A/N: Arsenio was mentioned in chpt 13 of act 1. And Bird was a sort of...friend they both had. If you don't remember her, don't feel bad. she was barely mentioned. I'm not sure why I bothered mentioning her now.

Also I changed Fenris' outfit, and I'm far too lazy to describe it so hey - here is a picture and the mod for it...too bad I play on le xbox and cant use it *le sigh* http:/dragonage[dot]nexusmods[dot]com/downloads/file[dot]php?id=2347

They had spent the rest of the night exploring each other some more, stopping only to bathe and eat and eventually, to sleep. The next morning they both slept in rather late, both being particularly exhausted by their...activities, but were packed and heading back to the city by midday. The trip back was proving to be rather uneventful as well, until the following day when they were making their way through the wounded coast and stumbled upon a group of bandits attacking a caravan.

Fenris would have been happy just leaving them to their own devices, as would Nero, until he had caught sight of a little girl laying alone in the back of the cart, drenched in blood from the slit in her throat. Who he assumed was her mother was on her knees with her husband and two young men, screaming, while a couple of men made sure they didn't run and a few more searched their things.

Nero didn't have to like children to be disgusted by their needless slaughter. And so he found himself dropping his pack and rushing forward to make quick work of the bastards. He threw his knife to land in one of the bandits throats and pulled his daggers out to stab and slice into the remaining bandits that Fenris didn't destroy. The woman's husband thanked them through red-rimmed eyes but was quickly distracted by grief and trying to console his wife.

Nero gave Fenris a sad look and turned to return to their packs so that they could continue on their way. A part of him wished to stay with the grieving family, but he knew that a strangers presence probably wouldn't be appreciated and they weren't likely to move very quickly. He also knew that he had likely only saved them from death at the hands of one group of bandits only to be killed at the hands of another, but he tried not to dwell on it.

He had almost reached his pack when he heard a voice that he had not thought he would hear again so long as he lived.

"Nero? Is that really you?" it asked hesitantly.

Nero started and turned around slowly, to find himself staring, open-mouthed at the form of Arsenio. Sen, from Tevinter, the whore that had taught him all that he knew, the first man he had ever...developed feelings for.

He looked the same as ever, short with dark skin and green eyes. His dark brown hair was longer, it reached his elbows now and he wore it in a braid the fell down his back. His wrinkles might be a little deeper and his skin a tad paler, and Nero could almost imagine that he had a little bit of buff going on, but otherwise it didn't look as though ten years had passed.

Nero was too surprised to speak and simply watched as the man approached him slowly, when he stood only a foot away he said, "Maker's breath, it really is you!" and before either Nero or Fenris could react Arsenio had wrapped his arms around Nero and was pressing their lips together.

Nero's eyes remained open the entire time, and he caught sight of Fenris off to the side watching, his own shock freezing him to the spot. Nero was the first to get his wits about him and grabbed the man kissing him by the shoulders and gently held him at arms length.

If Arsenio noticed the elf who was now glowering off to the side or the confusion on Nero's face he ignored it. Instead his hands shot from Nero's hair, to his ears, to his armor, to his face and back to his hair. "Nero, I didn't think you still lived, what happened to your hair? Maker, what happened to your ears? What are you doing here? Andraste's ass, I can't believe your still alive!" the man tried, once again, to wrap his arms around him but Nero wouldn't let him, to this Arsenio frowned, "whats wrong?"

Nero sputtered and finally released the man, "you are dead." he said, "I mean, they told me you were dead. They told me they killed you."

Arsenio frowned, "is that what they told you? No, they did not kill me, obviously. They did the last thing either of us expected, they took me back Antiva and told me if they saw me again they would kill us both. I wanted to try to free you, I really did, but I didn't want you to die because of me."

"What exactly is going on?" neither of them had noticed Fenris silently approach them and jumped at the question.

Nero looked at him guiltily, with a hint of confusion, "this is Arsenio...he-I-uh.."

Arsenio rolled his eyes at Nero and turned to the elf with a smirk and a small bow, "I am Arsenio, I met Nero in Tevinter ten years ago, when I was kidnapped and -"

"But why are you here?" Nero interrupted.

Arsenio turned his attentions back to Nero, "a client was telling me about a neighbor of his in Kirkwall, and the way she described him, it sounded so much like you...I had to come, I had to know. And then the caravan I had hitched a ride on was attacked and here you are. Wow." he breathed the last part, amazement plain on his features.

The rest of the walk back was awkward for Fenris, he felt like a third wheel as the two caught up on the last ten years. As they spoke he realized that he was learning things about Nero that he had never known, apparently because he had never asked, and he silently cursed his non-inquisitive nature. Fenris was wary of this new person and grew irritated the more the man kept touching Nero, even if Nero didn't respond to it. Every time Arsenio laughed he would place a hand on Nero's shoulder or arm, and he would often reach over to touch Nero's hair or place it behind his ear. Fenris tried, and failed miserably, not to think about what their relationship was. But he was not blind, clearly the two had been close. And he found himself jealous that Nero had had a friend while he was a slave, and Fenris had not. He shook his head to rid the thought, that was not fair, it was not Nero's fault, but he could not get rid of the anger coiling in the pit of his stomach.

