Chapter Text
They had been searching all night. Nicos was nowhere to be found. Dorian had finally decided to check down near the soldiers camped by the lake, just in case they had heard something. Instead, he’d found the Inquisitor himself, sitting near the water’s edge. He approached carefully, announcing his presence with a cough. “Amatus what are you doing out here?”
No answer.
“Nicos?”
“I heard you.” He still did not turn around.
“You didn’t tell anyone where you were going.” Dorian walked closer, still moving slowly.
“I am twenty-fucking-three years old. I don’t need to be babysat.” Nicos replied bitterly.
“You’re also the Inquisitor. A man who has a target on his back the size of Thedas itself.” Dorian replied, taking it in stride.
Nicos shrugged. “So? If no one knows I’m here they can’t find me, can they?”
Dorian stopped at his side, crouching next to him and resting a hand on his shoulder. “Nicos…amatus, you know why you have to tell people–”
“No one trusts me. Everyone babies me. I’m an adult, all right? I can take care of myself.” Nicos pulled away from Dorian’s touch, biting his bottom lip.
Dorian let his hand fall away, frowning a little. “I know. I know you can. You must understand why we worry though….Especially when you’re like this…”
Nicos turned away but Dorian could see how the comment had hurt him. “I’m not gonna fucking drown myself. Didn’t work out so great the first time.”
“Don’t…don’t say that. Please come back with me. We’ll get you warmed up–maybe even get some hot chocolate for you, if you want. You can’t possibly be more comfortable down here in the snow…”
“Leave me alone. I’ll come back later…I just want to be alone right now.”
Dorian eyed him carefully.
“I promise I’ll come back tonight, all right? Just…I need to be alone for a while.”
Dorian nodded and stood reluctantly. “All right, amatus. I…I love you. You know that, right?”
“I love you too, erastís.” Nicos flashed a small smile as Dorian walked away, though it didn’t reach his eyes.