a bit of sparring (as a treat)
and on day whatever it is of rediscovering the mountain of cullavellan in the drafts that I actually enjoy, have this(:
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Cullen undoubtedly trusts Leliana to keep an eye on things, and Lyria’s credence is more than worth it’s weight in gold—all the same Cullen could never quite forget that Bull was a spy. It isn't distrust, not exactly. More like a constant awareness that Bull’s loyalties lay elsewhere. Cullen considered often that his wariness might was unfounded. All things considered, there were worse things than sending the Inquisitor away with a qunari guard at her back. But even so, he's unused to the games the Inquisition is expected to play. The rules of these political games are ever-changing, and he can rarely keep up. In the beginning, he'd hoped that would change. His optimism has since dwindled to a passive confidence that Josephine and Leliana are more than capable of juggling the cloak and dagger without his help. In fact, he suspected they rather preferred his abstention from such matters.
“You’re more suspicious than Red,” The Iron Bull laughs good-naturedly, and then he hefts his axe, readying to go again. “Can’t say I’m surprised."
Cullen had been surprised when Bull had joined him so early this morning. Gray light still colors the dust at their feet, sun not yet risen over the walls of the Keep. He'd long since returned to running morning drills on his own. Part of him liked things better that way. It was easier to clear his head when he was alone, rehearsing movements his body still remembers so well he doesn't have to think much about them.
But when Bull had offered to spar, there hadn't exactly been an offer to refuse. Cullen much suspected that loophole was purposefully knotted. He just hadn't yet discovered why. The harder he searched for, thje more elusive Bull's true purpose seemed to be. Still, as Cullen twirls the hilt of his blade in his right hand, he can't help thinking that it feels good to have an opponent of equal skill. Which, were he honest, was a compliment that held himself in higher esteem than he probably deserved.
And as Bull lunges for him yet again, the commander’s shield blocking the blow easily, Cullen is acutely aware of Bull’s true purpose. He feels himself being lured by the comment, and the slight lift of the qunari’s mouth says it’s exactly what he intended.
All the same, when Cullen finally manages to disarm Bull, and they’re both catching their breath—well, Cullen more than the Iron Bull—he huffs through overdrawn lungs, “What do you mean?”
“You. The Inquisitor." Bill shrugs his broad, bare shoulders. "You’ve grown close.” He retrieves his axe, settles into a relaxed version of his stance. “Don’t mean to assume, but the Inquisitor is—well," There’s something salacious in the smile that curves his mouth, I wouldn’t mind taking her to bed.”
Cullen has only a moment to process this. But it's a moment in which he can feel his spine stiffen and his brow furrow. And before he can fully recover his wits enough to spout the seething retort forming in the back of his throat, Bull lunges.
It takes Cullen a moment to catch up, managing to throw his shield up in just enough time. But Bull has thrown his full weight into the blow, and Cullen has to put all his strength into fending the other man off. He has to cede a step to regain control. The axe comes down again, but Cullen is ready for it, and catches the blow on his blade. He slides his sword from underneath, and the Bull goes stumbling forward as Cullen cedes another step.
But he's already searching for it when the next blow comes—the opening he knows Bull will give. He has to endure a few more blows, let the other man grow confident.
Finally, Bull lunges with what might have been a killing blow under normal circumstances. But Cullen is ready. He catches the blow on his shield and sidesteps, thwacking the side of his blade against Bull’s ribs and sending his heel into the back of his knee for good measure. The Iron Bull goes sprawling into the dirt.
Left arm still aching with the force of Bull’s last attempt, sweat sliding over his temples and blood thrumming from the crudeness of his words, Cullen turns to seeth in the direction of his ire.
Bull rolls over in the dirt, and comes up laughing.
“Cassandra really did know what she was doing when she recruited you.” He chuckles as he climbs slowly to his feet. Now returned to his usual height, he gives Cullen a slightly appraising sweep. “I’ve gotta say, I expected worse.”
For all his chatter, the words that just fell from his mouth feel the most genuine. At first, Cullen feels almost insulted—then, remembering that qunari are trained from the moment they can hold a weapon, decides to take the compliment.
“So what about you?” Iron Bull asks as he bends to retrieve his weapon from the dirt.
Cullen takes a moment to consider, wariness growing by the moment.
“I’ve fought qunari before. You’re tough.” Cullen shrugs, and for only a moment considers not telling him. “But you leave your left flank open the moment you get too confident. Your size and strength are impressive, but against a skilled combatant, you should be more careful.”
Iron Bull gapes, and Cullen considers he might have well and truly caught him by surprise.
After a moment, Bull gives a small shake of his head. “I’ll keep that in mind, Commander.” The roll of his shoulders is undoubtedly performative. Bull has barely even begun to sweat, and still he drags a hand across his forehead. “So that’s a no on you and the Inquisitor?”
Cullen attempts to keep his expression neutral, though he's not sure he succeeds.
"She’s the Inquisitor.” He says, as if that answers the question.
As an evasion tactic, he doesn't expect it'll be especially effective. Though to be quite fair, the line of questioning is astonishingly unexpected.
Still, Bull sketches a disbelieving eyebrow, “You’ve never even thought about it? I mean she is quite—"
Cullen lunges.
And for the second time in almost as many minutes, Bull is clearly taken by surprise. But in the flash of his blade, Cullen catches the lift of Bull’s mouth and knows he’s just confessed it all, anyway.









