Author's Note: That was a very long wait for this chapter and I apologize. I have personal things going on that are terribly distracting, and I am surprised I had the motivation to finish this chapter at all. Not that I didn't enjoy writing it because I did and I really do like this chapter. But my mind is simply elsewhere most of the time now. But I already have chapter 26 started. I think chapter 27 will be the last, but I can't say for sure. Sorry I rushed it a little at the end. I wanted to finish it in one sitting instead of coming back later and finding I had lost all my motivation to write again.

WARNINGS: Smut ahead. It's at the end of the chapter. There is also some talk about blood and major arteries just before it too, and I know that can be a major gross out for some people. I think it's fairly easy to spot when that conversation is coming up though, so you can skip over it.

Chapter Rating: M for sexual content.

Pairing: Zevran/(M)Tabris

Chapter 25

Love before War

They'd passed Lothering on their route to Denerim. It was completely unrecognizable; the farms and green grassy knolls that Niko remembered were now a blackened wasteland as far as he could see. No one in Niko's party spoke as they marched by. And the army seemed to move a little faster; Blight sickness being a legitimate fear as they trampled corrupted pastures.

Niko led the armies as fast as he dared. He had to accept that there was no way to reach Denerim before the darkspawn did, but he would go as fast as he could manage.

Bitterly, he remembered that his fastest had not been good enough the last time his family needed him. This time they could all be dead before he even got there.

The knowledge of what lay ahead kept their camps tense each night they rested. Soldiers drank silently from the flasks they passed around to each other. Nervous coughs and fearful whispers pricked Niko's ears as he passed through the myriad of tents. The army was set up in the bannorn, not too far from South Reach. He found his way back to his own party and sat down in the grass, still clad in his armor. The sun was just beginning to set now and already Wynne was retiring to her tent. Niko glanced around at the rest of his companions. Alistair and Sten were sharpening their swords. Oghren was passed out in front of his tent with a bottle of liquor. Shale stood unmoving nearby, while Leliana, Zevran, and Morrigan were missing. While he had no idea where Morrigan or Zevran were, Niko assumed the lute music and singing he heard in another group of people nearby was coming from Leliana.

Gideon was lying at Sten's feet. He barked happily when he spotted the Warden and trotted over, picking up a large stick in his mouth along the way. Niko got the feeling the his dog had been just waiting to bring him that stick. He grinned as the hound nuzzled his large head into his lap, nearly knocking him over. He grabbed the stick at one end and tried to pry it from Gideon's strong jaws. The dog growled playfully, holding on tight.

"Well if you want me to throw it, you gotta let go," Niko chuckled.

Tongue flapping and tail wagging, Gideon dropped the stick and became more excited as he watched his master stand up. The stick was thrown and the mabari turned tail to sprint after it with almost as much fervor as he would muster to chase down a rabbit.

With pride in his steps, Gideon brought the stick back, setting it at his master's feet. Niko patted his head and picked up the stick to throw again. He felt a little more at ease as he watched his dog play.

"He's a little less intimidating when he's like this," came a voice behind him.

Niko turned, beaming when he saw a familiar elven mage in blue robes.

"Alim! …I wasn't sure they'd let you come."

"Me either," the mage answered, stepping a little closer until he was at Niko's side. "Seems they needed everyone they could spare."

"It's true," Niko said, leaning down to retrieve the stick from Gideon again. "This is gonna be a tough battle."

And that was putting it mildly. He ignored the feeling of dread boiling in the pit of his stomach when he looked at Alim. Back in the Circle Tower, he'd told the mage he didn't want his help. He hadn't wanted to risk his life. Now he was in more danger than ever.

"I hope my mother is okay," Alim confessed suddenly, bringing a rise to Niko's brow. The mage looked down, frowning and kicking at a patch of dirt. "…I hope I can help."

Niko put a hand on his shoulder. "You're already helping."

There was shared warmth in their gazes as their eyes met, and Alim managed a small smile. A high-pitched whine for attention had them turning their focus to the mabari sitting at their feet. The dog's dark eyes were fixed on Niko, tail thumping impatiently as the stick protruded from his jaws.

Niko chuckled and leaned down to take the stick from him, though Gideon put up another fight.

"I'll leave you to your game," Alim said cheerfully. "I hope you rest well tonight, my friend."

