lostinforestbound

[lostinforestbound]

Prisons of Regret (Chapter 2)

Viago Week Day Five & Six: Feel Safe in Your Arms & Emotional Sex

Viago de Riva/Rook de Riva

Rook is alive, and now Viago has the chance to have a heart-to-heart with him. They both have a much needed talk (and much needed sex).

The second chapter is here! I took a while because of life things but it's finally finished! This was for @viagoweek when it was still going on!

The art is by the lovely @/voidcomett on Twitter and Bluesky! Please check them out, their art's incredible!

Read on AO3

Preview below!

She was right to not believe him. How else could he explain the way he's trapped against the top of his desk? His hand tightly grips the edge for stability while the other holds onto Rook's waist, the larger man palming the front of his pants insistently as they kiss. His stomach is already clenched tight, pleasurable jolts of lightning shooting up his spine, and Rook isn't slowing down.

Rook pulls away from his lips to speak, a small smile on his face as he watches the Talon come apart, uselessly breathing into his mouth. "Now it's my turn to tease. You like it, Viago?"

"Maker's breath— what do you think?" He gasps out.

"Oh, I don't know. I think that you're pent up, for sure. No activity for you and Teia?" Rook goads, "That doesn't seem like you with how uptight you get."

Viago is thankful his throat locks up on a whimper, though the words still come out choked, "not since you decided to disappear."

That makes Rook take pause, expression looking a little pained before he steels himself again. A smirk spreads across his lips with ease, and his face comes closer, "Then I will have to make up for it, yeah? It's only fair."

[lostinforestbound]

WIP Whenever

Thanks for the tag @graysparrowao3 ! It’s been busy with life but I’m still writing various things! Mainly the final chapter of my Viago/Rook fic!

Its almost done, and will feature some spicier art that I commissioned the lovely @/voidcomett on Bluesky for!

Here’s a preview of both the fic and art!

No pressure tags: @commander-krios @velocitross @underdark-dreams

[lostinforestbound]

HOW TO SIGN UP FOR BLACK EMPORIUM!

Yes sweet nuglets, it’s that time of year again: Time to sign up for Black Emporium!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN-UP!

↳ Helpful Links:

Rules & Assignment Requirements || Participation Walkthrough Guide || FAQ || Requests on Ao3 || Tagset || Nominations Spreadsheet || Request Database || Parent Collection (All Past Years) Signups end: July 13th 12th @ 9 AM US Pacific / 12 PM US Eastern / 4 PM UTC+0 || Countdown

↳ Reminders

RULES & ASSIGNMENT REQUIREMENTS: Please take the time to re-read our Rules and the requirements for assignments before signing up. RATINGS: If you are interested in receiving or creating Mature/Explicit level works (see Ao3 rating(s)), you must "opt in" by checking the "E" box for both offers and requests. Please note you must be 18+ to offer/request/create Mature or Explicit level gifts. For a more detailed explanation, click here. TREATS: If you are open to receiving treats, or a specific type of treat (single-recipient, multi-recipient, fanart, fanfic), you must "opt in" by saying so in the sign up description box. This field does not apply to your offers. For a more detailed explanation, click here. "OTHER ROOKS": Because there are so many different options for Rook, we are allowing participants to opt-in to a wider range via the Optional Details box so long as they'd be considered eligible. For a more detailed explanation, click here.

For a how-to-guide of the whole exchange that includes all of the information in this post, please take a look at our Participation Walkthrough Guide and FAQ.

DETAILED STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO SIGN-UPS BELOW THE CUT:

1. SIGN IN TO AO3

If you don’t have an Ao3 account, contact the mods for help!

2. GO TO THE BLACK EMPORIUM SIGNUP FIELD (LINK)

3. SCROLL TO THE “REQUESTS” FIELD

Once nominations are finished, you'll be able to sign up. In your sign-up, you'll specify the works you'd like to receive and the works you're willing to create. (They do not necessarily have to be the same!)

You must fill out at least three requests and three offers. You may only select each pairing once, but may give multiple ideas per pairing in your prompt.

If you are interested in receiving Mature- or Explicit-rated works, you must be at least 18 years old and opt-in by checking the appropriate box ("E"); this is not a guarantee you will receive a higher level.

You will have to fill out several fields on the sign-up form:

↳ Relationships

Here you can write in the relationships that you wish to request. As long as it is part of the tag set/eligible nominated pairings, it should be able to be selected here.

If your chosen relationship is in the tag-set but isn't auto-completing, this is unfortunately a bug on AO3's end that we cannot fix -- but if you copy and paste your relationship from the tag-set into this field, you should be able to submit. (Please contact moderators via email at blackemporiumexchange@gmail.com if you get an error and let us know what the error was.)

You may list between 1-3 pairings in the same Request field. That does not (necessarily) mean you want all three ships in the same fanwork. We allow multiple pairings in the same Request Field because it allows participants to request up to 30 unique pairings, rather than just 10. Some people group thematically, or by character.

Example of someone requesting three, non-connected pairings. The participant here loosely grouped their "platonic" ships together into one Request Field.

Example of someone requesting a pairing.

↳ Additional Tags

This field is to mark if you're open to receiving fanfiction, fanart, or both (check both boxes), for this request.

Example of someone requesting ONLY fanart for any pairings listed in this Request field.

↳ Ratings (Requests)

If you are open to receiving Mature- or Explicit-rated works, please check the box to indicate your interest. We use the AO3 ratings guide as far as judging what each rating entails.

Any participant under 18 should NOT indicate interest in M or E works, as those are intended for 18+ audiences only.

Please choose your ratings carefully! Indicating interest in receiving higher rating works does not mean you are guaranteed to receive them, just that other people will be allowed to gift them to you in this exchange. If you're not comfortable with that possibility, do not check this box.

This recipient did not check the "Explicit" box; they will not receive any Mature or Explicit level works.

↳ Letter

This is a place to put a link to a letter, if you have one. A letter generally is a completely optional, longer version of the description field, and might include more details you'd like your creator to know, or things like pictures that are hard to paste into the description box.

Letters are commonly hosted on Dreamwidth, Tumblr, Google docs, or other such freely accessible websites.

Please note that the moderators cannot enforce any DNWs you put only in your letter.

Completely optional field. Leave blank if you don't have a letter.

↳ Description

Please feel free to use this field to go into some detail about what you would like; this helps give the creator of your work some different ideas about what they could make for you.

If you are open to treats, please indicate interest. See "Treats" for more.

Because there are so many different options for Rook, we are allowing participants to opt-in to a wider range via the Optional Details box. If you've participated before and used our Treat template, this is a similar idea! Post here explaining how.

Examples of prompts or helpful information you could share with your recipient (reminder, your creator is not required to follow your prompts/likes):

General trope likes, e.g., Fluff, First Kiss, Dwarven lore, There Was Only One Bed, Enemies to Lovers, etc.

Stylistic likes, e.g., 2nd person writing, Tarot Card art, chat-fic, etc.

World state options you favor that are relevant to your prompt, e.g., Anora is Queen/Alistair is King, Canon Divergent - Multiple Wardens, Modern AUs, etc.

A sentence or two about why you like the pairing, e.g., "I love Cassandra being flustered around people she likes!"

"What If?" prompts, especially open ended ones, e.g., "What if Blackwall did the Joining ceremony with the Hero of Ferelden in DAO? Or met HoF in the Deep Roads during the Jaws of Hakkon DLC in DAI? Would they have similar perspectives, or different?"

