Lavellan was cold and confused.
She returned to her room, bare feet padding on the stone floors of Skyhold as she walked. Frustration and embarrassment bubbled up in her chest, but still she marched straight to her bed.
Sleep was fitful, and she was awake at the crack of down with drowsiness drawn in her violet eyes.
Cullen avoided her. Not only that day, but for a few. He did not show up to War Table meetings. Scouts were sent away quickly. He acknowledged nothing. Lavellan was not the most well-versed in romance by no means, but this stung her.
Lavellan took Solas, Cole and The Iron Bull on a mission to the Emerald Graves, a retrieval of sorts that Fairbank needed. The group trekked through a lush, forest area of the Emerald Graves. It had been oddly silent for days of the trip... but finally, Bull spoke up.
"We're going back to Skyhold sooner or later, Boss. What's the issue?"
"Huh? Nothing." Lavellan answered, maybe a little too quickly. Solas' gaze sharpened.
"Ben Hassrath, Boss. What is it?" He asked.
Lavellan sighed, and Cole suggested they make camp.
The group agreed and obliged.
Over fire roasted ram meat, Lavellan spilled her concerns. She was acutely aware of Solas at her side. "I think I frighten Cullen." The Inquisitor felt almost embarrassed admitting it out loud.
Solas snorted, holding back a laugh. Iron Bull raised a brow. Cole was silent.
"Really. He... was fine until... magic. I'm a mage. It isn't okay to him."
"Well, he was a Templar." Bull offered. "How much do you know about his past, Boss?"
Lavellan opened her mouth but no words came out. Her shoulders slumped as it dawned on her. "Very, very little." She admitted quietly.
"Ask him." Cole said. "There is always much on his mind. Eating at him, no ease in him, extremes everywhere. He is frightened. Fearful. Full of hope but frustrated at failure."
"And don't try to get kinky with magic yet." Bull chortled.
"I did not- that's- Bull!" Lavellan protested, and the Qunari laughed.
It grew silent for a moment, and soon after everyone dispersed for bed. Except Solas.
"May we walk?" He asked courteously. Lavellan nodded and followed him from the camp.
"Are you sure you know what you are doing?" Solas asked when the camp was out of sight.
Lavellan glared at the elf. "Do I ever know what I'm doing anymore? Do any of us?" She shot back.
"He is just-"
"A templar and afraid of magic. I get it, Solas. Just... let me figure it out. Then you can gloat if it goes badly."
"Gloat? Absolutely not, I would hate to see you hurt."
"Just- let me handle it, Solas. Let me.. try to follow my heart. It isn't like I ever get that option any longer." With that, she cut off the conversation, turning away and walking back towards their camp. The older elven man sais nothing, but followed her back.
The group headed back to Skyhold two days later.