for insurgoaltus

[killedwithlove]

Cole slept like the dead. He hadn't ever needed it before, but humanity on top of injuries and sex had worn him out quite effectively.

But it was much, much later, early the next morning, that there was a soft knock on the door. "Dorian? It's Nadezhda."

Comments

[insurgoaltus]

Dorian's lips parted slightly, before he spoke quietly, his voice deepening, "Yes ... I am most definitely more handsome than you."

[killedwithlove]

Cole nodded, not in the slightest upset about this fact. It was just a fact, how they both turned out. "And I'm taller." Just another fact.

[insurgoaltus]

Dorian's smile widened, and he leaned forward to sneak a kiss. "Yes you are, and I like that."

[killedwithlove]

Sneak is probably the wrong word, but Cole turned up into it with a soft sound of contentment. "You're much more educated. Which means you can read to me too."

[insurgoaltus]

Well, true, but he did like the word sneak. Stole? No, Cole was giving his mouth up willingly. Perhaps just enjoyed ... he hummed, leaning back. "I can also teach you how to read, if you like."

[killedwithlove]

"I know how to read. But it's difficult and slow. The pages say one thing and the ink says another."

Which possibly explained his dislike for old books.

[insurgoaltus]

"Huh ... I never thought of getting feelings from books, but I suppose it is entirely possible. In more ways than one, at that."

He pressed a kiss to Cole's nose. "How could I like you more?"

[killedwithlove]

"Cole learned how to read at the Chantry, before his magic came out." And because he knew, Cole knew. "And Rhys helped me, but I preferred listening to him read."

He liked when Dorian kissed his nose. It bubbled and tingled with affection and warmth. "I don't know."

[insurgoaltus]

"Well should I read to you? I do enjoy reading, and I enjoy you curling up with me while I do. I in fact, might like this option better."

He nuzzled Cole's nose with his mustache.

[killedwithlove]

"I'd like if you read to me." He liked listening to Dorian, his voice was soothing and pleasant to listen to. "You should read something you like to me."

His nose twitched at the soft tickle.

[insurgoaltus]

"I'll read it to you tonight, if you like. Or right now." He thinks about it, "Most of the things I like are histories. Would you like that?"

He nuzzled his cheek against the other man's gently, before pressing another kiss against his lips.

[killedwithlove]

"So long as you like it, I'll like it. That's why I like Cassandra's dirty books. Because she loves them and likes sharing them."

He turned to press into the kiss, sighing softly into it.

[insurgoaltus]

"Maker above, is she reading you that trash? Well now I shall have to fill your head with intelligent facts and greater prose."

Oh, he did like that sigh. It was sweet, and he adored how sweet Cole was. So he kissed him again.

[killedwithlove]

"Yes. She read me all of Swords and Shields and Hard in Hightown."

Of course she did. He smiled at the second kiss, relaxing into the bed after it with another soft sigh.

[insurgoaltus]

"Well, Hard in Hightown is at least literature..." He paused, before he tilted his head curiously.

"Cole, would you like me to read The Champion's Tale to you? That's clearly Varric's best work."

[killedwithlove]

"Yes, I'd like to listen to that one. That's about Hawke, but Cassandra won't read that one to me because it makes all her emotions bright and hard and then she fades away..."

He looked off elsewhere, thoughtful.

[insurgoaltus]

Dorian is quiet for a moment, before he reaches out to Cole, taking his hand in his. "Then ... we'll just read it when she and Varric aren't around, eh?"

[killedwithlove]

Dorian touched him and Cole's entire focus on back on him, their hands fitting together neatly, even if Cole's were large and long for his size.

"Yes. I'd like that."

[insurgoaltus]

Dorian's lips curved up in a warm smile, before he rested his fingers warmly against the other man's. He curved his fingers around Cole's.

"Good ... then we shall do it together."

[killedwithlove]

"Dorian..." Cole hummed softly, thinking. "Do I have to stay here all day?"

He wasn't used to being confined in anyway. It wasn't triggering any painful or frightened memories, but he didn't like not being able to wander at all.

[insurgoaltus]

"No, you don't have to be here all day -- but you're going to have to have someone carry you." Dorian stated primly. "I won't have the hobo's, and my, hard work go to waste, Cole."

[killedwithlove]

"Mm. Okay." He nodded slowly. He could see the logic of that. "I don't want to move right now. But I don't like being... in one room. And not able to leave."

[insurgoaltus]

"I certainly can sympathize with that - but not with you hurting yourself all over again." He grinned a little, stroking that fine hair again. "Would you like me to give you a piggy-back ride downstairs then?"

[killedwithlove]

"Not right now but... can you? Later?" Even just knowing he could leave when he needed to made it a bit easier to cope with.

[insurgoaltus]

"I absolutely can. What would you like to do now, just rest?" Because otherwise he wasn't quite sure how to entertain Cole. Perhaps chess?