Chapter Text
Alexander lay in his bed, the fire cracking in the distance, and the quiet sounds of a cold night seeping in through the shut windows. Shirtless, warm, and a little bit exhausted, Alex lay with his arm out. And, laying there on his bicep, was Dorian Pavus. Almost as usual.
If they'd spent a fair amount of time together before, now that the Inquisition's original goal was over, they were inseparable.
It was love. And if anyone said differently, or scoffed behind their back, there was an army of people ready to attack. Everyone accepted them by now. It had been secret to some degree before, looked at as a private affair that was nobody's business, but both Alex and Dorian never did like lies. With all the drama at an end, why let more linger? And so they held hands in the halls. They gave each other little pecks on the cheek when they felt like it, and they referred to each other as their partner. Because who cared? They never flaunted it, and they never overdid their public displays, but everyone knew they were together.
And everyone knew, no matter how unsure they were about other aspects, that Alex and Dorian cared for each other deeply.
Dorian wasn't exactly one for public displays of affection all the same. In fact, he was more inclined to secretly touch or grab Alex just to throw the other man off. Alexander was the sweetheart, with a romantic disposition that led him to cast longing stares across tables or give off little happy chuckles anytime Dorian was particularly adorable. Dorian liked to tease, and Alexander was getting better at throwing it back at him, if only to hear Dorian's great booming laugh.
There was a fair age gap, at least if you asked Dorian, but it never seemed to matter much. The only times it did were when Dorian treated Alex like his own, keeping him away from this or that or catching him if he stumbled. Alex was cursed with clumsiness, and perhaps a little bit of naivety, and Dorian was very much an awkward caregiver at times.
But then Alexander won in strength and strategy. As a warrior he was adept at command, and even though Dorian was the dominant one, when Alex worked he worked. He exuded power, regardless of his weaker tendencies, and there were many instances where Alexander used his strength against Dorian's sarcasm. He would lift Dorian up or throw him over his shoulder at times. He would overpower the mage quite easily when it came to physical strength, and the world became a dangerous place for Dorian when Alex discovered how ticklish he was.
Together they made a very interesting combination. But when alone, they were absolutely blissful in each other's arms.
And so they lay there in bed, Alexander's quarters steadily becoming their quarters, listening to the fire and breathing slow. With a little clear of his throat, Alexander spoke cautiously. "I received a letter from my family yesterday," he said, trying for nonchalance and failing.
"Did you indeed," Dorian said. His eyes were shut, and he looked remarkably peaceful, but his voice was alert if not indifferent.
Alex craned his neck to stare at the other man, blinking a few times before swallowing and pressing on. "They're going to our smaller estate for some of the winter. Like we used to do when I was young. I may join them, if I can."
Dorian smirked in his sleep-like state. "And could the Inquisition spare you for a time?"
Alex shrugged, making Dorian's head bounce slightly. "I suppose if I'm greatly needed they know where to find me. After saving the world, I deserve a break."
Dorian laughed lightly and snuggled himself a little closer. He draped one tanned arm across Alexander's chest and gave a contented sigh. "It would be nice to see your family again I imagine," he said casually.
Alexander agreed. "It would be. It's been some time. And...I think my mother would like to see me. After what happened with Tristan."
Dorian opened his eyes and tilted his head up to catch Alexander's gaze, but he wasn't looking. It always bothered Dorian when Alex talked of his elder brother so simply. He knew that, behind his casual mentioning or his easy memories, Alex was devastated at the loss. His whole family must have been. The eldest son gone to the Templars, and then gone in a blast, while the second son remained.
Becoming a hero had to mean something, Dorian imagined.
"You've other siblings, am I right?" Dorian asked.
Alex smirked. "Oh yes," he said. "I've other siblings."
"You've never told me how aggravated your Noble family was when your brother chose the Templars and you didn't," Dorian said.
Alex pursed his lips. "They didn't care as much as you would think. My father was actually quite proud. It was only when he realized I would be a disappointing Bann that he was upset. He hoped to get me to the Templars as well but...you can see how that worked out."
Dorian smirked. "Well, he made you go to the Conclave. I suppose he succeeded in trying to force you into greatness."
"At a cost," Alex said a little darkly.
Dorian sighed. "There's always a catch...So you'll be going to them soon I suppose? As the big hero," he said after a small pause.
Alex turned finally and looked down at Dorian, who stared at him with a mixture of amusement and pity. "I..." Alex paused. "I would like you to come with me."
Dorian's eyebrows rose, and he looked surprisingly taken aback by the request. For an uncomfortable moment of time, he just stared at Alex in silence. "You want to bring me," he said in shock.
"Yes."
"To meet your family?"
"I do."
Dorian frowned. "And how would that sit with Bann-Father-Dearest?"
Alexander laughed softly and hugged Dorian a little closer. "He would be the only one you need to worry about. Everyone else is...Everyone else knows."
"About us?"
