Never Give Up
Rating: K+
Genres: Angst, Romance, Hurt/Comfort
Featured Characters: F!Hawke/Fenris, Varric
Prompt: "How about a scene with Hawke at Skyhold and a blighted romanced Fenris tracks her down?"—Courtesy of Takami L. Sagara.
Suggested Listening: Thedas Love Theme from the Dragon Age: Inquisition Official Game Soundtrack by Trevor Morris.
Hawke flew across her room, snatching various objects and tossing them carelessly into her knapsack, her long, thing fingers buckling on her armor and sweeping her long, ebony hair into its normal ponytail. Her face was focused, determined. Varric, her old friend, watched her from the room's doorway, his dark eyes sorrowful.
"Hawke, you could stay you know," he said quietly. Idly, he played with his leather gloves, his lips in a tight line. It hurt her to leave him again, but they both knew she could never stay in one place for long.
Hawke sadly shook her head, yanking on her boots and gloves. "I already sent word to Fenris for him to meet me in Weisshaupt," she said firmly, shouldering her pack. "He will panic if I'm not there before him." She chuckled, imagining his expression if she was late. She wondered how he put up with her wild ways for so long.
"But—" Varric began, alarmed cries cutting him off. Both of them readied their weapons, Hawke's face turning to stone as she peered down the long, dark hallway. The sound of heavy steps grew nearer, and a tall, thin figure emerged from the darkness. An elf, with a shock of premature white hair and sallow skin. Dead, empty eyes met Hawke's, desperate, hopeless.
Her hands flew to cover her mouth, her heart stopping as Fenris stepped fully into the light, his frail body wrapped in a dark cloak. She distantly heard Varric gasp, faintly tell her to keep her distance from the infected elf, but her feet moved for her, stopping inches from him. Tenderly, her finger traced the lyrium tattoos on his face, his skin like ice.
"How?" she murmured, brushing back his dirty white hair. He reached forward, cupping her face in his hands, his eyes like shards of broken glass.
"Its seems the Blight still exists in places," he rasped, pressing his forehead to hers. Hawke felt tears sting her eyes, her mind racing, trying to find a way to cure him. He knew exactly what she was thinking, his lips pursing. "There is no cure for me now, Hawke," he said darkly. "I only came here to say goodbye."
Hawke suddenly pressed her lips to his, not caring if she caught the Blight too. The kiss was bittersweet, hungry, wishing for more. But more would never come. Her lips tasted blood and salt, their tears mingling. It was the first time she'd ever seen him weep, and it would be the last.
"I can't—I—" Her throat closed, her chest tightening. Words died before they escaped her lips. What could she say to change anything? It would bring nothing but more pain. She remembered what the fear demon said in the Fade. Fenris is going to die, it had cried gleefully. She had ignored it. She still ignored it.
"Hawke," Fenris said, tipping her chin up to look him in the eye. "I want you to kill me. Please don't let me become something I am not."
She shook her head, the tears falling faster now. "No," she refused. "No."
"I am already dead, love," he said bluntly. She felt him place something silky in her hands, his gaze never leaving hers. "Promise me you'll endure," he insisted. She opened her hands, a sob escaping her mouth when she saw the little scarlet scrap of cloth, worn and frayed from the years. It was a vow, an unspoken promise between them.
"No, you're not," she said, taking a deep breath. "I can save you. We will save you."
"You stubborn woman," he sighed, his voice weary.
She managed a wobbly smile. "Indeed," she agreed. "Now, will you fight or are you just going to give up?"
He searched her face, a sliver of hope shining in his green eyes. "For you, I will always fight," he said, his thumb stroking the long scar that crossed her jaw.
"Fenris, I am going to save you," she vowed, her voice like iron. With shaking hands, she tied the cloth around his wrist again, her face determined. Fenris knew that face well, and it brought a smile to his lips.
"After all," she said firmly, "you promised me forever."
A/N Had so much fun writing this, so thank you so much Takami L. Sagara! I spent awhile creating the scene in my head and trying to imagine how Hawke and Fenris would react to this. If its one thing I struggle with, its keeping characters in their respective personalities. Being OOC is a scary thing to do...
Anyways, I really hope you like it and that it fits the prompt. Such a sad one!
Thanks again and I will be eagerly waiting for more prompts! I do so love reading you guys' comments.