Can't Let You Go

                They arrived back at the estate shortly before midnight, and Douglas directed Fellon to the office while the rest went to their rooms to get settled for the night.  They shut the door behind them, Douglas saying forcefully, "If you can't keep your temper in check, I will find another date for Isabela for such events."

                "Promise?  It is always such a turn on to think about her with someone else."

                "Keep it up and I'll leave you both at home."

                "You wouldn't do that… you need her."

                "Watch me," and Douglas left the office without a backward glance.

                Douglas went upstairs and indicated from the doorway the location of the things he picked up for Anders, knowing full well the man would be tired and not want to be driven home at such a time.  Douglas went back to his room after Anders found everything and cleaned himself up, changing into sleepwear before heading back to check on his guest. 

                "Do you need anything else?"  Douglas asked, leaning against the door frame.

                "You can come in.  I'll be good; I promise."

                Douglas chuckled, "Alright," and entered the room, shutting the door.

                Anders looked him over with a raised eyebrow.  "I was half expecting silk or satin, maybe a robe and slippers, monogrammed of course."

                Douglas looked down at his navy blue plaid, cotton-flannel bottoms, old college t-shirt and bare feet.  "Sorry, I'm not used to entertaining guests at bedtime."

                "No, I like it.  I actually feel more dressed up than you right now," Anders was basically wearing the same thing except for new, green with plain long sleeve shirt.

                Douglas walked within arms' length.  "Well, I don't know if I said this, I think I may have been too busy drooling, but you look really good all dressed up."

                "Earlier or now?"

                Douglas stepped closer, tucking one side of the loose blond hair behind an ear.  “Both,” he smirked.”

                "Well, don't tell my boyfriend, but I think my date was the most popular and gorgeous guy there."

                Douglas' heart jumped at the reference.  "Wait, you have a boyfriend?  Why didn't you tell me?"

                "Because he doesn't know he's my boyfriend; I haven't told him yet.  I figured I would get one last prospect in before making a final decision."

                "So, why him and not your date tonight?"

                "Oh, my date was charming and gorgeous, but my man is smart, funny, sweet and looks just as hot in a suit as he does a beat up old t-shirt."  Ander fingered the sleeve of said t-shirt with a small grin.

                "And when do you plan on informing this lucky guy?"

                "Oh, I don't know.  I thought I would surprise him.  He has this bad habit of running away when it comes to this sort of thing."

                Douglas smiled, "Maybe he's shy."

                Anders cocked an eyebrow, "No, one thing he isn't, is shy."

                "Then why do you think he does it?"

                Anders took a step closer.  "I think he's scared."

                Douglas' heart was pounding but he cocked an eyebrow.  "Scared?"

                Anders placed a hand on Douglas's chest above his heart.  "Yup, scared."

                "Of what?"

                "I don't know, he hasn't told me, but from what I gather, getting hurt again."

                "I'd bet you're right."

                Anders kissed Douglas softly on the lips and moved a few feet back toward the bed.  "So, how did you know I was going to stay the night?"

                "I knew you would feel bad about making anyone drive you all the way into town at this hour if you didn't have to work."

                Anders cast a wistful glance at the bed.  "I'm afraid if I get in that bed I'll never want to leave it."

                "No rush."

                "Are you going to join me?  It is a very large bed."

                Douglas' heart started beating even faster, "I, uh..."

                Anders interrupted him by crawling into the bed and saying, "I already gave my word."  Then he gave a little test bounce, "Wow, this is a nice bed," and giggled like a kid when he bounced again.

                Douglas' gaze had been caught by the form crawling across the bed, unable to breathe but he returned to his senses and laughed, crawling up beside him, having done the same thing when he first climbed into one.  They hopped around on their knees like children until Anders lost his balance, catching himself on Douglas who found out Anders was ticklish under his arms when he caught the blonde.

                Douglas smiled wickedly and attacked the poor man into a fit of laughter until Anders discovered Douglas was also ticklish which turned it into a rolling around on the bed, neither man having the upper hand, all-out war.  Anders' wiggling fingers moved down the sides of Douglas' ribs and started moving toward the front of his chest but Douglas stopped his assault and grabbed Anders' wrists, pinning them to the bed.  Douglas' expression had turned serious as they looked at each other, breathing heavily, but then he cocked a smile, lying down on his side and dragging Anders into a spooning position.  A kiss was placed against the blonde's cheek and an arm around wrapped around the small waist.

                They chatted for over half an hour until Anders nodded off and after Douglas was certain the other man was asleep, he detangled himself, pulling the covers up around the sleeping blonde.  He exited the room, making his way to the den downstairs.

                Fellon asked him when he entered, "Did you tire the little woman out already?"

                Varric added, "I must say I haven't had anyone laugh so hard at me while I was doing that," and the two men chuckled.

                Bianca chided, "Leave him alone."

                Isabela said, "Douglas and Anders haven't had sex yet."

                Douglas sighed, rolling his eyes, "Thanks, Isabela," flopping down in his chair.

                Fellon said, "Thank God for that, I would hate to have to go teach someone else a lesson."

                "What part of sleeping with them is teaching them a lesson?"

                "Hey, they didn't hurt you again did they?"  Douglas narrowed his eyes at the response while Fellon cocked his head to the side, squinting his own blue eyes in thought.  "Although, it has been a long time since I had to do that.  Did you finally learn how to sleep with someone without falling in love?"

                Isabela answered "No, Douglas has rules now."

                Douglas yelled, "Isabela!"

                "What?"

                Fellon asked, "If that's the case, how long has it been?"  He started thinking again and just as he opened his eyes in realization of just how long it had been, Isabela spit out her wine, spraying it all over the side of his face after noticing the fraction of a second when Douglas' eyes darted across the room before he looked at the floor.  Fellon closed his eyes with a frown, "I know you are going to lick that off."

                Isabela ignored him, "You have to be joking!  It can't be possible to go that long without sex!"

                Fenris was suddenly very interested in a book he picked up from the table beside him until he noticed it was upside down and flipped it around before burying his nose back in it while Douglas remained silent.  The others in the room had learned to pick up on the tiniest ticks in body language and Douglas was unable to look at the floor quick enough without his eyes instinctively answering for him.  Douglas mumbled, "Can we just get to work now?"

                Isabela demanded, "No.  Go upstairs right now and you are not allowed to come back down until I hear that man screaming your name."

                Douglas looked up with a raised eyebrow as Bianca and Varric set to snickering.

                "Pfaugh," Fellon groaned at the thought while wiping his cheek across Isabela's arm.

                Douglas continued, "Anyway, Dulci de Launcet mentioned the family going to their country estate."

                Fenris added, also eager to change the subject, "Apparently there is some sort of shotgun wedding involving their son, Emile," having ferreted out that piece of information from one of the security guards or drivers.

                Douglas shuddered, "I would imagine that is how they are going to have to get rid of Fifi and Babette, too.  Anyway, they'll be gone all next week."

                Bianca said with pity, "Fifi told me she liked you, Douglas."

                Fellon smirked, "Good.  Give her a call and see if you can get an invite to the house this week."

                Once again, Douglas silently cursed Bianca's filter between her brain and her mouth, squinting and saying to Fellon, "I hate you so much right now."

                Fellon, still smirking, replied, "I know."