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.”
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Almighty Johnsons - Anders, Dawn x Ty, OC child of Dawn & Ty
2,547 words
Summary: Anders takes his niece on a fancy lunch date, because he's all about family.
CW: Family fluff, child.
A/N: Technically a sequel to Uncle Bragi. I started writing this in like June and it's been sitting almost-done in my WIPs folder forever so I thought, eh, let's get it posted. I somehow doubt this is what most Anders fans are looking for in a fic haha. As will be apparent when reading, this is a slight AU where the events of the end of season 3 mostly did not happen. Set a few years later.
“Uncle Anders!”
Zinnia ran across the front lawn, launching herself at him.
“Niece Zinnia!”
She laughed as Anders scooped her up by the armpits, spinning her around in a circle.
“Just Zinnia!”
“Oh, Niece-Just-Zinnia.”
“Nooo!”
He laughed. “Okay, ‘Zinny’ then.”
He propped her up near his hip as he’d done for years, her thin arms and legs creasing his suit where she gripped at him.
“Oof, you’re getting big, munchkin.”
She grinned, holding her mouth open strangely to point at a gap on her bottom row.
“I lost a tooth yesterday. It was bleeding HEAPS!”
“Oh, gross!” he praised, laughing.
She puffed out her belly and picked at the bow on her waist.
“Look! I wore my party dress.”
“I see that. You’re very beautiful.”
She put her hands on his cheeks. “No, YOU’RE beautiful!”
He scrunched his face and wagged his nose at her. “No, you’re beautiful.”
She tapped his sunglasses. “Can I have these?”
“Just until the car.”
He shut his eyes as she unceremoniously removed them from his face and put them on her own. They were too big for her face, but she was quite chuffed.
He smiled at her with pure love and affection.
“Now you’re extra beautiful.”
“I thought she was overdressed,” Dawn interrupted, walking up to them. “But I see you’re wearing a suit.”
“We’re having fancy lunch, mama.”
“That’s right.” Anders nodded in agreement.
Dawn raised a brow. “What does that mean, exactly?”
“We’re going to Sky Tower to see the view and eat at the Sugar Club.”
Dawn frowned. “That’s not a very kid-friendly restaurant, Anders.”
“Zinny is always a perfectly well-behaved lady-” He turned to his niece, who was playing with the knot of his tie. “Isn’t that right?”
She nodded proudly, sticking her chin out a bit.
“I don’t know about that,” Ty argued, crossing his arms as he joined them. “I know a certain lady who was screaming bloody murder this morning when she couldn’t have what she wanted for breakfast.”
“Well that was for you,” Anders smirked. “She’s always an angel for me.”
Dawn narrowed her eyes at him, suspecting he was implying that he used his Bragi powers on their daughter, but unable to challenge him on it in front of her.
“So what are you two going to get up to while we’re gone?” Anders wiggled his brows at them suggestively.
Ty grimaced. “Errands.”
“Uh-huh. Have fun doing errands.”
Dawn’s tone was warning. “Anders.”
“Errands sound boring, eh, Zinny?”
“Mm.”
“Hey! After lunch you wanna have ice cream in the park?”
“Yeah!”
“Oh, that might be a lot of sugar-”
“Okay, bye mum and dad!”
Anders turned and started walking toward his car to cut off the argument he knew was about to start with Ty, and Zinnia waved over his shoulder at her parents.
“Bye mum! Bye da’!”
“Have fun!”
“Be safe!”
“You do know Mike would have taken her, right?” Ty murmured as they watched Anders get Zinnia buckled into the back seat, taking his sunglasses back to drive with.
“Yes, but Anders loves Zinny,” she replied, smiling as he pulled onto the street. “And she just adores him.”
“She likes Mike just fine.”
“And she should get to know all of her uncles.”
“I know, but… The older she gets, the worse an influence he’s going to be on her.”
Dawn laughed. “Oh, absolutely.”
--
As the elevator inside Sky Tower ascended to reveal the view of Auckland below, Zinnia grabbed Anders’s hand tightly, letting out a small noise.
Anders raised his brows as he crouched next to her, letting her continue to hold his hand.
“We’re up high, eh?” They were headed up 53 floors, in fact.
“Mm.”
“But we’re safe.” He let his voice drop into his Bragi tones. “I would never let something bad happen to you.”
She nodded slowly, so he flashed her a conspiratorial grin, pointing out at the view.
“Look how far we can see from here, eh? There’s the park, and my office is that way, and if you look far enough, there’s the ocean.”
She moved closer, not letting go of him, but smiling as she looked at everything from the unique vantage point.
--
Eventually they settled at their table in the restaurant, sitting next to the tall windows that gave the same incredible view of Auckland and the sea beyond, Zinny kicking her legs excitedly under the table.
