Chapter Text
“Are we ready to play some Wicked Grace?” Nayah grinned as she settled in her seat. The Herald’s Rest was busy tonight. The music was lively, drinks were abundant, and people were laughing and dancing. The friends took this rare opportunity to go on a double date and simply relax with a game and some beers. “Loser strips each round so we can see Cullen nakkeeed!” she added.
Eva laughed and high-fived her friend. Cullen, totally not amused, rolled his eyes at the smirk Solas was not even trying to hide.
“I’ll order our drinks,” Eva said as she waved down a barmaid, “Nayah you deal the cards.” Nayah nodded and shuffled the deck of cards.
Sitting back in his chair, Cullen studied the cards he had been dealt. “What?” He says without looking at the elven man next to him. He could practically taste the other man’s scrutinizing gaze, much less feel it.
Solas leaned back in his chair as well, arms crossed over his chest with an unreadable expression; the perfect poker face. “Are you sure you want to play Commander?” he asks. “I hear you did not fare so well last time.”
“I’m never going to live that down…” Cullen murmured as he made a point to focus more intently on his cards.
Eva smiled and shook her head at the exchange. “I’ll wager two silvers and how about you, my friend?”
“I’ll wager that the Commander loses his breeches by the end of this round,” Nayah snickered, earning her a well-deserved glare from Solas. She was hanging around Sera far too much. “Fine. Fine. I’ll see that bet.” She gingerly set two silvers down on the table before turning to watch Solas.
He briefly uncrossed his arms, set down his two coins, and resumed his position. “Very well.”
Cullen, scowling, now did the same.
---
An hour and a half later the group was laughing and talking. Smiling broadly, Cullen slammed his cards down on the table, “I win! And my clothes are still on!” He made sure to give Nayah a meaningful look.
“For now Commander,” Eva murmured under her breath, “For now…” She grinned at the nudge Nayah gave her, “What?”
"Calm your hormones," Nayah whispered with a giggle. She turned her attention back to her man, captivated by his very presence. He was so calm. Stern. Tall. Broad shoulders. Almost...god-like. "Come," she held out her hand with a goofy grin as she swung her hips to the tavern music, "dance with me!"
Solas fought to remain composed and stone-faced, but the faintest smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He took her hand and whispered something in her ear as he pulled her closer. It wasn't audible, but the dark blush on Nayah's face said it all. The pair made their way to the makeshift dance floor, where half naked and half-drunk men and women danced merrily along.
--
Cullen, suddenly realizing that they were alone, shifted in his seat. He brushed the back of his neck with his hand, as he did so often when he was nervous and words seem to fail him. Maker, he should have drank more to loosen up.
"Uh…do - would you like to dance?" It was the furthest thing from his mind. He hated dancing. He could think of much better ways to spend their time together.
This dude looks like he needs to loosen up. Eva waved the barmaid over as she noticed her man's mild discomfort. "Two whiskey sours and a pitcher of ale please." She raised an eyebrow at her man and shook her head. "Hun, we don't have to dance right now. Let's drink and talk and look at other people and laugh." She gave him a reassuring smile and squeezed his hand. She just wanted to chill and have fun. Besides, it was nice seeing Nayah and her boo dancing sweetly. She was content (today) to just watch....
...Meanwhile, Solas couldn't help but to relish the feeling of Nayah's hands playfully caressing his cheeks, his neck, and then snaking to the back of his head as she shook her hips, dancing and laughing. By the gods, she was beautiful. She pulled away but held on to his hands as she bit her lip, swaying her hips from side to side. He noticed the appreciative smiles of some of the male patrons which made him...
Solas chuckled deeply to himself as he pulled her swiftly back into his arms, spinning her around to where she ended up pressed solidly against his chest.
Arms crossed over her waist, he lowered his head. "I see what you are trying to do to me," he whispered in her ear. He let her continue to play...for now...
Nayah feigned innocence. "I have no idea what you mean," she giggled, slightly tipsy from the ale as she stood up on the tips of her toes to whisper in his ear, "Daddy.” She licked her lips and pulled back, casually going about her dancing as if she had done nothing remotely scandalous…
*
Cullen's lips broke out into a smile. She was perfect in every way. She knew exactly what he needed, when he needed it. Even in small instances like this where he knew he would fumble and make a fool of himself on the dance floor, she knew exactly how to calm him. "Another round then, Lady Trevelyan?" He gestured to the cards on the table with a smirk. "Winner picks their prize." And he knew exactly what he wanted...
