#iron bull betrayal

[monsterlimbs]

Veilguard has me thinking about DAI so much and IRON BULL. Iron Bull and Dorian and Sera and- okay well all of them. But it also brought up the "betrayal" part of Iron Bull.

!!!!SPOILERS FOR DAI BELOW IF YOU CARE ABOUT THAT!!!! also MAJOR rant below

I bought DAI for Iron Bull. Like literally just because the bull man was really hot and I wanted to see him more. I even built a handsome, gentle Qunari dude to go along with him in my first playthrough. Turns out when you choose the "romantic" dialogue options, it means it and, trying to comfort Dorian after seeing his dad, Dorian kissed my dude and I was SO shocked. Anyways, they ended up together instead, but I had my whole playthrough formed around Iron Bull at the time.

Only to hear something about Iron Bull betraying you eventually which was devastating because he and my dude were so close!! So sweet together!! I mean my dude whacked the shit out of Iron Bull after Iron Bull got traumatized over the fade! They were best buds, how could Iron Bull betray him??

turns out Iron Bull only "betrays" you if you betray him. I heard something about the Chargers and the Qunari in that article I read about him betraying you, and after reaching that scene and calling the Chargers to safety, searched up "when does iron bull betray you" and google let me know it was RIGHT after that scene. So I was worried, and even more worried when Iron Bull brought me up to a BRIDGE. I was 100% sure he was gonna push me off, only for Qunari to go after HIM instead. I searched up "when does he betray you" again and like. he doesn't betray you. he gets vengeance for his boys? I was so misled into thinking he betrays you, but he RIGHTFULLY gets vengeance after you make him sacrifice the Chargers. Like those are his boys?? That's his family right there?? He thanks you for not making him sacrifice them afterwards too. He basically goes "I don't know what I'd do without them" like making him sacrifice them, would obviously ruin him. And people are saying he betrays you, but he doesn't!! That's his family!! Imagine your friend (or WORSE, your lover) telling you to let your whole family die when you have the option to NOT. Yeah he's fake but ugh!! And it's like, the Chargers trust him so much. They would die for him. They DO die for him if you tell him not to signal them back. They trust him so much, that they don't even turn back if he doesn't call for them. Because he wouldn't possibly betray them, right? After everything they've been there? Of course not. The thought of him betraying them doesn't even CROSS THEIR MINDS. Because he's loyal. Because he's devoted to his team. The only reason he would betray them, is because you made him. It's like. how does he betray you afterwards?? It's vengeance. It's justice. Anyone would want justice for their family, if ALL OF THEM were slaughtered because of their "friend". Or again, worse, their lover. The person supposed to be in love with them, and care for them, and their needs and wants.

anyways i basically tear my hair out every time I hear something about Iron Bull betraying you because they sacrificed the Chargers like those are his boys?? Those are his babies?? His funky vagabond group?? His strays?? His family?? okay rant over now but UGHHHH

[bunnywearsboots]

Okay, I have some thoughts on Dorian and Iron Bull’s relationship but I will say they have the cutest ship name.

[huldrabitch]

The only romance I haven't done is Solas (And Iron Bull) because I'm still mad about the first time he blind sided me with his betrayal years ago... Have I healed enough to do it? No. Does it anger me that it's a major romance and It could get me more lore? Yes. Very much so...

[mylo-space]

something i think about a lot is Demon Bull King falling in love with Princess Iron Fan, like, head over heels, and he just can't help but sneak off to see her--he knows he shouldn't, his sworn allies would most certainly have his head, but he can't not be near her, so it it doesn't matter. He abandons the fight of a millennia for a celestial princess and every single member of the Brotherhood is so shocked and angry and betrayed, except one.

Because one of them could hear Demon Bull King sneaking off and never stopped him, could hear two starcrossed heartbeats dance every time they met on the field of battle and off of it. One of them never wanted to fight Heaven in the first place, and maybe he's just relieved that at least someone gets to escape it, even if it isn't him. One of them knows before the others, he knows even before Bull King decides it, that there will be a betrayal.

