pinprick | Fade Rift: Inbox

You know what to do.

It is not so unfamiliar to me, the game. Normally they are not quite so adamant that it is love.

[ That was what shook him most, that vehement insistence. At least he knew better. At least he thought twice this time. ]

You are giving me this, yes? Company for the night where you are close and kind and want nothing from me. That is worth more than you think.

We've plenty of room, and whisky. It's no trouble on our part. [Nathaniel gives Zevran's hand a squeeze.] And considering what you've done for us, I think you're owed a few favors.

Nate's right. Which isn't much of a surprise.

[Both of them get a squeeze.]

If you'd not picked him to be the challenge, I'd still be sleeping on a cot instead of the floor. ...Wait. Do I owe for that?

[His voice is very clearly teasing.]

Well I was going to choose either someone that would be one over by one of us or someone that would be won over by neither of us- to that end the options were Nathaniel, Velanna, Alistair, or Kaisa.

[ It's a casual thing, almost habitual, in how he tugs Nate's hand up enough to kiss the back of it. Idle affection, thoughtless but sincere. ]

So it was either going to be very hot or hilarious. No matter what happened, I won.

[A low chuckle.]

Kaisa would have jumped at the chance, for both of you at once. Velanna would have been righteously offended to be asked. And Alistair...would actually have been hilarious, you're right.

Alistair would have been the second-best choice. And as I'd prefer to not make Velanna feel mocked, Kaisa would then have been third. But I think we can agree that Nate was the right one.

[A threesome with Zevran and Kaisa would have been interesting, yes. But this? This is a thing he'd not dreamed of.]

And I'm glad you didn't consider anyone who might have tried to kill us both for the suggestion. There are a few of those.

What would have been mocking about asking Velanna? She is a marvelous woman, sharp, dangerous. You southerners do not quite know how to treat so lethal and lovely a lady.

[ With a touch of caution and a healthy dose of admiration. ]

I know I had a difficult time recently but I have returned to enjoying life well enough to keep living, Anders. [ wait, had he told Anders that? No?

...Time for another drink of whiskey. ] Thus- someone fun.

She would consider it so. She doesn't think she is desirable, so she would have accused you of mocking her. And anyway, a city elf and a human seducing her...I doubt it would have gone well.

[Velanna is at once pitiable and frustrating to him; as long as he has tried to treat her with dignity, she has been coming up with reasons he's secretly plotting against her. And somehow, he doesn't give up. More fool him. He takes a drink of brandy.]

[He knows the feeling of wanting it to all be over all too well, and the look he gives the elf is pained before Anders presses his temple to Zevran's. At least he's feeling better. There is this. Anders exhales and doesn't press the matter.]

Exactly. She's fantastic, but her pride is a broken thing. It would have come across to her as mocking no matter how we phrased it, and as she's finally joining the Warden group campfires some evenings instead of sticking to her own I don't want to do anything to threaten that. It's hard to start reaching out when... mm.

[There's a pause as he looks from one to the other. The conversation is far too heavy. Anders gives them both a squeeze and then releases them, moving to pull off his pauldrons and bracers and set them to the side.]

I think this conversation would go all the better with me on my back. As with many things. And I expect to be in the middle.

...I am uncertain if innuendo and flirtation is permitted while we are in bed with your lover, Anders. I mean- I have done so before but only when given permission and I think, perhaps, it is not given here- which is well and good. You two are-

This is-

Half the reason Michel troubled me so, half the reason I have given sentiment such consideration is watching the two of you together. I would not meddle with this for anything.

[ He respects them far too much to wish anything to trouble them here. ]

[Nathaniel feels slightly ashamed for his jealousy, but really, he understands what Anders is suggesting.]

He means cuddling, not sex. And telling him to stop teasing is like telling the grass to be less green. Anyway, if you were going to steal him away, you'd have done so well before now. I think you two are good friends. Nothing wrong with that. Now come on.

[Nathaniel leans Anders back, reaching out with his hand to take Zevran's arm and pull him into the cuddle.]

[He smiles and lays back with Nate, letting his lover make the point for them.]

If it'll make things easier, I'll try to lighten up on the teasing. I may forget. I'll do my best, though. Come get some rest, Zevran. You're among friends. Especially after all you've done for us.

[And for him in particular.]

You're not meddling. I want to help how I can.

I mean I am not certain if I am allowed to make innuendo and tease back? But-

[ He is not given much choice when Nathaniel tugs him down- he flounders for a moment before burying his face in Anders' shoulder, sighing. This. This is good. This is fine. ]

I do not wish to cause trouble. I know what jealousy does to a man.

[Nathaniel tucks Anders' head against his shoulder and releases a long breath.]

Give it a bit of time. I know your intentions are innocent, but...give it time.

And that, [he says as he enjoys the feeling of the both of them close to him,] is quite likely the only time in your life you've heard that your intentions are innocent. Except when giving gifts to Alistair.

[This is nice. This is so very nice. He's helping and he's held? Plus the jealousy is a little flattering. Something to be worked on, but flattering anyway.]

Oh. As a last-minute warning, if you find something small and fluffy over your mouth in the middle of the night, budge her up to over your eyes and she'll stay put. She likes faces. I don't know why. But she's a cat.

[Not everything cats do make sense.]

...There are things I could say that you would zap me for, I am certain.

[ Cat face sitting. Or, well, sprawling. He snickers softly under his breath. ]

You live a terribly strange life, Anders, and have a terribly strange cat.

Cats are all strange.

He's impugning my cat's honor, Nate. If we hadn't invited him here, I'd say there should be a duel.

[His voice is heavy with amusement.]

Well. If we hadn't invited him here, and he wasn't an assassin, and he hadn't won the last challenge I had with him. Those are all good reasons to not fight, and ignore the biggest reason of all, that he's a friend.

[He sighs heavily in mock-disappointment.]

Just for that, Zevran, I hope she nips your nose tonight.