Oneshot | Hawke had waited for Poppy that day she was summoned to the Duke's office.

The second Penellaphe disappeared behind the Duke's office doors, Hawke's heart began to race. He felt as if he were standing on a cliff, so on edge for what felt like hours. In reality, it has been no more than 15 minutes. He contemplated seeking out Vikter, out of both concern and curiosity as to why the Maiden and her "maid" had seemed so anxious when he told them she had been summoned.

But he stayed. His eyes remained locked on the door handle for any sign of movement. Finally it came. He has admittedly been pacing, unable to keep still as the last few minutes ticked by. He heard nothing on the other side of the door to indicate it wasn't more than a simple conversation between the two, but his gut still told him otherwise. When he spotted the handle begin to turn open, he quickly returned to his statue demeanor, clasping his fidgeting hands behind his back and his face going still as he watched her slowly exit the office.

The moment she stepped foot outside, he could tell something was not right. Her body was unbalanced. He could hear her rapid, heavy breathing, trying to catch her breath as if she'd been running in circles. Even behind the veil, he caught a slight twitch in her mouth as it hardened into a straight line walking toward him. She was in pain.

"What happened?" The worry and sheer concern in his voice could not be masked as he stepped in front of her, blocking her path. She was silent. "Penellaphe." He urged.

"Not here...please." She murmured. He was silent only for a moment and nodded in understanding.

Poppy knew she couldn't hide it from him. Just like Vikter, he'd eventually experience having to support the weight of her after a "lesson." She began to walk slowly back to her chambers, a wince in every step as the fabric of her gown created friction against the burning welts. Her back, although buttoned up once more, felt even more exposed than it had been just moments before. Shame washed over her as she could feel Hawke's eyes burning into her backside.

They were well away from the office, out of sight from prying eyes in a darkened corridor, lit only by torches. He couldn't hold back any more.

"Penellaphe, stop." She did as told, stopping in her tracks. "Turn around."

"Why?" She said, unmoving.

"You're hurt." He said, no ounce of doubt in his voice.

"I'm fine." She said through gritted teeth.
"You really think I can't tell? It's my duty to protect you." If it hadn't hurt to make any sort of sound, she would've laughed. He would learn soon and quickly that no one could protect her from the Duke.

He closed the distance between them and now no longer stood behind her, but in front, towering several inches over her. Screw the rules. His hands slowly moved toward her veil. Poppy should've pushed him away, but like that night in the Red Pearl, she didn't. She wanted nothing more than to feel the comfort of his touch on her skin. Hesitantly, waiting for any sign of protest, his fingers lingered at the edge of the veil. Slowly, he lifted it back. There was just enough light for him to see her face. He took in her eyes; red and puffy as she fought the urge to break down. Not because of what the Duke had done, but the embarrassment and shame she felt in front of Hawke. She felt utterly weak.

"Please look at me." He whispered as Poppy burned her stare into the ground at their feet. Her eyes, glistening with tears as she lifted her head, meeting his intent gaze. The second they did, she couldn't hold it back any more. The tears. Never had she done this in front of Vikter and here she was, in front of a practical stranger bawling like a child. Her hands quickly moved to her face, burying it as silent sobs wracked through her body.

Hawke wasn't allowed to touch her, unless it was to save her life. But he had already crossed that line, hadn't he? He fought the urge to embrace her. Instead he stood closely to her, gently pulling the veil back down, shielding her with his body from any prying eyes that may walk by.

After a few minutes, Poppy had begun to calm down. She took deep breaths and wiped away the last few tears with her sleeve.

"Are you okay to continue?" He asked. She nodded.

They continued to her chambers without another word between them. Finally, they arrived. Before she could enter, he stopped her, lightly grabbing her wrist. She looked down in surprise at his large hand closed around her wrist. She turned to him as he bent close to her ear to whisper, "We'll talk about this later."

Before she had a chance to protest, her door swung open and there was Tawny with widened eyes.

"Poppy!" She said with concern. Poppy stepped inside without saying anything further. With a quick nod to Hawke, Tawny shut the door. As Hawke stood watch that night, nothing else ran through his mind except finding out exactly what had happened behind the Duke's office doors.