Varric is beautifully captured here (he always was my favorite). His humour and perceptiveness are dead on. The only question I have is why he would be afraid to risk losing the friendship for something more? He always struck me as a bit of a risk taker. Maybe there's a backstory here? Could be another one-shot.

So I stumbled on this today, looking for F!Hawke / Varric romance fics, and only found 4 oneshots. LOL This one was by far the best one. :)

Aww. This was so cute. :)

Like many others, I greatly morn the lack of a romancable Varric. The man was just made for a tender and funny romance. I love seeing that come to fruition here.

While that's the heart of the story, I find the characterization of Hawke, the torture and subsequent lost years in Lothering, to be really interesting as well. There's such a story here, and an intriguing character study, with this Hawke. Given the brevity of this piece, there's a lot said.

Really wonderful stuff, Ole. You've got an amazing talent for hitting the heart of a story and finding all those emotional highs.

Absolutely wonderful read! I thoroughly enjoyed the tension, the hesitation, and then the willing acceptance of two people not often believably paired. I love your wording as well- "he could feel her pulse in the soft skin under his fingertips, smell the warm vanilla of her skin, taste it mixed with the fiery whiskey on her lips" - love it!

Great read!

I have never dared to read Hawke/Varric pairing, mostly because I could never picture it in my head enough to pursue further exploration. But I have to say, I'm glad you were my first. You made it believable, you made it honest, and you made it so bittersweet it brought me to tears.

Loved this, in case I wasn't clear above ;)

Ah, fluffy Varric goodness (of which, we could always use more). I really like the almost bittersweet undertone that ran through the story (until the end, of course, when our stalwart hero gets the girl). Neither Hawke nor Varric wanted to jeopardize what they have and risk losing everything, but they HAD to take the risk. Life is too short, and they know it.

Loved it!

Sweet little fic with very nice characterization, I think. I've read it twice today.

Simply wonderful. I tried to come up with something that sounded more intelligent to say, but those two words say it all. I remain in awe of your writing.

Yay! Love Varric and Hawke fic of all kinds. I just adore seeing someone break down Varric's observer-upon-life role. This was very nice, Ole!

Aw, what is it with those non-romanceable dwarves? ;A; Wonderfully done - and I seldom find Varric in romantic roles altogether believable. And the closing is just perfect. :)

What a wonderful story, Ole! Varric was spot on!
Nice job!

I was truly thrilled to be allowed to beta this and, as you know, I love it. The pacing is perfect. Varric's voice is equally perfect and the dialogue conveys so many subtle emotions, as well as the horrific past that separated them and Varric's touching fear. There is humor, pathos, redemption and Bianca!

I won't repeat myself, having gushed over this piece during beta, but it is truly a perfect gift for mille. And for the rest of us, as well!

What a lovely, lovely story.

Awwww! You got me Varric, and with a nice shiny bow, too! What a lovely story - the tension built so nicely that when she finally kissed him it was as large a payoff as if I had been there for all the years of waiting and longing. I loved his final hesitation, the last fear holding him back just that little bit more. Thank you, my friend!

Oh, Ole, this is wonderful. I loved the deft characterisation of Varric (I adore that dwarf), and the easiness of his friendship with Hawke.

"Every time he blows up his still, he puts it back together in new and interesting configurations" - giggling so hard. And the bit about her livestock - so clever! Snorfle snorfle snorfle.

And then a sudden turn into pathos - so powerful - and then romance. I loved Orana being the little voice of wisdom.

"Straight to his Undercity"? That's a new one. :D I love the banter too.

It's just perfect, Ole.