Rush watched Bull open the door to the Chantry and unconsciously held her breath. It was somehow… wrong, to watch him step inside. Especially since she knew he was a Qunari, no matter how far away he lived from the Qun. At this moment, it almost felt like an invasion.

Or was it?

The Chantry preached love and acceptance of fellow brothers and sisters, of all living creatures. That was supposed to be the founding rule of the Chantry, the ties that bind them all to each other and to the Maker. Yet the people of the Chantry used the Chant for their own selfish purposes, to suppress and punish anyone who didn't agree with them. Hevara and the revelation of her daughter's mutilation for the sole purpose of raising through the Chantry ranks was only the latest example, and not even the worst one Rush has ever heard of. Nor the worst one she's seen.

When beliefs and morals were so easily cast aside if it didn't suit the purposes of the people in power… Did the priests even truly believe? Or did they only use the Chantry to play a political game they wouldn't be able to play otherwise?

Bull, on the other hand, had more love inside him than any person she'd ever met. In a strange fit of fate, he might belong here in this building more than all the other people, the 'believers' currently inside.

She followed him silently, lost in her own thoughts when she heard Roderick's grating voice, "What business do you have here, Qunari?"

Bull didn't seem fazed at all. He was probably used to that reaction by now. "Good day, Chancellor. I'm the The Iron Bull, leader of the Bull's Chargers mercenary company, the people you asked to find your archivist."

Bull's subtle emphasis on the word 'archivist' had Roderick turn pale. He crossed his arms behind his back and stood straight, but Rush could see the way his mouth tightened around the corners and knew he was nervous.

He cleared his throat and fixed Bull with a disdainful look, but continued much more politely, "And were you successful?"

In response, Bull only stepped aside to let him see Helisma.

She smiled at the man, and greeted in a shaky voice, "Hello, father."

His eyes widened, then he glared up at Bull, "What did you do? Heli… the archivist is a Tranquil. I don't know how you found out about… If you think I'll be fooled by some…"

Helisma wouldn't let him throw accusations. She took another step closer. "It's me, father. There was… an accident, a spell, and the tranquility was disrupted. I'm back. I'm really, really back."

Rush could see Roderick hesitate. He stared at Helisma as if he couldn't believe this was true. As if he didn't know he'd survive it, if it wasn't. He walked up to Helisma, stared her into the eyes… then he threw his arms around his daughter and sobbed into her shoulder.

Rush smiled gently and leaned against a wall, giving them an illusion of privacy. Let them greet each other properly, for the first time in fifteen years. The rest of the Chargers quietly did the same.

Some time later, Roderick withdrew from Helisma and turned to face Bull. "I thank you for this, Qunari, truly. For giving me my daughter back, in more ways than one." He pulled out a sack of gold. Considerably smaller than their pay from the Storm Coast mission from what Rush could see.

Roderick hesitated, then offered it to Bull, "This is all I can give you as pay. It comes from my personal account, so… But if there's anything else I can do for you…"

Bull didn't reach for the sack at all, and interrupted Roderick before he could finish. "Actually, about that… I have an idea."

Roderick tensed up. He obviously didn't expect a Qunari to have any demands of a Chantry man ready, and probably said that only as part of an empty promise, a vague future 'favor' as was Chantry people's habit. Rush turned curious eyes towards her Chief as well. What surprise did their Chief have in mind this time?

"I want to get permission to recruit mages into my company."

Rush gasped. She felt as if someone punched her in the heart. Her throat closed up and she had to swallow lest she started crying.

If this went through… if this went through, she'd no longer be a fugitive. Even if she couldn't use her real name, even if she couldn't come forward and demand justice for the crimes committed against her, she'd be legally employed as a mage. She wouldn't have to hide.

Roderick stared at Bull. Then he snorted. "Why would you need that? You already have at least one. Isn't that right," he turned towards Rush, "Knight-Enchanter Trevelyan?"

"…"

Oh.

