Chapter 23

'Amelie,' came Catherine's voice from the kitchen. 'Come on you silly cow, breakfast is ready,' she says as she begins to pour the tea. 'Oh maker almighty, look at you,' she said as she spotted her friend shuffle in through the doorway. Amelie had some serious bedhead going on and she looked a little worn and barely looked her best friend in the eye as she sat at the table with her head on her arms. 'How you feeling Ami?' She says softly as she plonks down a mug of tea in front of her.

'Rough,' Amelie moans.

'Well that's what you get for spending a week screwing an elf,' Catherine snorted in laughter.

Amelie gave her some serious side eye before she reached out and grabbed the mug. 'It wasn't a week,' she replied. 'It was like two days,' she mumbled as she pulled her tea close.

'And then two more days,' Cat grinned.

'No... we had a break,' she muttered with a grin.

'Ah yes, you still need to eat. Though you probably ate enough co-'

Amelie held up her hand and muted the woman. She looked up at the smith and smiled to herself as Catherine cursed at her in good humour. 'Oh don't worry it was a short one, you'll be able to speak in a few minutes,' she laughs. Catherine pushed a plate of food towards her and grabbed her own breakfast. 'I'm guessing that Garrett needed Fenris for something?' She asked even though she knew there would be no reply. 'Probably for the best, I mean I saw Leto briefly a couple of days ago but he didn't leave here in a good mood. I should go see him and set things straight,' Amelie sighed.

A few minutes passed and Catherine could hear her voice again, 'he wasn't too happy about you and Fenris huh,' she said in sympathy.

Amelie bit into a sausage and shook her head. 'More disappointed I think, but I was as truthful as I could be. I love Leto, I know he loves me, but like you said, it's in a different way to what I have with Fenris. I tried to make him understand that Fenris isn't replacing him at all, I think he just needed some mental space after all that. I've already said that I won't choose between them, they're just going to have to cope with being in each other's lives. Is that selfish of me?' Amelie asks as she sips her tea.

'Hell no!' Catherine says through a mouthful of toast. 'Fuck 'em, they have to share!' She grins. 'Besides, you're mine first, I'm just lending you to the elf for a little bit,' she teases making Amelie smile. 'Also, Garrett took Fenris down to the Qunari compound... Amelie, I think it's going to be that war,' she said with a crack in her voice. 'That uprising,' she said.

Amelie looked at her best friend and saw nothing but fear in her eyes. 'Hey, hey, hey, hey, Kitty Cat, what's the matter? Is it about Garrett? Y'know he'll be fine, I mean I was and he's a far better Hawke than I ever was,' she assured. She reached across the table and took the smith's hand. 'Come on, you know we said we can't interfere... not even for...mother,' Amelie mumbled. 'Not after I made that mistake with Hadriana,' she sighed. Catherine nodded and wiped her eyes.

'I don't like remembering the uprising, Ami, it wasn't a good time in my life,' she whispered. 'I know you know. Doesn't mean I want to relive it. What are we going to do? I mean, you have Fenris and I have Garrett, what if this is the reality where one of them dies? What do we do?'

Ami clenched her hand, squeezing her fingers. 'We can't think like that Catherine,' she said firmly. 'We just have to trust them. That's all we can do.'

The smith nods and they both return to their breakfast once finished they started to clean the kitchen and the horrendous mess that Cat had created when making food. There was a little silence that was eventually broken. 'Ami, will you promise me something?' She asks in a small voice.

'Of course, Cat, what is it?' Amelie asked as she dried the plates on a towel before placing them in the cupboard. She had to kneel on the kitchen side in order to reach the cupboard but less said the better.

'Save him,' Catherine said simply.

'Huh?' Amelie said as she slid off the counter.

'Save Garrett,' she repeated looking her friend in the eye. 'If there's a chance he might die, save him. You have to. You promised,' she said. Amelie felt like she had been backed into a corner, Catherine was her best friend and she wanted to do anything to make her happy.

