The First Kiss

Kirah let out a frustrated sigh, border lining on a growl "Maker's balls Wynne, will you quit talking down to me!"

"Child, I am simply offering advice." The 'Old Woman,' as Morrigan liked to call her, shifted her weight from foot to foot, crossing her arms in the process. Wynne was never one to hide any disappointment, or keep her opinions to herself for that matter and that drove Kirah absolutely mad. As much as Kirah looked up to the old biddy's magical prowess, Wynne could certainly be insufferable at times.

"The others may look to you for a motherly figure, but I for one had a mother. Just because you are old enough to be her doesn't mean you even come close to what she was to me!" Kirah tightened her jaw, fist firmly planted at her sides. She must have been louder than she realized for her entire party had their eyes locked on her. In a huff, Kirah stormed out of camp finding a log just on the outskirts where she could sit and fester.

Little time passed before she heard a slow clap accompanied by footsteps approaching from behind her. Rolling her eyes, Kirah glared over her shoulder "Go away Morrigan."

"I merely wished to congratulate you on finally obtaining a spine" Morrigan cackled, using that laugh she adored using when she was obviously toying with someone. "Perhaps you are not quite the fool I once thought you to be."

"Go-a-way!" Kirah repeated, pronouncing each syllable through gritted teeth.

Morrigan let out a breathy sigh "So be it. T'was meant as a compliment, do not expect to hear another."

Kirah remained silent, stewing in her anger as she heard Morrigan traipse off.

Andraste's ass, I hate mages Kirah thought to herself. Even more so that I am one.

She hated herself. Wynne didn't deserve to be treated like that and she knew it. Kirah always overreacted when anyone became close to her, in an emotional sense. When Wynne started looking over her like she was some lost child in desperate need of mentoring, she couldn't handle it, no matter how true it might have been. Family dies Kirah reminded herself Even Jowan. Jowan was the closest thing to a brother she had, and even though he technically wasn't her biological brother, Jowan still fell victim to Kirah's curse. Granted, she was able to convince Arl Eamon to turn Jowan over to the circle, but she knew what would become of him. Becoming Tranquil was like dying and I am the cause of it.

"I get it you know."

Barely paying attention to her surroundings, Kirah didn't quite hear what was said, but knew something had been said. Sodding Morrigan was the only thought that crossed her mind.

"Morrigan, didn't I tell you to go away?" Kirah let the annoyance show in her tone.

"Morrigan? Ouch. Stab me in the face before you insult me like that."

Kirah froze as she realized that wasn't Morrigan's voice. She could've slapped herself in the forehead then and there for she knew whose voice that was. How could she not? It was the voice that has been with her from the beginning. It was the voice that kept her sane. It was, for a lack of a better term, her portable templar.

"Alistair?" She wasn't sure why she said his name as she did. She knew it was him after all, here to confirm she had her abilities under control most likely.

Closing the distance between them, Alistair took a seat near Kirah on the log. The two sat in awkward silence for what seemed like a thousand heartbeats. He was far enough that they weren't touching; yet close enough had she wanted to reach for him, she could.

"I get it" Alistair repeated, breaking the quiet that lingered.

Raising an eyebrow, Kirah swung a leg over the log to face him. "Get it?"

Get what? Get that I murdered my own mother and am in no need of a surrogate one to replace her?

"Yeah, err, I mean to say," Looking down, Alistair began fidgeting with his hands "I know little miss grumpy girdle rears her scrunched up pretty face more often than she should, but" Alistair tilted his head, meeting Kirah's eyes with his own "I know her heart's always in the right place. If someone tried to replace Duncan, I'd probably punch them…and then feel really bad about it of course."

Oh…well, close enough.

Kirah denied the smile that tugged at the corners of her mouth, opting to look down at the ground instead of keeping Alistair's gaze. "I know I know. I'll try and keep miss grumpy girdle as you like to call me from taking over again. It's just, I realize now that my mother may have been irrational and maybe even foolish to keep me as she did, but she was my mother. I loved her. She took care of me. I don't need Wynne tying to weasel her way into that position, at least not with me." Kirah shook her head as she sliced the air with her hand, emphasizing her stance on the matter.

Alistair began chuckling slightly "See that's why I like you. You're…passionate! Passionate and loyal and strong and not to mention…beautiful." Nervously, Alistair ran a hand through his hair as redness threatened to cover his entire body "Maker's breath, but you weren't looking for compliments were you?"

Something possessed Kirah at that very moment, a desire demon perhaps. She was convinced of it. Why else would she lean forward, pressing her lips feverishly against his? This wasn't how she imagined their first kiss to be like; extremely tense with her hands planted firmly on the log she sat upon. She actually hadn't imagined kissing him at all. Kirah ensured that there was a distance kept between herself and each of her comrades, for their own safety that is. Even Zevran no longer propositioned her. Yet here she was, fumbling in a kiss she never planned on happening. Kirah's nerves began to calm as she felt a calloused hand reach up and cup her cheek. Lifting her own hand to meet his, Kirah parted her lips. Much to her surprise, Alistair accepted willingly.

Their tongues explored each other's mouths, unified in a sort of a dance. Kirah had to admit that Alistair tasted wonderful, nothing like the cheese she expected him to taste like. Not that she was expecting anything at all of course. His flavoring was more akin to the sweet berries that can be found on the side of the road. The ones that you were never quite certain weren't poisonous. Kirah placed her free hand on the back of Alistair's head, bringing their two bodies closer. Her entire body shivered as Alistair held the small of her back with a gentle squeeze; his touch rivaling the softness of his lips. Their breath became one, their passion equally shared. The heat of it all became a little too overwhelming for Kirah to bear, forcing her to part from their kiss prematurely. They sat staring, eyes examining one another's mouths, heavy breaths between them, ecstasy still lingering.

A bashful smile formed on Alistair's face "If I knew that's what I get for understanding things, I would've paid more attention during lessons at the Chantry. Hmm, not to say I wanted to do that with any of the priests at the monastery. Stoplookingatmelikethat."

Kirah smirked, refusing to succumb to a full smile "I guess I should go apologize to Wynne huh?"

"That de-pends" suggestion played among Alistair's features.

Kirah scooted closer, finally flashing Alistair the bright smile he so desired. "Depends?"

"Yeah you know," a tattle telling blush blanketed his sheepish expression "that depends on if you are too busy with leader stuff, or Grey Warden business perhaps?" Alistair shrugged playfully lifting his hands in an attempt to maintain his composure.

"Well," her words spoken low and seductive as she licked her lips in anticipation "I can think of a few things that would keep me busy."

Once again their lips met and once again it was perfect.

Kirah relished in the moment. Maybe I'm not so cursed after all.