Author's Note: Happy International Women's Day! And, to celebrate, here is a ... not so feminine chapter. It's the thought that counts, right?

Isabela's POV

Unsurprisingly, Hawke wasn't all that hard to reason with. It was finally the weekend, which meant movies at my place, maybe some drinks, and the inevitable (but oh so enjoyable) Friday Night Fuckfest. What? It's totally a thing. At least… it is for us. And for Varric; he gets to hear the whole extravaganza. He even writes about us and I pretend not to notice. So, anyway, after two beers each and Shaun of the Dead, it was time to leave the living room. Execute protocol Sierra Echo X-ray.

First, set the stage. Yawning and heading for bed is the simplest and most direct route. Second, lure her in. Cassandra is busy loading the dishwasher. Once the start of the cycle is heard, asking for help unzipping a dress will get her into the room. Third, release the secret weapons. Undergarments are a nuisance when in a hurry. Once she realizes there's nothing between her hands and some skin, she won't be able to resist. Finally, make the suggestion. She thinks she has control due to her size, but she's wrong. The proper word in the proper ear at the proper time and she'll do anything asked of her.

And that is how I get my rugby player into bed. Or, on this occasion, convince her to try out a sex toy. Is it predictable? Absolutely. Could I just ask? Probably. Does she realize what I'm doing? Maybe. Does that stop her from going along with it? Not in the least.

So I stripped down and stretched out on my California king, waiting while Hawke went into the bathroom to put on my gift (which she had brought back to my place in order to keep it away from my Kitten's innocent eyes). There was some frustrated grumbling echoing within my apartment, a defeated sigh, and then a personal pep talk. I'm pretty sure I heard 'fear is the mind-killer' and 'boldly going where… shit.' I chuckled a bit at the latter. But, in a flash, she had come out of the bathroom and, in the dark of the room, snuck underneath the covers beside me, hiding everything below the waist.

I took a deep breath. Her bright blue eyes were wide and her skin was pale. She looked terrified. But that could change easily enough. This wasn't my first time introducing someone to the world of non-vanilla sex. I carefully slid beneath the sheets, being careful not to brush against her. She continually glanced up at me, then away again, her cheeks beginning to match her namesake.

"Come here, Cassandra." I beckoned her sweetly. She hesitated at first, but slowly shuffled closer, still not touching me in any way. I smiled at her as I stroked the side of her face, causing her eyes to drift shut. That gave me the opportunity to close the distance between us and capture her lips with mine. Our kiss was tender in the beginning, but quickly developing into exploratory. Tongues danced, teeth took hold, hands sought after skin, and nails marked their territory. I took a firm grip of her lower back, pushing us those few precious inches closer. The toy, surprisingly cool to the touch, pressed below our stomachs and Hawke drew in a ragged gasp, her fingertips digging into my ribs.

"'Bela, I don't know-"

I flatted my palm against her collarbone, gently rolling her onto her back. "Shhh." I kissed and sucked at her neck, then pulled at her ear-piercing with my tongue. "I'm not expecting you to have any experience with this."

"What do I-?" I interrupted her panicked rambling before it could begin by placing my fingers over her lips.

"Sit back, relax, and let me do my thing." I whispered the words against her throat as my nails dragged slowly down to her chest. Cassandra's hold on me loosened. I took that as a good sign, so I rewarded her with a few hungry kisses as I massaged her breasts. The more aroused I could get her, the better. I didn't need any help. The way I was straddling her, I could feel the toy rubbing up against me with every raspy breath. I was restraining myself in order to keep her calm, but the effort was causing sweat to bead on my forehead.

Unable to take much more, I sat up straight, letting the blanket fall around me. Hawke looked at me, her blue eyes near black with the dilation of her pupils and her lips swollen. I grinned haughtily, holding her full attention as I grasped the not-so-humble attachment. It felt gloriously real, despite its bright red color. I stroked the length and decided that, yes, the size was going to be perfect. That only made me more desperate. I shifted my hips forward, holding my gift in one hand and rubbing myself against it. I bit my bottom lip as my breath caught. I only meant to lubricate the toy, but with the ridges against my clit… Shit, I hadn't expected it to feel that good. I only stopped when I heard Cassandra begin to gasp for air. I grabbed the base of the dildo, feeling the outline of where her last name was etched into it. I looked down at her as I positioned my eager pussy above it. She took hold of the outside of my thighs.

