Standard Prom Night

by Tigereyes45

Varric knows Edyiss Hawke doesn't care about prom. Even as all their friends fret over that night, she's adamant in announcing that 'prom doesn't matter'. After all prom is only "A single night that is only really two, maybe three hours of shitty music, bad dancing, and people planning pranks before getting caught by the chaperones and thrown out."

This is a story I wrote for the Hightown Funk exchange on tumblr and Ao3. Thank you for the prompt Pen99! This was a lot of fun to write, which is why it ended up being so long. XD

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Edyiss Hawke is an intimidating figure in nearly any situation. From her stark white hair that causes strangers to wonder what happened to her, to cause that, too tattoos that decorate her face. Most people don't get past those. Which is a shame because it means they miss her kind personality. There's no one as patient as Edyiss Hawke.

"How much longer are they planning on taking?" Hawke snaps practically biting into the straw between her teeth. She was hunched over a small circular mall table. Its fake granite, plastic top was sticky under her arms, but she ignored it. Her hands were diggings into the large 21 ounces cup that was nearly empty now. She plays with the straw between her teeth when she isn't drinking, and considering how the mall charge $6 per cup, she wasn't trying to buy another.

Perhaps Edyiss Hawke isn't the patient sort, but she is frugal.

"I mean it's prom shopping, how long should it take? Find an outfit you like, grab it, go."

"I'm sure there's at least one step missing from your summary."

"As if these stores aren't committing highway robbery."

"I'm afraid that's capitalism, my friend."

"Well, you won't catch me spending money like that." Hawke begins bouncing her leg up and down. The plastic table shakes steadily in count with her. Varric smiles to himself. She could pretend to not care as much as she wants, but she's still here. Leaning over the table, watching with narrowed eyes as Isabela spins Merrill around in a store. Her black skirt flowing around her knees. The green top with the thin straps was a good choice for today, she didn't even need to take it off to try on the dresses. Plus that skirt let her switch in and out fast.

Yeah, it wasn't Merrill they were really waiting on. Varric leans back a bit. Gingerly he begins tapping his fingers along the edge of the table. That would be Carver. Poor, goofy, too tall for his own good Carver. Not only had he not yet worked up the courage to ask his date out, but he was nervous to buy an outfit that wouldn't match them. That combined with the issues of finding a suit that fits was over five hundred dollars. He wasn't having much luck.

Hawke winces as Merrill cries out, "but it's so hard to choose one when they're all so pretty?" Varric looks up in time to see Carver wince too, head hanging over yet another suit that probably wouldn't fit his broad shoulders. Bethany must've noticed too. She loops her arm through Carvers. Quickly, she puts the suit on the rack and guides Carver over towards the next door, putting some space between them and Merrill and Isabela. If the happy couple noticed, they had nothing to say about the sudden vacancy.

First, they chased out Fenris, and Anders, and now Sunshine too. While that last one was more so due to Junior's feelings than her own, Varric had to admit Isabela and Merrill's public displays of affection were starting to make him weary too. Not to mention Hawke practically banned them from game night until prom had passed. They just wouldn't stop making out instead of playing their cards. While that made Varric the for sure winner of the games, it made the rest of their currently single party, extremely envious. Well aside from Hawke of course. The thing that got them banned was when they spilt her drink for the fourth time in a row.

Ending up in third place she can take. Sometimes.

"It's what they want to do. I say let them have it." A sharp jab in his side sends Varric wheezing. Edyiss raises a brow, before jutting her thumb out towards the men's outlet where Anders was huddled over in the door way, furiously crossing something off of his long list of 'absolutely' needed prom proposal items. "They must've not had the corsages he wanted." When Anders first started writing his list, they all assumed it would be just a handful of items. A suit, some corsages, the stuff most people want for prom. So when Anders came up with a week long plan where everything was unique for his boyfriend, Nathaniel, well everyone thought he was joking. Now here we are, halfway through the week long plan. Everyday it seeming gets harder for Anders to find what he wants for the next part of his plan.

In the distance their friends fill the unsteady silence. Varric has never been so grateful for how large the others were presence-wise. It makes the small space between him and Hawke feel packed. In a comfortable way. How could he ever think about asking her out when there's a layer of pillows stacked up like an unmovable, super soft, cushioned wall? Oh, that sounds comfortable. It would probably be a thousand times better than the plastic table currently digging into his side. How Hawke could handle it digging into her back, is a mystery that he's more than willing to chalk up to her bony back.

"All of these suits look the same!" Fenris shouts looking ready to throw every suit on the rack into a bonfire.

Anders drags him away from the rack and over to the ties that hang at the store's entrance. "Well, I don't know what you expected to find. What, did you want a suit that would have spikes and holes in the pant legs? Just buy a blue suit instead of a black one and call it a day. I still need to find the perfect flowers instead carrying all your stuff around Fenris!"

"Sounds like Anders and Fenris are having a good time," Hawke mutters as she pulls the straw out of her drink. She chews on it like a toothpick. It's a poor substitute. The straw gives way so easily that Varric knows she'll soon be chewing on the whole thing. The thin plastic splinters far faster than the solid, small wooden toothpicks.

Varric pinches her side, pulling back to swing out of the way of her flailing arm. She's ticklish there, on her side. Though she's never admitted it. Varric smirks as she glares down at him. He casually points out Carver and Bethany who were making their way back towards the table.

"We can still find something." Bethany pleads, sounding as if whatever the something was, was extremely urgent. "It's not too late." Says every character when their down to the last moment. Typically the line comes after a crushing defeat. Varric looks the pair of them over. From his hunched shoulders to the pitiful thin line he was pressing his lips into, it was clear that Carver had just suffered a loss.

"What happened?" Edyiss Hawke is known by all for her blunt way of speaking, couldn't careless attitude, and her overwhelming arrogance, but there are people who even she has a soft spot for. Would she ever admit it? Not a chance, but Varric knows. He prides himself on noticing all the little changes in her face, and vocal tone. She'll never admit it but she loves her family. Especially the twins.

"I'm not going to prom." Carver declares as he plops onto the seat next to Edyiss. Her nose wrinkles as if to say, ' is that all?'. If Junior had wanted sympathy, he'd come to the wrong place.

Bethany looks desperately around the table, seeking aid. If she was looking for someone to convince Junior to attend, she had come to the wrong place. Edyiss Hawke was already wrapping an arm around Carver's shoulders. She yanks him closer to her chair, pressing his head against her own. "There you go thinking for yourself for once! Who needs to go to some over expensive party anyways?" She pulls away, allowing Carver to steal a breath of air before he finds himself locked back in her arm on the receiving end of a noogie.

With a groan, he loots up to Beth. There was no mercy in her eyes, only anger, as she crosses her arms and glares back. "That's what you get for running away from your feelings."

"Ack!" He pushes against Edyiss' arm. The eldest sister tightens her grasp. "It's not," he goes in for a head butt, however, Hawke saw that coming a mile away and she easily pushes him down closer to her side. "running away! Hawke will you please cut it out!"

"Well since you asked so politely." Her words come out in a song-like melody before she lets him go. For a tense second, Carver rubs at his head. The rest of the table waits on Hawke's next move with bated breath. When she reaches out towards Junior's head, Varric found himself and Bethany pulling away. Even Carver flinches back, covering his head. Instead of pulling him in for a second round of head blistering noogies, Hawke flicks him gently on the nose. "You need to learn how to relax Carver. Why are you even worried about prom?"

"Because he's too chicken to ask his date out."

"You haven't asked yours out either Bethany!"

"I'm waiting on them to ask me."

Once more bored again Hawke asks, "That's kind of misogynistic, innit?" She wasn't trying to stir the pot. No, it seemed she was just trying to get this conversation to speed up a bit. The pair of twins stare at Hawke. Bethany with an irritated glower, and Carver with a delighted grin. It was clear the two were trying to come up with a response. Carver to keep the conversation off of him, and Bethany to regain control of its direction.

Varric uses that opening to jump in. "If you're waiting on the chantry boy to ask you out, you may end up going stag."

The way her soft brown eyes, grew darker at that moment, as her hope was destroyed, killed him. Gently Varric pats her arm. "Apparently he doesn't plan to ask anybody out. He already texted the group chats asking if we could all go as a group."

Hope fills her eyes again. "That's because he doesn't think anyone will say yes to him!" She announces it with the utmost confidence. Clearly, she had already seen the text.

"Well if that's the case, then you may have to take the first step Sunshine."

With an exaggerated sigh, Bethany falls into the seat on the other side of Varric. She rests her face against the cold table, almost instantly pulling it up again. An expression of pure disgust on her face. "It's sticky, isn't it?" He gently chides, before digging through his pockets. He always keeps a pack of wet wipes on him, after one too many instances of a food fights breaking out in the cars. They stopped for the most part after Aveline threatened to abandon them all on the side of the road, but he still carries them around. Just in case. Considerately Varric offers her the wet wipe. "Let me know if you need another one."

