I think this chapter pretty much speaks for its self ;) Enjoy!

(5) Bloomingtide 3rd

After convincing Cullen of Keran's innocence and parting ways with the rest of our group, Hawke walks me back to my house. This time, I don't bother to stop and ask if she wants to come in. I just hold the door open for her.

"Thank you!" Hawke smiles and steps into the foyer.

I close the door and follow her upstairs. When we enter the bed chamber, she turns to look at me. "Do you mind if I light the fire?"

"No, that'll be fine." I reply. Nice of her to ask.

She flicks her wrist and fire lights the room. "Oh wow. I didn't realize you were that covered in blood!" She giggles.

I look down at myself. From finger-tip to wrist my hands and gauntlets are caked with blood; my tunic and armor are also thoroughly splattered. "Neither did I."

"Did you just stick your hands through somebody?" Hawke asks, humor in her eyes.

"Yes." I smile.

"Cool." She shakes her head. "Go get cleaned up. I'm pretty sure there's blood on your teeth, and I don't even know how you managed that."

I walk over to the door of the wash room. "If you insist."

As I close the door behind me, I hear Hawke call out, "I would hope you'd do that if didn't!"

A little blood doesn't hurt. It's not from darkspawn. I pour water into the wash basin from the barrel. I remove my gauntlets and rinse the blood from them as well as from my hands. Setting them aside, I remove my chest plate and wipe it clean. I then regard myself in the mirror. That won't do. I splash water on my face and rid my skin and teeth of blood. Well, since I'm here I might as well wash the tunic as well. I undo the clasps and slip it off. After rinsing it out, I hang it on a hook to dry and reenter the bed chamber.

Hawke looks up at me from where she lays on the bed. Her eyes grow huge as they take in my bare chest. "Well, that's nice."

"I thought I should wash my tunic." I shrug. Was there something else I should have said?

She scoots to only take up the left side of the bed. "Good call. Want to sit?"

I walk over and join her on the bed. Just start a conversation. "Things went pretty well today. I'm glad we were able to get to that recruit in time."

"Mmmhmm." She murmurs absently. Her eyes explore my arms and torso. Slowly, they find their way back to my face. She looks at me strangely.

My heart begins to beat faster. "What?"

She nibbles on her bottom lip in thought and then speaks, "I… I know that the way you got these markings was horrible… And I don't in anyway condone it. But… I want you to know that I think they're beautiful. Your hair too… They don't make me think any less of you. I just see them as part of who you are… And so… I love them."

My forehead crinkles, and I blink at her. They're slave's markings, a sign of ownership. A brand to remind me of what I was. They were intended to bring disdain upon me. How is it that she could find them… beautiful?

"It might sound strange. But I mean it." Hawke looks at me seriously.

Returning her gaze, my face softens. I move my hand to her cheek and gently bring her into a slow kiss. The tattoos down my chin and neck buzz as I pull away from her lips.

She gasps slightly, her eyebrows high. "What…?"

I move my hand away from her face and nervously run it through my hair. "I didn't know a better way to say that." I hope she didn't misunderstand my intention.

Hawke's face lights up, and she gives me the sweetest of smiles. "I don't think there is a better way."

Her kind eyes erase my unease, and I return her smile. She certainly is something else.

"You know, you're the only man I've ever kissed." Her face turns slightly mischievous.

What? I just assumed someone as outgoing and beautiful as her would have had many suitors… "I find that hard to believe. Was it women then?"

Hawke's cheeks redden and she giggles. "No! Well… I did kiss Isabela one time but that was an accident and we were drunk. I don't even think she remembers."

I laugh. That is not surprising in the slightest. "I can't imagine how anyone could forget kissing you."

"That bad, huh?" She winks.

"Yes, the first time was so bad I had to try it again." I joke. My face returns to thoughtful. "I enjoy kissing you."

"The feeling is mutual, if you couldn't tell." Hawke rolls onto her stomach and props her chin on her hands. She looks at me questioningly. "Okay, your turn. How many people have you kissed? It's only fair for me to ask."

Somehow, I've ended up not minding prying questions when they come from her. Anything to talk to her a little while longer. Enjoying my time with Hawke and not wanting to spoil it, I push away any dark thoughts from my time as a slave and say, "I really couldn't say. There have been none these past three years, but if there was anyone before I lost my memories I don't remember them. Since I escaped, you're the only one who has touched me and lived long enough to try." A corner of my mouth turns up slightly.

"Well then, lucky me!" Hawke gives an exaggerated grin, showing all her teeth.

I shake my head at her. "You're quite strange."

"You're welcome." She snickers and rolls onto her back again.

What a confusing yet wonderful woman. "Will you be staying here tonight?" I ask, hoping she'll say yes.

She thinks for a moment before reluctantly replying, "No… I better not. If I'm gone too long, mom will break down everyone's doors until she finds me. Then when she does find me, she'll scold us to death for not telling her I was alive."

