Under the dark cover of the night
Trevelyan woke up to feel a hand stroking his left bicep, making round movements on the skin and releasing the tension within his muscles. The hand moved upwards, towards his shoulder, kneading and rubbing. He had meant to remain silent and enjoy the message but he was unable to stop himself from letting out a moan as the clever fingers dug into his skin at a certain angle.
A soft chuckle was heard but the hands didn't stop their advance and moved on to his neck. "You have been grasping your shoulder in your sleep. Feeling any better now?" Trevelyan cracked open an eye before answering, facing his beloved one. The lanterns were lit outside, their distant light streaming in through the gap between the curtains. Dorian sat on the bed, only visible as a silhouette leaning over him.
"Must have been a nightmare. I am much better, love. Find me a bowl of grapes to feed me and my day would be complete."
"A most difficult task in this part of the world. No sun, no heat, it's a wonder how anything could be alive. How about a plate of cheese, instead?" Dorian retorted, thumb ghosting over his lower lip. Trevelyan kissed his finger tips and listened as Dorian's breath hitched. "The night is still young. If you wish we can join the others in the tavern or..."
"I'd rather stay here, with you." Trevelyan replied quickly, panic raising in his throat. At Dorian's silence and his tilt of the head, he continued, needing to explain himself. "I doubt we'll find anyone there tonight. Everyone must be tired, dealing with what they have seen and focusing on their reports. We'll need to do that too. It is a surprise that one of Leliana's men didn't barge in here to demand answers yet."
The young mage slightly straightened his back without responding and Trevelyan wished he could see his facial features more clearly. He was half tempted to conjure a small fireball and look into Dorian's beautiful grey eyes, see the reason for his stillness. Then Dorian exhaled a breath and laid beside him, propping up on an elbow to steady himself above Trevelyan.
He turned on his side to face the mage and a hand was spread over his chest, playing with the buttons of his tunic. "One already showed up. I shushed her away before she woke you up."
"I haven't heard that at all. I rarely sleep so deep. In the circle and even after, as apostates, we were always alert and on our toes."
"Fear of being run through by a templar sword does that to you. Also you must be dead tired. I am not surprised, really. All day long we have been running around, killing all sorts of things and well, you know, the well..."
Trevelyan shook his head and grabbed Dorian's hand in his own, halting his gestures. "You can talk about it. I am alright, love"
"That's what you always say. Doesn't mean it is the truth" Dorian bit back and huffed tiredly "I thought-"
"What?" Trevelyan urged and looked at his hesitant face as his sight adjusted to the dark. There was an edge to Dorian's voice and his brows were knitted together which worried Trevelyan. Something wasn't right.
"When we saw Corypheus attack us, I thought you were done for. You sent me through the Eluvian but then you didn't follow. For just a moment I was certain you wouldn't. I don't think I can forgive you for that." Trevelyan rubbed his palm and wrist, trying to bring comfort to the young mage. He heard those words before. When they had come out of the Fade, Dorian had been equally displeased with him, fearing that he had lost him forever.
"I already had doubts of you coming out of this ordeal alive but seeing you standing strong amidst the pool had given me hope, Tsion. Hope that said you were alright, that we were going to be alright. And then, we were in Skyhold and you weren't there. The Eluvian kept on glimmering and you wouldn't come through."
"I am sorry to have worried you, love" Trevelyan whispered "I had full intention of following you but to be honest, I don't think I would have been able to do so had Mythal not interfered." A strangled noise escaped Dorian's throat as if he had just imagined the possibility.
"Tell me, Tsion, had Corypheus reached you, what would you have done?" Dorian inquired, already knowing the answer but still needing to hear it anyway.
"If that were the case then I would have deactivated the Eluvian and blocked the pathway. I would have done everything in my power to prevent Corypheus from reaching Skyhold."
"All the while, effectively trapping yourself on the other side with him" Dorian added with a stoic tone and buried his face under Trevelyan's chin. A sob broke through and Trevelyan's arms were instantly around Dorian's shaking shoulders. It took him a second to realize that the shake was out of anger and not just sadness "That's why I hate you, you know. After all that jousting you have done to get my attention and all that struggle to get us together, you would risk it all with your heroic acts"
"Don't speak as if you would expect anything less from me" Trevelyan countered.
"Obviously I don't but it doesn't mean I have to like any of it"
"Of course not, love. I don't like it either but we have little choice when shove comes to push and if I were certain that it would protect you all, then I wouldn't hesitate to throw myself into the pit."
A long time past without either of them speaking. Trevelyan was certain that Dorian had fallen asleep from the way his breathing had become shallower until he heard a small voice talk. "Are you really alright?"
