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kierarutherford · 6 years ago

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THANK YOU!!!!

So @gugle1980 bought me a ko-fi and while she didn’t request anything in exchange I just had to write something for her. So without further or do here is a little piece between Cullen and Rylen (her two favorites) having a few drinks and discussing some pretty special women. I do hope you enjoy! 1629 words of fluffy, joking men, getting drunk. Under cut for length.

One More For the Road

Down time. There was precious little of it at Skyhold these days. Rylen had been an asset beyond anything Cullen could have hoped for, and he was more than grateful for the invitation. Drinks at the Heralds Rest. He went nearly nightly, his usual half pint before trudging back up the steps and into his loft bed. It helped ease the tension from his weary body and he enjoyed the warm banter about him as he drank and enjoyed a small meal.

Removing his armor and placing it upon the stand in his tower he rolled his neck, the weight of Commander easing away as he pulled his mantle over his shoulders. Bracing himself against the cool evening air he strolled the battlements towards the tavern. Several guards and scouts acknowledged him, one asking for a quick answer to a missive. Skimming the paragraph, he gave an order and continued along his route. Once at the tavern it didn’t take him long to find the table with Rylen and a small group of men and women. Waved over he was ushered into a seat at the head of the table. “The man o’the hour!” Rylen raised his tankard, the crew about him followed before clinking mugs and drinking down a healthy gulp.

Rolling his eyes with a chuckle he took the stein passed to him. “How about to the men and women seated here now, and to the Inquisition.” Tipping his mug up he drank several gulps before setting it down. “So sullen and serious.” Rylen chided as he helped pass the tray of bread, cheese and meats about. “This is a time to relax, an’ enjoy ourselves.”

“True. We’ve earned a night off,” a stout man grinned. “All thanks to the big men over there. Were it not for you two, this mess would fall apart.” Everyone laughed as the crew nodded towards Rylen and Cullen. “To you two!”

Cullen chuckled and clapped Rylen on the back, “seems you have a few fans.”

“None as pretty as your Inquisitor, but I make due.” Ribbing him back Rylen waved the men off, “drink, eat, get drunk. Tis our night.” With a loud cheer and more clanging of mugs the group of men and women began to chatter between themselves.

Rylen leaned in tight to Cullen, “how’s it going with the lass? You seem to have a bounce to yer step now.” Cullen hastily swallowed the mouth full of ale, thankful it went into his stomach and not his lungs. “Lass? Anya? Uh well…”

“Come now. She’s put colour in your cheeks. Somethin’ I haven’t seen, ever.” Chuckling Rylen nudged him. “You embarrassed mate?”

“No, no nothing like that. Just wasn’t expecting you to bring it up. I should know better with your cavalier ways.” Arching his brow, he shook his head, “you should speak. You seem a bit rosier than I remember as well. What’s her name?” He had thought he’d trip up Rylen, but Rylen wasn’t so easily shaken. “Her name is Kara. Kara Maeve. Damn fine lass. Twin blade rogue and a hell of a fighter. I should know, she’s enjoyed fighting with me damn near daily.” Chuckling Rylen drew in a long drink before reaching for the pitcher to refill their steins. “I plan on speaking to her proper when we get back to the Approach.”

“You haven’t yet? Is there something in the way?” Cullen rested his elbows upon the table, granting Rylen all his attention. “Nah. Between everything we’ve dealt with, I haven’t had the chance.” Shrugging he sighed, “she was pretty beat up by a Varghest, uttered some interesting things in her feverish sleep. I… I told her I love her man.”

Cullen half spat out his ale, “you what?”

“I told her I loved her. I do. I donna think she believes me, but I plan on getting it through that thick skull that I ain’t one to play games.” Rylen snorted before clapping Cullen on the back. “But here I am talking on and on like a scullery maid when I asked you the question. How goes things with your lass?”

Feeling more comfortable having heard Rylen’s story, and the ale easing him into a relaxed state he sighed, “they are well. Anya is, she’s wonderful.”

“You seem a wee bit smitten, Commander,” Rylen grinned wide as he reached for his drink. “You’re a lucky man. How’d you land yourself that beauty?” He let out a brisk chuckle as Cullen’s cheeks tinted a darker rose. “I don’t deserve her.” Cullen mumbled over the tankard before downing the last of its contents. Rylen was all too happy to top him up. “Ah, you’re too hard on yourself. Always have been.”

