Dragon Age Fic: Corrections – Josephine/M!Inquisitor (NC-17) 6/?

[anxiousgeek.livejournal.com]

Title: Corrections
Fandom: Dragon Age Inquisition
Rating: Adult
Character/Pairing: Josephine/M!Inquisitor
Spoilers: None
Warnings: Smut, romance, angst, fluff.
Summary: Josephine and Maxwell Travelyan met for the first time at Lady Trevelyan’s summer ball when they were young adults. Now, a decade later and Max is the Herald and Josephine his Ambassador.
Notes: Another Dragon Age Kink Meme prompt with a life of it’s own.  A WIP. Dam.
Chapter One // Chapter Two // Chapter Three // Chapter Four // Chapter Five

“You asked me once, why I had changed,” Josephine said.

They were in her office, drinking tea on her sofa. He'd managed to convince her to take a short break despite the pile of letters on her desk she needed to attend to. It was easy for him to convince her though; she was tired from her duties as Inquisitor now so much had changed since they'd come to Skyhold. There was so much more for them to do now, so many more people to work with, placate and facilitate. Josephine felt like she was being spread a little thin.

So a cup of tea with Maxwell was no hardship, even as he sat too close and smelled so good in his casual outfit.

Wait, where did that come from, she thought.

“Yes, but it's okay if you don't want to talk about it Josie. We're both different people now.”

“I can't be that carefree young woman forever, could never be. The..I must explain something about the Montilyets fortune.”

“It's-”

“No, let me explain. Please Inquisitor.”

“Max.”

“Maxwell.” She smiled, wondering how often they were going to be correcting each other. “The Montilyets made their fortune as traders until a scandal exiled us from Orlais an age ago,” she looked away from him, unsure how he would receive this, what he would think of her. “It devastated our finances. We have in fact been in debt for over one hundred years.”

“You seem to be managing,” he said.

“It's not enough!” she cried. “One disaster could wipe us out.” He was watching her carefully, listening and she continued. “For years we've done everything we could to keep creditors at bay. Sold our lands to stave off interest.” She paused. “It's just infuriating to see my family still reduced to this.”

She sighed, and leaned back against the sofa. He put an arm around her and pulled her close and even though she tensed up she allowed it.

“As the eldest sibling I am to become the head of my household. If I sell any more land my family will become destitute and that cannot be my legacy to them. That's why I've changed,” she said, leaning forward to take a sip of her tea. “I cannot be that girl anymore, not when I have so much responsibility now.”

“I understand,” he said, “Thank you for telling me Josephine. For trusting me.”

She nodded, settling back into his casual embrace, trying not to relax too much should she fall asleep on him, or he take it the wrong way. It was just nice to have a friend. A moment.

“Is there anything I can do?” he asked, a tension in his arm as he went to pull her closer to him.

“I thought I had almost solved our problems. For a while.”

“What happened?”

“I negotiated a chance to reinstate the Montilyets as landed traders in Orlais. It is a chance to rebuild. But when I dispatched papers...the carriers were murdered, the documents restoring my family's status destroyed, two innocent people killed and I do not know why...”

“Why would anyone do that? I can't believe you have any enemies Josie.”

“As far as I know I have none. I had Leliana look into it. There is a nobleman in Val Royeaux, Comte Boisvert, he has some information about who killed the carriers.”

“When do I leave?”

“There is no need for you to accompany me, I am sure the Comte will be willing to meet me.”

“I don't care,” he said, pulling his arm away and turning in his seat to face her. “Someone wants to stop the Montilyets from gaining trading status enough to kill to do so. You could be in danger. I'll go and meet him on your behalf.”

“I must insist on going. This is my family, my problem.”

“As you friend, I must insist on helping.”

Maxwell was smiling at her, and she groaned. He wasn't going to relent on this, and she nodded.

“Very well Inquisitor,” she said. “We will leave tomorrow unless there is more urgent business for you to attend to.”

“There won't be Josie, trust me.”

x

Val Royeaux as hot but glorious and as they crossed the market place together she realised how much she missed it.

Or perhaps she missed the weather.

Skyhold was always cold, even as the summer months warmed Ferelden and the more Southern parts of Thedas the mountains remained covered in snow.

In his armour Maxwell looked a little overheated as if he'd forgotten this fact.

