A/N: I swear I'm working on Martyr's Plight. But...this pairing is just... *froths in the mouth.* Thanks goes to th1nm1nt for the beta!
Disclaimer: Dragon Age isn't mine but Bioware and EA's. If it were Bethany would have been an LI. Derivative work is, however, mine.
It all started innocently enough. Marian had always taken pride in being the eldest, doting upon her younger twin siblings, Bethany and Carver, almost as much as their parents had; so much so that at the tender age of four she already knew how to change diapers. She tried her best to treat the twins equally and had done a good job of it; Marian fondly recalled how the twins would squabble and tug on her shirt, badgering her with "I'm your favorite, right, Marian, right?"
That was until Bethany's magical talent revealed itself. Marian recalled how she and Carver were sitting on the corner of their sick sister's bed as their parents prepared elfroot in chicken broth. While Carver chattered about the day his twin missed, Marian was right beside sniffling Bethany, wiping her nose as the latter complained about the chilliness of the room. On cue, Bethany sneezed and froze her sister's hand. Looking back she should have been more worried about the danger of frostbite, but the woeful sight of Bethany's whimpered crying that night was more painful than the biting cold around her fingers. They left town days later in fear of templar discovery.
It was then Marian swore she'd do anything to keep her sister from crying; thus it became imperative that she learn how to protect Bethany from the Chantry. She had been a slight thing when she first demanded swordplay training from her ex-mercenary father; how swordplay became dagger-work she could not recall. Unfortunately, between training and doting on their increasingly isolated sister, Marian had little time for Carver and before she knew it, he became an antagonistic tit who constantly tested her patience. Still, she did her best to be the loving eldest, notwithstanding the constant need of running for their lives and away from Chantry scrutiny.
It was only in quiet and rural Lothering that the Hawke family found respite; the templars were more keen on keeping an eye out for the fabled 'Witch of the Wilds' and Bethany had gained enough control of her talents. Marian thought that they would finally live in peaceful obscurity but alas, the Hawke sisters proved too pretty for that fate.
She still could recall how puzzled she was when elder Miriam first saw her and Bethany. "Are you Leandra's daughters? My, what lovely young ladies!" the woman said. Bethany, blossoming teen and femininity embodied she could agree with, but her? Marian never did have the flair for vanity. She paid the comment no heed until they were summoned for Lothering's centennial festival. Neighborly to a fault, the sisters obliged, only to be suckered into dressing in virginal white and, along with other fine lassies, into flitting upon a vat full of grapes that were destined to be Lothering vint 9:25. Despite Bethany's initial apprehension with the attention, she eventually enjoyed the festivities. It was the first time Marian saw her sister so carefree since learning of her talent. Years passed and Marian could still vividly recall that day; Bethany's dark locks tousling and bouncing with each joyful stomp, brown eyes glittering in laughter and those ruby lips in a wide smile. The lurid staring at Bethany's blooming curves through the thin, juice-spattered dress came later.
Really.
Marian was of course mortified, denying it to herself for five whole years; instead redirecting her desires by lavishing Bethany with so much maternal love it put Leandra to shame. When that didn't work, she along with Carver joined the army. It crushed Bethany's heart but she braved that and took it as a triumph over her inappropriate affection. Unfortunately, that career path was short-lived and a month later they were right back at their doorstep, bloody and bruised. Thankfully, dear sweet Bethany was right there to fix it.
It took just one press of those magical healing fingers to her lips for Marian to accept it.
Marian Hawke was smitten with Bethany Hawke.
An older sister smitten with a younger sister.
She wished the ogre had picked her instead.