Krem's Transition - Part 2
"Chief, can I speak with you?"
The Iron Bull looked up from where he sat in his usual chair along the back wall of the tavern in Skyhold, his long legs stretched out in front of him.
He looked up at Krem for a moment, then gestured with his big left hand for him to sit beside him in the nearest chair.
"Sit down, Krem," Bull said, his deep voice rumbling as he spoke. "How did your conversation go with the Inquisitor? I know you were curious about him. I have seen you two speaking often, actually."
"It went well, thank you, chief. Yes, we have. Apparently, I fascinate him." Krem sat down in the wooden chair his boss had indicated, his expression becoming nervous now. "Bull?"
"Yes, Krem?"
"The Inquisitor.. Rosen said he can safely use his magic to make my body match who I am on the inside, if it's what I really want."
"He did?!" Bull looked genuinely surprised. "I was not aware he had such powerful abilities."
"Yes. It's what I want, Bull."
"Good for you! When are you going to tell him your decision?"
"Soon, I think. But I wanted to tell you first because I.. I want you to be with me while it happens, and after. Please."
"You do? Why?"
"For support. I know the Inquis- Rosen will assist me, of course. But I.." Krem looked down and away from him for a moment, clearly very nervous, before meeting his gaze again. "I love you, Bull. I always have. Since the first day we met when you saved me. I've wanted to tell you, but while my body wasn't right I didn't see the point, really. To ask you to reorder your whole world for someone you could never touch, never make love with, would have been wrong, selfish. But now, everything is different. Or it could be, if.. if you care about me, too."
"You- I-," Bull stammered, his expression uncharacteristically stunned. "Are you serious?"
"Yes. Do you- Could you love me? I know that Qunari society.."
"Society only gets you so far, Krem," Bull stated firmly. "I may not have personal experience with romantic love, but I'd be lying if I said I don't care about you. Now that I am Tal-Vashoth.. Well, I won't be returning to the Qunari, or continuing to follow the Qun. I had already thought to make my life here. And if you wish for that life to be with you, Krem, I'd be honored."
"You mean it?" Krem whispered. There was cautious hope in his eyes and voice as he looked over at the large and muscular male beside him.
"Yes. I mean it, Krem. It actually makes a certain kind of sense that by saving my men and women, and you a second time, that it was those very actions that freed me to be with you."