In the end, he didn't get Nate's coin back. Taking it from people, even people who didn't do the work, was cruel. Later he can talk to Nate about maybe not pre-paying, but for now, he's at least satisfied with what he'd accomplished with Alistair. It might show in the lightness of his step when he comes in to the room, or the way he greets Nate before he greets his cat - a kiss to the former, followed by a murmur and a treat for the latter.
Nathaniel is on the bed, having set aside a book and started just lounging with his hands tucked behind his head and contemplating the ceiling. He comes alive when Anders enters, and he sits up and scoots back against the pillows, hoping for a cuddle.
"Well, you haven't brought anything with you. I'll guess the Gallows."
He gladly accommodates, kicking off his boots and fitting himself against Nate.
"Initially the Gallows. That didn't... exactly go well. But then I went out to the Inquisition's boats. Or ships. I'm not quite certain what the difference is, but Isabela's not here to yell at me for calling it the wrong thing so I'm not concerned."
He's pleased with himself, which tends to lead to him being a bit more talkative.
"I've spoken with Alistair, and he may try to keep from insulting you except to your face. At least it sounds like he'll make an effort. Teren wasn't interested in discussing anything, so I couldn't help there. But we've a little progress."
At last he's been able to help Nate a little, protect him a little, after all Nate's protected him.
"Alistair doesn't hate you, I don't think, and I... I thought it would help. You were stressed and upset. What's wrong with one husband supporting the other?"
"Support is what you did for me last night. You helped...you bolstered me, you had me feeling better about it, like I could handle this." Nathaniel is increasingly irritated. His gestures, his body language is agitated, and his voice is getting quieter. He looks away, he looks down into his lap, he looks at Anders only briefly, though frequently. "And I know, I do not doubt that you really had faith in me. So why was this meddling necessary?"
"Meddling. I go in to back you up and I'm meddling." He crosses his arms, shifting a little away from Nate. "You want a united front for the Warden leadership but not from us? You can stand up for me and protect me, but Maker forbid I try to do the same? Why is it different?"
This was supposed to be a combination, encouraging Nate and then helping with the other participants. He doesn't understand how it's gone wrong.
Nathaniel pinches the bridge of his nose, folds in on himself, and falls silent. He doesn't know the answer to the question, only that he is bracing for this to make everything worse. That's how things work in the world. Maybe not in Anders' world, where people need a voice because they are silenced forcibly, but in the real world, this is how it works.
That thought makes him soften. Anders was trying to do for him what he does for everybody. Nathaniel can understand it when it's put that way.
He sighs and sits back again. "It's not. It's our worlds that are different, my dear. In yours, people aren't allowed to speak. In mine..."
He has to think of a way to put this. How things are, for non-mages and especially nobles.
"In my world, it's a free-for-all. The only way to have respect is to scramble and fight for it, and if someone else gets to it before you, you're out of luck. No--if someone else gets there before you, it means you weren't worthy of it in the first place.
"You know what my mother was like, or at least some of it. When I went to my father asking him to make her stop, he told me to tell her myself. To stand up for myself. And if I didn't, there was no help he could give me. I don't think I've told you that before because to you, it might make him seem callous. And he would win no trophies as a parent, but this was a kindness from him. He was teaching me a lesson about how to survive. How to fight for my honor because I could never expect anyone else to do it once I was on my own."
It's... entirely different from his experience. He'd had no voice in the Circle, had fled the Wardens when they betrayed him, hadn't been able to help enough mages because no one in power would listen, all his life he's needed intercession.
"You're not on your own, though. And Teren said you'd have to talk with her yourself, so maybe she follows that sort of thinking, but Alistair didn't. You have me alongside you, so why do things alone? I don't have to. You don't either. Your father was cold and wrong because he should have dealt with your mother being cruel to you. That's part of his job as a father, because she wasn't about to listen to you."
He huffs. "Your parents are assholes. That's the lesson to take from that, not that either you stand alone or you lose. And Maker forbid Rendon Howe sound callous." Anders uncrosses his arms and experimentally reaches out to rest his hand on Nate's. "This is our world. We're together in my battles, let's be together in yours."
