Work Text:
Through the opening crack of a door, the dim lights of the hall entered the dim chamber. It's near perfect rectangular beam landing right in the middle of the bed in the center of the room. Square on the sleeping figure upon it as well, who began to stir as light entered the bedroom.
Fergus couldn't help but smile, only partially mischievously, while he slipped in and tried to shut the large wooden door without it making much noise lest he wakes his little brother prematurely. He winced as the hinges couldn't seem to help but crack. For a moment he held his breath and stood as still as a statue as Kennet stirred slightly. The teenage Cousland only settled after rolling to the other side of the bed, leaving Fergus to finally let out a breath and tip-toed his way to the bed.
Once close enough he stood and contemplated his options. Kennet's body splayed upon the mattress, blissfully unaware that his unaware of his brother's presence, arms spread as though he were a bird in flight. Fergus scratched his chin, feeling the short strands of his incoming beard. For a moment he considered he may be too old for tricks like this any further. The moment ended when an idea finally entered his mind.
He leaned over, hovering above Kennet for a moment, before reaching down and tickling the teenager senselessly. The boy yelped and helplessly laughed as his greatest of weaknesses were exploited by his own brother. Fergus couldn't help but chuckle on his own part until Kennet shifted beneath him and blanketed legs came jutting fiercely outward. The attacker found himself suddenly kicked square in the chest and stumbling backward. Even in the dark of early morning, he could just barely make out famous Cousland blue eyes looking back at him as Kennet caught his breath, sitting up on the bed.
"You've got quite a kick, little brother!" Fergus dramatically groaned, holding his hands over where the impact was. "Been practicing?"
"Fergus! What in the Maker are you doing in my room at this ungodly hour?!" He gripped his blanket tightly to his chest, even despite the nightwear that fully clothed him.
"Not even an apology?"
"An apology-?!"
"Yes," he straightened himself out exhaled deeply, then laughs, "I understand it's your day and everything but that's no excuse to break several of my ribs." The smaller Cousland huffed.
"Fine, I'm sorry I kicked you, but you should've known what was to come." Kennet loosened his grip on the blanket and let the thing fall onto his lap. "We're not boys anymore, you can't just come in and launch an attack on me in my sleep... And what do you mean it's my day?"
"Oh, you can't tell me you've forgotten?" Stepping back towards the bed made the younger prince shift to the opposite side of his bedding. It wasn't enough to deter him, however, as Fergus dove onto the bed and caught Kennet in a bone-crushing bear hug. "Happy Adoption Day, little brother!"
Constrained and barely able to carry his voice any louder, "Is that really today?" Fergus loosened but kept a grip on him, pulling his head closer and ruffling the hair. Kennet fought back once more lightly pushing and slapping his brother away. Both of them laughed as quietly as they could manage.
"Why else would I return so soon from Denerim?"
"For me?" He yawned, for a moment the elder brother pitied how tired the teen still was. "How many times are you going to call a visit from Oriana short? Maker, bless that woman..."
Fergus let go completely and stepped away slightly. As the heir of Highever, he was ever the perfect candidate, an imposing man with warriors skill to match, a man who seemed perfectly molded by divinity to take his lordship and command it well. But here, in the darkness of his little brother's bedroom, he stood near sheepish, blushing as he rubbed a spot at the back of his neck. He chuckled softly and swallowed hard before continuing.
"About that..." Kennet gasped.
"What have you done this time?"
"Nothing!" His eyes darted to the side and his stance faltered at his knees. "That's actually not exactly true..." He caught the look in his Kennets eyes. Bright and racing at the prospect of some juicy gossip.
"Fergus-!" A hand came to cover his mouth.
"Shush!" Fergus sighed deeply."I'll tell you everything, but you have to come with me, got it?"
Pulling the hand off his mouth, Kennet looked over his brother once more. Assessing the chance that there may be another prank or unpleasant surprise. He yawned again, rubbing his eyes. Cursing under his breath, he slowly rose out of bed.
"Fine, where are you dragging me off to this time?"
