Moar siblingverse fic.

[tehluggage]

I figured what the hell, might as well post stuff I've already written. Beta'd by the ever-acommodating fangses, so many thanks to her.



Siblingverse, very G.

She decides to keep him as soon as she sees him. He’s standing – no, hiding – behind the Keeper, looking nervously fascinated by the elves crowding around him, so he doesn’t see Hana, standing on the edge of the crowd and looking determined. This new boy, all white skin and whiter hair, will be her new baby brother. Even if he turns out to be older than her, she’s been one of the Dalish all her life, so she’s the elder sibling.

Hana waits for him to be coaxed out from behind the Keeper’s leg, for all the important introductions to be made, and for the crowd to return to their own business before she marches up to him. Up close, he is shorter and skinnier than her, with fluffy hair she can’t wait to get her hands on, and pretty grey eyes that are gazing curiously back at her. She knows what he sees: a skinny girl child, with bright red hair in dozens of tiny braids, freckles everywhere, and big, bright green eyes.

“I’m Hana,” she announces. His expression does not change. “I’m an orphan, but that’s okay ‘cos I’ve got Ashalle, and she’s really nice. You’ll like her too!”

Now the boy looks faintly puzzled. Hana sighs, as he is either just not getting it, or dumber than he looks. She really hopes it’s not that, as any brother of hers has to be smart. Obviously, she needs to spell it out for him.

“You’re part of the Clan now, and that means you need a family to live with and take care of you, and I decided you’ll be part of my family, ‘cos I always wanted a little brother, and I’ll be your big sister and always watch out for you, and teach you all sorts of neat things, like how to hunt an’ sneak an’ stuff.” Hana stops, but only because she’s run out of breath. She knows that she babbles when she gets nervous, or when it’s about something important, and right now, this is the most important thing of all.

The boy – Hana doesn’t even know his name yet, she realises – now looks completely stunned. Above them, the Keeper is laughing quietly to herself.

“Well, boy,” she says. “Did I not tell you that you would have a place here? If you choose to live with Ashalle and young Hana here, you are most welcome to do so. If not, you are free to find someone else. Know that you will not be forced to live somewhere you are not happy.” She stops, smiles at Hana’s indignant expression and holds up a hand to forestall the inevitable furious protestations. “However. I think you will find life with Hana and Ashalle to be most enjoyable. Please, talk with her, explore the camp and at the end of the day, we will talk again.”

Hana watches the Keeper leave out of the corner of her eye, most of her attention fixed on the boy. Her new brother. He stares back at her, very nearly fearlessly. She laughs, then, which causes him to flinch just a little. He’ll be the best little brother anyone could ask for, she just knows it.

She asks, “What’s your name?”

For the first time, he smiles at her, and it transforms his face. What was a cold, if somewhat nervous mask is now warm and animated. He’s almost a different person.

He answers, “Telaan.”

Telaan. It’s a good name, if a little different. But that’s just fine, because so is hers, and it’s just more proof that they were meant to be family.

“C’mon, Telaan,” she cries, holding out her hand. “I’ll show you the halla and my bow and you can meet Ashalle and I’ll braid your hair just like mine!” Telaan takes her hand, somewhat shyly, and they race off together.

He hasn’t officially decided where he’ll stay, but Hana is absolutely certain Telaan will be her brother before the day is done.

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[tehluggage.livejournal.com]

Hee.