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“Is it bad that the real night sky looks fake to me after spending so much time at the Lighthouse?” Rook shuffled the pack off her back, propping it up against the tree as she glanced upwards. The darkness of the Fereldan forest allowed every star to show off its shine brightly between the tree leaves.
“Then I am definitely glad I got you out of there. The Fade’s atmosphere may be ethereal, but it just couldn’t replicate the true essence of the outdoors. The smells, sounds, sights, nothing compares really.” Lace dropped her pack near Rook’s, moving to stand next to the other dwarf following her gaze upwards. “We did luck out on a clear night though… when I did this with Emmerich we got caught in an unexpected rainstorm.”
“Oh no… did that mean you had to admit you were glad he over-packed? Including the two umbrellas he insisted on bringing ‘just in case’.”
Lace shoved her shoulder playfully into Rook’s. “Shut it, you.”
“Make me…” Rook turned to face Lace as she issued the challenge. There may not be a storm in the forecast, but the electricity between them still hasn't died down. Lace reached up, gently cupping Rook’s cheek. Her eyes darted down to Rook’s lips as she moved closer.
“I could…” Lace’s words were but a whisper across Rook’s lips, mere centimeters from touching. “But we need to set up camp.” Lace had planned to leave without so much as a peck, but even her willpower wouldn’t allow herself to be this close without any contact. She placed the quickest of kisses on Rook’s lips and moved away before the other dwarf could even open her mouth to protest.
“You’re so horrible to me…”
“No one will believe you.” Lace stooped down to open her pack. She couldn’t look back at Rook, knowing the other woman would be trying to use her best puppy dog expression to get her to forget the task at hand.
After a few moments Rook gave up and began to unpack her own bag. She wasn’t going to win this battle, but there was still the war to be fought which could happen after they set everything up.
“I think camping with Emmerich has rubbed off on you.” Rook pulled out the parts of a small canvas tent. “Lace Harding not sleeping among the roots… What will the other scouts say?”
Lace didn’t even miss a beat. “I think the scouts will be grateful we kept this evening’s activities indoors.”
After everything had calmed down from the battle with Solas and some semblance of peace had settled over the north, Rook and Lace’s relationship moved quickly from the awkward new phase as it began to settle into something much more comfortable, but still exciting. Though Rook was still surprised at how forward Lace could be.
“Ah… right…” Rook was usually the suave one, but her weakness was definitely Lace being forward. She could feel her ears burning as her mind began to wander to all the things they could, and would, be doing in the tent later.
“Unless you’d rather sleep under the stars… I suppose we could put the tent…” Before Lace could finish her sentence, Rook’s hands were on her waist from behind, bodies pressed together.
“No… I want you… the tent sounds perfect.” Rook purred, letting her lips dance across the back of Lace’s neck. Rook’s hands gripped Lace’s hips, pulling the slightly smaller woman as close as she could.
“Mmm… Okay.” Lace’s voice was breathy as she leaned back into the touch. “Good.”
It had been several days since either of them had found time alone. The Veil may be intact and the immediate disaster averted, but there was so much to do and massive amounts of clean up from the destruction the battle of Gods had caused to the surrounding areas. As a Grey Warden, Rook had been called to help clear our remaining Darkspawn camps and Harding was often pulled into organizing her contacts to help with various clean-up tasks.
“Rook… if we start this now, we’ll never get the tent up…” Lace ran her hands over Rook’s, fighting the urge to turn around in her arms and kiss the other woman.
“I know… I’ve just missed you so much…” Rook’s face nuzzled in the nape of Lace’s neck.
“I’ve missed you too… but I promise as soon as the tent is up, we’ve gathered wood, scouted the area for any danger, and cooked dinner, I’m all yours.”
“That list sounds awfully long…” Rook whined, placing soft kisses wherever she could reach, smiling as Lace let out a soft moan.
“It will only take longer if you keep this up…” Lace’s words were protesting, but her body wasn’t as she interlocked her fingers with Rook’s, pressing closer.
