Sorry I haven't updated my Captain Swan fics in awhile. I will soon, I've just been busy on a different blog. But is one of the few things I have been writing.
Based on this: post/91649263061/what-if-theres-a-final-night-scene-with-cullen
It's very strange, seeing her in his arms, motionless, eyes drained of their life and face without vibrant red cheeks. It feels so surreal.
He knew, somewhere in the back of his mind, that this was going to happen. He'd prepared himself for it, secretly building up his walls and pouring himself into his work. But he wasn't as ready for this as he had figured.
Here she is, his fearless Inquisitor, savior of Thedas… dead.
"Y- you promised," he sputters, scooping her head gently into his cupped palms, staring straight into her empty eyes. "You promised me-" His own eyes are clouded by tears, his face hot and red. A few yards away he can make out the blurry figures of Vivenne, Varric, and Sera. They're watching him, likely hoping he'll get out of the open. He doesn't care.
How could this have happened? She was perfectly fine just moments before! He can still see that confident smile as she was closing the last tear, hear the laugh that had escaped her when she realized their imminent victory. Her life cut short by one demon's last, desperate attempt to be freed.
Maker, if she'd just been looking. Who could have seen it coming? It happened in an instant. A large talon inching its way out of the fade, barely visible until it had already pierced through her. And as soon as it had appeared… it was gone! Leaving her to fall to the ground and bleed out.
He'd been able to reach her just in time to catch her. At first she was alive, gasping for breath, eagerly gulping for whatever air she could get. Just before she stilled, he felt a weak hand brushing his cheek and her voice, a nearly inaudible whisper, "I love you."
"I told you to be careful… you promised me you would," he reminds her to no avail. His voice is small, a ghost of the commanding tone he uses around their militia. The pain is overwhelming, and he pulls her head closer, touching her still warm forehead to his own and tightening his face, holding back tears.
For the longest time he remains quiet, swallowing sobs and taking deep breaths. He doesn't even notice when he starts rocking her body in his arms. It's a soft, gentle movement, and in it he finds a rhythm that's calming. Like an assurance from her. So he does the only thing he can to do avoid tears. He starts to say good-bye, and it begins with humming. It's the song he sang to her their first night together, the one his mother taught him before she left him at the Chantry's doorstep.
The song starts low, what seems like just a rumble in his chest. It's quiet and steady. His hums transition to whispered words, and he struggles to sing against his desire to break down and cry. But the singing pulls him through. The notes rise and fall with the lilt of his voice, and the words tumble out of his mouth in a beautiful flurry. And when the song ends and he's left with nothing but reality in his arms, he's not sure where he finds it, but he gathers enough strength to carry his beloved Inquisitor back to the keep. Back to what was their home.
"I'll see you again," he swears before kissing her on the cheek and letting her go.
