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Nathaniel-
How's it going? Are you feeling alright? Have you spoken to your husband about possible concussions?
I only ask because I heard you willingly went to Nevarra City, and I can only assume that you took a hard hit to the head that temporarily clouded your judgement. I'll be praying for your swift return to sense and swifter return to Normal People Country. Hopefully, before those corpses rise up and overthrow the Nevarran government. Don't say I didn't warn you!
Terrifying corpse cities aside, the Western Approach has been a blast. As in, did you know if you use a sword with a flame rune against a Phoenix with its nasty rotten egg breath, there will be a literal blast? Now you do! It's okay, though. My eyebrows grew back just fine.
Did you ever realize just how big the Western Approach was? I mean, really realize? Standing on the cliffs and overlooking the sand that stretches for endless miles...I'm not humbled easily, but it was damn humbling. It's both unnerving and comforting to realize just how small we are, against the backdrop of Thedas as a whole.
And, yanno. There's a lot of sand. A lot of sand. I know you're not gonna want details, so let's just say that when I get back, I'm going to spend an entire day in the baths.
The kids that I'm working with are surprisingly alright, and being a teacher is more enjoyable than I thought it would be. You're old as dirt, Nathaniel, is this what it feels like? To look at all these babies and realize you gotta whip them into shape before the world does?
Next thing you know, I'll be getting glasses and scowling at papers, too.
I should be heading back to Kirkwall pretty soon here, and if you know what's good for you, you'll be heading back even sooner. Then we can meet up to drink and celebrate not being dead or mummified or, I don't know, sacrificed to some death cult. I've heard stories.
Please take care of yourself, Nathaniel. There's only one of you, and I think you're pretty great. And can you imagine what kind of fuckery it'd be, if I tried to go shopping for a Howe? Please save me from turning into a Maker-damned comedy routine.
Best wishes,
Kaisa
How's it going? Are you feeling alright? Have you spoken to your husband about possible concussions?
I only ask because I heard you willingly went to Nevarra City, and I can only assume that you took a hard hit to the head that temporarily clouded your judgement. I'll be praying for your swift return to sense and swifter return to Normal People Country. Hopefully, before those corpses rise up and overthrow the Nevarran government. Don't say I didn't warn you!
Terrifying corpse cities aside, the Western Approach has been a blast. As in, did you know if you use a sword with a flame rune against a Phoenix with its nasty rotten egg breath, there will be a literal blast? Now you do! It's okay, though. My eyebrows grew back just fine.
Did you ever realize just how big the Western Approach was? I mean, really realize? Standing on the cliffs and overlooking the sand that stretches for endless miles...I'm not humbled easily, but it was damn humbling. It's both unnerving and comforting to realize just how small we are, against the backdrop of Thedas as a whole.
And, yanno. There's a lot of sand. A lot of sand. I know you're not gonna want details, so let's just say that when I get back, I'm going to spend an entire day in the baths.
The kids that I'm working with are surprisingly alright, and being a teacher is more enjoyable than I thought it would be. You're old as dirt, Nathaniel, is this what it feels like? To look at all these babies and realize you gotta whip them into shape before the world does?
Next thing you know, I'll be getting glasses and scowling at papers, too.
I should be heading back to Kirkwall pretty soon here, and if you know what's good for you, you'll be heading back even sooner. Then we can meet up to drink and celebrate not being dead or mummified or, I don't know, sacrificed to some death cult. I've heard stories.
Please take care of yourself, Nathaniel. There's only one of you, and I think you're pretty great. And can you imagine what kind of fuckery it'd be, if I tried to go shopping for a Howe? Please save me from turning into a Maker-damned comedy routine.
Best wishes,
Kaisa
Kaisa,
Until I got your letter and saw the return address, I thought your last name was spelled Dyson. You might consider spelling it Dyson, because if you do, you will find you suddenly have a great many more relatives. Of course this runs the risk of having more people who will solicit you for money, but in return, you can solicit them all for money as well. You might even have a Rich Uncle--and speaking as someone who possesses a Rich Uncle, this is sometimes a hindrance more than it is a gift, but I suppose you would at least have one chance in twenty of him being the generous variety.
