Let No Soul Hunger For Justice: Once Upon A Dream

[justice_is_blond]

WHO: Anders, Adelaide, Nathaniel, Bethany, Shale, Samouel, Terra, Twisted Fate
WHAT: A merry little jaunt through the Fade.
WHEN: Bloomingwhatsit 15
WHERE: Half an hour outside of Skyhold
NOTES: Plotting post here

Maybe if this one fails too he can pin it on the location. Not that any of them will buy that, but hey, it's the same spot as the others. Maybe the veil's weird here. It was weird in Kirkwall.

And maybe he's just looking for excuses that aren't Justice when he already knows what the likely flaw is.

Comments

[justice_is_blond]

"This is because of me." He's not going to lie and say he's not absolutely wiped out. It shows in his face and the slump of his shoulders, and Nate has the right of it. But Anders carries an obligation to all of the people who are still asleep.

"They came to help me, and they're sleeping beyond when they should be. This isn't even a Justice thing, it's a me thing. I cannot put my body ahead of them when something's wrong, Nate." But he also can't expect Nate to sit back and watch him get even more drained. "I'll not turn down help if you want to give it, however, and I'll rest once I'm sure they're stable."

[pinprick]

"I've made sure they have water and kept them warm. I'll help you make the rounds, but after that, I want you to rest."

[justice_is_blond]

He can't ask more of Nate than that. Anders nods and works to get to his feet.

"Thank you." He's not even getting disdainful commentary from Justice; something must have happened in the Fade. Anders will ask Nate later about that. As it is, he moves slowly, going from each sleeping form to the next to check if they're at least all right. The sleep is deeper than it should be, but he can't see a way to wake them. He looks discouraged when he's done examining them all. He woke, but they're still sleeping.

"I don't know why they're still out."

[pinprick]

Nathaniel wraps his arms around Anders and tucks his head under his cheek. "What happened in the Fade?"

[justice_is_blond]

"I don't recall most of it." He sags against Nate, feeling absolutely exhausted. "Justice is quiet. I don't know if that's a relief or something to worry about. It's good that he's not angry, or frustrated, or simmering. He has been, after the last two. But I've..."

Anders exhales and leans against Nate. "I wish I could say. I hate not knowing what's happened when he's in control."

[pinprick]

"He's quiet?" Nathaniel hates to ask, hates to question Anders' self-awareness, but he must. "Could he have been left behind in the Fade?"

[justice_is_blond]

"I wish." He exhales, burrows further against Nate. "I can still feel him there. He's simply not talking right now, so I've no idea how everything went, or what he's thinking. I don't like that, not knowing. I can't shut him out, but he can me, and he does."

[pinprick]

More reasons Nathaniel would like to give Justice a good punch to the face. He takes Anders by the elbow and guides him toward one of the bedrolls.

"You need rest. I'll stay with you."

[justice_is_blond]

His getting up is reluctant, he doesn't want to move anywhere, but once he's on a bedroll he's not moving from there either. Anders reaches for Nate, eyes already threatening to close.

"Pull the blankets over us? It's cold." It's always cold down here.

[pinprick]

A sweet kiss on Anders' forehead. He tugs the blankets up to Anders' chin and makes sure the corner is tucked around his shoulders before wrapping his arms around him and holding tight.