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Even with the Antaam, the Treviso Markets were as lively as ever. People went about their business, shopping, working, and enjoying the day as cats and dogs hung around different stalls looking for dropped pieces of food. It was full of talking and music from the various buskers working around the area as people laughed and haggled for different prices, blending into the cries of the gulls and crows above. They had a distinct aroma, with the salty sea air combined with the baking loaves of bread, roasting meats, brewing coffee, and perfumes of the different stalls. It was busy and a bit chaotic but full of life, and Lucanis had missed it.
Lucanis had been nervous about how Spite was going to react to everything. It was so much more than what the demon was used to from the Ossuary. However, Spite seemed content wandering around the stalls, staring at random baubles that caught his eye or listening to the people bartering. He still did not fully trust the demon, but this was a better reaction than he had expected.
“Deny him! Yes!” Spite grinned as the negotiation broke down, and both people walked away disappointed.
“What do you think?” Rook asked, pulling Lucanis’s attention back to the stall they were standing at. “I was thinking the salami, mortadella and capocollo.”
Lucanis considered it. It was strange; a month ago, he was plotting his revenge, expecting to die as he took down as many Venatori as possible, never seeing Treviso or these markets again. Yet there he stood, alive and considering different Antivan cured meats. It should not have been possible, but it was. “Get one of the spicy and one of the mild. I can make antipasto before dinner, but we will need some more good cheeses.”
Rook smiled, “Viago’s favorite cheese vendor is over there.”
“That will work.” Rook waved to the vendor and began to order as Lucanis watched him.
The man Viago had sent to save him from the Ossuary. The relief he felt when he heard that Rook was a De Riva had been overwhelming. He was no longer a dead man left to rot in the Venatori clutches. Zara had been wrong; his allies had not given up on him. They still cared and were trying to rescue him. They had, and now he found himself living in the Fade as they prepared for a fight against the gods. He could have dealt with that, but Rook’s kindness was more complicated. The man treated him companionably, talking to him when they bumped into each other, training with him, and even expressing concern for his well-being.
He doesn’t want to hurt you. How rare.
He did not know why Rook cared about him, and it was unsettling that Lucanis enjoyed it. Lucanis liked spending time with Rook. He enjoyed Rook’s assistance in the kitchen and having coffee as they talked. It felt almost like having a friend, but this was not the time to get close to people. He was an abomination, a danger to everyone around him, and they were going to fight the gods, a mission that would likely end in their deaths.
“Do you want to get a coffee before we pick up the cheeses?” Rook asked after he paid for the meat.
He should have said no. “Café Pietra?”
“Sounds good.”
***
“This seems like a good spot for a break,” Rook said, looking around the beach that was cleared of any threats.
“It should be.” Taash replied, “But we are close to Karash. I’m going to go check on him.”
“Do you want to bring him some food?” Rook asked, “We have enough.”
“Yeah, that would be good.” Taash and Rook began to go through the bag.
Lucanis walked down to the edge of the water. It was warm, and the waves were peacefully lapping against the sand. The air was salty with the sounds of gulls crying in the distance as they squabbled over meals. It reminded him of when he had gone to the ocean as a boy, first with his parents and then Illario. He had enjoyed spending time with his parents, far from the dangers he had not known about. Then, when he went with Illario, it was their escape from the pressures of being part of House Dellamorte, a chance to just be Illario and Lucanis. He took off his boots and socks and stepped into the warm water. He could see tiny clams emerging every time the wave rolled over the sand and disappearing back into it just as quickly.
Spite was watching the waves rolling on the shore with fascination. “Why do they do that?”
“What?”
“That.” Spite pointed at the waves.
“I don’t know,” Lucanis said, wiggling his toes as the water barely touched his feet. “Something with the moons.”
“The moons? Hmmm.” Spite did not seem totally satisfied with the answer but returned to watching the waves.
Lucanis lifted his face to the sun and smiled to himself. He never thought he would get to enjoy this again. He did not even mind that his demon was with him. If Spite could be content with watching the waves, then they might be able to do this again. He would like that.
