#cullen rutherford x fem oc

[aricazorel]

Thank you for the tag @ljandersen! It’s been a few months since I had the time to do anything like this! This was really fun to do.

Rules: Pick any ten of your fics, scroll to the midpoint, pick a line (or three) and share it. Then tag ten people. 

{I only selected 5 stories because my excepts are long.}

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

1. Messages (mass effect, Kaidan Alenko/Kori Reese)

Gloved hands appeared before her, pulling her coat closed more, adjusting her scarf. She glanced up to see whiskey colored eyes looking at her. “I’ve got an extra sweater in the car if you need it.”

She couldn’t tell if he was being serious or not. “Kaidan, I was just griping…”

“Yes. I know. I remember. You don’t like cold. You don’t like snow. You don’t like ice. You don’t like—”

“Okay, Alenko. I get it,” she retorted backing away, throwing her hands up. “You remember what I hate.”

Kaidan cocked his head. With a thoughtful expression, he said quietly, “I remember what you like too. You like to go hiking. We did it on shore leave before…”

2. Broken Road (mass effect, Kaidan Alenko/Kori Reese)

“Kaidan, what’s wrong—"

She didn’t finish the sentence. Alenko pinned her to the wall of the comm room and kissed her hard.  She yelped in surprise but didn’t try to fight it. Almost as quickly he pulled away with a shy smile. “Permission to speak freely?”

“Always, Major,” she replied wondering why he kept treating her as a superior officer. She was the Normandy’s first officer true, but he was a Major and a Specter.

“Thank you,” he said running a hand through her hair. “I want this to succeed as much as you do, but please don’t do anything to—"

“I’m not going anywhere, Kaidan. I promised. Remember? That means keeping my stupid stunts to a minimum,” she said with a reassuring smile. So that was where this was coming from…

“Sweetheart, I don’t know what I’d do without you…”

“Let’s not find out,” she replied as she kissed him.

3. Rebecca Shepard (mass effect, Kaidan Alenko/Rebecca Shepard)

“I want to be with you. We’ve wasted so much time and now there may not be that much left…”

“Hey, don’t talk that way. We’re together. That’s what matters right now…You and me,” the sentinel soothed as he pulled her to her feet with him. She clung to him as he began to maneuver them towards her bed.

Kaidan saw her smile as he echoed the words from over 3 years ago, spoken during the night before Ilos. “You aren’t going to leave a way out are you?”

“Hell no! Why would I want out of this? I have what I wanted back. There isn’t anything else I need,” he answered as he began kissing her neck again. “I love you.”

Shepard looked up at him with adoration. “I love you too, Kaidan.”

4. Pieces (dragon age 2, Cora Hawke/Fenris)

She smiled as he glanced back her way. Mirroring her expression, he asked, “Are you still reading that?”

Hawke giggled. “Yes. It’s the first love letter I have gotten that meant anything.”

The Tevinter arched an eyebrow. “That was not what I would call a love letter.”

“Perhaps not. But the spirit of it is the same,” she noted as she moved to sit on her knees.

Fenris hesitated as she walked back to the tent. “Should—Should I write you more? As letters?”

Cora glanced up at him. His expression one of uncertainty. His reading had improved greatly since he had moved in with her. He had only begun writing his own thoughts down a couple of months ago. Would it be too much to ask? Softly, she ventured, “Only if you are comfortable with it. I—I truly appreciate this…It wouldn’t have to be a letter. This note is fine…”

“You appreciate it?” he asked as he knelt down in front of her.

She nodded as he cupped her cheek. “Is it why you agreed to come here?”

Hawke nodded again as he leaned towards her. “Then I will have to continue to write you these little notes, amatus.”

5. Anchor (dragon age: inquisition, Cullen Rutherford/Anyssa McBride)

The historian trialed as she looked down at their hands. He glanced at the work left to do on his desk and then to the bookshelf. Maybe spending the evening with Anyssa was better than--

“Varric gifted me a copy of all of his books…”

“Are you trying to distract me?”

He let a grin tug at his lips. “Perhaps. Or maybe both of us?”

She arched an eyebrow. “Cullen. You hate those books.”

“Maybe they would be more entertaining with the curious questions you usually ask,” he suggested as he moved away from her to the shelf. Releasing her hand, he heard her follow him.

He glossed over The Tale of the Champion and instead selected Hard in Hightown. Turning to show her the book, he was greeted with a face of disdain. He found himself chuckling. “You haven’t even read it yet.”

“I really like Varric. I do, but the things I’ve heard of that book…”

“You’ll never know until you try,” he smirked, shaking the book at her. He ignored her noise of disgust that was unsettling similar to Cassandra’s and gestured to the chairs near his desk. “My lady?”

She made another face but sat down. Perhaps a distraction was what they both needed after all…

Tagging @rpgwrites, @ripley95, @acciokaidanalenko, and anyone else who would like to play.

#writing game #mass effect #dragon age #f!shenko #kaidan alenko x fem oc #cullen rutherford x fem oc #my writing #tag game

[haverdoodles]

Smol and Tol 👍

— (Varric & Hawke, ft. Cullen)

My darlings :)) <3 ☀🍂 here are some sketches !! I have a lot more that I've been stashing away, so I'll post them over the next few days.

#varrichawke #varric x hawke #varric x fem hawke #varric tethras #fem hawke #marian hawke #cullen rutherford #haverdoodles #haverdoodles oc #dragon age #dragon age origins #dragon age 2 #dragon age inquisition #best friends in love :) #art

[piyantas]

hey besties!! im mimi, and im looking for some 1x1 roleplay partners!! i don't double, just so you are aware!!

a little about me:

24 years old, looking for partners who are 18+ ( preferably 20+ )

cis woman, she / her pronouns

i live in the eastern standard timezone (est) and i am hoping you live in a similar timezone!!

i write in 3rd person POV, 2-4 paragraphs regularly.

oc x canon / f x m ships, with me playing a fem oc.

the fandoms / characters im hoping to write against:

baldur's gate 3: astarion, gale dekarios, rolan, halsin

dragon age: alistair theirin, cullen rutherford, solas

stranger things: billy hargrove, steve harrington, eddie munson

haikyuu: atsumu miya, bokuto koutaro, kuroo tetsurou, iwaizumi hajime

ensemble stars: kaoru hakaze, rei sakuma, koga oogami

anyways, i am looking for someone to write with me on discord, i prefer to write on private servers instead of dms. feel free to like this post and ill reach out, or you can contact me directly through this blog!!

#bg3 rp #baldur's gate 3 rp #dragon age rp #stranger things rp #haikyuu rp #hq rp #ensemble stars rp #enstars rp #rp finder #rp search #1x1 rp #18+ rp #rp #roleplay

[tricia-swritingcorner]

Late Nights [Cullen Rutherford x OC Fem!Inquisitor]

Pure fluff piece with the Commander of the Inquisition and the Inquisitor. Takes place roughly halfway through the game at Skyhold. Don't like, don't read.

