itsmyfreakin asked:

Cullen x Lavellan (or Garrus x Femshep) costume party fun-times? :D

Cullen hadn't been sure about his costume, and Ran taking one look and laughing herself silly wasn't helping. He shifted his shoulders uncomfortably. It wasn't heavy, but it was hot and itched something horrible. The motion brushed fur against his nose, and he sneezed.

"Was that-" Ran gasped for breath between giggles. "Was that Leliana's suggestion or Josephine's?"

"Maker knows. Josephine said I'd find it familiar, and Leliana just smiled. You know how she smiles. It's terrifying."

Ran got herself under control and came closer. She smoothed the fur back, then rose on her toes to plant a kiss on his chin, the only part of his face left uncovered. "Your collar is rather lion-like," she said. "And you do look imposing."

"As long as no one pinches me again."

"I'd like to see them try." Ran scowled. The most adorable line formed between her brows when she did that. Cullen wanted to kiss it, but the mask hung over his mouth, and he wasn't sure he'd be able to get it straight again without help. He settled for rubbing her brow gently with his thumb until her expression lightened.

"No costume for you?" he asked, taking in her plain clothes.

"Oh." Ran began to scowl again. "I have a costume. Sent by one of the marquises. I'm not wearing it."

"Surely it's not that bad."

Ran pressed her lips together and stalked over to the bed. There was a large flat box sitting on the duvet, and she pulled something green and floaty from it. She turned, holding the garment at arms length.

There were ribbons. Lots of ribbons. Bits of fabric twisted to imitate tree branches rose from each shoulder, and fluttering layers of green suggested leaves in the wind. It had no sleeves, a plunging neckline, and the skirt looked like it would end above her knees.

"That's..." Cullen trailed off, made speechless by the audacity of sending her such a thing. No noblewoman would show that much skin, costume party or not.

Ran shook it in disgust, then pulled some of the ribbons off. "It's a shemlen's idea of what an elf would wear." There was hurt in her voice, and Cullen moved without thought in answer to it. He took the outfit from her and tossed it on to a chair.

"We'll find something else," he said. "I'm sure Josephine has a favor she can call in."

"No." Ran drew herself up blade-straight. "I'm not playing their game. I'll go like this and just let them say something."

She would do it. Cullen loved the thought, loved her for the idea, but even he knew the court would tear her to bits for it. He put a hand on her waist and pulled her close.

"I will," she muttered into his chest. He smoothed a line down her spine and her shoulders sagged. "I hate this place."

"Let Josephine fix it," he said. "She'll come up with something that's appropriate and shames the person who sent you that." Ran gave a watery laugh. "And they should be shamed for it." The statement came out more forcefully than he intended, and Ran leaned back, surprise on her face. She looked at him for a long moment, then hooked her fingers under his mask and pushed up.

"What—"

"Take this thing off so I can kiss you." The mask lifted, and she grabbed two handfuls of the mane around his ears and dragged him down to her mouth. The angle was awkward and he was still hot and itchy, and it was absolutely wonderful. Her eyes were bright when they parted again.

"All right," she said, tugging his mask back down. He pressed a kiss to the inside of her wrist before his mouth was covered again and she bit her lip. "Let's go find Josephine before I ruin two costumes."