faderift | [Closed] Camping!

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[Closed] Camping!

WHO: Iskandar and Waver
WHAT: Iskandar and Waver go on a small camping trip just to gather some supplies together from the area around Skyhold.
WHEN: Early in the month
WHERE: Forests mostly. Probably.
NOTES: Probably just going to be really cute. And more than likely funny in places.

It had been Iskandar's idea for the two of them to go out. Not only for them to spend some time together to figure out how they were to manage things together but also because it could be a good way to get food and herbs and such. People could always use those. They could always use those. So he'd packed them up to go out and ride to a decent camping location where they set up with the tent he'd obtained for the two of them.

It was hardly fancy but it was easily large enough to house the two of them comfortably. The bed rolls were even decent enough to be used together or apart depending on whether or not they were cuddling. Really Iskandar saw no reason for them not to cuddle but one never could tell with Waver. Best to give him the option of space if he desired it.

Setting up the fire for them, he nodded to the pack by his horse. "That will have food we can eat for the night. The meat may be dried but it will fill us well and we can always soften it with broth if you like." He'd brought that too.

Really it was good to have some real alone time with the mage. They honestly did need to get to know each other again, after all. For Iskandar it had been but a couple of months but for Waver many years had passed. It was important for them both to find a path that worked out well.

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"I know that you are fine but that does not mean we should brush aside your feelings."

Iskandar reached over to rest a hand on Waver's shoulder. Offering him a warm smile, he gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze before he went to stir the food in the pot.

"I am pleased to know your feelings. It means now I can find how best to make you happy. After all, your heart is not likely to change quickly or at all. But we can still work together to do something that will bring you comfort."

"Such as?"

Waver didn't mean to sound cynical, but it came out that way regardless. Perhaps cynicism was needed. In his experience, there wasn't anything but time to get over unrequited feelings. Or well, requited feelings but also knowing that the relationship wouldn't work.

He laughed gently then gave him a wink. "Well, we are still here are we not? I feel that our bond goes deeper than being romantic or being friends. We share something no one else here can ever share with us."

Honestly it was like how Hephaestion and himself had shared something he'd never shared with anyone else. "Love is a powerful emotion and can extend to many levels."

"I'm listening." Cautious, his tone suggested, but listening. Waver's eyes went down to the fire, trying to make sure there was enough fuel to keep the stew at a reasonable simmer.

"We were once Master and Servant. We have shared moments and feelings that no one else has. You have sworn yourself to me. I would say we are not lovers and we are more than friends. We are partners. Companions. We do not require things to speak of how we feel and anything we express is simply a wonderful addition." He looked at him again with a wide smile. "After all, I would like to point out I live with no one but you. And you and I even share a bed. Each day I think of you when I do things. It is very powerful what we have already."

Waver sighed. Everything Iskandar said were things Waver knew. They were good to keep in mind, but they had never helped with getting over emotions. They weren't helping now either, not even coming out of Iskandar's mouth.

So he sat in silence, struggling to find something to say. Anything.

"I know all that."

Iskandar let out a large sigh and reached over to poke Waver's forehead. There was a frown on his face as he looked at him.

"Why are you so quick to chase away what the heart feels? What is so wrong with loving me and then having a relationship with me that no one else here can have? It is different and works for us and I feel as if you limit yourself by trying to slip us into friendship, lovers, or nothing."

"I'm not doing it on purpose."

Normally, Waver might snap that. This was more thoughtful though, because having to articulate something so nuanced forced him to be careful with his words.

"Think about it from my perspective, for a second," he said, slowly. "I've watched you die. I've dealt with grief, and romantic feelings, and for a while, it was a messy emotional mix to deal with. But you also know everything you just articulated. And that's a comfort, that helps get through the worst of it, and you can essentially deal with everything now that you've had time."

"Then, rift happens, and surprise. You're not dead, but there's a new set of circumstances to adjust to. So before even saying anything, you try to adjust to them, all while keeping in mind past comforts. They still work, and it keeps everything moving along."

Waver let out a breath, and paused to reach into his pocket. He needed a goddamn smoke. Wordlessly he opened his cigarette case, and pulled one out. "Do you follow at all?"

He was stroking his beard as he listened, taking in the words and making sure that Waver understood that he was paying attention to everything he had to say. This was important to them both and he wanted to give it his full attention. Well save for checking on the food now and then. That was also important if only to make sure they were doing it correctly.

"I do. I find myself in a rather unique situation here after all. My last memory is riding towards Archer during our final confrontation. I am aware of how that ends and have been since before you arrived here. Yet here I am with this life here that will end in a dramatic fashion the moment I leave this world. I do not fear that end but I am also aware of the fact that my death comes."

