Blood from Stone [AU]

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one ate. The tray is yours." Helene gives a small yawn. "Have you slept?"

[Varric]

"Yeah. Thanks for..." Varric approaches slowly, still expecting nim to recoil from him. 

[Helene Dakesh]

"Of course," ne says, smiling up at him warmly. 

[Varric]

Varric takes a seat and starts building himself an egg sandwich. He eats quietly for a minute or two, then sighs. "Gods. I thought-"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods, hair rustling against the pillow. "I did too," ne whispers. "I left a letter, did you get it?"

[Varric]

"Yeah. I... yeah. Well written, hated every line." He eats a bit more, seeing the papers next to him but trying to ignore them. Failing.

[Helene Dakesh]

"Sorry," ne whispers. "This one knew you would argue. This one did not wish to waste time. The outcome would be the same."

[Varric]

"Damn right I-" Varric flinches, looking massively ashamed at his sharp words and raised voice. "I- Helene, I'm-"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene flinches, but only a litte. "Th-this one knew you would be angry," ne says, quietly. "This one.. did not expect to be here to bear the brunt of it."

[Varric]

You can't do that again. It's a miracle they can even- that they can- "Sorry. I- I won't... I swear I won't- I would never..."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene lifts nir head, then, to look at him. "You would never hurt me. I know," ne says, firmly. 

[Varric]

"All the way?" Varric begs in a whisper.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene hesitates for a heartbreaking moment. Then, firmly, ne says, "I dreamed. But it was Bartrand. I knew it was, even in my dream. I wasn't fooled, in my dream. Maybe... this one may have dreams later where this one is fooled. But this one knows. Should have known. Can... can Varric forgive this one for not noticing? This one was so... askew, the whole time. This one should have known Varric would never behave such, but this one felt... well.. if this one was acting so erratic, this one deserved to be spoken to in that way, dismissed in that way."

[Varric]

I don't deserve your understanding. I... "He was... good. At analyzing people and... positioning you into attacking your own weak spots." He stirs his porridge aimlessly, noting that Helene seems to have finally gotten the scorching just right. "He tricked us all. But you figured it in time."

[Helene Dakesh]

"You suffered," whispers Helene, ashamed. A moment later, after taking a deep breath, ne adds, "It wasn't Bartrand, mostly. Mostly it was the devil. This one... This one wrote it all down for you, but, Dunswithe was the devil."