Fenris brought the large wooden spoon to his mouth gingerly. He held the cooking pot by its handle as if it weighed no more than a teacup. He slurped the broth before eating the more solid contents of the spoon, protecting the leggings and untucked tunic he had put back on as the fire drew lower.

Fenris had fished a normal sized bowl and spoon from his horse's pack for Anders. He then visited the other horse's pack and gathered the canteen, spare smallclothes, and the mage's threadbare nightshirt. Anders shrugged the nightshirt on and pulled the smallclothes on without bothering to stand up.

Anders now sat with his legs crossed, like an attentive child sampling a treat from a trusted guardian. Fenris sat back at a respectable distance to watch with open curiosity as the blonde took his first bite.

"This is good, actually," Anders admitted. "Even better than it smells." He inhaled as he gathered another spoonful. "And I'm not just saying that because you shifted my senses into overload." Fenris merely nodded with a satisfied smile. He leaned over to spoon more stew into the mage's bowl.

"In return for the meal, you will leave yourself unhealed until tomorrow." Anders shrugged as he accepted the food, not bothering to question the command. Fenris sat back again and watched the mage eat, following the wide tongue as it lapped, red lips as they opened, a long neck as it swallowed.

"What is this red stuff anyway?" Anders asked. "It's got a nice kick to it." Anders gestured towards the canteen propped against one of Fenris' legs. They began to pass the canteen back and forth as they ate.

"Powdered dragon's blood," Fenris answered quietly. "I bought it in Nevarra." He reached towards the fire, grabbing a stick on the ground and using it to push the wood into a better position to feed the fire.

"Really?" Anders lifted one eyebrow. "I thought we had no spare coin for luxuries." The question was bound to come, but neither traveler was eager to begin another argument just yet. Amber and green eyes both were drawn to the fire as the flames rose higher, the warmth joining the food in their bellies.

Fenris contemplated before answering humbly. "I… may have exaggerated. In my moment of crisis."

Anders shook his head ruefully. Still, the pleasant heat grew in his mouth with every bite. He couldn't repress his moan, eyes glittering as they rolled to the back of his head. Fenris' toes began gingerly curling one after another against the blanket as he watched the mage eat, like an idle cat's paws on its owner's lap. Anders smiled into his spoon, amused that Fenris seemed unaware of his toes' motions.

It seemed that only a moment passed before Anders looked down to find that his stew was gone. He even checked Fenris' pot before giving up the hunt for more. He couldn't recall the last time he'd eaten a full meal without discarding half or giving some away. He took a long last draw from the canteen.

Anders was never sure how much was serendipity with Fenris and how much was careful planning. He was beginning to guess. If the answer was potentially unsettling, he found he didn't mind the butterflies.

"Thank you. I feel like I can't say that enough tonight." Anders half stood to place his bowl and spoon on the rock ledge beside the empty pot. Then he slid seamlessly into Fenris' personal space. He slipped a hand into the elf's soft hair, caressing a pointed ear with his thumb. He reached the other hand to the back of the elf's neck as he leaned from above with plump lips barely open. To his surprise, his forward momentum stopped abruptly. Fenris had placed a palm on his chest to stop the collision of mouths.

Fenris looked perturbed. Anders took this as a sign that he had been going too fast. A momentary look of disappointment preceded a determined smile. Anders dropped the second hand to his own thigh. The first retreated from the ear to a lyrium branded chin. Anders dropped his head lower in submission.

Trying again with a more conservative tactic, Anders lifted the warrior's chin upwards while puckering his mouth, signaling that he would present only a polite peck on the lips as thanks. Anders closed his eyes to give a show at respecting Fenris' privacy and leaned up slowly. His eyes opened in confusion when he felt an obstruction on his face. A thin elven finger pushed against his lips hard enough to touch his teeth. It was as if he was being shushed by a very hands-on librarian. Fenris had one eyebrow lifted.

"Are you serious?" Anders pulled back with shocked indignation.

Fenris narrowed his eyes. "Deadly so. You will respect my limits, mage."

Anders reviewed the last hour in his head, coming up empty. "I don't get it. Did I do something wrong?"

Fenris slumped his shoulders with a sigh. "I am not angry." He crooked his head to the side and gestured amiably. "Come here." Fenris pulled Anders into a strong embrace that left no room for thoughts of rejection. He caressed the blonde's back soothingly, then pulled back with an apologetic expression.

"Fenris…" Anders was not fully mollified. This turn of events troubled him. "Why can't I kiss you?

Fenris stilled. His answer was profoundly voiced. "Some things once done cannot be undone." The vibrations travelled down Anders' neck and back to the small of his spine, radiating exhilaration. Their embrace should have been awkward with the taller man in the other's lap. Somehow they fit together.

"Oh." Anders extracted himself. He could feel the distance between them even before he drew back. He decided to play his part, to return to their verbal sparring to reassure the warrior that he was unbowed. "You're back to your cryptic self, I see. Don't you forget; I'm very persistent. If you don't tell me what you mean, I'll be forced to figure out where to spend the rest of our spare coin. Will you ever kiss me?"

"Perhaps," Fenris intoned with a worried rasp, one side of his mouth quirking upwards. "If you are very good." He pushed Anders off his lap, careful to ease the mage's backside gently back onto the dirt.

Anders wore his indignation like a jaunty hat. "What, that wasn't very good before dinner? It wasn't totally brilliant?" He spread his arms in a mocking gesture. "Because I'm thinking some new robes would be right up my alley. I look good in red, I've been told. There are some alluring new Tevinter styles out."

"You must be good for a prolonged time," Fenris played along. "You must convince me to trust you." The speed with which Fenris changed the subject back from Tevinter robes made Anders grin idly.

"Pah, you'll never trust me. But I'll bet I can catch you sleeping. Ooh, I could wake you with a kiss!" The mage let out a happy humming sound, his gaze drifting towards the river as he imagined the stolen kiss.

"You will not!" Fenris placed his palms flat on the ground as if he were ready launch himself in attack. Anders was again surprised by the strong reaction. It was getting hard not to take it personally.

"Really? You sure about that?" Anders goaded, unsure how far to push. "Are you willing to bet on it?"

Fenris considered his odds carefully. "Fine. If you promise not to take advantage, I will answer a dozen questions of your choice." As Anders considered whether to accept, Fenris thought to add some conditions. "I will answer honestly, but I may phrase my words as I like. Then you will go to sleep."

Anders scowled. "You don't get to dictate when I eat and sleep, Fenris. Why only a dozen questions?"

Fenris put the pot aside. "Because my patience grows short. Now you have eleven questions."

"What? That counted?" Anders crossed his arms in stern accusation. "That's not fair. I didn't agree yet."

"That counted, yes." Fenris crossed his arms as well. "Ten questions remain." The warrior smirked.

Ander nodded solemnly. And just like that, the game was back on. It seemed the war would never end.