~~~Hello! First I will admit I am a sucker for men in uniform lol So I hope this chapter has the right amount of spice that will carry on for a while. Thank you all for those who have read this far. I'm really trying to make work for the 3-year gap haha
~Xarga12~
Cullen paced the familiar corridors of the Gallows, his footsteps echoing against the cold stone walls. Every step seemed to drag as he longed for the day to pass quickly, eager to escape the confines of his duties and spend time with Nereida. Despite his anticipation, he forced himself to focus on the task at hand, exchanging pleasantries and brief conversations with his fellow Templars as they went about their day. "Knight-Captain, how's it going?" asked Nathan, a young Templar, as he passed by. Cullen offered a brief nod. "As well as can be expected, Nathan. Keeping busy as always."
The air was thick with tension as they walked, the murmurs of discontent among the Templars a constant backdrop to their movements. Complaints about the increasing troubles caused by the mages filled the air, and Cullen couldn't help but listen, though he refrained from participating in the conversation. "I swear, these mages are getting bolder by the day," remarked Elena, a seasoned Templar, with a shake of her head. "We need to tighten security around here." Cullen nodded in agreement, though his mind was elsewhere, his thoughts consumed by Nereida and their plans for the evening.
Lost in his thoughts, Cullen barely noticed the approach of Marcus, one of his underlings. The young Templar fell into step beside him, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern. "Knight-Captain," Marcus began tentatively, "how have you been?" Cullen offered a tight-lipped smile in response, "I've been well, Marcus. Just busy with the usual duties," he replied, his tone polite but distant. As they continued their walk, Cullen's attention was abruptly pulled away by the appearance of Alden and a group of Templars accompanying him. The atmosphere shifted instantly, tension crackling in the air as Alden's gaze locked onto Cullen's.
"Knight-Captain Cullen," Alden greeted, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "What a surprise to see you here." Cullen's jaw tightened, a flicker of annoyance crossing his features at Alden's tone. "Knight Alden," he replied evenly, though there was a subtle edge to his voice. "To what do we owe the pleasure to?" Alden's smirk widened, his gaze lingering on Cullen for a moment before turning dismissive. "Just conducting routine inspections," he replied casually, though there was a mocking undertone to his words. "Checking in on the troops, you know how it is."
Cullen's eyes narrowed slightly, a sense of unease settling in the pit of his stomach as he braced himself for Alden's next words. "Though I must say," Alden continued, his smirk growing more pronounced, "I didn't realize you'd stoop so low as to steal another man's woman." Cullen's temper flared at the accusation, his fists clenching at his sides as he struggled to maintain his composure. "Watch your tone, Alden," he warned through gritted teeth, his voice tinged with anger.
But Alden ignored his warning, pressing on with his taunts. "Oh, come now, Cullen," he taunted, his tone mocking. "We both know you played me. Pretending not to know Nereida, only to swoop in and steal her away from me." Cullen's patience snapped at Alden's words, his voice rising in frustration. "That's enough, Alden!" he snapped, his temper flaring. Alden closed the distance between them, stepping right up to Cullen until they were face to face. The other Templars, including Marcus, watched with bated breath as Alden challenged Cullen.
"Listen here, Cullen," Alden growled, his voice low and menacing. "You might be the Knight-Captain within these walls, but out there, you're just a man." The tension in the air was palpable as everyone awaited Cullen's response. His jaw clenched with barely contained fury, Cullen stood his ground, his gaze locked with Alden's. Before Cullen could retort, their confrontation was abruptly interrupted by the arrival of Knight-Commander Meredith, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade.
"What in Andraste's ass is going on here?" Meredith demanded, her tone sharp and agitated as she approached the group. Alden stepped back, a smug and carefree expression crossing his face as he addressed Meredith. "Just a friendly misunderstanding between companions, Knight-Commander," he replied nonchalantly, his tone dripping with insincerity.