Rating restriction clarifications, e.g., interested in E rated smut, but not E rated violence

Be sure to list your Do Not Wants (DNWs) — if they're not listed in the Description box of your sign up, then the mods cannot enforce your DNWs. If your DNWs are poorly worded or go against exchange rules, they will also be considered unenforceable.

Example Description. This person has NOT opt into treats and cannot receive any. Please see here for more help formulating your DNWs.

4. CONTINUE TO THE “OFFERS” FIELD

The process to Offers is similar to Requests when it comes to pairings and denoting interest in creating fanart and/or fanfic. However, there are a couple differences one should make note of:

↳ Ratings (Offers)

If you are interested in creating Mature- or Explicit-rated works, please check the box to indicate your interest. We use the AO3 ratings guide as far as judging what each rating entails.

Any participant under 18 should NOT indicate in creating M or E works, as those are intended for 18+ audiences only.

Please choose your ratings carefully! You will be matched on this field; if you're not comfortable with receiving prompts that may include NSFW or "E" elements, do not check this box.

↳ "Notes to mods" Field

If you want, you can write notes to the mods, but this isn't required. Some things you might want to include:

If you are under 18 or do not want to receive any "E" requests/prompts from your recipient, please put a simple "No 'E' requests" or in your sign up. This will not disclose your age as we have adult participants who have asked this of mods over the years.

If you're attempting to avoid all spoilers related to Dragon Age: The Veilguard, including any details that may be included in a prompt sign-up, please write a note to alert mods.

The AO3 username of any individual(s) you don't want to be matched with. You don't have to provide a reason as to why you don't want to be matched with someone, but we will rely entirely on the name(s) you enter; if you ask not to be matched with FanficWriter69 but you meant FanficWriter96, we can't guarantee you won't get matched. For the sake of everyone's stress level, triple check any names and make sure you're giving us their AO3 username.

Please do not use this field to ask to be matched with a specific person.

↳ "Any Relationship" Box

If you would like, you can offer to create a work for "Any Relationship."

PLEASE ONLY CHECK THIS BOX IF YOU TRULY MEAN ANY RELATIONSHIP.

The only qualifications you can make are the category of pairings (i.e. F/F, F/M, M/M, Other, Gen, or Multi) or by DA game (i.e. DAO, DA2, DAI). You cannot differentiate by any other qualification or request.

An example of someone offering to draw fanart for any F/F pairing.

An example of someone offering to create fanart and/or fanfiction for the pairing "Fenris & Donnic Hendyr," but requesting not to be matched with a specific user.

5. A NOTE ON MATCHING

After sign-ups are completed, creators and recipients are matched based on their sign-ups. Matches are one-way; that is, while it is possible A may write for B and B may write for A, you are more likely to have A writing for B, and B writing for C, and C writing for A.

You will be assigned to someone who has at least one request that matches at least one of your offers for the below two fields: relationship pairing and type of fanwork.

You will be matched with someone who requested:

at least one of the pairings for which you offered to write or draw ("Relationship" field), and

at least one type of fanwork you offered ("Additional Tags" field aka fanfic, fanart, or both — if both, you can create an assignment in either format; you are not obligated to create two assignments), and

whether or not you've both indicated interest in Mature- or Explicit-rated content ("E" checkbox)

You are guaranteed to have a match by the end of the date listed under "Assignments" in the schedule. If you do not have a match by then, please contact the mods via email at blackemporiumexchange@gmail.com.

[lostinforestbound]

HOW TO SIGN UP FOR BLACK EMPORIUM!

Yes sweet nuglets, it’s that time of year again: Time to sign up for Black Emporium!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN-UP!

↳ Helpful Links:

Rules & Assignment Requirements || Participation Walkthrough Guide || FAQ || Requests on Ao3 || Tagset || Nominations Spreadsheet || Request Database || Parent Collection (All Past Years) Signups end: July 12th @ 9 AM US Pacific / 12 PM US Eastern / 4 PM UTC+0 || Countdown

↳ Reminders

RULES & ASSIGNMENT REQUIREMENTS: Please take the time to re-read our Rules and the requirements for assignments before signing up. RATINGS: If you are interested in receiving or creating Mature/Explicit level works (see Ao3 rating(s)), you must "opt in" by checking the "E" box for both offers and requests. Please note you must be 18+ to offer/request/create Mature or Explicit level gifts. For a more detailed explanation, click here. TREATS: If you are open to receiving treats, or a specific type of treat (single-recipient, multi-recipient, fanart, fanfic), you must "opt in" by saying so in the sign up description box. This field does not apply to your offers. For a more detailed explanation, click here. "OTHER ROOKS": Because there are so many different options for Rook, we are allowing participants to opt-in to a wider range via the Optional Details box so long as they'd be considered eligible. For a more detailed explanation, click here.

For a how-to-guide of the whole exchange that includes all of the information in this post, please take a look at our Participation Walkthrough Guide and FAQ.

DETAILED STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO SIGN-UPS BELOW THE CUT:

1. SIGN IN TO AO3

If you don’t have an Ao3 account, contact the mods for help!

2. GO TO THE BLACK EMPORIUM SIGNUP FIELD (LINK)

3. SCROLL TO THE “REQUESTS” FIELD

Once nominations are finished, you'll be able to sign up. In your sign-up, you'll specify the works you'd like to receive and the works you're willing to create. (They do not necessarily have to be the same!)

You must fill out at least three requests and three offers. You may only select each pairing once, but may give multiple ideas per pairing in your prompt.

If you are interested in receiving Mature- or Explicit-rated works, you must be at least 18 years old and opt-in by checking the appropriate box ("E"); this is not a guarantee you will receive a higher level.

You will have to fill out several fields on the sign-up form:

↳ Relationships

Here you can write in the relationships that you wish to request. As long as it is part of the tag set/eligible nominated pairings, it should be able to be selected here.

If your chosen relationship is in the tag-set but isn't auto-completing, this is unfortunately a bug on AO3's end that we cannot fix -- but if you copy and paste your relationship from the tag-set into this field, you should be able to submit. (Please contact moderators via email at blackemporiumexchange@gmail.com if you get an error and let us know what the error was.)

You may list between 1-3 pairings in the same Request field. That does not (necessarily) mean you want all three ships in the same fanwork. We allow multiple pairings in the same Request Field because it allows participants to request up to 30 unique pairings, rather than just 10. Some people group thematically, or by character.

Example of someone requesting three, non-connected pairings. The participant here loosely grouped their "platonic" ships together into one Request Field.

Example of someone requesting a pairing.

↳ Additional Tags

This field is to mark if you're open to receiving fanfiction, fanart, or both (check both boxes), for this request.

Example of someone requesting ONLY fanart for any pairings listed in this Request field.

↳ Ratings (Requests)

If you are open to receiving Mature- or Explicit-rated works, please check the box to indicate your interest. We use the AO3 ratings guide as far as judging what each rating entails.

Any participant under 18 should NOT indicate interest in M or E works, as those are intended for 18+ audiences only.

Please choose your ratings carefully! Indicating interest in receiving higher rating works does not mean you are guaranteed to receive them, just that other people will be allowed to gift them to you in this exchange. If you're not comfortable with that possibility, do not check this box.

This recipient did not check the "Explicit" box; they will not receive any Mature or Explicit level works.

↳ Letter

This is a place to put a link to a letter, if you have one. A letter generally is a completely optional, longer version of the description field, and might include more details you'd like your creator to know, or things like pictures that are hard to paste into the description box.

