*Cullen's POV*

We receive word that the Inquisitor is injured and returning to Skyhold an hour before she arrives. I'm waiting on the walls and as soon as I see a horse, I'm heading down the stairs to stand before the open gate. Armor glints in the sun and I know it's Cassandra before she rides in and slides off her horse without stopping. My breath stalls in my chest at the blood splattered over her face and smeared over her hands. Maker, preserve me.

"Where is she? What happened?" I ask instantly as she pushes me back towards the stairs.

"They're right behind me. She's wounded, badly, and Solas has done what he can but her chances are better here."

For once, her familiar, harsh accent does nothing to soothe me. Irritation flares in my chest as she keeps trying to herd me backward before I stand my ground with eyes affixed to the bridge for their arrival. "Why didn't you take her with you as you rode ahead? Why isn't she here, now?" My voice raises and I know I'll regret it later, but can't bring myself to care until I see her here and safe.

Cassandra's brows pinch, but determination shines bright in her eyes. "She doesn't want you to see her." My gaze snaps to hers and she frowns at whatever she sees in my eyes. "The wound is grievous, but she'll survive. She doesn't want you to see her this way. I gave her my word that I would keep you away—"

"You will do no such thing—"

"It's what she asked of me, Cullen. I will keep my word." Her voice is steel and panic begins to rise in my chest as I hear hoofbeats on the bridge. The need to see her wars with the knowledge that I'll have to fight my way through Cassandra to do it. She pushes me back again as the horses arrive and I barely see a glimpse of the Inquisitor in Solas's arms, red splashed across her face like paint, before Cassandra steps into my field of view.

I groan in frustration and my hand goes to the handle of my sword before I've realized what I've done. Cassandra is unfazed and rests her hand on her sword as well. "If that is what it takes to keep you here, so be it." My indecision costs me precious moments and when I look back over, she's already being carried inside and out of sight.

I curse and release my grip on my sword. "The healers will lock us all out of her rooms now." Adrenaline fades from my limbs now that she's well and truly out of my reach while restless worry takes its place.

Cassandra relaxes her stance as well with a nod. "As they should. They need space to work and have no need for your protective growling or endless questions."

"Leaving you with both." I counter, the threat bringing a small smile to her face.

"As expected. I will tell you everything while we wait for news." Her hand is firm on my shoulder and I reluctantly follow her up the stairs towards my office.

"Did she also make you promise to keep an eye on me while they worked?" The look she tosses me over her shoulder confirms my suspicion and I release a humorless chuckle.

"She knows you well. Although I believe her exact words were 'keep him from breaking down my door.'" Cassandra specifies as we duck inside my office and I offer her a mug of water to clean the blood off her hands and face. I can only stand to wait a handful of moments before I have to know.

"Tell me what happened. Everything."

Cassandra sighs, but nods once. She settles on a stool while I pace and generally try not to go mad with wanting to see her. The Seeker is clinical in her description and I'm grateful to have her lilting voice to focus on rather than the images she describes. Apparently, there was a group of templars, our templars, who went after some bandits and got trapped in a dead end with bears lurking in the area outside. They went in to get them out and were followed in by a particularly angry male. When it charged for the scouts, the Inquisitor stood her ground and put all she had into a freezing spell, but it wasn't enough. She took the brunt of the attack while the templars got out.

"Of course, she would." She would choose the most foolish, brave, self-sacrificing path available to her if it meant saving others. It's Haven all over again. My hand falls from rubbing my eyes. "And her injuries?"

The Seeker grimaces. "Grizzly." She makes a disgusted noise. "Pun not intended. There's a large gash on her thigh and the opposing shoulder. Solas said it was a miracle that no arteries were punctured or torn."

My head shakes. "Maker's breath." I've seen a few bear attacks in my time and none were pretty. Few came away with their lives and fewer survived with all their limbs attached. No doubt this story will spread through the inquisition like wildfire. Not only a mage defending templars, but the Inquisitor herself.

Cassandra tugs in a breath with fingers smoothing over her palm. "The more I am around her, the more I see his hand. She was still lucid after the attack. She gave no thought to her wounds and instead took my arm to drag me down to where she lay on the ground. She asked after the templars first, if they got out, if they were safe, then gave orders for them to run back to camp and send a raven here. Even as Solas fought to keep the blood in her body, her grip on me never wavered as she made me swear to her terms." She sighs and looks back up at me. "I've never seen the like."

"I certainly can't blame you for agreeing." I'd seen her charm a room full of nobles within a single evening. She could certainly convince me to do anything she wished with only a smile. "Although why she asked is a mystery to me." I rest back against my desk as Cassandra stands, rolling her shoulders. She must be tired from her journey, yet I'm glad for her company. It's better than letting my worries and worst thoughts consume me alone.

