Which Dragon Age Fanfiction Delves Deepest Into The Slow-Burn Tension Between Isabela And Aveline?

I’ve spent years diving into 'Dragon Age' fanfics, and the ones that flip Cassandra and Varric’s rivalry into romance are some of the most compelling. One standout is a fic where they’re forced to work undercover in Orlais, posing as a noble couple. The tension between Cassandra’s stoicism and Varric’s wit slowly melts into mutual respect, then something deeper. The author nails their voices—Cassandra’s gruff exterior hiding vulnerability, Varric’s jokes masking his care. The story uses their shared trauma from Kirkwall to bond them, with Varric helping Cassandra process her guilt over the Seekers, and Cassandra calling out his avoidance tactics. By the time they confess feelings during a rooftop chase in Val Royeaux, it feels earned. Another gem has them stranded in the Deep Roads, where survival forces them to rely on each other. The gradual shift from bickering to trust is beautifully paced, with Varric’s stories becoming Cassandra’s comfort in the dark. What I love most is how these fics reinvent their dynamic without softening their edges. Cassandra remains devout but learns to question dogma through Varric’s perspective, while he confronts his fear of commitment. The best ones weave in canonical details—like Varric’s red lyrium nightmares or Cassandra’s love of trashy romance novels—to ground the romance. For a fresh take, try fics where Varric writes a serialized novel about their ‘fictional’ romance, leaving Cassandra torn between annoyance and flattery. The trope works because their chemistry is already canon; fanfics just dial it to eleven.

I’ve stumbled upon fics that mirror Solavellan’s tragic weight through Fenris and Hawke’s dynamic, but with sharper edges. One standout had Fenris as a Tevinter fugitive, his past with magisters clashing with Hawke’s mage identity. The writer wove their arguments into a slow-burn trust—lyrium scars flaring when Hawke’s magic slipped, but also silent moments patching wounds after battles. What got me was how they flipped the script: Hawke resisting the Champion title like Lavellan resisted the Inquisitor’s role, both drowning in expectations. The fic dug into Fenris’ PTSD too, sketching his nightmares in vivid strokes—red lyrium veins, Danarius’ voice—while Hawke’s humor turned brittle under the strain. It’s the rawness that parallels Solas’ guilt, but with more snarling and less elven lore.

The emotional conflict between Solas and Lavellan in 'Dragon Age' fanfiction post-Trespasser is often portrayed as a heartbreaking dance of love and betrayal. Many fics delve into Lavellan’s grief, painting her as someone torn between her love for Solas and the devastation of his lies. I’ve read stories where she becomes a shadow of her former self, wandering Thedas in search of answers, her vallaslin a constant reminder of what was lost. Others depict her channeling her pain into rebellion, leading a faction against Solas with a mix of fury and sorrow. The tension is palpable—every encounter between them crackles with unresolved emotions, from whispered apologies in ruined temples to heated arguments under starlit skies. Some writers explore Lavellan’s internal struggle, questioning whether she can ever forgive him or if she’s doomed to fight the man she once loved. The most gripping fics weave in Solas’s perspective, revealing his torment as he watches her suffer, his duty to the People clashing with his lingering affection. It’s a rich tapestry of angst and longing, with no easy resolutions. I’ve also seen fics that take a darker turn, where Lavellan’s love curdles into obsession. She becomes relentless, tracking Solas across continents, her heart hardening with each step. These stories often blur the line between hero and villain, forcing readers to question who’s truly in the wrong. The emotional weight is amplified by flashbacks to happier times—their banter in Skyhold, quiet moments by the fire—now tainted by hindsight. Some authors experiment with alternate endings, like Lavellan joining Solas in his mission, their love surviving despite the chaos. Others pit them against each other in a final, tragic confrontation, where words cut deeper than swords. The beauty of these fics lies in their complexity, refusing to reduce their relationship to simple binaries.