Letters are commonly hosted on Dreamwidth, Tumblr, Google docs, or other such freely accessible websites.

Please note that the moderators cannot enforce any DNWs you put only in your letter.

Completely optional field. Leave blank if you don't have a letter.

↳ Description

Please feel free to use this field to go into some detail about what you would like; this helps give the creator of your work some different ideas about what they could make for you.

If you are open to treats, please indicate interest. See "Treats" for more.

Because there are so many different options for Rook, we are allowing participants to opt-in to a wider range via the Optional Details box. If you've participated before and used our Treat template, this is a similar idea! Post here explaining how.

Examples of prompts or helpful information you could share with your recipient (reminder, your creator is not required to follow your prompts/likes):

General trope likes, e.g., Fluff, First Kiss, Dwarven lore, There Was Only One Bed, Enemies to Lovers, etc.

Stylistic likes, e.g., 2nd person writing, Tarot Card art, chat-fic, etc.

World state options you favor that are relevant to your prompt, e.g., Anora is Queen/Alistair is King, Canon Divergent - Multiple Wardens, Modern AUs, etc.

A sentence or two about why you like the pairing, e.g., "I love Cassandra being flustered around people she likes!"

"What If?" prompts, especially open ended ones, e.g., "What if Blackwall did the Joining ceremony with the Hero of Ferelden in DAO? Or met HoF in the Deep Roads during the Jaws of Hakkon DLC in DAI? Would they have similar perspectives, or different?"

Rating restriction clarifications, e.g., interested in E rated smut, but not E rated violence

Be sure to list your Do Not Wants (DNWs) — if they're not listed in the Description box of your sign up, then the mods cannot enforce your DNWs. If your DNWs are poorly worded or go against exchange rules, they will also be considered unenforceable.

Example Description. This person has NOT opt into treats and cannot receive any. Please see here for more help formulating your DNWs.

4. CONTINUE TO THE “OFFERS” FIELD

The process to Offers is similar to Requests when it comes to pairings and denoting interest in creating fanart and/or fanfic. However, there are a couple differences one should make note of:

↳ Ratings (Offers)

If you are interested in creating Mature- or Explicit-rated works, please check the box to indicate your interest. We use the AO3 ratings guide as far as judging what each rating entails.

Any participant under 18 should NOT indicate in creating M or E works, as those are intended for 18+ audiences only.

Please choose your ratings carefully! You will be matched on this field; if you're not comfortable with receiving prompts that may include NSFW or "E" elements, do not check this box.

↳ "Notes to mods" Field

If you want, you can write notes to the mods, but this isn't required. Some things you might want to include:

If you are under 18 or do not want to receive any "E" requests/prompts from your recipient, please put a simple "No 'E' requests" or in your sign up. This will not disclose your age as we have adult participants who have asked this of mods over the years.

If you're attempting to avoid all spoilers related to Dragon Age: The Veilguard, including any details that may be included in a prompt sign-up, please write a note to alert mods.

The AO3 username of any individual(s) you don't want to be matched with. You don't have to provide a reason as to why you don't want to be matched with someone, but we will rely entirely on the name(s) you enter; if you ask not to be matched with FanficWriter69 but you meant FanficWriter96, we can't guarantee you won't get matched. For the sake of everyone's stress level, triple check any names and make sure you're giving us their AO3 username.

Please do not use this field to ask to be matched with a specific person.

↳ "Any Relationship" Box

If you would like, you can offer to create a work for "Any Relationship."

PLEASE ONLY CHECK THIS BOX IF YOU TRULY MEAN ANY RELATIONSHIP.

The only qualifications you can make are the category of pairings (i.e. F/F, F/M, M/M, Other, Gen, or Multi) or by DA game (i.e. DAO, DA2, DAI). You cannot differentiate by any other qualification or request.

An example of someone offering to draw fanart for any F/F pairing.

An example of someone offering to create fanart and/or fanfiction for the pairing "Fenris & Donnic Hendyr," but requesting not to be matched with a specific user.

5. A NOTE ON MATCHING

After sign-ups are completed, creators and recipients are matched based on their sign-ups. Matches are one-way; that is, while it is possible A may write for B and B may write for A, you are more likely to have A writing for B, and B writing for C, and C writing for A.

You will be assigned to someone who has at least one request that matches at least one of your offers for the below two fields: relationship pairing and type of fanwork.

You will be matched with someone who requested:

at least one of the pairings for which you offered to write or draw ("Relationship" field), and

at least one type of fanwork you offered ("Additional Tags" field aka fanfic, fanart, or both — if both, you can create an assignment in either format; you are not obligated to create two assignments), and

whether or not you've both indicated interest in Mature- or Explicit-rated content ("E" checkbox)

You are guaranteed to have a match by the end of the date listed under "Assignments" in the schedule. If you do not have a match by then, please contact the mods via email at blackemporiumexchange@gmail.com.

[lostinforestbound]

Would people fall in love with your OC?

Tagged by @commander-krios! These are always very fun, thanks for the tag!

UQuiz here!

Echo "Rook" Mercar

here's your answer: yes, they would. i know you find it hard to believe, but trust me this time. i'm sorry if something or someone in your life made you believe that you're unloveable; god, you're so far from that. despite everything, your heart is tender- a little scarred, yeah, but ready to be stitched up with some care and affection. please remember that your past mistakes don't define you, and nothing, nothing will ever make you unworthy of being loved. you remind me so much of a puppy, a little clumsy and a little uncoordinated, but so precious and tiny. or perhaps- a walnut? hard on the outside, soft on the inside. anyone would be lucky to be with you.

Pyxis "Rook" de Riva

yes, they would. you're a bit of a dynamite, aren't you? you have a bomb ready to explode instead of a heart, baby. people are drawn to you because you're a hurricane, full of energy, a wild spirit. you know what you like, and you put little pieces of yourself in everything you make, and do. you're talented, passionate. it's like the fire inside you never truly dies- it becomes higher, bigger, hotter. i wonder if someone would be able to turn that into a bonfire. you remind me so much of those scorching hot nights in august, sprawled on the beach, hair sticky and lips salty. you remind me of pretty fireworks exploding in the sky, painting it with each color of the rainbow. you'd make a great lover, by the way.

No pressure tagging for @sleketon666 @faerunsbest @barbwillbrb @fvngus @underdark-dreams

[lostinforestbound]

Sleepy Rookanis WIP anyone?

[lostinforestbound]

Touch Me Softly

This is my gift for the @aromanceforthedragonages gift exchange, for @/skogr on AO3! (I'm not sure if they're on tumblr!)

Pairing: Andarateia Cantori/Viago de Riva

Teia knows when Viago is about to spiral, and she knows how to pull him back.

Words: 1.5k

Additional Tags: Non-Sexual Intimacy, Bathing/Washing, Protective Viago de Riva,

Read on AO3

Preview below!

She knows something is wrong when Viago doesn't respond to her the first time she says his name aloud. Or the second. Or the third. Andarateia is ready to snap at him for being ignored so openly and possibly in front of fledglings. If another Talon is disrespecting her in this way, it will not do well with the reputation she has clawed her way up to; she earned her place as Seventh Talon, and she doesn't plan to be on her way out any time soon. However, after taking the infuriating man before her in, she can't help the worry that furrows her brow.

