The first time Davrin realized he was in love was in the heat of battle— covered head to toe in muck and gore as wave after wave of darkspawn poured through the flooded parts of Lavendel. He swings his sword and downs the hurlock throwing spears, turning on his heel just in time to see Rook surrounded by a seething mob.
He stands knee-deep in stagnant water, lightning trailing from his fingertips, dancing up and along his arms as he coats his entire form in glimmering purple sparks. Bending his knees into a crouch, he waits for the exact moment to unleash the storm.
It's brief, the hint of delight that crosses Rook's expression. He had been waiting to try this move out, practiced it at least a dozen times at this point but without the payoff. He'd always let the magic die out.
The darkspawn slashes forward, claws connecting at the same time he jumps up. The lightning forks itself outward, pouncing eagerly upon the dampened darkspawn. Rook fade-steps out of the fray, watching the calamity of his work fry every last darkspawn into ash.
Davrin can't help the words that leave his mouth, "Damn, Rook."
He's panting, but grins all the same, "A bit more lively on the follow through than I expected. My fingers are stinging."
All Davrin can see is explosive strength in a tightly packed form, a force of nature. It was… entirely the wrong time to be thinking of Rook's beauty, but the fact that the elf could take down just about anything in his way was more than attractive.
They push deeper into the overrun fort, the last of the horde contained to the boarded up entryway. This time, Rook replaces lightning with fire, the puddles of blight glistening as the flames ignite the entire area into an inferno. The darkspawn all but melt, and any stragglers are easily put down by Harding's arrows.
The whirlwind of flames releases Rook, "Fire is… that needs a bit of work." He coughs little puffs of smoke, "Mission successful, though."
He never thought Rook could look any hotter than he did already, until he'd seen him coated in flames one moment and completely fine the next.
"That was beyond impressive Rook." He says the words intentionally, hoping the other would blush in response.
He doesn't disappoint, running a hand through his hair as he looks away, cheeks flushed, "Still needs tweaking, but you can watch me any time you'd like."
"Any time I'd like, huh?"
"I'm told I put on quite the show."
"I bet you do—"
Harding clears her throat, "If you guys are done flirting now, we should probably go let Evka and Antoine know the good news."
"What? We weren’t… that’s not…" Rook begins to protest, Davrin doing the same. Harding looks unconvinced, but shrugs her shoulders as she starts to head back, the two wardens following behind.
—
He didn't think about the consequences of doing too much too fast, and it wasn't until he was back at the Lighthouse that he knew what those consequences were.
Every muscle fiber stings, pins and needles in his fingers slowly traveling up his arms. Other parts of him feel as though flames still licked at tender flesh, searing hot and almost numb in some spots.
Almost, but not quite, the pain reminds him.
The bath house is full of steam, but Rook can barely relax enough to remove his clothes. He should just give up, crawl back to bed and hope the worst of it fades by morning.
"Looks like we had the same idea." Davrin says from behind him.
"After Lavendel, you kind of have to," He carefully looks over his shoulder, but ends up wincing anyway.
"Hey, what's wrong? Are you hurt?"
Eyes like an eagle, Davrin never seemed to miss anything he did, "I'm fine. Just… sore."
"Kal, come on. You're a terrible liar."
His name coming from Davrin’s mouth always sent his heart fluttering. It was good, when he said it. It felt right.
"Sometimes, trying new magic comes back to bite you in the ass. I can barely move my arms."
"I see. I guess that explains why you were about to take a bath fully dressed."
"You're funny."
"You know, I think I might have just the thing to help."
"Yeah? Let's hear it."
"Well," Davrin moves closer until he's just behind him, voice like velvet in his ear, "First, we need to get rid of these clothes."
The smooth rustle of fabric behind him, Davrin's shirt tossed to the floor. Rook clumsily fingers the hem of his tunic, attempting to follow suit but Davrin is quicker. Gentle, careful movements as his shirt joins the other.
Hands on his waistband tug downwards, and although he's gotten undressed in front of Davrin more than a few times, he's nervous. This time was different.
This was an intimacy not born of lust, but of intention. This was devotion. Raw and vulnerable.
Davrin takes Rook's hand and steps down into the pool, gesturing for him to sit on the side, "We'll work your way in."
He hisses in pain as he sits on the edge, feet resting on the step and completely submerged in the warm water. Davrin takes one foot in his hand and squeezes, starting near his toes, then along the arch, back to the heel. He massages right where they hurt most, and Rook can't help but groan with pleasure.
When both feet have been tended to, Davrin works his way up Rook's legs. He sucks in a sharp breath when his calf seizes up, but Davrin is there kneading out the knot immediately, murmuring softly to him as he soothes the pain.
Soon, he's being pulled further into the steaming water, humming his approval as both heat and hands reach his thighs. He exhales through his nose, having to consciously calm his thoughts and keep his body from reacting like it usually did when Davrin was naked and this close to him.
"You doing okay, Kal?"
"Mmmm, more than okay."
Davrin sinks himself lower, water just below his pecs as he settles on the last step. Rook sits himself between his legs, and Davrin begins massaging all around his shoulders, then down his back, along his arms. He takes great care to go slowly, leaving no part of him aching. His thumbs run circles along tensed muscles, working them loose inch by inch. The pins and needles retreat from the combination of Davrin's strong hands, and the steady warmth of the bath. He melts into the water around him, closing his eyes briefly as he lets himself fade into nothing.
Nothing but him and Davrin, bodies close.
Davrin, who saw right through the walls he hid behind and saw him for who he was, not what he could be. Who cared deeply for the things he loved, and wanted nothing more but to mean something to this world.
Well, he certainly means the world to me.
"Kal? How do you feel?" The other's breath on his ear sends a shiver down his spine.
He feels completely unwound, the worst of the symptoms fading into the water. He leans back against Davrin's chest, "You have your own set of magic hands. I feel like a new man."
Davrin rests his chin on Rook's shoulder, "As breathtaking as you are when in your element, Kal, I don't enjoy seeing you in pain. So I’ve got you, anytime you need me."
Rook finds the hand resting on his thigh, entwining his fingers with Davrin's, "You know I've got you, too, right? The feeling is mutual."
They stay sitting like that for a while, Davrin's arm around his waist and Rook's hand in his. Neither one wanting to pull away from the other, even if the water was growing cool.
"Stay with me tonight, Kal. We'll both sleep better if you do."
"Trying to get me into bed, are you?" Rook teases.
"Oh, I don't really have to try. I know you'll come."
He shakes his head, stifling a laugh, "And you say my puns are bad."
Later, with Davrin sleeping soundly beneath him, it hits him with total and complete clarity.
He's falling in love.
