adoribull

they're in love

[dragon-age-tournament]

Ship Tournament — Semi-Final / Match 1 of 2

Isabela/Merrill

"It has everything: chemistry, contrast, disaster potential, and a surprising amount of softness. Merrill’s awkward sincerity bounces off Isabela’s confidence so well, and there’s something really compelling about a dynamic where one of them masks so much with bravado while the other wears her heart much more openly. They’re both outsiders in different ways, both judged, both underestimated, and I think there’s a lot there. Also, frankly, the idea of Isabela being charmed by Merrill’s oddness while Merrill is completely sincere about finding Isabela exciting and wonderful is just incredibly fun."

"Apart from the obvious, which is that they are very cute, I feel like Isabela is one of few characters that not only treats Merrill as a person, but also doesn't infantilise her. She seems to take her seriously, she always tries to help and protect her but she doesn't do it in a condescending or controlling way like most other characters do. Merrill also repeatedly states that she wants to be in on the dirty jokes and wants to know the context, which Isabela readily gives most of the time. On the other hand, while most characters constantly demean Isabela for how promiscuous she is, Merrill actually seems in awe of her confidence and knowledge of the world. They're a great combination of a character that's worldly but hurt and a character that's been sheltered and yearns to experience more."

"I love how Isabela calls Merrill kitten 🥺"

"bc Isabela calls Merrill Kitten 🥺 And Merrill seems so fascinated by Isabela, and Isabela is such a softy for Merrill. DA2 is full of friction which, don't get me wrong, is also great, but I just really love how sweet these two are with each other"

"Isabela calls her 'kitten' :3c"

"The constant 'kitten's are reason enough."

vs. Dorian/Iron Bull

"what's more poetic than members of two warring nations falling for each other?"

"They get together in canon if you play the game right, which I think should be more of a thing in games in general - plus we love a classic fancy boy/feral boy pairing"

"Tevinter x Qunari is peak should've-been-enemies to lovers, and hearing their development through banter got me giddy every time I put them on my party."

"This is truly and genuinely my favorite npc ship in the whole series, and I love setting them up. Everything about them is so fun, from the very start when Bull warns the Inquisitor to be careful of the pretty ones and Dorian snarks back. Dorian and Bull have so many similarities with the way they express frustration with their homelands and struggle with intimacy because of their backgrounds. They're so good for each other and responsive to each other's needs once they get together, and I think their epilogue together is adorable (ha!). A lot of people only see their relationship as sex, but I think they both make it clear that for them it's something much deeper."

Which is the better ship?

Isabela/Merrill

Dorian/Iron Bull

Voting ended onJun 1

[kabsey]

adoribull muffins for all

many, many years ago, i wrote many, many words of dragon age fic (mostly adoribull).

then i went through a tough time.

i deleted most of my work with the exception of a few orphaned stories i felt people might still enjoy. it was not the first time i did this, nor was it the last.

but with time having passed and a new game on the horizon, i am having fun peeking into the fandom again. i don't know if i will be inspired to write any more fic, but i may post some of my other old stuff that did not see much of daylight.

for anyone who has read or commented on or bookmarked my old stuff, you have my deepest gratitude. i do still keep an eye on it, and it does still make me smile when someone enjoys it.

if you're curious what i wrote back in the day, my orphaned adoribull works are:

never better: mostly canon-compliant short fics

muffin tops: modern au

discernment: regency au

so if you remember me as siujerkjai... hello again! i'm excited to return to thedas with you.

[tench]

Bonded pair energy

[tuherrus]

bull needs a head smooch too 

[serenityfails]

when you want your boyfriend to offer you his coat but he doesn't wear a shirt

[chaoslindsay]

Art for @homsantoft‘s new fic, in the future, when we fell in love, a canon divergent fic where Dorian and the Inquisitor are trapped in the future long enough for Dorian to fall in love with the version of Bull that’s dying of red lyrium. Friends, that is my jam.

★ dragon age tag | store | commission | patreon ★

[justjasper]

Dorian/Iron Bull “surprise me” render prize for miradored!

[lonicera-caprifolium]

I just love them so much 😭

[hubblebubble92]

Oh my boys it's been years since I last drew you guys (and with a new DA game coming this year an old spark has reignited!)

This old fave ship was included in this pride-month pic I made. No need to reblog the original pic but check it out if ya want to

[cyber-fairie]

Best Pillow Ever

So, I commissioned this lovely piece from the delightful @sarahwhat and it seemed to be calling for a tiny ficlet….

“I swear he didn’t even try…”

“I mean really…The Steel Bull…Torian…”

“It’s absolutely ridiculous, I would never reanimate a nug…what would be the point…”

Bull chuckled, his fingers tracing the convoluted straps on Dorian’s robes.  He didn’t know why Dorian insisted on reading Varric’s novels, they only served to irritate him, but he didn’t seem to be able to put them down.

“I can’t believe you’re laughing about this,” Dorian scowled, his attention shifting from the book in his hands to Bull.

“Tell me, Kadan, do they end up together at the end?”

“What?  Well, yes, of course.”

“Then he got the most important part right.” Bull shrugged.

“But…he…that’s…” Dorian sputtered, falling silent for a moment before his feature relaxed into a lazy grin.  “Yes, I suppose you’re right, Amatus.”

[hot-house-orchid]

[lonicera-caprifolium]

A redraw of this pic from 2016! (link)

[muchymozzarella]

You know what dialogue shows just how GOOD the Adoribull relationship is from the main game (not counting Trespasser because literally every line they have in Trespasser is an Adoribull Is Great Party)? 