Viago is sweating as he glares down at one of his crow's finished contracts, the salty liquid dripping down the side of his temple, eyes not even trailing over the words on the paper. His fingers are twitching as he keeps a death grip on the quill, and he's so far in his mind he doesn't see Teia approach him. Being a Talon has its stressful moments, she knows it too well, but this seems to be more than just a bad day for the Fifth Talon. Something has sunk its teeth into him, and plans to tear his throat out to bleed him dry.

She doesn't know what demons plague him today, and he may not talk about it at all. However, she can't allow him to fall into the abyss that is his mind. They have too much to do. The current occupation, the stability of their houses, gods trying to rampage their world; unfortunately, they can't afford to fall apart.

Maker, she hates seeing him like this. He looks close to tears, and it scares her. 

[lostinforestbound]

OH MY GODDDD YOU'RE THE WHO WROTE THIS BEAUTIFUL PIECE FOR ME??? THANK YOU SO SO MUCH I LOVED IT

Please please please everyone read this absolutely stunning piece! It’s incredible!

A Light Against the Darkness

Here is my gift for the @aromanceforthedragonages gift exchange, a fic about Lucanis and Rook for @lostinforestbound!

Fandom: Dragon Age: The Veilguard Pairing: m!Rook/Lucanis Dellamorte Rating: Mature Summary: Rook was simultaneously Lucanis' every hope and his inevitable doom; one he was more than willing to meet head on, for good or ill. Words: 3425 Additional Tags: Minor Violence, Blood & Injury, Insecurity, Hurt/Comfort, Cuddling, Spite Loves Rook

Read on AO3

The attack happened faster than Lucanis’ reaction time.

One moment, Rook was blocking a Venatori blade with his shield, an eardrum-shattering crash resounding in the tight alley they fought in, and the next, a spell got past his defenses, hitting him square in the chest and sending him tumbling backwards into a crate, the half rotted boards caving in under his weight. He disappeared from sight, his shield clattering to the ground out of reach, his entire body falling into the crate with an exhaled oomph. 

ROOK!

Spite shoved against the walls of Lucanis’ mind, trying to force his way out, presumably to attack the blood mage responsible, and Lucanis had to fight to keep him contained, the demon’s fury burning every inch of him. Every nerve, every muscle, every inch of skin screamed with pain. A heartbeat passed, the sound of a crow’s wings fluttering in the distance, and a sword swung in the direction of his neck, its wielder intent on severing his head from the rest of his body.

A blast of cold air rushed past him, a spell that turned his enemy into a block of ice, sword arm raised for the killing blow. He glanced over his shoulder at the sight of Neve turning her sights next on a Venatori mage, continuing the fight since he safety was assured. Spite’s rage was a tangible thing, every attempt to contain it more excruciating than the last. 

Now is not the time!

THEY. MUST. BLEED.

And they shall.

With every last remnant of control he could muster, Lucanis shoved Spite into a contained portion of his mind, the demon struggling furiously against the chains, before he gripped his daggers tightly in his hands. Spite’s fury was unmistakable, each roar of anger a pulse of electricity in his brain, the pain nearly undoing him as he fought to keep his feet.

Fuck, they didn’t have time for this. The enemy surrounded them, Rook was indisposed and Neve… she was left to fight alone against blood magic, against Venatori agents. She would fail… they all would, if Lucanis couldn’t gain control over himself. Channeling that rage was effective, but difficult when he and Spite were so at odds with each other. But Rook… he knew they could work together. They had to or they’d all die here.

The wings were still a strange phenomenon. Spite couldn’t explain them, or at least, wouldn’t, whenever Lucanis asked. But after a year of having the demon inside of his body, they sprouted as if they’d always been a part of him, an extension of not only the demon’s powers, but the embodiment of the darkness he carried inside. 

Lilac permeated every shadowy corner of the alley, the damp stones glowing unnaturally as he stepped forward, burying his dagger in the chest of his enemy, spinning away before the blood mage aimed a spell in his direction. Two more steps before he dodged a scythe as it came down, blade stuck in the mud where it hit the ground. His arm came around the Venatori’s throat, and with the downward motion of his free hand, severed the muscle in the man’s shoulder. The Venatori dropped the scythe into a puddle, water splashing onto them both before Lucanis ended it with a swipe of the blade across his throat.

The momentum carried him to the blood mage who’d been distracted by Neve. Spite’s powers intermingled with the reflexes his Crow training had honed in him and they were nearly on top of the mage before they’d even realized what happened, dagger protruding from their neck as they dropped into a bloody heap in the mud. 

Without hesitation, Neve rushed to where Rook had fallen, the battle forgotten, her instincts to heal and protect taking priority. And Lucanis… he froze, watching helplessly as the detective shifted rotted wood away from the warrior, healing magic in one hand as she worked.

GO. TO. HIM.

He wanted to. Lucanis had never wanted anything more: to help Rook to his feet, to run his hands over his body looking for each and every hurt, to soothe the worst of the pain away with a touch. But his hands weren’t meant for softness. They ended lives, blood-soaked and scarred, only destined for death.

So why did he wish to be kind?

A single step. Then another. Both were followed by a third and Lucanis was suddenly standing over Neve and Rook, eyes on the gash above the man’s eye, blood dripping into his face, and it took everything in him not to howl with the same ferocious anger as Spite. Neve glanced up at him, eyes echoing his fear, something neither would ever put a voice to. 

“He’s unconscious and I cannot heal him here. Not with the Venatori roaming. We must return to the Lighthouse.”

Lucanis wasn’t sure how they’d managed it, bearing the whole of Rook’s weight on their much smaller shoulders as they shuffled through the wet streets to the former Shadow Dragon hideout. It wasn’t easy work, not with the strain on Neve’s prothestic leg, and the exhaustion seeping into both of their muscles. Rook’s head hung at an awkward angle that left Lucanis worried, the gash on his forehead more concerning in the strange light of the Fade.

Lucanis avoided the infirmary after they’d returned, leaving Bellara and Neve to help Rook with healing. He didn’t know what he’d do if Rook didn’t wake up. He ignored the fear curling in his gut as best as he could, but in the end, all he did was pace the room he’d taken as his own, wringing his hands and fighting with Spite about what to do next.

The demon had demanded to see Rook. Refused to be silent when Lucanis denied him. A couple cups of coffee later and his hands had even begun to shake, anxiety and caffeine leaving his heart pulsing painfully in his veins. Each step he took echoed in his head, the sound of his heels striking the stone keeping time with his heartbeat. The struggle against Spite had waned a little less than an hour ago, the demon going quiet at the realization that Lucanis would not budge.

Enough so that he managed to think without interruption.

Lucanis wasn’t entirely sure what’d gone wrong during the fight. The warrior was so proficient at wielding a blade, his shield having protected him and the others from dangerous enemies, a barrier Lucanis had found safety behind one too many times. And that was their situation most days: they protected each other, killed the enemy before they could kill them, made sure the other returned to the Lighthouse in one piece. But one second was all it took for something to go wrong. 

And Lucanis failed in his duty to protect the man he-

His mind froze before the word could fully form.

What did he feel for Rook? For so long, he figured he was incapable of feeling anything past contempt for his enemies (familial affection for Caterina and Illario aside). Even the things he’d felt for Viago were brief, an attachment that ran its course in a matter of weeks (and he couldn’t even blame Viago’s lack of reciprocation for that).

Lucanis wasn’t prepared for any of this, and it made it all the harder to come to terms with.

