This is one of the most fun sections I've worked on, things start to get lit here haha ;)
(4) Cloudreach 23rd
Why did I agree to this? I may be a part of this team when fighting battles, but when it comes to socialization, I prefer to stay home.
I sit at our previous table inside the Hanged Man with my arms crossed. Hawke invited me here to have 'fun' with the group, but what exactly this is I'm not sure. At the head of the table, Varric laughs uproariously at the show. The abomination, Anders, sits next to him watching smugly. Across from me, Carver grins broadly, eyes wide. Hawke, Merrill, and Isabela stand on the table, facing Anders and Carver with their butts nearly level with my face. It's late, and they are all horribly intoxicated. I'm buzzed myself but certainly not enough to show it. Merrill is hopping from foot to foot waving her arms in the air gleefully. Isabela lets her hair down from its blue bandana and rolls her body towards Hawke who returns the movement. They hip bump each other in time to music that isn't playing. Hawke shimmies her shoulders and Isabela mirrors her.
"Stop showing off!" Hawke playfully hisses at Isabela. "Not all of us have amazing boobs like you!"
Isabela clicks her tongue. "Hawke, yours would be just as good if you didn't hide them under all those robes."
"Hey! That… That is a good point." Hawke giggles.
How is it possible to get that drunk? I shake my head, slightly amused.
Isabela grabs Merrill's waist and tries to guide her to bump hips in rhythm with her and Hawke, but Merrill just laughs.
"Isabela! I can't do it! I don't know how!" Merrill covers her face giggling.
Carver smacks his hand on the table a couple of times. "You can do it Merrill!" He cheers, watching her intently.
Isabela pats Merrill on the shoulder, "It's okay kitten. You'll be sexy one day."
Hawke stumbles around Isabela to stand between her and Merrill. "Shhhhh. Don't say such things! Merrill is too sweet."
"No, I'm not!" Merrill huffs. "I can be just like you two!"
"No!" Hawke and Isabela say at the same time. Realizing what happened, they point at each other and bend forward laughing.
I could see up Isabela's skirt, if I wanted to. I don't. Isabela has a point. Why doesn't Hawke wear something like that? Ugh. Mage robes. Magic makes everything worse.
Isabela quickly straightens up, her eyes huge and full of mischief. "I have an idea."
Merrill claps excitedly. "Ooooo what?"
Hawke smiles expectantly.
"Can't tell!" Isabela hops off the table and starts walking to the door. "Come on!"
Hawke leaps off the table, landing clumsily, and runs to catch up. "I'm game!"
Stumbling to the edge of the table, Merrill attempts to climb down.
"Hold on, I've got you." Carver says, lifting her up and setting her on her feet.
Merrill looks at him with dopey expression, she pats him on the cheek and says, "Thank you, boy Hawke." She then runs to the door and the ladies disappear out it.
Carver chases after them and pauses at the door grinning. "Well?" He says to us.
I stand to my feet. I'm sure this will be interesting. I'd rather follow Hawke, even drunk, than stay here with the abomination. I exchange a glare with Anders as he follows me out of the Hanged Man. Varric stays behind, mumbling something about his crossbow Bianca. Once outside, I spot Carver to our right. He waves franticly and then disappears around a corner.
I should just go home. I cut my eyes at Anders. But I can't just leave them with that; I'll stay and walk Hawke home. She might trust it, but I refuse. I stride forward, ahead of Anders, towards where Carver had disappeared.
"LEAVE!" I hear Hawke's voice ring out from a little way away.
Carver reappears around the corner holding his hands up beside his head. He walks past us, muttering expletives.
Interesting. I pick up my pace, rounding the corner and making my way down the alley. I spot the girls in the dim light at the end of a tiny boat dock. What are they doing? I reach the edge connecting the dock to the alley and stop.
"I don't know Isabela…" Merrill looks concerned.
Hawke turns and looks me in the eyes, squints, and then looks at Isabela. "I'll do it."
