[mature] all things change; LELIANA

[leliana]

I waited for something, and something died
so I waited for nothing, and nothing arrived

He is sharp-edged and blunt and she takes a step back in defense, surprised by his response. Her eyes widen slightly, her lips parting on a shaky breath. She isn’t sure how to combat him, where she would even start. She’s not okay—she knows that. She knows better than to think that any of this is okay. But she can’t afford to let herself sink into completely. She can’t afford to let the waves of it crash over her head because if she does, she may never get up again, she may never find a way to breathe.

And she has to, for Adna.

Her hazel eyes trace the edges of his face, wondering what about him makes him want to delve into her own hurt like it’s his responsibility. She wants to brush him off, continue to deny, but she finds that she has very little defense before his probing eyes and so she just shrugs a little, giving him a small smile.

“No thank you,” her voice is quiet as she looks up beneath the swath of her crimson forelock. She appreciates the offer, finds herself drawn to his warmth and the way he opens it up to her without reservation. It’s been so long since she’s been able to enjoy such a simple conversation with no strings attached. “I’ve had my fill of violence,” she thinks back to Vulgaris’ rage about Dovev, about Dovev’s constant wounds, about how Vulgaris would come crawling home with his face shredded.

“And I don’t think it will help this anyway.”

For a second she is quiet before she finds his eyes again, searching them for a second.

“My name is Leliana.”

it's our dearest ally, it's our closest friend
it's our darkest blackout, it's our final end