Time passed strangely in the Fade, the never changing scenery making it difficult to parse whether it was day or night. Lucanis was accustomed to being the only one awake during the supposed late evening, a ghost haunting the halls, an echo of a man who’d once lived without fear of losing control of himself. Now, he wasn’t sure if he’d ever be able to truly sleep again.

To his surprise, when he entered the kitchen, Neve was sitting in one of the chairs in front of the hearth, staring into the flames with dead eyes. Fear seized him, settling uncomfortably in his gut. For a man who feared very little in his short life, losing Rook was one thing he was truly afraid of.

Neve must have sensed his presence because she glanced up, blinking at him briefly before a frown pulled at her lips. “You look as if you haven’t sleep in days.”

He hadn’t, truth be told, but with how much the healer in her overshadowed the detective as of late, he merely shrugged, hoping she’d drop it in light of Rook’s health. “My problems are ones best left for another day. We have other more concerning matters.” He paused, a heartbeat breaking the silence before he spoke again. “Rook? How is he?”

Neve sighed, shifting her posture into a more comfortable position, eyes returning to the blaze. “Rook is resting, but he’s fine. No worse for wear.” 

Relief washed over him, anxiety lifting from his shoulders as his eyes roamed the room, the decor only slightly different from when he’d first stepped into the Fade. Rook’s little touches of Tevinter were everywhere: pages of the latest serial on the dining room table, some tomes about early Tevinter history stacked on a chair in the corner, a serpent handled mug sitting unused on the mantle.

A mug he liked to drink that special Antivan hot chocolate out of when they sat around the fireplace together.

“Rook is worried about you.” She said suddenly, settling back against the chair with arms crossed. Lucanis felt the judgment even when he wasn’t looking at her. “He wants the best for everyone, sometimes to his own detriment. But with you, it’s deeper than that.”

Lucanis swallowed around the uncomfortable lump forming in his throat. “I don’t know what you’re-”

He couldn’t speak the words when he knew they were a lie. He saw the looks Rook sent him when he thought Lucanis wasn’t looking. 

Lucanis was positive his face betrayed the same expression whenever he spied Rook in the same room.

In the silence that followed, Lucanis heard Neve’s slight intake of breath. “Don’t do that. You know how much you mean to him. Rook is a man of many talents, but hiding his true feelings isn’t one of them.” 

He finally sought her gaze through the darkness and immediately recognized the exhaustion on her face. It was the same deep seated fatigue that weighed down his bones, got into his muscles, pulsed through his blood. 

“I will go to him.” Lucanis promised, knowing he couldn’t stay away even if he wished to. Not with the feelings Rook brought out in him. Feelings he thought he was incapable of. 

Even Spite was confused, more about what the sudden sweaty palms and nervous palpitations meant, but Lucanis  found he couldn’t explain it at all. He wasn’t even sure if he understood it. But he owed Rook so much and after everything they’d been through, he didn’t want to run from this anymore. 

Why was he so willing to risk his life against self proclaimed gods but was terrified at confronting the very idea of being vulnerable with someone who truly cared for him? 

The infirmary was as quiet as the grave, not a sound breaking the silence. Was Rook even here? Neve said he’d needed the rest, that most likely he had a concussion from smacking his head into the stone wall when he’d fallen, and the infirmary was stocked with potions. The likelihood Rook was still in the infirmary was low, especially when he stayed in a room merely feet from here. Perhaps he could brew a cup of tea, an apology for failing to protect him like he’d promised-

Lucanis paused in the doorway, hand still flat against the surface of the door, his eyes settling on the form of Rook sleeping on the tiny cot in the corner of the room. Though he was quiet, his chest moved with each intake of breath, and Lucanis felt immense relief at the sight.

He was safe, he was alive. 

No thanks to me.

Spite was strangely quiet as he stood there, eyes taking in every detail of Rook as he slept. Dark auburn curls rested against cheek, each puff of breath shifting one particular lock of hair. His eyes were closed, hiding the mesmerizing amber of his gaze, and Lucanis felt a pang of regret. Rook’s eyes said more than his mouth ever did and Lucanis found he missed how they’d alight on him. From across a room, or a battlefield, those golden irises always enchanted him. So much so that whenever his body betrayed him and he fell into a fitful sleep, Rook’s sunshine eyes calmed his nightmares.

Lucanis moved further into the room, the throw rugs masking the sound of his steps. Rook didn’t stir, the elven lantern sitting on the table beside his cot throwing strange shadows across his skin. They didn’t obscure the bruising along the curve of his jaw, shades of violet intermingling with the red of Rook’s tattoo. Despite his appearance, there was one thing left unchanged amidst the marks of violence.

His freckles.

They spread across every inch of exposed skin, like stars dotting a clear Antivan night sky. Lucanis never put much thought into a person’s body past where he might strike to fulfill a contract, but Rook… Rook changed everything. Now, he craved a brief glance from amber eyes, a light brush of hands when a mug was traded between them, and a sweet smile when he entered the room after a particularly difficult evening.

Now, Lucanis had something more to lose.

And he was going to have to kill a god- no, two gods- to keep it.

A sigh left Rook’s mouth, lips parted as he breathed quietly in sleep, eyes fluttering beneath his eyelids as he dreamed, hopefully of something more pleasant than reality. Lucanis didn’t know what to do with himself, standing as he was over the cot, hands hanging uselessly at his sides, tongue heavy in his mouth. It took him longer than it should have to realize Rook’s eyes had opened, a pair of suns among the darkness.

“Lucanis?” Rook’s voice jolted him back to awareness, the roughness stirring warmth low in his gut. Warmth he didn’t know what to do with. “Is everything alright?”

Lucanis flexed his hands, skin tight over his knuckles, resisting the urge to reach out and brush a stray curl out of Rook’s eyes. With a sigh, he sank into the cot across from Rook, refusing to let the concern on the man’s face distract him from his purpose. Clearing his throat, Lucanis stared at his hands, memorizing the scars marking his skin, moments in his life when he’d failed to do his job to perfection. Scars left from careless wounds, culminating in lessons he had needed to learn.

Somehow, those lessons hadn’t taught him enough.

“I failed you, Rook.”

Silence followed his confession, words hanging between them like air before a storm, thick and heavy, breathing difficult in the midst of the emotional whirlwind tearing through him. He’d made too many mistakes as of late and now, someone he cared for was paying the price. 

Rook shifted into a sitting position, wincing in pain as the wound on his forehead smarted painfully. “Lucanis-”

“Rook, you shouldn’t move.” He reached out in the space between them, fingers grasping nothing but empty air. The only time in his life when he’d felt more helpless was in the ossuary. “You’ll re-injure yourself.”

Rook curled his own fingers around Lucanis’, squeezing slightly as if Lucanis was the one in need of safety and comfort. Guilt gnawed at him, a sick curdling in his stomach that made his tongue heavy and his mouth taste strange. “What’s wrong? What is all this talk about failure?” He paused for a heartbeat, a frown pulling at lips Lucanis thought about too often in the lonely dark of the place he laid his head.

“You are hurt because I could not protect you. The Venatori- if only I’d been faster, smarter… you wouldn’t be sitting in this room right now.”

Rook blinked at him, those hauntingly beautiful eyes studying Lucanis as if he could read his thoughts. Nothing would surprise him by this point, not with Solas rattling around in Rook’s head. “How could you believe such a thing?”

“I-”

“Do you think me so incapable that I couldn’t make my own stupid mistakes without your help?”

