Late Night In the Study

Lisbeth padded into the study, the one that she claimed for herself and any advisors that she happened to be working with. Like this evening, her and Cullen poured over books and scrolls, making notes of the tears compared to the Darkspawn sightings. Night had settled deeply over Skyhold and she enjoyed the quiet of late night/early morning hours. The Fade Mark was quiet and didn't glow but it didn't stop her from flexing her left hand. Picking up a tinderbox, Lisbeth brought out a match and struck it against the flint, brining an immediate spark and light. The latest invention to light fires was becoming the latest wonder throughout the stronghold. Lighting the still usable candles on the table, Lisbeth smiled as she noted one of Cullen's gauntlets, his dagger and boots, laying on the table or floor. The two empty cups still sat where they had hours earlier. Working with the Commander was a joy, as they often talked about history and politics. If she had a chess board, Lisbeth was sure that their session would have been taken up with a game or two. Alas, Cullen had to leave as news of a courier came on something he was waiting for. So, she retired to her spacious tower, trying to see if she could sleep.

Sleep never came and Lisbeth had creeped out of the tower wearing just her thin shift and headed to the study. Thumbing through one of the books on top of a stack of books on the table, Lisbeth tried to find something to help her sleep. A soft scrape brought her head around to the door into the study, looking for whoever entered.

"Couldn't sleep either?" Cullen's low rumble pierced the semi-dark of the study.

"Unfortunately, no." Lisbeth shook her head, her stubborn bangs working loose from its tuck to fall across her eye. She watched Cullen walk closer to where she was, and stop right at the edge of the light, looking down on her.

Cullen wasn't expecting Lisbeth to be in her sleeping shift and when the moonlight streamed through the window to cast down on her, it showed how thin the material was and that Lisbeth was quite...naked, underneath. He swallowed as his attraction toward her fueled a desire to want to take the Inquisitor into his arms, or on the table. Even so, looking down at himself, Cullen had to speak for his own state of near undress as he came wearing just a thin pair of sleeping pants and an open shirt. His hair was all tousled from the tossing and turning he had in bed before giving up on trying to sleep. His mind was too busy with the news he received, the movements of forces to make and more often, thinking on the pleasant evening he spent with Lisbeth.

"You can step into the light, Cullen." Lisbeth smirked at him, lending that impish rogue air that Cullen loved.

"I didn't want to offend you with my state of undress." He said as he stepped closer toward her.

Lisbeth's eyes traveled over Cullen's bare chest, to the low hung pants that sat right on his hips, noting the fine trail of hair that led further down. It was her turn to swallow and was thankful for having the candlelight behind her to hide the flame in her cheeks as desire flooded through her body. "I have three brothers, Commanders, and have shared camps with our troops in the field. What am I to be offended about?"

"Well, I guess nothing." Cullen smirked as he stepped even closer, his height and presence now filling Lisbeth's senses. She had to step back but met the edge of the table. Setting her hands on the edge, she looked up at Cullen, noting that he slowly closed the distance like a cat on the prowl.

"So what is keeping you from sleeping?" Lisbeth asked, licking at her lips as Cullen was standing so close to her that she could feel the heat coming off him.

"Reports, orders, requisitions...and you." His voice lowered to a low purr as he bent his head down.

"M..me?" Lisbeth stammered. She really was hoping that he was thinking similar thoughts that she had on many occasion's regarding him. That this pull was mutual. Lisbeth pulled her lower lip between her teeth only to have Cullen reach up to gently pull it back with his thumb. With his other hand, Lisbeth shuddered with pleasure as his fingers ran over the skin of her shoulder, across her collar, tracing the deep V-neck of her shift.

"Why are you here, Lis?" Cullen asked in a low voice as he lowered his head more to close in on her mouth.

"Probably for the same reason that you are." She replied, turning her head up to kiss Cullen.