Here's the next chapter nice and early as a little Christmas present! Enjoy!

4. Cullen

Her car is quite retro, and the bobblehead on the dashboard makes me smile. It had taken my every strength to not accept her lift in the first instance, but when she had insisted and repeated my line from earlier, I relented, not as reluctant. Even so, as soon as she had mentioned the word 'boyfriend', all glimmer of hope had extinguished. Still, as I fasten my seatbelt as she pulls away, I muse that she's so … likeable, that maybe being friends wouldn't be too difficult. Perhaps this strange little crush I'm developing will be something we laugh about as friends in a few months.

Even as I reassure myself of this, I can't help but feel deflated. In the last few months of a spiraling darkness, the song of lyrium tempting me, she has already been a bit of a beacon. I shake my head at the thoughts - I've only just met her! And yet meeting her, and being in her company has been a highlight.

"Are you ok?" she asks, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I nod and open my mouth to reply with some small talk, but her phone vibrates nosily on the dashboard. Her eyes flick to it, but she keeps driving, ignoring it.

"Do you want me to get it?" I ask awkwardly.

"Can you see what the ID says?" she says, concentrating on driving.

I reach for her phone and see a selfie of Lyla and a guy - who I assume is her boyfriend - with the ID 'Solas'. In the image, Lyla is grinning at the camera, her smile bright but not reaching her eyes and the man next to her has a whisper of a smile, but his face is stern, his eyebrows furrowed, his strong jaw jutting as if to protest.

"It says Solas…?"

"What, again?" She glances at me. "Just ignore it. I'll call him when I'm home."

I pop her phone on silent but it still insists on vibrating for another minute. We continue in silence until I feel brave enough to break it once the phone has stopped.

"So how long have you two been together?"

"Hmm, a few years now. We're high school sweethearts," she chuckles darkly, no trace of a smile. I shift uncomfortably in my seat and turn to look out of the window, Skyton's Satinalia lights flashing by us.

"Is he at university too?" I ask conversationally.

"Yeah, in Denerim."

Silence again, and I can tell I need to drop the topic. Something pulls in my stomach which I try to ignore. I study her reflection in the window. She's chewing her bottom lip, glancing in her mirrors as she indicates off a deserted roundabout. I see her glance at me, but I don't think she can see that I'm looking at her, and assumes I'm just looking at the window. But her gaze lingers, and something in her expression changes - it softens. No, surely not. I just want to think that it's softening when looking at me. She has a boyfriend. High school sweethearts. I must remember that.

Lyla pulls up outside of my old house, the one she now lives in. It's only as she cuts the engine does she realise.

"Oh Creators, sorry! I was in autopilot. Where's your house-"

"It's ok, it's just around the corner, I'll walk."

She smiles meekly and I climb out, not wanting to leave her company, yet desperate to be away at the same time. "Thanks for the lift," I supply, rubbing my neck.

"Any time."

She gives me a small wave and I turn down the street towards my cold mattress on the floor, craving for sleep but not wanting to be alone at all. Halfway down the road I peer over my shoulder to see her hesitate at the front door, keys in hand. Lyla looks in my direction, so I pick up my pace, my back to her and try not think about what that might mean, if anything.

I wake around midday, stretching luxuriously at the fact that I've had a lie-in for the first time in months. I can't remember having such a dreamless sleep - I relish the fact. I roll onto my side, squeezing my eyes tight shut, desperate to make the most of more sleep, but it evades me. Nonetheless, I try for a few minutes until I give up and reach for my phone. I open a text from Cassandra:

Cassandra P
[Hey. Want to pop over for a coffee?]

The thought of caffeine and of possibly seeing Lyla again makes me sit up and stretch. I jump in the shower, avoid my housemates and dash out of the door, arriving at my old house only half an hour later. I ring the doorbell, my stomach doing all sorts of twists for reasons I'm reluctant to admit as to why.

Sera tugs the door open. "Oh hey, Cully Wully."

"Please don't call me that," I sigh, following her into the house.

"No way," she replies, grinning wickedly. I roll my eyes and head to the living room where Cassandra is reclining on the sofa, her legs tucked under her and her eyes glued to the television. I'm disappointed to see that she's alone.

"Cullen! I knew the thought of coffee would bring you here," she smiles.