It’s not Bull’s ridiculous jokes and/or flirting, nor Dorian’s gamely responses to them. It’s not the sexual innuendos or Dorian not so subtly obsessing over Bull’s muscles.

 It’s these lines right here: 

Iron Bull: Dorian, you’ve been to Minrathous, right?

Dorian: Of course. I’m not a plebian.

Iron Bull: You ever been to that place in the Vivazzi Plaza? With the big, cracked bell hanging off the roof?

Dorian: With the dancers, yes. You’re making me homesick.

and

Iron Bull: Must grind your gristle the “Elder One” is some crazy Vint asshole, huh?

Dorian: I’m not thrilled to discover we should take those old legends at face value.

Iron Bull: Guess he thinks the modern Imperium is a real letdown, too.

Dorian: Why wouldn’t he? Tevinter once covered all Thedas, its glory only matched by its depravity.

Dorian: It’d be like Koslun showing up and learning the Qunari didn’t conquer the world after all.

Iron Bull: Hmm, yes. Priesthood’s been trying to explain that one for centuries.

The reason these exchanges are what I see to be the best proof of why they work as a couple is because it shows that both of these men look to each other for familiarity, with both being strangers in the South bonding over being from the North. 

The first set of lines involve Bull and Dorian sharing memories from a place that Dorian considers home, and one that is closer to Bull’s home than, say, Ferelden or Orlais, that he’s reminiscing over.

The second set of lines show that Dorian knows more about Qunari culture than anyone else in the Inquisition apart from Bull, and has either shown enough interest to read about it or is aware of a decent amount about the Qun, as a citizen of Tevinter, especially one from Qarinus, which was victim to many Qunari raids. 

Now this might just be me as an immigrant reading into this, but Dorian and Bull’s dialogues remind me of myself, as a person of colour and immigrant, talking to other POC and immigrants, especially those with a culture very close to my own, if not outright the same. We bond over things like temperature, food, homeland, and talk to each other about similar cultures, or even the same ones.

This isn’t even mentioning the fact that they’re remarkably similar for coming from warring countries, which Bull brings up twice: 

Iron Bull: Think I know what your problem is, Dorian.

Dorian: I have only the one?

Iron Bull: You see a man who’s burned out, who left his people and entire life behind… and for what?

Dorian: You’re not suggesting we’re similar.

Iron Bull: How’s that mirror treating you? Pretty picture, isn’t it?

Dorian: I may vomit.

Iron Bull: Wait, wait, I’ll flex a little for you. Make it easier.

and

Iron Bull: You doing all right, Dorian? I know family stuff can be rough.

Dorian: What would you know about it? True Qunari don’t have families.

(If Iron Bull is Tal-Vashoth)

Iron Bull: Finding out you don’t fit in with the people who raised you?

Iron Bull: Having to walk away from everything you grew up with, knowing you’ve disappointed the ones who loved you?

Iron Bull: I might know a bit. Takes a tough man to do it, too. So good on you, you big old fop.

Dorian: Yay. Good on me.

Dorian and Bull UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER in ways that few other Dragon Age characters do, both from a cultural / background perspective, and in terms of their personalities and character. 

Add that to the fact that they’re very much sexually compatible as well as remarkably sweet even before Trespasser:

Iron Bull: Dorian’s a sweet guy. He’s gentle, and he cares under all that bluster. I’m hoping we’re good for each other.

Iron Bull: Plus, I’ve never done it with a mage before. One time, he got so excited he set the curtains on fire! (Laughs.)

and

Cassandra: So, Bull, about Dorian…

Iron Bull: Yes, it’s true.

Dorian: By all means let us discuss this together.

Cassandra: If… you’re both pleased…

Dorian: I’m happy, he’s happy, everyone’s happy.

Iron Bull: Awww, you’re happy.

Dorian: (Sighs.)

Cassandra: (Laughs.)

and

Dorian: I’ve decided to stay with the Inquisition. For now.

Inquisitor: Would that have anything to do with Iron Bull?

Dorian: It might. You know how it is.

And you have a relationship that is a genuinely good one, built on chemistry (both in terms of sexuality and personality) and understanding (both intellectually and emotionally). 

They’re both intelligent, driven, damaged, strong men of the North who remind each other of home, who are used to lies and masks but show genuine softness to each other, and know and understand each other better and more than any other character in Inquisition. 

Which is why Adoribull is such a good Dragon Age relationship. 

[justjasper]

Mirroring is the subconscious replication of another person’s nonverbal signals. The activation of mirror neurons takes place within the individual who begins to mirror another’s movements, and allows them a greater connection and understanding with the individual who they are mirroring, as well as allowing the individual who is being mirrored to feel a stronger connection with the other individual. Mirroring is distinct from imitation under the premise that while imitation is a conscious and overt effort to copy another person, mirroring is often covert and goes unnoticed within the situation.

[dinojay]

I’ve been helping out annundriel on a potential bookshop AU (!!!) and had to draw the “early morning where they mistakenly grab each other’s glasses” moment

[justjasper]

iron bull re dorian goes from “could you make it sound angrier? ‘love’ is a bit soft” to “i want to talk about my feelings, dorian” in the space of two years and i am never getting over it

[moyashidoodles]

amurderof wanted to use the laughing pic as an icon, so I decided to finish it (more or less) so they could use a slightly nicer image hahaha. <3