for @rosella-writes and @dadrunkwriting
Potential spoiler warning for some DA4 / Veilgaurd content inspired by promotional materials.
Varric Tethras x Hawke (SFW, injury, hurt & comfort, pining), 290 words
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"These are new," Hawke whispers, fingers gently tracing their way over the scars that cross his brow, bisect his eyebrow, and- Varric is loathe to let his eyes fall closed as their finger trails lower. "You'll have to tell me about them later," Hawke says softly. Only if you let me find and trace all of yours, the dwarf thinks.
He doesn't know how much time has passed, how many times he's woken up since he thought he might be shutting his eyes for the last time, but Hawke has been there every time. It begs the question of when they're getting any rest themselves. Even so, Varric shudders as his eyes fall closed, not just from their touch, although, that might be enough, but for the way every time he closes them, he's afraid to open them again. Afraid to do so and find he's only dreamed them back into his life.
His chest gives a particularly painful throb as the dwarf realizes he's forgetting to breathe. Hawke's free hand finds its way to rest where his shirt gapes even more than usual to accommodate the bandages, palm flattening just above his heart, and Varric isn't altogether sure whether this is to remind him to fucking breathe or to reassure themselves that his heart is still beating. The fingers of Hawke's left hand continue their exploration of his changed face, until coming to rest on his stubbled jaw, and Hawke's thumb caresses his cheek, admiring his beard again.
Varric's eyes are watery as he forces them open once more and Hawke is still there, though if anyone asks, he'll claim it's the dust. Really, for this being Chuckles base of operations, Solas could have done more maintaining the place.
Since I don't have any own content for @dapolyshipping week this time around I wanted to do a fic rec. These are the wonderful gifts I received for @arlathanxchange, both with poly content! I'm so lucky!
Thank you again for gifting me these! ♥
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
Written by: @wickedwitchofthewilds
Rating: Explicit
Relationship: The Iron Bull/Cullen Rutherford/Solas
Summary: Cullen finds Iron Bull and Solas waiting in his room…playing chess?
A delightful short fic gleaning the beginning of (what I hope is) a building (and absolutely steamy) relationship.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
Written by: @rosella-writes
Rating: Explicit
Relationship: The Iron Bull/Dorian Pavus/Solas
Summary: Solas shoots him another look over his shoulder. His eyes are bright under furrowed brows. “Do not assume I cannot see this ploy for what it is. Perhaps I want to remain upset with Dorian. Did you consider that, oh benevolent peacekeeper?”
Iron Bull shrugs. “Or you could fuck about it and stay mad. Makes no difference to me.”
Snarky mages, sub!Bull, feelings™, and hot smut. What more can you ask for?
It's like they both knew that I have been craving more Solas/Bull content in particular.
A raven, perched in a third-story windowsill, near the southeast corner of the castle. Dark against the interior that still bore some trace of light. Intermittently, the bird would tap its beak against the window, then make a low, throaty croak.
Tobias Mercar x Emmrich Volkarin **VEILGUARD SPOILERS!!**
(SFW, Established relationship, angst, grief & loss, CW: temporary character death, discussion of death), 662 words
"Emmrich," Tobias whispers, a pained look in their normally wide, bright eyes as they meet his, shaking their head. "Emmrich, you can't- you can't ask me how I feel about this, what you should do- This is your life's work-" This is your safety, your comfort, Tobias thinks, heart clenching in his chest with worry, with sympathy for this man he loves so much, who every day works to ease and comfort the dead, while living in terror of it for himself. " I can't- I can't help you make this decision. It would be unfair of me to," the elf says, even as their heart feels as though it's breaking for him, for the impossible choice that he's faced with.
"It is," Emmrich acknowledges softly, looking torn as his gaze alternates between Manfred's body on the table and Tobias. "But... I would reconsider- becoming a Lich- if you asked me to." Tobias shakes their head again, heart breaking as they stare at him.
"That's exactly why I cannot ask you. Why you can't ask me what to do here," the elf replies. "I love you too much to be that selfish with you. And- I couldn't bear it if one day you woke up and regretted what you gave up." Emmrich's frown and worry lines on his brow deepen.
Their words are sincere. Noble, even. He should be so lucky to be loved like this, he was beginning to think such a thing might never happen to him. He certainly didn't expect to find such deep and enduring love like this here. And yet, the words, their extraordinary understanding, patience, and kindness only make the decision that much harder.
Tobias's hand gently covers his own. "I will always love, support, and be with you," the elf promises gently, "Every day I have to give is yours, Emmrich. No matter what you choose. But it must be your choice. Not mine."
"I-" Emmrich hesitates looking pained, "Manfred laid down his life without a second thought to help, to save us. I should honor that sacrifice. To remember him and his legacy should be enough. But I- I wasn't ready to let him go. And if anything ever happened to you-" Emmrich shakes his head. "Tobias," Emmrich whispers, looking pained. "When I said you would undoubtedly outlive me... it- it was a moment of weakness. A moment I forgot the possibility of Lichdom. It was because I could not bear the thought of the alternative," Emmrich admits, unable to hold the elf's gaze with these words. "We're facing down a god. We can't possibly know what will happen. Tomorrow is not promised to any of us."
"I don't want to stand at the edge of time, or the fringes of whatever comes after remembering you," Emmrich whispers, voice trembling, shaking his head. "I don't want to leave you alone. I don't want to be alone. I- I want to go with you," the necromancer confesses. "To be with you. Always," Emmrich nods, clasping the elf's hand in his own and lacing their fingers together. Tobias's heart clenches in their chest, unable to help but to worry that Emmrich might one day regret this, but forces themselves to trust him, that he knows his mind and what he wants, both now, and for his future. As relief washes over them, they tip their head sideways to rest against Emmrich's shoulder. Knowing how aware he is, how much Emmrich fears his own mortality, that he would choose to embrace it to offer Tobias the same gift the elf is giving him is dizzying. "I want to live. With you. With all that that means," Emmrich says, nuzzling his cheek against the top of the elf's head.
"And I want Manfred back," Emmrich says, turning back to the Lich that watches over them and their fallen friend. The Lich considers him for a moment, seemingly appraising whether or not the Senior Watcher is certain, before he nods.
