Author's Note: I decided to write a College AU centering around Tallis, Anders, Fenris, Dorian, and potentially others.

Disclaimer: Seriously I'm not affiliated with Bioware, therefore I don't own Dragon Age.

Freshman Year

Tallis wasn't enthusiastic about college, especially since she transferred at the beginning of winter semester and Kirkwall University was the only place willing to accept someone like her. She was not surprisingly rooming by herself, and she'd yet to make any friends.

Suddenly, a tall blond figure collided with her. "Damn it! Sorry! Here let me help you with those."

"No, it's ok," Tallis said, making a mental note to go to a store to buy a book bag. It would make lugging her textbooks to class so much easier. "I'm Tallis."

If he seemed bothered by her name, the blond didn't show it. "I'm Anders. So are you new here, at K.U."

K.U. was what most students and alumni affectionately referred to the university as. "Yeah, I transferred in a week ago, and I arrived just yesterday." She'd had her meager possessions sent ahead to her dorm room.

"So what's your next class?" he inquired.

"Thedas World History 101."

"Same here, I tried to sign up for it last semester, but all three classes were full. Do you want to come along; I could introduce you to my friends."

A part of Tallis wanted to say no, however she recalled her promise to her witness protection person that she'd attempt to make friends. "Sure, I'd like that."

They walked to class together, and she ended up sitting at a desk near them. Fortunately, the professor did not make a big deal out of her being a transfer student, although some people did stare at her as though she was an exotic animal on display at the local zoo. She focused on paying attention to the lecture, and writing down the homework. Anders ended up escorting her to the cafeteria, and introduced her to his friends.

"This is my boyfriend Karl Thekla, Marian Hawke, and my ex-girlfriend Isabela."

"I'm only your ex because you don't share," Isabela yelled back, but there was no malice in her expression, just playful teasing.

"Sorry Bela, but Karl gives me everything I need," he retorted, and kissed his boyfriend passionately.

"Not that I don't appreciate the attention Anders, but I do need to eat my lunch," Karl pointed out when the broke apart.

Tallis didn't participate much in the conversations of who like who, and how Anders' roommate apparently hated his guts beyond smiling and nodding, but she was happy to have friends again.

When she glanced her schedule and noticed that Biology 102 she had a meeting with Varric Tethras she cursed. Of course her annoying witness protection person would be her advisor. Well at least she could tell him that it would be a warm day in the Void before she signed up for his archery class. And then she ended up getting turned around and couldn't find her Biology class.

"Um excuse me," she cautiously spoke a bald elf who appeared to be a sophomore. "Do you know how to get to Biology 102."

"Of course, I can even show you where that is," he offered not bothered by a lowly freshman asking him for directions. "I'm Solas." He held out his hand.

"Tallis." She took it.

He flinched slightly, but didn't comment on her name. Plus, he willingly walked her to Biology, probably making himself late for his next class. And he was incredibly hot. "And he's completely out of your league," she reminded herself.

…..

Damn it! Anders hated how at the beginning of the semester, professors felt the need to pile on loads of work. He had to read two chapters for Thedas History 101, a lab from Biology 102, and he needed to schedule a meeting with his asshole advisor Vivienne to declare his Pre-Med major. So he really didn't need to walk in on his annoying roommate Fenris making out with resident sophomore quarterback stud Dorian Pavus who was sighed after by most of the women and half the men.

"Seriously, get a room!" he yelled.

After they broke apart, he expected Fenris to say something mean, but the broody elf just walked out the room.

"Damn it! What did I do wrong?!" Dorian yelled.

"Don't take it personally, but Fenris isn't a fan of mages. He tried to change his room when he found out that I was his roommate, but no one else wanted to room with him, so he was stuck. Are you staying or going, because I've got a Biology lab to get to, and I should probably lock up the room?"

"I'm going," he replied, and Dorian left as abruptly as Fenris did.

…

Tallis sat in the library trying to finish her outline for her history essay. Unfortunately, Solas who offered to assist her was being incredibly distracting just by being there. She wanted to ask him if he was naturally bald, but felt that it would be rude. She also wanted to kiss him, but she was pretty sure that he wasn't attracted to her.

"So you were once part of the Qun?" he inquired.

"Yes I was, I'm not anymore."

"I figured as much. It must be challenging for you to go to college in a place that is so hostile to anyone who has been part of the Qun."

