twoforsurprise | One Short Day In Antiva City

One Short Day In Antiva City

Davrin might have forgotten Lucanis' offer about the tailor, but he had not. Not all of their excursions were for fighting demons or cultists or darkspawn, and eventually Rook was going treasure hunting on the Rivani coast with Taash and Harding. And just them. Quite adamant that only Taash and Harding were needed, in fact.

Andraste preserve them, Rook was apparently becoming interested in matchmaking.

It worked out, though. The timing. Lucanis ever so casually mentions that Davrin promised to assist him in some errands in Antiva and Rook is just so happy they're not at each other's throats that they're told to not take however long they need. Lucanis makes a mental note to pick up something nice for Rook when they're in Antiva City.

Ah, Antiva City. A less beautiful Treviso, Lucanis used to say. That was before the Ossuary, before the occupation, before the blight. Now it's hard to not see everything that's been lost. He doesn't insult Davrin by assuming the man can't keep up with the Crow routes along the rooftops and across ziplines, so much faster than the weaving crowded streets up the hill the city is built on overlooking the harbor the few times they need to duck down to street level.

"Should be right around - ah, there it is," Lucanis declares once they're half way up the hill, the financial district of the city settled between the Palace at the top and the harbor and all the wealth the shipping industry brings. This time when he drops down to the street level it is where they'll stay for the time being, heading to an understated store front with a simple hanging sign that looks like an embroidered rose carved into the wood of it.

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He closed his eyes for a moment, tilting into the feeling of the caress against his cheeks. The sheer incongruency between Lucanis' words and actions was jarring; one telling him to go and the other begging him to stay. He'd do both, of course. He'd get out of this prison with Lucanis at his side. It was just a question of how. Why were they here, when they'd broken all the locks?

Without opening his eyes, Davrin took a moment to take his gauntlets off, the heavy metal falling to the ground. It was the fade, surely he could have willed them away somehow, but it was more solid, grounding, to simply do it himself. Then he brought one naked hand up to rest on the back of Lucanis' neck, gently holding him in place as he pulled back just enough to briefly press his lips against the other man's forehead. He pulled back just enough to speak after, Lucanis no doubt still able to feel every word.

"Mm. You know that's not going to happen. Let's pick a place we'll go first," he lightly moved the thumb on the back of his neck, gently rubbing his spine. "We were in the Lighthouse, remember?"

(( also saw this and lol))

The Lighthouse was a stable part of the Fade, their own little bubble of safety where things mostly worked the way they were supposed to. This, though - this was pure. And like the Fade, things worked on their own weird dream logic. Like they felt they should work. So sure, the gauntlets could have been willed away, but for the two least magical men in the whole Lighthouse, this was easier. Closer to real. Closer to grounding.

Lucanis let out a deep sigh as Davrin's warm palm rested on the back of his neck, as he felt the press of lips against his forehead. Strong calloused fingers against bone so close to the surface, the gentlest caress right where you'd slip a knife for a fast clean kill. Lucanis let his eyes shut.

"Were we? I don't ... I don't remember."

"Mmhm. In the pantry. With your cot."

He was not calling what Lucanis used to sit and drink coffee on a bed. Cot was generous enough. He kept moving his thumb against the back of his neck, very consciously choosing not comparing the Crow's response to how Assan leaned in to attention. 'Born killers' and 'living weapons,' just looking for a soft, safe place to rest. No wonder he was helpless against them both.

"We're going to Treviso to deal with your family. That-" Lucanis could probably feel him frown lightly, as he tried to once more wrestle his own opinions on Caterina down. He decided to refocus onto the Crow lieutenants, people he actually had come to at least respect. "-along with your friends, want you back."

The next exhale shook with held back emotion as Davrin talked. There were only three kinds of people that mattered in Lucanis' world view. Family, enemies, and contracts. Davrin had earned a spot in 'family', but -- he was something more now, too. Something new. It helped Lucanis think, where he might have floundered before.

"... I think I am afraid to leave. That's why I can't get out," Lucanis said, voice a rough whisper against Davrin's jaw. "What if I end up hurting someone? What if I end up hurting you, or Assan?"

"I'll kill you first."

It's not the most romantic sentiment, but it's a true one, at least when it comes to Assan. Davrin would probably let Lucanis and Spite chew him up more than a little before he even tried fighting back at this point. Laying a claw on the griffon was an entirely different matter; but, he had a feeling even Spite would understand the problem with crossing that line.

He pulled back enough to focus on Lucanis' face and used his other hand to try and tip his chin up to meet his eyes. He was serious as the grave- as serious as he'd been when he took his oath.

"But it won't come to that. Because you can do this. You and Spite, you can figure something out. You've got this, and I've got you."

((had to quote the hot mess express from BG3 in this. obviously))

Maybe not the most romantic sentiment - but it's what Lucanis needs to hear. And in a way, that's romantic for him. It's different than Davrin's threats at the beginning. Lucanis would rather die than hurt either of them. Maybe it shows in his own face as he tilts his chin up at Davrin's directing, looking into his eyes. For the first time in a long time, it feels like the future has some hope in it, with Davrin believing in him. The man was too certain to put his faith in anything that wasn't real.

