AN: I know it has been a while since I updated. I have been very busy with school. I wanted to post 4 chapters when I posted again, but this is currently the only one I have written. I figured I better post it, since I am not sure how much longer it will take to write the next 3. I truly do appreciate all reviews, favorites, and follows. Hope you enjoy.
Fenris was trying to concentrate on the words before him, but he found her distracting. As it was, she was perched on his lap and he was balancing the Book of Shartan on his arm rest. Thanks to the drawn curtains, the room was dark despite it being midmorning. Katherine had come to visit him the evening before and she had stayed the night. Fenris considered himself lucky that she had not pressed too hard to be intimate. He didn't think he could handle another dream that would surely follow had they spent the night "together". While he loved when she was present, he couldn't help but feel bittersweet about the whole thing. He couldn't combat the dreams and he couldn't see how the relationship could continue long, short of Danarius' death. And Danarius seemed firmly planted in Tevinter.
Because of their regular reading lessons, Fenris skill at reading had improved significantly. As it was, he could read several sentences before she would have to correct him or he would have to ask about an unfamiliar word. As it was, Fenris enjoyed being able to read things. All types of things-wanted posters, Varric's notes (which were often more extreme than his stories), or little notes on the bodies of enemies (which was often boring shopping lists or terribly written diaries).
Fenris' voice paused as Katherine suddenly leaned in close to him and placed a small, warm kiss on his neck. She repeated the action two more times, lightly nipping his skin the last time. He lightly cleared his throat, then continued reading only when she returned to her former upright position. The Book of Shartan was incredibly interesting and he found it quite inspiring. The words began to flow from him confidently and his heart rate pretty began to return to normal.
When she shifted again, he made sure to keep his reading steady. She began to snuggle up closer to him, lying her head against his upper chest. This time, he continued to read and ignored what she was doing. She began to run her fingers back and forth, going slightly into the opening of his tunic. Drawing to a halt again, he loudly cleared his throat. "If you keep doing that, we are never going to finish this chapter." He tried to keep his voice stern, but doubted that it came off entirely stern.
"Well, what do you want to do? Ravish me? I wouldn't be opposed," she answered, leaning back to look up at him. After a few moments of holding her gaze, he glanced down at the book cover. In response, she sighed. "I've already read it. A few times." Again, he didn't answer. She waited a few moments before speaking again. "Fine," she said with a huff of part exasperation. "Continue reading. I do enjoy listening to your voice."
Fenris nodded slightly. Refocusing on the book, he again began to read. After two more pages, he immediately halted when he heard his front door click open. He calmly closed the book and met Katherine's light blue eyes. "Someone is here," he told her quietly.
She paused a moment, before nodding. "I thought you would have locked the door," she replied softly.
"I would have. The lock is broken."
"Aveline probably knows of a reputable blacksmith," she responded quietly.
Fenris glanced in the corner, where his great sword lay. If need be, he could be to it in seconds. Katherine's weapons, as well as their armor, lay in the bedroom, where they had stripped before lying on the bed together the night before. Someone coming inside didn't automatically concern him because there had not been many looters visiting him. Perhaps the grime and dead bodies gave the impression that there was nothing of value to be found here. He could count on one hand the number of times that had happen. He relaxed as the sound of obscene laughter floated up to them.
"Sounds like Hawke," she whispered.
Fenris nodded. Footsteps could be heard on the stairs. At the sound, Katherine removed herself from his lap and took the now closed book from him. By the time Hawke entered, with Sebastian at his side, Katherine had seated herself on the edge of the table with the book in her lap.
"Well, look-y here", Hawke's voice greeted them.
"Oh, Katherine," Sebastian exclaimed. "Thank the Maker you are here."
Katherine didn't answer and Hawke took over the silence. He didn't focus independently on her or Fenris. "Well, it is good that you are both here. I need your help."
"This early?" Katherine asked with a tint of sarcasm. Hawke usually didn't do missions in the midmorning unless it was quite important.
"Yes, well, unfortunately not all my allies, or enemies for that matter, like to work in the evening. Sacrifices of sleep must occasionally be made," Hawke answered.
"What do you need, Hawke?" Fenris asked, cutting to the chase.
"You sound so thrilled to be involved," Hawke replied sarcastically. He paused a beat. "I need help with the Qun." Fenris nodded, understanding that, and asked no further question.
"And what do you need Sebastian and me for that?" Katherine asked, obviously not drawing a connection.
"I don't need you for the Qun," Hawke readily replied. Realizing he sounded harsh, he amended his statement. "That is, I have a different mission for you and Sebastian. Sounded like it could be promising or possibly excited . . . or incredibly boring, if you listen to Aveline. Either way, I'm sure you and Choir Boy will have an awesome time chatting and what not along the way."
