Of Rescues

"The men are safe, this time," a voice Cullen could not mistake for anyone else rang out just after the doors to their little war room banged open.

He looked up and could feel the breath leave his body at the state she was in. For the first time, he was grateful she was different from the other Circle Mages and didn't wear the normal robes with how…wet she was. Even as it was, with her leather duster and light mail and leather armor, with just how sopping wet she was, they both clung to and were weighted down by the water. And with how she shivered…

Maker's breath, he needed to get a hold of himself.

He cleared his throat at the same time Leliana elbowed him in the stomach, and he couldn't stop his blush. The fact that their spymaster had caught on to him was little comfort, even though he knew she knew everything. "Have the men arrived?"

"Yes. We left them at the barracks. Dry clothes, warm food, and Adan says they should be in top shape soon." His gaze snapped to the left of Trevelyan, noticing Cassandra for the first time. Now that his gaze wasn't drowning in, well, her drowned looks, he noticed Iron Bull and Varric behind her, just as soaked and patched up as she.

"I see. Then is there a reason for such an intrusion?" Leliana asked, not bothering to hide her amusement at their appearance.

"Four strapping and soaked people in front of you, and that's the question you asked?" Bull's comment received only a chuckle from Leliana and sighs from Cullen and Cassandra.

Trevelyan shook her head and pulled out a somewhat-waterlogged parchment roll from her duster. "Actually, it was on our way out that we discovered something of a short cut. It's how we just about beat back the troops though they left first."

Cullen watched, just as enraptured as the first time she unrolled one of her hand-made maps for him, as she produced a map made by a different hand, but with adjuncts made by her. He was becoming fast acquainted with her writing and style to recognize it so easily, but he brushed that minor concern aside. He knew Cassandra's, Leliana's, and Josephine's handwriting just as well.

"It could take weeks off any trip to Haven from the South," she continued. "And I think it's best to share it with the rest of Thedas, instead of keeping it to ourselves."

Josephine leaned over it, blocking his view. "Yes, a wise decision. We could use it as a show of good faith, garner more support from the nobility for not only clearing a path, but sharing it with the rest of Thedas."

Cassandra nodded. "So we thought as well as we came here."

"I wanted to get it to you now, so you all could decide the best way of doing so before it became too much later."

He heard Leliana chuckle from beside him, and rested his hand on his sword pommel (again, not missing how Treveylan's eyes noted the movement). "You know you are always welcome to bring such things to us at any time of day or night. Some of us, perhaps, more so than others."

And there it was: the teasing. As jaded and reserved as Leliana was now, he remembered more of a teasing, lively young woman of a decade ago. The same kind of person who would tease him in such a way. Thankfully, he noticed only Varric really caught on to it with how he chortled.

Trevelyan, he couldn't tell. She ducked her head and smoothed out the edges of the map. "Still… I'll leave this matter in your hands. I think we've shared enough of the Fallow Mire's water on the floor with you."

Varric made a noise and was the first one to turn to leave. "Finally. It's going to take a week's worth of bathing to get the smell of bog out of my nose." Cullen almost breathed a sigh of relief when nothing else was said, but then he saw Varric stop. "Though, I vote we stop taking Tiny along. Whenever he comes with us, somehow we all end up wet and wanting something more."

Maker, he thought too soon.

Bull laughed loudly and thumped his fist against the door, and Cassandra made a disgusted noise before brushing past all of them.

"It just can't be helped, dwarf. It's just what happens whenever the Bull and redheads get together." And then, that giant of a Qunari had the gall to wink back toward them, though Cullen was sure it was more toward Leliana. Perhaps he was wrong, and even The Iron Bull caught on to the teasing happening.

But he only truly focused on how Trevelyan rolled her eyes even as a smirk began to tug at her lips. Without saying a word, she inclined her head toward them before walking away from the table without a word.

"The Bull loves redheads, but they don't love him, eh, Tiny?" Varric said as Trevelyan passed them.

"Yes, well, this redhead just wants a hot bath and a warm drink."

"Depends, Boss, on how hot you want that bath."

To Cullen's great relief, her reply to Bull's offer was a firm, "No," and to keep walking away and close the outer door to the Chantry proper.

"Come on, Tiny, I'll buy you a drink to dampen the pain of rejection," Varric said as he ushered the Qunari out the room. "And let me tell you, it never ends well when pursuing a woman already in love with someone else. Trust me."

And to Cullen's great disappointment, Bull shut the door after that comment. Trevelyan was in love? Had he completely misread her flirting, her comments, even her actions toward him? It wasn't right, nor fair. And he didn't take her for a woman to lie or seek comfort elsewhere.

"Commander?" Josephine nudged him this time, snapping his attention back to the map and reports, and her newest map.

"Hm?"

"You were asking something before the Herald came in?" The teasing lilt of the question let him know exactly what she knew.

He sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Just get it over with now."

And he was met with the twin giggles of two girls about to enjoy juicy gossip. He would know, he had two sisters who would do the exact same thing in his youth.

"So, are you going to offer your services in warming her bath?" Leliana asked.

He wished she hadn't asked that question. He had been doing so well not thinking about her bathing and whatever else she might do, but the world seemed focused on trying to put the image in his mind. Not that he needed much prodding to think about it, just that he was trying to be respectful. Especially since he wasn't alone, and she had looked just so miserable from how soaked she was.

"Why would I do that?" he asked in return, and was met with two disbelieving stares. "She is the Herald of Andraste, the face of the Inquisition, and a woman with her sights on someone already. She has enough keeping her warm."

Josephine shook her head and Leliana sighed. "Maker, you are blind."

"Are you both done now? I'd like to finish this meeting before nightfall."

Both women sighed and focused back on the tasks in front of them. "You are saved today, Commander. But I know this conversation is far from being over."

Sorry about the wait. I have a playthrough going that I'm using specifically for this story, and sadly I have to share the console with my fiancee. Who is also addicted to this game. Thank you for the lovely reviews, faves and follows! I hope this chapter is enjoyed just as much as the others.