"Thank you Varric. If only my siblings were as considerate as you." Bethany stares at her older siblings with a pointed look. Just as fast, Hawke and Carver look away. The two start whistling, pretending not to have heard her. Their deception undercut by the fact they were somehow whistling the exact same song. A tactic they've used before to avoid admitting to trouble.

"Fine." Bethany lets out a huff. Varric has never seen her so worked up before. Perhaps that's just the way Carver could annoy her. "If you ask out your crush, I'll ask out mine. Fair, brother?"

Carver hesitantly holds out his hand. He curls his fingers in and out, completely unsure if he should agree to the deal. If he was going to pull away he does so too late. Bethany quickly claps her hand into his. With an iron determination, she holds it in place. "Deal." The kid tries sounding braver than what he is. Varric wants to tease him but ignores the urge. It's not his fault that both his sisters can be, well, a lot to face. Was it a skill the two had learned from Leandra?

Edyiss grins her toothy smile, as she rests her hands on top of theirs. She squeezes them in place, not allowing either to move even a centimeter away from the other. "Let's put some rules in place."

"Rules! Hawke this isn't a bet!" Carver yells. The middle child still doesn't try pulling his hand away.

Hawke only rolls her eyes and grins. "Oh but it is. If either of you chickens out of asking someone to prom, crush or not, then you lose."

"So if we ask someone,"

"Anyone." Carver intercedes.

"out on a date we win." Bethany finishes smiling her typical sickening sweet smile.

"Yep. And if one of you chickens out and the other goes through with it, then they win." Hawke shakes their hands together. "Does everyone agree?"

"Yes!" Carver shouts, arms tense.

"Sure." Bethany agrees, not sounding nearly as confident as she had when she first approached.

"Then go pick out your outfits little birdies, the game's afoot." With a dramatic flair, Hawke lifts her hands from the twins symbolically and sets them loose. The pair share matching, determined grins as they stand from the table. The two speed walk away, planning, a little less loud, about how they will score a date. "Look at them go. I didn't even mention a prize and they're still so eager." She lets out a laugh, and Varric's heart beats in time with the chuckles. She may complain, but isn't she interested in prom? Possibly just a little bit.

Unable to think of a another way to find out that answer, aside from asking, Varric bites the bullet. "Don't you want to do anything to prepare for prom?" Hawke rolls her eyes before frowning in disgust. The idea seemed to completely appall her. Varric can feel his chest deflate.

"If they want to waste their money here then let them. No reason for me to waste my time."

"Do you already have a dress and a date in mind?"

Hawke laughs. "Nah. Don't need one since I'm not going."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"How come?"

She raises an eyebrow as she finally looks at him. "What do you mean?"

"Most people plan to attend prom."

She scoffs. "Most people." With a shrug, Edyiss plants her empty smoothie back on the table between them. "It's not my kind of scene." Rolling her eyes, she causally gestures at the line of shops their friends were zipping in and out of. "I mean look at them. They're getting so worked up about a single night. A single night that is only really two, maybe three hours of shitty music, bad dancing, and people planning pranks before getting caught by the chaperones and thrown out."

"A night where people get a taste of what it feels like to make their own plans, go where they want, and have someplace other than home to return to. Maybe for the first time."

"They can just do all that stuff anyways."

He shrugs. "Perhaps, but not everyone lives like that. It's easier to do it when it's socially accepted to rather, whenever you want."

"Ugh. Society."

"Speaking of how everyday life leaves one feeling constrained, here comes Anders."

"I think I would prefer to listen to him discuss politics than prom right now."

"Then today is your unlucky day."

"Hawke! Varric! I'm glad you two are still here."

"I'm here until the twins are tired out."

"Better for me. I need your opinions on these flowers." He holds out two individual flowers. One is an apple blossom the other a blue hyacinth. The mall must have everything, because how he found these two individual flowers is a mystery that flies over Varric's head.

"Which do you think would look better on Nathaniel?"

"That depends is he wearing it on his suit or in his hair?" Hawke asks, in an annoyed tone. She wasn't fooling anybody. If she truly didn't care she wouldn't have even asked. Varric leans forward, to get a closer look at the flowers.

"What is Nathaniel going to wear?"

"He's got a black suit with silver cuffs and a tie. His hair is going to be down but he'll probably use his gel to push it back, and style it. I know he won't be wearing a lot of make up, but he'll probably have on eyeliner."

On the same wavelength, the pair turned to share a look. Varric raises his eyebrow. Blues look good on Nathaniel, but if he's going with silver and black a little bit of color could help. Hawke nods her head towards the blue. Of course, she would go with the obvious answer. He looks at the apple blossom from the corner of his eyes, never moving his head away from Hawke. She gives it another once over. With a loud hmm, Hawke strokes her chin. She leans in closer looking over each flower entirely. Anders frowns, apparently not enjoying the show. With a final stroke of her chin, Hawke pulls back. She turns to meet Varric's eyes again. Simultaneously the two began to nod together.

"We agree?" Varric throws out his hand.

"We agree." Hawke squeezes it with her own.

Shaking like a deal had been struck the two smile. Quickly they wipe them off their faces before turning slowly back towards Anders. In sync, they fix him with steely gazes. Then say together, "Go with the apple blossom."

"You two didn't need to put on a whole show."

"As a matter of fact, we did." Hawke gives him a wink before waving him away.

Irritated, but now a little more certain Anders walks off. Good. Fenris was probably losing his head without having someone to vent about suits too.

Twisting back towards Hawke, Varric leans onto his elbow on the show. "Why do you hate prom?"

"Oh, are we going back to that? Thought we were done."

"I'm just trying to figure out why you're so disinterested. Have a bad memory?"

"I gave you some reasons."

"You're avoiding the question."

"A question I've already answered."

"Fine. Then is there no one you want to go to prom with?"

"Not really."

As if sensing the sour direction this conversation was heading, their phones go off. What a perfect distraction. Varric sets his to silent without looking. Hawke pulls her own out and makes a face. "Now they want dress advice."

"Who?" Well, he can't ignore that.

He unlocks his phone to see Carver has sent several photos of Bethany in different dresses. Underneath he's explained it away with a short text. ' She keeps asking what I think about her dresses. I tried to say she looks good, but she got annoyed. What should I say?'

"He even made a new group chat." Hawke was right. Instead of using the existing group chat, Carver had made one with everybody but Bethany. The kid should have just used their big one. Then Sunshine could just see all the responses herself.

Another flash reveals a series of responses.

'The green one looks best!' - Isabela.

'I think the revealing back on the red short dress is a bit much.' - Anders

'Why do dresses have more styles than suits?!' - Fenris

'Just wear a dress then man.' - Hawke

'Fenris you would look better than most people just in your regular clothes. Wear them if you want! But I really need some answers for Beth.' - Junior

'Ooooh' - Daisy

'Cute.' - Anders

'That was so sweet my teeth are gonna rot.' - Isabela

"The kid is getting no help."

"Well, our merry little band of misfits has never really been very helpful." She throws the final word in quotation marks with her fingers.

As if on cue, Carver comes back out of the shop with his phone in hand. He starts to run back over to the table, but a shout from a security officer slows him down to a speed walk. Nose flaring, Carver stares Varric down as he heads straight for him. "I ask for your help once and you ignore me. I'll remember that Varric."

"And I don't remember my name being explicitly mentioned in the text."

Carver rolls his eyes and shoves the phone against Varric's chest. "I need some real answers for her. Now."

"Hey! I'm right here!"

"Varric has a better way for words than you, sister."

"I feel so respected."

"Really? I wasn't going for that at all."

"Punk."

"Degenerate." Big word for Junior. For the briefest of moments, Carver almost sounded exactly like Bethany.

"Ass." Okay, this was going on for too long.

"Dick!" The insults continue as Varric looks through the photos again. Varric shakes his head. They didn't look any better on Carver's phone than they had on his.

Once they started repeating insults, Varric knew this fight was done. Waving his hands, he tries to catch their attention. The two were too engross in slinging their next insult to pay any care. Varric's head was beginning to ache. Not only that but other mall goers were starting to stare. He had to end this. Even if it met doing something he hates too. "Junior!" Varric shouts, catching both of their attention. He forces himself to grin and ignores the chill crawling down his spine. He almost sounded like his father just then. Few things made him feel grosser. Well maybe when he sounds like Bartrand.

Carver's wide eyes grow narrows before finally looking away. "The green dress really compliments her eyes. Plus it'll be easy to walk in. She might have some trouble dancing because the skirt is kind of low. If she really wants to dance a lot she should go with the blue and purple dress. Those colors are better than green so it's an automatic win in my eyes just because of that, but it also has straps instead of sleeves, so it will be easier to move her arms, and the skirt part goes down to her halfway between her knees and ankles so she won't have to worry about it rising to hide during spins. Plus it's not form-fitting, so it's also easy to walk in." Carver nods along with his words. The light behind his eyes grows duller with each one. There's something in his head, but it wasn't taking notes over all of this.

Feeling devious, Varric continues. "Plus the purple and blue is a high-low dress. They're very in style nowadays."

Carver looks to Hawke, expecting her to confirm or deny it. Instead the eldest Hawke sibling simply shrugs. "I don't know. I just go off the colors."

