Sink Or Swim
One day Talia decided to take her merry band of misfits to the lake, as Summer had hit them all hard. Hours of sweltering heat in armor made them all frustrated and Talia wanted to avoid the possible arguments that may follow that. Thankfully the air was cooler around the lake so she decided to strip down to her skivvies and lie on the bank, much to Isabella's delight. She just stayed in her already skimpy white dress.
Merrill decided to go for a swim, so did Sebastian and Fenris. Anders seemed bored witless chatting with Varric, but he put up with the nosy, yet quite funny dwarf. Isabella was getting a good look at the half naked prince and Talia just shut her eyes and looked up at the baking sun. "Seriously Hawke, how can you not like him? At least look at him, Hawke". She turned Talia's head and she opened her eyes and turned beetroot red, much to Isabella's entertainment. She looked back at the pirate and bit her lip. "Who said I don't like him?" Isabella gave her a trademark wink and tried to pull Talia into the water. Talia's loud voice made everyone stare at her and she panicked.
"Isabella, one I can't swim, two I am wearing white, and three, if I wanted to be in the water I would be". Isabella shook her head. "Hawke, is there anything in life you actually do know? How will you learn unless you do it? None of us are going to let you drown". Varric laughed heartily. "Oh I don't know about that. It'd make one great story". He was swiftly elbowed in the stomach by Anders, who claimed it was Justice's anger. "Izzy, one more pull and I will leave. No means no missy". Talia sat back down and closed her eyes again.
Meanwhile Merrill seemed oblivious to her leaders annoyance, and just gracefully swam about in the water. Sebastian was doing well at not looking at Talia, considering the slight glance he had chanced her white clothes were practically see-through and he gulped, actually thankful for the cool water. He sighed when Varric got in the water and swam towards him. "So, I see choir-boy is looking at Hawke". The wistful look Sebastian gave her made Varric's eyes widen. "Wait...you actually like her don't you? Shame you can't do anything about it, Chantry brother and all". "Yes, I do like Hawke, but I wasn't planning on doing anything anyway, Chantry brother or not. So, no story for you there my friend". Varric laughed again. "Then why do you look at her? It will torture you, bet you are glad for this cool water eh?" Sebastian almost swore and Varric smirked. "Varric, bother someone else. Sorry". Varric moved away. "Better start praying harder then, you still look at her, and I thought you took Andraste as your bride. See you choir-boy". Sebastian bit his lip and turned around, whether angry or slightly horny, he could not work out.
Talia still felt too warm. Even in her thin cotton shirt and pants, it was far too warm. Maybe she should get in the water, then just wait until everyone else was out of the water before she got out. That decision was made for her as Avaline appeared behind her, and she and Isabella pulled her into the water. All of the men smirked as a helpless yelp came from Talia before her head was under the water. After a few seconds, she resurfaced with a smile on her face. She flicked back her wet, chestnut hair and that was it. Sebastian's heart felt like it would burst out, he could no longer look at her, her now see-through clothes and her stunning natural beauty. He could barely breathe and guilt washed over him, no amount of the lake's aquamarine could cleanse him of that.
Varric was right, I do care for her. But I can't...
I won't.