#I don't know about you all but my Inquisitor just *is* a Rutherford

[animezinglife]

I'm just imagining all the warmth, love, laughter, and excited, loud chatter flooding the Rutherford household (whoever's that is when they first meet) when Cullen brings the Lady Inquisitor home.

It makes me emotional even thinking about it.

[shouldaspunastory]

Thank you @saladruiner, for @dadrunkwriting

Cullen Rutherford x Dorian Pavus (SFW, Post-Trespasser, Established Relationship) 731 words.

--------------------------------

"Cullen," Dorian begins softly, but Cullen shakes his head.

"No, I heard what you told the Inquisitor," Cullen interrupts, crossing his arms. "You have unfinished business in your homeland, I understand. I've always understood that. And someone like Lavellan, they've too much notoriety. The attention they'll bring will cause more harm than good, however great their desire to help and well-meaning their intentions might be. But I'm not the Inquisitor," Cullen protests. "And I'm not letting you go back there alone. No one in Tevinter knows who I am or would give a damn about me. If I can't help you make your homeland better, at least let me watch over you while you're doing it."

Dorian's throat feels dry, his heart hammering in his chest as Cullen swallows, not waiting for a response before he continues.

"You don't have to tell anyone about us. I know you said things between two men... that's- not how things are done there. You could say I'm your bodyguard," the Commander offers with a shrug, though there's a hint of pleading, perhaps even desperation in his voice that betrays the suggestion is not as nonchalant as he might wish to make it seem. Dorian shakes his head and Cullen's face falls.

"Dorian, please," Cullen whispers, and he's definitely begging now. Maker's breath, the man actually drops to his knees in front of him, clasping Dorian's hands in his.

"Amatus," Dorian says gently, waiting until those gorgeous amber eyes lift back up to meet his own. "I'm not telling my friends and countrymen that you are my bodyguard."

"But I-" Cullen begins, but Dorian shakes his head, and the former soldier bites his lip and tongue obediently.

"You can watch my back," Dorian continues. "I doubt I could stop you doing that if I tried," the mage smiles fondly. "But I'm not going to pretend you're just someone I employ," Cullen's eyes are wide, full of hope and disbelief, as he continues to stare up at Dorian.

"Then you'll- you'll let me come with you," Cullen whispers.

"Vishante kaffas," Dorian mutters with a chuckle, shaking his head, tugging at their joined hands and urging Cullen back to his feet, rocking up onto the balls of his feet to loop his arms around the taller man and crush his lips to his. "Of course, I want you with me, Amatus," Dorian whispers fondly, a hand gently reaching up and caressing his lover's cheek. "But your friends, your family, they're all here."

"You're my family now too," Cullen replies, as if this is the most obvious and simplest thing in the world. As if these simple words don't shake Dorian's own world to its very core. "And I can still write them, and visit," Cullen replies undeterred.

"And if you hate Tevinter," Dorian asks softly with a small frown.

"It can't be all bad. You'll be there." It's an oversimplification and both of them know it, but Dorian can't find it in his heart to protest any further, and Maker knows what positively mortifying public display of affection and devotion Cullen will try next if he does. Dorian sighs, and Cullen's answering smile says that he knows he's won. As Cullen wraps his arms around the mage and pulls him in close, Dorian allows himself to melt into the embrace and nuzzle into his lover's broad chest.

"Festis bei umo canavarum," Dorian curses under his breath, there's affection in his tone, though, as Cullen's answering chuckle vibrates through him. "You'd best hold yourself to writing those letters," Dorian says finally, lifting his chin to meet Cullen's gaze, but remaining flush against him, happy to hold and be held by his lover. "I wouldn't put it passed Mia to storm Minrathous to come find you if you don't."

"You're probably right," Cullen laughs shaking his head. "Perhaps we should stop by South Reach before we head back."

"Might be safer," Dorian nods with a wry smile, before his bravado slips ever so slightly, hugging Cullen for the briefest of moments just a little bit tighter. "You don't think they'll resent me? A man? A mage? A Vint stealing their brother from them?" Cullen shakes his head, before gently tucking Dorian's beneath his chin, and offering him a reassuring squeeze.

"They're going to love you, almost as much as I do," Cullen promises, kissing the top of his head.

[fereldanwench]

AO3 Meme

I was tagged by @sarahawke to share some links to some of my AO3 stories--Thank you! 💙 Rules: Give us the links to your wonderful words with the Most hits, Most kudos, Most comments, Most bookmarks, Most words, and Least words.

🥇 Most Hits: Scars (Requires AO3 account to read) (Dragon Age Inquisition; Cullen Rutherford x Unnamed F!Trevelyan)

This just has the most hits because it's my oldest fic, and I wrote it in early 2014, which at the time felt like just a few months until Inquisition would come out, so the hype was real. I remember being really inspired by one of the trailers and listening to the DAI theme on repeat and just having these scenes in my head that I needed to get down.

At the time, I was also pretty deep in my Cullen x Hawke ship, and I think I was also trying to figure out how I would compartmentalize that ship with an Inquisitor ship because they weren't going to exist in the same personal canon.

Anyway, I don't remember enough about it to say much more, and I'm not rereading it because I think it'll make me cringe, lmao. I can't believe I wrote that almost 10 years ago.

🥇 Most Kudos: Scars 🥈 Runner-up: Homecoming (Cyberpunk 2077; Goro Takemura x Valerie Powell)

Scars again takes it just by being on there the longest, but Homecoming is nearer and dearer to my heart, so I'm really happy to see that it's number two. (And not that far off from Scars, which I think is impressive given that it's so much newer.)

Homecoming was 1) an excuse to write smut from Goro's POV (third-person limited) and 2) a chance to explore some of Valerie's conditions after her revival from Mikoshi. I wanted it to be on the lighter, fluffier side so it's a little idealized and doesn't delve deep into the hardships they face as they start a new journey with Arasaka.

🥇 Most Comments: Sway (Dragon Age II; Sebastian Vael x Marian Hawke)

Another older work, but still to this day, one of my favorite things I've written. It was a one-shot based on a Tumblr prompt, and I just found my groove with it almost immediately. It was one of those pieces that I did not have to fight to get the words out at all.

Just some mutual pining and non-sexual physical intimacy between two people who want each other but know that can never be.

🥇 Most Bookmarks: Homecoming (Cyberpunk 2077; Goro Takemura x Valerie Powell)

See rambling above. 💙

🥇 Most Words: Homecoming 🥈 Runner-up: With Interest (Cyberpunk 2077; Viktor Vektor x Valerie Powell)

Did you know Valerie and Viktor had a thing before the Heist? Well, if I ever finish With Interest, you'll get to see why that didn't work out! I've had the next chapter, like, 80% finished for the past year, but this past year hasn't really been great for getting the words out. Something I'm hoping to change in the next few months.

🥇 Least Words: The Game (Dragon Age Inquisition; Cullen Rutherford x Michel de Chevin)

I actually forgot I had put this on AO3--Just a quick one-shot based on the prompt "Cullen/Michel - Political games at the Winter Palace."

Tagging @morganlefaye79, @theharlotofferelden, @dustymagpie, @commander-krios, and @ziskandra! 💙

[luthien-under-bough]

20 Questions For Fic Writers

Tagged by @girlwithakiwi

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

97! I am scratching and clawing my way toward 100 this year.

2. What's your total AO3 word count?

537,646 *probably at least 400k of that is Daemyra

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Almost exclusively House of the Dragon/ASOIAF since HOTD s1 aired and Daemyra consumed my life.

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

i got a bad desire (baby i'm on fire) - Daemyra modern AU multi-chapter (WIP)

ain't nobody hurt you like i hurt you  - Daemyra modern AU multi-chapter (complete)

better not touch (i want it too much) - Daemyra modern AU multi-chapter (complete)

...anyone noticing a theme? 👀

I found some hate for you, just for show - Daemyra canon divergence oneshot

do you feel the hunger? - Daemyra canon divergence oneshot

5. Do you respond to comments?

I try to respond to all of them! Sometimes I get behind, but I usually get to them by the time I post a new chapter, at least.

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Uhh probably i've looked at clouds from both sides now. Even though only one of the major characters dies, it somehow still feels angstier than the literal necrophilia fic where they both die.

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

I feel like most of my other fics have a happy ending? Both of the completed multi-chaps I linked above definitely do.

8. Do you get hate on fics?

I occasionally get a rude comment, but I have no qualms about being a dick or just deleting/blocking. I have gotten a few tumblr anons that made me roll my eyes, but any hate I get has been firmly a THEM problem and not a ME problem. Haters stay pressed. 💅

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

It's a rare day when I do not write smut. I write all kinds. Since writing in the Daemyra fandom, my list of "hard no's" when it comes to writing has rapidly diminished; it seems like every other day I discover a new kink that makes my brain do a record-scratch. I started writing fic again in 2020, and published baby's first smut shortly thereafter, but it was fairly standard stuff. Now I'm like "well if you aren't literally digesting your lover, is it really romance??!"

10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written?

The only crossover I've written is a House of the Dragon/Naked Attraction crackfic that infected my brain during the depths of binge of the latter show.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Only one that I know of - someone copy/pasted all of do you really feel alive without me into different chapters of their ""fic"".

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

for our blood is restless was translated into Russian here.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

No. My writing process is chaotic and inconsistent and I would not inflict that on another writer. I'm also very particular about what I do and do not want to write, as well as my prose, so I don't think co-writing is for me. If we don't like to break the rules of English grammar in the exact same way, I'm afraid we won't be able to get along.

14. What’s your all time favourite ship?

I mean, I think it's pretty obvious. 😅 Daemon Targaryen/Rhaenyra Targaryen (House of the Dragon) has only been my OTP for <2 years, but they are already my all time favorite. Prior to that, it was Dramione (Harry Potter), Cullen Rutherford/Female Inquisitor (Dragon Age: Inquisition), and Aloy/Avad (Horizon Zero Dawn).

