#Hawke x Orsino

[arbaughart]

And they lived happily ever after.

Commissions Open

[micheldechevin]

Ok I HAVE to ask re: Hawke and Orsino.. Does Hawke ever find out about Orsino and Quentin and that whole debacle? It would have glorious angst potential tbh.

OMG THANK YOU FOR ASKING AND ENTERTAINING MY MOMENT

I think my hawke does find out about it and I think it tears her apart. On one hand shes angry, she's so very very angry about it. She also feels despair. How could he be involved right? She trusted him and she just cries about it because how could she not. She wants to be angry with him and to cut it off. To hate him for even the most minor level of involvement. I mean that's her mother right and even more so that's so many women who suffered like her mother, how could someone so kind and gentle in her eyes keep this secret and allow it to happen? How could he give him the research and allow this to happen.

But...another part of her knows hes doing all he can for the mages in the circle and if this is a secret he had to keep, how can she really hate him? He is backed into a corner and if this came out wouldn't that put so many more innocent lives in danger, even if he helped it along. He's a buffer zone between meredith and the mages of the circle right? How can she hate him? It's Orsino, how could she really truly hate him?

But then she's angry again because she's the only Hawke left besides her brother who is now a warden so he is as good as dead to her against her will. Now she's the only Hawke, the last Hawke she could talk to was killed and frankensteined and she's so lonely now. She has her friends, sure, but she doesn't have anyone to feel the grief over bethany and carver with her anymore and it's such a horrible way to go out.

But in the end, she knows that it's not really his fault, sure he had a hand in it, but she can easily convince herself that he didn't know that it was just research--even though it might be a little delusional to think that.

TLDR; Hawke would have very complex feelings about it, she's alone now and he had a hand in it, but she also knows he's backed into a corner by his position so she has a hard time really faulting him for anything because she doesn't really understand his struggle--just like he didn't really know this would happen to her mother.

Does that answer the question? lol

[sky-kiss]

You know that I need to ask BG3 and Dragon Age 😉

Oh, lord. ALRIGHT. LET'S GET INTO IT, BABY! Thanks for the ask!

Dragon Age:

1. The first character I first fell in love with: Zevran or Morrigan. I don't remember which.

2. The character I never expected to love as much as I do now: Cassandra <3

3. The character everyone else loves that I don’t : I'm putting a target on my head, because I know that most all of my friends played them but. Cousland. Like, I get why people like playing them but lord they're boring.

4. The character I love that everyone else hates : Loghain.

5. The character I used to love but don’t any longer : Hm. Maybe Alistair? I don't dislike him at all! I just wouldn't romance him.

6. The character I would totally smooch : It'd be boring to just say Morrigan or Zev, so I will say Sten or Orsino. I loved Orsino.

7. The character I’d want to be like : Bro, I don't think I wanna be like any of those nasty lil' freaks. They are disasters. Maybe Varric. Varric seems like he's doing alright.

8. The character I’d slap : If I see Meredith or Corypheus, it's on sight. They're catching hands.

9. A pairing that I love : Mahariel/Morrigan. Love the bog witch and her feral wolf boy, both baffled by the city and humans. Also Cassandra/Lavellan. Or. Varric/Hawke. (Also, Hawke/Fenris/Isabella).

10. A pairing that I despise: Bro, I dunno. UH. Anything involving Meredith or Corypheus I guess. Just on principle?

Baldur's Gate

1. The first character I first fell in love with: It was Astarion or Zevlor, way back in early access. Unless we are saying that it's Baldur's Gate on the whole, as a series. If that's the case, it's Jaheira. Been in love with her since I was 14.

2. The character I never expected to love as much as I do now: Shadowheart. Day one in early access, she and I were not on good terms. Now, she is wife.

3. The character everyone else loves that I don’t: Gale. He's just alright.

4. The character I love that everyone else hates : Orin.

5. The character I used to love but don’t any longer : Maybe Gortash? I still like him a lot. But it's tempered a little bit. BUT I STILL LIKE HIM SO MUCH, DON'T COME AFTER ME.

