The following morning, many were waking with hangovers while others woke feeling just fine- with or without a partner in bed with them.

Cullen stirred as the sunlight peeked through the tent flap and groaned. 'Maker, my head...' He felt a weight on his arm and part of his chest and looked down to find Emery passed out next to him. He was confused for a second, but then the events of the night before came rushing back and he felt his own body erupt with heat. 'What did I do...?'

Emery stirred in her sleep, rubbing her eyes as she yawned.

"Morning."

Emery looked at Cullen, smiling sleepily. "Good morning." She sat up and stretched. "Sleep well?"

Cullen could see the curvatures of her body clearly as she did so. "I did. And yourself?"

Emery nodded. "Aye, I did."

Cullen sat up and rubbed his neck. "I wonder if I should apologize for last night..."

Emery tilted her head at him. "Why? Do you regret it?"

"Maker, no, it's just..."

Emery watched him for a moment as he trailed off. "I know it's a new experience for you, Cullen, but I for one thoroughly enjoyed your company." She playfully nudged him. "Oh, and the sex was great, too."

Cullen groaned, but he couldn't help but smile at her teasing. "Maker, Em..."

"You said that last night, too."

"Emery."

Emery laughed at that and leaned over, kissing his cheek. "I'm sorry, Cullen, I'm just teasing."

"I know." He rested his head against hers for a moment.

When he didn't say anything more, Emery looked at him as she grasped his hand. "Cullen, there's nothing to apologize for. I like you, I enjoyed my night with you, and I for one would not mind sharing your bed again."

Cullen blushed at that. "I would like that very much."

Emery smiled at that. "You know what else I like?"

"What?"

"I like how cute you look the morning after." She ruffled his hair and giggled when he playfully swatted her hand away. Outside, Emery could smell food cooking nearby and felt her stomach grumble. "Smells like the lads are already up and at it."

Cullen chuckled at that. "We should get ready, then."

"Aye, that we should."

Cullen stood, then offered his hand to Emery and helped her to her feet. When she took his hand, he pulled her up and into his arms- earning him a squeal of surprise. He leaned down and kissed her, lingering for a moment before pulling back.

"What was that for?" Emery asked, finding herself blushing.

"Thank you for last night," Cullen said, pressing his forehead to hers, "for all of it."

Emery smiled at that. "You're most welcome, my dear lion."

Sidney and Vernon set about making breakfast and were surprised to see that Emery hadn't already started, as she was usually up before everyone else.

"You seen Emmie?"

"Here she comes now."

Emery made her way over to the cooks' tent, tightening the tie around her braid. "Morning, lads."

"Oi, where ye been?"

"Busy, why?"

"Busy with what?"

"And what makes you think I'd tell you that?" Emery teased, sticking out her tongue.

"Fine, fine!" Sidney said, throwing up his hands in defeat. "Ye've got more spunk in yer step than ye did yesterday."

"So?"

"Someone got laid," Vernon noted.

Emery rolled her eyes, but her smile remained. "Let's just say I had a wonderful conclusion to my night." She grabbed an apron and slipped it on. "Now, where shall I start?"

While Emery joined the lads, Cullen went straight to work on the reports that had arrived the night before. Word had come from Skyhold, reporting that the roads back home were clear and Leliana had included an update from Cassandra in regard to their forces.

"It appears we may begin preparations to break camp and return to Skyhold," Cullen said, passing the report to the soldier with him. "Send word to our scouts, let's make sure the roads remain clear."

"Yes, ser."

"Commander, when should we plan to set out?"

"Let's begin preparations after breakfast and plan on setting out by midday."

"At once, ser."

Cullen was relieved to return to Skyhold, but his chest tightened when he realized how different it was going to be without Leah. The whole mission to the Storm Coast was because of her, after all, and now they would need to find someone else to take charge of the garden restoration.

"Maker, this is a mess..."