‘How? How am I still not done?!’ Olympia groaned, turning it into a shout as she held back the urge to push the stack of reports from her desk. Oh sure, offering to help your lover by taking some of their workload sounded like a good idea a few months ago. But after sitting at a desk for two whole days, reading report after report with little sleep or food, the idea had lost its merit.

Taking a deep breath, Inquisitor Trevelyan reached for another report and continued on. Cullen was overworked, she saw it during their nights together when the two could find the time. So, as any good lover in her position would do, she asked Leliana and Josephine to start sending a couple a day to her desk instead of his. Mind you, the Inquisitor was very good at reading reports when she was at Skyhold…yet she seemed to have forgotten that she goes through periods of time where she isn’t at Skyhold. This past absence lasted a month, having travelled to the Frostback Basin.

Upon her return to Skyhold, Josephine ambushed Olympia as she sought the comfort of her own bed after sleeping on the ground for so long. As of now, Olympia Trevellyan has never experienced such a scolding that made her visibly shrink before nor does she ever wish to be the subject of one again. Immediately working on the reports that had been sitting on her desk, it was here that she has not moved, save for bathroom breaks, for the past two days. Thanks to her constant absence of presence, no one has really noticed at Skyhold. She’s not even sure Cullen is aware that she’s returned to the compound. Save for the coming of footsoldiers who dropped off more reports, the Inquisitor has had little interaction with others…save for a certain fade spirit turned corporeal.

Olympia, normally, enjoyed Cole’s presence. For those who were unaware of his situation, he was an odd person that she took pity on. For the others, Cole was a breath of fresh air in the face of everything. Over the past two days, however, he has become a fly on the wall who buzzed around her consistently asking when she will eat or when she will sleep. Thankfully, while he has been a bit of an annoyance, his visits do help to break up the monotony that came with reading report after report…after report.

‘I wonder if he’s already on his way here. I suppose I missed dinner again.’ Signing off on the report in front of her, a soft knock at the door halted her movements. Clockwork this boy embodied.

“Come in.” Hearing the door open and followed by footsteps, Olympia’s first clue as to who came to disturb her was the rather overly enlarged hat atop their head. Grabbing another report to place in front of her, she noticed a tray of food in his hands once his body came into view. Sighing, she rose from her desk and gestured for Cole to sit with her in front of the fireplace. Meeting him there, the pair sat, and the Inquisitor lit the fire to add a calmer mood to what she already knew Cole was going to say.

“You weren’t at dinner. The others are starting to notice but I offered to bring you food and everyone seemed okay with it.” Holding out the tray, Olympia got a much better look at what had been offered tonight. Seeing a stew, a chicken leg, a piece of bread, and a pint of ale she got the sense that Cole grabbed what he thought she would enjoy best. Smiling softly, she took the bread and gestured for him to set the tray down on the table in front of them.

“I’m sure people are already talking about it. Thank you for bringing me something.” Biting into the bread, Olympia could tell Cole was eased by her eating. However, that ease was unstable.

“Inquisitor, Joesphine isn’t going to yell at you if you don’t finish the reports tonight. She said so herself.” Shaking her head, Olympia was already far enough behind as it was. Josephine would just pass off the reports to Cullen, and then he would notice how old they were, and he’ll think the Inquisitor doesn’t believe that he is able to do his job properly when she has full faith in the leader of her armies. No, the reports needed to be done at once.

“Cole, I know you mean well. But I have responsibilities and I cannot shrug them off for luxuries. I will sleep and eat once I am finished.” Reaching for the pint, the normally bitter ale tasted like honey on her tongue. Maker did she miss ale and it hadn’t even been that long since her last drink. Cole seemed to ponder on what she said, or maybe what she felt about what he said before speaking once more.

“Scared, unsure, you don’t want the commander to think you don’t trust him.” At this Olympia gave a look as she continued drinking yet, as usual, Cole did not heed it. “You can do this; you can do this for him. Is that why you��re overworking yourself? So that he can rest?” Setting down her pint, Olympia wished a rift would open right here in Skyhold and swallow her up.

“Cole, stop.” Oh but of course, he didn’t. It wouldn’t be Cole if he did.

“He’s rested Inquisitor. For the last few days, he’s been able to finish before dinner. Rested, wanting, hoping she is okay. Maker I hope she’s safe…Don’t you want him to know that you’ve been helping him? Then he could help you when you’re struggling like you do for him.” Too far, he’s gone too far. She’s happy to know that Cullen is resting, her plan was working. She did not want Cullen to know why he’s been able to rest more. This conversation had to end, NOW.

“Cole.” At her tonal shift, the boy stopped talking and simply looked at her. “I know you mean well, but do not tell Cullen what I’ve done. You might not understand why I’m doing this but please, he cannot know. I have to get back to work now, please see yourself out.” Setting down her pint a bit harshly, Olympia stood up and returned to her desk. Her response might have been harsh, but Cole opened a wound and like any wounded animal, she was going to protect herself.

He must have noticed this, or at least she would have liked to think he did as when she sat down he was no longer in his chair. In fact, he was no longer in the room. Replacing the soft warmth of a kind gestured was a cold emptiness that filled the room, even with the fire still going. As Olympia Travellyan returned to her reports, Cole did not go where she would have wished. Instead of returning to his spot in the Herald’s Rest, the corporeal spirit transported himself to outside the Commander’s door.

While he felt reservation against betraying the Inquisitor’s trust, Cole could feel that she had no intention of stopping for the night. Two days without sleep wasn’t good for anyone outside of the fade, he knew from Cole that sleep was just as needed as food. He had already felt the horror it was to starve to death; he would not see the Inquisitor do this to themselves. Lightly knocking on the door, he did feel odd at not simply entering the room, but Varric had taught him that it was “rude” to enter without being told to.

Instead of hearing Cullen call out, the Commander instead opened the door to see who it was at this hour of the night. He had already changed out of his armor so whoever it was better have good reason. “What is it now- Oh, hello Cole. Can I help you?” The Commander felt at peace. Cole almost felt bad at disrupting that peace.

“The Inquisitor wishes to ask you about some reports from Scout Harding.” A look of confusion crossed Cullen’s face as he heard Cole’s words.

“What? Why is she reading Harding’s reports? Those are supposed to come to me-” A moment of confusion turned into understanding. Over the past six months, he had begun to notice that the number of reports reaching his desk was slowly lessening. At first he chalked it up to his subordinates slacking off at their posts but hearing that Olympia Travellyan, the Inquisitor, was reading a report by scout Harding made sense. Taking a deep breath, Cullen thought for a moment before speaking to the naïve fade spirit.

“Thank you Cole for letting me know. If you will excuse me, I believe the Inquisitor needs some help reading scout Harding’s reports. I know I do.” Nodding his head, Cold moved aside to allow the Commander to brush past him. Determined, irritated, but worried at heart, Cole was sure of his choice of actions. Hopefully Olympia could forgive him.

Though right now, he was not at the forefront of her mind. Instead, it was the fact that she was reading another of scout Harding’s reports…the twelfth one. She was unsure just how the dwarf managed to find time to write a report nearly every day. Signing off on it, Olympia looked over to the now cold stew. Maybe that’s what she should have eaten earlier instead of the bread, it certainly would have filled her up more at the very least.