6. The character I would totally smooch : Listen. Raphael, Haarlep, Jaheira. Probably Shadowheart. Jaheira.

7. The character I’d want to be like : Is it weird to say Jaheira? Nine-fingers maybe?

8. The character I’d slap : Raphael. But affectionately. I would slap Wyll's dad less affectionately.

9. A pairing that I love : Raphael x Tav/Durge, Raphael x Haarlep. Minthara/one of my friend's OC's. Jaheira/CHARNAME or older Tav. Astarion/one of my friend's OC's lol.

10. A pairing that I despise: Minthara/Orin isn't a favorite of mine. I don't know that I despise any pairings...there are some I don't like but like. I don't DESPISE a lot.

[littlelostmabari]

Chapter 16: For Want of a Moment's Peace (Part III)

In which Antsa joins the Circle, and Cullen confronts himself.

This chapter is heavy. Mind the tags, take care of yourself. CW: blood (creation of a phylactery, tranquility), child abuse (creation of a phylactery), mage abuse / beatings, mentions of minor character deaths, inactive bystanders, anxiety/panic.

Fandom: Dragon Age 2 / Dragon Age Inquisition

Current Pairings: Cullen Rutherford x OC. Background F!Hawke x Anders

Rating: M (Canon-typical violence & behavior, check tags & CW on chapters)

Links: Whole Work | Chapter 16 | Saoirse Character Sheet

(Dividers by cafekitsune)

The chamber where phylacteries were made lay just outside the wards of the vault — wards that only a select few Templars and the First Enchanter knew how to deactivate. It was one of the most heavily guarded areas in the Circle, a thought that only crossed his mind as he realized he was letting a wanted apostate get close enough to the vault to see its secrets. Flashes of a soft smile, a head of wavy blonde hair worn down across her shoulders because he told her once that it looked nice that way. A melody of a laugh at a passing joke. Then a wail as sword met flesh and iron and stone and the last time he let a mage this close to him, this close to a phylactery vault she and Jowan had used blood magic to — He cursed under his breath and stopped Orsino and Antsa before they could round the corner. It took some convincing, and some promises that she would get everything back in just a few minutes, but he relieved Antsa of both her ragdoll and the pocket around her waist before he fell back and allowed Orsino to lead the child towards the chambers. This needed to be over. He needed the Witch out of the Circle. He needed his afternoon ration of lyrium. He needed everything to go back to normal.

[sweetmage]

SweetMage's DA Writing Prompt List

Hi! I am making this little prompt list in anticipation of joining the Dragon Age Drunk Writing Circle. Below the cut you'll find all of my OCs/Ships (platonic, romantic, and familial), some TWs and disclaimers, and some sample writing prompts but feel free to come up with some of your own prompts or ask me for more info! :) WARNING: There are some 18+ prompts!

Things with ❤ are preferred this week! Characters:

❤ Edan Cousland | Inquisitor!Edan Cousland Garrett Hawke (purple mage) | Inquisitor!Garrett Hawke ❤ Anders (and Justice) Sebastian Vael Ser Roderick Gilmore (loosely based on the NPC companion mod but with my own characterization/HCs) Niall (from the Circle Mage Origin/Fade Quest. Will write him post-DA2 in an AU where he survived mostly!) Meeran (DA2 mercenary leader. Will probably write him in my dystopian/cyberpunk AU version of DA2)

Romantic Ships (SFW or NSFW is okay!):

❤Purple Mage M!Hawke/Anders ❤Edan Cousland/Ser Roderick Gilmore ❤ Celestine (non-Hawke OC)/Sebastian Purple Mage M!Hawke/Anders/Justice Niall/Orsino (Post-DA2, both alive OR during DA2 where Niall is sent on an assignment from the Kinloch hold)

Platonic/Familial Ships (SFW Only):

❤Anders & Edan Cousland ❤Purple Mage M!Hawke & Any of the DA2 cast ❤Anders & Varric (DA2 or DAI time period) ❤Garrett & Marian Hawke (twin!Hawke AU) ❤Garrett and/or Anders & their son Victor (AU where trans!Garrett/Anders had a biological son during DA2 act 2) Edan & Any of the DAO or DAA cast Inquisitor Edan & any of the DAI, DAO, or DAA cast Inquisitor Hawke & any of the DAI or DA2 cast Orsino & Anders

Sample Prompt Lists: Please do not request: Not used to freedom, preventative measures not taken, reopening an old wound. I have gotten many of these!

