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[qunari]

[ Leave messages for The Iron Bull here. ]

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[ombranera]

I will admit I did not expect him to want direction quite so much. Most nobles don't- at least not from an elf. Keeping up with what he actually wanted as adverse to what he was attempting to project was exhausting. I imagine you had an easier time of it.

[qunari]

I usually get a pretty good read of what people want. Always nice to get confirmation, though.

If you were doing something wrong, he'd tell you.

[ombranera]

Of that I have no doubt. It is always the pretty, smart ones that have the most opinions.

[qunari]

His ideas tend to be good ones.

Maybe not so much for his clothes, but you know.

[ombranera]

Oh, is that a thing for him? I'll have to remember that. See how he likes being cut out of them.

[ A beat passes before Zevran murmurs, with some consideration. It is probably more than the brandy that Dorian had meant, but in this instance? Best to tread lightly. Bull he knows well enough. Dorian? Not as much. ]

He mentioned leaving brandy with you? Something about asking you to share.

[qunari]

He did, did he?

[ Yeah, that sounds like a deflection if ever he heard one. But it's not like he doesn't get it. A soft exhale follows. ]

Yeah. I still got it.

[ombranera]

Mhmm.

[ Nuances here he's caught and knows well enough not to comment upon. ]

Perhaps afterward, when you've finished your fussing, we might share a glass.

[qunari]

Fussing? That what you're calling it?

[ombranera]

Is that not what it is?

[qunari]

It's aftercare. Cooldown, like after a work-out.

Not something it's a good idea to skip.

[ombranera]

Is it so common a thing? You are the first I've been with that has bothered.

[ He did for those he minded out of some urge to continue minding them, easing them out of that soft, quiet place as he might have wished others to do for him, but never outright demanded. Was that how it was meant to be done? ]

[qunari]

[ There's a noise of discontent there, but it's not meant for Zevran. It's meant for those selfish assholes he's been with in the past who didn't know enough to not abandon him to his own devices the second they got off. ]

Like I said, it's part of it. You could leave it out, in theory. You could also stick your dick in someone without lube and preparation. Doesn't mean you should.

[ombranera]

This, I suppose, is what comes of having this shade of my education come from the Crows.

[ One Crow in particular- but it no longer surprises him that Taliesin failed to do something that required even the barest shades of empathy. ]

[qunari]

Hey.

[ He can't look at Zevran, can't pull his attention that way. But his tone should convey the look he's giving him rather well. ]

It's alright to let someone take care of you, now and then. It's as much for me as it is for the people I sleep with. Trust me.

Whoever skipped out on it? They missed out.

[ombranera]

Which is likely why the Crows skipped that part of the training. If it leaves you vulnerable, it is a weakness.

[ And he is vulnerable like that- and likes being cared for. Not being ashamed of that doesn't take as much work as it should.

In the past- they didn't know better, but that hadn't made it right. Especially when Rinna tried, in her own way. When Zevran tried, with the two of them, as infrequently as he'd allowed to lead. ]

I'm going to have to cover this with the fledglings, make certain they are aware.

[qunari]

You'll do right by them.

[ There's a pause. ]

Do right by him, too, alright? Big guy talks tough, but for all the frills and fancy airs, he's not so different.

[ombranera]

It is a point on my education I didn't quite agree with. [ His voice is wry, as that is something of an understatement. ] I wasn't often in charge, back then- but when I was and when I am now? I...fuss. Mostly because I wished for some fussing myself but it simply was not done and asking-

It was not an option.

I've been kind to him. I mean to continue should he have me again- he seems to need it more than most. I do not think he knows much of this side of things.

[qunari]

You knew better. Even when they tried to tell you otherwise. Says something about you, doesn't it?

[ That scrap of decency they couldn't quite grind out of him. Bull could almost be proud. ]

Yeah. He's still unlearning all that shit he had to look over his shoulder for in Tevinter. That's not gonna happen overnight.

[ombranera]

That I was a terrible Crow!

[ Save in every way he wasn't. Still, Zevran says it with a laugh, pleased and at least a little proud of himself for not being so horrible as all that. ]

Mm. Shame is such a strange thing. Regret I understand, but shame? It is not something I know of well enough to help him through. Making this normal, I suppose, is the best we might do. Making it safe.

[qunari]

That's all we really can do.

[ He's concerned, sure, but Dorian can handle himself. He trusts he'll settle down a bit when he's ready to. ]

[ombranera]

...of course now I can't shake the mental image of you two together.

[ Not that this is a bad thing. At all. ]

[qunari]

I know, right?

[ There's a hearty noise of agreement at that. ]

You two, though. That's nice. Real nice.

[ombranera]

We are terribly pretty, are we not?

[qunari]

Sorry. Still thinking about it.

[ombranera]

Mhmm. I do not blame you- it is not often I meet someone as perfect as I am and they are not an insufferable ass. [ Not that Dorian isn't an ass- he is a charming ass. Quite different. ]

I wonder if he might ever be comfortable enough for a third to settle in and watch?