The comment about his father gets a sudden wracking, helpless gut laugh that tapers off into a chuckle, the smile from it not going away after. It does sound ridiculous now, trying to keep Rendon Howe from seeming callous after all his famous crimes. Instead of letting Anders take his hand, he turns and wraps his arms around him, carrying him to the bed, feeling night and day from the way he did a moment ago. Anders is right. This is their world, not only his.
"You really will be the reason I make it through this sane, my darling boy," he says, kissing Anders on the temple twice.
He loves when Nate laughs, but never more than in this moment. It's the sound of forgiveness and acceptance here, as well as amusement, and Anders cuddles close.
"That is the plan," he says, beaming at Nate. "Or part of it. Optimally we'll both make it through this more or less sane." More or less, because he's aware of the fact that he's not entirely mentally well. He can function, though, and he'd like to keep it that way.
"Maybe even with a second cat," he adds in jest before shifting in Nate's arms to loop his own around Nate's neck and return a light kiss. "I'll ask before, in the future, before interceding, if you'd like. I don't want you to feel like I might undercut you in someone's eyes."
"If you had asked, I would have said no," Nathaniel says softly, uncertain, thumb stroking one golden temple. "And there might have been no headway made at all. I can hardly condemn something that worked. And it came from your heart, which I love."
He flattens his hand against that heartbeat.
"You always speak for those who can't. Thank you."
Anders' smile is warm and sappy at Nate's words and touches.
"I love you. I couldn't do any less for you than I've done for strangers." One hand rests over Nate's, holding it there. He's alive thanks to Nate's help, but even more, he can enjoy life because he has Nate by his side.
"I'll take more care in the future, love, and I'll be there for you. We're together, and everyone who sees us will marvel at Howe together we are."
"You know I never meant the making fun as an insult so I've no problem with the pun, yes? I did always have interest in riding you, so being mean wasn't exactly on my list of things to do."
His expression is innocence itself. "Being irresistible and unforgettable were my priorities."
"Mm." Nathaniel leans in for a slow kiss. "I thought you would be more excited than this about the reminder that you have my name. I know I'm excited." Another kiss. "I haven't rewarded your hard work yet. And you promised you would obey some of my orders today."
He shifts to be underneath Nate while returning the kiss, fingers going up to play with Nate's hair and undo it from its ties.
"I'm always excited by reminders of how I'm yours," he purrs. "Did you have orders to give me? I'd enjoy the opportunity to demonstrate how much I respect you."
Nathaniel makes a little sound into Anders' mouth at the next kiss, thoughtful. "Then respectfully take off your clothes for me. And make a show of it."
He rises to his knees to give Anders room to stand up, quickly stripping off his own shirt as he does so.
He grins before scooting off the bed and lowering his eyes to at least look a little like he's humbled. Once standing, he takes his time with every frog on his robes, undoing them until he can slowly slide the the fabric off one arm, and then the other. He holds the robes up with one hand, bring them between him and Nate for a few moments before dropping them.
Then it's time for the pants... but not to open them, not quite yet. First he runs his hands over his crotch, emphasizing the swelling hardness and then he turns his back to Nate and does a full-body stretch before wiggling his ass. Anders shoots a pleased look over his shoulder as he exaggeratedly undoes the ties of his pants with his back still turned. He takes his time as he scoots his pants down, bending the whole way so his ass is very clearly featured before he's stepping out of the fabric and holding for just a moment.
At last he turns and stretches again before walking back to the bed and kneeling beside it, now managing to look a bit more contrite and devotedly respectful.
"My lord may be warmed after the show, but if he could use more warming yet, may I suggest my mouth? Though as his most humble servant, whatever he requires of me will be given."
Nathaniel lounges back, watching the show while lazily stroking the seam at his inner thigh. Before Anders turns around, he slides his hand into his trousers and slowly strokes himself. When Anders calls him my lord, he licks his lips, and a catlike smile spreads over his face as if he tasted honey on them. He nudges his trousers down low on his hips, pulling out his cock and holding it still.
"Take my trousers the rest of the way off, servant, and warm me with that sweet mouth."
