Work Text:
The sky over Terviso slowly turned a gorgeous mix of gold, red, and pink hues as the light from the sun disappeared behind the mountain range. The night would soon overtake the sky with the moon and stars. Even so, the city was still bustling with life, especially around the markets and cafes. Rook smiled softly as a pair of children ran past him, kicking a ball between them--probably heading home before their parents grew worried. He was glad to see the people of his city doing so well, even with the Antaam occupation and dragon attack.
Rook frowned at the thought as worry set in about his home and mother. It felt ridiculous to worry about her. He knew Viago had been looking after her this whole time, just like he promised before sending Rook away. Viago was many things, but he wasn’t someone to break a promise--especially when it came to the safety of those in his House. Besides, he would have told Rook if something had happened…
“So where are we headed, exactly?”
The sound of Davrin’s voice jolted the mage out of his worry-filled thoughts. Quickly, Rook put on a grin and turned on the heel of his foot, walking backward as he talked with his traveling companions.
“I need to stop by home to check in before we head back,” Rook explained, stepping around a set of barrels without looking.
“Worried spouse?” the Warden teased. Rook knew he was joking but wasn’t sure the teasing was directed towards him. Especially when Lucanis gave Davrin a slow side-eyed glare, and Davrin just grinned wider. It was no secret to the rest of the team that Rook and Lucanis had been dancing around each other flirtatiously from the moment the Demon of Vyrantium set foot in the Lighthouse. They all subtly mentioned it, teasing them gently but never pushing the issue. Even with that bloody bet on if they got together-
“ When you two get together, not if .”
Rook mentally sighed as Neve’s words rang in his head. She had better take him to a nice fish dinner if she won because Rook had a feeling the detective was watching them far more closely since he had gone to her to vent about that night a few weeks ago.
“Worried Mother, actually,” the mage corrected with a soft chuckle and grin, “She likes to make sure I’m alright after a contract…and while this contract isn’t done, I want to let her know she has nothing to worry about…and I also wanted to check in on her after everything that’s happened in the city.”
“That’s sweet of you,” Lucanis said softly.
Rook felt his ears heat up at that and pointedly ignored the knowing look Davrin gave them both.
“This might take a while, so if you both want to head off to the market or back to the Lighthouse, you’re more than welcome to,” the mage offered.
A glance was exchanged between the Warden and the Crow, and they appeared to silently agree upon something as they both looked back at Rook.
“I think we’re both fine following you home,” his fellow assassin said, a crooked grin curling his lips, “Someone has to keep you out of trouble.”
“Please,” Rook laughed as he turned back around, “I don’t get in that much trouble, thank you very much.”
“Only every other day,” Davrin teased again, “Right, Lucanis?”
“More like every other hour, Davrin,” the Crow quipped with a smirk.
“Har, har, you both are hilarious,” Rook said, rolling his eyes.
“Damn straight we are,” Davrin laughed.
“Yeah, a real couple of jesters,” Rook scoffed. He stopped in front of a small, two-story home nestled amongst others along one of the city’s many canals. A sigh of relief escaped the mage. ‘ Thank the Maker, it was untouched, ’ he thought. That’s at least one worry abated. Unlatching the wrought iron gate, he looked over his shoulder and grinned. “Here we are. Home sweet home.”
“This is on the de Riva estate,” Lucanis observed, looking around where they were.
“It is,” the mage confirmed, looking back at them once he opened the gate, “Last chance to bail now. I warn you, you’ll probably not leave this house without at least a pound of baked goods in your stomach if my mother has anything to say about it.”
“That’s not a deterrent,” Davrin laughed as the rogue nodded in agreement.
“Alright, don’t say I didn’t warn you, though,” Rook snickered, heading towards the front door. As he opened it and stepped inside, he called out, “I’m home! Is anyone around?”
A loud bang of a pan being dropped rang out from down the hall, followed shortly by the running of bare feet on polished wood flooring. Just as the sound grew closer, a middle-aged elven woman rounded the corner, wide green eyes growing wider as they landed on him. Instantly, a brilliant smile crossed her face, wrinkling the dark blue vallaslin around her eyes and mouth.
“Oh, my sweet da’gaa ,” she said as she closed the distance and hugged him tightly. Rook laughed lightly and hugged her back, face buried in her dark brown hair as he kissed the top of her head. “I’m so happy to see you safe and sound, I’ve been worried sick! Viago has told me what you’ve been up to--chasing two blighted gods, and you went up against that dragon. Twice! ”
“Of course he did,” Rook sighed, taking a step back from her. He smiled down at her reassuringly. “There’s no need to worry, mamae , I promise.”
