You Can't Ever Cry

Atticus was never one for crying. He preferred not to, at least not I front of people. After his father had died he had to be strong for his mother and Carver and Bethany. Even if he was thirteen, he was the man of the house now. He wouldn’t cry. When Bethany died he didn’t cry. He couldn’t afford to, he had to keep it together to get his mother and Carver to safety. Get them to Kirkwall.

Carver had called him heartless after the had gotten on the boat.
"Why aren’t you crying?! Our sister is dead!“ He had snapped. 

Carver blamed him too, why didn’t he protect her? Atticus was fine with that, he’d rather Carver blame him than himself. If Carver needed someone to hate, Atticus could handle it being him. Their mother blamed Atticus too, he grit his teeth and bore it.

When Carver had died Atticus didn’t cry. He had granted Carver’s dying wish by ending his life and continued forwards, wanting to get out of the Deep Roads even more than before. Varric, and even Fenris were concerned. Varric swore that they would get revenge on Bartrand and avenge Carver’s death. Fenris offered his ear if Atticus wished to talk, but he refused. He had to be strong, for his mother’s sake. Atticus blamed himself, he should have been a better older brother.

When his mother had died Atticus didn’t cry, but it had felt like someone had torn what had remained of his heart out. He was absolutely crushed, his entire family was dead and the weight of the realization crushed him. Felt like someone had pulled the rug out from underneath his feet. He had excused himself from his friends and had hurried up to his room. He needed to be alone.

Once inside all of the pain and hurt he had locked away for years hit him all at once. A sob ripped from his throat and he collapsed to the floor, his body racked with heaving sobs. It was all his fault, he should have been a better son, a better brother. He should of protected them but he didn’t and now they were all gone.
He cried for what felt like an eternity, and then someone had their arms wrapped tightly around him. He hadn’t even heard the person come in. He looked up to see Fenris, murmuring something to him and kissing Atticus’ forehead over and over again. Atticus moved to wrap his arms around Fenris’ slim frame, his grip tight and appreciative. It wasn’t long before Merrill, Aveline, Isabella, Anders, and Varric all entered his room.

Isabella was loud an told a stupid joke right off the bat making Atticus laugh, though his voice was hoarse. Soon everyone was telling stupid jokes and filling the room with laughter. Atticus was laughing too, and it was then he realized something that he had failed to notice earlier. He would always have a family.