Anders talked through some options with her, then smirked as the cute waitress came by to take their order. Zinnia stared at the woman, noting the smile that appeared on her face as Anders spoke quietly to her. From Zinny’s point of view, the way everyone was friendly to her uncle was just proof that he was ‘nice’; after all, he was always nice to her.
“And for your daughter?”
Zinnia leaned closer and stage-whispered before Anders could reply.
“I’m his niece.”
He let out a falsely bashful humming laugh, nodding.
“Yes, uh- she’ll have the cheese board. And a Shirley Temple.”
The waitress was charmed, and gave him a quick glance over before nodding.
“Very good.”
When they were alone at the table again, Anders turned his attention back to Zinnia and winked.
“Good remembering.”
He’d trained her from an even younger age to always correct people when they thought she was his kid; something that had earned him plenty of attention from women, making her his own pint-sized wingman.
--
When the waitress brought their food, Zinnia’s eyes lit up at the sight of the colorful drink placed in front of her.
She waited until the waitress was gone to get Anders’s attention.
“Um, Uncle Anders…?”
“Hm?”
“Mama says I can only have water when I’m eating.”
“Hmm.” He rubbed his chin and nodded. “You should always listen to your mum… but it’s okay this time because it’s fancy lunch, alright?”
“Okay!” She grinned and picked up the glass, wide-eyed, and took a sip. Anders tried to temper his grin as he watched her brows raise at the sweet taste, pleased that he’d made her happy.
Dawn had scolded him a few times over the years for ‘spoiling’ her, even accusing him of trying to bribe her into liking him, but that wasn’t what it was about for him. Sure, he wanted his niece to like him; but mostly he wanted her to be happy, and to get to experience all sorts of things. To live a good, full life; better than they’d had.
He watched as she ate her food, methodically pairing a piece of cheese with one of the small bread rounds, carefully finding one about the same size. It was no wonder, given her parents, that she could be quite particular with little things like that, and Anders found it charming in her rather than annoying.
After eating in silence for a few minutes, he tilted his head.
“Would you like to try some of my lunch?”
Zinny perked up to look at his plate, then nodded.
She held her mouth open expectantly, making Anders laugh as he got a forkful ready to feed her. She seemed to enjoy it, chewing as she prepared another piece of bread with cheese on top.
“That’s lamb. What do you think?”
“Good. Before, Uncle Mike made lamb for us.”
“Oh, that’s right.” He recalled the big family potluck she was referring to, just a few months prior. “Do you like this lamb better, or Uncle Mike’s?”
She hummed and grabbed her drink to take a sip while she considered.
“I dunno!” She shrugged, shoving more cheese in her mouth.
She looked up at Anders with a furrowed brow.
“How come we eat lambs?”
“Don’t talk with your mouth full.” He mirrored her confused expression. “I don’t really know. Because they taste good?”
Zinnia giggled.
He grinned.
“You know what doesn’t taste good? Goat.”
“Goat?” The thought seemed to amuse her.
“You know, your uncle Axl and I met a goat farmer once in Whangamangamoa.”
“Did you eat his goats?”
“I didn’t, but I think Axl may have.”
“Did you pet his goats?”
Anders scrunched his nose up. “Nah, they were dirty.”
“Why did you meet a goat farmer in- that place?”
“We thought he might know someone we were looking for. But he didn’t, so we went home.”
“Did you find them?”
“Not yet.”
She pouted. “Are they lost?”
Anders hummed, unsure how to answer. “Not lost, but… Just a friend we haven’t met yet. But it’s all good, don’t worry.”
“I have lots of friends.”
“Oh, that’s good!” Anders returned to his meal. “Are they nice to you?”
“Mmhmm! Yesterday Leah gave me half her orange on recess. And Penny showed me how to draw a truck.”
Anders hummed as though this was a very important topic. “Make sure you’re always nice back to your friends.”
Zinny grinned. “I am!”
Their lunch continued on much the same until they’d finally cleared both their plates.
The waitress approached.
“Can I get you anything else?”
“Just the cheque, and-” Anders leaned closer, dropping into his Bragi tones. “Maybe your phone number, so we can grab coffee sometime when it’s just the two of us.”
The waitress bit her bottom lip and nodded.
“Right away.”
--
They strolled through the park holding hands, Anders having to temper his usual stride as he did his best to match Zinnia’s uneven pace. Still, he couldn’t help but smile as she enthusiastically told him all about what they’d been learning at school, making big sweeping gestures with her free arm, skipping at times, and laughing brightly when he said something ‘silly’ to her.
It took until they arrived at the gelato stand for Anders to realize how many people were looking their way. He flashed a quick smile to an attractive woman nearby, enjoying the ego boost at her reaction, before turning his attention back to Zinny.
