A/N- I just wanted to ensure that everyone was aware that while I can enjoy reading the sexy scenes, I am in no way claiming the ability to write them. Here's my first attempt, and I hope it is enjoyable. We left off with Hawke playing along with the roleplay, pulling Cat to the bed and teasing her about how dangerous he can be.
Cat forced herself not to react as Hawke caressed her face slowly. He was looking for her responses, and if nothing else she wanted to win this game. Her mind was whirling under her calm facade, trying to decide what her next move was.
Several things came to mind, but the one that seemed the most fun had her worried… she wasn't sure if she could pull it off.
What's the worst that could happen? she asked herself. If it all goes to hell, just laugh it off, and let him win. If it's anything like last time, you'll enjoy it immensely! Cat continued to look up at him, his smirk very appealing, and she decided to go for it. Big risks… big rewards, as Varric likes to tell me, she mused.
She closed her eyes slowly, sliding her left leg up so her knee was under his hip. She opened her eyes halfway, looking up to Hawke as her tongue darted out to wet her lips. Seeing that the distraction worked to gain his attention, she shifted her weight slightly as she moved her arms in position, arching her back… and went for it.
She was as surprised as he when the move worked, flipping both of them so that she was now on top, straddling his waist. She grabbed his wrists, holding his arms on either side of his head, and smirked back down at him.
"It seems I've underestimated you… Clara," he said with amusement.
"To your detriment," she quipped back.
"Whatever shall I do?" he said, mockingly, and she narrowed her gaze at him. Loosening her grip on his wrists, but keeping her hands where they were, she waited a moment to see if he would try to take the advantage once again.
He gave no sign of moving, and seemed instead to be giving her a turn. She slowly slid her hands toward his chest, following his arms, not taking her touch from him. She smiled slightly at the feel of his lounging robe, amazed that his clothes looked exactly as she remembered them from the game.
Moving her hands down his torso, and enjoying his sharp intake of breath, she untied the belt and parted the robe, and looked at his chest. There was nothing indecent, he still had his sleep pants on, and she had seen his bare chest before, yet there was such a difference now.
Giving a smile, so as to not arouse his suspicions, she pushed the sides of the robe upwards, giving the intent to take it from him. He stretched his arms higher, and lifted his back and head from the mattress, to allow her to do so.
As the fabric made it's way from under him and to his hands, she moved quickly, wrapping it around them. The belt was a help, but she didn't try to tie it up, merely wrapped the fabric around his wrists and hands several times.
She sat back, chuckling, so pleased that it had worked, as Hawke tilted his head to look at his hands. Yes, they were bound together, but not tightly, and with very little effort, he could free them. He turned back to face her, his eyebrow up, and his smirk returning.
"I suppose I never learn," he said with a smile. "not to underestimate a pretty face."
"And you will learn the penalty for such a transgression," she replied.
"Torture?" he asked, scoffing. "No problem."
"We will see," she said with a wicked smile. She threw her leg over, to get off of him, and scooted down the bed to stand at its foot. Reaching up, she unbuckled the breastplate, removing it, and placing it on the chair at the nearby desk.
Cat turned back to him, seeing that he was watching her like a… well… she thought as she smiled to herself at the obvious play on words, having no idea what the small curve of her lips was conjuring in the mind of her literally captive audience.
Since she was going to torture him, in the best way possible, she used what knowledge she had of him to throw him off. He liked to be in control, so she took that away. He was always touching her, so she would forbid it. And he liked her hair.
Reaching up, she pulled the small piece of leather from the end of her braid, and placed it on the desk. Painstakingly slowly, she undid the braid piece by piece, and then moved her hands through her hair, finally ending by rubbing her scalp a little and shaking out her tresses.
She was wearing his tunic again, with a knot tied at the back to keep it snug, and she was sure he didn't notice, but she decided to keep it as it was, for the moment. She walked back to the bed, and stopped at the edge.
"I must admit, I am curious how much you will be able to take, before you beg for mercy," she said, as she climbed back up, straddling his torso again, and looking into his eyes.
