Isabela unrolled the map with a flourish and invited Fenris to hold down one corner while she peered at it skeptically. She tapped her fingers on Kirkwall, tracing the coast to the east and west. Her eyes wandered across Thedas and she leaned closer to the map, displaying her ample cleavage. Fenris sighed.
"Do you have a plan?" He finally asked when the silence became unbearable.
"Oh, I always have a plan." She purred, wiggling an eyebrow suggestively. "It usually involves whipped cream and handcuffs."
"That sounds very messy Isabela." Merrill commented from her perch on the arm of Isabela's chair.
"It is the best kind of messy, kitten." Isabela winked.
"This map is quite expensive looking." Hawke remarked from the other side of the table, where she was holding down the opposite corner. "I swear I've seen it before. Where did it walk out of?"
"Ah, well, I picked it up on my way out of the holding cells in the Viscount's Keep." Isabela admitted. "Aveline threw me in there one night to sober up. Big girl is going to be so mad when she finds out."
Hawke's lips twitched and she shook her head. They'd been sailing for nearly 48 hours, long enough for everyone to recover from the battle. Hawke had her hair braided and it fell neatly down her back. Varric was in a chair by the door, quill scratching as he wrote. He'd been insistent someone had to write down what had happened and had been scribbling nearly every waking hour.
"I think our first stop should be Llomerryn. It's far enough away that nobody should be looking for us there yet, but it is close enough that we'll be able to learn some news." Isabela looked as satisfied as a cat that had eaten the canary. "Besides, there's always plenty of fun to be had in Llomerryn and it has been far too long."
"What kind of fun?" Merrill asked, voice sugar sweet.
"I'm sure Carver would be willing to show you what kind of fun there is to be had…" Isabela trailed off. Carver had been dozing off on the floor, the only one who had refused to sleep since the ship left Kirkwall. He jerked awake at the sound of his name, sitting up.
"What's that?" He asked with a yawn. Hawke groaned and caught Fenris's eye, inclining her head towards the door. Fenris let go of the map, ignoring Merrill's clueless questions and Isabela's laughter. He followed Hawke's swaying hips out onto the deck. She leaned on the rail, her pert posterior positioned just right…
Fenris knew that if he pressed against her, leaned forward and captured the lobe of her ear in his teeth, she would gasp in delight. He could pull her hips close to his, feel the curve of her ass against his erection, and let his fingers drift towards her hot center. If he whispered in her ear what he wanted, she would acquiesce immediately. It was enough to make his heart race and his manhood swell. Whenever Hawke was involved, it was too easy to get lost in vulgar thoughts.
"Llomeryn." Hawke tested the word on her lips, biting the bottom one as she mused. Fenris moved to stand beside her, angling his hips to hide the traitorous bulge in his pants. She released her bottom lip with an audible pop. Fenris almost groaned. "What would my mother think about me ending up in the most immoral city in Thedas? And dragging precious Carver with me?"
"She would undoubtedly blame Varric's sinister influence." Fenris reminded her of her mother's distrustful stance on their dwarven companion. Hawke let out a huff of hair that blew her bangs from her face. They lapsed into comfortable silence, staring out over the ocean.
"Her ashes are in Kirkwall." Hawke said softly. "We spread them on the wounded coast."
"I remember." Fenris did remember that day, the black urn in Hawke's shaking hands and the pale faces of all their companions. It had been the most gentle he'd ever seen Isabela as she helped Hawke lift the lid of the urn.
"Do you think we'll ever go back home?" Hawke asked.
"I am home as long as I am with you, Reyna." Fenris answered immediately, from the heart. Hawke's answering smile was like the sun coming from behind the clouds.
"How will anyone take you seriously when they learn what an insufferable romantic you are?" She questioned, voice laced with laughter.
"I have a large sword." Fenris shrugged, smirking.
"Oh don't I know." Hawke purred, nudging her hip with his own, before breaking out into laughter as clear as chantry bells. Fenris allowed her teasing to hear her laugh and knew that there was a Maker - there must be a Maker because Hawke was his miracle. He leaned in and Hawke tipped her head up.