"I'll try," Niko said as he pried the stick from Gideon's teeth. "And the same to you."

While he watched Alim leave, another elf dropped into his vision… dropped down from the limb of a tree, to be exact. Niko blinked in surprise, forgetting about retrieving the stick for a moment, which made Gideon growl. Out of the shadows of the woods, Zevran emerged, hands clasped behind his back as he strolled toward the Warden.

Niko smirked at him and let the stick go. "I shouldn't be surprised that you were spying."

Zevran gave a shrug, a hint of a smile on his lips. "I am always watching over you, my dear. Especially when attractive strangers approach you. It is part of my job, no?"

"He's not a stranger," Niko explained. "We're both from the Denerim Alienage. Alim was taken to the circle when we were both little." Niko glanced aside, smiling. "Alistair once told me that the good thing about a Blight is how it brings people together. I think he was joking, but he may have a point."

Zevran chuckled softly, but his attention soon turned to Gideon, who was nudging Niko's hand with his muzzle, trying to get him to take the stick.

"Gideon," Niko chastised lightly.

"Here," Zevran said, sticking his hand out. "Bring that to me. Let me give it a good throw."

Gideon's tail wagged as he brought the stick to Zevran. The assassin glanced around for a good place to aim it. Then he drew his arm back as he would when throwing a dagger and chucked it towards a spot between two other camps. One of them had a small fire going, and Niko could now see that Leliana sat among a group of soldiers there, strumming her lute. Gideon chased after the stick, but he paused, staring at Leliana as if he were as mesmerized by her song as the soldiers were.

The two elves watched for a moment before Zevran turned to speak to the Warden.

"Are you interested in practicing with that dazzling sword of yours while we have some time?"

Niko gave an eager nod. "I'll get Starfang and meet you back here."

-o-o-o-

Swords and daggers sheathed, the two of them walked toward a patch of forest not far from the main camp. Despite the fact that they could still see the campfires and tents from where they stood, the shadows under the branches and thick tree trunks made them feel quite isolated.

The smirk on Zevran's face seemed permanently planted there as he drew his blades, eyes fixed on his lover while circling him.

Niko's eyes narrowed in question, though he smirked back at him.

"Are you ready, my Warden?"

Hand reaching back for Starfang, Niko gave the sword a flourishing swing as he unsheathed it. "Ready."

The sword's blue light display never failed to capture Zevran's attention.

While his lover's gaze was caught on the ornate blade, Niko moved in quickly, gripping the sword in both hands as he brought it down on Zevran.

The assassin's eyes flashed with some surprise and raised both sword and dagger to deflect the hit. "Very good," he praised as Niko backed off. "I see you have been taking my lessons to heart." Zevran circled, matching Niko's cautious footfalls, and shot him a smug grin. "Playing fair is a charming notion, but so very impractical in battle. Now, let's see if you can wield two blades at once, hm?"

Niko nodded and was about to reach for his dagger, hoping he was strong enough to hold Starfang in one hand now. Zevran was not waiting for him, however. The Antivan was on Niko with both blades. Eyes widening, Niko lifted Starfang in time to deflect the attack. Zevran did not relent, laughing with ease as he moved right in for more strikes. Niko backed up, parrying with his heavy sword. He needed to get his dagger, so he let go, holding on with one hand so he could unsheathe the shorter blade.

While Zevran was not aiming to do damage, he was not taking it easy on Niko either. When the Warden reached for his dagger again, Zev saw the opening and took it. He thrust his sword forward, and was pleased to find that Niko was fast enough to dodge it in time.

All four blades drawn, they resumed their dance of death. As always, they anticipated each other's moves, matched each other's footwork… They knew each other well.

Sweat dripped down their backs, their breaths growing heavier. Still, Zevran grinned at him, as if he had something up his sleeve tonight.

"Now where did we leave off in our last lesson, hm?"

They continued their circling steps around each other, but their blades lowered to their sides. Niko thought back to the last time Zevran had imparted more secret Crow techniques to him. It had been on their last trip from Denerim to Redcliffe. When they'd set up camp the first night, Zevran had snuck up behind him...

"You showed me how to inflict deeper wounds that would bleed out," Niko reminded, though he had a feeling Zevran didn't need reminding.

