A/N Something Just Like This by The Chainsmokers and Coldplay is this chapter's title song. I think the song speaks for itself in why I chose it for Elyssa and Solas' first date. As always, read, review, and enjoy! I look forward to your guys' comments and I would love to know what you all hope to see as Elyssa and Solas' relationship progresses.
The sound of feet being set down with precarious precision could hardly be heard as Elyssa carefully made her way down the hall. Salem and Bull had gone to bed a half-hour ago, leaving the coast clear for Elyssa to sneak down the hall to the guest room Solas was staying in. She knew if Salem caught her she'd be done for, but Solas had said he wanted to talk to her. If she were being honest she wanted time alone with him as well. They hadn't been able to see or talk to each other in the two weeks since the art show.
Gently, she tapped on the door. She heard the hurried shuffling of feet followed by the door creaking open. Solas stood before her in a simple pair of grey pajama bottoms, a delighted smile lighting his face. Her heart thumped unevenly in her chest, her cheeks felt warmer than the rest of her, her mind ogled over how attractive he was in something so simple. She looked down, frowning, at the loose teal tank top paired with white pajama shorts she was wearing. It was too late to change into something more attractive.
As if he had read her mind, Solas closed the short distance between them, his warm breath caressing her ear, his arms pulling her gently into him. "You are so beautiful, vhenan," he whispered.
Elyssa's heartbeat accelerated, her entire face felt flush now, a deep ache within her was making itself known. Solas trailed feather-light kisses down her chin and neck, setting her skin on fire with each one. She leaned her head back allowing Solas more access, biting her lip to keep from making any kind of noise that would alert anyone else to the rather inappropriate way they were interlocked. Solas' trail led back up her neck until his lips found her own. She moaned as his mouth danced passionately with hers. Too soon, Solas pulled away, leaving her breathless and aching.
"I'm sorry, vhenan," Solas sighed. He stepped aside, letting her into the room and then closing the door behind her. Elyssa stared at the beige carpeted floor, a sad ache gripping her heart. Why did Solas pulling away bother her so much? It wasn't as if he had pulled away to be cruel, they had already pushed Salem's limits enough this month. It wasn't as if she would be able to do much more anyway, not with the nightmares of Justice still haunting her. Logically, she understood that Solas pulling away was necessary, yet she couldn't help but feel as if he had rejected her.
"Elyssa?" Solas asked softly, "what's on your mind?"
Elyssa looked up at Solas who was looking at her with concern. His thumb gently swiped under her eyes, wiping away tears she hadn't realized had fallen. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her emotions. "Do you not want me?" She asked.
Solas moved his hand so it was cupping the side of her face. The corner of this mouth turned up in a sympathetic half-smile, his eyes held understanding. "I want you very much," he assured her, "but I do not wish to push you. Neither did I want to upset you. I'm sorry."
Elyssa sighed, she was overthinking things she shouldn't be. "I'm sorry," she apologized, "it's kind of a habit for me to think I'm not wanted I suppose." She forced a chuckle, trying to brush off her embarrassment.
"It will take time," Solas said kindly, "but, with any luck, eventually we will both be able to truly move on from the damage done to us."
Elyssa nodded in understanding, the ache in her heart beginning to ease. "Just know I desire you greatly, but not enough to hurt you any further," Solas said.
Elyssa gave Solas a half-smile, she could live with that answer. "What did you want to talk to me about?" She asked.
Solas waved his hand towards the bed. "Sit, there is an issue I wish to discuss with you." Elyssa frowned but took a seat on the bed. Solas waited until she had settled comfortably with her back against the headboard, her legs crossed beneath her, and her hands resting in her lap. "I have recently been made an offer to teach at the college here," he got right to the point.
"Okay," Elyssa said, tilting her head in confusion, "why are you telling me?"
Solas looked at her curiously. "It is as much your decision to make a mine," he said as if the answer were obvious.
"How so?" Elyssa questioned. Solas sat on the other side of the bed, one leg tucked under him while the other dangled over the edge of the queen mattress.
His eyes captured her focus, his hand rested lightly on the knee of the leg closest to him. "Vhenan, we have chosen to bed with each other wholeheartedly, have we not?" He questioned.
"Yes," Elyssa answered, confused as to where he was going with this.
"That means I am yours just as much as you are mine," he said, a pleased smile pulling on the corners of his mouth, "so, the decisions I make affect you just as they affect me."
"So, you want my opinion?" Elyssa deduced.
"That is precisely it," Solas beamed.
Elyssa mulled over what he had originally said, what his changing schools would mean. She wouldn't be able to see him every day when she went back at the start of the semester. There was a better chance of them keeping their relationship hidden while she was still in school if they weren't tempted to be around each other constantly. Being a college professor was sure to come with better benefits than continuing at the high school level. All in all, it made the most sense for Solas to teach elsewhere.
