[Varric was still willing to listen to him. Relief replaced panic so quickly it almost left him dizzy. Though that might also have been the heat.]

We spoke before he disappeared again. What he's doing... it's not something he wants to do. It's something he thinks he has to. I promised him I'd prove otherwise.

[He sighed, a long, weary exhale, and rubbed the heel of his hand into his eyes. It came away wet, but with sweat or something else he didn't know. He was suddenly very tired.]

I'm not an idiot, Varric. I know you think I'm fooling myself. But you don't know him like I do. None of you did. I was the only one who ever really bothered to try and connect with him, except maybe for Cole.

[His gut twisted with guilt when he remembered what Varric had said about that, back at the bar.]

He wanted me to stop him. I know he did.