Dorian woke up on his wedding day to the sound of faint crinkling and wet crunching. He kept his eyes closed and groaned, shifting under the mountain of blankets and furs he insisted he and Lavellan needed for cold Ferelden nights and nuzzling his fiancé's hair. "Lavellan?"

"Hhhhhmmmmmmfffffff," groaned Lavellan as the sounds continued. The elf tiredly kicked in his sleep and neither of them tried to even open their eyes.

"We're getting married today," mumbled Dorian, hugging Lavellan closer, bodies tangled together and warm. They'd been up most of the night doing what Dorian called 'couple's gymnastics', falling into the sheets glowing and exhausted. He pressed his chest firmly to Lavellan's back and kissed his neck, ready to fall back asleep when he heard an odd footfall on their rug. "One of us has to get up, you know."

Lavellan moaned and sat up, dragging Dorian up with him as he rubbed his eyes. "Fine, fine. I'm up." He looked at his room and rubbed his eyes again. "Hello?"

A halla stared back at him, standing by Lavellan's desk as it ate a piece of parchment from a mangled pile on the table. The halla's ears perked up at the couple and continued eating Lavellan's paperwork.

Dorian pulled the blankets up over his chest and curled in on himself. "What is a DEER doing in our bedroom?!"

Lavellan laughed at him and stood up, not caring about his lack of clothing. "It's a halla, Dorian. Don't be shy." He shrugged on a robe and pet the halla, putting away more important papers in a desk drawer. "Are you eating my trade agreement notes? Making less work for me? Good girl!" cooed Lavellan, scratching the halla under her chin.

"I still don't know- oh!" Dorian eyed his new bookshelf, squinting at the wooden duck displayed on one of the shelves. "Cole. Anything weird happens, blame Cole."

"I think she's cute!" Lavellan went to guide the halla downstairs and Dorian coughed.

"Amatus, I don't think it's a good idea to wander downstairs in only your housecoat and NOTHING else while leading a deer through the main hall on our wedding day. You look like a barely modest renaissance painting."

Lavellan winked. "Don't you like it?"

"I- yes," admitted Dorian. He pushed the bedcovers aside and ran a hand through his hair. "Get dressed for our Bonding first, take care of the deer later?"

"Oh alright, she's good company anyway, aren't you sweetheart?"

Dorian huffed. He and Lavellan went into the Inquisitor's private bath together, heating up water with magic. "You don't call me sweetheart!"

The halla nosed Dorian's hair with a high pitched, soft cry and Lavellan giggled. "You'd make that face at me if I ever did!" Dorian scowled at anyone but Lavellan touching his hair and hastily climbed into the tub, dunking his head under the water.

The steam and soap worked tension and anxiety out of Dorian that he didn't even know he had. He worked soap into Lavellan's hair and massaged his scalp, smiling as Lavellan sighed and tipped his head back. Such simple intimacy soothed Dorian's soul, taking care of Lavellan and helping groom his hair. Their Bonding was special; they needed to look their absolute best.

"Amatus?"

"Yes, love?"

"I'm Bonding you, so I get to ask you personal questions, right?"

Lavellan laughed nervously. "Yes?"

Dorian leaned close to him, hands sliding up his shoulders as he whispered in his ear. "Are elf ears sensitive?" He kissed the tip of Lavellan's ear. "Do you like this?"

Lavellan whined. "Dorian, we were up all night!"

"Oh? So a yes?"

Lavellan turned and kissed Dorian, soft and warm on his mouth. They kissed for a time, quiet in the early morning, utter peace and happiness in the air, a promise of a life they could have together. Lavellan pulled back first, giving Dorian a gentle peck on the lips. "I suppose we have to stop kissing for a little while so we can get married."

"We'll have plenty more time tonight."

"If my thighs stop aching."

Dorian and Lavellan dressed in their Bonding attire, purples and golds swirling and complimenting each other while both being strikingly different in design. They approached the main hall of the castle and made a dramatic entrance with Lavellan's new halla in their wake.

"Lavellan!" Cassandra pounced out of nowhere in a blur and tackled Lavellan into a tight hug. Their ceremony wasn't for a few hours and she was already crying, stubbornly trying to act like she wasn't but still desperate to cling to Lavellan. "I'm so happy for you!"

Lavellan, to Dorian's shock, started crying too, hugging tight to Cassandra as the friends wept tears of joy on each other. Perhaps jokes about wishing to see Cassandra in a dress would have to wait.

"Sunshine bright, sheets barely covering his hips, his hair soft and eyes closed in peaceful sleep- he's more than you dared to dream of having, that word you used to bury in your throat under quips and teasing now rests on your lips- love, you love him so." Cole was at Dorian's side with a smile, still in his wide brimmed witchlike hat.

