It was late. The evening's earlier excitement had ebbed away, though those on watch took care to be extra vigilant. The campfire crackled as its flames kissed the air. A wolf howled somewhere deep in the forest, and the Mabari supplied a low and unthreatening growl in response.

Alistair had lain awake, staring at the fabric of his tent for what felt like hours. He was accustomed to sleepless nights. The nightmares plagued him, and steadily intensified as time passed, and he found the only way to avoid them altogether was to forfeit sleep. Tonight, however, was different.

His mind raced with thoughts of what could have been. If that damn merchant hadn't found their camp... well, it was best not to think about that right now. Alistair groaned and rolled haphazardly to his side. He had to laugh at himself then. Here he was, a Grey Warden, one of two left in all of Ferelden, and he was falling to pieces because of a pretty girl.

Of course, he knew it was more than that. They were victims of circumstance, thrown together in the midst of death and tragedy. And even when things seemed hopeless at times, something had blossomed between them in the unlikeliest of places.

Kira was smart, resourceful, and witty. She laughed at his stupid jokes, and she defended him. And he found that he was willing to do nearly anything for her. He wanted to protect her, help her, to make her laugh and smile. She meant more to him than he ever thought possible, and he couldn't imagine life without her.

I love her.

The thought forced a shiver down Alistair's spine.

I'm in love.

He rolled to rest on his back once more and folded his arms behind his head. Love. The one thing he thought he would never have. Alistair sighed. In a perfect world, they would be married, having babies, and just enjoying each other. Except in a perfect world, they never would have met. She would have been paired off with some well-respected nobleman's son, and he… well, he would have been holed up in the Circle Tower addicted to lyrium.

Thank the Maker the world isn't perfect.

Alistair heard the rustling of his tent flaps.

"Isaac, I'd really like it if you wouldn't come and pick through my pack when you think I'm sleeping," he groaned, sitting up.

But it was not the Mabari sneaking into his tent this night.

"Kira?"

"I couldn't sleep," she whispered. "I went out to camp and Sten was asleep by the fire, so I thought I'd slip in here… But first, I need to wake up Sten."

Kira whistled softly, and her hound came bounding, tongue flapping wildly, as he shoved his head into the tent.

"Who's my favorite puppy? It's you, yes you are!" she cooed, Isaac's backside wagging furiously. "Be a good boy and wake up Sten. We can't have anyone falling asleep on watch."

Isaac cocked his head and trotted over to the Qunari. Kira flashed a grin and quickly closed the tent flaps.

"What are you…"

Kira's eyes twinkled mischievously as she held a finger to her lips.

Bark!

"Parshaara!" Sten cried out.

Alistair and Kira stifled laughs as the Qunari muttered various curses at the Mabari outside.

"That was wicked," Alistair whispered. "How did you teach him to do that?"

"Oh, I used to do that to my Nan all of the time," she giggled. "She fell asleep a lot when she was reading to us. Fergus and I always came up with different ways to wake her up. Then, I got Isaac and we made a game of it."

Alistair watched Kira's fall as she spoke, and he felt a tug in his chest. What he wouldn't give to make things right for her.

"Come here," Alistair said, pulling her to him.

Kira laid her head against his chest and sighed. His splintmail felt cool against her cheek.

"Do you always sleep with your armor on?" she asked.

"Well, I wasn't sleeping, but yes," Alistair said. "I got used to it, since we've been traveling. And after the excitement from earlier, it just kind of seemed like the smart thing to do."

Kira nodded slightly and laced her fingers through his.

"So…" Alistair hesitated. "Did you mean what you said earlier? Um… about… spending the night…"

Kira leaned her head back and found his lips. The kiss was slow, curious. Soon it evolved into something more urgent. Their lips were hot and they fell together onto his bedroll.

"I… love you, Kira," Alistair panted, pulling away. "I love you."

"I love you, Alistair," she whispered. "And I really think this will be more comfortable without the armor."

"Oh, Maker."

The Grey Wardens fumbled awkwardly as they undressed, boots and gloves clanging as they hit the ground. Kira turned her back to him as she removed her breastplate and skirt and held her arms over her breasts. She had never felt more vulnerable than in this moment, and she was scared to death.

Alistair came to her, and wrapped his arms around her.

"You are beautiful," he whispered.

She turned to face him and they lay together, exploring each other hesitantly. They joined with a gasp, and the world fell away.

* * *

Alistair woke with her in his arms. He brought a hand up and stroked her hair, smiling. No doubt the rest of the party would talk. There would be the knowing smiles and whispered comments at their backs.

Kira stirred and lazily kissed his cheek.

And for the first time in his life, Alistair just didn't care what anyone else thought about anything.