.vii.
"ANDERS!"
Another patient? And an angry sounding one at that. He's up and pulling a shirt on over his head, stumbling across the small closet he calls a room. 'Not another, please, powers that be.' He's so tired from last night's shift he almost doesn't care if it is someone missing all of their limbs, or the Templars finally come to take him away. In fact, it might be a mercy at this point.
Not Templars. Justice speaks in his mind. But equally threatening. Be vigilant.
"Maker, elf, if I were him and I heard you bellowing like that I'd be climbing out the back window right now." Varric, he can tell, voice like he's been gargling with shark's teeth and broken glass.
"Then let us hope he has more courage than sense. Mage! Show yourself!" And Fenris. Delightful.
He emerges from the back room, irritation replacing the last remnants of sleep. Last night had been a veritable guantlet, it seemed the next morning was already shaping up to follow suit. He catches sight of the two, standing in the doorway of the empty clinic. "Please, a little louder, I don't think every single Templar in the Gallows heard you!"
"Gladly," the elf growls, fists curled and shoulders hunched, poised to strike "As soon as you tell us what you've done with Hawke."
What he'd done with Hawke? Unfortunately nothing. The last time he'd seen her was a few days before, when she'd invited him out for Wicked Grace night and he'd declined, too many people to take care of. She'd stayed behind, and helped him with that night's patients. He almost smiles at the thought. He can still see her, bent over a patient, pulsing with healing magic, smiling at everyone, reassuring and kind.
"I'm flattered that you'd think she's with me," he says, snapping out of his reverie, "but I haven't seen her in days."
"Enough games! Where is she!?" The lyrium on his skin flares to life, bright, blinding light, and Justice responds, surging under his skin, ready and willing to tear the insolent, hateful elf apart, if need be.
"Why are you asking me? I. Don't. Know." he repeats, curling his own fists in response. His staff is just a few paces away, balanced on the wall...
"Enough, both of you!" Varric steps forward, raising his hands "Blondie, Hawke went missing a few days ago. No one has seen her."
"And we found that you sent her a letter telling her to meet you at the Docks." Fenris glares at him with skin prickling intensity.
"I'm sure you have this letter with you, then? Let me see it."
"That's the thing. As far as we can tell it was enchanted, 'burn after reading' style. Sandal was the only one who saw it."
"The finger of blame is pointing at you, mage."
"Can you put his muzzle back on, or something?" It's far too early in the morning to deal with this half rabid dog, especially after the nights he's had. Fenris starts stalking toward him, his intent evident on his face.
"Very well, abomination, if you will not tell us, I'll will force the truth from you."
"No! No, let's not and say we didn't, alright!" Varric yells, once again jumping in front of the advancing elf, holding him back.
"Look, I don't know where she is, I haven't seen her. I spent all night here, healing people. I'm sure a good portion of the city can vouch for my whereabouts. I didn't send Hawke any letters, much less any enchanted ones."
They stand in tense silence.
"I believe you," Varric finally sighs, taking his restraining hand off Fenris' chest plate. "But if you didn't send for her, that means someone else did, using your name. That's not good."
"What do you think happened?" Genuine fear is starting to grip him, overriding the adrenaline of a possible fight, and his fatigue from the night before. Hawke doesn't just disappear without a trace, she's always got one of them with her, traipsing about Kirkwall like vigilantes.
"No idea, not yet, you were our only real lead."
"The Docks." Fenris grumbles.
"And the Docks, seems like that's where she was headed."
Justice settles into the back of his mind, the threat appearing to have passed, for the moment. Now his focus is Hawke.
"Alright." He nods, and turns, gathering his things, throwing on his coat. "Alright. She's missing. I'm coming with you. Three heads are better than two. I'll help you look." They both look at him witheringly. "You said it yourself, some enchanted letter telling her to meet Maker knows who? She could be in danger. I'm coming with you, no argument."
"It keeps getting better," sighs Varric, pressing his fingers to his forehead. "Three heads are not better than two when two of them are moments away from killing each other."
"I can control myself. You will have no trouble from me," Anders assures, with a look of disapproval at the elf, who couldn't sneer any harder without tearing his face in two. His assurances are met with a derisive snort from said elf.
"Then let's move. The sooner we find her the better."
He pulls on his boot, quickly lacing them, reminded of all the practice he'd had dressing quickly while in the Circle. Drawing a cloak over his shoulders in the darkness of night, preparing to flee. He hadn't had to flee from very much in these last years, thanks to Hawke, Aveline and Varric too. They'd used their combined authority to keep him safe from most threats; Templars, thugs, Carta, Coterie, and the like. He didn't deserve it. Didn't deserve friendship. Not when-
It must be done. Justice-Vengeance reminds him. No half measures. No compromise.
With a last heavy sigh, he collects his staff and leaves the clinic.
Authors Note: My eternal and undying love to MidnightCarnival (I absolutely hate Danarius with very fiber of my being. I was tempted to write him as a cucumber, but that would be an insult to the vegetable), Nezumi (You could honestly just leave me ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) faces for reviews and I'd be content), DreamsKillReality, Jcvbpickle, MazzieRoko, Please Insert Girder (erotic), Syola, TakableFirebird17, The Musketeers 29 (that's a lot of musketeers), and shelby147. You have all warmed my cold, dead heart. And we've got plenty more on the way. Next up, we meet the irritating prick behind this whole mess! Can you feel the excitement? Stay tuned!