"That is- a very innocent mind reading for once, Cole."

Cole nodded. He pet the halla and traced his fingers on her horns, obviously familiar with the creature. "'Love' hasn't been the only thing buried in your throat."

"OKAYYYYYYY," Dorian coughed as Iron Bull's laughter boomed in the hall, also coming up next to the couple. It seemed their entire circle of friends wanted to wish them well before the ceremony and Dorian's blush was only partly from embarrassment.

Iron Bull scooped Dorian up into a hug and Dorian's feet lifted off the ground. "The Inquisitor is lucky to have you, Dorian."

"Mm- I think I'm the lucky one." Iron Bull gave extraordinarily good hugs, and Dorian wasn't in a rush to be put down. "You have to hug Lavellan too- I can't keep your toned biceps all for myself."

"Hey! Are we already giving presents?!" Sera ran to Lavellan and looked at the halla. "How did THAT get in here?"

"She's very friendly," said Cole. "Lavellan wanted one."

Sera thrust a platter of cookies at Lavellan and Dorian as Lavellan was hugged by Iron Bull with a loud squeak. Varric, Leliana, Josephine, Cullen, Blackwall, Solas, and Vivienne all crowded around them too, mingling with each other and wishing Dorian and Lavellan the best before guests started to arrive. Varric slipped a bundle of parchment into Dorian's pocket with a wink and Dorian understood to NOT take it out in public.

Josephine managed to lead Dorian and the Inquisitor away, a stack of papers in her arms. "The musicians are already here and I've been putting finishing touches on the courtyard, the ceremony is officially at 5pm, the first cake was mysteriously accidentally eaten apparently so the bakers-"

"Breathe!" Lavellan grinned at Josephine. "Everything is perfect."

Lanterns were strung outside dipping along corners of buildings and providing an open ceiling to the courtyard. Tables alongside the edges of the clearing were set out for food and the door to The Herald's Rest was propped open to reveal the tavern as clean as it'd ever been with a centerpiece of flowers and candles on every table. The dozen or so musicians were in the shade of the staircase next to where Dorian and Lavellan would Bond, setting up music stands and tuning instruments to entertain for their reception.

It really was perfect

Dorian and Lavellan stood at the top of the staircase in front of the great hall, flowers and petals lining the steps up to them. Lavellan and Dorian were beaming at each other, so close in front of the crowd. Their inner circle stood behind them, watching over the couple. Dorian took Lavellan's hand and slid a golden ring on his finger, set with an emerald with golden leaves bordering the jewel.

"Sylaise enaste var aravel. Lama, ara las mir lath. Bellanaris." The Elvhen vows were fluent on Dorian's tongue, proud of Lavellan's dazed, happy look.

"It's beautiful," whispered Lavellan. He also gave Dorian a ring, placing a deep purple sapphire on his ring finger, trimmed with black stones around the edge, set in gold. He projected his voice for all to hear, "Sylaise enaste var aravel. Lama, ara las mir lath. Bellanaris."

But their ceremony had just begun- people clapped and cheered and Lavellan and Dorian held their right hands together, showing the serpent bracelets on their wrists. Lavellan looked close to tears of joy, and Dorian knew his unguarded watery smile must show more emotion and adoration he could even begin to describe.

His Lavellan. His husband. His bondmate.

Cullen stepped up and stood facing the crowd, a piece of string in his hands. "It is fitting that our mages carry a modified piece of old, romantic tradition for their Bonding today. Instead of being married by just a priest- their friends wish to bestow blessings and well wishes for their lives together. I have the honor of being first." Cullen carefully tied their hands together with his string. "May you be blessed with Strength for all your days together."

Dorian and Lavellan smiled as Cassandra took Cullen's place with her own bit of twine. Her eyes were slightly red and Dorian knew despite her armor and fierceness that a wedding of two friends was something her romantic heart loved to see. "I can't think of anything better than to wish you two Romance for the years you'll have together, that your love will never fade." Her string joined Cullen's and Lavellan sniffled.

If Lavellan cried then so would Dorian and he squeezed Lavellan's hand reassuringly.

Varric followed Cassandra and tied their hands, the strings all starting to cross together. "The years have taught me, cheesy as it sounds, that there's nothing more important than Friendship- especially between two lovers. You have each other and you got us too. Don't forget it."

"Thank you," said Lavellan earnestly.

Blackwall carefully bound their hands together, roughness in the callouses on his fingers and in his wavering voice. "Loyalty- something I know you already have to each other, and the good of Thedas."

