Hi everyone!

So, this chapter was really intense for me to write. I hope you'll like this.
Please let me know what you think :)

A small warning for an intimate scene but nothing really graphic.

Leliana's POV

Enjoy

All I had to do, was to press my lips against hers and time suddenly stopped.

The physical space and surrounding around us was no longer a dimension where I could have felt what I was experiencing. Because I was certain, that no human being had ever felt what I was feeling when our lips finally met.

It was beyond any comprehension. Beyond any word.

It was the essence of life itself.

The first instant, I was so terrified, I heard her say my name with that unmistakable deep husky voice, the same that always had me shiver with delight, and at that point I knew that I wasn't in front of a vision.

But when she didn't respond immediately at the kiss, I froze, wondering if I had just immagined everything or if it was just another of those dreams that had me wake up in the middle of the night searching for her familiar form on the bed, but only being greeted with a lonely cold side under the sheets.
But something told me that this wasn't a dream or an allucination, it was real, and a second later, I whimpered against her mouth as I felt her kissing me back with the same pace and intensity that I remembered. The same soft and kind touch that had my heart flutter inside of my chest and my stomach clench in that same familiar powerful grasp that always made my knees weak.

And in that moment, I had no longer any doubt.

It was her.

Because she was the only one, the only person that managed to meld me with just a simple and chaste kiss. The only person that could take all the strenght from my body with just the lightest of the touches.

And also the only one that could break my heart with just a look.

She was my greatest strenght.

Just like she was my weakest point.

I knew that she wanted to talk to me, that she needed to explain how she managed to arrive to Skyhold when I had just finished to read a letter that had the power to break the remaining intact part of my heart, convincing me that the meaning of my life was no longer in this world.

I needed to hear those explainations as much as she needed to say them, but in that moment, a primal part in me emerged, taking over to all that was rational and logic as I looked into those crystal blue eyes that were glistening with sorrow and so much love that I couldn't help myself, and an instant later, our mouths were fused together.

The invisible crashing sensation on my chest that had me paralized with an agonizing feeling of grief and physical pain, was finally taken away as the greatest relief washed over me, soothing my whole being with an intensity that had my soul scream with joy and gratefulness, thanking the Maker with every tear that was sliding over my cheeks.

Feeling her body pressed against mine, connected in one of the most simple and also intimate ways, was the first step I needed to realize that she was still there, that she kept her word and that she had returned to me. Where she belonged.

I was being trasported with the intensity of those overwhelming emotions like a ship being wrecked by the indomitable waves of the ocean, and the only anchor, the only salvation where I could have cling to during the storm, was her. And just like that, I felt her arms being wrapped around my waist, holding me with a combination of both eagerness and tentativeness while her lips moved with mine in complete synchrony, tasting me and the saltiness of my tears as I tasted hers along with the sweetness of her essence, a flavour that had me addicted from the very first time.

The reassuring pressure offered by the touch of her hands on my waist, had me to wrap mine around her neck to steady myself since my legs were no longer able to keep me standing, as my body, heart and soul were experiencing what I knew it must have been the most intese and overwhelming sensation I had ever felt in my whole life.

Her hands held me with all the love and reassurence I felt she was putting into our kiss, that from chaste became more demanding.

I couldn't help my hand to run through her short messy hair just like I've always loved to do, enjoing its softness and lightness before cupping the back of her neck to deepen the kiss, a gesture that was greatly appreciated by my lover whose hands started running along my sides.

Her touch burning even through my clothes and suddenly, the need to feel her skin against mine was almost unberable.

I needed to feel her.

It took to her less than a couple of seconds to recognize the new eagerness in my touch, clinging to her like if my life depended on it, because as irrational as it sounded, I really felt that way.

She had already faced death in more occasions that I wanted to remember and how she was standing there, kissing me with all the love I felt radiating from her... It was a miracle.

Part of me wanted to hear her explanation more than anything, but the other part of me, the one that had the control of my body in that moment, was terrified at what she might had to say, so afraid to hear a truth that I didn't want to know.

So I kept kissing her, because if I was kissing her I couldn't have asked all the questions that where running through my mind just a few moments before. I could only feel. And what I felt, was the reassurance that my lover was finally home.

And I wanted that moment to last forever.

We parted our lips in the same moment, asking for more, exploring each other mouths, moaning at the familiar sweetness and heat as our tongues danced together.

Another deep groan coming from my lover, vibrated against my mouth, swallowing it as I fisted her short dark hair in my hand, urging her closer.

I knew that I was being a little desperate, but at the moment it didn't matter. The only thing that mattered was feeling her as close to me as possible and the only way to do that was to feel her body pressed against mine with nothing between us.

It wasn't something sexual.

It was a way to feel that comfort that I desperately needed, the same comfort I knew it would have me finally realize that what I was experiencing was real. That she was phisically there with me. Because our bodies couldn't lie.

