[Fanfiction: Dragon Age 2] [Isabela/Bethany] Love You 'Til the World Ends
So, Mary got bored and wrote a DA2 fic today. It's not porn! Shocking, I know. Prob. about PG-13. Isabela/Bethany with a side of f!Hawke/Merrill. Have fun~
She knew she was in love when she realized that, even though it had been years since she last saw her face, the image of Bethany Hawke, smiling, laughing, blushing at one of her tales, et cetera was still burned perfectly into her mind and she couldn’t get the apostate out of her head.
This terrified her.
Isabela never fell in love.
But she had.
With her best friend’s little sister of all people.
--
She’d never forget the day Elsa Hawke returned from the Deep Roads expedition with Anders and Varric. Immediately, Isabela demanded to know where Bethany was, and the answer made her stomach turn. It took every last bit of willpower to not punch all three of them in the face for it.
Bethany was gone. She’d been infected by the Taint. She survived, fortunately, thanks to Anders leading them to a group of Grey Wardens, who fortunately took her rather than leaving her to die (she really should have thanked Anders for saving her, but she never did), but still. Bethany was gone and Isabela may never see her again. She’d have to follow the Wardens, after all. That was just how it worked.
Isabela wasn’t quite sure just yet why this upset her so much. It only dawned on her years later. It was funny how true it could be that you only know how much something means to you until it’s gone. Bethany’s presence in Isabela’s life was very much a case like that.
But maybe that was for the better, Isabela thought. This way she couldn’t hurt Bethany, and by extension Elsa. Their mother had died a year ago. They were the only family each other had. Isabela would never forgive herself if she wound up hurting Bethany in any way for that reason on top of it all. And, of course, there was a high possibility that Bethany didn’t even come close to feeling the same way about her. So maybe it was a blessing that the other woman was lost to her forever.
But that was hard to convince herself of. Impossible, really. The words she kept telling herself felt so hollow and she could never bring herself to believe it.
She just wanted Bethany back.
--
She never thought that wish would or even could be granted. Kind of funny how it was, but not until the world began crumbling around them.
Mages versus Templars. Who would’ve thought this conflict would actually turn Kirkwall to a sort of civil war? But there Isabela was, watching Elsa decide to risk everything to fight for the freedom of mages. Of course that was the side she picked. Anders flattered himself into believing it was because she cared about him, but well. Everyone knew about Elsa and Merrill. Elsa was utterly smitten with the Dalish mage and vice versa, and it was absolutely adorable. Isabela was a bit jealous. Not that she’d ever admit it, even to herself.
Of course, with the mages was Elsa’s side because of Bethany too. She’d always been close to her sister. Isabela would gladly fight for the mages, for more or less the same reason. Except, of course, that she didn’t love Bethany like a sister.
Suddenly, there she was. Isabela could hardly believe her eyes. Bethany. It was Bethany. Dressed in the uniform of a Grey Warden and prepared for combat. She approached Elsa first, of course, and they had their touching family reunion. More or less what Isabela would expect.
She didn’t expect Bethany to approach her immediately afterward.
She definitely didn’t expect Bethany to suddenly pull her into a tight hug. Isabela usually wasn’t one for hugs, but right now this was the best thing that could happen to her. She returned the embrace without hesitation.
“Isabela! I’m so glad to see you!”
It was almost as if the seriousness of the overall situation had stopped mattering to Bethany; her voice conveyed only excitement.
“Same here, sweet thing. I really missed you.”
Bethany looked a bit surprised by that. Isabela understood, really. Isabela was a hardened woman. She was used to losing people. Bethany probably thought her leaving would be like just another crewman lost at sea or something to Isabela. It was understandable, but it still kind of hurt.
It was also about now that Isabela realized that she had a major choice to make. Nothing that the fate of Kirkwall rested on like the decisions Elsa had been making today. Something much smaller, much more personal. But to her it was far more important.
She had to tell Bethany. Now. Even if the moment was horrible. Even if this was so hard to say, even to herself. Because if she didn’t say it now she might never have a chance.
Isabela didn’t like living with regrets, after all.
