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partystoragechest · 4 months ago

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A story of romance, drama, and politics which neither Trevelyan nor Cullen wish to be in.

Canon divergent fic in which Josephine solves the matter of post-Wicked Hearts attention by inviting invites four noblewomen to compete for Cullen's affections. In this epilogue, the story ends.

(Masterpost. Beginning. Previous entry. Giles' Epilogue. The Baroness' Epilogue. Erridge's Epilogue. Words: 1,490. Rating: all audiences.)

Epilogue

“Arcanist?”

Trevelyan awoke from her academic stupor. The hubbub of the Undercroft, that she’d long since relegated to the back of her mind, returned to focus. Herzt stood beside her.

“What is it, Herzt?” she asked.

“The Inquisitor and Commander have returned.”

Trevelyan leapt from her seat, and tore the apron from her body. Her papers were loosely tossed in Herzt’s direction, and he received them with a characteristic lack of response. Not because he was Tranquil, but because her reaction was entirely expected.

“Give him my be—”

Trevelyan took off running, slaloming through the maelstrom of machinery they called their place of work. She almost barrelled into Dagna, whirling out of the way at the very last moment.

“Cullen’s back, huh?” Dagna chuckled. “Let me know if they found—!”

Trevelyan did not wait to hear the rest of the statement. “Yes, Arcanist!”

She rounded the door and burst up the stairs, blinking through the Fade to get her there ever-faster. The guards in the Great Hall startled when she appeared. Trevelyan threw an apology over her shoulder.

Out of the doors, into the courtyard, and there they were. Gathered by the gates was an adventuring party, freshly-returned from the road. The Inquisitor, Varric, Dorian, Cassandra—and Cullen.

Maker, he did not look well. The journey to the Shrine of Dumat was always bound to be a harrowing one, given what awaited them there. But Leliana had shared their initial report back, sent ahead on the wings of a bird. Somehow, it was worse than expected.

They had gone in search of Samson, leader of Corypheus’ army of Red Templars. What they had found was his laboratory, purposefully destroyed. Everything. Including his assistant, a man Cullen knew. Maddox, a mage from Kirkwall. Tranquil.

Being so confronted with his past clearly weighed on Cullen, for the slump in his shoulders said as much. He’d let his armour become muddied, his stubble grow long. Trevelyan could hardly bear the sight.

“Cullen!” she cried.

It alerted the attentions of the entire group, but she cared little. For he turned, and saw her, and the grief upon his face evaporated into relief.

“Trevelyan.”

They collided like stars. As if millennia had passed since their last touch. Longing had calcified into agony, its only remedy to be held by the other.

“Are you all right?” Trevelyan whispered. He did not speak, but she felt his head shake against her shoulder. “Oh, Maker… I’m here, Cullen. It’s all right. I’m here.”

His fists curled around the fabric of her dress. In naught but a murmur, he asked, “What about you? Are you—?”

“I missed you,” she told him, “that’s all. That’s all.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Whatever for?”

“You warned me not to go.”

Trevelyan sighed. This situation was not for gloating. There was no victory in this.

“I was wrong,” she told him. “You would have regretted it, had you not gone.”

“Forgive me,” he said.

“Don’t. This wasn’t your fault. We know the man responsible for this, and he will answer for it. I promise you.” She cradled his face. “All right?”

He softened at her touch. “All right.”

It soothed her soul, to see his pain so alleviated. Healing him was not spells or runes. It was time and patience, of which she had plenty to give. But his party and their pack-horses lingered nearby. Healing would have to wait.

“There is… something else,” Cullen muttered, glancing towards them.

“What?”

On cue, Dorian and the Inquisitor approached, the latter bearing a strange wooden lockbox.

“Arcanist!” Dorian greeted. “Still trying to cure the Blight?”

“Apparently so,” said Trevelyan, for her most recent gift from Varric had come in the form of a revelation, thanks to his—ahem—lady friend. The strange magical disease afflicting red lyrium was, apparently, nothing new. In fact, it was old. Old and terrible and supposedly impossible to cure. Supposedly.

But never mind that now—she indicated the box. “What is that?”

