'Tu mia sola aria, tu mio solo sole' / 'you my only air, you my only sun'
my piece for the @me-envenena-viago viarook fanzine uwu - thank you for all who donated for the full zine and please show love and support to everyone involved. thank you to the organizers for making it a great experience, and for introducing me to other viarook lovers uwu
I was turning Caterina around in my mindcrowave and thought: is she also ace?? So between the adhd (I've talked before on here about my head cannon that Illario has it has it) and being just so, so allo, she had so little to connect to Illario on in a human way. Like, Lucanis is good and always does what she says and eats wheaties and never gets distracted by things like love or even attraction. Perfect soldier Crow Grandson. He can love Rook now cause he's earned it??
I don't know if this makes sense, but I've just been so confused on why someone would willingly have 6 children and never even make her only heirs get married and start popping out babies asap if she just... didn't care for the idea? She was like, 'I was married and had a bunch of children and it sucked and they didn't even live, so why put the boys through that. People who have time for romantic love aren't the First Talon of the Crows, I'm just better than those people. I don't want to spend my life playing happy family when I can just protect what I already made.' With like a hint of sex repulsion maybe?
Back to the point, because it is Illario Week and not Caterina week, if he's the only allosexual in the house plus the adhd, I'm sure that Caterina could not fathom why his impulsivity was through the roof. Sleeping with anyone he wanted, cause he could, and she never saw that as a good thing despite it being his biggest asset as a Crow? Because it wasn't the right way (way she taught him). And he's just not sure why everyone around him is able to be so disciplined to the point of never having fun? He's obviously disciplined if he's a master assassin and no one batted an eye when he became First Talon outside of the people who knew he was conniving.
I just feel a little sorry for Caterina, but not enough to forgive all the ~abuse~. Feel much more sorry for Illario and Lucanis who grew up in a house with a woman who (probably) saw love as an obligation she had to force herself to do, rather than a feeling she felt.
Anyway, I didn't finish my fic so this is my contribution instead... thank you to @illarioappreciation and @lustaniasaxon for hosting this week!!!
Thank you to the amazing @lustaniasaxon and @illarioappreciation for organising and hosting this week! It’s been lots of fun! 😘
After a lot of conversations about Illario and his hobbies I had the urge to draw him and June dancing! 💜
There are two versions of this, this one and the below, I managed to mess up Illario’s face at the very last minute and I’ve tried my best to salvage him in a way I’m at least a little happy (thank you @xkatchy for the suggestion to paint out the problems!) with so enjoy two drawing a for today! 😘
Brick's fingers lingered on the top button of his pressed shirt as he listened to the heated conversation in the next room. Lustania's voice was growing louder, accent thicker by the second as a string of curses flew in Antivan.
Illario, again.
Brick sighed as his arms fell to his sides, fists clenched as if to hold himself back from a punch he could not throw. It was always that damn Crow making his princess so upset. And he swore to the Maker if the man wasn't so well connected, he would take care of the problem himself- permanently.
"Venhedis," he muttered under his breath as he left his tie forgotten on the nightstand. One night, he just wanted one night with his baby girl to show her a good time. It was like Illario had a radar for ruining their plans.
He didn't say a word as he marched into his spacious living room. He was all scowl and restrained fire as he plucked the phone from Lust's hands before she could react. She could hate him, scream at him, throw hands if she wanted. But by the blood of Andraste, it was going to be at him she raged at and not her good for nothing ex.
"Lustania has to go now," he calmly spoke into the receiver as he heard something on the other end that sounded like a protest. Not that Illario got to finish before Brick hit end call and tossed phone on the couch.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" Lust turned around with eyes wide in anger and a sneer that would terrify most men.
Though Brick Mercar wasn't most men, and he found her fury his favorite form of foreplay.
"Taking care of my princess, Princess," he replied with his most devilish of grins. What came next was predictable, and only excited him further when he side stepped her wild punch as she stumbled forward in surprise at his quick move.
He caught her easily around the middle, his years of training kicking in as he pinned her arms down before she could make any sort of counter. She yowled when he caged her, his chest to her back as his large hands held her firm. There were more swears in Antivan, her feet kicking out as she thrashed like she could actually win this fight. It was adorable really, seeing her try so desperately in her little red dress and heels.
