[Varric opened his mouth, to argue with her perhaps, or maybe to just scold her for unlacing his boots. If he wasn't careful, she would tie them together, and in his haste he would forget and he would find himself flat on his face. It had happened before.]

[But instead, the words caught in his throat. He glanced at Hawke, expression tightening, heart momentarily aching. This was the last thing he wanted to talk about with her. It didn't matter, not really. She had come from another time. Maybe not from a better time, her injuries considered, but... at least a time when she was alive.]

[He couldn't imagine her taking it well, either.]

It wasn't an insult, Hawke. Just... surprise. [He lifted his free hand, using it to pinch the bridge of his nose, then to brush the loose hair from his face.] Things weren't... [He drew a heavy breath.] I hadn't seen you in a long time. Enough that it felt more likely that I was being won over by a demon, rather than actually seeing you.