I like age gaps, so the history with Karl and Anders is different to whatever it was in WOTVII. Also, there is smut in this one. It's faaaairly implicit and not too long. But it is M/M. So you might want to skim read that part, if you aren't a fan. Also, I introduce a new OC in this one as a thank you gift for Vergil. She'll be popping up a bit more throughout this fic, so I hope you like herrrrr.

Mind's Eye

Anders stared, mouth ajar. He hadn't seen Karl for… years. Nearly a decade. He looked just as he remembered him though, except for all the new grey hairs. He couldn't believe his luck, bumping into him like this, on the one day he decided to randomly visit the Gallows. What were the chances of that?

Karl gave him a small, barely there wave, and that finally snapped him out of his shock and forced his feet forward toward Karl. The older mage seemed to hesitate, looking nervously at the Templars, but Anders carried on toward him. At the last possible moment he deliberately tripped and sent the contents of his coin purse scattering across the ground around Karl's feet. They both crouched down quickly to pick up the coins, but they paused when their eyes locked, Karl's grey staring into Anders' amber. Anders smiled, his eyes filling with tears. It had been so long.

"Karl," he breathed.

"Anders," Karl said with a wry smile. "Up to tricks as usual, I see."

Anders smirked. "It's good to see you, too." Karl's smile widened, making the corners of his eyes crinkle. Anders' stomach flipped at the sight. He cleared his throat and began to actually pick up the coins before some of the Templars noticed their prolonged staring at one another. Karl did the same.

"I feared the worst when I heard about Kinloch Hold," Karl whispered, as his fingers brushed Anders' as they reached for the same copper. Anders swallowed, suddenly overwhelmed by warmth.

"I've been out for a while, with the Wardens," he said quickly. "Neri, she conscripted me."

"Not quite free then?"

Anders let out a chuff of laughter. "Freer than you, at least." He finished putting the coins in his pouch. "I want to help."

"Anders…"

"There might be a way."

"It's not safe," Karl said, head shaking. "Things are too tense here. Just talking to you could-"

"Oi, mage, get a move on!" one of the Templars shouted, making Karl wince slightly.

"Please, Anders, don't do anything brash," Karl pleaded giving his wrist a brief squeeze.

Reluctantly Anders nodded, shoulders slumping. Karl smiled and with one final look, he stood and carried on walking. Anders watched his back until Karl disappeared through the Gallows' gates, and then he swallowed, his throat thick, and quickly turned on his heel, heading out of the Gallows before the tears could fall.

…

Theo had thought coming home would stop him from thinking about Fenris, or at least make his dick stop thinking about him. He was very, very wrong. Mother had spent most of the afternoon talking about the estate, and Hightown, and all Theo could think the entire time was that he would eventually be neighbours with Fenris. Quite literally, they'd live a few courtyards apart. He didn't think he'd ever been this sexually frustrated. He needed to have sex. But it couldn't be with Fenris, which didn't leave him with that many options.

He had just been about to get up and go to the Rose when there was a knock at the door. He sighed, getting the door as mother continued telling Gamlen about all the wonderful things the Hightown markets sold.

Aveline was on the other side of the door, smiling gingerly at him. "Hello Hawke," she said.

He narrowed his eyes at her. He'd only been home a few hours, for her to know he'd be here… "Were you camping on my doorstep again?"

She let out an exasperated sigh. "No, Hawke. My guards told me they'd seen you heading home and I wanted to check that you were well. Nobody would tell me where you were staying, although I have a pretty good idea," she said in her 'Aveline is not impressed' voice.

"Aha," he said smiling impishly as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I guess you want to come in then?"

"Saves me questioning you out here in the cold," she said as she stepped in through the door.

Theo sighed as he shut it behind her and waited for her to be finished greeting his mother and uncle.

"I'll show Gamlen the chickens, dear," his mother said, giving him a nod as she dragged his uncle out into the garden, leaving Theo alone with Aveline.

She turned to face him, scowling slightly, but he managed to speak before she did.

"So, how's Donnic?"

Her scowl deepened. "He has recovered well from the ambush," she said evenly.

"That's good," Theo said with a smile. "Did he need much care? Did you change his bandages? Feed him his medicine? Wash him?"

