Chapter 3

Cullen stood in the courtyard watching the training of his troops. Dorian and him had not spoken in days. Why had Dorian turned away from him? He felt Dorian's advances and thought he pushed enough to make his own clear. Apparently not.

"Commander."

He turned as he heard his name called.

"Inquisitor, did you need something?" Cullen asked.

She waved an envelope in front of his face.

"What's this?" Cullen asked with a smile. He reached for the envelope but the Inquisitor waved it away with a smirk.

"It's about our evil Tevinter Mage," Lavellan teased.

Cullen scoffed and turned away.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to make fun. But you should read it. I think it may be a trap."

Cullen snatched the letter from her and began reading. His brow furrowed as he finished, then he turned to her.

"Of course it's a trap. His father wants you to lure him there without him knowing. You weren't actually going to take him, were you?" Cullen asked cautiously.

"Of course not, but I think Dorian should go and see what this family retainer has to say. At least he should know about the letter..." she trailed off.

"Ok, why tell me?"

"You know strategy. What should we do?" she asked.

"Tell him. He might already know what this retainer wants," Cullen said.

She stared at Cullen hoping he would say more. But he didn't. Instead he offered her back the letter. She looked down at it.

"Take it to him, I have a meeting with Solas," the Inquisitor said and she walked off.

"Meeting. Pft. Yeah right," Cullen said under his breath as she walked away.

He sighed and began his walk into the hall. He climbed the stairs to the library where Dorian always sat and read. He reached the top stair and turned the corner and found Dorian asleep in his armchair with an open book across his chest. What a sight. He looked so peaceful sleeping. Cullen did not want to wake him. He looked around and found another armchair and brought it into Dorian's nook. He sat across from Dorian and picked up a book he had laid out on the table. It was a history book written by Brother Genetivi. Cullen wasn't one to study history, but he opened it because Dorian was interested in it.

Dorian stirred and tried to maneuver himself into a more comfortable position on his chair. Instead, he woke with a scowl, frustrated he could not get comfortable. He became even more uncomfortable when he noticed the Commander sitting across from him.

"Commander!" Dorian straightened out and smoothed his clothes.

"Dorian," he said letting out a small chuckle.

"How long have you been there?"

"Not long. How is your recovery?" Cullen asked.

"The healers did well. I feel good as new," Dorian replied.

Cullen smiled. "That is good to hear. I brought you a letter," Cullen said.

Dorian reached out and took the letter from Cullen. As he read it, his face turned into a frown.

"My father wants me to return to Tevinter no doubt," Dorian said.

"Would you go back to Tevinter?" Cullen asked.

"No. Corypheus is still a threat. Maybe after, I will return," Dorian said.

"What do you think about this retainer?" Cullen asked.

"I'm sure it will be more of putting me in chains and dragging me home than talking," Dorian said.

Dorian sensed the trap too.

"But you're not even curious? What if it is just talk?" Cullen asked.

Dorian sighed. "It could be."

"I can take a small squad with me and we'll follow you to the meeting. If we see you leaving in chains, we'll make sure to get you back," Cullen offered.

"I like that plan," Dorian said with a smile. "Thank you."

"The Inquisitor should be inside with you," Cullen said.

"No, she has too many problems to solve, I don't need her to hold my hand. Your squad should be enough to keep a look out. Thank you," Dorian said.

"I will accompany them to make sure nothing happens to you," Cullen promised.

Dorian swallowed.

"Thank you Cullen," Dorian said in a husky voice.

Cullen's stomach turned. He loved hearing Dorian say his name.

"The meeting will happen at the end of this week. We should leave tomorrow to make it in time. Pack light." Cullen said.

Dorian nodded and smiled at Cullen. "Alright, let's go meet this retainer."

The next day Dorian met Cullen, dressed in his battle mage armor, staff strapped to his back, and pack in his hand. Cullen found he enjoyed see the sight of Dorian in his armor.

Cullen turned to tend to his horse, then mounted it. Dorian followed close behind him. They also had five people in Cullen's squad. Cullen had picked his most trusted men for the trip.

They set up camp when it got dark. The squad were sitting around the campfire eating their dinner. Dorian watched Cullen tie his horse to a tree and ventured over to him.

"I don't know how many times I'll say this, but thank you again, for being here, with me," Dorian said.

Cullen smiled and turned around to face the Mage. "I'm here to keep you safe. I don't know what I...what the inquisition would do if they lost their strongest battlemage."

