I would be shocked if any of my former enemies arrived. [ He'd actually be better with enemies arriving than his former lover. Hawke couldn't predict how he'd handle Anders. ]
Is there anyone else I should be on the watch for? [ He pauses a moment and then laughs. ] It's so hard to imagine you with enemies, love. You're so sweet and kind. It doesn't make sense in my head that anyone would threaten you or... or for any reason want you to dead.
[ Because Hawke has forgotten that it wasn't just Steven back home but Marc. They're wrapped up in each other. He really thinks of them as separate. ]
Let's not manifest it. [Steven groans quietly, knowing there's no hiding from Thirteen anyway, because she hears and sees all, he's convinced. Why would she bring Harrow here just when the drama in their lives settled down, after all?]
The only others I'd be worried about are the gods - especially Khonshu. [He wrinkles his nose at the thought.] Though, in this place, he'd probably just be an annoying twat - more so than usual. An independent one.
Like I mentioned, I only got wrapped up in all of this a few days before I arrived in Folkmore. It was all new to me, since I was kept in the dark all that time. [Marc and Layla's enemies became his own overnight.]
I would love to punch a God. [ He almost sounds wistful. Like he's been denied that chance all his life. Fighting the Chantry on some level has never quite scratched the itch of punching the Maker for how mages are treated. ]
Well, he can't force you to serve him here so he'd be nothing more than an annoyance. [ That Hawke could maybe punch. ] I wouldn't worry much about him.
And I know you and Marc are pretty set on keeping your condition secret but if this man does tell or try to blackmail we can spin some sort of story about Thirteen induced madness.
I think you'd have to get in line for that one. [He chuckles, imagining Hawke, Marc, and Layla wanting to have a go. Hell, even Harrow might. Steven wouldn't blame him.
Hawke's blind confidence is a relief though. It helps to hear the perspective from someone who isn't directly involved in the situation, who doesn't know these people. Steven hasn't had to think about any of it for so long, yet now it feels like just yesterday he'd met Harrow for the first time, being chased to work.]
Think people would believe it? 'Local man gone bonkers: Thirteen must've poisoned the fruit again!'
The one thing I learned while being Champion is that people will believe what suits them. You and Marc, to a certain extent, have a better reputation. This man's new and if he starts spouting what sounds like unbelievable... nonsense more people will trust your reputation than his.
[ He doesn't know that for sure, of course. Varric got people to believe absolute bullshit all the time but no one could spin a story like Varric. ]
Even more people like you. They'll want to believe you over this stranger.
[At the end of the day, Marc and Steven have made it more difficult on themselves by not being completely open, but being honest about their condition is hard. Especially for Marc. Steven doesn't blame him for wanting to keep it under wraps when most people simply wouldn't understand.
Hopefully Harrow has enough to worry about himself here to not even think about exposing them.]
You make fair points. [Steven hums quietly under his breath, then closes his eyes and leans heavily into the other, letting most of his seated weight rest on Hawke.] You're making me feel better already. Thank you, love.
I have other ways of making you feel better if words stop being effective. [ He wiggles his eyebrows but deep down Hawke is really pleased to know he's helped.
Comforting isn't always his strong suit since generally he's dealt with his friends problems by killing the source of those problems. He can't really do that here. ]
Or we can make dinner together, watch one of your movies, and go to bed to just sleep. Whatever you need, love.
[Steven finds the physical contact and validation of his feelings a wonderful combination of comfort - just what he needs, in fact. It's something he's gone without for so long, so now that he has it in someone like Hawke who cares for him, it's easy to lean into hard.
The hand stroking the mabari's head pets down an ear instead, making Montoya's eyes slip shut in comfort.]
I'm sorry my panicked reaction was to not come by. I think you're right that just continuing to live as normal is the best course of action. [A light sigh.] I am hungry...
I understand the feeling. I left all my friends behind when I went on the run to try to keep them safe. [ He shrugs. ] It's... logical in a way. If the danger is coming for me and the people I care about are no where close then they're safe.
[ He knows Steven cares and that's why he wanted Hawke far away. Whether or not that actually would protect him is debatable. ]
Well, one of us is going to have to get up to cook...
It couldn't have been easy. I can't imagine, really.
[One night away from Hawke hardly compares of course, though it makes him wonder if that was Marc's reasoning for leaving Steven and Layla in the dark for so many years. He's come to understand it better now.
The suggestion of getting up earns a protesting groan from him, his head knocking back down onto Hawke's shoulder instead.]
Maybe we should order take-away and stay on the couch as long as possible instead then.
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Is there anyone else I should be on the watch for? [ He pauses a moment and then laughs. ] It's so hard to imagine you with enemies, love. You're so sweet and kind. It doesn't make sense in my head that anyone would threaten you or... or for any reason want you to dead.
[ Because Hawke has forgotten that it wasn't just Steven back home but Marc. They're wrapped up in each other. He really thinks of them as separate. ]
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The only others I'd be worried about are the gods - especially Khonshu. [He wrinkles his nose at the thought.] Though, in this place, he'd probably just be an annoying twat - more so than usual. An independent one.
Like I mentioned, I only got wrapped up in all of this a few days before I arrived in Folkmore. It was all new to me, since I was kept in the dark all that time. [Marc and Layla's enemies became his own overnight.]
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Well, he can't force you to serve him here so he'd be nothing more than an annoyance. [ That Hawke could maybe punch. ] I wouldn't worry much about him.
And I know you and Marc are pretty set on keeping your condition secret but if this man does tell or try to blackmail we can spin some sort of story about Thirteen induced madness.
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Hawke's blind confidence is a relief though. It helps to hear the perspective from someone who isn't directly involved in the situation, who doesn't know these people. Steven hasn't had to think about any of it for so long, yet now it feels like just yesterday he'd met Harrow for the first time, being chased to work.]
Think people would believe it? 'Local man gone bonkers: Thirteen must've poisoned the fruit again!'
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[ He doesn't know that for sure, of course. Varric got people to believe absolute bullshit all the time but no one could spin a story like Varric. ]
Even more people like you. They'll want to believe you over this stranger.
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Hopefully Harrow has enough to worry about himself here to not even think about exposing them.]
You make fair points. [Steven hums quietly under his breath, then closes his eyes and leans heavily into the other, letting most of his seated weight rest on Hawke.] You're making me feel better already. Thank you, love.
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Comforting isn't always his strong suit since generally he's dealt with his friends problems by killing the source of those problems. He can't really do that here. ]
Or we can make dinner together, watch one of your movies, and go to bed to just sleep. Whatever you need, love.
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[Steven finds the physical contact and validation of his feelings a wonderful combination of comfort - just what he needs, in fact. It's something he's gone without for so long, so now that he has it in someone like Hawke who cares for him, it's easy to lean into hard.
The hand stroking the mabari's head pets down an ear instead, making Montoya's eyes slip shut in comfort.]
I'm sorry my panicked reaction was to not come by. I think you're right that just continuing to live as normal is the best course of action. [A light sigh.] I am hungry...
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[ He knows Steven cares and that's why he wanted Hawke far away. Whether or not that actually would protect him is debatable. ]
Well, one of us is going to have to get up to cook...
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[One night away from Hawke hardly compares of course, though it makes him wonder if that was Marc's reasoning for leaving Steven and Layla in the dark for so many years. He's come to understand it better now.
The suggestion of getting up earns a protesting groan from him, his head knocking back down onto Hawke's shoulder instead.]
Maybe we should order take-away and stay on the couch as long as possible instead then.
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[ A night away from Steven would have been miserable knowing he was afraid. What he did back home was the choice he had to make thanks to Anders. ]
You've got a relic. [ He kisses the top of Steven's head. ] You can order something. Or I can get up and cook. You can cuddle Montoya until I'm done.
[ So Steven would still get his cuddles and Hawke could make sure he's fed. ]
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[He huffs indignantly, but playful, shifting just to grab his Relic from his pocket to find the delivery service he's used many times before.]
You have a very comfortable shoulder, love.
[And he doesn't regret coming here after all.]