If it was one person that Dorian had never thought he would see again, it was Cassian.

And Dorian hated the fact that his heart and stomach flipped at the sight of him, especially since Cassian had filled out quite nicely since the last time he saw him.

Dorian honestly did not know if he felt nauseas or not.

He supposed he should have expected it; when the Circles of Tevinter summoned the best and brightest of its students for a Lower Floor debate, then it was only fitting that the one person Dorian never wanted to see again would be there.

Yes, Cassian had been a good student while with Gereon and Livia, and it was no wonder that he would get far when under the wing of Livia.

Still, to actually meet him again, not being aware that he was one of the mages representing the Circle of Vyrantium, was like being punched in the gut. All the air seemed to leave his body and all he could do was stare as Cassian came into the room, wearing the robes belonging to his Circle.

Thankfully, he had not ended up staring with his mouth open and an obvious look of surprise on his face. He had ended up more stone-face, his stance rigid and his face more or less neutral. It had probably been his only saving grace as the hall was filling up with more students, snapping him out of his stupor long enough to regain his focus.

He also knew he was unnecessarily crass and downright icy when addressing him during the debates, adding more heat to his words when deflecting or arguing on the circles latest debates: the development and further expansion of new magic.

Dorian was for it, but only to a certain degree and for the most part he spoke of expanding magic they already knew. There was potential in it and he had already written several papers on the possibilities of combining known and combinable schools of magic into something new.

He had already presented several ways in which it had already been done, especially when it came to spirit magic and the more primal schools of magic.

Cassian seemed amused by his attitude though and Dorian was quick to realize that he was being baited by the slightly older man. Despite knowing it, he just couldn't help himself. He let himself be swept away, taking the bait hook, line and sinker, but with a determination to win. Yes, Cassian seemed to know how to push his buttons even now, but Dorian was smarter and more experienced now.

He was no eighteen-year-old blushing virgin and hadn't been for some time.

He also knew that Cassian wasn't after winning the debate; he wanted to rile Dorian up as much as he could by making downright ridiculous claims that really added nothing to the discussion, but sounded smart enough for him to get away with it.

Dorian wouldn't give him that satisfaction.

While the discussion was won easily, something about Cassian's downright nonchalant attitude to it made it feel like Dorian had lost so when the group broke it off for the evening, he immediately sought out a proper glass of wine and fresh air.

The gathering was over for the evening anyway and people were splitting up, either retreating for the evening or do find more pleasant ways to end it.

As for Dorian… He had no immediate plans to go anywhere.

For now, all he wanted was to clear his mind and possibly drink the thoughts of Cassian out of his head.

The discussion did not have any shortage of alcohol for the young students and Dorian was only too happy to help himself to some of the stronger stuff, filling up his glass to the brim before stalking outside.

The evening was already starting to cool off, with the sun setting behind the mountains in the distance, and the cool air was already doing wonders for the headache that had formed in Dorian's head during the discussion. It was also nice and quiet outside, a welcoming break from the buzzing that was still going on inside from the students who had not immediately fled to the nearest open Tavern.

He was of half-mind to join them again, in a little bit, when the last person he wanted to see made himself noticed.

"Well, well. Look at you, Dorian. Time has treated you extremely well."

Holding onto his glass tightly, Dorian inhaled sharply as he closed his eyes, counting slowly to five before taking a large gulp from his drink.

"Of course it has," he replied with an icy voice, not even bothering to turn. "I am like fine wine. I only get better with age."

"I bet," Cassian mused as he stepped up to Dorian, as if he was an old friend that he hadn't seen in a while.

"I have to admit though, I did not expect to see you here."

"And why is that?"

He already knew he was going into another trap, but Dorian couldn't find himself to care.

"You don't have the most… Pristine of reputations when it comes to your academic pursuits," Cassian replied casually, a hint of a smirk on the man's lips.

This man, this… Person, was not the person Dorian had fallen so hard for almost five years ago, and yet Dorian could believe this man more than he believed in the man Cassian had pretended to be.

This was Cassian's true colors.

"Maybe not," Dorian replied slowly as he took another deep gulp from his drink, feeling it burn as it went down his throat.

"But a man can change. Of course, you wouldn't know of that, would you?"

Cassian merely laughed and smirked, something that made Dorian even angrier.

"Oh, Dorian. I see you have not gotten over me yet," he murmured, smirking as he reached out and attempted to touch Dorian's arm.

Dorian quickly twisted away, looking at the hand as if it was a snake ready to bite him.

