Dorian watched as Lavellan read his father's letter, fury flashing across his face followed by sorrow and confusion. "Am I missing something? He- he said the most horrible things about us! And what's a liberati? He's scandalized, scornful, horrified, disappointed..."

"Yes yes- and between the lines is that is the fact I'm still his son. He's as pleased with me as he's been for years." Dorian beamed.

Lavellan shook his head. "My clan sent a warm congratulations letter apologizing for their inability to be here for our Bonding. They used words like joyful, happy, wishing me the best! My sister jested that she can't believe I found a husband before she did! Dorian- you shouldn't have to settle with not being formally disowned! You deserve to be loved unconditionally!"

Sometimes Dorian forgot the relationships others had, what the definition of family was supposed to be. Dorian held Lavellan's hands and smiled at him, wanting to will away the brokenness Lavellan was borrowing from him. "Amatus, I AM loved unconditionally. By you."

The elf hugged him close and squeezed Dorian against him tight, as though Lavellan could shield Dorian from the baleful scorn of Tevinter society. "I want you to meet my clan someday. They already like you! The mage with a good heart, who's done the impossible and made the First to the Keeper embarrassingly smitten."

"That sounds wonderful."

"I'll get you a new father."

Dorian laughed, burying his face in Lavellan's shirt. "You're being cute."

"I could find approximately five new, better dads for you. You could pick one out, or let them share you like a city elf who wandered home." Lavellan was grinning too, holding back laughter as Dorian pulled back. "We're fiercely protective of our own."

"I don't think a clan of elves will necessarily see me as their blood family, amatus."

"You're Bonding me, and that makes you family!" Of course it was more complicated than that, and Lavellan knew elves often didn't approve of interspecies marriage or even of humans in general due to the children not taking on elvish traits, but that was someone else's problem. "One of us, one of us, one of us..." he chanted.

Dorian found himself wandering the castle and bumping into everyone he knew, mind buzzing too much to focus on another dusty tome in the library. Varric waved him over. "Sparkler- I hear your wedding attire lives up to your nickname! Care to describe it, help a starving writer out?"

"Not to brag, but you'll have to see it for yourself!" Dorian leaned against the wall and crossed his arms, smile playful. "Thought about what you'd like to say during our Bonding ceremony? The inner circle of the Inquisition is a dangerous bunch to involve in a wedding."

"You like living life on the risky side- I won't disappoint."

"That worries me greatly."

Varric grinned. "You know, I thought I had you figured out. Marriage! Hard to believe you're partaking in something so domestic!"

Dorian was blasé in his reply. "It's true, I would usually despise such a suggestion. However- the Inquisitor and I aren't living in a mansion with a gardener and two children on the way. Nothing about being close to Lavellan is mundane."

"It's about time. Lavellan has been making doe eyes at you for months! Nice physique and flashy magical talent- he was a goner for you from the beginning."

Dorian snorted. "Doe eyes- is that a halla joke?"

"Good one! It is now- god I love me. Lavellan is very deer to you, hm?" Varric nudged Dorian. His expression softened and he let Dorian see the side of him that was a lover, not a fighter. "Seriously, I'm happy for you two."

"Are we to be immortalized in your books?"

"Depends-" Varric winked. "-do you like being called dashing or alluring better?"

"My dear Varric, I'm BOTH! Oh- and I play hard to get. Let the protagonist pine for me. I have a thing for drawn out games of seduction."

"Brat. Of course."

Cassandra appeared, jogging up the steps in her full armor. She barely exerted herself, looking to Varric expectantly. "Here I was hoping to overhear some new detail of your books- not much of a spoiler if I'm living it!"

Dorian put his arm around her and grinned, a testament to how close they'd become that she didn't push him away. "Now Cassandra, I rather think that a devilishly charming, mysterious, handsome-"

"-arrogant, conceited," she added.

"-tantalizing man such as Inquisitor Lavellan will make for an EXCELLENT lover in Varric's books!" Dorian chuckled as Cassandra clapped a hand over her mouth.

Cassandra turned away from Varric and Dorian, trying not to laugh herself. "You got me!"

Varric tutted. "Now now, no more giveaways. You two are my biggest fans after all."

