Chapter Twenty
~O~
Hawke knocked hard on the door of the Hightown mansion, waited the ten seconds she considered polite, then turned the knob and opened it, slipping inside and closing it behind her.
"Fenris, are you home?" She called loudly, walking to the front entry hall and stopping, smiling when the elf came through another doorway, armed with his sword across his back, as always. He walked to her and stopped several feet away, giving her a puzzled look.
"Do we still need to go and gather the others?"
She shook her head and rested her hand on the hilt of the dagger at her waist, something she did habitually. "Everyone else seems to be occupied with their own affairs, so it's just us today. Is that alright? I have two errands I really consider pressing that I need to attend, but after that, we can call it a day if you like. Perhaps even do something fun together."
He shrugged and crossed his arms, a small smile tugging at his mouth. "Do I actually have you all to myself, for once, Hawke? That has never happened before. I am astonished the healer is not with you, at least. I had thought he was now a permanent fixture at your side."
Hawke smirked. "I am capable of being separated from Anders, on occasion. He's been inundated with even more people needing healing recently, so I encouraged him to fully focus on that. I don't actually expect to be doing any fighting for these particular errands, but just in case, I'm sure your protection and company will keep me safe, as well as entertained."
Fenris' brows climbed. "I am to entertain you today, as well? You may need to inform me as to what you would find entertaining, first. I may be ill equipped to fulfill that role."
Giving him a wide grin, Hawke waved a hand toward him. "All you have to do is stay at my side, I expect the entertainment will provide itself. Ready?" Turning on her heel, she made it to the door before he spoke.
"Where are we headed?" He pulled the door closed and fell into step beside Hawke, narrowing his eyes when her expression turned teasing, as it so often did. He tamped down on the rising anticipation he felt, not fully willing to admit to himself how much he was looking forward to being her only companion for the day.
"Our first stop is The Blooming Rose. I just need to question one of the workers there, about a lost item I've been asked to recover."
Fenris frowned but nodded. "And the other errand you mentioned as pressing?"
Hawke smiled and murmured a polite greeting to a passing noble that spoke to her by name. "After the Rose, we need to visit the Qunari compound." The smile slipped from her face and her brows drew together. "I would actually rather avoid the compound, but the Viscount asked I go there to check on his son, to see that he is well with my own eyes, as a personal favor. I can hardly refuse such a request." She glanced at him. "I prefer to only go there with you, since you know so much more about Qunari beliefs and culture, and can hopefully keep me from putting my foot in my mouth. Unless you want to watch me do that." She smirked when he shook his head, unable to stop his smile.
"I said you have pretty feet, once. Why are you so certain I have an obsession with them, Hawke?"
"I'm not." She bit her lip. "I just enjoy teasing you, and it's the only thing you reliably respond to." She tilted her head, a mischievous sparkle in her blue eyes. "Unless you would like to share any other insights, while it is just the two of us. You can freely bare your soul to me, Fenris, and tell me all your secrets. I will never breathe a word to anyone else."
His lips twisted in a smile, he was enjoying their banter far more than he showed. "Not even to the healer? He's the last person I would want to know any of my dark secrets."
She gasped in mock offense. "Especially not Anders! When I say I will respect your confidence, that means I will tell absolutely no one. I swear it on my honor."
They passed the Chantry courtyard and headed toward the Merchant's Square. "Very well, I will tell you one thing I have revealed to no one else in Kirkwall, but you must also tell me one of your secrets in return. That is fair between friends, is it not?"
"Absolutely," Hawke agreed, nodding. "Shall I go first, or you?"
"I will," Fenris replied with a smirk. "When I am very happily drunk, I sometimes enjoy singing. There were many musical dramas staged in Tevinter, and Danarius attended such concerts regularly." He shot a glance at Hawke, continuing when he saw he had her rapt attention. "It was one of the few activities I actually enjoyed accompanying him to. Perhaps if you ply me with enough wine, and the others are not around, I will...sing something for you."
Clasping her hands together with a look of amazement, she nodded. "And with such a wonderful, deep speaking voice as you have, I can only think you would have an equally amazing singing voice."
He shrugged. "My singing voice is adequate, but recall, this is to remain our secret, alone. You mustn't tell anyone."
