Thanks for reading! Well, you know what is coming, aye? Perhaps a real small NSFW warning here.
Also, a huge thank you to WarFlower for commenting, it means a lot!
She opened her eyes in Haven. The town was as she remembered before Corypheus. But there was no one. Weird, where is everyone? Her mind was alcohol-free, still she couldn't figure how she arrived there. The wind wasn't half as cold as it used to. Still, she could feel it on her shoulders…Surprised, she looked down at her outfit. She startled a bit. Hum, happy to have this back, but how did I get this back? She heard a well-known chuckle. She looked up to see Solas, obviously amused by her skeptical examination of her armor. He declared.
"For what it is worth, it still suits you remarkably." She growled.
"Maybe but it doesn't explain how I ended up in it."
"That is a mystery for another day." As if his previous words just reached her ears, she grinned playfully.
"Suit me remarkably, hum? Still don't want one, lethallin?"
"I shall decline once more. I cannot compete." He smirked, teasing her with his sight. He was certainly in a good mood, not that she had the slightest hint as to why. She giggled before her curiosity flashed back. She walked to his side.
"What are we doing in Haven, Solas?"
"Haven is familiar. It will always be important to you." She stopped a sec and grunted.
"Let's not come back on it." He remained silent and walked her through the Chantry to the cells. Her old cell. Where she first woke up. Damn Cassandra really despised her back then. Everyone did. Well, not that they did not have reasons to. She was the ideal and obvious guilty party.
"I sat beside you while you slept, studying the Anchor."
"How long can it take to look at a mark on my hand?" He smirked and looked at her.
"A magical mark of unknown origin, tied to a unique Breach in the Veil? Longer than you might think. I ran every test I could imagine, searched the Fade, yet found nothing. Cassandra suspected me of duplicity. She threatened to have me executed as an apostate if I didn't produce results."
"Cassandra's like that with everyone." He chuckled.
"Yes." He smiled and gave a sign of the head to indicate her to follow. Since they arrived, he had been always leading the way. To avoid looking at her in the antaam-saar, among other things. They went again through the Chantry, heading outside. She was walking quietly, slightly behind him, looking at every wall and stuff in the place. She never thought she would see the town again – never thought there was something left to see actually…Once again, she tried to recall how they got here. She was missing something, something obvious and big, most likely. In front of the Chantry, he resumed.
"You were never going to wake up. How could you, a mortal sent physically through the Fade?" He paused and admitted. "I was frustrated, frightened. The spirits I might have consulted had been driven away by the Breach. Although, I wished to help. I had no faith in Cassandra…Or she in me. I was ready to flee." She listened to his words carefully. She knew the beginnings with the seeker had not been easy for him either…But she did not think it had gone that far. Not that she should be surprised, she did consider fleeing at some point too. But reality caught up with her. That's why she raised an eyebrow.
"The Breach threatened the whole world. Where did you plan to go?" He smiled at her answer.
"Someplace far away where I might research a way to repair the Breach before its effects reached me. I never said it was a good plan." Pointed he out with a small laughter. He moved away from her, looking up to the Breach. Her eyes widened. Fenedhis, wasn't this damn thing closed?!
"I told myself: one more attempt to seal the rifts. I tried and failed. No ordinary magic would affect them." He paused again, looking at the torn sky, defeated. "I watched the rifts expand and grow, resigned myself to flee and then…"
The moment he had taken her hand to seal the first rift popped vividly in her head. Fashionably late, wasn't I? He spun towards her, hope in his voice.
"It seems you hold the key to our salvation. You had sealed it with a gesture…" He paused, thoughtful on his next words which came out slower "…And right then, I felt the whole world change."
Her lips parted slightly. First, she remained silent as he stared into her eyes. She was struggling not to let the thought come out. She couldn't, shouldn't…And yet, she somehow had to. Before he turns back. Again. Or before someone barged in. Again. This was enough of this cowardice, she had to confront him, she was no coward! She refused to be one! Either you stay a coward or – FENEDHIS YOU SHUT UP, STOP ACTING LIKE A BACKWARD TEENAGER AND PULL IT TOGETHER. The words finally crossed her lips with a breath she did not know she was holding.
"Felt the whole world change?" She repeated slowly. He smiled.
"A figure of speech." She raised an eyebrow of disbelief. Of course, go ahead play stupid – or take me for one – whatever. She suppressed a sigh.
