bakerstreet | minor injury meme.

minor injury meme.

You or your meme partner has been hurt, but don't worry! This time around it's not that bad. You can still limp your way out of this mess.

INJURIES.
1. Sprain/strain. How did you screw up walking?
2. Broken bones. Simple fractures still hurt.
3. Cuts. Hopefully one of you has a sewing kit.
4. Burns. Location, location, location. Let's pray this one isn't on your ass.
5. Concussion. No, they're most likely not holding up fifteen fingers.
6. Other. I'm not a doctor.

HOW'D IT HAPPEN.
1. Stupidity. You did this to yourself.
2. Accident. Is an unintentional attack still an attack?
3. Attack. Don't lie, you deserved it.
4. Other. It's probably still your own fault.

WHERE'D IT HAPPEN.
1. Home. Did you remember to invest in a first aid kit?
2. School/Work. This should be excellent for getting you out of doing stuff!
3. Outdoors. Predators like the smell of blood. Clean up asap.
4. In the water. Hopefully there aren't any sharks!
5. Other. Like a hospital. That'd be handy.

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[ She winces very slightly at the pressure, but nonetheless her eyes fall shut and she sighs. His hand is warm, calloused from constant use of a sword. She almost wants him to take liberties, run his hand higher, or lower, all over, really.

It's been far too long since she's had a man's hands on her. Cullen would probably balk at the very thought, though. She remembers how flustered he got when she teasingly asked him about celibacy vows, and whether he'd taken any.

Hell, for a split second before she opens her eyes again, she considers leaning over and kissing him, just to see how he'd react. Probably badly. As he should. It's a terrible idea. ]

It feels fine to me. [ She murmurs that, missing his hand on her skin already. ] I mean - I'm sure it'll do.

Still, next time perhaps the healer should see to it.

[ Because there will be a next time, won't there? He has to send her out in harm's way because that's what they're here to do. That's what she has to face, day after day, because she can endure long enough to do what must be done.

Cullen still finds himself longing for the day when they'll no longer need to. What she'll do then, whether she chooses to stay with the Inquisition or find new purpose to her life, should be her decision. Even if that means leaving all of this -- and him -- behind.

It's too much to think on just now, coupled with the way she looks at him. Maker, the way she looks at him now, he feels frozen to the spot. ]

...how is it feeling? That is, how are you feeling?

[ It's a given, there will be a next time. Probably worse than this. She survived Haven once, but who knows what could be coming?

All she knows is, she wants Cullen to stay a while. ]

I'm - glad to be back. Tired, but glad to be back. Skyhold is... growing on me. And I - I suppose I start to miss it when I'm away. Miss some of the people in it.

Your absence is often...

[ No, that's the wrong way to put it, isn't it? He can't speak for the lot of him, only what he knows for himself to be true. He misses her, worries for her, and can't admit to either for fear of it being mistaken for a lack of faith in her. That couldn't be further from the truth.

For a moment he goes silent, his eyes falling to where her tunic now covers her wound, and where her hand rests against the sheets. ]

It's good to have you back. It always is.

[ He should go.

And yet, here he remains. ]

I missed you. [ She blurts that out abruptly, and then lets out a nervous sort of chuckle. ] I just - I mean, the other day I suddenly wanted to ask your advice about something and I was... disappointed when I couldn't. Silly I guess but there you are.

I don't think it's silly.

[ Dangerous business, the way he reaches for her hand. The glove's still off, and he doesn't think he's ever touched her on purpose like this before. Skin to skin, no reason other than wanting to. That's a strange thing to take note of, and yet there it is.

If it's forward of him, perhaps she'll say so. Life can return to the status quo, or such as it is, before he gets his hopes up. ]

At least...no more silly than the way I worry for you.

[ It's such a simple gesture. Friendly, perhaps with a hint of something more, but nothing like either the duty-bound way he touched her earlier, or the reverential distance granted her by most others. She doesn't pull away, doesn't tell him he's being forward. It's not unwelcome. Precisely the opposite, in fact, and she gives his bigger, rougher hand a squeeze. ]

Then I suppose we're equally silly. At least we're in good company.

I suppose so.

[ Equally so? He could believe it. This entire endeavor was foolishness, and yet he had indulged in it regardless. If she only knew the sway she held over him, not simply as commander of her forces but as a man, without title or rank. He could have refused her nothing. Of course he might tell himself it was the respect he held for her and nothing more, and contented himself with the lie if need be.

