In an attempt to distract Cole from the ferocious storm which ravaged the fortress, Iron Bull and Krem had included him in their card game.
Unfortunately for them, Cole had not fully grasped the idea of the game and had elected instead to stare at the cards, slowly moving them around.
"Looks like I win again Krem," Iron Bull declared before laying his cards down on the table, a look of smug triumph crossing his face. Krem threw his hand onto the table, irritated by yet another defeat.
He rose from the table and moved to the bar, buying yet another round as Bull relaxed back, enjoying the sweet taste of yet another victory.
However, this moment was short-lived when he noticed Cole twitch faintly. With trepidation, he rested a hand on Cole's shoulder. "Cole, are you okay?"
"She's in pain but she wants this. He's hurting her, but she wants him. Soft and gentle, caring but still, pain. It hurts." Cole looked up towards Bull, a pained expression covering his ghost-white face.
"It's Eossie, she's in pain. But she wants this pain. He's hurting her, but she wants this. I don't understand. Longing, wanting, needing."
"Who's hurting her?" The idea that someone was attacking Eostre aroused unbridled rage within Bull, who inadvertently began to tightly squeeze Cole's shoulder. He swiftly let go when Cole let out a small yelp of pain.
"The Commander. He is hurting her, but he doesn't want to. Soft and gentle, slowly. Must not hurt her."
"What is he doing to her?" Bull hissed the words through his clenched teeth. Like many others who had been personally recruited by Eostre, he had grown fond of her. Even more, since she risked her life to save so many.
"He doesn't want to hurt her. He keeps asking if she's okay. She wants to do this; she can endure the pain. Soft and gentle, slow. He has ached for her for so long."
Bull squinted his eye as his brow furrowed in thought, trying to piece together what Cole was experiencing. His grip loosened as he realised what was happening. "Oh shit."
"Maybe I should go and see Eossie, I might be able to help." Cole went to stand up, only to feel Bull's hand on his shoulder, pushing him back into his seat.
"No no, you stay here. Krem!" Bull addressed Krem who had just returned with two mugs of ale and one mug of warm milk with honey for Cole. "Krem, look after Cole. I'm just going to check if the Boss is okay."
For a man of his size, Bull was surprisingly quick. Running through the rain, he cursed as it almost whipped at his skin Reaching the doors of the Great Hall, he opened one as carefully as possible as to not disturb those sleeping.
For a member of the Ben-Hassrath, subtly was not Iron Bull's strong suit. He tried to make his way through the crowded Great Hall as inconspicuously as he could for a Qunari, manging not to rouse more than gasps of shock and mutterings, some of which caused him to smirk at how honestly sexually deprived some of them were.
Approaching the door to the quarters, he was startled when it opened to reveal Dorian in the doorway. "And where are you off to this fine evening?"
"Oh," Bull responded, "nowhere special. Just wanted to make sure the Boss was okay."
"Is there any reason she wouldn't be?"
"Oh, no. No. None at all. Just out of curiosity."
"Hmm." Dorian folded his arms; a look of defiance crossed his rather handsome features. "Well, it appears to be more than just mere curiosity. I highly doubt you would have run through the ran for nothing."
Bull sighed, knowing his game was well and truly up. "Well, it was something the Ghost Boy said. I just wanted to confirm if my suspicions were correct."
"Well, don't let me stop you," Dorian moved out the way and gestured to Bull to enter, "but I'm coming with you."
Together they climbed the stairs. As they got closer and closer to Eostre's bedchamber, they heard faint sounds. "Maybe she is in pain," Bull began. Dorian raised an eyebrow which Bull dismissed. "Something the Ghost Boy said."
Reaching the final flight, they saw that the door to her chamber was open, and the sound was becoming louder. Bull turned to Dorian with a finger on his lips and they crept inside, slowly ascending the stairs only to stop when they could see through the gaps in the railing.
The sight that greeted them caused their jaws to hang open and their eyes to widen. They ducked down out of view, taking up sitting positions on the stairs.
"Are they?" whispered Dorian.
"I think so, yes" replied Bull in a hushed tone.
"Maybe we should leave?" questioned Dorian, even quieter than before.
They wordlessly agreed and carefully made their way out of the room, pushing the door closed, making sure not to make even the tiniest bit of noise.
"Well," whispered Bull, "that was certainly something."
"Yes," agreed Dorian in a hushed tone. "I think I might need to have a drink after that. Maybe best we do not mention this to them, or anyone."
"That's a great idea," agreed Bull in a low voice. "I'll make sure the Ghost Boy doesn't bring it up."
Cullen nuzzled her neck, his hands on her hips to tenderly guide into his, helping to reduce the pain. He could feel her fingers in his hair curling into a grasp, a painless gasp escaping her lips.
He steadily increased the movement of his hips, whilst ensuring that her hips matched. He did not want to hurt her any more than he already had. Right now, all he cared about was pleasuring her.
"Cullen" a weak moan escaped her, the pain within her being replaced with a building sensation of pleasure. He removed his hands from her hips, prompting her to meet his hips on her own, getting her use to the act.
He wrapped his arms around her, kissing her neck whilst trying to contain his moans. But he was too weak to resist. He felt her body quake with desire as he moaned directly into her ear.
Once again, he was bringing her to the edge of desire. He could feel her begin to tighten around him, her breathing became panting.
Suddenly Eostre's eyes widened, she held her breath as her entire form stiffened and her back arched. She had finally succumbed to her desire, and it was nothing short of delicious.
Cullen stopped momentarily only to feel her hips buck a few times then a warm moistness escape from between her legs. The heat from her sent a tremor through his body as he felt the pleasure within himself becoming uncontrollable, knowing full well that he was responsible for it.
Her body relaxed and a soft purr erupted from her as he continued, feeling pleasure begin to build within himself. She pulled his face away from her neck and locked his lips in a passionate kiss. Her tongue pried open his lips and explored every inch of his mouth.
Lust once again consumed him and he began to thrust into her ever deeper, his arms tightening around her body as he began to reach the height of his pleasure.
With a few final hard thrusts, he exploded within her, a primal growl erupting from deep within him which was muffled by the intense kiss. His hips bucked as the last of his seed dripped within her before his body softened.
Cullen collapsed on top of her, completely spent. He breathed heavily as he felt her arms and legs enclose him, embracing his sweaty form.