Adoribull thread!

[pompouspeacock]

This is not what Dorian expected when he left Minrathous to flee his father and a landscape of political intrigue that had grown suffocating. He did not expect the huge Fade rift in the sky, and he did not expect joining the ragtag band of misfits called the Inquisition, almost on a whim. He did not expect that this would mean being dragged along on expeditions all over Thedas either, trudging through bogs and deserts and forests and sleeping under a tent in the increasingly grating company of the Inquisitor's dreadful parties.

He most definitely had not expected The Iron Bull. Finding out that the Inquisitor had recruited a Qunari mercenary had been quite a shock, though Dorian had easily pretended otherwise. Over the next few weeks, he'd made a few barbed comments to test the waters, and had been somewhat befuddled by the disarmingly mild responses he'd gotten in return. Somewhere along the way they had started talking, and had reached an unexpected truce. He still thinks that there is a good chance The Iron Bull is a Qunari spy, though he must admit he is useful and seems reasonably reliable.

But just when Dorian was starting to get used to the very oddity of fighting alongside a Qunari, the flirting had started.

Now, Dorian is no stranger to flirtation. As a matter of fact, it is a personal goal of his to make most everything he says sound like some kind of double-entendre. But the Bull's flirting is so utterly appalling that even Dorian has to groan when he hears it. His innuendo is about as subtle as a blow to the head with a battle axe. His leering make Dorian feel annoyed and hot under the collar in equal measures. Not to mention his winking which, considering he only has one eye, looks utterly ridiculous.

Dorian has ignored it well enough so far, up to today, when he had to somewhat vehemently tell the Bull that no, he most definitely had not meant it that way when he'd called him a beast of burden hell-bent on conquest.

It's not that he's not interested, exactly. It's just that it's... complicated. And for all his charm, The Iron Bull is still a great lumbering oaf that keeps Dorian up with his snoring on a regular basis.

Speaking of which, now that Dorian is paying attention, there is none. Which probably means the Bull isn't sleeping either. Frowning in the darkness of their shared tent, Dorian rolls onto his back with a somewhat overly dramatic put-upon sigh, his shoulder bumping against Bull's.

Comments

[lilsoutherncuss]

"Shit, can you imagine Blackwall with a fancy Orlesian pointed beard and your curled mustache though? He would look ridiculous - I never thought I'd meet someone who could pull that look off well but somehow you can. I think a real beard would be too much even for you, honestly - plus it would cover your flawless jawline." He is, as always, shameless and honest in his compliments. "Most humans and dwarves of my acquaintance use full beards to conceal weak chins. I wonder if that's what's hiding under all Blackwall's scruff."

[pompouspeacock]

The idea of Blackwall sporting a fancy Orlesian beard makes Dorian throw his head back and laugh, patting Bull's arm. "It would look so wrong, especially if the rest of him remained as unkempt as he is now," he points out, cheerfully.

He hums at the compliment, preening a little. "Why, of course. I'm glad that you've put your observation skills to good use, for once." It's true, after all. Dorian's jawline is excellent. "Secrets, probably," he agrees, playfully. "Blackwall's beard is bushy enough to conceal a few damning truths, I should think."

[lilsoutherncuss]

"You're a good guy, Dorian," the Iron Bull smiles. Not everyone is allowed to see just how decent Dorian is, he knows, because Dorian is from one of those societies where decency is viewed as weakness. "And yeah, Blackwall's definitely got secrets, but doesn't everybody?" He figures they relate to the past - most people's secrets do, dark things that they'd like to forget, or redeem themselves for. Blackwall is a solid fighter and does good deeds (making toys for children, taming Sera's wilder pranks, and so forth). That's what matters to Bull. If the past becomes relevant to Blackwall again, they'd deal with it then.

[pompouspeacock]

That's a compliment Dorian will have more trouble accepting. He can take praise about his appearance easily, as it always true, but about his character? It's more of an emotional minefield. "I'm delighted you think so," he chooses to answer, sounding ironic though he does appreciate it. "You're fairly decent yourself." He sniffs, poshly. "Considering."

