I couldn't find many lists so I made one of my own. I switched genders and tense around at random, so obviously feel free to do whatever you like for those. They're in a totally random order so do them what order you like! I also tried to make things ambiguous enough to be used for all kinds of genres, I hope you like them.
If you use these maybe link back so other people can as well <3
1. It was so dark he couldn't see his hand in front of his face.
2. She felt a grim smile touch the corners of her mouth.
3. "It's coming," they murmured, "watch my back"
4. I didn't think I'd ever seen something like this.
5. He shrugged, "Well, I guess this is the end."
6. She slapped the back of his head. "Ow?" he huffed.
7. They shook their head, "I told you not to come back."
8. It wasn't as though I'd never been in worse situations, but this was maybe the weirdest.
9. He held up his hand to the light, he was pretty sure he wasn't supposed to be able to see through it.
10. "I didn't really want it to come to this," she said, drawing her weapon.
11. "I hope it was worth it," they said, "because we're all going to die."
12. "I thought you said you didn't believe I ghosts!" he shouted, flinging himself through the doorway.
13. The crunch of leaves was the only sound.
14. She really wanted people to stop wishing her luck.
15. They shivered, not entirely sure if it was the cold.
16. The knob rattled and I stood stock still. Then something slammed it's weight against the door.
17. His smile was dangerous.
18. She leaned comfortably into the shadows
19. The hair on the back of their neck rose, a cold sensation that shivered down their whole body.
20. The small sound echoed into the darkness and faded away.
21. When he'd said 'you'll be the death of me…' he hadn't meant it as a prophecy.
22. Her back was to the wall, figuratively and literally.
23. They knew this was probably the worst plan they'd ever concocted, but plans 'A' through 'M' hadn't exactly worked out.
24. Something swirled just beneath the surface of the black water.
25. "Correct me if I'm wrong, and I'm usually wrong," I said, hoping this time that I was.
26. "I don't want to be a downer, but do we really have to dig up a body?"
27. Ancient ruins were not her favorite camping site.
28. They held their hands up, "I can explain," they said, realizing belatedly that it rang sort of hollow with their hands covered in blood.
29. I'd like to think I'm smarter than this but experience keeps me from lying to myself.
30. "It's never personal," he said through gritted teeth, "until it is."
31. Bright blue light expanded and burst into a spear of cobalt fire that lanced up into the dark sky.
Summary: Ray’s got a big gig, but she’s getting flop sweat beforehand. Luckily, her sister has a special lucky charm waiting for her. Ok, maybe it’s a fake one - but it’s the thought that counts, right?
---
Nope. No way in fuck she was going out there.
“Ray? Are you in there?”
Fuck.
Her eyes darted to the door – it was locked. That was kind of the thing you did when you went into a bathroom stall. She had hoped if she sat on the toilet and pulled up her legs nobody would see her, but apparently fate had other plans. They had found her, after all.
“Ray?”
The voice belonged to her stepsister, Ayame. She could practically picture the girl's face – eyebrows knitted in concern, mouth in a concerned frown, eyes sincere. She'd be the picture of a worried friend, trying to convince her to get out on the stage. This probably wasn't her first rodeo comforting a nervous idol kohai before she jumped out in front of the crowd.
So she should be used to being told to fuck off, right?
Sweat dripped down Ray's brow as she hugged her knees. “I'm not coming out, so you can go off and cover for me!”
“I haven't prepared anything, and neither has anyone else.” Ayame probably crossed her arms over her chest. She did that a lot. “So, unless you come out we're going to have a gap in the schedule we're going to have to fill with MC.”
Oh fuck, not MC. That was worse than pulling teeth.
Really, this shouldn't have been a big deal. Ray had been on stage before as an idol more than a few times. She even had the beginning of a fan club, small as it was at the moment. To say she had experience under her belt was putting it mildly. This shouldn't have been a problem for her.
But... it was Harunokaze.
Yep, Ray had somehow wound up in the lineup for Harunokaze Girl's Academy fall show. Normally, this was only for members of the school's music and dance programs. The Idol division had their own show a week later, or they had in years past. This was the first year the programs had combined for a two day show.
Which... didn't explain how a gen ed had even gotten a spot. Maybe someone really hated her.
Ray peered through the gap in the door, not letting the lock go. “I'm not even supposed to be here, though. I'm not in the music or idol programs.”
