Chapter Text
The most prominent quality about the Inquisitor was that she was calm, only rarely did she get rattled or ruffled about anything. Not to say she didn’t get emotional or angry, but like everything else about her, it was measured. She seemed to calm those around her too, invaluable after the explosion at the Conclave, the assault on Haven, and Adamant.
It was that calmness that had soothed Cullen when he was struggling after Adamant and almost gave up his position, rather than start taking lyrium again. She had persuaded him to keep going and not to give up being Commander. And she’d been right. Maker, she was funny too, but most he liked her calmness. Just being around her made him feel better, and more than that.
So he couldn’t understand why today, she’d walked into his office as she would any other day, perfectly normal; barely stayed more than a couple of minutes; and then walked out looking anything but calm. Cullen began to wonder if the armour had spooked her. He’d kept his Templar armour, although he never wore it now. Occasionally he would just check it to make sure it was still in good condition and clean it if need be. Today was one of those days.
But no, she quite happily talked to Templars there. She was one of the few mages he knew who got on with them, with seemingly no issues about their role. He rubbed his neck, he really didn’t understand what it could be, but it bothered him.
Lia needed to get back to her room, and as quickly as possible. Remember you’re a Trevelyan, you need to be strong, she kept repeating to herself. You can deal with this. She got as far as the Great Hall without being caught by anyone, when Dorian appeared, evidently looking for her. Dorian was her best friend and he just knew that something was wrong.
“Li? Need to talk?” he looked concerned.
She just nodded inanely, the power of speech hadn’t quite returned yet.
“You have alcohol in your quarters? Sorry, silly question.” he added, watching her face now making the ‘are you serious’ look.
He walked her to her quarters, sat her down and poured her a large drink. Lia downed it in virtually one gulp.
“Another please,” she requested faintly, her speech returning. She watched Dorian pour it, and this one went down equally quickly.
“So, what in the Maker’s name has got you so rattled?” he asked, watching her as she slowly calmed down. “Li, this is not like you.”
Lia looked at him “I’ve just had an unexpected crash of fantasy and reality...” she admitted. “Cullen.”
“Yes darling, we all know how smitten you are with the man, but you’ve handled it. What happened?” Dorian was pressing her.
Lia had never told anyone about the fantasies she had about Cullen and Templar armour, it was beyond embarrassing for a mage to admit, she thought. But she knew now that Dorian wouldn’t let it go. So she confessed to him that she’d had thoughts about Cullen doing all manner of things to her dressed in the armour, but not what she did as a result. And what she’d just seen. He began to roar with laughter, until he saw her stern face.
“Dorian, this is really not funny. Right now I can’t even look him in the face, and I’ve got a War Council meeting in a while,” she bemoaned.
“How many times did I tell you to do something about this? You know what Bull and I think. He won’t make a move now unless you do,” he said, shaking his head.
“Dorian, it’s way past that now, it’s gone too far.” Lia knew what he meant, that fumbled kiss back in Haven that could have ended up so much more, well for her anyway. Him, she really didn’t know about. Other than both of them were embarrassed, and it was never spoken of again.
She put out her glass. “I need more,” she requested.
“Are you sure?” he queried.
“Absolutely, I need the courage,” she assured him.
Lia could see Dorian unsure, so she grabbed the bottle off him and poured the drink herself. Pretty soon, the whole bottle of wine was gone. She wasn’t drunk, it would take more than that, but her head wasn’t clear either.
“Maker, what are we going to do with you? Li, you can’t carry on like this, you do know that.” he sighed, this situation wasn’t good for anyone. This was the problem with calm people, when they lost it, they really lost it. And watching her open another bottle, there was no way she was going to be meeting with anyone.
“So, doesn’t your best friend get a look in on the second bottle?” he teased, watching her clutching it. She smiled and handed it over.
“Sorry Dor. And thank you for putting up with me. I do love you,” she apologised. What would she do without her best friend? He was one of the few who treated her like a person, not the Herald or the Inquisitor.
“I know you do, darling, and I love you too. But I also think you need to talk to Cullen, for both your sakes. I don’t care if you don’t want to hear that. And now I’ve said my piece, let’s get drunk.” He smiled at her. But it was also then he had an idea, he just needed to keep her the right balance of drunk, and hope the right person came to find her.
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Cullen was waiting with Leliana and Josephine in the War Room for the Inquisitor to arrive. They waited and no sign. This was definitely not like her; she was always prompt, even early sometimes. As the minutes ticked by, Cullen began to get concerned particularly after earlier when she seemed agitated.
“Has anyone spoken to the Inquisitor today?” enquired Josephine. “Perhaps she’s not well?”
“Josie, you know she would have sent word, she’s very conscious of being polite,” answered Leliana.
“I...saw her briefly earlier. She...she seemed a little out of sorts,” Cullen replied, rubbing his neck. He was still bothered by her reaction back in his office. He saw them both look at him.