"Same. I don't get why dresses have to be so complicated. I wish they were like suits, all pretty much similar with a few stylistic differences."

"Exactly! What's the big deal with dresses anyways?"

Guilt wracks Varric's chest over what he was about to do. He's not the kind of person who enjoys interrupting some quality sibling time, and here he was about to do it a second time. "Shouldn't you be returning to help Bethany out?"

Suppressing a groan, Carver nods. It's short and curt, much like him. "You're right." He starts to turn around before realizing he didn't really have the answer he had hoped for. Technically it was a rather long-winded speech on Varric's part. "So which one should I recommend her?" His voice cracks, as he asks.

"Which you think looks better," Edyiss interjects. "Though I would suggest the green. I like the color."

Varric leans against Hawke, arm on her shoulder. "And I would suggest the purple and blue one."

"He's about to have a fun time trying to repeat all of that back to her."

"Yeah."

"Be honest, did you give him a long-winded answer on purpose?"

"Possibly."

"Bethany must be struggling with his help."

"Good thing she's got the rest of us here too."

Their phones begin vibrating in sync.

"Looks like Carver's didn't relay the messages well."

"Did she just text the photos to the group chat to ask all of us?"

"Yeah."

"I thought we all agreed not to spam it with prom stuff. Once one person starts it's going to be open season."

"We did, and it is."

Hawke's phone begins to vibrate and doesn't stop.

"What are yall talking about in there?"

"I think you can guess."

"Ugh. Prom."

"Prom indeed."

Hawke glares at her still vibrating phone. "We're all here in the mall they should just go talk to her!"

"Ah, but they are doing all of their own shopping too."

"What's the fucking point of going shopping together if we're still just going to text about it all?"

Varric shrugs before side-eyeing her. Carefully he watches for her next reaction to his words. "Comfort. Otherwise what's the point of coming to the mall and sitting at a table on the edge of the food court while everyone else shops."

Not having an answer for that, silence fills the space between them again. This time Varric leans into. He uses the time to carefully plan a way to ask her out. Would she say yes if he asked as a friend?

Hawke's phone was going off so much that Varric could actually count the seconds with every vibration. The sure could text. Even if he was typically considered the talker amongst them.

"It's been three fucking minutes! Thank goodness I hadn't been holding my phone when they started. It would've gone numb and fallen off by now." She leans back with a groan. "Varric get them to stop."

"On it." He smiles down at his phone, texting out a final response. He's been sending half of the replies at this point, not that Hawke needed to know that. Finishing off his last words Varric sets his phone down with a flourish. Hawke doesn't much enjoy big shows, but he can't help it. Her reactions are hilarious.

Once more she does not disappoint. As her phone returns to silence the tension melts out of Hawke. She gives an exaggerated sigh of relief. Her back bends so far that she was practically laying on the table. As she flexed her back cracked. He winces at the sounds. It must hurt. Varric knew it had to, but she was keen to keep that position. Laying his head down on his folded arm.

Hawke is a force of nature in most situations. In school, if she goes a full day without fighting someone then it wasn't a good day, but a great one. Though that usually met she was going to be casting spells into the sky all night. It's a good way to vent, she always says. The neighbors enjoy the good light shows at least. Hawke's spirit bolt was one of her best spells at this point.

"You two seem relaxed," Isabela says with a purr in her voice. She wants something.

"What do you want Isabela?"

"Just a bit of cash."

"No."

"Hawke I know you have change you can spare. Your mom is one of the richest women in town."

"The problem isn't that I don't have cash. It's just I don't want to give you any. Why do you even need it?"

"Did Merrill refuse to steal her dress?" Varric asks only half joking.

"Bingo. My girl is just too much of a goody to shoes. She just needs ten more dollars to buy her dress, and she won't let me sneak it out of the store for her."

"What about her card?"

"That's what she's ten dollars short on, hun."

"If she's short on cash she can just come back and get it another day."

"Come on Hawke, it's just ten dollars." As cold-hearted as many thought Hawke to be, she did have some weaknesses. Groaning, she slowly pulls her wallet out and hangs her head. Fingers twitching, she pulls out a twenty and offers it up to Isabela. "Thank you!" the notorious thief says in her sweetest voice. When Isabela goes to grab the twenty she finds it stuck between Hawke's fingers.

"I want," more tugging. "my change," useless tugging. "back. Isabela."

"And you'll get it, Hawke. Cross my heart and hope to die."

"Varric."

"On it." Smiling charmingly up at Isabela Varric texts the group chats to let Merrill know that Isabela was bringing a twenty from Hawke to her. He makes sure to add, 'if you get any change, Hawke would like it back. Can't wait to see the dress.' Hawke's phone vibrates once again. Hawke visibly holds back a groan. "If that annoys you so much you should put it on silent."

"I would," Hawke lets go of the twenty. Isabela casually strolls back towards the dress shop. "if I wanted to get chewed out by mother later."

"Ah,"

"So here I am suffering. Forced to listen to a constant hum, as my friends go on and on about a pointless money-grabbing tradition." Hawke turns her back to the storefronts. "Though it seems to be powerful enough to steal my money either way."

"A tradition isn't stealing your money if you've lent it to a friend."

"Easy for you to say. I haven't seen them ask you for a single dollar."

"That's 'cause I already gave most of them a few extra dollars here and there."

"You're so soft."

"I want my friends to have a good time."

"What about you?"

"Me?"

"Are you going to prom?"

"I might if the person I plan on asking says yes."

"Good luck with that."

"Thanks. I'm definitely going to need it."

"It's not Bianca is it?"

"What?" - "No Hawke it's not Bianca!"

"Oh alright."

"Alright?"

"I just wasn't sure if you liked other people?"

"Just because Bianca was the first doesn't mean she'll be the last."

"True."

Yeah, the wall of pillows fell apart a little bit today. A small hole near the middle appeared allowing him to shove his head into it, and peer at her from afar. Some progress was made today. It's fine. That's all he needs.

Not too long afterwards, the rest of the crew started to wrap up their shopping. When everybody had gathered back together they decided to go their separate ways for the day. Varric remains in his seat as everyone negotiates whose riding with whom. The negotiations break down as Fenris nearly elbows Anders in his nose. Isabela caught him last minute, somehow side-stepping the whole explosion waiting to happen. Hawke's fingers began to spark at one point. They only stop when Bethany interrupts everybody with a joke. Despite them always having to figure this out no one ever knew who should ride with whom. Especially today. They've all spent too much time with each other.

Between the ten of them, only four had licenses so far. Between the four of them, only three had cars. Hawke, Isabela, and Aveline. Anders has a license, and Aveline was lending him her truck for this trip. On the condition that he would volunteer with her to clean up the highway next week. Anders complained a bit but inevitably conceded. Thankfully Varric didn't have to worry. There was an order to who road with Edyiss. The twins always got first claim if they wanted it. Then him, with Aveline right after. She was ranked so high because she so rarely rode with her. Then Fenris, and the others. Hawke drove a 1998 ford mustang that was a dark red color. Technically it was her father's car, but since he was out of town on work, she got to use it for the next few days.

Bethany and Carver hopped into the back without a word. Varric felt a little guilty as he took the passenger seat. The windows go down, and they enjoy the warm late spring air. It rained two days ago, and Varric can smell traces of that storm lingering around. Hawke loves the way the wind feels during a storm. It rages on in a way that feels like mother nature's just trying to show off her power. Hawke loves the way rain feels on her skin. She claims it cools her off, but anyone who sees her during a storm knows it's more than that. When there's a storm she's always outside inside it. Varric has seen her just stand out there, hands open, welcoming the rain. Hawke belongs out there in the storms. As another unmovable, unstoppable force of nature.

It's only a thirty-minute drive back to the Hawke's antique-style mansion. It's a modern home with a style reminiscent of old rich English folks. Apparently, their grandparents had it built for their mother when she came back into the fold. Running off with a poor man for love is a lot of things. What it's not, is lucrative. Hawke believes that's why her father is killing himself working so hard for the Amell family company.

Once they get back, Hawke parks the car near the sidewalk instead of in the garage. She makes sure it's lined up exactly with her bedroom window on the second floor so she can keep an eye on it. A habit she developed back when they lived in a small apartment. The twins push their way out of the car in a rush. They're practically running towards the house as they discuss homework and gossip.

Varric slides out a little slower. Everyone in this place is always rushing around. So he always takes his time to wait for whoever the straggler may be. It's earned him the nickname slow ass, but Varric doesn't mind. He always gets to take his time and smell the daffodils that line the front of the Hawke house.

"You do know you can just go in right?"

"Are you sure your mother won't just chase me out?" It's partially a joke, but there was that one time he spent the night, and Leandra wasn't expecting to see him laying on the couch instead of in the guest bedroom. To be fair he hadn't been able to sleep, and went for a walk. A walk that ended with him on the couch instead of the room. Leandra gave him a good scolding for that one. When she's scared half to death she sounds a bit like Edyiss.

