Dorian was actually relieved when Belathen's attention was automatically diverted on returning to Skyhold. It was a bit embarrassing, and he felt dirty for thinking it, but truly it was for the best. Lavellan hurried up the stairs to make herself more presentable prior to meeting with Josephine and several 'important guests' while Dorian simply tossed his travel kit in a corner and made his way to Cullen's personal tower.

The blonde looked up immediately, smiling. "I'm glad to see you home. I hear your assistance was invaluable out there."

Dorian should have boasted, as was usual, but he instead just shrugged. Cullen would know the over-confidence as an act anyway. "I suppose I do have my uses," the Tevinter answered instead. "It... didn't feel like it at the time."

"I read Bel... the Inquisitor's reports. She was very pleased with your performance." Cullen's lip turned up. "Hmm. Speaking of, I doubt I'll see her again tonight. Feel up to... performing?"

Dorian knew he should talk with his lover first, but when Cullen smiled at him like that the mage was weak. There was a reason that he was so very infatuated with the former templar after all. It made his response a foregone conclusion. "I could be persuaded, amatus."

The evening passed far too quickly for Dorian's liking. Not to say it wasn't enjoyable- immensely so- but the hours seemed to tick by with increasing intensity. The night passed into pitch blackness, the duo crashing comfortably in bed as it rolled to an ending. Cullen had an arm wrapped around the younger man as they laid looking up at the stars through the hole in the ceiling.

It was the perfect time.

"I... you do know I love you, Cullen Rutherford." Dorian nuzzled into the embrace, sighing happily.

Cullen tensed slightly then chuckled. "That's almost exactly what I said the day I asked Bel about you. And I'm always wary when someone uses my surname."

Dorian shifted uncomfortably. "Funny you should mention that."

"I can't say I'm surprised, except that this hasn't happened sooner." Cullen sighed. "Who is he?"

"I... well..." Dorian found himself stammering, for once at a loss. "I have to say it came as a surprise to me as much as anyone. It's... not a he."

"Oh. Who is it, then?" There was definite amusement and surprise in that voice, though surprisingly without any anger or disappointment. Thankfully.

"I... well..." He turned, looking into the glow of the gentle amber in the starlight. Dorian realized it was better to come clean. "If there's a problem with this, just say so. I... it's Bel."

Cullen stalled for a telling instant. He squeezed the mage closer to his side. "Maker's breath, love! I don't have any problem with that. I figured both of you would find someone else to care about sometime. I just never imagined it could be..." He laughed then, heartily, slipping out from the bed. "Give me a few minutes."

Dorian had just given up, was mostly put together and was preparing to head down the ladder, when he heard the door open. He took a deep breath and made himself ready to bid a fond good-night to Cullen when he caught that it was not one but two voices.

"You realize Josephine is going to kill you for dragging me away from that duke."

"Trust me, there is something infinitely more important to tend to here." Cullen's deep voice betrayed a very thick emotion. Dorian found his heart racing at the thought of what the Commander was insinuating- and almost thought of simply disappearing.

At least until he heard the response. "Ne nuvenin, ma'enasalin." Dorian might not know what the elven words meant, but he definitely heard the trust there. There was a close link she shared with Cullen, and the idea of building something similar was too tempting. It wasn't worthwhile to stay waiting. He brushed a hand through his hair with a sigh, gathered his courage, and slid down the ladder.

Belathen was completely unsurprised by his presence. "I trust your evening has gone well, gentlemen," the Inquisitor explained with a sly smirk.

"Oh it has," Cullen agreed. "And mayhaps a little... revealing as well."

Dorian cleared his throat. "Yes, I have to agree. Cullen if this is your idea of pressing the issue your work is quite finished."

Cullen just laughed and headed upstairs. "I'll just be up here then, my loves."

"And listening in no doubt," Belathen chided.

"If our positions were reversed you would as well."

Once the Commander had gotten up the ladder, Bel turned to the mage at her side. "This is a little odd. I'm guessing you have need of something, Dorian?"

Most of the time words felt easy, if only because he could hide behind a joking remark. Right now however all thoughts ailed except one: she looked apprehensive, not upset, and the acceptance only made him more aware that this was important.

"I seem to find myself an an impasse, Lavellan. On one hand I love Cullen, but then I also seem to have encountered feelings for someone else at the same time. I'm not sure if it's love, or if said person could even fathom the idea..."

"If he can't, he's an idiot, lethallin. And you know my opinion by now. If you have an additional pursuit, it would be fairly hypocritical for either Cullen or I to say it meant you have to set him aside."

Dorian paused at that statement. "That's... a relief to hear." Then he acted quickly, before his nerves could kick in, closing the gap and tentatively kissing her on the lips. He'd imagined it would feel awkward, but that was not the case in the slightest; it was just as natural as with Cullen, though far more gentle a start. He felt her startle, almost pull away, but then her arms wrapped around his neck instead and she leaned near.

When they did both come to the mutual decision the kiss was over, her arms stayed just as they were. Her eyes had gone extremely wide in surprise now that they opened, but the wide smile on her face was the most telling.

"Talk about unexpected."

"I am nothing if not unpredictable. Consider it my way of keeping you on your toes."

"So I see." Bel stretched then, moving back a bit to sit on Cullen's desk. "Alright. It helps that I already consider you my best friend. And I know that my primary love does approve." She smirked a bit, biting the top of her lip slightly. "There's no step missing here. It actually feels... like a natural progression I guess you'd say."

Dorian could only nod, relieved she was thinking this over. "I have a distinct desire to explore this further. If your interest aligns as well."

Bel nodded. "I wouldn't have thought so before... at least not since..." She coughed a bit, reddening with something like embarrassment. "That is, I should say, that 'alignment' is not an issue."

"Then how do we start?"

"Slowly?" Bel suggested. "I don't want either of us hurt."

Dorian could have objected. Then he thought about the intention behind her suggestion and realized how right she was. "I can do slow."

Of course both of them admitted silently that slow is a very relative term...