He knows it, swatting Wukong away from the piece of clothing he's trying to adjust, that there will be one less of them when the Celestial Armies descend. He knows, watching Wukong's eyes brighten at Azure’s praise, that Demon Bull King will abandon the war. He knows, following the Brotherhood into a battle doomed from the start, that Demon Bull King will always choose Princess Iron Fan; he knows, the same way he knows that he'll always choose to fight at Wukong's side.

Because there simply isn't a future where they don't.

[szynkaaa]

Black Myth: Wukong Journal Entries Part 1

Summarizing some of the journal entries that I found interesting because why not fanfic research?? who knows not me

All the journal entires can also be read on the fandom wiki page

Starting with the Mount Huaguo monkeys because I too, am wondering how they were faring after SWK died.

Circus Monkey (chapter 3 New West)

After Mt. Huaguo was destroyed, the Macaque Chief (flying monkey we fight three times in Chapter 3) led a bunch of monkeys away

arrived at Flaming Mountain (chapter 5) but a plague broke out and Macaque Chief asked for the sick monkes to be tossed into a called

This did not like that, so they decided to stop following the Macaque Chief and they wandered around

lived among humans, pretended to be monkey performers, did not make good money, so they decided to rob the audience while performing.

they killed them, stole their things and moved to the next city

The moved tot he New West, heard Macaque Chief is there too but avoiding them because he feels guilty

circus monkey became circus monks

Tenner (chapter 5 Flaming Mountain)

Centuries ago, Court razed Mt Huago once more

lots of monkey left the home after they heard of SWK death, and because SWK was buddy buddy with the Bull King they decided to go to Mt. Huago

Bull King hated monkeys because of SWK betrayal LOL, but he still gave them shelter and the monkeys were often bullied by other yaoguais

The Flaming Mountain Keeper (dude who had the hots for Princess Iron Fan) treated them with kindness and gave them food and support

Plague struck, monkeys fur fell out and they had sores and boils all over their skin spreading across their back

Macaque Chief casted the infected into the Furnace Valley. Dude said not my circus not my monkeys lol

Keeper came and saved them and cured them. Wings spread from the boils off their back

Keeper taught them how to fly and enlisted them as his minions

first thing they did was purge the Macaque Chief's camp, killed all the other monkeys, only leaving the Chief alive, who then fled to the New West

Macaque Chief (Chapter 3 New West)

Yellobrow helped Macacque Chief retracting his black wings

Macaque was a Chief under SWK

Yellowbrow offers the Macaque Chief to stay and help him rebuild the Thunderclap Temple

"If you had the abilities of that monkey who wreaked such havod in the Celestial Palace, it would have been others who would have suffered." - Yellowbrow

My personal thoughts and musings:

based on the entries from Tenner, I guess it's been more than 100 years since SWK died, I recall reading somewhere it was 270 years but I don't remember where I got that number, so if anyone knows let me know. I like that they added information on what happened to the monkeys at Mt. Huaguo. Chapter 6 felt very Unfinished (fitting title) in terms of also environment - there weren't much enemies around beside the court soldiers and bosses to fight. And when I first walked into the waterfalls cave, my first thought was how empty and abandoned it look like. There are stone tables and chairs and peaches scattered around, but it looks very much like no one has been there for a very long time.

Also the Macaque Chief is NOT the six-eared Macaque, he died in JTTW killed by SWK.