Hawke smirks, and her sharp canines peek out from behind her lips just a bit. "Fair point. Better stay by my side unless you want her thinking someone broke in again."

Thankful that she took the joke at it's face value Varric offers her a smile. He may have just been using it as an excuse to hang back with her, but it's always nice to see her smile. He has his own habits. His family is firmly within the middle class, but everywhere is unsafe at night. So he's gotten used to walking in with people instead of leaving them behind. Old habits are hard to kill. It's yet another reason why he's considered the slow one, but no one's ever alone when he's around.

Leandra's voice greets them as the door opens. "Edyiss is that you?" It's coming from the kitchen. A strong aroma of sugar and ham journeys after it. "The twins are setting the table. Can you come help?"

Hawke rolls her eyes. Three people weren't needed to set a table. They all know Leandra only asks them too so they can spend some more time together. After all the teenagers did to scarf down their food. So talks during their meals are typically short. Still Varric's surprised they talk to each other at all. He couldn't remember the last time his family all sat down to do anything together. They don't even watch movies, let alone eat. Bartrand's usually out making trouble and calling it making a name for himself. His mother's usually drinking, and his dad, well his father exists. Maybe a little too much.

When they get into the dining room, the table is nearly completely set. Only the silverware remains. Varric catches Hawke's eye, and the pair split off to divide and conquer.

"So you'll go even if he turns you down?" Bethany sounded truly fascinated.

Her twin was as blunt as ever. "I mean yeah. Wouldn't you?"

"If Sebastian says no I have no idea what I'll do. If he goes I'll probably stay home. If he stays home I'll probably go."

Varric clicks his tongue against his teeth. "Come on Bethany you can't let a little bit of embarrassment keep you home. He's just a guy. Besides all your friends like you better than him anyways."

That gets him a soft laugh. It's restrained and silenced quickly, but it still counts. "That's mean Varric they're his friends too."

Carver shrugs. "He's right." Bethany smacks the back of his shoulder. Carver fixes her with a glare but moves the conversation along. "What about you sis?"

"I'm not going." For some reason, Bethany's gaze shifts down to Varric. She offers him an apologetic smile as if Edyiss not going was somehow a slight against him. She's her own woman. He can't make her do anything she doesn't want to. Though he hasn't tried asking yet.

She throws a look at Carver who stares intently down at the cloth he was folding, and unfolding in his hands. Bethany's eyes must've burnt enough of a hole in his head for the message to get across, because he coughs nervously before adding, "She's right, you should attend Ed."

With that, Hawke drops her silverware. Her fork clinks loud enough to make Leandra jump. "I just remembered I ate dinner at the mall."

Once Hawke was gone, Leandra looks towards her youngest two. "Did she?" In turn their eyes had found him.

"No, no she hadn't." He answers honestly. "She's just tired of all the prom talk."

"Well, that's no reason to go without dinner. Varric could you please?" Leandra casually gestures towards the hall.

Taking the hint, he starts towards the stairs.

Hawke hadn't bothered closing her door. Taking it as an invitation, Varric leans his head inside. She's sprawled across her bed hands folded around the pillow under her chin. She holds her phone up, watching a video play out on it. Varric gently raps his knuckles against the door.

"Come in." Hawke groans not even looking away from her phone. Strolling over towards the bed, Varric leans over Hawke's side to get a glance at her phone. Anders was getting down on one knee, hold the apple blossom in his hands. Behind them he sends a small flame, sparking a short wick. In moments fireworks go off. They blast into the sky spelling out 'Will you go to prom with me' in the sky. A few seconds later several more fireworks follow the first set. They turn into multicolored hearts in the night sky as the question fades away.

Nathaniel crosses his arms and fixes Anders with an ornery gaze. "This is why you haven't been able to hang out for the last two weeks, isn't it?"

A blush dances across Ander's face. He nearly matches the red fireworks now. "Uh, yes." His hands stumble as he tries to stand back up. "I just wanted it to be Memorable."

That gets a skittish laugh out of Nathaniel. "Anders I was expecting us to go together already. We've been dating for two years now."

"I know, but-"

With a shake of his head Nathaniel cuts him off. "But you are a very romantic, foolish man." Nathaniel says holding Anders' face in his hands. He gives the blond man a quick peck on his lips. "Yes I will go to prom with you." Anders' eyes go wide as he jumps for joy. He even tucks the apple blossoms behind Nathaniel's ears. Realizing his boyfriend wasn't as excited as he was Anders lifts the other man by his legs and spins him around. Falling over, Nathaniel catches himself on Ander's shoulders. The pair laugh as they spin. When Nathaniel finally notices the phone he asks, "Are you having Aveline record all of this?"

That's when the video ends.

"I see it went well for him."

"Apparently."

"Looks like the apple blossoms were a good choice."

"I doubt they mattered."

"I don't know. There's a sweetness to the symbolism behind them. Apple blossoms are said to mean 'I prefer you before all'.

"What were the other ones he had been looking at? Hyacinths?"

"Yeah. He was looking at white hyacinths. They can be gifted as a way of commenting on someone's loveliness, but they're also used to convey prayers. Personally, I think blue hyacinths or even purple hold more of a unique beauty to them."

"What do they mean?"

"Blue hyacinths are often used to symbolize constancy, or as one expressing sincerity."

"I can see why he would avoid hyacinths then."

"Why?"

"There's nothing sincere about prom. It's just a random, short dance, that people fork over hundreds of dollars just to have the perfect outfit, to match the perfect person, for their perfect night. When in the end they're left with disappointment and broken hearts as nothing had gone perfect at all. All because someone sold them on a night of dreams, when perfection doesn't exist."

"You're quite the cynic Hawke."

"I'm realistic, and I rather save my money."

"You can have fun at prom without spending money Hawke."

"We live in a society Varric. It disagrees."

"Capitalism isn't the only reason why you don't want to go to prom though. It could still be fun."

"Yeah. Maybe." At least it wasn't an immediate shut down.

"Do you think you might go?"

"No."

"Even if someone asks you to prom?"

Hawke snorts. "No one's going to ask me Varric."

"Who knows Hawke, anything's possible."

She rolls her eyes. "You really care about this stuff, huh?"

He forces out a casual shrug. "Not as much as Bethany does." Slowly, trying to mask his nerves, he scratches his chin. "It would be more fun with you there."

"Hah, I'm sure."

"You know you don't have to go with a date. We could go as friends."

"Yeah no offense Varric, but I don't need a pity date."

"I'm not offering out of pity Hawke. I want my best friend there. That has nothing to do with pity."

"Maybe."

"Well, Leandra is probably starting to pull at the end of her braided hair, waiting for us to come down." He slides off the bed, and offers her a hand. "Ready to go down?"

Hawke lifts her hand, and for a moment Varric's heart skips a beat as he believes she was about to take his hand in hers. Instead she playfully brushes it away, before jumping off the bed. "Let's head down there. I'm hungry anyways."

"Alright, after you."

"Varric?"

"Yes?"

"What do purple hyacinths mean?"

"Well the symbolism of flowers isn't an exact science. In fact hyacinths themselves represent games, and playing. While the specific colors each have their own meanings those change depending on who you're talking too."

"Varric,"

"Sorry, sorry. I got carried away. Purple hyacinths can represent sorrow, or forgiveness. They're also representative of wealth elegance, and even devoted love."

"So they can mean anything you want them too."

When put that way Varric couldn't really argue. "More or less." Symbolism can be a powerful thing. Though part of its influence comes from people's ability to use a symbol to represent anything.

"Fine." With a huff, she stomps towards the door. He follows after his head lost in his thoughts. Should he get her some purple hyacinths? Maybe he should go with something a bit more traditional. Though roses are cheesy. He's stopped in his tracks as his nose collides with Hawke's back. She was standing in the doorway, kind of, almost looking back. Her eyes stay looking ahead. Even as her face is sort of turned in a weird way. As if she wanted to see him from the corner of her eyes, but keep him convinced that she wasn't looking. Then, once his eyes had lingered on her for a second she states, "I always preferred red flowers anyways." He catches the faintest glance of her smile as she marches towards the stairs.

Maybe roses weren't too cliché.

The next few days were filled with all of their friends asking their partners out in a variety of ways. Isabela had grab Merrill by her side and pulled her into her lap. She said she had a plan but Merrill beat her too it. As soon as the elf started giggling they all knew something was up. Then she pulled out a note and stuff it into Isabela's cleavage. The possible answers were yes, absolutely, or until the world ends. As Merrill giggles, Isabela turned towards the rest of them with a shit eating grin. Then she pushed Merrill's head down, tapping their foreheads together. "You rigged it." She declares shamelessly, causing everybody to proceed with throwing up their lunch. All of whom felt a little guilty when a truly happy Merrill admits that she definitely had.

Some of his friends had the sense to just ask. Well Aveline was the one with sense. Of course Donnic said yes. That left only half of them without dates. Bethany, Sebastian, Fenris, Carver, Hawke, and himself. Well that's a little more then half. At least the twins were busy trying to work up the courage to ask their dates out.

