veilward | THIS THE EMMROOK VARIETY HOUR NOW

"It's not the original Audric, no, but the combination of spirit, memories, and emotions within would like to be called Audric so we respect that. There are many complicated levels of existence here in the Grand Necropolis."

Emmrich smiled at the press of their knees, gaze lingering there. "Myrna did most of the work there, actually. I took off to find out more about the original Audric's past so we could accurately identify the spirit that had entered him and know better how to help him. She's very gentle with those who do not quite count as being among the living."

It was true, and he'd also count it a bonus if the person he was falling in love with could wind up friends with his friends.

"And... Yes, the comparison could work," he said with a little amusement. "Obviously we don't paint the skeletons, but they are there to be welcoming. It's a common Nevarran belief that every time someone dies, their soul crosses the Veil and a spirit comes over, so it's only fair to make sure that there are places for the spirit to take refuge. The Necroplis is set up to facilitate things for the spirits especially, while being a place for the living to come and grieve and remember as well."

It was nice to just talk this over, actually. This was what his life was about.

"A fair point, my mistake."

Hugh nodded between sips of tea after having already inhaled his lemon bar and made a mental note not to pry if he came across Audric again. Or growl. Mostly, it would just be the latter. He was desperate to prove himself to be a good partner to Emmrich. He could get over his fear of the unknown.

"It's a lot and all a bit confusing, if I'm being honest, but the spirits are lucky to have people like you and Myrna to help them." Hugh set his tea down and put a hand on Emmrich's leg, stroking his thumb just above the knee through the silk of the older man's dressing gown.

"That's a lovely thought. Nevarrans put far more thought into what comes after than the rest of us." The hand on Emmrich's leg stilled, Hugh looking into some middle distance with a thoughtful expression. "You probably don't have any Wardens down here. If we don't kick it down in the Deep Roads, our bodies are burned on account of the Blight that's tainted us. A shame, that. I would've liked my skeleton painted."

He smiled warmly at Hugh. "I know it's a lot. You can ask any questions you'd like but it makes complete sense that it will take time to process. I've had time both to learn about it and adapt."

The smile faded as Hugh went on, getting a little sad.

"There's always, there must be something. A way to protect against the Blight. Perhaps if it's allowed to naturally decompose in something that animals and insects cannot get into, then it could be gilded, and then painted? I suggest gilding since it does not tarnish or rust, which is why our grave gold is in fact gold. Time does not break it down."

Cremation was troubling, and the thought that someone might be cremated against their will was all the more worrisome. Especially when it was Hugh.

"We could consult some of the older beings here and see if they had any suggestions."

"You're an adaptable man, Emmrich." Hugh gave Emmrich's knee a slight squeeze. "You've more than proven that in the last few days."

The dip in the mood between them didn't go unnoticed, and again that evening, Hugh wished he hadn't opened his big mouth. No Grey Warden lived without a familiarity with death and, in fact, considered themselves having already died once with the Joining. There was no comfort to be found in the finality of it, only knowing that at least you weren't alone in it. That camaraderie had gotten through spells of fatalism, but it was hard to put on a brave face in front of Emmrich. Sweet, good-natured Emmrich who cared for the dead and those death left behind despite his overwhelming fear of his own mortality.

"Come here." Hugh moved his hand and sat back, inviting Emmrich to sit with him and hopefully on him. He wanted to hold him right now.

"The Blight doesn't work like any other plague we know of, but I don't want to debate that now. You and centuries of Warden scholars have wracked their brains over that very problem, and there's time tomorrow to go consulting. There's only one body dressed in gold I want to think or right now and he's right in front of me."

That was an invitation he'd gladly accept. Especially after the light compliment. Emmrich moved his tea so he could reach it from where he was going, and then gladly draped himself sideways over the man's lap, legs over one arm of the chair and leaning against Hugh's torso. He'd love to be held.

"You'll have to tell me more later, but I've no objection to relaxing the rest of the evening." His prior relationships had of course included more than a little cuddling and time snuggling each other, but not like this.

