[closed] You can never go home again

[justice_is_blond]

WHO: Nathaniel, Anders
WHAT: Getting some Warden assets back; Warden assignment
WHEN: Current
WHERE: Vigil's Keep
NOTES: Feelings, sap, you know the drill

"I never really thought about going back, you know," Anders says, finishing up packing and looking over at Nate. "If I knew Oghren, Velanna, or Sigrun were in that area I might have considered it. But..."

He trails off and shrugs. There had been good times at Vigil's Keep. And there had also been some heartbreaking times when he'd felt just as alone as he'd felt in solitary. Pawdric comes over and gets pet before he's guided into his little travel pouch; they can't take his cat away this time and Pawdric should get a shot at acting on the field. Especially when he's less afraid of his own shadow than Purrelden.

"You don't suppose the, um. The smiths, I forget their names. They were friendly. You don't suppose they're still there, do you? Probably not, with the Wardens gone." And it might be for the best if no one's there who might recognize him, really.

Comments

[pinprick]

"Um." Nathaniel takes a moment, trying to remember the names of the smiths. "Wade? And the one who runs Wade's shop. Why?"

It's probably old times, for Anders. Nathaniel had actually forgotten all the vendors who set up at Vigil's Keep during the Wardens' stay there. He still remembers it primarily as his childhood home, despite how long the Wardens were there. Jonas had been acting as arl. Now, little Jonas is dead. The Vigil is no longer what it was to either of them, and the Arl of Amaranthine resides in Amaranthine itself. And the truth is, Nathaniel isn't at all sure about going back. Things had changed so much twelve years ago. Now, he'll be looking for memories in corners that don't have them at all.

[justice_is_blond]

There's a short pause as he shoulders his bag, and then he quietly reiterates: "They were friendly." In a place that had been steadily filling with Templars risking their lives to destroy his, it had stood out a lot. Very few, if any, had really ever believed his paranoia justified. He hasn't dared ask what Nate had thought of him being so afraid at Vigil's Keep, knows Oghren wouldn't have given a care, Sigrun wouldn't have gotten it, and Velanna would have laughed.

But Wade and his partner hadn't asked questions when the healer brought his cat out near the forge and relaxed. He takes a breath in and out, pushing that to the past. He's not the only one with a complex history with Vigil's Keep. Anders reaches out to rest a hand on Nate's shoulder.

"Are we ready?" And by that, he more means 'are you ready,' but he'll let Nate say or not say what he wants.

[pinprick]

He stands up and takes Anders' hand, bringing it to his lips for a kiss.

"I've sent a letter to Delilah that we'll meet her after we're finished at the Vigil," he says, deflecting the question because he really doesn't know the answer to it. As an afterthought, he pulls Anders into his arms, anchoring himself. He will always have Anders. He will be here, holding his hand no matter what creeps around the corners.

[justice_is_blond]

This is Anders' favorite place, being in Nate's arms. His now is so much better than his past.

"I'll meet my sister-in-law," he says with a little wonder. "I've never had a sibling. I look forward to meeting her like this." As her brother's husband. There's no question about whether or not Nate's ready to see her, at least. She'll be the light at the end of whatever tunnel they have to walk through for this.

Anders finally pulls a little back to kiss Nate's chin before tugging Nate toward the door. "The sooner we head out, the sooner we'll see her. And the sooner we can find out if I can be helpful with negotiation or not." Hopefully he'll be of some help, and not just because he needs to get better. "I'm with you and you're with me."