In addition to family, changing the way you spell your name would result in a great deal less paperwork for me, as presently all the paperwork for you I have filled out spells it Dyson. Not that there is very much paperwork--our system is streamlined to have as little paperwork as possible, for obvious reasons. And most of the time you are referred to as Senior Warden Kaisa instead of Senior Warden Dyson or Daesun. So I suppose it will not be very hard for me to transition your paperwork after all.
I am not old as dirt.
When you get back to Kirkwall we will have a delightful time, although I will have to confirm with Anders whether it is safe for me to drink while on so much opium and elfroot. I took a shield to the ribs when the Necropolis rose up against us (as you rightly predicted) but I am feeling fairly decent, all things considered. Thank you for your kind letter, and be safe as you travel back to us. You are dearly valued.
Your friend,
Nathaniel
Until I got your letter and saw the return address, I thought your last name was spelled Dyson. You might consider spelling it Dyson, because if you do, you will find you suddenly have a great many more relatives. Of course this runs the risk of having more people who will solicit you for money, but in return, you can solicit them all for money as well. You might even have a Rich Uncle--and speaking as someone who possesses a Rich Uncle, this is sometimes a hindrance more than it is a gift, but I suppose you would at least have one chance in twenty of him being the generous variety.
In addition to family, changing the way you spell your name would result in a great deal less paperwork for me, as presently all the paperwork for you I have filled out spells it Dyson. Not that there is very much paperwork--our system is streamlined to have as little paperwork as possible, for obvious reasons. And most of the time you are referred to as Senior Warden Kaisa instead of Senior Warden Dyson or Daesun. So I suppose it will not be very hard for me to transition your paperwork after all.
I am not old as dirt.
When you get back to Kirkwall we will have a delightful time, although I will have to confirm with Anders whether it is safe for me to drink while on so much opium and elfroot. I took a shield to the ribs when the Necropolis rose up against us (as you rightly predicted) but I am feeling fairly decent, all things considered. Thank you for your kind letter, and be safe as you travel back to us. You are dearly valued.
Your friend,
Nathaniel
Kaisa,
I want to apologize in case for my husband's letter. I left him heavily medicated for just long enough to check on another patient and, apparently, just long enough for him to finish what he was writing and get it sent.
I was fairly certain he couldn't move that fast. However, I can find some comfort in this meaning he's not in more pain than he's showing.
He seemed very pleased by your letter and I hope you're doing well.
Fondly,
Anders
I want to apologize in case for my husband's letter. I left him heavily medicated for just long enough to check on another patient and, apparently, just long enough for him to finish what he was writing and get it sent.
I was fairly certain he couldn't move that fast. However, I can find some comfort in this meaning he's not in more pain than he's showing.
He seemed very pleased by your letter and I hope you're doing well.
Fondly,
Anders
He's rather pleased with himself as he finishes the last bit of paperwork on his desk and starts gathering things up to put where they belong. Maybe he's a little tired, but he's gotten a lot done these past couple of days.
"I'm about done, love," he calls out to the next-door room. "How's your load looking?" The question is followed by his appearance in the doorway, stack of papers ready for Nate's perusal.
"I've..." His legs suddenly wobble, like they can't hold him up and Anders grabs for the doorframe and misses. Mage and papers go down in a heap. All he can see is the floor for a terrible eternity as his heart pounds in his chest and he has no strength to call on.
"I'm about done, love," he calls out to the next-door room. "How's your load looking?" The question is followed by his appearance in the doorway, stack of papers ready for Nate's perusal.
"I've..." His legs suddenly wobble, like they can't hold him up and Anders grabs for the doorframe and misses. Mage and papers go down in a heap. All he can see is the floor for a terrible eternity as his heart pounds in his chest and he has no strength to call on.
Nathaniel will feel guilty for some time that he didn't even look up when Anders spoke. He hears the rustle of uncontrolled papers and begins to look up, but by the time his gaze is there, Anders is already on the floor. Then his own hand is on his chair, he's standing, he's at his husband's side and lifting him into his lap.
