"He won't fight for her when the time comes. Would you turn against your own husband?"

Aveline never approved of even Anders being so involved with Hawke, let alone the two living together. Marks of sisterly concern, Hawke will soon learn that Aveline's feelings on such matters are usually spot on.

Chapter 2

"Hawke what is this?" Aveline had asked when she finally arrived in the City Guard break room. I was sitting with Varric and Anders, playing a quick game of Wicked Grace.

"I had a bit of a run in with some Tal Vashoth on the Wounded Coast," I explained to my good friend, "the Viscount's son has gotten himself wrapped up with an 'Ashaad'. Perhaps they were lovers…?" I insinuated with a purr.

Aveline didn't appear to believe me, but we all looked like we were unsure of what to make such a situation. "Did you speak to the Viscount?" Aveline asked curiously, taking a seat next to Anders.

"I did." I told her, "He was most grateful for my involvement of getting Saemus out of there. I got a little reward out of it too. I heard from Donnic that you were comin' in here, so we thought we'd accompany you on your break."

The way Aveline's lips curled together in a sort of grimace, I couldn't help but smile at succeeding in making her cringe in annoyance. Like a rightful sister should. Varric began distributing the cards he had been shuffling for some time, "Care for a game, Aveline?" He asked.

"I really should be-"

"You are on your break!" I reminded Aveline, full well knowing she was just trying to come up with an excuse. "What? You don't like me? I thought we were friends, you wound me, madam!"

Anders glanced over Aveline knowingly, "I don't think it's your company she is bothered by, Hawke."

She didn't deny it. "Where are your siblings?"

"Holland is tying loose ends with Meeran...sorry, was that too loud? Bethany went with mother to the Chantry. She tries to play it as a devout Andrastian, but we all know she simply goes there to ogle one of those Chantry Brothers...I forget his name. Sebastian or something? And Carver...well...I'm not sure really. He never tells me."

Aveline groaned, "You don't know if he is up to something stupid again? I've seen him hanging around that Athenril."

I shrugged, and Aveline glared at me. "Relax Aveline, I am sure Holland or Bethany would have been informed. If it was truly that stupid, Bethany would have told either of us right now in hysterics."

As we began the game, I felt the tension between Aveline and Anders. A City Guardswoman, sworn to abide by Kirkwall's strict rules, and a renegade mage with a secret Clinic, illegally healing Ferelden refugees.

Aveline of course voiced these concerns to me, especially when we discovered Anders'...condition. But I reassured her that we were only using Anders for his Grey Warden maps.

I guess she wasn't expecting Anders to pal around with us, bringing him to her work like we were good friends. I liked Anders.

And he seemed to like me very well too. Aveline would be quite angry if I told her such, not that I would really need to. But leave it to the guardswoman to attempt to play nice in the empty break room at Viscount's Keep. "I hear good things about you, Anders. Not what I expected." She noted.

"From a mage, you mean." Anders said automatically, drawing a card.

Aveline looked around in surprise, in fear someone would hear. We took just as many precautions with Anders as we did with Holland and Bethany, but scarily enough, Anders did not seem to care about his safety. (Or anybody else's) "I don't think that was what she meant, Anders." I tried to explain, aware of Anders' little triggers.

"How else am I to be judged?" He challenged, looking straight at Aveline, "What else am I a shining example of?"

Aveline licked her lips unimpressed, stiffly holding her cards out in front of her, "I don't know... other Fereldens lurking in Darktown? Mage or not." She whispered the last part for only us to hear.

"You see, Blondie? Aveline makes a valid point there." Varric remarked.

Anders nodded, discarding one of his cards and looking at his hand, "But yet you were married to a templar?" I looked up with just my eyes at the pair across from me, Aveline cleared her throat in further annoyance as Anders chewed at his lip in focus at his cards, but continued to prod.

"What of it?" Aveline asked.

Anders laughed, "Are they all as dirty as they seem?"

