Chapter 7

Morning came with abject mortification on Corrin's part, while Azura was definitely embarrassed but playing it down for the sake of saving face. Lyn had waited for one of the ladies to walk out of the tent to offer her apologies, Raven and Leo minding their own business on the very far side of their camp.

Azura had gone out first, Corrin staying in the tent a tad longer to store up all of their things and almost starting to disassemble the tent from the inside. She needed something on which to pass her nerves, and a little longer to give her eyes a chance to be less red and puffy. Falling asleep crying had done her no favors.

Seeing the furtive looks Leo was giving her as she stacked the bedrolls out of the tent, the young princess huffed and hurried through her tasks. Azura seemed ready to help her, but as soon as she knelt by her side, Corrin jumped to her feet. It was too flagrant and she felt bad for it, but she needed some space after erasing all of it last night. When she swallowed, her throat felt too tight, her brother jumping as she pat his shoulder, asking if they had had breakfast already.

"Not yet, I… I'm not sure I should even be consulted about it, seeing as I'm supposed to be a prisoner," he observed.

"Is he really, Raven? That's far from necessary."

Raven ignored her, mumbling something about fetching some water and hunting for eggs.

"Eggs?!" Leo repeated.

"Seems your prisoner status is pretty much revoked, brother," Corrin said, giving him a playful nudge.

Those gestures felt right, even though she knew this was a version of her brother from another world, just like Azura. A little voice in her head wanted to argue with her that if being friendly and familiar with this version of her brother was fine, surely opening her heart to one Azura was fine.

"Don't tease me. And don't touch my hair until you've washed your hands, please." he added.

His words were like a slap in the face, Corrin flinching. Leo mentally chided himself at the sight of her falling face.

"Sister, I don't mean to be insensitive, we… we sort of heard you and I'm flustered. It's just coming out sounding wrong."

She flushed, feeling the bubbling shame invading every ounce of calm she'd gathered within herself.

"I'm very sorry," were the only words that came to her, even though the princess wasn't sure for which part she was apologizing.

For being noisy? For forcing him to know her inclination, or for even having said inclination?

He frowned, a light shake moving his head from left to right, but no words following. She should have known that quiet reserved Leo wouldn't be any help after this.

"Hey! No need to be so gloomy," Lyn interfered, sensing the tension between the siblings. She'd tried chatting up Azura, but the singer was monosyllabic at best. "Not enough sleep makes people grouchy, but it's no reason not to meet each other halfway. We've got a family closer to a reunion, we can plan this mission to question Xander and we get to eat warm meat and sleep in the thickest bedrolls we have tonight."

"What mission? What do they want with Xander?"

Raven was just getting back and he rolled his eyes at Lyn, the green-haired woman shrugging at him.

"Leo, please," Corrin whispered.

"What, I'm no prisoner, but I don't get to understand what is going on?"

"All can be explained in due time," Lyn insisted.

"Which had better be as soon as we arrive at that main camp of yours."

Breakfast was a brief affair, Raven lacking the promised eggs and resigning himself to whip up galettes of flour in a pan to go with their dry meat. Azura didn't even try to sit next to Corrin, giving the dragon some space. Lyn did most of the chatting, talking about a certain Priscilla and Lucius, Raven growing antsier by the minute, but he would retort with foreign names of people Lyn clearly knew, reminding them it wasn't just the three of them pulled away from their homeworld. The whole camp of soldiers except for the Askrians were people summoned from as many countries and worlds as there were in the cosmos.

They briefly argued about their riding arrangements, mostly about whether or not they should throw Leo on a horse while tied up like they'd done yesterday. Corrin was tempted to suggest riding with him, but she was also afraid of what a further talk with him on the subject of her recent nightly activities would entail… In the end, Lyn took Leo on her horse, sitting in front of her while she guided the horse with her thighs, Raven following closely and Azura and Corrin sharing the third horse.

Corrin climbed up first, her jaw tense as she offered her hand to Azura to help her up. The dancer tried sitting as far as her as possible, but it wasn't quite possible while riding. They were both acutely aware of each other, of the roll of their hips to follow the horse' movements and the pressure of Azura's chest against Corrin's armor.

"You'd better hold on to me not to fall," Corrin said flatly.

"I can hold on to the saddle just…"

"Azura, I know I stepped back, but I don't want you breaking your neck," Corrin insisted, her voice betraying emotion this time.

It was so charged, Azura felt her heart twisting. The whole morning had been pure torture. After tasting how sweet each other's embrace could be, denying themselves, even with reason and propriety… It was wrong. It had to be plain wrong. But Corrin still had a point when she'd asked.

"In the long run, how can I be anywhere as good as someone who's already gone? How long can we dream until we wake up?"

