[ its a relief to hear her say it. cullen doesn't think she'd walk into anything intending to die, but... this anchor. it's beyond anything they've dealt with before. the fear of it taking her from him is one that has lived nestled in his chest for a very long time. it's one he hasn't wanted to voice for fear of discouraging her. but cecily bringing it up and being determined? that takes a weight off his shoulders.
and her next words take the breath from his lungs.
it's something he's tried not to think about. easier said than done, but he's tried. tried to imagine he never dreamt of a little girl with his riot of curls and cecily's mischievous smile. tried to ignore the way that he wants something like that for their future now that he's seen what it could be like.
there's no helping the tremulous smile that slowly tugs at cullen's lips. ] Are you sure? [ he has to ask. has to know her certainty before he lets himself hope. ]
[ The smile is an encouragement and it draws out one from Cecily in turn. She leans forward to press a kiss to his lips, gently bumping their foreheads together in assurance. ]
Always. [ Of this, at least, she's sure. With that future ideal in mind, she draws back a little, clearing her throat, pressing herself to move on to business rather than speculate about the happiness that they both want for their shared lives. ]
All right. Firstly - and I'll discuss all this with Leliana - I do not want to give in to the pressure from those asses at the Council. We know that we're not about to conquer the entirety of Thedas, and if the Inquisition is broken down entirely, it will be to no one's benefit. Orlais' situation is still precarious even after preventing Celene's assassination - leaving Gaspard alive will have seen to that. Ferelden may be stable, but Queen Anora has no heir and that will bring a little chaos to them soon enough. They all need us. We can't disband the Inquisition, not after everything we've seen and done.
[ There's a pause, and she eyes him now, almost warily. ]
That said... should it work out that way and the Inquisition isn't strong-armed into dissolving... I don't want you involved. [ Then, quickly, anticipating protest: ] It's your life, you're welcome to do what makes you happy, but I... have something else I think is better suited for your efforts.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
and her next words take the breath from his lungs.
it's something he's tried not to think about. easier said than done, but he's tried. tried to imagine he never dreamt of a little girl with his riot of curls and cecily's mischievous smile. tried to ignore the way that he wants something like that for their future now that he's seen what it could be like.
there's no helping the tremulous smile that slowly tugs at cullen's lips. ] Are you sure? [ he has to ask. has to know her certainty before he lets himself hope. ]
no subject
Always. [ Of this, at least, she's sure. With that future ideal in mind, she draws back a little, clearing her throat, pressing herself to move on to business rather than speculate about the happiness that they both want for their shared lives. ]
All right. Firstly - and I'll discuss all this with Leliana - I do not want to give in to the pressure from those asses at the Council. We know that we're not about to conquer the entirety of Thedas, and if the Inquisition is broken down entirely, it will be to no one's benefit. Orlais' situation is still precarious even after preventing Celene's assassination - leaving Gaspard alive will have seen to that. Ferelden may be stable, but Queen Anora has no heir and that will bring a little chaos to them soon enough. They all need us. We can't disband the Inquisition, not after everything we've seen and done.
[ There's a pause, and she eyes him now, almost warily. ]
That said... should it work out that way and the Inquisition isn't strong-armed into dissolving... I don't want you involved. [ Then, quickly, anticipating protest: ] It's your life, you're welcome to do what makes you happy, but I... have something else I think is better suited for your efforts.