Anders dusted his pants while standing up. "Are you sure?" They had just finished off a light lunch, allowing their horses to drink their fill meanwhile. The river had drawn down to knee deep water and was headed towards a narrow canyon ahead. Where they stood, the ground swelled to a gentle slope.
Fenris smirked genially. "I'm sure." The elf turned to hide the smirk he could no longer contain. He gazed at the westward desert, cracked earth dotted with rocky outcroppings and sparse vegetation. They stood among the last scattered patches of brownish grass, brittle blades whispering in the wind.
"Well, I'd just like to point out that you're the one who conditioned me to want it," Anders pressed. "Once in the morning and again before bed." Reflecting on it, he was impressed and a tad flattered.
"And if the mood strikes me," Fenris interrupted glibly, "in between." He grinned like a cheshire cat.
"Exactly," sighed Anders. "Anything less, and you leave me aching. It's painful."
Fenris snorted in derision. "It is not painful." The warrior crossed his arms, idly walking forward. The elf tested his bare feet on the cracked earth, finding it very warm but not unbearably hot.
"Very uncomfortable," Anders amended. He followed Fenris several steps behind, watching his posture for any sign of an answer. "Not to mention that riding a horse is… more challenging."
Fenris cocked an eyebrow, not that Anders could see it. "You're a healer. I'm sure you'll manage."
"I will," Anders agreed. He took cautious steps toward Fenris. "I've managed this far. I just don't want to. It's not my fault we had to leave early this morning. It's not fair, and we can manage right here. Where there's still grass left." The blonde gestured genially back the direction they came from at lusher turf.
Having breeched the distance, Anders wrapped his arms gently around Fenris' waist. "I'll get a blanket," he suggested. He brought his erection to Fenris' attention with a gentle rub. Lowering his head to shoulder level, he let his breath fall on a sensitive ear. "Come on. Tell me you don't want it."
Fenris' back stiffened. He pushed Anders' arms gently away and turned resolutely back around.
"I don't want it," Fenris gambled. He shifted his balance from foot to foot, toes briefly rubbing an ankle.
"Unbelievable," Anders said, throwing up his hands. "All those years in the Hanged Man cleaning the table at Wicked Grace? Your tell is in your feet, Fenris, where nobody looks. You can't lie to me now."
Fenris frowned. "I am not bluffing. Even if I were, I do show emotions with my feet." He spoke the word 'emotions' as if he referred to a vaguely disgusting bodily function.
"Yes, you do," Anders smiled. "And you don't even know it. It would be adorable if it wasn't so insidious." The blonde's smile turned to a frown as he began a frustrated rant. "You always lie to me when you're trying to get the upper hand. And I've been letting you. Enough's enough, Fenris."
Fenris reached forward and grabbed Anders by the high collar of his coat. Adding a second hand, he pulled the taller man close until their noses were almost touching. Fenris snarled, venting his frustration openly. "I'll tell you when enough is enough, mage." Anders held his breath, eyes wide.
The warrior's eyes narrowed. "You're trying to rile me up." He pushed the mage back, letting his collar go. Anders was ready and caught his balance after a step back. "It won't work," Fenris admonished.
"Fine," Anders said bitterly. "You win. Just tell me there's an end to this." He drew his face together into a childish scowl, adjusting his flagging erection in his pants as he watched Fenris stride to their horses.
Fenris said nothing, adjusting the packs on his horse to distribute the weight evenly on either side. After a moment of looking on, Anders hazarded a second try. "Fenris?"
"Yes?" Fenris sounded grumpy and distracted.
"When?" Anders asked.
The elf's next sentence came out softer but with a hard edge, somewhere between a confession and a warning. "I am not some machine that does your bidding, Anders. I am NOT your slave."
"I…" Anders grimaced. "I know. I'm sorry. I just thought… maybe…" He sighed sadly. "Never mind."
Fenris let out a deep breath, accepting the apology. "If you can find a good place to stop along the way, there is a chance I will make it up to you. Somewhere different. Interesting. Also comfortable." He scratched his chin lightly in thought, the points of his gauntlets scraping pleasantly without pressure.
Anders scanned the rocky landscape ahead. There were few landmarks, just vertical rock formations and the occasional arch. He walked over and peered at the canyon ahead, the river trickling to a creek several stories down. The pebbled canyon floor looked no more hospitable than the surrounding plain.
More importantly, there was no way to tell how narrow the canyon would get in the hours ahead. It would be a waste to have to double back, especially if Fenris found no potential rest stop appealing.
"You're on," Anders agreed. He squared his shoulders with a determined expression.
The companions mounted their horses and continued heading west.