It was so strange to think Corrin was the downer this time. It would normally be Azura voicing reason and Corrin cheering her up.

How different are we from the original and how bad is it to be any different? Deep down, we surely have the same heart, Azura thought.

Their ride remained awkward despite how quiet they both were, exchanging words only to check if the other was okay if they mustered a gasp or a huff. They whispered throughout the horses' gallop, making it hard to notice sound, but Azura's ears were tuned to Corrin's voice and Corrin's dragon senses were stronger than most.

Lyn pushed her horse, well enough that they reached the Askrian camp the middle of the afternoon. They had agreed to not stop if it meant reaching camp earlier. She leapt off her horse, Leo getting off with shaky legs from the extended ride. Raven focused on the animals, Lyn and Leo checking on the princesses accompanying them. Azura made sure to get off on her own, while Corrin accepted her brother's help to step down.

"You made it back!" Sharena greeted them.

Lyn smiled at her, making a small gesture to point out Leo, Sharena nodding her acknowledgment.

"We're going to need food, we skipped lunch to get back faster," Lyn said.

"Oh, I'll warn the cooks then. We can meet up in Alfonse's tent. You're very welcome, your highness," Sharena added as she turned to the blond man of the little group.

"I… Do you know me?"

"Leo of Norh, you're registered in our books. We'll explain everything over lunch, if that's okay with you?"

He gave a dubious look to Corrin who shook her head at him, a tentative smile growing on her face.

"Does this feel worse than Veronica's army?" she asked him in a low voice.

"It feels too friendly. If I see any of your Hoshidan siblings, I'll understand why..."

…

Fjorm had been awake for the last two hours, feeling a lot steadier than she was during the last few days. Her fever had finally gone down and while she still sported nasty bruises under her bandages, and the burn scars were still fragile and fresh, she felt more herself too. She was still isolated in a very well furnished tent, which had her wondering just how permanent this camp was. Alfonse had taken the habit to read and work through his maps in her tent to keep her company, and -at least she suspected- to keep an eye on her.

She rolled her shoulder uncomfortably, trying to ease the itching in her right arm but knew that doing so would reignite the pain. It had finally finished fading off since she re-soaked the bandages with the diluted wine solution the field medic had provided Alfonse. Lying in bed most of the day had her legs feelings numb and pacing around the tent only made her feel claustrophobic and toyed with the idea of venturing around the camp. Can you trust those strangers? She winced, and instead walked over to the shelves stocked with various scrolls, maps, journals, and small clay models that were placed all over the maps to mock a battle arrangement. She ignored those and the thoughts they brought to mind and reached for one of the many books Alfonse had stashed in the bookshelf.

She found one that caught her attention and returned to her bed, lying on it to begin reading. After a dozen pages the tent flap moved and she flinched, sitting up on the edge and let out a breath when she saw it was Alfonse.

"Oh, I hope I didn't frighten you." He greeted.

"No." She lied. "Welcome." She added after a moment in ways of trying to return his greeting. She closed her book, running her thumbs over the cover.

"How are you feeling?" He asked. She watched him take off his cloak and drape it over the chair in the corner of the tent.

"Better." She replied. He walked over to her, kneeling down on the floor so he wasn't towering over her. "You can sit," She scooted over to the head of the bed, moving her rolled linen pillow aside and pat the spot next to her. Alfonse got up and sat at the foot of the bed, turning to face her.

"How's the bandages?" He asked.

"Beginning to burn, so I put more of the wine-washing stuff on it." She gestured at the bowl left from the morning's bandage change.

"May I see?" he asked. She nodded, holding out the offended arm, wincing slightly at the tug on the tender flesh on the side of her chest and her underarm. She had a vague worry in the back of her mind about scarring but forced it away just as quickly. "I should change these." He suggested. Fjorm frowned, chewing the corner of her lip. The pain of the morning change had only finished dulling, the idea of doing it again made the hair on her other arm and the back of her neck stand on end.

"Want me to fetch you wine?" He offered, and tried to think how their supply of poppy was doing, though knew she would reject the offer of it nonetheless as she had been doing since one dose had left her unconcious for six hours.

"I suppose it would be less uncomfortable." Fjorm replied. She disliked the idea of being intoxicated in this strange camp, but this young man seemed so honest, enduring the pain with an unclouded mind for the sake of pride was folly.

"I'll be right back. Do you need anything else?" He asked.

"A bit to eat would do me good." She answered. He smiled, bobbing his head in a half-bow and ducked out of the tent. She smiled at the tent flap as he left and let out a short sigh through her nose. She tried to read a few pages while Alfonse was away, but found her mind drifting and running through her mind over the various ways she could ask him to eat a meal with her, setting aside the issue of her burn bandages for later. Most of her meals had been delivered to her, and once she was more recovered he often left her to eat her meal in peace. But it had been some time since she had been able to enjoy another's company, and had, over the last several days, been trying to work up the courage to suggest he stay for more than just tending to a patient. Or am I just a well kept prisoner? She shook her head, curling her nose at the invasive thought.

