Obligatory Coffee Shop/College/Modern AU

[wolfehawke]

2am on a Saturday and Hawke's not alone in the Owl's Nest, the campus coffee shop nestled in the trees between the pristine steel and glass facade of the Wynne Medical College building and the Aequitarian research library. By it's location, Hawke not being alone at such a late hour as to be early isn't an odd thing in and of itself. The cafe is open 24/7 year round save for Satinalia and First Day, and it's the only one on campus with such hours, making it a favorite haunt for those who tend to keep equally long hours, like any student during finals, or art, theatre, and medical students all the time.

What's really odd isn't that Hawke isn't alone in the shop but more that there's only one other person there. Usually by this time the bars are closing up and Varric or Isabela or both come wavering in on unsteady feet, looking either for a place to sober up or just to animatedly recount the evening's exploits to their friend, but since the last time Isabela was in here there was almost a brawl and Hawke got docked a weeks pay over a toppled espresso machine, it's no wonder they'd steer clear. No, it would be more accurate to say that the odd thing is that there are only two people in the shop in the wee hours of the morning.

The other denizen - or rather, the only customer - is a hunched, incredibly tired looking man clearly too old to be an undergrad but by how much Hawke can only guess. Based on the bags under his eyes and the hollow of his cheeks, he'd have to guess at least a hundred. Aside from the obvious lack of care for his appearance, Hawke finds the man interesting, and not just because he's putting off making more whipped cream or cleaning or the other millions of things he's supposed to do when it's slow like this. He may be unkept with a days worth of stubble, but the flash of his amber eyes when he'd put in his order had caught Hawke's attention. The long fingers he'd handed over his student card with even moreso, freckled like his face and with pronounced knuckles. Hawke had made the drink quickly for him that first day he'd ordered, but since then the lanky upperclassman had come in nearly every evening the last week and a half and Hawke had gotten creative.

Anders, he'd found out easily since he'd had to write it on the orders, was graced with Hawke's poor artistic skill as he slowly mastered latte art. Shapes, flowers, and the occasional poorly constructed animal face featured prominently each time Hawke delivered Anders' drink, though never once had he received a comment. He has to wonder if it's a completely wasted effort considering Anders never seems to actually look at his drink before swallowing it. He seems like one of those who just needs the caffeine and doesn't savor it, though Hawke can't imagine savoring something with six shots of espresso in it. How he still looks so tired when consuming that much caffeine is a mystery.

Still, Hawke continues his quiet bid to get noticed, this time with a rudimentary cat face. It's a bit lopsided and the whiskers are askew but it's at least recognizable. Pleased with himself, Hawke brings the oversized mug over to the little table his only customer occupies and sets it down carefully with an air of triumph. "Here you are, sir. Six shot latte with light foam."

Comments

[apurrstate]

Anders hadn't looked up from what he was working on in three years. If asked what he had for breakfast that morning, he likely would have given the person a blank look. Had he even slept last night or eaten today? He couldn't be sure. He was on auto-pilot, any higher thought dedicated to whatever project he turned his attention to. He had his rounds in the clinic he had to participate in for class, the rounds in another clinic he'd chosen to volunteer in and his shifts at the animal shelter. Add that to going to whatever rally was slated for him by Justice and he barely had any say in his own life enough to choose to have breakfast.

The only reason he even made the conscious effort to come to this cafe when it was furthest from home was because it was the only one open late enough. Honestly, at this point, he lived in this cafe more than his actual apartment.

The barista brought his order to him and he barely registered that the guy had spoken. He muttered a quiet 'thanks' and reached for the handle of the cup...only to pause. He never looked up to notice the attempted foam art before, he'd never looked up to even notice the barista who was often here at the same times Anders himself was.

Today it caught his attention. A little cat in the foam looked back at him and made the cup hover in the air as Anders stared at it. Slowly, a little smile tugged up the corner of his mouth.

He looked up.

"Did you make this? The cat, I mean." He blinked and took a quick glance around as he set the cup back down. "Well, yes you must have, there aren't many other options." His smile grew brighter as he finally took notice of the attractive man who'd been serving him his coffee for who knew how long. "It's adorable."

[wolfehawke]

Anders smiles and it lights up the room. Hawke hears birds and bells and flower petals rain down in a pink shower---

Well alright, not quite, but that smile is the best reward all his hard work could have culminated in. The lines of worry on the blond's face disappear and he looks near ten years younger. A very handsome ten years younger, if Hawke does say so himself. Which he would, if asked.

