Sleepy Fenris

by Fenrevas

Summary:

Fenris is sleepy (and he's being melodramatic about it). Thankfully Hawke is here to brighten him up.

Notes:

For a DA Drunk Writing prompt from Knightdawn - "switching roles of big & little spoon" and/or "feeling the rumble of their chest when they talk while cuddling"

He is so tired.

More than tired, Fenris is exhausted. He knows this feeling well. The familiar fatigue that seeps deep into muscle and bone, pulls at the lyrium etched into his skin, depleting his patience. Wearing him down.

As drained as an empty well, there is no reserve of strength left to draw upon. But Fenris has persevered through situations far more dire than this.

And so, with much effort, he drags his body the short distance from the bath to the bed, and flops down face first with a groan. He cannot even find the wherewithal to put his arms out to cushion his landing, finding his face squashed uncomfortably into the mattress. Nor can he find the will to care.

"Hey, Fen, budge up will you, you're somehow taking up the entire bed."

Roused by the sunny laughter that follows Hawke's words, Fenris musters the energy to roll over and make space for her to lay beside him.

Fenris opens one eye and peeks through the wet silver strands that fall across his face. In the fire-lit darkness he can make out Hawke's mess of black hair. Her warm skin gold and brown in the low light. The raw-red of her shoulder injury has faded as the wound begins to heal.

He reaches out to place a palm on her arm and like a cat she arches into his touch and lets out a low, contented hum.

Her pleased sounds continue as he trails his touch down her arm and up again. Her skin is soft and marred with the dips and ridges of old scars. He presses a kiss to her shoulder, pride rising like morning sun in his chest when she groans his name at such a simple touch.

Fenris shuffles closer, until he can feel the gentle warmth that radiates from her. And though he might be too tired to act on the feeling, his body stirs at her nearness.

Ash hums something about a mattress and breakfast in bed, but Fenris isn't focusing on her words. He's focusing on the curve of her, the way lying beside her he feels like kindling sparking to life.

He rests his forehead between her shoulder blades and says, "Hawke."

In response she twines her fingers with his, and brings their joined hands to her chest.

"This is nice," she whispers.

Fenris mumbles an agreement and breathes in the scent of her, underneath the smell of soap and stale blood. An ache as familiar as the old pain that plagues him takes root in his chest; a want of home. She is right here, right here in his arms.

A tight noise escapes him and he holds on tighter as Hawke pulls him closer, their bodies pressed together, legs entwined.

She lets out a shaky breath as she strokes the back of his hand with her thumb. The repeating movement irritates his sore skin, but he does not wish her to stop.

"Thank you," Ash says.

Fenris buries his nose into the warmth of her neck and asks, "For what?"

Hawke pauses and Fenris can feel the rise and fall of her body against his with each breath. He nuzzles closer into her warmth.

Then she turns in his embrace, awkwardly shuffling until both her arms are wrapped around him. Fenris lays his head on her chest and looks up at her, waiting for her answer.

Hawke's firefly eyes flick up to the ceiling. He did not miss the shine of unshed tears.

When she finally speaks, he can feel the soft, comforting rumble of her bright, smoky voice, laden with emotion. "For...all of it. I don't mean anything in particular. Just for being you."

The rough pads of her battle-worn fingertips rub soothing circles in that sensitive place behind his ear. That aching feeling in his chest pulls at him more strongly than the drag of the lyrium.

"I..." he starts, then falters as Ash runs her fingers through his drying hair.

"Thank you, too, Hawke."

He is so tired he could fall asleep like this, entangled in her, wrapped tight in her arms. But he fights to stay awake because he does not want this moment, or this feeling to end.

Notes:

This is an alternative version of a scene in From Ashes. Most of the story is told from Ash Hawke's perspective but I wanted to write this moment from Fenris' point of view.

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 14 of From Ashes Series