Cassandra and Dorian rushed to disagree, words tumbling out in a mess over each other as Varric basked in the chaos he'd caused. "Absolutely not! As a respectable woman-" "-as a scholar with high tastes-" "- not indulge or as I mean partake in such raunchy, exciting, violent-" "-only when I'm very drunk on only the most potent wine usually in the bath-"

Whatever anyone said about Dorian or Cassandra, they couldn't lie to save their lives.

The day of their Bonding ceremony was nearing, and Dorian was faced with one of the few legitimately domestic aspects of marrying his lover.

Moving in.

Lavellan had insisted, or rather more accurately, mandated. "This room is gigantic!" he exclaimed, herding Dorian around the perimeter as though he hadn't spent many scandalous afternoons and a few unmentionable evenings in the Inquisitor's bedroom. "You can have the closets and the loft for sure- do you have a bookcase? I can procure one for you-"

In the Inquisitor's excitement, Dorian hadn't been able to convey why he didn't want to see their lives mesh like that. "Lavellan, I can stow my belongings elsewhere, I wouldn't-"

The elf huffed. "Dorian! This is your room with me!"

Dorian anxiously rubbed the back of his neck as his stomach flipped. If Lavellan actually let him bring all of his gear, tomes, piles of parchment, and random necromancy and mage tokens he'd have more of a presence than the Inquisitor himself had in his own bedroom. "Please, I don't want to impose myself here."

Lavellan put his hands on his hips and pouted, catlike eyes brooding. "What do you mean? This is almost as big as my entire clan camp!"

"I-" Dorian floundered to explain. "I'm not used to sharing my life with someone! I'm wary of taking too much, of making myself too at home!"

Lavellan frowned. Dorian knew it upset him, but he had to be honest, wouldn't Lavellan appreciate that? Varric was right; he was awful at this. "We're BONDING! Even humans live together! Why are you being so weird about this?! To the Dalish it's not home unless you trip over five different people on the way to get a cup of water!" Lavellan paused. "Is it... you have things you don't want me to see?"

"No!" Dorian groaned. "It's unnatural for me is all. The power balance of the Inquisitor living in my quarters, which is what it would look like, versus me being a guest of his-"

"It's sex toys, isn't it?"

Dorian broke off mid-sentence. What? His startled expression turned a darkened hue as a blush in his face, the Inquisitor's piercing eyes on him. "What? No!"

Lavellan grinned. "I don't judge, I mean if you have those 'diagrams' anywhere, or you have things for when you didn't have anyone around, or objects you secretly wish I'd use with you but are too embarrassed, I completely understand."

This was taking a wild turn. Not unwelcome, but certainly off topic. "Lavellan, I-"

"Varric's erotica novels and even flirtier novellas are very good, quite liked the part where those two scantily clad rogues had to share a bed on a cold stormy night. I reread it a few times alone curled up by the fireplace, if I'm honest."

Dorian spluttered. "First- first of all, Varric's best scene was with the quinari and that pirate at the harbor all the rope- secondly, no! No, Lavellan." He sighed, rubbing his face with exasperation. "It's difficult to accept the idea of no boundaries between us so soon for me. Humans... are more disconnected. I don't WANT to be, but it makes me uncomfortable to take up so much of your living space."

Lavellan bit his lip and looked down. Dorian felt even worse. "You're worried about taking up space? You... you think I value and love you so little that you don't want me to be aware of your presence, look to a shelf and see my husband's collection of books, wonder which outfit you'll wear the next day, enjoy all those little reminders and telltale signs I'm not alone anymore?"

The gears in Dorian's head whirled. All this time he'd only seen his own insecurities, his own unsatisfactory feelings. He hadn't thought Lavellan would have hidden or unexpressed emotions of his own, afraid of clinginess or desperation, mirroring Dorian's own occasional muddled expressions of affection. "Oh Lavellan- you're lonely, aren't you?"

"I don't understand humans!" Lavellan blurted out. He covered his face and Dorian was taken aback by a shriek of frustration and grief. "It's all hearsay and politics and masks and subtly and- and I'm Bonding you and sometimes I don't think I know how you feel! Everyone keeps themselves at arm's length away from me! If I have a throne and an entire wing of a castle to myself when I'd be much happier sleeping in YOUR quarters! Anyone else's room! I- oh you don't get it!"

