Author's Disclaimer: I don't own a thing belonging to "Dragon Age 2!" Nathing.
Author's notes: This takes place directly after Hawke's duel with the Arishok (that gargoyle-looking dude). I'm placing Hawke's facial scar as a result of said duel, and the chapter takes place as Isabela decides to leave. Stay strong, my lovelies.
Dedicated to CharlieBarrow; for all the suggestions and questions and then some ^_^ You know what for!
QueenTyzula: hehe, thanks for reading, my friend! :P Semi plot but still more smut.
Audy17: thanks for reviewing! Your review made me crack up :P Glad you liked it.
Guest reviewer: thanks for the kind words ^_^
"Catching the Wind"
Chapter three "Goodbye"
Isabela wished she didn't have to feel so damned guilty.
Hawke's wounds had been stabilized after her crew had bodily carried her through the streets to her family's estate. Anders had taken over her injuries, healing those he could easily manage, and bandaging the rest. It was no secret the blond man held a flame for Hawke, and hated Isabela. The pirate really didn't care if she was liked or not, but the man's sniping insults as he moved to and fro from the master's chambers with fresh linen and medicines irked her more than she liked to admit.
Isabela found herself sniping back as her nerves got the better of her.
"Rivaini trash!" Anders snarled. He held an armful of linen that were reddened with splatters of what could only be blood. Isabela swallowed. She hardened her gaze.
"Sissy mage!"
"Whore!"
"Coward!"
"Why Hawke hangs around you is beyond the Maker!"
"Maybe she doesn't like stupid blond sissies!" Isabela's fists were clenched. Varric cleared his throat. Ever the peacemaker, the dwarf interrupted the squabbling pair.
"Now, we all know you both hate each other, but now's not the time. We need to focus on getting Hawke better."
Yes, that was what Isabela wanted more than anything. She faltered and crossed her arms. She gave the dwarf an even look.
"You've hit the nail right on the head."
"Fine, Varric," Anders conceded. He made to push back into the master's chambers, when the dwarf's next words stopped him.
"Is Hawke stabilized?"
Anders paused. "Yes. She's still unconscious, but it'll keep her out of trouble. Better she be asleep now during the worst of it."
"Well, that's good. Cause I think the Rivaini wants a moment alone with her." Varric said.
Anders bristled visibly. "I don't think that's a good idea, Varric!"
The dwarf crossed his burly arms. "What could it hurt? Hawke's unconscious and Isabela isn't going to hurt her. Give her a few moments. I think Hawke would want that; don't you?"
"I don't need his say-so," Isabela retorted, but her heart was thundering in her breast. Hawke….she wanted to see her!
Anders sighed. "FINE. But if you undo any of my work, your hide is mine."
"I doubt you'd get your hands on my hide," Isabela retorted back. She pushed open the master chamber door and sidled in before Anders could retort. Varric shook his head in her peripheral as she shut the door firmly. On second thought, Isabela turned the key in the lock. Anders was going to be pissy about that, but she really couldn't bring herself to care.
Across the wide chamber was the canopied bed. The covers were pushed back, and only covered the lower half of Hawke's waist. Isabela swallowed as her boots carried her closer. She could make out the rise and fall of Hawke's sternum as she breathed raggedly in her sleep. Her breast band hid her small breasts from view, and the sheets were pulled low. Isabela gasped, her dark fingers reaching to caress one of Hawke's up-turned hands.
The wounds across her torso and belly were horrifying. They were bandaged tightly and red seeped through quite a few. Isabela sniffed, her nose reacting to the medicinal herbs Anders had smoking on the bedside table. The plume of smoke hovered over the head of the bed and Hawke breathed it in deeply as she lay, gone from the world.
And she really almost HAD gone. To the shrouds of the after world instead of sleep. The very possibility made Isabela's chest hurt as if a weight sat there. First, the Arishok had refused to fight her himself. It didn't matter if he thought her "unworthy"; the fact that he could have taken Hawke away from her had made her fear unreal.
It still was unreal. Combined with the weight of Hawke's devotion to her, Isabela knew she had to do what she usually did.
She had to run. She blinked hard, tears forming at the corners of her eyes. Good thing her guardsman was out; she would be concerned. So, free from scrutiny, tears spilled down Isabela's cheeks.
Her mind grappled with her spilling emotions. Was she…no, she couldn't fall in love! Not again! It always came to bad things like this!
"I'm so sorry," Isabela murmured. Her fingers stroked Hawke's hand. She started when the woman curled her fingers, her chest rising hard.
"Isa…bela…." Her chapped lips murmured. Isabela stared down at her. The fresh scar across Hawke's nose and face was ugly to see. Not that it diminished her natural striking looks; just the closeness to slicing half her face off was too terrifying a notion. Anders had bandaged the area right across her nose and cheeks. An ugly edge of the red line escaped the end of the bandage and Isabela's throat tightened.
All of this was her fault. So she couldn't stay.
"I'm sorry, Hawke. You deserve better…. You don't need me about mucking up your life." Isabela's chest felt tight. Just as she was pulling her hand back from the woman's, Hawke's lips parted again.