‘Maybe a small fire spell could work. I’m sure that wouldn’t be too hard, just have to-‘Her thoughts were interrupted when a door slammed nearby. Who is slamming doors this late at night? Standing up, before she could investigate the cause her own door seemed to burst open followed by a very familiar voice.

“Inquisitor, I need to speak with you.” Speaking as he stormed up the stairs, the Inquisitor was at a loss for words. Never had she heard Cullen this aggravated before, wait how did he know she was back?! Before she could hide the reports themselves, her lover had come up to stand directly in front of her and her desk. The man was radiating with what she could only describe as energy as he stood in front of her. Eyeing the large stack of papers on her desk, he was stunned by the amount of reports he hadn’t noticed never made it to his desk. “Care to explain this?” Normally, Olympia could come up with some form of an excuse for any situation. However, this time could not come up with a good one.

“Uhh I wanted a better understanding…of the troops’ conditions, across Thedas.” Hearing the words come out her mouth, Olympia groaned in her mind. Really? That’s what she came up with?!

Cullen noticed this, of course he would. Inquisitor Olympia Travellyan was a masterful liar, who could dazzle a room of Orlesian diplomats with her speech. Yet, when confronted by her lover she was stumbling over her words. Looking down at the report she had just signed off, the writer’s name was clear as day. Shaking his head, Cullen took a deep breath before speaking.

“My dear if you really wanted to help me I would have let you. How long has Josephine been sending reports to you?” At this, Olympia blushed from embarrassment. He truly hadn’t noticed, well that was something.

“Since…you and I decided you were no longer taking lyrium. I thought you could have a chance to relax whenever we aren’t staring death in the face.” Looking down at the floor, she couldn’t look him in the eye. The Cullen in her mind was staring at her in either anger or hurt, unable to believe what he was hearing. She didn’t think he was capable while his time using lyrium was coming back to haunt him. Sure enough, in a minute he will be shouting at her or storming out or-

Her mind halted as she felt his hand cusp her cheek. Startled, she looked up to find him standing at her side with a look she never expected, worry. When did he move so quietly? Lightly grabbing her arms, Cullen pulled her away from the desk and sat on the bed with her standing in front of him. Meeting her gaze, Cullen’s eyes shifted and only love shown through.

“While I appreciate the thought, you didn’t have to bury yourself trying to help me. Next time, talk to me. You’re the Inquisitor, you can’t be defeated by paperwork, okay?” At this, she chuckled. He wasn’t angry. He wasn’t hurt. Cullen seemed to understand her intentions. Tears pricked the bottom of her eyes and she tried to blink them away, only for her love to wipe them away. Placing a kiss on her forehead, he stood up and gave her a firm hug before turning his attention to the forgotten tray by the fireplace.

“I see someone brought you food, how long were you in here reading reports?” Once again, Olympia chuckled but this time was certainly one out of awkwardness. Cullen was not going to be happy when he heard the truth.

“Two…days. When we got back from Frostback Basin, Josephine told me how much had piled up in my absence. So I’ve been here, reading. Cole brought the food; he was worried about me.” Here, Cullen was the one to chuckle and the pair just stood as one for a beat.

“That he was, I didn’t even know of your arrival until he said you needed me.” What? “He came to my door and asked if I could help you with reading scout Harding’s report.” Scoffing, of course it was Cole. She told him not to tell Cullen what she had done, and he didn’t. “So did you actually eat anything or just drink and return to work?” Oh, how well he knew her. This time she didn’t respond, instead shifted her gaze to anywhere other than Cullen. He sighed at this and shook his head.

“Then you, my dear, are done for the day I think.” Olympia sort of squeaked at this, because as he said this he shifted his hands down to grasp her thighs and lifted her effortlessly into the air. Quickly wrapping her arms around his neck, she laughed as he turned around and sort of flopped onto the bed with her still in his arms.

“What about the reports? They still need to be signed off on.” She attempted to wiggle out of his arms, only for him to tighten his grip. Cullen laughed heartily as he felt his love attempt to escape his grasp. Oh, if only he had not anticipated her doing this. “Those reports just need a glance. The actual reports that need signing off on, come to my desk. So I think it’s time for you to get some rest. I think you’ve earned a moment.” Ah, turning her own words against her. Humming at the thought, one night of sleep wouldn’t hurt. Especially not if her Commander was sharing the bed with her. Feeling him pull the covers over the pair of them, Olympia couldn’t help but snuggle further into Cullen’s chest as her exhaustion hit her like a stone wall. Once again he kissed her forehead and within what felt like seconds, she fell into the blissful waters of slumber. Safe, secure, and loved. Maker knows what tomorrow will bring, but right now she couldn’t care less…even if it meant Josephine scolding her for once again leaving work to be done.

#dragon age inquisition #one shot #cullen rutherford #cullen x trevelyan #fluff

[eternalnope]

#dragon age #dragon age inquisition #dai #lavellan #fem!lavellan #cullen rutherford #cullen romance #cullen x lavellan #oc: itylra lavellan #my screenshots

[dracoangel]

Tagged by the amazing @starsandskies. Thank you, Peach!

Tagging: @ariannadi, @djfatchip, @arideya, @tk-duveraun, @nelmdraws, @vorchagirl, @kaoruyogi, @aurianavaloria, @uriellactaea, @inner-muse, @drathe and anyone else that would like to do this. But only if you want/haven’t done it yet. No Pressure! ❤

favorite game from the last 5 years?  ‒ Dragon Age: Inquisition & Mass Effect Andromeda

most nostalgic game? ‒ Sypro (any of them)

game that deserves a sequel?  ‒ Mass Effect Andromeda

game that deserves a remaster?  ‒ Dragon Age Origins

favorite game series?  ‒ Dragon Age

favorite genre?  ‒ 3d person RPGs

least favorite genre?  ‒ Sports games (Fifa, cars…) and First Person Shooters

favorite song from a game?  ‒ Lament of the Highborne from World of Warcraft

favorite character from a game?  ‒ Can I pick 1 character from each game? lol. Well, I’m going to anyway. Cole (Dragon Age Inquisition), Kesh (Mass Effect Andromeda), Varian Wrynn (World of Warcraft), Thancred (Final Fantasy XIV)

favorite ship from a game?  ‒ Going to do the same as above :p Cullen Rutherford x Warden!Amell (Dragon Age), Jaal Ama Darav x Sis!Ryder (Mass Effect Andromeda), Varian Wrynn x Fem!Warlock OC (World of Warcraft)

favorite voice actor from a game?  ‒ Brian Bloom as Varric Tethras, Steve Valentine as Alistair Theirin, Anjali Bhimani as Symmetra (Overwatch)

favorite cutscene?  ‒ Oh Jeeze... The waterfall scene with Jaal in Mass Effect Andromeda (the scenery was so beautiful!), The Wrathgate in World of Warcraft (so much epicness back then!)