“I’d have a better time believing you, ma da’gaa , if you didn’t always get yourself into trouble right after saying that,” his mother sighed, holding her hand against her cheek.
There was a snort and soft snicker from behind him. Rook turned and glared at his companions, who appeared ready to burst out laughing.
“Oh shush, the both of you,” he growled.
“You brought guests!” his mother exclaimed in delight. Her excitement softened his glare and brought a smile to Rook’s face—she always loved playing hostess, especially to new people.
“ Mamae , allow me to introduce two of my companions, Lucanis Dellamorte and Davrin of the Grey Wardens,” Rook said, stepping out of the way for them. “Davrin and Lucanis, this is my mother, Mihnna.”
“ Savhalla , ma’am,” Davrin greeted her with a smile.
“A true pleasure to meet you, Señora Mihnna,” Lucanis said with a small bow.
“Oh, what polite young men they are!” his mother gushed, hand back on her cheek. However, the moment she turned toward Rook with a wickedly playful glint in her emerald eyes, he knew he was in a world of trouble. “Why, Kai, when I said you needed to bring home a handsome man from your adventures, I didn’t think you’d bring home two .”
The assassin mage just closed his eyes as his cheeks and ears turned red, letting out a long, tired sigh. “Marker, help me…I should have seen that one coming...”
Mihnna giggled behind a fist before reaching up to pat his cheek gently. Rook let out another tired sigh before a soft chuckle escaped him. He smiled at her momentarily, then looked back into the house.
“Is it just you here?” he asked, “Viago didn’t mention-”
“It’s just me,” Mihnna replied with a small smile, although it didn’t quite reach her eyes. Rook felt worry worm its way back in, but he stamped it down quickly. From his peripheral, he saw his friends glance at each other in bemusement.
His mother patted his cheek one more time before walking back the way she came. “Could you show your handsome companions to the patio? I’ll bring out some snacks for us all.”
“Of course! Oh, and I’ll need more of that tea blend,” he called out after her before addressing the other two. The elven mage stopped when he saw Davrin’s shite eatting grin. “What?”
“So…” Davirn started, voice teasing.
“Don’t…” Rook cut him off, already knowing where this was going, “Don’t even start…”
“She thinks we’re handsome,” the Warden finished, sounding very smug as he looked at Lucanis.
“Clearly, she has an eye for class and taste,” the assassin remarked, smirking.
“Can’t argue with you there,” Davrin snickered.
“Ugh.” Rook rolled his eyes. He was never going to hear the end of this; he just knew it. Grumbling quietly to himself about nosy mothers and love lives, he motioned his friends to follow. “This way, you damn bastardos .”
He led them through the house until they reached the outdoor patio, which overlooked a lush garden and a view of the canal.
“What a beautiful garden,” Lucanis praised as he scanned the area, taking a seat at the small round table next to it.
Rook smiled softly at that as he glanced over at his fellow Crow, pleased by the compliment and approval. Once his friends were settled at the table, he took a seat between them.
“My mother worked hard at getting it just right. Some of those blooms were stubborn as the void, but she kept at them until they blossomed,” he said, smiling out at his mother’s work. “It’s her pride and joy.”
“Second only to you, ma da’gaa ,” Mihnna said as she came out from the kitchen entrance, a large tray in hand with an assortment of pastries.
Rook grinned at the surprised looks on both his companion’s faces. “I warned you both that you weren’t getting out of here without a stomach full of baked goods.”
“Come now, I’m not that bad. Besides, what kind of host would I be if I didn’t provide something to eat?” his mother laughed lightly and gently smacked his arm. “And it’s not like I tie guests down and force them to eat my baking.”
“Tell that to Viago,” Rook snickered, reaching for his second favorite treat from the tray--a brownie with salted caramel swirls, “I’m still hearing him grip about gaining weight after each visit. Then he pouts when Teia reminds him he could just stop coming by so often if he was concerned about his figure.”
That pulled a deep chuckle from Lucanis, who added, “He’ll never admit to that sweet tooth of his.”
“I’m pretty sure he’d drink his own poisons before doing so,” Rook cackled.
“He does seem to love the cookies…and danishes…and muffins,” Mihnna giggled before looking at all three men and asking, “I’ll go make us some tea. How would you all like it prepared?”
