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 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. ]

[ He catches that smile, mirroring it with one of his own. A soft huff of breath and he leans close, forehead pressed to hers. That happened. The world didn't crumble around them. This is all real and she's still here, close at hand, smiling as though he'd made her truly happy simply from a kiss. ]

...have I proven myself, then?

[ No request denied. To think a mage holds this power over him, and he doesn't think twice about giving it to her willingly. ]

[ Proven what? Her mind feels a little hazy, caught up in the sudden rush of delight from that kiss, and then -

Oh, yes. That he would do anything she asked. ] Yes, I -

I'm not - overstepping? You're - you want - with me -?

[ Perhaps she's thinking the same - after all he's been through, he doesn't mind that she's a mage? It doesn't bother him? ]

More than anything.

[ There's not a shred of doubt left in him, and when doubt surfaces instead across her face he releases his hold on her hand, touching fingertips gently to her cheek instead. ]

I didn't think that we...that it would be possible. But if it is...

[ Then his heart may very well burst in his chest. It's a near thing as it is, hammering rapidly against his rib cage as she gazes up at him. ]

Why wouldn't it be possible? [ Almost reluctantly, she reaches out, touches his face gently. ]

The way things are, who we are...it complicates matters.

[ The Herald and her commander. No doubt people would talk, whisper, draw conclusions. Here it might be looked upon with more kindness, considering their friends and allies, but elsewhere? Maker knows what they'll say about them.

Never mind the Damocles sword of her magical talents, and his past. ]

But if you want this too, then none of it matters. Not to me.

[ His eyes slipped shut as her hand grazed his cheek, a quiet breath taken. ]

[ She understands. There's no real way to keep this secret, if they embark on this - whatever this is. People will talk. She doesn't worry much about what other members of the Inquisition will think - most people here are here because they believe in her, and Cullen is incredibly popular with his troops. It won't be malicious, not around Skyhold.

But they have enemies. Enemies who would exploit any perceived weakness if they thought it would help them. ]

I know what I am, out there. [ The Herald. The Inquisitor. A dangerous mage. ] With you, I'm just me. I want that. I want - this. [ A pause, and a little smile touches her lips. ] Kiss me again?

[ Luckily, he's very good at following orders.

Pushing aside for the moment every reason this can't work, every reason that makes this a terrible idea, he tips his head and leans in to kiss her once more. There's a little less urgency in it now, and while they don't have all the time in the world, there's time enough to do things right. He wants to remember this later, while one of them is out trying to piece the world back together.

He thought he might have no harder reason to fight for their success, and here she's given him another. ]

[ His armor is bulky, and the angle isn't ideal by any means, but it doesn't matter. This kiss is everything she wanted, so it's perfect. Her eyes fall shut and she gently runs her fingers through his hair - something she's wanted to do practically since their first meeting. ]

[ It's been so long since he's even given thought to...well, to anything like this. He hadn't expected to find anything of the kind here in the midst of this war, nothing save the day-to-day struggle Cassandra had described when he had signed on. And yet here they are. Here she is with her fingers drifting and her lips pliant and soft, and he can't say exactly when this fascination with their leader turned into something more.

There isn't much more to be done just now. He can't stay here long, and she does in fact need to take her rest. But now? There's something more to look forward to than another day of struggle.

Drawing back from that kiss once more, he takes a deep steadying breath. ]

That was...

[ There don't seem to be adequate words for exactly how incredible that was. He might take a moment to reflect on a few. ]

...Wonderful. [ That's the first word that comes to mind for her, anyway, to describe the way her whole body is tingling pleasantly, the way her lips feel a little swollen from his kisses. She wishes she could stay here, with him, forever.

She knows they can't, but it's a nice thought. ]

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minor injury meme.

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