AUTHORS NOTE:

Just a little amusing idea bouncing around my head of Cullen being jealous of Dorian-unaware that the mage didnt like women...

Spoilers and to come

Cullen inspected the man across from him closely-eyes narrowed as he reached forward with a flourish-making his move on the chess board. Dorian was a skilled player, Cullen would give him that, but he was too arrogant. Refusing to believe he could lose.

What does she see in him?

The words spilled into his mind before he could stop them. Ever since Dorian and the inquisitor had returned from recruiting the mages; they had been closer than Cullen expected. A new found trust was placed between them-he even saw Amelia sharing a secret smile with the Tevinter mage; elbowing him lightly in the side.

The chuckle Dorian gave in response irked the former Templar to no end. The way his shoulders silently shook. A hidden joke between two mages.

That same mage was seen walking towards them now, Cullen jerked to attention mid sentence, beginning to rise. " Inquisitor-'

Dorian's words reached him just before he fully stood.

"Oh? Leaving already? does that mean I win?"

Cullen narrowed his eyes and slumped back into his chair.

Amelia Trevelyan regarded the two of them with amused amber eyes-the golden depths dances with mirth and spoke of trouble. She sidled up behind the Tevinter mage. An arm resting on his head. " Are you playing nice Dorian?"

The Tevinter tilted his head slightly, peering up at her with a slight lift of his lips. " I'm always nice~, the commander merely can't accept that I will win."

Amelia's gaze wandered over the board-amusement sparking once more in her gaze. 'Oh...so you're going to win are you?"

"Evidently." The man said, waving her words off.

Cullen chuckled and moved his piece. " Really? Because I just won."

Dorian shot his gaze to the board and gave a dramatic sigh. "My lady you distracted me from my course!" Amelia gave a coy smirk and rolled her eyes at his antics. "And...Commander...don't get smug. That's -my- thing."

He stood with a flourish-removing Amelia's arm from his head and bowing before her while still holding her hand. He gave her a wink and chuckled. "I'll speak with you later about your little distraction, inquisitor."

Amelia arched a brow, chuckling softly. "Not my fault it is easy to 'distract' you."

Dorian released her. "Ah, I suppose it is not."

They shared a grin, Cullen narrowed his eyes at the two of them. Once Dorian was gon he cleared his throat-drawing Amelia's gaze away from the retreating mages back.

"I should get back to work. Unless you wish to play.' He gestured to the board-a challenging look in his eyes.

Amelia offered the lopsided smile, " set the board commander."

She sat down in the chair Dorian once occupied, Cullen found himself admiring the way the sun set the back of her head aglow. Her hair was a dark brown with red tones. Though he recalled she denied vehemently that she was a red head when Bull insisted she was.

The flush of anger in her cheeks amused him to no end.

He went about setting the board. Before shooting his gaze back to hers. "Ladies first."

Her head tipped to the side and she inspected her pieces silently. Before reaching for ward and placing her first piece.

"I didn't know you played chess." She said softly-raising her eyes from the board to him.

" I used to play with my sister all the time, She had the worst smug grin on her face whenever she won...which was all the time. My brother and I practiced day in and out...The look on her face was priceless on the day I finally won."

Amelia's eyes flashed and she gave him a full blown smile. "You have siblings."

He nodded, leaning over the board slightly. "Two brothers and a sister."

He felt heat gathering under his collar and looked down. "Ah..yes it's my turn."

She laughed softly. He moved his piece and looked to her. " What of you, my lady? Any siblings?"

Amelia rested her chin in one palm and moved her piece without much thought behind it. "An older brother. We used to chase each other over the rooftops back home. Before I was taken to the circle of course."

He arched a brow. " A noble woman running over rooftops?"

She grinned sheepishly. "I preferred mud and dirt. The thrill of danger...to the frilly, tight dresses. My brother was an absolute deviant. Much like my father was in his younger days..."She glanced down for a moment. "...He's a Templar now."

Cullen blinked in surprise and after a moment of thought moved his piece. "What of your family? Someone must take over head of house when your father...well."

She smiled at him. "My cousin has been chosen for that position. My brother gave up the nobility. Though things were tense between us for a long time."

Cullen frowned, watching her move the next piece. "Was he the one that brought you to the circle?"

She shook her head. "No. He didn't become a Templar until after I was gone. My abilities showed up late. I was taken on my fifteenth birthday...He became an initiate a year later. He was of course not stationed at the Ostwick circle." She smiled up at him, the lopsided smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Do you know where he is now?" his eyes searched hers quietly. She dropped her gaze though, watching him move a piece.

"No. But I'm looking. He was coming to get me...when the circle rebelled...he arrived too late. Thus we remained separated."

"His name is Veren. He's an excellent fighter. Though I'm not sure I want him involved with inquisition."

She took one of his pieces and looked back up at him. Her golden gaze sharp-piercing. Cullen swallowed.

"That was the longest we've gone without mentioning the inquisition or related matters...I have to say...I enjoyed the distraction." He smirked at her-recalling Dorian's words. The double meaning heavy in his words.

She laughed softly. "We should spend more time together..." She looked straight at him-he nearly dropped the piece he was moving.

"...I'd like that." He placed the piece down, taking one of hers.

"Me to." she moved another quickly. He glanced at her as she had her head tilted down slightly...he found himself wishing he could see her eyes. They were so expressive at times.

"...You said that." he murmured. Her gaze shot up to him, lips set in a neutral line. The blush was in her cheeks but it faded as quick as it came.

"We should uh...finish our game yeah?...my turn?" His lips had gone dry. She offered a brief barely there smile as he moved his piece.

They continued in silence. Finally however he knocked over her king.

"It seems I've won. But you are quite the player."

She smiled. " Seems that luck has favored you today."

He leaned forward. Stippling his fingers. " So it has."

She laughed softly, helping him clean up the board-she passed him a piece. He watched her hands-how she carefully made sure not to touch him.

He wanted to question her about that. She never seemed so cautious...unless it was around him.

Dorian came to mind once more. Their touches were casual,easy -free.

He grit his teeth but watched her stand.

"I should be getting some dinner. You should to."

"Of course, inquisitor."

He stood as well-watching her starting to walk. But she paused and looked back to him.

"Cullen." He started at the sound of his name. Looking to her.

She smiled-the full blown one that lit up her whole face.

"...It's Amelia." She waved back at him over her shoulder once she kept moving.

He wondered if she knew what kind of game she played with him. He didn't know the rules.

"...Amelia.' he murmured.

...She was quite the player.