"Ah yes." Zevran wasn't trying very hard to suppress the smirk on his face as he sauntered over to the Warden. He set his weapons down as he came up behind Niko, prompting the Warden to do the same.

Niko chuckled under his breath, grinning as Zevran pressed against his back.

"Yes, I believe we were about… here." Zevran's hand settled at Niko's waist. And even through the thick leather armor, the touch sent a thrill of pleasure to Niko's groin. He leaned in close to whisper in Niko's ear. "Do you remember what I told you?"

Grinning, Niko arched his neck to glance at Zevran. "Tell me again," he whispered.

Zevran smirked, happy to oblige "You can hit major arteries several times if you are quick. Your opponent will bleed out in a matter of moments. No need to spend extra time on the poor fool. You can move on to the next while they are writhing on the ground." His free hand moved to Niko's bicep, uncovered by armor, and Niko felt the squeeze Zevran inflicted. "There is one here…" He took off his glove, sliding a finger down Niko's neck. "And here." Niko huffed a laugh, and Zevran's smirk became quite filthy as his hand slid lower. Holding the Warden tight against his chest, Zevran reached down and splayed his hand out on Niko's inner thigh. "Here…"

Niko gasped, his skin burning as Zevran's hand went a little higher. The pressure of the assassin's fingers settled between his hip and groin.

"And there…"

Niko's breaths were coming out ragged, feeling his sense of control slipping as arousal overwhelmed him. Zevran's hold on him was tightening, becoming possessive. He pressed his forehead to Niko's temple, his teeth clenching as he felt his own restraint waning.

The potent smell of forest and sweat lingered in the hot air around them. Zevran breathed in the scent, regaining some control. He relocated his hand to Niko's neck, thumbing the smooth skin before moving up to grasp his jaw.

"What every assassin has in common is this: they thrive on that fatal blow." Zevran whispered so close to his ear, Niko could feel his breath as he went on. "Knowing that someone else's life is in your hands…" His grip on Niko's jaw tightened, and he forced the Warden to arch his neck so he could scrape his teeth against the soft flesh. "And that you have all of the power…"

"Zevran," Niko breathed, his eyes closing.

He needn't say anymore. Zevran released his jaw, spinning Niko around to press his back into a tree trunk. Their lips collided with force, pressing Niko's head back into the coarse bark. He didn't care, and impatient hands frantically sought out bare skin.

Their teeth clicked together, tongues sliding roughly into each other's mouths with more and more haste as they failed to get each other's belts and buckles off fast enough.

"Zev," Niko gasped, what he needed to say stifled by Zevran's lips devouring his own. He managed to finally speak when the assassin's mouth moved to suck on his neck instead. "Zev, we need things from camp…"

He felt Zevran's grasp on him tighten, as if the notion of detaching from each other made him want to hold on more. His kisses trailed up Niko's neck, slowing down and allowing his grasp to loosen. His smooth hands rubbed up and down Niko's biceps as their lips met again. It was a slow, romantic kiss that helped calm the taut sexual tension spurring them on.

When Zevran broke the kiss and looked at him, Niko saw mirth and cockiness in his eyes.

Wordlessly, Zevran reached for his belt pouch and produced a small vial that Niko recognized immediately. It was, after all, an essential in their nighttime fun.

Niko grinned, eyes full of delight as they traveled from the vial to Zevran's smirking face. "You do come prepared, don't you?"

Zevran chuckled. "One never knows when or where the moment will strike. Unfortunately, I did not come prepared with a blanket, so…"

Niko gently cupped his cheeks, pulling him in for another long kiss. When he released him, Zevran's eyes were wide and dark with lust. "I don't care," Niko said. "I want you right now."

The tension was pulled stiff once again, and Zevran attacked his lips with kisses while roughly tugging at Niko's leather pants. Niko helped by quickly undoing his buckles, and then moved on to Zevran's.

With hyper-focus, they managed to quickly remove every last inch of clothing, rewarded with the sight of bare skin. Niko gasped as strong hands gripped his thighs and hauled him up. His back hit the tree, much more uncomfortable without his armor to protect his naked skin this time. Zevran's wet lips were on his chest, and he held on to the Antivan's shoulders to stay up.

