Me and @alystrin03 worked together on this (she edited whilst I'm posting and gave her Vel's info)! Thank you @doctormur for the tags on both our ends ❤️❤️❤️
Imagine me in a long empty hallway screaming non stop, that has been my vibe for like the past week and I am on the fucking struggle god damn bus but it’s fine, im so fine
However, I have slowly been pecking at some of my writing and I needed something that wasn’t a bunch of chapters long so I have started on a certain threesome that has been high anticapted and as a gift to the ever wonderful @adhd-riddled-crow and @alystrin03 for their endless support even through my very long dark out on tumblr and in the fandom and they just deserve the absolute best.
It’s not edited and was very much a intoxicated write so far but I think it’w going in a good direction. This has been the more fun work I’ve been going to while working on Caging of A Dove and a special 50th work on Ao3 im working on in a fandom that isn’t dead persay but is def in a sorry state with a relationship that I think needs so much more fic and a OC that is trurly the most self insert to ever self insert (even more than the literal Skunch from VG lol) but I wanted my 50th work to be something special to my heart. It’s a story that has been in fanfic restart and rewrite hell since 2022 and it’s not exactly what I always pictured but it is the sticky icky gooey toxicity I need in life right now lol but im not spiraling on that becasue im trying to ignore a bigger issue in my life, im so chill
ANYWAY
Here is a uneditied short bit from a one shot featureing Bas, Alecto ( @alystrin03 ) and Velasco ( @adhd-riddled-crow ) ((This is from the intro that’s set in Bas perspective but we do switch it up later and then go back solely because my old man cannot know peace and I needed something terribe to be happening to him :))
Bas masked his smile as he walked out the door compltelty, letting it close behind him softly before he headed out of House de Riva, aiming himself straight for the cloest bar with the loudest music playing. It didn’t take long for a tune to draw him in, one of those bards that sat pratically on the canals, the wine delievered fresh from the trade boats. Being the end of the night, espically after a long week of digging their heels into the parts of the city the Antaam had been trying to take back. Those who weren’t used to qunari tatics wer worn down far easier than those who had experienced it before. Bas, however, had been inside those war plans. From the days when he was suppose to be a baker and he would watch those trainings outside of the window in his culnary class from when his magic was discovered and he was transformed into a Saarebas, being the center of the battle plans used during those times. He knew how they perpared, he knew how they moved and he knew how they recovered. Nothing he had learned with the Crows was ever as recovering as the Qun’s way, froce yourself through it because you will rest when you are dead.
Bas wasn’t dead yet, so he had no reaosn to rest.
The qunari slipped into the bar, first spotting the band on stage, giving the kind of energy that onyl came when a preformer knew the crowd was depenind on them to keep the mood going. A tiredness seeped through the entire room, everyone had a bond deep exhausiton but the music kept their voices louds and bodies up right. Everyone did seem to be kind of drifting back anf forth, side to side not the kind that too much drinking caused, but the kind running ragid gave, but there was definetly made worse by the heavy drinking everyone was parking taking in. Bas had just reached the counter, gestur4ed to the bartrender for a whiskey when he heard a tired yet bright voice come from behind.
“If it isn’t Bas de Riva.”
The qunari siled, grabbed his glass and turned to the booth behind him, giving the two other crows a wide smile.
I still have to add to the Minrathous chase and I will! Been cooking smth in my brain for it! While we wait here's a bit of the The de Riva siblings™️
Aria meeting Alecto ( @alystrin03) and Fillip ( @i-creatied-au)
Ages for Time keeping purposes
Alecto - 11 years old
Fillip - 9 years old
Aria - 8 years old
Word count: 693
The travel to Salle was long, for eight year old Ash'anne Aria Arainai-Lavellan it felt much longer. The days after her parents murder and Viago finding her in her wardrobe felt blurred together, almost like a dream. When they finally approached the de Riva estate, Aria was asleep. Her head lay on Viago's lap as he absentmindedly played with her long wavy black hair. When they drew near, Viago woke her. “When we get to the estate.” He started, his eyes looking out of the carriages window instead at the young elven girl that looked too much like the bodies he saw a month prior. The bodies of his mentor, the closest thing to a father, and his wife. “I shall introduce you to two other of my charges… You will no longer be” he paused. Aria's mismatched eyes bore into him, a wide eyed gaze that had shed many tears in the last month but had stopped in the last week. “You will no longer be Ash'anne Aria Arainai-Lavellan… you will be Aria de Riva. Do you understand?” Finally he tore his gaze from the window to look at the young elven girl, she was so small and fragile and now she was alone with only Viago left.
Aria didn't speak, she just nodded her head in response before folding her hands in her lap, her fingers fidgeting with her mother's wedding band. A dalish betrothal ring engraved with both Vesa's and Enzo's initials on the inside. It was one of the things Viago took from the elves’ apartment, having slipped it off Vesa’ cold finger. Sentiment value wasn't something he was particularly good at, but it was something he believed she may have wanted and he was right. The young girl hadn't stopped messing with it or let it go since he gave it to her. He looked away from her, his eyes focusing back on the window as they made the final small stretch to the estate.
Once they were in the estate, Viago had Aria stand in the living room. She found it hard to keep from staring in awe of how large the estate was compared to her once small apartment within the Antiva City Alienage. She stared up at the high ceiling, her hand clenching around her mamae's ring until the doors opened up then she tore her gaze to them. Two children were led in by Servants who hung around, their eyes kept low to the ground. Aria nervously fidgeted with the ring as she stared at two human children.
