#house husband lucanis dellamorte

[sorcerly]

ok but what if neve and lucanis get together during datv, break up because they're both working through their damage on top of having a fuck ton of new stressful responsibilities, and don't see each other for a year, two, five?

they try to write messages to each other, but - they're both important people. they just don't have time. they might share stories once in a while through the post, sure, but any important things they have to say to each other... it's difficult to write it all down properly, in ink on paper like that. most attempts perish as crumpled parchment thrown into a fireplace.

there's a stretch of many months, maybe even a full year, when they don't hear from each other at all. until SOME twist of intrigue brings them elbow-to-elbow in the shit again.

I think for Lucanis it's a surprise, that he can feel some glimmer of ease again when he's around Neve (she was always the one who could make him feel safe, comfortable). The time since the veilguard has been nothing but the stress of carrying on the Dellamorte name and answering to Caterina's expectations and trying, trying so hard, to be who he needs to be as First Talon - putting his head down and slogging through all the parts of the job that he hates, dreads, never wanted in the first place.

I think for Neve it's a bit of a shock, because she actually does not recognize him immediately. and it's not because he's changed his appearance - he still wears his hair in that neat mullet (though now with some gray in the black), dresses smartly in crow leathers, keeps his beard trimmed. truly the way he carries himself hasn't changed that much either (he's always been guarded, careful). but his face. his eyes.

Neve remembered relishing every unguarded glance she caught from him. those eyes that shone so brightly in the light of the kitchen candles when they were both up at ungodly hours. even though he had seen so much pain and misery and death, Lucanis' eyes showed his heart; still soft. open. welcoming. easy. dark and warm like shadows cast by firelight.

when she sees him for the first time in years, those eyes are cold. hard. closed off. even though he slept so little at the lighthouse, Neve can't help but feel that she has never seen him look so, so, so tired.

and i think it likely doesn't take long for Neve, greatest detective in Thedas, to see the way he interacts with the other Talons, with Teia and Viago, with Caterina - and put together exactly what's been going on. And I think she'd stop at NOTHING to try and fix what she sees as a terrible mistake made by the veilguard, including her. they aren't to blame, of course not, how could they have known? but even so - when the veilguard ended, Lucanis was left to the snakes and the dogs.

so maybe she makes a pact with Teia and Viago, who had almost given up on Lucanis when Neve showed up again. maybe she finds a surprising ally in Illario, who has always known what First Talon would mean for Lucanis. maybe she calls on Davrin, Rook, anyone else from the team who might be able to help. one things for sure tho. Neve and Caterina fucking hate each other.

and then neve and lucanis kiss

[cherrypikkins]

I did it. I figured out their dynamic.

[sketchbeast]

Am I right?

[gxldencity]

what I'm getting from lucanis treating being an assassin as a 9-5 job and doesn't actually like being The assassin nepo baby is that he needs to be a house husband

[cybershock24601]

I made a little jokey post a while ago about Caterina disapproving of Lucanis’ relationship with Rook but I do lowkey think that after losing Rook at Tearstone Isle, that Lucanis could in fact be pushed into leaving the Crows if grandma ever tried to mess up his relationship with Rook. Goodbye First Talon Lucanis Dellamorte and say hello to Rook’s doting house husband who is experiencing more emotional fulfillment in life taking care of a small household then he ever did as the feared Demon of Vyrantium

[vigilskeep]

Can we hear about the soap opera style second de riva?

oh sure

she’s the human mage daughter of the previous talon de riva and she’s also illario’s arranged married wife

viago killed her dad in order to replace him. she’s not angry abt this, actively. (she doubts anyone who had met her father could be angry about it.) but there IS underlying tension, how could there not be? viago could have killed her too, and instead has in some ways become like a brother to her. but in another world where he hadn’t gotten there first, house de riva might have been hers

illario did not want to marry her, she was picked out for him by caterina, to strengthen their house ties. to illario, it reads like an insult: she’s not a match meant for a future first talon, she was passed over and disinherited in her own house. she’s also a mage, which despite all caterina’s claims of it being a new era under the new divine and house dellamorte moving with the times, he suspects would be used against their branch of the family inheriting anything. he didn’t even want to get married in the first place, because he’s a chronic flirt here for a good time. and nobody is dragging lucanis back from tevinter to make him get married like he’s a pawn you can afford to sacrifice