Rook’s tone was light, lighter than it’d been before, or at least it seemed that way. Not at all matching the stare Rook was aiming in his direction. Lucanis ran his free hand over the back of his neck, feeling absurdly self-conscious at the soft touch of Rook’s hand against his and at the sparkle in his golden eyes. Was he… being teased?

Somewhere in his head, he felt Spite’s presence again but this time, there was a giddy excitement he’d never felt from the demon before. Almost as if…

Did Spite also have feelings for Rook? Or was this some sort of residual affection because of Lucanis’ own feelings? 

Too many questions and almost no answers.

A sudden smile spread across Rook’s freckled lips, an expression of pure joy radiating from the man as if he was made of pure sunlight. Against Lucanis’ darkness, it was like breaking through the surface of icy waters, safety amidst the violence. Lucanis struggled to take in a breath, the longing a physical ache in his chest, each thump of his heart a painful cadence to which he’d memorized the melody, bittersweet and unfamiliar.

Rook was simultaneously his every hope and his inevitable doom; one he was more than willing to meet head on, for good or ill.

“You are teasing me.” A laugh slipped out despite himself, glad to see that a head injury had little effect on Rook’s ability to bring levity to a situation. “I shouldn’t be surprised, but somehow, you still manage to make me question everything.”

Rook raised an eyebrow then winced at the sudden twitch of pain from his wound. “Ouch.”

“Perhaps during the next fight, you could avoid getting smacked around by a blood mage.” Lucanis responded, only to earn a chuckle from the man across from him. 

“Yes, well, I do hear it’s bad for one’s health.”

The knot of anxiety began to loosen in his chest, each breath coming easier at the realization that Rook was alright… he was going to get through this like he always did and they’d continue fighting another day.

Rook’s fingers tightened around his hand, skin warm and rough, touch like electricity in his veins. With a gentle tug, it didn’t take much convincing for Lucanis to shift to Rook’s cot, settling in next to him with a tired noise. His shoulder brushed against Rook’s arm, the man’s taller and lankier form nearly towering over him even sitting beside one another.

“I was worried, Rook.” Lucanis admitted, leaning back against the wall behind them, entwining their fingers together and thanking the Maker for keeping the man he cared for safe even when he couldn’t. “I can’t lose you, not after everything that’s happened.”

Rook shifted to rest against Lucanis, head on his shoulder, curls tickling his cheek. And in that moment, after years of loneliness and death being his constant companion, Lucanis felt at peace. Even the demon that resided within was quiet, subdued, he daresay even happy.

“I’m alright, Lucanis.” Rook whispered, turning his head and burying his face into the curve where Lucanis’ neck met his shoulder. Hot breath caressed his skin, lips tantalizingly close to his pulse. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“You can’t promise that, Rook, but I… appreciate it all the same.”

Rook hummed low in his throat, mouth hovering so close that Lucanis could feel the movement of his lips in the little space between them. “I’m glad you’re here. I don’t think I could do this without you.”

Lucanis snorted, the noise strange to his ears. “I have a contract to fulfill.” Shifting so Rook rested comfortably against his chest, he brushed his fingers down Rook’s arm, enjoying the pressure of his weight on him, the warmth of his body filling all of the cold places the darkness had seeped into. “And you. I have you.”

Rook smiled against his chest, the motion obvious even over layers of clothing. Lucanis’ heart pounded in his chest, knowing full well he was gotten. And he couldn’t recall a time when he’d been happier in his entire life.

“You have all of me, Lucanis. Always.”

[lostinforestbound]

Your OC as the Solar System

Thank you to @commander-krios for the tag! It took me forever due to formatting haha! This one was so fun that I just had to do both of my Rook's!

Rules: Bold what applies - italicize sometimes - strike out never. (Bonus): Color the ones that especially fit. Tag some friends to play along!

No pressure tags: @sleketon666 @underdark-dreams @barbwillbrb @faerunsbest

Echo "Rook" Mercar

SUN • egotistical • melted wax wings and fingers • stretching sunburnt skin • the most generous soul • blood in the fruit • halos • anger on fire • high vitality • thunderous laughter • is pride really a sin? • halogenic aura

MERCURY • expansion of the mind • silver-tongued • an everlasting wanderer • polyglot • high dexterity • handwritten letters • innately critical • en vogue • eyes in the trees • hidden libraries • there’s always room for improvement

VENUS • in love with strangers • iridescent waters • love potions for your mirror • selfless devotion • shattering crystal • seafoam upon sand • the golden ratio • drowning in your own passion • material value & high principles • luring • plush lips

EARTH • fresh springs • tree hugger • we can start again tomorrow • a blazing rainforest • respects survival of the fittest • nature’s adversity • lazy bones • constantly evolving • flowers sprouting from wounds • a granite altar • fossilized remains

MOON • illusory • silver shimmer off the ocean • secrets and gossip • cycles of reincarnation • a crybaby • physically ethereal • shared glances with a stranger • cat eyes • mistrusting their intuition • fear is a prison • ornate magic wands

MARS • healthy competition • attraction and repulsion • magma and rubies • a blade being forged • wrath wrath wrath • malefic • intense eye contact • cannon fodder & fireworks • blood floods • copper taste on your tongue

JUPITER • red robes and a suit of armor • beacon of stability • leader by birth • thunderbolts and lightning • guilty but can’t stop • secret rich kid • golden touch golden tears • innate optimist • failure isn’t an option • constantly reaching for more • unfinished symphonies

SATURN • traditional • overbearing energy • a sculptor of reality • this existence is a karmic one • has a heart it’s just.. way down deep • law, order & justice • avoid all necessary risk • the sound of shackles clanging • sisyphus’ struggle • grappling with the reality of time • self-governing

URANUS • psychedelic funk music • overflowing cups • a rebellion with skin • looking good in photo id • oblivious but caring • middle fingers in the air • double rainbows • icy diamond exterior • holographic • afraid of their own mediocrity • pearlescent smoke

NEPTUNE • an elegy for the lost • dissolving boundaries • white horses • the burden of mystical conditions • deceptive • escapism is their reality • a polarizing entity • artists soul • paranoia • searching for the unseen • a siren’s swan song

PLUTO • angel statues over graves • power • the cycle of necrosis • transformative • unfathomable depths • an ivory tower toppling over • screaming at the sky • violets and irises • eclipsed darkness • speaks with their shadow • sex, death, rebirth

Pyxis "Rook" de Riva

SUN • egotistical • melted wax wings and fingers • stretching sunburnt skin • the most generous soul • blood in the fruit • halos • anger on fire • high vitality • thunderous laughter • is pride really a sin? • halogenic aura

MERCURY • expansion of the mind • silver-tongued • an everlasting wanderer • polyglot • high dexterity • handwritten letters • innately critical • en vogue • eyes in the trees • hidden libraries • there’s always room for improvement

VENUS • in love with strangers • iridescent waters • love potions for your mirror • selfless devotion • shattering crystal • seafoam upon sand • the golden ratio • drowning in your own passion • material value & high principles • luring • plush lips

EARTH • fresh springs • tree hugger • we can start again tomorrow • a blazing rainforest • respects survival of the fittest • nature’s adversity • lazy bones • constantly evolving • flowers sprouting from wounds • a granite altar • fossilized remains

MOON • illusory • silver shimmer off the ocean • secrets and gossip • cycles of reincarnation • a crybaby • physically ethereal • shared glances with a stranger • cat eyes • mistrusting their intuition • fear is a prison • ornate magic wands

MARS • healthy competition • attraction and repulsion • magma and rubies • a blade being forged • wrath wrath wrath • malefic • intense eye contact • cannon fodder & fireworks • blood floods • copper taste on your tongue

