Some days, it's hard to believe it took sixteen years for Varric to finally enjoy a peaceful day in Kirkwall with Hawke without something trying to kill them. Sixteen years! Just thinking about it made him feel ancient, even though he was only in his late forties. But the past five years have been a welcome change, a chance to live a more relaxed life together, despite the mess left by Anders blowing up half the city and Meredith's rampage destroying the other half. There were moments when Varric would reflect on those chaotic days and wish he could relive them, but being here with Hawke made it all worthwhile.

Right now, Varric was enduring a particularly dull meeting with droning bureaucrats while Hawke was likely rifling through his office mail as if she owned the place. The thought of her messing around in his office brought a soft smile to his face, even as he listened to a tedious sixty-something drone on about taxes or some other nonsense. When the meeting finally ended, Varric escaped to his bedroom, only to find Hawke comfortably lounging on his bed, still sifting through his mail.

Seeing Hawke like that lit up his face, filling him with warmth. When she looked up and smiled as Varric walked over to the bed to sit on the edge. He gave her knee a gentle pat before putting on his glasses to see what she had discovered. "So, how's my favorite Champion of Kirkwall doing today?" he asked, a playful glint in his eyes. "Hope you're having a good time with my mail."