Lowering his hand, he stirred the food in the pot. Was it needing something else? He had no idea but it was still good to move the food.

"We are both adjusting, both finding out paths. It means the world to me that you would feel so strongly for me. I would like to make something more romantic of it but have no desire to push my ideals upon you. So we have these moments together and we must find our new path to walk together. In truth, I do not plan to try to get over my feelings for you nor will I ever try. Instead I wish to become partners with you. To share thoughts and moments and warm and tears and all of that. Perhaps it is like that of friendship or that of lovers but I don't agree. Simply because it is the two of us. Waver Velvet and Iskandar. A bond that crosses time and space to bring us together again."

He looked over at him. "What we have is impressive, wouldn't you agree?"

Waver nodded wordlessly, his eyes moving from Iskandar to the stew. For lack of time to formulate the words he wants to say, he sniffs at what's in there, then sticks his finger in the pot.

"Bit thin. Closer to a soup right now."

And he was hungry. Why it was that he hadn't lost all appetite was something of a miracle.

"It is. I think I just need to sort through what I want versus the workable reality of our situation. And that will be on me, I'm afraid."

"Mm. I'm not certain how we would thicken it..."

Iskandar stirred the contents some more. It looked edible at least. That was a fair start. Though he wasn't sure how one would make stew from the creation they'd started here. Well at least soup was still something.

"You will. Though you should remember that this is a matter of your heart and not your mind."

"I think I do," Waver said, extending his hand for the spoon. "Can I try it out?"

Potatoes were starchy. Release the starch and that would probably do the trick. Having to think of something logical was also a way for Waver to temporarily shrug off the emotional conversation. Because there was something else.

"I know. And I wish I was just that littlest bit different so that I could pursue what I want without your preferences being an issue for me."

Handing the spoon over to him, he shifted out of the way to make it easier to let Waver do what he needed. That and it did allow him to watch him too. Of the two of them Waver at least seemed to have an idea of what to do which was more helpful than his own experience in this area.

"Perhaps that part of you will change and perhaps it will not. For now we simply do what will make you the happiest and we work with it."

"I know. And sorry if I sound disappointed, this is just a lot to digest."

Waver's tone was extremely bummed, but he liked to think that such a feeling was understandable. Content to focus on the stew, he moved chunks of potato over to squish against the side of the pot, then stir back in.

"Let it simmer for five more minutes and then we'll check again."

"I see. Take your time, boy. You may take longer than I to embrace a truth but I do not fault you for this." Sure he didn't always like it but he didn't fault him for it. Not everyone could be him nor would he want them to be. What a boring life that would be if they were!

"Five minutes?"

He looked in the pot like it would magically change in that next second. It didn't of course but still. "What if it does not?"

"Then we let it simmer down a bit more. The starch needs time to get into the liquid."

Waver let the spoon go, content to let it remain in the pot for the time being.

"Thanks for understanding. About all of this."

"Boy, I value you highly and care about you. It would be wrong of me to feel that way and not try to understand your heart."

He reached over and patted his back gently.

"We have been through too much for you to have not earned such respect."

At that, Waver just gently slumped against Iskandar's side. This whole thing had been exhausting, and that little bit of reassurance was the last thing needed to make him break down and crave some kind of physical contact.

"Thanks."

It was pretty much the only word he could find, and it was a painfully underwhelming one as well.

One strong arm rose up to wrap around Waver. He was willing to give affection to anyone but there were certainly people that were special cases where he would provide more attention if they came to him for it. Like Waver leaning on him as he was now.

"There is no need to thank me but you are welcome, boy."

Waver sighed, and closed his eyes for a moment. He didn't want to add words to the moment, or even think. Enjoying proximity and the fact that this had finally been discussed was all he needed right now.

Plus, Iskandar was warm, and the night air had a chill.

It was going to take time for them to find their proper roles in this relationship but Waver Velvet was a person that Iskandar felt was worth fighting to be with. To show him how they could come up with something so uniquely their own that no one could ever claim to be part of it. Something like a marriage really if he were to joke around about it. But this was not the time for such jests. Not when he had the mage relaxed or at least relaxing against him.

There should be more nights like this honestly. Just quiet affection with someone he cared about. No need to expect anything else at all. It was very nice.

Waver stayed quiet for some time, letting the sounds of the night fill in the soundtrack. Gentle hoots from owls coupled with the occasional chirp of crickets, all along with the crackle of the fire.

There was a kind of perfection in this moment. And even the fact that dinner was probably done by now didn't merit Waver moving.

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[Closed] Camping!

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/end here?