The vulnerability in her tone cuts him, freeing him from the strange paralysis he had succumbed to. He moved forward, hands lifting and cradling her face before she could retreat too far. He leans in and brushes her lips with his. when he pulls back, her face is radiant. Though her eyes are closed and her smile small, he cannot help but think of how content she looks.
She opens her eyes, blinking languorously a few times as if to clear them. the smile she beams at him shares a little of that warmth. and he wants more. Her light is intoxicating, and he is a man who has drowned in darkness. She steps towards him, stepping back into the circle of his arms, "I'm not feeling thoroughly thanked yet."
And while the tone seems almost order like, he knows she would not force him. and he smiles, he wants to continue, but he has to ask her, has to be sure, "I am older than you, by more than a few years. There are many other men who vie for your favour, all of whom would be better suited to you."
Her fingers sink into his shirt and pull him closer still, "I don't want them. and besides, we're grey wardens. Twenty years if we're lucky then we're both dead. Age isn't really a concern here."
He should go. He should leave because he doesn't deserve her, doesn't deserve her forgiveness. But Maker help him, he wanted it. And he surrendered to her questing hands and sealed his mouth over hers, losing himself in the touch and taste of this woman.
Later. Much , Much later thanks to grey warden stamina, she dozes beside him. he stares up at the green canopy above him, thinking on what he has taken from this angel. What she has brought into his underserving life. she should have killed him, should have cast him down and yet…somehow…for some reason, she had reached into the dark cocoon of duty and blinding hate for orlesian painted lords and pulled him above water.
He used to wonder if she would ever forgive him. Now he knows that she has. But he knows that he will spend this day and every day after making sure he deserves it.
Authors note: Thank you guys for coming with me on this little journey :) i hope you enjoyed reading this as much as i enjoyed writing it :D
Ta ta for now,
Madam Red