Rush swallowed. So he did remember her after all, but for some reason, wasn't about to call the templars to see her get dragged away to face execution. Probably because he didn't like the templars any more than she did - and considering what they did to his daughter, she found she couldn't blame him for that. But what should she do now? How should she react?

She decided to play innocent, "The Bull's Chargers don't employ apostates, Lord Chancellor."

Roderick's eyes skipped to the daggers strapped at her back, then to the Chargers, no doubt noting their lack of surprise at the revelation of her identity. Or the fact that she was a mage. "I'm sure they don't," he commented dryly.

Before he could continue, Rush decided to throw in her best argument for him to let her keep her freedom, just in case he decided to be a dick after all. She stepped forward, "There is, however, a matter you should be aware of." Seeing that she had Roderick's attention, she continued, "The disruption of Helisma's Tranquility is… temporary. As it stands right now, Helisma can use the Fade Step spell that disrupts its effects herself, but if she for some reason isn't able to manage it, she'll fall back into the emotionless state. With that state comes the loss of magic, so… she wouldn't be able to cast it again. The tranquility would be permanent, unless a mage disrupted it again."

Roderick's eyes widened.

Bull turned back to Roderick and continued without giving him a chance to say anything, "It would be best for everyone involved if people knew where to find trustworthy mages in their time of need, Chancellor. The Bull's Chargers could easily provide skilled services to deal with… arcane matters, if we were able to hire proper mages."

Rush bit the inside of her cheek to keep from smiling. She could almost hear Bull say 'Weird Shit' instead of 'Arcane Matters' in her mind.

They both watched Roderick consider it. Rush could almost hear what he was thinking, as she probably thought the same.

Every time something strange happened, something that required a mage's knowledge and intervention, people sent a request to the Circle, which then sent mages - and templars as their guards - to deal with the issue. That used to be their system, the one every person in Southern Thedas knew and used. But once the Circles fell? Who could the people possibly ask for help? Who could they turn to? The loyalists who stuck around in the open were too busy playing their political games and pandering to the nobles and Chantry clerics to go deal with real problems. Problems like spirit and demon manifestations, weakening veil, bewitchment, possession, mind manipulation and so on.

There were many magic related problems around that no one dealt with, because everyone was too busy killing each other.

There was no structure left in place to deal with arcane issues, and trying to rebuild the old structure in war climate was all but impossible. Not that most mages would so much as contemplate rebuilding it in the first place.

But… why not use the various mercenary companies to employ mages instead? They'd be paid without any Chantry input or profit, true, but at least the worst issues would be dealt with before the entire world fell apart due to some demon invasion or mass possession of entire villages because of a weak veil.

While far from an ideal situation from the Chantry's point of view, it would be better than what they had now, which was no control whatsoever and a bunch of half-starved, desperate mages running around who might turn to banditry or worse at any given time, just to get proper food in their bellies.

Roderick looked at all of them, then nodded with a sigh. "Very well. I will bring the matter to the Divine's attention and see what she can do. You can expect an answer within a month or so."

Rush breathed a sigh of relief, then raised her face to smile at Bull.

They wrapped up matters quickly after that. The Chargers and Roderick came to an implied agreement that Rush will be the one to come to if Helisma had any problems with prolonging the 'cure', if it could be called that. For their service, Roderick will use all his powers as the Divine's Chancellor to create a Chantry approved contract for Bull's Chargers mercenary company, allowing him to legally hire mages and provide the services Circles usually did in exchange for payment.

Rush barely paid attention to the discussion, though. She was too busy trying not to kiss Bull.

She couldn't wait to get back home to show him her thanks properly.

-rushing-ahead-rushing-ahead-rushing-ahead-

Bull didn't even get the chance to greet his men, before Rush dragged him into his room. Well, maybe dragged was the wrong word. More like took his hand in her own and gave him a scorching look. He didn't need Ben Hassrath training to know what she wanted, he thought and followed with an amused chuckle.

This should be good.

The moment the doors closed behind them, she was on him. Wild, passionate kisses as she tried to push him against the wall. This was far different than their first time - this time, she seemed almost out of it and desperate to get closer to him.