"There we go, I've been trying to get you to smile for weeks." Not weeks. A week and a half. But it feels like much longer. He takes a rag from the pocket of his apron and proceeds to wipe down the counter nonchalantly. "Entirely worth it. You have an incredibly handsome smile."

Alright, maybe he doesn't need to be asked in order to share that opinion.

[apurrstate]

Anders' smile faltered in surprise but didn't fall. When was the last time he'd been flirted with? Maker knew he likely couldn't remember if he tried.

"Do you compliment all of your customers? Perhaps capture their attention with cat latte art?"

He should shut down the barista, even if it was likely simply friendly flirtation, he hardly had anything to offer back. But Anders found himself entranced by the man's light silver eyes and matching hair, how it seemed to glow like some kind of halo with the cafe's dimmer lighting. Maker's breath he was attractive.

"You're...here pretty often, aren't you?" He'd looked at the barista when giving his order, of course, but his looks hardly registered. He should have noticed sooner, he could have appreciated his surroundings.

[wolfehawke]

"Only the special ones." He catches Anders taking in his features and winks, leaving off his cleaning with a brief mental 'fuck it' and taking the continued questions as an invitation to join Anders at his table. He spins the extra chair around and sits in it backwards, arms folded on the back and knees on either side.

"I'm usually the night shift. No one else wants it, and I only take a few classes so I have to time to spare." He's technically in grad school here, but really he's just paying out of his trust fund for the privilege of bumming around instead of getting what his best friend terms a 'real job' and becoming a productive member of society. Who says he's not productive? He produced a foam cat which in turn produced a very handsome smile.

Eat that, Aveline.

"I could say the same thing about you, though. Student?"

[apurrstate]

Anders' smile perks up a bit when he's joined at his table. He folded his papers into a folder and closed the book he'd been reading to better give his attention to his new companion. A small break wouldn't hurt anything.

"Yes. Med-School." His smile turned wry and he said it in a way that clearly said 'this should explain any questions you might have had about why I'm here and why I look like shit.'

"I'm almost done now, but it's not the only thing my time is dedicated to, so the night hours are my only real chance to get my homework done and study like I'd like. What are you here for?" Like they were inmates or something, but it wasn't so far off considering debt and the amount of time school took from you.

Something seemed to occur to him and that charming smile was back. "I'm sorry, I've started probing you with questions and I haven't even asked your name." He offered his hand across the table. "I'm Anders, officially, since you're not writing it on any orders."

[wolfehawke]

"Hawke," he taps his nametag - which has a small poorly drawn hawk on it in chalk - before reaching over to take Anders' hand and shake it. He has nice hands, long fingers that curl a long way around Hawke's own meaty ones.

"And I don't mind questions. I'm taking all sorts of things, whatever interests me each semester mostly. Right now it's classical Thedosian history and creative writing," he shrugs, not really caring much about the academics, which is odd considering just how much it costs to go to this university.

"You're almost done with the med program? That's a shame." He backs up a bit. "I mean, it's good, but once you've graduated how am I supposed to make you kitten lattes?

[apurrstate]

Anders looks amused at the nametag. He would have guessed 'Bird' but Hawke works too. Hawke's handshake was firm and his hands were strong and something in the back of his mind oh-so-helpfully reminded him what strong hands were good for.

Strong hands on his hips and thighs or clinging so tightly to his shoulders, tracing down his-

Maker have mercy, he'd just learned this poor man's name and his imagination was already at work undressing him. If that flirtation were real....maybe he'd be amenable...but, no, he really really shouldn't. He didn't want a one night stand, but something more just wouldn't be fair. What time did he have? What dedication? What of...well, anything, really, did he have to offer?

Besides, it was probably just Hawke being friendly and charming and Anders was just lonely enough to read too much into it. That would be his luck.

He couldn't help the laugh that escaped him with Hawke's concern over the kitten lattes. "Oh, well, I wouldn't worry just yet. 'Almost done' doesn't mean 'leaving in two weeks.'"

Something else Hawke said stood out to him as well and his expression turned into one part amusement, one part incredulity and one part impressed. "How have you gone this long without picking a focus? I can't imagine." As close as he could get to 'how, exactly, do you pay for all that?'

[wolfehawke]

"I don't know, a few years?" Five. Five years, going on six next June. He leans back in the chair, holding the back of it and letting it rock onto the two back legs. "I just can't figure out what I actually want to do. It's a bit ridiculous asking someone to choose that at 24, let alone 18."

