#runawaypath

The whisper fell hot on her ear and she coughed, hard, the cider getting caught in her throat. It felt like her ears caught fire as they perked up and that fire quickly made way to her cheeks, and down her chest, and down, down, down.

She placed the cup on the counter and turned to face her lover. That smirk on her face, that coy look... Her mouth suddenly felt dry and it was urgent that she crossed her legs.

♛: She has no pet name for Mairwen. Doesn’t need one when she speaks her actual name with such endearment.

♤: With utmost sincerity, naming what she understands that she did wrong, and she always sounds like she won’t repeat that mistake ever again in that life, or the next. Apologising is rare for her, but when she does it, she means it.

♠: Cuddling. No question. She can just spend hours -maybe even days according to her- just cuddling up to her. Mairwen is soft and has just the right amount of squish, and her hair... Lavender and vanilla, Noria wants nothing more than to bury her face in it. It is a thing they didn’t do at first, instead only making out very often, so she enjoys it a lot, the closeness and the calmness of it.

Ω: A tough choice, a close call between her hair, her eyes and her lips, all for different reasons, the smell of her hair and the colour, so bright, she can’t even believe it, it makes hers look dull. the mischief in her eyes giving her mixed feelings, either warmth or heat, both intense, or the softness of her lips... Ah she doesn’t even need to explain what that smirk does to her. But then there are also her hands, ever so fickle in their works, always make her breath hitch in her chest whether they gently stroke or grope at her, or maybe her hips, nice and squishy, making it even more of a pleasure to cuddle her, too tempting for her to keep her hands off. Ah, damn. She can’t choose. She will never choose. She doesn’t want her eyes only, or her hair. She wants the whole package. She just wants Mairwen. No part is worth as much on its own.

♦: Tea. Especially lavender tea. She can make it on her own, but there’s a store that sells a variety that smells just right, just like Mairwen. She never admitted it to her, but before they started travelling together, when there was the tension but not the affection, she would make lavender tea, because it reminded her of Mairwen. And just the smell of it made her heart pound in her chest. Among other reactions.

There was one thing she knew for certain in her life: Tiny would always be travelling with her all over Thedas, he would be having her back, every step of the way. There would be times that they would be parting ways, either for safety reasons, or for business, but she knew it, their paths would once again meet.

She found comfort in the thought, clung to it whenever the journey was harsh. When there was no gold, no food, no shelter, she always looked to him to ground her. And he always did. But it was time for things to change.

Because people change. They grow. They fall in love. Just as she did. It was different with her, she didn’t suddenly abandon the party, just to be with Mairwen. It was true, they needed their privacy from time to time, but the human was part of the group, not a splitting factor. Tiny’s lover was no traveller though, and the choice was clear. Thus, Tiny left the road. What once started as a business visit brought him to the ground.

Perhaps it was really time. Noria wasn’t that young woman that fled from her clan with no street smarts anymore. She understood the world now a bit better, she didn’t need anyone to hold her hand. Perhaps it was time.

That didn’t make her feel any better and she was starting to hate her selfish thoughts. She rolled the cider in its glass and took a long sip. He was happy. That had to be all that mattered to her. She’d hate to see him go, but that didn’t mean he didn’t have to.

“Hey, love.” Her thoughts got interrupted by Mairwen, who plopped down in the seat next to her. “You’ve been sitting alone too long.”

“Were you talking with Tiny?” A question that needed no answer. She could see them talk. “What were you talking about?”

A shrug, and a dismissive answer. “Nothing important. Just small talk.” Noria looked at her. There were lies meant to protect, and lies meant to hurt. That one was the former and she knew that she needed not pry. “Say, they play some nice songs. Care to dance with me?” Noria cocked a brow.

“Dance?” Mairwen got back on her feet and gave her her hand.“Dance.” She took it.“Alright.” They moved to the dancefloor and Mairwen led her steps. She took it slow, her feet careful, but soon Noria followed her lead effortlessly.

They glided among the couples like birds. There was none of that stepping on each others toes, or any different clumsiness.“Didn’t know you knew how to ballroom dance.” Noria commented.“I can say the same about you.”“Well, there are still things that you don’t know about me.”“And there are things that you don’t know about me.” Mairwen replied with a playful smirk and drew a snigger from her.

Fancy costumes and fancy decorations were good and all, but Mairwen was the most beautiful in there. Giggling with every twirl Noria led her into, just to be pulled back in her arms, it made her heart swell. And when the song came to an end, she dipped her down, her hair falling back. She pulled her back up and pressed her lips against hers, eyes falling shut when Mairwen cupped her cheeks.

It was time. Because people change. They grow. They fall in love. Just as he did. Just as she did.

She pressed her forehead against hers and lingered close. A loose tear rolled down her cheek, but didn’t go far before Mairwen took it with her thumb. She sighed and hid her face in the crook of her neck, only to be embraced.

“I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.” A promise. Mairwen never made promises, but that one she would keep. Noria knew it. They lingered till the next song ended, and once the orchestra perked up, Noria pulled back and kissed her again, her lips curling up into a smile.

Noria walked in, carrying something, which she promptly placed on Mairwen’s lap. It was a small decorated box, most curious. Noria knew of course that it contained individually wrapped chocolate candy, but she didn’t want to say. She wanted to see her reaction when she opened it and found out on her own. She had arranged to get that box a month ago from Val Royeaux, through her contacts. She figured that Mairwen would like it and she thought it would be a perfect gift. It had been a year since the tourney. She hadn’t forgotten. She couldn’t possibly forget. She took half a step back.

"Hey!” She shouted at a stranger, who shoved past her on their way out of the stables. “What is wrong with—” Laughter interrupted her and she stopped. A basket rested outside her horse’s stall; the sound came from there. She lowered next to it and peeled off the blankets to reveal a human baby. “What the fffff—” She covered her mouth with her hand. She stood up and ran out of the stable.