“Listen, Bethany-“
Well, that got her to turn around for a moment, anyway. The others had began to move. Isabela didn’t have much time for this. She suddenly took Bethany’s hands in her own and looked her in the eyes.
“I know this is a bad time, but I need to tell you something important.”
The tension in the air was heavy. For everyone else it was because of the rising conflict. For Isabela it was something else entirely.
“I’m listening.”
Her voice sounded unsure, but not impatient.
“I’m in love with you.”
Those simple words took everything to say. After all, Isabela didn’t fall in love. She had lovers, yes, but it was never about love. She was convinced that loving was a bad thing for her to do, that she’d only hurt the people she loved. This scared her even now. But these crazy feelings were worth taking the plunge for.
Bethany looked shocked. Shit.
“Isabela, I…”
Not good. That tone of voice was hesitant, wavering, not a good sign at all.
But suddenly being grabbed and kissed was.
“I never thought this would happen”
Bethany was breathless and excited as can be.
“Truthfully, I was always….er… interested in you. That’s why I kept asking about you being attracted to women. I was trying to let on that I liked you…but you never got it. I figured you just didn’t think of me like that and tried to move on, but…”
She’d looked away shyly while confessing all of this, but then she forced herself to look up, to look Isabela in the eyes.
“For all these years, I never stopped thinking about you. I love you too, Isabela.”
This time, it was Isabela who initiated the kiss, and this time it was as deep and passionate and emotionally-and of course sexually-charged as it rightfully should be. The only thing that made them tear themselves away from each other at last was the sound of the rioting going on in the streets around them and the realization that, if they didn’t hurry up, they’d lose the rest of the group.
They caught up easily enough. Elsa asked what took them so long. Isabela shrugged. Elsa didn’t comment any further, but she definitely noticed that her little sister and the pirate were holding hands, fingers entwined.
The final preparations for the battle at hand were being made, everyone grouped together within the Circle, Elsa and First Enchanter Orsino discussing strategy. Once that was done, Elsa broke to speak to each of them individually. Though no one would say it, they knew she was essentially saying her goodbyes. The likelihood of them making it out of this mess alive was low. They all knew it, although they talked of where to hold the victory celebration.
When Elsa spoke to Isabela, she was grateful and as always the best friend she could be. But Isabela was surprised by the last thing she said.
“Take good care of my sister, Isabela. I trust you with her, but if you break her heart I’ll slit your throat.”
Isabela knew Elsa would, even if she was pretending to be joking. She knew Elsa well enough. Once the shock at how fast Elsa realized what was going on wore off, she grinned at her friend.
“Understood. I promise I’ll be good to your sister. I’ll give her the best sex ever, too, you can count on that.”
Elsa cringed at the excess of information. Isabela laughed.
When Elsa moved on to speak to Merrill, Isabela turned to Bethany.
“Did you have to say that?! So embarrassing!”
Isabela rolled her eyes.
“If I hadn’t said that, it just wouldn’t be me, now would it?”
Bethany begrudgingly agreed. That was how the woman she fell for was, after all. Isabela pulled her into a kiss, more or less mirroring what was going on across the room between Elsa and Merrill. Bethany noticed that out of the corner of her eye after pulling apart from Isabela.
“Sis and Merrill are pretty cute together, aren’t they?”
Isabela nodded.
“She and Kitten have had quite the thing going on for some time now. It’s adorable.”
“Yeah, she mentioned it in one of her letters. I’m happy for her.”
Neither said it, but both were hoping that this new relationship between them would develop into something similar. They were sort of a similar matchup, after all. A dashing, witty rogue and a cute, slightly naïve mage.
“Bethany, listen. If we die here, we’ll go down together. But. If we do survive? Come away with me. I have a ship, I’ll be taking all of us that make it away as fast as possible. But I want you to stay.”
Bethany nodded.
“I hated being a Grey Warden anyway. If Anders could desert them, so can I.”
Isabela grinned. She unsheathed her daggers in preparation for what was just about to come.
“That’s the spirit. Now, let’s go kick some Templar ass and sail off into the sunset together, shall we? It sounds like the others are ready.”
Bethany grinned back, gripping her staff tightly.
“Yeah, let’s do it.”