He lets the chair clatter back on all fours, leaning on the back again with both arms and a charming smile. "Glad to hear I have some time left, though. Will you be doing your residency here in Kirkwall?"

He's coming on quite strong, he knows that, but usually by now if someone didn't like it they'd tell him to shove off. Anders - he still loves that name, soft and buzzing at the end in a short sibilant hiss; he has since he first heard it - instead has told him that he'll certainly be sticking around for awhile. Which means he feels the opposite of hate towards Hawke's advances. He thinks. He hopes.

That doesn't mean he returns the sentiment though. Maybe he should be more forward? Or...

Oh shit, what if Anders isn't into men?

[apurrstate]

"I will, yes. There's plenty of people in this city who need help, especially with Darktown."

His smile grew a touch more strained as a voice that sounded suspiciously like his brother reminded him of exactly how much work he still had to do in the back of his mind. He should shut down the conversation...shut down Hawke, too. He really shouldn't entertain anything about this and even just letting him flirt with Anders when Anders knew how useless it would end up being seemed unfair.

"Look, Hawke. You're very charming and I'm sure I'll see you again tomorrow, but I'm very busy and..." His voice drifted off as he thought of the words to say, if the flirting was real, it should stop.

"...but maybe we could...go to lunch? Friday?" His heart shouldn't be in his throat. No, hang his heart, he shouldn't have evn said that! But he didn't want to take it back and part of him was practically hanging off Hawke's every expression and potential answer, wanting to know once and for all if those advances actually meant something. Pathetically hoping they did.

[wolfehawke]

'You want to work in Darktown,' he nearly blurts out, surprised considering the reputation it has. There's only one hospital there and it's always understaffed and underfunded. Sometimes you'd hear about people getting stabbed or mugged right outside the damn place. It's not really where most people graduating from their prestigious university want to take a job.

Instead Hawke wonders at the new strain in Anders' voice then gets ready to be disappointed as he clearly starts talking like he's trying to let him down easy. Of course. He shouldn't have come on so strong. He's probably straight anyway, trying to be a doctor and all. There's a look that goes with that, trophy wife, the whole shebang. A trophy husband isn't exactly- and woah that's getting way ahead of-

"Friday?" If Hawke were a dog his ears would have perked right up, tail wagging. "Where? When? What time? I don't have class on Fridays so any time is fine with me."

Actually he does but he's not going to let that stand in the way of a date, especially not with a handsome young med-student he's been trying to get the attention of for weeks.

A week.

Who's counting?

[apurrstate]

Charming and adorable. The way Hawke practically perked up reminded him of one of the puppies at the animal shelter and some insane part of him wondered if a puppy made for a good dating gift.

He should...probably stick to something simpler. Maker, what was he thinking? Aside from how handsome Hawke was and how he wouldn't mind knowing if his hair was truly as soft as it looked or what it might be like to hear him laugh Because of something Anders said...he was losing his mind.

"Noon? The little cafe at the end of the street here, they're quiet and have great food and comfortable seats." Couches. They only had couches. He was going to regret this come Friday. "Friday's clear for me too, so I'm flexible."

It was one of those rare days when the stars aligned and he didn't have class, a rotation, or a shift at the animal clinic. It happened so very rarely, but instead of spending his one day off alone in his apartment, maybe he could spend it on something selfish.

[wolfehawke]

"Perfect. Excellent." He refrains from making a comment on wanting to find out just how flexible Anders can be. After all this is a first date. He should at least keep it in his pants until the second. Maybe even longer, unless the med student across from him decides otherwise.

Which is a funny thought, considering. He'd never bothered before, being the type of person who knew what he wanted and trusted whoever he flirted with to want the same. But a one night stand isn't a date. This is a date date. He doesn't work so hard to get someone's attention just for a roll in the hay and a see you later. Anders is special. Anders he wants to wine and dine. To treat right, because clearly life isn't. It sounds like he does some of it to himself (honestly who aspires to work in Darktown?) but that doesn't mean he's not deserving of some relief. Maybe it just means he's moreso.

"I'll meet you there and if we like we could even go somewhere after." Like my apartment.

Maybe keeping it in his pants is going to be harder than he thought.

Haha... harder.

[apurrstate]

"I like the sound of that." He needed to call Kristoff. Or Nate or..someone to put his head back on straight because it was clearly someone else speaking right now. Someone who hadn't killed himself in school for the last several years, someone who actually still thought he might possess the charm he did back in high school.

Or maybe he should suck it up and call Rohm and get his boyfriend and Izzy to help him actually try to make himself presentable.

