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Leliana hummed quietly to herself as she crouched by the fire, warming her hands. The lingering smells of the stew Alistair had cooked for dinner not an hour ago caressed her nose and settled in comfortably with her full stomach. She always took the first watch because of this. Warm, freshly cooked meals were a luxury she hadn’t known for some time, and she was determined to appreciate it completely before it was gone again.
Sitting back on her haunches, Leliana scanned the camp. Everyone was in their tents, except for their favourite golem, Shale - who, if it was to be believed, never needed to sleep - as well as Zevran and Morrigan, who were huddled near the latter’s tent and conversing in hushed tones.
Leliana had noticed how her new friends - specifically, Alistair, Zevran, and Morrigan - had grown much closer in recent weeks. She’d even witnessed Alistair leaving Morrigan’s tent one night, and Zevran leaving Alistair’s another, and she was insatiably curious as to the details of their… arrangement.
Ever the shameless eavesdropper, Leliana tilted her head towards Zevran and Morrigan while glancing back at the fire, and strained her ears. It was futile, however; Zevran was too alike to herself when it came to secrecy, and Morrigan probably had a spell to shield her voice from unwanted attention. Or something of the like. Leliana still wasn’t quite sure how magic worked.
A slightly more impassioned whisper - more like a hiss, really - drew Leliana’s gaze back to her huddled friends. Morrigan snapped at something Zevran said, but at his simple shrug, seemed to almost deflate, her shoulders relaxing as her head tilted downward the slightest bit. It was as close to defeat as Morrigan would ever outwardly express, and Leliana grinned to herself at the sight.
When Zevran turned around, Leliana stared into the fire, hoping he hadn’t caught her eyes. Though, he probably had. He was almost as perceptive as she.
Leliana rubbed her warmed hands together and moved to rest on a piece of fallen wood they’d gathered to act as a place to sit comfortably before the fire. Well, ‘comfortable’ was subjective, but Leliana thought it slightly better than sitting on the hard dirt ground. She wiped her now-sweating palms over her thighs as Zevran approached, and gave him a smile as he sat beside her.
“Hello, Zevran,” she greeted. “What were you two gossipping about?”
Zevran laughed, and Leliana’s stomach flipped at the sound. She shifted closer, hoping he wouldn’t mind.
“My dear, I was simply giving our lovely witch some much-needed advice,” he replied quietly, leaning in conspiratorially. “Between you and me, I think she is hopeless. But we will see.”
“Oh my,” Leliana giggled, “she is hopeless in what?”
“We will see!”
Leliana sighed, both annoyed to not be let in on the secret, and excited by the promise of witnessing Morrigan do… something. She nibbled her lip in thought, trying to imagine what it could possibly be, when a warm arm around her shoulders startled her from her daydreaming.
“I hope you do not mind, cariño,” Zevran said quietly, “you just look so frigid.”
“Oh,” Leliana’s face warmed instantly, and she ducked her head to hide her blush. “I- of course I don’t mind, I… thank you, Zevran. It is chilly tonight.”
He laughed again, low and tickling against her neck.
“You are cute when you are embarrassed,” he said.
“What!?” Leliana raised her head, glaring at him defensively. “I am not embarrassed! I'm just... flushed because of... the heat.”
“But I thought you were cold?”
Leliana groaned petulantly and shoved him; not too hard, she didn’t want him to pull away, after all. But just enough to express her insult. Zevran’s laughter rumbled against her side, and she withheld a shiver.
“Leliana, I must confess something to you,” Zevran said, his voice suddenly serious.
Leliana stiffened a bit, and watched him curiously.
“Go on,” she encouraged.
“I…” Zevran huffed with a wry grin, his hand moving to rest between her shoulder blades. “Well, let us just say, I could not have imagined ending up here in life. Could you?”
“What do you mean, Zev? Where is ‘here’?”
“Why, sitting before a warm fire with a beautiful woman at my side, of course.” He smiled, and it was as lascivious as ever, but a gentleness in his eyes betrayed the sincerity behind his words. “A dangerously beautiful woman, I might add. And beautifully dangerous.”
“What are you getting at?” Leliana asked gently, her heart pounding.