Aveline folded her arms. "No. And I know what you're doing, Hawke, it won't work."

"Oh?"

"There is nothing – we are just colleagues."

"Mmmhmm," he said, smiling knowingly at her. She flushed slightly. "Seen him lately then?"

"He was on night patrol last night. So no, he is sleeping now."

"Oh, there are beds at the barracks? That must be nice," he said as headed to the table.

"Don't start, Hawke. You're avoiding the reason I'm here," she said, following him.

"Am I?" he asked as he casually picked up a slice of cake from the table and took a bite from it.

"You were badly injured and I found out about it a day later, from the dwarf. Then my guards reported seeing you and your companions coming and going from a rundown mansion in Hightown. There have also been sightings of a white-haired elf coming and going from that same mansion. So, you going to tell me what's going on, or do I have to take a group of my men up there right now and find out for myself?"

Theo groaned and plonked his arse down at the table. "The elf's name is Fenris. He's someone we met recently. He's a friend, Aveline."

"And he lives in a rundown mansion in Hightown?"

"It belonged to his former master. He's an ex-slave who's been on the run the past six months or so."

Aveline's expression flashed with sympathy and then she sighed. "Hawke, that mansion doesn't belong to him-"

"I know, but the owner isn't exactly around either, so does it really hurt anyone if he stays there?"

"He's squatting in Hightown, the nobles will notice eventually."

"I know that too. But he just needs a break for a while—he was injured the same night as me. And once we're back from the Deep Roads, I'll be able to sort out something more permanent for him. I just need a bit more time…"

Aveline exhaled, nodding. "Very well. I'll do what I can… but no promises."

"Thank you, Aveline."

She nodded and took a seat opposite him. "I also heard from a very excited dwarf that Neria is coming here." She smiled softly. "I wasn't sure we'd ever see her again."

Theo nodded. "Me neither, but she is. She's coming here to collect one of her Wardens."

Aveline looked wistful all of a sudden. "I still find it hard to believe that the tiny curly haired elf we met two years ago killed the Archdemon."

"I don't, didn't you see her fighting at Ostagar alongside the Wardens and King?"

Aveline gave him a look. "I was a little busy fleeing with the rest of the soldiers, Hawke."

Theo scoffed. "I got shot in the leg with an arrow and still saw her fighting."

"That's probably why you got shot."

Theo laughed. "Yeah, probably," he said, grinning.

"So, what else is new?" Aveline asked as she picked up a slice of cake.

…

Anders barely remembered the walk back to the clinic, too lost in memories of him and Karl back in Ferelden. Of the first time he'd seen the older mage with that scruffy beard of his and those shiny smiling eyes staring down at him in amusement as Anders turned up late to his first ever lesson with him. The lesson had been hands on—Karl had asked Anders to punch him in the face so that he could show everyone how to heal a simple cut and bruise.

Anders hadn't missed – or been late to – a single lesson after that because for once, he hadn't found the lessons boring. Karl was so passionate about magic and he cared, really cared about those he mentored. There had been times where they spent all day discussing magic and long evenings together where they talked about anything and everything else.

For a few short years, the Tower hadn't seemed so bad. Then Karl had been shipped off to Kirkwall and Anders had handled it…poorly. But he was as free as he was ever likely to be now, and Karl was still a prisoner. He had to try to help him, didn't he? If he was careful, it might work; he could use the Mage Underground to get him out and some place safe. Maybe. He would at least have to run it by them, see if there was anything that could be done.

Kit and Yasmin were still in the clinic by the time he got back and both were more than a little curious as to what he'd been up to.

"You Wardens are always so mysterious," Kit complained when Anders refused to explain.

Yasmin let out an amused chuckle. "That's why they're so damned sexy though, innit?"

Kit sighed a little wistfully. "You can say that again."

"Zevran wasn't a Warden," Anders groused. Honestly, Kit had such an unhealthy obsession with the ex-Crow.

"Who says I was talking about him?" Kit said, winking.

Anders snorted and smiled at the young elf.

"That Slayer of yours certainly has good taste," Kit continued, flashing him a grin.

Anders rolled his eyes but there was a smile at his lips.

