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Dalia no longer flinched at the stench of sweat and beer as she entered the Hanged Man. It had become a sort of second home to her, and she had grown to like it. There were many things to like about this place if one paid attention, and Dalia listed a certain beautiful pirate as on the top of that list.
There she was, Dalia thought with elation, eyes fixed on the counter of Corff's bar. Dalia barely took notice of her companions, who didn't handle the Hanged Man's stench quite so well.
"I'm going to sit over there," Anders said, his nose scrunched up. Realizing Dalia was barely paying attention, he gestured for Fenris to follow. "Talk to you later, Hawke."
The two men moved toward an empty table as Dalia drifted toward the pirate of her heart. Isabela was downing a cup of Corff's finest (probably), and took a moment to notice Dalia's approach. Isabela smiled at the sight of her, and the radiance of that smile stopped Dalia in her tracks.
Isabela approached Dalia with confidence, hips swaying a bit for no one's attention but Dalia's own. When she was close enough to touch, Isabela brushed her fingers along Dalia's cheek and leaned forward to plant a kiss on the Fereldan's mouth.
Groans of jealousy erupted near by and maybe a snicker or two, but Dalia and Isabela cared for no one but each other.
"How was your trip through the Wounded Coast?" Isabela asked, one hand brushing the side of Dalia's face.
Dalia smiled a rather goofy smile but felt this was an appropriate reaction to being near someone so amazing. "It was exhilarating," Dalia began. "Giant spiders, angry Tal-Vashoth, Fenris and Anders' bickering - until I told them to shove it - and oh , sand in my boots and no beautiful pirate lady to keep me company!"
"Oh, you poor thing," Isabela cooed affectionately. "I bet Aveline's guardsmen appreciated the help, at least."
They did, Dalia recalled. Trapped as they were in a stalemate with whatshisface, in need of outside assistance. Aveline had been the one to drag Dalia out with her, worried her guardsmen were either being lazy or late to report back.
Dalia was kind of relieved she hadn't found them lazing about in the sand. She didn't want the extra task of ordering around Aveline's guardsmen. Since Anders and Fenris had some spare time, she dragged them out as well.
Isabela was content to wait for Dalia here, and good decision, Dalia thought, for it meant she was rewarded with the sight of her beloved when she finally returned.
"They were all very grateful. They even gave me some coin, a whole ten silvers!" Dalia tipped her head back and laughed. "Aveline chose to escort them back, so now I'm free to spend all the time I want with you - if you're willing."
Isabela smiled brightly. "Oh, I'm always willing to spend time with you." Another kiss on the mouth and Dalia felt like it was her nameday all of a sudden. Funny, since this wasn't an unusual occurrence, just a really lovely one.
They kissed again and again, right in front of a bunch of jealous and disgruntled drunks. Dalia thought she heard Anders snicker in amusement and could imagine he and Fenris smiling fondly at them. Isabela's fingers brushed over Dalia's ears, tracing the slight pointy tip, something Isabela openly admired.
The two of them did move eventually, though it took a dwarf's obnoxiously loud cough to draw them apart. Varric stood at the foot of the stairs, a look of fond exasperation on his face.
"Glad to know you showed up, Hawke," Varric said. He gestured for Anders and Fenris come over. "Now I can try to beat you all at Wicked Grace again. Ready for another round?"
Anders groaned. Dalia and Isabela smiled at each other. Like a charming escort, Dalia gestured for Isabela to loop her arm around hers, and they walked side by side. It was a good life, Dalia thought, to have one so wonderful by her side.
Maker willing, nothing shall tear them apart, not darkspawn or crazy Knight-Commanders.
Maker willing, they'll grow old together.
The End