favorite boss?  ‒ The Lich King (World of Warcraft)

first console?  ‒ Nintendo Entertainment System, followed by the Sega Genesis

current console or consoles?  ‒ I don’t play consoles anymore. The last one I played on (and I still have it) is the Game Cube

console you want?  ‒ Again, I don’t play consoles anymore, I’ve been a PC person for over 12 years. But if I had to choose one, PS4 - just so I can play KH3 and Spyro XD

place from a game that you’d like to visit?  ‒ Aya in Mass Effect Andromeda, Azeroth in World of Warcraft

place from a game that you’d like to live in?  ‒ Darnassus (Pre-BfA)

ridiculous crossover that would never happen but would be super fun?  ‒ Dragon Age / World of Warcraft. I would love to see my Rayne in WoW, to see how magic isn’t viewed as a curse, to witness the magic of Warlocks that is akin to her Blood Magic and them not having to hide it.

book that would make a good game?  ‒ A Song of Ice and Fire (though Tell Tale did do something, I’d like to see it an rpg), Inheritance Series

show/movie that would make a good game?  ‒ Full Metal Alchemist - I’d love to play as an OC that is trying to become a State Alchemist, Sword Art Online

games you want to play?  ‒ Spyro Reignited, KH3 (Make these for PC, ya bastards! You’re missing out on a great market!)

have you gotten 100% completion in a game?  ‒ Hmm... I don’t think so. I’ve gotten close in Kingdoms of Amalur - like 98% I think

have you cried over a game?  ‒ Yes

what power-up or ability would you want in real life?  ‒ Regeneration, maybe it would allow me to fix my broken body

#tagged meme #meme #tagged #video games

[inside-of-a-fangirls-mind]

Master List

The Witcher Fanfics;

Geralt X Reader with slight Jaskier X Reader (Eventual Smut)- The White Wolf’s Dance; Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6

Harry Potter Fanfics;

Young!James, Sirus, Reader- Nothing But Trouble

Neville X Reader-  Oops

Neville X Reader- It’s Been A Long Ride Without You

Young!Remus Lupin X Reader-  Dance With Me

Fred, George, Reader-  Girl Time

Newt Scamander X Reader-  A Caring Hand

Severus Snape X Professor!Reader (Smut)-  Firewhiskey Holidays

Severus Snape, Apprentice!Reader- Coming Back To Start Anew

Severus Snape X Reader (Smut)- I’ve Always Been Yours

Severus Snape X Reader (Smut)- Whispers Of Lust

Severus Snape X Reader (Smut)- Blinded By Nightmares

Severus Snape X Reader (Smut)- Bound To You

Draco Malfoy X Reader (Smut)-  Confidence

Marvel Fanfics;

Bucky Barnes X Reader (NSFW)- Show Me Your Soul

~This Bucky Fanfiction isn’t finished and it’s a slow update but I thought i would add it if anyone is interested. It is also on AO3 Not tumblr, not yet at least.~

Bucky Barnes X Reader (Drabble)- I’m Not A Villain

Bucky Barnes X OC- Painting The Sky; 

Part One   -   

Steve Rogers X Reader- Sign My Poster

Steve Rogers X Reader- Little Sneak

Tony Stark X Reader (Smut)-  Easy Peasy

Loki X Reader (NSFW)-  Private Book

Loki X Reader-  What Will I Become? 

Bruce Banner X Reader-  Coded Green

The Arcana Game Fanfics;

Dancing With The Arcana Mini series;   Asra,    Julian

Muriel X Fem!Reader- A Lonely Hut In the Woods

      Part two (Smut); A Not So Lonely Hut In the Woods

Julian X Fem!Reader- A Sea Of Troubles P1

Mass Effect [1-4];

Garrus X Fem!Shepard- Blood On My Hands

Dragon Age [1-3]

Alistair X FemWarden!Reader (smut)- Sparring Match

Varric X Fem!Elf Inquisitor (smut)- A Few Harsh Words

Cullen Rutherford x FemWarden!Reader (smut)- Waiting For You

BNHA ;

Dabi x Fem!Reader (Smut)- Caught Red Handed...?

Bakugo x Fem!Reader- Prom Night

(Will Update as I add more!)

#inside-of-a-faangirls-mind #Reader Inserts #Fanfiction #marvel fanfic #harry potter fanfic #James potter #sirius black #remus lupin #neville x reader #remus lupin x reader #steve rogers x reader #tony stark x reader #bruce banner x reader #Master List #Severus snape x reader #Pro snape #pro tony stark #Pro bucky barnes #Bucky barnes x reader #Loki Laufeyson x Reader #draco malfoy x reader #newt scamander x reader #fred and george weasley plus reader #marauders x reader #fanfics #severus snape #witcher fanfiction #geralt x you #jaskier x you

[aricazorel]

I was tagged by a couple of people in the past couple of weeks, but Tumblr ate my notifications and I've been busy with a new job. Anyway, here's a bit from my Dragon Age project featuring Cullen Rutherford and Anyssa McBride (my OC).

A woman from Cullen's past tries to come between the Commander and the Inquisition's lead historian resulting in a misunderstanding between them. Cole, as always, is there to help though.

~ ~ ~

“You make it quiet. He wants that. Like it used to be, but he doesn’t think he deserves it,” Cole’s voice came from above the historian. Glancing up she saw the spirit boy perched on the ladder she used to reach the upper shelves in the archive section of the vault.

Willing her heartbeat to slow down, she paused in her inventorying of dwarven artifacts. “Cole, what are you doing up there?”

“I came to help,” he said. “You are harder to hear than the others. I can hear you best when you are with him…You let the walls down.”

McBride knew the spirit could easily read any native of Thedas but being from Earth her connection to the Fade was faint at best. She could only guess that was why he couldn’t read her as readily as others. But what was he on about now?

“Help how? And who are you talking about?” she asked, the questions knowing full well who ‘he’ was.

“You were happy. Hopeful. So was he. Scared too. But then she came, and you were lost, angry. It felt like Earth but hurt more. It was almost louder than when he makes you smile. I don’t like it.”

“Cole, I appreciate your help, but I don’t—”

“He hurts too. In ways you know and some you don’t. He feels again and it scares him sometimes. But going back to the pain he knew for so long is familiar. It doesn’t hurt like the other…He’s afraid that is all he is meant to know, and she can give that to him.”

“She?”

“The bad lady Templar. She’s selfish, prideful. She doesn’t care about him, only what he can do for her. So, she is not miserable by herself.”

“Gower wants Cullen to be miserable?”

“He doesn’t want to be, but he is afraid to cover you in his darkness. He wants to see the light again. He wants to be with you in the quiet.”

“I’m the light?”

“You’re his light. Just as you see light in him…He doesn’t want Thedas to be like Earth, like the one who hurt you but he’s afraid even after everything that the hurt for both of you is too much.”

She remained silent as she glanced down at the artifacts spread across the floor in front of her.

“He wants to stop hurting. He wants you to stop hurting. But every time he does something right something goes wrong. He doesn’t know how he can make you feel the peace you make him feel. He thinks he might be too broken to repair.”