And that was precisely what they did.
This entry was originally posted at http://nachtmusik.dreamwidth.org/92198.html. Please comment there using OpenID.
She knew she was in love when she realized that, even though it had been years since she last saw her face, the image of Bethany Hawke, smiling, laughing, blushing at one of her tales, et cetera was still burned perfectly into her mind and she couldn’t get the apostate out of her head.
This terrified her.
Isabela never fell in love.
But she had.
With her best friend’s little sister of all people.
--
She’d never forget the day Elsa Hawke returned from the Deep Roads expedition with Anders and Varric. Immediately, Isabela demanded to know where Bethany was, and the answer made her stomach turn. It took every last bit of willpower to not punch all three of them in the face for it.
Bethany was gone. She’d been infected by the Taint. She survived, fortunately, thanks to Anders leading them to a group of Grey Wardens, who fortunately took her rather than leaving her to die (she really should have thanked Anders for saving her, but she never did), but still. Bethany was gone and Isabela may never see her again. She’d have to follow the Wardens, after all. That was just how it worked.
Isabela wasn’t quite sure just yet why this upset her so much. It only dawned on her years later. It was funny how true it could be that you only know how much something means to you until it’s gone. Bethany’s presence in Isabela’s life was very much a case like that.
But maybe that was for the better, Isabela thought. This way she couldn’t hurt Bethany, and by extension Elsa. Their mother had died a year ago. They were the only family each other had. Isabela would never forgive herself if she wound up hurting Bethany in any way for that reason on top of it all. And, of course, there was a high possibility that Bethany didn’t even come close to feeling the same way about her. So maybe it was a blessing that the other woman was lost to her forever.
But that was hard to convince herself of. Impossible, really. The words she kept telling herself felt so hollow and she could never bring herself to believe it.
She just wanted Bethany back.
--
She never thought that wish would or even could be granted. Kind of funny how it was, but not until the world began crumbling around them.
Mages versus Templars. Who would’ve thought this conflict would actually turn Kirkwall to a sort of civil war? But there Isabela was, watching Elsa decide to risk everything to fight for the freedom of mages. Of course that was the side she picked. Anders flattered himself into believing it was because she cared about him, but well. Everyone knew about Elsa and Merrill. Elsa was utterly smitten with the Dalish mage and vice versa, and it was absolutely adorable. Isabela was a bit jealous. Not that she’d ever admit it, even to herself.
Of course, with the mages was Elsa’s side because of Bethany too. She’d always been close to her sister. Isabela would gladly fight for the mages, for more or less the same reason. Except, of course, that she didn’t love Bethany like a sister.
Suddenly, there she was. Isabela could hardly believe her eyes. Bethany. It was Bethany. Dressed in the uniform of a Grey Warden and prepared for combat. She approached Elsa first, of course, and they had their touching family reunion. More or less what Isabela would expect.
She didn’t expect Bethany to approach her immediately afterward.
She definitely didn’t expect Bethany to suddenly pull her into a tight hug. Isabela usually wasn’t one for hugs, but right now this was the best thing that could happen to her. She returned the embrace without hesitation.
“Isabela! I’m so glad to see you!”
It was almost as if the seriousness of the overall situation had stopped mattering to Bethany; her voice conveyed only excitement.
“Same here, sweet thing. I really missed you.”
Bethany looked a bit surprised by that. Isabela understood, really. Isabela was a hardened woman. She was used to losing people. Bethany probably thought her leaving would be like just another crewman lost at sea or something to Isabela. It was understandable, but it still kind of hurt.
It was also about now that Isabela realized that she had a major choice to make. Nothing that the fate of Kirkwall rested on like the decisions Elsa had been making today. Something much smaller, much more personal. But to her it was far more important.
She had to tell Bethany. Now. Even if the moment was horrible. Even if this was so hard to say, even to herself. Because if she didn’t say it now she might never have a chance.
Isabela didn’t like living with regrets, after all.
“Listen, Bethany-“
Well, that got her to turn around for a moment, anyway. The others had began to move. Isabela didn’t have much time for this. She suddenly took Bethany’s hands in her own and looked her in the eyes.
