Day 11 – Slice of Life

A/N: This is not an AU, really – this scene could fit in anywhere in my storyverse. Thanks to yarnandtea for suggesting grocery shopping for this day's challenge – I had a lot of fun imagining Megan faced with such a mundane task.

Megan frowned down at the grocery list Mistress Woolsey had pressed into her hand when she'd announced they were off to Denerim. She had tried to explain that they wouldn't have time for this, that they were on a vitally important mission, but the old lady had remained firm.

"It's just as vital that you keep your Wardens well fed, Commander. It's not every day that I get an opportunity to get provisions from the capital. With the amount of food you all devour each day, I have a hard time keeping up with the shopping as it is, and right now we're almost out of herbs and spices. Soap, too, and a few other luxuries, while you're at it. I need your help."

So, here she was, at the busy market place in the late afternoon, having dispatched a Pride Demon in someone's basement in the morning and met with the King and Queen for lunch. Let it never be said that a Warden's life lacks variety.

Megan sighed and did her best to decipher Mistress Woolsey's spidery handwriting. Scallops? No, soap. Where would she find soap? Helplessly, she eyed the displays of the various stalls, trying to find something that looked like toiletries, but without success. What's next? Vanilla, pepper, nutmeg. Well, that was easy enough. She found the appropriate stall and the owner was friendly and helpful.

But, when she turned, stowing her newly acquired goods away in her satchel, she ran straight into a firm, warm body. Carver. She'd sent her Wardens to the Gnawed Noble to grab something to eat while she was at the palace, so she really shouldn't be surprised to see him. But even so, she felt a pleased tingle run down her spine.

"Meg?" He dragged her away from the stall. "Don't tell me you really just paid five sovereigns for a few spices?"

"That's what he asked for," she defended herself, blushing slightly.

"Well, yeah, of course he did." Carver shook his head. "And it didn't occur to you to barter a bit? What's the matter with you? Would you have paid the set price for a new piece of armour or a dagger?"

"No, of course not." Megan's blush deepened, but she raised her chin in defiance. "Blight it, Carver, what do you expect? I don't have the faintest idea what a reasonable price for this stuff would be."

"Have you never been grocery shopping before?" He sounded incredulous.

"Well, no." Megan avoided his gaze. "Alistair always took care of that during the Blight, and before-"

"Andraste's tits, of course you haven't." He rolled his eyes. "I bet you had servants for this, am I right? Come on." He took her arm and led her to the next stall, shoving a group of loitering ruffians roughly aside. "Let's see what you need."

Megan breathed a sigh of relief. Suddenly, things were looking much easier. Carver quickly found an elven trader who sold the most deliciously aromatic herbal soap, and he got it for half the original price. She watched in wonder as he made his way across the market, stopping here and there to take a look at the wares on display or to exchange a bawdy joke with a stall owner. He seemed so different here.

"Hey. I see Carver found you first." A pair of strong arms embraced her from behind and Nathaniel's familiar scent enveloped her: leather and beeswax, and just a hint of wood smoke. "Everything all right?"

"Nate. It is, now." She gestured at Carver who was carefully picking apricots from a basket, examining every single one with a worried frown. "Thank the Maker for Carver. This would have taken me hours all by myself."

Nathaniel pulled her closer with a low chuckle. "He's really in his element, isn't he? It's rare to see him so much at ease. Well, except in battle, but that's different, obviously."

Megan smiled. "It's amazing. He looks so... competent. So sure of himself. It's sweet, really. And also…" She exhaled sharply. "Quite incredibly hot."

"Oh yes." Nathaniel's grip tightened even further. "Are you two nearly finished?"

"I believe so." Megan glanced into her well-filled basket. "Looks like we have almost all we need."

"Good." Nathaniel's voice had dropped to a hoarse whisper. "I can't wait until we get to our room." His lips brushed against her ear as he proceeded to tell her exactly what he was planning on doing to Carver once they got there.

"Oh Maker, yes." Megan shivered deliciously. "It's a good thing our inn is right here in the Market District, or else I might end up jumping his bones in some back alley."

Carver looked up and smiled when he saw them together. "Nate. We're almost done. Just a few buttons and ribbons, but we can pick those up on the way home." He reached up to brush a lock of hair from his forehead. "What? Why are the two of you looking at me like that?"