Chapter Text
Throughout the halls of Skyhold, you could hear peals of laughter and joy. A tiny elf hid behind a barrel of apples in the store room, unable to stop her giggling. All of a sudden, two hands grabbed her from behind, causing the little girl to squeal. The hands lifted her high into the air.
“Gotcha! You can't hide from me, Elfy!” Sera smiled, holding the squirming little girl on her hip. “Your momma is back, and proly lookin' for you.”
“But I didn't win.” The little one said sadly. “I wanted a cookie.”
Sera simply laughed, reached into a pocket, and pulled out a small cookie. “There you go, you little nug. Just this once though, right? We gotta get you to be as sneaky as me so we stick it to the big hats!” The little girl just smiled as she bit into her cookie, crumbs falling down her front. Sera carried the little one back to the grand hall where Lavellan was waiting. She stopped when she saw her.
She was missing an arm.
And she looked broken beyond all repair.
Once she saw Sera with her daughter, she reached out for her with her one arm, a weak smile on her face.
“Da'vhenan! I missed you, sweetie!” Her words were strained, she was holding back tears. Sera was frozen, but the little girl was not. She wiggled out of Sera's arms and ran to her mother.
“Mama, are you alright?” she asked, tiny voice full of so much concern. She hugged her mother, unperturbed by her missing arm.
“He lobbed off your arm?!” Sera finally found her voice.
“Easy there, Buttercup.” Varric appeared at her elbow, face tense.
“He did it to help.” Lavellan tried to glare, but the sadness in her eyes diminished the full effect.
Sera could barely contain her rage. “He lobbed off your arm, left you, BROKE YOUR HEART, AN' YOU STILL DEFEND HIM?!” She screamed at the end.
“Sera, the mark was killing her!” Varric glared at her. “Chuckles did the only thing he could to save her.”
“An' wot? Comin' back to help her raise his kid wouldn't help?!” She demanded. Lavellan winced as if Sera had physically struck her. Without a word, she picked up her daughter and retreated to her chambers, leaving her companions behind.
Sera felt terrible, but she never apologized. At least, not in a straightforward manner, but she almost felt like doing that. Lavellan was her friend, and her daughter was so cute, it was hard to not love her. The thought of either of them hurt made her angry, but hurting the asshat that hurt her friend would hurt them MORE. She didn't know what to do.
She growled, frustrated, kicking at the floor like a child. “I'm going to go dick with his stuff. Twat nugget, son of a...” she trailed off as she went to go find his old chambers. Varric guessed the most she would do is draw rude pictures on the walls. It would hurt Lavellan more if Sera ruined his things, and she knew that.
Lavellan still loved the man.
“Well, shit.” Varric ran a hand over his face. He was too old for all this emotional bullshit.
“That is a grave understatement, but I agree with Sera.” Cassandra spoke up, sounding tired. Varric looked at her in shock. “Solas, no matter what his plans may be, should have come back with her.” Her eyes hardened. “If I ever see him again, I'll introduce him to my sword. That is a promise.” She turned on her heal and left, leaving Varric flabbergasted. She had never willingly agreed with Sera or himself before, About anything.
“Well, Chuckles, if that's the case, I hope you stay far, far away. For your sake. And theirs.”