The redheaded guardswoman let out a scoff before she sat up in her seat, staring in disbelief at the mage sitting next to him, "What?"

"Did he ever ask you to play 'the naughty mage and the helpless recruit?' Maybe the 'secret desire demon and the upstanding knight?'"

"That is disgusting!"

Anders drew another card, "I hear it is quite popular. I often get patients who have these sort of liasons with templars, but...that is all I am saying on that."

A thick silence followed afterward, and I think even Varric felt the tension that could be sliced with a sword. I spoke up in an attempt to change the subject, "Anders, is there...anything you can do to help with...certain...um…"

Anders seemed confused by my struggling to figure out the right words for these sensitive topics for both parties, "Hawke...does this topic make you feel uncomfortable?"

Aveline got straight to the point, "Holland has heard some rumblings in Darktown, and I need to know if there is anything going on with the Mages?"

Varric spoke up, questioningly, "What kinds of things that nobody else suspects already. Not that confirms anything to be true…"

"I'm a guard. I'm the first person who has to deal with... trouble."

Anders didn't answer for a moment, but he appeared annoyed, glaring at his cards, "You want help killing people like me."

Varric, once again, stepped in as a better voice of reason, "Anders, we're not saying that every mage is into blood magic or ...whatever, but if there are any who are planning on causing harm-"

"As much harm as a templar or a city guard with a sword." Was Anders' rebuttal. Aveline stared at him almost in disbelief at how fast a conversation can turn serious. It was just those triggers always seem to get to him. The Renegade mage laughed to himself as he checked his cards, "It wasn't this bad in Ferelden, let me tell you."

Aveline looked at me, with a thoughtful expression, and I silently begged her to just be patient. She sighed, taking one of the cards from her hands and discarding it in one swift motion, "That I can agree on. Ferelden...was...far less prejudice on mages or…" She had a faraway glisten in her eyes as she talked, in the same fondness that mother or Holland had whilst reminiscing. "It was home. I would never have left it willingly. But...I didn't want to become like my father and try to live out a memory."

"Yes...Ferelden wasn't as bad, but mages were still not free. I didn't give it a second thought when I came to Amaranthine, it did nothing for me." Varric sucked in his teeth as Anders continued to conversate, but yet, the mage didn't sound bitter this time, "And yet...I think about it...I think about it."

"...from what I have heard," Aveline tried to reason, "King Alistair has been working on giving the Circle of Magi in Ferelden autonomy, independance."

"I know...I did hear that...although lets see him follow up on those plans before somebody stops him, or they silence those who rally for the idea. Remember, the King used to be a templar."

I intervened, noticing Aveline's foot tapping under the table, which usually meant that she had her limit, "I miss the cold in Ferelden." I blurted, "And the open air with the dirt. Kirkwall doesn't have nearly enough dirt or dogs! Poor Berserk has been cooped up in Gamlen's hovel for a year. He needs open fields."

Anders was smiling warmly at me, and added, "I knew there was something Kirkwall was missing." He laughed, "Not enough dogshit. Don't you miss that, Hawke?"

After the game (which I won), Captain Jeven came into the Breakroom, "Vallen! What are you doing bullshitting with these people?!"

"It was my break, sir." Aveline explained with a salute.

"Well your break just ended so I suggest you return to your post! As for the rest of you lot, you have no authorization in here! Make yourself scarce or I will have to make my guards force you out."

I raised my arms in peace, "There is no need for that, Guard Captain. We are going!" As Varric collected all the cards and carefully placed them into his coat pocket, I whispered to him, "You and Anders can wait for me outside the Keep."

"Will do, Hawke."

When Varric and Anders left, Aveline glared at me expectantly, "So, you and this Anders are becoming quite chummy."

"You can say that."

"I don't mind Varric. In fact, he may be a bother at times, but most days he means well. But this Anders...you can't get through a conversation without him raving about the plight of mages."

"He's passionate, you have to give him that." I noted.

After studying me for a moment, Aveline scoffed in disgust, "Maker's breath, Garnet...you fancy him!"