*Starred prompts may contain triggering angst content * Bad Things Happen Bingo Card [SFW Angst] ❤ * Old Whumptober Prompt List [SFW Angst] ❤ Domesticity/Intimacy [SFW/NSFW Ship] Old Sicktember Prompt List [SFW Hurt/Comfort] Old Platonic Flufftober Prompt List [SFW Fluff] Old Flufftober Prompt List [SFW Fluff or Angst] ❤ Multi Category Smut Prompts (Vanilla, kinky, goofy, etc.) [NSFW Smut] ---

TWs and Disclaimers:

- Fics about Edan may contain references or depictions of his lyrium addiction and resulting cognitive decline (memory issues, hallucinations, confusion, etc.) as that's a big part of his character. - Fics about Roderick may contain mention of PTSD and past torture (mental/emotional/SA) at the hands of Rendon Howe as that is a part of his story. - Fics about Anders might contain mention of self-harm, past abuse, and suicidal ideation

Like To Write:

- Trauma and/or Healing ❤ - Mental Illness Related Hurt/Comfort ❤ - Sappy Smut ❤ - Silly/Awkward Smut - Hurt/Comfort Smut ❤ - Sweet/Romantic Scenes - Domestic Life in Tough Situations (long distance like Edan/Ser Gilmore, Fugitives like Anders/Garrett, etc.) ❤ - Hurt/Comfort ❤

Prefer Not To Write/Won't Write:

- Anders Demonizing/Anti-Anders sentiments such as rivalmance, abuse from Hawke, death ending, him 'ruining' Justice, etc. (him facing opposition from characters like Fenris, Sebastian, various NPCs, etc. is 100% okay though!) - Non-Canon Major Character Death (near death, Hawke/Warden in the Fade, or non-companion canon deaths like Leandra or the Cousland family are okay though!) - Gratuitous Physical Torture - Second Person/Character x Reader - Modern AU/Coffee Shop AU/College AU or anything similar

[whereismywarden]

I was tagged by @uchidachi to do the WIP ask game. Thank you!

Ngl, I had forgotten about the existence of half of these and most of them will never see the light of day, but this was a fun little trip down my extensive WIP folder :)

Rules: Make a new post with the names of all the files in your WIP folder, regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. Let people send you an ask with the title that most intrigues them, and then post a little snippet or tell them something about it! Then tag as many people as you have WIPs.

Elle & Seb's Guide to Avoiding Marriage

In the Soul of the Holy Man

Second Chances Redux

Cullen x Asaara sex scene

Lothering AU: Leandra & Violette

Lothering AU: Ana + Carver Kiss

Samson & Ana AU: 1

Samson & Ana AU: Sword Practice

Dark AU

Car back to Ferelden

Ana+Car Ostagar

Ostagar (v.2.0)

Ana+Car Tale of the Champ

Birthday

Calling

Confession

Injury (Ana+Car & And)

Please, stay

Scars

The Dawn of a New Age

Tales of the Warden

Ana & Anders Vigil's Keep nightmare

Ana+Al tent

Ana's Calling

Calling all my friends

InqCar+Ana Skyhold

Last Prayers

Post-partum

Surana meets Orsino

SuranaAnders02

Templar & Warden chap 2

Wardens Bet

Ana MotA Banter

Hard in Hightown: Chapter ??? - Ana vers

C&A first meeting + N birth

Document sans titre

The Last Straw

1T&B - chap 3

Lumières

Violette x Samson

Haw+And Betrayal

Hawke out of the Fade

Rylhawke - back

Rylhawke - Tale

Not gonna tag anyone because, well, have you seen the number of WIPs I have!? (and I'm pretty sure I've forgotten some because I'm terrible at organising stuff!) But if anyone is interested, have fun!

[blightweave]

9 People I Want To Get To Know Better

I was tagged to do this by @thedascharlatan! ty for the tag <3

I won't tag anyone but if this is something you'd like to do, by all means.

Three ships:

Sazlek & Vol'jin - this was my first WoW ship for my main WoW babygirl, Sazlek, and while she has two others now, I'll always go back to these two. I love them dearly.

Lilith Hawke & First Enchanter Orsino - The Dragon Age ship Ever for me.