"I'm aware of the metaphor. I'm more interested in felt."
He opened his mouth and closed it. Once. Twice. This was the first time she pointed out that kind of things…She had troubles reading his eyes. A mix of fear, surprise, hope…Love? Apparently, he needed the few PULL IT TOGETHER seconds as well. She had taken few steps closer as much to prevent him as to prevent herself from bailing this time. He answered slowly, his eyes deep in hers.
"You changed…Everything." She smiled and leaned even closer with a light giggle.
"Sweet talker."
As she leaned closer again, he heard this giggle which made his heart melt each time. He really did not need this. She was…This moment was becoming too much and yet not enough. His thoughts were in a rush, pushing against each other. He wanted her. He had for months. Wanting her physically, he could fight, but he wanted more. He wanted her, all of her.
He had fought it, but no matter how much he did, it was here and he felt it. He had tried to convince himself she didn't felt it…It worked more or less. But that was until her vhenan. He knew her too well, even inebriated as she was, it wouldn't have crossed her lips if she didn't mean it. But again, she was drunk, she could have just not remembered. But what about now? Now here they were…She was not drunk – couldn't be – here and yet, she was going down the same path. She was right here and she wanted more. She wanted him. He could feel his heart racing and a sweet warmth taking him.
No, he had to find something, anything. A reason to turn away. But there was no more left…She cared for him as he cared for her. Except that he did not deserve her to care for him. That was it. You cannot do that to her. She doesn't deserve that, you don't deserve her. He broke the stare and looked back at the sky. This was the only way. In order not to hurt her, he had to offend her now so she would step back, no matter how hard it was.
When he broke the stare as their face were so close, she forced herself not to shout a curse. Seriously?! You are going to bail?! Again?! I begin to wonder which one is the backward teenager…FENEDHIS LASA! Frustrated, she almost stepped back. At the last second, her body refused. And it was right to. DAMMIT you know what?! Go to hell, this is ridiculous, WE are ridiculous. No wonder all of Skyhold is teasing us, we are acting like children! She was going to speak and confront him but the words did not come out. Great, we are ridiculous AND my mouth is a coward. Fine, there are other way for this to be settled.
He felt her fingers gently pulling his face back towards her. She raised herself on tip-toe to reach his lips. Slightly, shyly even, she pressed hers against. Their mouths barely touched for a handful of seconds. She backed off right away, looking down, afraid to meet his surprised gaze.
This was a terrible idea. An awful idea. She could not look at him, too embarrassed. He did not kiss me back. Well, at least she knew what she needed to know…She could go burry her head in the snow now. She began to turn away.
Too much and yet not enough. Too much for him to manage going away, not enough to fulfill his desire. He grabbed her hand with a beam and made her spun right back in his arms.
She gasped as their lips met again, this time in the passionate kiss they were both craving. He held her tight in an enamored embrace. She soon opened her mouth to his eager tongue. He explored gently, with care, tasting her mouth with delight. He felt how she melted into his arms, abandoning herself with relief. His tongue grew more devoted. They sighed in each other mouths, their senses relishing in how their magics were mingling more vividly than ever, wrapping them, tingling above their skins.
He parted his lips from hers a second to look at her, the slight blush on her cheek, her most earnest beam, the joy in her pupils. It was the most beautiful face he had seen, and it smiled because of him…
He kissed her again. He tilted her backward so he was all of her support. He shoved a thigh between her legs. Her sound of appreciation lost itself into the twirling of their tongues. Their bodies were pressed against each other, but never close enough for their taste. One hand of his was on her bare back, the other coming regularly to cup her face and stroke the back of her neck. Her arms were around his neck. He pulled her forward. She regained a hint of balance for a sec and then he was almost lifting her.
Her feet left definitely the ground as her legs knotted around his waist. He pressed her slightly against the Chantry's wall, heat filling him. His lips came down her neck and she gasped. As if she couldn't bear the thought of their mouths parted for so long, she cupped his face and brought his lips back to hers.
Her tongue moved to his earlobe, teasing the sensible area. He went back to her neck, placing open-mouthed kisses on every bare-skinned place, letting his tongue and his teeth linger. She moaned and a groan of satisfaction answered her.
Suddenly, he stepped his face aside, breath short.
"We shouldn't." He declared, taking a deep breath at the same time. She giggled.
