“Why do you think I invite you and Daisy over for cards, Blondie?” Varric teases as he unhooks his thumb from his necklace. He didn’t bother mentioning that he had his fingers in plenty of pies to pay off the Coterie no problem, not to mention the Deep Roads expedition, despite everything, had set him up for life.
(and the next two generations of little tethrases if there ever were any.)
Varric also doesn’t mention the fact that he believes strongly in Anders’ mission of helping people. Kirkwall wasn’t a fantastic place, but his clinic was one of the few places that was doing a net positive by all means. Varric’s seen that the Chantry’s hospitality only traveled so far, and never this deep into Kirkwall, so if someone was looking out for them? How was Varric not supposed to invest in the well-being of one mage with good intentions to help his home.
“I gotta earn my money back somehow, and you two have terrible poker faces in fantastically different ways… and perhaps you’re good company—” he waved his hand lazily, giving an easy grin to Anders.
It’s a kindness Anders doesn’t quite know what to do with; like he’s been handed a basket of snakes in the middle of the night, somewhere in Hightown, && left to figure it out himself — not unappreciated, just odd, with how he’s lived his life / how he’s seen people act, Varric’s little offhanded moments of kindness are just that; unexpected. Appreciated. Anders finds himself laughing.
“Oh. So it’s enjoyment, then. You just like watching Fenris take me for everything I’ve got.” He jokes back, putting on this mock little sigh though those words spoken are entirely truthful. He likely owes that man more money than he’ll ever hold. Teaches him to gamble when he’s about as good at lying as he is not being a mage.
“Thank you, Varric. I’ll find a way to repay you someday.” Can’t get too comfortable though; knowing what’s to come, this kindness won’t last — but that’s a musing for another, more dramatic day, && Anders knows not to delve too deep in the company of others. He adopts a little expression that borders on apologetic. “Not with coin, though, if I keep coming to your little meetings.”