If there had been humor sparkling in Lavellan’s eyes before, it was gone in an instant. The elf sat up the moment Dorian started speaking and released his hold on the mage’s wrists, though he didn’t leave completely. This was something he clearly needed to hear if Dorian was prefacing their night together with it. Lavellan sat rigid from where he straddled him, as if he were bracing himself for something awful, or worse, excuses. What came instead was nothing of what he expected to hear, and he found himself searching Dorian’s eyes, shocked so thoroughly that the surprise was clear on his face.
There were tears in his eyes before Lavellan realized what was happening. Maybe it was the fact that he was still weak with exhaustion, or that the issue of Solas still lingered like a hulking specter, stalking the edges of his concerns. But this … it was more than he’d ever dared to hope. He’d trusted in the fact that Dorian would never keep slaves willingly, but to hear that this had been made such a priority, that steps had already been taken the moment he’d set foot back on his home’s soil—the elf squeezed his eyes shut, suddenly overcome with emotion. It was too much.
He didn’t move or speak for a long moment, silently, fervently thanking whatever gods were responsible for crafting Dorian. There was still hope. Even with Solas working against that future for elves, Dorian was here, doing what he could to see change continue. He hadn’t thought it was possible to love this man more than he already did, but apparently, he was utterly done for now. There would never be another in any lifetime.
When Lavellan finally opened his eyes, they were still bright with unshed tears, but full to the brim with nothing but adoration. "Ar lath ma," he said, voice hoarse as he reached for the mage’s hands. He cradled them between his own this time, pressing mouth—and words of love, over and over—to Dorian’s knuckles. It was a reverent touch, grateful and solemn, as if the information were the most important and precious news he could have received.