The hellish storm finally reached Skyhold, a fantastical combination of thunder and lightning rocked the sky whilst rain lashed at the ground, threatening to wash away anything in its path.

The soldiers from the barrack camp had been grateful to the commander for bringing them inside the walls of Skyhold, and many of them had taken cover in the tavern.

Cole sat alone in the attic, rocking back and forth, trying to calm himself down whilst covering his ears at the sound of the roaring thunder. He silently wailed, there was something about storms that scared him.

He had tried his best to keep quiet, not wishing to disturb anyone, not that many would hear him over the combined sounds of the thunder, conversations, singing and laughing.

Usually, he would have made his way to Eostre, but with the storm raging as hard as it did, he didn't feel he could move from this particular spot. He tucked his head between his knees as the roar of the thunder grew ever louder as if it would almost crash through the roof.

"Cole, Cole!" A firm hand gently shook him, forcing him to lift his head and be met by the gaze of Iron Bull. "Are you alright?" Cole tried to speak but all that fled his lips were whimpers of immense fear.

"You shouldn't be up here alone, not in this state. Come downstairs." Cole tried to move but he couldn't he was frozen in fear. Iron Bull picked Cole up, who proceeded to bury his head in his chest, his voice nothing more than breathless screams, and descended the stairs.

"Krem, maybe see if you can find a drink for Cole. I think something warm, maybe with honey?" Iron Bull careful set Cole down on the bench with the rest of the charges. In an instant, Cole stopped crying.

"The storm, it's quieter now." He looked up at Bull who stood over him, a timid smile on his ghost-white face. "Thank you, Bull."

"That's okay Cole," he attempted to pat Cole on the back reassuringly, but Bull was significantly stronger than he looked and inadvertently whacked Cole, causing him to whelp in slight pain. "Sorry about that."

"It's alright," Cole winced. "I would go and see Eossie, but the storm." Iron Bull looked at Cole with confusion at the name Eossie. "Do you mean the Inquisitor?" inquired Iron Bull.

"She doesn't like it when her friends call her Inquisitor, she likes it when they call her Eostre. You should call her Eostre, you are her friend. Her brothers call her Eossie. She asked me to call her Eossie." Cole muttered, just loud enough to be heard.

He fiddled with his hands, the same way as Eostre did, "I want to see Eossie, she said she'd keep me safe. But she's in her room, in the keep. I would have to go out into the storm. I don't want to go out in the storm. I can't, I can't." Cole began to shake violently with fear, only to stop just as Krem appeared with a mug of hot milk with honey.

"You don't have to go anywhere. Just sit with us and drink this, you'll soon feel better." Krem handed the mug to Cole, who took it with shaking hands. Placing his firm hand on his shoulder with considerable caution, Iron Bull knelt down in front of Cole. "It's going to be okay; we won't let anything happen to you."

"Thank you," smiled Cole timidly, "I like the milk. It's warm."

Over in the Great Hall, Cullen was overseeing the bulk of the soldiers from the barrack camp. The mood was more subdued than that in the tavern, mainly due to the lack of ale. The large windows in the hall allowed the storm to make its presence known, and it did so with wrathful intent.

He had already tried his best to sneak away, but he had been stopped multiple times. He glanced toward the door which led to the quarters, in the vain hope that Eostre would appear. A kind-hearted hand appeared upon his shoulder, followed by the sultry voice of Vivienne. "Go to her Commander."

His heart leapt into his throat at her words, but he nodded, swiftly making his way to the door and ascending the stairs to her bedchamber. With each step, the lust within him surged.

Upon reaching her door, he held up his hand to knock but hesitated. Instead, he pulled at the door, concerned that it was unlocked.

"Cole, is that you?" Cullen's heart sank upon hearing her call out for Cole and he would have turned to leave but the lust within him was stronger now, and he ascended the stairs to be greeted by the sight of Eostre in bed.

Her dark brown locks were unfurled and cascading down over her shoulders, coming to rest just below her breasts, which were covered by a light nightdress.

