Under Darkness [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

The paladin takes a deep breath. "I... okay. Give me a moment, I... I haven't done this outside of combat since my training," she warns Hawke. She takes another deep breath, then reaches inside herself, into that welling of faith and devotion that isn't her soul but is wound around it like a split holding together a broken bone. Be thou evil, then know the judgment of love's protector!

There's a flare of light on Hawke's brow that starts to form into Vangal's symbol but shatters into a scattering of swiftly fading steel colored motes.

"It didn't take," Aveline explains, perhaps unnecessarily.

[Marian Hawke]

Hawke dissolves into sobs, reaching for Zevran to hold him close, desperate for as much touch as possible.

[Tethras Clan]

Both of her lovers press in close, not worrying about any intimate touches or the like- nothing else matters but reassuring Hawke that she's not alone, that she's surrounded and protected by loved ones.

[Marian Hawke]

Hawke sobs for a good while, pressing her face against Zevran's shoulder. As the sobs begin to subside, she shifts slightly, kissing his collarbone, his neck, his cheek. Her hands release him only enough to drift lower, to cup his butt and pull him in close again. 

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran's hips grind forward, then he stills. "Hawke... please... please use your words," he rasps out.

Behind Hawke, Aveline has tensed. Is... is Hawke going to- she is. What is she- is this- is this something she wants or is she- is she just- is she still-

[Marian Hawke]

"I want you," she whispers. "Both of you, I want-- I want to be held again, to be wanted." To know you love me, really truly love me, aren't just pitying me because I got hurt.

[Tethras Clan]

"Hawke, I-" Aveline swallows hard, voice trembling.

"I won't touch you," Zevran promises quickly. "Just Hawke, not you. I mean-"

"Can- I'll watch. For now. Is that okay Hawke? If I just... watch you two for a bit?" Aveline asks nervously.

[Marian Hawke]

You see? She doesn't want you. She doesn't love you. She feels duty toward you, Hawke's heart whines. No, stop that, Tethras. Think it through. Logic this out before you act. It's Zevran she has a problem with, no you. Probably. No, you have to believe that. You have to hold it together, for them. 

She takes a deep breath. "Of course. I'm sorry," she whispers. 

[Tethras Clan]

Avelince winces, then steels herself. Bending her head, she presses a kiss to the side of Hawke's neck. "I want you. I love you. I want to kiss you, feel you against me. To taste myself on your lips. Hear you sigh with that little satisfied quaver. I want you Hawke," she whispers, face a little flushed. "But for right now... I want to watch you with Zevran. Okay?"

It's... not a lie, either. A little exaggerated maybe. Less.... want and more curious. Bit there is want to it. As... uncomfortable as that makes me, I... am interested in Zevran that way. Not as much as Hawke. Not even as much as Merrill, sweet, innocent, gentle Merrill. But enough to... be there, while he's with Hawke? Yes. A deep breath, a smile. Yes.

"That was so very hot," Zevran comments, voice thick with need. Aveline snorts lightly, sounding amused. "If you are sure, the both of you..." His hand drifts down to Hawkes hip and squeezes.

"I am," Aveline says firmly.

[Marian Hawke]

"yes," breathes Hawke. "Please. Take me. I want to be yours, make me yours again." 

[Tethras Clan]

"And I wish to be yours, ma faucon cheri," Zevran whispers back. "My heart, my love, my voice."

"We are all our own persons," Aveline says firmly. "But hearts... those we share with each other." She kisses Hawke again, lower, on the back of her neck, then shifts away a bit. But she leaves on hand on Hawke's back, gently stroking her. "Shall we?"


Thankfully Beka is a good mabari, and wakes with the sun- and more importantly, wakes Aveline so she can get them all cleaned up before Wynne comes in to check on them. Things go well- though the older woman clearly notices the signs of what they were up to, she doesn't seem to disapprove- and soon enough breakfast is brought in by an ecstatic Varric.

"Hawke!" he says with reverence as he absently sets the tray down on the table almost carelessly as he heads right to her. Zevran is still in the shower, but Aveline is, as always, right next to Hawke on the bed.

[Marian Hawke]

"Papa!" She stumbles out of bed, landing hard on her knee as she embraces her father tightly, tears staining his shoulder. Shouldn't have tried to stand. Don't care. Papa!

[Tethras Clan]

Aveline is a bare second behind her, supporting her. "Hawke..." Amused resignation, loving chastemisment.

"Daughter," Varric whispers as he hugs her tightly to himself. "Oh gods above and around us, it's good to see your eyes open."

[Marian Hawke]

"Papa, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," she whimpers into his shoulder. "I love you, I love you," she adds. 

[Tethras Clan]

"No debts," Varric says fiercely. "Never, not ever. You're my Clan, my family. Nothing between us is because of debt or obligation. I love you, meager tolerance to alcohol and long, skinny build, you're my daughter and you're worth any effort."