I leave Dorian feeling warm and fuzzy, mostly from his company and a little bit from the wine. The walk up towards Cullen's office feels longer than usual. It could be because I'm taking the slowest steps known to man, but my pace picks up when I'm passing through Solas' rotunda and a messenger from the hall gives me a wink with a slow thumbs up. Andraste's tits, please let no one have done the same thing to Cullen. He's never going to forgive me for this.

Our relationship has basically been an open secret for a while now, but we had agreed not to say anything. Then I go screaming about it in the middle of the yard. Maker help me.

I'm jogging now and my knock on his door isn't light. He sighs from within. "What?" I take a breath before easing the door open and even if I'm not sure how he feels at the moment, the sight of him working diligently over his desk brings a soft smile to my face. "If you're here to make a comment on the Inquisitor and I's relationship, I'd suggest you reconsider." His voice deepens in the way that usually sends tingles trickling through my body, but this time all I feel is guilt.

"That bad, huh?" I venture and give him a sheepish smile when his head lifts.

His shoulders loosen at the sight of me as he straightens up, letting the paper in his hands fall onto his desk. "I've received multiple congratulations, numerous dirty looks, and one indecent proposal from a recruit who is now shoveling manure in the stables. It's ridiculous." He crosses his arms over his chest while I shut the door behind me and walk over to set the wine bottle on his desk.

"I'm so sorry." I put all my emotions into the words. "I hadn't intended for it to come out like that. I hadn't intended to say anything at all, but they were saying all these things and I got so worked up and you were up there looking after me and you were so sweet and I just...I just lost it." My hand lifts to rub over tired eyes. "I didn't mean to make things difficult for you." I let my hand fall as I look back over at him and clasp my hands together as he slowly rounds the desk, then stops beside me.

"After all I've put you through, did you truly think that I would be upset by something as slight as this?" He asks softly and lifts a hand to smooth over my cheek.

"You're not upset?" I whisper and he gifts me a tender smile as I lay my hand over his, keeping it pressed against my face.

"Of course not. I'm annoyed that others think they can comment on something that isn't their business, but that's hardly new. I only ever wanted to keep things quiet to make things less difficult for you."

"Less difficult for me?" I repeat and shake my head. "Oh, Cullen, I would have shouted it from the courtyard months ago if I knew that was the reason! I'm friends with Dorian and Sera. If I can take their teasing and poking around my business, then I can handle anyone else. I was keeping it quiet for you!" We both laugh and it's a relief to hear after everything today.

"Seems we've both been foolish." He remarks and all my worries seem to fade away as he leans forward to press his forehead to mine. "Although, what you said wasn't entirely accurate." He continues and pulls away while I raise a brow. His small smile takes on a mischievous glint and his voice drops to the tone I love. "I believe I straddle you far more than you straddle me."

A breathless laugh leaves me as I lean back against the desk, his body in front of me. "Would you like me to make an amendment? I'll shout it from the ramparts if you like."

His grin widens. "I think we've given Skyhold enough gossip for today. I'd rather keep you here to myself." His hands trail down my body to settle on my hips while mine rest in the thick fur over his shoulders.

"You'll receive no objection from me," I murmur and press my lips to his to finally taste that familiar smile. The kiss is soft, caring, a reassurance after a rough day. When we part, I keep my eyes shut to just breathe him in and soak in his closeness while he's near.

"I was worried for you earlier."

"I gathered that from your ever-vigilant watch from the archway." I tease and his cheeks tint the palest shade of pink.

"Yes, well, I wanted to make sure I was there if you needed me." His eyes steady on mine as I reach up and lightly scrape my nails over the little hairs on the back of his neck. The same place he rubs so often.

"Your presence was greatly appreciated. Although I could have lived without you seeing me yell embarrassing things in front of the entire Inquisition."

"I've embarrassed myself in front of you enough that I think this was owed." Laughter coats his every word and I'm smiling even as I shake my head. "Besides, there were other things you said that I wouldn't have wanted to hear secondhand. Something about me being kind, gentle, strong, and the best thing in your life?" His voice is quiet and sweet, the same tone he uses to whisper sweet nothings in my ear when I'm nearly asleep or just waking.

I don't deny my words, instead keeping my gaze firmly locked on his molten eyes. "I meant it. You are all those things to me. And more."

He moves impossibly closer and I smirk as I recall another memory that started like this. "You are..." He struggles for a moment before sighing in defeat. "I love you." A grin lights up my face as it always does when he says those words.

"And I love you. Thank you for being there for me today and for letting me handle things in my own way."

He hums, but can't quite muster up his usual disapproval for my family while holding me. "I'm not sure I deserve your thanks. I held myself back by a thin margin. The only reason they didn't have an escort out is because Dorian was with you." I hum a quiet laugh and think to myself of the change I've seen since we met. Here he is holding a mage in his arms and trusting another, one from Tevinter no less, to watch my back.

"I'm proud of you." I pull back a bit so he can see my face clearly. "Of the man you are, of what you've overcome, that you're mine. I'm so proud."

He swallows and his warm brown eyes seem to glimmer slightly as he stares at me. "I...you..." He looks down at the floor for a moment and clears his throat before looking back at me with nothing but love in his gaze. "Maker knows what I did to deserve you." He whispers and gifts me a soft kiss, then another, then another, until I'm practically melting in his arms. "You said one other thing that caught my ear." He murmurs onto my skin as he presses his lips to my cheek.

"Hm?" I'm too caught up in him to give a proper response and when he speaks next, I can hear the smile in his voice.

"Something about last names." He reminds me and I'm so busy lamenting the loss of his lips on my skin that it takes a moment for his words to catch up to me. When they do, I blush.

"Oh, right." One day, I even hope I'll be able to throw your name to the wayside in exchange for his. My hands slide back to the thick fur around him as I bite my bottom lip. "I know we haven't exactly talked about that yet."

"Is that what you want?" He asks and my fingers flex in his ruff.

"I, um, well..." I take a breath to steady myself. This is Cullen. I keep my eyes on his when I answer. "Yes. That's something I want with you. Within the next five years, maybe?" My last sentence is tentative, but Cullen doesn't look shocked or afraid. Quite the opposite. He looks...happy. "Is that something you want?"

"Yes!" He exclaims and I grin before he goes on in a softer tone. "I mean, of course, I want that with you. Although I was thinking in a little less time. Within three years, perhaps." He amends my timeline and it feels as if my heart is flying.

"I could agree to that," I whisper onto his lips and this kiss quickly descends into something heated and hard. He lifts me up onto the desk and kisses me through my laughter at the familiar position. My legs part for him and his little groan when I wrap them around his hips has heat pooling in my stomach. However, both of us pause when there's a knock at the door.

Cullen groans again, this time out of annoyance, and I reach up to run my finger over his bottom lip. Whatever he was about to say is put on hold as our gazes lock and I smirk. "The Commander is indisposed at the moment!" I call out and my hands smooth over his cheeks as he blushes.

"In—Inquisitor! Of course, I—I'm sorry!" The messenger sounds frazzled and there's a wide smile on my face as they slide some papers under the door. Cullen shakes his head, but steps close once again and relaxes under my hands.

"I suppose there are a few upsides to being public." He allows as a soft smile tugs on his lips.

"How long do you think they'll leave us alone? An hour?" I venture and bite my lip when his hands squeeze my hips.

"Let's hope for two."

Word Count-1,637

*A/N*

This was shameless fluff and I won't apologize for it. <3