#lucanis dellamorte fic

[rookamell]

Other Plans for the Evening

Pairing: Lucanis x Rook

Summary: Scene after the Illario fight, but the way I would have written it. It's not that deep or different, but I think it's better. My Rook but mostly I wasn't specific.

Disclaimer: Whoo first Lucanis fic! I'm still trying to find the DA companions' voices so you might have to bear with me a little bit. This has been in my brain since the MOMENT he said "I have other plans for the evening". I tried to make him that weird mix of awkward and smooth so lmk if I did that or if I need to work on it. Might come back and edit.

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"You came back here just for coffee?"

Rook's voice startled him out of his thoughts.

When he looked up at her, his heart gave a lurch, the same lurch it had given every other time he'd laid eyes on her.

Her hair was damp and sligtly wavy from her bath, still, and she wore leather trousers and a shirt. It was difficult to see in the dim firelight, but he knew the blue of the shirt would be reflected in her eyes, twinkling above the bemused grin she was giving him.

"What, the stuff in that gigantic villa wasn't good enough for you?"

She folded her arms across her chest, eyebrows raised and dimples clearly visible as she grinned down at him. Mercifully, Spite was being quiet for once. He idly wondered if demons ever got tired, or overwhelmed after a long day. Something to ask Emmrich about, perhaps.

"It's better if I make it myself," he said, not quite managing to smile back at her, despite the lightness that smile brought to his chest.

"And besides, I wanted some quiet."

He hated that her smile melted slightly, her shoulders tightening ever so slightly. He doubted anyone else would have noticed, but he did.

"So," she said, "First Talon?"

"First Talon," he said, and if he was honest with himself, it did not fit right in his mouth.

"I still cannot believe Caterina did that."

Lucanis is the new First Talon. His decision stands.

The corner of her mouth lifted slightly, but her fingers tensed where they rested on her arm.

"Does that mean you're leaving?"

Ah.

He almost grinned.

"No," he said simply. "We have a contract. Besides, Caterina might have named me First Talon, but there's no stopping her from giving all the orders."

This time her smile was wider, and she tilted her head to the side so her hair shifted, glinting golden in the firelight. He ached to run his fingers through it.

"You know," she said, her eyes twinkling with laughter again, "You could have said, 'Of course not. I would never leave with you still here.'

Her Antivan accent was good. Too good. It made his chest feel tight whenever she pretended to be him. He grinned back at her despite himself.

"I would never leave with you still here," he said. "You'll have me for as long as I can put off the Crows."

He saw her brow furrow slightly, but she hid it quickly.

Before he could let his nerves interfere, he stood up, setting his half empty cup down on the table as he did.

"I may have had another reason for leaving the party early," he said, letting his voice drop slightly. He saw her eyes narrow, but then she gave him a crooked grin.

"Besides coffee, you mean?"

He walked past her, to the open space between the dining table and the door, and held out his hand to her.

"Dance with me," he said softly.

It was the first time he'd seen her truly taken aback. To his delight, her mouth even dropped slightly open.

"Dance with you?" She asked, as if he'd just asked her to jump into the Fade.

"What?" He asked.

"There's no music. Also, I told you," she said, shoulders tensing again, "I'm a terrible dancer."

She had. Technically she'd told all of them.

You'd have to get me drunk first, I'm afraid, it's mortifying otherwise. I got told I have about four left feet.

"You did," he said, still holding out his hand. "But you also said you loved to dance."

She tilted her head to the side, almost pleading.

"It's only me," he said softly.

"That's what's worrying me," she said, almost too quiet for him to hear, and he remembered that this was as new to her as it was to him.

What would a first kiss taste like?

Like hope.

She held back for a moment longer, then hesitantly, she placed her fingers in his hand.

They were warm, and her callouses scraped against his own as she allowed him to pull her close to him. His heart thumped in his chest, as if it was trying to get to her.

"I don't know how to do this," she said, and he knew she wasn't only talking about the dancing.

"Like this," he said, curling his left hand around her right, and placing the other one on his shoulder.

"Your elbow has to stay up," he said seriously, lifting said elbow so it was almost in line with her shoulder before dropping his hand to her waist. "Caterina would smack me with a cane if I got it wrong."

"If you try and smack me with a cane..." she started, leaving the threat unfinished.

"I couldn't find one," he said. She tried to hide a grin, but her dimples gave her away, and suddenly those hours with Caterina and her cane seemed worth it to him.

"Now," he said, "step back with your right foot."

She did, looking at her feet, and he followed, relishing the warmth of her hand on his shoulder, the way his hand fit perfectly on her waist.

"Back and to the left with the other."

She did so, and he followed.

"Now bring your feet together, and do the same with the other foot."

They went slowly, and he enjoyed watching the crease between her eyebrows as she concentrated.

Gently, he let go of her waist so he could tilt her face up to his own.

"You should look your partner in the eyes," he said, aware that his voice had dropped lower, but not really caring, "Not where you are going to step."

"And if I step wrong?" She asked, her voice slightly breathy. It felt like soft fingers tracing their way down his spine.

"Trust me to guide you," he replied, his hand going back to her waist.

The corner of her mouth curled up ever so slightly.

"Alright," she said. "I trust you."

As they moved slowly through the room, the firelight caught her eyes and hair, gilding her in gold and taking his breath from him. In fact, breathing felt suddenly like a very big effort.

"What is it?" She asked quietly, almost as if she was scared he would run if she spoke too loudly. He wasn't too certain he wouldn't.

"You are so beautiful," he said, before he could think about it too much, though his voice was markedly less smooth than it had been.

Her eyes, her beautiful, sparkling eyes, widened slightly.

"Really?" She asked.

"Would I ever lie to you?"

She smiled. It was small and soft this time.

"No one's ever called me that before," she whispered.

"Good," he managed to whisper back. "I would have to kill them."

And she laughed. By the blood of the Maker, she laughed and every terrible moment up until just then seemed as though it had a purpose.

"There's that smile," he said, when her laughter died down.

"Yours too," she replied, still grinning happily at him.

"Thank you, Rook," he found himself saying.

"You don't need to thank me."

She leaned in slightly, mischief in her eyes.

"For you, it's on the house."

His stomach tightened slightly when she did the accent, but he tried his best to ignore it.

"Did Illario hurt you?" He asked. "I'll skin him if he did."

She touched the scratch on her neck from Illario's, thankfully unpoisoned, blade.

"A scratch," she said dissmissively. "He hurt my pride more than anything else."

They moved for a few seconds in silence while he waited for her to ask the obvious next question.

"Do you regret..."

"Giving him a chance?"

He'd been thinking about it since they had left Villa Dellamorte.

Didn't you tell me he was basically your brother and your closest childhood friend?

"No," he said. "You were right. He's family."

Family. The word tasted sour in his mouth.

"I didn't even suspect him," he said. "When the Venatori caught me on the boat in Tevinter, it never even crossed my mind."