“I have grown very fond of you, my dear Leliana,” he said, almost timid, though he tried to hide it. “Perhaps too fond. I can only hope you are fond of me, as well. Though if not, I can understand, and I won’t bother you further.”
“Of course I am fond of you, Zevran,” she said, smirking. “We are friends, no? Unless… that is not how you meant?”
“You are my friend, yes,” he agreed, “and for that, I am grateful.” His smirk mirrored her own. “But should you wish for more, I may even be eager.”
“Is chivalry so dead after all?” Leliana asked, poking his side. “Why do you not just say what you mean?”
“I am!” Zevran insisted, pouting. “Braska, I am usually so good at this.”
“I’m just teasing you, Zevran,” Leliana reassured. She scooched closer, nestling in the crook of Zevran’s arm and placing her hands over his knee. “I just… I had no idea you felt the same.”
Zevran’s expression softened, his smile warm, and beautiful. Leliana couldn’t look away from him if their camp was suddenly besieged by darkspawn. Zevran lifted his free hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, his fingertips gently caressing her cheek and jaw. Leliana beamed, her face so warm any chill of the night was completely forgotten.
“Zevran?”
“Hm?”
“Are you going to kiss me?”
Zevran’s grin widened and he leaned in, capturing her lips easily. Leliana melted into his embrace, tilting her head to deepen their kiss. Zevran’s fingertips trailing down her spine caused her to shiver once more, and she felt him smile against her mouth. Leliana raised a hand to tangle in Zevran’s hair, longer than even her own, and he sighed as she scratched his scalp. Her chest fluttered with warmth and excitement, and she wanted to bottle up this moment and hold on to it to keep her strong in her darkest times.
When they finally parted for air, neither of them went far, and returned to gentle pecks between smiles shared. Finally, Zevran pressed their foreheads together, his nose brushing against hers soft enough to tickle, and they simply breathed each other in.
“I wish I could keep you for myself, tonight,” Zevran whispered, “but I think you have an eventful night in store, and I would not deny you that.”
“What do you mean?” Leliana lifted her head, squinting as she scanned his face for any hints. “Why do you speak in riddles?”
“I like to stay interesting,” he replied, grinning. “I would hate for you to grow bored of me so quickly, it would break my heart.”
Leliana giggled and freed her hand from his hair to pinch his cheek.
“You are many things, dear Zevran, but never boring.”
“Oh,” Zevran ducked his head almost bashfully, and squeezed her hand in his own. “That is an honour, coming from you.”
He placed one more kiss against her brow and stood, releasing her hand reluctantly.
“I shall leave you to your watch,” he said, sighing forlornly. “Should we be attacked because I had you distracted, the rest would blame only me.”
“Good night, Zevran. I hope you dream of me,” she added with a wink.
“May they only be the most dirty of dreams,” he replied, clasping his hands to his chest as though in prayer.
Leliana laughed as he retreated to his tent, sending her one last wave before ducking beneath the canvas for bed. She placed her elbows on her knees and rested her chin in her hands, sighing happily to herself.
Even with Zevran gone, it was likely her turn keeping watch was going to be a distracted one.
~
By the second hour of her shift, when she would normally be relieved for sleep by Oghren or Sten, Leliana was startled from her growing fatigue when Morrigan stood before her in front of the fire. Leliana let her gaze crawl slowly up Morrigan’s figure, appreciating the curves of her body before meeting her eyes, the bright yellow irises reflecting the fire and looking aflame themselves.
“I must speak with you,” Morrigan said stiffly. “At once.”
With that, Morrigan turned on her heel and walked back to her own tent. Leliana watched her for only a moment before springing to her feet, making sure to follow but not so closely that she would appear overeager. With how often her heart had raced tonight, Leliana feared she might faint.
When they reached Morrigan’s tent, sequestered away from the rest of camp as Morrigan loved to pretend she didn’t care for the rest of them, Morrigan turned on her heel suddenly, facing Leliana. Leliana skidded to a stop, narrowly avoiding running into the mage despite her distance kept.
“Do you think I am blind?” Morrigan asked sharply.
“I… what?”
“Or, perhaps, ignorant?” Morrigan added. “‘Tis only reasonable to think you would assume a woman who grew up away from civilisation might not notice signs of attraction when faced with them. Need I remind you I was never so sheltered?”