Well, I can easily deal with that, Bull thought fondly and took control.

He flipped them until he was the one on top and Rush was pressed against the wall. She didn't protest or try to take control back. She took hold of his horns, keened approvingly and tried to stand up higher so she could reach his mouth. Bull grabbed her by that beautiful, tight backside of hers and lifted her up. Her legs closed around his waist and then she kissed him for all she was worth.

He let her set the pace of the kiss. Her smaller tongue entering his mouth was a curious feeling. He felt almost ravished. Her panting gasps, moans and the way her thighs trembled around his waist… he felt himself grow hard, and fast. When she growled, actually growled and bit his lip at his slow response, he moaned too and had to stop himself from ravaging her in return.

One of them had to remain in control. Hurting her during sex was the last thing he wanted to do, after all. Not unless she asked him to. The bite he gave her last time was bad enough as it was.

He freed one of his hands to grasp her by the neck and gently but firmly pin her against the wall. She purred against his mouth but didn't stop kissing him.

One of his hands slipped down to unlace his pants and she briefly let go of his horns to do the same to her own clothing. Wise girl. If those pants weren't off the moment as he was done, they'd be torn to shreds.

He briefly set her down to help her step out of her pants, then watched her try and undo the clasps on her mercenary coat. His own pants already lay pooled around his ankles and a single tug undid the clasp on his harness to let it fall somewhere behind him.

Rush finally got the coat off, but still had her undershirt on. Bull growled in frustration and decided to hell with it, he wasn't going to wait. He grabbed both her wildly fluttering hands in one of his own, much bigger one and pinned her against the wall. She turned her face up to look him in the eye, and the half-shocked, aroused, challenging stare was almost enough to break even his resolve to slow this down. Almost.

He smiled down at her and bowed his head to kiss her again, properly. His tongue entered her mouth, hard and fast, plundering more than kissing. He could feel her tremble under him, the instinctive attempt to even out the field and return the pleasure in kind… and the intent to withdraw from the intensity of their passion. But she didn't. She never did, not once; not even their first time. She relaxed in his hold and let him give her all the pleasure she craved.

He groaned in response and let her feel a bit more of his own needs. He knew she could take it. The first human woman who could take more of him, without him needing to restrain himself so much. Who could perhaps one day take all of his passion.

'Dangerous', he thought. 'One day, I might forget myself if it continues like this, and then she'll know just how much of an Iron Bull I am.'

But he refused to let his own insecurities intrude upon this moment. His hand slipped into her half open tunic to caress her breasts. He found her nipples already hard. He swallowed and tried his hardest not to simply raise her by the ass and ram himself inside her. Instead, he continued to tease one nipple between his fingers. His resolve was tested when she raised her right leg to hook around his waist and pressed her naked, hot core against him.

He growled into their kiss and reached lower to test between her legs. He found her wet and more than ready for him. Two fingers slipped inside her, and the initial resistance of her body disappeared instantly. 'Mages' he thought fondly, 'I'm really starting to appreciate their tricks.'

Bull grabbed her by the ass again and held her up so she could set her other leg around his waist. He pressed her against the wall, completely trapping her and heard her moan. 'Shit, this is so hot,' he bit his lips and settled against her. 'Rush, my little Rush let's me conquer her completely. Without struggle, without fear.' Damn, he had a feeling sex with anyone else won't feel the same again. Not once he had this.

He reached down to align himself, then stared her in the eyes. "Ready?" he asked and was surprised to hear his voice was much… gentler than he intended.

"Yes! Maker, yes, Bull please!" She clutched his horns as if she was afraid he'd run from her the moment she let him go. As if he ever wanted to leave this behind.

He pushed inside and watched her eyes all but roll into the back of her head. He grinned, hooked his hands under her knees, spread her wide and slammed inside. Rush threw her head back and screamed in pleasure. He barely gave her enough time to adjust before he moved. Nearly all the way out, a pause, then slam inside again. That got him a deep guttural groan from her. Once he heard that, he couldn't wait any longer. He rammed inside her again and again, as he set a punishing pace.