Hawke stopped outside the Rose. "Of course, I give you my word. I'll tell you my secret while we walk to the compound, alright?" At his nod of agreement, she pushed open the door to the brothel, maintaining a brisk pace until she stood in the main chamber, before Madame Lusine. She tried not to cough at the cloying scent of cheap perfume clawing its way down her throat, her night with Cullen pulled to the forefront by the sense memory.
"Oh, hello, dearie," Madame Lusine said, with a warm, welcoming smile at Hawke. "Nice to see you again. Got a new lad with you this time? If you want the same as before, it's still two gold."
Ignoring Fenris' gaze she could feel boring into her, she smiled at the Madame. "Ah, no, thank you. Once was plenty for that experience." She slipped her arm through Fenris' and leaned her head against him, glad when he shifted closer to her, clearly understanding her ruse. "We were actually hoping to catch Jethann free? If he's currently engaged, we're happy to wait a bit."
Looking between them, Madame Lusine nodded with a bright smile. "Got a taste for elves now, have you?" She leaned nearer, dropping her voice to a whisper. "I don't blame you, just between you and me, our elves are popular for a very good reason." She held out her hand. "For the both of you, it's two gold." When Hawke dropped the coins into her hand, she waved. "You can go right up. Second door on the right when you reach the end of the stairs. He has a client with him, but he should be done any minute if he isn't already."
Plastering on a wide, seemingly excited smile, Hawke turned and steered Fenris toward the stairs, whispering as they ascended. "Sorry about that, Fenris. I like to pretend to be a customer when I come here, the workers always speak more freely to me that way."
"Who did you come here with before?" He whispered back, unable to stop his curious question.
"With Cullen, when we were chasing leads on lyrium thieves. We never did find out who was behind it all." She stopped outside the closed door Madame Lusine directed them to. Leaning against the wall, she crossed her arms, met his eyes and shrugged.
He leaned against the wall beside her, sweeping his eyes further down the empty passage, taking in the sights and sounds around them, the scents and unmistakable noises of people having sex, making him press his lips together in discomfort. It brought back far too many memories of Tevinter for him, none of them welcome.
When Hawke's breathing quickened after a moment and she visibly tensed, he turned to look at her, frowning down at her trembling form, something clearly ailing her. In concern, he turned more to face her, placing a steadying hand on her shoulder. His brows rose in surprise when she stepped into him and pressed against him, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist and bringing her body flush with his.
"Just hold me up, Fenris," she asked in a pleading tone. "Only for a moment or two, I really think I might fall if you don't. Please. I'll explain it all in a bit."
He did as she asked, pulling her even more tightly against him. He clenched his jaw when he felt her magic spill out and surround him, gently teasing over his markings and gliding across his skin, in a far too pleasant way for him to fully ignore. He fought to stop the arousal coursing through him and his sudden straining erection, but he was powerless to resist the strong pull. Her trembling increased until she buried her face against his chest with a muffled moan, her teeth finding his skin through the cloth covering his ribs. It was hard enough for him to feel her bite, but not enough to be painful, and yet another titillating sensation he tried to ignore. She shuddered strongly against him, and he was in no doubt as to what had just happened to her while he held her in his arms, leaving him completely bewildered and even more painfully aroused than before.
"Hawke?" He questioned hesitantly, in a whisper against her ear. "Are you...well?"
"Oh gods," she mumbled in a shaky whisper against his chest, while she fought to breathe normally. "Are my eyes glowing, Fenris?" She looked up and met his gaze, the golden light there shining brightly.
He pursed his lips and nodded. "Yes, quite a lot. What happened to you? What...was that?"
Closing her eyes, she drew a deep breath and then another and another, quickly regaining her composure. "And now?" She looked up, her normal blue eyes peering into his.
"The glow from your eyes is gone now," he assured her, tilting his head when she stepped back, releasing him from her embrace. "But...you look...somehow, a bit brighter all over. I'm not sure how else to describe it."
She smiled faintly and shook her head. "It's all part of the secret I was going to tell you about. It's from the taint, it makes me hungry all the time, and I have to eat fairly often. Only, it's not actually food I have to give it, pleasure is what feeds it, sexual pleasure, to be specific. Mine, or anyone else that is close by, apparently." She sighed and shook her head. "I apologize for all that, and I'm very sorry I bit you, it really wasn't...intentional. What just happened has never occurred to me before now."