He heard footsteps in the sand, and Rook stood behind with their bag of food. “Taash will be back in a little bit. Do you want something to eat?”
“Is there any fruit?”
He glanced at Rook’s lips as the other man dug through the pack. What happened in the pantry was mostly behind them now, but he still thought about it, almost kissing him, the warm breath that teased his lips, the way Rook’s eyes had closed, the sound of his voice inviting Lucanis closer. He knew stopping was the right choice. He had Spite, and as long as Spite was there, he would be dangerous, but he wished he had forgotten what was right and just tasted the lips that drew his attention so often. However, until he sorted out things with Spite, he could not go there with Rook. It would not be fair to either of them.
“Oranges and apples.”
“I will take an apple.”
Rook gave him the requested apple and then removed his boots and socks. “It is beautiful around here.”
“It is.”
He took a bite of his apple and immediately noticed the gulls watching them from afar. They were not quite as bold as the birds found in Treviso, but they were obviously interested in the food. Rook pulled out a bit of bread, and some cheese to go with it, and gulls took even more notice of that. A few of them hopped closer, hoping to get lucky. Knowing Rook, they would be once he was done. “Want some?”
“Alright.”
Rook split them and gave half to Lucanis. It was pleasant, enjoying the warm afternoon sun and slightly cool sea breeze, watching the surf and the gulls as Rook chatted away, always able to carry a conversation, though Lucanis did his best. The clouds were sparse and fluffy, high above their heads, and he savored the moment he never thought he would get to enjoy again.
Once Rook finished his food, he rolled up his pants and stepped out a little deeper so the water covered his ankles. “Be careful, I don’t want to have to save you from drowning.” Lucanis teased.
Rook snorted, “Even I will be fine in this much.”
Lucanis rolled up his own pants and followed him. “Are you sure about that?”
“Coming out here to make sure I don’t drown?” Rook asked.
Yes, but Rook didn’t need to know that. “Or push you in.”
“I like to see you try.” Rook laughed, probably one of the few people who would genuinely laugh at such a joke from him and kicked water at him. Lucanis raised an eyebrow and retaliated with his own splash of water. They began to kick water at each other, and Lucanis could not help but laugh as well, enjoying seeing Rook so relaxed and happy. It was as if he had gone back to a simpler time with Illario when they used to splash each other in the surf.
“I should throw you in the deep water,” Rook exclaimed when a splash accidentally hit his face.
“Good luck with that!” Lucanis taunted, and then he was being chased by Rook.
It was easy enough to duck and dodge Rook’s attempts to grab him. He was having fun. Who was he to have such fun with a handsome man in the warm Rivaini sun? It was like something out of a romance novel.
“Shit the bag!” Rook suddenly said, running to their forgotten food bag, which had several gulls pecking at it.
“Yes, go away!” Spite called out, pleased as he stood by the bag.
Lucanis smiled as he followed him, helping Rook chase off the gulls. Rook sat down in the warm sand with a sigh and a smile. “Damn birds.”
Lucanis sat down next to him. “In Treviso, they would have stolen the bag.”
“Right?” Rook grinned. “Ah well, we need to dry off anyway.”
In the warm Rivaini sun, it would not take very long. Lucanis closed his eyes and lifted his face to the sun again. In the Crows, the shadows were a friend, the thing that helped with fulfilling contracts. Yet now that he had spent a year in the deep, he savored the sun more than he ever had before. He appreciated the warmth and light it provided. He felt eyes on him, but when he looked over, Rook was looking out at the ocean. It was a few minutes when a familiar voice called to them.
“Back!” Taash said, “Why are you two wet?”
“We went into the water,” Rook said.
Taash smirked, “You are going to regret that later. The salt in that armor will be a pain to remove.”
“It was worth it.” Rook said without looking at him and Lucanis tried not to feel flattered.
“You will see.” Taash said, “You ready to go?”
