bakerstreet | fell asleep on

[He wasn't the only one glad. She'd felt so out of sorts since Adamant and while it still weighed heavily on her, that weight wasn't quite so crushing.

She shoved at his chest, but it was a half-hearted attempt at best.]

You wouldn't dare.

Well, now you've done it.

[He picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder as easily as he carried his shield. She was a comfortable weight on his shoulder, actually, being as she's a little thing.

He hummed a bit of a hymn under his breath as he carted her off, heading back through Skyhold.]

[So much for the dignity of the Inquisitor. A small squeak was all she managed to get out before she was hoisted up and over his shoulder. It was demeaning and embarrassing and...

Well, at least the view was decent.

Not so silently fuming, she caught sight of Bull and Sera and they looked pretty damned pleased to see Jove parading her as he was. Cassandra just rolled her eyes and shook her head but really, there was no shock. Their relationship, while not exactly public, wasn't a secret, either.]

I'm going to kill you. Just thought you should know.

It's not like I'm parading you through the tavern.

[He didn't think her threat was serious. If she truly wanted him to put her down she could easily make him.

As they passed their friends and companions he nodded to them, looking quite pleased at his victory.]

Admittedly now that Bull and Sera have seen it's possible the rest of Skyhold will know as well. They're not silent those two.

[She wasn't too bothered by it. If she truly wanted down, she'd already be free. There were benefits to being caught, after all.

She shot Bull a quick smirk before she cheekily waved up the where she figured Leliana was watching from.]

I don't think it was much of a secret to begin with. Is that a problem?

I think people assume I am very proper and demure with you. This is neither of those.

[If some visiting dignitaries caught him carrying her around it was going to be very interesting to explain.

He kept going through the main hall towards the door that led to her quarters though. He had won his prize and he intended to keep it.]

[Oh, she knew she'd have some explaining to do when she showed her face again but she could handle it then. She'd claim some minor illness or injury to said party and dismiss any concerns with a calm smile.]

You are hardly proper or demure, Ser Templar.

You know that and I know that but everyone else is not aware.

[He shifted his grip slightly so that his hand rested on her butt as he opened the door to her quarters. Well, the stairs that led to her quarters. It was still a climb before they would be once again alone in her room.]

[She found herself squirming as his hand settled on her butt. It was a good thing they were out of sight by now.]

Everyone knows now, ma vhenan. The scandalous Templar.

Perhaps it will make things more interesting around here. The rumors about me are all terribly dull.

[As much as he was enjoying carting her around like this he wouldn't risk her reputation that much. He respected her and wanted others to do the same. Seeing her like this would not help that.]

Mmm. So you say. People have asked me about you, though.

[Her reputation, while not truly stellar, had improved since winning favor with so many noble families. She'd gone from being a heathen to be 'eccentric' in their eyes. While she thought that was just pointless a bit silly, she knew it was better for everyone that she was seen in a better light.]

Oh? This is going to be very, very interesting. What have you been telling them?

[Once they are in her room he very carefully lowered her on to her feet. He looked her over, checking to see if she was still in a good mood and the weight she carried was lighter.]

[She still looked tired but there was a bit more spark in her now. Her color was better and she didn't seem quite so lifeless. There was still weight on her, but it seemed a good deal more bearable now.

Once he'd set her down, she started to undo what little armor she'd put on, but it was a good deal less than she normally wore. She puttered around, settling her staff where she kept it before absently reaching up to start pulling her hair back into its usual braid.]

To some, I tell them you're a trusted companion and friend, and a fierce warrior. To my friends, I tell them you're... special to me, which most of them have already figured out.

[She'd been asked how special but on that, she'd kept her silence.]

I am all those things.

[He set his sword and shield aside. As he did not put on any armor he was ready to return to relaxing and doing nothing of importance with her again.]

Leave it down, darling, there's only you and I here. You don't have to tame it around me.

[Her hair was a mess but he liked the wild look for her. She was beautiful when she let her hair down.]

[Pausing, she glanced back at him, silent for a long moment. It took her a few seconds, but finally, she smiled at him before letting her hair settle back around her shoulders. Even after all this time, he could still make her flustered like a young girl around her first paramour.

Sighing under her breath, she moved around the room, straightening things up that she'd allowed to fall into disarray over the last few days.]

Yes. You are.

[He did love flustering her. She got the cutest blush across her cheeks when he managed it.]

I would like to think I'm your Templar as well.

[For a few minutes he let her go around and straighten but when she got close he drew her into his arms and began to lead her in a dance.]

You should teach your Templar how to braid your hair so that I can help when you can't reach.

[She couldn't hide the smile even as she bent over her desk to shift some papers around. He rarely failed to make her blush and damn it all, she should be old enough not to but there was just something about him...

How many times had they danced together now? Back when he was teaching her, then at the Winter Palace. Here and there. It was a reminder of old times and one that never failed to warm her down to her toes. Chuckling, she let him lead her as he wanted and this time, she never looked down at her feet. She didn't need to anymore.]

You just want a reason to play with my hair. I could teach you, though.

[She would never turn down a chance to let him play with her hair. It was soothing and sweet and other things she dare not think of.]

Why would I need to invent a reason to play with it?

[To prove his point he reached up and ran his fingers through it. Perhaps he did have a fascination for playing with it but he enjoyed it and it seemed to make her happy as well.

She was graceful on her feet. Dancing with her was effortless now because of her skill. He taught her but she excelled.]

An excuse, then.

[He knew her far too well. He had to know that she'd sigh and tip her head to try and prolong that simple contact. It always felt so damn nice even when it was snarled up after a long ride or a drawn out fight.

Maybe it was just like that because he was doing it.]

Cassandra thinks I should cut it off. Says it's too convenient of a handle if someone wanted to grab me in a fight.

If someone grabs it, they'll have made a very convenient way for me to cut their hand off.

[If someone thought they could tough her without her permission he would respond with violence.

He leaned in and kissed the corner of her mouth, smiling softly. He did love to kiss her.]

[It thrilled her to know he felt so strongly. He dared her worst tempers and goaded her out of moods and now, this. He was becoming a good deal more important to her than she'd ever thought possible. That had to be why her dreams dealing with him as of late had been so bloody and violent.

She worried she'd lose him at first. Now, she knew why.

She couldn't say it, though. If she said it, she worried that something would sour it.

Smiling into the kiss, she shifted just enough to catch his lips with her own before she reached up to settle her palm on his cheek.]

My. Someone's protective.

The sword and shield didn't give it away?

[It was so much better to feel her smile against his lips. He drew back and leaned into her touch.

He was a man of strong feelings and strong faith. He did nothing in half measures. How he felt about her was the same.]

I stand in front of high dragons for you, dearheart. Of course I am protective. Perhaps a bit overprotective.

[Her fingers stroked along his cheek before dropping to trace the line of his beard. He was so handsome to her.]

You face dragons for the Inquisition. You face me for me.

I already said I care very deeply for you. Whatever your temper or mood, I still care.

[She could be quite frustrating sometimes but that never changed how he felt about her. She still had a good heart. He raised an eyebrow at her fingers.]

Do I need a trim, darling?

[Frustrating was a good word for her, even if it could be a bit mild at times. She knew she was willful and wild tempered but he never judged her. He was a gift she didn't think she deserved at times.

Grinning, she reached up to tap at the tip of his nose as she shook her head.]

Hardly and you know it. You keep it up almost as fastidiously as you do your armor. It's just something different about you that I like. Dalish don't grow hair like that.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject