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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[ 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.]