Chapter Text
The walk back to the castle was marvelous. They were met by the others, all of whom were thrilled to see the Wardens safe and sound—even Sten, the softie. Geoffrey's dog bowled him over in excitement, leaving Geoffrey flat on his back once again. "Good boy!" Geoffrey laughed, hugging the massive hound. "I told you I'd see you after the battle!"
The dog barked, tail wagging furiously, then resuming the exuberant licking of his master's face.
"He is a fine warrior," Sten said. "He was instrumental in keeping our back line safe." Zevran squinted at him suspiciously, smirking. Sten did not meet his gaze.
"Good boy," Geoffrey cooed again and rubbed the dog's ears.
"Where is Morrigan?" Leliana asked, horror growing in her face. "Did she…?"
Geoffrey shook his head. "No, she's alive. But it was time for her to leave. Her choice, not mine."
Wynne helped Geoffrey to his feet. "It is a shame she will not be able to join us in celebrating our victory."
With a nod, Geoffrey patted the dog's head. "It is. But now, Bann Teagan promised a bath, and I will take him up on that." He looked back at the man, who laughed.
"Then let us go to the castle."
--
When they got there, the servants were already busily buzzing about, preparing baths and a hero's feast, as well as cleaning up after the blood and mud and taint that dripped from the warriors' boots and armor.
Zevran and Geoffrey were taken up to what must have been the finest guest suite, with multiple servant chambers and a large sitting room clearly intended for diplomatic meetings. As they entered, a servant had just finished filling the large tub in the attached bathroom. He bowed to them quickly, smiling, and hurried out to give them privacy.
Wasting no more time, Zevran helped Geoffrey out of his armor, piling it beside the doorway to the bathroom. Once he was down to only his clothing, Geoffrey quickly stripped that off on his own, tossing it carelessly aside as he ran to the tub, sinking into the hot water with a groan that was positively lewd.
"I hope I can provoke that reaction one day," Zevran teased as he worked off his own armor and clothing, before joining him in the bath, stepping on either side of Geoffrey's legs and sinking down into his lap.
Geoffrey hummed happily as he groped for the nearby washing cloth and dunked it in the water, wiping Zevran's chest clean. "Maybe you can. But I'll warn you, once I'm clean and relaxed, my plan is to sleep for the next three days at least."
Zevran took the cloth and rubbed it against Geoffrey's face, checking the small cuts and bruises made visible from beneath the dirt and blood. His white chest was marred with darkening bruises, but no bloody cuts that Zevran could see. He kissed Geoffrey's neck as he ran the cloth over it.
"Mmm…" Geoffrey leaned into his touch, then took the cloth back. "You first, then you can do me."
"Is that a promise?" Zevran purred against his ear.
He giggled, still a bit battle drunk. "If you want it to be, love." He washed Zevran with care and attention, sneaking little kisses here and there, before handing the cloth back to him.
Zevran took his time scrubbing Geoffrey from top to bottom, adjusting his position to wash his legs and feet. Oh those poor feet, blistered and bruised. He kissed the top of each one as they were made clean, massaging them gently. That got the contented groan again as Geoffrey's head lolled back, his chest rising and falling with deep, comfortable breaths. "Turn to me, mi amor. Let's get your back."
Geoffrey turned and Zevran bit his lip at the large bruise growing across his shoulders, probably from the explosion. He pressed the cloth only lightly against it, working quickly, conscious of the stiffening in Geoffrey's shoulders as he did.
"Now, your ass," Zevran said, letting the smirk reach his voice.
The look he got over Geoffrey's shoulder made him lick his lips. "Come on now. We both know such places get terribly sweaty in the heat of battle."
So Geoffrey got himself onto his knees, raising his ass out of the water for Zevran to wash. And wash he did. If Geoffrey found his cock becoming half-risen by the activity, well, that was just his own perversion, was it not? He placed a kiss on the Warden's hip before pushing him back into the water and returning to their first position, Zevran straddling his lap.
He hung the washing cloth over the side of the tub, and rubbed soap into his hands, reaching up to scrub at Geoffrey's scalp. "That feels amazing, Zev," he murmured against his collarbone. Zevran smiled in answer, pressing his lips to Geoffrey's forehead.
When he finished, he stood up so Geoffrey could duck forward and wash out the soap, water coursing down his face in rivulets. "I can't remember the last time I was this clean," he said, hugging Zevran as he sat back down. "Thank you, love."
"Anytime." Zevran rested against his broad chest, half falling asleep himself. He yawned.
The chest beneath him rumbled in laughter. "Didn't you want to do me?" he asked softly, sleep heavy in his voice.
"Mm, you'll still be here in the morning."
"In that case, let's move to the bed, unless you wish to wake up a prune."
With a grunt of assent, Zevran got up and grabbed two towels, handing one to Geoffrey. They toweled off quickly, then walked naked back to the bedroom. After a jaw-popping yawn, Geoffrey pulled on an extra pair of pants to sleep in, Zevran raising an amused eyebrow.
"So eager to preserve your modesty, mi amor."
Geoffrey smiled. "No, my balls get cold."
Zevran laughed and pushed him into the bed, kissing him again. "You need to sleep, my Warden."
Warm hands cupped his face. "You too, my assassin. Sleep well."
Zevran rolled onto his side, smiling as Geoffrey's hands encircled his waist, and soft kisses tickled his neck. "Sleep, Geoffrey. I will be here when you awaken."
Geoffrey murmured something that sounded like "I love you".
With that soft tenderness in his heart, Zevran lifted one of those hands to his mouth and kissed its palm. "I love you too, Geoffrey."
The embrace tightened, and warm tears now dripped against his neck. "That's the first time you said it," Geoffrey said.
"I love you," he repeated, rolling over to wipe the tears away. "I love you." He kissed those bright eyes, uncaring of the saltiness on his tongue. "I love you." Such little words. How easily they were said when true. He brought their lips together one more time. "I love you, Geoffrey. Now sleep, knowing that."
Geoffrey's eyes fell closed, a smile on his face. "As you wish, love. I'll see you in the morning."
He fell asleep quickly, his grip slackening around Zevran's waist. For a little while, Zevran merely watched him, marveling at how warm and safe he felt in those arms. But soon he too was called by the blissful sleep of the exhausted, and didn't wake until well into the next day, to the sounds of the servants quietly emptying the tub and cleaning it.
He stayed in bed, eyes closed. Geoffrey didn't stir one bit, still heavy and warm around him. He quickly fell asleep again. When he woke for the second time, it was to Geoffrey moving, grumblingly and achingly as he crawled out of bed to use the chamberpot. When he finished, he snuggled around Zevran, sighing contentedly against his head. "Are you awake?" he murmured.
Zevran hummed an answer.
"Want to do me now?" The question was sleepy, half-serious, but Zevran opened his eyes slowly.
"Always, mi amor."
They didn't do anything strenuous, little more than kissing and rutting against each other until they were finished. Zevran wiped them clean with the blanket. "We'll need to eat eventually," he mumbled with a yawn.
"I'm not hungry…" And soon, Geoffrey was fast asleep once again, this time on his back, snoring slightly.
Zevran smiled and kissed his nose, before resting his head on the Warden's chest. He knew that life would soon call upon them to do more things, particularly his Geoffrey—heroes did not get to escape the spotlight so easily—but for now, they were safe and comfortable and in love. And that was enough to lull him once more into peaceful slumber.