"Seems reasonable." I sit up a little more against the head board. "I can't remember my mother, but I'd like to think she'd do the same. It's good that she cares."

Her eyes trace the ceiling for a moment. "Yeah… I didn't think about that. I hate that you had to lose so much. It's no consolation, but you have me now."

I wish I could be more confident in that… It's a comforting thought. I appreciate how much she cares, but I can't know that I'll be able to stay here with her. I'll have no choice but to leave if my presence ever places her in too much danger. One day they'll come for me, and I plan to slaughter every last one of them, but I would return with them before I let anything happen to her. I would trade my life for hers. Never thought I would say that about anyone, much less a mage. But, as the one person who has showed me love and viewed me as something worthy, Hawke deserves that. I hope it never comes to it; I want to remain with her. Either way though, I should make the most of time we have together.

"Here." I hold out my hand to her.

She looks at it and then back at my face. I nod. She gently takes my hand between hers and runs her fingers across my palm. The markings near her touch quickly sting and light up. I clench my hand closed and then release it again.

"Is this okay?" Hawke asks with concern.

"Yes." I tell her, keeping my hand in hers. This is the only way to get more comfortable with her.

Eyes moving back to my hand, she slowly traces each line trailing from my fingers to my wrist. When she reaches my pinkie finger, she returns to start again with my thumb. I close my eyes and try to keep my muscles from straining away from her. Each time she retraces a line, I can feel the pain lessen the slightest bit.

Still playing with my hand, Hawke breaks the silence, "Do you have any good stories?"

"I could tell you the history of the Mabari, since you have one," I offer.

She groans. "I said good stories. Harley's great, but I couldn't care less where he originated from."

History has lots of good stories… I think for a moment. "Hmmm… One time I killed a mage by forcing his own staff up his butt."

Hawke bursts out laughing. "That's horrible! But also, amazing."

"That's about all I have… I never considered telling anyone about things that have happened. I'm fairly hopeless in this area." I shrug. Things always just occur and then I move on. Who knew I would need to remember?

"It was just fine for a start." She smiles. "My turn."

I'm sure this will be interesting. "Why am I concerned about what you're about to say?"

Hawke bats her eyelashes at me. "I don't know. I'm always entirely appropriate."

"I think Aveline would disagree." I joke.

"And by Aveline, you mean you." Hawke shakes her head. "Now, be quiet so I can tell my story."

I nod for her to go on.

She clears her throat and begins, "Okay, so, on one of the first missions I ever went on with both Aveline and Isabela, they got in a huge fight. No surprise there. But the thing was, they started screaming at each other while we were being ambushed by thugs. We had gone out just the three of us because I had a genius idea that having a girl's day would be fun. Boy, was I wrong. As soon as we got attacked, Isabela shouted to Aveline 'How about some help over here, man arms?' to which Aveline replied 'Can't handle one guy by yourself whore?'. Now, I know its normal to hear them carry on like this these days, but at the time, they had never said anything like that to each other. They both got so pissed off, they abandoned their positions and got face to face to continue the dispute. While they were busy spitting at each other, I was left to take out our seven attackers. As you can imagine, I was not pleased."

"I do believe, that is my favorite story." I chuckle lightly. "Unless of course, you have one in which Aveline beats Anders up."

Hawke grins. "I don't, but I'm sure it'll happen one day."

I look down at my hand and realize that Hawke has moved to tracing the markings on my shoulder. "You're very good at distracting me." I lift my shoulder slightly. "I didn't notice."

"I guess I'll have to come up with more stories then." She says, pleased with herself.

I could handle that.

Pulling her hand away from me, she sits up. "I really should be getting back home though."

"I understand. This was… nice." I smile at her, even though it isn't as easy, knowing that she's leaving.

"Yes it was, thank you. I know it's difficult for you." She climbs out of bed and stretches her back.

"Most things are difficult. This is one of the few things worth the trouble." I stand as well and walk her downstairs to the door.

"Have a good night Fenris," She tells me, her face filled with happiness.

"You too," I reciprocate, opening the door. She steps outside and begins to walk away, but I call back out after her. "Hawke?"

"Hmm?" She turns around to face me.

I pause for a moment, making sure I'm actually okay with what I'm about to say. "You can stay here anytime you need a real bed. I… I like having you around." It could be nice not to be by myself quite so much… I would still be alone enough.

She smirks. "I hope you aren't joking, because that's a very dangerous thing to say to me. I'm dying to get out of that hovel."

"I'm not. I wouldn't be living here if it wasn't for you. I don't see any reason you shouldn't be able to enjoy this place as well." I lean against the door frame.

"Alright then." She grins. "I might have to take you up on that." Then she resumes her trek back to Lowtown.

I watch her until she disappears from sight and then retreat inside the house. If something happens to take me away from her in the future, at least I can have more of her time now.