SERENA

I blink open my eyes in a dim haze.

I'm . . . lying in bed with Fenris's bare arms wrapped loose around me. Streams of sunlight peek in from gaps in the distant curtains, by the alienage residence's door.

How we got here, I don't remember. I remember stumbling inside with Fenris, so I'm assuming he must've carried me. But the actual act itself? Nothing.

My likely savior's eyes remain closed, his quiet breathing escaping past his slightly parted lips, chest rising and falling in a peaceful, relaxing rhythm. Blurred memories from our long, drunken night before flashes through my head in rapid fragments. The intimacy of our encounter I do remember forces my cheeks to blush, and I gulp dryly upon noticing the trail of hickeys I recall leaving along Fenris's neck.

His still exposed, sexy neck.

My gaze wanders down to his tattooed, chest, my hand caressing along the tawny muscles with it.

Gods, he's beautiful.

I've always thought so, ever since we first met. Rudeness of our rough conversation starters aside. And now? After knowing him for so many years? Discovering all his good points and flaws? He feels even more so. To the point where, at times, he takes my breath away. Like right now.

I struggle to inhale a shaky breath, to regain my composure—head tingling lightly from the slightest of hangovers. But it's impossible.

How could I be so blessed? To have this man, and Zevran, content to be in my arms? Two amazing men, and they love me? Choose to be with me? Some Dalish, ex-warden with no real place or title to call home, enemies constantly coming pounding at my door, and a bad luck cycle that could inspire tragedies.

The thought of it warms my chest. Fills my heart until it feels like it might burst or bubble over.

This happiness. It feels so wrong, yet right at the same time.

Why? Is it because I'm afraid? Terrified I'll lose this again?

Or is it because of my Dalish culture? Our teachings versus being in love, together, with two men?

I ruminate in the silence for an answer, a part of me realizing it'll probably always be some mixture of the two. But I won't let it ruin this moment.

Instead, I choose to bask in this happy glow, to appreciate my time with one of these wonderful men, fast asleep, at peace in my arms.

I place my hand flat against his chest. His heartbeat thumps beneath my palm. A melody I'd do anything to protect, to preserve.

Smiling slightly at it, I slowly look back up at his face, focusing on the long length of his eyelashes, his pitch-black eyebrows in contrast with his stunning wisps of pure white hair.

And then there's his lips.

His soft, tempting lips, that kiss me in fierce, ravenous passion, as if each touch may be our last.

My cheeks burn again. How I want to just lean forward and close the distance. To let him unwind my being again and again. For days on end.

Why?

Why am I like this?

A frigid coolness washes over me. Rationality once more setting in.

No, I can't.

I can't do this.

We had our fun, last night. Now, today, it's time to refocus. We have too much to do. Too much-

Fenris's brow furrows with a grumble.

His gorgeous green eyes flicker open, their unworldly beauty surpassing any emerald.

Peeking down at me, a faint, knowing smirk tugs at the corner of his lips. Those cunning, seductive lips.

"Mm. Did you not have enough last night?" he asks in a low, gravelly timbre, still rough from sleep.

Slowly, he brushes some fringe out of my eyes, his other hand grasping gently at my palm at his chest.

Before I can sputter out an answer, shook that I'd been caught, he bends down and kisses me on the lips. My eyelids flutter shut. Every thought process: cease. His soft lips meld against mine, the weak taste of whiskey still harsh on his tongue, its scent and flavor drawing me in.

When he pulls away to stare me in the eyes, I'm lost in a daze again. Unable to think, to feel, outside of the numb, fuzzy tingles tickling throughout my body.

Fenris chuckles darkly. His amusement: clear.

My jaw drops. Unwilling to let him get away with the tease, I shove his shoulder so he lies flat on his back and straddle him at the waist, both hands holding his arms down.

"Never," I whisper, at last answering his question.

Bending forward, I kiss him this time. Slow. Careful. Purposeful.

Something only meant to get him back. But then, he grabs onto my waist. His fingers knead into my lower back, my skin, and his tongue winds more heated with mine.

