Erebus_Adjacent

How odd it felt now to not find the stillness of a room unsettling. How being in a room that was provided with love, care and compassion changed the way Rook viewed a room. How a knock at a door was now a gesture of love, and how love was always an open door rather than one closed to protect or shield.

Rook's old room in the House of De Riva seemed like a dim but also vibrant memory, something tangible but also viewed as if through a telescope. Blurry until Rook focused on it, bringing it back into the light. He didn't need to think of that place anymore, however.

This was a much better home. He was just about starting to call the place his and Emmrich's home rather than just “Emmrich's apartment.” Here he was starting to make his own mark on the place, putting trinkets on surfaces and rearranging the few things he felt comfortable moving. Origami ships were dotted across every possible surface except in the bathroom, a crossing point from his quiet time with the Crows to the Lighthouse to here in this corner of the world he could call his own. 

On this particular day, Rook had been hovering in the kitchen waiting for Emmrich to come home. His lover was fairly punctual with the time he arrived home after a day's work, so it had been easy to schedule his activities around Emmrich. Today, Rook had been folding clothes when he heard the door open and shut, but something about the gesture had felt unusual.

“Hi Emmrich”, Rook had called out happily, his attention now entirely diverted by the prospect of Emmrich being within touching distance.

“Hello, darling”, Emmrich called back, but there was a hesitancy to his voice. The words sounded cut off by slightly ragged breaths, a distinct feeling of overwhelm wanting to creep in at the edges. 

Within a second, the shirt Rook was folding was on the chair and out into the hallway he moved. He had just got out of the doorway, in fact, when Emmrich seemed to materialise out of thin air and yank him into his arms. Once they collided Emmrich let out a little whining noise, squeezing his lover in his arms as he buried his face next to his neck.

Oh, Emmrich!

“I'm here, Emmie, I'm here. I've got you, always”, Rook soothed, squeezing the man in his arms as he began to move his hands in soothing patterns on his back. Sometimes Emmrich just needed that little reminder, that little confirmation that his darling was home and safe and happy. After their time apart when Rook helped to clear up some of the remaining darkspawn in the South, Rook couldn't fault his lover at all for moments like this.

Now Rook hoped they would be together in the same building for a good long while yet so they could settle into a proper routine. Waking up together, eating together, cuddling together and all of those lovely domestic things that both of them craved.

In response to his beloved's words Emmrich pressed even closer again, pressing a gentle kiss to Rook's neck in the process.

“What if I never want to let you go?”

If such a thing were possible, Rook would happily hollow out a place inside himself for Emmrich to nestle now that he knew just how ardently he was wanted and needed, how fully he was accepted for who he was. Rook really would do anything to keep the love of his life happy and content. After both of them had spent so long in the dark, both of them deserved a shot at being truly happy.

“Well, I won't deny that your lectures might be more difficult, but I'm sure we could work around it. Maybe if I could be shrunk down, I could fit in your waistcoat pocket?”

The necromancer's answering chuckle was delightful and full of warmth. Another few minutes passed before Emmrich found the strength to part himself from Rook, pulling away from his neck so he could look his darling in the eyes instead. Those wonderful hazel eyes of Emmrich's were filled with such love and gratitude, amplified by the warmth and solidity of his body pressed against the Crow.

“No, I think you are perfect as you are. I shall have to manage being separated from you, somehow.”

Rook had learned that even if he himself didn't think that he was perfect, Emmrich Volkarin absolutely thought he was. That was more than enough, giving the Crow something to strive for. 

“Flatterer. And we'll come up with something.”

It was leaning up to press a kiss to Emmrich's cheek and the consequent kiss as the older man caught his lips that gave Rook an idea. Emmrich already had a little sketch of his beloved that he carried around with him at all times, and Rook had been told by many people that during his absence they had caught the professor looking at it longingly.

But perhaps something more physical was needed, and Rook smiled tenderly up at his lover as he reached for the clasp around his neck.

“Why don't you wear this?”

This bit of jewelry was half of a set of necklaces Rook had bought when he first left the Crows, a matching set of two ships with a heart in each of their hulls.

A little stuttered gasp left Emmrich's mouth, his hands squeezing Rook's hips as if to help remind himself that both his lover and this situation was actually happening. As Rook held up the necklace, the older man looked back between it and his lover for a moment as if he had just been offered the best gift in the world.

“Darling, are you sure?”

As with all things to do with Emmrich, Rook was absolutely sure. As sure as he was when he said that one day he wanted to be a Volkarin.

