#protective cullen

[chantcftrials]

@crossing-the-threshcld​ ❤’d for a short starter  @Pelle Lavellan

“No way,” Cullen’s voice was firm, his tone a little too assertive for one talking to his leader, but his genuine concern made him drop the usual composure, “I’m not letting you go on a suicidal mission with a ridiculously small party! I’ll make arrangements to get you a proper escort. And I am coming with you.”

[rosenrotxiii]

I like to think that Cullen is very protective of the Inquisitor <3 This is for an art trade with @pookyhuntress (I‘m sorry this took me forever because I slept most of the time when I wasn’t at work as the heat was killing me. I couldn’t choose between protective Cullen and lovey-dovey Cullen so you get both) I have never realized that Cullen‘s hair is so fluffy. A shame I haven‘t romanced this cute furby.

[meararutherford]

“You are a mage,” the words came out more of an accusation than a confirmation and Cullen rubbed his neck feeling like he had put his foot in his mouth yet again.

Meara raised an eyebrow “Yes, we have covered that, it didn’t seem to be an issue earlier. Has something changed?”

Cullen reached out to take her hand, “No, I just…” he felt the red flushing his cheeks. “I didn’t mean it in the context of our relationship,” he stopped talking as the blush took up full residence for a moment and Meara realized it was the first time he had used that phrase between them. “I meant that you are a mage and need to know how to take care of yourself.”

Meara shot him a questioning look and he grimaced as the words seem to come out all wrong, “Maker this sounded better in my head, allow me to try again.”

He let go of her hand and walked across his office, now Meara was beginning to get concerned as to where he might be going with all this. “Cullen, I can assure you I am quite skilled at taking care of myself and Cassandra is always at my side.”

He turned to face her again, “I know you are capable, and I am sure Cassandra would protect you with her life. That is not what concerns me,” he closed the gap between them taking her hand in his. “this is important to me, please come sit down.” He motioned for her to sit in his chair behind the desk, “Sometimes I think better when I pace.” He offered a small smile in an attempt to smooth over the awkward tension growing in the room.

Meara sat back in his chair, still wondering where he was going with all this. He had to know that she was capable of handling pretty much anything that was thrown at her by this point.

Cullen took a deep breath and started to pace back and forth, “You are a mage, and you are dealing with Red Templars. They may be corrupted, but they are still Templars and they are capable of rendering your magic useless to defend yourself if they are given the chance.” He closed the space between them and took her hand in his, “I know you are not alone, and the other members of your party would defend you with their lives, but I could never forgive myself if anything happened to you that I could have prevented.”

Suddenly the pieces fell into place for Meara, Cullen was worried about the Red Templars dispelling her magic. “I hadn’t even thought about that, but it isn’t like there is much I can do about it is there?”  

Cullen lowered himself in front of the chair until he was looking her in the eyes, “It isn’t something that is common knowledge but there are ways to prevent Templars from interfering with your magic.” His eyes softened, and he took both of her hands pulling her closer to him. “You need to know how to counter these tactics if you are going to have a fighting chance against these abominations.”

She was surprised to hear him use the term about the Templar order, “You are right the red lyrium has turned the Templars who have taken it into monsters, and who knows how it may have affected their abilities. If you have any information on how to stop them from dispelling our magic it would certainly be useful.”

“Dispel only works when the mage is in close proximity, the best way to avoid it is to keep your distance. In the midst of a battle that is not always a possibility, however, there are also magical defenses that can be used.” He released her hands and rose to his feet beginning to pace the room again, “Knowing when to cast a barrier can not only block a Templar’s ability to dispel your magic but in some instances can push the spell back at them rendering them incapable of trying again for some time. It could buy you valuable time in the field.”

Meara noticed the intensity in his eyes that he showed when teaching a new recruit how to properly hold his shield. She loved his serious face and how adorable he was when he was worried for her. She may have spent a moment too long admiring the fire in his eyes because he was now standing in front of her one eyebrow raised and a curious smirk on his face.

“I’m sorry I got lost in how aluring the fire in your eyes is when you switch to Commander mode and I may have missed that last part.”

Cullen shook his head, “This is serious, I cannot be with you out in the field and I am worried for you. The dispel that Templars use may only be temporary but those few moments could make you susceptible to an attack or worse.”

Meara rose to her feet and wrapped her arms around his neck, “I love that you are looking out for me, I know it is serious and I appreciate that you are willing to teach me. Explain the barriers to me again. I promise not to let myself get distracted by your good looks again.” She offered him a smile as a peace offering.

He placed a soft kiss on her lips. “I will explain it again and try to be less of a distraction.” he chuckled.

He went through the steps of judging the right time and distance for setting a barrier to ensure the optimum effectiveness again. Then he turned to her, “You really need to practice this to get it just right and without the aid of lyrium I am unable to assist your training.”

Meara furrowed her brow and gave him a hard look, “Cullen it isn’t worth risking just for some training, you have come so far and I am not willing to see you take steps backwards on my behalf.”

Cullen turned to face her quickly, “I should have been more clear, I didn’t mean that I was considering taking lyrium. I was going to ask if you would be willing to work with Ser Barris? He is a good man and an excellent Templar, he has offered to help the Inquisition in any way he can. I can speak to him in the morning, if you are willing?”

“If he doesn’t mind I would be happy to train with him, in the morning…” Meara reached for Cullen’s hand, “but for tonight I was hoping that maybe I could get a little supper and maybe some one on one time with my Commander, if he has the time?”

Cullen smirked, “For you, I will find the time.”