Under Darkness [AU]

[Isabela]

"Of course," says Isabela gently. 

[Marian Hawke]

When Isabela and Zevran return, Zevran happily takes a turn keeping Aveline company as she refuses to sleep. As the paladin curls around Hawke protectively, Zevran drapes himself over the both of them; this allows them to talk, quietly, without feeling like the might wake her if she comes out of her coma. 

It doesn't work, of course. The voices of her two lovers bring her to awareness gently, letting her know she's with Clan and safe. The fact that it's Zevran and Aveline jars her, makes her wake all the faster. Why those two? What a strange combination?

Aveline's warmth is pressed against her side. That feels wrong, somehow. Hawke shifts, twisting her pelvis so she's nestled into Aveline, letting her Shield protect her, engulf her with her larger body. Much better.

[Tethras Clan]

Their voices cut off and Zevran wiggles around so he can see Hawke's face. "Voix dans la noir?" he asks in a whisper, scared to hope but needing it so very much. "You awake?"

[Marian Hawke]

"Mon guerrier vilain," she whispers, replying naturally in Elven. "Et mon bouclier." My Wicked Warrior and my Shield.

[Tethras Clan]

"You're awake," Zevran breathes, voice catching twice on the short utterance.

Aveline closes her eyes, sending a grateful prayer to Astea, Vangal, Bastion and, for good measure, Ciren, Raplin and Uryll.  Despite the list of deities, it's a very short prayer. "Hawke... my amata," she chokes out happily, using elven as well aside from that last word. "It's so good to hear your voice."

[Marian Hawke]

Hawke swallows. They're so happy I'm alive. I should remember that. Keep that in mind. "Of course," she whispers. "I'll always come back to you." Please let them believe that.

[Tethras Clan]

Aveline's grip around Hawke tightens. Oh Hawke... I believe you. But I don't think you do. "Thank you amata. Thank you. How are you feeling? Do you want something to drink?"

Her other lover is just staring at Hawke, a loving smile on his face as he drinks the sight of her in.

[Marian Hawke]

"No, I..." She swallows, sorting through her emotions. How do I feel? Alert, now. My muscles ache a little, I've been in bed a long time. I'm--

Jadan.

They Delved me. Jadan. Merciful Astea, they had to--- they saw-- Tears slide down her cheeks as she whispers, "I'm so sorry you had to-- you had to see all that."

[Tethras Clan]

"See it?" Zevran says tightly. "Hawke, you had to live it."

Aveline sighs softly, pressing a kiss to the back of Hawke's head. "No debts, amata. We love you. You're worth it."

[Marian Hawke]

That's true. And the one to see the worst things was-- "Papa, is Papa okay?" she whispers, suddenly tense. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Currently playing the role of Merrill's teddy bear," Zevran assures Hawke. "She's starting to regain her... cuddle-hunger. She's moved up from Silence and Varric to giving Anders a nice, long hug in greeting and farewell in fact."

"He... wasn't unaffected, by what he saw," Aveline admits, knowing Hawke wouldn't believe- and deserves better than- a white lie in this instance. "But he had us and he's handled it." It had take four straight nights of talking all through the wee hours until Wynne came in to check on Hawke, but I managed to get him to open up about his pain. Everything but the details of that Burned Flower. But... well, I can guess well enough to know I'm glad he did it.

[Marian Hawke]

"She cuddles," breathes Hawke, focused on Zevran's words, her tone a barely audible cry of wonder. It's a far cry from her previous state, from avoiding discussing Merrill and getting distant and sad when they do. 

[Tethras Clan]

"She does," Zevran says, almost glowing with joy of his own.

Aveline chuckles softly. "And the best part?" she prodes Zevran, who turns almost bashful.

"When- Isabela and I were on a job until yesterday and when I got back- we- Merrill and I spoke for almost a half hour," he whispers, teras pooling. With her back to me, and Varric fully armed by her side, but we spoke! I could see her as we talked.

[Marian Hawke]

"You spoke," she whimpers, tears flowing freely now. "How-- is she-- no, don't tell me. I don't need to... As long as there's hope, for her and you, I'm content."

[Tethras Clan]

"She asks about you," Aveline assures Hawke. "Actually... look down," she prompts Hawke. Covering the three of them is a brightly, almost eye-searingly colorful knit blanket. "You probably can't see it from this angle, but it's a rainbow patterned hawk."