Authors notes: No smut yet, but it is starting to heat up! Smut will be in the next few chapters, I promise. If you like what you've been reading, leave a review :-) Thanks!
"Oh you tease you, spit it out already!" Isabela was standing in my bedroom. I had told her that I needed her advice on an urgent matter before we went to The Hanged Man. I looked down, unable to form the words. What was I supposed to say, that for the life of me I couldn't seem to get a man to take interest in me, when she was bedding them left and right?
"This wouldn't have anything to do with those two gorgeous men you constantly undress with your eyes, does it?"
"Maker, am I that obvious?"
Isabela let out a chuckle "Sweet thing, I don't blame you. Anders and his toned body, and Fenris, and those markings. You know what they say about tall, lean men; they're proportionate...everywhere. Mmmm..." she practically purred. Sex just oozed from this woman. I really needed to know her secrets.
"Yes, well, Anders made it clear years ago that he and I could never be, and Fenris, well, I can't get him to make a move."
"Have you ever thought of making the first move yourself?" Oh, but I had. Many, many times. I couldn't get him out of my head. Every night before I finally dozed off, I thought of what it would be like to march right over to his mansion, kick open the door, and confess my love for him, and have him make love to me all night long, until the sun was coming up. Love, was that what this even was? I had never been in love before. I'd spent the past three years obsessing over Fenris, and wasn't able to move on.
"What if he rejects me?"
"Hawke, with legs like yours, no man would ever reject you. You just need to, show em' off a little more. Accentuate your features. Give him your best doe eyed pout. And, a little alcohol never hurt anyone."
"I don't exactly have the most appealing wardrobe. I do need an update." I confessed.
"Well then, we better get to my place fast. I have a lot of work to do!"
We both went over to her room at The Hanged Man a few hours prior to our scheduled meet up. Varric was already there, ordering a drink from the barmaid.
"Here already Hawke? Missing Bianca so soon?" he teased.
"No time to talk Varric, Hawke and I have a very important meeting," joked Isabela, pulling my hand towards her room, in a quick pace. Varric stood there, staring at me wide eyed.
"Oh no, not you too Hawke, don't tell me you're letting the pirate queen get into your robes?"
"Varric! I'm shocked at you!"
"Oh, be still my heart. You might break it, Hawke," Isabela said, leading me to her room.
An hour and a half later, and she was finally done prepping me. I stood in front of her mirror, mouth ajar. Was that really me? She had wet my hair and curled it with her fingers. It was short but now had a beautiful wave to it, and was much more full. She applied makeup with perfect precision. Crimson red lips with a light eye, and my skin was much more bronzed. And this outfit, I couldn't believe what I was wearing. She had put me in this tight fitting black dress. It was long and elegant, and had a slit on one side that went all the way up to my thigh. She had said that my legs were to die for and I needed to show them off. The dress tied around my neck and had a plunging neckline and a corset waist. Basically, it left very little to the imagination.
"Are you sure I don't look like one of the women who work at The Blooming Rose?"
"Definitely not. You look stunning. In fact, I want to tear that dress right off and ravish you myself. To hell with those boys. They wouldn't have the slightest clue what to do if they did get their hands on you."
I giggled "Oh, but I'm sure you would?"
"You bet." At that very moment there was a knock at the door. Varric stepped inside.
"What's the hold up, everyone's waiting for you g-" he was staring at me, mouth hanging open, eyes wide. I was mortified.
"Woah, Hawke. Taking fashion lessons from Rivaini?"
"I told you it was too much!" I felt so overwhelmed and frustrated, I threw my hands in the air.
"Now Varric, if you were a single, lonely elf, or mage, wouldn't you want to drag this woman to the nearest back alley and take her right there and then?"
"Oh, I see what you're doing here Hawke! Trust me, after those two see you in this, they will be fighting to the death over who will get to take you home. You look good."
"Varric, I'm not some cheap whore that will just give it away to whoever wins a pissing match!" Who was I kidding? I hadn't been with a man in so long, I would take either one of them, no words needed to be exchanged. Damn it pirate, this plan of yours better work! Varric turned the corner, Isabela and I linked arms and were a few steps behind him. There was the whole gang again, busy in a tense game of diamondback. Sebastian was the first to look up.
"Isabela, nice of you to join us. And who is this friend of...H-Hawke?" He stopped. Everyone looked up, and just stared at me. I felt like hiding behind Isabela. What were they thinking? No, I didn't want to know. I looked at Fenris, he glanced from behind his cards and had this intense gaze in his eyes, it was impossible to read him. Perhaps this was why he was a good gambler. And then Anders, he had this huge grin on his face, which only made me blush harder.
"Ooh Hawke, you look so pretty!" exclaimed Merrill, who jumped up and immediately started playing with the material of my dress.
"Would you look at that," said Aveline. "I never thought I'd see the day."
"Now, we just need to work on getting you in a dress, Aveline." Isabela smirked.
"Not on my watch, whore." The two of them were almost as bad as Fenris and Anders, bickering to no end. Almost. I carefully sat down beside Isabela, trying not to lean forward too much. I was terrified I would spill out at any moment. But then again, maybe that wouldn't be such a terrible thing. Damn this modesty of mine.
Drinks were being passed around left and right. I was a terrible card player so most rounds I just watched and laughed. Soon, all my reservation went right out the window. I was having the time of my life with my dear friends. Every now and then, I would catch Fenris sneak a peek from behind his cards. And every time I caught him, he quickly looked away. Anders, on the other hand, made it much more obvious. He shot me smiles constantly, and it seemed like he was paying more attention to me then he was to the game.
