Long time no upload my dear readers, I am so sorry. Life happens as you all know :) I hope to be coming back into my writing and perhaps we can continue on this little venture! As always I hope you enjoy!
"Do you need a break Dragon Slayer?"
The white haired elf panted his arms trembling slightly as a ghost of pain rippled through his abdomen. "I'm fine," he growled at the Qunari before him. In response The Iron Bull rolled his eye and lowered his own weapon.
"Big Hawke said that if you start hurting that you need to stop…"
"It has been a week and a half," the elf snapped cutting the mercenary leader off even as he shifted his weight more fully off of his left side. "And by now you must realize that I rarely listen to 'Big Hawke' as you call him."
"Yes. A little over a week, since you nearly died from being basically ripped in half by a dragon, or arch demon, whatever the hell that damn thing is. We're done for today," Bull said firmly as he placed his axe back in its place at his back. He caught the look in Fenris' eyes as the elf sheathed his own weapon in a huff and inwardly frowned. With only a few measured strides the Quanri was at the elf's side.
"You don't need to prove to me or anyone else how strong you are or how quickly you can bounce back. That includes yourself by the way."
At that Fenris let out a small snort and flashed a tooth baring grin. "When are you going to get out of my head," he asked with less venom.
"I can't help it if I'm good!" The Iron Bull winking was something that Fenris always found utterly ridiculous. And try as he might the elf could not suppress his smile or the soft chuckle that rumbled out of his throat.
"So you say."
"Come on, my credentials are known far and wide! Ask any redhead in Skyhold and they'll fill you in on what you're missing." Fenris let out a barking laugh that abruptly cut off as his left side spasmed.
Instantly Iron Bull's arm was around his waist allowing the shorter warrior to lean into him until the pain passed.
This fit left Fenris breathing hard and shallow for a few long minutes. It had never taken him so long to recover and that ate at the white haired warrior. "For-forgive me," he muttered. "You should not have to support me."
"We've been over this," Bull said in a low voice. "I know I don't have to help you, support you, and spar with you or anything of the like. I want to. And in doing so it does not make me view you as needy or less than." Quietly Fenris leaned more fully into the Qunari's side.
The small shift made The Iron Bull's heart tighten in an odd way. His hand at the elf's side flexed to pull him a degree closer and for once Fenris did not pull away.
Instead his green eyes fell closed and he seemed to take a moment to simply breathe. The furrows that normally lined his handsome angular face smoothed and a small contented noise slipped from his throat along with a puff of air that tickled Bull's bare side.
Since their return from the elven temple Iron Bull had found himself in the white haired warrior's presence more often than not. He didn't really know why, nor did he feel like explaining to himself much less anyone else, but something about Fenris pulled him like the moon coaxed the tide.
"Thank you," the elf said softly.
"Fenris!" Hawke's deep voice boomed out across the courtyard drawing both of the warrior's gazes. The big mage easily hopped the fence surrounding the training ring and strode to stand before the elf, his brow furrowed as he reached out a hand glowing with healing magic. "I told you to take it easy."
"That was easy," the white haired warrior bit back as he attempted to wave off the mage's hand, "and I do not require healing, it is merely the phantom pain which you warned me I would be having nothing more."
"Pain is pain, and I can fix it. Master healer, remember?"
"I am also equally capable of drinking an elfroot potion to assist should I actually require the relief. I'm sure you have other things you should be doing right now than checking on me as if I were a child." The two men engaged in a glaring battle of wills for a long minute during which The Iron Bull watched them both with a sharp eye. The air between them began to charge and the mercenary leader realized that a bickering war was about to break out.
"The sex you two had must have been incredible."
Two sets of wide eyes turned to stare up at Bull as the mercenary casually crossed his arms over his chest. Fenris began to turn a deep shade of red then and Garrett after blinking a few times threw his head back and laughed.
"Sweet Maker Bull," the big mage rumbled shaking his head. "You know a gentleman never tells," he then added with a wink. "And if you're really alright I will take me leave then," Garrett said giving Fenris a softer look.
"Go," the elf managed to strangle out with a dismissive wave. The big mage gave both warriors one last nod before moving off. Once he was out of sight Fenris whirled to glare up at The Iron Bull who merely smiled innocently in return. "Why would you…what purpose did that serve!"
"Well it kept you two from turning a moment of concern into a full blown argument," the towering Qunari said with a shrug. "And I got to see you blush, that's always fun." Fenris' glare deepened as did the heat of his face until it pushed up to coat his ears as well.
"Sometimes I dislike your company," the white haired warrior growled as he fought to find a way to control his flush.
"You love my company," Bull shot back with a chuckle. "How is your side feeling now?" Fenris let out his breath in a long whoosh as he shifted from foot to foot.
"Better now, the cramps have stopped."
"Good. Now, want to grab a bite to eat? I'm starving and if you don't feeling like being in public we can just have something brought up to my room?"
"Darling if you glare any harder at that window it's going to break."
