The sun brought welcomed warmth in Brady's room in the morning. He awoke with a loud yawn, then retracted his volume quickly when he noticed Cassandra sound asleep still. He smiled warmly at her, admiring the way her face softened and was at peace when she slept. He pushed back a misplaced hair that fell on her face behind her ear gently, desperately trying not to wake her. Then, with a soft kiss on her forehead, he rolled out of bed. A sigh escaped his lips as he stretched and made his way to the balcony. The mountain air was always refreshing, with each breath his lungs filled with crisp air. He rested his hands on the railing and watched his Inquisition prepare for the day. Soldiers were already training and scouts were exiting Skyhold with their orders.
Things had been calm in Thedas after Corypheus had been slain, more or less. Leliana sat on the Sunburst throne, giving the land fresh ideals and leadership that seemed to be working in the favor of peace. As foolish as he thought the idea was, Brady felt content for the first time in a while, and he allowed himself to relax for as long as it lasted.
The sound of rustled sheets redirected his attention back to the bedroom where he saw Cassandra rising up slowly.
"Good morning." He mused, rejoining her in his quarters.
She sat up and covered her bare body with the silk sheet. She scrunched her nose, "Maker, what's that smell?"
"Smell?" He looked around and even checked himself for a foul odor, "I don't smell anythin-"
She winced and began to heave. Without a thought, he quickly grabbed a chamber pot and ran it over to her.
He sat next to her on the side of the bed and rubbed her back as she spit up into the pot.
"Are you alright, Cass?" his mind thought of causes of his lover's sickness, "Did you eat something for dinner last night that might have upset you?"
She continued to look down, and said softly, "Perhaps the Orleasian cheese..."
"I ate half the plate and I'm fine," He stood up quickly and swung a jacket on, "Hold on. I'll fetch a healer and some water. Just stay in bed for now."
"I can't stay in bed, I have to-"
"Cassandra... stay here. I'll be right back. I promise."
She groaned in defeat, and then began to heave again.
With urgency, he hustled down the staircase and unintentionally slammed the door behind him in his haste. He was practically jumping down the other staircases at this point, directing himself to the fastest route to Vivienne. Though there were many other mages in Skyhold, he wanted a trusted friend to deal with the situation. For all he knew, someone could have tried to poison her, and he didn't want word to spread around Skyhold about his lover's condition.
When he finally made it to the great hall, he was greeted by many friendly faces. He tried his best to look as though nothing was wrong, nodding his head and trying as quickly as possible to make it to Vivienne without his movements looking hasty or panicked.
Reaching the staircase to Vivienne's usual spot in Skyhold, he called out to her.
"Yes, Darling?" She replied, her voice sounding closer with each step he ascended.
"I need your assistance," He walked over to her.
She set down the novel she was reading and looked up at him, "Anything for you, dear. What is it?"
"Cassandra woke up sick," He explained, "I want someone to make sure she's alright... I'm afraid if she has just fallen ill or worse. You don't think anybody would poison her... do you?"
"I cannot say for certain, my dear. But, I will examine her." She stood up and walked towards the staircase, "Come. Let's go."
Brady sat in the main hall awaiting Vivienne's return from his quarters. She requested some "privacy" with the seeker and assured him she'll do what she could. He watched the fire crack and cackle while he ran his fingers through his hair.
"Hey, boss." He heard a familiar voice say.
"Morning, Varric." He said in a gloomy tone.
"Not a morning person?" Varric joked, "Or did the seeker make you sleep on the couch last night?"
Brady cracked a smile, "If only that were the case, Varric."
"Worry. Pain. But not like a wound on his skin, more like a pressure behind his eyes." Cole said, approaching them.
"C'mon kid... it's a little early for all of that," Varric chuckled, "wait until the tea kicks in."
"I do have a bit of a headache this morning, Cole. Good call." Brady encouraged. He didn't mind Cole rummaging through his mind as much as the others. He understood it was a part of his being and accepted it.
"You're upset," Cole continued, "I can help."
"Thank you for the offer, Cole, but I'll be fine."
Brady heard a door open, and his head pivoted quickly to the door to his quarters. Vivienne walked into the main hall and up to Brady, who was anxious for good news.
"Anything?" He asked vaguely.
"She's fine, Darling. But I assume she would like to explain everything rather than me."
"Thank you." He nodded his head and stood up from his chair.
She smiled at him, "Anytime, my dear."
He bid Varric and Cole farewell, and eagerly went to join Cassandra in their room.
Cassandra heard the door open and softly close. "Brady?" She called out softly.
"I'm here." He replied, poking his head above the staircase railing to see her.
She held a weak smile and was leaning against the headboard of the bed. He noticed she her body was wrapped in one of his robes, making him grin.
"You can have it if you like it so much." He remarked, joining her on the bed and rested his head on his propped up arm.
She looked down at the robe. holding her smile, "This one isn't my favorite... but I'll take it if you're offering."
He looked up at her, "How do you feel?"
"Better, but..." She trailed off.
He cocked an eyebrow, "But?"
"Vivienne said something, uhm, concerning. I was not expecting this, but she believes this is in fact the case."
"Poison? Maker's breath, Someone tried to poison you, didn't they? I'll tell Cullen to investigate. I'm sure Josephine could-"
She laid her hand on his cheek and started laughing, "Inquisitor, please. I was not poisoned."
"Then what is it, Cass?" his eyes held a worrisome gaze.
Cassandra looked forward and tried to answer, "She believes I am with child."
His eyes widened and he sat up, causing her to direct her attention to his reaction, "With child? I am to be a father?" He took a second for the words to register. She grew nervous at his sudden silence.
"A child," He said softly, then looked over at her and beamed a smile at her, followed by an excited kiss that took her by surprise.
"You know what this means, right?" He grabbed both of her hands and held them softly.
"No," She found herself smiling at his childish excitement, "What does this mean?"
"We need bigger quarters! A nursery... Do you think mages make good nannies? Or would the templars be more useful? Perhaps Cullen could babysit. Sera has visitation limitations, I don't want their first word to be 'shite'."
She laughed, "Brady, please. This is serious."
He chuckled, "And what makes you think I'm not serious?"
"Aren't you at all scared? and what of the inquisition? Surely you need to think of these things."
"Cassandra, the love my life is having my child. I am not frightened nor in shock. Maker, I'm happy for us. Do you know how good looking this child is going to be? And the Inquisition? Well, it's about time this place became more family friendly."
"You make light of everything, don't you?" She smirked.
His expression was warm, his light blue eyes soft on her golden irises, "I love you."
She kissed his lips gently and grinned against his mouth, "I love you, too."
