A shorter chapter this time but still a lot of things happening.

We have the dragon fight here because it's one of my favorite parts of DAI.

NSFW material in this chapter! And some romance between them.

Thank you for following along thus far. Please leave a comment if you're enjoying so far x

—-

Chapter 24:

First thing Lara did before setting off to tackle the dragons was send a raven to Leliana about Samson's incident targeting Cullen. Her intuition was telling her this was an inside job and only her and her spies can weed out who the traitor was. She would handle whoever they were after she returned to Skyhold.

Judicael's Crossing had been restored, thanks to their soldiers, allowing them to cross. This also won them numerous points with the Orlesians who had been pestering Josephine about it since the Red Templars had it destroyed. There were three dragons brought to Lara's attention and she planned on taking them all. Bull had made a comment about taking him to dinner first before getting him to orgasm. She turned dark red at his comment but still she could not understand the sexual pleasure he got from this.

Cullen is going to kill me…

She knew now that he was engrossed in all her reports about the events. Most likely, this would land on his desk as well. There would be time to face him, but she needed to make it out alive first. Some scattered Red Templars were stationed across the bridge. Once they had claimed the watchtowers, they set for the first dragon. The screech could be heard from above them and the echoes of the dragon landing. Dust and rubble scattered around them from the impact. They came face to face with the Hivernal.

"Boss. I owe you a whole tavern for this," Bull commented, a satisfied smile on his face.

—-

Two down, one more to go. The Hivernal and Kaltenzahn were defeated. After the second dragon had fallen, they returned to camp to take a break and stock up on any more potions. Luckily no one had any severe injuries. Bull seemed to be the only one bursting with energy from the defeat and was eagerly pestering when they could leave for the third. He thought they were all weak for needing a break.

Now they stood at the entrance of Leontine's Ring, about to face the Highland Ravager. It was vulnerable to cold which surprised Lara considering its location but it gave them an advantage as they equipped their staffs, ice magic at the ready. One thing for sure, this dragon asserted its dominance and they were intruding on its territory. Dragonlings swarmed them, nipping at their ankles, distracting them from their task. Lara conjured a wall of ice, keeping them at bay until they can do further damage to the Ravager. The dragon hadn't taken nearly enough hits as it should have, but Blackwall and Bull resumed swinging their weapons and taking chunks out of the dragon's legs, wounding it till blood spilled on the ice below them. She blocked any fireballs the dragon tried to send their way, leaving her party to work without any damage. Dorian helped her with ice magic, if one missed or was occupied, the other would step in.

Slowly, the dragon couldn't take anymore hits and moved out of position, forcing them to scramble for cover. More dragonlings swarm them and Lara swears under her breath, creating more ice walls to keep them out. There were too many of them to focus on at once with a dragon looming over them. Dorian raised a barrier around them in the meantime to save them from the fireballs the Ravager launched towards them relentlessly. Blackwall got too close too soon and took one of its kicks to the chest, knocking him backwards. Before Lara could try to get to him, he was back up on his feet. Maker bless his ten layers of armor the man insisted on wearing. It saved him this time. Lara focused on fighting the fire balls with ice magic, breaking them in their path, while Blackwall and Bull hacked away.

The dragon collapsed, weak from the ice and the axes that attacked it. Blood poured out in puddles underneath it as it let out a sharp cry of pain. This was it. This was her moment. Stretching her arm, she inhaled deeply and dispelled the green waves from her Anchor, the haze illuminating the cave. They knew what to do now when she did this, and they were relentless in their attacks, sparing it no mercy. Bull lunges for the neck, now having a vantage point from where it lay collapsed on the floor. Pain shot up her arm, her body trembling beneath her. She can't keep it up for any longer, her mana depleting from the power the magic contained. It was using all her energy to keep it alive but she needed to hold on a little longer, just until…

A loud cry from the dragon as Bull finally managed to sever its head. Lara joined in on the cry as she pulled her arm back, breaking the connection, causing her vision to go blurry as she collapsed on the floor, much like the dragon. The world goes fuzzy around her but she can still make out the sounds of the last dragonlings being killed, the ice barrier no longer holding them back.

It was done. They did it. Bull had better give her that fucking tavern.

—-

The more she was away from Skyhold, the more she missed it. The more she wanted to be home. It really was her home in every way possible and she never wanted to leave this place. Would this still belong to her even after the Inquisition? Would that even be possible? It was uninhabited before, so surely no one had missed it.

