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You know what to do.

But then what would Purrelden try to groom? You'd leave her so confused. No, my love, this is a sacrifice we must make. It remains. The rest of you more than makes up for it.

[He pauses for a moment before continuing.]

How's the mission going?

[Anders can hear the grin in Nathaniel's voice. He knows the soul patch is a guilty pleasure for Anders at worst.]

It's...going. Not very interesting to hear about, I'm afraid, but I'm optimistic. Tell me everything about your day.

[His bluff has been called and he doesn't mind. Anders is just happy to talk with Nate.]

I've been on the road a short time now. You should know our bed has entirely spoiled me for bedrolls; I'd known the ground was hard but it never felt it. Thankfully I'm a spirit healer and I can cheat.

Which is to say you're probably going to get back while I'm gone and I miss you.

Edited Date: 2016-12-04 12:47 am (UTC)

Poor thing, having to sleep in a comfortable bed most of the time. Alistair had better keep you safe. He is guarding my dearest treasure.

I like hearing that.

[His voice is very gentle and pleased.]

And he seems to be doing well as the muscle on this trip, but the test will be sometime tomorrow when we arrive.

I have every confidence that you will have him protected. And fed, and burped. And you'll change his nappy when he needs it.

Nathaniel.

[Still gentle, but now a little wry.]

You can hardly talk about him protecting me and then how much he needs to be taken care of as if he was an infant in the next breath.

You can't tell me it's inaccurate.

I'd suggest it might be; I don't see him the way you do, love. Which is why I'm fine traveling with him and didn't see if they could take Bethany as a Grey Warden healer instead.

Alistair will look after you, I've no doubt. I've also no doubt you'll be looking after him more than he you.

Do I want to complicate perfectly good pining after being in your arms again by asking what happened between the two of you?

Well...nothing happened.

It's a personality thing?

Alistair likes getting on my nerves. Not everyone's, apparently--mine, specifically.

Next time he succeeds, think of him in a dress in a tightrope. And think of me in considerably less.

...Oh. Well, that's. Fair. And a bit cruel, with you so far away.

I'm not the one that's been gone from Skyhold for a whole month.

[The protest and despair in his voice is over-exaggerated.]

And now another week on top of that because of some Darkspawn. Now we can talk about cruel.

Well. Then you'll have to imagine me taking down your hair and running my fingers through it. And kissing you, and pulling you close.

Mmm.

[It's more exhale than voice.]

I've never had someone as fascinated by my hair as you. I could let you play with it for hours and hours. Except I adore your lips just as much, and fitting myself to you. You'll just have to imagine me kissing you back and sliding a thigh between yours, slowly, because I love the way you say my name when you want me. When you need me.

Anders. [Nathaniel wants and needs him now, though he cannot have him yet. It's still in his voice, and the way he says his name.] Anders, my darling. I would sweep you up into my arms and carry to our bed. And then...

Then, my love, we would fall asleep.

[BOOM. Anders started the teasing. See how he likes it.]

[His breath catches and then there's silence for several moments when Nate concludes.]

Remember this when you can't find any of your socks when we're both back. Any of them. Even if you acquire more.

Consider it a prelude. A tease. The payoff will come when we are reunited.

Nate. You tell me to imagine things and then you tell me to wait days and days more? Prelude.

[After several, after the amusement and teasing wears away, he sighs.]

I miss you.

[He's said it a few times now, but this time it's delivered seriously.]

It scares me a little, how much I've grown accustomed to having you around and wanting you around. Just... Stay safe and come back to me.

Edited Date: 2016-12-09 10:11 pm (UTC)

[Oh.

Sometimes this is a problem. Anders doesn't immediately say what he means, or what he feels, and Nathaniel finds him so transparent by comparison to nearly everyone else in his life that he doesn't think to ask. Now he feels guilty for going without Anders--probably the reason Anders didn't say anything--and foolish for not seeing this earlier.]

I feel the same, [he assures him softly.] I'm sorry, I'm not...really accustomed to being missed. But I will always, always come back to you. We have a wedding to look forward to, don't we? I'm marrying you. That is proof that I will always come back to you.

[It's hard for him to admit what he really feels sometimes. Being silly and funny, or being angry and attacking, are both easy. Earnestness and openness aren't, especially when there's fear involved.]

We do.

[Always come back to him. Very few people have made promises to him, and Nate's kept every one he's made. It helps. It helps a great deal.]

I'm, I'm sorry too. I'm not used to people coming back.

[He's very used to missing people and losing them.]

I worry. A lot. Sometimes, I know, it's more than I should. I don't know how to stop worrying, but I trust you and I trust in you.

[And now he's being far too serious for his own comfort for far too long, so he tries to cover it up with a cough and a little laugh, as much of a laugh as he can muster.]

Some people carry flower bouquets. Could I carry three or four cats? For the wedding, I mean.