“Maybe one of us should go and see where she is. Cullen, why don’t you go,” suggested Leliana.
“Alright,” and off he went.
When he was gone, Leliana looked at Josephine. “How long do you think it will take the two of them to work it out?” she asked, despairingly.
“Unless someone forces them to, I would say they’re unlikely to, at all,” Josephine sighed.
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As Cullen made his way up the stairs into the Inquisitor’s quarters, he could hear voices and laughter. The laughter sounded like Dorian. He walked up and stood at the top of the stairs. He could see the Inquisitor and Dorian sitting there on the couch by the fire drinking. She was supposed to be in a meeting and she was getting drunk? He walked over to them.
Dorian had heard Cullen coming up the stairs, and had distracted Lia until he heard him approach them. She had her back to him and couldn’t see him.
“Cullen, how nice to see you. Why don’t you come and join us?” he smiled and he could see the amazement on Cullen’s face as he looked at Lia.
“Inquisitor? We’ve got a War Council meeting...and you’re getting...drunk?” he reprimanded, his voice raised.
Perfect, thought Dorian, that’ll get her blood going. He watched Lia get up.
Lia had more than enough to drink to lower her normally calm exterior. She took two steps forward looking at Cullen, not steady on her feet, waving her hand, still clutching an empty glass.
“Yes...I’m getting totally pissed...Cullen...and it’s your fault.” She prodded his breastplate to emphasise her point. “You...you...and your damn...Templar armour...Maker’s breath,” she staggered closer, crashing against him. “You have...no fucking idea...do you?” she slurred loudly.
Cullen caught her by the shoulders. Dorian could see Cullen’s face, eyes wide now; he never heard her curse before, mainly because she didn’t. But she was on a roll. Dorian couldn’t wait to see where this was going.
“You stand there...with your...scar...and mouth...and eyes...and...I...” she came to a stop briefly staring at him. He thought Cullen was going to say something, but she carried on, leaning right into him now. “I...you...” she now had her arms around him. She’d stalled again, mainly because she was now hanging onto him.
“Inquisitor, don’t you think...” Cullen began hesitantly, but Lia was back on, she almost fell back as she let go, but he caught her again.
“Cullen...you don’t....that’s the problem...shit...Maker...I love you...and want you and...and your Templar armour...now you...know.” she wriggled out of his grasp and went down vertically onto her knees, and face forward into Cullen’s boots, now passed out. The glass rolled onto the carpet.
Maker, the girl had said it! He wasn’t sure she would, but out it came. And the shade of red Cullen was now sporting was something to behold. Dorian knew she would be annoyed with him for allowing her to do this, but he also knew she and Cullen would be dancing around each other if nobody stepped in.
Dorian got up. “I’ll give you a hand, Cullen. We should really get her somewhere more comfortable than on your boots. I’ll go and let her other advisors know she’s...indisposed. Perhaps you should stay with her just to make sure she’s alright,” he suggested.
“What? I don’t know if...” Cullen stumbled.
“For goodness sake. Do us all a favour and talk to each other. Both of you are driving the rest of us to distraction with this ‘will they thing’ you’re doing. She’s told you what she wants; you decide if that’s what you want.” His tone was sharp.
Dorian watched Cullen rubbing his neck, but the blush had gone down now. They both helped get her up, but Cullen picked her up and carried Lia to her bed. Dorian smiled. Good man, he thought. He watched as Cullen got a chair and sat next to her.
Time to make an exit, he knew Cullen wouldn’t abandon her; he was too much a gentleman.
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Cullen was watching Lia as she slept, thinking about what she said. He hadn’t been aware how strongly she felt about him, she’d never said anything. He couldn’t deny he felt the same about her, it had been that kiss back in Haven. But because she’d looked embarrassed, he didn’t bring it up afterwards.
She was certainly the most unusual female mage he’d met, she trained like a warrior, but that was because she was a battlemage like Dorian. That’s how they got together, swapping tips and stories and now virtually inseparable. He should have realised there would be sparks underneath that exterior, that was her speciality, storm.
Cullen saw her stirring and opened her eyes. She couldn’t have been out more than an hour. Her eyes, those ice blue eyes were striking with her jet black hair, cropped short and spiky. But they were warm, friendly eyes, and now watching him.
Lia woke to see Cullen sitting next to the bed. She felt woozy, and still a little drunk. He was smiling at her, or more accurately he had that smirk. For a moment she was confused, and then began to recall what happened. Oh...oh...it was hazy but she remembered enough. She pushed herself into a sitting position.
“Cullen...I...apologise, I may have been a tad direct,” she said, her voice a little hoarse. She must have been shouting.
“I just have two questions. Do you remember what you said?” he asked pointedly, watching for her reaction.
