Chapter Text
A young woman stepped outside of the local diner before taking a deep breath. Her heart felt heavy, but lighter than it had been earlier that week. The day was marked forever in her heart as the anniversary of her fiance's death.
She sighed as she looked up at the blue sky as the wind picked up a little. Only a few strands of hair blew in the wind, for her dark brown hair was in a loose side braid. Her brown eyes watched the people move around the stands in the center of the small town. A small smile appeared on her lips.
Sam always hated coming here because of the heat... but he always came with me anyways...
“Atriiinaa, hello?”
Atrina blinked at the hand that was waving in front of her face. Looking up she saw her best friend standing next to her.
Hazel green eyes held concern as the taller one of the two looked down at her. “Are you okay?”
Atrina shook her head before smiling. “Sorry, I'm fine, just lost in thought,” she said, receiving a look from black haired woman. Atrina sighed. “Wanda, I'm fine, or I will be. It's been two years... Sure, it still hurts, but it's gotten easier,” she told her with a sad smile.
Wanda hugged her around her petite shoulders. “I know.”
Because of the hug Atrina's smile held more happiness. “Come on, let's see if there's anything we can fawn over and wish we could buy,” she said before they headed to the first stand.
The stand held ornate swords and daggers. Atrina picked up a dagger that she particularly liked.
“If these weren't sharpened, you could totally use these for a rogue cosplay!” Wanda said, causing Atrina to laugh a little.
“Oh, that would be so fun!” she agreed before putting the dagger back down.
“We should totally do that one day, you can be an elf and I think I'll do a mage,” Wanda suggested, picturing how they would look. “Maybe do some Grey Warden armor?”
“I'd rather be my human rogue from the game,” Atrina stated as they stepped away from the stand. The women walked together towards the next one.
“That's only because you want to be queen with Alistair,” Wanda said as Atrina laughed once more.
“You know it! It's the safest one, it keeps Alistair safe and I get to be queen!” she said, grinning.
“Speaking of Dragon Age, have you played anymore?”
Atrina sighed sadly. “No... with the two jobs I have to work I only have time to eat and sleep... I'm lucky I got today off from both places.”
“Awe that sucks.”
“I've tried starting a new character though, but I have so much issue doing anything other than the female Cousland...” she stated as they moved to a stand that held jewelry.
“You want a happy ending, nothing wrong with that,” Wanda said, handling the sparkling jewelry.
“Yeah, and that was fine before, but now I want to really try and romance someone other than...” she trailed off when she suddenly felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. What the... she thought before looking around. A strange feeling came over her, but at the same time it felt familiar.
“Alistair, I know,” Wanda said not noticing anything was off.
“Yeah...” Atrina mumbled as her brown eyes scanned the crowd before she started walking away.
“What do you think of-- Atrina?” Wanda turned to see her short best friend wasn't next to her anymore.
Atrina walked through the crowd not even sure what she was looking for. It wasn't until something blue and silver caught her eye that she stopped. Looking in the direction of what grabbed her attention she gaped at the man dressed in blue and silver armor. Her eyes widened when she recognized the armor.
Omg! He's dressed as a warrior Grey Warden! she thought, feeling excited. He's just missing his sword and shield or two handed weapon.
She looked up at the man's head as his back was to her. He had dark golden blonde hair which made her think of Alistair. Suddenly he turned his head in her direction and his eyes landed on her.
Atrina tensed for being caught staring, but more so for the fact that the man actually looked similar to Alistair. He's older... Inquisition maybe?
He kept looking in her direction almost as if he had seen a ghost. Looking around her, she saw a few people glance at him, but they all ignored him for the most part. Turning her gaze back to him her eyes went wider when he started heading in her direction.
Without warning she suddenly took off back towards where she had last seen Wanda.
“Wait!” She heard him call, his voice sounding almost exactly like Alistair's, which somehow made her go faster.
How can he sound like him too? I know that's not Steve Valentine!
Because of her size she lost him easily in the crowd. When she had a moment to gather her bearings she rested against the side of a building.
“Atrina! There you are!” Wanda said the moment she saw her. “What's up?” she asked, coming up to her, wearing a new sparkling bracelet.
“There's a guy cosplaying as Alistair!” Atrina exclaimed her head popping up.
“What?! Where?” Wanda swerved around to look.
“Um, well, I kinda ran from him...” Atrina admitted as she suddenly felt stupid for doing so. I think it was the look in his eyes that made me run... she thought, remembering how he looked at her when he saw her.
“Why? Wait, was he chasing you?”
Atrina blushed. “Um, well... I don't know... He just started coming towards me from across the street. I guess I got flustered and took off...”
“Well, come on, we need to find him again!” Wanda stated, taking her arm and pulling her back into the crowd. “I'm not letting you miss a chance to get your picture taken with Alistair!”
Atrina laughed a little though her heart raced. “I look terrible though! I'm all sweaty and gross...”
“I bet he is too under all that armor,” Wanda commented, looking around for him. “Let's just ask, okay? What's he wearing?”