So we know that

SWK left the court and buddhahood behind to just chill with his homies

in retalition the Court started killing his monkey kind

SWK killed himself in order to be completely free

the court very likely continued to massacre and raze through Mt. Huaguo

which then led to Macaque Chief leading some other monkeys away to find a new home

When the Old Monkey is telling the stories of SWK and sending out monkeys to retrieve artifacts, we see a bunch of other monkeys holding staffs too (spot the anime protagonist lmfao)

we do not see or find any other monkeys when we arrive at Mt. Huaguo

My theories and headcanons:

Without Sun Wukong's protection, Yaoguai's run rampagne and the monkeys are not able to fully defend themselves

also when we arrive and on our way to the Stone, we get attacked by court soldiers

My theory is that because they know SWK will be reincarnated, and they want to prevent that, they have soldiers stationed there to attack whenever someone triest to obtain all armor parts and reach the Stone with SWK remains

hence also why the monkeys had to leave, because they would get attacked by court soldiers on sight

I don't think ALL of them left, we do still see monkeys at the beginning of the game

Overall when I played through Ch.6 there was a also a strong feeling of excitement of reaching the end of the journey soon, but also sad because it Mt Huaguo just felt so empty. it's supposed to be SWK's home and he wanted to leave buddhahood behind to be with his kin. To me, that already paints an image of mt Huaguo, being a lively and happy place.

I do wonder what is gonna happen next now that SWK is back. I suppose words will go out that the Monkey King is back, and that some of the monkeys will try to return again? I also wonder what the DO was thinking when traveling and having to fight his own kin. Does he know the history of his mountain? Hopefully the DLC will answer some more questions for us

And that's it about the monkeys! I'm still reading the Journal Entries, and will tackle the Tigers from Chapter 2 next!

[ephemeralinstance]

Solas, Rook, and Mirroring

One important thing we learned about Solas in Inquisition is that he mirrors: if you approach him with ego, he responds with sarcasm and cutting words, but if you approach him with openness and curiosity, he responds with humility and kindness.  And this is very much carried through to Veilguard: it's simply less obvious there, because Rook is only able to approach Solas as an enemy, so Solas always mirrors by treating Rook as an enemy. This isn't a criticism of Rook, of course: given the circumstances of their meeting, it's natural that they see Solas first and foremost as a threat. But it's important to Solas' characterization in the game that even if you choose the nicest dialogue options, Rook makes no secret of the fact that they see Solas that way. For example, Rook never asks Solas about his motivations for taking down the Veil, and instead projects assumptions on him, insisting repeatedly that he was trying to 'destroy the world.' They also make no attempt to treat him with kindness: is Solas suffering from the isolation? Is he starving to death in the prison? Rook could have asked, but they never do. And perhaps most importantly, Rook never makes any mention of getting Solas out of the prison: it seems clear that they intend to leave Solas trapped there forever. Here, it's easy to forget how truly desperate Solas must be, because through it all he maintains his composed and even smug facade; he doesn't want Rook to see his vulnerability. As we know from Inquisition, he's only snarky like this with people he doesn't like and doesn't trust: it's the same dynamic he has with Vivienne, and in his early dialogues with Dorian and Iron Bull. From that point of view, it's clear that Solas is trading verbal jabs with Rook precisely as a way of keeping them at a distance. But the reality is that he's trapped alone in a prison designed to psychologically torture him, and since Rook clearly isn't going to release him, he'll be trapped alone forever unless he finds a way out. For a man whose greatest fear is dying alone, this must be a terrible prospect. This is why I find it hard to really blame Solas for what he does to Rook - it's hurtful and unkind, yes, but it's his only way out of an eternity of torment, and who among us would not take desperate measures to escape that? Moreover, it's here that Solas' actions towards Rook most clearly mirror those of Rook towards Solas. Rook intended to leave Solas trapped in the prison forever; so Solas literally switches them, leaving Rook trapped there instead. Rook doesn't show kindness toward Solas, so Solas responds with unkindness towards Rook. And although what Solas does is in a superficial sense a 'betrayal,' in many ways it isn't really a betrayal, because you can only betray friends or allies, and Solas is not either of those things to Rook: they might have worked together out of necessity, but ultimately Rook treats Solas as an enemy, and so that's what he becomes. All of this makes me very curious about what might have happened if Rook had treated Solas differently. For the sake of the plot, clearly it was necessary that Rook should treat Solas as an enemy, so Solas could mirror that back. But I wonder what might have happened if Rook had showed kindness, or had some curiosity about Solas' motivations, or even been willing to discuss with Solas some options for eventually getting him out of the prison. By the logic of Solas as a mirror, this would have necessarily changed Solas' behaviour, and thus there might have been a different outcome. How might the ending might have looked if Rook had genuinely tried to befriend Solas? Could there have been a different way out for both of them?

