I got so much support on this guys! So glad you're enjoying. I promise we'll be getting to the good stuff soon!


Hawke talked a while longer with his sister, but their visitations were always called short. He hugged her goodbye and struggled to let go, always wondering if he'd really get to see her the following week. But he didn't dwell on it. For as much as he and his lover hated the Circle, Bethany seemed to do fine there, and that was what really mattered.

Afterwards, the warrior made his way to the vender who was in the process of crafting the staff for Anders' name day. It wasn't quite done yet, but Hawke was assured that it would be finished in time. So far, it was looking beautiful, at least to the dark-haired man. It was much like Anders' current staff – thick birchwood carved and painted black. But what was special about it was that it was custom made to enhance each spell that the mage knew in creation, elemental, and primal magic. Hawke knew that his lover would absolutely love it, but it simply wasn't enough. He wanted to plan something special for the man he loved so dearly, and he hadn't a clue what to do. And therefore, he went to the one person he knew that could help – Isabela.

"I need your help," he said, taking a seat next to the pirate at the bar. Corff quickly handed the warrior a pint of his usual ale, and he graciously took it while passing him a few silver.

"And what is it this time, Sweet Thing? Have another mission you'd like me to accompany you on?" she asked while turning to him.

"No, not this time. Anders' name day is coming up, and I have absolutely no idea what to do for him. He doesn't want to celebrate it, but I'm not about to let it go by without us doing something. So I was wondering if you had any suggestions."

"The last time you asked for my help like this, we sat in here for over an hour and you said 'no' to absolutely everything I said. I don't know if I have anything else to throw out at you. I'd just suggest fulfilling another one of his fantasies if you haven't done so already." The rogue smiled as she thought back to the days that had just passed. While the group had been walking, she heard Anders murmur something to Hawke about being captured, chained, and rescued by him. From the tone in the warrior's voice, the idea of the chains seemed to be rather exciting to him, and Isabela wondered if they planned on acting this out after coming home.

"I feel like we've done them all," Hawke said, staring down into his half-empty pint. "Maybe we could just do one over again."

iMen are so stupid,/i the rogue thought. "Well you know what he likes better than I do," she said. "But from what I gather, he'll probably be happy doing just about anything you decide you want to do. He seems rather submissive, am I right?"

"I really shouldn't be telling you anything like that," Hawke said with a smirk. "But let's just say that we complement each other quite well in the bedroom."

"Do we?"

The warrior yelped as he turned around to see his lover standing right next to his barstool. Anders had a stern look on his face, not at all amused that their private life was being discussed in such a public place. But Hawke only smiled and pulled his lover close, wrapping his large arms around the other man's middle. And that was all that was needed to be done. The mage just didn't seem to have the ability to stay mad at the warrior, no matter what he did. Just one sweet and simple gesture could have him turning to putty in a matter of moments.

"I didn't think you were going to show up," Hawke said as Anders pulled away from him. He got up off of the barstool, and the group started to walk upstairs to go to Varric's room.

"I was able to write a lot more than I thought I was going to be able to," the blonde told him. As they walked, he moved close and whispered to him. "And I just bloody missed you so much." The men had only spent one night apart, but for a couple that was usually so close, this was enough to be torturous. Though he was still a bit hurt by his lover's behavior, Anders found himself completely unable to stay mad at the other man, and he just shrugged it off as something that Archer Hawke would always do, even knowing how stupid it was.

Once they made it to the dwarf's room, the pirate and the lovers took their seats around the long wooden table. It was only a matter of minutes before they were joined by Fenris, Varric, and, finally, Merrill. Aveline wasn't going to make it because she was busy with the Guard tonight. Sebastian hadn't joined them in many of their games recently, growing tired of always losing. But Hawke suspected that it also had something to do with his and Anders' behavior as of late. They had never been so keen on the idea of publically displaying their feelings for one another, mostly because it was important that the whole of Kirkwall didn't know that they were a couple. But recently, Hawke had decided that, because he was the Champion, Anders would be safe being outted as his lover. They held hands, embraced one another, and were never shy about making out – always far too close to the Starkhaven Prince.

"I'm going to fuck you so hard when we get home," Hawke muttered to his lover, a little too loudly. Merrill, who sat next to him, giggled with delight as she watched the smile spread across the other mage's lips. Fenris glowered from his place across the table, but Isabela quickly placed her hand on his knee to calm him.

"You love birds all make me sick," Varric said as he started to deal the cards. "I didn't invite you here to desecrate my room."

"Maybe you should," suggested Isabela. "Anders' name day is only a few days away, and Hawke is having trouble deciding what to do for him. But after our trip to Orlais, it's pretty obvious that these two are more than into public sex. Just let them go at it on the table, and it'll be the best name day he's ever had."

Anders' eyes grew wide and the dark-haired warrior couldn't help but laugh at the thought. Though they both did have a wonderful time having sex in numerous places in Orlais, the thought of having sex in front of an audience was just absolutely ridiculous.

"I don't want anything for my name day, and, even if I did, it certainly wouldn't be ithat/i," the blonde said. He stared directly at the lyrium-tattooed elf across from him. "Would want to give away all of our moves."

Fenris sneered as the rest of the group laughed, a bit surprised that Anders, someone usually so secretive about his sex life, would say such a thing. Hawke wrapped his right arm around his shoulder, pulling him close. The laughter died down quickly as everyone finally took their hands. Several hours went by, and after the fifth game of Wicked Grace had been played, everyone collected their winnings and decided to call it a night.

"I can't believe you're actually coming home with money," Hawke said as he walked hand-in-hand with his lover back to Hightown. "You're really getting good at this."

"Well, I've had a good teacher," the mage said with a smile. "But really, we need to talk about this before we get home and you ravage me; I don't want a thing for my name day."

"I really don't understand what the big deal is. We celebrate everyone else's, and you already said that we could have a nice dinner with lobster and everything. I don't understand why we can't do a bit more than that."

"I've just never had a celebration before. It wasn't something that was done in the Circle, and certainly not with the Wardens. I'm halfway surprised that I even remember what day it's on. Celebrating it is completely pointless because, up to now, I've done nothing with my life. Talk to me in a few years when I've truly helped the mages, and then we'll celebrate."

"You're ridiculous," the warrior said as they climbed the stairs up to the Hightown market. "You've done so much with your life, and you don't even realize it. I don't know exactly what happened with the Wardens, but I know you made an impact. You fought with the Hero of Ferelden, for Maker's sake! You help people each and every day at your clinic. Let's not forget the mages you help get into the city, and those you're fighting for right now by working on your manifesto. You've done more in your short life than most people have, so don't give me that bullshit."

"Well, when you put it like that," the mage said. He pulled out his key and unlocked the large wooden door to the estate. But Hawke stopped him and slammed him against the wall, assaulting his lips with his own.

"Let me celebrate you, Darling."