Author's Note: So here's the next chapter.
Disclaimer: Seriously, I don't own Dragon Age this is owned by Bioware.
Closer (Sophomore Year)
Although Tallis enjoyed her summer of living in Varric's simple apartment building and working at a retail store, she was relieved to be returning to college. She would complete the required gen ed courses by the end of this year. Now if she could just figure out what in the void she was supposed to major in, she'd be all set. Marian offered to be her roommate, because if she roomed with her girlfriend Isabela, "we'd probably have orgies every night". Tallis wasn't sure if the brunet haired woman was joking or not, but decided to not to take any chances. Fenris was rooming by himself since most of the others students were terrified of him. Anders was rooming with his boyfriend Karl. Plus, Solas and Dorian were able to convince the board to let them room together. The only bad spot was that Sera who pretty much hated all "elfy" things was somehow paired up with Merrill, who was a devout worshipper of the creators.
"Well at least this year isn't in danger of being boring," she decided.
…
"So did anyone sign up for Varric's archery class?" Tallis inquired as the entire group were gathered ostensibly to study, but really to catch up with each other. The only person missing was Cullen, who was at football practice.
Dorian was attempting to explain magical theory to Fenris. Isabela and Marian were snuggling. Solas and Merrill discussed the finer points of Ancient Arlathan. Karl was trying to study his psychology notes. It was controlled chaos and there wasn't anywhere else that Anders wanted to be right now.
"I decided to give it a shot," Dorian admitted, giving up trying to explain to Fenris that necromancy and blood magic weren't the same thing.
"Traitor!" Tallis screamed dramatically. "You are hereby banished from the group!" While Tallis was still fairly stoic, she managed to mellow out a bit, and occasionally joked around. It was nice to see that the Qunari had managed to crawl out of her shell.
"Please forgive me for my blasphemy of mighty Tallis!" Dorian declared. "I will do anything to get back into your good graces."
"Just convince Solas that it's ok to take me out to a nice place for our one-year anniversary."
"I shall endeavor to please you."
"Should I be jealous?" Fenris asked.
"Don't worry amatus. I only have eyes for you." Dorian's response had all of them giggling, or, in Solas' case, trying to conceal a chuckle.
"Sera's also signed up," Merrill said. "If only so she can have an excuse to argue with Varric."
"Oh did you hear?" Isabela commented, once she'd disentangled herself from Marian. "Varric Tethras is getting divorced."
"That's the first I've heard of it," Anders admitted.
"I heard his wife Bianca was having an affair with the dwarf her parents wanted her to marry," commented Dorian.
Anders felt a pang. As much of a jerk and busybody Varric was, nobody deserved to be cheated on.
"Maybe we should do something to cheer him up," Merrill suggested. And they all quickly agreed that sounded like an excellent idea.
…
Varric Tethras was in bad shape. His hair was matted, and he was starting to grow the faint outline of a beard. He taught his classes, and then collapsed on the coach. Even since, he'd walked in on Bianca and him, he'd struggled to function. There had been the paternity test that Bartrand insisted upon to confirm that Varric's and Bianca's daughter Ilsa really was a Tethras. The test came back confirming what Varric hoped was true, that his daughter truly was his. Ilsa was currently living with Bartrand since Varric was not condition to take care of his daughter and Bianca had never really been thrilled about the idea of children.
Just then, he heard a loud crash and a couple of muffled curses. "Who's there?" he challenged.
Hawke's motley group of friends appeared. "Surprise!" a couple of them yelled.
Varric wasn't impressed. "It isn't my birthday."
"No," Tallis said. "It's your cheering up party. Aveline let us borrow your spare key."
Varric made a mental note to thank his friend. There was a bag with a hygiene kit, and a sympathy card. There was also a huge crock pot of his favorite butter soup, and an apple pie.
"I thought you only gave sympathy cards when someone died."
"It's for you mourning a lost relationship," Isabela improvised, and for the first time in several weeks, Varric laughed.
…
"I don't believe you!" Fenris said. They were snuggled up in his bed, after Dorian helped quiz him on magical terms. It was nice to not have to worry about someone walking in on them.
"You can ask Solas, but we really did stack up a pile of empty beer cans outside our RA's door as present. We even gift wrapped it."
"And your RA didn't mind?" he asked.
"He laughed about it afterwards, especially since he made us clean it up."
…...
"What are you staring at elfy?"
