Dock Town Gossip (Rook/Lucanis)
Jumping ahead in the timeline for my Talented Mage/Dashing Rogue series because I was plagued with visions to start yet another WIP. But it's okay, because at least I finished this one! It takes place some time in act 2, I haven't decided exactly where.
♖𓅂♖𓅂♖𓅂♖𓅂♖𓅂♖𓅂♖𓅂♖𓅂♖𓅂♖𓅂
Pairing: Rook x Lucanis
Summary: After hearing a rumor about Lucanis, Savar starts to worry he's embarrassed by their relationship.
Word Count: 1.5k
Rating: T
♖𓅂♖𓅂♖𓅂♖𓅂♖𓅂♖𓅂♖𓅂♖𓅂♖𓅂♖𓅂
“Who’s a good boy.” Savar cooed, ruffling the fur of a Mabari they’d crossed paths with. It’d been some time since they set foot in Dock Town, but when Neve mentioned following up on an old case, Savar offered to tag along, and brought Lucanis for company.
On their way to meet their contact at the Lamplighter, they ran into Neve’s Templar friend, Rana. Since they would be arriving ahead of schedule, Savar decided to pet the local strays while the others chatted.
“So, Neve.” Rana leaned in to speak quietly. “Rumor has it you’re dating an assassin.”
“You mean this assassin?” Neve asked, pointing to Lucanis.
Savar’s neck snapped to attention, pausing mid-pet to eavesdrop. Gossip in Minrathous spread like wildfire, especially among the Shadow Dragons, but what would make Rana think that Neve was dating Lucanis?
Rana instantly changed her tune, straightening as she realized who she was talking to. “Oh, I didn’t- Aren’t you the Demon of… Sorry. You seem so nice?”
“Thanks?” Lucanis blinked, looking even more confused than Savar felt, but he still hadn’t corrected her.
Lucanis wasn’t… no. He wouldn’t. Neither would Neve, for that matter.
“Where did you hear that?” Neve chuckled, lightly.
“I have my sources.” Rana winked. “So, how long have you two been a thing?”
“We aren’t.” Neve answered, casually.
Savar let out a sigh of relief.
“Oh, denying the allegations, are we?” Rana teased.
“Very much so.” Lucanis chimed in, before his eyes widened. He immediately turned to Neve once he realized what he’d just said. “No offense.”
“None taken.” Neve shrugged, clearly unbothered. “Sorry Rana, your source got it wrong this time. The Crow is taken, just not by me.”
Savar smiled, feeling silly for thinking they had anything to worry about. They stood up from where they’d been crouching at Mabari-level, and wandered closer to the conversation.
“I see.” Rana grinned, mischievously. “Someone else managed to steal the heart of the Demon of Vyrantium then?”
Lucanis groaned in frustration.
Savar began to reach for his hand, but before they could catch it, Lucanis moved it away.
“We have a meeting to get to.” He muttered. Without another word, he continued down the path towards the bar.
“That’s a yes.” Neve whispered to Rana, practically giggling at his discomfort.
…
Savar broke into a light jog to catch up with him. Neve wasn’t far behind, trailing leisurely as they approached the entrance to the Lamplighter, and stopped in front of it.
“Why didn’t you just tell her the truth?” Savar asked. They wanted to reach for his hand again, but feared he might pull away again.
“Because it was none of her business.” he answered, as if it were obvious.
“I know, but… just for the record, I don’t mind. If you want to tell people, that is.” They hadn’t been seeing each other for long, but Savar thought they were past the point of keeping their relationship a secret. Everyone on the team already knew. Allies like Rana could certainly know as well.
“Well, I do mind.” Lucanis countered. “The Minrathous news-sheets have enough gossip about me. I don’t need them digging into my love life.”
“Oh.” Savar’s shoulders slumped in disappointment. They weren’t exactly ready to post an announcement in the papers, but they did wonder if there was another reason he didn’t want to tell anyone they were dating. “Sure…”
“You get used to it after a while.” Neve offered, as consolation. “Even on their good days, they rarely get it right.”
“Until they do.” Lucanis added, already annoyed by the concept.
“Wait, do you not want anyone to know?” Savar asked.
“Not ideally.”
“I see.” Of course. How could they have missed it? Sure, he was a high-ranking Crow, and they weren’t exactly the most sought-after Shadow Dragon, but was it really such a scandal for them to be together? Then again, a Tevinter elf— who also happened to be a mage— dating the would-be First Talon of the Antivan Crows… “You’d rather let them think you’re with Neve...”
