Author's Notes: Hi all! Shorter chapter than usual, but as always, I have my reasons. ;) Enjoy!

Gatorsnacks: Ugh, I hated him. When he did what he did I couldn't help but enjoy killing him-he really deserved it...

Garrett's mood improved over the course of the next few weeks. After setting a proper burial and funeral for his mother, Thayer noticed that things became somewhat simpler for him. Though there were still plenty of things to do, he did not hide away from them as some people might. He never gave one-hundred percent focus to anything, but Thayer figured it was far too early to concern himself with that. Anders didn't seem to be too worried. He remained steadfast by Hawke's side whenever time permitted him to be away from his clinic.

Alistair used this time to continue with his conditioning. He'd become close to Fenris, the elven warrior, with whom he trained his combat tactics. That gave Thayer the time to help Hawke wherever necessary, as well as the time to focus on his own skills. He had grown lax with his morning meditation; not having a set schedule as he did back in Amaranthine had thrown him off.

One afternoon, just shortly after lunch, Thayer was on his way out of the estate with Alistair. They were stopped just shy of the foyer by Bodahn. He had a smile on his face.

"You've a visitor, Commander!"

"A visitor?"

"Yes, come on, they're waiting for you in the entry!"

Thayer followed Bodahn, perplexed. He knew few people in Kirkwall, but his presence here had become more and more known over the course of the last two months. It was entirely possible that someone had come looking for a favor—they always did.

But to his surprise, the man standing in the doorway was no stranger. It was Nathaniel Howe, one of the wardens Thayer had recruited back in Amaranthine.

"Nathaniel!"

"Commander!"

Nathaniel moved swiftly toward him, putting his arms around Thayer in an amicable hug. When they broke apart he wore a relieved smile. "So you are still here. Thank the Maker. Seneschal Varel will be glad I've found you."

Seneschal Varel. Thayer's stomach twisted. His duties back home…he'd not forgotten them completely—only shoved them back somewhere deep into his mind.

"Yes, I'm still here." He chuckled, albeit somewhat nervously. "So, he sent you after me, did he?"

"Oh, oh! Here's where I get to say, told you so," Alistair said, a smarmy grin on his face.

"Oh, shut up." Thayer turned to Nathaniel. "What did he say?"

Nathaniel laughed. "Well, he told me to make sure you were doing all right and to see when you planned on returning."

"As you can see, all fine and dandy here. As for returning…"

Well, that he hadn't given much thought to. Not because he didn't want to return, more so because circumstances were far different now than they had been upon his arrival to Kirkwall.

"You…you are returning, right, Commander?"

"Of course. It's just that things are a little more complicated now. Here, come join us in the sitting room. I'll tell you all about it."

Thayer proceeded to brief Nathaniel on what had gone on while in Kirkwall. He was careful to avoid the fact that he had come here specifically for Alistair, instead only mentioning he'd gotten word from Anders, which had prompted his visit. He explained how he then found out about Garrett and his family. When he finished up with where they were now, Nathaniel looked surprised.

"Maker, you don't ever get a break, do you?" Nathaniel asked.

"He's the Warden-Commander," Alistair said. He smirked at his lover. "Of course he doesn't."

"You're awfully smarmy today," Thayer said, a smirk of his own appearing. "You'd better watch it."

"Or what?"

"I don't want to know," Nathaniel interjected. He shook his head. "Anyway. I told the Seneschal that I'd find out what happened, but he specifically asked me to try and get you to come back. There are a lot of important decisions he's holding off on since it's your arling."

Alistair sighed. "Vacation over."

Thayer nodded firmly. "It is my arling. I have to make sure the people don't feel abandoned."

"You're an arl, too, huh? Boy, you don't make it easy being your cousin."

Thayer blinked, turning toward the entry of the sitting room. Garrett stood in the archway with his arms folded over his chest. "Garrett. Oh!" He gestured to Nathaniel, moving to stand. "Nathaniel, this is my cousin, Garrett Hawke. Garrett, this is Nathaniel. He's one of my recruits from Amaranthine."

Garrett moved into the room, reaching out to shake Nathaniel's hand. He sat down in one of the extra seats. "So, your arling in Ferelden in some trouble?"

"Not trouble, exactly," Alistair said. "He just needs to go play arl and make some decisions about money."

"Among other things," Thayer expounded. "Which means I'm going to have to head back to Ferelden."

"When do you leave?" Garrett asked.

"It'd be best if we packed up and left as soon as possible." Thayer ran a hand through his hair. "Suppose we should head back in the morning with Nathaniel."

Garrett nodded. "Does he need a place to stay?"

"Oh, I don't mean to impose," Nathaniel said.

"Nonsense. Feel free to stay in the guest room for the night." Hawke curtly bowed his head. His demeanor changed, and his tone grew distant. "I just came in to say I'm going out for the afternoon. I'll be back tonight."