Something sexy so Hawke might want to take you out of it

Maker, no.

He really needed to go. Like, now. Anders downed the rest of his now cooler coffee and started gathering his things. "I look forward to Friday, then, though I suspect I'll see you sooner, if the trend we've got continues."

[wolfehawke]

"I'll make sure to improve my whiskers for next time." He grins, referring to the latte art. It's such a stupid thing, but it made Anders smile which means he's never going to stop. Ever.

It's disappointing to see him go, but it's really no wonder considering the late hour. "Go on, get some sleep. Or don't and study, as you please. I'll get you one for the road."

With a practically euphoric smile, Adalwolfe marches back behind the bar to get a to go cup.

[apurrstate]

Anders actually laughs at that and gathers his things to go, but then settles in against the customer side of the marble counter. "Don't spoil me so early into his, I'll get used to it."

Whatever 'this' is. But he was physically incapable of turning down coffee, so he didn't fight much harder than that.

As Hawke worked, Anders watched him with appreciation. He was clearly built well, strong with powerful hands and arm muscles that bunched and flexed just right under the shortsleeves of his work shirt. But he wasn't some blundering jock with muscles, he had a nimble grace to his movements and certainty in his work that gave off an attractive confidence.

Anders definitely wanted to run the pads of his fingers over every inch...maybe see how flexible those muscles could be with the proper strain...

But he also wanted to see those angular features soften with something like a kitten or puppy in his care or a thoughtful present paying off in the form of joy and surprise.

Andraste preserve him this was actually happening. He was letting this happen. His hand dove to his pocket for his phone and he toyed with the idea of calling Kristoff to drag him out of here before Anders had the chance to ruin everything. Although, if he actually called his brother, the older man was more likely to ruin this for Anders before he'd have the chance himself.

[wolfehawke]

This? The word rattles through Adalwolfe's head for a moment as he works the coffee machine, fixing up a blonde roast in one of the nice metal tumblers they have for sale on the floor. He's never seen Anders come in with one, for all the coffee he drinks. Maybe he can't afford it? Likely, given that school tends to kill the budget of every student. He'll just have his manager take it out of his markouts for the month. Not that he's even worried about that right now, the this making him feel rather warm in his chest at already being a 'something'. Most anyone at this stage wouldn't consider it anything, just a flirtation and a possibility, but Anders is already entertaining the possibility of it being.

But in what capacity, he has to wonder. Is he just as intrigued by the shape of Adalwolfe's own jaw as Adalwolfe is of Anders'? The way his eyes slide sideways when he's thinking, how the stubble on his chin moves with his mouth. How his lips look chapped but somehow soft and entirely inviting? Or maybe at the sling of pants over hips and how there's this thin band of skin and frizzy hair that peaks out between the hems of his scrubs when Anders stretches and Adalwolfe desperately wants to find out if it matches the hair on the young nurse's head. He supposes if he's lucky he'll find out on Friday.

Maker, what is he going to wear?

He makes sure to leave room for cream and turns back around at the counter to hand the tumbler to the other half of the question. "Here you are. One black coffee, room at the top. Keep the cup, you get discounts with it on refills."

[apurrstate]

"Thank you." The coffee was already in the cup, he wasn't going to just turn it down, but it makes him smile all the same, it would certainly come in handy. He doctored (ha) up his coffee with as much cream as he could fill the cup with and only a small amount of sugar, stirred it, and then sipped down the level of then liquid until he could put the cap back on. Ready to head back out into the empty nighttime streets, he paused by the door to wave and say goodnight before leaving.

The next few days passed hectically as usual, he very nearly forgot to text Rohm, Zevran and Bela until it was the day before and he had a moment of peace over his lunch break. Their replies were quick to come back, they'd be there bright and early tomorrow to help him clean up. After a moment, he deiced to go ahead and let Nate and Kristoff know as well.

He didn't get to check his phone until after his shift was over, but there waiting for him were both of their replies. 'I'm surprised, but that's good to hear! Have fun and let me know what happens.' and 'I'll be sure to set up the spare bed in case you need to come over and drink or cry it out afterwards.' waited for him. The first one he replied to with a little smiling cat face and a thumbs up, the second simply got a quick 'Asshole.' as a reply.

Nate was just messing with him, but he also knew that offer would be genuine if he needed it. Anders could rely on Nate if it turned out to be a horrible date or if Hawke happened to be perfect except for one major thing Anders couldn't ignore. Admittedly, Anders didn't know what that 'major thing' might be, but he couldn't be too careful.

