Redcliff Village was a familiar place and IIyana and Co. were immediately welcomed as they made their way towards the Gull and Lantern, located in the eastern district. The village was an eclectic mass of energy as merchants and families gathered to connect, buy goods, and hear the latest gossip from Orlais. With Fall around the corner, members of the Chantry were also out and about, offering prayers and guidance, reminding everyone who would listen of the Maker's Blessing.
They passed a small, colorful booth selling everything from bread to pastries, cookies, and even those frilly cakes from Val Royeaux that Solas loved so much - the delicate ones you can only find in the cafe across from the plaza. Solas didn't have a preference for which flavor he enjoyed the most, although IIyana suspected it was raspberry and chocolate, and she made a mental note to stop by and purchase two cakes for him before leaving the area. It was strange, this sudden phenomenon of wanting to please him, and it brought IIyana great pleasure to do so. He made her feel special and she wanted to return the favor.
"What do you hope to find here," IIyana asked Dorian as the group moved past the docks and headed up the rocky path leading up to the rustic tavern.
"I admit, I'm not sure," Dorian replied. Gone was the humor from before - his expression now lined with apprehension.
"This could still be a setup," she reminded.
"Then we'll just have to fight our way through, won't we?" He smiled. "With a twist of dramatic flair, of course."
"There is no other way," IIyana grinned, then turning to her friends when they reached the front steps. "Alright, I will go in with Dorian while the two of you stay here. Remember, first sign of trouble, you do not hesistate."
Bull and Varric nodded in understanding before moving to their assigned positions- Bull guarding the front door while Varric flanking the side of the building. Meanwhile, Dorian stood in front of the tavern, his hand grasping the handle.
"Ready?" IIyana asked, seeing the anxiety in his eyes. "I will be with you every step of the way."
Her friend nodded in thanks before pushing the door open, walking in. The place was quiet, dark, and empty - the only clue that someone had been here was the roaring fire crackling in the corner, along with a damp dish towel thrown hastily across the bar - as if the person was in a hurry to leave.
Dorian swept the room, looking for any signs of the retainer before letting out a heavy sigh, releasing the tension from his body. He wasn't sure if he was disappointed or relieved to find the place empty. "This place is deserted," he said, glancing over at IIyana who stood quietly by the door. "Is this normal or -"
A deep and velvety voice interrupted from the stairs leading to the second floor, and as the man slowly descended the stairs, IIyana noted that this must be Dorian's father. Standing at 6 feet tall with sleek, peppered black hair and garbed in the robes of the Tevinter Imperium, Halward Pavus was a striking and dashing figure, paling only in comparison to his estranged son.
"Father," Dorian stated. He would have recognized that voice anywhere and his eyes narrowed slightly as they followed his father until he halted a few feet away. "So, the whole story about a family retainer was just what? A smoke screen?"
As his father clenched his hands in front of him, Dorian was surprised to feel the familiar ache that clenched his heart painfully and he couldn't stop the pain from enveloping him when his father responded.
"Then you were told," the older man said. "I"m sorry for the deception, Inquisitor. I never intended for you to be involved."
"Of course not," Dorian quickly interjected. "Magister Pavus couldn't come to Skyhold and be seen with the dreaded Inquisitor. What would people think? What would people say if they knew?" He asked mockingly and IIyana could feel the resentment seep from his skin. "What is 'this' exactly, father? An ambush? A kidnapping? Did you hope for a warm family reunion?"
At the word family, Halward clenched his hands tighter in front of him, clearly distress. "Must this be how it always is?" He asked of his son. He'd hope that time would have healed some of the rifts that have been created between them, and he was disappointed to find that he'd been wrong. He should not have come here, to seek forgiveness from a son he was responsible for pushing away.
Halward was about to turn away when the Inquisitor's voice echoed across the room. "Please," she said softly. "You went through all of this to get Dorian here. Talk to him."
"Yes father, talk to me," Dorian challenged. "Let me hear how mystified you are by my anger."
"Dorian," his father pleaded, "there is no need to -"
"Oh no you don't," Dorian snapped. "I want someone to hear it. I want someone to know the truth." He directed his attention to IIyana. "I prefer the company of me. And my father disapproves."
IIyana let out a surprised gasp, perplexed that his sexuality was the primary reason they were at odds with one another. "Why is that even an issue?" She inquired softly, glancing between father and son.
