Chapter Text
She sat at the bar, waiting for him. She turned around, smiling as he came closer to her. She gestured towards the stool next to her.
“What are you having? Don’t tell me Solas, you don’t like alcohol?”
He looked at her, smiling politely.
“Oh, no. I do enjoy a glass once in a while.”
“But not tonight?” she purred at him.
She sat very close to him, too close. He could smell her earthy scent. Her eyes kept his gaze. The Tavern was becoming increasingly crowded, the heat and noise level rising. She grinned, narrowing her eyes at him.
“My apologies, Inquisitor, but no, not tonight.”
She threw her head slightly back, sighing. She chuckled again.
“Please hahren, indulge me,” she said shooting him a begging look.
Now he was the one to smirk, his eyes darting from her eyes to his hands in his lap. She was so young and beautiful, yet he felt connected to her on a deeper level. At first he had despised her. Foolish, reckless, dalish. Stealing his magic. He had her pictured to be just as the many other elves he had met on his travels. They had driven him from seeking out any living company. Blind to the truth, even when presented to them. But she had sought comfort in him. The first person she had spoken to when she woke up in Haven, the person she came to with questions, the person she confided in. At first it had been obvious. His looks made her comfortable. To her he was something familiar, a reminder of the people she had left behind back home. He had tried to dismiss her, but she still came. Even when he had told her he was nothing like her.
“You wanted to speak to me about something. I am here, da’len, ask.”
His voice was hushed, but she heard him. Her smiling face and gaze turned away from him, focusing on the bartender.
“Could I have a double scotch, please?” she asked politely.
“Coming right up!”
Some one bumped into her from the other side, forcing her closer to him. She grunted annoyed, before moving her chair even closer to him. Her drink came just as she sat down again.
“Why the bar, if I might ask?” he couldn’t help smiling at her. She was obviously as uncomfortable here as he was.
“Well, hahren, I do not come here often. I am the “boss” as Bull puts it, and he has mentioned that it would lift the morale amongst the people to know I like a drink, just as they do…. And I really needed a large drink, these past weeks – well, months – have really been… different.”
She widened her eyes as she said the last part, taking a big sip of her drink. She didn’t even wince. He nodded, smiling at her. Like a fish out of water. They were a lot more similar, than he had first made them out to be.
***
He was painfully aware of her hand on his knee. She was laughing loudly, a little drunk from the drinks. The scotch had been switched out with wine. He was still chuckling, dreading and relishing her gentle touch. His skin burned underneath her hand. She was mesmerizing. She knew things, questioned everything, and listened to his explanations. She called him hahren, acknowledging him as someone who has more knowledge than her self, someone she could learn from. His stare had lingered a bit too long on her face. Her laughter stilled and she moved her hand, making him feel relieved and longing for her touch simultaneously. She took another sip of her glass. This was their third bottle. He could feel it in his system, but not enough for him to loose his composure. She was not going to undo him. Not now. He had never had any problem with hiding his desire. He was always in control.
The Tavern had begun to empty out, but they were still sitting close to each other. She put her elbow on the counter, placing her head in her hand. She looked at him with tired, smiling eyes. She took her time before speaking.
“Tell me hahren…. have you ever loved someone?”
When he didn’t answer immediately she continued.
“What was it like to you? I was in love once. It was horrible. Sometimes I feel like I’ve missed out on so many things, being a first…”
She sighed, letting her gaze wander. He smiled at her.
“I am flattered that you believe me to be well acquainted with women. Sadly I am yet to find one who can truly draw my attention from the fade.”
His eyes kept her gaze. He was surprised with himself and a bit scared he might have over shared a bit. She was grinning at him, her pearly white teeth shoving.
“How sad… Two elves whom have never felt simple love.” She puckered her lips, trying to look sad before she chuckled, smiling mischievously at him.
“Luckily, you do not have to be in love to do… other… fun things….” She continued grinning devilish at him.
Both her hands were on his knees now; she leaned closer to him, sliding her hands further up his thighs. His body was tense and he found himself smirking at her, holding her gaze stubbornly, and not giving in to her tease. Her face was directly in front of his. She was staring at his lips, wetting her own slowly, seductively.
The wooden floor squealed and she broke his gaze quickly settling on her stool again, both of them looking towards the sound. The barkeeper came out from the back, looking at them. Her cheeks were flushing, Solas looked untouched.
“I’ll be locking up in a minute,” he said tiredly, before disappearing again.
“I believe that was my cue…. A very pleasant evening to you, da’len,” Solas said to her, smirking as he stood up and walked towards the door. He nodded to her before leaving.
Outside he finally exhaled, clenched his fists and hurried to his room. How… why did she have this power over him? He could still feel her touch. His otherwise incredible composure had been an inch from crumbling. He thanked the barkeeper for his timely interference, dreading where or how that would have ended. But he couldn’t stop thinking about it – about her. The sway of her hips, her waist and perky breasts. The wavy blonde hair, loosely tied in a ponytail reaching her mid back. The freckles on her cheeks, the rosiness of her lips, the blue in her eyes. Her laughter, like a warm embrace, her curious nature, always keeping him on his toes. She was too good.
He closed the door firmly behind him, closed his eyes as he leaned towards it, sighing loudly. It took him a while before he started walking towards his bed. What was he going to do… He had to stay away from her as much as he could. Ah… but she wanted him. He went to bed, smiling foolishly to himself. He had to stay away from her he tried convincing himself before falling asleep, dreaming of her.