Christmas time in Thedas!
Chapter one
Cassandra and Anthony
Quiet. Peaceful. Relaxing.
That…was not how you can describe Skyhold at the moment.
'Ankle biting stone humper!'.
'Pointy eared arse kisser!'.
Anthony was sorely regretting declining the Iron Bull's offer to head to the Frostback Mountains, as he watched Yuritha wrestling Sera in the snow, the elf pulling the dwarf's lips while said dwarf was pulling her pointy ears, both yelling profanities about each other's lady parts.
'What part of "do not attract attention" did you not understand you blond haired moron!?', Yuritha bellowed as she kicked the elf in the stomach, sending her on her arse. She leapt forward upon her and resumed the assault as Sera pulled her hair. 'Not my fault Bull Shite knocked ya into the swamp you half pint!', the elf retorted as she pushed the dwarf's face upwards.
A simple routine around the border lines of Skyhold turned into a fight when the group encountered several red templars. Yuritha's plan was to sneak up and kill them quick but Sera's explosives were unstable as usual and gave their position away, which caused the group to get a few extra scars.
As the two continued their wrestling, Anthony decided to spend his time on more provocative activities as he left them to their business. Skyhold was in spite of the two rogues high spirits for the holiday season. Several men and women left to spend time with their families for the season while many others remained since they found new families here, plus a good portion of refuges were families to begin with.
He himself found Skyhold to be his home at the moment, many of his clan are too far from him, scattered around Thedas in smaller groups, and many of those he considered family were long gone to the maker's side. He climbed the snowy steps into the main hall, enjoying the cold white snow fall from the sky, soothing him.
Below he saw several children play within the white substance, throwing snow balls, building snow men and creating angels on the ground. Further in he saw Blackwall and Jasmine both in the stables together with several children within, the former crafting wooden toys for the children while the latter was telling them more censored and more fantasy filled tales of the Inquisition, often pulling dramatic faces and waving her hands to exaggerate.
The ranger smiled at the templar as he continued his walk into the warm hall. Inside, it he noticed it was more vacant than usual, lack of nobles weren't an unwelcoming thing for him. He saw Varric by the hearth as he always is, scribbling letters to his friends in Kirkwall, along with several parcels by him.
'From your ever adoring fans?', he asked. The dwarf smirked at him as he continued to write his letter. 'Nah, just a few things for Hawke and Daisy back home, just to say thanks for risking his life again…and hopefully earn her forgiveness that I nearly got her boy killed…again', he replied.
After Adamant Fortress, to say Merrill was angry that Hawke once again put himself in danger again was like saying a dragon's fire breath was mildly warm. The moment she came to Skyhold, furious as though she was possessed by a demon, everyone was more scared of her than they were of the giant hole in the sky.
Even Cassandra was hesitant to try and stop her, needless to say it affirmed everyone's suspicions that she wore the pants of the relationship between her and Hawke…that and it made Leliana wonder if they should've looked for her as opposed to Hawke.
'I uh, don't suppose you', the ranger started. At this, the dwarf's face sported a grin as he looked around in case. Carefully, he picked up a brown paper bag with the parcel within it. 'Yup, all ready and even added some special bits~', the dwarf chimed. Anthony grinned in gratitude as he took the parcel and placed the coin down to the dwarf.
'For the expenses, maker knows how many quills you've used', he said kindly. The dwarf nodded in gratitude as the ranger left him to his business, he had work to do.
Bed room
He found Cassandra at the window with the book in hand, the warrioress was just finishing off another one of her older collections from her time in the Free Marches. Another serial romance series that she had fallen for years ago and while they weren't as exciting as Varric's by far, she enjoyed the simpler stories and at the very least it wasn't smutty.
Not that he was aware of anyways…
She wore a simple night robe as opposed to the leather gear she'd way daily, the gently candle light on highlighted her features. This was one of the times he's seen her actually relax and just take it easy for the day. The woman had been busy with all the tasks the Inquisitor had been giving them, moments alone became scarce for them with him halfway across Ferelden while she was in Orlais.
She turned to see the ranger quietly close the door behind him, a gentle smile on his lips. 'Done with your daily routine already?', she inquired. Anthony chuckled lightly as he rubbed his neck sheepishly as he felt her eyes bore into him, well aware the ranger had skipped his duty. It wasn't as if he'll damn them all if he didn't do so, it was his own thing to keep an eye on the party while the Inquisitor was busy with other matters.
That said, he does a rather poor job at keeping the peace, if Yuritha and Sera are any indication. 'I'm sure Cullen could handle anything should the need arise', he replied as he unclipped his cloak and hung it by his bed. The seeker smirked at him as he approached her, he held that nervous glint in his eyes that usually spoke of a plan.
If there was anything Anthony was horrible at, lying was the sole thing people picked on. As strong minded and charismatic as he could be, lying face to face with the inner circle was more tricky for him than anything else. It was why the only thing he had to do for the Inquisitor's birthday was help decorate and hunt for the banquet as opposed to distract her.
'What are you planning now?', she asked as she placed her book down. 'Must I be under suspicion for every time I wish to do something nice?', he asked with a mock look of offensive. The seeker chuckled as she took his hand. 'I have something for you', he said. She raised a brow at this, he could see the nervousness in her eyes.
'Anthony…', she started. Selfless would be inaccurate to describe the seeker, since every time he gave her something, she'd have difficulty accepting it since they were both awkward at gift giving. 'Spirit of the Holidays', he replied gently as she showed her the parcel. Gently taking the parcel with hesitation, the seeker gently opened up the square shaped parcel…
Her eyes widened in pure shock.
'T-This is…you couldn't', she stammered. 'The next part of Swords and Shields, along with the entire collection', he said. It wasn't an easy task, the collection sure since the book stores practically used them for stacks or dwarves used them to stand a bit taller. The next part required Varric though, and it costed Anthony several stories from his time with the rangers, and of course, a bag of coin for the supplies…he never felt so poor.
'How did…', she said, unable to believe her eyes. '…Gave my soul to the demon', he quietly muttered. Before another word got out of his mouth, Cassandra lunged upon him, capturing his lips in a hot passionate kiss. The ranger's stunned form stopped as he eagerly returned the kiss with just as much passion.
The book was placed upon the table near her as she was lifted up by him by her thighs, pinned to the wall as the two begun to ravish each other's lips, eventually the seeker whispered into his ear, got a growl from him as he carried her to bed…
Midnight
They laid in bed together, the seeker's head upon his chest as she slept while the ranger held her there and watched her sleeping form.
'Merry Satinalia Cassandra', he whispered.