Interactions with humans were few and far in-between and rarely were they pleasant, Viago was the only Human Aria felt safe around the only one who didn't sneer or insult her family. The only one who didn't appear to hold the same aggression she had seen from others. Just as she was taught, Aria put her gaze down, keeping from looking at them instead at their feet.
“Aria, you can look up.” Viago said, his voice cool showing no emotion. A pattern Aria had come to notice in recent times. She did as he said and lifted her gaze finally meeting the two other pairs of young eyes. A girl and a boy stared back at her. The girl was slightly taller than the boy, her dark hair long and pulled into a braid. The boy had light hair and was kept short. Both held a curiosity toward her. “Alecto, Fillip this is Aria she will be starting her training under me.”
The girl, Alecto, slowly smiled at her before walking to Aria. “It's nice to meet you!” She held her hand out but Aria just stared at it before looking up to Viago. All he did was nod slightly urging her. Before she could take her hand, Alecto grabbed hers and pulled her along and out of the room, Fillip following close behind them.
Before long, Aria was running down the halls with Alecto as they ran from Fillip who held a frog in his hands, but it didn't last as long because training took over. Training to become an antivan crow, just like her papa.
Here we go, some long awaited fluff! Written together with @alystrin03
Rooks:
Shirevas - Me
Alecto - @alystrin03
CW; FLUFF
Word count: 4919
Since they had both admitted - somewhat loudly, though - their feelings, things between Alecto and Shirevas seemed to be going reasonably well. Work at the Lighthouse kept them busier than they would like, though they were doing their best to spend what free time they had together.
But even so, Alecto didn't see her partner enough. She wanted to be with them, to be happy after the grim events of the last few weeks - after all, one can never know when things might go wrong during a mission.
She took a deep breath before knocking on her partner's bedroom door.
"Little Dragon? Are you in there?" Darius II's mewl preceded the elf opening the door, his expression drowsy.
"Amata?" Was all they could ask.
As soon as she saw their face, Alecto leaned in to savour those lips she loved so much, a kiss that Shirevas responded to with eagerness, grabbing her companion's waist and pulling her close to them. Though the desire to lock the door behind them was intense, Alecto managed to stay strong
"You and I, right now, are going on a date. A real one," she giggled, resting her forehead against her lover's, "With drinks, a sunset and a romantic dinner in Treviso. This time it's on me. You better say yes because I'm not moving from here until you do. I miss you so much, Little Dragon, no matter how much time I spend with you, it will always seem not enough".
Shirevas sighed happily, already relaxing in the arms of their lover. The chaos of the past few weeks could easily be forgotten right then and there. Every pain and misery felt like it had happened years ago.
Smiling softly, they closed their eyes. “What if I don't want you to ever move from that spot? You are in the perfect spot after all.” They teased, shifting to peck her lips a few times which Alecto responded to quickly. Shirevas certainly loved hearing Alecto’s voice, just talking to them.
“I am definitely saying yes to that date, it sounds absolutely lovely. I have missed you too Amata and getting to spend a day with you sounds absolutely perfect.”
A meow interrupted them, and the two of them looked down to see Darius II looking at them almost judgingly. Both Alecto and Shirevas chuckled at that and they seperated from the embrace to briefly give attention to the kitten, both giving him little chin scratches. “Sorry sweetie, we both gotta go, okay?” The responding meow was all they needed and they closed the door behind them, grasping onto Alecto’s hand. “Now lead the way sweetheart.” The other grinned in response, hugging their hand before tugging them along to show the way.
Alecto had to make a real effort at the suggestion that they stay there, together, but after all, Shirevas deserved absolutely everything and a date was definitely one of the things they had left to do.
Feeling their fingers intertwined with hers brought a smile to her face, and she couldn't help but tilt her head to lean against her lover's shoulder, letting them take her around the waist as they walked.
"Is there anything you fancy doing first, love?" she asked, as they made their way to the Eluvian's living room. "I had thought about going to the Mercado Grande and then to one of the Cafés, but I don't mind the order as long as we're together.
It was exciting, to be able to go on a proper date with Alecto, seeing as that first time in Minrathous could barely be counted as one. But there was also the slight pang of pain at seeing Treviso, something they pushed away quickly.
Feeling Alecto's hair tickle their neck, they sighed softly as they neared the Eluvian. “I have no preferences, Amata.” They grinned, kissing the top of her head. “I want to go into this blind, let you take the lead. Surprise me. I wanna do everything.” Something twinkled in their eyes, a deep sense of love for the other as they walked through the Eluvian.
“And trust me everything will be what we do, you know I can never get enough of you." Alecto stroked their face softly, smiling lovingly at them, "I'm glad we finally have time for each other. I'd give you the whole world if I could, Little Dragon, but I'm afraid you'll have to settle for me."
They took their time on the Crossroads, knowing they were unhurried and together, and after a while they reached the huge mirror that left them in Treviso after crossing it. Without letting go of each other's hand for a second, they walked across the roof of the Diamond to the rooftops.
"We're not going to use the zip lines today, my love. We'll go down to ground level and first, if it's okay with you, we'll walk around the Market. I want to enjoy your company, I want everyone to see how lucky I am to have Shirevas Mercar by my side" Squeezing their hand for a second, Alecto made them both stop so she could give the elf an intense, deep, emotionally charged kiss.
