Chapter Text
Hawke managed to get home after another tiring day at the office. His back was hurting from sitting all day in front of his computer, and his neck was next for sure. He went to lay down on his couch, letting out a soft groan as his back protested, finally resting a bit.
He pulled his phone and opened his music app, put on some music and closed his eyes, letting his arm fall over his face.
In days like this, it was the music and lyrics that helped Hawke make it through the week, it had been almost a year since he took that office job, thinking that while it may not be the best work out there, he could get a fair amount of money and live comfortably by himself after moving out from his mother's place. Certainly he had been proved wrong and now he was regreting every choice he made a year ago.
Every time he heard those songs he remembered his teenage years. when life was... not easier, but perhaps simpler, when he still had some hope of finishing a career and then get a nice job in kirkwall, when he still had some time to play videogames and going to concerts with his twin sibilings, before they all got busy and grew distant.
The songs were at least 10 years old already, and yet they managed to comfort Hawke as much as when he was 17, maker, how he wished he had stayed 17 forever, but it was more than impossible, and as he reminisced about the nights he had spent on his bed, or the backyard, listening to the songs that felt like they were written just for him, with lyrics that felt like a warm blanket on the coldest winter, like those songs were the only thing he could hold onto during his hardest days, he remembered how much he wanted to be in a band, how he wanted to tour and find people who tought alike, people that could understand him, how he could be less lonely if he found friends that he could connect with.
Hawke groaned again, feeling a wave of cringe running over him at the thought, reminding his teenage dreams was... cringe, or at least he felt like it was. He entertained the tought for a few more minutes, just to forget about his shitty day. A band, a rock band, in his mid twenties? it would be hard right? most bands started at 17 or 18 didn't they? but hey, he wasn't that old... he was just 24, and he already knew how to play the drums so, now he just had to find the missing parts... A singer, a guitar player and a bass player at least. He sighed and smiled, the idea was fun, and maybe impossible, but it was fun to fantasize about it, and he lost himself in tought, wondering how their songs would sound like, which of their singles would be the most streamed one, and how their first tour would be called, all until he fell asleep on that dark blue couch.
*
Hawke had just finished his lunch and was heading back to his desk, the day was going on fine, there weren't that many clients and the day was sunny, good, he couldn't wait to feel the sun on his skin and get some warmth, the bank was pretty cold and he had to wear a jacket all the time.
-Hawke, there's a client on the first floor, I have to leave early so willl you take it or should I give it to someone else? -Meeran said as he grabbed his own jacket, ready to leave for the day.
-I'll take it, no problem. -With a sigh, Hawke got up and went downstairs.
Once there he spot a man around his age probably, hair a beautiful coppery shade of blonde and he was bouncing his leg while looking around. He was the only without a bank teller, so it was clear that he was Hawke's client.
-Hi, how are you doing? My name's Hawke and I'll be with you today. -Hawke said with his practiced smile as he sat down across the man.
-Hey, I'm Anders. -The man said with a soft almost shy smile and shook Hawke's hand.
Once Anders looked up, Hawke saw just how pretty the guy was, holly maker, he was glad he decided to take up the client.
-Alright Anders, what are you here for? A debit card?
-I want to take a loan, yes. -Anders nodded
Hawke nodded and started typing on the computer.
-Anders, right? I'll need some information.
-Sure.
-First of all, a phone number, an email and your full name, is this the first time you come to us?
-Yeah, this is the first time actually. -Anders smiled and gave Hawke his personal info.
Hawke even considered to learn his phone number but, that would be creepy right? He was socially awkard when it came to flirting, for sure.
-Alright, so, you said you wanted to take a loan? -Hawke looked up and blinked when he caught a glimpse of Ander's shirt under his deep sky blue jacket. Was that a "Grey Wardens" shirt?
-Yeah I do, I'd like to buy a motorcycle -Anders smiled and he looked genuinely excited about it.
-Oh? that's cool, do you have your licensce already?
Now Hawke was just trying to strike up a conversation with Anders, finding the best moment to ask about his shirt.