"Cullen, what an unexpected surprised." Her smile radiated warmth, "I thought you might be Cole. He doesn't like storms, so he stays with me." She gestured towards the fire where a makeshift bed sat unused.

"I wanted to come and see you, make sure you were okay." He perched on the edge of her bed, taking her in fully. His eyes were drawn to her left hand which had clenched her bedsheet in anticipation. He started to notice her inhaling deeply and biting her lip as her eyes washed over his body.

This was the first time she had ever seen Cullen without his armour, and the tunic he wore clung to him. Their eyes met causing Eostre to freeze, a lustful sense of fear filling her. The sweetness that lingered in his eyes had been replaced by a hunger, darken their golden colour.

Within seconds, Eostre's back hit the mattress of her bed with Cullen on top of her, their lips had locked in a passionate embrace. His hands pulled up her nightgown, allowing more access to the body beneath it. Greedily, his hands caressed her soft skin, prompting gasps and soft moans.

Soon her nightgown was on the floor, shortly followed by his tunic. His lips made their way from her mouth to her neck, where he sunk his teeth into her flesh, forcing a moan from her.

She couldn't help but feel aroused as she felt Cullen's hands hungrily massage her, succumbing to her desire for him.

He slid a hand between her legs, stroking the inside of her thigh before gently brushing at her softness. This simple action caused Eostre's body to stiffen.

His eyes widen, and he pulled away from her. Eostre turned her head to the side, her eyes closed tightly. "Eostre, are you?" Her response was a soft nod. Remorse overwhelmed him and he moved away from her, once again perching on the side of the bed.

"I just … I never … it just …." Eostre stumbled over the words she wanted to say. She could sense the once sexual tension between them had soured.

"Maybe I should just go …"

"No wait …" Eostre grabbed Cullen's wrist, prompting him to look back at her. In her eyes, he could see longing combined with apprehension, "I want this … I want you."

He shuddered with pleasure at her words, igniting his lust once more however, it was overwhelmed by another feeling within him.

He re-positioned himself between her legs, holding her hands above her head, pinning her against the bed. Their eyes met; light, twinkling grey and dark gold.

"I will not hurt you Eostre, I will not allow anyone to hurt you. But what we will do, it may hurt you. I need to prepare you; you need to listen to your body. If it doesn't feel right, you need to tell me."

He shifted slightly, so he was lying beside her. Again, he took in the breathtaking view of her naked form. With his other hand, he lightly brushed over the skin of her abdomen before resting on her thigh.

Eostre swallowed hard as she opened her legs, his fingers immediately caressed her softness, slowly spreading her open, allowing his middle finger to gently explore. A shockwave ripped through her body, causing her back to arch suddenly.

Cullen couldn't help but groan at the feel of her increasing wetness. He breathed in deep, closing his eyes and remembering the ways he had satisfied himself to the very idea of her. He released her wrists from his grasp and started to kiss down her body, resting in front of her softness.

With his fingers, he spread her open, her softness now fully exposed. He wanted to take his time, to savour her but the beast that lay within would not allow him to do so.

Eostre's eyes widen at the feel of a hot tongue lapping at her, her body beginning to tingle more and more with each flick of his tongue.

Teetering on the edge of desire, Eostre was frustrated when Cullen suddenly removed himself from her. She groaned slightly, propping herself up on her elbows. Her mouth fell open at the sight before her.

Cullen had removed the last of his clothes and now stood before her naked. He watched as her eyes looked him up and down. He was filled with desire at the sight of her reaction to him, but he couldn't shake the nervousness he felt.

Although Eostre was not his first, the knowledge that she was freely giving herself up to him made me feel a sense of dread. He climbed upon her once more, positioning himself at her opening.

Supporting her head with one of his arms, he looked deep into her eyes.

"Are you sure you want this? We can stop and …. "

He was silenced by her finger on his lips. She looked so sultry lying there under him, making it even harder to control his urges that once again built.

"I want this Cullen, I want you."