"The Chantry? Yeah, we could give Cassie a heart attack right now." He chuckled but stayed apart, shaking his head.
"This isn't right, not even here." She raised an eyebrow and looked around.
"What do you mean not even here?"
He grinned. Despite his words, he was still cornering her against the wall, her legs around his waist, which was making it even harder for him to stay focus. He paused and chuckled.
"Well, given your condition when you went to bed, you do have extenuating circumstances." Her eyes widened and he laughed as she finally understood. Creators, not a confusion to be proud of as a mage.
"This is not real." He smirked.
"That's a matter of debate…" He paused and looked at her lips with hesitation. At her disappointment, he shook his head, chasing the thought. He resumed before she got the chance to put it right back in his mind "…Probably best discussed after you…WAKE UP."
She gasped, jumping out of her sleep. She looked around with disbelief. When her eyes leaned on the antaam-saar, she sighed. At least, you, you are still here…Her head was dizzy. The only thing she had in mind was going downstairs to rush to the rotunda to…Well, not even half-sure to do what actually. Anyway, two facts were working against her: a hell of a hangover and, judging by the height of the sun, she was pretty sure a very annoyed Josie was tapping furiously her foot right behind her door. I really need to study this balcony exit…Er, I will probably run into some of Leliana's people…Her thoughts came back to Josie. Okay you know what? Totally worth the shot. Determined, she jumped on her feet. And stumbled back on the bed. Okay genius, hangover potion first.
Okay, head's fine. What now? She looked at the balcony. Well, she just had to hang herself to the guardrail and reach the battlements…Couldn't be that hard. Just needed the right angle. The door slammed and she forgot any kind of carefulness. She jumped as a yell resounded.
"Darling, Cassandra told me you had quite a night but it is almost noon and –"
She stopped listening to Vivienne's voice, quite busy with her current situation. Well, that was stupid…She disappeared into stealth. The situation was not much better but at least they could not see her. She really needed to reconsider her definition of a good idea. There was a good thirty meters between her and the frozen ground. I have to move fast, Vivienne will eventually feel my magic…And I have obviously no explanation for THAT.
Easy enough, she thought as her feet reached the battlements. Her breath was short and she felt disoriented, not sure where she was on the said battlements. She decided to enter a tower on her left. She wasn't paying attention to her steps, looking backward to spot a potential spy. She ran right into Varric and gasped.
"Varric!" He stumbled and looked surprised to the speaking-emptiness face to him. She broke her cloak.
"Dammit, Grey, what are you –"
"Husssh!" She interrupted "Don't ruin my efforts by screaming my presence!"
"Your efforts?"
"Arrrh I sneak out through the balcony to avoid Josie and Vivienne…" Hawke's laughter resounded.
"Seriously?! After the night we had?! My lady Inquisitor, you just earned my deepest respect!" Mahariel smirked.
"When you have Orlesian bullshits to avoid, you always find resources. And a good hangover potion helps."
"And I raise my glass to these wise words!" She did as said and pour a mug to Mahariel. Varric looked at them with an amused gaze.
"And here is our big symbol of faith. No wonder the Chantry doesn't like you."
"Say what you want, we all know you are just jealous because no one sings for you." he laughed.
"Got me there, Grey!" Mahariel reached the mug on the table in a stride and grabbed it with a giggle.
"Speaking of which, bare your ale and raise it high!" Two loud out-of-control laughs filled the room.
"Andraste's tits, it was so bad it was awesome!" managed Hawke in a breath, swiping a tear. Mahariel bottomed up the mug in the mirth. Varric finally commented.
"You are in a damn good mood, Grey. What don't I know?" He waggled suggestively his brows and smirked. She dodged with lightness.
"C'mon Varric, you not hearing a gossip? You don't believe it more than I do!"
"Well, he did miss some things last night." Commented Hawke with a knowing smile before wincing and touching her head. "Speaking of which, I suspect your seeker enjoyed her part a bit too much…" Mahariel grinned.
"Cassandra's like that with everyone." She giggled to herself. "Now if you will excuse me, believe it or not, I didn't jump from this balcony only to drink with you."
She turned back under fake offended protests. She looked around, not feeling like asking these two how to reach the rotunda from here. She decided randomly which door to take and triggered back her cloak. She left without further explanations.
