#illario x spite | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

lynnlovesthestars · 5 months ago

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Mending.

Pairing: Lucanis Dellamorte x Rook x Spite (gender-neutral) Genre: hurt/ comfort, protective Lucanis, protective Spite, Smitten Lucanis, Lucanis personal quest spoilers, Bisexual disaster Lucanis, first kisses, spite being spite, wingman spite, angst with a dash of fluff. Synopsis: in the aftermath of the fight with Illario, something doesn't go as expected. WC: 2k~ Ao3 link AN: is this me finally getting out of my writer's block again?

Lucanis’ eyes darted around the opera house, something was missing. So much had happened so quickly: the fight, deciding what to do with Illario, being announced as the new First Talon, that once he was handed the glass of celebratory wine and had a moment to think, he realized that he had lost sight of Rook.

He was so absorbed by this family drama that he didn’t ever realize when the room had been cleaned up from the bodies and guests started crowding the lower level of the theatre.

“Can’t believe. You lost Rook” Spite shook his head as he glanced around the room, pacing between the Crows and the guests, looking for the missing one.

He wanted to follow Spite so bad, abandon the glass of champagne and focus on Rook.

He was not quick enough though. One at a time the guests started approaching him. Some with compliments, and some already trying to get in his graces.

He hated every second of it. He wished Caterina had not pushed all this on him, had not forced him to take the mantle of First Talon, had not shoved on him all these expectations. He didn’t want to play the part.

He just wanted to look for Rook and leave.

Yet he had little choice, he just hoped Rook would find him, that the feeling that was harbored in his guts was just a fiction of his mind, one of the many attempts of his brain to let him cave in.

Minutes passed quickly, and of Rook there was no trace. He had prayed Rook would show up between the guests stopping him over and over again, looking for them in every interaction, in every greeting, in every congratulations. Of all the people crowding the room, the only one he wanted to see, it was Rook,

There was nothing to worry about, right? He thought as he followed the demon around the opera house with his eyes.

“Smells like blood” Spite walked past another small gathering of people, approaching one of the corners of the room and disappearing behind the throng.

Rationally he knew that it was normal for the opera theater to smell like blood. At the end of the day there had just been a bloody fight right there where a small horde of Venatori was taken down, but nothing stopped Lucanis from overthinking and wondering if the smell of blood belonged to Rook.

Dread filled his lungs as he excused himself, leaving one person after the other behind himself, following Spite’s taunting voice as he sniffed around. “Found Rook” The demon hummed as he stopped on his tracks and kneeled down. “Rook hurt” He hissed as he leaned forward, inching closer to their face.

They were sitting on the floor, their head lolling to the side as one arm was holding their abdomen tightly.

“Mierda” He swore under his breath as the view solidified in Lucanis’ eyes, the glass he was holding was quickly abandoned, shattered on the floor as he rushed by Rook’s side.

He could feel everyone’s disapproving gaze falling on him as he kneeled down, his composure down the drain as Caterina’s eyes burned holes in his back. “House Dellamorte never kneels” Her voice echoed in his brain, yet for once all he cared was beyond her opinion. All that mattered to him was Rook.

“Rook, you alright?” He murmured the futile question as he cupped their cheek, his palm gently turning their head towards them to take a better look. Blood was dripping down their nose, their eyes were half closed while their mouth hung slack, trying to catch their breath.

“Yeah” They mumbled under their breath, leaning in the touch carelessly. “Feeling dizzy” Their beautiful complexion was slowly drained of color, and yet even on the brink of exsanguination they were stunning.

“Gonna kill Illario” Spite hissed; he could feel the demon’s anger rising in his stomach and mixing with his own worry, a deadly concoction that was not going to bring anything good if Spite was not kept in check.

“Let’s get you out of here” He whispered as he sneaked his arms around Rook’s waist and brought them to his chest. He had to be quick, looking for a safe spot to mend whatever nasty wound Rook had and make sure they were okay.

The halls of Villa Dellamorte were home to him, so much that sneaking past the hidden corridors to his room was kid’s play, and there he was going to be unbothered, focusing on Rook only.

“You still with me, Rook?” He asked as he gently laid them on the softness of his bed, their head falling back against the pillows as he realized no answer was going to come from them any time soon. Shit. Shit. Shit.

“I’m sorry” Lucanis mumbled to himself as he quickly undid the buttons of Rook’s vest, discarding the ruined clothes to the floor and exposing the wound.

“Why are you apologizing.” Spite asked, his head tilting to the side as he stared at the scene unfolding in front of his eyes.

“I suppose you don’t understand” He held his breath as he carefully threaded the needle, battling with himself to keep his hands steady, something that should have been normal to him.

“Explain”

“I undressed them, without their knowledge. That’s..” He weighted the words on his tongue, hoping they’d make sense for the demon, ‘cause of all things, he was not going to sit there and overexplain himself when his.. lover could have been on the brink of death. “...Disrespectful”

“Disrespectful” Spite repeated, letting the word linger on his tongue as he stared at Lucanis carefully.

“Now if you’ll stay silent, I’ll patch them up” Lucanis turned resolute towards the demon, pointing the sharp needle his way and earning a groan and a nod.

“Be quick” He sat at the edge of the bed, next to Rook’s feet. “Miss Rook already” Spite mumbled as he crossed his arms, and for once, they were on the same page.

Lucanis was quick to focus again on Rook, his eyes tracing the countless scars on their exposed chest; he wanted to know their story, how Rook got them, how many they had to patch alone at the edge of consciousness, how many carried regret. He wanted to trace them with his lips as they got to learn about each other. He would have torn down walls for them, even if just for a moment.

Lucanis reached over for the folded towel, the gushing wound oozed so heavily that he wondered for a moment if Illario had pierced something vital.

He tried his best to steady his hands, pressing the cloth against the open skin to take away as much blood as possible before starting to stitch it up.

How long had Rook sat there bleeding out before being found? He wondered.

Why had they not asked for help? Question over question flooded his mind as he stopped just a moment to take a better look at Rook.

He expected to see some sort of reaction, to see their face contorted in a painful scowl, anything to remind himself that he was not going to lose them anytime soon, yet even while they were unconscious they tried their best to look calm.

It was something he admired about Rook. They always seemed in control even when things were slipping between their fingers. Even when the worst outcome was at their door, they always knew what to say. And yet, when they needed help, no one was there to see them, to notice the bloodstain growing on the fabric of their shirt.

What a fool Lucanis Dellamorte was for such oversight. Especially when he wanted to be around Rook all the time, when he wanted to pluck the stars from the sky for them, and when he wanted to protect them with every fiber of his being, despite the fear of uncovering the monsters hidden in his closet.

“Lucanis’ a sap” Spite rolled his eyes as he climbed completely on the bed, laying next to Rook. Lucanis hated sometimes how loudly Spite could read him. Even when he didn’t understand humanity, and when Lucanis couldn’t properly process his feelings, he was always asking those uncomfortable questions, leaving him questioning.

“I told you to-”

“Tell them” Spite stopped him before he could finish his sentence. “You want to. I don’t understand why you don’t”

“It’s..” He let out a groan as he looked down again, the wound already covered in blood once more. “Let me do this” Lucanis quickly dismissed Spite.

“I don’t get you” Spite shook his head, returning to his own thinking. He ghosted his hand over Rook’s itching to feel what Lucanis felt whenever his hand met with theirs, wondering if it would feel the same way. It was all futile wondering in the end.

The downsides of having a personal demon included hearing all their thoughts all the time, and he hated that his demon was just a mirror of his own feelings, so loud in his head it was impossible to drown him out.

The moon was shining high in the sky when Lucanis finally dropped the needle, a sigh of relief followed the clunk of hitting wood as he closed the little box and pushed it back under his nightstand and looked up at Rook.

He itched to touch them, to glide their fingers through their hair, to caress their cheek, to lean in and steal a kiss.

“Do it” Spite taunted.

“I’m not listening to you” Lucanis rebutted without a second thought.

Rook was still dazed, the sunlight shining through the blinds waking every nerve in their body as they adjusted to the unfamiliar environment.

The coffee aroma lingered in the air as they slowly opened their eyes. The last they remembered was gripping Lucanis' shirt and rushing through corridors.

Lucanis was near, sitting on a chair right next to the bed, one hand wrapped around Rook’s and the other holding a cup of coffee.

“What happened? Where are we?” Rook murmured, their voice still laced with the weight of sleep.

“I had to stitch you up” He smiled as he rested the cup on the nightstand and leaned forward. His free hand gently reached forward, cupping Rook’s cheek and caressing the soft skin. “I brought you to my room”

“Ah”

“How do you feel? Does the wound hurt?” He asked, leaving no time for Rook to think, his voice barely a whisper. He itched to lift the blanket, to ghost his fingers over their chest- and check the wound himself, obviously.

“I’ve seen better days” Rook slowly tried sitting up before being hit by a wave of pain, betraying his words right away.

Lucanis was quick, his arm was quickly wrapped around their waist. “Careful..” He cooed as he guided the other to sit up, trying his best to ease the pain of movement. He couldn't miss how Rook's cheeks ignited, their beautiful complexion shining with warmth at the small care.

“But thank you, if it wasn’t for you…” Rook resumed despite the itching pain, a soft smile spreading upon their lips.

They were so close as Lucanis still held his arm around their waist. Their warm breath mixing in the middle, as if to torture him, reminding him that they were just inches away from each other, so close yet so far.

“You should have told me Illario wounded you, you know?” His voice lowered as he sat at the edge of the bed, his arm not yielding from the new spot it occupied. He liked the way they felt in his arms.

“You found me, didn’t you?” Rook matched his tone, as if they were whispering secrets and the walls of Villa Dellamorte had ears to steal them away.

“Yeah”

Silence filled the room as Rook’s eyes fell on their intertwined fingers. Their heart leaping in their chest as they committed to memory the way his hand felt in theirs, the way his arm held them up protectively.

They felt safe, right there. Despite the wound on their abdomen, despite the world as they knew it about to fall apart.

“Kiss them. Kiss them” Spite chanted as they still laid near Rook, propping up only to meet his host’s eyes with a smirk plastered on his lips. Lucanis wanted to kiss them, to steal just one moment, but was it fair? Was it fair to selfishly graze their skin one more time and press their lips together just like that? Many times he had thought of it, daydreaming of the moment before his eyes, yet he had wanted their first kiss to be different.

He savored the idea on his lips, wondering if they'd taste as sweet as the words that came from their mouth. He wondered if they'd feel the same way he did.

One moment he was deep in his thoughts, and the following he couldn’t hold himself back. His lips gently crushed with Rook’s, and the stars he wanted to give them were around him; the universe he wanted to fight was in his palm.

He swore everything around him disappeared. Worries, thoughts, responsibilities. Vanquished.

There was just Lucanis and Rook and nothing else mattered.

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cherrypikkins · 3 months ago

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free-roaming demon devastates local crow population. more at six.

how seiren deals with the in-laws in the aftermath of a murder of crows

#lucanis #spite #illario #rookanis #lucanis dellamorte #illario dellamorte #dragon age the veilguard #veilguard #veilguard spoilers #datv spoilers #datv #seiren thorne #cw injury #lucanis x rook

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cadaveerie · 5 months ago

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SPOILERS DATV !!!

Nick Thornborrow - LUCANIS' Narrative sketches for Dragon Age: The Veilguard (discarded romance + character story scenes)

Nick Thornborrow posted on his blog some narrative sketches he made during the development of DATV. He speaks about the process and shares his art. In this specific post I'm gonna post Lucanis' ones (this contains spoilers of the game).

More general ones:

More romance-story centric for Lucanis in particular:

"Narrative sketches produced for Dragon Age: The Veilguard. One of the challenges of making such a massive narrative game is communicating that story to the rest of the team in a succinct way. It’s surprising how many of our colleagues don’t become fully familiar with the campaign until late into production, but understandable considering how many areas of responsibility and plates spinning there are on a production like this. We wanted to bridge those communication gaps on Veilguard. To do this, I took Trick Weekes’ detailed outline for the game and turned it into an illustrated VN style game built in Twine with branches and everything. It was distributed to the team as an internal tool to broadcast the story of the game we were making and to solicit feedback. Then the illustrations were used to populate an in engine version built by the narrative designers, of the same thing, but with more bells and whistles to emulate the narrative flow and economy of the actual game."

What do you think? Do you like them? I'm personally losing my mind at some of them... especially the Illario/Zara? and... the romance scenes...

(will edit this as i post from the other characters)

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the-raven-and-the-tower · 4 months ago

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Dialogue from the quest into Lucanis's mind

Organized by order of occurrence in the scene. This took me 2 hours.

First echo;

ECHO OF CALIVAN: Useless. All of this. Utterly useless.

Upon arrival;

ROOK: I know this place. It's the Ossuary. The prison we freed Lucanis from. SPITE: Freed? No. We've always been here.

The first room;

ROOK: Nobody's here. SPITE: Of course not. Rook can't be here. ROOK, surprised: Me? Why not? SPITE, matter-of-factly: You open doors. You don't close them.

Another echo;

ECHO OF ILLARIO: If I were in charge, you wouldn't have to do this anymore...

Another echo;

ECHO OF ZARA: Still fighting? How tiresome. There's no point, you know. Nothing awaits you anymore. You're long dead.

