Apostate in Plain Sight

Unions and Reunions

When they got back to the mansion, it was still standing, just as Anders had promised, but through the courtyard out front, she could see the gaping hole that his spell had left in place of the Chantry. She did her best to ignore it as she opened the door. "Mistress! You're safe!" Orana cried, flinging herself at Hawke. "When the Chantry exploded, I didn't know what to do! Bodhan took Sandal and left. He begged me to come with him, but I couldn't. I was so worried for you and Master Anders."

"It's all right, Orana," Hawke soothed, stroking the terrified elf's hair as she shuddered in her arms. "Bodhan did the right thing... Listen, Anders and I are going to be leaving the city for a while. Varric is going to be looking after the place, but you are welcome to stay here if you wish. If not, I'm certain Varric would be willing to help find a place for you."

Orana looked around as she pulled away from Hawke. "You have been so kind since you rescued me. I would be more than happy to stay and make certain the mansion is taken care of. It's the least I can do to repay your kindness."

Hawke patted the girl's arm. "If you ever change your mind, I'll understand. Just speak to Varric."

Orana smiled and tipped her head. "Of course, Mistress."

Anders started up the stairs, but instead of heading for the bedroom, he went straight for the lavatory. When she cocked a brow in question, he smirked. "We're not going to want to flee in our armor. It's a little conspicuous. I'm going to clean up before I change."

She bit her lip, agreeing that it was a good idea. "I'll pack while you wash up, and then we'll swap. It'll be quicker."

He looked her up and down and then nodded his agreement. As much as she wanted to have a conversation, she was not quite ready for anything quite so intimate as a shared bathtub. He seemed to understand. "I'll draw you a fresh bath when I'm finished."

She went to their bedroom and took her traveling pack from the floor of the armoir. Packing a single change of clothes, she stripped out of her armor and wrapped the dirty pieces in a spare sheet so she could clean them later. She pulled on her robe and went around the room gathering things she would need as well as a few personal items that she couldn't leave behind. As she set out a change of clothes, Anders came into the room, his dirty armor in his arms and a towel around his waist. His hair hung loose around his face and dripped onto his naked chest. She bit her lip as she couldn't help but stare. A red mark stood out on his ribs where she had healed the wound earlier. "Did you need me to look closer at that?"

He glanced down and touched the red spot. "Meredith got a piece of me with that bloody sword. I'll be fine in a few days. Justice kept the raw lyrium from over loading my nervous system. If it had been you or Merrill... let's just say you wouldn't be standing in front of me."

"Are you sure you're all right?" she asked, taking a step toward him and reaching out to touch the red mark, her fingers brushing lightly over his skin.

He grabbed her hand and pulled it away from him. "You should go get cleaned up. I promise. I'm fine." His smile was strained.

She pulled away and picked up the tunic and pants she had set out. "I won't be long."

She fled the room before one or both of them broke their unspoken celibacy agreement until after they'd had a private moment to catch their breath and discuss things. It was hard to believe that it had barely been half a day since they had been curled up in bed together. Everything had happened so fast. She quickly scrubbed the muck of the numerous battles from her skin and hung her robe on the nearest hook, dressing in the casual clothes she had chosen, her tunic drooping off her shoulder as they always did. She shook her head, letting her hair fall as wildly as it usually did and headed back toward the bedroom to gather her pack and some weapons and her staff. She whistled sharply and Alfie appeared quickly, barking wildly and bounding up and down in her path. She chuckled and pushed him bodily aside as she made her way into the room. Anders stood packed and ready, his bag already slung over his shoulder and a small grin on his face. "I need to get one more thing from my clinic before we meet up with the others."