"I will never beg a templar for anything," he said, and while he smiled, Cat couldn't help but freeze at the gravity of his statement. "Do your worst, Clara," he added, his tone much lighter, bringing her thoughts back.
"Very well," she replied, leaning forward. "The rules are simple, you cannot use your hands."
"Obviously," he drawled, and gave her a wink.
"And… you cannot make a noise." She eyed him, as his eyebrow rose in question, but he didn't speak. "Break either of these two rules, and I will start again from the beginning. Do you understand?" she asked.
"Perfectly," he said.
She tsk'd at him, shaking her head. "And I have yet to even begin," she said in disappointment.
Cat sat there for a moment or two, trying to decide on her next move. Now that I've talked a big game, I'm unsure how to actually… finish it, she thought. Her hands were in front of her, her fingers grasping the others as she fought off her nerves.
She was suddenly rocked, as Hawke moved his hips, and she looked back to his face, seeing his grin had become a gentle smile. The light and challenge in his eyes gave her a new confidence, and she leaned forward, bringing her mouth to his.
Remembering in that moment to simply do the unexpected and keep Hawke on his toes, Cat didn't kiss him- she nibbled at him. Exploring his lips with teeth and tongue, she moved away as he tried to deepen it into something more. She tilted her head, and brought her cheek to his, rubbing it slowly, and enjoying the scratching, tickling sensation of his beard.
She moved to the other side, making noises that she was sure she would be embarrassed of in any other situation. Seeing his ear, she pounced. She wasn't sure why she enjoyed gnawing on his earlobes, it wasn't something she had even thought of doing with anyone before Hawke, but she shrugged at herself and kept going.
The quiet groans he was emitting, and the way he kept lifting his hands as if to use them and then struggling to keep them down was giving her a large boost of confidence. She used her tongue to lick up the outside of his ear, and then switched to the other side.
After that, she started to slowly inch her way down, kissing behind his ear, nuzzling into his beard, and then kissing in random points on his neck. Some were practically suckling his skin, while others were feather light. She stopped suddenly, sitting up and glaring at him after hearing his moan.
"Naughty, naughty," she said with an evil sounding chuckle. "Now we have to start all over."
He groaned, not bothering to keep it in, as she bent over to his mouth again.
Hawke was cheerfully, and pleasantly, going insane. He had had fun playing this little game, challenging each other with their words in their roles. But seeing Cat remove the breastplate and take her hair down… he wasn't certain how much longer it would last.
Years ago, when she had mentioned something about role playing, he had written it off as curiosity. True, the mention of it had given him some wonderfully imaginative thoughts, but he had never dreamed anything would come of it. It wasn't something he particularly enjoyed the time he had tried it.
Seeing her smirk at him, and playing with him, was more enjoyable than he thought it would be, and he supposed that it just took the right person to make it fun. Then, she had stopped, and he could see her hesitation- her nerves. Even after he gave her some encouragement, he could see she was tentative.
He made sure to give a few encouraging noises at first, to help build her confidence, because Maker knew, he couldn't help but enjoy the unanticipated way she went about it.
Then, she started toying with him, and he struggled precariously between enjoying what she was doing, and his burning desire to take what he truly wanted. The memory of the last time he gave into that desire is what kept him from doing so again. He wasn't going to waste the opportunity he'd been given.
The combination of her lips firmly on his skin, and the soft almost ticklish sensations of her hair as it brushed and fell over him was vexing. The moan was not a thought out plan, it simply happened. She was evoking all sorts of reactions within him, and when she stopped, he wanted to sit up and beg her to continue.
When she announced that his slip would start the whole process from the beginning? He groaned not out of displeasure- but in the knowledge that he had lost this game, even as he won.
By the time she made her way back to where she had stopped, his body was tingling, his skin aflame. He hadn't known his desire could be strung out to the point of madness, and no matter how he tried to move to get Cat further down where he wanted her, she stayed frustratingly away.
