#GEORGIE LANE / verse / da.

[stormlit]

would love to think about anything but dragon age au georgie but marty and i have been talking about it since yesterday and alas it is my entire brain

bullet point run down bc i CANNOT be bothered to write this out properly rn:

human commoner from ? idk somewhere in ferelden lol, origins based. is at ostagar, has been through Some Things pre-blight.

she's a soldier and specifically a (mundane) medic who first meets balfour when her entire unit abandons lothering in the face of the darkspawn horde but she runs towards it bc there are still people who need to be saved and if she has to single-handedly fight darkspawn to do so then she will.

becomes a companion for the entirety of the blight, has her own specialised class like the da2 companions (bc i say so) that's essentially a combo of the guardian warrior specialisation from awakening + combat emergency healing + herbalism (and i actually think she and wynne would find a good synergy when it comes to healing the party bc georgie's medicine has always operated in a paramedic/emergency kind of way vs doctors in hospitals). probably a sword and shield user?? idk

uhh the blight is incredibly traumatising? it's awful she sees awful things, it fucks her up, but she is excellent for team morale and looking after everyone (at cost to herself). it's obvious to everyone in the party that she and balfour are into each other from pretty much the word go and it's honestly very them to fall in love in the middle of hell.

i think she might get knighted post-origins? she's a soldier so it'd be the logical reward from a monarch. she hates it it makes her an officer and a noble alksjdf. but then she marries bal, who becomes arl of amaranthine, and becomes a noble anyway and that's just something she has to live with (as does the rest of the nobility, who probably aren't used to an arlessa quite like her lmao).

they are so good for the arling bc they saw so many different ways of life over the blight and how much help is needed to set things back to rights, georgie's a commoner herself, she wants to make life better for city elves after seeing the bullshit in denerim alienage, etc. she also helps out the wardens when balfour has to go be warden-commander for a bit, but mostly she takes arlessa duties and also tries to teach people (both soldiers and probably amaranthine citizens) basic healing so that everyone has access to some kind of medicine. she never wants to fight again.

[stormlit]

❝ 'cause nobody ever died from an unplanned but lucky strike? ❞ bullshit. they're trained warriors, the both of them, but they both know all too well that people still end up dying, even without much of a plan. georgie's not convinced any of them really knew what they were doing, for the early part of the blight, let alone went about fighting darkspawn in an entirely tactical manner, and the last thing she wants to do is underestimate the people out there.

not when balfour's life's at stake. and her own too, most likely.

she opens her healer's kit on the dressing table, hairbrush and pins shoved aside, and can't help but be struck by the familiarity of this situation—though the surroundings are infinitely nicer than a hastily put together camp in the middle of the wilderness. ❝ this'll sting, ❞ she warns as she starts to clean the wound, which she reckons will heal just fine, given how little it seems to bother balfour. ❝ i was worried about you, love, so i'll thank you to consider my heart before you go letting boys stab you next time. ❞ georgie kisses the top of his head, now they're alone, unable to stop herself. ❝ who was he? who'd he do it for? ❞

"I'll be right behind you," he promised. Not that it changed much in the end; Balfour knew that there was no point arguing with someone as stubborn as Georgie. Such had always been the way. It wasn't as if he needed very long, though, and largely thanks to the injury on his arm. Any serious discussion of what happened and concerns of their safety would have to wait until later, when he'd had his injuries seen to.

Before too long, then, Balfour was sat in their quarters in just his trousers, shirt and jacket folded neatly over the back of the chair on which he was seated. The injury on his arm looked worse, without all of his clothing to hide it from view. He watched Georgie as she moved about the room, seemingly unbothered by his injury. Deep as it was, he'd suffered worse and survived.

"If this is the standard of those who want me dead, I'm sure I'll live to a ripe old age with little bother." Aside from the Calling, but he often tried not to think of that. "I doubt the boy even had a plan."

