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tired-truffle · 13 hours ago

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Something’s Gotta Give

A CullenxLavellan fic

Chapter Word Count: 6.8k

Part 25 - Morning Departures

Tag list: @bloodoflathander

Warning: NSFW begins at "I don't regret a single second." and ends at the second break.

Masterlist

Dorian had been shooting her smug looks all morning as she adjusted and readjusted herself atop her horse. The soreness between her legs had been a pleasant reminder at first, but once they’d gotten on the road it had been nothing more than a nuisance and she cursed Cullen’s name.

“Someone had a fun night,” Dorian said when he could no longer hold himself back. Sera and Rae rode behind them, their giggling chatter skittering through the trees lining the path.

Ash lifted her nose in the air, holding back a wince. “I don’t know what you’re on about.”

His grin turned impish and his eyes sparkled with delight, making her feel like a bird with its tailfeathers caught in a cat’s claw. “The mark beneath your ear says otherwise.”

“Fenedhis!” she hissed, slapping a hand over her neck like it could erase his memory. She’d thought her high-necked robe had covered the multitude of marks Cullen had left behind - her breasts hadn’t escaped the imprint of his mouth and teeth either. Seemingly, she’d been mistaken.

Dorian laughed, his horse whinnying in response. “Do not fret, my friend, there is no mark, but thank you for confirming it for me.”

“Confirming what?” The giggles had quieted, but Ash hadn’t noticed, and Sera and Rae had taken advantage.

Baring her teeth in a growl aimed at no one in particular, her ears tilted down, she gripped tightly to her reigns - cornered as her companions shuffled closer with gleaming interest.

Dorian waved her off with a huff. “Don’t be like that. I’m happy for you, we all are. It’s about time you ended all that fiery tension. Maybe now he’ll focus on our chess games again.”

Her lips twisted into a scowl. It wasn’t like her to get so defensive, nor did she truly understand why. It was just sex, nothing to be emotional about.

“Cully-wully finally got you over him,” Sera paused, thinking harder than was necessary, “or under him. Beside him?”

Ash was not going to answer that.

“How do you know it was him?”

The unimpressed look Dorian gave her and Rae’s scoff said all she needed to hear. With an exasperated sigh, she released her irritation. Maybe a small part of her had wanted it to remain secret for just a bit longer and maybe she didn’t trust Dorian not to confront her about her feelings.

“Fine,” she conceded, looking over her shoulder to scowl at Rae’s resounding grin, “you win. What’s your prize?”

Dorian placed the tips of his fingers on his chest. “As I was the one to first uncover the truth I am requesting the salacious details. Did he sweep you off your feet and bed you properly or did he succumb to the burning passion and take you on his desk?”

“The Commander is a private man,” she tossed her hair over her shoulder, “he would not approve of me divulging intimate information.”

At Dorian’s exaggerated pout, Ash grinned. “But,” she said and watched with immense satisfaction as his eyes lit up, “I will tell you this one thing: Sera’s intel was correct.”

Rae made a disgusted noise in the back of her throat and Sera barked a giddy laugh, slapping her thighs as her horse whinnied its irritation. “I knew it!” she exclaimed. “He’s hiding something big beneath all that armour.”

Dorian’s face scrunched up in confusion, glancing at the elves behind him for any hints. With a roll of her eyes, she chopped her hand on her inner thigh midway down. The gears turned in his head, and when they finally clicked into place, his mustache twitched with barely contained glee. "Oh my! Our dear Commander is truly blessed, isn't he? No wonder you're having trouble sitting comfortably."

Ash’s cheeks burned, and she spurred her horse onward, eager to put some distance between herself and her nosy companions.

"Come now, don't run away!" Dorian called after her, urging his own mount to catch up. "We have so many more questions!"

Questions she had no intention of answering. Let them squirm for a little longer, it's what they deserved after all their poking and prodding.

Ash hated the Storm Coast. She hated the constant rain that soaked through her tent, the hills that made her lose her breath as they traversed the landscape, and the red Templars swarming in their cave like ants in the dirt.

Disgusting didn’t begin to cover how she felt. Hair plastered to her skull from the rain that had followed them home, sweat caked to her skin, and blood beneath her fingernails, all she really wanted was a bath. And Sweetpea.

She refused to acknowledge the burning in her chest signalling Love’s disapproval of her ignoring what else she craved. Sword-roughened hands gripping her hips, lips caressing her neck, weakening her knees.

