Drinking Buddies - SkyFireForever - Dragon Age (Video Games) [Archive of Our Own] (2024)

Scorpius wakes up with the worst hangover they've had in their life. Their brain is pounding in their skull and they're pretty sure they're going to explode at any minute.

“Oh, f*ck,” they mutter as they sit up.

It's like the world around them is too f*cking loud. They can hear the dog sitting at the edge of the bed, scratching herself and jingling her collar. They can feel the sheets against their skin and the sun they can see filtering in through the window is blinding.

What even happened last night? Scorpius can remember inviting all their friends over, but after that, it's all a blur.

They know they started drinking some of the bottles Fenris brought from his mansion cellar. They vaguely remember laughing with everyone, but the moment drinks started being consumed, everything started to get hazy.

They rub their face with their hand, trying to force the hangover out.

A voice from their right makes a noise. “f*ck.”

Scorpius looks over to see Anders sitting up from a pile of blankets on the floor. “Ow,” he murmurs, clutching his head.

“You too, huh?” Scorpius asks.

“I didn't think I could get drunk anymore,” Anders says and he sounds so tired.

Scorpius laughs and immediately regrets it. “f*ck. How much did we drink last night?”

“Too much,” Fenris says from beside Anders, not even bothering to sit up.

“You're the one who brought the booze,” Scorpius says. “What the hell was in those bottles?”

Fenris grunts enough of a f*ck if I know sound that Scorpius gets the picture.

“I half expected you to say blood magic.” Isabela stumbles into the room. “If the drinks were from Tevinter.”

Fenris groans as he sits up, shoulder to shoulder with Anders. “Blood magic would be better than this,” he mutters.

Varric snorts from where he's laying on the other side of Scorpius’ bed. “I wouldn't go that far.”

“I would.” Scorpius forces themself to their feet, wobbling slightly. Their stomach isn't happy with how much alcohol they consumed last night. “f*ck, what even happened last night?”

“Drinking,” Isabela says. “Lots of drinking.”

“I gathered that much, thanks.”

Anders struggles to get to his feet, leaving Fenris behind him. “Uhg, I feel disgusting.”

As Scorpius looks at him, a memory pops into their mind. Chapped lips on their own, a hand in their hair, a body pressed against them.

They shake the memory off. “Come on, I'm sure Orana will make us something to eat.”

“I think if I eat, it'll end up on your fancy floor,” Varric warns.

“Water, then.”

Isabela snickers. “Alright, mother hen. As you say.”

Scorpius manages to get everyone into the dining room, picking up Merrill and Aveline on the way through the living room. Everyone is at different levels of exhausted and hungover.

Every time Scorpius looks at Anders, the memory of his lips on theirs floods their mind again. They can't shake it completely off no matter what they try.

Orana serves them a delicious breakfast that somehow goes down without any trouble, which Scorpius is incredibly grateful for.

“This is delicious, Orana,” they tell her. “I could kiss you.”

They don't miss the way Anders’ face turns pink and he averts his gaze.

Orana blushes. “Thank you, master.” She curtsies.

Scorpius still can't get used to her calling them that. She's a servant now, not a slave, but she sometimes acts like she doesn't know there's a difference. She still hangs around the house on her days off and the first time she dropped a plate, she'd gotten on her knees and begged for forgiveness. It's unnerving.

She seems to be healing, though. One day at a time, becoming more comfortable in her new home. Scorpius is grateful towards her for all she does, both around the mansion and while trying to become their friend.

It's quiet as everyone eats, with everyone focused on their meals. Even the noise of utensils on plates is loud in Scorpius’ skull.

“It's time for me to get back to work,” Aveline announces once she's finished. “Thank you for the meal. And last night was fun, I think. Let's never do it again.”

A round of laughter sounds out around the table.

Varric stands up. “I think that's my cue too. Can't have Bianca missing me too much.” He waves goodbye as he steps out.

Everyone else follows out, one by one, until it's just Scorpius and Anders clearing out the dishes.

“Anders, can we talk?” Scorpius requests after the dishes are set to the side to be cleaned.

“Hm? Of course.” Anders looks at them expectantly.

“Er, alone?” Scorpius glances at Orana before gesturing for Anders to follow them back to their room.

Once they're alone, Scorpius rubs the back of their neck nervously. “So, uh. I swear you kissed me last night.”

The memory is so clear despite the haziness that surrounds it. The feeling of Anders against them, the way his hands tangled in their hair…

It's all far too vivid to just be a dream.

Anders’ face turns red and he looks away. “I don't even remember what the f*ck happened last night,” he admits as he runs a hand through his loose hair. “It's all a blur after the bottles came out.”

Scorpius can tell by how Anders won't look directly at them that his words aren't entirely true. “Hey, it's nothing to feel bad about. We were drunk, it happens.”

Anders laughs awkwardly. “Of course. It doesn't mean a thing.”

Scorpius’ heart sinks. They'd almost wanted it to mean something, but if Anders thinks it didn't…

“Yeah, obviously.” Scorpius throws an arm around Anders’ shoulders. “What's a little kissing between friends?”

Anders sags in relief. “Exactly.”

“Good,” Scorpius says even as their heart pounds in their chest.

“Good.” Anders extracts himself from Scorpius’ touch. “Now, I really should get back to the clinic.”

“Oh, right. Yeah.” Scorpius steps back. “Last night was fun, though! From what I remember.” Which mostly includes the kiss.

“It was for me too,” Anders says and Scorpius gets the feeling they're both talking about the same thing.