"You can't keep doing this."

Barris snapped back to focus, even automatically adopting a typical, attentive stance to really put the point across. Which of course made what he definitely wasn't doing pretty obvious to Cullen, who was now snickering at the display. "Maker, that was terrible. Were you thinking of handling her again?"

"I, uh, I have no idea what you're talking about." Barris scanned around for something neutral to look at. Anything that wasn't Skylar sparring in yet another form fitting top…but this one left her arms bare, only being held together by two thin straps over her shoulders. It must have been the same one she wore when he first saw her in Val Royeux...not that he should be that familiar with her wardrobe…Maker help him.

It was a wonder she was even warm enough given their setting. The training fields by the pond were always subjected to the icy winds coming from the mountains. Right. The training fields. You know, where you're supposed to be working…

Cullen shook his head as he studied his friend. "She's single, you know."

Barris's eyes bulged. For a moment there, Cullen was sure the guy was blushing. "Uh, what? Who?"

"Oh, no one." He smirked mischievously. "Just a particular person you've been ogling."

"Ogling? What?"

Cullen chuckled. "Just admit it, man. You'll feel better."

"I, uh…"

Whatever half-hearted protest he had planned was cut off when he was distracted once again. He watched Skylar use one of her frost spells to freeze Solas in place—much to the apostate's apparent disdain. From what he had gathered, Solas had been trying to teach her how to fight like a 'proper mage' and Skylar wasn't taking too kindly to his rigid lessons. Instead, she was doing everything she could to do things her own way. Barris couldn't help but smile at that. Stubbornness was a trait he could relate to. But somehow when it was her, the relatability turned into something ridiculously close to worship. Maker, did she make things complicated…

The more time Barris spent around her, the more obvious his damned obsession was becoming. He wasn't even certain he could still classify it as a crush at this point. After Theirinfall, he knew he'd kill for her—die for her, even, if it came to that. Now that seeing her everyday was routine practice, he suddenly couldn't leave his duties fast enough. She'd changed his entire lifelong work ethic with something as simple as a standing lunch date. He felt compelled to answer her every complaint, to fix her every little problem, to rescue her, to accompany her. He'd been reassuring himself that the feeling would subside; that it was just because she happened to be beautiful. But then Theirinfall happened. And his excuse became more complicated: he just felt so strongly because of her connection with Andraste. It was utter bullshit and he knew it, but admitting to himself that he was already so far gone felt so…dangerous. He had to separate her from Andraste in his mind. Skylar was beautiful and breathtaking in so many different ways. It had to be different. He certainly couldn't reconcile thinking certain…inappropriate thoughts about a holy prophetess.

And even that was bordering on driving him crazy. Sure, he'd had a few girlfriends over the years, and he was certainly wasn't 'pure' or 'untouched' in the ways the Chant would describe. But he'd never before had thoughts that made him feel like he was suddenly some kind of drooling lecher. His only saving grace was that he was the only one who would ever know about them. Maker, the thought of her ever hearing his base thoughts, or worse: seeing what he dreamed of…she probably wouldn't speak to him again—and he wouldn't blame her.

At least their most recent adventure together had been a much more relaxing one. He knew he had a ton of paperwork to do last night, the rest of the lieutenants would be arriving soon. There was so many little details he hadn't taken care of yet, but there he was at her apartment. He didn't even like video games, but watching how happy it made her completely changed it. They had stayed up until the early morning hours, and all their only activities consisted of her "indoctrinating" him into her "nerdery" and repeatedly raiding her kitchen for snacks. Now suddenly Barris was confident he could recite every second "fun-fact" about Skyrim and its' own political factions and cultures. He hadn't even realized how late it was until she had slumped against him on the couch. She was fast asleep, so tired she couldn't keep her eyes open or hold her own weight up anymore. He struggled hard to do the right thing there—at least, what felt like the right thing. He wanted to find an excuse to fall asleep with her, to be able to wake up next to her and let her be the first sight he saw in the morning…but it wasn't right. It was way too early for that. She might not have even wanted him to be there as late as he was. Not to mention, the possibility of him talking in his sleep was too embarrassing to risk it.

Maker damn him. This was insane. It was foolish. It was irresponsible, almost childish behavior. If anyone of his templars did anything like this, he'd be scolding them all the way to the Chantry. But for her…it was all different, it was acceptable. He found himself fighting against the recent realization that he was feeling something so much stronger than a simple crush…

Cullen nudged Barris with his elbow, suddenly bringing him back to reality. "Talk to her."

"What? No, no. I shouldn't disturb her."

"I seriously doubt that you'd be bothering her."

Barris tore his gaze away for just a moment to give Cullen a skeptical look, hoping it would be enough for him to drop the subject.

Cullen simply smirked, leaning in a little closer so he could speak just a little more discreetly to him. "Rumor is she likes templars."

"What? That doesn't—no, there's no way—who said that?"

"Leliana."

"Leliana?"

"Oh, now you believe it." Cullen could practically see the gears turning in his friend's head. He absently wondered if he was that bad when he met his wonderful wife.

"Did she, uh, say anything else?"

"Just that she's got some things best left for Tabris herself to tell. I get the impression she's had…bad experiences…with men."

Barris's eyes narrowed. Angry outrage started brewing in the back of his mind. But he schooled it back down momentarily with the logic that it was just a rumor right now. "If you're implying what I think you are, then that's all the more reason to leave her alone."

His mind threatened to swirl uncontrollably with anxious thoughts. Maybe he was a total idiot for not knowing that. Maybe there was some sort of sign or indication he missed while he was recklessly gawking at her. Maybe he overstepped yesterday…Maker, he prayed that them being alone together didn't frighten her…

"Or," Cullen countered, mercifully halting the mental spiral. "You might just be exactly what she needs. Someone who will treat her properly, help her heal."

