Later that afternoon, Cullen stood drenched in sweat in the courtyard, his hands wrapped in cloth, beating on a now very mangled practise dummy. Cassandra joined him after a while, hacking away at her own dummy.
"Blowing off some steam, Commander?" she asked, her tone unusually amused.
Cullen stopped to catch his breath before beginning his assault again.
"Yes, you could say that. Got to stay in shape, can't be shuffling papers all day, or I'll lose my edge."
While that was partly true, that was not his reason today. After trying everything he could think of to take his mind off Trev and what had happened earlier in the war room, and failing miserably, the only option left was sweating it out by some good, old physical exertion. That didn't really work either, but he had to do something with himself or he would go crazy.
He just couldn't stop thinking about her. Her warm, soft lips, her body pressed against him...
He hit the dummy so hard it fell off the pole it was attached to.
Cassandra raised her eyebrows at him.
"What has that poor thing ever done to you, Commander?"
Cullen stood with his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath to answer Cassandra when he heard the main gate to Skyhold open.
Cassandra looked in the gate's direction, although it was a bit far away to actually see who came through.
"The Inquisitor must be back already. I should think that's a good sign," she said.
"She's been outside today?" he asked, a little surprised.
"Yes. She wasn't supposed to leave on a mission until tomorrow, but there have been reports of a possible red lyrium outbreak not far from here, and she insisted on finding out herself, as always. You know how she is."
Cullen knew. She was dedicated to their cause in a way that mirrored his own, and he admired her greatly for it. She could have done nothing when she came out marked from the Conclave, but she'd immediately accepted her role and did everything in her power to help, and lead the inquisiton in the best way she could.
Which was in an excellent way, Cullen knew everybody who was a part of this thought so. She was so clever, using every bit of information to their advantage. She managed to balance following her council's advice, delegating what could be handled by others and managing much of it on her own as well. She didn't mind being camped out in a wasteland for weeks of it meant she could secure an advantage to the inquisiton, sleeping on the cold, hard ground and fighting every day.
Nobody could say no to any of her requests, knowing that she would do, and had gladly done, much harder tasks herself. That combined with her status as Herald of Andraste, which she didn't push but didn't refute either, made her a leader that the people would follow anywhere, and give their lives for.
Cullen also knew that it wasn't exactly a disadvantage that she looked like something out of a legend, with her long, golden hair, her almost frighteningly beautiful face, her twin daggers at her back when she was in her light armor. She looked like a warrior godess, so stunning that some people could hardly look at her without averting their eyes, feeling like they were watching Andraste herself.
Cullen snapped out of his thoughts when he glimpsed her at a distance, the sunlight catching her hair, and watched her ride her horse over to the stables.
"Cullen? Are you listening?" Cassandra poked him with the dull training blade in her hand.
"What? Sorry, Cassandra, you were saying?"
The seeker rolled her eyes at him. "I said, I'm going to the war room, we have to go over some last minute details before setting out on tomorrow's mission. We don't really need you there, it's mostly Josephine's type of business, but you should talk to the soldiers we're taking with us, inform them of the mission." She inclined her head towards the stables. "Go tell the Inquisitor to meet us there as soon as possible, would you?"
Cullen nodded, perhaps a bit too eagerly.
"Yes yes, I know you're dying to see her, just don't hold her up for too long, Commander Charming," she said, shaking her head at him.
"Wh-what?" Cullen stuttered. "I don't know what you're talking about, Cassandra."
"Ha! After your little display on the battlements this morning with the Inquisitor, don't try to play innocent with me, or anyone else, Commander. As long as you do your job and she does hers, nobody is going to object. In fact, the people haven't been so excited in a long, long time. You've given them something intriguing and fun to talk about. That's worth something." With a hint of a smile, Cassandra turned around and set off towards the stairs up to the castle.
"Andraste, help me," Cullen mumbled, but wasted no time and started walking towards the stables, excited to see Trev, even if it was just for a moment.
He found her standing outside the horsebox where her mare now stood, eating an apple out of her hand while she hummed softly to it. Trev had some blood spattered on her armor, but she didn't look injured or even tired. Cullen sighed to himself in relief, as always when she came back safely.
He hadn't alerted her to his precense yet. He was enjoying seeing her seemingly at peace, knowing the pressure of her role as Inquisitor was sure to weigh on her shoulders most of the time. He watched as she gently stroked the horse's muzzle, and he could feel something inside him stir, his raw and heated desire for her transforming into something deeper. He could feel his heart beating for her, only for her. Up until now, he hadn't really been able to think cleary, blinded by his physical need for her. But he could feel it so clearly now.
Sweet Maker, I think I love her.
No, he knew he did.
He walked over to her and said her name in a gentle voice, not wanting to frighten her or the mare.
She turned around and her whole face lit up when she saw him. It made his heart flutter.
"Hey, you," she said.
He gently ran his fingers through her hair, enjoying the silky feel of it. She looked up at him expectantly, and he tilted his head down and kissed her, softly, keeping the worst of the ravenous desire out of the kiss. He continued stroking her hair while slowly deepening the kiss, trying to show her how much she meant to him.
He could feel her melt into him.
"You make my knees weak, Cullen," she whispered between his lips.
He couldn't help himself as she pressed closer to him, her hand caressing his neck, her mouth kissing him more urgently by the second.
"I want you," he murmured in a low, raspy voice.
He could feel her smile against his lips.
"I'm covered in sweat and dirt, Cullen."
He trailed slow, wet kisses down her neck.
"I like you dirty," he whispered and looked at her face when he heard a small gasp escape her. He was relieved to see he hadn't gone too far, quite the opposite. She looked like she wanted him to take her right there against the stable wall, eyes dark as she bit her lip so hard it looked like it was going to break.
Spurred on by her reaction, he gave her a last, hungry kiss before withdrawing and putting his forehead against hers.
"They need you in the war room as soon as possible. After that, no more waiting, no more playing around. The rest of the evening you are mine." She moaned and tried to kiss him again but he backed away slightly, a rush of confidence running through him from her response. He looked her in the eyes. "Is that clear?"
She looked beyond excited.
"Oh, yes, Commander," she said and licked her lips.
Cullen groaned inwardly at the sight. So, so tempting.
He turned and walked away, trying to stay calm and leave her wanting more, like she always did with him.
It seemed to work, as he glanced back while walking out of the stables, seeing her leaning back against the door, staring after him with her fingers unconsciously running along her lips and tracing the path he'd kissed her down her neck. He thought he heard her mumble a prayer to the Maker.
Oh, it was definitely working.