Almost without meaning to, he brought her right hand to his heart, his fingers tightening over hers. She lay her head on his shoulder as he pulled her closer, a solid weight against him. A comfort, for the first time in his life.

"He's better than I thought," he said, absently resting his cheek against her head. Her hair smelled of lightning, and a faint, almost unnoticeable trace of honey. "Maybe there is hope for him yet."

She snorted a soft laugh through her nose, making him grin. It vanished quickly, though.

"But this wasn't a mercy. Being watched by all the Crows, with their knives out? He will never live down being the Traitor Crow, brought down in front of everyone. There is nowhere he can run."

"I was surprised you listened to me," she said. He felt her breath tickle his neck, involuntarily clutched her closer against him.

"So was I," he said. "But... I don't have a lot to lose. What there is... Caterina, this team... you, even my idiot cousin. I'm not giving that up."

She stopped moving, lifting her head up to look at him. She wore the softest smile he'd ever seen on her face.

"What's that look?"

"You have a big heart," she said softly, "For an assassin."

He tried to look away at the tone of her voice, at the emotion in it, but she gently turned his face toward her again.

"That's not a bad thing," she said.

"If it brought me here," he said, taking her hand again and kissing it on a whim, "To this moment with you, then it cannot be a bad thing. I just... I cannot believe he would do all of this, only to be First Talon."

She frowned up at him.

"He said you didn't want to be First Talon."

"I don't. But how am I supposed to trust him with it now? How is anyone? The funny thing is, he might have finally proven he has the abillity for it."

"Right before getting humilliated in front of everyone," she said, grinning slightly.

"Exactly."

He sighed, though it came out as more of a frustrated growl.

"Fucking Illario."

"Hey," she said, gently reaching up and smoothing out the crease between his brows. The gesture made his chest ache.

"We'll work it out," she said softly. "Together. But for now... "

He took her hand again, holding it to his chest so she could feel his heartbeat.

"Just be here with me," she said. "Just for a little while."

"I can do that," he said. "For a little while."

She smiled, and he could see the day was starting to get to her, the tiredness starting to reach her eyes.

"Rook..." he started, not sure what he was going to say, but needing to say something before his chest caved in on itsself. She cut him off before he could.

"Shhhh," she said gently, kissing him for a long moment before laying her head back on his shoulder. He forgot, sometimes, that he could kiss her. Usually, Spite was there to remind him, with enthusiasm. It scared him, how much he ached to feel her lips against his own.

"Don't ruin it."

So he held her close, and kissed her forehead, and later he let her fall asleep on his lap in the chair, savouring the way she held on to his hand even in sleep, and finally letting his fingers run through her hair, softer than silk against his skin.

[flightlessangelwings]

Sweeter Than Coffee

Lucanis Dellamorte x Rook (Reader) (gender neutral)

Word count-1265

Warnings- s.mut (18+ ONLY!), praise, body worship, oral, romance, soft and sweet, written in second person reader insert style but also written as Rook so you can interpret it however you like (insert, oc, however!), no physical description of Rook/Reader

Notes-I was at work when Lucanis spoke to me with this idea and here we are lol! Short and sweet but I loved this idea so much! Pspsps @ollypopwrites! Enjoy and let me know what you think!

@flightlessangelwings-updates is my update blog so please follow that and turn on post notifs to stay up to date on when I post new things!

~ 

“Meirda, Rook,” Lucanis purred, “You look so beautiful in the moonlight.”

“Lucanis…” you playfully nudged him as you felt your skin tingle. His words always made you feel a flutter in your chest, something you weren’t used to. And to be honest, you were sure if you could ever get used to his sweet praises.

“It’s true, Rook,” he ran his hand along your bare skin, “No other sight compares to you, mi amor.”

He had you stripped bare before him and on your back out on a pile of blankets. Only the moonlight illuminated your bodies as you laid together under the stars. There was a slight nip in the air, but you didn’t feel it at all under Lucanis’ warm gaze. 

“Are you always such a romantic, Lucanis?” you smirked.

Lucanis gazed down at you from where he hovered, his arms on either side of your body to frame you between his hands, “Why don’t you find out?” he replied with a quip of his own.

You couldn’t help but laugh softly, and Lucanis joined in your laughter.

“Your laughter is music to my ears,” his tone dropped as he turned more serious, “And…” Lucanis closed the gap between your faces, taking your lips with his own in a tender, sweet kiss. You moaned into him as you grabbed his arms. “You taste so good,” he murmured against your skin before he kissed you again.

“Mmm,” you hummed into his kiss as his tongue danced with yours.

“Mas dulce que cafe,” Lucanis whispered.

Sweeter than coffee, you echoed in your mind. Any smart reply you had vanished from your thoughts as he kissed you again. This kiss was deeper, more passionate than the last, yet it was still slow. Lucanis took his time with you, tasting every corner of your mouth, savoring you.

When he finally broke away from his kiss, you inhaled deeply to fill your lungs again. Although you felt like you didn’t even need air with Lucanis around; his kisses were all you needed to survive. But, you felt breathless once more as he kissed his way down your neck, licking and nibbling at your skin. You buried a hand in his hair, tugging gently as he sucked at a particularly sensitive spot.

A slight giggle escaped your lips as goosebumps erupted on your skin. You knew he felt it too because you felt a low rumble from deep in his throat. That rumble went right to your core, though, sending warmth throughout your body.

“Lucanis…” you breathed as he shifted himself down.

“I know, mi amor,” he muttered as he kissed his way across your chest.

As he reached your nipple and wrapped his lips around it, you let out a loud moan. Arching your back into him, you tugged at his hair harder, encouraging him. You bit your lip to stifle another cry as Lucanis’ tongue rolled around your nipple before he gently bit it.

“You like that, amor?” he smirked as he glanced up at you with half lidded eyes.

“Tease,” you sighed back with a smile of your own.

“I am enjoying myself,” Lucanis’ eyes lit up as he dipped his head down and licked your other nipple, “Every inch of you is sweeter than the last,” he muttered as he kissed his way down your stomach, “But there is one thing I am craving more.”

“You’re impossible, Lucanis,” you tried to roll your eyes playfully, but his kisses distracted you from your banter.

“Just as impossible as you, mi amor.”

“Luc…” you were cut off by his mouth in between your legs, and you let out a gasp as you felt his tongue on you, “Fuck!”

Lucanis hummed with satisfaction as he devoured you. He gripped your thighs tightly as he licked and sucked between your legs. From the first moment he tasted you, he was addicted. He craved you every moment of every day, and even after having you, Lucanis always needed more. He felt his heart pound in his chest as he covered you with his mouth, greedily taking more of you.

You felt like you could float away if it weren’t for his strong grip holding you in place. Your eyes rolled back into your head as you arched your back. Cries of bliss filled the air as you felt his tongue swirl around you, lapping at every sensitive spot. Your legs trampled on either side of his head as you felt heat build from your core and your skin tingled with pleasure.