Hawke bit his lip to keep from moaning out loud, as Cat moved to his pecs and closed her mouth over his nipple. He knew he let a sound escape, and she paused, but let it go when he held it back. His body was writhing as she nibbled and sucked on him moving from one side to the other.
She started to scoot very slowly down him, as her hands, hair and lips moved over his stomach. He could feel his muscles clenching at the feel of it, and struggled to keep his arms above him. The robe was doing little but covering his hands now, and he gripped the edge of the mattress in an attempt to stay his hands.
He didn't know how she was able to find his most vulnerable places, places he didn't even know he had, but she did, and exploited them with relish. She would constantly look up at him, with what he was now considering an evil smirk, and move back to her ministrations.
Sex had always been something easy and carefree. Something to enjoy, get a release and walk away whistling. This however, was uncharted territory. He had never purposefully held himself back as he was now, and seriously started questioning if one could go insane from this type of pleasure/torture.
Cat raised herself up in order to move lower, avoiding rubbing herself against the bulge in his pants, and he groaned again, knowing what he anticipated would be denied.
"Oh… were you wanting something?" she asked with a low chuckle, watching as his hips continued to rock. Feeling somewhat devious, she moved her hand where he could see it, and then moved over to his hips, and firmly covered him with her hand.
His eyes closed, and his hips started pushing upward and the moan he let out had her own center clutching. She felt wanton, and was a little surprised, but mostly pleased with how she was affecting him.
"Oh my, what a noise," she murmured, removing her hand, and his eyes flashed open, frustrated, and onto her. "Seems we'll have to begin again." She gave him a little pout, though he looked like he was almost at his limit, and she didn't know if she even had it in her to do it all again. She had never been so hot, and he hadn't even touched her.
She looked at him in question, before starting to scoot forward to lean over his face.
"Please…"
She looked up at him again, seeing his eyes shut again, feeling a little concerned, but knowing he could have stopped it all if something was wrong.
"If you want me to beg, Cat… then I'm begging."
Her needs changed then, suddenly wanting to finish what she started, to finish him. She raised her eyebrow at him, and scooted back down his legs, brushing herself over him as she did. She looked back up, and met his eyes. "Don't keep quiet anymore," she said softly, looking down. "I don't really know what I'm doing, so I'll need you to help me."
Without waiting for an answer, she leaned forward to pepper his stomach with kisses, as she pulled at the drawstring on his pants.
Hawke's quick intake of breath was the only warning she had before his hips started moving again. She was at somewhat of a loss, since she had never given any man this sort of pleasure with her hands before. She pushed back her sense of wonder, as she wanted to give his assemblage the same attention she had given the rest of him.
Reaching out, and curling her fingers around him, she moved her hands from the tip to the base and back, enjoying the feel of strength under the softness of skin. She found that she hardly needed to move, Hawke seemed to be pumping himself in her hands, and she just watched for a moment.
"Harder," he said and she looked over at him. "Grip harder," he grunted, his hands moved now down by his hips, helping to give himself leverage to push up. She tightened her grip slightly, and then again at his urging until he groaned. She smiled, excited that she was able to give him such pleasure. She started to mimic his movements, and the noises he made became even louder.
He gave her a few more commands, and like a girl at school learning a new favorite subject, she was enraptured with the information. She wanted to watch his face, but was concentrating too much on what she was doing, wanting to get it right. Next time, she promised herself.
He was straining, pumping erratically as she continued her ministrations. She watched him move, even as she wondered how he could be lasting this long. She knew her own experience wasn't even in the same league as Hawke, but she knew he hadn't been sleeping well the past few nights either.
Her thoughts turned as curiosity got the better of her, and leaning forward a bit more, she decided a quick taste couldn't hurt. The rest of him was wonderful, so this would be too, right? Like he was a treat in her hand, she leaned down and ran her tongue over the tip in a long lick.
With a cry that sounded almost like a roar, his body froze and Cat did the same, wondering what she had done. The next moment, she closed her eyes, because her face was suddenly covered. She didn't let him go, and finished him off, and then sat back, laughing.
