Commander Cullen clicked his tongue as he marched from his tower to the undercroft. He was thumbing through reports, skimming over important details and notes in hopes to pick Inquisitor Ashen Lavellan's brain before presenting his concerns to the War Council. She had just returned from a two week expedition in the Emerald Graves and the last twelve hours of her return (not that he'd kept count) had either been spent sleeping, or replying to her endless mail chain with Josephine and now she was in the armory working with Dagna. Though he'd undoubtedly deny it if confronted, he may have just been looking for an excuse to see Ashen. Their relationship was going quite well, if he could be so bold (and lately he could), but their duties didn't often give them much time for each other. A simple glimpse of her smile could do him worlds of good. If he got more than that… well he could be downright amenable.
Cullen was not entirely used to feeling like this for anyone, let alone the Dalish mage who was lorded as: The Herald of Andraste. The first time he'd seen her always stuck out to him. Though a prisoner of Cassandra's, there she stood: a small, shapely woman all creamy skin and shimmering silver and gold and actually helping tame the chaos around them. He'd known then she would be unlike any other woman in his life. Her eyes had pierced him like honeyed arrows and he could feel her magic clear as day, despite the waning Lyrium in his system. He remembered his heart hammering for a much different reason than fear in quite some time.
She was not the timid, or angry mage he had been used to. Even as a captive apostate, she had stood firmly beside Solas and Cassandra, radiating power and grace that alluded she was always intended to be there. Her magic felt… old and practical. It felt connected to a wisdom and will that guided her and Cullen couldn't find a reason to distrust it or her. She was bold, and stood up to anyone in defense of her fellow mages. She knew of their dangers, but believed change in treatment was absolutely necessary, and though Cullen may not necessarily have agreed in every case, you'd have to be mad to not see the proof she provided in their defense.
Cullen had known of the Dalish, little things from his circle experience and word of mouth. He'd had limited personal experience with them, but knew enough to know Ashen's clan had been different. They had made an effort to get to know other cultures, and Ashen had apparently been a quick study.
Ashen was disarmingly charming, and not just to him, it seemed. He'd caught the ever stoic Cassandra sharing a genuine laugh with the Inquisitor over some book the two of them absolutely refused to let him see. She could discuss the state of Orlesian politics with Josephine and Vivienne in the afternoon and still have the strength to verbally spar with Dorian and Varric in the evening over cards. She managed to simultaneously keep up with Sera's pranks and curb the worst ones with deceptive ease. The Iron Bull had made her an honorary member of the Chargers, and had watched the whole group drunkenly sing shandies into the night. She was even extraordinarily attuned to Cole and his desire to help, often allowing him to work to his full extent (much to the unease of her comrades) with a soft, knowing smile. He had to give her credit there. Cole's antics were strangely genius and honestly quite touching. The surly Blackwall seemed to soften, if only slightly, in the presence of the Herald. Not even Solas was immune to her charms, more often than not seen in her company in the early morning, discussing dreams, magic, shared culture and of course, the Fade. Cullen didn't know how she did it, but she just seemed naturally gifted with any and all people. She'd disarmed him with a simple glance on a snowy battlefield, after all.
The effect she had on… everything made it difficult to breathe in her company, let alone string words together in any clever manner. It had been getting easier as time went on, and it helped that bits of her nerves would bleed through as well. To hear the Inquisitor who had made the entire Halamshiral court fall to its knees stumble over her admitting her affection for him was bolstering, to say the least. She could choose anyone, even him, and he would be worthy of her affection or die trying.
Cullen still couldn't look at his desk without picturing the Elven woman splayed on top of it. Her skin, pale as fresh cream against the dark wood; his rough, tanned hands painting berry red blush wherever they landed. He could still hear her sighs, the stuttering of his name, the Elven tongue she slipped into as she lost her ability to focus and his own groans slipping from him, trying desperately to convey to her just how perfect she was. To know that it was he who she trusted and desired in that way, when she could have almost anyone in Thedas, had a more powerful effect on him than any draft of Lyrium had.
Cullen shook his golden head, desperate to put a stop to the spiral of thoughts he found himself in. True, Lavellen's shy flirting and general presence often tested it to its bounds, but he was not going to succumb to his desire that easily... hopefully. He opened the door to the cellar, and his pulse quickened at the sound of the Inquisitor's voice.