He would never hurt her, not really. No she was his whole heart, his baby girl. But right now, she needed this.
"Let me go! Por la sangre, I will stab you! In your sleep! I know where you live, Brick Mercar…" she spat as if he hadn't moved into his highrise with him just three short months ago.
"Now, Baby Girl," he chuckled low against her shoulder as he turned his head just a fraction. His lips sought bare skin, grazing her neck as he added, "You can't go making promises like that before dinner. Not if you want us to make it out of here on time."
This chapter wasn't planned this way. I don't even know where I wanted to go with it, but whatever it was Illario seemed to have different plans. 😆
@illarioappreciation @lustaniasaxon
Read the full chapter under the cut or on AO3.
The sun was rising over the small island in the Rialto Bay, the first golden rays sneakily finding their way through windblown curtains and brushing their warm fingers over Illario's face.
He groaned, still half asleep and caught in the most pleasant dream of the woman in his arms. Replaying the night before. A heated rush of flushed skin and whispered sweet nothings that meant everything to him.
At the edge of his conscience, he could feel her stretch then brush a kiss to his lips. Her mirror in his dream did the same.
"Morning, mi corazón," she murmured, gently prying him from sleep. "Time to face the new day."
He tightened his arms around her. "Just a little longer, amore. Please."
Deft fingers found his ribs and gently poked him. "You always need a little longer."
"And you never grant it to me." One eye cracked open and playfully glared at her from under his lashes. "Evil woman."
"Someone has to make sure you sit at your desk some time before noon." Mira slipped from his embrace. Hair falling unbound around her bare shoulders as she walked across the room to pick up her clothes. "The work isn't going to do itself."
"I'll have you know that I am a very hard worker. It is hardly my fault when there are so many distractions around."
"Distractions?" she asked innocently, shifting her stance just so he could appreciate everything she had to offer. "And who or what, Señor lay-abed, would be distracting you?"
"There is this woman," he crooned, watching her dress. "She holds my heart, and yet she is unbearably cruel."
Mira chuckled as she sat at the edge of their bed, too clothed for his opinion, and braided her hair. "How so?"
"She tempts me with her mere presence. Lingers close by when I try to concentrate, yet denies me the comfort of her touch."
"Should I make her leave?"
"No!" Illario cried theatrically, reaching for her hand and pressing it to his chest. "Then I would not be able to focus at all, my eyes searching for her. Imagining where she should have gone."
She clicked her tongue in mock sympathy. "Well, we can't have that."
"Can I persuade you then to grant me another moment in bed, with you, amore?"
A flicker of her iron will and sense of duty sparked in her steel eyes, but was doused in the soft smile that followed.
"Only one."
She climbed back into bed and let him pull her against his side.
Content to have another moment, Illario closed his eyes and let his fingers play with one escaped curl by her face. "I have been thinking."
"Never a good idea."
He pinched her rear and muffled her indignant squawk with his lips.
"Let me rephrase it, then," he grunted, catching her hands when she went in for a playful attack. "I have been wondering about us. About our future."
"And where have your wonderings led you?"
"My cousin," he admitted. "He married the woman he loves; his family is growing."
Mira turned very still. She opened her mouth, closed it again, and cleared her throat. "And you now want this yourself." It wasn't a question.
Illario let go of her wrists to gather her in his arms once more. "In part. You know I am not fond of children - aside from the rare outlier."
The ghost of a smile pulled at Mira's lips. She knew how fond Illario had grown of his nephew. "Then what is it you want, Illario?"
"You, amore."
"You already have me."
He shook his head.
"No?" Mira raised a brow. Her voice shifted into that playful tone he loved so much, the one she only ever showed him. "We share a table. We share a bed. We share a bath, every now and then. I borrowed your shirts, and you borrowed my cloak for your scarecrows. What more of me could you want?"
Illario swallowed; he knew exactly what he wanted to ask her, but the words caught in his throat. The old fear of not being enough, not being the kind of man she would say yes to forever, wrapped itself around his neck like a strangling cord.
Mira's hand brushed along his chest, then cradled his jaw. "Talk to me, Illario. I usually have to tell you to shut up, so what got your tongue?"
"Fear," he said, truthfully.
Truth between us. And no one else. That had been the promise they had given each other that day in the pond, when their relationship finally settled into its current shape.