“You were added on overwhelming student demand.” Ayame looked way too innocent in all this as she counted on her fingers. “Something about a vote initiated by the general education track. You haven't noticed, but you're something like a hero to your classmates.”
Ray almost slipped off the toilet from the shock, but the door caught her before she landed face first on the bathroom floor. Her mind was absolutely blank as she ran through the details. Maybe once during lunch she had caught her classmates whispering over papers and trying to hide it from her, but she had never paid attention to it. The gen ed class always had a chip on their shoulder about something, so it hadn't surprised her.
But this one had gotten the entire class... and it had gone through.
“They really want me to perform?”
Ayame nodded. “I saw the petition to add you, pretty much every gen ed student signed it. The student council couldn't say no without risking an incident.”
Well... she hated that bitch. It was nice to know she was a thorn in somebody's side.
Of course, that didn't help the pounding in her heart. Ray's mouth had gone dry. She leaned her forehead against the door as her mind raced. The entire gen ed class had signed their name to getting her up on stage. She had become their sword against the school's other programs that flaunted their numbers and ability, their way to prove they had value too. If she messed up...
Well... nobody would give a shit about the gen ed program. They'd permanently become the joke of Harunokaze. Their petitions would wind up in the trash, their pleas ignored. All because she fucked up on stage.
No pressure... fuck.
“Ray? Can you open the door?”
Ray shook her head, finding it hard to speak. “I'm leaning against it.”
“How about you sit back on the toilet then? We can't have you landing on this floor, it's kind of gross.”
Despite everything, Ray laughed as she sat back on the toilet. “You think this is gross? Man, you would not survive back home.”
Ayame giggled on the other side of the door. Something about her laughter gave Ray something to focus on her. Her heart was still pounding, and her palms under her black finger-less gloves were all sweaty. Thinking was easier, but the worries still stabbed at her as she sat there on the toilet, trying to reign it all in.
A few seconds later, a shaky hand unlocked the door and nudged it open. Her stepsister was standing on the other side, still wearing her performance outfit. She had been on stage ten minutes earlier. Her makeup still looked pretty good, and the towel she had used to dry off was still hanging from around her neck. Talk about being the picture of an idol after a successful live.
No doubt Ray looked like shit next to her.
“At least your eyeliner still looks ok.” She held out her hand. “Why don't you come out and at least take a few deep breaths? I've got something for you to help with the jitters.”
Ray took her hand and returned to the bathroom proper. She caught sight of herself in the mirror – she was also dressed to perform, though her outfit was night and day from the frilly pink and white yukata Ayame was wearing. She preferred darker colors and harsher fabrics when it came to what she wore on stage, accented by metal jewelry that glinted under the harsh lights. Apart from her panicked expression and wide eyes, she could've been any rocker ready to go on.
But no. She was a scared idol in the bathroom.
“There we go.” Ayame was digging into a hidden pocket of her yukata. She drew out a small key chain with a star on the end. It was pink, with a lighter pink center in a sunburst pattern that created a sort of ombre. Honestly, it was pretty. “Here. It's a lucky charm to help you do well on stage.”
She hooked it onto a loop of Ray's jeans, turning it around so the sunburst pattern would face the audience. Honestly, it went really well with the rest of her outfit even if luck was out of the question. Were you supposed to feel better with something like this?
At least it looked cool...
“A lucky charm?” Ray cocked an eyebrow. “When'd you pick this up?”
Ayame offered her a grin as she adjusted her stepsister's vest so it hung better on her broad shoulders. “Saw it in a shop. The clerk said it promoted luck in whatever you did as long as you had it on you.”
“Well, then I think you used it up if you had it in your pocket during your performance.”
Her stepsister's cheeks puffed out slightly as she turned away. “I had one of the stage techs hold on to it for me, thank you very much.”
Ray found herself laughing again, much more relaxed this time. She had no doubt in her mind the so-called charm was a hoax, but it was the thought that counted most. Ayame had her back, even if they weren't on stage together.
Maybe she could do this after all.
“Kimura-senpai? Is Ray-kun going to go on stage soon?”
A nervous looking first year with an obnoxiously pink hair ribbon poked her head in. Ray recognized her – they were in the same class. Her name was currently escaping her, but the girl sat a few rows ahead of her. She was good in science class.
Wonder where her name was on the form...