“Positive. I bought the pair because I loved the idea of giving one to someone else, and I'm so glad that person turned out to be you.”

That seemed to be the last bit of reassurance the necromancer needed, his smile turning truly tender and fond. A gentle jewelled hand took hold of the necklace and brought it closer, those wonderful hazel eyes taking in every detail.

And Rook doubly knew that he had made the right decision when Emmrich Volkarin brought the pendant up to his lips and pressed a kiss to it. Now the necklace was imbued with part of both of them, Rook liked to think.

“Thank you, my dearest heart. I will treasure this as I treasure you.”

“I know you will, Emmie”, Rook assured, using his now freed hands to cup his lover's cheeks, fixing him with a look that contained all the love held within his body.

“I love you.”

Emmrich's answering sigh sounded full of relief, love and the knowledge that comfort would always be at hand when needed.

“I love you too, darling. With all that I am.”

The Lighthouse almost felt too colourful now. Not quite real, a proper contrast compared to the ethereal safety net it had felt like before. After the non-colour of the regret prison, Rook almost wanted to shield his eyes every time he entered a new room.

For that reason, the short walk to the kitchen and the buildings outside felt like a task he wasn't quite up to yet. Not without a strong arm to hold onto, anyway. The light of the manifested eclipse in the Fade was too daunting, a reminder of what had happened when the prison was still a recent memory.

Rook sighed softly to himself as he leant against the wall inside Emmrich’s bedroom. In here he could smell his lover’s books, his cologne, the ambient crackle of his soothing magic. Incense with a hint of spring flowers and moss. Utter perfection.

Outside the room he knew Manfred was occupying himself, and if Rook needed anything he should go to him. Emmrich had left to go and speak with his fellows in the Mourn Watch himself, leaving despite Rook worrying about the dangers of going alone. But the necromancer wouldn’t be persuaded, pleading with his darling to rest, saying he would be back soon, then they would visit the Necropolis together.

Even now, the mention of the Necropolis felt safe. Like down there among the tombs, the Watchers, the spirits and the wisps, maybe Rook had a shot at living another kind of life. Away from all that he had learnt through pain and hardship. Where he could learn how to live quietly, happily, domestically. All with the love of his life and the son he thought he would never have.

Oh, Manfred. Rook had only started crying more when Manfred had run up to him after his return to the Lighthouse and immediately pulled him into a bony hug. A quiet litany of “Rook! Rook! Rook!” had followed, which had caused Emmrich to start crying too.

Manfred and Emmrich were so strong, and so brave. Braver than Rook felt at times, and he knew that now and in this next stage of his life he would be leaning heavily on that bravery until he found his own again.

For now though, there was a little bit of time to rest and reconnect before the final plunge into the battle of a lifetime. 

As soon as Rook peeked his head round the door, Manfred looked up and clapped his hands together with delight.

“Rook!”  

Rook grinned with delight. Manfred really was just like his dad. That moment of brevity, however, left him unprepared for what came next.

In the next moment, Manfred had come forward cautiously, looking over Rook's bandaged wrist and his unwillingness to put his weight on his right ankle. In a voice that was the complete opposite to Manfred's usual tone, he quietly said.

“Rest! Please.”

With his tear ducts making a valiant attempt to create more tears, Rook felt a sad smile take the place of his former grin.

“I will, I promise. But I want to rest in here and be near you, Manfred, if that would be alright.”

Brutal honesty was the way forward in these trying times. And if Manfred could emote with his face, Rook knew that the wisp would be sporting a suitably pleased but sad expression. 

“Yes!”, Manfred agreed immediately, one of his gloved hands being held out a moment later. For Rook, there was no hesitation as he gently took the wisps hand and allowed him to lead him to the sofa tucked underneath the stairs.

Over here, the warmth of the fire was a gentle caress, and the pillow that Rook grabbed to comfort himself with smelled like Emmrich too. Scent displaced from those lovely cuddle sessions spent on this couch, where Rook had nearly said those famous three words on multiple occasions. For the sake of the narrative, as Varric would once have said, the Crow was glad that he had waited longer to spill that particular secret.

A hissing noise that sounded distinctly like a sigh broke Rook out of his reverie. When he looked up and centred himself in the room again, Manfred was just staring at him silently. 

“What's wrong, Manfred?”

There was silence and stillness for a moment aside from the crackling of the fire in the hearth. It was intriguing to watch the wisp try and work out the best words to use with his limited ethereal vocal chords, having to choose them all so carefully. He'd come such a long way in such a short amount of time, truly.

