"Us?" Cullen echoes, his eyebrows shooting very high up.
"Err...maybe that came off a little too morbid," Evelyn mumbles and awkwardly rubs her neck. She bites on her lower lip as she contemplates her next words. Suddenly, she stands up, deciding that showing him would probably be the best option. "Just a second," she tells a very concerned and bewildered-looking Cullen before she hurries to the magazine stack and pulls the tabloid magazine away from it. She stares at the headline on the cover for a few moments, still chewing on her lower lip, before letting out a loud sigh of resignation and making her way back to their table.
She wordlessly hands him the tabloid before taking her seat across from him, her stomach in knots. She waits for what seems like an eternity as her golden-haired, polo shirt-clad, Adonis of a bodyguard scans the magazine cover with his golden eyes, looking painfully too handsome to be true.
Andraste's tits, he's going to quit. He's going to quit and I'm never going to see or hear from him ever again. And I'm gonne be left all alone to deal with the bullshit press-
The sound of a light, amused chuckle shatters Evelyn's stream of thoughts, and she stares at Cullen with wide, disbelieving eyes.
"Is this it?" he laughs, the corners of his eyes crinkling. He looks up at her with an unmistakabley endearing grin. "This is what you were so worked up about?"
"Uh... yes?"
He chuckles again as he sets aside the magazine and scoots his chair closer to the table. He regards Evelyn with the same endearing amusement for a moment and lightly shakes his head.
"You were worried that a headline on the front of a gossip magazine would bother me?" he asks.
"N-not just that," Evelyn twiddles her thumbs over her lap, his direct gaze making her face turn incredibly warm. "I was more worried that you would...well... maybe quit because of the trouble that it would cause between you and your partner-"
"Partner?" he blinks, his smile fading away. "You mean, a girlfriend?"
"Well...yeah," Evelyn shrugs. "Or boyfriend."
His smile returns as he places his elbows over the table and rests his chin on his knuckles, surveying Evelyn warmly.
"I don't have a girlfriend," he murmurs, his voice soft enough to be heard only by her. "Or a boyfriend, for that matter."
Evelyn balks at that, finding it extremely difficult to believe that a man like him could be single.
"You mean...there's no one waiting for you back in Kirkwall?" she clarifies.
"No," he smiles.
"No one special caught your eye?" she presses on.
The corner of his lip twitches when his crooked smile widens ever so slightly at her disbelief.
"Not in Kirkwall..."
The way he looked at her when he said that...and the way he said it... It was almost as though he was-
No. Don't be ridiculous, Evelyn. Famous as I am, I'm no Aphrodite by any stretch of the imagination.
"Oh." Evelyn forces a smile to her face, ignoring her rapidly beating heart. "I...well! That's a relief. For a moment there, I thought I was going to lose my bodyguard over this bullshit."
Cullen chuckles quietly and dabs at his lips with a napkin after taking a sip of his coffee.
"The tabloids pose no threat to our arrangement, trust me," he smiles. He pauses then, his expression suddenly serious as he contemplates something. "Tell me something," he says. "These things happen often enough to you, I imagine. Did this story particularly bother you?"
"It did, actually," Evelyn confesses. "If the gossip is just about me, then I'm fine with it. I honestly couldn't care less what they write about me. But when it starts involving the people I know and care about, my friends and my family, that's when it really gets to me. I signed up for this bullshit when I decided to become an actress. Everyone else who gets dragged into it didn't. It's just not fair, you know?"
As Cullen nods in response, Evelyn notices that his cheeks and the tips of his ears are visibly flushed, but she can't fathom why on earth that is. A stream of butterflies spring to life in her gut, diminishing any trace of an appetite she might have had after Varric's phone call.
"It's nearly nine," she remarks, glancing at her Rolex. "Shall we go?"
Cullen's eyes dart to Evelyn's untouched plate of food, his brow furrowing in concern.
"Don't worry about it, I'll grab something on the train," Evelyn smiles and waves her hand dismissively. Cullen nods, but his expression remains unchanged.
"I returned the car to the rentals office earlier this morning," he informs her as they both stand up. "We'll have to wait for a taxi to drop us to the station. Would you like to wait here until it arrives?"
"No," Evelyn smiles, walking around the table to her bodyguard's side. She knows his intention is to protect her from the prying eyes (and camera lenses) of the paparazzi. "I'll wait with you."
He looks down at her, a small smile creeping across his lips.