Dorian's casual chastisement forced Garrett to relax his stance a bit. The big mage had been glued to the window of the tavern that faced the sparing ring since the moment he walked in the door. The cool eyed Tevinter had simply taken in the sight of Bull and Fenris beyond the glass and patiently waited for his lover to join him for supper. However the distasteful stare that had settled on his face now had Dorian wondering at its origin.
"Fenris is pushing himself too hard…as per usual…"
"So why does that non-revelation have you looking so disgruntled? Unless…it isn't that at all, is it?" At that the scruffy mage chuckled and slid over to place a chaste kiss at the corner of the other man's mouth.
"You know me too well," Garrett growled low in his throat as his left hand gave an affectionate squeeze high on Dorian's thigh. "I'm sorry. I did not mean to ignore you so."
"I was unconcerned my dear," the grey eyed mage retorted turning to speak with his lips grazing against Garrett's. "But I am curious. Would you care to enlighten me?"
Another squeeze to his thigh and then the big mage gained his seat. Dorian poured them each a glass of wine, a savory petit verdot to satisfy both his love of rich dry wines and his lover's sweet tooth. They clinked their glasses together and each took a long drink before Garrett cleared his throat.
"It does not sit well with me that The Iron Bull has chosen to attach himself to Fenris," the hulking Ferelden finally stated. Dorian cocked his head to the side pondering his lover's words as their meal was set before them. They thanked the waitress who beamed at them before whirling off. Once she was beyond earshot the mustached mage retorted with a simple, "Why?"
Garrett shrugged his thick shoulders, "I can't quite put it into words to be honest. I hope you do not think that it is out of jealousy because let me be clear that this is not the case!"
Dorian rolled his eyes in response then cast his lover a comforting grin. "I truly was unworried about that dear. Is it because he is a spy perhaps? You worry that Fenris is ill equipped to handle such a character?"
"Partially but there is more to it…Fenris isn't ignorant nor is he some flimsy damsel. But Bull is highly…experienced and seems to have a relatively one track mind when it comes to the reason behind his attentions being placed on anyone."
"Have you considered voicing your concerns to Bull?"
"I am sure that would go very well," Garrett huffed with a defeated chuckle. "I should just mind my own business right?"
"There's nothing wrong in looking out for a friend, especially someone you have been so close to. I am here to listen as well if what you need is to simply voice your worries. But let us eat for now. We can figure out a way to approach The Iron Bull a little later, yes?"
"You really do know me all too well."
Fenris glared at the fork in his hand. He arm had begun to spasm again just in time for he and Bull's supper to arrive. Something he was diligently attempting to hide from the keen warrior seated on the bed a few feet away. He didn't want to admit to anyone how much pain he had been in the last few days. How the shaking had grown worse rather than better. How his paralyzing night terrors had begun to return full force in the wake of the trauma.
He was not weak.
"The chicken not to your high class standards Dragon Slayer," Bull quipped between bites of his own already half decimated meal. The elf laughed through grit teeth.
"I am just not as hungry as you it seems," he said. Though in truth he was hungry the kind of hungry that made one's head throb until a hot queasiness settled in. Maybe he needed fresh air the elf thought as his pulse began to roar in his ears.
The pain in his side abruptly spiked. The room was all at once too small.
The fork clattered down onto the plate as Fenris hastily shoved it onto the chest beside him and shot to his feet.
Get out. Get out. Get out, the elf's mind screamed over and over willing his bare feet to work even as his lungs struggled within his chest.
He took one jolting step forward then the floor sharply slid beneath him. The stone was suddenly rushing up to meet him and his body refused to respond.
His fall was halted by a set of thick arms wrapping around him. Sweat poured from his brow as his body helplessly shook. He felt as if he was going to be sick.
"Fenris, talk to me. What's going on?" The elf rasped for breath, his lithe frame trembling and shuddering against the Qunari's chest.
"I don't…know…air…" Iron Bull shifted the smaller warrior around in his arms and moved him to the large bed against the wall.
"I will be right back," he said gently as he brushed the elf's white hair back out of his eyes. Swiftly he opened the nearest window and then moved to retrieve his bag of salves and potions. "Talk to me Fenris."
"I do not feel very…conversational at the present," Fenris managed to wheeze out.
"Do you want me to get Hawke," Bull asked as he moved to the edge of the bed with an elfroot potion in hand.
"No!"
"Alright, I figured as much," the mercenary leader soothed as he lifted the elf's head up to assist him in sipping on the potion. "If you go into complete shock or something though, I am going to get someone weather you like it or not."
"Fair…" Fenris murmured as he shivered. The Iron Bull was beginning to recognize the white haired warrior's symptoms as being more in line with a panic attack than what he had initially thought.
"Let's get you more comfortable yes? I think I have something that could really help you out but only if you are comfortable with it?" The elf's eyes had been closed until that moment. Fenris peered up at Bull a small smile twitching his lips.
"Are you attempting to bed me again," he asked weakly.
"Considering that this is probably my best shot I wish I could say yes. But right now I'm a bit more focused on helping you feel better in a different way. Shocking I know. Though I will have to remove some of your clothing, lying in your own sweat isn't going to help anything." The elf shrugged.
