[Her arms wrap around him and he can't bare to hesitate in returning her hug. She clings to him and he clings to her, starved for the affection she offers. He shouldn't be asking it of her...but then, she is offering.
How long had it been since he'd had anyone close to family? Amell, Jowan, Karl. All of them gone and then replaced by the Wardens. The Wardens were taken from him and he found Hawke. Varric. Isabella, even Merrill. Now there were new people filling those holes. Hermione being the most dear among them.]
[ It's been harder, moving forward and watching people move away from her, and letting go of Anders when he and Wolfe had left the fleet had been incredibly difficult. Hermione recognises what it means to have a family, how it feels - she'd had John and Nico for long enough - but it doesn't make the hurt easier to survive, in the end.
Moments like this, though? Her arms slipping around him and holding on, the touch of his hand against her back, the squeeze of their hug as they cling to each other... These memories help, and Hermione makes a soft, happy little hum against his chest as she tilts her head to speak. ]
[She shouldn't be making that promise in this place, not with how easily someone could be taken away; and she likely knew it better than any. But he knew she meant 'as much as she could,' and that was more than enough.]
Your kindness and support are more than I have any right to ask for. Thank you, love.
[He pulled away and briefly smoothed her hair.]
I should let you go back to your own plans now that I've taken enough of your time.
no subject
How long had it been since he'd had anyone close to family? Amell, Jowan, Karl. All of them gone and then replaced by the Wardens. The Wardens were taken from him and he found Hawke. Varric. Isabella, even Merrill. Now there were new people filling those holes. Hermione being the most dear among them.]
Thank you.
no subject
Moments like this, though? Her arms slipping around him and holding on, the touch of his hand against her back, the squeeze of their hug as they cling to each other... These memories help, and Hermione makes a soft, happy little hum against his chest as she tilts her head to speak. ]
Any time, Anders. I'll always be here.
no subject
Your kindness and support are more than I have any right to ask for. Thank you, love.
[He pulled away and briefly smoothed her hair.]
I should let you go back to your own plans now that I've taken enough of your time.