Anders huffed as he started his way towards the Hightown mansion. The sun was stinging his eyes, and it was intolerably hot, but the weather was the last thing on his mind. His nerves were racked, and his head hurt from the debate he was having with himself. He felt like fleeing, and running the other way but no, he needed to do this for Hawke. He needed to do it for them.

For nearly a year, they had tried to start a family, but the taint from being a Grey Warden made it unbearably difficult, and with much tried and failed attempts, it appeared that Anders was sterile. He performed multiple examinations on Hawke, and she was as healthy as they came. It was definitely him. He felt increasingly guilty each passing day, for he knew Hawke longed for a child of her own. They thought of adopting, but he knew how much she wanted to experience pregnancy herself, so he came up with the idea of another man fathering their child.

Yes, this was his brilliant plan, he scolded himself now. The thought of Hawke laying with another man bothered him a great deal at first, and it still did, but it was for the greater good. One day, when they held their baby in their arms, it would all be worth it.

He brought up the subject one lazy afternoon after they just finished making love. She looked at him, wide eyed, mouth agape, and he could have sworn she was going to hit him for suggesting such a thing.

"You want me to what?"

"It was just an idea, love. I'm sorry I even brought it up." Her face softened, but clearly she was puzzled.

"You would truly be okay with this arrangement?"

"I would, yes. I want a child just as much as you do, and I am willing to go to any means necessary."

"Hmmm..." she thought out loud. She took a moment to herself, then looked up at his waiting eyes. "Have you thought about who you would want to father this child?"

"Well, I was going to leave that part up to you. Obviously I want it to be with someone you are comfortable with." Again, Hawke went silent. She took a moment to herself, clearly deep in thought about possible prospects. Then suddenly, a smile met her lips, and Anders knew instantly she had someone in mind.

"Anyone of my choice?"

"Anyone at all. I will trust and honour your decision." Hawke looked Anders straight in the eye, still smiling.

"Fenris."

"Fenris?" Anders repeated, shocked at her words. Of all the names, he was hoping this would be the last to come out of her mouth. He and the elf were constantly at odds. Not to mention he and Hawke slept together once before Anders came into the picture. It was an unsettling thought that she would be bedding an old flame. And what if old feelings resurfaced? Would she leave him for a man that was the biological father of her child, should she become pregnant?

"Yes, Fenris. He's the only one I would trust. He and I are friends. Plus, I've already slept with him once before."

"I know this." Anders said, a little coldly.

"Hey," Hawke replied, stroking his face. "You asked me who I would pick. We don't have to do this. I would gladly live my life, with just you at my side." Anders smiled at the woman he loved. She was always so understanding of him, and so completely devoted. He trusted her with his entire being, and he would do this for her.

"No, love. I'm going to give you a baby one way or another." he said, bringing her into his arms, kissing her deeply. Soon, they were making love again, and the only thought that kept running through his mind was that eventually, her breasts would swell and her stomach would be round with a baby.

That brought him to his present predicament. Hawke said she was too nervous to ask Fenris herself, and for some reason, Anders agreed to go alone to ask the elf. What a foolish idea, he thought regretfully, as he began to approach Fenris' mansion. The elf would likely throw him out on his ass, and it would make being in each other's presence in the future all the more awkward than it already was. He stood, staring at the front door for a few minutes, before gaining the courage to knock.

After a few moments, Fenris answered the door. A look of surprise resonated on his face, as he clearly was not expecting Anders of all people to be at his door.

"Can I help you with something?" he asked. Anders took a deep breath in, feeling uneasy.

"In a matter of speaking, yes. I'm actually here on behalf of Hawke."

"Is she alright?" Fenris looked concerned.

"Yes, she is. Could I um...come inside? It's a rather delicate matter." Fenris stepped aside, allowing the mage to come in. Anders looked around the room to see it in a state of disarray. Cobwebs and broken bottles lay scattered all over - and was that a corpse in the corner? Fenris' intense glare brought him back to the present issue.

"Ah, yes. Um, oh...this is a little uncomfortable to talk about."

"Spit it out, will you?"

"Okay. Hawke and I have been having some trouble."

"Trouble with what?"

"It seems that I may be unable to give her a child." Anders said, quite bluntly. He wanted to get this uncomfortable conversation with over as soon as he could.

"I see. And why are you relaying this information to me?"

"Hawke wanted...we wanted to know if you would be interested in helping us out in that department?"

"How could I possibly help...oh." Fenris trailed off as the meaning of this meeting sunk in.

"Yes." Anders laughed nervously, although nothing about it was funny to either party.

"You would be okay with her laying with another man in order for her to conceive?"

"I love Hawke. I would do anything for her. So to answer your question, yes. It's not something that I am overly thrilled about, but she wants a baby, and who am I to deny her that?" Fenris took a minute, stroking his chin deep in thought. It felt like an eternity to Anders before he spoke again.

"This child, it would be half mine. I'm not sure I could just walk away, as if it were nothing."

Anders exhaled deeply. This was something he and Hawke discussed, but he was desperately hoping the elf would be willing to just get the deed done and leave them alone.

"You would be entitled to visitation rights. We would not deny you of that. I understand this is a lot to process at once, but Hawke was adamant that you be the one we come to."

"Why?" Fenris asked, clearly puzzled. Anders simply shrugged.

"She trusts you for some reason." Fenris looked completely dazed, as if he had no idea what to do with the information that was so quickly bestowed onto him.

"I will need time to consider it."

"I understand. I will be on my way then." Anders left the mansion, not feeling any better than he had when he arrived. They did not have an answer, and that had to have been the most uncomfortable conversation of his entire life.

Later that evening, Hawke and Anders were sitting together in her study. She was reading one of her favorite novels, and Anders was working on a new development for his manifesto. They heard a quick rapping at the front door, and they both stood up, a little alarmed at who would be at their door at this late hour. They quickly grabbed their staffs, just in case, and went to answer it. Anders pulled the handle, and there in the dark night, stood Fenris.

"I accept."