New chapter! *Fireworks*

...kinda short though. *Dodges tomatoes and various other produce items being thrown*

Ummm, so yeah remember that M rating? Kinda figured I wasn't straying into that territory enough to really earn the rating. Tried something a little new this chapter. It's short because I want to gauge your reactions before continuing, so be sure to review and give me your thoughts on it! :D


Chapter 11

Hawke and Merrill spilled through the front door like a silent storm. Neither wanting to wake Sandal or Bodahn. Entwined tightly in each other's arms. Lips pressed tight. It was past midnight now. They had made the long hike back from Sundermount, reaching the lower wards of Kirkwall and Ander's clinic a couple hours after nightfall. A flustered and tired Anders had spent an hour or two fixing up Merrill's back, Hawke had lost track of time. They'd left the clinic and started their walk back, but Hawke realized he didn't yet know where. Was Merrill ready to just move back in with him and resume things as they'd been? As if nothing had happened? He wanted nothing more, but didn't think it wise to push his luck. Even before their little fight she'd only moved clothes and the flower into his home. He noticed her shifting her glance from him to the ground and tried to think of a way to ask.

"So..." Hawke trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck.

Merrill glanced up at him, a nervous smile on her face. "Sooo..."

They reached the lift and stopped, unsure which level they were going to.

Hawke coughed a little. "Uhhh, so where were you...gonna..." he stopped when he felt her hand in his.

"It's a little cold to be alone tonight, don't you think?" She said, giving him a sly grin.

"Then you'll have to spend the night someplace warm." Hawke returned her devilish grin, taking her in his arms and kicking the lift's lever.

"I was hoping you'd say that." She said, closing the distance between them, wrapping her arms around his neck and locking her lips with his as the lift ascended into Hightown.

They separated as the lift stopped and walked hurriedly to Hawke's estate. Hawke reached the door first and fumbled with his keys, dropping them for a minute as Merrill passionately crashed against him once again, pressing her lips to his and running her hands through his hair. His heart pounding in his chest, he swooped down, grabbing the keys. He turned and lifted Merrill against the door, never breaking their kiss. With his free hand he turned the key in the lock and opened the door as quietly as he could, holding Merrill in his other arm. He closed the door and dropped the keys on the carpet. The stalling at the door had been enough.

They had..."catching up" to do and Hawke couldn't wait any longer. They'd never make it to the bedroom. He looked around the main hall through the corners of his eyes. He spotted the rug before the hearth, illuminated by the low flame within the fireplace. He made his way across the room and only strengthening his belief she could read his mind, Merrill began unstrapping his armor. He smiled against her lips and felt her do the same. He opened his eyes and set her down, only breaking contact to remove his armor quickly and set it aside. Merrill had removed her tabard and embraced Hawke again, removing his shirt before letting him untie the back of her chainmail. As the thin metal links slid to the floor, the pounding in Hawke's chest intensified. Her gorgeous, athletic form never failed to take his breath away. He'd missed her so much. She reached down and untied the drawstring of his pants and tugged them down along with his underwear as he stepped out of them and removed the thin undergarments she wore. He drank in the beautiful woman before him like fine wine, admiring the soft curves of her body before lifting her in his arms and kissing her fervently.

She traced the muscles of his back and shoulders with her slender fingers, as he felt the soft, warm skin of her breasts against his chest. The smooth skin at the curves of her waist as he lowered her to the rug. She ran her fingers up through his hair, pulling his head in closer to hers, their tongues mingling. Then, the tempo changed. The orchestral crescendo calmed to a slow, intimate piano piece. Hawke, poised above Merrill, raised a gentle hand to her cheek and stroked it lovingly, slowly pulling back from the kiss. He smiled softly, his eyebrows lifting slightly as her hand came up to press his against her cheek. She loved him so much. She was always taken with what a gentleman he was. Even in the heat of the moment, in such a passion as they had entered, he stopped and looked to her, as if to ask permission. She smiled and wrapped her legs around his hips, nudging him closer. She put her arms around his neck and pulled his head down next to hers.

"I love you." She whispered in his ear, snuggling her face against the side of his head. "So much."

He sighed happily, kissing her passionately and gently pushing his hips forward. She let out a small gasp of pleasure and gripped the back of his neck, staring into his eyes. He continued. Slowly at first, but with increasing speed and fervor as the minutes passed. His forehead pressed against hers, both of them beginning to glisten with sweat. She would moan and he would slow for a second, unsure of whether it was pain or pleasure...until she'd thrust her hips off the floor and against him. He'd smile and resume, having gotten the message. Both felt their labored breaths quicken and their hearts race. Their eyes met and they smiled knowingly at one another. He felt the fire growing within him as gazed into her heavy-lidded eyes. They both let out gasping moan and like that, it was done. Her arched back and neck returned to the floor and he nearly collapsed onto her. She sighed contentedly, tightened her embrace, and gently pulled his head into the crook of her neck. He lightly kissed the moist skin of her neck and smiled at the soft giggle it produced.

"You're amazing." He whispered.

She stroked his hair and kissed his temple. "So are you."

Hawke laid his back on the rug, putting an arm around Merrill as she made herself comfortable, resting her head on his chest.

"Comfortable rug isn't it?" Hawke said with a chuckle.

"A wonder we've never done that before." Merrill replied, smiling up at him.

"Figured some place warm would be best, it being 'too cold to be alone tonight'." Hawke said with a grin, quoting Merrill.

"Mmmm it is nice and warm isn't it?" She said, snuggling against his chest.

Before Hawke could get comfortable and fall asleep right then and there, he thought of something. "Hold that thought." He said, kissing her on the forehead and slowly sitting up. He got up and ran over to a cupboard, returning a moment later with a blanket.

Merrill looked at him and laughed a little as he got back on the rug and laid the blanket over them, returning to his back. "So we're sleeping here now?" She asked slyly.

"Mmhmm." He hummed in affirmation, wrapping an arm around her.

Merrill sighed a little...the way she did when she wanted to say something. "I'm sorry I left." She said suddenly.

Hawke furrowed his brow a bit and turned off his back so they were facing each other, but let her continue.

"I just couldn't bear to think I was hurting you. Even if I didn't mean to. I thought by staying, I was only making it worse." She looked down a little.

Hawke slipped his other arm around her waist and gently pulled her closer. "It's okay Merrill. Everything is right again." He smiled at her.

"I know. It's just...I want you to understand why I left. It was only because I love you." She wrapped her arms around his neck and put her head beside his. "I don't want you to have any doubts about that. You are Ma Vhenan. Always."

Hawke tightened his embrace and kissed her lightly. "Thank you. That means everything to me." She looked up at him and smiled before tightening her embrace and snuggling against his chest. He turned to his back so they could get comfortable.

After a few minutes, Hawke heard Merrill's breaths slow. The steady rhythm of her breathing a lullaby to him, letting him know she was right there. That she was safe. She was with him. And he knew he'd never let go as long as he drew breath. That this was just where they were meant to be. Together.


*Crickets*

Uhhh hehe yeah that stuff. Hopefully I was able to pull this off as I intended; with class. I don't want to write a smut fic. That's not what this is all about. It's a Romantic Action-Adventure and I wanted to keep it classy.

Notice, I did not use any explicit words during any of that (well, I guess if you count "breasts" lol), so if you thought this was dirty, blame your imagination, not me! :P

Tried to keep it simple and suggestive, but hopefully to the desired effect. :)

Reviews, flames, whatever! Bring it on! :D