[dalishious]

people love to throw around the word 'betrayed' in regards to mage companions, but do you personally believe any of the companions have betrayed the player character? i went through them all, and the only one i can think of actually betraying you is the iron bull if you don't save the chargers and he tries to kill you in trespasser. but even then, that's the player's fault.

Morrigan never betrays the Warden and I don't understand where the idea even came from that she does - she is up front about the dark ritual and follows through with what she says will happen.

I can see how some people might feel that Anders betrays Hawke, depending on their Hawke's stance on things. But I don't believe it's fair to make a blanket statement that he betrays everyone. It depends on how you play your Hawke!

Solas never betrays the Inquisitor, but he does lie to the Inquisitor about his true identity. That's not betrayal, though; he never acts against the player, he only helps you.

So no, I don't agree with the common fandom jokes about how there's always a mage who betrays you. It's just not true.

I also agree that Iron Bull's betrayal is just reciprocating the betrayal you acted against him first.

[quitealotofsodapop]

Do you know if there's any initiation process for people to become sworn siblings?

Or do they just say, "You're my sworn sibling now." to each other?

I think it is comparable to the historical practice of "blood brothers" in which close companions would symbolically "mix blood" by pressing opened wounds against one another or drinking one another's blood. In some cultures with a more "eww. blood" attitude, a sacrifice was made in each other's honour to seal the deal instead.

In folklore; the only reason the gods in the Norse pantheon don't get rid of Loki despite their mischief, is because Loki and Odin are blood brothers.

Noted examples in East Asia mainly come from Mongolian and tribal Chinese accounts - in which it was common practice amongst dear friends and their children. One famous example is Temüjin aka Genghis Khan and his childhood friend Jamukha - the latter's betrayal and attempted usurping considered one of the Khan's greatest emotional losses.

For particularly Chinese sources I found this article about traditional Chinese Kinship, though most of the sources come from Taiwan.

The standard ritual was for each sworn sibling to add their names and dates to a contract and ritualistically burn it - as to add it to the infernal and celestial archives. "Can't return me without the receipt" - at it's finest.

Another familiar practice was for each sibling in the pact to add their blood to wine, and pass it around to drink.

It's a bit flexible depending on the individuals. Whether for personal or political reasons. But the "ideal" scenario is people who are so close, that they feel that they might as well by legally recognised as siblings. Sworn brethren could, for example, contribute to the dowry of a sworn sibling's daughter, preform mourning rituals for the others bio family, or becoming legal guardians of your sworn-sibling's kid in case of their death.

Or in the case of Confucian-era China outlawing homosexuality, it was a clever way to facilitate a same-sex marriage. Can't fault two guys for living together and raising their kids when it's a legally recognised practice! A bunch of friends could come together and make a brotherhood pact as a way to cheekily help others in the group be married in spirit when the state wouldn't recognise it.

Some folks even did it so that members in their bio family who were interested in eachother could have "a reason" to be interacting. Imperial gender norms be wildin' so hard that you can't talk to your crush without your dads being legally best bros.

This is why in chinese slang; "sworn brothers" is used as slang for "gay relationship". Aka "oh my god, they were roommates."-vine.

In JTTW: Sun Wukong and the Brotherhood/Seven Sages declare themselves sworn kin at the same time Wukong elects his Marshals and Generals. In this case, they are all close friends who officiate their sworn kinship through partying hard, and making sacrifices to both Heaven and Hell. They even have separate days out together.