“You don’t want a break?” Rook asked. There was a part of Lucanis that was reluctant to leave this break from reality, where he got to play in warm, beautiful water with a handsome man, and the biggest struggle they had was gulls trying to steal food. It was paradise, but he knew it was time to return to the real world.
“No, Isabela is waiting.”
“Very well.”
***
Lucanis watched as Rook walked over to him, carefully avoiding the delicate flowers growing around them. Each one felt like a little miracle, beauty in an impossible place. The air around them was sweet, reminding him of Arlathan forest and less of the choking stink he had grown used to of Hossberg. He could never have imagined flowers in Hossberg, but there they were. Of course, he also could not have imagined a demon enjoying flowers, but Spite was examining them, looking pleased.
“They are strong. They destroyed their enemies. They will survive.” That was certainly a way to look at it, but he did not disagree with Spite either. He hoped they did.
“There are flowers in the Hossberg wetlands,” Lucanis commented as Rook sat beside him.
“Amazing little things, aren’t they?” Rook said with a smile.
Lucanis looked at him. “What can’t you do?”
Rook snorted, “Don’t give me all the credit. We did this together.”
They might have done it together, with the help of the Grey Wardens, but Rook was a driving force to make the miracle happen. Lucanis was not sure if even the Inquisitor could have done it. Flowers were returning to the Anderfels. “I suppose.”
“Don’t worry, I am enjoying this win.”
“Good.” They were getting more as time went on, and Rook should be enjoying each and everyone. He earned it with everything he had done.
Assan strolled over to them and flopped down on Rook’s lap as Davrin continued speaking to Evka and Antoine. He rested his head comfortably on Rook’s thigh. Naturally, Rook began to scratch him just behind his ear. “Hey Assan.”
Assan chirped happily and then stretched out his paw and touched Lucanis’s thigh. Lucanis snorted and gave the griffon a scratch as demanded. “You spoil him.”
“Sure, it is just me,” Rook said with a smile.
Lucanis put his hand on Rook’s, who threaded their fingers together. If someone had two them two years ago, he would be sitting among unblighted flowers in the Hossberg wetlands, with a demon smelling them and a spoiled and good nature griffon demanding cuddles while holding hands with a man who he loved and who loved him in return, he would assume they were mad. It felt like something out of a dream, but he never saw himself as creative enough to imagine all of this. It was as though he had fallen into a children’s story where kindness was the norm and good would always triumph in the end. He liked the feeling; he hoped for good things for Rook, Assan, the flowers, and even himself and Davrin.
“Do you want to see wyverns together?” Lucanis asked impulsively.
He regretted the question for a moment, but then Rook laughed, “I was planning on it.”
“You were?”
Rook stroked Assan, not quite looking at him, “If we didn’t find any during our travels, I was thinking after this contract, we could take a little time and go see them if you were interested.”
Rook and Wyverns, he could not imagine a better combination. More than that, it was the possibility of an afterward. He did not know if there would be and would not jinx it, but he liked the idea of Rook still being there after. Of course, the chances of both of them still standing after facing everything were low, but he did not want to spoil the moment. This was a place of flowers, griffons, and good things that should not be. “I like the idea.”
Rook kissed him. “We can talk about it later.”
Promises could not always be kept, but he hoped this one would be. “Alright.”
“I wonder what sort of animals will come.” Antoine asked as Wardens walked closer, “There have been so few here for so long.”
“Well, we already have a pair of crows making a nest over there,” Davrin said with a smirk.
Rook laughed and made a rude gesture in return. “What is the break over?”
“You are the boss,” Davrin said, laughing as the grey wardens walked over to them. “But last I checked, the fight wasn’t done.”
“So responsible,” Rook said.
“We are going to head back,” Evka said. “If you want to stay, that is fine.”
“No, we should probably go to.” Rook moved to stand, but Assan clung to him with a sleepy noise and a flick of his tail.
“Looks like Assan is the boss,” Antoine commented with a smile.
Davrin sighed, “He is spoiled. Assan, let’s go. We will rest later.”