…

Much later, Anders was finally able to close the clinic. After the day he'd had, he needed a drink, or several. As he headed down the corridor though, one of the Mage Underground members was waiting for him—the quiet one, Azure. Those electric blue eyes of theirs were, once again, the only thing he could see through all the black cloth covering their face and body. He still didn't know what gender this person was, let alone anything else about them. They nodded a greeting at Anders, which he returned, before they then pulled out a small white card and offered it to him. He took it and glanced down at the message scrawled on it.

A,

Not a pleasant place, is it?

I imagine you'll want to talk soon.

You'd be a fool not to want to get to know us first.

We'll be in touch.

In the meantime, stay safe.

El.

Anders looked back up at Azure, frowning slightly. "How'd you know I went to the Gallows at all?" Blue eyes blinked at him and he sighed. "Is the mute thing for a particular reason or did you lose your tongue?" They blinked again and Anders shook his head. "Never mind. I guess I'll see you… soon?"

Azure nodded once.

"Okay then."

It was fairly late in the day by the time Anders reached Lowtown, the sky just beginning to darken as dusk approached, and only blackened further by factory smoke that clung to the air around the lower city. Anders pushed past the people all hanging around outside The Hanged Man, drinking and shouting, and headed inside. He was met by the usual scene: drunks sitting at the tables in front; a few quieter patrons sitting off to the side, watching the room; a group at the back, playing darts; and another sitting near the fire laughing and chatting amicably.

He already recognised a few of the regulars—some even lifted their flagons to him in greeting. He nodded back and headed to the bar, finding a lone elven woman perched on one of the stools. Her glossy, silver hair shimmered in the flickering torchlight and he found himself following those soft waves down her back to the pert little ass that was barely resting against the rickety old chair. She sat cleaning a wicked looking silverite blade and, not surprisingly, most of the men in the tavern had decided to stay clear of her.

Anders walked up to the bar and slumped down in the chair next to her while he waited for Corf to get back from the kitchen. He could see the elf regarding him out of the corner of his eye, but honestly, the last thing he wanted right now was conversation, not with thoughts of Karl weighing so heavily on his mind. He needed to think, to consider, and he needed to do it with a damned drink in hand.

"Seems like you could use a drink, caro," the elf said, her Antivan accent obvious.

Anders glanced at her, finding chocolate brown eyes staring at him through thick, light lashes. She was a pretty, lithe thing, with the typical sharp facial features most elves had. She looked nothing like Neri—her skin was too dark and lacked freckles, her eyes the wrong shade of brown, her hair desaturated of colour where Neri's was always bursting with vibrancy. This elf was taller, too, more muscled, and she held herself like a noble, despite obviously not being one. But she was still an elf. And apparently all it took was those two pointed ears sticking out of her long hair to remind him, heart-achingly, of Neri.

"That obvious, is it?"

Her lips curved in something that resembled a smile but wasn't quite one. She turned her gaze to the kitchen and then rolled her eyes. "They're hardly being subtle about their dalliance," she muttered.

"Who?"

"Either you don't come here often, or you aren't too observant," she said with that slightly sharp smile still curving her lips. "The owner and the waitress – Nora, was it?"

Anders blinked. "You mean they're… right now?"

She let out a chirp of laughter. "Why not see for yourself?"

"I'd rather just get that drink."

She nodded and then leaned over the counter and poured one for him, rather dextrously. She used her dagger to cut the foam clean off the top then passed it to him with a casual shrug as he stared at her wide eyed.

"Thanks," he said as he cast a quick frost spell on the glass, cooling the drink inside.

If she was bothered by him being a mage, she didn't show it, and he lifted the flagon to his lips. He took a long sip, enjoying the cool, bitter taste that flooded his mouth and the way the froth hit his upper lip, the bubbles popping against his stubble.

He put his glass down a moment later and wiped his lip, sighing contentedly as the cold liquid worked its way down to his stomach. It wasn't the most ideal situation, being here in Kirkwall on his own, not after everything that had happened, but it was remarkable how something as simple as a drink could help set his mind at ease. And he wasn't alone, not exactly. He had Hawke and Varric and Isabela and the twins and the helpers at the clinic. And Karl was in the city too. His chest ached just thinking about him trapped inside that wretched prison. He hoped Karl hadn't suffered there, that they hadn't abused or beaten him-all those grey hairs, was it from stress? He couldn't help but wonder, and worry. He shook his head a little and drank more of his drink, needing to re-clear his mind.