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

Not technically a single WIP, but I always meant to add more stories to my collection of Cullen/Inquisitor Dragon Age fics (most of which I posted during Swoon June 2022). It's possible I'll experience another burst of inspo for that fandom when Dragon Age: Dreadwolf finally comes out, but I'm pretty firmly entrenched in Daemyra for the foreseeable future.

16. What are your writing strengths?

Dialogue, characterization, ANGST. I think my smut is pretty hot. Idk I generally like everything about my writing. That's why I keep doing it.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

Uhhh anything to do with plotting or planning. We thrive on vibes here. ✌️

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

Beyond the occasional word or phrase in High Valyrian for my HOTD/ASOIAF fics, I cannot be bothered. Italics and a dialogue tag do me just fine.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

Harry Potter.

20. Favourite fic you’ve written?

This changes semi-regularly, but my current favorite is one that I'm actively writing - a Daemyra early marriage canon divergence (milk teeth). Also because I just re-read this the other night - surrender (a rare non-Daemyra HOTD fic).

No pressure tags: @anamazingangie, @ar-feyniel, @grandlovescheme, @crimson-tulip, @bluegoldrose

[caesarflickermans]

Tag Game

Tag 9 people you want to get to know better. I was tagged by @hayffiebird Thank you c:

Three ships:

Virgilia/Plutarch. I know, a bit cliche to put my own ship forth here, but I'm noticing how much less of a shipper I've become insofar that I've more lukewarm takes on most ships, but this is one I'm really passionate about. It really (obviously) encompasses a lot of what I personally enjoy in seeing a relationship unfold. Virgilia has her own personal journey that fits well with Plutarch's. They complement each other so well and it's enjoyable to write / think about them :>

David Butt/Julia Montague. Those two are from the BBC series Bodyguard and they are such an interesting couple. There's hatred initially, each of their moments bringing them closer, and the final resolution of their story (the question of being together) never finding an answer. The show has its own problems with the portrayal of Muslim characters, and tbf whenever I rewatch it I only watch the first three episodes, but it has a sort of tension and development that I've really never seen replicated. I'm a sucker for bodyguard stuff, but none ever did it as well as this show, and most of those stories are far too smutty, far too overprotective, far too easily and quickly resolve (and me and @beedelia totally have a Plutarch&V AU based on those two).

This is NOT a ROMANTIC ship (hence the &), but I love PLATONIC stuff so much, so: Ellie Williams&Joel Miller. I really, fully, enjoy their growth together. I love a good parenting platonic not-actually-related situation. Their story is so raw. It's the way that their relationship is painted through struggles. It's the going through everything to keep their dad/their daughter safe. I love their journey and I love both games so much.

This was really hard because, as I said, I've got plenty of ships and I feel rather lukewarm about them. As in, yeah, I enjoyed this, but it doesn't have my mind spinning once I finish it and am done with the show/game. Here's a list of some ships I enjoy, but do not have a lot to say about: F!Commander Shepard/Miranda Lawson (Mass Effect), Cullen Rutherford/F!Inquisitor (Dragon Age), Will Graham/Bedelia Du Maurier (Hannibal), Serena Joy/Mark Tuello (Handmaid's Tale), Blackbeard/Stede Bonnet (Our Flag Means Death), Newt Scamander/Leta Lestrange (Fantastic Beasts). Was this cheating? Maybe, lol.

First ever ship:

I think my first ever ship was Captain Amelia/Dr. Doppler, mostly because I was very gay for Amelia and was excited for any romance interest she got. Like, it should have been me, but this was second best. I didn't write fanfiction about it or anything because I was far too young, but I think this was the first moment where I really shipped something.

First time I engaged with fandom might have been Remus Lupin/Tonks. Though I mostly read stuff rather than wrote anything.

First time I wrote something (in rp) was Haymitch/Effie, though I don't ship them anymore--same as Lupin and Tonks actually lol. Both for different reasons.

Last song: Bottom of the River by Delta Rae. Been listening to this one while writing!

Last movie: Everything Everywhere All At Once. I've had this on my watchlist since release and finally got around to it. Feels like something you should totally watch a second time. It was a brilliant movie.

Currently reading: A secret history. I'm not sure what to think of it yet & I'm halfway through. It's definitely interesting, but it's a very slow read (or maybe me mostly reading it in bed before falling asleep just doesn't read very fast).

Currently watching: Arctic Warrior. It's a German TV show about one (military) expert and one beginner having to survive (and travel through) the arctic parts of Finland. I usually don't enjoy those kind of shows, but I have a soft spot for Otto + watching it as an uncut reaction video from a favourite youtuber of mine is double fun. Actual tv series though, I want to start Succession (thanks Emily, lol) and/or Yellowjackets.

Currently consuming: I ate my salad + slice of bread for the evening :>

Currently craving: Still a bit hungry, so maybe some fruit later. I've got mango and peaches at home :)

Tagging: @beedelia @footnoteinhistory @plvtarch @mrsalanavalentine @rosegardeninwinter @ellanainthetardis @endlessnightlock @tinyfrenchowl @mollywog @districtunrest @bexbaxx @thegoddessprose @jenniferiawrence

[animezinglife]

@vulvalini, this.

That's one of my favorite scenes between him and a romanced Inquisitor for a number of reasons. It leans so beautifully into Cullen taking back his life on his own terms and facing the double-edged sword of faith head-on.

He feels powerless in that moment, and you find him on his knee in prayer. He's terrified of losing her and knows there's very little he can do in that matter. He has no choice but to let her face Corypheus again---it's either she does this, or the world burns. They all die.

Cullen has been failed by leaders and the Chantry.

He's been hurt by them to the point he had never even imagined a future for himself...and might very well have given up altogether had he not found the Inquisition.

Yet he's pulled himself back through the ashes again and found purpose.

He says it himself: there are countless instances he should have died, and yet he didn't. He's still here for some purpose; some reason.

Perhaps some higher calling of the Maker's will.

That path has called him to lead not as a Templar or tool of the Chantry, but as Cullen Rutherford: someone with experience and a keen sense for strategy, but who's ultimately just a regular man.

This path has led him to see real choices for himself: to break a lyrium addiction, to envision a future, and to find love.

He develops an ownership of himself for the first time in ages.

"I'm glad you haven't lost your faith."

The Chantry is a machine: a political one that more often than not operates in the interests of man.

The Chantry is not the Maker.

The Maker is something bigger; something with whom Cullen alone can develop his own relationship with.

I think his prayer is two things: a prayer from a desperate man trying to hold steadfast to one of the few things in this universe that might have the power to protect them all (and it's not just about him anymore at all), and one of both strength and humility as a man in healing.

Yet he still has doubts. He doesn't know, but just like he tells the Inquisitor at the start of the game, he has to try. They all have to try.

My Inquisitor has struggled with her faith as well. In my mind, they have had conversations about their faith before---she never presses him, but has been a safe place for him throughout his healing journey. He has done the same for her, and they're far more vulnerable around each other than they are with anyone else. They're stronger together, and he's actually helped to strengthen her faith.

These are two people who don't have all the answers, but are trying to do the best they can and believe in something greater than themselves.

She's always instead noted his fear instead of commenting on his maintained faith.

They're terrified. They've finally found purpose and peace again only to face the high chance that they'll lose it all.

Lose the future they've just started to believe they could build together.

All they can do is pray there's some meaning in this all, that they will come back from this to each other alive, and hold each other.

thinking about how as a templar, Cullen wasn't functioning as a person. He was just a cog in a machine; a rusted, chipped one that screeched when it connected with another cog, but a cog nevertheless. Templars don't have belongings, they don't have interests, they forfeit their family, if they are allowed to marry it's under strict guidelines. the lyrium isn't just there to make the powerful, it's to make them subservient, in theory it is meant to be the leash that yanks when the templars speaks for themselves or others. You want to rebel, you want to advocate for others? The leash can be pulled, taking you further and further away from a new drought of lyrium.

no one pays a templar to think. no one pays a templar at all. you are there for the honor and love of the Maker and you swing your sword for Him and no one else

and when he comes out of it, what does Cullen have? His suit of armor, his sword, his mantle, maybe an under shirt and a pair of breeches, and his coin

the coin that was his one act of rebellion in his seventeen year tenure

no one wonder he says to a romance inquisition 'when it started, I hadn't considered much beyond our survival' because why would he? Templars don't have futures, they have service and they either die in service or die on the street, starved of lyrium and dignity. It's an act of rebellion in and of itself for Cullen to think he has the possibility of a future with anyone or anything

maybe that's the greatest gift an inquisitor, romanced or not, can give him--a chance to leave service and for once, be a person with dreams and desires. And what does he do when he's given that? He creates a sanctuary for other templars, so they may no what it's like to be a person as well.

[gallows-into-oblivion]

new fic uwu

Title: and if you don’t love me now/you will never love me again

Rating: Mature

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Categories: M/M

Fandoms: Baldur's Gate (Video Games), Dragon Age - All Media Types, Dragon Age (Video Games), Dragon Age: Inquisition

Relationships: The Dark Urge/The Iron Bull, The Dark Urge & Bhaal, Minor and/or Background Relationships, The Dark Urge/Enver Gortash (previous)

Characters: The Iron Bull, The Dark Urge, Solas (Dragon Age), Cassandra Pentaghast, Sera (Dragon Age), Varric Tethras, Enver Gortash, Josephine Montilyet, Cullen Rutherford, Vivienne de Fer, Dorian Pavus

Additional Tags: Baldur's Gate 3 Spoilers, Magical Boy In Thedas, POV Bull, POV Third Person, Past Tense, Angst, Suicidal Thoughts, Suicidal Ideation, Drinking To Cope, Hurt/Comfort, Disability, Brain Injury, Brain Damage, Amnesia, Canon Disabled Character, Dragon Age: Inquisition Quest – Demands of the Qun, themes of personhood versus unpersonhood/objectification, paralleling the Qun and the cult of Bhaal, Happy Ending, Hopeful Ending, Pining, Slow Burn

Summary:

It wasn't at all like the Qun. There was no collective, no solidarity. Bull couldn't imagine being alone in that way. And yet it was exactly like the Qun. No room for a self. Bull had always liked it that way. It was all he’d ever known. Sitting here, though, it occurred to him that Tal-Vashoth existed for a reason.

