Nathaniel Howe
Grey Warden
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That's Arl-Commander Bear-Warden Nathaniel Howe to you
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Post by Nathaniel Howe on Apr 10, 2017 14:23:38 GMT -5
"With rebuilding starting to get underway, I believe I will be here through the middle of next month. Of course, there will be the wedding in Gwaren to attend, but I'll return here after. I could find reasons to stay longer though.” Fingers feathered against Nathaniel’s thigh causing his breath to hitch. He would never tire of this. There was nothing Nathaniel was more sure of. "I should ask you the same question though, will you be returning to Amaranthine soon?"
“I do not know.” Eventually Nathaniel would need to return to Amaranthine. But with Cauthrien gone and Anders dead, there was no one he trusted to leave in command in Denerim. Maybe when Adara arrived. Maybe not. The excuse was a good one as any to use as a reason for him to remain in Denerim so long as Fergus was also there.
The tip of his finger traced the line of Fergus shoulder and arm before dropping to settle upon the space between them. Something else Fergus said drew Nathaniel’s attention. “You will travel with me and the Grey Wardens to Gwaren.” There was no request there. Nathaniel decided for them both, slipping into old habits too easily. They could not attend the party together much as in Redcliffe, but they could easily travel together and steal what moments they could upon the seas.
“Do you think you will escort someone?” The jealousy that might have normally invaded his tone was not present. Nathaniel had no such plans to bring someone. Perhaps Mara. Perhaps no one. Much changed in the span of a day with the confession shared.
But just because Nathaniel had no such plans, did not mean Fergus did not. He needed to put on the appearance of seeking a new bride no matter what he might previously has claimed. There was Highever to think of.
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Fergus Cousland
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Post by Fergus Cousland on Apr 12, 2017 0:07:14 GMT -5
“I do not know.” Nate said in response to his question. That made Fergus curious. Was there something more to be done in Denerim, or maybe his presence had changed Nathaniel's mind on when he would be returning to Amaranthine.
Casual touch between them continued, and Fergus let out a content sigh. Would that they could stay this way the rest of the evening until morning. Instead, he focused on his curiosity, "Pressing matters here in Denerim, then?"
Besides the loss of a warden. He frowned a little and wondered if it was related and if he had just asked something that could have been another secret. He didn't want Nate's secrets, and he hoped he was wrong in the assumption.
“You will travel with me and the Grey Wardens to Gwaren.” This made Fergus grin. There was no question, only a statement. Nathaniel would not brook any argument about it, obviously.
"No where safer than in the middle of a pack of wardens. I'll likely have a few more of my guards in town soon. I'm going to be sending for Riane." His daughter was important to him, and he would not spend so much time in Denerim and leave her alone in Highever. She had excellent guardians, but there was no reason to be apart from her.
Except maybe privacy. He would figure that out when the time came though.
“Do you think you will escort someone?” Nathaniel asked, and Fergus looked up at him, searching his face. Nate had ended things to prevent jealousy, but this was a new frontier for them. When he noted there was no jealousy, he grinned again. They were both making strides it seemed.
"I have no prospects as of yet. This trip was originally for two things. To head off rumors about Breanna, and get in contact with someone in my employ investigating Rae's death. So far I haven't had the opportunity or inclination to meet or ask anyone." He leaned over, placing another kiss on Nate's lips. He grinned a little devilishly. "I don't mind going by myself, I'm sure there will be plenty of eligible women looking to hook me at the wedding."
"I would relish the looks on people's faces should we share a dance. Could you imagine?" He was teasing. They would be lucky enough to get away from the wedding without doing something stupid. The ball in Redcliffe was a perfect example of that.
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Nathaniel Howe
Grey Warden
Warden Commander
That's Arl-Commander Bear-Warden Nathaniel Howe to you
Posts: 3,039
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Post by Nathaniel Howe on Apr 12, 2017 18:00:05 GMT -5
"I have no prospects as of yet. This trip was originally for two things. To head off rumors about Breanna, and get in contact with someone in my employ investigating Rae's death. So far I haven't had the opportunity or inclination to meet or ask anyone.” Fergus pressed a kiss upon Nathaniel’s lips. An impish grin lined his lips as he spoke. "I don't mind going by myself, I'm sure there will be plenty of eligible women looking to hook me at the wedding."
There was one woman that would be looking to hook Fergus. Of that Nathaniel was certain. He kept quiet on the subject though, not wishing to sour the mood. Plus he was not entirely sure if speaking the woman’s name three times in a row did not somehow summon her. Why tempt the fates?
"I would relish the looks on people's faces should we share a dance. Could you imagine?” Fergus teased.
A lazy smile curved Nathaniel’s mouth with the rise of his brows. “Oh I can imagine alright. It would be even more scandalous than when the King danced with Zevran in Arl Teagan’s Ball.” Many a mouth was agape at that display.
“I may bring someone,” Nathaniel said somewhat idly. The night before with Mara had been… Well, it had been. Both got from the other what they needed at the time. What came now was still to be determined. “I am bringing someone to Arl Eideard’s party at the end of the month. A new warden named, Mara.” His mouth hooked wryly, “She is not afraid to tell me when I am being a bastard and will do so in multiple languages even.”