Loosening the tunic at her back, she pulled the excess fabric up and wiped off her face. Being with Hawke is giving me all sorts of new experiences, she mused humorously. Once she could see again, she turned to look at him, and smiled softly.
He was exhausted, and sprawled over the bed his pants around his thighs, trying to keep himself awake, but losing that battle. She moved to sit up, feeling her hair pull, and looked back. She grinned this time, seeing his hand wrapped and tangled in the ends of her hair. Deciding that cuddling while he got some rest was the best decision for the moment, and doubting that she could even get the tunic off now if she tried- she crawled closer, stretching out beside him and laying down in the space between his chest and his arm, nestled into him.
His arm moved to wrap around her, and he mumbled something that she couldn't quite make out. She thought of her own body's aching, even as it slowly calmed, and ascertained that she'd have a hard time keeping Hawke off of her once he woke. The anticipation had her grinning, and her nerves tingling. She may have put him first this time, but she didn't regret it. Still, she couldn't wait for the next time. She kicked off her own pants, and joined him in sleep.
Garrett frowned at the light glowing behind his eyelids. As he became more aware of himself, he knew he felt better than he had in awhile, yet still a bit dissatisfied. And not because he was mostly naked.
Hearing the tolling of the bell, he counted them, and threw open his eyes, surprised that it was already almost nine bells. Looking down at himself, he saw his sleep pants around his shins, and decided to simply kick them off.
Sitting up, he enjoyed a good stretch, his mind bringing back wonderful memories of the night before, and his immediate thought was to find Cat. She had tortured him for quite awhile, and he was determined to pay her back in kind.
A small sigh has his head whipping to the right, and he grinned, seeing the object of his interest curled at the very edge of the bed, facing away from him. Taking a moment to decide his plan of attack, he started moving slowly to edge toward her.
He slowly started pulling the blankets from her, carefully, so as not to wake her yet. She curled up a little at the change, but stayed asleep. He looked her up and down, enjoying that she was wearing his tunic, even though he agreed that she would never return it. He was also really liking that that was all she wore.
He slid closer, positioning himself behind her. He reached out, one arm over and the other sliding under her, and with a slow and steady movement, he started pulling her into him.
She was almost spooned against him, as he wanted, when she rolled over, bringing her face directly into his chest. He pulled back so she could breathe, and with a little sigh, she settled again.
He praised his luck that she was sleeping deeply, and decided it must be the bed, because when they were traveling it wasn't the case. He debated with himself on whether to start from the head down, or the toes up, when she started blinking, and stretched, arching her back and pushing her breasts into his chest.
That's when Hawke stopped thinking, and went with instinct.
He wanted his hands everywhere, but he forced himself to take it slow. He had to get even for the night before after all. Reaching down, he slid his hand under the tunic at her back, and grabbed onto her rear, rubbing his hand up and down, grabbing and pulling her closer. His head bent down and he began placing kisses on her face, coming nearer to her lips with each pass.
He smiled as she struggled to understand what was happening, not yet fully awake, and having her senses assaulted. The noise she made was partly a moan and partly a sigh, and he determined to have her moaning loudly very soon.
Cat had had an extremely pleasant dream, and when the dream disappeared, she kept her eyes closed and sighed, not wanting to wake up. Feeling herself becoming more and more conscious, she stretched a little, and wondered what was going on. Am I still curled up next to Garrett? she wondered.
Feeling a warm hand on her, brought back the dream to her mind, and she felt herself sinking back into it. The kisses on her face were new, and her mind became more aware, even as she let herself just lay there and feel.
Her eyes opened, and she smiled at him before he moved his head to find her neck. Kissing and nipping along her jaw, Cat raised her chin and turned to give him easier access. SHe moved her hands to the back of his head, enjoying the feel of his hair.
He moved her leg over his hip, pulling her even closer, and she moaned again, feeling her body coming alive with every touch.
"Garrett, are you awake?" Leandra's voice sounded, even as the doorknob turned. Cat jerked like she had been shot, and wriggled to reach the blankets to hide.
Hawke held on to her as best he could, calling out, "Awake yes, decent, no!"
