His Heart Undone (Dragon Age Inquisition) [Cullen/Dorian]

His Heart Undone

Dorian never believed in love at first sight. No, he'd been hurt enough to know that it'd be foolish to think otherwise. An utter fool.

Yet his heart stirred when he first laid eyes on the commander of the Inquisition—Cullen, he later learned his name. It was just infatuation; he wasn't oblivious to the feeling. So he dismissed it, pushing it to the back of his mind along with his other failed affairs.

Then he got to know Cullen.

It was friendly greetings at first, one you would share with your acquaintances at work. The man drowned himself in his duties; it was almost impossible to meet him outside his office whenever Dorian wasn't out trekking in the wilds. If not there, he'd be at the war room discussing the Inquisition's next moves. He needed to get out more—the Inquisitor agreed.

So they played a game of chess.

It was a random suggestion, anything to pry him out of the damn office. He needed a little convincing, because of course he did. The Inquisitor had to order him to take a break. That damn fool.

After finally accepting the order, he beamed—oh, what an adorable smile it was—and immediately scheduled a game the next time they were free. The game was to be with Dorian; the Inquisitor had some business in Val Royeaux.

It was awkward, to say the least.

Dorian was happy inside, finally having an excuse to spend time with the Commander. He didn't know why his damn heart fluttered. It didn't help that he was a mage and the other a templar. But... he did make time in his schedule to play together.

It was something to admire, to devote yourself to your work for the good of everyone. He was a good man, unfairly damaged by the Chantry, yet he blamed himself for faults that weren't his. Dorian hoped he could offer him comfort, at the very least; the man needed it.

So he tried.

After the first game, Cullen asked for another someday. Yes, he asked. And Dorian was too ashamed to admit how fast he answered. He teased, saying if Cullen wanted his company, he could simply visit his room. Cat caught his tongue, trying to form a coherent sentence as red coloured his cheeks.

Dorian knew it was futile. Cullen wasn't into men; he'd said as such after his first few attempts at flirting. The amount of disappointment that the revelation gave him was unreasonable. But truly, what did he expect, anyway? The commander of the Inquisition couldn't be seen being intimate with a devious mage from Tevinter. Dorian didn't want to tarnish his good reputation.

So he settled with playful banter instead. It was easier, now that he knew of Cullen's nonexistent interest in men.

Their game of chess became a routine. Every midday they'd meet at the garden, Dorian waiting with a book in his lap. Then they simply just asked for a game, casually strolling to their respective rooms. Any trace of the initial awkwardness was gone, replaced with friendly chatter and banter.

He'd talked with many types of people, and Cullen fell into the blushing virgin category. The man was adorable to the point it was charming in its own way. Every advance he made was met with stutters and blushes that decorated his already handsome features.

His heart couldn't stay still at such a sight. To be the cause of his flustered smiles gave him more joy than it normally should. It fuelled his filthy imaginations of the commander. He was a terrible friend.

Friend. Cullen had called him such.

He didn't have many back home, and the ones he had here were dying either from the blight or from a glowing magical hand that no one could understand. So having made another, it filled his heart with joy.