[afaimsarrowverse]

Personea Dramatis

A/B/O-Verse:

                     The Walking Dead Edition:

Da in meiner “Nach dem Ende”-Reihe von eine Menge von Personen auftreten, hier eine kleine Übersicht über die wichtigsten Charaktere:

 Die Atlanta Gruppe:

 Rick Grimes, Officer Friendly, Ricky, Polizist, der angeschossen wird ins Koma fällt und nach dem Ende der Welt wieder aufwacht, Rudelführer der Atlanata-Gruppe (m/Omega)

 Shane Walsh, Ricks bester Freund und Partner bei der Polizei, ursprünglicher Rudelführer der Atlanta Gruppe (m/Alpha)

 Lori Grimes. Ricks Gefährtin und Ehefrau (f/Beta)

 Carl Grimes, Sohn von Rick und Lori, ca. 12 beim Ausbruch (m/Omega)

 Andrea Harrison, Blondie, Andy, Einarm, Anwältin und Sozialarbeiterin (f/Beta)

 Amy Harrison, Andreas Schwester (f/Beta)

 Daryl Dixon, Redneck, stolzer Besitzer einer Armbrust, gut im Fährtenlesen (m/Omega)

 Merle Dixon, Daryls älterer Bruder, drogenabhängig (m/Alpha)

 Carol Peletier, hingebungsvolle Hausfrau und Mutter (f/Omega)

 Ed Peletier, Carols Ehemann und Gefährte (m/Alpha)

 Sophia Peletier, Tochter von Carol und Ed (f/Omega)

 Glenn Rhee, Pizzabote (m/Omega)

 Morgan Jones, einsamer Überlebender, erster Mensch, den Rick trifft, nachdem er aus dem Koma erwacht (m/Alpha)

 Duane Jones, Morgans Sohn (m/Beta)

 T-Dog, immer bereit sich nützlich zu machen (m/Beta)

 Dale Horvath, stolzer Besitzer eines Wohnmobils, besitzt Lebenserfahrung (m/Beta)

 Morales, Familienvater (m/Alpha)

 Eliza Morales, Morales Ehefrau (f/Omega)

 Louis Morales, Morales Sohn (m/Beta)

 Jacqui, lässt sich von niemanden schlecht behandeln, Freundin von Andrea (f/Beta)

 Jim, Mechaniker, Freund von Dale (m/Beta)

   CDC:

 Edwin Jenner, Arzt (m/Alpha)

 Candace Jenner, seine Gefährtin (f/Omega)

   Die Greene-Farm:

 Maggie Greene, Mags, Farmerstochter, die sich zum eigenen sekundären Geschlecht hingezogen fühlt (f/Omega)

 Hershel Greene, Tierarzt, Farmer, ihr Vater (m/Alpha)

 Beth Greene, Maggies jüngere Schwester, Hershels jüngere Tochter, depressiv (f/Omega)

 Otis, Freund der Familie Greene (m/Beta)

 Patricia, Nachbarin der Greenes, Otis Gefährtin (f/Beta)

 Jimmy, Beths fester Freund (m/Beta)

 Anette Greene, Hershels Frau (f/O)

 Shawn Greene, Anettes Sohn (m/B)

 Arnold Greene, Hershels Neffe (m/B)

   Einsame Wanderer:

 Jenny Jones, Morgans Gefährtin, Mutter von Duane (f/O)

 Randall Culver, geheimnisvoller Fremder (m/B)

 Michonne, Mich, besitzt ein Katana und zwei angeleinte Beißer (f/Alpha-Beta)

 Gabriel, Gabe, Pater Gabriel, Vater Gabriel, ein Priester (m/Beta)

 Eastman, Psychiater und Kriminologe (m/Alpha)

 Siddiq, ein Arzt (m/B)

 Dante, ein Arzt (m/A)

 Georgie, eine Zukunftsgläubige mit Ressourcen (f/B)

   Das Gefängnis:

 Axel, ein Verbrecher (m/A)

 Oscar, ein Verbrecher (m/A)

 Judith Grimes, Tochter von Lori Grimes (f/O)

 Bob Stookey, ein Alkoholiker (m/B)

 Caleb Subramanian, ein Arzt (m/B)

   Woodbury:

 Philip Blake, Brian, der Gouverneur, Rudelführer von Woodbury (m/A)

 Penny Blake, seine Tochter (f/O)

 Milton Mamet, ein Mediziner, Freund von Philip (m/O)

