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#dragon age headcanons
cryptid-jack · 1 year
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@zevsurana shared a fucking fantastic headcanon that apostate mages (or mages otherwise caught unawares without a staff) probably get their hands seriously fucked up when forced to work magic without a staff to channel it and i love it so much. In the circles one of the red flags of a mage practicing un-sanctioned magic is the sudden appearance of new scars and burns on the hands, or even numbness that radiates up the arms.
It's one reason why apostates are more likely to turn to blood magic─ you can choose were to cut yourself for the working, after all.
I also think wands would be a big part of apostate culture. They won't be enough to protect you when working particularly large or involved spells that requires a lot of power up front (and, in fact, might literally explode in the trying), though. For spells where the mage has time for slower, more involved casting, or that simply require less power, however, they work a treat, and can be tucked discreetly up a sleeve, unlike a staff. There's a whole black market for wands and a really good one can be the difference between not only freedom or imprisonment, but life and death for an apostate. Of course, learning to make your own is an important survival skill, but certain materials and ways of joining them are closely kept secrets fellow apostates might not necessarily be willing to teach, but they might sell the wand itself if they've the need for coin.
All that to say, I now headcanon Anders as having badly burned hands from all the times he's had to work magic without a staff or a wand. Fortunately, as a healer he's been able to mitigate a lot of damage but even he can only do so much. He's just lucky he's good enough to have kept all the sensation in his palms despite the many layers of burns he has garnered over the years.
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immawraffle · 2 years
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Headcanons for the Origins Crew
Morrigan likes to fly ahead as a crow while the rest of the party walks; this is partly to scout, but mostly so she doesn’t have to deal with their nonsense
The first time Morrigan sets up camp away from the rest of the party, someone asks what she’ll do if a darkspawn sneaks up on her in the night and they’re all too far away to provide assistance. She replies, “if that happened, you’d all already be dead.”
Leliana sings campfire songs and tells great bedtime stories.
Leliana once made everyone flower crowns. Griffin (the mabari) wore it with pride but eventually ended up eating it, Sten secretly really liked his, Morrigan completely refused to wear one, and Shale mostly found it ironic.
The real reason they walk everywhere is because none of them know how to ride horses (except maybe Cousland).
Alistair was banned from cooking after one of his attempts literally gave everyone food poisoning. They are still unsure if this was on purpose or not.
Zevran is actually a really good cook. He constantly bemoans his inability to properly capture the essence of Antivan cuisine with their poor Ferelden rations.
Morrigan is also a good cook, but doesn’t want to play the housewife as designated cook. She doesn’t mind being on rotation though.
Wynne can cook, but only by following a cookbook.
Leliana is an average cook. Orlais may be known for incredibly fancy delicacies—of which she quite enjoys—but she isn’t usually the one to cook them, and never while on the road.
Wynne not only likes romance novels, she likes smutty romance novels, and reads them with a completely straight face.
One time, Alistair made the mistake of asking what she’s reading and she reads a paragraph outloud, causing his whole face to turn red. Zevran cackles and teases him about it for weeks. He never lives it down.
Wynne also enjoys opera.
Sten doesn’t know what opera is, but if he did, he’d enjoy it (this is mostly just for fun).
Zevran and the Warden had their first heart to heart in the Brecilian Forest (mainly bc that’s how it happened for me when I accidentally clicked on him while fighting werewolves and it triggered a conversation).
Alistair knows how to whittle.
One time, Shale finds a scarecrow on an abandoned farmstead and tries to take it with them to ward off the birds. It takes several hours of arguing to get her to leave it behind. (She keeps the straw hat).
Zevran either can’t pick locks bc a) that was Rinna’s job, not his, or b) Antiva uses different locking mechanism (borrowed this from overthinkingfeathers).
If you named the mabari “Barkspawn”, at least once someone has to have yelled his name at camp and caused everyone to think they were being attacked by actual darkspawn.
At least once, while the warden and their love interest are getting steamy in camp, Wynne leaned in and told them to “leave room for Andraste.”
Leliana is actually a big prankster, but she almost never gets caught.
Wynne is secretly a troll, but you never expect it bc she looks like a kindly little old granny.
At least once, two of the companions have had a fight and passive-aggressively used the warden as a go between à la “Warden, tell so-and-so that I said…” while standing right next to each other.
May add more to this as I think of it.
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sxrensxngwrites · 8 months
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Spirit Inquisitor Headcanons
This ask comes from an anonymous user who asks: "I was wondering if I could request the inner circle reaction towards finding out that their inquisitor is a spirit like Cole, like first meeting them and how'd they get along with them or how would they treat the Quizzy after finding out, maybe the inquisitor is a 'Hope' spirit since in lore it stated Hope and Faith are very rare spirits so maybe the Inquisitor was attracted to the real world due to the hope of both templar and mages in the conclave"
I absolutely ADORED this ask and had so much fun with it. I'm even entertained by the idea of an actual oneshot or fic... And for those of you that sent in other requests, I see them! Just getting to them slowly.
WARNINGS/TAGS: Inquisitor is referred to in the 3rd person with they/them pronouns as to keep it open for everyone, Hawke has a mention and uses she/her pronouns, There's a small mention on Anders and Justice/Vengence, most of this is sweet/fluffy in my opinion
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The Inquisitor wasn’t always a spirit. In the grand scheme of things, the change has been fairly new–at least compared to Cole.
They went to the Conclave to watch the discussions between the mages and the templars. Unlike many others, they were hopeful for new beginnings and opportunities that would occur as a result. However, after the Conclave exploded, they were one of the many to be caught by the wreckage.
The Fade was already very thin at the site of the explosion, due to the nature of its cause. So, it’s not unreasonable for spirits to pass through. It’s not long before a spirit of Hope finds its way through one of the many rifts, it hopeful of the same thing that the Inquisitor wanted. Having similar wants, the spirit of Hope merges with the body of the would-be Inquisitor.
When they awake, they have no recollection of who they were before—only filled with a strange sense of levity despite the awful situation they’re in. They’re a bit uncoordinated, almost like a large child that isn’t quite sure what they’re supposed to do just yet. However, after the journey to the Breach alongside Cassandra, they become more in tune with the skills of who they used to be. 