Leliana had found the traitor easily. A fairly new soldier who was paid a handsome sum by a Red Templar in order to do the deed. The soldier was imprisoned until Lara came back to Skyhold but they had taken their own life before she arrived. Samson was a coward then, getting people to do his dirty work not caring what happened to them in the end. However, this Samson knew Cullen and knew Cullen well. He must have somehow figured out that Cullen had stopped taking lyrium, even though she didn't know how that was possible.

The evening sunset illuminated Skyhold, creating more magic in the fortress. Lara had tied up her loose ends for the day. She walked around with Solas and visited the Fade with him regarding what happened in the Keep. She froze when the Nightmare had shown up which could have cost her her life. Or her friend's lives. Together they visited the mages who were practicing more healing magic, especially for more complex injuries and for the Templars who had lowered their dosage of lyrium. The rehabilitation center had actually worked out, much to her surprise. The men were eager to follow in Cullen's footsteps and no longer be bound by the Order.

She found herself basking in the glow of the evening sunset before entering Cullen's office. He had been waiting for her to visit him this evening and whatever plans he laid for her, excited her. It was a rare moment of quiet she was granted, just her and the sunset. The door opening startled her. A scout headed out of Cullen's office, followed by Cullen looking out into the distance till he spotted her on the side.

"There you are," He said with a smile.

Relief flooded over her at the sight of him. All signs of lyrium sickness had disappeared and Lara was so grateful Solas was by his side to aid him on the way back to Skyhold. Color had reappeared in his face, his eyes no longer red and sunken, his face no longer hollow. It amazed her how much his composition changed under the influence of lyrium. The amount he was taking before must have been too much. Did he ever take more than was recommended for his fill? Was his body that addicted to it? She buried that thought, not wanting to go there.

"Here I am," She responded, walking over to him.

He held out his hand for her, which she gently placed hers in his, the leather of his glove burning with warmth against her skin. He led her inside his office, closing and locking the door after them. He proceeded to lock the other two side doors.

"You will be the death of me," He commented, walking over to her.

"That's quite an accusation, Commander," She smiled at him.

"Three dragons?" He rested his forehead on hers, "Maker's Breath Lara. Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

"Your old age can't handle it?" She teased.

Cullen let out a chuckle. "I'm not that much older than you. At least I don't think so. Maker…I never asked…" His eyes widened.

"I'm twenty six," She answered quickly.

"Thirty one," He answered back, relief clearly etched on his face.

Lara walked over to his desk, reading the reports regarding the dragons they slaughtered.

"Uh..." Cullen started, his hand rubbing the back of his neck, eyeing her nervously.

"Are these all reports? How many do you have to go through?" Lara asked, her eyes widening at the stack of reports on the side of his desk.

"Not exactly. Um–those are finished. Wait, I–uh," Cullen stammered.

"Am I making you nervous?" She teased as she looked through them.

"Wait…" He urged again but it was too late.

The reports she flicked through were previous ones, ones even dating as far back as Haven. Maker, even updates on her imprisonment. He had kept all of these; all of the reports pertaining to her. Her heart stopped beating for a second and the world went deathly quiet. He had meant what he said about being pulled to her the second he laid eyes on her. Here was the proof. She looked up at him in shock. Surprise. Awe.

"These are all about me," She stated the obvious. Words had failed her right now.

Images of Cullen in his tent in Haven, collecting reports, reading them, watching over her while she kept him at arm's length. While she was cold towards him in an attempt to get him to hate her. To abandon any pursuit or hope of her. She truly didn't deserve him.

"I meant what I said about being drawn to you the moment I saw you. I needed to protect you. Even though many of your reports terrified me," He admitted.

"How come you only ever wrote to me once when I wrote to you?" Lara asked. She had written to him a few times and no answer, even though he was reading the reports knowing what she was up to.

"I didn't know how to. I'm not good at writing letters. I barely write to my own sister," He confessed, guilt taking over at his last sentence.

"I don't deserve you," The words were out before she could stop them.

He closed the distance between them, taking quick strides towards her, holding her face in his hands. His lips crashed on hers as if to wash her mouth free of the words she uttered. A moan escaped her at the impact, at the sudden feel of him. She gripped his fur coat pressing herself against him as she melted into the kiss. Here, locked up in his office, no one could interrupt them, time was on their side. She could stay here forever.

"It is I who doesn't deserve you. You have seen me at my worst. You have seen glimpses of my past self, yet here you are," He rested his forehead against hers.