He returned and she smiled, brushing the top of her book again.

"Welcome back."

"I brought some stew, bread, and managed to grab a bit of cheese. Just don't tell Anna." Alfonse replied.

"Care to join me?" Fjorm replied, feeling a bit of heat in the tips of her ears.

"Oh. Umm… yes." She could see he wasn't expecting this request, the food in his hands clearly only enough for one. But she wanted some company nonetheless, someone to talk to other than herself and the characters in her books. "I'll go get some more. You can start without me so it's still hot." Alfonse replied.

"Rude to eat without everyone at the table." Fjorm answered. He smiled at her and set the foot down on the small table. It was another painful few minutes inside the empty tent, debating if she should kick herself for her clumsy invitation, or congratulate herself on the success of it. But he interrupted her swirl of thoughts with his return, now with a bottle of wine tucked under one arm.

"I suppose it was well and good you gave me reason to go back to the mess hall, I forgot your wine." Alfonse said upon entering. The tent did have two chairs so they could both sit at the table that was otherwise being used to hold various medical supplies, temporarily relocated to the desk in the corner with Alfonse's cloak. "My lady," Alfonse held out a hand in a flourish, gesturing at the chair he pulled for her. She tried to suppress a chuckle, and the urge to tell him she hadn't earned such a fancy title. I'm a Princess who was forced to flee her home. "I meant no offense." He added with a frown, straightening himself and patting at his shirt to smooth out invisible wrinkles. She forced a neutral expression to her face.

"You've done nothing, merely a bit of a sting in my arm." She lied, and felt immediately guilty for it. She took the seat, and let him push it in and take his spot across from her. He poured them each a cup of wine, tearing off a piece of bread for her and a chunk of the cheese. She dipped the bread into the stew and took a mouthful, following it with a sip of wine. He asked her about her book, and she started to talk about it, her enthusiasm growing as he seemed to actually be interested in listening to her, and even more so when she got to talk about her favorite character; a talking lizard who feigned being the spawn of a dragon who protected his master by letting him carry around the illusion he was a great dragon tamer.

"Have you read this one? Surely I am only telling you what you already know." She asked eventually.

"I did… but it's fun to hear someone else get excited about it." Alfonse replied.

"Who is your favorite character?" his face brightened at the question, and he answered, both falling into talks about the merits of characters they liked or disliked. Aspects of the world that felt real or fake. They lost track of time, Fjorm telling him of myths and books from her home, and Alfonse told her of the ones in his. The bottle of wine was finished by the time they remembered that her bandages were in need of changing.

"Do you feel all right to do this?" Fjorm asked. But when she stood up her body felt light and she realized she may have had significantly more wine than him. He assured her he had paced himself so he could be a proper caretaker, and asked her to lie on the bed and make herself comfortable. She did so, holding out her right arm as best she could without tugging at the rest of the tender tissue under her arm and over her ribs. The bandages had dried again, stained with a combination of the dilute wine, pale pink blood, and a yellow fluid.

Alfonse collected the supplies he needed, doing what the healers had shown him. He made an offer to go fetch an healer and their festal, but the mention of magic had Fjorm withdrawing again, her white skin paling further and he backpedaled on the idea, holding his tongue that it would help reduce scarring.

He started by soaking her bandages, her arm held over a basin on a stool, and a pitcher filled with water poured over it. She winced and hissed, nodding each time he asked if she was okay, shaking her head no when asked if he needed to stop. With the bandages sufficiently saturated he found the knot and undid it, beginning to roll it back.

The wounds were starting to scab over in places, some of them lifting as the bandage was peeled away. Pink-orange tissue was left exposed to the air causing Fjorm to bite her lip to try and keep her whimper contained. The pain was almost instantaneous, and she was grateful her mind was fogged by the alcohol. She could smell that distinctive smell of burn flesh, memories of her village burning vivid behind her eyelids. Her feet felt numb as she remember running through the snow. Her fingers flexed, needing to move, but balling her hands pulled the tender tissue and only make things worse.

With the old bandages fully removed she could see her arm. Her general skin was a deep pink, and she doubted the dilute wine had anything to do with it. She was coated in large patches of exposed pink tissue, others orange. One wound on her wrist was concerning, a sickly yellow seemed to coat one half of the wound. Curled dry brown tissue lined most of the opened burns, flecks of the blackened tissue that had yet to peel off clinging stubbornly. The smaller wounds were scabbing over, two of them oozing a watery yellow drainage, and one bubbling with fresh blood as its scab had peeled away with the bandage.