"To that, I have an answer as well." She prefaces and I raise a brow before she goes on. "She was under the impression that the sight of her in such a state might...haunt you. She didn't want to appear in your nightmares." The explanation knocks the breath out of me. Even torn asunder, her thoughts were for me, on how her pain might affect me, not her. Maker, nothing I've ever done or could do would make me worthy of this woman.

"I'm going to her," I state, glancing over at Cassandra. "Even if it's only to sit in front of her door until it opens. I'm going."

She sighs and nods once. "I will go with you." I nod once and realize that perhaps she hadn't only made Cassandra promise to look after me for my sake, but also so the Seeker wouldn't worry either.

It's a relief to move through the halls towards a destination. Even if we're to meet a dead end. We enter the hall and I'm surprised to find Varric entertaining a few of the Inquisitor's companions at his usual table beside the fire. "Come to join the waiting party, Curly?" Varric greets me and I don't even have it in me to be annoyed at the nickname. "Tiny, Buttercup, and the Hero were here too, but they don't have it in them to sit and wait. Think the two warriors are beating each other up outside while Buttercup wreaks havoc in the kitchens. Andraste help whoever has to clean up her mess." He shakes his head as he looks over the chess board in front of him before nudging a piece forward.

"No news yet," Dorian answers the question on my mind as he travels across the whole board in one move. "Checkmate. Are you even trying?" He sasses and Varric shrugs.

"I'm more of a Wicked Grace kind of dwarf." His eyes return to me. "Care to try your hand? I'm sure Sparkler here would welcome a challenge."

"No, I've no interest in—"

"The man looks positively frantic, dear. Chess is the last thing on his mind." Vivienne comments from the balcony above and gives me a lazy wave as I glance up at her.

Cassandra huffs. "Games are beside the point. How are you all receiving news?" Just as she finishes the sentence, a thin figure appears between Varric and Dorian.

"Fasta vass!" Dorian swears with a hand smoothing over his face when he sees it's only Cole.

Varric perks up instantly. "Alright, kid, what did you hear?"

"You're sending him in to spy on the Inquisitor?" I ask, mouth open in shock.

The dwarf waves a hand at me. "Just this once. We've talked about it and agreed it's only okay when I ask."

"That is not—"

"Hush." Dorian quiets me and despite the questionable morality of it, I shut my mouth to hear what Cole has to say.

"Pain. Bright, sharp, tearing skin, hot breath. Metal in my mouth, in my nose, blood, my blood, Maker, is this all my blood? More pain, but it's different this time. Small shocks instead of sharp tears, cool hands against the burning pain, healers doing their work. Safe. Everyone is safe. Cullen. Tell him his soldiers are safe. Our soldiers. Young templars, eager to please, all their hope in the cause, just like I imagined him to be—"

"Alright, kid, that's enough. Thanks." Varric's eyes are on my hands as they curl into fists. "Sounds like the healers are doing their jobs, Curly. I'm sure she'll be fine."

"She was thinking of me," I mutter, my eyes burning into the table. "She was so foolish because they reminded her of me."

"I'm going to stop you right there, Commander," Dorian interjects and my gaze lifts to his. "As much as I enjoy a good pity party, although not up to my usual standards, I can't allow this one. Even if you weren't what you are to her, she would have done the same thing. She simply would have had another reason." The teasing lilt leaves his voice and the rare sincerity from him sobers me. My fists loosen a bit.

"He's right, Cullen." Cassandra agrees from my side. "She's a good leader because she cares for all under her. Templars, mages, and everyone else."

Cole vanishes and reappears in the middle of the table, crossing his legs under him. "We ran into a man possessed the other day. She tried to speak to the spirit. Telling it that it could leave. It was too late, but she was kind anyway. It didn't make a difference, but I'll remember. Solas too."

"Thank you, everyone. I know." I look at the small group and take a breath. She might care too much at times, but that care earns her loyalty. It's the reason her soldiers go to such lengths for her, why her friends are gathered at a table worrying for her. It's part of why I follow her and part of why I love her.

"Why don't you take a seat, Curly? You too, Seeker. We'll play a game of Wicked Grace while we wait. You need all the practice you can get for the next time you're against our ambassador, anyway." Varric winks at me before I turn my head towards her door at the end of the hall.

Cassandra gains my attention with a hand on my arm. "Sit. The distraction will do us both some good." She doesn't seem to be asking. Sighing, I settle down next to Varric and across from Dorian while Cassandra takes the seat next to me with a wary look at Cole still on the table.

