It's the Year of the Snake so the theme is - Mysteries, Secrets, Puzzles!
Put those characters into situations(oh no the puzzle of only one bed?), have a caring moment of opening up about secrets, or solve a mystery together. It could also be something about snakes.
What is DAFicSwap? Writers in the Dragon Age community have prompts and write for each other. Sometimes we do art/fic swaps too. You can check out a previous round here.
Anyway, hereâs my @daficswap (except it turned out to not be a fic its an Art) for @julissayne ! Halloween in Thedas, so I did Dorian in a Desire Demon costume
@urrsari Thank you so much for the use of your OC... I hope I did her justice. Enjoy your holiday! :) Thank you to @daficswap for putting on this event!Â
Itâs cold outside, but Ryvka doesnât feel it. Her face feels hot and sweat beads against her collar. She has to get out.
Along the battlements, she takes long strides through the snow. She doesnât have a destination, but the ember in her guts wonât let her rest. So many details... so many possibilities... so many facets to manage⌠and any one of a million intricacies that could go wrong.
She breathes in staccato huffs--wisps of rapidly-crystallizing air blur her vision. Itâs better; sheâd rather not see. She closes her eyes and feels the air fill her lungs: 1, 2, 3âŚ
âRemember your exercises?â asks a voice.
She blinks. âYes, Solas.â
He smiles, but doesnât come any closer. They have the kind of student-teacher relationship that never crosses the professional. In fact, Ryvka never exactly knows where she stands with him. Nevertheless, she finds his advice useful. She has ever since the Inquisitionâs inception back in Haven.
âWhat are you doing out here?â asks Ryvka.
One corner of his mouth turns up and he looks like heâs going to answer, but like so many times before, he shrugs--an insouciant movement that creates more mystery instead of dissuading it.
Ryvka smiles despite herself.
âThe same as you, Iâd imagine,â says Solas.
Ryvka nods. In the months since they came to Skyhold, theyâve caught glimpses of each other across the courtyard or exchanged looks from opposite sides of the library. Being alone is a part of their lives. For Ryvka, it always has been.
âWere you always like this?â she asks suddenly.
Solas squints consideringly. âDefine this.â
âDid you always need to be alone?â
He nods. âYes. But there were many periods in my life when it was impossible.â
They sigh together.
âWhich is where you are now, isnât it, Inquisitor?â asks Solas. Heâs still staring off into the horizon.
Now itâs Ryvka who shrugs. Insouciance is catching, she thinks, and almost smiles. Itâs amazing, actually⌠just a few minutes ago she was suffocating--leaving her friends, and even Cullen, in favor of journeying out here into the cold. The desperation is like that sometimes: all-encompassing, engrossing, overwhelming.
...except now it isnât. Why is that?
âSolas?â says Ryvka suddenly. âDo you think people can change?â
Solas turns his head to look at her--eyes dark and mouth pulling up at its edges. âIn my experience no one ever changes; everyone is the copy of someone else⌠a mask of a face I used to know.â
Ryvka nods. âI think Iâm changing, just the same.â She looks down at the anchor; a knot forms in her stomach. Responsibility.
In the months since this all began, Ryvka has changed. She knows it in her gut. She sees it in the way she grits her teeth and charges into battle. She feels it when she does what she knows she must, even if it hurts. She hears it in her voice--confidant and clear, even when sheâs scared. And, most of all, she knows it because right now she doesnât want to go back into that crowded, hot space⌠but sheâs going to. And once sheâs there, sheâll laugh and smile, and do exactly what she must⌠because thereâs no one else who can. The anchor glimmers--as if itâs silently reacting to her resolve.
They stand in silence for a long time--it could be two minutes or ten.
âAre you ready to go back?â asks Solas.
Ryvka looks up. âAre you?â
Solas smiles. âNo, but we do what we must.â
Ryvka nods, flexing her jaw and straightening her spine. âLetâs go,â she says. âAnd⌠thanks, Solas.â
Summery: Due to a series of unfortunate events Grazham and Robert find themselves stuck in some rather inhospitable dwarven ruins. Then come the spiders.
Note: A Cristmas trade for the lovely @murehâ as part of the @daficswap. Â It was an honour to write for your babies. I hope I did them justice. Had to repost this because apparently Tumblrâs entire system wants me dead and flat out refused to let me tag anyone.
âThis is a very bad idea.â Robert said for what felt like the hundredth time.
If Grazham were in the mood to be honest with himself he might have agreed.