As you panted, you heard the sound of obscene splurging from between your legs as Lucanis ravaged you. If you were in a clearer headspace, you would have thought that he got just as much pleasure out of this as you did. And you would have been right. Blinking your eyes open- you didn’t even remember closing them- you caught a glimpse of his head between your thighs, and it made you groan as a fresh wave of pleasure pulsed through your body.

Dropping your head back down, you moaned even louder, “Lucanis… I’m gonna…”

He wanted to tell you to cum in his mouth. He wanted to tell you to let go, that he had you, that he would always have you. He wanted to tell you how good you tasted, and how beautiful you looked when you lost yourself. But he couldn’t tear himself away; he became too lost in you, too consumed with pleasuring you. Instead, Lucanis sucked harder, determined to send you over the edge.

It didn’t take long for Lucanis to get what he wanted, and you came hard with a loud scream. Your entire body shook as tears filled the corners of your eyes from the overwhelming sensations. You cried out his name as you yanked at his hair and surrendered yourself fully to him, trusting him completely.

Lucanis kept going until he was sure he got every drop of your release, only breaking away with reluctance as you came down from your high. He pushed himself up to admire you as he licked his lips, not wanting to waste a single drop of your juices.

“Mierda,” he sighed as he watched you recover.

You opened your eyes and you felt your heart skip a beat from the way he looked at you. No one had ever looked at you with such admiration and awe the way Lucanis did, and you were sure you would never get used to it.

“Come here,” you whispered as you opened your arms for him.

“As you wish,” Lucanis grinned as he lunged forward, covering your body with his as you wrapped your arms around him and pulled him in for a kiss. You both moaned into each other as you tasted yourself on his tongue.

As you locked your lips with his, you tried to roll your bodies over so that you could straddle Lucanis, but he stopped you. Breaking away, you looked at him with questioning eyes, “Lucanis?”

“I am not finished with you yet, mi amor,” he groaned as he leaned forward again to nibble on your earlobe, “I want to spend all night kissing every inch of you,” he kissed the nape of your neck, “I want to taste you over and over again,” Lucanis savored the moan you let out.

He paused, pushing himself up on his elbows to meet your gaze. He waited for you to open your eyes once more, and when you did, he gave you a mischievous smirk as he added, “Until it’s time to stop for coffee.” 

[bg3daydream]

Curiosity (Lucanis x Rook Fanfiction)

I wrote this for the first day of Veilguard Appreciation Week, organized by @veilguard-appreciation-week The prompts for inspirarion this day were: The Grand Necropolis, Curiosity, "Close your eyes, take a breath."

Summary: Rooks loves to poke around the Necropolis, trying to find all its secrets. Lucanis, though, is not a fan or the place and its spirits. Short and sweet rookanis starring also Spite, Keepsake and Curio.

Masterlist of my fics / AO3

Rook didn’t think she’d ever get tired of snooping around the Grand Necropolis, jumping at the chance to accompany Emmrich every time he visited. Every time she went back, she felt like she discovered a new place she hadn’t seen before, a new corner, a new secret.

She’d been delighted the last time, when she’d found that lighting some, particularly tempting, candles summoned Keepsake and Curio, who were her favorite spirits, no doubt. She’d made the mistake of saying so in front of Lucanis, and he’d had to fight down a very outraged Spite. Rook’d tried to fix it by saying Keepsake and Curio were her favorite spirits but Spite was her favorite demon.

Rook was now inspecting an intricate shrine she didn’t think she’d seen before. She didn’t know how it happened, but as she reached out, she bumped a small jar, which tumbled and fell, breaking. She’d thought she was alone there, but a Mourn watcher cleared his throat near her, glaring at her without a word.

Rook apologized and excused herself, rushing out of the room, accompanied by a couple of curiosity wisps who had been following her as if they appreciated her attempts to know every corner and secret of the necropolis. 

She spotted Lucanis and headed to him. Despite his distaste for the Necropolis, he’d gone there, along with Emmrich, to see if some of the Mourn-watcher mages friends of Emmrich could help him with his Spite problem. Things were better between the two of them, but still, it’d be ideal if man and demon weren’t forced to share a body forever.

“You made friends,” Lucanis said as he frowned at the wisps following her, his eyes full of mistrust. Spite seemed to share the feeling, Lucanis' eyes flashing purple as the demon took him over momentarily, only to grumble and glare at the wisps.

“Yes, and if somebody asks you, they’re the ones who broke the jar,” Rook told him and Lucanis chuckled, shaking his head at her, but his tired eyes were fond as he looked at her.

“Did the mages come up with a good idea?” She asked him and Lucanis sighed.

“I don’t know, they’re still at it.” He waved towards the nearby room, where Rook could see Emmrich and his colleagues animatedly speaking. “They stopped making sense a while ago, I stopped listening.”

Lucanis sighed again and he looked so tired…Rook reached for his hand and he seemed a bit startled, but he gave her a small, half-smile, as he timidly held her hand.

“Come investigate this place with me,” she told him, tugging at his hand. “I promise not to break anything else.”

Lucanis didn’t say anything, just chuckled quietly, giving her another of those soft, fond looks, and letting her pull him along with her.

When Rook reached the room where Keepsake and Curio could be summoned, she lit the candles to call for them. Before she could greet the two spirits as they appeared, though, Spite took over Lucanis.

“You two! Stop. Being. So. Bright!” The demon complained, and Rook wondered how the spirits and everything else looked to him, she wished so badly to know…

“The demands of Spite grace our halls with his customary dignity,” Keepsake retaliated.

“Have pity, for both it and its host are so single-minded. Such youth,” Curio added.

“Not a truth either will enjoy,” Keepsake agreed.

Before meeting spirits and demons she could actually talk to, Rook’d never imagined they could be so sarcastic and even petty. It was not how she’d imagined the spirit world to be, but she was delighted by it.

“I hate this place,” Lucanis grumbled, back to himself, and he turned around, walking away. 

“Wait…” Rook followed him, reaching out to grab his hands. Lucanis seemed more tired than annoyed, and he let her pull him closer, holding her hands. “They were just teasing Spite.”

Lucanis grimaced as if he were trying to control the demon. “He’s very happy about it.”

“Besides…you, single-minded? Of course not. It’s not like assassination is the only thing on your mind,” Rook teased him and Lucanis rolled his eyes at her, but the corner of his mouth twitched into a small smile.

“I’m an assassin. A professional. Of course that’s in my mind,” Lucanis said. “But it’s not the only thing.”

“Of course. There’s also meal recipes,” Rook said, grinning, and Lucanis' smile went bigger. He nodded, chuckling softly.

Rook let go of his hands to instead cup his face, stroking his cheekbones with her thumbs. She liked it when he smiled, and if she was the one to manage to make him smile, then it was even better.

Rook leaned to kiss his lips, and she felt Lucanis relax as he sighed into her mouth.

However, she could also hear Keepsake and Curio’s voices, and although she couldn’t quite make out their words, she was pretty sure they were gossiping about them, so she pulled away from the kiss and took Lucanis' hand again.