“I miss the mountains,” he muttered to her, aware of people watching them as they headed through the city.

“I do not,” she said with a chuckle.

He grumbled and she smiled at him, heading through the large noble estates to that belonging to Comte Boisvert – the man with the information she needed. The journey to Val Royeaux had been a pleasant one, despite the reasons behind it. Maxwell had insisted on travelling with her instead of just meeting her there when he was able – she always had business in the city – both personal and Inquisition related. They had always gotten on well, that wasn't the problem with travelling with him and only him for a few days.

The problems was how she felt about him.

He flirted on and off the entire time and it always seemed so sincere. Especially as it had changed from trying to get her into bed to little compliments here and there. Compliments about how she looked, the sound of her voice, her skills in her office and on the training grounds (she had began to train with him on occasion). Compliments about how funny she was, how interesting, how cute.

Cute?

And she felt the same about him and no longer found herself adverse to that idea. Or to the idea of taking him to bed once more and showing him exactly everything she'd learnt in the past decade.

Except she didn't think she could now. She'd been denying him for so long and they were just friends. Right.

Regardless, she had other things to worry about, which was always the case.

She sighed and stepped up her pace to the Comte's estate.

One problem at a time.

x

Josephine knew this man was not the Comte from the moment they sat down. The way he held himself gave him away immediately and she let him play the game, listening to him speak without giving him away at first. It wouldn't get them anywhere and she almost laughed at the look on Maxwell's face when she revealed the fact. He hadn't guessed at all – not surprisingly – and he quickly checked to see if there had ever even been a Comte Boisvert but she knew the answer to that too. Leliana would never have let her go if she had thought for a second that an assassin would be greeting her.

When the man rose to leave Maxwell jumped out of his chair and stood in his way, great sword drawn and ready.

“I did not come to shed blood today, Inquisitor – only to speak. Might I pass?” he asked.

Maxwell didn't answer right away and Josephine stood, placing one hand on his shoulder – squeezing gently – and the other hand on the blade of his sword.

“Max,” she said softly and he glanced away from the assassin to look at her. “Let him go.”

“They're threatening your life Josephine,” he said, and her heart lurched a little at the panicked look on his face.

“Killing him doesn't make the problem go away,” she said, pushing his blade down.

“She's right Inquisitor. I am simply a messenger.”

Maxwell looked to her and she nodded, smiling gently. He stepped aside to let the assassin pass.

“Good day Inquisitor. Lady Montilyet.”

The assassin nodded to them both, leaving them at the table on the Comte's balcony.

“I don't understand, what just happened Josie,” he said. “Why did he tell us all that?”

“It's only decent. He has a contract with extraordinary circumstances, the guild's reputation would suffer if they ignored the contract.”

“Why are you so calm about this?” he asked, taking her hand from his shoulder and holding it tightly.

“Because I can fix this Inquisitor,” she said, squeezing his hand. “All will be well I promise.”

“If you insist,” he said.

There was a moment then, when she thought he might kiss her. Or she might kiss him but then he let go of her hand and sheathed his sword.

“We should go,” she said. “I will tell you more of my plan on the way home.”

He nodded, not speaking for a moment taking a couple of steps away from her.

“First we should free the real Comte,” he said with a smile. She chuckled and went out to find one of the man's servants.

She didn't see Maxwell for a few days after they returned from the city.

They had travelled back to Skyhold after a quick scout around the market for supplies, Josephine explaining her plan to him on the way. Her plan to reinstate the Du Paraquettes to nobility and have them cancel the contract. As soon as she had returned to her office she had written to the remaining members of the family and they had been more than willing to assist.

Except she needed Maxwell's help as the Inquisitor. He would be able to get the noble to sponsor them, a judge to provide documents and a minister to ratify them, In the time he was away in the Emerald Graves she had found a possible sponsor, judge and minister, people who would be willing if the Inquisitor was involved or performed a favour of some sort and she was keen to get the whole process started.

There was plenty of work to do other wise though and she could wait. She had plenty of other things to worry about.

Most of which had nothing to do with Maxwell Trevelyan.

She really didn't need to be developing more complex feelings for him than she already had. She enjoyed being his friend, supporting him and having his support, enjoyed his company. She didn't need any more. Not with her father looking for a husband for her in both Antiva and Orlais, and her position as Ambassador of the Inquisition and head of her household. There was just far too much to do for a brief affair with the man who was effectively her boss.

