or started it, rather. tipsy rook! after a lovely night out with the gals Rook comes home to Lucanis' apartment for the weekend, relatively early into their new relationship in my Espresso Martini/Modern Au
Lucanis set down his spatula as the cellphone on the countertop buzzed, the smell of sizzling peppers and onions filling the kitchen. He glanced at the message and found himself smiling.
Neve: Had a little too much to drink
Neve: Davrin's driving us home, dropping Harding off first. Be there with Rook in 10
And there was an attachment. He swiped up with his thumb to dismiss the lockscreen and tapped in his password, greeted by a blurry photo given a halo effect by passing headlights. Bellara, Harding, Neve and Rook were all crammed into the back of Davrin's beat up SUV. Bellara was mid laugh, her hands up by her cheeks that were covered in glitter. Neve's arm was thrown over the mechanic's shoulders, turquoise satin sleeve over yellow blouse, her other arm stretched out to hold the cellphone. Harding was squished between them, beaming, her freckles on full display in the mixed gold and red glow of the road. Her hair had been braided down one shoulder in beautiful white ribbons. She wore a cheap plastic headband woven with fabric flowers that declared her BRIDE in big pink letters. It was a little askew.
He could see Rook's arm tattooed arm on Bellara's other side, their body tilted out of the frame and blurred by the motion of the vehicle, flipping the camera the bird.
They all looked delighted.
He glanced at the clock over the microwave. Nearly midnight. They'd left around… six? His heart felt light. It was wonderful seeing the group so happy, especially Harding. One should always be happy before a wedding. And hopefully after, of course.
He knew for a fact that Taash was probably pacing the floor of their house, lifting weights and checking the clock. They'd only just gone for drinks themselves, him, Emmrich and Davrin, yesterday evening for the (bachelor? fiance?) party. They'd kept it casual, little rowdier when the hour got late at the Hilt. Taash did set a tablecloth on fire, as was one's right. Then they went home and crowded together to watch the wrestling finals. The plan was to sleep well and meet up again in the afternoon for a hike and some... how had Taash put it? 'Break-shit' therapy?
Lucanis had bowed out of the appointment at the rage room today. He'd try some other time, but there'd been a surprise meeting at the office (fucking Illario), which he had not been permitted to excuse away or foist onto his assistant. He doubted his friends would hold it against him. He'd ask Davrin how it went. He himself had only returned to his apartment a few hours ago.
He set down his phone and turned his attention back to the fajitas he'd been trying to throw together. It wasn't long before there was a rapid knock on the door down the hall from the living room and its view of the city below.
Lucanis tugged off the oven mits he'd donned to pull the flatbreads out of the oven. "It's open."
Neve pushed inside, taking off Rook's brown wool coat and still chuckling at something they had said. Rook unlinked their arm from hers and tugged her into a hug as they rounded the corner.
"Thank you for the ride," they hummed against her shoulder.
"Of course," Neve said, rubbing their back soothingly. "But thank Davrin. I couldn't drive us. I really shouldn't have had those last few shots… but kiwi? Seriously? I couldn't not try it."
Rook frowned and took the detective's face in their hands, searching her eyes. "I'm sorry," they said. "Are you feeling alright?"
"I'm fine, Rook," she replied easily, rolling her eyes. "I feel good. Did you have a good time?"
"Yes! It was wonderful." Rook kissed her cheek and stepped back, hands twined with hers. "I hope Harding had just as good a time. And you did. And Bellara— but I had so much fun. I'm so happy I could burst."
"Good, I'm glad. Go get something to eat." Neve turned towards the kitchen and lifted a hand. "Hey, Lucanis. Brought you this." She tapped Rook's shoulder and started making for the door. "Have a good night!"
Lucanis blinked a few times at the sight before him, even as he called out: "Would you like to stay for—?"
"I'm alright! Bels and I are going home to order Hal's." And the door swung shut with a click.
Rook was standing in front of the couch by the windows, Antiva's nightlife glowing behind them as they beamed. Their eyelids were smeared with a deep, smoky black glitter and their brown suit blazer was open a few buttons lower than usual, exposing branches of inked antlers and geometry. Their hair was swept straight back over their ears, also glittering with subtle gold and black sparkle. "Hi." Their lips were painted a deep, deep blue.
Lucanis' heart soared, his stomach did a somersault the way it had been doing. "How was it?"
"Oh it was wonderful." Rook walked towards him and past the kitchen island, brushing fingertips over his forearm where he'd rolled up his sleeves— their skin was very warm. They were wearing that pine and incense perfume they favored, and Lucanis resisted the maddening urge to inhale a little more deeply.