Nate and Rohm were his oldest friends, aside from his brother, they'd seen him through a couple heartbreaks now. Nate was simply easier to crash with when he didn't have a charismatic boyfriend who liked to flirt to make you feel better living there as well.

Anders sleeps fitfully Thursday night and is woken by the sound of his phone going off, bright and early around 7:45. I'm here! ;)' The med student groaned and scrambled out of bed, just yanking a robe on in time to hear the familiar light knock of one Isabela. He opens the door to let her in and she merely looks him up and down and scoffs.

"Oh, sweet thing, I know I'm a miracle worker, but you really ought not make my job so difficult to start."

Isabela was a delight in the right scenario and a terrifying whirlwind in any other scenario. Today was more the latter. In seconds, she'd ushered him to the bathroom to shower with a promise she'd raid his closet and find 'something.' The shower should have been a reprieve, but five minutes in and she'd barged right in to warn him not to stay too long in the water or he'd prune and make her life harder. Once Isabela had claimed you as 'hers' in any capacity, personal space and privacy went out the window. He loved and hated that about her. He obeyed his orders and got out shortly after. By the time he'd dried off and gotten his underwear on, Rohm and Zevran had arrived as well.

His oldest friend of his little 'group,' Rohm, was lounging across Anders' entire couch, face buried in his phone. The only sign he was even there to help was the fact Zevran would steal his phone to pull up refrence pictures he'd apparently kept open for them to show Izzy. While she passed judgement on them, Anders caught the red-head's eye and had the silent equivalent of a plead for help only to be answered with a 'you're the one who wanted a hot date' look. Some best friend.

In seconds the whirlwind had intensified as Zevran threw in his expertise along with Isabela; they were a joint force that couldn't be resisted. However, an hour and three wardrobe changes later, and Anders was actually taking a moment to admire himself in the mirror.

They'd dug out a pair of old jeans he hadn't warn in years that still clung to his legs and ass nicely, with it they'd found one of Anders' favorite shirts, something he might not have chosen as 'date' material when he was more than willing to wear it around the apartment too, but it had apparently passed the test of his 'fashion help.' It clung in the chest and shoulders and hung loose around his hips, while the sleeves only made it past his elbows. His shoes, at least, he'd been able to convince them to let him keep something comfortable since he was probably just going to walk to the cafe.

Of course, they hadn't stopped there, they'd combed and yanked and styled his hair into something similar to how he usually wore it, but a little neater and less like he'd just thrown it back in the morning it keep it out of his face. And then they'd dug out his old makeup.

Just simple things, tasteful and generally neutral with the boldest color being black. With his eyes lined and his skin more even, he felt like he was looking at someone he hadn't seen in ten years. Back looking good meant something to him. He'd been dating Karl then.

Maker, had it really been that long since he'd bothered trying? No wonder he felt strange, he'd certainly let himself go over the last few years.

Before Karl, he'd been a little wild, flirting and sleeping with people when he fancied to, then he'd started settling down, things got serious with his childhood friend...and then that childhood friend...well, nothing lasted.

At least, that's what he'd decided to believe and then trying for himself or others seemed pointless, especially as his work took more and more of his time. And then he met Hawke and here he was trying again.

Maker save him, this surely wouldn't last either, but apparently he was masochistic enough to go this far anyway.

Even Rohm looked up when Anders walked out with his finished look. Isabela and Zevran seemed pleased with themselves and Rohm gave him a good glance over.

"Where'd you find this asshole? I haven't seen him in years." Despite the light heckle, Rohm held up a finger for them to wait and walked past them into Anders' room to dig something out. When he came back, he was holding a colorful scarf Rohm himself had given Anders for his twentieth birthday; it had fallen by the wayside along with every other remotely stylish thing the med student wore. Rohm wrapped it around Anders' neck and gave him a thumbs up so he could return to his phone. "Looks good buddy, go get him."

Zevran's fingers trailed on Anders' shoulder as he passed and gave a wink before slouching down onto the couch with his boyfriend, leaving Anders in the clutches of Isabela.

"Yes, you haven't even told us who this lucky man is, Anders! You owe us a name for all the hard work we've done today."

Anders scoffed. "I owe you a drink, not a free window into my personal matters."

"Unfortunately for you, they're our personal matters now, we just put so much work into you!"

He sighed. "I won't give you his name, but I met him at one of the cafes here on campus, he works nightshift and I happened to bump into him there."

Never mind it was the only one he went to and it had taken him...Andraste only knew how long to actually notice the barista noticing him.

