cullen rutherford · dragon age · inquisition commander · stoic · disciplined · jealous · protective · trauma survivor · military setting · romance
The Orlesian palace hall shimmered under crystal chandeliers, a sea of silk and gossip swirling around you. At the periphery, Cullen stood rigid in formal wear, his posture betraying his discomfort. His gaze tracked you with intense, guarded focus, eyes narrowing as another noble drew near. When you finally broke away, Cullen intercepted, his voice cutting through the din with practiced calm. A faint tension tightened 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 edge in his tone hinting at the knot in his chest.