“Well, he's dressed as Grey Warden Alistair, so I think it's the blue and silver armor from Inquisition,” she told her.
“Ah! Found him,” Wanda said excitedly before leading Atrina to him.
Atrina had to wait for them to move further through the crowd to see him. The cosplayer was leaning against a building looking irritable.
“Um... he looks upse--”
“Grey Warden Alistair,” Wanda called when they were closer to him.
Atrina flinched a little. Never mind...
He looked over at Wanda in surprise as they came over to him. “Um... hello?”
Atrina took a deep breath before stepping out from behind Wanda. “Hi! I really like your armor,” she said smiling brightly while trying to get her heart to stop beating fast.
He openly stared down at her with almost a look of disbelief on his face. His copper eyes didn't leave her face at all making her feel even more nervous. Blush crept up her cheeks as her heart skipped a beat.
“Sorry for running earlier. Though I don't even know if it was me you were coming towards,” she apologized not sure what else to say.
“Can she get a picture with you?” Wanda asked, deciding it was taking too long.
The Alistair cosplayer broke the staring contest to look at Wanda. “What?” he asked, looking confused and adorable.
He's too handsome... Atrina thought before laughing nervously. “Um, yeah, I was going to ask that, Wanda,” she said, giving her friend a sideways glare.
“Just wanted to help,” Wanda responded, grinning at her.
She rolled her eyes before looking back at the man who still looked confused. “Yeah, sorry, Alistair's my favorite character from the games,” Atrina said, hoping to throw off his confusion. “And you look amazingly like him! It's almost like you stepped out of the games.”
He still looked confused, then shook his head, seeming to remember something. “Right... uh, your favorite you said?” he asked a hint of a grin on his lips.
Smiling at him not seeming upset anymore, Atrina continued, “Who doesn't love him? Though I'm sure there are a few--”
“But they're all idiots,” Wanda cut her off, nodding her head.
“Well... then they're just jealous of my dashing looks,” 'Alistair' stated, causing Atrina to laugh. His smile grew a little.
“You even got his personality down! I love it!” she exclaimed, jumping a little. His smile fell a little, but she didn't notice. “So, you kept him as a Grey Warden in Origins instead of making him king?” she asked, feeling completely curious about the choices he made in his play through.
“Wait... you made m-- him king?” he asked, his smile completely gone as a look of shock replaced it. “Why?”
Atrina felt shocked by the sudden change in mood from him. “Um... because I thought he would be a great king, because I didn't want Anora to banish him, and I wanted my character to have a happy ending with him.” She exchanged looks with Wanda, who was just as confused.
“Wait, what? How is that a happy ending? You forced someone to be king when they didn't want to be! And what do you mean your character with him?”
“Because him and the Hero of Ferelden were married, my character was with him as queen.”
He looked even more confused now. “Pardon?”
She resisted rolling her eyes. “My character was a noble woman, you know, the Cousland? So she was able to marry him.”
His confusion didn't disappear. “You... weren't an elf?” he said almost sounding disappointed.
“Um... no? Obviously if my character became queen.” Atrina tilted her head to the side. “Why would you assume I played one of the elf origins?”
“Because you--uh... It just seems you would, I suppose? Maybe... Tabris?” he offered.
“Tabris? Oh the city elf? I tried that one, first one I started actually... but I found it to be the most depressing...” she answered, looking away. She had been reminded too much of her fiance and how they also never had their wedding. Anything with weddings has done that for a long time... Now I could probably get away with playing it without issues...
“Really?” Alistair asked, causing her to look back up at him. “Why?”
Her jaw tensed as she started feeling more upset. “Personal.”
“Besides,” Wanda piped up, trying to bring the tension back down. “She wouldn't have been able to be queen if she was an elf. No matter how much Alistair loved her character, when he becomes king, he breaks up with the Warden. Well, unless he's hardened, then she can become his mistress.”
He looked at Atrina in disbelief. “So... you were a human noble... and made Alistair king... just so you could possibly be queen?”
“Yes! Is that wrong? I wanted what I thought would be a happy ending for them, I didn't know the Hero would disappear later on to try and find a cure for the Calling! I thought she would rule with him,” she stated, becoming absolutely livid.
How dare he tell her that her play through was wrong?
Alistair looked like he had been punched in the gut. “Wait... she lived...?”
“Well, yeah! I took Morrigan's offer! I admit, I felt bad for making Alistair sleep with her--”
“You made him sleep with Morrigan?! What, did you let Loghain live too!”
“Of course not! Alistair killed the bastard!”
“Glad to hear you did something right...” he mumbled to himself, but she heard him.
“Really?!” Her voice rose as she felt anger towards the stranger. “Who are you to state what is right? I think, Alistair, that you were hardened and I bet the Hero didn't return your feelings for her!”
He took a step towards her, anger flaring in his eyes. “Don't ever talk about things you clearly don't understand,” he spoke in a low voice, pain and anger behind every word. “I died when she took that killing blow, leaving me alone in a world that lost all of its color.”
