Sun shone in my eyes, but she was the first sight I saw. Her eyes were shut, a face filled with peace as she still roamed the Fade. Shoulders still save the slow, subtle breaths. Her arm was still around me, as was mine on her. Again, we were so close, but I dared not move to wake her. I only stared. It felt like a dream, what happened last night. But her being there proved it was real.

The sounds of waking Skyhold could be heard from outside the window. It would be a matter of time before she would join them. And it was. Naomi's eyes fluttered open moments later, meeting mine in a sleepy realization that she too wasn't dreaming. With a smile she wiggled herself closer, giggling faintly into my chest with a rosy blush.

"Good morning, Cole…" The joy in her voice was warmer than the sun that had shone on us. She was happy. For once, in her eyes, there was no lingering worry of duties or world-saving, just pure peace and unwavering joy. "Thank the Maker that was real…or, maybe I just thought it up and fell asleep first I hit the bed. Who knows!" she really liked to giggle.

"No, it was real. I'm staying, with you." I held her closely, speaking softly as to not disturb the quiet. And I did stay.

Varric understood my decision. In fact, he surprised me. The dwarf gave me a hug, rather awkwardly, since he only came up to my thighs. But he was happy, too. Pride rang in his heart like a big bell.

"I think you won't regret that, kid. I think you made the right choice. It's just like a romance novel, see? You got the girl, and now you two can live happily ever after! Enjoy it, not all humans get to experience that!"

I couldn't help but give a small grin at his positivity. But I still felt sad inside. Because of Varric, I felt human enough to feel the need to smile at such things, even when I was still sad. He helped me grow, and now he was leaving. The heartache hurt. Pins tugging at the stitches that kept my heart still whole.

"A-are you sure you have to go?" fingers found their way to picking at each other in my sudden nervous fit. "I'll miss you. Naomi will miss you. Cassandra misses you already."

He laughed at that.

"The Seeker will miss little old me? I've got to write that down, I'll be sure to keep that in my newest book." I felt Cassandra's glare from the back of my head. "But in all seriousness, I'll write plenty! And who's to say the Inquisition won't be visiting Kirkwall?" So sun was on the horizon, after all. There was still hope. He could see that, his laughter resumed from my eyes lighting up.

"I doubt this will be a goodbye forever. Who knows? Maybe by the time we see each other again, you'll be so human, you'll be teaching ME how to be one!"

I doubt I'd ever be that human. I'm still learning. A book with endless pages, waiting to be read, never able to turn ahead. Each page was a new story, but now, each page held Naomi. She and I remained in Skyhold, save the adventures she would take me on in order to restore Thedas. Through thick and thin, the thrilling, thoughtful, terrifying, tender; every day was timeless.

And her eyes, her beautiful aquamarine eyes, still shown with that same love as it always had.

"Well, they certainly are a spectacular blue." Observed a blonde man, leaning politely to examine the Inquisitor's eyes for himself. She tucked a golden lock behind her ear and chuckled, leaning against her lover's shoulder once the other finished his observation. The tavern was warm with their merriment, though the night outside was cool.

"See? What did I tell you, Hawke? I say he got his storytelling talent from me." Varric raised his mug in celebration. The ravenette, Hawke, smiled beside her dwarven friend and lifted her mug as well. Cole smiled shyly at the gesture, fingers intertwining with his wife's. "Alright, who's up for the next story?"

note: Thank you for reading my first multi-chapter fanfiction! It was very fun to write, and I hope I'll be able to make more in the future! Thank you again!