#loran laidir

A sweet aroma of lavender and vanilla wafted through the bedroom door, eliciting a soft sigh from the figure curled up on Emmrich's chest. Manfred must have lit a candle, Emmrich thought with a smile. It seemed he wasn't the only one whose main priority was making sure Loran felt comfortable in a new place.

He looked down at Loran's slumbering form as he carded his hand through their molten gold hair. He treasured seeing them like this, completely calm and content, and to his delight he could see the slightest hint of their dark roots at the top of their head. Loran was always so vigilant in the upkeep of their hair, so the sight of their natural color beneath was a rare sight. And here it was, just the smallest bit of black-brown and grey, for Emmrich's eyes only.

It was all a bit surreal, if he was being honest, having Loran in his own home. Their home, now. The space had always felt a bit lonely to him, housing only himself and eventually Manfred. He adored the spirit, of course, but that longing for romance would tug at him incessantly.

And now he had it. That wonderful love, taking the form of a sleeping elf who somehow loved him just as much as he loved them. They had both been through so much, but it was all over now; the gods were dead, the Veil remained intact, and they could finally slow down and just be.

A slight shuffle on his chest broke Emmrich out of his reverie, and he felt a surge of fondness there as Loran's deep brown eyes looked sleepily up at him.

"G'morning," they slurred after a tall yawn.

Utterly adorable, they were. Emmrich couldn't help but chuckle. "I believe it's nearing suppertime, dearest."

"Mm," Loran hummed, closing their eyes again. "Weird. Coulda sworn I saw the sun just now."

Though he knew what time it was, Emmrich still found himself throwing a glance at the window. Even with the curtains currently closed, he knew his home was situated as such that he wouldn't be able to see the sun setting. "That window is facing east. I don't know how you could possibly—"

When he turned his attention back to Loran, their eyes were open once more, and he knew exactly what was happening when he saw their mouth curved into a cheeky grin.

"Incorrigible…" Emmrich smiled before leaning down to kiss them on the head. "Completely and utterly incorrigible."

"Thanks. I try."

Loran gently traced shapes on Emmrich's collarbone, occasionally going under the fabric of his robe. Emmrich knew they must be thinking about something, but was perfectly content to wait until they were ready to speak. While he waited he admired how they looked in the night shirt he'd pulled from his wardrobe after they bathed. The cream-colored silk contrasted beautifully with their ochre skin, and the overlong sleeve falling back made their wrist appear remarkably dainty.

Then the tracing trailed off. "Emmrich… this is real, right?"

The sudden shift in tone caught Emmrich off-guard. Loran's eyes were still on his chest, but their expression had morphed into something less serene.

Emmrich didn't consider himself a violent person, but Maker did he want Solas to suffer for what he did to his beloved.

"This is real, my darling. All of it." He cupped their face with one hand, gently guiding it until they made eye contact. "I swear."

He ran his thumb along the marred skin around their eye, and they brought their hand up to rest over his own. "Sorry," they murmured. "I know, it's just… it's hard to tell sometimes. I can't shake the feeling that the ground is gonna fall from under me…"

Emmrich's heart broke as Loran's other hand desperately clenched his robe. They'd endured more hardships than one person ever should just in the last few months, and that's not even mentioning the years and years they'd suffered before. He wrapped his arms around them, pulling their body completely flush to his.

"You have nothing to apologize for. This is real, and I will gladly remind you as many times as it takes. There will be no falling on my watch."

At that, Loran laughed wetly, burying their face in Emmrich's neck. "Guess I have no choice but to believe you, huh?"

"I'm afraid so," Emmrich said as he rubbed soothing circles on their back.

After a moment, Loran returned the embrace, relaxing in Emmrich's hold.

"I love you," they said, barely above a whisper.

Emmrich felt a familiar fond warmth swell in his chest, and he tightened his arms around them. "And I love you, my dearest Loran."

"…Thank you. I know what you're gonna say, but please, just let me say thank you."

And, well, Emmrich couldn't argue with that. Instead, he pressed a long kiss to their temple, hoping that they could feel his adoration.

Just then, the clanging of pots and pans sounded from the kitchen.

"Perhaps it's time," Emmrich muttered. "I shudder to think what would happen if we leave Manfred unattended any longer."

Loran let out a long-suffering sigh. "But I'm so comfy," they groaned, voice muffled with their face smushed against Emmrich's shoulder.

"I believe a hearty meal will do us both some good. We can come right back here when we finish, if you so desire."

"Promise?" Loran raised their head.

Emmrich smiled, tucking a stray lock of hair behind their large pointed ear. "Cross my heart, darling. The way you feel in my arms… believe me when I say there's nowhere else I'd rather be than right here."

That seemed to placate Loran for the moment. Emmrich helped them out of bed and to the kitchen, all the while contemplating how marvelous it was that this could be their everyday. Judging by their soft smile and the way they clung to his arm, he knew Loran felt the same.