“You’re not making it easier to leave, love.”
Lace sighed, taking a deep breath as she slowly moved away, slipping out of Rook’s grasp. “You’re right, the sooner we get everything done, the sooner we can continue that…” It was taking all of the willpower Lace had left not to simply abandon her mental checklist and shove Rook to the ground, but she knew there would be time. “Let’s scout and gather wood first because I have a feeling that as soon as that tent’s up, we aren’t going to be able to stop ourselves.”
“See this is why you’re the brains of the operation.” Rook slid her shield on her back and pulled out her short sword. “Lead the way, Scout Harding.” Lace giggled at Rook, shaking her head.
It didn’t take long to survey the area they were in. It was pretty secluded and quiet. It had been the main reason Lace had picked out the campsite in the first place. It also helped that Neve and Lucanis had given them some traps and wards to set up around the perimeter of their camp as a backup system.
“Alright, wards set, wood gathered, fire started. Lucanis also packed this soup mix. Some sort of bean soup? His exact instructions were to add water, heat, and don’t let Harding put anything else in…” Rook laughed as she pulled the container from her bag.
“I should be offended, but honestly that man’s cooking is perfect…” Lace placed a pot over the open flame and added water from her canteen. Rook took a seat on the log they’d positioned near the fire as Lace added Lucanis’ mix to the pot, stirring occasionally.
“You’re beautiful.” The awe was audible in Rook’s voice as she watched the flames play across Lace’s freckles.
The fire was hot, but Harding still felt the warmth of Rook’s words as they wrapped around her. She wasn’t even sure how to respond to the compliment. She’d had suitors here and there, even a girlfriend back before the Inquisition, but it had been so long since she’d really allowed herself to feel safe and loved with another person. There was always another mission or task, and while she’d harbored a crush or two, nothing had ever really settled in her chest the way Rook had.
“Come here…” Rook reached out, taking Lace’s hand and tugging her into her lap.
“Rook… we’ll burn the soup…”
“It takes time to heat up…” Rook’s lips were already at Lace’s neck, trailing kisses down towards her collarbone.
“Yes, but we don’t…” Lace’s breath was becoming ragged as she wrapped her arms around Rook’s neck, one hand gliding through Rook’s short hair.
“It’s been so hard not to touch you…” Rook allowed one hand to sneak under the bottom of Lace’s tunic, fingertips grazing across her soft skin.
“Mmm I always want you to touch me…” Lace cupped Rook’s face in both hands, crashing their lips together. Rook was surprised by the force at first, but she quickly met the intensity, opening her mouth to taste Lace. Her sense’s completely filled by the other woman.
Rook now had both hands slid under Lace’s tunic, her nails dragging lightly across Harding’s back as she pulled her as close as Lace could get.
Lace let out a moan against Rook’s mouth, deepening the kiss as much as she could. It was as if she couldn’t get close enough to her.
Rook pulled away from the kiss, causing Lace to whimper slightly, which only turned into a moan as Rook latched onto Harding’s pulse point, sucking hard enough to definitely leave a mark.
One of Rook’s hands snuck out from under Harding’s shirt, and she missed the contact instantly. Rook started fumbling with the buttons and hooks on the front of Lace’s jacket, but before she could get very far, a water splashing sound was heard by the fire.
“Shit… the soup…” Lace jumped up from Rook’s lap, rushing to the fire as the pot began to boil over. She grabbed one of her gloves and removed the pot from the flames.
“You’re far too distracting…” Lace admonished Rook, her voice still tinged with desire.
“You’re not complaining…”
“Never…” Lace smiled warmly at Rook before turning to the soup. “Well at least it’s not burnt.” She poured the food into two bowls and passed Rook one.
“This smells amazing. Lucanis should trade in the daggers for an apron.” Rook blew on the hot soup before taking a bite. “Ugh… so good. I mean it’s not turnip stew… but.” Rook winked at Lace, earning an elbow jab from the other dwarf.