 Caesar Martinez, Anführer der Miliz von Woodbury (m/A)

 Dr. Stevens, ein Arzt (m/B)

 Tim, Mitglied von Martinez‘ Miliz (m/A)

 Shumpert, Mitglied von Martinez‘ Miliz (m/A)

 Karen, Mitglied von Martinez‘ Miliz (f/A)

 Lizzie Samuels, ein Mädchen aus Woodbury (f/A)

 Mika Samuels, ihre Schwester (f/O)

 Ryan Samuels, Vater von Lizzie und Mika (m/B)

 David, ein Bewohner von Woodbury (m/B)

   Tyreeses Rudel:

 Tyreese Williams, NFL-Star, Rudelführer seines kleinen Rudels (m/O)

 Sasha Williams, seine Schwester (f/B)

 Allen, ein Freund von Tyreese (m/B)

 Donna, Allens Gefährtin (f/B)

 Ben, Allens Sohn (m/B)

   Abrahams Rudel:

 Abraham Ford, Rotschopf, ein Soldat auf einer Mission (m/A)

 Rosita Espinosa, seine rechte Hand und Geliebte (f/B)

 Eugene Porter, ein Wissenschaftler, Omega von Abraham und Rosita (m/O)

   Die Chambler Familie:

 Tara Chambler, Möchtergern-Polizstin, mag nur Frauen (f/B)

 Lilly Chambler, ihre Schwester (f/O)

 Meghan Chambler, Lillys Tochter (f/O)

   Brians Rudel:

 Alisha, Taras Geliebte (f/B)

   Die Eroberer:

 Joe, Joey, Rudeführer der Eroberer (m/A)

   Terminus:

 Gareth, Rudelführer von Terminus (m/A)

 Mary, seine Mutter (f/A)

 Unterkühlte Ärztin (f/A)

   Das Grady Memorial:

 Noah, eine Gefangener im Grady Memorial (m/O)

 Dawn Lerner, Alpha vom Grady Memorial, ehemalige Polizistin, TransAlpha (f/B->A)

 Captain Hanson, Dawns ehemaliger Vorgesetzte (m/B)

 Steven Edwards, ein Arzt (m/B)

 Amanda Shepherd, Sicherheitsfrau im Grady Memorial,  TransAlpha (f/B->A)

 Bob Lamson, Sicherheitsmann im Grady Memorial,  (m/A)

   Die Wölfe:

 Owen, Owen Jones, Owen der Wolf, Omega-Wolf, Mitglied der Wölfe (m/O)

   Alexandria:

 Jessie Anderson, eine Künstlerin (f/O)

 Ron Anderson, ihr Sohn (m/A)

 Sam Anderson, ihr jüngerer Sohn (m/O)

 Pete Anderson, ihr Ehemann, ein Arzt (m/A)

 Aaron Raleigh, Opfer eines Hassverbrechens (m/O)

 Eric Raleigh, sein Gefährte (m/O)

 Spencer Monroe, junger Mann unter Leistungsdruck (m/A)

 Deanna Monroe, seine Mutter, die Rudelführerin von Alexandria (f/B)

 Aiden Monroe, ihr anderer Sohn (m/A)

 Reg Monroe, ihr Gefährte (m/O)

 Nicholas, ein Freund von Aiden (m/A)

 Heath, ein Scout (m/B)

 Tobin, Leiter des Bautrupps (m/A)

 Denise Cloyd, eine Medizinstudentin (f/O)

 Enid, eine junge Überlebenskünstlerin (f/B)

 Scott, Scottie, Mitglied des Bautrupps (m/A)

 Olivia, ist für die Vorräte zuständig (f/O)

 Bob Miller, ein Bewohner von Alexandria (m/B)

 Natalie Miller, Mrs. Miller, seine Frau (f/B)

 Carter, ein Bewohner von Alexandria, Mitglied des Bautrupps (m/B)

 Shelly Neudmeyer, eine Bewohnerin von Alexandria (f/B)

 Francine, eine Bewohnerin von Alexandria (f/B)

 Holly, eine Bewohnerin von Alexandria (f/B)

 Bobbi, eine Bewohnerin von Alexandria (f/O)

