A/N: Thanks zoestar1 for the review!
The tavern where Hawke and Varric drank that night was filled to capacity; Hawke was surprised not a soul was up dancing to the loud and lively music playing. Part of him regretted not going to the peace conference with the twins, but he was just so tired. So tired of the political machinations that ruled Thedas, so tired of always being at the forefront. It wasn't that he didn't like helping people, he just wanted a vacation. And he hadn't seen Varric in about four years, they deserved this, right?
"Ah, just like old times. Play a couple hands of Wicked Grace, have some ale, and let the world's problems stop at the door." Hawke finished off his tankard, enjoying the much better quality than what they were used to from The Hanged Man.
"And the barmaid is pretty, and a lot friendlier than Norah!" Varric might make it look like the place was better than their spot, but Hawke knew where Varric's heart truly lie.
"Well, I'm beat. Ready to get out of here?" Garrett sighed, even though the night was still young, he wasn't too keen on all the stares he had been getting since they arrived.
"Fine, fine." They rose, Varric dropped the coin on the table. "I'll take my leave."
"See you tomorrow, hun. And maybe you as well?" The passing waitress winked at the mage before continuing her rounds.
"Maybe." Hawke curtly replied, although her look was fair he wasn't all that interested. On the verge of his mid-thirties; the urge to settle down and have some normalcy in his life had begun to creep up on Garrett.
The pair had almost made their way to the exit when they heard that very same waitress land a hard smack across an unexpectant face. Hawke didn't need to turn around to see what was going on; it was just like at The Hanged Man with Norah. And of course Varric's reaction was just the same.
"Get em, tiger." Hawke said under his breath, knowing to stay out of this fight.
"She's not interested." Varric swiftly pinned the man to the wall with two precisely aimed shots. "But Bianca here, is a sucker for drunk, dumb, and ugly." The man obviously didn't agree, he grunted and tried taking out the bolt. Laughter from all corners of the tavern chuckled at the sight of a dwarf putting arrogance in his place.
"I think it's love at first sight, Varric. Be careful, she might cheat on you." He stifled a snicker, knowing that despite this man shadowing Varric's stature and had armor on, it would be naive to underestimate Varric Tethras. Hawke leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed with an amused look on his face.
"She would never!" Varric whispered to his friend in a mock hurt voice before turning his attention back to the man. "Take a hint, human." He mustered up his most masculine voice, his extravagance no less the same than on the first day Hawke had met him.
And that was when everything went to shit.
A terrible explosion racked the sky, forcing the door Hawke stood by to burst open.
"Shit, looks like trouble found its way through the door!" Hawke sucked in air as the whoosh came in, taking him by surprise. Green light was all one could see, its touch stretched for miles.
"Aww, not again…" Varric lamented before reloading Bianca. The Veil was literally torn open, not just a simple little tear with a couple garden variety demons.
"I don't know if we can compare this to Kirkwall, Varric…" And then it occurred to him, "The Conclave!" Hawke was already running past his best friend, knowing the Trevelyan's were there. Hawke could sense hundreds of demons spiraling out from the center of the Breach, but there was time to reach the temple before they arrived at Haven at least.
His instinct kicked in, and so did guilt immediately. There was no time to help the staggered townspeople of Haven, Hawke had to get to the temple and find Evelyn and Maxwell. Maker, he hoped they were alright…
Varric cursed after Hawke, but his pleas that they were going on a suicide mission were unheard as the mage quickly unstrapped his staff and began running through the gates. Everything was chaos all around him; civilians and soldiers terrified and unsure what to do. Hawke had to tune it all out. He lost track of how many soldiers actually did follow him out into the Frostbacks, but he vaguely remembered seeing the templar Cullen right next to them. In other circumstances, he would have shook the man's hand for once again fighting with him, but now was not the time.
"Look, out! Demons ahead!" Cullen cried out, pointing with his sword. While he led the squad of men, Hawke and Varric were at the forefront. It was so natural how their fighting patterns came back into play after the time had passed since Kirkwall.
"The smoke is getting bad, Hawke. We need to wait until it clears up to keep travelling up the mountain, or we'll never make it." Cullen began to cough, the smoke from the explosion was already starting to affect the group. They were only about a mile down the path from where the temple had been.
"There could be survivors, we have to try!" Hawke aimed his staff and summoned a blizzard powerful enough to freeze the last rage demon in their way. "I'm a mage, I'll cast barriers to help protect you all. Now, if we're done debating on the best coarse of action, let's go!" Hawke's voice held no trace of humor, light heartedness. This was the Champion of Kirkwall working.
"You know I'm with you, Hawke." Varric stroked Bianca after wiping the sweat from his brow that had formed from all the running. They caught a spot of luck the last half mile up the path, Varric was undoubtedly grateful for the break.
Everyone fell silent when they saw what remained of the Temple of Sacred Ashes. Almost completely obliterated, what structures remained were growing patches of red lyrium that should not have been there.
"Maker…" Hawke gasped when they saw the burnt corpses, forever encased in positions of terror. "Evelyn! Maxwell!" He tried calling out their names to no avail as the group searched the grounds.
But then there was a sound not far off, Hawke couldn't place what it was. They ran over, three of Cullen's soldiers cautiously taking the lead. What Hawke and Varric saw was unbelievable! A rift was opening, and just as it had opened, it was already closing after two limp forms collapsed from it.
"It's the twins!" Hawke rushed forward despite the soldiers not trusting them. He quickly observed them and knew their states were dire. Being friends with Anders finally paid off in some way. "Shit, they're burning up. We need to get them down the mountain." Not many words were exchanged from that point, none of them had any idea of what happened there. But Hawke knew in his gut the Trevelyan's were innocent.
All he could think of was frantic thoughts as he carried Evelyn back to Haven. There was a sense of deadly peace to her frail face that comforted and frightened him at the same time. Maxwell was carried between two soldiers, and he fared no better. While Evelyn's breathing was irregular and erratic, Maxwell's breath came in short, fast gasps. Hawke had no idea if they would even make it back in time.
He had to save them.