Ayame turned to answer her smiling. “Thanks for letting me know she was in here, Hana-chan.”
Then she was looking at Ray. “Well? You doing this or what?”
Ah. So this was the backup manipulation if the lucky charm pep talk hadn't worked. Talk about having a backup plan for a backup plan. Ray felt her eye twitch as she looked from her stepsister to the girl standing by the door. She looked so damn nervous that it was kind of pathetic. Honestly, it was a miracle she wasn't digging a hole in the door frame with those fingers.
And this is who the gen ed class sent as their representative? Damn, they really were worried she wasn't going to do it.
The rocker responded by cracking her knuckles. The popping sound reverberated through the small room, making the other two girls jump. That put a slight smirk on her face as she peeled off her gloves to wash her hands in the sink.
“Yeah, just gotta wash up. You head back to your seat, Hana, I'll be on in a minute.”
Her classmate's nervous expression turned to pure joy as she nodded so hard she almost lost her bow -a ribbon in the exact same shade as her image color, Ray noted. “Right! I'll let everyone know! Can't wait to see you on stage!”
And then she was gone, sprinting down the hallway back to the auditorium. This left Ayame and Ray alone in the bathroom as the girl finished washing her hands. She dried them off without saying anything, and then pulled her gloves back on.
“You should head back too. I don't want you to miss it.”
Ayame smiled at her as she nodded. “Not going to take your lucky charm off?”
“It works with my aesthetic.”
Together, the pair left the bathroom. Though there was no one in the hallway, she heard the fast feet of fellow first years running back to the auditorium. She even caught a skirt hem as it turned the corner, disappearing from view. Just how many people had been gathered in the hallway waiting for her to come out?
How had she not heard them?
She shook her head – it didn't matter then. Ray was shifting into performance mode. Her heart rate slowed and it was easier to think as she watched Ayame disappear into the auditorium door. Now she was heading to the stage entrance, where the techs were waiting for her.
One sighed in relief as she checked a name off. “Good to see you, Jones. I just won 1000 yen off Tsumori-san in 3rd year.”
“Glad to help somebody make some money.” She could hear the student council president announcing her. There was resentment there. “Man, she's eating shit right now.”
The tech practically cackled. “And that is really why I'm glad you're here.”
Said president soon appeared, severe as always. She blew past both girls without saying a word, or even glancing back. Ray could practically feel the hostility leaking off her, blanketing her like an aura as she stormed back to wherever she hung out between sets.
Oh well. She'd peek in soon enough. Ray was about to blow off the roof.
“Well, that's my cue. Enjoy the show, pres!”
What, she was a shithead. And with her so-called lucky charm clinking against her her belt as she hit the stage, Ray had never felt better. Her body worked for her, striking her beginning pose as she flipped her mic up in the air, catching it as the song began in proper.
It was time to show them what happened when someone motivated by spite got the chance to fuck up somebody's day.
“Y'all ready for this?”
And the world dissolved into an overhead spotlight and a sea of pink glow sticks as Ray launched into her act. Later, she would complain about the sore muscles or the sweat sticking her clothes to her body. That was the furthest thing from her mind then.
Right then, she was an idol sticking it to the (wo)man. And that felt pretty damn good. Maybe it was just her, but her fake lucky charm sure looked shiny under the spotlight. That thought alone kept her going as she launched into her chorus.
Now, hopefully her voice would hold for the next part. She had been meaning to test out if the speakers in the auditorium could handle a little screaming.
Lo pensa, Sara, mentre si guarda allo specchio della propria camera e cerca la formula magica per trasformare in un secondo il colore dei propri capelli, la sfumatura dei suoi occhi, il numero di grammi che quel maglione decisamente over-size nasconde.
Lo pensa, Lorenzo, mentre si guarda allo specchio della stanza di sua madre e cerca la formula magica per trasformare in un secondo la propria altezza, la quantità di muscoli sulle braccia, la forma del viso.
“Forse non se ne accorgerà”, pensano fissando la propria immagine. Ma lo sanno entrambi – se ne accorgerà e non sarà una bella sensazione.