They grinned, eyes twinkling in mischief. “I've already settled for the world, love.” They made sure to peck her cheek in response. “Because you are my world.” They didn't give a single shit how sappy that made them sound.
It had been a bit of a surprise that they wouldn't be using the zipline, the few times they had been in Treviso previously, they almost exclusively went with the rooftops. But this was a nice change of pace at the very least.
“You can take me anywhere and I'd be okay with it.” Shirevas teased, a happy sigh escaping as they responded to the kiss with the same energy. A few moments passed before they broke it, hands moving to cradle Alecto’s face. “I'm the lucky one here, love. You have no idea how lucky I am to have you by my side.” They leaned forward to give her a kiss, a short one this time. Taking her hand properly, they tugged on it for a bit. “So, my beautiful crow, shall we walk around the market then?”
"I've got a couple of ideas" Alecto stroked their face, smiling "Come on".
She led them through the candlelit streets, slipping an arm around their waist, happy to share the day with them. Their destination was the flower stall, one of the most colourful and fragrant in the whole market, where she placed a huge bouquet of lavender flowers in their hands.
"I've been thinking about this shop since I met you" she kissed them softly "every time I walk by here you come to mind, if you ever manage to get out of it. It was a place I wanted to bring you to, it has the best flowers in the whole city. So when you dry them you'll remember today and how happy you made me".
Their next destination was a small café, off the bustling main street. It was a cosy, inconspicuous establishment with an indoor terrace overlooking the canal and the buildings in the evening light.
They took a table a little apart from the rest, next to one of the lattices. Alecto was gazing up at Shirevas, her smile leaving no doubt as to how she felt about them.
“They have the best hot drinks in town, Dragonkin. I like to be here for that, but also because it’s peaceful. Ideal for a date, don’t you think?”
Following along after Alecto, they just kept staring in awe at everything. There was something magical about the market, with the candlelit areas. It was cozy and romantic. Shirevas would not mind staying here longer than intended.
“You're gonna melt my heart with all of this, you know.” They smiled brightly at her, taking moments in between to just press kisses to Alecto’s face. But what really got them was the bouquet pressed into their hands and they swore their eyes were getting misty. “And it's my favorite flower as well.” They blushed, mostly out of adoration for the human. “I…thank you so much, this means so much to me.” Shirevas knew already that they were gonna dry and press them, before placing them in one of their non-research sketchbooks.
All they wanted to do was keep kissing the other to show their everlasting appreciation for her. But instead they kept following dutifully until they were at the cafe. The cafe being small helped with the cozy and warm feeling.
They took a moment to just gaze out at the canal, admiring the way the light reflected in the water. Turning back to meet Alecto’s gaze, the grinned, happiness radiating off of them. “I need to come up with more petnames for you, you have so many perfect ones for me.” Chuckling, they reached for her hand to kiss the palm of it.
“It's perfect for a date, Amata.” Closing their eyes, they took a moment to just appreciate the atmosphere. “So do you have any drinks you would recommend here?”
"'Other than you, you mean?" Alecto let out a giggle, smiling as she had never smiled before. Her love for her partner was something that was all over her, and she knew that with them around, she didn't need anything else in the world. "Personally, you know I like cioccolata calda, but that's a personal preference. They say the coffee is wonderful, and that they have a selection of teas brought in from beyond Rivain and Par Vollen."
The city lights illuminated Shirevas' features, endowing them with an even greater beauty than they already had. Alecto tilted her head to look at her, in a gesture all her own.
"I want to be like this forever, my love. With you. I don't care what happens to the whole world if I can be in your arms" She leaned forward, leaving a long, slow kiss on her lover's lips "I'm in love with you like I've never been before. You light up my whole life, you give it meaning. I love you, Shirevas. Don't ever forget that.”
Shirevas’ face lit up constantly for every word that came out of Alecto's mouth, and they could in all honesty stay there forever. They couldn’t get enough of her, nor could they ever get enough of the kisses they shared. “I'm not even gonna pretend to know how to properly pronounce that name. I'm so gonna get the chocolate drink if it's as sweet as you.” Their heart was swelling so much, nothing else mattered then being there with her.
Looking at Alecto, they had to further take in the image of her. The way the light reflected on her, how she was smiling in such an adoring way, and how looking at her made Shirevas realize how much they so irrevocably loved her. They had to lean forward to give her another long, slow kiss in response, mostly to keep from crying at how much the words meant to them.
“I wish I was as good as you with words, love.” They sighed softly. “I love you so much Alecto, nothing can ever take me away from you. I wish to freeze time so we can always have these moments, Amata.”
"I'm from Antiva, Dragonkin, words are our speciality," Alecto chuckled. "Just as you've shown me how good someone from Tevinter is at magic, because you've caught me with yours."
The waiter brought them both their steaming cups of cioccolata. Alecto took the opportunity to look at her partner, resting her head on one of her hands.
"You know, before our first date I had already noticed you. You're incredibly beautiful, much more than you think, and inside even more so. I couldn't take my eyes off you, but I was too terrified to talk to you. Putting that message on the stupid board was one of the best decisions I've ever made".
She placed her hand over Shirevas', stroking it gently. "I hope you like the drink! It's one of my favourites, you know I'm not too fond of coffee. And I also hope you're liking Treviso.... I confess I was a bit scared, with everything that's happened".
