A/N: This is sort of a sequel to "Sexy Santa".

Chapter 1

Zevran unlocked the door to Alistair's apartment, just barely resisting the urge to ring the bell instead. It still felt strange, having his own key. They'd discussed moving in together, after a little over a year together, but Zevran hadn't wanted to give up the loft, and they'd been uncertain about sharing such an open space. So, they'd ended up giving each other keys to their respective apartments instead.

In practice, they tended to both end up at one place for the night, and they had made some adjustments to account for that fact. Zevran's futon had been replaced with a proper double bed, and Alistair was the proud owner of a spacious new couch now, suitable for cuddling and other activities. But it still felt good to know that they could each withdraw to their own space.

Alistair was expecting him to come by this Sunday afternoon, after his kendo training, so there was no need to announce his presence. Still, he popped his head into the living room before heading to the kitchen. He wasn't surprised to find Cullen there, and even less surprised to find them both engrossed in a chess game.

Sauntering over, he blew a quick kiss on Alistair's neck, grinning when his lover shivered in response. "Hey. I'll just have a quick cup of coffee, yes?"

"Sure." Alistair twisted around to kiss him, just a quick peck. He looked preoccupied, wholly wrapped up in the game. Cullen, too, just glanced up briefly to say hello before returning his attention to the chess board. There was the tiniest flash of… something in his handsome features, though, when he looked at Zevran, and it kept him thinking while he sipped his strong, black coffee.

When he returned to the living room, the two of them just barely acknowledged his presence, so he made himself comfortable on the couch, stretching his legs and reaching for a magazine. But he wasn't really looking, as he leafed through the pages, most of his attention taken up with watching the two chess players.

Alistair was wearing what Zevran had secretly dubbed his 'uniform', blue jeans and a white tee. Both had gotten progressively tighter over the course of the past year, as he'd gone shopping with Zevran, and the effect made Zevran's throat go dry every time he saw him at work. Cullen, too, looked good, in a dark blue woolen sweater that hugged his muscular arms and shoulders. A very attractive guy, with his curly hair and the delectable little scar on his lip, no doubt about it.

Still, it was mostly Alistair he was watching, the deep frown of concentration on his face, the growing elation interrupted by brief bouts of doubt and worry, and then the triumphant grin as he made the winning move.

Cullen cursed under his breath, but he got to his feet with a wide smile. "Damn it, Alistair, you're getting too good for me."

"Nonsense." Alistair's face flushed happily. "You still win more than half of the time. I was just in better form today, I guess."

Maybe you were. And maybe he was distracted. Zevran hadn't missed the way Cullen's eyes had darted to and fro between him and Alistair.

"Well, it's time to go. I need to be up early tomorrow. Bye, Zevran." Cullen embraced Alistair briefly, then made for the door. They heard him potter about in the hallway, and then the door fell shut.

Zevran stretched voluptuously, glancing up at Alistair. "Come here. It's time I got a proper welcome."

"You think?" With a wide happy grin, Alistair shoved Zevran to the side a little so he could straddle him, propping himself up on both arms before bending down to kiss him, slowly and thoroughly. "Better?"

"Much better." Zevran tilted his hips upward, smiling with satisfaction when the increased contact made Alistair groan. "Though it was probably good you kept your distance earlier. Poor Cullen was jealous enough as it was."

"Jealous?" Alistair seemed torn between laughing and frowning. "You've got that wrong, Zev. Cullen and I, we're good friends, nothing more."

"Indeed?" Zevran raised an eyebrow. "Believe me, I know a thing or two about friendship, and even more about sexual attraction. And in my experience, good friends don't keep staring at the other one's lips while they're talking. And good friends definitely don't feel the need to discreetly adjust their pants on the way out after a manly hug."

"Zevran!" Alistair was blushing furiously. "Look, even if Cullen were interested – and I'm not saying he is - I'm with you. End of discussion."

"As you wish." Zevran gave in with a smile, wiggling his hips just so, a move that tended to make Alistair effectively forget he was angry.

It worked like a charm, as usual. With a deep groan, Alistair caught his mouth for another kiss, then another, using one hand to keep himself propped up while the other one was roaming Zevran's body, tugging on his clothes until he found bare skin.

