garrulously | canon threads

( it was a beautiful game while it lasted, and she will keep the notes until forced to part from them -- and even then they would have to fight her to take them from her. she squeezes his hand in reassurance and promise. how could she have fallen so quickly for him? she hadn't thought, when she left for the conclave, that her life could become like this. but she wouldn't exchange it for anything.

she wouldn't trade her relationship with him for anything, either. )

We will. ( that she can promise him. ) Even if I have to claw it from Josephine myself.

[ If only he knew whether her feelings for him would change if she were told the truth. It was a bridge he dare not even think of crossing, not now.

His thumb strokes along hers and he nods in agreement. ]

Your time is more valuable than dealing with squabbling nobility, [ he says firmly. ] The world burns around them and they have time to keep their attentions elsewhere.

( it is his downfall that he takes that chance away from her every day without telling her. but she knows nothing of the turmoil that lurks under his skin -- there is some great sadness that she knows lurks behind his eyes. cole has made that clear, and blackwall too when they reminisce about old battles. but she can do nothing to ease whatever hurt there is, and so she does not press for it, for any answer other than those he gives.

what she does do is lean against him if he will let her, her head resting on his shoulder even as her lips twitch up in amusement. )

They are just as much a part of this world as you or I, Solas. And I can't bring them to heel without making them feel as if I care about their petty squabbles. ( her eyes flutter shut, letting the moment wash over them. ) But I am grateful for the chance to escape it for an hour or two.

As I am aware, [ he returns with a small sigh. He leans his head against hers for the time being, in thought.

In so many ways both he and the Inquisition is fortunate that she was the one who bore the mark. It is a pain he did not want her to bear, one he had wanted in order to open his focus and wield it. That she had it and was able to command the respect that she did was something he admired greatly.

If anyone deserved moments of peace, it was her. He turns his head enough to kiss the top of her head and murmurs into her hair, ] I am here as you need me, vhenan.

( the calm that overtakes her at his acceptance of the small gesture of fondness is indescribable; it was something she needed in what felt like a whirlwind of demands. just a moment to bring herself some quiet, and his affirmation warms her in ways she doesn't think he understands.

she feels as if everyone else places her upon pedestals -- solas is no exception to that, not really. but she is not on it as inquisitor, as herald. she is simply elera lavellan, vhenan, to him, and yet he exalts her. it's flattering, it's humbling, it is what she wants. to be known as herself, and not anyone else. to have someone love and praise the parts of her that matter.

selfish, maybe, but she thinks she is allowed such a small thing. )

I shall always need you, ma'ar lath. But for tonight -- can I convince you to share my tent? ( not sex, no. she knows his boundaries there. but she has always felt comforted by his presence, and she would want nothing more in the moment than to spend the night pressed against him. )

[ Selfish, but he had felt similar longings. With the Inquisition, with her, he was simply Solas. A man who wandered and held an expertise that they so desperately needed. It was a part of a larger whole of why he felt he could not tell her the truth about him, of his other self. The mantle of the Dread Wolf was one he had temporarily shrugged off and he wanted to hold onto that for as long as he could before he was forced to step into that role.

Which brought him here, with her. Solas and Elera. That was all they had need to be when together. ]

You would need to do little to persuade me, [ he returns. He has as much need to be near her as she does of him. ]

That easily? And here I thought I needed to have an argument pre-crafted to convince you about the appeal of sharing body heat.

( an easy tease, but one that doesn't fully betray her joy at getting him to agree. for a night, for a moment, she could just pretend that she is only elera, and he is only solas, and that would be enough. it would always be enough, as simple as it was. but she's a simple woman, and he -- unassuming and plainly dressed -- must be a simple man.

although-- )

This still doesn't solve what I'm getting you for the holiday. You've been very unforthcoming.

[ If only he could be that simple.

At her words, he laughs, light though no less warm. This was a side of himself only she got to see, the one in the Inquisition he trusted most to reveal it to. They had their share of arguments, but they always came back to this, this strange feeling of belonging. How much longer would this last? ]

As I told you, I would much rather be surprised, [ he supplies with a shake of his head. ] However, you could fall back on frilly cakes.

[ Despite her insistence she give him something else. ]

( her argument would be that it could be, if he allowed himself to be. but that is neither here nor there. elera smiles, bright and full of affection. whatever might come their way, whatever the world will throw at her, she is glad she has this -- this moment in a sea of others that make her feel as if she's drowning. he is her calm in the storm, and she is ever thankful for him. )

That is far too easy. And I like being able to get you those anyway. The cost of getting them is more than made up for by your delight.

( perhaps rare paint? she'd look into it. )

[ Ah yes, she did seem to enjoy getting those for him. It was a small joy in the ever-changing present. He takes a moment to take in her smile. That he could bring such joy to anyone was strange to him. ]

I already have a gift in mind for you, [ he muses teasingly. ] A surprise, of course.

