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Alistair sighed dramatically, leaning back on his elbows. The party was around the fire for the night, while Leliana was on dinner duty. Sten was already in his tent, napping before his later watch. Morrigan, of course, was off on her own, just waiting for the food to be done. Wynne and Leliana shared a log, Zevran and Cylas on another, while Alistair lazed on the ground next to their mabari, Basilio, between them.
"What I wouldn't do to play some Wicked Grace right about now." He said, his head lolling to the side. “I haven’t seen a set of cards in weeks, though.”
“Ah, you should have said something!” Zevran said, standing up. He went over to his tent and pulled out one of his small personal bags. “I have a set right here!” He came back to the fire and sat back down next to Cylas on the log.
Alistair sat up, looking indignant. “You've had cards this whole time and never said anything?" He cried. "We’ve been bored to tears!”
“Well, I have only just settled into the familiarity of the party,” Zevran explained as he began to shuffle the cards. “Ours is a serious task, how was I to know we were allowed to indulge in little pleasantries such as this? Besides, if you recall, I did mention my skill at card games when you recruited me! It's not my fault only dear Cylas has taken the time to get to know me!”
Leliana, stirring dinner, giggled at them while making cheeky eye contact with Cylas. Cylas smiled back at her, bashful. He and Zevran had been danicing around each other since they had recruited the assassin, even with the awkwardness and attempted murder of the meeting itself. Now that the party trusted him a bit more, Leliana was happy to encourage them.
Alistair groaned but scoot closer to Zevran, watching his hands closely as if he could see him cheating already.
“Leliana, shall I deal you in? Wynne?” Zevran asked, glancing at the others.
"Sure," Leliana agreed with an eager smile. "The stew just needs simmer."
"Count me in," Wynne said with a smile, putting down the stitching she had been doing for Alistair. "I haven't played in ages!"
“Cylas?" Zevran turned to him, still shuffling. "Have you played this game before?”
Cylas shook his head. “Games were banned for apprentices in the Tower. Some apprentice got too excited years ago and they haven’t allowed them since.”
Alistair, Leliana, and Zevran all made sympathetic sounds, while Wynne laughed wistfully.
“Yes, he was a few years older than me. I never expected the First Enchanter to keep the ban so long, but the Knight-Commander insisted.” She said, a sad look crossing over her face as she must've remembered the people in the Tower.
The others simply stared at her for a moment, until Zevran began dealing cards to the others.
“Well, dear Cylas, watch us for a few rounds and we can see if we can get you playing yet.” Zevran said with a charming smile. He finished dealing the cards and looked at his hand. He leaned over into Cylas’s space, honeyed eyes warm. “But, of course, I couldn’t start without a kiss for good luck.”
Zevran tilted his head a bit closer, baring his cheek, only inches from Cylas’s face. Cylas felt the tips of his ears burn hot, though he didn’t let himself look away.His heart beat loudly in his head. Before he could talk himself out of it, Cylas closed the small distance between them and placed a small kiss on Zevran’s warm cheek.
There were several groans from around the fire and one farther away in the camp, though Leliana giggled again.
Zevran, however, laughed triumphantly, leaning back into his own space. “I’d like to see you beat me now! Place your bets, my friends!”
The game, as far as Cylas could tell, was to get certain sets of cards together and trying to win the most money. He didn't pay as much attention to the rules as he should've, distracted by Zevran showing him his cards and whispering with him conspiratorially. And also laughing with the rest of them while Alistair lost his all his coppers and throwing his cards in the air.
After supper, and a half dozen rounds of Wicked Grace, Alistair gave up and Wynne claimed her victory, taking the lionshare of the bet coppers, the two went off to bed. With a conspicuous wink to Cylas, Leliana took her leave as well.
Despite the fire dimming, Cylas asked for another teaching round, this time between the two of them. Zevran was more than happy to indulge him and even showed him the easiest way to cheat.
Cylas chuckled as the practice round ended. “Well, thank you for such focused instruction, Zevran.” He said while handing back the cards. “Perhaps I’ll be able to join in next time.”
“See that you do,” Zevran said with a smile, putting his cards back in his little leather bag. “It would be a shame to leave you out of the fun.”
He leaned over Cylas, throwing his bag towards his tent, though he stayed in Cylas’s space. He looked into the other elf’s eyes again, mischief playing in his own.
“I don’t think I thanked you for the luck you brought me tonight,” Zevran said, an easy smile on his lips. He placed his hands on either side of Cylas’s thighs, putting himself close, but not too close. “I couldn’t have won those three hands without your kiss.”
Despite his pounding heart and nerves telling him to back down, Cylas stood his ground and met Zevran’s heated gaze. His hands curled into fists in his lap, fingers itching to reach out and touch the patch of thigh underneath Zevran’s armor.
“Happy to help,” Cylas replied, relieved that his voice did not waver. “Might I offer more services?”
