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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"You- ha."

He ducked his head a little, avoiding those eyes. He couldn't truly hide from the other man, but still deflecting something as he gathered his thoughts. It was a hard thing to voice, how he'd given up what he was meant to be to his clan. Not a First, with his lack of magical talent. But as a provider, someone that kept the family alive. He'd needed more, so he'd left, but that intrinsic role he'd been raised for? He'd managed the role as a Warden, as a body guard and protector. But there was something feral about the offer to provide that he was shy to admit.

So he glanced up as Assan and flying above and refused to fully acknowledge the feeling in his reply.

"Careful, or I'll let your lieutenants know just how soft you are when it comes to a good meal."

Lucanis wondered if this was how he looked, when he was offered something he wanted but had trained himself out of asking for, thought he trained himself out of the wanting even. Since he was already sitting up and leaning over Davrin, he closed that last distance to press a soft kiss against the other man's lips. He wouldn't push, not yet, but he would be brushing up on specific meals made with venison. Just in case.

"Blackmail, hm? What do you demand in return for your silence?"

He gave a considering hum, eyes reopening after the kiss to consider the assassin. The first hunt, the first catch. Davrin wasn't entirely sure where the boundaries were yet. Still, better to try than later sit and wonder if the arrow never fired would have hit the mark.

He placed one hand on his shoulder, gently pushing, encouraging the man to lay back down. But not on his lap again, Davrin ment to follow, hovering over Lucanis if allowed.

"I may have something in mind."

Lucanis was maybe surprisingly docile as Davrin directed him, moving where the Warden showed him to be. The expression of bemused curiosity slowly changed to barely restrained desire, though, as he ended up under Davrin. It was all new territory for Lucanis, but the excitement was far greater than any nerves, his eyes even darker with want as he looked up to Davrin.

"Oh? I'm all ears."

Would it always cause this same shiver down his spine, watching Lucanis bare his literal and metaphorical neck to him? He hoped so. It wasn't something to take for granted, not from any predator and especially not from this one. He tried to press his appreciation into the other man's skin as he kissed up his neck to his ear, lips lingering there for moment to reply, low and heavy, fingers of one hand ghosting lightly over the buttons of his vest. Not opening, but foreshadowing.

"Don't be quiet."

Lucanis bit at his bottom lip to hold back his sounds at first, doing his best to keep his breathing even as Davrin's lips trailed up his neck, along his ear. Pulse quickening, nothing to be done about that, hands going up to Davrin's waist, just wanting something to hold onto.

He needed it. Especially as he felt those steady fingers brushing against the buttons of his vest, the request murmured into his ear. His fingers tightened as they held on to Davrin's shirt.

"Davrin-"

The Warden's name was a gasp on his lips.

"Just like that."

He wasn't going to rush. They might die tomorrow, sure, but it was nice for once to live like there would be one. So while Spite and Assan allowed it, he stretched the moment. There were only four buttons on the vest; he would make them last. He nipped at Lucanis' ear and trailed feather-light kisses along his chin, to then stop with lips hovering a fraction of an inch above the Crow's. Hovering there, he finally undid the first button, then he stilled, fingers resting lightly in the small part undoing the button had created. Waiting to see what that other man's next move would be.

Spite was not interfering... but he was watching, curious as to the goings-on. He had at least seemingly learned his lesson about commentary. At least while Davrin could hear.

That little bit of praise went straight to Lucanis' gut, lower, and he forced his hands to relax enough to spread his fingers along Davrin's flank, to feel the solid muscle of him through the fabric of his shirt. His breathing was coming out rough, nothing to be done about it, far rougher than it really deserved with such light kisses and touches, but - it was all new, and Lucanis thought even if it wasn't he would still be this way with the Warden.

When Davrin paused before continuing on - kept his lips from just quite touching Lucanis', well. Davrin had asked he not be quiet. The whine was a little pathetic, a lot shameless, and Lucanis leaned up to try to close the distance himself if Davrin would let him.

The whine was unexpected and shot straight to his groin, his gasp swallowed by Lucanis rising up to meet him. It was more than a welcome or acceptance, the man was exuding want and Davrin's own heart raced to meet it. His fingers slid quickly up to the next button and fisted momentarily below it as he made himself slow down. To slowly trace Lucanis' lips with his tongue and relax each finger one by one, resisting the urge to simply rip the vest and the shirt beneath it open, to hear what Lucanis sounded like then. That was an idea for another tomorrow.

For today, he shifted as they kissed, moving to kneel between Lucanis' legs, both knees between the other man's, and holding himself up by one hand planted next to his head.

Slow was good, really. It was probably what Lucanis needed far more.

