A/N: Warning: This will have some NSFW topics including sex, drugs and language. This story also includes M/M romance between Zevran and Anders. There is nothing too explicit with their relationship, but an early warning so you aren't surprised. Rated M.

I decided to use a male Hawke in this story since in my AU, Hawke will be female. Plus, I think the conversation Carver has with Hawke in this chapter made more sense with a brother then sister. Hope this update meets expectations! (Just a quick warning: Garrett Hawke is pretty dirty in this chapter. *winks*)

Disclaimer: I do not own Bioware or Dragon Age. I just play here.

Chapter 2: "Swords and Shields"

"You're doing it all wrong, Carver." Aveline Vallen said with a shake of her head. Her orange-red hair was falling out of her ponytail, but she didn't seem to notice. No, what she noticed were the flaws in Carver Hawke's stance. "You need to position your feet like so." Aveline attempted to demonstrate what it was she was talking about. It took all of Carver's self restraint not to roll his eyes.

"I think I can handle it from here." Carver snapped, unable to keep the frustration out of his voice.

Aveline's face scrunched up at his tone, but she didn't say another word. Carver, securing his greatsword to his back once more, turned away and walked to where his brother was waiting for him. At the look on his baby brother's face, Garrett smirked.

"Bothering Aveline again, little brother?" Garrett said, the smile growing when Carver glared in his direction. "The poor girl just wants to help."

"I don't need her help." Carver assured Garrett as he sat on the bench in front of the lockers. "She needs to keep out of my business."

"She's your mentor, Carver." Garrett responded, rolling his dark eyes at the childish words before settling down on the bench as well. "Duncan assigned Aveline-"

"I didn't ask for her!" Carver grumbled as he took off his training boots. "Why couldn't Cullen, or Maker forbid, Alistair, be my mentor? Aveline is a girl-"

"An astute observation." Garrett responded, his lips quirking.

"Girls can't be warriors." Carver finished, not liking the amusement in his brother's gaze. "Don't look at me like that."

Garrett's hands came up as if to defend against Carver's words. "I wasn't looking at you any different than I usually do, little brother. I assure you."

"That's what worries me."

Garrett shot his brother a lopsided grin before changing topics. "Speaking of being worried-" The older Hawke lifted his eyebrows at Carver in fake concern. "What had you moaning like you were in pain last night? I was afraid you were hurt."

Despite the dark burnt caramel color of Carver's skin, Garrett could see the beginnings of blush come upon his brother's cheeks. "I wasn't-"

"Don't try to weasel your way out of this one, brother." Garrett scolded him lightly. "You were so loud that you nearly woke poor Bethany. Besides- it was pret-ty obvious that the dream you had was particularly wet in nature..."

Groaning in mortification, Carver covered his face with his hands. He wanted to disappear.

"There is nothing wrong with it, brother." Garrett assured him, bumping his shoulder with Carver's. "It happens to all of us. A lot in fact."

Carver closed his eyes, silently praying to the Maker that his brother would shut up.

"So who was it this time?" Garrett asked, ignoring the tormented expression his brother shot at him. "Let me guess-"

"Garrett..."

"It was the Tabris girl right? I mean- I have seen you with her yearbook picture... pleasuring yourself once or twice-"

"Stop!" Carver snapped. "For the love of Andraste, just stop talking."

Garrett did as his brother asked and stopped speaking. It didn't stop him from staring at his brother with laughter in his eyes though. It was so easy to get Carver angry. It was doubly easy when his teasing involved the pretty blonde elf that Carver was sweet on. Maker, his brother was a fool.

"Carver?"

"Garrett, don't start. Please." Carver's dark brown eyes turned on him. He was practically pleading. "Just because Morrigan likes your abrasive nature, doesn't mean everyone else does."

At the mention of his longtime girlfriend's name, Garrett snorted. "Morrigan is more abrasive than I am and that's a pretty difficult feat to accomplish."

Carver couldn't help the smile that played on his lips at Garrett's response. "She's giving you a run for your money huh?"

Garrett chuckled and ran a hand over his short hair. "Morrigan was never one to lay down quietly."