Zevran chuckled lowly, almost sounding like a purr. “You’ve grown so bold, my delicate mage. Why, mere weeks ago I was able to tie your tongue right up.”
“It’s easy to get caught up in eyes as pretty as yours,” Cylas said, breathless at his own boldness.
“Flirting back now, too?” Zevran commented, his eyes shining proudly. “I can’t wait to see where this goes.”
They were still close, mere breaths away from each other, but Zevran stayed where he was, eyes tracing the curves of Cylas's face. Cylas watched him back, taking in the lines of his jaw and nose.
“I think you want something.” Cylas breathed quietly, the tension between them nearly suffocating.
“Only if you want it, too,” Zevran said softly, unmoving as his eyes landed on Cylas's lips.
“I might not be very good at it….” Cylas admitted, finally looking away from Zevran, his own insecurities getting the better of him.
Zevran tsked and raised a hand to Cylas's chin, encouraging him to look back into his eyes.
“I’m not going to be your first kiss, am I?” Zevran asked, his tone still light, making sure Cylas didn't get caught in unpleasant memories.
Cylas laughed lightly. “The Circle may have forbidden relations between mages, but that doesn't mean I never stole kisses here and there.”
“How respectable, breaking the rules in the name of love.” Zevran purred, a wide smile on his face. “Well, have no fear, dear Cylas, with all of my experience, I shall not lead you astray.”
“Of that, I have no doubt.” Cylas said playfully. He let himself be brave, putting his hand on the one Zevran still left by his thigh.
Zevran glanced back down at his lips.
Despite the butterflies that threatened to burst through his stomach, despite the voice in his head that this wasn’t allowed and that there was a punishment coming, he shut his eyes and closed the space between them.
Zevran made a delighted noise and tilted his head to capture Cylas’s lips with his own.
Cylas sighed lightly, feeling himself melt against Zevran’s warm body. He moved his lips clumsily against the other elf’s mouth and wrapped his fingers tightly around his wrist, clinging to it like he might float away.
Zevran’s hand at his chin slid its way into Cylas’s hair, before he pulled his head back just a bit. “Breathe, sweet one, there’s no one here to break us apart. We can take our time.”
Cylas nodded, letting out a breath. Zevran adjusted the way he sat and turned his hand so that he could hold Cylas’s.
Cylas watched their fingers slide together, feeling a flame light within himself as Zevran’s thumb ran over the back of his hand, the tenderness of the little action making his heart ache.
“Right,” Cylas agreed softly, squeezing Zevran’s hand. “Sorry.”
“Shh, no need to apologize, these things come with experience.” Zevran told him gently. “Just listen to your body and try to do what feels right.”
“Okay,” Cylas agreed, giving Zevran a small, shy smile. “Can I try again?”
Zevran chuckled lowly, a grin on his face. “That’s the spirit!”
They met in the middle this time and Cylas could taste the smile on his lips. He let Zevran take the lead, his lips moving expertly with Cylas’s. The other man was gentle, unlike the kisses he had been used to in the Circle. Those were quick, desperate, half teeth and missed targets. But this, this was lovely, like something right out of a tales he would read from the Tower's library. Cylas felt himself going limp in Zevran’s arms, bumps rising on his skin as Zevran softly scratched at his scalp.
Far sooner than he wanted, Cylas broke the kiss to breathe again, still clinging to Zevran. Carefully, Zevran placed a small kiss at the corner of Cylas’s mouth, his lips then running down his skin to kiss at his jaw.
Cylas shivered at the contact. Zevran laughed lightly before redoubling his efforts, placing open mouthed kisses along Cylas’s jawline. Cylas’s mouth gently fell open, gasping as Zevran moved to kiss his neck, sharp teeth scraping pleasantly on his skin.
Cylas’s free hand shot forward, fingertips digging into Zevran’s bicep, gasping again at the kisses the other elf lavished upon him.
Zevran pulled back a few moments later as Cylas gasped loudly, laughing darkly in his ear. “It seems you like that, no?”
“I— I haven’t been kissed like that before.” Cylas told him breathlessly, . “And yes, I did like that.”
Zevran dragged his nose up the side of Cylas’s neck, placing another quick kiss by his ear. “There are quite a many things I can show you, in time.”
Cylas turned his head to capture Zevran’s lips again, unable to help himself, not ready for this to be over quite yet. Now that he'd had a taste of him, he needed it again. Zevran hummed against his lips happily, letting Cylas take control this time, letting him lead and deepen the kiss.
But Zevran was the one to break the kiss next, bumping their noses together. “You’re a quick study, cariño. But we have an early morning tomorrow and I have a watch to begin. There will be time for us, soon.”
"Right," Cylas nodded, squeezing Zevran’s hand again before letting himself be helped to stand. He fought the urge to apologize for distracting him, Zevran had enjoyed it had he not? His cheeks burned all the same. "Good night, then."
"Sleep well, dear Cylas," Zevran said to him, soft smile on his face.
Cylas's lips still tingled as he returned to his tent.