"I've never had a partner who could hold me before, or that I'd be comfortable having hold me. Perhaps some of them had been strong enough but they were smaller and I wouldn't have been able to relax. Not like this." He felt safe here, in Hugh's arms. It wasn't logical. It also might not be sensible, except if Hugh was going to harm him then he would have by now. Hugh wouldn't have destroyed his own belt to keep Emmrich safe.

"You know I'm bottom of the rung in ranking among the Wardens—there's only so much I can tell."

The moment Emmrich was in his arms, Hugh was more at ease. Once Emmrich settled against him, Hugh wrapped his arms loosely around Emmrich's waist and swiftly planted a kiss against his lover's jaw. While Hugh doubted the evening would progress beyond a few exchanged kisses and gentle caresses, he would cherish every second of it. Hugh slid a hand under the hem of Emmrich's dressing gown just to feel soft and warm skin.

"I like holding you," Hugh said as he turned his head into the curve of Emmrich's shoulder. None of his past nightly encounters in his past had stayed long enough to do this or melted in his arms so sweetly. Feeling Emmrich's weight against him made his heart fit to burst. "Never had a partner who wanted to be held. Is this you saying I'm, ah, larger than your past partners?"

"I will never ask you to share confidential information, or anything you do not want to share," he said quickly. "Unless it's an actual emergency, and the information is relevant to that emergency. I give you my word." They were both part of secretive organizations and he didn't want that fear hanging between them. Yes, he'd shared the existence of liches, but he doubted that Hugh knew what one was. Emmrich doubted that a vast majority knew what a lich was, even.

The kiss and gentle touch helped him feel like he hadn't made his beloved worry. Emmrich closed his eyes and got very comfortable. The arm not trapped between them rested on Hugh's arms, fingers idly tracing his biceps.

Until, of course, he had to laugh and open his eyes. "Really, Hugh. Is that what you take away from what I'm saying." Emmrich smiled at the man, leaning forward just a fraction of an inch so he could kiss Hugh's forehead. "But yes, if you must know. Everyone previously has been slender, and not particularly muscular. And they've been proportionate, as you also are."

He shook his head and relaxed again. "I've generally outweighed them. It's lovely to be on the opposite side for a change. ...not to say that you're heavy. Simply that you're muscular enough that I can sit on your lap and not fret about hurting you. I'm very glad you enjoy it too."

"I trust you," Hugh naswered earnesltly. "The truth is there's just not much I know outside of my vamprisim and what every Warden knows, but any of it that I can share, I will. I may not hold seniority within the Wardens, but with you, we're partners."

Another reminder that Hugh simply didn't have the clout within the Wardens, and one word from his superiors could send Hugh on the other side of Thedas, away from Emmrich. The awareness of that made him hold Emmrich a little tighter. Still, Emmrich's response got a peal of laughter out of him.

"It might have stood out," Hugh said, turning his head to lean into the kiss on his brow before returning with his own kiss to Emmrich's neck just at the pulse point. "I'm also heavier than a boulder, let's not kid ourselves. That said...I do enjoy a partner that's both taller than me and just the right side of willowly and gorgeous that he bends in all sorts of interesting ways. I'm not one for manhandling but I like being able to just throw you over my shoulder if the mood strikes."

They're partners. Emmrich could stand to hear that fall from Hugh's lips many more times. He wondered if the squeeze meant Hugh was feeling similarly. His partner. Emmrich's heart could not feel more full or happy.

He laughed again as Hugh continued talking. "Mmhmm," he said, warmly, feeling incredibly indulgent. Sure, he also felt tired and thought they should probably get a full night's sleep for a complete change, but at the same time he couldn't resist the fun of the comment. Especially when Hugh was kissing there on his neck.

"I'll bend any way you'd like, love. And I thoroughly enjoyed being tossed over your shoulder on the ship. You are incredible."

"Oh, don't give me ideas when we should really be heading off to bed soon," Hugh said with his voice dropping to a hungry whisper. Any more time spent with Emmrich's hands roving over him, curled on his lap, and Hugh really might tear that dressing gown off and have the man right there on the coffee table.

