"I think we should talk."

Fenris glowered at the mage, and began a litany in his straightforward manner.

"Thinking isn't your strong suit, Anders. You know exactly why we shouldn't. This wouldn't work out. We'll end up in a bloody fight every day about your Mage Plight, and you'd make me read your manifesto which you know I void-well can't."

"Why Fenris, you didn't even call me 'mage' or 'abomination'. You've really thought this out, haven't you?" Anders couldn't help but grin. In a masochistic sort of manner, this was going better than he thought. Of course he had low and violent expectations, but he'd take what he could get.

Fenris gave him a dark look, doing his best not to blush at being caught. "Regardless of what you may think, mage, surely you see that I'm right."

The mage took a moment to reflect on the situation. As he'd figured he was pushed against a wall, being sternly told things wouldn't work out, then seeing Fenris had obviously considered the option before, and now he had to face up to the fact that Fenris wasn't terribly amiss in his assumptions.

"Well, that leaves us with one question then…"

Fenris' ears perked up, and a slim eyebrow arched in question.

"Do you think it'd be worth it anyway, Fenris? Us?"

"I mean it's not totally impossible. We've already been on better terms than before- not that it took much to improve on bickering rivals, mind you- but there's something there. I'll admit I didn't expect this to start off with a glory hole-" Fenris scoffed, his nose in the air. "- But there's still something."

Anders tried not to acknowledge his nervous babbling, and focused on the elf's response instead. He usually couldn't read the warrior as well as he'd like, but his face was a stonewall in the silence of no answers.

"Suppose there is something as you say. Why would you pursue a mage-hating elf?"

"Maybe I've just got bad taste, it's happened before you know," Anders smiled to show he wasn't really insulting the other, "and I don't think you hate mages as much as you say. Or maybe it's just this mage, but that's what matters."

"Don't get ahead of yourself."

"Don't cut me off. I'm spilling my guts here, and I deserve some of that silence your so famous for. At least pretend to listen you handsome sod."

"The amount of mixed messages I'm receiving is astounding. Even for you."

"Why thank you, Fenris. I do try." The mage smiled warmly without thought. "Now stop trying to change the subject. You're a much better person than you take yourself for. In fact maybe you need someone to remind you every now and then. I guess it doesn't have to be me but the position is unfilled." Anders couldn't help but wink if his life depended on it. Mentally Fenris was cringing at the pun, but still hoping for more kind words. And like so many other times, he would never admit it to himself or anyone else. "You're a good soul. I won't lie to you, you can be a broody son-of-a-mabari sometimes, and I know you know you it. As much as you put up a front I've seen you care about your friends, leave your dusty mansion to play cards games that you swear you hate, protecting us in subtle ways, and most of all letting us see into the past you so carefully guard. Our group knows this, and considers you a good friend, but you don't seem to notice these things. At the very least please know that I believe in you."

Fenris released the fisted grip on Anders' shirt, and couldn't stop himself from looking surprised. He wasn't used to hearing such words, though Anders had tried to tell him these things before, it felt so new every time.

"And I'd like to believe in us too…If you'd have me, Fenris."

The quiet wasn't very reassuring, but Anders knew the question deserved some time to think on.

"I should head out, huh? You know where to find me if you want, and if you never want to discuss it again I get it." Anders started to make for the door when a hand grabbed him tightly by the arm.

"Would you like some wine…Anders?"

The mage spun around with big eyes, and a crooked smile on his face. He knew this is the closest he'd probably ever get to a "yes" from Fenris, and couldn't help but show his childish excitement. Fenris tried not to concentrate on how cute that dumb smile looked, and kept his eyes on the dusty floor.

"I would love to."

~~~~~~~~~~~~X~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hello again! So sorry for the lateness- but on the bright side I graduated three days ago, which was what made updating this sort of impossible during finals and all that.

This is a short chapter, but that's because the next gets a little...racy, and that totally doesn't fit the mood of this one. Expect that chapter up somewhat soon. It shall also be the last, but it will be much longer than this was.

Thank you to anyone who has stuck this out! I cannot tell you how much I love you all.