“You’d better be nicer about Ferelden delicacies when we visit my Ma.”
“Ah, I’m meeting the parents soon? We’re that serious?” Rook’s words were followed with a devilish smile.
“Oh yeah, you’re in deep. I don’t do flings.” Rook sensed a slight bit of worry in Lace’s playful tone.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way, Lace. I want all of it, the camping, the cottage, and meeting your family.” Rook reached up, tucking a stray strand of hair behind Lace’s ear before gently cupping her face and running her thumb across the freckles that danced across Lace’s cheeks.
“I love you.” Lace placed a kiss against Rook’s palm.
“I love you too.”
They spent the rest of their meal talking softly, exchanging sweet glances and reveling in just being together.
As the fire slowly died out and they’d cleaned up dinner. Rook and Harding wasted no time setting up the tent.
“One large bedroll, huh?” Rook smiled as she laid out the leather fur lined sleeping bag.
“Of course… for warmth.” Lace smiled as she doused the fire completely.
“Well then, come warm me up, Scout Harding.” Rook took Lace’s hands in hers and led her into the tent.
The tent was tall enough for two dwarves to stand upright and had enough width to set out their bedroll and still have space to the side for their belongings to be kept safe.
After kicking off their boots, the two women stood in the center of the tent, as if waiting for permission from the other.
“Is it weird that even though we’ve done this before… part of me still feels as nervous as I did the first time…” Lace glanced down at her feet, feeling the blush rise onto her cheeks.
Rook stepped into her face, one hand moving to Lace’s waist and the other lifting her chin up so their eyes could meet.
“Nothing about you is weird, Lace Harding. My body always feels both excited and nervous around you. It’s sort of just on fire whenever you’re near.” Lace reached up to cover Rook’s hand with her, squeezing it.
“Kiss me… please…”
Rook pulled Lace close, slowly, letting their lips touch gently at first. She savored the salt and spice she still tasted on Lace’s lips from the soup, mingling with her love’s naturally addictive tastes.
Lace’s hands slipped over Rook’s shoulders, fingertips running through Rook’s short dark hair as the kiss deepened. Days of stress, separation, and yearning melted away as they came together.
“I hear we can keep even more warm if we’re skin to skin…” Rook whispered against Lace’s lips.
“Better test that theory, Warden.” Lace’s fingertips moved to Rook’s light leather armor. Her deft hands made quick work of the buckles, the armor pieces falling quickly to the ground as their lips never broke apart. Rook attempted to work on ridding Lace of her clothes, but she had a hard time focusing on what her hands were doing when Lace’s had already unbuttoned her undershirt, short nails dragging across her bare chest.
Lace effortlessly slipped Rook’s top off, removing the warden’s bra with the same ease. Any nerves Lace had apparently vanished the moment Rook’s lips touched hers. She cupped Rook’s breasts in her palms, squeezing them roughly before tugging Rook’s nipples between her fingers. Rook couldn’t help but moan into the kiss, her chest arching into Lace’s hands.
“Need… your… shirt off too…” Rook spoke the words between ragged breaths, her distracted fingers still trying to toy with the clasps holding Lace’s top together.
Lace took one step back, her hands moving to unbutton her top and unhook the fasteners keeping the leather jacket she’d worn in place. Her eyes never left Rook’s. As soon as Lace was down to her unbuttoned tunic, Rook closed the short distance between them again, quickly sliding the tunic off Lace’s shoulders as she trailed kisses along the newly exposed skin. Down Lace’s neck, across her collarbone, biting softly down the milky white expanse of her chest. Lace moaned, her hands tangled in Rook’s hair as she pulled the other woman’s lips back up to hers. She needed to be closer to Rook, to be fully consumed by her.
Rook’s hands found their groove again, easily untying Lace’s bra and letting the fabric drop to the floor.
As their bare chests touched, both women gasped into the kiss, overwhelmed by the contact. It had been far too long since they’d been together like this. Rook silently vowed to never let it go this long ever again.