Leandra had started into the room, but turned herself away at his words. "Sorry darling," she replied with a chuckle. "I just wanted to tell you that your friends were here, waiting for you, and Cat."
Cat, trying to free herself all this time, wrenched herself away, just as Hawke let her go. She rolled right off the bed and onto the floor with an "Oof!"
Hawke leaned over, and grinned at her from the bed. "You all right sweetheart?" he asked cheekily.
"Never better," she grimaced, throwing the blanket at him.
"Tell them to come back in an hour," Hawke said loudly to his mother.
"They've already been here waiting for two," she said, disapproval in her voice. "Come on now, sleepy heads, you can't spend all day in bed when you've made plans with others."
Cat lowered her face to the mattress, burning red in embarrassment. "We'll be right there," she called out, though it came out muffled.
"Very good," Leandra replied, and retreated, shutting the door behind her.
Cat looked up as she felt Hawke shift closer. He was pouting at her.
"I've only gotten started," he groused.
"Who's fault is that for sleeping so long?" she asked, standing up. She looked down at the tunic, knowing what was on it. "I need another shirt," she told him.
"You're not going anywhere," he growled playfully, coming after her. She held up her hand, and he stopped.
"We did plan this Hawke," she said. "And knowing that they are all down there waiting for us, knowing what we would be doing…" she trailed off and shook her head. "Nope. We'll have to pick up later when we get home."
"Ugh," he grunted. "It's my day, I should get to decide," he complained.
She gave him a glare. "You did decide, you big baby. And all of them made time to spend the day with you, so that's what we are going to do." She moved toward the closet, intent on changing clothes. "Besides, I picked these smalls especially for today," she said as she reached down and pulled the tunic over her head.
She had had the underwear made to wear underneath her dress for the banquet, but hadn't had the chance to show them off until now. True, they had been a surprise for the previous night, but she was just as happy to see the look on his face now.
They were made from the excess fabric of the dress, and had the same crest sewn into the front, just off center. She had also explained the idea of boyshorts to Serine, who had made them perfectly, and they flattered her curves.
Seeing his face, as she grabbed her bra and walked to his closet in nothing but her boyshorts, she smirked to herself a little. She knew she was riling him up, but she felt she would have an unforgettable evening after spending the day getting him worked up.
Knowing Hawke's jealous side, even when it came to their friends, she had taken one of her tight shirts, and cut the sleeves off, giving herself essentially a tankini to swim in. But, it was packed in her bag, that Fenris was bringing, so she needed something else to wear until then.
Putting on her bra and grabbing a clean tunic, she pulled it tight and tied it behind her. Turning back to the room, she saw Hawke was finally out of bed, and walking toward her. He grabbed her, pulling her close and rubbing his hand over her backside again.
"I liked the look of these before, but even more so now that I've had a closer inspection," he murmured to her. He pushed himself closer and smirked at her sharp gasp, as she felt his arousal on her belly.
"Perhaps I'll win this time," he said, and let her go, walking to the wardrobe. He pulled out some clothes and started getting dressed. Once they were ready, Cat went to pick up the breastplate. "No, that stays here," Hawke said, pushing it back down to the chair. "I want a souvenir to remember this night forever."
"While that's a lovely thought, I need to return it to Cullen," she replied, tugging up on it.
He smirked at her again. "Sorry, not happening." He took her hands so she couldn't try again, and pulled her towards the door. "Now come on," he said, opening the door. He leaned in close as she passed by him. "I can't wait to get you wet," he murmured, grinning when she glanced up at him.
It's going to be an interesting day, she thought as they went downstairs, preparing herself to hear all sorts of harassment from their friends.
Cat looked around, enjoying the company she was keeping. Yes, they had all given a few good-natured jokes on her and Hawke's behalf, but it was nothing like she thought it would be. She had the thought that perhaps they were worried she wouldn't take it well or something.
Aveline seemed more upset about waiting than anything, though having Donnic accompanying her helped in that regard. He was quiet, as usual, but had a smile on his face, so Cat knew he was enjoying getting to know his wife's friends.
