neve-rook-datv

[neve-rook-datv]

Fanfic : The Trouble Within - Neve Gallus’ Personal Notes

Exploring Neve and Rook's connection in this fanfic dives deeper into the emotional nuances that many fans felt were missing or underdeveloped in the game.

In each part, Neve’s reflections bring us closer to understanding what Rook means to her, from their early encounters filled with tension and restraint to the moments where Neve can no longer deny her feelings. It’s a story of slow-burn romance, quiet realizations, and the courage it takes to let someone into a life shaped by independence and solitude.

If you’re into introspective POVs, a bit of angst, and that tension-filled slow-burn, I think you’ll enjoy this. 🌹

The story so far :

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5: Coming Soon

Let me know what you think! Your thoughts, feedback, and reactions mean the world to me. 🖤

[neve-rook-datv]

Stumbled upon one of your posts while treading Neve’s tags. You have no idea how quickly I fell in love with your works. What a beautiful, heartwarming piece with a pinch of angst here and there. Delicious.

Oh I absolutely adore how you portray Neve (almost) perfectly

(yes, almost perfect, because the title of perfection belongs to neve gallus’s face only)

She self-aware about her unexpected fondness for Rook. And with her being a detective, a good one, living in the place where it bleed with injustices, of course she’s going guarded herself. The baggage and scars she bears from years of experiences and long lists of cases she resolved (good and bad), that wall guarding her heart is going to be as thick as Varric’s chest hair. Rook signed themselves for slow, yet rewarding romance with Neve.

Deefinitely should stop myself babbling about Neve and back to the reason why I dropped here. Again, I absolutely love your works, how much I adore the way you depict Neve’s longing. It’s beautiful, it’s romantic and I want to spontaneously combust upon reading each paragraph.

While the story of Neve and Rook romance already has an ending written for them, your story enriches it, so thank you. From the bottomless pit of my heart, thank you for writing and sharing such beautiful masterpieces. Thank you for letting us reader to witness and experience such gift.

Time passes, feelings and hyper-fixation of characters or media will fade and we will moved on but I pray you never stop creating, be it writings or anything else, for Rook and Neve or any others. Never stop creating

Have a good day/night! 💜

(sidenote: i’m joking about how you portray Neve. You absolutely nailed it. 💯 no notes)

Wow. Thank you so much for this beautiful message, it truly warms my heart! This is actually the first time l've ever written fanfiction, and I'm honestly stunned by the incredible feedback. The way people like you have connected with my writing as a whole that really amazes me.

Pouring myself into this story and realizing that it resonates with readers on such a deep level is something I never expected, and I'm beyond grateful for it.

Your feedback inspires me to keep creating and sharing, knowing that these words are making an impact. Thank you again for taking the time to reach out with such kindness. Messages like yours are a huge motivation for me to continue exploring and writing. 🫶🏼

[neve-rook-datv]

The Trouble Within - Neve Gallus’ Personal Notes - Part 4

Contains spoilers

From the very first moments I spent with Rook, I knew she was unlike anyone I’d ever met. Watching her throw herself into danger without a second thought, risking everything to save Varric and to stop Solas… There’s a fire in her, something fierce and unyielding—a determination that’s almost reckless, a courage that never wavers. She doesn’t falter every choice she makes feels as natural as breathing, as inevitable as the rise of dawn.

I could see why Varric had chosen her; he must have seen the same spark, that raw resilience that defines her. Rook gives herself fully, a woman who seems to burn from within, her will unyielding. She doesn’t just lead us; she inspires something in all of us, something I didn’t know was there until I saw it reflected in her. She doesn’t hold anything back—not for the mission, not for the cause, and somehow, I know, not even for me.

And that, perhaps, is what makes her different, what sets her apart from anyone I’ve ever known. She’s given everything, not only to this team but to each of us, and somehow, in the quiet moments I can admit, to me. Rook is more than just a leader. She’s something I’ve found myself needing, a presence that fills spaces in my heart I didn’t realize were empty.

