Inquisitor. Well that was new. Dorian had felt very…proud watching Aden accept the inquisition sword. It had been quite a march to reach Skyhold, one which Dorian barely saw Aden at all as Solas was making him march ahead to 'lead the group'. The castle was magnificent, he couldn't believe something like this was just lying about abandoned. And now, Aden, the Herald of Andraste was the Inquisitor.

A well deserved title Dorian thought. However it was a deserved title that changed things. The more he thought about it and the more rumours he heard whispers of he could no longer deny it to himself. Despite the fact that Aden and most of their inner circle agreed that Dorian was a 'good Tevinter', the rumours that spread with every passing day would be damaging to Aden's new reputation. He needed reputation to lead the inquisition to victory. They needed allies, support. That was harder to come by when people thought he was being manipulated by his Tevinten, apostate…man-whore was the last thing he had been called. He was surprised how quickly the rumours had spread, especially when nothing had actually happened between the two.

It would be selfish to continue…whatever it was they had started. Or hadn't started. Dorian just didn't know anymore. What he did know was that he had to stop now before he was too far gone, if it wasn't too late for that already. Perhaps Aden had changed his mind now that he was Inquisitor anyway. That would be a wise decision. Dorian couldn't believe all of this uncertainty he was experiencing, very rarely was he so unsure of someone's feelings for him. Unsure and wanting. He wanted Aden to want him.

No, no he couldn't. He had to stop. He was here to help stop Corypheus. This was the best route of action toward that. No matter how hard that would be for him.

Of course, Aden was not going to make that easy.

The new Inquisitor had been looking for Dorian all morning, finally finding him in the little library in one of Skyhold's towers.

"Here you are," he said, smiling as he walked up to Dorian who was peering at the dusty tomes strewn over the shelves. Dorian glanced at him, his stomach doing an involuntary flip. Not helpful. He quickly looked back to the books before launching into a rant about Corypheus.

Aden just watched, a small smile playing about his mouth. He looked Dorian up and down appreciatively, hardly taking in what he was saying as he was too distracted watching the way the light bounced off his skin…the way it seemed to make his eyes glimmer in the dusty library.

Dorian finally stopped, realizing the silence and said, "Am I going too fast for you?"

Aden quickly snapped his eyes back up to Dorian's face, they had begun roaming quite far south of the border. A slight blush rushed into his cheeks at being caught out and he said, "Sorry, I was… distracted."

Dorian's posture softened a little at that and he tried to suppress a smug smile. "That's hardly your fault," he said smoothly, internally berating himself on failing so easily. "People don't call me…what was it? 'Tall, dark and handsome'… for no reason."

Aden smiled unashamedly, though he was beginning to feel quite hot around the neck. "Must have been someone pretty smart that said that…" he said in reply, walking closer.

Dorian smiled again, but then looked down quickly. What was he doing? He decided to change the subject quickly. "Oh, congratulations on that whole inquisitor thing, by the way…" he said.

Aden stopped walking closer, a little taken aback by the abrupt change in conversation. "Oh, right…" he said, a little unsure. "Yes it's… a bit strange."

"Strange?" repeated Dorian, "Nonsense, it's quite fitting really. No one could deserve it more… nor do I think anyone could do a better job of leading these people."

Aden gave a small, modest laugh, still a little put out by the change in dynamic. "I doubt it…" he said softly. "But, thank you."

Dorian smiled. "I should…let you get back to it," he said, a detectable tone of regret to his voice.

Aden frowned, very unsure of where this change had come from. "Is something wrong, Dorian?" he asked, concerned.

Dorian closed his eyes for a moment before answering, "No," he offered a small, half-hearted smile. "I'm just sure you have a lot of 'inquisitorial' duties to attend to."

Aden's frown deepened. "I'm still the same person," he said slowly, feeling as though the library had suddenly cooled a few degrees. "Nothing has changed, you know that…right?"

"Well," Dorian gave a small, forced laugh. "Some things have changed. You are the inquisitor now," he paused before quickly adding, "and that's a good thing. It just means you have more… responsibility now."

Aden stared at Dorian, very surprised and disappointed by his new attitude. He opened his mouth to say something when,

"Inquisitor, sir."

