Day 2 @andersweek2025 - Tender Tuesday
Post DA2 Anders with Autumn Hawke.
A short bit of fluff from my Anders/Hawke family, set just after Hawke returns from Skyfold and the Adamant.
Autumn paused as the barn came into view, her heart thudding in her chest. This was where she had left Anders and Storm six weeks ago, buying their safety for a time with a heavy pouch of coin and a quiet plea for the farmer’s discretion. She could only hope they were still here. It wasn’t uncommon for their little family to move suddenly—to hide, to run.
Taking a deep breath, she pushed onward. Varric had promised to help them find somewhere safe. Somewhere permanent. The thought was a fragile hope she clung to as tightly as the secret she carried now.
"Heartbeats. Not just one, but two. Small, but strong. Growing. They don’t know yet, but they feel you. Safe, warm, waiting."
Cole’s cryptic words echoed in her mind, a strange comfort and a weight all at once.
"One listens, quiet, careful, like steps on wet stone. The other burns bright, golden, like a spark that won’t go out. They are not afraid. They know you will keep them safe."
Her hand brushed instinctively over her stomach, where the faintest curve had begun to show.
As she stepped into the barn, a small figure collided with her side. “Mummy!”
Storm’s arms wrapped tightly around her waist, his face lighting up with a smile that banished weeks of worry in an instant.
“Hey,” she murmured, kneeling to hug him close. “Did you miss me?”
“Did you have a good adventure?” he asked, his blue-green eyes wide with excitement. “Daddy said you’d bring back stories.”
Autumn smiled softly, brushing his unruly red hair from his face. “I did,” she promised, kissing his forehead. “But I need to talk to your father first. Do you know where he is?”
Storm nodded, pointing toward the field. “He’s fixing the fence for the farmer man.”
She ruffled his hair gently. “Stay close, alright? I’ll be back soon.”
With a nod, Storm bounded off toward a pile of hay bales. Autumn stood, adjusting her cloak and heading toward the field.
Anders stood with his back to her, his golden hair tied messily at the nape of his neck as he worked on the fence. The rhythmic clang of hammer against wood filled the air, but it faltered when she called his name.
“Anders.”
He froze mid-swing, the hammer slipping from his grasp as he turned. When their eyes met, relief washed over his face, followed by something deeper. He crossed the distance between them quickly, pulling her into his arms as if afraid she might vanish.
“You’re back,” he breathed, his voice thick with emotion.
“I’m back,” she murmured, holding him close as she could already feel his magic ghosting over her skin, looking, searching for injuries.
"I have news," she said quietly.
Anders pulled back slightly, his hands lingering on her arms as his amber eyes scanned her face. “News?”
Autumn hesitated for a heartbeat, rehearsed words tangling in her throat. Instead of speaking, she took his hand and guided it to her stomach. The faint curve was barely noticeable, but when his palm rested there, the warmth of his magic seemed to settle, searching, sensing.
His breath hitched. His eyes darted between her face and where his hand rested. “You’re…?”
“I’m pregnant,” she whispered, her voice steady but soft. She swallowed and added, “It’s twins.”
Anders froze, his entire body going still as if the weight of her words had rooted him to the earth. “Twins?” he repeated.
Autumn nodded, watching the storm of emotions play across his face—shock, fear, awe, and something else, something fragile and hopeful. His hand trembled against her stomach, his magic flickering faintly as if responding to his turmoil. "Varric promised to help. To find us somewhere safe. No more running. We can be a real family, Anders."
“I…” His voice cracked, and he shook his head, letting out a shaky breath. “I don’t know if I can do this again, Autumn. Storm… I was so scared I’d ruin him, and now—”
Her hands came up to cup his face, “You won’t,” she said firmly, her blue eyes meeting his, “You didn’t ruin Storm. Look at him, Anders. He’s happy. He’s strong. He adores you.” She smiled softly, brushing a stray lock of golden hair from his forehead. “And these two—they’ll adore you too. Just like I do.”