"I gave you my word that I would be by your side," She said, closing her eyes, letting his scent fill her nostrils.

"So you did," He pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"I believe you had plans for me," She replied, unable to hold back anymore.

He smiled against her forehead. He takes a few steps back, assessing her, taking her in as if she wasn't real. Lara immediately felt nervous under his gaze. His expression darkens, causing goosebumps to erupt on her skin, her nipples hardening against the fabric of her clothing. Eyes still focused on her, he unbuckles his armor and tosses it on the floor beside him, the clatter cutting through the tense silence between them.

"Undress me, Lara," He commanded. It was not a request.

Vulnerability. She knew he didn't like being touched, but this meant being vulnerable with her, exposing himself. He trusted her. She felt even more undeserving of him, like he was giving her too much. Slowly, her feet carried her to him, their breaths mingling with each other as they took deep breaths. She fumbled with his fur coat, and gently pulled out his tunic that was tucked into his trousers. She lifted the tunic up, Cullen helping her take it off him and she discarded them both on the floor. His eyes held onto her the entire time, causing nerves to fire off inside her, her stomach twisting into a knot. Gently, she unbuckled his belt and unbuttoned his trousers, the line of golden curls disappearing into the elastic of his undergarments. Her fingers traced through the curls, twirling them around her fingers, her nails gliding down his muscles. A soft groan escaped him, lighting a fire inside her. She needed more.

Falling to her knees, she took his trousers down with her, exposing him to her. Looking up, she saw the outline of his thick erection. Instinctively she licked her lips, winning her another groan from Cullen. She reached up, and pulled down his boxers, springing his erection free, the tip glistening with precum. Her tongue reached out on its own, tasting him for a split second before he held his cock in his hand, away from her.

"That's not what I told you to do," He warned, his expression a mix of lust and pain.

She wants to protest against him so she can taste him again but she was finally able to have him, so she swallows her words and removes the last of his clothing and his boots. She stood up in front of him, forcing herself to hold herself back from touching him where she wanted to most. She makes a mental note to ask about that later, after they've come down from their high.

"Strip," He commanded again.

Her longing intensified as he dragged out the inevitable, making her desire him more. Perhaps that was his goal. Perhaps he got off on watching her need him. A sudden boldness took over as she stood under his hooded gaze, honey eyes molten with lust, with longing. She slowly unfastened each buckle on her fitted long sleeve top, the material slowly loosening with each buckle undone. Emerald eyes locked with honey ones, the tension crackling in the room around them. Sliding it off her, it now lay behind her boots. Her fingers gently traced her skin, trailing up from her stomach to her breasts covered by a silky material. Cullen's eyes watched her dangerously, trying to hold onto his self-restraint. She slid her bra over her head, the material rubbing against her already hard nipples causing her to bite her lip at the friction. His eyes still remained fixed on her, drinking her in. Lara felt so needed under his gaze, so desired. It did nothing to quench the fire that burned inside her, the ache between her legs was nearly too much.

Her fingers trailed softly back down her body, reaching her trousers, unbuttoning them. Slowly, she peeled them off her legs, shimmying her hips as she did, teasing him, testing his restraint to see if he'll snap. He watched her with hooded eyes, his hand wrapping tightly around his cock, slowly moving up and down. Her thighs were held together by the wetness seeping through her underwear, but she slid them down and discarded the remaining clothing. She stands before him naked again, a little more confident than the last, skin flushed with want, with need. Cullen stands before her naked, the last of the evening sun peeking through his window, covering him in an orange-gold hue. Gold might just start to become her favorite color as she drinks him in.

"I told you I would take you on my desk. This is me fulfilling that," He said as he walked over to his desk and in one quick swipe, the contents of his desk scattered around them.

Excitement bursts through her as he reenacts their almost first time here. Suddenly, his warm hands grab her from behind her thighs, lifting her up. Her core throbs at the contact, needing him closer. The cool wood of the desk touches her back but does nothing to soothe the heat radiating off of her. He spreads her legs, she arches her back, core clenching, no longer able to take it. He chuckled at her eagerness.

"So wet for me," He murmurs, desire laced in his voice.

Before she could respond, his finger entered her, followed by a second. A loud moan leaves Lara's lips as she feels herself stretching, her walls wrapping around his fingers as they slowly pump in and out of her. The sweet release of finally having him. His fingers pick up the pace, pumping faster, his other hand finding her clit. A jolt travels up her body at the sensations causing another moan to leave her lips.

"Yes," He groaned, soaking up the sounds she made, "Let me hear you."