The long forgotten tunnel they traversed was littered with debris. Some little more than piles of dirt but others formed more intimidating obstacles, forcing the pair to climb, crawl, and shimmy to pass further.
It was by no means a safe nor sane place to go wandering but there were things to be done and if Grazham were to wait for what was safe or sane he would never get anything done.
Robert had been vocal enough about his doubts both back at Skyhold when Grazham had first agreed to the task and later before entering the mouth of the tunnel. As they descended though, Robertâs concerns became more frequent until it had become almost a sort of chant.
âSo youâve said,â Grazham sighed, allowing the smallest amount of exasperation to sneak into his voice. âSeveral times, in fact.â
He appreciated the concern, truly he did, but there were times when Robertâs kind attention felt too much. Too cloying. Too much like something he didnât deserve. It made his words sharp, though he always found himself regretting them later.
âThat being said, you didnât have to come.â He continued, using his stave to nudge aside what appeared to be the remains of some timber braces. Chunks of dirt showered the floor as well as both men, but the tunnel held so Grazham foraged on ahead. âIâm sure the others could make better use of your mothering.â
It was meant as a joke but the long beat of silence that followed made Grazham flinch uncomfortably.
Perhaps he had gone too far, overstepped his bounds. He didnât want to drive Robert away; quite the opposite, but it was difficult not to push. Difficult not to pursue.
Especially when he wasnât sure Robert wanted to be pursued.
Thankfully, Robert broke the heavy silence easily, his voice so gentle that it actually hurt a little to hear it aloud.
âI would never leave you alone in a place like this,â said Robert seriously. His gaze never wavered, not even for a moment, as he stared into Grazhamâs eyes.
The force of it, the sincerity in his gaze was too much for Grazham. Glancing away he could feel his cheeks burn and his heart thump uncomfortably in his chest.
It was unfair how Robert could throw him into turmoil so easily. For a man who showed so little interest in romance he let honeyed words drip from his lips far too easily.
âW-well it is strange that there would be an elven artifact hidden in such a place.â Â Trying desperately to change the subject before he said something he regretted, Grazham glanced around at their surroundings. âWhy would they hide it in a thaig of all places?â
âPerhaps itâs some sort of mistake?â Robert suggested, so hopefully that Grazham couldnât help but smirk.
âDo you want to be the one to tell Solas you think heâs made a mistake?â
Roberts face shifted for a moment, cycling between emotions until he finally settled on resignation. It was clear that he knew as well as Grazham what awaited down that path.
A long and undoubtedly boring lecture about the history of the artifact as well as the thaig, and the entire history of elfdom if Solas had his way. Ending with them exactly where they were now.
âPoint taken,â Robert sighed, his shoulders sagging in defeat.
With no further arguments to be levied, Robert could do little but follow as Grazham led them down into the darkness.
By the time they reached the thaigâs door it became apparent that Grazham was lucky that Robert had chosen to stay. It took the both of them to force away the heavy stone door that blocked the entrance. Together they managed to shift it just enough that they could squeeze through, though it was a tight fit.
Despite its title, the thaig in question certainly failed to live up to its name.
The room, barely larger than the main hall at Skyhold, was so decrepit that it looked ready to fall in on their head should they even sneeze wrong. It was unclear whether piles of rubble lined the walls or if the walls themselves had turned to rubble.
All in all it was underwhelming to be certain.
Raising his torch higher, Grazham took in what he could of the room. From what he could see there were no obvious signs of any artifacts but that didnât mean there was nothing to be found.
At least he hoped not.
âDid Solas at least give us some sort of clue as to where this elven whatever might be hidden?â asked Robert, similarly daunted by the enormity of their task.
Reaching into the hidden pockets of his robes Grazham pulled out the notes Solas had given him. Lowering his torch Grazham stared down at the pages.
Solasâ writing was neat and clear and complete gibberish. Any landmarks that they might have used were long since gone and the dwarven map heâd provided was equally useless.
Shifting up behind, Robert watched from over Grazhamâs shoulder, wincing at the now useless direction. Whoever these dwarves were they were about as good map makers as they were architects.
Turning the map this way and that, Grazham tried to make sense of it all. If he could get some sort of bearing it would be a start at least.
âI think itâsâŚover hereâ he said slowly, gesturing towards what he hoped was the north-east facing rubble wall.
To be honest Grazham wasnât entirely sure that it was the right direction. To a point it all sort of looked the same. But standing around wasnât going to accomplish anything and it was as good a starting point as any. So, as confidently as he could muster, Grazham head off in the most likely direction.