Ash Halley (Spidersona) & Curt Connors

First ship:

I honestly don't remember, at least not in the context of pairing canon characters together. However, I can remember that by first oc x canon ship was a Bleach oc with Jushiro Ukitake from my Bleach days. The oc has changed a bit, but the ship is still the same <3

Last song:

Home by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. It was my daydream scenario song yesterday.

Last movie:

Deadpool and Wolverine

Currently reading:

About to start the X-Men Comics.

Currently watching:

The last movie I was in the middle of watching was X-Men: Days of Future Past. There's a theme going on here lmao.

Currently eating:

Nothing, yet, but I'm about to get my hands on some Jimmy Johns.

Currently craving:

The aforementioned Jimmy Johns

[barbex]

Another treat written for the Holly Poly 2020 Exchange by @holly-poly​​. This OT3 just screamed at me to get done and then it turned out way more smutty than I had planned 😀. 

Rating: Explicit Relationships: Male Hawke/Orsino/Sebastian Vael Breaking Celibacy Vows, Anal Sex, Magic and Sex, Threesome - M/M/M

Summary: Of course Sebastian finds Hawke attractive but when he suggests to befriend Orsino, he never would have guessed what that would lead to. And also: Apparently Brothers of the Chantry don't need to stay chaste.

[arbaughart]

She's gonna save me, call me baby Run her hands through my hair She'll know me crazy, soothe me daily Better yet, she wouldn't care

[micheldechevin]

Gilded Lilies. Female hawke x Orsino Dragon age 2

“This is a bad idea, champion.” The first enchanter said, wearily rubbing his temples. He was trying to convince Hawke to turn her affections elsewhere, to someone more deserving and fulfilling. He knew if she continued on the ledge she was teetering on she would never truly be happy because of his circumstance. Still, his convictions weren't very strong. He wanted her desperately, in fact there was barely anything he wanted more than her, the only thing that ranked higher was a better life for those in the circle.

“Haven't you heard? The bad ideas are always my favorite.” Hawke as always, was trying to diffuse the situation with the humor she was oh so famous for. She was leaning on his desk, fingers splayed against the wooden top watching the first enchanter carefully. The champion knew that no matter how much Orsino tried to turn her away, she wouldn't relent because she felt a deep yearning for him. She was smart enough to know that this was a doomed feeling but she couldn't help it.

Read more here

[wolf-in-a-suit]

Beginning of a really bad joke

Show/Game: Dragon Age 2 (Orsino, Meredith and Hawke)

Summary: Become a Knight Commander! It will be fun, they said! One thing is sure: Caught between Meredith’s paranoia and Orsino’s oppression complex, Garret Hawke couldn’t complain about his job ever being boring. Why is there this much screaming involved though?

The main form of amusement being a Templar in Kirkwall stemmed from placing bets on who would lose it first: The first Enchanter, who thought having to use the bathroom a little farther down the way was a sign of oppression, or Knight Commander Meredith to whom a birthday candle was proof of a deadly conspiracy festering under the mages - simply trying to congratulate old George to his fifty’s birthday. The matches between the pair usually began low and seething, but soon started to reach their boiling point, accompanied by insults flying through the air. It was amusing unless... you had the ill fortune to be dragged right into the midst of the heated 'discussion' - that was the only thing the pair could agree on before the most holy: The screaming bloody murder and startled younglings, waking in a cold sweat years later, were all result of a throughout and constructive debate.

So when most of the recruits perched on the doors, or if they truly felt like defying fate, stole glances into the corridor, Hawke was the poor soul dragged into the current of abuse. 'Become Knight Captain Hawke, it's gonna be a real step upward! Sure, thanks Aveline.' Setting foot into the corridor with a groan, he dragged himself to the epicenter shaking the gallows. Hawke rather believed the job would bring him several steps down: Six feet to be precise, but who was counting.

After a short nod to both his superior and the graying elf he interrupted a colorful description of where Meredith could stick her 'supposed blood mages':

"As fun as this debate has been... for all of us. Don't you two think it would be better to save some of that passion-" 'for tonight', Hawke had to bite his tongue "-for discussing it with the grand cleric?" Two sets of eyes, moss green and icy blue, but neither less burning, snapped to him. Meredith huffed a stubborn look crossing her proud features. "There is nothing to discuss! There isn’t going to be a midwinter celebration, in the circle and that's final!" She turned and marched back into her office, the wooden door groaned under her abuse. The first Enchanter however wasn't deterred by closed doors. "You keep us like animals! You treat a Mabari with more respect, are we not people deserving of a little respite!?"