“I know this is a bad time, but I need to tell you something important.”
The tension in the air was heavy. For everyone else it was because of the rising conflict. For Isabela it was something else entirely.
“I’m listening.”
Her voice sounded unsure, but not impatient.
“I’m in love with you.”
Those simple words took everything to say. After all, Isabela didn’t fall in love. She had lovers, yes, but it was never about love. She was convinced that loving was a bad thing for her to do, that she’d only hurt the people she loved. This scared her even now. But these crazy feelings were worth taking the plunge for.
Bethany looked shocked. Shit.
“Isabela, I…”
Not good. That tone of voice was hesitant, wavering, not a good sign at all.
But suddenly being grabbed and kissed was.
“I never thought this would happen”
Bethany was breathless and excited as can be.
“Truthfully, I was always….er… interested in you. That’s why I kept asking about you being attracted to women. I was trying to let on that I liked you…but you never got it. I figured you just didn’t think of me like that and tried to move on, but…”
She’d looked away shyly while confessing all of this, but then she forced herself to look up, to look Isabela in the eyes.
“For all these years, I never stopped thinking about you. I love you too, Isabela.”
This time, it was Isabela who initiated the kiss, and this time it was as deep and passionate and emotionally-and of course sexually-charged as it rightfully should be. The only thing that made them tear themselves away from each other at last was the sound of the rioting going on in the streets around them and the realization that, if they didn’t hurry up, they’d lose the rest of the group.
They caught up easily enough. Elsa asked what took them so long. Isabela shrugged. Elsa didn’t comment any further, but she definitely noticed that her little sister and the pirate were holding hands, fingers entwined.
The final preparations for the battle at hand were being made, everyone grouped together within the Circle, Elsa and First Enchanter Orsino discussing strategy. Once that was done, Elsa broke to speak to each of them individually. Though no one would say it, they knew she was essentially saying her goodbyes. The likelihood of them making it out of this mess alive was low. They all knew it, although they talked of where to hold the victory celebration.
When Elsa spoke to Isabela, she was grateful and as always the best friend she could be. But Isabela was surprised by the last thing she said.
“Take good care of my sister, Isabela. I trust you with her, but if you break her heart I’ll slit your throat.”
Isabela knew Elsa would, even if she was pretending to be joking. She knew Elsa well enough. Once the shock at how fast Elsa realized what was going on wore off, she grinned at her friend.
“Understood. I promise I’ll be good to your sister. I’ll give her the best sex ever, too, you can count on that.”
Elsa cringed at the excess of information. Isabela laughed.
When Elsa moved on to speak to Merrill, Isabela turned to Bethany.
“Did you have to say that?! So embarrassing!”
Isabela rolled her eyes.
“If I hadn’t said that, it just wouldn’t be me, now would it?”
Bethany begrudgingly agreed. That was how the woman she fell for was, after all. Isabela pulled her into a kiss, more or less mirroring what was going on across the room between Elsa and Merrill. Bethany noticed that out of the corner of her eye after pulling apart from Isabela.
“Sis and Merrill are pretty cute together, aren’t they?”
Isabela nodded.
“She and Kitten have had quite the thing going on for some time now. It’s adorable.”
“Yeah, she mentioned it in one of her letters. I’m happy for her.”
Neither said it, but both were hoping that this new relationship between them would develop into something similar. They were sort of a similar matchup, after all. A dashing, witty rogue and a cute, slightly naïve mage.
“Bethany, listen. If we die here, we’ll go down together. But. If we do survive? Come away with me. I have a ship, I’ll be taking all of us that make it away as fast as possible. But I want you to stay.”
Bethany nodded.
“I hated being a Grey Warden anyway. If Anders could desert them, so can I.”
Isabela grinned. She unsheathed her daggers in preparation for what was just about to come.
“That’s the spirit. Now, let’s go kick some Templar ass and sail off into the sunset together, shall we? It sounds like the others are ready.”
Bethany grinned back, gripping her staff tightly.
“Yeah, let’s do it.”
And that was precisely what they did.
This entry was originally posted at http://nachtmusik.dreamwidth.org/92198.html. Please comment there using OpenID.