.

Or: Dark Urge!Inquisitor AU. Mind the tags.

longer snippet and link under the cut. spoilers for the dark urge origin in baldur's gate 3!

If Bull had to guess, he’d say The Urge was scared. Scared of being vulnerable and scared of his secrets being known, because secrets have power. Given that Bull was here to ferry secrets from the Inquisition to the Ben-Hassrath, any reassurance he could give would be false. He didn't want to lie to his boss. He didn't want to lie to his friend.

“Murder,” said The Urge quietly. “I killed people. Countless. Always bloody, always a spectacle. My god demanded it of me, but that wasn't the only reason. I wanted to. I revelled in it. It was my calling. It felt good. It might have been the only thing that felt good.”

“Your god,” said Bull thoughtfully. “Didn't take you for the religious type.”

The Urge huffed a small laugh. Bull took this as a victory. “I don't know if I would have been, if I hadn't been his son.”

This made Bull sit up ramrod-straight, turning toward The Urge, whose mouth twisted at the look on Bull’s face. “He was dead when I was born. His priests… fashioned me, I suppose, from his blood and a ritual. I was sent to a foster family for a little while, but I killed them. There has always been something inside me urging me to seek blood, to be violent on behalf of him…” He trailed off, his head sinking into his hands. “I was not his only spawn, but I was his only child who had not died. Every one of his worshippers deferred to me whether they liked it or not. And when he came back, ten years ago, he made it clear that I was his favourite.”

It wasn't at all like the Qun. There was no collective, no solidarity. Bull couldn't imagine being alone in that way. And yet it was exactly like the Qun. No room for a self. Bull had always liked it that way. It was all he’d ever known. Sitting here, though, it occurred to him that Tal-Vashoth existed for a reason.

That wasn't his area of expertise. “I’m probably the wrong person to talk to about this,” he said, nudging The Urge with his shoulder. “You probably don't know anything about the Qun except what these southerners have told you, but it doesn't allow room for questioning. You do the job you're told you're suited to, and that's your life.”

“You’ve never questioned?” The Urge was staring directly ahead.

“Well, I didn't say that,” said Bull, somewhat caught off guard. It wasn't meant as an interrogation, of course, he knew that, but he still felt singled out. The Urge was just lost and needed a map. That was all. “But you really only have two choices, if you're questioning. You can choose to stay, to stick with what you know, or you can leave. But the Qun isn't really something you can go back to once you've left it, and I think your god might be similar.”

[imdoingaokay]

if you’re doing dragon age requests: dai companions reacting to an inquiz asking if they need a hug. bonus points if it’s because they (inquisitor) noticed the companion was looking sad or tired, or because they’ve just been through something difficult (say, after one of their personal quests). thank you :)

Oh my dear anon.

I been waiting for this one.

I have spent literal nights working on this bad boy and lemme tell you if you don't like it illliterallystartcryingohmygod

Anyways, here you go babe <3

Blackwall/Thom Rainer: It was strange, honestly. Being Thom Rainer again. It felt almost wrong. He was thankful for the Inquisitor, their kindness. They could’ve left him, let him pay. But they didn’t. Somehow, they even forgave him.

It made him feel, free, in a way. Not just physically, with all the chains being taken off. But there was a metaphorical weight taken off his shoulders. Just now, he felt guilty for his lies. 

“Blackw- I mean, Rainer.” A familiar voice called for him, pulling him away from the wood he worked on.

“Ah, Inquisitor-”

“Please, call me by my name.”

Rainer paused, before letting the name of the Inquisitor fall from his lips. 

“Thank you, I like my name, I’d like to keep it.” The Inquisitor smiled, and Rainer smiled back.

“It suits you.” Rainer chuckled.

“I could say the same to you, Rainer.” The Inquisitor responded, catching him off guard.

Before Rainer could respond, the Inquisitor spoke quietly, “I’ve forgiven you, you know.” 

And soon enough, Rainer was wrapped in a tight hug. And while he still felt as though he wasn’t worthy of such care and affection, he was going to make himself worthy.

But for now, he’ll be fine with the hug, wrapping his own arms around the Inquisitor.

Cassandra: It started when Cassandra snapped at the Inquisitor. She wouldn’t admit it, but she was still upset. Upset about the betrayal of her superior, upset about the death of her comrades. And she had taken it out on the Inquisitor.

She was thankful for the quiet camp that followed, and how spaced out the tents were. She didn’t know if she could face the Inquisitor just yet.

“I hope you know I’m not upset with you.” It didn’t matter if she could or couldn’t.

“Wh-Oh. I do apolog-”

“Cassandra, it’s okay. You’ve been through a lot in the past few weeks.” The Inquisitor comforted her, placing a hand on Cassandra’s back.

“I-” She had hesitated, wondering if she should pull away or stay. In her turmoil, the Inquisitor wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Cassandra turned to look at them before enveloping them in a hug.

“Thank you.” She said, and she meant it.

Cole: Cole was quiet, his thoughts had been more mixed up as of late. Sometimes he was quiet, sometimes he was loud. But he felt more at peace. It felt better to be out of limbo, but was he on the right side?

“Cole? I was looking for you, I wanted to check in.” The Inquisitor said as they climbed the tavern stairs.

“Oh, h-hello.” Cole responded, “I think I’m okay.” 

“Really? That’s good.”

“Grey, muddled, furrowing your brow… you don’t believe me.” Cole looked down, a little dejected.

“I guess it’s hard to believe you’d be doing okay after everything that had happened.” The Inquisitor frowned, “I just want you to know, I’m here. And I wanted to ask if you wanted a hug.”

Cole paused, lifting his gaze to the Inquisitor. He opened his arms and they did the same.

“Warm, protected, so small, still young? I deserved more. I must be protected.” He said, reading the mind of his Inquisitor.

“Hey… just enjoy the hug, alright?” The Inquisitor replied.

“A-Alright.”

Cullen Rutherford: Scribbling down more missives, Cullen’s head throbbed. Lyrium or no lyrium, life was not easy for the former templar. He was so entrenched in the paperwork, he didn’t notice the door slowly open.

“Cullen?” The Inquisitor asked, curious about their friend.

“Ah, Inquisitor, I apologize. I was… busy.” Cullen looked up, sighing at the heap of papers littering his desk.

“I could always get a soldier or two to help you.” The Inquisitor suggested.

“Maker, no. They never do it right, and their handwriting is awful.” Cullen sighed, his fingers pinching the bridge of his nose, “Regardless, is there something I can do for you?” 

“I just wanted to check in on you, after everything.” The Inquisitor asked, “I know we talked but…” 

“Me? I am fine, doing much better.” Cullen smiled at the Inquisitor’s concern, he stood up to meet the Inquisitor infront of his desk.

“Good, I need my commander in tip-top shape.” The Inquisitor playfully punched Cullen’s shoulder.

“I’ll try…” Cullen laughed gently, gazing at the paperwork he still had to do.

“Why don’t I help? I’ve done this before.” The Inquisitor smiled, Cullen hesitated, wanting to say no, that the Inquisitor deserved rest, but the offer of help was too tempting.

Luckily, he did say yes. And no less than an hour later, the pair was done with the remaining papers.

“Do you mind doing all my paperwork from now on?” Cullen asked, the Inquisitor standing up and stretching. 

“Not really, but I think you’ll mind more.” The Inquisitor joked, “But… I wanted to tell you… you work so much, I want you to know… how much I appreciate it.” The Inquisitor spoke gently.

“Oh, you don’t need to-”

“No, I need to. You deserve that much.” The Inquisitor spoke, and wrapped their arms around Cullen.

Cullen felt strange, a good type of strange. Being a templar meant… not many hugs. The last one he had gotten… was it from his family? He hadn’t seen them in ages… perhaps…

“Cullen. Stop overthinking this.” The Inquisitor ordered, and the commander quickly wrapped his arms around them.

He liked this.

Dorian Pavus: He was reading some cheesy Orlesian drama, and he heard footsteps climbing up the stairs, he had expected it to be one of the many messengers of the Inquisition, and was surprised when he saw the Inquisitor instead.

“I… I wanted to check up on you.” They said.

“What is there to check up on? I’m alive, aren’t I? Downed a few bottles of wine, but hey, don’t we all?” Dorian retorted.

“Dorian, I know you aren’t okay. I just wanted to make sure if there was anything I could do. You’re my friend. Probably one of my closest friends.” The Inquisitor responded.

“You? Friends with some devious little boy from the Imperium? My, what would Mother Giselle say?” Dorian deflected, but he was still touched by their declaration.

“Dorian.” The Inquisitor spoke sternly, causing Dorian to look up. 

“I… Thank you… I… I appreciate your friendship.” Dorian spoke, turning towards the Inquisitor.

The two looked at each other for a moment before The Inquisitor opened their arms, and wordlessly, Dorian entered the warm embrace of his friend.

Iron Bull: The tavern was full, but it still felt lonely.

He cursed himself for looking to the Inquisitor for judgment, he should’ve decided. The chargers were his men, but so was the Qunari. Had he failed them?

Iron Bull could hear approaching steps and distinctly recognized them as the Inquisitor.

“Hey, Boss.” He smiled, only to see a sad smile on the Inquisitor’s face. 

“I wanted to talk with you.” They said, and Iron Bull followed them out of the tavern.

The two rested on the Battlements, luckily, there weren’t any soldiers around to disturb the two.

“I wanted to let you know I’m here.” The Inquisitor said, “You lost someone today, lost… a part of yourself.” The Inquisitor spoke.

“Oh, you don’t need to worry about that, Boss. I’m fine.” Iron Bull smiled. But the Inquisitor saw right through that.

