#poor agi at this point in her life is so utterly broken

[theshotsheardacrossworlds]

Hot Chocolate

Dipping my toes into DATV fandom with Agnes "Rook" Aldwir, a mage and former Veil Jumper, and her growing relationship with Emmrich.

Late at night, Emmrich finds Rook and decides she could use some company. SFW.

When Emmrich entered the Lighthouse’s kitchen rather late in the evening, he was not expecting to see Rook sitting at the table, her brown eyes downcast, and staring into an empty mug.

“Pardon me, dear, but are you alright?”

At the speed at which her head snapped up…oh darling, don’t hurt yourself.

The young woman blinked. “Oh, shit. Sorry. I, uh, sort of…I was really far away, I guess.” She raked a hand through her short, dark red hair and smiled apologetically at the necromancer. “Well met, Emmrich.”

He inclined his head slightly, a smile tugging on his lips. “Well met, Rook.”

Her smile immediately disappeared, replaced by a forlorn frown.

Goodness me, I haven’t lost my touch, have I? I must rectify this. Now.

Before he could say anything, she spoke first. “When we’re alone, can you call me Agnes or Agi? Whatever you prefer, obviously! I just…” She tried and failed to hold back a sob, and Emmrich was kneeling beside her in an instant. “I’m sorry!”

“My dear, why are you apologizing? Whatever for?

Allow me to soothe you. Allow me to kiss away your troubles.

She shook her head, more tears falling. “I shouldn’t be crying…I…I need to be strong for everyone…” No, no you don’t. Lean on me, darling. Her face contorted into what he thought was an adorable half-hearted scowl. “Rook doesn’t cry. Rook makes hard decisions. Rook is the one everyone sees…” Blinking, she sniffled a few times and rubbed her eyes. “Sorry. I shouldn’t—”

He got to his feet and glanced at the empty mug in front of her. “What were you having, dear?”

Eyes wide as saucers, she looked up at him. Adorably confused. “I-I was going to make hot chocolate, but I got, erm, distracted.” She wrinkled her nose and giggled softly. So adorable! “Distracted by tons of self-pity.”

Emmrich lifted the mug with one hand and touched her shoulder with the other. “One hot chocolate coming right up, my dear.” As she shifted under his touch, he tutted at her gently, of course. She deserves a gentle touch, I think. “No, no. Let me. You do so much for us as it is, Agnes.”

“It’s good to hear that name again.” As he prepared her drink, she sighed. “Agi Aldwir is too soft hearted, you see. That’s why Varric chose Rook for me…and to keep my identity relatively hidden.” She turned in the chair to look at him. So much worry. How I wish I could do more for you. I’d love the chance. “Not like for bad reasons. Just to keep my mum safe. Varric and Mum are old friends. We want to keep her safe and away from any, erm, consequences as we can.”

He hummed, wisps of magic flowing from his fingers. “You must love your mother very much.”

Ah, there’s some brightness in her eyes.

Finally.

That’s it, darling. Good girl.

She nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, I do. Very, very much. If keeping her safe means being Rook, then…” Agnes closed her eyes, inhaled, and exhaled slowly, opening her eyes. “I’ll be whoever I must.” When she rose, he could not help but scoff a little. Gently. Lovingly. Love…love? “Allow me.” Flames danced on her fingertips as she lit the burner on the stove. “Might as well put all this fire to use.”

That smile. Her full, rosy cheeks.

“Oh please! You’ve proven yourself to be invaluable in battle, my dear. Why, when I see you fling your spells---freezing the battlefield, fiery missiles, and your combined fire and ice blast? Goodness, it’s…breathtaking. Truly, utterly breathtaking.” As Emmrich spoke, he had not noticed that those delightful cheeks became rosier.

Blushing furiously, Agnes squeaked a barely audible “thank you” before tucking some hair behind an ear. “You too. I mean, I’ve not seen any necromancers in battle before. You’re good.”

Oh.

Oh…

Oh yes.

Keep it together, man!

“Thank you, my dear. Ah, and here you are. One hot chocolate for a lovely young lady.”