"Maker!" Carver banged out of the cabin, red creeping up his neck and followed by raucous laughter. "A man can't have any peace."
"Or privacy." Fenris growled, pulling away.
"Hey!" Carver scowled, jabbing his finger into the air. "That's my sister you're leering over."
"Willing to admit I'm your sister?" Hawke gasped playfully, putting a hand to her chest and widening her blue eyes. "You must be exhausted, Carver."
"How the lot of you are sleeping is beyond me. Can't stop looking over my shoulder since we made it out of the harbor. Your apostate friend murdered a grand cleric, a whole battalion of templars saw Merrill use blood magic and you killed a Knight Commander. This is a disaster." Carver made a disgusted noise and ran his hand through his black hair.
"Well to be fair, Junior, the Knight Commander did try to kill her first." Varric commented, swaggering onto the deck.
"It does sound quite dire, doesn't it." Merrill worried.
"Don't worry, kitten." Isabela drawled. "Sounds like you have a big, handsome Warden at your feet."
"Carver is standing and we left Anders standing on the docks. Well, maybe not standing…" Merrill trailed off.
"What?" Hawke's eyes narrowed suspiciously. Fenris ducked his head as everyone fell awkwardly quiet. He could almost hear Hawke replaying the events of those few hours.
"He approached Broody and Daisy." Varric cut in smoothly. "On the steps, coming towards the docks. Before you ask, as far as I could tell Blondie still had his heart in his chest when they walked away."
"It was a close thing." Merrill said earnestly. "But Fenris listened to me."
"Vehendis, woman!" Fenris snarled. "Shut your mouth or I will shut it for you!"
"Now that I don't believe." Varric smirked. "Broody listening to anyone besides Hawke? Perish the thought."
"The abomination was behind us." Fenris refused to meet Hawke's glare. "Varric saw him first. He wanted to die, he wanted me to kill him. I did not, this time."
"What did he say?" Hawke demanded, out of the corner of his eye Fenris could see her hands curling into fists. There were several heartbeats while she waited for Fenris to answer. He didn't.
"He said you sided with him despite Fenris." Merrill answered, finally. "And called him a wild dog."
Hawke cursed, but Fenris didn't want to hear this. He pushed from the railing, scowling as he made his way past Hawke's merry band of misfits. The abomination was in their past, with all the other horrors. Leandra Hawke's mismatched body, Danarius, Hadriana, the Deep Roads, Varania, Lothering… He was ready to be free from this darkness that hung over them. But Carver, Carver felt like there was a knife pointed between his shoulder blades. Yes, the situation in Kirkwall had been awful. Cullen had let them leave, though. Surely, nobody cared that much what happened in Kirkwall. The abomination had gotten what he wanted, it was over. They could lay low until this all blew over.
Fenris couldn't stop the thought that rose up, ugly as a demon. Did Anders truly get what he wanted?
Hawke found him in their bunk hours later, glaring a hole in the side of the Siren's Revenge. She placed her hands on her hips and tipped her head in an inquiring manner. "Were you ever going to tell me?"
"Possibly." Fenris answered honestly. "Fasta vass, what does it matter?"
"That son of a bitch." Hawke dropped onto the bunk. "I saved his damn life and what does he do?"
"He wants you." Hawke frowned and opened her mouth. Fenris shook his head before she could start. "He always has."
"Well, if he hasn't gotten the message after eight years I can't be held responsible for his delusion." Hawke explained patiently. "He was my friend Fenris. Maybe not...lately. But he was a good man. I know you could never see it."
"You're right." Fenris growled. "I would never say he was a good man."
"He changed. Maybe…maybe that wasn't Anders anymore. I couldn't take his life and have his blood on my hands."
"He didn't deserve your mercy or kindness. He won't receive mine should we meet again. I informed him of that."
Hawke processed that for a moment, before slumping in defeat. "I suppose that I must live with that."
