"This is not the time nor place for this, Thom Rainier!" Cullen's voice reverberated off Skyhold's stone walls so loud that the entire courtyard stood to attention.
"Oooh, cully wully and mr 'I'm a grey warden but I'm not really' are really having it out eh?" Sera giggled with Dorian, who was only half listening. He liked Sera but sometimes she was so childish. She had a lot of growing up to do still. He understood relations between people can be difficult and there was always a grey area. His attention was more concentrated on the inquisitor, who stood mortified on the battlements, her face hidden in her hands at the scene the two men were making over her. Stuck between two handsome men and unable to choose, poor dear.
" I think now is the only time we may get, commander! You cheating bastard!" Blackwall erupted in fury and threw himself at Cullen.
"Enough!" Cassandra swung her blade between them, " You two, take it somewhere else! Your private affairs should stay exactly that, private. I'm pretty sure the entire Thedas can hear you right now, not to mention Anya!"
Both men immediately hung their heads in shame, their surroundings becoming apparent suddenly. At the sound of the inquisitor's name Blackwall rushed off to the stables. Cullen's cheeks flashed red, he was normally so reserved about such matters and the idea of a screaming match in the middle of Skyhold...but he could not stand for saying nothing when Blackwall had intercepted him that morning with all kinds of abuse. All his accusations were true , of course. It filled him with guilt but he could not deny his feelings for Anya.
"Cullen, come " Cassandra took the commanders arm and led him back to his office.
"Well well. I was almost looking forward to a cat fight there. Would have been rather enjoyable to watch, but I do feel for the inquisitor." Dorian mused.
" I don't feel sorry for her, I feel sorry for the two men she's been stringing along!" grumbled Sera, heading back to the tavern with Dorian.
" I see your point Sera but Its not always that simple my dear, it's not always that simple."
For once, Dorian did not relish in the gossip and whisperings that were now going on around him. Not when his best friend was the main topic of conversation.
"Anya..." she couldn't look at him. Couldn't face either of them, the pain that she had caused both of them, not to mention that now everyone knew about this mess, she may never show her face again.
"I'm so sorry Blackwall, I never meant to hurt you. I should have told you, I tried to-"
"Stop. I'm sorry for creating a scene, I could'nt help myself. You weren't there when I woke up this morning and I wondered where you had gone so I'm not glad to admit it but I went to Cullen's office and I spied on the two of you. I saw..."
They stood on the battlements in silence, Skyhold had a stunning view but he found the inquisitor even more so.
"I can't say I blame you. I half expected you to hit Cullen or shout at me or do something. You've reacted quite the opposite up until now. I'm so sorry."
He moved closer to her and looked out over the mountaintops, " I was overcome with jealousy at first. I wanted to kill Cullen... then I remembered. You gave me my freedom after Val royeaux to become a better man. Not to go down the same path I was on before. I stopped myself because even if what the both of you did was wrong I-I'm not that man any more. You have hurt me, but... I still love you. That will never change. Like I said before I just want you to be happy."
She winced at his confession knowing she had hurt him but deep down he was right. Cullen was the man she had been in love with since they first met. Since Haven and after she walked out the fade, her heart was set on him. She would never truly be happy while they were apart.
Anya walked over to Blackwall and leaned her head on his shoulders, taking his hand in hers.
" Thank you Thom. I believed you were a good man all along, you didn't need anyone to aspire to. You have done a lot of wrong things and so have I, but the important thing is that you realise them and rise above it all. You'll always hold a place in my heart. " She squeezed his hand in hers and they watched the sun go down.
Cullen couldn't shake her from his thoughts. Even after the morning confrontation with Blackwall all he wanted was to see Anya. Jealousy burned within him, she was with him he knew it. They were probably making up right now. She doesn't want you. The headache he had been having for days immediately got worse, the pain blinded him and his knees buckled out from under him. The room was spinning; every time he tried to reach for the desk it seemed to get further and further away...
He awoke to find Anya asleep on his chest.
" She refused to leave your side-"
His eyes darted upright to see Blackwall standing at the end of his bed.
"- when she found out you had collapsed because of your lyrium withdrawal, something a lot of people respect you for. You're a lucky man Commander. I hope you look after her." With that he turned and walked out.
Cullen sat up in his bed, mulling over what Blackwall had just said when he almost forgot Anya was sleeping on top of him.
"Hey-" she stirred from her sleep, "I was worried you weren't going to wake up! Are you okay?"
He smiled and pulled her into an embrace. "I am now. But Anya, listen, I-I am sorry about this morning too.
I know Blackwall is a good man and he had every right to shout abuse at me.. I don't blame you, I-"
She pulled back and cupped his face with her hand, " We talked. He's okay. As okay as he can be I guess.I'm not saying it's going to be easy, but I don't want to send him away. He just knows I am in love with you and wants me to be happy, that's all."
Cullen had never felt so happy, could this finally mean...what? That they could be together properly?
"Yes." She whispered to him as if reading his mind was a new power for her, a smile spread across her face until she was laughing.
" Makers breath...I can't believe it Anya. I have you all to myself? It's-"
She cut him off with a kiss, crushing her lips down on his.
"Shhh, enough words for now." he let out a moan, wanting nothing more than to melt into her.
Neither knew what the future could hold, so many dangers lay ahead... but for now, they would cherish their time together and the feeling of finally being complete.
I may continue but I'm not sure. Thanks for reading.