Thought fragments in the room with Caterina;

She gave that ring to my mother. It was the mark of her favor. House Velardo killed my parents and sent it back to Caterina... (so few of us left...) [found near Diamond-style couches below]

...but we're more like brothers. Caterina took us both in... (All we had left...) [found at this Crow-style meeting table below]

What if I go after him and get Caterina killed... (All I have left...) [found near lonely chair and a drink for one, shown below]

Projection of Caterina Conversation;

CATERINA: Rook, did you forget our deal? CATERINA: You were to bring my grandson back to me. ROOK: I... did? CATERINA: You brought me an abomination! Where is my grandson? SPITE (inhaling): Tenderness and terror. Rage and relief. Old, stale fear of disappointment. ROOK: This is the Fade, so this Caterina is... a spirit? Something like that? SPITE: No. Lucanis is mine. They won't dare. Thoughts live here. Ideas. Feelings. ROOK, understanding: She's his idea of Caterina, then. ROOK: Caterina? Lucanis is trapped. But I think you're part of his way out. ROOK: Lucanis may have changed, but he's still the little boy you loved, and raised. CATERINA: He's not changed - he's possessed by a demon! ROOK: And you would never think of rejecting him, whatever happened. Would you? CATERINA, fading in a burst of light: My poor boy...

Another Echo;

ECHO OF ZARA: What trouble you've been...

Thought fragment from an "outside" area of the mental ossuary;

I shouldn't have let myself fall asleep. This was my mistake... (Spite is here...) [area pictured below]

Second Encounter - projection of Lace Harding:

HARDING: Don't worry, Rook. I've got my eye on the prisoner. ROOK, displeased: You've conjured up a friendly face, Lucanis. But your real friends and allies need you, in the real world. HARDING: Rook, are you sure Spite isn't tricking you? What if there's no Lucanis - just the demon? ROOK: After a year in the Ossuary, you might believe that. But you're no demon. HARDING: Look around. This isn't the mind of a human being, let alone an Antivan Crow. ROOK: You're still the man you were, Lucanis, even buried in this pain. No demon would punish itself like this. HARDING: You really shouldn't trust anything you find in the Fade. ROOK: I trust you, Lucanis, and I trust myself to get you home. Let me. HARDING: You know that's the kind of attitude that's gonna get you killed, right? ROOK, still to Lucanis and not the projection: I'll risk it. I have a master assassin on my side. Don't I? HARDING, fading into light: Just... be careful.

Another Echo;

ECHO OF ILLARIO: Cousin, stop. You can't dwell on this. It'll drive you mad. [a memory of what Illario said shortly after declaring Caterina dead, in response to Lucanis demanding to know how she was killed]

Thought Fragment;

You'd have to kill me... (And Spite would die...) [found on cozy reading chair similar to one found in the Lighthouse]

Third Encounter - projection of Neve Gallus;

NEVE: Hey, Rook. Should you be here? Can't say it's the safest place in the world. SPITE (inhaling): Strangeness and charm. Something familiar and foreign at the same time. With a little guilt. ROOK, thoughtfully: Somehow, I thought Lucanis would think of Neve as being more... Tevinter? SPITE: Tevinter? People come in three kinds. Family. Enemies. Contracts. ROOK, unhappily: I hope that's just Spite talking. ROOK: Neve, you need to let us pass. NEVE: You know how he is, Rook. Even if you open the door, Lucanis won't walk through it. This is where he wants to be. ROOK: Well, I'm not leaving until Lucanis is all right, so we might be here a while. NEVE, fading into light: You really think you can help him? You're such a sap, Rook. ROOK: I think it's time you stood aside and let me try.

Another Echo;

ECHO OF ZARA: What are you hiding, little demon?

Another Echo;

ECHO OF CALIVAN: I was supposed to have a useful demon, and instead I have a useless abomination! Wonderful!

Thought Fragment;

I didn't want you to see that. Again... (I'm not this. I cannot be this.) [memory of what he said to Rook after Spite nearly killed Illario, found atop a stack of books like the ones in the Lighthouse library]

Thought Fragment;

She came after me. She came after Caterina. She will come for you, too... (Cousin, what about you?) [found on a simple table with two chairs, like the one he sits at after jobs for coffee]

Another Echo;

ECHO OF ILLARIO: How long are you going to keep doing this?

Fourth Encounter - projection of Illario;

ILLARIO: Rook... you're too good to be wasting your time in a place like this. Forget about my cousin. You've got much more important things to worry about, don't you? You've got the weight of the world on your shoulders. SPITE (inhaling): Sharp. Jagged edges. Hurt with every breath. Grief and relief. Hope and anger. Mixed. ROOK: Lucanis, you don't owe Illario a second thought, much less a supporting role. SPITE, angrily: He. Put. Us. Here. ILLARIO: You've got to leave this be, Rook. You turn my cousin loose, it's only going to cause more grief. ROOK: I think Illario will be feeling that grief. Right, Lucanis? ILLARIO: You know that Caterina had five children? Eight grandchildren. All dead now, except for Lucanis and me. Last time the Crows fought a war of succession, House Dellamorte lost everything. Except for the seat of First Talon. This time, we fight ourselves. What will be left then? You think you'll survive? Your friends? Your cause? ROOK, chuckling wryly: You know him, Lucanis. Even here, Illario just wants to save his own neck. ILLARIO, bitterly: Would that be enough? Would anything? Do you really think he made a deal with a demon? He's not even a mage! Or do you think, maybe, he just found the one there already? He'll carry this prison with him forever, and he'll fill it with corpses given time. SPITE, uncomfortably: We. Need. Out. ROOK: You're an Antivan Crow, Lucanis. A profesional. Trained to avoid collateral damage and go after the real enemy. ILLARIO, ominously: You have no idea what the consequences will be. ROOK: Whatever they are, Lucanis, I'll be there to help you.

Final Encounter - finding Lucanis;

LUCANIS: What're you doing here, Rook? ROOK: I had to find you. If anything happened to you... I can't even think about it. [can we agree this line could have been better written?] LUCANIS: You should go. It's better I stay here than risk losing you. SPITE: You see? He breaks. Our. AGREEMENT. SPITE: His mind. Is stil here. He wants. To stay here. So he keeps. ME here! LUCANIS: Mierda! Why would I want to stay? Even in my head, this place is a nightmare! ROOK: RIght, but... it's a nightmare you already defeated. ROOK: I get it now... As bad as the Ossuary was for you, it was better than the alternative. LUCANIS: What alternative? ROOK: The Ossuary, Zara- you could solve those problems with a blade. But healing again? Living as an abomination? There's no simple answer there. And if you fail, you could hurt the ones you love. LUCANIS: No! I... This is not... (angry growl) Damn it, Rook! SPITE: Make. Him. LEAVE! ROOK: He's trying to leave, Spite. It's... complicated. Mortals can't just change ourselves. It takes a lot of time. SPITE: (growls in frustration) LUCANIS: Rook. You are right. There has to be a way through this. It's just... so much. I cannot see how to begin. ROOK: Start small, you and Spite. Figure out a goal you can both agree on, then make it happen. SPITE: A contract! LUCANIS: Contracts are for clients. Call this... an alliance. But on what terms? ROOK: The choice seems obvious to me; beat the crap out of your cousin. SPITE: Rook. is. my FAVORITE! LUCANIS: Illario... he's a pain in the ass, Rook, but he and Cateria are all I have left. SPITE: He. Put. Us. HERE! ROOK: I never said 'Kill him.' I said, 'Beat the crap out of him.' LUCANIS: So. Do we have a deal, then? We'll work together, and Illario will suffer for what he's done to us. SPITE: He. Will not. Escape us both! LUCANIS, merging with Spite: (looks into Rook's eyes as they fade from the Fade in a burst of light)

-- back in the real world --

TEIA: ...Rook, are you alright? VIAGO: What's the matter with the two of you? ROOK: It's okay. We needed a moment, but I'd say we're ready for anything. VIAGO: ... ROOK: How, uh, long were we standing there? TEIA: Just long enough for it to get awkward. You're sure you're alright? LUCANIS: We're fine, Teia. Don't waste your worry on us. Can I trust the two of you to keep an eye on Illario? If he starts anything, I want to know about it. VIAGO: I was going to do that anyway. TEIA, suspiciously: You're planning something. LUCANIS, firmly: My cousin has a lot to answer for. I intend to make sure he does. But we need information first. We don't know what we're going into; if he has Caterina hostage, if he has allies... We do this job right. Find out everything we can, then strike.

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lustaniasaxon · 5 months ago

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I wonder what they feed the Crows of House De Riva thats got the Crows from House Dellamorte so down-bad horrendously

#dragon age #dragonage #dav #da:v #rookanis #dragon age rook #rook de riva #lucanis dellamorte #lucanis x rook #dragon age lucanis #viago de riva #illario dellamorte #dellamorte #spite dragon age

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dreidragons · 5 days ago

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I spent too long on this silly ass meme.

Inspiration comes from @kittyoperas similar meme.

#datv #rook #oc #dragonage #rookanis #meme #lucanis dellamorte #dragon age lucanis #da4 lucanis #lucanis x rook #lucanis romance #illario dellamorte #spite dragon age #zara renata #davrin #davrin veilguard

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manic-maddie · 2 months ago

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It's cathartic, being held by Rook.

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deputyrook · 4 months ago

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Alliance of Three - 18+, Lucanis/Rook/Spite

A03 Link! Can be read as a soft-sequel to - Playing Cards (18+)

As Lucanis is called to Treviso to plan a gathering of Crows, Spite ends up feeling sidelined and unwanted. Can Rook and Lucanis play the game of politics that being the First Talon requires? And how can they make things up to Spite? Lucanis/Female De Riva Rook/Spite. Some hurt/comfort, some Crow politics. Eventual threesome smut. 18+

Word count: 7816

---

Lucanis presses the palms of his hands against his eyes, and groans.

“We’ve created a monster,” He mutters, and when Rook laughs, delighted, he sighs.

“So Spite wants to take a break,” Rook says with a grin, “What do you want to do?” She stands from her chair, stretching out her arms over her head, and lets out a soft groan as her shoulders pop. Her shirt hikes up, revealing just a sliver of skin across her stomach.

“Híjole. You know exactly what you’re doing,” Lucanis murmurs, leaning back in his chair. Maybe he’d intended it to be accusatory, but there’s only fondness in his tone, and he can’t stop the exasperated smile that crosses his face.

Slowly, Rook walks around to his side of the desk and leans against it. With the way he’s looking at her, his eyes darting across her body, Rook’s willing to bet that Lucanis wants a break as much as Spite does.

They’ve been in Treviso for the past four days, and the meetings never seemed to end. Rook had hoped that they’d both get some time off after killing a God, but here she was, helping Lucanis to plan a celebration party and meet with wealthy donors to the Antivan Crows. According to Catarina, the sooner House De Riva, House Cantori, and House Dellamorte presented a united front to the Crows writ large, the better Lucanis would be received as First-Talon-to-be by the other houses.

Technically, she wasn’t supposed to be present in these meetings with Lucanis, but he’d all but begged her to stay so that he wouldn’t have to go through them alone. A faux pas, perhaps, for a junior Crow of House de Riva to sit in on meetings with the First Talon of House Dellamorte.

But she’d just saved the world. She figured some allowances were permitted. For now, at least.

Even still, a tiny part of Rook wishes they’d said no. They could be at a spa somewhere right now. She could be resting at a hot spring, relaxing her body, which was still bruised and battered from her fight with Elgar’nan. They could be eating little chocolate cakes.

“You know I want to. But this is...” Lucanis’ eyes scan around the new office, a small, windowless room on the upper floor of the Dellamorte Villa. He’d insisted on moving everything out of the much larger, wide-open office on the ground floor, which had been an abysmal pain in the ass with all of the stairs.

Worth it for an office with a single entrance, he’d insisted.

“Not the time or place,” Rook finishes with a frown, placing her hand gently overtop of his, “I know.”

“All the more reason we should,” Spite cuts in, with a grin and a flash of violet light overtaking Lucanis’ eyes. He leans forward, grabbing a fistful of Rook’s shirt, and yanks her toward his chair, until she’s standing between his legs.

“We’ve got to be careful here, Spite. This isn’t the Lighthouse. It’s not safe for you to be... out,” Rook tries to explain, but with his possessive grip on the back of her thighs, it’s becoming harder for Rook to remember why exactly this is a bad idea. His grip travels, moving down her legs and then back up, trying to pull her closer. Feeling her.

“Fine, yes. But we want to kiss you,” Spite grumbles, still pulling at her legs as though he can’t get her close enough, “And Lucanis won’t.”

Rook can’t help herself. Putting her hands on Spite’s shoulders, she leans forward and kisses him. He makes a needy noise into her mouth, somewhere between a groan and a growl, and it’s loud. The kiss quickly turns filthy, with Spite’s tongue pressing insistently past her lips, licking into her mouth. He kisses her like he wants to devour her. Like he can’t get enough of her taste.

Rook shudders. Lucanis is right. They have created a monster.

“Okay! Okay,” She laughs, cupping his cheek and pulling away. When she does, Lucanis’ beautiful brown eyes stare back up at her.

“I can’t blame him,” Lucanis sighs wistfully, “Truth be told, I, too, would rather be kissing you.”

Rook grins at him, leans forward, and kisses him again. This time, it’s just a short kiss, but she can feel Lucanis smiling against her mouth even as she pulls back.

“After this party,” she says, “We take a vacation. I don’t know how or where, but we get a break. You, me, a beach house, and the sea. We eat good food, we read bad romance books in the sun, and you fuck me on every surface we can find. Sound good?”

Lucanis laughs, his hands still settled on Rook’s hips like he doesn’t want to let her go.

“Well, if you’re going to twist my arm-”

A knock on the door breaks them apart. Taking a few steps back, Rook tries to look nonplussed as Lucanis smooths back his hair and calls out, “Come in,” his hand compulsively moving to hover by his blade.

Viago de Riva strides in like he’s on a contract. With not a hair out of place, he looks as impeccably put together as always, in the same way that’s always made Rook feel like a bit of a mess by comparison. The only sign that less than a week ago he’d been storming the streets of Minrathous battling darkspawn is a mottled dark purple bruise splashed across his cheek. Although first focused on Lucanis, his step slightly falters when his gaze lands on Rook.

“Mina? What are you doing here?” Viago snaps, looking from Rook to Lucanis. He’s one of the few people that still defaults to using Rook’s actual name, having known her longer than anyone else still in her life. “Don’t tell me you’ve been here all morning.”

