Check Mate

It was just turning dawn when Dorian looked down at the courtyard. Through a window in the castle’s library he could see the Templars beginning their early morning training session down below. He assumed that Cullen would be watching from a distance, albeit with great scrutiny. The Commander had been very weary of the Templars involvement with the Inquisition. Even though it had been the red Templars that had caused so much suffering he didn’t fully trust any Templar who had left Therinfal Redoubt to join the Inquisition. He knew first-hand what magic could do in the wrong hands however he trusted the Inquisitor with his life and all that the Inquisition stood for, so he went along with it for now, just with a watchful eye.

Looking towards the window of Cullen’s room, Dorian remembered a conversation he had had with Cullen not too long ago. They often liked to enjoy each other’s company, playing chess down by the garden and discussing current goings on in and around Skyhold. They formed a list of anything and everything that was related to the Inquisition, as this was the perfect time to mull things over, but also chatted about more relaxed things, Cole’s disappearing act and who lost the last game of Wicked Grace was another.

''Do you know what it feels like Dorian?’’ Cullen stated, whilst not looking away from the chess board. He had been winning up in till this point. They had been talking about the Red Templars and so had wondered onto the topic of Lyrium.

''It feels like a rage demon has had a whole lifetime to destroy the very essence of me.’’

''That’s a little dramatic don’t you think?’’ Dorian muttered still trying to work out what his next move should be.

''Not really. It’s not pleasant at all. You wouldn’t like to have the cold sweats, anxiety, vomiting, cramps, diarrhoea, and fever all in one go, now would you?’’

''Ugh, that was a rhetorical question, right? Dorian said, finally looking away from the chess board and up at Cullen.

''No-one would like to have those things, unless you were a masochist or just plain weird.’’

With a disturbed look, Cullen glanced over at Dorian. He never knew why Dorian insisted in using those types of words. He often thought that Dorian didn’t even know what he was saying or what it meant most of the time, he simply liked to use those words to make his ego grow bigger than it already was and to make Cullen feel uncomfortable.

''Well in any case, didn’t you say that Cassandra had agreed to look out for anything she might deem suspect. So, if you start to act all weird then she’ll will help you out. Though with it being Cassandra that might not be a good thing. Well at least you have the others to help too. Josephine always seems pretty level headed to me, but Lilianna sort of creeps me out.’’

After a minute or two Cullen noticed that Dorian was smirking.

''What is it?’’ demanded Cullen. He knew too well that a grinning Dorian spelt trouble for someone else.

''Oh! That was it! Recently I’ve heard through of Varric who heard it through the grape vine that the Inquisitor has a soft spot for your goldilocks. She’s had it for quite some time, so when I say others could help you out maybe she could be looking out for you, well in a different way.’’

Dorian laughed so hard after that, the thought of Cullen being intimate with anyone chuckled him immensely.

''Ha ha ha, you think you’re so funny’’ Cullen sighed. This game had been turned on its head and it was Dorian who had had the upper hand now.

''Don’t forget brilliant too, oh and by the way that would be check.’’ Dorian retorted. ‘But also, Cullen … don’t forget you also have me…’’ Dorian said with a smile.

''…Mr Uptight and gorgeous!’’ Dorian added with a wink.

Cullen blushed, he never knew how to take Dorian’s playfulness. It could have been flirting. He knew that Dorian preferred male company but with him both men and woman had flirted with him in the past. What was hard to work out was that with Dorian he never knew if he was genuinely flirting or if it he simply did it as amusement. Well it didn’t matter to Cullen much either way, it was simply good enough that they were friends. Having someone he could talk to and be himself around, without all the pomp and circumstance of being the Commander was a luxury he had never really had until he had met the Tevintern.

''Oh and I believe that my dear friend is check … mate’’ exclaimed Dorian looking way too pleased with himself.

''Ahh yes I believe it is, Dorian.’’