There were only a few constants to the ever-changing landscape of Wounded Coast, constantly torn apart by harsh, unrelenting winds from the sea. These were the salty dunes, and the long menacing shadows cast by melancholic sunset, and there were always bodies of some poor sods either stupid enough to challenge Hawke's merry band of misfits or unfortunate enough to fall prey to many dangers of the region. And as common as it was to see sun falling towards the darkening sea, so it was for Eris to lose herself in thought.
After making sure their camp's fire pit was set and stew was bubbling, Eris sat down to pick a humble burdock flower from the ground, and her thoughts, unsurprisingly, turned towards certain prickly companion, who was currently busy with Aveline hauling bandit corpses over the nearest cliff so that they could have a moderately comfortable spot to camp for the night.
Lately Eris had come to the conclusion that she loved that underfed elf. Desperately so. She wondered how that had come to be.
It wasn’t for his looks, even though she found him dashing; the cruel markings were not enough to dim his effortless beauty. It wasn't even the voice, smooth enough to melt the stone she was currently perched on. It was the honesty, Eris concluded.
For all the spiky armour and aloof manners, Fenris was like an open book to anyone who cared enough to learn about him more. And Eris never passed a book without at least peeking in.
She liked what she saw. Under the rough leather cover, there was an unconquerable will, a burning fire of hope and a lonely soul desperate for meaningful connection.
Eris tenderly brushed her fingers over the tiny flower's fluffy crown. Then Fenris settled down beside her.
"Does studying weeds bring you closer to solving the secrets of our Universe?" he asked with a chuckle.
"No, you git!" she said, and hit him right in the ribs with a well-aimed elbow. He winced and rubbed his side, but nevertheless kept smiling. Taking the burdock flower from Eris' hand, he studied it intently.
"I was actually thinking it reminded me of you," she continued tentatively.
"Clingy and useless?" he said with a frown.
Eris measured him with a glare. "Beautiful and resilient, actually.” She was rewarded with an adorable blush spreading over his freckled cheeks.
Fenris turned away for a moment, and that moment was enough for her to regret her words. She started panicking and thinking of at least four different ways to turn the conversation into a joke before flinging herself off the nearest cliff, just to be sure she never embarrassed herself like this again.
And then his brilliant green eyes were back with that intense look that was unique to him.
"There isn't a flower in this world that could be compared to your exceptional beauty, Hawke."
“I...ummmm...oh, wow".
Merrill's distressed call broke the suddenly thickening air between them. "Hawke, is this stew supposed to smell so funny?"
Eris jumped from the boulder in alarm. “Oh no, I forgot about it entirely! Coming!" In a fit of bravery, she kissed the spiky elf on the cheek and rushed to save their dinner.