Aden looked to his right to see one of Leliana's scouts. "Uuh," he stumbled a little, not ready for the interruption. He glanced at Dorian who was not looking at him. "Yes?" he said, looking back to the scout.

"A message from Leliana, sir."

Aden waited, but the scout did not elaborate. "And?" he pressed, confused.

The scout glanced at Dorian uneasily. "Oh for…maker's breath," Aden cursed. "Whatever the message you can say it in front of Dorian."

The scout blushed furiously. "Sorry, sir," he said immediately. "Leliana sends word that her agents have located the grey warden. She wishes to meet with you in the war room when you are ready."

"Great…" said Aden distractedly, "Thanks, I'll be there shortly."

The scout nodded, scurrying off immediately.

Dorian smiled a little. "Duties await, Inquisitor," he said quietly.

Aden stared at him, an annoyed frown forming on his brow. "I…" he started, before sighing in irritation. "Fine…" he said annoyed, waving a hand in a dismissive way. "Great," he continued. "You know I thought you, of all people, would not treat me differently," he shook his head angrily and Dorian remained silent. Aden sighed again, "I'll… talk to you later," he said before turning on his heel and leaving Dorian feeling worse than ever.

Aden sat at the table with Varric in Skyhold's main hall staring miserably at the rubble still lying about the place.

"You're glumness is spreading," Varric commented, looking at Aden.

Aden glanced at him. "You can't talk," he countered.

Varric scrunched up his nose. "I'm not glum, just had the shit beaten out of me by Cassandra."

Aden sighed, looking down to his glowing green hand on the table. "Yeah…"

Varric frowned. "Ok, what is wrong with you?"

"Nothing…" muttered Aden and Varric gave him a look. He sighed again. "People are just treating me differently, that's all."

Varric looked at him for a moment, "Yeah…" he said after a while, "Look, I'll be honest. It's hard not to."

Aden looked at him frowning. "Why? I'm exactly the same as before."

Varric laughed, "And it was hard enough before," he said, "Now weird shit keeps happening and you keep surviving in crazy miracles and now you're everyone's leader as well as their hero. You're like… this huge…symbol. It's kinda scary."

Aden looked sceptical. "I'm certain you don't think I'm scary."

"I just think you have divine bad luck," shrugged Varric.

Aden rolled his eyes. He hesitated for a moment, then said quietly, "Dorian is one of the people treating me differently…"

Varric looked a little awkward all of a sudden. "Well that's…" he paused, unsure of what to say. He had heard the rumours about those two, yet it was obvious Aden hadn't. "Different…"

Aden looked at him, "How?"

"Ahhck…" Varrc muttered, "Why don't you just ask him about it?"

Aden huffed, "Because he's avoiding me."

"I know for a fact that he is upstairs in the library right now."

"Fine," Aden sighed, "I'm avoiding him too."

"Well that's not going to help anything is it?"

"You talk to him don't you?" Aden asked, "What does he think about me?"

"I really don't think this is my place…"

Aden tapped his fingers on the table in annoyance. "There's nothing you can say?"

Varric sighed, "I think he misses talking to you," he said simply.

Aden looked down at his hands. He missed that too. There was a moment of silence, then Aden stood up suddenly. "I'll leave you to it, Varric," he said, moving away. He decided he would take Varric's advice and go see Dorian.

On the way to the library however, Aden ran into Mother Giselle who gave him a letter from Dorian's father. She wanted him to take him to meet his Father without telling him about it first.

Well, even if Aden was annoyed at Dorian for his new attitude; he certainly was not going to lie to the man.

At least this meant he had a solid reason for going to see him.

He found Dorian in the library as Varric said, sitting in his armchair reading a book.

"Dorian?" he asked quietly, stomach flipping.

Dorian looked up quickly, his heart speeding up at the sound of Aden's voice. "Inquisitor," he said, standing up, "What an unexpected surprise."

Aden frowned at him, "Well, you know I've been busy with all my 'inquisitorial duties'," he said, his voice a little guarded. He didn't want to be mad at Dorian, that was unfair. If the mage... didn't reciprocate his feelings that was fine. It didn't make him happy, but there was nothing he could do about that, and he didn't want to lose him as a friend.