And now, I don’t know if I’ve lost her. Rook is somewhere in the Fade, trapped in that endless, treacherous place, and the not knowing gnaws at me, a hollow ache that echoes through my every thought. Here in the Lighthouse, I feel myself unraveling, pacing its halls like a ghost, unable to shake the fear that I may never see her again. My composure slips further with each step, each turn of the corridor, until I can’t bear it any longer.

I find myself in her quarters, a place that holds the imprint of her, her presence woven into every corner. I sit down, her scent faint but familiar in the air, and in the silence, memories overwhelm me, unbidden and sharp.

I remember that first kiss—how I finally let myself give in, how I let my fears fall away just long enough to feel the warmth of her against me, to let go of every wall I’d kept between us. I can still feel the softness of her lips, the way she held me, steady and sure, as though she knew all along that I was worth the risk.

It was as if the world itself had quieted, every fear, every worry melting away the moment her lips met mine. There was a warmth in her, a steady, grounding presence that reached through my doubts and settled something deep within me. Her touch was gentle yet unwavering, and as I leaned into her, I felt a sense of relief, a release I hadn’t even realized I needed.

In that moment, everything felt right. My heart hammered in my chest, a mix of excitement and calm, an intensity that was somehow both thrilling and soothing. For the first time, I felt myself truly let go, surrendering to the safety of her arms, the warmth of her embrace.

I felt a kind of comfort I’d longed for but never dared to believe in, a reassurance that I wasn’t alone, that she saw me—all of me—and chose to stay. And in that moment, I let myself believe in something more, in the hope that maybe, just maybe, we could have something beyond the danger, beyond the loss.

But even then, I couldn’t bring myself to say the words. I’d told her that I couldn’t see a future, that it wasn’t possible… that I was afraid of losing her. And now, I am left with the weight of all the things I should have said, the words I held back because of fear, words that sit heavy in my chest like stones. I regret it now, bitterly, achingly, that I never told her I love you. I should have told her then, when I had the chance, when she looked at me with that unwavering certainty that I’d only ever dreamed of feeling.

Now, as I sit here in the quiet of her room, with nothing but the shadows and the ache of her absence, I feel the enormity of it, this loss I can’t yet name. If she never returns, I’ll carry these words like a scar, a reminder of what I was too afraid to say.

[neve-rook-datv]

The Trouble Within - Neve Gallus’ Personal Notes - Part 3

The Lighthouse has become our sanctuary, a place where we regroup, share stories, and patch up wounds—both physical and unseen. Its walls seem to shift and breathe, adapting to the lives and emotions we bring to it, and at the center of it all, there’s Rook.

Here, within these ever-changing walls, I witness Rook’s patience in subtle ways that others might glimpse, though maybe not in the same way I do. She has a way of listening that makes each of us feel seen, as though she’s anchored in every word, no matter how tense or chaotic the room might be. When someone voices a frustration, she doesn’t push back; she responds with a calm steadiness, sometimes even with a quiet joke or a mischievous smile that has a way of breaking through the tension. Her humor, subtle and warm, draws people to her. And she leads us, not by pushing or pulling, but by embodying a quiet confidence that feels both fragile and unbreakable.

Yet beneath that easy-going surface lies a core of steel—a resolve that drives her forward, even when the path is uncertain. She makes choices with a clarity I find both reassuring and disconcerting. She’ll take risks others wouldn’t dream of, yet somehow, her decisions feel like the only logical path, as though she sees a future we don’t. I’ve seen her face down choices that would make others falter, and each time, she makes us trust her judgment, makes us believe that whatever she decides is the only way forward.

And then there’s Assan, Darvin’s griffon, who seems to have developed a fondness for her. Assan isn’t hers to claim, and yet Rook treats him with a gentle care that still catches me off guard. She slips away when she can, spending quiet moments by his side, scratching behind his ears, whispering to him in that low voice that’s soft enough to make even the griffon still. I see a different side of her in those moments, something raw and unguarded, and it’s almost too intimate to watch. And somehow, it only deepens this image I have of her—a leader with a heart she guards fiercely, yet can’t help but reveal in these stolen moments.