The Knight Captain tried his hardest to sound sympathetic. "I understand that you mages want to celebrate... but drinking? Is that really a good idea given..." "The fact that we could get carried away, and fall victim to demonic temptation?" A gray eyebrow rose in superiority. 'Careful now Hawke, this asks for diplomatic finesse!' "Well..." he paused "...yes.!?" -Nailed it!

The Enchanter's eyes were lightning. "Templars!" He spat. "How nice it must be, to judge right from wrong, without anyone, lest yourself questioning your judgment!"

Boom. The next door clashed right into Hawkes face. Who had the brilliant idea of having both offices right opposite each other, anyway? Scarred fists yearned to show their appreciation.

Ever since the former Fereldan refugee had been appointed Knight Captain, by the grand cleric herself, this was the common routine and was followed religiously in the gallows. Meredith wasn't happy that some Fereldan was sent for reinforcement, deeming it an insult of her leadership qualities. Orsino had been... not as welcoming. Since the first day Hawke had introduced himself- or tried to- sharp green stares followed him like he was the illegitimate lovechild of the Knight Commander and Satan himself.

Garret almost prided himself with having caught the ire of both of these forces of nature, not an easy feat. "What, the Commander won’t even allow us some snow wine!?" A murmur went through the Templars. "We're not some freaks of nature like them!", "Yes we are no danger and have earned some celebration, have we not?" The Knight Captain stood with hands raised, trying his best to form a soothing voice: „Knight Commanders orders. Deal with it!" -The maker must have messed up, while wiring his brain to mouth connection. 'Great, even more pissed off people, just what I needed.' The death glares from the recruits- all highly respectful of course- followed Hawke through the whole drill.

Though he had to agree, not being allowed to drink snow wine to celebrate the day, was indeed harsh. These recruits worked day and night to protect innocent civilians from mages. Abominations lurking behind every set of eyes, each smile a possible harbinger of corruption, festering like an old wound. He had seen enough of the abyss that was magic to last several lifetimes.

The rest of training was spent in silence, just few daring to grumble over the clanking of swords and shields. After all the Knight Captain with his black, wild mane and broad physic commanded respect, even bar the scars littering brown arms up to his shoulders.

So the peaceful days of screaming echoing from the stone walls resumed, until the midwinter celebration rolled around. A deep chill seeped through Kirkwall fading all color and leaving glittering ice crystals in grass and trees. Garrets breath bore small clouds dispersing under his brisk step down the courtyard. None of the Templars or mages was happy spending the day cooped up in the gallows, but honestly he could care less. It had been years since he had someone to spend this day with, so he was grateful for any reason to ignore it.

Setting foot into the compound he was astonished to see Meredith and Orsino conversing like to sane adults. A midwinter miracle!

Hawkes grin fell however, being witness to the worst possible incident:

A young mage bearing supplies rounded the corner and just having caught sight of the broad obstacle he was about to knock over- namely Hawke- began to lose his balance and crashed to the ground. Hidden under the roles and books a bottle of clear snow wine clashed to the ground and burst into a thousand pieces. Garret would never forget the expression of terror on the nineteen-year-old. Had this been a Templar: Well, boys will be boys right? But for a mage showing such an open act of defiance! Meredith's nose flared, each of her steps was deliberate while advancing on the young mage. Armor clinking with each stride. The second in command just crossed his arms and looked everywhere but at the terrified boy. 'Better to learn discipline now than becoming a freakin' time bomb!'

Knight Commander Meredith Stannard was an imposing and fear inspiring woman while hollering, but the real terror was unleashed when her voice was low, full of conviction and a threatening undertone that cut steel. "You dare defy orders? Putting yourself and everyone around you at risk-" Orsino a new pleading element mixing in his tone, tried to salvage something, anything! "Now, Commander surely you can-" "Silence!" It could as well have been a lion’s growl. "I should make you tranquil for this!" The deep brown teary orbs of the... kid met Hawkes. So hard to believe that they could house a serial killer, but yet...

Meredith bend on grabbing the boy was stopped by Garret Hawkes massive body stepping between them. He sighed. "Guess I'm busted then."