Hanno cominciato a parlarsi durante quell’apocalisse che l’ultimo anno era stato – ed è stato particolarmente buffo, all’inizio. Buffo perché fino ad un giorno prima entrambi avrebbero giurato sulla propria vita che non si sarebbero mai fatti prendere da una corrispondenza messaggistica nata su una di quelle applicazioni social dove tutti e nessuno ti vede. Eppure, in qualche modo, loro si erano visti. A questo punto non ricordavano neanche più chi fosse stato il primo a scrivere – a Sara sembrava di averlo già visto da qualche parte, Lorenzo probabilmente era stato troppo occupato dal suo marasma di pensieri per notarla tutti i giorni alla stazione ferroviaria. Erano due linee parallele, Sara e Lorenzo, che avevano viaggiato alla stessa distanza per chissà quanti anni, e adesso una fatalità aveva fatto bruscamente confluire quelle linee al centro. Pochi secondi di anticipo e boom, ecco fatto il “sinistro sociale”. Nessuno dei due avrebbe mai voluto cominciare uno scambio di opinioni in quel modo – un po’ troppo intellettuali e di animo “superiore” per abbassarsi a certi parametri – eppure era accaduto lo stesso. Non sapevano come, non sapevano quando, sapevano solo che adesso si pentivano amaramente delle loro scelte. Lui era troppo alto, lei era troppo grassa, lui era troppo smilzo, lei era troppo scura di capelli. Tanto Sara lo sa, gli uomini preferiscono le bionde – così le era sfuggita una bugia qua e là. Non che avesse mentito in maniera spudorata, no, aveva semplicemente addolcito un po’ la pillola, proprio come Lorenzo aveva smussato e lucidato i propri difetti.
Alla televisione parlavano di casi simili, e non c’era rete che non li definisse assolutamente sbagliati e fuorvianti. Era un ingannare le persone, era creare aspettative e potenzialmente mettere in pericolo l’altro – dopotutto noi potremmo sempre essere degli psicopatici, no? Lorenzo ci pensa al fatto che Sara potrebbe essere una psicopatica, Sara è convinta che se anche Lorenzo lo fosse probabilmente perderebbe interesse nell’aggredirla nel momento in cui vedrebbe quei dieci chili che la ragazza si è dimenticata di citare. “Non ne vale la pena”, dirà, e ognuno se ne andrà per la propria strada come se niente fosse. Per Dio, magari la vede da fuori il locale e si evita addirittura la premura di entrare.
Wow, è alto.
Wow, è castana.
Me l’ero immaginato un po’ diverso.
Me l’ero immaginata un po’ diversa.
Forse è meglio così.
Forse è meglio così.
È carino.
È carina.
Da come me ne parlava sembrava uno di quei mostri palestrati.
Da come me ne parlava sembrava una di quelle che tiene alla linea più di tutto.
Aspetta, ma è lui?
Perché mi guarda così, cos’ho in faccia?
Merda, dovevo mettere gli occhiali.
Ecco fatto, ha notato la mascella.
No, non arrossire.
No, non guardarmi così.
È… bello.
È bella.
Wow, è veramente bello.
Wow, è veramente bella.
Scusa, non sono chi ti aspettavi, se vuoi andartene fallo ora.
Scusa, non sono chi ti aspettavi, se vuoi andartene fallo ora.
« Ok, ok! Ce l’ho, ma devi rispondere senza pensare. »
« Spara. »
« Alba o tramonto? »
Alza gli occhi al cielo, prima che Nicky allunghi un dito accusatore nella sua direzione.
« NON PENSARE. »
« Non è facile! »
« Jayde. »
« Ok, ho capito – tramonto. » e improvvisamente cala il silenzio. Volta lo sguardo, cercando gli occhi dell’amico nel buio di quella spiaggia. Ancora stentava a credere di essersi fatta convincere a fare mezz’ora di macchina solo per restare a perditempo al freddo della costa, eppure lo aveva fatto. Aveva questa tendenza a perdere ogni senso di misura quando si trattava dei suoi amici, nonostante non fosse d’accordo con le loro decisioni. Loro chiamavano, lei arrivava. « Che c’è? ».