“Yes, most of it...” she ventured.
“Did you mean it?” he went on.
“About you, yes, and the...erm...” she blushed, embarrassed to say it. She wasn’t drunk enough now. In fact talking to him was sobering her up rapidly.
“Armour?” he inquired, smirking now. Maker, for a powerful woman, she blushed furiously.
“Quite,” Lia paused. “Maker, I’m going to kill Dorian slowly and horribly. He must have set me up after I told him,” she declared.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Cullen asked, now coming to sit with her on the bed.
“Are you serious?” she looked aghast at him. “I didn’t...don’t know how you feel... you’ve said nothing,” she challenged him to answer.
She saw him move forward, place his hands either side of her hips, and then lean in to kiss her. That was the first kiss. By the time that was almost over, the second one kicked in. This time her arms were around his neck, she was on her back and he was practically on top of her; his tongue hard in her mouth, her tongue rolling over his; a hard ache settling now in her lower back.
As he moved between her legs, she shifted to allow him access, both of them still fully clothed. Lia laced one hand into his hair and he moved one down to her hip. Maker, this was better than she remembered from Haven. She couldn’t work what he tasted of, but it was sweet. Then it occurred to her, she must taste of alcohol. Damn. She pulled away slightly.
“I’m sorry if I taste of wine,” she apologised. Then saw him roll his eyes. “Alright, I’ll shut up,” she laughed.
“You know long I waited for this, do you think I care about some wine?” he asked, and kissed her again. He wasn’t going to waste any of the opportunity he now had. He broke away and began to kiss her neck and felt her shifting slightly underneath him and sighing. He smiled against her neck and heard a giggle.
“You’re tickling when you do that,” she laughed.
“When I do what?” he asked, raising his head.
“When you breathe on me, I’m not complaining, trust me. But it tickles too,” she answered smiling. He thought she had the warmest smile he’d ever seen. It almost sang of safety.
“Did you want me to stop?” he teased.
She raised an eyebrow. “No way, as long as you can live with the occasional giggle. I’ve waited too long as well,” she sighed and leant her head back offering him more access. “I’m all yours, Cullen,” she breathed.
“Really? To do with as I wish?” he asked his voice rougher.
“Anything you want...” she offered, her voice a shade lower.
“You do know I will take you up on that,” he replied forcefully, tracing his tongue along her jaw.
She moaned, closing her eyes. “I want you to,” she gasped.
He could feel her lift her hips slightly pushing against him, and pushed back against her, forcing out another moan. He moved one hand down and cupped it between her legs. She groaned, and her head went back further. He pulled his hand up roughly sliding it over her as he moved to the laces on her pants.
“Yes...” came the reply before he’d even asked the question.
Then the door below opened, and footsteps started coming up the stairs.
“Andraste’s arse, get on the chair!” she whispered, pushing him off.
Cullen tumbled off the bed, and landed on the floor. Lia snickered and reached down to pull him up. He sat down, and then saw her waving her hand over her head. He got the message and smoothed his hair down, just as Leliana got to the top turn.
“Inquisitor, I hope you’re feeling better. Dorian said you were feeling unwell and sent your apologies,” she said with a slight question in her voice. Lia could tell she was assessing the situation.
“I am so sorry I couldn’t make to the meeting. I did feel unwell; it just came on quite suddenly. The Commander kindly agreed to stay just to keep an eye on me, as Dorian had to leave.” Lia was shamelessly lying now, and she got that Leliana knew that too, judging by the smile on her face. “But it seems to have passed over a little now. If you would let know me when it suits all of you to reschedule, I’m sure I’ll be fine for next time.”
“Of course, Inquisitor. I am pleased to see you improving. I’m sure the Commander’s company must have helped,” she lilted, the teasing more evident now. Lia could see Cullen’s head bob down slightly.
“Thank you, Leliana” she answered smiling, and watched as Leliana went down the stairs.
As soon as they heard the door shut, Lia was in hysterics.
“Cullen, your face! You look like been caught stealing sweets,” she joked.
“I was certainly nearly caught doing something,” he exclaimed, now smiling. “I swear that woman could have known exactly what by just looking at my face.”
“Most of the time she looks at people on the off chance they’ll give away something. You just need to bluff her out,” Lia advised, shuffling to the edge of the bed. “Anyway, what do we do now then?”
“Why don’t you come to my office later, and perhaps we can continue then, Inquisitor,” he said pulling her to him and kissing her again.
“I like the way you think,” she grinned. “And call me Li, unless you have something more imaginative in mind,” she stroked his back, down to his bottom.
“Just remember your promise,” he teased, kissing her neck, and then slapped her bottom before going.
“Trust me, I never forget a promise,” she called after him as he left.
“Oh yesss!” Lia couldn’t resist zapping a shot out of the open balcony door in sheer joy and anticipation, then went off to find Dorian.