"Isabela, are you-?"

Crazy? Sure? Ready? The question, whatever was intended, became irrelevant as I lowered myself onto the cock, groaning as it slid so easily inside me. It fit perfectly, stretching my muscles enough that it was nearly painful, but pushing against just the right spots. I felt this glorious… fullness. Oh yes, I had definitely missed the sensation. Hawke was staring up at me, biting her lip and keeping her lithe muscles still. I bent forward until my face was just a breath away from hers and placed my hands on either side of her head. "Were you saying something?" I grinned, shifting my weight further into her. My lover's chest rumbled.

"Holy-" I cut her off with a kiss so passionate that we were both panting when I pulled away. Cassandra laid there with her mouth agape, looking as if she wanted to say something. I drew back slowly, running my fingertips over her flushed cheeks and tracing her bottom lip with my thumb.

"Shhh. Just watch," I ordered as I rose to sit upright, combing my unruly curls between my fingers. I gripped Hawke between my thighs and smiled. I wasn't known for my sensuality. In fact, I was usually a 'fuck first, ask names later' type of gal. But my girlfriend was a romantic. She enjoyed foreplay, sweet caresses, kissing me from head to toe... So, instead of pinning her and her new accessory to the bed and plowing myself into oblivion, I chose to be gentle.

I began to roll my hips back and forth, grinding myself into her at a torturously slow pace. I could feel the sheen of sweat on my body glowing in the light from the window above. My body circled and swayed, my abdomen rippling in a drawn-out dance. I held my hair back with one hand, the other travelling up and down my body, touching myself for Cassandra's enjoyment. It must have been quite a show. Her blue eyes never left me as she held tight to the tops of my knees, listening intently to my low moans and quiet whimpers.

The way she watched me, licking her lips and biting the tip of her tongue, made my heart race and my sex throb. I put all my effort into my movements, riding Hawke hard. Her neck strained as she chanted my name, "'Bela… 'Bela…" I thrust myself down onto the cock, forcing it as deep as it could go and crushing her clit in the process. Her back arched and her nails dug into my thighs. I bent forward, squeezing her breasts with both hands and driving into her with all my strength. I could feel the tension winding tighter in my gut. I was so close. She reached for my ass, gripping it tightly and bucking up against me, hitting my g-spot without even trying. My girlfriend came with a groan, and as my body finally detonated, she muffled my scream with a kiss.

We continued to slowly rock through our orgasm, holding each other as we panted and gasped. Finally, after a few long moments, I rolled off of Cassandra and onto my side. I was left feeling somewhat empty, but satisfied. I pushed Hawke's short, messy hair back, kissing her again before heaving a contented sigh. "I don't know about you, sweetness, but I'd call that a success."

"Definitely," She nodded, stretching her arms over her head. I snuck a peek at the clock on the wall. 10:42. It felt much later than it was. Or maybe I was just tired. Either way, I pulled the blanket up over my chest and pressed my head into a pile of pillows. Not quite comfortable, I rolled onto my other side and my lover chuckled as she snuggled against my back. I decided not to ask why she was still wearing the strap-on. She wrapped herself around me, brushing my hair to the side so that she could kiss her way up from my shoulder to behind my ear. My eyes fluttered shut and I took a deep breath. "Baby?" I replied with a hum. "I was thinking about what you said the other day." Cassandra spoke into the back of my neck.

"You'll have to be more specific." I joked. "I say a lot of things."

"About me. Not being rough with you." She uttered quietly while her knuckles softly drifted up and down my side.

I turned my head to look at her, somewhat taken aback. "It's not an insult, Hawke, it's just something that-" She halted me with a kiss.

"I'd like to try." She whispered against my lips. I just blinked up at her for a moment, not sure I heard correctly. I hoped that I did. My girlfriend's mouth continued to wander across my upper body. Breathing was becoming a chore under her intentions. My neck, collarbone, jaw, temple, all were worshipped as she spoke. "I don't think I can be forceful, but I'd like to be more dominant in the bedroom. You're always in control and it's wonderful, but-"

I reached up and grabbed her ear piercing, tugging on it to get her attention. She tilted my face toward her, staring down at me with a furrowed brow. "Yes," was the only thing worth saying. Especially since my throat was already dry in anticipation.

