Fenris knew he shouldn't have drunk so much. Even if Varric offered him the drinks. Obviously, he was going to have a very hard time getting back to his mansion tonight... even if it wasn't exactly hismansion.

"Now, that's the frown that says what am I doing isn't it? Or is it the I'm drunk one?"

"Will you ever make sense with your... nonsense, dwarf?" the elf said, turning to Varric. The dwarf was still sitting on his usual chair at the end of the table, smiling.

"Trust me, elf, I've seen you brooding for everything and nothing. But this kind of brooding clearly show that you are disturbed by something."

"I-"

"Do not brood, of course!" Varric chuckled. "Don't play this game with me, you cannot fool me."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"You didn't mean to scare that kid. But it's alright. I bet you've scared a lot more people. I don't see why you're so affected by that."

"It's not..." Fenris sighed, resting his head on the palm of his hand. "I've been reckless. I assumed whoever was still there had to be another slaver. But..."

"But?"

"You said you didn't know there were slaves... and yet this one was there. A child. Slavers don't bother with only oneslave."

"Well, they do with you." The dwarf held up his hands as Fenris glared at him. "Now, now, I know you're a special kind and he's just a kid, but... what's your point?"

"He was probably the only survivor." Edwina arrived in Varric's private suite, carrying a mug of beer. The warrior snatched it from her and proceeded to drink, ignoring her look of annoyance. He slammed it down the table as Varric gently waved her away. "What will become of him, now? He can't possibly survive on his own."

"Hawke will probably think of something." The dwarf said, leaning back on his chair. "You shouldn't worry about it. Don't forget Orana. She used to be a slave, and but now is working for him. As a servant."

"As if I could forget that day..." The elf mumbled, remembering the feeling of his fingers curling around Hadriana's heart and crushing it, Hawke's attempt at comforting him, and... everything. He sighed, gulping down the rest of his beer. "You sound like he may keep this boy as well." Fenris said, shaking his head. "A new servant? This is ridiculous."

"I didn't say he'd keep him. But really, Fenris, you're getting drunk for no reason. Are you sure there's nothing you're keeping from me and Bianca?"

"That's none of your business."

Varric shook his head, crossing his arms over his chest as he watched the drunk elf, who was now visibly trying not to fall asleep right here. He couldn't say that trying to understand Fenris was easy business. More like a helpless one. It seemed that only Hawke could see through the thick spikes of this angsty porcupine. A real challenge.
That wasn't going to make things easier either. He wasn't blind, and had watched more than once Hawke trying to get the elf's attention again since this... famous night, last year. He had warned his friend, but the human was a fool.
A fool in love.
Varric was just stuck at the place of spectator, watching this sad show about love and foolishness. But Hawke was a grown man, an adult who could make his own decisions. He just hoped there would be a happy ending...

"I should go back..." He was brought out of his thoughts as he heard the elf pushing his chair back and standing up. He tried to walk toward the door, but his steps were clearly unsteady.

"Elf, maybe you should stay here for the night?"

"In this dirty place? No thanks." Fenris said before hiccuping.

"As if your mansion full of dust was any better!" The elf turned around and looked at him... or at least, tried to. "... Fine, I got it. But I'll bring you back to your home."

"I don't need your charity."

"I just really don't feel like telling Hawke that I let you leave the Hanged Man as a mess. Especially if someone find you the next morning with only your underwear on and vomiting on your way up to the Chantry." He said, standing up and walking to Fenris.

"... What kind of nonsense is that?"

"The kind a writer says when he's fed up dealing with a drunk elf. Now, let's go."

The night was mostly quiet, save for some drunk people Hawke met on his way back home. It wasn't like he wouldn't be able to beat them of they were being aggressive, but the man wanted to avoid troubles and get back to the mansion.
Thankfully, none of them really paid attention to them, but he could feel the boy tensing in his arms each time one would look at them. Hawke would whisper not to worry, assuring him that they'd soon be at a safe place, and the child would somehow relax.
Somehow.

Hawke couldn't blame him. The boy would probably have nightmares on what had happened tonight. He sure did when his own mother had died in his arms last year...
Sighing faintly, he shook his head, not wanting to think about this terrible day, and soon reached his mansion. He gently set the boy down on the ground, who quickly grabbed his arm, holding it tightly.

"It's alright, now." He said with a faint smile, before leading him inside. The lights were still on, indicating that, at least, someone was still up. "I'm back!"

"Ah, messere! I hope you had a good- oh! You have a little guest?" Bodhan looked at the elven boy with surprise as Hawke arrived with him.

"Hello!" Sandal said with his usual grin. Orana, who had been watering the plants, just looked at the boy with wide eyes.

