Dragon Age One Shots

Learning: Zevran/Warden

Eyes open.

Not that Zevran had any intentions to wander around in a dark forest with his eyes shut and hands scraping against all manner of slug infested tree rot. But, it was a good reminder none the less. Don't want to slack off, not even for a moment.

He hadn't heard anything for what felt a mile, only the occasional sigh of the forest from fluffy bunnies and squirrels skittering through the leaves. When he took another step into a small bracken-free section, all noise stopped dead. Even a proud city elf knew what that meant.

"I know you're here," he crowed to the air. His fingers itched to reach behind to his daggers but that might tip his hand. Best to play it nonchalant until the perfect moment to strike.

Rustling rose in the trees behind. Zevran spun on his heels, watching a person sized section of leaves rattle almost as if someone was running through the branches. And she acted like this would be a challenge. Chuckling, Zev finally told his hand to reach back for his dagger.

Something gripped tight to his elbow locking his hand to his shoulder, when...a cool edge slicked straight over his throat. A lifetime of practice warned Zevran to hold his breath, the razor sharp blade bounding close but unable to slit his skin.

Shaking off any tremble of surprise in his voice, he said, "Nice dagger."

The hand holding his elbow spun him in place, Zev coming eye to eye with green stripes tattooed over a pale face. He'd never considered how the Vallaslin hid a person in the forests, but even staring directly at her his eyes would water and she'd blend into the world of woods and greenery.

"Well?" the Warden didn't drop her blade, the tip still pointed at his neck, but she stepped further away.

Zev took the opportunity to bathe his lungs in air, his cheeks slightly reddening. He hadn't heard her take a step towards him, hadn't heard the blade draw, hadn't sensed her heat. She moved like a jungle cat in this world and it was intoxicating to witness.

Lapping his lips with his tongue in thought, he extended his hands in surrender, "You were correct, dear Warden. I did not stand a chance against a Dalish in the woods."

Her smirk was worth his momentary embarrassment, the woman of leather and leaves sheathing her dagger. "Told you," was all she'd cut back with. She wasn't a woman of many words, but that was all right. Zevran was more than happy to make up the difference.

"How were you able to shake the trees, yet appear instantly behind me?" he asked, taking a step closer, then another. "Better question still, will you teach me to do the same?"

She lay her palm against his chest, but didn't put any force to it. His chest lifting in breath raised her hand and she seemed fascinated with it. "I could," she said, still touching his pec, "but it would take much training. You are very loud for an elf."

"Only when unending enthusiasm is called for, I assure you," Zevran smiled and he watched a tinge of ink swirl around her green tattoos. "How long would it take?"

The Warden's hand drifted off him, thudding to her side without a single jingle of her armor. "A lifetime," she shrugged.

"Then, it is a good thing I have already pledged mine to you."

"I suppose so," she couldn't argue with his logic. "First lesson," her hands shook out tension, "vanishing up a tree." Faster than he could blink, she twisted on the ball of a foot, and launched her second into a knot on a tree. Her hands dug into the bark, and in four blinks she truly disappeared into the foliage above his head.

Zevran tried to pierce through the coverage, his eyes hunting for any shadows large enough to be her, but he was coming up empty. This was ludicrous she had to be here somewhere.

Spinning in place in confusion and growing concern, he nearly leapt backwards when her smiling face descended through the branches. Her hair reached down to the forest floor, Zevran eyeing it up, when her hand cupped to his cheek. The dangling woman in the trees pulled him to her until their lips met in a hungry touch. She sucked his bottom lip into her mouth, Zevran able to do the same to her. Tongues danced in their own pirouette, heat pouring through his veins.

As the Warden gave up the steamy kiss, she kept a hand on his cheek, "Come on up already," her husky voice called to him, "so I can show you what else Dalish do in trees."

"I'm going to really enjoy being your student."