"Glad to see you coming around to me, Seeker." Varric teases and Cassandra makes a disgusted noise. "Since I can't bring myself to take any more of Curly's money, we'll play for peanuts." He gestures to the bowl in the center of the table that Cole nudges towards us.

The game goes on for an hour before we receive any news and it's a good thing someone interrupts because I'm relatively sure Vivienne is helping Dorian cheat from the balcony above. "Solas." Cole breathes and we all look up to see the elf walking across the room with a towel to wipe away the blood staining his pale hands. I'm on my feet in a moment along with Cassandra, but he stills us with an outstretched hand.

"She is as well as can be expected. She needs rest, not crowds swarming her, but I have little doubt that she will recover. With time." Relief floods me so potently that I nearly fall to my knees to thank the Maker that very instant.

"When can we see her, Chuckles?" Varric asks the question on all of our minds.

Solas shakes his head. "No guests until at least tomorrow. Certainly none that would disturb her rest." He shoots a pointed look at Dorian and Varric. "Commander, if I might have a moment?" He walks a few feet away from the others and I follow without hesitation. "You may attend her, but I must impress upon you the importance of her rest. She also should not move much. There are labeled bottles on her desk in case she needs any, but I will return tomorrow to see how she might have improved."

My brows furrow. "What happened to no guests?"

He smiles softly. "You are not a guest." He inclines his head towards me before walking towards his rotunda and I waste only a moment before turning back to Cassandra. There's already a small smile on her face.

"Go. Tell her we wish her well." She waves me onward as I nod.

"Thank you." The words carry more weight than their simple meaning and she nods once before waving me out. I rush to her door and don't hesitate to walk through, up the stairs, then finally set eyes on her.

Someone had cleaned the blood off her, but I can't see most of the damage to her body because of the lightweight blanket cast over her. I can see the bandages wrapped around her left shoulder and even asleep, her body seems stiff. Usually, she sleeps curled up into a little ball, but I suppose her injuries make that impossible for now. My steps are quiet as I walk over and watch the steady rise and fall of her chest before I fall to my knees. "Thank the Maker, you're alright. Thank the Maker, you're safe." I murmur and glance at her peaceful face as tears prick the back of my eyes.

*     *     *

I bring a chair over from the fireside and there I stay the rest of the day and into the night. Food arrives from the kitchens along with work from my desk that I'm glad to work on. More than likely a collaboration between the spymaster and ambassador. When night falls, I doze on and off, my worry waking me up every other hour to check on her steady breathing. On one of these occasions, I wake to find her eyes open and trained on me. I do a double take and she grins.

"Evening, Commander." She greets me, her voice scratchy from sleep. Her name slips from my lips like a prayer as I reach forward and gently slide my hand under hers, careful not to jostle her. "Why aren't you in bed with me?"

I huff a disbelieving laugh. "You're joking."

Her head shakes. "What's the point of getting injured if I can't even get any snuggles out of it? And you're still in your armor?" She taps a finger against the vambrace covering my forearm.

"I didn't think about it. And I can't lay with you because I'm not willing to risk aggravating your injuries. Or get kicked out by the healers coming in the morning."

"Spoilsport." She counters and I smile. It's a relief to hear her voice, to have her tease me like it's any other day. "Why don't you take off your armor, then sit on the bed with me for a bit?"

"You should be sleeping." I scold weakly while her thumb smooths over my knuckles.

"I've been sleeping. Sit on the bed with me until I fall asleep again." She tempts and I sigh.

"Very well." I bend down and press a light kiss to her fingers before standing and starting the slow process of removing my armor. She had a mannequin brought up here after so much time spent in her room and I feel her eyes on me as I strip down to my simple cotton shirt and pants. I walk back over and settle on the barest edge of the bed before taking her hand again. "How do you feel?"

She takes a deep breath and shrugs her good shoulder. "Alright. Considering. Although I would feel even better if you were actually close enough to touch."

My head shakes. "I'm trying to be careful. I was barely allowed in here after you assigned Cassandra to look after me."

She manages to look slightly chastened even if there's no regret in her eyes. "She needed a task to keep her focused and I didn't want you to see me...that way. I didn't want you to have another memory, especially one of me, that would hurt you."

"You think of others too much."

She raises a brow. "Commander, you barely think of anything other than the cause and the soldiers under your command. All I can hope is that you spare me a thought now and then."

I chuckle quietly as our fingers tangle. "You occupy far too many of my thoughts as it is. Any more and I would hardly be any use to you at all."

"Mm. Maybe you wouldn't be much use to the inquisition, but I could think of quite a few uses for a man who could only think of me." She tugs lightly on my hand and I can't help but blush even as I smile. "Come on, move a little closer. This hip is uninjured." I can't resist giving her what she wants and I move so my hip is against hers and my thigh is pressed against her torso. It's worth the risk to see her sigh happily with our hands raising to rest on my knee.