Busted. Rook grimaces in a way that tells him everything he needs to know, and Viago lets out an annoyed huff.

“You are a Crow of House De Riva,” He snaps, voice severe, “You cannot simply lounge around House Dellamorte as though it is your home now, because it is not.”

“For now,” Lucanis murmurs, voice dark and full of promise. The glare Viago levels at him could dissolve iron.

“Who’s lounging? Maker, Viago. You know I don’t have a contract right now. I think I’ve earned a few weeks off before I pick up my next one,” Rook replies, crossing her arms, “And unless I’m mistaken, I can spend my time off where I want.” Viago stares at her, hard. He’s always had the unique ability to make her feel like a teenager again, sulking and petulant. She’d been going for firm and professional, but somehow, Rook feels like she missed the mark.

“Whining doesn’t suit you,” he says. “You know as well as I do that if Catarina was aware you were sitting in on these meetings, she would not be pleased. The other houses could take it as a sign of collusion, beyond a mere alliance. Not to mention it undercuts my authority as Fifth Talon,” Rook cringes, but Viago isn’t finished with his scolding.

“With so many new Talons, we don’t yet know how they will react to any of us,” he continues, “Least of all Lucanis. House Dellamorte remains on tenuous ground after the stunt Illario tried to pull. While I can appreciate you’ve just slayed a God, Lucanis, you are still an abomination. We need to account for a suspicious and cautious reception, at best.” It’s Lucanis’ turn to wince, and Rook feels a swoop of protectiveness run through her, even though she can admit Viago is right.

Viago must see it in her face, because he holds up his hands, as if to placate her before she starts trying to argue.

“I am not making any judgments about it,” He looks to Lucanis, “You seem the same to me as you’ve always been, save for the wings. Completely in control of yourself. But others will be wary.”

“I understand,” Lucanis replies with a curt nod, “And you’re not wrong. Forgive me for my selfishness, in wanting Rook by my side through the morning. I did not think through the optics of it.” Viago’s face softens and he sighs, adjusting his grip on his cane. For all the freedom that being a Crow has given Rook, it’s a rare moment where she wonders what would happen if she and Lucanis were to quit and do something else with their lives- something that wouldn’t leave them subject to the scrutiny of hundreds of assassins, hungry to climb up the ranks.

It’s an errant thought that leaves as quickly as it came. There is no quitting the Antivan Crows, particularly not for Lucanis. And because of that, even if she could leave, Rook knows that she wouldn’t.

“I didn’t come here to lecture you,” Viago says, “Caterina wants to speak with you- alone, I expect. Mina, come with me and I’ll brief you further on House politics.” Lucanis’ expression settles into a tired frown, the kind of exhausted look that makes Rook want to tell him terrible jokes until he smiles again. Walking back over to him, she takes one of his hands in her own, and gently kisses his knuckles before letting go.

“We’ll meet back at the Lighthouse after?” She asks, and feels a swell of love at the affection in his gaze.

“I wouldn’t miss it, mi cielo.”

By the time that Lucanis does get back to the Lighthouse, however, it’s so late that the most he can do is crawl into bed with Rook and fall asleep by her side. Over the next few days, the work keeps him so busy that Rook hardly sees him. He’s gone by the time he gets up, and in bed by the time he gets home- if he returns home at all.

She doesn’t hold it against him, of course. He still has a hard time saying no to Catarina, and this is an admittedly important event for the future of House Dellamorte, even if it does vex her to be away from him for such long days.

Viago’s been keeping her busy as well, though. Although it’s unlikely the Talons of the other houses themselves will be attending the party- not after the last event Catarina organized, where most of the Talons ended up dead- representatives will no doubt attend and report back to the Talons.

“Given the closeness between Catarina and Teia, it’s unsurprising that House Cantori will support House Dellamorte. It is our House which will solidify their strength. Two Houses unified is a challenge. Three is a war,” Viago tells her one day, as they work on mixing extra potions and poisons in preparation for the party. It reminds her of days long gone by, well before she had left with Varric, where Viago had drilled into her head the differences between the various venoms and antidotes.

“If it wasn’t for Teia and I, would you be supporting House Dellamorte?” Rook asks him, curious. It takes him a long time to respond, which is in itself an answer.

“There is a reason Caterina has always encouraged my ...partnership with Teia,” He replies finally, his gaze focused on the bubbling, smoking mixture, “And why I expect she will not take issue with yours. For the few Talons to survive her prior summit to be almost entirely the ones which are loyal to her... it makes us look as suspicious as she does,” Viago’s lip quirks into a wry smile, “But I have a feeling if I told you that we were hanging House Dellamorte out to dry, you and Lucanis would put me in an awkward position by getting engaged. So my options are limited.”

Once he sets down the canister of poison he’s holding, Rook elbows him lightly, unable to hide her grin at the thought of getting married to Lucanis. It’s not something they’ve discussed, even though the political reasons to do so are clear. It really hasn’t been that long that they’ve been together, but the thought makes her feel good rather than nervous or unsure. If he asked her then and there, she knows she’d say yes.

“Besides. The two of you are not to be trifled with,” Viago adds, still not looking away from the poison. He adds a few drops of a dark purple liquid, and carefully caps the vial, “I know who I want on my side if I- if I ever need backup. An alliance goes two ways, after all.”

Rook clocks the stutter, but says nothing. Whatever his own machinations may be, she trusts him.

She finds herself wondering how Spite is doing, cooped up in Lucanis’ head with no real avenue to express himself over the last few days. Lucanis wouldn’t want to expose Caterina to Spite- or perhaps, Spite to Caterina. She hopes he’s alright, and that he’s able to be patient with them both.

By the time the party rolls around, Rook is eagerly anticipating the end of the night. She’s pulled her hair back into braids, and wears a pretty, though understated dress. Fitted tight to her chest, the dress flows out from her waist, the swathes of floor-length fabric hiding several knives and poisons strapped to her body. She’s not looking to stand out any more than necessary. For the purposes of this party, it is Viago who is allying with House Dellamorte, not her.

She arrives early, but hangs back around the outside of the Villa until more people have filtered in. In a show of strength, Catarina had insisted the gathering be held at the Dellamorte Estate ballroom, another detail which had not eased her nerves about the affair. With that said, there's a clear a home turf advantage.

The ballroom is beautifully decorated, with subtle, crow-themed motifs adorning the banisters. The Dellamorte wealth is being displayed, but not flaunted. It reminds Rook eerily of the necromancer party Johanna Hezenkoss had hosted, yet somehow, with even more people wearing black.

It’s easy to tell which Crows are local by who carries bruises and stitches from their final fight in Minrathous. Even done up as well as they are, there are still a lot of injured people here. She hopes it will be taken as a sign of strength, rather than a weakness.

Eyes scanning through the crowd, Rook can’t find the one person she most wants to see. She does, however, spot Teia and Viago mingling with others, arm-in-arm. Teia looks gorgeous, the deep red gown she wears expertly tailored to accentuate her curves. With her gold jewellery, impeccably done makeup, and easy charm, it’s almost hard to believe she’s a Crow and not a celebrity. Viago, in contrast, looks handsome but deeply uncomfortable. He’s gripping his cane so tightly that Rook is shocked it hasn’t snapped.

“Oh! You’re her!” A Southern-Antivan accent says, before Rook is able to start making her way over to the pair. When she turns, she sees a young, dark-haired human woman in a suit, standing beside her with a smile. “Eloise, Antivan Crow of House Balazar,” Cautiously, Rook shakes her hand. The woman doesn’t seem to have ill-intentions, but it’s always hard to be sure.

“There’s still a lot of confusion about what happened with those two elven mages spreading the blight, but the word is out on we should be thanking,” She tells Rook, “A lot of us came just to see you. Well, you and The Demon of Vyrantium himself.”

Before Rook can respond, another woman comes up to greet her, and then a man. Soon, a small crowd has formed around her, of people clapping her on the back and congratulating her victory. The attention doesn’t make Rook feel proud. It makes her want to crawl out of her skin. She looks around, trying to find an escape route.

The escape route finds her.

“You’re all going to trample the poor woman. Give her some space,” A deep, smooth voice cuts through the others, and the noise of the crowd dies down as people look to its source. Rook immediately recognizes Illario, expensively dressed and holding a glass of some amber-coloured liquid. The Crow who had first approached her, Eloise, leans over to whisper to a man beside her. The small crowd has clearly recognized him as well.

“Illario,” Rook responds evenly. It had surprised her to see him in Minrathous with the Crows, ready to fight the Venatori by her side. And it surprises her to see him now. He smiles disarmingly at her, waltzes through the crowd, and loops an arm through hers with an easy confidence.

“Lucanis and Catarina were just looking for you. How lucky of me to have found you first,” Rook has to admit, if she hadn’t already seen past it, the charm may have worked on her. Despite everything, Illario projects an air of likeable charisma, exerting control over the situation easily. Within a few seconds, he’s leading her away from the crowd, patting her arm as his calculating eyes scan their surroundings.

It won’t take him long before he’s made people forget all about the attempted coup, Rook muses, though judging by the reactions of those around us, we aren’t there yet.

“I think you enjoyed that,” Rook says quietly, once the crowd has dispersed and they’re out of earshot. Inwardly, she debates whether she wants to yank her arm away and tell him to fuck off, but there are still a fair amount of eyes on them. Any tension or issues would be recognized and noted by the other Houses, even if such issues were to be expected. It would be better, optics wise, for Rook to play nice.

“Being a pariah?” Illario asks, taking a swig of the drink in his hand as he casts her a glance. “It has certain benefits. Like being able to swoop in and steal the girl away while everyone stands and gawks.”

“Is Lucanis actually looking for me, or was that a lie?” She asks. It’s odd to be arm-in-arm with someone who tried to kill you not that long ago, but she’s pretty sure he knows better than to try again, here in a ballroom full of Crows.

“Well, he didn’t ask me to come find you. But I have no doubt he’s looking,” Illario shoots her a grin, but when she doesn’t smile back, it slides off his face. The next look he shoots her is more of a sneer. “Loosen up. I’m hardly a threat to you now, disgraced as I am. Isn’t that right?”

“I will always consider you a threat,” she replies back to him, voice low and hard.

It’s the right thing to say. Illario freezes for a moment, and seems genuinely pleased when he responds, his voice so low it’s nearly a purr, “Rook, you say the nicest things to me.”

“Are you bringing me anywhere in particular, or are you just looking to take me in circles until I get dizzy?” Rook asks Illario, as he starts to lead her around the edge of the ballroom. As she looks back around, she catches Viago’s eye, who is watching them with a clear look of concern and suspicion. She gives a small shrug in his direction.

“You haven’t seen Lucanis yet tonight, have you?” He mutters, quiet in Rook’s ear, and Rook shakes her head. “He’s making the rounds, but something’s...wrong. Earlier this evening, the...demon was acting up. I don’t think Catarina noticed. But I know Lucanis better than anyone. I can tell when he’s distracted. And since I don’t have any handy magic to control that thing anymore...”

Illario shrugs, and finishes his drink. He subtly points a finger to Rook’s right, and she follows the line to see Lucanis, standing tense with Catarina and a few other Crows. “Help or don’t. I don’t particularly care. I’m getting another drink.”

Lucanis’ eyes land on them, and when they narrow, Rook swears she can see a glint of purple light in them. He looks so handsome, done up in an impeccably tailored suit and cape, that it almost stops her dead in her path.

“...That’s my cue to leave.” Illario notes with a soft laugh. Letting go of Rook’s arm, Illario takes a step back, turns on his heel, and stalks away.

She’ll no doubt get an earful about being seen with Illario from Viago later, but for now, Rook is more concerned with Lucanis. Even from this distance, Rook can tell Illario was right- something is going on with him. As she makes her way toward him, he begins to head in her direction as well, leaving the group he was speaking with to meet her halfway.

An arm snakes around her waist, pulling Rook flush to Lucanis’ side before he even says a word to her. She’d been pretty sure the plan had been to play it cool tonight, but Lucanis appears to have changed his mind. He leans in close, to speak into her ear.

“Why were you with Illario?” He asks, voice tinged with a strained desperation, “Did he threaten you?”

“No, no,” Rook whispers back. Caterina’s eyes are on them, as are the eyes of the other Crows she’s still speaking with. Even still, it feels good to be beside him again, and to feel his arm around her waist. Rook can’t be too chagrined by the change of plans. “He brought me over because he noticed something was up with you. What’s going on?”

Lucanis breathes out a laugh, and shakes his head. His grip on Rook tightens. “He noticed? It’s Spite. He’s freaking out.” Lucanis holds onto her like she’s the only thing keeping him moored to the ground. His eyes keep darting around the room, from exit-to-exit, like a caged animal.

“Why? Is it the amount of people here?” Rook asks, shifting to stand in front of Lucanis. She looks to his face for answers, trying to find Spite in his eyes. They’re too busy scanning and re-scanning the room for threats.

“Partially. I overheard someone talking about me being an abomination earlier, which didn’t help,” Lucanis sighs, meeting Rook’s gaze. “He keeps wanting to find you, to talk to you, to get out of here. But I have to keep telling him we need to wait. He can’t be seen right now.”

Glancing around them, Rook winces as she realizes just how many people are both subtly and not-so-subtly watching them. If Spite were to burst forward right now, his voice coming from Lucanis’ lips or his wings extending out from his back...

“Hold on,” Rook whispers to both of them, reaching up to place a steadying hand on Lucanis' shoulder, “Let’s step outside for a moment.” Lucanis nods, and in a move that Rook knows will be the subject to much discussion later, leans forward to press a quick kiss to her lips.

“Please,” He breathes.

No one knows this house better than Lucanis, and he’s able to lead her, quite quickly, out of the ballroom to a small library on the second floor, where they’ll be able to have some privacy. Disappearing with Lucanis part way through the event is yet another impropriety, but his hands are starting to shake like he’s going through lyrium withdrawal. Rook has to assume this qualifies as an emergency.