(Source: Anthony C Yu translation)

Who knows, maybe a wedding was thrown in the mix? With all the drinking I wouldn't be shocked if there was some confusion with the ritual contract! XD

Wukong, re-reading the contract years later: "HA! Flood Dragon and Tamarin put themselves down as the other kind of sworn brother! Wonder if they even noticed that?" Bull King, there to check: "I doubt it. I'm just glad I'm not legally married to anyone. Don't want any loose ends before me and Iron Fan get hitched."

Erlang and the Six Lads of Plum Hill/Meishan Brothers are all sworn brothers too - in a more frat-boy/brothers-in-arms sense. They've all likely know each other for decades, and legit see each other equal to siblings. Notably, Erlang shares the bounty he received from capturing Sun Wukong fairly across his brothers (and presumably the remaining odd bit for the dog). Four of the brothers are Marshals while Two are Generals, giving more credence to the headcanon of Wukong's Stalwarts being his sworn family as well. In an odd bit of hilarity amongst the tense fight of Flower Fruit Mountain, the bros even rib Erlang for thinking too hard about Wukong.

Erlang, trying to be cool and edgy: "What a foul being to dare call himself equal to heaven. I ought to-" Plum Hill Lad: "Aww! Elder Bro has a crush!" Erlang, flustered: "I DO NOT!!" Plum Hill Lads, all cracking up and making kissy faces: "Then why are you thinking about him so much?" "Major sus bro!" "If you wanna fight him so much why don't you just marry him?" (*Invasion is paused as all six Plum Hill lads start rough-housing with their elder bro. Many head-noogies are inflicted.*) Wukong, on the ground: "You know what those guys are talking about Macaque?" Macaque, teasing: "Why, are you interested in him or something?" Wukong, blushing like a schoolgirl: "Oh my gawds! Stahp!"

Curiously, Wukong describes himself and Erlang as "sworn brothers" later in the book; suggesting that they had a close relationship at some point. One of my fave pieces of art (can't find it rn) is Erlang asking Wukong to be his "sworn brother", and Wukong assumes he means "spouse" and gets confused when Erlang mentions having six more. XD

A "lesser" case would be; The Tang Emperor declaring Xuanzang/Tripitaka his oath/sworn brother because the monk is doing him a solid. The Emperor shows his immense gratitude, and Tripitaka gains some political clout that he can throw around if he needs to (the Empress of the Kingdom of Women even sees this as a marriage bonus). Tripitaka def doesn't do the "blood" or sacrificial part of what these rituals imply, as per his Buddhist upbringing, but it's still seen as a binding oath. Rather, they bow to one another and declare their status are sworn bros before an image of the Buddha in the monastery.

In Tripitaka's case, it's more of Emperor Taizong being like; "Look, this pilgrimage is so important to me that I'm gonna legally and spirtually count you as my little brother so that you understand how much I trust you." Meanwhile the monk is like; "What?Thats a bit much don't you think?"

Later on, the promise of becoming one's sworn brother is passed between characters akin to "If you pull this off for me, I would straight up be your best bro."

And ofc the Pilgrims consider eachother sworn kin/brothers at the end of the story, even if they didn't do a ritual to seal it.

So yeah in summary:

Rituals can be performed but are not 100% required. Even a mutual declaration before an idol/holy image is enough. Whilst the Brotherhood of Sages celebrate their new pact through booze and partying and blood sacrifices - Tripitaka and the Tang Emperor just declared it while in a monastery.

People did it for money and political reasons too.

They also did it cus "It ain't gay if it's brotherhood."

Sworn kinship can be forged overtime.

The celestial and infernal archives have the reciepts.

Btw you can do a "sworn divorce" if you and your bro have a falling out.

Whilst the practice isn't really a thing in modern China, I imagine it's still common amongst yaoguai and/or celestials.

[violetjedisylveon]

I can’t help but throw in some ideas for the Shadowpeach celestial prince Macaque au

If we wanna go the comedy route a bit more, all the stuff that happens to Wukong pre-journey are all trials from the in-laws to earn their approval (which Wukong could honestly care less about but Macaque wants it it so he’ll suck it up and play nice-ish and it does earn him points since he’s like the only one whose ever tried to earn their approval instead of just eloping)

Stuck in the furnace until he can prove he can escape? Challenge Accepted.