“He’s not broken.”

“The angry Templar lady thinks he is. That’s all they can ever be. She is jealous that he found a new life, a purpose, a family, a love.”

“Cole, Cullen doesn’t like it when you read him—”

“He wants to say what he feels but he doesn’t think it’s enough…He wants to show you, but he doesn’t know if it’s too late.”

She glanced back up at him in silence. The spirit leapt off the ladder coming to kneel in front of her. “It’s not too late, is it? I can’t heal your hurt or his. And neither one wants to forget…But you can help each other, make the hurt go away. Then there can be quiet for both of you.” Before she could respond, Cole disappeared. How could a spirit understand more than she did?

#wip meme #dragon age #cullen rutherford x fem oc #cullen rutherford #anyssa mcbride

[aricazorel]

I was tagged by @noire-pandora and @raflesia65 last week. I’ve been writing but haven’t posted anything in like three weeks because it’s summer and been doing things with the family. So here is a little bit of what I’ve written for (dragon age) Cullen and Anyssa’s new story.

Cullen and Nyssa have experienced some troubles recently as a woman from the Commander’s past joins the Inquisition. Critical of Cullen’s new life and current choices, the woman from his past attempts to wedge herself between the historian and commander. To make things more complicated, the two realize there is more than just friendship between them. This is part of an attempt by Nyssa and Cullen to set things right between them.

~ ~ ~

Anyssa took a breath. She had never been able to refuse him when he pleaded like that. “Alright. I will be there.”

His face lit up at as he quickly kissed her hand. “Thank you, Nyssa. I…Thank you.”

She nodded as he continued to hold her hand. “I’ll go but you have to take care of yourself. I know you’re busy but you still—”

“I know—I realize now I have not been keeping my promise as well as I should,” he admitted as he looked down to their hands. “That is a failing I want to correct starting now.”

She furrowed her brow. “What do you mean? We’re just talking—”

“And that is something I’ve not been doing,” he interrupted. “I allowed myself to become distracted by my past. I took for granted what I had in my present. What was right in front of me.”

“What is right in front of you?” she echoed, looking into his golden-brown eyes. An intensity she’d only seen a few times before…and it was directed at her.

“Maker, have I faltered so badly that you no longer know how important you are to me?” he asked in a sorrowful tone. His hands moved to cup her face tenderly as he went on, “Please tell me you still know that I care for you…I always have—”

“You…You still care…and you don’t think I’m a distraction from your duties?” she asked uncertainly. “That I—”

“Nys, I have always cared for you. I know I do not show that very well at times but I promise that has never changed,” he reassured her. “And it never will.”

“But—”

“You are the best sort of distraction when I desperately need one,” he corrected with a small smile as he caressed her cheeks with his thumbs.

Her response was a grin of her own. “Cullen, you don’t have to say such things.”

“But it is true,” he insisted as he drew her into a hug.

Anyssa allowed herself to be nestled snuggly under his chin as he held her securely to his chest. With an arm wrapped around her shoulders and the other hand tangled in her hair, the Commander murmured, “I wanted to be distracted right now. By you. With you. Whatever you will allow.”

McBride took a breath, finding herself willing to take a chance one more time. “I…was looking at the stars, thinking about how we use to do that…maybe we could do that now? It could be a distraction for both of us.”

“I’d like that,” Cullen replied sincerely. Anyssa felt him shift his stance and then gently turn her to face the wall of the battlements. With his arms still holding her back to his chest, he added, “I learned somethings today I have been avoiding. I am sorry for what my blindness has caused. I hope you can forgive me…someday for my foolishness.”

“If—If we can talk like we used to—where no one interrupts or says they’re more important—then maybe—”

“Then we may try?”

“I want to do more than try.”

“So do I.”

“Then we do more.”

#wip meme #dragon age #cullen rutherford #anyssa mcbride #cullen rutherford x fem oc

[aricazorel]

Tagged by @noire-pandora Thank you!

I have a few more chapters to write for this Dragon Age WIP before I edit the whole thing . It’s gone from a planned 16 chapters to being 20 now. Basically it is an alternative to the events that occurred between Cullen Rutherford and Anyssa McBride as detailed in my “Anchor” series on AO3. Instead of a slow burn it’s supposed to be a quicker discovery of their feelings for one another. (With some angst and fluff, mostly in equal amounts)

The following scene is set during morning drills after Cullen asked Anyssa to attend. Knowing she has a habit of watching from the battlements, he’d noticed her recent absence after a verbal altercation with a female Templar from his past. Trying to mend their relationship, he decided to take part in a sparring session just for her (possibly shirtless 😍) This leads up to that scene.

~ ~ ~

Anyssa watched the drills and the sparring, noting Cassandra commenting on their technique while Dorian focused on their…more physical attributes. She did her best to focus on the men and women practicing but her mind kept wandering back to Cullen who hadn’t moved very far from her. But there was also Knight-Captain Gower’s scowl from the other side of the field to contemplate. Cullen acted as if he knew something, his actions had a purpose. She hoped he were knew what he was doing.

Cassandra and Dorian had graciously agreed to come with her both as morale support and to annoy Gower. So far both goals had been met. Of course, Cullen had yet to participate in a sparring match. Something told the historian the Knight-Captain would either attempt to be his sparring partner or prevent the match from occurring to begin with. But knowing Cullen as she did, McBride did not see him allowing either event to happen. He seemed dead set on something and her gut told her it had something to do with what he’d found out or realized about Gower.

The Commander continued to occasionally shout out instructions or corrections as the drills continued. Never once did he go back to stand with Gower. Instead he remained on Anyssa’s side of the field, fully engaged in the drills his men were performing. It was nice to see him doing his duty without Gower clinging to him, whispering her opinions and the suggestions she always believed were the only way things should be. No room for compromise or another way with her ever.

“You’re smiling,” Cassandra said from beside her.

“And he doesn’t even have his shirt off yet,” Dorian noted with real disappointment in his voice.

“Tevinter,” the Seeker chided.

McBride giggled at their interaction before she confessed quietly, “He doesn’t have to be shirtless for me to smile.”

“But it does help doesn’t it?” the mage asked hopefully.

“Yes,” she replied with another giggle.

“Does this mean things are back to normal between you two?” Cassandra asked.

“Not exactly. Things are different,” McBride said as Cullen glanced back at her with a grin. “But maybe that’s okay.”

#wip meme #dragon age #cullen rutherford #anyssa mcbride #cullen rutherford x fem oc

[aricazorel]

I haven't posted anything from my Dragon Age project in a couple of weeks so here's a little something. This story features Cullen Rutherford and Anyssa McBride (my OC) as they struggle to figure out their relationship as a woman from the Commander's past re-appears making them question everything.

This section takes place after Cullen does something to publicly declare his interest in beginning a romantic relationship with Anyssa. The Commander senses her worry about what will become of their relationship and worries about inference from others. Cullen attempts to reassure her with both actions and words.