She stared at the door expectantly just before it opened, watching the older, lanky man that walked out with flushed cheeks and a bright smile, until he hurried away down the stairs. Jethann walked out, clad only in loose trousers and grinned, addressing Hawke.
"Hey, I remember your pretty face from before. Am I going to finally get a taste of you, this time?" His eyes ran hungrily over her, his lips parting eagerly as he leaned closer to her and inhaled. "Actually, if you let me lick you until you come, I'll do it as a free bonus on top of whatever else you want. I've never had a customer that smells so divine."
Taking his arm, she steered him back into the room, her expression polite as she addressed the smaller elf. Fenris followed and closed the door, keeping guard there. "I have paid for your time, Jethann, but I'm not here to have sex with you. I'm actually hoping you can help me with something that is rather embarrassing for the person I represent. So embarrassing, I was asked to come here and speak to you on his behalf."
Sighing in obvious disappointment, Jethann crossed his arms. "Well, what do you want then?"
"This person left behind their sword. A sword that is very important to them, that they would very much like to have returned. Would you happen to know anything about that, at all?" She smiled appealingly.
Making a sound of annoyance, Jethann turned to a large cupboard, pulled a key from the pocket of his trousers and opened it, pulling out a sword nearly as big as him. "Here. You tell that ass that he still owes me. He's lucky I'm such a nice person. Qunari blades fetch a good price on the open market."
"Here, I'll compensate you for what he owes." Grinning, Hawke reached into her coin bag and pulled out a handful of gold, taking the sword and dropping the coins into his hand. Good humor restored, Jethann smirked, reaching for her forearm and wrapping his fingers there lightly. "You sure I can't talk you into staying with me for even a few minutes? Completely free, whatever you want, I just really want a taste of you, anywhere."
Shaking her head, Hawke gave him what she hoped was an apologetic look, and managed to hide how much his touch made her skin crawl. "I'm sorry, I really can't, I have a very jealous lover."
Jethann smiled flirtatiously over her shoulder at Fenris, addressing him. "You're very welcome to join, I will make sure you both leave completely satisfied. I am one of the very best here."
Fenris frowned and crossed his arms. "I am not Hawke's lover. He is a very unpleasant, angry mage that threatens to throw fireballs at anyone who looks at her wrong."
With wide, fearful eyes, Jethann released her arm and stepped away at the implied threat. "Ah. Well, then I won't keep you any longer, Hawke." He nodded to her in thanks, pocketing the coins while Hawke followed Fenris out.
Madame Lusine smiled and waved when they walked past and out the main door. When they were well beyond the front of the Rose, Hawke went and leaned against the wall, near the steps leading to Lowtown. She handed the sword to Fenris to carry and gave him an embarrassed smile.
"So...um, I'm sorry for, uh...that." She waved a hand back toward the Rose "You know, coming in your arms," she said in a quick rush, blushing at his smirk. "Can we add that to the things we will keep just between the two of us today? I really didn't expect that, at all. Didn't even know I could experience other people's orgasms that I wasn't actively engaged with." She frowned. "That's definitely unexpected. Not sure if it will be useful or not."
Fenris chuckled, his smile soft. "Your secrets are safe with me, Hawke. But perhaps you should steer clear of the brothel in future, just to avoid any more...unpleasant encounters. Imagine if Isabela had been there instead of me."
She paled. "Andraste's ass, I would never go there with her."
"Should we carry on with your tasks?" He moved toward the stairs, Hawke falling into step beside him. They walked in companionable silence until she turned off into a Lowtown alley, just before the steps leading down to the docks. Hawke knocked on a large, rusty door, then took the sword from Fenris. The dark-haired, female elf that answered gave her a narrow-eyed, suspicious look.
"Yes?"
"This delivery is from Hawke, for the friend of Maraas. A favor I owed him." She extended the sword, and the elf took it with a much friendlier nod, before she closed the door again. Turning to Fenris with a smile, she started for the stairs to the docks.
"Well, that's one errand complete, with only minimal discomfort for both of us. Let's hope the next one goes much more smoothly."
"I'm sure it will," Fenris offered. "If nothing else, you have earned the Arishok's respect, which means his warriors will treat you the same as their leader."
