“I mean,” hedging, help, Stephen is so bad at this, “it does sort of affect my ability to prioritise. Of course I try to be professional, but in the field and given the choice between rescuing Tiny Tim or someone I’m— fond of— then I’m afraid my decision-making will be somewhat compromised.”

Of course, having attachments at all, romantic or platonic or otherwise, is perfectly normal, but it still takes a moment of readjustment for him sometimes. Layering the interpersonal atop that otherwise cold crisp professional facade. Having to contend with the fact that he’s putting down roots more and more, officially digging his heels into Thedas and accepting that this is his life now.

(This, too, is why Stephen had considered broaching it with Cosima specifically. He knows she’s been here before: a fellow rifter daring to commit to someone from Thedas, bridging that existential divide.)