Dorian smirked at the compliment, noticing the correction the commander had made. "I agree. I probably am the strongest Mage in the south, but in Tevinter, I'm still just an Altus. You need to have a bloodline to become a magister."

"Is that the only thing stopping you?"

"Well, no. There are other ways to gain influence. That is just the easiest," Dorian said.

"The Dorian I know likes things hard," Cullen said quickly.

Dorian's eyebrows shot up in surprise that that would come out of Cullen's mouth. It took only a moment for Cullen to realize what he had said before his eyes went wide too.

"What I mean is I know you like a challenge and never take the easy way...Maker, I'll stop talking," Cullen said rubbing the back of his neck.

"Don't," Dorian said. He took a step closer to Cullen. "Don't stop talking. I like hearing your voice."

Cullen's face flushed. He gripped the back of his neck harder. Dorian was right here, saying these things and stepping closer to him.

Dorian reached up and pulled his arm down from his neck. He placed his palm under Cullen's and waited to see what he would do.

Cullen looked down at their hands. They were only touching and Cullen loved the feeling but he hesitated to move.

Dorian could sense Cullen's hesitation. He fully grasped his hand and rubbed small circled with his thumb on the back of his hand.

Cullen's breath hitched in his throat and he let out a shaky exhale.

"Why do you say things like that?" Cullen managed to get out.

"That should be obvious," Dorian said looking up at Cullen.

"Let's pretend it's not. Can you...elaborate?" Cullen asked.

Dorian gave an almost wicked grin. He reached up and grasped The back of Cullen's head and pulled him toward him. Dorian graced his lips over Cullen's a few times, offering small kisses, waiting to see what the other man would do. But Cullen was frozen. Dorian had so unexpectedly kissed him and it felt so wonderful to Cullen but he couldn't move. Dorian pulled away.

"How's that for an elaboration?" Dorian asked with a smile.

"Just perfect, actually," Cullen said softly. He didn't want Dorian to leave so he pulled him back to him and kissed him this time. Cullen had never kissed another man before and was afraid he wouldn't know how, but after his lips moved against Dorian's, everything about kissing him felt right. Cullen cupped Dorian's face, pulling him closer, kissing him with more need and urgency. And Dorian returned with the same passion.

They pulled away to breathe. Cullen rested his forehead against Dorian's and both men were breathing heavily together.

"I can't tell you how long I've wanted to do that," Cullen whispered.

"Well now you can have me," Dorian said reaching for Cullen and pulling him against his body. He moved his hips in a slow circle so he would brush up against the erection that was growing in Cullen's pants.

Cullen began breathing heavier. He let one of his hands fall to Dorian's chest. His fingers moved from his neck down to his collar bone sending sparks throughout Dorian's body.

Dorian went to grasp Cullen through his bulging pants. Cullen let out a gasp. If Dorian went any further he feared he would come undone right there. He gripped Dorian's hand to stop him.

"Wait Dorian," he breathed. Dorian looked up at him breathing heavily too. "I don't want to mess this up. Please, let's take this slow."

Dorian blinked and then looked away. He didn't know how. "I'm afraid I don't know how to take things slow."

"Dorian, I want a relationship not just a one night tryst in the dark," Cullen said.

"I don't know how, I've never been in a relationship. Relationships between two men in the Imperium were frowned upon. I would usually just sleep with a man then he leave or I leave right after. If we were to get caught..."

"Dorian, things are different in the south. It's not like that here. I want to be with you Dorian. And if I only have time with you until you leave to Tevinter, then I want to cherish every moment with you," Cullen said.

Dorian's heart lept in his chest. "No man has ever said that to me before."

"I am not just any man," Cullen said as his hand reached up to cup Dorian's face. His thumb dragged across his cheekbone and along his jaw. "Say you will be mine," he whispered as he leaned in.

"I'm-"

"Commander!" A scout called.

Cullen sighed and looked at Dorian.

"Commander!" The scout called again closer.

Dorian put distance between himself and the commander.

"Here!" Cullen called to the scout.

"Commander, we received news of a rift close by. We've encountered two demons already Ser."

"Understood, let's move camp. We can't close that rift without the inquisitor," Cullen said.

"Yes commander," the scout said as he headed back to tell the others.

Cullen sighed and rubbed the back of his neck as he turned to Dorian. He didn't have time to think as Dorian grasped his neck and pulled him into a long kiss. Cullen fell into Dorian and wrapped his hands around his waist.

"I'm yours, Commander."