Together, torches in hand, they began to search.
It was filthy work, moving rocks, shifting through dirt and refuse. Any time something was moved, even down to the smallest pebble it seemed, debris would rain down from the ceiling. Dusting the pair inâŚwell, Grazham preferred not to think about what it was too deeply.
In the dark it was hard to tell how much time had passed. By Grazhamâs estimation it felt somewhere in the range of a thousand years.
Every pile of rocks and rubble yielded the same thing. Nothing.
It was by a simple stroke of luck that they found anything at all.
As they passed a partially collapsed wall, Robert paused.
âIs something the matter?â asked Grazham.
Robert reached over, tugging the parchment gently from Grazhamâs hands. Glancing down at it, he leaned in closer to the wall, lowering his torch to get a better look.
âI think,â he said slowly, his fingertips tracing over the runes carved into the wall, âthis may be whatâs on Solasâ map.â
Glancing around, his eyes finally settled on what looked to be a stray pile of slate.
âIf this marking is correct the chest should be over there.â
Working together, they managed to drag the heavy stones free. Finally a flash of silver emerged, uncovering to form a tarnished silver chest.
It was old. Not as old as the thaig, but still ancient. Even on the darkened metal Grazham could make out what looked to be elven markings.
âIs that it?â Robert whispered inspecting the box from every angle as though suspicious of its contents. âAre we sure itâs not a trap?â
Reaching out Grazham cast a half smile in Robertâs direction.
âI certainly hope not,â he joked lightly, though his heart pounded loudly in his ears, âor we are dead and have yet to find out.â
Perhaps it would have been more prudent to wait for someone who could disarm any possible traps but truth be told Grazham was more than a little tired of this particular task.
He was tired and covered head to toe in who knows what. Trap or no he was more than ready to be done with the whole thing.
Grabbing hold of the heavy metal clasp, Grazham heaved the lid open. When no heat, or pain, or blinding light followed he let out a small breath of relief and peaked further into the box.
There on the bottom was a small silver amulet. It matched Solasâ description perfectly and Grazham wasted no time snatching it up.
âWell that, as they say, is that,â Grazham said confidently, tucking the amulet into his belt pouch. âI would almost call it too easy.â
âFrom your mouth to the Makerâs ears,â Robert chided gently, though his tone held no serious scolding. âThough I might agree with you once Iâm reminded of what the sun looks like.â
Grazham was about to respond with something reasonably witty when a low sound caught his ears. Raising a hand he cocked his head to the side, listening carefully into the darkness. Then he heard it again. The soft skittering hiss of movement across stone.
Grazham barely had time to toss aside his torch and free his stave before the spiders burst from the darkness. Massive furry monstrosities they almost looked like an encroaching wave of shadows themselves.
With barely a moment to think, Grazham swung out at the monsters. Grimacing as his stave connected he followed up with a fireball for good measure.
The scent of charred flesh filled the air but Grazham did not let it distract him.
From the corner of his eye he could see Robert take out yet another spider with his oversized sword. Alternating clumsily between his sword and his torch to keep the remaining few at bay.
His face was twisted into a grimace, as it always was when he was forced into battle.
Still, Grazham felt his chest clench disconcertingly at the sight of it. In the low light Robertâs skin seemed to glow like he was made of gold. The shadows casting his high cheekbones and squared jaw into sharp relief.
There was an intensity to it. The gap between Robertâs normal gentle self at the violence he was forced to defend himself against. Grazham could not find it in him to look away.
Normally Grazham would have scolded himself for such a slip. In battle such distraction could leave one cold on the ground. This one time though, it turned out to be a blessing as, if it werenât for his foolish staring, he might not have noticed the lone spider skittering down the wall at Robertâs back.
There was no time to think. Too late to call out and to risky to cast a spell Grazham only had one option left.
With a force that surprised even himself, Grazham launched himself at the spider, swinging his stave with all his might. The barbed edge of his staff connected with its rounded abdomen with a wet thump that Grazham could feel all the way up his arms.
Heâd made it. Heâd made it in time.
A wave of relief washed over him. That relief was sadly short lived though as a sharp crack reverberated throughout the room
Immediately, almost unconsciously his eyes sought out Robertâs. He was far enough away that no matter what happened heâd at least be safe. At least there was that to be thankful for.
That was all Grazham had time for as the world was devoured by darkness.
Grazham felt like he was swimming.