Barris scoffed. "When did you become such a bloody romantic?"

Skylar seemed to have completed her match with Solas, backing away from him with a rude gesture—which she apparently was using as a goodbye. She looked right over at Barris as she strolled towards the gate, waving at him with a knowing smile. Barris was nearly dumbstruck. He barely managed to wave back with what was likely a goofy grin on his face. Her smile got noticeably bigger before she disappeared beyond the gate.

"Told you." Cullen said simply, feigning a great interest in the tablet in his hand.

Barris took a deep breath; the kind one does before attempting something reckless. He took off after her, probably a little faster than would have looked normal. He did his best to ignore the concerned onlookers but he still felt the weight of their gaze on him. Thankfully, she hadn't made it to her apartment yet.

"Lady Herald, a word?" Before I lose my nerve…

She was already smiling when she turned to look at him. Her eyes shined so brightly. Even in her disheveled state, she was breathtaking. It was nearly enough for him to lose focus right there. "What's up?"

Ah shit. Maker's fucking breath, I hadn't gotten that far—quick! Make something up, man! "Oh, I was just, uh, well, I was wondering if you would, um…"

Skylar grew a prideful grin as she watched him stumble. But she waited patiently. Knowing that she was distracting him was more than enough to keep her undivided attention on him—not that he really needed much of a reason to draw her attention to begin with.

His mind snapped to a piece of advice he'd been given once: when you lose your senses, talk about what you know. Problem was, she'd all but slaughtered every logical thought in his head. The moment he found a solid idea he just blurted it out before even attempting to examine it. Anything had to be better than drawing out the increasingly awkward silence.

"There's, uh, been a report of some apostates in the hinterlands. I was wondering if , um, you could help deal with them?"

Apostates?! Are you an actual idiot?! Do you not realize who in the bloody void you're talking to?!

Some unreadable expression crossed her face. Her smile faded just a bit but a curious look took over her eyes. "Oh, yeah. I heard of them, too. Actually, I'm pretty sure I know where they are, now that I think about it. I'll make sure they're taken care of. I hear they've been harassing the refugees at the Crossroads, anyway."

"Right! Yes, that's—uh—good. Very good, actually."

Skylar's smile totally turned into a smirk. "You know, it might be nice to have some templar help on this one? That is, if you're not too busy?"

"No! Of course not! I—I mean, I'd love to be of assistance, my lady."

"Good." She huffed a playful laugh, making Barris nervously fiddle with the pommel of his bastard sword. "Very good, actually."

He smiled sheepishly. "That sounded a lot better in my head, too."

Skylar blushed a little, taking a step closer to speak to him just a little quieter. "I know we're supposed to be all polite and nice in public and all that, but I'd really rather you just use my name."

"Right, of course…It just seemed disrespectful to do anything less."

She still maintained a friendly distance from him but he couldn't help but notice how his temperature rose considerably from the closeness. "I guess it is for most people, technically. But I mean, I really don't care if people know we're friends."

"I, uh, of course. If that's what you want…" He made sure to meet her gaze, wanting to see her reaction when he said it aloud for the first time in such a public setting. "Skylar."

Her eyes lit up—definitely a good sign as far as Barris was concerned. She hadn't missed how he had said it with such reverence as well. He might as well have been talking about Andraste herself. Such a small, stupid thing. But with the amount of scrutiny she was constantly under in public, any small thing would surely pop up on Instagram within the hour.

She looked down nervously, smiling uncontrollably. "I'll get my things and grab a couple people to tag along. We usually meet up at the garage before we head out."

He nodded obediently, growing a smile of his own just from watching her reaction. "I'll make sure they have your car ready, then."

"Oh, um…" Her smile faded considerably. She looked completely embarrassed, and not in the fun way. "I don't actually have one."

"What? Yes, you do. Cullen picked it out himself. He likes it better than his damn jeep."

She sighed heavily. "Okay, fine. I, uh, I can't drive…"

"You can't? You were never taught?"

She hesitated a moment, trying to find the words to explain without making a big deal about the whole thing. "No, that was, um, way too expensive to be worth it…I've been just asking Dorian to drive me everywhere lately. You know, when I'm not with you."

"What? That's ridiculous—how do they expect you to get around?"

"They don't, if you believe the conspiracy theorists." She shrugged. "But really, I only made minimum wage and I was barely scraping by, so I just walked everywhere."

"Maker's Breath, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you upset." He ran a hand over his face. "I'm an idiot."

Her smile came back quickly, she had a chuckle in her voice now. "Hey, I happen to find idiocy endearing."

"I'd certainly hope so after that display…We could just take my truck?"

"I thought you only had the bike?"

He shrugged sheepishly. "No, it just seemed like a, um, better idea last time…"

She eyed him skeptically. "You were just trying to show off, weren't you?"

"Maybe…did it work?"

"Maybe." She laughed nervously as she stepped back towards her cabin. "I guess I'll see you soon, Barris."

"Delrin." He corrected, with a telling grin.

She looked back at him curiously. "Is that your first name?"

He shrugged. "It seems only right that I offer you the same courtesy."

"Delrin…well that certainly fits, I think. I like it."

"Well, good." He laughed lightly, "I don't think I could change it now."

She smirked as she stepped behind the door to her building. "I'll meet you at the garage as soon as I'm done."

"Of course," He waited until she closed the door to whisper it aloud again to himself. "Skylar."

His phone suddenly buzzed in his pocket before he had even fully turned around. He opened the notification to find a text from Cullen. He had linked a Twitter thread from Varric literally documenting the conversation Barris and Skylar just had in overly dramatic detail, followed by a series of laughing emojis. Barris rolled his eyes in disgust, reminding himself to punch that dwarf when he next saw him.