his dissatisfaction means he continues to be a chronic flirt, with other people, after they’re married. she’s professionally humiliated, which is as good as personally humiliated for a crow; charm and beauty were skillsets of hers, she can’t even win over her own husband when it’s required to maintain the alliance in treviso, and everyone knows it? viago’s furious because it’s an insult to house de riva’s honour, too. (he’s being a protective big brother. which would be nice, if he could express it or indeed if he had acted on some of those instincts before agreeing to her being married off. read the contents of these brackets in teia’s voice.) all this is why she is still referred to as a de riva, because she kind of went back home to soothe tensions but without actually getting a divorce

she was obviously normal and rational about all of this, as she always is, a good, composed, collected crow, who has never lost her cool in training or on contracts or with her own father’s murdered body before her very eyes. she would like to clarify that the above events had no effect on her eventually lashing out at a certain antaam patrol and setting several things both metaphorically and very literally on fire. unrelated.

lucanis, on his return, immediately knows exactly what illario was like about it and is intensely mortified on behalf of his family, because he is a man with Romantic Standards. she thinks this is endearing and restrains herself from playing on his heartstrings about it too often. the deeply obvious thing to do here is have them fall in love for drama, that would be the maximum soap opera move, and to be clear i DO think it’s funny for illario to suddenly decide he does actually want his wife as soon as lucanis wants her, but honestly i just want lucanis to have one decent family relationship and this is how i can make that happen by force of will. and now not only is illario’s own wife siding with lucanis in the power struggle, but lucanis is replacing illario with her! we actually don’t need romance to make this deranged

thus i’m still debating the most amusing option on the veilguard team to sweep illario’s wife off her feet. i would love to see where almost any of them are going with this. emmrich, for example. and davrin with lucanis’ sister-in-law is obviously amazing (though i actually don’t think he’d go for a wealthy married human woman, i think he’s got more sense and/or self respect 😭). ultimately neve absolutely has a noir detective’s prerogative to win over a femme fatale with a rich husband who doesn’t treat her right so she would get dibs

[awkward-tension-art]

Papà

Inspired by this post. Wanted fluff. Wrote fluff.

cw: Dad Lucanis, OC children, mentions of fem!Rook, brief mentions of pregnancy, blood and knives mentioned (not in a threatening way), Lucanis being soft, Spite being...Spite, brief mentions of Caterina's abuse

Enjoy!

Lucanis Dellamorte. 

Antivan Crow. First Talon. Demon of Vyrantium. 

Many names. Many titles. But there were really only two that mattered to him. 

Husband and…

“Papà! Papà!” 

He turned from his desk, eyes wide at the small voice of his son. The poor boy sounded panicked as he rushed into the assassins office.

“Matteo,” Lucanis knelt, wrapping his arms around the small 9-year-old. He kept his voice level, afraid to cause any more undue stress to his son, “What’s wrong?” 

“I-it’s Julietta…” Matteo sniffled, “She got hurt…” 

Hurt? How bad? 

Who. hurt. Julietta? 

“Take me to her,” he stood, heart racing. 

Spite was agitated almost instantly. The demon had become a sworn protector for Lucanis’ children now. The day of Matteo’s birth, the very nature of Spite had changed. Shifted to one more…loving. It became even more clear when Julietta was brought into the world.

Yet, with no true word to describe the shift, Spite will always be Spite. 

If she’s hurt. I will kill. 

Me too.

He was the First Talon. Thoughts of a rival house harming his children went through his mind. They killed his family years ago, and here they were, threatening House Dellamorte again.

Matteo was quick. Quicker than he was at his age. And more clever. With talented ease, the boy leapt over a gap between two roofs. Already he was showing signs of becoming a great crow. 

They returned home. To the manor. Lucanis had his hackles raised as they approached. 

Was our home infiltrated? Where are the guards? The servants? 

Kill. Them. 

One hand drifted to a hidden dagger at his side while he analyzed their surroundings. All staff accounted for. Everyone he recognized.

Was there a traitor among the staff? An opening in their schedule for an infiltrator to slip inside? Was his wife now in danger? She was on a contract right now, but was she alone? If Julietta was hurt, would she or Matteo be next? Countless questions ran through his mind as Matteo and him rushed up the stairs. 

The duo stopped in front of Julietta’s bedroom door. The fine wood was carved with flowers and birds, decorated with silver. Behind it, was the sound of sniffling.

“Julietta!” Matteo knocked on the door, “I got Papà!”

