Author's Note: Not smut but lots of lovey dovey stuff. Hope you enjoy!
Amelia and Alistair kept watch at night, shivering in their clothing as the cool Ferelden night touched their bones. She glanced at him casually, blinking when she found him staring. Embarrassed, she turned away, trying to ignore his eyes on her. "Is there something you want," she snapped, "or do you just enjoy bugging me?"
He grinned, "You're beautiful."
Amelia raised an eyebrow, "Am I now?"
"Mhmm," he moved to her, "I don't know how to say this."
"No more secrets," she snapped quickly, her eyes flashing viciously.
"No more, love. This is just something you need to hear." He waited until she nodded then smiled softly, "being around you makes me act silly and foolish. No," he put a finger over her mouth and shook his head, "let me finish or I might not be able to say it at all… As I was saying, I act the fool and every time I'm around you I feel like my head is about to explode and I can't think straight."
Amelia felt her face grow hot and her heart beat faster, "That's… very sweet?"
He took a deep breath, hoping the words would come out right. He could already feel her retreating, going back into that defensive shield she kept herself in. "Here's the thing: being near you makes me crazy, but I can't imagine being without you. Not ever. I don't know how to say this any other way…"
"Alistair?" she breathed when he stopped, reaching to touch his cheek.
He nuzzled her hand, murmuring, "I want to spend the night with you, here at camp. Maybe this is too fast, I don't know… but I know what I feel."
Amelia bit her tongue, wanting to say that it wasn't fast at all. They had talked about past, present and future. They had talked about their childhoods and about the children they both knew they would never have. They saw a future together, and the fool thought they were going too fast. Warmth filled her, but she reminded herself that this was Alistair. He walked at a different pace than her; walked along cautiously while she ran and barreled through. "You want to spend the night? Are you sure?"
"I wanted to wait for the perfect moment," he whispered desperately, "but when will life ever be perfect? Amelia, if life were perfect you and I would have never met."
His words chilled her, making her realize how true that was. "Things happen for a reason, Alistair."
He nodded in agreement, "we sort of stumbled into each other, and despite these last couple of months being the least perfect time, I found myself falling for you in between the fighting and everything else. I… I really don't want to wait anymore. I've never done this, as you know. I want it to be with you, while we still have the chance. In case…"
"Stop," it was her turn to silence him, "don't talk like that. You and I will be alive after all this is over. There will always be time later."
"But-"
"Will you let me finish or do I have to silence you by force, Alistair?" she snapped angrily at his sheepish grin, "that being said, you don't have to say anything else because I agree. Life isn't perfect. This can be, we can make it just as good as perfect. You've never done this before and I want to be your first. I want you to remember my skin and smell my scent. If anything should happen, I want this night to be with you forever. I want to make this perfect. For you, Alistair."
He had to swallow back the knot of emotion in his throat. His lips met hers, and it was like he was kissing her for the first time. With ease, he led her back to his tent and let her take the lead.
She tried to be gentle, to touch him as loving as Alistair deserved. When he took the lead, she happily gave it to him and began to enjoy the side of love he had never shown her before.
He propped his head on his hand, looking down on Amelia and smiling. She had fallen asleep shortly after they had made love, and he found this side of her sweet and fragile. It made her look vulnerable, like he had to protect her.
Her eyes fluttered open, a smile warming her lips, "hello, handsome."
Alistair grinned, "thank you, for that. For tonight… Amelia, you're the first woman I've ever been with. And if I can manage it, you'll be the last."
Emotion clogged her throat, "I'll hold you to that." She found herself leaning over him, this time taking the lead herself and not relinquishing it when he began to take it. "This round, you're mine."
All he could do was grin.