[Obviously longer than what a last line is supposed to be, but it was the last part of a chapter so...🤷‍♀️oh well]

~ ~ ~

“So, it’s not just because of my injuries or that people are talking behind out backs again and you’re worried about how I’m reacting to it all,” she asked slowly as if to make sure she was listing off all his possible concerns.

“No, Nys,” he assured her as he reached for her hand. “It is as I’ve said. I want to spend the night here in your quarters with you and only you.”

Anyssa bit her bottom lip as she glanced down at his hand moving towards hers. “I—I would like that.”

“But you have a concern,” he noted as he took her hand in his. In truth, he would be surprised if she didn’t have any concerns at all given the events of the past few weeks.

“I—What if things get worse?” she asked. “What if she tries to keep—”

Cullen moved the chess board to the side as he moved towards her on his knees. “It won’t matter what Adelaide or anyone else does or says. Not if this is something we both really want. Correct?”

She nodded as he sat back down in front of her. He tugged her gently into his lap as he added, “This is where I want to be. With you.”

McBride shifted in his lap as she asked, “I know you want to be here, and I do want you here but…what if…”

She trailed off, refusing to meet his gaze. “What if what, Nys? What still troubles you?”

The historian shook her head, stubbornly remaining silent. Pleading for what still bothered her, Cullen hugged her to his chest tightly. “I cannot help put an end to your worry if you will not tell me what it is. Please allow me the chance to do so.”

He felt her take a breath before she began. “What if you change your mind? What if you find out I’m not what you want? What if you leave me because—”

Cullen couldn’t take her doubts any longer as he quickly tilted her head up and met her lips in a bruising kiss. Cradling her head with one hand while the other remained firmly in place around her waist, he poured everything he felt for the historian into the kiss. Slowly he felt her respond to him as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Between kisses he promised, “I am not like the person from Earth you were with before. I will never leave you. Ever. And if I am ever forced to be parted from you, I will always find my way back to you.”

#last line meme #dragon age #cullen rutherford x fem oc #cullen rutherford #anyssa mcbride

[aricazorel]

Tagged by @noire-pandora Thank you!

Another bit from my current Dragon Age project featuring Cullen Rutherford and Anyssa McBride (my OC).

A verbal confrontation with a woman from Cullen’s past causes Anyssa to remember things from her life on Earth she would rather forget. Concerned for her, the Commander searches for the historian as both realize somethings need to change or they will never have the future they both want.

(Not edited)

~ ~ ~

“Are you angry with me?” The question came out with her permission, a reflex from Earth she had tried hard to stop. She didn’t want anything from her relationship with Bryan to influence anything she did in Thedas but his ghost still lingered. “I mean—I ran from you—”

A thumb pressed lightly to her lips silenced her. “I am not angry with you and you need not ask such a thing. I believe I know why you did and why you ran but it does not matter. We are here now. Together. And you are not the only one who…is still haunted by parts of their past.”

She watched as he bowed his head. “Cullen, what—Don’t we need to talk about—”

“I cannot,” he said. “Not yet. I will—We will but we need some time. You need rest and I need to—to take care of something.”

McBride felt a bolt of fear strike her at his words, doubts about how he felt about her filling her mind. The Commander moved back, startled by her sudden movement. She cupped his face in both hands as she leaned her forehead against his as he had earlier in the garden. “Please don’t…Don’t leave. Don’t say you don’t want more…Please don’t say this has changed what you want with me. Please?”

Anyssa felt him stiffen under her touch as she realized just how much she wanted his words to Gower to be true. My choice is to have a future…with Nyssa. When he didn’t response she murmured, “I want to have a future with you too.”

She heard his breath hitch as she tilted her head, her nose bumping against his. Her lips grazed his for just a moment until she was gently pushed away just a few inches. Anyssa made a noise of disappointment mixed with confusion as she watched the Commander close his eyes. He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down as he held onto her tightly. Confused and a little hurt as his apparent rejection, she opened her mouth to ask what was wrong when he stopped her.

“I can’t, Nyssa,” he admitted with a voice full of raw emotion. “No matter how much I want what you almost did, I can’t right now. We aren’t thinking straight. There’s been too much—Too much has happened tonight. I hope you can understand that.”

“But I—Isn’t that what you wanted?”

His golden brown eyes opened to meet her confused gaze. “Maker, yes. Of course I want that. I want that and so much more but I—I let her hurt you. I put you in that situation. I made you remember things you didn’t want to. I can’t give you what you need right now. I feel lost and I—”

Finally she understood. He blamed himself for Gower’s actions and for everything that had happened. Did he share some of the blame? Probably. Was he responsible for everything? No. McBride knew she could have done more including not pushing him that morning to meet with the woman in the first place. Quietly, she said as she moved one of her hands to cards her fingers through his curling hair, “I—I understand. I just don’t want to pretend that there isn’t already more between us anymore. I can’t. Not after what happened.”

She felt Cullen take a shaky breath before he said, “Neither do I but I need some time. Just a little bit to process what happened. To make sure I do not make another mistake. I need to know I can give you what you need.”

“What about what you need?” she asked as he gently pushed her back down to the mattress.

He gave her a weak smile. “She’s right in front of me.”

She returned his smile with a tired one of her own, feeling better than she had in hours. As he re-tucked her in, she said, “Don’t leave without telling me.”

“I promise, Nys,” he said as he leaned over and kissed her temple. “I’m right where I want to be.”

#wip meme #dragon age #cullen rutherford #anyssa mcbride #cullen rutherford x fem oc

[aricazorel]

Tagged by @noire-pandora Thank you!

From my current Dragon Age project featuring Cullen Rutherford and Anyssa McBride. This scene has Cassandra visiting Anyssa while she recovers from an accident. Sharing her love of Swords and Shields with the historian leads to some interesting observations by the Seeker of Truth.

(As always more than six sentences 🤣)

~ ~ ~

Anyssa shook her head as the Seeker continued to vaguely describe some of the scenes, wondering how Varric had ever written such things. Then again it was Varric so that might an answer in itself.

Cassandra’s voice brought her back to the conversation. “Some of those scenes might be an inspiration for how things could progress with the Commander.”

Leveling a glare at the other woman, she said, “Really? You’re on about that too.”

“Well, you and Cullen are good for each other,” Pentaghast pointed out as she leaned forward in her chair. “His temperament is greatly improved when you are present. I believe I have even caught him smiling once or twice. It is adorable the way the both of you interact when you think no one is watching.”

“We are good friends,” McBride insisted. “We are—”

“Hopelessly in love with each other and refuse to acknowledge it,” the Seeker interjected quickly with a smirk. “But in all seriousness, why do you not simply tell each how you feel? You both have been through so much in your pasts. Do you not deserve the happiness you can give each other?”

