A/N: Thanks to everyone who followed, fav'ed or reviewed!

"What a mess," Bethany said.

"Will he be alright?"

Bethany waved for her brother to follow her away from the room, "The bullet's out, and I repaired what I could, but I'm dead tired. With another healer or just one more skilled... Well I think he'll be ok, but keep him here in bed for a few days at least."

James sighed, "He'll love that."

Bethany smiled, "I'm glad you found someone, brother. He's pretty cute."

"I wish you would quit the Rose and come home," James said, "Mother misses you."

Bethany rolled her eyes, "I'll have her out of Lotown before you do," she teased, "Besides, I enjoy my work. Now I know you don't intend to spend our entire visit grousing at me. Tell me what's been going on."

James smiled and lit a cigarette, "Well, I found work, for a dwarf who's planning a big Deep Roads expedition to open up some old caves. Carver's been going along with me when he isn't pouting and I met Fenris."

"So when did you steal explosives?"

James gave her a look, "You've been talking with Aveline."

"She comes by for her daily lecture," Bethany said, "I swear, if I didn't see that angry mother face of hers every day I'd think she was dead."

James shook his head, "I didn't know what they were. It's just like our work for Athenril, basically, no questions asked."

Bethany gave him a look, "James you shouldn't just follow orders blindly, take requests like... like some-"

"Whore?"

"I thought you wanted to teach," she said patiently.

"They take blood," he said, "Check DNA. I can't risk that. Carver can't take care of mother and you're... busy. I'm just trying to provide for us."

Bethany nodded, "Well, maybe all of that stuff Father told us was a lie. Maybe no matter how hard you work and how many people you help... the world just turns on you. Maybe his real talent was bullshitting."

James didn't look up when she left, "I hope not," he mumbled to himself, staring down at his hands.

The next morning, Hawke went to Hightown, to the police barracks where Aveline stayed. She met him outside, "Are you ready? The ambush is set for this evening. It'll be a long trip."

James shrugged, "I've nothing else to do. Bethany assured me that Fenris would sleep through the day. Varric has some finance meeting with Bartrand and Carver seems to hate me even more today. I'm not much but I'm willing to help."

"You're all I need," Aveline assured, "Now come on, it's a fine day for sightseeing."

"Hopefully not entirely on foot?" James asked as he followed.

Aveline led him around the large building to a parking lot where patrol cars lined up in their spots, each one sleek and clean and intimidating. James whistled appreciatively and Aveline smiled, "It's nothing too special, but they're dependable and it'll hold a lot more emergency supplies than we can."

"If I hear 'tent', I'm leaving," James said.

Aveline chuckled, "Don't worry. It's a single day round trip, barring any unforeseen disaster."

"I prefer my disasters to be foreseen," James said, "I require a three day notice."

Aveline shook her head, "You've been spending too much time with that dwarf. Get in."

James climbed into the passenger's seat, "Mind if I smoke?"

"It's alright by me as long as you run beside the car," Aveline said, then more sympathetically, "Nervous, Hawke?"

James looked out the window at nothing, "I know I'd be doing Fenris no favors by sitting at his bedside and staring at him forlornly like Mother."

"But it's what you'd rather be doing?" Aveline guessed.

"Let's just... not drag our feet," James said.

"Can do, Hawke."

It wasn't a particularly long trip to reach the base of Sundermount, but the patrol car was made for pavement, so they left it when asphalt gave way to gravel and continued on foot. The weather was on their side, and James was thankful that he'd never been used to cars and the hiking came easy. Sundermount was beautiful in summer colors but somehow not as hot as the city, lacking the smell of industry and desperation. There were birds and bugs and occasional squirrels and rabbits, but beyond that neutral chaos, nothing but peace. Something about Sundermount, whether the lack of Andrastians or the abundance of fresh air, put him at ease, "You know, this place isn't as bad as the stories you hear."

"It's still dangerous, Hawke, and we're here for a fight. Don't let your guard down," Aveline lectured.

"Yes ma'am," James said with a salute, "Crushing paranoia? Check."

"Idiot."

Back in the city, a tiny rebellion was forming in the mind of Carver Hawke. James got everything first, the way big brothers do, but little brother was never far behind to pick up toys discarded. With James off galavanting on Sundermount with Aveline, Carver had a brief window to pick up this particular plaything and he had no intention to hesitate.

Bethany seemed surprised to see him, "Go rest; I'll stay," he told her. When she hesitated he pressed, "Go on. I'll call if anything happens."

Looking relieved and guilty, she rose, "Thank you Carver. I'll just duck out for a little fresh air, maybe something to eat." She glanced over her shoulder before leaving.

Carver nudged the door shut with his foot and pulled a chair to the bedside, sitting in it backward and letting his eyes play where they wanted. With no big brother to watch him, Fenris was prey unguarded. He stared so hard that his eyes began to burn and he stood with a sigh, pacing the small room. The elf was beautiful even in such a state, markings dulled and wearing an expression of suppressed pain. Carver briefly wondered-as he had several times since the relationship between James and Fenris had started-if his own feelings were real or simple jealousy, "Maker, who cares," he muttered.