"What's that look for?" Eva mocked an attitude. She never trusted that quiet smirk. He was thinking up something naughty or ridiculous. Not getting an answer, she proceeded to place her bet. "Winner picks their prize, eh? Hmm..." She pursed her lips playfully as she studied her cards. Damn, these fucking cards suck!
Cullen picked up his cards as well, eyes darting back and forth as he studied them. He never had a good poker face. His excitement always got the best of him. Even now, as he leaned back in his chair with arms crossed against his chest, he couldn't help the mischievous smile that played on his features. "Nervous, Lady Trevelyan?" He could read her like an open book. "Forfeiting is always an option." He was enjoying this. He draped an arm over the top of his chair, relaxed and calm as if he had already won.
*
Sometimes, his vision changed; sharpening as he honed in on his prey. His sense of smell too..he could smell the lovely scent that surrounded him as she twirled around and around. She moved quickly but gracefully as his eyes followed, never missing a gesture. To those on the outside he looked upon the elven woman with calm interest. But she knew his eyes and they were hungry.
Nayah was in her own little world, dancing her cares away. She caught the attention of a fellow patron - a human - and she smiled coyly at him. She quickly closed the short distance between them.
"Aye, lass. You alone?" His accent was thick. Ferelden. She shook her head as her hand reached out, brushing against his chest and along the length of his arm. Her breasts were practically in his face as she leaned over to reach her target. She gripped the head of it, smirking as she pulled back with the man's bottle now in her hand.
"I'm with someone," she winked and threw her head back, downing the dark amber liquid. Solas would scold her for such lewd behavior. And she counted on it.
The audacity. The fucking...audacity. Solas lifted his chin up and gazed down his nose at the philandering lady elf. Although he knew that she knew what she was doing, he was going to let her have it anyway. "Is that how you get what you want?" He asked as she slid up to him, turning around and shimmying down the front of him. "You exploit your body for ale and attention?" He clasped his hands low behind his back, feigning disinterest in her lithe movements. When she looked over her right shoulder with only a smile, he grabbed her wrist quickly before she floated away. He expertly pulled her back towards him as they danced towards the edge of the dance floor. Before she realized it, he had her pinned behind a large wooden pillar…
*
"Fuck you, Cullen." He was so freaking smug. Sometimes the things that were so sexy and cute about him annoyed her to death. That smug face was one of those things. Pretending to have something slightly worthy in her hands, she decided to distract him. "That girl over there is staring at you like she wants to lick your balls." Ha, now she smiled smugly at her stupid excuse for a hand and that flustered look on his face.
Cullen choked on his ale mid-way through downing his glass, a blush finding its way on his handsome features. Eva was never subtle. Nor was she a fair player.
Cullen cleared his throat, "That's a very cheap shot, Eva. Distracting your opponent with lecherous remarks? I thought you above all that." But two could play her game.
He smirked as he leaned forward, his body mere inches from hers, his heat radiating off of him. He was grateful for the cover of the wooden table, for underneath it his hand began to crawl up her luscious thighs. He felt her shiver, caught the hitch in her breathing at his sudden touch. She was warm and soft through the flimsy fabric that she wore. His gaze lowered, fixed on the destination that his hand was about to reach. He licked his lips, "Just admit defeat, Lady Trevelyan.”
The sound of his deepened voice when he said that made her heart pound harder and faster in her chest. Not to mention the creeping fingers that danced their way up...up...up…and further up her thigh. "Cullen..." She meant to bark out his name for him to stop, but the buzz of the ale and heat from his fingers caused his name to purr off her tongue. The cards slipped out her hands as she quickly reached down to grasp his. "Cullen! Stop..." Her eyes bore into his...with lust.
A deep chuckle rumbled in his chest as he pulled back, satisfied. "Looks like I have won." His eyes darted down to the cards that had slipped from her hand, now plastered and exposed across the table. He laid his cards down face-up, signifying his win. "Now, for my reward..."
*
"You're awfully hands-on tonight, hahren," Nayah cooed as she pressed her body against his, searching for any friction against her throbbing groin. She was a terrible drunk. Slutty, terrible drunk. "Not that I'm complaining," she added with a smile, "It’s about time you let that mask crumble and let loose."