Thayer opened his mouth to speak, however Garrett disappeared from the sitting room before he had a chance. Something felt off about the whole situation but he resolved to figure it out later. For now, they had to start packing.

. . . . .

Thayer hated feeling guilty.

As more time passed throughout the day, he began to feel as if he were abandoning his cousin in his time of need. Aside from Gamlen, Garrett had absolutely no family present to help him get through his day to day activities. Granted, he could take care of himself, but sometimes life was easier knowing that you had that support present, even if you didn't actively pursue it. Now, with Thayer returning to Amaranthine, that support would rely solely on a man whose shoulders couldn't even handle the weight of his parents. Could Gamlen really be trusted in a time like this to be reassuring?

Hawke still hadn't returned by nightfall. Dinner passed by without him, which left Thayer feeling somewhat anxious. He knew he really shouldn't worry—Garrett was a grown man, after all—but given the circumstances, it was beyond his control. He was a worrywart and he hated it.

He and Alistair spent their night packing up their things. As was usual, the two of them had only really brought what they could carry on their own backs, which meant that a good portion of packing time was spent stopping and reminiscing. A lot had happened in the short few months they were here together, which made the whole stay feel that much longer. Thayer could barely believe how much had changed so quickly.

But something continued to nag him. Despite himself, while lying on the bed with Alistair, he asked him, "Do you think Garrett will be all right?"

"He'll be fine. Why are you worrying? He's an adult."

"I don't know, maybe because he just lost his mother, his brother and his sister all within the span of a few years?"

"He didn't lose his brother. He just…doesn't see him anymore."

"You know what I mean. And now he's finding out that I have to go back to Amaranthine. He's going to be alone."

"Not alone. He'll have what's-his-name. Gamlen."

Thayer furrowed his brow. "You really think Gamlen is going to be good company at a time like this?"

"What? Are you saying he's going to struggle getting by without you? That's awfully egotistical for someone who's usually humble to a fault."

Something about that sentence bothered Thayer. He wasn't sure what it was. Did Alistair have a point? Was he being egotistical? Or was he just trying to make sure his cousin had support?

Thayer pulled away from Alistair, sitting up on the bed. "I just wonder how it's going to affect him, losing another family member so quickly. I'm not trying to be egomaniacal or anything. Did you see how he changed when I told him I had to go? He got distant. And he still isn't back yet."

"You're worrying too much."

"You're worrying too little."

Something about that sounded familiar, as if he'd had this argument with Alistair before. He shrugged it off. Thayer knew Hawke had Anders, too, to help keep him upbeat and focused.

Now he couldn't stop thinking about why he'd gotten so upset about it all in the first place. Maybe Alistair was right—maybe Thayer did have an inflated ego.

Maybe, just maybe, he was used to being the one everyone came to when things needed fixing.

"I didn't upset you, did I?" Alistair asked in concern. He moved closer to Thayer again, reaching out to pull him close. "Didn't mean to, love."

"No, you didn't. I'm just overthinking things. Nothing out of the ordinary here."

Thayer eased himself into Alistair's embrace, closing his eyes. He'd put everything back home on the backburner to find his partner, and now that he had him, it was inevitable that he had to go back. On some level he missed Amaranthine, missed Ferelden, but he'd greatly enjoyed his time in Kirkwall. After all, he'd found blood family—the one thing he had never been given the chance to actively pursue.

"Oh…"

That reminded him. He remembered what Leandra had said about his brother, Daylen. He vowed to visit the Circle Tower after squaring things away in Amaranthine so he could figure out what happened to him. With any luck, Wynne would have some knowledge of his brother. If not, maybe Irving.

"Oh, what?"

"Hm? Oh. Daylen. My brother. Another loose end to tie up when we go back home."

Alistair gave an overdramatic sigh. "You're lucky I love you, Thayer Amell. I wouldn't be traveling the world with just anyone."

Thayer paused. Had Alistair just said…?

"Did you just—"

"I—Oh."

Thayer looked up at Alistair curiously. The blond's cheeks turned a vibrant shade of red, and he stared away quickly.

"Did you just say you love me?"

Warmth spread throughout Thayer's entire being. It was an indescribable sensation that tugged at the corners of his mouth, making him smile. When Alistair refused to look at him the mage sat up, crawling into his line of sight. Alistair looked so embarrassed. It was precious.

"What are you so upset about?" Thayer asked. He pinched the warrior's cheeks. "I love you, too, Alistair Theirin."

"Oy, don't pinch the cheeks."

Alistair remained brilliantly red, but he stared Thayer in the eyes, genuine admiration and adoration radiating from him. Thayer hugged him tightly. When he pulled back, he kissed the warrior deeply.

"Ready to go back home?"

"Ready as I'll ever be, now that I've bared my heart and soul. It's your witchy powers, I swear it. You drew it out of me."

Thayer smirked. "Whatever makes you sleep better at night."

Alistair grinned almost bashfully. "Yes, yes, that'll do quite nicely."