"I'll bet." Carver said, laughing with him. After a few moments, he sighed and pulled the ponytail from his hair. Training with Aveline was difficult, sometimes even impossible. The woman was good with a sword and shield, he had to admit that. Blowing some of the hair out of his face, Carver decided to take a chance and talk to his brother about what was truly bothering him. "Uh, Garrett?"

His older brother glanced down at him with interest, sensing the change in Carver's attitude. "What's troubling you, little brother?"

Carver met his brother's eyes and felt terror pulse through his body. Did he really want to give Garrett more ammunition to tease him with? It was already bad enough that Garrett had his suspicions about Carver's feelings toward Leila Tabris, the last thing the eldest Hawke needed was confirmation of the fact. With a forced smile, he shook his head. "Nothing. Don't worry about it."

Standing up from the bench, Carver grabbed his boots and backpack before turning back to his older brother. With a small wave, he left Garrett staring after him in confusion and worry. He knew that later that evening, once they were home and away from prying ears, Hawke would pester his younger brother to no end until he got the information he sought. Carver wouldn't give him the benefit early.

He walked the empty halls with a disquiet feeling in his bones. Carver was lost in his thoughts as he pondered what it was he was doing with his life. Garrett would be graduating this year, probably heading off to some knighthood to hone whatever talents he possessed. Carver would be left in the high school for one more year with his twin sister, Bethany. Then it was his turn to make his own way. Carver could barely make it through school as it was. If he couldn't understand history or math, how was he supposed to understand the world around him?

Carver was walking past the cafeteria when a loud laugh caught his attention. Pausing in his steps, Carver allowed his brown eyes to peer through the glass of the door. A group of people were sitting at a table drinking soda and playing cards. He caught sight of Garrett's good friend, Varric, sitting at the head of the table. Four others were sitting with him. The two guys, Fenris and Zevran, were laughing at a joke that the dark haired woman, Carver recognized her as Isabela, was telling. Fenris was leaning forward, his hands covering his face as he laughed. Isabela had her hand on his shoulder, leaning forward to whisper something in his ear. Varric was grinning widely, shuffling a pack of Diamondback cards in his hands.

Zevran had his arm thrown around a petite blonde girl, his hand absentmindedly stroking her short hair as he spoke to Varric. Carver didn't need to see her face to know who she was. Leila Tabris. The object of his affections. He could easily imagine her cream colored skin, the sky blue eyes set in her beautiful face, the pointy ears that marked her as an elf. Her lips were always a rosy color, the same tone her cheeks became when she blushed.

Carver's hands balled into fists when Zev's lips touched her hair as he laughed. She isn't mine. He had to remind himself. He seemed to be doing that more times than not these days.

As he turned to leave the sight in front of him, Carver was surprised to see Leila's cousin, Shianni, coming from the women's bathroom. The red headed elf hadn't appeared for Math class earlier in the day so he had assumed she was ill. That wasn't the case apparently.

"Hi Shianni." He called to the young elf, heading away from the cafeteria doors, ignoring the laughs coming from within the room. "You weren't in class today."

Shianni glanced up at Carver with her own stunned expression. Her brown eyes were ringed in red and he didn't have to guess why she hadn't shown up. She was hungover. "Carver? What are you doing here?" Her eyes darted from his face to the cafeteria where the sounds were growing louder.

"I was just leaving." Carver sighed, taking that as a sign that she wasn't in the mood to talk. He began to move around her when her hand reached out for his wrist.

"Wait!" She said quietly. "I wanted to ask you something."

Carver faced her, pulling his hand from her grip and crossing his arms over his chest. "What?"

Shianni chewed her lip nervously for a moment before speaking. "My parents are going out of town this weekend and I was going to throw a party. I was wondering if you wanted to come."

Carver raised an eyebrow at the invitation. What was Shianni doing? They didn't even like each other. "Why would I want to come to a party at your house?"

Shianni smiled despite Carver's attitude. "Leila will be there."

Carver slanted his eyes in her direction. Did everyone know how he felt? Before he could open his mouth to question the elf, or to even say something mean in response, Shianni had disappeared into the cafeteria where her cousin and friends waited for her. He was tempted to follow her and demand an explanation, but thought better of it. He'd already been embarrassed enough for one day.

Turning on his heels, Carver headed for the exit and his car. He was going to have to do some profound thinking tonight.

Amongst other things...