Dorian cautiously held Lavellan's hips and brought him in for a hug, embracing the shaking elf close as Lavellan obviously fought back tears. "I've been self absorbed, amatus. I'm sorry." He let Lavellan hold him tight, searching for the right words. "Of course you'd be homesick and miss the elves and casual familiarity you grew up with. You must know the name of everyone in your clan, know your family better than yourself. It's obvious to me now- but I'd never assume or simply know it, Lavellan. No one is neglecting you on purpose. I- I understand yearning for my homeland, for my old acquaintances and family and even I never thought you'd feel similarly."

He must've hit a nerve. Lavellan actually did start crying, burying his face in Dorian's expensive, high thread count mage robe. "Lavellan- did I say something wrong or very right?"

"Right," came the muffled reply.

Dorian kissed Lavellan's cheek. "I have a lot of bleached skulls, you know. They'll change the general mood of your current decor."

"Good."

"And not nearly enough slippers."

Lavellan sniffled. "I'll fix that."

Dorian smoothed the Inquisitor's hair. Lavellan needed tenderness, something gentle and intimate. A bondmate to actually act like a husband, to support and cherish Lavellan in his vulnerability. "I, like our friends and allies, often assumed your schedule to be so overwhelmingly busy that it was rude to bother you with much of anything, even just a chat. I guarantee all of us wish to spend more time with you, Ser Lordybloomers, and evidently no one knows how to ask."

Lavellan sighed, calming down and angling his head so Dorian could pet more of his hair. Adorable. "I feel stupid."

"Happens to the best of us."

"I don't think I'll ever blend in here."

Dorian pulled back, aghast. "Dear heavens, I should hope not! Nothing about you is common, amatus. Don't wish for a downgrade."

Lavellan looked nothing like the Inquisitor when he pulled back. His bloodshot eyes were wide and his smile was watery. It was startling to see all of his guard gone, all defenses pushed aside. "I love you, Dorian."

Dorian knew he didn't look any more composed, eyes only for Lavellan. "I love you too."

"I might be a tad more emotional than I typically let on."

Dorian grinned and held Lavellan tight before picking him up and spinning him, relishing Lavellan's startled laughter. He kissed Lavellan's lips and sighed pleasantly, a weight off his chest. "I've got quite a collection of books to relocate."

Lavellan smirked at Dorian. "And you're SURE there's no-"

"Amatus, this isn't Orlais! It's impossible to find high quality, durable phalluses anywhere!" Dorian exclaimed indignantly.

Lavellan dearly hoped their voices carried down to the garden courtyard as he laughed until he cried.

Dorian was pleased to see Lavellan actively spending more time with their inner circle. He played chess with Cullen more often and even managed to pull Leliana away from work to walk the castle grounds, ghosts of smiles gracing her lips. Sera had a thing for sitting on rooftops and Lavellan indulged, the two elves finding common ground far off the ground.

Blackwall drank a tankard of ale next to Dorian at the Herald's Rest, listening to the bard singing a merry tune. "The Inquisitor told me what your Bonding ceremony will be like."

"Thought about what you're going to say? I can't wait to hear something heartfelt out of you."

"I'm surprised you want me involved, actually." Blackwall sighed. "Surely you have something against a man like me at such a pure affair?"

Dorian drank some ale of his own, politely holding back a grimace. Dwarven dishwater, that's what it tasted like. "You're not the only one with a past, Blackwall. Mistakes, misdeeds, differences- you're our companion. We both want you there."

"I suppose I haven't done too much worse than the Iron Bull."

Iron Bull growled from across the tavern. "I'm right here!"

Dorian shrugged. He tapped Blackwall's tankard with his own, the bustle and music keeping his soul light. "Lavellan is a compassionate man to those who want to do right. You're one of us, Blackwall. It's not like Vivienne and I are the very best of friends, or that Solas enjoys conversations with a Vint, but we're still unified. Lavellan wants every member of his family there for him."

Blackwall swallowed. "That's an oddly kind thing, coming from you."

"Well with a brain like yours, I figure I have to spell it all out for you," said Dorian venomlessly.

Blackwall snorted and downed his ale. "We almost had a moment, mage."

"Do better next time, warden."