"Love? Anders?" Those eyes aren't closing, but he's not moving. He's limp and Nathaniel is suddenly terrified that his life is over, that everything is over.
"Love? Anders?" Those eyes aren't closing, but he's not moving. He's limp and Nathaniel is suddenly terrified that his life is over, that everything is over.
It takes him a couple of seconds to follow how he's no longer on the floor and where he is again, and by the time it's registering his strength is slowly returning. Anders blinks, breathing, trying to sit up for a second before deciding he should give himself slightly longer to recover.
"Nate," he breathes, resting the side of his face against his husband. "I'm sorry. I was just... I think I'm tired." There's been a lot on his plate lately. Enough, even, that he's content to be here just a few more moments. There's an ache in the spots that hit the ground, knees, shoulder, arm, cheek, but nothing feels broken and nothing feels like it needs immediate attention.
"Nate," he breathes, resting the side of his face against his husband. "I'm sorry. I was just... I think I'm tired." There's been a lot on his plate lately. Enough, even, that he's content to be here just a few more moments. There's an ache in the spots that hit the ground, knees, shoulder, arm, cheek, but nothing feels broken and nothing feels like it needs immediate attention.
He can feel Anders' reassuring weight in his arms. He hears his voice and breath, the sigh of his words, and he finally has time to panic. Only, the physician he would take his husband to is...his husband. And with that dilemma, he explodes.
"Do you think you're tired?" Nathaniel spends a moment hyperventilating before he buckles down. "If you were your own patient, what would you say? What would you say if Teren was collapsed and lying on my lap right now?"
"Do you think you're tired?" Nathaniel spends a moment hyperventilating before he buckles down. "If you were your own patient, what would you say? What would you say if Teren was collapsed and lying on my lap right now?"
A grimace answers the questions because he doesn't like the real answers.
"I'd tell her that I'm sorry, there's only room for one person on my husband's lap and I'm currently occupying it?" He doesn't think the joke will go over well, but he's got to try it. Right after he's done speaking one of his hands glows green and he holds it up, over his heart as he tries to see what's wrong. Nate's right. He wouldn't write this off as simple with anyone else without checking them over.
"I'd tell her that I'm sorry, there's only room for one person on my husband's lap and I'm currently occupying it?" He doesn't think the joke will go over well, but he's got to try it. Right after he's done speaking one of his hands glows green and he holds it up, over his heart as he tries to see what's wrong. Nate's right. He wouldn't write this off as simple with anyone else without checking them over.
That's the correct answer on both counts. Nathaniel strokes his hair, hovering, worrying. It's not normal to just collapse unprovoked, and less normal for it to be someone so very dear to him. It's never normal, when it's someone you love.
"You have the rest of my life to occupy this lap," he reminds him with a half-smile. "But this is nonsense. Tell me why I'm worrying needlessly and you're completely immortal."
"You have the rest of my life to occupy this lap," he reminds him with a half-smile. "But this is nonsense. Tell me why I'm worrying needlessly and you're completely immortal."
"I did survive seven escape attempts, and a full Darkspawn assault, and Meredith, and possession." His strength is rapidly returning and it shows in his voice, and in the hopeful half-smile Anders shoots up at Nate. It fades a little as the light goes out around his hand. There's nothing wrong that he can detect and it's good news but if he was dealing with a patient who had collapsed and not himself he'd be expecting a definite cause.
"I can't find anything wrong," he says with a sigh. "Besides the new bruises. I'm not ill, there's nothing gone awry in my head that I can detect. I'm sorry, love, I really may have overdone it. My... The answer I wouldn't take from a patient might be the only one there is."
"I can't find anything wrong," he says with a sigh. "Besides the new bruises. I'm not ill, there's nothing gone awry in my head that I can detect. I'm sorry, love, I really may have overdone it. My... The answer I wouldn't take from a patient might be the only one there is."
