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on the way to defeat the Blight

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"I swear, they could not have invented a more uncomfortable way of sleeping," grumbles Anders as he attempts to put up his tent for the night. "My back has been permanently bent out of shape by the sheer amount of lumps in my bedroll."

"Stop moaning," says Leliana cheerfully. "At least you have a tent and bedroll! We could do a lot worse than this."

"Well, you're probably cushioned by the Warden you sleep with," says Anders. "Anyway, how come Morrigan gets her own little caravan and everything? Life is so unfair."

"She doesn't complain about dragging it behind her, though," says Nathaniel. Anders notes jealously that his tent is as perfect as ever,.

"These bedrolls are the worst thing I've ever slept in. And I've slept in a sewer more than once," says Anders.

Leliana sighs. "Let me help you with that."

Anders steps back and watches her skilfully manoeuvre poles and sheets to form a passable tent for the night. "Thanks."

"It was no problem," she says. "You're getting better at it, though... I think."

"I think it's very unfair that you've chosen the Warden as a bed partner and not, say, me. I mean, not only does she now not have to put up a tent at all, like I said before I'm sure you somehow cushion each other from the man-eating lumps in the bedding," says Anders, sighing theatrically. "Are you sure I'm not allowed to join you?"

Leliana laughs. "Of course, those are the only reasons why I like her! And the answer is no. For now, at least." She smiles, and even Nathaniel has to laugh a little at Anders' pained expression.

"What other reason is there? And you can be sure I'll take you up on that offer when 'for now' is over."

"Please make sure he never gets there," says Nathaniel from the fire. "There are some things that I don't want to hear at night."

Leliana gasps, mock horrified. "You eavesdrop on us at night? How very un-chivalrous of you, Nathaniel!"

"You know we all do," says Anders, looking wistful.

It is only because Nathaniel is so very tired and in that state of mind where he can't tell if he's dreaming, hallucinating or maybe awake, that Anders does not get kicked out straight away.

"My tent collapsed," says Anders by way of explanation as he tries to squeeze his bedroll next to Nathaniel's.

"... huh? ... sleeping... go away..."

"It's cold!" says Anders defensively. "Can you move over a bit? There's not much space here."

"... no."

"That's just mean." Anders kicks Nathaniel through the sheet.

"Hey!" Nathaniel sits up and rubs his eyes. "Anders? What?"

"My tent isn't working. It just isn't."

"Your tent is fine." He jabs a finger at it through the opening of his own tent. "See?"

"... yeah, it is fine. Leliana put it up and all. But look, this bedroll has more nasty bits than Oghren's beard and I really, really can't sleep in it. And Leliana and the Warden are keeping me up. It's just getting annoying now. And it's cold."

"Put a shirt on and go bother Morrigan or someone. I'm sleeping," says Nathaniel before slumping back down and attempting to pull the bedroll covers over his eyes. 'Attempting', because Anders is strategically sitting on them.

"Yes... as entertaining as that would be, I'd rather spend my life with all my body parts intact. Come on, move over."

"Are you trying to get into bed with me?"

"Weeell... since you mentioned it..." Nathaniel can't see much in the darkness, but that's definitely a smirk there.

"Go away, mage," he grumbles, and tries to ignore the mass that's pinning down his bedsheets. It comes as a bit of a surprise when Anders leans down and kisses him – he makes a muffled sound that is best described as, "mmfaaah!", there follows a few seconds of confused close contact, and then Anders pulls away. Nathaniel isn't exactly sure how one would taste a smirk, but he seems to have managed that feat. "Now what?"

"Oh, sorry," says Anders not very apologetically. He rolls over and off Nathaniel, stretching in the space next to him. This action squashes Nathaniel a little more, and he wonders again if Anders is not some unholy creation placed on Thedas for the sole reason of annoying him. "I've just been wanting to do that for ages."

Nathaniel sighs, because he hasn't got enough energy for anything else, and maybe tomorrow he'll wake up and realise that this whole conversation was nothing more than a very strange dream. "Look, I just want to sleep. It's been a long day, and I really think we need to save our energy for the Blight. Good night." He draws the covers up in a gesture of finality.

"Judging from the tent next door, the Warden wouldn't agree with you," says Anders, poking him. "How about tomorrow night? Is that good for you? How about a triumphant evening of celebratory relations as soon as we get rid of that pesky little Archdemon?"

"Whatever you say," says the lump inside the bedroll. "And stop that!"

Anders is quite sure that he only said that to put an end to the poking, but it's a promising sign of agreement all the same. He grins, finds a sheet to wrap himself up in, and settles down to sleep. The last thing he remembers thinking before passing into dream-filled unconsciousness is a mental note to put a real fault in his tent tomorrow evening.

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A/N: Before I started my current on-going epic, You Said What Now?, I had a few other ideas for 'interesting' Origins epics. One of those ideas was an AU in which the Awakening companions replaced some of the Origins ones. I've since forgotten which characters replaced which as well as nearly all my ideas for plot points and relationships, but I do have this scene still saved to my long-lost fic folder.

In other news, I've managed to get my wallet and my phone stolen as well as contract food poisoning, with the result that my throat hurts like hell from the stomach acid reflux and talking on the phone to all the bank cards I need to cancel and worrying madly about driving license identity theft is not helping. Also, I am packing to move tomorrow. I apologise for any irritation in my PMs/reviews/review replies.