Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Helene Dakesh]

"Can this one aid in any other way?"

[Varric]

"Your help this afternoon was already... worth a great deal," Varric replies with shrug. "I'm just..." He shrugs a little, then picks up the knife to toy with. Because of course they served a sandwich with utensils (perfectly Helene).

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one wishes to help in less practical ways. This one wishes to be a... a good friend. No, this one misspoke. This one wishes to behave as family ought to."

[Varric]

"At least someone wants to," Varric mutters, rubbing his face with his empty hand for a few seconds. Moving abruptly, he reaches for the fork so he can start cutting the sandwich up.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene makes a small, sad sound. Then, with a nod, they drag a chair over closer to the desk, take out their sketchbook, and begin drawing. Giving him space, and yet, being present. 

[Varric]

No drink, Varric notes absently as he finishes cutting. Mind still thinking/not-thinking about... yesterday, he reaches into his desk to get out his default whisky.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene gets to their feet. "Varric," they say, sharply, when they see the bottle. 

[Varric]

He jolts, just a hair, but even that is enough to make it clear he's off his game. "What's wrong?" he asks, body tensing, mind readying itself to solve another problem.

[Helene Dakesh]

"You asked me not to let you drink."

[Varric]

Varric stare a moment. After today? After all the shit I had to deal with? After- "Need a drink to go with the sandwich," he says evenly, getting out a tumbler, then another.

[Helene Dakesh]

As he gets the tumblers, Helene moves rapidly, snatching the bottle and pulling it to their body. They sit again, holding the bottle close to their stomach, watching him. "There is water in the kitchen. This one will fetch a glass if you like."

[Varric]

"Helene..." Varric sighs, rubbing his forehead. "It's just... one glass of whisky isn't going to..." But will it stay at one? 

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one was asked to prevent you from drinking," they repeat stubbornly. "And that was before things got worse."

[Varric]

Varric takes a deep breath as he studies Helene. Why did I ask them that? he thinks sourly. Helene is as stubborn as, well, me. How should I go about this (should I?)... Guilt and pity? Misdirection? Cool dismissal? "Look, Helene..."

What am I doing?

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene's face softens in something like pity. "This one understands. Addiction is a powerful force to be reckoned with. But this one knows Friend Varric. This one understands how much he prefers not to have his thought patterns altered by an outside force. Both addiction and alcohol would have an undesirable effect. Therefore, this one will help Friend Varric remain sober."