Prove his immortalities by enduring the execution attempts? Easy.

Prove his devotion by self-reflecting under a mountain, being fed only molten copper and ice-cold iron for 500 days? The assholes failed to mention it was 500 celestial days but he came out on top.

Jade Emperor, visibly seething: You have endured all of these trials and proven your devotion to my son. As such, I and this court will give approval for your courtship of Prin-

Celestial messenger *bursts into the Court*: THE PRINCESS IRON FAN HAS ELOPED WITH THE DEMON BULL KING, SWORN BROTHER OF SUN WUKONG!

Jade Emperor:…

Sun Wukong:…

Jade Emperor:… For your brother’s actions, I need you to escort this mortal to India to pick up some scrolls. No flying allowed.

Sun Wukong: OH COME ON!

Jade Emperor: No monk with Buddhist scrolls, no approval.

Previous

Oh my gods yes! That kinda reminds me of the Eros and Psyche myth, which is great!

Macaque really wants his parents approval for two main reasons. 1, so him and his family don't end up cursed or suffering some other terrible fate like his sisters and aunt did, and 2, celestial monkey pregnancies are strange and dangerous and he needs the support network of his family.

And Wukong's also gotta pay for the crimes he did before the miscommunication was solved, they aren't just gonna let that slide cause Wukong is young, dumb and not the best at thinking things through.

Fingers are pointed at Azure for trying to start a conflict because he was a celestial, he knows macaque is a prince, he get into more trouble for the whole actually rebelling thing than Wukong because Wukong was just impulsive and actively being misled.

And Wukong does get in-law brownie points for not eloping with their son and actually earning their approval, they won't admit it but he's at the top of their list for favorite son in law.

So he goes through all these trials while macaque is at home being like "dad stop torturing my boyfriend!"

JE is definitely being a bit petty in the situation, but by the time the mountain trial is done he's begrudgingly willing to allow the courtship to happen.

Then DBK and Iron Fan elope and he's pissed and blames Wukong for introducing them, which he is guilty of, so now he's gotta babysit a squishy mortal for 15 years.

Macaque is not pleased because the babies refuse to be born until their parents are together, and he's already been pregnant for 500 years.

Wukong is mad at DBK for not also trying to get approval and making his courtship approval even more difficult. There are definitely some slaps when they meet up again, then gushing over baby Red Son.

No pain crown for the monkey man here, but the pilgrims do gotta deal with him pining and waxing poetic about the love of his life, Ao Lie's very happy to learn about his brother's soon to be husband.

Meanwhile Camel Ridge trio is not very pleased by their brothers betrayal for pretty faces, and are making plans. >:3

Thanks for asking!

[lizzybeeee]

Me creating an Inquisitor in 2018 to romance the Iron Bull with the faint hope of hearing some juicy details/codex entries/scathing tavern songs about their relationship in DA4 when we get to witness the Qunari/Tevinter War we've been building up to for three games.

Iron Bull betrayal, romance Many whispered that the Inquisitor was to blame for the Qunari attack, that he/she allowed him/herself to be blinded by lust and seduced into folly. The Inquisitor was mocked in tavern songs and scathing Orlesian plays for years to come. Trespasser Epilogue

[carinavet]

Exactly one thing really bothers me about The Iron Bull's "betrayal" in Trespasser if he sticks with the Qun:

Vidasala is a heretic.

If he's Tal-Vashoth, he spends most of Trespasser frustrated with the Qunari because how they're acting makes no sense. It's been a while since I played a game where he stays Qunari, but I think I remember most of that part staying the same. Either way, right before the confrontation with the dragon, you find correspondence between Josephine and the Qunari triumvirate that confirms that Vidasala is acting on her own, and the triumvirate aren't happy about it.

