Summary:

Cullen's late, which makes Alistair worry.
He arrives safe and sound, with a little something extra for Alistair.
*queue awwwww soundtrack*

Written for DA Satinalia Week on Tumblr
DAY FOUR || DECEMBER 21 || LOST IN DREAMS

Notes:

This little idea popped into my head when I first started writing Cocktails and Cheese (roughly a year and a half ago). I knew thiswas going to happen, it was always in the cards. I just needed so much more to happen first!

I still haven't covered the appropriate ground for this to happen in the current timeline - so we're jumping ahead a year from now.
This chapter is SAFE for work - well, minus all the fluff. I really should provide you all with dental insurance. ;)

All recognizable content belongs to Bioware/EA Games
All twisted perversions therein, are all on me ~ You're welcome!

DAY FOUR || DECEMBER 21 || LOST IN DREAMS

DA Satinalia Week

Day Four - December 21, 2017

Lost In Dreams

Prompt:

the fourth day gives you a chance to bring your favorite characters to life in an alternate universe. modern day, crossovers nightmare before christmas, dystopian worlds… in your universe, what do they do in december? what and how do they celebrate?

Alistair's New Rose - A Satinalia Surprise

In the Cocktails and Cheese Universe

(About a year in the future from where we are currently in chapter 36)

Alistair is pacing back and forth behind the bar. Cullen's never this late, not without sending a message or something first. He pulls his phone out of his pocket to see if he's missed anything.

Nothing.

He sighs heavily and looks around for a distraction. The bar is fairly empty tonight, not unusual for midweek before the holiday. Leliana is perched on her usual stool, singing Satinalia songs for the few patrons in attendance and Lana is making her rounds, ensuring that the customers have everything they need.

He checks the phone again and ponders sending off a quick message to ask if he's ok. He's not worrying.

Ok, so I'm worrying .

If his fiance' wasn't so attached to his bloody schedules, it wouldn't be so obvious that something is wrong. Even if Cullen got off work at his regular time and went to the gym with Rylen, he still would have been here at least two hours ago.

This definitely isn't normal.

Alistair is about to reach for his phone a third time, when the door to the pub opens and in walks Cullen with a small guilty smile on his face. He's hunched over, with one arm wrapped protectively around his middle while he dusts a few flakes of snow from his hair with the other. Immediately alarmed, Alistair navigates out from behind the bar.

"Cullen, are you ok? What happened?" He tries to wrap his arms around him in a hug, but Cullen shies away from the embrace.

"I'm sorry I'm so late." Cullen tries to soothe the hurt look on Alistair's face by leaning in and placing a kiss on his cheek. "There was an unforeseenissue at work." Cullen flinches and the arm currently tucked inside his coat flexes uncomfortably.

"Cullen, you're hurt!"

"Not hurt." Cullen flinches again, this time stifling a giggle when a small growl comes from inside his coat.

Alistair's concern is replaced with amusement. "Uh, I know you're late for dinner, but I've never heard your stomach make that noise before." He chuckles affectionately. "What are you hiding?"

"I uh… well, you see." With his free hand, Cullen rubs at the back of his neck. "I know we haven't exactly discussed this, and I know, nothing will ever replace Brie..." An excited series of yips interrupt whatever Cullen is about to say.

Stepping closer, Alistair carefully opens the long overcoat, exposing a tiny mabari puppy with a red bow tied to her collar. She's cradled against Cullen's body for warmth. "Is that…" At the sound of his voice, the puppy begins wiggling with excitement trying to get to Alistair by any means necessary. Plucking her from Cullen's arms, he brings her to his chest where she quickly calms. A small smile graces his lips as he tries to blink back the tears threatening to spill from his eyes. Placing her paws on Alistair's chest, she licks his chin twice before turning in a circle in his hands, curling up, and falling asleep.

"I think she likes you." Cullen smiles sheepishly. "You don't mind, do you? I couldn't just leave her there, but if you want me to, I can take her to work tomorrow and see if someone at the station will take her."

Alistair looks up sharply-protectively-as he pulls the puppy even closer to his chest.

Lana laughs sweetly as she approaches. "Oh, dear-sweet-Cullen. They've already bonded. You will have to pry her from his cold dead fingers before he'll let you take her away from him now." She pats Alistair's cheek affectionately as he beams a watery smile back at her.

"Where did you find her?" Alistair asks with wonder as he takes in her rust colored fur that's not too different from the color of his own hair.

"We were finishing up down on the docks today, when this little one came whimpering out from behind one of the crates. We couldn't find any indication of who she belongs to, and I couldn't just leave her down there."

Alistair leans in, careful of the puppy in his arms, and kisses Cullen more soundly. "I'm glad you brought her home. She's beautiful and perfect. Thank you so much, Cullen." Looking back down at the sleeping angel in his arms, Alistair looks up suddenly. "It's late, we need to get her supplies and food before the stores clo-"

"Alistair, it's all taken care of." Cullen wraps an arm around him and rests his head on Alistair's shoulder while he gazes down at the sleeping puppy. "I have her immediate supplies in my jeep. When you get off, we can get her settled in upstairs and tomorrow we'll go out and get anything else you think we'll need."

Lana looks around the room. "Leli and I have this down here; you boys go settle in. There's no reason for you to wait."

"Are you sure, Lana? I can finish up; she's not going to be any trouble." Alistair noses against her scruff, savoring the warmth.

"Yes, Ali. Taking in a baby together is a big responsibility, I think you both should go upstairs and discuss who's going to take care of what. And… she's going to need a name."

Another grin lights up Alistair's face as he looks at Cullen with conviction. "Rose. I think I will call her, Rose."

End Notes:

Now all of you - go brush your teeth (so you don't get cavities! ;)

I am eternally indebted to Ponticle for her ever diligent editing and patience. Busy work weeks mixed with holiday crazy and this beautifully amazing woman STILL makes time to edit so I can get these posted for your viewing pleasure. She really is freaking amazing!