Cullen's jaw tightened further at Alden's blatant dismissal of the situation. Swallowing his frustration, he turned to Meredith, his voice strained as he tried to diffuse the situation. "Just a misunderstanding, Knight-Commander," he echoed, his tone clipped.
Meredith's gaze swept over the scene, her eyes narrowed with suspicion as she observed Cullen and Alden. She knew well enough that there was more to this confrontation than they were letting on. With a stern expression, she addressed them both. "You two," Meredith began, her voice firm and commanding. "Report to my office immediately. We will discuss this matter further." Her tone brooked no argument as she turned to address the other Templars who had gathered around, watching the confrontation with interest.
"As for the rest of you, get back to your assignments," Meredith ordered, her voice carrying authority. "Any further disruption will be met with swift reprimand." The other Templars needed no further prompting as they quickly dispersed, leaving Cullen and Alden standing in tense silence. Glaring at each other, they begrudgingly made their way toward Meredith's office, knowing that they would soon face the consequences of their actions.
Once inside Meredith's office, the door closed behind them with a resolute click. Meredith wasted no time and took her seat behind her desk, her gaze piercing as she awaited their explanation. Cullen took a deep breath, steeling himself before speaking up. "Knight-Commander," Cullen began, his tone respectful but firm. "It truly was a misunderstanding." Alden scoffed derisively at Cullen's words, earning a sharp glance from Meredith. She stood up abruptly, her fists slamming onto the table with a resounding thud as she demanded answers.
"Enough with the excuses," Meredith snapped, her voice cutting through the tension in the room. "I want the truth, and I want it now." Alden's facade crumbled under Meredith's stern gaze, and he relented with a sigh. "It's a personal matter, Knight-Commander," he admitted reluctantly, his tone subdued. Meredith turned her attention to Cullen, her eyes narrowing as she waited for his response. Cullen hesitated for a moment, choosing his words carefully before speaking. "It was indeed a personal matter," he echoed, his voice measured. "A misunderstanding over a woman."
Meredith's expression slowly softened as she sat back down, her elbows on the table as she leaned in. Her voice remained firm as she addressed them. "What you do in your personal time is none of my business," Meredith began, her tone unwavering. "But if your personal affairs begin to compromise the sanctity of the Order, I will not hesitate to take reprimanded action." She leaned back in her chair, her gaze unwavering as she continued. "Consider this your final warning. This conversation will not be revisited. Is that clear?"
Both Cullen and Alden nodded in agreement, understanding the gravity of Meredith's words. Meredith gave them one last scrutinizing look before dismissing them. "Dismissed," she said tersely. Cullen and Alden straightened up, saluting Meredith before turning to leave her office. Once out of earshot of Meredith's office, Alden grabbed Cullen's collar tightly as he forcefully slammed him against the wall. Cullen's back collided with the unforgiving stone, a sharp gasp escaping his lips as pain shot through his body.
"This is not over," Alden growled, his voice dripping with menace as he leaned in close, his breath hot against Cullen's ear. "You're going to regret what you did." Cullen's heart pounded in his chest as adrenaline surged through him, his muscles tensing as he pushed against Alden's grip, struggling to break free. "You're a fool if you think I'll let you remain in the Order after threatening me," Cullen shot back, his voice trembling with suppressed anger.
Alden's laughter echoed in the dim corridor, a chilling sound that sent shivers down Cullen's spine. "Try it," he taunted, his eyes glinting with malice. "No one will believe you." With a final shove, Alden released his hold on Cullen, sending him stumbling backward. Cullen's hands clenched into fists at his sides as he fought to control the rage boiling within him. He watched as Alden turned and stalked away, a dark cloud of foreboding hanging in the air.
