i made a second crack vid for dai. its mostly etienne content, not gonna lie

It’s not hard to overhear the conversation between the Inquisitor and Mother Giselle. It’s not hard to pickpocket the letter from the Inquisitor when they aren’t paying attention. It’s not hard to find Dorian in the library and place the letter in his hands, warning him of what’s to come.

In a shittier world, the Inquisitor takes Dorian to meet his father’s retainer. In that world, when the Inquisitor finds out it’s Halward himself, they attempt to stonewall Halward into “buying him back.”

It’s not hard for Étienne to take Dorian’s hand and tell him they should go. It’s not hard to throw glares as sharp and cold as his hidden blade. It’s not hard to pull Dorian with him into his tent and wrap him in a hug.

When Damian’s coming to Skyhold, Dorian gives Etienne the warning. If Etienne hadn’t already overheard the conversation himself, he might’ve lost it then. But with his own prior knowledge and with Dorian’s hands holding his, he can at least hold onto some semblance and sanity.

In a shittier world, Damian tells the Inquisitor that Etienne must die.

the dorian&etienne romance goes so much better on my alienware than on my old laptop

I will take him in, Harrick tells Genevieve, as she hands the nephew she can’t care for to the man who is not his father.

I will keep you safe, Alysanne whispers, even with her last breath, even as the candle flame is blown out.

I will teach you our ways, Brylee explains, never truly telling of the toll it takes.

I will not hurt you, Myrielle claims, even as she turns and twists and betrays.

1. Who's the one who's reckless and always getting into trouble while the other gotta pull em out

Etienne’s the reckless one. Dorian usually pulls him out if he can, but there are definitely times where Etienne has to rescue himself, and he did so all the time when he was on his own. That being said, Dorian has gotten into his fair share of shitshows, though it’s less due to his own recklessness. Etienne’s swooped in to save him once or twice when the need arose.

4. Which one spoils the other more and do they ever get competitive to show the other more love

Dorian spoils Etienne, since Dorian’s the one who can actually afford it. They don’t get competitive like that, though sometimes Etienne feels bad that he’s being given to all the time but can rarely give in return. If he feels particularly bad he’ll steal something nice for Dorian while he’s off on a job.

8. How does one comfort the other when the other is in distress/having a panic attack/crying

Dorian tends to want to be held close, to be hugged and sung to gently while Etienne rubs his back. He generally just cuddles up with Etienne as they exchange stories and Etienne tries to help him breathe again.

Etienne meanwhile is a bit of a wildcard. Sometimes he wants to be held tight, other times he just wants to be left alone. If he wants a hug he’ll end up laying against Dorian’s chest so he can listen to his heartbeat and match his breathing with it. If Etienne needs to be on his own, Dorian will generally sit nearby and just offer companionable silence. Occasionally Etienne will reach out to hold Dorian’s hand, and that’s it. 

11. When they live together what kinda place do they live in? What does their home look like?

They do settle down together in Tevinter, eventually. They get a decent sized place to set up in, with a private study & library for Dorian, and plenty of ledges and alcoves for Etienne to explore. Maybe like a little villa? Something that fits them and something that later turns into a sanctuary for Etienne’s newly established branch of the Silver Mare Assassins.

12. What do their dates look like

Sometimes it’s Dorian treating Etienne to dinner, sometimes it’s Etienne whisking Dorian away for a horseback ride and a night in a hunting cabin, curled together by the fire. Whatever it is, the night usually ends with some private fun.