Cullen stood in front of the bookcase, perusing the shelves, getting lost in the thoughts of Eostre. Her words still echoed throughout his mind.

"Cullen, are you busy?" He instantly returned to reality and turned quickly to face Eostre.

"Was there something you needed?"

She was fiddling with her hands, her anxiety in full view. "I thought we could talk, alone?"

Cullen's heart stopped. "Alone?" he questioned, "I mean …. Of course. Shall we take a walk on the battlements?"

Since the moment they met, he had felt something for Eostre and since their game of chess, he had been more sure of her feelings for him.

They walked out onto the battlements, the sun warming them. Cullen noticed there was a silence between them, which was almost deafening. He tried to break the ever-growing tension between them.

"It's a nice day?"

"What?"

Cullen exhaled, "it's …. There was something you wished to discuss?"

Eostre closed her eyes and exhaled gently, trying to calm her nerves. "I find myself thinking of you. More than …. Well, all the time really."

"I can't say I haven't wondered what it would be like." Cullen rubbed the back of his neck, the entire situation feeling uncomfortable.

Eostre rested against the battlements, her eyes shimmering with hope.

"What's stopping you?"

A thousand reasons began to cloud Cullen's mind, "you're the Inquisitor, we're at war. And you …." Cullen moved in closer, almost trapping her between the battlement and him.

If anything was to happen, it would happen now. Cullen didn't want to miss his chance.

"I didn't think it was possible."

"And yet, I'm still here"

"So you are … it seems too much to ask."

"But I want to."

Eostre's heart beat rapidly in her chest as his face came closer to hers. She closed her eyes as he leaned in, her breathing becoming panting. It was almost perfect until….

"Commander!"

Cullen pulled back and Eostre dropped her head. She felt her heart slow back to its usual pace. A growl of annoyance escaped his lips and he turned to see the scout who had interrupted his perfect moment.

"You wanted a copy of Sister Leliana's report."

"What?"

"Sister Leliana's report. You wanted it delivered 'without delay.'" The scout's words trailed off as he saw the fire behind Cullen's eyes. He looked at the Commander, then at the Inquisitor, then back at the Commander. He was dead.

"Or …. to your office …. right." He backed away quickly before bursting into a run. "SHIT. SHIT. SHIT"

Eostre breathed a sigh of disappointment.

"If you need to–" She was cut off by the feel of Cullen's hands on her face and lips against hers. She parted her lips slightly, allowing his tongue to enter and explore her mouth.

Her body, stiffened by the initial shock, melted into his as she wrapped her arms around his neck. She reciprocated the kiss, delighting Cullen. At that moment, there was just the two of them, joined in an embrace they had waited an eternity for.

However, they were not alone.

Two soldiers came to a stop at the bottom of the stairs, their eyes wide. They stared at the sight which stood before them, then at each other, then back.

"Is that Commander-"

"Yes."

"And the Inquis…"

"Yes."

"First one back to the barracks gets to tell everyone."

"Deal."

They spun on their heels and ran up the stairs, shoving each other in an attempt to get ahead. Gossip spread like wildfire throughout the barracks and was a convenient way to pass the time in-between the various duties.

After what felt like hours, Cullen pulled away. He gazed deep into her eyes, now almost white in colour. The kiss had left her breathless.

"I'm sorry …. that was …. Um ….. really nice."

Eostre bit her lip, her arms now around his waist, her hands holding onto him, unwilling to let go.

"That was what I wanted." The comment took Cullen by surprised a little and he let out a small chuckle.

"Oh, good." He leaned in for another kiss, something eagerly awaited by Eostre. He pushed her against the battlement, pressing his full body against her. This kiss was significantly more passionate as he could her hands all over his body, her form pressing back against him.

He could feel the lust blooming within him, and he had to fight back the urges that came with it, unaware that she too was battling her desire.

Meanwhile, at the barrack.

The door flung open, and the barracks, filled with soldiers, fell silent. All eyes were on the soldier, bent double and panting hard, trying to regain his breath.

"What's happened!"

"Are we under attack!?"

The soldier shook his head, his breath refusing to return to him. He looked up at the faces surrounding him. He tried to gesture behind him, in the general direction of where he had come from, but his arm just flailed about hopelessly.

"In … quis …. itor" he eventually choked out. The barracks was filled with an uproar of questions. "Com … man … der" he eventually choked out a few minutes later.

Sensing that his lack of breath would return when it wanted to, he held up his hands and decided he would attempt to tell the gossip using the art of mime.

He shook his left hand, "Com … man … der."

He shook his right hand, "In … quis … itor."

He then smacked his hands together and rubbed.

Silence fell as all eyes widen. Then came a rumble of noise, followed by a sudden rush of all the soldiers trying to escape out of the barracks at the same time.

Within mere minutes, the entirety of Skyhold knew that Cullen and Eostre had kissed and very soon, others outside of the fortress would know too.