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[knowledgeordeath]

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[samahl]

That's the one thing that bothers me the most.

The men and women under my command... They know they may not make it back. Innocent people, though, they've made no agreement to risk their lives. They should be protected.

[knowledgeordeath]

They should. Yet they are often the ones attacked before any other. Everything they've ever known stolen from them in an instant.

[samahl]

Thedas was in the middle of two different wars when the Inquisition formed. I saw so many homes and lives ruined. I want to always do what I can to stop that from happening again.

[And now he knows just as much Kolivan can relate to that.] While we're here, we can keep at it together.

[knowledgeordeath]

[He listens to him and when Cyril talks of them keeping at it together there's a moment of silence. Less because he's considering it and more because he likes the way that sounds. Especially after all the Dalish has shown him so far.]

We will.

[Not "we can" but we will.]

[samahl]

[That does sound really good.]

Yes. We will.

And I can't think of anyone I'd rather keep at it with. [He adds, because he always needs to turn things into flirtation.]

[knowledgeordeath]

Given your attraction to me, I do not find this surprising.

[samahl]

Me either. [Cyril teases lightly.]

I can be rather persistent.

[knowledgeordeath]

I have noticed this. It is a positive quality you possess.

[samahl]

[He chuckles a bit.] I do have quite a few of those, I'm sure.

[knowledgeordeath]

Yes. You have informed me.

[...He does agree with it though.]

[samahl]

At least a couple times, even within this conversation. [He's teasing now, of course, but he isn't expecting Kolivan to respond.]

[knowledgeordeath]

It's distracting. [There's a pause before he adds on...] Something which is necessary right now.

[samahl]

Exactly, and since my favorite form of distraction is off the table for now... It's better than sitting here and staring into the abyss.

[knowledgeordeath]

That is what I would have done if you had not found me.

[samahl]

Do you prefer to stare into the abyss then? I wouldn't want to be a third wheel.

[knowledgeordeath]

No. [.........] I prefer your company.

[samahl]

Then here I am, in all of my beautiful glory.

Now the question is, what will you do with me. [Which he says as suggestively as he can manage.]

[knowledgeordeath]

I am content to talk to you. The sound of your voice fills in the space.

[samahl]

Then I'm happy to talk.

You know, I feel like I always ask so many questions of you. Is there anything you wanted to know about me?

[knowledgeordeath]

[He's quiet then, considering the question. As he does, he studies Cyril. Taking him in.]

How is it that you are not involved with someone already? You have the nature that should make it easy for you.

[In his opinion anyway.]

[samahl]

[Cyril is surprised by that question and after a moment, he looks away. His expression gets more thoughtful. It takes him a moment to work up the courage to answer honestly and then when he speaks he can't look at Kolivan.]

It's not.

Easy for me, I mean.

Sex is easy, but anything more complex than that I utterly fall apart.

[knowledgeordeath]

[He tilts his head at that. It's surprising actually, not the answer he expected.]

Why is that? Why would you fall apart when it goes beyond sex?

[samahl]

[He takes a breath, and has to fight back to urge to shut this down and run.]

I've no idea. It's been like that since I was young. The last time it happened was... a few months before you arrived on the Fleet.

[knowledgeordeath]

[He can sense the nervous energy coming from Cyril and reaches over to rest a hand on his knee so he can know that he can be open here. That he doesn't need to run from this.]

Yet you try to open yourself to this with me.

[samahl]

[The touch helps. It feels like an anchor. Kolivan's hand is so large and strong against him, and it feels almost like a shield.]

Because you deserve that