Author’s Note: Heyy, this is a slashy story, so if you don’t like then don’t read. Btw, it’s only a oneshot, so…. You know the deal. Read and review please. Thank you! ArtemisxDrizzt all the way (with some JarlaxlexDrizzt too… P)

Scowling, Drizzt watched as the assassin strode easily through the damp streets of Southern Calimport. How relaxed he seemed, rested and revitalized while he was still in his element. How vulnerable.

Another scowl crossed Drizzt’s face as he thought back on why he was here. The Harpells had decided that it would be fun to take a trip to an exotic place such as a southern city, that it might provide inspiration for some new spell material. And Artemis Entreri had killed Regweld. The dog-like Harpell had seen the assassin, recognized him even from Drizzt’s many tales, and began a spell. The icy barrage of jagged crystals had soared from the wizard’s hand, but the assassin’s reflexes were too quick, and he had thrown his dagger, immediately ducking under the ice and killing Regweld. Before Drizzt could channel his rage Entreri had disappeared into the winding streets.

Apparently he had forgotten.

Drizzt drew his blades, Icingdeath nearly sentient with its master’s anger, and Twinkle shadowed, stealthily concealing its glow so that it would be able to maintain the element of surprise. The ebon-skinned drow hurled his form from the roof quietly, agilely landing at the base of the building, in the shadows, without a sound. Entreri looked around the area; eyes narrowed as he heard the slight scuffling of feet, and slowly drew his evil jeweled dagger, his other hand on the hilt of his equally demonic longsword. Calimport was a place of caution. Cautious people won. Carefree people were slaughtered.

Entreri enjoyed living, so he remained in his defensive pose. Drizzt’s lavender eyes were burning with utter hatred as he viewed his rival enemy from the ally by the side of the street. Regweld had been casting the spell in his defense, so Drizzt was naturally angered when Entreri had killed him. Artemis wouldn’t get away with this one.

Slowly, determinedly, Drizzt strolled from the ally, and Artemis’ eyes narrowed even further, becoming glinting slits. “What do you want, drow?” the assassin spat in his direction, glaring menacingly at his rival. They had battled many times before, and Drizzt had always been the better.

Twinkle was sheathed, and Drizzt was lazily tracing a finger along the sharp edge of Icingdeath, watching as the black digit slowly made its way up and then down the blade. “Well, for one, you killed Regweld, which truly is something I am not happy about, and two, I just thought I might drop in,” he remarked lightly, yet there was something about the way he said his words, something about the way he was at ease just tracing the sharp blade with a finger, yet never cutting himself. The drow was deadlier now than ever, the assassin determined and slowly fell into a defensive stance, knowing he wouldn’t have a chance if the drow decided to attack. Entreri had never killed one of his friends before, but he had insinuated that he might. Now that he actually had, the drow was definitely not going to react too well.

“Well that was quite thoughtful of you,” Entreri reiterated coldly, never taking his eyes from the dangerous creature of the Underdark. How dangerous could he be when angered? The assassin was afraid to find out. Slowly, Drizzt took his finger from Icingdeath and seemed to contemplate, staring at the blade with a perplexed look on his face.

Drizzt slowly drew his other scimitar, still looking at the icy blade with stark curiosity. “Amazing,” he spouted quietly, “how different these two blades are, yet how synchronous they work together, how harmonious and efficient they are at their job.” Drizzt compared the two blades, Twinkle now glowing with an inhuman fire, angrily pulsating and reflecting the drow’s true feelings. Entreri contemplated if it would work if he threw his dagger at the drow now, but he was afraid that he would be at a disadvantage if the throw was deflected or dodged. This was truly an uncomfortable situation.

“Ah yes, back to our current situation,” Drizzt said, pretending to shake himself from the trance and looking back up at Entreri with a fake smile on his face, his lavender orbs glowing with such a fierce passion that the assassin actually considered fleeing. The assassin had never considered fleeing before in his life. “I fear that you may have to be punished for your earlier actions today,” he said, faking a pout and looking at Entreri with utmost hate in his eyes. With that, the drow stalked forward, never allowing his innocent façade to slip, because it was with this façade that he had scared Entreri and intimidated his opponent. The assassin didn’t have a chance when Drizzt came on in a deadly 1-2 1-2 punch combination, scimitar’s darting alternatively, and then both slashing at totally different angles and heights. Entreri fearfully deflected the first one-two, dodged the other, and then countered the punch with a slash of his own. Drizzt easily parried, sliding Icingdeath along the length of the glowing, green blade and smiling maliciously.