When they finally lock the door behind them, Lucanis takes a few deep, ragged breaths, trying to calm himself. Slowly, he sinks to the floor, sitting with his back against one of the bookshelves. Rook walks over, sitting down in front of him and taking his hands in her own.

“Spite, can you tell me what’s bothering you?” Rook asks. Lucanis’ face spasms, finally relenting to allow Spite to speak. He looks so wrought with emotion that all Rook wants to do is get him out of here, and find a way to make things better.

“We were supposed to share,” Spite hisses, “But it’s been Lucanis, Lucanis. A party for Lucanis, surrounded by people who have hurt him and hate me. Didn’t see you for days. Everyone forgets about me. Trapped, again. I want to go back. I hate it here. And he hates it here too. Not home, not without you. Both of us, missing you, but Lucanis won’t let me do anything about it.”

Rook’s heart hurts for him, “I’ve missed you too, Spite. But Lucanis is just trying to keep you safe-” Spite scoffs, shaking his head. He doesn’t want to hear it.

“It was mine first,” Lucanis grinds out, breaking to the front, his eyes squeezed shut in frustration. “My family. My life. I need to keep it together. Rook might understand you, but the rest won’t. I’m trying to keep them from seeing us as a monster.”

The words hang in the air. A long moment passes, with no response. And then-

“Fine,” Spite spits out.

And then he’s gone.

Lucanis lifts his head in confusion, looking around. The library is silent, save for the sound of their breathing, and the faint sound of chatter down the hall.

“He’s hiding. Far back in my head, I think,” He finally says, his shoulders sagging. “What a mess.”

“The night could have gone better,” Rook admits, before slowly moving forward to pull Lucanis into a hug. He allows himself to be held, pressing his face into Rook’s shoulder and wrapping his arms around her to hold her back for a long moment.

“What would I do without you?” He asks fondly, voice soft as he pulls away, “Once again, you’ve come to my rescue.”

“We’re not out of the hot water yet,” Rook murmurs, guilt still thrumming through her. “We should have expected this. It’s not going to be easy, for either of you.” With a frown, Lucanis nods.

“I know,” He says quietly, “But first, let’s make it through this night. Then...” Lucanis takes a deep breath. “I’ll introduce him. To Catarina, and Viago and Teia. Even Illario, if he agrees- though I guess they’ve already met.” He gives a bit of a smile, running a hand across his beard. “I was trying to protect him. But maybe I’ve just been trying to protect myself. This isn’t going to just go away.”

Rook smiles back at him, standing and offering him a hand. She straightens his suit and smooths his hair down as best as she can, trying to help him look as presentable as possible.

“I’ll be with you every step of the way. No matter what.” She tells him.

The rest of the night is a bit of a blur. True to his word, Spite doesn’t rear his head again, leaving Lucanis in relative peace to try to smooth out any poor impressions his earlier appearance garnered. The relief on Catarina’s face when Rook and Lucanis appear back in the ballroom tells Rook she’s managed to net some points with the woman- though if they’re going introduce her to Spite, it seems fairly likely to Rook that she won’t stay in her good graces for long.

Gone, too, is any pretence that Rook and Lucanis are not together. Lucanis had firmly cemented their relationship as public when he kissed her in front of everyone. It’s not ideal for the First Talon to have such an obvious weak point. And it’s unusual for a member of another House to be so close with a Talon without being one themselves.

Still, the night isn’t nearly the disaster they’d feared. Especially given the lack of assassination attempts as Lucanis, Viago, and Teia all raise their glasses and drink with one another, toasting the alliance of their Houses.

“Rook,” Teia puts her hands on Rook’s shoulders as the night begins to wind down, pulling her aside, “Look at me. I need you to promise me something, darling.” Teia is either tipsy, or playing up being tipsy to fool anyone looking her way.

“What’s that?” Rook raises an eyebrow.

“Get out of here. Lucanis looks like a dead man walking,” She glances at Viago, and then Catarina. “You know Lucanis. He’ll work until he collapses, if you let him, even though he’d rather be anywhere else. I’ll distract them. You make a break for it.”

Rook grins, patting Teia’s arm. “You’re the best, Teia. I owe you one. Way more than one by now, actually.”

Teia winks at her. “Us girls gotta stick together Rook. Now, don’t come back for at least a week.” Teia claps her shoulder, and turns away, swaying over to where Viago, Caterina, and Lucanis stand talking. With a deftness fit only for a Crow, she sweeps into the circle, gracefully sliding in front of Lucanis to separate him from the others.

Rook knows her time to act when she sees it. As stealthily as she can, she sneaks up and grabs Lucanis by the arm. He sends her a confused look, before she gestures to the exit. Lucanis looks at her, and then to Catarina- who is now fully engaged in speaking with Teia- and nods.

It’s a relief to exit the Villa, and an even greater relief to get back to the Eluvian. Lucanis knows enough passages through the Estate to get them out without running into anyone vying for their time, and like phantoms they glide through Treviso, giddy to know they’ll soon be home.

“Finally,” Rook says, stepping back through to the crossroads, “Hold on, Spite. We’re almost back now.”

Spite doesn’t respond. Lucanis too, tries to talk to him and rouse him into saying something, but he ignores them both, refusing to reply. By the time they’re entering the main doors to the Lighthouse, Rook is starting to worry.

“He can definitely hear us, right?” The Lighthouse is quiet, with only the wisps to keep them company now. Sometimes, Bellara or Emmrich return to stay for a few days, but tonight it is just them, alone in the structure.

“I believe he is ignoring us. He’ll come around,” Lucanis replies, taking a step toward Rook. “I cannot believe how glad I am to be back here with you. I thought this night would never end.”

“I know. And you didn’t have to spend time with Illario,” She jokes, and Lucanis wrinkles his nose like he’s smelled something foul.

“Forget Illario. I’ve been waiting all night to do this again,” Leaning forward, Lucanis puts a hand on Rook’s waist as he leans forward to kiss her.

The kiss lasts for a beat, and then two. They break apart.

They stare at each other for another beat.

“It… kind of feels wrong to do this without working things out with Spite first,” Rook admits, and Lucanis nods.

“I thought it was just me,” He says, voice relieved as he brushes his thumb across Rook’s cheek. “After what I said to him tonight... But how do we convince him to speak to us? I’ve never met such a stubborn bastard.”

An idea occurs to Rook then, one which she’s not sure will work. “When Spite asked for my help to break you out of your mental prison, we went through the fade. The three of us could talk there, remember? I think that if we found some lyrium, I could do the same, so that we could go find him.”

“Are you sure you want that? To go back into the fade?” Lucanis’ voice is edged with worry, and Rook shudders, thinking of the prison she’d been stuck in for weeks. The smell of it had never quite left her dreams. But she steels herself and nods, resolute.

“If you’re there with me,” she says, “you’ll keep me safe. I want to find him, Lucanis. I want him to know that I’ll always come for him, too. I won’t leave him alone there.”

Lucanis’ gaze softens. “I’ll be right beside you.”

The components don’t take that long to assemble with the Caretaker’s assistance, and even though Rook hasn’t done a ritual like this before, it’s not too difficult to figure out. She is a mage, and sending mages into the fade spiritually rather than physically is as commonplace as apprentices trying to learn how to sling fire.

With a bit of lyrium, some patience, and nearly forty minutes of meditation, she successfully pulls Lucanis into the fade with her.

All around them, the rocky, desolate landscape of the fade stretches as far as their eyes can see, misshapen and floating at strange junctures. The fade is cold, and smells faintly of ozone. In the distance, Rook can see collapsed walls and a broken structure, the remnants of the Ossuary that Lucanis had built here. Part of her hates being back here, and she’s sure Lucanis feels the same.

“How are we going to find him here?” Lucanis asks, incredulous. He eyes the fortress with no small amount of apprehension.

“As much as I hate to say it, I think he’s probably in there,” Rook answers with a wince. Bracing herself, she grabs hold of Lucanis’ hand, and together they start to make their way back toward the prison.

It’s a lot faster, the third time through. They weave through the hallways and doors, which they both know now well enough to navigate without much trouble. Attempting to lighten the mood, Rook even quips, “You know, if I’d have known I’d be back again, I would have left markings on the walls. Or snacks. Maker have mercy if there’s a fourth time.” It gets a groan, rather than a chuckle, from Lucanis.

Finally, after it feels like they’ve been walking for ages, they reach the centre of the ruined prison. Sitting against one of the walls, with his knees to his chest and a scowl on his face, is Spite.

“Spite!” Rook calls out, the two of them rushing over to him. His head snaps up, and he blinks at them in owlish surprise.

“Rook?” He repeats back, “Lucanis? Why are you here?”

“To get you,” Lucanis says, before Rook can. His voice is steady, as he kneels down in front of Spite. “Spite. I’m sorry. I cut you out, and forced you back...here. We had a deal. We live together. You, me, Rook. And I haven’t been fair.”

“No. You. Haven’t,” Spite snarls, reaching out and shoving Lucanis on the chest. It’s more a gesture of annoyance than real anger, though, as Lucanis easily catches Spite’s hands to hold them in place. Still, he glowers at Lucanis, shooting an annoyed look in Rook’s direction as well.

“What do you want to do, then?” Rook asks him, also kneeling down so the three of them are at eye-level. Spite looks from Lucanis to Rook, and his tongue darts out to lick his bottom lip almost nervously. “We haven’t asked you. It’s obviously not planning Crow parties in Treviso.”

“Lucanis doesn’t want to do that either!” He snaps, before he answers truthfully. “...Villa on the beach. Romance novels in the sun. Pinning you against every surface and kissing you until your lips feel numb. But you don’t want me there. You said: you, me, a beach house. The sea. You didn’t say you both.”

Before Rook can respond, Lucanis does something that surprises her. He leans forward, still holding Spite’s hands in his own, and kisses him on the lips. Spite makes a confused noise into Lucanis’ mouth, which tapers into a groan as he presses into the kiss. And then Spite is surging forward, kissing Lucanis with a heat and passion that makes Rook feel lightheaded just from watching it. Chuckling into the kiss, Lucanis pulls back after a few moments to catch his breath. Spite seems to want to chase after him, but thinks better of it, tilting his head as he looks from Lucanis to Rook.

“We do. And not just for kissing,” Lucanis emphasizes, letting go of Spite’s hands, “Not just for sex. I’ve gotten used to having you around. To have you suddenly not answering, not making your comments in my head... it was too quiet. Don’t do that again.” Spite looks apprehensive, hesitating before he responds.

“Like when Rook was lost in the other fade prison,” He mumbles. “Couldn’t find her. Lonely.” Lucanis nods in confirmation.

“I do want you there, with us. And you want to be with us too, right?” Rook adds, nervous suddenly. Spite looks at her like she’s started speaking Elven.

“Don’t joke,” he huffs, “I always want you. I do nothing but want you.” He looks almost annoyed as he adds, “Tasting you, yes. But sleeping beside you. Holding you in our arms. When Lucanis cooks food, when you kill with the flick of your wrist. When Lucanis kisses you. Want, want, want.”

“...Good,” Rook breathes. This time, she’s the one to lean forward and kiss Spite. It’s a gentle kiss, for him, and he sighs contentedly into her mouth as she holds his face in her hands.

“Not sure I believe you,” Spite mutters as she leans away, eyes sliding from Rook to Lucanis, “After you called me a monster.”

It takes Rook a second to realize Spite is messing with them. Lucanis catches on first.

“You little shit,” Lucanis says with a surprised laugh, and a sly grin breaks out across Spite’s face. He reaches out, grabbing a fistful of fabric of Rook’s dress, and pulls her back toward him.

“Make it up to me,” Spite murmurs, still grinning mischievously as he tugs Rook between his legs, “You still smell like so many people. You should only smell like us.”

“That I can agree with,” Lucanis says, voice low with desire as he moves to kneel on Rook’s other side. His chest brushes against her back, his hands settling on her hips as he ducks his head and presses his lips to her neck. Arousal pulses through her, hot and fierce, as Rook is pressed between the two men.

“Maker,” She whispers, closing her eyes in pleasure before Spite kisses her again. This time, the kiss isn’t gentle- it’s untamed and aggressive, almost desperate as he moans into her mouth. He kisses her like he wants to erase every other memory from her mind, like the taste of her alone sustains him. With Lucanis also biting and sucking down the skin of her neck, Rook feels nearly overwhelmed by the sensation. Lucanis’ hands move along her hips, grabbing her and keeping her body pressed flush against him.

She whines, a needy noise into Spite’s mouth as he reaches under her dress, feeling up her legs. Rook’s glad she left her knives and poisons at the Lighthouse as his rough hands travel up, groping her thighs. He grabs once at her ass, before he hooks a finger under her undergarments and tugs them off. Unceremoniously, he tosses them aside, completely unconcerned with where they land.

Rook doesn’t care much either. Not with the way Spite presses two fingers against her wet cunt, nor with the way Lucanis cups her breasts in his hands and squeezes. Together- with Lucanis unlacing the back of her dress, and Spite tugging it off of her- they undress Rook with a coordination that almost seems rehearsed.

Spite moves back away from her, watching for a moment as Lucanis presses his lips to Rook’s and steals a kiss. His eyes move from Lucanis to Rook, and then back down her body to her cunt.

“He wants you to sit on his face,” Lucanis groans in her ear, his hands skimming across her skin, “He’s been thinking about it all the time. It’s been torture for me, too, believe me.”

“Yeah?” Rook asks, pupils blown wide with lust. Spite nods, lips parted slightly before he swallows, hunger evident on his face. As Rook nods back at him, moving forward, Spite swiftly shifts back, until he’s lying on his back and reaching out for her. She half-crawls forward, until she’s kneeling over Spite’s face. Rook’s so wet it’s almost embarrassing, but if anything it seems to spur Spite on, his hands settling on the back of her thighs.

