Chess match

As daarin$ walked across the battlements of Skyhold fortress, heading for Cullen’s office, they couldn’t help but wonder what state they would find Cullen in today.

Tacking a moment to calm themselves daarin$ then knocked on Cullen’s door. When no answer came daarin$ opened the door and peered inside.

At his desk, lost in thought, Cullen sat rubbing at his temple and squinting into the middle distance.

“Cullen how are you feeling today?” daarin$ asked as they walked towards Cullen’s desk.

“Headache, I think I’ve been working to much.” Cullen admitted as he tried to smile at Inquisitor daarin$.

Cullen looked up from his work and smiled at Risa, happy for the distraction. "You know me too well, Inquisitor. Shall we begin?" he asked as he took the seat in front of white.

As they set up the board and started the game, Cullen couldn't help but feel drawn to Risa's beauty. He had been harboring feelings for her for some time now but was always too shy to act on them. He tried to concentrate on the game, but his mind kept wandering to thoughts of Risa.

"Risa's hair looks so soft," he thought to himself. "I wonder what it would feel like to run my fingers through it."

Cullen shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. He needed to focus on the game. But every time he looked up, he found himself staring at Risa.

"You seem distracted, Cullen," Risa said, catching him off guard.

Cullen blushed, embarrassed that she had noticed

"I apologize, Inquisitor," Cullen said, trying to compose himself. "My mind has been wandering."

"Is everything alright?" Risa asked, concerned.

Cullen hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I...I have something to confess, Inquisitor. It's not easy for me to say this, but I've developed feelings for you. I know it's inappropriate given our positions, but I couldn't keep it hidden any longer."

Risa looked surprised for a moment before a small smile formed on her lips. "I had a feeling, Cullen. And I must admit, I feel the same way about you."

Relief washed over Cullen as he heard Risa's words. "I'm glad to hear that, Inquisitor. Would you do me the honor of allowing me to take you out on a proper date?"

Risa grinned. "I would love to, Cullen."

The rest of the chess game was forgotten as they talked

Cullen listened intently as Risa recounted her story, interested in learning more about her background. When she mentioned Madame de Loon, he raised an eyebrow curiously.

"Unique, you say?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Risa blushed even deeper and looked down at her hands. "Yes, well...Madame de Loon was known for being quite...forward. She would often talk about intimate matters in front of me and other apprentices."

Cullen chuckled softly. "I can imagine that must have been quite uncomfortable for you."

"Yes, it was," Risa admitted, still looking embarrassed. "But I suppose it helped me become more comfortable with talking about such things."

Cullen nodded thoughtfully. "It's important to be able to communicate openly about intimate matters with your partner, especially if you're in a romantic relationship."

Risa looked up at him, surprised by his words. "Have you ever had someone special like that in your life before, Cullen?"

Cullen's expression softened as he looked at Risa, his eyes filled with a mix of vulnerability and longing. "I've... I've had my fair share of relationships in the past, but nothing quite like what I feel for you, Inquisitor."

He reached across the table and gently took her hand in his, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "You make me feel things I never thought possible. The way you carry yourself with strength and grace, your intelligence, and your unwavering dedication to our cause... It's truly mesmerizing."

Risa's breath caught in her throat, her heart pounding in her chest. She had always admired Cullen's bravery and kindness, but she never expected him to express such deep feelings for her.

With a shy smile, she replied, "Cullen, you have no idea how much your words mean to me. I've felt a connection between us from the very beginning. And now that you've confessed your feelings... I don't

Cullen listened intently as Risa continued her story, the sound of her voice and the touch of her hand making his heart race. He couldn't help but feel a sense of protectiveness towards her as she spoke of her experiences in foreign lands.

"I can imagine that it was quite overwhelming for you, being surrounded by such a different culture," he said, his voice full of empathy.

"Yes, it was definitely an eye-opening experience," Risa replied. "But I also learned a lot about myself and what I wanted out of life."

She paused for a moment, her eyes locked on Cullen's. "And now that I'm here, with you...I feel like everything has fallen into place."

Cullen felt a warmth spread through his chest at her words, his grip on her hand tightening slightly. "I feel the same way, Risa. You make me want to be a better man, to strive for something greater than myself."

Cullen chuckled softly at Risa's observations, finding her candidness refreshing. "Indeed, Orlais is known for its opulence and extravagance. It's quite a contrast to the more reserved nature of Ferelden. But sometimes, that level of flamboyance can be overwhelming."

He reached across the table and gently placed his hand on top of hers, giving it a comforting squeeze. "I find your down-to-earth nature and strength of character incredibly alluring, Risa. You have a way of grounding me amidst all the chaos of this world."

Risa smiled warmly, her eyes sparkling with appreciation. "And you, Cullen, you bring stability and reassurance in the face of uncertainty. Your dedication to the Inquisition and your unwavering belief in doing what's right...it's truly admirable."

Cullen felt a warmth spread through him at her words, a sense of validation washing over him. "Thank you, Risa. Your support means more to me then I could ever repay."

Cullen shook his head in disbelief as Risa recounted her experiences in Orlais. He couldn't imagine living in such a world of manipulation and deceit. "It's hard for me to even fathom living in a world like that," he admitted.

"I'm glad you're back here in Ferelden with us now, Risa. We need more people like you who aren't afraid to speak their minds and stand up for what's right."

Risa's smile grew wider at his words, feeling a sense of pride swelling in her chest. "Thank you, Cullen. I'm honored to serve the Inquisition alongside you. And...if I may be so bold, I have to admit that I've been harboring feelings for you as well."

Her eyes met Cullen's, filled with vulnerability and hope. "I know it may complicate things, but... I still want to give this a try."

Cullen's heart skipped a beat at Risa's confession, his cheeks flushing slightly as he realized that his feelings were reciprocated. He cleared his throat, gathering his thoughts before speaking.

"Risa, I... I've been struggling with my own feelings for you, but I've hesitated to act on them out of fear of crossing any boundaries within the Inquisition," he admitted, his voice tinged with both nervousness and longing. "But when I look into your eyes, when I hear your laughter, it's as if everything else fades away."

He reached across the table, gently brushing his fingers against the back of her hand. "I want to explore what could be between us, Risa. Life is too short, and we deserve to find happiness and love in each other's arms. If you're willing to take that leap with me, then...then I'm ready to give it my all."

Cullen smiled back at Risa, his heart swelling with joy and a hint of relief now that they had both expressed their feelings for one another. He watched as she made her move on the chessboard, eyeing the board thoughtfully before making his own.

As he moved his bishop into place, he couldn't resist teasing Risa a bit. "Oh, playing dirty, are we?" he chuckled, winking playfully at her.

Risa grinned mischievously, loving the playful banter between them. "Always. It's the Fereldoner way, after all," she replied in jest, moving another piece to put him on the defensive.

The game continued on, the tension between them simmering just beneath the surface as they focused on the board. But no matter who won or lost, they both knew that they had already come out victorious in the end - by finding love in each other's arms.