Chapter 26

Gavin stopped just inside the gates to Hightown. "Varric, when you speak with Yehven, make sure you get a substantial reward for our troubles."

"Will do Hawke," the dwarf nodded, a gleam in his eye.

"Also, I want you to give my share to Anders," he said and saw his fellow mage gape at him. "You need it for supplies for your clinic."

"It's not necessary, I do manage well enough," Anders protested.

"You treat many of the poor for free," he shook his head. "Most of them are refugees, just like I was, only they lacked the skills and opportunities to make a better life for themselves. I want to help them and this is the best use of my money."

"Give my share to the clinic as well," Sebastian spoke up. "The Chantry provides most of what I need, and I have some money of my own."

Anders swallowed hard, unable to express his gratitude. "If you're sure, then I won't say no, thank you."

"Since you don't need me any further, I'm going home," Gavin told them. "I can't wait to get into a nice hot bath." He turned to the elf beside him, "Walk with me?"

Fenris nodded, said his farewells, and fell into step beside his mage. Since their conversation days ago, he'd been thinking that more and more, his mage. After they walked a ways in silence, he finally brought up the subject that he was sure was on Gavin's mind as much as his. "I hope you don't have any plans for tonight. We do have some things to discuss."

"No, no plans, well, other than a bath, and supper of course," Gavin answered nervously. His stomach suddenly felt full of butterflies. "You're going to join me, for dinner I mean, yes?"

"Wouldn't miss it," the elf replied, a small smile curving his lips. They came to a stop just outside the gate to the Hawke estate. "Give me an hour or so to go home and clean up myself."

Gavin nodded his agreement and watched the elf saunter off. Smiling to himself, he hurried inside. "Mother, I'm home," he called out as he entered the foyer.

Leandra came running out of the kitchen and grabbed him in a huge hug, "Oh my baby, I'm so glad you came back safe. I could barely sleep from worrying about you being down in that horrible place." She suddenly pulled back, wrinkling her nose. "Whew! First thing you'll do is take a bath."

"I know, I do smell rather ripe," he grinned ruefully.

"Yes," she nodded. "The water is hot as always, so I'll have Sandal fill the tub while you go get some clean clothes. I'll give these dirty things to Bodahn to clean," she indicated what he had on. She suddenly grabbed him in another hug, "I'm so glad you're alright."

Gavin returned the hug, feeling himself fully relaxing for the first time in weeks. There was nothing like coming home to family. "Oh, before I forget, Fenris is coming for dinner tonight."

Leandra pulled back and studied his face closely, something in his tone calling all her mothering instincts to the fore. "Is there something I should know?" she teased.

Gavin felt his cheeks flush and he couldn't keep a silly smile from his face. "I finally told him how I feel, and he feels the same way."

"Oh, that's wonderful," she cried. "I'm glad the two of you finally acknowledged what is between you. Now maybe you'll admit that your mother is always right about these things."

"Don't rub it in too much, mom," he grumbled.

Leandra turned him towards the stairs, "Go and make yourself presentable. I'll get started on dinner. It will have to be something extra special for this occasion."

"You don't have to go out of your way," he protested as he headed up.

"I know that, but I want to do this for you," she stated. "Don't forget to wash behind your ears," she scolded.

Gavin shook his head as she hurried away to the kitchen. Even though she sometimes treated him like he was still her little boy, he never complained about it. It kind of made things seem normal again. Upstairs, he quickly rummaged through his wardrobe, trying to decide what to wear. He didn't want to wear his usual clothes because most needed some kind of repair. But, he didn't want to get too fancy because it might make Fenris uncomfortable. He finally chose a pair of black leather breeches and a cream colored silk shirt.

He whistled as he headed down the stairs to the bathing chamber. When he'd been restoring the place, he'd discovered that the room had a huge vat for holding water, with a firepit located right below it. It was easy to keep the water inside hot, so that he could have a hot bath whenever he wished. Along with his huge bed, it was his favorite thing about the estate. He could get used to some of the luxuries being rich allowed him.

"Hello Sandal, everything ready?" he asked as he stepped inside.

"Enchantment!" the dwarf cackled before scampering out.

Gavin shook his head and quickly stripped off his dirty clothes. He stepped into the tub and with a groan of pleasure, submerged himself to the neck. This was just what he needed. He closed his eyes and thought about the possible outcomes of this evening with Fenris. He knew what he wanted: the elf naked and willing in his bed. However, he also knew that Fenris had some bad experiences in his past too, and so if it didn't happen tonight, he could live with that. It was enough to know that his feelings were returned.

"Do you need me to wash your back messere?" Bodhan asked as he entered.

Gavin started, not having heard his manservant come in. "Oh, uhm, no, that's alright Bodhan."

'"Very good ser," he nodded. "I'll just take these clothes and get them cleaned. Mistress Amell asked me to tell you that supper will be ready in a couple of hours."