The final day before prom is when the twins felt confident to actually take a chance and ask their partners out. Not so brave that they would do so separately, or outright. Instead Hawke was throwing a party in her backyard, pretending it's to celebrate her acing the most recent calculous test. A test she and Aveline studied weeks together for, and she scored an eighty percent on. So it's only a small white lie.

Of course there was still the matters of decorating the backyard. A hefty task that fell squarely on Edyiss' shoulders. "I can't believe they plan this whole mess and WE'RE the ones actually setting it up!"

Varric gives her his most soothing smile. With short, tired breaths he tugs on the rope in his hands. It scratches at his palms, scraping and cutting in a desperate attempt to break free. Much like his heart. The two move in rhythm, tugging, pulling, and stretching out. Both Edyiss, and himself, and the ropes and his clock. Every tug feels like a tick, slowly counting down.

Much like Bethany and Carver, Varric did not have the courage to ask his crush out. Unlike those two, Varric had no after school clubs, or jobs to keep him busy. So here he stands. Doing his best to stretch out a congratulations sign, that will have no relevance aside from keeping up the façade until after those two find the time to be right. Hoping beyond hope, that neither one of them are turned down. If they are, may it be this sign that takes the brunt of it all.

Hawke signals for him to move back a little bit more. His vision narrows on the rope. Aches were quickly filling in all the space between his bones. Not all the cracks in the world is going to be enough to make his back and neck feel better after all of this, eugh, physical labor. He's a writer, not a lifter. His eyes drift back up as he yanks with all his might. Eyes land on the horrendous sign. Yellow with white lettering looks like shit. Even if the colors were chosen to help stand out in the middle of the night.

When it was pulled as tight as it was going, Hawke uses her magic to fuse the rope into the tree beside her. Varric looks around him. He was still a foot away from the rope touching his tree. Damn humans and their long limbs. If this wasn't for a good reason he would have gone home. Especially if someone told him the decorating would require more then just setting up a table and preparing some food. He would rather be inside helping Leandra cook, then out here doing this. "Come on Varric. Didn't your ancestors build the thaigs? I thought dwarves were stronger then this." He throws his head back, to be greeted by a bent over Hawke. Her face hovers a foot above his own.

Letting out a wheeze through his gritted teeth, Varric makes his best pleading face. For a moment her smirk switches to a grimace then she forces it back into a grin. This one is far from at ease like it had been before. Perhaps her empathy was finally kicking in. She snatches the ropes out of his grateful hands. Collaspsing to the ground, Varric lays on his back and watches Hawke effortlessly pull the rope that last foot of length and fuse the it into the tree.

"I'm glad you don't have to do any real heavy lifting." She mutters through the side of her mouth. Edyiss Hawke had thought it, so she must say it. Even if she didn't want to hurt his feelings with her words. A part of her did. The same part that causes her to push everyone at arm's length, but the whole? No. It wanted him to stay, undeterred by her side.

"Just because you can lift me, doesn't mean I can lift you." Varric quips back rising into a sitting position.

A fire sparks through her bright blue eyes. That typically smile with her canines clearly defined comes out to greet him again. "Shall we test that?"

Oh he would write a hundred thousand words if it met she would hold him. His eyes drift to her arms. Those muscles were well defined, even when she wasn't flexing. Yet as she stretches them up above her head, Varric could see every edge along them. She could probably throw him like a sack of potatoes. Though he would be willing to settle for a single lift. Alas he did not want to drop her. Hawke is strong. Whereas he was a limp limbed inspiring writer. Chances are he's already developing carpal tunnel syndrome. Breathlessly he stands. With a casual wave, he dismisses the idea. "Maybe another time Hawke."

"Whimp."

He saddles over to her side with a small smile. "Absolutely."

Once the fenced in backyard was sufficiently decorated the two sat themselves on the back porch chairs. Even their porch was overly fancy. Leandra had designed it to be a closed in porch, with glass for the sides and top like a greenery that comes down to meet the wooden sides and flooring. It keeps the bugs out, but boy does it become sweltering hot fast. Hawke was prepared for the heat. She had already snuck out sixpack of cold cherry cokes.

"Your mom is going to wonder where those went."

"And I'll tell her the guys must have stolen them during the party."

That pulls a chuckle out of him. He twists the lid open and revels in the frizzing. "You're going to get Anders and Fenris banned from your house."

"Nah, my mom will ban Isabela way before them."

"Then you're going to get Fenris, Anders, and Isabela banned." He takes a swig, and tries not to melt into the wooden rocking chair. He looks over the bottle with a indebted smile. She could have just as easily gone in and grabbed the beer to cool off with, but she remembered he doesn't like to drink. Varric lets out a sigh. "Thank you Hawke." She gives him a curt nod, before returning her own bottle to her lips. They didn't need to talk about it. She would never force him too, but this simple, kind gesture spoke volumes for him.

Hawke was the only person he's confided in about his mother's drinking problem. It resulted in him having a complete revulsion for any and all alcohol. It's moments like these, when the two of them are alone and her actions speak louder then any of her words, that he knows he'll never have a better friend then Hawke.

"My father is coming back home tonight." Nonchalance. That's the only word he could think of to describe her voice. Completely and utterly nonchalant. "And my mother is trying to keep it a surprise."

"Well then." If he gets home soon enough the twins will lose their shit so much they may forget the point of tonight.

When the twins arrived home it marked the beginning of their night. Hawke hid the coke trash under the porch's steps, and joined Varric in greeting her siblings. With a quick sweep of the back, Bethany already had ideas of adjustments she would like. Some of it was using Hawke's primal magic to readjust and shape things. Such as how where flowers were planted, and hiding dead grass under the table so it wouldn't be in photos. Meanwhile Varric got Carver which was a joy in itself.

They stood besides the house, leaning against it, watching the mages reshape the landscape. "So," Varric begins unsure of how to start this conversation.

"So?"

"You like the broody types then? Thought you would have gotten enough of that by living with yourself."

"How long have you been hanging onto that one?"

"Since I figured out that your type is basically an angrier, stronger version of yourself."

"Fenris isn't-" he silences himself, as the girls looked over at them. Coughing into his fisted hand, Carver continues. "I don't have a type. Besides Fenris isn't as like me as you think."

"Fair enough. Personally I always thought you were more like Gamlen."

"You make it hard not to want to cut you down dwarf."

"Part of the charm Carver." He shoots him a wink. "Besides I don't think Fenris would bother writing you letters if you go to jail murdering his friend."

"With charm like that it's a wonder that you're dateless." That caught Varric off-guard. While he tried to think of a comeback Carver took his rare victory, and walked away. He then proceeded to continuously avoid Varric until at least Anders, Nathaniel, and Fenris had arrived. Just enough people to make sure he wouldn't end up alone with the dwarf. Not that Varric would need to be alone with him to get a good jab back.

Once everyone was gathered, Hawke started the show. She takes out the six pack of hard lemonade, and passes them around. "Come on everyone we're celebrating, and that means chugging contest. We've got more under the steps."

"What if mother comes out?" Bethany asks with

"Well then we better hurry this party along. Right?" That's Hawke's kind way of saying hurry up and ask them out. She was done with pretending what this party was for already.

Fenris, Anders, Nathaniel, and Donnic all line up with Hawke. Carver pulls out the two other hidden sixpacks, and lays them on the table in front of the fools. "Whoever drinks the most before quitting wins. If you throw up, you're out. If you do throw up, aim for the grass." He lays out the glass bottles. Three in front of each of the five contestants. It's not even that much to drink, but they all know who the winner will be.

The fact that the rest of them all bet on different people, just goes to show that they can't all be correct. Varric feels confident in his fifty dollar bet on Hawke. If she loses then he's also got a decent twenty dollars squarely on Fenris. Carver watches off to the side, his fingers practically buried into his sides. Bethany wears a nervous smile. Her eyes keep drifting to Sebastian's grin. "They're all going to end up sick." He announces with an almost superior smile. As if he wasn't drunk off his ass at Donnic's party a month ago.

Everyone watches with rapt attention as the five of them start. Anders was a natural at chugging. He was done with the first one in seconds compared to everyone else's solid minute. Was his lack of a gag reflex giving him an edge? Halfway through the second lemonade he has to stop for a breath. He could go fast, but that didn't help him breathe.

Nathaniel was done after his second drink. He turns his back to the table and throws up. His longer fingers go white as they clutch Anders' shoulder. "We've got a first one out everybody!" Isabela announces with a cheer. Varric was surprised she wasn't partaking, but then he realizes that Merrill was leaning into her, taking up her arms. It's sweet, how happy they are.

Fenris steals Anders' half drunk lemonade as he holds Nathaniel up. Hawke steals his untouched one. The two share a smile before jumping back into their competition. They have effectively kicked Anders out of the contest. The two finish their drinks, Fenris just a half of a glass behind Hawke. The two move on to their final glasses. Whoever can get to Nathaniel's last one will be a winner. It's all come down to a contest of speed rather then guts. What a twist! Varric could feel their excitement in the air, like a spark of lightning.

