This does nothing to further the plot. I just had a burning urge to write something sweet, and it worked well with where I am in this story. Have I mentioned I love Zevran? Well, I do. He is great because he is this playboy, but then you catch glimpses of a really sweet sweet guy underneath.

I like writing that side of him.

Also, I needed to do something that showed Fenris wasn't simply ignoring his relationship issues with Hawke. I always like to think during the game that he actually got in touch with his sister because he realized he needed to do something that would help him to be open and completely there for Hawke. Like the companion quests in MA2. :P

Anywho, hope you all enjoy!

She was warm, and content, and in a wholly uncomfortable position. She faintly registered that she wanted to go back to sleep, but the angle at which her head was leaned was causing a twinge to work its way through her neck. She thought about it for a moment, trying to figure out where she could possibly have fallen asleep. She was in a chair, that was obvious, and it was also obvious that it was not a chair made for sleeping. She vaguely remembered her day. She had gone to see Cullen, and then Aveline. She had agreed to go with her friend tonight on another guard's patrol, unsurprising. So where was she now?

Ah that's right, she had come back with Fenris to his home after stating that maybe no one would look for her there. She wanted a few hours of not running errands all over the city.

She must have fallen asleep in his chair by the fire.

She started to rise when a hum of voices beside her got her attention. Fenris' low rumble accompanied by two others that she took to be Lyna and Zevran after a few moments of listening. Relaxing back into the chair she tried to ignore the twinge in her neck and to hear what was being said. She also ignored the fact that she was becoming far too interested in eavesdropping. She slitted her eyes open, just enough to take in the trio of elves across from her spread across the bench and chair farther from the fire.

"I'm sorry if I woke you last night Fenris." Lyna spoke softly, probably to not wake Hawke. Fenris waved a hand, a faint smile working across his face. "No need for apologies, Lyna, I am well use to nightmares."

Lyna? When had he taken to calling her Lyna, and not simply Warden? He never even called her Marian. Hawke suppressed the stirring of jealously. It was no more use to be jealous of the grey warden then it was to be angry at a cloud during a storm.

"Besides," his voice rumbled again after a moment, and he sent the smaller elf a half smile, "You did not wake me, really. I was already awake."

Lyna leaned forward a bit, her expression curious, already forgetting her own problems. "Are you regretting your decision? You don't have to go through with it you know."

He glanced over to Hawke before replying. "No. I need to do it. For several reasons. I cannot run from this as I have everything else. And I have friends to help me if needed, yes?" His smile widened at Lyna's emphatic nod.

Hawke wondered what he could be talking about. What had he shared with them that he could not tell her about? Never mind that they lived under the same roof, it shouldn't matter. She thought Fenris told her everything.

"Why are you so worried about my sleep anyway?" Hawke recognized his change of subject, well use to the way he worked. "Shouldn't you be more worried about the assassin sleeping with you?"

So he wasn't so friendly with the Crow.

Lyna glanced at Zevran with a shrug. "He is well use to my nightmares."

Zevran ran a hand down her back. "I have gotten amazingly good at sleeping through them, unless needed."

Fenris stared at them both a moment before speaking again, his voice low enough that Hawke had to strain to hear him. "It is the calling, correct? We learned something of it when we went to deal with Corypheus. Bethany seemed worried about the man we met there who suffered from it."

"Larius." It was said calmly, but Hawke noticed the tightened knuckles on her lap, and the idle hand Zevran played over her back.

"Yes. Him. He said you all succumb to the taint. Tell me, Lyna, you are not leaving us soon are you?"

Lyna gave a shake of her head, and mustered up a small laugh. "No... I have some years left before I become... him. My nightmares are not usually so prevalent, but you all will not be rid of me just yet."

Another stare from the white haired elf. He frowned slightly, glancing between the couple as if he was thinking something over. "I was wrong."

Zevran let out a laugh at that, and waved a hand for him to continue. "I can only hope to imagine what you were wrong about, my friend."

"I assumed that Lyna made a sacrifice being with an assassin, but I think it would be harder being with a grey warden. It seems they have no control over what has taken over their lives. It gives a new meaning to duty."

Zevran's lips thinned into a tight smile at the last word, though his tone remained light. "Yes, well, that is perfect for an assassin. We take pleasure while and from where we can. The short life and busy schedule of a warden play well with that."

"Not if you loved them."

He seemed to have no reply to that at first, then surprised everyone by bursting into laughter. "You know everything you said was an argument I had against being with her. He glanced over to Lyna, who was smiling herself. "She showed me the obvious error of my ways. There are always reason not to be together, but life would be very empty."

"And it only took him 10 years to say that. I think I had to beat him over the head with it, but he is learning." Lyna's comment received smiles, probably her intent, and Hawke decided she should probably let them know she was awake.

She huffed and grumbled, and made a large show of waking up and wiping her eyes, taking a moment to look surprised and embarrassed to be caught sleeping. "I didn't realize my sleep needed onlookers. It cannot possible be that entertaining. Do I drool? Snore? Tell embarrassing secrets?"

She was met with a smile from Zevran and Lyna, and a strange look from Fenris, as if he was unsure if she was serious or not.

"I was going to wake you, but Lyna thought you might like the sleep."

Lyna gave a nod as she rose and dragged Zevran up with her. "Yes, but now here you are, and you are well able to keep our broody friend company before you have to go off on your guard hunt."

They waved their goodbyes and were out the door before Hawke could form a reply. Instead she looked back to Fenris with a chuckle. "House guests suit you." He made a noise as if agreeing then stood.

"We need to leave soon if we are to meet Aveline. Give me a few moments to get my things."

Hawke sent him a nod then stood to wander over to the door of the room. She leaned against the frame and looked out over the foyer. Noticing a movement in the corner of the landing below, she took a step forward to see what it was.

Zevran was leaned against the wall of the hallway that lead to his room, his arms wrapped around Lyna's waist as she snuggled under his chin, and into his chest. She was saying something that caused him to smile widely, his hand moving down to pinch her and cause a laugh.

They seemed content, and Hawke found herself feeling surges of jealousy again. Hearing Fenris come up behind her she sent him a brief glance.

"That is what I want. I try to forget that sometimes, but when I see them... or Aveline and Donnic... It's hard to ignore."

She could almost feel the confusion coming from the man behind her, and she glanced at him again with a sad smile.

"That's why I got close to Anders, you know. I thought maybe he could give me something... comfortable, easy. Something that would last."

She shook off the thoughts and mood, and started down the stairs before he could reply. If she had to listen to him apologize again, for something that needed no apology, she might simply give up completely.