—Which, of course as soon as he thought that, a powerful yawn shuddered out of him. Hugh shook his head as if that would keep him awake longer.

"Forgot how long of a day it's been," He bemoaned wearily as he hid his face in Emmrich's shoulder again. "All that traveling and a certain someone being rather insatiable really took the wind out of my sails."

Emmrich was still weighing whether or not if he was up to anything else tonight when Hugh's yawn settled that. He laughed again, relaxing and reaching up to cup Hugh's cheek.

"Come, darling. Let's get up. Are you awake to write your missives now, or should that wait for the morning?" Despite how it had been his suggestion, Emmrich got up with reluctance. Hugh had enjoyed holding him as much as he'd enjoyed being held so it wouldn't be a one-time thing. Couldn't.

He held out a hand for Hugh, to lead him either to the study or the bedroom. "I'm quite looking forward to falling asleep with you in my bed." His partner, his bed. Emmrich was not extensively possessive, but something about Hugh awakened the need to make it clear the man was his.

Another yawn as Hugh stretched his arms out as Emmrich started to move away from him. He would have loved to stay here longer and kept holding Emmrich, but the exhaustion from the last three days was finally catching up to him.

"I worry if I write anything now, it'll be indecipherable chicken scratch. The missives won't go out until morning, anyway. Just one more reason to turn in early now."

Hugh watched Emmrich get up and fought the urge to drag him back down. Only when Emmrich expressed his desire to sleep in his own bed with Hugh beside him wad Hugh hit with a second wind.

"Right," Hugh took Emmrich's hand and rose from the chair. With one sweeping motion, he put an arm around Emmrich's waist, knelt, and swiftly hoisted the other man onto his shoulder. "Can I at least carry you to bed?"

The thought of carrying Emmrich to bed stirred something in Hugh. Like whatever this was made him want to sink his teeth into it and never let go.

"Oh," he half-said, half-breathed out as he was scooped up, unable to help the way it turned him on instantly. Emmrich fought to get control of himself. "Yes, carry me to bed, my dearest. To sleep."

Which was far more of a reminder for himself than Hugh. It was very clear that the Warden was about to fall asleep already. Emmrich was tired, but not quite yawning as much as--and as if summoned by the thought, Emmrich yawned widely.

Once in bed, Emmrich promptly curled up around Hugh as if Hugh was a flotation device in the middle of the ocean, pressed close and tight. He'd most like it if Hugh would sleep on him, but perhaps that wasn't the wisest choice of thing to ask for when Hugh was clearly this tired. In no time at all Emmrich was asleep.

His dreams were lovely things, Hugh and the Fade, but waking was lovelier still. Hugh slept beside him, hair ruffled up, cheeks flushed, so vibrantly alive and beautiful. Emmrich almost touched him, almost went to see if he could wake Hugh with a kiss, but was struck by his earlier idea.

As carefully and quietly as possible Emmrich pulled the wide green sash from the curtains of his bed. It would do. He tied a bow on his right arm and then, still trying not to move too much that he'd jostle Hugh, slowly wrapped it down his body until his cock was wrapped carefully but snugly to his left thigh. A second bow finished it up. Emmrich felt a little silly when he was done. It would be worth it if Hugh liked it though. He scooted back against his partner.

"To sleep," Hugh echoed with a wry grin as he immediately noticed Emmrich's heart spiking with arousal and the man stubbornly fighting it off. "I think I can manage that."

Miraculously, Hugh navigated the apartment without getting turned around or dropping where he stood while holding Emmrich. What was keeping Hugh on his best behavior was nothing short of bone-deep exhaustion. By the time they were on the bed, Hugh's eyes were heavy, and he was awake long enough to get out of his trousers and under the covers.

"'Night," Hugh had mumbled as he rolled onto his side and draped an arm over Emmrich's waist. He was awake long enough to feel the slender length of Emmrich's body curled against his own, smile, before his eyes closed, and his breathing slowed.