I sit on the other sofa and stifle a yawn. "Everything alright?"

Cassandra leans back on the sofa and closes the door with her hand before turning seriously to me.

"Lyla's boyfriend is here," she says in a low voice.

I still, wanting very much to walk straight out of the house. There is no way I want to meet her boyfriend.

"So?" I say, in a strained voice.

Her eyes narrow. "That's the thing - he's just here, and Lyla's not." I frown so she continues. "Lyla picked him up from the station this morning, they went straight upstairs to her room, got reacquainted, shall we say, then she left to go to the shops, but he didn't go with her."

I spread my hands. "And that's a problem…?"

"I do not like him, Cullen," Cassandra states, crossing her arms. "Lyla's been gone for almost an hour and he's just be sat in her room, not coming down to talk to any of us."

"Well, you are kind of terrifying," I smirk.

She throws a cushion at me, which I catch. "This is serious! There's something about him, I just can't place…"

The living room door opens and Lyla pops her head in and I hold my breath. "Hey Cassandra, can I borrow your phone charger? Oh hey Cullen," she smiles.

"Yeah, let me just grab it," Cassandra says, reaching to a plug socket by the television.

"Is it still ok for us to come to the cinema tomorrow?" Lyla asks me.

"Of course," I reply instantly. "Although…"

"No worries if not," she says quickly, tugging her hair behind her ears. I'm distracted for a moment when I see her sleeve slip down her arm a little and I glimpse what looks like a bruise on her wrist. She follows my eyes and quickly pulls up her sleeve to cover it. I frown then shake my head.

"Um, I was going to say that perhaps I ought to give you my number, so you can let me know what screening you want to come to," I say, my mouth dry.

"Oh! Good idea." Lyla pulls her phone out of her back pocket and swipes it open before passing it to me. "Punch your number in and I'll save it."

It's such a casual thing, but I oblige with a smile, feeling Cassandra's eyes flicking between us. Once done, I save my number as 'Cullen Rutherford (from work)' and pass it back to her.

Lyla's eyebrows rise. "'Rutherford from work', huh?" she smiles. "Perhaps that should be your new nickname."

"Well it's better than what Sera insists on calling me."

"And what's that?"

"Nevermin-"

"Cully Wully," Cassandra interrupts with a laugh.

A grin breaks out onto Lyla's face and she laughs too, lifting my heart, even if I'm totally mortified.

"Thanks, Cass," I mumble.

"Oh, she was going to find out sooner or later," the Nevarran woman chuckles.

"I'd better go. Nice to see you!" Lyla says, backing out of the room, the door closing behind her.

"…Cullen?"

I look at Cassandra, realising I'd been staring after Lyla. I rub the back of my neck.

"Do you… do you like Lyla?" she asks, coming to sit next to me.

I shrug. "Sure. She's a nice girl."

"I mean like, like," Cassandra prods.

Of course I know what she means. I avoid her gaze. "What does it matter? She's got a boyfriend."

"Indeed," she replies, turning back to the tv.

We sit and watch some awful daytime reality show in silence, my mind elsewhere. I try not to think of her lying on my old bed being intimate with that miserable guy I saw on her phone. My thoughts then imagine what I would do if I was up there with her, and not him. I shift on the sofa and stand abruptly, banishing those thoughts. Maker's breath…

"Shall I make that coffee you promised me?"

I sit at the tiny little cinema box office, prepping the tills ready for the first showing of the day. It's quiet here, and gives me a good chance to catch up on emails or read a book in-between screenings. I'm not on projection duties today, so I'm mostly on my own, serving occasional mid-week customers. I've been so engrossed in the novel I'm reading that I get a start when my phone vibrates in my pocket. I curiously open a text from an unknown number.

Unknown
[Hey Cullen, it's Lyla Lavellan! Is it still ok to get two tickets for the film later? We were hoping to come to the 5pm screening.x]

I rub my hands together, thinking of a dozen ways in which I can respond. I end up deleting and rewriting my reply several times over the next half an hour until I finally say:

[No problem at all. Just come to the Box Office and I'll give you your tickets. x]

I then glance at the clock and wait with a strange mix of excitement of seeing Lyla again but also dread at knowing that I'm actually going to have to meet her boyfriend. There's no getting around it. The afternoon drags on and I keep looking at the clock, almost hoping she changes her mind and doesn't come to the cinema. But I'm wrong.

