Anders Romance

Anders Romance is the non-binary ship between Anders and Hawke from the Dragon Age fandom.

Dragon Age 2
Act 1

Hawke and Anders first meet upon Hawke seeking out a Ferelden Grey Warden for their Deep Roads expedition. Arriving to Anders’ clinic in Darktown, Anders is immediately on the defense as Hawke and their party “threatens” the sanctuary he’s made for the refugees. Discovering Hawke is actually no threat, Anders claims that he’s never stepping foot into the Deep Roads again, however he soon changes his mind as he needs help with something as well — a favor for a favor. Hawke agrees to Anders’ favor by helping Anders free his Mage friend, Karl Thekla, from the Gallows, in return for Anders’ Warden maps of the Deep Roads.

Later that night, Hawke and Anders meet in the Gallows where Anders sees Karl reenter the building. They and Hawke’s party follow in where they all find Karl has been made Tranquil, much to Anders’ heartbreak. After a battle with a few Templars, Anders kills Karl as Karl had wanted. A short time later, back at Anders’ clinic, Hawke asks Anders of his power, knowing that what Anders did during the battle with the Templars was not normal magic. Anders explains that while he was in Amaranthine he met the spirit of Justice trapped outside of the Fade. They became friends as Justice recognized the injustice that Mages face in Thedas every day. To live outside the Fade, Justice needed a host where then Anders allowed his body to be that host. However Anders had too much rage within him, slowly converting Justice into Vengeance, taking control of Anders when Anders loses himself completely. Hearing this, Hawke flirts, “So that explains your whole sexy, tortured look.” Anders is surprised, though welcoming of the comment, claiming he should perhaps “check a looking glass more often”. Anders gives Hawke his Deep Roads maps, as well as himself should Hawke have him join their expedition.

Sometime later, Hawk goes to Anders’ clinic where Anders apologizes for being a bit “weighty” the last time he and Hawke spoke, regarding his involvement with Justice, how he’s hosting Justice within his body. Hawke flirts, “Well, he can’t complain about his looks anyway.” Depending whether Hawke is male or female, Anders and Hawke have a different interaction: male!Hawke; Anders lets it known that he and Karl were together romantically, whereas with female!Hawke, Anders doesn’t mention it, merely calling Karl a friend.

Act 2

Three years later, Hawke arrives to Anders’ clinic where Anders tells them he had Templars practically on his doorstep the other night, leading Hawke to tell him they might have to “lock him up to keep them off of him”. Anders informs Hawke that Knight-Commander Meredith is “out of control,” that there have been curfews, midnight raids on Mages families, people forced into hiding so they won’t be made Tranquil. Hearing this, Hawke flirts, “If they want you, they’ll have to come though me.” Knowing Hawke is at much risk as Anders is, Anders tells them that he’ll “drown them both in blood to keep Hawke safe”.

Sometime later, Anders reveals that he’s been involved with an underground Mage resistance. He asks for Hawke’s help with finding evidence of Ser Alrik’s “Tranquil Solution”. The two and the rest of Hawke’s party head down where they find Alrik moments from capturing a young Mage girl named Ella. Depending on player choice, Hawke can either intervene and convince Anders to spar Ella or do nothing that ultimately leads to Justice killing her. Anders flees the scene in both cases, claiming that he needs to get out of there.

Dragon Age 2

 * Hawke can flirt with Anders in Anders’ clinic.
 * Anders apologizes for being a bit “weighty” the last time he and Hawke spoke.
 * Hawke can flirt with Anders about Anders being Justice’s host body.
 * Hawke can tell Anders the Templars will have to go through them to get to Anders.
 * Anders tells Hawke he’ll drown them in blood to keep Hawke safe.

Dragon Age 2
"A year ago, maybe we could have had something. But I’m not that man anymore. I’ll break your heart. And that might kill me as surely as the Templars."

- Anders to female!Hawke, Act 1.

"Well, he can’t complain about his looks anyway."

- Hawke flirts with Anders about Anders being Justice’s host body, Act 1.

"Why would you shy away from loving someone just because they’re like you? Does it bother you that I’ve been with men?"

- Anders to Hawke, Act 1 (Male!Hawke).

"If they want you, they’ll have to come though me."

- Hawke to Anders, Act 2.

"I would drown us in blood to keep you safe."

- Anders to Hawke, Act 2.

Legacy DLC

 * Hawke – “Varric, I’ve heard… stories of a personal nature being spread around town.”
 * Varric – “As it happens, I haven’t said a word about you and Blondie. I’d look at that, uh, uncle of yours for this particular rumor.”
 * Anders – “I’m right here, you know. Should I stick my fingers in my ears until you’re done?”
 * Hawke – “Gamlen.”
 * — Hawke, Varric and a romanced Anders, party banter.