Rae had to attend to her advisors and provide a debrief before she could wash the stench of travel from her body. Unfortunate for her, but a great boon for Ash who could steal into her sister’s bath while she was preoccupied.

When her fingers started to prune, Ash hauled herself out of the tub, warm and smelling of lilacs, hair wonderfully clean of oil and grime. Sweetpea hadn’t been waiting for her in her room as she’d hoped, nor was she attempting to poach meat from anyone’s plate in the dining hall when Ash arrived. Strange, but not unheard of. Perhaps she’d found refuge with Cole in the Herald’s rest, or was hunting mice in the hay of the horse’s stables.

“Looking for your paramour?” Dorian asked as she sat beside him.

She didn’t take his bait. “I haven’t seen Pea around, have you?”

Dorian shook his head. “I have not, but I’ll be sure to lure her your way should I spot her.”

By the time she made it to her room, night had descended and the rain had become a light pitter patter. Exhausted from their journey, she changed into a spare nightgown that Rae had lent her, eyeing the ruined one on her dresser - another thing she hated about the Storm Coast, she’d love that nightgown. While Rae and Ash may have similar faces, their sizes differed drastically. Rae’s nightgown was much too short and thin, barely reaching Ash’s mid thighs and tight around her torso - she was surprised that she could get it over her head at all, but then again Rae had always preferred loose clothes.

The hole in her door that was made for Sweetpea’s ease of access remained unused as she readied herself for bed. Most likely the rain was keeping her away, but after a week apart, she missed the little creature.

Sweetpea had taken some odd hiding spots over the years; once Ash had found her asleep with her upper half in an old boot, her butt sticking out and legs splayed on the floor.

Getting on her hands and knees - though doubtful that she would be there and not have come out already - Ash leaned down, squinted into the darkness below her bed. As her eyes adjusted, a knock sounded at her door.

“Come in!” Ash called without thinking, distracted by her search.

The door creaked open, heavy boots halting in the doorway. “Sweet Maker! Ashvalla, what are you doing?”

Ash popped up upon hearing Cullen’s exclamation, turning to glance over her shoulder. Blinking at him, she took in the blush on his cheeks as he tore his eyes off her raised backside, dressed in all his gear.

“Looking for Sweetpea,” she pushed herself off the floor, brushing her hands against her stomach. “Have you seen her?”

Cullen’s gaze flickered over her body, his breath faltering as he took in the exposed flesh and the remnants of the marks he’d left during their…last encounter that still marred her neck and chest. They’d faded and some had disappeared, but the bruises were easily visible.

He found great interest in her ceiling, his ears a light shade of pink. “I, uh, I believe she’s in my office, or at least she was the last time I was there.”

Ash put her fists on her hips. “Missed me so much you had to kidnap my cat?”

“No!” he protested too quickly, finally returning her gaze. “I would never—“

Ash strode towards him, her bare feet padding softly against the cold stone floor. “Relax, Commander, I’m not actually accusing you. Pea’s always been fond of you and I should have considered that possibility earlier.”

His shoulders lowered from around his ears, exhaling his tension. “It’s…been a long day.”

Standing only a foot from him, she kept her hands at her sides, unwilling to be overly familiar and reach for his forehead without his permission. She’d done it before, but after sleeping with him and vanishing come morning, she wasn’t exactly sure where they stood. He’d left her door open, did he wish to get this over with quickly and make a break for it? “Headache?”

“No,” he rested his hand on the pommel of his sword. “Just paperwork and nobles wasting my time. You’d think they’d have better things to do than enquire about my private affairs.”

“I don’t know, I’m also pretty curious why you’re visiting the Herald’s sister so late at night.”

Her comment seemed to catch him off guard, bringing another blush to his cheeks. While she’d enjoyed the side of Cullen that had pressed her up against his door and ravaged her, she was partial to his bashfulness.

“Um, I, well,” he stammered as she leaned closer, her head tilted slightly to the side. “I wanted to see you. I mean, to ensure you were well after your mission is all. And to return these.”

Cullen reached into a pouch at his side and pulled out a small bundle of fabric. As he unfurled it, Ash's eyes widened in recognition. There, dangling from his gloved hand, were her smalls - the very ones she'd hastily discarded during their passionate encounter.

"Oh," she said stupidly, having forgotten entirely about them. "You found them."

