I couldn't wait to get this chapter out :D I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I do. Thanks again to everyone who has read/followed/favorited/reviewed. It makes me stupid amounts of happy. Special thanks to Gidgeygirl. Your reviews always make me smile!

Onward!

Ellie had left Cullen's office stunned. His confession was not what she was expecting when he said he needed to talk. She thought for sure it would be Inquisition related. Or worse. That he would finally confront her about their near-kiss.

But to know he's been struggling every day since she's met him, it made her heart ache for him. Ellie had never been an addict to anything, but she was very aware about the Templars dependence on lyrium. She had heard stories of ones who had try to quit, they became so insane they took their own life or they let their withdrawal consume him. She refused to let that happen to Cullen.

While she had no idea about his decision the more she reflected back, the more she remembered little signs that pointed to his fight. The way he would often wince anytime light would shine directly in his eyes, how she would sometimes catch him frowning as he rubbed his temples. Even in War Council meetings he would sometimes visibly be in discomfort. He always shrugged it off as just a headache, but now Ellie knew better.

She had to admit the realization of what he had to have been going through was profound. The more she dwelled on it, the more her respect for him deepened. It was a burden he suffered willingly to be a better person and to stand up for what he knew was right, what he believed in.

Since their encounter in tent in Frostbacks, they had barely spoken and it was obvious he was avoiding having anything other than professional contact with her. There was a part of her that was angry because of that, but she had also counted it as a blessing in disguise, something she could use to dampen her feelings towards him. If she were honest with herself, the distance almost made her feelings gravitate towards him more. She had been determined not to give into that though.

But now her inclination to him seemed to rise to a different level, despite her not wanting that to happen. Seeing him with a weakness opened Ellie's eyes past his attractive appearance and powerful, controlled disposition. It was by no means love. But it drove her past the state of a girlish crush.

Not to mention seeing him, not only fight against someone who dwarfed him, but to see him actually come out triumphant. Anyone who appreciated men would have a hard time keeping their hormones at bay with that display.

And his body, Ellie reminisced, biting her lip at the memory.

When she had entered the courtyard earlier that day after having arrived back at Skyhold, she could not stop herself from gawking at the handsome half-naked man. Dorian nearly had to actually pick up her dropped jaw. That was, of course, until the mage also caught sight of the two sweaty, shirtless men grappling each other. After that, they both were openly flustered.

Ellie didn't fight the smile that spread across her face as she got herself ready for the evening. Normally she wouldn't bother this much with her appearance but being given the notion that the good Commander would actually be joining them for drinks for once, she decided that was enough incentive to doll herself up a little.

After coming back from her travels, she already was in dire need for a proper bath. The hot water had soothed her, brought life back to her bones after being subject to cold, damp air for the last two weeks. She took her time in the bath, making sure she was thoroughly clean and even used the rare, expensive soap which smelled like sweet peas that was generously given to her by Dorian. He claimed it was too feminine for him and Ellie was all to happy to take it off his hands, but in reality she knew it was something of a gift to her for helping him sort out some drama between Dorian and his father.

When she was finished with her bath, she dried her long hair to the best of her abilities and then ran her comb through it countless times until it was tangle free. She knew that in no more than half an hour her locks would be next to dry, falling around her waist in soft waves. Ellie had only cut her hair once in her life, and that was only because when she was nine her brother got honey stuck in it and it wouldn't wash out. She wasn't sure who was more furious with Cain after that, Ellie or her mother.

The Inquisitor applied her cosmetics in her usual fashion, taking a little extra care to make sure it was perfect. She slid on her newly acquired black leather pants, the ones she now typically wore when she was meandering around Skyhold accompanied by a simple, fitted shirt made from Royale Sea Silk that laced up near the neckline. Satisfied with her appearance, she slipped on her boots that blended in with her pants and headed towards the tavern.