I’ve binge-read so many fics about a Qunari Inquisitor and Iron Bull’s romance, and the tension is electric. Writers love playing with the Qun’s strict rules—Bull’s internal conflict between loyalty to the Qun and his growing feelings is a goldmine. One fic had him secretly teaching the Inquisitor Tamassran techniques, blending intimacy with cultural exchange. Others explore the Inquisitor’s defiance, like getting a vashoth-style tattoo to spite the Qunari. The best moments are small: Bull’s hesitation before using 'kadan,' or the Inquisitor hiding their relationship during war councils. Some fics go dark, with the Ben-Hassrath hunting them, but I prefer the fluff—Bull carving a dragon figurine as a love token.

I belong to that demographic of middle-aged mothers who occasionally dabble in fanfiction, and so 'How to Train Your Dragon' has an extra-special place in my heart. There is a wealth of creativity to be found in this fandom. Two fanfics that I particularly like are 'Becoming Lífþrasir' and 'I Hear Him Scream'. In 'Becoming Lífþrasir', we see what happens when Hiccup is taken in by dragons and 'I Hear Him Scream' is a thrilling and emotional tale of Hiccup, Toothless switching bodies. Both carry you along on a wild ride and both do this much-loved tale the justice it deserves.

I’ve stumbled across a few fics where Cullen and Dorian’s romance blooms from shared scars, but one stands out—'Embers in the Dark'. It’s raw, no fluffy courtship. They bond over lyrium withdrawal nightmares and Tevinter’s ghost haunting Dorian. The writer nails their biting humor masking pain—Cullen cleaning bloodied knuckles after sparring, Dorian mocking his 'Southern prudishness' while secretly stitching his wounds. Their love isn’t pretty; it’s templar rituals clashing with blood magic, arguments over Andraste that turn into desperate kisses. What sold me? Dorian using fire spells to warm Cullen’s chronic chill, a metaphor for how they thaw each other’s isolation. The smut’s gritty, the healing slower than a health potion, but damn if it doesn’t feel earned.

I’ve stumbled upon a gem called 'Embers in the Frost' that nails Alistair and Morrigan’s reunion with raw emotional precision. The writer focuses on their shared history—those lingering glances, the unspoken regret—while setting the scene in a blizzard-laden forest, mirroring their emotional distance. Alistair’s awkward humor clashes with Morrigan’s sharp wit, but the fic slowly peels back their defenses. A standout moment has them debating the nature of love versus duty by a campfire, with Morrigan reluctantly admitting she kept the Old God soul secret to spare him pain. The dialogue feels ripped straight from the game, yet expands their canon tensions beautifully. It’s short but packs a punch, ending with them parting as uneasy allies, not lovers—a fitting nod to 'Witch Hunt’s' ambiguity.

I’ve lost count of how many 'Dragon Age' fanfics I’ve devoured that rework Anders and Hawke’s romance during the Kirkwall rebellion. The best ones don’t shy away from the moral chaos—they lean into it. Some writers frame their love as a tragic force, with Hawke torn between loyalty to Anders and duty to the city. I’ve seen stunning AUs where Hawke helps Anders flee Kirkwall, their bond forged in exile rather than fire. Others explore darker routes: Hawke turning Anders in, only to break him out later in a guilt-ridden spiral. What grips me are the quieter moments—Anders stitching Hawke’s wounds after a failed raid, or Hawke keeping vigil while he sleeps, wondering if Justice will ever let him rest. The rebellion becomes a backdrop for intimacy, not just explosions. A rare few fics even flip the script, making Hawke the radical and Anders the voice of caution. Those stories crackle with fresh tension. My absolute favorites delve into alternate endings. One had Hawke and Anders sailing to Antiva, running a clinic while dodging Templar hunters. Another imagined them founding a rebel mage colony, their love story interwoven with political upheaval. The details sell it: Anders growing herbs for potions, Hawke carving charms to ward off demons, both learning to trust again. It’s raw and hopeful—a far cry from the game’s brutal finale.