"Isabela…"
Isabela raised an eyebrow. She leaned up on the mattress carefully and leaned down. Hawke seemed to lean into her warmth. Isabela closed her eyes as she grazed her lips over the woman's. The familiar soft lips moved slightly. As Isabela leaned up, and was readying to climb off the mattress, a shifting of the covers caught her eye. Isabela made to adjust the sheets and leave the injured woman well enough alone, but her attention was good and got.
She had only kissed Hawke, and she was unconscious to boot, but she had caused the guardsman to shift. The sheets pulled half off of the pale cock jutting from Hawke's thighs, tenting the fabric. Isabela made to tuck the sheets back over, but paused. She couldn't help eyeing the pale appendage she was so fond of. When Hawke was in better health and awake, she loved to rile her up and banter for a romp in the sack.
Now, her cock was standing upright at attention and Isabela didn't know what to do. She bloody well couldn't stare at it all night. The prudent thing to do would be to cover her waist with the sheets and leave her alone. She had almost died, after all.
But the fact that she HAD almost died….and all for her, for whatever romantic notion Hawke had for her…Isabela wanted to berate her for that. But she also wanted to be joined to her. So at least one more time, she would have Hawke close to her.
Before she left her forever.
Isabela began loosening her tunic and corset as her thoughts whirled around on top of each other. Her eyes watched the rise and fall of Hawke's wrapped sternum. Her breathing was a bit shallow, but there was still vitality to it. If she….did this, it would relieve Hawke's erection. It couldn't be very well comfortable sleeping with that kind of problem. Yes, she was helping relieve Hawke's issue, on top of her hurts.
'Oh, stop it, Isabela. You know you want to do this at least once more….' Isabela swallowed as she tugged her small clothes off and dropped them on the floor. Her boots came off next. She kept her tunic mainly on, but unfastened to the waist. Isabela almost held her breath as she climbed back onto the mattress. She gently pushed the sheets lower down Hawk's pale legs. Her waist was bared to the open air and the pirate climbed higher, making sure to stay away from her wounds. Her thighs pressed on either side of Hawke's slim hips.
Isabela tried not to groan aloud as her wet vaginal lips made contact with Hawke's cock. She rubbed back and forth against it gently. The furtive shifting behind Hawke's closed eyelids seemed to still at her movements. Isabela gripped the base of her cock with one fist as she rubbed against her, her clit rubbing against the weeping head.
A loud groan erupted from Hawke's upturned throat as Isabela pushed against the head of her erection, stretching herself open. The air felt shallow in Isabela's lungs as she got the head inside and eased down slowly, taking a few more inches as her hips began to sink down. Isabela had to remind herself to lean back on Hawke's hips as she rolled gently, moving her cock within her. She didn't want to lean forward and accidentally brush against her belly wound.
As her breathing quickened, so did her hip's movements. Isabela rolled like the gentle lapping of the sea, and just as wet, her inner muscles molded to Hawke's cock. Isabela stared at the parted lips of her lover, wishing she were awake, that she were well, that she hadn't almost been at death's door. When Hawke was in one piece, she burned to join with her; her hands would roam up and down, caressing her curves with a careless manner.
Isabela could feel the nudging of Hawke's knot, heavy and pulsing between her legs, push against her on each deep thrust.
It was instinctual. It was selfishness. Isabela didn't let anyone knot her, not after the fool who'd asked for her hand in marriage. But Hawke….. Gazing on the guardsman's scarred visage convinced Isabela the moment was right. Even if it didn't make sense…. The pirate ground down, trying to relax herself. Her inner muscles fluttered, trying to relax around the edges of the wide knot she bumped down against.
Isabela was worried it wouldn't fit, that she wouldn't be able to get it in….staring at Hawke's face helped. The beautiful rugged woman who had won her affection and trust, her bantering words, her loyalty and conviction. Her hands were always so warm on her, and her eyes so soft. The memories of better times helped Isabela to loosen up. She brought a hand between her legs and rubbed her clit as she finally relaxed enough to pull Hawke's knot inside.
Holding still and shivering, Isabela wished Hawke were awake for this. She never let anyone this close to her…she never….
Like the rest of Hawke, her knot was overwhelming and wonderful to grip with her inner muscles. Isabela rolled back and forth, keeping her seated while she was tied in. The wonderful length and stretch was too much, too good….
Despite herself, she was nearing a climax. So, just like anything good in her life, it would be over far too quickly… Isabela's head tilted back as she sped up, thighs gripping Hawke's waist as she moved up and down. Her lips parted as a string of hushed moans fell from her throat
Before she could fall over, Isabela was shocked to feel strong hands clasp onto her waist, fingers digging into her flesh.
Isabela's eyes snapped open. She stopped, and gaped down. Hawke's eyes were wide open, dark orbs drinking her bared flesh in with astonished shock. A loud groan erupted from Hawke's throat, and her head fell back, eyes closing as she lapsed back into unconsciousness. Isabela clung to her hands, lacing their fingers together. She resumed rolling her hips, perhaps abit more sharply so Hawke could feel it wherever she was.