"I manage fine," Tallis said. While no one picked on her, no one apart from Anders' friends made an effort to make friends with her. Well, apart from Solas, who was curious about her former life.

Just when she managed to finish her outline, Isabela burst in and yelled, "I'm dropping out of college to become a pirate."

Tallis rolled her eyes. "Isabela, you say that every other week. You've never dropped out."

"Well I mean it this time! There is too much crappy work in this demon infested place!"

That brought the librarian, Abelas, down on Isabela who shushed her very loudly.

"I'm sorry for the noise sir," Tallis apologized. "I'll see you guys later." With that, she left the library to study for her Biology test back in the privacy of her room.

…

It took Dorian two weeks to work up the courage to knock on Fenris' door. "Look Fenris, it's me Dorian. I wanted to say I'm sorry for kissing you. I thought that you felt the same way I did for you, and I apologize since I clearly thought wrong." It was a bitter pill to swallow that his feelings weren't returned, but Dorian accepted.

Just as he was about to leave, the door opened. "No, I'm the one who should be sorry," Fenris said. "I thought that all mages were like my former master Danarius, but I was wrong."

"Wait, you're the guy who killed Danarius?" he asked.

"Yes, I am."

"Should I get you flowers or chocolates for killing that asshole."

…

"Come on, it'll be fun Tallis," Anders persuaded.

"I'm just not that interested in football." However, she didn't have any homework, and she was curious to see how Anders and Fenris would behave around each other now that they'd called a tentative truce after Fenris started dating Dorian. Plus, she had never seen a football game since the Qun forbade it. "Oh all right, I'll come."

"Thanks Tallis! You're the best!"

…

"So why is the couch mad at you?" Fenris inquired, when he walked in on Couch Bran screaming at Dorian.

"I told him that this will be my last season. Playing football was my father's dream, not mine."

"Ok, if that's what you want to do, I'll support you," he said, and he meant it. He knew all too well what it was like for someone else to plan your whole life for you without your consent.

"Same here Dorian," added Cullen who was a sophomore like Dorian and played running back. "Don't listen to what coach said, I'll be honored to play alongside you even if this is your last season with us."

"Thanks for the support Cullen." Dorian smiled.

"Don't mention it."

…

Tallis was surprised to see Solas at the game. Apparently the feeling was mutual, because Solas said, "I'm surprised to see you here, I didn't know you were a football fan."

"What you think I don't have any school spirit? Go Kestrels!" It was nice to yell as loudly as she could without having to fear being scolded for the behavior.

"It is rather attractive when you yell like that." Was it her imagination or did he just flirt with her?

"Really, I think your shiny bald head is even more hot."

Solas chuckled, and leaned forward, pressing his lips to hers. At first she was shocked. But gradually she began responding, and the kiss sent electric shockwaves through her.

"Not to interrupt, but we do have a game to watch," Isabela pointed out. She and Marian sat next to each other, with Anders, Karl, and Fenris sitting on the other side of them.

Reluctantly, they broke apart. "I never thought that someone like you, would want someone like me."

"You have a rare and marvelous spirit Tallis," Solas declared. "Never doubt that."

…

"Seriously, Vivienne is a vindictive bitch. I had to bug her three times, before she filed the papers declaring my major," Anders complained.

"I'm not going to argue with that," Karl replied. "But that's not why you wanted to talk to me at four in the morning."

"I got a call yesterday, from my mother. She wants to talk, and I don't know what to think."

"Maybe she feels sorry for giving you to the Circle, when you exposed the abuses," Karl pointed.

"Would you do it, if it was your parents?"

"In a heartbeat." Then Karl kissed him and everything was all right.

…

Tallis was happy at the end of the semester. She'd made friends not only with Anders' group, but also Dorian, Cullen, and Cullen's girlfriend Merrill. Plus, she and Solas were now dating.

"I wanted to ask you something," Solas declared. "Why did you leave the Qun?"

"Well, I had my doubts, but I felt I owed them for saving me from a life of slavery. But then my best friend Saarath turned out to be a mage. He was a good man and didn't deserve to be chained for something that wasn't his fault."

Solas nodded. "That was very brave of you, to leave everything behind and come to a new place."

"Well, I think I've made a decent start."

Author's Note: Tallis' friend appeared in the DLC Trespasser. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and please read and review.