she after Cassandra told her that she could never be romantically interested in women.

“It’s not too late you know,”

Ellana barely hears the noise of confusion that Cassandra makes over the cawing on the crows. The ruffling of their feathers.

“She has shown no interest in anyone these past months. Even those that literally throw themselves at her. And I don’t think she will, even for something casual,”

“You can’t know that.” Cassandra sounds small. Unsure of herself.

“No. But I know that she is in love with you.”

“Leliana - don’t,” Cassandra’s tone is enough to warn most people off. But Leliana isn’t most people.

“Why? You love her too no? It is only some foolish sense of duty and propriety, denial of your true feelings that made you say no to her that day.”

Could it be? Surely they weren’t? They couldn’t?

If Ellana didn’t know any better she would have thought that the mystery woman that they were talking about was her.

But it couldn’t be.

Could it?

Ellana can’t linger here. Not anymore. But Cassandra confirms her suspicion before she has a chance to figure out if she should retreat or continue on climbing up the stairs and make her presence known.

“She is the Inquisitor Leliana,” Cassandra sighs “It wouldn’t - “

Ellana can’t stop the gasp of surprise that escapes at Cassandra’s words, cringes at the echo it makes off the stone walls of the narrow staircase, interrupting the conversation above.

“You’re early Ellana,” Leliana’s voice calls out, and Ellana can hear the smirk on her lips. Wouldn’t be surprised if she knew she was there the entire time.

Ellana climbs the last few steps before coming into view of the others.

Cassandra is looking at her with a panicked look on her face, before turning to give Leliana a dark look that sends recruits running.

Leliana just smiles softly as she stands, brushing invisible dirt off the front of her coat.

“I have some things to check on with Josie, and it appears that you two have matters of your own to discuss”

Ellana barely notices Leliana leaving, focused as she is on trying to keep the thoughts that are racing through her mind from showing on her face.

It’s too much to hope for, Cassandra willing to be with her even knowing how she feels about her. How Ellana still feels about her.

“You weren’t meant to hear any of that.” Cassandra manages to say.

Ellana watches as she rises stiffly from the wooden bench she is sitting on before she turns to face her. Hands wringing in a nervous gesture that looks out of place on someone as confident as Cassandra.

“Is it true though?” Ellana says thickly. Her mouth feels clumsy compared to her racing thoughts. To the feeling of tightness in her chest that she has ignored for so long, sharper now with the small morsel of hope she had recently been given.

She loves you in return that small voice in her head clings to. Gives her heart hope.

Ellana watches calmly as Cassandra fidgets.

Watches as she opens and closes her mouth as if testing the words before she speaks them.

Watches as her hands stop moving and a look of calm resolution settles on her face, her posture straightening as she settles whatever internal battle has been going on inside her.

“Yes.”

It’s one word. But it sends her reeling. Gives her hope. Makes her stop thinking for the briefest of moments before the more protective side of her heart stops. Waits for the “but”. For the other shoe to drop.

“Yes, it’s true,” Cassandra speaks again, drawing her from her own thoughts.

Confuses her when she realises how much closer Cassandra is to her.

“I realise now what a fool I had been that day. That as much as I thought I was protecting you I was hurting you far more. In far worse ways than the way that I feared.”

There is a sadness in Cassandra’s voice. In the lines of her beautiful face. Lingering in the depth of her eyes. Eyes that are a colour that Ellana has never been able to make out, but a task that she would go to great lengths to study thoroughly.

Cassandra’s mouth is moving, but Ellana isn’t listening to what she’s saying. Not really. She watches the way the scar on her cheek pulls. The way her tongue darts out nervously to wet her lips. She lets the tone of her voice wash over her. Feels a shiver at the sound of Cassandra’s accent - her voice was one of the things she first found attractive about her after all.

“Shut-up,” Ellana says sharply, snapping out of her thoughts.

“What?”

“Stop talking,” Ellana murmurs, taking a step towards Cassandra, closing the distance between them. Rests her hands on her hips. Squeezes the firm flesh beneath her fingers lightly.

“What are you doing?” Cassandra asks her. Her voice wavers slightly, and Ellana smiles softly as she leans in closer. Gives Cassandra the time - and space - to pull away from her if she wants to. Watches the look in her eye to know if she is welcomed there or not.

Finds that she is, and her heart stutters in one of its beats at the barely contained excitement she feels swelling in her chest.