"How extensive are they? Your injuries." My voice is quiet and she squeezes my fingers in reassurance.

"You're welcome to look. They're covered in bandages for now, as you can see, and will probably stay that way for a while. Here." She reaches down with her other arm and pulls the blanket aside to pool on her stomach as she reveals her hip. It's nothing but white bandages. Not a bit of skin.

"Sweet Maker." I breathe and reach over to barely let my fingers skim the wrappings. She tugs in a sharp breath and I jerk away only for her to laugh.

"Just kidding." She pats my knee while I heave a calming breath. "I'm tied together with tape and spit, as Varric would say." She pulls down the blankets to reveal more of the cloth covering her right shoulder.

"But you're not in pain?"

A fond smile tugs on her lips. "No. Solas gave me something for the pain earlier and said it would last the night. Everyone is okay, right?" My hand smooths over hers perched on my knee.

"Everyone is fine. They all made it back without a scratch. Although we were all close to storming in here to see you."

"With you at the front, I'm sure."

"If Cassandra let me."

She chuckles before falling quiet, eyes roving over my face. "I'm glad you're here. I don't like neglecting my duties, but coming back a week early means I get to see you."

I scoff. "You're hardly neglecting your responsibilities. You're injured and it's now your job to get better."

"Says the man who was at his desk early when he was sick."

"It was a minor cold."

"It had you hacking up a lung every five minutes!"

"Yes, well...it was still more minor than a bear attack."

"You have me there." She allows and we both go quiet again.

I lean forward to hold her fingers to my lips again before she slides her hand onto my cheek and I hold it there for a few breaths. "I heard what you did. How you got these injuries."

She hums, her thumb dipping down to skim the scar on my lip as she smiles a bit. "They reminded me of what you must have been like at that age. The templars. All the hope, wonder, and awe of serving something bigger than them, something they truly believed was right, was scrawled across their faces the moment they saw me. Then they started talking about you." Her smile sweetens. "How much you inspired them, how you toiled with the soldiers at Haven, how strong and brave and humble you are. They even asked what you're like when you're not commanding armies." My hand falls from hers as she smooths a few errant hairs behind my ear.

"They love you. So when the bear came charging in, I couldn't let them risk getting hurt. Not any more than I could tear my own heart out of my chest." Her hand slips down to rest on my chest over my heart. It's the truest declaration of love I've ever heard. To love someone so much that seeing others that love them in pain causes pain in them. "Will you forgive me?" She whispers and pulls on my shirt so I lean nearer, my forehead resting lightly against hers.

"You've done nothing to require my forgiveness. In fact, despite your recklessness, I'm uncertain if I've ever loved you more." She smiles and I bend to taste it, keeping a hand on the wall behind her to make sure none of my weight is on her. Her lips are sweet, soft, and the short kiss does more to soothe me than I'll ever admit. When we part, her hand holding my shirt doesn't let me go far.

"You like my recklessness a little bit." She teases and my head shakes with disapproval, but there's a smile on my lips.

"Not in the field."

"I should stop tugging you into the shadows and alcoves to kiss you then?"

"...Skyhold is not the field," I state reluctantly and she giggles, her spirits high despite the damage to her body. "I was worried for you today. I nearly got into a fight with Cassandra when she wouldn't let me see you."

Her eyes widen. "Really? I told her to keep you away, but I hadn't thought she would really fight you over it."

I chuckle. "You underestimate how seriously she takes an oath. I'm lucky she didn't knock me out on sight."

She hums and her hand lifts to my face once again. "I'm lucky. Lucky to have such dedicated friends, lucky today didn't go as badly as it could have, and lucky you're here."

"I'm the lucky one," I murmur and press another light kiss to her lips before pulling back and pulling the blankets back over her. "But you'll be cursing that luck when morning comes and you're assailed by a barrage of well wishes and attention. Not to mention there will be no getting rid of me until you're well."

Her eyes shut as she relaxes back into the bed. "And I'm supposed to be upset about...what?" I laugh softly again and soak in the smile on her face. Especially when it remains long after she's fallen asleep.

Word Count-3,943

*A/N*

Cullen and Cassandra are one of my favorite BrOTPS, so it was so much fun to write them. Cullen and Dorian as well. And yes, I think Varric is actually good at chess but simply didn't care about the game at the time.

There will more than likely be a second part because I had so much fun with this! I also want to see Cullen smirking as the Inquisitor is showered with attention and gifts while she glares at him with a pout. ;)

Keep reading, lovelies!