The wisp shuffled his feet on the floor for another moment before he replied, looking at Rook with his head bowed slightly as if he was worried about the reaction his own words might bring.

“Rook…scared me.”

A piece of Rook’s heart sheared off and fell somewhere into a dark corner, to be glued back on later with golden hued glue. These weeks must have been so hard for Manfred too, having to take care of Emmrich when he himself was lost and listless. One of the men who had helped to bring him back from the undead gone in the blink of an eye, and Manfred wasn’t even there to see it.

Emmrich was never exaggerating when he said how much Manfred had grown to care for him. How fond he was of the Crow who had helped to shape his new life in an ever changing world. Rook just hoped that the wisp knew how loved he was by a man who would do anything for him.

“I’m sorry, I really am”, Rook whispered, hearing his own voice crack with his emotions, making Manfred take another step forward. Poised and eager to comfort.

Rook knew what he needed right now, he just hoped that it was what Manfred wanted too.

“Do you want a hug, Manfred?”

Before the wisp had even finished his own noise of delight he was clattering over to the sofa, excitement exuding from his every movement. Rook opened his arms without hesitation and Manfred quickly huddled up against his side, leaning against his shoulder. At this stage, the Crow was amazed that he had any tears left to cry but a few telltale beads did begin to gently trickle down his cheeks.

How lucky he was to have people in his life who loved him for who he was. Something he had never thought possible at several stages of his life, something that had only existed in his wildest daydreams. But here he was, loved, wanted and needed in equal measure.

“When this is all over, hopefully me, you and Emmrich can be a family”, Rook murmured quietly after a period of silence, delighting when Manfred snuggled closer at the thought.

“Family?”

The wisp’s voice was packed with genuine wonder and glee, like a child who couldn’t believe his luck at finding buried treasure. Perhaps Emmrich wasn’t the only one whose wish for a family had been buried and lovingly excavated, after all.

“Yeah, that's right. We’ll be happy and together and safe.”

Being safe was…a conversation for another time. For after the world had been saved and everything could begin to settle down. When the Crows would hear that one of their own was leaving and never coming back. Viago’s reaction was the one that Rook was looking forward to the least.

As it turned out, as always, Manfred’s determination would banish any lingering worries for the time being. 

“Keep Rook safe”, Manfred stated firmly, decisively, as if it really was that easy. In an ideal world, maybe it would be. More tears fell as Rook giggled and pressed a kiss to Manfred’s skull, more than content to wait here until Emmrich got back.

Would the world truly end if he sat down and rested for an afternoon?

That was the question Rook had been pondering for the last hour, at least. Emmrich had assured him that it wouldn’t, fixing his lover with that look of worry and adoration combined that would win any disagreement on resting that they had. Emmrich, of course, denied that he used this look to his advantage. A gentleman wouldn’t use such tricks on such a lovely man! That didn’t stop the older man from smirking with glee whenever his little trick worked, however.

So here Rook was, lying on his green sofa in his room, watching the pretend fish swim back and forth. His left wrist was supported within his new bracer, his right ankle raised slightly on a mound of pillows. It was just his luck, really, to have injuries on opposite sides of his body when his fighting style required more finesse in all of the right areas. Still, with Varric in the infirmary having gone through what he had gone through, Rook couldn’t really complain.

Walking past that doorway always seemed to fill him with a strange mixture of dread and relief. Something deep within Rook quivered whenever he climbed those stairs, a dreadful stillness following the opening of those doors. Only when Varric chimed in did Rook begin to feel at ease again, knowing that his next half an hour or so would be filled with a few laughs and advice that Varric would say he didn’t need.

At this stage, Rook would take any comfort and any piece of advice he could get because the truth was that the Crow was terrified. His mask was tested to his limits when he looked at desolate scenes of carnage and people turned to him for what to do. How was he supposed to admit that he truly had no idea what he was doing when it broke his heart so much when people looked lost and confused. Just because Rook himself felt lost and confused at the best of times didn’t mean that everyone else should, because those people losing hope was not an option.

Even when Rook sometimes wondered how the battles to come would wear on him and his team. Frayed edges and frayed nerves were understandable, now more than ever.

That was why, as with everything, Rook was unbelievably glad for the gentle and compassionate hands of Emmrich Volkarin. Helping to stitch everyone back together with a kind word here, a helping gesture there. Helping Bellara and Neve with magical conundrums and going foraging with Davrin, from planting new seedlings with Harding to soothing Spite to give Lucanis a break. And at the end of all of that, he still had all the time in the world to help his lover as his world constantly shifted around him.

