NALIA
⚔️⚔️⚔️

Cole's staying. It's been decided officially.
Vivienne glares at me every chance she can get, Iron Bull and Sera act like scared children around Cole, the only ones who don't mind him are Solas and I.
Blackwall doesn't say much about Cole, but I can sense that he too doesn't trust Cole.

I sit on my bed, laying down on my stomach and snacking on some nuts drizzled in honey, reading a little bit about ancient history. I've been trying for days to find out more about Skyhold. Who originally belonged here? Why was it abandoned?
And finally, tonight, I have the time to do that.

Someone knocks on my door.
"Come in," I say through my mouthful before swallowing. I clean the sticky honey off my hands just as the door opens and in steps Solas.
What an unexpected surprise.

"Solas!" I stand up and brush my pants off of any invisible dust or debris.
I smile, clasping my hands. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

He shuts the door behind him, grinning a little as he approaches me. "I wanted to see you," he looks past my shoulder at the three open books on my bed. "Good reading?"
I sigh, "not really. Unless you like ancient history," I sit on my bed again to clean up my mess.

"Bits here are there are quite fascinating," he chuckles, "though I understand what you mean."
I laugh a little as well, closing the books and stacking them neatly. "I'm trying to find out more about Skyhold," I glance up at the stone ceiling, wondering what memories are embedded in these walls...

It just won't leave me alone. The question keeps gnawing at me in the back of my head, and I don't think it'll ever go away unless I get my answers.

Solas's eyes lower to the floor. "I see."
"Do you know anything about it?" I ask. He was the one who knew about this place, he led us all here when we were stranded on the mountains after Corypheus's attack on Haven.

Solas only shrugs. "The only thing I know is that I've found it during my travels before I joined the Inquisition," his eyes raise to meet mine. "Perhaps it's best to leave the past undiscovered."

I want to tell him that there's point in doing that, but suddenly he smiles, widely.
Something I've never really seen before.
It makes me furrow my brow in confusion.

"Come, let us do something we are both in need of something," Solas opens the door and nods his head. "Walk with me, Nalia."

He steps outside, not even waiting for me to reply, or ask why were doing this suddenly.
I almost don't follow, but instinct has me standing up and running after him.
I need the break, to be honest. And what better way to spend it then with the one I consider my closest friend?

I catch up with him, and we leave Skyhold.

***

For some strange reason, the walk felt like it went to fast. It was as if I blinked once, and we already arrived at our destination.

We didn't say a word to each other during the walk, I only followed Solas in silence, wondering where he was leading me.
We entered a cave at some point, only to reach the end in less then five minutes.

I'd be lying if I said that my breath didn't hitch, or my heart stop beating completely when I saw what was on the other side.
This place is so beautiful...

We're surrounded by granite mountains, in a circular opening with wildflowers and green grass.
Ahead of us is a gorgeous waterfall, creating a beautiful swimming area.
On each side of the waterfall are two statues of deer standing on there hind legs with grand horns sticking out of there heads.

My jaw drops, and Solas sees it, laughing just a little. "You like it?"
"I love it!" I laugh, looking at him in shock. "How do you know about this place?!"

He walks towards the water edge, kneeling down to touch the sparkling blue water.
"I used to come here a lot to fall asleep and enter the Fade," his fingers dance on top of the water elegantly, "it was the only place where I felt at peace..."

I kneel beside him.

He glances at me. "I sat beside you while you slept, studying the Anchor."
Instinct has me glancing down at the mark on my hand.
"You were a mystery," he continues, "you still are, if I'm being honest. I ran every test I could imagine, searched the Fade, yet found nothing. Cassandra suspended duplicity, she threatened to have me executed as an Apostate if I didn't produce results."

"I wouldn't have allowed that to happen," I say firmly. Even if I was kept prisoner and threatened to be executed myself, I would've done my all to protect him.

He laughs under his breath, but it's a little joyless. "I don't think you were in much of a position to prevent it." His eyes raise to the top of the waterfall, and he stares at it, "you were never going to wake up. How could you? Mortals sent physically through the Fade..." He trails off, sighing. "I was frustrated, frightened. The Spirits I might have consulted had been driven away by the Breach. Although I wished to help, I had no faith in Cassandra. Or she in me."

I stare at him in silence. We've never talked about these things before, but then again, when do we ever have time to sit and chat like this?
I don't say anything. I continue to listen to him.

"I was ready to flee, but I stayed."
"Why?" I ask.
He looks at me. "I told myself one more attempt to seal the Rifts. I tried and failed, no ordinary magic would effect them. I watched the Rifts expand and grow, resign myself to flee, and then..." He trails off, staring right into my eyes. "It seems you hold the key to our salvation. You had sealed it with just a gesture. And right then, I felt the whole world change."

My eyes widen just a little. "Felt the whole world change?"
It's a metaphor, I know it is. But why is it making my heart jump out of my chest.
He reaches over and cups his hand in mine.
"You change...everything," he says softly, his thumb brushing against my knuckles.

My breath hitches. He only meant it as a compliment, that's all. Still though, there's something about the way he said it that raises my heart rate.
I try to ask what he means, but before I can he stands up.

"Before the night is over, dance with me." He lowers his hand for me to take.
I can't hide the complete shock in my tone. "Dance? Here? With no music?" I laugh a little. This is a side I've never seen before, and I can't deny the fact that it's enjoyable.

He smiles. "If you would like, I can request Song to play us a danceable tune."
Song? There is a Song spirit?
Doesn't surprise me.
This is completely ridiculous, yet I find myself standing up and taking his hand in mine.

