#14dalovers

Her pride wouldn't let her admit it, would not allow her to acknowledge that the man protecting her stirred more than just the spirits around him when he drew near. No way would she allow herself to entertain the idea that she had anything other than a passing fancy for the man.

No, she must endure this precarious case of unrequited infatuation herself.

Staring out past the horizon, hands grasping the railing in front of her, Varric broke Cassandra out of her revery, causing her to jump.

“Now Seeker, a royal for your thoughts? I almost never get the jump on you.” He laughed, turning to lean against the balcony railing.

Bristling, she hoped he didn’t catch sight of a blush burning her ears and face.

“It is nothing, Varric.” 

“Nothing? Nothing?”’ He waved his arms in emphasis. “Nothing tra, la la?” He laughed when she rolled her eyes. ”Nothing doesn’t usually look like a love sick kid,” she bristled again and signed in disgust.

“It is nothing, Varric, and you would do well to leave me be.” SHe leaned heavily on her arm, head bowed. Her stance radiated embarrassment and hopelessness. As Varric scuffed his feet and drummed his fingers against the railing, she mulled over her thoughts.

“You know, you’re allowed to do more than just stab things with your sword.” He spoke softly, like she was a horse about to be spooked. It made her feel even more foolish.

“I know Varric, but what would even come of it? He does not even believe in the Maker, let alone his own gods.”

“Wait, you’re not pining over Curly?” The disbelief in his voice startled her into a straighter position, turning to stare at him with wide eyes.

“You think I am enamored with the Commander?!” 

“Who else would you be swooning over?”

“Solas!” She clamped her hands over her mouth and stared at Varric, her face flushed with embarrassment.

“Chuckles? Well, shit.” rubbing a hand across his face, he looked up at her through his fingers. “It’s the brooding, isn’t it?”

“Forget I said anything, Varric” She ground out between her teeth.  She turned and stalked off towards the smithy.

“You know, Hawke likes them broody too!” Varric called after her, shaking his head and laughing.

~*~

Cassandra lay face down on her pallet, face buried in her pillow and fought the urge to scream.

Once in the larder, the two elves startled to see Cole already there, his hands opened, daggers falling into a barrel that was formerly the home for pickled herring.

Isobeaux let out a startled laugh, her eyes glittering as she watched the spirit look between her and the flustered man a step behind.

“You better not have taken mine, Cole,” she said with a feigned glare.

“You said your daggers had a flesh sheath, how could I take that? It’s not hurting people…”

Isabeaux turned beet red, then let out a mighty cackle. Laughing so hard she doubled over while Cole looked at her perplexed. Solas, for his own good, kept an air of calm embarrassment while she continued to cackle and shake.

“I knew you enjoyed sparing, but I did not expect you to bury blades into flesh yourself, Inquisitor.”

His seriousious caused her laughter to double, tears streaming down her face as she grabbed his shoulder for support.

“Inquisitor, do you not want to share the frilly cakes with Solas, you thought the sweetness would make the stabbing more pleasant…” Cole’s innocent tone sent crimson across Solas cheeks.

“Oh Cole, your sweet bluntness puts my husband to shame. We most assuredly need some frilly cakes, care to help me gather them up?”

“Of course, Inquisitor! Er, I mean Izou.” He appeared by a cabinet, flinging it open in excitement, plates and cakes floating around him.

Izou watched him fondly, and her smile grew into a grin as Solas wrapped an arm about her waist.

“You truly surprise me, Ixobeaux,” He murmured into her shoulder, lips linger as he smiled

“Because I can appreciate a spirit's purpose?”

“No, because you can turn such an erotic evening into one that is full of laughter and warmth.”

She flushed, her hand clasping his on her waist. As Cole continued to load up plate after plate of sweet confections, Ixabeaux smiled softly, 

“Thank you Solas, you make my time here worth while”

She had never seen a hart before, and the monstrous beast before her had her shaking in her boots.

Isobel was not sure exactly why Merril had insisted they needed a hart for this stretch of their journey, or why Fen looked about as thrilled to see the beast as she, but regardless, the creature was before her, snuffling and thoroughly destroying her carefully maintained hair, and she was over it.

“Look here you,” she poked the creature on the tip of his nose, careful not to hurt but to get attention. “We have places to be, and a weird mirror I don’t understand to transport,” she grabbed the reins that were dragging. “and you are going to get us there.” The beast stared at her with red, doleful eyes and let out a long, low kean that had Hawke’s hackles standing on end.

“Oh don’t give me that.” She had dropped the reins to cover her poor ears.

“Oh Izzou, you just have to treat him with respect and he’ll just adore you!” MErril chirped beside her, hazel eyes positively aglow in the early morning light. 

“She’s right you know, these creatures can smell fear, much like that dog of yours.” Fenris had come up behind her, his bored tone not quite masking the amusement he found in her unease.

She grabbed the reins back up, watching as the hart shook his head in annoyance. “I suppose you’re both right.” She found her footinn in the stirrup and swung herself up. Looking down at her companions, she smiled uneasily as the best pawed the dirt.

“So,” she began, her hands gripping the reins tight, “ Who’s up here with lil ‘ol me? She fluttered her lashes and smiled prettily, her woad crinkling at the corner of her eyes.

“Oh, I could never dream of keeping you two sweetkins apart, “ Merril gently pushed Fenris before her, his eyes going wide for a bit when the hart turned to look at him doubtfully.

“It’s quite alright, maleficar, ladies first.”

“Oh Fen, you’re not scared, are you?” Isobel covered her smile with a hand. The broody elf’s face scrunched up in annoyance, then deftly made his way up behind her.

“Nonsense, Hawke,” he mumbled, a blush tinting his ears.