ROGUE🖤 (Cole x OC! Lavellan) ✓ [COMPLETED]

Ch. 25 *Conversate*

NALIA
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I walk down the steps of Skyhold, walking around soldiers who practice fighting, and Cullen standing off to the side watching them all.
I approach him. "How are we?" I ask, crossing my arms just like he did.
He glances at me from the corner of his eye before sighing, letting his head fall down slightly. "We're doing well, Inquisitor. Our numbers are enough, our soldiers are strong. We're ready when you are."

Ready when I am...
Is it horrible of me to say that I'm not ready? Not even the slightest?
I stand quiet for a moment, and Cullen clears his throat, bringing me back to reality.

I inhale, raising my shoulders in the process. "Thank you, Cullen."

"For?" He raises an eyebrow, tilting his head to the side slightly.
I touch his shoulder. "For standing with me against this...nightmare," I shake my head, feeling a cringe in my chest at the thought of this entire ordeal.
"For being my friend," I smile softly at him.

He nods, smiling a little as well. "It's been an honor, Nalia."

I take my leave and walk over to the side of the Tavern, watching Iron Bull get hit with the stick with the help of Krem.
I stand off to the side, watching.

"Iron fucking Bull!" He says through a growl, getting hit again. "Damnit Krem, do it harder!"

Krem raises an eyebrow. "Any harder and I'll break it chief!" Suddenly, his eyes fall on me. "Oh! Inquisitor," he drops the stick.
I approach them. "You having fun?" I ask through a little grin, remembering when I had to hit Bull, right after everything that happened at Adamant.
No doubt, I did enjoy hitting someone who was willing to take it.

Iron Bull rolls his eyes. "Training," he says, motioning for Krem to grab the stick. "We'll be ass deep in demons and an Archdemon again," he sighs lowly, "fucking great."
I giggle. "At least we're good at killing shit," I say with a wink, leaving them to approach Cassandra whose practicing on a stuffed dummy.

Her back is to me, so she can't see me when I lean against the tree behind her.
She swings gracefully, but she grumbles under her breath about how her stance wasn't right.

She's being hard on herself again...

"And here I thought I'd find you reading Swords and Shields," I smirk, which makes her flip around and make a disgusted sound in the back of her throat.
"How long will you tease me?" She asks as I stand beside her.
"Always," I laugh, nudging her. "It's nice to have something you like."

She raises her sword. "I have better things to concentrate on," she says, swinging her sword.
I purse my lips. "Well, what about when there isn't an Inquisition anymore? What will you do then?"

"I...don't know," she says, "one of us will be the next Divine, Leliana and I."
"Is that what you want?" I ask, stepping closer.
She lowers her gaze to the grass beneath our feet. "Maybe," she says softly, "I... would like to help rebuild the Seekers."

"That's an excellent goal," I throw my arm around her, "and I'll help you every step of the way."

She cracks a soft smile, gently pushing my arm off her. "I find your encouragement rather contagious, Nalia."

I grin. "Good," I smile before I spot Sera shooting arrows into a tree.
"Right in the buttocks Corypheus! This is for turning the world topsy turvy! You- oh, hey it's you," she grins at me, loading another arrow. "You ready to kick Corypheus right up the dangle bag?"

She shoots, and it strikes perfectly in the middle of the target.
I laugh softly. "How I wish I had your enthusiasm."
"You could, you should anyhow," she turns to me. "I'm ready for this world to go back the way it was."

"Same," I whisper, pinching the tips of my fingers. I don't think I can really remember the normal. It's been so long since everything happened...
I drift away in my head again, unaware that an arrow bounces off and flies past Dorian's head.

He ducks just in the nick of time. "Maker!" He cries, getting back up. "What is it with you?!"

"Sorry, Vint," she laughs, running away right when Dorian approaches me. "She's unbearable, you know that right?"
I shrug. "She's different, but that's what I like about her.'
Dorian makes a sound in the back of his throat, shuffling his feet.
"How you feeling?" I ask softly.

"Nervous, hopeful, hesitate, all rolled into one," he exhales deeply. "It's time to end this, time for everything to be fixed and we'll all go our seperate ways."

"I'll miss everyone," I whisper, clenching the leather of my necklace that hangs around my neck. I hadn't thought about everyone leaving. We've all been together for so long, I think my world will feel a little empty without them in my life.
They are, in a way, my family.

Dorian smirks. "And by that you mean you'll miss me, most of all," he says, which makes me laugh.

I push him. "Perhaps," I say, before I see something that makes my heart flutter.
Cole, his head down, covered by his large hat, as he walks on the battlement edge, balancing like he's done it a hundred times.
"I'll talk to you later," I say to Dorian before I run up the steps on the battlement.

Cole turns to see me, and I smile.
He nods at me, taking a seat on the edge.
"Hello," I approach him. "How are you?"

He doesn't say anything, not at first, before his eyes meet mine. I notice that his expression is a little sadder then usual, I wonder why?
"Are you alright?" I ask, a little concerned.

He looks away. "Corypheus died, and then he didn't," he says through a single breath. "That's why he always felt wrong. Like he didn't fit inside himself, he wears another man's life."

I sit beside him, scooting close until our legs touch.
"I thought dying was forever..." He whispers, genuinely confused.
I take his hand into mine. "So did I," I reply, gently rubbing my thumb against his knuckles. "But we'll make it forever this time."

"But is it him? Is he real? If a man can be dead and then not..." He trails off, his eyes lowering to everyone below us. "Could I have saved the real Cole?"

I bring him into a comforting embrace. "I don't know," I whisper, feeling his pain as my own. I gently kiss his cheek, lingering close. "I'm sorry."

"His hands were bruised from beating on the wall," he says, "it was dark like the cabinet where he hid to escape his father. His belly hurt like knives, throat cracked dry. He was alone, and I pushed through and held his hand. It was all I could do..."

I let my head fall on his shoulder as I squeeze his hand. I think about everything he's told me, about the real Cole, about Rhys and Evangeline...it stings.
Cole is an amazing person, with such a rare kindness that you couldn't find in an average man. He should never be hurt, confused, or scared.
I only hope that I help him...

"He said...thank you," he looks at me, his head falling on top of mine. "Thank you, Nalia."
I smile, feeling warm, letting myself get lost in this moment...