With all of that willingly placed on the older man’s own shoulders, Rook genuinely worried how little time Emmrich seemed to have to spend on himself. Rook was more aware than the others of the nightmares the necromancer suffered from, the sleepless nights and the pangs of homesickness that pried away at his heart. Emmrich Volkarin was such a gentle soul, and Rook would do anything to keep his lover safe and content so he wouldn’t ever become jaded or want to cut himself away from the world.

Even now, Emmrich had insisted on his darling resting whilst he went off to the kitchens to make them both lunch, walking away with a spring in his step and one final longing glance at the door. When Rook had once told Emmrich that his compassion and kindness had been what had drawn the Crow to him in the first place, he had meant that wholeheartedly. It was very cheesy to say, but Rook had believed Emmrich Volkarin to be perfect for a while now and he only grew more perfect with each passing day.

So if Rook could rest this afternoon, then his perfect and kind partner could rest too for a little while. They could both put their feet up and read their books, inevitably getting lost in each other’s eyes and delving into a few lengthy kisses. Indulge themselves in this wonderful little world that had built up around the two of them.

Knock, knock.

Oh, Emmrich always had a wonderful sense of timing, Rook thought to himself as the door began to creak open.

“Hello, darling!”, Emmrich called out, his voice sounding so bright it felt like it contained the energy of a sunbeam. As Rook peeked over the back of the sofa, Emmrich came into focus as he gently shut the door to the room behind himself, effortlessly graceful as always.

“Emmie!”

It was the kind of greeting that Rook couldn’t help, all of his joy beaming out at being reunited with the man who made him feel like he was home. Realistically, he had always been obvious about how happy Emmrich made him but now he really had no pretences about hiding his joy, especially from the man himself.

Especially when Emmrich literally stopped in his tracks, frozen in place as his mind and heart raced with the glee of being wanted and needed. The man’s shoulders even fell a little, his whole body relaxing by several delightful degrees.

“I’m sorry I took so long, darling. I spent an inordinate amount of time trying to shape your sandwiches using a sandwich cutter I asked Davrin to try and make.”

A…what?

“What did you ask Davrin to make?”, Rook questioned as Emmrich came round the side of the sofa, trying to gain a sneak peak at what was on the tray his lover was carrying but finding a little lace cover barring his view.

“A cookie cutter, in the modern parlance, darling. He said we could keep it now for future culinary experiments”, Emmrich continued as he placed the tray down on the nearby table, turning round in the next instance to press a kiss to Rook’s forehead.

Somehow explaining just what was being used for the surprise under the cloth didn't make things any clearer. But for the moment, as Rook tilted his head upwards to initiate a kiss on the lips, the suspense could linger for a little longer.

“Not that I don't appreciate the surprise, Emmie, but can I see what you've got hidden there?”

Emmrich's answering grin was delightful for as long as it lasted, overpowering his usual unwillingness to pull away. As Rook swung his legs off of the couch, Emmrich got himself ready for the grand reveal. Oh, how the man did love to be dramatic.

In truth, Rook couldn't quite have predicted what was going to be revealed. So when his lover yanked away the cloth to reveal a lovely cluster of origami ship shaped sandwiches, the Crow was stunned for a moment. Emmrich…had gone to the effort of effectively commissioning Davrin to make a cookie cutter shaped like Rook's favourite origami creation?

Now Rook was the one who was staring at Emmrich in shock, jaw hanging open. The man was humbled by Rook's appreciation for his compassion, but how could his actions not be truly appreciated to the fullest? When the gentleman necromancer knew his lover so intimately, knew exactly what to do to make Rook feel like he was adored for exactly who he was? Despite Rook's proclivity for covering every available surface in origami ships, Emmrich still treasured every single one.

And now all future sandwiches would always carry that memory of familiarity.

“Emmrich…”, Rook began, knowing that he was about five seconds away from bursting into tears if he wasn’t careful. Words didn't feel like enough of a thank you, so something else was definitely needed.

“First of all, thank you, you darling man.”

If Rook had one superpower in the world, it was making the distinguished Emmrich Volkarin melt into a fond puddle. His smile was so intense it crinkled the skin around his eyes, highlighting his laughter lines from years worth of joyful experiences. He didn’t interrupt however, keeping silent so he could hear what was coming next.

“Second, could you come and sit by me for a second? I want to snog you senseless.”

Giving the game away felt a bit counter intuitive, but it did provide Rook with the wonderful opportunity to see his lover’s eyes darken with want. 

“Please”, Emmrich murmured softly, wantonly, already opening his arms before he had properly sat down.

