Original Kmeme Prompt: How do Hawke and his/her companions react to extreme stress or pain? I'd like something a little more creative and personalised than sobbing, which tends to be the go-to method of demonstrating pain in fanfic.
Would Isabela give up on sex, or go so overboard that she becomes are caricature of herself? Does Aveline punch walls? Perhaps she spends time obsessively tending to her sword instead. Maybe Merrill is the one who becomes icy and withdrawn while Fenris is the surprise bawler.
I want a brief glimpse at how everyone (fails to) cope with their feelings.
Disclaimer: All hail Bioware.
Six hearts broke all at the same time as they gazed down on the bed that contained the ruin of what used to be their friend. Yes, she had killed the Arishok in the end, but the horned brute had nearly destroyed her in the process.
Her face was gone, nearly obliterated under a layer of bruises that would take months to heal. Her left arm and right foot were broken, and the monster had crushed one of her lungs so that her every breath ended in a whistling gurgle. She had numerous cuts and scratches, and a new pink scar cut across the pale skin of her stomach where Anders had healed a gaping wound.
The healer was knelt by her bed, jittery from having consumed so many lyrium potions.
"There's nothing more I can do" he said, pulling himself to his feet "If Hawke is to pull through this now, she will have to it on her own. Go home, all of you. There's no sense in staying here."
"Blondie, are you sure?" Varric questioned.
"Yes Varric. I think we all need time to deal with this in our own way."
To that, the companions could only nod.