She had told no lies. Ever since she had arrived at the Lighthouse, Shirevas Mercar's presence had mesmerised her, with that unique face and reddish hair. Alecto may have thought it was merely physical attraction, but getting to know them had made her fall in love with them frighteningly fast. That was the reason why the days after the Minrathous catastrophe had been so hard: the possibility of losing them was something she couldn't even think about. After everything that had happened, and what little Shirevas had told her of their former life, Alecto knew she would devote her entire life to making them happy, or at least as long as they were together.
“I love that, the word you're using, ‘Dragonkin’.” Shirevas needed to think of another petname for Alecto, they realized. “Speaking of magic, want me to cool down your drink a little?” They wiggled their fingers a little, already having cooled down their own to a drinkable temperature that was still warm.
“I'll admit, you intrigued me as well. You seemed a bit shy though so I didn't approach you. That message on the notice board gave me a reason, and I am immensely grateful that you did come seek me out.” Alecto’s hand was so soft, surprisingly so for an assassin, they wanted to hold onto that hand for as long as possible.
“Alecto, sweetheart. I have no ill will towards Treviso, I admit I had some dark feelings in the beginning but I'm glad Treviso survived, it's such a beautiful city.” They admitted, lips tugging into a smile. “And the drink is also amazing, just like the city itself.”
The calm that was setting in was unnerving at first but they quickly relaxed to it. They hadn’t been this relaxed since before Minrathous. For quite some time, they had feared losing Alecto, first to possible dangers while they were being self destructive in Minrathous and second to how they had pushed her away. From that point, they promised to never push her away again. There were still things they needed to tell her, about their own past and they also wished to know more about Alecto’s past but all of that could wait, there was no rush.
Bringing Alecto’s hand up, they gently kissed the top of it. “Thank you so much for bringing me here.”
Alecto laughed softly, "Thank you for coming here with me. For loving me this way. I never thought there was anything in me that was worth caring about, but the fact that you're here, by my side, makes me feel like maybe there's something worthy in me."
Both chocolates were at a pleasant temperature to taste, and Alecto lifted the cup to her lips. She smiled as she saw a small smudge at the corner of her lover's lips, which she wiped with her thumb, slowly, a gesture that Shirevas took the opportunity to turn their head slightly and let her caress their mouth, placing a soft kiss on her fingers.
"Someday, when we feel it's time, I'd like to tell you a little about my life here. What it was like before I met you." She sighed. Shirevas had changed her for the better, and Alecto wanted them to know that. "I don't wish there to be anything about me that you don't know, Dragonkin, unless it's by your choice. But not today. Today I want it to be a night that neither of us will forget, in a good way. I want to see your eyes shining with happiness, though, to be honest, it's something I've set out to achieve every day you have me by your side.”
Shirevas hummed softly. “Amata, you are worth everything to me, and I will gladly spend all my time convincing you how much worth you carry.”
The way she had wiped away the smudge was so tender, it had their heart beating so fast. Just as tender as when Alecto also took their hand to press a kiss to the palm of their hand.
Hearing the other mention she wanted them to know more about them, had them smiling brightly. “I'd love to learn more about you and your life before all this.” Humming, they looked at Alecto with pure adoration in their eyes. “I have stuff myself I'd wanna tell you about but you're right, we can do that later, right now I only wanna be here, with you.” Shirevas then winked at her. “And I'm always happy when with you, I just hope to make you feel the same all the time.”
‘Shirevas’ Alecto's expression was one of the most serious the elf had ever seen her ’Since we've been together, you are the reason every moment is worth living for. I want to spend every day with you because to me you are perfect every day. And now, my dear, if you have finished your cioccolata, our next activity awaits.’
Taking her partner by the waist, Alecto led them through the canals until, after descending a flight of stairs, they reached a gondola port. A small gondola awaited them, and they stepped onto it for a ride between the buildings. Alecto gazed at Shirevas in rapture, watching their eyes light up at the whimsical facades, and sharing with them the details of the various constructions. They were seated together, their arms around her, Alecto's head resting on her shoulders. She couldn't have been happier than she was at that moment.
“You really spoil me Alecto.” They sighed, content to just exist in the moment. “Would it be sappy of me to say I feel the same way. Of wanting to be with you all the time?”
Riding the gondola was so soothing, the tiny waves and lights mesmerizing. They leaned their head on top of hers as the gondola kept floating on. It was almost lulling them to sleep. Thankfully they didn't as the shifting of the gondola signalled it was time to go.
As Alecto helped them out of the gondola, she pulled them in by their hips for another slow and long kiss. Shirevas giggled against her lips. “Have I told you I love you today, Alecto?”
Alecto pretended to attempt a memory, resting a finger to her lips and twisting her face, ‘Hmmm... I don't know, but you can tell me as many times as you want. Because, personally, I'll never get tired of saying it to you.’
Shirevas pressed their mouth against hers again, kissing her deeper, as they grabbed her by the waist to be even closer, if that was possible. She was almost tempted to call it a day in Treviso and suggest they return to the Lighthouse immediately, but she summoned the last of her willpower to prevent it.
‘’Little Dragon,‘’ she whispered to them, ‘’do you fancy dinner now, or is there anything else you want to do while we're here? Though I reckon I personally could stay like this, together, kissing you, for the rest of my life.’ She kissed them again, tasting the lips she loved so much, ‘I'm crazy about you, amor mío.’