"Just follow me, it's a surprise." Fergus beamed at him as he made his way to the door, cringing once again at the horrid noise of the door. "Why hasn't anyone oiled this damn door yet?"
"I asked them not to. I thought it would be good at alarming me of any intruders." He followed as Fergus began walking out into the hall. "Clearly I was mistaken."
"No, you're a fool, nothing could ever make it past the outer walls." Admiring the stonework of the hall's walls he continued. "Coupled with our guard, there's not any way that no such villains or beasts could appear even close to your room.
"I mean, they let you back in." That earned Kennet a shove and the sight of Fergus running away immediately after. After a chuckle of his own, he picked up the pace and chased after him.
They snuck through the halls, unable to keep themselves from laughing occasionally. There was no real reason for this, neither of them were the little boys the guards would send back to their room and maybe tell their parents in the morning. Still, they couldn't help it, especially with Fergus feeding almost treating the charade like a game. Continuously looking back at Kennet and making sure he was still in on it.
For a moment as they stuck themselves against a wall, Kennet became wildly aware of what they were doing. Just barely he was an adult now, his own beard finally starting to come in, Mother attempting to set him up with sons of friends and daughters of friends of friends. Fergus now getting further involved with how Father ran the house, commanding the troops of Highever, and his courtship with Oriana getting further serious. None of it ever changed how much of a fool he was around his family, but it had been a few years since he'd seemed so overly enthusiastic about sneaking about or to have woken Kennet up with such silly ferocity.
Perhaps since his courtship began he spent a little more of his time daydreaming, humming little melodies in the air, staring off into the distance with a smile. He was only ever happier now with her in his life it seemed, a fact that Kennet couldn't be more grateful for. In truth, like his mother he got a little too invested, Fergus would feed their gossip, taking any chance he could to gush and go on about his love.
When they walked past the entrance to the main hall, Kennet slowed and exited his stealthy stance.
"Fergus." His brother hummed in response. "What happened?"
"What?"
"With Oriana, was that the real reason you left Denerim so early." It didn't come out like a question.
"I told you, it was for you." Fergus stopped in his tracks, shaking his head and turning to face the smaller Cousland.
"Oh, I remember. But you have to admit, this is a little strange. If something had happened with Oriana why wouldn't you tell Mother as soon as you returned home yesterday? Was it something bad"
"You could just accept the fact that your brother wanted to celebrate the day you came into his life. That is an option, you know." He continued on, leaving Kennet to follow.
"Please, Fergus, this isn't like you, acting so weird..."
Fergus stopped once more, looking over and up ahead to see if he could catch any guards, before slipping into the next door up ahead, motioning with his hand for Kennet to follow again. He groaned softly and went in as well, closing the door behind him.
"Kennet," he stood much more like the commander he was now, "as well as my brother you are my dearest friend. Please trust me when I say that I did indeed leave Denerim early for you. I would do anything for you."
"Then why-?" Fergus raised his hand to stop him.
"I'm not finished yet." for the second time tonight, he began to blush, the commander slightly fading more and more into that of a lovestruck teenager. "So that is why I wanted you to know that Oriana and I will be getting married." Kennet couldn't keep his jaw from hitting the floor, Fergus laughed at the sight. "As long as everything works out between father and mother and her own kin, we should be married come the next several months."
Kennet took a moment to soak it all in, for months he and Mother had been practically begging Fergus to make a move. He had only met the woman once but once was enough to take a liking to her. Never would he admit that it was for the fact that he brought her a figurine of a legendary mabari hound Kieran the Keen. Besides the fact, it meant that Oriana would leave here in Castle Cousland with them, keeping Fergus from his frequent trips to the coast in Denerim. He couldn't stop himself from beaming with a wide smile, his older brother visibly relaxing at the sight.
"I wanted you to be the first to know, as you will be my best man."
"You can't be serious...Me?"
"Yes, you! Who else would I have at my side?"
"I heard you used to spend a great deal with Vaughan while in Denerim, I thought he might be a smarter option."