#six sentence meme #dragon age #cullen rutherford #anyssa mcbride #cassandra pentaghast #cullen rutherford x fem oc

[aricazorel]

A snippet from my current Dragon Age project featuring Cullen Rutherford and Anyssa McBride (my OC). A Templar Knight-Captain Cullen once knew has reappeared in his life with unexpected ramifications. Adelaide Gower is a Templar through and through and sees little reason to change. As Gower realizes that the Cullen she once knew is almost a completely different person does, her constant reminders of the past do nothing to help the Commander figure out his complex feelings for the Inquisition’s lead historian. That is where Evelyn Trevelyan comes in. Seeing her friends prospective relationship in peril, the Inquisitor offers some advice.

~ ~ ~

He felt the woman stare at him as he confessed his past with Gower, something he had only done in a limited fashion with Anyssa. Taking a deep breath, he continued, “Before the tower was taken over by blood mages and demons, she was reassigned to a unit that was tasked with tracking down the most dangerous apostates. After I was transferred to Kirkwall, she was used by Meredith several times because of her units specialty. We reconnected and I—We started a mutually beneficial relationship—no strings attached, no expectations. But that ended a year before Meredith died. She left Kirkwall and me behind when she realized I began to doubt the Order and my Knight-Commander. After I became Knight-Commander, she left for good. A difference in ideology concerning the future of the Templars and the direction I took the Order in Kirkwall.”

Trevelyan was quiet. Too quiet. Had he said too much? Did she think so little of him now because of his past with Gower? Did she think he should have told Anyssa instead? But how could he? It wasn’t something he was proud of now. It was—

“Do you still care about Gower? Have you acted on the arrangement you once had with her?” Evelyn asked with an edge in her voice.

The Commander turned to face her fully. “No. Those feelings died a long time ago. I don’t—She has hinted at beginning our arrangement again. I have told her no each time…I don’t want that any longer. I want more. I want to be able to love someone. To—to have someone be able to love me…But I wonder if I am worth loving…”

“Oh, Cullen, don’t you see?” the Inquisitor said softly as she came to stand before him. “Someone already does love you and I think you love her. That is more than many people ever have. Don’t let your doubts or someone else’s refusal to see beyond what they know convince you otherwise.”

Cullen swallowed thickly. “I want to help Adelaide see that things can be different but I don’t want to loose Nyssa. I—”

“Then don’t,” Evelyn said firmly. “Quit thinking you can’t be with her before you even are. You both need to get your heads out of your asses and just kiss.”

“Inquisitor!”

“You’ve almost done it twice or that’s what people say,” Trevelyan replied with a shrug. “The battlements seem to be a nice place to almost kiss each other.”

“Maker’s breath!” Cullen muttered as he felt his cheeks burn.

“Fine. Try this. There’s a party tonight for a Fereldan Bann. Find Anyssa and say nice things to her. Show her that she is the sole focus of the Inquisition’s General. Let her know that she matters to you. Show her. Don’t just tell her.”

“I can try.”

“You could try or you could just do it.”

“I don’t have experience with such things.”

“It’s Anyssa. She’s used to your awkwardness. I’m sure she finds it endearing.”

Cullen sighed. He knew talking to the Inquisitor might be hard but he had not counted on teasing. Yet she was friends with Anyssa who did possess a dry sense of humor. Finally he allowed himself a grin as his mind began making plans to spend the party with Nyssa. Hopefully it would go better than his last attempt. Hopefully…

#snippet #dragon age #cullen rutherford #anyssa mcbride #cullen rutherford x fem oc

[aricazorel]

Tagged by @raflesia65 Thank you!

A section from my current Dragon Age project featuring Cullen Rutherford and Anyssa McBride (my OC). The historian receives a note from Cullen delivered by his trusted messenger who happens to have strong opinions on the current situation between the Commander and Earth woman. (BTW- she doesn’t care one bit for the Templar woman from the Commander’s past much to Anyssa’s delight.)

~ ~ ~

A messenger flagged her down from the direction of the kitchens before she made it to the stairs. “Lady McBride! A note from the Commander.”

She changed directions and met the dwarven messenger half-way. It was Myanna Cander, Cullen’s personal messenger. Smiling at the female dwarf, she said, “I thought I said it was okay to call me Anyssa.”

“You did, but the Commander has a thing for decorum and being proper and all,” the dark-haired woman replied with a shrug.

“But he’s not here right now,” Anyssa pointed out as she accepted the note.

“But he would know. He always knows,” Myanna said ominously. “I like my job too much to chance his wrath.”

“The wrath of the Commander?” McBride asked as she unfolded the paper. “I think I might be able to sooth the Lion of Ferelden…or I used to be able to.”

“Oh, you still can, my lady,” the dwarf said with a wink. “I think you might have to after…well, you just might have to.”

She glanced up before she read the note. “What? It something the matter?”

Candor sighed. “I wasn’t supposed to say anything but it seems Knight-Captain Gower isn’t taking too kindly to the new standing orders the Commander issued. She seems to think they shouldn’t apply to her.”

Anyssa made a face as she returned her attention to the note. “When has that ever not been the case?”

She saw the dwarf shrug as she waited for her to read the note.

Nys~

I was just informed by Josephine that a small section of the hot springs can now be used for certain Inquisition personnel.. That includes you. Perhaps I will see you there tonight?

~Cullen

She allowed herself a grin as Myanna said, “He wanted me to wait for a response. Just a yes or no. I think he wants to have something to look forward to. Gower is not making it easy for him since she found out what he did to that noble last week.”

“That noble?” McBride repeated thoughtfully as she pocketed the note.

“Yes. The one he punched and broke his nose because he tried to get handsy with you,” Cander clarified. “Everyone keeps saying they’ve never seen him so mad except when it comes to trying to track down Samson.”

“Yes, well, Claremont had it coming,” the historian said quietly, not wanting to remember that part of the evening at all.

“Sorry. I shouldn’t have brought that up,” Myanna apologized. “It’s just that most of us think you’re better match for the Commander instead of the Knight-Captain. She’s…annoying and stuck-up and…well, a bitch.”

Anyssa did her level best not to smile at the messenger’s description of the Templar officer but failed miserably. “I shouldn’t say anything but…”

“You don’t have to. We all know how she treats you,” the dwarf said. “We’re just glad that you and the Commander seem to be on better terms now. I hope it stay that way.”

“So do I,” Anyssa murmured.

“So is the answer yes or no to what ever question the Commander wrote down as he smiled?”

“He smiled?”

“He always smiles when he talks about you.”

Anyssa felt a grin tugging at her lips as she said, “Tell him it’s a yes.”

#wip meme #dragon age #cullen rutherford #anyssa mcbride #cullen rutherford x fem oc

[aricazorel]

Tagged by @noire-pandora Thank you!

A female Templar from Cullen’s past arrives at Skyhold with a unit of Templars skilled at fighting Samson’s Red Templar army. Even as he welcomes someone who knew him before the fall of the Ferelden Tower, his growing feelings for Anyssa are complicated by the woman’s arrival. What the Commander does not expect is their reactions to one another.

(Not edited. Any mistakes are mine)

~ ~ ~

“I’m fine,” she replied quickly, still not looking at him.

Cullen made a face, knowing from previous experience that her tone and saying she was fine meant the exact opposite. He gently squeezed her arm. “Nys, have I done something to upset you?”