Hugh blessedly had not dreamt much that not. Everything was a blue of random sound and color, a relief from some of the nastier night terrors Wardens were oft to get when this far below the Earth. Hugh might ask Emmrich another time if the Necropolis had something to do with his muted dreams. Right now, however, he was safe and warm with his lover in his arms.

—Or was, rather. Hugh's face scrunched up in his sleep as he felt along the sheets and found Emmrich wasn't there. He groaned once, bearish and irritable, only for his half-asleep expression to immediately relax when Emmrich was against his again.

Rolling over, Hugh sprawled on top of the other man and made a contented noise as he nuzzled into his shoulder. It was then that he felt something against his cheek—fabric? A few cursory touches confirmed Emmrich was in something, not just wrapped in the blankets. Hugh slowly started to rouse in earnest, curious if Emmrich was dressed at this hour.

''Mmrich, are you already dre-" Hugh rubbed the sleep from his eyes with the heel of his palm before his vision unblurred and looked down at the display laid out before him. A gasp and then Hugh was really taking in the sight. Green lashed across pale, olive-toned skin done up in two neat bows from the arm and thigh.

"The sight of a wrapped present is half the fun, isn't it?" Hugh whispered, repeating what he had told Emmrich a few days ago in the palaquin. A hand ran up Emmrich's side, toying with the sash, his touch reverent and his eyes blown wide. Hugh was fully awake now. "Oh, Maker, tell me this isn't a dream."

Hugh reached for him in his sleep and all trepidation vanished. So what if he did look a little silly? Even his lover's unconscious mind sought him out. The nuzzling had him stroke Hugh's hair in return, not to wake him, but to return the quiet affection.

As Hugh stirred Emmrich turned his head to watch him wake. He was so lovely, brown hair highlighted in purple from the candles. His sleepy amber eyes jolting to awareness at the sight of Emmrich absolutely boosted the mage's confidence and he gave Hugh a heated smile.

Hugh's hand traveled over his exposed skin, instantly warming him and his blood.

"It's not a dream, my love," he said. Emmrich's heart was already off to the races as he forced past any residual self-consciousness to fully, slowly stretch. "I saw the sash last night and while I knew then was not the time, the thought lingered."

He ran blunt fingernails along Hugh's scalp now, drinking in the enamored expression on Hugh's face.

"Just for you, my darling Hugh."

With one hand splayed across Emmrich's sash-bound chest, Hugh could feel the rise of the other man's excitement, hesitation, and eventual surrender. Blood rushed under olive-toned skin, leaving Emmrich's open and vulnerable expression tinted with a pink hue that made him look practically made of rose-gold in the low candlelight.

Fingers running through his hair pulled a contended noise out of Hugh as he leaned into the touch before pulling away. He kept his hands on Emmrich the entire time, thumb brushing across a pert nipple not covered by the sash. He was methodical and reverential in how he touched and looked at Emmrich.

"Let me get a good look at you," Hugh said in a low voice, still rough with sleep and now huskier with growing ardor for the man displayed before him. He sat up on his knees and stared down at Emmrich, trussed up like a gift, with trusting hazel-green eyes peering up at him.

"Beautiful—" Hugh breathed before his eyes took on a hungry cast as though it took everything in him to stop from devouring Emmrich then and there. "You wanted me to be rougher last night. Do you still want that?"

His breath caught as Hugh grazed his nipple, a spot that was always so neglected, but even better was how Hugh looked at Emmrich's body like it was his world. Emmrich felt cherished and treasured like this, with the slow touches and the way Hugh took his time to look him over.

Warmth rushed to his cheeks as Hugh called him beautiful. It was absolutely what he'd hoped for, that Hugh would find him gorgeous and irresistible like this, but getting that reaction was so much more intoxicating than he'd expected.

"I want anything you want to give me," he said, voice a little hoarse. The ribbon was starting to feel pretty snug as blood rushed downward, but it wasn't uncomfortable. Anticipation was thrilling, and now was no exception. "I'd welcome rough or gentle, as long as it's you."

