Blood from Stone [AU]

[Isabela]

"It happens to everyone like us, luv," she finishes, rubbing Liz's back. "You're alright."

[Marian Hawke]

"Please, what did I do wrong?" she asks quietly, sounding a lot less desperate than before.

[Tethras Clan]

"Do you... not recall what you... how you addressed me?" Zevran asks quietly, hoping to avoid the word.

[Marian Hawke]

"I...no, I was..."

It hits her then, and she winces. "I'm sorry. I kept thinking of, of Cindy. She liked to be called.. I'm sorry."

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran leans over to press a kiss to her bare shoulder. "You are forgiven. It... it would not be so... painful normally. But I was still partially asleep and... the party stirred up memories that lead to dreams."

[Marian Hawke]

"Yes," she whispers, closing her eyes briefly. It seems he's not the only one who had strange dreams last night.

[Tethras Clan]

"Would... perhaps we should have breakfast now? Together?" Zevran offers, hand moving up to cup the back of her neck and knead softly.

[Marian Hawke]

"Alright," she says quietly, subdued. Gods, what a mess. Is this love? Am I in love? Is that why I can't bear to be let go, why I'm so desperate to make a place in their lives?

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran starts to rise, then hesitates. Instead, he leans in more so he can tilt Liz's face towards him. "You are forgiven. Okay? Mistakes happen. I am not angry with you, I am not upset with you. I do not hate you. Quite the contrary, Marian Liz Hawke of Clan zi'Tethras." That done, he bends down to kiss her gently on the lips.

[Marian Hawke]

She kisses him back, tears of gratitude filling her eyes as she does. Quite the contrary. Oh, Zevran...

Later, as they're finishing up breakfast, she pushes herself a little further. "Can we talk about the future?" she asks quietly.

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran cocks his head to the side as he collects the dishes to stack near the door- they can take them down later. "Did you see a show you want to go to?" he asks curiously, recalling how she had remarked about wanting to start trying to explore some of the various entertainments available in a city-state. They've tried a few plays, a concert and a poetry-reading to mostly positive results so far.

[Marian Hawke]

"I... well, yes, but... I was... thinking about our arrangement. I... You both make me happy and I..."

[Isabela]

Isabela lets out a low whistle. "You're a sweet girl, Liz, you really are, but I need to stop you here. I don't do long-term arrangements. If you're looking for something more domestic, you have my blessing to seek it out, but I can't be it for you."

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran is... rather quiet, his back to them both.

[Marian Hawke]

"Oh," she says, wilting, hanging her head. "Right. I'm... I'm sorry," she adds.