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“She is late...” said Aveline, gathering the used dishes and cutlery from their table, with a bit more force than it required. The plates in her hand clinked against each other as a suit of armor would. Her ginger hair had golden highlights from the afternoon sun that shined through their livingroom window. The faint noise of the street joined their slow and languid scene inside.
She and Donnic made this house a home since their marriage. It’s a small place with two bedrooms, in a quieter district of Hightown. With Varric’s help with bargaining, the pair bought this house at a heap of a discount. They got some unsued furnitures from Fenris’s mansion. Some beautiful decor items from Isabela with questionable origins. A ton of leafy plants from Merill. They even made a corner for their equipment, everything neatly arranged and well kept.
“Aveline, I think she won’t come to us. Let it go. “Varric looked up at her from his cup of coffee, leaning comfortably on the chair’s armrest.
“This is our second gathering, and I personally handed her the invite! What better program does she have on a Sunday than this?!...” wiping her hands on her apron. “Whatever. I’m at least glad you all could make it.” Looking up at the others across the table, the stern look on her face eased up to a warm smirk. At least they respect her hard work in hospitality. Donnic and she prepared the dishes all morning. She made them with love and a lot of cursing. The Antivan stuffed pork loin was trickier to make than it seemed. She used recipes from the book Leandra gave them as a marriage gift.
Everyone of their friends came except Isabela. Now sitting by the roundtable. The Hawke siblings, Marian, cheered for her brother, who tried to beat Fenris in an arm wrestling match. Witch started as a playful thing. Then it got serious as it turned out Carver became stronger over the years. Fenris, as usual, came out victorious. Now enjoying his well-earned prize, the last piece of apple pie. Ignoring Carver’s complaining about his old arm injury.
Their controversial mages Anders and Merrill chattered about a litter of cats they rescued. Deciding about the names, they write and scratch out some ideas from a long scroll. Some good friends of Donnic are assembling another round of wicked grace to play at the coffee table next to them. Their currency for this game is a handful of baked goods.
Varric sat as far from Sebastian as possible. Listening and judging every word that leaves his hypocritical mouth. Aveline won’t be inviting him over for more dinners for sure after he recommended sending their future kids to an Andrastian religious boarding school. To learn all the discipline a good, god fearing child should.
She really wishes Isabela would be here along with them. Her suggestive jokes, her slutty demeanor, spark. Her comments about Aveline’s “Kiss the Captain” apron would have been fun. Isabella’s hilarious jabs are truly missed from here. She even cooked some sausages just to hear her dumb jokes about it. She and Varric have the best dynamic to brighten up a dull Sunday. With the used cutlery, she headed into their kitchen. Donnic greeted her with a hum and returned to soaking the dishes, to wash them later. Aveline gave him a peck on his neck as she put the plates next to him. The guard captain let out a disappointed sigh as she scraped the leftovers into a box for Hawkes’ mabari. Who attentively laid at her feet, gently snoring. He got his fair share of food already from everyone.
“Thank you for the meal! “ Came Marian into the kitchen “You are as good a cook as a fighter, Aveline.” leaning over a chair and giving Barkly a scratch behind his ears. “Sure, sure, butter me up like that, Hawke. Where’s your pirate girlfriend? I thought the invitation meant both of you. And don’t you even try to say she doesn’t know the address, because she was here at our house’s celebratory party when we got this place.” She looked up while securing the cover of the wooden box. It snapped on with a passive aggressive thud. Marian sat down next to her, avoiding her eyes.
“Well... She was actually close to attending this time. On your first invite she played the too hangover’d card. Which is wild considering we all had a hangover. It took a lot of convincing to get her here. But she just bounced at the last second. You know her. It’s impossible to force anything onto Isabela.” An awkward smile grew on her face while petting the dog.
“For the love of... Is she five!? It’s not like I invited her to a funeral. How is this different from a night at the Hanged Man? Is my home not filthy enough, or crowded for her liking? Not enough alcohol at 12 am? Or my company is just that unbearably boring?” She stood up, showing the box in her surprised friend’s arms. She hates feeling played and ignored. Now that she is married again, first from their group, burdened with all her guard captain responsibilities. She fears of her friends leaving her behind. Or is she just growing them out? They are all adults, and they better be acting like that. Getting too old for the loud noises, obnoxious people there, not to mention the smell. Sick mornings, and headaches after. Is it really such a dammed big thing to ask for a casual get together?!
“Do I look like I'm her? You know you two are the ones who can talk this out, not me.” declared Marian, tiring of running the same circles.
“Oh, I know! And we will....” Aveline closed the door behind her, both arms full of plates with cookies, ominously.
Carver and Hawke were the last guests to leave. Now heading to their estate packed with leftovers, near sundown. The warm orange lights crept upon the tall white buildings of Hightown, illuminating the stained glass windows of noble manors. Their dog nearly knocked them over several times through the streets. She would have been absolutely pissed if random bandits appear from thin air in her predicament.
Leandra greeted them as usual, reading next to the fireplace. Sandal was excited as ever about the sweets. Carver stayed only for a brief visit, although his big guy persona cracked over by his mother’s hugs and kisses. He left with a batch of freshly baked pastries, for him and his fellow templars at the barracks. The Hawke estate feels emptier without him. They got to see Carver less and less after he became a Templar. Which concerns Marian, but she can’t get through to his brother no matter how much they've argued. She gave up after her mother’s fear of tearing up the family. Although she has that “told you so” locked and ready.