Without another word, the door lock clicked open. 

Good. She knows to keep her door locked.

Lucanis pushed the door open quickly, stepping into his daughter's bedroom. Immediately he scanned the area, trying to find any danger. Any potential threats.

Instead, her bedroom looked clean. Normal. But Julietta, had tears in her brow eyes, sniffling and holding her hand. 

Blood.

It marked her palm and her clothes. Behind her was a set of his own daggers. Two of them were cast aside with a cleaning rag, while another was stained with her blood.

“I-I’m sorry Papà…” Julietta murmured, voice thick with emotion, “I-I wanted to be nice and clean them…” 

Ah. 

Relief flooded his body. Spite calmed instantly. No danger. No threat. Just a little accident.

“Julietta…” The First Talon knelt in front of his 7 year-old-daughter, “you know better than to touch Papà’s knives when he isn’t around.” 

“I know…” she hiccuped, “I wanted to surprise you…” 

His heart twisted. He held out his palm and motioned to see the injury. She presented her bloodied hand quickly. 

It was a sizable cut across her palm and thumb. Not a lethal gash by any means but big enough to startle her. And with the amount of blood, she probably panicked and cried to her brother.

Oh, how he remembered nicking himself on weapons when he was younger. Or the many times he burned himself helping the servants cook. He wasn’t so coordinated when he was her age.

Her next words broke his heart further. 

“D-don’t tell grandmama…” 

She judges every little mistake, doesn’t she?

She is angry. Old. 

Shush, Spite. She is set in her ways. 

Hurt Illario. And will hurt Julietta. 

…Never good enough in Caterina’s critical eyes… 

There was a surge of overprotectiveness in his chest, “Matteo, close the door and finish your studies. I’ll take care of your sister.” 

His son nodded and did as told, leaving father and daughter alone. 

Lucanis rummaged through a pack on his hip for a clean cloth. He pulled out a white handkerchief and quickly wrapped her palm, “Sana, sana, colita de rana.” he soothed, using words he remembered his own parents using when he was hurt.

She winced, “it hurts…” Julietta whimpered. 

“I know, mi pequeña Julietta.” The Crow responded quietly, “but it’ll get better, in time.” He placed a loving kiss on her bandaged palm, “Learn from this. Don’t handle knives without proper training.” 

“I-I’m sorry Papà…” she hiccuped, “I-I just wanted to be nice and clean them…”

“I know, amore.” He reached up and brushed some of her dark hair from her face, “Thank you for the thought. But my daggers are sharp, they are made to hurt targets.” 

Julietta nodded, holding her injured hand. After a second she practically threw herself at him in a hug. He, of course, wrapped his arms around her.

“I love you, Papà.” She whispered, “I want to do something nice for you.” 

Lucanis laughed softly, “You don’t need to, amore,” he pet the back of her head, “You do so much for me without even realizing it.” 

“More than Metteo?” 

He stifled another laugh. Sibling rivalry for their fathers love already? 

“Equal amounts.” The assassin tried to squash such competition quickly, “you’re different from your brother. The both of you are unique. And I love both of you.”

“Will you love the baby in mommy's tummy?” 

What?

What? 

“What?” 

“Auntie Teia said something to uncle Viago. Mommy has a baby in her tummy.” Julietta responded, easily. She clearly didn’t understand the gravity of her innocent words, “a sibling. My sibling.” 

We are having words when you get back, Rook!

Agreed.

Lucanis cleared his throat, “Yes. Your sibling. You’ll be a big sister.” 

“Can they call you Papà too?”

Love swelled in his heart, “Yes. I want them to call me Papà. Just like you and Matteo do.”

“I’ll tell them that when they get out of mommy's tummy.” Julietta responded. 

Good. Like being called papà.

I agree.

[cadashly]

I just think if Lucanis doesn't really want to be First Talon why not wait until Caterina dies for real and let his partner Rook de Riva who has considerable high pressure leadership experience take over instead so he can step back and become the house husband he yearns to be?

Rook isn't a Dellamorte? Welll if they got married...