Bull couldn't stop watching her. The way she threw her head back, the open-mouthed look of shocked ecstasy, the way her eyes would try and meet his, only to close again, as if the sight of him was the greatest thing she'd ever seen and wasn't sure she could stand to watch him. He felt her hands clench and unclench around his horns, then grab his shoulders as he pounded her against the wall.

He felt his orgasm build up fast. Faster than he'd ever felt before, just from watching his Rush's reactions. He quickened his pace even more and Rush started moaning louder. They were getting pretty loud. The slap of skin on skin, the way her back banged against the thin tavern walls, both their moans. If the rest of his men didn't know about them already, which he doubted, they and all the people down in the tavern would know now. They would know Rush was his. That knowledge sent a spike of pure heat through his gut and he growled low in his throat.

When he made a sound so animalistic, anyone who was not another Qunari would usually withdraw or tense up, no matter how heated or kinky their play was until then. But Rush… Just like the first time, it seemed she only found it more exciting. She bared her throat to him.

Bull drove into her, hard, then closed his teeth over the soft skin of her neck and bit down firmly, but not enough to hurt. 'Shit, if I ever did that to a Tamassran, she'd cut my balls of', he thought as he sucked on her neck, hard enough to leave a mark. 'And Rush finds it hot.' The way he marked his lover as an animal would. Marked her as his.

No one could own another living being, Bull knew that. That didn't stop him from pretending Rush belonged to him only. Strangely, she seemed to find the idea just as arousing as he did. It drove his lust higher than ever before.

One of his hands dropped lower, to touch Rush and the sensitive bundle of nerves right above where their bodies joined. She keened and scratched her nails down his back before sinking them into his skin.

Marking him as he marked her.

That was too much for Bull. He ripped his mouth away from her neck and roared his release. Pulse after pulse of bliss, emptying his seed deep inside her, even as he felt her tremble and clutch tight around him in her own release. It seemed to go on forever.

Once it passed, Bull rested his head on top of hers, panting, and realized with shock that his knees shook from the force of his orgasm.

At least Rush didn't seem to be doing any better. She hung off him like a ragdoll, panting into his chest, twitching around where they were still joined. With regret, Bull pulled out of her and saw his release trickle down her thighs to pool at the floor under their feet. The sight was so incredibly hot, that he wanted to have her again right then and there. Unfortunately, not even he could get it up so soon after such earth shattering pleasure. He had to satisfy himself with a deep inhale of her scent. Then he took a step back to let her stand properly.

His mouth pulled into a well-satisfied grin when he saw her legs shake.

Rush returned his smile, then leaned back into him for one last kiss. "That was amazing." She hesitated for a second, then added in a whisper, "Thank you."

Bull knew she wasn't talking about the sex. He smiled down at her and took her into his arms. Her shaking wasn't just from the force of her orgasm, now, but he let her pretend. "Anytime, Rush," he soothed and kissed her hair. He gave her a couple minutes to calm down and find her balance, in more ways than one, and let himself enjoy their close contact as well.

When she was ready, they parted and bent down to pick their discarded clothes off the floor.

As they dressed, Bull heard Dalish's happy squeal from the tavern's common room. No doubt his men got tired of waiting and told her what he did.

Bull smirked. He hoped Dalish won't try to thank him the same way Rush did. Cute as she might be, he was already in a… He paused.

'Damn'.

He was in a relationship. A human relationship, with all that those involved. How the hell did this sneak by him?

He turned to stare at Rush, who was by now dressed in her mercenary coat and waiting for him by the door. When she noticed him staring, she only smiled and returned his stare with a quizzical look of her own. He saw the vivid bruise from their first time… and the darkening skin on the other side of her neck, courtesy of their latest round. She didn't even try to hide it with her scarf, baring her throat for all to see instead.

Bull felt the burn of the scratch marks her nails left on his back. Visible for all to see as well.

He felt claimed.

With mild shock, he realized he didn't mind it at all.

-rushing-ahead-rushing-ahead-rushing-ahead-

Next day

Bull stared down at the report in his hands.

