Prompt: 'I don't have the words right now so here's a kiss' (Another Kiss Meme from tumblr) + Merribela
For ADaughterOfColdharbour
You may find it also on my tumblr (flore-purpureo).
No matter how loud a tavern gets, she can always hear when someone calls out her name. Years of practice, one could say.
"Isabela!"
It's Merrill; the pirate could recognise that voice everywhere. But as she looks up she discovers it's not exactly the elf she knows. Because Merrill, instead of her usual robes, is wearing a dress.
At times Isabela wonders why their clothing options seem to be so limited while Hawke can afford living in a fancy mansion in Hightown. It's like they all have only one outfit (though Isabela is fairly sure it's true about Anders). That's why seeing Merrill now, in something so simple yet beautiful is quite a shock.
The elf waves at Isabela again, and before the pirate can blink Merrill is standing right by her side, all pretty and smiling. Her dress is white, the colour makes her look like some angelic creature, with tiny green leaves embroidered on the front. It's so different that what she usually wears, and so contrasting with the dingy interior of the Hanged Man, Isabela can't help but stare.
"I've got a dress!" Merrill says in a cheerful tone without any introductions. "From Arya, you know Arya, right? You met her the other day, I think? She comes to the Alienage to sell fabrics. And she gave me this dress! How nice of her. It looks so lovely. It's kind of cute, I think."
It is, Isabela wants to say but can't. She could swear there's something stuck in her throat. She opens her lips and inhales yet still her body refuses to work properly. She stares at the elf, her thoughts jumbled.
"But I'm afraid I can't wear it," Merrill continues, oblivious, staring at her own feet. "Why is Kirkwall always so dirty? Or maybe it's because I live in the Alienage…. That place isn't very clean. Do you think I should ask Aveline if one or two of her guards could come and help the elves keep the Alienage clean? I could ask Hawke, but it's like she only makes more mess everywhere she goes…"
Unable to speak, feeling her face burning, Isabela stands up. Merrill doesn't seem to notice, as she continues talking.
"I can't wear this pretty dress around Kirkwall. What if Anders asks us to go the sewers again? I don't want this dress to smell like the sewers… But I forgot to ask you," she finally looks at the pirate. "Do you like it?"
One quick step and Isabela is close to the elf, close enough so she can take Merrill's hand. Only then the elf stops speaking and stares at Isabela with her big green eyes.
One day I'll get you every dress you want, the pirate thinks as she leans in. The prettiest dresses you can imagine, and you will wear them for me. If I'm lucky.
Something like a gasp escapes from Merrill's lips seconds before Isabela pulls her close for a kiss. Someone whistles, another person yells something (most likely obscene), but it doesn't matter at all, because Merrill is soft, gentle and sweet, she's everything Isabela wishes she could be.
„You know I like the sound of my own voice," Isabela says, caressing Merrill's face. "But for once I don't know what to say."
The elf's eyes get even bigger as she gives the pirate a surprised look, gasping a silent Oh?.
"And kissing you is always a good option," Isabela adds.
Merrill laughs, then looks away, flustered.
"Do I like it? Oh, Kitten, I love it."