Cassandra gave me a queer look. "What exactly are you agreeing to?" She asked, confused, as I kissed and nipped at her jaw.

"Whatever you want to do to me." I answered simply, pressing myself against her front and marveling at the hardness of her nipples against my back.

"Just like that?"

"Just like that. But, no punching, kicking, or firearms. Even I have limits." I snorted smugly and took her hand, dragging it up to my breast and grasping it firmly. My lover groaned as I continued to massage my breast with our entwined hands. When I tried to move them to the other, she flattened her palm against my sternum. The sudden stop got my attention and I turned my head to catch her gaze.

"Are you sure? I mean, do you trust me?" Her blue eyes shined even under a trickle of moonlight from the window above. She had been unsure about herself the entire night. If she was going to take the reins, that shit had to stop.

I lifted my hand, placing it against her reddened cheek. "I'm sure I don't trust anyone more than you."

Hawke took a deep breath, then gave me a half-smile. "I understand." She nodded slowly, running her hand down from my chest to my hip. "I understand." I just blinked. I felt like I had said something wrong and as my girlfriend retreated from me, I got the sudden urge to vomit. Or maybe apologize. Either way, my gut was not happy. Did I insult her? I did say that I trust her… Maybe not in those exact words… But what difference does that make? I told her about Luis, my miscarriage, and everything else. She trusts me. It's kind of obvious, considering what she has wrapped around her hips. That's got to count for something.

Trapped in my thoughts, I actually flinched when Cassandra rolled me onto my stomach. I attempted to lift myself onto my elbows and look back at her, but she placed her hands on my shoulder blades, gently pushing me down. I was confused, but compliant. I laid flat, pressing the side of my face into the pillows. The rugby player was straddling my thighs as her fingers spread over my back. Her hands journeyed from my neck to my plentiful backside, massaging me possessively. She'd knead my flesh, dragging her nails over my skin, only to lick and nip at the same spot before moving downward. I was breaking into a cold sweat before she even made it to my waist. I could feel her grinning as I moaned and tried to arch up into her. Being lavished like this still wasn't enough for me. I needed to feel her skin against mine. I had to chew on my knuckle to muffle a frustrated cry when Hawke bit into my ass. It didn't stop me from groaning audibly as she straightened up, however.

My girlfriend chuckled throatily as she took hold of the outside of my thighs, pulling them apart. I heaved a sigh. Finally! Cassandra continued to laugh as she pressed herself against my back, lying atop me. I relaxed somewhat, despite the extra weight. The toy rested an inch or two away from where it was required as she brushed kisses along my neck. It didn't take long for that to get old. I tried to squirm underneath her, pushing myself against my gift. Hawke quickly clutched my wiggling pelvis, keeping me still. I could hear her chuckling at me again. She was obviously enjoying being a tease. "Do you know what I love about you, Isabela?" I rolled my eyes and made to answer, but I never got the chance.

"You're insatiable." In one swift movement, I was pulled onto my knees and impaled. The sound I made was somewhere between a yelp and a moan. She may have taken me by surprise, but my body was raring to go again. "I think you woke up Varric." She joked as she pulled back, rolling her hips.

My eyes flickered and my thighs trembled. When did I become Captain Come-Quick? But, as my wolf-eyed companion continued to stroke me in all the right places, I forgot how to care. I hissed between clenched teeth, "Sleep is for pussies."

I really should have shut my mouth.

"Not for yours, it isn't." Before I could blink, Hawke was slamming into me from behind. The woman was using all of her body weight with every thrust. I'd of been in a world of pain if I wasn't already soaking wet. I clawed into the pillows, trying to anchor myself. It didn't help. The rough handling forced my climax so quickly that I didn't even realizing it was happening until I was halfway through. I just bowed forward and listened to the sound of my mahogany four post bed hitting the wall, the slapping sound of moist skin against skin, and the exerted breathing of an athlete giving it her all.

Cassandra barely even slowed as I shuttered in release. And when my knees threatened to give, she lifted me up, pressing my back against her front and continuing her assault. A strong arm wrapped around my waist, keeping me from falling forward, while a second hand palmed my left breast, squeezing it forcefully. I mewled, panted, and moaned with every upstroke, my arms flailing in an attempt to grab hold of something. I reached back, burying my fingers in short black hair. This position wasn't optimum for penetration, but it didn't stop Hawke from burying the cock in me, pushing against places that kept me writhing in pleasure as she kissed and sucked at my throat. My body was limp from pure bliss, my head was light, and my mouth hung open. I clenched around her again, another orgasm slowly boiling out of me and soaking my thighs.

