Into the Chaos

Chapter Seventy-Seven

Decius point of view

it's another short one before we get to Adamant

constructive criticism is welcome

Solas being so—mostly forward was a pleasant surprise. I also thought Solas had a romantic relationship with Mythal until Elgar'nan or Dirthamen said no. Gods. So finicky. They're not even gods. Well, it's not like QPRs can't appear romantic in nature at first glance. The amount of people who think Lu and I are dating... Solas doesn't feel like a god.

Solas's breathing changes as he wakes.

"Good morning Lie—hm." What do I call him?

Solas rolls onto his back. Blinks at me once. Three times. Then, "did you sleep?"

Oh dear. "Some. Enough. I'm glad I didn't wake you." He squints at me before rubbing his eyes. "You can go back to sleep. No one will bother you here." If they do? Well, I wouldn't mind some murder to brighten my morning.

He shakes his head, "what's wrong?"

I make a questioning noise. "What do you mean?"

"You were going to call me," he frowns momentarily, "liebling? I think. If that is what I am to you, I do not mind. Though I would like to know what it means."

Questionable pronunciation. "No—I mean, yes but that is what I call Lu. I don't feel right calling you that as well."

"I see. Is there something else that comes to mind, gaildahlas?"

My eyebrows twitch, "isn't that the word for embrium?"

"Technically. It is a sweet flower."

Like calling someone sweet or honey? "I think I get it. I don't personally care for other german endearments, so I never bothered. Your accent is horrible, by the way."

He rolls his eyes. "Is there another language you know?"

"I could call you dear or darling but..." I mumble, "Lord Anubis calls us that."

"Truely?"

"Yeah. Sometimes. He is... the most mortal acting god I've met. I know spanish. Or I learned it in school but I was always better at reading it than speaking."

He perks up at the mention of an unknown language, rolling onto his elbow to look at me. "Spanish?"

"It's similar to what they speak in Rivian. Like how latin is to what they speak in Tevinter. Trade is english, Orlesian is french... Actually, now that I'm thinking about it, they probably speak a dialect of german in the Anderfels. Maybe, italian in Antiva? Qunlat and Elvish are their own."

"That is fascinating. So then, what comes to mind?"

"I think... cariño or sol mio."

"Your sun?"

"What? Do you not like it? I know some arabic too. I don't think that one has an equivalent here."

"It is fine. Tell me more?"

"Habibi. Means lover though. Kinda. Azizi. Aashakak. That one is a statement."

"They sound nice on your tongue."

I smile, "I'm doing very poorly with it, actually. You've never heard it but I do not do the language justice."

"If you do not feel comfortable, I enjoyed the ones you listed in this spanish."

"I'm glad." Solas settles on his stomach, arms underneath the pillow, before I break the silence. "I was wondering: do you have the ability to speak telepathically?"

"To a degree. Not like your nas'falon."

"Solas."

"Yes?"

"She isn't mine, you know."

He seems to think for a moment. "No, but she is your nas'falon and you are hers. I am... a romantic partner, you are the other half of her soul. You hold more precedence than I."

We should work on his idea of self-worth. "I'll make a better suggestion. Var vhenan."

Solas's breathing stops at the suggestion and his ears turn red as he turns his head into the pillow. His speech is muffled but understandable. "That does sound nice."