Hawke's laugh would probably more effectively cover from anyone else that he's actually embarrassed by that proclamation, but since it's unlikely to do so with Anders he substitutes pressing his face into the closely available soft tangle of blond hair. "That rumbling outside is people gathering in droves to disagree with you."

There's no rumbling. He emerges a little, sounding thoughtful. "It was some sort of test, near as I could work out. I suppose it won't take too long to find out if I passed."

The lengthy spate of unconsciousness seems like it could go either way in that direction.