Blue eyes narrowed: "What exactly are you talking about?" Her second in command stood at attention, a very weird image, given the fact that he usually could be found slouching in an undignified position.

"Commander, I gave this boy orders to smuggle some wine into the barracks... you know for a small celebration with the recruits tonight." Her eyes were slits, while the first Enchanter behind her was fighting the utter astonishment crawling onto his delicate features. "Is that so?" The boy couldn't meet the Templars inquisitive glare but nodded none the less. "Yes, messere." A meekly whisper against an oncoming storm.

And with that the personified wrath faced Garret - 'oh joy'.

Until the evening Hawke was occupied with the most degrading works.

'I kinda envisioned the life of a Templar a tack more glorious.' Shot through the man’s head while scrubbing what felt like the thousandth toilet that day. "Messere." A small mage girl stood behind him, visibly torn between amusement and fear. "You're to bring this to the First Enchanter." Before Garret could complain she added "First Enchanter orders, messere." Grumbling he snatched the surprisingly heavy books from her arms. "Now I'm also degraded to being Orsinos fetching boy. What's next tying their shoes?"

He entered the messy office without knocking- a courtesy reserved for Templars- letters, books and scrolls were lying everywhere without any visible order. Orsino back turned, gazed through the window into the drifting snow outside. Not even the heavy impact of the books, hitting his desk startled the elf.

On Garrets way outside, the pensive voice of the mage stopped him in his tracks. "I wonder: What could bring a Templar to lie for a mage? Any insight on that matter?" Here he turned, one eyebrow cocked almost... mockingly. The Knight Captain huffed not meeting his eyes. "I have no idea what you're talking about!"

The delicate eyebrow climbed even higher and then plunged back. "Is that so? Now given your lapse of memory, I am sure you will also forget this."

When his whole body turned around Garret saw that he held two glasses in each hand. The annoying man passed one to him, not accepting a no and silently toasted him taking a sip. No choice but to follow, Hawke took a not as elegant gulp and tasted: Snow crystals glittering in the first warm sun of winter, reflecting small beads of light. Snow wine! When both men’s eyes met, a haughty expression crossed Orsinos face. "Take it as a gesture of thanks, as well as... apology."

Garret inhaled some of the wine and started spluttering only managing a most eloquent: "Huh?"

Orsino raised himself to his full height, to Hawkes annoyance, looking down on him. "Knight Captain, I am afraid I judged you too fast. I assure you from now on I will be more careful while drawing conclusions." After a long pause he received a single nod from the Templar.

Two people standing together at midwinter, sharing a drink: Templar and mage. 'Sounds like the beginning of a really bad joke.' The first grin since a long time stole itself on Garret Hawke’s face.

[sketchy-saram]

I have spent so long working on this comic at night after I finish everything else. It’s sketchy and messy, but I’m afraid if I wait to clean it up, I’ll never post it, so I figured what the heck, better to shove it into the world now. Just a FenHawke comic because I’m still a sucker for Dragon Age 😩💖✨It’s very big and long; sorry 4 my messy handwriting too >_>;;

[perseus-veil]

dragon age 2 x a guide to troubled birds

hawke: 

bethany: 

carver: 

aveline: 

anders: 

fenris: 

isabela: 

merrill:

sebastian: 

varric: 

meredith: 

orsino: 

[pikapeppa]

First Enchanter Orsino smut: Teach Me

A gift for @elbenherzart​, who has a dirty little crush on First Enchanter Orsino and who was super sad that he turns into an abomination at the end of DA2, which I couldn’t tell her when she first started playing the game, shhhh.

Inspired by this gloriously sassy little banter between Hawke and Orsino. ~1240 words.

*****************

“So I shouldn’t slit my wrists and dance naked under the moonlight just to fit in?”

“If that’s what you intend, perhaps I’ll join you after all.”

Elena Hawke couldn’t stop thinking about him. 

She knew it was bad. Yes, it was bad to be thinking about the First Enchanter with anything other than collegial respect. He was standing up to Meredith, after all, and any Circle mage who had the balls to push back against Meredith’s authoritarian bullshit was worthy of Elena’s respect. 

But she couldn’t stop thinking about him seeing her naked.

