#c: cullen

[fadewalking]

It's... A book. That meaning, it's a package very clearly in the shape of a book, and with the wight of a book. In lieu of anything new to wrap it with, the gift has been carefully folded up in a square of worn red and gold fabric. Despite it's age the fabric is still strong, color fading at the edges where a golden design had once been.

The book itself is far older than the fabric Cullen had wrapped it in, the leather of it's bindings aged and cracking, any lettering that had once been so proudly displayed now worn completely from it's surface. On the outside, the book is indecipherable.

But on the inside?

The words are clearly Elvhen from some age past. Tucked inside is a scrap of plain undyed and unadorned fabric, folded carefully over a small handwritten note.

' I recalled seeing this book in the library at Kinloch recently. It never left the shelf other than the few times I flipped through the pages, but I was still surprised to see it here after my inquiry. I had it retrieved for you. For your Name Day. '

-- C. Rutherford. '

If the note were to be flipped there is a small secondary scribble on the back, still in the commanders handwriting, but written quickly as though an afterthought.

' I do not know the contents of this book. If it's of an offending nature, I apologize in advance. As a young templar I thought the illustrations charming. '

It's Solas' Name Day (kinda) // @duete

Solas was surprised to find the carefully wrapped artefact sitting on his desk as he entered his rotunda. He unwrapped it with ceremony, folding the fabric into the shape of a neat triangle and which he set aside with equal care. He brushed his fingers across the indecipherable cover, trying to see if he could discern anything from it, which he could not.

He opened the book, and out slipped the letter, which he skillfully caught before it hit the ground. Setting the book back down, he unfolded it with the same meticulous attention before reading its contents. There was his second surprise. The gift had come from their lion-hearted commander.

He arched a brow at the unexpected gesture. That Cullen would think to recognize the day he'd haphazardly thrown a dart at was... well, it was something.

Next, fate would find its whimsy to surprise him with a gift from Dorian, then perhaps Vivienne.

Not only was it something, but it was also something rather thoughtful. He turned the letter over where he saw the hasty scrawl of post-script, and could not help a faintly amused lift at the corners of his lips.

He set the note atop its cloth wrapping, and properly addressed the book itself. From the first page he flipped to, he could roughly interpret the volume's origin and context. It was not from his time, but from the era when the remnants of his people still clung to ground at Halamshiral. The tome chronicled the Elvhen warriors of that age. Their armors, magicks, and a selection of tales of triumphed battles. It was no wonder Cullen was drawn to its illustrations.

Charming, indeed.

He smoothed his index finger across one of the portraits of an Elvhen warrior, and thought of home.

Cullen would need a proper thanks.

[quiisquiliae]

She pulled her cloak snug around her, wishing for another layer. The temperature was dropping fast, noticeable even in the time she had been conversing with Cullen now that the sun had set. While she was far less prone to fussing about it than Dorian (who always had a smart remark any time they went anywhere with even a slight chill), Ostwick hadn't been especially cold. They usually only received a dusting of snow, and maybe once a year were lucky enough to get enough sticking to the ground for a snowman or a snowball fight.

"After a certain point, I'm afraid it's all just 'cold' to me," she said with a smile. "We never had snow like this in Ostwick, and even Val Royeaux when I was studying at the university, it still never seemed to be this cold. It's... an experience."

If freezing your ass off on a daily basis was to be considered 'an experience' anyways.

His gaze flickers back to the windows, acknowledging the darkness settling in slowly once more. With the temperature dropping steadily, he was sure the walk would be a tad more treacherous than normal. Her acceptance of his offer was a relief in itself, as he would have acquiesced to her desire if she chose to embark alone. As it was, she had agreed and his smile grew slightly. 

“ Of course Inquisitor. I would be delighted to accompany you ” Cullen turns from her to reach for once of the torches attached to the wall, carefully lifting it from the metal casing that held it. It afforded him a moment to hide the way his face softens slightly, his composure returning to him as he met her gaze once more. “ This should keep the steps well lit. But mind your step ” 

Cullen opens the door slowly, allowing a slight gust of frigid air to sneak its way in. The fire on the torch shudders slightly but endures, the Commander waiting for her to exit before he follows suit. He closes the door behind them, using the torch to keep their path well lit as they proceed down the battlements. “ I used to think Haven was rather cold, but Skyhold has certainly changed my mind ”

