It was possibly the afterglow, she would soon feel very tired and normal again. It was probably something she would have to get used to. Archer surely did after his first time, well technically this was also his first time with a woman. So there was that as well. But of course he wouldn’t tell her that, it was more complicated. Archer just followed her inside to her quarters.

“You’ll get used to it.”

       “I’m sure I will.”   

Closing the door behind them, making sure to lock it despite it being a futile attempt to deter anyone from disturbing the couple. When someone wanted her she wouldn’t hear the end of it until she left, whether she liked it or not. Though that was a worry for another time as the elf yawned, letting go of Archer once they were on the landing.

Aranel was no longer in a hurry, slowly starting to undo the clasps, buttons, and ties on her robes, wanting to get comfortable before anything else. As complicated as mage robes could appear, she was familiar enough with her own to make easy work of removing them.

SLEEPING HOOK WEEK: Day 05 | Fading

“It is not selfish, I am your boyfriend of course I stay by your side wether I am tired or not.”

This was her first time, wether it happend in a romantic situation or not, she was still a virgin before and it made her a bit happy. Also a bit special in his case. He liked to be with her, no matter the circumstances. He accompanied her to her quarters, and since she was a tiny little elf sometimes, he could warm her up a bit.

They had already been close to her quarters to begin with, so getting there took barely any time at all, Aranel holding his hand and smiling the whole way. Perhaps it was the afterglow kicking in, or so she assumed, this was still a new feeling for her but one she enjoyed. And now she could just push aside work for a moment and have a peaceful sleep, speaking as she unlocked the door.

       “I’m still not used to the word boyfriend...I like the sound of it though.” 

“I’ll be the one to find you, safe in my heart’.

It was something he really enjoyed, holding hands with her and hearing all the gasps from the other people. Especially from someone who wasn’t yet aware of their relationship. However a few things needed to be private for them both. Like when they slept with each other, this was a private matter and not even the advisors could say something about it.

“I am  not so tired as you are but I will join you nonetheless.”

       “I know it’s selfish of me, but i’m glad you said that. I sleep much better        when I know you are beside me.” 

Keeping the night terrors at bay, providing safety in his arms and extra warmth for her small frame. It always felt so nice to be held by him during the nights, when her quarters could be so cold. She had been spoilt from the indoors and no longer used to sleeping in colder areas, so the elf would now often wrap herself in blankets and form a cocoon unless accompanied. 

She would get used to it, he felt kind of the same since he had to hold her the whole time, so his legs were also a bit weaker than usual. He tried his best to act natural because they wouldn’t want to be screaming ‘sex’ at this very moment. Although he was sure some people would figure it out. She looked indeed more presentable, as they walked out of the room he quickly fixed her hair. Which looked a bit messy.

“Good idea…I think we will fall asleep very easily.”

It was good that their relationship was now more official so they could walk around like this. With their fingers laced and smiling at each other. Without someone coming around the corner.

Being open about their relationship made it easier; there was no reason to gossip when the truth was in front of them, they didn’t have to hide and worry about being caught, no watching how they acted or spoke, just honesty. And all of it just made the smile for feeling so thankful.

       “Are you tired too? You don’t have to join me if you don’t want to...        It just sounded like a nice idea after that.” 

“Good idea. Here let me help you.”

He slowly removed himself from her and pulled up his own pants, since he couldn’t walk around naked through Skyhold. He would freeze of his bits at any moment. So when he was feeling more dressed up he helped her get into her robes, closing them in the front so people couldn’t stare. Before he took her hand.

It was an after effect and she would get used to it in time, sometimes it made people tired and just wanting to cuddle.

It felt a little strange to have her feet back on the floor again, her legs aching a little from having been wrapped tightly around his hips. But she was thankful for the help, pulling her robes back down to hit the floor as he assisted with fastening the front before she smoothed her hair a little, now looking more presentable.

       “An early night, then?” 