~O~
Anders wiped away the sheen of sweat across his forehead, hot and tired from all the healing he had done throughout the day, and in need of rest and recovery before he would be able to do any more for the needy folk of Darktown. He slipped into the hidden entrance to the Hightown estate where he lived with Hawke, locking it securely behind him, then deftly navigated the dark staircases and twisting paths that would lead him home. His concern for Marian's well-being had been steadily growing during the past several hours, while he kicked himself again and again for not waking her long enough to ensure her taint was fed for the day, before he left. Cullen could help her, but he wasn't due to visit Marian, likely not until next week.
Love, I'm on my way back, are you home?
He questioned silently, sighing when he got no response and his worry grew. He passed through their recently converted work space, his eyes sweeping the room with pride, all the books neatly on their shelves. Alchemical supplies filling several more shelves, with the usual mortar and pestle, and other typical accoutrements for potion making.
The desk they shared was covered in quills, pots of ink, and the endless papers they had both filled with all their observations and the results of their magical experiments. Some were promising, others less so, but they were both passionate about the research. Just one more interest they shared, among many others. He smiled, lifting one of the top sheets Marian had written on, apparently in one of her greater moments of boredom, likely while waiting for him.
I come, you come, we all come for Marian!
Feed the fucking taint by fucking for the taint.
What happens in the cellar, stays in the cellar. A brand new novel by renowned author, Varric Tethras, and the highly anticipated follow up to his best seller, Hard in Hightown, comes Hightown After Dark: Apostates Gone Wild
Anders laughed aloud, amused that Varric likely would write such a book, if Marian ever gave him the idea and filled him in on any of the more intimate particulars of their time together. His gaze went to the bottom of the page, to the last thing she had written, his smile growing.
There once was a mage from Denerim
Who fucked all the girls in the interim.
They writhed and cried,
Shook and sighed,
But not one of them tried to give head to him.
Folding the paper with a smirk, he slipped it in his pocket to tease her with it later. Turning, he went to check on the connected room, opening it and surveying the fully completed bedroom with satisfaction. The bed was oversized, the largest one he had ever seen, and had to be built right there, as it would have been too big to fit otherwise. The workers they briefly hired had only finished it all on the previous day, the scent of fresh cut wood still strong. The furnishings and decorations were inviting, everything done in deep greens, and with a more masculine feel to the space than their bedroom upstairs. Something he assumed she had done to appeal to Cullen, as he certainly didn't care how a bedroom was decorated, either way.
Anders was looking forward to christening the space with Marian, raising a brow again at just how enormous the bed was. You could easily have several couples going at it simultaneously, and none of them would come close to touching. He inhaled, recognizing the soft scent of lavender that seemed to permeate everything Marian touched. A raging erection made him shift, so closely did he associate the smell with her, that it was practically an aphrodisiac to him. Closing the door, he started for the stairs that would take him up to the mansion proper.
With how desperate he was beginning to feel, how much he was truly aching now, for Marian, it made his brows furrow in thought. He thought the daily need was all hers, but what if that wasn't the case? What if it was yet another thing they now shared, and his need was no less than hers was? He would have to test his ability to abstain sometime soon, perhaps on a day she was with Cullen, which would either prove or disprove his suspicions. After checking again to ensure she was nowhere in the house, he went to bathe and change while he waited for her return.
~O~
After Hawke and Fenris arrived at the Qunari compound and stated their business, they waited nearly a half an hour before the gate was opened and another Qun warrior approached her.
"Only you are permitted inside, Basalit-an, at the Arishok's word. No other."
Looking at Fenris, she shrugged.
"I will wait for you here," the elf said with a frown, uncertain if he should protest her going alone, but resigned when she seemed comfortable with the arrangement.
Hawke followed behind the massive warrior, looking around in confusion when she was led further back into the compound than she had ever been permitted before. Colorful tents with Qun designs were aligned in neat rows, and she smiled at what was clearly a practice session for some of the warriors in an open space. A large tent, opened on three sides, had quite a few elves sitting around members of the Qun, many animated conversations taking place. Hawke relaxed when she saw Seamus on the far side of the tent, sitting in a chair talking to one of the Qun, all on his own. She could honestly tell the Viscount that all was well with his boy, glad that the task was so quickly and easily accomplished.