Slowly he untangled their fingers and rose to his feet, clearing his throat quietly. ]

I should likely leave you to your rest, Inquisitor. I don't wish to impose on what little time you have to yourself, hard-won as that can be.

[ So why was he having such trouble turning around and walking? Why was he looking to her now as if waiting, hoping, for some indication that she'd like him to stay? Andraste preserve him, acting like a besotted teenager. ]

[ Is she exhausted? Yes. She lost a fair amount of blood to that stupid cut, and that, combined with pushing herself magically has left her drained.

But she doesn't necessarily want to be alone, either. She feels alone, as often as not, these days, even when surrounded by people. And when she is alone, her mind crowds with thoughts and questions - everything from appeasing nobles and diplomats to the ever-present greater threat that looms over everything. The weight of responsibility sometimes feels heaviest when she's alone and has time to actually think about it. ]

You're not imposing. I mean, if you're not too busy - I - you could stay a while longer.

[ He takes a moment to ensure he didn't mishear that, didn't miss the meaning behind it. Something in his shoulders goes lax, a breath released he hadn't known he'd been holding onto. ]

I could do that. If that is your wish.

[ That space between them closed once more, one step at a time. There was business to attend to elsewhere, but could it wait a few hours? Almost certainly. The end was not yet upon them, and taking a seat on the edge of the Inquisitor's bed wouldn't bring it about any sooner.

Probably. ]

[ She leans back against the pillows, smiling faintly. If he wanted to leave, he has an out. There is always more to do - every moment they spend not working is a conscious decision.

Probably especially for Cullen. She's sure she's not even aware of half the things her advisers do to make everything run smoothly. ]

Tell me what's been happening. With you - or the troops?

[ It's easier to lead back into the headboard of the bed, relieving some of the weight of the armor he wears. It just so happens to put him side-by-side with her as she settles in, and there's no complain to be found on his part. At her question, his brow pinches. ]

We're growing closer to a lead on tracking down Samson. It will put my mind at ease once we've relieved Corypheus of his prized general.

[ Which put them at rather opposing ends of the spectrum. It isn't something he would have expected, given their similar backgrounds. They'd served a greater purpose together, once. Perhaps that was why his betrayal felt so personal, why he found himself so fixated on the task.

...not a good conversation to burden the Inquisitor with at the moment, he feels. ]

Construction has also begun on the bridge in Emprise du Lion. We should have it secure enough for a party to travel within a fortnight.

Good. [ On both counts, really. Samson would be a primary target, regardless, but she's hyper-aware of Cullen's personal stake in making sure he can no longer do more damage with the Red Templars. His personal stake has become hers. ]

I'll have to bring Iron Bull along, I've heard rumors of dragons in that area. [ And Iron Bull does really love killing dragons. ]

How have you been? [ She worries, sometimes, since told her of his decision not to take lyrium anymore. ]

[ A soft smile tugs at his lips, his voice quieter now as he nods. ]

Better.

[ And how he regretted letting her see him in that state. He fully expected to find her faith in her commander shaken, perhaps to see the wisdom in his demand that Cassandra find a replacement. In spite of that she'd done everything she could to support his decision and leave him in his current post. There's no measure for the gratitude he feels towards her, for that.

It weighs on him, at times. The exhaustion, the nightmares. But for the moment he's composed, his hands don't shake, and his eyes are clear when they turn towards her. ]

It seems I simply needed the reminder that 'better' would come in time, if I endured. I have you to thank for that.

[ She shakes her head a little, but she smiles, too. He scared her, that day, but it hadn't been fear for herself. ]

I'll do whatever I can. You are the one enduring. I think it's incredibly brave. [ If anything, it's strengthened her faith in him. How many people would be able to do what he's doing? She doesn't think many.

He's one of the strongest people she's ever met. ]

Is it? It certainly didn't seem that way at the start.

[ He smiles ruefully, but his hand silently seeks hers out again. She would see the good in it, when all he saw was his only way out. The only way to escape what he'd once been wholly and completely. He sees an escape, and she sees bravery. Who does that say more about?

Maybe it doesn't matter. Maybe nothing does, aside from the feel of her hand in his. ]

Now it seems anything is possible.

[ His touch warms her - maybe it's all in her head, but it's always a nice feeling when he's near. She doesn't see how anyone could look at what he's doing and think it anything other than brave. She knows Cassandra agrees, and she wishes Cullen could see even a little of it himself.

He didn't want to disappoint you. That's what Cassandra had said, and it still baffles her. How could she possibly be disappointed in him, with all he's accomplished? Everything he's been through, and come out stronger for it? ]

Maybe it is. I know you don't see it that way, but... You are a good man. I'd say you're about the only one who doesn't realize it.

