BICKERING attraction

[doots]

      

BICKERING attraction

Who said that crushes or attraction have to be all goo-goo eyes and sighing? For the two of you, that couldn't be further from the truth. You barely even like each other, or so it seems. There are hardly any moments you seem to get on better than cats and dogs...hungry cats and dogs, with their tails tied together. Both of you may have the personalities of daisy-fresh rattle snakes, which makes it easy to understand why you appear to hate each others' guts. On the other hand, you could normally be pleasant, wonderful people who can't stand being together.

But underneath all that bluster, there's a spark that can't be quenched. You two are actually not just crazy: you're crazy about each other. Outsiders may see it, even if you don't. Worse, maybe you do -

Are there feelings that are about to flow over, as your romantic tensions? If you realize how you really see them, you may wish you could be like those lovey dovey couples. Or maybe you don't.

Because possibly, no matter how much they make your heart go doki-doki, you still want to punch them in their disgusting, stupid face.

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[lovingvambrace]

[So much misunderstanding that goes both ways. He knows his earlier outburst and near second argument prove that. It's easy to assume.]

It's a credit to you that you've allowed it.

[He glances down into his glass and watches the lamplight dance along the surface of the amber drink.]

I was fully prepared to dislike you thoroughly. I definitely didn't trust you, and I advised our Inquisitor to watch her back.

Sometimes being wrong is a pleasant surprise.

[A longer swallow comes close to draining the glass. He sets it down for now. That was quite the burn on the way down.]

[pavus_redemit]

Well, I can't very well change Tevinter if I'm part of the problem, can I?

[He's had a long, painful personal journey to grow which is why he knows the alcohol in the Tavern so well.]

Oh, you and everyone else in Skyhold. I hear the whispers every day. The blacksmith still spits at me. It matters very little when my actions speak for themselves.

[It hurts somewhat but he lets it roll off him.]

I never expected a friendship with a templar though. Former Templar.

[lovingvambrace]

[If he wants to talk endearing, that talk of changing his homeland fits the bill. He's not quite effusive enough to say it aloud, but there's a certain warmth in his gaze.]

I hear he has nug in his ancestry. Poor bastard can hardly help it.

[He reaches to pour both of them more, Dorian a bit more than himself.]

Thank you for that distinction. Few mages ever care to make it. Not that I can blame them.

[pavus_redemit]

It's no matter. He'll either see or he won't. It's not my business to force my charming personality on him.

[Cullen is a good friend giving him the lion's share of the alcohol. Dorian adores him for it.]

Our rocky start not withstanding, we've managed to come to an understanding. Eventually, given time and a better understanding of one another I expect the rest of Thedas could manage the same.

[He's more optimistic when he's drinking. The taste is lovely and warm.]

[lovingvambrace]

If you have to force it, he's hardly worth it.

[He settles back again and continues sipping.]

I like to hope you're right. The alternative is that we're exceptionally tolerant people. If we're the standard, Maker help Thedas.

[pavus_redemit]

Tolerate? [Dorian laughs deeply for a moment.] Me? Cullen, have you been paying attention to me?

[He drinks because he's not tolerant. No one would describe him as tolerant. He's an ass and he knows it.]

No one would describe me as tolerant. I'm quite difficult. It's a wonder I have friends at all.

[lovingvambrace]

That was my point.

[He has to laugh. No one can truly describe him as tolerant, either. Irascible and sarcastic more often than not.]

They do say it takes one to know one. Maybe it takes one to tolerate one, too.

[pavus_redemit]

Ah, a friendship made on a mutual crankiness and stubbornness.

[It makes Dorian chuckle softly and smile fondly at his whiskey. Cullen really does amuse him and their friendship is quite fun.]

I don't mind your moods or your humor. You're quite enjoyable and handsome. It's a bonus.

[lovingvambrace]

Is there any other kind worth having?

[He's learning how to handle the compliments, not quite so quick to fluster as when they first started speaking.]

Keep that up, and one day it will go to my head. I'll be intolerable.

[pavus_redemit]

No, no, I'm the only one who gets to be intolerable. Me. You learn some humility.

[He waves a hand at Cullen, the gesture clearly meaning that he should do it quickly.]

Or I'll have to make you humble by destroying you in chess. It's the only option I'll have.