Her arm smelled foul, and shame washed over her. She wanted to ask for a bath, but the idea of delaying wrapping her arm made her instantly nauseous. Stop being so stubborn. Accept the poppy. She thought; but banished the idea. She didn't know these people. She wanted to trust Alfonse. But could he honestly protect her from a full tent-city of soldiers? Would he oppose those other figures of power he spent his time with should they consider her their enemy, and conveniently incapacitated by drugs? They would have done so when you were too injured to move. An argument she had been having with herself since she regained the strength to walk further than the bed to the chamber pot, toying with the idea of fleeing. What if these people can fight Surtr? She thought instead.

The pain burned, her arm white with agony. Her chest was still wrapped, wound care designated to one of the female healers under the promise she would never use a festal on her. It would stop the pain. No. Another question about her state, and with reassurances she felt as okay as she could he started pouring the last of the dilute wine over her wounds. She hissed, and made other noises that made her feel ashamed. The last bit of the liquid was reserved, the fresh linen wraps soaked in them and carefully wound around her hand, working his way up her arm to her axilla. She was glad her fingers seemed to be spared the worst of the burns, she was likely to retain use of her hand.

"There…" Alfonse stated as he tied off the bandage. Fjorm gave it a look, admiring how neat it was. He was a fast learner.

"Thank you."

"You should get some sleep, you look worn out from that." Alfonse offer. She shook her head,

"If anything I feel restless." She replied. "I've been cooped up in this tent, as lavish as it is, for some days now. Perhaps… perhaps we can walk?" She asked. She saw his eyes widen at this, but he quickly relaxed and smiled at her, reaching out to brush some hair from her forehead.

"If you want to, of course we can." He replied.

"Perhaps you can show me that place where you summon people?" She asked. Curious about this powerful magic, hoping that it could answer the question of how much she could trust these people. If the comfort she felt around Alfonse was wise.

"We can go anywhere around camp, although I wouldn't want to tire you out," the prince noted.

Shrugging wasn't quite wise in her state, so Fjorm gave a light nod, realizing the wine had made her movement dull. She didn't want to risk collapsing on their walk.

A throat clearing from the opening of the tent caught Alfonse's attention, preceding Sharena stepping into the tent.

"I thought I'd find you here, brother," she greeted him, giving a smile to Fjorm.

Fjorm waved with her left hand, still unsure what to make off the other Askrian royal. Alfonse was serious, while his sister seemed quirky and upbeat.

"Is something happening?"

"Corrin and the others are back." Sharena started. "They're eating in our tents right now. They found prince Leo out there and sort of…"

Alfonse raised an eyebrow at her, sensing the tension growing in Fjorm.

She didn't know what they were talking about, he hadn't really taken the time to explain what their war against Veronica entailed. He trusted her, but he didn't want her overwhelmed.

"Did they bring Leo back here?" His sister nodded, Alfonse getting to his feet, now all business. "I guess we should be glad he followed. Fjorm, I'm sorry, would you mind postponing our walk until after this meeting?"

Her pale cheeks flushed slightly, Sharena bit her tongue to repress a tease for her brother. Instead, she turned to the other princess.

"If you want to go out, maybe you can join the meeting, Fjorm. You can get a feeling of what we're doing. I know I'd be going insane if I was cooped up in here for an extended period of time."

"I... Wouldn't I be a nuisance?"

Sharena shook her head

"You don't have to participate, but you can definitely assist. I don't see any harm in it, do you, brother?"

"I mean… As long as it doesn't feel overwhelming…"

Fjorm wondered how many people could be concerned by this important meeting. But she was also curious to get to know them better and gather a better idea of who those people were. Maybe this was an occasion for her to determine if they were allies or not.

"I can give it a try?" she finally said, pushing herself off the edge of her bed to test her legs.

They were still numb, her movements slow from the pain and the wine, but she felt stable enough to step out.

"Alright then."

He offered her his arm, not really thinking about the implications. Fjorm rested her left hand on it and followed him outside. There were a lot of explanations and confusion for the first few minutes inside the tactical tent. Corrin was happy to see Fjorm standing on her own two feet, but Fjorm barely remembered her and was doing her best to hide her jumpiness. Being around this many people at once was harder on her nerves that she had expected.

The bridge under construction was a threat they needed eliminated since it would give quick access to their main camp. So far, neither army had been able to gain ground on one another, but Veronica was not as scrupulous about risking her soldiers' lives. After much discussion, they came to a decision.

"We should make this into two missions," Alfonse started. "One group will gather the enemy's attention while another, smaller group will attack the bridge. Corrin, do you think you can destroy that thing in your dragon form?"