Trevelyan could have lied easily; he could have said that it was a momentary fear he had felt as Corypheus approached and Mythal had appeared before he had the chance to fully process what was happening. Yet that wasn't how it had happened. By the time Dorian had passed through the Eluvian, Corypheus was already above the rocky pathway and with the speed of a shadow, he was moving towards him while shaking the ground beneath. True, there hadn't been any time but that's why he had put his hand out, towards the mirror. If he didn't have the time to reach it then he would have closed the pathway. He was only a second away from doing so too but Mythal's magic swirled around them, creating a tornado of pure arcane energy just in time. She had throw Corypheus back long enough for him to get his footing back and escape. If it hadn't been for the Goddess' interference, Dorian's omen would have been reality.
He hadn't been afraid; he hadn't really felt anything at all. He had just seen Dorian die, telling him to keep his promise to return to his beloved. Then Dorian was standing by his side. Alive and well. All he could think of was that he couldn't bear to see him die, again. He had to protect him, no matter the cost. He didn't want to say that Dorian either. He remember how much the young mage didn't like being coddled. He hadn't lied when he had told the other Dorian that he understood that they were different people yet at the same time, they were the same. Logically he didn't get it but in his heart he loved both of them separately but with the same fierceness.
One of them might have disappeared but the Dorian he loved was still alive. His heart felt content to finally accept that he grew to love this Dorian just as before. And this Dorian, in his heart, became his once Trevelyan felt his long fingers caressing his face with a fond gaze in his eyes.
"I will be" he said, trying to be as honest as possible, he owed it to him "Now that you are here and safe, I'll be okay."
"I should be saying that to you, Amatus" Dorian replied and went absolutely rigid in Trevelyan's arms. His hold lost some of its strength and his voice cracked "I mean, you risked a lot to protect us and even dared to face off ancient pissed of elves who wanted to do nothing but put an arrow into your eye socket. It is quite admirable."
"Dorian" Trevelyan said trying to hush the young man. It didn't work.
"They most certainly tried to do the same to us but we got lucky, I suppose. Lavellan was tremendously irritated with her own kind attacking us despite having a common enemy and a fast approaching overlord on our heels."
"Dorian" Trevelyan repeated again and when his call wasn't headed, he grabbed one of the young mage's belts on his waist and with one swift motion he turned them around. While bodily pressing him to the bed, from chest to toe, the Herald's lips were on Dorian's ear and a lascivious whisper on his tongue. "Let me hear it again, my love."
"Hear what?" Dorian asked pouring all his remaining innocence into the simple question.
"I know what it means, Dorian." Trevelyan's body slid between his legs and gently rocked, eliciting a groan from the young mage as their crotches grinded. A wet lick just below his ear sent shivers through his body and Dorian found himself hot and desperate in a matter of seconds. "Do you prefer me to drag it out of you, love? Because you know I will."
"Venhedis! There is no way I can get out of this, is there?" he sighed dropping an arm over his face. The blush that was creeping its way up to his ears was worse than ever. He didn't want to show his hand so soon but there it was, all that he felt was summed up with one single word that he couldn't take back.
"Dorian" Trevelyan called out again and his arm was pulled away. A strong arm was wrapped around him and with the slight pull he rose up on his knees, facing Trevelyan who was smiling like a child who had just been handed a whole cake that he could eat all by himself. He was still holding his waist and stroking the warm skin through his top, smug face dangerously close to his own. He was about to retort to being at a disadvantage but Trevelyan's next words cut through his thought process with a swift precision.
"I love you, Dorian." Trevelyan purred "It took me a while but I have fallen in love with you all over again." He waited for a respond of any kind but Dorian was unable to react for a while. He simply blinked, trying to form a coherent sentence.
"What is it that you wish from me, Tsion? A relationship?" he replied coldly, he hadn't meant it to come out so bitter. Maker, it was the opposite of what he was feeling. Yet the words flew out in an instant.
"Yes" Trevelyan said without missing a beat "Is that such a bad idea? There is no reason for me to suppress my desire since I am no longer dying." He surely had considered the likelihood of Trevelyan asking about this, especially after being waned about it. Yet, it felt surreal and Dorian had to restrain his movement in case he was betrayed by his own body. "Surely it isn't that surprising to hear this from me, love."
"Where I come from anything between two men... It's physical. It doesn't go beyond that. It's not that you don't care. You just don't hope for more." Dorian said and Trevelyan listened carefully. He knew that Dorian's hesitation had deep roots and the fear of rejection haunted him like a plague. He wanted nothing more than to reassure Dorian though so he chose his words with extensive care.
"This right here, is more. If we both let it be more, this could grow into a relationship stronger than any of us could imagine."
"Are you simply saying this because you've seen it happen?"
