Chapter 24

"You opened a rift from the fade, walk through and sealed it with a gesture... And Right then, I felt the whole world change." Solas said.

"Felt the whole world change?" Fainariel asked with a wry smile.

"A figure of speech." Solas answered dismissively.

"I am aware of the metaphor, I'm more interested in 'felt'." She continued taking a step closer to him with a teasing smile.

His eyes met hers, "You, changed everything." He answered feelingly.

"Sweet talker," She mumured, looking away, only to touch his face gently and guide him into a shy kiss a moment later. The fade shimmered around them and she realized then it was more than a dream. He was really there, in the fade, with her. Fainariel took a step back and began to stammer an apology. With a shake of his head and a smirk, Solas pulled her to him and kissed her hungrily. Her hands came up and fisted themselves in the fabric of his jacke and pack. His fingers tangled in her hair, deepening the kiss, and holding her more tightly. Both mages lost themselves to the moment. He pulled back and looked into her half lidded eyes and with an almost rueful shake of his head, kissed her again. This time he was more gentle and with a tender hand to his cheek, this time she pushed him away.

"I usually have more control. This, I'm sorry, this was a mistake, even here." She stammered regretfully and a tear fell down her cheek.

"You know we are in the fade?" He asked, they still held each other close reluctant to let go, but composure was returning.

Fainariel chuckled at the surprise in his voice, "I did manage to survive in the fade for quite sometime, Solas, it is almost a second home now. But this might be a better conversation when emotions aren't so high and we have woken up." She pushed with her will, and found herself sitting up, alone in her bed in Skyhold fully awake.

Fainariel waited until after she had had breakfast before looking for Solas. "Sleep well?" He asked in a teasing voice when she entered the rotunda and she blushed deep crimson. His words made her stumble over the speech she had worked so hard during her meal to compose.

"Ir Abelas, Solas, I," She shook her head and held a hand up when he tried to speak, "No, I'm sorry, your words threw me for a moment, and I'm afraid if I let you talk I'll lose the nerve to say what I came here to say." She took a deep breath and focused her eyes on the table top where his hand rested on a book, "You are, amazing. Intelligent, handsome, witty and gentle and I am very much drawn to you." Her hands were shaking and clasped them together to hide the fact as she took another deep breathe against threatening tears, "Last night was a lapse in judgement and I should not have allowed it to happen. Such involvement aren't a good idea and would only lead to trouble. I hope that you can find a way to look past my foolishness and continue being my friend."

A long silence greeted her words and after a few minutes she nodded a if it was answer enough and sadly, turned to go. His hand shot out and took her arm causing her to meet his pleading gaze, "I know, there are considerations, lethal'lan, but such things are not impossible. No matter your decision, you will never lose my friendship." He retracted his hand, "I would just ask that you not dismiss the idea of, more, in time, so quickly?"

The tentative hope in his eyes was her undoing, Fainariel gave him a week, trembling smile, "I, maybe, yes, I'll consider it. If you'll let me have some time?" She asked tentatively.

"Please, take all the time you would like." He smiled, "I must confess, I am not often thrown by things that happen in dreams."

"Yeah, that was a first for me too. I didn't even know sharing a dream was even possible until last night." She replied relaxing into their normal, friendly way of conversing.

"And yet, the scenario seemed comfortable for you." Solas ventured causing her to blush.

"Talking with you would be a lot less embarrassing, for me, from here on out, if we never discuss how long it took me to realize it wasn't my dream." She said with a mortified wave of her hands which made him laugh.

"Fair enough." He replied.