"Alright!" Isabela cheers.
Do what? Before I realize what's happening, Hawke steps out of her robes, drops her small clothes, and dives into the water completely nude.
"Kaffas." Escapes my lips. I… What… Wow… My hand knots in my hair. I try to keep my face blank, but it's impossible. My mouth hangs open slightly. I've never seen anything so beautiful. I want her so badly.
Hawke surfaces and smiles teasingly at all of us gathered on the dock.
Isabela snickers, looking at me, "Hawke, I do believe you've killed Fenris."
I shake my head and untangle my hand from my hair, "I'm fine." I say flatly, stepping back. Keep your thoughts to yourself. You can never have her.
"It's not cold." Hawkes stands up slightly in the water, her breasts just barely submerged.
"Okay!" Merrill leaps into the water in full armor. She splashes Hawke and Hawke playfully pushes her under the water.
Isabela strips without my notice and joins them in the water. The three ladies swim into deeper water, giggling.
"Aren't you two going to join us?" Isabela calls out mischievously.
I tense up. I can't… I just can't.
"Why not?" Anders steps forward and starts taking his boots off.
I can't and neither can he. I turn toward him sharply and growl. "You're exactly the kind of monster I thought you were. Planning to take advantage of them while they're drunk?!"
Anders straightens up and glares into my eyes. "Say one more thing to me elf!"
We both have our weapons, but I'm sure I can handle him without difficulty. I start to open my mouth, but I'm cut off.
"I swear!" Isabela yells. "You're both useless!"
We step away from each other still angry.
Isabela swims to the dock closely followed by the other two. "Can't you just get along like we do?" She says.
"Not when he keeps accusing me of things!" Anders spits.
"Shut up. We're done anyway." Hawke says, too drunk to be mad. The three ladies climb out of the water and onto the dock.
I try to keep my eyes averted but they keep drifting back to the water dripping off Hawke's fascinating slender frame. I want to take her home with me. This woman will be the death of me.
"Oh no… I'm all wet!" Drunk Merrill whines.
Isabela, still naked, kisses Merrill on the forehead. "Anders, take her home before she gets sick."
"What-" Anders starts to complain but drops it when he sees Isabela's face. He gives me a final death stare before walking off with the sniffling Merrill.
Hawke and Isabela slip back into their clothes, still dripping.
"Well, this was fun. Thanks for being brave Hawke." Isabela winks at her.
"I'm always brave." Hawke teases.
The now dressed Isabela walks past me. "Oh, I know. You two have fun tonight!" She continues on her way.
In fairly drenched robes, Hawke walks over to me stumbling a little. She places her hands on my shoulders, clearly unable to realize what she's doing. Afraid of letting her fall, I don't pull away despite wanting to. She leans in really close to my lips. "Do you want to kiss me?" she asks.
She won't remember any of this tomorrow. I swallow with some difficulty. "Yes. Of course."
She leans in to kiss me, but I step back taking hold of her shoulders to keep her on her feet. "You know I won't." I tell her gently.
Hawke sticks out her bottom lip in a pout. "That's not fair!"
"I'm taking you home." I tell her. She's too drunk to walk the whole way; it would be light out before we got there. I let go of her, scoop her up, and throw her over my shoulder.
She giggles and kicks her legs slightly. "Now we're talking!" She says in a flirty tone.
"Hawke. I'm taking you to your family's house. Remember your mom?" I ask her as I begin picking my way towards her uncle Gamlen's place.
She makes an aggravated sound and then hangs like dead weight on my shoulder. "You're no fun."
"That's what I keep telling you. Yet you still drag me into this stuff." I smirk.
When we emerge into the large, open, area surrounding the Hanged Man, I get the feeling that we're being watched.
"I'm going to set you down." I tell Hawke and lower her into a sitting position against the wall of the alley we just exited.
"Why? What-" Hawke begins but I cut her off.
"Shhh. Quiet." I straighten up and draw my sword.
