Sparkler and the Wolf

37. Hot Cocoa

It was late enough that the kitchen was deserted. Dorian seemed pleased as he moved around the room gathering ingredients for the hot cocoa. Fenris settled on a stool, resting his chin in his hands as he watched the mage work. Dorian hummed as he stirred the drink he appeared excited about when he looked up and caught Fenris staring.

"Is there a reason you're looking at me like that?"

"I'm puzzled. You look entirely too comfortable stirring a pot in a kitchen."

"Comfortable? No I just really like this drink and I'm excited to know what you think of it."

"I don't think so."

Dorian frowned. "You think I'm lying?"

"No I think you're hiding something again. Nobles aren't known for being comfortable in a kitchen. Do you know how to cook mage?"

Dorian's cheeks flushed while he continued stirring the pot. "Don't be ridiculous. We had servants and my parents have slaves. That would never be allowed."

Fenris snorted. "As if that would stop you. Besides, you're doing a terrible job convincing me."

Dorian ignored him and continued stirring, grabbing two mugs from the shelf behind him. He cast an ice spell on the pot's handle before lifting it free of the fire and filling the mugs.

"Here." He said, sliding the mug across to the elf. "Stop scrutinizing me and taste it."

Still eyeing the mage with suspicion, he lifted the mug, blowing on it to cool before taking a sip. He was not prepared for the sweet, minty chocolate that hit his tongue, sliding down his throat in a wave of unexpected pleasure. His eyes widened, taking in Dorian's pleased smile and took another sip.

"Well?" He asked, his voice anxious.

"This is delicious. I regret interrupting you earlier."

Dorian pursed his lips. "Don't be ridiculous. The cocoa is wonderful, but there's no comparison to being with you."

Fenris smiled and drank more cocoa. "You're only trying to distract me from your ease in the kitchen. Tell the truth mage."

Dorian gave an exaggerated sigh and sank into the chair beside the elf. "I will never get over how painfully observant you are. Does nothing escape your notice?"

"Not always. I was trained to observe as a bodyguard. I... learned more when I was included in Tevinter... parties. And in Kirkwall there were so many people hiding things from themselves and others. I learned by watching Hawke and how she could see past the surface of things."

"I'm humbled by what you've had to overcome in your life."

"Just because you were never officially a slave doesn't mean you didn't feel the chains of servitude Dorian."

Dorian looked up at the elf in surprise. "I never thought of it that way before, still..."

"You are strong and brave Dorian. Your reasons may be different, but I lived in the Imperium. You had to be both just to stay true to yourself and no one in the Imperium would have valued such. But I do. It takes more than mere stubbornness to resist the allure of power."

"Are you saying we're alike?"

"Are we that different? I had to believe my quest for freedom meant something. As did you when you refused to sacrifice who you are to please your parents and your country."

Dorian was quiet a moment as he sipped more cocoa. "Is that what made you come look for me in the tower?"

"A little... though I was more interested in why you ran up there and didn't come back out."

"I never did thank you for that. I wasn't in a good state when you found me."

"I... remember... I was shocked by the change in you. I never told you this, but you scared me that night. I'd never seen you so upset before."

"That's what happens when you try to find answers in a bottle, or so they say... but thank you for interrupting me. If you hadn't, I may have passed out there."

"I'm glad I helped mage and... I hadn't planned to kiss you. But once I had, all I wanted was to do it again."

"I wish I'd known that sooner."

Fenris smirked, turning to cup Dorian's cheek in his hand. "I didn't know it was what I wanted until I saw you standing there."

Dorian's eyes softened. "I wish I'd been in a better state at the time. I really wasn't at my best."

Fenris leaned forward to plant a kiss on the mage's lips. "You looked beautiful Dorian. All I wanted in that moment was to see you smile again."

"Well, I'd say you got your wish." Dorian replied, his voice thick with need as he pressed back against the warrior's lips, putting what he couldn't say into the soft press of lips to his lover.

"Mmm. Let us find a bed mage." Fenris growled, pulling Dorian into his arms as he stood in one fluid step.

"I like how you think..."