Saying that Solas had currently mixed feelings would have been the understatement of the era. He knew the woman he was in love with felt something too and for that, a genuine smile and a warmth in his chest kept coming back. He felt happier than he had been in thousands of years…Literally.
At the same time, he was pacing up and down and wanted to drive his fist against the wall – or his head, still on debate. Well…THAT happened. He had lost any kind of self-control. Fenedhis, she presses gently her lips against yours and you answer by placing her over a wall and sinking your tongue in her throat, you animal! You have to apologize, if she even looks at you now. The part where she didn't complain seemed far from his mind. This is wrong, so wrong – it doesn't feel wro – YOU. SHUT. UP. There are considerations, you cannot jump into it like you were just a man and she was just a woman! It cannot end well – What if it could? – I…I don't know. No, I can't…He jumped as Dorian's voice resounded. He had been mumbling for several minutes.
"Okay elf, I bite, what is happening to you? The whole tower is shaking under your pace!"
He snarled and ignored him. He needed to see Maha – the Inquisitor. You need to see the inquisitor and to apologize. But she wasn't showing up. Of course, she is not. She does not want to see you. And she has better things to do. Suddenly, he felt the magic of the mark nearby. His head spun around. Great, she was at the point where she cloaked herself to avoid him…He shouldn't be surprised. He cleared his throat with all the composure he had left.
"Inquisitor, I want –" He felt a finger stopping his lips. Her warm breath was in his neck as she leaned to his ear and whispered.
"Huuush. Don't let the others know I'm here, Leliana would drag me to the War Room."
His eyes widened at her words but he nodded. Once more, he ignored Dorian's voice, explaining how crazy he sounded. He felt her hand taking his and pulling him towards the stairs leading to the battlements. Once they were in the middle of the stairs, out of sight and ear, she broke her cloak and looked at him with feigned anger.
"You harellan…" He obviously missed the feigned part as he began in a rush.
"Lethallan, I –" Her lips against his stopped him immediately. He gasped but his hands soon found their spot on her waist, feeling her warm skin. Her arms came around his neck in a soft embrace. She stepped back slightly and looked into his eyes with a giggle.
"Debate closed, you were right. Real enough."
The talk he had plan ended up needing few words. He wanted to apologize, to say that the kiss was ill-considered, that he shouldn't have encouraged it…And she swiped everything when she kissed him again. They remained hidden in the stairwell. At some point, he took on himself to broke the kiss reluctantly. His hands cupping her face, he looked deep in her eyes and tried to find his words. He talked slowly, a sad smile on his face.
"Vhenan, I must tell you…It has been a long time and things have always been easier in the Fade. I…I'm not certain this is the best idea, it could lead to trouble." She listened carefully, giving him his stare back. It could lead to trouble…Yes, that's a fact but…Her confident smile took her lips. She placed her hand above one of his and replied with a reassuring voice.
"I'm willing to risk it if you are."
"I…Maybe, yes." He finally declared. "If I could take some time to think, there are…Considerations." She nodded.
"Take all the time you need."
"Thank you. I am not often thrown by things that happened in dreams." She smirked.
"I'm going to take that as a compliment." He chuckled.
"You should, vhenan."
There are considerations. He was right, indeed. Considering his words, she had in mind to let him alone in order to give him this time to think. But, matter of fact, he was standing in front of her, preventing her from going away. He was close and still cupping her face, staring at her with an almost silly toothless smile. Er…Am I to tell him this is not how one takes time to think? His glance moved from her eyes to her lips. No, not falling for that, this is fake hop – She gasped as he reached her mouth again. Oh okay…That was quick. She felt his lips even hotter than before.
He licked slightly her lips, asking for permission. She opened her mouth to him, allowing him to explore once more. They reveled in the smooth sensation of their tongue rubbing against each other. His face stepped back once or twice, only to give her eyes an enamored glance, stroke her cheek, and capture her lips once again.
They moved from the wall and he almost stumbled on a step. They both lost their balance and when he stabilized them, he felt her giggle in his mouth. He smirked against her lips and caught her thighs to put her legs back around his waist.
