Chapter Text
By the time Aveline comes out of the police station, you’ve made yourself considerably comfortable. Varric sits beside you, sprawled casually in a lawn chair that matches your own. Music can just be heard from his car behind you.
The perfect picture of ease.
Aveline isn’t the first to notice you. Fenris has to bump her shoulder and nod your way. By the scowl on her face, maybe she did notice. It wouldn’t be the first time she tried to walk right past you.
“This is a parking lot, not a park, Hawke.” Her voice is scathing as they approach.
You grin up at her.
“But I have so much fun here, either way.” You lean forward, resting your elbows on your knees as you peer up at the pair of detectives. “Varric dear, our friends don’t look happy to see us.”
Varric snorts beside you and adjusts his sunglasses. Blasted dwarf probably isn’t even looking. “Do they ever look happy?”
“Fair point, but it seems they’re less happy than usual.”
“Color me asounted.” Varric laughs.
Fenris rolls his eyes at you as Aveline pinches her nose.
“If you don’t mind, we don’t have time for this. Some of us have actual jobs.” When did she start sounding so tired? A better person might ask, or at least try to figure it out.
You are not, however, a better person.
“I have a perfectly viable job, thank you, that derives from a perfectly respectable set of talents.” You lift your chin as though a show of false pride will make this any more true.
“You cannot claim to be psychic and call it a talent,” Fenris is frowning at you.
“I can and do claim both, thank you.”
“Don’t let her goad you, Fen.” Aveline mutters. “We don’t have the time.”
He grunts, and it doesn’t miss your attention when his eyes flicker over you.
“Forgive me for suggesting it.” He hesitates, pulling her aside so you have to lean forward and strain to hear. “But perhaps they could help. Maker knows we’re going into this blindly.”
“You can’t be serious.” Aveline crosses her arms. “They would sooner make a mockery of it.”
“We both know that isn’t true.” Fenris cuts his eyes at you. “Alright, it might be likely. But Aveline- this wasn’t ours to begin. They may be the closest thing to backup we’ll get.”
She’s scowling like only Aveline can. When she looks your way, you flash the biggest smile you can, just in case. She sighs.
“Alright, alright. Fine. But if they screw up, I’m pinning it on you.”
Fenris just grins and makes his way back over to you and Varric.
“Come for a walk with us. I’ll fill you in.”