Chapter 31

Jethann, busy with pulling weeds from the flowerbed, didn't know he had company until he heard someone growl something in a strange language. Looking up, he saw Fenris pacing back and forth, a steady stream of angry words pouring from his mouth. "Quite the colorful language there. What is it?"

Fenris whirled around in surprise to see the gardener watching him. "It's Arcanum."

"So, what's caused this sudden colorful ranting?"

Fenris scowled, "It's nothing. I'll leave you to your plants." He turned to leave.

"Are you sure?" Jethann pressed. "I thought things were going so well for you lately, between you and Gavin that is."

"Things are fine," he snapped.

"Well, since you're practically taking my head off, I have to disagree."

Fenris fumed silently and then resumed his pacing back and forth. The last couple of weeks had been busy ones. The nature of their tasks, not the least of which was facing down a rather substantial group of fanatics they caught torturing Qunari, had required the presence of the only healer mage they knew. And therein lay the problem.

He saw Jethann watching him closely and he knew the other elf wasn't going to let the subject drop. Finally he threw up his hands. "Okay. Gavin's not the problem. Well, he is, sort of, but our relationship is fine."

"So what's got you acting like a bear with a sore paw?" Jethann said as he moved to lean against a tree.

"It's that other mage, Anders," Fenris ground out. "Gavin doesn't seem to find anything wrong with the abomination flirting with him right under my nose!"

Jethann couldn't help but laugh and shake his head, "Gavin certainly is oblvious to his effect on people."

"I don't find it amusing."

"I guess not," he sighed. "People are always going to ogle and flirt with Gavin. Just learn to ignore it."

"I know that, and I usually do ignore it, but I can't this time," Fenris growled. "Anders only started doing this after he found out that Gavin and I were together."

Jethann frowned, "So, he never showed an interest in Gavin before this? Not even a little?" He saw the elf shake his head. "Gavin only ever talked about you. He never mentioned being interested in anyone else. So, I don't think you have anything to worry about."

"But what if-"

"What?"

"What if Gavin's interests change?" Fenris asked doubtfully. "I mean, Anders is so worldy, so experienced. He can offer so much more than I can."

Jethann gaped at him, not ever having seen Fenris so unsure of himself. "Gavin's interests won't change. And so what if you're not as experienced? If that's all that Gavin cared about then we would still be together."

That remark gave Fenris pause and he studied the other man closely. "You were in love with Gavin."

Jethann sighed and ran a hand through his hand, "I wouldn't go that far. But, I definitely felt more for him than I should have given my profession. And, I can't say that I wouldn't have jumped at the chance to call Gavin my own. But, no man likes to play second fiddle, and that's just what I would have been."

"What do you mean?"

"Gavin came to see me a lot," Jethann met Fenris' gaze. "But, most of the time it was just to talk. And most of those conversations centered around you. I knew that if he ever managed to convince you to give him a chance that I would be out in the cold."

Fenris considered himself a shrewd judge of people and he could see that the other elf was being honest. "I still don't know if I'll be able to give Gavin what he needs."

"Okay, if it was just Anders' flirting with him, you wouldn't be so bothered," Jethann puzzled. "Did something else happen to make you doubt yourself?"

"Anders said some things," Fenris growled. "Not to my face, he was talking with Isabella."

"That's that pirate wench that hangs around you guys," Jethann interrupted. "She's one who gets around, especially at The Rose."

"Yes, well apparently Anders and Isabella shared a bed in the past," Fenris continued. "They were discussing the ways in which the mage used his talents. Anders mentioned how there was more to making a man happy in bed than just sex, and that he could give Gavin more than, and I quote, 'a mage hating elf with warped personal issues'," he finished with a snarl.

Jethann frowned as he tried to determine what exactly the other mage had meant. He had some inkling and voiced his thoughts aloud. "It sounds like Anders thinks you don't have what he thinks Gavin needs. But what he thinks and what is true might not be the same things. I know Gavin's preferences better than anybody else in this town, and I can tell you that you do give him what he needs."

"Which is?"

"The only time that we actually joined our bodies, Gavin topped," Jethann stated bluntly. "You understand what I mean by 'top' right?" Seeing the other elf nod, he continued. "Well, I got the impression that it wasn't exactly Gavin's preference. I think he was just scared to be on the recieving end, so he made do."

"Given what happened in his childhood, I would agree," Fenris nodded.

"I believe that Gavin likes for someone else to be in control in the bedroom," Jethann went on. "Considering that outside of it Gavin is looked upon as a leader, it makes sense. You, my friend, are a natural top."

"There has to be something I'm missing though."

