Their first real argument started over a wayward shoe of all things. Dorian had been in a hurry and failed to pick up the offensive thing when he finished getting dressed. A few of his things had made their way to Cullen's, including another pair of shoes, and the Tevinter simply hadn't thought about the shoe. Unfortunately Cullen had a bad morning, his headaches increasingly intense as the day went on, and the unwitting Commander found the shoe by tripping over it. Not that he lost his balance, but he was offended by the thought he COULD have, and that set him off.

Dorian, for one, found the whole thing ridiculous. Not only that but considering his fears were already strong enough, he simply left after a few minutes of yelling and considered what would happen if he didn't come back. The mage was so lost in thought he didn't hear the announcement as the gate opened. He skipped dinner as well, choosing instead to sneak his own food as he thought and return to a quiet part of the overlook in Skyhold. It was lovely here in the Frostbacks, if a little chilly. Maybe going back north- for the weather, of course...

"Dorian. I thought you might be up here."

It was quite literally the last voice he expected right then, excepting maybe his father. The Inquisitor's party wasn't due back for days!

"Were you looking long?" he asked Belathen, curious.

"Not exactly. I got held up you see. Not that I had any trouble finding you." When Dorian's eyebrows contorted in surprise, Bel explained, "I used to wander up here a bit myself. Just so you know, Cullen is aware of this spot."

"I'll make a note of that." Dorian sighed loudly. "How much have you heard?"

"A little. Enough to surmise you finally had an argument. I doubt it was actually about... what it was about." When a grin threatened the corners of her mouth Dorian actually groaned in frustration. "Honestly lethallin? A shoe?"

"It's the principle..."

"It's a shoe. Not even a nice shoe."

"All my shoes are nice!"

"Dorian. Stop." Lavellan's voice took on the strong, serious tone of the Inquisition's leader quickly. Then, quieter, she asked, "What is going on?"

"I'm not used to this," Dorian admitted. "I... Bel, how did you know you loved Cullen?"

The question surprised Belathen so much that she actually started. Her entire body straightened. "Oh." Then she affected a very sweet grin and sighed happily. "Is that all this is about?"

"Is that ALL?" Dorian scoffed, incredulous.

"I didn't mean to offend. It's just that... well, love is different for everyone. It's almost impossible to describe." She leaned over the wall beside her friend, peering into the mountainous distance. "For me it was when I realized how little everything else would mean without him. I could let go of... almost... everyone else. My clan. My advisors. Even most of my friends. If anything happened to Cullen, though..." Her voice trailed off, her body moving to get a better look at his tower. As though seeing it was still there would remind her he was as well.

Dorian found the description helpful yet also startling. That was not far off from his own feelings on the matter, and the common ground with the Inquisitor was fascinating. Yes he'd gotten close as a friend, but this seemed more intimate than any other discussion. This was more intimate, no question.

"How can you just hand out little pieces of your heart like that?" Dorian asked, unable to hold the question in. "To tell me that..."

"You aren't just anyone, Dorian. You're my best friend. Creators, with how we both feel about Cullen we should be closer than ever before, shouldn't we?"

"I suppose you're right."

Even as he said it, Dorian couldn't help his mind wandering to look at the Inquisitor. Really look at her. Standing in the light shadows as evening came, leaning on the stonework, he was suddenly struck with a stray thought that he could understand someone finding her attractive. He tried shaking the idea out of his head, but it was stuck there...

"Dorian? Is everything going to be alright?"

"Hmm?"

"Cullen. Are you two alright?"

The moment over, Dorian nodded. "Of course. I'll explain myself, and so long as he understands I don't see an issue."

"I'm sure he will." Belathen's chuckle reminded Dorian that she knew Cullen better than he for the moment, and was probably right. "Tell you what. I need a night to finish my reports and get used to a bed again. Take the night with Cullen, make this right. It'll put him in a better mood when I'm with him tomorrow. And I WILL be taking him tomorrow."