Sometimes he had to wonder if they were just a natural magnet for bandits who thought it was a smart move to attack them or if there was just a sheer unlimited host of them at the wounded cost that simply tried to rob whoever was crossing those paths. Considering Kirkwalls status as a trading centre he assumed the latter one was the case but who knew.
His lines flared in a cold blue as he rushed forward, Hawke at his side. Those foolish men should know better than to attack a well armed group.
Faster than their attackers could know what hit them, Fenris' sword had already pierced the first man right through his torso and with a side step a second one fell to his powerful slash.
The protective spells of their mage pulled at his lines and made his skin tingle, but he was used to this and knowing he was protected made him even more cocky and bold in his attacks.
The clang of metal against metal filled the air mixed with their shouts as he was duelling with a more skilled bandit, forcing him back bit by bit. Was he playing with him? Biding his time to let the protective barrier weaken?
Suddenly out of the corner of his eye he noticed a sneaky, greasy looking man nearing Hawke from the back.
„Hawke!" he tried to warn him, but Hawke didn't hear him or didn't notice what he meant or was too busy facing his own opponent.
„NO!" Fenris cried out and rushed forward to pierce his sword through the man's side, blood covering the ground as he went limb.
A sudden cold pain was stinging in his shoulder. The magical barrier had made the blade slip a bit so it would miss his heart but it still found it's way into his flesh.
Fenris gritted his teeth and wrapped his fingers tighter around the hilt of his sword to strike the man down when the world in front of his eyes went dark. He felt a splash of warm liquid against his back, probably blood though he couldn't tell who's, before he sank to the ground and fell unconscious.
Anders' hands were barely touching his skin as the magic was flowing from his fingertips to heal the wound on the elf's shoulder.
As much as he hated mages, Anders could be pretty useful in moments like this. Apparently the blade that had pierced him had been poisoned and were it not for their healer, he probably would have died from his foolish, careless actions.
Fenris turned his head slightly to watch the healing progress but halfway there he met the concentrated gaze of the mage. Focused on his work he didn't seem to notice that Fenris was watching him or he didn't care.
He noticed Anders was playing with his lower lip as he concentrated. Maybe a habit of his? Unable to look away he watched him work his lip with his teeth, every now end then his tongue darting out to wet the spot he was chewing.
His features looked so gentle, so caring and soft when he looked at him from so close up.
The truth was that he really didn't hate the man. On the contrary. He admired him for all he did. For opposing blood magic, for helping the poor selflessly, for standing up against slavers, for being a man he felt he could trust.
Would he ever have someone like him, who did care? Someone who would touch him so gently and love him just for who he was? Hawke was lucky to have him.
Only as the pain in his shoulder lessened, did he notice that he had started to mirror his habit, his own lip slightly swollen now. A faint blush rose to his cheeks and he looked away to hide his actions.
„This should be enough for now. Don't overuse your arm for a bit if you can avoid it." Anders said, his fingers gently brushing over the closed wound.
Fenris' heart skipped a beat at a softness of his fingers and how light the touch was. „Fine." he grunted, still not daring to look up again. He hoped the mage would now leave him alone, but he was still awkwardly hovering close to him.
Was he waiting for him to thank him? Pressing the matter that not all mages were bad? Giving him a speech to be more careful next time?
„Thank you for saving Hawke." Anders said instead, hardly audible and his voice seemed to crack a little as a fleeting smile rushed across his lips.
„Hm." Fenris just murmured in reply. Was that why he had cared? Because he had saved his lover? And in return he had saved his?
He watched the mage walk back to Hawke, leaving him alone his mind confused, his heart aching.