The dragon princess nodded stiffly, sensing Azura unease. Changing into a dragon could make her a target, but it would be the most efficient way to get rid of that thing.

"Magic could also work," Leo pointed out.

Sharena seemed ready to agree, but Anna cut her off.

"While it's good to have a back-up plan, I would not recommend sending off only our most recent recruits for this."

"I can accompany them," Sharena declared.

She gently elbowed Kiran who was sitting between her and Anna, the sleeping man jumping in his seat and grunting.

"What do you think, Kiran?" the Askrian princess insisted.

He shrugged and Alfonse smiled grimly.

"Sharena, Hilda, Corrin, Leo, Lyn, Raven and Azura, do you think you'd be enough? I'll deploy with the other team."

"Do you really just want to work on a diversion, brother?" Sharena asked him.

"Diversion and reconnaissance, I guess? I'll take Rolf, Lon'qu, Ninian, Minerva, Olwen, Hawkeye, Lucas, Serra, Marth and a few troops."

After some more discussion, the meeting was adjourned, Alfonse speaking for a little while longer with Kiran and Anna about what should be done back in camp while they would be on the move. Corrin and Azura escorted Leo to a tent, most certainly Raven's so he would be "kept under watch".

"I heard you wanted to see around the camp?" Sharena asked Fjorm as she remained behind to wait for Alfonse.

"That'd be nice," Fjorm answered, glancing at the Askrian prince.

"I'd like to have you meet some more of us!" Sharena declared excitedly.

"I… How many people do you have in this camp?"

"We're a little over 300."

Fjorm brought one hand to her forehead, feeling even more overwhelmed now.

"All of them are people summoned from other worlds?"

"Oh no! At least, not yet, we don't have enough orbs to summon that many people, but we do have our own Askrian troops, all the aides and recruited villagers who help by keeping the camp together and well fed."

Fjorm had never imagined an army camp of this size. Her brother led small platoons, she had trained among them when she was still mastering the lance. Her hand clenched as she refrained from looking for her weapon. She had left it back in the tent where she slept.

"I think I'd better rest," she decided.

"Oh, certainly, certainly. If you were not feeling good, you should have told me. I'll get you there."

Sharena offered her a hand to stand from her chair, but Fjorm shook her head with a light "thank you". Throwing one last glance at Alfonse, she caught his eyes looking for her and offered him an apologetic nod. There was something in his eyes that made her want to stay for just a little longer, but the pain was coming back, and she didn't want to be weak. She needed to heal if she was to serve as anything more than a pity-case for these people so used to facing battle.

…
Corrin and Azura felt even more worn out after leaving Leo in his new "quarters". The warm meal had given them some energy they lacked from the skipped meal, and wine easing agitated nerves. Corrin pulled the tent flap, gesturing for Azura to enter before her. The sun was dipping behind the horizon leaving the tent mercifully cool. Once inside Corrin fastened the toggles on the tent to give herself an illusion of privacy. Or at the least, a few seconds of warning before someone could barge in.

"Today has been long." Azura commented, breaking the silence.

"I'm sorry." Corrin blurted, wringing her hands together. Azura paused, initially about to ask whatever for, but felt a weight drop from her chest at the words. Corrin crossed the small space in a single stride, kneeling down before Azura, and reached for her hand. "I… I'm sorry. The last thing I ever want is to hurt you." She croaked.

"I understand if you need a bit of space." Azura replied.

"No… I saw that look on your face when I got up back at the campsite. You," she "were always my best friend. I never want to hurt you." She continued, stammering her words and biting down on her bottom lip. She kept her eyes downcast, where her hand was gripping Azura's tightly. The songstress' hand reached up and cupped Corrin's cheek and tilted her face up,

"Corrin. I love you. You." Her eyes flickered up from their hands for a bare moment before looking down again. "Look at me." Azura asked in a whisper. She thought about how Corrin had been acting when they were alone, and when they were around the others. "Do you think me wrong for being inclined towards women?" she asked, her thumb brushing along Corrin's cheek. The question caused the other to look up sharply.

"No! There's nothing wrong with you at all!"

"Then why do you think yourself wrong?"

"I don't… I mean… I-it's not that. I guess… I love you too Azura. I have for a long time. And I don't know how to do this." Corrin struggled with her reply, gripping Azura's hand painfully tight.

"You can start by being the dear friend that you've been."

"I think I can do that." Corrin smiled now, and Azura smiled back at her.

"And perhaps... Indulge me in a kiss?"