While Lace wanted to keep touching Rook, she also desperately needed Rook to touch her, all of her. She quickly removed her belt, working her pants down and stepping out of them while Rook kept her attention on Lace’s now bare chest, hands palming her breasts soon to be replaced by her lips and tongue. Lace kicked her pants away, taking a few steps back as she pulled Rook with her.
“I need you to touch me, Rook, really touch me…” Lace moved to lie down on the bed, Rook finally letting go of her for the first time since they entered the tent. Rook paused a moment, taking in the site before her. Lace laid bare on a small pile of leather and furs, only a small lantern in the corner illuminating the space.
“Rook… please…” Lace was practically vibrating, her whole body needing Rook.
“Always, love.” Rook dropped to her knees and crawled on top of Lace, sliding a leg between hers as she descended upon the other woman. Lace immediately rocked upwards into Rook, moaning as her core came into contact with the rough leather of Rook’s pants.
Rook captured Lace’s lips, kissing her deeply, teeth tugging at her bottom lip as she used one hand to keep herself suspended over Lace. The other hand palmed Lace’s breast, fingertips rubbing across her nipple.
“Maker…” Lace breathed out, speeding up the rhythm of her hips as their bodies moved together. Lace’s hands wrapped around Rook’s back, nails digging into the skin she found there, needing to anchor herself. Both women began to move fast and hard against each other. “I’m so close, Rook…”
“I’ve got you, love.” Rook ground down hard against Lace, feeling the other woman tense her legs first and then her whole body as her orgasm shook through her. Lace’s face was buried in the nap of Rook’s neck when she cried out her lover’s name, teeth grazing the skin there as she shivered with residual tremors.
“Maker Rook… you didn’t even have to touch me…” Lace and Rook were breathing heavily, bodies still pressed tightly together.
“That was hot…” Rook placed a long languid kiss to Lace’s lips.
“Yeah? Really?”
“Yes… really… want proof?” Rook took one of Lace’s hands and slid it in her own pants so she could feel how wet Rook was.
“Fuck…” Lace gasped as she felt what she’d done to Rook. Her fingers instinctively curled upwards, wanting to touch Rook more.
“Yeah…” Rook moaned out as Lace’s fingers began to move against her. “All your fault…”
“Guess I’d better take care of that for you…” Lace kept her hand in Rook’s pants, fingers sliding across her slick folds as she leaned up, capturing Rook’s lips with her own.
“Lace…” Rook saying her name still drove Lace mad. She’d never tell Rook, it’d give her too much power, but hearing her name from those lips she loved so much made her weak in the knees. Luckily she was lying down at this moment.
“I love you.” Lace whispered into Rook’s ear as her fingers moved faster to keep up with the pace of Rook’s hips. She smiled against Rook’s skin as she felt Rook’s walls tighten around her fingers. Rook moaned loudly as Lace expertly carried her off the edge, holding on tight to Rook as her whole body tensed and then relaxed.
After a few deep breaths, Lace removed her fingers, pulling Rook fully onto top of her and revealing the way their bodies molded together.
“I’m glad this forest is far away from civilization, as I’m pretty sure I would’ve woken up a whole town just now…” Rook buried her head in the nape of Lace’s neck, as she partially slid off to the side, still keeping one leg thrown over Lace.
“I don’t think I’d mind if people heard you…” Rook looked at Lace, surprise written across her face.
“Lace Harding… an exhibitionist!?” Lace giggled, her cheeks red either from their recent activity or slight embarrassment.
“I don’t know… I just like the idea of people knowing you’re mine… that I’m the one that makes you make those noises…” Lace kissed Rook sweetly.
“I am yours, and you are the only one who can make me make those noises…” Rook quickly slid back on top of Lace. Instead of straddling one of Lace’s legs, she slipped between them, hands on either side of Lace’s chest to hold herself up.
