As it turned out, getting back to business was slightly difficult once she saw Cullen. Knowing what she had heard, then seeing him acting normal... it made her blood boil. Nonetheless, Lavellan put on a neutral face as she and her Advisors gathered to discuss what their next step against Corypheus would be.

"So we know the artifact is Elven, and Corypheus has ransacked Elven ruins. Is that all that we know?" Lavellan's arms were crossed as she looked at her Advisors- eyes only resting on Cullen for a moment, a more measured gaze saved for her ambassador and spymaster.

"Yes. I've my people working to find where he plans to go next." Leliana said. "As soon as I know, you shall know." She gave a wry smile and Lavellan nodded in acknowledgement. A few missions were dispatched, and they were done for the time being. She had at least another day at Skyhold.

She rushed out of the war room, bare feet padding against the stone floor as she narrowly avoided Cullen, slipping by him fluidly without a word.

First, Solas.

In his quarters, as always.

"I am sorry, Inquisitor. I should not have done that." He said quietly, as soon as she walked in. After their kiss that morning, she had walked out. The young woman was not sure how to react. So she had left to gather her thoughts.

Lavellan narrowed foresty eyes. "What gives, Solas?" She hissed.

"Any answer I could possibly give you would only complicate matters further."

"Way to evade." Lavellan grumbled. "Solas..."

"I let emotions get in the way of my better judgment. It shall not happen again, Inquisitor." He kept his voice measured and even, and would not meet her eyes.

"So are you so... angry to Cullen because of that?" She asked cautiously. Solas' gaze snapped to her.

"No. I am not fond of him for many reasons. My feelings for you are... separate."

"I had no idea."

He stepped towards her, cupping her face in his palm. She leaned in to the warmth out of reflex, and his thumb trailed across her cheekbone. "It is wrong of me to try to distract you from our goal any further."

"I think I can focus on more than just being Inquisitor." Lavellan snapped. Solas leaned forward and found her lips brushing his softly, almost playfully.

"Can you?" He breathed. Lavellan found him pulling away from her, hand falling from her face so suddenly. She just stared back at him, waiting for him to say something. The Inquisitor ended up leaving his room in a silence for the second time today. Neither said a word as she walked out.

Lavellan walked up the stairs to her quarters, spotting a shock of gold hair. Her stomach flipped.

"Inquisitor." Cullen greeted, brows furrowed.

"Commander." She answered, voice far more fierce than she intended. He looked confused.

"Did I... miss something?" He asked.

"Why would you ask that?" Lavellan responded, standing stiffly in front of him. He sighed.

"You heard me and that damned apostate talking, didn't you?"

Lavellan felt herself blush. He was right. She gave a curt nod.

"Lavellan, I-" He paused, growled, rubbed the back of his neck. "I was not thinking. I thought I- we- had lost you. Possession was such a real threat, and I... was wrong. I spoke only from panic." His eyes cast downwards as Lavellan took in his words.

"Did you mean the things you said to Solas?" Her voice was barely above a whisper, purple eyes trained intensely on the shemlen.

"There was a time in my life where my beliefs stood firmIy anti-mage. I am trying not to react with fear to mages. To magic. I'm learning..." Cullen admitted. His face was bright red, voice shaking. " I am... sorry, Lavellan."

She sat next to him on her bed, looking down at her bare (and now dirty) feet. As she turned her head, she felt a pointed ear brush across Cullen's face and hastily apologized. He crept an arm around her shoulder and Lavellan found herself relaxing into his grasp despite the fury she had felt moments ago.

"Cullen. Who I am- I will always be a mage. I'll always be an elf- Dalish. I cannot allow someone who wants to change that which cannot be changed, into my life. I am the Inquisitor... and a mage." She ran a shaking hand through shiny hair.

"I do not want to change that." His response was soft. "I'm sorry that I let that hateful... that... monster resurface. I should have known better. I... I'm sorry."

"The next time you feel I'm compromised, if ever... what will you do?"

Cullen faltered. "I- I don't..." His shoulders sagged. Lavellan stared at the floor. "I... am not sure.." He finally said. Lavellan chewed her lower lip as she studied the human.

"At least you're honest." She said. "But what you need to do is trust I will not be compromised unless you see me become an abomination."

"Lavellan, I'm..." Cullen's voice faltered. He closed his eyes, breathing deeply, before nodding his head. "I will... work on it."

She cracked a small smile. "That's all I'm really asking of you right now. That kind of reactive response to the Inquisitor could also do harm to the Inquisition."

Creators, must you do this? Rifts, darkspawn, demons, Corypheus, the fate of Thedas... and throw in some males, too, because the rest of it wasn't enough. She cursed internally as butterflies swept through her when she met his gaze. He looked so... earnest.

He leaned closer to her... but right now was not the time. Which was punctuated quite well by pounding footsteps. Both human and elf looked towards her stairs, alarmed, as a Scout came bolting up. He flung her door open so hard it slammed against the stone walls.

"Inquisitor! Commander! Come now!"