( that nearly makes her roll her eyes. of course he does, and of course he'd keep it a surprise. but she grins anyway, leaning into him even in front of the rest of her party. what do they care? they already know that she's involved with him, a choice not by her own doing but because skyhold never seems to be free of rumors. )

And with any surprise, do I have a chance to attempt to get the answer from you beforehand?

Edited 2017-11-15 04:45 (UTC)

[ He pretends to consider her question before shaking his head. ]

You may ask, but I make no promises. [ Sorry Elera, her chances of receiving more than the smallest hint were scant if that. He has kept far greater matters secret that this would be simple. ]

( the pretending to think about it earns him a teasing elbow -- she knows he wouldn't give it up so easily. but he doesn't have to tease her about it so. )

I wasn't thinking about asking, more about... using other means to attempt to discover it. But-- is it small enough to fit in a pack?

[ A jab that he knows is well-deserved. He gives her a playful look and shrugs. ]

Are you so impatient you cannot wait such a short time? [ he asks, brow raised. ] That will depend.

[ Because he hasn't made it yet. ]

( damn him for his cryptic answers, for elera absolutely feels as if he knows what he's getting her and not saying. he's always enjoyed being difficult to pin down. )

Not impatient, Solas. Eager. ( and there is clearly a difference. ) On?

( see if she can get him to spill more. )

On your final gift, [ he answers simply. Maddening, he knows, but he will not spoil it so soon. He gives her a light nudge with his shoulder and gestures to her tent. ]

We do need rest.

[ At some point. ]

Final gift. So there are to be more than one?

( maddening beyond belief. but such is the way of solas, and elera won't push so far as to make him uncomfotable. what she will do, however, is stand and offer her his hand. whatever conversation they might have can be continued in her tent, away from prying eyes and listening ears. )

Then come with me, Solas. We can continue this line of questioning in a minute or two.

That remains to be seen.

[ Another tease, but he accepts her hand and pulls himself up. Without another thought, he strides towards her tent and is more than prepared to settle back down once inside.

He shifts to face her and give her a small warning, ] If you are hoping to learn more, you will be disappointed.

Will I?

( now that they are alone, lavellan closes the distance between them with ease. they've been apart for too long, and she's missed him -- utterly and shamefully in a way she doesn't want to admit to herself. so she wraps her arms around his neck if he'll let her, and press herself up against him more.

this is their time to enjoy, and she fully intends on milking it for all it is worth. )

I'm not sure you could disappoint me at this point, Solas--

[ His expression softens as he wraps his arms around her. The way she fit against him perfectly brought a warmth to him beyond hers. A stolen moment that was all theirs. ]

That is one challenge I will choose to ignore, [ he teases lightly. No, he much preferred it when he could bring a smile to her face. ]

Good.

( she leans in to kiss him at last, enjoying the fact that she has him under her hands once more. their relationship isn't purely physical, and elera would never think of trading away the emotional intimacy they enjoy for it, but he is warm and solid and not bad looking. she could hardly ask for more. )

And you're sure I won't be able to pull out any more secrets from you?

( about her gifts, of course, her fingertips massaging the back of his scalp as she smiles against his lips. pulling away is unthinkable at the moment, even though she knows she must in order to sleep. )

[ There was far more between them than the physical. He leans into the kiss, cupping her cheek even as their lips part. All that she was and she chose to spend what precious time she had with him. ]

It would hardly be a fair trade. You want me to spoil both of our surprises. [ Another slight tease since she had been trying to get ideas from as well. ]

Patience. I promise it is something you will enjoy.

( she would be happy to remain kissing him forever, and promptly puts aside their conversation to kiss him again --
this time she presses her advantage, sweeping her tongue into his mouth when given the opportunity. she will press as much as she can, and retreat whenever he wants to. )

I hadn't considered you a fan of surprises before this. I stand corrected.

And that was never in doubt.

[ If that is what she seeks--his tongue gladly meets hers as they deepen the kiss and he grips her tightly, holding her close to him. This had happened quickly between them and he knew he had fallen headfirst into this passion. With how little time they would have together, it had seemed foolish to wait.

When he pulls back, it's to breathe. ]

From you? [ he asks, slowly catching his breath. ] Any sign of your affection is welcomed for it means you have found it worthwhile to spare me such thought.

( they should stop before they truly get carried away, but elera can't find it within her to want to -- solas is warm, his mouth is welcoming, and the way he speaks after she's taken his breath away is intoxicating. she can't pull away. )

You speak as if you're not worthy of it. ( a strange thing for a man who sometimes seems so enraptured in her because she meets and exceeds his expectations. ) Nothing could be further from the truth.

( but he was right -- they will need to rest soon. so she traces the line of his jaw, the curve of his ear. )

We should get ready to sleep.

( and while she would happily strip while he watched, she's not certain if that's something he wanted. )

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