She was beautiful, like something from a fairy tale. She walked with the grace of a queen, her full hips swaying with ease as she walked. Her brown hair shinning in the sun and flowing gently with the slight breeze that blew through Skyholds courtyard. Cullen exhaled slowly, his chest tight. "By the Maker, she is beautiful."
And walking straight towards him. His cheeks burned with the coming blush as he broke his gaze and scrambled for the reports on the makeshift table. "Do you have a moment, Commander?" Juliana Trevelyan asked, smiling lightly. Cullen glanced up to the Inquisitor, his breath catching in his throat. He cleared his throat, "Of course, my lady. I was just looking over some reports." He straightened his spine, clasping his hands behind his back.
It wasn't easy to remain formal with her. She detested it, in fact. However, it was harder to be the friend she clearly was seeking. Cullen tried to keep his thoughts pure, faithful, but he craved her.
He craved her soft lips on his skin, the feel of her curves under his hands, her hands tugging at his hair while… "Commander?" Her lyrical voice breaking through his day-dreaming.
He could feel the heat in his cheeks, and by the smile the Inquisitor was trying to repress, they were rose red against his pale complexion. "I… Yes, what was it that you needed, Juliana?" He asked, desperately trying to divert her attention back to why she had come.
Her smile was a full on grin now, "Juliana? Why, Commander, I do believe this is the first time you've referred to me by my name. It is usually 'Trevelyan' or most recently 'Inquisitor'." She leaned on the table, grinning at him with the most captivating smile he had ever witnessed. He could feel the heat rise to the tips of his ears now.
"I… I didn't mean… If you… I…" He stammered incoherently.
Juliana giggled, placing her hand on his shoulder plate. "Relax, Cullen. I like to believe we're… Friends."
She looked up to him, meeting his gaze. Her bright violet eyes spoke volumes to him, of the compassion and love she held for not just him, but for her people.
She truly was the Makers gift. "I- of course. I apologise. What can I do for you, Inq-Juliana?" She flashed her brilliant smile once more before the corners of her lips turned down, her eyes full of regret. "About… about Haven." She paused taking a deep breath.
He could see the tears she refused to shed. "How many… How…?" She was unable to finish.
He nodded, understanding her question and he hated the pain his answer would cause her. "Too many." He said softly, feeling the guilt for not protecting them as he should have. Juliana's hand slipped into his, squeezing for reassurance. "You did everything you could. If not for you, we all would be…" She shook the troubling thoughts from her mind. "I trust you implicitly, Cullen."
She met his gaze, and the trust he saw shook his very core. How could this woman possibly trust him? He was a Templar, she a Mage. He had heard the way she spoke of his Templar brothren, with such venom and hatred, he wondered how she even stood to look at him. The silence dragged on, and when her hand slipped from his, he missed the contact severely.
"Cullen, I'm… I'm glad you made it out safely." She looked at her feet, as if they had become the most interesting thing in Thedas. Her soft, brown hair fell around her face, obscuring the delicate features he loved so much.
With a deep inhale, he reach up with trembling fingers, brushing the silky hair behind her left ear. "I don't know what I would do if I lost you." He whispered before he could stop himself. She looked up, eyes wide with revelations and her lips twitching to smile. He removed his hand taking a slow backwards step.
"I," he cleared his throat, "I am needed in the war room, I will… See you later, Inquisitor." He bowed slightly at the waist, clasping his fist against his chest before turning around and half running up the steps into the great hall. He tripped on the way up and cursed under his breath, hearing the musical laughter that followed. "Makers breath, why?"
Finished the Cullen romance recently and absolutely loved it. Might continue this as well when I have time. Thanks for reading.