“Come.” She tugged at his hand. “Let’s find Manfred and get in trouble while Emmrich is busy.”

Lucanis said nothing, just gave her a soft smile, nodding and letting her take him through the Necropolis with her.

*

Thanks for reading, if you liked this, please let me know in a comment, and as always, reblogs are more than welcome.

Excuse my English, it’s not my first language.

I'll be posting a little fic each day of this event, some with Lucanis, others Davrin (another with both) and another one with Neve.

[forestsunglasses]

Relationships: Lucanis Dellamorte/Rook, Viago de Riva/Rook, Lucanis Dellamorte/Viago de Riva, Lucanis Dellamorte/Viago de Riva/Rook

Warnings : Rook is dealing with C-PTSD, mental health issues. Implied/referenced self-harm, mentioned medical trauma, intimacy issues. Feel free to check all the additional tags on the ao3 version !

Summary:

Rook, previously named Dawn de Riva, has always kept her composure pristine. Taught to be strong at a young age by her mentor turned colleague, Viago de Riva, she is used to never show her weaknesses. Unfortunately for her, once the gods are deafeated and her contract is fullfilled, she realizes that she is dangerously bordering on the edge of falling apart. As she tiptoes around her blossoming romance with Lucanis Dellamorte, The Demon of Vyrantium, she founds herself bound by years of trauma that are catching up to her. She learns how to be herself again, eventually, and discovers what life truly has to offer beyond the dark and the grim.

Chapter 1 : Another contract

It’s during dinner that she feels the first pang of panic in her chest. They are all assembled in the dining hall of the Lighthouse, sharing a well-deserved moment of peace after weeks and weeks of hard battle and planning. Tomorrow, they will put away their belongings and depart. Neve has planned to help reconstruct Minrathous as soon as possible, and Bellara, as loyal as ever, having found a new love in the arms of the charming mage detective, accompanies her. Davrin is determined to help Assan and the other griffons adapt to Arlathan’s forest. To say goodbye, at least for some time. Emmerich, in hopes of talking with Strife, has agreed beforehand to go with the Warden. Taash said she would ‘hang out’ with Isabela and help in the Hall of Glory for a while. Lucanis needs to prepare his next position as First Talon. Harding…Well, Harding is gone. Dead. Rook knows that very well. There is no reason to believe otherwise, to try to convince herself that she is still alive, because she has seen her die. Rook knows that Solas isn’t there anymore. Sh knows that he can’t pull a Varric move on her again, to try to make her see a flesh and blood Harding when her dwarf friend isn’t even there. After all, he doesn't need to. The gods have been defeated.

The fight is over. They came out victorious, and Solas has gone through the Veil with the Inquisitor. Rook should have been calm. Sad and torn apart by grief, yes, but not on the brink of a panic attack.

The weight of leadership that has strained her shoulders for months is just starting to alleviate. Not that she didn’t like her role as a leader. But during all this time, she had to put a lot aside to make sure their mission succeeded. Her own emotions, her own worries. It had always been kind of like this with the Crows, but not with such high stakes. In any case, the job was done. Contract fulfilled, as she would often say to Viago.

It's no wonder then that she freezes when a plate of bean casserole stew is being placed in front of her. She grips her fork, her knuckles a shade of white death. Looks at her plate. The voices of her companions, engaging in sparse discussion, come to her ears from far, very far away. Glad to be victorious, but tinted with the obvious strain of grief and exhaustion. She barely notices it. Doesn’t listen.

Rook was never really good at regular stuff outside of contracts. Enjoying the moments of peace. She doesn’t know if she’ll ever be able to find herself. To have the strength to get back to herself. Contracts had kept her alive. But after that, she feels different.

It's as she took a way to strong, way to effective kind of drug. Avoiding herself had been made so, so much easier. Now that the fight is over, it's another piece of cake. The moment Solas disappeared through the Veil, an icy fear had started to pervade her. An intuition. The knowledge that, after such a big job, the contracts will not be able to keep her afloat anymore.

She knows then that she has to leave the dining hall. Go to the main building. Take the stairs. Go back to her room. The steps present themselves clearly in her mind, and it’s all she can hang onto to not break down right then and there. She focuses her mind on it. She knows that from the outside, her composure is perfectly smooth. Or as good as can be. She has been trained well.

She stands up and mutters that she has some small business she forgot to attend to, that she’ll be back soon. She doesn’t pay attention to their reaction. Most swallow up the lie like it’s honey. However, Neve looks nonplussed. And a light of alarm immediately goes off in Lucanis’ head. He feels Spite rouse inside him.

When Rook reaches the entrance, she is interrupted by the opening of the door. She almost rushes, nodding in distracted acknowledgment.

“Viago.” she salutes her superior before passing through.

The door shuts close.

“What’s the matter with her?” asks the Fifth Talon.

“I’ll go.” Lucanis says, already standing.

Viago nods. Rook has always been strong. He had taught her how to master one’s composure, how to never let one’s weaknesses show. But that, that’s new. The look on her face that he saw as he was entering the place. Not good. Not one bit.

Soon enough, the door opens again and Teia follows him into the dining hall.

“What’s with Rook ? ” she asks. “She looked…”

“I thought the same," Viago answers.

He doesn’t say the rest out loud, but Teia understands it : this doesn’t look good. As usual, Viago doesn't dwell on things. He clears up his throat.