"Really Dagna, I mean no disrespect, but when you said you wanted to fit me with your new armor I thought it'd be a little more… more,"
"Looks can be deceiving your Worship! I promise this baby has enough magical goodness inside to block a Giant's foot!"
"And exactly how is a bunch of rope -"
"Lyrium imbued rope-"
"Inquisitor, Dagna, forgive my intrusion but I was hoping to…to..." Cullen had entered the armory with his eyes still on his papers but upon raising them to the two women, was found at loss for words.
The Inquisitor stood in front of a mirror wearing an outfit (if you could call it that) that was scandalous even by Orlais' low standards. Red ropes formed a collar and mock sleeves, her breasts barely contained by thin yellow bands that cupped them and secured around her neck and by a metal ring behind her back. Her toned stomach stretched down, baring everything to her hip bones upon which sat a yellow loin cloth and loose red pants that accentuated her petite, but curvy hips. Cullen knew his mouth was still open and fought to close it, but could not force his eyes away from Ashen if a demon ripped through the Veil and charged him. She was blushing furiously, her pale, golden hair loose on her shoulders, the tips of her tapered ears were bright red and her yellow eyes stood out brilliantly against her bright colors. Cullen wasn't sure he was breathing properly, and hoped to the Maker it wasn't too obvious.
"Commander Cullen! Just getting the Inquisitor fitted in my best armor and she's all shy about it! Tell her she looks good!" Dagna threw her hands up at the thought of her design being scandalous. The Commander blinked a few times before clearing his throat. Really, he was much better at planning troop movements than sentences, especially when the half naked woman he loved was all but on display for him.
"Dagna… this is… armor?" Cullen was able to make out in a relatively normal voice. He remained stoic, desperate to not give Dagna any uncouth ideas. Granted, he did lead a sheltered life with the Templars, but this design looked closer to lingerie than battle armor. Cullen could feel his length hardening already, primal instincts already at war with him. He had to keep it under control though, and least as long as Dagna was there.
Ashen shot him a questioning look, still vaguely attempting to cover herself, but saying nothing as the shorter woman rounded on him. The mage was usually the more confident one in their interactions, her bashfulness weakening his resolve by the minute. Cullen forced himself to look away from the Inquisitor, focusing on the young dwarf between them.
"Oh not you too! You of all people should like this design on her!" Dagna started, but faltered under the fiery gaze the Cullen directed her.
"Dagna, please go find Harritt and maybe discuss some new… schematics to offer the Herald of Andraste a touch more modesty," he said, gloved hand reaching to pinch the bridge of his nose. In truth, he knew his breaking point when it came to Ashen, and he was well passed getting her to her quarters. He needed the arcancist to leave. Soon.
"We don't serve the Chantry, Commander! She can show a little skin-" Dagna argued but Cullen barked the more direct order of "Now!" to her growing protests, and the dwarf scurried from the forge in a slew of curses.
Cullen hadn't necessarily meant to snap at the young arcancist, but patience had never come easily to him, especially where the Inquisitor was concerned. He finally turned his hungry amber gaze to the Elf now that he didn't have to worry for an audience.
"Dagna does remarkable work but this," the Inquisitor had started, arms opening to display her body, blush still firmly situated on her cheeks. Cullen knew Ashen tended toward the more modest outfits and armor in public, never seeing her outside thick leather layers, and found it quite adorable how flustered the design seemed to make her.
"She wants you to fight in this? She does know you're near stray branches and swords a lot, yes?" Cullen was doing his best to seem diplomatic as he set his papers down on a stone pillar and made his way over to Ashen. She had turned to meet him, pink still adorning her pointed ears and the golden tree marks on her face as she covered her stomach once more. As the distance between them closed, Cullen reached to take her arms from their defensive position. She blushed deeper as Cullen raked his eyes over her.
"I know, it's completely ridiculous, I look less like the Inquisitor and more like a… A harlot jester," she frowned. Cullen snorted at her perception of his reaction and she narrowed her eyes at him. His lips tugged into an easy smirk.
"I wouldn't say that. You look… positively sinful. I wanted to touch you the moment I saw you" Cullen admitted, his heart (among other things) fluttering as he took her waist and pulled her closer. Her gold eyes darted to his lips, and up to meet his.