A Hisrad that's loyal to the Qun AND friends with the Inquisitor shouldn't fight at her side. Any decent Ben-hassrath agent would know better, and Hisrad is a very good Ben-hassrath agent. If the triumvirate wants Vidasala stopped and is looking for her, Hisrad's job should be working with the Inquisition to make sure that happens. He definitely shouldn't blow his status as a really well-placed double agent to fight for someone who isn't even following the Qun.

[adainesjacket]

dragon age friends who like the iron bull, or have at least explored his character and motivations in more depth than i have:

i'm playing with an idea for a trespasser fic which would involve bull's betrayal. my question is: if the inquisitor had not been present for the dreadnought/chargers choice, would bull have chosen to sacrifice the chargers?

as in, is it the inquisitor's influence that convinces him to go against the qun, or would he always have picked the chargers and you're there to provide a different option??

thoughts welcome!!!

[cachien]

boiling down the entirety of three games, like minimum 30+30+75 hours, to three questions that entirely neglect the warden is simply garbage. regardless of "cameos" or random in-game lore pieces, what happens in the previous games is still essential. what choices you make regarding mythal, kieran, morrigan. whether or not kieran's father is the king of fereldan or not. the well of sorrows. kieran's father potentially being sacrificed in here lies the abyss. the champion of kirkwall potentially being sacrificed in here lies the abyss. if the warden is queen of fereldan. regardless of smaller decisions like if zevran can make a cameo or not, it should alter the storyline to have these characters in different roles, to have their stories determined, and by completely undermining the previous three games it wrecks the history of the world. you can't even argue that it's just because we're in northern thedas now, when things like iron bull's betrayal or commitment regarding the ben-hassrath are overlooked. do the qunari have reason to hate the inquisition if it's ongoing? if our inquisitor shows up, do we have any power over their dialogue or personality? is it going to be as bad as purple hawke in da:i? like. the whole appeal of dragon age is player choice. to scrap that is to disregard the heart of this game series and while i'm still going to play it, i already know i'm going to scream every time a previously essential world-building choice is chosen for me.

[rosella-writes]

Gayfics (by me!)

To celebrate 🌈Pride🌈 I thought I'd share some of my favourite gay fics I've written for DA over the years. Here are my faves in no particular order:

The Needle and the Shield

Relationship: Alistair Theirin x Zevran Arainai

Rating: E

Tags: painplay, (tattoo) needles, blowjobs, first time

“The ink might be cold, caro,” Zevran said in a teasing tone, barely masking his own anticipation. “Hold still.” Alistair takes Zevran up on his offer to give him a tattoo—Zevran learns that Alistair likes pain.

Amatus, Kadan, Vhenan

Relationship: Dorian Pavus x The Iron Bull x Solas

Rating: E

Tags: polyamory, top!Dorian, bottom!Solas, bottom!Bull, porn with feelings

Solas shoots him another look over his shoulder. His eyes are bright under furrowed brows. “Do not assume I cannot see this ploy for what it is. Perhaps I want to remain upset with Dorian. Did you consider that, oh benevolent peacekeeper?” Iron Bull shrugs. “Or you could fuck about it and stay mad. Makes no difference to me.” Solas and Dorian have a difference of magical opinion. Iron Bull brokers peace in the best way he knows how.

Lay Down Your Armour

Relationship: Blackwall x Solas

Rating: M

Tags: vignettes, canonical banter, catching feelings, betrayal

When they shuddered to their ends together, limbs tangled and skin stuck together with sweat, Blackwall pressed an open-mouthed kiss to Solas’s pulse and whispered, “I’m sorry, I’m so —” “Don’t,” Solas hissed.  Then the elf rose, dressed himself, and left Blackwall alone in the dark. Against their own better judgements, Blackwall and Solas find it calming to see something familiar in another.

[mrs-gauche]

...and also the only time that Solas of all people, is completely speechless, for once at a loss for words in response to an irrefutable argument.