"Sort of..." The rogue said as he looked down. The child looked nervously at the two dwarfs before wrapping his arms around the rogue's legs. "We rescued him and... well, I'll bring him to the Chantry tomorrow. He will stay here for tonight."

"I understand. Oh, poor boy." Bodhan walked over and looked at the frightened child. "Would you like me to prepare something to eat for him?"

"Yes, please do." He said, nodding as the eldest dwarf and his son both left for the kitchen. "Orana, can you-"

A little scream startled him and the elven servant. They looked down and saw the boy quickly hiding behind Hawke, looking frightened as the rogue's mabari stepped closer, looking at the child with sheer curiosity. He had come down the stairs when he had heard his master coming home.

"Jep, don't scare our guest!" Hawke said to his dog, who simply sat down, his eyes still on the boy. "Don't worry, young one. It's just my dog. He may look a bit intimidating, but he can be a real puppy when he's in the mood."

As if to prove Hawke's point, Jep playfully rolled on his back before sitting up, panting happily and wagging his short tail. The boy still looked at him warily for a moment, before slowly stepping from behind Hawke.

"Pu... puppy?" He tried tentatively as he looked at Jep, who barked in answer before stepping closer and licking the boy's cheek. He was big enough to reach his head. "Ew! Drool!"
Hawke chuckled and looked as Orana stepped closer. "Ah, Orana! Will you please draw him a bath? He has had a hard night and could use one."

"Of course, master." Orana looked genuinely surprised at the child and then at Hawke. "If I may ask... do you want me to help him for the bath? I know how to do it. And the bathtub us not exactly fit for such a little boy."

"Are you sure it won't be a bother?"

"Of course not, Master!" The servant said with a little smile. "It would be a pleasure for me to help."

"Mmm..." Hawke went on his knee beside the boy, who was tentatively petting Jep. Because of the mabari, he didn't seem to have paid much attention to them. He wasn't shaking anymore, though. Now, he looked simply... curious. The boy had obviously never seen a mabari before. "Hey... Orana will give you a bath. And after that you'll have something to eat. Is that alright?"

"Bath and food?" The boy looked at him with surprise. "I... can?"

"Of course." Hawke said, gently ruffling the boy's hair. To both his surprise and relief, the child didn't flinch at the touch. He could be hard if the boy was afraid of everything. But he clearly seemed to have relaxed. At least, for now. "You're not a slave, boy... I mean... Ah, blast. I don't even know your name."

"... Selek." He answered. "My name is Selek."

"Well, Selek, you're a guest, here. So, we'll treat you like one."

"What's a guest?" The boy asked as Hawke stood back up. The rogue chuckled and gently led him to Orana. Though his question remained unanswered, the boy looked surprise as he looked at Orana for the first time. Maybe because she was another elf. "... hello?"

"Hello." Orana said, before taking his hand. "As master Hawke said, my name is Orana. Come with me, Selek, the bathroom is this way."

The boy simply followed and both elves went up the stairs. Selek stopped at the top, however, before looking at Hawke with worry. The rogue smiled at him and waved gently.

"Don't worry, I'll still be there once you're done. It's my house, after all."

The boy nodded and turned to Orana, following her again. As the rogue lost sight of them, he sighed and looked at the fireplace with a frown. What a night. He was used at killing slavers and rescuing people, but taking one of them in his home... and a child? It was a first. But there was no choice. Otherwise, Selek was to be left outside. And he sure wasn't going to let that happen.
As he started to walk up the stairs, he thought about what he'd have to do tomorrow. He was sure Sebastian would be able to help him. He was one of his closest friends, and he'd be able to give him the information he'd need. The Chantry tried its best to help the people in need. Maybe they'd be able to take him in until they found him a foster family...
If they found a family willing to adopt an elven child.

He paused as he entered his bedroom. A family adopting an elven child... he couldn't possibly see this happening in Hightown. Most nobles were so full of themselves, they'd probably never accept a non-human child.

"Come on, they're not all that bad..." he whispered to himself as he got his finery clothes out of the closet to get changed and removed his armor. He had been in enough noble parties since he became the Champion to know that some nobles did not treat their elven servants badly. But to the point of adopting an elven child?
He doubted the people in Lowtown would adopt him as well, considering the struggle the town was still going through since the Qunari attack... he doubted it would work.
So... the orphanage might be the only solution.

Except if...

"No..." he whispered as he finished to get his clothes on. "This is..."

A knock interrupted his thoughts, followed by Bodhan's voice. "Messere?" He heard "I'll be warming up some hot porridge, and also got bread and fresh water."

"Perfect." Hawke said, opening the door of his bedroom. "He's probably starving..."

"I don't doubt it as well." The dwarf said with a smile before going down the stairs. As the man started to follow, he stopped as he saw his mabari Jep sitting in front of the bathroom door. It seemed like he was waiting patiently for Orana and Selek to come out.

