There are not enough words in any language for me to thank the lovely @faelavellan for this beautiful commission of Delphine and Cullen – she’s incredibly talented and so lovely to work with, I believe her commissions are still open so definitely check her out if you’re in the market for beautiful art!
Originally there wasn’t a scene to accompany the piece but after seeing the finished version I couldn’t not write it into their story.
Del had not realized how comfortable she had become at Skyhold until they were getting ready to return home from the Emerald Graves. Of course, she always missed the luxury of a warm soft bed and a roof over her head when she went traveling with El and the others, but now it was more than a place to lay her head. Skyhold was a place they could call their own now-after hours of picking out furniture and decorations after months of renovations- not just the Inquisition’s but theirs, all of their friends and companions. It was home. Something she had not had not had in a very long time. Now, she was getting to share her home with her brother. Riding up to the gates with Ralf felt right. Delphine was not sure how she could thank Cullen properly for reuniting them, for giving her a little piece of her family back.
Cullen. She’d missed him even more than she’d missed Skyhold. All those long nights spend at camps, longing for their chess games and late-night talks. Varric had caught onto her pining, as usual. There was no end to the grief he gave her for acting like a love-sick teenager over the ex-templar. Ralf had been none too happy to hear about her budding relationship with the ex-templar, true to his nature as an older brother, but on their return trip had confided that he was happy to see she was happy. Del was excited to introduce them, she couldn’t imagine Ralf would have any problems with Cullen once they finally met. That would have to wait though.
Elazar and Varric shouted jeers as Del nearly jumped off her horse as they neared the stables. All she wanted was to get back to her rooms and take of her Maker forsaken armor that reeked of horse. Any other day she’d have taken the time to wash away the grime of her travels but it had been a whole month since she’d last been in his arms. She could deal with the sweat and grime later, Del wouldn’t delay any longer.
Throwing on the first shirt and skirt she found, Del decided to forgo rummaging around for a sweater and didn’t bother re-braiding her hair before she dashed across the rotunda to Cullen’s office. She didn’t bother knocking, slipping in only to find his desk vacant.
“If you’re looking for the Commander, I believe he’s in the gardens.”
Del nearly jumped out of her skin, not having noticed the agent filing papers in the corner of the office.
“Oh… ah-thanks. I’ll go look for him there then…”
She did her best to ignore the smug grin that spread over the other woman’s face as Del made her hasty exit. Varric would be gleaning more gossip from the barracks tonight for sure.
Solas was merciful and didn’t comment as Del crossed back through the rotunda, though the smile he sent her made Del think that maybe he understood, even if just a little.
The garden was mostly empty when Del arrived, two chantry sisters were tending to the rose bushes, Kieran was nestled into a quiet corner, a large book spread across his lap, and Cullen was standing outside the makeshift chapel, deep in discussion with one of Leliana’s agents. Del mustered up what will she had left to keep herself from dashing across the yard to him. She briefly wondered if he felt the same anticipation she did at the prospect of her coming home to him.
He notices her as she’s halfway across the garden, their eyes locking over the agent’s shoulder. Cullen waves the man away, grin growing, and closes the distance between them.
“I didn’t realize you were back,” he swept his arm wide as if to embrace her but Del had other ideas. Sliding a hand behind his neck she quickly pulled him down to her, pressing her lips against his smile. He stilled for just a moment, startled at her forwardness maybe, before he melded against her. One gloved hand settling on the small of her back, pressing her up against his chest plate while his chapped lips moved against hers. Del hummed, eyes fluttering shut, as his other hand settled against her hip. Oh how she had missed this; missed his warmth, his earthy smell and the way he seemed to surround her when he held her in his arms. Cullen nipped at her bottom lip as she pulled away for air, smiling as he kept her pressed against him.
“If that’s how it’s going to be after every trip, Maker, maybe you should venture out with the Inquisitor more often,” Cullen chuckled, pressing chaste kisses across the apple of her cheek. He’d let his stubble go an extra day or so, Del giggled at the prickling feeling ghosting over her skin, following the trail of his lips.
“Maybe-” Del pressed a quick kiss to his scar- “but a month is much too long.”
“I agree,” his lips slanted against hers, drawing Del back in. Her fingers tangled in the hair at the nape of his neck as his grip on her grew tighter.
She was content again, with his arms around her. The Maker could take her now and she’d die a happy woman.
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