Cullen cleared his throat, his free hand coming up to rub at the back of his neck. "Yes, well, they were, ah…rather conspicuously in the ivy."

Ash bit her lip, fighting back a grin at the memory of how they'd ended up there. She reached out to take them, but hesitated, noticing how clean and neatly folded they were. "Did you…wash them?"

His blush deepened, spreading down his neck and disappearing beneath his armour. "They were somewhat soiled. And I felt partially responsible for their…state of disarray."

A laugh bubbled up in Ash's throat, but she swallowed it down, not wanting to embarrass him further. Instead, she gently plucked the garment from his fingers, letting her hand linger against his for a moment longer than necessary.

"How very chivalrous of you, Commander," she teased, pitching her voice low and husky. "I do hope you didn't task one of your soldiers with the laundry duty."

Cullen's eyes widened in horror. "Maker's breath, no! I would never…" He trailed off as Ash's lips curved into a mischievous smirk. "Ah. You're teasing me."

"Always," she winked, tossing the cleaned smalls onto her bed. "Though I must admit, I'm a bit disappointed you didn't keep them as a souvenir."

His blush deepened. "That would be highly inappropriate."

Before she could respond, a familiar meow echoed from the hallway. Sweetpea trotted in, damp from the rain but otherwise unharmed, rubbing against Cullen's legs before making a beeline for Ash.

"There's my girl," Ash cooed, scooping up the cat and nuzzling her face. "Did the big bad ex-Templar steal you away?"

"She followed me of her own accord," Cullen protested weakly.

Ash laughed, scratching behind Sweetpea’s ears before the feline began squirming. Ash put her down, and with a flick of her tail, she darted out into the misting rain once more, her greeting accomplished - there were mice to hunt.

Ash rocked back on her heels. “Our goals have been accomplished then,” she strode towards the door, holding it open. “Other than a few minor scratches and a ruined nightgown, I am otherwise unharmed and both Sweetpea and my panties have been returned to me.” When Cullen glanced between her and the exit with the reluctance of a puppy thrown from the house, she added, “Unless there’s something else you wanted.”

His jaw clenched and he shifted uneasily as he debated what he wanted to say. The borrowed nightgown suddenly felt far too thin, the fabric clinging to her curves and leaving little to the imagination. Cullen's eyes darted down, taking in the sight of her, before snapping back up to her face. A blush coloured his cheeks, but he made no move to leave.

Ash closed the door, the latch clicking with a finality that had excitement vibrating through her bones.

“You mentioned a ruined nightgown?”

An easy way to sour her mood. She marched over to her dresser, holding up the torn fabric with a pout. “My favourite one, or my only one, I guess. I’m borrowing Rae’s, if you couldn’t tell by the size.”

Cullen reached for the hem, frowning as he inspected it. “What happened?”

Ah, that question she’d been hoping to avoid. In all honesty, she was surprised that Rae hadn’t told him in her debrief, intent on furthering her embarrassment. Ash must be on her good side after having saved her from stepping in a deep puddle when she wasn’t looking. Rae would have been beside herself if she’d gone up to her knee in muddy water.

“Promise you won’t laugh?”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.” The twitching at the corners of his lips betrayed his lie, but refusing would ruin this game they were playing, and she was reticent to give it up.

Exhaling deeply, she tossed the nightgown back onto her dresser. “We were ambushed by bandits while we slept.” He nodded, signalling he had already heard that part of the story. “I didn’t have time to put on armour or anything so I had to fight them in my nightgown, but I was disoriented from waking up, and I tripped into a very thorny bush. When I got up it ripped the ass out and the bandits got an eyeful before they died.”

Like the liar he was, he laughed. Ash narrowed her eyes, stomping back to him to poke him in the chest plate. “You promised you wouldn’t laugh.” Her fist placed on her hips did nothing to improve her lack of intimidation, her too-tight nightgown undercutting her menacing.

“I’m sorry—I’m sorry,” he managed to hold back his laughter, though her attempt at intimidating him seemed to only make it harder. “I—forgive me.”

“Rae and Dorian will never let me live this down, I don’t need you on about it too.” And as revenge, she had the perfect idea. Turning to the side, she lifted the hem of the nightgown up her hip until most of her plump backside was visible, and like she’d been attacked by a rapid squirrel, cuts scattered across her cheek. “Look at what it did to me.”