“Still, I’m sorry. I wanted to offer you…” The Inquisitor opened their arms, holding them out.

Iron Bull was confused for a moment, before hesitantly wrapping his arms around the Inquisitor. It was a gentle hug, one Iron Bull wasn’t entirely used to, but he felt some sort of relief when he relaxed into it.

The Qunari would eventually wage war on Ferelden and Orlais, and Iron Bull felt a sad pity in his heart for his oblivious Inquisitor.

But, he didn’t need to think of that. Not at the moment.

Josephine Montilyet: Another letter from Yvette, detailing how the family had been getting on without her. Josephine had been successful for the most part, with the assassins now off her back, she was happily able to begin rebuilding her family’s trading empire.

“You look pleased.” Josephine heard the door to her office be opened.

“Oh, yes! I cannot thank you enough for your help with the House of Repose, it is a relief knowing I won’t need to worry about assassins anymore. Of course, rebuilding the Montilyet name will be difficult, but not impossible.” She got up from her chair, smoothing her skirt before moving away from the desk. 

“I don’t think I properly thanked you, all I did was ramble about my time as a bard.” She sighed, “It must’ve sounded, odd to you.”

“Quite the opposite, Josephine, and I wanted to apologize to you if I gave you that impression.” The Inquisitor said, their hands moving to Josephine’s shoulders, “You know I care for you right? When you talk about things, it makes me happy.”

Josephine didn’t know what to say, she found herself wrapping her arms around the Inquisitor as a response. Josephine was someone who rarely found a person who wanted to hear her talk. Who wanted to hear her ramble.

The Inquisitor was that person… she liked it.

Leliana: A quiet prayer to the altar in front of her, she almost didn’t hear the Inquisitor behind her. Luckily, she’s a spymaster for a reason, so she turned to face the Inquisitor right before they have begun to speak.

“Are you okay?” They said, leaning over to get a view of the altar.

“I’m fine, you don’t need to concern yourself with my state,” Leliana responded, standing up and walking over to the railing, watching the birds flap their wings.

“You’re my advisor, I have to worry about you.” The Inquisitor crossed their arms, looking up at the birds themselves.

Leliana paused, turned to The Inquisitor, and smiled, “I suppose I’m happy that it was you who became our inquisitor. You’ve done an excellent job.” She spoke.

“I feel like you need to hear that too.” The Inquisitor said, earning a silent Leliana. Leliana turned to The Inquisitor, hesitant to continue speaking, when was the last time she had been this vulnerable? The two stared at one another before the Inquisitor opened their arms, and the two silent began to hug. The pair said nothing, the two remaining silent while they hugged, but strangely, more was communicated than they expected. Words of praise, appreciation, sorrow, and just a little bit of platonic affection.

Sera: She was working on her arrows, angrily wrapping the twine around the sharp point. A knock at her door caught her off guard. She didn’t respond, allowing her silence to be an invitation.

“Sorry for intruding.” Sera heard the Inquisitor say, closing the door behind them.

“You don’t need to be,” Sera grumbled.

“Well, I know you’re upset, I assume it’s about the-”

“Prissy pants noble arse? Yeah, I ‘ppose you could say I’m pissed.” She snapped, turning around to face her friend. Her angry look melted, and her eyes dropped from the Inquisitor’s face to the floor. 

It was silent for a while before the two spoke in unison.

“I’m sorry.” They said, only to look at each other before the two broke into a laugh.

“No, but seriously. I feel bad about how everything went…” The Inquisitor said.

“Sorry for snapping.” Sera sighed, she was surprised she was apologizing to Inky, as she had rarely apologized to anyone.

“Can I sit?” The Inquisitor asked, getting a nod in response.

“I didn’t mean for all that shite to happen, I thought sometin’ else.” Sera said, shrugging.

“It’s not your fault, you know?” The Inquisitor responded, wrapping an arm around Sera. Sera tensed up for a second, but when her friend began to pull away, worried they upset her, she pulled them back in. 

Hugging Inky was nice, she thought.

Solas: Solas mourned his friend quietly, like he did most things. He sighed as he sat in his oversized chair, watching the tea in front of him. He was angry at the world he woke up into, mad at the mages for hurting the spirits he cared for, and mad at himself for not stopping it sooner. He wondered if he should be mad at the Inquisitor too, he could’ve gotten there sooner had they hurried up-

A quick curse and he stood up, how could he blame someone else? Someone who had actively helped him? How could-

“Solas?” He heard, turning to the door that led from the great hall to his rotunda.

“Inquisitor.” Solas breathed, it was almost like the Inquisitor had read his mind.

“I apologize for intruding, I just… wanted to check on you, after everything that happened…” The Inquisitor spoke slowly, fiddling with their hands.

“Inquisitor, you don’t need to” Solas began, only to be cut off.

“Solas, I should’ve- I should’ve been faster. Maybe if we didn’t take that trail, if we didn’t get so distracted by the halla, your friend… they… they would’ve been.” 

Solas sighed if he felt bad before, but he felt worse now.

Walking over to The Inquisitor, he attempted to comfort them, but he found himself stopping short.

“I know this must be hard for you, losing a friend. I want you to know, I’m here for you.” They said, smiling at him. Solas was surprised, and before he knew it, he was wrapped up in a bear hug. 

“Thank you… my friend.” He responded.

Varric Tethras: Cleaning Bianca should be like therapy, but it felt like torture at the moment. He was angry, hurt, and betrayed, it felt like the world was crashing on his shoulders. He kept asking himself about Bianca, the “real” Bianca. Why did he keep going back to her? Why did she keep coming back to him? Why does Red Lyrium keep coming into his life? 

“Hey, Varric, you okay? You’ve been scrubbing that spot for an hour at least.” Varric heard a familiar voice behind him.

“Uh, yeah, I’m fine.” He said, quickly moving to another spot on Bianca.

“Normally, you’re a good liar.” He heard the Inquisitor laugh. Varric chuckled a little in response, turning to his friend.

“I guess I’m off today.” He shrugged.

“You’ve been off ever since-” The Inquisitor stopped themselves, “Varric, do you need a hug?” 

Varric paused, he had to think about it for a bit, but he found himself nodding. 

He wished in Inquisitor knew how strange they were, how they seemed untouchable but down-to-earth. They were a rare breed. 

But he stopped his thoughts, stilling the words in his mind for just a moment while he held and was held by his friend.

Vivienne: A response from Bastien’s son; “Thank you” was the most straightforward summary. There were flowery words, but Vivienne knew what Laurent had meant. 

“You look upset.” Vivienne heard behind her, and her gaze lifted from the paper to the balcony in front of her. She plastered a smile and waved her hand as if she were batting away whatever negativity hung around her.

“Oh of course not. I’m perfectly fine, darling.” She had begun, turning around to face the Inquisitor. But, the second she locked eyes with them, she faltered. 

“I’m sorry. I… I wish I could’ve done more for him.” The Inquisitor began.

“There’s no need to say such things,” Vivienne responded.

“Then… maybe I could just…” The Inquisitor sighed before taking a step closer to her, holding their arms out. Vivienne was taken aback, she couldn’t recall the last time she hugged or was hugged. She chalked it up to her pitying the Inquisitor for their soft heart. But as the Inquisitor wrapped their arms around her, Vivienne did the same. She melted into the embrace, having forgotten the feeling of safety.

She wouldn’t mind it happening again, but she would never ask for it again.

[tealenko]

Ooh I want to hear more about your Dragon Age fics/head cannons!

Sure... I feel I don't talk about them enough lol... This will be long btw.

Ermmm, let's begin.

DAO: Alistair

- First videogame character I ever obsessed with

- Married to my Human - Rogue : Melissa Cousland

- King and Queen of Ferelden, of course

- I still cannot believed I forced this sweet cinnamon roll to have sex with his worst nightmare (upss)

Headcanons:

They always say "I love you" before going back to sleep

No matter how hard DA2 and DAI tries I DO NOT CARE!! This two are not separating no matter what -> they have so little time left together, I'm not going to send her away while he stays on Ferelden

She 100% cuts his hair... even when he is king

They won't have an heir, the crown will go back to Anora once he dies

Fics: Not many... I created a lot of stuff in my mind but I don't remember most of it... I know I did the wedding, but apart from that there isn't more I can talk about.

DA2: Sebastian (?)

The oficial LI in my universe is Sebastian, but this game is the only Bioware game where there isn't a romance that really catches my attention to obsession level.

I rotate between: Sebastian, Fenris and Isabella (But I'll focus on Sebastian here)

- Still mad I could not get into his pants

-Seriously Bioware... you take the 2 most beautiful men in this game and one is celibate and the other... well... the other will have the next game section all to himself.

- Married to my Warrior: Kyla Hawke

- Prince and princess of Starkhaven (duh...)

-You better bet I'm breaking his promise to the maker in order to make an heir (double duh!)

Headcanons:

He's the only thing keeping Hawke from doing crazy stuff

My Hawke goes back to him safe and sound after DAI

They love to read together

They hardly ever argue

At the beginning she's more passionate than him... that changes with time

Fics: None, as I said I quite liked it, but not enough to make me obsess.

DAI: Cullen [1][2][3]

- BEST. BIOWARE. ROMANCE. EVER. MADE (along with shenko of course)

-Thankyouthankyouuhtjanhkyoujjashdhflasdlifihals Bioware for finally giving me the chance of having A FREAKING NORMAL OFICIAL HUMAN ROMANCE THAT ENDS SO F~ING GOOD... give me just a second to calm down please.

- Married to my Human - Mage: Sybil Trevelyan

- No matter what happens in Thedas -> They'll always be happy... I'll make sure of it.

Headcanons:

They live in Ferelden after DAI

Have a daughter: Cassandra Rutherford (Cassie)

In DAI she always goes to give him a goodbye kiss before going on a mission and whenever she comes back (...and by she I mean me lol)

If they have the chance they are ALWAYS together... like always always...