"I don't need that in the field though," she mumbled, her tiny hands slipping up his chest to rest at the base of his neck, his skin tingling at the contact. He looked... hungry and Ashen could feel the heat between them and how her body was responding. It had been two long weeks since being in his arms, and it had been longer than that since they'd gotten time alone. She felt her core moisten as her temperature started to rise. Was he ever going to kiss her?
"Possibly not. I do like it though. You could… keep this for me?" Cullen rumbled as he raised his hands from her hips and traced his fingertips along her cheek, ears and across her collar bones. He knew this place may not be the best for him to enact his desires, but the Inquisitor looked remarkable and he wasn't sure carrying to her quarters like this would be a better option. The servants and soldiers had enough to talk about. Her blush was less now, but still lay along the delicate skin as a similar hunger developed in her eyes. Golden orbs flicked down to his scarred lips once more as her skilled tongue wet her own. Ashen kept teasing the base of his skull with her dexterous fingers and his need to claim her grew with each stroke.
"I may be able to be… persuaded to keep it," Lavellen whispered, pressing her smaller frame into Cullen's solid form. She was like liquid flowing into a wall and Cullen's final sliver of control cracked as he wound his fingers in her hair and pulled her into a kiss.
Ashen pressed into him more thoroughly. The metal and fur of Cullen's chest plate against her barred skin was a delicious contrast of cold to her warm skin. The Commander's strong arms lifted the slight woman and quickly, her legs were around him as they travelled to the closest table near the warm embers of the forge. As was tradition, Cullen took the liberty of sweeping everything out of the way, knowing full well the two forgers of Skyhold would give him havoc if they'd known he was so careless with their tools. He couldn't think to care as he placed Ashen on the cleared surface, their kiss only breaking as the Commander worked his gloves off.
"Maker, I missed you," he breathed, running his now bare hands over the Inquisitor's arms and stomach. She shivered at his touch, hands tugging at the clasps in his chest plate.
"Show me," replied Lavellen, her building desire replacing her previous nerves. Cullen crushed his lips to hers, his hands busily working his bulky armor off of his torso. Ashen couldn't help the moan that buried itself in their kiss, loosening the straps of his trousers. Cullen bit back a moan as her fingers teased the flesh of his lower abdomen.
In a series of metallic clanks on stone, the armor fell from the Fereldan man until he was left in only his tabard and loosened trousers. He smirked as her eyes drank him in, but was upon her once more heat pooling in his core as her dexterous hands grazed the newly available skin of his chest and shoulders. The Inquisitor tore herself from the kiss to drag her lips along the skin of her Commander's neck. She loved how solid he was, all broad shoulders and strong muscles; different from the lithe Dalish men she had known before and utterly delectable as a result. Her hands resumed their earlier trail down his abdomen, grazing his hardening bulge which drew a sharp gasp from Cullen. The younger woman sighed, pleased with her effect, and increased the tantalizing pressure on the Commander.
"Oh…" Cullen was tingling at the skill of her lips and hands. He leaned into her, trying not to pant as the soft skin of her mouth slid along the sensitive flesh. Ashen scraped her teeth along the tendon of his shoulder, gasping as the strong hand on her hip tightened and Cullen's free arm slammed onto the wall behind her to steady himself. His hips were jerking into her palm now flattened over his hard member, his eyes screwed shut as he bit his lip. Ashen decided she loved watching him break.
His head was swimming at her ministrations, his cock harder with every swipe of her hand and scrape of her teeth. This wasn't the plan though, and he would not fall victim to the temptation. With an immense surge of control, Cullen moved away from the contact, almost breaking as the mage moved to follow him. He dove at her, his large hands moving to cup her breasts through the material that covered them. Ashen gasped as he dragged his nails over her clothed nipples, feeling them harden and poke through their cover. The Commander hummed appreciatively and swooped in to place a hot, open mouth kiss on the material covering the Inquisitor's nipples.
"Cullen!" Ashen moaned breathily as he started to suck in the same spot. She could feel his tongue laving over her, every brush of the dampening material sending shivers down her spine.