Or at least what he imagined swimming would feel like. Weightless and warm, he drifted through the comfortable darkness
It was familiar, this feeling of nothingness. A single moment where the darkness closed in, gentle and comforting. A moment where there were no responsibilities. No demands. Only peace.
Still, perhaps it was not truly nothing.
In the back of his mind Grazham could feel the slightest of twinges. A pinprick of something he was supposed to remember. Something he was supposed to do. A place he was supposed to be.
It was little; barely even a whisper at first, but the feeling grew. Like grasping hands it dragged him from the darkness and the world seemed to explode with light.
The first thing Grazham became aware of as he was dragged back to the world of the living was starbursts of pain radiating fromâŚwell from everywhere actually. It felt like heâd been kicked by a halla. Repeatedly.
The second thing he became aware of though was the panicked muttering of a familiar voice.
âI thought,â Grazham managed to push past numb lips, âthat you didnât curse.â
Hands scrambled to move him upright. Though careful of his injuries the movement was far from pleasant. It was only when Robert had settled him back against one of the larger stones that he found he could breathe normally again.
âYou must have misheard,â replied Robert, though there was far more relief than teasing. âWe should have the other healers take a look at your ears when we get back to Skyhold.â
Grazham couldnât hold back a chuckle even though it rattled his lungs and made his bones ache. Mentally he began to take stock of his injuries.
His ribs felt bruised, making every breath a trial and his head felt strange. Any movement too sharp sent the room spinning. Worst of all was his ankle which ached fiercely. Probably sprained in the fall but there was still a chance something had broken. All in all not heâd been spared the worst of it but the news still wasnât good.
Grimacing Grazham reached for his staff. His other wounds hurt but his ankle was definitely the most pressing if they wanted to move any time soon. As he reached though, he found his hand grasping empty air.
Glancing around a cold wave of apprehension dawned.
âHave you seen my staff,â he asked, hoping that perhaps Robert had moved it somewhere for safety.
It was the sort of thing heâd do.
There was an unnaturally long pause and immediately Grazham knew the answer wouldnât be good. If that hadnât been such a giveaway the look on Roberts face said more than enough.
Slowly Robert reached behind, pulling forth familiar wood and metal. Well, familiar except for the fact that it was in far more pieces than the last time Grazham had seem it.
With a groan Grazham took the splintered staff from Robert, looking over the damage. It was in four pieces, one large and three small. Far too many to be of any use.
âAnd it was my favourite too,â he sighed, running his finger over the scarred wood.
âIâm so sorry.â
Grazham shook his head.
âIt is no huge loss. Better my staff than my neck after all,â the jest was weak but it was enough to make Robert smile if only a little. âBut it does mean that I am going to be stuck here for quite a while.â
âWhat?â Robertâs expression seemed to waver between surprise and concern. âCanât you heal yourself? Youâve done it before.â
âNot like this,â glancing down at his staff Grazham bit back a shout of frustration. With their luck it would bring the whole thaig down on their heads. âI donât know how damaged the bone is. If itâs broken I donât want to risk healing it without setting it first and without my staff to work as a focusâŚâ
Grazham trailed off, not wanting to finish the thought. Without a focus and with his head feeling like it were about to pop off and float away he knew he was in no condition to even light a candle using his magic, never mind perform a complex healing spell.
âOh, well I guess weâll have to make do then.â With what Grazham could only assume was meant to be a reassuring grin, Robert reached into his pack pulling out a small handful of handkerchiefs. âI always carry some just in case. Theyâre not ideal but theyâll serve.â
Knotting the pile of linens end to end, Robert set about wrapping Grazhamâs foot as best he could.
It was a painful process and Grazham tried his best not to cry out, but each tug of cloth sent a bolt of pain shooting up his leg.
Gritting his teeth, Grazham began to search for a distraction. Something, anything to keep his mind off the pain. After all it would be unseemly for the great Inquisitor to swoon like an Orlesian noble just because of such a small wound.
There was precious little in the thaig worthy of any interest, so Grazham let his gaze fall on Robert. Â
It was a nice view to be sure.
His sweat soaked hair curled wildly about his face, even more so than usual. Even filthy and covered in spider blood Robert was lovely. The look of concentration on his face, so at odds with the gentle ministrations of his hands.
Had he the ability Grazham would have loved to paint it. To preserve the way Robert looked in this moment.
Biting his lip, Grazham felt his heart lurch unpleasantly.
It was unfortunate that Robert seemed so oblivious to Grazhamâs yearning. As though every flirtation and innuendo missed him entirely.
