Dorian sat before Taraa peeking at her from behind his novel. Taraa pushed a lock of her hair behind her ear as she sat lazily in her couch rattling away at her keyboard while staring at her textbook as she did so. Dorian smirked at how serious she looked while concentrating on her work, how her eyebrows furrowed when looking up and researching, how she bit her lips when frustrated. Dorian knew the meaning of every gesture she made, well why wouldn't he? He was her best friend and he had naturally begun noticing what each of her gestures or body language meant.

But recently, something had changed. It all began during the gathering at the pub, when she met that Solas fellow. At the pub, she had a much gentler expression, she smiled more and she begun twirling her hair. Furthermore, Taraa had begun checking her phone more often, smiling whenever the group bothered Solas and he replied back, she had even begun messaging him privately as well asking about her research.

'I think our little star…may have a crush on the new guy' Dorian thought to himself as he smirked behind his book.

"Dori" Taraa called, still staring at her laptop.

"Yes Taraa dear?" Dorian replied still smiling as he flipped a new page.

"You're smirking about something…you thinking about your boyfriend~?" Taraa teased, giggling.

Dorian laughed. "A. We're not dating yet. B. I could say the same to you, darling."

"You and Ezra act like you are" Taraa then halted. "Wait what?"

"You heard me, gurl"

"I've no idea what you're talking about"

Dorian dropped his book onto his lap and held his head on his right hand. He then tried to mimic Taraa's voice. Badly, she might add. "Oh, hahren tell me more. Oh the wonders of Arlathan!"

Taraa rolled her eyes. "Solas is a very knowledgeable historian. He knows so much!"

"But them eyes though" Dorian chuckled.

"He does have nice eyes…" Taraa murmured. She remembered how she felt when she first locked eyes with him. He had very gentle eyes and its light blue hue mesmerized her. They carried such mystery. Taraa snapped out of her daydream when she realized that Dorian was raising his eyebrows.

"Not a word Dori…"

Dorian laughed. "Not saying anything."

Taraa sighed as she shut her laptop. "Dori…"

"Yes dear?"

"Let's talk boys."

"Would love nothing better"

The alarm went off, an irritating repetition of high pitch noises, Solas groaned into his pillow as he reached to silence it. It was Monday, his first day at work. He sighed as he pulled himself up, frustrated that he had to leave a pleasant dream. He could recall bits and pieces of it, their memory and the emotions they drew upon still lingered in his mind like vapour. He couldn't place it, it was like a memory yet not…for he knew he had never set foot in a place like the ones he had seen in his dreams.

There was always a taste of bitter sweetness in his dreams, an overwhelming sadness yet a bleeding joy he hung onto. It didn't make a whole lot of sense to him either.

He swung himself off his bed and stood up, allowing himself a few moments to properly awaken; he stretched and breathed in deeply. He paused, taking his phone off the side table and began scrolling through his many Whatsapp notifications as he entered the bathroom.

Gods, these people don't sleep at wink do they?

It started when Solas and Dorian were chatting about some books Dorian might have in his store which then escalated to a debate on the true characteristics of a romance noble between the two of them which Cassandra and Josie joined in which further evolved to a debate on what true romance is with Leliana, Blackwall and Cullen then finally somehow the topic turned into the objectification of women in modern society.

How in the name of the Dreadwolf did they get there? He had absolutely no clue.

Solas would not admit this out loud but he felt a certain fulfillment when he began to full take part in the banter between the 'Inquisition', it was fun and he hadn't felt that way in the longest time. His days more full now than they ever had been in the entirety of his life.

He stepped out of the shower, fresh and clean, and wore his work suit. On his way out of the apartment he grabbed his keys, his constantly vibrating phone and his long coat, which he swung around his shoulder as he locked the door. He walked down the steps and out into Haven. His office was a little ways away from the apartments and he was early so he decided to walk there and take in the sights.

It took him less than 20 minutes to finally reach his office and once he was there he was greeted by the receptionist who showed him how everything worked from the computer systems to the filing procedures. She then led him to the office he would work in with other historians. Solas was only to join the next excavation trip in a few weeks time. For now, he would work here on the artifacts they did find. And those were wonders to behold.

