(no subject)

[virborassan]

Seven months had passed since they'd told their friends about the impending new arrival. As expected, there was a hell of a celebration. Thankfully, no one lost their clothes save Bull and Sera while Dorian whined that he'd have to deal with getting both of them back to their respective beds. All in all, it had been a fun evening. And morning.

As time passed, Elareth grew in more ways than one. She couldn't fit any of her armor anymore, which galled her to no end. Instead, she'd gone on to looser things, and still chose to spend most of her time barefoot. If chided, she'd claim it was a Dalish thing. After all, she'd spent most of her time traveling without shoes. Sera called her elfy because of it and she just chuckled and shrugged it off. Vivienne had come to visit not too long ago, bearing all sorts of pretties for the baby and sure enough, a raven had just arrived that morning with news from Leliana.

Much to her chagrin, she'd lost a good deal of the easy grace she'd always had and was quick to poke fun at herself when given the chance. Today was no different. While she'd cut down, then cut out her traveling, people flocked to Skyhold to not only meet the fabled Inquisitor, but to offer gifts and such to her new and growing family. She'd learned even more about the great game thanks to being around a lot more often, but even now, her temper could grow short with the constant boot licking that seemed to happen. At least she had a reason to keep her audiences short.

Today was one of those days. She'd gladly been able to beg out of the rest of the afternoon and retired to her quarters only to settle (a bit awkwardly) at her desk to read over a few reports.

Comments

[virborassan]

She thought his disgusted noise was just fine, but it just wasn't the same if it wasn't Cassandra. Hers had always been rather impressive, after all.

The domestic comment earned him a very unladylike snort and almost more than that but being grumpy with someone that certainly didn't deserve it wasn't something she wanted to do. Cullen rarely deserved her ire as of late. She tapped his hand to let him know to move before she pushed herself up and away from the desk.

It took a good deal more effort that it had in the past, thanks to the still growing stomach. Still, she rarely needed any assistance save for getting out of bed some mornings when her back was aching. Once she was up, she turned to give her husband a proper kiss.

"Call me domestic again, love, and I'll show you how much I'm enjoying married life."

Her tone was light even if she shot him a mock glare.

[revocation]

"Cooking and cleaning really isn't your forte," Cullen said soberly, holding her close as he returned the kiss. Her belly made it a little more difficult to pull her against him, but they were both creative people.

"Would a foot rub endear me to you again?" he offered.

[virborassan]

"I'll have you know, I'm a good cook."

For just a moment, she was able to keep a straight face before she cracked a grin. They both knew that she was a dirty liar when it came to saying things like that. While she hadn't poisoned anyone, when she'd been in the field, no one allowed her to cook. It wasn't that she was the Inquisitor. It was just that she was a bad cook.

At least Cullen was nice about it.

"I could go for a good spar right about now. What do you think?"

[revocation]

He pressed their foreheads together, her belly snug between them, as though they were both protecting the little life inside her.

"Much as I admire your independent spirit, I might have to put my foot down there," he murmured.

[virborassan]

Chuckling softly, she let her fingers trace his jaw before they drifted down the side of his neck. There was a telltale twist inside her and she knew someone else was just as restless as she was as her other hand dropped down to rest on one side of her belly.

"You're just worried that I'd win."

[revocation]

His own hand followed hers and he grinned at the feeling, that same little thrill of excitement and fear going through him every time. In a few months, their little one would be here, he would be a father -

And then the real work would start.

"I know you would win, that's not my worry," he pointed out, fingers twining with hers. "Come, you shouldn't be on your feet."

[virborassan]

Oddly enough, she was actually looking forward to doing something normal with her life. She'd still be the Inquisitor, of course, but there would finally be something normal in her life. Family. She hadn't had it since her clan had fallen so long ago but now, she relished each moment she could when she was just able to be Elareth, not the fabled Inquisitor.

She let him pull her where he wanted, only huffing a little as she followed his lead.

"What's your worry, then?"

[revocation]

"That you'll push yourself too far," he said easily, leading her towards the bed. He wasn't kidding about that foot rub. That extra weight wasn't exactly good on her ankles, either.

"But that's why I'm here. To, ah, advise."

[virborassan]

"Advise?"

She'd rarely turn down a chance to have him spending time with her, especially since she knew they wouldn't have so much quiet time in the near future. His doting was downright charming but it was something she was still getting used to.

Chuckling, she settled on the edge of the bed, grunting when a particularly hard jab showed a faint bit of protest at someone being jostled.

"Is that what we're calling it now?"