Rook stood on their tiptoes to open a cabinet, reaching for a glass. Most of their usual grace was lost. They were slower, more cautious with their movements. "The art gallery was stunning, and the botanical gardens were… Lucanis they had vandal aria and wisp orchids. I'd never seen them before. Harding and I about lost our minds— and their cafe was beautiful so we decided to drink there first and then went to the Cobbled Swan for the burlesque— absolutely stunning. There was—" They giggled. Actually giggled, as they paused and gestured to their hair. "A lot of glitter."
"I'm sorry I missed it." Lucanis smiled and walked to their side, gently pressing one hand over theirs for them to settle so he could reach up and grab the glass instead, setting it on the counter before them. Maker, they smelled like forests and gin, safety and Rook.
Rook frowned at him before turning to absentmindedly open the fridge. "Harding seemed really happy. Neve surprised us with the unlimited cocktails package and oh my gosh— so good. The food smells amazing, thank you. How was your day? You said you had a meeting, how was work?" They wobbled a little, holding their hand against the fridge to steady themself as they picked up the brita filter.
Lucanis stepped into their space to take the jostling pitcher from them, opened the freezer for some ice and poured both into the glass on the counter. Rook, fridge still open, settled their other hand on their hip. "I can get all that, you know."
"Can you?" he teased, turning back to turn off the stove.
Rook scoffed. "I can. I'm a little wobbly, not blacking out here." He felt their eyes on him and glanced over his shoulder, where their partner's face had already softened to something thoughtful and attentive. They blinked as they realized he was looking back. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." He tipped some of the meat and vegetables from the pan onto a wedge of flatbread on a plate. Rook reached for the glass of water again and Lucanis waved them away. "Sit," he insisted, and was surprised when Rook shut their mouth and settled at the counter, watching him from the stool.
He set the plate and glass in front of them, and a small smile played across Rook's mouth. "Thank you," they repeated, a little more softly. "You are very helpful."
Simple words, but they hooked themselves blissfully into the bones of his ribcage. "You're welcome. I thought if you were drinking tonight I'd make us something lighter. I had to use that chicken before it went bad."
"Smart," Rook agreed absently, beginning to eat. They hummed their approval. "So good. Thank you, love."
"You're welcome," he repeated patiently, amused as he settled his hips against the counter with his own plate.
"So, work?" They asked again through a mouthful, cupping their hand over their mouth.
Lucanis made a noise. "It was unavoidable."
"Right," Rook said, swallowing a laugh. "I know, I hate that. But you said you had a meeting. Did you see Teia and—"
A rattling mewl and the soft scampering of paws as the barstool squeaked and Spite leapt into Rook's lap. They loosed a delighted gasp as the beat up black alleycat rubbed his forehead against their blazer and curled his long tail over his paws.
"Hello, cutie!" Rook leaned down and peppered the animal's head with kisses, scritching his cheek affectionately. "You're so warm! Hello, Spite, how was your day?"
Spite rumbled another smoker's meow, twining between Rook's arms and purring like a jackhammer. Lucanis could see the sheen of blue kiss marks on his fur and tried not to examine the surge of affection and delirious jealousy he felt too closely.
"I know," Rook hummed, dripping sympathy as Spite clambered up onto their shoulders, purring and bunting his head on their cheek. "It's so hard being in the big house all by yourself all day… poor baby…"
Spite drank up the attention like a sponge, incessantly pacing over their shoulderblades and chewing affectionately at their hair.
"He's going to get covered in glitter. And then he'll need a bath," Lucanis warned.
Rook gave a theatrical gasp and swept the animal up into their arms next to their face, regarding Lucanis pleadingly with big blue eyes. "Nooo, he hates baths. I think the glitter looks nice on him." They frowned and lifted Spite into their sightline again, hands under his elbows. Spite meowed. "Then again, you groom yourself. I don't think this is cat safe glitter." Spite hissed half heartedly, flicking his notched ear. "Aw, that's my fault, I'm sorry, bud." They carefully leaned down to set him back on the floor. "I'll give you a bath."
"I wouldn't-" Lucanis warned, grimacing.
"I know, I know he hates it. I'm sorry, I didn't think."
"It's okay. He loves when you're here. He's… I'm glad you're staying the weekend."
"Me too," Rook groaned, reaching down to peel off their gold pleather heels. "I needed a vacation." They set the heels on the floor, which Spite promptly sat on, and looked up at him with a grin. "And it's sooo nice to be near you. Here."
Lucanis nodded and set aside his plate. "You should finish that water. How do you feel?"
"Good." They chuckled as they lifted their glass. "Drunk."
"You look beautiful," he said, the words slipping from him unexpectedly.
Rook's lips curved upward and a mischeivous spark lit their gaze. "Thank you very much, Lucanis." Their voice was warm and honeyed. "You look extraordinarily handsome."
He chuckled and glanced down at his apron. "Right."
"No no, I mean it. And I have to say I feel so spoiled, coming home to food, a good cat and a good man."
Lucanis felt his face get hot and cleared his throat, unable to contain a startled grin as he started gathering dishes into the sink. "That was the idea."