He saw Lucanis make a face at the word tea from the corner of his eye, but the older assassin didn’t say anything. Rook smiled a little as he looked up at his mother. “ Mamae …”
“I know, I know…cioccolata calda for you,” she sighed, shaking her head. “At least you never acquired your father’s taste for coffee...”
“I’m surprised I didn’t pick it up from Viago since he’s addicted as well,” Rook chuckled deeply before looking over at Lucanis with a grin, “It’s apparently a Crow thing I failed to learn.”
“Chocolate’s good, but coffee is better,” Lucanis remarked, calling back to their first coffee together--which certainly didn’t put a stupid grin on Rook’s face. Not at all.
“Uh huh,” the younger Crow laughed, nudging the rogue’s boot with his own. His stupid grin widened when Lucanis nudged his boot back.
Mihnna glanced between the two of them, brow raised. She shook her head, a soft smile on her lips. “Well, if you want your cioccolata calda, you’ll need to help me prepare it and your friend’s coffee. What will you be having, Davrin?”
“Tea for me, please,” Davrin said with a low chuckle, “With honey and lemon if you have it.”
“Of course,” she said, delighted. Turning, she walked back toward the small kitchen entrance.
“Try not to eat all the pastries before we return,” Rook teased the two other men as he stood from his spot to follow his mother.
“No promises,” Darvin grinned, going in for a second danish.
“Spite is already asking to try one of each,” Lucanis sighed, shaking his head. “But I’ll try.”
Rook laughed at that as he stepped inside, heading over to the brewer. He could feel his mother’s eyes on him the moment he was past the threshold. With a soft sigh, he said, “Go on, out with it.”
“I wasn’t going to say anything,” Mihnna chuckled as she worked on the tea.
“Uh-huh. You’re just giving me that look for no reason whatsoever,” Rook stated, looking over at her with a look of his own that read that he wasn’t buying any of her shit.
“What look,” she replied with all the innocence of a child getting caught with their hand in the cookie jar.
“That one you get whenever I show any interest in a man,” he snorted, adding the coffee grounds to the brewer.
“So you’re saying you have an interest in him?” his mother asked gleefully. “The young Dellamorte boy?”
Rook felt his ears turn red--damn those pointy bastards--as he sighed.
“More than an interest,” he admitted, wincing a little when she squealed, “But it’s…complicated.”
“Because of the possession?” she asked.
He wasn’t even surprised she noticed Spite. His mother was an experienced mage in her own right and studied further into the knowledge of spirits and demons after what happened to his Da. Rook had never done so himself--mostly due to his fear--but after speaking with Emmrich at length, he realized Spite was more than just a malevolent demon. He wondered if his mother realized that, too since she wasn’t worrying about him having an interest in the older man.
Rubbing the back of his neck, Rook nodded.
“Spite’s part of that complication… he’s alright for a demon--he sounds a little unhinged, but Spite’s friendly enough if he likes you,” he replied, finishing up setting everything for the coffee. He then started on the cioccolata calda. “It’s more than just the possession, though…”
He explained to his mother what happened in the Ossuary, how Lucanis and Spite came to be stuck with one another, the year they spent there, and their confrontation with the Venatori witch. By the time he finished, Mihnna looked like an angry mama bear, and he wouldn’t be surprised if she tried to kill Illario herself.
“That poor man,” she murmured, adding lemon and honey to Davrin’s tea.
“Yeah,” Rook said softly, setting up a serving tray for the drinks and placing both his and Lucanis’ on it. “He’s still working through a lot of that trauma…hence the ‘complicated’ part.”
She nodded and placed the tea on the tray before reaching out and lightly squeezing his arm. He gave her a soft smile and picked up the tray, following her out…and almost proceeded to run right into her when she stopped suddenly past the threshold. It took all his Crow reflexes not to spill the drinks on her. Holding up the tray, he looked down at his mother in confusion.
“What-”
“Is that a griffon!? A real griffon!?” Mihnna asked excitedly.
Rook looked up toward the patio table; sure enough, one wiggly griffon cub was squawking at his ‘Dad’ for treats. Davrin looked both amused and annoyed as Assan rubbed his face against the Warden’s thigh. Lucanis, on the other hand, was grinning behind a fist, trying not to laugh.
“Ah, I see Assan decided to grace us with his presence,” Rook commented with a deep chuckle. His mother practically squealed in delight as she b-lined to the feathery menace. Making his way over as well, Rook started to pass out the drinks as she fawned over a rather excited Assan.
