A/N: Fair warning to all readers, this chapter does contain a bit of steam, not enough to change the rating though.
Disclaimer: Dragon Age and its characters are all property of Bioware
After retrieving the knife yesterday, Isabela had told Merrill to meet her the next day at the Hanged Man. And now Merrill sat feeling anxious as she sat next to Aveline and Isabela as they talked about the day's events. Today, Aveline had requested Hawke help her gain the affections of one of her guardsmen, Donnic. Despite numerous amounts of amusing mishaps along the way, the venture had concluded with the captain and Donnic as an item.
"So," Isabella said, beginning her usual interrogation pattern in such matters, "did he bend you over your desk and ravage you like animal, man hands?"
Flushing crimson at the pirates comments, Aveline countered quickly, "Shut up whore!"
"Oh come on!" Isabela said snickering, "Even Hawke said next time Donnic and you 'have a chat', that you should probably keep it down, lest your guardsmen catch wind of your… antics."
"Bastard," Aveline said.
"Funny," Isabela said," Without that bastard, you would have never bagged that man in hundred years."
Scowling, Aveline said, "Admittedly, he does seem to have more experience in matters of a more amorous nature than I do." Thinking for a moment she said," I'm surprised that he hasn't taken up one of those women that are practically slobbering at his feet." At this statement, Merrill felt heat rise to her cheeks.
"Speaking of that," Isabela said, a devious glint in her eyes forming, "Kitten here is one of them."
Raising her eyebrows Aveline said, "Really, you fancy Hawke?" Merrill nodded, embarrassment dominating her features. Chuckling she said, "Can't say I'm too surprised, squint a little and it's fairly obvious."
Panic coursing through her, Merrill said, "Am I that transparent?"
Brushing Aveline's statement aside, Isabela said, "Don't worry kitten, men are extremely thickheaded about these kinds of things, even if they are experienced." "Now to the matter at hand," Isabela announced dramatically, waves of dread washing over Merrill as she spoke. "Now Kitten, learn a lesson from man-hands here," Isabela said, earning a glare from Aveline. "Don't just dance around it, get straight to the point." "As for your concerns yesterday about babbling, I wouldn't worry about it, I would wager that Hawke likes it," Isabela said mischievously. "Oh and in case things get, steamy shall we say, I got something for you," Isabella said, sliding a package towards Merrill.
Merrill brought the package to her and peeked inside to find… lingerie. Blushing more than she thought was possible Merrill quickly closed the package to find Isabela grinning devilishly.
"Put it on before you go to his place tonight, trust me on this one, he'll enjoy it," Isabela, seemingly reveling in making Merrill squirm. "Oh and don't worry about anyone being there, I've made sure that dear old mum is out on some party and that Bodahn and Sandal are off on errands."
"You've put a frightening amount of effort into this Isabela," Aveline noted.
"You know me man hands," Isabela said smirking, "I don't do things half way." Looking back at Merrill she said, "Come on kitten, lets see if my present fits you."
Aveline shook her head as she took a sip from her ail, watching Isabela drag the poor elf out of the bar.
Merrill attempted to examine her figure as she looked at the no less scratched Eluvian. Sighing in defeat, she walked out of her 'room' where Isabela was waiting for her.
As she stepped out Isabela said, "Mmm kitten, you look good enough to eat," as she shamelessly examined Merrill's figure while circling around her, all while Merrill stood still, blushing furiously. "Perfect just like I thought, Hawke's in for quite a surprise, when you get there." Satisfied with her work she said, "Alright now go get 'em kitten," leading Merrill out the door.
Merrill looked at Hawke's mansion looming before her, it's normally inviting stone architecture now seeming to be quite the opposite. Taking a deep, she advanced forward to the door. Deciding to act before she lost her nerve, she knocked on the door several times. Hawke's dog began to bark, signaling a visitor, and Merrill heard Hawke's muffled voice as he attempted to quiet his pet.
Finally opening the door, Hawke appeared dressed in his scarlet house robes, with a look of surprise on his face. "Merrill good to see you," Looking outdoors he said, "A bit late might I say, is something wrong?" concern now etched onto his features.
"No, no, everything's fine," Merrill responded waving her hands frantically in an attempt to dispel his concern. "I just wanted to… talk for a while," she said awkwardly, avoiding his eyes.
"Of course," Hawke said, smiling warmly as he ushered her inside.
Merrill entered, rubbing the back of her neck out of nervousness. As she racked her mind with how to begin she said, "I… wanted to thank you for helping me the other day. It means a lot to me that you have faith in me," Merrill said thinking that she was getting a good start. "Sometimes I wonder if I'm doing the right things… I miss being with the clan in the old days."
"Feeling a little homesick?" Hawke asked. Seeing her nod he went on, "I remember that I used to miss Lothering, back when we were fleeing the Darkspawn. Of course then I was being forced to do mercenary work for the Red Iron for a year so I guess anyone would miss their old home at that point," Hawke chuckled. "Anyways, don't second guess yourself, perhaps one day you'll be able to go back to them," Hawke said, and Merrill noted that his tone had changed slightly at the end, disappointment perhaps.