“Then I will continue to say I love you for as long as you need to hear it. For eternity if I must.”
In all honesty, they could stay there forever, just kissing Alecto in her arms. They had no reason to stop the kissing, not when they could truly feel how much Alecto loved them. It was suffocating in a way that had them craving more and more.
Reluctantly breaking the kiss, they leaned their forehead against Alecto’s. They wanted so badly to just go back to the Lighthouse and sleep, and cuddle and whatever else. But they also wanted to see everything Alecto had planned. “I want this fancy dinner you've planned, then I want us to go back to the lighthouse so we can nap together.”
‘I want to do a lot more than just nap, but as you wish, my love,’ Alecto smiled, framing the elf's wonderful face with her hands. She gave them a quick kiss, before taking them again by the waist for their last stop in the city.
Alecto had chosen a quiet, unfrequented restaurant. They climbed a flight of stairs and came to a terrace on top of one of the buildings, from which they could see Treviso in all its magnificence. The lights of the Opera, the Casino, illuminated everything around them, but Alecto only had eyes for her companion.
They were served a simple starter, composed mostly of Antivan Olives, and Alecto chose for both of them a plate of Cacio e Pepe, as well as what they called ‘Crow Feed', with rice, onions and butter.
Shirevas daintily divided their food, while Alecto could not pay too much attention to hers, absorbed as she was in contemplating the person who had filled her with happiness in such a short period of time.
The place was absolutely gorgeous, and breathtaking. Alecto was spoiling them and for a brief moment, they felt unworthy of all this love. But it disappeared just as quickly, thinking of all the love they kept pouring out at each other.
The starters they were served once they were at the table were delicious and they hummed, delighted at the food.
It didn't take long before they noted how captivated Alecto was with them and they smiled gently, moving to take a piece of food from her plate and proceed to feed her with it. Their smile grew wider when their lover responded by eating it without pausing. “Love, maybe you should eat the food instead of staring.” They grinned though. “I know I'm just as delicious but still.”
‘Meh’ Alecto replied, shaking her head ’I've eaten all my life, though not always as much as I should, I admit. But you? We've only been together for a few weeks now, and you're a delicacy I'll never tire of savouring.’
Alecto began twirling her fork, tasting a bit of the Cacio. She knew it was the speciality of the place and that, despite being a frequent dish in Antiva, this was much better than most she had ever tasted.
‘You know, Dragonskin?’ She confessed, looking down at her plate, with some melancholy ‘I still don't understand what you've seen in me. All my life I've been treated as if I didn't deserve to have my love reciprocated in the slightest, and suddenly you come along, showing me your feelings far more than I had expected. I used to think that the worst thing was unrequited love, but the possibility of losing you taught me that there is nothing worse than the person you love walking away from you.’
Shirevas sighed, but not out of annoyance or exasperation. Placing down the utensils, they moved to tilt Alecto’s face up.
“What do I see in you? I see a beautiful mind, someone I can laugh with, cry with and even fight with. I fell in love with you so fast it's almost insane and I'll admit, this is my first real relationship so I have no idea what I'm doing except fumble around. I never want to lose you either and you taught me that I should never push people away when I am hurt.” They smiled reassuringly. “And if you ever need more convincing, I will forever keep reminding you that I love you and only you. You have enchanted me in a way that I am loving.” They let go of Alecto after giving her a soft and deep kiss, trying to pour every ounce of their love into it.
“We don't have to finish the dinner if you don’t want, we can always go home and nap. It's all up to you. Either way, you have shown me the best night ever and I'm sure every day after will be just as good.”
Alecto blushed at those words. Shirevas made her happier than she had ever been, and she could no longer conceive of her life without them by her side.
"I promised you a date and I intend to keep it to the end," Shirevas looked at her with a knowing smile, "but the truth is, we only have dessert left."
They brought them each an Antivan Apple Grenade, a dish that Shirevas looked at with both curiosity and concern.
"Don't worry mi amor, they're only shaped like weapons, but they're harmless" Alecto bit her lower lip in amusement "Of course, you taste as exquisite as them , and you're beautiful too, but also deliciously deadly.”
They relaxed for a bit, huffing slightly. “You Antivans and your affinity with words.” Shirevas chuckled fondly. In all honesty, they wouldn't have been surprised if the dessert had been dangerous, crows at the very least seem to be the type to like living dangerously.
“I might die though, from the sweetness of both you and dessert!” They sighed overdramatically which quickly turned into soft giggles.
Before they could taste the dessert, Alecto had already taken a piece of it and offered it up to them. They happily took the piece and ate it. “Oh that is very delicious!”
Alecto smiled to see Shirevas enjoying the dessert so much. Someday she would learn to cook things like that, but only for them. Seeing that beloved face with such a wide smile made her heart skip a beat.
"So sweet eh? You're ruining my reputation as a ruthless assassin, Dragonkin, but I have something sweeter for you." She leaned forward, kissing her very slowly but also intensely, let Shirevas explore her mouth at full pleasure, their breaths mingling with the taste of the food.
They laughed into the kiss, responding eagerly in kind. Shirevas knew they could easily stay there forever if they wanted. Breaking the kiss with a smile, they hummed. “Hm, yeah that was much sweeter, and I think your reputation is still intact, but to me you are the sweetest.”
