Now That You're Gone (Dragon Age 2)

Trinity Hawke stands silently by the medium sized gray stone that was set in the ground in front of her. The snowy flakes falling from the sky lightly, sticking to the ground and stone. Covering it in a light blanket of white.

It had been a year.

One year since Hawke had infiltrated the Kirkwall killers base. A year since she had seen her mother, her skin gray in color, her eyes as lifeless as ever... A year since she had held her in her arms... And had watched her die.

Stray hot tears run down from her eyes. Traveling down her cheeks. Hawke should've gotten there sooner. She should've kept a better eye on her. That's what she was supposed to be doing.

The gravestone in front of her contains simple words. Not exactly what Hawke had wanted... But it was what her mother had wished. That's what made it perfect.

The cold air nips at her cheeks, turning them a light pink. She wraps her arms around herself loosely. Not wanting to leave just yet. She buries her chin in her scarf. The same scarf her mother had knitted her back in Lothering.

The snow started to fall more frequently, covering the cold ground in front of the stone.

Hawke can hear the soft footsteps behind her, crunching in the snow. She keeps her head down, attempting to wipe the tears from her flushed cheeks.

'She was a good woman,' Sebastian says as he comes to a stop beside her, looking over at her with soft eyes.

Hawke makes quick eye contact with him, then looks away. So he wouldn't see her visibly red eyes.

'I miss her,' she whispers, staring down at the stone again. Wrapping her arms tighter around herself, trying to repress the urge to shiver and cry.

Sebastian obviously notices her feeble attempts and wraps an arm around her. Hawke moves closer to him and wraps her arms around his abdomen. Sebastian holds her close as snow continues to drift down upon them.

It felt good to be in his arms. It always did. They might've been in a chaste relationship, but knowing that he obviously cared was enough to know that she loved him.

He places a kiss on her snow covered hair and rests his chin on her head. He had always been much taller than Hawke, and she had always teased him about it.

'Was there something I could've done?' Hawke asks quietly, moving her head up slightly to look at him.

Sebastian looks down at her, his sharp blue eyes looking into her own. After a moment of thought he shakes his head.

'You did your best, dear,' Sebastian responds, wrapping his arms around the frail girl tighter.

'Not good enough,' Hawke says sadly. 'She died because of me, Sebastian.'

'Shh...' Sebastian coos as he rubs Hawke's back gently. His gloved hand moving swiftly over her wool jacket. 'Don't believe that foolishness. It's not your fault that she passed. What matters is that you saved her. She appreciates that. I know she does.'

Hawke lets out a heavy sigh, her eyes still red, cheeks still flushed. She could hear the truth in his words. If she hadn't bothered to look... Then her mother might still be there, trapped and waiting for her.

That would've surely killed Hawke more than the grieving she was feeling right now.

Sebastian stands with her for a while. Silently by her mothers grave. The cloud covered sun lowers in the sky and cold white crystals fall more frequently and in bigger bundles. The temperature drops and soon enough Hawke can't help but shiver. Sebastian wraps his own arms around her, trying to warm her. Though it does little, as Sebastian eventually becomes chilled himself.

Sebastian doesn't make any effort to move Hawke or urge her inside, he just knows that he'll stay out here with her for as long as she wants.

Eventually, after hours of just standing, Hawke grabs Sebastian's hand and intertwines her cold gloved fingers with her own. She takes several steps through the crunchy snow that covered the whole cemetery, Sebastian matching her pace. Hawke covers her mouth and nose with her scarf, hoping that they'd warmer on the walk back to her estate.

The cobblestone walkways that ran throughout Hightown had grown icy since that morning when Hawke had made the trek out to the simple cemetery alone. She walked with ease, however, her training as a rogue had paid off immensely as she navigated the icy walkway.

With Sebastian at her side they make their way up the final set of steps before they would reach Hawke's estate.

Hawke watches the ground carefully, searching for any unusually silk spots hiding on the several steps.

Suddenly she feels a strong tug on her hand and she turns quickly. Behind her Sebastian missteps and loses his footing on a slick spot. Hawke immediately reacts, tightening her grip on his hand. She can hear his surprised gasp as he starts to fall back.

She is unable to hold the tall mans weight, he begins to fall backwards. While Hawke is still holding on.

In the next moment Sebastian lands on the snowy ground with a thud, Hawke coming down next, and right on top of him. Without much time to react he watches a bit stunned.

Seconds later Hawke tumbles down. Landing right on top of the prince.

They stare befuddled at each other for a moment, generally confused about what had just happened.

Finally Sebastian smiles, then laughs. Hawke can't help herself and joins in. The both of them sitting on the ground and laughing their asses off.

'Did that...?' Hawke half questions looking at Sebastian, a grin on her face. She looks between the stairs and where they sat now.

'I think it did!' Sebastian laughs again. Looking up from where they had just been.

'Two of the greatest rogues in the world... Defeated by stairs!' Hawke laughs.

The snow continues to fall around them lightly, gently landing on Hawke's dark jacket and Sebastian's white, gold, and silver armor. It litters their hair.

Hawke repositions her scarf on her neck as Sebastian begins to make his way to a standing position again.

Brushing the snow off himself he extends a hand out to Hawke with a smile on his face. His bright blue eyes shining.

Hawke's hand meets his own and he helps her to her feet swiftly. Pulling her comfortably close to him. Hawke gently sets her hands on Sebastian's armor chest plate and gazes into his bright eyes.

Without thinking Hawke stand up on her tippy toes, leans forward, and kisses Sebastian quickly.

She had always wanted to kiss him. Just once. Now that she had she wasn't sure if she should have at all.

Sebastian now just stares at her for a long moment.

'I...' Hawke stutters quietly, readying her apology.

Sebastian just grins, his cheeks turning a light shade of red.

'Don't worry about it,' he says. 'This can be our little secret.' Sebastian continues with a smile.

She smiles at the ground and Sebastian grabs her hand again, intervening their fingers.

They give going up the stairs another try, this time purposely avoiding the slick spot that had been Sebastian's previous demise.

They make it to the top successfully this time, Hawke's Estate in sight.

The Amell Crest hangs proudly on both ivy covered pillars that were outside the door. Snow collecting on the top of them.

Hawke opens her estate door and a rush of warm air escapes from the house. She hurries inside, Sebastian behind her.

As she shuts the door the two she hears the sound on claws on wood as her Mabari War Hound, Ned, comes bounding into the front foyer. His tongue out and nub of a tail shaking happily.

He comes to a sliding stop in front of her, squirming around rapidly near her legs. She scratches Ned's head, working her hand behind her ear. His tongue hangs out of his mouth happily. 

He eagerly turns his attention to Sebastian when Hawke removes her hand from his head and Sebastian kneels to the ground, Ned happily jumping all over him.

Sebastian laughs as Ned licks his face happily.

'So the dog gets to kiss you publicly,' Hawke begins looking down at the two with a smile on her face. 'But I don't?'

Sebastian just laughs as he comes to his feet again. 

'All in due time, my dear.' Sebastian kisses her cheek and starts heading further into the house.

And as Hawke watches him walk ahead with her dog... She suddenly doesn't feel so alone anymore.