-Yeah, I got it a month ago.
-Then you must be excited to finally get your bike? -Hawke asked with a soft smirk and Anders nodded with a bigger smile, getting more comfortable now. -Good then, let's get you started so you can get your loan.
Hawke started the whole process, asking about his income and more data, Anders answered truthfully and Hawke was glad that the man was comfortable around him. Once the process was over, and Anders had gotten his loan, Hawke cleared his throat and took a deep breath.
-Hey, um... Is that a "Grey Wardens" shirt?
Ander's eyes lit up a bit and smirked.
-Yes, How'd you know?
-Well, I'm a fan myself.
Anders' smirk grew a bit and crossed his arms.
-I really didn't expect to find another fellow warden, not in a bank.
Hawke laughed and smirked as well.
-Well, the bills won't pay themselves.
Both chuckled and stayed silent for few seconds, Hawke then cleared his throat and shrugged, this was probably a stupid question but, at least he could make a new friend. And he certainly needed one.
-Say, Anders, do you happen to know how to play an instrument? Or know someone who does?
Anders raised an eyebrow and leaned back in his chair.
-Well I do, I play the bass, how'd you know?
Hawke blinked, surprised he had guessed right. -I just had a hunch... I really didn't think you'd know how to play an insturment.
Anders chuckled and smiled.
-Yeah, I play the bass, what about you? why do you ask?
-Well, I play the drums, but it's been ages since I've done it, I must be rusted by now. -Hawke let out a laugh and looked away.
-The drums? that's sick!
Hawke looked back at him and smiled softly, not many people thought that playing the drums was "sick" many in fact thought that it was kind of useless since you wouldn't be seen on the scenario, but the truth was, Hawke wanted to be part of something bigger, not just to be seen, he wanted to connect with others and make something beautiful, together. As one.
-Well thank you, the bass is great too, I love how it sounds, it's like soothing and intimidating at once, does that even make sense? -Hawke laughed and shrugged, feeling his cheeks getting warmer, maker he was already a mess just trying to talk with a cute man and compliment him as well.
-Oh really? Wow, I've never heard anyone describe it like that -Anders hummed and smiled- It's a very cool description, tho I wonder how something can be intimidating and soothing at once.
Hawke chuckled along with Anders, but inside he was dying, he thought his last comment was cringe as hell.
-Hey um, this might be weird, and stop me if it is please, but I've been meaning to start a band and I was looking for some people to join... Tho I understand if you don't want to or can't. -Hawke shrugged and looked away, fidgeting with a pen.
-A band? -Anders blinked and tilted his head a bit.
-Yeah, for fun, like those D&D players that meet one day a week just for fun... -Hawke shrugged, maker, he was definitely blushing now, couldn't he be less cringe? why was he talking about D&D out of a sudden?
-Oh, yeah, that sounds fun, is there anyone else in the band? -Anders smiled and looked at Hawke, and he was sure Anders was going to decline.
-No... not really, not yet I mean, I'm still looking for some people... you'd be the first one.
Anders hummed and smiled.
-Good, then, I'll give you my number so you can keep me updated about the band project, and if it doesn't work out, we could still hang out someday, it was nice to meet a warden.
Hawke swallowed and nodded with a smile, waiting impatiently, as Anders wrote down his number on a post-it note, and when he handed the note to him, he swallowed, thinking he was patethic for getting so excited over their fingers brushing.
-I'll text you Anders, it was really nice to meet you.
Anders nodded and waved at Hawke before getting up from the chair and walking to the stairs.
Hawke watched until Anders had dissappeared and let out a happy sigh, feeling like the day had just gotten brighter.
He went back to his usual work with a soft smile on his face, Anders seemed to be a nice person, and he didn't want to get his hopes high before seeing Anders again, so he tried not to think about how pretty he was, or how warm his smile had made him feel.
Hawke focused back on his work and tried not to think too much about his little band project, because it wasn't anything yet. But he hoped that'd change soon.