Things they like to do together: read, take long walks, cook, play chess (of course), take care of the garden... you just have to think of things a cute married old couple would do XD

It was love at first sight for both of them (and I never do this... I prefer feelings developing little by little...)

Mage situation in my universe:

Cassandra as divine

Reform of the circles

Control over the mages but not imprisoned

Some sort of merit system -> the longer you work for the circle, if you don't have incident, if you do extra work, etc -> you earn more freedom

Sybil spends a few years only being able to see Cullen at weekends, until she finally gets to go home after work every day

Fics: Way too many, I love this man with all my heart since I set eyes on him in the Ferelden circle with my first warden mage (yeah... this obsession has been here for A WHILE lol)

My inquisitor origin story -> Never got much attention from her family (because she was a woman and they wanted a man to inherit the title) only close to his uncle. Her parents cut ties with her when her powers showed for the first time, they only wrote her once to the circle to tell her the uncle died and that she should stop bothering them with letters for him.

DAI (filling voids and that kind of stuff) -> Sybil developing a lovely friendship with Dorian and Varric / She falling hard for Cullen and terrified he'll never feel something for her because she's a mage / Dorian convincing her to confess her feelings, even though he doesn't know who are they talking about / her family trying to reconnect now that she's important and she sending them to hell / a lot of additional fluff to complement the canon / and a lot of additional angst in trespasser (I mean, they are 100% sure she isn't gonna make it) / a more elaborated wedding scene / her family disowning her for marrying Cullen (and she's like: I'm not even bothered by it)

Fave fic: Dorian, Varric and Vivienne finding out she's in love with Cullen -> omg I love this one lol, the 3 of them are at Vivienne's balcony and they get to see Sybil fight with herself and hesitating (going back and forwards until she finally enters into his tower) and they see the whole declaration, Jim's interruption and their first kiss from there (and of course, they bet about the possible outcome while they are it ehehehe)

They adapting to their new life together in Ferelden

She getting along with his siblings (Not a problem except for the younger sister, but they end up being good friends at the end)

Cullen getting in touch with Dorian and Varric to give her a surprise in a time she's feeling down

Cullen works just to fill the time he's alone (they're like super rich after everything my inquisitor stole in DAI lol)... so he works in construction for almost nothing, helping rebuild what the war destroyed

They end up presenting an initiative in Ferelden to build villages near the circle for mages and their families (I'm still working in this one)

The two of them building their forever house together (aw my heart)

Sybil finding out her uncle isn't dead and meeting him again after almost 20 years

She meeting my warden and (without even telling she's the herald of Andraste) fully going into "thank you for saving the love of my life during the blight" mode.

My warden finding out who she is and fully going into "thank you for saving the grey wardens" mode.

I'll stop here... for everyone's sake, but I could keep going lol

[magicveiined]

The last thing Cullen Rutherford had wanted to do was go to the Winter Palace. He was soldier, not a noble. Though Lady Montilyet, and Leliana had insisted on dressing him up and parading him about. It was obvious now why they wanted him here, despite the talks of it merely being extra precautions to make sure the Inquisitor was safe.

There was already a gaggle of women surrounding him, as well as a few men, and the party had barely begun. A spectacle is what he felt like, a jester instead of a commander. How many times could politely decline dance invitations? He was about to try and run for the hill when he sees her.

Lady Éowyn was like a vision in white. The braids around her head like a halo. Before he knows what he's doing Cullen is slipping through the gaggle of people around him and standing before Lady Éowyn. Gentle taking her hand he brings it to his lips to press a soft kiss against her knuckles. It is afterwards that he seems to be released from the trance, her previous words making it into his mind and then the mention of dancing.

"Thank you, and you look beautiful Lady Éowyn." He says softly. "Not that you don't always look —" Cullen stops and clears his throat. "What I mean to say is you look extra radiant today. I wouldn't be surprised if everyone's eyes were on you the moment you stepped into the room." Cheeks flush deeply, his words sincere.

The thought of dancing makes him want to grimace but he catches himself before doing so. "Yes well, dancing is not usually my forte but I fear if I don't at least dance with someone during this Lady Montilyet may have my head. I would be honored if you would be my dance partner, if even just for a song. Otherwise I —"

Cullen glanced back to see those that had previously surrounded him now all talking amongst each other and staring at the two of them. With a gulp he looks back at Éowyn an obvious look at destress on his face. "Josephine is going to kill me isn't she? I'm not versed in The Game at all, was approaching you the way I did wrong?"

[Hand Kiss]  –  for the sender’s muse to kiss the back of the receiver’s hand. ↳ @magicveiined (cullen) — memes / accepting!

Éowyn had grown excessively used to wearing armor in her time with the Inquisition, so few occasions as there were to dress otherwise. There'd been some vanity in her packing anything else, some vain hope that she might one day return to days of peace. That she might have the chance to wear fine clothes without worrying if they will be pierced by something fast-moving and sharp, aiming for her heart.

In preparation for the ball at the Winter Palace, Éowyn pulled out an old favorite gown of hers, well-worn but also well-loved, as only a very skilled seamstress looking quite closely could tell it had been mended in several places. Nevertheless, she was a vision in simple, shimmering white, from her shoulders to her toes, her bright hair tied back in a crown of interlocking braids, the rest left to fall in pale gold waves down her back.

And as they entered the Winter Palace, Éowyn held herself as though she'd never left court—shoulders back and chin lifted, an air of noble pride about her features. She was, every inch, the White Lady of Rohan again. Yet she could not help the smile which blossomed on her face when Cullen approached in his own finery.

"You polish up well, Commander," she said, offering a slight bow. He reached for her hand then, pressing a swift kiss to her knuckles as though he might lose his nerve if he took too long. Éowyn's smile broadened just a little to reach her eyes, and she gave his fingers a slight squeeze before drawing back her hand. "You must save me a dance, if you will be dancing at all." The slight spark of amusement in her sharp grey eyes spoke to how difficult she found it to imagine him doing so.

[a-templars-vice]

A Templar’s Vice Act II

Part 1 - “Underneath the Stars”

A Cullen Rutherford x F!OC Apostate Witch Dragon Age: Inquisition - fanfiction

Rating: 18+

Warnings: contains subject matter that maybe triggering for the vulnerable or victims of abuse and trauma.

Also contains alcohol, drugs (alludes to substance abuse), detailed lewd and violent scenes.

Reader's discretion is advised

Link to Master List

Link to Act I - Part I

Also avalible to read on Archive of Our Own (AO3)

Empress Celene thanked everyone for saving her and her people.

The empire will gladly be giving their support and troops to help bolster the inquisition's forces.

…

The Witch was standing beside Cullen with the inquisition group consisting of:

Leliana, Josephine, Cullen, The inquisitor, Dorian, Iron Bull, Cassanda and the Cloth Witch – as they were talking.

"So what's with the outfit?"

Leliana asked the witch.

"Well... I actually have a lot of clients here and It would difficult to stay hidden if people saw my face and features"

The Witch casually explained as she fanned herself.

Ahhh that made a lot of sense. Still she looked gorgeous in a mysterious way.

Cullen thought to himself. The witch definitely heard that though…

"You're also an excellent fighter. We saw you helping out Cullen with Corypheus' forces"

Bull pointed out.

The Wtich chuckled.

"Why thank you Bull~ Mmm how do they say... Practice makes perfect?

and in Tevinter the magistrates or nobles would host grand parties,

that on occasion... becomes like... well, what happened today... it's normal there..."

Cullen was shocked again to hear that.

Oh Maker, he never wants to go to Tevinter if he could help it but...

If he wanted to be with her after all of this...

He might have to...

Wait he was thinking about what would happen after...

he was only focused on their survival before he met her...

Now he was thinking what would happen after and...

he would not want to move on... not from her...

So if he needed to go to Tevinter with her-- to Tevinter he will go...

"Beautiful, can handle yourself when shit goes down, and a woman of many talents, what can you not do?"

Bull comment.

She chuckled in response.

"We all have things we are good and bad at... For me, well...

Let's just say never ask me to cook you anything or handle preparing food..."

She's a terrible cook. Good to know.

"Well can't you use magic to cook or make the food taste good?"

Bull asked.

"Ahh... No... Not really... I don't know why, but it always seems to never work out for me when it comes to food...

Maybe I am cursed or something..."

"Hahaha well I hope it's not contagious… and I guess you're right– about us all having things we are good and bad at.

I'm no world class chef or cook either, but I can get by with the basics on occasion.

You gotta-- especially if you're a traveling mercenary."

"Ah yes... that would make sense... if you don't have basic cooking or survival skills in that trade, well I could imagine you wouldn't last long..."

"Indeed."

The party and dancing was still going on– despite what had just happened. It seemed things had calmed down for the moment…

"Well on the topic of our faults..."

Bull glances at the dancers in the crowd.

"I am not the best dancer either but..."

Bull bowed and reached out towards her.

"May I have a dance my Lady?"

"Well I--"

"Sorry Bull, she's taken..."

Cullen interrupted-- he moved behind her, wrapped his arms around her, and pulled her into his chest.

Everyone, including the Witch, were shocked by Cullen's sudden show of publicly being intimate with her.

Well... Leliana wasn't surprised.

She had her agents keeping an eye on the Witch and obviously knew about their relationship.

However, she kept it a secret to see what would happen, and it seemed like nothing wrong was going on between them...

"Mmm Cullen?"

The Witch gently spoke and touched one of his arm's that were wrapped around her waist.

"My apologies for not telling any of you, but... We are together... We have been for a while now..."

Cullen announced to the group.

Cassandra and Josehipine looked shocked.

Dorian did not seem to care, but acted surprised as well, and Bull...

"Ahhh... He got you from right out under my nose... Well played Commander. You're a very lucky man."

Bull was not offended at all. He actually sounded proud that Cullen got her.

"Yes, I certainly am..."

Cullen gently took her left hand in his and kissed it– while still holding her protectively with his other arm.

He did this to show everyone in the group and any onlookers that they were seriously involved.

And she belongs to him.

There were many broken hearts in the onlookers group.