Hugh had pulled away from his touch earlier, but that didn't mean Emmrich couldn't reach up and brush his knuckles down the side of Hugh's face. "I love you. Do with your gift as you will."

Hugh watched as arousal coursed through Emmrich like living, static energy. Pulsating just under the skin like a cloud before a thunderstorm. Emmrich was a force of nature all his own, and here he was, offering himself with a literal bow on top. Beautiful didn't even do the man justice.

"I want you," Hugh rasped as he moved down the bed until he could gently push Emmrich's legs wide apart until he was kneeling between them.

Hands pressed into the mattress, he leaned forward and gingerly bit into where the sash was tied into a bow across Emmrich's right shoulder. Slowly, Hugh pulled and slid back down as the bow unraveled, with his eyes fixed on Emmrich's until he was back down between his legs. The sash had slowly come undone around Emmrich's torso but was still secure around his thighs and cock.

"I love you too," Hugh mouthed around Emmrich's covered erection, eyes never leaving him. "Unwrapping...half the fun, right?"

Emmrich trembled with want as Hugh spread his legs, eyes hungrily taking in every single movement. Somehow he was insatiable when it came to this man. There wasn't any one reason he could put a finger on for it; it was the whole of who Hugh was.

Hugh untied the top knot with his teeth and Emmrich shivered as those teeth came so close to where they'd previously pierced. None of the bites were fully healed yet, but they didn't hurt. The vampire was no monster. If anything, he was one of the most careful people Emmrich had met. He was aware of his strength, aware of the risks, and worked to not hurt or harm Emmrich.

"Oh," he breathed out when Hugh took him in, warmth distant due to the ribbon and yet still as intense thanks to the view.

"So much of the fun," Emmrich affirmed. "May I touch you?" Hugh hadn't done the tying, but Emmrich was willing to pass over control if he wanted it, this time. "You look, feel, it's incredible, my dearest."

Even if Emmrich had begged for him to be rough then, to flip him on his stomach and take him then and there, Hugh fought to be tender at least at the start and definitely where his mouth was concerned. Hugh could still smell the drying blood on Emmrich's skin, and it made his chest twist knowing how many times in such a small number of days Emmrich had let Hugh take his fill. Hugh would be as careful as possible, earn the trust Emmrich gifted him.

"You don't need to ask," Hugh murmured into the bend of Emmrich's inner thigh. Hugh then rolled on this side and pulled Emmrich with him until they were face to face. He was grinning lopsided as his hand slipped between the space of the sash and wrapped his fingers around Emmrich's cock. He clearly meant to tease Emmrich as long as he could. "You can touch me. Where do you want to touch me?"

He was so ridiculously indulged. Or perhaps not ridiculously, but it felt so good that he wasn't certain it was typical. It made him reflect back on how much he'd given of himself in previous relationships, and how it was nice to have something that felt like an equal amount of give and take.

As Hugh's hand slipped in Emmrich bent forward with a little moan. There wasn't a lot of space left there, and the warm callouses on Hugh's hand felt incredible around him. Emmrich wasted no time sliding his hand up the back of Hugh's shirt, tracing his love's spine and ribs.

"Everywhere," he said, "but this is a start. You take such good care of your body. It's a joy to touch and see." He leaned in for a hungry kiss, even if it meant Hugh would no longer be looking him over. It was worth it. He already was feeling good and he wanted Hugh feeling good as well.

With his other hand, Hugh continued to tease at the loosened end of the sash, letting the fabric fall around Emmrich in green whorls between them. Part of him wanted to keep Emmrich bound in satin, but he couldn't deny the growing frustration of anything impeding his need to touch every inch of the other man. Right now, the rest of the world didn't exist beyond the four posts of this bed. Hugh had always wondered what romantic nonsense made people say things like 'getting lost in another,' and now he had his answer.

"Right— I think I want to see how flexible you are," Hugh said hoarsely when Emmrich's clever hands trailed up his back.