It was a nearly another week before they spotted the coast of Llomeryn. Hawke had been so excited to see land she had let out a whoop of delight from her place on the rigging, sliding down the ropes carelessly with Merrill. Fenris and Carver had taken to sparring on deck, and they turned to the two women in mid-swing, frozen by their exclamations. Fenris winced as Hawke landed on the deck, scurrying to the railing. Isabela breezed out of her cabin, placing an obnoxiously large hat on her dark waves. She slung her tanned arm over Hawke's shoulder. Merrill leaned precariously over the railing, causing Carver to curse and drop his sword as he reached out to grab her tunic.
"Will there be more pirates there, Isabela?" Merrill chirped as Fenris put his sword away.
"Oh most definitely, kitten. Some of them may even have parrots and hooks." Isabela winked before sauntering away, calling orders to the sailors.
"I know you haven't thought about it Hawke, but it may still be a good idea to not draw attention to yourself. Keep a low profile." Varric advised as he approached.
"You'll help me of course, since you're an expert on lying low." Hawke smirked. Fenris couldn't help chuckling. Varric looked wounded.
"And you wonder why Bianca is my only one. She never sinks to jokes about my height." Varric patted the crossbow affectionately. Hawke burst into laughter.
"She is the silent and deadly type, isn't she?"
"I know exactly where we should go." Isabela beamed as she passed them. "Clean beds, hot baths, and I think they even have dwarven serving girls to steal your heart, Varric!"
Hawke released a wistful sigh, meeting Fenris's eyes. "I would kill for a bath and a real bed."
Upon docking, it was discovered the place Isabela had talked up was in fact, a brothel. This surprised no one except Merrill, who was covering her eyes with her long, scarred fingers. Fenris wasn't fooled, he'd seen her peek curiously at several men and women in various states of undress. Varric coughed into his hand as he watched a busty dwarf lead a Qunari man through doors on the opposite side of the hall. "I suppose they won't look for the Champion of Kirkwall in a whorehouse."
"Usually they just expect to find my brother there." Hawke mumurred, glaring at a woman whose eyes had lingered too long on Fenris. She had the hood of her cloak pulled up and was wearing a simple blouse and cotton skirt.
"Ah, here we are." Isabela approached with a handful of keys. "The mistress owes me a favor, so the baths are on the house. I'm having them bring tubs up to the room." She passed a key to Hawke, then another to Varric. The last one she gave to Carver.
"Where will I sleep?" Merrill asked innocently.
"With me, kitten! I've got entertainment all lined up." She drawled, letting her gaze linger on the barely clothes form of a man reclining on a couch.
"Oh, that seems…"
"You can stay with me." Carver jumped in, quickly, glaring at Isabela. "I'll get them to bring up a cot."
"Does this look like the type of establishment that supplies cots?" Fenris asked dryly. Isabela's eyes sparkled with glee.
"Well, I think I'd still rather share with you." Merrill commented brightly. "Isabela will be up late, and noisy. You will be much more considerate."
"Oh I bet he will." Isabela giggled. Hawke made a gagging noise. Carver's face had begun to flush from the neck up.
"Did I miss something dirty?" Merrill asked.
"On that note…" Varric winked, taking a step back.
"We're right behind you, dwarf." Fenris grasped Hawke's wrist gently with his gauntlets, pulling her away from the sputtering and laughter. Their rooms were directly across from each other, and Hawke burst into theirs gleefully. There was a bed, a real bed. Hawke jumped onto it in a fit of joy. Fenris shook his head, smirking as he shut the door. He appreciated the bed, but the cot on the ship was quite serviceable. Fenris knew better than to complain, there had been far too many times he'd slept on a cold floor in chains. Hawke, glorious Hawke, had never been in chains. She would never be in chains.
"Join me?" Hawke asked, reaching up one smooth, soft hand. Her simple cotton skirt had bunched around her legs. She placed her staff beside the bed, stretching luxuriously. Her back arched off the bed and she made a small noise of pleasure. Fenris was there in a moment, feeling an unbearable heat in his loins. It had been so long since it was just the two of them, alone.
