Chapter Text
“You must really like this one.” Dorian pulled out a small stack of expensive-looking plates and carried them to the table. “If you’re inviting her over for our weekly game.” In the years that he’d known the man, he’d never once invited anyone he’d gone out with to join them. He’d been pleasantly surprised when it was first brought up, though the subsequent planning had been slightly headache-inducing.
Cullen looked over at his friend and shrugged, a sheepish smile on his face. “I do.” He began setting up the map he’d prepared for the start of the evening as well as the things he would need to run the game. Several rolled up maps were placed next to his chair, just in case. He pulled out the figures for the characters he, and the rest of the group were using, as well as the figure she’d picked out after she’d made the request to join them and done the basics to create her character. “You don’t have to pull out your company plates, you know.”
“Oh, let him have his fun.” Bull’s voice was muffled by whatever he was doing in the kitchen. “You know he’s been itching for a dinner party.” There were a few clanks, followed by a muttered curse in qunlat before he spoke again. “Sera said she’d be running a little behind; said there was something special she was picking up.” He came out of the kitchen carrying a platter of meat and cheese in one hand and a tray laden with brownies and cookies in the other. “When should we expect your friend?”
“I think we can call her his girlfriend at this point, amatus.” In the time it had taken his partner to bring the food over to the buffet table against the wall, Dorian had set out the plates and managed to produce glasses and silverware for each setting. “And of course I need to use the company plates. We are having real company. We must make a good impression; even as we are protecting her fragile, low-level … what is she playing, anyway?”
Cullen felt his cheeks warm slightly. They’d never actually discussed their … exclusivity, though as far as he knew, neither had gone out with anyone other than each other. “She … ah, she should be here in ….” He checked the last text from her. “… in about five minutes.” He checked over the setup once more, glad that he’d had most of his maps laminated long ago. Should anything spill, his hard work would be protected. “She settled on a dual-wield rogue. I let her roll to settle on her starting level while setting up and she’s not starting as low as she could – she’s starting at level five.”
“So she’s two below Cassandra’s.” Bull pulled out four folders from a drawer in the buffet and set them down next to his plate. “Has she ever played before?” When the blond man shook his head, he grinned. “Well, I guess this is a good way to find out how serious she is.”
Before Cullen could ask what he meant, Dorian was sailing past him to answer a knock at the door.
“You must be Miss Trevelyan, yes?”
Cullen could hear a muffled reply, though he couldn’t make out what was being said. He took a step away from the table, toward the door.
“Oh, you brought fruit!” Dorian stepped back to let the new arrival through the door. “And you found another member of the party. Good for you.”
Regan glanced down at the platter of strawberries, apple slices and grapes in her hands and tried not to blush under his gaze. She’d debated about bringing something for days before settling on something easy. “My mother drilled it into me; you don’t visit someone empty-handed.” Her voice was soft, almost embarrassed. She followed his directions toward the buffet while the second arrival made her way in as well.
“Cassandra, so glad you could make it this week. We’ve missed your smiling face.” Dorian waited until she made it through the door and into the apartment before closing the door. “I’m surprised there aren’t more speculations as to your extracurricular activities with Cullen since you both keep requesting the same evening off.”
Cassandra narrowed her eyes and just shook her head as she walked to the table. “I was lucky to get the weekend off. I am taking a short trip after we finish tonight. I do not know how exactly Cullen manages to schedule his day off so easily.” She quietly made a couple small sandwiches, scooping a little fruit onto her plate as well before taking a seat.
“I’m glad you made it.” Cullen stepped up to Regan and brushed a soft peck of a kiss on her lips. He could hear his heart in his ears. Even after months of dating, his insides still fluttered and his heart still raced just being near her. It had the potential to make running tonight’s game difficult, but he wouldn’t trade it for anything. He tried to ignore the eyes of the others, especially Dorian, when her arms slipped around his waist and she kissed him back.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” She grinned at him as she pulled back, then looked over her shoulder at the table. “So … where should I sit?”
Dorian swooped in again and guided her to the seat nearest Cullen’s set up. “You’ll sit here.” He pulled out her chair, smirking at the frown crossing his friend’s face. “As soon as Sera arrives we can –“
The door swung open, effectively cutting off Dorian’s speech. “Let’s get this thing started. I’ve brought the ale!”
“Kaffas. How can any of you drink that swill?” Dorian practically turned up his nose as he took the case of ale from the newest arrival and carried it into the kitchen.
“Relax. I brought you an’ the new girl something special.” Sera pulled a large bottle of wine from the bag slung over her shoulder with a grin. “Thought you’d want to impress the fresh meat with somethin’ befittin’ your … her … station.”
“Really; you all don’t need to do anything special for me.” Regan felt her cheeks grow warm at the idea of them trying to impress her. She didn’t think of herself as any better than the rest. “I mean, really … I’m not my parents; I’d be happy eating off paper plates and drinking water.”
Bull grinned as Cullen took his seat behind the screen that separated what he was doing from the rest of the table. “They’re worried that this will scare you off, so Dorian’s doing his best to impress you in order to distract you, just in case.” He flashed a teasing grin at his husband, and passed out the folders at his side to Cassandra, Sera, Dorian, and himself while Cullen handed Regan a folder of her own. “Let’s get this game started.”