A fic I wrote a few weeks ago based on this Act 1 interaction between Isabela and Carver <3
Carver: So, Isabela. You captained a ship? That's a lot of men to handle. For you to command.
Isabela: Well aren't you just adorable fumbling for a topic.
Carver: You say that like I'm harmless.
Isabela: As harmless as a pup that will someday grow into its fangs and sink them deep.
Carver: Sure, keep teasing. I'll show you how much of a pup I am.
Isabela: I know. That's why I do it.
Ao3 link
“Doesn’t look like there’s a lot of room in there,” Hawke said, looking at the building that housed the office they were here for. It was definitely small, squashed in between two others, and the interior would undoubtedly be smaller. “We just need to ask a few questions, shouldn’t take long. Fenris, you come with me. Isabela, Carver… you two wait out here.”
With that, Hawke disappeared through the door, Fenris trailing behind. That left Carver alone with the pirate, something that didn’t often happen. And sure, they weren’t alone, the docks were still crawling with people, but… not people they knew. Nobody else to make the conversation flow, give them something to start with. No brother to take all the attention.
Carver cleared his throat, trying to think of a topic of conversation as Isabela made herself comfortable against a wall across the walkway from the office, gazing wistfully off toward the ships.
So, Isabela,” he said, not wanting to waste the opportunity while he had it. “You captained a ship? That's a lot of men to handle. For you to... command.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, he was overthinking. He hadn’t really meant it to sound… well, suggestive. Although it wasn’t as if he hadn’t thought of it that way, at least a few times. Maybe more than a few. And wasn’t really what he’d meant, but now that the idea was in his head again…
Isabela giggled.
“Well aren't you just adorable fumbling for a topic,” she said, taking a step towards him. Carver resisted the urge to step back, to maintain the distance between them. Let her come close.
“You say that like I'm harmless,” he frowned, crossing his arms. And it was definitely just a coincidence that doing so also made his muscles flex.
“As harmless as a pup that will someday grow into its fangs and sink them deep,” Isabela said, taking another step closer, her hand placed flat on his chest, sliding up the outside of his shirt, all the way up to his neck. Despite his best intentions to stand still, trying to convince her he was unphased by her words, her actions, he tilted his head away, chin raised. His breath caught slightly as she curled her fingers back down his throat, nails scraping gently across his skin. He was confident that she wasn’t leaving a mark but it was definitely enough to feel.
“Sure, keep teasing,” he said, hoping it wasn’t obvious how dry his mouth had gone. He tried to push away the thoughts of those fingers, those nails, on other parts of his body. He swallowed deeply. “I'll show you how much of a pup I am.”
Isabela gave him a sly smile, moving her hand to brush something - possibly nothing - off his shoulder.
“I know,” she said, leaning toward him. Without even meaning to, Carver leaned closer to her as well, forcing himself to take a breath as he realised he was holding it. “That's why I do it.”
She stepped back again, just as Hawke exited the office, beckoning them over. Carver just watched as Isabela flounced her way back across to Hawke.
“Come on, Carver,” Hawke called impatiently. “If you get left behind, we’re not waiting for you.”
Carver coughed again, trying to clear his throat and remember how to make his legs move again. It wasn’t how he’d expected the interaction to go down but… well, he didn’t really mind. Really really didn’t mind.
As he started forward, Isabela spun back to face him, snapping her teeth towards him twice, following the movement with a wink.
Carver sighed.
He just wondered when he’d next get a moment alone with Isabela.