Solas and Lavellan invited Dorian to practice an aspect of their Bonding. The ritual itself didn't involve any magic- but an effect they wanted did.

Solas's room was filled with the aroma of sweet chamomile and honey as Dorian stepped in. To Dorian, drinking tea without caffeine was like drinking anything virgin, but he supposed Solas had sacrifices to make if the elf wanted to sleep like a cat. "You know much about magical auras?" asked Dorian.

"I have a heightened sense of the Fade." Solas stood between Dorian and Lavellan, watching as they held their right hands together. "What you're doing requires subtly, Dorian. I do hope you're capable."

Lavellan squeezed Dorian's hand and smiled. "I'm sure he has it in him."

"Quite right I do." Dorian could already feel the energy around all three of them- Solas distant and reserved and Lavellan excited and close.

Solas eyed both of them. "Many mages are not aware of their own auras at all, much less outside of combat. The veil is always around you, inside of you. You weave it with every spell you cast, brush by it in the wind with every step. Close your eyes." Dorian and Lavellan obeyed, only holding hands as Solas spoke. "Breathe. You don't need to reach out- just feel what is already there."

It was a simple exercise, yet Lavellan gasped. Dorian felt it too- a zing up his arm as Lavellan felt him. Suddenly the touch of their skin together or the beating of their hearts was nothing compared to the presence of each other, the truth beyond the skull or mortal form that comforted, enveloped, danced around as their personal energy mixed.

Lavellan was green. Dorian breathed deeply and he could almost feel sunlight on his face, a fresh breeze in a forest bright with life. Scents of rain and berries filled his mind and he opened his mouth, wanting to experience more of it. In the sunny dappled leaves and shaded mossy forest floor was a welcoming place of kindness, compassion, and peace. It was elfy to be sure, and anyone else would laugh at Lavellan's spirit being described like a tree nymph, but Dorian couldn't get enough of it.

"Get a room," groaned Solas. Dorian opened his eyes and whatever he'd felt, Lavellan had felt something far more arousing, his face flushed and lips parted. "Now, you need only focus a tiny amount of your natural aura at your clasped hands." Solas carefully tied a single string around their hands and Lavellan and Dorian both concentrated.

BOOM.

"AAAAAH!" They shrieked as a magical blast flung them both back by several feet with a shockwave that shook dust and a few spiders from the floor above.

Solas was unmoved, only sighing as Dorian and Lavellan held hands like before. "Again?"

Dorian used his focused spiritual senses to reach out and almost mentioned to Solas that his aura was like the blue haze of distant skies, vast and clear. It was icy winds of a timeless mountain, an eternal entity, moving like whispers or ripples on a pond- and about as interesting as Solas's bald head.

Dorian kept it to himself. Apostates will be apostates.

"What if we cause an explosion at our wedding tomorrow?" Lavellan walked with Dorian around Skyhold, still reflecting on their study of magic with Solas. "I know we're capable of control and just getting a little poof of magic to symbolize our bond, but in front of a crowd? In the heat of the moment?"

"You say that as though it's a problem."

Lavellan laughed and held Dorian's hand. Dorian twitched with the instinct to pull away outside but instead squeezed the elf's hand. How long would it be before he stopped needing to hide? Even in Orlais, preferring the company of the same gender was accepted, at least more than in Tevinter. "What kind of person did you ever see yourself Bonding, amatus? Presumably an elf, I imagine."

"Hmmm." Lavellan gazed at the mountains of Skyhold, wind ruffling his hair. "I suppose I did assume it would be an elf. I dunno. Gender never meant much to me- although I didn't particularly want kids, it makes sense I was more interested in men. I'm Dalish so of course I love our children, just none of my own, you know?" Lavellan thought for a moment. "I wanted someone to be my best friend. Someone I could talk to about anything and never tire of. I wanted to Bond a mage, actually. I uh, I even had a crush on my Keeper for a short while. Awkward."

"Anyone else you fancied back home?"

Lavellan laughed. "Aside from a drunken kiss with a clan hunter? No, not really." He stopped and held both of Dorian's hand with a grin. "I knew I'd Bond outside my clan- but a tevinter human is a surprise!"

Dorian winked. "Good surprise?"

Lavellan leaned in and kissed Dorian, arms around him, hugging him close. "The best surprise."