Lucanis is a self-admitted bad Andrastian, but he has caught himself praying to the Maker more often lately. It wasn't because of the Ossuary or Spite; those problems he can live with because they are his problems.
He catches himself praying when his mind starts to drift to Rook. Wondering what it would be like to run his hands through their hair, to allow them to peek into the mess that is his mind sharing an unexpected roommate. He knows that he must figure out some of his own problems first. And if he were being honest in the slightest, his heart yearns for Rook to see him as his whole self. But instead, he catches himself praying to the Maker that Rook is safe, that Rook won't see how tired he feels, that he will become a better man, someone that Rook would deserve. He will think it odd he has turned to prayer and logic the observation away. "Caterina's insistence that Illario and I go to Chantry School on the Maker's Day must have finally caught up to me. I'm not even a good Andrastian."
"May they walk by the Maker's side," he whispers in his heart whenever Rook leaves the Lighthouse and steps through the Elluvian. "Thank the Maker they're alright."
Maybe it is was from growing up in Weisshaupt, being the youngest warden probably ever or the blight burning in her veins, but Warden “Rook” doesn’t ever seem to get embarrassed or flustered. The only time in recent memory those terms would ever apply would be when Lucanis pinned them to the wall and almost kissed them, but they do not think the other two noticed. Whatever, what this means to say, Rook (Varric one day decided she was called) does not care if she is caught doing something, even singing her heart and love out into a song.
Every single member of her team had “caught”- well, had listened in (because she have make a show of her continuing to play piano with one hand and using the other reach for a random dagger of her 8-something number of blades she carried everywhere if they had started looking like they were about to say something) to her sing a particular tune. She knew that everyone has heard the “Running Home to You”, and so does Lucanis, as the others had no subtlety and had rubbed it, the lyrics, and her heart eyes all in his face.
Rook never minded the teasing, as she had been the Baby Warden for 22 years and the team won’t ever compare to the teasing and hackling of military mentors. She also never cared how lovey-dovey her songs turned out to be, as that was how they were finally able to express their feelings about Lucanis, without feeling like they were forcing themself on a man who isn’t ready. Even though, she knew he was, and let’s be honest, if there was zero physical intimacy, including kisses and cuddles, she’d still be happy.
The Warden is also happy just playing music, and depending on whom came to watch, they’d change the music and lyrics to match the person. The only person that didn’t personal a soundtrack and that was Davrin, who only took them to go spar. Whenever either of them got pissed (Or emotional in general) enough to need a good fight to calm them down.
However, that was then. This is now. Davrin have to drag Assan out from the Music room, the “Mediation” room, and anywhere else that Rook frequented to ensure Assan eats that day. And Assan ensures that Davrin eats too.
Neve avoids the actual lighthouse, because now it is just too quiet. No music wafting down, no new scratch marks from Rook’s constant parkcore over the railings. Neve debated ignoring her study too, because she keeps staring at her door, waiting for a certain someone’s daily check-in. Something that person did before Minrathous was destroyed, and after, no matter how annoying it was after. That damn dagger better work.
Bellara took turns between raiding Solas’ office, library, anywhere with books, and stress writing. When they walk back in, they’ll hear the best damn story ever!- well, it is when, right? Right? Oh, Solas better have something on something about that fade prison!
Emmrich didn’t need to leave the building to know where Manfred was doing. He knows that… that death… is hard..er to grasp for spirits, and even with Manfred more complicated nature that he’s just not wanting to believe that, that after almost a fortnight, Rook simply is not just go running up the outside steps and play Rock, Paper, Scissors with him out of the blue. But they will soon, Emmrich and the team will guarantee it. Because they have to. That’s what the replica for, it should help bring them home, they will be able to finish off the remaining gods, and we can all come back to the Lighthouse for… oh, dear. This has to work, this just has to.
Lace, well, she certainly wishes she shot that bald-headed, friend-stealer, boss-fucker, Titan-killer, and god of lies now! She knew they couldn’t trust him, but this? This? Swapping places? Because he’s so damn full of himself?!?!She should’ve seen this coming- Why didn’t she see this coming?? Okay, Lace, breathe, just breathe and shoot- And she catapulted her target into the air at Mach 5…
No, no, NO! Taash didn’t just lose their tama to losing their friend too. What went wrong? What went wrong? They saved Lace, thankfully but turn around and Rook was gone. Their last word- no! No! Not last word, just what Taash heard last! Come on, 183, 184- “LUCANIS” and collapsed again. What did Rook see for them to scream out their love’s name like that?? Is- Is something going to happen to him next??
Lucanis and Spite had finally came to an agreement, an alliance, and they had again. They will find her, damn it all, Rook will be here! This is. Rook’s place. Spite is either offering new ways to kill gods, screaming at Lucanis, or pulling them back to the Fade to keep looking. Something they will always agree on doing. They always get as far as Taash will let them. Taash took Lucanis’ nightmare fuel, the echoing scream in his head, and use it as Rook’s… No! Not final! wish. His days always end with him in the Mediation room, with Spite staring at the door or being rubber banded back to Lucanis’ side as Spite went too far from him. Searching, always searching for the one who opens doors and never shuts them. For the Warden who always sung about running home to them. About wanting them next to her whenever possible, “Every hour, every… minute.”