In the beginning everyone is very quick to dismiss the strange behavior of the Inquisitor, chalking it up to them being shaken up from the Breach or some sort of residual magic left within them. However, as time goes on and they don’t seem to be recovering any memories, suspicions begin to arise. However, they’re such a sweet and optimistic soul, dedicated to leading the cause, that no one can stay put-off by them.
When Cole appears, there’s an immediate connection. The two are so similar it’s almost eerie. Neither seems to know exactly what they are, but they know that they are like each other. Hope and Compassion easily find a place alongside each other, and this uncanny similarity is what begins to raise Cassandra’s red flags—that it’s not just amnesia or a strange personality trait of the Inquisitor’s.
At Skyhold, the implications become far more severe. When the Inquisitor’s family writes letters and sends for them, they simply tell Josephine that they’re not quite sure who those people are or what they want. Their mother only says that the Inquisitor has the face and name of their child, but there’s a strange absence of everything else. 
It’s Hawke who points it out to Varric. From the moment she meets the Inquisitor she can identify what’s wrong. At first she could never tell when Anders was truly Anders or when Justice and Vengeance had seeped into his mind, but by this point it’s burned enough into her mind that she can see it in the Inquisitor. Of course, it’s different here: whoever the Inquisitor was before, they’re very much dead—Hope now piloting the body. Hawke is relieved that they’re not fighting over control on the inside; that has been Anders’ demise after all. Varric doesn’t want to admit the similarities, too afraid to face the same situation again.
When it becomes clear that the Inquisitor is dead and they’re actually a spirit of hope, reactions are mixed among the Inner Circle. 
Cassandra is very off-put initially. The concept scares her a great deal, but she eventually comes to terms with it. After all, she had begun to respect the Inquisitor for their devotion to the future. That respect couldn’t disappear at the mention of a spirit. The same could be said of Blackwall. Leliana and Josephine are also puzzled, but I think they’re both more open to it than Cassandra.
Cullen is admittedly very afraid. He’s still apprehensive of anything spirit-related since that night at the Circle Tower. However, he is won over by seeing the caring nature of the Inquisitor—and their hope for him on his journey to wellness.
Vivienne reacts very similarly to how she reacts to Cole. She’s ready to pull her support of the Inquisition immediately, but there is something about the Inquisitor that’s very endearing to her. I think their devotion to help her, even after she treated them so rudely, was enough to get her to stay.
The Inquisitor being a spirit makes no difference to Sera, Dorian, or The Iron Bull. They’ve certainly seen or heard of stranger things.
The relationship the Inquisitor has with Solas is very deep and profound. He seems to understand what’s happened almost immediately, and encourages the Inquisitor to touch into their spirit-side. Of course, he educates them on their origins and the Fade. They even journey there together many times.
Varric is still haunted by the image of Anders, so he’s hesitant to fall back into their friendship. However, after some encouragement from Hawke, he does his best to continue interacting with the Inquisitor again. It’s then that Varric realizes that he never knew who came before, but he does very much know he’s talking to in that moment—his friend, the Inquisitor.
And of course, Cole and the Inquisitor are virtually inseparable. They share such a strange coincidence, that it’s only natural they get along so well. They each understand the other and their own personal confusions, providing support for the other as they battle with the question of Who am I? 
It takes a while for everyone to get used to saying it out loud: that whoever the Inquisitor used to be was actually dead a long time ago and that they had been inhabited by a spirit for as long as they had known them. But after they say it out loud, they realize it doesn’t make too much of a difference. Just as Varric realizes, everyone else does too; Their friend isn’t the body, but the Hope inhabiting it.
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bigfan-fanfic · 11 months
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A Stolen Kiss (Male!Reader x Cullen Rutherford)
Can I request a fic where Cullen mets the reader when he was in the circle tower and they kinda live this forbidden love, sneaking back to kiss, but during the blight, the reader escapes the tower and they just meet again during the Inquisition. Cullen, however, is kinda embarrassed to talk with him again because of how he treated mages in Kirkwall but they eventually date again, please?
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He tastes like mint.
He just likes to be fresh when you get to kiss, so he makes a habit of chewing on the mint leaves he can pilfer from the greenhouse rooms where the mages practice their plant magic.
There's an alcove where the patrols rarely go. It's hard not to feel like it's a betrayal when you take him there, but it's love, in this dark tower, it's a blindingly bright light in a life where you have none, so how can you resist?
Everything has been taken from you. Family, life, freedom. So when Cullen lets you take the lead, when his lips part at the slightest prompting from your tongue or teeth worrying his lip, it almost feels like the Maker giving you everything you missed out on.
You've never seen him without his armor, nor he you without your robes - there are whispers that the Templar recruits train shirtless outside the tower, but the windows start on an upper floor, and they don't let you see the sun. And yet there's something about it that makes this feel so intimate.
Your fingers tangle in his curly hair, and he moans when you tug it, just rough enough not to be considered gentle, but not rough enough to cause any pain.
"I love you" is said, because how can it not be? This is the only kind of love you'll ever get to have in this tower. A forbidden, clandestine love with a man who tastes of mint, who kisses you desperately, who cannot let himself lose control and gently bite you without uttering a prayer to the Maker and Lady.
But he finally finds a way, pulls you into a discreet broom closet and asks - more like begs, really - to touch you.
It's awkward and uncomfortable in there, but you get his armor off and marvel at him and his tanned skin and his muscles, and he gently removes your robes and what you two do cannot technically be called making love, because it's over too quickly, but you two hold each other close and it's even better, your lips finding his skin, your body protected and warm in his embrace.
He whispers "I love you" against your skin so many times you lose count...
but then, during the Blight, there's a chance. An opening as demons overtake the Circle, and you flee.
Even ten years of apostasy later, you still can remember that first time touching grass on the outside.
The Inquisition needs the help of mages. That's why you go. Not because it's pretty famously Cullen that's their armed force commander.
You accept that he's busy, but after a few weeks go by, it's pretty obvious that he's avoiding you.
So you go to find him.
He looks at you with a bit of... shame? Fear?
"Cullen... it's been a long time."