"All right, then," he nods. As they walk towards the reception, his arm brushes against Evelyn's, and her stomach does another one of those fantastic somersaults in response. She sneaks a side glance up at him, wondering whether the touch elicited any reaction from him, but aside from the redness of his ears, his face doesn't give away anything.
It does not take long for the taxi to arrive, but when it does, the pair of them are almost blinded by the mad flashes emanating from the flurry of cameras around them. Cullen, eyes now concealed behind his reflective Ray bans, protectively places his hand on the small of Evelyn's back as he escorts her to the taxi, using his other arm to ward off any photographers that dare venture close to her person.
By the time Evelyn is safe inside the taxi in the backseat, her heart is hammering in her chest, and it has absolutely nothing to do with the mad swarm of paparazzi pressing their noses and cameras against the taxi windows. It has a lot more to do with the bodyguard that just slammed the passenger door shut as he slipped into the backseat beside her, muttering profanities aimed at the media under his breath. It has to do with the way she was hyper aware of his strong, warm palm pressed against her back, the way the scent of his cologne graced her nostrils from his proximity, the way he looked ridiculously sexy in those reflective Ray bans of his...
And he's single.
"To the train station, please," Cullen directs the taxi driver. "And try to lose the media tail if you can. Safely," he adds pointedly, his eyes darting towards Evelyn beside him. She smiles when he pulls off his sunglasses and meets her gaze after settling into his seat.
"Are you all right?" she asks softly, resisting a very strong urge to reach out and rest her palm on his knee. His eyes, still exasperated at first, are quickly replaced with a warmth that is starting to become a familiar occurrence.
"I am," he smiles faintly. "The media can be quite ridiculous at times, is all."
"That's the understatement of the century," Evelyn grins. Cullen's smile widens at her comment.
"I suppose I'm just not as used to it as you are," he says.
"Oh, you will be. If you're planning on sticking around, that is." She flashes him a flirty smirk as she flips her hair away from her eyes. Cullen stares at her for a moment before clearing his throat and briefly breaking eye contact.
"I am," he replies softly.
"Good," Evelyn rests her head back against the backseat, her face still turned towards Cullen. He gazes back at her silently, his golden eyes wandering her face, before he quickly catches himself and looks out the window, his hand flying up to rub the back of his neck.
Maker, he's awkward. That's okay, though. I like awkward. Awkward is good.
Cullen spends the rest of the brief taxi ride with his eyes staring through the glass at the picturesque Orlesian city. He only looks away to glance over his shoulder and make sure that they aren't being followed by the press. Evelyn, on the other hand, seems incapable of wiping the smirk off her face as her eyes continually dart over to him, secretly admiring his profile behind her shades and imagining what it would feel like to run her fingers through his golden curls and gently massage the exposed skin on the nape of his neck.
"Voila," the driver announces, bringing the taxi to a halt before the Gare de Royeaux.
"Merci beaucoup, monsieur." Evelyn reaches over and hands the driver the fare along with a generous tip. Cullen is already waiting by her side of the car, door swung open for her to emerge. He has his Ray bans back on, the glaring morning sun casting an almost ethereal sheen on his golden mane.
Having already purchased e-tickets, they bypass the ticket line (and the awaiting paparazzi) and head straight to platform 2, where their train is already boarding. Trying her best to ignore the staring and pointing from the passengers on the platform, Evelyn walks alongside Cullen to the first class carriages, luggage in tow. She does not breathe easy until they're safely seated in their private carriage. Sensing Evelyn's discomfort, Cullen immediately pulls the mini curtains of the window shut, shielding her from view.
"Thanks," Evelyn smiles, pulling off her shades and putting them away in their case. "I never get used to the staring."
"I can't imagine anyone could," Cullen smiles sympathetically, taking the seat opposite hers. Evelyn returns the smile, her gaze studying his face. She notices the faint dark circles under his eyes, standing out in contrast to his pale skin.
"You look tired," she remarks, her brow furrowing in concern. "Didn't sleep well last night?"
"I'm fine," he replies dismissively, his eyes darting to the sliding carriage door. "I wouldn't mind a good cup of coffee right about now, though."
"I can help with that," Evelyn grins and pulls out a remote from the side of her seat, pressing on the attendant button to summon one to their carriage. Cullen grins at her, flashing a set of perfect pearly whites.
"Did you have braces as a kid?" Evelyn blurts out before she could stop herself.
Holy fuck, I did not just ask him that.
"No," Cullen replies with a bemused smile. "Did you?"