He sighs and slowly sits up, contemplating using healing on such little things as aches and pains and bruises. It seems both overly self-indulgent and a good way to feel better quickly but the former wins out.
"I'll go to bed early tonight, just after dinner, and not get up at the regular hour in the morning. My shift at the infirmary doesn't start until ten; I can stay in bed until eight instead of five." There's a definite danger of feeling lazy there, but if the infirmary needs him at the usual time they can call.
"I'll go to bed early tonight, just after dinner, and not get up at the regular hour in the morning. My shift at the infirmary doesn't start until ten; I can stay in bed until eight instead of five." There's a definite danger of feeling lazy there, but if the infirmary needs him at the usual time they can call.
He blinks at Nate, expression a little aghast. Lose a whole day and a half? There's so much that needs to be done... and then he remembers just moments ago how scared Nate had been, how it had been in his voice and his touch, and Anders looks down. His own fear from being on the ground isn't enough to keep him from working, but he really doesn't want to hurt Nate.
"All right." Truth be told, there is something nice about someone loving him to the point they want to protect him. He just wishes he wasn't being protected from work and himself. "I think I can. I don't feel weak anymore."
After a second as he mentally braces - falling is terrifying - Anders grabs the earlier-missed doorframe and pulls himself up to his feet. There's no wobble. His legs hold. It makes him feel a little sheepish, too, on top of things. He'd fallen over and there isn't even a good reason for it.
"I... I'm sorry." For scaring Nate, for falling over in front of Nate, for now taking Nate away from what he needs to be doing.
"All right." Truth be told, there is something nice about someone loving him to the point they want to protect him. He just wishes he wasn't being protected from work and himself. "I think I can. I don't feel weak anymore."
After a second as he mentally braces - falling is terrifying - Anders grabs the earlier-missed doorframe and pulls himself up to his feet. There's no wobble. His legs hold. It makes him feel a little sheepish, too, on top of things. He'd fallen over and there isn't even a good reason for it.
"I... I'm sorry." For scaring Nate, for falling over in front of Nate, for now taking Nate away from what he needs to be doing.
Nathaniel keeps hold of Anders as he rises, but he seems all right.
"It's not your fault." He leans in to kiss his lips. "Or perhaps it is, but you're the one who's paying for it, not me. You're overworked, love. We'll take a day off and I'll pamper you to my heart's content and it'll be nice. All right?" It may be nice. Nathaniel loves pampering Anders. "Let me take care of you. You take such good care of me, it's about time I got this chance."
The last few words have a laughing tone. He wants to keep Anders from worrying. He wants to laugh off the guilt Anders pesters himself with. He's not worried about his own work--Alistair and Loghain will have everything handled until he comes back.
"It's not your fault." He leans in to kiss his lips. "Or perhaps it is, but you're the one who's paying for it, not me. You're overworked, love. We'll take a day off and I'll pamper you to my heart's content and it'll be nice. All right?" It may be nice. Nathaniel loves pampering Anders. "Let me take care of you. You take such good care of me, it's about time I got this chance."
The last few words have a laughing tone. He wants to keep Anders from worrying. He wants to laugh off the guilt Anders pesters himself with. He's not worried about his own work--Alistair and Loghain will have everything handled until he comes back.
He leans against Nate after the kiss, listening to the words rumbling in his husband's chest. Nate wants to take care of him. Surely he can't begrudge Nate that, when he's enjoyed taking care of Nate despite worrying.
"All right." It's less resigned this time. He won't dwell on everything he could be doing rather than laying in bed. "All right, love. I'm in your hands." Nate's a healer in his own way, after all. Through the months they've had together Nate has helped him become stronger and find himself again.
With a little reluctance he pulls back so they can start walking, setting a slightly slower pace than usual. It's not so much slower that other people should notice, but the thought of possibly falling over in front of people who aren't safe the way Nate is holds a whole other level of fear.
"All right." It's less resigned this time. He won't dwell on everything he could be doing rather than laying in bed. "All right, love. I'm in your hands." Nate's a healer in his own way, after all. Through the months they've had together Nate has helped him become stronger and find himself again.
