Chapter Text
Aurelie did not expect Morrigan to talk for so long. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she knew the witch was keeping her on purpose, and knew why Aurelie was so eager to leave. It wasn’t until night settled across Skyhold that Morrigan relented and released her. When she exited to the main hall, she found it empty, save for a few guards. She refrained from running to the door that led to her chambers. She still felt the excitement from what had occurred in the chantry pumping through her. Instead, she took slow steps across the floor, nodding her head politely as the soldiers on duty bid her a good night.
As soon as she crossed the threshold, she bounced up the stairs, taking two steps at a time. She wanted to see if Cullen had indeed come to her private chambers to wait for her. More importantly, she was looking forward to continuing where they left off. When she rounded the landing, she peeked over the banister only to find herself holding back any further noise. Cullen was in her room- his armor discarded in a neat pile on her sofa- while he lay outstretched in her bed. Instead of holding an alluring smirk like she had imagined while stuck in the war room, he was fast asleep.
Aurelie was careful to take slow steps as she entered her room. She smiled to herself as she noticed the steps Cullen had taken to set a certain ambiance. The fireplace had bit lit so a slow fire burned, her balcony doors closed to keep the cold air out, and perhaps their noise in. Aside from the fire, the moon was the only source of light, the pale white shining across the floor.
She reached her bureau and pulled out her nightgown, watching Cullen with a careful eye as she undressed. She moved, secretly hoping he’d wake up and catch her. It was an afterthought that she left her smallclothes with the rest of her day-clothes. She tugged the nightgown past her thighs before turning back to him. As soon as she changed, she stepped towards the side of the bed he occupied and sat in the small space between him and the edge. Aurelie watched him for a moment; the steady rise and fall of his chest, the slight twitch of a finger as he dreamt.
He had pulled one of her blankets over his legs, the edge resting right above his hips. Underneath, she realized, he was nude. She pursed her lips to hold back her sudden wave of delight at the sight. The anticipation she had felt while Morrigan spoke to her returned. Now, she had the object of her distraction before her, and she had to hold back from startling him awake with affection.
Still, she felt her own desires flooding forth. At first, she trailed her fingertips over his jaw, admiring the handsome features of his face. He was so peaceful when he slept without the plague of a nightmare, and she felt the guilt grab at her for wanting to spoil that. Aurelie leaned over him a fraction to leave a feather like kiss on the corner of his mouth. She moved her fingers over the scar on his lip afterwards. She always thought it was attractive on him, giving him a rugged look in contrast to his clean-cut charms.
The thick bandage around his shoulder reminded her he was still suffering from his injury in the Arbor Wilds. It was something she had forgotten considering his actions a few hours ago. She smiled and leaned over him again, this time leaving a soft kiss to his temple. She intended to leave it at that, but the moment she noticed the small smile pulling at his lips, she raised a curious eyebrow. Was he feigning sleep?
Slowly, she pressed another kiss to his brow, then his jaw, loving the feel of his stubble against her cheek. Cullen’s hand reached over her lap to her waist, but he kept his eyes closed. Aurelie skipped over his lips, making sure to breath out above them before lowering to his neck. As she leaned, she rested a hand on his chest, brushing her fingers over his muscles. She tasted the flesh of his neck, grinning when she finally coaxed a sigh from him.
“It’s late.” He spoke, voice laced with sleep. So he hadn’t been faking. “She kept you?” he asked.
Aurelie didn’t respond, instead leaving a small trail of kisses along his collarbone before glancing up at him. He was peering down at her with a curious expression, and after a moment, the hand on her waist squeezed. He was expectant. She thought about cracking a joke, to make him wait for what was to come, but her heartbeat was quickening with every moment. She wondered if this was how he felt when he grabbed at her in the chapel, when he pinned her to the door.
When she couldn’t come up with anything to say, she finally kissed him firm on the lips, smiling when he kissed back with fervor. He raised his hand from her waist to her back, holding her in place against him. She could feel him pulling her to the bed, and his body shifting to slide on top of her. Aurelie decided in that moment she wanted control for the rest of the evening.
She stilled him with her hand, pressing it to his stomach, smiling when she earned a soft gasp. His kiss slowed as her hand drifted down, fingers slipping past the blanket. Aurelie brushed her nails against his hip, and he shuttered- she knew he was ticklish there. Her hand found him a moment later, hard and throbbing. Cullen groaned into their kiss, pulling back to arch his head further into the pillow. She felt her chest swell, knowing only she could do that to him- for him.
She moved her hand, giving him a slow pump with a soft grip. She watched him, finding her own arousal increasing at the sight of his pleasure. With a tighter grip she pumped again, and again, tracing her thumb over the head of his cock. His hand fell back to her waist, his fingers digging into the fabric of her nightdress while his other gripped the sheet.
“A-Aurelie!” He had wedged his lip between his teeth and shut his eyes, hips bucking up to meet her movements as she sped up.
She licked her lips, kissing along his neck again as his breath labored. She kept her pace as she trailed downwards, smiling against his skin when he realized where she was heading. Aurelie pushed away the blanket with her free hand, adjusting herself so she was between his legs. The moment she kissed along his shaft, he was up on his elbows, eyes wide, mouth hanging open in alarm.