"About me," Alexander clarified. "No one cares but Father, and he may care more now that Tristan...But...I've a younger brother. He can take the family line on."
Dorian narrowed his eyes and sat up a little ways. "Just how many siblings do you have to spare?"
Alex smirked. "I'm not sure you want to know the number. It may sway your answer."
Dorian continued to frown, but the idea of meeting Alexander's family was oddly alluring to him. He'd never been this attached to someone. He'd never felt this way about anyone he'd come across. This was far more than a little obsession or a randy love affair. This was the real thing, something it had taken Dorian a very long time to find. He'd romanticized the idea of a big family for a while now, though he would never admit it, and the idea of acceptance...great family dinners and long nights spent talking...
"What would they say about me?" Dorian asked gently, sitting up and scooting to the end of the bed. He looked across at the darkness outside. "How would you introduce me I wonder?"
Alex smiled at the back of Dorian's head as he propped himself up on his elbows. "I'd tell the truth."
"Sounds dangerous," Dorian scoffed.
"No more dangerous than what we've handled thus far," Alexander said. Dorian could hear him sit up straighter, and soon he was sitting behind him, wrapping his arms around Dorian and leaning his chin on his shoulder. "Everyone will love you."
"Hah!" Dorian scoffed. "I'm sure they will love the company of an apostate Tevinter mage sitting at their table, drinking their wine and fucking their son."
Alexander laughed hard at Dorian's blunt attitude. He loved the way Dorian told it as it was, but sometimes it amused him greatly to hear him just spit it out. " First off, we have Tevinter ties, Dorian. You are the one who told me that. No one will be against that."
"But they may be against...this," Dorian said, turning slightly and gesturing wildly between himself and Alexander. "You cannot expect me to believe your entire noble family, in the Free Marches, are satisfied with your style of life."
Alex shrugged again. "As I said before, they mostly don't care. The only time they do is with public image, which I know you...well, you're unfortunately used to that."
Dorian gave a little unsatisfied bark of laughter. "I hope your family is a little more sane about it than mine."
"They are," Alex said casually. "For the most part. Otherwise they'll have to deal with it. Because if it becomes a problem, I'll be gone before they can suggest you leave."
Dorian grinned his sideways grin. "Such a little rebel."
Alexander pulled himself forward a bit more so that he could get his pale eyes on Dorian's. "Say you'll come with me," he said. "The letter was kind enough, and my sister threw a message of her own inside. She's practically begging me to arrive."
Dorian tilted his head. "She isn't begging me."
Alexander frowned, but slowly this little wicked thought perked him back up. "Do you want to spend nearly two weeks without me?" he mused, trying to stifle his smile as Dorian gave him a glare.
"Are you bribing me with your body?" Dorian sassed.
Alex leapt up and moved towards his desk. "I'm bribing you with my overall company. And a little bit of de-stressing from all we've done. It's not an invitation I extend lightly," he said, pulling his trousers on and cutting off Dorian's stare. He turned to meet Dorian's prying eyes. "I want to go," he said seriously. "If Josephine will let me, I will. But I want you to join me." Dorian adored the fact that Alexander blushed at the drop of a hat. "I want you to meet my family."
Dorian took a deep breath and gave a great sigh, running a hand through his hair as he sat on the edge of Alex's bed. He leaned on his knees and looked up at the hopeful face of his beau. "If I cause any drama, say the word and I'll be gone," he said.
Alexander's gigantic grin was his reply, and Dorian could swear he almost skipped back to the bed. "With you, Dorian," he said, kissing the older man's cheek, "there will always be drama."
Dorian smirked. "How do you know? I may shut down in the presence of such power."
"You don't shut down around me," Alexander said with a wink, but Dorian just rolled his eyes. He really was a bad influence on the poor lad.
With a defeated sigh, Dorian leaned a little closer and spoke in a sad whisper. "I'm not used to large families," he admitted. "I may be wonderful, but..."
Alex knelt down and shuffled forward between Dorian's legs. "But?"
"But...I could disappoint," Dorian finished. It wouldn't be the first time he disappointed a family, and he was sure it wouldn't be the last. "I'm not exactly the ideal person to show off to a family."
Alex frowned, but he reached out with gentle fingers to tip Dorian's chin up. With a great amount of care, and a fair amount of passion, Alexander placed a kiss to Dorian's lips that had the older man completely frazzled. The stupid boy had a talent for leaving him breathless, speechless, dizzy with desire and love. He hated what a weak little sap Alexander turned him into. But he also adored it.
"You won't ever disappoint, Dorian," Alexander whispered after he severed the kiss. "And besides. You love to stir things up. If anything this will be a chance for scandal. And you love scandal."
Dorian laughed and Alex followed suit, and for a moment they stared at each other chuckling like fools. "You are glorious," Dorian said at last, and he reached forward and grabbed Alex tight before falling back on the bed, Alex's laughter creating a bright light in Dorian's heart.