 * Anders – “[…] The Darkspawn taint, the call of the Archdemon – it’s inside me. As much a part of me as Justice.”
 * Diplomatic/Helpful!Hawke – “Maybe there’s a cure.”
 * Humorous/Charming!Hawke – “Ooh, baby, tell me more.”
 * Aggressive/Direct!Hawke – “Never bothered me before.”
 * Anders – “You should find someone else, love. You don’t want all the ugliness I’m going to bring into your life.”
 * Diplomatic/Helpful!Hawke – “I’ll take it under advisement.”
 * Humorous/Charming!Hawke – “Nobody’s perfect. ”
 * Aggressive/Direct!Hawke – “Not a chance.”
 * — A romanced Anders’ fear, party banter.


 * Anders – “I hope I can hold against him – against them both.”
 * Diplomatic/Helpful!Hawke – “I’m here, hold onto that.”
 * Humorous/Charming!Hawke – “Would distracting you with a kiss help? No?”
 * Aggressive/Direct!Hawke – “I’m not losing you to this, I refuse.”
 * — Anders’ needs to stay out of the Deep Roads, party banter.

Mark of the Assassin DLC

 *  Tallis – “Are you married?”
 * Hawke – “Is that a proposal?”
 *  Tallis – “It’s just… you’re the Champion of Kirkwall. Big. Important. I don’t know… just wondering if there’s a little woman behind the throne.”
 * Anders – “Yes, who is behind your throne, Hawke.”
 * Hawke – “Let’s… keep moving.”
 * — Tallis, Hawke and a romanced Anders, party banter (Male!Hawke).

"Thank the Maker, are you alright, love?"

- A romanced Anders, seeing Hawke safe after having been captured.


 * Anders – “Here I’d always figured you’d be the one coming to spring me from someone’s dungeon. I had it all planned: I’d be in the Gallows, Templars all around, holding the brand for the Rite of Tranquility, then you’d burst in and break my chains. And then it would be all about the best way to show my gratitude.”
 * Diplomatic/Helpful!Hawke – “Then I should spend some time working out how to thank you.”
 * Humorous/Charming!Hawke – “Did it have anything to do with finding another use for those chains?”
 * Aggressive/Direct!Hawke – “You already know the best way to do that.”
 * — A romanced Anders’ sexual fantasy, party banter.

"Your support has meant more than I can say. I wish we could stay like this forever, love."

- A romanced Anders to Hawke.

Companion Quotes

 * Isabela – “You, Anders… and Justice. That must be exciting! As they say, two’s company, but three is better.”
 * Diplomatic/Helpful!Hawke – “I enjoy being with Anders. And that’s all I’m going to say about.”
 * Humorous/Charming!Hawke – “I don’t think whoever made that claim had a Fade spirit in mind.”
 * Aggressive/Direct!Hawke – “Keep your nose out of my affairs.”
 * — Isabela and Hawke, in the Hanged Man.

Miscellaneous Quotes
"I’m always happy to see your face… but it seems particularly lovely right now."

- A romanced Anders to Hawke, should Anders be abducted.

"I hear you moved that apostate boy into your house. I guess I don’t have to ask which one of you’s the girl."

- Gamlen, to Hawke.

"No! Don’t be dead! Please!"

- A romanced Anders, if Hawke is KO’d in battle.

Dragon Age: Inquisition
"[…] Anders is going to die. Just like your family and everyone you ever cared about."

- Nightmare to Hawke, playing into Hawke’s greatest fear.

Fanon
Anders Romance is a well known ship within the Dragon Age fandom. Anders is only romanceable in Dragon Age II. He can become involved with a male or female Hawke, making it to be either a slash or het ship, depending on player choice.

A wind spread headcanon is that Anders is in love with Hawke, whether he’s romanced or not. There is much debate online to prove this claim. Those who romance Anders believe this, while a few of those who romance the other companions don’t, however some do. Though judging by Anders’ quote of “aching” for Hawke for the past three years, the conclusion that Anders has always harbored feelings for Hawke continues to grow. Further proof of this claim is when Anders shows a bit of jealously should Hawke be in a romance with another companion, claiming Hawke should be with someone more “open-minded” like himself.

On AO3, Anders/Male Hawke is the 11th, technically 6th, most written ship within the Dragon Age - All Media Types tag, while Anders/Female Hawke is the 13th, technically 11th, most written ship. Dragon Age II has it’s own tag on AO3, where Anders/Male Hawke is the 3rd most popular ship, and Anders/Female Hawke the 5th most popular.

Fandom
FAN FICTION
 * Anders/Hawke tag on FanFiction.net
 * Anders/Hawke tag on FanFiction.net
 * Anders/Hawke tag on FanFiction.net
 * Anders/Hawke tag on FanFiction.net

DEVIANT ART

TUMBLR

WIKIS
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Variations

 * Fenhanders refers to the ship between Fenris, Hawke and Anders