Archive of Our Own ^beta

Lucanis wasn’t sure how he ended up falling asleep with his head leant against Rook’s shoulder, but waking up in early morning (or if they could even ascertain what was morning in the Lighthouse) while despite the uncomfortable angle of his neck, it was the best he felt in ages. Certainly ever since Ossuary.

There was a blanket around both of their shoulders, meaning someone else leaving late last night after their dinner and small conversation around the fire had to wrap it around them. Maybe Bellara, Lucanis thought, it was a nice small gesture and something she would do. He already pictured the knowing smiles, quips and smirks from the others who witnessed his lack of self discipline of failing not to fall asleep when he was so close to the one person who made him feel like everything would be alright in the end. It was all fine regardless.

The tentative beginning of his relationship with Rook brought him more comfort after the horrors that began unfolding around the Thedas– the lack of sleep after the rise of the old gods and Lucanis‘ personal vendeta against Zara didn’t help to keep him very focused, on top of dealing with a demon in his head for all hours. Yet he and Rook barely took the first step forward of asking the other to spend time together. Sometimes Rook took Lucanis‘ hand when they were finishing a journey back to Lighthouse after a rought quest, and nothing could prepare the assassin how much he would enjoy the warmth of another person’s touch. Slow was a fine pace for Lucanis, at least he wanted to make sure it was something Rook truly wanted, and he could find more courage and trust in their bond.

Lucanis smiled as he finally glanced properly at the sleeping elf still snoring softly beside him. Sleep was something that didn’t come easy to both Lucanis and lately to Rook as well, he noticed, so he was happy he could offer more relaxing opportunities to the other. Their head was propped up on their elbow against the wooden table, and some fluffy strands of their midnight blue hair were falling from their usually kept ponytail. The sight was almost adorable, Lucanis allowed himself that thought, and only then realized it was suspiciously quiet inside his mind – Spite must have been resting as well. A strange thing to think about a demon, but if the proximity to Rook was soothing to Lucanis, it could be working miracles on the demon occupying a part of his mind as well.

From the change of the elf‘s breathing, Lucanis could tell Rook was beginning to wake up as well.

'I can feel you staring at me. Do I have something on my face?' Rook mumbled with a sleepy voice, hiding the goofy lilt of their usual tone as they yawned.

Was Lucanis staring that long while he was lost in his thoughts? He must have. Not that it mattered, Rook was easy on the eyes and Lucanis was simply a man too gone for the warrior already.

Lucanis suppresed a smirk as he wanted nothing more than tell them how cute he thought they looked. Maybe another time. He moved to exit the warm cocoon of the blanket and put it back around Rook’s shoulders to keep them warm.

'Just a tad of sleep in your eyes,' he said, hands lingering on the warrior’s shoulders for a second longer than necessary, and he could feel the warrior's warm and steady shoulders lean into his touch. 'I will make some coffee, if you’d like.'

'I’d love some. Thanks, Lucanis.' They always said his name with such care, it left Lucanis a bit weak in the knees.

Rook smiled at him blearily and looked around the room, only now noticing the Lighthouse coming back alive with the noises of the other companions waking up outside soon reaching their ears. They could hear Assan’s happy sqwaking as Davrin took the griffon for their morning run to stretch his wings, and Bellara’s tinkering with magic against metal in her workshop. They were comforting sounds, lively and reassuring. And soon the dinning room was filling with the aroma of Lucanis‘ rare coffee beans he was saving for special occasions, and if this moment was not a special one he didn’t know what else would be.

'This might have been the best sleep I got in a while.' Rook muttered, still smiling gently in Lucanis‘ direction and pulled the blanket around them more close to his arms. 'Ever since Solas learnt he can annoy me in my sleep, it’s been difficult to get some rest. So...' they coughed, suddenly looking a bit nervous, and was that a hint of blush on their cheeks? 'So thanks for this.'

'I was just thinking the same. I should be the one thanking you. Instead of arguing with Spite the whole night, it seemed he took a bit of respite, so to say.' Lucanis chuckled. He carefully poured two cups of coffee and brought one to Rook, fingers gently brushing over each others.

They spent the morning sipping coffee and talking about nothing and everything until the dinning room’s doors welcomed the rest of their team and slowly the new day began to take shape and form new plans.