#smileslikeparentheses

Rainier hoped their last day at Skyhold would have been sunny.

Instead the clouds overhead seem almost oppressive and the wind, cruel. They’ve had to tie down their trunks to ensure that none will fall off the wagon as they head down the mountains. He’s not looking forward to sitting out in the elements as they leave the area.

Only a handful of people are left in Skyhold. The mages have all relocated to Redcliffe, the majority of forces released from service or returned to their original patrons. Even all of the servants are gone, Bethroot taking the time to write out letter after letter of recommendation, to help them all find new positions.

Rainier wonders who will claim the fortress for their own after the Inquisition formally relinquishes it’s hold. Surely someone will try to set themselves up as lord of the Frostback Mountains. Or perhaps Ferelden or Orlais will try to sneak in and expand their territory before the other country notices.

Whatever Skyhold’s future brings, Rainier won’t be a part of it any longer.

Seems strange to think that. Skyhold’s been his home for almost four years now, the longest stretch he’s had in his adult life. His time in the Orlesian army was spent chasing after the next promotion and never settling down. Back then he was content to sleep in the barracks, close to the men and women under his command, hoarding his gold as best he could, never having enough.

“We just need the Inquisitor and we’ll be on our way,” Josephine says quietly. Next to her stands her husband, Adorno, his fingers curled into the fabric at her waist. Rainier didn’t quite understand why Lady Montilyet was willing to enter an arranged marriage, but it seems to have worked out for the two of them. And anyway, who is he to judge someone else’s choice.

“I suppose that means I should find her,” Rainier says.

He already knows exactly where she is; he saw her sneak into the barn not too long ago. The stables have been empty for weeks. Rainier can admit he misses the horses and especially misses the steady companionship of Horse Master Dennet.

His wife - and he will never tire of calling her that - has been quiet these past few days. Whenever Bethroot is quiet, there’s always a small part of him that worries. He’s grown so used to her talking about everything and anything under the sun, that when she chooses to keep her thoughts to herself, something feels off.

This quiet, though, he understands. She’s disbanded everything she’s built over the past four years. Not to mention the threat of bloody Solas lurking behind every piece of news they receive across the southern continent.

He can see her silhouette as he enters the barn. Bethroot is sitting on the stairs leading up to the loft. Before he even enters her line of sight, she asks, “It’s time?”

“Yes.”

When he stands before her, he’s not sure of what to expect. Will she be sad? Resigned? For what it’s worth, Rainier’s looking forward to a bit of an adventure. Bethroot gave away most of the Inquisition’s funds away to those leaving its service, leaving hardly any for herself. They won’t have much coin, and for someone once so controlled by gold, it’s absolutely liberating.

To his relief, she’s smiling. Not broadly, but enough that Rainier believes it’s real.

Bethroot glances up towards the loft. “How many times do you think we had sex up there over the years?”

Rainier holds out his hand. “I don’t think I can count that high, Bethy.”

She laughs, just like he hopes, and places her hand in hers. “We’ll have to find new places, won’t we?” she asks.

“I can show you a few of my old favorites in Markham,” he says.

Markham. Hard to believe he’s going back there by choice. But he and Bethroot want to tour the Free Marches a bit, see what sort of good they can do, before taking Varric up on his offer of a home in Kirkwall.

He must admit, he’s looking forward to introducing Bethroot to his cousins and the few aunts and uncles that are still in town. Perhaps they’ll have time to explore a few of his old haunts.

“I just… It’s hard to believe this day is finally here,” Bethroot says, squeezing his hand.

“Better days ahead, I think,” Rainier says, truly meaning the words. There’s a sense of freedom with the Inquisition disbanded. He and Bethroot can go wherever they want, do whatever they want. Solas, that bastard, still remains a threat, but they can still have a life of their own. Start a family of their own.

Bethroot nods and stops just as they leave the barn doors. She looks back and Rainier does, too. His woodworking table’s still there, though his tools are packed safely away. His chair in front of the fire. Four years, this had been home.

“Better days ahead,” she repeats, her voice full of promise.

you have so much goodness coming!

smileslikeparentheses hat auf deinen Eintrag geantwortet “Tfw you fall in love with a new fandom and want to gorge yourself on...”

LEVERAGE LEVERAGE LEVERAGE!!!!

thisonelikesaliens hat auf deinen Eintrag geantwortet “Tfw you fall in love with a new fandom and want to gorge yourself on...”

YES YES YES YES YES THIS MAKES ME SO HAPPY YESSSSSSSSSSS

IT IS!!?!? SO?!??!! GOOD!!!!??!!

I mean, I was absolutely expecting to be entertained, but I definitely did NOT expect to be sucker-punched right in the feelings (Character driven conflict! Genuine moral dilemmas! Hardison the precious nerd baby!!!)

Right now I’m pacing myself at one episode per day to make it last as long as possible, but at the same time getting more and more anxious about not knowing if they’re all going to be all right in the end (They’re going to be all right, right? No spoilers, but I really need to know if I should prepare to have my heart broken over this beautiful disaster family *cries in fangirl love*)

Does your city have a car sharing system in place like zipcar? I've heard good things about those for if you only need a car sometimes. Some of my coworkers use them just to have a car to pick up heavy groceries and pet supplies

...

We do have Zipcar in PVD, but it’s not especially convenient. One of the things that pushed me over the edge in car-buying is that I got offered more shifts at the gym, but all starting at 5am. Taking a car to and from work multiple days a week for at least 6 hours at a time is enough that I want to just have my own car. Besides, if I get a beater I can just buy it outright and the insurance & taxes will be very low. 

When reading some good night fic suddenly gives you a major flashback to one of the best days ever. :) last year @smileslikeparentheses and I spent a day in a botanic garden and went for breakfast there and when I paid the lady told me to get my utensils around the corner. Me, never ever heard of "utensils" for it going to smiles asking "smiles, what are my tensils??" xD I mean come on, I know fork and spoon and knife, but never heard of utensils for those three things before. My kitchen English is non existent because I never use it in everyday conversations, right? Took us a while to figure out what I was missing.

I love you so much, dear. May the universe treat you good and make you happy. <3