“I’m not… the withdrawal…” his voice was hushed as he leaned closer to Rylen. “It’s gotten worse since we last spoke. I… My hands go numb sometimes, makes it impossible to write. I get headaches that make reading anything a struggle at best. I have aches and pains now; the nightmares are more vivid. Anya was the one who pushed me to keep going. She thinks I can beat this. I don’t…”

“The lass is right.” Rylen gripped Cullen’s shoulder. “Maybe one day I’ll join ya. You’ve got more guts than half the men running face first into the fray. I’m with Anya, you can do this.” Sighing heavily, he raised his tankard, “come now, let’s toast the women. Who foolishly fell for two brash bastards.”

Snorting his reply Cullen clinked his mug against Rylen’s before downing a mouthful of honey sweet ale. “You’re going to get me drunk.”

“That’s the plan,” Rylen sneered. “You of all people need to relax.”

“Don’t start that shit.” Cullen growled, “Varric said the same damned thing the other night.”

“Oi the night you lost your knickers,” Rylen sputtered as he laughed. “The wee Master regaled me in the tale. Says he’s going to have to use blood magic to get you to come out and play again. A dwarf threatening blood magic. Must have been quite the scene.” Rylen enjoyed the fresh hint of pink that had travelled up Cullen cheeks and began to paint his ears. “I’m sure the Lady enjoyed the view.”

“I… You bastard.” Cullen glowered as he drained his mug, greedily searching for the buzz that would ward off his embarrassment. “Perhaps I should ask your men what follies their Commanding Officer has gotten into? Maybe a personal letter to this Kara Maeve?”

“Don’t you bloody dare.” Rylen shot back, trying to stifle a round of snickers. “You don’t need to be minding that business, ser.”

Together they laughed heartily until the ale was gone and both men could barely stand. “You… You’re drunk.” Cullen slurred as Rylen half flopped over the barstool. “You, shh, ya arse.” Rylen chided as he regained himself. “I can handle my ale. Tis you who are the light weight.”

“Light weight? I believe we drank a keg, between the two of us.” Cullen used the wall to hold himself up and tried to discern the best course to his quarters. Crossing the battlements with his wobbly legs wasn’t looking like the best idea. “Oi, get your arse to bed. My bunk ain’t but far from here. Try not to fall over the damn walls.” Rylen giggled as he knocked over his tankard, sending it shattering across the floor. Cabot’s grunt of displeasure had both men hurrying for the front door.

Once outside in the night air, Cullen shivered, “get some rest. I’ll see you off in the morrow.”

“You mean afternoon, I doubt either of us is fit for anything till after noon’s sun.” Rylen half pushed Cullen as he stumbled off towards his bed. “Take care of the lass will ya.”

“Lass…” Cullen’s grin widened. By now Anya would be in her quarters and it wasn’t so late that she would be sleeping. Straightening himself up best he could he began the slow stumbling walk to the main doors of the keep. It took every ounce of control he had to properly acknowledge the guards by the front entrance and maintain his composure till he reached her bedroom door. Running his hand through his hair he slipped inside the first door, careful not to slam it behind him. Each step had him gripping the railing in effort to prevent him from falling. Reaching the top, he caught sight of her, sitting at her desk, working on the last few letters of the day. Her shoulder length ebony hair framed her face like perfect and he let out a soft sigh upon seeing her. “Cullen?”

“Aye lass,” he began to laugh as he tripped and flopped down on the couch, just making it. “I had to come see you. I missed you.”

Anya laughed and set her quill down, “I see you missed the ale as well. And Rylen by that suddenly Starkhaven accent. Unless you’ve decided to go Avvar on us.” Settling herself upon the couch she guided Cullen’s head into her lap, where she calmly ran her fingers through his hair. “I missed you too.”

Sitting like this for some time they talked, catching up on each others’ daily life before Cullen nodded off in her lap. While he would suffer a hangover come morning, he had to admit it was a good night and he owed Rylen a thank you. Sending a couple kegs with him to the Western Approach he wrote a quick letter, “maybe a few drinks will loosen the girl’s tongue. Unless you really are unlucky. Best wishes with your lass, Cullen.”

A few weeks later he received a message from the Approach. “Ale works every time. Drinks next time we meet. Perhaps your lass can meet mine. Rylen.”

#Other people's ocs #Anya Trevelyan #Knight-Captain Rylen #Commander Cullen #Cullen Rutherford #light banter #fun and drinks #Kara Maeve

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