[perkeleen-lavellan]

Viago in Vitani's timelime gets so cooked:

>Go to a meeting of all the Talons with my sometimes GF Teia orchestrated by Caterina Dellamorte

>Survive betrayal and the multiple murder attempts on us only for it to be too late to stop the Antaam invasion anyway

>Before the invasion can fully begin quickly poach that one spunky Valisti assassin Vitani, freshly graduated, for house De Riva. Seeing as the Valisti Talon just got murdered there really is no better time

>Make him your protege

>Couple months into the full Antaam invasion yell at said protege for the 20th time for being an impulsive moron and basically ruining a long con to deal with the Antaam just because he wanted to save a couple captives

>One of the captives is Varric Tethras? He says he wants to put a contract on the ancient elven god Fen'harel? Oh please yes take my new student off my hands on this obviously bogus quest, I have severely overestimated my tolerance for 19-year-olds (Teia is laughing)

>Some time passes by

>My protege is now back with an ADHD riddled Dalish, Varric's buddy the ginger dwarf Harding, and an unhinged Tevinter detective. They want to hire the Mage Killer to kill two more gods.

>The Mage Killer who is dead except sike Caterina has been hiding that he's still alive and there's a traitor among us. Again.

>Somehow my protege finds the Mage Killer, we kill some dragons, gods, kick out the Antaam from Treviso, figure out most of our traitors, maybe now there's finally time for me to acrually train my protege for real without risking him ruining the entire resistance against the Antaam on a whim

>What do you mean you're marrying the new First Talon Lucanis Dellamorte and quitting work as an assassin to become a trophy husband????

>You won't even keep our House name??????

[trinrose3]

I like to think my Rook (who was a Mourn Watcher) ends up becoming an Ambassador of sorts as she focuses on helping all the areas get back on their feet, but primarily stays with her husband Lucanis and the crows and becomes an honorary member of House of Dellamorte <3

[casino-lights]

7, 12, & 17 for Lidia ❤️❤️

god I love writing codex entries. especially for crows. they're all so unserious. thank you for the ask!!!

7. someone describing a time your OC hurt them 

House Valisti is one of the more unremarkable Crow Houses, certainly. At least here in Rialto, they have neither the reputation of House de Riva nor the success of House Cantori. Still, if the rumors are true and there is a Valisti in Treviso, I do hope your husband has taken the liberty of hiring more guards for your grounds. Though I am loathe to recall it, the Santuono affair in Antiva City left unmistakable scars upon my mind and I shudder to think that your city may now be home to the same Valisti I encountered that night. Though my hand trembles as I put my memory to the page, you have asked many times and I do not wish to deny you the tale any longer.

The night of Santuono's ball, a woman whose face I did not see but whose delicate voice still lingers in my nightmares accosted me as I was enjoying a moonlit walk in the gardens outside the ballroom. The evening meal had not sat quite right with me, I must confess, and my husband remained indoors, so I made the foolish mistake of leaving alone. I was held at knifepoint and interrogated as to the identity of the man I had been dancing with before the meal, and any details he revealed in our conversations, but none of what I had learned about him seemed to satisfy her. She made me vow, on penalty of death, not to speak with him or his associate again, and not to tell a soul at the ball that I had spoken with her. She left as quickly as she arrived, but she sliced a small V into my palm, deep enough to bleed but not to scar, and told me it was a reminder to never cross House Valisti or make her regret her mercy.

I do not know what occurred at the ball after that. I gathered my husband and we departed immediately. I never saw Santuono that night, nor did I cross paths with the gentleman the assassin was asking about. A pity, as he was as handsome as he was charming, and my husband and I had been quite eager to meet him in our suite that night.

- From a letter sent by Lady Amanti of Rialto to her sister in Treviso.

12. your OC overheard while drunk

A letter in Viago's crisp hand:

Teia,

I will not "look after" Lidia. I am already "looking after" Illario. I cannot be in two places at once, and I will not be putting them in the same room. I encountered Lidia last night after two bottles of wine and she had some choice words about him. "I should have slit his throat when I had the chance and saved myself the trouble" was uttered more than once. It seems the two of them share the trait of repeating themselves incessantly while drunk. She also stated that she intends to "strangle him the second he fucks up again" and said that "he doesn't deserve the air he breathes, the food he eats, or the water he drinks." Additionally, she called the First Talon "a cowardly old hag who would rather pit her boys against each other than see them succeed, because the second they stop competing with each other they'll see it was her they should have been fighting all along." She then looked me in the eyes, worryingly sober for the briefest of moments, and said, "this is why the Talons are always at each other's throats. If their leader turns her own House into a cockfighting ring, what example is there for the rest of us to follow?"