"I think it would be good for you to take the job," she said, "but I'm going to miss seeing you often."
"You will still be able to see me as often as you would like, Vhenan," Solas assured her.
"How, if you're going to be teaching at the college?" Elyssa shook her head in disagreement.
"We can have dates, as I believe is normal for couples," Solas answered enthusiastically.
"Not until I'm out of school," Elyssa sighed.
"We can," he said with affirmation, "in fact, could I entice you to join me tomorrow for such an activity?"
Her heart beat erratically, moisture began gathering on her palms. A date with Solas? How should she act? What should she wear? What would they do? Solas was so experienced, and all she'd ever done date-wise was a few supervised school dances. Anders had never really been interested in doing that sort of thing, and she had never had enough interest to fight him on it. The hopeful pleading in Solas' eyes made up her mind. They could never move forward if she kept looking back.
"Okay," she smiled at him, "tomorrow we'll have a date."
The soft fabric of the curtain tickled Solas' cheek as he peeked out of the window once again. The quiet street was almost void of vehicles. The only vehicles Solas saw driving down the road were a red Lamborghini, silver dodge, and black Nissan. No blue Ford ranger was visible driving down the street yet. With a sigh, Solas let the curtain fall back in place. He twirled his fingers together, pacing back and forth in front of the door. He went over his mental list of the evening's to-do list once more. The chicken was baking in the oven, he had already started the water for the pasta, the table was set, and he had laid out an assortment of movies for Elyssa to choose from. More than anything he wanted Elyssa to enjoy herself, to see that he was more than the agony and heartache he had made her suffer thus far.
Solas' phone vibrating in his pocket drew his attention away from his checklist. He looked at the caller ID before answering. "Hello, Salem," he said, "Is everything alright?" He walked into his dining room, once again making sure everything was in place.
"Yes," Salem's gentle chuckle answered, "I just figured you'd be freaking out a little."
Solas chuckled, "I wouldn't say I am 'freaking out."
"How many times have you rearranged the settings on the table then?" Salem challenged.
"Three…" Solas answered, moving his hand away from the silverware he had just been rearranging again.
"Solas it's fine, it's just Elyssa," Salem tried to calm him.
"Yes," Solas agreed, "it's Elyssa, so everything has to go smoothly." Tired of standing in one place, he began walking around the kitchen, checking the food that was cooking as well as the dessert in the fridge.
"Solas, she's going to love that you're making such an effort regardless of whether your chicken is dry or not," Salem soothed, "she's not Andruil she's not going to get mad if something goes wrong."
"She deserves so much better than what I've given her so far, Salem, you've said as much yourself," Solas sighed.
"You are doing better," Salem assured him, "dare I say you're actually being a good partner to her. I know you're trying your best and I'm sure she does too."
"I hope so," Solas sighed, "I'd like to have a nice normal relationship for once."
"Yes because there's everything normal with this inappropriate student-teacher relationship," Salem scoffed.
"You know what I meant," Solas sighed.
"I do but that doesn't mean I'm not going to give you hell about it," Solas could practically hear Salem grinning. "Now, she should be there soon. Treat her well and make sure she's home at a decent time. And have fun but not baby-making fun.." Solas chuckled at the motherly way Salem was giving instructions. Even if she had never birthed a child, she had made an excellent mother.
"Yes, ma'am," Solas agreed with a grin. Salem hung up the phone, and just as she had said his doorbell rang. Elyssa was here at least. He straightened his sweater, simultaneously wiping the moisture from his palms. When he opened the door, Elyssa stood there twirling a strand of hair, shifting her weight from foot to foot. The hair that had once been entirely ash-white now had what appeared to be almost 6 inches of red-brown hair growing from the root. She wore an elbow-length navy blue cardigan over a white tank top and black pants. She wore natural colored makeup that highlighted her features beautifully. It amazed him how much she'd already changed, how she didn't seem to be as afraid of being who she naturally was.
"Hi," Elyssa smiled shyly, "I'm here."
"And you look beautiful as always," Solas complimented.
"Thank you," Elyssa's smile grew wider, making Solas' heart flutter. "May I come in?" she asked.
His cheeks grew warm, he had been so focused on the beautiful way she was growing that he had become a bad host. "I'm sorry," he gulped, "please forgive my rudeness." He stepped aside so that she could come in and he could close the door.
Elyssa stepped inside, her eyes staring intensely at him. One eyebrow rose, her lips pursed together in a look Solas recognized as her being in deep thought. "Solas you do know it's okay to make mistakes with me right? I'm not going to be mad if everything isn't perfect."