"I guess the waterfall will do," I smile.
His hand moves to my back, and mine is placed on his shoulder.
The ballroom dancing style.

I've never really danced before, only a few times when I was younger, so a couple of times I trip, but he doesn't mind.
He only smiles and laughs a little.

We dance for several minutes, and during that time, I completely forget about the world.
I forget about Corypheus.
About Fade Rifts.
About the Inquisition.

It's just me, and my friend, in the most beautiful spot I've ever seen.
I'm the one to end the dance, because I'm giggling like a complete idiot from tripping so many times.

I take in a deep breath after my laughter has ceased. "I didn't know you danced so well," I compliment.
He grins. "Anyone who pays attention can dance, my friend."

"Well, not me," I laugh, before realization sinks in.
His hands are still holding mine.
He won't let go.

I look up at him, and he's closer then he was before, eyes staring down into mine.
Not any ordinary stare, but...something more.
My heart pounds. What is he doing?
I'm completely frozen.

He raises a hand and touches my face tentatively, before suddenly, I feel his lips on mine.
By the Maker...

I can't even move, and I don't kiss back.
This shouldn't be happening. WHY is this happening?!

He notices that I'm not moving and he pulls away, seeing the shocked expression on my face.
His eyes widen, and he lets go of my wrists, backing up. "Forgive me, Nalia."

I try to ask why he did that, but someone else's voice slices through the air, muffled and faraway.
"... Inquisitor? Inquisitor Nalia!"

⚔️⚔️⚔️

My eyes snap open, and I gasp sitting up in a rush.
I glance around my surroundings, noticing that I'm no longer with Solas, I'm in my quarters with an open book that's pages are wet, most likey from sweat or drool.

Cullen is standing by my bed, confusion on his face. "Are you alright?" He asks.
"Yes, I-" I wipe at my face, "I'm fine, is there something you needed?"
What the hell was that just now?

Cullen clears his throat and shuffles his feet. "There is a matter that needs your attention, Inquisitor. It appears that the young man, Cole, has been wandering around Skyhold at night. It's frightening people."

I sigh, bringing my hands to my face. So, I guess I have to find a place for Cole to go to every night, like a room?
But where could he possibly feel comfortable? None of the other rooms have been finished yet.

I get up. "I'll get on that right now."
Cullen bows. "Thank you," and with that, he leaves my room.
Finally, I can have some moments to comprehend what happened with Solas.

How am I back in my room with no memory of coming here?
I furrow my brow, but then it hits me.
It was a dream.
He was in the Fade with me.

But how did he come into my dream?
And how did the kiss feel so...real?

I sit down, my head spinning from all these questions.
I can't believe that happened.
Solas and I are friends, nothing more.
At least...for me it's nothing more.

I love him, yes, but not in that way. I don't think I'll ever love anyone in an intimate way.
I sigh. I need to speak with him about it later, but first, I need to attend to this Cole matter.
I get up and leave my room.
I only hope that when I do speak with Solas about everything that happened, that it doesn't ruin our friendship.

⚔️⚔️⚔️

SOLAS
⚔️⚔️⚔️

How could I have done that to her?
Especially in her dream...

I pace my room, hand behind my neck.
Seeing the look on her face just seconds before she woke up...it broke me.
She was shocked, and underneath it, I could see a little anger.

I shouldn't have done that. Why did I do that? It's possible that I just ruined our friendship.
I sit down on my couch, hiding my ashamed face in my hands.
I don't know if I'll be able to face her. But of course, she's going to confront me about it.
I didn't want this to happen...nor did I attend for it to happen.

The first moment I saw her, prisoner of Cassandra's, scared and confused about the twist of fate that she somehow is a part of, she was the key to our salvation.
She held the mark, afterall.

She was braver then she first appeared, and in a way, I admired that about her.
How she always fought with such confidence, with such grace. It amazed me.
That was all too, at first anyway.

Throughout the days, she kept coming to me, asking me questions about magic, spirits and demons, and the Fade.
She was fascinated with all the stories I told her, and that became our common ground.
We would talk for hours, and in a way, I began to feel like I could trust her. That she was a good person.

Then, it began.
I found myself thinking about her more then I should have been whenever she left. I worried about her when she would fight.
And...I kept hoping that she would always come see me whenever she would return to Haven.

Of course, I found her attractive. The first second we met, I noticed her beauty.
Bright blue eyes that seem to sparkle in the light.
Hair as black as a raven's feather, running down to her tailbone.
Soft, white skin with one freckle by the end of her right eyebrow. Pink lips, and a curvy, slender body frame.

She's gorgeous.

My cheeks begin to feel warm and I sigh.
I can't believe I let myself fall in love with her, with someone who I barely know, but at the same time, I feel like I know so much about her.

I know that she loves animals, chickens mostly. Some moments I've found her at Skyhold's farm pen, putting eggs in her pockets and hugging chickens like there pets.
I know that her favorite food are nuts drizzled in honey.
I know that she hates spiders.
I know that she enjoys peppermint tea, with honey to sweeten it.
I know that her eyes widen in pure joy when she sees something exciting, and that her lips purse in a childlike why when she's deep in thought.

I know that she's hanging on to her past, using it as her shield to protect her heart.
Something happened to her...and I wish I knew what it was.

I stand back up and go to my desk.
She tasted like honey...from the snacks she was eating before she fell asleep.

I exhale, closing my eyes.
I cannot allow myself to fall further. I cannot throw away something I've been planning for years just for love.
I need to let her go.

This chapter is literally cringey as fuck I'm so sorry! XD