A/N: Angst, drama, hurt/comfort, and OOCness

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-Erasing the Taint-

The couple lounged in the comfortable silence, broken only by the crackle of the fire and the whisper of turning pages. Fenris was reclining against Toma's chest, while the mage used the elf's shoulder as a resting place for his chin, his muscular arm wrapped around the slighter male's thin waist.

Then the blond broke the quiet with a jarring question that caused the fair-skinned warrior to close his book without bothering to mark his place.

"Why don't you ever call Fenlen any pet names?" Toma asked his lover. "He's starting to feel as if you don't love him as much as I."

"You know that is untrue."

"I do, but does he?"

Fenris was silent as he straightened from his relaxed position, emotionally and physically distancing himself from Hawke.

The blond sighed heavily. "He's just a child, Fenris. He has insecurities like any other boy his age. You can't expect him to just instinctively understand your motives, not like I do. I can read you, lover; I know your face. Fenlen, however doesn't have that privilege."

There was a pregnant pause, the air stifling the couple with its emotional heaviness. Hawke let out a small sigh as Fenris spoke again.

"I know none other than those used by you," he said. "And I have no knack for making them up."

"Surely that can't be true." The elf shot his lover a look. "Well, perhaps it is, but why don't you take one of mine?"

"I couldn't. It would feel like stealing," the warrior replied.

Toma paused in thought before cautiously saying, "Did Danarius ever…"

"Yes," the elf snapped. "And I hated being called by them. It was… degrading."

"What were they?" the golden-eyed man prompted curiously.

"His favorites were 'My Pet' and 'Little Wolf.'"

"Little wolf doesn't sound so bad, and really it kind of fits him…"

"No!" the elf shouted and stood up angrily. "I could never call Fenlen something so tainted. He's such a pure child," he said more softly this time.

"I believe it is only tainted because you allow it to be," Hawke told him. "Danarius would have wanted you to feel hate and disgust towards the names he called you. Don't let that monster control even beyond the grave. He's dead now. Make the name your own."

"I… I don't know, Toma."

"Try it just once, love," the human murmured. "Tomorrow night when we put Fenlen to bed."

((That night…))

"Good night Papa, Mamae."

"Pleasant dreams, sweetling," the man replied.

Fenris hesitated a tick before saying, "Sleep well, emma da'fen."

Fenlen gave the elder elf a sweet smile. "Ma'arlath, Mamae."

"Ma'arlath." The warrior smiled back softly.

-Blood Craving-

"And the fisherman's wife said…" the mage nattered on about his strange day at the market, while his elvhen lover nodded absently, chopping vegetables for their lunch.

Fenris admired the view as Hawke bent at the waist to stir the stew cooking over the fire."

"…but that's all relative. Right, love?" The blond waited for an answer before turning around the look at the slighter male curiously. "Fenris, are you even listening to me?" he asked in amusement.

"Ah!" the elf started when a sun-kissed hand waved in front of his green eyes, cutting himself with the knife he'd been holding.

"Fenris! Are you ok?" the blond asked worriedly.

"I'll be fine. Just a scratch. I wasn't paying attention is all… Hawke?" the warrior was startled to see the mage's eyes glowing red and focused on his cut finger. Or more towards the fact that there was blood seeping from said cut.

Give in. You know want to. Just a little taste is all. Look at that sweet temptation. So, so red. Warm, filling, delicious…

"But I don't want…" the human protested.

"Toma?" Fenris slowly put down the knife out of the man's reach. "Toma, are you alright?"

"N-no I… Give it to me!"

Hawke lunged, but Fenris was ready for him, using the heavier male's momentum against him, he spun the blond, throwing him to the ground and straddling his waist. His demon-possessed lover was trying to grapple with him, but its disadvantage was too great. The elf had the demon pinned by its wrist, his other hand pushing down on the opposite shoulder.

"Toma, you can fight this! Wake up! It's me! It's Fenris, Toma! Come to your senses!" he shouted.

The silver-haired male leaned forward and pressed his lips to Hawke's. The demon growled into the kiss, but its struggles stopped. Fenris's lips moved against his companion's still ones, putting into it as much love and passion as he could muster.

Then Hawke began to kiss back, plunging his tongue into the elf's mouth and thoroughly reclaiming its well-known territory. Fenris's grip relaxed, but the blond made no move to free himself.

When they finally broke apart, the mage stared at his elvhen lover, gold eyes shimmering sadly. A few stray tears escaped as he blinked.

"Toma, what's wrong?" the green-eyed elf asked softly.

"You should hate me," he whispered brokenly. "I'm so horrible."

"I don't hate you. I could never hate you. You are my everything, you and Fenlen." Fenris stroked Hawke's cheek tenderly. "We will fight this demon together. I won't let you give in to it, emma vhenan," he told the man doubtlessly.

The mage smiled. "Ma'arlath, emma sa'lath."

"Ma'arlath." The elf smiled back.

)-Elvish Translation-(

*Mamae - Mother

**Ma'arlath - I love you

***Emma da'fen - my little wolf

****Emma vhenan - my heart

*****Emma sa'lath - my one love