If there was one thing Vaxus Trevelyan had grown to excel at in his time as Inquisitor it was denial. When he first came to in the Haven prison, he'd denied his sister's death. Denied that he'd lived and she'd died. When he went to his first meeting with his advisors he'd denied being the Herald of Andraste. How could someone with such dumb luck be a herald to the Maker's prophet?
He'd denied being the Inquisitor. Once he'd finished heaving up his insides after the unexpected, and wholly unwelcome, ceremony. He'd even denied how he felt for Dorian at first. For a brief moment. But still the denial ran deep. And now. Now he could do nothing but deny the inevitable death of his fiance. Years together, and Vaxus lacked the ability to let go. He refused, just as Dorian refused. They'd both refused for far too long.
Vaxus fiddled with the ring that hung on a chain around Dorian's neck. He sat leaned up against the window on the balcony of his room, a cool evening breeze whispering past them. Dorian lay between his legs, his head in Vaxus' lap. There was a serene rise and fall of his chest. Vaxus tipped his head back, one hand still twirling the ring while the other lay gently over Dorian's shoulder. He closed his eyes, wishing he'd not denied this. Wishing neither of them had denied it, had not tried to will it away by pretending it wasn't happening.
He let out a shaky sigh, reliving memories through his mind's eye. Reliving all the moments they'd never have a chance to do again. One tear slipped down his cheek when he opened his eyes. Gaze traveling down to the love of his life. Realization slowly creeping up through the pit of his stomach that Dorian was no longer breathing.
"I'm sorry we waited too long, love," he murmured.
Vaxus pulled Dorian's hand up closer, kissing the cooling knuckles and lacing their fingers together one last night. He prayed, silently, for his love to finally be at peace. And for a long time, he remained that way. Silently saying his goodbyes as quiet tears slipped down his cheeks.
"I will see you again soon, Amatus," Vaxus whispered. "And we'll be together forever."