"Of course," Dorian inclined his head, his tone hardened. He had wanted this... this was for the best. "And now?"

Aden hesitated, then before he could stop himself he asked, "Did I do something wrong, Dorian?"

Dorian looked taken aback, "No..." he said slowly.

"Well I miss talking to you," Aden continued, determined not to lose the friendship they had. "And you're being weird so... I must have done something."

Dorian's heart warmed fondly, "Well... you are the one avoiding me," he said a little teasingly.

Aden raised his eyebrows. "You have been avoiding me," he countered.

Dorian shook his head, "I have...been giving you space," he said, "you've got a lot to do now days."

"Yeah," agreed Aden dryly, "And I could do with my friends not treating me any differently."

"I'm not treating you differently," Dorian said quickly, "You are exactly the same person to me I just..." he broke off, looking away. He sighed, "I have missed our conversations as well," he said finally, "but I think it is important for you to... not see me so much."

Aden frowned, he wanted to demand why, but then he had a thought. What if this was Dorian trying to let him down easily? To save the Inquisitor from embarrassing himself...

Aden looked away, and Dorian could see the hurt in his eyes causing him to feel sick with guilt. "I... have a letter for you," Aden said after a long moment of silence. He pulled it out of his coat and passed it to Dorian, watching as the man read it and his face flickered through many emotions. Hurt...anger...confusion...

"Well it's probably a kidnapping," Dorian said finally after growling about a few things, I know my son being one of the things he scoffed furiously. "Or perhaps just an elaborate murder..."

Aden gave him a look, "And you don't think you're being a little dramatic, there?"

"No," snapped Dorian, "I don't."
"Well I think we should go see this retainer," Aden continued, looking at Dorian with concern.

"Well I didn't ask what you thought, did I?" snarled Dorian and Aden looked at him, taken aback. Dorian squeezed his eyes shut. "I...sorry," he said softly, "That was unworthy...I would like to find out what this is about."

Aden nodded, "We will head there tomorrow, first thing," he hesitated, feeling concerned for the hurt he could see swimming in Dorian's eyes. Then, before he could think better of it, he put his hand on Dorian's arm and said, "I'm not going to let anyone kill you or steal you back from us," he said, trying to offer a joking smile. "We will just see what the deal is and leave."

Dorian's heart flipped in his chest and his eyes slid to Aden's hand that was resting comfortingly on his bicep. Aden removed it quickly, frowning a little, "Sorry," he muttered quickly, blushing. Dorian looked at him, heart throbbing and he was very close to just blurting his feelings out for the man. "We will leave first thing tomorrow," Aden continued, moving away. He nodded at Dorian swiftly, then left before the mage could utter a sound.

Aden did not walk with Dorian on the way to Redcliffe, instead he walked ahead with Blackwall, talking about the warden's possible involvement in the whole Corypheus mess, while Dorian and Cole walked further back. Dorian had been questioning Cole with interest, trying to distract himself from gazing longingly at the Inquisitor ahead of them. However now the tides had turned and Cole wanted to question Dorian.

"Wishing, wanting... Hoping, hurting…" Cole was saying sadly, making Dorian scowl.

"Get out of my head, Cole," snapped Dorian. He had had quite enough of the kid's antics for one day.

"I'm not in your head, Dorian."

"What? Then who's…?" Dorian followed Cole's line of sight and saw he was staring at the Inquisitor. "Oh."

"But, it is the same as what you feel too," Cole said softly.

"What do you mean?" Dorian asked tersely.

"Why won't you let him in?"

Dorian clenched his jaw. This was worse than the comments about his Father. "I can't," he said finally in a tight voice.

"But he wants you to," said Cole, confused. "You're both sad when you could be happy-"

"It is not that easy," snapped Dorian, cutting him off.

"Why?" asked Cole. "You could stop all the hurt-"

"Because, Cole," Dorian huffed in pained irritation. "Sometimes… you have to do the right thing. And that's not always what makes you happy."

Cole frowned. He didn't understand. "Why is hurting the right thing?"

Dorian sighed, "Sometimes that's just the way it is, Cole."

But, he was saved of having to say anything else when Aden stopped in his tracks and cried, "Just spit it out, Blackwall!"

