Summary:
They've been dancing around it for awhile - it's about time these two just sucked it up and admitted it!
(they have to discover it first though)
Hope you enjoy this extra bonus snippet for the week!
Not in my normal writing style - so be gentle with me!
This was a fun challenge for me.
Notes:
No explicit content in this one - just some nudity and maybe a little ass kissing!
I can't be held responsible for the cavity inducing sweetness found within.
Ok... yes I can. It's all my fault. You're welcome.
All recognizable content belongs to Bioware/EA Games,
All twisted perversions therein,
I will take my own credit for, thank-you very much!
Declarations of Love
(In the Cocktails & Cheese Universe)
(Takes place between Chapters 16 & 17)
I woke slowly as if in a dream. It was almost surreal, the down bedding beneath me was soft and comfortable, cradling me in my twilight slumber. The top sheet draped softly over my legs and hips, leaving my upper body completely bare to the cool air in the room.
As the fog in my head began to clear, I realized that I was draped over someone warm, soft, and awake; his fingers gently stroking down my arm from shoulder to wrist. His lips laying gentle kisses on the top of my head.
Cullen.
Knowing that I was here, in his arms, I allowed myself to drift in a comfortable haze; not yet ready to face the day and ruin this moment. This was nice, this was comfortable, this was-home.
We'd fallen into a predictable routine. Of course we did, Cullen loves his routines. But I certainly couldn't fault them. Since Sunday was our one day off together, we always tried to spend it together from start to finish. Cullen would come in on Saturday night and watch me perform for the space of one drink, then he'd retire upstairs to wait for me.
Sundays were all about us. We'd wake up together at my house, spend the day doing whatever we wanted together: hang out, watch movies, go on hikes, we'd even occasionally go on real dates-like a normal couple. Whatever that means. Then since Cullen had to get up Monday morning to go to work, we'd generally retire for the evening at his place. Sundays quickly became my favorite day of the week.
When my shift ended, I made my way upstairs. Occasionally he'd wait up for me and be all curled up with a book and his reading glasses on. I may have a thing for Cullen in his dark-framed, reading glasses. But last night, I found him freshly showered and sprawled out, face down across the bed, the white sheet barely covering his ass.
Sweet Andraste, this man is pure sculpted muscle. Beautiful!
I love watching him sleep, those careworn lines always melt away leaving behind an almost happy expression. Can people look happy when they sleep? Most people tend to frown when their faces relax, but not Cullen, he looks positively peaceful and content.
I fought the urge to trace the ridges of every muscle on his body-with my tongue-and decided instead to behave myself by taking care of my evening ablutions first. He wouldn't go anywhere while I washed away the sweat and alcohol smells that tended to linger after a night of flipping bottles.
Once I was clean and dry, it was all I could do not to climb up on top of that delicious man in my bed. If there was one thing I'd learned after several months of being together, it was; you don't surprise attack the sleeping Commander.
Don't ask! It wasn't pretty, and we both felt bad afterward.
Placing my fingers on the inside of Cullen's ankle, I let them rest there for a moment, allowing him time to get acclimated to my presence. The change in his breathing let me know that he was present, if not fully awake. Smiling to myself, I climbed up onto the bed and slowly made my way up his calf with gentle touches and light kisses. When I reached his thighs, he spread his legs ever so slightly which caused the sheet to slip off completely.
Now, how am I supposed to resist that?
With one hand on his thigh and the other resting firmly on his other hip, I leaned over and placed a chaste kiss on one of his glorious cheeks. The slight shift and low moan that came from my dearest below me, told me that he knew I was there and it was safe to proceed. Taking it for the invitation it was, I kissed my way up the rest of his body.
Our love making was slow and sensual, full of every emotion we could pour into it. Every time he touched me, I felt worshiped and cherished. I never expected it to be like that. I never could have hoped for something so beautiful, so pure, so perfect.
Basking in the soft glow of the morning light and the warmth of my lover's arms around me, I reveled in my memories of our time together. As I lay there, a warmth began to seep through me. A certainty that I could no longer ignore. This wasn't just a minor infatuation, a crush to be taken lightly, or even a 'friends with benefits' kinda thing. This was so much more.
Cullen and I have only known each other for seven months. We've only been dating for five of those, but this-what we have together-is damn near everything to me. This right here, if I had to put a word to it, is love.
I've fallen in love with this amazing man; fully, completely, and unapologetically. Wholy shit!
A throaty chuckle rumbled through Cullen's chest, "Where has your mind gone to put that look on your face this morning?"
Taking stock, I realized that I probably had a dopey grin on my face. Pulling myself up to be face to face with this amazing man, I kissed him lightly on the lips then searched his eyes. I'm not sure what I was looking for, but what I found soothed any nerves I may have had about this current revelation. "I… was just thinking about this-about us-and something occurred to me."
"Something good by the looks of it. Care to share with the class?"
The amber of his eyes had a soft golden glow this morning; a happy sparkle that reflected the hope and safety that I felt whenever I was with him. Losing myself in that light for a moment, I traced the side of his face with my fingertip.
Unable to keep the wonder from my voice, I finally admitted, "I… love you, Cullen."
His eyes softened as he cupped my cheek. The same joy and wonder I felt was reflected completely in his smile as he whispered, "I love you too, Alistair."
End Notes:
This one is only lightly edited, any and all mistakes are my own!
Having said that, I want to give my thanks to Earl Greyer and Ponticle for giving me a read through which I promptly went back and changed stuff on after the fact! ;)