Amelie nodded. 'Yes, I promise,' she sighed lightly hoping that it would never even come to that. 'I'm gonna go have a bath and we'll go down the Hanged Man, see everyone, then I'll see Leto,' she said as she hugged Catherine and kissed her cheek lightly. 'I love you, Kitty Cat,' she says softly.

'I love you too, Ami,' her friend replies squeezing her head in affection. Amelie bites her lip as she walks away to her bath, she didn't want to get involved and now the repercussions of that decision was hitting her; it would mean that she couldn't warn Fenris about Danarius. She shook her head to dispel any negative thoughts, live in the now, Ami, don't think about the future. That's a dangerous path, she thought to herself. After her wash she felt a lot more herself. She scrunched her hair to boost her curls as she decided on what to wear. She wanted to look nice, there was a chance she could run into Fenris. They hadn't really left her bedroom and interacted outside with other people in the last week. She didn't really know what that was going to be like, would he be affectionate? Would he kiss her? Or would he just share one of his soft smiles and she would have to be content with just knowing their intimacy? Irregardless she wanted to make an effort. Settling on an old favourite of a dark, long sleeved blouse with the usual under bust corset with matching skirt and a stolen pair of Isabela's boots. She nipped into Catherine's room and stole some of her make up, getting caught as she dashed out the door, Kohl in hand. 'Your perfume,' Cat said as she discovered it under the dresser as she wandered in to reclaim her cosmetics. 'Aww, you look lovely. Getting laid agrees with you,' she smirks making Amelie pull a face at her. 'Come on, the pub calls,' she encourages.

The walk up to the Hanged man was uneventful and it wasn't until they entered Varric's room that Amelie began to regret her decision. Catherine opened the door and they were greeted with whoops and cheers. Isabela whistled loudly and Amelie gave Cat a look. 'Catherine-' Amelie sighed as she was high fived, technically low fived by Varric as she went to sit down.

'I didn't say anything!' The smith said quickly as she grabbed a beer from the pirate who was still cheering loudly.

'Maker almighty, does everyone know?' Amelie asked her face bright red.

'Well, yes, but it wasn't intentional,' Varric chuckles as he passes her a glass of white wine. 'Broody came in after about a week of complete disappearance, he was dragged in by Hawke. We took one look at him and we just knew. We didn't know who until Leto came in a few hours later and drank himself stupid,' he said patting her thigh. 'We just put the puzzle pieces together,' he smiles. 'It's good to see you both happy-'

'Though Leto isn't,' Amelie sighed as she leaned back in her chair.

'Don't think about it, you're seeing him later anyway,' Catherine said softly as she sipped her beer. Isabela slid into the chair next to the mage and stared at her with a grin that threatened to split her face in half. 'You seem happy,' Catherine said to the Pirate.

'…...banged you like a door in a hurricane huh,' she whispered to Amelie making her choke on her sip of wine. Isabela screeched in laughter. 'I need all the details, I need to know everything,' she almost bounced in her chair. Amelie was already red from before but now her skin looked like it was on fire. 'Oh come on, just a few details, just a snippet, like, how far do the tattoos go? Are they like all the way dow-' Isabela was saying suggestively with hand actions before she found herself with an unknown hand across her mouth.

'Don't go teasing her Izz,' Garrett says as he removes his hand and hugs Catherine as she stands up to greet him. 'Morning Ami, you look very pretty today,' he smiles as he winks at her. Amelie stands up abruptly.

'Oh would you look at that, my glass is empty! What a shame, I'm just gonna go grab some more!' She says in a high falsetto. She makes her way through the room and down into the bar where she leaned against the counter wishing a hole to the fade would appear. 'I wish this day would be over,' she said to herself. Waving her hand in the bar keep's direction she ordered another glass of wine, 'I should have stayed in bed,' Amelie muttered as she thanks the barman for the drink and slides over a coin. She felt someone move close to her and she sighed, 'Izzy, I already told you I'm not saying anything, might as well go ask Varric, it'll be much more interesting than anything I'll tell,' she says dipping her finger into the wine and swirling it. The presence didn't leave and rolling her eyes she turned around to confront this person.

