The last year I imagined on this ship and thought "they would be a beautiful couple" and I'm glad to know that there is more than one person who likes the ship! I was practicing with the markers and in a way of shading with a single line (I tend more to shading with gradient) I really liked the result, but I still consider that I should continue practicing the shading... and find my color palette when using markers.
Cos I've been doing this over on bsky and I wanna have it archived~
Questions 1-8 answered below!
They met during the first scene where you recruit Emmrich! Because Caul is a Crow, he's never had opportunity to meet him before, and none of his contracts took him to Nevarra
Caul's first impression was "oh the skull thing is cool" and, internally, "thank the gods, someone who's my age" lol. Underneath that he was attracted, and that increased when he saw Emmrich working his magic round the Necropolis during that first quest. Necromancy intrigues him! On Emmrich's side, he was surprised that this imposing, solid and quite dour Qunari needed his help, but delighted to find someone who showed an interest in his work and a respect for the dead, despite his career as a Crow. The good looks helped, and he found himself needing to know more!
Caul realised when he caught himself watching Emmrich one too many times, and then it was cemented when his thoughts turned to poetry around him. Their casual, fun flirtation was just that until Emmrich's kindness just seeped into his soul and didn't let go, and he realised he was Serious. Took him a while, but not as long as Emmrich, who thought that their flirtations were just that - fun between colleagues, nothing more. He realised the terrifying depths of his feelings after one battle where Caul got properly injured then finally relented and let Emmrich use healing magic. During which time, Caul also lets his guard down enough to let him finally see his scars - mostly his leg - which he keeps hidden. Relieved that Caul wasn't going to die and overcome with emotion at the trust he's showing, Emmrich admits to himself that his feelings are real. And scary......
The first move went as the game - Emmrich turned on the charm & kissed Caul within an inch of his life against that beautiful statue of the eternal lovers. It went very smoothly, Caul was already smitten & their tension was insane by that point - if Emmrich hadn't made the move, Caul would have!
Oops I answered this in #4 by mistake fkcmck I'm gonna skip ahead!
They were very handsy and physical before they finally fucked properly! The first sexual contact was Caul giving into his post-battle adrenaline high and sucking Emmrich silly, Emmrich sat on his desk and Caul in his chair just completely going to town and not stopping even after Emmrich came. For full sex it'd been building for a long time, but they never had time or the right moment. Emmrich finally sent everyone else on errands with strict instructions to not bother them, then fucked Caul gentle and slow in his huge comfy bed with scented candles and flower petals everywhere 💚
Their first date was as in game, Emmrich laying on a beautiful meal and wining & dining Caul with the full weight of his charm. Caul brought him flowers & a beautiful Antivan-made knife for ceremonial use & quite flustered Emmrich for a moment, then they kissed for like two hours in the moonlight.
Caul, without a doubt. Emmrich can't bring himself to admit it, let alone speak it out loud - he's afraid of the depth of his feeling, of what feels like an insurmountable gap between them (a Crow & a Watcher, who are they trying to fool?) & he's especially afraid of his mortality. Caul's a romantic type as is Emmrich, but he expresses it through his poetry & he'd given Emmrich enough of it by then to make his feelings clear, but he'd also never really said it outright until The Argument & even then it's only to accuse Emmrich of being scared to admit it. When he returns from the Fade prison, when they're alone in the Necropolis, he tells Emmrich just how much he loves him when they kiss, and continues to tell him while they fuck in the sarcophagus until Emmrich's flushed & whimpering, gazing into Caul's eyes as they make love