"Always." Fenris sunk down next to her, quickly unlatching one of his gauntlets and dropping it. His bare fingers traced up her bare arm, pausing at the place where the cloak was tied at her neck to tug it free. Hawke giggled, rising up to cup his cheek and pull his mouth to hers greedily. Her lips were so soft, so unlike all the hard things from his past. She yielded easily to his tongue, shivered lightly in his arms when he nipped her bottom lip. Her eyes were dark with desire. Fenris felt his self control begin to unravel.
The knock at the door startled him enough to ignite his marks briefly. Hawke's delicate mouth was full of new and inventive curses she'd learned on their trip. "If it's them tell them to shove it right up their arse, I swear Fenris. I need you."
Fenris struggled even more to reign in the monster he always became when Hawke was near and begging for his touch. Several deep breaths and another knock was enough to drag him from the bed. He undid his other gauntlet as he walked.
"What?" He growled at the older woman on the other side of the door. She looked him up and down, put one hand on her hip and jutted forward.
"Did ya ask for a bath or wot?" She demanded. Fenris struggled momentarily with her accent.
"Yes, a bath." He repeated, moving out of the way as the woman rolled in a large tub. She rolled up her shirt sleeves as the steam rose from the water already filling it.
"The captain ordered the bath, but she ain't say which girly you wanted." The woman eyed Fenris hungrily. "I'll take ye if ye haven't decided which of 'em can tickle your pickle."
"That's...quite unnecessary." Fenris stumbled awkwardly. Hawke was completely still on the bed, loathe to betray her presence. Probably enjoying the show, Fenris thought wryly. "I shall endeavor to go downstairs, later. After the, er, bath." He gestured uselessly to the tub.
"Have it yer way." The older woman shrugged with a saucy wink, making her way out of the room.
Fenris slammed the door shut and locked it. Hawke finally moved, her eyes sparkling with humor. "You could have made your presence known." He swore as he began to undo the straps for his breastplate.
"But then I would have missed your delightful reaction." Hawke was smirking now, off the bed and investigating the tub. "Do you think we'll both fit?"
"I believe there have probably been many times where two people have fit in that tub."
Hawke's nose wrinkled. "I hope the clean it."
Fenris chuckled, stripping off his leathers now. Hawke pulled the blouse over her head. His eyes roamed her skin greedily, drinking in her creamy Ferelden complexion. The skirt pooled on the floor, leaving her in smallclothes only. They joined the pile quickly enough and she stretched, smirking over her shoulder. Fenris was rapt as she reached her hands up to undo the long braid.
"Stop." He commanded, voice hoarse. Hawke's hand froze and she smiled widely. "Let me do that."
She shrugged her small shoulders, eyes sparkling as Fenris approached. He gathered the braid up in his hands, twisting it around his fingers. It was tied with a red ribbon, a match for the one he wore tied around his gauntlet. He'd taken that from her bed stand after their first night. He'd been unable to stay, but he'd been unable to leave without a reminder that what had happened was real and not a fantasy.
"You're a tease, Reyna." Fenris leaned in to kiss the lobe of her ear again.
"You love it." She answered, breathless. Fenris gave a sharp yank on the braid wrapped around his fist. Hawke's head drew back, taut and helpless. He could see her pulse thrumming under the soft, supple skin. She whimpered and Fenris fought the urge to bend her over the tub and take her then.
"I can tease too." He threatened, undoing the red ribbon and slowly running his hands through her braid, loosening the strands. He dropped his lips to her shoulder, leaving a gentle kiss on her skin. He could feel her skin flushing, warmth cascading off of her.
"Bath first, please?" She asked, breathless.
"Of course, amata." Fenris took a step back, offering an arm to steady Hawke as she climbed into the steaming water. She let out a small hiss as she sunk slowly beneath the surface, disappearing completely with just a trail of bubbles.
Fenris took the opportunity to unlace his trousers, pulling them off smoothly. Hawke broke the surface of the water with a splash and pushed her soaking hair from her face. "This tub is magnificent. I wish I'd have had one this large at the estate. We could have filled it with wine."
Fenris was offended by the thought of that much wine going to waste. He scoffed and she laughed. He climbed easily into the tub, loving the way the warm water lapped soothingly at his marks. Hawke had spread her legs, so Fenris was able to stretch out in the center, his feet caressing her inner thighs.
