Tales From Thedas: Dragon Age One Shots

The Hanged Man

"Hawke." Isabella was shaking her head again. Her brow wrinkled in a frown. "I don't understand you. Why do want to waste your time waiting around for someone so... unpredictable?"

"I don't expect you to understand Isabella." Morgan sighed. "But could you please stop trying to fix me up with every drunk that comes in here?"

"You can't be serious." Isabella dead-panned. "You're willing to get old and creaky just for him?"

"Not everything is about sex."

Isabella looked horrified. "Of course it is."

"I want more than that."

"Andraste's flaming ass... why?"

"Because one night with a stranger is empty and boring. I want someone who wants me for more than a moment in time. Maybe it's enough for you, but it's not for me."

Isabella up-ended her glass, draining the last drop of whiskey. "And what makes you think that elf wants that from anyone?" She scoffed. "He's more prickly than a cactus. To say nothing of his hate towards mages and your sister happens to be one of them."

Morgan frowned. "I'm aware. But why are you convinced he's not interested?"

"I never said he wasn't interested Hawke."

Morgan raised his eyebrows at the shifty pirate. "He turned you down didn't he?"

"What?! I don't know what you're talking about."

Morgan smiled. "Yes you do."

"Barkeep! Another round!" Isabella barked before turning her attention back to Hawke. "Fine, alright? Yes, turned me down."

Morgan laughed.

"It's not funny Hawke."

"Of course it is. And it proves my point. Not everyone wants the same things. "

"But you're talking about squishy insides and feelings and... what, love? You have any idea how hard all that stuff is Hawke?"

Morgan shook his head. "Not really, no. But it's what I want."

Isabella's eyebrows shot up. "Are you telling me you've never been in love before? Not even a little bit?"

"I've had some pretty strong crushes I thought were love, but no. I've never been in love and no one has ever been in love with me. At least, none that I know of."

"I find that hard to believe."

"Which part?"

"The part where no's been in love with you. You're telling me you didn't have little girls swooning all over you back in Lothering?"

"Back in Lothering I was training as a rogue. Not many girls pine after someone deadky with knives. They all serm to gravitate toward men like my brother was, swords, shields and impressive armour. Besides, most of them suspected my father was a mage. Another reason why they kept their distance."

"Aww... you poor thing." Isabella cooed, covering Hawke's hand with one of her own. "Are you telling me you're still pure as the driven snow?"

"I never said that."

"I knew it!" She cried happily. "I knew there was a reason for all this pining for the angry elf. You got burned didn't you?"

"I wouldn't go that far." Morgan murmured, remembering.

"Come on Hawke. You can't leave me hanging. Tell me everything."

"No."

"Not even a little?" She pouted. "I just want to know why you're so set on waiting for someone who may never let you in. There has to be a reason."