What James had, Carver wanted, and just as in childhood, a big enough tantrum usually got Carver what he wanted.

The ambush was strange, six men well armed and looking nothing like usual thieves; Aveline had done most of the work, but James had done her the favor of taking a bullet to the arm. It was a superficial wound, far from arteries but plenty painful, even with the minor first aid Aveline could provide.

She did her best to watch out for both of them, but his mutterings and frequent stops got her turned around, "Hawke."

"What?" He grunted.

"We're lost."

"Fuck," he said, leaning against a tree and inspecting his hastily bandaged wound, "I hate this damned mountain."

"Stop picking!" Aveline scolded, slapping his hand, "Just keep your eyes out while I get my bearings."

"Fine, I'll watch for dragons." James could see the occasional shadow move, the odd rustle of leaves, but never enough to startle him.

Aveline seemed entirely preoccupied, but only she saw a glint of metal in the trees, "Sniper!"

She went down with James as a bullet struck the dirt beside them, and by the time James pulled his face out of the dirt and let out a groan of pain, there were three men in front of them, "State your business, Shem."

"Shem?" James whispered.

"The Dalish," Aveline muttered, "Nothing that you need be concerned with," she snapped, "We're here on police business."

The elf who had spoken wrinkled his nose, "You have no right to be here, walking right through our camp."

"Please," James said, "We're trying to get off the mountain. We didn't even know you were here. We're lost and I've been shot."

The remaining two elves that hadn't spoken muttered to one another, "You'll see the Keeper," the talkative elf said, "She will decide what to do."

Aveline rolled her eyes but James nodded, both of them standing, "Thank you."

The elves didn't speak to them anymore, speaking only to one another and only in Dalish, "So what are Dalish elves exactly?" James asked, "I know they're nomads. They brought the carnival to Lothering every year."

"They're elves," Aveline said, "What's to know?"

"Fenris is an elf," James said.

Aveline sighed impatiently, "And I'm a woman. We all have our faults, but I don't expect special treatment."

"Do they want special treatment or just to be left alone?" James asked.

"They can't just expect to squat up here and own public property, especially waving guns around. It's madness, Hawke. Fenris and the Dalish couldn't be more different."

James shook his head, "I just think you're backpedalling."

Aveline's cheeks turned red but the elves had quieted, and so had the woods, "We must be close to the camp," Aveline said.

"Lovely."

Fenris stirred just as the sun set after another round of healing from Bethany. He passed Carver, who was sleeping, and padded to the bathroom. After a hot shower, Fenris' chest loosened up and he breathed easier. He returned to the bedroom, a towel around his waist, "Fenris?" Carver asked.

Fenris sat on the bed and leveled his gaze on Carver, "What happened to Denarius?"

Carver let his head drop, "I'm sorry. I went after him, but I couldn't cut it alone."

"How did I get here?"

"James brought you. Bethany healed you," Carver said.

Fenris scratched his head, "He didn't go after Denarius."

Carver felt the corner of his mouth twitch involuntarily, "No, James let him get away. I tried my best."

"Where is Hawke?"

"He went off to Sundermount with Aveline," Carver said, "They're very close. I stayed behind to watch over you."

Fenris exhaled and stretched out on the bed, looking lightheaded, "I should go."

"Stay, rest," Carver said, standing, "I'll find something for you to eat." He spared one last glance at Fenris before closing the door behind him and calling for Leandra.

"Ahh what the fuck is she doing?!"

"Just a moment, child. My dear, would you hold him still?"

"Certainly," Aveline said, moving forward and holding James' arm down against the table.

"I thought we were friends," Hawke muttered, though his expression and demeanor were decidedly pathetic.

They were inside the large tent of Keeper Marethari and the elf was healing Hawke's arm which-unfortunately- had to begin with the removal of the bullet, carefully pulled back out through the channel it has created. Every spark of magic that caused the tiniest twitch made Hawke cry out in pain, and ten minutes in, he was nearly blind in agony, envying Fenris for being unconscious during Bethany's work.

Each movement of the bullet-when Hawke managed to keep quiet-made a slick, meaty sound that even Aveline couldn't ignore, "At least missing dinner turned out to be a good thing," she said, bracing against Hawke again when Marethari asked her to.

When the bullet finally came free, a gush of blood followed it, and Marethari pressed her hand over the wound, healing it faster and easier than even Bethany could. Hawke let out a tiny groan as the pain faded and the cooling magic spread down his arm, "Maker, I'm never going anywhere with you again, Aveline."

"He will be fine," the Keeper said with a gentle smile.

Hawke sat up, "Thank you, Keeper," he said.

Marethari was kind and wise, despite Aveline's insistence that all Dalish elves were asses. Hawke was reminded of what it must feel like to have a grandmother every time she called him "child", but as pleasant as she had been, their situation was still urgent.

"I hate to bleed and run," James said, "But I need to get back to the city. Someone is... waiting for me."

"Of course, I will have you escorted to your vehicle. First, I must ask that you return the favor. My daughter Merrill wishes to leave the clan and I wish for you to take her to Kirkwall with you," Marethari said.