He just finished writing it, yet it somehow still felt wrong. He read it through one more time to make sure all the details he didn't write couldn't be somehow deduced from context alone.

Brand new, evil and crazy Venatori cult. Check. Mission to find the Tranquil. Check. Injury, poison and herbal antidote. Check, but… No, too much attention given to the fact that it was herbal medicine and not magic. Made it seem as if he was hiding something.

Which he was.

There was no mention of Roderick's relation to the hostage or that the Redcliffe healer was secretly a mage. He only hoped the shock of discovering the cure for tranquility that he wrote about in detail will persuade them he didn't hide anything important. The cure was important information, after all. Information that Rush wanted known by anyone who could understand it, and those who couldn't as well, in case they shared it with a mage one day.

His eye skipped over to the bed where she lay in a crumpled heap after another round of lovemaking. For it couldn't be called anything less than lovemaking. Not even in Par Volen had he ever felt anything like this. The tamassrans he slept with respected him, as Qun demanded, some might have even enjoyed him more than they did other men, but… that was it. Respect, perhaps enjoyment of his company.

He never knew sex with someone who cared felt like that.

Now he finally understood why the Qun forbid forming relationships like this. The need to do things she'd appreciate, even if they weren't what he believed in was incredibly strong. The only thing that stopped him from doing them was the fact that Rush actually liked him as he was, and even if they disagreed, she wouldn't stop liking him. Wouldn't even try to stop him or change his mind, and would accept his decision as her Chief, no matter what it was. She clearly showed that when she played along with his plans to distract the healer instead of answering her question, even if she didn't agree with his decision.

Ironically, that was the thing that persuaded him to not include the information about the healer's magic in his report.

He read through the report once more and checked all the changes he made before he rewrote it. Again. The first report where he kept important secrets from his superiors. First time he truly denied the Qun.

'Am I Tal-Vashoth?'

The thought kept circling through his mind for the last couple hours, ever since he decided not to include important pieces of intel in his report.

'If I am… it really doesn't hurt as much as they said it would.'

For some strange reason, he only felt relief at the thought of never again having to hurt or betray the confidence of innocents in the name of people he hasn't so much as seen in over ten years. Hasn't loved for more years than he cared to count.

Yet the Qun was worthy of following, he knew that.

Bull had no idea what to do. On one hand, he believed himself to be Tal Vashoth already. On the other, he always served the Qun. Always.

If he didn't count the report in his hands.

He looked over at Rush again. She wouldn't mind if he became Tal Vashoth. In fact, she might even understand a bit of what's going through his head… and his heart should he choose to leave the Qun. He imagined Krem's reaction. Dalish, Rocky, Stitches, Grim, even Skinner. They would all agree with the decision to leave it all behind, he knew that. There really was no good reason not to leave the Qun, to declare himself Tal Vashoth.

The only thing that stopped him from outright declaring himself was the fear of Ben Hassrath retribution against his men. He knew he could defend himself, but his people were woefully unprepared for the shit Ben Hassrath would throw at them in an attempt to get at him. And he knew they would do it.

He picked up his pen again and took a brand new sheet of paper. Until something pressed him, he will do anything in his power to protect his people. His Chargers. If it meant he had to be worse than a Tal Vashoth, then so be it. He will betray the Qun, if that's what it took.

His people were worth it.

A/N: And this scene marks the end of this particular 'story-arc'. So, a lot happened... but I think both Bull and Rush will like their new lives :)

Bull thinks more and more about becoming Tal Vashoth, and, for the first time in his life, doesn't mind the thought as much as he used to. I always thought that the shock of becoming Tal Vashoth was too much in DAI. Too soon, too fast, and he never dealt with it. The only one who actually adressed his issues with the change was ironically Solas (and the Inquisitor, if they flirted with him, or better said, showed they care during the battlements scene). I believe that he needed a bit more time before he left the Qun to get used to the idea. I don't want to just spring it on him - that's what Gatt did, and it hurt Bull too much. It could, and will, happen another way.