The Orlesian nobility, hunting wyverns. Not as interesting as one might hope.

Anders and Hawke, however? That was incredibly entertaining.

Anders couldn't seem to stop mooning over Hawke. That was pretty typical for him, actually, but he also couldn't seem to stop glaring at Tallis. Tallis, for her part, was completely ignoring Anders and giving Hawke coy little glances.

It was almost better than a dirty novel. Well, no, not really. But if one had to be chasing lizards through a forest full of nobles, it was definitely better to have a diversion.

Still, Isabela was a woman of her word, so when the opportunity arose, she broached the subject to Tallis.

"I don't think you ought to get too attached to Hawke," she said.

"Oh?" Tallis asked. "And why is that?"

"Because she's madly in love with Anders. She doesn't even notice that the rest of us exist."

"She seems to notice I exist."

Isabela shook her head. "It's all about Anders. He's been ignoring her lately, and she wants to get his attention. I'm telling you, it's disgusting how sweet they are."

Tallis pursed her lips. "If he's ignoring her, they can't be all that sweet. It sounds to me like there's an opportunity here. Maybe she just needs someone to show her how she ought to be treated."

Isabela raised an eyebrow. "You're going to steal Hawke from Anders?"

"Maybe. Why not?"

Isabela laughed. "That's your business, I guess. I'm just here to tell you how things are. If you want to throw yourself against a brick wall, that's your prerogative." And it should be highly amusing, she added mentally.

"Well," Tallis replied, "at the very least, I'll make sure Anders works for it."

Isabela shrugged. She certainly had nothing against that.

Anders wondered exactly how angry Autumn would be if Tallis were suddenly and inexplicably struck by lightning.

The elf was infuriating. She'd spent the entire hunt so far giving Autumn smug, appreciative glances. As if she were constantly thinking, I could have that if I wanted. Anders had an overwhelming urge to set her hair on fire.

He'd tried to let Tallis know that Hawke was taken in a number of ways. He'd been extra attentive to Autumn, touching her whenever possible, calling her love, anticipating her needs. Autumn had been smiling all day. Anders hated thinking it was Tallis's presence that brought that gleam to her eyes.

Isabela and Tallis had gotten ahead of them. Anders and Autumn were virtually alone.

Autumn looked amazing. Strong, fearless, untouchable. Beautiful, too, but that went without saying. She was completely out of place among all these poncy Orlesians.

Suddenly he couldn't stand it anymore, being so close to her. He couldn't resist the urge to pull her into his arms and kiss her senseless.

Don't do it, Anders, he told himself. You don't deserve her kisses. You'll only end up hurting her. If you give in now, you'll undo all the distance you've suffered to create.

Autumn looked at him and flashed him the most joyous smile.

"Fuck it," Anders muttered, and pulled her into the cover of the trees.

Autumn blinked up at him in confusion. "What are we–"

He cut her off, gathering her up in his arms and crushing her lips to his.

He wasn't expecting her reaction. It was immediate and visceral. She moaned and curled her body against his. Her lips parted. Her tongue found his.

Maker, yes. It was so good, so familiar and right. This was where they belonged, in each other's arms.

Anders thought he should stop, but he couldn't help responding to Autumn's urgency, her need. He wrapped his arms tight around her, drawing her even closer. Their tongues danced and teased. Her hands slid up his torso, and he found himself cursing the heavy armor that stood between his hands and her skin.

"Anders." Autumn sucked his bottom lip into her mouth, then bit it playfully.

"Fuck," Anders groaned. He was hard as a rock.

"Yes, please," Autumn murmured appreciatively. Her hands moved to the clasps at the front of his coat and began nimbly unfastening them.

"Maker," Anders panted. "Autumn. Wait. We can't–"

Her hands slid under his shirt, splayed against the skin of his belly, and he cursed again.

"I want you, Anders," Autumn breathed. "Please."

That please nearly undid him. Autumn began kissing that spot just behind his ear, that spot she knew drove him absolutely mad. It was all he could do to hang onto his control.

"Isabela," he managed to get out. "Tallis. Orlesians."

"I think we should leave them out of this."

Hawke's hand moved lower, cupping him through his trousers.

"Oh, fuck," Anders said, and he kissed her again.

The wyverns were completely forgotten. Anders was scarcely aware of where he was. All he could think of was Autumn – her soft skin, her sweet lips, the frustrating barrier of her armor. He kissed along her neck, fingers fumbling with the fastenings of her breastplate. Autumn moaned, her head falling back...

"I'm sure Hawke and Anders were right around here somewhere," Tallis's voice said.

They jumped and broke apart guiltily. Anders felt the loss of her touch as an almost physical ache in his skin.

"No, they weren't," they heard Isabela say loudly. "They were over there. Way over there. Come on, Tallis. We need to go look for them. Over there. Very throughly."

Hawke kissed Anders again, and he stifled a moan.

"No, they weren't," Tallis said, sounding annoyed. "They were right here. And we don't have time to waste. I want to get this over with so we can move on to the party before nightfall."

"I could use an ice spell on her," Anders whispered against Autumn's lips. "It wouldn't kill her. We could thaw her out again." Or not.

Autumn groaned and pulled back. Her hair was in complete disarray. Her lips were red from kissing. Her eyes were dark.

She was the most irresistible thing he'd ever seen.

"Your hair," she said, reaching up to fix it.

Anders said nothing as Autumn's nimble fingers smoothed his hair, tucking the loose stands behind his ears. Her hands were so gentle, and her eyes were so kind.

And he was...what he was.

Autumn must have noticed the change in his demeanor, the way he'd suddenly frozen, because she said, "Anders? What is it?"

"Nothing." Anders's voice was hoarse. He turned away.

He'd always been no good for her, and he'd never been strong enough to do the right thing. He hadn't been able to turn her down all those years ago, and nothing had changed. It was all well and good to pretend to give her distance, but when it came right down to it, when there was a real chance he might lose her, he couldn't stop himself from dragging her back into his arms and clinging to her for dear life.

Hawke reached a hand towards him, then let it drop by her side.

"There you are!" Tallis emerged from the tree cover with Isabela trailing behind her, looking pissed. "I was afraid I'd lost you for a minute."

Autumn ignored her. She was looking at Anders, searching his face, her eyes filled with a loss and confusion he didn't understand.

Then she took a deep breath, turned to Tallis, and put on a dazzling smile. "Oh, you couldn't lose me," she purred at the rogue.

Tallis grinned victoriously, slipped her fingers through Autumn's and led her back the way she came.

Damn it.