"Are you purring? That's adorable." Fenhawke
“The Champion of Kirkwall – a lazing sack of potatoes.”
The elf’s voice was low and warm, fond. Hawke lifted hishead only briefly, enough to see him there, in the doorway, watching him withthat soft private smile, his arms crossed and his shoulders relaxed. That hewas wearing nothing more than one of Hawke’s large sweaters made it all thebetter.
“You know,” Fenris added, “When potatoes, start growing thatmuch hair, it’s usually time to throw them out.”
“Try it,” Hawke said, and Fenris chuckled. He padded acrossthe floor, bare-footed and silent, stirring up dust that danced in the shaftsof sunlight that poured in from the skylight Hawke had installed some yearsago. The mattress shifted as the elf climbed back into bed.
“How long do you intend to laze here?” Fenris asked, asHawke let his head fall back again.
“Indefinitely,” Hawke answered. “No one knows I’m here butyou.”
“Hmmn,” Fenris’s body was unusually warm as he stretched outat his side. Relaxed, languid, no longer on constant alert, he rested his headon one hand, and buried the other in the dark curls that covered Hawke’s chest.“If they’re clever they do.”
“I’m not workingtoday.”
“A well-deserved rest,” Fenris said, and he sounded pleased,and Hawke made a pleased sound as he let his eyes close once again. “Are youpurring?” the elf taunted. “That’s adorable.”
“That feels good,” Hawke answered it. “Keep doing it.”
Fenris made a low sound, his fingers combing through Hawke’schest hair, making swirls and patterns, idle in his ministrations.
“I enjoy seeing you so relaxed,” Fenris said at last, morequietly, an unintentional copy of Hawke’s own thoughts in reverse. “The weight ofan entire city, set aside for one slothful day. I suppose it’s something to begrateful for.”
“You only suppose?” Hawke asked, without opening his eyes.
Fenris grunted. Hawke couldn’t see it, but somehow he knew itwhen the elf shrugged. The mattress shifted beside him, and he felt the warmweight of the blankets as Fenris dragged them over his body. A moment later,and his head came to settle against Hawke’s chest.
“Better to enjoy peace while we have it,” Fenris allowed atlast. “I shall endeavor to do so.”












