Title: Weight of Friendship

Rating: T

Genre: Angst/Friendship

Characters: Aidyn Hawke, Sebastian

Pairing: None

Disclaimer: They still haven't signed over the rights to me. Ah, well, their loss, I suppose. :P

A/N: I purposely made Aidyn so that everyone but Merrill adored him; and she only disliked him because he disapproved of the whole blood magic-and-evil-mirrors thing. So, unsurprisingly, Sebastian was his friend, too. And his disapproval and obvious distaste for the more magically inclined side of his life broke poor little Aidyn's heart.

"Bastian." The word was barely a breath, barely a word at all. Sebastian flinched, but forced himself to not turn, not yield, not to the soft voice or the pleading green eyes or the gentle, affectionate face. "Bastian, please? Just- talk to me. Please talk to me. You're my friend. Aren't you?"

"Of course I am, Hawke." The words were on a tired sigh. He shouldn't have answered at all. "I am and will always be. That does not mean I agree with your every choice- or that I am not allowed to be furious with you."

"…Between you and Fenris, it's amazing that I don't just go out and brand a Tranquil stamp on my own forehead. What would you have had me do?"

"Not go into the Fade to begin with, for one." He pushed down hard on the part of him that wanted to snap.

"And let that boy die, or become worse then dead? Beautiful line of reasoning, Sebastian, I'm shocked that people in the Chantry are so ill-regarded-"

"Do not." Firm. Aidyn flinched slightly, dipped his head and brushed his hand through his hair.

"I'm sorry, Bastian. I didn't mean that- like that."

(He'd called him 'Bastian' almost since the moment they'd met. He'd sort of wanted to dislike Aidyn, knowing the things the mage had done, caused. His companions and his methods weren't something he necessarily agreed with, and he was conflicted already- now it was even worse, torn not only between his place in his life but his personal ideals, as well. He'd been hurting and snappish and it needed a place to go- Aidyn, with his too-glib tongue and too casual attitude was the perfect outlet.

And then he'd shown up, holding his grandfather's bow awkwardly, his vibrant green eyes down and shuffling with clear uncertainty. He'd picked up easily on Sebastian's animosity, that much was clear, and his entire body language projected it, loud and clear.

"Here," He'd said, softly, quickly, as if frightened he'd done the wrong thing. "I, uh, have something that belongs to you."

And Sebastian had felt his dislike melt away, like grime washed off by cool water. Aidyn wanted him to like him- wanted to be friends. And when the soft-spoken, playful man had apologized for not being there to protect his family- shame stung him, hard. He'd behaved like an ass.

His warm reply had caused Aidyn to light up like a beacon, his smile coming out like the sun from behind a cloud. He had a face made for smiling, laughing, and Sebastian couldn't help but think he wanted to keep that smile firmly in place.)

Aidyn wasn't smiling now. He was fidgeting, hands behind his back, looking up and then down and nervously chewing at his lip.

"Look, it's not like I pushed you to come with me."

"I'm not allowed to disagree with things you do, Hawke?"

"You're disagreeing with me saving the life of a boy, Sebastian!"

"I'm disagreeing with you interfering in a place that doesn't and shouldn't involve you, and flat-out refusing to kill the boy if he became a threat!"

"Make him Tranquil, you mean! You have no idea what a- a nightmarish thought that is, that I would have to do that to someone-"

"As opposed to letting him become a dream-walking monster? You wouldn't be choosing one life over another, you'd be making him safe."

"Listen to you, Sebastian! Do you realize what you sound like? Who you sound like? Fuck's sake!"

"Watch your language here, please." He gritted his teeth. "And who do I supposedly sound like?"

"You sound like some kind of extremist Templar, treating mages like- some sort of dangerous wild animals-oh, it's for their own good, they're dangerous-"

"We're getting just a tad off topic, don't you think?"

"Are we?" Aidyn's eyes were flashing but wet, too- not unusual. Aidyn was intensely emotional, Sebastian had come to learn, and usually was in tears if you got him worked up enough, in any extreme state of emotion. Still, the sight of the tears sent a pang through him.

"Yes, we are." He heard his voice gentling, to his own frustration. He was supposed to be angry. "I didn't lie when I said I was glad you returned safe. Unharmed, and as yourself."

"Surprised I didn't give in to the whims of a demon?"

"Not at all, actually." Softly, and honestly. There was something special about Aidyn. Sebastian couldn't put his finger on what, exactly, but it was there, burning brightly for anyone who knew how to look. "It's a treacherous place, Aidyn."

"Is that really why you worried?"

"Oh for- yes!" Sebastian threw up his hands. "You're a good person, Aidyn, but sometimes I'm not certain you make the right choices. And I don't want you Tranquil, and I certainly am not going to call templars down on your head or whatever it is you were blathering about."

"Fenris- Fenris told me you said-"

Sebastian winced. Of course the elf would have said something; the two were close.

"I said it because it needed to be said, Hawke. Even unpleasantness needs to be voiced, from time to time."

Aidyn looked up, and the hurt on his face near broke Sebastian's resolve. "No one makes you stay with us, you know. But so help me, Sebastian, I won't let anyone hurt them. Not even you."

"Aidyn. I was just- talking. Bringing up a point that has since been resolved." He met Aidyn's eyes, forced the little apostate to look at him squarely. "Nothing is going to happen to any of you. Not because of me. I don't like it, I don't agree with it, but I am your friend. That's the part that matters, at least now."

He stepped forward- when Aidyn physically moved back, Sebastian stopped and sighed. "Alright." He said, simply. "If you have need of me, Aidyn, you can find me here."

Aidyn shuffled for a moment, chewing his lip. " 'Kay." He said at last, very softly, turning away; his entire body language was subdued and slumped, like a kicked puppy, and Sebastian felt himself move before he fully gave his body permission. Aidyn actually jumped a little, at the touch to his shoulder.

"If you like, I'll tell you more about my Grandfather, if you come later." He offered, softly. "And you can tell me about your sister. I'd like to know about the infamous Hawke who turned her elder brother's hair purple once."

The laugh was sweet as honey, and the Aidyn's face lit up again.

"Father was not pleased." He laughed out, smile softening. "I- okay. I'd like that."

Sebastian watched him go, his own smile fading a little. Aidyn was a good man, a good friend, a good heart. But he couldn't help but feel a knot in the pit of his belly, something tight and cold. Just because you wanted to be friends with someone didn't mean you could. Just because Sebastian no longer wanted to dislike Aidyn didn't mean they would ever quite manage to see eye-to-eye, and he couldn't help but wonder what would happen, in the days to come.

Ah, well. One day at a time, and trust in the Maker that all would work out as it should. That it all was happening for a reason.

Trust and hope, because really, that was all that was left.