2/28/15

Carver entered his mansion with Isabella attached to his lips, laughing and traipsing a bit drunkenly. As they came in however they both heard the soft, relieved squeal greet them and separated. There, in the front room, was Merrill.

"Good! You're both here. I was worried you'd gone to the Hanged Man, and I almost went there, but what if you were here...and I'm rambling. Sorry."

Carver walked towards Merrill, capturing her face in his hand. Since they had woken up together the sensations had changed. She'd been more bold, less careful...yet also quieter. She had to know. "I don't mind, Merrill," he told her in a near whisper.

"You are adorably flustered, kitten," Isabella added, watching the other two.

Merrill blushed but did straighten. "After today, I couldn't stop thinking. About everything. And Anders' comments from before." The elf sighed, looking up to the two but eventually throwing her arms around Carver's neck. "Did I make a mistake? Leaving the Dalish?"

It was Isabella who took it up, coming up behind so the Dalish girl was and wicked between her and Carver. "Merrill, it's alright," the pirate cooed. "Besides, we all know you don't really think that, do you?"

Carver hugged Merrill close. "You'd never have met us."

The Dalish girl had tears in her eyes, but then stalled as she looked around her. "Oh Hawke." Her face fell sadly. "I wish...no. I'm just making things worse. Hard. You two are happy. I should..."

This time it was Isabella who squeezed into Merrill's back. "Hush kitten. It's alright."

"But...the two of you..."

"I don't mind sharing my toys Kitten. What about you, Hawke?" Isabella about purred herself as she clung to the small elf, capturing the girl's arms above her head.

Carver looked at the women and let his breath catch in his throat. They couldn't be more different, yet they also went together in a beautiful way. He neared them, extricating Merrill from Isabella's grasp. "Is this what you want, Merrill?" He asked her gently, a finger caressing her cheek. The girl closed her eyes, and Carver saw Isabella was behind making circles with her finger along the girl's back.

"Yes," Merrill gasped. "I want you." Turning, she reached an arm to each of her companions. "Both of you."

Isabella need no further prodding. She grabbed Merrill by the shirt into a passionate kiss. The elf replied in kind, reaching to pull Bella closer with one arm and grab Carver with the other. Carver tentatively reacted by drawing forward, taking both women in his arms and inhaling the scents. Elfroot and salt water. It was actually a good combination. Then Merrill demanded his full attention, Isabella assisting...

Three very exhausting hours later, Carver lay in bed with Isabella curled happily under one arm and Merrill leaning on the other lazily. The dark-haired elf turned to the other two, a small smile on her face. "What does this mean?"

"Why should it mean anything?" Isabella yawned.

Instinctively, Carver pulled them both near. "We find out. Together."

Even as Isabella sighed in frustration, Merrill perked. "I love you two." Then, blushing, she lay on her back. "I'm sorry. I always say the stupidest things."

"Oh kitten."

Carver however looked between the two women happily. Isabella was independent, sure of herself in a way Merrill would never be. In a lot of ways (and he shuddered at the thought) it was like his two sisters. One was fierce and unwilling to be tied in place, the other was quick to trust and desperately needed protection. He'd imagined falling in love, but this...

Love.

He loved them, Carver realized. His Bella, with her ruthlessness and her flippancy. His Merrill, with her innocence and caring.

"I...I'm sorry Bella," Carver whispered. "I love you both. I have for a long time."

The pirate huffed, but still burrowed in closely. Carver knew it was more, but all she said was, "You two are great in bed."

Aggravated, Merrill glared over Carver at Isabella. "Fenedhis. Is it always about sex with you?"

"It isn't," Isabella protested. "Sometimes it's about sex with other people, like Ser Hawke here."

At that the trio devolved into laughs and then into a solid, restful sleep.

0- In the Gallows Circle -0

Bethany spent hours in the library looking over her notes. Healing was always her passion, even when her father had attempted to teach her his fire proficiency. Elements had never been her strong suit, but her magic sang when she was assisting others. Anders had brought the accuracy to the forefront, and helped her find her true foothold with magic. Now she wanted to go a step further.

There was precedent for healers to bind with a spirit to truly bring out the utmost in their abilities. Bethany knew she would need to remain quiet if she did find a spirit to work with, but that hardly would stop her from proceeding. She also was adamant about learning all she could, ensuring her path was right before committing to this path.

As she studied, she looked over the top of a book. First Enchanter Orsino was there as well, looking over histories once more. He did so often, staying late much as Bethany herself did. The other mages were already gone, and only one Templar stayed put, watching them. Yet now, at the crest of the evening when the moon was already descending, the Templar had already fallen asleep.

Orsino grabbed his book and came over, sitting directly beside Bethany. It had been three years now, the older man treating her with respect and understanding. Bethany did her best to ignore him, but it was near impossible. She turned to see him, blinking lightly. "Enchanter..." she started, sighing.

She was cut off by Orsino pressing forward to meet her lips with a kiss. Shocked, Bethany squeaked. He pulled away, smiling with a laugh. "Oh Bethany, that's adorable."

The human female touched her lips lightly, shocked. "I... Orsino..."

"You are beautiful." The elf blushed, shaking his head. "I'm sorry, didn't mean to scare you."

Bethany took a very long, deep breath. "I'm not scared." Then, before her nerves could disappear, she returned in for a second kiss. Orsino raised a hand to her cheek as they pulled away again, this time with far more consideration. The snores of the nearby Templar did nothing but assure them of their safety as they dropped their respective studies and chose to instead investigate each other- quietly.