A shiver went through her as she stared up at him. His face was close to hers, giving her a chance to see every detail. The scars on his skin and the scars on his soul. Even though it was crazy, deep down, she started to believe he really was Alistair.
That's not possible... she thought while feeling her heart break a little when she could see how broken he was. “...I'm sorry...” she spoke softly as her eyes didn't leave his. “I've... lost someone important to me too...” She glanced away as she suddenly recalled the feelings she had when she found out Sam had died.
Looking back up at Alistair she saw his eyes studying her. It felt like he was searching for something.
Before she could say anything she felt an arm around her waist. Surprise filled her as Alistair stood up straight and pulled her up against him.
“You... said you wanted a picture?” he asked, looking at her with a soft gaze.
Atrina blushed as she wiggled a little in his grasp. “U-um, yes?”
He smiled at her reaction. “Hope this makes up for how I've acted towards you.”
“Oh, you'll have to take a lot of pictures with her then,” Wanda stated, reminding them that she was still there. “You made my bestie very upset, so I hope you like posing with her for as long as she wants.”
He chuckled. “I think I can handle that punishment.”
Atrina felt herself heat up more. “Uh, Wanda, use my phone,” she said, shifting to get her phone out of her jean pocket. Her back was against his chest as she got her phone out.
Handing it to Wanda she felt something rest on her head. “Um...” she trailed off when she felt another arm go around her waist.
“Oh! Hold that pose!” Wanda ordered before quickly taking a picture.
Atrina smiled for the picture as her heart beat fast. Why was he holding her like that?
“Got it! Take a look, Atrina,” Wanda said, coming over to her to show her the picture.
Alistair's arms tensed around her. “Your name is... Atrina?”
“Hm? Yes. I know, a weird sounding name. Grandmother was named 'Katrina', but while my mother wanted me named after her, she didn't like it, so she took off the 'k',” she explained as she took the phone from Wanda and looked at the picture.
It was as she thought, Alistair had rested his chin on her head. He looked absolutely happy and content with holding her, while she was smiling, her cheeks all pink.
Alistair peered down over her shoulder to look at the picture on the phone. “Maker, is that us?” he gasped, looking down at the phone in amazement, as if he had never seen a digital picture before.
“It is called a picture, Alistair,” she teased, figuring he was playing the part still.
“And what is the frame? How did it get an image of us?” He pointed to the phone, causing her to giggle a little.“Come on, now! Don't laugh, I'm serious,” he pouted, resting his chin on her shoulder.
“Say 'cheese'!” Wanda called, catching them off guard.
“Cheese? Where?” Alistair blurted out, looking around.
Atrina let out a laugh, her head going back against his chest. “Oh my gosh, you're perfect!” She grinned up at him.
He looked down at her with a sweet smile, successfully giving her butterflies. “Actually...” he began, leaning his head down closer to hers. “You're the perfect one,” he whispered, his eyes full of love.
Atrina's eyes widened as her mind tried to compute what was happening. “U-um... I think... I think pictures are done now. You can let me go now.”
His arms didn't budge. “I can't,” he said as his expression grew serious. “I'm sorry, but I can't let you go. You need to fix things.”
“What?”
He adjusted her in his arms to where she was pressed against his hip as he removed an arm from around her. He grabbed a vial out of his belt, colors swirling inside of it. Without hesitation he threw the bottle down at their feet.
“Hey! What're you doing?!” Wanda shouted suddenly, knocking Atrina out of her stupor.
She started to struggle in the man's arms. “Let me go!”
Wanda started beating Alistair where she could. “You drop her right now!”
“I can't! I need her to save Ferelden,” he shouted back, pushing Wanda away.
“You're insane!” Wanda shouted, running back over to them.
A bright light started to rise at their feet where the vial had been thrown, causing Wanda to pause. “What the hell?”
“Come on, come on...” Alistair mumbled as the petite woman kept struggling. “Maker's beard, woman! Will you stop struggling?”
“No!” Atrina answered as the light got brighter, almost consuming them. Suddenly she felt a strange pull in her gut. “Wanda!”
“Damn it, Morrigan, you told me it would be quick,” he complained before whispering to Atrina. “I'm sorry... but we need you, I need you.”
Atrina turned to him at his words. “What? Y-you don't even know me!”
“I know you better than you think,” he said before he started glowing. “Don't you dare die on me this time.”
This time? she thought before he suddenly kissed her lips.
The kiss was deep, full of passion and a want that she didn't understand.
Alistair suddenly pulled away with a shout. “Ow! Stop hitting me!”
Wanda grabbed Atrina's wrist, joining the two in the light. “Not until you let her go, you jerk!” she ordered, smacking him with her heavy purse.
Before anyone could answer, the light fully engulfed them to where Atrina couldn't see either Wanda or Alistair. Warmth filled her from her core, growing hotter and hotter.
Lights of colors filled her vision and soon she passed out, her mind not being able to handle what she was seeing.