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Leliana slipped away towards the gardens. Beatrice steeled herself for a moment before heading towards Josephine’s office. The door hinges squeaked quietly to announce her entrance. Josephine looked up with the usual calm, pleasant smile. It was a wonder she could be so pleasant despite the later hour. Beatrice was lucky enough to see the smile deepen with warmth as recognition lit up her partner’s face. She dropped her pack next to the open door. In a few quick strides, she was across the room.
“Beatrice!” Josephine half-rose from her seat. Her outstretched hands pulled her in closer. Careful fingers mapped her face and keen eyes took in her travelling gear. “You’re back early. I was not expecting you for another few days. Are you-”
“I am well, Josephine. I promise.” Beatrice wrapped her arms around her partner in a loose embrace. “I merely missed you and when I realised a few days of hard riding would bring me back to you all the quicker…” She shrugged and let the sentence trail away.
“Oh!” Josephine had that small, pleased smile on her face. Instead of speaking again, Beatrice was pulled closer. Long fingers sank into her snow soaked hair and tugged lightly. She leaned in and was rewarded with the slow press of lips against hers. Warmth sparked from that single point of contact. Josephine deepened the kiss then with a swipe of tongue against her lips and Beatrice stopped thinking at all.
It was only when her head grew dizzy that she broke away. Short, sharp panting breaths were all she could take and it took a few moments to right herself. Josephine’s hands slipped down to settle against the back of her neck. “Forgive me my lady, sometimes I cannot help myself.”
“Never apologise for that.” At her words, Josephine’s contented smile gained a smug edge to it. Beatrice wanted to press her into her chair and kiss that smirk away but Leliana would be waiting. “I…would you care to accompany me to the gardens?”
Josephine raised a brow. Neither of them looked at the night sky outside the window. Beatrice shrugged.
“You have planned something,” her partner murmured. Josephine still did not look away but Beatrice refused to break. The assessing look being thrown her way wobbled a little and she could just see the edge of a smile trying to break through. Josephine stepped away from her desk, hands sliding down Beatrice’s chest. Beatrice wavered on the spot, drawn to that warmth and tempted by it. Josephine regained the slightly smug look.
Beatrice blushed and offered her arm. The other woman took it with all her usual grace though Beatrice was fairly sure she didn’t normally slide her fingers up other people’s forearms.
They could just…
No! Leliana would be waiting for them.
Together they walked out of the offices. Beatrice held open the doors to the main hall and gently guided Josephine past the various lingering allies and guests. She could see Varric’s quill pause before a furious flurry of movement took over his pen.
Hand in hand, they strolled into the gardens. They were emptier than usual but night already lay heavy over the Frostbacks. The temperature had dipped enough she was glad to see Leliana waiting with a warm cloak in her hands by the pavilion. Josephine laughed and let her friend lay the thick fabric over her shoulders. “I should have known you had a hand in this!”
“Always, ma chère. Bonne fête Josie.”
“Happy Nameday Josephine,” Beatrice echoed. Josephine laughed again though it was a little wet. Leliana and her embraced and exchanged a few quiet words. Beatrice trained her gaze away and only looked back when the Seneschal made to slip away. Leliana smiled at her then. It was a small smile but a victory nonetheless.
After but a moment, it was just them in the gardens. Soldiers still walked the ramparts above but the cloister was empty. The pavilion had been set up with a large straight-backed bench covered in furs and a roaring brazier filled the centre of the space. A small table with warm drinks steaming and food had been placed in between the bench and the brazier.
The pair of them fell onto the bench and arranged the blankets and furs into a warm nest. Josephine ended up cuddled into her arms. Soft, steady breaths curled into the side of her neck and their shared warmth was like sinking into a bath after a long, cold day.
“Thank you, my love,” was murmured into her ear. Beatrice turned her head so that she could see her partner’s face. Josephine was still smiling, still happy.
“Always,” she breathed out. Josephine’s expression grew fond and a hand squeezed her own beneath the blanket. She went no further, conscious of the far off tread of heavy boots, but this was more than enough. “Always,” she repeated again, a little firmer.
“I know.” Josephine interlaced their fingers.
“I really did miss you,” Beatrice whispered. Josephine blushed though it was only faintly visible in the firelight.
“You are much too much, my lady.” Beatrice could feel her own fond smile in her aching cheeks.
“I’d argue not enough but I’d never seek to win a war of words against you.” Beneath the blanket, a hand lightly whacked her stomach. Laughter tore out of her and soon Josephine’s own giggles joined.
Around them the garden which they had spent so much time in grew closer. She could almost smell the Andraste’s Grace in the air. The aches and pains of the days of hard riding slipped away. Time itself seemed to stretch outwards and upwards and in every direction until it lost all meaning and it was just them.