"I did, actually," Evelyn replies, her face turning incredibly warm. "I-" she laughs and shifts awkwardly in her seat, "I'm sorry, that was a really random question. It's just that you have really nice teeth."
"Oh." Now it's his turn to blush. "I—thank you."
"You're welcome," Evelyn smiles, almost biting down on her lower lip.
I wanna kiss him. Is it weird that I wanna kiss him? He keeps looking at my lips. Maybe he wants to kiss me too?
Evelyn nearly jumps when a knock emanates from the other side of the carriage door. A brunette attendant with a severe bun and kind blue eyes pokes her head in.
"Miss Trevelyan," she smiles widely. "You rang?"
"Yes," Evelyn clears her throat. "Could we please get two cups of coffee sent over?"
"Of course," the attendant beams. "What kind of coffee would you like?"
Evelyn shifts her gaze to Cullen, signaling him to go first.
"I'll just have a cappuccino, please," he smiles politely.
Evelyn clears her throat pointedly, raising her brow at him.
"You're not going to be driving for the next day or so, Mr Rutherford," she tells him slyly. His scarred lips break into a grin at that, and he lets out a light, amused chuckle.
"All right, then," he turns back to the attendant. "I'll have an Irish coffee, please."
"With cream?" the attendant asks.
"Why not?" he replies, glancing back at Evelyn.
"Excellent," the attendant turns to Evelyn next. "And you, Miss Trevelyan?"
Evelyn smiles at Cullen, never taking her eyes away from his.
"I'll have what Mr Rutherford is having," she replies.
"Two Irish coffees with cream, coming right up!" the bubbly attendant slides the carriage door shut behind her, leaving the two of them alone once again.
"I'm going to regret doing this, you know," Cullen tells her, leaning back against his seat.
"And why is that?" Evelyn asks, crossing her legs as she surveys him. She is vaguely aware that the train has started moving.
"I already told you," he smiles. "Alcohol and I don't exactly mix very well."
"That's all right; I'll keep a good eye on you."
I mean, I've practically been doing that since I first met you. No biggie.
The attendant promptly returns with their Irish coffees, setting them and a tray of biscuits and small Orlesian cakes on the table between them.
"Cheers," Evelyn extends out her cup towards her bodyguard once the attendant leaves.
"Cheers," Cullen smiles and touches his cup to hers before taking a sip. "Mmm. It's hot."
"Coffee usually tends to be that way, yes," Evelyn smirks. Cullen laughs out loud at that and reaches over to the tray to pick up a spoon. He proceeds to scoop up the cream from the coffee and eats it.
"You've got a bit of cream on your lip," Evelyn points out with a small smile. "Here, let me..."
She leans over without waiting for a response and wipes the speck of cream away with a perfectly manicured finger. She notices his entire body freezing under her touch, his prominent Adam's apple bobbing as he gulps.
"There," she smiles and wipes her finger on a napkin. "You're presentable again."
Cullen blinks, apparently speechless for a few seconds. He smiles awkwardly and rubs the back of his neck before taking a gulp of coffee, a few droplets missing his mouth and running down his chin instead.
"Maker's breath," he mumbles in exasperation, hastily reaching over for a napkin.
"Alcohol getting to you already, Rutherford?" Evelyn laughs.
"That appears to be so," he chuckles and shakes his head as he checks his white polo to make sure it's stain-free.
As she watches him continue to drink the rest of his coffee, Evelyn racks her brain for any excuse to jump into the seat next to him. Suddenly, in a very cartoon-like 'ah-ha!' moment, she starts rapidly blinking her eyes, putting on her 'uncomfortable' face as she does so.
"Urgh, I think I have something in my eye," she complains.
"An eyelash?" Cullen sets aside his coffee and leans forward across the table.
"I don't know, probably," Evelyn replies, leaning across the table as well. "Can you see anything?"
"No..." Cullen squints his eyes and focuses on her right eye, brow furrowed.
"Wait, lemme come closer..." Evelyn stands up and slides into the seat right beside him. Even she is startled by how close their faces end up, and her heart immediately kicks into overdrive mode, the drumming loud and clear in her ears.
Maker's breath, what if he can hear it too?
"I still don't see anything," Cullen frowns. He raises his hand and softly places his fingers beneath her chin to tilt her face up towards his.
Evelyn freezes. Cullen freezes. In fact, as far as Evelyn is concerned, time itself probably freezes as well. Cullen immediately jerks his hand away, his face turning beet red.
"For—forgive me," he stammers, leaning away from Evelyn.
