Anders extinguished the lantern's flame for the day and locked the clinic door behind him. His back slumped against the old wood. Tired, he untied his hair band and fisted his bangs, dragging the strands through his fingers in front of his face. He chuckled at the realisation that he had been distracted all day to the point where he had almost fused a cut-purse's broken fingers together instead of just mending the bones.

And all because his thoughts kept wondering to green eyes, staring at him with a look Anders hadn't seen in years, at least not openly directed at him and had never thought he would see on that particular face: desire.

It had reminded Anders of the strange incident from a few weeks ago when they had been looking for slavers on the Wounded Coast and he had caught Fenris staring at him then with something other than disgust in his eyes. Actually, he had all but forgotten about it until yesterday.

xXx

The previous day

'The Coterie hasn't bothered me lately. You don't have anything to do with this by any chance?' Anders asked his friend with a fond smirk, already knowing the answer.

Why Varric kept sticking his neck out for him, the mage couldn't say but he was grateful for the other man's easy company and honest friendship. Maker knew the ranks of his allies were dwindling with every passing day except for the dwarf and the voice in the back of his head that kept telling him it didn't matter because Justice was forever by his side.

'Blondie, now why would I do that?' Varric's voice dragged Anders back from the edge of depression he kept wandering these days. 'I've enough trouble as it is. ...oh, hello Hawke. Fenris.' Varric greeted the newcomers.

The Champion of Kirkwall strode into the dwarf's private room as if she owned the place with the broody elf in tow.

'I see you've got company. I'll see you later.' Anders said and made to leave. He had no desire to hang around because the odds were in favour of him ending up going some place with darkspawn and dragons or worse, Fenris.

'No stay. I think I could use you,' Hawke grabbed his biceps through his coat as he tried to brush past. He gave her an irritated look. 'I mean, use your skills,' she corrected hastily and let him go with a gentle shove towards one of the empty chairs.

For a second he considered leaving anyway but he knew that at this stage only his so called "friendship" with the Champion kept the Templars from his doorstep. He dropped into the seat with a heavy sigh, cradling his head into the palm of his hand, undoubtedly looking every bit like a man resigned to his fate. Hawke had the audacity to give him a winning grin before she turned her attention to Varric.

Anders lost interest in their conversation after five minutes and let his eyes wander around the room. Varric had an old fashion taste in furniture that belied his supposed non-attachment to his dwarven heritage. The mage wondered idly whether his friend was aware of it or not.

Out of the corner of his eye Anders noticed a shadow briefly blocking out the light from the lantern from across the room. Obviously Fenris had given up on standing around and decided to sit on the other side of the table. The mage spared him a brief look, the elf's attention apparently reserved for Hawke which suited Anders just fine. Better ignored than scorned. After all Fenris made no secret of his hatred of all things magic related in general and Anders in particular.

Although they had known each other for years, the mage still felt anger and disappointment bubble up whenever he saw the elf. Fenris should have understood, should have cared if an ex-slave couldn't understand what Anders and Justice were trying to achieve how was there any hope so-called normal people would. It was useless to dwell on the point but it was just so Maker forsaken frustrating! Anders rubbed his hands over his face in a futile attempt to rid himself of the unwelcome feeling.

With another heavy sigh he slid his fingers over his head and untied his hair causing blond bangs to fall into his face. He snapped his head back to gather the strands with both hands when he suddenly noticed that Fenris was staring at him. Anders head was still slightly tilted back, so he had to peek at the other man down his nose. The elf didn't seem to notice.

Fenris looked as if he was entranced, looking at the blond but not quite looking at him directly. Slowly Anders brought his head forward, releasing his hair from his fingers as he did so, spreading his hands in front of him on the table. If anything the elf's eyes grew wider as the mage's hair fanned around his face. To his utter surprise, Anders' cock jumped when Fenris unconsciously licked his lips.

Anders didn't dare move lest he would break whatever, for want of a better word, spell had come over the elf. It suddenly reminded him of what had happened on that day when they had fought on the Wounded Coast. Fenris had looked at him then as well when he had tried to gather...his hair. Was that it?

'What do you think, Blondie?' Varric's voice startled Anders so much he gave an involuntary yelp of surprise. He jerked his gaze away from Fenris but not before he saw realization of what had happened crawl over the elf's features together with a crimson blush that extended to the tip of his ears.

'You feeling all right?' Hawke asked with an irritated frown on her face. Apparently neither she nor Varric had noticed anything out of the ordinary.

'Yes, fine,' Anders snapped back, 'what was the question again?'

Hawke huffed and recapped the last few minutes while Anders quickly retied his hair. He tried his best not to look at Fenris directly. However out of the corner of his eye he noted that the other's gaze was glued to the table top looking utterly mortified.

xXx

Today

Anders was still not sure why he was doing this, Justice certainly thought it was a bad idea, but he just had to know. Maker knew the last thing he might see today would be a glowing fist reaching for his heart but it was too late to turn back.

'Here goes nothing,' Anders mumbled to himself before he let himself into Fenris' mansion.