“Tap me if you need to breathe,” Rook tells him, trying and failing to keep the whimper from her voice. Spite shoots her a bewildered look.

“I don’t need to breathe,” He answers.

“Oh.”

Slowly, Rook lowers her hips, until she feels Spite’s nose and mouth and beard against her skin and oh maker, he’s licking up into her like it’s his one true purpose in life. Throwing her head back with a long, stuttering moan, Rook’s hands find purchase on Spite’s shoulders as Spite devours her, groaning loudly against her cunt. Any insecurity she’d had evaporates, dashed into pieces by the waves of pleasure which crash against her. With the enthusiasm Spite’s bringing to eating her out, Rook has no doubt that he has been thinking about this.

Behind her, Lucanis moves, and she half-turns to watch as he settles between Spite’s legs. Slowly- giving Spite ample time to stop him- Lucanis unbuttons Spite’s trousers, cupping his hard cock with one hand through the material. Instead, Spite moans in approval, the sound a gentle rumble against her skin.

Rook continues to watch over her shoulder, as Lucanis peels down Spite’s pants and underwear, and takes his cock into his hand. He gives a couple of slow, experimental pumps down the length, before leaning forward to press the flat of his tongue against the head of his cock. Spite gasps against her, his grip on Rook’s thighs tightening to the point that his fingers are sure to leave bruises.

Licking down the shaft, it doesn’t take Lucanis long before he’s taking Spite’s cock fully into his mouth, groaning around the length as he makes eye contact with Rook over her shoulder. Keeping one hand on Spite’s cock, Lucanis brings the other down between his own legs, palming himself through his pants as he sucks Spite off.

It might be the hottest thing Rook’s ever fucking seen. Lucanis is a mess, spit and drool smeared across his lips as he takes Spite deeper into his mouth, gagging around his cock.

With Spite nearly purring in pleasure against Rook’s cunt, his groans unbidden and unrestrained, Rook can’t help but to grind down against his face. He doesn’t seem to mind. If anything, Spite’s grip on her thighs tightens, urging her to repeat the motion. The message is clear- Spite is going to keep working his jaw against her, licking at her clit and cunt until she comes. And that is not going to take that much longer.

She knows she’s going to have a wicked beard burn on the inside of her thighs the next day, but Rook can’t care less. She’s close, and chasing her own pleasure, it only takes a few more cants of her hips before she’s pushing herself over the edge.

Her orgasm crashes over her like a tidal wave, the repeated pulses of pleasure shooting out across her skin and setting her body ablaze. Spite continues to eat her out through the orgasm, as her thighs start to tremble through the sheer force of it.

When she’s ridden the orgasm through, Rook slides back, off of Spite’s face and onto his chest, panting. His lips are red and swollen as he looks up at her, Rook’s wet coating his cheeks, beard, and neck. Turning around to see what Lucanis is doing, Rook watches as he licks between Spite’s legs, everywhere his tongue can reach, his own cock hard in his hand.

“Lucanis,” Spite hisses out, “Wait, wait. You’re going to make me come- want to fuck Rook first.”

With a groan of his own, Lucanis pulls himself off of Spite with a nod. Rook shifts, getting off of Spite and turning around so that she’s facing Lucanis on her hands and knees. Lucanis, as if knowing instinctively what Rook wants from him, pushes himself to stand, his cock in front of her face. He threads his fingers through Rook’s hair, combing through it as she looks up at him in need. Behind her, Spite also stands, pressing his cock against the cleft of her ass.

“So beautiful,” Lucanis murmurs, as Rook licks a stripe across the base of his cock, “Maker, your mouth was made for us.”

As Spite pushes into her cunt, Rook takes Lucanis into her mouth, and the three of them groan in tandem. It’s clear, as Spite starts to thrust into her, that they won’t last long. With her cunt stretching to accommodate Spite’s girth, and Lucanis heavy on her tongue, Rook feels magnificently filled and fucked, her body pulled and pushed between the two men.

“That’s our girl. A little deeper,” Lucanis coaxes, and Rook groans around his cock as she tries to take him deeper into her throat. Over her body, she feels Spite’s weight pressing down on her as he leans forward, grabbing a fistfull of Lucanis’ shirt. As they both fuck further into her, Spite pulls Lucanis into another kiss, the wet across his face soaking Lucanis’ beard as they make out above her.

The sensation is too much. Rook comes again, nearly wailing around Lucanis’ cock. With a muted growl, Spite follows, his hands letting go of Lucanis to hold onto Rook’s hips as he spills inside of her. Lucanis is third, coming down Rook’s throat. He shoots her an almost apologetic look, which turns to awe and affection as Rook swallows around his cock, continuing to suck and lick until he’s clean.

“Next time we come to the fade,” Lucanis breathes out, after Rook pulls back with a smile, “We’re bringing lube with us.”

Spite laughs first, pulling off of Rook and collapsing against some rubble. He sighs happily, before his face sobers, as he looks contemplatively at Rook and Lucanis.

“Can’t promise I won’t ruin any more parties,” He says, gently. Lucanis sits down beside them both, running a hand softly across some scratches that have formed across Rook’s knees.

“We can talk about it more tomorrow. It might help if you get to know them. Viago and Teia, at least to start,” Lucanis says to Spite, before he smirks, “No more parties for a while though. First: a vacation.”

“Eh. We’ll figure it out,” Rook answers, grinning at them both, “It’ll be a team effort. But Spite? We don’t want you anywhere else.”

When they get back to the Lighthouse, three figures become two, and Rook no longer has scratches on her knees or a hair out of place. Fade sex, it seems, makes for an incredibly quick cleanup process. But Lucanis seems calmer.

And as they crawl into bed, to sleep well into the next day, Lucanis steps back to let Spite be the one to hold Rook through the night.

#spite dragon age #lucanis dellamorte #rookanis #lucanis x rook #spite x rook #dragon age #dav #viago de riva #illario dellamorte #spite dellamorte #rook x lucanis #rook de riva #my writing

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awardenandacrow · 24 days ago

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SNIPPET 56

[after Emmrich reanimates Zara, Lucanis rushes out of the room. Rook chases after him to check on him, and the conversation takes a turn she doesn’t expect.]

CW/TW: strong language

——————————————————————————

“Are you okay?” She wanted to know. It was a stupid question, and they both knew it.

“Of course I am not okay,” he snapped at her. “How could I be okay?”

“I don’t expect you to be,” she told him. “That’s a heavy thing, we just learned. I just.. didn’t know what else to ask.”

“I do not mean to shout at you,” he said, leaning on the fireplace and staring into the flames.

“You don’t have to apologize for that,” Naimeryn shook her head. “I’m here for you. And if you need someone to yell at, I can be that. You won’t hurt my feelings.”

“Again, you mean.”

He turned his head, ever so slightly, the flames burning in his brown-eyed gaze. Naimeryn opened her mouth, but didn’t know what to say. She had not expected him to bring *them* up. How could that not be the furthest thing from his mind, after finding out that Illario had been the one to set him up? All she could think about was all of the questions she now had.

The noisiest of which were about Zara calling him “Amatus.” Twice. So had he continued seeing her *after* he found out she hadn’t killed Lucanis like he’d hoped, and had instead tortured him and forced him to become an “abomination”? It had been months, now. She didn’t imagine couples continued using terms of endearment once broken up.

“I — “ she finally stammered out. “We don’t have to — you didn’t…”

“I did. And then I tried to apologize, but you avoided me for a week,” he turned his head back towards her, his brow knit and his eyes soft. “Then I tried to apologize again, but you were more worried I was planning on not making it back from taking out Zara.”

Naimeryn bit her lip. She had been terrifyingly *certain* that had been his original plan. “I’m sor—“

“*No,*” Lucanis said it so firmly, pushing himself away from the fireplace to fully face her. “It was no less than I deserved. The avoiding, anyway.”

Naimeryn ducked her head. They were getting off topic, and surely this couldn’t really be what he wanted to talk about? It was done. It wasn’t as though he was… obligated to feel… *anything* about her, after all. It was enough to know he appreciated her as the leader of the team, and drew comfort from her being the one who’d freed him from the Ossuary. She didn’t need more than that. Anything else was just… greedy.

Especially for someone like her.

“It’s… really okay,” she assured him. “I read people’s signals wrong all the time. So really, I *am* the one who’s sorry. For putting you in that position in the first place.”

“Rook,” he began, that same pained expression on his face that he’d worn that day.

“Lucanis,” she insisted, reaching out tentatively and touching his arm. “Please don’t dwell on it. What’s important now, is we have to figure out what to do about Illario, right?”

“Fucking *Illario*,” he dropped his gaze to the floor. “I’ll reach out to Teia and Viago. I… I’m afraid I may not be able to trust my own judgement on this.”

Naimeryn smiled gently, and gave his arm a little squeeze. “Will you let me know when you hear back? He’s hurt you, and that upsets me, too.”

Brown eyes met hers, bright in the firelight glow.

“Of course,” he said thickly. He reached for her then, and she froze in surprise. Uncertainly, he brushed a thumb across her cheekbone, then held his hand there, warm skin pressed against hers.

“Rook, I.. I hope you truly do forgive me.”

Without thinking, Naimeryn turned her head and placed a soft kiss on his knuckles. He did not pull away, so she tried to bury the immediate panic that arose from her instinctual action. She swallowed slowly, releasing his arm and, before fleeing with the best air of nonchalance she could manage, looked him in the eye as she said,

“There really is nothing to forgive.. Lucanis.”

…

WHY. DID YOU LET. HER. LEAVE? Spite yowled at the closed dining hall doors. Lucanis had yet to drop his arm from where he’d had her in his grasp, and somehow still not managed to hold on. The feel of her lips against his fingers sent a jolt through his whole body, and yet it had frozen him as surely as one of Neve’s spells.

He wanted her to come back.

He needed her to stay away.

He wanted…

#dragon age the veilguard #dragon age #fanfic #rookanis #dragon age rook #dragon age the veilguard spoilers #rook #my rook #original character #rook x lucanis #rookanis fluff #Naimeryn Thorne #lucanis and spite #lucanis dellamorte #spite dragon age #illario dellamorte #zara renata #teia cantori #viago de riva

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whispersleo · 6 days ago

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Thursday (Friday) Bangers

I just got some time (it's 1 am considered free time even?) to do this because UUUGGGH is one of my favorite songs and I've been listening to it non-stop all week, I just had to!

Thanks for making this @woundedsoul12 💜

A blurb based on a song lyric (doesn't have to include it, just be inspired by it), this time is a lyric of The Last of the Real Ones from FOB, I wonder if your therapist knows everything about me.

Take some Lucanis/Illario/Spite 💜!

Lucanis deftly spun the blade in his hand, twisting it effortlessly as his mind wandered elsewhere—specifically, to a few hours earlier, when he’d accompanied his cousin to inspect an order from a tailor.

He had sat in the armchair beside the makeshift fitting area, separated only by a curtain, and tried not to let his irritation show when Illario stepped out and presented himself.

"It's for a contract," his cousin had said, turning in a slow circle. "What do you think? Does it look alright?"

For a moment, Lucanis felt as if he’d forgotten every word he knew. The fabric clung to Illario’s waist and chest, leaving his arms bare and plunging into a deep V at the collarbone before tapering sharply at the hips, exposing the sharp lines of his pelvis. It was utterly indecent—at least, to Lucanis’ eyes. He wondered what damn job the De Riva had assigned his cousin this time. No doubt Viago was thrilled to exploit Illario’s… ease with people. Very useful for poison work, the Fifth Talon had remarked dryly not long ago when discussing him.

Illario caught his expression and flashed a broad, toothy grin, eyes crinkling.

"That face says it all, Lucanis. Perfect, then."

Damn it. The Crow hurled his dagger at one of the pillows now, cursing Illario silently as heat crept up his cheeks.

"Hot," Spite remarked, materializing beside him.

Lucanis let out a noise that was meant to be a groan but came out closer to a whine. The demon’s laughter was low, almost sinister.

"Very. Hot. I want to bite his hip," Spite sighed.

"Enough," Lucanis snapped, pressing his hands hard against his face. He might have stayed like that if not for the way his arms eventually dropped limply to his sides. "Mierda," he muttered.

"Why not?" Spite murmured, drifting closer. "He. Should be. Ours."

"This is wrong, Spite. He’s practically my brother."

"Pfft. Brother. Cousin. Lover. You love him regardless." The demon exhaled, voice curling like smoke. "You want him regardless, Lucanis."

"I need you to shut up," Lucanis ground out, "and let me… think, Spite—"

"Gonna think about his ass again?"

"SPITE!"

#is spite the therapist #dellamortecest #illario x lucanis #lucanis x illario #illario x spite #spite x illario #illario dellamorte #lucanis dellamorte #datv illario #dragon age illario #illario dragon age #lucanis #dragon age lucanis #datv #spite dragon age #spite dellamorte

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selunesdreams · 2 months ago

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Eating Crow - Chapter 21: Crow Killer

He turned, his hand instinctively gravitating towards her leg. Behind his eyes, the spirit of determination’s presence hummed with impatience, desperate to touch her as his fingertips brushed her thigh. “I’ll follow you anywhere, Rook. As whatever you want me to be.” She touched her thumb to the cut on his bottom lip before letting her hand fall away. “Have you ever just done something you wanted? For your own sake?” Lucanis leaned back against the couch, toying with a loose thread on the frayed hem of her nightgown before raising his head to meet her gaze. “A couple of times,” he said with a coy smile, “In recent memory.”

Pairing: Lucanis x Fem Rook/OFC x Spite???

Summary: Lucanis plays the role of damsel in distress.

Word count: 4.7k

Things of note/warnings: 18+ fic, MDNI! warnings: sexual content, blood/gore, graphic violence, death, angst, Dellamorte Drama™ notes: if you have not read Teia/Viago's story in Tevinter nights, there may be some missing context, and I highly recommend reading it if you can! If you need a summary, its in the AO3 summary. Please read on AO3 if you need to track warnings, they will be inevitably detailed better there (or just want to be real sweet and give me hits/kudos/comments).