"Zev," he whispered, almost too overwhelmed by arousal to speak. But his eyes caught on a patch of soft grass nearby, and he knew what he wanted. "Zev, let's move over there."

With reluctance, Zevran turned his head to look where Niko was pointing. His eyes lit up, a mischievous smirk on his lips. "You want to make love on the forest floor, hm?" Not waiting for a reply, he held tight to Niko and carried him where he wanted to go.

Niko laughed, watching the light of the campfires outside of the forest disappear from his sight as he was lowered to the grassy floor. The green blades were soft but somewhat irritating. It was better than tree bark on his back though, so he did not complain. Zevran kneeled between his spread legs, eyes lust-blown as he stared at the Warden and opened the vial.

Feeling familiar pressure at his entrance, Niko's eyes squeezed shut as two lubricated fingers slipped in. He stifled a groan, knowing the pain would soon turn into pleasure. As usual, it took him a moment to remember to relax, and when he did, Zevran's fingers found a smoother path. Niko's pained grunts turned to sighs of pleasure masked only by the sounds of crickets in the forest and the troops still milling about camp not far from them.

Once he was able to move three fingers in and out with ease, Zevran removed them and reached for the vial again. Niko watched with hungry anticipation as the assassin slicked up his throbbing cock. It didn't go by Zevran's notice. He smirked at his Warden, hands moving to Niko's thighs as he positioned himself.

"Mi amor… are you ready?"

"Yes," Niko sighed, heart fluttering at those words. He watched Zevran spread his legs wider and soon felt the burn of Zevran's hard length entering him. A loud moan ripped from deep within him, and he was almost afraid the whole army had heard.

Zevran was less concerned about that. He gleefully moved his hands down to Niko's hips and slowly thrust himself in further, earning another moan from his lover below him.

Pulling out halfway, he sank in again. A feverish blush spread throughout Niko's body, unseen in the dark but definitely felt under Zevran's hands. Niko's skin was warm and damp with perspiration. Zevran felt a bead of sweat trickling down his own skin as well. He didn't mind the stifling humidity though. It came with the territory of summer love-making.

Niko was consumed with pleasure. His head fell back into the grass, peering up at the starry sky through towering tree branches. He heard his own heavy breath, panting huffs forced out of his lips every time Zevran pressed inside of him. He lifted his head, reaching for Zevran's shoulders to keep himself up so he could see the other elf. Finding Zevran looking right back at him, the sight of his lover left Niko's mouth gaping. He was magnificent; those long strands of hair glowing pale gold in the moonlight that filtered through the trees, his eyes holding greater depths of emotion than Niko ever thought they would.

His breath hitched as Zevran gave a longer thrust, reaching deeper inside.

"Zevran," he gasped sharply, the elf's name hitting a high pitch as it left his lips.

Zevran's response was to lean down and press kisses to Niko's chest and neck. Niko's arms wrapped tight around his shoulders, and their bodies arched together with every deep thrust.

Niko buried his face in Zevran's shoulder, closing his eyes as his worries trickled in. Tomorrow they would reach Denerim. This could be their last night together. He held back a surge of fear, clamping down on it and focusing on his lover instead. If this was indeed their last night, he wanted to give all his attention to it. His legs wrapped tighter around Zevran's waist, and his arms held snug around Zevran's neck. "Zevran," he whispered again. And this time, Zevran sensed the struggle behind it.

He turned his head, kissing Niko's neck and wherever else he could manage to reach with Niko clinging to him as he was. His arms encircled Niko's back, forearms digging into the grass under him.

As they clung to each other, Zevran's thrusts came harder, pressing Niko's body roughly into the ground. Niko couldn't help the tears he felt escaping his eyes. He wanted to hold onto Zevran forever, tell him how much he loved him over and over again. He couldn't manage a single word though.

He listened to Zevran's grunts and breaths as his hips moved frantically against him. And Niko's breath caught in his throat, reaching his climax just before Zevran. Their bodies stuttered to a gradual halt, sighs escaping their lips as they relaxed.

Niko didn't let go of Zevran's shoulders, leaving his face buried there.

"My Warden," Zevran whispered, stroking his hair. He wanted to ask if Niko was alright, but he knew what was going on in Niko's head right now. The same thoughts were going through his mind as well.

They didn't want to lose each other.

But tomorrow, anything could happen.