@princessdreadwolf, to me, after playing Dragon Age II for the first time

Of COURSE this appeals to me! Sorry it took me a little bit to get around to it, but inspiration finally struck me this morning. Thank you so much for the prompt and I hope you like it! :D

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Longing Looks

Words: 1258

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Rienmar had thought that at first, he’d been imagining it. They’d been through a lot recently, so he figured that his mind was just messing with him, making him think that he was seeing things that weren’t really there. But the more he paid attention...the more he was convinced that that wasn’t truly the case.

Aravae had been working tirelessly since they joined Fen’harel. She’d been putting the skills that she hated that she had to use for him to help more of the People. Rienmar approved of this, naturally. He despised the Evanuris as much as anyone else and wanted to help in whatever way he could. For the time being, that meant that he really needed to be Aravae’s support. Sure, he had gone off and helped execute missions she’d planned, but when he was within the sanctuary, he was close to her and Estelar. There were still lives that would be lost, no matter how carefully she planned. There would still be battles, no matter how much she tried to plan to avoid them. Those would wear down on her mind and she would question if she was doing the right thing. Rienmar had to be there to assure her that she was.

Because there was much to be done, that meant that they spent a lot of time around Fen’harel - or, as Aravae called him by his birth name, Solas. Apparently, according to his wife, he didn’t like the title of Fen’harel, but he continued to use it because it had now a ray of hope attached to the name. Rienmar, however, had yet to call him Solas. To him, he was still just Fen’harel. A traitor to the Evanuris, sure, but an Evanuris nonetheless. He had yet to have his mind changed on that, even though he was fighting to help free elvhen.

Aravae kept her mind on her work. Fen’harel appreciated what she was doing, so he offered her - and her family - more comfortable quarters, some food and drink that was usually reserved for him, and things of the like. Rienmar didn’t mind this. If anything, he felt like for Aravae, it was well deserved. She’d helped to save so many lives since they’d come about. However, there was a particular evening when they were with Fen’harel that something had caught his eye.

The three adults were in one of the small, private rooms with a fire in the hearth and glasses of wine in their hands. They were just having a regular conversation that diverted on occasion. At one point, Fen’harel had made a comment about something that had made Aravae laugh. While Rienmar would normally watched Aravae and radiate in the light of her smile and laugh, he’d found his eyes wander and he glanced towards Fen’harel. There was a quick flash of a tender expression in his eyes before it faded away.

Rienmar was suspicious, but he didn’t put too much stock into it. He did at least keep an eye on Fen’harel while they were together. He spotted the same look on him another time.

And another.

And another.

Each time, Fen’harel didn’t look as though he’d been expecting to have been watched. Aravae didn’t look like she ever noticed anything. She was usually very open about things, so if she’d noticed any sort of attraction from Fen’harel towards her, Rienmar would have picked up on her changes. Because she hadn’t caught on, he didn’t worry about it too much. He had absolutely no fear whatsoever that Aravae would leave him for another man. Still, it made him slightly uncomfortable to know that Fen’harel was likely longing after his wife.

It only made him more uneasy when Estelar was suddenly latching onto Fen’harel. She would run up and demand stories out of him. He’d been rather awkward and unsure about how to act around their daughter, but at some point, he became more comfortable and figured out how to amuse her and talk with her. He had many stories to tell and she loved listening to them. Seeing her sitting on Fen’harel’s lap, listening to his tales, made him feel a twinge of jealousy.

That was enough to make him decide that he needed to say something.

The day he wanted to talk when he was alone with Aravae, it plagued his thoughts. It distracted him as he thought of how to word things. Naturally, they weren’t able to be alone all day until it was time to go to sleep that evening. As he watched Aravae undress, his gaze lingered on her form and before he could stop himself, he murmured, “I suppose I can’t blame him…”

“Hmm?” Aravae turned with her brows furrowed, now down to just her smallclothes. “What is it?”

He sighed softly and, from his spot on their bed, held out a hand to her. She took long, graceful strides to him and slipped her hands into his. He tugged her onto the bed, where he was sitting with his back against the wall. He pulled her up next to him and wrapped his arms around her as she pressed her palms to his bare chest. He pressed his lips to her temple and lingered there for a moment. Not one to mince words, the moment he pulled away, he inquired, “Do you know that Fen’harel has feelings for you?”