"Where is that bar maid now?" Aveline demanded. "I ordered my drink almost a half hour ago."
"I'll get it," Fenris said, and got up from his seat. Before he left the table, he leaned down to me. His mouth was right at my ear, and all the hair on my neck stood up.
"You have no idea what you are doing to me, in that dress of yours. Are you purposely trying to make me loose all my coin?" His breath was warm on my skin, and it made my loins tingle. I looked up at him as he walked down the stairs to retrieve our round of drinks. I turned to Isabela and she snickered.
"Oh, I heard every word. You, my dear girl, are going to be in his bed tonight." That confirmation put a huge smile across my face, and Isabela laughed.
"What's so funny over there ladies?" Anders asked, amused.
"Oh, nothing you'd care to know, Blondie." replied Varric, on the other side of me. Damn, he heard too. I was so damn nervous, I felt as if I were some teenage girl with a ridiculous crush. Isabela could tell.
"Here, drink some of this." she handed me her whiskey. I downed the drink fast, and cringed. I was never a big fan of hard liqueur.
"Woah, easy now." she joked. Fenris arrived with our drinks and sat across from me. He now made it very apparent, that he wanted me. His intense gaze never left me, it scared me a little. He had such longing, such lust in his eyes, but he barely spoke a word to me. I was downing more drinks, trying to make myself at ease. I could feel the intoxication hit me, but I hadn't a care in the world. Tonight, I would have the elf inside me, I was damned sure of it. I leaned over to Isabela again.
"How should I seduce him?" It was a stupid question, I know, how hard could it possibly be to turn on any man? But it had been so long since I had been with anyone. And I had never been with someone as intense as Fenris. Isabela leaned over to me and whispered "With foreplay of course. You could start now. Do you want to get him really worked up?"
"Maker, yes."
"Then follow my lead, whatever I do, go with it. Do you trust me, sweet thing?"
"Yes."
Isabela now reached her hand to my shoulder and lightly grazed me with her gentle touch. "Oh Hawke, you have the most beautiful, soft, skin. I am so jealous. It's perfect, and so smooth." She said, quite loudly. I looked up, yep, we had everyone's attention now. Fenris' eyes followed where Isabela's hand travelled. I smiled, I was loving it now. She slowly moved her hand across my shoulder onto my bare chest and stopped above my cleavage. Her touch tingled, and bumps appeared all over my skin.
"Ooh, and I love how you curve right here. Who knew under all those robes you would have such a curvy, womanly figure."
"Oh Isabela, I've got nothing compared to you."
"Not true, not true. I would kill for these long legs," she was not running a hand along my leg. I quivered slightly, sensitive to being touched right there. Not only would this be foreplay to anyone watching, but it certainly served as foreplay to myself as well.
"Is..is this really happening, or am I dreaming again?" I heard Anders ponder aloud.
"Quiet Blondie, you're ruining the magic." Varric chuckled. "I knew when you two walked in the bar, holding hands, something was going on."
"Tomorrow, I'm going to be spending the entire day in the Chantry, praying for Maker knows how long," mumbled Sebastian.
"You all be quiet!" Isabela snapped at them "There is nothing, any man has, that would interest me more than these lush, full, lips," and with that, her mouth was on mine. In my intoxicated state, it took me a second to comprehend what was happening. I tried to pull away at first, but she had a grip on the back of my head. I now understood, this was supposed to show Fenris that I was desirable, in some way or the other. I returned her kiss, and her tongue invaded my mouth. Her chest was heaving into mine, and she was lightly moaning. She sucked on my bottom lip, and finally, in a light biting motion, pulled away.
"Oh, that looks like fun! Can I have a turn next?" exclaimed Merrill.
"Daisy, I don't think Hawke is a ride, you can't just stand in line and wait for a turn." Varric was almost in stitches from Merrill's question.
"No, it would take a very special person to claim Hawke's attention, and I so happen to know there is indeed a line, waiting to claim her heart. It would be an awful shame should someone miss their opportunity."
I turned over for the first time to see Fenris, red in the face. He was staring at me, but, it did not seem to be lust, or longing in his eyes now. He looked angry, hurt, like he wanted to throw something at Isabela. Shit, no no no, this was not supposed to happen. Damn it, why did I listen to Isabela. Why did I let her kiss me? Maker, why did I drink so much? Oh no, no I was going to be sick. I quickly got up and ran down the steps, and out the door.
"Hawke!" I heard Isabella yell. As soon as I was outside, I started retching. Isabela and Varric were at my side in a second.
"Shit!" Isabela exclaimed, rubbing my back. "You know, when I said a little alcohol never hurt anyone, I didn't mean to drink the whole bar dry."
"You sure know how to hold your liquor, don't you Hawke!" Varric was once again laughing.
"Oh, shut it Varric, this isn't funny!" She snapped at him.
"Sure it is, or it will be later."
"Here, help me get her inside she needs to lie down." I felt so dizzy, and my insides hurt. I felt myself being lifted up, but I couldn't tell who. I felt strong arms around me, holding me close, and carrying me into the bar. I heard the noise of the patrons again, and the loud music.
"I'll get her water," I heard Isabela say from my left, it was not her who carried me.
"Here, let her rest in my bed." I heard Varric, on my right. He wasn't holding me either. A door opened, and I was laid down on the bed. I saw white hair and hazel eyes above me, and soft hands stroke my cheek.
"Sleep now." Fenris commanded, and I did just that.