She thought back to the two ladies she had brought along, to stay at Hawke's house and keep Leandra company. When Hawke questioned her about it, they found that they were guards, dressed out of uniform, to ensure that Hawke needn't worry about home while he was gone for the day.
Cat smiled at the memory, looking over at Aveline, and reaching down to stroke Hafter's head, as a thought popped into her mind.
"Hey Aveline," she said, getting the older woman's attention. "Since this day is for Hawke, I feel like we need to share some stories." Aveline smirked, knowing what she was asking for. "So do you have any from the time before the rest of us met him?" she asked.
"Hmm, those were surely not the most pleasant days," Aveline responded, and Hawke looked at her in surprise. "It was just Hawke, me and Carver, you know, working off the debt that got us into the city."
"Really?" Merrill asked. "Why couldn't you get in?"
"At that time Merrill, the blight had caused Fereldens to flee their country," Hawke explained, adjusting the bags that he was carrying to get a better grip. "There were so many of the refugees, that Kirkwall decided they couldn't take any more, and began stopping anyone from entering the city, unless they could prove they had legitimate business."
"Or, in other words Daisy," Varric added, "they had to prove they had money, and a bribe was one way to do that."
"Some just snuck in," Anders added.
"Oh no, does that mean you all made a bribe for me?" Merrill said as she looked around in surprise. "Why didn't you tell me, I would have gladly paid you back!"
"We didn't tell you, because we didn't pay anything," Hawke said with a smile at her. "By that time, most of the refugees went back to Ferelden, and there was no longer anyone stopping people from coming into the city."
"Oh, thank goodness," Merrill replied in relief. "Because I don't really have any money."
They all smiled and some shook their heads, and Aveline spoke back up. "At this time, we were working for a mercenary group called the Red Iron. It wasn't a good job, but all three of us were determined to do our best."
"And they did," Varric spoke up again. "Though Hawke got most of the credit."
"Something I was grateful for," Aveline said. "I actually only worked with Hawke for half that year. I was granted a position with the guard and Hawke pushed his weight around to enable me to join up."
"And a wonderful day that was," Donnic added softly to his wife, though the others heard him plainly.
Cat glanced over at the man next to her. "I didn't know you did that," she said with a smile, and his mabari barked happily.
He smirked back at her. "Well, it was the best thing really. Aveline would make a much better guard than a mercenary, and most of the Red Iron was happy to see her go."
The others chuckled, even Aveline. "That sounds like an insult, but I'll take it as a compliment," she replied.
"Besides, those days weren't nearly as fun as once we met Varric," Hawke continued. "With the Red Iron, it was all, Kill him, oh, and kill that one too," he said in a loud voice, mimicking someone.
Aveline chuckled, as it obviously reminded her of person Hawke was imitating. "I'm surprised we haven't had to deal with Meeran," she said to Hawke. "Wasn't the last thing he said, You'll regret crossing me," she said in a low voice, trying to mimic as Hawke did.
"He's definitely not one to let go of grudges," Hawke replied. "But he's also not one to worry about. Any of our crew could take him down easily, even though he's an accomplished rogue."
"So then you met Varric," Merrill said, changing the topic back. "Who was after that?" she asked.
"That would be me," Anders replied. "Varric got Hawke involved in the Deep Road expedition, and heard that there was a Grey Warden hanging around the city. They came looking for me, to find out information on the Deep Roads."
"And then?" she asked curiously.
"And then Fenris," Varric said, which had Cat and Isabela turning to look at him in surprise. "Though we did meet our two pirates first, Fenris actually joined us before they did."
"True," Isabela said with a smirk. "Kitty and I had to be sure about you all before we could commit to being a part of the crew."
"Technically," Hawke spoke up, "you two ladies were the last to join."
"Hey," Cat protested. "Sebastian didn't join until after the Deep Roads!"
"Yes, but you two were always trying to go your own way, and we never knew if you would up and leave. It wasn't until after Sebastian joined that we were sure you were a part of us," Hawke explained.
