Isabela entered Varric's suite at the Hanged Man, howling with laughter, and joining the dwarf, Aveline and Merrill, who were already there waiting on their friends for a weekly wind down. Fenris followed closely on her heels also uncharacteristically chuckling. Anders sulked in after them followed by Douglas Hawke, who was trying desperately not to laugh himself, practically biting his lip near to the point of drawing blood to keep from an outburst.

"Okay, what's so funny?" Varric asked, his not the only curiosity being piqued.

Isabela just pointed at Anders and howled again.

"Shut up," Anders hissed. She flopped in her chair, putting her head down on the table, body racked with peals of laughter. Douglas was remaining tight lipped, but sat down at the end of the table opposite Varric with tears in his eyes. Varric knew he wouldn't get an answer out of him if it involved Blondie, so he looked to Fenris. The elf chuckled again looking at Anders, causing the mage to yell out, "Don't you dare!"

Fenris smiled wickedly. "Gamlen called him a girl."

Varric chuckled out a "What?" as Aveline spit out her drink, which in turn caused Merrill and Isabela who were sitting directly opposite to jump back in disgust. Douglas couldn't take it anymore and burst out laughing uncontrollably with tears streaming down his face.

Isabela recovered after wiping herself off, "He said, and I quote," doing her best Gamlen impression, "'I heard you moved that apostate boy into your house... I guess I don't have to ask which one is the girl.' I almost died right there." The rogues were laughing hysterically, the warriors in a more controlled fashion, and even Merrill was giggling.

"I'm glad you all find that so funny," Anders hissed and turned to stalk out, but Douglas grabbed his arm, pulling the mage down into a firm lap.

Hawke wrapped his arms around his lover tightly so he couldn't escape, checking his laughter behind sparkling electric blue eyes. He kissed the blonde's pouting forehead, "He only said that because you are so much prettier than I am."

Anders barked back, "Bullshit." A chorus of the same followed from everyone in the room, which furrowed Anders' brow further, and caused Douglas to raise an eyebrow at them all. "Why did we have to go see your blighted uncle anyway?"

"I'm sorry, love. I didn't think seeing the man once a year was too much of a bother."

"I got my fill when you lived with him," Anders grumped, crossing his arms across his chest, and his sentiment was also followed by several agreements from the table.

Douglas released Anders, resting his arms on the chair's. "Again, I'm sorry. Next time I'll go by myself, but family is family, and I thought of all people the ones here would be the ones to understand that. If Mother can visit him at least once week, he can't be all bad." He looked pointedly at everyone in the room, who all seemed a bit chagrined by the statement. His gaze lastly fell on Anders, who was looking down at the floor with his arms still crossed. Hawke bounced his leg slightly under the mage's backside causing the blonde to look at him, and Douglas raised an eyebrow at him.

"Sorry, I'm just wondering if your other lovers would have been treated the same way."

"What other lovers?" Douglas asked confused.

Anders turned around pointing at Fenris, Isabela and Aveline.

"Aveline and I never..."

"No, because she was too clueless, but you wanted to."

Hawke's face flushed red with anger or embarrassment or both, "You really want to start this now?"

"Why not? Why should I be the only one feeling terrible right now? Not only do I get zero respect from your family but to know I was your fourth choice and be the butt of everyone's jokes because of it. Sorry, Hawke, that doesn't exactly put me in a laughing mood. Do you care at all how I feel right now?"

"This is not the time for this."

"Why not? Explain to me why you choose them first over me."

Douglas stood up almost dumping Anders on the floor, but at the last moment, grabbed the mage's arm yanking him up to his feet. Hawke glared at him before turning and leaving the room.

"Smooth, Blondie."

"Shut up," Anders answered quietly, looking out the doorway Douglas just left wishing someone had told him that a couple of minutes ago, and he would have listened.