Ruaidhri (Rohr-ree) Lavellan brings his paramour, Dorian, to meet Clan Lavellan in Wycome before they do to Tevinter. Meant to do a whole clan piece but I got wrapped up in Diranni Lavellan being a good mom.
“You’re doing the names again,” Dorian replied, but he didn’t take his hand away, Ruaidhri chuckled softly.
“I am. I treasure you, deeply, if I can convey that with a name here and there I’d like to do so,” He squeezed Dorian’s hand a little, “Really, you don’t need to be nervous. You said you wanted to come with me awhile before your return to Tevinter, is it any surprise that I wanted to see my clan?”
“I’m beginning to think it was a foolish idea,” He grumbled, “Kaffas, I’m a Tevinter mage! I’m a Tevinter Magister of all things and you want to waltz me into a dalish clan like it’s going to be tea and cakes!”
“Technically you aren’t a magister yet,” Ruaidhri smiled, gently nudging him, “Trust me, Dorian, Clan Lavellan will welcome you with open arms.”
“Not too open, I hope. Honestly, you hug me enough for twenty.”
“Clan Lavellan is, unfortunately, very fond of hugging,” Ruaidhri grinned at the other man’s exasperated groan. “Everything will be fine, Dorian.”
“Do I have to tell you how many times you’ve said that before something horrible happens?” Dorian shot back, turning to indicated the intricate prosthetic that was his new right arm, “Let’s say, that for instance!”
Ruaidhri flexed the arm, ears flicking as he picked up the soft sounds of gears whirring perfectly, “Everything is as fine as it can be now, Dorian. We can worry about everything else after this little getaway of ours.”
“A ‘getaway’ implies something fun, relaxing,” Dorian huffed, “Meeting your family hardly applies.”
“Keeper Deshanna is eager to meet you, Dorian,” Ruaidhri took his hands again, ears pricking forwards, “So are my parents. I’m told my siblings have gone out for a few weeks so you may not get to meet them. You aren’t going to surprise them by being Tevinter, or by being a mage and they certainly aren’t going to disapprove of you and me.”
“I have told you that I hate you, yes?”
Ruaidhri laughed, taking Dorian’s arm and leading him down the side street, “You have, ma vhenan, also that I’m terribly dull, and that I have no talent for improvisation.”
“Alright but the last one’s actually true. It’s a miracle you can make it through a single day without three different plans.”
“I like things to run smoothly, most of the time,” Ruaidhri chuckled, turning a corner to a rather large house, “I’m told this is the house gifted to Clan Lavellan. They don’t use it except for meetings, I asked them to meet us here instead of outside Wycome, I know you’re not fond of halla, or camping.”
When Dorian didn’t say anything Ruaidhri turned, gently squeezing his hand. The man looked tense, a firm set in his jaw Ruaidhri had long learned to identify as fear, rather than anger. He gently turned Dorian’s head to face him, a thumb grazing his cheekbone.
“It’s alright, Dorian. I know that family isn’t... Easy for you,” He paused, ears flicking a little, “My family, my clan, is perfectly willing to accept you as you are, with me.”
Dorian was still quiet, but his jaw seemed to relax a little before he pulled back, seeming to put himself back together, “Well, we shouldn’t keep them waiting then, should we?”
Ruaidhri smiled and turned, opening the door. They were immediately greeted by joyful shouts, voiced by the dozen elves crowding the entryway.
“Ruaidhri!”
“It’s been too long! What’s that on your arm-?”
“-grew your hair out!”
An older, almost portly elven woman angrily shoved her way through the throng, “Out of the way! Move before I cut off your toes!”
Ruaidhri let go of Dorian’s hand to hug her, “Mamae,” he hugged her tightly before stepping back to take Dorian’s hand, “This is Dorian-”
“I guessed that da’len,” She huffed before she turned to Dorian with a warm smile, “Aneth ara, Dorian Pavus, I’ve heard so much about you.”
“Well, I’m not surprised, he does like to go on, Diranni, I presume?” Dorian gave her a nervous smile that warmed a little when she clasped one of his hands in her two with a chuckle.
“Yes! The unfortunate woman who taught Ruaidhri to use a spoon. He’s always liked the sound of his own voice,” She grinned, even as Ruaidhri flicked his ears,
“Mamae..”
“Come! We can't have you standing in the door all night.” Diranni took both of their arms in hers, proudly escorting them into a parlor, “Mahanon and Adahla were left in the camp to help tend the halla, and your Papae is with the Keeper, they’ll arrive later tonight. We have plenty of time to talk.”