Their magics were as much on fire as their skins, pressing them even more in their embrace. He sat on the steps with her astride on his laps. Her back arched slightly as his fingers ran on it, pressing her chest even more against his. He grunted with satisfaction, tilting faintly backward to feel more of her body against his. As he moved, she felt the growing arousal against her lower belly and he muttered her moan with a sinful tongue. His face stepped back again, his pupils spreading with lust as he looked hungrily at her. She bit her bottom lip unwillingly. He went down her neck, letting his mouth taste more of her bare skin. She felt the shaped muscles of his thigh under her, his length teasing her crotch. A quiver of pleasure ran through her spine. She felt his hands finding their way under the fabric of the top of the antaam-saar, taking the way of her brea
They lamely jumped when the door of the rotunda slammed. The voice of the Ambassador resounded.
"Maker, Leliana I give up! Tell me you know where the Inquisitor is!"
"What is it Josie?" Leliana's voice replied from the top of the tower.
"The Inquisitor! She bailed on this morning's lesson through her balcony!" Leliana and Dorian's laughter filled instantly the building. In the stairwell, Solas raised an amused eyebrow as he smirked. She shrugged and muttered a giggle. The Tevinter voice resonated with disbelief.
"Through the balcony? She has to give me the recipe of her hangover potion, it must be amazing!" Josephine replied, way less entertained by the situation.
"Not the point, Dorian!" Mahariel could picture the raising hands of Dorian as he answered with…Something which did not sound totally honest in his voice for whatever reason.
"Fine, fine…Either way, you can witness she is not –" Leliana interrupted him with a note of mischief.
"Wait. Where is Solas?" Dorian, definitely acting weird, tried to chase the thought.
"Oh, the good man seemed quite preoccupied this morning, he might as well be on a clear-minding walk…" Wait, what does he means, he might as well? Er, whatever, have to go. Mahariel jumped on her feet – not without stealing a last kiss. She whispered.
"That's my cue." She was going to trigger back her cloak when she laid her eyes on the elf. She muttered a chuckle and added in a still low voice. "Friendly advice, you may want to…tidy yourself up a bit before going in there." She smirked, obviously proud of her work – and effect – before triggering the stealth and leaving with a quick pace.
"Goldy, Firebreath! Move quickly, your inquisitor needs you!" She slammed the door, raising dramatically a hand. She was welcomed by whistles. Hum…Not the expected effect, what – Oh boy. She realized her hair was incredibly messy, her cheeks were reddened and her outfit was far from straight. Hawke commented, licking her lips.
"One more possessive elf…" Mahariel did not understand right away. Then, she spotted bruises on her shoulder and turned crimson.
"Dammit, Hawke, do everyone a favor and tell Broody to come!" Mahariel composed herself.
"Seriously guys, I need a hand, now. I have to go back to my quarters, half of Skyhold is looking for me under the orders of a very pissed antivan!"
"And that explains that, run into some walls during the chase, Grey?" He teased. One could say that. She shrugged, deciding to play along with this version.
"Guess my hangover potion still need improvements, lost my balance few times." Well, this is no lie. Hawke raised an eyebrow of disbelief and smirked, not believing a word of this. Mahariel waved her incoming comment by resuming. "C'mon Varric, I know you have a grapple!" I clearly do not want to go to Sera like this, the teasing will be so worst. He looked at Hawke with a knowing glance. This was not the end of it. Still they nodded.
"Fine, Grey, but you owe me one!"
She made Hawke climb into her quarters with her. She switched swiftly her outfit for her usual apprentice coat and settled her hair the best she could. When she heard the door, she started with a firm voice.
"We cannot wait endlessly, Champion, tell me you received some news about the Adamant lead? Or from Weisshaupt – Oh, Ambassador!" She put on her most polite smile. "I did not hear you." Josephine mouth was ajar. You got to be kidding me.
"You…are working with the Champion?" She asked, muttering a sigh.
"It certainly looks like it…" Commented Hawke in a chuckle. Mahariel replied in a most professional tone.
"Indeed. I cannot leave Skyhold to investigate the Grey Warden situation myself right now, though it does not mean I'm not concerned." Josephine snarled with a stronger Antivan accent than usual.
"You do have a perfectly professional answer to everything, don't you? Well…" She turned to Hawke "if Lady Hawke can excuse us, we have a fitting which cannot wait any further." Hawke clapped her hand in mockery.
"OOOOH FANCY ORLESIAN CLOTHES! Can I stay? Pleeeeeaaaase." Mahariel pursued her lips, trying not to laugh. Josephine replied bitterly, teeth gritted.
"Sure, why not…"