Cullen took a deep, shaky breath, his chest heaving with exertion. His mind raced with thoughts of retaliation, but he knew he needed to calm himself before he did something he would regret. Making his way to his room, Cullen entered and went straight to his desk. His hands trembled as he reached for a vial of lyrium, his fingers fumbling with the small bottle. With a swift motion, he uncorked it and drank its contents in large gulps, the bitter taste burning his throat. As the rush of lyrium coursed through his veins, Cullen felt the familiar numbness wash over him, temporarily dulling the intensity of his emotions. But beneath the surface, the fire of anger still burned.
As the day drew to a close, Cullen found that his mood had not improved. Despite his efforts to push his thoughts aside, the lingering anger fueled by his encounter with Alden continued to simmer just beneath the surface. It gnawed at him, a persistent presence that refused to be ignored. With a frustrated sigh, Cullen reached for another vial of lyrium, he uncorked the bottle and drank deeply. That bittersweet taste of the substance burned his throat once more, but he welcomed its numbing effects if only to quiet the storm of emotions raging within him.
Once he felt the rush of lyrium coursing through his veins and the edges of his anger beginning to dull, Cullen made his way to finish whatever matters remained before calling it a day. Each step felt heavy with the weight of unresolved tension, but he pressed on, determined to push through the turmoil and maintain his composure, if only for the sake of his duty. After finishing up his tasks, Cullen made his way back to his quarters. The familiar routine of removing his uniform and washing away the grime of the day served as a temporary distraction from the turmoil swirling within him. As the cool water cascaded over his skin, he let out a sigh, feeling the tension slowly ebb away.
Once he was freshened up, Cullen took a moment to compose himself before getting ready to head into town. Despite the lingering frustrations from his encounter with Alden, the thought of being with Nereida filled him with a sense of anticipation. With a determined resolve, he set out, eager to leave the troubles of the day behind him and lose himself in her presence, if only for a little while.
As Cullen made his way through the bustling streets of Kirkwall towards Nereida's house, his mind was filled with thoughts of their impending reunion. However, his anticipation was abruptly interrupted by a commotion outside the Hanged Man tavern. Curiosity piqued, he approached the crowd to see what was causing the excitement. To his dismay, he saw Alden and Fenris engaged in a heated sparring match in the center of the circle. The clang of their blades and the grunts of exertion filled the air, drawing cheers and jeers from the onlookers gathered around. Cullen's brows furrowed as he watched the spectacle.
"Come on, Fenris! Show that Templar what you're made of!" shouted one enthusiastic spectator, while another yelled, "Take him down, Alden!" Hawke's voice rang out above the din, urging Fenris on with a hearty, "Kick that Templar ass, Fenris!" Cullen's jaw clenched at the sight, his gaze flickering to Nereida amidst the crowd. She stood on the outskirts of the circle, her expression a mix of amusement and anticipation as she cheered on the combatants.
Alden and Fenris exchanged blows with practiced skill, their movements fluid and precise as they danced around each other in a flurry of strikes and parries. The crowd roared with excitement with each clash of their weapons, egging them on with fervent enthusiasm. As the match reached its climax, Alden managed to break free from Fenris's grasp, seizing the opportunity to deliver a swift strike that sent Fenris stumbling backward. The crowd erupted into cheers, and Alden turned to Nereida with a triumphant grin, exchanging a few words that caused her cheeks to flush with color.
Cullen caught sight of Alden making Nereida blush, a surge of frustration and jealousy coursed through him. Determined to intervene, he swiftly navigated his way through the crowd toward Nereida, his heart pounding in his chest with each step. However, by the time he reached her side, a loud cheer erupted from the crowd, signaling the end of the sparring match. Cullen's gaze snapped towards the center of the circle, where Fenris stood victorious, having managed to knock Alden onto his back. The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, and Cullen watched Hawke run up to Fenris, embracing him tightly.
Fenris then dipped Hawke with a flourish, pressing a kiss to her lips that elicited cheers and whistles from the onlookers. Once Fenris released Hawke, he extended an arm towards Alden, who begrudgingly accepted the gesture, offering a terse nod of acknowledgment. From his vantage point, Cullen could see Nereida approaching the group, her face alight with a smile as she congratulated both Fenris and Alden on their match.