"Yes, Inquisitor?" Cullen teased, switching to the other nipple as he drew the bands tighter against her. He scraped his teeth along this one, dipping a finger beneath the fabric to twist her pert nipple and held in his moan as her hands flew into his hair, her soft cries bouncing off the stone behind her.
"Forgive me, but I thought of this the moment I saw you in this," Cullen breathed, eyes raking over her wet nipples before he pulled her in for another bruising kiss. Ashen was losing herself in his desire. Cullen was a man of method and control, often sweet and giving in their couplings. Today, he was rough and taking, and the heat was engulfing her completely in the most delicious way.
Suddenly a firm, warm hand was between her thighs, searching for that bud hidden beneath the thin, dampening fabric. Ashen easily parted for him, groaning as Cullen's tongue claimed her open mouth.
"Oh... Cuh-Cullen," Ashen mewled, unable to focus on the kiss as her Commander swiped a sure thumb across her clit. He applied pressure and started rubbing tiny circles on her and Ashen let out a broken moan as he worked.
"I love the way you say my name," Cullen commented, his free hand pulling her hips closer to him. The angle change pressed her against him even more, sending violent tingles throughout her body that caused the Dalish woman to shake from her core. She couldn't stop the whines and moans from her throat as Cullen incessantly rubbed her, her orgasm building steadily though she had yet to take off a single thing.
"Maker, I kept thinking of this while you were away… so beautiful," Cullen was growling now, pressing his forehead to Ashen's tattooed one as she crumbled even further in his arms. He pushed the material on her chest up, finally baring her breasts to him, and he dipped his head to suckle her.
Cullen Rutherford had never been a gentle man, but he knew of honor and respect and traded her his reverence for anything he took for himself. The Inquisitor was heating up unbearably, blood swirling quickly in her veins, her legs shaking as Cullen continued his relentless pace. His thumb was perfect on her sensitive bud, pressing and rubbing her so well that she was beginning to feel her stomach tighten familiarly. Her head spun as she clung to her Commander desperately.
"Cullen, you're - ahh - going to... oh, mmm" Inquisitor Lavellen moaned, her head tilting back. Cullen said nothing, amber eyes molten with the intensity of his desire. His thumb worked feverishly on her, and with a string of Elven, Ashen's whole body contracted as her orgasm rushed to meet her. The Commander's mouth was on hers, hungrily swallowing her cries as she rode out each wave.
"Absolutely perfect," Cullen whispered, easing his hand from her sensitive mound. He hummed appreciatively at the sight of her. This was a much better look for this armor. Ashen struggled to catch her breath, chest heaving, clothed legs open to him, vulnerable. His breath caught as she raised her eyes to his. He was achingly hard for her, and tugged off his shirt and eased his strained erection from his breaches which pooled around his ankles.
Ashen was panting heavily, gaining her breath back as she felt her lover's hands drag her forward and push her flat on the table. Cullen quickly slid the pants off of her as he settled his hips between the thighs of the Inquisitor, brushing her wet seam with the wide head of his cock.
"Maker's breath… so wet for me," Cullen was mesmerized as liquid covered his tip with every soft stroke. The Inquisitor was moaning once more, arousal building at how entranced Cullen was. He couldn't take his eyes off of her wet core, softly moaning as he watched her post orgasm juices coat his hard length. She shifted her hips, his reddened head barely sliding into her which dragged a loud moan from them both. She made tiny thrusts, the pulsing tip barely sliding in and out again as her eyes begged him for more. Cullen's eyes snapped to hers in a silent, desperate plea and upon the glitter of her confirmation, he thrust himself to the hilt with a low groan.
"So good," Cullen moaned brokenly as he set a hard, slow pace. He peered down at the Elven woman, her hands splayed against the table as she struggled to find purchase, honeyed eyes screwed shut as her plump lips were open and gasping for him. His cock twitched erratically as he fought to give her time.
"Las sa, vhenan," Ashen groaned, Human tongues beyond her current capabilities. Cullen was thankful he knew some of her phrases.
"Of course I can grant you more," he growled in her ear.
He grabbed the outside of Ashen's pale thigh, blunt nails digging in as he rolled his hips up while he pulled her into him, drawing high pitched moans from the Elf. Ashen's hands flailed and found their grip on the Commander's blonde locks, her entire body shifting on the table with each hard thrust. Ashen loved every side of Cullen, but the man who would lose himself in her and actually take what he wanted for once, not what duty or the Chantry told him he should want, was a favorite.