He could feel the elf watching him again and gave her a sideways glance. She immediately went back to cleaning her longsword, and Anders shifted in his chair to better face her. "I'm Anders, by the way."

She continued her movements, working a cloth over the shiny blade, but her gaze raked up his body, then met his. "Giselle," she said, her Antivan accent tinged ever so slightly with something akin to wariness or caution.

He smiled warmly. "You been hounded by a lot of men this evening, Giselle?"

Her eyes sharpened and her lip twitched. "That implies they were relentless in their harassment." Her head tilted slightly as she continued to regard him. "Men don't tend to approach me when I have one of these beauties out in the open," she said as she lifted the blade she'd been cleaning. There was a lethal glint in her eyes as she turned her gaze on him. "Doesn't seem to be very effective against you, however."

"If you're planning on stabbing me, could you at least let me finish my drink first?" he asked.

She smirked. "Of course, I'm not entirely unreasonable."

He scoffed and took another sip of his drink-a deliberately slow one, just in case she was being serious. He never could tell with Antivans.

She smiled that sharp smile again and looked away, down at her blade, and he couldn't help but admire it.

"We use silverite to fight darkspawn quite a lot," he commented.

Those dark eyes of hers snapped back up to his, a slight crease forming between her brows. "We?"

"Wardens," he clarified, noticing the way her face lifted in surprise before evening out again.

"Admirable work," she replied. "I saw darkspawn while in Ferelden..." Her features darkened and she grew quiet. He knew that look well. Very little good ever came from encountering darkspawn. Whether it was just seeing their gruesome faces, or seeing them cut someone you knew down, or something worse, it always left its mark on your memories and your soul. He leant over the counter and poured out another flagon.

"Looks like you're the one that needs a drink now," he said, handing it to her with a smile.

She let out a chuff of laughter, one with a slightly rueful edge to it, but nodded and took the drink from him with a thankful smile.

"Sparky!" a familiar voice suddenly called from behind him. He needn't have bothered turning around to face the sound of that shout to know Isabela was sauntering toward him. He did anyway though, grinning as she approached. She was carrying two bottles of wine and wearing a tight navy blue shirt with her favourite brown knee-high boots. "Everyone else is busy, so we're getting drunk."

He frowned. "Wait, what are they all doing?"

She rolled her eyes. "Only what we're doing matters. Are you coming or what, tiger?" she asked as she lifted the bottles and cocked her hip out impatiently. Her eyes then caught sight of the pretty elf at his side and hooded slightly. "Or was I… interrupting something?" she asked in a purr.

Giselle met the pirate's gaze, her eyes sparkling with some emotion Anders couldn't place. "Not at all," she said. "By all means, go and get drunk."

Isabela grinned. "You can join us, if you like, sweet thing."

"Such a lovely offer," the elf replied a little crisply. "One I will have to pass on, however."

"Spoil sport," Isabela pouted. "If you change your mind, I like elves," she said with a wink. She turned back to Anders. "Come on, these won't drink themselves, you know."

He chuckled and dipped his head to Giselle. "Nice meeting you."

"Likewise," she said with a dip of her own head, before Anders was dragged away from the bar by Isabela and up toward Varric's empty suite.

…

Fenris stared down at the cards in his hand, keeping his face impassive as he plotted his next move. The dwarf still posed a real threat; he usually had some trick or other up his sleeve, often literally. Bethany hid behind sweet smiles and conversation, seeming to barely pay attention to the game, but like her mother, it was a ploy—she really was rather good at Wicked Grace, when she wanted to be. Carver posed no threat whatsoever given his inebriated state. And it wasn't like they were playing for anything more than conversation, this time. Varric put his cards down and Carver immediately groaned.

"Come on dorf!" he slurred. "No fair takin' 'vantage o'me like'is."

Varric let out a short snort. "Junior, if I really wanted to take advantage of you I'd have taken your clothes when you lost that last bet as well as all your coin."

"You're still cheatin'," he accused. "Keep'on looking at my cards."

"It's not my fault you keep waving them around like a flag," Varric said laughing and shaking his head as he grabbed his flagon to take another long swallow of ale.