"I think I can do that too." Corrin moved first, leaning in and brushed her lips against Azura's, feeling that warmth racing through her chest. Azura cupped Corrin's other cheek, tilting her head to deepen their kiss. Daring to slip her tongue past Corrin's lips and taste her. Corrin returned it eagerly. Both hands now free she linked her arms around Azura, sliding them up her chest, pausing to stroke the sides of her neck and play with her earlobes. Her thumbs brushed over them and she felt Azura shrug hard and draw back from the kiss.

"You're tickling me!" she giggled. Corrin smiled, seeing that full expression on her face. The wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, the flash of her teeth as she let herself laugh. The moment was brief, and she wanted to see it again.

"What, this?" She asked, reaching out and brushed her fingers against the sides of her neck again, now purposely wiggling her fingers. Azura did the same shrug-giggle and Corrin bit her lip as she giggled herself, chasing as Azura drew back from her.

"Corrin!" Azura managed, reaching up to grab her wrists. She fell back against the bedroll, pulling Corrin down with her. She stopped tickling her, instead pulling at her high collar and pressing a kiss against her neck. The songstress' giggles turned into a sigh, tilting her head and arching her neck.

"This kind of kiss okay too?" Corrin asked.

"Hmm… most certainly is." She hummed back. She brought a hand up and wove it through Corrin's hair. It was a bit tangled, and she drew her hand back to avoid snagging and instead traced the tip of the woman's pointed ear.

"Then I'll do it more." Corrin said. She sucked at the spot on her neck, getting a gasp from Azura.

"You'll leave a mark."

"Your dress covers your whole neck!"

"And I shall lose all options to wear something else should you leave such a mark." Azura countered. Corrin nipped lightly at the spot and caused Azura to flinch and gasp, pinching the tip of her ear hard between thumb and forefinger.

"You seem to like it though."

"Curses be, I do." Azura whispered.

Corrin kissed the same spot with more intent now, relishing the shivers that ran over Azura. Her doubts from the morning were mostly forgotten, her hands eager to touch her again. To see if she remembered what little she'd discovered. She pushed Azura down on her back, holding herself up above her, her red eyes filled with the love she was slowly accepting within her.

"Can the dress go?"

Azura's eyes blinked slowly, her fingers running down Corrin's neck.

"Only if we're equally disrobed?"

She hadn't expected Corrin to be this eager after their embarrassment the other night, but the tent flaps were closed, they knew barely anyone across the camp and they were retired for the night.

"We just have to be quieter," the dragon-princess noted, blushing as she shrugged off her armor. Azura unclasped her dress, soon lying in nothing but her panties and stocking, wrapping her arms around Corrin to guide her head back to her neck. They both felt warm and the heat between them had the same rush as the first time, although they wanted to take things slow, to enjoy each other and most of all, to make sure the other was perfectly comfortable.

Lips to lips, noses poking and brushing, Corrin pulled back to toy with Azura's long hair, to see how well she could drape her behind those blue locks. She loved how her erected nipples poked out of her wild mane, bending down to tease her into a hushed gasp.

"How is your hair this soft?"

"It's actually quite tangled, but you don't seem to mind," Azura teased her back, pulling her pants and underwear down, her fingertips finding goosebumps on her skin.

Corrin was still wearing her white shirt, which could cover quite a lot, and while Azura was eager to get it off from her, they were both glad when a sudden breeze entering the tent came as their only warning for a certain green-haired archer.

"I'm sorry to barge in again, but I... Are you guys serious? Already at it?"

"By the gods, get out!" Azura yelped, Corrin frozen in place while Lyn shook her head at the pair.

"I've lived among a nomadic tribe, we always lived in tents or thin thin-walled houses, how about you leave a sign that will tell me I shouldn't visit?"

"This is so not the time to talk about this!" Corrin managed to speak, her voice more of a high-pitched squeak than anything. Azura turned to her side to glare at Lyn.

"Why are you even…?"

"You left some of your things in my pack by mistake. I'm deployed often enough to not wait and see if I remember in three days."

"Drop it and go." Azura sighed.

"Aye aye, sorry again." Lyn blurted out, quickly closing the tent flap in her exit.

For a good minute, the pair laid in silence, Azura wondering if Corrin was going to close up once more.

"Love? Are you okay?"

"I… How do you call me all those sweet names so easily?"

"I've had them in my heart for a while now," Azura confessed.

Corrin's smile was so tender, it seemed the thought was enough to push away this new bout of embarrassment.

"It feels like you had a lot more time than me to think about us."

"It's not a competition. I don't know if you've noticed, but I hardly open myself with anyone. It's refreshing to be able to do so with someone I trust entirely."

Corrin shook her head at her.

"I don't think I'm ever going to be able to outflirt you," she whispered with a giggle, leaning down some of her weight on the songstress. "Willing to tempt fate and keep going?"

