Under Darkness [AU]

[Marian Hawke]

It takes a second to realize she's murmuring to thin air -- Hawke has stopped a few paces back, hand over her mouth, eyes brimming. 

"She's the most beautiful elf I've ever seen," she whispers, awestruck. "And she loves me back."

[Tethras Clan]

Avelline smiles faintly. Beautiful? Perhaps not in form but... she is very pretty. And filled with- "She's so full of life. At the joy of being alive." Stepping back so she can take Hawke's arm, she tugs a little. "Come on, let's go say-"

"Hawke!" The antics of the two mabari had drawn her attention, causing Merrill to notice Beka and thus realize the time. And so she'd turned and... "Hawke," Merrill repeats much more softly, heart beating wildly as she looks at her most beloved for the first time in far, far too long. "Hawke?" she repeats once more, the name a desperate plea.

[Marian Hawke]

"My love," she manages, once she's found words again. "Gods, you're more beautiful than-- than any mortal has right to be." Hawke doesn't quite speak the blasphemy that comes to her lips, but it's a near thing, narrowly avoided by a childhood hearing stories of mortals being punished for their hubris. 

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill flushes prettily, hands lacing in front of her. "Umm. Oh! Hello Aveline," she adds quickly, noticing the other woman finally. Which, given that she's holding Hawke's arm, is rather telling. "Umm. I had words. And then you- Hawke. Hawke."

[Marian Hawke]

"I know the feeling," she confides, as a stupid, sappy, lovesick grin spreads across her face. She raises her hand, but pauses before it comes close, asking, "May I touch your cheek?"

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill hesitates only a second before stepping closer. "Yes please," she whispers. "I... I'd like to try hugging you too, just... loose? Please?"

[Marian Hawke]

Hawke lifts her hand again, brushing the backs of her fingers along Merrill's cheekbone. "<e>My precious one, my darling flower, my beloved Merrill..." she whispers, once more awestruck. 

[GamesMaster]

"This is going well," remarks Anders softly to Aveline, watching the pair. "A good day, then?"

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill shivers a little, eyes closing as she leans into the touch slightly. Slipping into elven as well, she murmurs, "my smiling sun, my brightest stars. I've missed you so much. Letter just aren't the same as your touch."

"Aside from nerves, yes. Aside from... a bit of a break-down yesterday after reading the... postscript note, she's been doing very well of late," Aveline replies, having moved a way a little to give the two some space.

[Marian Hawke]

Hawke runs her thumb over the pad of Merill's cheek, swallowing hard. "Merrill, my darling, my beloved."

[GamesMaster]

"This is good for them," says Anders, firmly. "I swore to Merrill if I could get them back together I would."

[Tethras Clan]

Aveline studies Anders for a moment, then makes a thoughtful noise. "I... hadn't realized- sorry. She's doing well. Merrill, I mean."

Merrill whimpers softly, the sound sweet instead of sad. "May I hug you?" she asks, hands white-knuckling on each other to keep from reaching for her beloved until she's given permission.

[Marian Hawke]

"Yes," breathes Hawke. 

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill's arms spring up, encircling Hawke almost hungrily. "I missed you, I missed you, I missed you."

[Marian Hawke]

For a few blissful seconds, and for the first time since she was forced to confront the fact that Jadan killed her, Hawke manages to forget all this happened. Merrill is in her arms, babbling and wonderful and alive, and she does what comes naturally: she smothers her talk with a deep, passionate kiss.

A heartbeat later she stiffens and pulls back as the weight of memory crashes down on her. "Sorry, sorry, so sorry," she mumbles, eyes wide, as she lets Merrill go.