"I... you haven't changed a bit."
"Really? I feel like I have."
"You still light up a room the way you always have when you walk in."
He blushes after blurting that. Such an honest and eloquent response.
"You knew I was here."
"Yes, but... I wished to respect your distance."
"Distance?"
"I'm sure you... heard of what happened. In Kirkwall... and Kinloch. What I did. What I proposed to do."
"I did. But I also heard that you've... that the Inquisition was helping mages."
"Against my recommendation, I'm sorry to say."
"And you're still forthright to a fault, I see."
"I looked for you. At Kinloch. I thought you were dead."
"I'm sorry."
"I'm glad you did. My fear of magic... of mages. It's... I need to make an effort. To know mages. To understand that - that maleficarum and abominations are an exception and not the rule. That mages are just people. Just people trying to survive, like everyone else."
"Do you still dream of me, Cullen?"
"Yes." he breathes. "Often."
"Look, Cullen. It's been a while, I know. How about... we get to know each other. Outside of the Order. Outside of the Circle. Just us."
"I... would appreciate that chance. Though it may be short-lived, with our battle with Corypheus on the horizon."
"Then let's make the most of it."
"As always, you are right."
You whisper "I love you" as you leave, eager to start your second chance.
Unbeknownst to you, he whispers it at the exact same time.
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anneapocalypse · 1 year
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I feel like part of what moved Compassion so much about Cole was not just what he suffered, needlessly and undeservedly, but that he had no one left to mourn him. No one left to care, to miss him, to be furious on his behalf.
Spirits take on mortal form to carry out a purpose. Because Compassion took on the form of the real Cole, people heard his story. People got to hear that Cole was a person, and that he mattered.
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pisscrossiant · 6 days
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Part FOUR of my Dragon Age Origins headcanons because It's my current hyperfixation 😋
Going strong with a part four 🙏🏻
//Warning slight NSFW themes
Shale and Wynne are married #oldladyyuri
Shale watches Wynne sleep to protect her
Wynne reads to Shale
Wynne and Shale are the younger party members adopted lesbian moms.
Wynne bake cookies for everyone.
Leliana teases Wynne about her relationship with Shale as before Wynne showed a sort of bitterness towards love.
"I thought you didn't think love was important? And now your married. How the turn tables." - Leliana
Zevran gets pegged
Morrigan doesn't like physical touch but she makes an acception for the Warden, she'll let them hug her when they need a hug, while it's awkward at first as she's never been hugged before she gets used to it.
Morrigan likes putting spiders in Alistairs pack, she'll do this with the other party members if she's mad at them though. She always does it to Alistair however.
The reason Wynne actually reconsiders the wardens relationship with their love interest(s) is because she fell in love with Shale and she realizes love is worth it (I'm pushing my Wynne x Shale agenda.)
Leliana loves to hug and hold hands with the other party members, while it can get annoying they don't tell her that and just let her hug them when she wants.
Alistair has a thing for old people
Zevran constantly puts snow down the party members shirts, he's gotten turned into a frog several times because he would put snow down Morrigan's shirt. Safe to say he doesn't do that to her anymore.
After Origins Sten actively writes to the warden, he updates them on how his life is 24/7
Oghren has gotten so drunk he's walked out of his tent in his underwear (or just completely naked😭)
Zevran pierced Alistair's ear while he was asleep,
Alistair slept through it too.
He just woke up and he had a earring
Leliana ties bows around Alistair's armor while he sleeps
He keeps the bows on too he says "it makes him feel pretty"
None of the party members have seen Sten sleep, you could stay up all night every night for a week and never once see him asleep.
This one's shorter then the others but I'm running out of ideas so they're gonna keep getting shorter 😭
This will probably be the last part for A WHILE
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ceo-of-sloppy-men · 1 year
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Dorian, bull, and Cullen headcanons for their lover being the archon of THEIR OWN imperium somewhere past the seas?? They’re helping the inquisition to stop the rifts from travelling further, and their magic and regality for being an archon is clear as day
Dorian
he knows a fair bit about Archons and Imperiums, so he does his best to help out
he becomes your right hand
he'd gotten in contact with you to help him reshape the Tevinter Imperium post-inquistion
as you worked together for a while the two of you started bonding over wine and complaining about reformation projects
eventually he started staying over every few nights, falling asleep on your couch or in your bed
neither of you knows when it truly "started" but neither of you is willing to end it
you find comfort and solace in each other, with a mutual understanding of each others struggles
The Iron Bull
he's your spymaster. Its extremely helpful to thwart assassination attempts, and to know what is going on in your Imperium
you had hired him before the inquisition after he'd attempted to assassinate one of your cooks and used your chambers on accident as an escape route
a giant Qunari sneaking in your room had been a fright, but he had managed to get past all your guards
over the course of several jobs the two of you had grown strangely close, until he'd left your imperium for another contract once yours was up
when you heard he had taken a job with the inquisition, you got in contact with them in hopes of seeing him again
the two of you slowly rekindled your flame, although you only saw each other between his various contracts and when he crossed through your Imperium
Bull is a man who lives better on the road, although he'll stay in a warm bed for a few months every once and while
his constant wandering is very helpful to learn the world's secrets
Cullen
you originally met when the inquisiton sent an ambassador to your land; Cullen had gone with Josephine to keep her safe
over the two weeks he had stayed, the two of you stumbled into love. He knew a fair amount about stress and as you were a recent archon you were under a lot of stress
when he has to leave the two of you send letters and meet when you can - which is very infrequently
after the inquisition splits up, he moves to be by your side always
he's your rock. your most trusted guard. the commander of your best guards
he takes an oath to keep you safe, even if its at the cost of his own life
I could see him dying to save you, especially if it helped the inquisiton
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trash-town-champion · 8 months
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What drinks da2 characters order
In absolute fuck it we ball energy, I am replaying da2 here is a post for any of u who are still here from when I made this blog in high school
Yes this is modern / our world i dont care
Hawke: coronas. No, coors lite. Idk the beeriest college beer there is. Hawke is a ferelden farm boy this dude doesn’t even do mixed drinks he buys 6 packs only. Catch hawke in the club with one of those pitchers of beer thats like 64oz. If he must, whiskey soda(cola), and his go to shots are jameson
