Fuck tumblr I had to redo this like eight times. But here's some fluffy goodness between tired, retired Wardens sharing their days in Antiva, avoiding the Breach. Shout out to @stumblingsbalderdash because it's Amarth and Daylen. Also, it has Amarth's gift to Daylen ;3
Enjoy!
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Amarth’s bare feet padded across the stone flooring, making his way outside onto the balcony. The warm Antivan afternoon surrounded him, causing goosebumps to prickle his skin. The elf rubbed his arms, trying to rid himself of the bumps, but stood no chance. He had to wait until he warmed up with the warm afternoon of Antiva. A smile appeared on his face as he joined his human lover at the balcony railing. Daylen was leaning against it, looking as though he was studying the city below. Amarth knew he wasn't; he was probably warming himself with the sun, listening to the bustle of the people down below. The elf knew his lover couldn't see the people running a muck in the streets, but knew he liked listening to them. Amarth walked up beside him, first placing an arm against Daylen’s bare arm. Since journeying to Antiva, the two have had to update their attire. Amarth wears loose, silken shirts, sometimes even showing his bare arms. He also wears loose and low hanging pants. It was comfortable. Daylen wore similar clothes, sometimes stealing Amarth’s clothes since Amarth bought pieces that were bigger than his size. But one a few, rare occasions, Daylen wouldn't wear a shirt. And Maker be blessed, Amarth savored those days. When Daylen relaxed, Amarth stepped within Daylen’s personal space. The elf leaned against the human, smiling when he wrapped an arm around Amarth’s waist. “You're cold,” Daylen said, pointing out the obvious. Amarth just smiled and closed his eyes, focusing on Daylen’s warm and solid form. “Mmmn… I know,” Amarth said. The elf hummed as Daylen pressed his nose to his hair, placing a kiss on Amarth’s head. “I was inside. It's much colder indoors.”
There was a moment of silence. Amarth took that moment to open his eyes, looking into the distance. He knew Daylen couldn't see, didn't know, but if he looked hard enough, he could see the faint tint of what was happening in the south. Something was wrong, something big. It wasn't a Blight, Amarth would know if it was. Soon he would have to be leaving Antiva to chase a promise so that he wouldn't hear the Blight again, but that would be in a few more years. But whatever was happening in the south, whatever had destroyed the Conclave and threw the Chantry and mages into a war, it wasn't Amarth’s problem to fix. No, his time to fix things was ten years ago. He was retired, living his remaining years in paradise with his lover. After a few minutes passed, Amarth stood straight. Daylen’s hand fell, allowing Amarth space to move. The elf turned his body fully towards Daylen, who was half turned towards Amarth. The elf smiled and ran his knuckles over Daylen’s cheek before brushing hair behind the human’s ear. There was about a million things Amarth wanted to tell him in that moment: how beautiful he was, how lucky he was to have Daylen, how he couldn't imagine a life without him. He wanted to tell Daylen he was so happy to be alive with him, that they both were able to survive their trials and to come back together. He wanted to say he loved him. But it wasn't the right time yet. “Something on your mind, Amarth?” Daylen asked, leaning into Amarth’s gentle touch. Amarth smiled at the reaction. He was so sweet.
“I actually got you a gift,” Amarth said. “I know you won't be able to see it, but I can tell you what it looks like.” “What is it?” Daylen asked, now fully turned to Amarth. The elf dug into his pocket and pulled out a tired cloth. Slowly, he untied the string and opened the cloth in his palm, picking up the metal with his fingers. Amarth then took Daylen’s left hand, kissing his knuckles before he slipped a silver ban onto his ring finger. Daylen made a face, looking like he couldn't name something he was smelling. Amarth huffed out a laugh. “It's silver, clean and I can see my reflection in it. There's two stones; a green one and a purple one. I was told the green one was an emerald and the purple one was an amethyst. Around the ban is elvish.” Amarth paused a moment. “I had to ask for the translation, but it says arlath’ma, ara’len. It's supposed to mean I love you, my husband, but I'm not very good with elvish to know if it's right. It sounds right.” Amarth held Daylen’s ringed hand, watching his face. He watched as his features showed confusion then his cheeks turning red. The man blinked, looking down at his hand and then to where Amarth’s face was. Then again down at his hand. “Amarth?” Daylen asked. A simple hm? was all that Amarth gave; an acknowledgement. “Amarth, is this…” Daylen stuttered, trying to piece together his thoughts. Amarth hadn't seen him flustered since the first time the elf kissed the human. “Are you proposing?” Daylen finally managed. Amarth couldn't help his smile or the heat rising in his cheeks. “More like a promise,” Amarth said. “We’re already together, but I wanted a visible symbol of our commitment to each other. This is just my way of saying I'll be with you until the day the Maker takes me back to his side.” There was a pause. “It's a symbol of my love for you.”
Amarth felt like a lovesick teenager as he professed to Daylen. To be honest, he had been meaning to give the ring to the other for a month now but hadn't found the right moment. Now wasn't exactly how he imagined it, but it was better than never. And to see how surprised and flustered Daylen was, it was more than perfect now. The human was smiling before hugging Amarth, pulling away only to pull the elf into a kiss. Amarth kissed his lover in earnest, holding Daylen’s face in his hands gently. Amarth was straining on his tiptoes and had to break their kiss so that he didn't fall. He looked at Daylen, smiling. The human was smiling back at him. Amarth couldn't help the swelling, warm feeling in his chest. Finally, things were working out for him. No more pain, no more misery. He was no longer chained, bond to a lifestyle that drained him of who he was. He was free to be who he wanted, be with the man he wanted. He was himself. “I love you Daylen,” Amarth said, fully and honestly. He would scream it so the Maker could hear him if Daylen asked him to. He wasn't ashamed to say the words anymore, no longer afraid that those three words would hurt his lover. “And I love you, Amarth,” Daylen said. “Always."