“You said his name is Assan? Oh, what a princely name,” Mihnna cooed at the griffon cub, smooching his face between her hands and scratching behind his ears. Assan’s eyes went squinty as he started to purr loudly for her. She giggled in delight as she said, “A princely name for a handsome prince.”
“Well,” Rook chuckled, “Someone’s going to be spoiled by the time we leave…”
Davrin sighed into his cup, shaking his head. “Like he needs to be spoiled further.”
“Only a little bit, I promise,” his mother chuckled, giving the Assan one more good scratch before taking her seat. The griffon instantly placed his head in her lap, purring and chirping for more scratches. Mihnna smiled and started to scratch him again as she took a sip of her tea. Looking up at her son, she asked, “So, tell me all you’ve been up to since you left.”
“I thought Viago already told you,” Rook replied, finishing his brownie.
“He did, but you know him…”
“He called me an idiota with every other breath, didn’t he?” Rook laughed. When his mother just grinned at him, Rook shook his head--a fond smile gracing his lips. Taking one long gulp of his cioccolata calda, Rook delved into what they’d been doing thus far. He kept much of it brief because he knew it would worry her more than she needed. Davrin, Lucanis, and Assan added some commentary occasionally but mostly let Rook do the storytelling. Maker, he wished he could have dragged Varric there; he was a far better storyteller…plus he knew his mother would love the old dwarf.
After he was finished, his mother sighed heavily, “I’m not sure if that makes me feel better…or more worried.”
“ Mamae ,” Rook laughed softly, “I’ll be fine, I promise.”
“I know, I know… you’re too much like your father--stubborn, tenacious, and a good man,” she sighed again, placing a hand on her cheek.
Rook ducked his head hearing that, a soft smile on his lips. Worry wormed in again at the mention of his father, but he refused to let it show, knowing it would worry her further.
“Well, he did raise and train me, after all,” he chuckled, looking up at her with a lopsided grin.
Mihnna looked like she was about to comment when Assan let out the biggest yawn in her lap. She laughed and scratched behind an ear, “I think someone is ready for bed.”
Rook chuckled again, looking at both of his companions. “We probably should head back to the Lighthouse…”
“Let me pack up some cookies for you to take to the rest of your friends,” his mother said, gathering up the empty trays and cups. She shooed them away when any of them tried to help. “You’re my guests…I will not have you doing dishes.”
Both Davrin and Lucanis looked ready to argue, but Rook’s snicker cut them off. “Take it from me…you want to listen to her.”
That got him a look from his mother before she shook her head with a soft smile and headed toward the kitchen. Despite being a sleepy little bird, Assan bounded into the kitchen, squawking happily--clearly looking for more treats.
“Little brat,” Davrin sighed, getting up and following after him to keep his feathery son out of trouble.
Rook chuckled and leaned back in his chair, arms stretching high over his head. He let out a soft grunt as something popped in his shoulder.
“Are you alright?” Lucanis asked, startling Rook.
“Sorry, what?” he responded, looking at the older Crow as he lowered his arms.
“Are you alright?” Lucanis repeated, eyes soft as he looked at Rook. “Ever since you asked if your mother was here alone… you’ve had more worry radiating off of you.”
“Oh? Have I now?”
“Well, that’s what Spite says,” Lucanis admitted sheepishly.
“Ah,” Rook chuckled, his eyes falling to the table with a sad smile, “It’s my father…he was sent on contract several months ago. A few months after that, they stopped receiving messages from him...”
“And that’s unusual for him…” the older Crow murmured, connecting the dots.
“It is. Viago’s been trying to look into when he can…but with the occupation, it’s been difficult,” Rook sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “It doesn’t help that he was sent to Minrathous either…”
From the corner of his eyes, he saw Lucanis still for a moment.
“Ah…” the older man murmured, “If he’s in Minrathous, then you could always ask-”
“No,” Rook cut him off, knowing what he was about to suggest.
“Kai…” Lucanis frowned, reaching out to touch Rook’s arm.
“Neve already has enough on her plate…” Rook didn’t pull away from Lucanis’ touch, but he shook his head, “She doesn’t need me of all people to add on to it, especially since I only got back on good terms with her a few months ago…”
“Kai, she doesn’t-”
“I chose to save my home, Lucanis…and doomed her home and her friends in the process,” Rook interrupted. He closed his eyes against the memory of the Tevinter mage and the angry and disappointed look she gave him as he arrived too late to help Minrathos. Between that and the distrustful look she gave him when Rook asked if he could help her with the missing Threads…he wasn’t sure which was worse. Opening his eyes, he looked up at Lucanis. “She’s more than aware of that…Just…leave it be.”