Nero found himself repeatedly forgetting that Fenris was even there, despite his attempts not to. He found it exciting to hear about Arsenio's life, especially considering he had believed the man dead for so long. He had grieved, and at times it seemed like he had never stopped, even now he could not stop himself from feeling guilty that Arsenio had ever spent time in Tevinter. As though he had been able to stop it from happening but didn't.

The past ten years, however, were less than eventful for Arsenio, and his story was little more than, 'I was caught, I met you, they took me back and told me not to return. So I continued to work at the whorehouse I grew up in, I still do, this is a sort of...vacation.' And the rest of their conversation focused on him and his past ten years, of which he wasn't exactly excited about. He was a little uncomfortable when Arsenio seemed to be proud of his success as an ...entertainer, that was not something he would expect Arsenio to be proud of. The other man knew that Nero had had misgivings about it and hated the idea. And Arsenio never asked about Bird, that was another thing that Nero was surprised at. Was it possible that over all this time Arsenio had simply forgotten about her?

Nero shoved those thoughts aside, he knew this man ten years ago, a lot can and does happen in ten years, people change. Maker, he changed himself. A part of him wondered how Arsenio had even recognized him. He started from his thoughts as he realized that Arsenio was holding his hand, he started and shook his hand loose, the contact making him uncomfortable.

"Why do you keep doing that?" Arsenio asked with a sad frown.

Nero ran his fingers through his hair, trying to figure out how exactly to word it, "things are uh...different now, Sen."

"So, does it have something to do with the dangerously sexy elf back there?" Arsenio asked with a smirk.

Nero flushed, this is one of the most awkward things...he thought to himself before looking back at a scowling Fenris and offering him an apologetic smile. He received a nod in return and looked back to the curious man walking beside him.

"It does." was all he could think of to say

"Oh how terribly awkward for you this must be then. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you deal with having to tell an ex-lover that you currently have a different lover while having both lovers in the same spot."

"Yeah...uh...thanks." Nero flinched. It wasn't that he didn't want either of them to know, he would have preferred if they had both known already. He just didn't want to be the one that told them, which, he realized, he technically didn't. It was still a far cry from his preferred scenario, being one that involved him being far, far away when they both found out. So awkward.

Arsenio shrugged and chuckled, "so, I don't suppose you would be willing to share."

"Are you asking me, or him?" Fenris growled from behind them.

Ignoring him, Nero said, "no, I would not."

Arsenio frowned, "more's the pity. That could have been exciting. You were so good too, a fast learner, I suppose I will just have to imagine what skills you might have picked up over the years." he said dreamily.

Nero's face turned red again and he pointed to the city walls that he hadn't realized they were so close to, "hey look, Kirkwall. Hello Kirkwall, I almost missed you."

Arsenio laughed.

...

"I must say, it is one thing for a slave to escape. It's entirely another for one to purchase a mansion." Arsenio was saying.

Night had fallen and they were heading to the Hanged Man. It was the time of the week that Varric always hosted a game of a cards and Nero had decided to introduce Arsenio to his friends.

When they had reached the city they had headed strait to the estate and Nero had situated Arsenio in a room down the hall from his own. Fenris was not pleased when he returned from shopping and found out. Nero was forced to try to explain to Fenris that they lived in an estate that was dramatically empty, he couldn't very well tell Arsenio to find his own lodgings. Fenris had begrudgingly agreed but he was still in a fowl mood, of which Nero was doing his best to ignore, knowing there was nothing he could do about it.

"Technically it's not mine. Its under the name of our friend, Hawke." Nero explained.

"Really? Garrett Hawke? I've heard many things about him. I don't suppose I should be surprised that you are friends with him. I hear he is quite...talented." Arsenio said with a wink.

Nero raised an eyebrow before scowling, remembering the altercation between Hawke and Fenris years ago. "Yes, well, that's not how I know him."

"Were you always such a prude? I don't remember you being such a prude."

"I'm not always a prude."

"No? Must just be today then."

"Ugh." Nero was surprised to find himself growing tired of Arsenio's company. It seemed that no more than five minutes passed before the man brought up something sex related, which probably would have been fine. Nero was alright talking about sex and making jokes about it...just not with his someone he had slept with, in front of someone that he was sleeping with. It seemed that Arsenio was not getting the hint, and he found himself wondering when the man stopped being so intuitive. Taking into account his profession, I suppose that I shouldn't be so surprised...

When they entered the Hanged Man Fenris made straight for the bar, and Nero found himself looking at it longingly. But first he decided to take Sen upstairs, and hoped desperately that there were enough people in Varric's suite to keep Arsenio busy so that he could slip away. Whiskey, I need a shot of whiskey, or six.