'Good morning, Amelie,' Fenris said softly as he moved closer. A smile burst onto Amelie's face, she stood up wanting to hug him but she didn't know what to do. He closed the space between them and reached out to brush her cheek. 'I did not realise that our time together was not very interesting,' he says quietly with a half smile making her blush and shake her head. 'Are you well this morning? You look beautiful,' he murmurs as he gingerly leans forward and kisses her forehead.

'Thank you, and yeah, I'm fine, just a little tired,' she smiles. 'I haven't slept a lot,' she smirks watching his ears turn a little pink with her teasing. Amelie moves closer and hugs him gently, he paused before embracing her. 'You left early this morning,' she murmured.

'Hawke was forceful,' Fenris sighed as they parted. 'He caught me in the foyer when I went down to see what his Mabari was barking about,' he rubbed his eyes. 'Tensions are high in the Qunari camp,' he adds. Amelie pulls out her best poker face and just nods. Fenris raises a brow and makes a mental note to ask her later in a less crowded space. 'Are you planning on anything today?' He asks as he picks up her wine and tastes it, pulling a face. 'You need better wine,' he remarks making her giggle.

'I was going to see Leto today and then I might go to the yard, it'll be foaling season soon,' she says as she takes her terrible wine back. 'Do you have plans for this evening?'

Fenris leans on his elbow on the counter as he reaches out to twirl one of her curls in a finger. 'I have a plan for this evening,' he says, his voice low and eyes full of intent. Amelie blushes heavily and bites her lip, maker almighty I just want to drag you to a closet, she thinks trying to get a hold on her hormones. 'Would you like me to escort you to see... Leto?' He asks as he pings her curl up and down making her laugh lightly.

'No, it's okay, I think he'll be happier if it's just me,' Amelie says softly. Fenris grits his teeth but nods and takes it in his good graces. He looks over her shoulder and straightens up letting go of her hair.

'I do not think you have a choice,' he says making Amelie turn around. Leto had walked in and spotted them both by the bar. His expression was readable from a distance. Amelie decided to act like everything was normal.

'Leto!' She says happily as she crosses through the tables and the few people around to give him a hug. She wraps her arms around the elf's shoulders and grips him tightly. He gladly returns her embrace picking her up as he squeezes her. 'I've missed you!' She babbles happily as he puts her down and kisses her forehead. Fenris grinds his teeth, he didn't like how touchy Leto was with Amelie and having just kissed her forehead a few minutes before it really rubbed him up the wrong way. 'I was going to come see you, it's Wednesday. I wondered if you wanted to come to the Yard with me as well? We could have lunch!' She says excitedly.

'If that is what you would like, I am happy to do so. Would you like to have dinner this evening?' He asked as he nodded at Fenris before turning to Amelie.

'Oh, I-' Amelie began.

'She already agreed to dinner with me this evening,' Fenris said simply as he came over and placed his hand on her shoulder.

'But, it's okay, I can have dinner with you tomorrow night!' Amelie said with a bounce. 'Is that okay?' She asked. The tension was making her feel sick, she did not like being stuck in the middle here. Leto smiles and nods at her as he strokes her hair lightly, it was clear the physical affection was a lot easier for him and it scratched across Fenris' nerves. 'I'm going to say goodbye to Cat and then we'll get going okay?' She grins. Fenris couldn't help it, her happiness was contagious, he loved it when she was bouncy; being around Leto on the other hand he did not.

'You look well,' Leto said as he shifted his weight onto his back foot. He was dressed in leggings and a tunic, a dagger strapped to his thigh. He didn't wear his armour any more and had let his hair grow to the point that he could tie it back. 'Ami seems happy,' he adds.