This is his favorite game. It gives Nate the freedom to ask for exactly what he wants, and Anders the freedom to surrender to and worship the man he loves. Obediently Anders slides his hands up the outside of Nate's legs and drags the garment down to his ankles. The left foot is extricated first, drawn up as he places kisses on the inside of Nate's knee and ankle before he repeats the gesture with Nate's left and then slides in between them.
"Of course, my lord and master." He'd seen that lick and smile. He knew what those words did for Nate and he's glad to keep it going. Anders takes hold of his cock and licks his own lips before leaning forward and slowly licking the head once and then a second time until he lets it slide into his mouth where it gets a gentle suck. He makes a quiet noise of appreciation, which is followed by slowly taking Nate in all the way until the pressure at the back of his throat threatens to cut off his breathing. He holds there a moment, taking a breath, before eagerly taking Nate in to the root and savoring both the weight and flavor on his tongue and how absolutely he trusts this man.
Nathaniel's smile broadens. A tug of the tie in Anders' hair has it falling loose; his fingers tangle in it and hold, not really directing Anders' head but feeling it bob up and down as he is serviced.
"Does it surprise you," he purrs, "how much it fills you up? As many lords as have had your mouth, sweet servant, does my cock still cause you difficulty? Don't answer, I haven't given you permission to stop. You try so hard to hide how you struggle, but I can see it, how you pause before you take me in to the hilt. And yet you carry on, without even a flinch on your pretty face. You are a very good and obedient servant, who knows his place."
The praise sweeps over him, heating his blood all the more. He starts to push himself with the bobbing, straining to take Nate as far down his throat as possible each time, letting the moment linger where he can't breathe and can only swallow around the thickness. Anders loves this. He loves bringing pleasure to Nate, the act, the implied risk where there truly is none; he could do this until his throat was burning. The gentle touch of Nate's hands in his hair only serve to heighten how much he enjoys this - this man loves him absolutely.
The next time he takes Nate's cock in he hums until it's physically impossible, and his hand slips down to gently cup his balls and play with them. Nate is everything and everywhere, legs on either side, voice encouraging him, taste and scent surrounding him, and filling Anders' mouth and throat. Kirkwall melts away entirely, for here is a place of peace and calm.
"So good." Nathaniel's praise is coming more breathless, and there's a gasp when Anders hums and the vibrations surround him almost to the root. "So very good. You know how to earn your keep. I like the sight of your hair in such disarray over my th--"
He cuts off with another gasp when his balls are played with. It takes very little from there before he is coming hard into that hot mouth, fingers tightening in Anders' hair enough to pull. Not too hard, though--his grip loosens before it can really hurt or tear. He comes down gasping, chest heaving, his other hand stroking the side of Anders' face soothingly.
"Oh, my pet," he breathes when he can. "You have done your job so well. What reward do you ask of your master?"
He has to pull back a little when Nate comes so he doesn't choke, but he doesn't pull back completely. Instead he swallows around Nate's cock, breath coming heavily from the evidence of exactly how well he did. Nate's voice is breathy and his hands feel a little shaky on Anders' face which has the mage feeling rather pleased with himself indeed.
That doesn't mean he answers Nate's question right away, though. Instead he lightly sucks on the head of Nate's cock, off and on, for a few seconds, playing as he considers. He wants the servant game to continue, of course, which removes a few options from the table. One can't ask their master to tongue their ass, after all.
Finally he lets Nate's cock fall from his mouth as he leans a cheek against his thigh.
"I ask the reward of greater use, master. I ask permission to urge my lord's cock back to full hardness so that he may take enjoy me again, forcefully, mouth or ass as pleases him." He won't last long either way, whether Nate chooses to fuck his throat or take him without preparing him, that's how much he enjoys this game.
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chiming
After he tries to be a hero.
Date: 2017-04-14 07:55 am (UTC)From:"You'll never guess where I've just come from."
no subject
Date: 2017-04-14 08:43 pm (UTC)From:"Well, you haven't brought anything with you. I'll guess the Gallows."
no subject
Date: 2017-04-14 09:01 pm (UTC)From:"Initially the Gallows. That didn't... exactly go well. But then I went out to the Inquisition's boats. Or ships. I'm not quite certain what the difference is, but Isabela's not here to yell at me for calling it the wrong thing so I'm not concerned."