Watching her, I feel a weight settle within me, something I can no longer ignore, no matter how much I wish I could. Every time we leave this place, we face threats that could tear any of us from this fragile unity we’ve built. I tell myself it’s safer to keep my distance, to guard my heart from the possibility of loss. But then I see her, standing at the center of us all, carrying burdens that aren’t hers to bear, giving everything she has, even when no one asks her to.

It scares me, this pull I feel toward her, this desire to step closer when every part of me knows how easily it could all be shattered. She’s Trouble, I remind myself, but the word feels hollow now—a flimsy defense against something deeper. The Trouble is what she awakens in me—the hope, the vulnerability, the longing for something I know I can’t guarantee.

And there’s a gnawing fear beneath it all. I find myself caught in this quiet struggle, wanting to reach for her, to let myself fall into this connection that grows stronger with each passing day. But every time I feel that pull, that instinct to move closer, a darker thought settles within me—a reminder that we live on borrowed time, that every mission we embark on could be our last, and that, one day, I might lose her. It’s an ache that refuses to fade, and it only grows stronger the more I let myself believe there could be something beyond these walls.

I’m afraid of what it means to want this, to want her, knowing full well the risks we face. And yet… I see it in her eyes too, that same pull neither of us can seem to resist.

[neve-rook-datv]

I am LIVING for these stories! Please make more, and good luck.

Thanks for your message! Part 3 is on the way and coming soon!

[neve-rook-datv]

The Trouble Within - Neve Gallus’ personal notes - part 2

Disclaimer : This story is a continuation of the first part exploring Neve's inner thoughts and evolving feelings towardsRook. Inspired by fan critiques and discussions on the romance dynamics in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, this piece further delves into Neve's emotional journey.

Dock Town has always been my place. I know every corner, every face, every whispered deal in the shadows of the piers. This place isn’t just where I come from—it’s a part of me, woven together by years of trust and unspoken loyalty. I’ve spent my life watching over these streets, keeping things in line, and I’ve always done it alone. The people here know me; they trust me. Dock Town is where I belong, where I’ve always felt grounded, like the harbor itself holds me steady.

Now Rook is here, beside me, as though she's effortlessly slipped into a part of my life l'd always thought was mine alone. She moves with that same calm confidence I saw in Arlathan, observing everything around her, drawing only quiet glances, not doubtful ones, but rather filled with a quiet recognition, as if sensing she was always meant to be here. There's an ease in the way she blends in, something almost seamless, unlike anyone else ever has. No one questions it-perhaps because they trust me, or simply because she moves through this place with a quiet assurance that feels natural.

As we walk, I can hear the gentle lapping of the water against the docks, the faint murmur of voices in the distance. It’s a familiar sound, but somehow, with her here, everything feels different, sharper. I feel each step we take together, as though her presence has shifted something in the air around us.

She turns to me, asking simple questions about Dock Town, about the docks and the people, and I answer before I even think to hold back. I tell her about the long nights of investigation, the people I’ve fought to protect, the way this place has shaped me. The words come easily, and I’m struck by how natural it feels to share these stories. I’ve always kept these memories locked away, yet there’s a part of me that wants her to know them. I can feel my own walls lowering, slipping with each word, yet I can’t bring myself to stop. I feel the edges of Trouble shifting, becoming something closer to what I feel—an admission of the unrest, the pull that her presence awakens in me.

It’s like she’s always been there, woven into the hidden depths of myself I thought were untouched, like a quiet tide pressing against my walls. There’s no denying it anymore. What I feel for her is like a force of nature, something I have no control over, something that I can’t fight, no matter how hard I try.

The truth is, the trouble isn’t in her. It’s in me—in the way I find myself wanting her here, wanting her to see this side of me, wanting her to understand a part of my life I thought was untouchable.

[neve-rook-datv]

The Trouble Within - Neve Gallus’ personal notes - Part 1

Disclaimer : This story is inspired by fan critiques and discussions regarding the romance dynamics in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, particularly around the evolution of Neve’s relationship with Rook. Many fans felt some frustration with Neve’s hesitance to fully engage in the romance with Rook, and her reserved demeanor. This piece explores why Neve seems to keep her distance despite the intensity of her feelings and reimagines her interactions with Lucanis, whose light-hearted flirtation serves here as a facade to mask her true emotions toward Rook.