...

Bull was dancing with Josehipine, while the Witch, inquisitor, Leliana and Dorian were hanging out-- chatting, drinking wine and eating the food while seated all together at a table.

Cassandra had pulled Cullen to the side to talk.

It was understandable, and was going to happen eventually.

"Cullen. Are you serious? You know what she is right?"

"Yes I know..."

Cassandra looked at the Witch. Thought for a moment then asked him.

"Does she... make you happy?"

Cullen blinked.

"Ahh... Yes... she makes me very happy..."

"She might hurt you Cullen..."

"She hasn't... and she... I don't think she would want me to ever get hurt... if what happened today is anything to go by..."

Cassandra sighed.

"I could never imagine you of all people would be with someone-- something... like that but..."

She looked again at the Witch. Then back at Cullen.

"So long as she makes you happy, and never hurts you-- I will stay my blade from her."

Cullen nodded.

"Thank you Lady Cassandra... I appreciate your concern and... looking out for me..."

"Of course-- I brought you into this mess and it's the least I can do."

...

On the way back to Skyhold

...

They had to make camp since it was a long way back to Skyhold, and

Cullen was worried if his beloved demon Witch would not be comfortable, but

as they were all seated around a campfire she commented–

"Wow... it's been a very long time since I have slept in a tent and gone camping... ahh... it's so nice to be out under the stars once in a while~"

She kicked her feet a few times in the air-- in a happy manner and leaned more into Cullen's chest. She was sitting between his spread legs... He snuggled her closer to his body...

She's very warm and...

She seemed like she is happy... and she's done this before... That quelled Cullen's worries about her being uncomfortable...

Then Dorian spoke.

"I unfortunately have gotten used to it... the life of a vagabond wasn't the one I chose on purpose..."

"Well it is not for everyone, but you seem to be doing well~"

"Only because I have to. Not much of a choice..."

"Why is that?"

"Well let's just say I had a bad falling out with my father, you see...

he wanted to marry me off to some Tevinter noble family girl and secure our and their bloodline...

I did not want to do it, but he said that he brought me into this world, raised me and therefore I owe him...

hence why I left…"

"Oh... I'm sorry Dorian..."

"Ahh it's fine. I have always wanted to get away from him...

and well...

I would take sleeping in a tent for the rest of my life over being chained to a life I do not want nor want to be imposed upon me."

Bull reached over and put a large hand on Dorian's shoulder.

"Hey, if you ever need anything just let me know."

Dorian reached up to touch Bull's hand and rested it upon his.

"Thank you, Bull... I... I appreciate that..."

Cullen had a much better understanding of Dorian. All the hate. And the fear. Just... went away.

He no longer just saw a Witch or a blood mage necromancer noble from Tevinter...

He saw... that... They were people. Just people who had their own problems, feelings and worries.

Cullen also had more respect for Dorian now.

And...

Cullen understood him as well... To want to get away from a life that chains you...

Much like how he is trying to break free from his chains and binds of the Templar Order he once served...

Also...

It's not an easy thing to disappoint your family to do something that would make you happy... Cullen remembered the day he left for Templar training... his brothers and sister mom and dad hugged him tightly and there were tears...

It's been so long since he has seen them...

He would like to see them again... hopefully when this is over and he wondered...

He glanced down at the witch in his arms... who was still talking with Dorian.

He wondered what his family would think of her if she met them with him...

...

Cullen and the witch were both sleeping in his tent-- together. Everyone here knew now they were together so...

they could actually be together without much worry about what the others think now...

Cullen felt a huge wave of relief but he still did not know what his troops would think...

He looked at her in his arms. She was lying on him-- her head was resting on his bare chest....

Her weight did not bother him at all... he barely felt her... she was so light--

She was also looking beautiful and enchanting as usual...

They were under a large heavy fur blanket. Keeping them both warm...

without her having to use or drain her magic-- The blanket, and both of their body heat combined kept out the cold.

She told him that she dislikes being or feeling cold...

"Mmm... do not worry my love I'll make sure you're always warm..."

He then whispered hotly into her ear.

"And fed..."

...

She was able to deep throat his entire girth now. She did gag if he went too far in-- at first, but

since they've done this so much she's gotten used to it and over her gag reflex.

Cullen watched as she fully deepthroated him. It was just the most beautiful thing he had the honor to witness and feel...

Oh sweet Maker... it was so difficult for him to stay quiet...

Since tents do not make for very good sound proofing...

But he endured and gagged himself with her long underwear pants in his mouth because...

She was probably starving...

...

While she was laying in his arms after her "dinner:..

Cullen was thinking how he just wanted to stay here with her, like this, forever...

Thank the Maker, or whatever, had made or sent her to him...

He decided just to not worry about how the others might react right now as sleep took him...

...

She was awake. She could not sleep... demons and spirits... well they do not exactly need to sleep...

so long as they have their respective emotional or spiritual energies they can feed on...

She listened to Cullen's even breaths while she was also moved slowly by the rising and falling of his chest.

She listened to the sound of his heart beat.

Such a lovely sound...

Then she heard him mumbling.

"No… No… Stop!"

He talks in his sleep. He does it every time he sleeps and dreams...

He was jerking around a bit as well...

He was having another night terror...

She calmly closed her eyes and focused.

"Consume thy fears... and let thy dreams become pure..."

Cullen relaxed.

Good... he should be having nice dreams now...

However... her mouth tasted like it was full of ashes and iron though...

Nightmares... especially terrors that tasted like burnt and overcooked food...

It was not as satisfying as consuming souls, spirits or desires...

However...

She would still gladly consume all of his nightmares...

...

Cullen woke up. He felt rested and good and...

She was there. On his chest.

Cullen blinked.

He was not used to waking up and seeing her.

But this was definitely something he could get used to...

He thought he was dreaming for a moment...

He... he could not remember his dream though...

He usually had nightmares but ever since he has been with her...

They were far less or he forgot them when he woke up... and he felt well rested...

She was... so good for him... which surpised him because she is a demon... How could they ever be... good?

She was absolutely breaking all his preconceived notions and assumptions he was taught about demons for his whole life...

Was she really a demon?

Well she is... because in their contract she could not lie to him-- and she said that she is a demon...

Oh wait and his soul... he still had it... why hasn't she taken it or eaten it?

Wouldn't that affect their contract?

He needs to ask her about that...

But for now...

He stayed there, with her, laying together in their shared warmth under the thick fur blanket...

In sweet tranquil silence for a bit longer...

...

After a while he finally had a chance to ask her... no one was up yet since it was still early in the morning...

"Hey, I need to ask you something..."

She was still resting on his chest.

"Mmm? What is it?"

"It's about our contract... I thought... I thought you needed to take my soul for it to be valid..."

"Oh... yes... well I have not taken it... however, our contract does still stand..."

"But why haven't you taken mine? I thought you took it? Consumed it..."

She moved to get up and looked at him with an agasped expression--

as if she was offended by something he did not know, because he did not know.

"If I did that I would've ended up like them..."

"Huh what?"

"Your soul is... very pure and good hence why it was effective against the demons and abominations. And... "

"I just took a bit of your pure soul's energy, and temporarily enchanted your weapon with it... Your soul "purified" them."

Purified? So them bursting into and being consumed by his soul's energy purified them?

"Wait, what about you?"

"Oh, if they get consumed by my fire. I eat them... you purify them soo anyone you hit with your soul's fire...

they go back to the fade, while the ones who were hit by mine were consumed and fuel my fire..."

Cullen looked horrified... Oh maker...

She switched the topic because she knew he felt uncomfortable...

"Listen... Despite what you think and feel about yourself... Your soul is too pure for me to take or consume..."

"My... my soul is... too pure? b-but-- I..."

"Yes, Cullen, your soul is pure and fine. Despite you thinking and feeling otherwise..."

"But then our contract..."

"Oh, I still own your soul... as you witnessed how I... manipulated it to my will. You consented after all... and It turned out to be... quite useful..."

Cullen was not too sure how he should feel about that...

"I have seen very few souls as pure as yours... I do not think you can be corrupted infact... or it would take a great deal to do so..."

Cullen blinked.

"But my dark desires..."

"Come from a base of light, love and wanting to protect... not of true darkness, evil or malice.

But as it is drawn out it becomes twisted into something darker...

However, the root of your "dark desires" is pure and good..."

Cullen did not know what to say and she continued.

"You're good Cullen, through and through. I can confidently confirm that."

"And I..."

Cullen looked at her.

"I do not want to consume your soul... as tempting as it is to try and corrupt it then consume it... I want yours to remain with you more than I want to take it from you..."

Cullen did not know what to say... he had no words...

And so he decided to show through action instead...

He moved to hold her in his arms.

She let him and melted into his sweet embrace.

They did not speak because... no words needed to be said

...

Continue to Act II - Part 2

[sleepy-sunlight]

"Don't you dare" for Cullen x Inquisitor

Of course! I thought I’d be plenty of fun to write something with this prompt and had so many different possibilities! I just hope you enjoy what I’ve come up with and have a fantastic day dear

“Don’t you Dare”

———————————————————————————————————–

Cullen was not sick.  

The Commander of the Inquisition’s armies, did not get sick.

It was simply an impossibility.  

His schedule, already threatening to burst with its constant business, couldn’t handle the irreparable damage that an illness would inevitably cause.  

So, Cullen elected to just, not be sick.  

Sure, his head throbbed like someone were banging a mace against it, his bones rattled as if they may break at the slightest pressure, and his throat left his voice drier than sandpaper, but he most assuredly wasn’t sick.  

The conclusion he’d come to however, wasn’t nearly as well accepted by others.

Josephine for one, had turned out to be quite the nag.  

“You look like you’d collapse at the smallest breeze.” She had once said as he staggered into her office, only able to give her a small dip of his head before he glanced back to his papers.  

She pursed her lips and rose  from her seat, settling her hands on her hips. “You know Commander, you’re much more charming when you answer those speaking to you.”  