Or to fall in love with him.

Where had that come from?

She grumbled to herself and started on a new report, detailing her latest negotiations with Nevarra for the Inquisitor. Everything she wrote was for him. Everything she did. It was hard to not to think about Maxwell when she was working for him.

There was a sound at the door and she glanced up to a servant she didn't recognise walk in with a tray of tea. She smiled at him, and looked back at her paper work.

“Anywhere is fine,” she said as he approached.

Josephine caught the glint of metal move away from the tray in the corner of her eye and looked up in time to see a dagger flying at her face. She dove to the side, hitting the floor, the blade hitting the stone behind her. She yanked open the draw of her desk, reaching inside to pulled out her own dagger, as she got back to her feet still crouching behind the large wooden desk. The assassin came around and she jumped out at him as he attacked once more, slashing at him several times. Their weapons clashed and she pushed back at him, putting in all her strength and managing to unbalance him slightly. She spun around, tripping him, and when he hit the floor she pressed the tip of her dagger to the assassin's throat.

“Did the House of Repose send you?” she demanded.

He didn't answer and she considered pressing the dagger in harder, even as the tip pierced his skin, a drop of red trailing down his neck. He didn't react and Josephine held back a gasp, trying to stop herself from pulling back.

He rolled to the side, the blade cutting through the first few layers of his neck, ignoring it as he jumped back to his feet and Josephine fell back onto the floor. She managed a shout as he descended on her and heard the door of her office swing open and heavy footsteps. There was a moment when she thought it would be too late, as the assassin ripped the golden sash at her waist, but then she saw a sword swinging behind the man, and there was a sickening thud as it connecting with the assassin and he went down in front of her.

A hand helped her to her feet and she smiled at the guard who had saved her life.

“Are you injured Ambassador?” she asked.

“No, no,” she said, staring at the body of the assassin. “How did you know?”

“Sister Nightingale assigned me to shadow you Lady Ambassador,” she said. “I've been outside.”

“Thank you Ser,” she said.

“My pleasure.”

“What in the Void happened here?”

Both Josephine and the guard whirled around to see Maxwell standing in her office, wearing his armour and staring at the dead man on the floor.

“Inquisitor!” she said. “You're back?”

“Josie what happened?”

“The House of Repose paid a visit I'm afraid,” she said. “I managed to hold him off before Ser Cauthrien saved me.”

“We owe you a debt Ser,” Maxwell said shaking the woman's hand. The guard nodded.

“Just doing my duty your worship,” she said with a bow. “I'll have someone come clean up the mess.”

“Thank you,” Josephine said.

Ser Cauthrien bowed to her and left the room. Maxwell walked over to the body of the assassin and gave him a quick kick to make sure the man was dead.

“I'm sorry I wasn't here Josie,” he said.

“I can look after myself Inquisitor,” she said, hands on her hips and pulling at the ripped sash. “I should've known the House of Repose would infiltrate the servants. But I can deal with this.”

“No, we need to end this now.”

“Well, I've already found a sponsor for the Du Paraquettes,” she said, moving back to her desk, pulling the sash from her her waist. “And a judge and minister. A few favours and a little influence from you Inquisitor...” She smiled at him but he was still frowning, still angry.

“And how long will that take Josie,” he snapped. “Weeks, months? And what happens when Cauthrien isn't here? Or you're in Val Royeaux in the open?”

“So I should lock myself away and do nothing,” she said.

“No, I will deal with this,” he said, “now.”

He started to storm off, heading out of her office and she chased after him grabbing his arm to stop him.

“Inquisitor,” she said. “Wait.”

He managed a weak smile, and pulled her hand from her arm. “I'll send Ser Cauthrien back in, have someone stay with you full time.”

“It's not necessary Max,” she said.

“I can't lose you Josephine,” he said softly this time. “I'll be back.”

She let him go, sensing further arguments wouldn't work.

“Be careful,” she told him before the door closed behind him. “I can't lose you either,” she added when he was gone.

x

“Are you completely devoid of your sanity!” Josephine cried, when she saw him walk through the man gate of the keep. She had been waiting for him since she'd heard he was almost home. Bull and Dorian started to slink away quickly before turning back and grabbing Sera to take her with her, Bull lifting her and carrying her under his arm. Josephine would've laughed if she wasn't so furious with Maxwell.