“What?” Lucanis gaped at them, suddenly caught off guard by their realization. “Rook, I didn’t-”
“We should get inside,” they interrupted, unable to meet his eyes. Whatever explanation he had would need to wait until after the meeting. “Elek is probably waiting for us.”
------------------------------------------------
‘What. Did you do?’
Lucanis felt a rising panic in his chest as Savar disappeared behind the door. He stood frozen, trying to process what had just happened. Desperate for answers, he turned to Neve.
The detective fixed him with a piercing stare that sent an anxious chill down his spine.
“What’s that look for?”
“Really?” Neve asked, with a tilt of her head. “You just told the person you care about that you don’t want anyone to know you’re seeing each other. How do you think that went?”
For the first time in days, Lucanis felt Spite’s presence shove him aside. Through sheer will, the demon forced himself into controlling their body, but only to speak three words. “You hurt Rook.”
“Never thought I’d agree with a demon, but he’s right.” Neve added.
“That isn’t what I meant.” He clarified, to both of them.
“But it is what you said.” she argued.
It was only logical. Any Crow would have said the same. With so many threats against their lives, neither of them were safe to be themselves— no matter how badly he wanted to. The timing just wasn’t right.
But Savar wasn’t a Crow…
“I… mierda.” Lucanis mumbled, as he leaned heavily against the door to push his way inside.
…
As the four of them sat around a table of drinks for their discussion, Lucanis found it difficult to focus on anything Elek was saying. While Neve usually did most of the talking when it came to her cases, Savar was noticeably quieter, and seemed to find any excuse to avoid eye contact with Lucanis.
He considered faking an excuse to leave several times during the meeting, but refused to disrupt Neve’s negotiations. He would have his chance soon, if he could only be patient.
Despite himself, Lucanis couldn’t help but stare, silently begging Savar to look at him. He hated leaving things the way they did, and only hoped he hadn’t ruined them completely with his thoughtless words. He selfishly wished he could hear what they were thinking, if only to know if they were planning to leave him by the time the meeting ended.
The moment Elek said his goodbyes and stepped out of the bar, Lucanis stood up from the table. “Come with me.” he declared.
“What are you-” Savar began to ask. Lucanis took hold of their wrist, pulling them along as he made his way to the door. “Oh- alright?”
Neve simply sipped her drink, knowing they’d be back.
He led Savar outside and around the building, ducking into an empty alleyway. Without the prying eyes of the Lamplighter’s patrons, he could finally speak freely.
“What’s the matter? You’re embarrassed even to be seen with me now?” they asked. It might have been meant as a joke, but the sorrow in their eyes was like a knife to his heart.
“Never.” Lucanis gently took their face into his hands, leaning in close for a long-awaited kiss.
To his relief, Savar began to kiss him back. Their expression slowly welcomed a smile as he finally pulled away.
“Is that what you dragged me out here for?” they asked, with a smirk.
“No,” he answered, then thought better of it. “Well, yes, but-” He took a breath to gather his thoughts, determined to say it right this time. “I don’t want people to think I’m dating Neve. I’d rather they think I’m not dating anyone.”
Savar’s smile faltered, clearly unconvinced. “Oh. Alright.”
“Not because I don’t want to be seen with you.” Lucanis clarified. “I don’t want the news-sheets to gossip about us because it will make you a target.”
He watched their eyes tick back and forth in thought, hoping they would understand. He would never forgive himself if something happened to them.
“The last thing I want is some traitor to take out a contract on you. Crows have killed for less.” Crows had also been killed for less. Lucanis had already lost several family members to jealous upstarts from rival houses, and he wasn’t prepared to lose anyone else.
“Lucanis, I’m already a target.” they said, earnestly. “In case you forgot, both the Venatori and half the Magisterium currently want me dead. I think I can handle a few Crows.”
He struggled to suppress a nervous laugh. Their bravery never failed to amaze, and terrify him. “I know you can, but…” Lucanis sighed. “You shouldn’t have to. Not for me.”
“I wouldn’t want to, if it were anyone else.” When Savar reached up to caress his cheek, he leaned happily into their touch. “You are worth the risk.”
In hindsight, he should have expected such a reaction all along. Always the gambler, his Rook. He loved that about them.
“Do you want me to go back and find Rana so I can tell her we’re together?” he asked, with a teasing grin.
Savar shook their head, mirroring his smile. “Nah. Let’s keep ‘em guessing a little while longer.” they said, sealing their words with another kiss.
♖𓅂♖𓅂♖𓅂♖𓅂♖𓅂♖𓅂♖𓅂♖𓅂♖𓅂♖𓅂
Thanks for reading!!!