Varric: old fashioned is his go to, gin and tonic if he’s slowing down, and guinness if he’s really taking it easy, he doesnt really do shots
Fenris: he’s from tropical tevinter so must be tequila and mezcal, he usually does traditional tequila shots with salt and lime, but he’ll take a traditional margarita, salt rims on everything, he also likes tajin and will do mango if it’s spicy. Wine is a whole other ball of wax but he doesn’t really fuck with anything white or rosè he’d drinks cabs
Isabela: she’s a pirate so she likes rum, rum&coke is her go to, but she’ll do piña coladas, daiquiris, mai tais, and corny stuff like jello shots, blowjob shots, isabela only really likes shots if they’re this big communal event you make everyone do, she doesn’t do shots on her own, she’s the queen of mixed drinks and is low maintenance, if no rum she goes to vodka cran
Anders: white claw queen, trulys, high noons, go to mixed drink is long island iced tea, maybe screwdriver, but he will send things back if they’re not sweet enough and makes a terrible sour face every time he does a shot. This does NOT mean he does not do shots. He just has no preference bc he has no taste for liquor. He will order those ice blended drinks that are gross fake sugary, he drinks artificial shit like green apple flavored vodka, he brings malibu to every house party
Carver: he’s cut from the same cloth as hawke so he also drinks 6 packs. they order gallons of beer at a time and split them often, he’s always sipping mini fireballs out of his pocket as if he’s not surrounded by alcoholics, and he orders hennesy shots flat with no special flair
Bethany: cosmo, lemon drop, sex on the beach, sangria, she rejects beer because of her brothers, but she’ll do whiskey shots with them. she also likes ceremonious shot rounds like isabela
Aveline: ok so she’s obviously not down at the bar getting fucked up with everyone else, she mostly drinks beer and wine, she likes ipa’s and can get surprisingly sophisticated about beer, she doesn’t feel she has the refined palette of good wine choice (but she’d probably pass up many others) if she must order a mixed drink she’ll have whatever her friend is having, and if they’re doing shots she takes them like a pro
Merrill: oh boy this one’s hard. I think they just feed her drinks until she likes one and the ones she picks are so random to them they can’t follow the pattern. In reality, she has a preference for an herbal taste where she’ll like anything that tastes like she’s eating the forest or a garden, gin because it’s piney, garnishes with sage or basil or rosemary but she always eats the garnishes out of her drink whole, and she also likes to chew on the ice afterward. She’s a huge lightweight and gets drunk after two drinks but she really doesn’t mind the taste of them bc she would eat grass so she slurps down many a hard drink and then shes wasted
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heniareth · 3 months
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I am having thoughts.
I'm not sure what the laws on hunting are in Ferelden, but I'm inclined to headcanon that under Orlesian rule, it was forbidden for non-nobles to hunt. In medieval Europe iirc, the right to hunt large game belonged to those who owned the land, which was the nobility. Ferelden however seems to work differently in that freemen, for example, are free to switch alliegances to a different bann if they don't like their current bann. So it kinda fits the theme that Orlesian nobility would try to subvert the power dynamic by creating laws that restrict the freedoms of the Fereldan freeholders, and thus also of the lower class citizens.
How does this pertain to elves living in freeholds in Ferelden:
Small game was relatively free to be hunted by peasants as well (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poaching). I can imagine elves living in freeholds knowing how and where to set traps for such small game to supplement their family's diet. Whether the hunted game was shared with the freeholder's family on whose property they lived is another question, but I'm leaning towards no, not if they could help it. They probably didn't have the time to develop the skill necessary for hunting with a bow and arrow, or hunting larger game more difficult to conceal. But I'm pretty sure the elves living in Fereldan's freeholds know how to set traps for small
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I'm replaying the Dragon Age series so I have a good world state for Dreadwolf, and I just came to a realization.
So in Origins, Awakening, and Witch Hunt, they reveal how House Cadash housed the elves, which led to Kal Sharock decimating their Thaig to not piss off Tevinter. Whatever survivors were left were exiled to the surface much later when they started questioning about the existence of Shale, their ancestor that was turned into a Golem(and the only Golem that regained free will).
Now, we also know that canonically speaking(even though it annoys me), the elf-blooded we know of in this series will by and all appearances look exactly like their non-Elven race, and all differences are related to the spirit and their relation to the Fade. (Who knows, maybe that's why Alistair can still use Templar abilities without lyrium while other Templars can't?)
What if the reason why our Cadash in Inquisition can dream and have that sequence with Solas, and perhaps a reason why they were able to wield the anchor for so long is that what remains of House Cadash are the only elf-blooded dwarves in Thedas? I mean, besides Sandal(which is also still a theory but you can rip thar from my cold, dead hands). Maybe they're not able to cast magic, but they can dream. They can more intimately feel where the lyrium veins are. They can sense when a place is riddled with angry spirits and demons and know to avoif it at all costs. They know to never mention it to anyone outside of the House Cadash, not even spouses, lest they be exiled and hunted by even the surface dwarves.
What do y'all think? Half-assed theory? Or maybe there's something there?
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greypetrel · 1 year
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Son of Hell long to the sky, Lift your spirit, set it free 🎶
I read one too many tag about Little Brother the Inquisitor's mighty (in presence, not in size) steed that I decided to quickly draw him a villain origin story.
He's also an over-achiever, because he also became the war horse for a noble Knight (Enchanter) Lady. Mama would be proud.
More lore about this chaotic neutral equine under the cut!
So, he was born in Orlais in the house of a random Comte. And they started to train him as a war horse, because his father was the prized stallion that brought the latest Comte into battle. Except, he had other ideas. He's too intelligent for his own sake, started challenging the trainer and be A PROBLEM. He was deemed not worthy to spend the energy of because he was not docile, and destined to working task.
e wasn't treated well by any means, until a certain elf saw him trying to bite of the pole of the carriage he was attached to. Bite the person who hit him. She fell instantly in love and used the money she was allotted by the Inquisition to buy him (refusing the perfectly tamed and prized hart a clan sent her because yes yes the hart is pretty but it was a gift out of fear and THAT HORSE HAS CHARACTER I LIKE HIM.