"Oh," she replied, not sounding thoroughly convinced. "Okay."
Hawke looked to Fenris. "I was summoned to the Viscount's Keep. The Viscount asked for me, personally, by name." He paused a second and let out a chuckle. "Guess that means I'm making a name for myself." As his voice sobered, he continued. "He wants me to negotiate with the Arishok. Apparently, Saemus is making waves again. I want you to go with me to see him."
"You want me to translate for you?" Fenris guessed. He knew that Anders would have been Hawke's first choice if Anders was able to do the translating.
"Well, yes. I don't think he is going to want to discuss all friendly like over tea." Hawke let out a huff of air. "Besides, you can speak to him in his language if need be. And you can offer insight into any Qunari customs that I may not be accustomed to. Besides, you both are so serious. Maybe you can keep my gregarious nature in check . . . some." Fenris raised an eyebrow at his statement, doubting that very much. Hawke turned on his playfully pleading voice. "I need you to go with me. Come on, Fenny, please?"
"Very well." Fenris nodded, rising to his feet. "I am ready to assist you."
"We can pick up Varric on the way. He may help with negotiations. I had asked Isabela on my way here, when I stopped by her house looking for Katherine for the mission. But she said she couldn't because she had something important to do." Hawke paused a moment, clearly reflecting on the exchange. "Come to think of it, I don't recall her saying what the important thing was," he literally shook the thought from his head, "but either way, she isn't coming."
"And what will we be doing?" Katherine called out to Sebastian.
"It is for Hawke to explain," Sebastian replied.
"Well, before I left home for the Keep, Aveline paid me a visit. She seems to think it is quite urgent to talk to Templar Emric. She thinks he has unfounded concerns and is causing trouble for the guards. I thought that you and Sebastian could check that out for me. You know, act in my stead, as I would." Hawke paused a moment. "With him being a Templar, I thought you and Sebastian best for the job. Anders and Templar, no dice."
"So we are chasing after probably unfounded concerns?" Katherine asked.
Sebastian finally cut in then. "It is not necessarily unfounded, Katherine. We should approach any correlation of murders within Kirkwall with due diligence. If his notions are unfounded, all the better and we will bring relief to him. But if they are founded, we could catch a murderer long on the loose."
"Very well," Katherine responded. She sighed and stood up.
"Where is your armor?" Sebastian asked. Then he glanced at Fenris. "And his?" A slight blush was already stealing across his face.
"We were reading," Fenris answered truthfully.
Katherine held up the Book of Shartan. "It's a good read. As for the armor," she paused there. Her blue eyes met his gaze for a few moments before she returned her gaze to Sebastian. "It is far more comfortable to read without armor."
Sebastian still looked slightly skeptical, but he nodded. "I suppose that makes sense."
"Heck, it is far more comfortable to read naked. Perhaps you guys should try it, if you haven't already," Hawke broke in. He let out a hearty laugh. Stepping back to Sebastian, he nudged him in the ribs playfully. "You really believe they were just reading? Really? Varric doesn't call you 'Choir Boy' for no reason."
Now a true blush stole across Sebastian's face, but he didn't answer Hawke. "I'll get the armor," Fenris said quietly to Katherine, as he walked from the room. He quickly grabbed all the armor and her weapons before returning. After handing her weapons and armor to her, he began to focus on placing his armor on. He was half way sure that Hawke wasn't done teasing and the quicker he got dressed the quicker they could leave.
"And I am sure that the love bites on their necks are not actually love bites, Sebastian," Hawke called out loudly. No one bothered to answer him. "They are probably just intricately placed paper cuts. From the reading. That they both received. And look exactly like love bites. On their necks."
"Are you done yet?" Katherine asked as she fastened the clasps on her chest piece.
"I was just getting started really," Hawke replied in his good-natured tone.
"I am ready, Hawke," Fenris said aloud once his armor was secured into place. He walked over to retrieve his Great Sword.
"Well, I am sure that will leave you and Sebastian plenty to talk about," Hawke told Katherine cheerfully. She looked unimpressed. "Well, I guess we will be off."
As Hawke strode from the room, Fenris stayed where he was for a second, unsure of what to do. He felt oddly with Sebastian watching and knew Hawke would not cease teasing him if he did anything overt, like kissing her. Instead, he just walked to Katherine and lightly grasped her arm. Without saying anything, he gave her forearm a hard squeeze, then abruptly released her and spun around to follow Hawke.
"What a sendoff!" Hawke exclaimed, clapping him on the back. Fenris just kept pace, not responding to him. Hawke was likely to tease him all the way to the Qunari compound.