Chapter 33

Fenris opened his eyes and lay quietly for a while listening to the sounds of the house. Glancing at the window, he saw that it was sometime before dawn, judging by the hazy light coming in. He yawned and then stretched, feeling well rested. He loved sleeping in Hawke's bed. The man didn't put too much stock in material things, but he did like his comforts, and the matress he'd chosen was, in a word, superb. He knew, without asking, that Gavin would be pleased if he moved into the estate, but he wasn't quite ready for that yet. Danarius was still hunting him and he needed to keep his guard up, something more easily accomplished in the magister's own mansion. Also, he was still struggling with his feelings and moving in would require a level of commitment he wasn't sure he could give at the moment.

He turned on his side to watch the man sleeping beside him. Last night he had put what he learned about massages to work. He'd been pleasantly surprised that Jethann had been right about it being as pleasurable for him as for his partner. He'd learned that Gavin wasn't ticklish at all, but also that, in addition to the nape of his neck, his feet were a particularly erogenous zone. It wasn't until he'd asked Gavin to turn over that he realized just how good his massage was. Gavin had been rock hard and quivering. He had continued the massage until Gavin was begging him for release. After he had brought Gavin to orgasm, the mage had simply lain there staring up at him with a look in his eyes that could only be described as adoration.

You are amazing.

Those words, spoken in a near reverent whisper, had caused him to flush with pleasure and his lips to curve in a pleased smile. Gavin had then encouraged him to take him, and he did. But it had been different from their previous joinings. He had taken his time, been slow and gentle, and had brought Gavin to climax twice more before finding his own release inside the mages body. Afterwards, Gavin had held him close, almost cradling him, like he was some priceless treasure and the feelings that had engendered in him had almost brought him to tears. He had felt loved, something he couldn't ever remember feeling. They had fallen asleep like that.

Then, in the middle of the night, he'd woken up from a dream about something he was sure was from his past. Gavin had woken up as well, and without protesting, had gotten out of bed to get the journal they'd been keeping. Gavin had started teaching him to write a few weeks ago, once he'd gotten the hang of reading, but he wasn't able to take his own notes quite yet. Gavin had patiently written down everything he could recall and then joined him back in bed, where they'd both fallen asleep again.

His bladder made a sudden protest and, with a grimace, he got up and moved to the far corner where the chamber pot was. After relieving himself, he turned and went to stand next to the bed. Gavin had rolled over and was half lying in the spot he'd vacated. This had caused the covers to shift and expose all but the man's lower legs. Unlike all the other mage's he'd seen in his life, Gavin had not an ounce of extra fat on his body. Furthermore, he was well-muscled and very fit, mostly because he wasn't adverse to manual labor. He did his own laundry, cleaned his own room, and even worked in the garden that Jethann had planted. He also went out once a month to chop wood and bring it back to store in the woodshed off the kitchen. That, combined with his daily workout routine and weapons practice, had given him a body that would make a hardened soldier jealous.

The man was a prime example of rugged manhood. Put that together with devastating good looks and a killer smile, and it was no wonder so many men and women were attracted to him. A brief frown creased his forehead as he remembered that Anders had also made his attraction known, although he'd been smart enough to actually stop short of propositioning the man. Well, after last night, the mages chances of luring Gavin away had been reduced to slim or none, he thought with a smirk. He moved to sit on the bed next to Gavin, his hand reaching out to caress the man's cheek. He smiled when Gavin sleepily nuzzled into his hand before opening his eyes.

"Good morning," he said softly.

"Mmm, it is," Gavin murmered before glancing at the window and groaning. "It's too early to get up."

"I suppose you're right," Fenris chuckled and slipped into bed beside him, pulling the covers back up as he did so.

"Did I tell you how amazing you are?" Gavin asked with a sigh.

"I believe you did mention it once or twice last night."

"Well, you are," Gavin smiled and turned to lie facing the elf. He lifted a hand and ran a finger down the elf's cheek. "I hope some day I can give you as good a massage as you gave me."

"But?" Fenris tilted his head to catch the other man's gaze.

"You told me that your markings often hurt, especially when touched by magic," Gavin said softly. "I don't want to hurt you, even by accident."

Fenris frowned thoughtfully. "Hmm, about that," he began, then hesitated. Only when Gavin gave him an encouraging nod did he continue. "When you use your magic in battle, it resonates with my markings, and that's not pleasant most of the time, and sometimes it's downright painful."

"I know, which is why I try not to use my magic when you're too close."

"When I've been healed by Anders, there is pain, which I am used to dealing with," the elf went on. "But, when you touch me while here, in bed, there's a different sensation, a tingling one."