"Thank you Bodhan," Gavin nodded in return. As much as he would have liked to soak for an hour, he knew that Fenris would be arriving soon and he'd already dawdled longer than was necessary.

Bodhan answered the knock of the door and bowed the elf in, "Welcome ser. Mistress Amell said that you should make yourself comfortable in the study while she prepares dinner. Messere Hawke is still getting ready. Is there anything I can get for you?"

Fenris was unused to being treated like a respected guest and found himself a little flustered. "I'm fine for now, thank you," he finally remembered his manners.

"Very good ser, I'll leave you to it," Bodhan nodded and disappeared towards the back of the mansion.

Fenris went to the study and wandered around it for a while. Seeing the large glass doors to the side gardens, he decided to wait on the patio. The day was still sunny and warm enough, might as well enjoy it. Also, he needed to relax a little bit. He wasn't exactly sure what to expect to happen tonight, how far things might go. He'd been dreaming of taking Hawke in that huge bed of his ever since their conversation a week ago.

He settled himself on the bench and contemplated what he might say. He wasn't exactly the best at conversation, unless it was a discussion about things he knew, like fighting. He looked down at his feet and tried to gather some ideas. A cheerful whistling suddenly distracted him and, looking up, saw a red-haired elf pushing a wheelbarrow.

"Hello, you must be Fenris," Jethann greeted as he came to a stop in front of the other elf. "Gavin's told me alot about you. I can see why he wants you, you're gorgeous darling."

Fenris just stared, too surprised by the compliment and the fact this elf knew who he was to respond right away. "And who are you?" he finally managed to ask.

"My manners," the red-head said. "My name's Jethann and I'm the groundskeeper for the estate."

"You and Hawke talked about me?" he asked suspiciously. "How long have you known him?"

"I've known Gavin for years, and it's more like he talks and I listen," Jethann chuckled. "I'm a good listener." He paused a moment, seeing that the other elf still seemed suspicious. Time to put him at ease. "I have to say, I'm quite jealous of you."

"Why would you be jealous?" Fenris was startled.

"Gavin is the kindest, most honorable shem I've ever met," he answered. "He's also the handsomest. I can only hope I find someone as kind and loving as him someday. You're very lucky you know. That man practically worships the ground you walk on. I think he'd do just about anything for you," he finished with a sigh. He saw the other elf relax a little.

"So, you're a servant here?" Fenris asked cautiously. He didn't think Gavin was the type to keep a slave. At least he hoped not.

"Yes, Gavin pays me two sovereigns a week," Jethann grinned. "I've been using some of it to help out people I know in the Alienage. I'm also trying to save as much as I can. One day, I hope to have enough to build a home and life for myself away from the city."

"That's good of him," was all he could think to reply.

"Don't take this the wrong way, because I just want to see Gavin happy," Jethann got serious. "Be careful in your dealings with him. He may look big and tough, but inside he's a real softie. He's also been hurt in the past. The way he feels about you gives you enormous power over him. If you're not careful, you could break him, and I don't want to see that happen."

"Why are you telling me this?" Fenris was a little angry at the presumption of the gardener.

"Because if you're not serious about him then you should walk away right now," Jethann retorted. "If all you want is a casual relationship, then you're barking up the wrong tree."

"I don't do casual," he growled. "But I don't know where this is going yet either."

"Well, just make sure he understands that," Jethann said as he picked up the handles of the wheelbarrow once more. "He's not entirely sure where you two are headed himself. Just be honest with him from the start and you should be fine."

Fenris watched the other elf go, a frown darkening his features. The way Jethann was behaving seemed to indicate that there was more than just friendship between him and Hawke. The idea of the other elf being with Gavin in bed made a hot lick of jealousy curl in his stomach. No sooner had that happened than he was chastising himself for it. He had no right to be jealous of someone from Gavin's past, especially since he couldn't remember his own past. He'd had sex a couple of times after leaving Danarius, but no relationships. Being on the run, having to hide all the time, made it impossible to form attachments.

Hearing voices coming from the study, he got to his feet and went back inside. He moved towards the fireplace and sat in one of the big armchairs in front of it. Maybe he didn't know where his relationship with Hawke was headed yet, but he made a promise to himself to be as honest as possible with the mage. He owed him that much at least.

"Mom, stop fussing, we'll be fine," Gavin said as he paused in the door to the study. He smiled and closed the door before turning to meet Fenris' gaze. "She means well, but it gets kind of embarassing."

"You're lucky to have your mother with you," the elf responded. "If I could regain one memory of my past, I would want it to be of my own mother. I sometimes wonder if she was at all like yours."

"Hopefully, you will remember some day," he said softly. Holding up a bottle of wine he smiled, "Can I interest you in a glass of Aggregio Pavali before dinner?"

Fenris chuckled and nodded. The evening was off to a good start. Hopefully, it would end as well or better than it began.