"I feel used," Carver said, pouting and shoulders slumped.

Varric chuckled. "Ah, but look on the bright side, little Hawke, at least you'll never feel overshadowed around me."

"Unless he starts lying on the ground," Bethany mused, barely concealing a smirk of amusement at her twin's current state.

"Which is likely, given how much alcohol he's consumed," Fenris added, briefly letting his gaze flick up to them all before returning it to his cards.

"And just why isn't you drunk yet, elf?" Carver asked, words slurred, as he turned to face Fenris with a wonky frown.

"It is difficult to get drunk when you are drinking grape juice instead of wine," he replied with a slight sigh.

"Oh, yeah," Carver mumbled.

"That reminds me," Bethany said, smiling all too eagerly. "Time for your medicine, Fenris." She glanced at Varric and Carver. "Start discussing what we can do for Theo's birthday. This is the first time in years I think he might actually be up for a party, so we need to make it good, which means planning in advance."

"Already on it, Sunshine," Varric said, smiling brightly. "Not sure how much help your brother'll be. But we'll think of something."

"I'm plenty 'elpful," Carver grumbled.

"Sure you are, Junior," Varric said, patting Carver's back with a wry smile as Fenris got up from the table and followed Bethany out into the mostly clean kitchen. He leant against the table while Bethany measured out the medicine for him.

He hadn't actually realised Hawke's birthday was coming up. Not that he would have any means of knowing such a thing unless it had come up in conversation. Birthdays were not something he often gave much thought to—he did not even know when his own was. The Imperium was fond of celebrating life events, but the only event Danarius ever celebrated that involved Fenris was the date of the Ritual. Every year he would host an event and parade Fenris around like the dog that he was.

No more though. Fenris could finally celebrate his own achievements instead. His escape, for one. And perhaps now, a friend's birthday, too.

"Hawke's birthday," Fenris said as he turned to face Bethany. "When is it?"

She looked up at him with a smile. "A while away yet, but if we're really going to have a party, we'll need to start thinking about it all now." Her brown eyes watched him, flickering across his face. "I was thinking about going shopping for a gift for him soon though. I never know what to get him so I pop to the shops a lot trying to think of ideas. Would you like to accompany me some time? Or my brother, if you'd rather not with a mage-"

"No," he said quickly. She frowned slightly and he shook his head. "I meant, no, I'd not prefer your twin's company to you. I…" He looked down, sighing. "I do not know if I should get Hawke something. I have never celebrated someone's birthday before."

"Oh." She looked a little surprised before it evened out into a soft smile. "Well, people usually get the birthday girl or boy something, even if it's just a card. But don't feel like you have to. I just thought you might appreciate doing something other than failing to bake cakes or fighting." Her smile stretched wider. "Plus, you might wrangle a story or two out of me about Theo when he was little."

Fenris smiled back at her, watching her through his fringe. "I think I'd like that."

"Good. It'll be fun," she said brightly. "But first we need to make sure you're healthy enough. So, medicine time."

He groaned. He was already sick of this foul drink and Bethany was relentless with her care. He swallowed it all down, doing his best not to gag at the vile taste. She immediately handed him a glass of water to wash it down with and he swallowed that in a few quick gulps, wincing at the after taste remaining in his mouth.

"Come on. Let's go make sure Varric and Carver aren't planning on surprising Theo with fifty ogres all dressed up in Chanty robes or something equally absurd."

"That would make for quite the memorable surprise," Fenris said.

She giggled and he found himself smiling at the sound. "Can you imagine Theo's face at seeing something like that?"

"A mix of confusion and amusement, I would think."

"He'd probably wonder how we rounded up so many ogres."

Fenris smirked. "And how you were able to dress them in Chantry robes."

"Or found Chantry robes that big," she added, laughing softly as they headed back through to the dining hall.

"We just 'av to pretend to forget about it," Carver was saying. "That'll make the surprise even better."

"Carver, that's just cruel," Bethany chided.

"It would be effective though, Sunshine." Varric tapped his chin thoughtfully as the two of them sat back down. "Let's see… We'd need Hawke distracted all day, kept busy somehow. Broody, you can be the one to make sure that's the case while the rest of us prepare."