He stopped at the gates and looked around at the small group of people that were always grouped around the gate and Ser Cauthrien who was standing a few paces behind Josephine.

“Can we do this somewhere else?” he asked, having the decency to look a little sheepish at least.

“Fine.”

She stormed off, and he followed, his long legs meaning he kept up her pace easily despite her speed. It all just made her angrier. Foolish, foolish man.

In her office Josephine smiled at Ser Cauthrien, asking her to remain outside before she closed and locked the door behind them with a little more force than necessary. Though not as much as she would've liked – the solid wood a little heavier than she expected – and strode past him and over to her desk, grabbing the report from her desk.

“Josie,” Maxwell started.

“Josephine!” she snapped, waving the papers at him. “You strode into The House Of Repose, alone, killed a dozen assassins and broke into their vault. You found the contract on my house and destroyed it before walking back out again.”

“I wasn't alone,” he said, “I had Bull, Dorian and Sera with me.”

“Who you left outside while you stormed in. Alone!”

She couldn't even figure out how angry she was, but she knew why, it was obvious. One man with a great-sword against a few dozen assassins. He shouldn't have even gotten to the vault, let along walk out again. He could've been killed, she could've lost him.

She loved him.

She pushed that thought back down and glared at him, happy as he took a step away from her.

“I had to. I couldn't risk the others for this. It was too personal.”

“Personal?” she cried. “It's my contract, my family.”

“Yes but you are my friend. I couldn't risk losing you Josie.”

“Josephine,” she corrected again.

He ignored the correction and moved towards her, crowding her back against her desk.

“Josephine, you are too important to me,” he said, softer this time, taking a deep breath. “After that assassin nearly killed you I couldn't just sit back and do nothing.”

“I had a plan.”

“That would've taken too much time. I couldn't risk another attempt. Not again.”

“That wasn't up to you Inquisitor.”

“Max,” he said. “And whatever you may think, I did this for you as much as for me.”

“For me.”

“For us,” he added in a smaller voice

“For us?” she asked, and he bent down to kiss her gently on the lips.

“So there can be an us,” he said and she kissed him back, wrapping her arms around him as best she could with his armour on and great-sword still strapped to his back. He managed to run his hands up her cheeks ever so gently before running them through her hand and loosening the ties and pins that held it in place.

“Max,” she moaned and then she realised what she was doing. “Stop,” she gasped, pushing him back. He almost tripped over himself and she moved away from her desk and him.

“Josephine.”

“I can't do this, we can't do this.”

“Why not?” he asked.

“I can't afford to have a random dalliance with the Inquisitor.”

“This isn't a...a random dalliance...I care about you Josie,” he said, moving towards her and she doesn't think she'd ever seen look so sad. “I lo-”

“Don't!” she cried. “Don't say anymore.”

“I thought we were getting closer. You kissed me back.”

“My father, my father is searching for a husband for me as we speak Maxwell,” she said. “He could've already found one and arranged an engagement. This would all be for nothing.”

“Engagements can be broken,” he said, moving towards her again.

“Not without significant problems and I haven't even dealt with my family's trading status.”

“Which you can do now easily and tell your father you don't need a husband just yet.”

“No. I cannot,” she said. “It's not so simple. You are a noble, I doubt things are so different in Ostwick.”

He didn't answer and he looked like he might kiss her again, Josephine hoped he might kiss her again because she couldn't bring herself to kiss him no matter how much she wanted to. But he didn't, he looked her over and sighed, rubbing a dirty hand over his face.

“Josie, I love you,” he said, flatly. “I want you to at least have heard me say it. Mean it.”

“I do not doubt that you mean it.”

“I won't ask for the same declaration, I just hope we can be friends,” he said, not looking at her now even as she tried to make eye contact.

“I would like that,” she said, trying to smile but not quite managing it. He still didn't meet her eyes and with a nod turned away. “Maxwell,” she called out before he left. “Thank you. For what you did for me.”

“You're welcome,” he said. “I'll see you later.”

He left the office, letting Ser Cauthrien back in and Josephine had a horrible feeling she wouldn't be seeing much of Maxwell outside of the War Room from now on.