Vivienne stood proudly, tying a silver thread of silk around them, so thin it was barely visible. "My dears, may Dorian ever have all the particularly currant flavored wine he wishes, and Lavellan the pastries he loves too much." Lavellan's ears twitched happily as he laughed and Dorian grinned too. "For rich or for poor but oh please, for rich! May your future years and those who come after you be filled with Prosperity."

Next was Solas in formal attire, not a hair out of place as he stood with a quiet regal air about himself. "Remember your Dreams." He tied the string and continued, "Never lose track of your hopes, ambitions, love, past, and future. The gift of Dreams is infinite, as are your potentials."

Solas was almost shoved aside as Sera bounded up, triumphantly holding a garish yellow string. "I give you the gift of BEES!"

The crowd laughed and Dorian grinned. "Sera, is that from your plaideweave pants?"

"Of course it is!" Sera tied them together and Lavellan laughed.

"Oh come on Sera, what is it really?"

Sera rolled her eyes dramatically. "Fun! You two already have a lot of it, and I won't stand for you being boring anytime soon!"

She did a black flip back into their circle of friends and Iron Bull grinned widely in a way that filled Dorian with dread. He had a red bit of twine and took his time tying it, letting his fingers linger in a way that felt inherently sensual. "May you two be bound together in all the throes of Passion," he purred deeply.

"Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuugh," groaned Dorian as Lavellan giggled and blood rushed to his face. More laughter passed through the audience and Dorian dramatically hid his face with his free hand.

He wouldn't want it any other way.

Cole seemed dazed. He looked directly at Lavellan and then Dorian and then he delicately tied just a plain brown string around their clasped hands. Dorian glanced at the crowd and realized all those people could see Cole. It must've taken effort to not just vanish. "I'm Compassion- I don't think I know what else to be or give," he said shyly.

"You're absolutely perfect," encouraged Lavellan with watery eyes.

Dorian prayed to every god he knew of human and elvish alike as Cole spoke, almost involuntarily. "Bright forests, winding rivers, stony mountains- cities and tall spires only seen from a distance, so much life lived but none of it the same, only The People around you were home and even then, they sometimes became fewer than before. Now you see the same, your heart aches for familiar faces from long ago and you look around and see a new home- one you can't bear to see fade, one you're so joyful to love and live with it hurts."

Lavellan was bawling. Tears streamed down his face and the look of euphoria and adoration he gave Dorian through his tears made water well up in his own eyes as well. "Oh amatus-"

"I'm so sorry," mumbled Cole.

"No- no I- I AM so happy it hurts." Lavellan wept and some in the crowd awwwwed or sniffled too. "I love you. I love my new home of family."

Leliana followed, a warm smile on her face with her hood off. She radiated youth once again and she added another knot around them. "The bard in me blesses you with the gift of Song- that music and the power of stories and the laughter in a fellowship of friends shall always be yours."

Finally, Josephine. She had a single gold thread and tied it around their hands, now fully bound with many crisscrosses of colors. "It goes without saying that I hope you two shall have Joy for all your days, wherever the future leads."

Mother Giselle nodded to the two of them from the side and moved up front. "And on behalf of the chantry, we witness Inquisitor Lavellan and Dorian Pavus's union in marriage- oh go for it!"

Dorian and Lavellan's hands glowed and the strings tying them together disintegrated into a bright flash of gold. Lavellan looked so perfect, so lively and blissful Dorian picked him up and kissed him, spinning him around as cheering, champagne corks popping, and music erupted all around them.

The rest of the evening was a blur of pure happiness. Visiting guests and common servant alike had nothing but well wishes and blessings to bestow upon the couple, both formal and candid. Dorian remembered laughing and holding Lavellan's hand as Sera and Iron Bull danced in the most ridiculous ways possible, Leliana and Josephine sang together after a couple goblets of wine, Varric tried to teach Cole how to dance, and everyone was merry.

Lavellan was especially entranced by their wedding cake- a tiered affair with a soft coat of frosting and iced detailed lattices, leaves, and flowers. His eyes were wide as he made the first cut into the white cake and he gazed at the marbled lemon and berry inside. Lavellan took a bite immediately from the slice and lost any semblance of ceremony- eating his cake and refusing to cut any more pieces until he was done.

"Do I get any?" teased Dorian, his thigh comfortably pressed against Lavellan's as he watched the elf moan almost sexually as he licked frosting off his fork.

"You do get some- every night we like."

Dorian rolled his eyes with a playful huff and served himself a slice of the cake, grateful there was still any left as people indulged in alcoholic fruit punch, meats and cheeses, fruit platters, mini sandwiches, and an array of sweets surrounding their cake. He had to admit- the sweet frosting and fresh berries were delightful.

"We should dance some more, amatus."

Lavellan scraped the last of the icing off both their plates and nodded. "Yes! You lead?"

