Enough, then. You know he had his father until he was a little younger than you and they were a very tightknit group who protected and loved each other as best they could considering they were constantly on the run.
My mother loved me very dearly, I have no doubt of that. My father loved me once, I think. He was Ander. The people, as in from the Anderfells. I have his features: blond, narrow nose and eyes, high cheekbones. The Anders are a very religious people, highly devote and dedicated to not only the Chant of Light and Andraste, but the Chantry.
It took three days after my magic manifested for the Templars to come to my nowhere village and put me in irons to drag me from me weeping mother. He called on them himself. He wasn't a particularly tactile person before, but I might as well have simply no longer existed in that time. I think he thought I was a punishment to him for some perceived slight against the Maker.
I care very much for the freedom for a mage to have whatever family he wishes and the ability to love and devote himself to them.
I don't care for 'the ties of family' or 'the bond of blood' or any of that nonsense.
Your attitude toward Jehana just became more comprehensible than they had been.
Your father was a dick.
I've no idea how to articulate this. Even in text it defies my ability to use words to express things related to emotions.
My father was loving, he was gentle, he was kind and compassionate - but the norms of not just our time and place, but our time, place and status were that displays of affection were for private moments between spouses or children under the age of perhaps six.
I have not cried in more than a decade, and even then in the presence of one person.
One person that I spent more time with than my father or siblings, and that was Llion.
The last time I cried openly? Not in memory - neither Bronwyn nor I cried at father's funeral; it simply was not an option that occurred to me. The last time I hugged someone openly? Nearly two decades.
Magic only had any influence when it came to isolating me from my peers, but even there open emotion simply is not done. I would not consider it a problem, in general, but it is getting in my way here.
In that case, I can understand the question of culture, that may very well be the case here. The expectations you grew up in were vastly different than here, even without the nature of the city. Even in Thedas, hugging or touching or expressing emotion with someone you trust or care for is accepted and largely encouraged.
Honestly? It sounds like you could use practice. Idyll touch is the simplest form and can be done between friends or lovers and might make you more comfortable with the idea over all.
Of course, Hawke and I will be more than happy to practice kissing you in public. For my part, I didn't want to make you uncomfortable, but if I have your permission to make you uncomfortable, I'd be happy to hug and kiss you for an entire street to see.
A very soft sadistic streak, I'd say, if I'm tormenting you with gentle touches, kisses and forms of intimacy.
He's earnest and patient. I think he sounds like a good friend to have. One you can trust to practice with you without judgement and for the enjoyment of your company.
[He's smiling a bit to himself, though, and true to his (threat?) promise, he's waiting at the corner at the end of the road.
As soon as Alaric is closer, he holds out a hand to him. There are a few others out, random people Anders knows are there going about their business as well, though his eyes remain fixed on Alaric.]
[ He isn't, but he is actually tempted because there's something about that eye-contact... He takes the hand anyway, and goes there. Warily, but only a very little. Hey, he'd said he was in and he's in.
Didn't mean he wasn't also, as also said, already uncomfortable just from anticipation. ]
[He can read a bit of the discomfort in the way Alaric moves, but he pulls him close anyway, gaze never faltering, so he had Alaric pulled to his chest, still holding his hand while his other hand stroked through Alaric's hair before going down to settle at his side.]
Whatever their origin or association, I love your eyes. I love that I get to look into them and possess their attention. I love knowing I have them on me whenever you grant them.
[The hand at Alaric's side dipped into the middle of his back to pull him in as close as he could, a touch possessive yes, but mainly meant to hold as he leaned in to press a slow and slightly less than chaste kiss to Alaric's lips.]
[ There's no resistance to going there, though he gets a bit more tense when Anders starts talking - but he agreed to it and he trusts Anders and he does want to be here and do this.
Both of them acknowledging that it is uncomfortable helps, somehow.
He does not verbally respond, but he wraps his arms around Anders to return the kiss - and also sort of leans into him much like he did when he was participating in Anders' punishment. Get uncomfortable? Lean in to the stable and secure and safe thing.
Lean into who you love.
Even if they're also the source of the discomfort.
He's not tentative in returning the kiss, either - just... soft. ]
[Alaric's arms around him has Anders' other arm wrapping tight around him as the other ran lightly up and down his back. Yes, there were people around them but no one cared. Anders didn't care beyond keeping aware of Alaric's comfort levels in case it became too much. He wanted to push, not overwhelm.
He broke and renewed the kiss more than once, but finally one of his hands came up to cup Alaric's face as he pulled away again, blocking out a bit of the street so it was just them in what little space was between them.]
Very good.
[His expression softened, something less...controlled, measured, more earnest.]
I don't think you understand how much I adore and appreciate you. The fact we may disagree, fight, not even actually come to an agreement beyond deciding we disagree...and yet here you are. You're wonderful.
[ He didn't resist the hands on his face for a bit, looked up a little flushed and actually caught his breath -- and appreciated that his view was blocked by Anders. Sometimes height differences work out in his favor. ]
You need practice, too. With knowing that you are safe to disagree and argue and will still be loved.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
no subject
My mother loved me very dearly, I have no doubt of that. My father loved me once, I think. He was Ander. The people, as in from the Anderfells. I have his features: blond, narrow nose and eyes, high cheekbones. The Anders are a very religious people, highly devote and dedicated to not only the Chant of Light and Andraste, but the Chantry.