Leliana blinked. Despite Morrigan’s harsh tone, she was wringing her hands nervously. What she could be nervous of, Leliana couldn’t fathom.
“Men are easiest to detect, of course,” Morrigan continued dismissively. “They bumble about like newborn nugs when they are infatuated.”
“Nugs are adorable,” Leliana breathed, still so incredibly confused.
“Nugs are repulsive,” Morrigan argued, “but that is besides the point. My point is… I am aware of your attraction to me. You are far more subtle than most, and for that, I give you credit. I almost mistook your red cheeks at my gaze to be a result of righteous contempt rather than interest.”
Leliana felt her face reddening now, for what must have been the hundredth time that night.
“I told you that you are beautiful,” Leliana defended, hoping to maintain some of her dignity before Morrigan’s scrutiny. “I offered to find you a dress to highlight your lovely features, and you denied me!” Leliana huffed. “I was not so subtle. You just did not notice because you do not like me.”
Morrigan smiled, sharp and bright.
“That is where you are wrong,” Morrigan said quietly, her deep voice rough and coaxing. “How unfortunate that our prized rogue has a perception so lacking. It is a wonder you do not lead us head first into traps.”
“You tell me I am wrong, and then you insult me?” Leliana huffed.
Morrigan pursed her lips, considering. Leliana swore she saw a vein twitch in Morrigan’s neck, as though the effort of her next words was straining.
“I despise your religious prattle,” Morrigan decided. “But… the rest of your qualities have their charm. I certainly never would have expected myself to be drawn to someone as… skittish as yourself. Yet, here we are.”
“I am not skittish,” Leliana argued, though she preened at everything else Morrigan had said. “I am agile.”
“Oh, of course,” Morrigan conceded sarcastically. “And might this agility be present, at the moment?”
“Are you asking for a demonstration?” Leliana asked, leaning in so her breath could disturb Morrigan’s loose bangs.
Morrigan’s eyelashes fluttered as she held Leliana’s gaze, and it was only then that Leliana saw how deeply she affected Morrigan. Beneath the dark makeup and despite the flickering torchlight, her skin was warmed and pink, and her breath stuttered as Leliana drew closer.
“I must deny you, for now,” Morrigan whispered. “I have a promise to keep.”
“A promise?” Leliana tilted her head, both curious and teasing. “Do not tell me you took a vow, Morrigan. You do not seem the type.”
“Not at all,” Morrigan spat, looking insulted at the very idea. “‘Tis not your concern, sweetheart.”
As soon as the word left her lips, Morrigan’s face twisted in disgust. Leliana’s mouth fell open in shock, and a startled laugh escaped her before she could hold it back.
“Sweetheart?” Leliana echoed, giggling. “Oh, Morrigan.”
“Do not mock me,” Morrigan snapped. “‘Twas Zevran’s idea. The wretched elf, I knew it wouldn’t work.”
“Zevran told you to call me ‘sweetheart’?” Leliana beamed. “How endearing! You should say it again, I think it will work this time.”
“You are insufferable,” Morrigan retorted, though her lips twitched. “Forget I said anything at all. I do, in fact, despise you.”
Leliana giggled harder, almost doubling over in her joy. Morrigan was truly so adorable when flustered, and the knowledge that she would bristle at such a confession made Leliana want to say it even more. As she straightened to do so, she was instead silenced by Morrigan’s hands around her face, and Morrigan’s lips on hers.
She gasped lightly in surprise, but quickly let herself sink into the kiss. Despite the nails in Leliana’s cheeks, Morrigan was a very skilled kisser, and claimed Leliana’s lips with passion and dominance. It was very different from kissing Zevran; and just as enjoyable.
Leliana’s hands clutched at Morrigan’s sides, pulling her closer. Morrigan was only a bit taller than Leliana, but she leaned back, her arms behind Leliana’s neck, forcing Leliana to tower over her, now holding her waist to keep her upright. It was almost swooning, and Leliana felt herself grow lightheaded at the thought. Maker, if Leliana’s past didn’t kill her, these beautiful people she surrounded herself with certainly would.
To say either of them pulled away from the kiss would be generous; Morrigan curled a hand around Leliana’s jaw and forced her away, only to follow her for one last searing peck. Morrigan’s grasp had Leliana’s knees weak, and her arms wound around Morrigan for support.