Entreri mentally shook himself and focused as hard as he could. Emotions could not get into the way. He was a cold killer, and his job didn’t concern anything that included feelings. The deadly, curved blades swung in again, fiercely poking, jabbing, continually circulating and attempting to find that elusive, ever-moving hole in the assassin’s defenses. The drow worked high, slashing at the assassin’s neck, and instead of the typical duck under and in, he spun a full circle, all the while coming down and in, slashing at both of Entreri’s legs.

The assassin jumped up and instinctively kicked out with his boot, nearly catching the drow in the head, but Drizzt was far from being beaten. He was too far inside of Entreri’s defenses, and the assassin knew that too. The man dove into a backwards roll, landing at his feet and panting heavily, watching the still innocent-looking drow walk toward him, not a drip of sweat on his forehead, not a single heavy breath. The assassin never even had a chance.

“I… didn’t… -grunt-… I didn’t mean… I didn’t mean to… to… -grunt-… kill… kill him!” Entreri forced out through the spinning blades, continually evading the drow’s powerful attacks. It seemed as though all of Drizzt’s strength was placed into every single blow, as though he had been delivering the final blow every single strike. Entreri’s arms were absolutely numb, and he knew that he couldn’t hold out much longer against the enraged drow.

“Liar,” Drizzt breathed fiercely.

“I SWEAR!” Entreri bellowed, blocking yet another fierce cut and jab combination from the evilly curved scimitars. Drizzt’s eyes narrowed and he backed away, and then muttered something under his breath, activating the lie detecting gem that he hid beneath his cloak. “I didn’t mean to kill the Harpell,” he said again, raising his hands up wide. Drizzt’s eyes widened slightly, not considerably enough for the assassin to notice, but enough for it to signify that he was surprised to find that Entreri was telling the truth. Drizzt felt an ache deep in his chest for some odd reason, and he immediately looked away from the assassin. “I’m sorry…”

Drizzt’s surprise was unending at those two words that the assassin had never uttered once in his lifetime. Again, the truth. The ache magnified in his chest, and when Drizzt looked up at Entreri, he saw the man in a different light. The assassin had changed since they had parted ways; he had actually learned his lesson from his time within the dark halls of Menzoberranzan. Drizzt couldn’t help but be surprised yet again by these feelings that seemed to course through his veins like fire. He had known them well before, he had felt them for Catti-Brie, and had even felt them for a familiar mage known as the ruling figure of Silverymoon. It was love.

How odd it was to feel this for what used to be his enemy. Drizzt slowly sheathed his weapons, as did Entreri, who couldn’t help but feel the same way. He had respected Drizzt for a long time, but to know that he had been forgiven by the drow… It had brought out a side of him long ago buried by the need to be cold. Entreri walked forward tentatively, as though testing the temperature of a pond, as did Drizzt, who was just as careful. This was new to them.

Drizzt reached out, as did Entreri, their hands barely an inch apart. When their fingers met both of them gasped at the pure ecstasy that ran through their bodies from the touch. Entreri instinctively grasped at the drow’s hand, attempting to find sanctity within the touch of the other male. Drizzt did likewise, tangling their fingers together. Both were gasping in pleasure by now, and Entreri yanked his arm, pulling the drow into a loving embrace. This was very new to them.

Drizzt nearly went for his swords when he felt the strong man’s arms encircle him, but then he realized that they weren’t attacking him… they were holding him. Drizzt relaxed considerably in the embrace, and even gripped at the other man as well, but then they both knew that they needed more. Drizzt looked quietly into the assassin’s face, scarred from many battles, and scared to what the implications of this new relationship might be.

Drizzt didn’t care what any implications might be, and without even throwing a hint of caution to the wind, he pressed his mouth against Entreri’s.

It may be new, but they would get used to it.

Author's Note: Yeah I know, rushed ending, but I had to get off the comp. First Forgotten Realms fic, so please don't flame, although I would love for you to review please. Thanks!

--Quinny!