"It was five years ago, Dorian. Most people would have gotten over it by now. Though I am flattered that I had such an impact on you," Cassian chuckled, smirking.

"Don't flatter yourself," Dorian spat, eyes narrowing.

"The only thing I haven't gotten over is my anger and disgust because I fell for your lies."

"Oh, but dear Dorian," Cassian chuckled, leaning against the railing of the balcony.

"I never lied to you. I meant it when I said that you were beautiful and that I liked you. I especially meant it every time when I said I had to have you. However, I never promised you more either."

Dorian opened his mouth to call him out, but after a moment, he quickly shut his mouth.

Cassian… wasn't wrong.

He had said many things, many sweet things, but he had actually never promised Dorian more.

Dorian had been the one to believe there was something there, lead on by Cassian's actions, but Cassian had never actually confirmed it.

He swallowed hard as he glared at Cassian, knowing he was right and not being able to do a single damn thing about it.

"You know what I mean," he ended up hissing as he drained the last of the liquor from his glass, ignoring the burn as it went down his throat.

"I was young, I was inexperienced and you took advantages of that. You used me and you know you did."

"Now, now, use is such a harsh word," Cassian murmured, sliding closer towards Dorian, letting their arms brush together.

"Did you now enjoy the time we spent together? Did I not make you feel good? Make you feel… Special?"

"T-that is beside the point," Dorian bit out as he shifted away from Cassian, but he was running out of place. Cassian was rather efficiently backing him into a corner; namely the corner of the balcony.

"If you had just come out and said that- "

"Said what, Dorian," Cassian interrupted, still wearing that Maker forsaken grin on his face.

"That I was just after some fun? That I just wanted to fuck you? Would it have been any better for you if I said that?"

When Dorian froze, Cassian smirked and moved closer, placing both hands on either side of Dorian as he trapped him in the corner. "You know you wouldn't have responded any better to knowing the truth. So I gave you what you wanted for as long as it was needed. You should thank me, Dorian. I taught you a valuable lesson."

Dorian's hand flew up and connected with Cassian's cheek before he could stop himself, making the older man's head snap to one side from the force.

"Release me or the next blow I will make will be to your balls," he sneered, but he couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement along with the discomfort.

The fact that Cassian chuckled, slowly turning his head as he rubbed his now red cheek didn't make things any better.

"You've grown feistier now, Dorian. I like that."

"Keep pushing your luck and you won't like it much longer," Dorian snapped as he tried to push Cassian away from him, but not very hard.

His heart was pounding hard in his chest and he could feel himself responding to the strength and confidence Cassian was showing.

If he wasn't careful…

Cassian chuckled and Maker if that chuckle didn't bring back memories of heated nights many years ago.

"Don't resist, Dorian," he murmured as he leaned closer, letting his lips ghost over the shell of Dorian's ear.

"How about one night, for old time's sakes?"

"You're a bastard," Dorian growled, reaching up to grasp at Cassian's shoulders, giving him a half-hearted push.

"I should set your hair on fire for this."

"Let's just set the night on fire, you and I," Cassian purred before leaning in to kiss Dorian firmly.

Dorian couldn't stop himself; he had to kiss Cassian back, just for a second before he turned his head away, hating himself the moment he gave in.

"Don't think that I will forgive you for this," he growled, eyes flickering to glance at Cassian before he made up his mind.

"I am not expecting you to," Cassian mused, smirking some. "Because there is nothing to forgive. What I am doing… I am doing it because we both want it. You want this as much as I do. Couldn't you feel it, Dorian? The tension between us? The longing? The want? The spark is still there; we just have to give it life again."

Dorian sucked in a deep breath of air, eyes narrowing as he contemplated the situation.

Cassian was many things, but he was no rapist. His style was to lure, to seduce, to tease, but he wouldn't take him by force, at least not here. There were still people inside and Dorian only had to shout if he needed help.

That and if Dorian truly wanted him to stop, he could make him stop. He was physically strong, he could easily break free and even if he was overpowered, his magic was strong.

He would have no problem with stopping Cassian, if that is what he wanted.

But Dorian wasn't sure if he wanted for Cassian to stop.

In fact, Cassian was right. Dorian did want something from him.

Cassian had taken something from him five years ago, something Dorian realized he rather desperately wanted back.

It was time to collect.

With a quick movement, Dorian shifted his hands from Cassian's chest to his neck, pulling Cassian in close for a hard, deep kiss.

"Don't think you've won," he growled against Cassian's lips. "I still despise you."

