bakerstreet | insomnia;

insomnia;

the i n s o m n i a meme

It happens to everyone - sometimes, you have nights where you just can't fall asleep, no matter what you do. It could be for a number of reasons, or no reason at all. And this is what's happened now: you've been laying in bed for what feels like hours, just tossing and turning, and nothing seems to help. So what's left to do? Get out of bed and go wake someone else up, of course. If you're not getting any sleep, then why should they?

i n s t r u c t i o n s

• Post with your character (note the name and fandom in the subject).
• Other people reply to you by generating a number from 1 to 10.
• Have fun!

o p t i o n s

01 • FEAR. Maybe you're hearing strange, indeterminable noises; maybe there's a severe storm happening outside; maybe you watched a scary movie before bed? Whatever the reason, you're terrified and it's keeping you awake. You just want to wake someone else up so they can protect you from the monster in your closet.
02 • HUNGER. Your stomach is growling and it just won't stop. Or perhaps your throat is so dry you could cough up a tumbleweed? Well, you've gone to the kitchen to remedy this and hey, that was a pan that just dropped on the floor. It was loud enough to wake the dead! Oops.
03 • PAIN. Your body is completely worn out, be it from exercise, battle, sickness, or what have you. Either way you're in enough pain to keep you from sleeping, so maybe someone else has a home remedy or something, or can at least help you take your mind off of it.
04 • SOLITUDE. For some reason, your bed just feels so empty at the moment. You're feeling terribly lonely and really just want someone to keep you company for a while. Maybe it'd be easier to fall asleep if you're with them...
05 • DISCOMFORT. Your room is an oven. Either that or a freezer. Or maybe this bed is just really uncomfortable? Who knows why you can't get to sleep, it feels like it could be anything. Why even bother trying? Maybe someone else can preoccupy you until you feel tired enough to ignore your discomfort.
06 • PENSIVE. Something's on your mind, and no matter how hard you try to focus elsewhere, it's just not going to work. Your body may be tired, but your mind is incredibly busy and it's virtually impossible to get to sleep. Surely, talking it out with someone else will help?
07 • SADNESS. Something terrible has happened that day, perhaps; or you could just be severely depressed. Either way you're trying your hardest not to cry yourself to sleep, and it's not working at all. Better find a way to get it out of your system somehow; you need a shoulder to cry on.
08 • ANGER. You are just... fuming. Who knows why - that annoying dog is barking again, or maybe the people next door are getting busy and keeping you awake. Whatever the reason for your ire is, you'd better put an end to it so you can get some damn rest already! Go wake up a friend so you can complain to them.
09 • RESTLESS. You're far too energetic to sleep right now. Maybe you're just trying to do so out of necessity - you have to be up early tomorrow! But you just don't think you'll be able to fall asleep for a while now, so why waste the time trying to sleep when you could be doing something else? Namely bothering someone else - you're totally jealous because they're getting more sleep than you.
10 • WILDCARD. Choose one of the options above, or make up your own scenario.

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Varric? [ Brennan counters with a grin, although he knows that's not who Solas means. ] No worries, he's off ruling Kirkwall at the moment. Keeps trying to bribe me to come join him with a title and the key to the city.

[ He starts up the back stairs, chuckling at the mage's comment. ] Coax me, hmm? Like I'm a recalcitrant child? Or did you have something else in mind? [ Yhere's mischief in the curve of his lips now as he glances back over his shoulder at Solas. ]

[ As if Kirkwall can compete with the wonders of Skyhold. Solas sniffs in haughty disdain at such a notion, deciding not to dignify Varric's pestering with an actual response. As he ascends the stairs, he trails his fingertips along the wall, appreciating the feel of the ancient stone. The nerve of that idiot dwarf.

When Brennan looks back at him, Solas meets his look with a smug smirk. ]

I will do what I must. [ The lofty tone drops into a low, even purr. ] Though there are far more pleasant options. [ A beat. ] If you leave the recalcitrance at the door.

[ Brennan just laughs at the expression he catches on Solas' face when he glances back, his disdain for the Marcher city across the sea plan. Not that Brennan can blame him - he's not sure he'd ever want to settle in a place like Kirkwall either, despite all Varric's wheedling.

Laughing is not what he's feeling like doing when Solas shoots him that particular look a moment later, however. Dark lashes drop for a moment as he does his best to suppress a sudden shiver that has nothing to do with the night's chill.

For the record, Solas? That tone is cheating. ]

Oh?