"No, I am saying this because I care about you." Dorian swallowed thickly, his resolve crumbling in the face of this impossible man.
"And I care about you, you remarkably bizarre creature. Fine, we'll do it your way." Perhaps, the sincere smile he saw on Trevelyan's face was worth diminishing his pride a little. It's not like he was complaining about it once Trevelyan dragged his face towards him kissing and nibbling at his lips.
Trevelyan hadn't expected it to go this smoothly either and he couldn't believe they were starting this but Dorian who was busy melting in his arms was enough evidence to convince him. His smile was still apparent on his face as he parted Dorian's lips and swiped his tongue in his mouth. The moustache burned his cheek faintly when Dorian tilted his head, nuzzling his face. A much needed breath was drawn in and Dorian opened his mouth for him to taste once again.
Both hands found each other's clothes and someone was ripping apart the tunic instead of unbuttoning it and the other was furiously struggling with a handful of belts. Once the first layer of obstacles were removed Dorian distracted Trevelyan with sliding a couple of mischievous fingers down his spine and making them disappear under his trousers. His breath hitched as the clever fingers grabbed his buttocks while pressuring his entrance with a promise to come.
"Too many layers" he complained, beginning to kiss and bite down Dorian's chin and returning the action with almost forcefully tugging on the mage's belts. He was certain that he heard even more clothes ripping.
"Shall we move on to a more primal activity, my Lord Trevelyan?" Dorian laughed darkly in his ear and the growl he heard in response was most definitely a primal sound.
In a record time, their trousers joined the pile of unwanted clothes on the floor. Dorian didn't remember the last occasion where he felt a naked body pressed against his to feel so good. Trevelyan and he, completed each other in ways he couldn't begin to comprehend. The man's tender touches on his hips, the mouth that never once stopped its ministrations and his hard length sliding perfectly against own.
Teeth grazed his ears and hot breath was exhaled on his neck. As Trevelyan's hand guided him down on to the bed, Dorian didn't resist but wrapped a leg around him, bringing him down along.
"I love you, Dorian" Trevelyan muttered, grinning as Dorian's skin grew warmer with his words. "And I want to take you right here, right now while you are dishevelled and ready for me. So if you tell me there is no oil around here that I can use, I might just cry."
"You are horrible at this" Dorian laughed "But fear not, I always take pride in being prepared for all sorts of situations. Check my sachet on the floor." Tsion was gone for an instant to retrieve the small bottle but it was enough to cool Dorian's body down by a degree. When he returned there was a dark glint in his eyes that Dorian enjoyed looking at.
"Sorry" Tsion said, surprising Dorian for a second. His harshness was trimmed down to tender touches on his legs. His voice as soft as a fine silk. His fingers caressed Dorian's knees nudging them apart. "I'd love to tease you but I can't wait any longer. I want you Dorian. May I?"
"Asking such a question at this point... You are teasing me!" he replied and spread his legs apart to give Trevelyan something to look at other than his blushing face. It worked wonders as Trevelyan dark gaze descended down on his temple of a body.
To face such an willing position from Dorian froze Tsion and threw his mind into the oblivion. His mind went taut but regained his senses as he kissed Dorian's legs, holding it from behind the knee and moving upwards from there onwards. He licked the insides of his thighs before dropping the slack leg on the bed and his lips found Dorian's length, licking and sucking at the tip. The younger mage's moans went straight to his groins making Tsion incredibly hard and needy. When he tasted the pre cum he released Dorian's cock and licked his own lips, putting a show for the mage who looked ready to complain.
Trevelyan massaged his thighs as he leaned down and captured Dorian's mouth. Dorian retaliated with grinding up at him, hips moving in a sinful way that almost made Trevelyan fuck his partner to the Fade and beyond without any preparations. He knew better than that though and his marked hand lowered itself down his stomach and tugged at Dorian's length with slight pressures. Dorian's sweet and low curses filled the room as Tsion did nothing but listen to them. When Dorian's breathing slowed down, he continued down, fondling and stroking he rekindled his desire.
His hand switched with the other eliciting a whimper and gaining him a tug on the hair. He only interrupted his ministrations for a minute to uncap the small bottle and cover his left hand with it and without stopping his trail of kisses Trevelyan's slicked finger pressed onto Dorian's entrance.
"Don't tease so much. I might have to speed you up"
Tsion's mouth moved on to Dorian's, the chaste kiss turning into a savage one with his teeth biting Dorian's. Breathing and sharing his air, with no regrets and no more bindings to the past. When his finger pressed in Dorian ended up breaking the kiss to shudder and grab a hold of the sheets. Tsion, happy with the response he was getting, spent little time with a single finger and added the second digit as soon as Dorian relaxed around him. The heat from the anchor spread through his fingers. While twisting his fingers and pulling them in and out, Dorian felt the energy moving along with it, providing a second, warmer source of heat. He lifted his hips prepared and keen for Tsion to move on.