He looked around the camp, estimating that they would be able to take about a third of the supplies from the camp and have plenty for the return journey. It helped that Emery, the lads, and the other cooks were able to cure and preserve so much food during their stay on the coast, so they wouldn't need to stop to go hunting or foraging along the roads.

When his gaze fell on Emery, he had to smile watching her joke around with Vernon and Sidney. He noticed Emery meet his gaze and offer him a smile. Cullen nodded in acknowledgment, then turned his attention to the blacksmith approaching him. 'I wonder just how much things will change.'

Breakfast came and went, Emery and the lads preparing something to help with hangovers and boosting energy, and before long the company was ready to hit the road. They loaded up their wagons, bid farewell to the Inquisition agents that were remaining, and then began the return journey to Skyhold. The trip itself would take them nearly a fortnight by foot, maybe less after the losses they took during the ambush.

Their mission was complete, though, and everyone was eager to return home to Skyhold and resume their usual duties.

As they traveled, Emery spoke with the mages who had been tasked with helping Leah with the garden restoration. They were concerned about who would be taking over the task with Leah gone but were hoping that the project would be able to continue even without her. Emery was hopeful as well, as it was a brilliant plan that would supply the Inquisition with all the food and medicinal herbs they could ever need. She could just imagine what Skyhold would look like with fruit trees and berry bushes lining the paths that wove through the keep and all the new ingredients that she could cook with.

Because of how busy he was with setting up patrols and going over reports, Emery didn't see much of Cullen for the first couple of nights. She had heard the roads were clear, but she also knew that Cullen would not be taking any chances and would be ensuring that they stayed clear. By the third night, however, Cullen was able to take a break and relax a bit.

Emery brought Cullen his food, just as she had been for every meal, and set it on the table for him. She noticed that he had fallen asleep with a stack of reports on the chair next to him.

'He's been working so hard again.'

She tidied things up a little, moving the reports to the table before going to sit in the chair next to him. She reached up and smoothed back his hair from where it fell against his forehead.

Cullen stirred at her touch and sat up. "What time is it?"

"Dinner time."

"Maker, is it that late already?" He looked at Emery. "Sorry, did I miss the dinner call again?"

"Aye, but I brought your food to you anyway."

Cullen swung his legs out of bed and rubbed his neck. "Thank you, Em."

"Of course, Cullen." Emery made to stand and bring the food over to him, but Cullen stopped her and pulled her into his lap.

"I'm sorry I've been too busy these last couple of days."

Emery chuckled and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "It's alright, Cullen, I understand." She kissed his head. "You're just doing your job, no one can fault you for that."

Cullen held her close, nuzzling into her neck. 'Maker, I didn't think I'd miss her this much...'

Emery returned his embrace, stroking his hair for a moment. "You should eat before it gets cold."

"I'd rather have you," Cullen said, kissing her neck.

Emery felt her loins start aching, a subtle moan escaping her lips. "Cullen..."

Cullen kissed along her collarbone, up her throat, then up to her jawline. Emery met him for a kiss, indulging his advances for a moment.

"You can have me all you want, but after you've eaten."

Cullen sighed, but a smirk remained. "Very well."

Emery chuckled and kissed his forehead. "It's a wild rice and mushroom soup, I think you'll really like it."

"Is that so?"

Emery slid out of his lap and took his hand in hers, leading him to the table. "I brought some tea as well."

Cullen smiled at that, pulling her in for a hug. "Thank you, Em."

"For what?"

"Putting forth such effort for my sake."

Emery chuckled. "You're welcome, Cullen." She stepped back and offered him a smile. "Now, enjoy your meal."

"Are you leaving?"

Emery nodded. "I have a few more things to take care of tonight. Would you like me to rejoin you once I'm finished?"

"I would."

"Then I'll be back later." She patted his cheek before taking her leave.

Cullen sighed, surprised that he wanted her to stay so much. He sat at the table, taking a bite of the soup. "Mmm, that is good."