"Well? What do you think? Will it do?" Cassandra was regarding him with bated breath, clearly uncertain what his reaction would be.
But Cullen had no trouble reassuring her. "It's perfect, love. Just what we need."
He meant it, too. The old manor house looked well-kept and solid, and the view across the valley was spectacular. True, the grounds were unkempt and overgrown, close to being reclaimed by the surrounding wilderness. But the mountain air up here in the Hunterhorns was crisp and bracing, and it would be good for his charges to have something to do. Hard physical work wasn't the worst way of dealing with lyrium cravings, far from it.
When he'd first mentioned his plan to open a kind of sanctuary for former Templars, a place where they could shed the habit or at least finish their lives in peace and dignity, Cassandra had looked surprised, but not unpleasantly so. She'd immediately begun to work out the practical details, and only days later she had come to him with the proposal to use this place. A distant cousin had left her the estate, in this remote corner of Orlais, far from the great cities and busy trade routes.
Cassandra had her own plans for the house, he knew. She wanted to build a new Seeker order, different from the old one, which had been founded on lies and deception. Something new, something better. Cullen didn't doubt she could do it, if she set her mind to it. Up here, there would be room for both of them to make their dreams come true.
Together, they explored the old house, picking a suite of rooms on the top floor as their own quarters. It was hardly luxurious, the furniture shabby and old-fashioned and the paint flaking in places, but Cullen didn't mind. It felt like home. By the time night had fallen, he'd gotten a fire going in the hearth, their bedrolls were spread on the ancient creaky four-poster, and a simple but hearty meal had been set out for them on the heavy pine-topped table, scrubbed almost white by generations of conscientious housekeepers.
"There's even a mabari kennel at the back." Cassandra was leaning in the doorframe, smiling at him in the dim light. "You can start breeding dogs if you want to."
Bouncy sat up at her words, giving her a long, thoughtful look before settling back on his haunches and beginning to vigorously scratch his ear. Cullen laughed. "We'll see about that. Later, perhaps, once we've sorted out the most important stuff."
"It's going to be a lot of work." Cassandra sighed, but when he extended his arm in a silent invitation, she willingly settled into his embrace, resting her head against his shoulder. "But we can do it, right?"
"Of course we can." He breathed a soft kiss on her forehead. "There's nothing we can't do, as long as we're together."
"I love the house." With a happy sigh, Erin sank into an embroidered armchair right next to the fireplace, surveying the room with a proprietary air. "A bit gloomy from the outside, but that's Kirkwall for you, right?"
She drew up her nose into a funny grimace that made Alec laugh. His niece had come to Kirkwall for an extended visit, to meet the parents of her most ardent suitor. Young Robb Cavin was a distant cousin of the seneschal, from a good but inconsequential family. He was a good-looking chap, friendly and easy-going. Alec liked him, but he doubted Erin would be happy living in the City of Chains. He knew better than to point out that fact, though. Let her draw her own conclusions while she's here.
"Glad you like it." Alec joined her in the second chair, pouring a cup of cider for each of them. "Took me months to make the place habitable. It used to belong to a Tevinter magister who'd neglected the property for years. No one wanted to buy it, because people thought it was cursed or haunted, but Varric figured I wouldn't mind."
"And? Any ghosts so far?" Erin rolled her eyes dramatically, pretending to be scared.
"Nah." Alec shook his head. "We found a few skeletons in the cellars, and the remains of a rather dodgy looking lab, nothing more. Dorian took one look at the lab and recommended I burn everything in there. Which I did."
"Sounds like a wise choice to me." Erin shuddered all over. "Really? Skeletons? As in human remains?"
Alec shrugged. "A few. Maybe it really was the magister who killed them, or maybe they'd sought shelter down there at some point during the troubles and died of their injuries. It's hard to tell. In any case, I've seen worse. And we've given them a proper burial, so no worries. They won't disturb your nightly rest by rattling their bones in the corridors."
Erin laughed with him, but then she grew serious. "Don't you ever ask yourself why it had to be you? All of it? The mark, the fighting, all the horrors you've faced? And… this?" She gestured at the arm stump.
"Oh, I used to. All the time, right after I lost the arm. Why me, of all the people in Thedas?" Alec huffed in wry amusement. "But then I figured… Without all of this, without the Anchor, I would never have become what I am now. I'd still be plain old Alec Trevelyan, youngest son of a country squire at the back of beyond. I would never have met all those amazing people, seen all those places, done what I've done. And I'd never have met Dorian."
Erin smiled at that, but the look she gave him was almost awed. "Oh, Alec. I've known you all my life, and I never had an inkling of how strong you are. I could never have dealt with such a situation." She gazed down at her own small hands as if she was trying to imagine them gone.
"Of course you could have." Alec favoured her with his best stern glare. "If you had no choice, you would handle it, just as I have. You are a lot stronger than you think, pumpkin. Besides…" He sighed deeply. "I'm not all that strong either. You've only seen me on my better days. Trust me, there were others, especially at first."