He watched as she worked her jaw as the line moved forward again. Finally she glanced up at him, her ice blue eyes troubled. “It’s nothing, Cullen. Just something…It’s nothing.”

“It is not nothing if you cannot even tell me about it,” he insisted as they reached the buffet table.

McBride took the opportunity to fill her plate without answering his question or addressing his concern. Cullen followed suit but never took his eyes off of her. Something was wrong and it had something to do with him. Once their plates were full, he followed her to an opened table, purposely sitting beside her. He waited until she had finished cutting up her food before he tried again. He had hoped a few minutes of silence would have allowed her to gather her thoughts. Maybe even give him the answer he hoped for. Instead she remained quiet, focusing solely on her plate.

Setting down his fork, leaned towards her. “Nys, please. If I have done something to upset you…”

He watched as he lips trembled. Thankful no one else had taken a seat at their table yet, he turned fully in his seat to look at her. “Maker, Nyssa, what did I…”

Cullen trailed off as he realized the disappointed expression from the night before had been more than that. “Is this because I was escorting Adelaide at the reception last night?”

She continued to stare at her plate. “It was a reception for her and her unit. I was obligated to help make them feel welcome here and to introduce them to the Inquisition personal they will be working with. I have known her for years and it was only appropriate that I show her around. Adelaide will be working closely with us on Red Templar matters. You should—”

“Working with you,” Anyssa corrected as she glanced up at him. “I’m only a historian. I only study the thing that corrupts the Templars…Oh wait…I’ve never seen Red Lyrium so how could I study it?”

Cullen straightened up, taken aback by her tone and words. “This isn’t about…This is about Adelaide and what she said to you.”

Ice blue eyes simply stared at him. He sighed as he turned back to his plate. “They traveled three days almost non-stop to get here before the next snowstorm. A forced march will tire out any unit, even a one as skilled and experienced as hers. The Inquisitor did not greet her at the gate upon her arrival and refused to discuss the business Adelaide believed was important. I believe she was simply tired…and she is not accustomed to working with civilians.”

McBride made no attempt to hide when she rolled her eyes. “So that gives her the right to dismiss me out right and to insist that her way to correct in front of the Inquisitor?”

“Anyssa, why are you making such a fuss about this?” he asked honestly beginning to become annoyed himself. “It has all been corrected or will be later when Adelaide and Trevelyan meet.”

“You’re half right,” she muttered as she picked at her food.

“Half right?”

“Her issues with Evie can be addressed then. I doubt it will be that easy for me.”

“You could give her the benefit of the doubt.”

“Or you could tell her that I am not just some flunky running around Skyhold for show,” McBride snapped as she turned abruptly to him. “I earned my place here. I’m not just some…”

The historian trailed off as Cullen saw Gower approach the table. The Knight-Captain held a plate of food as she motioned to the seat across from him. “May I join you? It has been a while since I enjoyed a proper meal.”

“Of course,” the Commander said automatically with a smile.

He turned back around to face his plate as Gower’s gaze flickered to Anyssa. “I saw you talking to your historian. I hope I am not interrupting anything important.”

Cullen paused, waiting to see if McBride would say anything. When she didn’t, he offered, “We were just discussing her duties and what that might mean for your unit.”

Gower laughed as she cut up her food. “I highly doubt a historian could do anything for my unit. We are all well versed in the history of the Templars and Chantry. We all understand the Maker’s will and intentions. And I doubt battle tactics fall under her duties.”

“Addy, you needn’t dismiss her importance so quickly,” Cullen countered despite his current frustration with Anyssa. “She has helped the Order already.”

“Oh, and how? Writing the history of their demise by the Elder One?”

He sighed. “No. She is actively working with the dwarves to secure lost thaigs the Inquisition has discovered. In exchange for cataloging them and any artifacts we find, the dwarves had given the Inquisition a hefty discount on lyrium purchases. This benefits the Templars and the mages. Without her continued efforts, our lyrium supplies would be far less than they are.”

“But any diplomat can accomplish the same thing. Surely your ambassador is better suited to conduct such negotiations,” Gower replied without looking up.

“Anyssa has aided the Ambassador since Haven. She had forged strong relations with several parties, and they prefer dealing directly with her,” the Commander noted. “It helps Josephine as well. As the Inquisition grows, so does her duties.”

“Do you remember when we were still recruits? One of our instructors told us that the best Templars were those who devoted themselves wholly to being a Templar. If you try to be anything else you will not only fail yourself but the Maker,” Gower said. “I think by spreading yourself thin, you do the same thing. You take on too many duties that are outside your station you end up doing yourself a disservice as well as the Inquisition.”

“That’s not what Anyssa is doing. She—”

“She can speak for herself.” Anyssa interrupted firmly.

“Ah, so you can. And what do you say?”

“I say that you do not know me, Knight-Captain. Perhaps we got off on the wrong foot last night. Perhaps what Cullen said was true, that you were tired from your long journey here and that you are not accustomed to working with civilians. Be that as it may, you will have to work with a variety of people here. And I am one of them. If you care to try again with the introductions, I am will to as well.”

Gower glanced up. “Why?”

Anyssa was visibly lost for words. Cullen opened his mouth to say something, but the Templar cut him off. “You are a historian. You have nothing that I need. You could not possibly understand what it is like to fight the enemy we face. You essentially are of no use to me. I however am of great use to you as I and my unit will keep you safe.”

“Adelaide—”

“Will you show me how you have the training of recruits set up here and the lyrium stores?” Gower said turning her attention to Cullen. “I need to know if my men can participate or need to train separately, and I need to be reassured that you have the lyrium stored safely. The Templars should take precedence over…others.”

“I can but the lyrium is rationed out equally,” the Commander replied as he watched Anyssa stand up taking her full plate of food with her. “Nyssa, where are you going?”

“I believe I’ve lost my appetite,” she replied as she turned and walked away.

“Anyssa!” he called after her as she disappeared into the crowd.

“Let her go,” Gower said. “We have more important things to attend to than the feelings of your little historian.”

Cullen clenched his jaw. Breakfast had not gone at all as he had wanted it to. Now he was frustrated and worried about Anyssa in addition to being angry with Adelaide. They were supposed to have gotten along or so he had thought. Obviously, that wasn’t happening at the moment. Maybe he could work things out between them.

He picked at his food as he said, “I will help acquaint you with the routines and protocols we have here at Skyhold. But I must ask you to please refrain from demeaning Inquisition personal.”

“Oh, that’s sweet,” Gower cooed. “You care about the little historian’s feelings.”

“Adelaide,” the Commander said in a warning tone.

“Fine. But if she can’t handle the truth of being a soldier, how will she ever handle the truth of your past?”

Cullen had no answer. It was a question he had asked himself often and had never reached an answer. All he did know what that Anyssa remained in his life even knowing what she did. But what if she knew more? Would he be able to keep her in his life and would he ever be able to tell her about the growing feelings he had for her?

#wip meme #dragon age #Cullen Rutherford #anyssa mcbride #cullen rutherford x fem oc