"Have I told you that I love you? I did? Well, it won't kill you to hear it again, will it?"
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And with this Rahna/Alistair V-day comm, I have all my Dragon Age canon romances from @emedeme \o/ Look at them, they're so cute and in love it makes Morrigan want to throw up.
Coming from a timeline belonging to @queen-scribbles, it is my delight to introduce to the Thedas Spring Ball, Warden Rahna Tabris! A battle hardened heroine who, nevertheless, has a knack for turning those who would do her harm into allies, and even friends.
Mornings were when Redcliffe's dogs had been their rowdiest, pushing and shoving for food and a chance to relieve themselves, brimming with energy and overwhelming company for a child. Mornings were when the brothers at the monastery rousted their young charges to pray and do chores, "contemplate the future of their souls". Mornings were when he woke ravenously hungry, frequently with the vague memory of monsters from his dreams.
But she'd changed that.
Now mornings, usually, were watching her sleep. Listening to her snore, the warmth of her snuggled close in a display of affection and trust that left Alistair dizzy if he thought about it too long.
This morning--well, last night, he supposed--they'd chosen the campsite wisely; the sunlight filtering was enough to illuminate without blinding.
His arm was asleep even if he wasn't; Rahna's shoulder digging in just below his elbow as she slept. Given the amount of light, Leliana would probably be calling cheerfully for them to rise soon. (Early bird-ness must be a Chantry thing. Another reason he'd never fit right.)
Rahna snored, a loud, rough sound that one would never associate with her if they met her while awake. She was still really out to be snoring like that. Endearing as Alistair found it, he would like to have both hands work at breakfast.
He poked Rahna's shoulder. She mumbled but didn't move. Poked a little harder. Same reaction.
Right. Drastic measures, then.
Alistair lightly, gently, dragged his fingers up over that ticklish spot on the back of her ribs. She made an offended yelping sound and arched, moving her shoulder off his arm.
"You're a bad, bad man," came a disgruntled mutter a moment later.
"Lies," Alistair protested, kissing the back of her ear.
"You know I need my beauty sleep," Rahna mumbled playfully.
"More lies." He kissed the spot again, making her shiver. "You're already beautiful, if you get any beautifuler I'll be too distracted to kill darkspawn."
She giggled and rolled over. "Say more things like that and I'll consider forgiving you for waking me with tickling."
"In my defense, I wasn't trying to wake you," he argued, flexing the trapped hand as the stinging buzz of returned feeling set in. "But I'll see what I can do... Your radiance surpasses the sun, Orlesian noblewomen sign in envy at your beauty, the stars themselves are dim in comparison...." Alistair grinned and winked, kissing her forehead. "Am I sufficiently forgiven, or do I need more?"
Rahna giggled again and kissed his jaw. "You're good." She sat up and yawned, floofing one hand through her tousled hair. Jaw dropping gorgeous, mischief in her teal eyes. "I'm in a lenient mood, good ser, so I'll accept clear exaggeration--"
"But they're not," Alistair said, forcefully cutting her off. He reached up to tuck tangled bedhead hair behind her ear. "You're the loveliest, fiercest woman I've ever met."
She snorted and gave him a skeptical look as he levered himself up to sitting as well. "You're just saying that so I don't try to steal part of your breakfast."
"I'm saying it because it's true," he insisted, cupping her jaw to guide her in for a kiss. "But that said, yes, please keep your lovely hands off my frilly Orlesian oatmeal."
Rahna hummed into the kiss, leaning forward until they were unbalanced enough to topple back on their bedrolls. "I'll try to behave myself," she murmured, "but no promises."
She kissed him again and Alistair wouldn't have it any other way.
But I'm telling myself 'cause I know damn well, that this ain't hell, it's just high water
I've always loved @emedeme's age progression arts for her Dragon Age protags, so when she did emergency commissions last year for Spanish flood relief, I had to get one for Rahna. :D
circa Tabris Origin//start of Awakening//end of DA2 on