"So... Selek really gets your attention, right?" The mabari tilted his head, looking at him. "I thought so... but he's only staying here for the night. Don't grow found of him. It's only the five of us in this house."

As he said this, he looked at the bathroom door, thinking. The house didn't have many guests, aside from his friends. But no child. Was it a surprise that his dog was curious about Selek? No, clearly not.
Considering he had grown up with not-so-quiet twins, the rogue also understood. Sometimes, he did miss the energy of youngsters filling a home. Seeing a child running around, faking screams of terror as their older brother chased them with a laugh... Laughs that would soon be joined by those of his sister or brother... their parents looking at them faking annoyance, but barely managing to suppress their smiles.

A little brother who would mock anger when his eldest caught him... A little sister who would openly said how she loved him, saying he was her favorite big brother... much to her twin's annoyance.

A mother who, despite her constant fear of seeing her daughter and husband being taken one day by templars, found happiness by watching her children wearing bright smiles...

A father saying to his eldest that one day, he'd make a good father...

A bark brought him out of his thoughts. He looked down at Jep, who whined questioningly at him. For how long had he been standing there? He pinched the bridge of his nose, shutting his eyes firmly. Maker, he had to be tired to get lost in thoughts like this.
When he opened his eyes again, he saw that the bathroom door was open. Orana came out of it, followed by Selek... who was now wearing one of his old shirt that was way too big for him and falling down to his knees. Even with the sleeves being rolled up.
His sightly-wet black hair also looked a bit shorter than before.

"Master..." Orana said, looking at the boy. Selek was looking at him with curiosity again. "His clothes were so dirty, I'll need to clean them. So I gave him one of your old shirts. I also cut his hair. There were tangles here and there."

"Ah..." Hawke forgot about the clothes. There was no child cloth here, so he hadn't thought about this. "You did well. I'll ask Bodhan to buy some new clothes for him tomorrow. For now, he'll have dinner."

Selek was now in a better shape. He looked so small in his shirt though... new clothes were highly necessary. He wasn't going to let him wear his old rags again.
His tan skin was now free of dirt, and Orana had cut his now-combed hair pass his pointed ears. Black bangs were falling just above his big blue eyes, which stared at him.

"Food?" He asked timidly as Hawke walked to the boy with a smile and a nod.

"As promised. You're hungry right?" He said, holding out his hand. A loud rumble coming from the boy's stomach was the answer. Selek lowered his head as he took the rogue's hand, who just chuckled. "Don't worry, it's alright."

"I liked the bath." Selek said, following him. "Miss Orana helped me to be clean. She's very nice."

"I'm only doing my work." Orana said as she followed them. A faint smile on her face betrayed her contentment at the compliment, though. Once they reached the bottom of the stairs, Jep smelled the air and quickly went into the kitchen, followed by Orana who was calling for him not to touch the guest's dinner.
Hawke and Selek were now alone. The boy looked up at the rogue, tilting his head a bit.

"Are you..." He started, hesitating.

"Am I...?" The rogue said, encouraging the boy to continue.

"Are you really... a human?" The question confused the rogue a bit. He blinked before slowly nodding.

"Of course I am, Selek. Shouldn't I be?" he asked gently, not wanting the boy to think that the question might be seen as offensive or idiotic. He went on his knees, looking at him kindly.

"I... have only known bad humans. They hurt Mama." He said sadly as he looked down. "They said we were slaves. Dirt. But you..."
He looked at Hawke with a little smile. "You... you're kind to me. Like Mama."

The rogue wasn't sure if it were the boy's words, or the gentle tone of his voice, or both, that made his heart aching sightly. He felt like wanting to kill those slavers again for having done this to Selek and his mother.
But the kind words... He had gotten compliments before, but coming from an innocent being like Selek... somehow it touched him more. He wasn't sure why, but it did.
He gave him a smile, gently ruffling the boy's black hair.

"Mama told me to never lie. That lying was bad." Selek continued. "These bad men were... bad. But you're not. You're kind."

"Thank you, Selek. It really touches me. I may be kind, but so are you. You're a very kind boy." He said, standing up. "Now, let's eat a little. Before Jep eats everything. He can be a bad puppy, chewing on every food he found."

For the first time, Selek let out a short giggle, making the rogue smiling even more. He started walking him to the living-room when a knock interrupted them. Someone was at the door. He gently urged the boy to join Bodhan and Sandal, before walking alone toward the front door. He stopped for a moment, wondering who it could be.
Maybe Aveline. He had been so focused on getting Selek to his home that he had ignored her since they had left the warehouse.
Before he could say something, a familiar voice rang out from behind the door.

"Hawke! It's Varric! I've a... special package for you."