#i luv u shifty eyed man

[623-74x]

shifty eyes, stolen glances — screencap redraw

[tk-duveraun]

Sweet Dreams 2/?

Restraint? Pfft.

Title: Sweet Dreams Setting: Modern Thedas Rating: PG-13 For Strong Language   Genre: Friendship & Adventure, minor Romance elements Pairings: (All relatively background) Ela/Cullen, Doribull Summary: For @elalavella. Ela’s been having vivid nightmares that are starting to feel far too real when the companions she has in the nightmares appear in her real life. She thought it was supposed to be the other way around! Part One

“So, Ela my dear, Bull has told me that you’re having a bit of a problem with nightmares, lately,” Dorian said. The group was back at the man’s flat and it wasn’t nearly as posh as his demeanor. Apparently, his salary from the police department didn’t cover much past his fancy clothes and mustache wax, given the sparse furnishings and empty fridge.

“Bull!” Ela said. She absolutely did not stomp her foot. 

“It’s a magic problem; it’s gonna need a magical solution,” The Iron Bull said, mildly.

Sera blew a loud raspberry with enough spit flying out of her mouth that Dorian visibly flinched. Sera rolled her eyes and said, “Everything’s a mage problem nowadays. S’long as they keep the pipes warm, they’re doing all the magic I need.” “Before the Solidification-” Dorian began. “That’s fuckin’ right. Before the Soldyficyton, magic was the source a’ everyone’s problems. Now, we might as well be livin’ under the Stone for the magic we gotta deal with.” Dorian looked equal parts offended and charmed by Sera’s interruption and continued on as if she hadn’t said anything. “Nightmares like Bull described were a clear harbinger of demon possession. Now, they’re about as bad as it gets, except for the little part where you’re not a mage. Unless you are. Officially speaking, I wouldn’t know, of course, but it’s relevant.” Ela crossed her arms over her chest and her mouth curled into a sour pout. “No, I’m not a mage.” “She doesn’t need a mage, she needs a great golden cock,” Sera said. Dorian repeated each word slowly. “Great golden cock.” “Ya,” Sera said, seemingly unable to keep her mouth shut, “she’s been dreaming about Cullywully, her lil’ golden boy. And then she saw ‘im in the café and couldn’t be assed to get his number.” Ela sat silently and tried to drown her embarrassment in Dorian’s nice white wine. “While I agree that a good dick can solve most problems,” Dorian said with a leer at The Iron Bull, “demons paying you a little too much attention is a problem that makes worse. Lust and all that. Anyway, you do have the scent of the Fade about you. It’s just not polite to comment on someone’s mage-status.” When her cheeks returned to their normal color, Ela cleared her throat and said, “I don’t know why this would start now of all… Hey, you’ve been in them, too!” Dorian blinked. “Have I, now? And you only just now noticed? I’m a little insulted that I’m so forgettable.” “There’s usually a lot of blood and red lyrium. Not exactly easy to identify most people, what with the carnage,” Ela replied. “Red lyrium? That’s some boogey man to latch onto,” Dorian said, rubbing his chin. “You’d think your mind would settle on the archdemon or some of that other Blight nonsense. Everyone loves a good Warden story, afterall.” Ela bit her tongue to hold back her scathing comment about the reality of red lyrium, but that’s a lesson she’d learned thoroughly. Discussing the reality of red lyrium and the Blights and darkspawn and Wardens always ended up in bickering about sources (and usually jabs at her dyslexia, as if that made her less credible). She turned her tone pointedly polite. “Thank you for your concern, Dorian.” (Bull winced at the clear insincerity in her words.) “But it’s just some silly nightmares. I’m fine.” “Come on, Boss, he didn’t mean it that way,” Bull said. “And you haven’t slept well in months. Don’t think I missed how hungover you were at lunch.” Ela dropped her gaze to the glass in her hand. “Well, I can help with that,” Dorian said. He set down his wine glass and went into his bedroom for a moment before he came back holding a small, jade amulet. He held out to Ela, but The Iron Bull snatched it out of his hand and examined it for anything malicious before giving to Ela. Dorian cleared his throat loudly, but otherwise didn’t respond to the exchange. “There was some family drama when I first left Tevinter; that did away with sleepless nights.” Ela eyed his earnest expression for a moment before looking at the amulet herself, though without any magical talent it may as well have just been a polished stone from the garden. She was still looking at it when she absentmindedly said, “Your father was less than understanding about your enjoyment of the male form?” “...Yes, actually.” Dorian retook his seat and looked far more serious than he had before. “I take it you knew that from these nightmares.” Ela bit her bottom lip and then nodded. “You were reasonably upset about it.” Dorian turned to Sera. “And this Cullywully person, you say she recognized him from her nightmares? Did she ever describe him before today?” Sera nodded and kicked her feet up on his coffee table. “Yup. Kinda creepy, how accurate she was, too.” Sera gestured to her mouth. “Got his scar n’ everything.” “And is his name, ah, Cullywully?” Ela snorted. “Cullen. And I don’t know. I didn’t talk to him.” “Hmm, well, I suppose I will have to take one for the team and spend my afternoons in that café until he comes back and I can confirm,” Dorian said, making a show of looking put-upon. “Of course, if the amulet works, then it doesn’t matter, but if he’s as attractive as you’re making him sound, I’m sure I’ll survive the effort.” The Iron Bull reached over and tweaked Dorian’s mustache, which started a clearly affected play-fight that sent Ela into fits of giggles. She put the amulet in her pocket and the issue of her nightmares was forgotten in favor of teasing the new couple. *** On the bus ride home (not the ‘shifty’ train), Sera slept sprawled across her seat, the aisle and Ela’s lap, snoring quietly. Ela stroked her friend’s hair with one hand and checked her text messages with the other. From The Iron Bull, she had a picture of a cat in a t-shirt and photoshopped sunglasses and alternating smiling and frowning emoji finally ending with ‘u stil luv me, rite?’ He’d also sent a second message just a few minutes after they left saying, ‘dat ass tho’ with a winky face. Ela chuckled and then sifted through the various reminders and spam messages from unknown numbers. One catches her eye from the preview menu because it uses proper capitals and punctuation. 'Hello, sorry if this is weird. I think your friend reverse pickpocketed me. I found a napkin with this number and a doodle of your face (sorry if that’s rude, but your vallaslin are striking) and a, uh, rather colorful invitation to text you. So I’m texting you. Definitely me. Not my much hotter friend Alistair whom you should totally date instead.’ It ended with a second phone number, ostensibly Alistair’s, but either way, it made Ela laugh quietly. Sera simply snored louder. Ela snapped a quick photo of herself with her big, floppy hat and attached it to her reply. ‘Hello! It’s me you’ve got. You didn’t mention any dicks on the note, so I’m not sure my friend gave it to you. Send a pic back to confirm.’ Ela smiled for the rest of the ride back.