for counted_stars ❧ memory share event narrative

Blue-white light fills the room, warm and healing, centered around Anders' hands, and your brother staggers backwards. Anders apologizes, mumbling something about that being the best he can do, but you don't hear him, not really, your attentions fixed solely on Bartrand now. He stares at you like it's the first time he's seen you in months, and given how rabid he was just a moment before, ranting about the idol you found in your last great dungeon crawl, you wonder if maybe it is.

"Varric?"

You're not sure how you should feel, your heart twisting in two different directions. On one hand, he left you to die after you found that damn thing, and you've been almost able to taste your revenge for the better part of three years now. It's why you came to his estate in the first place and why you started following up ever rumor that even so much as hinted that he was back in town. On the other hand, though, you know now that it wasn't his fault, that the idol was magical, corruptive, and that maybe if you'd never gone looking for fame and fortune, none of this ever would have happened. You're torn between hatred and pity, and the way he looks at you breaks your heart.

( "I'm here," you tell him, touching a hand to his shoulder briefly. )

Muse: Varric Tethras
Fandom: Dragon Age II
Word Count: 705
Note: For the memory swap event at counted_stars.