He had to say, the streets of Alamut were much cleaner than that of Nasaf. Dastan was perched a bench on top of a flat part of the Alamutian palace, admiring the view of the stars and the streets. He wanted more than anything to be near Tamina, but that would have to wait, she did not know him as she did 'before'.

"Prince Dastan?"

Dastan turned to find the object of his thought, staring at her beauty against the light of the moon, stunned momentarily as Tamina smiled at him gently. She went to sit next to him, farther than he would have liked though.

"Princess Tamina." Dastan said, surprised at her presence.

Tamina did not know what to make of the looks he was giving her. He looked like he was completely in love. With her. And he was trying to subdue the affections, but not quite doing it right. How could he be so in love with her? She did not understand men. Was it because she was attractive to him? She was said to be of the most attractive in the land…but no, clearly the love in his eyes was deeper than something physical.

"Why are you staring at me?" her cool voice cut through the night as she turned to him.

"Wha-what? I'm not sta-staring-" he stammered, but she looked at him with a raised eyebrow with a smirk.

"You weren't? My apologies." Tamina cut him off playfully. Dastan glared at her.

"I wasn't staring at you."

"Oh, really?" Tamina held her gaze with his, moving a hand to flip her hair back very, very slowly.

Dastan opened his mouth, but only stuttering came out as he helplessly stared at her. Tamina began twirling her hair around her fingers, and it took Dastan a few seconds to realize she was talking.

"So what was it that drew you up her- Dastan? Please don't tell me you going to stare at me like that all the time. I am not repeating everything."

Dastan glared at her.

"When you get old and ugly, we won't have this problem."

Tamina tried not too blush at the hidden compliment. They both avoid each other's gaze. Dastan did not remember this feminine side of Tamina, quite possibly because they were normally trying to avoid being killed. Tamina looked at him tentatively and then regained her composure.

"What brings you up here, Prince?"

Dastan looked out.

"I was just marveling the streets of your city, Princess."

"And how do they compare to yours?"

"Yours are…much cleaner."

"Are they now? A strange a compliment from one who was marching through them days ago."

"My apologies."

Tamina was silent. Dastan looked at her, guilty. Tamina's cold eyes looked out at the city, ignoring his. She was still angry. Startling her, Dastan came off the bench to one knee in front of her. Their eyes meet each other. Tamina looked slightly angry, but her eyes lit with confusion when Dastan took both of her hands. She knew that if she pulled them away, he would be terrible hurt, the incredible love in his eyes for her was overwhelming, and for some reason she did want to see him upset with rejection. Tamina sighed and looked at him meaningfully.

"I'm terribly sorry that I invaded your city. Please forgive me."

I love you so much; it would kill me if you were upset with me. Tamina heard the unspoken words his eyes held. She did not smile. Her face was completely serious, yet she moved her smaller hand from under his larger one to place it on his cheek very cautiously.

"I forgive you."