"...Aveline! Of course I do! You cannot deny he is handsome! Have you seen his killer eyes and a wicked smile?"

"Pardon me, I was too distracted by his zealotry!"

"He is not a zealot, Aveline!"

"And have you forgotten he is an abomination?"

I couldn't exactly come up with a good follow up on that very true fact. Besides an indignant; "So?"

"'So?' That is all you have to say on the matter?"

I couldn't rightfully defend him, but I told myself that I was just being friendly until the Expedition...then I will no longer have to associate with the man.

DA2

So...three years later...he sat at the Hanged Man, amongst my other friends I have acquired before my wealth settled in. And Aveline...was Captain of the Guard now. She had to set an example for the other Guardsmen.

While usually it was my redheaded fellow warrior who sat scowling at her cards, as the mage made light of the woman, Anders appeared to be having a bad day. "You're glaring, Anders. Is there a reason, or is it one of your moods?"

The Mage in question did not seem well enough to entertain the question, but he kept his eyes on his cards, "Your term as captain hasn't been particularly "mage friendly."

Holland and Aveline already had this argument earlier in the day, so I was surprised when my older brother actually went out of his way to defend the woman he usually bumped heads with. "It was only a handful, Anders. And besides...they were maleficarum."

"Every despot starts somewhere." He spat, glaring up at Aveline.

Aveline scoffed, finally had enough of Anders' jabs, "And yet I allow an abomination to whine at me! Credit where it's due."

She went there!

Varric quickly chugged his ale, Holland audibly gasped, Merrill covered her mouth, Isabela rested her hand on her hands, eagerly waiting for the argument, as Fenris simply discarded and drew another card while everybody was distracted.

Anders glared at Aveline, "I have already explained this a hundred times. I am not an abomination."

"Yes, I know. So you have mentioned. You are of two people. Anders and...Justice."

"No!"

Varric clarified, "But you said that you were of two minds."

"Most people are."

Aveline appeared most exasperated, "Then explain then! Instead of claiming us to be inaccurate on our perception on you, explain what exactly you are Anders!"

Merril stared down at her cards, "Is the game over?"

"No, Merrill." Holland quietly whispered to the innocent elf, "we are still playing, hide your hand…"

My good friend Aveline was becoming even more frustrated, "I don't understand why you can never just answer a simple question, instead you want to play these riddles and mind games! It is infuriating holding a conversation with you!"

"Then it's fortunate it doesn't occur often." Anders muttered, "I am only nice to you because you are Hawke's friend. We are not...pals."

"Indeed!"

Fenris spoke up, "Alright, now that we got that out of the way, can we move along with this game. I would also appreciate a refill, please?" He held up his cup for the barmaid to pick up and pour him another cup.

Merrill was the one who tried to change the subject, "Hawke, did you hear from your brother?"

"What is it that you want, Anders!?" Aveline suddenly blurted, slamming her cards down.

"Love, life, and liberty. What more does a man need?" Anders asked.

Isabela rubbed her temples, "Maker...I am not drunk enough for this."

"Perhaps instead of spending your days off here with us, you could be out ratting to the templars to come and arrest me!"

Anders slammed his hand down. The Angel of Death card. He pushed the chair out from underneath and snatched the Chalice that sat in the middle of the table and stormed out of Varric's room.

Aveline watched me expectantly, before I followed after the mage.

The night was warm, summertime. Surprisingly, there were no crooks out at this time. We headed for the entrance to Darktown before he finally turned around with a sigh, "I apologize. She just...pushes me over. I don't see why you are friends with someone who is helping the templars."

"She isn't helping the templars." I argued. "She is a Guardswoman. She is protecting the people. Those mages were blood mages. She would never turn in anyone innocent."

"How do you know it wasn't her that got Bethany sent to the Circle in the first place? She was here, you and I were in the Deep Roads with Varric and...and Carver. She didn't appear too surprised when you told her Cullen came to Gamlen's hovel."