Approaching the group, Hawke greeted him with a boisterous wave. "Hey, Cullen! You just missed the best fight of the night!" Nereida's eyes sparkled with excitement as she added, "Fenris was incredible! You should have seen him!" Alden's expression remained stoic, but there was a glint of challenge in his eyes as he quipped, "Next time, Fenris won't be so lucky." Fenris smirked crossing his arms, "We shall see Alden, you're a worthy opponent."
Watching Alden engage with his friends so casually, Cullen felt a pang of frustration and resentment gnaw at him. It was as if Alden had effortlessly brushed aside their conflict, seamlessly slipping back into the camaraderie of their group. Cullen forced a smile, though his gaze lingered on Alden with thinly veiled disdain. "Sounds like it was quite the match. Sorry, I missed it." Hawke clapped him on the back. "Don't worry, Cullen. We'll have to organize another one soon, and you can join in."
Alden's tone turned mockingly polite. "Yes, it would be a shame for you to miss out, Knight-Captain." Cullen's jaw tensed, but he managed to keep his composure. "Indeed. I'll be sure to make time for it." Nereida sensed the tension and gently nudged Cullen. "Are you alright, Cullen? You seem a bit tense." Cullen forced a smile, grateful for her concern. "I'm fine, thank you, Nereida. Just a long day at the Gallows, that's all."
Alden's voice carried a casual tone, but Cullen sensed an underlying edge to his words. "You know, Cullen, you shouldn't overwork yourself, just because you're a knight-captain doesn't mean you need to work yourself to death." Cullen felt a surge of annoyance, but he kept his expression neutral. "You really should listen to Alden, Cullen. You're going to burn yourself out," Hawke chimed in, her tone teasing but with a hint of concern.
Cullen's forced smile faltered slightly, his frustration mounting. "Thank you for the advice, but I know what I'm doing." Alden, seemingly unfazed by Cullen's thinly veiled hostility, began to say his goodbyes. He turned to Fenris with a friendly grin. "Until next time, Fenris. I look forward to our rematch." Fenris nodded, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "As do I, Alden." Alden took Hawke's hand and bowed, "Until next time, Hawke," Alden said with a grin, to which Hawke responded with a playful wink. "Oh, Alden, such a gentleman! Maybe Fenris should take notes." Fenris chuckled at Hawke's remark, his amusement evident. "I'll keep that in mind, Hawke."
Finally, Alden turned his attention to Cullen, extending his hand with a genial smile. "I will see you tomorrow, Knight-Captain." Cullen reluctantly accepted Alden's hand, his expression tight with restrained anger. "Until then," he replied tersely. Turning to Nereida, Alden's demeanor softened as he took her hand and placed a gallant kiss upon it. "My lady," he said with a charming smile. Nereida's cheeks flushed slightly as she curtsied in response. "Goodnight Alden," she murmured softly.
Cullen watched in silence as Alden departed, his jaw clenched tightly as he struggled to contain his frustration. The encounter had left a bitter taste in his mouth, and he couldn't shake the feeling of resentment that lingered in the air. Meanwhile, the rest of their companions continued their banter as if nothing was amiss, oblivious to the palpable tension, Hawke and Fenris exchanged playful jabs, while the other patrons of the Hanged Man carried on with their revelry. Feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on him, Cullen struggled to maintain his composure. Sensing his distress, Nereida placed a comforting hand on his arm, offering silent support amidst the facade of casual conversation.
Cullen's subconscious reaction was to unintentionally pull away from her touch. It was a subtle movement, but Nereida noticed, and a flicker of sadness crossed her features before she turned to address Hawke. Nereida said to Hawke, "We're going for a walk, just to clear our heads. Good night, Marian." Hawke smiled slightly, sensing the underlying tension between the two, but she chose not to pry. Instead, she played along and nodded in understanding. "Of course, Nereida. Have a good night, you two," she said with a warm smile, before excusing herself and leaving with Fenris.