With a grunt, he pushed himself up and hauled up Emmrich along with him. Fingers grasping the sash still around Emmrich's leg, high sat upright and pulled Emmrich's legs around his waist. Hugh was still in his smalls, his erection pressed against Emmrich's as he pushed Emmrich against the headboard. It was awkward at first with Emmrich nearly bent in half with Hugh leaning over him, just as ravenous and desperate in his kisses as he blindly tried to finish unwrapping his gift.

"The oil—" Hugh panted against Emmrich's mouth, "Still on the nightstand? Can you reach it?"

"Very," Emmrich promised as Hugh got up. There was nothing else to say as he was skillfully, powerfully moved. He moaned at the press, the pressure, and the stretch. Sandwiched between Hugh and the headboard was now his favorite place to be. And they were absolutely on the same page going off how Hugh's cock felt pressed against him, as if he had any reason to doubt.

"I..." He stretched, failed, and finally had to pull away from the desperate kisses. It was incredibly difficult to talk right now, between how turned on he was and the position, knees now practically at his ears.

Emmrich found the oil after a little fumbling and held it out, talking as he did so. "Normally get up this early. Do stretches. Could see my flexibility any morning. Every morning." It should be every. Every single morning from here into eternity. He had no idea what Hugh's normal sleep schedule was when he wasn't traveling across the world to deal with Darkspawn, but he hoped he'd have a chance to find out. He wanted the time together to learn everything there was to learn about this man.

"Here." And then he resumed breathlessly kissing Hugh, quickly sliding his hand into the man's hair to hold him there as he opened his mouth and invited Hugh to plunder him absolutely.

Flexible, indeed. Emmrich was gorgeous, splayed out and wedged between the headboard and Hugh's enthusiasm. Hugh only paused to make certain Emmrich was alright before continuing to plunder the man's mouth with hungry, lingering kisses that made his front teeth ache and his lips prickle with a bruising sensation.

"I'd rise with the sun just to watch you, stretched out—willing, eager," Hugh panted out as he took the lapse in their kissing to all but rip his shirt off. It was a distant but pleasant thought. Hugh hated the morning, but the thought of greeting Emmrich beside him with the sun would be a fantasy made real. Emmrich, sipping his morning tea and telling him his plans for the day, was a world apart from the drudgery of the old fortress. Hugh ached for that impossible dream, for Emmrich.

Arousal becoming unbearable, Hugh didn't even know if he would have the patience to get his smalls off because it would be separating from Emmrich. Instead, he just rucked them down, stretching the already fraying fabric. His cock was hard against his thigh any friction against Emmrich's still bound erection made him shiver.

The sash was proving more nuiceance than enticement now as he ripped at the fabric still wrapped around Emerich thigh, freeing his cock and leaving him exposed. Emmrich could yell at him for that later. Taking the oil. Hugh thumbed off the cork and messily let the contents spill on his hand. Hugh stroked his cock a couple of times as he used his other hand to put Emmrich's feet onto his shoulders. Like this, Emmrich was entirely prone and could be fucked hard with ease.

"This alright?" Hugh asked, having to force the words out as he slid his slickened hand against Emmrich's entrance, only chancing a finger before he committed. Emmrich hadn't protested, but he wanted him willingly this vulnerable.

Imagine that, going through his usual stretches and then having Hugh watch. He'd be warmed up by the time Hugh decided to join him, if he did. They could have a morning routine together. Emmrich longed for something as domestic as that. He longed for anything domestic at all with Hugh.

Before his thoughts could turn melancholy, though, Hugh was baring himself and rubbing against his thigh before stripping Emmrich too. His breath caught; Emmrich felt more open, more naked than usual and he wasn't sure why. All he knew was that he liked the feeling with this man. He also loved the sight of Hugh's cock slickly sliding through the man's fingers, and licked his lips in anticipation.

"Oh," he groaned out as he was bent the rest of the way. There wasn't a chance of catching his breath like this and he was entirely fine with that.

"Yes, my darling, it's good." So good. He desperately needed more than a single finger. "I want you. I want this. Please." With another partner he might say to not hold back, but Emmrich wasn't sure if he felt like being bitten right now. Likely once Hugh got going he'd be willing, but right now he wanted sex and affection.

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