"Gavin's a bottom and you're a top. That doesn't mean that you can't change roles once in a while. If you change things occasionally, it will make your relationship stronger." Jethann pushed away from the tree and stood facing Fenris. "Also, you should know that Gavin is a very tactile person. He likes to touch and be touched. He also likes to cuddle."

"Cuddle?" Fenris was skeptical.

"I'm just telling you what I know Gavin likes," Jethann soothed. "It doesn't mean you have to go and do it right off the bat. In fact, it would probably make Gavin suspicious seeing as how it would be out of character for you. Just keep it in mind for some time in the future."

After a long silence, Fenris finally asked, "Do you think this might be what Anders was getting at?"

"Maybe," Jethann agreed. "But, I wouldn't go running off and doing these things just because you feel a need to prove something. Gavin lusted after you for years. Also, he understands what things must have been like for you as a slave. He has shown that he's the most patient of men, and he won't push you to do things you're not ready for. Don't let what others say make you doubt that."

"You sound very certain that I have nothing to worry about."

"Fenris, can't you see that Gavin loves you?" Jethann's voice was soft. "The only reason he hasn't told you is because he's afraid to scare you off. That's why no other man, whether human, elf, or dwarf stands a chance of luring him away. That's why I let him go when the time came."

Fenris considered these words very carefully. He knew that it was just his insecurities making him feel doubt. "I guess it's hard for me to see what it is that makes Gavin want me." He saw Jethann about to speak and held up his hand, "I know I look good to others. Lust is an emotion that I've seen in others' eyes, not just yours and Gavin's. But, like you said, if that's all that mattered then he would probably still be with you. I know I have some serious issues that many wouldn't want to deal with."

"I never thought that I would ever wish someone to die a slow and painful death," Jethann growled. "But, if I could, I would see to it that your former master suffered just that."

Fenris, surprised by the sudden admission, found himself liking this man whom he once considered competition. "Danarius is responsible for much of my pain, it's true."

"Fenris, you're strong and loyal," Jethann told him firmly. "You're also good looking and funny when you let yourself go a little. And, from the looks Gavin gives you when he thinks no one is watching, I figure you're pretty awesome in bed. You just have to believe in yourself a little more."

"I'll try," he smiled.

"Now, I have a suggestion for you," Jethann smirked a little. "Like I said, Gavin likes to be touched. One of the best ways to do that, which will also bring you pleasure, is to give him a massage."

"How is a massage supposed to help matters?" Fenris was confused.

"A massage helps to relax the muscles, and it provides a way for lovers to learn about each other's bodies," he continued. "You can learn someone's ticklish areas as well as those that excite them. Also, one spot in particular that's a real turn on for Gavin is the back of his neck. He loves it when you run your fingers down his scalp to his nape."

"And you think this will help to strengthen our relationship?"

"Absolutely," Jethann nodded. "As for the cuddling thing? Well, sometimes Gavin would just like to lay down next to me, his head against my chest, and hold me for a long time. I think it gave him a sense of security or something, I'm not really sure."

"I don't think I'm quite ready for that," Fenris shook his head. "As for the massage, that's one thing that Danarius never asked of me. I wouldn't know the first thing about giving one."

"All the more reason to do it then. I've given Gavin massages but he's never given me one. He may not know how to give one. I could teach you and then you could teach him."

Fenris glanced around quickly to make sure no one was eavesdropping. "I don't think Gavin would be too happy if he caught me getting a massage from you."

Jethann laughed at that. "I wasn't planning on actually giving you one, no. I have a book that describes such things in detail. I figured we could read it together and I could explain it to you. The whole point of giving Gavin a massage is so that you can both learn what the other likes."

Fenris considered this for a moment then said, "In that case, let's do it."

"If we want this to be a surprise, then we'll have to find a time when Gavin won't be around for most of the day," Jethann frowned thoughtfully. "I know, I'll go see Varric and see if he can find something with which to occupy Gavin."

"You know Varric?"

"Everyone knows Varric," he laughed. "He has more fingers in more pots than Kirkwall has nobles."

"It does seem that way sometimes, doesn't it," Fenris nodded, laughing with him.

"I'll go talk with him and then come find you at your mansion later," Jethann turned back towards the flower bed. "Right now, I have to get this finished. It's looking like it's going to rain later."

"I think I'm actually looking forward to this," Fenris said, somewhat surprised. Then he realized that it was getting near the time that Gavin said he'd be home. "I was supposedly coming here to read a little. I better at least do some of it before he gets home." He turned and headed back into the library.

Jethann watched him go and then smiled and shook his head. When he accepted the position of gardener, he had no idea he would find himself giving advice to the elf on how to please a man in bed. This was going to get very interesting.