“For the final arrangements,” he says to the rest of the team. “Neve, we have gathered Crow forces to help with Minrathous.”

~~~

Rook is shaking. She scolds herself for being this way. This isn’t supposed to happen. She’s supposed to deal with stuff in a normal way. Not crumble at the first opportunity, or whatever the hell this is.

She takes gulps of air but that doesn’t seem to help.

She knows, acknowledges her situation from a distance.

“Rook ?”

 Shit.

Lucanis' voice is worried. She hears him approaching carefully, coming to a halt almost behind her. She sees him crouch from the corner of her eye. Her mouth opens, but only a few ragged breaths come out of it.

“Rook, look at me.”

She barely manages to do that. His hand comes to support her chin, lifting it gently towards him. Helping her look at him.

“Breathe. That’s it. In, and out,” he demonstrates.

Tears well up in her eyes. Gods, he can’t see her like this.

“Come back to me, Rook. I know you can do this.”

She follows his movements, the way he shows her how to breathe. When she gets there, she finally manages to speak.

“I’m sorry.”

Lucanis shushes her.

“No apologies, just breathe. I’ve got you.”

She lets herself go slack in his arms. He holds her. His warmth immediately envelopes her, and the cold ice stone under them is left nothing more than a detail. Time passes.

“I’ve never seen you like this, Rook. What is it?”

She doesn’t even know what to say. How to explain it. If there’s even something to explain, at all. Everything is all scrambled up in her brain. When she feels his fingers graze against her scalp, she closes her eyes. Her head is shaved, there’s not a strand of hair on it, but she still feels the pleasurable shivers when he passes his nails along her buzzcut.

“I don’t…I’m not like…”

His fingers pause, then resume their grazing.

“I have these moments, sometimes. I always make sure no one sees.”

Against her, Lucanis doesn’t move, providing a welcoming support for her.

“I never…It never happened like that. I always had things under control, or I dealt with it privately.”

“Until now,” concludes Lucanis. “Something is eating at your mind.”

She turns to dive into his deep, lovely brown eyes.

“What happened with the Antaams before I took this job is still not forgotten. I don’t know where to go from there. I still have to stay low for a while, and that’s okay, but…”

She doesn’t finish her sentence.

“We killed gods, Rook. You made it happen," Lucanis expression is focused on her, full of...what, pride ? "Why would the Crows continue to keep you at an arm’s length ? You’re not fired. If anything, you deserve a raise.”

She laughs at his words.

“You know it’s not like that.”

“It can be.”

He doesn’t say it, but she understands the meaning behind it. He’s First Talon. He won’t let her be cast aside.

“Do you remember what I told you? As long as my duties don’t call to me yet, I’ll be by your side. And even then, I’ll always be by your side.”

Rook smiles.

“I don’t deserve you.”

“I don’t deserve you.”

“Alright, lovers,” suddenly interrupts Viago’s voice.

They turn towards the Fifth Talon, now standing at the entrance of Rook’s room. Lucanis reprimands himself for not closing the door sooner.

We’re not…Rook wants to protest, but she stops herself. She has a very specific point of view concerning these things. Of course, she loves Lucanis. She would die for him. And she knows that Lucanis loves her too. Unfortunately, there’s a limit that she cannot allow herself to cross. The night they shared together, before the final fight with Elgar’nan, could have been a night of…well, something more. But Lucanis had noticed her reluctance, and they had just made out and enjoyed each other’s company, hoping to still be alive at the end of all of this. She still doesn’t know how he feels about it.

“We have a meeting tomorrow with some of the houses. I’ll expect you there,” Viago adds, interrupting her train of thoughts.

Her mind grows calmer again. She processes the information. He doesn’t need to specify the place. The Cantori Diamond.

“And, Rook?” he adds. “You should go see a healer.”

She nods distractedly.

“Thanks, Viago?”

She knows she won’t take his advice. She has bad history with healers in general.

~~~

When she first shaved her head, Rook was fourteen. She never liked her strawberry blond curls. Not that they were ugly, but it didn’t match with her. She always had them at about chin’s length, long enough to cover her cheeks and maybe a part of her neck, but never more than that.

It hadn’t been a long time since she was taken in by the Crows. She still went by the name of Dawn. The training had been hard that day, and that was the first time that she felt that something in her was amiss. Not quite exactly right. That night, when she looked into the small wobbly mirror beside her bed, she couldn’t stand to look at her hair anymore.

The first try had been terrible. She’d ended up with splotches of hair scattered all around her partially shaved skull. When Teia had saw the mess she’d made of her head, she’d let out an exclamation of shock. The young woman had helped the girl get rid of the irregularities and had managed to give her a nice, presentable buzzcut. Upon seeing Dawn like this, Viago had raised a brow but hadn’t done anything besides giving her a small nod of encouragement.