But he still wanted.

Lucanis was a quick study at kissing, opening his mouth to it, urging Davrin on, following his movements He was so hungry for the other man he felt like he would never be satisfied, every carefully teasing touch leaving him desperate for more. He moved when Davrin moved, thighs spread to make space for the warrior between them, one knee brought up to rub against the side of Davrin's hip. The hands grasping at Davrin's side started tugging up that tunic, a little at a time. Slow. Trying to match Davrin's pace even as Lucanis was near ready to beg.

"You don't have to tease, too," he broke the kiss just long enough to murmur, breath notably harsher. In contrast to him, of course, and his own teasing as he still had only half-opened that second button. He would take his time. If Lucanis insisted on ripping Davrin's shirt off, however? Who was he to stand in the way of a Crow's needs.

The accusation actually got a laugh from Lucanis - startled, breathless, bumping his forehead against Davrin's and stealing another playful kiss before he replied.

"But how else can I learn but to copy you, Orsacchiotto?"

But Andraste was Davrin's voice particularly wonderful when his breath got heavier. It didn't matter that Lucanis had seen Davrin almost entirely naked before, had touched him while they were both in the baths at the Lighthouse, it was different now that they'd agreed to this chase. He longed to touch Davrin's bare skin but was also strangely shy about it, too. In the past the shyness had always won out the few times he got that urge, nerves making any potential benefit seem both impossible and not worth it. Now, though - he could have it, and he had denied himself so long he was still struggling to get over those self-imposed hurdles.

"I'm sure the Demon of Vyrantium's had to improvise from time to time."

He was feeding into his own torture, even as he finally undid that second button- half-way through the first of at least two layers- but what a delicious one it was. Despite the thick-voiced protest, whatever the Crow did was perfect. Fast, slow, under him, over him. He'd take him whatever way he came. He smiled as he returned the kiss, as if he could push that sentiment into the other man through affectionate contact alone.

Davrin had noticeably less layers than Lucanis did. Tugging up the tunic just enough and Lucanis' fingers had access to a thin strip of skin at Davrin's lower back that felt like the most divine forbidden fruit for touching. Unlike him, who had his vest, shirt, and yes an undershirt on below that. Some Crows loved showing skin, he was perpetually covered aside from forearms, sometimes.

But Davrin had seen it all already, and hadn't looked away.

"Not with anything like this," Lucanis confessed softly against Davrin's lips. "Well - okay, once, but the improvisation was knifing him between the ribs right then instead of waiting until later."

He arched his back under the light touch, nipping at Lucanis' lower lip in encouragement. The shirt was one of the ones Lucanis had bought for him. It really was well within his rights to remove it. He was further rewarded by him undoing that third button a little faster, palm pressing flat to slide up to the fourth and final one.

"Sounds like he had it coming."

Davrin was very openly not a supporter of murder in general, particularly not murder for hire. But the idea of anyone even attempting to touch Lucanis without his permission? He could allow for some light murder on that account. Had been actively participating in it, to be fair, as they had cut their way to Zara and through everything she and Illario had put together.

"He did."

He had definitely had it coming. Being a pest to servants and using his power over them that way was a fairly common reputation of his, it had just only ever been with women. Lucanis' ass in the servant's uniform trousers was apparently good enough to make him want to give it a try. Unexpected. He'd had to think quickly. He'd rather not think back on it right now, though.

Much more appealing is the softness of the fabric under his hands, the pleased sense of pride knowing it had been his gift to Davrin. It looked very good on him. Felt good on him, too. Bare skin felt better. Sliding his a few fingers up under the hem along Davrin's back as Davrin ever so slowly made his way to the fourth button of Lucanis' vest.

"Please."

He wasn't even sure what specifically he was asking for, just that he desperately wanted it.

"Whatever you want, you know you can take it."

Call it the matching stubbornness in him, but he wouldn't speed up. Wouldn't give in to what, honestly, he wanted as well and just guess what the most likely thing Lucanis was asking for could be. Other than being pushed against a wall one interrupted afternoon, Davrin had served as mostly the aggressor- a role he was ready and willing to play and doing so had happily helped get them to this point. But it felt important, somehow, to remind the Crow he was just as much in charge during these early days. The story of the handsy noble just underlying that in some strange way.

But he still undid that final button. And started on the first one of his actual shirt, to top it off. Still a near painful number to go. Antiva could clearly use some tips about practicality over fashion.

It did help, probably more than Davrin even knew. Learning what he wanted - accepting what he wanted. That he wanted.

That he could have.

"Mierda."

