Chapter 2: The Secret
"I may not get the chance to say this again. Meeting you was the most important thing that ever happened to me, Hawke. Promise me you won't die. I can't bear the thought of living without you."
xxxxx
3 Hours after fleeing Kirkwall
Hawke and her party took off as fast as they could. All of Kirkwall was on their tail. They knew if they stopped now, they would all certainly die. Aveline lead the way, braced for what she feels will be an inevitable angry welcoming party when they arrive in Sundermount. Hawke and Fenris follow closely behind, and Varric guards the rear. After several hours, everyone starts to wear down. After all, they did just kill a idol-possessed Knight-Commander. They make camp in a small clearing.
Aveline is the first to speak. "Is everyone ok?" No one says anything. She tries again. "Hawke, are you feeling alright?"
Hawke has sat down against a tree. She looks up at Aveline and sighs. "I'm alright. I just need to rest. We all do." She tilts her head back against the tree and closes her eyes.
Varric is still on guard, walking all around their makeshift camp. "Do you think anyone followed us?" He says. "Do you think Anders…Maker, what has he done?" He shakes his head in disbelief. He straps Bianca down onto his back and takes a seat across from Hawke.
Aveline gathers some nearby twigs and works on making a fire. She glances back over at Hawke, who has fallen asleep. She watches as Fenris walks over to her and removes the dagger she was holding as she fell asleep. She looks at the red ribbon on his wrist, the meaning completely unknown to her still. She starts to look away but she sees something she has never seen…Fenris smiling. Smiling at Hawke. Seven years and she has never even seen a hint of a smile. She quickly looks away when Fenris looks in her direction.
"Where do you think he went?" says Varric. "Anders."
Fenris sits down near Hawke. "I hope it is far from here."
"Do you think he survived?"
"I do not care. He's the reason we are here."
"Somewhere in there…was a good man."
"I doubt that." Fenris looks away in disgust. Varric decides that perhaps this is not the best topic for the time. He removes Bianca from his back and places her gently against the tree next to him. He goes to speak again, but is distracted by Fenris.
Varric does a double-take. Fenris has removed his left gauntlet and placed it next to him. He has taken Hawke's hand in his, and is smoothing his thumb across the back of it. The markings on his skin are glowing slightly. Fenris has obviously positioned himself so that no one can see, or so he thinks. Varric says nothing, making a mental note to write an elaborate romance story about Hawke and Fenris. He scoots back against the tree he placed Bianca against and lets himself fall asleep.
Aveline has completed the fire and is removing her sword and shield from her back. She places them both against a fallen tree and sits down. She wants to look over at Hawke again, but is afraid Fenris will catch her looking. She looks anyway. Sure enough, Fenris is looking right at her. She looks away again and then slumps off the tree and onto the ground. She falls asleep soon after.
xxxxx
After some time, Hawke awakens. As she opens her eyes, she looks down at her hand. Her blade is gone and is replaced by Fenris's hand. She looks up at him. He's looking out into the woods, analyzing every single creak and crack. He looks tired, but she has never seen him sleep. She grips his hand slightly, which draws his attention.
"Have you slept?" she whispers, so as not to wake the others. Varric is snoring loudly, as usual.
"I can never sleep." He whispers back.
"You should."
"I can't. Someone must keep watch."
"I wish you would relax."
"I will relax when I am certain you are safe."
"I'm always safe with you." She smiles. He returns it. She uses her free hand to lightly stroke his cheek. "I told you."
Fenris slowly closes his eyes. His marks on his face glow at her touch. "Told me what?"
"That I wouldn't die."
Fenris opens his eyes and looks right into hers. He reaches up to touch her hand as she touches his cheek and pulls her in for a kiss.
Varric opens one eye. He woke up about 10 minutes ago but pretended to be asleep. We watches as Fenris and Hawke kiss, Fenris glowing everywhere.
Andraste's dimpled buttcheeks. He thinks to himself. I knew it. Hmph. Suddenly it all makes sense. Red. Of course.