Training him was a long and tiring job, he had no trust left in people and his defense choice was FIGHT. He bit Aisling, bumped her on the ground, acted up, be impossible to deal with, be the nightmare of the stables, hinder her while cleaning his box and feeding him, once he scared her shitless by laying on his side and pretending to be dead (it turned out it's his favourite position for naps). She... Stayed there. Going from simply staying in the paddock with him and doing nothing to bother him, with apples if he wanted them. To slowly, SLOWLY, being accepted. She grew on him like moss. became his friend until he let her ride him and work with him.
Lavellan named him Isa'ma'lin, also known in Common as "Little Brother" because she can't be bothered explaining and correcting pronounciations every time.
Such a sanguine horse proved himself to be really valuable in battle: he's not scared by much of anything, he WILL attack enemies, made a name for himself in the Western Approach as "The horse who likes biting Venatori in the arse". Add a Dorian in a lot of discomfort around him because who knows if he can tell good from bad Tevinters (he can, but he also relish in him being scared).
If you ask Aisling, he's the "Best horsey in the whole wide world". Which is a highly unpopular opinion in Skyhold. New staff in the stables needs to pass a fire trial: if they stay after feeding him and act well when finding him in a "carcass mode nap", they're officially hired.
And as for yesterday's post: They both survived, Cullen is in Little Brother's good graces and he allows him to pet him (Cullen does some very good scritches, so he's friend). BUT, the horse is a prick with a bad sense of humour. If he sees you scared, HE WILL ACT UPON IT AND PRANK YOU. So. (he didn't buck, they both survived, Solas could return back to the rotunda taking away the first aid kit he brought with him)
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gold3nberry · 2 years
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Headcanon: Cussing
Dedicated to the very kind Anon who requested it!
I hope you (and all of you, nice folks!) like it. It was wonderful way to get reacquainted with my own Tumblr. 
As always, reblogs, comments, likes, are all treasured and appreciated!
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Cassandra: when she was a child, she used to do it a lot. A. Lot. Mostly for the chance to see her relatives shocked and appalled. She heard the guards in her uncle’s estate cussing here and there, when they were sure nobody was nearby. Therefore, if they were doing that, to be a warrior partly involved cussing, right? Growing up, she tones it down a great deal, realizing that cussing can actually weaken your voice during an argument or make you look undignified. This is something the Right Hand of the Divine simply can’t allow. She is not shocked to hear it, mind you, but she keeps the few ones she needs to bark out mostly for when she is not doing anything official near someone important. 
Blackwall: he has lived among soldiers. Cussing is part of a normal day as it is training in the sparring ring. Curiously, though, he doesn't like cussing unless it just escapes his mouth out of exasperation. He blames having been in contact with Orlesians too much, but he prefers a well thrown insult to an actual curse. When he acted as a Grey Warden, he tried even harder to refrain himself, wanted to appear a dignified and rightful guidance. When he lets one slip, though, it is a big one!
Dorian: he has a potty mouth, simply put. Oh, sure he tries to correct it a lot, and generally he succeeds in selecting a more refined language. Surely, he doesn’t cuss near Madame de Fer - no way in the Void he is letting anyone Orlesian think they are more refined than he is. However, he cusses in the bedroom. In the heat of passion or during a role-playing he lets go of everything that blocks him, and just... curses. When he is angry, the best curses to spit out at his enemies are in Tevene, and he switched to it almost unconsciously. 
Varric: he is a writer. A master of words. Simply put, cursing is boring. Cussing can be fun during a heated moment, but it lacks the mastery of language he so much loves. Cussing is too easy. A quick, sly, possibly brutal reply is a true testament to a writer’s ability, or so he likes to think. He laughs if someone cusses out of frustration (and Hawke used to do it with every breath) and shrugs nonchalantly if someone tries to offend him with it. If Bartand’s insults didn’t bother him, nothing can. 
Solas: cussing is debasing, full stop. He will not lower himself engaging in such peasant activity. There are so many other methods you can pick to make your displeasure clear, that he simply cannot understand why someone should choose such trivial words. Even when he is angry, he can’t see the point of it. Especially when he’s angry, actually. Cursing while annoyed means not being able to make his point clear enough. An insult can't substitute an explanation, can it? 
Sera: cussing is one of the very few joys the Maker dropped on Thedas and by Andraste’s tits, she is going to take full advantage of it! She cusses as often as she breathes. Nobody can say if it’s because she is just so used to it that she can’t distinguish those words as curses anymore or because she simply doesn’t care. Probably a bit of both. She is particularly extravagant in the words she selects, so much that Varric actually starts to admire her efforts. 
The Iron Bull: the Qun disapproves of swearing because it means you have lost control over yourself. Secretly, though, he has always had a thing for swearing. It sounds fun and it actually is a good way to release stress! He likes to swear freely, but not around children.  He uses the curses both as an insult or as a compliment, depending on the audience. To his companions’ amusement, the happiest he is, the more he cusses. He wouldn’t curse while fighting a dragon, though. It would be too disrespectful! 
Cole: he tries it once for fun and makes Varric and The Iron Bull laugh. He does not do it again, though, because the words are heavy on his tongue, and they cut if told too often. He can see little bruises left on the souls and skin of the people being cussed at. Someone thinks to use it in a friendly way, but it’s dangerous. The outcome too uncertain. No, no, he doesn’t want to take the chance to hurt somebody. Better not saying it. 
Vivianne: she would choke on her own tongue than put on such a display of vulgarity. It’s not all snobbery, as most of the people around her think. Sure, cussing is actually something that servants and ... less noble people tend to indulge in. Even the Templars in her Circle frowned hearing their comrades’ curse, let alone Mages. Her true reason, though, is that in the Orlesian Court a few things are as much disapproved as cursing is. You curse and nobody asks you to go to their party, or accept a gift, or meet the people you need to meet. You are even slightly vulgar, and the Court dismisses you as quickly as a lighting running through the sky. Cursing is what can kill you in Orlais. And Vivienne is too clever not to know it. 