He remembered them all too clearly, those days, and even worse, the nights, when he'd lain awake for hours, crying, railing against his fate, cursing the day he'd gone to Haven in the first place. Oh yes, there had been times when it had all seemed too much to bear, all those pitying looks aimed at him, the morbidly curious questions, the small daily struggles… Alec shivered at the memory, and Warden, who had been lying quietly at his feet, raised his head and whined softly, as if to ask him what was wrong.
"It's all right, you big baby, I'm fine." Gently, Alec petted the dog's head before meeting Erin's worried gaze. "Sometimes I still hate it. There are still days when I wallow in self-pity, because there's so much stuff I can't do any more, so many things that are awkward and cumbersome and exhausting. But then again…" He shrugged. "I keep telling myself that at least I'm alive. I've survived all the shit life has thrown at me so far, and that's not something to sneer at."
Erin actually snorted. "Yeah, I bet Dorian thinks so, too. You're going to see him soon? In Minrathous?"
Alec nodded. "Yes. It's been a while since I last made the trip, and I miss him. Besides, I've got a big surprise for him."
Erin tilted her head to the side, pondering his words. "Ah, I think I can guess. That's going to be interesting, you know. I wonder how he'll react."
"So do I." Alec sighed again. "Let's wait and see, shall we?"
The whole day had been filled with pleasant anticipation, ever since Dorian had heard Alec's voice through the crystal in the early morning. I'll be with you come nightfall. Just a few hours.
The happy tingle had tided him over, helped him through yet another tedious session of the magisterium, listening to old Prycis droning on about Tevinter's bygone glory. Maevaris had shot him a knowing glance when she'd seen his expression. He rather hoped no one else had noticed.
But now, as the servants announced the Comte de Sombrerue, his heart beat so hard it seemed his ribcage was about to burst. It had taken him ages to get used to Alec's new title, bestowed by his Grace, the Viscount of Kirkwall, also known as their friend Varric. No longer the Inquisitor, no longer Ser Trevelyan. Still Alec, though. My Alec. My love. They hadn't seen each other for far too long, and Dorian ached for his touch, for the warmth of his lips, the brightness of his smile.
That smile was at full strength when Dorian entered the vestibule, and it took all his control not to pull Alec into his arms immediately. Of course there couldn't be any such displays, not in front of the servants. Later, in the privacy of his room-
"Dorian." Alec grasped his arm in a manly handshake, grinning all over. "It's good to see you. Look what I've brought you."
A boy stepped from the shadows behind him, slim and blond and maybe eight or nine years old. Dorian frowned. The first thing he noticed about the child was an almost uncanny resemblance to Alec. The same bright blue eyes, the same thick hair, the same posture even, graceful and a little provocative. A flutter of uncertainty filled his belly. Surely, Alec would have told him long ago if-
The boy shifted a little, trying to hide his hands, and everything else was driven from Dorian's mind when he saw. In a quick, fluid movement, he was on his knees before the child, grabbing his wrist. Tiny sparks were racing along the sweaty little palms, and the child was trembling with the effort of trying to suppress them.
"Shhh." Dorian met the boy's eyes calmly and made a quick gesture, breathing softly on his palm.
The sparks coalesced into a tiny wisp, a minuscule creature of the Fade. It settled in the child's open hand with a bored yawn. Wide-eyed, the boy stared up at Dorian. Then a happy grin started to spread across his face, and once again, he looked so much like Alec that it made Dorian's heart ache.
"What's your name?" He did his best not to stare at the boy too obviously. He didn't want to appear creepy.
"I'm Corin." The boy bounced over to Alec to show him his hand. "Look what he did, Alec! Isn't that neat?"
"What you did," Dorian amended, smiling involuntarily when the kid's eyes widened even further. "Would you like some honey cakes, Corin? Valeria here can take you to the kitchen." He nodded at a servant girl, who gave the boy an affectionate pat on the shoulder and took his hand with a firm, no-nonsense attitude. The wisp disappeared with an annoyed squeal.
The kid glanced back at Alec once, but relaxed when he nodded. His eyes wide and curious, Corin allowed himself to be led off. Dorian gestured for Alec to follow him to his study, where they would be undisturbed.
As soon as the door fell shut behind them, Dorian turned to face his lover. "Who is he?" He dreaded the answer, but-
"My sister Kenna's youngest. What?" Alec's eyebrow shot up, but he was grinning maliciously. "Did you think he was mine?"
"The thought had crossed my mind. And don't pretend that wasn't what you wanted me to think. He's your spitting image." Dorian exhaled slowly, feeling the tension drain from his body. "But tell me: When did he first show signs of magic?"
"About seven or eight weeks ago." Alec's face had turned serious. "Kenna and her family live near Kirkwall, and she messaged me immediately. She didn't want to part with Corin, but it was this or the Gallows. Now that Vivienne has restored the Circles to their former glory..."
"Ah, our dear Divine Victoria. So very sure she knows what's best." Dorian sighed. "You realize the boy shows incredible promise? With the amount of power he wields already, he will need guidance to keep it under control, someone to teach him, someone to help him understand what he's doing." He shook his head, laughing softly. "I haven't seen so much raw talent since I was a boy."