"Thank you."
Bull nodded and again lifted the rim of the potion bottle to Fenris' lips. The elf managed to get down another third of the vial's contents before the Qunari set the bottle aside. Deftly he reached for the clasps of the elf's always present gauntlets removing them with startling precision. He paused once the metal claws were set aside and rubbed at the smaller man's cold fingers to coax blood back into them. Fenris groaned softly and shut his eyes as he sunk into the pillows. After the elf's breathing had become more deep and even, Bull removed Fenris' chest plate and tunic.
The usually vehemently shy elf only glared a little at that action, however once the mercenary leader moved to the waistband of his leggings he gave a sharp jolt. "Easy," Bull crooned, "I'll leave your smalls on don't worry." A faint blush colored the elf's still too pale cheeks.
"Must you?"
"Leave your smalls on? I guess not, if that's what you really want," Bull teased. Fenris rolled his eyes even as the blush crept up to the tips of his barely visible ears. "I promise that I won't take advantage of you okay? I'm pretty sure Big Hawke would sense it anyway and burst in here to barbeque my ass." That caused Fenris to let out a barking laugh.
"I doubt that."
"You must have missed him glaring at us through the window of the tavern after he'd stopped to reprimand you." Fenris lifted a brow in response and Bull nodded in kind. "Now, I'm going to take these off," he said snapping the waistband playfully. The elf swallowed hard and gave short nod of permission.
Because of the sweat it was like peeling off a second layer of skin so Bull moved slowly so as not to agitate Fenri's skin. As the leggings slid away the Qunari silently took in the elf's body. He was sexy there was no other way to describe the white haired warrior. His body was a series of hard planes and sharp edges. The swirling lyrium tattoos marking his skin only adding to the picture.
Bull's eye rested for a moment on the line hidden beneath black undergarments between Fenris' hips. Unless he was wrong, and the Qunari rarely was, Fenris was a large elf by many standards.
The white haired warrior's head was still swimming slightly, the sick feeling in his stomach riveting him to the bed, but watching as the mercenary leader ogled him made something new stir to life within him. He liked The Iron Bull, there was no denying that, and yes he found the giant warrior to be attractive as did most. But this was different than the casual teasing they had been engaged in.
Bull then set the leggings aside and turned to his bag of medical supplies. He removed an amber bottle of liquid and shifted Fenris over slightly so that he could stretch his damaged leg out as he sat at the elf's side. He popped the top off of the bottle and instantly the scent of mint, lavender and alcohol permeated the air.
The elf's nose wrinkled as the warrior at his side poured a generous portion of the liquid into the palm of his hand. "I did not realize that all Qunari used tinctures," Fenris said as Bull rubbed his hands together before beginning to rub the elf's torso.
"They don't," Bull retorted. "I found this recipe on a corpse during my time in Seheron." The Qunari said nothing but noted that Fenris had completely tensed at the mention of the damned battleground.
"Did you serve there," Fenris asked after a long silence had passed between them. Bull grunted and nodded as he moved to more deeply massage the elf's left side.
"I did. Most people could only handle being there a couple years at most and that's if they didn't get killed. I was there for eight."
"Too long," the elf breathed his voice hitching as a muscle spasmed beneath Bull's thick fingers.
"Too long," the Qunari echoed as he gentled his touch to re-relax the muscle wrapping down the elf's side.
"Is that where your leg became injured?"
"If I tell you, will you tell me how you got these," Bull asked as he poked one of the looping tendrils of lyrium that trailed over Fenris' chest.
For a moment the elf was silent then to the Qunari's surprise he moved a hand to settle on the edge of the brace hidden beneath the mercenary leader's pants. "I know what it is to have wounds that do not heal. You do not need to tell me of it."
The elf's words clanged through The Iron Bull in a way he had not anticipated. It was an unexpectedly sweet and earnest gesture. "As for my markings," Fenris continued, "I am sure that you already know of their origins. Or you would be a poor spy indeed."
"I had heard tales," Bull relented quietly. "An elf that can rip the hearts of his enemies from their chests with the flick of his wrist is at the least worth investigating after all. I know that you were a slave to a high ranking magister, how else would someone have the resources to give you such markings? I know that you were involved with the Champion of Kirkwall, however that happened, since I also know that you resist flirtation like most people resist death."
Iron Bull tenderly shifted Fenris over to lie on his stomach and began rubbing over the elf's knotted back. He worked over the sore flesh there for a long while pleased to note that the color was returning to the elf's body and the shaking had subsided. He thought that Fenris had perhaps fallen asleep the warrior was so still and silent.
Unable to help himself any longer Bull began to shift his touches from entirely medical to explorative. He enjoyed the elf's body and was currently thrilled to be tracing over the different slabs of tight muscle. The elf let out a contented sigh and shifted his hips slightly causing Bull to smile.
"Hawke was the first willing partner I had ever had…the only willing partner I have ever had," Fenris suddenly blurted out.