Lucanis' favorite curse, hissed out through gritted teeth, half a groan. He pressed another kiss to Davrin's mouth, more teeth, a little clumsy but full of so much of that want that was burning him up inside. Even Spite's shouted encouragement couldn't distract him - he was used to ignoring the demon. Damn it all Davrin was determined to kill him with how he was drawing this out. The leg hooked around Davrin's pulled closer and he tugged the shirt up, hands moving to the front to find the buttons. He was not going to rip the shirt off, thank you, he had paid good money for it and he respected the tailor's work too much.

The shout wasn't as loud as it had been. Maybe the tea was wearing off. Maybe Davrin was picking up on Lucanis' finely honed skill of ignoring the demon. Either way, Davrin was too busy groaning against the other man's mouth to listen to anything outside of them. Good thing they had a griffon and demon watching over them, honestly. A single Venatori with enough sense to be stealthy might be able to do some damage just now.

He very much approved of the new strip-the-warden initiate being shown, but could only hold himself back so much. Lucanis could get to about half the buttons with ease, then Davrin finally undid the second button of the Crow's shirt and leaned in closer to nip and mouth lightly at the now exposed pulse point of his neck, momentarily trapping Lucanis' hands between their chests.

Assan and Spite were really the only things standing between them and a possible untimely end out here in the open, but the normally paranoid Lucanis couldn't bring himself to care. Not when Davrin's mouth was against his neck and it felt like everything inside of him was on fire, pulse rapid with the excitement. Hands trapped - and Fuck why did he wear an undershirt today? - he can't pull Davrin as flush as he wants to be, so that leg tightens again as Lucanis bucks his hips up, panting, swearing, every sensation near overwhelming.

It was, all in all, probably a good thing Lucanis had that undershirt. And overshirt. And vest. The entire excessive ensemble that Davrin now swore to himself he would learn to flawlessly button and unbutton by feel alone. Neither of them were prone to half-committing to a cause, but it wasn't his intention for their first real physical encounter (Rook walking in on a bit of necking only half counted) to go too far. Particularly not with poor Assan's eyes to think of. All those layers helped keep that in mind even as Lucanis bucked and Davrin couldn't help roll his hips down into his with a groan.

He breathed heavy against Lucanis' skin as he mouthed his way back up to his ear, freeing those hands again.

"I think-" and, damn, Neve would mock him for being a knight in shining armor wooing his love over this, if Lucanis didn't do it himself first. Still, expectations were important. "Just the shirts off this time, mm?"

Lucky for Davrin, Lucanis happened to have a soft spot for knights in shining armor like in his romance novels. He just didn't think they were actually real... and right now would have liked if Davrin was more of a rake instead. That roll of his hips was making Lucanis believe in some kind of divinity. As soon as his hands were free once more, Lucanis made quick work of the rest of the buttons like he was on a timer and needed to prove something.

"Does that mean you'll actually take it off?"

Lucanis' question was breathless, just this side of teasing, nipping at Davrin's ear and rolling his hips up again. He'd appreciate Davrin's restraint later on, but right now he was drunk on the wanting.

"Maybe. If you ask nicely."

He'd already gotten a please. He was pushing it. But a whole sentence of Lucanis asking Davrin to undress him? That might try his knightly virtue a bit- more than a bit and that was on top of what Lucanis moving his hips was doing. He was going to have to dive into the frigid river after this before he could show his face in the Lighthouse again.

But he was a man of principle. So only undid one more button on the Crow's shirt, even as he rolled his shoulders and let Lucanis remove his own tunic.

Hm. He was going to have to figure out what to do with that silver chain on his shirt, too, wasn't he. Fashion. He'd never understand it.

Lucanis's hands ran along Davrin's skin as he pushed the fabric off the other man, feeling all that hard muscle that was affecting Lucanis more than he'd want to normally admit. And as far as Crows were concerned, his fashion WAS desperately simple and barely deserved to be called fashion at all.

There were all kinds of things he was told as he was raised. A Dellamorte does not kneel. A Dellamorte does not beg. He wanted to do both for Davrin.

"I want to feel your hands on my skin again," Lucanis murmured into Davrin's ear as his own hands grasped as Davrin's back. "Please."

The Wardens of old and all the training they had passed down were owed thanks for the fact Davrin didn't just rip the shirt open then and there. Between hands on his own skin and that voice, it was still a near thing. But Lucanis had held back, damn right he could too.

"You," he spoke against Lucanis' skin as he moved down and over, to the other side of his neck, "could make a good dog break his leash."

He bit down to punctuate the statement, harder than before. No where near enough to break skin, but enough to leave a mark if left to it. Undeniably possessive.

With some of the burning in his blood redirected, his fingers finally moved at a reasonable pace, rapidly undoing the remaining buttons.

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