((I knew I wanted this chapter heading before I had a name for the story. Or a plot. It's a line from We All Go Back to Where We Belong by R.E.M. and when I first heard it (which isn't long ago), I knew it would be in a sequel to Broken Dawn if that was ever to come.))


Chapter 15
Write About Our Dreams and Triumphs

Laughter followed Dorian upstairs from the inn. He smiled, his hair plastered to his head with demon goo and his robes ruined. It was satisfying, incredibly satisfying to explode demons. Some of them exploded so prettily. They swelled and swelled under certain spells, until they burst. It wasn't ideal to stand next to them while they did that, but sometimes it could hardly be avoided.

Redcliffe's demon problem, it had turned out, was a small abandoned cellar in which they'd gathered. Why was anyone's guess, but now they were all gone and it should, again, be quiet. He assumed that Alexius had something to do with it, but he'd never know for sure.

It had been two weeks and three days. He hadn't heard a word from Varric, and by now, he doubted he would. Still, he had a bit more time, and he'd sit it out. Maybe he'd actually go back up to Skyhold without a prompt from Varric. If the guards didn't let him in, fine. But he wouldn't leave anything untried.

And there, in his room, was Fenris. He was sitting on his bed as if he owned the place, Dorian's journal in his lap, so focussed on his reading that he didn't even notice him until he cleared his throat. Or it might be an act. Fenris looked up at him, his expression unreadable. 'Someone told me that the Inquisition cleared away the demons here. I told them it wasn't us, and they were confused. Varric had a very suspicious coughing fit when I asked him about it and finally spilled. What, mage, are you doing here.'

'Killing demons?'

Fenris closed the journal with a snap. 'And writing a diary.'

'It's a journal.' A very embarrassing one.

'Same thing. And actually, it's written like letters. To whom? Me?'

'I don't know anyone else I'd write like that about.'

'Like what? Your guiding light in the abyss that wants to devour you? Your conscience when temptation was beckoning?'

Dorian flushed. 'You were not supposed to read that. Ever.'

Fenris waved the journal at him. 'Fool. You should have sent these.'

'You wouldn't have read them.'

'Not at first, but if you were that persistent … One day Varric would have sat me down and read them to me, if nothing else. I believe you, by the way. That you and that other mage were exchanging spells.'

Dorian swallowed. 'Good. Fenris, look.'

The elf shook his head. 'For once, listen, mage. You … were right. I'm still shackled. By myself, if nothing else. And you're right not to blame yourself for that.' He looked at his hands, suddenly looking so vulnerable. 'Will you come home with me, Dorian?'

He bit his lower lip. 'I haven't planned to stay, Fenris.' He waited for the explosion, but it never came. He looked at Fenris and saw his slight frown. 'I came to ask you to … well. You said you're disbanding the Inquisition. And I wondered if you want to come to Tevinter with me. As a free man, to live with me.'

'They'll mock you, Dorian. They'll plague you and hound you.'

'Maybe. But it won't be such a surprise. You see, people know already that we're more than friends. They'll just consider the rumours confirmed. And … the woman you heard the last time we talked … she's like me. She's never tried to hide it and it's fine. She has an heir, and she pointed someone out to me that I could install as my … maybe not successor, but protégé. And successor if I am assassinated.'

'Try and avoid getting killed. Who would your protégé be?'

'Varania.'

Fenris's eyes narrowed. 'You expect me to live under the same roof with her?'

Dorian sighed. 'Fenris, she's changed. I didn't believe it either, but she's been an enormous help. She's brilliant. She's also very powerful. And I do believe that she's loyal.'

'I … don't know.'

'I don't know either, Fenris. That's just the thing. But I choose not to assume the worst here. Please, talk to her. We can get her a small house a bit away if you can't trust her. I don't care. But I'd like you to try.'

'What if I refuse to go to Tevinter at all?'

Dorian shrugged. 'Then … I'll have to write a letter that I'm terribly sorry but that I cannot return. It's not like my work there isn't important to me, but at this point, all other things are rather eclipsed by my need to fix this. With you.'

'What you've done will be for nothing.'

'Not entirely, but almost. Yes.'

'That would be frustrating.'

'Much less so than losing you.'

'Hm. I'll think about it. Truth is, I feel the same way.' He indicated the journal. 'I … never ceased to love you, either. I was hurt, but a part of me always hoped you'd come back.'

Dorian smiled. It was a yes, and they both knew it. 'Incidentally, Fenris, what happened to the crystal?'

'That … collided with a sword, unfortunately.'

'What a strange coincidence.'

'Indeed. Very fortuitous.' Fenris nudged him. 'Come back to Skyhold. We'll make our plans together.'

'Are you sure, Fenris? I hurt you.'

The elf looked at him, his expression serious. 'Indeed. And I forgive you. Do you forgive me, too?'

'Done.'

'Well, then let's go.' He made a face. 'Change into something less … smelly, though. And burn that. And wash your hair. I don't want demon stench in Skyhold.'

Dorian laughed. Instead of doing as he was asked, he hugged Fenris fiercely. 'See? Now you won't notice the demon smell on me. Off we go.'


((This has been stewing in my head since I finished Broken Dawn, I'd begun it almost immediately afterwards and then had no idea how I wanted to handle the middle part. Here's what you're getting, anyway, and this time I don't expect anything else to come. Unless they make a Dragon Age 4 with Dorian in it, of course, then things might come up. But other than that, I'm done here.))