I hate you - ENG

Chapter 4 - Reject

Here it is ! Don't hesitate to ask or comment ! 

And stars are always appreciated ! 

Have a good time !

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- Are there four of you ? No one else on the way ?

- Just four, Hawke confirmed.

- The inn beds are included but not meals, clarified the coach driver, a portly man in his sixties.

- Alright. Everyone, all aboard !

And they set off for ten days on the road. ... Hawke and Varric were asleep, their heads bobbing along with the rough rhythm of the road. Outside, rain beat against the windows. They encountered only skittish wildlife or fellow travelers like themselves, as the driver had chosen the safest routes. For the two-hundredth time, the mage glanced at the warrior, with that same mix of hope and dread that the elf would look back at him. For the two-hundredth time, the warrior made no move toward him.

He chided himself yet again and waited until they reached the inn.

It was the third one. They'd had a luxury inn the first night, which had set their expectations a bit too high, then the not-really-an-inn-but-the-only-option inn, and the one overrun by a group of tourists from Nevarra, there for a wedding in Orlais. Tourists who enjoyed wine and bawdy songs a bit too much.

Tonight would be a new surprise.

The wheels hit one last pothole before stopping the coach, and they woke their companions to drag themselves out.

- Already ? Hawke asked.

- It's night, Anders murmured. Come on, it's only a few steps.

- Mmmhgn.

The rogue rose anyway, arm-in-arm with Varric, and they made their way to the inn.

- I've got two rooms, said the woman at the counter. And one more for your driver. Will that do ?

- Are you busy tonight ? Anders asked, surprised.

- There's a big bed in each room, evaded the innkeeper.

- That'll do, said Hawke. The driver will pay.

Anders felt a chill realizing he was in a situation he hadn't planned for, and he had no strategy for ending up in the same room as Fenris. Not that the elf would respond to him anyway, but after four days of silence... even an argument would have been welcome.

- I'll come with you, Hawke, the dwarf said, making him jump.

- Oh. Alright.

Fenris said nothing and followed, while Anders couldn't hide a faint smile of satisfaction. The driver slipped in just behind to get some rest, leaving him alone in the main room.

He adjusted his bags and started toward the room, but the innkeeper's hand held him back.

- Is there a problem ?

- You're two silver coins short.

- The driver was supposed to pay for—

- It's not for you. It's for your elf. And between us, you'll sleep better without that around, won't you ?

Anders had a moment of blank shock before he understood. His eyes turned an icy blue. He leaned down toward the innkeeper, his tall frame imposing, and spoke each word carefully.