Nereida began to walk away, heading towards her house, Cullen quickly noticed her departure and followed closely behind her. Once they were out of sight of the others, Cullen felt an intense surge of emotion, and without hesitation, he swiftly picked up Nereida and pushed her up against the nearest wall. Nereida was taken aback, about to protest, but before she could utter a word, Cullen captured her lips in a hungry kiss. His longing and frustration poured into the kiss as he pressed himself against her, causing a small, involuntary moan to escape her lips, mingling with the passion of the moment.
As they continued to kiss, lost in the moment, a sense of clarity began to dawn on Cullen. Slowly, he started to regain control over his emotions. Finally, they broke apart, both gasping for air, their hearts pounding in their chests. Nereida struggled to catch her breath, her voice barely a whisper "Cullen, what's gotten into you?" her eyes searching his for answers. Ignoring her question, Cullen continued to kiss her neck, savoring the shivers that ran down her spine with each nibble. As he made his way to her ear, his breath warm against her skin, he whispered softly, "Can I stay the night with you?" his voice filled with desire.
Nereida's words hitched in her throat as she struggled to form coherent thoughts while Cullen continued to assault her neck with kisses. She managed to muster the strength to speak, "First you have to tell me what's going on." Frustrated, Cullen moved to the crook of her neck and bit her, eliciting a loud moan from her. He continued to bite and suck on her neck until he intentionally left a mark, then he confessed "I don't like the way he looks at you or when he is around you, I don't trust him."
Once she was able to catch her breath Nereida's hands gently cupped Cullen's face, guiding his gaze to meet hers. With a calm determination in her eyes, she spoke softly but firmly, reassuring him. "Cullen, listen to me," she began, her voice steady despite the turmoil within. "The only man who holds my heart is standing right in front of me." Cullen searched her eyes intently, searching for any hint of falsehood, but all he found was sincerity and unwavering honesty.
Realizing the intensity of his actions, Cullen slowly eased Nereida off the wall, pulling her into a gentle embrace. He felt a rush of guilt wash over him, and he whispered an apology, his voice laced with remorse. Nereida shook her head softly, a small smile playing on her lips as she reassured him. "It's okay, Cullen," she murmured, her voice soft and understanding. Then, with a hint of shyness, she admitted, "I... I enjoyed it." Nereida then couldn't resist teasing him gently. "Well, if this is the result, maybe I should get Alden to upset you more often," she joked, a playful glint in her eyes.
Cullen laughed, his embarrassment fading as he pulled her chin up to look at him. "No, that won't be necessary," he said, his tone laced with amusement. With a mischievous grin, Nereida leaned in closer. "Are you sure? It seems to have a positive effect on you," she teased, her voice playful. Cullen's cheeks reddened even more, but he couldn't help but smile. "I think I'll pass on that," he replied, his gaze softening as he leaned in to capture her lips in another kiss, his embarrassment giving way to the warmth of their connection.
As they stood there, their breath mingling in the cool night air, Cullen felt a shy smile tug at his lips as he looked into her eyes. "You know," he began, his voice soft, "I never expected things to turn out like this tonight." Nereida's eyes sparkled with mischief as she tilted her head slightly. "Oh? And how did you expect the night to go, Knight-Captain?"
Cullen chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, I certainly didn't plan on... kissing you against a wall," he admitted, his cheeks turning a deeper shade of red. Nereida grinned, reaching out to playfully tousle his hair. "It was a pleasant surprise," she teased.
Nereida felt a flutter of nerves as she glanced up at Cullen, her voice slightly shaky as she spoke. "Um, would you... still like to come over?" she asked, her gaze flickering nervously between his eyes. Cullen's cheeks flushed a faint shade of pink at her question, but he managed a smile. "Yes, of course," he replied, his voice gentle as he reassured her. "Lead the way."