As she stepped out of the main hall, she could already hear a ruckus coming from the direction of the tavern. Ellie couldn't help but smile to herself at the thought. She was happy that even though they had the fate of the world resting on their shoulders, her comrades found ways to liven the mood and keep their spirits up. She opened the door to where she knew her rowdy friends would be and scanned the room. When she didn't spot the curly blonde hair she was looking for, Ellie felt her heart sink a little.

Apparently her moment of minor disappointment didn't go unnoticed as she felt a familiar arm sling itself across her shoulders.

"Don't worry, my dear, he'll be here soon enough," Dorian whispered to her. The Tevinter had quite easily picked up on Ellie's infatuation with the good Commander, though his interrupting them in the tent that one night was the first time he let on he had any suspicions. Since then, however, Dorian had teased her relentlessly about the subject. Ellie refused to admit anything, but she didn't deny anything either. She was just thankful he had the sense to goad her when no one else was in ear shot.

Ellie shrugged off the absence of Cullen and quickly settled into the jovial atmosphere. Her friends were seated near a long table close to the bar, the booze and laughs already flowing freely. As soon as her crew caught sight of her, a rather large stein full of strong smelling liquid was placed in her hand.

"Bout time you showed up!" Varric greeted her, "We were beginning to think you were ditching us."

Ellie chuckled, "I would never! I just like being fashionably late. It makes for a better entrance." She took a sip of whatever drink was handed to her, wincing a little bit at the burning potency of it. "What in the Maker's name is this?"

A thunderous laugh rolled from Iron Bull, "Don't worry, boss, it goes down easier after the first drink."

Ellie eyed the alcohol cautiously, "Well, here goes nothing I suppose." She lifted the glass to her lips and chugged. Not quite the entire contents, mind you but she got a few good gulps in before she couldn't take anymore. She swallowed, coughing and wheezing a little as the vile liquor scorched her throat. Ellie prided herself on being able to handle her alcohol, but whatever this was, she was already beginning to feel a little tipsy.

There was applause from the table, "Atta girl, boss!"

She finished the glass and as soon as it hit the table, it was replaced with a full one. Her friends, Bull and Varric especially, were still cheering her on, impressed she was able to down the entire mug as quickly as she did for her first time. In a gratuitously smug display, she went to stand up and take a bow. Ellie bent her body at the waist for the gesture, but as she rose her lightheadedness got the better of her and she lost her balance a little, wobbling off to the side.

Before she could fall flat on the floor, an arm caught her torso and steadied her so she could regain her footing. When she looked to see who had saved her from face planting, Ellie felt as though she was going to vomit, peering up to amused amber eyes.

"Oh… Hi," she managed to squeak out as the table erupted with laughter again at the scene unfolding.

A smirk grew on Cullen's face as he met the eyes of a flustered Ellie, "Well hello to you too."

An inevitable blush crept up the woman's face as she gently pulled away from Cullen's grip and sat back down at the table. He softly chuckled and took a seat beside her, which only added to the knots in Ellie's stomach.

The Commander received a drink as well and Ellie was surprised at how easily he transitioned from being the composed military leader she was used to, to being cheerful and lively. He was by no means boisterous or the centre of attention, but he seemed at ease in the environment. He even left his armor off tonight, simply wearing his brown breeches and a cotton shirt. It put a small smile on Ellie's face. Not only did he actually join them after all, but he appeared relaxed and comfortable. It was a welcome change.

And he's chosen to sit right next to me, Ellie mused, only adding more colour to her rosy cheeks.

"It seems to me, Bull, that you lost a bet earlier. I think it's time to pay up," the blonde man taunted, earning a look from the Qunari. It also piqued the interest of Varric, apparently.

"Oh? What bet was this, Curly?"

Cullen let out a hearty laugh, "Why don't you show us, Bull?"

With a huff Iron Bull stood, holding up his hands in surrender. "Fine, fine. I'll be right back. In the meantime, drinks are on me tonight! Hopefully you'll have enough so you won't remember the rest of tonight."

