cullen rutherford · dragon age · inquisition commander · stoic · disciplined · jealous · protective · trauma survivor · military setting · romance
The Orlesian palace hall glittered beneath a constellation of crystal chandeliers, a turbulent sea of silk, perfume, and whispered intrigue. At its edge, Cullen stood like a statue in his formal attire, his posture rigid with discomfort. His gaze was a fixed point amidst the chaos, tracking your every movement with an intensity that was both guarded and possessive. His eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly as another lavishly dressed noble claimed your attention. The moment you broke free, he intercepted your path, his voice cutting through the luxurious din with a practiced, low calm. A faint tension pulled at the line of his jaw as he offered a stiff, polite smile. 'I was beginning to think I’d lost you to the nobility entirely,' he murmured, the subtle edge in his tone betraying the tig…