With two more short kisses, they both went back to eating the rest of the dessert, and before long they were done and already leaving out of the restaurant, holding each other closely, arm around waist and this time, Shirevas had their head leaning on Alecto’s shoulder, content to just be there.
As they walked, Alecto closed her eyes for a few seconds, completely relaxed.
"Well, Dragonkin," she said finally, placing a kiss on Shirevas' temple, "I'm afraid our date has come to an end, although we can repeat it as many times as you like. Do you want to go back to the Lighthouse, or would you rather we stay here in the flat I have? Personally, I don't care, as long as we're together.”
Shirevas sighed happily, feeling the most relaxed they'd been in forever. “In a way, every day we spend together is a date. But, I did enjoy it very much, thank you for this.”
They reached to peck her cheek. “I vote for your flat, I'd love to see it. Besides, I'm long overdue for a nap.” They teased with a grin.
‘Very well,’ chuckled Alecto, pressing against them, ‘but I warn you, it's been a while since anyone's lived there, for obvious reasons. I hope you won't judge me harshly.’
Treviso's night was clear, illuminated by the city lights but also with a sky full of stars. It was utterly impossible to make Alecto feel any happier than she was at that moment. She wanted to be like this forever, every moment of her life, with this person she had found so fortuitously but who so completely made her whole.
They arrived at the house that the Crow had occupied until a few weeks ago. There was still plenty of stuff there - not food, fortunately - and she hurried to open the window, letting some air in to cool the place down. Next she lit several of the candles she had distributed, while Shirevas explored the room at their leisure.
‘Well, Amata’ Alecto used the word tevene to refer to them, a sort of homage. ‘Here we are.’
She pressed her lips to his, in a long, passionate kiss, to which they both gave themselves completely, knowing they were out of prying eyes. Alecto's hands played with their hair, with the skin of their neck, while Shirevas held her tightly against them, grabbing her waist and caressing her back.
---
As they awoke the next morning, sunrays seeping in through the window, Shirevas just watched their lover sleep.
The way the sun hit her skin was mesmerizing to watch, and they could just watch her forever. Leaning forward, they gently kissed her awake. “Morning love.”
Alecto woke up slowly, smiling at the sight of her partner by her side. She kissed them slowly, letting their tongues intertwine leisurely, as she stroked their hair and pulled them closer.
'Good morning, Dragonkin,' she whispered to them. "I was going to say I can't think of a nicer way to wake up, but actually, I have a slight idea of how to improve things a bit. If you have any energy left after last night."
'Amata' Shirevas replied, mischievously at the tease ‘For you I always have energy to spare’.
Finished the game with my Trevelyan Inquisitor chosen. and seriously they couldn't get the Inquisitor or Dorian to record a line naming the selected love interest??? This pixie hair cut wearing unwilling amputee that's been hunting down her friend should have a line like "Yes I'm looking forward to being back with Cullen" (or whoever) not just what they say.
I am sure if you romanced Solas the lines have to be different. Gonna find out in a week so because I have queued up my run with Lavellan. This is probably going to be my "Canon Run" using the Rook I finished my original Run with. Because the first PC usually becomes my canon PC for each game. I do know about the gist of the Solavellan run and yea, I want that for canon.
Also suspect if your male Inquisitor romanced Dorian that there may be more dialogue since, y'know, he's there.
Alright and I'm off. Gotta go unlock stuff and put a better outfit on Rook (Alecto, forever with her purple curls and Lucanis). I can be asked to make no other choices except to find all the things I missed in the "let's kill g0ds" first run.
The next story for the double dragons event! This one was cowritten with the wonderful @alystrin03. Featuring our characters Alecto and Zesh, moving from best friends to potentially something more.
Word Count: 2,618
Alecto sighs again. She and Zesh had been arguing—if it could be called that, neither of them was angry—for over an hour, and the qunari hasn't changed her mind one bit. Quite the contrary, she seems firmly determined to take part in the fray.
"Zesh," Alecto begins for the fiftieth time, but her friend interrupts her.
"Don't 'Zesh' me. Not anymore. We both know I'm not going to change my mind, no matter what you think." The qunari looks at her friend, frowning. "I'm not going to stand back while you're risking your lives."
'While yours is on the line' was what she wanted to say, but Zesh has decided to keep her feelings to herself. She cannot risk their friendship over a mere crush, because that's what it is, surely. Still, when she and Alecto curled up together at bedtime and she felt the aslept mage's soft breathing, she couldn't help but fantasize about what might happen if she and Alecto were something more.
Unaware of this storm of emotions and doubts in her friend's mind, Alecto continues trying to get her to reconsider.
"You're not a fighter, Zesh, not in the literal sense." She takes her hands and caresses them gently. "You're not made to hurt others. It's one of the things I like most about you."
Fortunately for Zesh, Alecto is not wearing her magic bandage, so she cannot see how deeply the girl's face blushed. Even so, she remains unmoved.
"You'll need someone to help you in the rear. Someone who can help you move the wounded, care for them, organise supplies if necessary. I've seen many things during my travels, things that may be useful in the times to come." And she doesn't say that she could do more. Just because she does not care to fight, does not mean that she can't. She could call to the spirits of Valor, spirits of War. Ask them for help. Have them embody her. But, she does not do that anymore.