“You wouldn’t understand me if I tried.” He rasped.  

“What was that?”  

He almost laughed.  

He scribbled it down onto one of the few documents he hadn’t drowned in his reports, the fellow advisor having to stifle a snort.

“Feeling a little under the weather, are we?” She scoffed. “I hope you have a plan on just how you’re going to hide that from your darling Inquisitor. They can be quite the worrier, if you hadn’t noticed.”  

Her cheeks puffed out with amusement as she spoke. “And seeing how often you stare at them… it’d be hard to believe there’s something you haven’t noticed.”  

Did he perhaps make a rude gesture involving his middle finger? Yes. Did he regret it? No.

With most others he’d be a polite statue with a brooding expression but Leliana and Josephine somehow managed to bring out the snarkiest parts of him he didn’t even know was there. It was like having his sisters pester him all over again – if one was a deadly assassin and the other an Antivan diplomat.  

“Don’t get upset with me for pointing out the obvious,” She mused. “You may as well go and try to get a head-start on resting. Nothing heals the body like sleep.” 

Can’t sleep. I need to keep working. He scribbled onto his parchment.  

“Well, maybe this is your body telling you to take a break,” She frowned. “If you even know what that word means.”  

Wars don’t stop to take breathers. Neither will I.  

She rolled her eyes and approached him so that she could set a comforting, firm hand on his shoulder.  

“If wars are the only thing that inspire you these days, no wonder you’re so close to crumbling.”  

She glanced up to him and her gaze held a rare sincerity, nothing like the façade he’d seen her hold far too many times with fellow representatives of state.  

“Please reconsider, for your own good.”  

The words had lingered with him since, and even then, standing in the war room the next day, while his pride had won out, guilt still managed to tug at his chest.  

She hadn’t treated him any differently but a sort of knowing enveloped her all too clearly.  

And with your arrival, she struck him a single glance and the tiniest hint of a smug, awaiting smirk.  

She really was one of his sisters in all but blood, wasn’t she?

You came to the table with a highly held head and the familiar, gentle smile he’d come to know and not-so-secretly adore. You gave a bright wave with the free hand that wasn’t grappling a thick stack of documents, and your gaze almost instinctively traveled to him before your already rosy cheeks became that much darker.  

“Good afternoon everyone. I trust everything has been going well?” You asked, shifting your attention to your other dear advisors, rocking on the soles of your feet in anticipation.  

“Of course. My recent excursion with an Orlesian noble in fact has earned us a significant donation. I think it will be well spent towards reinforcing our inventories.”  

Leliana simpered and leaned forward against the table, once so curt and stiff now proud smiling like she held a secret she simply couldn’t wait to spill. “While Josie was off gallivanting in Orlais, I found the location of several secret hideouts near Denerim, Redcliffe, and Ostagar. My forces remain near, waiting for your command.”  

“Oh?” Josie wrinkled her nose. “I didn’t realize we were competing Lily.”  

“You knew,” She snickered. “You just didn’t realize you were losing.”  

“Lily!”  

“I’m teasing…!” Leliana laughed. “But if we were competing, I’d be winning.”  

Before Josephine could snap another witty comment, you cut through with an amused lightness in your voice that only poured further through with your laughter. “Alright now, let’s give it a rest. We haven’t even given Commander Rutherford a chance to speak. Maybe he’ll throw you both out of the water!”  

Oh no. He thought.  

You beamed at him and he swore even the brightest rays of sunlight were dull in comparison to your warmth, his breath hitching and stomach fluttering with those awful butterflies he’d never confess of.  

“So… Cullen, what have you got to report?”  

He knew there wasn’t much of a chance this would end well, so he braced himself and took a deep breath, clearing his throat.  

“Well as of late…”

His voice sounded like gravel, coarse and dry like it were painful to utter a sound, and his throat already crackled and ushered forward another cough that he couldn’t quite swallow down.  

Your eyes had widened like saucers the very second he spoke, and your brows had knotted with concern by the time he’d finished.

“Cullen…” You were ripe with concern, Cullen biting the inside of his cheek with that tinge of guilt growing to a wave crashing against him. “Do you feel alright?”  

“I ah – I admit I feel a bit under the weather but it’s nothing I can’t manage.” He tried to soothe your worries with a crooked grin but your focus remained plastered to his dark circles and ragged breaths.  

Why did you have to care so much?  

Why did you have to care so much about him?  

He didn’t deserve it anyways; he knew that much.  

But his heart still swelled regardless.  

“Are… are you sure about that?”  

He couldn’t lie to you, but he certainly wished he could then.  

“I – I won’t let it get in the way of my duties. It’s nothing to fret over.”  

You folded your lips into a frown. “This isn’t a matter of whether you can still work. This is a matter of your well-being.”  

Josephine sighed. “I tried to tell him, Inquisitor, but I’m afraid you’ve simply hired a very stubborn man. He’s quite dedicated.”  

Dedicated.  

To his work, or to you? The distinction had become blurred.  

You rubbed at your temples and dropped your shoulders in exasperation. “The soldiers rest, Josephine and Leliana rest – even I have to rest! Our bodies need it. That’s how we prepare ourselves for the trials of tomorrow.”  

You visited him often throughout the day, filling his once quiet and lonely days with laughter and rambling stories of your childhoods and beyond.  

But every time you visited; you’d noticed one thing.  

“You aren’t resting.” You wrinkled your nose. “You’re hardly doing anything other than working!”  

“Working is what will allow the Inquisition to progress.”  

“We certainly won’t be progressing if the Commander of our armies dies from exhaustion – or this new sickness of yours!”  

Cullen wasn’t one to raise his voice. Neither was he one to let his frustration get the best of him.

But he did then.

His papers dropped as he slammed his gnarled, heavy hands onto the war table with a force that left its legs threatening to break beneath him.  

“I am not sick!”  

His words echoed and bounced off the walls like they were in a cave, hollow and imposing with a weight tethered to all of their shoulders. His shoulders dropped and a heavy sigh slipped from his lips, lifting up his head to meet yours.  

Josephine was set aback by his outburst, stumbling a bit away from the war table with a dropped jaw, trying to figure just what to say when venom still stung at the air.  

Leliana, had averted her attention away but her tightly wound fists and twisted expression revealed just how desperately she suddenly wanted to leave the room. She already had enough stress, this wasn’t worth the fight – especially not with the few people she considered her friends.  

However, you, on the other hand, locked a steely gaze onto him.  

You’d never looked so stern. After all, since you’d both met he’d come to memorize your smiles and rosy beam that could leave flowers blooming in your wake. Your anger had never been aimed towards him.  

And now knowing your scowl, he’d give anything to take it away.  

“Cullen-”  

“I’m sorry I… I ah – I lost myself.”  

“Let me finish.” You snapped, beginning again.  

“Cullen, whether you like it or not, your body has limits and if you’re not willing to acknowledge that, then I certainly am.”  

Oh no.

If what he thought was coming, was in fact coming, it better not be.  

“There’s no need-”  

You rounded about the table, undeterred.  

“As your leader and Inquisitor, I’m faced with no other option…”  

He furrowed his brow and rubbed the bridge of his nose, his mind whirling and banging all at the same time in a horrid mangle of a storm.  

“This really isn’t necessary I don’t-”  

You stopped him as you met him on the opposite end of the war table, reaching out to settle a gentle palm on his arm, so much smaller and softer than his own. It distracted him, if only for a second until he caught the inklings of a smile touching your lips.  

“Don’t you dare.”  

“Too late.”  

You didn’t even try to hide your toothy grin – there wasn’t any point.  

“I’m putting you on sick leave.” The second you uttered the command, Josephine scribbled it down for the records. It was official, there was no use fighting.  

“You’re relieved of your duties until I deem you to be of good health.” You winked, and as much as he hated it, Cullen’s cheeks turned red. “Enjoy the break.”  

He hated it.  

He despised it.  

There was so much that could be done! How was he expected to simply sit back and ignore it all? And for what? So Mother Giselle could force some herbal remedy down his throat?  

At least, that’s what he’d been expecting.  

Mother Giselle did visit, and she did send medicines of all sorts his way, but he’d found something he’d almost considered foreign in how long it’d been missing from him.  

Quiet.  

Peace and quiet.  

No bustling soldiers barreling into his office with questions or deadlines littering his conscious in the latest hours of the night, but instead a simple breeze or  the faint creaking of the old weary floorboards were the things that greeted him in the morning – that and of course, you.

Your company was perhaps the only one he didn’t mind.  

He’d even worried you wouldn’t visit. Of all things to fret over.

The next day when the morning was still stained with nightly purples and blues you’d knocked warily upon the door to his office.

He’d expected a random soldier who hadn’t quite received the news, so finding you on the other end of that door did nothing short of send his heart leaping.  

“Inquisitor I-” He tried to croak out a curt welcome before you eased him back with a wave of your hand, moving inside.  

“There’s no need for official titles here Cullen. We’re friends.” You chuckled, folding your arms across your chest. “Have you settled in nicely?”  

Friends.  

It’d be an awfully long time since he’d had something like that.  

“Yes I – I’ve accepted it as well as I could.” He wrapped a sheepish hand around the back of his neck. “I’m… sorry for my behavior. I should’ve handled myself far better – it was rude, and none of you were deserving of that.”  

“Oh, it’s fine! You were sick, stressed, and frustrated. Anyone would’ve yelled at least a little in your situation. I understand.” You snickered.  

It was good to hear you laugh; it was a sound he’d never forget for as long as he lived.  

“But…”  

He was snatched from his thoughts in an instant.  

“If you ever try to pull a stunt like that again where you nearly work yourself to death; I might just lose my mind.” Your playful words betrayed the pensive glint in your expression. “I truly care about you Cullen. I don’t want to see you hurt yourself like that. You wouldn’t want me to push myself like that, would you?”  

He didn’t even hesitate.  

“Well, of course not-”  

Whatever puzzle pieces he hadn’t quite connected in his mind, snapped into place then.