The first artifact Solas was to analyze was a chessboard created approximately during the Arlathan period. So beautifully crafted and well preserved. The white pieces were yellow of age and there were few cracks or damage. The chessboard itself was made of marble, which suggested that it was played by the upper class. He leaned forward with his eyeglass magnifier to properly gauge the age of the pieces within the period of Arlathan and slowly began writing his report.

His concentration was soon interrupted with a sudden slam. Solas jumped in his seat and turned to the source of the interruption. There he saw a Qunari man, muscular and had a large build. He wore an eyepatch and looked like he had gone through many fights. The Qunari looked directly at Solas, his eyes staring straight into Solas' and then the Qunari approached him, intensity in his gaze. Solas stood up in his seat, bracing himself for the worst but then…

The Qunari pat his back…really, really hard.

"Hey, how's it going!" The Qunari greeted.

"Just…fine" Solas murmured, confused. "Excuse me, have we met?"

"Well not officially." The Qunari whipped out his phone. "I was supposed to meet with the rest of 'The Inquisition' the other day at the pub but duty called" He explained. "I saw that they added you to the group so I thought introductions were to be made. The name's Iron Bull, you can call me Bull"

"Pleasure to meet you, Bull. I'm Solas" Solas smiled briefly. "How did you recognize me?"

"I saw the selfie"

"Ah"

"Yep, I'll join in on the next one"

"That would be good. Did you come all the way here for introductions?" Solas asked, raising his eyebrows. Bull shook his head and gestured to a few men behind him.

"Actually I was here on business. I help guard and secure the artifact's transportation from the ruins back to Haven. I run a protection firm called the 'Chargers'"

"Ah yes, I believe Josephine told me that during our meeting"

"Hey boss, the artifacts have been unloaded." Krem said, coming up from behind Bull. Krem then casted his gaze onto Solas and smiled. "Hey there, fancy seeing you again!"

"Greetings, Krem" Solas greeted. "Thank you for taking Taraa back the other day"

"Like Dorian said, its no problem" Krem replied. He then nodded at Bull and left the office.

"Alrighty Solas. I have your new artifacts ready for collection downstairs, I best take my leave now" He reached his hand out to Solas, which Solas took in his own and shook. "Nice meeting you, next time we're at the pub I'm buying you a meal"

"I would like that very much"

"Take care, man" Bull then left the office. Solas could hear his footsteps as we walked down the steps yelling.

"Chargers! We're leaving!"

He could hear the vehicle outside as it drove off. As Solas sat down to analyze the chessboard before him. Suddenly, he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket; he fished it out and checked the notification. Turns out he received a Whatsapp message from Taraa which read out:

Taraa: Hey are we still on for tonight? The Elvhen History session I mean?

Solas then typed:

Solas: Yes, we are. I would need your address.

Taraa: Oh, I live down by Adan's Clinic, the apartments next door. Mine is number 16.

Solas: Noted, I will be there at about 6:30pm

Taraa: Awesome! See you soon, Hahren.

Solas then locked his phone and put it back into his pocket and continued finishing his report.

It was now 6 pm at Taraa's apartment and inside that apartment was a gigantic circus. Dorian and Josephine were busy getting ready for their activities this evening and they were both semi-panicking to say the least. Poor little Taraa was caught between the two of them.

"Dori! Taraa! Which one is better? Blue or gold eyeliner?" Josie called out. Taraa was in her room busy helping Dorian with his hair. She helped him style it as he picked a tie out for the evening.

"Go for gold, sweetie!" Dorian replied. Taraa finally smoothed out the back of his hair and nodded approvingly.

"There all done!"

Josie walked into Taraa's room and looked at the two of them. "What do you think? Is this dress too bold?"

The two of them turned in unison and gasped. Josephine wore a beautiful red dress, which reached up, just slightly above her knee. The dress' design allowed some of her back to be exposed and upon it laced in red. Dorian whistled approvingly as he stood up to hug her.

"Josie…Josie… Erik is going to be begging on his knees at the sight of you!"

"You think so?" Josie asked, her eyes sparkling with glee.

"I know so, sweetheart" Dorian then reached for his hanger which held a few ties. Taraa then came up to Josie and helped tie the laces on her back.