"He may be the Arls' son, but that man is nothing but a lowlife. I feel guilty to have ever been his friend, even if we had just been boys then..." This was the first time he ever looked so disgusted, Kennet decided not to ask further. He shook his head and returned to a softer smile. "Truthfully, there's no other man in all of Thedas I'd rather have beside me."
There was no trick, no prank, or cruel joke Kennet could find. So without warning, he ran toward Fergus, nearly knocking the man to the ground in his own tackle of a hug. Planting his feet firmly on the ground and tightening his grip, he lifted his older brother into the air somewhat. Fergus lightly playfully pounded on his back to be put down but couldn't keep himself from laughter. Eventually, the two settled once he was let down.
"This is the greatest honor you could ever give me Fergus, thank you. And congratulations! You too have always been so well together. However, I don't understand why you had to drag me out of my comfortable bed in order to tell me."
"Oh, this wasn't your surprise Kennet..." He smiled a dangerous smirk, the little Cousland didn't have time to grow suspicious as he began to speed off again and into a door down the hall.
Finally making his way there, a strong smell of dog hit Kennets' nose. Opening the door, he saw Fergus standing in the corner of the kennel. Many mabari lay peacefully still sleeping but others stirring, some others barking. The barks sounded much much smaller than what was normal of the grown dogs. Kennet gasped as the little things finally came into view.
"Is this why I haven't been allowed in here for a while...?" He kept his voice quiet as he stood next to his brother, observing a litter of seven puppies stumbling towards him and their extremely tired mother.
"When they discovered the old girl was pregnant, Father and I had the brilliant idea that it was about time you had a mabari of your own. Convincing Mother was the hardest part-" In the blink of an eye, Kennet ducked down to the floor to greet the pups. He joined him on the ground as another two began climbing him. "Later today you can choose whichever you'd like, so I thought you'd like the chance to meet them first."
The brothers locked eyes for a moment, Kennet looking very well on the verge of tears. Only turning his attention back to the puppies to attempt to give all of them attention at the same time. Ending up with four dogs climbing him all at once and another biting at his knees. Fergus lifted one before him and into his arms, holding the tiny thing as you would a human baby. The tiny onslaught brought Kennet down to the filthy ground as he laughed wildly.
"The mighty mabari have brought down the Cousland spare!" Fergus shot him a look, but he couldn't notice. "Man's best friend, now greatest betrayer!" One of the pups started licking his face. "Fergus, they're eating me! Save me!"
With a light swipe, he lightly shoved the dogs off and away, still with the dog held firmly in his arms. The dogs rushed back to continue their attack, but the assist made it so Kennet could at least make it back into a kneeling position. Fergus watched his brother with a glare as he wiped his face from puppy slobber.
"What's with this 'spare' talk, Kennet? I thought by now the bullying nonsense would stop..."
"No, no one ever talks like that anymore," he pets several of the pups again, "at least not to my face..."
"It isn't true, you know that, right? When father and mother adopted-"
"Yes, yes..." he let his arms fall limp to the ground. "I know the story," puffing out his chest and taking in a lower voice, "You were born a Cousland, and you'll die not just as one, but our son!" Sighing, he pet lightly pushed away a pup attempting to gnaw at his arm. "Mother and Father have always done their best, but it doesn't stop what everyone else thinks, what they say either. It's just not quite something you can shake..." Looking to his brother, he smiled pitifully. "Truly, I am excited for you to finally be wed, and no doubt you'll start having your own kids, I fear it may get worse then. But don't-" Fergus had begun to sweat blushing for the third time tonight, patting the dog lightly, and looking up at the ceiling. "What's the matter?"
"This one is a girl, she'll be unstoppable on the battlefield..." He held the puppy out in front of his brother as it began to squirm. "Perhaps she's the one for you, she looks like an Erma, doesn't she?"
"First of all, that dog looks much more like a Fiona or a Bryce-"
"Bryce? Naming this girl after our father? He won't be too happy bout' that..." He turned the dog back to himself and went into this cheeky little voice. "No, he wouldn't! Won't like that one bit!"