She rolled over in bed and pulled her pillow over her head, but it was no use; no pillow was fluffy enough to drown out her thoughts of Orsino’s mild and cultivated voice dropping just that tiny little bit. Ooh, yes, that tiny little hint of a growl in his voice? It was almost like the way Fenris sounded when he was irritated — and Maker only knew how much Elena liked that — but when Orsino mentioned joining her while she danced naked in the moonlight, he didn’t sound angry at all.

He sounded hungry. 

Shut the fuck up, Elena, she scolded herself. Orsino’s old enough to be your father. But that also didn’t stop the rampant thoughts of his voice and his lips and his long elegant ink-stained fingers from running through her mind. 

Those fingers, though. Elena would put good money on him knowing exactly how to use those fingers to pull the pleasure from her body. He’d lived most of his life in the Circle, after all, and weren’t Circle mages pretty kinky, from what Anders had said? Orsino probably had lots of experience. Lots of experience with sliding those fingers over a woman’s skin, over her budded nipples, over the curving planes of her belly to pet the slickness between her legs…

She shifted beneath her sheets and pressed her thighs together, but this proved to be a mistake. Her smallclothes were damp already – Maker, I’m a fucking mess, she thought – and the friction of her own skin only served to heighten her overactive imagination. 

She rolled onto her back and scowled at the ceiling. Orsino is old, she reminded herself. The First Enchanter was an older man, with crow’s feet at the corners of his pretty green eyes and grey hair – grey hair, for the Maker’s sake! 

Grey hair that Elena could just imagine sliding her fingers through as he sat in the chair at his desk and slid her thighs apart… 

Fuck, she thought hopelessly. Now all she could think about was sitting naked on Orsino’s desk in the Gallows. Not only naked, but sweaty too from dancing in the moonlight for him. If she did dance naked for him, what would he want to do once he had her on his desk? Maybe he’d push her legs apart and study her pussy with the same attention that he gave to his letters and tomes? Or maybe he’d lick the sweat from the tips of her breasts before offering to show her some advanced fingerwork that they only taught in the highest ranks of the Circle…

She twisted restlessly in her sheets, then slid her greedy fingers between her legs and closed her eyes. In the darkness afforded by her own eyelids, she could easily see the fantastical scene unfolding in front of her: Orsino setting his three-headed staff in the corner, then turning to her with that sweet and intellectual smile. Orsino politely inviting her to seat herself on his desk. Orsino pushing up his sleeves and flexing his ink-stained fingers, then politely asking if she might assist him with a new technique he was developing – a new technique for making a woman come multiple times in the space of a minute…

The fantasy was so fucking trite that she almost laughed at herself. In any other context, she would have laughed at herself for harbouring such an absurd fantasy. But at this moment, Elena couldn’t laugh. Her fingers were sliding between her legs, spreading the slickness that she’d brought on herself with her dirty thoughts about the First Enchanter, and as she shifted her fingers higher to pet her swollen clit, the fantasies only hit her harder. 

In her mind’s eye, Orsino was smoothing his thumbs along the insides of her thighs. He was composed and collected as he licked his lips, and his smile was polite and warm as he looked her in the eye. “Champion,” he said, “I hate to ask for your assistance once again. But I’m afraid this is a task I can’t do on my own.” Imaginary-Orsino arranged his robes carefully as he sat in his chair. “I must ask you to open your legs for me.”

Yes, she thought feverishly as she slipped her fingers between her legs. Andraste save her, she could hear Orsino’s polite and mild-mannered voice in her head, and she could see his handsome lined face and the hint of mischief in the curl of his lips. She could imagine those elegant magic-wielding fingers pushing her thighs apart, and could see his grateful smile when she agreed to assist him with this favour, and – fuck, she could swear she could feel the smooth and gentle touch of his tongue when he lowered his lips between her legs.

She gasped and twisted her free hand in the sheets. The pulse between her legs was beating against her own swirling fingers, and her desperate imaginings were more fractured now, flickers of fantasies that tortured her mind while she touched herself: Orsino tracing his tongue between her legs with the sort of precise and measured care that he used to choose his words. Orsino sliding those fine-boned fingers of his into the slickness of her heated depths, then curling his fingers with a gesture that he knew would bring her to her peak – a gesture that he’d perfected during his many, many years of pleasuring his illicit lovers in the Circle. Orsino losing some of that calm control and rucking up his robes, then pressing her against the wall and fucking her fast and hard, his fingers biting into her hips as he tried to bring her to her peak before Meredith could knock on the door… 

Teach me, First Enchanter, she thought deliriously. Maker’s balls, she would do anything right now for Orsino to teach her everything he’d learned over the years about how to make a woman come–

Her climax suddenly slammed through her body, sending tendrils of pleasure pulsing through her calves, and she gasped into the darkness. She could see his smile, warm and polite and glazed with the evidence of her pleasure on his lips, and she shoved her fist against her mouth to muffle her own cries. 