Morrigan hummed, content, and Leliana wanted nothing more than to taste the rest of her.
“Where does a Chantry sister learn to kiss like that, I wonder?” Morrigan mused, tilting Leliana’s head as though inspecting her.
“You know I wasn’t always a Chantry sister,” Leliana reminded, though her voice was muffled by Morrigan’s hand still squeezing her cheeks. “I even had a lover, before.”
“Marjolaine,” Morrigan said, nodding. “I remember.”
Leliana smiled, flattered that Morrigan had not only listened to her story but remembered such a detail from it.
“She will get her due, someday,” Morrigan decided, finally releasing Leliana’s face.
“You are jealous?” Leliana asked, leaning back into Morrigan’s personal space, her hands still tight around Morrigan’s waist. “Or do you really care for me so much?”
“Nonsense,” Morrigan dismissed with a frown, “I am only being pragmatic. So long as she hunts for you, she is a danger to us all. We will put her down, as we do any threat.”
“Morrigan,” Leliana gasped, pulling Morrigan close so they would press together fully. “I had no idea I meant so much to you.”
“Stop that,” Morrigan insisted, though she made no effort to remove herself from Leliana’s grasp. “I said no such thing.”
“Sure you did,” Leliana teased, grinning mischievously. “But you don’t have to be embarrassed. I care for you too.”
“I am not embarrassed,” Morrigan rolled her eyes. “I am simply appalled by how you assume so much.”
Leliana pouted, sticking out her bottom lip dramatically. Morrigan’s frown faltered, just for a moment, and Leliana struggled not to grin in delight. Then Morrigan groaned, and shook her head.
“You are trying to be manipulative,” she remarked bitterly. “I can tell, I do it too.”
“Is it working?” Leliana asked, batting her eyelashes.
“Not at all,” Morrigan said, “but I commend the effort.”
Leliana kissed her again; a reward, for the compliment. Morrigan met her eagerly, her hands moving back around Leliana’s shoulders. This time, Morrigan tugged Leliana’s hair to pull her away, and Morrigan smiled like the cat who got the cream.
“I believe ‘tis time for you to retire,” Morrigan announced, her voice low and rough, “if Sten’s glare is anything to go by.”
“You mean he is watching?” Leliana squeaked, scandalised.
Morrigan laughed, her shoulders shaking, and Leliana’s heart stuttered.
“I wouldn’t say he is watching, so much as I would say he is perhaps attempting to kill me with his eyes.”
Morrigan removed herself from Leliana’s grasp, and Leliana immediately felt the chill of the night return. She longed to wrap herself back around Morrigan, and maybe even get Zevran to join, since he seemed in on it, but Sten’s strict watch schedule was not to be ignored. Leliana sighed, stepping away further to keep herself from giving into temptation.
“Get some rest,” Morrigan demanded, her tone suddenly gentle in a way that curled around Leliana’s heart. “I believe you will have an early morning, if someone doesn’t lose his nerve.”
“What?” Leliana blinked, her confusion returning full force. “What is this that you are all planning? Why will you not tell me?”
“You will see,” Morrigan replied, with a sing-song voice that made the butterflies in Leliana’s stomach kick up again. Morrigan placed a manicured finger in the center of Leliana’s chest and pushed her away. “Goodnight.”
Leliana sighed in defeat and wished Morrigan goodnight in return. She pouted the entire way back to her tent, just in case Morrigan was still watching, but Leliana refused to look. She collapsed onto her bedroll, sighing dreamily with her fingertips tracing her lips gently. Sleep claimed her slowly, and with the lingering warmth of lips on her own.
~
Leliana awoke to a light rapping sound on the canvas of her tent. She frowned, wanting desperately to return to the lovely dream she’d been having; she couldn’t quite remember what it was, but she had felt so light…
The sound continued, and Leliana groaned, sitting up. Unless their camp was currently under attack, whoever was waking her so early was going to get an earful from her. She rubbed her eyes of sleep and sighed heavily. Then she pulled back the flap of her tent, glaring and disgruntled.
The sight of Alistair crouched before her tent, his hair sleep-mussed and a plate of food in his large hands, halted Leliana from her reprimand. Alistair smiled brightly, and Leliana blinked, smiling back at him as she yawned.