Advisors
Josephine: she is a proper lady, so she knows cussing is bad. She is also Antivan, with passionate Antivan blood in her veins, so she is not shocked when she hears it. Her good manners however are too ingrained on who she is to let her curse, even if she is distressed or angry. Only Leliana has heard her cursing once, through gritted teeth and pressing her knuckles to her lips. Josephine has made her sworn she won’t ever tell anyone, and she has sweetened the deal with the most exquisite pair of Antivan slippers the Spymaster has ever seen. 
Cullen: he curses. He tries not to curse at other people, but he does use some chosen words when he is upset and possibly alone. Or when he is happy and doesn’t know how to articulate his feelings. Fereldan Templars are way different than their Orlesian counterparts. Cursing is not a scandalous thing, it’s part of a normal day in a heavy armour. Now, he doesn’t want to curse too much, especially in front of ladies or children, and he does a wonderful job in restraining himself. During a battle, though? He literally curses his way through the enemies.
Leliana: she curses only thinking about her enemies - so, a lot, but only when she is alone. The Divine Justinia found that exhilarating, when she caught her Left Hand doing so, one day. Leliana doesn’t have any particular belief about cursing, outside the Orlesian court. It’s just another way for people to express themselves.
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immawraffle · 11 months
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Do you think the (surface) dwarven equivalent to “gods above” is “paragons below?”
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sxrensxngwrites · 8 months
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Cole With a Monotone/“Head-Empty” S/O
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request is from my beloved friend @nonpoppin , who asked: “Something something uh, something idk how to put it into words— maybe Cole with someone who's head is empty ™ like they're a thinking breathing person of course but they're like bella swan or something 💀”
I ended up following more of a monotone, RBF angle on accident. It still has some of that “head empty” stuff going on, but probably not as much as it should… so please forgive me. Either way, Cole can’t read them through spirit-powers.
TAGS/WARNINGS: S/O uses they/them pronouns to keep everything open, Cole centric, minor mentions of canon-typical injury and fighting, caring for wounds?
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When Cole first meets his SO, he has the hardest time figuring out what’s going on. Normally, when he looks at someone, he’s hit with a wave of every emotion and need—anger, fear, desperation, sadness. But when he looks at them, all he gets is…nothing.
It’s a calm cool wave over him. And since they are still very much alive, Cole gets a hint of something—even if he’s not sure what it is. (Perhaps it’s annoyance? Or hunger? Maybe confidence).
They’re so stoic and mellow, Cole isn’t sure how to proceed. Of course, nothing he does seems to bother them, which greatly contrasts with most of the Inner Circle. However, part of Cole wants there to be a reaction. That way, he knows he’s doing something rather than nothing at all.
Any sort of, well anything, is met with a blank face and a slow blink. Without waves of feelings and thoughts and memories, Cole can’t read them at all. But he’s determined to be able to have them feel something, just a little bit.
So Cole begins behaving more outlandishly—in ways that would normally elicit a reaction from the Inner Circle. He tags along on more pranks with Sera and leaves more surprises for them to find around Skyhold.
His biggest scheme yet involves injecting himself directly into the line of fire. He forgoes his normal route of clinging to the shadows of the fade and charges in headfirst into the fray. He takes down a few enemies, alongside the object of his affection, but not before he gets hurt.
At first Cole doesn’t realize that he’s been injured—he’s still not used to feeling pain. But the cut along his arm stains his tunic red, and he’s left staring at the wound after the fight.
They don’t waste any time moving to reach Cole once the last enemy has been taken down. There are no tears at all, but their face is more stern than normal. Brows furrow as they reach for Cole’s arm and pull back his sleeve.
“Why did you do that?”
Cole doesn’t know how to explain what he was doing, so he tells the truth.
“I wanted you to see me.”
As they pour some alcohol over the wound, Cole feels the burning sensation all over his arm—more than he had felt anything before. But the burning of the wound isn’t all he feels. Cole also picks up on a subtle warmth emanating from their mind in waves. There aren’t any memories or words, but Cole doesn’t need to hear those from their mind.
“I already see you. Why would you need to do anything differently?”
They messily dress Cole’s wound, not entirely sure how to do it properly. But they refuse to let anyone else do it. (Varric thinks it’s because they blame themself for Coke’s accident.)
After that, Cole tries his best to be himself—whatever that entails, he’s not sure. However, he doesn’t feel the need to overperform. Not when he knows that they cared all along, even if their face didn’t show it.
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bigfan-fanfic · 1 year
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Windows Through the Past (HOF!Reader x Cullen Rutherford)
Requested by @iliumheightnights for  Another fic request! Cullen reuniting with his long time crush the HOF. Now the hero is a super powerful mage capable of fighting entire armies himself and he's been invited to help the inquisition for a mission?
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"I believe the Commander is quite well-acquainted with this ally," Leliana smirks, still not revealing her plan, and Cullen has just about had enough of it.
She gives a giggle behind her hand once more before she states that she has invited the Hero of Ferelden himself to join the Inquisition's march on Suledin Keep.
Cullen is absolutely stunned.
And not all in anticipation of seeing the Hero again.
He had been stationed in Kinloch Hold, where the Hero had spent most of their years before the Fifth Blight took hold.
And had a quite awful experience with abominations as the Circle broke and demons ran rampant, capturing and tormenting him, using the image of the Hero himself to toy with his mind and heart.
He hadn't been kind, last he saw the Hero. And couldn't imagine that anything that Warden Amell may have heard would change that.
After all, he had acted with, shall we say, less than graceful manners at the uprising among the mages in the Gallows, and only when presented with the city's destruction did he take a stand against Meredith.
Cullen immediately resolves not to engage with the Hero. After all, he was trying to be more sensitive of the feelings of the mages serving in the Inquisition, and did not want to bring up any traumatic memories.
But then Leliana states (with an infuriatingly offhand tone) that Amell was actually quite looking forward to seeing Cullen, and now the poor man can't think at all.
It causes him no small amount of stress, puzzling over why Amell would wish to see him, and he comes to the conclusion that it's to enact justice for his crimes.
He can't even bring himself to argue this theoretical point, and resolves not to resist. He'll even alter the guard patrols to make sure Amell has a clear escape.