"Uhhnh!" Isabela couldn't stop the loud moan that ripped out of her throat as she came. She rocked back and forth, and cried out as she clenched onto the thickness inside her. Bright lights sparked behind her eyes as she closed her eyes. There was a twitch inside her and Isabela felt Hawke release, heavy spurts of hot cloying cum that coated her deeply.
Isabela stared down at Hawke's still face as she clutched at her hands. Her rolling motions milked her in dizzying waves. When she couldn't move any longer, Isabela leaned back, hands clutching Hawke's joined fingers. She squeezed, glad for the connection.
As her skin cooled, Isabela's thoughts went to more sensible areas. Such as getting untied and cleaned up. She had to go. She had to leave…. Disentangling from Hawke's knot too far much longer than she would have liked. While it was nice to be that close to her, Isabela was now concerned Anders would order the door broken down or something. And it wouldn't do to be caught astride the unconscious woman.
"You really are….too much…" Isabela murmured. Hawke didn't deign to answer. As she finally was able to lift off completely, Isabela winced as the fullness receded. Her inner walls clamped onto nothing and she shivered as she leaned on one side of the mattress. Hawke's seed leaked out slowly down her thighs. She carefully adjusted Hawk's limbs, fingers tracing the inside of her palms as she did.
Guiltily, Isabela eyed Hawke's limp cock. Her shift hadn't disappeared, and was still present, despite its deflated state of satiation. Isabela made to clean off the pale appendage of the evidence of their joining, when loud knocking hammered on the master chamber door.
"Really, Rivaini, open up already! I know you can hear me!" Anders sounded good and pissed.
Isabela sighed raggedly. She found a clean piece of linen folded beside the bed, and used it to rub between her legs to wipe away the worst of Hawke's release. She pulled her corset and boots on, and retied her tunic. Isabela winced as she pulled her smallclothes back on. Her damp folds soaked the fabric and she sighed raggedly.
"You always did like to get me and good and wet," she murmured to the prone woman. Hawke's lips parted in her sleep. Isabela paused and gave her another soft kiss on the mouth. She tried not to think that it really was the last one. On her way to the door, Isabela reached down at the pile of torn and bloodied clothing that had been cut off Hawke. She tore a piece of fabric, pocketing it.
When the door was unlocked, Anders made to dart in, but Merrill beat him to it. She bypassed Isabela, who quickly exited the chambers, face red in a blush.
"I just want to see her!" Merrill called. Varric spoke to Anders in a low whisper, and they shut the door on the blood mage.
Outside, Isabela quickly walked down the hall and for the stairs to the front door.
"Aren't you staying, Rivaini?" Varric asked politely. Anders only crossed his arms and scowled at her.
Isabela paused, hand on the oak banister. "No...I must be going."
'In more ways than you think,' she thought. Varric called a goodbye, but Isabela couldn't hear it. She could only hear Hawke's strangled moan in her mind as her eyes had snapped open beneath her.
Outside the estate, Isabela pulled out the piece of fabric. It was a strip from Hawke's red shirt. There was an annoying blood stain deepening the fabric, but that was okay. It was a reminder….of the stupid thing Hawke had done. And solely to save her.
Isabela tied the piece of fabric around her upper arm, knotting it so it wouldn't escape. The pirate sighed and hurried off down the street.
Inside Hawke's chambers, Merrill talked idly to the unconscious woman. It helped clear her head, and when she was worried, all she did was prattle on. Merrill was shocked at the depth of her feeling for the woman, and her hands carefully smoothed the dark hair out of Hawke's eyes, tugging her sheets up higher. The fabric twisted and Merrill was shocked to see she was shifted. Merrill knew she was an alpha, anyone had only to smell her to know her status, but seeing her shifted was a shock in itself.
Also shocking was the evident of a physical tryst of kinds. Merrill hadn't been with very many people, human or elf, but even she knew what the drying white flecks of liquid on her cock and thighs meant.
'Did Isabela?...' Merrill blushed deeply. Well, her quick exit made more sense. She couldn't let Anders find her this way. Who knew what he'd say and there had been far too much ugliness today already. Merrill picked up a clean piece of linen stacked by the bed and gently wiped the pale appendage clean. Moving to her thighs, Merrill's gaze grew soft. Her heart beat a staccato rhythm.
More than once she'd wished she had the same bond with Hawke that Isabela certainly had. But being too shy had its disadvantages. Hawke may look on her fondly, and want to protect her also, but it was a friendly protection. Not the kind from one lover to another…..
Merrill sighed and tossed the dirtied linen to the floor. She straightened the sheets over Hawke's waist and reopened the door. Anders bustled in, fussing over at the bedside. Merrill cast one more sad look back, and left.
End for now
End notes: I wanted Isabela to have a more intimate goodbye for Hawke. Like it, smash that button and do that review thing. And stay strong, my lovelies!
Sincerely, pen
7/10/2017