JUPITER • red robes and a suit of armor • beacon of stability • leader by birth • thunderbolts and lightning • guilty but can’t stop • secret rich kid • golden touch golden tears • innate optimist • failure isn’t an option • constantly reaching for more • unfinished symphonies

SATURN • traditional • overbearing energy • a sculptor of reality • this existence is a karmic one • has a heart it’s just.. way down deep • law, order & justice • avoid all necessary risk • the sound of shackles clanging • sisyphus’ struggle • grappling with the reality of time • self-governing

URANUS • psychedelic funk music • overflowing cups • a rebellion with skin • looking good in photo id • oblivious but caring • middle fingers in the air • double rainbows • icy diamond exterior • holographic • afraid of their own mediocrity • pearlescent smoke

NEPTUNE • an elegy for the lost • dissolving boundaries • white horses • the burden of mystical conditions • deceptive • escapism is their reality • a polarizing entity • artists soul • paranoia • searching for the unseen • a siren’s swan song

PLUTO • angel statues over graves • power • the cycle of necrosis • transformative • unfathomable depths • an ivory tower toppling over • screaming at the sky • violets and irises • eclipsed darkness • speaks with their shadow • sex, death, rebirth

[lostinforestbound]

One of these days I would just love to write a fic with someone when I have time again, it sounds so fun!

[lostinforestbound]

your beloved pookie will be yours. no need to be a misogynistic scum towards Neve and everything she's doing.

[lostinforestbound]

Last Six Lines Written

Thanks for the tag @graysparrowao3 ! I finally have more time to participate in one of these!

Last Six lines is for the second chapter of my Viago fic Prisons of Regret! It’s gonna be good, I’m happy with it so far but it needs some heavy editing haha!

No pressure tags: @dutifullylazybread @commander-krios @faerunsbest So sorry if you’ve already been tagged!

So I’m already breaking the rules since this is technically 10 lines, but if I just did six the flow would be off!

-

Viago’s fingers reach up carefully, tracing along the rough, crooked edges, and he’s reminded of sandpaper. “Your horn broke.”

“It’ll grow back.” Rook easily jokes.

“I’ll place an order for a replacement immediately. Onyx with silver cuffs,” he says more to himself than Rook, palm pressing against the bluntness in a morbid curiosity. He’s never gotten to touch horns like this, might as well take the opportunity.

Rook does not seem to mind one bit, even smiling at the action, “Aw, why not amethyst? It’ll match my eyes.”

Moving away from the horn, he pinches his cheek and pulls. “Idiota, it’s bright. Venatori and Antaam will see you miles away.”

Mumbling little ow ow ow’s, he speaks up when Viago lets go, “Then how about a detachable horn? So I can have different colors. For occasions! I could have matching outfits too.”

Viago sighs heavily, turning onto his back and arm draping over his eyes, “Fine, a detachable one.”

Rook hovers over him, kissing his chest, right over his heart. “Thank you.” He whispers.

“Of course,” slips out of his next breath.

[lostinforestbound]

Viago Week Day Four: Music

Only a little blurb this time but I still wanted to write a little something! @viagoweek

“You play the Lute?” Viago asks, a part of him surprised and a part of him bitter that he did not know this before. He foolishly thought he knew everything about Rook.

“I used to, it’s been a while though.” Rook says, strumming the instrument and tuning the strings. “Haven’t had the chance to practice with all the chaos. You didn’t throw it away?”

He didn’t know it was in here. “And waste away a perfectly good instrument? Who do you take me for?” He accuses.

Rook laughs, strumming once more to check the tuning before setting it down on his lap. “I’m surprised you kept my room the same. I was sure you would have used it for storage or something.”

“I couldn’t get your stench out no matter how long I kept the windows open.” The Fifth Talon grumbles.

Rook hums, leaning back against the wall where he’s sat on his old bed comfortably. It’s a privilege that Viago is letting him stay in his old room, and it helps that he has missions to do in Treviso as a favor to the crows. Easier than resting at the Lighthouse and coming back than just sleeping here for the night.

His room is untouched, despite of what Viago says about trying to clear it out.

“Well, thank you for not getting rid of this. I missed playing. I’ll take this back to the Lighthouse.” He comments, dusting the lute off.

“Do you even know any songs, or do you just strum?” Viago goads in a huff. He’ll never tell the man he genuinely wants to hear him play.

“I know some songs but usually I made up my own when I was bored. What, you want to hear something?” He teases.

The Crow drags out a chair from the desk and sits across from him. “If you’re going to be playing, you better be good at it.”

“I know Maker, The Lack of Silence, and The Little Blue Bird of Summer. Or I can make something up—“

“Just play something, Idiota.” Viago snaps, taking out a contract to look over.

Rook hums out a pleased noise before he starts strumming. It’s a gentle sound, strange from someone so large. It seems he didn’t lose all his skill from the time he’s spent away from Treviso. Perhaps it’s muscle memory, but he never remembered Rook playing in his time during training.

For someone so open, Viago realizes he doesn’t know much about Rook’s personal life. Perhaps he should have asked, but it will look idiotic at this point. How does he not know someone he trained? He at least knows the simpler things. How Rook plays with the stray cats in Treviso when no one looks, how he doesn’t know how to swim and is terrified to learn, and how he’s never had a romantic partner.

What a pathetic list. He needs to expand it. Perhaps he can ask Lucanis?

As he reads, Rook is quietly humming along, not quite singing. It’s a new tune Viago’s never heard before, so he listens closely. He’s sure there are lyrics, but Rook is either too shy to actually sing or doesn’t want to bother Viago with his attempt.

It sounds wonderful, but he’ll never admit it.

Viago continues his work in silence, more relaxed than he’s been since the dragon attack.

[lostinforestbound]

Prisons of Regret (Chapter 1/2)

Only the first chapter as I got way ahead of myself and I need more time to edit! But the entire fic is going to fit both prompts!

Viago Week Day Five & Six: Feel Safe in Your Arms & Emotional Sex

Viago de Riva/Rook de Riva

Rook is alive, and now Viago has the chance to have a heart-to-heart with him. They both have a much needed talk (and much needed sex).

Word Count currently: 2.6k

Preview Below! Fic on AO3! @viagoweek

Idiot

Rook, I want to apologize, I need you more than I thought

You will be the death of me, please come back

I don't know what I'm doing without you trying get on my nerves

You reckless, selfish pendejo. I think I hate you

I've never stopped thinking about that night

Rook,

Whether this letter may find you or not, I wish to speak to you about everything. Things that I was too selfish and cowardly to say before. Teia said this would be a great idea, and I think her a fool for thinking so, but she always ends up right. She's always right, as you know. I should start learning that.

I'm so sorry. I've never thought of you as an embarrassment to our house, even when you were reckless. You were impulsive, given how you handled the Antaam before this mess, but you've always had more empathy than the rest of us. More righteousness. More than a Crow should have. I should have seen this coming long ago, but I was wrapped in my own head about who I wanted you to be, and not appreciating who you were.

I remember your first kill. Your first contract by me, and you succeeded with little mishaps. You acted so proud wearing that noble's blood on your armor, holding his coin bag like a trophy, but I know you vomited when you were alone. I saw you, and I regret not comforting you that night, even if I thought you were too soft. I was prideful, I thought it was pathetic, and ignorance was bliss. I should have at least congratulated you on a job well done. I knew it was what you needed back then, and I didn't bother. Please know that I was impressed. I was proud for you to be part of my house.