“I’m starting to think this trip was an excellent idea,” Dorian grinned, leaning down to Diranni, “Has he always snored so terribly?”
“Oh Creators, yes! There were some nights he’d keep us up for hours,”
“Mamae, I’m sure that Dorian doesn’t-”
“Nonsense! I’d love to hear about your childhood, in painful detail,” Dorian’s eyes glittered with mischief, Ruaidhri groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose.
Diranni giggled, gesturing for them to sit on one of the couches, “Ruaidhri has always been a handful, sticking his nose where it doesn’t belong.”
“As I recall, that’s how he landed in the Inquisition in the first place,” Dorian smiled, his hand resting comfortably on Ruaidhri’s knee.
“Of course it was,” Diranni chuckled, taking a drink from a skin before passing it to Dorian, “As much as it has cost you, da’len, your Inquisition did a lot of good for the People.”
“Halam'shivanas,” Ruaidhri replied, taking a drink of the offered skin, wine, he wasn’t sure what the vintage was, only that it was red when she gave him a quizzical look, he added: “The sweet sacrifice of duty.”
“You’ve learned much these last years, da’len,” She observed, accepting the wineskin again, “Deshanna will want to hear about this temple you found in the south.”
“I will talk to her about it at length, Mamae, for now, let us not. Allow me the pleasure of just being your son for a while,” He smiled, gently taking Dorian’s hand, “Your son who’s brought his vhenan.”
Ruaidhri laughed loudly as Dorian spluttered and nearly choked on his wine. Diranni laughed too, a hoarse sound that felt like home.
“It’s rude to make a guest blush like that, Ruaidhri,” Diranni admonished, handing Dorian a handkerchief, “There you are, lethallin,”
Dorian coughed, dabbing at his mouth with the handkerchief, “Thank you, I- what did you call me?”
“It’s a word we use to refer to those who are dear to us, like close friends and clansmen,” She smiled warmly and patted Ruaidhri’s knee, “My son says he loves you, a human, a Tevinter... What did you call it before, da’len?”
“Altus, but he is going to be a magister soon, Mamae.”
“Well, it’s no matter either way. My son loves you, that’s good enough for us. Should you have the need you’ll have a home and a family with us.” She paused, pointing a finger at Dorian’s nose, “Though the children may ask you about that.”
“I..” Dorian fell silent, Ruaidhri leaned over and wrapped an arm around his shoulders, “Thank you.”
“Like I said, my son loves you, you’re welcome,” Diranni took a swig from the wineskin before offering it to Dorian, “You look like you might need more of this.”
“Your mother is a wise woman,” Dorian smiled, seeming to ease back into his usual self as he took it from her, “It’s hard to imagine how none of it made its way to you.”
Diranni almost cackled at Ruaidhri’s sudden blush, his ears flicking irritably, “I didn’t bring you to meet my family for you tease me, Dorian.”
“Nonsense, da’len! You knew this is exactly what would happen,” Diranni snickered, reaching over to run her hand through his hair, “I haven’t even allowed the rest of the clan to tear into you yet.”
“I told you, I wanted to introduce everyone slowly, Mamae, for Dorian’s sake.”
“Oh please! You think I can’t handle watching you flounder around your cousins jabbing at you while I share wine with your mother? I should be offended that you think so little of my constitution, Amatus.” Dorian froze a moment before settling a little further onto the couch.
Ruaidhri smiled and planted a soft kiss on Dorian’s cheek. Dorian gently pushed him away.
“Stop that. Next thing you’ll be doing the hugging again.”
Diranni laughed again, waving a hand at Ruaidhri, “Come, da’len, stand for me,” when he did her eyes glinted with mischief, “Den’assan!”
Dorian only saw a glimpse of Ruaidhri’s eyes widening, with epiphany or fear, he wasn’t sure, before he was tackled by several younger elves if he had to guess they were between nine and twelve. Ruaidhri went down with a startled yelp that became laughter. Dorian smiled widely, jumping as he felt a rough hand on his own. Diranni. He met her eyes, the same color as Ruaidhri’s, sad and serious.
“Ruaidhri hasn’t told me much of your family, only that you are not close. If it would please you, Clan Lavellan could be another family for you,” She squeezed his hand gently before handing him the wineskin, “Have the rest. If you finish it before the Keeper and Athlen get back they’ll bring us a better one.”
He chuckled, taking a long drink before watching Ruaidhri wrestle with the children on the floor. He took another drink.
