"I think I love you,"
He sat up suddenly, the stars forgotten at Djaq's sudden revelation.
"What? Now?"
Djaq rolled over the face him, and propped herself up on an elbow.
"Of course right now. When else? I love you. Right now. I don't expect you to love me back. I just wanted you to know. There are so many dangers. One of us could be dead tomorrow. So I had to say it, even though…"
Will touched her shoulder. She stopped mid-sentence. Gently, he pulled her up into a sitting position, and leaned over, his lips brushing hers. Her eyes fluttered closed as he stroked her cheek.
"Oh, Djaq," he said softly against her lips, "I have loved you for so long."
Djaq swallowed.
"You have? You do?"
"I was afraid to tell you. I thought maybe you would just laugh at me,"
"You laughed at me," she replied, but she was smiling.
Will lay down again, and Djaq settled herself in the crook of his arm, her head resting on his chest.
"Stargazing was a good idea," she said, her voice muffled by his shirt.
With Djaq in his arms at last, Will had to agree with her.