Kennet slowly raised, the puppies turning their attention to Fergus, save for one with a light chestnut coat that began to bite and tug at the edge of his pants. He frowned and crossed his arms.
"What aren't you telling me, Fergus?"
His older brother turned his attention to the influx of puppies now all vying for his attention. Now right on the spot, kneeling to the floor, he realized there was no easy way out of this one. With his last bit of hope he looked up at Kennet, the blues of his eyes looking pitiful and delicate. Though he knew it wouldn't work, seeing the hurt In Kennets own eyes just broke him apart. The silent tension just pulling down on his spine, sending chills between every vertabrae.
"Oriana is pregnant..."
Words escaped both of them as the news sunk in for the little Cousland. He forced a smile onto his face while his eyes betrayed him. Suddenly forced to face the fact that he would be useless much earlier than he believed he'd have.
"Is why you hadn't brought up betrothal to Mother?" Fergus nodded.
"Oriana and I have spoken of it before, she even admitted that she would've proposed if I took any longer to. Now, with the baby, it feels like there won't be a better time.
So we wouldn't have another bastard on our hands, Kennet thought, immediately hating himself for it. "Congratulations."
"Kennet-"
"You'll be a good father, I know it..." He shook his leg slightly, freeing himself from the little dog. His legs then took him back to exit the room.
"Where are you going?"
"Back to bed, I'll choose one later."
In an instant, Fergus placed the puppy back on the floor and gently rose to follow. The pup who'd made Kennet's pants into a chew toy, was still by his feet and resting its tiny head upon his foot as he stopped in his tracks. It's siblings going back to their mother, for another round of milk before returning inevitably to sleep
"Kennet, I'm sorry."
"You shouldn't have to be sorry!" He ran his hands through his hair, exhaling deeply. "I should just be happy that I'm going to be an uncle. You don't have to deal with this, I'll be fine."
"No, we're going to talk about this before it gets any worse." Kennet, though frustrated and tired, knew this was a battle he had no chance of winning, Fergus was always stubborn. So he stood and accepted his fate. "Why do you think anything will get worse when our child is born?"
"You, Father, Mother, Maker! Even Oriana and your future child!" Words became difficult as his neck tightened, but still, he pushed on "That will always be my family. But no matter how many years it's been, nor my adoption proving otherwise, I'll always be the convenient Cousland bastard! One day you'll be the Teyrn of Highever, soon a father, and already a commander of our forces." Kennet grimaced, disgusted at himself for a moment. "You have nothing but my support, that shall never change. But in the face of all that, what am I good for? Accompanying Mother to her tea gatherings? Flirting with nobles' heirs so that I feel wanted before they realize what I am? Training for Maker knows what till I drop dead?" Tears began to fall streaking down his face. "Whatever this all is, I hate it."
Sniffing, snoring, and other small noises were all that inhabited the air for a while. Fergus stood, unreadable for the first time all night, it scared Kennet. Perhaps this was finally the moment where his brother would see what he saw in himself and grow disdainful, disgusted. The fear froze him as Fergus slowly approached him, making him feel smaller than he ever had. All that came was a firm hand on his shoulder.
"You're jealous, little brother," Fergus spoke gently and slow, Kennet nodded along. "You have no reason to be."
"You're joking, right? I thought I just told you my reasons."
"Don't be an ass, just hear me out, alright?" He pursed his lips, thinking for a few seconds. "What do you want out of this life, little brother?"
Now it was Kennet's turn to think. Suddenly feeling something shift on his foot, he finally remembered the tired little pup that lay there yawning. He bent down to pick it up, in his arms its head rested on his chest. After it yawned once again, he went on.
"I'm not even fully aware. I just wish there was something in store for me, some role I could fill and be satisfied with." Fergus looked at the dog and then at his crying brother.
"Do you remember Kieran The Keen?" Kennet looked mildly offended. "Okay, that was a dumb question, I'll admit that. But, the legend goes that he was the smallest of his litter of fourteen-"
"Cast out and abandoned by his mother, he grew weak and had nowhere to turn to but the Wilds alone for survival as the villages either looked past or mocked the pup. Are you comparing me to the outcasted runt he was?"
