It's not all about sex with Bull. It really isn't. They do other things as well, she swears. It's just that they're so damn good at it.
Shalini knows what some at Skyhold think, has seen the way some of the nobles look at her, whispering, giggling. The Inquisitor, it's not enough that she's Dalish, she's also taken one of them ox-men to bed.
She hates walking through the main hall with her head high likes she doesn't know or doesn't care.
That she is Dalish doesn't matter to her. She's proud of that, what they say or whisper about means nothing. It's when they talk or whisper about the people she cares about that she wants to set the entire room on fire.
Because it's not all about sex.
It's just that they're so damn good at it.
oOo
They're on her balcony, lying among the flowers and sheets they managed to drag out in their blinded passion. He's on his back with her on top, hands bound behind her back, eyes pointed up, taking in the sky.
One good thing with having your quarters in a tower is that you're not easily disturbed. The downside is that it's windy. Very windy. If she screams right now, she's pretty sure the entire courtyard will hear. Not that she has the focus to care.
One hand is between her legs, while the other is struggling to let her hair down, let the wind grab it and turn her into something wild and untamed. She's never considered herself any of those things, but he brings it out in her and she thrills in it. Her tangled thoughts are interrupted when he lifts her forward and oh- that's his tongue and Shalini thinks that yes, soon she'll probably scream, loud and clear.
And scream she does, with black curls whirling around her head and him breathing hard under her, rumbling in hunger.
They're not done yet, and she grins as she eases back downwards and her fingers touches what they can of his arousal in their locked state.
It's enough though.
Gods, is it enough.
oOo
He likes to nibble.
It's not often Shalini dresses herself without finding light teethmarks here and there, not to mention the places he's kissed.
He wasn't kidding when he said he liked her breasts during that drunken evening, so long ago and yet not at all.
She's flat and petite, not much to grab, but he loves it all. Plus, it's not the size, he says. It's what you can do with what you have. And by the gods does he do a lot once they get started. Shalini can barely keep still, the way his teeth are teasing her sensitive flesh, nipping, pulling. It leaves her red and pulsing and she writhes under him when he strokes featherlight touches after he's done with his mouth. It's so good that she thinks she'll stop function every time he does it.
When the heat has subsided, she stretches out on the bed like a pleased cat and that only makes him want to do it all over again.
oOo
She likes to scratch.
When her are arms aren't tied or held down, she runs her hands down his powerful back and when he enters she can't help it. Her nails are short and rounded, not much to fend with at all, but she digs in with all her might and sometimes, sometimes she leaves his skin darker than when they began.
And she thinks he secretly enjoys it, the way he's not the only one leaving marks. Proof of their couplings. Souvenirs. Trophies.
oOo
How can you still walk? Sera joked with her once.
Sometimes it's so rough and wild that she never wants to walk again.
She's lying in bed, numb and heavy, aching in a good way, like all her energy is spent and gone, only to slowly be replaced with new. Like being reborn, she thinks. A new person, a clean one. Free of obligations, free of responsibilities, free of curses.
A new person.
That can't walk.
oOo
And sometimes it's gentle and warm and slow. With her thighs around his waist and her face burrowed in his neck, rocking together, drowsy and lazy.
She's running her hands over his scars. He's tracing her vallaslin with his fingertips.
Then they reach climax and the world stands still for an eternity and a second and everything is perfect.
oOo
Shalini doesn't think about it very often, but before her magical abilities manifested, she was to become a hunter for her clan. As part of that, she was an excellent climber. Very quick, very flexible. As the years passed on, she's started to rely less and less on it. Except for now.
Sleeping with Bull has many different outcomes. Always something new, but the fact that Shalini basically has the body and bones of a snake drives him absolutely insane every time. She's a quick runner too, faster than him. Much faster.
She's running up the stairs, ripping off her clothes as she does so, him advancing after her with a hungry grin on his face.
She enters her quarters and just as he's nearing her, she turns and jumps him like a lion, her legs around his body and he grabs her backside and lifts her higher, higher. Then her thighs are on his shoulders and she grabs his horns and holds on for dear life as he burrows his face between her legs.
She should definitely start honing her skills again.
oOo
"Any stories?"
"Oh, plenty."
Shalini knows she and Bull supplies enough ammunition for the gossip to only grow bigger. She knows she could just talk to them, address her displeasure. But somehow she imagines that will only make it worse. Like admitting everything they say is true.
Which it isn't.
Because it's not all about sex.
oOo
Sometimes it's quiet understanding and warm embraces when nightmares and monsters makes it impossible for him to go back to sleep. Memories plaguing his mind. Old fears resurfacing, only to return to the graves where they belong when she puts a hand over his heart.
oOo
Sometimes it's fingers through hair and soothing murmurs when the fact that her clan and family is dead won't leave her alone and she thinks she can't take it anymore. The burden becomes too great and she slowly starts to crack before he holds her together, carefully putting back the pieces.
oOo
Sometimes he joins her in the stables, cleaning his weapon or armour while she cares for the mounts, nothing but peaceful and calm silence between them.
oOo
Sometimes it's long nights with the Chargers, telling stories and having a good time. Slowly forgetting your worries and drinking away your sorrows.
oOo
It's actually not all about sex at all.
They're just so damn good at it.