But a glance at the clock saved him from further probing questions and caused him to miss the light in Izzy's eye as she snatched out her phone to text someone.

He thanked them, kissed Izzy's cheek and dashed out the door, trusting Rohm to lock up behind them whenever they got around to leaving.

Anders had a date to get to.

[wolfehawke]

On his end, Adalwolfe was having a harder time wrangling his friends to his cause. He isn't terribly bad at putting himself together on his own, but for once he's actually more excited about the date itself than the potential eventual payoff and it's making him second guess every decision from wardrobe to cologne.

Isabela I'm begging :( He sends the text, only to again receive nothing in reply. Maybe her phone's off? Or she's just ignoring it. That happens quite a lot. He just hopes it's not one of her entirely random impromptu trips halfway around the world that he doesn't learn anything about until she calls him at three am to post her bail from five countries away. Either way, she's not answering and he'll have to find other means.

sister dear are you busy?

Just homework. What's up?

i have a date and I want it to go well and I need help

Eww. Wolfe, I am not helping you get laid.

no i mean i'll actually probably want to see him again!! >(

There's a long pause before her reply.

Be right there

Twenty minutes later Bethany arrives with Aveline, Merrill, Varric, and even Fenris in tow. How she got Fenris along, Adalwolfe has no idea and asks with a raised eyebrow to his sister. Bethany doesn't get the chance to answer before the elf smirks and does so for himself. "I'm curious what it looks like when you're invested in more than 'getting some'."

"You make me sound like some kind of sex fiend." Wolfe whines, closing the door behind them.

"Well, if the shoe fits." Aveline sits herself on the arm of the couch.

"Or the cock ring." Varric mutters under his breath, prompting an unamused face from Aveline and a smirk from Fenris, the only ones who heard him.

"Nevermind, all of you get out."

Of course none of them actually leave and instead Bethany turns the afternoon into a fashion show of every piece of clothing Adalwolfe owns. Or it feels like it, anyway. Eventually they all settle on a bright blue button-down and black jeans, the kind that he usually wears to clubs but without the almost knee-high boots he usually pairs them with. Instead, a pair of dress shoes he doesn't think he's worn since his father's funeral, but that was long enough ago that there's no emotional attachment to them and he does have to admit Merrill is right. They are nice and shiny. The only thing no one can seem to agree on is how low he should leave the shirt unbuttoned.

"Varric, not everyone wants to be faced with a rug whenever they look at someone."

"Chest hair is sexy! If it works on women, I don't see why it wouldn't work on men with the same predilections."

"Oh I don't like a lot of hair when you're going to be that close. It's nice for winter, though..."

Adalwolfe snorts in amusement at Merrill's tangent, then gets pulled away by a beep from his phone before he's able to comment in regards to his own 'rug'.

Did you finally ask out that blond from the cafe?

thats what ive been trying to text you about! where are you?

i knew it

knew what?
Bela?
Isabela?!!?!
???????????????????????????????????????????

He doesn't have much more time to try and get her to respond though, as the clock proclaims itself time to go and Adalwolfe tries not to let his heart climb its way into his throat with nerves. He can worry about Isabela and her cryptic texts later. With an attractive two buttons undone, Wolfe tells Bethany to lock up with her spare key and pulls on his jacket, practically bolting for the stairs.

"Well, he certainly is eager." Merrill pronounces. "I hope it goes well for him."

[apurrstate]

Anders gets to the cafe with more than enough time to spare and takes the moment to breathe deep and try to loosen the uncomfortable knot of anxiety and excitement lodged in his chest. It was going to be fine. Or, at the very least, probably not as awful as he was imagining. At least, if something went wrong and it turned out 'dating' was going to be off the table as quickly as it had climbed back on, they might end up having a fun roll around that would help with some of the lonelier nights he had. Not...that that should be the goal! If he went into this thinking that, then it's all it would be and he'd only end up disappointed and ruining the whole thing himself.

You'll probably ruin it anyway.

He went to cover his eyes out of habit and just barely stopped in time not to smudge the light eyeliner he'd nearly forgotten about. Enough of this.

He went to the counter and ordered one of their small fruit salads to start, something simple they could split and likely not accidentally offend whatever Adalwolfe's usual tastes were. Andraste's arse, he was overthinking this by miles. He took the small bowl and a couple forks and his water and found a table suitably situated to where they could have some privacy...but not feel cornered either. There were still a few minutes until their agreed meeting time. Time enough for more deep breaths and a swift and silent prayer to whoever might take pity on him.