Read on AO3

─── ⊹⊱♤⊰⊹ ───

Citizens ambled through the busy Cantori Diamond, occasionally brushing against the shoulders of Rook’s coat as she weaved through the crowd on her way to Viago’s office. Scowls and shouting came from betting tables, while in the darker corners of the casino, men inconspicuously received handjobs or head. Behind her, a drunk was thrown out by the collar of his shirts.

What a lovely place to conduct business.

Reaching the security staff in front of the stairs, she nodded with impatient acknowledgment. With a grunt, two men stepped aside and let her pass before resuming their post.

Lucanis had disappeared after their talk in the kitchen, save for a brief interaction where Spite found her in the courtyard, feet dangling over the edge into oblivion. She hadn’t needed to recognize the familiar gait behind her.

“Hello, Spite.” “You. Have a prison. Like Lucanis.” He had said. “Shame. Loneliness. Resentment. Crows. Hurt you.” “They hurt Lucanis, too. ” Spite went silent then, eyes shifting back and forth as he stared into the nothingness below, searching for a way to articulate his thoughts. “He is afraid. Of losing. Rook.” “I belong to no one.” “Lucanis. is not. Prison!” Frustrated, the demon began to pace. It couldn’t be easy, Rook thought to herself, for a spirit to possess so much knowledge, but have such difficulty communicating through its host. Was he searching through Lucanis’ thoughts like one would a stack of files? Was every motive shared, or could there be secrets kept between the two? “Lucanis let you in. To HIS prison . Now YOU let HIM in!”

After the outburst, she quickly excused herself from the encounter and went to bed, eager to think about anything else. To her relief, Spite had not followed. Three days had since passed, and when Bellara hadn’t noticed even one stray coffee mug during that time, Rook had a sinking feeling something was terribly wrong.

“Fi!”

As Rook reached the top of the stairs, Teia jumped down from where she’d been sitting on Viago’s desk, pulling her friend into a tight embrace. Over her shoulder, Rook scanned the room, noticing to her dismay that Lucanis wasn’t present, but his cousin was. Legs crossed on a nearby couch, Illario cocked his head with interest as their eyes met.

“When are you coming home?” Teia asked, pulling back and gripping Rook by the front of her coat. “You can’t just abandon me here with these two again!”

“Eventually…” Rook glared at Illario until he shamefully redirected his attention to stare at the opposite wall. Carefully, she pried Teia off of her and glanced around the room. “Has Lucanis been by?”

“A contract came in two days ago requesting him specifically.” Viago said, flipping through a newspaper on his desk. “The money was too good to turn down, and he had the time. Apparently, you don’t keep him busy enough.”

“What kind of contract?” Rook asked warily, “Hopefully not one your new assistant is involved in?”

“You think I set him up?” Illario called from his seat, smiling and feigning disbelief as he uncrossed his legs and leaned forward.

“Wouldn’t be the first time.”

“Enough.” Teia chastised, stepping between them and putting a hand on each of their shoulders. “Illario is being rehabilitated. Don’t provoke him.”

“I didn’t know you took in strays.” Rook said innocently, returning Illario’s scowl with a mocking smile. “Tell me about Lucanis’ contract.”

“I wasn’t privy to details,” Viago said irritably. “Enzo Cortez requested a meeting.”

“If it’s so easy, why hasn’t Lucanis completed it yet?”

“Vi, after what happened at the summit with Emil, you don’t think a request for an audience with the First Talon is a reason for concern?” Teia asked.

Her cousin paused, placing a finger on the news page to hold his place.

“Enzo doesn’t share his grandfather’s ambitions, and he’s half the assassin Lucanis is. Unless you think his passenger could cause issues.”

“It’s not Spite I worry about,” Rook said, glancing at Illario. “Does the Cortez family ever dabble in blood magic?”

He examined the tip of his glove disinterestedly. “They prefer being mixed up in Antaam business.”

“You failed to mention that.” Viago growled, shaking his head and taking his cloak from where it was draped over a nearby chair. “Forget professionalism. I’d like to check in on this contract .”

“Wait up.” Teia said, grabbing her knives from the desk.

“You coming?” Rook asked Illario.

“Is that an invitation?”

“It’s an order.” Viago said, thumping the back of his skull and falling in step beside Teia.

─── ⊹⊱♤⊰⊹ ───

“For someone who claims to have cut ties with the lowlives of this city, you knew exactly where to go,” Rook muttered as Illario led them through Treviso’s warehouse district.

“It’s in the contract, Fiammetta. Unless you’ve forgotten how to read. Is that why you had to change your name to Rook? Fewer letters?”

“Enough. Both of you.” Viago shoved between them and cracked open a metal door. It creaked loudly before falling off the hinges onto the stone floor, sending a resounding slam throughout the rest of the warehouse.

“Announcing your arrival? I like your style.” Teia said, stepping over the rubble and checking the perimeter of the room.

“It’s too quiet here.” The Fifth Talon unsheathed his daggers. “This was supposed to be an easy job.”

As they rounded a corner, they were greeted by several bodies. Rook nudged one with her foot, noting that despite being in full rigor, the corpse hadn’t been cold for more than a day. So, Lucanis had passed through here…but where had he gone after?

“Over here.” Illario hissed, peeking through a crack in another door. Rook joined him, stepping out onto another rooftop and watching her breath in the cold night air as she surveyed the horizon. She followed Illario’s outstretched finger to a beam connecting two unstable platforms and suppressed a groan of annoyance. Lucanis was never one to take the conventional way in. Which was what made it even more surprising he could be caught at all. Why was this the job he fell short on?

One by one, the four Crows held out their arms for balance and crossed the beam, hopping off and descending a trellis to the streets below. A large manor towered over them, illuminated from within.

“This was Emil’s former residence.” Viago noted, dragging a gloved finger over the house number. “Perhaps the warehouses were used by the Antaam.”

“Let’s not bother knocking.” Rook said, pressing her ear to the door and ensuring there was no one on the other side before picking the lock. With a soft click, the knob shifted, and she turned it and slipped inside.

The Cortez villa held the same strange eloquence that its members carried in their personalities, beneath its state of decline. Lit candles lined the halls, where hand-painted wallpaper peeled where it met the water-stained ceiling. The wooden floors were scuffed and cracked, and the house smelled as if its condition had been deteriorating for some time.

Silently, Viago motioned for them to follow down a vacant corridor to the right. Daggers drawn, he descended a set of stairs that creaked softly underfoot, no matter how expertly each of the Crows stepped. A damp, sour smell permeated the air and when Rook pulled her hand from the railing, she noticed a smudge of something green and moldy on her gloves. With a grimace, she wiped it on Illario’s jacket, earning herself a dirty look.

Water dripped from the support beams above their heads into puddles strewn across the floor, causing the foundation of the home to rot. Rainwater and canal overflow had been seeping through so long she wasn’t sure how the house was still standing at all.

Suddenly, Viago stopped in his tracks, staring at something against the wall.

A support beam on the ceiling had given way at some point, collapsing in a corner. Wrists chained to it, Lucanis’ unconscious form was prone on the floor. As Rook tried to dart forward, Viago caught her by the arm and shook his head.

“It could be a trap.”

“Then you deal with it.” Rook said, tearing herself from her cousin’s grasp and rushing to Lucanis’ side.

On her knees beside him, she pressed her ear to his chest, feeling its ragged rise and fall and the crackling sound accompanying his every breath. Rook cupped his face in her hands and examined his injuries. He had a black eye and a gash along his cheek that she reached for apprehensively. Lucanis roused at her touch, his eyelids fluttering open, widening in recognition.

“You…shouldn’t be here.” He rasped.

“I thought you were untouchable.” She said, blinking back tears as she ran a thumb over his bloodied bottom lip. Her hands moved over his torso where his shirt was splayed open, revealing a bruised and lacerated chest in the dim light.

“Got sloppy.” He said, as he winced, staring over her shoulder at the stairs to where the others stood. “Enzo Cortez’s men are upstairs. And Antaam.”

Rook looked back at Teia and Viago, who nodded and retreated to the second floor, dragging Illario along with them.

“We have to stop meeting like this,” Rook said, propping him up and fumbling with the chains binding his wrists. His chin dipped as he lost consciousness, Spite surfacing under a veil of violet. Slowly, the demon lifted his head, his presence visible in Lucanis’ irises as he assessed her impatiently.

“Body. Too weak to FIGHT .”

The demon sounded like a caged animal. It only made sense, after all. A powerful spirit was only physically as strong as its host, and Lucanis had suffered far too many blows and lost too much blood to even stand on his own.

“I don’t need him to fight.” Rook said, her voice cracking as she carefully melted a rusting link in the chain with her fingertips. “I need him to live.”

Upstairs, she heard scuffling against the floorboards and cries of surprise that turned to silence just before a fight broke out. The link finally snapped, hot metal singing her index finger before she flinched and threw the chains across the room. They scratched against the baseboards as she cursed and squeezed her fist tightly. She pulled Lucanis’ arm around her shoulders and struggled to her feet, staggering under his weight until she was able to brace him against the doorframe, smoothing his hair from his face. His skin was clammy underneath her palm.

“You’re supposed to run away from danger.” He turned to spit blood onto the floor. “Not towards it.”

“I thought you knew me better than that.”

He huffed weakly, barely mustering the energy to open his good eye to look at her. ”You’re right. You never do what you’re told.” He tried to push her away, but failed, letting out a sharp breath and clutching at his broken ribs. “Most Crows die from mistakes like this.”

“Not you. Not today.” She said, maneuvering him towards the stairs. “We still have a contract.”

“Is that…all…we have?” he asked, his words punctuated by gasps of pain.

“Lucanis…” she warned, leaning on the wall with his weight against her while she caught her breath. “Don’t do this here.”

He winced again, bracing a hand on the eroding bricks as he reached for her face with a bloodied palm.

“I’m…sorry.” He pulled back as he examined his filthy hands. “I should have told you…about Caterina…”

The sound of perfectly cobbled boots echoed down the steps and their heads snapped towards Illario, smirking down at them as he leaned against the railing.

“Cousin, you’re still making Fi do all the work? Is this how you plan to lead as First Talon?”

Lucanis groaned, his body trembling with the effort to remain upright. “What is he doing here?”

“Helping, believe it or not.” Rook murmured.

“You used to be strong, cousin. Look at you now. Relying on Fiamma to carry you out of here like a damsel in distress.” Illario crossed the room and wrapped his cousin’s arm around his shoulders. Lucanis tried to resist, but Illario delivered a sharp jab of his elbow to his ribs and he coughed, relenting.

“I’ll take him to the Villa and call for a healer.” Illario said, eyes sweeping over Rook’s body. “Meet you there.”

“You expect me to trust you? ”

“Looks like you’re lacking alternatives.” Illario’s smirk faded as Spite’s presence flickered in and out of Lucanis’ expression, displeased by his rescuer. With an irritated sigh, he waved one hand towards the chairs. “Go, I’m not stupid enough to choose the losing side twice.”

Rook clenched her jaw. “If he doesn’t survive this, I’ll ensure Caterina doesn’t have a single heir.”

Illario smirked. “Careful, Fiammetta. Don’t reveal all your cards just yet.”

Rook gave him one last stern look before tearing her gaze away and venturing deeper into the house in search of Viago and Teia. It wasn’t difficult to follow the trail of blood.

When she reached the two of them, Emil Cortez’s eldest grandson sat calmly in a chair behind his desk as Viago leaned over it with a menacing snarl.

“Your House’s reputation was already in the dirt, you just ensured it would be buried.” Viago said through gritted teeth. Teia stood behind him, arms folded as her eyes flicked towards Rook with concern when she passed through the door.

“I care neither for House nor reputation.” House Cortez’s heir countered, “Only justice.”

“This is your idea of justice? Luring, imprisoning, and torturing your First Talon?” Viago spat. “You and your grandfather were fools for even looking in the Antaam’s direction.”

“How are you enjoying your gift from the summit?” Enzo nodded towards Viago’s sleeve, where his grandfather’s Death Adder had infamously bitten him a few summers ago.

“Cousin, accompany Illario while he takes Lucanis back to the villa.” Rook said suddenly, a warning in her voice as her eyes lingered on House Cortez’s heir. “I will handle this.”

“This is Crow business.” Viago snapped, “You do not outrank me, and you’re in no position to give orders.”

“Vi. Let her.” Teia said, reaching for his bicep. “If you’re the one to end an entire House line, you’ll be accused of conspiracy by the other Talons.”

He flinched, but removed his hands from the desk, rocking back on his heels. Viago was almost as wary of politics as he was of poison.

“So I should let my kin do it instead? How would anyone even know if it was me?”

“Fi is already acting outside of Crow custom. It’s revenge, or insurance, for Lucanis, whatever way you want to see it. She gains nothing, politically. As Talons, however, you and I could be accused of setting up a coup.”

The two exchanged a long look before he pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.

“Formalities.” he said, glaring at Rook from the corner of his eye as he left the room, the heels of his bloodied dress shoes clicking against the hardwood. “Do what you must.”

“You made a grave error tonight, Cortez.” Rook said, pulling her sword from her belt and letting the golden hilt catch in the light. Crow Killer, perhaps that would be a fitting name for it. She’d have to write the title down before Viago used it to name one of his poisons.

“I do not fear death.” Enzo said, sitting up straighter and crossing his legs. She watched him, anticipating a sudden movement or trap, but there was an air of acceptance around him, rather than smugness.

“Will you humor me then?”

“Sure. I always liked your father, Little Flame. He knew how to work outside the constraints of politics to get things done.”

She ignored what he surely meant as a compliment and traced the blade of her sword with one finger.

“Just two questions. Why? And how?”

“To carry out my grandfather’s legacy, of course.”

“And what legacy is that?”