[lovingvambrace]

You and your mixed messages. "You're handsome, Cullen. Be humble, Cullen." I don't know how you expect me to do both at once.

[He drowns his chuckle in another drink from his glass.]

It's the only option you know.

[Never let it be said he doesn't enjoy being mysterious now and then.]

[pavus_redemit]

You are handsome. You can still be handsome and humble at the same time. I'm sure you can find a way as you're not worried about your looks anyway.

[He looks good and doesn't care about it. Dorian doesn't know how he manages. It takes him forever to get ready in the morning.]

I know a great deal thank you.

[lovingvambrace]

[He just won't mention what it takes to tame his hair. It's best no one knows.]

You know a great deal about humbling me? This I have to hear.

[All the while he's drinking within the conversation, nothing intrusive and nothing too quick. He's already feeling it, though.]

[pavus_redemit]

Well, I think if we dueled it would be a humbling experience for you.

[The relaxed side of Cullen is nice to see as it's so infrequent. A rare sight indeed.]

I've been magically dueling since I was a child.

[lovingvambrace]

Well, I suppose we'll find out, won't we?

[There's a competitive spark in his eyes. the Red Templars don't have the same abilities as a regular templar. For that matter, he's not completely sure he does, either, without the lyrium in his system. It will be an interesting test, both of himself and Dorian.]

[pavus_redemit]

We should. Not now, not when we're getting drunk. Horrible idea to use magic when drunk. I burned my mustache off once.

[He looked like a child without it. It was annoying.]

And we should establish some rules as well. I doubt you want me summoning spirits here. This place is rife with them.

[lovingvambrace]

I'd just about pay to see that.

[He levels a look of mirth at him, not in the least ashamed of the amusement at his expense.]

Ground rules sound like a good idea. No spirit summoning, no smiting. If I were to do that when you were mana depleted, it would kill you. Let's at least keep it somewhat friendly.

[pavus_redemit]

No. I'm very attached to my looks.

[He would never live it down if anyone at Skyhold saw him without his mustache.]

I've never been smote. I don't want to experience it if you don't mind. I promise not to set your hair on fire.

[lovingvambrace]

Not a hair out of place.

[He'd have to be blind not to notice that much.]

You really don't. The descriptions I've heard aren't pleasant. And I appreciate the consideration. I doubt I'd be nearly as easy on the eyes bald.

[He drinks and pours again. He's better than Cabot about keeping them coming, and still giving Dorian more. It's the only way he knows he can keep up with him in this.]

[pavus_redemit]

I can teach you to do the same if you'd like.

[Cullen has good looks but more could be done if he allowed it.]

You'd still have your strong jaw. That works in your benefit.

[Another drink is just what Dorian needs. It's so nice of Cullen to provide.]

[lovingvambrace]

Oh, you could try.

[This is about as good as it gets without honest to the Maker alchemy.]

This is me, staying humble.

[A little dryly. And drinking much less dryly.]

I think I'd prefer the spar. Weapons are far less frustrating. Besides, it will only remind me of my awkward phase.

[He may be joking. At times it's hard to tell with him.]

I doubt you had one.

[pavus_redemit]

I doubt you'd hold still while I applied khol to your eyes much less let me.

[He's admitting to wearing make up, but it should be obvious anyway. The eyelashes are natural though.]

No, no. No awkward phase. The discovering my sexuality and a Harrowing.

[Alcohol is needed after that. Dorian did not enjoy the sexual discovery.]

[lovingvambrace]

I'm trying to imagine how ridiculous I'd look with my eyes lined and utterly failing.

[It is obvious Dorian wears it. Somehow he pulls it off.

He watches him drink, suddenly aware he has touched on a subject while they're trying to avoid subjects.]

There's a bit more...freedom here in regard to that. No one wants to see it in the streets, but that can be said of any sex. Most people don't care what you do behind closed doors.

[pavus_redemit]

Possibly. I'd make it look right.

[Of course he does. He can pull of anything.

Ah, the alcohol will do that to Dorian. Loosening his tongue means loosening his thoughts.]

I won't mention what the Inquisitor and Bull do behind the tavern then just to spare you.

[lovingvambrace]

Maker's breath. Why would you even...

[There are certain mental pictures he doesn't need. He has enough in him to form them anyway. He runs a hand down his face.]

You did that on purpose.

[He nudges his foot under the table with his boot toe.]