Unless he did know, but simply abhorred the thought of being with Grazham. Disgusted by his advances but too polite to say.
Suddenly Grazhamâs heart hurt far more than his ankle.
Desperately he tried to cut off the unwelcome line of thought before it went too far. Choosing to focus on a stray curl that curved along the shell of Robertâs ear, as opposed to the way his heart seemed to be making a concerted effort to tear its self from his chest.
It wasnât like Robert only behaved that way with Grazham in particular. In fact, he seemed generally perplexed by the art of romance altogether. Though warm and kind to all, Grazham had never seen him pursue anyone. Choosing instead to focus on what he considered more important things.
That thought was far more comforting indeed. Though Grazham couldnât help but wish that perhaps he werenât so disinterested in matters of the heart. It was a far better alternative to Robert despising him in secret.
âThere,â Robert said suddenly, breaking Grazham from his musings. âItâs not perfect but it should hold.â
Gently Robert patted the now bandaged ankle. Grazham was relieved to find it no longer ached so sharply, instead diminishing to a low pulse.
Still, movement was difficult and Grazham could tell that the moment he put any weight on it the pain would return.
There was only one solution left and Robert was definitely not going to like it.
âYou should go back by yourself,â Grazham blurted out. Hoping that if he said the words quickly enough that Robert might not have enough presence of mind to argue.
Unfortunately, the tactic was less than effective.
âWhat?â
It was not a question despite its phrasing.
Suddenly every other object in the room seemed more pressing than Robertâs eyes. At least the spider corpses didnât stare at him with a painful mixture of hurt and sadness.
âI canât walk like this,â Grazham soldiered on, though still unable to meet Robertâs eyes. âThe castle isnât that far. You could ride for help and be back far more quickly without me.â
âSurely you donât expect me to leave you here?â Robertâs voice sounded pained, as though he were the one who was hurt by the mere suggestion.
Gathering his courage Grazham turned to stare directly into Robertâs eyes. He was prepared for the agitation and hidden stubbornness he knew he would find in them.
The only way that Robert would ever agree was if Grazham used logic to persuade him. Otherwise theyâd be left arguing until the death of the world.
âItâs more efficient this way,â Grazham insisted, holding Robertâs gaze. âYou know as well as I that it will take an eternity if you are forced to match my pace and with so much debris blocking the passage who knows where we will be forced to stop.â
Despite the mutinous look on his face Robert appeared to be listening at the very least. It was certainly a blessing for Grazham because he wasnât sure what he would have done in the face of any more arguments.
âIf itâs you alone,â Grazham continued, âyou know where the exit is and youâre faster than I am anyway.â
The small joke seemed to fall flat in the heavy air between them, but Grazham held firm. This was for the best. Robert had to see that.
Finally Robert broke first, looking away with a sigh of resignation.
âI donât want to go.â He said finally.
Thankfully it seemed to be more of a statement than an argument because he began to pack up none the less. There was a set to his shoulders though, a stiffness to his movements that said that he wanted to be doing anything but.
It made Grazham feel for the man. Were their positions reversed it would have taken the business end of a sword to make him leave but there was no other choice.
âI know.â Said Grazham as comfortingly as he could. It might not have been the most eloquent of responses but it was all he had. âJust bring Bull back with you alright? Iâd hate for him to miss this.â
That was enough to force a small smile from Robert. Bull would likely laugh himself silly at the Inquisitor being taken out by a pile of rocks but he was one of the few people Grazham trusted to carry his sorry arse out of this forsaken hole in the ground.
With nothing left to pack and no more procrastination he could manage, Robert cast one last long look at Grazham.
âIâll be back,â Robert promised solemnly, as though Grazham had any doubts.
And with those last parting words, he disappeared around a corner, taking the last of the light with him.
As the darkness closed in, Grazham leaned back and closed his eyes. There was very little point in keeping them open when he couldnât see anything anyways. Not that there was much to look at even with the light.
Even without the pain from his leg to distract him Grazham was not confident that he could summon even the smallest ball of light without something going horribly awry. With no present danger and nowhere to go it was simply not worth the risk.
So, with little else to do, Grazham settled in for a long wait.
After a while, when heâd finally exhausted every tavern song and ballad he could recall off the top of his head, Grazham found his mind beginning to wander.
The darkness of the thaig was so different from the darkness he had awoken from. There was no feeling of warmth or comfort. No, this darkness felt colder, almost lonely.
It pressed in on all sides until Grazham felt like he was buried beneath it. Like the thaig had become a tomb, which it likely would be if Robert didnât return with help.