As he handed her the mug, she snorted. “Emmrich, I’m thirty years old.”

You’re still young, darling, whether you want to admit it or not.

He raised an amused eyebrow. “As I said, a lovely young lady.”

Leaning against the counter, she sipped the hot chocolate slowly and hummed in what he desperately hopedwas appreciation. The resulting grin could light the entire Necropolis. My gods, I’ve done it. I’ve made her worries go away. Even for a moment…it is worth it. It is worth it for her. “This is just what I needed.” She then wrinkled her nose in the most adorable way. I love it. I love…I love… “Though godsdamnit, now I want cookies. Well…” Agnes put the mug down and pulled out her ever-present notebook. “Ingredients for Mum’s chocolate chip cookies,” she muttered to herself, writing it down. She said she does it, so she won’t forget. “There’s so much on my mind, Emmrich. If I don’t have it written down, then it’s gone. I can’t afford to forget.” “There!” Success! Now, Agnes dear, sit back down and relax. After she put her notebook away, she sipped from her mug. “Seriously, this is amazing. Thank you, and thanks for listening. I appreciate more than you know.”

When she smiled at him---soft, perfect, she’s never looked at the others like this---he nearly grasped her free hand to valiantly, dashingly kiss her knuckles. Like the gentleman she deserves. How she would blush! I can see it…

“Emmrich? Are you alright?”

Damnit.

Soothe her, damn you!

He guided the hand holding the mug to put it down on the counter and, as his heart raced, held her beautiful, magnificent hand in both of his. “I’m fine. You mustn’t worry about me, dear.”

To his delight, she turned a fetching shade of dark red. So similar to her hair. A rich, luscious, blossoming rose.

Or perhaps…a sweet, ripe fruit to tasted…

“You mean a lot to me. Of course I worry.” Agnes said quickly, the blush continuing to deepen. I do?! “Anyways, thanks again for the hot chocolate. Night, Emmrich.” She awkwardly, adorably slipped out of his grasp and left the kitchen, leaving his heart racing at quite a rapid pace. My hands are sweaty. I…she…

Such a lovely, precious flower she is…

***

Emmrich was in heaven.

At least I’m fairly sure I’m in heaven.

I must be.

Heaven, he now knew to be certain, was found with Agnes Aldwir. After their second visit to the Memorial Gardens, feelings were declared, we shared a kiss or two or three, and then she tearfully confessed she had never kissed anyone before (I find it hard to believe, my love) and never had a partner. I’m her first in so very much.

Gentleman that I absolutely am, he promised to take things slowly and thanked her for choosing me. She didn’t have to. I saw how the others watched her. Admired her. But of course, she doesn’t see it! My oblivious little love. They talked for a short while before Agnes asked him to stay the night.

“Just cuddling and sleeping, not anything else. I hope that’s alright?”

Oh Agnes, my darling---always.

And so that was precisely where the necromancer found himself the following morning.

Waking next to my beloved.

She’s still asleep.

Or perhaps not.

The mage cracked open an eye and grinned. “How long have you been awake?”

“Not long, dearest. Did you rest well?” The backs of his knuckles grazed her cheek, a fond smile tugging on his lips.

The soft sigh that escaped her made his heart flutter. “Mhm, yeah. How about you, love?”

He tucked strands of dark red hair behind her ear. “Perfect. To have such a beautiful bed partner has been a joy.” To put it mildly. “Shall I fetch us—”

“Stay…please?” How can I say no when asked so politely? I simply cannot. “At least for a little while longer. Then I want to shower—oh, speaking of, I picked up some shampoo in Dock Town that made me think of you.”

That intrigued him. “Oh?”

She giggled as she turned over, her back to his front. “It’s supposed to smell like hot chocolate, but we’ll see.” Agnes relaxed against him, and to his delight, she threaded her fingers through his as their hands rested on her belly. So different from last night. She was so nervous---body tense, crying softly, afraid that this was all a dream, and would be alone.

Never, my love.

We shall never be lonely when we have each other.