*Authors note: Here I am..back with another one in this long series of themed one shots...which I still hope will help be get inspired to do a true story with these wonderful characters! Same disclaimers as always...and in this one-shot well...just take a look..the theme should say it all!

Small Smiles 2 – Love

Sunlight shining through the windows near his bed made Elijah groan and turn over, in an attempt to avoid them. But it was no use, as the light hit some of the shiny trinkets on his nearby desk, averting it directly to his face, making it almost worse. With a grunt, he opened his eyes, and turned onto his back to stare at the ceiling above him. Sometimes he wondered why his quarters had to be where they were, but then he remembered it was because they were the biggest in Skyhold, and well suited for the Inquisition's 'glorious' leader. Exhaling sharply, he sat up, the warm covers sliding down to expose his bare chest to the cool air seeping in from outside. He shivered briefly, but then swung his legs out and over the edge of the soft, comfortable bed before standing up, wincing at the ice cold stone under his feet. One would think he'd be used to it by now, but he still wasn't.

Stretching, then grabbing the nearest tunic he could find, which ended up being a simple light brown one, he went to his desk. He briefly checked the papers he'd been finishing the night before, before turning away. As he did though, he spotted a smaller paper, not written in his own messy hand-writing, at the corner of his desk. Furrowing his brow, he picked it up, and read it over. He smiled softly once it was done. He had almost forgotten Dorian had visited him the night before as he was at work on paperwork. The note told him the mage would be in the hold's tavern, and that he could join him if he felt inclined to do so.

"I would never turn down the chance to spend time with you." Elijah said to himself, about Dorian. He tucked the note away into a pocket, then slipped on his nice warm boots and left his room, shutting the heavy wooden door tight behind him. Responding whenever someone said hello or greeted him, Elijah made his way to the tavern in good time, quietly sliding the door open. The bartender inside nodded a hello while he cleaned glasses, and Elijah noted the tavern was remarkably quiet. In fact, except for the bartender, it was practically empty. That was unusual, as it was usually quite full no matter the time of day that it was.

Elijah looked around briefly, and was able to spot Dorian rather quickly, sitting in their groups usual area by the fire, a nearly full wine glass in his left hand. He looked thoughtful, and looked up only as Elijah's feet came into view in front of him. The mage slowly looked up, but then smiled softly, waving his free hand at the nearest seat.

"Come, amatus. As you can see there is plenty of space for us both" The inquisitor sat in the chair Dorian waved at, and slid it just a bit closer. He noticed another glass, already filled, and a bottle of the same wine, and briefly looked at Dorian. He then realized it was his favorite type of wine, and his eyes widened a little bit. He picked up the glass, and took a sip, eyes sliding shut without the delightful flavor.

"You are too good to me.." Elijah mumbled, before taking another sip. Dorian looked at him, a gentle look on his face.

"You've done enough to help so many...including myself. It's not much..but I wanted to do something to shows my...well..." The mage paused. "My thanks"

Elijah narrowed his eyes briefly, thinking that his good friend, his best even, might mean something else, but he knew better than to try and pry it out of him. He shrugged, and finished off his glass of wine. He leaned back in his chair, glancing sideways at Dorian. He then looked back at the fire, letting his mind wander, but one thing remained clear and wouldn't go away. There was a lot he adored about Dorian, but it was little things like this, and even the mages picky nature in regards to the Hold's library, that really made him love him all the more. He wasn't sure if he'd ever be able to say the words out loud, for fear of scaring the other man off, but he could at least say it to himself inside his head. Three simple little words, "I love you".

Maybe someday he'd be able to say it, but for now, sitting quietly by the fire with his good friend, that was enough for Elijah, and he wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

End of One-Shot #2! I enjoyed doling this one for some reason! And no, Elijah doesn't know what amatus means at this point!