“Good morning, Alistair,” she said quietly. “What do you need?”
Alistair’s jaw shifted a bit, and she knew he was holding back a yawn himself. It was so cute that Leliana giggled, despite her drowsiness. Alistair’s cheeks reddened, and he glanced down at his plate of food.
“I, um, I made you breakfast,” he answered shyly. “I was wondering… would you eat with me this morning?”
“But it is so early,” she said, though she moved to get up and follow him. “Are the others even awake?”
“Just Shale, on watch,” he replied.
Alistair extended a hand awkwardly towards Leliana, as though suddenly remembering that he should help her get up. Leliana grinned and took his hand, and they stood together, Alistair balancing the plate in his free hand. Leliana didn’t let go of his hand once they were both standing, and he didn’t seem to notice.
She knew this must be who Morrigan had referred to, the night before. It seemed Zevran, Morrigan, and Alistair were in on whatever this ridiculous plan to court Leliana must be. By now, Leliana was very amused by it. And now that she had the upper hand, she would enjoy teasing Alistair herself.
“Um,” Alistair paused, finally noticing their joined hands. Leliana squeezed encouragingly, and he smiled, blushing deeply. “Right this way, then.”
Leliana had assumed they would eat before the dying fire, like every morning. Instead, Alistair led them into the treeline. Just when Leliana began to worry they’d gone too far from camp, they reached a small clearing. Leliana gasped at the sight; various flowers and weeds coloured the green grass, butterflies and bees danced from plant to flowering plant, and the trees swayed gently in the wind as the Sun rose slowly behind them.
“Alistair… This is beautiful,” she whispered, scared of breaking the calm of the morning. “How did you find this?”
“Stumbled on it when I accidentally threw Barkspawn’s bone too far,” Alistair said, laughter audible just behind his words. “Clever dog had me playing fetch for him. Anyway, d’you like it?”
“I love it,” she said, beaming up at him.
Alistair grinned back at her bashfully. Leliana was at least happy to know she was not the most prone to blushing, with Alistair around.
“Well,” Alistair said, gesturing to the plate. “I hope the food does it justice.”
“You are a great cook,” she reassured. “If I could, I would take you with me to cook all of my meals for the rest of my life.”
“Oh, you- you would?” Alistair asked, half-stumbling as he moved to sit against a tree.
“Mhm,” Leliana hummed, sitting beside him - far closer than necessary. “I would keep you locked up, so no one would get to taste your cooking except for me.”
“Oh, well-” Alistair laughed nervously, “well- I don’t-”
“Would you do it? Would you cook for me forever?”
Alistair blinked at her, beet-red and gaping.
“You’re teasing me,” he said after a moment. Then he smiled. “You are so weird.”
Leliana laughed, leaning on his shoulder.
“And I would be happy to cook for you for forever,” Alistair continued, “but maybe without the ‘locking me up’ part.”
They ate their breakfast mostly in silence, both too hungry and enjoying the food too much to bother making conversation between. When they finished, Alistair set the plate to the side, and withdrew something from his pocket, playing with it absentmindedly.
“What’s that?” Leliana asked, peering over his shoulder.
“Oh, um,” Alistair shrugged. “It’s for you,” he said, opening his palms to show her what he held.
Leliana’s brow rose as she took in the plucked rose. The petals were dark and wilting, and it was clear that Alistair’s nervous fiddling had contributed to some of that, but it was still vibrant red, and beautiful. A shimmer covered the leaves, as though coated in starlight. She gathered that it was preserved through some kind of magic, though unlikely by Alistair’s doing.
“I picked it in Lothering,” he said. “I don’t know how it’s stayed alive so long. It’s probably magical. Anyways, I just thought, when I saw it, ‘how could something so beautiful exist in a place with so much despair and ugliness?’ So I picked it. I figured the darkspawn would get to it anyway, and then no one would appreciate it, so I wanted to.” He paused in his rambling to glance at Leliana. “And I want to give it to you now. Even though it’s a bit wilted. That might be my fault. But it’s still beautiful! And I think that… you’re beautiful.”
Leliana smiled and took the flower from him gingerly.