Now, quite advanced into her twenties, Rook has kept up with this haircut. Although some of her battle scars extend to her scalp in quite a visible way, she is happy with it. Content. She may always have been kind of lost, but this, she has always been sure of it.

~~~

It’s a bit hard to wake up the next morning, but at least she has something to do : to assist a meeting. A smooth wave of reassurance washes over her as she gets ready to go to Treviso. Lucanis is behind her when they pass through the Eluvian, and Rook can’t help but flash a smile at him when they arrive in their city.

“Good to be home?” Lucanis says with a glint of adoration in his eyes.

She nods, humming the air. Cobblestone, dewy ivy, wood. Floral scents from the bushes nearby. The smell of the night is still lingering.

“Good to be home,” she confirms.

They get to the Diamond without waiting any further. When they enter the meeting room, a space adjacent to the main hall, everyone seems to be already there. Heir, sat next to an expectant Jacobus, gives a polite nod to Rook. Part of De Riva’s house is there as well, some sat on chairs around the big stone table coming up from the ground, others standing on the sides, leaning on the wall. Teia and Viago are waiting right next to the entrance.

Rook cannot escape the look Viago gives her. It’s a blue, ice, cold color. Even though she knows there’s a question in there, she doesn’t try to decipher it further. She’s not in the same state as she was in the last evening. She’s okay and functional now. Let’s get to it.

“Everyone is there,” Viago says, looking at both Rook and Lucanis this time.

Rook knows that look. It’s an easy one: you’re late. Weirdly enough, for a strictly-trained assassin, she sometimes manages to not arrive in time for things. She holds her smirk in. Teia’s voice comes cutting through, diving straight into the subject.

“Although Treviso has been badly affected by the Antaams and Ghilan’nain archdemon, Minrathous needs some more help rebuilding. As you all know, we have gathered a team for this. House de Riva and part of my house will be sent there.”

“Will there be operations in Treviso?” Jacobus asks.

“Of course,” Viago answers. “But we must be a bit more careful there. What’s left of the Antaam army will not go down smoothly. They’ve got their own network. We’re working on a plan.”

“This meeting is for the distribution of contracts,” Teia adds, retrieving a pile of parchments from under a small desk. “All of the previously appointed Crows from House De Riva, here.” She places a smaller pile of paper on the table. The Crows serve themselves. “House Cantori : Egoram, here is the quarter of the town that you're attached to. Take the trainees with you.”

“Maggie, you’ll go to Dock Town. You’ll find Neve Gallus there. Tina and Gregor, at the frontier.”

"Yrina, you’ll make rounds around the Cobbled Swan in search for any Venatori strays. I’ve heard some of them have found a hiding amongst bards and artists.”

Jacobus scoffs, quickly masking his laugh as a raspy cough.

Teia continues to distribute the papers until there’s none left. Heir and Jacobus are assigned to Treviso, which makes the young boy almost complain. He really wanted to travel to Minrathous.

"Jacobus Egrativi," Heir gently scolds as they stand up.

“That leaves us with the both of you,” Viago says, turning to Rook and Lucanis.

Rook is glad that the panic doesn’t knock at her ribcage when she hears it. No need to worry. You will have a contract. You will get busy.

“Obviously, I guess that you have some updating to do with your family, now, Lucanis. You’re First Talon, after all.”

Rook looks at Lucanis. His silky, raven hair shines under the oil lamps. For a moment she almost forgets herself, lost in the admiration of his smooth locks. She looks away, trying to push down the newly arisen thoughts. He’s beautiful. Hot. Kind. That big pleading look he gives me sometimes? Fuck. She shakes her head.

“Rook ?” Teia says.

Her head almost snaps back up, but she controls the movement just in time. She has been lost in thought regarding Minrathous and Treviso, obviously. Not thinking about Lucanis, at all. She was simply planning their next course of action. Not basking in his scent of coffee, and berries, and…

“We think it better for you to stay here a while,” Teia informs her cautiously.

The rest of the Crows are gone. They’re the only four left. At Teia’s call, Rook arches a brow. She resists the urge to scratch her neck in confusion.

“What do you mean?”

“Here, in Treviso,” Viago specifies while closing the door. “Unless you still have matters to attend to with your team.”

“No, I don’t.”

She’s surprised the topic is even broached.

“Perfect,” he responds.

“What do you need me for, exactly? Am I allowed to retire?” she says with a smirk, knowing full well how Viago will react.

“No, Idiot. It’s a surveillance mission.”

“Okay. What is it?”

There’s a pause, almost imperceptible. But Viago continues:

“You must be prepared. Let me warn you…”

“Viago is worried,” Teia interjects, a smile on her lips. “He didn’t want you to take the job at first.”

Viago gives Teia a bad look.

“Worried? Damn, Viago, that’s not like you,” Rook says, hands on her hips.

“Take this seriously! That’s not me personally worrying over you. It’s way bigger than that. If you don’t do this correctly, the Crows could take a blow to their side.”

Rook isn’t convinced. She catches Lucanis from the corner of her eye: he’s just as confused as her.

“Not to sound arrogant, but we just killed gods,” she says. “I’m sure your new contract will be in reach of my abilities.”

Teia and Viago share a look. Oh-oh. Rook falters.

“Okay, get it out,” Lucanis intervenes. “What is it?”

It almost seems like Viago doesn’t want to open his mouth and say the words. When Teia finally speaks, giving him the chance to stay silent, Rook doesn’t register the words at first. Lucanis places a warm hand on her shoulder.

Levito’s Healing House. Levito’s Healing House. Levito’s…Healing…House. You must investigate around Levito’s Healing House. That’s the name. She hears it, reverberating in her skull, jumping around like a rubberball. Levito’s Healing House. They’re planning something. It’s our chance to root them out of the city for good, but we must have someone investigating around here first.

Rook doesn’t let herself stumble in front of them.

“Why?” she asks, gaze lost in front of her. “Do you need me to infiltrate the place as a spy?”

“No,” Viago reassures her. “Not to that extent. Just observing from afar. Gather information. As I’ve taught you.”

Even though she’s relieved at hearing she won’t have to go back inside this…thing, her throat locks.

“Why me?” she asks.

Her voice is neutral. Not a shake in it.

“Viago thought you’d be the best suited for it, in the end. You have...history, back there.”

Teia looks sorry as she says it. Rook glances furiously at her mentor.

“What? And you don’t even want to tell me yourself? Teia has to be the one saying it? She just said you didn’t want me to take the job!”

“Rook…” pleads Teia. “We’ve tried to find someone, but we know it will be fruitless if it isn’t someone who knows their way of operating.”

Rook takes a deep breath, pinching the bridge of her nose.

“So, observing.”

“Yes.” Viago nods. “Rook, I need you to confirm to me that you will not get into this personally. As I said, if you do something rash, I don’t know if the Crows will be as forgiving as they were with your little run-in with the Antaam.”

She nods.

“I need words.” Viago adds sternly.

Rook raises her head to plunge her eyes in his. Ice, blue, cold. Fresh snow. Cooling.

“Okay.”

“Did I miss something?” Lucanis asks.

“It’s Rook’s story to tell,” answers Viago.

“Do you know what Levito’s Healing House is?” Rook asks him.

“I…vaguely remember. It’s a place of healing.” Viago rolls his eyes. Lucanis feels Spite snicker inside of him. “For matters of the mind, as they say themselves,” he adds.

Rook nods.

“Well, I was in there for a part of my childhood. Don’t remember it a lot, but what I remember is…not good.”

“They don’t do healing, obviously.” Teia says, her mouth a crisp line.

Lucanis doesn’t need to ask further details. He knows, now, he remembers, the whispers about the place. This shady mental institution in Treviso. The kids who manage to escape from there, the things they manage to tell, if they're not rendered mute from traumatism.

“You told me about it, once, after Weisshaupt” he says, thoughtful. “That you grew up in this sort of place.”

Rook nods.

“Not for all my life, but yes.”

He wants to know what happened to her in there, but he knows it's not the right time for this.

“You have all my support, in whatever you do, Rook. Remember that.”

“Thank you,” she manages to smile.

Her hand comes to find his, and squeezes. He can see the way her jaw untightens at the contact. He squeezes back.

When they leave, Teia turns to Viago.