The two are neck in neck. Hawke goes in to elbow Fenris' side. He side steps it and tries to tip her glass up. She cranes her neck all the way back, lifting it out of his reach. With a crack their bottles break apart as they smash them onto the table.

They share a look in their eyes, before both go diving for the last glass. "I think that's enough." Aveline declares pulling the bottle away. The two of them collide on the other side of the table. Neither looking very friendly at Aveline. Aveline gestures towards them with her shoulder. Varric and Carver recognize the sign. The two hurry over and help the winners up. Aveline looks at the drink distastefully before chugging it. Hawke's arm tightens around Varric's shoulder. Her eyes go wide at the sight of Aveline. All of the sudden their little group is cheering again. Once she's done, Aveline glares at the glass. "This taste like shit."

Bethany stuffs the final three lemonades back under the wooden steps, as everyone else surrounds Aveline. "We could have told you that!" Anders shouts over his boyfriend's vomiting.

"Now for the real show!" Edyiss gives Carver a little shove. Bethany offers him two thumbs up. Then she too is shoved away, straight towards Sebastian. Shooting a nervous glance over her shoulder, Carver offers her a sympathetic smile.

Shoulders straight Carver walks directly to Fenris. Bethany a little less confidently approaches Sebastian. Fenris raises an eyebrow. He tries to meet Sebastian's eye clearly curious. The human doesn't take any notice of him however. No, because Sebastian only saw Bethany in his eyes. If the way he was staring at her wasn't a giveaway then the blush creeping onto his cheeks absolutely is.

Edyiss' smile grows as her hands start to spark. There's a plan in that big brain of hers. Carver and Bethany open their mouths.

"Fenris would you-"

"Sebastian I want to-"

As the twins ask Edyiss smacks her hands down on the ground. As she does so a giant portion of the ground rises behind Carver. Soft chucks of dirt rise to spell out Fenris' name. She smiles and goes to smack the ground again, but a white flash catches everyone's attention. Varric's hair begins to stand on end. Electricity fills the air. There, behind Bethany was Sebastian's name written in lightning. Neither of the twins notice.

"go to prom with me? Is that alright?"

"go to prom with you. Is that alright?"

Varric throws his head around, as does Edyiss. The pair are the first to spy him. A man who looks more like Hawke then either of the the twins. Slick white hair, pushed back across his head, and a full beard that's unable to cover his large smile. Crouched on the ground right behind Edyiss was the one and only Malcolm Hawke.

"It was a good idea Edy. I hope you don't mind that I helped." His gruff voice, was soft and quiet compared to the shouts of congratulations behind the three of them. Varric looks to see Hawke's face. She had a huge grin across her face. For the first time in a long time there's light in her eyes that accompanies the grin. Blue eyes so similar and yet distinct from her own, look away.

Varric glances over his shoulder to see the twins were now running towards them. Their shock over the resplondent display of magic was nothing over their joy of seeing Malcom. The two knock him over as they jump him. As soon as his hands leave the ground the lightning disappears. Edyiss shifts her magic around, pulling Fenris' dirt name back into the ground before standing. There's a giant patch of messing disturbed soil that Leandra is going to hate now.

Varric elbows Edyiss as they watch the happy reunion. "I thought you didn't care for the showy proposals."

"I don't," She states with a slight frown. She's entirely unable to keep her grin from coming back. "but I'm glad they're happy."

"Seems like everyone has a date now."

"Everyone but you and me. At least that means we won't be alone on prom night. We can chill here, and watch some movies."

Varric looks up at her, confused. He blinks. "Hawke I'm planning to attend." Hadn't he made that clear.

"What? I thought you didn't have a date." Her words are purposely slow, but they sound nervous either way. Hope ignites in his chest.

"I don't." So won't you come with me?

"So you're going to go stag? That's a bit sad Varric." Her expression was one of pity. It pisses him off.

Bitterly Varric snaps back. "Better then sitting at home, all alone, while everybody else dances the night away." If she didn't want to go fine. He's not about to let her mock him for wanting to have fun. Stag or not. He starts walking towards the table.

Edyiss follows. "You hate dancing."

Varric grabs a water bottle. "I hate a lot of things."

"You should just come over here. We'll watch a movie, drink the family wine cellar dry, then go out and pick a fight."

"While all of that sounds like a barrel and a half of laughs; I don't want to miss out on the chance to make memories with our friends." Just come with.

"Yeah, that makes sense." Her words sound dejected. Maybe he still has a chance.

Agh he should just ask her outright, but that comes with risks. So many more risks then her tagging along with the group. Varric's chest tightens. Is he really ready to put their friendship on the line? "You could come too." He sets his free hand in hers.

As he goes to tighten it, she squeeze's his fingers and pulls her hand away. "Not a chance Varric."

Feeling desperate now, Varric catches her hand again. This time he pulls it down towards him. Looking up he watches the surprise settle into her face. Her cheeks rise just a tad, as her eyelashes flicker. "Edyiss I know you don't like to be alone."

"Better alone, then caught up in a fantasy." She doesn't pull her hand away. It's longer then Varric's but so much colder.

"Is it really so fanciful, to hope for a fun night out with your friends?" This is it. His final plea. He can't force her to do anything, so he throws out his last words. Hoping that maybe, just possibly, she'll say yes.

"You should know me by now. When given the choice between being stuck in a shitty situation, and staying at home doing what I want, I'll always pick the latter." She snatches her hand back.

Hopelessly at a loss Varric forces his gaze down towards the ground. "Then I guess that's my answer."

"Yeah, I guess it is."

He shoves his hand deep into his pocket. Practically burying it within cloth and lent. Varric crushes his water bottle in his other hand. The place where it was cold from her hand, is slowly growing smaller. He heads straight for the gate out the backyard. It's steadily getting warmer. Once he reaches the street he knows it's over. That small impression of her cold touch on his hand is disappearing, and his best friend had just turned him down. Heartbroken was becoming a far too familiar state.

When Varric wakes up the only thing telling him that he's not asleep is the feeling of his itchy blanket scratching against his neck. His vision was filled with nothing but darkness. Just like when he closes his eyes to sleep. An alarm clock goes off, reminding Varric that he's not experiencing what everyone else calls dreaming. Still groggy Varric rolls onto his back. Tired eyes draw shapes out of the uneven ceiling. Today is prom day.

Tonight is the prom and he has not spoken one word to Edyiss Hawke since the party. The start of his day was practically nonexistent. He slept in until 2pm. An event he had assumed would occur. After all he was the one who stayed up till 4am trying to decide if he was going to text Hawke or not. Even when he ultimately decided against it, sleep eluded him. It wasn't just that he hadn't spoken to Hawke, but she also hasn't tried speaking to him.

"Shit." His neck feels strained as the word slips out. It's so useful. Shit. It's such a simple way of describing everything. How was he feeling? Like shit. Why did he feel like shit? Because these last few days have been shit. Why? It's all shit.

Still he had plans. He may be a shitty person, but Varric keeps his words. So he dresses up in his dark red suit that's loose in all the wrong places, with the matching tie, and a white undershirt that is absolutely going to be stained by the end of the night.

Adjusting his cuffs Varric lets out a sigh. Yes he even looks like shit. Hot shit, but still. Varric lets himself smile a little at the joke. Spinning on his heals, Varric's eyes rest on the pair of blue hyacinths. The flowers were still looking healthy inside the vase of water and plant food he's kept them in.

Notably sadder, Varric pulls the flowers free from their vase. They're so light, but never has his hands felt heavier. carefully he tucks them into his vest's inside pocket. It's a pitiful thing, hope. Even now when everything has gone to shit he still wishes for everything to work out.

Ever moving forward, time marches, and Varric's phone goes off. Not as unending as it had been during the mall all those days ago, it's not as desperately calling for his attention. Still Varric gives it a glance.

'I'm worried about Hawke.' - Sunshine

'When are you not?' - Junior

'I'm serious Carver! She's been moping around the house since dad got back. She's never been like this before.' - Sunshine

'It was her choice to stay home. You can't change that.' - Isabela.

'It was but Ed doesn't do being alone well.' - Junior

'Then she could come with.' - Daisy

'It does seem simple.' - Fenris

'Even mom and dad are going to be gone. They're having a date night.' - Sunshine

'That's what Hawke needs.' - Anders

'Stop gossiping and get ready. Varric I'll be at your house in ten.' - Aveline

Shaking his head Varric forces himself to write the one message he really didn't want to send.

'Are we still meeting up at the Hawke estate for group photos?'

Almost immediately a barrages of yes, of course, and absolutelys fill his screen. Then come the questions. People start asking why he thought otherwise, what's going on, all the little things he didn't want to answer.

Then and there Varric swears to ignore his phone for the rest of the day.

Group photos went fine. Varric made sure to stay outside as the others went in and out of the house. Thankfully all the photos were done outside in the yards. Now he's standing on the sidewalk, where Hawke's car is usually parked. Instead it's gone, her parents having left minutes ago. Unable to help himself, he turns back and looks for her in the window. She had been down there taking photos with them all moments ago. As soon as the photos were done she ran away. He assumed she had gone to her room. Given how there's no Hawke in the window, he struggles with the idea that maybe he's wrong again. Never has he been wrong about her. Let alone twice. It causes an unsettling thought to dig it's way into his brain. Maybe he didn't know her at all.