Lara could feel the delicious tension building inside her as he worked her. She let out a few whimpers, needing a release, needing him to send her over that edge.

"Louder," He grunted as he smacked her clit.

She swears a scream escaped her at the sudden shock of pleasure from the contact.

Holy fuck…

"Good girl," A satisfied dark chuckle boomed in the heavy air around them.

Her body squirms underneath him as he builds her higher. She bucks her hips trying to meet him at every touch against her clit, needing another hit. The desire flushes her cheeks.

"What do you want, Lara? Tell me," He knew.

Is he really going to make me say it?

She draped an arm over her face, shielding her eyes from him, her cheeks turning a further pink color. These are things no woman should be saying, but Cullen was a different man behind closed doors. A different man during sex. It didn't escape her notice that he needed to be in control during it. In a flash everything stopped and she cried out at the sudden loss of contact, looking at him desperately.

"Cullen, please," She begged eagerly, her body clenching.

"I want to hear you say it. What does my girl want?" He leaned against the desk, watching her body respond to him, watching it need him.

Damnit…here goes nothing.

"I want you to…" Her hands covered her face in embarrassment. "I want you to smack me again," She stammered.

"I'll let this pass since it is your second time. Next time, look at me when you tell me what you want," He leaned over her body, fingers entering her.

A moan of sweet release fills the room as he works her again, landing another smack on her swollen clit. And another. He repeats it, rubbing circles in between each smack. The edge is near, she can feel it. Every nerve in her body is alive, and on edge barreling towards her release. The heat and pressure in her core builds as each well-aimed smack propels her forward. The sensations are overwhelming as she drowns in it, losing control of her body. It belongs to him. Her Commander. He reads her like an open book, knowing she's close, knowing her release belongs to him. His fingers work faster, he presses harder on her sensitive clit, and with one final swift smack, she cries out his name as if it were a prayer on her lips as she's thrown off that edge.

She feels herself being pulled down towards the edge of the desk. One leg against his torso, the other splayed, wrapping around his waist. His cock slides against her wet heat, lubricating him. She whimpers at the touch, at the feel of him sliding up and down her core. His head now lined up with her entrance, he looks at her with worship, with care.

"I'll enter slowly. If it hurts, tell me," He warned her, studying her.

Lara nodded, bracing herself. He slid in and the bite of her stretching to accommodate his thick length returned, only less painful than the first. As another inch of him enters, that overwhelming feeling of fullness returns, causing her to squirm. He continues in until he's completely buried inside her, skin touching skin. Her insides begin to ache with need at the fullness, at the feel of him inside her.

"Are you okay?" He rubs his hand up and down her leg, caressing her.

"I need you to move. Please."

"As you wish, my love," He smiles as he grabs her waist, holding her down on the desk.

He withdrew slowly, Lara feeling every bump and ridge of him gliding along her walls, the friction overwhelming her. Only the tip remained inside until he thrusted inside her causing her to squeal. He held onto her body tightly as he lost himself into her. Lara grabbed the edges of the desk for support while Cullen claimed her, the desk rocking underneath them. He peppered her leg with soft kisses that added a layer of softness to his otherwise rough thrusts. In and out, harder and faster. Tingles appeared at the base of her spine, pressure building behind her hips as he continuously hit a spot Lara didn't even know existed but it sent shocks of pleasure throughout her body that consumed her. Her back was arching the more she was closer to the edge, surrendering herself to him. She could feel his movements becoming more jagged. He was close as well.

"Cullen…" She pleaded.

I'm so close. I'm so close. Please…

"That's it, Lara. Come for me," He groaned.

She crashed into what felt like a million pieces underneath him, her mind fuzzy. Her name echoed around her as Cullen came, releasing inside of her. An unfamiliar emotion tugged at her, which she pushed away. His head resting on her, trying to catch his breath, she ran her fingers through his golden curls, focusing on her movements rather than the emotions that threatened to rise to the surface.

—-

Lara was well and truly spent. He made a meal of her on that desk as they went for another round and she smirked at the thought that he would have to reorganize it again for a second time. Cullen prepared his bed for them after he insisted on drying her after their bath. She didn't know what to make of the sentiment, no one had ever cared for her at these lengths before.

"There's something I need to discuss with you," He admitted while pulling the sheets back.

"Yes?" Lara asked nervously.

"While you were still in the Emprise, we found Samson's lair. I prefer my duties to keep me here, but for Samson, I'll make an exception," His voice turned cold at the end.