Alza un sopracciglio, Nicky, prima di aprire le braccia come se la risposta giusta fosse qualcosa di ovvio. « Sul serio? Siamo venuti qui a guardare l’alba e tu smonti le mie aspettative così? »
« Che vuoi, una non può avere la sua opinione? »
« Non se ti reputi una vera artista. È ovvio che l’alba ha una forza poetica mille volte superiore al tramonto. »
« Mi permetto di dissentire. »
« Sembrate tutti idioti, almeno l’avete mai vista un’alba? »
« Sì ma calmati, si può avere un’opinione diversa dalla tua. » Lo disse ridendo, sebbene Nicky sapesse bene quanto la infastidivano atteggiamenti del genere. Era una ragazza permalosa, competitiva, e continuamente terrorizzata dall’idea di non piacere agli altri. Già solo per quella risposta il suo cervello aveva cominciato a elaborare scenari apocalittici dove tutti i suoi amici l’avrebbero abbandonata solo perché preferiva il tramonto. Non ci poteva fare molto, aveva avuto compagnie in passato decisamente tossiche. Cercò di rilassarsi prendendo un sorso dalla bottiglia di birra che da ormai un paio di ore si stavano passando. Ad essere sinceri era qualcosa come la quarta, ma sono dettagli. « Se ci tieni così tanto dimmi perché dovrei cambiare idea. »
« Preferisci la vita o la morte? »
« Vita, ovviamente. »
« Eppure preferisci guardare qualcosa morire piuttosto che vederla nascere. »
Cala il silenzio. Effettivamente non ci aveva mai pensato. Si volta a guardarlo, con un misto di divertimento e imbarazzo prima di alzare la bottiglia tra le sue mani. C’era riuscito. « Complimenti. » Ultimamente si erano dati molto a conversazioni del genere, sul senso della vita e su ciò che era bello al mondo – sopratutto dopo aver visto alcune delle sue cose peggiori. Era stato un anno particolare, dove entrambi avevano improvvisamente cominciato a capire cosa significava essere adulti. La vita li stava colpendo entrambi duramente, ed entrambi stavano imparando a rialzarsi con le proprie forze. Ciò però non vietava loro di godersi un po’ di “fraternal compagnia” in quelle serate dove il cielo buio sembrava essere particolarmente oppressivo. Quella sera era una di quelle, al freddo autunnale di una spiaggia perché per tutta l’estate nessuno dei due aveva mai effettivamente avuto il coraggio di fare una pazzia del genere. L’ultimo messaggio sul telefono di Jayde risaliva alle 2:30 di quella stessa notte, dove sua madre in preda alla disperazione la pregava di ritornare a casa un’ultima volta prima di mandarla a quel paese e dormire. Adesso erano le 6:50, il cielo stava lentamente cominciando a colorarsi e a mostrare le nuvole che fino a quel momento la notte aveva nascosto. Se Nicky aveva ragione, Jayde lo avrebbe scoperto presto. « A che ora sorge il sole, oggi? »
« Aspetta, controllo. » Apre il telefono, esegue una veloce ricerca digitando “alba 2 ottobre” ed ecco che volta lo schermo dritto verso di lei. « Tra mezz’ora. »
« Sposta quel telefono, ci sto per uscire cieca. »
« La aspettiamo, vero? »
« Nicky, mia mamma-- »
« Tua mamma sta dormendo profondamente da almeno cinque ore, non puoi preoccuparti di lei tutta la vita. Quando andrai a vivere da sola come farà quella povera donna? »
« Se sapesse che parli di lei così smetterebbe di apprezzarti come fa ora. »
« Impossibile, mi adora troppo. » Un attimo di silenzio, alza lo sguardo in alto e guarda quelle poche stelle che riescono a sfuggire all’inquinamento luminoso. « Si sono mosse ancora. »
« Secondo quale logica dici questo? »
« Aspetta, aspetta– » e per un lungo istante guarda di fronte a sé, nel vuoto. Gli occhi, concentrati, sembrano scrutare dentro l’anima dell’aria prima che Nicky se ne esca con un fiero « Stiamo girando per così » e mostri con le braccia un goffo movimento antiorario. Inutile dire che Jayde scoppia a ridere.
« Non ha alcun senso! »
« Ti giuro che sì! »
« Ma è ridicolo. » ed entrambi abbandonano la conversazione in favore di una risata, che a sua volta sfocia nel più pacifico silenzio mentre gli occhi dei due puntano quello stesso cielo che hanno preso in giro fino a quel momento.
