alternate universe

[swimmer]

the alternate universe meme

• comment with your character.
• reply to others with picture prompts, starters, whatever you would like. for au idea inspiration, try this.
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Yay!

[nobroth]

[For a few moments, it's all Alistair can do to stand still and think through what he's been told. Misunderstood? Maker knows it's possible. He's misunderstood a thousand things through his living years, and will misunderstand a million more, he's sure. But now he has to wonder if this is actually possible. If this, if Dorian... liking him is actually something that can happen in the blunder that makes up his life.

It's a time that feels like ages but is only a few heartbeats before, so carefully, he sits again, his back to the fire so he can look at Dorian without having to turn his head so far. So he can see firelight on olive skin and grey eyes.

And so he can watch Dorian's expression when he speaks.]

I like you.

[Simple words for a feeling so heavy.]

Probably too much.

When I look at you, there's nothing I want more than to wrap my arms around you and hold you for the rest of my days. I want to protect you from anyone who would even think about harming you. And, yes, I...

[His cheeks grow redder by the moment and, though it's hard, though his gaze slips away again and again, he keeps trying to meet Dorian's eyes.]

I do think you're beautiful. I'd love to kiss you and-- And learn about how we could fit together. But more than anything, I just... don't want to hurt you, or lose you, and I'm afraid that I've already done both.

[necrofancies]

( at first, it's only confusion in dorian's expression. so, he has misunderstood somewhere. or, maybe it's just easier to ruin a good thing before it starts. it's easier to get the hurt over with right away than allowing it to fester for too long. as hard as dorian finds it to face alistair, eventually he does. he can't hide forever. or let alistair shoulder the burden of emotion alone. that's not fair.

courage, dorian.

his hand lifts to touch alistair's face. keeps it gentle. his thumb moves in an arc from cheek to the corner of his mouth. )

This is the part where I'm meant to tell you I can protect myself, and don't need such a thing. But, I've always thought that a little silly. Everyone needs help sometimes.

( his hand moves down until he can lightly pinch alistair's chin between his fingers. then, he lets it fall away to settle in his lap. )

You haven't had me yet to lose anything. Trust that you'd find yourself devastated were that the case.

( shrugs. dorian's always gonna be dorian. can't be sorry for it.

before he can change his mind, he leans in to press a lingering kiss at the same corner of alistair's mouth his thumb was just at. )

When we return, I'd like to discuss this more. With as little armor as possible.

[nobroth]

[It was real.

He didn't know what to think about it, really. It wasn't really inside his experience. He'd thought before that--

Well, it didn't matter. And he knew he should temper his hopes before he found himself horribly disappointed before anything even had a chance to start, but--

But it really had just been a misunderstanding. Dorian had kissed him. And they were still facing one another and Alistair felt like years of weight had been lifted from his shoulders, all because of the possibility.

He leaned in and placed a kiss of his own to Dorian's cheek, just above the line of his jaw.]

And with more than a few blankets. And at least ten pillows. After we've each had a chance to wash this damned bog off of us.

[Then he dared a grin - one that spread across his face like it belonged there.]

I'll really be cozying up to a Tevinter Altus then. And I'll be happy to do it.

[necrofancies]

( this is something too tender to be real. dorian wonders if he's actually fallen asleep, and somehow dreamed this up. nothing seems out of the ordinary. well, nothing more than the usual ridiculous affair that is the mire anyway. he still won't let himself be hopeful. expects everything to crumble at the first sight of the rest of the inquisition. but, for now he'll let himself have this. )

That sounds perfect.

( he shifts back a little more. pats the spot beside him. smiles in a gentle, yet alluring sort of way. )

For now, how about we get some rest?

( maybe he's a little impatient. not so much to have this be over. but, because he's anxious to leave this place behind. if things work out for the two of them, it's going to be bothersome that he'll have to hold this horrible place in some sort of regard. the struggle. )

I'm quite ready to put this place behind us for more than just one reason.

[nobroth]

[The invitation, small as it was, was everything he wanted. Before he turned, Alistair leaned in, hand lifted to Dorian's cheek to keep him still enough to leave a soft, lingering kiss against his temple.] I promise to kiss you properly when we aren't surrounded by a bog.

[He was reluctant to move away at all, but he couldn't sleep sitting up, and he wanted to at least give a little closeness while he could. So he turned, took off his boots once more, and then laid down to offer Dorian his arm, if he wanted to take it. Yes, there was armour, but there were a few softer places as well, and he thought there could be some charm in sleeping in someone's armoured embrace. Though the idea was probably better than the reality.

But once they were settled, once they could rest, he did and gratefully so, already dreaming of the next time he'd have the chance to be so close.]