Arlathan Forest is a place that almost feels alive—ancient, watchful. The trees arch overhead, their leaves filtering the light into hues of deep green, amber, and burnt red. The ground is blanketed with fallen leaves that shift in color as the sun moves, and the air is thick with the earthy scent of moss and damp wood. It’s hauntingly beautiful, yet there’s a weight to the silence here, as if the forest is holding its breath, waiting.

And then there’s her.

Rook moves ahead of me, weaving through the trees with an ease that feels almost unnatural, like she belongs here in a way I don’t. The dappled light catches on her face, illuminating her profile in vibrant, natural hues, casting shadows that shift across her skin as she steps in and out of patches of sunlight. I find myself watching the way the colors dance around her, highlighting the quiet strength in her posture, the relaxed yet sharp way she holds herself.

Something about the way she walks—confident, steady, each step deliberate yet unhurried—makes it impossible to look away. Hints of amber and evergreen seem to cling to her, as if the forest itself recognizes her presence, drawn to her as much as… well, as much as I am.

I don’t know when this pull began. At first, I told myself it was curiosity, a fleeting interest in her reckless nature, in the way she throws herself into danger without hesitation. But now, watching her in this light, the forest colors framing her like some figure from an ancient tale, I feel something deeper—something I dare not name.

She turns, catching my gaze, and there’s that familiar smirk tugging at the corner of her lips, her eyes glinting with a hint of mischief. “Something on your mind?” she teases, breaking the silence and pulling me back to reality.

I force a laugh, a quick, dismissive sound to mask the way my chest tightens. “Just keeping an eye out. No harm in staying vigilant.” But the truth is, I’m mesmerized. The word Trouble slips through my mind again, and it feels like a warning—to her, to me. She’s trouble in every way, and yet… I can’t bring myself to look away.

The deeper we move into the forest, the darker and richer the light becomes, casting Rook in a way that feels almost deliberate, as though the forest itself is revealing something hidden in her. There’s a quiet strength in her gaze, a softness I rarely see, and each time she steps into a beam of light, she seems to command the world around her without even trying. I don’t think she realizes the effect she has on me, the way her presence keeps me unsteady, questioning everything I thought I knew.

Calling her Trouble feels like my last line of defense, the only way I have left to protect myself. It’s a label that’s meant to keep her at arm’s length, to remind me not to get too close. But as that barrier slips, I feel something inside me begin to unravel, like a cord stretched too tight, finally giving way. I can’t stop myself from looking her way, each glance feeding a pull I don’t fully understand, one that unsettles and captivates me all at once. The way she moves, how the light wraps around her, draws me in deeper, makes her seem almost otherworldly, untouchable. And yet, in these moments, I feel closer to her than I’d ever let myself admit.

Lucanis keeps things light, and I remind myself that’s all I need. His flirtations are easy, harmless—a game that lets me forget the weight of everything else, if only for a moment. With him, there’s no need to dig deep or question anything; we can laugh, exchange glances, play at something that never asks for more. It’s uncomplicated, a distraction that feels almost safe in its simplicity.

But even as I tell myself that’s enough, I can’t help feeling a pull toward something beyond that ease, something that makes my heart race in a way Lucanis never could. And that’s when I feel her presence, like a quiet tension at the edges of my thoughts, impossible to ignore. And I… I am left to watch, caught between the fear of what this means and the thrill of simply being near her.

I wanted to keep things simple, to call her Trouble and pretend that’s all she is—a distraction, an annoyance. But standing here in the heart of Arlathan, surrounded by ancient colors and silent trees, I can feel my resolve slipping, the walls I’ve built crumbling with each glance, each step.

She doesn’t know, of course. How could she? She’s focused on the path ahead, oblivious to the chaos she’s causing in my mind. But as the reds and greens cast their final light on her face, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m losing this battle—that “Trouble” is no longer a warning, but a confession.

Edit: Wording, phrasing, flow.