"Maybe," Merrill murmured, though inside she sincerely doubted it. "I suppose," Merrill began, anxiety filling her, ", if I hadn't had left the clan… I'd have never met you," Merrill finished, heat rising in her cheeks. Hawke didn't say anything for a moment so she went on, "If you were Dalish," she said, imagining, "The best of the days of our people would be just to come." Thinking further she said, "But then we'd have the Qunari, and the Imperium and the rest of world against us, so maybe things turned out for the best."
Chuckling Hawke said, "I doubt that me of all people would be able to unify the Dalish and usher in a golden age."
"Ser Hawke, if you were then keepers in clans everywhere would tell legends about you, and the winds would bring word of your triumph."
"Does it bother you that I'm human Merrill?" Hawke asked, and Merrill cursed her stupidity as she realized that what she had said could certainly be interpreted as just that.
"No!" Merrill said panicking. She thought about Hawke how if they were… together, how ironic it would be. It was almost a betrayal of everything she stood for, as her greatest goal was to restore the former glory of her people. Yet here she was, professing her feelings, to a human no less. Merrill brushed these thoughts aside, this was… he was what she wanted more than anything.
Sighing she said, "It's just that… if we were to," she paused awkwardly for a moment. "If we… I guess they couldn't hate me any more than they do already."
Hawke moved closer to her "It's not like you owe them anything. If anything you deserve to be happy."
Merrill turned around, thinking that this was all too good to be true, that this was all a dream and she would soon wake up. Hawke's hand on her shoulder as he turned her around told her otherwise however.
"Merrill," He said softly, beginning to close the distance between them. "It's all right," He said cupping her face gently.
Emboldened by this display, Merrill rushed to fill the remaining space between them as their lips met. She kissed him passionately, and was surprised when he reciprocated with similar fervor. She allowed his tongue entrance and felt waves of ecstasy roll through her as he deepened the kiss. Without breaking the apart from her, Hawke picked her up and carried her up to his room. Unbeknownst to them, a certain pirate spying from a window nodded in approval and left.
Putting her down gently their lips met again, their kisses now more tender and slow. Pulling away for a moment Hawke looked into Merrill's eyes, a hesitant look in his eyes, unsure if this is what she wanted. Merrill however, had never been more of anything and gently tugged at his hand as she led him to the bed.
Hawke was surprised as he hovered over her seeing a look of almost hunger in Merrill's eyes. Chuckling Hawke willingly obliged as he closed the distance between them. Breaking away for a moment he removed his shirt, and Merrill took the opportunity to drink in the site of his well toned chest. She ran her fingers through the valley of his abdomen, and Hawke groaned at her touch.
Hawke leaned down and carefully removed her scarf before tossing it away behind him. He planted a series of kisses down the pale flesh of her neck, and Merrill inhaled sharply as the sensations took hold.
He moved onto her face then looked into her eyes, his face barely hovering above hers. Merrill could clearly see that his desire mirrored her own and felt powerful, knowing that she had such an effect on him. Within the next several minutes the sounds of newfound lovers could be heard in the mansion, as two became one.
Merrill lay in bed with Hawke, a sensation of calm that she had never felt before descending upon her. Her nerves were humming as she reveled in the contact with Hawke's warm skin. He had her pulled against him as he gently stroked her arm. She took a deep breath of his scent as what had just happened between them hit her.
A sudden feeling of self doubt prompted her to ask, "Are we… what did this mean?" A part of her wasn't sure that she wanted to hear his answer, a fear of sudden rejection coursing through her.
Hawke looked into her eyes, and her fears were allayed as she basked in his tender gaze. "It means," He said softly, not breaking eye contact, "That from here, we both can decide what happens next together." He placed his hand in hers, running his thumb along the back of her hand.
Merrill knew he was being sincere, and she felt happiness that she had never known course through her. Unable to contain herself she blurted out, "I love you!" Realizing that she might have overstepped her bounds she quickly said, "I probably shouldn't have said that… I often say the stupidest things." She bit her lip, nervously awaiting a response.
"It's not stupid," Hawke said, looking into her eyes once more. "I love you Merrill, in fact I was going to ask you if you might move in with me."
Merrill got up for a moment, needing a moment to digest all of what she had just heard. "Move in… with you, in the fancy part of the city with no rats in it. And you with an elf…"
Hawke just smiled, undeterred by any of this.
"Ma vhenan," Merrill said, "You really are crazy aren't you?"'
Rising up to meet her Hawke said, "Only for you."
Merrill returned his smile, knowing despite the statement being delivered in a joking manner, that he meant every word. She looked into his amber eyes knowing that she would never tire at the sight of them, nor their owner. Hawke closed in on her and they shared a tender kiss in the warm glow of the fire.
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