I'm back with another simply because I'm excited.
Please Read and review and I forgot to put that disclaimer on the last chapter-I own nothing, the game belongs to bioware I'm merly playing in their sandbox.
Now on with the fun~
Cullen didn't see Amelia much over the following week. Their arrival in Skyhold was fortunate. However, the new inquisitor wanted it to be as comfortable as possible. She worked on gathering supplies for new areas to be built. Checking in on anyone she could to ensure their stay was for the most part trouble free.
Cullen even caught her a few times helping with the injured.
The times they actually spent together was in the war room. The week was filled with preparation for Skyhold and their future plans. Scouts were sent out by the day to new locations in order for the inquisitor to go their herself and gather information, supplies, agents and so forth.
She led well. But Cullen wondered if she noticed how drained she was. The woman had teased him-asking if he ever slept. But the dark circles under her own eyes spoke volumes to him.
Once preparations were complete, the end of the week resulted in a war meeting to discuss further ventures into troubles brought up by her companions. She would be leaving not tomorrow but the following day to take care of some business for Solas and a group of Dalish camped near a scouted location.
After that she would be helping Dorian confront his family. She gave them their own orders. accepted their reports to sign off on and dismissed them.
So he and the other advisers left.
But he found her there in the war room later. Fiddling with the pieces on the map.
"Inquis-" She shot her gaze to him and he caught himself. "..Amelia?"
She straightened, pulling her shoulders back and fixing her robe. Her chin remained proudly lifted. The entire pose looked stiff and wrong.
It was the stance of a woman conditioned into wearing it. He preferred her usual graceful, fluid movements.
"Commander Cullen." She reached up, brushing a stray auburn lock back behind her ear. Her wavy hair hung loose out of its usual braid, ending in the middle of her back.
"Dinner is over...most have gone to bed...yet you remain here."
He approahced her slowly...she leaned her weight back into the war table, slouching suddenly and crossing her arms. "I'm just, I don't know...restless?"
He frowned, stopping a short distance from her.
"Is there something on your mind?"
She glanced up at him again, their gazes locked and held. "I'm...worried."
His frown deepens and he stepped closer, lowering his own arms to his sides. "About what, Amelia?" She chewed on her lower lip but didn't answer, instead her hands reached up and he blinked as she smoothed out the lines appearing in his forehead. His head tilted away after a moment. Confusion etched on his features even as his cheeks flamed.
She pulled her hand back immediately. "Sorry." Her voice was soft. She seemed to be scolding herself.
"I...Why do you do that?"
She blinked at him. " Do what?"
He scowled for just a moment before waving at her with broad motions. "It's like your afraid to lay your hands on me."
They both blushed that time, Amelia's lips parted but she closed her mouth quickly. Waiting for her cheeks to stop flaming.
"Well...I..." She reached up to rub the back of her neck. "...When we first met you flinched when I touched your arm..." She trailed off and glanced to him...frowning. "I figured...you didn't want me to touch you." Her cheeks darkened again.
He stared at her, and before he could stop himself he blurted. "Well I do."
They stood in awkward silence. Both avoiding the others gaze.
"I mean...I..." He stuttered and shut his mouth. "...I wasn't paying attention. You surprised me that's all. It's not that I..."
She smiled slowly. Her mouth twitching as she held back on her laughter.
They stared at each other and both of them slowly began to laugh. Shoulders shaking until she was leaning over clutching her stomach and he stood next to her leaning on the war table for support.
"Okay..okay.." she wiped at her eyes. "I'll be sure to not misunderstand next time."
She glanced to him.
He nodded calming down slowly, he cleared his throat. "...you never answered me on what's bothering you, You...can talk to me if it will help."
She glanced away. "I'm...just worried I'll screw up helping everyone out. There's so much already at stake. Now with Solas's spirit friend, and Dorian's family..."
She sighed softly.
"...I just hope they don't hate me if I do mess up."
She glanced down and shrugged.
"Solas...seems like a level headed man...and Dorian and you seem rather close...I doubt he's going anywhere no matter what you do."
She laughed. "Ha. Yeah I somehow doubt I can get away with -anything-" She grinned. "But they are both good friends..."
She trailed off... looking st him from the corner of her eyes.
"I should get to sleep. Long day tomorrow." She hesitated. "Walk me to my room?"
He blinked and then slowly nodded. " Of course."
Their walk was silent. Cullen found himself cursing his inability to form a coherent thought process around her.
He saw her as bold, brave. Smart and beautiful. He himself was just awkward. When he wasn't making a fool of himself he cherished their conversations.
He did wish however he could manage to get past this...
Their conversations held no depth.
They stopped at her door.
"Promise me you'll get some sleep commander." She had stopped with her hand on the doorknob. Turning her body towards him. He marveled at their height difference for a moment. The mage was tiny next to him.
He rolled his eyes though. " I'll try." He murmured.
She gave a bright grin, lifting her hand up to his cheek for a moment. He blushed darkly in confusion. Left standing there in that state when her hand dropped away. The whisper of her goodnight ghosted over him.
The click of the door closing snapped him out of his stupor. He turned and made his way back to his own quarters.
Thoughts of her hand on his cheek invaded his mind for the rest of the night.