Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Marian Hawke]

"Mikael," his apprentice says, gently. "We met. I... am not certain I like his being around Bethany, but if you trust him I will defer to your judgement."

[Varric]

"When did- Ah. Eli?" Varric guesses. "Yeah, he's like ninety-five percent talk. She looks on him like a goofy little brother. And she and Adonis are a couple. I don't know how it works, I don't want to, she's happy and they're good together so I don't care."

[Marian Hawke]

She shakes her head. "Quinn. Merikos catfolk. They'll take in any catfolk who needs a place to go in Cattown."

At that last part, she stares a moment, then smiles, just a bit. "Of course," she says quietly. "I find a woman, she finds a man."

[Varric]

Varric shrugs. "I know she'd had female lovers before," he wince a little as he works at getting the food ready. "But yeah. Seems to have fallen for him pretty hard. Mutual, thankfully."

[Marian Hawke]

"And Carver? Does he... have someone?"

[Varric]

That gets a slight wince. "...maybe. He... He and Merrill were, maybe still are, together but... She's actually sleeping off her own Delve down the hall," Varric says soberly, setting a jug of apple juice next to her along with a glass as the stew heats. "She... They had a fight and it went pretty badly. She did something stupid afterwards, almost died. Not sure where they stand now. Or rather, where they will after she wakes and we see how that went. They're sweet together, they love each other but... not sure if they're ready for it yet."

[Marian Hawke]

She lowers her eyes, taking that in, breathing deeply. Don't panic. He'll be fine. It's fine. Everything's fine. You're safe. This is home. You're home. 

"I see." Her voice is tight, but as level as she can make it.

[Varric]

"Either way, they'll be family. Both of them," Varric says quietly. "Neither of them will be abandoned."

[Marian Hawke]

She breathes deep, letting it out, her hands trembling. Focus. Don't panic. Don't let it show. (chest tight) don't lose your grip (breathe deeper, too shallow, not enough air).

[Varric]

Lowering the heat because fire bad, Varric moves over to knee in front of her. "That's it, deep breaths. It's okay. He's got family and friends with him. Silence too, Beth's mabari. They swap more often than not when they're apart. Makes them feel better, I think, having a part of themselves watching over the other. It'll work out. So deep breathes and just... let the panic fade. No need to rush, to force it. Just let it fade away."

[Marian Hawke]

Slowly, she pushes the fear down, swallowing it, refusing to let it overwhelm her. Not now. One more day. And then another. I want to be with Varric.

"Sorry," she whispers. "I'm glad. That you're with him."

[Varric]

"Me too," Varric says simply. "And sorry nothing. It's alright, apprentice mine."

[Marian Hawke]

"Apprentice," she says quietly. She takes a deep breath, looking down at her hands. "You said, before, that you'd... posthumously..."

[Varric]

"...adopted you. Yeah. I... well, it doesn't... until you agree, it doesn't feel right... claiming that," Varric explains. 

[Marian Hawke]

A deep breath. "Is it just... symbolic? Or do you... would you have... if I had lived..."