"No wonder you gave us such attitude," Isabela teased him. "You were worried you'd lose the most valuable members of your team!"
That last part had the others protesting, not believing that Isabela could be counted more valuable than themselves. Hawke looked around, dumbfounded, that the others would actually want him to somehow rank them by order of value, because they were all precious to him. Cat chuckled, and moved closer to where Fenris was walking along, followed by Sebastian.
"How are you feeling?" she asked him.
"Useless," he responded immediately, looking down at his empty hands. Cat cleared her throat, and looked pointedly to her own empty hands. "It is not the same," he replied, frustrated. "Hawke merely took your items for you because he cares for you. I am not allowed to carry anything because I am weak."
"No," she replied. "I took your items for you, because I care for you. Hawke then took them from me, because he cares for me. So we are the same." She glared at him then. "Are you saying I'm useless?" she demanded, and Hafter, who had followed her growled.
"Of course not," he grumbled to her.
"What Fenris means to say," Sebastian chimed in, "is that he is tired of recuperating, and wants to be back to full health, so he's grumpy."
"You know I could help you with that," Anders spoke up, and Fenris glared at him. Cat turned to give him a look as well.
"You're not helping," she told him.
"Well, I try to treat all my companions equally, and I would do it for anyone else, so I wanted to offer to him as well," Anders replied, though the smirk on his face belied his words.
"Whatever," Fenris muttered.
"So Kitty," Isabela started, an evil grin on her face. "What had you so occupied this morning? We were waiting forever!"
Cat held her blush at bay, and gave Isabela a simple smile. "Sorry, Hawke fell asleep, so I decided to just stay there. Then Leandra walked in and woke us up, and said you had been waiting. I had no idea we would sleep that long!"
She kept her smile innocent, even as Isabela frowned and studied her face. "So nothing happened?" Isabela demanded, not believing it.
"What do you mean Issy?" Cat asked, tilting her head in faux confusion.
"Ugh! You're impossible!" Isabela groused, and stormed ahead of the group, Hafter following after her in order to be in front.
The group was silent for a bit, before Hawke could no longer keep his laughter at bay, and snorted, which opened the flood gates for both of them.
"Wait, so did something happen then?" Anders asked, mouth gaping open, his eyes lighting up.
Hawke didn't answer vocally, but he slid over to Cat and gave her a kiss on the cheek, with a loud sounding, "Mwah!"
Cat chuckled and pushed him away. "Come on everyone, let's catch up to Issy," she said.
"So what was it?" Anders asked, not to be deterred. "Was it the banquet? Or the dress? Because she looked unbelievable in that."
"I can attest to hearing many rumors that night of Hawke's lady's dress," Donnic added with a smile to Cat, even as he nudged his wife's shoulder.
"It's true," Aveline added, glancing at her husband. "I tried to arrest several foul mouthed ladies, but Donnic prevented me." She glared at Donnic then, and he chuckled.
"I don't believe gossiping is against the law," he replied.
Cat laughed aloud at that, enjoying her friends so very much. "Thank you for the effort regardless, Aveline," she said. Looking back over at Fenris, who was still pouting, she looked back to Hawke with a helpless expression on her face.
"Oy, Fenris," Hawke called out to him, and the elf looked up. "Will you hold Cat's hand for me?" he asked.
Fenris looked bewildered, but Cat reached over and grabbed his hand before he could decide what to do.
"I'd hate for her to trip or anything," Hawke continued. "She can be clumsy you know." He smiled at Cat, and gave her a wink, even as she gaped at him. "Now, I'm trusting you with one of my people," he said. "You carry valuable cargo there, so be careful."
Though it was a simple thing, Cat watched the corners of Fenris' mouth twitch upward, into what could almost be a smile. He gave Cat's hand a squeeze, and continued forward, holding himself a little higher.
Cat glanced over at Hawke, as he spoke with some of his other companions, and felt as her heart slipped over the line she had held it at, and fell completely. The fear and the worry came with it, and she tried to understand how she had let herself fall in love.