“But I can’t help but feel like I should return the favor…” Rook dipped her head down, capturing one of Lace’s nipples between her lips, sucking soft at first, before tugging a bit harder. Lace moaned, one hand twisting into Rook’s hair as she held Rook’s mouth firmly in place.
“Rook… Maker…”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t hear that, you’re being awfully quiet Lace…” Rook smiled, slowly teasing her way down Lace’s body, trailing kisses across her lower stomach until she was now positioned just above her destination. Lace was practically squirming with anticipation.
“You’re so gorgeous…” Rook took in the sight before her. Lace’s legs spread, her strong thighs framing Rook’s face perfectly. Rook hooked her arms under Lace’s legs, pulling her close with a quick forceful tug. Lace instinctively bucked her hips upwards, moaning in frustration when she didn’t feel Rook’s mouth against her.
“Love… please…” Lace whimpered as Rook held her hips in place, kissing the inner area of her thighs, close, but not where Lace needed her most. Rook wanted to tease her more, to make her beg for Rook’s touch, but her willpower just wasn’t there. She wanted it as much as Lace did, so before Lace could even ask again, Rook’s tongue darted out, sliding up Lace’s outer lips.
“Yes, Maker!” Lace fisted Rook’s hair in her hand, trying to guide Rook’s mouth to where she desperately wanted it.
Rook couldn’t fight her, she’d tasted Lace and all she wanted was more. Rook settled in between her strong thighs, one hand sliding up to cup Lace’s breast as her tongue and lips began painting wonderful patterns against Lace’s core.
The more Lace’s hips bucked, the faster Rook’s tongue moved to match pace, pushing Lace closer and closer to the edge.
If anyone had been standing outside of the tent, they'd have seen a deep blue glow emitting from inside, they also would’ve noticed the ground shifting below them as the section of the earth Lace and Rook made camp on slowly began to rise with each moan that escaped Lace’s lips.
Lucky for both of them (and the ground), Lace’s climax came hard and fast. She gripped hard at Rook’s hair, holding her in place as her hips pushed into Rook’s mouth, legs tightening around Rook’s head before finally relaxing.
“Um… Lace… you’re glowing…” Rook looked up from her position between Lace’s legs. The scout’s eyes were blue, the lyrium lighting up her veins light lightning.
“Shit… Rook!” Lace sat up so quickly that she almost knocked Rook backward. “Are you okay!?” She kneeled in front of Rook, hesitating to touch her, afraid of poisoning her lover.
“Lace, I’m better than fine…”
“What… I thought I fixed this!”
“No…. Lace… I’m not poisoned… I’m really just love drunk this time. I promise.” Rook reached for Lace, but she moved out of the way. “Lace… I promise… look at my skin, it’s fine. It’s not affecting me.” Lace was still unsure, slowly moving towards the corner of the tent.
“Oh no you don’t, Lace Harding.” Rook lunged quickly at Lace, grabbing her just above the knees and practically tackling Lace back into the leather and furs.
“Rook! You can’t touch me!”
“I’m touching you… and I’m fine.” Rook had her pinned, their chests pressed tightly together.
“I… oh…” Lace paused, looking at their bodies touching and then back at Rook. “It’s… It’s not hurting you?”
“Not in the slightest.” Lace reached up, cupping Rook’s face with one hand, testing the waters, as if they weren’t touching enough, mostly naked pressed together.
“Well, that’s new…”
“Guess it was just that good, huh?” Rook smirked, Lace sighing but also bringing Rook’s lips to hers, kissing her softly.
“It was pretty good…” Slowly Lace’s glow began to fade, though her eyes still had a brighter blue tint.
“I’m just glad we can still touch, I’m not sure I’d survive the night if I couldn’t hold you.” Rook moved the furs to cover them as she settled next to Lace, pulling the smaller woman into her arms. Lace nuzzled into Rook’s chest, throwing an arm and leg over her lover and pulling her close.
“I don’t ever want you to let go again…”
“I won’t.”