He's pleased with himself, which tends to lead to him being a bit more talkative.
"I've spoken with Alistair, and he may try to keep from insulting you except to your face. At least it sounds like he'll make an effort. Teren wasn't interested in discussing anything, so I couldn't help there. But we've a little progress."
At last he's been able to help Nate a little, protect him a little, after all Nate's protected him.
no subject
Date: 2017-04-14 09:11 pm (UTC)From:"You talked to them for me? Because they didn't already hate me enough, now they think my husband has to fight my battles for me?"
no subject
Date: 2017-04-14 09:21 pm (UTC)From:He blinks at Nate with no little confusion.
"Alistair doesn't hate you, I don't think, and I... I thought it would help. You were stressed and upset. What's wrong with one husband supporting the other?"
no subject
Date: 2017-04-14 09:26 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2017-04-14 09:58 pm (UTC)From:This was supposed to be a combination, encouraging Nate and then helping with the other participants. He doesn't understand how it's gone wrong.
no subject
Date: 2017-04-14 10:11 pm (UTC)From:That thought makes him soften. Anders was trying to do for him what he does for everybody. Nathaniel can understand it when it's put that way.
He sighs and sits back again. "It's not. It's our worlds that are different, my dear. In yours, people aren't allowed to speak. In mine..."
He has to think of a way to put this. How things are, for non-mages and especially nobles.
"In my world, it's a free-for-all. The only way to have respect is to scramble and fight for it, and if someone else gets to it before you, you're out of luck. No--if someone else gets there before you, it means you weren't worthy of it in the first place.
"You know what my mother was like, or at least some of it. When I went to my father asking him to make her stop, he told me to tell her myself. To stand up for myself. And if I didn't, there was no help he could give me. I don't think I've told you that before because to you, it might make him seem callous. And he would win no trophies as a parent, but this was a kindness from him. He was teaching me a lesson about how to survive. How to fight for my honor because I could never expect anyone else to do it once I was on my own."
no subject
Date: 2017-04-14 10:47 pm (UTC)From:"You're not on your own, though. And Teren said you'd have to talk with her yourself, so maybe she follows that sort of thinking, but Alistair didn't. You have me alongside you, so why do things alone? I don't have to. You don't either. Your father was cold and wrong because he should have dealt with your mother being cruel to you. That's part of his job as a father, because she wasn't about to listen to you."
He huffs. "Your parents are assholes. That's the lesson to take from that, not that either you stand alone or you lose. And Maker forbid Rendon Howe sound callous." Anders uncrosses his arms and experimentally reaches out to rest his hand on Nate's. "This is our world. We're together in my battles, let's be together in yours."
no subject
Date: 2017-04-14 10:57 pm (UTC)From:"You really will be the reason I make it through this sane, my darling boy," he says, kissing Anders on the temple twice.
no subject
Date: 2017-04-14 11:31 pm (UTC)From:"That is the plan," he says, beaming at Nate. "Or part of it. Optimally we'll both make it through this more or less sane." More or less, because he's aware of the fact that he's not entirely mentally well. He can function, though, and he'd like to keep it that way.
"Maybe even with a second cat," he adds in jest before shifting in Nate's arms to loop his own around Nate's neck and return a light kiss. "I'll ask before, in the future, before interceding, if you'd like. I don't want you to feel like I might undercut you in someone's eyes."
no subject
Date: 2017-04-15 12:28 am (UTC)From:He flattens his hand against that heartbeat.
"You always speak for those who can't. Thank you."
no subject
Date: 2017-04-15 01:17 am (UTC)From:"I love you. I couldn't do any less for you than I've done for strangers." One hand rests over Nate's, holding it there. He's alive thanks to Nate's help, but even more, he can enjoy life because he has Nate by his side.