« Che vita di merda. » sono parole che escono da Nicky come un sospiro. Jayde lo capisce, dopotutto sa cosa gli sta passando per la testa in quel momento. Probabilmente dovrebbe pensare anche lei la stessa cosa – ma tutte le volte che ripete una frase del genere sa in cuor suo di non crederlo davvero. Sa che, nonostante tutto, non c’è un motivo per non amare questa vita, per non amare ogni colpo che lei ci manda. Sono entrambi giovani, entrambi alle prime armi, entrambi con ancora cose ben peggiori da provare. Se proprio deve odiare questa vita, lo vuole fare per qualcosa che la spezzerà in due. Adesso guarda Nicky e se stessa, e non può che credere che si tratti solo di una fase dove questa maledetta vita meravigliosa sta collaudando la loro capacità di gestirla. Ce la farà lui, e ce la farà anche lei. Sorride appena, e le parole le escono senza che neanche se ne accorga. « Tra dieci anni ringrazieremo il cielo per tutto questo. »
« Ma anche no, sinceramente. »
« Bevi, vai. » E passa la bottiglia al ragazzo, lasciandolo bere mentre un primo raggio li colpisce in volto improvvisamente. Le nuvole hanno coperto l’effettiva salita del sole, la cui luce adesso si sta facendo strada nel cielo. L’effetto è quello di un dipinto. Meraviglioso. Restano in silenzio per cinque minuti buoni, mentre l’alba timida e frettolosa del 2 ottobre inizia ad accendere il mondo e un nuovo giorno. Solo quando il sole ha completamente abbandonato la linea dell’orizzonte Jayde si sente di dare un suo giudizio sullo spettacolo appena vissuto. « Forse hai ragione, sai? »
Summary: Anders just wanted to pick some plants. He didn’t expect to realize he had a crush on Avery Hawke.
(Note: it’s a weird Fenhanders 4x4 in the end. It’s all consensual, and it works out just fine. But we’re not there yet.)
---
There is one over there.
There were a lot of them everywhere; it was kind of the point.
Anders could already feel a dull ache in his lower back as he bent to examine the plants in front of him. Without the light of a brilliant full moon high above his head, he would have missed the delicate leaves he had seen hours before only on the pages of a book. These, he had read, were good for the fevers and coughs that would plague all of Darktown come the colder months. With any luck, he would be able to pick and dry them before them.
That was if he was able to pick them, though. He wasn't exactly getting any younger...
“What, too far away from the ground to get it?”
The voice came from the left and was amplified by the solid bark of Ferelden's heraldic nightmare. Anders hadn't come alone that night – his companion had refused to let him do so. She was mostly there for protection, but... well she was lower to the ground than him.
He found her where she had stopped, sitting on a fallen tree stump and watching him as he examined the plants. Under the light of the moon, Avery's eyes were glowing. No doubt she had seen the light reflect off the leaves long before he had.
And of course, she hadn't deigned to tell him. Warriors.
“Just trying to pick the best one.” His back said otherwise. “But I am more than willing to take average specimens if you care to help.”
No surprise came when Avery hopped off the stump and bounded over to him, her faithful mabari Chewy at her heels. Much to his relief, the dog didn't start to paw at his bounty when she got close. That would have been problematic to say the least.
“Sure, it's those ones that are all shiny in the moonlight, right? How many do you need?”
As many as possible.
Justice was wide awake from the constant hum in Anders' head. He was used to it, but something about the warrior always woke the spirit up. He usually boiled it down to her being a reaver and left it at that. Any other thought gave him a headache.
Still, they had a point. “Leave enough for the animals and anyone who comes by, but it's going to be another bad cold season for sure.”
“Got it.” She got to picking; being lower to the ground, it was easier for her. “Good thing Moses was busy with Fen tonight, huh? He never would've gotten down here, would've had to freaking bend him in half or something.”
…
Maybe it was the exhaustion setting in, but Anders could practically see the large man folded in half in an attempt to pick the plants under the moonlight. He found himself similarly doubled over ,though this time in laughter that erupted from deep within his stomach. Breathing became difficult as tears stung at his eyes, unable to control himself.
At least Avery was laughing with him. He heard her bark of laughter somewhere to his side. Even in that respect, she was Ferelden. In a weird way, he could respect that as he felt laughter scrape against his insides. It had been a while, so maybe some spring cleaning had been desperately needed. Or, maybe the moon was driving him absolutely insane. Lunatics, all that.
Are you going to be alright? Peak moonlight is within the hour and the plants lose some effect after that.
