A/N: NSFW

Amell did something really stupid. She sneaked back into the Circle and went through the first enchanter's office. If she was caught, they would probably kill her on the spot or else drag her back to the dungeons and make her tranquil. She should have had Hawke do this but she felt so useless at the estate.

She nearly had a heart attack when Orsino caught her. "I would think you'd be miles from this place."

"I couldn't just leave the mages to this fate."

"What are you searching for in my office?" His voice was gentle with no trace of anger. She felt guilt for going through his things.

"Honestly? Searching for evidence of blood mages."

"You think I'm a blood mage?"

"No, but I had to be sure."

"Well you can keep searching if you need to. I have nothing to hide from you."

"Thank you, but that won't be necessary."

"I insist. I want you to trust me."

"Then I should tell you the truth." She explained her mission from the Divine.

"So what do you think the answer is?" he asked after she was done.

"The templars are too harsh and too many mages turn to blood magic out of desperation. I don't know what to do. This is too much for just me."

He reached out and rubbed her arm. "You don't have to do this alone."

She smiled at him, hoping she could trust her instincts to trust him.

"I feel responsible for what happened to you. If I hadn't gone to Meredith…"

"You couldn't have known what would happen. You aren't to blame."

"I still have a heavy heart about it. I… the Circle misses you."

"And I miss it to. Being an apostate is quite lonely."

"While I'm glad to see you, sneaking around the Gallows is too dangerous. If you were caught…"

"I know. I just like I can't help stuck on the outside."

"What can I do to help you?"

"Keeping me informed about things here."

"How?"

She took a deep breath. Could she really trust him? It was worth the risk to have someone on the inside.

"I'm staying at the Amell estate with Hawke. Send your messages there and I'll send back through Hawke."

"Are you safe there?"

"If you keep my secret."

"Of course I will. The last thing I want is something to happen to you."

"Thank you Orsino."

# # # # #

Cullen grabbed a drink at the Hanged Man. He had information about the hunt for Solona and planned on giving it to Hawke. He knew she often frequented the tavern. Months had passed and the templars had pretty much given up on finding Solona at all. He headed back to Varric's corner and was stunned to see Solona, her face covered but he'd know her anywhere. She was drinking and playing cards.

"Are you insane?" He grabbed her and pulled her to her feet, very careful in the amount of force that he used. Rage at her recklessness boiled inside of him.

"Cullen!"

"We need to talk, privately."

Anders looked like he was about to stop him when Solona put up a hand to quell him.

"Can we use your room Varric?"

The dwarf nodded.

He was still holding on to her arm as they walked up the stairs. Once the door was shut, he let her have it. "What were you thinking? Were you even thinking?"

"I couldn't spend another minute in that house. I needed to get out."

"Do you know how easily you could be spotted?"

"Not everyone knows me as well as you. I took precautions."

"That's not good enough, Solona."

"What do you want me to say? What can I do so you stop being angry at me."

He sighed, his anger unabated. Then he crashed his lips against hers. He didn't have the words to express how he felt so he would show her. The kiss was hungry and angry and she was moaning and she smelled so fucking good.

He unlaced her leather leggings and yanked them and her small clothes to the floor. His lips burned as he unlaced his own breeches and pulled himself out. He picked her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He pushed her against the door and sheathed himself inside of her. He groaned from the contact. Then he started thrusting inside of her, slamming her backside into the door. His pace was punishing. He wasn't gentle. He took out all of his fear and frustration, pounding her until her cries peaked and she came.

"Cullen, more." He silenced her with his mouth. Breathing hard he emptied himself deep inside her. It had never been like this between them before. Animalistic, primal. He kind of liked it. Okay more than kind of.

"Wow," he muttered as he lowered her to the ground. She redressed and he tucked himself away. There was no way their friends didn't hear that.

"Maybe I should get you angry more often."

"No more risks, Solona. Promise me."

"I promise I won't go out drinking again. But I can't promise there won't be risks."

He sighed and pulled her in for a gentle kiss. "I'm just worried."

"I know love, I'm sorry."

They walked back to their friends. Most of them were smirking, even Alistair. Anders looked like he was going to be ill.

"Now that I've been thoroughly chastised, it's time for me to take my leave."

"I'll get her home," Cullen said.

"The two of you can't be caught together. I'll take her home," Anders jumped in.

"That won't be necessary."

"Would you kill one of your own templars to make sure she's not taken back there?" There is no question Anders would. He had already done it before.

"It's okay Cullen. Anders can take me back to the estate. Why don't you enjoy the rest of your evening?"

I want to spend the rest of my evening with you, he thought. "Are you sure?"

She nodded. He watched her leave with another man.

"Care for a game Curly?"

# # # # #

Alistair was nervous. Hawke hummed to herself as she picked out her clothes for the day. Alistair was still in bed, naked. Today was the day. Today he would ask her to marry him.

He had been waiting to get his own jealousy under wraps. He finally could admit that that was why he had been holding so much against Cullen. He had never come to grips that the woman he used to love had always loved someone else. It had been easy to pretend when Cullen wasn't around. But now he had to face it. And facing it was easier than he thought. He would always love Amell but that love had faded into something else, something more akin to friendship. He wanted her to be happy and he couldn't ignore the fact that Cullen made her happy. Faking it helped until he really started to feel it. It was easier with Hawke. She brought him such joy that the thought of hurting her made him sick.

He got up and she approvingly ran her fingers up and down his body. "Stop being so tempting."

"You know I love you."

"And I love you too."

"I can't imagine ever feeling this way about anyone else. Will you marry me, Hawke?"

Her eyes got big and her mouth shaped like an O. He almost took it all back when she didn't respond. But then her beautiful face broke out into a huge smile and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Yes!"