“Wh-what are you-“
His question went unfinished as she took him into her mouth, moving her hand away as she lowered her head down. It was something she had never done before, but had advice from parties she was too embarrassed to think about in the moment. Cullen had been more than willing to use his mouth on more than one occasion now, and she felt it was only fair. No- she retracted; she wanted to do this- she wanted to make him feel just as wonderful as he made her feel when they made love.
Aurelie felt one of his hands meet the side of her face and she glanced up from under her lashes. She paused to admire his breathless expression as she sucked lightly. He was looking straight at her, eyes full of wonder. It was new for him too, she thought. She kept her gaze on his as she pressed her tongue up, swirling it around his length as she pulled back before bobbing her head back down. She changed her pace then, speeding up and slowing down in small increments. His head rolled back again, and his fingers gripped a handful of her hair. She could only smile- she did the same thing to him in past encounters.
“I…Aurelie,” he swallowed hard, and she slowed when his fingers pushed at her chin. “Up- up…”
When she ignored him, he pulled her away. Aurelie was about to protest when he leaned forward to claim her mouth with his own. His tongue pushed past her lips as his hands reached to grip her hips. He was moving, sliding his hands around her as he shifted her across the bed. Aurelie caught her breath as he pulled away, and she found herself on the edge of the mattress. Cullen was standing now between her legs, his body arched over hers. He eyed her as he moved his hands over her thighs, pushing up her nightdress.
Her heart raced as his eyes darkened when he noticed she was nude beneath and he trailed a hand over her center. She shivered against his fingers, and arched up to him when he slid his fingers against her folds. As much as she enjoyed his touch, she felt her craving peaking. Aurelie reached out a hand to his shoulder, giving him a gentle squeeze.
“I need you.” She breathed. “Right now-“
Aurelie caught a gasp in her throat as he scooted her closer to him in an instant, taking no time before thrusting into her. She let out a loud moan, feeling him fill her up completely. Cullen paused, adjusting his hands so they held her thighs open, her ankles resting against the back of his legs. He pulled out halfway before pushing in slowly, his gaze dropping between them to watch. Aurelie closed her eyes, feeling every nerve in her body ignite at the sensation. His thrusts were slow, deliberate- but his grip on her skin told her he was struggling to hold back.
She reached down to rest her hands on his arms, catching his gaze before coaxing him to lay over her again. Aurelie wrapped her legs further around his waist, pressing her heels against him as he thrust again. She lifted her hips to receive him, and felt a groan leave her- she didn’t think he could go any deeper.
“I love you.” She breathed, locking her eyes back on his.
Cullen moved in a faster pace now, his head forehead resting against hers as he held her close. She wrapped her arms around his back, raking her nails along his shoulder blades. Aurelie could feel her apex coming and curled her toes in anticipation. She didn't bother to hold back her cries as she felt the sensation wash over her. Above her, Cullen pulled his head away to gaze at her, his breath ragged as he gripped her tighter. His stare had her spilling over the edge. She clenched around him as he plunged into once more, rolling her hips against him as she came. Cullen kept himself wedged there as he cried out, meeting her climax with his own.
They stayed connected as they regained their breathing and Cullen only pulled himself away when his legs began to shake from the energy spent. Aurelie breathed a small laugh when he fell next to her and he curled an arm around her to pull her to his chest. She stayed there, listening to his rapid heartbeat as she steadied herself. When she glanced up to him he was holding a soft smile, and he leaned down to kiss her softly.
“I love you.” He repeated back to her, his voice heavy with exhaustion. He pulled away, and held her gaze, his expression suddenly turning serious. Aurelie raised a curious brow, but he only leaned back down to leave another chaste kiss. “Come back to me.”
His words seemed to come out of nowhere, and filled the space between them before the room flooded with silence. Aurelie felt her heart stop- then start again in a fast pace. She widened her eyes at him, realizing he wasn’t asking. She reached up to cup his face in her hands, feeling tears prickle her vision at his desperation.
“Cullen-“ Aurelie couldn’t get the words out as he pushed another kiss to her. This time his need was different and she kissed him back with equal passion.
“Maker’s breath.” He mumbled under his breath as he broke away. “Promise me. Promise you will not leave me.”
Aurelie felt her breath shake at his plea. She knew what he meant. When the future was uncertain, when her survival wasn’t guaranteed- he was more afraid than he led on. As the question rolled around in her head she felt the tears start to flow out. Yes. She answered to herself. Yes. Cullen’s hand was on her cheek again as he used a thumb to wipe away her tears.
“Aurelie?” He prompted her.
She was nodding now, and she watched his eyes soften. He needed to hear her say it. He reached up to brush her hair away from her face, trailing his fingers along her cheek.
“Yes.” She sobbed. “Cullen, yes.”
His kiss was hard, and his arms slid around her again to crush her body against his in a tight embrace. She gasped at the reaction, but kissed back, feeling her heart swelling up with emotion. She didn’t want to love anybody else; she didn’t want anybody else to love her. She would come back, as he pleaded in the chantry. And when she did, they would have their future. It was a promise she looked forward to keeping.