Smiling as she laced their fingers together, opening the door so they could head back to her quarters. The papers could wait, at least for tonight.

“Which is a very good thing, but I was….I couldn’t stop it, it felt right.”

And he really hoped he didn’t hurt her, although the usual soreness would always come between them. They just needed to figure out something. How to make it work without getting sore everytime. However it wasn’t so awful and he hoped she had enjoyed it all the same. Now they were both laughing at the fact of how it worked out.

“Still…this is just like me. Typical. How are you feeling anyway? I mean…it was your first time. Any pain? Soreness? Should we get to your quarters?”

Maybe she wanted to rest, he had no idea how this works. How does someone react while being a virgin.

       “I wouldn’t want you any other way. And I feel okay....just tired. A little        sore but nothing unbearable. I honestly just feel like curling up to you        and taking a nap.” 

A small laugh as her hand finally dropped from his face, the elf letting out a soft yawn. It was late afternoon, the sun starting to set, making it still seem a little early to be sleeping. There was still so much to do but she just wanted to settle in and cuddle Archer all night. Perhaps it was an after effect, though it was a general want of hers anyway. 

       “I should at least straighten my robes before I leave here though.” 

“Okay…I just wanted to make sure…that I didn’t do anything you didn’t want.”

Of course it was harder to find the right time to do something like this, but it was actually a bit normal for them. He chuckled a little bit.

“Here I wanted your first time to be romantic, with candles and all that stuff, you know without taking you out for dinner. And what do I do? I take you up against a wall with my pants down.”

       “I would have told you if I didn’t want it, or shown you.” 

Finding his laughter a little contagious, with the elf now chuckling with him. He was right, of course, that this was very like them in being impatient and imperfect. There had been no need to make a big ceremony out of it, very few things worked out in such a way these days.

       “It didn’t have to be something out of a romance novel. What was important        to me was that my first time was with you. And it was. I’m happy.” 

Still idly thumbing across his cheek, such fondness in her eyes as she gazed upon him. Once Corypheus was defeated then they can worry about the setting for their intimacies.

Contact the Wardens | Aranel & Nedra

Nedra nodded at her, when they started to walk.”I agree. “

She said shortly while admiring the the interiors as they walked. Everything looked good,at leas she thought so, though she hadn’t seen many castles. But it seemed that the Inquisition had done good work here.

“I had a task before I got here, but all this.” she waved her hand around.” Made it kind of impossible. Maybe when this is sorted I can get back to it.” 

she smiled at her. Finding the Cure was important for her, since she wasn’t delighted by the idea of turning to a ghoul or die fighting before it. 

“You know, I think I was asked to this, because I have been in this kind of situation too. In front of almost impossible task, like you are now, facing this Corypheus.” 

Nedra said, wondering if the other knew that she was the Hero Of Ferelden. Not that it mattered though. It was just a title.

“And the rumors you have heard about the Calling are true. I’ve heard it too and I’m hearing it now as we speak. “ She glanced briefly at her.”There has to be a connection since I shouldn’t be hearing it for many years to come. And still I am.”

She said, trying to push her fear away. To look that she wasn’t scared even if she was.

       “An impossible task always feels like an understatement. Not so long        ago I was just learning to become the next Keeper and now....” 

Brows furrowing slightly, but thoughts quickly pushed aside. Now was not the time to be fretting or thinking of the past, now was a time to act. There was a lot of work before them, the Inquisitor nodding along to what Nedra was saying, concentrating on her as the door to the war room was opened and they could enter.

       “So it’s true, Wardens really are walking into early deaths. There has to be        some sort of connection, this wouldn’t just happen of its own accord.” 

Heading towards the table, peering at the various markers placed upon the map, showing where troops had been, where they were going, planning their next actions in the fight against the ancient darkspawn. Every move had to be carefully calculated, but thankfully she had Cullen to assist her with such things.

       “How long have you been hearing it?”