E+L for some unexpectable pairing. (Sharing a drink + stolen kiss)
Hello!!! Thank you for the ask <3
Sharing a drink + stolen kiss for my Inquisitor Estra Lavellan and Dorian Pavus.
Frost crept over the desert as the night began to peak. A thousand stars twirled and twinkled around a swollen moon that stood out starkly against the inky sky. A chilling breeze swept over the dunes, making the sand roll and the sparse shrubbery sway.
Tucked against the towering form of a rocky cliff, hidden from view by the sandstone and the bedrock, was a small camp. People crowded around a campfire, sandwiched between the flames and the closely pitched tents. Voices and laughter drifted into the air, swirling up alongside the embers and vanishing into the night. Spirits were high and bottles were being passed around as the party celebrated their survival of another day.
Away from the glowing light of the fire, past the safety of the tents but not quite lost in the wilderness of the desert, stood a lone figure. He stood with slumped shoulders and locked knees, hugging himself tightly to protect against the cold as he stared out over the stretching sands. The noises of his companions fell on deaf ears as the man stood captivated by the endless desert. He remained absent from his body, lost deep in the churning depths of his mind, unaware to the figure slipping away from the camp and coming up behind him.
Inquisitor Estra Lavellan startled, stumbling forwards as Dorian Pavus’ voice shook him from his stupor. He stumbled around, turning from the dark landscape to watch with wide eyes as his partner’s silhouette tracked towards him.
“There you are.” Dorian drew closer, cocking his head as a teasing grin grew on his lips. “Everyone was wondering where you’d gone.”
He slipped up the Estra’s side, looping an arm around his waist and bringing a bottle up to his lips with his free hand. Estra sunk into Dorian and slipped his bare right hand up his shirt, pressing it against his warm skin.
Dorian choked on his drink and jerked away.
“Kaffas, your hands are cold!” He yelped, “Keep those things away from me!”
“But you’re so warm.” Estra said quietly, wickedness sparkling in his grey eyes.
“Yes, it’s my warmth! You don’t get to steal it, you little fiend.”
“I’m cold.” Estra pouted.
“You would be warmer if you hadn’t been standing out here in the desert all evening.” Dorian sniffed.
Estra exhaled softly and turned his gaze back to the sands. His long ears drooped slightly and his eyes clouded back over as he stared into the night. Dorian watched him curiously from a few steps away. After perhaps a minute of silence, Dorian closed the distance and intertwined his warm fingers with Estra’s cold ones.
“Here.” He offered the bottle out. “Have a drink.”
Sluggishly, Estra raised his gloved left hand and gripped the neck of the bottle. He took a sip and instantly grimaced.
“That’s disgusting.” He muttered, passing it back.
“Isn’t it?” Dorian took another swig. “Varric packed it.”
Estra made a small absent noise in his throat and fell quiet again.
The desert stood still in front of them. Small rodents and smaller bugs made quiet, creaking, croaking noises from the depths of the dunes and the rustle of succulents and sand joined their gentle symphony, conducted by the wind to construct the chorus of the night. Dorian’s sigh cut through the music.
“We should go back to the others. Cassandra’s convinced you’ve been bitten by a snake and died out there in the dunes.” Dorian drawled.
Estra hummed again in response.
Worry stirred gently in Dorian’s gut, muffled by the heavy blanket of alcohol. He squeezed Estra’s hand and offered the bottle again.
Estra drank from it silently and this time didn’t give it back.
“Are you alright?” Dorian asked quietly.
Estra shrugged. Dorian reached out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind his ear.
“You’re being awfully quiet.”
“I’m just thinking.” Estra muttered.
Dorian trailed his fingers down the side of Estra’s face, pinching his chin and turning his head upwards in order to meet his eyes.
“About what?” He whispered, tracing his thumb against the line of Estra’s lip.
Estra shut his eyes and leant into the touch.
“Just... stuff.” He mumbled.
Right. Stuff. Very descriptive.
Dorian took the bottle from Estra and sipped it.
“Come on,” He huffed, lowering the bottle again, “Let’s get you warmed up.”
He squeezed the Inquisitor’s hand and tugged him towards the glow of the fire. Estra followed with no resistance. Boots slipped in the sand and hands remained intertwined as they approached the swell of chatter.
When the pair reached the line of tents, Estra stopped walking. He yanked Dorian softly backwards, keeping him from stepping out of the shadows. Dorian’s expression was expectant as he was pulled closer.
Estra wrapped a hand around the back of Dorian’s head and leaned in close.
“Ma vhenan.” He whispered.
Then he closed the distance and sealed their lips together, stealing a gentle kiss from the cold desert night.
Dorian sighed softly as they pulled apart.
“Come on.” It was Estra’s turn to drag them towards the fire. “I’m cold.”
Dorian followed dutifully, keeping his warm hand wrapped around Estra’s. He pretended that it was the alcohol making his lips tingle.