"And what are you afraid of, mi corazón?" Mira murmured. "Not me, I hope."
"No, not you. Just…" His eyes pleaded with her to help him.
"I will not say no to you, Illario," Mira said calmly, her thumb brushing over his cheek. "But I need to hear the question."
He exhaled slowly. "You once said that my heart was safe with you. I have lent it to you, as you have lent me yours. But you know me," he chuckled nervously. "I am a greedy man. And I want your heart to be mine alone. Forever."
A slow smile spread on her lips before she replied.
"I promised to keep your heart safe. And I will do it, forever if that is what you want. But you know me, too, Illario. I am a very jealous woman. If my heart is to be yours forever, then yours will be mine."
He nodded. "Yes. It's yours."
A moment of silence.
"You still haven't asked," she reminded him.
Of course, he laughed, feeling the tightness in his chest ease and fall off. Of course, she'll make me actually say the words.
"Mira. Love of my life. Goddess of my sleepless hours. Tormentor of my dreams," he started, voice carrying like an actor on stage, his gestures wide. Then he took her hand, sober now, and more quietly he added. "Would you deign to give your hand in marriage to this unworthy man?"
Mira's eyes danced with humor. "Not to an unworthy man, certainly not. But to you? Yes, Illario, to you I would."
His heart skipped a beat, then another before it finally settled back into its usual rhythm.
"You said yes," he breathed.
Mira laughed softly.
"I believe I did."
"I had a speech prepared if you refused."
"I'm sure you did," she replied dryly.
"It was very dramatic."
Slowly, she sat up, then leaned down for another kiss. "You'll have to save it for another occasion. Your moment in bed is over."
He groaned and buried himself under her pillow. "There she is again, my lovely, cruel lady."
"And yours to torment you forever," Mira called over her shoulder as she walked out the door.
Forever.
Hidden under her pillow, surrounded by her scent, he grinned.
Reflection
In the lull between fights, Illario mulls over the fate of Minrathous and his part in the final battle.
as always thanks to @illarioappreciation and @lustaniasaxon for hosting.
Read here on AO3
snippet below
Dear Lucanis.
I write this in the quite moment before you, Rook and the allies she has gained climb the giant tendril to the Archon’s palace. It feels like everyone is at once holding their breath and taking as much air as is allowed in this devastated city.
We are all taking a moment after the fight to reflect on getting here and although I am not allowed out of the eyesight of Teia and Viago, I know they both in their own way complimented me on the support I gave during the fight, especially regarding assisting Teia and the dragon hunter Taash take out the Venatori commander, allowing you and Rook to get into the city. I hope they will appreciate the support I will give them in the final fight to come too.
Illario writes to Lucanis after he finally visits.
thanks to @illarioappreciation and @lustaniasaxon for hosting
read here on ao3
snippet below -
Dear Lucanis
So you visited. Finally.
I half expected you to never do so, or to wait until there was a fancy dinner or something where people would expect a typical Antivan spectacle of thrown furniture and fists.
But that did not happen. I didn’t even hear you come in, but that is a skill of ours as Crows, which you are exceptional at.
You simply entered your villa and I found you in the main hall, checking over the chaos the Venatori had caused. Rook was with you, but she left us alone, after giving me a very pointed look reminding me of her threat. I’m sure she was never far away if need be, but she did not disturb us.
You didn’t take your eyes off what you were looking at when I found you, but I knew you knew exactly where I was and what I was doing.
It happened in a second then, you surging towards me, with your wings opened and eyes blazing, and pinned me to the wall with your dagger at my throat.
Illario is allowed out under escort and observes the people of Treviso.
as always thanks to @illarioappreciation and @lustaniasaxon for hosting
read here on Ao3
snippet below-
As I sit here, writing this, I have just finished a simple but pleasant meal I actually made myself. A pasta dish with some cured ham and cheese. I decided since I had all this free time, I might as well try. The worst I could do is poison myself.
I’m sure some people would be very happy about that. But it actually wasn’t bad even if I say so myself.
It’s funny, unlike you who would spend much of your free time in the villa down in the kitchens learning to cook all be it very good meals that we often shared, I never had the patience to learn the elaborate dishes you wished to create.
I would rather go out in my free time and enjoy the finest Treviso could offer.
Including great food.
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