Frustration danced across Lucanis’ face before he sighed, eyes closing as his lips went thin. He appeared to want to say more but apparently thought better of it as he replied with a stern, “Fine.”
Thankfully, the uncomfortable silence that fell over them broke quickly as Assan came bouncing back to the patio. Rook plastered on a grin just as his mother and Davrin came out as well. He got up from his chair and moved over to them.
“So…how many more treats did the feathery menace manage to get?” he asked, reaching down to scratch behind Assan’s ear.
“Too many,” Davrin replied grumpily.
“Only two,” Mihnna laughed as she exited with two wrapped-up boxes--one large and one medium-sized--and a small tea tin nestled on top. She paused for a moment, looking from her son to the other assassin, a dark brown brow raising slightly.
Before she could say anything, Rook asked, “Who’s the second box for?”
“Oh, I figured since you were going to pass through the casino, you could drop off some to Viago and Teia,” she replied, holding both boxes out to him. She gave him a questioning look as he took them, glancing at Lucanis. Rook shook his head slightly and muttered in elven that it was nothing. Mihnna didn’t look convinced but did not say anything.
“Thanks, the rest of the team will love these,” he said with a grin, taking the tea tin and placing it in his pack. Rook then laughed when Assan started to look up at him with the biggest griffon eyes. “Nuh-uh, you had your treats; these are for the others.”
Assan let out a sad squawk.
“If you’re nice, maybe they’d be willing to share…but not before,” Rook soothed before laughing again as the griffon cub bounded towards the door and looked at them expectantly.
“That griffon is far too smart for his own good,” Davrin sighed, rubbing his temple.
Mihnna giggled before looking up at her son with a soft smile. Hugging him around the waist, she said, “Take care of yourself, ma da’gaa .”
“I will, mamae ,” Rook replied, leaning over to give her a kiss on the top of her head. “I promise.”
“I will hold you to that,” his mother playfully threatened, tugging on the ponytail over his shoulder. “Or I’m shaving off the rest of your hair so both sides of your head match.”
Rook gasped in over-exaggerated shock. “You wouldn’t!”
“Try me,” Mihna laughed as walked them to the front door.
Rook gave her one more kiss on the top of her head as they bid her a final farewell.
The small group then started to make their way back to the casino, walking through the lamp-lit streets and passing past several lively homes before they finally reached the market. Even with it being so late at night, people were still shopping and mingling. Rook always swore the markets were busier at night than during the day.
Soon, they were at the door of the Diamond, so to speak. Thankfully, getting across the zipline with the boxes wasn’t too much of a hassle; the Crows had set up a basket contraption for such scenarios…well, maybe not for cookie deliveries. Once they were on the other side and in the casino’s rafters, Rook handed the larger box to Davrin. He knew the Warden wouldn’t cave to Assan’s griffon eyes.
Making his way over to Viago and Teia, he overheard them ‘subtly’ flirting again--he was not the least bit surprised.
“Teia, Viago, how are you this evening?” Rook grinned as he interrupted whatever Viago was about to say to the Seventh Talon. The older man glared daggers at him, which only caused Rook to grin wider.
“Rook, good evening. I heard you were in town,” Teia said pleasantly. She glanced down at the box in his hand, “Picking up supplies?”
“Checking in on my mother, actually,” the mage assassin chuckled.
“You’re such a sweetheart,” Teia commented with a small smirk. Rook couldn’t help but wonder if she said it because she actually meant it or because it annoyed Viago. The way the Fifth Talon’s glare intensified as one eye twitch made him think the latter was true, at the very least.
“I try,” he laughed, holding out the box to her. “Speaking of sweet, she sent some cookies for you and Viago.”
His Talon’s glare lessened upon hearing that, eyes now fixated on the box.
“Of course, if Viago’s still worried about his figure…you could always share these with the fledglings instead,” Rook suggested, laughing when the older de Riva snatched the box out of his hands. “Or not.”
Teia chuckled behind her fist.
“I’ll be sure to go thank Mihnna,” Viago said softly, setting the box on a nearby table. “I was planning on visiting later this week anyway.”
“She’ll appreciate that, I think she’s gotten lonely since…” Rook cut himself off and looked away, trying to keep his smiling mask in place. From the corner of his eye, he saw Viago frown. Teia also has a similar expression when he finally looked back, and Rook swore he felt Lucanis’ eyes on him, even with the older Crow being across the room. “...Thank you for looking out for my mother, Viago, I appreciate it.”
