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One never knows what to expect from the Fade. Evelyn thought she had seen it all until he came to her one night while she was sleeping.
She hadn’t laid eyes on him since the Inquisition officially disbanded, everyone going their separate ways. It left Evelyn feeling empty, unsure of where to go next. The Inquisition had given her a reason to fight and the people she cared for deeply.
He was one of those people
Once.
Then he left without any explanation, only to show up two years later.
He took her arm but gave Evelyn back time.
Many things were left unsaid when she stumbled out of the Eluvian, clutching what remained of her arm.
Evelyn has finally managed to carve out some semblance of a life for herself here in Kirkwall. She took Varric up on his offer, after much insistence on his part, and the transition was difficult.
But finally, things are starting to look up.
Then he shows up in her dreams.
“Solas?” Evelyn whispers, his name sounding foreign on her lips.
He stands there, looking like a nug caught in the firelight. Without a word, he vanishes.
Solas looked as surprised to see her as she was seeing him.
Then it happens again a few nights later.
It’s a repeat of the second time. Solas leaves.
The third time he lingers there for a moment, watching her with an unreadable expression.
Evelyn grows frustrated, hating going to sleep now. Every time she sees Solas, her heart aches.
It doesn’t matter how much has happened between them. Evelyn loves Solas-- will always love Solas.
Nothing ever happened, but there were these lingering glances, the gentle brush of their hands against each other.
She tried once to tell Solas of her feelings. The rejection stung, but she pushed forward because Thedas needed her.
Their friendship rebounded quite quickly. It became an unspoken moment between them, always there, but never being acknowledged.
“Solas, I grow tired of this game,” Evelyn whispers, finally breaking the fragile silence that’s been forming since she started seeing him in her dreams.
He stares at Evelyn with such an intense gaze it makes Evelyn nearly want to look away.
“I assure you, Evelyn, that this is no game.”
She bristles. “Then why do you keep coming to me? You already torment my waking thoughts and now my dreams. It’s too much.”
“It was not my intention to cause you harm.”
Evelyn frowns. “Solas, you still have yet to answer my question; why do you keep seeking me out?”
“It is… unintentional.”
Solas looks uncomfortable and unsure of himself. He always looks sure of himself.
It’s not a look she associates with him very often.
“I see,” Evelyn says, unsure of what else to say. “If you insist on showing up in my dreams, at least do me the favor of engaging in conversation with me.”
He blinks, a smile making its way to his lips.
“As you wish, Evelyn.”
***
From that moment on, Solas doesn’t turn away without another word. He appears uncomfortable again, but Evelyn ignores it.
She talks about anything and everything that comes to her mind. Solas seems content enough to listen.
It reminds Evelyn of when they would be in the library, studying late into the night. He taught her so much about the fade that she never knew, opening her mind.
But one can’t go back, no matter how much they wish to.
Evelyn can’t say what is happening or why she is indulging in this.
The one thing she knows is that she’s missed Solas over these past few years. He’s doing something maddening and she simply can’t agree with him tearing down the Veil, but it doesn’t eliminate her feelings for him.
They stubbornly remain there, a sharp reminder of the past.
Eventually, there comes a time, when Evelyn starts to dread going to sleep. She starts to look forward to it, making for quite a chance.
It fills her with anxiety and dread, but there is no going back.
One night, while they are enjoying each other’s presence in the fade, Evelyn asks the question that has been plaguing her mind since he first showed up in her dreams.
“You still intend to go through with the ritual?”
Evelyn already knows the answer, but she must ask for the brief, fleeting hope that he has come to his senses and will change his mind.
Solas turns to Evelyn, reaching out to cup her cheek. She doesn’t flinch, leaning into the touch. His palm is warm, taking her back to the only time they nearly kissed.
If not for a soldier bursting in, telling her Leliana needed her presence immediately, it would have happened.
“Yes, Evelyn. There is no other way.”
Her eyes flicker up towards him. “I wish you wouldn’t.”
“I know.”
“I wish things were different.”
He hesitates, rubbing a gloved thumb over her cheekbone.
“As do I.”
Their lips meet in a fierce kiss. Evelyn twines her arms around his neck, clinging to Solas and not wanting to let him go.
The kiss is over far too soon. He looks down at her, smiling sadly.
“You’re leaving?”
“Yes, I must go.”
Evelyn bites her bottom lip. “Will I see you again?”
“In your dreams, yes.”
She closes her eyes, letting out a shaky breath. When she opens them, she smiles faintly.
“I’ll see you tomorrow night then.”
When Evelyn wakes up, she feels disappointed. She stares up at the ceiling, trying to blink back the tears that threaten to fall.
What is she doing?
Indulging in whatever this is, is dangerous. But she can’t stop. She doesn’t want to stop, something she is forced to admit to herself because it is the truth.
Evelyn loves Solas, despite everything he has done. She’s never stopped loving him.
There is still hope that Evelyn and what is left of the Inquisition will be able to save him from himself. She won’t stop until the very moment he brings down the Veil.