He hums in agreement, settling back down on his bedroll. He does have his secrets, and a few of them he would really prefer to remain undisclosed, even to Bull or the Inquisitor. "Except you, it seems," he points out, pointedly. Whether that is another spy trick or not, Bull is usually open about who he is and what he wants. Too open, sometimes, which is what got them in this situation in the first place.

[lilsoutherncuss]

Bull hums. "They're not secret, per se, but there are plenty of things I haven't told anyone in the South. Things about Seheron no one really needs to know, mostly." And more than that: reeducation. It felt like a kind of failure, though he is proud he was not so far gone he simply left or got himself killed.

"Get some sleep, Dorian," he says gently.

[pompouspeacock]

"Very few people would like to know more about Seheron," Dorian admits, sighing. Including himself. He knows some from researching it when he was a student, and just enough to be aware that getting more details would probably give him nightmares.

"I'm trying," Dorian huffs, though he doesn't really sound annoyed. "You keep talking."

[lilsoutherncuss]

Bull chuckles. "Shutting up now, your highness," he teases. He could probably manage tomorrow on no sleep, but Dorian might have some difficulty. And even Bull will be more pleasant if he gets a few hours' rest.

[pompouspeacock]

Dorian grumbles a little, just to make a point, and rolls over, trying to go back to sleep. Some of the tension in the room (tent, really) has eased and he does manage after a while.

Being more relaxed and on more friendly terms with Bull means he'll wake up plastered against his side though, using his massive shoulder as a pillow. Oh, dear.

[lilsoutherncuss]

Bull has always been a cuddly sort of person, even as an imekari. He's learned through years in the military not to snuggle up to anyone who doesn't initiate it, even in his sleep, but if Dorian seeks warmth then Bull will respond subconsciously to give comfort.

They probably end up with Dorian half on top of Bull, one thick, scarred arm wrapped around the mage's waist.

Bull wakes with the sun as a matter of course, but he can't think of any way to extricate himself without waking Dorian and making things more awkward, so he lets Dorian have a lie-in for a few more minutes.

[pompouspeacock]

It takes Dorian a few seconds to realize what's happening, and a few more to decide whether to move or not. He decides against it because he is sleepy still and Bull is warm and doesn't seem to mind too much, judging by the arm thrown around his waist.

Dorian knows that Bull is likely awake though, as he does usually get up as soon as the first rays of the sun show in the sky. He sighs, feeling the side of his moustache get even more ruffled where it lies pressed to Bull's chest. "Don't say anything," he warns, wryly, and moves his head to prop his chin on Bull's chest, looking up at him with arched eyebrows. "I was cold," he says, which is not entirely a lie. "And you are very warm, for all your other faults."

[lilsoutherncuss]

"Glad as always to be of service," Bull grinned, his eye twinkling. "Let me know if you need a toasty Qunari bedwarmer again." And the double-entendre is completely intentional and he doesn't even care to conceal it. He thinks he has Dorian's measure now; surely a private flirtation is less likely to earn him ire than a public one?

Besides which, Dorian is still using him as a pillow. He rather likes it.

[pompouspeacock]

"Well, it almost makes up for your dreadful snoring," Dorian retorts blithely, though he's grinning up to Bull now, clearly amused. He makes a (fond) noise of disgust, rolling his eyes. "Yes, yes, I'll be sure to let you know," he answers wryly, lifting up on an elbow before he moves to sit, shivering. His eyes linger on Bull, actually considering what Bull is proposing for a second. The idea is a lot less preposterous than it was a few weeks ago, he finds.

[lilsoutherncuss]

Bull reaches out to chafe Dorian's arm in an attempt to warm him up. He doesn't even notice Dorian staring, too intent on caretaking.

He discards several comments about humans and sensitivity to temperature, deciding instead to find a warm yet fashionable cloak for Dorian as soon as was feasible.

[pompouspeacock]

Grumbling at the warm but chaffing sensation, Dorian sets out to get dressed as quickly as he can, slipping out of their tent and towards the fire. A little magic makes it roar high and warm, and Dorian stands closer with a sigh, pouring himself a cup of tea from the kettle there. Another day of adventuring ahead, it seems. Yay.