“It is so lovely, Alistair,” she said. She put it up in her hair, securing the stem in the strands of her braid. “Thank you. I think you are beautiful, too.”
“Ah, well…” Alistair laughed, rubbing a hand over the back of his neck. “I, um. Thank you. Can I kiss you?”
“Of course,” she replied, leaning in. “I was waiting for you to ask me that.”
“You know me, always running late.”
Alistair’s lips were surprisingly soft, though a bit chapped from the cold. He was timid, but made up for it in his eagerness to please. He brought a gentle hand to cup Leliana’s face, holding her close, and Leliana sighed. So many beautiful people, and all of them kissing her so well… she could get used to this.
He tasted vaguely of the fruits from their breakfast, sweet against Leliana’s tongue as she deepened the kiss. She brought a hand up to his large chest, pleased to feel his muscles through his shirt. Alistair made a noise of surprise when she squished his pectoral, and broke their kiss with a laugh.
“Zevran does that too,” he said, “I don’t understand it.”
“You have a very nice chest, Alistair,” Leliana said. “You must know.”
“Not as nice as yours,” he said. Then his eyes widened, as though his brain had caught up with his mouth. “Not that that’s what I care about! I mean, it’s not that I don’t care, it’s just that- what I meant to say is-”
Leliana shut him up with another kiss, giggling against his lips.
~
By the time they made their way back to camp, the Sun had risen, and everyone else was awake and getting ready for the day ahead. Zevran was the first to greet them, with a wag of his perfect eyebrows and a smirk.
“Good to see you’re both still able to walk,” he remarked, shoving his way between them and putting an arm around each of their shoulders, tilted awkwardly to adjust for their different heights. “It is our day to venture out, after all. It would be rude to make Morrigan and myself the only ones capable of the journey.”
“Easy,” Alistair admonished, grabbing Zevran’s hand. “I kept up my end of the agreement. I’m not insatiable like you are.”
“Guilty as charged,” Zevran preened.
“I can’t believe you were all in on this,” Leliana began, elbowing Zevran in the ribs, “and you never said a word!”
“Haven’t we been saying words all night, cariño?”
“You know what I mean.”
“I’m mostly surprised you didn’t figure it out sooner,” Morrigan’s voice cut through as she joined the group now gathered by Leliana’s tent. “I thought Alistair’s inability to maintain his complexion at your gaze would give us away, surely.”
“Heyyyy,” Alistair pouted. “I’m great at keeping secrets. It’s not my fault I am just expressive and don’t hide my emotions.”
“Thank you all,” Leliana said, before the two would begin sniping at each other in earnest. “I really enjoyed this.”
“You talk like it’s over,” Zevran noted, stepping away to face her. “Do you want it to end so soon?”
“What?” Leliana laughed. “You mean, you want me to join your… relationship?”
“Did you think we’d torture you with a taste and then deny you?” Morrigan asked, raising a brow. “Come to think of it, ‘tis not such a bad idea…”
“Oh, hush,” Zevran said with a grin. “You are desperate for her, and you know it.”
Morrigan’s face twisted in a sneer.
“Why you miserable little-”
“What do you call each other?” Leliana asked, interrupting. “Are you lovers?”
Morrigan scoffed at the word, but did not correct her. Alistair nodded and Zevran tilted his head in consideration.
“Lovers?” Zevran echoed. “Most of the time. Whenever these two aren’t bickering,” he added, gesturing between Alistair and Morrigan.
“It’s our love language,” Alistair said wryly.
“I detest the very notion of such a thing,” Morrigan replied.
“I’ve only ever had one lover before,” Leliana said, clasping her hands in excitement. “I would be happy to have three.”
“And no more,” Morrigan said, pointing at Zevran. “I do not share with strangers. The four of us together are plenty.”
Zevran raised his hands placatingly.
“What do you look at me for? I am the most faithful among us!”
As Zevran and Morrigan continued to banter, Leliana joined Alistair in gathering their things for the day’s journey. The four of them bid their farewells to the rest of the camp, and set off, sharing stories and laughter on their way.
All her life, Leliana had known loss, and grief, betrayal, and hardship. But here, now, she felt safe; she felt hopeful. She gazed at each of her friends, her lovers, and smiled to herself, warm and light with joy and affection.