"It's none of my business, Inquisitor," Blackwall said gruffly, but this only succeeded in angering Aden more.

"Maker's breath…" he hissed angrily. "This is getting ridiculous. You are my friends!" he said furiously, turning to address all three of them now. "I am sick of people walking on eggshells, not wanting to offend me because I'm the Inquisitor," he steamed. "Do you two know what the rumors are that are flying around about me?" he asked angrily. "Because, Blackwall refuses to tell me. Even though I don't care. I will think them funny!"

Dorian didn't answer, but Cole said, "Dorian doesn't want you to know the rumours."

Dorian growled in irritation. "Seriously, Cole?" he said angrily. "Honestly, Aden. I don't know why you decided to bring him along."

But, Aden turned his irritation to Dorian now. "Oh great," he said sarcastically, ignoring him. "Why?" he demanded. "What is the big deal about these fucking rumors?"

Dorian was quite surprised, he had never seen Aden so mad before. He almost smiled in amusement, but he was also feeling bad as it was partly his fault. He wished he was the only one that wasn't treating Aden differently. But… he had to.

Blackwall sighed gruffly. "They're really nothing… Aden," he said, making sure to call him by his name instead of 'Inquisitor'. "Just idle gossip."

Aden swung round to look at him, "Good," he said in exasperated annoyance. "I love gossip. Idle gossip is my favourite. Do tell."

Dorian couldn't help himself, he had to smile. Aden was being too ruddy… adorable, even if it were in a very angry way.

"They're just…" Blackwall said slowly. "About the girls," he finished gruffly.

Aden frowned, now confused. "What girls?"

"Well that's just it," continued Blackwall, "Everyone's saying you've had your pick of the pasture and turned every one down."

Aden stared at him. "That's it?" he said blankly. "That is so boring," he sighed in exasperation. "It must get juicer than that, come on."

Blackwall looked at Dorian from the corner of his eye, "No that's it really…" he lied. "They all just want to know why you won't have one of them."

Aden rolled his eyes and began walking along the path again. "Maybe that's why," he muttered angrily. "Because they can't even find something interesting to gossip about!"

As they neared Redcliffe Aden stopped again, his eyes catching sight of a stream. "Thank the Maker," he sighed, beckoning the others over.

It was such a hot day and Aden was practically sweltering in his armor. He ripped his gauntlets and gloves off as soon as they reached the stream's bank and knelt down to the water, sighing in relief.

Blackwall and Cole took the chance to sit down in the shade and Dorian stood by the water with Aden.

"You should really do this," Aden said, cupping water into his hands before splashing it over his face.

"I don't really need to," replied Dorian, "I don't have to break a sweat to down my enemies."

Aden laughed for the first time that day, he had missed spending time with Dorian. The cool, refreshing water lightened his mood. "Such a show off," he muttered smiling. He then stood up and pushed his now wet hair from his face.

Dorian was caught quite off guard. The second Aden's eyes, so bright and green in the warm sun, locked with his he felt as though a bolt of lightning struck his chest, shooting through his body in a hot wave. Clear water dripped down his face and off his jaw, he was still smiling warmly, his eyes alight.

"I…" said Dorian, somehow tripping over the one syllable word.

Aden's smile widened. "Yes?"

Dorian composed himself. Then before he could stop himself he said, "You're very distracting too, you know." He gave Aden a small smile.

Aden raised his eyebrows in pleasant surprise. "No, actually," he said slowly, his tone curious. "I didn't know."

Dorian's smile grew, he had missed seeing the small blush that shaded Aden's cheeks when he offered him a compliment. He walked slowly closer to him and continued. "You are. I watch you running around the castle all day, it's quite enjoyable, you're rather strapping."

"Rather?" queried Aden, trying not to seem flustered at all by the blatant compliment.

Dorian chuckled, "Very," he amended.

Aden swallowed. He was a little confused, why was Dorian doing thing? First he wants distance, now he was being perfectly normal again and... admiring him.

"Dorian…" he said slowly, feeling a little nervous. Once again feeling quite uncertain to the mage's feelings towards him. "What are you doing?"