[ He manages to get the word out while sounding relatively unaffected, a feat he's actually rather proud of, when he can feel the creep of heat up the back of his neck. ]

[ He sounds unaffected, but is he? Solas isn't quite ready to believe it. Not after catching the way his eyes shuttered there for a moment. And really, he knows he shouldn't do this. He's trying to persuade him to sleep, not rile him up further, but sometimes it's just so difficult to resist.

Moving up another step so that he's closer to him, almost crowding him, Solas hums a low note of assent in his throat. ]

Oh yes. [ There's an echo of that throaty hum lingering his voice. He does nothing to chase it away or attempt to talk normally. ] I know many things, Brennan. [ He can't resist adding a velvety inflection to the man's name. ] It might be useful for you to make use of my knowledge.

[ Brennan doesn't back away, but one hand might latch onto the railing behind him to steady himself as he arches an eyebrow instead.

This time, the shiver might not be so quickly stifled. ]

Have you ever known me to hesitate in making use of your knowledge, Solas?

[ It's all quite innocent, how Solas reaches out to lay a hand against the small of his back. He sees that hand grip the railing after all and simply means to aid his Inquisitor's stability. ]

Make use of it tonight and then I'll have no cause to complain.

[ That doesn't seem innocent at all, Solas. Especially not with how you're invading his personal space right now.

Not that he's about to start complaining at all either. ]

And what knowledge is it you intend to fascinate me with tonight?

Would you not prefer that I show you?

[ The touch to his back becomes decidedly less innocent as Solas runs the pad of his forefinger upward along his spine. ]

I fear simply telling you might take all the enjoyment right out of it.

Maker forbid I deprive either one of us the enjoyment of it.

[ His smile is quick and he can't help but lean back into that touch, trusting the solidness and steadiness of it. ]

So yes, showing will do nicely, I think.

[ ....Of course, now that requires moving out of Solas' space and away from the warm weight of his hand. You're making this very difficult for him, Solas. ]

[ He leaves his arm where it is, now curving around Brennan's waist as he moves up to stand beside him on the step. There are benefits to being an elf and fitting into close spaces is one of them. ]

The Chantry might claim the Maker forbids a number of things I wish to do with you. [ Tipping his head to the side, Solas slants him a dark look and a sly smile. ] But I would not heed too closely the words of such an organization.

[ His fingers curl and he slowly drags his fingernails down the center of Brennan's back. ]

Come. There are limits even to my patience.

I tend to take most organizations' words with a grain of salt, Solas, you know that.

[ Which probably makes him a very bad Andrastian, but he's uncovered a lot of secrets no one wants known in his time as Inquisitor. Makes it hard for him to take anyone at their word anymore.

He moves at Solas' urging, mounting the last few steps with a sudden haste in his steps - hopefully enough action to hide the way his breath hitches in his throat at the scrape of nails against skin. the look Solas gives him only adds to the sudden shiver of anticipation that slides down his spine, making him more aware of everything suddenly. ]

I'm going. But only because you've now piqued my curiosity to the point of straining my patience.

[ That excuse earns him another sideways look as they reach the top of the stairs. ]

Is it only your curiosity you seek to satisfy, Inquisitor? [ The layers of innuendo are thick in his tone. ] Truly?

[ He withdraws his arm, the tips of his fingers trailing over Brennan's back and lightly grazing his hip before falling away. ]

Then for curiosity's sake, please, remove your shirt and sit down on the edge of your bed.

Should I be seeking to satisfy something different, Solas?

[ His expression is far too innocent to be even remotely believable right now. Although his gaze darkens a shade at the order the mage gives him. He hesitates for only a passing heartbeat before shrugging and tugging the tunic up and over his head, revealing a finely toned torso, well-honed from years training as a warrior and only sparsely littered with old scars. Draping the tunic over the back of a nearby chair, he moves to sink down on the edge of his bed and fix Solas with a crooked smirk. ]

Happy?

[ There is nothing subtle or innocent about the way Solas looks him over, gaze as intent as it is hungry. Slowly, he drags it up the length of Brennan's chest as he sits, meeting his eyes before responding softly; ]

It's a start.

[ Solas keeps his eyes on him as he crosses the room, his gait the controlled stalking grace of a predator. When he's nearly upon him, he shifts direction just slightly, swinging a knee up onto the bed and kneeling behind him, the palms of his hands resting lightly on Brennan's shoulders. They are warm against his skin, unnaturally so, though they are not hot enough to burn. The pads of his thumbs dig into muscle as he leans forward, lips brushing the shell of Brennan's ear to whisper; ]

I promised you a massage first, did I not?