The warrior leading her, guided her away from the tent, making her frown when she was ushered down another path and finally into a large, plush tent, carpets and cushions scattered everywhere, offering comfort wherever you might choose to sit. Pointing a finger at a large pile of cushions, he met her gaze.
"You will sit here and wait."
She opened her mouth to ask what she was waiting for, or exactly how long she would be expected to wait, when he turned on his heel and stalked back out of the tent. "Well, alright then," she muttered under her breath. "I'll just wait right here, shall I?" Adjusting her sword, she sat down, running a hand across a soft cushion beside her. It looked like a comfortable spot for a nap, and she smirked, thinking of the running joke with Anders about the threesome with the Arishok. After a good ten minutes passed, Hawke was considering walking back to where she had seen Seamus when another warrior came into the tent and beckoned her.
"Follow me, Basalit-an."
She adjusted her sword again when she stood, and dutifully followed, ushered into a tent that could only be described as luxurious. Silken banners with Qunari symbols hung on either side of the tent, partitions cutting up the large space into several sections, plush couches facing each other. Low tables held pitchers of drink, as well as plates of fruit and bread. It looked like a much more exotic and foreign version of a king's throne room. The Arishok lay sprawled across the largest couch, free of his weapons and armor and clad in nothing but dark, loose pants that looked to be made of a soft, silken material. It flowed over a rather significant bulge in the crotch area that had her instantly wrenching her gaze up, fighting a blush when his slightly up-tilted lips and silver eyes seemed to laugh at her.
"Hawke," he rumbled in his deep voice, waving a hand toward the couch facing him. "Be seated."
"Thank you," she murmured, fully removing her scabbard with sword before she sat, feeling horrifically awkward and uncomfortable when she met his eyes.
He waved toward a small table she had already observed. "Would you like drink or food?"
Uncertain, she bit her lip, staring at the offerings while she debated. Would it be offensive to refuse food and drink when offered? Should she accept and maybe just wet her lips with a taste, or if she accepted, did she have to consume it all? This is why she needed Fenris! How would she know if she were about to enrage the Arishok by refusing his hospitality? Perhaps she had best just accept? His low chuckle had her eyes flying to his in confusion, as he now openly laughed at her.
"It will not offend me if you refuse, there is no need for concern."
Releasing a breath and a great deal of tension with it, she smiled and shrugged. "I'm sorry, I don't know your customs and I never want to give offense due to my ignorance, but I'm not actually hungry or thirsty. Thank you for the offer."
The Arishok looked at the warriors and young elves that were clearly servants and waved his hand again, carelessly. When they all withdrew, leaving her alone with the giant, she found her eyes drawn to his massive horns, wondering how he managed to sleep comfortably with them. Maybe that was why they had so many cushions everywhere?
"Why have you come to me today, Hawke? Is there something you need from me?" He shifted on the couch, drawing her eyes to his again.
She shook her head. "I didn't actually come to see you, I just came to check on Seamus. The Viscount requested it, and it's the sole reason for my presence here." Hawke smiled apologetically. "I did tell your warriors that, but perhaps they did not relay my message fully?"
His eyes bore into hers, narrowing when she held his gaze unflinchingly. His powerful bass voice was a low, vibrating rumble between them. "You are different than the last time you came before me. Very different. What has occurred to bring about such a marked change?"
Tilting her head, she opened her mouth to deny a change when she belatedly realized he must find her altered from the Taint. She didn't realize it would be obvious in any way, but she still knew little to nothing of the Qunari, and what they might be able to sense or observe. Sighing, she nodded.
"Since I last saw you, I went on an expedition into the deep roads. During that journey, I became infected and ill with darkspawn taint, and am now permanently changed because of it. You are familiar with darkspawn and Grey Wardens?"
"Yes," he replied, his expression thoughtful.
"It nearly killed me," she clenched her jaw in futile anger toward the changes wrought by the taint. "Three weeks of fevers, but I lived through it, though as you say, I am now...altered." She dropped her gaze while she mastered her emotions, then met his eyes again.
He tipped his head up and drew in a deep breath, his eyes never leaving hers but growing in intensity. He extended a hand to her, palm up. "Come to me."
Confused, she stood and slipped her hand into his automatically, her eyes widening when he pulled her closer, running his mouth and nose along her arm. His other arm snaked around her waist, pulling her near enough to feel the heat from his body, her heart starting to pound in surprise and alarm.
