She never thought she'd ever get to kiss him. First a Brother, then a Prince, and for all her mother told her she was an Amell, and the equal of anyone in Kirkwall, she knew she was really just a farm-girl, a tavern-rat, more comfortable with bandits and mercs than nobles.
Even as Champion, the recognition scratched rather than soothed, an itch between her shoulder blades where she couldn't reach. Too much, too soon, too fragile. It wasn't real, not in any way that mattered.
He didn't seem to care about all the things she knew, however, one warm summer night outside the Chantry, a whisper of how he wished they'd met in better times, so they were both free to act on their desires. And perhaps, some day, after the storm they could both feel brewing finally broke, they'd have another chance?
It was more hope than she'd ever allowed herself before, a murmured agreement in the dark, the warmth of his hand against her skin, the brush of his lips against her mouth.
Of course, the storm broke more than buildings, destroyed more than lives, darkness and rage in his eyes as he left, betrayal too painful to forgive. She never saw him again, though she never forgot that one sweet moment of possibility, treasured that ache of hope in her heart, no matter how painfully it had shattered.
Once and Only
Even as Champion, the recognition scratched rather than soothed, an itch between her shoulder blades where she couldn't reach. Too much, too soon, too fragile. It wasn't real, not in any way that mattered.
He didn't seem to care about all the things she knew, however, one warm summer night outside the Chantry, a whisper of how he wished they'd met in better times, so they were both free to act on their desires. And perhaps, some day, after the storm they could both feel brewing finally broke, they'd have another chance?
It was more hope than she'd ever allowed herself before, a murmured agreement in the dark, the warmth of his hand against her skin, the brush of his lips against her mouth.
Of course, the storm broke more than buildings, destroyed more than lives, darkness and rage in his eyes as he left, betrayal too painful to forgive. She never saw him again, though she never forgot that one sweet moment of possibility, treasured that ache of hope in her heart, no matter how painfully it had shattered.