okay but imagine Zevran rustling through his pack while sitting at camp because he’s looking for something, anything important

because when he looks at the Warden he feels a light fluttering in his chest and a feeling of hope and when they smile (at him or at anything, really) he feels alive and he wants to do something for them so badly, give them something as precious as the things they have given him

and he looks and he looks and he doesn’t have much, he doesn’t have much at all and he wonders if there is anything he actually owns that is worth anything at all in comparison to what they have given him-

and then he remembers the earring. One of the few luxurious things he has ever been able to keep for himself

and he takes it out and goes over it with his hand, the small jewels gleaming in the firelight, brilliant and stunning and he knows then that it’s perfect. He wants the Warden to understand, even just a little, how much they mean to him. And for one moment, when he looks up from his hand to see the Warden talking to one of their other companions he finds himself thinking that being with them for the rest of his life wouldn’t be that bad…and maybe, just maybe, they might feel the same way.

I know fans are disappointed by how little Zevran was mentioned in DA:I, even less so if you romanced him. I know I am. But if you will, think for just a moment and realize that while we lack content, we’ve also been given some rather extraordinary canon.

If you romanced Zevran, he is traveling across Thedas with his Warden.

They are together. Out of all our previous companions from either game, Zevran is the only one still currently at his lover’s side.

Realize that the Warden probably tried to leave Zevran behind, to protect him (or because Zevran had something else that was important to do) like they do for every other lover.

Realize that Zevran very likely, point-blank refused to let the Warden go off alone. (“You caught me and now you’re stuck with me, I’m afraid.”) Possibly appearing just when the Warden believes that they’ve successfully slipped away into the night. (“Going off on some grand adventure without me, my Warden? We can’t have that, now can we?”)

Realize that the two of them are scouring across Thedas right now, together, searching for a way to end the Calling so that all those tear-jerking, heart-breaking head-canons of Zevran going into the Deep Roads to die at his beloved’s side will never have to happen.

Realize that everything they will go through; the good, the bad, and the terrifying, they will do so together, which means they will fight together, mourn together, cope together, and celebrate together.

(Plus they’ll be able to reap the benefits and celebrate immediately should they succeed *eyebrow waggle*) 

Realize that Zevran is the Warden’s man, without reservation and nothing short of death will successfully separate him from his Warden’s side.

(Obviously I would have loved to see him in DA:I, but the comfort that letter brought me, as well as the conclusions one could draw from it, helped to quell some of my disappointment)