Bruh, yet again, I'm too late. But so much shit came up, and managing the Lucanismancer server kinda occupied me too, and now I'm again a day too late. It's still a great chapter, though! Snippet after the link!!
Finally, they reached the rotunda and the flight of stairs leading to his room. Solas pushed the door open just enough to let her slip inside first, clearly prioritizing her compromised state.
Amatisha had barely ducked into the safety of his room when a familiar voice called out.
“Hey, Chuckles! What’re you up to this late?”
*Shit.*
She froze mid-step, her heart lurching in her chest. *Varric. Perfect timing, as always.*
Amatisha darted into the nearest corner of the room, practically throwing herself out of sight as she strained her ears.
Solas, standing calmly in the doorway, didn’t miss a beat. “Varric. What can I do for you at this hour?” His voice was so smooth, so devoid of any tension, that it made her want to scream. How did he do that? How did he mask his emotions so perfectly?
She pressed her back against the wall, praying Varric wouldn’t step inside. Whatever this conversation was, it needed to end quickly—because if the dwarf so much as glanced her way, she’d *never* hear the end of it.
Amatisha inched closer to the door, careful to keep her breathing steady. Her pulse hammered in her ears, but finally, she was close enough to make out the conversation.
“You know, I haven’t seen Sunshine around lately,” came Varric’s voice, his tone laced with suspicion.
Amatisha froze. *Damn it.*
“Why should that concern me?” Solas’s voice was calm—too calm, like he was trying too hard. “She is likely resting, or occupied with something of her own. It is hardly unusual."
*Really? That’s the best you’ve got?* Amatisha rolled her eyes. She didn’t rest unless she was on the verge of collapsing, and everyone knew it.
Varric let out a snort so loaded with disbelief that Amatisha almost lost it.
“Come on, Chuckles. You really expect me to buy that? Nobody’s seen her since this afternoon. Not in her room, not anywhere. I just thought she might join me for a drink.” He paused, his voice softening. “Figured after the mess earlier, she could use one.”
Amatisha’s chest tightened, warmth spreading through her. Varric, for all his rough edges, cared. And it wasn’t just him—Dorian, too. Somehow, she’d found a family here, among the Inquisition.
But that didn’t mean she was about to reveal herself. She tugged her shirt tighter around her bare chest and stayed put.
“I am afraid I am just as in the dark as you, Varric,” Solas replied smoothly. “I have not seen her either. She has been... avoiding me as well.”
Amatisha bit her lip, swallowing a laugh. *Wow. That was terrible.* For someone as brilliant as Solas, he was absolute trash at lying when cornered. She’d caught him before, and the way he always stumbled through it was hilarious.
But to her shock, Varric didn’t push. “Well, I tried. Figured she’d run to you, but I guess I was wrong. She’ll turn up when she’s ready. See you around, Chuckles.”
His footsteps faded, and Amatisha let out a long breath.
“He is gone,” Solas said as he stepped inside, shutting the door firmly behind him.
“Thank the Maker.” Amatisha slumped against the wall, the tension bleeding out of her. “That could’ve been a *real* pain in the ass—for me, at least.”
Solas raised a brow. She shot him a look. “I can't believe he actually bought that. You’re a terrible liar, you know that?"
His head snapped back, mock offense flashing across his face. “I am not.”
“Uh, yeah, you are.” Her lips curved into a wicked grin. Was he…pouting? “Aww, poor Solas. Not used to being called out for something you actually suck at?”
“I am not pouting.” His voice dipped, low and sharp, but she caught the way his nose wrinkled in irritation.
“Oh, you totally are. And here I thought you had a handle on everything,” she teased, taking a step toward him.
“Why must you always be so…” He waved a hand, his patience clearly slipping.
“Charming? Adorable? Funny?”
“Exhausting.”
Amatisha gasped, clutching her chest in offense. “That was mean, Solas.”