Zevran gasped hard. He would never get enough of Alistair's touch, so much more skilled and assured now than he'd been a year ago, but still so gentle, so sweet, and so eager at the same time. He was about to suggest they move over to the bedroom when the doorbell rang.

"Are you expecting a visitor, querido?" He didn't quite manage to keep the irritation out of his voice as he rearranged his clothing.

"Shit!" Alistair slapped his forehead with his open hand. "I completely forgot. I promised Leliana I'd watch Nugget for her tonight, so she could go out with Aedan."

"Nugget?" Zevran found himself talking to empty air, for Alistair was already well on his way to the door.

Out in the corridor, he heard Leliana's voice, cooing and twittering, and he made a face. She had never quite forgiven him for walking out on Alistair, brief as their separation had been. Here was one person who'd prefer it if Alistair settled down with someone like Cullen. Now, wait a moment! Where had that thought come from?

Zevran frowned, but before he could pursue the idea further, Alistair was back, without Leliana, but in the company of… Okay, he had to admit it was the cutest puppy he'd ever seen. The little guy was wiggling in Alistair's grip, eager to be set down, and Alistair complied with a happy laugh. "Meet Nugget."

The puppy appeared to be a little spaniel, with a round nose and floppy ears, and soft, silky golden fur. The large brown eyes were gazing up at Alistair with a hopeful expression, while the tiny tail was wagging furiously.

"So… Is he going to be here all night?" Zevran inquired delicately. "Because I'd rather hoped we could-"

"I promised Leliana." Alistair gave him a pleading look, almost identical to the puppy's. "Will you stay and keep me company?"

Nugget whined and waddled forward, pushing his tiny, dark brown nose against Zevran's knee.

Alistair smiled proudly. "Look! He likes you. Isn't he adorable?"

"Yes. He is." Zevran sighed deeply. Not as adorable as you, though. The rapt expression on Alistair's face made his heart melt. Not that he was going to admit it, of course.

But it was hard to keep a straight face when the two of them began to roll around on the floor, tussling with a red plush ball. Nugget was only about the size of one of Alistair's hands, but by his own estimation, he was clearly the leader of the pack. His tail was standing straight up as he stalked toward Alistair, growling and baring his tiny teeth.

"Maybe we should get you a puppy, too." The words left Zevran's mouth before he had time to think them through.

But Alistair shook his head, disappointment clearly written on his features. "I don't think we could, Zev. Those little guys need a lot of attention, and with both of us working… Leliana said she could never have managed while she was still working a normal job."

Leliana had quit her job at W.O.D. a few months ago when she and Aedan had become engaged. She was working freelance from home now, and they missed having her around. But she'd claimed it felt weird to make plans for marrying her boss.

"Pity." If he was quite honest, Zevran felt a surge of relief, though. In his heart of hearts, he didn't really appreciate the thought of Alistair's attention being taken up by someone else, even by someone as devastatingly cute as Nugget.

He kept watching them play, but he was getting a teensy bit bored. He had almost made up his mind to leave for the night when the puppy suddenly yawned widely and fell asleep without further ado on Alistair's stomach. Carefully, Alistair got up and moved over to the couch, cradling the little bundle of fur to his chest.

It was almost comical, the way Alistair's eyes darted to and fro between Zevran and the dog, clearly torn on how to proceed. He didn't want to let go of the warm little body, that much was obvious, but having Nugget in his arms pretty much ruled out a continuation of their earlier activities.

Zevran sighed. Oh, well. Better make the best of this. "Think we can watch a movie?" he suggested carefully.

Nugget snored once, and wrinkled his nose.

Alistair hesitated. "Well, if we stick to something quiet, I guess…"

"Don't worry." Zevran smiled predatorily. "There's a Mexican movie I've been wanting to show you for a long time. Not much action going on there." Well, not that kind of action, anyway.

He did a quick search for the movie and found it on an online streaming site, for free. Dimming down the lights, he settled down happily with his head on Alistair's shoulder, at a safe distance from Nugget's drooling little snout. It seemed it was going to be a pleasant evening after all. And he had high hopes that his choice of movie would lead to even more pleasant things later on.

Many thanks to suilven for her help with betaing this.