It was almost amusing, watching the whirl of emotions run through Aravae’s face. She froze, then looked confused, then worried, then realization smacked into her. She looked back into her husband’s eyes with a panicked look. “Does he really?”

“Very much so.”

“I-...” She leaned forward and buried her face into his shoulder, muffling her voice. “I’m an idiot. How...how long? How did I not see it?”

Rienmar couldn’t help but chuckle and rub his fingers along her scalp. “Because you’re always focused on the task at hand. Your mind doesn’t wander. As for how long...mm, I think I first noticed it two weeks ago?”

She sounded exasperated and embarrassed. “And you’re just now telling me?”

“I wasn’t sure at first, so I watched to confirm it.”

She leaned back quickly, looking up at him with her eyes shimmering with frustrated, unspilled tears. “I don’t care for him in that way,” she said hurriedly.

He grinned with amusement. “I know.”

She groaned and tapped him on his arm. “It’s not funny!”

“It is a little bit.”

“Urgh.” She huffed, then pursed her lips together with thought. “What should I do about it? Should I talk to him?”

He gave a slight shrug. “Nothing necessarily has to change. I just felt like you should know.”

“Are you sure? I can...distance myself from him a little?”

“Ma vhenan. I trust you.” He lifted her left hand and kissed the top of it, squeezing it gently. “I trust you with everything. To be honest, I wasn’t sure if I trusted him, but...I don’t think he is as much of an idiot to try and make an attempt at wooing a married woman. Especially when I am right here with you.”

“I suppose you have a point… Still.” She averted her eyes. “I’ll try to be more mindful of it.”

“There is nothing for you to be ashamed of, Aravae.” Rienmar took hold of her chin and urged her to look back at him. When she did, he pressed his forehead to hers. “I just felt like you should know.”

She nodded silently, then whispered, “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

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Nice!! except both have ‘skin’ and that feels like a personal callout

from secret project (smutty):

There he paused and sucked hard, tasting the sweat off her skin and leaving another mark.

and from a playlist thing:

When he pushed his spell into her skin, his magic met with no resistance.

thanks love!! ♥

Rules: if you can, list the Top Ten songs you are listening to lately, and tag ten mutuals to do the same!

Roslyn - Bon Iver & St. Vincent

In My Feelings - Lana Del Rey

Darling I Do - Landon Pigg & Lucy Shwartz

Changes - Butterfly Boucher & David Bowie

Your Ex Lover Is Dead - Stars

If I Go, I’m Going - Gregory Alan Isakov

Sea of Dreams - Oberhofer

Change - Lana Del Rey (I LOVE HER OKAY)

Sound The Bugle - Bryan Adams

Good Lust - Keaton Henson (I swear to the high heavens this is such a fantastic Julian song I am not kidding)

Angst is my strongest motivator for finding my tunes. That, and Dreamworks movies obvs

Oh my goodness! Thank you! Okay, in order:

Morrigan: Not Enough Alcohol in the World || No || Maybe if I were wasted || Maybe || Eh…Sure || Yes || COME TO MY ARMS NOW! 

Morrigan is very sexy and very scary. I love her and fear her in equal measure. If she wanted to cuddle I’d be down, but I would remain extremely alert.

Wynn: Not Enough Alcohol in the World || No || Maybe if I were wasted || Maybe || Eh…Sure || Yes || COME TO MY ARMS NOW!

I mean, definitely not in a romantic way. Aside from the fact that they made her look 80 in the game (seriously BioWare, that’s not what 50-something women look like), she’s just not my favorite character. But she seems like the kind of person who would give you a shoulder to cry on when you need it. 

Anders: I answered for him here.

Merrill: Not Enough Alcohol in the World || No || Maybe if I were wasted || Maybe || Eh…Sure || Yes || COME TO MY ARMS NOW!

I love her so much! She makes me laugh almost every time she opens her mouth. She’s so sweet and determined. And also frighteningly powerful? She’s the perfect combination of “sweet girlfriend material” and “would help you carry out a murder with no questions asked.” Also, she’s really cute? 10/10

Dorian: Not Enough Alcohol in the World || No || Maybe if I were wasted || Maybe || Eh…Sure || Yes || COME TO MY ARMS NOW!