"Why me?" he asked, scowling at the dwarf. He had no desire to lie to Hawke, let alone trick him in such a way.

"Because you can be very distracting when you want to be. Trust me, Broody. You'll just have to keep Hawke out of the Hanged Man for the day. Shouldn't be too hard, Hawke's only a borderline alcoholic after all." He grinned, eyes twinkling. "Besides, would you rather be out somewhere with Hawke, or in The Hanged Man putting up decorations?" Fenris sighed. "Thought as much," Varric said, his grin widening. "But enough of that, we ought to get going. Templar patrol ended half an hour ago, right Sunshine?"

Bethany nodded. "Yep. Should be safe to head out again now."

"Same time tomorrow?" Varric asked Fenris as he got up from the table.

"Of course," Fenris replied, meaning it. He much preferred these sorts of meet ups to the ones at The Hanged Man. It was quieter here. Out of the way. After spending the life he could remember on show in Tevinter, it was nice to remain discreet here.

He watched as Bethany helped her drunken brother up from the table despite Carver's efforts to do so on his own. "You'll stand on one of Varric's traps if you don't let me help you," she grumbled.

"Ha!" Varric barked out. "That'd make for a great story."

"No more stories!" Carver whined. "'Specially not ones 'bout me."

Slowly, the Hawke twins and the dwarf made it to the door, narrowly avoiding the traps Varric had helpfully set up around the mansion, before they said goodbye to one another.

Fenris closed the door behind them then inhaled a deep breath. It was odd to be alone again, with no Hawke, specifically. He had rather gotten used to the rogue's company these past few days. It was odder still that Hawke had left so suddenly, especially considering how well things had been going. Although his ridiculous game of announcing everything he did had grated on Fenris' nerves, he found himself rather missing the company, not that he could blame Hawke for returning home. He was better, it had been days, and his mother was clearly worried sick if the amount of cakes Fenris had been receiving were anything to go by.

He locked the door and went about his usual patrol of the mansion, checking the windows, doors, and now the traps, too. Varric had worked exceptionally fast to outfit the mansion with such security measures, asking his network to bring him the necessary supplies as quickly as possible. And Fenris had to admit, he did feel a little safer for it. It would buy him time at any rate, should hunters come for him, a fact which was almost inevitable.

He made his way to the room Hawke had made his own the past few nights and, curious, he pushed the door open. He wasn't sure how he had expected to find the room. Fenris' own was often a mess—the sheets never made, empty bottles of wine strewn about the room, but Hawke's room looked immaculate. Given how unkempt the rogue himself could be with his scruffy beard and long messy hair, he had not expected him to be a tidy person at all. Yet the bed was made, the curtains were open and tied back neatly, the mantle even looked as if it had been dusted. He wasn't sure why Hawke had bothered at all. But he decided to leave everything as it was, in case the rogue ever needed to stay the night again.

…

It was inevitable really, Theo ending up at the Rose. Between Fenris being sexy even when covered in flour, his siblings and Varric planning double dates, and his mother talking about moving into Hightown, finding a partner to settle down with, and even Aveline talking about Fenris, Theo was well beyond the point of no return. He'd been tempted to have drinks at The Hanged Man, but he was too desperate for it, and if he went there, he could easily end up sleeping with Anders or Isabela, and he didn't want that. And thus, he was outside The Rose sober, for the first time ever.

He headed in and approached Madam Lusine. She smiled in recognition.

"Hawke, been a while. Here for your usual?"

He hesitated. He hadn't ever done this sober before. Usually he was so sloshed he couldn't remember their faces the next day; it was only the friendly greeting most of them gave him upon entering the Rose that he knew who he'd been with at all.

"Yeah, whoever's free," he replied, rubbing his forearms a little self-consciously.

"Mmmm," someone purred from his left. He turned just in time to see the rusty-haired elf with the dark blue eyes sauntering toward him, and his mouth went dry at the sight. Jethann. He hadn't seen the elf since his last visit here, when he'd come with Fenris, had forgotten about him completely, to be honest, but now he was remembering everything the elf had said and done while he'd interrogated him and he swallowed thickly. "I'm available, why don't you come with me?" the whore asked, winking.

Theo avoided men here at The Rose. He avoided men everywhere. He just couldn't after Tanner. But his permanently hard cock twitched at the thought of being with a man now, an elf especially.

