I’m a little late but… maybe it’s still day one somewhere lol!
14 Days of DA Lovers
Day 1: Rose
Pairing: Dorian Pavus/m!Lavellan
Say You Will
It was the scent that caught his attention first. Floral, yet almost fruity, with delicate undertones of wine, plums and berries, a hint of damask and freshly cut grass. It wafted through the rotunda door as he opened it, rolling over him like a lover’s sweet caress.
Then, petals – a scattered few at his feet, a blend of scarlet and deep, dark pink. He took another step. More petals, a trail of them, leading past Solas’s desk and toward the stairs.
“What in Thedas…” Dorian mused. Another prank of Sera’s, surely. Making a mess of the place, as usual.
He shook his head and made his way up the stairs. Followed the red strewn across the cold, grey stone and the ever-strengthening aroma. What a pain this would be to clean! Although the smell was a marked, and not altogether unpleasant, improvement upon the usual bouquet of dust layering the castle’s adornments. Not to mention that of Leliana’s filthy feathered companions occupying the floor above his usual haunt.
As he climbed to the top of the stairs beside the library, the din of hushed whispers reached his ears. The sort he knew all too well. Conspiratorial. The whispers of gossip and giddiness poorly contained, of those who cared not for actually being heard but feigned the pretense for the notion of decency long ingrained. It was a common sound in the halls of Tevinter palaces, among the parties held by families of status, especially as the one being spoken of entered the room.
Dorian had long been that person. He’d grown to both hate and enjoy it, being the center of such attention. Scoffed at their ridicule, at their prattling and curious glances. But to find himself in the midst of it here, of all places? It chafed immediately. He was tempted to turn around and flee. But not he, not here, not ever. Dorian never ran. He faced it all with a smile.
And so he did; he smiled. Straightened his spine, rounded his shoulders and stepped forward into the dimly lit circular balcony to find-