"I suspected as much." Alec looked down at his right hand. What was left of his other arm was carefully hidden away under his embroidered sleeve. "That's why I brought him to you." He raised his head, suddenly looking young and vulnerable, much as he had when Dorian had first met him. "Look, I know it's a lot to ask, but… Can he stay? I'll help you look after him, of course, and-"
"Amatus." Rolling his eyes, Dorian stepped closer, finally allowing himself to touch Alec's cheek, to feel the rasp of his stubble under his fingertips, to breathe in his scent. The rush of feeling that came with it nearly made him come undone. "Don't be an idiot. Of course Corin can stay. I'll take good care of him, I promise."
"We will." Alec placed a calloused finger on his lips. "I won't leave it all to you. Besides, this will give me another reason to come and see you more often."
"Do you need one?" Dorian let his voice drop deliberately, just to see Alec shiver in response. "Apart from my charm and beauty?"
"You know I don't." Alec sounded rough, as he pulled him into a tight embrace.
"I'm glad to hear it." He inhaled deeply, moaning at the feel of Alec's body pressed up hard against his. "Did you miss me, in your cold and lonely exile?"
"Dorian." Alec bit down on his earlobe, breathing faster. "If you don't shut up now, I'll make you."
"Ah, those barbaric Southerners. Always with the threats." Dorian pretended to be scandalized, but the words died on his lips when Alec's hot mouth found his.
He missed the kissing most of all when they were apart. Everything else, too, of course, but he knew how to take care of himself, and he could always pretend it was Alec's hand on his cock when he closed his eyes and didn't think too hard. But the kisses, Alec's kisses, the velvet softness of his lips and the small noises he made, the warmth of his hand on Dorian's neck… There was no substitute for that, not in all of Minrathous, and he'd missed it so much he regretted having to pause for air. Alec moaned incoherently and pushed him back against the desk, attacking his bare throat now.
"Careful. It would be hard to explain bite marks." Dorian knew he sounded less than convincing, probably because he was so hard even his clothes couldn't hide it.
"I don't care." Alec was shaking with need, fumbling impatiently with the fastenings of his robe. "I want you. Now."
"Your wish is my command, amatus." Quickly, he untied the fastenings, baring his body to Alec's touch.
Alec's coat and breeches came off next, and then Dorian was running his hands up under the loose shirt, scraping his nails over flat nipples, relishing the way Alec's muscles rippled under his touch.
He was in good shape, thanks to regular exercise under Kihm's watchful eye. The trainer had followed Alec from Skyhold to Kirkwall, where Alec had set up a workshop for him in the basement of his house, in a room protected by various shield spells. Dorian didn't approve of Kihm's relaxed attitude toward bombs and his experiments with elemental essences, but it couldn't be denied he had plenty of experience when it came to dealing with missing limbs. Alec's shoulders were as strong as ever, his stomach flat and taut. Just looking at him made Dorian's mouth go dry.
"We need to be quick." Alec sounded breathless. "Corin will probably come looking for me sooner or later."
Dorian shook his head. "Valeria will take good care of him. And she has a veritable horde of younger siblings. I bet he's playing with them already, and they're going to keep him busy for a while. No need to worry." The boy was an intriguing topic, but right now, Dorian didn't want to hear about him. He had other things on his mind. "Come to bed."
Alec complied eagerly, and later they were all over each other, hands and mouths seeking out the spots guaranteed to make the other squirm with delight. Dorian had spent hours fantasizing about what he would do once he got his hands on Alec again, but as always, the reality was far more intense than anything he could have imagined.
When Alec's hand found its way between his legs, teasing behind his balls in a mute question, Dorian moaned enthusiastically. "Alec. Yes, please."
Yes, this was what he wanted, what he needed tonight: Alec's fingers, slick with oil, spreading him open, thrusting deeper, stretching and twirling; the look on Alec's face, both tender and demanding, as he watched him like a hawk, trying to gauge when he would be ready for more. And finally, Alec's deep throaty moan, when Dorian got impatient and pushed him on his back to straddle him, lowering himself down onto his cock as quickly as he dared.
They paused for a heartbeat, both of them trembling all over with the intensity of it. To be together like this, so closely joined, not a hair's breadth between them, to feel Alec twitch and pulse inside him, while his chest was heaving with laboured breaths… Dorian was sure there wasn't anything better in all the world. Until he began to move and the sensation of Alec's cock sliding in and out of him drove all conscious thought from his mind.
He came without a hand on his own cock, came just from Alec's quick, shallow thrusts inside him, or maybe from the sheer excitement of having his beloved here with him again. Alec's eyes widened when he saw him, and his whole body went taut as he, too, reached his peak, gasping and shaking all over.
They clung to each other for a little while afterwards, despite the stickiness, unwilling to let go. When they finally rose to get cleaned up and dressed, Alec smiled at him, letting his eyes wander all over his bare body. His gaze was so full of love that Dorian could feel it, like a physical caress. "You know, sometimes I still can't believe you're mine."
Dorian cleared his throat. "I can assure you the feeling is quite mutual, amatus. Now, come on. Let's not keep the boy waiting."
Almost there - just one more chapter to go... Huggles and thanks to my amazing beta suilven and to all of you reading this. :)
