Helen Magnus (britishcharm) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2013-02-17 01:05:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, helen magnus, varric tethras |
“I had a little encounter at the bar.”
Who: Helen & Varric.
What: Varric comes home late.
When: February...something. After his bar fight.
Where: Their house.
Rating: Straying into high territory. Maybe R.
Status: Complete!
It wasn’t easy, being a Tethras. Or a dwarf, for that matter. Varric was pretty sure he’d lost a couple of inches. Fortunately he didn’t think he’d miss them. He did miss how much harder it was to get completely sloshed, but at least he could drink a little harder and still come home relatively sober, for Helen’s sake.
Today, though, he had a black eye, and assorted bruises on his knuckles and face. He was whistling a jaunty tune, as he opened the door.
Helen had tucked Alice in what seemed like hours ago, but she was still waiting up for him when he walked through the door. The black eye caught her attention first, and she was out of her seat almost immediately, crossing to stand in front of him. Gently cupping his cheek, she winced as she examined his eye.
“What happened?”
“I had a little encounter at the bar,” Varric replied, cheerfully.
“A little encounter?”
“Just a smidge.” He held up his fingers, close together. “It was fun. There was minimal property damage.”
“I’m more concerned about personal damage,” she muttered, carefully lifting his hand to get a better look at his knuckles.
“Just some bruising. The guy deserved it.” Varric chuckled, then winced. “Oh that’s tender.”
She fixed him with a look that was part concern, part disapproval. “I’d prefer you weren’t spending your evenings picking fights with strange men in a bar.”
“Now now, Rabbit, you’re assuming I picked the fight. I was merely....researching material, for one of my novels.”
“Research?” Yeah. She wasn’t buying that. “And what exactly are you planning to write about?”
“A rough and tumble saloon in the old west,” Varric replied, rubbing at his knuckles. “And I might have wanted to drink with an old friend, who brings trouble.”
“I doubt the two settings are comparable.” But she would let it slide with a soft warning. “Not too much trouble.”
“As you wish.” He gave her an elaborate bow, but there was a twinkle in his eyes. “What have you been up to, today?”
“Working. Playing with Alice.” It was how she’d been spending most days, lately.
“We need to go out, just you and I.” Varric missed the time they got to spend alone. “You also should meet Scotty.”
She looked reluctant. “And what will we do with Alice?”
“Babysitter.” Varric smiled cheerfully. “Maybe I could talk Scotty into it.”
“It has to be someone I know. No strangers.”
“Any suggestions, then?” Varric raised his eyebrows. Maybe it would help get Hawke out of her funk.
She shook her head, absently smoothing his shirt; her preferred choices were both out of reach.
He lifted a hand to her cheek, then leaned in and up to kiss her jaw. “We’ll find someone.”
She gingerly wrapped her arms around him. He wasn't the only one who missed their time together; she had been spending too much time avoiding life.
“I really would like to go out."
"You were right. I shouldn't dwell."
“With you, mind. The going out thing.”
“I know. I’d like that. We’ll find someone to watch Alice.”
Varric regarded her for a moment. “Anything you want to try?”
That earned a slight, confused frown. "What do you mean?"
“Food wise. Restaurant. Maybe even a show!”
“It doesn’t matter. It will be good to get out of the house.” She flashed him a small smile. “With adult company.”
“Then you probably shouldn’t go out with me,” he joked, laughing.
She leaned down to kiss him. “I think you’ll do.”
“Mmm...Kiddo asleep?”
She nodded. “I tucked her in a while ago.”
Varric smiled at her. “I have boo-boos, you should kiss them better.”
“Should I?” she asked, with just a hint of teasing.
“I guess I’ll have to kiss them myself,” Varric replied, slipping out of her grasp and heading for the bathroom to wash up.
She smiled, shaking her head. “I don’t think that will be necessary. Come to bed when you’re finished; I’ve missed you.”
In that case, Varric hurried.
She couldn’t help but peek into Alice’s room before heading to her own, making certain she was still sleeping soundly. Moving into her own room, she changed into one of John’s old shirts, once again marveling at the fact she had someone who wasn’t threatened by that.
It was just a shirt. If Varric felt threatened by it, he didn’t think about it. He loved her, rough spots and all (and there had been few of those). He came into the bedroom, smiling at her.
And she loved that he was that person. She held out a hand to him. “Feeling better?”
“Feeling wonderful.” He took her hand.
She gently tugged him closer. “Good.”
Varric cupped Helen’s face, kissing her gently. “And now I feel even better.”
Smiling against his lips, she murmured a soft, “Come to bed,” before kissing him again.
“As you wish...”
Taking his hand again, she led him back to the bed, sitting and pulling him down with her.
Varric kissed Helen again, letting his hands explore in gentle touches. He was still a bit sore himself, from the brawl.
She was happy to accommodate; she preferred a softer touch. Pulling him closer, she slid a hand over his chest, fitting it against the curve of his neck.
“Love you,” Varric said. They were always special words to him.
“I love you, too,” she murmured, kissing him again.
“mm..I think we need to prove this theory,” he responded, rolling onto his back and pulling Helen on top of him. His eyes flitted across her neck and her face.
She trailed light kisses along his jaw, down his neck to his chest. “Do you have so little faith in me?”
“Mm, I always have faith in you, Rabbit.” He stroked his fingers through her hair.
"Good." This time, she kissed him a little more deeply, letting her hands wander.
Varric laughed softly, whispering her name, kissing with need.
“I love you,” she repeated, hands straying lower.
“I love you too,” Varric murmured.
Bracing herself, she reached for his hand, pressing a gentle kiss to his bruised knuckles. “I’m still not certain what I did to deserve you.”
“Been yourself,” he assured her.
She freed him of his shirt, hands sliding over his shoulders as she leaned down to kiss him. “You always say that.”
“It’s always the truth,” he assured her. There were a few bruises on his chest, but nothing serious.
“Sometimes I believe you.”
“Right now?”
She chuckled. “I’m not sure now is the best time to trust your judgment.”
“Sure it is, Rabbit.” Varric laughed, and cupped her face. “It’s always a good time.”
“No more fights?”
“None that I’ll start,” he promised.
That was enough of a promise to satisfy her for the moment, and she took his hand again, kissing his palm.
Varric smiled, trailing his fingers down her back, then to her side and across her ribs.
Sliding her hands down his stomach, she found the catch of his pants, slowly working them over his hips. There would be more than enough time for talking later.