Chapter Text
Perhaps this wasn't the best means of going about the problem. But it was most convenient.
And that's why the three eavesdroppers stood with their differing ears to the door of Cullen's office, listening to the heated bickering between the couple within. It had been almost half an hour since the two had retreated inside to discuss their issues, and by then nearly all of Skyhold could hear their shouting as it rang through the brick of the battlements. Dorian, being alert as ever, just so happened to be on his way to see the Commander for their weekly game of chess when the arguing had stopped him, and after that it had been no trouble quickly retrieving both Bull and Sera - who along with himself were considered to be closest to the Inquisitor and therefore in the need of knowing what was going on.
"What are they even arguing about?" Sera whispered harshly, her pointed ear pressing completely against the wood of the blockade. "For frick's sake, if he's not yelling, she is, and if he's shouting, she's not!"
"Shh!" Dorian hissed, causing the girl to spit at him. "Do you want them to know they can't even have a proper fight without us finding out?"
"Not like it was a secret or anything," Bull scoffed. "You could hear them clear from the tavern."
From beyond the confines of the door, the mage could make out just hints of what the conversation consisted of, though they were choppy and muffled.
"You really think I don't... What is it... Arian just! ...Stop treating... Cullen... Just forget it! No, I don't want to..."
And then with a start, Dorian heard the trampling of footsteps approach where he and the other two stood, and quickly he was yanking them away by their wrists, which was easier said than done what with Bull being a fortress in himself and Sera lankly flying along. Before Arian had even managed to throw the door open, they were across the bridge and back in the main hall of the castle, where Solas sat eying them curiously from his desk as they caught their breaths.
"I don't even want to know," he murmured and returned his attention to the book sitting before him.
"This is obviously worse than we thought, Pavus," Sera grunted conspicuously, ruffling her hair.
Dorian sighed. He wasn't good whatsoever at affairs of the heart, but both the Commander and Inquisitor had a hold on him personally, and he didn't wish anything to befall the budding relationship they were trying to manage in-between all the chaos. It was within the confines of friendship to make sure they were both happy, right?
"I think we should speak with them, after all we probably know them better than most around here. Perhaps we can levy the situation," the altus suggested.
"And how do you say we do that? 'Is obvious they don't even wanna speak to each other right now," Sera rebutted.
"I could go talk to Cullen, see exactly what's going on to begin with," Bull said, shrugging slightly. Dorian nodded at the offer and then turned to Sera.
"You could go speak with Arian, you two have a better connection seeing as-"
Sera looked absolutely wild in the split second after she interrupted. "What? 'Cause we're both frickin' elves?"
"I was going to say," Dorian muttered after a short pause, "because you are both women."
The girl sputtered, her hand slapping her knee as she keeled over with laughter.
"Puh-lease!" she snapped up, "as if I know anything about men!"
"Just do it, you ragamuffin," Dorian replied in exasperation, giving the elf a serious glare. "Bull will speak to Cullen, you will speak to Arian," he then concluded.
"And what will you do?" Bull asked after a moment.
"I," the mage said flippantly, "will await the information you two have retrieved, and then go from there. With any luck, we will resolve this before it gets too out of hand."
From where he still sat, seemingly forgotten amidst their conversation, Solas scoffed, "Best wishes with that."