His eyes dropped to the soft flesh, his fingers twitching at his sides and his pupils expanding. Throat bobbing, he couldn’t tear his gaze away. “That seems…rather uncomfortable.”

“It’s not so bad.” Ash shrugged, they’d stopped stinging days ago and had only been a mild irritant since. Pulling the nightgown higher until her hip was exposed, she watched with immense satisfaction as his jaw slackened and he inhaled a sharp breath. “It goes well with the bruises, don’t you think?”

Five fingertip-shaped bruises discoloured her skin. If she were to pull up the other side of her nightgown, there would be a matching pair.

He inched closer, gaze fixed on her hip as guilt and desire warred in his eyes. “Are…those from me?”

Reaching for his hand, she tugged his leather glove off, tossing it carelessly onto the dresser. Guiding him, she lined his fingers up with the bruises - a perfect match. Looking up at him through thick lashes, she said, “Looks like it.”

“I didn’t realize…” Cullen quickly pulled his hand away as if she’d stuck it into a roaring fire. “I didn’t mean to—I didn’t want to—“

Tugging the nightgown back down to cover herself, embarrassment hanging on a tentative precipice, she locked down her desire under a mask of nonchalance. “Didn’t want to fuck me or didn’t want to leave evidence behind?”

Cullen looked up sharply, her harsh words pulling him from her entrancing skin. “It’s not—I mean…” He pressed his lips into a thin line, breathing forcibly through his nose. “I know how I can get when I’m…That is to say, I shouldn’t have left any marks, not without asking at the very least.”

It wasn’t exactly an expression of regret for sleeping with her, but her wariness was too difficult to shake. Slowly turning away from him, she took a few steps towards her dresser, her fingertips gliding over the smooth surface as if seeking comfort. Her gaze wandered down to her ruined nightgown, wrinkling her forehead in frustration as she tried to sort through the jumble of thoughts swirling in her mind. The silence was thick and heavy, punctuated only by the soft rustle of fabric as she fidgeted with the torn edges of her garment.

She wanted to fuck him again, but only if that’s what he wanted too. There was no room in her life for someone who was disgusted by how he wanted her - it had to be an enthusiastic willingness. She couldn’t bear to see any regret from him, and she hadn’t last time, but it could have been lost in the euphoria of after-sex bliss, clouding his thoughts and muddying his true feelings.

She had to be certain, and beating around the bush would do them no favours.

Keeping her back to him - unable to bring herself to face his potential rejection - she said, "I don't want you to regret anything, Cullen." His name again, not his title. Her fingers curled against the wood of the dresser. "If you'd rather pretend that night never happened, I understand. But I…" She swallowed hard. "I liked it. All of it. And I'd like to do it again, if you want to."

The silence stretched between them, taut as a drawn and quartered body. Ash's heart pounded in her chest, each beat echoing in her ears. She fought the urge to fidget, to turn and gauge his reaction. Instead, she fixed her gaze on the torn nightgown, willing her mind to be blank - though it never shut up.

Then, she heard it - the soft clink of armour, the whisper of leather and fur. Cullen's warmth radiated against her back as he stepped closer, close enough that she could feel his breath stirring the wisps of hair at her nape. His hands came to rest on either side of hers, caging her in without touching.

Slowly, she turned her head, meeting his gaze over her shoulder. His amber eyes were dark, pupils dilated with desire, but there was a softness there too - a tenderness that made her breath catch.

"I don't regret a single second," Cullen said, his words deliberate and measured. "And I want—Maker's breath, I want you."

He leaned in, his lips brushing against the point of her ear as he spoke. "I want to hear you cry out my name. To feel you come apart around me."

Slickness gathered between her legs. She pressed back against him, feeling the solid planes of his armour-clad chest as she leaned her head to rest against his shoulder. "Then what are you waiting for, Commander?"

Cullen's arms encircled her waist, one hand splaying across her stomach while the other cupped her breast through the thin fabric of her nightgown. His teeth grazed the edge of Ash's ear and she gasped, her knees nearly buckling as pleasure radiated from the sensitive tip down to her toes. Her reaction seemed to surprise him, his arms tightening to keep her upright as she sagged against him.

"Are you alright?"

Ash nodded, not trusting her voice. Cullen's hand left her breast, trailing up to ghost along the pointed shell of her ear. She shivered, biting her lip to stifle a moan.

"I've never seen you react like that before," he said, curiosity colouring his tone. His fingers traced the delicate curve, eliciting another full-body shudder.

