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Ooh, can you tell us about a time Nel or Cullen were trying to flirt, but the other one was COMPLETELY OBLIVIOUS (at least at first)?

Yes, of course! And thank you so much for the question! I love these two with all my heart and could talk about them endlessly!…

So, throughout the time spent at Haven – with Nel often travelling back and forth to other locations on Inquisition business – Cullen & Nel were both very oblivious of the other’s interest in each other, and it wasn’t until after the destruction of Haven that they realise just how thankful they are that the other survived the sheer devastation.

From Skyhold, Cullen & Nel solidify a relationship rather quickly, but before it, both of them are near on hopeless at flirting, though their close companionship did not go unnoticed by those around them. It would seem almost everyone in the entire Inquisition knew, except for them.

Cullen, at first, tried his hardest to avoid any romantic attraction to her – not wanting to complicate or hurt the efforts of the Inquisition. He remained as stoic and professional as possible, against her affectionate chatter and gentle nature, and when she asked curious questions about the Templar order, he would stutter and assure himself that she was learning things about everyone, that the Inquisition and it’s people were all strange to her, that Nel was not asking about him personally, when, of course she was. But Cullen’s strict demeanour and work obsession did not deter Nel, who, for the longest time, tried to kid herself into thinking she was not in any way intrigued or attracted to the man who barks orders endlessly at his recruits until they were sweating into the snow. That said, Nel found herself wandering outside of Haven often – both because it was unfamiliar to her, and less intimidating or bustling outside of Haven’s walls, and also because she would be able to speak to Cullen. His stern persona would immediately soften at her arrival, and Nel felt a warmth and safety with him, in this new place, full of so many strangers.

They became good friends at Haven, with so much uncertainty and danger on the horizon, Cullen found some small solace in Nel’s affectionate, playful and soft personality. Neither of them really believed the other had any deeper interest other than friendship, though the both of them would often be seen sat with their faces inches from the other, or Cullen untangling a twig from her wild hair, helping her to hold and wield a sword, Nel sharing her food with him when Cullen missed mealtimes in order to train harder.In the smallest of gestures, they grew closer and closer without ever realising. Nel’s sweetness, affection and joyousness was a breath of fresh air to Cullen, whose hidden suffering eased a little in her presence. And Cullen’s quiet strength helped Nel to feel safe and less alone, especially in the times she was without her sister Kita ( Kita is the Inquisitor in this story, belonging to @kita-lavellan ).

And Varric, wherever possible, teased them both mercilessly about their spending time together, to which Nel blushed furiously and Cullen suddenly realised he has much work to do – scurrying off without another word spoken.They’re both terrible flirts. ( Even as a married couple. ) But long before that, Cullen offered to train her in sword fighting, to which Nel took as a serious offer and though a mage herself, struggled through his training until she almost fainted, face down in the snow. Wherein Cullen had just wanted to spend some time with her. Then, there was the moment when Nel asked Cullen about his Templar oaths about relationships (Varric’s suggested this subject) where Cullen was stunned into wide-eyed silence. “Why would you –? Can we change the subject?” Nel not quite sure, even now, what she’d asked of him. Cullen & Nel going on walks together, Nel launching a snowball, to get chased back to Haven’s gates by a raging Druffalo whom she had hit instead...

All in all, the two of them were hopeless when they met – but their friendship blossomed, and a relationship grew organically. Perhaps, sped up slightly by the situations around them, but Cullen and Nel’s personalities, from the very beginning, complimented and were drawn to one another, even if they themselves didn’t always see it.