“Okay, bean.”
He scooped her up again so she could see the flavours inside the glass-lidded freezer.
“What kind should we get today?”
--
“Your chariot, milady!”
After having finished their dessert and their walk in the park, Anders held open the door for Zinnia, helping her up into the backseat once more.
“Home, James!” She giggled, not quite understanding the reference, but knowing that it got a grin out of her uncle every time she said it - because she’d picked it up from him saying it to Ty.
“As you command.”
Anders perched on the seat next to her.
“Now, what are we?”
Her eyes lit up, recognizing this ritual they had. “Johnsons!”
“And what are Johnsons?”
She made fists with her hands. “Strong.” She pointed at her head next. “Smart.” Then she grabbed Anders’s face again. “Beautiful!”
He let out a soft humming giggle.
“That’s right. Don’t forget it.”
Anders wanted his niece to be proud of her family; something he hadn’t been able to feel until the last few years.
As a kid, he could only feel shame for the Johnson name, coming from a home where their father had first been abusive - hitting their mother and even Tyrone - and then shot through, only to have their mother follow suit.
But now their family was strong. Axl had been chosen by Odin; the brothers had reunited; Ty had a stable marriage and a kid. They could rebuild what it meant to be a Johnson, and give Zinnia the solid foundation they hadn’t had themselves.
He only regretted that she wouldn’t one day get powers like they had; that they would likely have to keep it all a secret from her.
He closed the buckle on her seat belt.
“Did you have fun today?”
She grinned. “Yes!”
“I did too. Thank you for coming out with me.”
“No, thank YOU!”
“No, thank you.”
Zinny giggled and Anders took a small breath, letting himself relax for just a moment.
He was typically hypervigilant; always assessing for threats and chewing on ways to mitigate them. That had been behind most of his substance abuse in the past - anything to quiet the worries and the god spirit that flooded his thoughts.
But this was nice. A simple family interaction.
A positive one.
“Love you heaps,” he stated softly.
Zinny replied without hesitation, just as she would for her parents or other family members.
“Love you too.”
He took a sharp breath, mischief sparkling in his eyes as he tilted his head.
“Maybe I’ll keep you, then eh? Your mum and dad won’t mind, right?”
Zinnia laughed, agreeing, but soon they were on their way again.
Anders didn’t really like the idea of having a kid in tow all the time, of course, but an afternoon here or there to feel that familial connection did him good.
The way she trusted him, and looked at him with adoration - her face a perfect blend of two of his other favourite people - gave him a sense that there was something outside himself that was worth the effort. He’d protect their family so she could have an easier life than they’d had.
He’d wanted that for Axl, and even Ty and Mike to an extent, but it seemed that only now he was able to actually carry through properly with that, and he was determined not to mess it up.
--
When they returned, Zinnia ran to meet Ty at the end of the driveway.
Ty scooped her up much as Anders had earlier, and Zinnia started rambling to him about the view from SkyTower, and the ice cream they’d gotten afterward.
Dawn met Anders beside his vehicle and they walked toward the others.
“How was your afternoon?” she asked curiously.
Anders grinned, hands in his pockets, watching Ty with Zinny.
“It was grand, Dawn. I told you, Zinny’s always an angel for me.”
“Mm, I wonder why that might be,” she teased.
Anders tilted his head as he met Dawn’s gaze, his soft and serious tone catching her by surprise.
“She’s a good kid.”
“Doesn’t take after you, then.”
“Oh, definitely not!”
They shared a laugh as they joined up with Ty and Zinnia.
“How was your afternoon?” Anders asked, raising his brows. “Doing errands?”
“Productive,” Ty answered pointedly, shaking his head at Anders.
“Dad! Uncle Anders and Uncle Axl met a goat farmer!”
“A goat farmer? You must mean our friend Derrick.” Ty looked to Anders. “And how did that come up?”
Anders shrugged.
“Just did.”
“Come on Zinny, let’s get you changed out of your dress, alright?”
Dawn took her from Ty to bring her into the house.
Zinnia waved from over her shoulders.
“Bye Uncle Anders!”
“Bye munchkin!”
“What exactly did you tell her about Thor?” Ty asked seriously in a hushed tone.
“Oh, nothing, Ty. Seriously. You worry too much.”
“No, Anders, I worry just as much as I need to as a dad.”
Anders grinned and poked at his younger brother’s cheek.
Ty batted his hand away.
“Stop-”
“You love being a dad.”
Ty grinned and crossed his arms, nodding.
“Like you don’t love being an uncle?”
Anders let out a humming laugh, placing his hands back in his pockets.
“Thanks for letting me take her out.”
“Chur.”
Ty nodded and raised his brows as his older brother.
“Stay for a beer?”
Anders grinned and gestured for Ty to lead the way.