"Okay," he heard himself breathe out.

Jethann's face lit up, those big eyes of his darkening in smug satisfaction. The elf reached out and took Theo's hand, barely giving Theo time to toss Madam Lusine the coin for him, and dragged Theo up the stairs, to the room he'd been in before. The door had hardly shut before Jethann's pretty bow-shaped lips were closing over his own, slanting against them, hot and wet and right. Theo melted into it instantly.

He wrapped his arms around the elf's narrow neck and dragged him closer, deepening their kiss. He hummed as slender elven fingers slid up through his beard, just as he'd pictured Fenris' calloused fingers doing time and time again, and up into his hair where they grabbed thick fistfuls of the messy tresses. Theo moaned shamelessly, body going lax and Jethann took that moment to shove Theo's legs apart with a thigh and press himself even closer to him. With that thick thigh between his own legs, Theo couldn't have stopped himself from grinding against it even if he wanted to, the hot heat of Jethann a sweet contrast to the cool wall at his back.

He'd always been submissive with Tanner, always bottomed, but since then, he'd never wanted that, never done anything like that again. He fucked people to lessen his anger and stress, that was it. But this…this was nothing like that. He found himself letting Jethann control their kiss, control everything they did as the whore began tugging off both of their clothes.

Theo let out a hiss as their bare chests pressed flush to one another, feeling all that hard muscle and hot skin pinning him against the wall as that talented mouth and tongue stole his breath away. He slid his hands around the elf's narrow waist, tugging him even closer as Jethann's hands fisted again in his hair, and he couldn't help but slide his hands lower, over the elf's firm ass, imagining that Fenris' would feel just as good in his palms.

Jethann pulled back a moment later, his blue eyes dark and hooded. He smirked as his slender fingers slid through Theo's own. "Come," the elf purred, as he tugged him toward the bed. Theo followed eagerly, breathless and already lost to the fog of desire.

They shrugged off the last of their clothes and shoes, and then Theo was on his back on the bed with a smirking elf crawling over him. He groaned at finally seeing all of the pretty elf and that only made Jethann's smirk widen.

"You're not the only one who likes what he sees," the elf said, eyes hooding just a touch more.

Theo lay there, helpless and whimpering as soft wet lips began kissing their way over his body. It should have reminded him of Tanner doing the exact same thing so many times throughout their relationship, but when he closed his eyes, all he pictured was Fenris doing it to him.

His hands slipped into that silky soft hair and kneaded the elf's scalp, drawing out muffled little moans from his partner. And when those kiss-bruised lips finally sealed themselves around Theo's hardness, he gasped, his hips bucking upwards, pushing himself deeper into that hot wet mouth. His hips buckled again when the elf chuckled around him, sending wonderful vibrations straight through him and making his fingers curl tighter in all that soft hair.

By the time the elf's lips pulled off him, Theo was a panting, sweaty mess and utterly desperate to cum, his whole body drawn tight from being brought so close to the edge by that wicked mouth.

"Please," Theo heard himself plead. "Fuck me."

Hands paused their roaming movements over his tense body, surprised, perhaps. The elf let out a soft hum. "Not often I get to do that." The elf shoved his legs up, bending them. "When was the last time you-" Theo cried out as fingers slid up his backside, his whole body buckling, and the elf immediately chuckled. "A while, then." Lips kissed his knee and Theo slowly relaxed again. "I guess I'll just have to prepare you," the elf said, voice husky with desire.

Theo moaned shamelessly, eyes still shut and picturing Fenris as he slowly slipped in an oiled up finger. His body quivered in response, drawn tight one moment, then relaxing with hips eagerly rocking on that finger the next. The elf slipped a second finger in, stretching him and Theo whimpered breathlessly, his legs trembling already. It had been so long, too long since he'd let anyone do this to him. How had he denied himself this for so long? Why had he?

With Theo trembling and panting, those fingers finally stopped their torturous work. There was a pause as the elf lined himself up, one where Theo held his breath, waiting. It left him in a rush when the tip pressed against him. And then he was groaning, long and hard, as the elf pushed into him, letting out his own pleasured moans as he did so. The elf stayed still for what felt like forever while Theo willed his body to relax, willed his breathing to even out as he adjusted to the intrusion. But his impatience got the better of him and soon he was whining and rolling his hips, trying to get the elf to move.