Everyone's piling into cars. He's riding with Aveline and Donnic today. It's going to be unbearable. Though it would be a little better, with her.

Aveline pulls the car around to catch him on the sidewalk. She honks impatiently as the others head out. Varric rests his hand on the cold truck door. He has to step up onto the rim in order to reach it. A sensation crawls across his neck. He snaps his head around, and there in the her window is Hawke. She's staring at him with the saddest frown he's seen on her in a long time. Varric halts, frozen in place by her gaze. It's late. If they don't leave soon they'll be late. He can hear Aveline seething with anxiety already. Still he waits, hoping that if he just continues to hold her gaze maybe she'll come down.

Instead Hawke disappears deeper into her room. The window is left empty. Varric fights back the urge to throw out the flowers in his vest. Maybe next time. With a heavy heart he hops into the truck.

They're almost to the interstate when Varric finally starts to tune back into the world around him. His eyes remain lost in the world they pass by. Only his ears really focus in again. A part of him knows it's only because Aveline says her name.

"I wish Edyiss would stop isolating herself like this. It's not healthy."

"I know dear, but we can't force her to do anything."

"I have half a mind too."

Varric's not sure why he interrupts the two, but he does. "And I have half a mind to go back there and ask her out."

Aveline slams on the breaks. She holds the car still at a stop sign and throws her arm and head back. "What did you just say?" Without any words Varric keeps his eyes fixed out the window. "Varric are you telling me that you didn't ask Hawke out?"

He basically had. "She made it clear she wouldn't go."

Aveline pinches the bridge of her nose. Quietly she swears to Andraste that she's done with fools under her breath. "Did you ever consider that maybe she wanted to go with you?"

"Why would she want to go with me?" The idea was ridiculous.

"Varric she wanted to sit at home today watching movies with you. Alone. All day. Andraste's ass Varric! Hawke is a stubborn mule who never admits the truth, unless you confront her head on. Did you ask her out?"

"No." His body feels lighter as he realizes, he never did ask. Varric did his best to convince her to go without actually asking her out. He certainty that she would never say yes, suddenly doesn't feel so strong as before. "Aveline you can let me out. I'll walk back."

"No way in Andraste's fiery ashes am I going to let you run ten miles back, Varric. Buckle up! We're going together." She doesn't slam on the gas, but the u-turn she makes is sharper then any truck of this size is supposed to be able to do.

Aveline would never break the law, but she definitely skidded around it. She tears through the neighborhood as Varric's nerves soar. As soon as they park back in front of Hawke's place, he's out the door. Varric's never been one for running. Yet he dashes like mad across her yard.

Thank Andraste that the front door was unlock still. Varric has never been a religious person. He doesn't even believe in Andraste and the Maker in the way the chantry would like. He takes the stares two at a time. It could be luck, or another power behind him. If he had to pick one he would throw it all in with luck, because meeting Hawke was the luckiest thing that has ever happened to his life. Varric throws her door open.

There laying on her stomach, on her bed, was Edyiss. Her icy blue eyes catch on his face. They're red. The edges of her eyes are red, and puffy. "Edyiss?" He can't bring himself to ask if she's been crying. Did he do that to her?

"Varric?" There's an open book on the bed before her. Even form here he can see it's a photo album. The page she's on has an open space.

"I'm here."

"Why?"

"To ask you to come to prom."

"I already told you no." He pretends not to notice the sniffle. She wipes at her face with the edge of the grey blanket.

Varric takes a deep breath. He strides across the room to the edge of her bed. With a smile he offers out his hand. "I know, but I'm asking you to come with me. I want us to go together. Not stag, not as in with a friend group, but together. As us."

"Why?"

"It's better then being alone." He can't quite say, 'I love you'. Not yet. It's too early for that.

"Yeah it is."

"So? Will you be my date to prom Hawke? It can be just as friends if you prefer that."

"What do you prefer?"

He pulls out the two blue hyacinths he. "I would prefer this be our first date. However if you want us to be friends, I can accept that. So long as we're going to prom together. You can even call me your sidekick if it makes you feel better." She laughs. "There's that wonderful smile." He cups her face.

"It won't be perfect." Her eyes avoid his.

"I hate perfect," and it's true. He does.

"I'm not,"

"You're Edyiss Hawke. You're arrogant, selfish, more aggressive then a starve mabari, and somehow a mage who supports the templars' strict magic policies. You're also Edyiss Hawke, the mage who will fist-fight anyone who harms her friends and family, a smart aleck with a wit no one can match, and as much as you claim to be selfish you still try to help everyone you love. I know who you are."

"Sounds like a bunch of down sides to me."

"They're interesting character traits. Take it from me, the writer." He pulls his hand from her cheek and pokes her nose.

"I suppose flawless characters have been done before."

"And they're boring, the lot of them."

"I hate boring."

"So do I." His hand drifts closer to Hawke's. Gently he laces his fingers through hers. "And you're anything but boring Edyiss."

Her eyes go wide. Surprise fills his chest. She's kept up a straight face this entire time. Even as he practically asks her out to prom as a date. Nothing. He holds her hand and that shakes up her world.

Looking almost guilty Hawke mutters, "I don't have a dress to wear."

"So? Just come as your are."

"Doesn't prom have like a formal wear requirement?"

"When has that ever stopped you?" - "Well if you want to wear something, do you still have your Halloween costume?"

"I like the way you think."

"I'll meet you in the car."

She was already digging through her closest. "Fine! Give me five, maybe six minutes top!"

He looks back at her from the door. A smile on his face as his heart starts to race. For the first time in a week it wasn't from worry.

Thank to their late departure, and the amount of traffic having increased the four friend arrived at prom thirteen minutes behind. The good news is that while Aveline is a stickler for road laws she 's also keen to always be punctual. So everyone had already agreed to meet up at prom thirty minutes early. Which met Anders, was already in like with the rest of their friends, holding some spots for them. Though there was a bit of fuss when Bethany and Merill spied Hawke and Varric walking over hand in hand.

"Hawke!" Anders cried ushering her and Varric quickly into the middle of their group. A few cries from behind them were promptly ignored.

A pinch on Varric's shoulder pulls his attention away, from the rest of the crew cheering Hawke's presence. Carver was staring down at him. When he notice Varric looking back, Junior bent down and whispered, "I'm glad you two figured something out." A grin sweeps across his face, before he hides it behind his typical scowl. Fenris wraps a hand around Carver's shoulder, tugging him gently away.

Well damn. If he had expected anyone to catch on to his plans it would have been Isabela, or Bethany. Aveline didn't count because she always knew. But Carver? Well that was a surprise. Pleasant, but surprising all the same.

The only people who seemed to care about the fact that Hawke came to prom dressed in her champion costume, was the chaperones at the front. They had to double check the armor and make sure nothing could be used to harm someone. They even checked the matching red marks going across Hawke's and Varric's faces to make sure they weren't real blood. They nearly smudge them, but were happy with the results before doing so. Thankfully. He grabs Hawke's hand. The fake blood streaks across their faces weren't the only thing that matched on them. Instead of a traditional corsage, Hawke had her blue hyacinth flower pressed in between the shoulder armor, and it's padding underneath. She could spin around a hundred times, as quick as she can, and it wouldn't be going anywhere. Varric keeps his in a slightly more traditional place. He has it tucked into his hair, allow the stem to go straight through the ponytail that holds up the top layer of his hair. He hides the stem behind the bottom layer of his hair that hangs loose.

By the time the group was ushered inside the dj was already beginning the first song. Carver blushes as he offered Fenris his hand. Donnic guided Aveline over towards the food station. Isabela was already dancing as she spins Merrill over towards the floor. Bethany found a spot on the wall to wait, as Sebastian had to run to the restroom first. Hawke pulls her hand free of Varric's and heads for the wall. She leans up against it, next to Bethany.

As the first song ends, Varric holds out his hand. "May I have this dance?"

Hawke raises an eyebrow. As the second song's beat begins her expression changes in an instant. It transforms from amusement to surprise. She grabs his hand, holding it tightly, and drags him onto the dance floor.

"Be honest with me Tethras," She rests one hand on his shoulder, and the other in his hand. Despite the positions of her hands, Hawke immediately falls into a leading position. She switches in an instant between classical dance moves to a strange mix of new age, and never seen before moves. Whatever she fancied in the moment with the changing beats.

Varric chuckles. "When am I not?"

She spins him around the floor. "Did you request my favorite song?"

"I-"

"While not even knowing if I was going to show up?"

Ah well he can't deny it. "But it may have required me emailing the dj once a week every week for the last month just to make sure it was remembered."

"You were that confident huh?"

Varric delicately squeezes her hands. "Not so much confident, as hopeful." Hawke spins him around, before pulling him back into their simple steps. He doesn't miss the flush in her cheeks. It's difficult to miss the quick flash of red when it's outlined by her pinned-up white hair. She was blushing. Feeling daring, Varric continues. "My backup plan, was to get you to prom then ask you to dance as soon as this song came on."