"Anything for you." Dorian took Lavellan's hand and held his waist. The sun was setting and the lanterns in the courtyard were lit. Skyhold's mountain air was scented with rain and pine trees, an air that encouraged deep breaths and eyes to look to the sky.

The musicians still played dancing tunes, some fast and some slow. Lavellan let Dorian gently guide him around as sweet violins echoed in the dusky light. Dorian smiled and kissed him, uncaring of any passerby. The courtyard was full but it only felt like the two of them, pressed together in the other's arms and soon not even dancing, tongues brushing against each other and hands gripping tighter.

"Ahem." Josephine approached them with a slightly tipsy grin on her face. "I- oh I don't like to interrupt-"

"Don't worry, I have all night with him," said Lavellan.

"-but it seems our friends have elected me to ask you both if you'd like to join a game of Wicked Grace? I told them no of course, that it's your wedding night, but Varric and Iron Bull and honestly all of them-"

"Yes!" blurted out Lavellan.

Dorian raised his eyebrows. Their Bonding was far from traditional, but he didn't expect Lavellan to want to play cards. "Yes?"

"I- I mean," Lavellan stammered. "Don't humans normally have parties like that around weddings? But not quite? All men or all women?"

Josephine perked up. "Oh yes! Bachelor parties! They're usually the night before the wedding- very rowdy and fun."

Dorian's mind whirled. He was smirking before he could stop himself, and Maker knew he loved their companions as much as Lavellan did. To hell with tradition. "Oh, why not! A bachelor type party with our circle? I don't know if I can think of a more memorable end to a wedding than seeing Cullen slowly strip his clothing off."

Lavellan giggled and Josephine full out laughed, hair coming free from her bun as she blushed without restraint. "Once all these Orlesians leave, Wicked Grace it is!"

Wicked Grace was a backdrop of Solas and Josephine dueling for the most coin as the inquisition exchanged stories, laughs, memories, and a feeling so pure it ached at the mere thought it'd ever end. Solas almost seemed to be winning by pure spite over the teasing that he was up past his bedtime, and Josephine delighted in watching Cassandra and Cullen take off the armor they'd deliberately wore layers upon layers of.

Not that they were the only ones to lose. Lavellan proved to be a poor card player when giddy and absorbed in Sera and Varric's banter. Dorian carefully hung Lavellan's fancy tunic over his chair as a couple people wolf whistled. "Now now," said Dorian "The rest is supposed to be for me to take off!"

Sera snorted. "Tell your husband to fold if it's a low ranking two-pair then!"

"I vote we gang up on Leliana," mused Iron Bull aloud. "Josephine is clearly invincible, but Leliana hasn't had her underthings pinned to a wall for awhile."

"Hey!" protested Leliana. "I never said they were MY smallclothes! Just someone's at the chantry!"

Varric eyed the group with a coy smile. "Sparkler's my target- he'll be too distracted by the Inquisitor to bet properly."

Solas regarded Iron Bull thoughtfully as Josephine shuffled. "Why do you enjoy strip poker if you're always shirtless to begin with?"

Iron Bull chuckled. "Higher stakes for me- makes it more thrilling."

The night stretched on until past midnight, when Dorian and Lavellan ran upstairs to their bedroom, giggling like schoolchildren. Lavellan barely had anything on and Dorian wasn't in much more than his short cape, neither bothering to put their clothes back on and instead setting their piles on the couch.

"I love you," said Lavellan breathlessly.

Dorian kissed Lavellan hard and held his waist, angling his head to kiss deeper and groaning at their body heat. Lavellan deftly untied Dorian's cape and it fell to the floor, pushed aside as they enjoyed the other. Dorian panted and kissed Lavellan's neck, his face flushed. "I love you too, amatus. My husband."

Lavellan put his hands on Dorian's shoulders, staring into his eyes. "My amatus. My Bondmate."

Dorian guided Lavellan back towards their bed, settling on it and snapping his fingers so the fireplace lighted and cast a soft light into the room. "Lay down with me?"

Lavellan nestled into their blankets and pillows and kissed Dorian, lips soft and movements languid as the realization that they really did have all night sunk in. "I love you so much. I- I know this happened in such a bizarre way, and you didn't even KNOW about our Bonding until after all of Skyhold and then hahaha, then we played Wicked Grace-"

"Lavellan." Dorian kissed his forehead. "I wouldn't want us to be together any other way. You're important. Your culture is important. Our friends are important. It's perfect."

Every day, every night, Dorian would get to hold him like this. His heart swelled, and Lavellan had even more adventurous thoughts in his head. Lavellan pecked Dorian's lips sweetly, his golden amber eyes enticing. "Why don't you show me that dance with all the silk scarves?"