[revocation]

"I think it's a rather accurate description of what I do," he said with a faint chuckle, following her to the bed so he could run his hands along her calves soothingly.

"You want to do something, and I generally advise against it. Then you probably do it anyway."

[virborassan]

She couldn't help but laugh. In all honesty, he was right. While they could both be a bit volatile in temper and stubborn to a fault, she was more of the one to rush in, even against advice, if she thought it was the right thing to do. Hadn't that been what had landed her in the wrong place at the wrong time at the Conclave?

Shaking her head, she mimed a shrug as if completely innocent and had no idea what he might be talking about.

"I wouldn't do something like that."

[revocation]

"Liar," he said with a snort. But he didn't really have anything else to add to that, instead focusing on the task at hand - her calves were tense and tight, so he worked at the knots in the muscles there first, trying to soothe them into relaxation.

[virborassan]

Apparently someone else agreed with Cullen or so the kick led her to believe. Grunting, she absently pressed a hand to her belly, frowning down at it for a moment before shifting a little more. Getting comfortable wasn't really possible as of late, but she knew it wasn't a bad thing. Not when Cullen did his damnedest to make sure she remained so well taken care of.

"I think someone agrees with you. Lovely. Now I'll have to deal with two troublesome Rutherfords."

[revocation]

Cullen smiled, leaning in to kiss the side of her ankle gently. "Two Rutherfords who love you more than anything, you mean."

Gently, he took one foot into his hands, running his thumbs along the bottom, from toes to heel.

[virborassan]

Even now, he could make her blush. She'd long since stopped trying to hide it, though. They both knew better. Most days, she thought he said things just to see her cheeks pink up.

Huffing with muffled laughter, she let herself lean back against the heavy headboard of the bed, fighting the urge to reach down and play with Cullen's hair.

"Still troublesome, though. And just as loved."

[revocation]

"What exactly do you find troublesome about me, my lady?" he asked, his lips twitching as he worked at her foot gently. "I do wish you would tell me, so that I can try to be less so."

[virborassan]

She was just about to tease back when his fingers hit a sore knot in her foot. Instinct led her pull it back a bit with a soft hiss and a flinch but as always, it was hardly personal. She'd never been one to show when she was hurting in some way and even now, when she'd put off traveling and settling dangerous disputes, she'd remained the same.

"You're far too observant, for one."

[revocation]

He grabbed her foot back, insistently. He was going to work out that knot if it killed him.

"It's my job," he pointed out. "As the commander of your army and as your husband."

[virborassan]

This time, she was expecting the discomfort. As much as she was looking forward to being a mother, she also couldn't wait to have her body back. She missed seeing her feet and being able to wear her leathers. She'd never been one to be so casual all the time. For her, it was armor or nothing.

"You're also stubborn."

As soon as the last bit was out of her mouth, she felt another kick as if chiding her silently.

[revocation]

"No more than you," he pointed out with a faint smile. "You are stubborn, proud, impulsive, temperamental..."

His smile turned lopsided. "And completely amazing."

[virborassan]

For a moment, she looked like she was about to argue but once again, he stopped her short. He was one of the few that could do that when she had her mind set on something.

She found herself smiling back without even realizing it. As always, his hands were keen in working the knots from her body, but that didn't stop her from squirming a little as he worked.

"You have to stop that. Some say my ego is bad enough."

[revocation]

"Never," he said firmly, smiling up at her as he switched to her other foot.

"We should probably think about names," he said eventually, mulling it over.

[virborassan]

She'd let her mind wander a bit as his hands worked wonders on her aching feet. At the mention of names, she glanced up at him, smiling a little in silent apology at her absentmindedness.

"We should. I suppose I've been avoiding it..."

[revocation]

"It's a bit of a monumental undertaking," he pointed out with a faint smile. "After all, they'll have to live with the name their whole life."

[virborassan]

"No pressure."

Truth be told, she hadn't thought of it. She was almost worried than coming up with names would be a jinx of some sort, that something bad might happen if they did.

"Cole says he knows what it is, you know."

[revocation]

Cullen gives her a vaguely surprised sort of glance. Does he?

"Do you want to find out?" he asks.

[virborassan]

That look just made her smile back. Cole might unnerve most, but Elareth not only didn't mind him, she liked him.

"I told him that telling us might be cheating. Don't you think?"

[revocation]

Cullen, for his part, didn't have anything against Cole, except that the spirit tends to unnerve him and make him feel very uncomfortable and like he's under a lot of scrutiny.

But he does mean well.

"I've never considered it," he said after a moment. "So if you say so."