"For what?" Evelyn smiles, her eyes flitting to the scar on his upper lip. "You didn't do anything wrong to ask for forgiveness, Cullen."
He stares at her, the corner of his lips twitching as he fights away a smile.
"It must be some dust," Evelyn says in reference to her eye. "I'm going to go wash it out in the bathroom. I'll only be a minute."
Cullen nods and smiles, and Evelyn returns the smile before getting up and exiting the carriage.
Her heart feels as though it is actually about to burst out of her chest. She speed-walks to the bathroom, not making any eye contact with anyone she happens to pass. She bolts the bathroom door shut behind her as soon as she is in, and she leans against the basin, looking up to examine her reflection in the mirror.
Being born with the naturally tan skin of the Trevelyans, her blush isn't as evident as the much paler Cullen's, but boy do her cheeks burn. She fixes her hair and curses herself for not grabbing her bag with her to put on a little make up on her completely bare face.
That was close. That was very, very close. And what the fuck is up with my heart? Did I just run a flipping marathon?
Evelyn takes a few deep breaths and splashes some cold water onto her face. Once dry, she nods at her reflection in the mirror, a little habit she developed before filming an important scene on set, and steps out of the bathroom, only to find herself surrounded by teenage girls and boys.
"Maker's breath, it really is her!" one girl shrieks.
"I told you!" a heavily freckled boy enthusiastically responds.
"Evelyn! Could I please get your autograph, Evelyn?"
"And a picture! Just one picture, pleeeease?"
Evelyn laughs and takes the black marker one of the girls extend out to her and starts signing photographs of herself, barely recognising her own heavily made up and photoshopped face in them. She gracefully poses for what seem like hundreds of pictures with each of the teenagers, but it does not bother her in the slightest. She engages in small talk with her fans, barely noticing when Cullen pops his head out of their carriage further along down the corridor to check on her. He shoots her a questioning glance to ask her if all is well, and she gives him the thumbs up. He smiles and nods before ducking back into the carriage.
Soon enough, Evelyn manages to excuse herself from the gathering and heads back to her carriage, giving the little crowd one last wave before disappearing into her safe haven.
"Phew!" She throws herself back into her seat opposite Cullen. "I didn't see that coming!"
"Did they ambush you on your way to the bathroom?" Cullen looks up from a newspaper with a grin.
"As soon as I stepped out of the bathroom, actually," Evelyn replies.
"I was beginning to worry," Cullen confesses. "I thought the Irish coffee got the better of you too."
Evelyn laughs merrily at his wry humour, feeling more than a little giddy.
"It'll take more than an Irish coffee to take me down, Rutherford," she smirks. He chuckles and folds the newspaper before setting it on the table before him.
He could have put it on the empty seat beside him. I mean, isn't that what people do? Fling their things onto the empty seat beside them? Does that mean he's keeping it vacant for me? Does he want to me to sit beside him again? Andraste's tits, I'm over-analysing shit again!
"You should get some shut eye," Evelyn tells him, noticing his tired eyes.
"That bad, is it?" he smiles.
"No!" Evelyn nearly jumps out of her seat in her indignance. "I mean, you don't look bad at all. Just a little tired. Nothing anyone else would notice."
He chuckles beneath his breath and leans back against his seat, allowing himself to sink into the cushion. He practically drifts off to sleep as soon as soon as his eyes shut. Evelyn puts her phone on silent mode and carefully reaches over the table to take his and silence it too. She did that just in time, too, since her phone immediately vibrates when she receives a text message.
Varric: on your way, gorgeous?
Yep.
Varric: you okay after that tabloid shit from this morning?
Yep.
Varric: and lover boy? Any dramas with him?
Evelyn rolls her eyes at the pet name and glances up at Cullen, now sound asleep.
Nope. All good.
Varric: no surprises there. He probably wishes the gossip was true ;)
Evelyn's cheeks burn at her manager's response, and she bites down on her lip to suppress a giggle.
Well, if that's the case, then he isn't alone.
Oooh, I totally just went there.
Varric: ho ho! Looks like someone has it bad for the bodyguard! Can't wait to see you two together in person! A sight to warm the heart, that's for sure.
Evelyn shakes her head, grinning like an absolute fool. She puts away her phone and rests back into her seat, gazing at Cullen as he sleeps.
What if Varric's right? What if the news didn't bother Cullen because, like me, he actually wants it to be true? Would that be too much to hope for?
Fuck it. I'm tired of what ifs. I'm not a fucking kid in high school. It's time to step up my game.