Doom Upon All The World

Chapter 26: A Question Of Faith

      Bull left the group of parents to tend to the training of children. They were skilled kids but he didn't want to be around for the boring stuff. Unless Nicolynn and Anthony were sparing again, he'd rather be in the tavern. He really wanted to be with Dorian. He craved for the two of them to be able to spend time with Octavia but the Mage had been occupied lately trying to heal Josephine. He understood. He didn't want Josephine to suffer any more than the rest of them did but more and more his efforts were beginning to look futile.

      The tavern had been long since abandoned. There was no one in Skyhold to work inside it so the room was stuffy with dust and the foul odor of spoiling food and stout. But the good alcohol, the stuff that only got so much better with time, was still there. As was Bull's expert drinking buddy. "There you are, Tiny. I was hoping I'd see you today. I've got somethin' for ya." Varric told him with a wink. Bull sat down at the bar, setting Octavia on the counter on her back. She looked between the two of them with wide green eyes as spittle bubbled from her tiny baby mouth. She giggled as Bull smiled at her and wiped it away with her blanket. "Don't tell me you're going to teach the kid to drink already. You know us Dwarves pick up drinking habits easily." Varric tod him with a chuckle.

      Bull paid his comment little attention, merely shrugging his shoulders. It was his earlier statement that got him. "So what is it you have for me?" Bull asked curiously. A smirk lifted on the Dwarf's face and he jumped down from the stool, still carrying his stout. "Walk with me." He said and the giant Qunari stood, taking Tavvy with him as he walked beside Varric. They strode side by side down the path and up  the stairs to the rotunda, making idle conversation. However the topic was not one of light measure. "Bianca is not happy here." Bull stated plainly as he cradled the tiny child. Tavvy simply stared up at him, her minuscule hands tugging at the strap across his chest. He smiled as the innocent touch tickled his thick gray skin. He usually found himself unaffected by these things but Octavia had a way of making him see himself in a new light. This was just one of those changes. 

     Varric chuckled throwing his hands in the air. "How can you tell?" He questioned with little  defiance in his voice. He'd seen how Bianca hated it at Skyhold, being locked up in one place, not having anything to do, waiting for something to happen. She wanted to leave. The Iron Bull eyed him wittingly, as if he knew exactly how he knew. "Ben-hassrath, remember. I used to read people for a living." He pointed out as the Dwarf nodded as if his question was rhetorical. "I know, Tiny. And I know Bianca isn't happy here. She told me herself. Have you ever been in a relationship with a Dwarf? It's not all shits and giggles like you other agile creatures." He exaggerated putting air quotes around the word agile. 

     The Qunari rolled his eyes as Varric kept on. "We argue. A lot. Our stubbornness has a way of earning us communication difficulties and most fights end in wild, angry sex but with Bianca you never know what you're gonna get. The woman has a way with words, what can I say? As long as she remains, so will I." They climbed the stairs leading to the entrance of the hold. Tavvy squealed as a bit of laughter rose in Bull's chest, shaking her. He adjusted her in his arms, leaning her up against his one shoulder to look behind him. She reached up, playing with his ear and horns as they walked. He had to admit that it made him want to laugh even more. The sight of a giant Qunari beast being climbed and grabbed at by a three month old was probably unnerving. He wondered if he looked in the mirror, would he recognize himself?

     "You won't stand with your friends then? Your team? You will abandon them now, when they need you the most?" Bull asked. He wasn't trying to make Varric feel bad but he spoke the truth. That is exactly what the Dwarf would be doing if he did as he said he would. He knew that to be true. It did not change his mind however as they came to the rotunda door. "I can't force her to stay and I won't lose her again. I will follow wherever she goes. I've done the right thing enough times; I get to do what my gut tells me now." The Dwarf spoke those last words before opening the heavy door to the rotunda. Bianca was standing over the desk in the center of the room, her dark hair hanging in her face.