Spellbound

27. Preparing to Leave

Neither Lavellan nor Dorian was in pain after Vivienne's treatment of their wounds, but both of them trod carefully. No hasty chases through the house and no wild kissing sessions were allowed until the duo was sure their injuries wouldn't act up again.

Lavellan spent a lot of time alone in Dorian's room, away from work, to have his peace while he healed. From time to time, Varric dropped by to talk about his books and the beauties and ugly sides of Kirkwall (the city had more ugly sides than beauties, according to Varric.) Lavellan enjoyed his presence, for it distracted him from his boredom. He was curious to see the City of Chains in person.

Fenris had visited once. His surprise about Dorian's plan had rendered him speechless and his sentiments about their help against Danarius and his promised freedom overwhelmed him. For a while, Lavellan just sat with him and listened to Fenris murmuring as he sorted his thoughts. He had been scared for both Dorian and Lavellan after the pride demon had snatched him, but the Bull had helped Fenris get rid of excess stress. Now that the preparations for their journey occupied all of them, Fenris could channel his confusion into those. The sudden loss of his arch-nemesis left him with a sense of unfulfilment since Danarius hadn't suffered nearly as much as Fenris would have wanted. Now that he was dead, the hate that had kept Fenris going every day perished.

Lavellan could relate to his disorientation. Fenris would need time to realise that he was free of the horrid mage who had tormented him for so long. Once he was in Kirkwall with Varric, the broody elf would have time to establish a new identity and a new life.

After everything that had happened to him, he deserved that. Lavellan considered him a friend, and he was glad to see him leave Tevinter and its curse behind. The turmoil on his face would soon become filled with a new purpose, like an ugly drawing that got drawn over with a fresh coat.

Lavellan sat on the bed and tugged his boots onto his feet as he reminisced memories of Fenris with a smile. The months they spent together had been filled with frightful prophecies and memories, but they carried a great deal of joy for Lavellan that he would miss once Fenris was gone. Fenris cursing at every mage in existence would never stop, not even towards Dorian, and Lavellan would remember his nonplussed face as he stole wine as if it wasn't his business, with a smile.

In a way, the dark elf had brought light to Lavellan's desperate situation. Lavellan doubted they would meet again, but he wanted to remember Fenris for life, no matter how long his imprisonment would maintain.

Dorian came striding through the door, disrupting his train of thought. The mage cast Lavellan a brilliant smile before he lugged a bag out of his closet and packed five massive books he planned to read during their journey. Occasionally, he glanced over his shoulder to study Lavellan, and once the Dalish had closed his boots, he sat back to watch Dorian in amusement.

"How is Fenris doing?" Lavellan asked as he reached for his bundle and checked its contents. He had little, but Dorian had given him some allowance to spend in Kirkwall if he saw something he liked. Dorian had brushed it off as being his monthly payment, but Lavellan wondered if it wasn't more than the other servants got.

"Hm?"

Dorian lowered his bag and came over, his focus now fixated on the elf. When he stepped in, Lavellan parted his legs to welcome him. As soon as Dorian's hands found his hair to play with, Lavellan leaned into his grip and looked up at him. His hands held onto Dorian's hips.

"Fenris?"

"Ah, I apologise, I missed what you said. I couldn't hear you over that horrendous outfit. Who gave you that?" In distaste, Dorian stared down at Lavellan's body. Troubled, the elf tugged on the greyish-green shirt that matched his pants. He looked scrawny in it, but that was nothing out of the ordinary.