Whether these are her true feelings or simply the nonsensical rambling of a drunken woman, I leave to your judgement. I put her words to paper only as my plea to have someone else watch her, if she must be watched at all. We really should just loan her to Rook and be done with it.

Yours,

Viago

17. a description of your OC’s family by a future historian

The resurgence of the Dellamortes is a fascinating subject. Caterina Dellamorte lost all five of her children and six of her eight grandchildren to a rival House, as we know, and it was thought to be the end of the family entirely when Lucanis Dellamorte was presumed to be an abomination and Illario Dellamorte was disgraced. However, following the Battle of Minrathous, they seemingly began working as a team, each taking on different responsibilities within the leadership of the Antivan Crows. Of particular interest, especially when studying the way the family resurfaced after near-total extinction, are their wives. Lucanis' wife, once known as Rook, was a legend amongst the Mourn Watch and brought several of her Nevarran traditions to Antiva. Perhaps even more strangely, Illario married an elven woman, Lidia, due to her surprise pregnancy with their first child. No records of previous marriages between an elf and a human have been found in the Dellamorte family tree, so it seems Illario was the first to risk their bloodline and reputation in such a way. Despite all odds, the name Lidia Dellamorte is revered amongst the Crows alongside such legends as Andarateia Cantori, the Demon of Vyrantium, and - though he remains a controversial figure in Crow history - Zevran Arainai. The Dellamorte family currently flourishes in Antiva, and all members trace their lineage directly back to either Illario or Lucanis. Thanks to their wives, both elven blood and strong magic now run in the Dellamorte blood, and those who descend from one of Illario's two children usually bear pointed ears while those from Lucanis' side of the family tend to have strong connections with the Fade.

- From the foreword of The People's Royalty: A Study of Antiva's Dellamorte Family.

[covertleathers]

Ingellvar Rook becoming the real demon haunting House Dellamorte post-game. They become so protective of Lucanis they insist on sentient ghostly suits of armor paroling the grounds at all hours. You think the Demon of Vyrantium is scary? You haven't met his spouse. They literally raise the dead to defend their husband.

[tcrturedpcet]

Closed Starter @allthatglxtters Who: Hyacinth Ingellvar (Rook) & Lucanis Dellamorte/Spite Where: Their Home

Rook had just come home, a heavy weight hanging on her shoulders as she remembered what happened at work. She didn't understand how she made one of the corpses at the medical examiner's office talk, yet that's exactly what happened. A breath escaped her as she moved deeper into the house, spotting Lucanis sitting at the table, an untouched cup of coffee in front of him. Her brows furrowed as she moved closer to her husband, confused as to why his mug was still full. "My love?" Her accented voice rang throughout the dining room, while her hand moved to rest on his shoulder. She silently wondered if Lucanis was sleeping, something she had rarely seen him do. "What happened to "I just need coffee, not sleep?" Hmm?" Rook softly questioned, her hand moving from his shoulder to brush his hair from his face.

[oakthcrn]

𝑯𝑬 𝑾𝑨𝑺 𝑾𝑹𝑶𝑵𝑮. Lark owed her entire life and future to Lucanis, even if he was being modest about it. No sane person would give up their future to save a friend, though Lark knew that saying no to Caterina was a death sentence. Yet, Lark had made her conditions known. She never had seen Viago and Teia look so surprised. 

Lark didn't show fear, and she would not be exchanged like a prized calf at auction without having some boundaries. First, she would no longer accept contracts. Instead, she would pull her weight training young crows, or giving them an education. She was a swords expert, and she knew her history. She wouldn't be a leech on the Dellamorte name. 

Second, their wedding would be witnessed in the Chantry, in front of the sisters and brothers of the cloth, and in the presence of Andraste. It was a place of comfort, and Lark would take her vows seriously. The reception could be any other place, she didn't care. 

Lastly, she would design her gown. All trivial things in the grand scheme of things. Caterina wasn't without her conditions as well. 

Lark would become a Dellamorte, and the name Oakthorn would die with her father. A condition that broke something within her, but she buried it deep to examine later when she was alone. It was only fitting that she would become a Dellamorte, it was the whole point of the marriage. The name was a shield among the Crow houses, and with that shield, Lark would repel Armando for good. 

Another condition was the expectation of children. This was something Lark hadn't thought of at all. They would be married by law and by Andraste, children were a natural step in this whole ordeal, though the prospect didn't quite scare her; she would have to wonder how Lucanis felt about it. He was hard to read throughout the whole meeting.  Lark had agreed to the terms, and there had been excited talks of wedding planning, but Lark had drowned out the voices; her mind swirling with what she had agreed to. 