“Yet, my pursuit brings me closer to you, Solas.” I announced softly so the gathered spectators would not overhear.

I caressed the King piece in my palm with absolute tenderness, knowing full well it was within his view. His right brow raised before he forced the muscles of his face into a neutral expression, yet when I looked up at him he drew his face away quickly. I suppose neutrality could not hide everything. He briefly sized up the crowd before returning to face me.

“Do they bother you, Solas? Do you find it hard to focus?” I whispered coyly.

“With you in my sight, Vhenan, how could I see anyone else? Besides, I am merely waiting for your next play. It is your turn, or have you forgotten in your arduous pursuit of my King?” Solas countered.

“I will have more than that in my hands by the end of this, Solas. Just you watch.” I proclaimed boldly.

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Maybe... if I squint hard enough I will see six sentences....well, lets just say I was an art major for a reason and counting is not my specialty. 

Thank you for reading!

>>> Werewolves & Vampires Edition

Different Worlds by xxMad_Donaxx Handers + M/E + 14k + modern-ish world, vampires & werewolves On one of his earlier escapes from the Tower Anders is helped out by a strange family. He thinks of the werewolves who helped him during his days in the circle. On his last escape from the Tower Anders is changed forever before war breaks out in his home country of Ferelden. Fleeing the fighting to the nearby city of Kirkwall, he comes across one of the werewolves that helped him so long ago.

Righting Wrongs by Cyberfairie Adoribull + M + 38K + vampires & werewolves, blood-drinking, cw suicide attempt, read the tags The problems began when the Inquisitor insisted upon bringing a vampire into her inner circle. Vowing to keep an eye on the vamp, Bull was surprised when Dorian proved to be unlike any vamp Bull had ever met. Begrudging admiration blossomed into reluctant intrigue as Bull began to accept that perhaps Dorian was more than just a vampire.

I SURE DO, but only a few so far!

Exhale Your Life Over Mine by Elpie (Horribibble) -- Cullrian

splinters of my soul by Cap_Sweet_And_Salty_Sadness - Cullrian, demi Cullen and grey-ace Cassandra! (Psychic/Medium!Dorian too! Very neat AU)

Safe by dwarvenkin - Cullen/fInquisitor

Coming and Going (to You) by jack_the_giantkiller - ace Cullen with an enjoyable open relationship with Dorian

I SURE FUCKIN’ CAN

All You Are by nyagosstar

>>>Modern AU Edition

There's No Such Thing As Girl Gamers by TCRegan Handers, romcom, mmorpg, awkward, cute! Garrett Hawke is a gamer who's involved in the MMO THEDAS. He's got a crush on his guild's healer and it seems the feeling might be mutual. Only one problem. As Garrett's been playing a female warrior from the start, everyone thinks he's a woman. Now he has to figure out if he should come clean before the upcoming THEDAS convention.

You (do) know you want to call (me, don't you?) by emotionalmorphine Cullrian, 15.3k, anonymous/phone sex, dirty talk, mmm yes Cullen is stuck in a rut. Coming to Haven had meant a fresh start, a new job away from Hawke, but two years later and Cullen can't even get a date. Josephine hands him a life jacket in the form of a little white card with the number to Inquisitive Minds, a gay sex chat line. Cullen rings and Dorian answers.

‘The Proposal’ Universe by ponticle Cullistair, 48k, ANGSTY DRAMA, divorce, kidney failure (!!!) Alistair and Cullen have been friends since school, but when Cullen reveals his plans to propose to Icis Lavellan, his long-time girlfriend, Alistair doesn’t take it well. Romantic, heartbreaking, angsty relationship between our two favorite templars set in the modern age.

The Dying of the Light by Khemi Fenhawke, 80.5k, modern magic, motorcycles!, angsty He entered your life in a shotgun blast with a halo of blood about his head, and from that moment you knew he was the one. You want to tell him everything, but oh, your tongue is thick, so you tell him that you trust him and hope one day he'll understand. A story of the Riders, an end and a beginning, and a man named Fenris who rode with the Horsemen and changed their path forever.

Cover Up by DearSeptember Kanders/Nanders, WIP(2015), Flower Shop/Tattoo Parlor, 5.3k, There were no windows on the weather-worn door. Just the word "tattoos" in chipping red paint. Before he had time to regret it he went inside, leaving with more than he bargained for. A tattoo/floral shop AU inspired from a tumblr post.