Finding her voice at last, Ash managed a breathy laugh. "Elvhen ears are very, ah, receptive to touch," she explained, her words punctuated by small gasps as Cullen continued his gentle exploration.

She felt a wicked grin spread across his face. "Is that so?" he purred, his voice dropping to a low rumble.

He captured the tip of her ear between his teeth, applying just enough pressure to have her crying out, her legs trembling, ready to give way entirely. Cullen's arm around her waist was the only thing keeping her upright as he alternated between gentle nibbles and soothing licks.

Her hands scrabbled for purchase on the smooth surface of the dresser, knocking over bottles and trinkets in her desperation. The nightgown that had seemed so revealing before now felt stifling.

Merciful enough to give her a brief reprieve, his lips moved lower, pressing hot, open-mouthed kisses along the column of her neck. She sighed her relief, his stubble scraping against her skin as he worked his way down to the juncture of her neck and shoulder. When he bit down gently, then soothed the sting with his tongue, she whimpered with need, her chest heaving.

Cullen's hand kneaded her breast, his thumb brushing over her nipple until it peaked beneath the fabric. His other hand slid lower, tracing patterns on her inner thigh just below the hem of her nightgown. Ash whined, frustrated by the teasing touches that weren't nearly enough.

She pressed her hips back, wiggling against the hardness she felt there. Cullen growled low in his throat, his hips jerking forward instinctively, grinding his arousal against the curve of her ass.

"Cullen," Ash panted, breathy and desperate. "Please."

His teeth grazed her earlobe as he whispered, "Please what, Ash? Tell me what you want."

She squirmed in his grasp, trying to guide his hand where she needed it most. "Touch me. I need you to touch me."

His fingers inched higher, trailing along the delicate skin of her inner thigh. "Here?"

"Higher." She arched her back to press more firmly against him.

Cullen, ever eager to please, finally brushed his fingers against her core through her smalls. They both groaned at the contact, Ash from the thrill it sent shooting into her stomach, and Cullen at finding her already so wet for him.

Ash ground her cunt into his hand, chasing more friction from his palm, panting when he pressed against her aching clit. Cullen's fingers slipped beneath the fabric of her smalls, and she moaned, loud and wanton, as he touched her properly. His calloused fingertips explored her slick folds with agonizing slowness, circling her clit without providing the direct pressure she craved. Ash whimpered, her hips rocking desperately.

Coherent thought escaped her as he brushed over her swollen clit. A keening moan tore from her throat, her head falling back against his shoulder, looking up at the ceiling with glassy eyes.

Cullen tugged at the thin straps of her nightgown, sliding them off her shoulders. The fabric stuck around her waist - it was a miracle she’d been able to get into it at all - exposing her breasts. His warm palm cupped one breast, kneading gently before rolling her nipple between his fingers. Ash bit her lip, holding back a moan - though at that point, she wasn’t sure what good that would do.

Cullen's hand left her breast, trailing up her neck to cup her jaw. He gently tilted her head, angling her face towards his.

"Don't hold back, I want to hear you."

Before she could respond, he captured her mouth in a searing kiss. The angle was awkward, her neck craned back, but Ash didn't care. She melted into him, parting her lips to allow his tongue entry. He tasted of mint and floral tea, and she drank him in greedily.

As they kissed, his fingers resumed their teasing circles around her clit. Ash moaned into his mouth, the sound muffled. Cullen smiled against her lips, pleased by her responsiveness.

Ash felt utterly exposed, her nightgown bunched around her waist, breasts bare. Cullen loomed behind her, still fully dressed beside the mantle he’d removed. The sword at his hip pressed against her, yet despite her vulnerability, Ash had never felt safer. Cullen's arms around her were a fortress, his body a shield. She trusted him more than she had any other man, a realization that thrilled and terrified her in equal measure. This was more than just physical pleasure - it was a surrender of sorts, letting someone past some of her carefully constructed walls. But only some, there were many she refused to allow him passage through.

As Cullen's fingers found a rhythm that had her toes curling against the cold stone floor, Ash felt her release building within her. It was like a spring coiling tighter and tighter, a dam straining against the pressure of a raging river. Her breath came in short, sharp gasps, each exhale carrying a whimper or moan and Cullen moved back to kiss her throat, allowing her sounds to carry across the room.

The pressure built until Ash thought she might shatter from the intensity of it. She was a string pulled taut, vibrating with tension, ready to snap.

