BPS, Ch 4 – Adventure Time
We had to remind ourselves not to be so obvious with others around. Wynne knew, of course, and I had a feeling she shared this information with First Enchanter Irving. Thankfully, his rivalry with Greagoir meant he would never give away the secret of a harmless romance between a templar and someone who was no longer under their jurisdiction.
One by one, most of the other traveling companions of mine caught on as well. Since Cullen had to stay near the chantry, I spent most of my time there to be near him. He watched me as I read from the chantry's separate book collection - most of it centered around Andraste, the Golden City, the Black City, and many other religious topics. Leliana visited the chantry often, teasing me about suddenly acting "devout" though I had never shown an interest in religion before. I gave her dismissive remarks about always having been Andrastian and that it was not because of a certain handsome templar. Again, my smile gave me away, and again, I was told that I was a terrible liar.
When Cullen didn't have to stand watch over the chantry and the hallway around it, we spent our time talking about our time outside the Circle. He told me of his childhood, why he wanted to be a templar, and the areas of Ferelden he had seen. I spoke of what few memories I had from before coming to the tower, and mostly of my travels since being a Grey Warden. I left out most of the fighting, the countless creatures we fought and demons I faced. When we were out of things to say, a point it took very long to reach, we remained in each other's company, touching whenever we had the privacy to. From a chaste kiss to me leaning my head on his shoulder. Unfortunately, his shoulder guards would have been more difficult for him to shed than his gauntlets.
That gave me an idea, one I wondered if I would regret someday. I showed him the different spots we mages liked to take someone to for "privacy" without telling him what sort of interaction took place there. At first.
He became aware, though not fully, when I kissed him in one alcove. He gladly returned it before pulling away.
"I had never even thought about these places before." I admit, I was feeling adventurous and keenly wanted to see him blush.
"Well, it would be pretty awkward if you did happen upon some mages here. Exceedingly awkward," I emphasized.
"What-what do you mean?"
"Oh, you know." When his look remained puzzled, I gestured toward my robes and pretended to take them off. His eyes got huge before squinting into the most embarrassed expression I had ever seen.
"Oh... My goodness. That... Wha- here?" Success! He was as red as a tomato.
"Mhm. That isn't why I brought you here, by the way. Just to be clear."
"Maker, I - I mean, that's good because that would be really inappropriate and- ooh." Well, he was obviously aroused if the blush, the grin, and the shifting indicated anything at all. To test my theory, I kissed him once more. He pulled me to him tightly and kissed me more passionately than I thought possible.
Maker damn that armor. I settled for keeping my hands around his face. When he pulled away he was breathless.
"Don't tempt me like this, love. There is no way I could resist you." I cast an ice spell over us, not enough to do any harm but enough to have an arousal-dousing effect. Maker knows we needed it. He thanked me when he realized what I had done and why.
"While we are being rebellious, do you want to go to the basement?" I was playing a dangerous game. The temptation of having him alone aside, he could have gotten in trouble. If it came to that, I would have no choice but to recruit him. Suddenly the thought of him staying near me at camp, joking with me and Alistair by the campfire, and all the time I had to tease him overwhelmed the fear that he wouldn't pass the Joining when and if we ever had the means to make new Grey Wardens again.
"Why? What's there?" He seemed uncertain about breaking more rules at my command.
"Plenty of interesting things."
"There are dangerous, corrupted artifacts down there." His tone indicated he wanted to protect me from the evil below. Always the guardian templar.
"And privacy. I don't know about you, but I'm tired of keeping my voice low." Like everything else I suggested, he agreed to it.
I didn't know exactly why I wanted to go there. Maybe it was the thrill of all the forbidden fruits I was tasting - loving a templar, being able to get into most rooms without being shooed out by a senior enchanter or tranquil, not going to lessons. He and I wandered the halls of the basement until we got to the room with all the artifacts. I hadn't expected to see Morrigan there, and neither did he.
"Do not mind me," she casually called over her shoulder. I wondered, jealously, if I would have to cast another ice spell over him while he took in the sight of her in those rags. To my relief, he only expressed shock.
He stepped forward in full templar mode until I urged, "Don't mind her." He looked at me incredulously. "She's with me."
"You have an apostate with you?"
"She is useful, you can't have her. Now come." We avoided the phylactery chamber in case he had heard about the manner of my departure, and spent little time below. When my curiosity was satisfied, and the little bit he had was too, we returned to the main floor. I had to admit, it was fun exploring with him. That quelled my desire to take him away and adventure with him. We had our own private adventures.
As with the previous trip, I had to leave too soon.