[closed] I have something to say

[metaari]

WHO: Metaari and Merrick
WHAT: There is a Conversation that needs to happen
WHEN: A few days after Merrick wakes up
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: Shit's about to get embarrassing and also probably really sad

Metaari has no longer been spending every moment at Merrick's bedside, now that he's been awake. There have been plenty of duties he's been neglecting while the elf was down for the count and it's taking some time to catch up on it all. He still visits every day and stays until Merrick is too exhausted to contend with visitors anymore, but the length of his visits have been getting longer, Merrick's strength is returning to him, and he's looking more and more like he did before.

He pauses just outside for a moment and listens, making sure that there's no one else with Merrick, before he pushes his way inside. There's a heavy cloak draped over his arm and an easy smile is on his face as he lifts his free hand in a small wave. "Hey. I was wondering if you felt up to a little walk? Some fresh air would do you good."

Comments

[dalishious]

It's in the circle of those arms, so tight around him, that Merrick finds his refuge. He'd felt that way even when they'd first met, strangers in the woods, crossing paths completely by chance. Metaari's arms are so strong, restraining him in the most gentle of ways, reining him in. He melts into them, breathing against the skin of Metaari's neck until he can pull away slightly at the touch of those lips.

He gulps in air, chasing away the panic before it can settle in and make him wild. He's getting better at it. You make me better.

There's a pause, and he wonders if he's capable of such a thing, wonders if he should wait or hold back or restrain, but as usual his emotions break through thoughts like a flood rending a dam to splinters.

"Okay," he says, and it comes out small but steady, certain.

[metaari]

It's little by little that Metaari can feel the tremors lessen, until Merrick is as steady in his arms as he's ever been. Metaari keeps his hold on him until he finally leans back a little and he turns his head to the side at that one simple word. It makes him smile, warm and so full of his genuine care for this tiny elf wrapped up in his arms.

He brings a hand up and traces the backs of his fingers down Merrick's jaw before nodding slightly. "Okay."

[dalishious]

Merrick exhales, eyes closing slowly. He's exhausted. His head falls against Metaari again, this time resting in the crook of his neck, in danger of falling asleep as the sun gently wraps them in warmth against the chilly air.

"Can we go back to my room?"

We, he says. He has no intention of resting alone.

[metaari]

Metaari catches that, the one little slip of the word that includes him in the decision, and he smiles a little before nodding. "Anything you want, Merrick." Well, almost; if the elf thinks he's going to be walking back, he's got another thing coming.

He lifts the cowl of the robe draped around Merrick's shoulders so that it covers his head before he wraps his arms back around that small body, getting a hold before he pushes himself to his feet. Tucked like this against him, so long as he doesn't lift his head, there's no telling who it is Metaari is carrying. He could be taking a child he found sleeping somewhere to a more appropriate place to rest for all anyone knows. Once he's sure he has a firm hold on Merrick's body he starts walking before the protests can start in earnest.

[dalishious]

Surprisingly, Merrick doesn't protest at all. In fact, he just curls his body against Metaari's chest and closes his eyes, hiding his face in the qunari's shirt to shield his eyes from the sun.

He feels so safe, so protected, in a way he'd never experienced before. Even as they get back to his room, he doesn't seem to want to get free of Metaari's arms. He might deny it later, but right now he keeps his fingers tight around the fabric of Metaari's shirt, showing no signs of wanting to let go.

[metaari]

Everything gets closed off behind them once they get back to the room, the door firmly shut. Metaari is tempted to lock it, just to give them both some time to themselves, but he shakes his head; there are certain others who would potentially worry, a lot and with good reason, if they tried to come by only to find the door won't open. He steps away before he gives in to the temptation and moves over to the bed.

There's a moment where he starts to move his hands away so that he can set Merrick back down onto his own feet but he keeps clinging to him, holding on like a life line in a turbulent sea, and he brings his hands back again with a faint smile. He lowers himself down to sit on the edge of the bed, shifting Merrick's legs so they settle better, and he reaches up to tug Merrick's hood back down. "Alright, we're back."

[dalishious]

This is just fine, Merrick decides. He's warm and comfortable, so why bother moving to the bed? He's a very affectionate person by nature, so he has no trouble just cuddling closer, drawing his knees up a little.

The ease in which this man moved into his circle from the outside is unprecedented, and there's still a lot to talk about, to piece together. This has been a step forward, though, even if Merrick doesn't really see it that way. It's easy for him to feel things-- words can come later.

[metaari]

It's adorable, actually, how cuddly Merrick's gotten. Metaari has become so accustomed to the little spitfire that he knows Merrick can be that this change of pace, devoid of the usual clinging because of sex, is unexpected but completely welcome. In fact, now that he knows it's a thing he can get, he'll probably go after it more often. He likes cuddling.

Once he settles in a bit he shifts, turning on the bed until his legs are up on it and he lays down, pulling Merrick down with him to lay on top of him. Now that he doesn't have to focus on holding him anymore he lets his hand run up and down Merrick's back in a soothing pattern, his own eyes closed as he enjoys the moment. There probably won't be many chances like this.