 Hershel Rhee, ein in Alexandria geborenes Kind (m/B)

 Scotts Junge, Scotts Sohn (m/B)

 Russ, ein Bewohner von Alexandria (m/B)

 R. J. Grimes, ein in Alexandria geborenes Kind (m/O)

 Hund, ein Hund (m/B)

 Abe Espinosa, ein in Alexandria geborenes Kind (m/nkSG)

 Bernie, Magnas Sohn (m/nkSG)

 Samuel, Carols und Ezekiels Sohn (m/nkSG)

 Theo, Carls Freund (m/A)

   Hilltop:

 Paul Rovia, Jesus, ein Abenteurer (m/O)

 Gregory, der Rudelführer von Hilltop (m/B)

 Tammy Rose Sutton, eine Bewohnerin von Hilltop (f/B)

 Earl Sutton, ihr Ehemann der Schmied (m/A)

 Adam Sutton, ihr Sohn (m/B)

 Harlan Carson, ein Arzt (m/B)

   Das Königreich:

 Ezekiel, Zeke, der König, Tigerkönig, Rudelführer des Königreichs (m/Alpha-Beta)

 Shiva, Ezekiels Tiger (f/A)

 Richard, der Hauptmann der Wache des Königs (m/A)

 Benjamin, junger Wachmann, Richards Sohn (m/O)

 Henry, Richards jüngerer Sohn (m/O)

 Jerry, Mitglied der Wache (m/O)

 Nabila, seine Gefährtin (f/O)

 Dianne, manchmal auch Dianna, Mitglied der Wache, Bogenschützin (f/ A)

   Die Erlöser:

 Negan, der Rudelführer der Erlöser, der Alpha der Alphas (m/A)

 Dwight, ein Mitglied der Erlöser (m/A)

 Simon, Negans rechte Hand und Stellvertreter (m/A)

 Gavin, einer von Negans Lieutnants (m/B)

 Alden, Mitglied der Erlöser (m/B)

 Arat, einer von Negans Lieutnants (f/A)

 Justin, ein Erlöser (m/A)

 Jared, ein Erlöser, Untergebener von Gavin (m/A)

 Laura, organisiert das Sanctuary (f/B)

 Regina, leitet einen Außenposten, einer von Negans Lieutnants (f/A)

 Sherry, Dwights Gefährtin (f/B)

 Emmet Carson, ein Arzt, Harlan Carsons Bruder (m/B)

 Fat Joey, einer von Negans Lieutnants (m/A)

 Frankie, eine von Negans Ehefrauen (f/B)

 Tanya, eine von Negans Ehefrauen (f/B)

 D.J., einer von Lauras Untergebenen (m/B)

 Jed, unzufriedener Erlöser (m/A)

 Timmy, ein Mitglied der Erlöser (m/B)

 Anna, seine Gefährtin (f/B)

 Jacob, Erlöser A, einer der Erlöser, ein Vertrauer von Shane (m/A)

 Avery, Erlöser B, einer der Erlöser, ein Vertrauter von Shane (m/A)

 Ken, ein Erlöser (m/A)

 Tony, ein junger Erlöser, Anhänger von Jed (m/A)

 Rob, ein Erlöser (m/B)

 Darren, ein Erlöser (m/B)

   Die Müllmenschen:

 Jadis, eigentlich Anne, Künstlerin,  Rudelführerin der Müllmenschen (f/A)

 Winslow, ein Experiment von Jadis (m/A)

 Brion, gehört zu Jadi‘ Rudel (m/A)

 Tamiel, Jadis‘ Geliebte (f/A)

 Gracie, ein Baby (f/O)

 Oceanside:

 Cyndie, junge Rudelführerin von Oceanside (f/B)

 Rachel Ward, Cyndies rechte Hand (f/B)

 Beatrice, Freundin von Cyndie (f/B)

   CRM:

 Jadis Verbündeter, ein Soldat (m/B)

   Jocelyns Rudel:

 Jocelyn, Joss, alte Freundin von Michonne (f/A)

 Mitchell, ein Teenager (m/B)

 Gina, ein Teenager (f/B)

 Linus, ein Kind (m/A)

 Winnie, ein Kind (f/O)