She leaned back, tipping her head over the side of the tub, fingers drifting idly over the water. There was a tray of oils, washcloths, and soaps attached cleverly to the tub. Fenris picked up one of the small bottles, taking great pleasure in reading the label. He put it back and picked up the next one, labeled orange blossoms. He uncorked it and sniffed suspiciously. It smelt delightful, citrus and floral all at once. He tipped a few drops into the water and swirled it in.
"That's heavenly." Hawke took a deep breath, eyes closing. "What was it?"
"Orange blossom. I believe there were orange trees in Minrathous. I don't remember them smelling like this, however." He picked up one of the small soap cakes, shaped like a seashell. It did not smell as nice, he wrinkled his nose and tossed it unceremoniously onto the floor. The next one was shaped like a star. It smelled like almonds and vanilla, much better. He used it to lather up one of the cloths then began vigorously scrubbing his arms, careful not to apply too much pressure to the lyrium lines.
"All we need is a duck." Hawke hummed happily. Fenris paused, confused.
"I assume you do not mean a live duck." He clarified.
"Maker, no!" She laughed, sinking further into the water. "A toy duck. Father used to whittle little toys for us. One of the most clever was a duck that floated in our baths. Bethany named him Puddles."
Fenris wondered if he had a favorite toy as a child, a small cheap thing he had named and taken everywhere as children were likely to do. He tried, not for the first time, to rattle the empty corners of his mind hoping for something to fall out.
"What would you name a toy duck?" Hawke asked, picking up a cloth of her own and another bar of soap.
"I...I don't know." Fenris admitted. He felt momentarily ashamed of his lack of experience, how could a broken creature like him have ever named children's toys?
"I'd have named it Quakers." Hawke ran the cloth down her chest, over her perfect breasts.
"I shall endeavor to think of something equally clever." Fenris promised.
The only sound for a few moments was water sloshing as they cleaned up, but when Fenris moved up to his hair, Hawke stopped him with a touch, leaning forward. "May I?"
"Wash my hair?" Fenris questioned cautiously. She was biting her lip again, nodding almost shyly.
"It's degrading." Fenris spat the words out immediately. Hawke didn't flinch.
"To me or you?" She asked softly.
"You. You're not a slave, I'm not going to demand you wash my hair."
"You didn't demand." She was soft and gentle now, her hands on the edge of the tub, close but not touching him anymore than she had to in the narrow tub. "I offered. I want to. I love your hair, I love you. Can I show you?"
Fenris took a deep breath and eyed Hawke warily. "You want to?"
Hawke nodded and Fenris tried to relax his shoulders. He gritted his teeth and nodded, just once. This was how Hawke was, always pushing boundaries he didn't know he had. She would be gentle, she would be patient. She gently took the soap from his hand and smiled triumphantly.
"Can you get your hair wet, please?" She asked sweetly, working the soap into a lather between her fingers. She was kneeling over him now, Fenris was able to slink beneath the water and come back up, water dripping into his eyes.
Hawke leaned close, hesitating for a moment with her lips a hair's breadth from his. She was giving him time to pull away, but he leaned in, meeting her sweet lips. He closed his eyes as she moved away, gripping the edge of the tub tightly with both hands.
"I'm going to start now, okay?" She asked. Fenris nodded. How ridiculous, he thought to himself. He was acting like she was going to torture him. If he was less broken, more a man than a wild animal, this would be nothing. Her touch was light, but sure. This wasn't the first time she had washed someone's hair. Had she done this for Bethany or Carver when they were small? Her fingers rubbed in small circles, creating a rich lather. It actually… felt nice.
Fenris opened his eyes hesitantly and was greeted with a marvelous sight, Hawke's breasts were right in front of his eyes. They were the perfect size to fit in his hands, and her nipples so sensitive that they were already pebbled and hard. Water ran in rivulets down the valley between her breasts, over the slight curve of her stomach, back into the water covering her waist. If he got to enjoy this view, having his hair washed was something he could get used to very quickly. He leaned forward to let his tongue catch a drop of water. Hawke jumped in surprise. "Maker's arsehole, Fenris!"