Assan grumbled with another flick of his lion’s tail but got up. Lucanis reached out and helped Rook to his feet. Rook did not let go of his hand, and Lucanis was glad. He was content to allow the magic to continue for a bit longer.
“Let’s get out of here.”
***
Lucanis kicked off his boots with a heavy sigh. When people discussed the great moments of Thedas history, the victory over the blights, the Inquisitor’s defeat of Corypheus, they apparently forgot to mention the bone-crushing exhaustion that followed. Even Spite seemed fatigued as the demon was silent. Still, they were victorious, and their casualties were low. He had to be grateful for that. He was particularly grateful for the private room and bed they found. It would take years for Minrathous to recover, but there were survivors and they would recover and the least they could do now was assist with that. They had worked for most of the day and were finally breaking as a fresh group continued searching through the night.
The room itself looked like a small office that had been repurposed into a bedroom with a desk pushed to one side full of papers that had been scattered about and a decent size mattress resting on the ground. There were no windows which Lucanis was grateful for. Rook did not to spend too much time looking at the now twice devastated city, but there were paintings of merchant ships on the walls and on the desk was a small framed image of a young woman and child that he tried not to think about. He could hear people in the hallway and rooms next door, low talking, crying, moaning, and singing. It was good to hear life.
His attention was drawn by movement, and Lucanis watched as Rook removed his filth-covered clothes and went to a tub of water that was still hot. His exhaustion meant he could do nothing more than admire the view before him. He quickly removed his own disgusting clothes and hurried to Rook’s side. The tub was not big enough for a proper soak, but there was good soap and cleaning clothes, and that was enough for both of them.
Lucanis started washing Rook, carefully scrubbing him and cataloguing all the bumps, bruises, scraps, and cuts he found along the way. He was as careful as he could be, but he was also thorough. He was not going to let Rook be taken down by an infection. He admired the different bits of Rook as he washed. He treasured the fact that each part of him was there, whole and mostly in one piece. Rook was not talking, but that did not mean he was quiet as he sighed at the different touches, hissed when something stung him, and let out little noises of pleasure when Lucanis pressed in just the right way, massaging knots he found. The smell of blood and gore faded and the clean scent of the soap, sandalwood and some sort of nut. It was peaceful and exactly what he needed. He not pictured such a moment and now all he wanted to do is savor it.
“Your turn,” Rook said softly, looking relaxed.
“I can-”
“I want too.” Rook said and Lucanis could not say no to him.
He turned and closed his eyes as he felt Rook began to wash him, taking as much care with his body as Lucanis took with Rook’s. He felt Rook press small kisses once he cleaned a spot, his shoulder blades, his back, his neck, his hair, his chest, his stomach. It felt luxurious and indulgent as he was covered in Rook’s love.
Eventually, Rook wrapped him in his arms, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek and Lucanis leaned back against his chest, relaxed and content. It felt as if he had gone into someone else’s story, where he got most of what he wanted at the end and he was so happy it was almost unfair. Rook whispered in his ear, “If I wasn’t so tired…”
“I feel the same way.” Lucanis whispered back. “Tomorrow.”
Rook kissed his cheek again, “Tomorrow. Let’s go to bed.”
Lucanis helped Rook to his feet. They put on their small-clothes, but neither one felt like spoiling what looked like a mostly clean bed with their filthy clothes. Luckily, many people in Tevinter had some sort of bed bug protection spell, and Lucanis would just have to hope this mattress came from one as well. Rook flopped onto the bed and held open his arms. Lucanis lay down, resting his cheek on Rook’s chest. “Are you going to actually sleep?” Rook whispered.
“Yes.” It had been the thing he wanted most of all, to sleep in Rook’s arms.
“Good, I love you.” Lucanis’s heart squeezed at the simple words. He knew Rook loved him, but hearing the words still felt like a gift he never thought he would receive.
“I love you too.” Lucanis lifted his head and received a sweet peck. He breathed deeply and returned his head to Rook’s chest. He listened to his love’s heartbeat, and by the third one, he was fast asleep.