“She took this surprisingly well. I mean, she seemed a bit stunned, but that’s to be expected. What do you think of it?”

“Her reaction?” says Viago. “She’s obviously bluffing. But I’ll take her word on this. I trust her.”

“So you think she will take it upon herself? If she’s bluffing, that means she’s affected.”

“She will. She’s strong like that, Teia.”

A pause.

“I know.”

They look at each other, Teia almost reaching to caress Viago’s wrist. He doesn’t seem disturbed, but she notices how he’s still a little bit paler than usual.

[ollypopwrites]

May Our Demons Dance: Chapter 3

May Our Demons Dance (13532 words) by ollypopp Chapters: 3/? Fandom: Dragon Age: The Veilguard (Video Game), Dragon Age (Video Games) Rating: Not Rated Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Relationships: Lucanis Dellamorte/Rook, Lucanis Dellamorte/Female Rook, Lucanis Dellamorte/Original Female Character(s), Rook/Spite Tags: Eventual Smut, Slow Burn, Mostly Canon Compliant, Unresolved Sexual Tension, Fantasizing, Masturbation, Friendship, Found Famliy, Hurt/Comfort, Blood and Gore, no beta we die like - i can't even type it, no neve slander we love neve in this house, POV Third Person, discussions of slavery, fantasy racism, ptsd symptoms, Spite is a pervy little shit. Chapter Summary: “Spite, I mean it. We cannot be the thing that compromises tomorrow.” ‘Let me out,’ Spite said with more composure than Lucanis had seen before. A challenge. “No.” ‘Sweet dreams.’ Spite disappeared. “Spite,” Lucanis growled. “Spite!” Nothing. 

New Chapter is up! Very important author's note at the beginning, please, please be sure to read it.

[ellstersmash]

things i learned today:

solas could've avoided this whole mess and probably had enough free time to take lavellan on a nice little date if he just took up archdemon hunting instead of all the rituals and the other dastardly deeds

lucanis won't romance rook if they go to minrathous but will romance neve because despite saying he's cool, he's not cool

everyone's nice and no one has slaves or anything because *checks forearm* the blight

all your companions get along with you and each other because also the blight

even though he's like, really manipulative and uses people all the time, solas accumulated but then gave up an entire army's worth of spies and agents because he decided he wasn't ready for a management position

red lyrium isn't really around because—and you are not gonna believe this—the blight

solas just lies. all the time, outright, to everyone. so I guess he was actually only super careful to not ever actively lie in Inquisition as like a fun little challenge to himself

tying the veil to his life force (you know, the guy who couldn't even take down an archdemon on his own and actually just got his ass beat so is not in great shape in the best ending) fully repaired the veil! \o/ don't ask how you wouldn't understand it it's not a big—

everyone near minrathous is cured of the blight! but @ everyone else you may be entitled to compensation 🥀

the only ritual solas has ever gotten or will ever get right is cleansing the idol into the ritual dagger. good thing too bc it was way more dangerous than this one. other than that, wrong about everything ever

elven magic is like not that big a deal, dude

the griffons are, unfortunately, long-term fucked

the elves don't see the crossroads differently anymore because uh.. because....... war

spite does not get involved in rookanis sexytimes. so perhaps him spreading his wings was actually just in preparation to leave bc ew they're kissing gross

NO ONE cares about the goddamn spirits

[antivanlights]

After their fight against the gods is done, after the Veil is once again secured, I imagine Rook wanting to do something for Lucanis - something special. Especially since they finally can. After much deliberation (approximately 15 seconds and a side glance at the wyvern-tooth dagger sitting carefully on Lucanis' night stand), Rook has a wyvern-spotting adventure planned. A bag sits ready with camping gear, food rations, a wyvern species encyclopedia, a journal and all the art supplies they could find within a few hours.

Convincing Lucanis takes less than a minute, and the next thing they know, they’re hiking across the Orlesian wilderness.

The first wyvern they spot will be permanently engraved into Rook’s memory – whether that’s from the beast’s presence or from Lucanis’ reaction is up for debate (is it really, though?). Regardless, Rook will inevitably become an expert on that particular species of wyvern.

“Rook!” “Rook.” RookRookRook, look!” “ROOK.” They swear that last one was Spite, but Lucanis calls out them every few minutes during their adventure, each time a wyvern so much as blinks funny. There, Rook is witness to one of the biggest (and longest-lasting) grins Lucanis has ever displayed. Eyes bright, body practically buzzing with excitement as they crouch behind cover. Rook doesn’t know if anything can beat the feeling pounding at their chest.

Rook reaches an important conclusion, they fucking love wyverns.

[ellie-writes-games]

Spite Wants To Set A Flame

Lucanis (and by extension, Spite) have been helping Bellara with her romance novel. Flowery language and smut metaphors lead Spite to some surprising conclusions.

╔══════════════════════════════════════════╗ prev Part 8 of Burn After Reading banter series next ╚══════════════════════════════════════════╝ Enjoying my work? You can leave me a tip on Ko-Fi | Have a request? Part of an on-going series of fan-writings. See the full Masterlist here.

As someone on the autism spectrum, I remember struggling with interpreting metaphor as a young person A LOT. As soon as it was introduced in Veilguard that Bellara was writing some smutty fanfiction, the first thoughts I had were "Oh, the neurospicy gang is gonna struggle." (Mainly Taash and Spite.)

This is fanfiction written by me, @ellie-writes-games. These are NOT actual screenshots from the game. Peace, love, and mad props to the DA writers.

[wabart]

Flirtation so surprising it turned down his graphics settings

Image 1: A sketch of Lucanis saying to Rook, "I did not know you were such a romantic."

Image 2: Rook says to Lucanis "You bring it out in me."

[sageadvice]

Crow masks found in the Dellamorte Villa and their corresponding descriptions.

[rookanisstuff]

“It's an old Crow tradition. The exchanging of paired daggers when you are to be joined in marriage.”

Inspired by the magnificent @cosmiccrushes fic Contract Negotiations!

Vivienne and Lucanis’s daggers in all their glory!

Vivienne remains painfully Vint and thus requires snake motifs on everything and of course, opals for the eyes to match THE RING!!!

[bg3daydream]

Not like a kiss goodbye (Lucanis x Rook fanfiction)

I wrote this for the fourth day of Veilguard Appreciation Week, organized by @veilguard-appreciation-week The prompts for inspirarion this day were: Treviso, Determination, "Bitter and sweet, like a kiss goodbye."

Summary: After he's named First Talon, Lucanis and Rook go to café Pietra.

Treviso must be one of the most beautiful cities Rook had ever seen, and she had traveled a lot, especially in the last few years. At night, the city was magical, with the warm lights illuminating the exquisite buildings, the streams of lights of the bridges lighting up like fireflies, their reflections dancing over the water of the canals, turning them into an enchanting place.

Rook didn’t think she could ever get tired of this city. She’d gone with Lucanis to Café Pietra, which was still open, though mostly empty. People were going home for the night, not to mention that the crows were still at House Dellamorte. Right now, they were celebrating Lucanis and his ascension to First Talon, and probably most of them were unaware that Lucanis had sneaked away already.

He’d asked Rook to leave, and on their way to the Eluvian, they’d taken a detour to go to the café first. Rook’d chosen hot chocolate this time, though, she didn’t think her stress levels could deal with coffee at night. The drink was one of the most delicious things she’d ever tasted, Lucanis’d been right, and she’d finished so quickly that she’d noticed Lucanis trying and failing to hide an amused smile.

Rook leaned against the stone wall that bordered the canal, resting her elbows on it and looking at the water and the skyline of Treviso, admiring the sight once more, before she turned to look at Lucanis.

He was smiling softly at his cup of coffee, and Rook wondered once more how an assassin could be so cute most of the time. He took the last sip of coffee and sighed longingly, carefully placing the now empty cup on the stone wall.

“The only coffee better than mine.”