Cortez snorted. “Amongst the Antaam, you will find a man named the Butcher. I think he would like you. And I think you would find his love for Treviso transcends any Crows’.”

“No Antaam gets to claim love for my city.”

“A small-minded approach, but I can’t fault you for it.” Cortez replied. “Tell Lucanis I send my regards, and that this was nothing personal. My grandfather always adored Caterina. If they would have just let Illario become heir, this could have all been so much simpler.”

Rook exchanged a glance with Teia.

“As for how…” Enzo continued, “The Demon of Vyrantium is notoriously good at what he does. But now he has weaknesses.”

“Spite.” Rook said instinctively.

Enzo shook his head and grinned.

“No, no. The spirit is an asset . But you … ” his voice suddenly took on a note of saccharine sweetness. “All I had to do was mention your name . He hesitated - just for one second - and that was all I needed to incapacitate him. No blood magic, no traps. Just… you .”

Rook froze, unable to keep her expression from falling.

“Every House witnessed it at that shit show of a meeting that Illario called. Love is weakness, my dear. A man with a target on his back knows it better than anyone.”

In one swift movement, Rook slid her sword into Enzo’s throat, holding it there as he sputtered and smiled, blood staining his teeth as his face slackened and paled. She tore the blade out of his neck, half decapitating him and sending long streaks of blood in every direction. Maroon splattered against the walls and painted her face.

“A waste of such a nice jacket,” Teia lamented, rubbing her sleeve between her thumb and forefinger where blood splatter had reached it. Rook swept the back of her hand over her face, and it came back wet and dripping in what remained of the Cortez line. Her kills were always messier when she was angry.

“You get it all out of your system?” Teia asked.

“Yeah.” Rook said, wiping both sides of her blade on Enzo’s jacket and sheathing it at her waist.

“Let’s get out of here.”

─── ⊹⊱♤⊰⊹ ───

Lucanis lost consciousness somewhere around Heart and Central, and woke, to his surprise, in his room at Caterina’s villa. With a grunt, he pushed himself into a seated position, staring down at his chest. Without his shirt, he could see the faint scars left behind where someone had magically repaired a gash in his abdomen. His ribs no longer felt like shattered glass, and he suspected that if he checked his reflection, he’d find only traces of the black eye he’d sustained from where his Antaam captors had struck him in the face with the chains they used to bind him.

Torture was nothing new, but Lucanis hadn’t expected to survive his injuries. The Venatori kept him captive because he was useful to them alive. To House Cortez, his death would have been a strategic, political gold mine.

“They. Threatened. ROOK!” Spite said, referencing Enzo’s casual comment that the Antaam were looking for her. It had been enough to distract Lucanis, for his insides to clench with terror and his body to instinctively freeze. It nearly cost him his life.

Lucanis shuddered and ran a hand through his hair, trying to shake off the last remnants of his disorientation, before crawling out of bed. In the bathroom, he scrubbed a layer of dirt and blood from his skin, carefully working a brush under his fingernails as well, before he dressed in a pair of clean trousers and a button-down shirt. Shrugging on his cloak, he retrieved his weapons from the nightstand, strapped them to his belt, and ventured downstairs.

In the den, he found his cousin staring with a bored expression at the fire, one leg casually crossed over the other, left cheek resting on his fist. He didn’t acknowledge Lucanis when he entered the room, but from the way his body tensed, it was clear he’d sensed his arrival.

“Caterina’s letting you back inside her house already?”

“She couldn’t just turn me away. I had her favorite grandson in tow.”

Lucanis took a seat in the chair across from him, resting his elbows on his knees and leaning forward.

“Where is she?”

“Caterina? In the kitchen with Viago and Teia.” Illario stood up and crossed the room, clasping his hands behind his back as he stared through the window at the moonlit gardens outside. He spared a glance over his shoulder and grinned. “But you’re not asking about our grandmother, are you?”

Lucanis’s answer came in the form of a withering glare.

Illario shrugged and returned his attention to the window. “She stormed in about an hour ago announcing she’d ended the entire Cortez line with one slip of her blade and gave Caterina a look I’m surprised didn’t earn her a throat slitting on sight. After she checked your condition, she left without another word.”

Lucanis braced his hands on his chair arms, but Illario was faster, shoving him back into the cushions before he could leave. Invisible bruises on his chest ached in protest as he coughed, glaring at his cousin.

“Don’t leave just yet. We haven’t had a chance to catch up. Why don’t you tell me how I couldn’t best you, but Emil Cortez’s idiot grandson could?”

“Still plotting your revenge?”

“I’m past that.” Illario said, releasing his hold on his cousin and adjusting his sleeves. “Time away from bad influences has really made me rethink my choices.”

The sound of Caterina’s cane thumping against the floor cut their verbal jabs short, and Lucanis slumped in his chair as Illario stepped away.

“An embarrassment to our House.” Caterina pounded her cane against the floor for emphasis. “This is the reputation you want as First Talon? That you can be captured and held hostage-“

Lucanis held up a hand to cut her off.

“If I recall, someone in this room held you hostage for weeks, and none of the Crows batted an eye about your reputation.”

Caterina’s mouth fell open, and she raised her cane menacingly. “Ungrateful-”

“Don’t fall for the act, Lucanis.” Teia said, appearing in the doorway with Viago. “She was beside herself with worry before the healer got here.”

Lucanis stood and gestured down at himself.

“Well, I’m healed. So I’ll be on my way.” He said, walking towards the door.

“We are not done here!”

“I think we are.” Lucanis said, passing his grandmother without so much as a second glance.

“That demon inside of you makes you reckless! Your actions are not befitting of a First Talon!”

“Feel free to take it back,” Lucanis said casually, pulling the front door open. “But I thought you liked when they called me a demon.”

The door slammed shut behind him, and Lucanis closed his eyes as the cool night air hit his face, feeling Spite’s presence flare up in excitement at the prospect of finally being able to leave the cramped villa.

He made it about one city block before Viago’s voice carried through the open air, calling out his name. Lucanis turned into an alley and waited for his fellow Talon to catch up.

“If you give up your seat, who is going to pardon Fiammetta for killing a Talon?”

Lucanis scrubbed a hand over his face. “It was a personal matter. Caterina wouldn’t pursue it.”

Viago stepped closer, pressing a finger into the center of Lucanis’ chest.

“I’m not willing to put my cousin’s life in your grandmother’s hands. And if you… care for her, you wouldn’t be either.” He snarled. “Fiammetta can defend herself against a rogue assassin or two. But if someone pointed every Crow in her direction? You, me, Teia - we couldn’t possibly stop them all. Hold your seat. At least until we know what the future holds for the Crows.”

Lucanis narrowed his eyes, gaze dropping to Viago’s finger. When he raised his head, his voice was low and measured.

“Are you threatening me?”

“I’m giving you advice.” Viago lifted his hands in the air and took a step back before adjusting his gloves. “The second you put Fiammetta’s life in danger, I won’t waste my time with threats. I’ll take action.”

─── ⊹⊱♤⊰⊹ ───

Footsteps in the meditation room woke Rook from her sleep on the couch, and her dagger slipped from her fingertips where her hand had been hanging over the side. Disoriented, she jolted forward, leaning over and scrambling for it as it clanged against the floor.

In the darkness, Lucanis moved slowly, with his hands up in a placating manner.

“Just me.” He said, eyes drifting from her blade to her face.

Rook blinked away her disorientation and set the knife down, resting a palm on her forehead and catching her breath. For a moment, Lucanis stood above her, hesitating, before he joined her on the sofa, angling himself so he wasn’t directly facing her.

“You were drug into my mess again.”

“I sought it out this time, actually.”

A beat of silence passed between them before Lucanis spoke again.

“Rook. I owe you. For my life, my freedom. Again.”

He reached out to touch her, but redirected the movement and rested his palms on the couch cushions, staring at the floor.

“You deserved better. Still deserve better. From the Crows, from me. Things will change, or I will leave Treviso with you. I give you my word.”

Rook folded her legs underneath her and leaned forward as she blinked in disbelief, wondering if this was a dream.

“Hold on-”

“I’ll follow you anywhere, Rook. As whatever you want me to be.”

She touched her thumb to the cut on his bottom lip before letting her hand fall away.

“Have you ever just done something you wanted? For your own sake?”

Lucanis leaned back against the couch, toying with a loose thread on the frayed hem of her nightgown before raising his head to meet her gaze.

“A couple of times,” he said with a coy smile, “In recent memory.”

She watched him for a long moment before shifting her position, crawling over him and straddling his hips. Wrapping her arms around his shoulders, she leaned forward and rested her head in the crook of his neck. Lucanis stiffened in surprise before letting his hands drift to her waist, fingertips lightly trailing across the silk back of her nightgown and digging into the fabric as he buried his face in her hair. He let out a slow, warm stream of air through his nose and lingered there, cherishing the moment.

“I don’t want First Talon. I never have. But I want you. To be by your side. I am in your debt.”

Rook nuzzled the place between his neck and shoulder, shaking her head. “There’s no debt-“ she protested, her words muffled against his jacket.

Lucanis lifted a hand, wrapping a dark lock of her hair around his fingers and toying with it.

“You’re going to argue with me now that you got what you wanted?“ he chuckled, tilting his head to the side to give her better access. “Just give me time to figure out how to tell Caterina, mm?”

“You want to follow me all over Thedas?” She asked, nipping at him gently. The stubble on his neck was rough against her lips, his facial hair soft where it rested just above her cheek. “And here I thought we were just good friends.”

“Mmm.” Lucanis responded, his hands slipping lower to tug her forward so that her hips were pressed flush against his. “I’m not sure friends is going to cut it, mia amata. ”

Rook bent down to kiss him, feeling him suppress a flinch as her mouth grazed a cut in his lower lip. She pulled away and brushed a thumb along his cheekbone instead.

“Sleep here?”

Lucanis raised his brows, his gaze drifting down and lingering on the swell of her breasts in her nightgown. “With you? Like this?”

“Did you have something else in mind?”

His eyes followed the curves and planes of her body, the silk of her nightgown sliding softly under his touch. Hands on her thighs, he inched the fabric of her gown higher.

“A very prolonged gesture of appreciation.”

83 notes · View notes

eli-serpin · 2 months ago

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How do YOU think Lucanis would react to Alessan (or any Rook) drinking cold coffee?

Or any of the companions finding out Rook drinks cold drinks?? Hell how about the Crows finding out??

74 notes · View notes

himluv · 1 month ago

Text

Together

Chapter 47 of Say My Name (Say it Twice) is here! This time, Spite has some questions, and the Crows finally have a lead on Treviso's traitor.

As usual, you can read it below, or on AO3!

Enjoy!

Sniiiiiffffffff. Smoke and berries. Salt and sweat. Sexxxxxx.

Rook and Lucanis. Sleep. Warm and dreaming. Hair between. Our fingers. Silky. Skin so soft. Want to feel.

“Hmm. Lucanis?”

“Rook.”

“Oh.” Blinks at us. Banishes sleep. “Hey, Spite.”

Smile makes him warm. Makes US warm. Inside. Likes when. We brush. Her hair. Back.

“Mmm. Feels nice.”

“Spite. Can make. Rook. Feel good. Too!”

“Does it upset you that Lucanis and I are together more now?”

“No! Want that. Want Rook happy… Grrrrrrr. Lucanis, too.”

“Do you have questions?”

“Yes.” How to ask? What to ask? “Sex. Is. Messy.”

“… yes.”

“Why?”

“Oh. Well…”

Heat. Blood rushing. PINK. “Rook is. Embarrassed?”

“No.”

Lyinggggggg. Doesn’t want Spite to know. Doesn’t want. To hurt Spite!

“Sex is messy because that’s how we reproduce.”

“Re. Pro. Duce...?”

“How we make more mortals. Babies.”

Babies. Have seen babies. Soft. Small. Screaming! “ROOK AND LUCANIS MAKE BABIES?!”

“No! No, Spite. We haven’t… done that, yet.”

“Done. What?”

“… mortal bodies have to have sex a certain way to make babies. Lucanis and I haven’t done that, yet.”

Ahhhhhhhh. “He dreams. About that. About you!”

“You shouldn’t tell me that.” Hand on our chest. Fingers in our hair. “But, I dream about him, too.”

Close now. So close. And warm. Warm and soft and close.

“Do you… do you have any interest? In sex?”

“BAH! No! Mortal bodies squish and stink and sweat. No, no, no!”

Rook laughs! Makes Spite warm. Happy. Makes Spite purrrrrrrrrr.

“That’s okay. Lucanis and I can have our gross mortal time, then we can talk.”

“Rook and Spite. Talk. Together!”

Warm hands. Soft skin. Sink together in the sheets.

“Yes. Now, let Lucanis sleep.”

Lucanis woke alone in a bed far too comfortable to be his cot in the Lighthouse. Slowly, the memory of the previous night surfaced, along with the smells of sweat, cedar, garlic, and wine. Mierda, what a night.

But, why wasn’t Rook in bed?

Wanted you. To sleeeeeep, Spite said.

He climbed out from under the sheets, found his shorts on top of the clothes piled at the foot of the bed and pulled them on. Then he made his way out into the main room.

Rook lounged on his sofa, under one of the blankets he’d – mostly – finished knitting. She had a cup of coffee in one hand and a book lay open on her lap. It was so casually domestic. She looked so at ease, so comfortable in his home. Like she belonged there. Like he’d purchased that sofa solely so she could grace it with her body.

“Good morning,” she said once she noticed him.

“Good morning.” He didn’t even try to keep the smile off his face.

“I hope you’ll forgive me,” she said. “But, I made coffee.”

He hummed as he stepped closer to her. “Let me have a taste.”

She raised her mug for him to take, but he ignored it. Instead, he swooped down and pressed his mouth to hers. Rook let out a surprised little mewl, but opened her mouth to him so he could taste the coffee on her tongue.

