As a week passed from the first one on one encounter with Hawke, Fenris knew that it would be hard to get a moment alone with the other, not that he did want any alone time with him, but the sentiment of their first chat had Fenris almost longing for more even though he didn't want to admit it, but he couldn't think of that now. The small group of misfits travelled to meet with Bartrand about the deal of being in a partnership, though Bartrand hesitantly agreed to do so, the group readied to travel into the Deep Roads, that was, until Carver caught wind of their plans and followed along.

"Brother." He said sternly and Hawke would grimace.

"You aren't coming Carver..." Hawke said quickly and looked to his younger brother whose face scrunched up with frustration.

"And why not? I don't recall asking your permission." Carver replied and Hawke sighed.

"Carver, I'm not doing this to have a cool adventure with my pals-"

"Yeah, you're here to save the day like you always are, well where were you when Bethany died?" Carver hissed venomously.

Ouch... A low blow.

"Carver!" Leandra snarled as she approached the group, the tensions heating up as the small band could feel Hawke's anger from his aura shifting.

Never before had Hawke been so close to losing his temper with his ass of a brother, however, he was suddenly calmed by a reassuring hand laying upon his shoulder.

"... This place is no where for a loved one... You don't want to come with us, Carver." Fenris said almost soothingly, Hawke's shocked gaze landing upon Fenris' hand.

"And who asked you Tevinter filth?" Carver asked, even though Fenris didn't even flinch at the uncalled insult, Hawke had his brother shoved against the wall and his gaze was dark.

"... You will not call him that." Hawke spat and shoved his younger brother away. "You are not coming." He stated seriously and Leandra had a hand over her mouth from Hawke's sudden physical attack, but Hawke was not worried about that, he looked to Fenris and was relieved to see that Fenris did not seem affected by such a nasty insult.

"Why don't we leave..?" Varric asked with a small frown, he hadn't known his friend to be so angry, ever...

"Sounds like a good plan..." Aveline murmured uncomfortably.

Hawke had decided to take three people in particular into the deep roads: Varric obviously, Aveline, and Fenris of course. Hawke was steaming from Carver boldly spouting racist remarks about Fenris. He had no right, and the group could feel Hawke's intense glare upon the road ahead of him, especially Fenris. He frowned, feeling at fault for causing Hawke's immense rage and caught up with him quickly.

"I'm... Sorry for getting involv-"

"Don't." Hawke said seriously and looked over, Fenris actually flinched at the surprising snap and Hawke sighed before he reached over and resting a hand onto Fenris' back as they walked, and the touch was not unwelcome by any means. "... It's not your fault... I'm sorry for the what he said... He has no right to say that to you." Hawke said and Fenris' brows raised, that's what he was angry about?

"I'm not a child, I've heard things like that before..." Fenris responded and kept in time with Hawke's steps.

"It doesn't matter, I will not let someone speak to you like that again." Hawke stated seriously and Fenris' eyes would widened and Hawke coughed softly. "I-I mean... Well..." Hawke mumbled uncomfortably.

"How cute, the blossoming relationship begins." Varric mused. "Broody and the Leader." He added, smirking at receiving a glare from Fenris, thankfully Hawke hadn't heard.

"Shut it, dwarf." Fenris growled.

As days within the Deep Roads progressed, things had been going rather smoothly besides the occasional dark spawn, but no one had been injured thankfully. It wouldn't be long into the day before Bartrand ordered that everyone stop to camp. Everyone was exhausted, Hawke was glad that Bartrand had spared them another grueling day and allowed them to relax, and it wasn't long before he noted Fenris beside one of the camp fires that were created by himself... He was holding something in his hands and focusing intently, and he smiled when he realized it was the book he had read to the elf.

"... Good story?" Hawke mused and Fenris jumped before quickly slamming the book shut and hiding it.

"Don't taunt me..." Fenris grumbled, bringing the book back up knowing he couldn't hide it, and Hawke smiled before sitting next to the other.

"I would never." Hawke gasped, holding his chest dramatically and feigned injury before looking into the fire for a few more peaceful moment.

"Hawke..." Fenris murmured softly, tearing Hawke away from his gaze at the fire. "... Why... Do you keep me around?" The elf asked, his brows furrowing lightly as he craned his head to look at Hawke.

"... Why wouldn't I..?" Hawked asked back and Fenris turned his head away.

"... I'm an ex-slave, and Danarius will come after me... This doesn't bother you?" Fenris asked.

"Well, you are and handsome ex-slave." Hawke teased lightly, winking flirtatiously, causing Fenris' cheeks and the tips of his ears to turn almost crimson, thankfully it was dark but it didn't stop the nervous cough that erupted from his throat.

"Th-That is not what I was implying..." Fenris murmured.

"Well, still, thank you for coming with me... I know how much you wanted to find Danarius." Hawke said and frowned a bit, feeling guilty.

"It's no problem... I will find him and kill him eventually I don't care how long it takes." Fenris said confidently, his head and shoulders high.

"... Fenris, what was your life... Before?" Hawke asked hesitantly.

"... Before I was a slave?" Fenris responded and Hawke nodded eagerly before Fenris gazed to the fire himself. "... I don't know... I have no recollection of what was myself before the Lyrium was merged into my skin... The pain was so agonizing it wiped my memory." He sighed and nodded.

"I-I'm sorry I didn't mean-"

"Don't, it's okay... Life with Danarius was... Well as horrid as you could imagine, I was his little wolf, his pet..." Fenris muttered with a hint of disgust. "... He said my markings intimidated his guests... Which he enjoyed... He abused all of his slaved but I was like his damned chew toy." Fenris murmured and shook his head. "... I... Don't wish to speak of it any further then that, I apologize." Fenris said and shook his head, the weight of his past was too much to bear and he felt like a coward.

"What? You don't have to apologize Fenris..." Hawke said and furrowed his brows, causing a small smile of appreciation to form onto Fenris' features, and the their gazes met for the first time in what seemed like ever, Hawke noted the beautiful sea of green that Fenris' gaze held, but of course, Fenris eventually averted his gaze, shyly if he would add.

"... Fenris if I may ask... Why is killing Danarius so important?" Hawke questioned, wondering if he would regret asking, but Fenris was shockingly calm about the question.

"... I have been running for years... Three... It's time I stopped running, you eventually have to face the tiger..." Fenris said without a hint of doubt in his voice.

"I understand... And I want you to understand that I will do whatever I can to help you with that." Hawke said cheerfully, and Fenris' jaw almost dropped.

"Hawke you are not obligated-"

"I know... But I refuse to let Danarius hurt you anymore... I won't let him take you away from me, yeah?" Hawke asked and Fenris' breath hitched in his throat at the hint of possession, but it felt good and that scared Fenris... He couldn't let Hawke in... He was a mage.

However, their eyes met again... And this time, Fenris did not tear his gaze away... He almost felt himself leaning in before Varric suddenly approached, somehow without the two realizing.

"Hey are you two love birds ready to do some exploring?" He asked, wiggling his brows, Hawke could have killed him with his glare, Fenris quickly backed away and stand up.

"Y-Yeah..." The elf said, even though Hawke expect him to run away quickly he held a hand out for Hawke to take.

Hawke looked up and smiled, gently taking it and hoisting himself up, the close proximity of the two made Fenris' visage heat up again, and the two took an extra second to let go of each others hands, however once they did, Fenris stayed close to Hawke's side... He didn't want the other to leave his presence.