"Ensal Mythal!" Ashen praised as his hips crashed against hers, rocking the table back against the stone. The former Knight-Captain captured her mouth as he set his brutal pace. His back rippled as he drove into the mage, pouring out his initial reservation as he watched her fall apart for him. He wasn't rough often, but she was moaning so sweetly, her Elven tongue spurring him on in such a way that he knew he couldn't stop. He needed this, needed her like this.
The Inquisitor's mouth dropped open at a snap of Cullen's hips, and her mouth was filled as his tongue stroked and explored the cavern. She wasn't sure which noises were hers and which were his. She gripped his hair tighter, one arm slipping to his neck and she used the leverage to grind against the former Templar as tongues slid provocatively against themselves. His pelvis pressed against her clit and she all but screamed as he kept pounding into her, working to meet his thrusts.
Cullen groaned at her contribution, burying his head in her shoulder. He felt her clammy skin against his, heard the wet slap of his hips against her core, felt her lithe arms grab at his waist to rut her clit against him as her second orgasm built it's way up to meet her. She was maddening, so hot and tight around him as she clenched for every thrust.
"All mine," Cullen groaned out loud, hand in her hair pulling her into him on each snap of his hips and his other hand reaching to rub her engorged clit. He needed her to cum around him, needed to hear her as he drove her to that point.
"Mi garas, m-mi-" Ashen gasped as she felt that tight coil start to unravel inside of her.
"Maker, come for me, come!" Cullen groaned, pistoning inside of her. She convulsed around him, screaming unintelligible Elvish as he grabbed her waist and to prevent her from moving away as he ground against her pulsing core. She clamped down on him, back arching and nails digging into his shoulders. Cullen's eyes squeezed shut and pulled her by the waist as he thrust deep inside of her and came with a deep, guttural moan.
Lavellen felt him slump over her, breathing forcefully as he carefully kept his weight off her; he shifted to his left arm, his right still gripping her waist, and thumb rubbing small circles on her hip bone. She raised her pale hand to Cullen's stubbled cheek, grinning as he placed a tired kiss to it before meeting her eyes. He had a slight blush on his cheeks and he coughed sheepishly as his gaze shifted down.
"Forgive me-"
"For giving me two amazing orgasms, Commander?" Ashen smirked. The blush deepened and Lavellen felt her heart soften further. She knew it was hard for him to separate his duty from his personal life. He'd always fought with his simultaneous respect and desire for her.
"I understand that was quite… forceful of me and I do not wish for you to think of me-" he was cut off by her soft lips on his, her hand on his cheek, stroking gently. His shoulders eased as he returned the kiss, flesh prickling as it always did when she kissed him. She pulled away after a moment, placing a light kiss on his nose and staring at him.
"You are allowed to want me, Cullen. We are people, despite our responsibilities and everything we are supposed to be," she said confidently. He sighed, nuzzling into her hand.
"I'm not… used to wanting so much from someone," Cullen admitted and Ashen nodded in understanding.
"Me either. I was trying to get some work out of the way so I could come do this to you. We might not have made it past your desk. That being said, it would be nice to make it to a bed one of these times," quipped the Inquisitor, and Cullen snorted in agreement, pulling himself up and easing his softened member out of her.
Cullen bent to pick up a cloth belt from his armor, ripping off part of some loose material and raising it gingerly to Ashen's thighs as he cleaned her. The Inquisitor propped herself up on her elbows and allowed him to work with a soft smile on her face. Once the former Templar was satisfied with her cleanliness, he eased Lavellen off the table and allowed her to gather her casual clothes as he set on the task of reapplying his armor.
Ashen finished redressing a little sooner than Cullen and went to collect the armor she had been wearing upon his arrival. She ran her fingers over the material and grinned as she heard the rustling of chainmail behind her and felt armored arms on her waist again.
"So… you are keeping it, yes?" He asked. Ashen giggled as she nodded. The way his eyes lit up as he tried to hide his excitement was adorable.
'Definitely a man,' she thought, smiling as they partially slipped back into the roles of Commander and Inquisitor. Lavellan gestured to the papers that lay nearly forgotten on the stone pillar.
"Was there something you needed?"