Luckily everyone was already there and a game of cards was already underway. Nero thanked the Maker even though he was slightly baffled that even Anders and Aveline were there. The two didn't always show up to card games, Aveline was often busy with her duties and Anders claimed that the clinic was busier lately. Nero suspected that the mage was simply becoming a recluse. He's even drinking! he thought with shock as Anders finished off a glass of a very dark amber liquid. Nero shook his head at the sight while he introduced Arsenio to everyone and gave a shortened version of how they ran into him.

"How do you manage to get all the attractive men, Nero?" Hawke asked with a seductive grin aimed at Arsenio.

Arsenio chuckled then said in his most seductive voice "from what I hear he has not managed to get you, messere Hawke."

"Uh, right. I'm going to go get myself a drink." Nero said, fortunately he was ignored by the two men and he turned to leave.

Before he left, however, Anders reached out to him and grabbed hold of the bottom of his shirt. Stopping, Nero looked down at the man with a raised eyebrow. Anders gave him a wide, sort of delirious, smile and shook his glass at him, "I would like some more, if you would be so kind." he slurred.

Stunned Nero took the glass from him and looked questioningly at the only person paying attention to them, Isabela. She laughed, "I don't know sweetling, he showed up and demanded that he get properly tossed. You know I can never say no to a man on a mission."

"But what about Justice, I thought-"

"Oh don't talk about him," Anders giggled. "you'll wake him up. he's such an ass, also, you make him angry."

"Right." Nero said slowly before turning to head down the stairs.

He approached the spot where Fenris was speaking to the bartender and was already halfway through a mug of ale when Nero sat in the stool next to him. Nero told the bartender what he wanted and it wasn't long before there were three empty shot glasses in front of Nero and he was feeling pleasantly warm.

Fenris raised an eyebrow at him, "here I though you were enjoying the company of your friend."

"I was...maker, even Isabela doesn't talk about sex that much. I'll die a happy man if I never hear another story about someone Arsenio has fucked again."

"Oh, good, it isn't just me then."

"At least you were gone for a few hours." Nero said, then he appraised the new outfit that Fenris had purchased approvingly. When Fenris noticed he looked at Nero accusingly, daring him to insult it. Nero laughed, "it looks extremely good on you. It makes you all prim and proper." he said with a sly smile "donec eget tellus videntes me decet" [I just look forward to seeing it on my floor is all]

Fenris chuckled and coughed, a slight blush coloring his cheeks. Nero smiled, "sorry, I couldn't help myself. Seriously though, what made you decide to buy it?"

"I saw it at a stall and thought, 'oh god, I can't live without it'?" Fenris offered, sighing when Nero continued to look at him, waiting for the real reason. "It was something Aveline had said a few days ago...the way I dress, brings a lot of attention to us...and we don't need it."

"Does this mean I never get to see you spiky again?" Nero asked, a teasing frown on his face.

Fenris snorted, "hardly, there is some armor in this getup, but I'm not about to go into a situation I know people are going to try to kill me in and not wear real armor."

"Ever practical," Isabela said from behind them, "if I didn't know you better I would think you were a gentleman." she smacked Fenris hard on the back of the head, "that's for not telling me you were shopping, you dick." Then she eyed him top to bottom approvingly, "you are lucky I approve, otherwise I would make you go shop some more."

Fenris scowled at her and took another drink.

"Somebody is in a bad mood, could it be the man talking to Hawke about sex upstairs?"

"I'm surprised you could tear yourself away." Fenris muttered.

"It was difficult, I assure you." She chuckled before turning to Nero, "I'm here because Anders is going to have a fit if you don't return with his drink." she said with a smile.

"The abomination is drinking?" Fenris asked incredulously.

"Oh yes, he is perfectly plastered." she laughed.

"I don't even know what he's drinking," Nero said, sniffing the glass he had brought with him, "maker that's strong."

"It's some dwarven ale, I'm surprised they even have it here. I'll be damned if I know where he first came across it" she said before ordering another glass. "Varric says it's acid, and after trying it, I agree with him." she grimaced

"I don't think letting the abomination get drunk is the smartest thing you've ever done." Fenris grumbled.

"I did a scholar once, he was probably the smartest...it's fine, Justice is letting him." she said with a roll of her eyes.

"Wonderful, perhaps we should go make sure he's not killing anybody."

"You're such a pessimist."

They returned to the room to find Arsenio sitting in Hawke's lap, chuckling at something that Hawke was whispering into his ear. He glanced at the trio as they entered, but otherwise ignored everybody, to which Nero was grateful.

Isabela returned to her seat next to Anders, Fenris and Nero took the only two empty chairs, which were opposite Isabela and the mage. When Isabela handed Anders his drink he cheered and took a long swig, when he set the glass back on the table he swayed a little but forced himself to stop with a determined expression.

The rest of the night passed awkwardly, Anders passed out not long after and they carried him to Varric's bed to sleep it off. Hawke and Arsenio left about an hour later, having spent the entire evening ignoring everyone else. After that things were quiet, and Fenris and Nero left earlier than they would have if they hadn't been on the road most of the day. Upon entering the mansion the two had gone to their respective rooms for the first time since Nero had returned from the clinic.