When we at last separate, panting for breath, he peers up at me with a half-lidded gaze. His lust and appreciation for me and my antics obvious.

Perhaps we don't have to get back to business just yet.

It'd be such a shame to interrupt such a moment, and I did say I want to enjoy our time together to the fullest.


ZEVRAN

The mansion's brisk interior is obscured by darkness upon my late night return. However, I immediately notice three things at the top of the winding, foyer stairway.

First, the smell. Ripe with fresh, popped wine and the familiar musk of steamy lovemaking.

Two, the clothes, weapons, and armor strewn about. Scattered across the stone floor. Abandoned in a rush. Forgotten. Snaking from outside the master bedroom's door all the way to the edge of the internal mattress. Along with several toppled bottles piled at its end.

And three, out of the two distinguishable bodies curled up under said bed's blankets, Fenris instantly sitting up the second I pass through the open archway, lyrium markings glowing bright blue, with a feral look in his green eyes, white hair delectably tousled in all directions.

"I see you two enjoyed yourselves thoroughly while I was away." I snicker and step into a beam of moonlight.

Fenris snorts out a loud sigh, his tense posture and magical radiance quickly waning.

"Yes . . . She is quite . . . needy," he whispers, smirking down at Serena, fast asleep and naked at his side. Unmoving.

I smile at her as well, appreciating the blissful expression on her unwary face. "What did you expect?" I chuckle, unfastening my weapons and armor to add to their collection on the floor. "She married me, after all."

I wiggle my eyebrows at him to which he ignores.

"How were your meetups?" he diverts the subject matter, peering over at me again, at last tearing his tender gaze away from Serena. Albeit, no doubt, reluctantly based on his blank expression.

"Droll but fruitful." I shrug, kicking off my boots. "I have a few new missions for us, that should keep us busy and well fed for the next month."

Fenris nods, understanding.

Now stripped down to only my trousers, I crawl into bed along Serena's other side, scooting closer to her bare back, under the thin, wool blankets. She stirs, pivoting to me slightly. Her teal eyes barely squint open, trying to focus on me. No alarm. Merely confused curiosity.

Putting one hand under her pliant chin, I kiss her gently on the lips. She purrs into it. Her soft mouth immediately granting me entrance.

The tips of our warm tongues caress for a few seconds, her familiar taste of sweet red wine satiating my longing, thirst, until I pull away and stop, content to let her breathe.

Serena hums in quiet satisfaction and cuddles against my chest. Her slow, rhythmic breathing swiftly resuming.

I hold her close, rejuvenating myself with her cold, smooth touch. Happy to envelop her body in my warmth, even in sleep, if it means she'll remain in my arms. Her close proximity welcome after the rough several days spent apart.

Absentmindedly, I stroke a few thoughtless fingers through the back of her long, silk-like hair. A part of me debating if I should allow her to continue to rest, like so, or indulge in a bit of fun myself. The temptation rising the more I think of all the fun of theirs I missed, and what a show it must have been, to exhaust her so. The heat in my gut rising merely considering it.

Seeing the peaceful rise and fall of her thin shoulders, however, as well as her lack of responsiveness, I opt for the prior.

A quiet moment like this for us is rare. It would be cruel to interrupt.

But how long will this peace last?

A grand storm looms on the horizon. That much I am certain. All of my contacts assure me of such. Enclosing on the lot of us like an unseen vice.

My only hope? It will at least outlast the morning.

After all the trouble I have been through the past few days, securing deals for us and so forth, like a responsible contributor of this household, I think I am deserving of a reward. And I've got just the idea in mind. Though, the whole morning would be required for the entirety of it.


Author's note: I promise there's a reason why I included this chapter, other than just liking a little bit of fluff and romance (hint: some foreshadowing for the future and not just regarding the major war to come). With this chapter finished, we're now at the chaotic conclusion of DA2 (finally! No more peace after this lol. Thank god. Sorry for anyone that likes that, but I prefer chaos. It's easier for me to write).

Next chapter probably won't be coming out until the week of the 15th since I'm moving this next week, and I'm going to be busy from that. Thanks for reading as always and stay tuned! I can't wait for you to see these next exciting sections!