   Magnas Rudel:

 Magna, Rotschopf mit Vergangenheit (f/A)

 Yumiko, Miko, ihre Anwältin und Geliebte (f/A)

 Luke, Musiklehrer (m/B)

 Connie, taubstumme Reporterin (f/B)

 Kelly, ihre jüngere Schwester (f/B)

 Bernie, Bernie mit seinem blöden Shirt (m/B)

   Die Flüsterer:

 Lydia, Omega, ein Mädchen unter einer Hautmaske (f/O)

 Alpha, ihre Mutter, Rudelführerin der Flüsterer (f/A)

 Beta, Alphas Geliebter, Beta der Flüsterer (m/A)

   Shanes neues Rudel:

 Alicia Clark, eine Überlebende (f/B)

 Nick Clark, ihr Bruder (m/O)

 Strand, sein Alpha (m/A)

   Aus der Welt zuvor:

 Mr. Grimes, Ricks Vater (m/A)

 Mrs. Grimes, Ricks Mutter (f/O)

 Mr. Walsh, Shanes Vater (m/A)

 Mrs. Walsh, Shanes Mutter (f/O)

 Lucille, Negans Gefährtin (f/O)

 Josephine Greene, Maggies Mutter (f/O)

 Mr. Dixon, Vater von Daryl und Merle (m/A)

 Jordan Clark, ein Mitschüler von Rick (m/A)

 Melissa Chan, eine Mitschülerin von Rick (f/O)

 Kathy Lane, eine Mitschülerin von Rick (f/O)

 Mindy Morrow, Shanes Highschool Freundin (f/B)

 Negans Vater (m/A)

 Negans Mutter (f/O)

 Toby, Kindheitsfreund von Negan (m/A)

 James, Kindheitsfreund von Negan (m/O)

 Hannah, Loris bester Freundin (f/B)

 Denises Bruder (m/O)

 Papa, Lydias Vater (m/O)

 Siddiqs Gefährtin (f/B)

[stormlit]

( @oathbroken / liked for a starter )

        ❝ you’re bleeding. are you hurt? ---that or it’s someone else’s blood, which...is probably worse. ❞ definitely worse.

[stormlit]

if only things were different. this blight leaves little room for fanciful things like falling in love --- or at least, it shouldn't, but georgie's heart is beginning to say otherwise. briefly, she allows herself to imagine what they might have been like if none of this terrifying tragedy had ever happened...but they never would have met, would they? balfour would have been off in castle fucking cousland, being a lord, and she'd have been a soldier still, hardly the kind of girl he'd have met. definitely not the kind he'd have been expected to want.

already, she can't imagine not knowing him; there is a thread that ties them together, strong as trust, and as blissful as a peaceful existence seems, she no longer wants to imagine it without him. all of these people, really; she'd never have met any of them, and now they've a bond forged in fire. but balfour is special.

❝ that a promise? ❞ she teases, and it feels so good, in this moment, to grab hold of the light and not let it go. yeah, they nearly died today, and they may very well die tomorrow, but right now, they're so alive. injured, but they have this. her thumb rubs over his good cheek in apology and then just rests there. ❝ 'cause this is very inconvenient, right now, cousland. ❞ she looks down, teeth pressing into her lip for a moment. ❝ no repetitions tomorrow, yeah? you've got to give my heart a chance to recover before you go and be an idiot again. ❞

ㅤBalfour felt her move a moment before she kissed him, and he lifted his chin, lips parting just so in anticipation of her kiss. He sighed softly when she did kiss him, finally; it was some relieved little thing, at last. He would be the first to admit how... confusing this had all been, for a while there. The Blight made for a mess of feelings, and Balfour didn't always know what he was feeling and why. Grief one minute, anger the next, frustration and anxiety and yearning all flittered and flashed by, and he hardly knew what to make of any of it. It wasn't that different with Georgie. She terrified and comforted him in equal level, but sometimes, she was all he could think about. And when they sat here, together, in camp, he was happy. He knew that.