"Like when your hand or foot falls asleep?" Gavin coaxed.

"Something like that, yes," Fenris nodded. "Then again, I've noticed you try to avoid actually touching the markings too often. Maybe it wouldn't be bad."

"Perhaps, but a proper massage requires constant, firm contact," Gavin pointed out.

"I guess the only way to know for sure would be to try it sometime and find out," Fenris smiled down at him. He glanced briefly at the window again and saw that the sun was starting to come up. "It is now dawn, and there is much that we have to get done today."

Gavin groaned and buried his head in the pillow. "It's still too early," he whined.

"Aw, did I tire you out last night?" Fenris snickered.

"Yes, you beast, it's your fault I'm so tired," Gavin turned to look at him, the smile on his face belying the harshness of the words. "I'm so not a morning person, or haven't you figured that out by now?"

Fenris smiled and reached out a hand to push Gavin's hair back from his face. "I know."

Gavin sighed and then sat up, stretching his arms above his head and twisting his back. He heard Fenris make a sort of choking noise, and just managed not to smile. He knew he had a good body, and he was not above using it. Darting a look at the elf, he slid to the side of the bed and stood up. As he walked over to where the chamber pot was, he couldn't help but flex his ass muscles, soliciting another soft groan from the elf.

"Keep that up and I might just decide to tie you to the bed for the rest of the day and have my way with you," Fenris growled out.

Gavin stopped and turned around, "Promise?"

Fenris rolled his eyes, "You're incorrigible."

Gavin laughed and then tended to his business. Afterwards, he walked back and stood next to the bed and stared down at the elf. "Thank you for last night," he said softly, sincerely. "It really helped me to relax and I feel much better this morning."

"You're welcome," Fenris stood and slipped his arms around Gavin, stretching up to place a soft kiss on his mouth. "Now get dressed before I decided to make good on my threat and we accomplish nothing for the rest of the day."

Gavin grinned and went to his wardrobe. He watched out of the corner of his eye as Fenris got up and moved over to wear he'd dropped his armor the previous night. He knew that Fenris was more comfortable walking around Kirkwall at night in armor, but it would be day. He hesitated a moment before reaching in and pulling out an outfit he'd had made for the elf. It wasn't fancy, just a pair of trousers made of black leather and a shirt made of green cotton. Turning around he took a deep breath and tried to calm his nerves. Fenris was touchy about anything that smacked of charity.

"Uhm, Fenris, I uhm," he gulped and drew another deep breath. "I got you something."

Fenris paused in picking up his armor and looked back over his shoulder. When he saw the garments in Gavin's hands his eyes grew round. Letting the armor drop to the floor again, he slowly walked to where Gavin was standing, his gaze locked on the clothes. He came to a stop and raised one hand slowly to touch them.

"I had them made, I thought you might like something for casual wear, you know, around the city, during the day, and-" Gavin stopped rambling and then pretended great interest in the floor. The elf hadn't said a word. Was he angry? Annoyed?

Fenris looked up and saw the apprehension on Gavin's face and knew the man was worried he'd offended him. "You got these for me as a gift?" he asked softly.

"Yes," Gavin breathed out.

Fenris took the clothes and held them against his body. Being taller than most elves, but shorter than most men, he knew Gavin couldn't have just gone to a merchant and bought them, but they looked like they would fit. "How did you know my size?"

"I, uhm, measured your armor once," Gavin shrugged, an embarassed smile curving his lips. "So, do you like them?"

"No one ever got me a gift before," Fenris whispered. He looked up at Gavin and smiled. "I like them, very much." He turned away and laid them out on the bed to just look at them for a moment. Then he turned back around. "Thank you Gavin," he said sincerely.

"You're welcome," Gavin let go the breath he was holding. "Go on, try them on. I want to see if they look as good on you as I imagined they would."

"Then you'd better get some clothes on yourself," Fenris nodded towards the wardrobe. He smiled as Gavin grabbed some clothes out and practically yanked them on. He reached for the pants, enjoying the feel of the butter soft leather in his hands. When he put them on, he noticed they fit him like a second skin, much like his armor. The shirt was looser, but still very comfortable. He looked up to find Gavin staring at him. "How do I look?" he asked, a little unsettled by the steady gaze.

Gavin had thought the clothes would look good on him, but he hadn't realized how good. "I think I'm going to have a hard time concentrating on anything but you today," he said wryly.

Fenris felt his cheeks flush, but smiled. "I'm hungry. Shall we go see what we can scare up for breakfast."

"After you," Gavin waived his hand, pretending to ignore the elf's red cheeks.