A/N: Sorry for all the delays in updates. IRL has been more R than usual. I hope to be posting a few more chapters soon. ~Penguin Regina

Pride

"Andraste teaches us that pride is a trap we build for ourselves" Sebastian said solemnly as we shared a bottle of wine in his quarters at the Chantry.

I feel that the exiled prince is something of a kindred spirit. He doesn't tease or argue. He doesn't demand explanations or expect witty banter.

We bond over the changes we are each experiencing as individuals. He is considering how he will change from a brother of the church, back to a royal prince. He has guided me through my change from slave to free man. We are both creatures in transition.

I raise an eyebrow and give him a look over the rim of my glass of wine. I wonder where he's going with this. A cornerstone of our friendship has been his restraint from preaching at me. I furnish him with dispassionate advice about returning to Starkhaven as ruler.

"We need to be open to experience things, Fenris." He continues smoothly. "Pride will kill invention and initiative if we let it."

I look at the bottle and begin to tally how much he'd had. He doesn't look drunk and it didn't seem like enough for this kind of nonsense talk, but Sebastian is not habitually a drinker. "I'm eagerly awaiting the point of this sudden turn in the conversation." I counter.

"The point is, Fenris, that we are men who are crippled by pride." He states, turquoise eyes ablaze. "We miss out on life because of our pride." He shakes his head. "I mean, look at Isabela-"

A laugh escapes me, before he can finish. "How can anyone not?" I say with a half smile.

He smiles as he blushes lightly. "That wasn't what I meant, but certainly, she is attractive." He chuckles before continuing. I refill our wine glasses and take a piece of cheese.

"What I mean is that Isabela doesn't allow an inflated sense of self importance restrain her! She lives her life to the fullest and enjoys every sordid moment of it."

"Are you regretting your dedication to the Chantry? Missing the old life of debauchery?" I ask, genuinely perplexed. Sebastian has always seemed truly happy with his role as Chantry brother.

"No, no, no! Maker, no! But you and I, we hold back. You must admit that we keep away from things, from experiences! It's pride Fenris! We fear what we'll become if we give in. We don't want to seem like we're vulnerable to human foibles." This last grand statement was delivered with a rueful shake of his auburn head and a deep drink from his wine glass.

I pull the wine bottle towards me. I am absolutely cutting him off now.

"I'll have you know, that I don't have a single human foible." I smirk. I'm starting to understand Varric's enjoyment of being a smart ass.

"Nonetheless, I agree I am a proud man. But there is strength in pride too. Pride made me keep running from Danarius. Pride kept me honing my swordplay. I just don't feel like playing the fool for anyone anymore. I prefer they think I'm cold and proud than idiotic and weak." I swirl my wine and shrug my shoulders. I know what I am. I prefer the pretense of proud aloofness to what really seethes under the surface.

"I just think we could step out of our stiff little niches and give in to our impulses occasionally, don't you?" Sebastian said quietly, reaching for some fruit.

"So, are you giving me permission to finally rip Ander's heart out through his throat? I must admit I have certainly been holding back from that as long as I've known him" I jibe at Sebastian. I can't seem to help myself tonight. I keep my face stoic as I sip my wine.

He opens his eyes wide and just stares at me mid-chew. Our eyes meet and we can't help but smile at each other. The whole convoluted conversation died in that smile.