"I need to help, Alecto. I can not stand aside and do nothing." Zesh says seriously. Shaking her head in frustration. "I am of this Veilguard, am I not? That means I should do what I can to help. And I can do this at least."
Alecto remains silent for a few seconds. She understands her friend: she wouldn't hold her back either, no matter the reason. Besides, Zesh doesn't seem willing to change her mind in the slightest. Finally, she sighs deeply and shakes her head.
"I know you can do this and much more. Just... just promise me you'll be careful. That you won't do anything foolishly heroic. Zesh," Alecto takes her hands, running her thumbs over the backs of them, "I need you to come back here, if that's what you want. I couldn't bear to return knowing that all I would find was an empty room because I had lost you."
Zesh looks at her in turn. There are so many things she wants to say to her, but above all, that nothing in the world could make her leave her side. But she doesn't. She just nods shyly.
"I can promise you that. No foolishness, if you don't do it."
"Okay," Alecto murmurs, with a very slight smile, "no foolishness.”
Zesh knows about the cruelty of war, but this goes a little further. It is no longer just that the darkspawn horde repeatedly attacks civilians and combatants, or that the cursed dragon spits ice spears everywhere. What surprises and terrifies her at the same time is the firm determination of these self-proclaimed gods to end everything in one fell swoop, bringing the dragon that ravaged Minrathous into the fray as well.
The qunari strives to help those in the most imminent danger, getting them out of the most dangerous area. All those creatures that try to stop her never even come close. Because Zesh knows how to fight, even though she tries to hide it, it is not yet time to show her skills. That is why she has chosen to stay in the second line, acting as support. Her way of helping the wounded is not only to take them to the healers or keep them away from the enemy. Some wounds are simply beyond remedy. In that case, she helps them depart in peace, far from fear and pain. Every time she has to do this, her heart breaks, but she feels the gratitude of those souls she frees.
Although it does not distract her from her task, Zesh cannot help but look for Alecto whenever she can. The woman is a purple shadow that moves at breakneck speeds, but she is easy to spot once she begins to unleash her magic. She uses the water from the swamp to her advantage, harnessing it to power the lightning bolts that constantly shoot from her daggers. Zesh could even swear she saw her conjure a huge thunderbolt raven, if such a thing is possible. She just hopes she doesn't overdo her powers, even though she made her promise she wouldn't.
Amidst so much destruction, Zesh pledges that if they survive, she will try to find the courage to talk to her friend. She is terrified of the possibility of rejection, but even more so of leaving this world without telling Alecto how much she means to her. Taking a deep breath, she hurries to continue her work. They will win this war, whatever the cost.
Although the dragons' corpses lay lifeless in the middle of the swamp, that does not mean the battle was over, far from it. There are still monsters emerging from unexpected hiding places, trying to catch those who, in the euphoria of a future victory, had let their guard down.
Alecto, as the Crow she is, knows this is precisely when she has to be most vigilant. Exhaustion, relief and, above all, the realisation of what has happened had claimed many more victims than she could count, people who, like her, had survived the worst of the battle. No, she isn't like that. She is going to survive that day. She has to.
Only when the last darkspawn draws its final breath and the woman confirms that there are no more enemies to finish off she allows herself to lower her mage knife. Then reality sinks in. The corpses of friends and foes litter the ground, and the whimpers of the dying give the scene a ghostly feel, with the mist from the swamp covering everything with greenish, foul-smelling fingers. Her head aches as if it is about to explode. Alecto knows the reason: she has overused the bandage that restored her sight, but she will deal with the consequences later. Until that moment, she has followed all the rules scrupulously, hasn't she? And, after all, overexertion was not exactly a whim. Still, she decids to wear it a little longer, just until she sees that Zesh is okay.
She discerns the familiar silhouette a little further away. The qunari looks tired but unharmed, standing tall and magnificent among those around her.
"Zesh!" Alecto cries out. She sees her friend turn around and the concern mixed with relief in her eyes, and only then she rests her battered body and lowers the cloth that covers part of her face.
Exhaustion hits her so hard that she almost falls to her knees. She hears Zesh running towards her, calling her name, and smiles. She wants to cry with pure relief, to hug her, anything. Zesh is fine, and that is all that matters to her at that moment.
"You're... you're hurt!" The qunari's voice is trembling, full of fear, and she feels her hands running over her, making her show all her exposed skin. Searching, surely, for some sign of the Blight.
"Don't worry," she murmures softly, "it's not my blood. I'm fine. Well, my head hurts like hell, but I'm not injured. I won't have to go through the Wardens' initiation." Zesh's grunt tells her that her joke has not been well received, but she giggles anyway. "Don't worry. Today's not going to be the day I die. If you are fine, then everything is alright."
Zesh frowns, glad that Alecto can’t see her. She seems unharmed, more or less, but it is better to be sure. She takes her by the waist, gently but firmly, to make sure she wouldn't collapse at any moment. To her surprise, Alecto does not protest, but leans on her and lets herself be guided, meek as a lamb, to the healers to be examined.
Arriving at the camp, Zesh gets Alecto settle on a trundle bed, sitted on the edge. "Wait here, I'll grab a healer-."
Alecto stops her with a hand on her arm. "I just have a headache, I'm fine. I do not need a healer, Zesh."
Zesh shakes her head. "I need to make sure- I can't- I don't know what I'd do if I lost you!" She exclaims, frustrated. "Please, just let me take care of you." Zesh reaches up to cup Alecto's cheeks, holding her. "I care too much to let anything happen to you."