It would definitely have to be platonic cuddling in his case, but if he wanted to, then absolutely. We could just curl up on a couch, each with our own book, and be very comfortable. I bet he smells nice. Doesn’t he look like he smells nice?

Solas: Not Enough Alcohol in the World || No || Maybe if I were wasted || Maybe || Eh…Sure || Yes || COME TO MY ARMS NOW!

This one’s probably obvious. Please let me cuddle the Fade nerd. I’ll even kiss him, and I’m usually a bit iffy about kissing. He looks kissable though? He’s probably not as soft and warm as some of the others, but I want him. Someone please tell him I’m waiting on his couch. He can whisper sweet Fade anecdotes in my ear with that lovely voice of his.Vivienne: Not Enough Alcohol in the World || No || Maybe if I were wasted || Maybe || Eh…Sure || Yes || COME TO MY ARMS NOW!

Cuddling requires affection and trust (at least for me), and I don’t think I could feel either for Viv. If I was the sort of person who was interested in sex, my answer would probably be different, because she’s gorgeous and confident and her voice is sexy. But I’m going to have to pass on the cuddling. (I doubt she’d be interested anyway.)

SeraNot Enough Alcohol in the World || No || Maybe if I were wasted || Maybe || Eh…Sure || Yes || TAKE YOUR CLOTHES OFF NOW!

ColeNot Enough Alcohol in the World || No || Maybe if I were wasted || Maybe || Eh…Sure || Yes || TAKE YOUR CLOTHES OFF NOW! 

VarricNot Enough Alcohol in the World || No || Maybe if I were wasted || Maybe || Eh…Sure || Yes || TAKE YOUR CLOTHES OFF NOW!

ZevranNot Enough Alcohol in the World || No || Maybe if I were wasted || Maybe || Eh…Sure || Yes || TAKE YOUR CLOTHES OFF NOW! 

IsabelaNot Enough Alcohol in the World || No || Maybe if I were wasted || Maybe || Eh…Sure || Yes || TAKE YOUR CLOTHES OFF NOW! 

LelianaNot Enough Alcohol in the World || No || Maybe if I were wasted || Maybe || Eh…Sure || Yes || TAKE YOUR CLOTHES OFF NOW!

Thank you <3. Tropes: Historical AU & Aroused By Her Voice 

GOOD. This is vaguely regency-ish, though I’m not that familiar with it I’ve never read Pride and Prejudice.

So, Iwyn Lavellan is the daughter of a solicitor. She is dear childhood friend with Lord Dorian Pavus, a mage and politician of some renown. Lord Pavus and his husband, the police detective Mr. Taurus, adopts a set of twins abandoned at birth at the Chantry. Not that Lord Pavus is often seen at the Chantry, but Mr. Taurus’ colleague, Mr Cullen Rutherford, is very devout (He would take the twins, but has too many children of his own). 

It turns out the twins are mages, but Lord Pavus has no time to instruct them himself, as he is often called away to Parliament. They decided to hire an instructor who is both skilled in magic and general education, and they hire Mr. Solas Fen. 

He is a jaded and sad man, having suffered great loss in his past, as well as being spurned romantically as he did not have the means. 

Meanwhile, it is Wintersend, and Lord Pavus is hosting a party. Ms. Lavellan, who is fond of riding horses and a few other un-ladylike pursuits, is of course invited. Solas sees her, her bright smile and her easy jokes with the Lord and his husband, and he is instantly smitten. He doesn’t talk to her, of course. He notices her voice is rich and deep.

Now he starts to notice her everywhere around the town, and what is more, he hears her voice. He longs to speak with her, and maybe he does exchange pleasantries, but nothing more. 

Iwyn, for her part, is intrigued by him. She sees him painting too, and she is curious but she doesn’t ask. 

Some time later, in late spring, he has found a quiet place to paint, outside by the river.  His peace is disturbed by the sound of hoofbeats, nothing strange, until he hears a loud whiny and a splash. He then hears Iwyn curse, in that rich voice of hers, speaking a few obscenities, something no lady should do. He wants her to speak frankly and boldly to him, always, and he discovers to his dismay that he is aroused. So very inappropriate. 

Since she was unhorsed in the mud, he offers his jacket and to escort her home, and well, yes... the rest you can imagine. 

I don’t know if this works, but there we go?