“Ah… I see.”  

You chuckled, leaning against his desk with crossed legs. “You’re an amazing person, I’ll believe in that ‘till the day I die – but you’re still a person. And people need to take time for themselves. There’s nothing wrong with that.”  

His brain almost shut down after you called him an amazing person, but he hung in there, just barely. He just prayed you couldn’t see the red now creeping up his ears or hear his heart thumping like a drum against his chest.  

“Time for myself… r-right.” He cleared his throat nervously. “I’ll keep that in mind.”  

You stood up and reluctantly carried yourself to the door, not quite wanting to wrap your fingers around the knob just yet. “Good, I’m glad to hear it.”  

Cullen didn’t want to hear the click of the handle. He didn’t want you to leave.

“But uh – if it’s time to myself, I can spend it however I’d like, correct?”  

“Yes?”  

You peered back with raised brows only to meet him staring back at you, smitten smiles spreading from ear to ear upon both of your faces.  

“Then, would it be terrible to ask you to stay?”  

You never darted away from a door so quickly, but you tried to hide your excitement. You did a poor job of concealing it, but you tried.  

“Not at all.” You remarked in a cheerfully bright tone. “Just don’t get me sick?”  

“No promises.”  

“Darn.”  

But you didn’t move, you stayed right beside him, and you enjoyed that rare time of peace and quiet, together, with hands sneakily grazing close and your fingers somehow finding a way to entwine their pinkies together.  

And if this is what all breaks entailed, Cullen supposed he wouldn’t mind another.  

[mychemicalginger]

Hello! Re the romance asks, 1, 3 and 7 for the general and both Cullen ones? I love your opinions on Cullen and I would love to hear those specifically if you don't feel like doing all of them! Thank you!

I absolutely feel like doing all of them because I have a LOT of opinions on Cullen! (especially in the context of he and my Inquisitor as a couple) So here we go! 

I’ll do this with Inquisitor Arielle because she’s honestly my fave ❤

(also I hope you like long answers because it kind of happened… Sorry!)

1. What was your Inquisitor’s first impression of their partner? What was their partner’s first impression of them?

Kind of mixed really? On both of their parts I think. Not because of either of them did anything wrong or to upset the other. Basically as soon as they saw each other there was a definite spark (which I think if anything made them more nervous about each other) but Cullen knew she was a mage from the start and I think was probably a bit like ‘Would she want to be with a former Templar?’ and after Arielle found out he was a Templar she had the ‘Would he want to be with a mage?’ thought, but also she had some not-so-great experiences with Templar’s in the past and she did have to run for her life from them when the Circles all fell apart so she was just scared she’d get attached thinking ‘he’s different’ and then he’d do something to show he wasn’t because that’s generally what Arielle’s experience with people has been like up till that till that point. 

3. When did your Inquisitor develop feelings for their partner? When did they realize they had feelings for them?

I mean, like I said, there was always a bit of a spark between them. I think Arielle realised her feelings first but really tried to ignore them, probably after she talked to him as he was training the soldiers when she got back from Val Royeaux, at that point she shook it off and went ‘WELL LET’S JUST IGNORE THAT FEELING’. I think after she had been at Haven about a month or two (I think they were at Haven at least that long?) I think it really, really, really hit both of them when Haven was attacked how much they cared about each other and then by the time they got to Skyhold they were both completely enamoured with each other. 

7. What is your Inquisitor’s favorite quality about their partner? Why?

I think she’d have a hard time picking out just one thing really. I think if you really insisted she pick one thing she’d say how gentle he can be, when she met him he had this stern serious tough look on his face all the time and then the more she got to know him the more she realised ‘actually he’s just a big softie underneath all that armour…’ just things like how drastically softer his voice gets when he talks to her or how he’ll just gently stroke her hair our of her face. I think she realised she brought that out in him more when she was getting Samson’s letters and one of the party members (I think Iron Bull says this? I could be wrong) said that maybe Cullen would ‘crack a smile for once’ and she got so confused because she always see’s him smiling and then went ‘oooh wait he’s smiling because of me….’ 

1. Did Cullen withdraw from Lyrium or continue taking it? How did that choice affect your Inquisitor’s relationship with him?

Oh the second she saw how bad he was that day he was talking to Cassandra she was having none of it, she doesn’t even like using the Lyrium infused staffs anymore because it just reminds her what Cullen’s been through. I mean obviously it was his choice but if, after their talk, he had said ‘I still think I need to go back on Lyrium’ she’d have been really disappointed. Of course there’s some consequences to that, like his nightmares being worse and the other Lyrium withdrawal effects (I imagine he’s probably in a worse mood on bad days so they’d probably get into arguments ever so slightly more often on those days), but she’s more scared of what would happen if he went back on it after having come so far not using it. The main effect it has on her relationship with him is that she’s gotten a lot more protective of him, she looks for healing potions that may hold off some of the effects, if she hears he’s upset or distressed about something she’ll rush over to him (I mean within reason, if she’s the other side of Thedas and hears something then she’s not going to suddenly turn her horse around unless it’s really dire then, but still worries.) Not that it’s totally one sided, after she starts opening up about some of the more upsetting parts of her life I think he get’s a little more protective of her as well. Neither are over-protective, they just worry about each other a bit more often and are pretty quick to respond when one of them’s upset.

2. Did your Inquisitor and Cullen get married during Trespasser? Why or why not?

They absolutely got married during Trespasser! As for why, I mean apart from they’re the love of each others lives…

It was probably quite a big deal for Arielle, probably for Cullen as well I mean he didn’t have much sense of a future when with the Templar’s and the last thing he expected joining the Inquisition was to find Arielle, but for her however… She had been given up so easily by her own family when it was found out she was a mage, they didn’t want anything to do with her and wanted to cover it up so nobody thought that their was magic in their family. So she was sent to the circle and didn’t hear from them again until she became inquisitor (and even then it was to go ‘use your title to help house Trevelyan! We need to get you married of to a noble right away!’ and then arguments followed when she told them to piss off) and then once joining the circle when she brought it up it was ‘you’re a circle mage now, circle mages don’t have lives and families. Besides all children born of circle mages belong to the Chantry!’ so that was it. She didn’t think she ever would get married because she didn’t think it was an option, so when Cullen proposed she suddenly realised it was an option for her! And to Cullen no less! So it was a pretty big deal for both of them, but especially Arielle, she found her family in the Inquisition and with getting married she made it official. Also I think she probably took Cullens last name as well, she didn’t really want to be a Trevelyan after everything with her family, she used it for being the inquisitor as she was known as ‘inquisitor Trevelyan’ but outside of anything where she needed to sound important she was just Arielle Rutherford. 

And I think that’s all the questions you picked out for me! Although I do have one more ask (I did this one first because it came first in my inbox) so I will have a couple more of these!

Part 2

[chantcftrials]

onemusemanyfandoms​:

Continued from here with @chantcftrials

The whisper of a sneer pulled at the corner of her mouth, making her nose twitch up in disgust at the other Ferelden’s interruption. She was covered in blood from surgery. She was exhausted both physically and mentally. Exhausted from seeing people die while unable to help, exhausted from nearly dying herself. And he just had to do this now. There wasn’t a day that went by when they were in shouting distance that they didn’t fight. The number of times Kly had wanted to just walk up and punch that stupid, attractive face just for the fact he breathed in her direction was growing with each day she was stuck here at Skyhold. And she would likely be stuck here for some time, much to her dismay. The Inquisitor had decided she would stay and recover after she nearly died at Haven.

“That man was going to die if I hadn’t performed that emergency transfusion, or are you so eager to send more men to the Maker than you have already? I have not once, not once,” she growled, marching towards him. “Used my blood magic to harm someone not trying to kill us all since I was forced to join your stupid little Inquisition! I have let your silly templars trail me and monitor my every move even though I could kill them all with the flick of my wrist. ” she snarled, poking her finger against his armored chest, shoving at him and pushing him towards the door into the surgery where he currently loomed. “You know nothing about me! All you see is the maleficar. I have tried to see past the atrocities you committed. I have tried to play nice for the Inquisitor’s sake. I have put up with you and tried to make peace with you on multiple occasions. So fuck you, Rutherford! Fuck. You!”

"You give me too much credit. Those men chose to give their lives for our little stupid Inquisition. I didn’t force anyone to join." Ah, but she was good. She crawled her way through his guilt as if she knew he blamed himself for every soul they'd lost. She played with his fears like a cat with a mouse.

"You know how many told me the same only minutes before they'd lose control without even noticing?" he hissed back at her claim of innocence. The memory of Orsino's downfall was still fresh on the commander's skin, scars too recent to be already fading. And after the first enchanter, many more had claimed to use blood magic for higher purposes than power while he served as a surrogate leader of the collapsing Templar Order of Kirkwall. It had never ended well.

As she pictured herself massacring all the (regrettably too few) templars who'd joined the inquisition, he swallowed his anger, fighting against old memories, the voices of his brothers in arms calling out to him, begging for him to help them. He could hear them, real as if they were there at that very moment. And yet he steadied his hand that was aching to reach the hilt of his blade.

Finally, she went too far. He grabbed her wrist locking eyes with hers: "And what, pray tell, would you know of my crimes?" his voice was but a whisper as his ability to block magic tingled on the palm of his hand, a welcomed sensation that he thought to be lost with the last vial of lyrium he had ingested. " I see the maleficar, you see the templar. Don't flatter yourself with delusional lies. You're but playing the peacemaker while, in fact, you merely tolerated me, much like I tolerate you," he felt his power coursing through his body with stabbing pain, becoming almost overwhelming, his heart skipping beats, his head spinning. He couldn't cope, not without lyrium, it was too much, too soon but he continued without his voice betraying anything of his present predicament, "hate me, insult me if it makes you feel better. But I strongly recommend for your own good you never, ever... threaten me again." His hand loosened his grip around her wrist as his words muddled. His vision blurred, eyes hardly capable of focusing on the woman's face. He felt the ground give way under his feet. "shit"