Prompt: Something Zevran refuses to do for the Warden.

Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Age.

Zevran Arainai knew that he was in trouble when he saw Ahria Tabris – his very own Grey Warden and the current Hero of Ferelden to boot – nod determinedly and begin to approach him. She had been watching him indecisively for the past twenty minutes and as Ahria was usually quite a bit bolder than that, it was clear that this wasn't going to be an easy conversation.

Sure enough, Ahria began hesitantly. "Zevran…you know how I said that I loved you just as you were and would never ever want to change you in any way ever?"

"I do remember something along those lines," Zevran confirmed. "Although I think that you through in a few more 'evers.' Why?"

Now Ahria looked as though she'd rather be facing down the Archdemon again than continue with what she was planning on saying. "It's just that I might have spoken a bit prematurely…"

Zevran's heart sank. He had actually been careful to keep the possibility that this might happen in his mind from the moment she had first kissed him but things had just been going so well – or at least he had thought that they had – and so he had finally started to believe that…but no. He really should have known better. "I see," he said slowly, his tone deceptively light. "I can't say that I didn't expect this and I want you to know that I wish you nothing but the best-"

Ahria put her hand on his arm. "I think you may have gotten the wrong idea here. I'm not trying to break up with you."

Zevran blinked. "You're not?" That was very good news indeed – although it might take some time before he got past this break-up scare – but now he was just confused.

Ahria shook her head firmly. "No, of course not! I do love you, I just…Shianni and Soris are being absolutely insufferable about something and they've gotten others to join in and it's driving me crazy."

"And this has something to do with me and the fact that you told me that you never wanted me to change?" Zevran surmised.

Looking rather sheepish, Ahria nodded. "It's just…your hair."

Zevran automatically brought his fingers up to run through his hair. "My…hair?"

Ahria pointedly stared at a spot two feet above his head as she explained, "Some time ago, Soris decided to tell everyone that you had a feminine hairstyle and since you wear your hair long and many of the men in the Alienage don't do that, they quickly decided to start teasing me about it."

Zevran raised an eyebrow. "Soris, really? He's hardly one to judge other's romantic interests given that he is involved with a human. And while that may not matter so much to me, it is something of a scandal among the elven communities I've come across."

"I think all the heat he's been taking over that is why he won't let this go to be honest," Ahria confided. "Now, normally this wouldn't be so bad but it's been going on and on and on. Quite frankly, I'm thoroughly sick of it."

"So what do you want me to do about it?" Zevran asked, not quite understanding what she was asking.

"If you could maybe change your hairstyle…?" Ahria suggested.

Zevran stared at her, unable to believe what she was asking. "You want me to change my hairstyle. Because people are teasing you and it's annoying."

"Just a little!" Ahria hastened to clarify. "Maybe you could put it up in a ponytail or something."

"Yes, because I'm sure that that would do wonders to convince them that I don't have a feminine hairstyle," Zevran deadpanned. "I really can't believe you're even asking me this."

"I would change my hairstyle for you!" Ahria declared dramatically.

"That's good to know," Zevran told him, chuckling. "Except why in the world would I ask you to change your hairstyle for me?"

"Would you have thought I might have a reason to ask you to change yours until two minutes ago?" Ahria countered.

"No," Zevran said quite truthfully. "And I know that I said that I would do anything for you, my love, but it would appear that I spoke prematurely as well."

"Oh, why not?" Ahria demanded. "They're not going to let this drop anytime soon, you know."

"I like my hairstyle," Zevran informed her. "I think that it looks dignified and it's a good look for me. I also think that by this point you really should be past letting some persistent teasing affect your behavior. Besides, it's not like I've been hearing any of these comments."

"Well, that's because you're a former assassin and they'd be too terrified to do so," Ahria explained.

"And you're the only person to ever end a Blight and live," Zevran pointed out.

Ahria shook her head. "That's different. I grew up with these people. They could never be scared of me."

"I suppose that will have to bring you comfort as you valiantly ignore their cruel remarks then," Zevran said breezily.

Ahria crossed her arms and pouted. "Alistair would have done it."

"He should do it," Zevran opined. "That current style of his…" he shuddered. "Reminds me too much of Taliesin…"

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