Ordinarily, Dorian hated mornings. However, it was rather glorious, being warm and safe here in their room, tucked against Elden's side and feeling his laughter as much as hearing it. They were just examining each other, how they've changed and the marks the years had left on them. It may not always have been for the better, but it made them who they were, so how could they not love the lines and creases they found on each other?
They were examining Elden's scars now. Each had been terrifying in the moment, but they made him proud, let him stand a little taller. They were reminders that he was alive, he had survived, so of course Dorian loved them too.
"Remember how I got this one?" Elden asked easily, pointing at a faded scar across his chest. "I like to think I looked a bit heroic, standing against that Pride demon."
"Yes, very heroic," Dorian said sarcastically. "Right before it sent you flying 20 feet into a tree."
"Well, yeah, but that was after," Elden laughed, shoving gently at his shoulder.
"I remember being relieved when you got back up, somehow not crushed inside your own armor. I suppose there's something impressive in that."
"You can't ruin this for me," Elden said with a grin.
"I wouldn't dream of it," Dorian said, placing a kiss to his lips.
"Good."
"You don't have to be grievously wounded to be inspiring, you know," Dorian said, taking his hand and indicating a pale scar on his thumb. "Personally, I prefer this one."
"No," Elden whined, covering his face with his other hand.
"What?" Dorian said innocently. "I think it was very heroic the way you saved our provisions from that ferocious nug."
"Who would have thought they'd have such sharp teeth?" Elden asked.
"Everyone," Dorian deadpanned. "Everyone would have thought that."
"But it was cute, I just wanted to hold it for a second."
"Of course you did," Dorian shook his head fondly. He spotted a scar across his ribs that he couldn't recall corresponding with any injury he had received in their time fighting together. He traced it gently with his finger. "What about this one?"
"Oh," Elden said, his eyes sliding to the side, and the change in the atmosphere was almost instantaneous; the smile falling away to reveal something raw and painful. "It happened a long time ago. I wasn't doing anything impressive when I got it, I'm afraid."
"That's fine," Dorian said, pressing a kiss there, enjoying the way Elden relaxed at his touch. "But you don't have to talk about it."
Elden ran his fingers through Dorian's hair, grateful that he would let him sidestep this, but he took a deep breath and spoke anyway.
"My brother—" he began, and Dorian hoped he didn't react too strongly. He could guess where this was going and tried to let his rage melt into comfort and affection instead, something that would be more useful in this moment, for Elden. "He always had a cruel streak. I guess I'm proud of getting through it. And the scar reminds me that I won in the end; I got away from all of them."
"And you became you, not who they wanted you to be," Dorian said, running his palm across his cheek tenderly, resting his forehead against his. "Your kindness in spite of it all is more than inspiring."
Elden just looked at him, like he didn't know what to say, like no words would ever truly encapsulated his gratitude. Instead, he placed his hand over Dorian's, turning enough to kiss his palm.
"I love you," Elden whispered, like he wasn't sure he could trust his own voice.
"I love you too," Dorian replied softly, but then he continued in the same joking tone as before. "So you better knock it off with all these heroics. I rather prefer you alive and, really, it's just excessive at this point. Everyone is already wildly jealous of us."
"Okay," Elden said with a laugh, burying his face in Dorian's shoulder as he held him.
Dorian let his hand stray back to the scar on his ribs as they talked, stroking there gently. They both pretended not to notice, but Dorian knew he understood. He may not have been there to support him through his childhood, but he was here now. And he would always be in awe of Elden's tenderness in a world that had shown him so much hurt. He only had to exist for Dorian to be proud of him, to be inspired by him. But then, he knew Elden felt similarly towards him.
Sometimes, it felt impossible that they had ended up here. Neither of them had ever thought they'd find true happiness. But sometimes, the world was good. Sometimes, there was hope and love. And that was worth living for.