Lara's heart raced as images of him faced with red lyrium came to mind. The influence it held over him. It was able to draw him back to when he was a Templar, erasing the man she knew completely.

"Cullen, Samson still has that red lyrium armor. You know his lair is going to be covered. You're too vulnerable to it," Lara begged, hoping he would see reason.

"All the more reason for me to go. I would…sleep better, if I knew I would be at your side, protecting you," He walked over to her, cupping her face in his hand.

She was being selfish by not wanting him to go. He sent her into danger everyday knowing she was risking her life, but he did it without protest knowing she was the one who had to save the world. Now it was her turn to let him go into danger. This was his battle to fight, his demons from his past that he needed to overcome. He would be by her side at least so she could watch him. Saying no would mean taking this opportunity from him.

"Okay," She answered before she could change her mind.

"You have no idea what this means to me," He kissed her softly.

"When do we leave?" She asked.

"It is your call. The earlier we get there, the better," He responded, as he picked her up, carrying her to his bed.

She smiled and nuzzled into his neck, "Well, you better prepare your men tomorrow, Commander," She replied.

"Yes, Inquisitor," He chuckled and threw her down on the bed.

A giggle escaped her and he grinned at her as he crawled on top of her, causing butterflies to erupt in her stomach at the sight of him. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close to him like she's his safety, what keeps him grounded. He placed a kiss on the top of her head, rubbing gentle circles on her back. That same unfamiliar emotion tugged at Lara but she buried it by letting herself be drifted off to sleep by his touch and by the safe scent of oakmoss and elderflower.

—-

Lara entered the War Room feeling slightly giddy from last night with Cullen. She finally was able to have him again but that hunger still wasn't fully satiated. Was it always like this? Desiring it? Desiring someone? Or was it because this was all so new for her, a whole world to explore? All these new discoveries about herself, things she didn't even imagine enjoying, were exciting. His smacks took her completely by surprise, but not nearly as surprising at how much she enjoyed it, even if there was a trace of pain to it. A shiver went up her spine at the memory.

Her advisors awaited her to discuss their plans for Samson's lair. Morrigan had some discoveries of her own regarding Corypheus and elven magic, but that would have to wait upon her return while they were so close to catching and stopping Samson.

"Inquisitor," Cullen greeted her. " We were—"

"Eagerly awaiting your presence. Some of us more than others," Leliana interjected, with a mischievous smile on her face.

"I wasn't…I mean, I was. Maker's Breath," Cullen stammered as his cheeks turned red, his hand rubbing behind his neck again.

Josephine and Leliana giggled at seeing the Commander so flustered. Lara couldn't help her smirk at seeing him flustered too, knowing what they did last night. The contrast in his personalities awed her. A man who was so sure and confident in himself as he worked her, now flustered at the mere mention of her.

"We have work to do," He composed himself, his Commander voice now present.

"Of course you do," Leliana responded, not able to help herself.

A laugh escaped Lara before she could help it.

"Maker…what is that supposed to mean?" He asked her, bewildered.

"Kissing your Inquisitor on the battlements? Out in the open? Very bold of you Cullen," She answered.

Lara and Cullen both flushed at her response. She knew. Of course she knew.

"My scouts also reported some very interesting noises coming from your office…" She continued, a smirk playing on her lips.

"Andraste preserve me," Cullen muttered as he turned around, facing the window.

"I suppose it's better than Dorian setting the curtains on fire," She finished, looking very satisfied with herself.

"Just how much do you know?" Lara asked, shocked that she knew about Dorian.

"I'm the spymaster. I wouldn't be doing my job correctly if I didn't know what was going on," She said casually.

She's got a fucking point…

"Can we please get back to work?" Cullen pleaded.

"Yes, I think we have embarrassed our poor Commander enough. So, the lair? What are our plans?" Josephine started scribbling away, a hint of a smile still on her lips.

—-

After a solid hour of conversing and planning, they had their plan narrowed down in very intricate detail. There wouldn't be many soldiers accompanying them so as not to blow their cover. Samson could not notice them coming although Lara had a feeling he was already aware they were coming after him. There was still a matter of business Lara had to take care of before she departed.

"Leliana, I was wondering if I could discuss something with you," Lara asked.

Josephine had already left, but Cullen looked back at her curiously as he made his exit. Lara tried to ignore his gaze. This wasn't something she had discussed with him and wasn't sure if she was ready to. She needed time to process this on her own.

"Certainly," The spymaster replied.

