Based on prompt #36 - "I wasn't going to mention it" for thewindysideofcare.

"Cassandra... about last night."

She halts, blade mere inches from her target's throat, her muscles contracting at the sudden interruption. Irritation pricks at her temples, but the roughness of his voice, the way it catches on her name - and not her title - makes her pause. Forcing a slow breathe through her lungs, she lowers her sword before turning to face him.

"Varric." Her voice carries more edge than she had intended, so she takes a moment to roll her shoulders and neck, willing herself to relax before continuing. "I wasn't going to mention it. I suppose I was foolish to think you would do the same."

In truth, Cassandra is disappointed, though not in him. No, she has enough self-awareness to recognize that she is afraid. Afraid of what he might say next, and embarrassed at her own cowardice.

She is supposed to seek the truth, not run from it as she did this morning.

Thankfully, Varric gives no indication that he notices her inner turmoil. Instead, he clasps his hands over his chest with an exaggerated pout. "That hurts, Seeker. I actually have tact, unlike some other people."

Well if that is how he's going to be, she doesn't have to listen. She squares her shoulders and turns back to the training dummy. She will drown out this unpleasantness with action.

Apparently Varric realizes he has gotten her hackles up and continues his observations in a lighter tone, his hands spread open in front of him.

"I just wanted to say that Tiny was somewhat unjustified in refusing to share a tent with you. You only snore like one druffalo, not a whole herd of them."

"Ughh." Cassandra slices the dummy across the chest, trying not to imagine a different idiot in its place.

She misses the glint in his eyes as he watches her mangle limbs of wood and leather.

"Though... since you were technically the one to bring it up first-"

"No."

Varric's grin is wicked.

"I'll gladly be your teddy bear whenever you have a bad dream," he drawls, before his voice roughens and drops lower than she has ever heard it. "Just give me some advance warning next time."

She freezes, her heart thudding to a painful standstill within her ribcage.

But then the moment passes and a warm glow suffuses her body. He may be an ass, but sometimes he surprises her.

"Hmpph." Cassandra raises an eyebrow, answering his grin with a smirk of her own. "Well, I suppose you do have the appropriate chest hair."