(Untitled)

[claravoyant]

Things with the Blight had been going ... well, about as good as one could expect them to be going, all things considered

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[chantry_escapee]

Alistair was awake. He was awake and kind of staring at the flap of Leliana's tent. Or he had been for a time before Clara came out. Then he scrambled to look at anything else.

[claravoyant]

It was obvious enough where he'd been looking.

She smiled to see him, though, and settled down by the fire not too far from him.

"You're up late," she said quietly.

[chantry_escapee]

He shrugged.

"Not too late, really. And better up than fitful sleep. What, uh, what has you up?"

[claravoyant]

"The dreams again. I didn't want to wake Leliana," she glanced to him, "So I thought I'd better come out for a while."

[chantry_escapee]

"Ahh, not wanting to wake Leliana, right, right," he said slowly, his eyes on the fire.

[claravoyant]

That got a raised eyebrow.

"What's the matter, Alistair?" She wasn't trying to rub salt in anything, she was honestly ... confused. Which wasn't something she liked being.

[chantry_escapee]

He shook it off, but he wouldn't turn to face her. His own hangups and his assumptions about their relationship weren't something she should pay for. Well. Much. He couldn't help everything.

"Nothing. Nothing at all, I'm right as rain. Well, aside from the Blight, of course."

[claravoyant]

She frowned.

It was time for some sort of logic. He'd been looking at the tent, and now he was upset.

"I know you think Leliana's a little bit ... off, but I know that I am too. And you know I can tell when you're lying."

[chantry_escapee]

He frowned, quite a lot actually.

"I'm not lying."

Beat.

"All right, I am lying, but it's nothing you can help and it's not your fault, so I'm not about to go whining to you about it. I'm sure Leliana is a... perfectly nice... girl."

[claravoyant]

"How am I to know whether it's my fault or not if you don't tell me what it is you're lying about?"

Clara shifted in an attempt to take his hand. She communicated better through touch sometimes. It kept her ... grounded.

[chantry_escapee]

He didn't even pause to give her his hand. He gave it to her immediately and even gave her a squeeze.

"I just... I made a mistake and thought you were... interested in more to our relationship. But I am not the sort to stand in the way of another's affections. And honestly, honestly, Clara, I wish the two of you well."

[claravoyant]

This time it was her turn to frown. She glanced down at their hands, brows furrowed.

"And I've made you think that I am not?" Because that was certainly not her intention in all of this. Things with Leliana had simply ... progressed naturally.

[chantry_escapee]

Alistair was not the sort to stubbornly hold to ideas he didn't like. He blinked right back at her.

"I... well... I assumed, with you sleeping in her tent and all..."

[claravoyant]

"Yes. Sleeping, Alistair." And perhaps a few other things had started, but she'd -- well, Leliana -- had been hesitant. Something about Alistair.

Clara understood that bit a little better now. She had brief moments of understanding, where she could see from other peoples' points of view. Which was why she leaned in to kiss him, her other hand coming to rest at the back of his neck.

Perhaps that would clarify her position.

[chantry_escapee]

Alistair was far too busy turning red and grinning like a fool to really think on things any farther than that.

[claravoyant]

It was a few more moments until she drew back, her hand still resting against his neck.

"I hope you understand better now."