Varric Tethras | Dragon Age (taleweaver) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2012-12-14 18:10:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, helen magnus, varric tethras |
I’ll need a santa suit
Who: Helen & Varric
What: Shopping!
When: Dec. 11.
Where: A store.
Rating: PG
Status: Complete
Helen eyed the toy store with a fair amount of hesitance, fingers still wrapped tightly around the steering wheel. It had been years since she had shopped for a child. But if Alice was to be spending Christmas in their home, it should be a memorable one.
Of course, if she had her way, the girl would be spending many more Christmases with them. That was something she had yet to share with the man sitting next to her. This decision she couldn’t make on her own.
But for now, there was shopping to be done. Taking a deep breath, she finally released the steering wheel, reaching for Varric’s hand.
Varric had a list about three pages long. He'd done research into what was popular these days, as well as some things that were the sort of long term appropriate for a growing girl. A lot of the list was fairly gender nuetral, and there were as many boys toys as girls ones. Because girls should be allowed to play with GI-Joe, too!
He squeezed her hand. "Don't be so nervous."
At least one of them was well prepared. Helen considered having made it this far an accomplishment.
“Force of habit,” she murmured, fingers tightening around his.
"She'll love anything we get her," Varric assured her. At least he hoped she would. She probably wanted her mother, but that was a christmas wish that couldn't be granted.
She nodded. But she didn’t release his hand. “She’s been through hell. I can’t disappoint her.”
Varric gently took his hand back so he could get out of the car. He made sure to give it right back once they were standing. “That girl is going to be spoiled beyond belief, don’t you worry.”
Taking a careful breath, she laced her fingers through his, giving him a small smile. “She’s a beautiful soul. She deserves to be spoiled.”
Biting her lip, she glanced back up at the store. “Shall we?”
“Lets.” He led her into the store, pulling out his list. Casually, he said. “I’ll need a santa suit.”
That caught her attention, briefly distracting her, and she noticeably relaxed. "Really?"
Chuckling, she shook her head, glancing at the list over his shoulder. "It's been more than a decade since I last went toy shopping."
“Might as well go all out. Besides, I look good in red.” Varric waggled the list, then his eyebrows. “I did some research online. A good mix of toys, and she can figure out what she likes. I didn’t want to limit her to just dolls.”
Sometimes it was the little things that reminded her why she fell in love with him. Smiling, she squeezed his hand. "Thank you. For caring."
"How could I not?" He replied, looking over at her. He brought her hand to his lips, and kissed it. "It's important to you. Besides, spoiling kids is fun."
“She’s important to me,” she answered softly, “And I think we’re both very lucky to have you.”
"By 'it'," Varric replied. "I mean the whole situation."
“I know.” She was quiet for a minute, holding his hand a bit more tightly than necessary. “I want to keep her.”
"Keep her?" Varric raised an eyebrow, squeezing her hand as they walked. "I can't think of very many homes that would be better or more loving." He glanced at her. "I only really have one worry."
She nodded, trying not to get her hopes up. If he had worries, she could only assume it meant he wasn't as certain of this as she was.
Varric smiled softly. “That you’ll smother her a bit too much, and not let her grow into her own.”
It took her a moment to process that, what it meant. "You'll have to make certain I don't."
“What do you think I’m here for, to look pretty?” He grinned at her. “Well, besides looking pretty.”
“I think you’re here because I need you,” she answered honestly. “You’re truly willing to adopt her?”
She simply wanted to be certain.
"I don't know that I'll be the best role-model in the world. But yes. We can make Hawke babysit." He flashed her a grin, like 'what's the worse that could happen?'
She chuckled. “And I’m certain she’ll be thrilled.” She gently tugged him closer. “You underestimate yourself. You’ll be good for her.”
Varric didn’t reply, just bumped his hip against hers. He’d never considered himself much of a family man, and he wasn’t sure he was. Or if he should even try. But it made Helen happy, and it wasn’t something he was absolutely against, so he was more than willing to give it a shot. Besides, Alice was adorable.
It did make her happy. More than she ever would have expected. Alice had quickly found a place in her heart, and she wanted them to be a family. More than anything.
“Now, about that list…Where should we begin?”
Varric pointed at a store. "There. I want to wrap the best gifts hidden inside sweaters. You know, for that brief moment of disappointment followed by joy."
Varric Tethras: Trolling five year-olds.
That earned him a rather rare eyeroll, but she was smiling. Shaking her head, she started them in that direction.
Grinning to himself, Varric followed, checking over his list again like a very short santa.
“And what are you most hoping to surprise her with?”
"Don't know yet. Probably the furby. I hear those are big again this year."
“Are they? And are they still quite so disturbing?” The lack of television means she has no knowledge of their return to popularity, but she does vaguely recall their first time around.
"Disturbing as all hell." Varric was planning on getting one himself, teaching it lewd, dirty things, and giving it to Hawke. "But popular with the kids."
She didn’t look convinced. What was it he’d said about smothering her? Oh, yes, she was already fretting. “You’re certain she isn’t too young?”
“I’m certain. She’s not going to choke, or anything. I’ve got some other toys on the list too. I think she might have a little tomboy in her.” Varric smiled.
“What makes you believe that?”
"Because all little girls have a little tomboy in them," Varric replied, grinning at her.
“Ah.” That might have been her polite way of disagreeing, except she couldn’t really argue with his logic. “Something you hope to encourage?”
“I want to encourage her to be who she’s supposed to be, not who we or society thinks she should be. I watched my sister grow up being someone she wasn’t.” It had colored Varric’s world view.
“She seems to have found herself,” she murmured gently, lacing her fingers through his. “We aren’t going to force Alice into being anyone she doesn’t want to be.”
“Great,” Varric replied, grinning. He sort of looked forward to being Santa.
“We’ll be okay,” she said softly, “We’ll be a family.”
Nodding, Varric then took her on a whirlwind through the store. They got most everything on the list, a few things that weren’t that Helen had found, and probably spent more money than was wise, but Varric liked to spend money on people.