I couldn't give a good enough response besides; "Aveline wouldn't do that to me. Not after everything we went through together. Aveline is my family. Look, I know I shouldn't be expecting the two of you to be painting each other's toenails anytime soon but you are both important to me."

"I am?" Anders asked.

"Of course. You saved Carver's life. I can never repay you for that. You even risked the Wardens trying to bring you back."

"They didn't. I guess Warden Commander Brosca has a soft spot for me."

"Well, from the letters I have received from Carver, the Hero of Ferelden sounds like a reasonable woman. But...truly Anders, please try to understand why my relationship with Aveline is also very important to me."

Anders merely nodded. He didn't appear to agree, but he respected my wishes.

DA2

"I suppose you're just thrilled how the knight-commander's basically stepped into the Viscount's seat?" Anders started with Aveline again tonight.

Tonight was special. Our usual Wicked Grace game was relocated from the usual Hanged Man to my Estate. Or rather...Our Estate. Our meaning Holland and I...and Anders.

He has been living with me for two years now. And while I was warned (by Holland and Aveline and...Varric...and everyone else) how sudden Anders moving in was, and how much of a bad idea it was…

...I sure hated being wrong. It was manageable at first. Perhaps due to the curse of the 'honeymoon' phase we were both under. But as the years wore on...he became less adorable, funny, charming, passionate and more...angry, gloomy, obsessive, and...naggy.

Everyone was concerned for the mage, especially after Knight Commander Meredith took over the Viscount's position when the Qunari attacked Kirkwall. "She can't stall the process forever. It's not her place." Aveline explained. "Leaving the viscount's seat empty will just tempt people to fight for it. It will cause more trouble than it prevents."

"Well said, Aveline." Sebastian agreed where he sat on the floor around the small table. "Though I find the Knight Commander's motives as of late to be...unorthodox…"

"Obviously." Varric muttered.

Anders furrowed his eyebrows, something he has been doing more and more in the recent days, Donnic laughed good naturedly, "I have to admit, Anders. Of the mages I know, you're the one I expected to go out in a blaze."

"The day is young." Anders responded.

Aveline glared, "Donnic was giving you a compliment, you ass."

Holland coughed, clearly disagreeing in his own diplomatic way.

Suddenly, Anders looked furious. "I thought you were on my side, Donnic."

A very weird exchange of glances happened. Between the husband and wife out of guilt and confusion, and everybody else at the table including me seemed surprised by this turn of events.

Varric was Donnic's savior, "What I believe the Guard Dog hear said was that he believes the Knight Commander is going mad."

Anders continued to narrow his eyes at Aveline's husband, "Did you tell your wife."

"Now, there, friend-" Donnic tried to ease my lover's paranoia.

"-I am not your friend!"

"Donnic," Aveline turned her attention to her husband in utter bewilderment, "What is he going on about? What do you know that you are not telling me?"

Donnic sighed, seeming stuck. Varric couldn't help him this time. "Love, the...the Knight Commander has been running investigations on us. The guardsmen, that is."

"What!? And you...you told Anders and not only your wife but the bloody Captain of the Guard!"

Anders continued to egg the fight on, "He won't fight for her when the time comes. Would you turn against your own husband?"

"Stop it!" I was surprised to hear Merrill's squeak as she covered her ears, "Please, stop all this fighting! I just wanted to play a game. I...I just wanted to forget all this was happening for a while."

"You can't, Merril." Anders warned the elf, "It is never over!"

"Enough, Anders!" Aveline shouted, slamming her cards down. "I...am finished here. Donnic, let us go."

"Can't we finish the game first?" Holland asked sheepishly.

"I am no longer in the mood." She shrugged Donnic off as she stormed off. I chased after her.

"Aveline!" I called out to her. When we got outside, to the Kirkwall's Hightown, the night sky casting an ominous shadow over the city, she spun on her heel and glared me down.

"I used to respect you, Garnet! Even after all the foolery you have put me through. I owe you a lot. But...this man...look at what he is doing? To everybody, to you...to himself. I cannot stand another moment with him. Donnic and I will no longer be coming over to visit, Garnet."