James looked at Aveline and then back to the Keeper, "Take her with us? What do we do with her once we're there?"

"We don't have time for this," Aveline grumbled.

"Elves in your cities are segregated into Alienages," Marethari said, "I understand that she will have to find accommodations there."

James glanced at Aveline and then squared his shoulders, "If those are your terms, Keeper."

"They are."

"Then we have no choice but to agree," James said, "Where is she?"

At the Hanged Man, the music was loud and fast, the lights low and the liquor strong; it was the perfect atmosphere for what Carver planned. After a bit of coaxing-and subtle James bashing-Fenris had agreed to join him for a drink or two. The young Hawke wasted no time, finding them a quieter booth and ordering drinks; a subtle movement of his hand and the seed had been planted-in Fenris' drink, to be specific-for an interesting evening.

Fenris took small sips of his beer and the back of Carver's mind tickled with paranoia. Could he taste it? Had he seen? But Fenris gave one of his small, shy smiles and Carver knew better. He downed his drink and pushed the empty bottle aside, "Fenris..."

"Carver."

The simple utterance of his name made Carver's heart jump, and suddenly emboldened, he blurted, "I want you. I want you so badly that I went after Denarius. I've been trash-talking my brother and I slipped something into your drink."

To Carver's surprise, Fenris chuckled, so quiet that Carver didn't hear it over the music, but the elf's expression gave it away, "You didn't."

"I did," Carver muttered.

"No, you gave it to yourself."

Carver blinked and wondered if he'd misheard, "What?"

"I saw what you did, so I switched our drinks. I wanted to be coherent to tell you a few things," the elf said.

Carver looked down, feeling ashamed and stupid but mostly he felt terribly, irrevocably aroused, and his body was quickly catching up to his mind in that aspect. He asked himself how he could have been so stupid, "Go on," he slurred.

Fenris took a breath, toying with his beer before taking a large swallow, "I know how you feel, pushed underfoot while others around you get to live their lives. You feel like you're always..."

"In his shadow," Carver muttered, trying to listen despite the insistent ache in his pants.

Fenris gave another half smile, moving to sit beside Carver instead of across from him, "I only slept with James because I thought you wouldn't be interested in me."

Fenris' hand found Carver's lap and the elf rubbed the spot shamelessly; Carver stiffened at first in surprise and then closed his eyes as his mind spun around him like the club's colored lights, "You're mad."

Fenris shrugged, his hand slipping into Carver's pants, "I'm not experienced in this. When you're a slave, you only have sex when you're ordered to by your magister, either with him or with another slave for breeding. I've never been able to choose or try to convince someone else to choose me."

Carver opened his eyes but they only succeeded in rolling back into his head. He rubbed them and exhaled, "I don't... think you're allowed to do that in here."

Fenris pressed his lips against Carver's ear, "You'd rather go somewhere else?"

Carver shivered, "Home," he groaned.

"I'll take you home," Fenris said, standing and helping Carver to his feet as Varric watched from the balcony.

It was a short trip back to Kirkwall with someone to speak with besides just Aveline who was being oddly quiet. Merril was an elf, from the tips of her pointed ears to the soles of her bare feet; she seemed more closely related to a butterfly than a human, and her smile was contagious. Aveline couldn't have hated her more if she'd walked right up and spat in her face, and the police officer was acting as if she truly had. James, on the other hand, was delighted by her lack of human understanding and the blunt and awkward honesty with which she carried herself.

For all the good company and lack of severe injuries, James was still exhausted, "I think I'm going to crawl in bed and stay for a week."

"What about Fenris?" Aveline asked.

"He can scoot over."

Aveline chuckled while Merrill leaned up closer to the metal grate separating her in the backseat, "Who's Fenris?"

"He's... a close friend," James said, unsure what wording the elf would comprehend and not quite jumping at the chance to explain 'gay' to a wood elf should she not already understand the concept.

"Oh that's nice," Merrill said, "Um... Hawke, was it?"

"Yes, Merrill?"

"When you're not busy, would you show me around Kirkwall a bit? Just the important places," she said, seeming nervous.

James smiled, "Of course, after I check on Fenris I'll give you a tour. It'll be fun."

"Fun," Merrill said with a hint of sadness, "Right."

James cleared his throat, "Well I'll be happy to have another friend in the city," he said, "That place is far too dark as it is."

"We're here," Aveline interjected as the lights of Kirkwall came into full view around a turn.

"It's so bright!" Merrill said, "How does anyone sleep?"

"They don't," James said.

Merrill said nothing else, staring out the window as the car pulled into the city. Aveline took them to Lotown and stopped in front of Hawke's home, "Alright, go in and see your elf."

James smiled, "I'll come find you when I'm done, Merrill."

Merrill nodded, completely distracted by the city around them. James climbed out of the car and jogged up the steps to the door. His mother made a strange face when she saw him, but he couldn't be bothered until he'd seen to Fenris. He pushed the bedroom door open and stepped inside, turning on the light, "Fenris."

James saw only Fenris' back, stretched and arched in passionate ecstasy, hands on his hips-Carver's hands. James froze, his mind trying to make sense of what he saw until Carver spotted him, giving him a taunting smirk.