Then Cullen's teeth grazed her ear and she was falling, flying, shattering into stardust. Her body sang, every nerve alight with bliss. She floated among the clouds until gradually, awareness seeped back in. The steady thump of Cullen's heart against her back. The graze of his stubble on her shoulder. His fingers, still moving lazily between her thighs, drawing out the last tremors of her release.

When she whimpered from oversensitivity, he withdrew his hand, pressing a soft kiss to her temple.

Ash sagged against him. If not for his arm around her waist, she surely would have crumpled to the floor - for the second time that night. But it wasn't enough. The ache between her thighs only intensified, leaving her desperate for more. She pressed back against him, feeling his hardness through his breeches.

"Fuck me," she begged. "Please, Cullen. I need you inside me."

Cullen tensed behind her, his breath faltering. For a moment, Ash feared he might refuse, might step away and leave her aching and empty. But then she heard the rustle of fabric, felt him shifting. The clink of his belt, the sounds of laces being undone. Her heart raced, anticipation coiling tight in her belly.

His hand on her back gently urged her forward, and Ash bent over the dresser. The polished wood was soothing against her fevered skin, her breasts pressed to the smooth surface. She gripped the far edge, bracing herself.

He nudged her legs further apart with his knee, and the blunt head of his cock pressed against her entrance. She bit her lip, fighting the urge to push back and take him all at once.

He entered her, stretching and filling her inch by inch. Ash's mouth fell open on a silent moan, her eyes fluttering closed as she savoured the exquisite burn. When he was fully seated within her, he paused, panting, giving her time to adjust to his size.

She relished the feeling of fullness, of completeness. But it still wasn't enough. She needed more, needed him to move.

She rocked her hips experimentally, and he gasped at the slide of her slick walls around him. Encouraged, Ash began to move in earnest, fucking herself on his cock with increasing urgency. The wet sounds of their joining filled the room, lewd and intoxicating.

Cullen's hands gripped her hips, guiding her movements but letting her set the pace. His thumbs pressed into the fading bruises there, and she wished he’d hold harder - renew the marks he’d left.

Lifting her right leg, she planted the inside of her knee on the dresser. The change in angle had them both crying out as Cullen slid deeper.

It was too much for Cullen's restraint. With a growl, he snapped his hips forward, driving into her - his fingers digging into her hips hard enough to leave fresh bruises, just like she’d wanted.

Cullen's hand snaked around her waist, his fingers finding her sensitive clit. Ash gasped, her body already wound tight from her climax. His fingertips circled her clit, pleasure tingling through her limbs, bordering on too much, but the feel of his cock thrusting inside her grounded her.

"Cullen," she whined, nails digging into the wooden dresser.

He leaned forward, his chest plate cool against her back. "Let go, Ash. I've got you."

The coil of tension in her belly snapped without warning. Ash moaned, her inner walls clenching around Cullen's length as waves of pleasure rippled up from her cunt. Her vision blurred, spots dancing behind her eyelids as she rode out her release.

Cullen slowed his movements, but didn't stop entirely. As the aftershocks faded, Ash became acutely aware of the stretch of him inside her, the press of the dresser's edge against her hips, his fingers still circling her overworked clit.

She squirmed, whimpering as the pleasure edged into discomfort. "Too much," she gasped.

Immediately, Cullen stilled his hand and carefully withdrew from her. Ash's legs shook, but the dresser beneath her torso held her steady.

When she was able to support her weight, he pressed a soft kiss to her shoulder before stepping back. Ash turned, leaning against the dresser for support as she watched him begin to remove his armour. His movements were efficient, practiced, but there was an urgency to them that betrayed his arousal.

As each piece of armour fell away, more of Cullen's sculpted body was revealed. Ash's eyes roamed hungrily over his broad chest, tracing the scars that marked his skin. When he was finally bare before her, her gaze dropped lower, lingering on his still-hard length.

Cullen's cheeks flushed under her scrutiny, but there was heat in his eyes as he closed the distance between them. He cupped her face in his hands, kissing her deeply as he guided her backwards towards the bed.

Ash's legs hit the edge of the mattress and she allowed herself to fall back, pulling Cullen down with her. He braced himself above her, careful not to crush her with his weight. His cock pressed insistently against her thigh.

Feeling a renewed spark of arousal, Ash reached between them, wrapping her fingers around his length. Cullen groaned, his hips bucking as she began to stroke him languidly.