“Maddox’s tools and notes,” said the Inquisitor. “We were hoping you and Dagna could make sense of them, and find a way to destroy Samson’s armour.”

Her eyes flared. If the reports were true, if Samson had indeed been forging with red lyrium—then that box could hold all the knowledge they needed to actually do something about it. Dagna would want this as soon as possible.

Trevelyan accepted the box with a curtsy. “Thank you, Inquisitor. The Undercroft shall deliver.”

Though she turned to go, her mind falling upon matters of work and war, she made it no more than a few steps. The call of her name halted her departure.

“Arcanist?”

She turned. “Cullen?”

He caught her upon the stairs, and drew her close. His unkempt stubble grazed her skin, as he laid a kiss at the very edge of her cheek, and whispered to her ear:

“Are the stars out tonight?”

She smiled, stroking his hair into place. “For you, Commander? Of course.”

***

Trevelyan hadn’t snuck out to see the stars since Cullen left. There was little point, when she could see them well enough from her window, and he was the loveliest part of the view.

But the route remained familiar, and she was in the garden as soon as night fell. A star-filled sky awaited her—as well as Tenbry, who hurried off the moment she gave him the nod. She was left to gaze alone. Until...

“Good evening, your Ladyship.”

That voice made her ears burn. The feeling of his presence singed down her spine.

“Good evening, Commander,” she replied, with a smile.

Cullen came to rest at her side. He was bathed and shaved, looking a little less sorry for himself—in appearance, at least. The same could not be said for his expression.

“Are you well?” she asked. His answer was that of an averted gaze. “Well, I thought I should mention—the Grand Enchanter has organised a funeral for the Ostwick delegation.”

“I’ll be there with you,” he promised.

“Thank you. You know… I could ask for Maddox’s name to be included, if you’d like.”

Cullen shook his head. “No, no—that would be too much of an intrusion.”

“Something quieter, then?” Trevelyan rested a hand upon the stone, in offering. “It could be just us.”

Though reluctant, he took it. “...All right.”

The cold had already settled into his skin. She laid her other hand atop it, to save him from its sting.

“Talk to me, Cullen.”

“I…” Whatever he needed to say, it did not come easy. “What happened has dredged up thoughts that I… I don’t know. It doesn’t matter. But, some of them… some of them are about you.”

And that did matter.

“What about me?” she asked.

“I worry that, had we met, back then… that I wouldn’t have known you. That I wouldn’t have cared to.”

Oh, Trevelyan was hardly concerned about that. “You think you would have been able to resist my charms?” she teased.

Cullen shook his head, unaffected. “It’s not that. I worry that I would have disregarded you. Mistrusted you. I could have... hated you.”

Trevelyan smiled. “Oh, you mean like you did when I first arrived at Skyhold? And how did that turn out for you?”

He gave no answer.

“Do you disregard me, or did you not come here with the express purpose of seeing me? Do you hate me, or is that your hand in mine?”

Still no answer.

“I broke you once, Cullen Rutherford,” she threatened, “I could very well do it again.”

A smile cracked his sombre facade. He lifted her hand, and kissed it. “All right.”

Quod erat demonstrandum. There was no mood of his that could not be changed with nothing more than a few sweet, chastising words from her lips.

“Forgive me my worrying.”

“Forgiven,” she told him. “Is that why you held me so tight this morning?”

“That,” he murmured, taking her into his arms, “and I missed you as well.”

He held her no less tightly than before. His yearning had not waned, and nor had hers. Every touch was to be savoured; every kiss, reverently adored.

“I hope that being with me… that this is what you want.”

Oh, Cullen. Though she ought to, Trevelyan could hardly chastise him for this. This was a fear she quite sympathised with.

It was unbearable, to love someone. To know them, to be known. To trust them with your entirety. To place your heart in their hands, and hope they did not snuff it out.

But she sought to love him. He was the kindling to her fire. The sky for her stars. Not the air she breathed or the water that would sate her thirst. There was no requirement. Without him, she would survive.

But her life was happier, and warmer, and brighter with him in it. She chose him. She kept him.

He was everything she wanted.

