Magic's Slave

Yadda yadda, still don't own the boys.

Anders sat on the bed, fingering his throat where the collar used to be.

"Alistair did that for you? Its official then, is it?"

Anders turned to look. Nate was standing in the doorway, arms crossed, and there was an odd bulge under his shirt. "Yes," he said softly. "I'm really, truly free. I can walk outside, or to Amaranthine, or to Denerim and not get stopped unless I use magic." He smiled faintly and then he tilted his head. "Nathaniel, Ser, what is it you're hiding?"

"Oh! This. The beast was being so quiet I almost forgot he was there." Nate reached into his tunic and pulled out a scruffy orange tabby cat and held him out to Anders. "He's not much to look at, but I remember he was my sister's kitten before I was sent off. So he's tame, and very affectionate." He smiled as the cat tried to lick his fingers.

Anders' eyes opened wide and he slid off of the bed, holding his arms out for the cat. Holding the creature to his cheek, he listened to it purr. "I think I shall call you Ser Pounce-a-Lot." He smiled. "So… he's for me? Really for me?"

Nate smiled and nodded. "He's really for you. Now. Let's see about getting your things into your room?"

Anders blinked and set the cat down for a moment. "But I thought… This morning, you…"

"I thought that once you were free, you'd no longer want to stay here." Nate said softly, bitterly.

"You thought wrong." Anders grinned. "I've been in here so long… This is my room too. I…" He blushed and ducked his head as he retreated towards the bed. "I'd like to stay. And I think you need me to." He laughed.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, if it wasn't for me you'd need a new pillow every week or so." Anders pointed out. "You're a cuddler, Nathaniel."

Nate blushed. "I thought you slept through that," he mumbled.

"I was always awake before you. I only let you think I was asleep so you wouldn't get up and leave me."

Nate looked thoroughly mortified. "I…" he recovered quickly. "One night you called me 'Nate'. Do you remember that?" He took a few steps forward.

Anders nodded. "Yes, on our way to Amaranthine. Why?"

Nathaniel stepped even farther into the room and settled himself on the bed, opposite Anders. "I'd like to hear you call me that again. You don't have to call me master, never did, though you tend to use it for your advantage, you wicked man, and Nathaniel just seems so formal."

Anders blushed and smirked. "It will take some getting used to," he said softly. "After all this time, I-" He was cut off in the next instant by Nate's lips on his. He let out a gasp in surprise, but instead of advancing, Nate retreated.

"I'm sorry." The noble turned to get off of the bed when a hand on his arm stopped him. "You're a free man by order of the king now, that was too bo—Mmmfff."

Anders, for the first time, pressed his advantage and wrapped his arms around Nate as he kissed the other man. The cat forgotten, he parted his lips slightly in invitation and gripped Nate's shoulders, pulling slightly to get the dark haired man back on the bed.

Nate took the invitation and threw caution to the wind. He swept his tongue out, plundering Anders' mouth as he slowly crawled his way over the mage. When he was straddling the other man's lap he finally pulled back, leaving Anders quite breathless. He took a deep shuddering breath of his own before rasping out, "Tell me you want this. I don't… I'm not going to make the same mistake as last time. I need to know that you truly want this. If you don't, I will leave right now, I promise you."

Anders stared up at Nate and blinked a few times before laughter bubbled up from his chest. "Nathaniel, I trust you."

Nate sat, tense, his arms quivering on either side of Anders' head. "This isn't funny, and that doesn't answer my question," he nearly growled.

Anders shivered. "What would you like to hear? Would you like me to tell you I've been dreaming of you since the night we went to Amaranthine? Would you like me to tell you that I've wanted this, but been so scared of what would happen that I've avoided it? At least, until this morning, that is." He swallowed. "Nathaniel, I trust you. I want you…" He reached a hand up to run it through Nate's hair. "Please. Besides, you did say you were going to pay me back for this morning." Anders smiled.

Nate held out for a few moments, giving Anders time to reconsider before he swept downward and proceeded to kiss Anders breathless again. His hand skimmed down Anders' side, before coming to rest lightly on the mage's hip.

Anders squirmed a little at the sensation, but tried to lose himself in how gentle Nate's kiss was. No one has ever treated me like this before… he thought as he ran his fingers through Nate's hair again, encouraging the rogue to continue what he was doing.

Nate pulled back a little. "Here, Anders. Come on, out of those robes." He helped Anders sit up and started messing with the buckles and straps.

When Anders was completely naked, Nate grinned and dipped down again, paying close attention to Anders' neck, swirling his tongue along the skin where the collar used to be. The hand that wasn't propping him up traced its way down the middle of Anders' chest; first pinching one nipple, then the other, before sliding over taut muscles and coming to rest on Anders' growing erection.

Anders groaned and arched his body upwards, wanting to feel more of Nate's skin against his.

"Look at this! He's so eager for it already boys!" A cruel laugh, and a rough squeeze had him whimpering. He couldn't help it. His body wanted this, wanted the heat, the touch; he craved this contact. Just as they'd trained him.

Anders' eyes flew open and he let out a small sob, before shaking his head to clear away the images. This is Nate. He's not a Templar. He cares about me. Nate's hand squeezed gently and began a soft stroking motion.

The hand on him tightened painfully. "You want this? Tell me, whore!" A hand slapped his face and something cold and large nudged his entrance. "Beg me for it, and I'll go easy on you."

He whimpered again, opening cracked and bleeding lips. "Please." His voice a croak, a whisper. "Please. I want you."

An ugly laugh. "See, boys? With the right treatment, the fire goes right out." The Templar shoved the hilt of the sword into him and he screamed.

Anders let out a frightened yell and scootched backwards on the bed, away from Nate as he trembled violently. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I can't. Please…"

Nate sat back on his heels before inching forward and pulling Anders into a hug. "Shush, Anders. It's fine. It's alright. As much as I want you," he chuckled, "I don't want you at the expense of your sanity. Please, calm down."

Anders clung to him, trying to even out his breathing and stop the tremors that ran through his body. "I trust you. I do," He sobbed out. "I just can't… the memories. They're always there."

Nate sighed and stroked Anders' hair. "It's alright. I promise."

Anders leaned into the stroking as his trembles ceased. "Thank you," he said softly, reaching a hand up to his neck again. "This is going to take longer to get used to than I thought." He sighed and nuzzled Nate's chest. "Keep holding me, please?"

Nate nodded and squeezed his arms a little tighter. "Anything you want, Anders. Anything you want."