It's Solas who enters the foyer first, looking around with narrowed eyes, his nose scrunched up as if he can smell something unpleasant. I recognise him instantly from his caller ID on Lyla's phone. Then she herself steps into the foyer behind him, head bowed, only looking up when they approach the Box Office. With a start I realise that her eyes are rosy and red, as if she's been crying. I try not to stare but it's hard when Solas looks so unimpressed an uninterested in everything.

"Hello Lyla," I say softly, and Solas turns his full attention to me, his eyes piercing as if he can read my thoughts.

"Solas, this is Cullen, who I work with at the Herald's Rest," Lyla explains, her voice quiet, neutral and unlike her. "Cullen, this is Solas-"

"Her boyfriend," he interjects, crossing his arms.

I ignore his tone and pull the tickets out from under the counter. "Nice to meet you," I say tightly, feigning a smile, not taking my eyes off Lyla.

Solas snatches the tickets from my hand, and grips Lyla by the elbow, insisting she follows him. They walk towards the screen and I peer out of the box office, watching with concern. As Solas checks the tickets, Lyla tries to look at me over her shoulder, but Solas does not miss a trick and pulls her into the screen.

I try to continue my duties, serving other customers for the screening without being distracted, but all I can think about is Solas and Lyla, and how he had acted with Lyla. Her face swims in my mind with her head bowed and eyes red, and I can't help but worry. A friend would worry, right?

When the film is on and there is silence in the foyer, I sweep the floor and run a few tasks. I hear the screen door open, a snippet of the movie leaks out before quickly being silenced. Lyla walks meekly out, looking around hesitantly. I pause and watch as she rubs her eyes, chewing her bottom lip and take a steadying breath.

"Lyla?" I enquire, my voice low.

She jumps. "Oh, Cullen! You made me jump!" she says, her voice tight.

I rest my broom against the wall. "Is everything alright?"

"Hmm? Oh yeah, just a bit of a sad movie," she lies. "I'd hate to blubber in front of a full cinema."

I know for a fact that even though it's a drama, that it is in no way a sad movie. I frown and open my mouth to say something, anything, but the door to the screen opens again and Solas steps out, looking between us.

"Let's go," he says. It's not a question. Lyla meekly follows him.

"Not enjoying the movie then?" I say lightly.

All I get is a glare from Solas before he pushes the doors open, Lyla trailing behind him. I watch them leave, resisting the urge to reach out, to question, to interfere. Instead I resume my sweeping knowing that it's really none of my business.

Facepage group chat:

Cassandra P.
Cullen, did you see Lyla and Solas at the cinema last night?

Cullen R.
Yeah. I see what you mean about Solas.

Cassandra P.
Really? What makes you say that?

Cullen R.
Seems a jerk tbh. Think he hates me, but the feeling is mutual.

Cassandra P.
He acts the same with Dorian. I think he gets jealous.

Cullen R.
Of Dorian?!

Cassandra P.
I know right.

Dorian P.
Excuuuuuse meeeee!

Cullen R.
Sorry Dorian, I don't think you're Lyla's type.

Cassandra P.
But you are? ;-)

Dorian P.
Oh what's this?!

Cullen R.
Nothing.

Dorian P.
Must be MORE than nothing: Cass never uses winky faces!

Sera
SOLAS IS A PRAT.

Dorian P.
Thank you for your input Sera. We have already agreed on that fact.

Sera
Wait does cully wully have a CRUSH. ?

Cullen R.
Please stop.

Sera
OMG CASS U WERE RITE!

Dorian P.
I knew it! 33

Cullen R.
I didn't say anything…?!

Cassandra P.
But you don't deny it, do you…

Cullen R.
I think you're all forgetting that she has a boyfriend.

Sera
Yeah a boyfriend WHO IS A TOTAL PRAT.

I end up working with Lyla at the Herald's Rest during the week leading up to Satinalia. By chance, I'm working every single shift with her, although by the way Leliana smirks at me whenever I mention as much, I know that she's been talking to Cassandra and Dorian. It's obviously not a coincidence.