ㅤHe also knew that the right side of his face was in absolutely no state to be touched as Georgie was touching it now, gently as it was. So, even as he kissed her, a small smile playing at his lips all the while, Balfour reached to move her hand to settle at his neck instead, closer to his shoulder and away from his injuries. Ideally, he knew, he should probably not be kissing her either, given the state of him, but he had to draw the line somewhere, didn't he? Or, at least, he had to be smart. Difficult as that often was for him.

ㅤ“ Go easy on me, medic, ” he laughed, voice low as he drew back a moment later. The distance between them was only slight, and the hand that had come to her waist as she kissed him remained there. He was trying to be smart, thank you very much, not make himself miserable and ruin this whole moment. For a moment before he spoke again, Balfour just let his eyes take in her face. Oh, this fucking Blight. “ If you give me a couple of days, your hands go where they please, eh? ”

[stormlit]

this will not be the last time one or other of them is in mortal peril, just as it is not the first...and yet georgie had hoped that with the blight over, they would have the chance for real peace. to just get to live their lives, and be content. stupid thought, wasn't it? naive. but they have been through so much, more than any person should have to, and still it does not end. she can be bitter about it later, georgie supposes; for now, the only thing she cares about is that balfour is here and he's alive.

as if remembering that they were not alone, georgie nods despite her desperate need to hold onto balfour as tightly as she can manage for the rest of their lives, pressing her forehead against his and resting there for a moment before she makes herself pull back, trying to find some poise. ❝ yeah. but you're a fool if you think i'm letting you out of my sight. i'll wait over there. ❞ she nods her head towards the other side of the courtyard. ❝ i'll look busy so it doesn't seem like i'm hovering, promise. ❞

While she fretted, Balfour pressed a kiss to Georgie's forehead. Soon followed by another to her temple, one to her cheek - either trying to convince her that all was well or simply apologising for having terrified her. Even if it had been entirely out of his control. His hand moved to her elbow as she stepped back, though not a moment later he realised that she had just as little interest in moving too far away. Good.

"It's just a scratch," he smiled, aware that it was worse than that but determined not to make too much of a fuss where so many people could see him. He gave Georgie's arm a squeeze. "You can take a look in our quarters. Allow me to calm things here first and I will meet you there." He offered her a quick kiss, then, as if that swore some kind of promise. "Yes?"

[stormlit]

all georgie wants to do — all she can do — is hold onto balfour as tightly as possible, her fingers curled into his clothes as though she needs the tether. perhaps she does. people have tried to kill the both of them, before, and she has learnt that nobility is not without its own perils, and yet the thought that she might have lost him hurts more now than it ever would have done, in those years on the road. they are settled here, now. aren't they?

it would seem not. ❝ am i well?! ❞ georgie's laugh is more tears than humour, her fingers tracing the edges of his face to reassure herself that he is whole and here and alive, so blessedly alive. ❝ maker, balfour, i was on my way to bloody rescue you. i'm well, now. ❞ it might take a few more moments for her heart to settle, for her not to feel as though she's awaiting some word that he's fallen, but that is nothing. she takes a step back to assess him, though her fingers refuse to let go. ❝ you're a liar, you are, balfour cousland, look at that arm. let me look at it? for my sake, if not your own. ❞

@stormlit asked: ❝ you’re alive! oh, you’re alive! ❞

"Oh, my love -" The words left him in a heavy sigh, relief washing over him as he moved close enough to embrace her. Arms tightly around her shoulders, he buried his face in her hair, and he held her there, taking a few moments to convince himself that, yes, she was safe in his arms. Sometimes, it felt as though being an arl was more trouble than it was worth. It wasn't the first time there had been an attempt on his life and it surely would not be the last - an exhausting thought, if there ever was one. As if Howe and his treacherous ways had not been enough.

"It was nothing," he said, as if it were true. His sleeve was torn, and the attack had been close enough to have drawn blood but he would survive. As it turned out, Balfour Cousland was a difficult man to kill. "Look, look at me, I'm well." His hand came to her cheek, touch soft, to make Georgie look up at him now. "Are you well?"