"...I think I'm ready to leave now."

And that was all it took. They were back in the pantry, Lucanis standing a short distance away, Spite -well, still there, but no longer visible as Lucanis paused and looked around.

"How long-?" but he saw his cup of coffee he'd made a little before Davrin came in, and the steam was still coming off of it. Not enough for it to cool significantly.

Davrin had been about to hold back, focus on getting out. He didn't want to remember it happening in the Fade version of a Venatori dungeon, where in the wrong angle of light he could still see bruises on the Crow's wrists and ankles. He'd been ready to let it go and wait.

But they were back in the Lighthouse. In Lucanis' (practical, but still in his opinion a little insane) hideaway behind the kitchen where everything smelled like coffee and herbs. This place was fine for it.

He should have probably checked that Lucanis wasn't in a hair-trigger mood, ready to stop Davrin's progress without thinking, but he was already in too much of a forward momentum. Assuming no grappling or sudden appearance of knives, he ignored the question and closed the few steps between them to return his hand to the back of Lucanis' neck and hold him in place for a firm, but relatively chaste, kiss.

Not in a hair trigger mood. A little disoriented - now made that much more so with the sudden approach and hand on his neck again and - oh - oh. His question about what Davrin was doing dies on his lips, lips now pressed to Davrin's, no chance to second guess himself or talk himself out of it.

And the world doesn't end. Spite doesn't jump out to stab anyone. Nothing awful happens. It's just a kiss. Simple and sweet and Lucanis is stunned for only a moment before he's returning it, his own hands going around Davrin's waist.

Spite and him need to hash things out more, but - Spite lets him have this, and stays quiet.

Davrin appreciates Spite's generosity in letting the two mortals involved end the kiss on their own terms rather than a spirit interrupting. Davrin stands close for a long moment after, just as he had in the prison, hand on the back of Lucanis' neck and foreheads lightly pressed together.

"The Fade here is disturbing enough. Let's not do that again."

Lucanis was not touched often in ways that were not violent. Not for a long time. If he'd been asked a day ago he would have thought without question a hand on his neck would have set him off, too much training to ever be comfortable with it. He doesn't want Davrin to ever stop touching him there, now. It's comforting. Anchoring. Lucanis feels like he can breathe.

"I apologize. I - suppose I am not entirely 'over' my time in the Ossuary and what happened to me there, as I had previously thought."

He exhales, soft, a breath against Davrin's lips.

"... Thank you for showing me a way out. I suppose I owe Spite some gratitude for dragging you in as well."

"You didn't do anything to be sorry for. All that- it's on them."

Zara, Illario, the Venatori in general, the Crows for existing to begin with- them encompassed so very much. Davrin wasn't sure which to blame more, but he was sure Lucanis wasn't at fault for any of it. Not for what had happened to him for the last year, not for what they'd just been through.

"You went from that hell to fighting gods. 'Getting over' anything wasn't ever an option."

He wasn't sure the little time that Rook could allow them to sort themselves out would be anywhere enough time to start that getting over, either- anymore than Davrin just focusing on the griffons could count as getting over his entire training to slay an archdemon being for nothing. But lingering on that wasn't something he wanted, here and now. When things were just nice, here in the little pantry closed off from the rest of existence.

"At least we know what Spite was yelling about now."

Lucanis was not sure he was ready to say none of it was his fault. If it was his fault, it was within his control, and he had far more power over the situation. But it was a sweet thought, and coming from Davrin it meant a lot to him. Getting over their issues would definitely take more time than they had, but...

This was a start. A step forward. One made with good company. He only hoped that someday he could help Davrin even a fraction of the same way, if the other man ever needed that kind of help.

"Ah, Andraste, yes we do. I thought - it doesn't matter what I thought he meant."

That last part gets a slightly wry smile. It seems silly now regardless. Especially when there's something else he wants to think about more.

"... May I kiss you again?"

A grin spread over his face without him meaning it to. That wasn't what he'd been expecting, had figured it would be...something. Hard, dark talk. Blight and revenge and everything else they were buried in their necks up to. That, though? It shook wondering what Lucanis had thought Spite meant right out of his head. Davrin supposed it was a good thing Lucanis had his hands on his waist and not his neck or chest, because he certainly would have felt the way Davrin's pulse sped up.

"We already agreed on the hunt. You don't have to ask."

Lucanis had just as much right to turn Davrin into the prey, after all. Two predators willingly circling one another.

That grin speeds up Lucanis' pulse. They have things they need to do - he needs the coffee, needs to meet with the other Crows to make plans, but - he needs another kiss from Davrin, first.

Needs this precious moment to last as long as it can.

He hasn't pursued anyone like this. Never had this kind of hunt. It's easier with Davrin having crossed that threshold first. Lucanis knows he'd have probably chickened out of a kiss otherwise. Lost his nerve, consumed with the doubts of someone he cared about having seen him in such a state, being such a failure. Would have over-thought every step and been lucky if whoever caught his eye didn't get bored waiting.