The door clicked behind Cullen and they were alone. Lara took out Gabriel's letter from her pocket and handed it over to Leliana for her to read. She read the letter carefully, assessing all the contents.

"You would like me to see if the letter is genuine?" She asked once she finished reading.

"No. I believe it is but no harm in double checking. What I wanted to ask is if it's possible to find him and bring him to Skyhold. I'd like to meet him face to face, in case our letters get intercepted. Dorian met with him personally and hand delivered his letter to me," Lara explained, her fingers fiddling with each other trying to calm her nerves.

"I'll have my spies find him while you head for Samson's lair. He will be here when you return," Leliana promised confidently.

"Please don't kidnap him or smuggle him in," Lara winced, knowing what she was capable of.

"If he doesn't put up a fight, sure," She smirked in response.

Lara groaned. "He has my condolences already."

Leliana smiled. "He will be here in one piece. I will keep the letter for now, but it will be safe."

"I just don't want my parents knowing he's here," Lara confessed.

"They won't," She replied firmly.

Lara stepped forward and hugged Leliana tightly. She froze at first but wrapped her arms around her and patted her back in return.

"Thank you," She whispered to her.

—-

Lara kept her same party of Dorian, Iron Bull, and Blackwall. They had been through all the events in the Emprise with her and thankfully, they were all too eager to help and put an end to this red lyrium madness. Solas had prepared what she would need for Cullen in case his symptoms worsened with being exposed to red lyrium. There was bound to be some in Samson's lair, Lara was sure of it. They were packing the last of their items into their carriages until Lara noticed Cullen was more nervous than usual.

"Is there something I should know?" She asked as she approached him.

Cullen let out a sigh and ran his fingers through his hair. He lowered his head, contemplating his next words or if he should tell her at all.

"A name came up on the reports from the mine and the letters you found from Samson. A name I never expected to see," He finally said, head still lowered in thought.

"Another voice from your past?"

"In a way. It's complicated. Maddox was a mage in Kirkwall's Circle. Samson smuggled letters for him between him and his sweetheart. Eventually, Samson was caught. That's how he was cast out of the Order. Maddox was made Tranquil and became a skilled craftsman of magical items. Samson must have rescued him," Cullen finished, shaking his head.

"Rescue Maddox from what exactly?" She asked, curious.

"When the mages rebelled in Kirkwall, the worst battles took place in the gallows in the Circle. I thought Maddox had died in the fighting or was trying to make a living on the streets. A harsh fate for a Tranquil in Kirkwall. Samson must have found him and taken him in," Cullen answered.

"Maybe there's still a part of the man Samson used to be before he signed his life away to Corypheus," Lara replied, trying to be hopeful for Cullen's sake.

"Or he's shrewd enough to know an extraordinary resource. It seems Maddox built Samson's armor for him and maintains it still," Cullen's expression grew furious.

Lara knew Cullen wanted nothing to do with the ghosts of his past. So much so that he wasn't even willing to believe there was any good left in them.

"Cullen, you are not them nor are you the man you once were. You don't need to prove that to me," She rested her hand on his arm, leaning closer to him.

"Especially to you," He muttered, pain visible in his eyes as he looked at her almost silently begging for her forgiveness.

Her heart felt like it was being wrung out. The ghosts from his past were haunting him, and this venture was only digging them out, bringing them to the surface. She almost wanted to keep him here in Skyhold but she knew that he needed to do this. The fact that he possibly killed mages before her terrified her and she wouldn't dare ever let him confess to it. It was better for both their sakes to be left unsaid. The man before her wasn't the man serving in the Circles. The man before her was a man trying to atone for his sins and prove he was deserving of a second chance. The man before her was fighting to right his wrongs. He was an enemy, but is currently not. It was a battle Lara still had to overcome.

Silence washed over them for too long before Lara impulsively nuzzled into him, holding him to her, saying what her words couldn't. A silent way of letting him know that she is here for him. That she believes him. He wraps his arms around her, holding her tightly. It's just them two. Until…

"If you two are quite ready, I'd like to get this over with," Dorian came up from behind them.

A shy smile appeared on Cullen's face as he packed the last items. Lara glared at Dorian but sat next to him all the same. They departed for Samson's lair and her stomach began to twist in knots. She didn't know how to keep Cullen safe and complete the mission. Without lyrium, he was weaker. More susceptible. It was an intense responsibility and she didn't know how to cope with it. The tables were now turned; a mage had to keep watch over a templar.