#cullen rutherford #commander cullen #cullen x trevelyan #unwanted #unwanted fic #if you're wondering why this moment of all the moments #it's because we know what happens in those other scenes #this one was the most affected by the story of unwanted #and i wanted to see how it would play out #i didn't want to put a button on the story because that was what chapter 50 is for #this is a flavour of what their life is like beyond that #and maybe this won't be the last of unwanted #maybe there's still a wedding to attend #edit 30/10/24: this version will continue to have the extra half until i figure out what to do with it aha

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scarfacemarston · 1 month ago

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Cullen Rutherford Fluff Alphabet

Note: I sometimes say “you” because it’s shorter than typing inquisitor constantly. This is also Gender Neutral. Please think about reblogging or at least leaving a like! This sort of thing takes time to create. Feel free to request more Cullen!

A - Affection (how do they show affection to their s/o)

Cullen is new to love. Outside of his crush on Amell/Surana, he did not have any romantic feelings towards anyone. Love was terrifying but exhilarating at the same time. It was something entirely new and engaging and something that he would put his all into. He is very physically affectionate and primarily shows his love through embraces, kisses, and cuddling. However, he also allows the Inquisitor to vent or cry as much as they need to. He will also insist on shouldering whatever burdens they are struggling with, whether that's completing extra paperwork, scaring off those who want to bother them, or leaving behind little treats to cheer them up; he can do it all.

B - Best Friend (what are they like as a best friend?)

Cullen doesn't really consider himself to have many friends until Inquisition. In fact, the last time he had friends was Kinloch Hold before it went to hell. (However, this was only with his fellow templars.) Inquisition is when he meets Cassandra, Leliana, Josephine, and the rest of the crew. It took time for him to see them more than colleagues, but they found a devoted, loyal, encouraging friend in the former templar who continued on even when he was at his worst. As time passed, he began displaying a more relaxed side to him and joined in game nights and his time with people like Dorian.

C - Cuddling (do they like to cuddle? And how would they do it?)

Oh, he loves to cuddle. His family was very physically affectionate, but that quit once he joined the Templars. He didn't know how touch starved he was until he brushed hands with the Inquisitor and even more so when he held them for the first time. He hadn't allowed anyone near him since the fall of Kinloch Hold. Now, he can't sleep properly without holding the Inquisitor. Even if he can't sleep, his mind and body feel at peace in a way they never could before.

D - Domestic (do they want to settle down? How good are they at cooking and cleaning)

His childhood dream was to be a templar. He never thought of any sort of domesticity. Templars rarely settled down. He never viewed himself as settling down during Inquisition, either, until he fell in love with the Inquisitor and only then did he dare to dream. After seeing what Mia has, he couldn't help but want the same. He wants a spouse, kids (or to be a busy uncle), and, of course, as many malbari as he can manage.

Cullen is not an amazing cook, but he's functional. Can he make basics like stew? Sure. Could he grill something? Sure. It's straightforward. Porridge isn't difficult either, but he's more likely to live off of rations. During Inquisition Inquisition, Cassandra made sure he ate at least twice a day. He is very tidy, but he has been known to be a disorganized type of organized, too.

E - Ending (if they had to break up with their partner, how would they do it?)

We've actually seen this in the game! He tries to maintain an air of professionalism and keep it with a bit of distance. He will still try to maintain his professionalism if you break his heart, but the hurt might bleed out. He tries to use logic and put some distance between the two of you. However, it also depends on the circumstances. He can be very gentle about it and very apologetic.

F - Fiancé (how do they feel about commitment? How quick would they want to get married?)

Again, Cullen didn't have any ideas of romantic commitment until they met the Inquisitor. We know he's incredibly devoted to the templars and the Inquisition, so he has no issue with commitment. However, once he fell in love, he fell in love hard. I don't think it took that long for him to start fantasizing about marriage, even if he was so sure it would never happen. Cullen would wait for the right moment, but it doesn't necessarily need to be planned, just that it feels right like we see in the game.

G - Gentle (how gentle are they, both physically and emotionally?)

