30 for Thale?
Thank you so much for the ask! I haven’t written anything for Thale in literally forever, so this was fun :0) Shameless fluff of my grumpy elf and Josephine. Enjoy!
30: Can I kiss you?
“Now, I’ve sent invitations to Seleneand the Orlesian court. I don’t expect the Empress to make the journey toSkyhold, of course, but an invitation is a necessity,” Josephine said, pacinganother line across Thale’s chambers.
Her clipboard held at the ready andoverflowing with lists and party plans she scrawled another note in themargins. More than a few curls hung down from her meticulous up-do causing herto swat them from her eyes with an annoyed sigh and flick of her hand. Afterwatching her take another anxious lap around the desk Thale pushed up from hisperch on the bed. His aching muscles groaned in protest, the injuries sustainedduring their last fight still not entirely healed. He swung his bare feet to thefloor and quietly cursed the brief moment in which the room seemed to spin in arather fast circle.
“Jo,” he said, his hoarse voice barelymaking a dent in Josephine’s continued avalanche of worried party planning. “Jo,”he tried again, this time succeeding in gaining her attention. “You need torelax. The party will be fine.”
She blinked at him over the top of herclip, pen held at the ready. He saw her thoughts turn on a dime. A sharp, determinedtwinkle in her eyes as she set the notes aside and crossed the short distancebetween them. The back of her hand was on his forehead in an instant, checkinghis temperature even though a fever was never the issue for his bed rest.
“And you need to lie down,” shecountered, switching to her other hand to make certain he hadn’t suddenlydeveloped a fever. “You’re still on the mend.”
He succumbed to the light push on his shoulderand held back the urge to roll his eyes when she lifted his legs back onto thebed. A heavy blanket seemed to materialize out of nowhere and tuck itselftightly around his chest. The hand on his forehead came back for a third checkand then moved to fret with the multitude of pillows surrounding him.
“Jo.”
“Honestly, the healer should havestopped in again tonight. I told her she should check on you once more beforemorning. She said you needed to sleep, but I knew you wouldn’t sleep this early,”she muttered, tucking in the blanket once more before swiping her hair awayfrom her eyes. “You saved Thedas and she can’t even be bothered to make sureyou’re properly healing.”
“Can I kiss you?”
The question took her off guard as hehoped it would. A flustered, ghost of a smile graced her lips even as she attemptedto regain her composure. He reached up to slide a stray curl behind her ear,his fingertips brushing against the increasingly warm skin of her cheek. Shesmiled and smoothed back his hair in turn.
“You need to rest,” she said.
He took hold of her hand. “That’s notexactly an answer.”
She laughed, the quiet sound sittingwarm and welcoming in his chest. He didn’t know what would happen now, with theInquisition, with them. If there even still would be a them. She had family andresponsibilities back in Antiva and he would never begrudge her either of thosethings for his own selfish desires. That was a worry for another day, another time.Now it was as it should be; just the two of them with a roaring fire andJosephine’s warm laughter filling the room.
“Can I kiss you?” he asked again, givingher hand a gentle squeeze.
“If I say yes will you promise to liedown and at least attempt to get some rest?” she replied, as though not sayingyes even occurred to her.
“Will you rest with me?” he asked, doinghis best to look pitiful. “I sleep better with you at my side.”
“Do you now?” Josephine said, another laugh,dangerously close to a giggle leaving her lips.
“I do,” he said. “You’ve done all theplanning you can for tonight. The party will be fine, better than fine. It willbe talked about for years to come. It will be amazing, because you are amazing.”
“Flatterer,” she said, sitting down onthe bed before curling up beside him. “I’ll rest for a few minutes, but then I mustgo over the food orders again. The bakery keeps trying to raise their pricesand I know I have their original invoice somewhere.”
“I’m sure you’ll bring them to heel,” hesaid, pressing a light kiss to her temple. “No one outdoes Josephine Montilyetwhen receipts are concerned.”
She rested her head on her chest with asigh. “I know you’re teasing, but it’s true.”
He laughed and placed another kiss tothe top of her head. “I would never tease about your bookkeeping skills.”
She arched her head up to level him witha stern look. “Not if you know what’s good for you,” a smile cracked her stoicexterior and she pushed up on her elbow. “Now, I’m rather disappointed if thatis the type of kiss you were asking for.”
“Well, I never wish to disappoint youJo,” he replied, gently cupping her face as he leaned in for a proper kiss.