A long day of relaxation shouldn't be tiring, but after swimming and eating, and sunbathing the afternoon away, the group headed home in good spirits, and an enjoyable fatigue.
Though Cat had spent most of the day with Hawke, it was hardly the type of together either of them were wanting. As they made their way toward the city, there was still talk among them all on varying subjects.
"So, Little Dove," Varric said, as he moved closer to her. "It is almost your name day I hear."
"I suppose it is," she said with a shrug. "Though there is no need to make a big deal out of it."
"Well we should have a celebration at the very least," Isabela spoke up. "Drinking all night long!"
"That's your idea of a celebration, not Cat's," Aveline muttered.
"Cat likes it too," Isabela said defensively. "And once she gets drunk, Hawke will really like it."
"Oh?" Hawke asked, intrigued.
"Not happening," Cat said dryly in response, and Isabela pouted.
"So what do you want for a present?" Merrill asked Cat. "Something special from Hawke, maybe?" she teased happily.
Cat looked over at Hawke, enjoying the grin on his face. It is really amazing how much they all love seeing us together, she thought.
"I don't know, I think my present will be better than Hawke's," Varric said with mock seriousness, and Cat chuckled.
"I don't need any presents," she said happily, "just all of you."
"Aww…" Merrill and Isabela said, though Merrill meant it, and Isabela was pretending to gag herself.
"My gift will surpass all others," Fenris said suddenly, and they all turned to look at him.
"Really?" Cat asked, giggling at the impassioned way her pronounced this.
"Yes," he replied with a nod. He took a deep breath, letting it out and then stopped in his tracks and said, "Hawke."
Garrett stopped as well, which brought the entire party to a halt. They all looked back and forth between the two males, wondering what was happening.
Cat wondered if Hawke was about to get the whole, hurt Cat and I kill you speech, and admitted that she wouldn't mind hearing it, just for fun. Plus, who knew what would come out of Hawke's mouth?
"I need you to give your word to Cat," Fenris said, and eyebrows went up everywhere.
"What about?" Hawke asked.
"That you won't ever again leave her, to keep her safe."
Hawke froze at that, looking over at Cat, who also looked stricken. "Uh…" she said. "Fenris, it's… I mean, that's not…"
Hawke watched as she tried to say something but failed, and he realized that this was indeed something that she wanted from him. Very much in fact, by her reaction. Walking over to Cat, he grabbed her hand, and brought it to his lips.
"My lady Cat," he said with a smile. "I give you a promise, not to leave you in order to keep you safe. In return, I would ask something of you as well." She looked up at him, and he continued. "I would ask that you do what you can to keep yourself safe, even if it means staying home."
Cat scrutinized his face, and finally nodded. "I'll agree to try, and if it is truly a danger, I will stay back. However, that will be up to everyone to decide, not just you, or me."
Hawke grumbled a bit, pouting at her. "Is it such a bad thing to want you safe?" he asked.
"Of course not," she said with a smile, reaching up to put her hand on his face. "But I feel safest when I am with you."
She moved over to Fenris as well, and gave him a hug. "That was a perfect present, thank you so much!" she said happily.
"Technically, that was from Hawke," Isabela said dryly, Varric and Anders nodding along with her.
"That's not my present," Hawke denied. "I've got something else in mind."
"And technically, it's not her name day yet," Sebastian pointed out. "So I'm afraid it doesn't count."
Fenris glared at all of them, and Hawke laughed out loud. "Sorry my friend," he said to Fenris. "It seems we all want a chance in this little contest."
"I've already won," Fenris said haughtily, and took Cat's hand again. "Let's get you home," he said to her.
"I feel like I don't even have a chance," Merrill said sorrowfully.
"I feel like they are going to make me pick a winner," Cat said back to her. "Want to trade places?" she asked.
"You think it will be hard to choose?" Merrill asked her.
"Choosing between all of my best friends and the man I love?" Cat asked her skeptically. "How will I do that?"
"I suppose that would be difficult," Merrill said, as they walked on, missing how Hawke had frozen and was staring at their backs in stunned silence.