Solas stared in amazement. How had she known he was in fear of that very thing happening? Could she really read him that easily? Was he that obvious? Warm arms wound around him, fingernails gently scratching his back through his shirt in small soothing circles. He pulled Elyssa closer to him, his chest heavy with the love he felt for her. She was so gentle, kind, caring, everything he hadn't realized he needed in his life. He had thought he was fine, happy with his life of solitude. He'd had his friends and that was all he convinced himself he needed, all he deserved after practically abandoning Mythal when she needed him most. Now, standing here with Elyssa giving him the comfort she had easily realized he needed, he knew he had truly been a fool to think he hadn't needed anyone else in his life. He had always needed someone who understood what he had been through and hadn't judged him for it. Someone patient enough to forgive him for being so pridefully stubborn. Someone kind and compassionate enough to love him despite his flaws. He had needed something just like this.
"Thank you, vhenan," he placed a soft kiss on her forehead, pulling away gently. "I will finish preparing dinner, I pulled out a few movies for you to pick from, though you are welcome to look through the rest of my DVDs in the cabinet below the tv or streaming services if you wish."
"Okay," Elyssa grinned. Solas watched as she wandered into the living room where he had laid out the movies he thought she would like. He watched quietly as she picked up all three movies, reading the synopsis thoroughly before putting them back down. He had done extensive research on movies women enjoyed in today's society, but none of them seemed to interest Elyssa. His curiosity had peaked, what would she choose? He would have to wait until after he had pulled the chicken from the oven before finding his answer. He finished preparing the chicken and pasta, plating a serving for each of them. Just as he was about to go tell Elyssa dinner was done, she bounced into the kitchen with a wide grin on her face and eyes wide with excitement.
"I found it!" she enthusiastically exclaimed. She waved a red-covered DVD case in front of him. "I found the movie I want to watch."
Solas took the DVD from her, looking at the title of the movie. "A knight's tale?" He was surprised by her choice. Though it was enjoyable he hadn't expected a teenage girl to even know of the movie let alone be so excited to watch it.
"It's my favorite movie," she explained, the excitement never leaving her voice, "just the right amount of action, romance, and comedy."
Solas looked at the two plates he had made, then to the excited girl before him. Andruil had always been adamant about adhering to proper manners and etiquette. It was always dinner at the table, her talking about herself never really taking an interest in him, then a movie she chose if she even bothered to go that long without screaming at him for something he had done wrong. That was what he had come to expect from a date, and that was what he had prepared for tonight. He realized he had been wrong to do so. Elyssa was different and she was excited about having found her favorite movie amidst his collection. "Do you want to watch it now?" he asked, his mind made up. He refused to treat his time with Elyssa like he had with Andruil, Elyssa deserved better than to be held to that vicious expectation.
"What about dinner? It looks like you worked hard on it," she commented.
"We'll eat it out there, while we watch the movie," Solas said with affirmation.
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely," he picked up both plates, making his way to the living room. Elyssa followed, pulling the coffee table closer to the couch. Solas set down both plates then grabbed drinks for both of them. He put the movie in the DVD player and settled in the seat next to Elyssa. They watched the movie, enjoying the food he had made and the relaxed atmosphere that had settled around them. After the movie and food were finished they sat on the couch with easy conversation flowing between them.
"So, have you heard any more about that job offer since you accepted it?" Elyssa asked him. She picked up the dishes to take them to the kitchen. Solas followed, turning on the sink to give them a good rinsing before putting them in the dishwasher to be cleaned.
"Yes, they were enthused by my prompt reply," Solas answered, taking the dishes from Elyssa. "However, I won't be starting until after the spring semester ends."
"So, you're going to finish the school year out at the high school?" Elyssa asked, a smile spreading wide on her face. She took the dishes Solas had rinsed and loaded them into the dishwasher next to her.
"It would seem so, vhenan," Solas nodded with a smile. He finished rinsing the dishes and turned off the water, holding the last dish out towards Elyssa.
"Are you excited about your new job?" Elyssa asked, taking the dish from him. She cocked her head, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.
"I am excited about the opportunity," he answered.
"Those students are going to love having you as a teacher," Elyssa smiled.
"But none as much as you," Solas chuckled, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
"I certainly hope not," Elyssa laughed, "I don't think Salem could handle another one of your students falling head over heels for you."
"I don't think she will have to worry," Solas chuckled, "you are unique in that regard."
"You're just saying that so you can pretend you're not scared," Elyssa laughed, playfully bumping his shoulder with her own.
"There may be some truth in that statement," Solas agreed lightheartedly. He pulled Elyssa into an embrace, "but my heart is yours alone ma'lath." Elyssa returned his embrace, sighing contently into his arms. Before he knew it, Salem was calling Elyssa telling her she needed to head home. As he watched Elyssa leave, a happy grin on her face, Solas knew more than ever he had made the right choice in being with Elyssa. It was worth everything he was risking to be with someone he felt he could be himself with, to have someone love him so unconditionally.