Ash's cunt ached, her clit throbbing with a sensitivity that bordered on pain. Yet as Cullen hovered above her, his amber eyes dark with desire, she felt a sudden surge of energy course through her veins. Love's presence pulsed within her, stoking the embers of her arousal into a roaring flame.

Despite her exhaustion, her body craved more. She needed to feel Cullen inside her again, to be filled and stretched to her limits. With trembling fingers, she guided his length to where she burned for him.

Cullen hesitated, his brow furrowing with concern. "Are you sure?" he asked. "We don't have to—"

"Yes," Ash breathed, cutting him off. She arched her back, pressing herself more firmly against him. A wicked grin curved her lips as she leaned up to whisper in his ear. "I want you to fuck me until I forget my own name, Commander."

Always happy to serve, his control snapped like an overstretched bowstring. He surged forward, sheathing himself inside her in one smooth thrust. Her body stretched to accommodate him, but it was easier this time, having already loosened herself with two climaxes and a quick fuck. The initial discomfort quickly gave way to pleasure as he set a relentless pace that had the headboard slamming against the wall.

Ash wrapped her legs around his waist, her heels digging into the small of his back to urge him deeper. Her fingernails raked down his spine and Cullen hissed at the sting, retaliating by capturing one of her sensitive ears between his teeth.

Skin slapped against skin, breathless moans, and half-formed pleas. She was burning from the inside out and still, she moved closer to the flames. She was distantly aware that she was babbling, a stream of elvhen and common spilling from her lips as she begged him to fuck her harder, deeper, faster.

Cullen's rhythm faltered, his thrusts becoming erratic as he neared his own finish. He slipped a hand between their bodies, his fingers finding her clit - it was too much for Ash's overstimulated body. She came with a keening cry, clenching around Cullen's cock. He buried himself to the hilt with a guttural groan, the hot pulse of his spend spilling inside her, prolonging her orgasm as aftershocks rippled through her body.

They collapsed together in a tangle of sweaty limbs, panting heavily. Ash’s mind had gone wonderfully blank, all her swirling, nagging thoughts shut out beneath her bliss. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been so at peace, and while she should find that at least mildly concerning, she could only wonder when it would happen next.

As their breathing slowed, Cullen gently withdrew from her sated body. He rolled onto his side, pulling her into his arms. She didn't protest, nestling into him and pressing her face into the crook of his shoulder. She closed her eyes, weariness tugging at her tired limbs.

For just a moment, Ash allowed herself to pretend this was more than just sex. She imagined waking up to Cullen's sleepy smile every morning, sharing quiet moments between their duties, stolen kisses in shadowy corners of the keep. The fantasy was so vivid she could almost taste it - sweet as honey on her tongue, warm as sunlight on her skin.

But fantasies were dangerous, especially for someone like her. Ash knew better than to let herself hope for more. Still, as sleep overtook her, she couldn't quite banish the tender ache in her chest.

Cullen woke to sunlight streaming through the windows and an empty spot on the bed beside him. He blinked, disoriented for a moment before memories of the night before came flooding back. The passion, the tenderness, her warmth cradled in his arms.

He sat up, scanning the room for any signs of her. Her clothes were gone, the floor swept clean of any evidence of their encounter - his items arranged neatly on the dresser. If not for the lingering scent of her on the pillows and being in her bed, Cullen might have thought it all a vivid dream.

Discomfort settled in his chest as he realized she had slipped away while he slept. Again. Just like last time. Cullen ran a hand through his tousled curls, frustration warring with disappointment.

Was he doing something wrong? Had he misread the situation entirely?

He couldn't afford to dwell on it, not when he had duties to attend to. He began to don his armour, piece by piece, the familiar routine offering a sliver of calm.

As he fastened the last buckle, a soft meow drew his attention. Sweetpea had slipped in through the cat hole, her ringed tail held high as she trotted over to him. She wound herself around his ankles, purring loudly.

"At least someone's happy to see me." Cullen bent down to scratch behind her ears.

Sweetpea meowed again, butting her head against his hand.

"I don't suppose you know where your mistress has run off to?"

The cat blinked up at him, uncomprehending. Cullen shook his head, feeling foolish for talking to a cat. Not that it was the first time he’d done so, especially this past week. Should he tell Ashvalla that he’d set up a small bed of blankets for Sweetpea in his office, or would she just tease him mercilessly for it? Pathetically, he wished for the latter, if only to receive more of the attention he coveted. He gave Sweetpea one final pat before straightening up.

