He laughed and shook his head. "That's probably a sight you'll get to see quite often if you spend enough time with me. Something I've never quite been able to bring under control. I'm much better than I used to be, though. Growing older does have a few benefits."

Something almost defiant sparked in his gaze. "If you're good enough for these Marchers to save their city state, surely you're good enough to date their Knight-Captain?" Something about that look boded ill for the first person who thought to bring it up to him in a negative light, if that day came to pass. "I wouldn't be worth seeing if I were the sort of person to bow so readily to possible negative attention." For all of her detractors, Hawke had more than a fair share of supporters, too. If he was the sort who feared public scrutiny, he wouldn't have accepted his promotion, a controversial decision given both his age and country of origin.

"I'm glad I surprised you."