we're hell raising and we don't need saving

[ungovernable]

WHO: Hercules Hansen + Benevenuta Thevenet.
WHAT: Definitely not any feelings, probably.
WHEN: Between now and the Warden plot in the Western Approach, some backdated things.
WHERE: Skyhold, Emprise du Lion.
NOTES: An assortment of threads between now and then.

Comments

the first morning after in skyhold.

[ungovernable]

( when dorian had asked her if she'd reacquainted herself with hercules hansen, benevenuta had truthfully been able to answer no, for several reasons, not least of all being how unspeakably lowering it would have been to have made an overture only to be declined. still, here they are, and it had probably been sort of inevitable -

oh, all right, it had been a choice. and one she supposes she would make again, considering the line of his body as he rises from her bed. there are benefits to all of that muscular heroism. upper body strength, for instance. thighs he would probably protest having described as 'shapely', even though it is a perfectly acceptable way of describing a well toned limb. benevenuta considers some of these benefits from her vantage point of being sat cross-legged in a puddle of blankets, relaxed in her own nudity; a benefit of being in skyhold and not at a campfire on the road, come to that.

when she figures out what he's looking for, she whistles; husband rouses herself and rolls over. )

[twelvelabours]

Ah.

( amused and quiet, herc leans down to retrieve his belt, setting it on the end of the bed for a second as he hides those shapely thighs away with battered trousers that have seen a bit too much action, and not at all in a pleasantly euphemistic way. still, he's giving her a little nod of thanks for that, before speaking. with completely insincere concern: )

You aren't going to make me leave out the window, are you?

( there weren't windows to kick him out of in tents, at least, but he's not simple. he can't imagine him swaggering out the door would be her idea of a good thing in any way. at least max isn't here, because there's about nothing as indiscreet as a mabari.

he's pretty confident she wouldn't actually make him go out a window, unless it was payback for the suggestion. )

[ungovernable]

( her eyes do stray to the window - open a crack, the heat of the fireplace and their bodies a little oppressive earlier - but her smile is as lazy as it is sly and she probably isn't actually going to do it.

this time. )

I don't know...

( probably. )

[twelvelabours]

That's reassuring, ( as if she'd just made a comment that it wasn't going to rain on the day of the picnic, rather than refusing to rule out sending him out the window.

right, belt acquired, and he's pulling it around his hips and tightening it. )

You comfortable, there?

( all curled up in bed, instead of going out horribly early to return to... wherever it is grey wardens sleep. it's probably terrible. )

[ungovernable]

Immensely.

( she stretches out to illustrate as much, lying toward the end of the bed on her stomach, resting on her elbows to watch him fasten his belt. she leaves a bit of space where he might sit to put his boots on, her ankles crossed in the air behind her. given the nature of their previous trysts, it's probably actually the first time that he's seen the tattoo on the back of her hip, rose vines twining through and around a skull. )

I suppose you ought to go before its too much light.

[twelvelabours]

( that just earns quiet laughter, and a shake of his head - what was he expecting the response to be, exactly?

tilting his head a little to try and get a better look at the tattoo, when he notices it, herc nods towards it. ) Nice work.

( not a comment on it being unexpected, or on the meaning. he's met enough people and seen enough that, sometimes, you don't want to talk about the meaning behind the something. no doubt she has it somewhere easily concealed because that's the kinda thing she'd prefer staying private. )

I suppose I ought to, yeah. ( but, hang on. he's frowning, before s l o w l y patting over the pockets of his trousers. like maybe he's looking for something, just maybe. )

[ungovernable]

( what comment she might've made on his compliment to her art is forestalled by the dawning realisation of what he's doing.

what is it with old men thinking they're funny. she rolls sideways, grasping until she snags the corner of her pillow, and swings it around to hit him in the stomach.

that's what you get. comedian. )

[twelvelabours]

( oof. and yes, he does exhale a dramatic oof. old tank like him definitely can't handle the likes of a pillow, and he rubs his hand over his abdomen as if checking for a bruise. )

Bit harsh. I'm fragile, y'know.

[ungovernable]

I know no such thing, ( she says, immediately, but it curves a smile she didn't give permission for all the same. )

You are the most exasperating man I know.

( that's not fair. she knows a lot of annoying men. )

[twelvelabours]

Really? I get a prize for that?

( no, really, he wants a prize, and he crosses his arms, essentially strapping the pillow across his abdomen with his mighty man arms.

or whatever, pretend he's a badass because he's too busy being a goof. ) Medal, maybe. Something I can pin on my uniform.

[ungovernable]

( spoilers benevenuta is always only pretending to take him seriously.

- is not true, but she would absolutely imply as much for any audience they might have, if it were at all acceptable to her that their (it's not a relationship) have an audience. she pushes herself up to her knees, at the end of the bed, and uses the pillow and his mighty man arms to tug him close enough she can pull up against him for a kiss that lingers, a reminder of what they were doing before he climbed out of her bed. )

You don't get a prize.

( this is your prize. )

the second half of this tag was originally entirely in capslock and i almost realised too late

[twelvelabours]

( these mighty man arms are not to be used for such devious means
but on this occasion it will be allowed.

accepting the kiss is a burden he will shoulder, for the good of mankind, or maybe just for the good of herc, in this particular instance. one hand presses heat into the small of benuta's back, and his mouth quirks into a crooked smile. )

No? Shame.

herc feels really strongly about kissu kissu

[ungovernable]

No,

( very firmly, holding onto his upper arms for steadiness and because she likes to, letting herself sink nearer to him under the warm weight of his hand. she should probably let him go, and

she will

in a moment. )

You'll survive, I'm sure.