... was doing it even now, apparently.

"Don't be so smug, Orsacchiotto."

Except there's nothing but fondness in his voice before he presses another kiss to Davrin's lips, a little less chaste.

Orsacchiotto. For all he knew, Lucanis had called him a stubborn ass, but it still made something twist pleasantly in his chest. Davrin had had lovers before, as a young Dalish with dreams of the world and with other Wardens when time and temperament allowed. But other than the usual terms of temporary endearment, he'd never had a pet name. There was something appealingly claiming about it, like teeth on his neck.

His free hand wandered up to Lucanis' hair, threading into the soft strands (had it really been so short once, that Lucanis Spite had taken in the fade?) as he broke the kiss just long enough to ask (and it sounded so different without the accented purr that Lucanis spoke with)-

"Orsacchiotto?"

-before returning for another kiss, gently tracing his lower tip with the tip of his tongue.

The fingers in his hair, the swipe of tongue against his bottom lip - a sudden heat pooled low in Lucanis' stomach that was almost entirely unfamiliar to him but felt like a strike with the need that it brought with it. His cot could barely hold the one, but there was a clear patch of wall right behind them and just two steps to push Davrin back against it.

He had always scoffed at his cousin's seduction, but now he was starting to realize the level of self-control that needed to be necessary to stop kissing someone once you started. Or maybe it was just Davrin that was so addicting.

"Orsacchiotto," he repeated, a little bit embarrassed that it had slipped out but determined to go forward with it now that it had. He let go of Davrin's waist to reach up to trace the scar over his eye again, like he had in the bath, right before they agreed to this hunt.

"Big bear."

Also like then, Davrin tilted his head towards the touch, smile going soft around the edges despite the heat going through him at the new position. Sweet. Davrin had joined this little group ready to hunt monsters, Spite included, and what he'd caught instead was a touchingly sweet Crow. That also apparently knew what he wanted as he maneuvered the elf against the wall, a position Davrin was more than happy to accommodate. Anywhere Lucanis wanted, he was willing to be.

"I'd always heard all Antivans were hopeless romantics at heart."

Lucanis was pretty sure if he tried to move them to his cot Davrin might protest - if not Davrin than the cot itself, given it barely held Lucanis and Davrin was both taller and broader. His heart lurched again the way Davrin moved toward that careful caress.

"Ah, who is giving all our secrets away, then?"

His lips trailed along Davrin's mouth, his jaw - how would the skin of his neck taste against Lucanis' mouth, he wondered? He wanted to find out...

Davrin was more than willing- eager, even- to let Lucanis find that out, tilting his head back accordingly. He slid the hand at the back of the Crow's neck down, along his spine, to gently pull at the bottom edge of his vest-

When he heard the unmistakable sound of swiftly moving boots echoing across the dining area behind them. No wonder Lucanis liked this spot, it would take a true master of stealth to make it to the pantry door undetected. And meant the man had to be woken up every time someone stopped in for a midnight snack. Next time, he was carrying the man to his room...

But for now? While his fingers loosened their grip on Lucanis' hair and he left the vest where it was, Davrin let the other man decide just how fast- if at all- they'd pull apart. Some people in the Lighthouse could use a lesson about knocking, anyway- especially if those certain people were going to keep playing matchmaker among their party.

Lucanis was sorely tempted with the same idea - helping to teach Rook a lesson about knocking, to see how much effort it would take to leave a mark on the tender skin of Davrin's throat - but he was too private (shy even) a person to go through with it. Especially without consulting with Davrin first. So he let out a heavy sigh and eased back - not fully, but enough to maintain some dignity while also being very clear to Rook that should knock. A good middle ground.

So of course when the door was pushed open with a "Hey, Lucani- oh!"

Spite decided to take advantage of Lucanis' lax hold, eyes flashing as he turned to grow at Rook.

"Interrupting!"

Davrin was going to be very smooth about it all- really. Maybe even stay to hear the plans for going to Treviso, because obviously he was going, too. But then Spite slipped in, seemingly more than ever channeling Lucanis' (and Davrin's) inner thoughts without a moment of pause or acknowledgment that, yes, there were world ending issues they needed to take care of.

That broke him.

Davrin, head already tilted back against the wall, let out loud laugh. Gods, after everything before the kiss? It felt good, better than he'd expected, to be able to do that. Still grinning, he decided he'd be briefed on the plan later. He wanted to keep this feeling of lightness and heat, of remembering lips almost on his neck, for a while longer.

He slipped out of his loose hold against the wall, pressing a kiss against Lucanis/Spite's temple on the way by. He offered a half smirk to Rook as he walked by, not waiting for a reply as he tossed out:

"Doors, Rook. They close for a reason."

((feel free to add an ending post or not! Going over to start the tea drinking date now))

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One Short Day In Antiva City

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lol spite is oddly one of the most open minded of them all

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Beautiful <3

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I feel someone needs to walk in on them soon lol

Countdown to Rook helpfully coming to get Lucanis to go to Treviso in 5, 4, 3... XD

Rook: the best/worst wingman

Spite takes a close second.

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