Chapter Text
No…
Solas had feared for this. He had his suspicions when they were back at Haven, but seeing the child close the rift made him realize the severity of the situation.
He had come into contact with the foci.
The elf stood in the background, watching intently as the child made conversation with Cassandra and Varric.
“You alright, kid?” Varric asked, the two looked just as surprised as he was despite their unfamiliarity with this sort of magic. The child said little and went to great lengths to avoid eye contact. After a moment, he buried his face into his hands. Solas made his way towards the three as he began to hear soft muffled sobs coming from his direction.
“It hurts…” He lifted his head, red and stuffy from the sudden outburst. Solas’ heart broke. This was his fault. Everything about this situation was because of him. “It really…really really hurts…”
The mark crackled and fizzed, a reaction from being so close to the Fade and rifts surrounding them. He screamed out in pain, tears still falling into the snow.
“Let me have a look. If nothing else, I can ease the pain.” Solas smiled, kneeling down in front of him. It was the least he could do for this child. He held out his hand and with a sniffle, the small child offered him his in return. It was so small. In all the ways he had envisioned what would happen here, he had not been prepared for anything like this.
Still he had to make the most of this.
“Da’len, what is your name?” Solas spoke as sparks of healing magic eased out of his being, concentrating completely on the mark.
“V-Varian.” His breath hitched as he tried to fight through his tears. He watched Solas with wonder, a look of hope twinkling in his eyes. Solas smiled.
“Varian, it will be alright. I am here, all of us are. If you need anything at all, you come to us, alright?” The child’s hand warmed with the healing magic, but most importantly, the child smiled and nodded slowly. “We’re going to make sure you are safe.”
“Do you have any idea what this magic is, Solas?” Cassandra asked behind him. Solas and Varian made eye contact and Solas did his very best to remain as soft as possible so that he wouldn’t scare him.
“I am not certain. It is unlike anything I have ever seen, but I will study it. I’m sure one of the spirits from my walks in the Fade will have some answers.”
Yes. He would do all he could for him. He had to find a way to remove it.
“You will be fine, da’len.” Solas patted him on the head before using his walking stick to push himself back to his feet. “Now then, we-”
A small object ran into his leg and held on tightly. He knew what it was, but he had hoped he was wrong. Solas looked down to see Varian, hugging him tightly, a happy smile across his face. The elf sighed softly. Whatever was going to happen, this would not end well.
Not used to this much physical contact, Solas awkwardly patted him once more, only being offered another gesture in return. Varian held his hands up. He wasn’t used to being around children, but it was obvious what it meant. “Ma nuvenin, da’len.” Solas leaned down and picked him up, awkwardly holding him close.
This was…unlike anything he had ever experienced.
As he held him close, Varian closed his eyes and seemed to drift off to sleep almost immediately.
Solas smiled once more, hearing his two companions walk up behind him.
Varric chuckled. “Well, shit…”