"Did you hear? There was a Grey Warden here!"
"Here? Really? Was he recruiting?"
"They say he took Amell with him."
"Seriously? He only just passed his Harrowing!"
"He is Irving's favourite."
Life in the Circle Tower of Kinloch Hold was in many ways steady. There was a set routine and a set way of living that was little impacted by anything beyond the stone walls. Rumours of the Fifth Blight had yet to reach the Tower, sectioned off from the rest of the world as they were, and though a Grey Warden had come and gone, his visit wasn't elevated above gossip, and there were other happenings, such as what had happened to Jowan, that soon replaced it.
Dorian was still pursuing Cullen. It had only been a few weeks, but he still felt like he was getting nowhere. However, Dorian had cooled off his plan of attack.
He was currently sulking quietly in his room, a lack of energy belying his misery. The last time Cullen had ran away from him, he had yelped something about shameful behaviour. Dorian did not truly understand why it bothered him so much, but every time his mind drifted back to it, his eyes stung and his throat clogged up.
He buried his arm back into the blue fabric of his robes. It shouldn't hurt to have someone disapprove of his behaviour, and it wasn't even as though he was particularly depraved or obscene, he just wanted Cullen's attention… and perhaps a kiss off the man… The Templar did not need to act as though the idea was so horrific.
At this point, Dorian once again began thinking about theory of magic. He began thinking about the different thoughts on how mana interacts with mages in a way it can't with others, because his current train of thought could not lead anywhere good.
As Dorian's sobs subsided and he drifted off to sleep, a young man with blond curly hair stood outside the door to the male apprentice dorms. He was tugging his fingers roughly through his hair as he stood listening to the pain he had caused the Mage.
Cullen stepped forwards and pressed a hand to the door, wishing desperately that he could comfort Dorian. But how could he? Templars were there to both protect Mages and protect others from Mages, how could he possibly remain objective about his task if he allowed himself to return Dorian's affections.
He did though. So much so that watching the young Mage wilt was painful to him. Others didn't care much for Dorian; he listened to the chatter that circulated around the Tower and he knew that people continued to talk about Jowan, the idea of having had a Blood Mage living with them seemed to horrify many of the apprentices. There was still conversation about who was likely to go for their Harrowing next, and even amongst the Templars, rumours about who was sleeping with which Mages made regular rounds.
Life went on, and yet Cullen was here. He was in simple clothing, having finished his duties for the day earlier and now stood by this door. Should he go in? He always tried to avoid going into the dormitories, not only because the Mages had little enough privacy as it was, but also because Cullen had an uncanny knack for coming across people having a quick romp, be it up against a wall, or on a desk, or clinging to a bookcase…
Slowly, he began to push to door open, eyes quickly scanning the room to make sure he wasn't going to encounter anyone but Dorian. The younger man must have scared them all away with his tears though, because for once the dormitory had only one other person in it, and he was asleep.
Cullen made his way over, dropping to his knees and wondering what to do. Dorian's face showed clearly the evidence of his pain, tears still wet on his cheeks, even though his breathing was soft and even.
Pale finger gently traced the smooth skin of his nose, over his cheeks and down to the dark stubble that Cullen had never seen before. He didn't look well. His whole body was exhausted and Cullen rather suspected that he had not been going to his meals, though he was unnoticed enough that his comings and goings rarely entered the Circle's rumour mill.
And wasn't that bizarre. Cullen couldn't quite understand how people were not fascinated by Dorian. He shuffled closer, until he was pressed against the bed frame, his face inches from Dorian's.
Could he do it? Could he do his duty and be close to Dorian? He had heard the rumours that Knight Commander Greagoir was in a relationship of sorts with First Enchanter Irving, though they were so old that Cullen did his best not to wonder what the nature of their relationship was… But, if the Knight Commander could manage it, surely Cullen could try?
After all, if Dorian was possessed, he would surely want Cullen to strike him down. He would not want his body being used against his will. So, Cullen would hurt if it came to it, but was it better to ignore the chance for this one small happiness out of fear of losing it?
He made up the last distance and pressed his lips carefully to Dorian's, before jumping back slightly. He should wait. He would wait until the other woke up.
Cullen curled his legs up and stared at Dorian's face as he waited, but inactivity often breeds an active mind, and his thoughts began to rush. For once though, they were not on whether or not this was acceptable, but the worry that other apprentices would return before Dorian stirred.
Feeling daring despite his trembling hands, Cullen clutched at the man's shoulder and shook him awake.
"Hm, wha-?" Dorian stuttered before his eyes caught Cullen's. "How can I help you?" his tone curiously empty.
"I… I fear I must apologise." Cullen realised he was still gripping that shoulder and dropped his hand into his lap. "I… It's just… I didn't… I'm sorry."
It must be said that Cullen struggled to act calmly around Dorian at the best of time. He found the young man desperately attractive and found that nerves often robbed him of his speech when Dorian was near, a fact a few other Templars were aware of and mocked him mercilessly for, if in good humour. Though that was neither here nor there for Cullen as he knelt by Dorian's side, for the other Templars did not cross his mind, despite the fact that they did nothing for his confidence in the matter.
Regardless, Cullen chose to resolve the matter by surging forwards to press their lips together again, unable to speak the words but hoping Dorian would understand. Dorian, as it happened, felt hope blossom in his chest as he stretched his arms out and around Cullen's shoulders. Tears once again welled up in his eyes, but his grin kept Cullen from worrying.
"I hope I can earn your forgiveness." He whispered.
"You already have it." Dorian replied, barely speaking above a whisper. "Now get up here."
Cullen scrambled up like an over eager puppy trying to get onto its master's lap, but once settled above him, he began to practice his scarcely explored skills to lay claim to Dorian's mouth. Dorian, for his part, simply enjoyed the weight of Cullen over him, the chance to hold him without armour in the way and the reassuring moans that periodically escaped them both.
As the two new lovers cuddled close, aware they would have to move soon but unwilling to part just yet, they were blissfully unaware of all around them.
They knew nothing of Uldred, who had just returned from Ostagar; of his plans with Loghain to become First Enchanter and his belief that blood magic was the way to advance. They were absorbed in their own world, in which abominations and demons had no place… at least, not yet.
Smuttier version available on AO3, under same username and title, or on the dragon age kink meme site.