Honestly, Merrill was at her wit's end when it came to Sera, who considered worship of anything besides the Maker to be demon worship. "I was just wondering what was taking you so long to get with Herah Adaar."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Right," Merrill said. "So I'm just imagining that you can't say anything intelligent anytime she speaks to you. That's good to know."
"It's not like that. Oh, piss ears." Then she took off, and slammed the door shut behind her.
Merrill then lounged on her bed. She finally had some peace and quiet.
…
"I still find hard to believe that Herah is dating Sera," Solas commented as he munched daintily on his bread roll.
It may have taken a lot of persuasion on both her and Dorian's parts, but they managed to convince Solas to splurge on the one-year anniversary. So now, she and Solas were at a cute boutique restaurant in Hightown that required her to wear a nice green cocktail dress that Marian and Isabela found for her, and Solas wore a black suit.
"Apparently, Sera has a thing for Qunari women."
"You know; you've never mentioned what your names was before being Tallis." When he noticed her upset expression he added, "you don't have to tell me."
"Annia," she replied. "My name was Annia, but I always viewed it as a curse from the people who abandoned me to pay off their debts."
"I see." He looked at her with pity, which bothered Tallis a lot. Fortunately, they returned their discussion to lighter topics and she was able to put the subject of her birth name out of her mind.
…
Marian smiled. She'd managed to convince the motley crew of friend she'd acquired to come visit for Satinalia. Her mother might complain about the mess, but secretly Leandra Hawke was happy to entertain so many guests. Carver was between girlfriends, and Bethany brought her new boyfriend, Sebastian Vael. Apart from an almost fist fight between Sebastian and Anders, everything was fine. Tallis asked a lot of questions since Qunari didn't really much in the way of holidays. Marian was glad that Anders introduced her to their little group.
"So have I told any of you of how I became the Champion of Kirkwall?" Several people shook their heads. Both her siblings groaned; they had heard the story far too many times. "Well, it the last time the Qunari invaded Kirkwall. The Arishok insisted that they would only leave if one person agreed to face him in single combat. I volunteered and survived."
"A fact I am very thankful for sweet thing," Isabela declared before kissing her. Bela might act she was afraid of commitment, but Marian knew that deep down her girlfriend loved her.
…
"So have you decided on your major yet?" Solas asked one evening as she studied for her Chemistry test.
"I've been kind of putting it off," Tallis admitted sheepishly.
"Well, have you thought of what you are interested in?"
"I like solving things, which isn't surprising, considering. Not math, but you know investigating things."
"Well criminal justice might be a good major to consider," Solas suggested.
"I'll give it a look," Tallis promised. She did, and found that it did align close to what she wanted to do with her life. When she presented the papers for Varric to sign declaring her major, he didn't comment.
…
"Dorian, I got your message, what's wrong?" Fenris has never seen his boyfriend this on edge before.
"There is a retainer of my father's who wishes to meet me at the Hanged Man, and I'm not sure if I should. You know of course know that my father has never approved of my preference for men. I don't know why that should have changed."
"Well I can come with you, and we can face this big, scary retainer together." He gently entwined his hands with Dorian's. "I'm here for you Dorian, no matter what."
So they went to meeting in the greasiest bar in all of Kirkwall, and it turned out that it was actually Dorian's father.
"You're sorry, you tried to change me!" Dorian yelled.
"Dorian," Fenris said.
"Fine, I listen for now, but any sign of blood magic and I'm out the door," Dorian warned.
"Are you ok?" Fenris asked once they'd left.
Dorian nodded. "It still hurts that he used blood magic to try and change me all for his bloody legacy. Even if it would have turned me into a drooling vegetable."
"Well I happen to like you just the way you are, warts and all."
"But I don't even have any warts!" Dorian protested.
"Are you sure about that?"
"I'm absolutely sure amatus," Dorian declared.
"Then why don't we find out."
…...
Karl was normally a very calm individual who wasn't fazed by anything given his boyfriend's fame for bringing the dark secrets of the Circles to light. He was even pretty sure that he'd done well on his finals for this semester. However, Anders sounded almost nervous when he asked to meet him and that had Karl a little apprehensive.
"So what's this about?"
Anders sweated. "Ok, so I don't have a ring, so I'll just say it. I love you Karl, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you if you'll let me."
"Yes, a million times yes!" They kissed then and he felt his heart beat wildly.
…
"Look after yourself ok," Marian said.
"Hey, I do know how to feed myself," Tallis protested. "And I'll write, I promise." She'd already had a tearful farewell with Solas and received hugs from all her friends. She was halfway through college, and Tallis felt triumph at the accomplishment.
Author's Note: I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Please read and review.