It took three days after my magic manifested for the Templars to come to my nowhere village and put me in irons to drag me from me weeping mother. He called on them himself. He wasn't a particularly tactile person before, but I might as well have simply no longer existed in that time. I think he thought I was a punishment to him for some perceived slight against the Maker.
I care very much for the freedom for a mage to have whatever family he wishes and the ability to love and devote himself to them.
I don't care for 'the ties of family' or 'the bond of blood' or any of that nonsense.
no subject
Your father was a dick.
I've no idea how to articulate this. Even in text it defies my ability to use words to express things related to emotions.
My father was loving, he was gentle, he was kind and compassionate - but the norms of not just our time and place, but our time, place and status were that displays of affection were for private moments between spouses or children under the age of perhaps six.
I have not cried in more than a decade, and even then in the presence of one person.
One person that I spent more time with than my father or siblings, and that was Llion.
The last time I cried openly? Not in memory - neither Bronwyn nor I cried at father's funeral; it simply was not an option that occurred to me. The last time I hugged someone openly? Nearly two decades.
Magic only had any influence when it came to isolating me from my peers, but even there open emotion simply is not done. I would not consider it a problem, in general, but it is getting in my way here.
no subject
In that case, I can understand the question of culture, that may very well be the case here. The expectations you grew up in were vastly different than here, even without the nature of the city. Even in Thedas, hugging or touching or expressing emotion with someone you trust or care for is accepted and largely encouraged.
Honestly? It sounds like you could use practice. Idyll touch is the simplest form and can be done between friends or lovers and might make you more comfortable with the idea over all.
Of course, Hawke and I will be more than happy to practice kissing you in public. For my part, I didn't want to make you uncomfortable, but if I have your permission to make you uncomfortable, I'd be happy to hug and kiss you for an entire street to see.
no subject
Though I will also practice with you, Hawke and perhaps Caleb.
[ He has... a friend? Maybe one and a half. ]
no subject
As you'd like, of course. Hawke will be overjoyed. Caleb seems kind.
no subject
He is. He's very good at putting me at ease and making me feel... his age, rather than a decade older, which is very odd.
no subject
He's earnest and patient. I think he sounds like a good friend to have. One you can trust to practice with you without judgement and for the enjoyment of your company.
no subject
no subject
Are you home?
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
[ He's already getting up to grab and put on the collar, though. He's just being a brat.]
no subject
no subject
[ He is already heading out the front door, though. ]
no subject
[He's smiling a bit to himself, though, and true to his (threat?) promise, he's waiting at the corner at the end of the road.
As soon as Alaric is closer, he holds out a hand to him. There are a few others out, random people Anders knows are there going about their business as well, though his eyes remain fixed on Alaric.]
no subject
[ He isn't, but he is actually tempted because there's something about that eye-contact... He takes the hand anyway, and goes there. Warily, but only a very little. Hey, he'd said he was in and he's in.
Didn't mean he wasn't also, as also said, already uncomfortable just from anticipation. ]
no subject
[He can read a bit of the discomfort in the way Alaric moves, but he pulls him close anyway, gaze never faltering, so he had Alaric pulled to his chest, still holding his hand while his other hand stroked through Alaric's hair before going down to settle at his side.]
Whatever their origin or association, I love your eyes. I love that I get to look into them and possess their attention. I love knowing I have them on me whenever you grant them.
[The hand at Alaric's side dipped into the middle of his back to pull him in as close as he could, a touch possessive yes, but mainly meant to hold as he leaned in to press a slow and slightly less than chaste kiss to Alaric's lips.]
no subject
Both of them acknowledging that it is uncomfortable helps, somehow.
He does not verbally respond, but he wraps his arms around Anders to return the kiss - and also sort of leans into him much like he did when he was participating in Anders' punishment. Get uncomfortable? Lean in to the stable and secure and safe thing.
Lean into who you love.
Even if they're also the source of the discomfort.
He's not tentative in returning the kiss, either - just... soft. ]
no subject
He broke and renewed the kiss more than once, but finally one of his hands came up to cup Alaric's face as he pulled away again, blocking out a bit of the street so it was just them in what little space was between them.]
Very good.
[His expression softened, something less...controlled, measured, more earnest.]
I don't think you understand how much I adore and appreciate you. The fact we may disagree, fight, not even actually come to an agreement beyond deciding we disagree...and yet here you are. You're wonderful.
no subject
You need practice, too. With knowing that you are safe to disagree and argue and will still be loved.
no subject
Perhaps, though arguing with you is not my favorite way to spend our time. If I get to kiss you after, I may learn more quickly.
[His eyes darted around Alaric's face and he stole another, quick kiss.]
This was a good first run, you're only slightly pink. I call that a win. May I take you back home now?
no subject
[ He returns the kiss readily enough, soft and sweet but is immediately ready to move. ]
Yes. Please.
[Actually already moving. Near the house was probably a good move. ]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)