"It's only an issue if you're trying to live up to an impossible standard," Dorian said in disgust. Turning to face his father, the man who rejected him for everything he represented. "I was bred to be the perfect mage, to have the perfect body, the perfect mind. To be the perfect leader."
"I don't understand," IIyana said.
"It means every perceived flaw is deviant and shameful. It must be hidden," Dorian explained.
Halward lowered his gaze in shame. "Dorian, please. If you'll only listen to me."
"Why? So you can spout more lies? You taught me to hate blood magic - a resort of a weak mind. Those were your words," Dorian rasped. "But when I refused to play pretend for the rest of my life, what did you do?" He stepped forward - as if to challenge his father into admitting the truth - and when Dorian's pain was not validated, he replied in an aching whisper, "You tried to change me."
'I did what I thought was best for you," his father pleaded, equally as distressed.
"You did what you thought was best for you! What you thought best for your fucking legacy!"
Pushing away, Dorian stormed to an empty table near the front entrance, slamming both fists on the wooden surface, trying desperately to contain the resentment and hurt oozing out with every breath he took. Maker's breathe how he hated this - the anger, the resentment, the pain, the betrayal. He should have never came. He should have left things alone and carried on with his life of debauchery. He wanted to yell. To scream. To hit something - anything.
"Dorian," IIyana's soft voice drifted from behind and he stiffened slightly when her hand glided up his back in a soothing manner. Her touch was so gentle, so loving and accepting that Dorian wanted to curl into a ball and cry while she held him.
Because he knew she will love him for him.
"I'm sorry you have to see this," he apologized. His breath hitched with the hurt he'd carried since walking out of his family's home.
"I'm glad to be here," she said softly.
They remained like this for a little while - he trying to gather his thoughts while she soothed his pain away. Then, he heard her gently whisper his name.
"Dorian," IIyana said. "You know that I love you and if you want to leave, all you have to do is say the word, and I will light this fucking place on fire to get you safely out of here." She reached over to grasp his cheek so that he may look at her. "But as your friend, your best friend, I am asking you to not leave it like this. If you walk out that door before you hear what your father has to say, you'll never forgive yourself."
"You're supposed to be on my side, IIyana."
"I am. And I also know that despite what's happened, your father is equally in pain."
Dorina's eyes blazed with anger and he didn't know who he was more angry at:
With IIyana and her meddling ways.
With his father, for his conservative beliefs.
Or with himself, because somewhere deep inside, Dorian still harbored hope that his father will eventually come to love and accept him for who he is.
IIyana could feel the emotional turmoil her friend was fighting against and suddenly, reuniting him with his father was no longer appealing. She wrapped her arms around his waist and gave him all the love she felt. "Let's go, Dorian."
"No, you are right," he said after a while and glanced back behind him, "I need to finish this." There was more than distance separating him and his father but IIyana always said it only takes one person to make a change.
"Tell me why you came," Dorian demanded of his father.
The hope that had evaporated the moment his son turned away quickly ignited as Halward brought his gaze to meet his son. Eyes that were like his, like his own father. "If I knew I would drive you to the Inquisition -"
"You didn't. I joined the Inquisition because it was the right thing to do," Dorian disputed. "Once, I had a father who would have known that," he said sadly.
Dorian shook his head in disappointment. His father did not know him - may never know him - and he will have to accept it. He will leave this place knowing that at least he attempted to hear what his father had to say, and he will tell himself that at least he did not run away like a damn coward.
"Let's go, IIyana," Dorian said. He was reaching for the door when his father's voice drifted across the room, and the pain that it carried had Dorian stopping in his tracks, turning back to look at his father.
"Once, I had a son who trusted me. A trust I betrayed," the magister apologized. "I only wanted to talk to him. To hear his voice again. To ask him to forgive me."
Dorian stared at the man he'd idolized his entire life, searching his gaze for any form of deception. And as the minutes passed and the doubts melted away, Dorian discovered for the first time the same pain, the same regret, the same hope reflected back at him. Before he knew what he was doing, Dorian had taken a step forward, then another, until he met his father halfway.
