A Candle in the Darkness (A Dragon Age: Inquisition fanfiction)

Some Kind of Maudlin Love Story

25 Solace, 9:44

Antonia glanced up at the sky; she was going to be late to Varric's card game if she didn't hurry. Jogging up the steps toward Cassandra's private apartments, she met Josephine coming down. Josephine was wearing a fine gown in a rich blue that flattered her coloring nicely. "Not coming to the game?"

"I ... have other plans." The Ambassador gave her a small, shy smile.

"All right, where is he?"

"He?"

"Blackwall. Thom Rainier. I haven't seen him yet."

"Well, then, come with me and say hello. Briefly."

Antonia laughed. "I wouldn't dream of wasting your night." She winked at her ambassador. "Cullen will be pleased that you're not attending the game this evening. I think he still worries that he's going to end the night without his clothes."

"Please, Inquisitor, isn't that between you and him?"

They both chuckled at that, and the familiar rough voice of Blackwall came at them from the darkness. "There's a sound I've only heard in my dreams for far too long. Oh, Inquisitor, didn't see you there."

"I can tell." He only had eyes for Josephine. "I won't keep either one of you, just wanted to say hello, Thom."

"I'm glad you did. It's been too long."

"How are the Wardens treating you?"

"Well enough." He looked briefly down at his hands. "It's good to be amongst other people with pasts they don't speak of."

"And you helped kill the biggest darkspawn of them all; that has to help."

Blackwall smiled. "It doesn't hurt. And you, Inquisitor, how have you been? I hear you have a fine bouncing baby boy."

"Yes. Just over a year old now. Spitting image of his father."

"Cullen must be busting his buttons."

Antonia smiled. "He is." There was a moment's silence while Josephine and Blackwall looked at one another, and Antonia said, "Not that I blame you for wanting a night to yourselves, but I do want you to know that if you wished to join the game tonight, you'd be welcome."

"I thank you for the thought, Inquisitor. I'll be here as long as you need me for this, so I'm sure we'll talk again."

"Looking forward to it."

She watched them walk off arm in arm. Both Josephine and Blackwall seemed comfortable with the lives they had chosen for themselves; possibly Antonia was being a romantic fool to wish for more on their behalf.

The others were waiting for her in Cassandra's rooms: Dorian, with shadows under his eyes but a semblance of his usual demon-may-care smile on his face; Cullen, jacket off and cards in his hand, relaxed as he rarely was outside their own quarters; the Iron Bull, his eye lighting up when he saw her; Varric, urbane and suave and impeccably tailored. And Cassandra, a martial light in her eyes, apparently having forgotten everything she'd learned about playing cards with this assemblage of cheats and cardsharps.

Hugs were exchanged all around, and then Antonia stood her three boys in front of her. "Let me look at all of you. Now, 'fess up. What trouble are you all in?"

Dorian glanced away, concerned looks sent in his direction by both of the others.

The Iron Bull's face was clear and open, no worries there. She saw him regularly, anyway.