"Someone's impatient," the elf chuckled.

Smirking lips kissed at his neck and Theo shivered, body finally fully relaxing, and the elf began to move. His movements were not fast like Theo had expected, however. They were slow, just easing in and out of him with a roll of slender hips that had Theo whimpering pathetically and wrapping his legs and arms around the elf leaning over him. He dragged his partner's head up by a fist of hair until they were kissing desperately again, both moaning and whimpering into each other's mouths.

He let out another desperate sound when the elf's tongue plunged into his mouth, muffling most of the already broken sounds he was making. Theo's hands wrapped tighter around the elf's thin neck, his fingers carding through all that soft hair as he pulled his lover closer to him, his own hips desperately snapping up to greet the elf's teasing thrusts.

He knew he wasn't going to last long. Not when it had been so long since he'd bottomed, when he was so sensitive and desperate for it. Already his body was shaking, tightening and clenching as his climax approached. So it didn't surprise him that, when the elf slipped his hand down between them to wrap long fingers around Theo's neglected arousal, he lost it hard, finishing with a broken scream. His violent convulsing threw the elf over too and that only made Theo's own climax last longer as he was flooded with new sensation. The elf collapsed down on him a moment later, panting hard, and Theo slumped back too, utterly sated, finally.

They lay there breathless for many long minutes, with Theo stroking the elf's hair, a big content smile on his face. His partner pulled back a bit and Theo finally reopened his eyes, blinking up at Jethann. The whore was smirking again, playfully.

"I was wondering who you were picturing the whole time," he said, still smirking. "I just got my answer. Fenris," the elf purred, trying the name out. Theo's eyes widened. Had he…called out Fenris' name when he came? He felt his already red cheeks flush further. The whore just chuckled. "Was he that pretty elf you were here with the other day? Mmm. Can't blame you at all for wanting to get ploughed by that."

"I-"

Jethann chuckled again as he rolled off of him. "Think nothing of it," he said as he hopped off the bed, waving a hand dismissively. "I enjoyed you very much. In fact, if you ever want to do a bit of roleplay, I'll happily oblige." He winked and Theo cleared his throat, embarrassed. Maker's knobbly kneecaps, what had he gotten himself into now?

"I've never…I didn't even realise I was…" Theo sighed. He hadn't meant to picture Fenris that entire time; he actually felt guilty that he had.

Jethann laughed. "Can't even finish a sentence. I'll take that as a compliment." He threw a cloth at him and Theo cleaned himself up with it. "You ever want to do that again, it's not hard to find me."

Theo blushed again as he shoved his clothes back on. The ache in his backside was something he hadn't felt for years and he couldn't help but admit, he'd missed it.

He paused at the door, glancing at the whore. "…Thanks," he said, head ducked a bit, hiding behind his hair.

Jethann looked so smug. as he smiled slowly at him. "No, thank you. That was a treat I won't soon forget the taste of." The elf winked at him, making Theo blush even as he smiled.

He quickly left Jethann's room and the Rose all together, pulling his scarf up close to his face as the cold outside air washed over him. Already he could feel his cheeks cooling and he smiled gratefully. A slow walk home would see the rest of the redness on his cheeks gone—it wasn't like his legs were strong enough for much more after what he'd just done anyway—and with any luck, his mother would never suspect a thing.

It was there, standing outside the Rose, hidden in the shadows, about to head home, that he spotted the group of armed men walking through the streets. Even in the dark, he'd recognise that armour anywhere.

Slavers.

A/N: Thanks for the reviews, everyone! Hope you liked this one. Had any of you guessed it would be Theo and Jethann? Cookies if you did XD. Anyway, hope you liked this one. The next one will have more action, naturally. We get to see Theo on a one-man, post-coital, stealth mission to save Fenris, so that should be fun, yes? ;P I hope you guys also liked Giselle. She's going to be important later to a plotline with a certain other Antivan that we all love dearly.

Anyway, thanks again and please keep the support coming. And a massive thanks to Lys, for the beta!

See you all in like two weeks, probably, unless the UK crashes and burns before then XD.