Then, it was quiet. Only left was her husband-to-be. He drew close but did not seem keen on getting close enough to touch her. Instead, Lark turned to face him. Poor man. Forever tethered to one another through a strange circumstance. 

Lark nodded and stood up. She glanced at Lucanis. There was so much she wanted to say. She wanted to express gratitude; to yell at him for being so stupid for agreeing, to embrace him for doing so. Her feelings were at war with each other and she wasn't sure which would be victorious, so she pushed them away and followed Lucanis to the guest room. At least they would face this together. 

As they strolled through the estate, Lark gently reached out and took his hand in hers. 

“ 𝐇𝐞𝐲. ” She said gently and stared at his back. She studied how his hair seemed to cascade perfectly with every step he took, there was elegance in his steps, and Lark felt stupid for not seeing it before. 

She was a coward to speak to his back instead of looking at him in the eye, but this was the best she could do. 

“ 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮…𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐯𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞. 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬, 𝐈 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐥𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐮𝐬, 𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐢𝐭, 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐲, 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭. 𝐈 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭…𝐈'𝐦 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬, 𝐋𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬, 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰, 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞. ” She gently let go of his hand. 

“ 𝐓𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧?  ” 

It would be a lie if he claimed to be fully supportive of the idea. 

Life outside of his contracts was never an idea the assassin had considered prior. Driving his blade into those he was hired to kill, contributing gold to the Dellmorte estate - those had been his plans. Caterina would have finally been swayed, allowing Illario to inherit the title of First Talon and Lucanis could fade into obscurity. Lucanis had never factored anything grandiose into his plans when it came to leading his life. 

A partner had been considered for a time though. Courting someone would have been a small thing at first, a few lingering glances and playful jabs here and there. Occasionally he would let slip a bit of his life, slowly sharing a part of himself with every meeting. Eventually leading up to a single kiss, a first from the assassin despite what others might have assumed. In his few moments of weakness, that is what Lucanis had wanted for himself someday. Had he allowed himself the pleasure of course. 

All given up in exchange for the life of someone he cared about. An equivalent exchange, his future for her life. Lucanis valued them both. 

Brown hues drift to her, slight concern in his tone as he finally responds. “ Caterina is not someone I would say no to ” Expression softening slightly, he continues. “ This is also the best alternative to keep you safe. Had we other options, I would have suggested them ” 

Despite his position as First Talon, Lucanis had stood next to Caterina’s chair during the discussion. Even now he lingered there, only beginning his slow approach once Lark had spoken up. After reaching her side of the table he halts near one of the chairs close to her, hand resting on the top as he looks down at her. 

“ It doesn’t need to be anything more than business if that would make you more comfortable. Until then, I can lead you to one of the guest bedrooms if you would like. You don’t owe me anything ”

[dark-elf-writes]

It’s like you know I was just thinking of Rook with twins.

Rook who even knowing they were both Crows never thought they would end up alone. Who knew no force on Thedas would keep Lucanis from them and them from Lucanis so they never thought something as mundane as death would separate them. Who can’t even pull back to one of Viago’s many safe houses to lick their wounds and protect their children because their children are half Dellamortes and that comes with expectations.

But they’re a De Riva and above all else they are smart and paranoid.

When they blow the operation and get told to take the contract with Varric they beg Viago to hide the twins. And no matter how mad he is at them he can’t deny them. He knows the price the great grandchildren of the First Stalin would bring. Knows the people who would try to ransom them or use them to bring two houses to their knees.

None of it is good but Rook can deal with it. They have to deal with it just like they’ve dealt with everything after their husband’s death. Then they’re told Lucanis is alive and their world shatters all over again.

The sudden thought of Rook being Lucanis’ widow has come to mind. Like a Crow Rook who was married to Lucanis, truly believed him dead.

Worse imagine they had children together to. And imagine how much it would hurt Rook, burn them to have lost their husband and they are left to raise their kids themselves.

(Illario who tries to ignore the sting of what he's done has become the best uncle to his cousin’s children he can be.)

Now imagine finding out Lucanis is alive.

The joy, the glee. The horror realizing he's an abomination now. Slowly learning to love each other again and getting used to each other. Their children getting used to him again.

Just the idea man. @dark-elf-writes you're as much a DA nerd as me. I need to share this thought.