"My dear inquisitor, don't you look stunning."
Dorian never could resist an opportunity to tease Elden, especially not when even his ears blushed such a charming statement was true, though. Even more dignitaries were about than usual so Elden had been wearing a nice suit instead of the traveling clothes he usually favored. He was prone to fiddling with the buttons on his sleeve self consciously, no doubt feeling out of place, so if some teasing eased a little of the tension in his shoulders, all the better.
"Flatterer," Elden said evasively but he was smiling. "I never know if you want something or if you just enjoy throwing me off."
"Can't they both be true?" Dorian nudged him. "I was simply hoping to steal you away for a short while. You've been entertaining guests all day and I am feeling in need of some entertaining myself."
"And here I thought me floundering around making a fool of myself was entertainment enough for everyone," Elden said with a little laugh, although he did gesture towards the gardens.
"Perhaps, but it's much more fun to have you all to myself," Dorian said, placing a hand on Elden's back in a moment of bravery as they made their way out of the great hall.
Elden turned such a bright shade of red then that it was probably for the best that they passed into the dark passageway and out into the empty gardens, away from prying eyes. Here moonlight was the only thing illuminating their way.
"You're going to be the death of me," Elden said with a breathless laugh, reaching out to place a hand on Dorian's arm.
The contact was welcome. More than welcome, Dorian craved it and had to resist the urge to lean into it, to pull Elden closer and wrap him in his arms. Only a door separated them from a hoard of gossipy nobles and Dorian couldn't risk that. Sure, their relationship seemed to be a common topic of discussion, there was no hiding it from them forever after all, and while Elden assured him he didn't care and that it meant nothing for the inquisition, it still wouldn't do to fuel the fires more than they already have been.
"I certainly hope not, I still have plans for you yet," Dorian said, allowing Elden to take his arm as they wandered amongst the flowers, rationalizing that this contact wouldn't be quite as scandalous if anyone happened to stumble across them "I think you have more to fear from certain darkspawn magisters."
"I am much happier being here with you than with Corypheus," Elden said with a laugh.
"I should certainly hope so. Otherwise I might fear I've lost my touch entirely."
It was strange, spending time this way with Elden. Not that this was unusual by any means, it was simply rather foreign to Dorian. Spending time with a partner in more if a romantic setting wasn't something Dorian had much experience with. Sure he could be charming and seductive in private moments to win someone's affections, but that wasn't what this was about. There was no need to win anyone over, Elden would already shower him in more affection than Dorian knew what to do with.
No, this was simply about the two of them enjoying each other's company and as much as Dorian wished to ease the inquisitor's burdens, nothing was expected or required of him. Elden simply liked spending time with him and Dorian was fairly certain that if he wished to remain silent the entire evening, Elden wouldn't mind. And Dorian would be lying if he said he didn't feel the same.
"Thank you," Elden said quite suddenly, pulling him out of his thoughts.
"For what?"
"You just always seem to swoop in when I'm reaching my limit having to deal with all those dignitaries. You've saved me more times than I can count."
"While I'm pleased to hear I've helped, I assure you my motives are entirely selfish," Dorian said. "Here I am keeping you all to myself, and somehow that's supposed to be noble?"
"Both can be true," Elden said with a smile, leaning into him slightly. "Besides, I definitely owe you plenty of time alone. You're justified in being a little selfish. I'm sorry the inquisition has been keeping me so busy lately, I'll make it up to you soon."
"Promises, promises," Dorian said. "No matter, a couple evenings under the stars with you and an expensive bottle of wine and I'll call it even."
"I hope I can come up with something a little more creative than that," Elden said and Dorian revelled in the sound of his laugh.
Their banter always came so easily. Sure, Dorian could hold a conversation with anyone, but with Elden it was effortless and relaxing, a pleasure instead of a requirement. It didn't matter what topic they fell upon, it was always enjoyable to hear what he had to say. Perhaps that was why he didn't notice the warning signs until it was almost too late.
They were inside Skyhold, they were supposed to be safe. The gentle rustling of leaves could be passed off as the wind, but Dorian caught sight of metal, a dagger, reflecting in the moonlight and he acted without thinking. Calling out the Inquisitor's name in warning, he stepped in front of him, taking a blow to his side before he could properly react.
Just because Dorian didn't have his staff with him, didn't mean he was helpless. Quite the opposite. No Tevinter education was completely without a little hand to hand combat. He grabbed the assassin's arm, twisting the blade away before landing several decisive blows to their abdomen and neck. He kicked the assassin, sending them stumbling back, and before they could recover Elden was there, turning their own dagger against them and driving it into their chest.
Dorian sighed, leaning heavily against the wall and Elden was at his side only a moment later. He looked so relieved as he peered into his face before pulling him into a tender hug, burying his face in his neck, and Dorian couldn't help but smile.
"Are you okay? I was so afraid," Elden said, pulling away only enough to see dorian's face. "I thought-"
He stopped, seemingly losing track of what he was saying, the color draining from his face as he drew his hand away, the blood plain to see in the moonlight.