[stormlit]

i feel the same. it echoes in her heartbeat. he feels the same. this is an awful, fucked up world they have found themselves in, finding near-certain death on every road, problems needing to be solved by people who frankly were not equipped to do so...and yet, they met each other. they got to know each other, when their paths would never have crossed. they got to find this tiny, perfect space among the rubble and ashes where they can just be, for a little while, gentle with each other. and georgie's not stupid --- she's been aware that there's something here for a while, now, more than either of their bonds to anyone else in this party --- but to hear him say it still makes her heart sing.

still something worth living for, then, instead of just things to die for.

her breath stutters for a moment; it's not a surprise, that he wants to kiss her, because she wants to kiss him, and yet balfour's confession makes georgie feel like she's flying. this happiness might not last long, but she'd forgotten what it felt like to have it at all. her lips ghost over balfour's, anticipation, a promise, and then she cups his face in both her hands, fingers soft as they spread over his cheeks, but there's no hesitance in her kiss. it screams yes.

ㅤIf Balfour had thought he was blushing badly before, Maker help him as Georgie leaned her forehead against his own. He didn't close his eyes as she did, at least not now, and soon enough, his hand dropped from her face. It settled quite naturally on top of one of her own, his touch almost hesitant for a moment or so, until he decided to take her hand properly.

ㅤHe wanted to say something, but what? Talking down fool bandits on the road was easy enough, charming half the court of Ferelden. Balfour could do such things in his sleep, he was sure, if he wanted to. But he had never had a talent for talking about his feelings, about the rush in his chest that made his head feel dizzy, about all the things he might have said he was glad for her of.

ㅤWhat if he said the wrong thing? Or did the wrong thing? Georgie hadn't pulled her hand away, but there was still time for him to fuck the rest of it up. There were so few good things in his life now, the thought of driving Georgie away was almost unbearable to him. But a few moments passed and that panic in his chest gave way to the inevitable calm that always seemed to come along with Georgie's presence.

ㅤ“ I feel the same, ” he said, quite quietly, in the end. Balfour's eyes had slipped closed by this point, and he brushed the side of his nose against her own. Despite his former panic, suddenly he had never looked so at peace throughout the entire Blight. It might as well have been Summerday, back in Highever, and they had taken to the familiar cliffs of his home for some time alone. He wished he'd known her in Highever. He wished they were living normal and dull lives, away from darkspawn and assassins and all the horrors they were getting far too used to seeing.

ㅤInstead, they were here. And they might die tomorrow, as he had almost done today. Perhaps that was the push he needed. “ I'd quite like to kiss you, ” he admitted, barely over a breath. “ I have for a while. ”

[stormlit]

the mages can keep their healing; georgie's soul has never felt as healed as it does in these moments the two of the steal at the edge of camp. most of the time, they're the only thing getting her through the day. he might know little about how to fix her wounds, but his touch is gentle, and as far as she's concerned, that's just as good. if it hurts, it's only in the way that it should, and it's easily forgotten in the wake of balfour's fingers.

she doesn't know how to tell balfour that it feels like he's healing something inside her, that he's got a magic touch that almost makes her want to cry, it's so soft, so instead georgie shakes her head, her gaze soft as she watches his face. he is so much more than the person he has to be to get through this blight. so is she.

it feels like they have known each other their entire lives. georgie can't imagine not getting to see him, talk to him, feel settled around him. it's that thought which makes her lean closer and rest their foreheads together, her eyes closing. ❝ i'm so glad i met you. ❞

ㅤHealer now, are we? she asked, and Balfour hummed something of an affirmative, brows perked and barely holding back a smile. It was almost easy to smile around her. These little moments they'd have, broken off away from camp a ways, almost made him feel normal. The Blight and everything that came with it still fluttered around in the back of his mind, of course. There was never really any getting rid of it, of the task ahead. But Georgie smiled and his heart gave a little flutter in his chest, and if his cheeks turned pink, well, he'd thank her not to mention it.

ㅤHe was quiet for a few moments, as took up one of the rags she'd not used on his own injuries and, her chin between his forefinger and thumb, he began to help clean her up a bit. Balfour wasn't a healer, as it went. Not even the non-magical kind that Georgie was. But his touch was gentle, and he knew how to deal with a few bumps and scrapes, so it would do well enough.

ㅤ“ I'm not hurting you, right? ” he asked, voice softer than before. His lips parted as if he'd been about to say something else, but he met her eye a moment later and seemed to forget he could speak at all.