With a small smile, Trevelyan obliged to adding a third finger and went in as deep as he can, hitting a spot and making the mage cry out in Tevene. The energy pulse emanated within Dorian with a steady rhythm in a way which was much better than when the anchor was on his cock. The foreign yet tingling energy felt like its sole purpose was to consume him, take away all that he was, tear him apart and leave him at the mercy of his lover. He had faith that Tsion would put him back together so he let go of the chains he once put on himself and moaned with desire.
"Do that again Amatus!" Dorian ordered and Tsion was happy to follow the directive. His feet began to curl after a few more thrusts and Tsion pulled out completely, leaving Dorian feeling empty at the sudden withdrawal. His cock was already leaking and Tsion didn't look like he minded it a bit as he leisurely covered his own length with the oil. The small content sounds he was making made Dorian curios about how to draw out more of those from Tsion. With one hand on his cock, eyes screwed shut and mouth ajar, Dorian wished that the man would stop being so irresistible and start fucking him already. When he voiced his thought, Tsion's lust full eyes opened and with one swift motion he lifted him with strong hands steady on Dorian's hips, angling him on his lap.
"Are you ready?" he asked one last time.
"Yes," Dorian horsed out, already reaching for the bed frame to hold on to. Tsion nodded then and pushed in ever so tenderly. Dorian moaned loudly and his nails scratched the wooden surface when Tsion buried his length deep within him. His possessive hold was back on his hips and Dorian took the moment to catch his breath. "Move" he ordered afterwards.
Tsion pulled back in a heartbeat and thrust back in an instant, making Dorian cry out. He didn't slow down and soon he was rocking in and out with a steadily increasing speed. A pressure built up in his groins. Unable to hold back and hands sliding on Dorian's sides in accordance with his thrusts, Tsion took in the arching body below him. Dorian's sweaty hair was stuck to his forehead and muscled torso was constricting with every move. Their move, Tsion thought as they melted into each other and rocked back and forth as one. Dorian pushing back and Tsion pushing in, as the bed creaked below them.
"Dorian" he muttered and grabbed his cock with his marked hand, earning a howl from Dorian which even he could feel it resonating between them.
"Almost there, Amatus" Dorian shrieked. He grabbed a hold of Tsion's neck and pulled him down for a sloppy kiss, giving him a chance to roam his free hands all over Dorian's well toned body. Once he got back to rest his hand on Dorian's length, he felt the young mage convulsing and tightening around him. As Dorian climaxed, Tsion's vision went bright with the pressure on his cock buried with Dorian. His hands continued rubbing his sensitive inner thighs and soon after Dorian was exhausted, Tsion spent himself into Dorian's expectant body.
He collapsed on Dorian who was breathing just as hard and felt the mage beam at him with an unreserved happiness. Tsion, after gathering his thoughts, leaned up and kissed Dorian slow and firm which he countered similarly. While their bodies continued to grind, together they cooled down. There were no words exchanged between them, just seeing the fond and peaceful gaze directed at him was enough to calm his beating heart.
With an apologetic kiss he pulled out of Dorian and got up from the bed to retrieve a wet cloth to clean themselves up with. He cleaned both him and his spent partner who snuggled his pillow like a content cat, short of purring. He got rid of the old sheet which they had messed up and grabbed another blanket from his wardrobe to cover them as he joined Dorian on the pillow.
"To have such a caring partner, I must have been very lucky, before" Dorian whispered with a slightly mused tone.
"It's Iwho has been lucky" Trevelyan replied with determination burning in his eyes "I never met anyone quite like you who could make me fall in love with them over and over again; in any given world and across any possible timelines. Trust me when I say this. I will always find you, love and now that I have you, nothing is dragging us apart"
"Possessive and poetic, you know how to melt my heart" Dorian gulped while stroking Tsion's cheek "Let us rest. Tomorrow will not be easy on us" Trevelyan nodded in agreement. There was still so many more issues that awaited them to be solved, that he really didn't want to think about.
Despite being unsure about many things, Dorian's existence by his side was comforting. Having not received a definite answer back for his confession, Trevelyan didn't know where to put his arms to sleep. As if he read his mind, Dorian pulled the hesitant man, draping an arm around his waist and taking the marked hand in his own. In his way Dorian was reciprocating and Trevelyan's features relaxed with contentment. Face to face, Tsion couldn't stop himself from leaning in to steal a chaste kiss.
"Good night, love" he said as his eyes closed on their own.
"Good night, Amatus" came the reply which Trevelyan had promptly missed as he was already far too gone in his sleep.