Title: Mystery Is The Basic Appeal
Author: miss_m_cricket
Fandom: Dragon Age 2
Pairing: Fenris/Anders (Fenders), Bethany Hawke/Sebastian Vael, Carver Hawke/Nathaniel Howe, Cullen/Merrill
Comm: dragonage_kink
Rating: M
Prompt: AU where Templars are more numerous and the Chantry rules the land with an iron fist. But the Templars, as powerful as they are, cannot tell whether a man is a mage or not by simply looking at him. Enter Fenris, a man whose tattoos are so sensitive to magic that he can sense mages even if they never cast anything. He is sent to hunt and capture the dangerous and incredibly elusive apostate Anders, leader or the Mage Rebellion.

Mystery Is The Basic Appeal

Fenris couldn't sleep.

Slowly the elf sat up in bed, tugging his heavy fur coverlets up to wrap around himself as he did, shivering slightly at the sharp chill of the winter air against his bare skin before the furs settled around him like a warm cocoon.

The Vael estate was silent, no footsteps or voices to break the quiet of a household asleep and Fenris sighed softly.

Sebastian and Cullen were upstairs in the grander suites of the house, but Fenris had chosen this smaller bedroom down on the second level of the estate. Something in him balked at the idea of sleeping in those grand, opulent beds. Perhaps it was yet another legacy from Danarius, this distaste of grand, over garnished things.

Somehow this small room with its simple elegance had appealed to him more than the lavish suite upstairs.

"Things do not have to be obvious to be beautiful." Fenris murmured softly, feeling his lips curl up slightly at the sentiment.

He contemplated the thought for a few more moments, until he was startled out of his musings by a soft noise from under his window.

Someone was climbing up the vine. Ears pricked, Fenris looked across at the window, hand reaching out towards his sword and pulling it closer. Perhaps it was a thief.

"Ow..." hissed whoever was climbing up the vine outside.

Probably not, thieves were usually quieter.

But there was something...something niggling at him, something familiar brushing against his mind. He shook his head crossly, disliking the sensation and sat still, eyes watching the window.

He did not expect the man to haul himself ungracefully over the sill and then tumble to the floor in a flail of limbs and a hissed, "Ow!"

But he did recognise him when he stood and honey eyes met his green.

Anders lifted his hand in an awkward little wave.

"Hey there."

The Mage leader of the rebellion, the man he was supposed to be hunting down, had climbed up the side of the Vael estate to climb into his window...Fenris could honestly say this had never happened before. But it did explain the strange little niggle in his head. It was his Lyrium reacting to the familiar signature of the Mage before him, the unique feel of Anders' magic.

Vanhedis he must be tired if he was missing obvious signals like that.

"Anders." He growled finally, "You are in my bedroom."

"Yes..." the blond man nodded, "I was hoping we could have a chat."

Fenris stared at him.

"Are you insane?"

"No...?" Anders cocked his head to the side, "Not crazy...why?"

"You are aware that I was trying to kill or capture you a mere few hours ago...correct?"

"And I say...lets let by gones be by gones." Anders gave him a small grin and moved a little closer, "Look...I'm just here to talk..."

"Why?" Fenris sounded exasperated, "There is no logical reason for you to be here! In a house full of people who want you captured. Or dead."

"I didn't get to give you my address after our date this afternoon." Anders flashed him a small pout, "You didn't even offer to walk me home."

"If you had surrendered I would have walked you somewhere else. With chains."

"Kinky, but chains are usually something I save for a second or third date."

Fenris just gave him a look.

"Maker you're one of those broody sorts aren't you?"

"I do not brood."

"I know brooding my dear elf." Anders sat down on the end of his bed, ignoring Fenris' dark glare, "My best friend is a professional at it. Moody bastard. You met him today actually. Shiny hair, fancy bow? I think he liked you."

"He shot an arrow in my leg."

"It wasn't your head? Or your heart..." Anders gave a little shrug, "He likes to make a lasting impression. He's a drama queen at heart."

"Is there something you want Anders?" Fenris growled the words, feeling utterly wrong footed.

What kind of prey sat down on his hunter's bed and asked to have a chat?

"You don't like magic..." Anders said, face sobering a little.

"No."

"Why?"

"Why does it matter?" Fenris' green eyes narrowed at him.

"It doesn't...not really...just...you don't have to be afraid of us you know? Mages? We're not all cracknobs who slit our wrists and dance in naked rituals."

"Mages all have that potential."

"But," And Anders leant forward, "Anyone has the potential to wreak terrible destruction...Mages are more obvious...but...you for instance...you have that big sword...you could massacre tens of people...innocents...if you so chose...but we don't lock you up or kill you because you have that potential do we?"

"I fight at the behest of no demon."

"Neither do I." Anders said quietly.

Fenris just looked at him. "But you admit that many Mages make that choice. Demons. Blood Magic."

"Of course they do. Some people just can't say no!" Anders flaps a hand, "I'm not fighting for those idiots. They make all of us look bad. I'm fighting for the Mages who don't choose the easy route...the ones who say no."

"If Mages are free..." Fenris said gruffly, "They would take power. And what happens now...would pale in comparison."

"You...truly believe that?" Anders looked shocked, "Maker...no...that's not."

"I have seen firsthand what Mages can do." Fenris growled at him, "I have suffered in their hands. I will not allow that to happen to any others."

Anders shook his head, "Not all Mages are like that."

"I hear that so often," Fenris shook his head, "And yet how often I find it isn't true."

"You'll see." Anders told him, "I'll prove to you my Mages are not weak."

"Your proof means nothing to me." Fenris growled, "If you seek to convert me Anders then you are wasting your time."

"Maybe I just wanted to see you in bed?" Anders cheeky smile was back, "It is a lovely view...even with those blankets. Why don't you have a fire in the grate?"

"I do not need one."

"Tetchy little thing aren't you." Anders slowly stood and stretched, "Well I should go but...we'll meet again..."

"I am sure..."

The mage grinned at him and sauntered to the window, climbing onto the sill.

"Oh...by the way," he stuck his head back in, "What's your name again?"

Fenris rolled his eyes, "Fenris."

"Wolf." Anders nodded thoughtfully, "Suits you...sleep well Puppy."

And with a soft muttered spell the mage dropped out of sight from the window.

Fenris was out of his bed in an instant, reaching the sill in two strides, his bare body tingling in the cold air.

Anders was at the far street corner, and Fenris saw the Mage turn and look back. He definitely saw the lewd eyebrow wiggle and flattened himself against the wall with a scowl.

When he looked back...Anders was gone.

And when he turned to go back to bed, he saw there was a small fire burning in the hearth.

Despite himself, there was a small smile on his mouth as he slid back into bed. And it was there still, when he finally fell asleep.