And of course Isabela waited for her in their bedroom upstairs. Laying on the bed, bored to death, sharpening her blades. Her dark hair pools around her head on the pillows. Books and maps scattered next to her. She looked endearing in the warm glow of the fireplace. Her face cheered up in a second, as she noticed her lover. “Finally, you’ve arrived!” She sat up, patting the place next to her on the wine-red mattress. “You’ve got to tell me! Did that entitled noble with her embezzlement case get humbled?” She sat up and threw the daggers onto the nightstand. “Did Donnic catch the rest of the bandits from last week’s attack?” Hawke didn’t even get to open her mouth to answer. “How’s the bathroom repairs going? Did they paint it with the cream or the teal colour? It better be teal, otherwise it would contrast with the mosaic mirror I gave them.” Mariann reached out and tussled her hair playfully. “Well, you could actually find it out if you wouldn’t miss out on these gatherings. Aveline nearly stormed all over here for you. How long are you going to ignore her?” She sighed, sitting down next to her. “If you keep this up eventually, she will stop including you in her life.” Holding her head between her palms, Marian gave her a forehead kiss. “Or is that what you want?” Meeting her lover’s eyes gently.
“... No, I don’t. It’s just... You know what’s her like!” But before she could get into their same conversation about this, Hawke shushes her. “I know, and I get it, but it’s up to you two. I’m not your messenger bird.” She shines her smile as she unwraps some sweets she brought from Aveline. Settleing next to her lover, sharing all the new things she heard from their guard captain.
Marian spent her next days arranging a quest for the three of them. Considering Aveline’s strict timetable, and Isabella’s avoiding. The pirate captain’s master level of conflict evading was honorable. She can take any actual fights, duels, brawls without a hint of doubt. But when it is time for feelings, relationships of any kind… her flight instinct kicks in. Her last minute disappearing from the others won’t work in the long run. Especially as Aveline takes being ignored harshly.
The captains finally met during a patrol of the beach. Accidentally, of course, by Hawke. The surrounding air was uncertain, could smell a storm coming that evening. Warm and cold breezes rustled their clothes. A cloudy day, the sun peeking out for mere moments, then disappearing once again, leaving everything in a dull tone. Their small group cleared a cave and got rid of some smugglers. With an awkward silence lingering between them the whole time. They stopped to gather their things after the fight, cleaning swords, addressing wounds. Hawke finally broke the silence, annoyed. “I’ll check the eastern shores with Barkly. You two can handle this.” Leaving her two friends behind. She would rather fight a dozen Qunarys than be the negotiator again amongst their group. She had enough of that with Fenris and Anders.
With a defeated sigh, Isabella turned to Aveline. Her golden jewelry flickered as she tugged back a lock of hair behind her ear. “Alright, just get it out! How shitty a friend I am for ditching your family nonsense. How you can’t sleep at night because of this disrespect? Not obeying your orders and all.” She put her muscular arms on her hips defensively, hiding behind a nonchalant voice.
”I just want to know. Do I bore you this much?” Spilled it out, Aveline. Stunning the pirate with concern in her voice, stiffly readjusting the straps of her gauntlet. Isabela rarely sees her without that confident and stern behavior.” You didn’t come to my home, now avoiding me any chance you get.” She looked up, meeting Isabela’s gaze.
”Look at you! Dinner parties, cooking?” She scoffed, “Do you have a lace apron, or should I get one for you?” She stood her ground, heels digging into the warm sand.
”I have an apron. And perhaps you would know it too if you’d even give a chance to this. I gave you an invitation, and you didn’t show up.” Aveline crossed her arms in front of her chest.
” I don’t know... I’m just not a person who’s into family altogether. If we can even call us a family. Just a group of weirdos. Consisting of two renegade apostates, the sweetest blood mage elf, an escaped and still wanted slave. A Ferelden refugee, currently a templar. A Carta leader, and my humble pirate self, who nearly got Kirkwall annihilated. Why would you still associate with us? Aren’t we ruining your reputation enough?” Calloused hands fidgeted with her many bracelets. “Give it some years when you and Donnic will have kids. Would you invite us then too? I can hardly imagine you letting me in, not to ruin your children, or your image in front of them. What would I be? The slutty aunt who gets drunk on holidays? Who gives lock picks and daggers for name days? Who accidentally teaches them to swear like a sailor? To get them tattoos and piercings? What if they ask ~Mommy? What’s a slattern? ~” She kicks away a rock with her high-heeled boot. “I don’t want to be a part of your life if you just want to abandon us one day. As if we are no longer enough, it’s easier if I leave first.” Turning away from Aveline, no longer able to stand the eye contact.
They stood in silence, the guard captain slowly taking it all in. With a sigh, she says, “Like I could ever get rid of you guys, my life would be unimaginably dull. And after all we have been through?!” She looked at her with a reassuring grin. “Who knows what our future will bring, but I want you to be a part of it. All of you, and all of your trouble. Although I probably won’t have to fear living a bland life. Nor think about retirement.” Since they arrived in Kirkwall, she couldn’t have kept track of all the life and death situation they ended up in. Some she would have done way differently, but never regretting being with them.
“However, you can’t expect me to spend every night going on a bender. We welcome you and the others into our home. And in time, you’ll surely be a chaotic bunch of aunts and uncles. That will be as new a thing for you as motherhood for me.” Isabella listened to her steady voice, the tension easing within them.
“You will be a weird mom indeed.” She sighed. “No underage drinking or shenanigans allowed for your kids, just strict rules, with discipline for dessert. An army of little Avelines… I’m dreading the thought already.” She teased with a grin on her face. Looking down at her fellow captain. “Shut up, whore.” Joked back the other woman. Her grin turned into a smile too. She accepted Isabellas held out hand for her to get up. “Come on, let us rescue the others from boredom. “Also, next time I’ll bake some tea biscuits again, Marian said you loved them.” And with a renewed spring in their steps, their group cleared the Sword Coast just in time to get drenched in the upcoming rain.