A Different Perspective

Nine

I carefully pulled the string then looked at Varric as he winced, but he didn't move.

"What distracted you?" I asked and Varric sighed, hanging his head as I sewed his back.

"You." He said and I frowned, my hands stilling as I looked at him.

"Me?" I asked and he turned his head to look at me over his shoulder.

"Elson asked if that was the first time you kissed me, if we had- if we'd done it yet, my stupid brain wandered and I got distracted." He said and I smiled softly, looking at his back.

"So I'm a good looking girl-"

"You're a fucking goddess, Adaline. Any man with eyes will tell you that." He said and looked away from me as I finished the stitches, grabbing the potion soaked bandages and laying them over the wound. I wrapped the bandages around him then he groaned as I pulled them tight enough to stop the bleeding, but not enough to hurt him.

"All done." I said and stood, rinsing my hands off.

"Thanks, Firefly." I nodded then turned and smiled as he slid on a clean shirt.

"Dragon wants us in the main hall, to discuss the challenge." I said and he nodded.

"Let me get used to the bandages, we'll go." I nodded then went over, helping him with his new coat. He sighed as I began buttoning his shirt, leaving his chest and bandages exposed like always, then I pulled his coat up his arms and adjusted it.

"Thank you." He whispered and I smiled, leaning forward and kissing his forehead.

"I'm your wife, Varric, I'm supposed to help you." He nodded then grabbed my hips, kissing my cheek.

"Don't jump when I touch you, Firefly, people will begin to doubt our marriage." He said and I nodded, taking his hand and leaving the tower with him. As we got to the main hall, Herah stopped her pacing when she saw us.

"Adaline, Varric-"

"I'm alright, Giantess. Nothing Firefly couldn't fix." Varric said and raised my hand to his mouth, kissing my knuckles as Elson glared.

"I wish you would let me heal you-"

"Sorry, Sparkler, but I don't want any magic on my body if I can avoid it." Varric said then slowly sat on the bench of a table near the throne. I sat next to him then pulled his shirt and jacket back some, checking his bandages.

"The bleeding isn't soaking the bandages." I whispered and he nodded.

"Elson Elliot, you've lost the challenge." Herah said as she sat in her throne, the Inquisition here to see what would become of the noble son.

"Because he cheated-"

"No, you did. You poisoned his wife, you're lucky she lived. And that she is forgiving, because I wanted to kill you for harming Varric, poisoning her, and hurting her as well. She argued for you." Herah said and I felt a few surprised eyes on me.

"So, under the guidance of Adaline Tethras, I have decided your fate." Herah said and looked at me.

"You will be banished from Skyhold, Elson Elliot, and you will not be allowed to interact with any Inquisition soldiers, refugees, or any of my Inner Circle. You can thank Adaline for the mercy I am showing you." Herah said and Elson slowly turned to look at me.

"I tried to kill you and your husband. Why?" He asked, but I gripped Varric's hand tighter and heard him lowly growl from next to me.

"Because, there is enough death in the world. You may be an asshole, but you are still a noble one and we can use you down the line." I said and he frowned, but looked at Herah and nodded.

"As you order, Inquisitor. My entourage and myself will be gone by nightfall-"

"Now." Herah spit and Elson licked his lips, nodding his head.

"We will pack our things." He said then turned and left. As Herah dealt with the rest of the judging she had to do, I was looking at Varric to make sure he was okay, but he kept wincing.

"Come on, Varric. It's getting late anyhow." I whispered and he nodded, standing and letting me escort him out. As we got to our tower, I changed into my night dress, which was his shirt actually, then turned to him and saw him struggling to get his clothes changed.

"Let me." I whispered and he looked at me in the mirror as I came around him, standing in front of him. I reached forward then unbuttoned his shirt, sliding it and his jacket off his shoulders. As they hit the ground, he looked up at me, but I reached behind his head and pulled the band from his hair, letting his strawberry blond hair fall around his face.

"I like this down." I whispered and ran my other hand through his hair, watching as his hazel eyes flicked up to watch me closely.

"Thought you were helping me." He breathed and I smirked.

"I am." I said then turned and grabbed his sleep shirt.

"Can I forgo that for tonight? Back hurts too much." He said as I held it and I nodded, setting it down.

"At least change into something more comfortable than these pants." I said and he nodded. Silently, I helped him get his boots off then I reached for his pants, but he caught my wrists and I looked at him.

"I've got it, Firefly." He said, but I knew it would hurt him if I let him move. Instead of arguing, I silently nodded then he let me go and I went to the bed, laying down as he changed. When he laid next to me, I rolled over and looked at him.

"Varric?" He looked at me then I sighed.

"My... my dad was a horrible man, behind his Orlais mask." I started and he rolled onto his side, focusing on me as I began my tale of woe. By the time we ended up falling asleep, the sun was beginning to creep over the mountains and Cullen could be heard training in the yard far below.