[stormlit]

❝ i don't want your thanks, ❞ she says, gently. this is her job, after all, it has been for most of her adult life. putting herself between someone and the killing blow, protecting, healing. at least it's one thing georgie feels like she's good at, here, drowning beneath the mass of the darkspawn, things so much bigger than herself, the knowledge that she isn't the best fighter in this group --- even if she might be the most stubborn. she looks at balfour and...nah, second-most stubborn. ❝ i want you to not die. ❞ absently, her thumb rubs his arm, as though there's a reason for it beyond not wanting to stop touching him.

can she be selfish, for five minutes, and stay in this moment as long as possible? there is a calm here that georgie doesn't want reality to shatter.

if she's honest, georgie has barely let herself feel her own wounds beyond being sure they won't kill her, but there's an undeniable sting. worth it, though, every time. ❝ healer now, are we? ❞ the thought is...warming. who takes care of you, lane? she'll likely still have to go to wynne, later, listen to a lecture, but if this extends this moment, she won't say no.

the smile that crosses her lips is softer and more genuine as she squeezes balfour's arm and lets go to free up his hand, her gaze on his face. softly: ❝ yeah, go on. ❞

ㅤ“ I think you're actually the smarter one of the two of us, ” Balfour said, dropping his hand after a moment. It wasn't like he didn't spend most of his time in battle trying to get the biggest and nastiest of their enemies to attack him specifically. He had taunted the last one with words that cut so cruelly, the man had abandoned his pursuit of Elethea to crack his shield into the side of Balfour's face. The next thing he had known, he was on the ground and Georgie was there, stopping the soldier from making the finishing blow. He'd thanked her then, of course. But he found himself hit with the urge to do so again, as much for looking out for him then as right now.

ㅤ“ As per usual, you have my thanks. ” He might have moved away, were it anyone else tending to him. But Balfour liked how closely they were sat together. He didn't want to trudge back across camp to deal with Alistair's nonsense or be told how useless he was by Sten. So there he sat, and let his eyes linger upon Georgie's face for a while more. “ One of these days, I'll have to repay the favour, no? Seems it's always you saving my backside, tending my wounds. ” He gestured briefly to her face. “ You might let me have a look at those. ”

[stormlit]

❝ it's essential, yeah. ❞ calling balfour an idiot --- which, for the record, he was --- feels like safer, more steady ground. if she leans into their teasing, then she doesn't have to tell him that she doesn't know how she'd cope if he ran into danger and got himself killed. she doesn't have to say that she's afraid neither of them will make it through this, but even more afraid that only she will. she doesn't have to admit that these stolen moments, on the edge of camp, are the best part of her day, even if he's got himself hurt.

maker, caring's hard, isn't it? it'd be so much easier not to give a fuck.

georgie finishes applying a poultice and wrapping the wound, good enough until wynne can hasten the healing process, but her hand stays on balfour's arm, her gaze lifting to his face only when he touches her cheek. the corner of her mouth lifts in a smile. ❝ someone had to make sure you weren't going to get yourself killed. ❞ well, she'd probably have done it anyway. at least considered it. her head tilts into his touch. ❝ maybe i'm an idiot too. you can even call me one, if you like. ❞

@stormlit.

ㅤ“ Does calling me an idiot constantly help the healing process? ”

ㅤIt was the first smile he'd given all day, and as slight and as pained as it currently was, surely it was a welcome sight. Never mind that half his face was cut up -- the work of one of Loghain's men, an ambush on the road that they had walked straight and clear into. Georgie had seen to that by now, as she was seeing to his arm currently, and Wynne would see to the last of it when she was finished.

ㅤFor now, though, Balfour was more than happy to sit here, a little ways to the very edge of camp, and watch Georgie's face as she tended to his wounds. The smile faded eventually, slowly, as he considered the cuts and scrapes that she had earned herself.

ㅤ“ I seem to remember you also taking leave of your senses, back there, ” he said. Not a moment later, Balfour had reached to trace his thumb across her cheek, just beneath a small cut she'd earned herself in the same battle. So she was smarter than him, better at not getting hit. It was a low bar.