Even though he had her pinned against the face of the large pillar, he was highly aware of the wandering, interested eyes around them, so he pulled back. Slowly at first, trying his damnedest to make sure he looked as calm and as in control as ever. It was tough. "<i>If you continue as you are, I'll be forced to cut the evening short and take you home,” he said in Elven.
Nayah shrugged her shoulders and smiled even more, "You can't make me! You won't!" Solas' lip twitched upwards so briefly, Nayah wasn't sure if she saw the expression correctly.
"Oh?" His hands clasped again behind his back, "I can definitely make you...and you'll want to."
"Is that a challenge, hahren?" She stuck out her tongue as she pushed past him, pressing against his chest to move him out of her way. She proceeded to their table without another glance at the Elven man. Her approach cut off whatever Cullen had been planning to do. She noticed the flustered look on Eva's face and the way the Commander abruptly pulled back and sat straight up in his chair. Nayah couldn't help but feel like she had interrupted something very scandalous and important. "Were you two having fun?" she smirked.
Eva's heart was still pounding when Nayah surprised them with her presence. "Thank the Maker you are here," Eva let out a loud sigh as she tried to collect her nerves and gather some air into her lungs. Fuck that sexy ass bastard... Nayah's brows shot up suspiciously as she studied her friend's face. "What?" Eva asked with a sheepish smile, "Cullen and I were just..."
Nayah's brow lifted higher, "Were just...talking?"
"Uh huh…" Eva reached for her ale and took a long drag of the liquid. "Where's Solas? You ditch him, again?"
"I'm right here." Solas stood directly behind his woman who pretended she didn't hear him. Instead she proceeded to grill Cullen regarding Eva's weirdness. "So now she's ignoring me."
"Solas," Eva cupped her hand near her mouth as if to whisper, "You ought to teach her a lesson for treating you like this." She giggled but stopped once she saw the serious look on his face. "Damn, looks like you will be teaching her lesson, huh?"
"Indeed."
Cullen was suddenly all too aware of the presence of everyone around him and his shyness began to creep back in. Ale be damned. He had almost forgotten himself- forgotten that they were in a very public place. "Maybe-uh…" he stammered. The liquid courage had left his body and he was no longer as sure of himself as he was minutes - no, seconds - before. "We should probably call it a night," he finally declared with steadfast resolve. This was enough for one night.
"Leave it to the Commander to always be the party-pooper," Nayah rolled her eyes. "I don't know who's more allergic to fun, you or Solas." She had given up on prying information from Cullen or Eva, knowing good and well that neither would budge. But she would get every detail from Eva tonight.
"We have very diverse definitions of fun, da'len."
Nayah scoffed, "Clearly."
Cullen took advantage of the bickering between the two elves and, while they argued amongst each other, stood from his seat and slipped away from the table. The slight bulge in his pants was evidence enough of what he and Eva had been discussing prior, and he would rather be swallowed by the breach than to have Nayah bug and tease him for the rest of the night about his erection.
Before slipping away, he turned back to face Eva, still keeping his pelvic area turned away from their table. There was no doubt in his mind that she knew about it, knew how badly she turned him on. "My lady," he extended his hand to her with a smile.
Eva took the Commander's hand. She always felt safe and secure when she did. She could feel his warmth...the firmness of his touch...she glanced back towards her friends to wave goodbye. She stifled a laugh at Nayah who was wiggling her eyebrows at her...poor Solas; he was wrapped so tightly around her little finger. "I'll see you later..." Eva mouthed as she followed Cullen out of the tavern.
Nayah gave her a little wave and stared after the couple. She could feel the light tickle of his breath near the tips of her ear a moment before he spoke, "Da'len...look at me." She closed her eyes, a pang of need touching her most sensitive part. His fucking voice...he knew that was something that got to her every time. But she was stubborn and playful. If he was the Dread Wolf, she was a tricky fox. "Again, you refuse to acknowledge me." He took the chair next to her and sat on it backwards. "Tell me, what do I do to little elven girls that are disobedient?"
She could feel his eyes burn into her as she kept her eyes trained on the door leading to the exit. "I don't know...but I want you to show me." With that, she stood up and walked out the tavern without looking back to see if he followed. But she knew...he was only a step behind her.