Did someone say something about a tree kiss? Having a lull at work, and wrote this up.
The camp was quiet, and most had vanished into their tents or sat idly by the fire. I recognized a few of my companions, their silhouettes illuminated by the fire that had now dissipated into glowing embers. The breeze was cool on my face, and I could hear the faint rustling of trees around me. A clear sky stretched above, the canvas of darkness decorated with the glimmering twinkle of a vast array of stars. I had left camp for a bit, to stand on the outskirts and collect my thoughts.
"Inquisitor, I need to speak with you," a voice whispered as a hand reached to grasp my forearm.
My first reaction was to attack, to take my dagger and drive it through the incoming threat. The days had become harder and harder, and sometimes it seemed danger was around every corner. The dagger was in my grasp, the cool hilt pressing against my palm. I whirled around, ready to strike.
It was Cullen.
I blinked, surprise registering on my features. He held tightly to my wrist, and used his free hand to gently pluck the dagger from my grasp, sliding it into the hilt at my waist. He was dressed in his usual armour, the medal glinting brightly beneath the moons rays. His eyes twinkled in the darkness as he observed me, his hand still tightly around my wrist.
“Let’s just put that away, alright? I do want to survive until at least morning,” he chuckled, lips turning up in a smile.
"What on earth are you doing here? How long have you been here?" I asked, blinking back the surprise and anticipation that threatened to consume me.
"I only just arrived," he whispered, taking a step closer to me.
"Why are you here?" I swallowed, my fluttering stomach leaping into my throat.
He took another step closer to me, until he closed the space between us. I could see his face in detail now, and he looked nervous. He slid his fingers up my forearm, causing a tingle to run up my spine.
"I just, I couldn't let you walk into this without..." he whispered, and instead of finishing his sentence, he leaned forward and claimed my lips with his. I felt a tree against my back as the intensity of his kiss increased, and I responded eagerly to him.
"I'm sorry it took me so long to say something. I didn’t want you to walk into such a situation without knowing how I feel about you," he whispered, pulling back to gaze at me.