for dwc: modern!au where your warden and one of the inquisitors bond over being badasses in a coffeeshop while their dragged along significant others trade experiences about being Terrified by their lover's actions
Thanks so much for the prompt! This one was more difficult because I couldn’t decide which Inquisitor to use. But then I felt Freya and Cassian would not get along well, at least not initially. But Dorian and Zevran would actually hit off. So thus this was born. Turned out a little different but the general theme’s still the same. (I hope that’s all right!)
It was meant to be--actually Zevran had no idea what it was meant to be. His Warden didn’t seem particularly interested in becoming friends with the guy they called Inquisitor, nor did she feel a need to prove herself.
But apparently when all the world (and social media) are after their two favorite heroes to meet, you meet. Zevran didn’t really understand it, but he’s still new to actually having an online presence.
This meeting was at a coffee shop, some pretentious place that the Inquisitor--Cassian had suggested and a place where he fit right in. He was just as cocky as they had expected, but it wasn’t without it’s charm as well. The biggest surprise was the fact that his lover was, not only a man, but a Tevinter mage. Zevran had to give him credit for not caring what the rest of the world thought of him.
He turned his gaze to Freya who was now sharing stories with Cassian on all their heroic deeds. It was less of a polite exchange and more of a competition that Zevran was having trouble understanding the rules for.
“They do seem to be cut of a similar cloth, don’t you agree?” the Inquisitor’s lover said. Dorian. Zevran had to remember his name.
“How do you mean?” Zevran asked.
“Both of them, running headlong into danger, never once thinking of the fact that they’re nor invincible,” Dorian asked.
“Hmm,” Zevran said. “I suppose you’re right.”
“How long have you been with the Warden?” Dorian asked after Cassian started telling about the time he walked in the fade.
“Over ten years now,” Zevran said, feeling wistful and nostalgic. “Not killing her was the greatest thing to ever happen to me.”
“I’d assume she’d agree,” Dorian said with a chuckle.
Zevran didn’t reply because it didn’t need one.
“Does it ever get any easier?” Dorian asked, little creases appearing around his mouth.
“No,” Zevran said truthfully. “Watching her through herself headfirst into danger is always difficult. I always worry that one time she won’t get up again. Or that she’ll steal off in the middle of the night to head into the Deep Roads.”
“I forgot about that,” Dorian said.
“Most people do,” Zevran said. “All I can do is be there for her and fight alongside her. It’s the only way I can stay sane knowing that she’s purposely putting herself in danger. It’s all I can suggest to you.”
“Yeah,” Dorian said. “It’s always hardest when he goes off on his own or with another group.”
“It’s the not knowing what’s happening,” Zevran agreed. “One time, back during the blight, she left with a few others and didn’t return for over two months. She’s gotten stranded in Orzammar fighting a championship tournament and crowning a king.”
“How did you manage that long?” Dorian asked.
“Not well,” Zevran said. “I took a few side jobs and had to keep having Morrigan stop me from running off to find her. Eventually she was able to send a messenger out to our camp and let us know what had happened.”
“I’ve been crafting a type of communication crystal,” Dorian said quietly. “For when we have to be parted.”
“Have you? I don’t imagine he’d keep you behind often. A powerful, handsome mage like you?” Zevran asked.
Dorian laughed. “Not often. Occasionally having a Tevinter mage in your midst causes more problems for him.”
“But he loves the Tevinter mage,” Zevran said.
“Doesn’t mean everyone else does,” Dorian said with a sad smile.
“I think that crystal idea sounds very smart,” Zevran said, trying to cheer the man back up. “And that would work wonders for when you’re separated.”
“I hope so,” Dorian said. “You think we should stop them?”
Zevran glanced back to where Cassian and Freya were comparing scars now. “I think we should let them be a while yet, yes? They seem happy.”
“As happy as two people trying to best the other with their tales of heroism and bravado could be, I suppose,” Dorian said.
“As people who love them, we should let them enjoy their fun,” Zevran said.
Dorian reached into his bag to pull out a small jar of something. “Perhaps we could have a little fun of our own as they finish their contest.”
Zevran laughed as he watched Dorian pour half the contents into his cup before pouring the rest into Zevran’s. “Wine?”
“Tevinter wine,” Dorian said.
Zevran held his cup up to toast. “To the brave souls that we’ve chosen to love.”
“Despite the constant state of terror they put us in,” Dorian finished.