"Taraa, thank you so much for helping us get ready tonight" Josie thanked.

"Hey anything for my two BFFs! You two have fun on your double date. And if Erik acts all shy, don't worry about it"

"I find his shyness charming" Josie smiled. "Dori, you still picking out a tie?"

"Yes I cannot decide…slim or normal"

"Go slim it fits your slim cut shirt and your body frame" Taraa replied as she hugged Dorian from behind.

Josie then leaned one of her arms against Dorian's shoulder. "Yes I agree with Taraa"

"Black/Blue slim tie it is" Dorian then began tying the tie while staring at himself in the mirror. Once he was done, he stared at himself for a moment longer, taking in the suit he wore which was a typical white shirt but with blue trousers and dark blue blazer.

"D-Do you think he—" He paused.

Taraa held him tighter and planted a kiss on his forehead. "You idiot of course he will…where did all that vanity go?"

Josephine chuckled. "Who are you and what have you done to Dorian?"

Dorian smirked and looked at the two of them. "My ladies, you wound me"

At that moment, the bell rang. Josephine, Dorian and Taraa looked at each other and nodded as they all got up and headed to the door.

"Alright I'll see you guys tomorrow! You have fun tonight!" Taraa wished.

"Oh honey we will, you make sure you have a good time tonight too" Dorian winked while Josephine chuckled.

"It is just a history session. By Mythal, you two…"

Dorian and Josephine shrugged. "Whatever you say, Taraa" Josephine said.

Taraa then turned the knob of her door to reveal three men. One of them was a tall, strapping young man named Ezra Trevelyan who was to be Dorian's date. He had strong features and hazel eyes, which complemented his chestnut, coloured hair. Beside him stood a slightly shorter figure, an elf young man by the name of Erik Lavellan who was part of the same clan Taraa was and was her childhood friend. He had light brown hair and grey eyes and very sharp features. He was to be Josephine's date. And then standing behind them, was Solas, Taraa's guest who leaned against the wall, carrying leather bound books in his hands.

Taraa's attention immediately went to Solas.

"Solas, you're here?"

"Forgive me for being a bit early, I hope I am not intruding"

"Ah don't worry about it Solas, these men are here for us" Dorian smirked as he held Ezra's arm. And Josie hugged Erik.

"Well, Solas this is Ezra Trevelyan and Erik Lavellan" Taraa introduced.

Lavellan?

Solas was surprised to hear that name. Could the young elf be her family member or perhaps a member of her clan? That sounded like a plausible conclusion. However, in contrast to Lavellan…he carried the vallaslin of Sylaise.

The two men said in unison. "Nice to meet you"

"These two are also known as the Handsome Duo of Haven" Josephine said as she stared deeply into Erik's eyes.

"It's a really weird nickname" Ezra chuckled. "Well we better not keep our dates waiting Erik"

"Agreed" Erik said. He turned to Taraa. "I'll catch up with you later, lethallan"

"See you, lethallin!"

The couples then left Solas and Taraa alone, together. Once they had completely left the apartments, Taraa invited Solas in. As Solas entered he noticed the slight mess in Taraa's living room where the table was littered with make up tools and he could see that her room was covered in clothes.

"So sorry about the mess, Hahren, Josephine and Dorian needed help so they came over"

"I do not mind" Solas smiled gently as he looked around, observing the house. Within the house were simple photo frames of Taraa in her younger days and a few of what Solas guessed were her family. He then noticed one wall, which was covered in cork and filled with polaroid pictures of 'The Inquisition'. In the corner of the room, stood a small altar where the statue of Mythal stood guarded by two statues of Fen'Harel. How…. odd…

Once Taraa cleared the dining table she invited Solas to sit.

"Make yourself comfortable Hahren"

"Please, call me Solas"

Taraa did not know how to react. Was this familiarity? Or did he not like being called elvish terms? Just as she began doubting herself, Solas gestured her to sit down next to him. She then decided to level out the field.

"Then please call me Taraa"

Solas paused, being used to calling her da'len. He then nodded and agreed. "Well then, Taraa, shall we begin?"

"Yes please!" Taraa said eagerly. Solas then took out his first leather bound book and began reading while Taraa listened intently while writing notes.