His fingers idly traced a circle atop the coverlet. “Unlike you, I do not wish to appear available.” No longer were his fingers idle, his hand rising to sink in Fergus’ hair once again, pulling his mouth toward his own in a heated kiss. “I am very much not,” he whispered as he pulled back.
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Fergus Cousland
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Post by Fergus Cousland on Apr 15, 2017 1:26:50 GMT -5
“Oh I can imagine alright. It would be even more scandalous than when the King danced with Zevran in Arl Teagan’s Ball.” He laughed at the memory, shaking his head. It caused tongues to wag for a while, but it was harmless. For them to do such a thing, he wasn’t sure he wouldn’t get lost in the moment, and display his affection for Nate openly in front of everyone.
And that would be something they may not recover from. Still, it was just a tease, and he did not speak his worries.
“I may bring someone,” That brought a small quirk of Fergus’ brow. He was not a jealous man, but he was a curious one. “I am bringing someone to Arl Eideard’s party at the end of the month. A new warden named, Mara. She is not afraid to tell me when I am being a bastard and will do so in multiple languages even.”
He grinned at that, “Several languages, hmm? I would like to meet her, especially if she’s not afraid to speak her mind.”
Nate often fell into melancholy, and Fergus had indulged him for a long time. He wouldn’t anymore, especially when it would try to drive a wedge between them. He traced a finger over one of the marks on Nate’s shoulder. The one he didn’t put there, “Was she the one who gave you that?”
“Unlike you, I do not wish to appear available.” Nate pulled him into a kiss, fingers in his hair, and he groaned into it. He was glad he was letting his hair grow out. It definitely had it’s benefits. “I am very much not.”
Fergus caught Nate’s gaze when he said those words, so quiet. He still couldn’t believe what had happened here today, but despite what instigated it, he would be forever grateful for it. His heart started beating just a little faster, and his grin was lopsided. He looked very much like a man in love. “Maker, I don’t know when the last time I was this happy. I don’t want it to ever end, Nate.”
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Nathaniel Howe
Grey Warden
Warden Commander
That's Arl-Commander Bear-Warden Nathaniel Howe to you
Posts: 3,039
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Post by Nathaniel Howe on Apr 18, 2017 13:51:48 GMT -5
Fergus grinned as Nathaniel mentioned Mara. “Several languages, hmm? I would like to meet her, especially if she’s not afraid to speak her mind.” The tip of his finger moved along the bite mark upon Nathaniel’s shoulder. “Was she the one who gave you that?”
Nathaniel had forgotten about the bite, his head tilting briefly to view the mark. “She was,” he replied, mouth twisting into a frown. “I should not have but you were not there and Anders’ bed was." Much of what happened that night with Mara had been about raw need. Affection had very little to do with the manner in which they used the other. All the same, guilt crept in with the realization of what he had done but rather than try to speak to her, he left things be. At some point they would need to talk or perhaps not. When given the opportunity, Mara ordered Nathaniel quiet.
Either way, he was not something he wished to think about while in bed with Fergus so he pushed the subject aside, showing where his true loyalties lay.
Nathaniel could get lost forever in Fergus’ eyes and almost did as they lay there quietly, watching the other. Until that moment, he did not realize how much he truly needed this from Fergus, the look of total affection with no judgment. He felt liberated, a weight he shouldered too long gone.
“Maker, I don’t know when the last time I was this happy. I don’t want it to ever end, Nate.” The words were innocent enough, spoken from a place of true happiness. But they weaved a tiny part of dread in Nathaniel. Each point of happiness in his life soon found counter in extreme unhappiness. Desperately, he clung to hope that this time it would be different. Great sorrow brought him into Fergus’ arms. Things were different this time, he told himself.
The warning he wanted to whisper remained dammed behind his lips. Instead, the tips of his fingers pressed into the back of Fergus’ head, drawing him toward him once more in a passionate kiss. “I know,” he whispered, as he pulled back, brow pressed against brow.
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Fergus Cousland
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Post by Fergus Cousland on Apr 19, 2017 18:41:30 GMT -5
“She was,” Nate frowned as he responded to his question. “I should not have but you were not there and Anders’ bed was."
The fact that it was Anders’ bed was not something he missed, but he would not comment on it. People grieved in their own way. He smiled at Nate though, no judgment in his eyes, “Take comfort where you can get it, Nate. Life is too short to pass difficult moments alone.”
And he meant every word of it. He loved Nate. His heart ached with how much, but he would not tie him to a life of no one else. Fergus knew what he was getting into when falling for Nate, and Nate knew that Fergus was someone who required physical intimacy in life.
He expressed how happy he was then, meaning every word. Nate pulled him closer, kissing him deeply. Fergus let out a pleased rumble even as Nate pulled back slightly pressing his brow to his, “I know.”
Fergus didn’t say anything else then, moving in for another kiss, even as his hands wandered. Nate needed to leave soon, he knew. But he was intent on enjoying as much time as he could with the man he loved.
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