She didn't think about it, didn't even realize. One moment, she's cupping Alecto's cheeks, holding her gently, the next, Zesh is leaning in and kissing her. Sweet, and passionate. Tinged with the shaky adrenaline of the moment. She has no idea how long it lasts- A minute? Several? It feels like eternity when Zesh pulls away, shaking visibly with nerves. "J-Just let me go find a healer!" Zesh moves to pull away but Alecto stops her again, tugging her in closer.
"Wait. Zesh-" Zesh isn't sure what Alecto's gaze is saying right now. Is she happy about the kiss? Mad? She doesn't look mad. There's something almost like… Hope. The same hope that is reflected in Zesh's eyes. So she stops Alecto with another kiss, just a quick, gentle press.
"Please, we can talk later." Zesh assures softly. "Let me find you a healer first though." She gently pries Alecto's hand off and offers a small, reassuring smile. Then turns and goes to find a healer. Make sure someone gives Alecto a look over, and make sure that headache isn't something more serious.
Zesh had just kissed Alecto. Kissed her! Oh mighty spirits. How reckless she was. But- Oh but she had kissed her back! Alecto hadn't run away screaming, hadn't panicked. Okay, that had been unlikely, but the real fear was that Alecto would tell her sorry, I care for you, but no.
She didn't say that. Truthfully, they hadn't said much at all. The adrenaline of the battle, the panic Zesh had been feeling, and the high of winning had come crashing down and they had reacted in the moment. Zesh only broke away to usher Alecto back to camp to have her tended to.
But, they can talk. Soon. As soon as the medics are done with her, they can talk. Zesh is so excited for the moment. She knows now- Or well, she thinks- she hopes- that Alecto feels the same. That the kiss meant something more than just an adrenaline rush in the heat of the moment.
She rocks from foot to foot anxiously, waiting for Alecto, when her eyes catch on a tall figure not too far away, standing at the edge of camp looking out at the battlefield they ahd left. No- No it can't be. "Kadari?" She whispers, low to herself.
Zesh needs to know. She needs to see. She walks away from the medic tents, towards the man. The Qunari with red hair. "Kadari-" The man turns at the name, kaleidoscope eyes landing on her and Zesh's heart stops. That is not Kadari. "No." She whispers horrified. "They wouldn't- Not for me. How could they do this for me?"
The Qunari's head tilts, confusion written on his face. "Who is this Kadari?" He steps closer to Zesh and she steps back in response. "I- I know you-. You're- Yes, you're what I seek, aren't you?" The Qunari looks to be in pain, frowning, crinkles forming near the eyes. "But- I am waiting for someone. Auran-." The man groans, pressing his hand to his forehead.
Zesh can't help it, she flits closer, hand fluttering near his shoulder. "You poor spirit. They botched the magic on you, didn't they?" She can feel it. A shaman tried to bind this spirit to their will, but it's corrupted. The magic fraying. It looks painful, the binding. "Let me help you-" She tries to say.
But, it is too late. She doesn't catch the spirit reacting. Reaching for her in a blink and putting her in a tight hold. Her breath grows tight and her head light as air becomes thin. He's choking her out! Zesh smacks at his arm, elbows, and tries to get the larger man off. But the spirit is indifferent to her efforts.
'Alecto…'
Her name is the last thought she has before she slides unconscious.
It has been quite some time since Zesh left, but Alecto still takes a while to realise it. It is not surprising: the whirlwind of thoughts and feelings swirling around in her mind is overwhelming.
It's not that the idea had never crossed her mind. The way Zesh spoke to her, touched her, even looked at her when she thought Alecto wasn't noticing, had made her doubt her friend's true feelings countless times. But she had always dismissed the idea. "How silly," she had thought back then. Zesh would never notice someone like her; the qunari was looking for more than mere entertainment, and that was what the Antivana had always been, of her own volition.
She had been mistaken, it seemed. Unless it was a spontaneous gesture in the midst of the joy of survival, Zesh did see her as someone worth loving. Despite all her inner chaos, despite the emotional disaster that Alecto thought she was, her friend felt differently. And if there's one thing the Crow knows, it's that she doesn't do things lightly: she's thoughtful, cautious, and wouldn't let herself be carried away by a whim. She kissed her, intoxicated by her feelings, with a sweetness that overpowered her. And not only that, Alecto had kissed her back, without hesitation. Remembering it makes her stomach tingle and a smile lights up her lips. The truth is that Alecto has long been unable to imagine life without Zesh by her side, so much so that she was the first person she wanted to see when Horace gave her that magical bandage.
Then she becomes aware of her surroundings and rearranges the fabric so she can find her more quickly. Little by little, the wounded are being evacuated and everything seems calmer. Alecto wants to find her, embrace her, and above all, to talk. Because she is beginning to understand that she is not just a companion, and that what she feels when Zesh is by her side is much more than she has been willing to admit until now.
But Zesh is nowhere to be found. Not in the healers' tents, nor with the rest of her companions. Terrified, Alecto searches among the wounded and dead, but to her relief, she is not there either.
"No, no, no," she murmurs to herself. It's not possible. Someone must have seen her, must know what happened. And if that's not the case, Alecto promises herself that she won't move from there until she finds her, even if she has to drain every damn puddle and question the stones in the well. She will see Zesh's smile again, no matter what it takes.