Lucanis hummed, savoring the strong, roasty flavor for a moment before he let the kiss end. Then he raised a brow at her. “You’re getting better at making coffee.”

She smirked up at him. “I’ve been taking notes,” she said.

He kissed her again, a quick peck, and then moved off to pour a cup for himself. He could feel her eyes on him, and was surprised at how good that made him feel. Only a couple of weeks ago he’d been nervous about taking off his shirt in front of her, but now he strode through his apartment in his smallclothes after sleeping by her side in the nude.

It felt right. Comfortable and easy. She made everything seem so easy.

He returned to the sofa with his coffee, and she made room for him to sit. Once he was settled, she rested her blanket-covered legs across his lap. He inhaled sharply at the smooth warmth of her bare skin against his thighs. He glanced at her just in time to catch her smirk before she refocused on her book.

Lucanis snorted, but said nothing as they sat and enjoyed the morning peace. They drank their coffee, Rook cradling her cup as she peered down at her book, while Lucanis snuck one hand under the blankets to rub her leg in soothing strokes.

She hummed, but didn’t look up. A part of him – this new, eager and hungry part – wanted to trail his hand higher, to see what it would take to break her composure. But he decided against it. All he really wanted was to sit with her. Enjoy the quiet. Drink coffee she had made for them (and that was perfectly drinkable) and imagine a life where this was a common occurrence. Where there were no gods, no cultists, maybe even no Crows.

Just him and her and this peace they’d made.

…And Spite. The demon sat on the floor, his back to the sofa just below Rook’s knees.

Lucanis sighed. And Spite.

“Do we need to get back to the Lighthouse soon?” He asked.

She shook her head. “I told Bellara to meet us at the Diamond this evening.”

He raised a brow at her and finished his coffee.

She winced. “Viago sent word,” she said. “He and Teia have news about Treviso’s traitor.”

He took a deep breath. This was what the Crows had been searching for. The hand that held Treviso’s leash. If Viago had requested their presence, then he had something big. Something actionable. Treviso would be free – perhaps as soon as tonight.

But, there was nothing to be done before nightfall. Any action the Crows might take would happen under cover of darkness.

He smiled at her. “So, what I’m hearing is that we have time.”

She raised a brow at him. “What did you have in mind?” Her tone made it clear she expected something salacious. The way her legs rubbed together on top of his almost made him change what he was about to say.

But, no. There were other needs they ought to see to. “First,” he purred. “Breakfast.”

Embria blinked at him, then gave him the brightest smile. “Breakfast sounds wonderful.”

By the time Lucanis and Rook entered the Cantori Diamond, he almost dreaded meeting with the Crows. The day had been… perfect. Coffee and books on his sofa, breakfast at a nearby café that made the best pastries, and then a walk around the Coin and Financials district, taking in the views.

They’d then gone back to his apartment and they’d cleaned up the dishes from dinner. It felt just like it had when she’d helped him clean the kitchen in the Lighthouse – easy and soothing. She moved around his space as if she’d been there dozens of times, humming to herself as she worked.

Then they’d returned to the sofa to spend the remainder of the day tangled up in one another, kissing and reading and dozing in turns. The last thing Lucanis wanted was to leave his apartment. But, he was First Talon and his city was in need of freeing. That was reason enough to follow Rook into the Diamond.

When they approached the Talons’ usual alcove, he was surprised to find Bellara and Viago deep in a lively discussion about spices and flavors.

“What about elfroot?” She asked.

Viago shook his head. “Too medicinal,” he said. “The target would know right away that something was off.”

“Unless–” she grinned. “You poisoned their medicine!”

Viago stared at her, his expression puzzled, and Illario snorted from where he stood leaning against the wall on the far side of the table.

Lucanis looked at his cousin, expecting his usual look of haughty derision. But, Illario’s gaze, while guarded, seemed genuinely amused. It also seemed locked on Bellara. Then Illario glanced at Lucanis, and they both scowled.

“Ah,” Teia said, turning to look at Rook. “Good. You’re here.” Her eyes gleamed with a hint of humor as Viago still looked a little stunned. She was about to continue when the Governor skulked into the alcove.

Suddenly every face bore a frown – even Bellara’s. It seemed Ivenci just had the effect on people. And, when their voice hit an unprofessional volume, Jacobus joined the argument and made matters worse.

Lucanis saw much of himself in the boy. Gifted, yes. But also angry and so, so alone. Lucanis had at least had Illario at that age. But, he’d also had the weight of Caterina’s expectations. He wondered, what burdens would Jacobus carry?

“Rook’s at least doing something!” The boy shouted. “She’s a real hero!”

Embria blushed. “Jacobus,” she said, her voice too soft to quell the boy’s fury. He was beyond soothing, even from her. Perhaps especially from her. He glared at Ivenci, and then at Viago, before storming off.

There was a beat of tense silence as everyone watched Jacobus go. Even Illario managed to look concerned for the boy, before he remembered to school his features back into his typical, bored scowl.

Then the Talons and Ivenci squabbled for awhile about the usual grievances. The Governor resented the Crows. They thought the assassins hobbled Antiva, while Teia and Viago – and Lucanis – believed they defended the nation and its people from the Antaam.

It was the same circular argument they’d been having since before Lucanis was captured.

“Rook,” Viago said, cutting off Ivenci’s tirade. “The contact asked for you, specifically.”

“Me?” She said. “I’m not a Crow.”

Lucanis did not like this. Why had she been singled out? Beyond her efforts against the gods, her only connection to Treviso was him.

“You saved the city during the dragon attack,” Teia said. “You are well known in Treviso.”

Rook didn’t look thrilled about that.

Sounds. Like. A trap! Spite seethed. He paced circles around Illario, glaring and hissing at his cousin. Lucanis might one day forgive Illario for all he’d done to him, but he doubted that Spite ever would.

He hurt. You! Hurt. US! Spite glowered at Illario. He. Hurt. Rook!

Yes, he had. His cousin’s debts were massive, indeed. But, so far he’d been quiet and respectful, just as Lucanis had demanded. It was eerie. It seemed almost wrong, how quiet Illario had been.

“It sounds like I’m walking into a trap,” Rook said.

“I’d be prepared for one,” Viago said.

Spite growled at that while Lucanis and Bellara shared a look and a nod. They’d have Rook’s back, no matter what.

Lucanis had not expected Café Pietra to be the meeting place. The Crows owned the café, so whoever their contact was, they wanted to talk to Rook badly enough they’d given the Crows the advantage of territory.

“Okay,” Rook said, standing before the café’s ornate door with her hands on her hips. “We all agree this is a trap, right?”

Bellara nodded. “Right.”

“Definitely,” he said.

“So,” Rook said. “You two will be right here, just in case?”

“We’ve got your back, Rook,” Bellara said.

“Always,” he said.

Embria looked back at him, her mouth lifting just slightly at one corner. Then she shook out her arms and rolled her neck. “All right,” she murmured, then stepped through the door and out of sight.

“So,” Bellara said after a tense moment of silence.

Lucanis sighed and prepared for whatever inappropriate questions she was about to ask.

“You and Illario haven’t talked yet, have you?”

Lucanis snorted. “No.” He doubted his threat the other week would count as ‘talking’.

“Why not?”

Because, Lucanis could hardly stomach looking at his idiot cousin. Every time he did, his guts churned, and he wasn’t sure if it was the anger or the pain that caused it. Perhaps it was both. Either way, he was more likely to punch Illario than he was to talk to him.

“I’m not ready,” he said. He tried to keep his voice calm. Even. But still, it sliced through the air between him and Bellara.

“Oh,” she said. “Right.” She looked down at the ground, twisting the toe of her boot against the stone-tiled entryway. “It’s just…”

Lucanis sighed again.

“We’re facing the gods. And Treviso has the Antaam. You never know when you might see him for the last time,” she said. She looked at Lucanis, and her eyes gleamed with unshed tears in the lantern light.

She shrugged. “He’s your brother,” she whispered.

Mierda. He was an idiot. Cyrian had died in her arms not even four days ago, and he was staunchly holding his grudge in the face of her grief?

“Bellara–”

“Just, think about it, Lucanis,” she said.

“I will,” he said.

“Thank you.”

That seemed wrong. Surely, he should be thanking her. But, before he could say anything more, a great crash came from behind the door.

ROOK! Spite howled, just as the café door slammed open and a Qunari the size of a mountain came barreling through.

Lucanis shoved Bellara away from the door, and it was only thanks to Spite’s wings that Lucanis was able to dodge back out of the behemoth’s path. He landed on one knee, a palm to the stone floor and his other hand reaching for his rapier.

“Rook?!” He shouted.

“I could use some help!” She called back. The distinct crackle of lightning filled the air as Lucanis sprinted into the café, Bellara close on his heels.

He’d barely taken in the scene – a flipped table, one overturned chair, another upright, and two hulking Qunari trying to pin Rook to the canal railing – before Spite launched him at the closest Antaam.

“What happened?” Bellara shouted as she launched electrified arrows at their opponents.

“It’s the Butcher,” Rook called. “He was the contact!”

“What?!” That walking mountain had been Butcher Daathrata?

“He’s blighted,” she continued, sweeping an arc of fiery daggers at the antaam barreling toward her. “The gods are trying to get control of him.”

Mierda. If Ghilan’nain and Elgar’nan got the Butcher, Treviso would fall. Lucanis slid past the antaam he was facing, swiped his blades across the back of the Qunari’s knees, then plunged his dagger into the man’s back as he fell.

Rook unleashed another powerful arc of lightning, and the last Antaam fell. She stood panting with her hands on her knees for a moment, then shook her head and stood upright. “He doesn’t want to lose Treviso,” she said. “But he can’t fight off the corruption.”

“So,” Bellara said as she slung her bow over her shoulder. “What did he want?”

“He’s giving in to the blight,” Rook said. “So he can learn where the gods are going to perform their ritual to make the Red Lyrium dagger.”

“But, he’ll die!” Bellara said.

Lucanis blinked at Rook. “But, Treviso will be safe.”

She nodded. “As twisted as it is, he really does seem to love the city.” She shrugged. “In his own way.”

“Now, what?” Bellara asked.

Rook took a deep breath, let it out slow. “We have to follow him and get the location out of him before his mind is completely gone.”

Lucanis scowled. “And then we put him down.”

Rook gave him a shaky smile, her breath still wild with adrenaline. “Then Treviso will be free.” She tilted her head toward the doorway. “Come on!” She said, then took off running.

Lucanis kept his ire under wraps until they were back in the Lighthouse. He ignored Rook’s worried glance, or the way she and Bellara gave each other meaningful looks when they thought he wouldn’t notice. He made it to the pantry without incident, closed the door behind him, and then grabbed the first thing within reach and hurled it at the wall.

“Ivenci?!”

The mug shattered against the stone, dust and shards cascading onto his cot. The pieces were purple and silver and…

“Fuck!” That’d been one of the mugs Embria had given him. He took several deep breaths, pinching the bridge of his nose and counting down from ten, and then twenty, and then thirty, before he felt somewhat under control once more.

“Fuck,” he sighed as he stared at the mess he’d made. Then he stepped into the dining hall to find the broom and dustpan. And, of course, Rook was there. Waiting for him.

She opened her mouth, but his glare and raised hand stopped her from voicing whatever comforting thing she’d been about to say. He was not ready for that yet. Right now, he just wanted to be angry.

So, she perched on the edge of the dining table and watched him grab the broom and dustpan. Watched him walk past the fireplace and retreat back to his room. He didn’t close the door, but she didn’t follow after him. So, he cleaned up the mess and muttered all the terrible things he would do to the Governor when they found them.

They’d sold Treviso to the Antaam and in their arrogance, they’d thought they could rule Antiva after the dust settled. They’d thought they could outmaneuver the Crows, that they could outplay the Talons and the Merchant Princes, and make themselves de facto ruler of the nation. What little remained of it after years of Antaam occupation.

Instead, all they’d done was sign the contract on their own life.

The First, Fifth, and Seventh Talons would not stop until the hand that held Treviso’s leash was severed. Until the head that had vied for a crown instead rolled down the streets of the Coin and Financials. They would not stop until the truth tolled louder than any Chantry’s bells:

The Crows rule Antiva, and Treviso will be free.

Lucanis ran his hands over the blankets of his cot, searching for any ceramic shards he might have missed. Satisfied he’d gotten them all, he returned to the kitchen to throw out the mess. He put away the broom and dustpan, then joined Rook at the table.

He leaned against the table, his hip brushing her knee as they stared at the fire. He crossed his arms and avoided her gaze. He didn’t have anything to say. She knew him better than anyone else, could read him like one of his mother’s books. And he knew her just as well. She would break the silence long before he did.

“So,” she drawled. “Did smashing that mug help?”

He glared at her.

“Doesn’t seem like it.”

Lucanis sighed. “No,” he said. “It actually made me feel worse.” He winced at her. “It was one of the mugs you gave me.”

“Oh.” She frowned. “Well. I’m sure we can get a replacement.” She took his hand, held it in her lap and squeezed. “Teia and Viago will find Ivenci,” she said. “And when they do, we’ll stop them.”

He looked at her, the firelight lending her pale skin a warmth that made him want to melt into her. She was warmth and kindness, a soft place for him to land. Always. There was no one else he trusted to keep their word like he did Rook.

If she said they would stop Ivenci, then they would. As simple as that. And even though he’d already vowed to do so, to free Treviso from the traitor’s grasp, he felt better knowing Embria would be by his side each step of the way. That her hand was his to hold, when he needed an anchor.

He smiled at her, enchanted by the fire’s glow in her crystal grace eyes. In that moment, in the dim quiet, it really did feel as if they could accomplish anything. So long as he was with her. As long as they were together.

#lucanis dellamorte #spite dellamorte #rookanis #lucanis x rook #rook x lucanis #embria aldwir #antivan crows #bellara lutare #illario dellamorte #fic: say my name (say it twice)#long fic #dragon age

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