Dorian could hear the nerves in the man's voice, causing his heart to flutter lightly. Here was the man so confident before everyone else, able to sit upon a throne and bring fair judgment upon his foes, the only sole able to close fade rifts and stop this war… and he was nervous. Because of Dorian. Suddenly, out here, away from the castle and the Inquisition Dorian felt that perhaps the rumors didn't matter…

Dorian felt he owed Aden an explanation. "The rumours…" he said quietly. "They are more than what Blackwall said…"

Aden peered at Dorian, waiting for him to elaborate.

"And…" continued Dorian, "They are the reason for my… recent behavior."

Aden's stomach flipped nervously, "How so?" he asked quietly, looking directly into Dorian's eyes and causing his heart to being thumping quite hard in his chest.

Dorian smiled warmly. "Well they're about us, you see."

Aden's heart jumped to his throat, "Oh really?" he asked lowly, trying to gage what Dorian's opinion was on the rumours exactly.

Dorian inclined his head, still smiling. Well there was no going back from this if he said it, so he took the plunge. "Yes… you obviously haven't heard, but word going around the castle is that we, that is to say you and I are… intimate."

Aden's breath hitched in his throat at Dorian's choice of wording. He deliberated for a moment, his eyes flickering to his feet and back to Dorian's which were watching him very closely. "Is that such a bad thing?" he asked suddenly, his voice more nervously hopeful than the confidence he had wanted.

"Inquisitor, shouldn't we keep moving?" interrupted Blackwall, making both Aden and Dorian jump a little in surprise. Aden had forgotten they weren't alone.

"Uh, yes," mumbled Aden, glancing at Dorian and rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. He cleared his throat loudly. "You're retainer… thing. We should deal with that."

Aden picked up his gear quickly, Dorian watching him as he did so. Aden had not said what Dorian thought he would. His answer was far more forward than he was expecting… in a very appealing way.

They kept moving towards Redcliffe, the four of them chatting idly while Dorian kept smiling lightly and Aden seemed uncomfortable.

The events at Redcliffe Tavern did not turn out how Aden or Dorian had expected. Aden now knew that Dorian had a very troubled history with his father. And the man was without a doubt… not a ladies man.

"I prefer the company of men," Dorian was saying suddenly, causing Aden's heart to give a jolt in his chest.

He swallowed a little nervously, his curiosity getting the better of him despite the situation. "And by that you mean…?" he said hesitantly.

"Men," snapped Dorian, "And the company there of. As in sex. I'm sure you've heard of it," he said sarcastically.

Aden cleared his throat slightly, the smallest of smiles tweaking his lips despite the timing of the whole thing. "Right, good…" he said, then blushed and looked at Dorian meaningfully. "And yes… I clearly have… 'heard' of it…" he said, their eyes catching and Dorian knew he was clearly referring to the fact that he had already said he liked the idea of he and Dorian being intimate.

Dorian's heart picked up speed in his chest, his anger and hurt at his Father clashing with the warm, tingling emotions he was feeling for Aden.

"I should have known this is what it was all about…" Dorian's father said, looking between the two in mild understanding and shaking his head.

Dorian turned back to look at Halward angrily, "No," he said harshly, "You don't get to make those assumptions about the Inquisitor," he said, his voice softening when he addressed Aden. "You don't know anything about him."

Aden stayed with them as the conversation wore on, convincing Dorian to stay and hear his Father out when the mage demanded they leave. Then, much to both of the men's surprise, Halward was begging for Dorian's forgiveness. Aden exchanged a glance with Dorian and gave him a small smile. "I'll leave you two to speak," he murmured quietly.

"Don't wait," Dorian told him seriously, unsure of how long this would be. "I'll… see you back at Skyhold…"

Aden nodded, offering him a reassuring smile, before heading out of the inn.

When Aden returned with the others to Skyhold he set about to wait and watch for Dorian to return. He was worried, from the little he heard it seemed that Dorian had left his family and country after some particularly unpleasant business. His Father trying to 'change' him with blood magic being the biggest concern. Aden wanted to make sure Dorian was doing OK after the resurgence of all those memories and emotions.

Finally he saw the mage enter Skyhold, he looked… sad. And he walked quickly, head down, to his little getaway place he liked so much in the library. Aden met him there, finding Dorian staring out the window in sad solace.

"Are you alright?" he asked softly.