[janevolturi]

the way that bella freaks out over the tour group being murdered by vampires like. ok, i get it she doesn't exactly want to be a monsterfucker she's just an edwardfucker and wants to be with him in any way possible. but like the fact that it doesn't at all cause her conflict in deciding to become a vampire a chapter later is uhhh... as aro would say... fascinating

[edwardsdeathcabcd]

alexa, play Flightless Bird, American Mouth by Iron & Wine

[cheriecelestial]

Jacob Black’s Self Saving System and His Shenanigans™️

[fereldanwench]

in your heart shall burn

pillowfort | twitter | instagram | ao3 ⚠️ do not reupload or edit my shots without my permission ⚠️  

[shivunin]

Burying the Lede

Rating: E

Fandom: Dragon Age II/Dragon Age Inquisition

Pairing: Cullen Rutherford/Female Lavellan

Tags: Developing Relationship, Mystery, Pre-Dragon Age: Inquisition, Post-Dragon Age II, Kirkwall, Minor Fenris/Female Hawke, Mage Lavellan, Eventual Smut, Alternate Universe - 1920s, Canon-Typical Violence, Lyrium Addiction, Fantasy Racism, POV Multiple

Prologue and Chapter 1 posted now!

Summary:

In order to shake her sister free of Kirkwall's hungry streets, Latharia Lavellan has a debt to pay. Her work as an investigative reporter at the Kirkwall Herald keeps them above water, but the clock is ticking and it's only a matter of time before the city comes to collect. With his former commanding officer dead and the city in shambles, Cullen is left in charge of Kirkwall's Templars. It is already a heavy responsibility, but the city's never-ending horrors and his own growing doubts about the Order test his resolve. When he is presented with a problem that he does not have the authority to solve, he reaches out to someone he knows will not stop asking the hard questions. A 1920s(ish) AU set between Dragon Age II and Inquisition.

Snippet:

There were smears of blood at the corner of the page; he wondered if she’d noticed them when she left them behind. Again, he remembered her as he’d seen her when he’d crept into that room in the warehouse, eyes flashing, chin defiant, hands bound behind her. He had thought she looked indomitable; it wasn’t until he’d turned and found her half-gone that he’d realized she was in such a bad way.  And now she’d gone off somewhere alone, injured, because she had been unwilling to admit that she needed his help. He should have expected no less.  A muscle ticked in his jaw. The letter fit neatly in his pocket once he pulled the keys to the car out, and then he was closing the door and starting it up without consideration for the last sentence she’d written.  He may have botched this whole affair, but Cullen always kept his promises.  Even when it was too late for them to matter.

[ghcstpyre]

Can you write something with cullen brushing the readers hair? It's a cute concept to me 🫶🫶 thank u

thank you so much for the request! sorry it's taken me so long to get round to it - life has been kicking my ass :')

content: cullen x reader / inquisitor!reader / gn!reader / fluff

"You know, you're better at this than I thought you'd be."

Your shoulders were slumped, void of tension for what felt like the first time in a while as you let your body sink back into the chair at your dresser. A soft, brassy chuckle came from the man standing behind you and his careful hands paused their motions.

"It's difficult to not pick up on these sorts of things when you grow up with two sisters." Cullen replied, the corners of his mouth quirking upwards as his hands resumed their work.

Thanks to the Commander, the bristles of your hairbrush combed gently through your hair, making sure not to snag harshly on any knots. The hand that wasn't gripping the brush handle held onto your hair a few inches from the tips, his grip tightening and loosening when needed as he worked the bristles through the ends of your hair and gradually made his way upwards.

You were too relaxed to think of a witty remark and instead let a happy little sigh slip past your lips as the bristles got closer to your scalp. It wasn't often that you and Cullen got a quiet moment together like this - being the Inquisitor and Commander respectively left little room for any downtime, let alone any downtime together - so you were determined to savour every precious second of it.

Once Cullen was sure he'd gotten rid of any little knots, he began steadily dragging the bristles of the brush through your hair from root to tip, the fingers of his free hand following close behind, combing them through your freshly washed locks.

When you asked him to brush your hair after you'd finished bathing, Cullen had been worried about the evidence of battle he might find upon your pretty head; singed hair from the fire spell of a rebel Mage, a bruise from the pommel of a Templar sword, or a scratch from a wretched Shade demon. He was more than relieved however when he found nothing of the sort. Instead you were simply knackered down to the bone from your travels and fed up with the pettiness, fickleness and rudeness of the Orlesian nobility. He could see it in the dark circles around your eyes and the way you dragged your feet upon re-entering Skyhold.