“Kai,” Viago started, reaching to place a hand on Rook’s shoulder.
“I’m fine…really,” Rook assured him, placing a hand on Viago’s forearm, “It’s the reality of our work sometimes…”
The Fifth Talon’s lips went thin for a moment before he squeezed his shoulder. “That doesn’t mean we have to accept it…I should be able to pull a few Crows away soon to start a search.”
“You don’t-”
“We were planning on sending some Crows with supplies for the Shadow Dragons anyway,” Teia interrupted, giving Rook a look. “Having them search for Antonio will be no issue.”
Rook closed his eyes and sighed, nodding--there was no arguing with the Seventh Talon, he knew from experience. He didn’t understand it. Why Rook felt so guilty having others look into his father’s disappearance. The only thing he could think of was that it felt selfish, especially in the face of everything that was going on. He pushed those thoughts aside as he bid the two Talons farewell before rejoining his companions.
“Come on, let’s get those cookies home before Assan burns a hole in us all with those baby griffon eyes,” Rook chuckled, taking back the box.
He saw Davrin and Lucanis give each other a look before they both nodded in agreement. It was apparent that they both knew something was wrong, he just hoped they didn’t ask--or ask again, in Lucanis’ case--because he wasn’t in the mood to talk about it.
Thankfully, they did not.
Instead, they bantered back and forth about more horrible jobs/contracts they’ve had. This time, Rook didn’t participate, but listening to them was a nice distraction and made the journey through the Crossroads easier. Once they reached the Lighthouse, Rook went to the dining hall to place the cookies there.
Before he entered the building, he gave the griffon following him a stern look. “Don’t even think about it. If I hear you’ve been into these--especially before anyone else can have them--both my mother and I will be upset with you.”
Assan gave him a sad squawk, both his ears flat against his head. Despite this, it seemed he understood. He squawked one more time before flying up to Davrin’s room. Rook chuckled and entered the hall.
He looked between the small kitchen area and the table, trying to decide the best place to set them.
“I’d put them on the table,” Lucanis spoke up behind him.
Rook let out a soft yelp of surprise before turning to glare at the older Crow, whacking him in the shoulder. “Would you stop doing that!?”
“Doing what? Following behind you normally?” Lucanis asked, giving him an amused look as he passed him and headed for the drink station, “You’re lucky Viago isn’t here…”
“Yeah, I’d never hear the end of it,” Rook sighed, placing the cookies on the table. He glanced over at the other man before speaking up, “Lucanis…I… I’m sorry for being short with you earlier…”
“When have you ever been short with me?” Lucanis asked, and Rook almost responded until the older man added, “I’ve always been shorter than you.”
It took Rook a second to connect the dots before he burst out laughing, leaning against the table.
“Oh, you bastardo,” he managed to get out through his laughter, “That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”
Lucanis gave him a soft grin and shrugged before saying, “I do, but I also don’t need an apology. I shouldn’t have pushed.”
“You didn’t push,” Rook replied, laughter finally dying down to a soft chuckle, “I’m being stubborn.”
“Pot, kettle,” the older Crow reminded him gently, moving closer once the coffee started to brew.
“Right… we’re both stubborn,” Rook chuckled.
Lucanis leaned against the table next to him, dark brown eyes searching for a moment. He reached out and tentatively tucked some of Rook’s hair behind his ear, fingers lightly grazing the shell. Rook’s eyes fluttered at the contact. Maker, was he really that touch-starved?
“Mierda, you’re beautiful,” Lucanis murmured.
Rook felt his whole face heat up at the compliment.
“I-I…um…” he cleared his throat, unable to get words out. Andrate’s tits, they’ve been ‘flirting’ for how long now, and a simple compliment is what does him in? Did Lucanis even realize what he said?
“Are you alright?” Lucanis asked in concern, completely oblivious.
Well, that answered one question.
Rook took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
“Yeah, just fine,” he replied, reaching up to rub the bridge of his nose, “Although, I think I need to head to bed…been having a few rough nights.”
Lucanis still looked concerned but seemed to accept Rook’s answer.
“Alright, if you say so…” he said, taking a step back. “Have a good evening, Kai. Sleep well.”
Rook gave him a soft smile. “You too, Lucanis.”
With that, he made his way out of the dining hall, letting out a long, shaky breath once he was. Not even five steps from the building, he heard a muffled shout.
“MIERDA! I SAID WHAT TO HIM!?”
Followed by the cackle of an amused Spite demon.