We've seen that Cullen can be incredibly tender and gentle. He especially appreciates having the ability and the safety to do so, emotionally and physically. He isn't ashamed of showing his gentle side - he cares for you more than anyone or anything else - but that doesn't mean he won't glare someone like Jim down if he tries to interrupt. The more comfortable he gets with you, the more likely you will see him become even more gentle. He is far more soft-spoken and sometimes even delicate in the way he touches you.

H: Hugs (Do they like hugs? How often do they do it? What are their hugs like?)

His hugs are bone-crushing but one of the safest feelings in the world. Some of his hugs can be quite gentle and tender like he's afraid he'll hurt you, but usually, they are more solid, as if he wants to cement you there.

I: I love you (How fast do they say the L-word?)

Cullen feels it quickly, but that doesn't mean he'll say it. When he falls, he falls hard. He doesn't mean to, it's only happened once before and went horribly wrong. He'll try to deny it to himself, also going through self-doubt, thinking he isn't good or deserving enough to have that happiness, but he will sometimes pine for the Inquisitor. Once the Inquisitor is in a relationship with him, he is anxious about when to reveal his feelings, but he will do so in a quiet moment, like cuddling together in bed. However, he'd much prefer his partner be the one to say it first.

J: Jealousy (How jealous do they get? What do they do when they're jealous?)

As alluded to before, he has a lot of self-doubt and self-loathing as he questions whether he deserves love after everything he has done. Early in the relationship, it would hurt, but he would tell himself that you are making the right decision…but that doesn't mean he'll give up entirely. As he becomes more secure in the relationship, he is more likely to get jealous despite that security because he knows what the two of you have built. He is more likely to step in verbally or give some light PDA.

K: Kisses (What are their kisses like? Where do they like to kiss you?)

He kisses many ways, but they tend to be either tender or passionate. There's not quite an in-between. Expect a lot of stolen kisses, especially if the two of you have or are busy. He loves kissing on the hand, wrist, neck, and behind the ear, anywhere he can.

L: Little Ones (How are they with kids?)

Cullen feels very awkward around children. He's never disliked them, and he was a good brother to his siblings. Some of the younger templars looked up to him during training. However, after becoming a templar, he sort of "lost" his ability to relate to children. He's kind but stiff around them. Sometimes, he could briefly imagine having a child or two of his own, but that was always a fleeting thought. It wasn't until meeting the Inquisitor and reconnecting with Mia that he truly wondered about having a child. He wants it, whether through birth or adoption, but he would never force the Inquisitor into anything.

M: Mornings (How are mornings spent with them?)

Cullen gets up early. He usually has his armour polished and on, training completed, and reports from the night before reviewed by 7:00 am. He often forgets to eat breakfast or munches on rations or jerky. Cassandra, Leliana, Josephine, and now the Inquisitor all make sure he eats breakfast.

You're a "bad" influence in that he wants to sleep in or stay in bed and cuddle longer. His new time to complete his routine is a whopping…..8:00 am. Since leaving the Inquisition together, he sleeps a bit later but still prefers to wake up early.

N: Night (How are nights spent with them?)

That man does not sleep. He just doesn't. It's like it's a foreign concept to him. However, it is not all workaholic tendencies. Sometimes, it's to avoid the nightmares he's had for well over a decade. Other times, the lyrium keeps him awake. Even when you pursue a romance with him, he struggles to stay in bed only because he can't shut his mind off, but a nice massage, cuddles, and or sex tends to quiet those thoughts. Otherwise, he's content watching over the Inquisitor.

O: Open (When would they start revealing things about themselves? Do they say everything all at once or wait a while to reveal things slowly?)

Cullen is extremely private about himself. He reveals things incredibly slowly, but sometimes, his most personal moments come out at the most inopportune times when he doesn't have a choice but to reveal them, as seen with his lyrium addiction or his nightmares. These moments are incredibly frustrating to him, and he detests them when they happen. That's why, despite his discomfort, he is telling himself that he must be far more open and communicative so he has power over what to share, what not to share, and when to do so.

P: Patience (How easily angered are they?)

Believe it or not, Cullen can be irritable and angry. Most of it is the lrium, but he holds everything inside of him until eventually, it comes out whether he wants it to not. Usually, it's a whole series of events that cause him to eventually snap, but it is possible for something triggering to cause him to explode or shut down.

