The sun cast a gentle glow over Skyhold's courtyard, and a soft breeze rustled the leaves of the trees. Cullen stood near the training area, his thoughts preoccupied with the events of the previous day. The playful exchange with Inquisitor Ellana still danced through his mind, leaving him both intrigued and slightly unnerved.
As if on cue, he spotted Ellana in the distance, her laughter carrying through the air as she conversed with some of the soldiers. Cullen's gaze followed her as she moved gracefully, her smile captivating those around her. But his attention was drawn to a figure that joined her—a towering Qunari warrior who exuded confidence and strength.
The Iron Bull.
Cullen's heart skipped a beat as he watched the two of them engage in what appeared to be a friendly conversation. But from where he stood, their interaction seemed to carry a different undercurrent—a flirtatiousness that set his teeth on edge.
He couldn't quite pinpoint why he felt the way he did, but a pang of jealousy twisted in his chest as he saw Ellanas laughter come easily in response to the Iron Bull's remarks. The playful glint in her eyes, the way she leaned in slightly—Cullen's grip tightened on the pommel of his sword, his knuckles turning white.
Without quite realizing it, he started walking towards them, his steps purposeful yet heavy with inner turmoil. He needed to see her, to confirm that she was unharmed, but his own emotions were a tempest he had yet to tame.
As he approached, Bull's flirtatious comments and Ellena's laughter reached his ears. The jealousy within him grew, and he felt as if he were encased in a fog of confusion. Why did her interaction with Bull affect him so deeply?
Unable to bear it any longer, he turned away, redirecting his steps towards the training dummies. He needed to focus, to push aside the overwhelming emotions clouding his mind. Yet, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't shake the image of Ellanas smile as she talked to Bull.
As the day went on, Cullen's inner turmoil grew, and by evening, he found himself standing outside Ellanas quarters, his mind in turmoil. He couldn't simply confront her about what he had seen—he had no right to dictate her interactions. But the jealousy that had ignited within him was consuming his thoughts.
Just as he was about to turn away, the door opened, and Ellana stepped out. She blinked in surprise at the sight of him standing there.
"Cullen?" she questioned, her brows furrowing in confusion.
He cleared his throat, his nerves making his words come out more brusque than he intended. "Inquisitor. I hope I'm not disturbing you."
Ellana shook her head, her expression still a mix of curiosity and uncertainty. "No, not at all. Is there something you needed?"
He hesitated, his gaze meeting hers, and he saw a flicker of concern in her eyes. "I... I wanted to apologize if my behavior yesterday was inappropriate. I might have come across as flippant."
Ellanas surprise was evident, and she studied him for a moment before a soft smile curved her lips. "Commander, you were being playful. I found it rather endearing, to be honest."
Cullen's heart skipped a beat at her words, a mixture of relief and confusion flooding through him. He had misinterpreted her intentions. "Oh, I see."
Ellanas gaze held his, her smile warm and genuine. "Is there a reason for this apology, Commander?"
Cullen's cheeks reddened slightly, his nerves getting the best of him. "No reason, Inquisitor. Just... ensuring that there are no misunderstandings."
She chuckled softly, a musical sound that made his heart flutter. "Well, then, you can rest assured, Commander Cullen, that there are no misunderstandings on my part."
As she turned to walk away, Cullen's hesitation melted away, and he found himself reaching out to gently touch her arm. "Inquisitor, if I may ask… your conversation with the Iron Bull earlier today?"
Ellana glanced back at him. "Ah, that. Just some friendly banter, Commander. You know how Bull is."
Cullen's chest eased as he exhaled a breath, he hadn't realized he was holding. "I see. Thank you for clarifying."
She winked at him, her playful demeanor rekindling the warmth between them. "Of course, Commander. And if you ever have concerns about who I am considering as a dance partner, you're always welcome to ask."
Cullen nodded, his gratitude evident in his expression. "I'll keep that in mind, Inquisitor."
As Ellana continued on her way, Cullen watched her, his jealousy from earlier now replaced with a sense of reassurance. He had allowed his insecurities to cloud his judgment, but her understanding response reminded him of the bond they shared.
With a newfound sense of resolve, he turned to leave, the weight of his jealousy lifted, replaced by a deeper connection he was more than willing to explore.