cullenlovesmen

My Tumblrs are gone, but I still managed to find one of my old posts — so here's a reclist of gen fics that focus on interaction between Cullen and Anders. Mind the tags on each separate fic!

Midnight Mass by ocean-in-my-rebel-soul

Summary: A Templar and a Mage meet after midnight at the chapel. It doesn’t go how either of them expect.

My thoughts: This is a very compelling and atmospheric piece told from Anders’ point of view. Cullen is freshly instated to Kinloch Hold and finds a distraught Anders at the chapel. The two men talk and pray, finding solace in companionship. I especially love fics that look into Cullen’s personality and motivations before the tragic events with Uldred occurred.

Crisis of Faith by ocean-in-my-rebel-soul

Summary: Cullen tries to put the pieces together in a way that fits and… fails.

My thoughts: A sequel to Midnight Mass. This fic takes place immediately after Anders blows up the Chantry and Meredith dies. Told from Cullen’s perspective, he recognizes the man from his past and tries to wrap his head around the events that have just taken place. A verbal confrontation follows. The way Cullen’s thoughts and fears are written is spectacular, and the exchange between the characters is perfect.

Shine by Tatjna

Summary: A young Cullen has a crisis of conscience fuelled by his growing dependence on lyrium and an encounter with a certain young mage. Angsty, conflicted and overwrought.

My thoughts: This is a rather short ficlet, but very effectively delves into the mind of a disappointed young man. Cullen has recently caught Anders and ended another one of his escape attempts, but the look in the mage’s eyes haunts him. Cullen’s struggle with his inner demons is always something I want to read about.

Leaven by jaesauce

Summary: There aren’t too many places to have fun in the Tower, which is why Cullen runs into the strange boy from the Anderfels. Who isn’t funny and has dumb hair. And also is quite possibly a bread mage.

My thoughts: What if templar recruits and mage apprentices occupied the same space and occasionally crossed paths? This is a fun ficlet in which Anders shows Cullen that it’s alright to relax every now and then, and that the most successful food thieves don’t just sit around considering it, but actually go ahead and do it.