Cole walked Holli back to her room, his fingers laced through hers. She had had an awesome night playing cards with everyone. She had played a few times since being here, but never with so many people. And it was nice Solas and Cole joined them, even if they didn't actually play every round.
When they got back to her room, Holli hesitated a moment. She rested her empty hand on the door a moment.
"Cole?" She asked. "Will – can you –"
"Stay with you?" He asked.
Holli nodded, a little embarrassed to be asking. But the nights that Cole stayed with her, she slept better.
"Of course," Cole told her, without even a second's hesitation.
He opened the door, and she followed him inside. She breathed out like that answer had undone a knot in her chest.
She slipped off her shoes, getting ready for bed. They didn't say much as they settled in. Holli slid under the blanket, and Cole slipped in beside her with that quiet grace of his, moving like he didn't want to startle the air. Cole shifted beside her, moving closer until his body curved gently around hers. His arms came around her shoulders and waist, drawing her in with a tenderness that was so fucking nice. He was all warmth and safety, wrapping himself around her like a shield.
Holli sighed, long and low, as she relaxed into the hold. The tension in her shoulders, always quietly buzzing just beneath the surface, started to melt. She tilted her head up slightly, her nose brushing the soft underside of his jaw. Then she kissed him there, light and grateful. Just a press of lips to skin.
Cole's breath caught for a heartbeat, startled in that way he always was when she kissed him first, like the affection surprised him even though she did it kind of often. Then his arms pulled her in tighter. She felt his lips against the crown of her head, soft and sure.
"I know you like it," he murmured into her hair. "Tight hugs. Heavy blankets. Weight that holds you here."
She gave a small, tired chuckle, already half asleep. "You have a good memory too."
"I just remember you."
Holli nestled closer, her head tucked beneath his chin, legs tangled with his. And in that warmth and closeness, sleep found her. Real sleep. The kind that didn't come with nightmares or fractured thoughts or frequent wake-ups. The kind you only found when you knew you were safe.
--
When Holli woke in the morning, for a long while, she didn't move. Her cheek was pressed against his warm chest, her legs still tangled in his. She'd slept—really slept—and she knew it because her whole body felt heavier, the kind of weight that meant she'd actually rested. It felt like it had been too long since she'd had a decent sleep.
She could feel the steady rise and fall of Cole's breathing and the loose drape of his arm around her back. Had he even moved at all? She shifted slightly, just to look up at him. His eyes were already open, watching her softly. Of course he was awake; he didn't sleep.
"Hi," she murmured, voice still sleep-fogged.
"Hello," he whispered back, his thumb brushing the fabric of her t-shirt where it bunched at her waist. "You didn't dream."
"Not once," she said, a little smile tugging at her lips, almost gratefully.
He blinked slowly, considering, like he wanted to say something. And then he kissed her.
It was slower, unhurried, and it was unusual for him to initiate. But he leaned in deliberately, his hand sliding up her spine, fingertips warm where they spread across her back. His lips found hers without hesitation, no nervous darting glances, no unsure waiting for her to initiate. Just him, wanting her.
Holli made a small sound of surprise against his mouth, but she melted into it pretty quick. She kissed him back, one hand coming up to curl into the fabric of his shirt. His hand cupped her jaw, thumb brushing her cheekbone like he was memorising her.
The kiss deepened, and her breath hitched. It was new territory, but absolutely not unwelcome. Her fingers tangled in his hair, and he didn't pull away. If anything, he moved closer, arm tightening around her waist; keeping her snug against him like this, too, was a kind of protection.
When they finally broke apart, Holli was breathless and blinking, a slow grin spread across her face.
"You're—you're okay?" She asked.
She really hoped he wasn't just doing it to make her happy. He nodded, but her doubt still lingered.
She had noticed a change in him since Redcliffe; it was subtle. He just seemed... more present. And he couldn't seem to get away with making people forget him anymore. The first time it had happened, he had been so confused. Holli couldn't help but laugh at the look on his face.
They lay close, still wrapped up in one another as the light outside grew stronger with the sunrise. Holli's fingers fiddled with the cord on Cole's shirt, but her expression had shifted, her eyes a little unfocused, lips parted like she wanted to say something but didn't quite know how.
Cole tilted his head, watching her. He felt it before she said it, the tremble of doubt in her chest.
"You're worried," he said gently, thumb brushing along her side. "Something changed. You liked it, but now you're scared."
Her hand paused, the cord wrapped around her finger.
"I'm not scared," she muttered, then sighed and amended, "more just... worried?"
Cole waited, quiet and present, never pushing.
"It's just…" Holli bit the inside of her cheek, thinking. "You do a lot of things because you want me to feel better. Or make me happy. And I—I just—" She broke off, groaning softly as her eyes rolled up into her for a second. "Christ, this is stupid," she whispered.
"It's not stupid," Cole said immediately, voice low and sure. "You're wondering if I kissed you just because you wanted me to."
Her arm slipped away slowly. "Yeah. Sort of."
He leaned in again, not to kiss her, but to rest his forehead against hers. His voice was soft, almost reverent.
"I kissed you because I wanted to. Because I think about it. All the time." His fingers brushed her jaw, his thumb lingering at the corner of her mouth. "Because I like how it feels when your lips smile against mine. When you breathe differently. When you make that sound like you're surprised and content at the same time."
Holli felt her cheeks flush, the heat rushing to them. That was pretty specific. If she weren't lying down, she would be swooning.
"Cool. Cool cool cool," she breathed out.
She wasn't really sure what to say to that and was trying not to let out one of those stupid high-pitched squeals she usually did when she got too excited about something. She couldn't stop smiling, though, and she ducked her head under his chin so he at least wouldn't see it.
They didn't rush to get up. They stayed there a while longer, tangled together in the hush of the morning. Holli could have stayed like this all day.
But they had to prepare for the trek to the Arbor Wilds.