Of course. This is exactly the time I would be attacked… Good. If there is anything I need right now, it's bloodshed. I have to get my mind off Hawke. I survey the area and spot a warrior, armed with a thick shield and short sword, descending the stairs to my right. That should put the rogues directly in front and behind me. I pause for a split second before side stepping quickly and slashing out at the place I had been just moments before. The rogue that I was anticipating fills that space as he thrusts his knife forward. My sword catches in the front of his thigh; I force it deeper into his femoral artery and then rip it out. Blood soaks the leg of his leather armor, and he drops onto the ground screaming in agony. I notice the warrior charging me. Now! I thrust my sword through the fallen rogue's chest. He spits up blood as I rapidly withdraw my weapon. The warrior reaches me and swipes at my shoulder with his blade. I leap out of the way, but as my feet hit the ground, I am slammed on my back. My head smashes against the hard-packed ground, and the corners of my vision go blurry. I blink it off and snap into a sitting position, then jump to my feet. The warrior and second rogue are also lying on the ground. MAGIC! My eyes snap to Hawke. She remains sitting where I left her. Her eyes are huge and sparks fly from her left hand.
"NO DRUNK MAGIC!" I snarl at her.
She scrunches up her face apologetically. "Oops…"
I bring my eyes back to my adversaries. The warrior is stirring slightly; he must have been briefly knocked out. The second rogue is on her feet now, daggers drawn, three yards away from me. Plenty of distance. I slam my sword down on the warrior's neck, severing head from spinal cord. Excellent! I meet the eyes of the remaining thug, blood dripping from my blade. She gasps, turns around, and sprints away down an alley. Such a coward! Face your own battles! I start after her but stop, remembering Hawke. Cleaning the viscera off my blade with the cloth from my belt, I walk back to where I left her and give her a dark look.
She hugs her knees to her chest and peers up at me. "Sorry… I wanted to help…"
"You nearly got us both killed! What if I would have been knocked out? Don't you see?! This what magic does!" I snap at her harshly.
She shrinks away from me as if my words were punches. The charisma and swagger that make Hawke the powerful woman she is has been replaced by fear. She looks so small, shivering in her damp robes. The alcohol has left but a shell of the vibrant Hawke.
What am I doing? This is pointless… It's like I'm yelling at a child. Ugh. Why can't I ever just be angry? I kneel beside her.
"Hawke." I say gently, waiting for her to look me in the eyes. "Thank you for trying to help." I force myself to say the words.
She nods, still looking at me sadly.
"I'm going to get you home now." I rise and lift her over my shoulder. She doesn't protest and remains hanging there as I walk.
When I reach the door of Gamlen's house, I move to set Hawke down, but she doesn't make any effort to stand. Perfect. She's asleep. Fasta vass, now I have to deal with this. I straighten up and knock on the door. After a moment, Leandra, Hawke's mother, opens the door.
"Oh!" Her tired eyes widen in surprise at me.
I gesture to her daughter draped over my shoulder. "I've brought Hawke."
"I can see that." She chuckles slightly and yawns. "Bring her in." She steps back allowing me to enter the tiny house.
I stride to the center of the room and look at Leandra questioningly.
"There is no dealing with that girl! Lay her next to Harley. He's her dog any way. Sleeping on the floor can't possibly make her feel any worse tomorrow!" Leandra clucks in an irritated tone.
Without question, I lay Hawke beside the Mabari. I move to the door to exit.
"You must be Fenris. I don't believe we've actually met. I hear a lot about you." Leandra says.
"I am. You must be Leandra." I reply. I have to get out of here.
"That's correct. Thank you for bring my daughter home alive. Well, mostly alive." She shakes her head.
"You're welcome. It is late, and I must be going." I step even closer to the door.
"Would you like to speak to Carver before you go? He's still awake, I believe." Leandra smiles at me.
Never. That would be horrible. "No, thank you. I need to get home." I tell her.
Finally, she opens the door and lets me out. I step into the night air, nod to her, and walk away before she can say anything else.