Throughout the whole game (with a few exceptions in which he actually admits to having misjudged), whenever you get the chance to debate him on something you do not agree on, Solas, Mr “I’m a trillion years old, you know nothing, so listen carefully” will practically verbally jiu-jitsu you for every possible argument you might have, like, he’s an absolute master at playing Ace Attorney refuting any of your points, much like playing mind chess with Iron Bull, there is no chance to win an argument with Solas if he’s determined to have you recognize the flaw in your logic or at least understand his perspective, making you feel like this gif at the end of every debate.

But when Lavellan says “I would have had you trust me”, finally, there is no counter argument, no clever comeback, no objection... He has nothing. Because Lavellan is right and he knows. There’s just silence until he turns around and continues with the rest of the dialogue. And I think it’s interesting how this is kinda the culmination of all the little hints throughout the whole game at his ingrained distrust, leading up to this moment.

“An enemy can attack you, but only an ally can betray you. Betrayal is always worse.”

"The next time you have to mourn, you don't need to be alone." “It’s been so long since I could trust someone.”

“That’s when you should lean on your friends.” “Apologies, Inquisitor. I have learned not to do that.”

“I’ll rely on those I trust.” "You think to share your power, to avoid the temptation to misuse it. A noble sentiment... but, ultimately, a mistake." (...) "Because while one selfless man may walk away from the lure of power's corruption... no group has ever done so."

“You created a powerful organization, and now it suffers the inevitable fate of such. Betrayal and corruption.”

"I trust my friends." "I know that mistake well enough to carve the angles of her face from memory."

“She was betrayed as I was betrayed. As the world was betrayed!” - Flemeth about Mythal

You get the sense that him witnessing Mythal being betrayed and murdered by the Evanuris was probably the catalyst for his immense trust issues, so much so that it still has that big of an impact on him centuries later. And of course it has, when 1) it was this batrayal and power corruption that set everything in motion, it almost lead to the end of the entire world, which in turn lead to the creation of the Veil and finally the loss of his world and his people, 2) he has spent the last 1000 years walking the Fade, having to look at the ever present Black City in its center - their prison - as a constant reminder of what happened. (I know it’s not confirmed yet, but come on! 😂)

And then there is Lavellan (or any high approval Inquisitor for that matter) at the end of all this. Who proved him wrong with every action throughout DAI. Who has shown wisdom in their decisions and that the power they were given mustn’t corrupt them. That there is no reason for him not to trust them. And yet, he simply can’t, because the past still haunts him and centuries of history have taught him otherwise (and like a bunch of other reasons for him to not tell Lavellan the truth in that moment in Crestwood, but that’s beside the point here lol). 

And then at the end of Trespasser, Lavellan finally throws it straight to his face, and while he could pull any of the excuses listed above, he simply can’t refute them anymore. Look at his expression as he just looks at them in response, at first still frowning for a second, as if he’s still about to argue them again, but then suddenly shifting into sorrow, slightly shaking his head in defeat. “I got nothing.” Solas, who easily managed to own you in any debate prior to this, is all out of arguments. It’s the final argument and the Inquisitor won.

(Well, technically, it even happens twice in this final conversation, if we’re counting Solas’ internal debate with himself. lol)

"We aren't even people to you." "Not at first. You showed me that I was wrong."

But going back to his distrust, it surely can’t be a coincidence that this whole issue was also topic in a recent interview with DA4′s Creative Director, talking about what defines a hero.

I’ve talked about this numerous times now, like here, here or here, but what it all comes down to is basically just one more penny for the “Solas needs to learn how to trust again in order to be saved from himself” jar. lol

“We will save our friend from himself… if we can.”

Like. It’s literally his name. Pride. Saving Solas from himself does quite literally mean to strip him off his name and the belief that, to quote John Epler again, “only he has the answers, that he is the only one who can solve this” and to accept the help of others. Which is why he has to get a new name by the end of all this. I’m dying on that hill. 😂

[adoribullpavus]

i just read a post about solas and iron bull being the most entertaining duo and i thought to myself why do i never bring solas to iron bull's betrayal, momentarily forgetting one Very Big Plot Point