Lyla speaks nothing of the cinema trip, and I'm loathe to bring it up, so leave it be. Indeed, she doesn't even mention Solas at all, only to say that he went back to Denerim a day later, and that she's driving up there for Satinalia celebrations. Whenever I ask of she's got any plans whilst in Denerim, she swiftly changes the subject and we end up slipping back into what's becoming a very natural routine of working around each other during busy times at the bar. She ducks if I need to reach over her for a glass, or I lean back if she has to get something in front of me on the bar.

In any downtime at the pub we converse easily, and I find myself stammering less around her and actually becoming to consider her as a friend. She brightens and laughs more in the days after Solas' departure and I can't help but think the two are connected. But I know our friendship is still new, and to pry with concern would be just a little too soon to test the boundaries of our friendship.

Instead we work like a well-oiled machine, and she often gives me a lift home from work, if we're both working late. The car journeys are less uncomfortable and more relaxed and I find my disappointment of her having a boyfriend fading.

It's the eve of Satinalia, and when she pulls up outside of the house late in the afternoon before her drive to Denerim, she touches my arm, stopping me from leaving.

"Cullen," she says slowly.

I look at her, noting her downcast face. "You ok?"

She nods and smiles, reaching behind the driver's seat. "Yeah… here you go - Happy Satinalia."

Lyla holds out a red envelope with my name on it in loopy handwriting. I offer her a lop-sided grin as I say, "And here I didn't get you anything."

"Oh, that's ok! I wasn't expecting anything…"

I grin. "Well neither was I." Excitedly, I pull a small box out of my jacket and hold it in my hands, but Lyla doesn't notice.

"It's nothing really! I just… just wanted to say thanks for putting up with me." Her cheeks are tinged with pink, and she can't seem to look at me.

"There's nothing to 'put up with,'" I say honestly, taking the envelope from her and opening it. The card is small and square with a traditional Satinalia country scene on the cover. I open it and read her short message, but there's a little sachet stuck to the inside.

"It's a portion of the most expensive coffee," she explains hurriedly. "Thought you might enjoy it, although I couldn't afford more, so make the most of it."

I laugh and look at her, astounded by her thoughtfulness. "You shouldn't have - thank you."

"I know we haven't been friends long, but I saw this coffee and knew I had to get it. Sorry if it's strange to give you a gift and-"

I hold up a hand smiling. "Lyla, why are you apologising for giving a gift?"

She tilts her head to the side. "You know, I don't know why. If you don't like it tough - it's the thought that counts."

"Yeah, but I love it," I laugh, bringing the sachet up to my nose to smell. "It's actually my favourite coffee."

"Hmm, now you're just being over-polite."

"Nope, honestly."

"Well then you've got very expensive tastes."

We laugh and fall into a companionable silence. I stuff the card carefully back in the envelope and pass her the little box. She frowns as she accepts it.

"What's this…?"

"A gift."

"Well obviously, but… but why?"

I shrug. "I like buying gifts for everyone," I lie smoothly, my answer already prepared. "Although Dorian took it completely the wrong way the first time I bought him a Satinalia gift."

She chuckles and opens the box, my breath held in anticipation. Lyla gasps a little 'oh' as she pulls out the simple necklace with a book pendant on the end.

"I…I'm…" she stammers.

"Look closer at the book," I say, pointing.

She brings it up to her face. "Jayne Ayres!" she mouths in surprise.

I rub the back of my neck, my stomach twisting in glee at her reaction. She looks between me and the gift and back again before twisting in her seat and leaning forward to hug me. I instantly freeze, my hands clammy, unsure how to react. She chuckles and pulls away, patting my arm fondly.

"Sorry, I should've mentioned that I'm a bit of a hugger."

I scramble for something to say but she just chuckles and glances at the time on her dashboard. "Oh shit, I've got to go."

"Sorry!" I say, pushing open the passenger door. I finally get out the car, loathe to leave her company. "When are you back in Skyton?" I ask.

She shrugs, leaning over the passenger seat. "Not sure yet. I'll give you a text. And Cullen?" I pause. "Thank you."

I smile. "Happy Satinalia - drive safe."

She waves and pulls away, leaving me standing on the side of the road, her card clutched in my hands, looking after her long after the little red car has disappeared.