However, he is incredibly patient in most situations, but he is not perfect. He will not tolerate many things, as seen with some of the more annoying chantry members in DAI.

Q: Quizzes (How much would they remember about you? Do they remember every detail in passing, or do they kind of forget? )

Cullen sometimes struggles with his memory due in part to the lyrium but more so because he has so much on his mind. However, he will make you a priority above all else. Unfortunately, he punishes himself if he forgets or gets something wrong. Overall, he commits everything he can to memory, and as his lyrium cravings subside, he is more clearly able to remember things. He wants to know everything you're willing to share, whether it's your birthday, favorite color, favorite food, best battle tactics, or favorite ways to turn you on.

R: Remember (What is their favorite moment in your relationship?)

It's a difficult memory for him, but the relief he felt when the Inquisitor revealed they still cared for him despite his lyrium addiction and his trauma. It's not the most romantic memory, but it is a meaningful one. More positively, he loves how he surprised you with that first kiss on the battlements… until Jim interrupted. The morning after he and the Inquisitor slept together was also dear to him.

S: Security (How protective are they? How would they protect you? How would they like to be protected?)

We know and have seen how protective Cullen is. He is ready to give up his life at a moment's notice if needed, especially if it's for the Inquisitor. He was willing to leave the Inquisition because he felt he was a liability to it and the inquisitor. He is incredibly selfless and self-sacrificing. He's also not afraid to voice his opinion in defense of his partner. As for him, he doesn't really expect anything in return. However, he already thinks you protect him by looking out for his well-being, whether it's the lyrium, his anxiety, eating, sleeping, etc. He also greatly appreciates it if you speak up in defense of him for whatever reason, but he never expects it.

T: Try (How much effort would they put into dates, anniversaries, and gifts?)

After much worrying, he would fret about it and might turn to someone like Josephine for help or even Varric, Dorian, or Leliana. However, he is capable of giving gifts on his own, planning outings, as seen with the lake and giving his lucky coin to the Inquisitor. He definitely tries, but he's always worried he'll fuck it up somehow.

U: Ugly (What would be a bad habit of theirs?)

He does have a temper and when hurt, he can lash out. We've seen this when he threw his lyrium kit against the wall, nearly hitting the Inquisitor. However, he works very hard to keep control of it. His anxiety and self-doubt can also be a problem, but again, he tries to hide these feelings as best as he can.

As for an actual habit, his pacing and constant movement can be anxiety-inducing to some. His office has a pacing track on it.

V: Vanity (How concerned are they with their looks?)

He knows he's handsome. He sees the way people look at him and treat him. He's not stupid. We know he styles his hair, but I think PART of that is due to some insecurity about his curls. Other than that, he focuses on the upkeep of his armor, but that is habit and perfectionism. Besides his hair, he doesn't spend much time on his appearance.

W: Whole (Would they feel incomplete without you?)

He would convince himself that he would. He never expected you to return his feelings, but he knows he would be crushed if you ever left him. He would respect your decision but doubt that he'd ever feel whole again as he'd be unlikely to trust himself with another partner.

X: Xtra (A random headcanon for them)

Cullen secretly has a sweet tooth, but he doesn't want anyone to know that. Still, he wouldn't mind being given sticky buns or a pastry. (He's lying. He will devour them.)

Z: Zzz (What is a sleep habit of theirs?)

We know he mumbles, tosses and turns, and has nightmares and insomnia. The poor guy has it all. However, he also sweats and overheats easily. This all improves as the lyrium addiction subsides. However, one thing that does not change is that he overheats easily…………………………….but still wants to cuddle. Once he has his arms around the Inquisitor, good luck getting up.

#cullen rutherford #cullen rutherford x inquisitor #cullen rutherford x reader #cullen rutherford x oc #lavellan #inquisitor trevelyan #cullen x inquisitor #cullen dragon age #cullen x lavellan #cullen romance #dragon age leliana #josephine montilyet #dorian pavus #varric tethras #cassandra pentaghast #mia rutherford

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