handers ♗! because i've always that of that as being so lovely and comforting
Onething that Hawke had noticed about Anders was that he could sleep anywhere.Another thing Hawke had noticed about Anders was that when he was in the vicinityof someone he trusted, he tended to slide. It was as though some force mage had cast alittle Pull of the Maker that redefined 'down' just for him, so that he wouldslowly, gradually keel over towards the other person.
Of course Hawke had never taken advantage of this. Never.
Itwas a baking hot summer day in Kirkwall, and they were waiting in theantechamber of some upper crust estate for Varric to get out of his meeting sothat they could go find some trouble and get in it. Sunlight slanted throughthe low-cut window, making dust motes dance on the flagstones; and Anders,sitting on the padded bench next to him, was starting to slide.
Hawkesat, not daring to move as Anders drooped further and further on the bench.Every couple of seconds his head would jerk back upwards, but then the nextminute it would dip even further. Gradually he keeled over until his cheek hitHawke's shoulder; holding his breath,Hawke leaned back slightly until Anders slipped off his shoulder and continuedhis slow, inexorable descent against his chest.
He didn’tknow how long he sat there, breathless, listening to the tiny buzzing snorts ofAnders' snores as he dozed on Hawke's lap. His hair spread out in a golden fallin the sunlight, the ends brushing the edge of the bench in a blaze of gilding.
Anoise from further in the house -- sounded a little bit like the twang ofBianca -- jerked Anders awake. "Whu?" he said, struggling to pullhimself back upright. "Where… Oh. Sorry, Hawke… didn't mean to fall asleepon you."
"It'sall right," Hawke said. It was more than all right, but he wasn't ready tosay that, yet. "You looked really tired."
"Iam really tired," Anders agreed, covering up a yawn. Some of his hair hadcome out of its ponytail, and was sticking in an awkward curl over his eyebrow.On impulse, Hawke reached out and brushed it free.
Atany other time, Anders would have shied away, defensive and wary and hurt. Butright now he was warm and sleepy and open, and still affected by the pull ofgravity, judging by the way he tipped for a moment into Hawke's hand and smiledagainst his palm.
The door opened suddenly and Hawke turned away, dropping his hand. Varricbustled through and it was all back to business as usual; except that when noone was watching, Hawke stole a kiss to the lingering warmth on his fingers.