My muscles tensed as my girlfriend sped up her motions, rocking into me with all her might. I clawed at her scalp, too dehydrated to scream as she furiously pounded me. I could feel myself wanting to come again. But I couldn't. Not this fast. Not this hard. It would kill me. "Can't… again," I whimpered, tears of ecstasy running down my face.

"You can." She growled into my ear, huffing with each breath. I shook my head, squeezing my eyes shut. I knew I had given her control and that I shouldn't argue, but this was torture. I could handle continuous small orgasms on a good day, but these last two were carnal, ravaging, earth-quaking eruptions from my body. A third one of those would be hazardous to my health. My rugby player disagreed. "You will."

Sharp teeth plunged into my shoulder, nimble fingers tweaked my nipple, and a supportive hand drove south, circling over my engorged clit as the cock drove into me. It was over in a matter of seconds. I exploded, imploded, and shattered. A strangled cry wrenched from my throat as the world went black.

I awoke what felt like a lifetime later, shivering. The cold of the room was attacking my damp, sweaty skin. I tried to move my arms, but they resembled jelly. It took me nearly a minute to remember who and where I was, and then what happened to me. I cracked open one eye to see Hawke lying naked beside me. She looked gloriously spent, grinning as she watched me regain consciousness. I had the sudden urge to choke her. Or kiss her. Or both. She must have seen the malice in my expression. "Hey. How do you feel?" She asked smugly, brushing the hair from my face.

I squinted at her. "Royally fucked." She laughed, leaning over to kiss me on the forehead.

"Should I prepare an IV drip, or can you sit up long enough to drink some Gatorade?" Cassandra smirked at me, rolling me onto my back. I managed to lift my middle finger in response. She rolled her eyes, quickly scurrying to the kitchen. I found a way to lean myself against the headboard as she returned. She helped me rehydrate, all while looking absolutely satisfied with herself. She had fucked me to a faint. No one, and I mean no one, had done that to me before. I couldn't help being impressed, even if I was a little jealous. I spent the rest of the night (Hawke said it was about 12:30 when I passed out, so maybe another thirty minutes) glaring at my girlfriend, calling her everything from an 'awesomely evil succubus' to 'the Bringer of the Sex-pocalypse' and 'the Harbinger of Cum', as she stripped the bed.

Just because you can skyrocket me into the best orgasms of my life, doesn't mean you're safe from my wrath. I wasn't going to be able to walk gracefully for a week. Not to mention strut. Or sit. Hawke was definitely going to pay for that. After breakfast. And a shower. And a healthy dose of oral sex.

Oh, yes. She was going to pay.

Sort of.

Author's Note:

Sorry this update took so long! Between:

1. Working on my collection of short stories (which you can and should totally check out, especially if you're a fan of Florence + The Machine, femslash, and non-canon pairings),

2. Catching up on season 4 of Lost Girl (Team Lauren! Long Live the Doccubus!),

3. Working on long-awaited crafts (yes, I can sew, bake, fuck your non-gender-specific brains out, put together furniture, and change your oil),

4. Helping friends/family with their relationships while still maintaining my own long-distance love,

Shit's been kinda busy and I think my Muse went on vacation. But we're around the halfway mark, so I will keep on keepin' on.

The trust issue touched upon in this chapter will develop further, and Isabela's POV will challenge/contrast Hawke's as things continue. The pace of the story will hasten, leaving larger time-gaps between chapters. Also, more characters are going to pop up. No Qun'ari, however. They were vaguely mentioned in Isabela's backstory about her mother. I've been thinking really hard about including them again, but I'm not sure how to bring them into this story without leaving plot holes or conflicts in their wake. And I think there is enough drama in the plot without them. But the other major political players in Kirkwall will make their presence known. Their titles will obviously differ from the game, but their attitudes and tensions will be consistent.

To conclude (because this note has gone on long enough), skim through the first section of my short stories, review if you want, and please don't riot if I don't post another chapter by next weekend.

Much love, Serenity.