"I can live with that," Cassian merely grinned back as he kissed Dorian back, wrapping his arms tightly around Dorian's body and holding him close.

Dorian didn't answer. He merely kissed Cassian hard, brutally, letting his fingernails dig into the bare skin of Cassian's throat.

He wasn't going to let Cassian be the one taking this time. This time, Dorian would take just as much and he would show that he was not the same kid he had been.

Maybe it was a poor excuse, maybe it wasn't an excuse at all, Dorian honestly didn't care either way. He wasn't going to make excuses about this.

It had nothing to do with feelings, with love. It was lust; pure lust and anger mixed together, leaving Dorian feel both empowered and lightheaded at once.

In his own way, he had Cassian exactly where he wanted him.

He wouldn't let Cassian win.

Not this time.

xoxoxox

"I'd say, Dorian," Cassian murmured, grinning some as he stretched out on his bed, giving Dorian a lazy look.

"You've become very good. Not that you were bad before, but practice certainly has made perfect."

Dorian didn't answer. Instead he focused on redressing himself, ignoring the dull throb in his lower region.

His clothes had been sent flying all over the room, but as long as he could find his breeches and robes, he would count it as a victory.

"You don't have to go, Dorian," Cassian murmured, reaching out to caress over Dorian's back.

"You can spend the night and maybe we can have a little morning fun later."

"No," Dorian said as he stood up, locating his smalls halfway under the bed before pulling them on, quickly followed by his pants.

"We won't, Cassian."

Cassian raised an eyebrow before chuckling. "Oh, I see. You're playing this game, hmm?"

"I am not playing any game," Dorian merely stated, carefully gathering his hair into a ponytail at the hairline of his neck, tying it up with a piece of thin leather-string before he pulled his undershirt on.

"I am merely taking back what you took from me. Now that I have it back, I have no further use or desire to be with you."

"What I took?" Cassian looked confused for a moment before laughing, giving Dorian a cheeky grin.

"Why, Dorian, that's not quite how it works. Your first time will always belong to me."

"I am not speaking of that, you oaf," Dorian replied with a grunt as he slid his robes back on. He carefully adjusted the collar of his robe before taking a quick glance at himself in the mirror. He wasn't perfect, but he didn't look horribly disheveled either. It would do until he got himself back to his own bedroom.

He then looked back to Cassian, who used his elbows to lift his upper body up from the bed, giving Dorian a curious look.

"You took my control away that night and I didn't even know it. Everything that we did, everything that happened; you always decided when and how and I let you because I trusted you. You were in control because I did not know better."

"What are you talking about," Cassian said, the smile gone from his face, a look of proper confusion on his face.

"I am talking about how I now know better. I am speaking of control and how I now have it."

"What?"

Dorian merely looked at Cassian. "We fucked on my terms this time. I'd rather it had not happened, but you are right. There is something between us there always would be, until I made peace with what happened."

He couldn't help but smile as he continued to look at Cassian, reveling in the feeling of absolutely nothing. He felt… Peaceful. And the look of confusion on Cassian's face was absolutely delightful.

"And I believe I have. Thank you for tonight, Cassian."

With that, Dorian turned to leave, managing to get to the door before Cassian voice stopped him. The man was working on untangling himself from the sheets before he managed to get onto his feet, seemingly not caring about the fact that he was naked.

"What is this, Dorian? What do you mean?"

"I mean exactly what I said, Cassian," Dorian replied as he let his hand rest on the handle of the door.

"Because you were right. If I absolutely wanted to get away from you, I would have. Instead I decided to take the opportunity to get rid of you. We fucked and now it is out of our system along with me not being under your thumb anymore. I won't let you rile me up anymore because this round was on me."

Dorian pushed the handle down before pushing the door open, pausing for a moment before turning to look at Cassian, smirking some.

"Besides, my memories were clearly inaccurate. You were not as good as I remember. In fact, you were quite terrible. But I suppose I had no reason to complain back then, having no experience in the matter. It certainly does explain a lot though."

The gaping look on Cassian's face was enough to make Dorian grin to himself as he left the room, feeling a sense of calm relief and victory.

It wasn't quite how he had pictured it going; ideally he would have preferred not to fall into bed with the man again, but now that he had… It didn't matter anymore. They had done the deed and now Dorian could relax.

He hadn't truly realized just how much power Cassian still had over him, despite not having thought about him for years, but the anger and hurt he felt when seeing him again was a testament on it.

Now it didn't matter anymore. Cassian could do whatever the hell he wanted, say whatever he wanted and Dorian couldn't give less of a damn.

He was free from him.