' look into my eyes.. '

Cole took a moment before he he grabbed the plum and slid off of the sill. The herald had told him that his ‘disappearing act’ made some uneasy and Cole didn’t want that. Landing skillfully on his feet , the spirit moved forward and offered the plum to Cullen. He could get another, and it was all he had to offer at the moment. ” You don’t have to go through it alone… I could help. ” he said , shifting on his feet as he did.

He glanced at the fruit that was being offered, before slowly reaching over to take the plum from the smaller hand. Cole was strangely…calming. “You have my thanks, Cole” he smiled slightly at the young…man? “And I have..I am..” he faltered in his words, closing his eyes for a few more seconds and then opening them “I will be fine”

A small smile. It was something. It didn't make the pain go away though. Cole knew that. " You aren't alone. Not now. I'm here , and I can be here when you need me to be. " Cole said , his tone soft , but it was obvious he cared. There was so much hurt in one place ... He just wanted to help.

Cole looked up as he heard this. There was a moment of silence that fell upon the room. Then a small frown from Cole. ” Its hard for you — not taking the lyrium. ” The spirit stated softly. Withdrawal. A horrible thing. Maybe… Just maybe.. Cullen will let him help , or talk to him about it. ” The nightmares…. The nightmares are at their worst. ”

Cullen winced at Cole’s words, closing hs eyes for a few secods and letting out a low breath. There seemed there was nothing he could do to hide anything from Cole, which was disturbing. “I have endured before, I will endure again”

Cole took a moment before he he grabbed the plum and slid off of the sill. The herald had told him that his 'disappearing act' made some uneasy and Cole didn't want that. Landing skillfully on his feet , the spirit moved forward and offered the plum to Cullen. He could get another, and it was all he had to offer at the moment. " You don't have to go through it alone... I could help. " he said , shifting on his feet as he did.

Patience. That’s what the Herald told them that Cole needed. Lots of patience. So he just shook his head and walked over to his desk, placing some new papers on top of it. “You are not in the way” he told the boy with a shake of his head, however he decided to keep an eye on him, just in case.

Cole looked up as he heard this. There was a moment of silence that fell upon the room. Then a small frown from Cole. " Its hard for you -- not taking the lyrium. " The spirit stated softly. Withdrawal. A horrible thing. Maybe... Just maybe.. Cullen will let him help , or talk to him about it. " The nightmares.... The nightmares are at their worst. "

+ comandercullenrutherford 

Panic. No , not panic. Alertness. Maybe surprise. Whatever it was , it didn't last too long. Cole could only guess Cullen realized he wasn't a stranger that intruded by some chance. Not a likely event though. Skyhold was a secure area. Turning his head once Cullen said his name , taking it as almost an okay to do so , he looked up just enough so his eyes peeked out from under his hat. Bringing his feet up , he moved just enough so one foot hung and the other rested on the still. He brought the plum to rest by his foot before he spoke. ------ " I didn't mean to get in the way... " he said as a sort of apology. " The view is peaceful from here. " The spirit explained.