The Hero of Ferelden shall be his judge and executioner, a hand of the Maker given flesh.
Amell was rather stoic, last time he recalled seeing them. A side effect of the Harrowing, a temporary disorientation. But now, ten years later, the mage seemed... well, downright peppy.
Amell has decimated armies in fire, wiped out a darkspawn horde in a whirl of wind and ice, and summoned a rain of holy light, but now he - you - seem so... soft. Happy.
Cullen smiles despite himself. "You look well, Warden Commander."
"There's no need to be formal, Cullen. I've known you since your hair was still curly." you tease, and Cullen actually laughs.
"My apologies. We have not seen each other in so long, and our parting was... under unfortunate circumstances."
"I understand. I was glad to hear you were with the Inquisition."
"May I ask why?"
You tilt your head and sit. "Well... after Kinloch. I heard about you and Kirkwall. It wasn't great, what I heard."
Cullen nods. "It wasn't great living there, either."
"I feared you had lost your way, but seeing you here... working with mages once more - free mages at that! - I knew the man I once saw was still there."
"The man you once-"
"You weren't very subtle, Cullen. I know how you felt about me in Kinloch."
Cullen blushes. "My deepest apologies. I had never meant to-"
You raise a hand. "I liked you too, but... you were my jailer, Cullen, no matter how handsome and kind you were. I hoped, that after the Blight, you might come to see the truth."
He winces. "I fear I am not the man you seek yet. I... the Inquisitor asked me my view of the Circles, and I responded that I see their necessity. For teaching, for ensuring abominations do not occur."
But you are patient. Far more than Cullen deserves. "And yet you saw in the Gallows, in Kinloch, that the Circle as it is does not do that. I agree that the Circles should still exist as places of instruction and learning, but not as prisons. Not to rip children from their parents. Did you know I had a brother, Cullen?"
"N-"
"Neither did I. That I had a mother that wished to see me and a father that never got to. That Irving was tricking young mages into pursuing blood magic. That the templar order, the Chantry, wanted us all turned into Tranquil."
Cullen would've denied it if it were anyone else. But you have lived it, as he had. You say it so concisely that Cullen cannot refute it. Not now that he has seen red lyrium, seen how easily the Templars fell.
"I struggle, sometimes... knowing that the world after this Inquisition will be far different. I am trying... but I have done so much ill towards the mages. I still fear the power of magic even as I know the wrongs the Circles and the Templars have done."
You grin at him. "The Cullen I had known would not even be questioning it. You have far to travel, Cullen, but you are on the road I hoped you would be."
He looks at you and the words tumble out before he can bid them stop. "Would you ever be able to consider me something other than a jailer? I would pledge myself to you in an instant if you desired it of me."
Immediately Cullen winces in horror, ashamed of his outburst, of asking this of you considering your history together, but you simply tilt your head.
"How about we simply see what the new world after the Inquisition holds? Continue on your path, and I shall endeavor to help you see the signposts. And perhaps someday I might see you as a companion."
Cullen nods. "Then let us proceed with the battle plans, Ser. We must hasten the new dawn."
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tiny-elf-of-doom · 10 months
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The Cloak-and-Dagger Game - DA2
M!Hawke x Fenris ft. Varric
Varric is writing another book and needs inspiration for his protagonist's sex sequence. To ensure his knowledge is clear as glass, he decides to snoop around Hawke's mansion to see what he and Fenris get up to. The dwarf ends up pleasantly surprised.
MDNI 🔞: sex, gay boys, top!Hawke, bottom!Fenris, flirting, dirty talk, language, erotic massage, rough kissing, spying, humor, Varric is hilarious, and plenty of banter.
In my attempts to complete my most recent tale, I've found myself in a rut; stuck with a lack of creativity. This happens among writers many times in their lives, but through trials and tribulations, or perhaps sheer luck, they break down such blockages. Unfortunately for me, I've been staring at this page for a while now, and of course its a heated scene.
I would love to think of myself as a sexually involved man, a romantic lover, but moments like this brings me to opposite conclusions. Perhaps I need to get into the mood when I write these sequences, or ask someone how to go about establishing the involvement of two men. I wipe the annoyance from my tired eyes, knowing fully that asking that question would be rather complicated. Sebastian has probably never been touched in his life, nor has Anders, but Hawke has, and so has the broody elf, Fenris.
Perhaps the clouds have lifted. A warmth pools over my lower belly as I imagine their secret escapades, or perhaps its the ale. No one knows what kinds of lustful acts they conduct, which would make it hard to interrogate them. I nearly banish the thought from my mind when I recall a conversation had between them at the Hanged Man. Something about staying the night in Hawke's mansion to 'catch up' after all of three days of separation had passed. I could snoop around, wade my way through the mansion until I stumble upon his sleeping quarters. I'd stay in a tight closet, yes, Varric, very good!
And so it is settled, I play the cloak-and-dagger game.
~*~
If I hadn't been so dull, I would have left some space between myself and the damn linens. Closets in these large houses never fail to be stuffed with ridiculous clothing. Wriggling against the farbics, I peek through the grates on the side of the wood paneling. From there, two figures are seated on the carpet, enjoying wine next to the fire. It crackles, blazing gold against their casual garb. I don't think I've ever seen Fenris and Hawke dress so simply, especially in one another's presence. Firelight brightens their skin and for once in all of the time I've known the elf, he smiles. Chuckles, even, at the yarn Hawke begins to spin.
He's truly not that comical. Well, compared to me, at least.
"...and that was how I defeated a Qunari in battle with a broken sword," Hawke finished with a bow.
Fenris had clapped, smirking with full lips. "A true hero of legend!"
Hawke batted the comment with his hand," forget it!"
"Award him with anything he desires!" Fenris replied.
Of course, I feel happy for Hawke and that broody elf, but their interactions are anything but unique. Typical lovers congratulating one another on their accomplishments was mild drabble, I want more, and after a moment of feeling like a fool trapped in a closet, I finally have my wishes granted.
"Anything I desire?" Hawke coos, "I would like you in my bed, elf."
"Me? I'm sure you can find someone better..." Fenris might be serious, appearing self-conscious as his gaze is cast aside.