When her pleasure finally began to ebb away, Elena dropped her hand limply to the bed. She opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling for a long moment. Then, in the peaceful darkness of her bedroom, she started to laugh.

Sick, she thought gleefully. I must be sick. He’s an older man. But frankly, Elena didn’t give a fuck about his age. Older only meant more experience, after all – and with the delicious buzz of her climax still warming her limbs and her belly, she vowed to spend more time imagining the experience that the handsome Grand Enchanter could share with her. 

[imakemywings]

Pre-relationship bonding: Orsino takes Hawke to the Circle library and shows her stuff that Malcolm produced or worked on when he was there

[jawsandbones]

If you're taking requests from the prompt lists, could I ask for “It’s getting crowded. Here, hold my hand” with Sebhawke? Thanks!!

They behave as though they can erase the memory of the Keep. They fill it with people, with rich wines and food, and the music isn’t quite cheerful, but it isn’t unpleasant either. Meredith looks as though she’s swallowed a pickled frog, standing near the empty Viscount’s chair, Orsino at the other side of it. They say nothing to each other, and let all the conversations around them fill their silence. Each person laughs a little harder, talks a little louder, than they might normally. The echoes of bloodstains linger beneath their feet.

This is all meant for her, but hardly any of them pay her any mind. She’s another reminder. Hawke’s happy enough to stand by the still broken pillar, sip at her drink. They’ve tried piecing the hall back together, to its former glory. She rather did make a mess of things, although it’s not entirely her fault. They’ve postponed this party, this crowning ceremony, for weeks now, until she was well enough to stand. In the pillar across from her, she can still see the marks of the Arishok’s axe.

She crosses her arms, pulls closer to herself, as people slip around her. They wear a wealth she still isn’t accustomed to, all the things that let them feel noble again. Hawke holds the empty cup loosely, and looks over heads, watches people’s faces. She avoids looking at Meredith entirely, feeling the pinprick of her gaze on her already. Best not to face that particular problem just yet. Their smiles are strained, and their cups practically overflow. Her own cup is taken easily from her hand, placed onto the table nearby.

“It’s more crowded than I would have expected,” he says. He was the only one she could think to ask. Sebastian more than easily blends in here, holds himself the way any noble would. “Do you think anyone would notice if we left?” That isn’t something she’d have expected him to stay, but he’s looking at her with a smile on his lips.

“There’s only one way to find out,” she says. His smile widens. She pushes herself away from the pillar, and follows him step for step. Around couples which sway to the music, friends who shove and laugh. Through the crowd, and she keeps sight of the back of his head. He’s looking around, looking for her, pausing in the middle of that hall. The reach is wordless, his fingers brushing against the back her hand, around to hold, lacing them together with hers. He holds her hand tightly and together, they make their way to the door.

The walk down the steps is silent, but the moment their feet touch the stones of Hightown, they burst into laughter. Swaying against each other, and he still holds her hand. “Did you see the way Meredith was looking at you?” he asks.

“I thought she was trying to make me burst into flame,” she tells him. They sputter laughter, echoing in the empty space. Moonlight guides their path, the few lit torches that hang on the walls. She isn’t sure of their direction, and doesn’t think he knows either. They walk in circles, round and around again, and Sebastian keeps his head close to hers.

“They’ll make you come to more of these, now that they’ve named you Champion,” he says.

“I hope not,” she says, “one was more than enough to have my fill.” He chuckles softly, squeezes her hand gently.

“If they do drag you to more, at least you’ll have company,” he says.

“Are you volunteering yourself?”

“I am.” So sincere and earnest, and despite how comfortable he had looked, she knows he hates those parties as much as she does. Hawke leans closer to him, lets her head rest on his shoulder. His hand slips from hers, only to wrap his arm around her waist, keep her close. He kisses the crown of her head, and together, they walk.