He didn't feel particularly guilty for startling her, but he tried his best to look contrite. He lifted his hands from the rim of the tub and gripped her waist. "Is there anything I can do help?" He asked as he used his tongue to flick one hard nipple. His erection was back with a vengeance, pressing into Hawke's thigh.
"Let me finish!" She squeaked. There was certainly something satisfying about making Hawke fumble with the soap and squeak. He moved to the other nipple to do it again. She swore and Fenris let one hand creep up to grasp the other breast.
"Yes, we're done." Hawke declared, throwing the soap into the water. "Rinse it out, and take me to bed." She demanded with a pout.
"For you, anything." Fenris growled. He ducked beneath the water as quickly as he could, shaking out his hair as he surfaced, standing and pulling Hawke up with him. She giggled as he scooped her up into his arms, stepping out of the tub and tossing her gently onto the bed. He was on top of her in a moment, her flushed and wet body sliding against his.
"Tell me what you want, Reyna." He commanded, holding himself above her with one arm as his other skimmed her side lightly. Her fingers tangled in his wet hair and she arched her hips toward his.
"You know what I want." She purred, rolling her hips. Fenris grabbed her wrist, then the other and pinned her to the bed.
"Say it." He commanded. Hawke's lips pressed into a thin line and Fenris couldn't help but grin. He loved when she was difficult, loved when she made him torment her. His hand dipped down between her thighs, tracing around her scalding hot center. She wriggled under him, breath coming in gasps. He paused, looking down at her and raising one eyebrow, nudging her legs apart with his knee. She stubbornly remained silent. He traced one finger down her inviting slit, feeling her shudder under him.
He took one nipple in his mouth as he slid a finger into Hawke. She moaned, loudly. "Damnit, Fenris." She swore.
He ignored her, letting his tongue tease her hard nipple while his finger slowly pumped in and out. "Kaffas, Reyna." He growled as he pulled back. "You're soaked."
Hawke blushed, the perfect peach color on her pale skin. He bent back down, using his teeth to nip at the perfect bud. Her sheath tightened on his finger. He laughed darkly, pulling his finger from her and working his way to the small bundle of nerves. His first touch made her stiffen. The second made her squeak again.
He alternated his tongue and teeth on her nipples, moving from one to the other. He circled her clit slowly, brushing against it gently. Then he would speed up, only to pull back when she began to moan and squirm. She was panting now, flushed and wanting and so needy. He began moving his fingers quickly again, letting go of her breast to lean back and watch her as she writhed. He plunged two fingers into her wetness.
"Yes! Fenris!" She called out, back arching off the bed. He pushed her mercilessly, until she was right there. Her eyes were shut, bottom lip in her teeth again, legs spread lewdly… then he pulled away again just before she could explode. She made a sound that was almost a sob of desperation.
"Fenris please!" She yelled. "Maker, I need you Fenris!"
"What do you want, Reyna?" He asked, one last time, slowly circling her clit with his thumb.
"You!" She moaned. "I need your cock. Please Fenris!"
If he hadn't been stuck on a ship in close quarters with no privacy for over a week, he would have made her beg longer. But he needed her as badly as she needed him. He let go of her wrists and pulled her legs up over his shoulders, guiding his hard manhood into her sopping wet center. She clutched at the sheets, mewling as he stretched her.
"Like this?" He asked, sinking into her.
"Fenris! Maker!" She moaned incoherently. Words left Fenris as well as her muscles clamped down on him. He rubbed her clit as he began to slide in and out of her. Her name was falling from his lips like the Chant, along with every endearment in Tevene he could think of. She was calling for him, his name constant as well as oaths and pleas to the Maker. She tensed suddenly, letting out a primal sound that he stole with a kiss, leaning over her and swallowing her moans as she climaxed and his thrusts became uneven, the rhythm off, before he followed her and he just remembered to roll over before he collapsed on top of her. They lay, side by side, breathing ragged.
"ENCORE!" He heard Isabela cheer loudly from outside the room. Applause started and Hawke groaned. Fenris, for his part, wasn't shamed.