I have many regrets when it comes to you, and none of them are your fault. That night in Orlais should not have happened, because I was impulsive and a fool. I wanted you, and thought I could only have you in a carnal moment. I did not want to admit to myself I wanted more than physical pleasure. I dreamed about the way you kissed me afterwards. I still do. Teia always knew. She gave her blessing and joked about sharing you, but I refused to see you that way in my stubbornness.

I regret the way I spoke to you after you disrupted the operation. You were an idiot, but it did not excuse my behavior. Sending you away wasn't hard, the crows wanted you dead, but living in House de Riva without you was. Teia was telling the truth when we met again during your contract, I worried about you. I thought you would despise me. Perhaps it would have made everything easier, but Maker, the relief I felt when you smiled at me again was unbecoming. Teia teased me about it later, which was more than deserved. Why did you pretend nothing happened? How did you always find your way under my skin?

Being in your presence was a privilege I took advantage of. I grow resentful of your team spending more time with you in recent times. They got to see you at your purest, while I kept you at arms length. I realize too late I barely knew you at all. I knew your quirks, your skillset, and your humor. Your past alludes me still, and I excused it by convincing myself you never wanted to talk about it. You most likely did, and were waiting for me to ask. I want to know you, Rook. It's too late to ask, but perhaps I can set out a contract to discover it.

There is very few people in this corrupt world that I felt safe with. Teia is one of them, as you know, but there is also you. Even when you could have tested me, you've never tried to poison me. I even invited you to. I've poisoned you for training, I've poisoned myself. I don't know what it was about your refusal to even make an attempt, but I felt safe with you after that. Perhaps you thought I was paranoid enough to notice, or perhaps you were just considerate. I'll never know now, either way.

You're dead. Lucanis says they're still looking for you, but I know you're gone. A prison for gods is nothing a mortal can escape from, no matter how stubborn they may be. I wish I could believe you're alive out there. That I would have a chance to beg for you to come back to me.

I'm sorry. I miss you. I don't know what I'm going to do without you, but I will try to figure it out for your sake if not my own.

Wherever you are, I hope you found it in your stupidly big heart to forgive me.

Your Talon, Viago de Riva

Fic Here

[lostinforestbound]

Losing a Crow

Viago Week Day Two & Three: Poison Lab & Unusual Encounters

Viago de Riva/Rook de Riva + Viago de Riva/Andarateia Cantori

Rook is gone, and Viago de Riva is handling it poorly.

Word count: 1.5k

Most Relevant Tags: SFW, Heavy Angst, Vomiting, Hurt/Comfort

Preview Below! Full Fic on AO3! @viagoweek

It's been one week since Viago punched The First Talon after he gave him the dreaded news that Rook is gone.

The Fifth Talon, the head of House de Riva, is absolutely furious. At Lucanis and at Rook. Especially Rook. How dare he get himself killed and make a fool out of him? Out of the de Riva name? All he had to do was complete the contract - an impossible one - and he just gets himself killed? After all they've been through?

Damn it all, he wasn't supposed to die. He thought they had more time.

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[lostinforestbound]

Viago Week Day Four: Music

Only a little blurb this time but I still wanted to write a little something! @viagoweek

“You play the Lute?” Viago asks, a part of him surprised and a part of him bitter that he did not know this before. He foolishly thought he knew everything about Rook.

“I used to, it’s been a while though.” Rook says, strumming the instrument and tuning the strings. “Haven’t had the chance to practice with all the chaos. You didn’t throw it away?”

He didn’t know it was in here. “And waste away a perfectly good instrument? Who do you take me for?” He accuses.

Rook laughs, strumming once more to check the tuning before setting it down on his lap. “I’m surprised you kept my room the same. I was sure you would have used it for storage or something.”

“I couldn’t get your stench out no matter how long I kept the windows open.” The Fifth Talon grumbles.

Rook hums, leaning back against the wall where he’s sat on his old bed comfortably. It’s a privilege that Viago is letting him stay in his old room, and it helps that he has missions to do in Treviso as a favor to the crows. Easier than resting at the Lighthouse and coming back than just sleeping here for the night.

His room is untouched, despite of what Viago says about trying to clear it out.

“Well, thank you for not getting rid of this. I missed playing. I’ll take this back to the Lighthouse.” He comments, dusting the lute off.

“Do you even know any songs, or do you just strum?” Viago goads in a huff. He’ll never tell the man he genuinely wants to hear him play.

“I know some songs but usually I made up my own when I was bored. What, you want to hear something?” He teases.

The Crow drags out a chair from the desk and sits across from him. “If you’re going to be playing, you better be good at it.”

“I know Maker, The Lack of Silence, and The Little Blue Bird of Summer. Or I can make something up—“

“Just play something, Idiota.” Viago snaps, taking out a contract to look over.

Rook hums out a pleased noise before he starts strumming. It’s a gentle sound, strange from someone so large. It seems he didn’t lose all his skill from the time he’s spent away from Treviso. Perhaps it’s muscle memory, but he never remembered Rook playing in his time during training.

For someone so open, Viago realizes he doesn’t know much about Rook’s personal life. Perhaps he should have asked, but it will look idiotic at this point. How does he not know someone he trained? He at least knows the simpler things. How Rook plays with the stray cats in Treviso when no one looks, how he doesn’t know how to swim and is terrified to learn, and how he’s never had a romantic partner.

What a pathetic list. He needs to expand it. Perhaps he can ask Lucanis?

As he reads, Rook is quietly humming along, not quite singing. It’s a new tune Viago’s never heard before, so he listens closely. He’s sure there are lyrics, but Rook is either too shy to actually sing or doesn’t want to bother Viago with his attempt.

It sounds wonderful, but he’ll never admit it.

Viago continues his work in silence, more relaxed than he’s been since the dragon attack.

[lostinforestbound]

How to Loosen a Talon

Viago Week Day One: Lack of Control & Sensory Deprivation

Viago de Riva/Rook de Riva

Heavy is the weight on Viago's shoulders as he tries to navigate Treviso under occupation; the recent dragon attack only added more stress. Thankfully (for Viago, annoyingly) Rook has a solution that involves plenty of Lavender oil.

Word Count: 2.4k

Most Relevant Tags: NSFW, Massage, Surprise Pain Kink, Brief mentions of Trauma

Preview below! Full fic on AO3! @viagoweek

"Absolutely," the larger man says excitedly, setting the items down on the bed along with what seems to be oil, "Teia mentioned you've been strung up, so I came with an offer."

"Teia put you up to this?" He exasperates, a poorly concealed flush creeping up his neck.

"I thought I would give you a massage. A good one, deep tissue," he explains, not answering the question. "The blindfold and earplugs are to deprive your senses so you can focus on the massage."

"Rook..."

"I've locked the balcony, I'll lock the door, I left a dagger under your pillow, and no restraints as I thought that would be too much," he reassures. "No one else will be in here, and I'll stop at any time. The oil is not dosed either, it's just lavender."

Pinching the bridge of his nose, the Fifth Talon lets out a heavy sigh.

As much of an annoyance Rook is, he unfortunately trusts the man with his life. How could he not? The idiot has, quite literally, saved the Treviso from a blighted dragon, killed said dragon, including the one that attacked Minrathous. Rook can handle a possible assassination attempt from a petty Crow.

If it turns into more, they've already slept together once, so how could it possibly be uncomfortable after something like that?

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