"What?" Was all I could say. As I stood in my robes in the middle of Hightown, Aveline, looking the most beautiful and usually happy as I have ever seen her, dressed more like a noblewoman then a guardswoman...the imagery ruined by her frown, as she tugged back her long braid.

"I am sorry, Hawke. I...I can't even be in the same room as him. I wished things didn't have to be this way...but I am quite finished here." Donnic came out of my Estate after she said that, and they began heading in the direction of their home.

Later that night, Anders and I were in probably one of our biggest fights ever. "Calm down, Anders!"

"I don't need this, Garnet! If you want to make amends with the Guard Captain, as always, then go!"

"I have already told you my relationship with Aveline, I thought you understood that!"

"That was before Aveline proved she is supporting of the Knight Commander! She is trying to turn you to her side! What of Holland or Bethany-she is in the bloody Circle!"

"Are you still on that!? Aveline did not send Bethany to the circle! Anders, what is happening here!? You have become-"

"A lunatic!?" Anders assumed.

Dead on.

"If there is a problem you should be able to talk to me."

"It wouldn't matter now will it? No matter how many times you proclaim that you are on my side, or that you care about me, or you support me, or support mages...you will continue to rally for the templars and the city guard against mages. You will continue to let people like Isabela take advantage of you, or you will let Fenris declare how all mages need to be destroyed, despite his relations with your brother."

"Anders, you are the one that said things are not that clear and cut!"

"Well, I was wrong!" He shouted, his eyes flaring up blue. "I remember you betraying me in the Fade. You...Garnet...are a liar. And I am moving out."

"Wait, Anders, just wait!" I grabbed his hand before he grabbed his sack, "Please...don't go. I love you. I want you here."

I even felt pathetic begging and pleading like this. I was never this kind of woman. But it was less about me and more about him. I was actually very concerned about the condition my lover was in.

He glared down at me, as I kissed his hands, as I always do. Almost as a puppy does, licking your hands in apology. "Come now, Anders. Let us not fight. We are just...tired and a bit intoxicated," I laughed, "We should...go to bed, and discuss more in the morning if you wish."

The guilt returned to him. The Anders I know and loved. He sighed, reaching out and caressing my cheek as he always did as he pressed a tender kiss on my lips. "I apologize, love. For my temper. You have always been so patient with me."

I kissed him back, and I was only half aware of my brother listening in on our conversation we were having in the study.

DA2

We were almost out of Hightown, heading for Lowtown. I had to stop and get the Feddics and Orianna to safety. Not wanting any harm to come to those I have adopted into my household.

As we headed into Lowtown (Holland had wanted to warn our Uncle of the state of the city), Aveline stopped me. I hadn't had a moment since it happened. "Hawke."

"Aveline." I repeated, forcing a smile on my face, "I am rather surprised you decided to remain by our side. You are so fired from the City Guard."

She didn't even try to laugh, as she pulled me into an embrace. "I am sorry. I know that was hard for you. Are you okay?"

"Is anyone?" I asked, still trying to keep a happy fascade. "First we need to warn Gamlen, and then we have to hurry to the Gallows before anything happens to Bethany."

"Garnet, stop evading, please."

"Aveline, as you can see the city is literally on fire...again. We can't discuss this now."

"We won't later either at this rate. But...you could have turned him in."

"No I couldn't. He would just get out. You know how many times that man escaped the Circle in Ferelden, he even avoided the Wardens. And then he disappeared for months when Cullen was informed...the man is more of an illusionist than a mage. No...he would just...get away."

Aveline sighed, "I understand."

"It was only a matter of time, Aveline. You were right."

"That does not mean I wished to be, Garnet." She pleaded earnestly.

"Hey!" Varric called out, "We got trouble. We need to stop the chatter and get going."

I drew my battle axe, and Aveline pulled out her sword and shield in response, as we followed Varric into the fray.