"Right. Well, I should be going."

He paused at the door, glancing back at the rumpled bed. For a moment, he considered straightening the sheets, erasing all evidence of his presence. But something stopped him. Let Ashvalla return to find the lingering proof of their night together. Let her remember what she'd walked away from.

With that thought, Cullen squared his shoulders and strode out of her room. He had work to do, after all. The Inquisition wouldn't run itself.

Ash flopped onto Rae's bed, wincing as her sore muscles protested the movement.

"Long night?" Rae's voice dripped with sarcastic amusement.

Ash groaned, turning her head just enough to glare at her sister. Rae sat cross-legged on the floor, sorting through a pile of reports. Her hair was dishevelled, as if she'd been running her hands through it in frustration.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Ash mumbled unconvincingly.

Rae snorted. "Please. I saw Cullen returning to his office this morning looking thoroughly ravished."

"He could have come from the training yards," she protested weakly.

"Training you to take his reportedly massive dick, maybe."

Ash grabbed a pillow and hurled it at Rae's head. Her sister dodged it easily, cackling.

"I hate you,” Ash grumbled.

"No, you don't. You love me."

"Debatable."

Ash flopped back down, her body still aching pleasantly from the night's thorough fucking. She allowed herself a small, secret smile. It really had been amazing. Cullen had been attentive, passionate, and eager to provide.

But then reality came crashing back. She'd left him sleeping, slipping away before dawn like a thief in the night. It was easier that way, wasn't it? No awkward morning-after conversations, no false promises or raised expectations. Still, the memory of his peaceful, sleeping face tugged at something in her chest. He’d looked so relaxed, his lips parted slightly as he breathed evenly, and she’d just…left him.

Ash sighed, pushing away her lingering guilt. She had more pressing matters to attend to. "So, what's got you scouring through missives before breakfast?"

Rae grimaced, holding up a crumpled letter. "News from our clan. Bandits near Wycome are harassing them. Keeper Deshanna is asking for our help."

Ash sat up. "Shit. How bad is it?"

"Bad enough that they're reaching out to us. You know how reluctant the Keeper is to involve outsiders in clan business."

Ash nodded, a knot forming in her stomach. Their clan had always been fiercely independent, preferring to solve their problems rather than risk entanglements with Shem politics. For Deshanna to ask for aid meant the situation was dire indeed.

"What are our options?" Ash asked, sliding off the bed to join her sister on the floor. She winced as her muscles twinged - maybe she should consider stretching beforehand.

Rae spread out three reports, each bearing the seal of one of her advisors. "Cullen suggests sending in troops to deal with the bandits directly. Leliana wants to send her skirmishers to take out the bandits while her agents gather more intelligence. And Josephine thinks we should appeal to the Duke of Wycome for assistance, since his forces are closer and could reach the clan faster."

Ash chewed her lip, considering each option. Cullen's plan was direct, but mobilizing their forces would take time. Leliana's was similar; it would take time to get her people there, though intelligence gathering was a plus. As for Josephine's suggestion…

"I think Josephine's got the right idea," Ash said. "The Duke of Wycome is our best bet. His forces are already in the area, and it would be a good opportunity to build some goodwill with a local noble, right?"

Rae nodded slowly. "You don't think he'd use it as an excuse to move against the clan?"

Ash shook her head. "Not if it's framed right. We could present it as a chance for him to prove his commitment to maintaining order in his territory. Plus, saving an elvhen clan from bandits would make him look magnanimous."

"Look at you,” Rae elbowed Ash’s side, “thinking like a politician. Josephine would be proud."

Ash rolled her eyes, but couldn't help feeling a little pleased. "I've picked up a thing or two hanging around this place. But what do you think?"

Rae nodded, her lips set in a resolute line. "Yes, I think you're right. It's our best chance of getting help to the clan quickly."

Ash nodded, happy that Rae agreed with her assessment. "Good. The sooner we can get help to the clan, the better."

A/N: When will Ash face her feelings for him? Will she manage to avoid it forever? Find out next as Ash continues to try to sleep her way out of a confession.

Also I posted an Alistair x Cousland one shot (with some smut at the end) called Ball and Chain if y'all wanted to check it out while you wait for *checks notes* more Cullen and Ash smut hehe

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