With a little reluctance he pulls back so they can start walking, setting a slightly slower pace than usual. It's not so much slower that other people should notice, but the thought of possibly falling over in front of people who aren't safe the way Nate is holds a whole other level of fear.
Once they're home, Nathaniel sits Anders on the bed and goes about getting something comfortable for him to change into. He finds a soft linen caftan, deep green, that he bought for Anders some time ago. He brings it and starts helping Anders take off his shoes.
"Did you realize," he says suddenly, "we've been married almost a year? Or does it still seem like yesterday to you?"
"Did you realize," he says suddenly, "we've been married almost a year? Or does it still seem like yesterday to you?"
He starts undoing the complicated clasps, pulling off his feathered capelet first before stopping at the questions. Almost a year? It seems impossible but the dates line up.
"Maker. I'd not... It does feel like yesterday. Which is a good thing, because it means I'm enjoying my days rather than counting them." Nate gets a warm smile before Anders is bending down to kiss the top of his head. "I pledged my life to you nearly a year ago and I've not had a moment of regret."
And he's still absolutely in love. He's heard of people falling out of love, or getting bored, things along those lines, but he's rather sure they're both happy which makes him even happier. After all, someone who wanted out wouldn't be ordering him to bed to rest and be taken care of.
"Maker. I'd not... It does feel like yesterday. Which is a good thing, because it means I'm enjoying my days rather than counting them." Nate gets a warm smile before Anders is bending down to kiss the top of his head. "I pledged my life to you nearly a year ago and I've not had a moment of regret."
And he's still absolutely in love. He's heard of people falling out of love, or getting bored, things along those lines, but he's rather sure they're both happy which makes him even happier. After all, someone who wanted out wouldn't be ordering him to bed to rest and be taken care of.
Nate gives a soft laugh. "I love you more now than I did then. It doesn't feel exactly as it did, but I like it even better now." He gets the second shoe off and considers a still-clothed thigh. Sex isn't coming at the drop of a hat anymore, but that's nothing compared to the intimacy they have achieved. And maybe tonight, sex should come at the drop of a hat. He fits his fingers along the waistband of Anders' trousers and flashes him a grin.
"But your body? I like that the same." He begins to slide the garment down along those hips.
"But your body? I like that the same." He begins to slide the garment down along those hips.
Anders closes his eyes, committing those words to memory - more now than he did even then, back when he'd asked Anders to marry him. The touch on his waistband has him opening up his eyes and grinning right back, returned instantly to the present.
"I like yours too," he says, reaching down to push back some of Nate's hair as he lifts his hips to help. Maybe this isn't actually what he'd prescribe for a patient, but somehow Nate knew before him exactly what he'd most likel. "I love you, Nathaniel."
Quickly he opens up the frogs on his robes and shrugs his way out of them before he's reaching down to undo Nate's top. "You reminded me of what happiness was, and then surrounded me with it. You light up my life like no one else ever has or ever will."
"I like yours too," he says, reaching down to push back some of Nate's hair as he lifts his hips to help. Maybe this isn't actually what he'd prescribe for a patient, but somehow Nate knew before him exactly what he'd most likel. "I love you, Nathaniel."
Quickly he opens up the frogs on his robes and shrugs his way out of them before he's reaching down to undo Nate's top. "You reminded me of what happiness was, and then surrounded me with it. You light up my life like no one else ever has or ever will."
Nathaniel kisses the inside of Anders' wrist as his hands begin to work off his tunic, before lifting his arms to help him pull it off. Then he's surging upwards, pressing Anders to the bed, caging him with arms and legs.
"You are my happiness," he murmurs as he begins to kiss down the expanse of throat, chest, waist. "I used to think love was a fixed set of tokens to be meted out as a reward for good behavior. You are an ocean of liquid gold, immeasurable, with no price at all, and you are mine. And in a year, I know I will love you even more than I love you now."
He reaches Anders' hips and licks a line up his cock before taking him into his mouth.
