Chapter Text
Skyhold’s Tavern was fuller than usual, having the joy of entertaining the Inquisitor’s inner circle while he was off on a mission doing something for Josephine.
‘Josie said it was something to do with her family and Antiva? I didn’t really understand it, but she wanted some back up, so I’ll be out for the next little bit. Don’t burn down the keep while I’m gone!’
They had claimed the largest table in the corner, pushed together with sharp elbows and sharper comments, before the conversation switched to their favorite topic.
The Inquisitor.
“Have you seen him? Big ol’ puppy dog, yeah?” Sera giggled, curling her hands under her chin to get her point across.
“Puppy dog? More like a bear who’s just been given a treat.” Dorian countered, sipping wine from a tankard. He had tried the ale that was supposedly the best drink provided at the best tavern in Skyhold at the behest of Bull.
‘Never again, I don’t care how much he smiled.’
“Or a dragon?” Blackwall suggested. “You know, with the horns, and all.” His hands went to the top of his head, angling his fingers. The motion was slightly awkward, but made all the more endearing as the usually stoic man’s cheeks were bright and rosy from the drinks.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a dragon look at someone quite like that.” Dorian pondered.
“But you’ve seen a bear? Do tell, Dorian, that sounds like quite the story.” Cassandra gave a small smile, pulling up a chair.
“Define bear.”
“Getting in on the banter, Seeker?” Varric smiled. “It seems beneath someone of your caliber to indulge in the local gossip.”
“It’s hardly gossip when it’s so blatant, Varric. Anyone with eyes would notice.”
“How long has he been at it? You know, looking at egghead here with that dumb lovey dovey look.” Sera snorted, even more so after Solas twitched a glance in her direction.
“I’m right here.” Solas muttered as he took another drag from his tankard.
“I’m not sure when it happened. I just remember looking over one day, and there sat our grand Inquisitor, Herald of Andraste herself, looking at Chuckles here like he held the world in his hands.” Varric's fingers fluttered for effect.
Solas felt a smile form at that, though he managed to keep a fairly straight face despite himself.
“So, what’d you do to him?” The Iron Bull asked, eyeing Solas over his tankard. His eyes were warm and light, with the steel buried deep in them. The Qunari spy was asking for more than just light gossip, he was protecting his friend. The thought brought a spark of warmth to Solas’ chest, that he quickly smothered with false confusion.
“Pardon?”
“You know, how did you convince him you weren’t…”
“A nerd!”
“A dork.”
“A shite arsehole!”
“I didn’t do anything.” Solas replied, ignoring the insults thrown in his direction with the ease of a god surrounded by idiots.
“Yeaaah right, come on! Spare some details, we all wanna know!” Sera leaned on the table, arms crossed underneath herself as she stared with blatant curiosity.
“I didn’t cast some sort of charm, if that’s what you’re suggesting. He simply shared a similar topic of interest with myself, so I suppose we talked more often than the others.”
“He noticed you, watching him when you talked.” Cole spoke up, fidgeting around the edge of the group. “Muscles, big, powerful, solid- No, don’t think about those, I’ve stared long enough, he’ll notice. I appreciate strength, that’s all.”
“Cole.”
“Ooooooh, I get it. You got caught looking.” Bull smiled.
“He seems different, defied my expectations. He cares, I think. Speaks kindly, in that wonderful voice, speaks out for the protection and freedoms of others. A strong leader, already carrying the weight of the world on his broad shoulders, his eyes-”
“Cole, please.”
“No need to be ashamed, dear.” Vivienne spoke up from her corner. “We’ve all noticed the Inquisitor, and his ‘assets.’ You’ve just had the pleasure of being more personal with them.”
“I never said that I was ashamed, just that this conversation is more personal than I’d care for.” Solas countered, a light blush coating his cheeks. Not that he’d ever acknowledge it. He lifted his tankard and downed the last bit of ale.
A horn sounded off, signaling the return of their Inquisitor.
“I do believe that’s our cue to leave.” Solas said, already abandoning the pillar he had been leaning on.
“Somebody got off lucky. Tell you what, we’ll try this again tomorrow night. Maybe invite the Boss along.” Bull winked, making an exaggerated movement with his mouth and head to get the expression across.
“Please, don’t.”