He left in the direction of his room, and Ellie cocked her eyebrow, "Is that why he's making us drink whatever this is? So we'll forget whatever awful thing you're making him do?"

"If he's lucky, he won't remember either," Cullen added in a smug tone, taking a drink, "And I didn't make him do anything, he's the one who suggested the wager. I simply won the bet."

Ellie grinned at the memory, "Yes you did, Commander. Quite impressive, if I do say so myself."

He turned his head to face her causing his arm to brush up against hers, his trademark smirk playing upon his lips. "You think so?"

Ellie refused to wilt anymore under his touch and met his playful countenance, "Perhaps. But now that I know you aren't afraid of the sparring ring, I believe you still owe me a match."

"Are you sure you're up to the challenge? You're considerably smaller than your Qunari companion," he countered, his mischievous tone not faltering.

Ellie kept her eyes locked on his. Their flirtatious banter was only elevating her attraction to him and the abundance of alcohol was making her bold. She bit her lip as she crossed her legs in a way that cause her calf to rest against his leg, never breaking their eye contact. Ellie watched as his gaze darted quickly to her lips and then back to her eyes, the movement creating waves of fluttering excitement to pool in her stomach and as far as she was concerned, in that moment, it was only the two of them in the room.

As soon as it started, Cullen's attention was ripped towards the towering figure that entered the room. "Maker's breath," he exclaimed before hearty laughter fell from his mouth.

Ellie furrowed her brows at the interruption and turned to see what was the cause. The sight made her eyes grow wide and her mouth gape open. To her utter shock and amusement, Iron Bull was standing in front of the table wearing only a bright pink dress. It was ill-fitted to say the least, the thin straps barely made it around his broad shoulders and the hem hit his upper thigh, where normally it would have fell past a woman's knees.

"Happy now, Commander?"

"If I'm not mistaken I believe there is some dancing in order as well," he managed to choke out between laughs.

Bull sighed, but carried out the bet by hoisting himself up on the table and dancing around the way a little girl might. The wooden table groaned in protest under his weight, but didn't break. Everyone was dying of laughter, but Ellie made a point of not looking too far up, seeing as she didn't need to know what was or wasn't underneath Bull's dress.

Instead she turned back to Cullen who was shielding his eyes from the overhead view as well, "So if you had lost, you would've had to do this?"

He grinned back at her, "Good thing I didn't lose."

Ellie giggle back at him. "I don't know, I think I would've preferred to see up your dress," she blurted without thinking, instantly turning red as soon as the words fell from her lips.

Cullen looked at her with visible disbelief, but then his features switched to something more coy. "Perhaps that can be arranged," he replied, his voice barely over a whisper.

Before Ellie could even begin to fully comprehend what he just said, she felt herself being lifted up from her chair. She jerked her head to see Dorian giving her an all-knowing smile.

"Pardon my interruption Commander, but our lovely Inquisitor here needs to get her rest," he announced, tugging a tipsy Ellie along with him before she had a chance to say a proper goodbye to Cullen. Just before they left the tavern, she glanced over her shoulder to see Cullen's golden eyes following her. She offered him an apologetic smile and then disappeared outside with Dorian leading her.

"You're an ass, you know that?" She growled at him as he helped her up the stairs towards her quarters since her legs had apparently stopped functioning correctly.

"My dear, I'm doing you a favor," he responded, "I saw you two undressing each other with your eyes and flirting shamelessly all night. Take some advice from your charming and brilliant friend, Dorian, and make him chase you a little. It'll make everything that much better when he does pounce on you," he added a little wink to punctuate his last sentence.

Ellie sighed in annoyance but was too dulled by alcohol to form any kind of rebuttal. She merely let him lead her back to her room in silence, and when they arrived she crawled into her bed hazily wondering what it would've been like if Cullen had brought her back to her room instead.