Hey guys! New chapter! I think there will only be one more in this story, but we'll see.

Pull the trigger. Release. One more Warden falls.

Varric had lost count of the Wardens and demons he had killed. He held the flank to the Inquisitor's right as she and Cassandra charged ahead, daggers and sword shining in the burning fortress. Vivienne shot an immolation passed his head and straight into an oncoming shade.

Focus, he thought to himself, she'll be fine. She always is.

No matter how many times he told himself that, Varric couldn't help but with Hawke was fighting at his side, and not helping the Inquisition soldiers. It was a selfish thought, he knew, but he would rather have an eye on her and know she was safe than have her scaling the walls while arrows rained down on her.

"Varric! Look out!" Jane Trevelyan yelled, sinking her daggers into one of the attacking Wardens.

Varric looked in the nick of time to see the pride demon emerging from across the battlements, arm raised and ready to strike. He leaped back, sending arrows flying into the demon. Varric saw Cassandra take point and charge ahead, giving him space to get into a better defensive position.

Another pride demon came into the fray with a despair demon in tow. Great, anything else want to join in? The battle was too hot and they knew it. When everything seemed to be lost, Trevelyan open a rift about the demons, banishing them into the fade. Varric sighed in momentary relief. All they needed to do now was get to Clarel and end this.

"Miss me?" a voice said to his right. A weight Varric didn't realize was on his heart lifted at the sound of her voice. Miss you? You have no idea, Hawke.

Varric smiled at her and shook his head. This wasn't over yet. Something could still go wrong. Should he tell her now? No, no, that was stupid. Don't tell her in the middle of a battle. That was ridiculous.

"You okay?" Hawke asked, placing a gloved hand on his shoulder.

"Yeah...yeah, I'm good. Come on," Varric replied, moving them forward to follow behind Trevelyan and the others.

The battle went south very quickly with the arrival of the Archdemon. How were they supposed to outrun that? Simple: fall into the Fade. Wonderful. Just what Varric needed. At least they were alive.

"You know, Hawke, the weirdest shit happens to you," Varric said, falling behind the Inquisitor.

"At least I get to drag you along for it," Hawke replied, matching his pace.

"Lucky me," he rolled his eyes, making her laugh despite their current situation.

The booming voice of the Nightmare broke into their thoughts, stopping everyone in their tracks.

"Once again, Hawke is in danger because of you, Varric. You found the red lyrium, you brought Hawke here."

"Just keep talking, Smiley," Varric said, looking anywhere but at Hawke.

"Varric…" she started, but he waved her off.

"It's fine, Hawke. Let's keep moving."

The group trudged on through the Fade in silence. The place was unnerving. What the Nightmare said couldn't leave his mind. He had brought Hawke here. He did find the red lyrium. This was all his fault. How many times had she been in danger been in danger because of him? Too many. The thought weighed heavy on his chest.

They needed to get out of here, soon.

The group destroyed a nest of the smaller fears. It seemed like they were getting close to the rift. The sight of their escape route caused everyone's spirits to lift. That was, until the Nightmare chimed in again.

"Did you think you mattered, Hawke? Did you think anything you ever did mattered? You couldn't even save your city, how could you expect to strike down a god? Varric is going to die, just like your family, and everyone you ever cared about."

Hawke stopped in her path, "Well, that's going to grow tiresome quickly."

Varric didn't say anything, just put his hand on the small of her back and nudged her to keep moving. The Nightmare couldn't be more wrong about her. Everything she did mattered, she mattered. But these were her fears given life. She was afraid Varric would die? He wouldn't allow that fear to become reality. Not if he had a say in the matter. Maker, he needs to tell her. But how does one go about laying their heart out while in the middle of the Fade? Not here. He couldn't.

Not like this.

Varric stood with bated breath with Cassandra and Vivienne at his side. The Inquisitor, Hawke, and Stroud hadn't come out of the rift yet.

Come on, what is taking so long?

Just when Varric thought his heart was going to crack into a million pieces, the rift flashed with light and out came Hawke and Trevelyan in a tumble. Jane quickly got to her feet and closed the rift behind her. Varric rushed to Hawke's side and helped her up. She smiled in relief at the sight of him and pulled him into a bone crushing hug. She didn't let go while Jane spoke to the Wardens.

"I thought I lost you for a minute there," Varric whispered.

Hawke didn't reply, only hugged him tighter.

Trevelyan told the Wardens to stay in Orlais and help in anyway they could. It was then that Hawke finally let go.

"While they do that, I'll inform the Wardens at Weisshaupt what's happened. Best they not get caught off guard," she declared.

Varric's mouth moved before his mind had fully caught up with what she had said, "You're doing what?"

"Someone has to let them know, Varric. Might as well be me," Hawke said, turning to face him.

"No."

"I'm sorry, what?"

"I said no. Why does it have to be you? Why not send an actual Warden? Or better yet, a messenger bird?"

"Varric, I have to do this."

Varric locked eyes with her, waving her over to the side so they could talk more privately.

"You know I have to do this," Hawke began.

"Do I? Explain it to me, Hawke. Why does it have to be you that goes? You don't owe anything to the Wardens, " Varric said frustrated that she kept throwing herself into danger. "You have no idea what could be waiting for you at Weisshaupt. Stay with the Inquisition, stay with-"

He stopped himself. Now or never, Tethras. Now or never.

"Stay with me, Hawke. Don't go to Weisshaupt."

Hawke studied his face. He was pleading with her to stay. Let one of the Wardens go, a bird, anyone but her. Varric didn't think he could watch her leave again. It would destroy him.

"Varric…" Hawke was at a loss for what to say.

"Hawke," he grabbed her hands and held them, his fingers twining with hers. "Stay with me. Please."

Hawke's eyes showed her confliction. She looked to the Wardens gathered behind her talking to the Inquisitor. Varric was right. She didn't owe them anything.

She felt the warmth of his hands as she looked back to him. There was no telling what would happen to her if she went to Weisshaupt, but if she stayed...if she stayed, she wouldn't be alone.

She never did like being alone.

And being with Varric made her heart beat a little faster, like it always did when she was with him.

"Hawke?" Varric prompted.

"I'll stay."

That was all he needed to hear. Varric pulled her down into a kiss so filled with joy and passion that it took Hawke by surprise. His hands went to her waist as her arms went around his neck. Hawke returned the kiss with an eagerness Varric didn't expect, but he wasn't about to complain.

When she pulled away, she rested her forehead against his, a smile lit up her face.

"Took you long enough to do that," she whispered.

"Sorry, guess I was a little oblivious," he replied.

"A little?" Hawke chuckled.

"Maybe a little more than a little," Varric smiled and pulled her into another kiss.

Thanks for reading!