"Do you think that would have worked?"

A few days ago he had fretted over the other scenario over and over again. He entertains his momentary fears once more. Knowing what he knows now he can practically visualize the scene perfectly. He would be standing on the wall, next to the windows. Hawke leaning next to him, playing with the soft curtains next to her. Her fingers would of course be twisting around the fabric, only pretending not to be when the occasional chaperone passed by. A couple of songs would have already been played. He would then begin overthinking about if the dj planned on playing the song at all, only for all those fears to be immediately replaced with an unwelcomed anxiety as soon as he hears the first beat. Of course he would ask her in the form of a witty joke. She wouldn't even give him a smile, not at first. Edyiss always liked making people sweat. He's never been an exception.

Earlier today the pretend scenario would end with her laughing him off. May she would say that the joke was good, but there's no chance of her touching the dance floor. Now though, he suspects that it would have been a yes. Cheekily he chirps, "I think I could have convinced you."

The blush grows. She bites the inside of her cheek, forcing herself to smile it off. "Suave, Varric. Very suave."

"I try my best."

Suddenly Varric can feel himself lose balance as something smacks against the back of his feet. Hawke tears her left hand out of his. Suddenly it's wrapped around his back, pushing him up against her. Varric blinks a couple of times, trying to figure out how he ended up squeezed against Hawke. His face snuggled nearly snuggled up against her abs. She leans down, her face barely a ten centimeters above his own. "See something you like?"

Varric lets out a loud laugh, throwing his whole heart into it. "Yes, yes I do." She had him in a full dip. This wonderful, fun, beautiful, soul had just made her first mistake. She bent over in the dip, leaving them both leaning over, in an awkward mockery of what had been a perfect dip moments ago. Varric raises a hand, cupping the side of her face. It's cold, her cheek. Hawke leans her face into his hand almost instinctively. That immediate trust tugs at a heartstring. If he hadn't already decided on his next course of action he'd feel a bit guilty. He leans in as if you kiss her. Varric's heart begins pounding as he realizes she doesn't plan to pull away. He sneaks his other hand around her waist. Having nearly closed the already minuscule gap between their faces, he whispers, "I can't wait to see it on the floor."

"What?" she asks in a half laugh. Varric doesn't give her a chance to react he's already pulling her down with him.

They collapse onto the cold, tough floor. Pain spreads throughout Varric's back like lightning. He struggles to fight back a wince. Maybe that hadn't been his best plan. "You ass!" Edyiss shouts in-between her laughter. She rests on top of him, body covering his own. Okay he definitely hadn't planned this out fully. Ah, stupid. He looks down, which is a mistake. Her outfit wasn't the most revealing, but he had given himself a rather advantageous angle. Varric can feel his cheeks grow crimson as he shoots his eyes back up.

Hawke's head was the only thing not laying on him. She caught herself in a way where it must look like she pinned him in the eyes of any passerbys. Well, effectively he had pinned himself using her. Honestly why did he think this was a good idea.

"Look at me Varric." Her voice was low, but sensual. He's never heard Edyiss talk like that before. He has to force himself to meet her eyes. Her white hair was a little looser now. A lock of it trying to escape from the bun. It wasn't quite free yet, but Varric finds himself unable to look away from it. How would she look with her hair down? A need to see that fills him. "Varric." She calls again, sounding a little more serious now. Tearing his eyes away from her hair, Varric was enraptured by her crystalline eyes. Her own face must have been as crimson as his. Yet here they were, two fools on a cold, rented out basketball stadium's court. He raises his hands, running them through her hair. He needed to take that bun out. Curiosity was getting the better of him. At the same time she cradles the back of his head with her own hands.

Fingers twist in his hair, pushing him up towards her lips. The tips of his thumbs hook under her hair tie. With a weak tug he pulls her hair out of it. As her hair begins to fall, her lips crash against his own. They were rough against his own. Varric pushes back against her, now burying his hands in her hair too as their lips. Locked in a battle for air the kiss lasts longer then the first kisses in any movie he's ever seen. They lay there, her lips warming his, as he memorizes every scratch, bump, and rough patch of flesh on hers. Kissing Hawke was a lot like joking with her. The weight behind the kiss reminding him of her prescence as she frist walks into any room he's in. The occasional tooth scraping across their lips was akin to those dagger like jabs of hers. He pushes back the same way he always retaliates, but she knows what she likes.

And who is he too argue when he's in agreement with her.

Despite his eyes being closed, Varric is almost certain he sees a vague flash of light from their left. Almost certainly people were beginning to notice them, but he doesn't care. He pulls Hawke deeper into the kiss. Right now he wants her lips to never leave his own. Not until he's done learning everything about them. Every little detail he wants to commit too memory, so he'll never forget any of this in case it never happens again.

Eventually, the floor grew uncomfortable. Patting Hawke's shoulder, he taps out. She pulls her lips away. Her toothy grin reminding him of a piranha as she locks her arms around his waist. Oh no.

Varric wraps his arms around Edyiss' neck as she hoists him up into the air. Amazed, Varric stares at her dumbstruck. How had she managed to lift him, while having to stand up herself? Before the aspiring writer can find his words, Hawke hikes his legs up around her waist. Varric braces himself as she lays him against the wall. "Comfortable?"

While he's not one much for athletics, Varric prides himself on his common sense. So he locks his legs behind her back and straightens his back against the wall. Lastly, he rests his hands on her cheeks and takes in her face with her hair down. She looks ethereal. Never has he felt so breathless. "Yes." He still feels her smile against his lips. Varric closes his eyes and continues to explore. This one was even better than the first. Her passion was like a contagious disease. It makes his headlight, and his body hot. He would kiss her however many times she's willing to let him.

Eventually, a chaperone decides they have gone too far for too long, and forces Hawke to put him back down. Hawke at first refused. The teacher nearly blew a gasket when she asked him if he was comfortable. Really, how else was he supposed to answer? Of course, he was! He would dare someone to be hoisted up onto Hawke's waist and not be. It's impossible. That answer, no matter how honest, was the final straw. The two were forced out of the prom. Which left them to wait around in the parking lot as their friends finished the evening inside. Not that they mind. Hawke set Varric on the trunk of Aveline's car and they went back to learning how to kiss each other. They were still figuring things out when their phones went off at the same time.

Never one to appreciate a Schrödinger's cat, the pair picked up their phones. Aside from the startling bright screens, they're met with a very familiar image neither has ever seen. Though Varric doubts they'll ever be allowed to forget it. They're on their phones was a very well-taken photograph of Hawke and Varric making out on the court floor. Swiping over shows a second, ever clearer photo than the first, of them against the wall. Sighing, he very nearly decides against checking the caption. Still, it's better to know how their friends are taking the news now than to find out when they return to school. If he and Hawke don't end up suspended for misbehaving that is.

Below the pictures was a very short, and almost sweet caption.

'I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S FINALLY HAPPENING!'

Varric chuckles, "Well at least Merrill's happy for us. I'm sure Aveline is embarrassed that we so brazenly broke the rules."

Hawke rolls her eyes, but she couldn't hide her smile. "Have you seen the others. Anders is calling us both madmen."

"Then I'm a very lucky mad man." Varric mutters as he pulls her back down towards him. They'll deal with the rest of the world tomorrow. For now, neither of them cared about the absolute chaos they must have unleashed inside. Hawke jumps onto the trunk of the car alongside him. She swerves on her butt, stretching her legs over the side of it. Lastly, she plops her head right into his lap.

Despite the chilly night air, Varric felt pretty warm. If it was due to the adrenaline rush of being chased out by the chaperones, or the impromptu kisses, was anybody's guess. Though he suspects it's because Hawke hair, was warming up his legs, despite the cold metal car trying to freeze the bottom of them off. Her white hair still loose and spread out. Her blue eyes would look gorgeous in the faint light of the parking lot streetlamps. A small part of him considers poking her nose, so she would open those eyes. Her face is so peaceful, that he just can't bring himself to do it. Instead, Varric leans back on his hands and takes in the night air. It's crisp in his lungs. For once he doesn't mind it.

"You know what I just realized?" He's asking the question before he could stop himself.

"What?" She shoves her hands under her head. He ignores the pinching as she gets comfortable again.

"We completed the standard prom night."

"What?" Her voice is filled with confusion. Maybe he's the only one who tries to remember every one of their conversations. "We were listening to shitty music for a little more then two and a half hours, saw plenty of bad dancing-"

"Did plenty of it too."

"And," he continues with a grin. "If we claim that final bit with the wall as a prank to our friends, then we officially got caught by a chaperone before being thrown out."

Hawke suddenly rotates onto her side. She looks up at him with mischief in her eyes. "Shit! We totally did!" Playfully she smacks his arm. Varric watches her revel in her correctness for a bit. As her cheers die down and give way to laughs. Of course her loud laughter pulls him in as well. They were still giggling by the time their friends found them.

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