The thought, surprisingly, was not as troubling as it should have been.
Maybe I deserve this, Grazham thought to himself and somehow it didnât feel wrong in the slightest.
He had hurt so many people. Done things that could not be forgiven. Perhaps this was his penance. To remain here in the darkness. Alone and forgotten. It was nothing less than he deserved.
Here he was no longer a danger to the world. Locked away safely from all those who wished to hurt him and those whom he would hurt in return. In a way it was freeing. No responsibilities. No voices clambering at him to make their decisions for them. Decisions that could mean life or death. Not only for himself but for so many innocent souls as well.
It felt almost as though, in place of darkness surrounding him, those souls he held in his hands were pressing in on him instead. Chaining him to the stone at his back like a criminal and Grazham, for his part, was content to let them.
Grazham wasnât sure what he became aware of first. The red behind his eyelids or the hand clenched almost painfully around his wrist.
When he opened his eyes though, the first thing that filled his vision was Robertâs worried face. A part of Grazham wanted to reach up and smooth the creases from his brow. But his could not find the strength to move even a single finger
âThank the Spirits youâre alright,â Robert said, his panic slowly diminishing though his grip on Grazhamâs wrist did not. âWhen I saw you lying there I thought youâdâŚI thought were hurt.â
âIâm fine. I was justâŚâ Grazham trailed off, realizing that Robert had barely been gone long at all. Certainly not long enough for him to get to Skyhold and back. âI thought you were getting help?â
For a moment Robertâs expression changed. He could not meet Grazhamâs eyes and if Grazham hadnât know better heâd have almost called it bashful. Then his face smoothed to something more familiar.
âI did not go for help.â
Mystified Graham couldnât help but stare.
âDidnât go for help but whyâŚ?â
Grazhamâs question was cut off as Robert stood. Using the wrist he still had in his grip he pulled hard on Grazhamâs arm.
âApologies,â Robert muttered as he tucked himself under Grazhamâs arm, stabilizing his bad leg. âThis will likely hurt but please endure it.â
Grazham knew his expression probably looked like that of a beached fish but he could do little to push past the confusion of Robertâs sudden return.
They were already at the entrance to the thaig before he could form a cogent response.
âWait a moment,â Grazham protested, though he still allowed Robert to pull him along. âIâm far too heavy for you to carry like this. It will take twice as long if we do it this way and thatâs assuming we make it at all.â
Robert said nothing, instead choosing to help the both of them past the thaig entrance and out into the tunnel.
âYou donât have to force yourself like this.â Grazham continued, desperate for Robert to see reason. He had to see how mad this was. âI was just fine on my own.â
âI know.â
The words, so even and matter-of-fact, stilled Grazhamâs tongue though his jaw dropped open slightly in surprise.
âI would not have left you there had I not thought youâd be safe,â said Robert calmly, as though Grazham was a fool for thinking otherwise.
It was infuriating. Grazham simply could not understand. They had a plan. A good one. Why would Robert take such a risk, seemingly for no reason at all?
âThen why?â he snapped, only partially regretting his harsh tone.
Thankfully Robert did not mind in the slightest.
âDid I not tell you,â said Robert, his smile gone soft as he glanced helplessly up at Grazham with a shrug, âthat I would never leave you alone in a place like this?â
Whatever Grazham had been thinking, whatever he might have said next vanished in a puff of smoke as a rush of warmth permeated his being. The chill that resided in his bone, always present though usually hidden, seemed to evaporate in the face of Robertâs shy smile.
It was so much like looking at the sun that Grazham was forced to look away. Left scrambling for words that did not make him sound like a lovesick fool.
âNext time Solas can go find his own damned artifacts.â He managed to grumble out, still unable to look at Robert though his grip may have tightened ever so slightly.
Robert let out a sharp laugh that Grazham could feel in his core. A reminder of how close they were pressed.
âAgreed.â
All in all it had been quite a day, Grazham mused. A journey down a hole, attacked by spiders, crushed by rock, and finally dragged back out of said hole by a handsome lunatic. His ankle ached fiercely and he wasnât sure he would ever be clean no matter how long he soaked.
Still, being pressed close to Robert that he could feel the very beat of his heart, Grazham couldnât remember ever being so warm.
This is my part for this round of the @daficswapâ for @cherrymilkshakeâÂ
It took me about two seconds after looking at your gorgeous Inquisitor Bernart Adaar and seeing his LI was Dorian to decide to draw this. I hope you like it <3