"Shut up for a moment and let me go on." He attempted with a serious glare and deeper voice, but they both couldn't help but laugh. "Now, just as any feral dog he could've died nameless and forgotten, for who would notice the passing of a wild dog. But fate had other plans, Milton Maddox-"
"The Third-...Sorry..." Fergus rolled his eyes.
"Milton Maddox The Third! On his way to the heart of Fereldan from the southeast coast, he is ambushed by corrupted Chasind tribals. Just as he is about to be dealt the final blow, the mabari hound bark. He is just as afraid as Maddox is yet he steps up as he notices the danger of this man, and as though the maker himself amplified his bark to that of thunder, the sounds scares the tribesmen and Maddox is saved." Fergus smiled, thinking back to how Kennet had lit up when first told the tale. "Recognizing how he would've died without this weak dog, he nurses it back to health never ventures without it. Naming him Kieran and giving him the title of 'Keen' as they go through countless perilous adventures." Kennet pet the pup and smiled too.
"He's always been my favorite legendary Mabari companion..."
"Kieran the Keen, a dog that should've been doomed by the moment he was born, through courage, strength, and unwavering loyalty, became just as legendary as the very Hero he aligned himself to. There are hundreds of ways that story could've gone, how Kieran's life may have shifted and ended up in a place wildly different than what we know. And even though his hardships and circumstance, he is loved by all old and young to this day. Especially the youngest of all the Cousland Asses!" He put his hand on Kennet's head and ruffled his hair, the younger brother unable to keep himself from chuckling. "To us, your family, there's no need to prove yourself. But you want to prove others wrong, you're worried you'll never get your chance. You're so young, Kennet, your time will come. I promise that."
"...You really think so?"
"Oh, I know so. I'm to be married, a father, to be Teryn over our family's lands, I've chosen a rather rigid life to live. But you have such freedom, not tied to anything just yet. You've got some more growing to do but I can tell you've got a good head on your shoulders. You just have to be prepared to answer that call."
Kennet shifted the dog, holding it under his arm as he reached for Fergus. The elder brother was pulled in and brought into a hug as Kennet buried his head into his shoulder, using his shirt to wipe what remained of his tears. Fergus hugged back tight, not crushing like earlier but something much more comfortable for both parties. They must've stayed like that for just under a minute, Kennet being the first to break their silence.
"Thank you, Fergus. If you keep that up there's no doubt you'll be a wonderful father." Fergus let out a sigh of relief.
"Thank the Maker, in all honesty, I'm terrified." Before Kennet could speak, he went on. "I trust you to be the best with names and that sort of thing. Could I have your opinion on what Oriana and I have discussed?" His little brother laughed as he returned to petting the dog.
"Go ahead."
"If a boy, Oren-"
"After Oriana's father? That's a good one." Fergus nodded with pride in his eyes. "Especially since they're Antivan, Antivans love that sort of thing."
"And if she's a girl, Lucia."
Kennet made a face and the air became awkward. Fergus winced in anticipation, hoping he hadn't offended.
"Uh, Fergus... That's my mother's name..."
"I'm aware..." He smiled to himself, lost in a memory. "Aunt Lucia, your mother, I wish the years with her were much longer. I can't remember everything. I do know I loved her, everyone else did too. I wish you could've met her too... But she left us with something I don't think I could ever live without. Her little boy, who'd become my brother, my dearest of friends..."
"Thank you, Fergus... It's a good name..." He turned his attention to the puppy now sleeping in his hands. The sight, coupled with what his brother spoke of nearly inspired tears once more.
"You taking a liking to that little fella, are you?" Kennet simply nodded as Fergus looked over the dog. "Let me guess, you'll name him after Kieran?" Kennet shook his head.
"Bethany."
"Bethany? Isn't it a boy?" Fergus had to keep himself from laughing.
"He looks like a Bethany, and Bethany he shall be."
"I suppose I can't argue with that."