A Walk on the Battlements

One night, Eve woke in a cold sweat, Cullen's name on her lips. Trembling, she lay in bed trying to clear the terrible images from her mind. The nightmare had consisted of the worst times in her life: the horrors of Uldred's rebellion mixed with the attack on Haven and the horrifying scene at the Temple. There had even been a moment from her time in solitary, and just for good measure, her time with the Envy Demon had been thrown into the mix, and throughout it all, her mother's voice had been whispering words of hate.

That recollection made her climb out of bed and walk onto the balcony. Tilting her head back, she let the cool breeze brush away the remnants of the nightmare while looking at the stars that were shining brightly in the clear, night sky. But even that lovely sight couldn't dispel the fear completely.

"Sod it." Dressing quickly, she made her way outside, shivering and pulling her coat tighter as a gust of wind blew around her. She wandered over to some stairs that led to the battlements and was about to ascend when a familiar voice stopped her. "Who's there? Identify yourself!"
"Ah, it's me." She rolled her eyes at the unhelpful reply. "It's Eve," she amended.

By that time, Cullen was already close enough to see that for himself. Taking her foot off the step, she turned around to face him.
"Maker's breath, Eve. What are you doing walking around at this time in the morning?"
"I couldn't sleep. I thought a bit of fresh air might help."

He looked at her for a moment and then climbed the stairs. Eve was about to follow when her gaze landed on his ass. The leather trousers stretched over his firm backside with every step he took. It was a stunning sight, and she felt flushed with the heat of arousal.
"Are you coming?" he shouted down.
She thought there was a very distinct possibility of that happening, especially if he climbed up a few more flights of stairs. Feeling flushed, and wishing for another gust of cold wind to cool her heated skin, she pushed aside the naughty thought and followed him.

When she reached the battlements, she asked, "For that matter what are you doing up?" His eyes wouldn't meet hers. "I'm on night duty."
"Have you forgotten that you were working all day, too?"
"No, of course, I haven't forgotten. It's just that..."
"It's just that you can't sleep either, right?"
He chuckled, "I did get some, but yes, once I'm awake I find it difficult to fall asleep again."

With an understanding nod, she said, "I have the same problem, sometimes. Although not as often as you, I suspect."
He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck. "It's not as bad as it used to be, and... and I think maybe you should return to your quarters and get some sleep."
Eve wondered what he was really going to say as she shook her head. "No, I'm still not tired. Do you want a silent companion while you continue your night duties?"
He gave a little snort of laughter. "Silent?"
She slapped his arm, her expression indignant. "I can be quiet when I want to be."
"Is that so? You were the chattiest one in the Circle."

"That's not true. What about Andrea? She was always talking."
He seemed to consider the matter. "Was she the one with the pink hair?"
"Yep."
"Maker, how did she get it that colour?"
Eve laughed. "She had a bit of an accident while trying to mix a potion."
He let out a shout of laughter, which he quickly muffled with a hand over his mouth.

They made their way along the battlements while talking. He stopped and turned Eve so that she found herself looking at the most incredible sight. Stretched out below was the frozen lake surrounded by snow covered mountains, and the silver of the moon highlighting the whole scene.
"It's beautiful," she whispered.
"Yes."
There was an underlying warmth in that one word and she turned to find his eyes fixed on her rather than the landscape. Feeling breathless, she watched as he moved towards her. The cold stone pressed against Eve's back as he leaned forward, placing one hand on the wall behind her, his head dipped...
"Commander?"

Maker's balls, not again!

He cursed, turned, and stalked towards the soldier stood a few feet away. "What?!"
"Oh, sorry, Ser. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't an intruder."
Cullen's jaw twitched. "All right. Keep up the good work. Why don't you check around near the gardens? I've got this area covered."
The soldier's eyes flickered over to Eve, then straight back to Cullen. "Yes, Ser. I'll head there right away."

She sighed, another moment lost, and who knew how long it would be before they reached that point again. She gave him a small smile, "It's all right if you-"
Without a word, he strode towards Eve, cupped her face in his hands and captured her lips in a hungry kiss.
After the initial gasp of surprise, she sighed softly and slipped one hand into his hair. The kiss deepened into something passionate and needful. They broke apart, cheeks flushed, chests heaving. "I'm sorry... that was... um... really nice."
"That was perfect."
"Oh." That crooked smile appeared. "Good."

He leaned in again and their lips joined in a slower, sensuous kiss, each taking their time to taste and explore. Eve moaned as his hands smoothed over the curve of her hips; he answered with a groan - his hands weren't the only ones doing some exploring. They broke apart, breathless and grinning like fools.

"I've wanted to kiss you for a long time; actually, from the moment I first saw you," Eve admitted with a blush. He chuckled and his thumb slid gently along her bottom lip. "I've wanted to kiss you for some time too. Longer than I care to admit."
She smiled teasingly. "Oh? Do tell."
His mouth moved close to her ear. "Since that night you watched me in the library."

If he heard her swift intake of breath, he didn't show it, but carried on talking. "I'd just been told I was being transferred to Kirkwall. Part of me rejoiced at leaving the tower, but there was something pulling at me to stay there. I couldn't figure out what it was. So I went for a walk to clear my head, and found myself in the library by your window seat. I'd only been there a minute or two when you entered."
"I've always wondered; how did you know I was there?"
"I knew your scent off by heart, and I felt calmer, something that I'd come to realise only happened when you were near me. That's when I knew just how much I cared for you. I thought it was best that I leave; you would have been too much of a temptation for me, and I wasn't in the best frame of mind back then."

His arms tightened. "I wasn't going to say anything that night, but I couldn't deny myself one final look at you. I heard the break in your voice but I kept walking. Then I heard you sob, and I almost went back to you. That was the first time I wanted to hold and kiss you. But I knew it wouldn't have worked out, not with how things stood, not with the way I was."

He pulled back and lifted her face with one well placed finger under her chin. "Oh, Maker! I'm sorry, Eve. I didn't mean to upset you." His thumbs wiped away the tears.
"You didn't," she said with a hiccup. "It's just that I never knew you had feelings for me, and now you're here, and I'm in your arms, and..."
"So... happy tears?"
She nodded and chuckled. Then his lips were on hers, and the tears were forgotten in the pure joy of the moment; of finally being in the arms of the man she loved.

As the first rays of dawn lit the sky, they deemed it time to return to their own quarters. Cullen watched her walk down the stairs. "That's a very nice view."
She turned quickly, staring at him in surprise, and then chuckled at the mischievous gleam in his eyes. She had no idea that the Commander could be so naughty.

"I thought you were a gentleman." Eve adopted a dignified tone.
"Oh, I am, but it seemed only fair, seeing as you were staring at my backside when I climbed the stairs earlier."
"I... ah... you noticed that did you?" A flush covered her cheeks. "Well, you do have a very nice bottom."

He walked down the stairs and pulled her into his arms. "Do you have any idea how adorable you are when you blush?"
Of course, that just made her blush even more. Which, in turn, led to more kissing. She was in the middle of trying to climb his body while teasing his tongue with hers when they found themselves being addressed.
"Good morning, Commander. Nice to see you," Leliana cleared her throat, "up so early. I'm sure I'll see you at the war table later, Inquisitor." Her soft chuckle drifted away as she left.

There was a soft flush to his cheeks, and Eve stroked her thumb over it. "I think there might be some talk about us. Is that..." she faltered, knowing how private he was. "Is that going to be a problem?"
He leaned into her hand. "I admit I'd rather keep my... our personal life private. But I'd be more upset if there was nothing for them to talk about."
She smiled. "So would I."