I know the full extent of what I've made of my life. It's only recently I can truly say that I am proud of what I've done. There are things that still weigh upon my mind, and should. A man should never think himself so righteous that he cannot be at fault, or so pure that he cannot know corruption. I have seen what becomes of those men, and I will not...

[ He breaks himself off at that. He struggles not to lend her too much of his own burdens, and yet here they come slipping out as though at confession. He might wear the armor of a knight but he never feels so laid bare as now.

His thumb brushes gently across her knuckles as his hold on her hand shifts. ]

I will be more than that for this cause. For you.

[ She doesn't mind, though. She's never minded. She has plenty of burdens of her own, the weight of huge decisions riding on her shoulders, people looking to her for guidance, complete strangers...

She feels helpless quite often, for all that. But with him, she feels like she really makes a difference. In the way he smiles at her words, in the way he seems to be doing much better. Like just her encouragement really did help. Something so simple. ]

You already are. The troops would follow you into the jaws of an archdemon, you know. And I - [ Her brow furrows a little as she tries to put it into words. ] - if anything good has come of this, it's - being able to know you.

I feel the same.

[ Knowing that much is a relief, even if he fears posing a distraction to her. Then again, distraction could be necessary at times. Who could focus all of their being into the salvation of the world and nothing else? These quiet moments, their talks, were a source of great solace for him.

Perhaps for her as well, or else why offer the chance to stay by her side? ]

So much at stake, it's a wonder we haven't all gone mad. Some days I feel like I may yet.

[ The corners of his lips tugged as he leaned, a bit closer now than he had been, though mostly the relieve the weight on his hip from the armor. Mostly. ]

Sometimes I wonder if I haven't already. I've got you to keep me sane, though. [ Cullen was recruited. He left the Templars to do this. He knew - more or less - what he was getting into.

She was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, and now, her life upside-down, she's the only one who can fix things, whether she likes it or not. She will do her best, but sometimes she does resent it a little.

He's leaning towards her a little, and she wishes he didn't have all that bulky armor on, and then realizes what she was just thinking, here, in her bed, with her commander next to her, and her cheeks flush. She could turn her head and kiss him if she wanted. If she wasn't so afraid that he would pull away, leave, and make everything between them awkward. ]

[ Everything between them was already awkward. At least it was the benign sort, where he occasionally tripped over his tongue or lost his nerve, or found himself staring overlong and missed hearing something one of the scouts had brought to him. These were relatively minor things in the course of a day, even if they left him wondering when she might finally drive him mad.

No. It would be the fault of this...infatuation, not hers. He knew better than that. ]

I do what I can.

[ Humor creased the edges of his eyes before he paused, apparently weighing the options of his next words. Were he standing, he'd likely be moving about as was generally his wont, restless in the uncertainty of it all.

Instead he lifted her hand, looking to her in earnest. ]

...there is, in fact, no thing I could think of that I would not do if you. asked it of me. You know this, yes?

[ Oh. That - sends a warmth through her that she can't quite describe, and butterflies in her belly. She suddenly feels like a giddy little mage apprentice with her first crush, and doesn't quite know what to say.

Anything? He'd do anything she asked?

No doubt there are others who would say the same, because they believe she is the Herald of Andraste, sent by the Maker or his Prophet to save Thedas from this chaos. But that's not how Cullen is looking at her now. ]

Would you kiss me? [ It takes her a moment to realize she said that aloud. ] I mean... uh...

[ There's a moment suspended longer than he can count where her words catch up to him, sink in, and he realizes he hadn't misheard her. Hadn't misheard any of this or misunderstood any of what's been threatening between them.

She feels the same.

The moment it clicks, he moves. Careful to avoid her injured side, he leans in. His head ducks low and his lips find hers before she can stammer any further, and something drops hard and heavy into the center of his chest like a lance bound to a runaway horse.

He could have stopped, could have questioned her meaning, but this seems the right answer. He prays he's not mistaken. If this is the only time he knows the warmth of her lips, exactly how he imagined, he doesn't know what he'll do with himself. ]

[ She half-expects him to get uncomfortable. To tell her that's not appropriate. To leave, awkwardly.

Instead, he's there, and his mouth is on hers, and she sucks in a breath, before returning the kiss. It probably isn't anything special, but it feels that way to her. Just knowing he feels the same, that this might be something she can have - when she finally has to break the kiss to catch her breath, she can't help but grin a little. ]

minor injury meme.

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