AN: A series of short stories chronicling the Cullen/Travelyan romance through Cullen's interactions with other members of the Inquisition, typically leaving Cullen embarrassed, flustered, etc. (which is why we all love him, isn't it?) This will go in chronological order of the game (at least as much as possible), meaning later chapters will most likely have spoilers for the end of the game.

Thanks for reading and please review!

Chapter 1 - Leliana

"It's almost… beautiful, isn't it?"

Leliana's voice snapped Cullen out of his thoughts as they both stared at the Breach from the spymaster's tent in Haven.

"It will be beautiful when we close it," he replied, turning back to their work. Who knew it took so much paperwork to start an inquisition?

"How are our soldiers looking?" Leliana allowed her gaze to linger on the ominous hole in the sky before fully returning to reality with her colleague.

"Incredibly varied," Cullen responded. "They come to us with all levels of experience and armor. It'll take a lot of time and effort to sort them into a cohesive army. On the bright side they're all very… enthusiastic about our cause."

"Not exactly Templars, are they?"

"Certainly not." Cullen smiled cheekily. "But that's not necessarily a bad thing. Nevertheless, I've written to a few Templars I suspect may have reached the end of their rope with the order. The more veterans we have on our side, the better."

As Cullen glanced around their struggling camp his eyes quickly fell on the newest face of the inquisition. Though they had met briefly near the breach, the attacking darkspawn made it difficult for the commander to truly take notice of her, but now he could hardly stop himself. Her fiery hair was pulled back into a hasty ponytail, leaving delicate waves to framer her pale face. A deep, fresh cut covered her left eye but was quickly forgotten once she revealed her sparkling green irises. She walked briskly with Cassandra to the Chantry building and Cullen, without realizing it, turned his body to watch their entire trek. Though the pair failed to notice him Leliana did not and her laugh quickly brought his attention back to the spy.

"Beautiful… isn't she?" Leliana asked as she continued her taunting laugh.

Cullen's face reddened and he tried to cover it with a stern glare. "Excuse me, Madame Spymaster, but is it not part of my duties to be familiar with the members of this Inquisition? Forgive me for doing my job."

But this didn't hinder Leliana's amusement. "Well, since you're so familiar with the 'members of this Inquisition'…" She swiftly pointed at a nearby scout, who trembled at the sudden attention placed on him, and asked, "What's his name?"

Cullen's mind raced. He had seen the scout's face many times before but the name eluded him. It began with a P… or a B… Q? "I don't have time to play your little games, Leliana," he replied and brought a piece of paper absurdly close to his tomato-red face.

Leliana chuckled and dug through a pile of reports. Upon finding the correct one, she read it aloud to Cullen who was still pretending to read. "Rhysa Evelyn Trevelyan: member of the noble house Trevelyan of Ostwick. The youngest child of Bann Reynold Trevelyan, Rhysa accompanied members of her extended family to the Conclave, where she emerged as the incident's sole survivor, now bearing a strange 'mark' on her left hand. It is still unknown if this 'mark' was a side effect of the Breach or its cause."

By the time Leliana stopped reading Cullen had put his paper down and now stared at the Chantry building the Lady Trevelyan had entered. "The Herald of Andraste?"

"So people say." Leliana threw the report back onto the pile. "In fact, we're supposed to be officially meeting her about now. You'll have more time to stare."

"I wasn't staring!" Cullen protested. "I've already told you I was just… noticing. I notice people."

Leliana sauntered off in the same direction as the Herald, laughing, "Whatever you say, Commander."