Dragon Age: Inquisition series

Bantering and Dragon Heads

Summary:
You're never so vocal when greeting me.

Notes:
Because I loved Dorian the moment I saw his gay little ass and was disappointed I couldn't romance him as female Inquisitor, so he'd have to fill the spot as Anea's closest buddy

The Inquisitor was back from the Hinterlands, dragging the head of the Ferelden Frostback behind her. Cassandra, Vivienne and Bull had accompanied her and we're now dismounting.

"Good job, Boss. We should celebrate together!" Bull roared, clapping Anea hard on the shoulder as she handed her mount to a stable hand.

"Yes we shall!" Anea slapped her arm on Bull's bicep, doing no where near as much damage he had just inflicted upon her.

Anea's advisors were standing on the landing in front of the central hall. Cullen had his arms crossed with a stern but welcoming expression on his face, Josephine looked happy to see the Inquisitor in once piece, while Leliana was smiling.
"When we received a report saying you were going after the Frostback we had to almost restrain the Commander from coming out to stop you." Leliana explained, laughing, when Anea reached them.

Anea looked to Cullen and laughed. "You need to stop worrying about me so fiercely."

Cullen's stern gaze broke when he smiled. "Glad your back in one piece."
Anea's cheeks tinted with a faint pink and she looked away before clearing her throat and entering the central hall.

She made her way to Solas's laboratory, hoping to get more information on the Shards as well as give him a few more to study. Solas was sitting at his desk at the far wall, he gave a small wave but no indication of wanting to discuss his research at the present time, so Anea went up the stairs to the library.

She slammed the door open, drawing the attention of everyone around her; "Dorian!" She yelled excitedly.

The Mage was standing at a bookshelf, replacing a book he had just finished looking at. At the mention of his name he whirled around and smiled brightly, "Lavellan!" He returned with equal excitement.

"Dorian!" Anea ran and jumped into his arms as they gave each other a tight hug.

Setting her back down Dorian laughed, "I heard you stayed the Frostback? Retched thing was giving us trouble last time we were there together."

"I brought the beast's head back just for you, Dorian." Anea teased, knowing he was upset with being left out of the dragon hunt.

"Ah did you now? I'll have to see the proof myself!" Dorian promptly marched passed Anea and headed down the stairs. Anea followed him only to find Cullen standing at the bottom of the stairs.

"Ser Cullen." Dorian greeted as he passed.

"Ser Dorian." Cullen responded. He watched as Anea followed, when she was close enough he walked beside her as Dorian picked up his pace, eager to see the dragon's head. "You're never so vocal when greeting me." Cullen dead panned after a few moments.

Anea looked at him out of the corner of her eye, raising one slender eyebrow. "I fear, Ser Cullen, that I'd frighten you out of your skin if I did." She teased.

Cullen scoffed "you wouldn't."

"Are you feeling jealous?"

Cullen stopped abruptly, Anea continued walking for a few more steps before turning around and facing him, "absolutely not. I couldn't be jealous of your relationship with Dorian."

"Are you sure?" More teasing. Anea was enjoying this.

Cullen stumbled over his words, unable to convey what he wanted to say. Anea walked back to him. "It would not be professional of me to show my merriment at seeing you in front of all my followers. Especially when Josephine and Leliana are standing beside you. It would look like I was picking favourites."

Cullen took her hand and kissed the back of it. "But you have haven't you?"

Anea came closer, Cullen closed his eyes, anticipating the kiss. "You know it." She whispered before pulling away and walking out into the courtyard. Cullen smiled.

Dorian was standing admiring the Frostback's severed head still sitting on the threshold of Skyhold. Anea came up beside him. "A marvellous gift, Inquisitor, but I do believe you've neglected to clean your arrows from its skull."

Dorian pointed to the eyes of the dragon, several of Anea's own arrows were lodged in the beast's eye sockets, the black crow feather signalling their maker and owner.

"Oh no, Dorian, those are for you." Anea said, flourishing her hand towards them. "After all, the shafts are broken and they are of no use to me now."

Dorian laughed and crossed his arms "then I will take them to the fireplace and put them to good use."

Anea clapped him on the back as she laughed and turned away, heading for the tavern.