Fenris resisted the urge to cross his arms and snap. He breathed in deeply, 'yes, Amelie,' he said firmly, 'is happy. She said that you have settled into the city,' he attempts to make conversation.

'Well, it was my home for over ten years before I arrived here,' Leto shrugged. 'You are young, you would not understand yet. If you will excuse me,' he says as he spots Amelie walking down the stairs talking to Catherine as the others followed her. Fenris had to inhale deeply and clench his fists, it was a cheap barb and shouldn't bother him but it did. Amelie bounced over to Leto, she was clearly excited about the day ahead and Fenris didn't wish to spoil it.

'Ready?' She asked Leto who nodded. 'Okay, Fenris, I'll see you for dinner,' she smiles as she touches his arm. Leto placed a hand on her shoulder and steered her towards the door. Fenris scowled, ignoring all the anxiety and their friends that were surrounding him he moved over to Amelie and pulled her from the other elf. 'What's the matt-?' She began before Fenris kissed her. He had wanted to kiss her since the moment he saw her at the bar. He wound his hand into her hair and pulled her close feeling her tense up against him before relaxing into his embrace. After a few moments he let her go, pressing his forehead against hers.

'My Amelie,' he whispered, making her blush and smile.

'You fool,' she said softly, kissing him on the cheek and pulling away walking back to Leto who had a sour look on his face. He quickly whipped out a smile as he saw Amelie looking at him though. Fenris felt satisfied and quite smug until he heard Hawke chuckling next to him. He managed to ignore him until Amelie and Leto had left the pub.

Fenris looked over at Hawke who was sniggering and ignoring Catherine's death glare. 'What?' Fenris stated simply.

Varric smirked and grabbed a bottle of wine dragging Isabela by the arm as they returned to their rooms. Catherine rolled her eyes as she followed the dwarf upstairs, leaving the two to talk. 'You. You're so predictable. You just couldn't bear to see Leto affectionate with Ami, could you?' Garrett grinned. 'Look I get it must be hard to see him-'

'No. You do not get it. I wish to be able to be like that, I wish to tell her how I feel and show her...' Fenris sighed. This was neither the person nor the place that he wanted to talk about this. 'I just... this is new and I do not like the idea that... She is the first person I have come to care about and...' he rubbed his eyes. 'I want to protect her. Danarius is still looking for me,' he muttered. Hawke ordered a bottle of red that he knew Fenris found tolerable and handed it to him. He motioned with his head to a spare table that was away in the corner. They sat down after removing their cumbersome weapons, Fenris rolling his shoulders to get comfortable.

Hawke opened the bottle and pushed Fenris to take a sip. 'Look, are you two just screwing?' He asked. Fenris glowered at him but Hawke didn't back down from the question.

'No.'

'So it's more than that?'

Fenris sighed and drank more wine before handing the bottle over. 'Yes, I feel it is more than that,' he admits.

Hawke smiles and nods. 'Yeah, I thought so. We all do. Look, at the moment you two are like dogs in heat, it's all passion and that will fade which is normal,' he says simply. 'What's left afterwards is what matters. As long as Ami knows that you care what happens in public doesn't matter,' he reassures. Fenris gives him a look, it's not that he didn't know what Garrett was talking about.

'Have things... calmed down between you and Catherine?' Fenris asked simply. 'That catching you two in the kitchen was a mere lack of hindsight?'

'Well no. Can't say that it has actually,' he admits with a smirk. 'Look, don't let Leto rile you up. If Amelie thinks that you're only showing affection because you're trying to one up him, then you're in trouble,' he warned. 'Show plenty of affection at home and you will be secure in the knowledge that she knows you care when you're out,' Garrett suggests. Fenris nods, made sense. Unfortunately. 'Come on, apparently there's a high dragon about and I want Varric's opinion on it.'