“Sorry, Justice, I'm holding him up!” Avery answered as if she could hear what was going on in his head. She swiped a hand across her eyes and flicked the remains away. When she saw his face, she added, “You get that look when they're not happy with something. I figured you were getting read the riot act.”
I do not read the riot act.
Anders found it hard to contain a snicker as he dabbed at his own eyes. “Something like that, yes. I do appreciate the help, though. I know you usually work at night.”
At the Rose. Or at least she had before the Deep Roads. Anders had often heard about it when a worker found his way to the clinic. Avery had made somewhat of a name for herself as the Blooming Rose's favorite bouncer. If you asked anywhere else in town, people probably would've spit as they said that. That was of course probably because she had kicked them out, but that was a story for another night where he wasn't trying to collect herbs.
His companion kept picking, a small pile forming off to the side. “I was off tonight anyway. Besides, no way I was letting you out alone in fucking Kirkwall at night.”
Technically, they weren't in Kirkwall. Also technically, they were on the Wounded Coast so it was honestly just as bad. She had him there.
“I'm a bit surprised you still work there.” He paused, wiping his brow after pulling at a particularly stubborn root. “What with the expedition paying off and all.”
Avery responded by nudging him to the side to pull it out for him with way too much ease. They were close enough that he could smell her sweat and the soap they used to clean clothes. Often he smelled it on Moses' skin as they lay in bed together, but this was a new experience. Honestly, it wasn't an unpleasant one.
Focus. Besides, you have Moses.
He did. And Moses was currently with Fenris. The two had grown close over the months together, to the point they could share a bed now. It had been a somewhat awkward discussion among the four of them, but things were working out so far. The only downside was that the mage had been too busy to help him – thus borrowing his frequent shoulder accessory had been somewhat required.
But at least she talked a little more. That was nice. Moses was kind of the strong and silent type, though that was plenty attractive too in its own right.
“I like the people there, and I can get paid for tossing creeps on their ass. Seems like a dream job for me.” She wiped the sweat from her brow, trailing dirt in her wake. “Besides, it pisses Leandra off when her annoying noble friends talk about me. Might as well give them something to discuss over tea, am I right?”
And then she grinned, exposing her reaver-sharpened incisors that glinted in the moonlight. Anders felt his mouth go dry as his heart skipped a beat. Face heating up, he turned away on the guise of looking for more plants to pick.
Damn his brain. And his loins for that matter.
“Well, as long as you get to annoy your mother and it keeps the workers from being harassed.”
Your voice almost cracked. I take that to mean you do find her attractive then?
Leave it to Justice to announce the dragon in the room.
Anders scowled at the ground as he continued to pick. Over all the turmoil, Avery chatted with her dog as she worked. Clearly, she had missed his mild turmoil. That or she was enjoying it. With the half elf, it was hard to tell.
Did he though? When she turned, he stole a quick glance. There was dirt on the knees of her pants, and it looked as though she had forgotten to brush her hair again. The smudge of dirt on her nose was a secondary kaddis as she chatted with Chewy, laughing at the mabari's antics. Every so often, he caught those incisors and glowing eyes as she worked.
…
Shit.
“Hey, Anders. I think we should move spots. It's starting to get a little sparse around here.”
There were those glowing eyes, focused on him as she straightened up to her meager height. Avery had more dirt on her face now, but it didn't seem to bother her as she deposited her work into his waiting basket. Then she wiped her hands off on her pants as she whistled for her dog.
The mage managed to nod dully as realization crashed over him in waves. “Good idea. I believe there's a spot not too far ahead.”
“I'll keep my eyes out for the shiny leaves. Just stay close and try not to break an ankle.” She paused. “I mean, you could probably heal yourself but that seems like a real pain in the ass out here with infection and all. I dunno, I'm not a mage or anything that's more your thing.”
Avery shrugged, oblivious as she started to walk off. It left Anders to watch her as she slowly disappeared into the darkness, her footsteps and the bark of her faithful mabari the only indication she was there at all.
Shit.
I would advise following.
Anders scowled as he came back to himself. “I am.”
She is almost out of sight.
Leave it to Justice to know how to bring him back to the task at hand. Anders swore under his breath as he sought to catch up to the half elf. At least he had the moon to guide him as they traversed the rocky edges of the wounded coast, searching for herbs.
He had found plenty, all right. What he wasn't expecting to find was a damn crush on his friend. How the hell was he going to get out of this one?