"Oh love, if we're interrupted again, I'm nailing this tent down flap by flap." Corrin tried to push down her worries and her questions and silenced herself by pressing her lips tight against Azura's, feeling that flutter low in her stomach that hit between her legs. Corin ran her words through her head, I hardly open myself with anyone and thought about her friendship with her. How fast she had bonded to Azura, and how she felt like Azura could read her like a book. How much she loved her smile, her rare laugh. And with a flash of heat rushing through her face and chest she realized just how long Azura had been in love with her.

She kissed her hard, both hands on either side of her face and they fell back against the bedroll once more. She wished they were in the treehouse. Back in the deeprealm Lilith created. Where they could lie against her feather bed in a tangle of limbs.

She recalled childish sleepovers, that Azura insisted were perfectly fine and that Corrin should ignore the chiding of Takumi. She would always insist that Azura take her bed, and that she was perfectly comfortable in a bed roll on the floor. And the one instance Corrin had woken with nightmares and found Azura sitting on the floor next to her to comfort her and she sang a lullaby to Corrin. And rather than feel childish she felt comforted. Calm. She loved you back and you were too stupid to see it. She thought. But here was her chance, she was wrapped in Azura's arms, her body felt warm beneath her. She withdrew just enough to tug on the hem of her shirt, tossing it aside. Don't lose your chance.

"I love you." Corrin said, her voice hoarse, breaking as she said her name. Azura sat up, weaving a hand into her hair and tugging her in for a fierce kiss, moaning against her and wrapping her other arm around Corrin's now bare back to pull her closer. It felt as though any distance between them would cause this bliss to fade and she'd wake up cold and alone in that stone castle, a ring the mark of her imprisonment and her status as nothing more than a tool. She squinted to keep the tears at bay, tasting Corrin's kiss, tongues seeking each other, sighing and gasping against each other.

Corrin wanted to tell her that she was sorry she never told her she loved her before she lost her chance, her mind slipping back into fighting with herself. But she shoved it back. This is your chance. Our chance. She reached to start tugging at Azura's undergarments, her hands fumbling but Azura lifted her hips and gave a little roll that made removing them easier. That tiny gesture had Corrin's mind spinning and she felt almost dizzy with sudden lust. She gave a clumsy roll of her own hips wondering how the hell Azura could be so graceful and sexy while she was just this clumsy mess, and however Azura could find her a turn-on.

"I do believe the nudity-balance in here is rather off." Azura commented. God she's so much better than me at flirting! But she took the hint, drawing back again. Azura's eyes were wide and her pupils were dilated as she stared at her, both her palms against her hips, thumbs rolling hard circles against her skin. Corrin bit her lip, attempting what she thought would be a seductive expression and crossed her arms to lift her undershirt over her head. She winced, the injured arm flared up for a long painful moment but she shook her head before Azura could ask her question and finished casting her shirt aside.

Azura's wide gaze gave her a boost of confidence, and she attempted another hip roll and let out a sigh as she felt Azura roll back in answer, the friction just enough to tease and make her all the more aware of the building tension. But she wasn't sure what to do next, and felt too embarrassed to simply ask. So she bent down to tug at Azura's stocking, her last remaining article of clothing.

Now fully bare before her Corrin let her eyes wander over her form, but Azura wasn't going to endure the lack of contact for long. She reached out for her hips again and gave a hard tug, causing her to tumble over and fall on top of her. They both huffed, Corrin losing the last of her breath into the following kiss, and she could see Azura's chest rising and falling as her respirations quickened and godsdamn did it make her breasts bounce in just the right way. Even breathing she's sexy! Corrin thought, feeling overwhelmed. But she reached out, her hands cupping her breasts and giving them a squeeze that caused Azura to moan. And she wanted to hear it again. She bent down to slide down Azura, kissing and nipping a trail of skin as she went.

She felt Azura's hips tilt up and roll against her, the woman's arousal evident and it only made Corrin feel even more rushed and fervent. She nipped Azura harder, her teeth holding fast just above the swell of her left breast, Azura responding by tangling her hands into Corrin's hair, her fingers curling and pulling in a pleasurable pain. She bit her again, just above her nipple, before taking her breast into her mouth and letting her tongue roll above the nipple and plant another kiss.

"Corrin," Azura whispered. Her voice was low and husky, and it sent a fresh wave of heat between her legs and the tension mounted. She needed Azura to touch her, soothe this ache. She couldn't find the words, too embarrassed to ask, too inexperienced to push things further. But Azura acted, her hand sliding in from her hip and up her chest to cup a breast. She rolled her stiff nipple between her thumb and forefinger and it was Corrin's turn to whimper.

