faderift | [Closed] Homecoming

WHO: Bethany and Al
WHAT: Al's back, Beth's back. Smooching ensues.
WHEN: After the island hoopla.
WHERE: Kirkwall, Gallows, their quarters
NOTES: FLUFF AND SMUSH. Additionally, maybe they should get a house? idk

The best part about coming home after being out on a covert investigative trip is... not being able to get in the door for all the crates. Aleron's patience is sturdy and unshakeable, but there are times it's very much challenged and this is one of them. A cursory examination of the shipping labels has the majority of these items coming from Orlais with a decent amount also coming out of Kaiten. Mama and Ravonild.

Each of the crates seems to have come with its own missive, hand written, not just detailing the contents but the purpose of it:

'This is the latest fashion out of Kaiten, which you are ignorant of, but would be most pleasing on your pretty wife. I have taken the liberty of rectifying your lack of concern for appearances and...'

'Darling, you must permit me to spoil you children' Not that they've either of them been children for some decades now. 'I am most certain that you are not doing an adequate job of presenting gifts to my beloved daughter-in-law. Therefore, I have sent you an offering which you may present and take the credit for.'

If crate upon crate of dresses and accessories weren't enough to wade through, there's a pile of correspondence waiting also. His favorite. Some of it's not so bad. A letter from Layla about her family, how the new baby is flourishing. Ravonild leaving not-so-subtle hints that she would like to foster Bryce with his uncle. Word from an old friend of his adolescence who didn't succeed with the Seekers and moved on to a private life. Financial statements from his mother's and sister's stewards. Less pleasant, are his twin's inane blathering about fashion and scandals among people he neither knows or cares about. Angry rants about Cade from people with opinions but no facts: he didn't do enough, he went too far. The worst, there's a long series of missives from Mama which grow more and more scathing for his neglect of her and demands for a reply.

He's halfway through that abusive series when his stoicism breaks. "Well, shit."

Aleron and Bethany have a problem. Mama insists on visiting. Maker, why?

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"Great Maker ..."

Is the sound of Aleron's beloved wife, greeting his ears for the first time in over two weeks. To be fair, she isn't talking to him. She doesn't even know he's gotten home yet. All she knows is the moment she tried to enter the room she had more boxes and trunks to get past than she had in her entire life.

"I can't believe there are this many new fashions in all of Thedas." She muttered, shouldering her bag as she shifted past most of them to get into the room proper. It was then that she saw her husband - and it was clear he was the far superior surprise.

"Aleron!" She called out, her voice just filled with happiness, as she dropped her satchel and ... carefully made her way through the field of boxes to fling herself into his arms and kiss him as if she hadn't seen him in a year, instead of a few weeks.

She broke away long enough to beam at him, "Welcome home, darling."

Now that is a worthy 'welcome home.'

A small smile emerges from the eternal lineface and he presses a kiss to Bethany's forehead. "I'd say I should go away more just for that delightful reception, but I would far rather just be with you." And not just because as it turns out, he's something of a homebody now that he has a place and a person to call home.

Aleron's content to hold Bethany close, keeping her pressed against his chest, and laying his head on top of hers. Matters of mothers and sisters and clothing can wait.

"I have missed you, my love."

She hummed with happiness, resting her head on his chest, listening to his heart beat. There was no place better than this home, with him, and she was so pleased he had returned earlier. "Oh, I would be delighted to show you how much I missed you - but wouldn't it be better if you were around long enough so I didn't have to?"

She beamed up at him, before she sighed. "You were gone for such a long time, darling."

"I know. And for that, I am deeply sorry, my love." More kisses are applied to the top of Bethany's head, then he sighs as well. Duty and responsibility drawing him away has been clawing at his thoughts these long weeks of separation. Moreso because it feels familiar to him in a frightening way. Aleron had put his career ahead of cherishing what little time he was to have had with Mirielle and despised himself for it in the decades following. He's remarkably frightened that he is well on the path to repeating that same tragic mistake.

Which is something that he and Bethany should discuss while they actually have time together. Time, but not space, in this moment. It's cramping any sense of romance or anything akin to it with barely being able to navigate. His family simply must give them the space to establish their own house without meddling. "Please tell me these are new arrivals and you've not been forced to endure this the entirety of my time away."

"Oh darling, don't beat yourself up over it. It's not like I was here to pine for you. I was off on an island in the middle of nowhere, just being as miserable and busy as possible." She hugged him tighter, almost knowing he would have that lost, frightened look in his deep blue eyes. "You know what we ought to do. We ought to go on more missions together."

She looked up at him, her brown eyes sparkling amusement. "My love, I am as ever surprised by your family's generosity as always ... and even more so since I just walked through the door."

There's a soft chuckle from him and a shake of his head. Not that Aleron would dream of telling his wife she couldn't go out on derring-do adventures, but on the other hand... "You know, beloved, I'm not entirely certain I would consider dragging you into the thick of danger a good way to spend time together. But I would welcome your company all the same."

Without any further warning, he scoops up Bethany into his arms to carry her. Not that it's particularly easy to navigate the maze while holding a pretty lady, but ultimately he considers it worth the challenge of effort when he reaches a chair and settles her on his lap.

This is much much better.

As it turns out, the stoic Seeker is a snuggler.

She arches an eyebrow up at him, her dimples flashing a mischievous smile. She leans up on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek, before she states archly. "Well look at you, Aleron Darton. You just sounded like a Hawke right there."

Then she's being picked up and it's with a little squeal and a laugh, as she puts her arms around his neck and kisses him a few times. And once more when she's in his lap, and she curls up, resting her head against his shoulder once more.

Once they're firmly snuggled into the chair together, Aleron places several small kisses atop Bethany's head and cheeks. "If I did sound like a Hawke, it's all your marvelous influence, my darling."

He sighs softly, contented. No, not contented. As Aleron's come to realize, he's deliriously happy and that is not something he would have thought possible a scant two years ago. This is good. Their life together is good. All that he could ever possibly want is right in his arms.

"I could want for nothing else but what I hold right now."

She smiles a little more at each kiss, her gaze soft and warm. "Well good, you needed to get more smiles in those beautiful blue eyes of yours."

A pleased blush comes over her cheeks, and she leans up to kiss him firmly, and warmly, on the lips, leaving her hands in his golden hair.

"You are too darling for words, and I couldn't ask for a better partner and husband if I made him up in my mind." She teased gently, "Are you sure you're not from some dream?"

Sweet Maker, he adores Bethany.

"Quite certain. Though if this is a dream, I don't care to wake." Scandalous? Dancing on the edges of blasphemy? Quite possibly, but Aleron doesn't give a rip. He runs a hand down her side, settling it on Bethany's hip while contemplating leading her off to bed for a proper reunion.

...but the clutter.

He glances to the jumble of gifts and crates and audibly groans, while nuzzling his face into his pretty wife's neck. "I cannot believe I'm about to say this, but... I think Ravonild might be right." That requires clarification, stat. "I do believe we're far overdue for a home of our own. With space. And no obstructions." Not that the clutter is stopping him from nibbling lightly on her ear.

Oh, look, she got him to smile. That little one that brightened his eyes and his expression, and just made her to kiss him all the more. She laughed softly, fondly, touching his cheek with all the wonder she always has when she is with him.

A flush touches her cheek - she knows what happens when one hand wanders down her side - but then she too, looks around. "...Well, I cannot believe this myself, but I agree darling. We do need a home of our own."

She sighs as she looks around. "As we are going to be overwhelmed by proper fashion."

She leans more into him, sliding her fingers along his jaw. She does always like ear nibbling.

[Closed] Homecoming

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