Camp was quiet that evening as the group dined on roasted ram, bread and cheese, and the two flasks of wine they picked up on their way out of Redcliff Village. The group had decided that while they were in the Hinterlands, they might as well kill two birds with one stone by rendezvousing with Varric's old flame, Bianca Davri. The woman had arrived at Skyhold a week prior with a possible lead on Corypheus' source of red lyrium that pointed directly to Valammar as the staging area for the smuggling. As the night dwindled down, IIyana walked over to where Dorian sat staring quietly into the fire and snuggled up to him for warmth.
"He says we're alike," Dorian said softly, wrapping his arms around IIyana. "Too much pride. Once I would have been overjoyed to hear him say that."
"And now?"
"Now I'm uncertain. I don't know if I can forgive him."
IIyana tilted her face up, "You don't have to figure that out today."
"Thank you for saying that, and for bringing me out here," he smiled. "What you must think of me now after all that display."
"I don't think less of you if that's what you're afraid of. In fact, I think of you more." IIyana pulled back and gave him a lopsided smile. "Although I was disappointed we didn't leave the place with dramatic flair."
"The next time I have a family reunion, I'll make sure to throw a party," he grinned.
"I'll settle for that," IIyana smiled. "For what's it's worth, love is love, Dorian. I want you to know that I love you for you, and it doesn't matter who you choose to be with."
No one has ever said anything close to what IIyana had just said to him before, and Dorian was surprised to find that he was suddenly speechless, with tears shamelessly pricking at his lashes. He didn't know what to say, could only stare, until he finally managed to whisper a small thank you. "The things you say, IIyana," Dorian rasped. "No wonder the hobo loves you so damn much."
"I mean it. Every single word," she promised. "You will always have a home with me."
They finished off the second flask, stretching out their legs and enjoying the warmth of the fire. It has been an exhausting week - both physically and emotionally - and the two were eager to return to Skyhold and sleep in their own beds.
"What's it like to be able to love someone as openly as you love the hobo," Dorian asked.
IIyana considered his words carefully before beaming with love at the thought of Solas. "It's like casting my first spell - it's scary and frightening, and I am afraid that I'll fuck it up. But then he wraps his arms around me and I am suddenly filled with love, joy, and hope, and I know that as long as he loves me, all my worries will melt away. That is what it feels like."
Dorian gave her a tender smile, loving the smiles that came naturally to her these days. "My father never understood what it's like to live a lie. He'll never understand that it festers inside of you, like poison."
"I'm glad you don't have to live a lie anymore," she added. "So now that you are officially out and in the open, you should meet my friend Eri."
"Eri? The elf who caused havoc during your childhood - the one who peed on himself?"
"The one and only. He's traveling in Antiva and will stop by Skyhold before heading to Wycome.
"Don't cheapen my love for you by offering me someone else, IIyana," he scoffed.
"He swallows," she interjected.
"That's hot, Boss," Bull interrupted, returning from his night swim. "If Dorian isn't interested, I'm game."
"You will most likely tear him apart," she exclaimed and didn't miss the way Dorian's eyes roamed over the Qunarie's water-dripping chest.
"Nothing that can't be fixed with a little oil." Bull suggested, throwing Dorian a heated glance before heading back to his tent.
"I think that was an invitation," IIyana stated.
"It was," Bull's voice rang from inside the tent.
"Guess you're bunking with me tonight, Inquisitor!" Varric yelled from where he kept watch on the outskirts of camp.
"Guess I am," she replied.
"You are a good friend, IIyana," Dorian said, standing up to dust himself before giving her a saucy wink.
"I"m your only friend, Dorian."
Solas felt her presence the moment he slipped into the Fade, and he followed her aura to an open field overlooking a lush, green valley below.
"IIyana," he said anxiously as she threw herself into his arms. "Did something happened? Are you alright? Are you hurt?" He knew the Fade projected what the dreamer wanted others to see but it didn't stop him from searching for any signs that she'd been injured, or worse, that she was bleeding to death somewhere in the Hinterlands while he was dreaming away at Skyhold.
"I'm alright, everything is alright," she said and had to reassure him several times before he was able to settle down. "I just needed to see you, that's all."
He grasped her face in both of her hands and pressed his lips gently against hers. "I miss you too, yana. Come home, I don't sleep well without you." She leaned into his kiss and whispered that she'll be home in two days. He kissed her nose, her eyes, her cheeks. He whispered endearments and love words, lacing his fingers with hers.
"I love you, Solas. Very, very much," she whispered achingly.
His heart melted and he placed his forehead against hers.
"Ar lath ma, m'yana. Now and always."