“It’s the same blend you had the first time we came here, right? Honey and lavender cream?” Rook asked. If she spent even more time with Lucanis, she might become a bit of a coffee expert herself. “Bitter and sweet like a kiss goodbye, you said.” Lucanis seemed bashful at his past words, and he looked towards the canals. “How many kisses goodbye have you had to know how those taste like?” Rook teased.

It took Lucanis a short moment to answer and when he did, he didn’t look at her. “None.” His voice was quiet. “I hadn’t had many kisses, before,” he sounded shy and still didn’t look at her.

“Oh…” Rook was aware Lucanis hadn’t dated much or at all before, but his kiss-goodbye line had sounded rather convincing back when he said it. “Well then, I’m afraid you won’t ever know what a goodbye kiss tastes like, I refuse, we’ll only have see-you-later kisses,” she joked but she meant it.

Lucanis smiled at that, and he finally looked at her again, his eyes warm and soft, a bit sad but so fond. “Yes. I agree with that.”

Rook reached to gently tug Lucanis close and kiss him. They hadn’t shared many kisses yet, but still, Rook found it endearing how Lucanis always seemed a bit surprised whenever she kissed him, before he relaxed and melted into her.

“So…” Rook began when their lips parted. “Not a goodbye kiss. Because you’re not leaving us even if now you’re First Talon.” She said jokingly but it was a worry in the back of her mind since Caterina announced it.

“Of course not!” Lucanis seemed almost offended she’d suggest something like that. “We still have a contract!” Of course, crows and their contracts. “And when I fulfill it…there won’t be a goodbye anyway,” his voice turned shy. “I don’t want to leave this…you…”

“Good, because I don’t want to be left,” Rook said and she’d have cringed at her choice of words if it weren’t for the way Lucanis looked at her. She didn’t say anything else and just kissed him again.

“I know it’s foolish, all this talk of no goodbyes,” Rook began a bit later, once they were walking back to the Eluvian and the reality of what they had to overcome the following days came to hit her once more. “Considering all we have to fight and-”

“No,” Lucanis interrupted her, stopping. “I don’t care how many venatori, darkspawn, or gods I have to kill for it, there’s no goodbye between us, we agreed.”

Rook couldn’t help her smile, even if it was sad. “Lucanis…” she began, though she wasn’t sure what to say, how to put into words what she felt. Lucky for her, Spite seemed to decide to interrupt, as purple flashed around Lucanis and he grimaced, muttering something, as if he were fighting down the demon. “What does he say?”

“He’s just yelling ‘No goodbye. We kill,” Lucanis said and Rook couldn’t help her snort.

“That’s it, we agree Spite,” she joked, although…was she really joking?

Lucanis grimaced again but it seemed Spite stopped trying to take over him, content with Rook’s agreement. “That seer in Rivain said Spite was a spirit of determination,” Lucanis began once Spite calmed. “Maybe she was right, he seems very determined now to not-” He couldn’t stop the sentence, grunting as if he was hurt.

“What is it?” Rook asked, on her guard in a second.

“Nothing, I upset Spite,” Lucanis grumbled, rolling his eyes. “He says he’s spite, not determination.”

Rook relaxed again, fighting a smile. “We’re sorry, Spite. Whether is out of spite or determination, we’re glad you agree on not letting us have goodbyes.”

“Don’t encourage him, Rook,” Lucanis said but he sounded almost teasing and he was smiling softly.

Rook said nothing, just smiled at him, reaching to hold his hand as they strolled slowly through Trevio’s beautiful streets on their way to the Eluvian, in no rush to be back at the Lighthouse just yet.

*

Thanks for reading, if you liked this, please let me know in a comment, and as always, reblogs are more than welcome.

Excuse my English, it’s not my first language.

[ibahibut]

💀: Fewer wounds, more kisses from me.

🐦‍⬛: Contract's accepted, mi amor.

Music inspiration: A Little Death by The Neighbourhood

[ollypopwrites]

May Our Demons Dance ; Chapter 5

May Our Demons Dance (28967 words) by ollypopp Chapters: 5/? Fandom: Dragon Age: The Veilguard Rating: Explicit Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Relationships: Lucanis Dellamorte/Female Rook Tags: Eventual Smut, Slow Burn, Mostly Canon Compliant, Unresolved Sexual Tension, Fantasizing, Masturbation, Friendship, Found Famliy, Hurt/Comfort, Blood and Gore, no beta we die like - i can't even type it, no neve slander we love neve in this house, Angst Chapter Summary: The look of hurt at the rejection on her face burned into his mind. It was better than her ending up dead, or hollowed out by the fact he was always, always going to be at war with Spite. She was the hope of their team, the warm hearth they all gathered around,  and he was not more than a sentient knife leaving a trail of bodies. His contracts, his family — it would be too cruel to add her to the list of casualties that he could never avoid.  ‘You promised,’ Spite said, ‘we break our chains. We live . ’ Lucanis shut the doors. Spite raged. He ended up with a bloody nose.  Things were back to normal.

New chap! They might come a little slower now, because I did have to put a fire under my ass and start working on original stuff as well. But I am excited about the ideas I have for this story, so thanks for coming along with me.

[himluv]

To the people complaining that Lucanis *couldn't* be a virgin because Crows are trained to use seduction and sex on contracts...

The game straight up tells us that Lucanis did not train like a typical Crow. You can talk to Heir and they tell you that Lucanis was basically an assassin prodigy and was not trained by them.

(they also say that Jacobus reminds them of Lucanis, which I think tells us a lot about young, Fledgling Lucanis!)

Caterina trained Lucanis specifically to hunt and kill mages. He is incredibly acrobatic and stealthy, for getting close to and killing mages. His stubbornness/determination was also probably honed, because it would be harder to control his mind, even with blood magic. He fights back. (As Lucanis says, he doesn't quit - which... Man, Caterina did not think that through 😂 )

He is a specialist, one of the most lethal (and expensive!) assassins in the entire organization. He hasn't had time (or interest) in sex before being romanced by Rook, because he's the best and busy. And because, pssst...

He's demisexual.

And at this point the only reason I can think of that makes this hard to grasp is that some people really wanted their suave, Latin Lover stereotype. And instead they got a tender-hearted caregiver, with big wet eyes and a caffeine addiction, who REALLY just wants to be cuddled to sleep.

If you can't fall in love with that Lucanis (the one we got!)... Idk, man. Skill issue.

[spinfins]

Lighthouse meals start slowly, you guys.

First it’s just Harding, Neve, Bellara and Rook. Grim-faced and in survival mode, they survey Solas’s supply of raisins and potatoes and agree that takeout from Docktown is the way to go. (No one says anything when Rook gets an extra portion for “Varric”.)

They survive this way for however many days (at one point Harding tried to make raisin cookies, but potato starch doesn’t react like flour).

And then comes Lucanis.

Newly freed from the Ossuary, and reinvigorated, he takes in the mountain of takeout boxes, greasy wrappers, and shish-ka-bob sticks that have overflowed the table and the seating area in the kitchen.

He looks at the four waxy, hungry, faces warily staring at him from their nest of fast food leavings like four fledglings that have been left to fend for themselves.

These are the warriors that will help him fulfill his contract and slay a god?

No. He thinks. This will not do.

He recruits Rook (the most ready of the four if not the most healthy) and goes to Treviso for supplies.

When he calls them all into the kitchen that evening they trail in cautiously, sniffing the air. Is this some new trick by the fade?

It is not.

The place has been transformed. There are dishes on the table. There is a cloth on the table! Rook picks up a fork and runs her finger across the tines as though it is a foreign artifact.

Moving slowly so as not to startle his new garbage nestlings, Lucanis brings a pot of thick, warm, soup to the table. He sets out a basket of crusty bread slices and a slab of butter, pots of jam and honey. A bowl of freshly cut fruit, and a plate of grilled vegetables sits by. There is even a jug of cold milk. No reason not to build up calcium, and he is not certain if he was mild enough on the spices for his starving waifs.

“Is this?” Rook asks (there are tears in their eyes). “Is this for us?”

“MMM,” Spite says enticingly, wafting the soup steam towards them. “SMELLS DELICIOUS.”

Lucanis cuts him off before he frightens them away, but it is not necessary. When he regains control he sees his trash children seated and scarfing down his food.

Spite hums in satisfaction in his chest. They will work on manners later.