Dorian turned to look at him, he was certainly a sight for sore eyes. "No…not really," he answered quietly. "But...thank you for taking me out there…making me stay and talk to him. It wasn't what I expected…but, it was something."

"About the blood magic…" said Aden in concern. "When you said you're Father had plans to try to change you with that ritual. I'm sorry… that would have been devastating."

"I will…never be able to forgive him for that," Dorian said, pain and hurt coating his voice. "If he had succeeded… I wouldn't like that Dorian."

Dorian sighed sadly, finally turning fully away from the window to face Aden straight on. "You must think terribly of me after that whole display…"

Aden frowned. "Not at all," he said seriously, moving forward. "I think you were brave, I think…if anything I think even more of you."

Dorian gave a small, soft laugh, his heart throbbing in his chest. "The things you say…" he said quietly.

"I mean them," Aden said softly, moving closer still. "What I said earlier today…" he continued, keeping his eyes locked on Dorian's. "About 'us' not being a bad thing?…I meant that too." Aden took a nervous breath, his eyes flickering away for a moment. "Of course, I don't know what you think about that."

"You don't know what I think?" Dorian replied, his voice just as low and quiet as Aden's, but a little tone of surprise coated his. He thought he had made that obvious now.

Aden laughed a little. "No," he said, "I don't, because you always answer a question with a question…"

Dorian was the one moving closer now, his heart racing in his chest. "Would you like me to answer in another way?"

Aden paused, Dorian's smooth voice sending a shiver down his spine. "If you're capable…" he said finally, a small, somewhat cheeky smile teasing the corner of his lips.

And that was all it took. Dorian swiftly closed the final gap between them, his eyes closing. His nerves on fire throughout his entire body. He had wanted to do this for so long, all of a sudden he could not wait another second.

His lips met Aden's, hot and urgent. Aden felt as though he had been struck by lightning as scorching electricity coursed through his veins and he wrapped his arms around the small of Dorian's back, pulling him against him. He kissed him back, heat pooling in his stomach all other thought leaving his head as he wanted nothing more than for this to never end.

A small moan escaped Aden's lips causing Dorian to kiss him harder, passion sparking with every flick of his tongue. Aden's breaches felt far too tight and he gripped the back of Dorian's shirt, tilting his head to deepen the kiss.

Then, of course, Dorian pulled back a little, breathing heavily. "'If I'm capable'," he muttered his voice both husky and amused, his lips still only inches away from Aden's.

Aden smiled slowly, trying to keep his own breathing in check as realisation that Dorian had just kissed him settled over him. "You know this…" he said lightly, still keeping Dorian firmly against him, one hand running from the small his back up to the base of his neck. "Is going to prove those rumors to be somewhat true…"

Dorian felt a thrill shoot down his spine at the small movement of Aden's hands. Before he could reply however, there was a commotion behind them.

"Oh!" cried one girl while two others giggled and behind them Fiona stood staring at them in surprise.

"Ah…" mused Dorian, "I suppose they will definitely be now."

Aden finally let go of Dorian, and Dorian's arms slipped off his waist, their vacancy leaving him feeling quite cold. Aden cleared his throat loudly, raising his eyebrows at the onlookers.

"Yes?" he said expectantly. Each one of them blushed immediately before scurrying off, while Fiona turned away, smiling apologetically.

Aden turned back to Dorian who was still standing very close to him. A giddy feeling of happiness was beginning to settle over him. "How would you like a drink?" he said smiling. "I know where they hide the good wine."

Dorian was smiling back, "And you've been keeping it from me all this time?" he said impishly. "Scandalous."

Aden smirked. "At least that would be the least scandalous thing that has happened today." He paused for moment, still enjoying having Dorian so close to him. "Anyway," he continued, "I thought you might like to drink yourself into a stupor. I would. It has been one of those types of days, I imagine."

Dorian's smile widened. "You do know me so well." He moved his arm so that his hand could rest on the small of Aden's back, the gentle touch still setting the man's skin alight. "Lead on then."

A/N Thanks so much for the fave's & follows guys! And thanks xozoeox for your review. I'm so glad you guys are liking it, I wasn't sure what to expect form this story so it's nice to know some people might be enjoying it :)