I'm not sure if this counts as fanfiction? But it's based in Dragon Age Inquisition, with Elera being her Dalish clan's First and Skyhold's Inquisitor; and Vedhan being her cousin whom she hasn't seen since leaving for the Conclave.
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Sheets shifted and wrinkled back by a pale arm throwing itself out from the covers and into the light. The elf it belonged to was quick to join it, shivering as the warm he coveted was sapped from his skin and replaced with the chill that sat in the stone of Skyhold.
His legs were crossed under the covers still, hands wrapped around thin shoulders to garner back some form of warmth. It did little to help. One hand left it’s spot on his collar to instead tame the tangles of his hair while the other sloped down protruding to dip back under the blanket to scratch at his thigh.
Green eyes pointedly avoided the still healing scar that ran from his wrist upwards.
Knock, knock.
.. A mere second of silence before-
KnockWithout any time to respond, the door swung open and entirely disregarded his decency. There stood an elven woman. Blonde hair shoved into a hastily tied lump, wisps flying in every which direction and sitting in front of vibrant eyes. And half crouched over, looking incredibly mischievous.
“Aw, Vedhan! You ruined my surprise! I was kind of hoping I could sneak in and jump on you to scare you awake.” His cousin straightened her back and crossed her arms over, a pout on her face.
“Mmm, good morning to you too.” Vedhan promptly dropped his head in both his hands, already too exhausted.
Today was going to be a slow morning.
“Oh, don’t be so lame, cousin.” Came her chirpy reply, twitchy ears catching the sound of quiet feet sliding up to his bedside. He felt the dip of her hands sink into the mattress. “I thought now that you’re here..”
Eleras voice was soft now, softer than before, and when Vedhan wiped his hands back from his face and squinted in her direction, he could see her eyes yielded the same caution as her words.
“Now that I’m here?” He echoes her own words mumbled through dry lips. Pale hands were slinking to hold his arms, feeling the bite of cold again. ‘Now that I’m here you can bully me?’
Grey-blue eyes perked up again, cheeks and ink wrinkling with her smile. “Now that you’re here we could find you some new clothes! You must’ve worn that old robe for weeks with all those holes!” And she was spinning back up onto her feet, leaving Vedhan to bounce lightly on the mattress as it sprung back from her retreating hands.
His white brows furrowed together, looking from the sheets in his lap to his cousin finally. “But my clothes are fine?”
To Vedhan, they were. Sure, they had holes and grays and a stain or two he couldn’t beat it no matter how hard he tried, but they were comfortable and fitting- The last part, not so much anymore. But at one point in time they had.
With the confused yet scrutinising gaze of Elera looking back on him, insecurity welled it’s way to the forefront of Vedhans chest and left him absently shuffling to bury his hands back under the cover of his blanket, pulling it up to his neck for warmth. The elf didn’t catch whatever his cousin was saying, falling deaf when she started raving. She was excited to have him back, that was all. That’s what he reasoned with. Excitement. Not judgement. Not scrutiny. She was just caring for her cousin, not alienating him like she had in the past. Picking at his clothes, his face, his stature. What was dislike was replaced with care now, like any family member would act.
Something whispered otherwise.
“VEDHAN! Are you listening?”
Just as fast that he dived into his thoughts was he pried from them, sleep bruised eyes owlishly blinking at the hand waved in front of his face.
“Sorry I- what were you saying?”
A scoff of disbelief came from Elera, hands poised on her hips. One of them lifted and gestured in a dismissive matter, accompanied by a huff and the hidden roll of her eyes. “No, it’s okay, nevermind.” And she pivoted on her heel towards the door. Her hand touched the wood to close it behind her, but paused to look back at him. “Do get up though, I have a few shirts for you to try on.”
“Okay..” He mumbled, eyes downcast to fingers playing with a fray in the sheets rather than looking up at his cousin.