"You are my happiness," he murmurs as he begins to kiss down the expanse of throat, chest, waist. "I used to think love was a fixed set of tokens to be meted out as a reward for good behavior. You are an ocean of liquid gold, immeasurable, with no price at all, and you are mine. And in a year, I know I will love you even more than I love you now."
He reaches Anders' hips and licks a line up his cock before taking him into his mouth.
The safety he feels when he's held by Nate is unmatched, and he would do anything for this man, everything. ...Including resting for a whole day, but now at least there's promise of not having to just be a lump there.
"A very high price," he corrects breathily. "All of you, that's my--oh fuck." He'd figured out where Nate was heading with the trail of kisses but that has nothing on Nate's tongue or the warmth of his husband's mouth around him. His cock twitches there, coming to full attention rather quickly.
"You to be all mine as I am all yours, that's my price, and that's all I need," Anders manages. "And in return I will continue to love you more too, my beloved, my Bear." His fingers glide through Nate's hair, gently scratching Nate's scalp. There is nothing like this in Thedas, or possibly in any world, nothing like being loved and loving in return.
"A very high price," he corrects breathily. "All of you, that's my--oh fuck." He'd figured out where Nate was heading with the trail of kisses but that has nothing on Nate's tongue or the warmth of his husband's mouth around him. His cock twitches there, coming to full attention rather quickly.
"You to be all mine as I am all yours, that's my price, and that's all I need," Anders manages. "And in return I will continue to love you more too, my beloved, my Bear." His fingers glide through Nate's hair, gently scratching Nate's scalp. There is nothing like this in Thedas, or possibly in any world, nothing like being loved and loving in return.
That gasp causes Nathaniel himself to stiffen, and he is pleased at the feeling of Anders hardening against his tongue. He takes him in deep, till he must come back up, tasting that salt against his tongue and sucking hard as he reaches the tip. Up and down he bobs his head, determined to bring his husband to ecstasy and rid his mind of all worries, all fears, all responsibilities. Maker knows Anders has done the same for him many times. Two fingers quest along Anders' lips, seeking entrance.
The sentences turn into mere noises as Nate works him over, knowing well exactly what it is that drives Anders wild by now. And he knows what Nate loves too, taking in Nate's fingers and sucking them hard. The anticipation of where they're going, the sight of Nate's head bobbing up and down on his cock and the magnificent way Nate sucks him pushes him right over the edge quickly and he groans, releasing and relaxing completely.
Anders pants in between continuing to lick at and slick up Nate's fingers, spreading his legs wide in invitation. That too is a show for Nate he knows his husband loves.
Anders pants in between continuing to lick at and slick up Nate's fingers, spreading his legs wide in invitation. That too is a show for Nate he knows his husband loves.
He tastes Anders' release before he anticipates, and even that, while mildly disappointing, is greatly gratifying. So instead of fingering his husband while he sucks him, he gets to take is own pleasure. Maybe he can make Anders come twice and get him to sleep shortly after.
Both fingers slide into the man he loves, and he relishes the heat as he touches it. Deep and hot and slick, and he knows exactly how it will feel around his own cock. His fingers slide back out and he replaces them with his tongue, mouth wide open and exploring. Clean and smoky and smooth. He takes his time, waiting for Anders to be ready for another go because he wants to exhaust and satisfy this man.
And when the moment is right, he slides in to the hilt and moves steadily, hooking knees over his elbows and moving slow, building at a pace that won't hurt or stress, only please. Silk and chocolate, no pain, only ecstasy.
Both fingers slide into the man he loves, and he relishes the heat as he touches it. Deep and hot and slick, and he knows exactly how it will feel around his own cock. His fingers slide back out and he replaces them with his tongue, mouth wide open and exploring. Clean and smoky and smooth. He takes his time, waiting for Anders to be ready for another go because he wants to exhaust and satisfy this man.
And when the moment is right, he slides in to the hilt and moves steadily, hooking knees over his elbows and moving slow, building at a pace that won't hurt or stress, only please. Silk and chocolate, no pain, only ecstasy.
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