"What...are you doing?" She whispered, paralyzed by her disbelief as to what was happening.
He met her gaze, his silver eyes holding her fully in thrall, so close to her. "You are Basalit-an, as I have named you. I will help you now, through this great need that is upon you. I am familiar enough with your kind. You may ease your mind, I will give you no pain, only pleasure, and you will bring me pleasure, in return. The Qun allows it." In a single movement, he sat up and had her straddling his lap, pushing his massive erection boldly against her sex and drawing a gasp from her. He yanked her head back by the hair, running his tongue up her neck in a long swipe, making her give a surprised moan at his unexpected sensuality. He released a pleased growl in response, drawing in another deep breath of her scent and grinding against her again.
As the haze of her shock and surprise lifted, she became fully panicked. Hawke twisted against him and sprang away, panting wildly while she kept her trembling hands on the back of the couch she had put between them, shaking her head and forcing out the words she needed to say.
"Arishok, I do thank you for the sincere offer of your help, but in my culture, it would be a gross betrayal of my honor to be sexually intimate with anyone besides my lover that I have committed to. Do you understand?"
His brows furrowed and he finally dipped his chin in acknowledgement. "I understand you." He tilted his head, raising a brow while he surveyed her trembling form. "But are you certain you do not wish my help in some form? How can you leave in such a state as you are now, weak and trembling with your overpowering need? There is no shame or dishonor in my offer of assistance to you."
While he watched, she closed her eyes and drew in slow, deep breaths, until her trembling ceased. Opening her eyes, she met his gaze with unswerving resolve. "I am the master of my body," she declared firmly. "It does not master me, not even this damned taint."
His silver eyes shone with his approval. "From you, I would expect no less." A faint gleam of humor lit his eyes and his lips tilted up. "Though I would approve more if you changed your mind, and I would not mind dueling your lover, if you were the reward for winning. To my surprise, I find myself eagerly wanting to fuck you." He tilted his head curiously. "That is your word for it, is it not?"
Stifling her surprised laugh, she nodded. "It is." She smirked, unable to resist a slight tease. "I'm honored the Arishok finds me worthy of his fucking attention."
He made a sound suspiciously like a snort and pointed a clawed finger at her, a clear threat in his slight smile. "You have less than one minute to remove your utterly enticing scent from this compound, Hawke, or I will have you naked beneath me, and my tongue inside you before the time is up."
"Farewell, Arishok!" Snatching up her sword, she dashed from the tent and ran all the way back out, not stopping until she stood in front of Fenris, doubled over and gasping for breath. Concerned, he took her arm and led her away, until there were no Qunari in sight. He looked at her expectantly, waiting for her to explain her hasty flight out. Smiling brightly, she met his green-eyed gaze.
"Do you know of a pub where we can go get sodding drunk and no one will be aware of who we are?"
Smirking, he pointed over his shoulder, further down the docks. "This way, Hawke, the Seaside Serpent is just down that lane there. Should be the perfect place for us. You are done with your errands for the day?"
Slipping her arm through his, they started walking. "I am so very done. No more errands for Marian Hawke, I have discharged my duty, and then some." Her smile grew wider. "And I didn't have sex with anyone. Anders will be pleased with me, I hope."
Fenris gave her an uncertain look. "I believe you have more than earned a song from me. Do you have a request?"
She shook her head. "Anything you want to sing is fine. And Fenris, I really do appreciate you accompanying me today, it meant the world to me, having you watch my back."
Smiling genuinely, he steered her to the door of the tavern. "Anytime you want me to watch over you, I am always willing, Hawke. That is what friends are for, isn't it?"
"It's exactly what they're for," she replied emphatically.
When they were seated at a little wooden table in the sleepy tavern, and well onto their fourth round of drinks, Hawke leaned nearer to Fenris. "Guess what the Arishok offered me earlier, Fenris?!" She smirked. "You'll never guess." She giggled and whispered the truth of it into his ear, laughing at his completely shocked expression. She nodded sagely. "Now you know why I ran out as though I were being pursued by demons. I nearly was."
He gave her a leering grin. "Apparently, you have earned far more than just his respect. That definitely deserves a song," he declared, and started singing a rousing sea shanty. Grinning happily, and well on her way to being completely drunk, Hawke ordered them another round.
