Chapter Text
After they get back to Skyhold from Halamshiral the Inquisitor and commander Cullen head to his quarters.
Cullen “Do you realize my cheeks are still bruised from that accursed ball?”
“Which cheeks?” the inquisitor giggles, climbing the ladder behind Cullen.
Cullen tosses off his cape in a huff. “Both!”he exclaims as he keeps removing layers as the Inquisitor watches.
The very interested Inquisitor, “You just can't see what everyone else sees.”
“What?” Cullen turns toward the Inquisitor, “A tired, worn, old templar?”
“No,” The Inquisitor shakes their head, “A strong, confident man who earns loyalty from his charges.”
”Enough with that.” Cullen blushed, turning slightly away.
”Plus you are very attractive. I am having to refrain from slapping your cheeks.” The Inquisitor wiggles their fingers at Cullen who stutters as he begins to untie his trousers. “Wait! Don't move. I have a plan. Stay right there.” The Inquisitor exclaimed.
Cullen begins to sit on the edge of the bed, the Inquisitor who had started down the ladder pointed at him, “Hey! Don't move! Stay!”
“I can't sit while I wait?”
”No! Stay!” They disappear quickly down the ladder before returning a few moments later with a sack. They unload a small canvas, easel, and paints.
Several hours later
”My legs are about to collapse.”
The Inquisitor blinks rapidly, “Oh! oops! Sorry! Has it been that long already?” They glance to the window where the natural light is nearly gone. “You can sit. I am almost done. Then I'll run to the tavern for food and drinks.”
With a sigh Cullen falls on the bed “How are you not exhausted?”
The Inquisitor grins, “Oh, I am. But I don't feel it at this moment since I have such a gorgeous subject.” They wink, “Though I will probably be incapable of doing much tomorrow.”
Cullen looked like he was going to say something but instead took a breath and rolled around his bed, lighting nearby candles.
The Inquisitor looks around the canvas “You may need to stop that before I am re-inspired.”
Cullen laughs at that, “You are not painting me nude.”
”Who says I haven't already?” The Inquisitor responds playfully, ducking back behind the canvas.
Cullen sits up in bed “You didn't?!”
The Inquisitor laughs “No, I didn't, in this case you looked better with pants on. Wanna see?” They turn around the easel. “Off for sustenance!” The Inquisitor pronounces before leaving Cullen alone with the painting, “Oh and don’t touch, it’s not dry yet.”
Cullen can see that it is him turned slightly away from the viewer, bare chested with his head down, a few stray strands dangling in his face. He is lit from the window. You could see his trouser strings were undone and that the trousers were painted tightly enough to see his muscle tone through them. You could also see the many scars he has received over the years. Cullen notices he seems to almost glow against the dark background of the castle walls.
The Inquisitor returns with nutrients as promised. Cullen didn't hear them climb back up.
”So do you like it?”
Cullen, blinks a few times, “I don't know anything about art. You'd be better off asking Josephine or Dorian.”
”Oh? Should I show them our commander?” Cullen begins to protest and the Inquisitor holds up a hand to silence him,”I don't care what they think. What do you think?”
Cullen contemplates for a moment, “Well I would still say tired and worn. Battered maybe. I can't tell if he is getting dressed for the day or resting after one. But still strong, willing to fight more.”
”You forgot incredibly attractive?”
Cullen reaches out and grabs the Inquisitor, “The only incredibly attractive thing here is you.”