#marcass

Okay, so there’s so painfully little on what the Divine’s Right Hand actually does, but judging by what we learn both from Cassandra in-game and WoT2 it seems that the position makes them as much a personal bodyguard as confidant and advisor to the Divine.  So, i think it’s safe to assume that they are together pretty much daily for several hours, especially when Victoria makes any public appearances. People know that wherever the Divine goes her Right Hand isn’t far either. 

Though I imagine that there is also a part to each their duties that requires them to be apart for a while sometimes, so they don’t actually stick together 24/7 even if they wanted to. Admittedly though, Marcus still hasn’t forgotten the violent fate that poor Justinia suffered,  so there is always a certain uneasiness at the back of his mind if he has to leave her side for too long even if he knows very well that Cass is far from helpless and depending on his protection, whether in robes or in armor.

As for their relationship, they had actually both agreed that that was a thing of the past as soon as Cassandra took on the role of Divine, and they both fooled themselves into thinking that simply shutting off their romantic feelings for each other from one moment to the next like this would actually work. To be fair they tried hard to keep it strictly platonic at first and they succeeded for two, three monts, but then the glances they shot each other lingered a little too long, and when talking they stood a little too close, and the casual brushes of their hands became a little too frequent to be merely accidental, and before they knew it they were making out in a dark corner of the Grand Cathedral as soon as they were sure they were alone.

They had to admit at this point that it was no use pretending they didn’t actually crave each other’s company in more than just a platonic way, and they decided to carry on their romantic relationship in secret, though they are very careful not to show any signs of too much intimacy in public. When others are around the way they behave around each other is strictly professional, but they  do get to spend some time alone, away from prying eyes, mainly in the evenings when the Divine retreats into her private study with her Right Hand to discuss the events of the day and other recent matters ………. or at least that’s the official reasoning anyway. 

Buuuuut even if they manage to spend an hour or two alone at the end of the day, their relationship from that point on stays chaste. That’s the only real rule Cassandra established apart from being descrete about their relationship in public, and Marcus respects her decision on that because he absolutely agrees that it would probably just be too much of a risk considering it caused already enough of a stir when she made him her Right Hand and word spread around that they used to be in an relationship beforehand. The news set tongues wagging almost instantly, and neither of them wants to toss any more fuel into the fire by becoming careless and being caught in the act (quite literally in this case), so they keep their clothes on at all times.

There is a recamiere in the study though that’s perfect for cuddling and just resting for a bit together, which is more than enough for both of them. They know they are lucky to be able to still be together in such a way, and they both cherish every moment they can spend alone, even if they make a point out of each of them leaving for their own quarters once it is late since I imagine there are at least a few  guards around to testify that they did in fact went to sleep in their own beds, by themselves. I mean, it probably won’t hurt to have witnesses, just in case. They’re in Orlais, after all.

And just…. all of this?? Is one huge show of her love for him in a way?? She’s the most powerful person in the Chantry and one of the most powerful people in Thedas, she could have chosen anyone as her new Right Hand and I’m sure there are enough people who would be both skilled and loyal enough and eager to serve the Divine to the best of their ability, also causing much less of a near scandal with their mere presence, but nope she went “I want that idiot over there, and I’m going to keep him” and all but flipped off everyone who adviced her against it because of how making her former lover - who’s also a man and someone not previously affiliated with the Chantry in any way - her Right Hand might look. And Marcus knows and appreciates and loves her all the more for it.