Suddenly, Hawke's voice lowers. "No, Fenris. You have always had my full desire. I only crave you."
Now we're talking. I wish I brought a quill and paper with me, though I doubt it would fit in that closet with me. Hawke pulls the elf into a kiss with the tug of his fingers under that dainty chin. It's slow at first, then picks up when they began to get handsy. To be completely honest, I have always wanted to see the full design of Fenris' lyrium tattoos. They peak out along his arms and throat, some on his legs, but I have never had the chance to truly see what kind of chaos covers his torso. Hawke has, and I am still slightly jealous for that.
The elf happily disrobes, sitting nude in the wake of the fire. White, glowing lines flow along every muscle, branching around his body as a tree in spring blooms outward. It's kinda cool, though unfortunate. All the pain of a full body carving, and for what? To rip people's hearts out? It doesn't seem very fair. Soon, Hawke joins him in the disrobing, throwing their clothes to the side nearest to this closet. I hold my breath, don't you dare bump anything.
Luckily, they don't seem to notice my shadow moving between the grates. I am safe for the moment, thank the Maker. Fenris climbs atop Hawke, straddling his left thigh. He moves along the bulging muscles with finesse and utmost experience. To my surprise, he begins to make a stream of noises I never thought I would hear. They are loose, sultry in the back of his throat. A songbird couldn't carry a pretty tune as this elf can. Hawke has his left hand settled on the elf's hip, moving it along with the smooth gyrations.
"Care to take a ride with me, my beautiful Fenris?" Hawke asks softly.
Fenris nods, "yes, I believe a ride is much needed."
Oh yes, I agree. Hawke lifts the elf into his arms and I can't help but adore the way broody elf's legs wrap around Hawke's strong torso. To the bed they go and I've lost visual on them. Goddamnit, I curse. I peer around the closet for any holes in the wood, but I am left with darkness. Perhaps if I slightly open the door, I can see the bed. Rattling is heard from the nightstand, so there is enough distraction and noise to hide my movements. Carefully as to remain hidden, I push the closet door forward until there is a decent view of the bed. To my relief, neither of them noticed the squeaking. Varric, if you ever do this again, don't choose the fucking closet next time.
Hawke takes his time kissing the elf, making sure his lips have ventured over every crevice and marking on Fenris' body. His moans are sweet, but grow desperate when his lover pushes his legs upward to touch his shoulders. Maker's balls, I can't believe how flexible the elf is. If anyone else in our group ever tried that, they'd be out of commission for a month. However, Fenris wraps his arms around his calves, keeping them in place so Hawke has full access to his ass. He dips down to plant a kiss on the back of the elf's thigh, relaxing his partner, no doubt. Fenris is always a nervous creature, so such tenderness is most definitely needed.
Then, things become interesting.
I watch as Hawke latches to the elf's backside, licking the skin and fucking the hole with his tongue. Broody elf's big, green eyes roll back into his head, flopping to the bedsheets in absolute delight. A tingle pricks at my belly, an excitement like no other. I may need to take care of personal business at this rate, but not here. The sounds are obscene and Fenris is eating them up, going so far as to grip Hawke's hair for dear life.
"G-Get the oil, Hawke," the elf pleads, "I want more than just your tongue inside of me."
"Is it that bad?" He joked with a wink.
"It's better than anything I could ever dream."
Cheesy as hell, and I roll my eyes. Another kiss is pressed to the elf's leg before Hawke turns to grab their decorative bottle of oil. It's in a gold vial covered in intricate markings, likely one of the treasures Hawke's been gifted over the years. A few drops suffice along with the man's spit to lube them both. The larger man lays back against the pillows, welcoming a needy elf to seat himself on his lap. Those markings glow brightly, nearly blinding me as I try to shield my eyes. One hand on Hawke's well endowed cock and one lyrium clad palm help ease the elf onto that incredible hilt.
Pain, plenty of pain causes the elf to cry out. Even I cannot help but flinch at the idea of being penetrated by something so thick. The stretch must be unforgiving, though broody is taking it like a champ. Hawke rubs the elf's hips, attempting to sooth the agony just a little more. It takes time, and I expect it to, but soon he's seated and breathing heavy. And this is why I don't bottom.
"Are you alright, Fenris?" Hawke checks in, voice gentle.
Fenris only groans, gasping for any words willing to be released. There appear to be none present, therefore, he ignores communication and starts to rock his hips. Bouncing up and down, he brings Hawke into a small fit of vocalization. It's everything I imagined it would be, just as masculine and deep as his usual voice. Opening up slowly, Hawke joins Fenris in thrusting upward into the elf, angling his hips in a different manner every time. I raise my brow in momentary confusion, what is he trying to accomplish?
Suddenly, Fenris cries out, gripping Hawke's strong forearms. I think I see trails of blood leaking to the bed. "Keep your hips like that and don't you dare shift them!"
Ah, I mumble to myself, he found broody's love spot.
The thrusting continues in this new position and Fenris is mewling like the most popular whore in all of Lowtown. I never thought I would be hearing Fenris lose himself in the wrung of pleasure, but here I am, stiffening from the men before me. Bianca will be jealous, but I ignore the thought and begin to palm at my trousers.
"Fenris, not so fast... I might-" Hawke growls, head thrown back against the plush pillows.
Fucking hell, Hawke.
The elf slams his mouth against his lover's, taking him in a deep, hot kiss. "Come, right now... fill me with your kin."
What the hell, Fenris?
It all becomes too much, even for me, and I watch as the two come undone within each other's grasp. Fenris releases himself all over the front of Hawke's stomach and chest while the champion of Kirkwall has found a safe place to expel his orgasm within the elf. In order to keep myself from joining them, I squeeze the hell out of my testicles, focusing on the pain as opposed to the pleasure. They collapse onto the bed, heaving breaths until the only sound in the room is the roar of the fireplace.
"Once you're up to it, how does a bath sound?" Hawke questions.
"Much needed," broody raises his head to kiss Hawke's cheek, "thank you, my darling Hawke."
"Always, Fenris," he had replied.
No, no, thank you both, I cackle in thought, for all of these incredible ideas. Hopefully, I won't get anything wrong when I tell this story.
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