Under Darkness [AU]

[Isabela]

Isabela grins. "I'm sure she's heard tell of my amazing breath-holding prowess. I was talking about the other little gift. Also, sex, but that's just a given whenever I'm talking," she jokes. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Well, she's seen you do your water push thing," Zevran muses, then his eyes light up. "Ah! You mean your enchantingly dulcet singing voice?"

[Isabela]

"Yes. Singing." She wiggles her eyebrows. 

[Tethras Clan]

"...I think we all know you don't mean singing," Aveline says wryly. "And either get back into the water or go play with Hawke before her eyes dry out."

[Isabela]

Isabela smirks, turning to face Aveline. "I do, actually, mean singing. But if I demonstrated you'd probably smite me. I'm descended from sirens, you see, on my father's side." 

[Tethras Clan]

"Sir- ah." Aveline frowns, then shrugs. "Ask first and I don't see why it'd be a problem. Not much difference than what you do when you sway." The paladin sighs, head tilting back so she's starting at the ceiling.

"As amusing as it is to watch Aveline flirt without meaning to," Zevran chimes in, ignoring the finger Aveline points at him, "I do have a surprise. Hawke, hands out to me." So saying, he tosses her a towel to dry her hands. "We've mail from home."

[Marian Hawke]

"Mail!" That might be the only thing that can drag her attention away from Isabela's damp ass: the prospect of hearing from Merrill. She climbs out of the tub, shaking her head to get her hair partway dry as she towels off her hands. 

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran laughs softly as he watches Hawke eagerly scramble for the letter. "It's not going anywhere you know," he teases.

"As if you haven't already read the letter she sent you," Aveline snorts.

"Guilty," he admits cheerfully, handing over the letter once Hawke's hands are dry. Soon enough, the magus is ripping open the letter.

My noble love,

I am very conflicted right now- I am not sure whether to be incredibly proud or furious at you. The five of you, taking on an adult dragon by yourselves! I'm deeply glad that those poor fishermen are safe now, but the thought of you fighting such a foe with no more healing than Aveline's gifted hands worries me to no end. I've take up potion making, so you'd best prepare to have half your bags filled with vial after vial of healing elixir- and I'll not hear a word of protest!

As for the happenings here... I saw Seli and Carver walking hand in hand yesterday. And the looks they were giving each other weren't just friend-like neither. Oh it's so nice to see them all coming together- oh! Oh! Right, you might not know! Andy and Carver are together too. They're slower than Carver and Seli, 'cause your brother is weird about admitting he likes Andy's bum. And face. And hands. And legs. He stares at Seli's legs and bum a lot too. Huh. Poly and bums and hips- guess he really is your brother, huh?

Anyway. Umm. So you might not care, your brother still isn't sure if he does, I think. But Varric managed to track your father down. Your grandmother does live right here at the Oak- I'd actually met her already, at the market. She's elven and old- not old, old, but old- so she doesn't work much anymore but she sells baked goods around town and now that Varric has dwarfed up an actual market day each month 'cause of the caravans that pass through now, she sets up a stall there. I like her egg white rolls. I don't think Carver's talked to her yet- maybe he wants to talk it over with you first? Or maybe he's just nervous. I dunno.

I love you, my guiding stars, my first friend, my first love, my hope, and now my fiance,
Please be well.
Merrill Tethras

PS- this might be weird. But you don't seem to mind when I'm weird so- anyway. I had a dream about you. A naughty dream. The two of us, making love back at Varric's old place, in your room. Except it was also kinda outside. It was wonderful. We just touched and kissed and touched some more. There wasn't any pain or metal or darkness. I love you. I loved that. I want to make love with you again. Can we date again?

[Marian Hawke]

Hawke stills, reading the letter over twice, a third time. Finally, she does something entirely unexpected: She jumps into the air with a whoop of pure joy. Laughing, she presses the letter to her chest, spinning around in circles from sheer joy. 

[Tethras Clan]

It takes a week for the quartet to make the twelve day trek back to Raplin's Oak. The homecoming is worth it however, as alerted in some fashion or another, Merrill flies out to greet them, Varric trailing behind. The next week is a blur, with Hawke and Merrill together almost constantly from breakfast to dessert. Even more promisingly, neither of them have a single incident in truth- each have a few moments where they need to step back or recenter themselves, yes, but neither have a panic attack, shut-down or go overly submissive. And if they have to be a little careful, if they sometimes double and triple check their words to ensure they don't trigger the other... they're still together.  By the end of the month, the pair have had three dates of increasing normality. The first a simple outing to the town's cafe in the company of Aveline, Varric and Anders. The second a dinner with just Aveline. And the third a long walk through the gardens with just Silence and Beka that ended with a very satisfying make-out session, followed by lunch at Merrill's place, though Varric joined them then.

Things seem to be going well with the others as well. Zevran and Aveline have a few dates of their own during this time, if only to keep them from worrying about the two ladies. Hawke has a long talk with her brother about family, the two eventually deciding to talk to the grandmother in town and decide from there whether to track down Malcom. And speaking of Carver, his own romances continue apace, to the point that one day, Seli asks Merrill and Hawke if they'd be willing to watch over the twins for an afternoon into evening to allow the three of them to try a triad date night.

Stars in her eyes, both magical and emotional, Merrill gushes an agreement instantly.

Which leads them to where they are now, Wibberly Pond. The mabari are dozing in the shade, having enjoyed their long romp and tasty lunch. The twins are dozing as well, equally tuckered out thanks to watching the mabari and adults play. Merrill, it seems, has been playing assistant mother to Seli rather devotedly for the last few months and is a dab hand at caring for the pair, though Gilly at least seems enthralled by Hawke for some reason. Carver too, but babies aren't known for their loyalty. "I love you," Merrill says softly into the comfortable silence that had arisen after the twins start to nap. "Always."

[Marian Hawke]

"Always," whispers Hawke, smiling. Adventures, playing babysitter, and reconnecting with family are all blessings, but Merrill most of all. My darling Merrill, my beloved flower, back with me again. Scarred but not broken. What more could I ask for?

[Tethras Clan]

"Have... have you spoken with Anders much? Since being here?" Merrill asks as she breathes in the scent of Hawke. Then presses a kiss to the base of her throat, just because she can now.

[Marian Hawke]

Hawke lets out a throaty groan. "No," she admits, her hand tracing Merrill's spine. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Over clothes is fine," the elf says a trifle breathlessly. What were we... oh, right. Anders. Yes. "I like him. A lot. Like... a lot."

[Marian Hawke]

Hawke's hand stills. "Really?" Her voice sounds tight, but she controls herself.