She ducked her head against Azura's neck, her warm breath sending waves of goosebumps down her arms and it took all her self control to continue to draw out this teasing and fight the urge to tilt her hips just the right way to make that blissful contact and bring them both to another plane. She wanted to spoil her but to also see how long it might take her to find her voice again, like on their first night. To erase the fear that might have laced with their pleasure so all that would remain would be the earth-shattering magic only they could create.

When Corrin panted her name against her neck, following it with another bite that she knew would leave a mark, she finally allowed her hand to slide down her abdomen and between her legs. Corrin's sigh immediately became a squeak and Azura couldn't help but giggle.

"What was that?" She asked, looking at Corrin with a smile that she was failing to suppress, biting down on her lip. Corrin's hazed and confused expression was just so adorable she had to sit up and kiss her, catch those lips with hers. She felt Corrin's tongue dart for hers, and remembered just what she could do with that tongue. I aught to return that favor. "Lie back love." Azura whispered. Corrin's confused expression only deepened but she allowed herself to be rolled onto her back.

Azura started as Corrin had, peppering the side of her neck with delicate kisses, her heated sighs tickling the other woman. She heard a few mumbled sounds from Corrin and she smirked, sure that she was simply questioning what she had in store for her. She reached for Corrin's thighs, her thumbs rolling teasing circles at the apex of her thighs but refusing to slide her fingers where her rolling hips were begging. Another whimper and Azura decided she had teased her long enough. She placed a kiss below her navel, and a finger's length below, until she stared down at Corrin's sex and smiled at her, brushed her fingers across her wet flesh causing Corrin's head to drop back and a low moan to get stuck in her throat as she slapped a hand over her own mouth to maintain the quiet she had stated.

Her tongue followed her fingers, tasting her, and finishing with a kiss. Corrin moaned again, muffled by her palm and her hips tilted up to chase Azura's mouth. Her second kiss was longer, and she sucked at Corrin's clit. Two fingers slid into her while she continued to work her with her lips and tongue. The smell and taste of her was overwhelming and she regretted how long she had taken to confess her feelings, that it took finding her dead love in another world to admit it. And even then it had been an accident, a slip, countless months of suppressing it.

Corrin's hands reached down, weaving into Azura's hair and started massaging her scalp, anchoring herself as she rolled her hips as she lost herself to her ministrations. The teasing seemed to have worked, for it took very little time for Corrin to tip over that edge. She let go of her hair to cry out against her fist, her deep moan shuddered as she tried to contain it, the motions of her hips slowing and eventually slumping entirely back, panting for breath. Azura rested her head against Corrin's stomach, looking up at her.

"Was that good love?"

"Gods that's not even fair! How do you expect me to compete with that?!" she asked.

"Were you rendered deaf during our last interlude? I assure you, I very much so had an enjoyable time." Azura chuckled, thinking about how wonderful Corrin's tongue had felt.

"You're just trying to make me feel better. Gods… I could sleep for a week." Corrin sighed, then sat up a bit, "Well not yet, that'd be unfair." She added with a moment of thought.

"Quite so, I'm not done with you quite yet." Azura smirked. She brought herself back up over Corrin's form and tipped her head to kiss her. It was slow and languid, though Azura felt far from sated. She felt like a taut string ready to snap.

She guided Corrin's hips like she had done before, adjusting herself so her core met Corrin's. Both women gasped, Corrin still feeling oversensitive and she twitched at the contact. But both hands grabbed for Azura, her fingertips digging into her thighs. Her eyes were wide, and her breathing quick. It was Azura's turn to admire her breasts, and they way they bounced with the first roll of her hips.

Azura moaned, echoed by Corrin. She bit her lip to keep the sound contained, Corrin clamping a hand over her own mouth again. Azura admired her. The flush coating her face, the curious pointed ears poking through the mess of her pale hair, her wide red eyes as she dared a curious glance where they were joined. Corrin's eyes almost immediately closed and her head lolled back, reassurances stuck in Azura's throat as the pleasure mounted. Corrin tried to roll her hips and match Azura's movements, chase the second wave rising with new heat within her core. They moved and gasped, and in a moment Azura could have only hoped for they came together in a near-synchronized climax, Azura finding her peak only moments after Corrin's motions became more irregular.

They stilled, untangling their legs and panting for breath. A thin sheen of sweat coated their skin and as Azura curled herself against Corrin they felt sticky from the heat and she could smell the slight musk from their exertions. Their hair was tangled and both could do well for a bath. But beneath it all the woman within her arms was beautiful, her dear friend, and she felt her regrets melting away as Corrin's arms wrapped back around her. They had the clarity to get a blanket to cover them both, deciding that if anyone -most likely Lyn again knowing their luck- decided to barge into their tent then they would just have the fortune of seeing two sweaty lasses curled together... and possibly face the wrath of an overprotective brother.

To be continued…