AN: Finally starting to publish fics again! I've been writing this one for a while now so expect chapter updates about once a week. Enjoy~

Mina was not attractive, at least, not in the traditional sense. For starters, she was stocky, even for a dwarf. The enormous greatsword she wielded in combat only added to her already thick physique. She had a short crop of jaw-length auburn hair, which she kept jammed up in a tiny bun on top of her head. Often she would shave off the bottom portion of her scalp that didn't quite make it into the bun, citing the heat and discomfort of having hair on her neck. When an opportunity allowed her to briefly catch sight of her face in a mirror or a particularly shiny shield, she would see a roundish face, squat nose, brownish-purple face tattoo, and occasionally a new scar.

She'd never minded her appearance. Frankly it served her well enough growing up. As the more traditionally attractive sibling, Rica had the pressure to find a suitor. Mina preferred to solve things with brute force and thankfully her reputation had meant only the drunkest of hands had attempted to paw at her once or twice before she taught them better.

So why then, would this intimidating dwarf find herself being stared at by an extremely above-average looking elf? At first she assumed he was studying her, trying to learn what he could about her mannerisms in order to plan an escape. But it had been three days since his capture and he showed no signs of resisting. In fact he now sat contentedly, his bronzed legs crossed on the ground languorously and his gaze calmly meeting hers. He winked and flashed his pearly white teeth.

Annoyed by this development, Mina stood up from her spot by the fire and reluctantly moved over to her captive.

"Can I help you with something?" she asked gruffly, crossing her arms as she came to stand in front of the elf.

"I am merely wondering how long you intend to keep up this charade of imprisonment," Zevran replied easily, gesturing with his bound wrists. "Not that I mind being tied up every night by a lovely creature such as yourself."

She huffed defensively, feeling her face grow hot. "And what makes you think your imprisonment is a charade? You did try to kill me, you know."

"And I have already sworn my life to you. I take it you won't believe the word of an assassin, but I assure you, if I wanted to run, I would have already."

Mina roughly reached out and tightened his bonds. He only smirked.

"And tell me, what do you intend to do with me when a battle breaks out? We have been lucky so far on the road but it is a Blight. Would you have me kick the darkspawn away? Or sidetrack one of your companions into keeping an eye on me while the fighting continues?" His golden eyes met hers in a direct challenge, but his voice remained smooth and friendly.

Mina scowled at him. This very dilemma had been plaguing her thoughts all day. Keeping a prisoner was a burden, one her team couldn't afford. "Fine. You might as well carry your weight around here. Tomorrow you walk free. Besides, you've already fucked up my assassination once." She shrugged. "I'm sure I can handle you again."

"But why wait until tomorrow?"

The dwarf kicked his leg, but not hard enough to cause real damage; she did need him in walking shape tomorrow morning. "You said it yourself: you're enjoying this whole being tied up thing. Who am I to judge?"

Despite herself, she found that she enjoyed his company the next morning. Free from his constricting ropes that left him at trudging the back of the pack, he proved to be quite the chatterbox. It made for a pleasant break between Morrigan's complaining and Alistair's poor attempts at jokes.

As the sun set and conversation turned to where to set up camp, the assassin made his way next to Mina.

"Are you regretting your decision to free me, Warden?" the elf asked, pushing his luck by lightly bumping into her shoulder with his hip.

She frowned at him, one thick brow arching. "Maybe. Tell me another story about a mark and we'll see if I change my mind."

With that, Zevran tilted his head back and laughed. Mina was annoyed to admit that she cracked a smile too.