"Ah," Dorian said, feeling rather distant and numb, but the adrenaline was wearing off and the pain in his side was surging back, nearly overwhelming. "It seems that assassin was rather more skilled at his job than anticipated."
He slumped down against the wall, his legs suddenly feeling so weak and Elden looked horrified as he helped lower him. He pressed on the wound, drawing a pained gasp from Dorian despite himself, feeling like the whole room was spinning under him as he tried to simply focus on Elden.
"No," Elden said, repeating the word again and again, tears in his eyes and Dorian wished he could brush them away and comfort him, but he was just so tired. Even just breathing was difficult, each intake of breath worsening the burning pain.
Perhaps this was it, then. Dorian had known this moment had to be coming. Had he seriously allowed himself to hope, even for a moment, that he could have this happiness, that what he and Elden had could last and that there would be some sort of 'after' for them? Ridiculous. One way or another it was all going to fall apart.
"Please just hang on," Elden said, desperation in his voice as he held onto him tightly, and Dorian couldn't find any words to reply.
What were you supposed to say in moments like these? How could Dorian ever hope to put into words how grateful he was to have known him, or how much he cared for him? He didn't know how to tell Elden that he'd never been happier than during the time they'd spent together, that he made Dorian believe in things he thought had died in his youth, or along with his relationship with his father, or the loss of Felix.
He made Dorian hope again, inspiring him to want to change the world simply because it was the right thing to do. He wanted to tell Elden that he deserved so much better than the suffering that the world had heaped onto his shoulders and that he hoped he could find some sort of peace and rest and happiness before all this was over.
There was just too much to say but no words seemed adequate. Dorian had hoped they'd have more time, that he could have been at Elden's side until the end, to do what he could to ease at least a fraction of his burdens, but Dorian supposed they'd already had so much more than he'd dared to hope. They'd been running on borrowed time from the beginning.
The likelihood that they would survive had always been slim to none. Honestly, the fact that they had all made it this far was impressive. But even then, even if by some miracle they survived this war and the world didn't end, there was no way their relationship would last much beyond that. No matter his assurances, the inquisitor would still find himself free of the pressures of imminent death and it would only be right for him to reconsider. Not that Dorian doubted him or his desperate sincerity, it was simply the logical thing to do. Elden wouldn't need him any longer.
No, this was for the best. Dorian dying valiantly protecting the inquisitor? As far as deaths go it wasn't so bad. At least now perhaps a Tevinter could be known for something good. So instead of saying anything at all, he gripped Elden's arm, hoping to convey even a fraction of all he felt, wishing he could make Elden smile just once more. Elden reached up to cup his cheek, and Dorian could feel his hand shaking. He leaned into that touch, feeling so very tired.
"Please," Elden said, voice trembling and desperate, and the sound of it broke Dorian's heart. "Please just hold on."
"These robed were brand new," Dorian said lamely because it was easier than everything else, easier than acknowledging the single tear that escaped and ran down his own cheek. "All this blood is never going to come out."
He felt Elden gripping him so tightly and Dorian tried to smile at him. Perhaps it was finally okay for him to rest. He'd been running for so long. He couldn't fight the darkness off forever after all, so finally, finally, he was swallowed up and there was nothing.
There's something much too familiar about waking up with the overwhelming ache of an injury and the taste of elfroot in his mouth. What had his life become? It took Dorian a long while to push past the pain and actually remember that he existed, remember everything that had happened.
He was still so tired but he forced his eyes open anyway, pain shooting through his skull from the blindingly bright morning sunlight. He wasn't sure what he expected to see honestly, but it certainly wasn't the inquisitor's quarters or the inquisitor himself, still fully dressed and curled beside him on top of the blankets, clutching his hand even in sleep. No doubt the fool had refused to sleep for as long as possible.
Dorian couldn't help but watch him as he slept, his hair a mess and his expression so peaceful. Elden rarely looked so relaxed. At least he hadn't been injured in the attack. Dorian wasn't sure how often they could keep doing this, though. How many times could they escape death before their luck ran out? Before one or both of them didn't pull through?
Perhaps it didn't matter. Nothing had really changed. This only meant that they had a little more time together, that they had pushed back the inevitable a while longer. He reached out, threading his fingers through Elden's hair, wincing a little at the soreness in his limbs. Elden looked groggy and adorable as he slowly opened his eyes, but as soon as he saw Dorian, relief and pure joy washed over him and anything was worth being able to see that beautiful smile.
He sat up and leaned over Dorian very carefully, caressing his cheek with a shaky hand as he placed a kiss to his forehead. It was obvious he wanted to hold him more tightly but feared hurting him. Dorian couldn't help but chuckle and he tugged his shirt, urging Elden down to kiss his lips properly. No doubt later Elden would be angry, would tell him to never do something so foolish again, but neither of them had ever been able to promise such a thing. For now, they were both alive, given another chance at all this. And as Elden pressed his forehead to his, feeling each other's warmth, Dorian was determined to make sure Elden knew how much he meant to him.