"I'll take more care in the future, love, and I'll be there for you. We're together, and everyone who sees us will marvel at Howe together we are."
no subject
Date: 2017-04-15 01:18 am (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2017-04-15 01:23 am (UTC)From:His expression is innocence itself. "Being irresistible and unforgettable were my priorities."
no subject
Date: 2017-04-15 01:26 am (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2017-04-15 01:32 am (UTC)From:"I'm always excited by reminders of how I'm yours," he purrs. "Did you have orders to give me? I'd enjoy the opportunity to demonstrate how much I respect you."
no subject
Date: 2017-04-15 01:55 am (UTC)From:He rises to his knees to give Anders room to stand up, quickly stripping off his own shirt as he does so.
no subject
Date: 2017-04-15 02:15 am (UTC)From:Then it's time for the pants... but not to open them, not quite yet. First he runs his hands over his crotch, emphasizing the swelling hardness and then he turns his back to Nate and does a full-body stretch before wiggling his ass. Anders shoots a pleased look over his shoulder as he exaggeratedly undoes the ties of his pants with his back still turned. He takes his time as he scoots his pants down, bending the whole way so his ass is very clearly featured before he's stepping out of the fabric and holding for just a moment.
At last he turns and stretches again before walking back to the bed and kneeling beside it, now managing to look a bit more contrite and devotedly respectful.
"My lord may be warmed after the show, but if he could use more warming yet, may I suggest my mouth? Though as his most humble servant, whatever he requires of me will be given."
no subject
Date: 2017-04-15 02:21 am (UTC)From:"Take my trousers the rest of the way off, servant, and warm me with that sweet mouth."
no subject
Date: 2017-04-15 02:36 am (UTC)From:"Of course, my lord and master." He'd seen that lick and smile. He knew what those words did for Nate and he's glad to keep it going. Anders takes hold of his cock and licks his own lips before leaning forward and slowly licking the head once and then a second time until he lets it slide into his mouth where it gets a gentle suck. He makes a quiet noise of appreciation, which is followed by slowly taking Nate in all the way until the pressure at the back of his throat threatens to cut off his breathing. He holds there a moment, taking a breath, before eagerly taking Nate in to the root and savoring both the weight and flavor on his tongue and how absolutely he trusts this man.
no subject
Date: 2017-04-15 02:46 am (UTC)From:"Does it surprise you," he purrs, "how much it fills you up? As many lords as have had your mouth, sweet servant, does my cock still cause you difficulty? Don't answer, I haven't given you permission to stop. You try so hard to hide how you struggle, but I can see it, how you pause before you take me in to the hilt. And yet you carry on, without even a flinch on your pretty face. You are a very good and obedient servant, who knows his place."
no subject
Date: 2017-04-15 03:02 am (UTC)From:The next time he takes Nate's cock in he hums until it's physically impossible, and his hand slips down to gently cup his balls and play with them. Nate is everything and everywhere, legs on either side, voice encouraging him, taste and scent surrounding him, and filling Anders' mouth and throat. Kirkwall melts away entirely, for here is a place of peace and calm.
no subject
Date: 2017-04-15 03:10 am (UTC)From:He cuts off with another gasp when his balls are played with. It takes very little from there before he is coming hard into that hot mouth, fingers tightening in Anders' hair enough to pull. Not too hard, though--his grip loosens before it can really hurt or tear. He comes down gasping, chest heaving, his other hand stroking the side of Anders' face soothingly.
"Oh, my pet," he breathes when he can. "You have done your job so well. What reward do you ask of your master?"
no subject
Date: 2017-04-15 03:26 am (UTC)From:That doesn't mean he answers Nate's question right away, though. Instead he lightly sucks on the head of Nate's cock, off and on, for a few seconds, playing as he considers. He wants the servant game to continue, of course, which removes a few options from the table. One can't ask their master to tongue their ass, after all.
Finally he lets Nate's cock fall from his mouth as he leans a cheek against his thigh.
"I ask the reward of greater use, master. I ask permission to urge my lord's cock back to full hardness so that he may take enjoy me again, forcefully, mouth or ass as pleases him." He won't last long either way, whether Nate chooses to fuck his throat or take him without preparing him, that's how much he enjoys this game.
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