[ Brennan does groan then, the sound soft as his head drops forward, eyes sliding closed. He gives a small shudder, pressing back into that touch, because Solas will no doubt find muscles wound tight with tension that never seems to ease no matter what he does, and the press of the elf's thumbs feel wonderful already. ]

I seem to recall you mentioning something of the sort, yes.

[ This time he doesn't even bother to keep the breathless quality from his voice as Solas' lips brush his ear, far too distracted by the heated touch to even care at the moment. ]

[ The pressure of Solas' thumbs turn from an assault on too tightly wound muscle to a feather-light caress. ]

Close your eyes, Brennan, and enjoy this.

[ As he leans back, Solas tips his head just so to brush a fleeting kiss across the side of his neck. Then he settles comfortably on his knees, brings more magic to his hands, and sets to work.

He focuses first on Brennan's shoulders, first the top and then back along the shoulder-blades, working the knots he finds with pressure and magic woven of heat and healing. Heat to make them more pliant beneath his fingers and healing to mend the tears they've developed from too much use. He's silent, not wishing to disturb the quiet, and when he finishes some indeterminate time later, he circles the back of Brennan's neck with his hands, rubbing softly at the muscle there. ]

How do you fair thus far?

[ Brennan goes limp and pliant beneath the press and slide of clever fingers, obediently closing his eyes and trusting Solas to do as he wishes. The seeping heat and the easing of tension feels miraculous and he can't bite back the soft moans and whimpers that occasionally work their way free as the mage heals the lingering tightness from his shoulders and back.

When he finishes the task, Brennan can't help but lean back into the warm weight of his hands circling the nape of his neck, making another soft sound of pleasure as he gives a quiet chuckle. ]

I think you may have turned me into a puddle. Can I hire you? Or just keep you on a permanent basis. That sounds like a brilliant plan. I'm going with that.

[ Solas laughs soundlessly, the shaking of his shoulders translating into a faint tremor in his hands. His fingers massage at Brennan's neck, then he drags his fingernails upward into his hair and begins rubbing over his scalp. ]

You've no need to hire me. I'm already yours.

[ It's the truth, as bare and unadorned as Solas can make it, though it isn't one that he lingers on. As his hands work over Brennan's head, alternating between light scratches and firmer rubs, he continues; ]

Take off your trousers and lay down. On your stomach. Make yourself comfortable. I'll show you a true puddle.

[ Before he obeys, he shifts on the bed, reaching up to catch Solas' wrist, interrupting the motion as he angles himself to face the elf, his eyes searching Solas' face. ]

Are you?

[ He'll go be a puddle in a moment. This is important. He's lingering, dammit. ]

[ It would be easy to feign confusion at the question, but he doesn't. He walked into this with his eyes open. He might as well be honest about it. ]

Isn't it obvious? [ his eyes search Brennan's, wanting to communicate all of this without using the word and knowing that he can't take such a coward's way out. With his free hand, he oh so lightly brushes his fingertips along his jaw. ] Yes. For far longer than I care to admit.

I tend to not trust a lot of things that seem obvious.

[ He confesses this with a rueful quirk of his lips as he meets the mage's gaze. ]

It usually tends to be a trap or a distraction.

[ Which is why he asked. That's not to say it still couldn't be, but Solas has never been in the habit of lying to him. Omitting certain truths, yes, but that's a different matter entirely. ]

Is it such a difficult thing to accept, then?

You have not lived as long as I.

[ How to explain it in a way that makes sense? He sighs, glancing away for a moment before looking back. ]

It is difficult to live a certain way for so long and then to have that change.

[ Shaking his head, he lets his hand drop and pulls away. ]

That is enough for now. I have kept you from your rest too long. I will see you in the morning.

[ Brennan's quick to react, reaching out to latch onto Solas' wrist once more, refusing to let the matter drop as easily as that. ]

I've never known you to run away from a few difficult questions before, Solas. [ His tone is mild, but he searches the mage's face, refusing to give up just like that. That's not something he wants to leave hanging in the air between them when they go their separate ways. ] If I ask too much, then tell me so. It wasn't my intent. I don't want you to go.

[ Solas frowns, exhaling heavily through his nose. This is not discussing lost Elvhenan or his past mistakes. This is discussing the current one and he's not yet come to grips with it. ]

Very well. If I might make use of your desk, I will stay and watch over your dreams. Perhaps I can keep the worst of them away.

[ Brennan considers that for a moment before disregarding it as a terrible plan and not at all what he wants. Instead, he lets his hand come to rest against Solas' chest, a steady pressure as he gives him something of a mischievous look. ]

That's a little far to go to turn me into a puddle, don't you think?

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