~O~
As the last of the setting sun's rays lit the pavement at his feet, Cullen knocked on the door of Hawke's Hightown mansion. His brows climbed in surprise when Anders answered, following the mage when he impatiently waved him inside. When they stood in the library together, the healer turned and faced him, crossing his arms.
"Have you heard from Marian today? I can't find her anywhere, and she hasn't answered my silent calls."
Frowning, Cullen shook his head. "No, I haven't seen her nor heard from her since last week. It's why I was coming to check in, to see when I may be needed again. Could she not be with any of your other companions, perhaps Varric or even Isabela?" Anders started pacing, his magic flowing over Cullen's Templar sensibilities in steady waves.
"No, I went by the Hanged Man earlier, no one had seen her today. I suppose it's possible she might have been with Fenris, he was the only one that wasn't there." He pinned Cullen with a look. "I was honestly hoping she might have gone to you. Since I left quite early this morning, before she was awake, she hasn't had her daily treatment yet."
"I see." Biting the inside of his cheek, he watched Anders pace back and forth again. "Should we split up, one of us take Lowtown, and the other search Hightown?"
Anders opened his mouth to reply when he heard the front door, then the unmistakable sound of Hawke's loud giggles.
"Oh, thank the Maker," he murmured in relief, both he and Cullen heading to the front entryway, stopping in surprise at the sight before them. Fenris was holding an obviously drunk Hawke in his arms, while he swayed on his feet, also clearly inebriated. Hawke waved at them both, smiling brightly.
"Look, Anders and Cullen together, my favorites. Isn't that nice, Fenris?"
The elf nodded in solemn agreement. "Nice. I can leave you here safely, and they'll sort you out."
Laughing as though the elf had said something hilarious, she patted his cheek. "Yes, safe! And I still didn't fuck the Arishok or anyone else, which is even better!"
With confusion clouding his green eyes, Fenris stared at Hawke, while Cullen and Anders shared an uncertain look. "But-I thought you wanted to keep that a secret from everyone, about the Arishok," he reminded her helpfully, barely slurring his words.
Slapping a hand over her mouth, Hawke giggled again. "You're right. We have to keep the secret, especially from Isabela, she would say to...to...to...tell me to go do it," she finished proudly.
Stepping forward, Anders took Hawke from Fenris, shifting her securely in his arms and turned to Cullen. "I'll see to Marian if you can make sure Fenris gets home safely." At Cullen's nod, he continued. "When we figure out a schedule for the week for you, I'll send it to you at the Gallows."
"Alright, I'll talk to you later." Cullen herded Fenris out and closed the door.
Sighing, Anders headed for their bedroom, wondering if he should try to bathe her, or just put her straight to bed. "What's that you were saying about the Arishok, Marian? I can't keep it a secret if you don't tell me what happened."
Rubbing her nose against his neck, she sighed happily. "I did not let the Arishok fuck me, but now I'm sooo hungry, soooo starving. I need you." She shuddered, squirming against him, spreading her arms and grinning when Anders laid her down on her back, across their bed. Her eyes slid closed while he deftly removed all her clothing, opening them again when he took off his own, laying beside her on the bed.
"What happened here?" He lightly ran a finger over a red streak going up her neck.
Touching it, Hawke frowned. "The Arishok's tongue, it sort of felt like sandpaper."
With his jaw clenched angrily at what that implied, Anders quickly healed the light abrasion, forcing away his upset and annoyance until he could find out what had actually happened. Pulling her close, he kissed her deeply, eagerly, fully focusing on her needs above all else, until they both lay sweaty and fulfilled, floating in the warm afterglow of their lovemaking. He thought she had already dozed off, but she looked up and gave him the sexy, sleepy smile he adored, his own lips lifting in an answering grin.
"I ate some orgasms from whores today. I didn't even know I could do that, Anders, did you?"
His brows furrowing in confusion, he shook his head. "No, I had no idea. I still have no idea what you're actually talking about, not exactly, but I'll have to wait until you're sober for a full explanation, I suppose."
"Hmm," she agreed, her eyes sliding closed. While she drifted into a deep sleep, Anders held her close and pondered her drunken ramblings, hoping when he knew all the facts, it wouldn't all be as bad as it sounded. Deciding some real rest would be useful, after his full day of worry, he leaned his head against hers and joined her in sleep.
~O~