I deepened the kiss further, showing her exactly what I needed as I also started fumbling with the hem of her shirt, taking it out of her leather trousers and finally meeting the burning heat of her skin. The sensation of my warm fingertips caused my lover to shiver, a reaction that made my insides flutter every time.

New tears started running over my cheeks as my thumb ran across a small area under her ribs, where I recognized the familiar texture of one of the scars that covered her body, the one that she earned during the battle against the Archdemon. I whimpered into her mouth, remebering how close I came to lose her. I did everything in my power to keep from bursting out in tears once again, but my Warden noticed immediately how my body was trembling with a new flood of sorrow and a moment later she broke off the kiss and only then I realized how breathless we were.

I didn't care.

I was willing to keep kissing her until my lungs would have burned, but before I could protest, she kissed softly the bridge of my nose in that tender and sweet way that always made me giggle, only this time it wasn't something joyful that left my mouth, but a broken sob.

I barely registered when she cradled my head against her chest, but I when her incredible scent met my nostrils, filling them with her delicate and comforting smell of embrium and lyrium, mixed with sweat and the unique smell of her essence, I only cried harder.

She ran her hand through my hair, soothing my sobs with sweet words whispered in my ear, hearing her voice cracking a little and feeling the way her hand trembled as she brushed away the tears on my cheek.

During all those months spent in Skyhold I had to mantain my demeanour, showing to the world a mask I wished I would never had to use ever again, blocking my emotions and feelings so I could have done my duty without interferences, all for the sake of the Inquisition.

But I didn't have to continue like this any longer. And even if I wanted to, I couldn't. My lover was the only person that had the power to shatter all of my masks under that warm and caring gaze without making me feel exposed and vulnerable. Because all I ever felt under that gaze was love and a deep understanding.

After a few more seconds, I slowly raised my head from her strong shoulder, opening my eyes and looking into clear blue pools glistening with unshed tears, tears that were reflecting the sorrow and guilt coming from her soul.

I watched as she tried to find words that couldn't have expressed what she was feeling, but before she could open her mouth to say anything, I leaned in, planting a tentative soft kiss on her lips.

Her body relaxed immediately and when I leaned back after a few moments, I looked into those same hunted eyes, but this time, I was met with a reflection of love and adoration.

The intensity of that gaze left me breathless, but I managed to let out a barely audible "Please..." And when I saw her nod her head, I knew that she had understood what I needed.

Because it was also what she needed.

Clothes feel on the floor between slow passionate kisses before we reached the small bed under the window, soft skin was revealed and soon we were naked in all our glory.

She laid me carefully on the soft surface, treating me like a delicate flower and after a few seconds I felt her weight gently being pressed against mine as our curves touched, sending powerful shivers through both our bodies as we reconnected in the most intimate way.

There was no urgency.

There was no esitancy.

We made love like it was our last day on this world.

Savoring every second, every touch, every breath, every moan and whimper that we heard coming from the other.

She kissed every inch of my body as I mapped and loved every inch of her beautiful dusky skin with my hands and lips. Tasting her pure essence from her source as I tasted myself on her rosy glistening lips, mixing our flavours together. A combination that on my tongue had the same effect of honey, smooth and so very sweet that left me desiring for more.

I don't know how much time we spent there cherishing each other body.

For me it was never enough.

But when my lover pushed me over the edge and a breathtaking pleasure flooded through me like a river, I cried out her name, digging my fingernails into her strong back, surely leaving red angry marks behind.

A new tear slided over my cheek, kissed away by my lover before I felt her withdrew her hand from my still pulsing core, distracting me with sweet kisses from her movement and then lying beside me on the small bed.

The combination of emotions and the intensity of our love making, had the both of us completely exausted.

I felt her still wet hand covered in my juices being placed on the small of my back as the other started running along my spine, sending pleasurable shivers that had me sigh in contentment.

Relief was the sensation that overwhelmed me beyond belief. Relief given by the very familiar and comforting scent emanating from her body and by the sound of her even breathing, that delicately caressed my cheek every few seconds.

I remained there, enjoing the heat of her body as even in her half asleep state my lover couldn't help but held me more tightly against her just like she always did. Her slightly dusky skin was covered with a thin layer of sweat and the sunlight coming from the window behind us made her glow with a wonderful golden effect.

I knew that there was still explainations that needed to be made and at the thought my heart started to race once again. But I forced myself to push those fears away, wanting to enjoy this moment with every fiber of my being. Because now I knew that it was all real.

And with that thought in mind, I smiled, placing a soft kiss on the center of her chest before resting my head there, slowly lulled to sleep by the most beautiful sound I'd ever heard.

More beautiful than any song I've ever sang or played.

The sound of the beating heart of my lover.