You'd choose battling demons over playing The Game any day (much to Josephine's dismay).

A content hum left your mouth and your eyes slipped shut as Cullen continued to work wonders on your weary head. The quietness of your chambers in Skyhold was a welcome reprieve from the hustle and bustle of Orlais, as was the warm, welcoming embrace of the Commander. Your Commander.

"Mm...remind me to thank your sisters when I meet them."

Another hearty chuckle sounded from behind you and the wonderful tingling sensation of your hair being brushed finally stopped, causing you to whine weakly in protest. Cullen's free hand moved from your hair to rest on your left shoulder as he leaned over your right to place the hairbrush back down on your dresser. His head dipped down to level with yours as he leaned back from the dresser and pressed his lips to the soft skin of your cheek in a gentle kiss, his stubble feeling a little prickly against your face - not that you minded.

"I'm sure I can manage that." Cullen's voice was low and soft. His hazel eyes flicked down to your lips before he leaned in once again, his mouth finally finding yours after weeks of being apart.

[fadewalking]

"That is obviously not good enough, considering."

" I already told everyone that I sleep naked, what else do you want from me? "

[fadewalking]

@duete liked for a one-liner. from Solas

"You have been staring, Commander. Have I offended you?"

[janevolturi]

"If I hadn't seen him undressed, I would have sworn there was nothing more beautiful than Edward in his khakis and pale beige pullover."

[lexcella]

( 3 / ? ) ✦ Mirein y Auspicia Calohan en @kaelkoth —in holy matrimony.

[jjanguri]

RICKY SHEN • Loyalty

[alilaro]

okay listen but can you imagine witch!Aro like losing Didyme, the only other person with powers like himself, then going through the Salem trials of burnings, drownings, and brick bitings, etc and finding "witch twins" Jane and Alec? Twins just like himself and Didyme.

Then even after he saves them from a burning pyre, outside of all the human superstition and religious prosecution, vampires all over the world, his own kind, after his thousands of years, and the twins centuries, being subjected to the same thing? As their father figure, being so helpless to stop rumors spreading like wildfire, and of course back at himself.

.....things to ponder over

[the-jackalope-coffee-co]

with the mysterious mcr post of nonsensical symbols, and several people stating that at least one is from baseball, I've cracked the code

the confetti flakes are grayish, almost like tv static, a washed out color similar to black parade perhaps, which was all about death and following the revenge era aesthetic of vampires and undead

and the last symbol is still pretty close to an R, or an arrow, for misdirection or rewriting what's been ripped up

so clearly, this is all symbols that they regret not joining the likes of Muse and Paramore in the twilight verse, and they will in fact be joining the official soundtrack of Midnight Sun on Netflix, reveling finally, in that sweet sweet Vampire Money

[quiisquiliae]

She laughed softly. "It's early still. Well..." She followed his gaze out the window at the fast fading light. Ok. Maybe early was cutting it, but she wasn't exactly known for sleeping at reasonable times. More like falling asleep in a chair in the library, or being found by the cooks asleep in the basement study with the candles burning low while they went to prepare breakfast for the keep.

"Maybe you have a point," she smiled, setting the empty cup down on a corner of his desk. "I wouldn't object to the company if you aren't busy."

Maker please don't let that sound too forward.

     A flicker of surprise crosses over his face, a soft chuckle soon following as he shakes his head. Cullen did not intend to accuse her of such, simply attempting to acknowledge her own struggles as well. Or was it a way to deflect from his own? He hesitates briefly before crossing over, standing beside her with a fond smile. “ You didn’t. I think they call it empathy? The troops sometimes claim I am in severe lack of it ” 

     He would admit to being a harsh Commander but for good reason - their enemies would be worse. The Inquisition’s army had to be ready from the coming threats be they demons or darkspawn. Though it had grown harder to tell if it was intentional on his part or a side effect of his lyrium withdrawal rearing its head. 

          “ I…appreciate it. Maker knows we need a bit of a reprieve from the stress these days ” his gaze leaves her for a moment, lingering on the window instead. A bit of snow falls lazily, clinging to the frost-coated glass. It was getting darker by the second. “ Did you need an escort back to your room? I’m sure you can handle yourself but its getting quite dark ”