In turn, Rook was already leaning across and connecting their lips before he could make the move over to the other man’s lap. The little startled noise Emmrich let out was delicious, but the moan that left his throat next was even better as both men matched the other’s passion instantly. Rook quickly wove a hand into Emmrich's hair, locking the man in place, soft strands tangling around his fingers. The Crow didn’t waste any more time before licking the seam of his lover’s lips, being granted immediate access with another soul shattering moan.

What a delight it was that Emmrich felt comfortable being this openly needy with his kisses, so open in grabbing a hold of his lover and hanging on for dear life. Hands touching and feeling like Rook was anchoring him to this world, tasting every inch of the man’s mouth with visible and audible glee.

The thought that there could be so many more kisses like this in the future was almost intoxicating to Rook, flooding his mind and body with a satisfaction he never expected to feel. If only kisses could go on forever…

In the end, it was Rook that had to pull away, pulling in lung-fulls of air as he watched Emmrich flutter open his wonderful hazel eyes. His pupils were dilated, his smile looked distinctly dopey, and he had never looked more beautiful to Rook.

“I-”

Rook cut himself off before three little words could be spilled far too soon. It happened often enough that Rook knew the secret would come out sooner rather than later, propelled out of him by the force of his affections. But for now, something smaller but still as meaningful would have to do.

“I adore you, Emmrich. Truly.”

There was a gentle tug at the back of Rook’s neck, and he got a brief glimpse of Emmrich’s answering smile before his forehead connected with his lover’s forehead in a gentle touch.

“And I adore you, dearest. Completely and utterly, without hesitation.”

The moment lingered for a second longer before Emmrich pulled away enough to press a kiss to the end of Rook’s nose.

“Come on then, darling. Let us get some food in our bodies.”

“Rook, darling?”

Consciousness prickled at the edge of Rook’s mind as his foggy thoughts focused on a delightful voice. This wasn't the version of said voice from his dream, but the real one that curled so wonderfully around his heart.

“Dearest?”

It was the second pet name that truly penetrated through the sleepy fog, with Rook taking a deep waking breath as he came back to the world. Feeling rather like a cat, Rook stretched his limbs into life as he fluttered open his eyes, the world slowly coming back into focus.

And what a delight it was that the first thing Rook focused on when he awoke was one Emmrich Volkarin. He was slightly more dressed down than usual, so he must have just come back from the Necropolis. That was what Rook had been doing, he remembered with a smile.

Now his lover was home.

“Hi Emmie”, Rook murmured sleepily, his own mouth forming into a grin as he watched his lover’s smile stretch too. He looked so beautiful in the ethereal light of the library, his eyes practically sparkling to match his shining jewelry.

“There you are, dearest”, Emmrich said with enough fondness to have Rook’s heart clenching, let alone the few questing fingers that brushed some hair out of his face. “Have you been here long?”

Good question.

“I’m not sure. I was waiting for you and then…”

Rook took a moment to look at just what was in his lover’s other hand and felt recognition dawn on him as he looked at his current reading book. Woops.

“Ah. Please don’t tell Lucanis I dropped that.”

The mage’s smile widened into a grin, gone in a flash as he winked and tapped the side of his very lovely nose.

“You have my word. If I may be honest, my dear, I think what you need right now is more sleep.”

His eyes scanned the length of the sofa and his lover's folded legs with a slight frown.

“Somewhere more comfortable with more room.”

Rook couldn’t argue with that. He still felt groggy and could do with an extra hour or two before the evening when he really should make a start on the pile of letters waiting in his room. Who knew the end of the world would involve so much paperwork.

A small flicker of an idea blossomed in Rook’s mind, like a flower with distinctly Emmrich coloured petals. Just because he needed more sleep didn’t mean he had to go back to his own room…where responsibility felt like a heavy weight even in his downtime.

Hmmmm.

“Could I sleep in your bed? You can say no, of course, if it's too early for such things.”

At this stage, the pair of them hadn’t actually slept in the same bed yet. It was still early days yet, and Rook still felt a bit like he was stumbling along a little bit. Emmrich had so much relationship experience that the Crow felt a little outmatched with his grand total of no experience. Going slow was something they had both agreed upon, but in moments like this Rook wondered whether his own wants were just too much to begin with.

The initial moment of Emmrich’s jaw dropping open as it was want to do when he was shocked certainly didn’t help Rook’s worries. There was a second of stillness that was blissfully interrupted by a truly pleased smile creasing Emmrich’s face, even tugging at the wrinkles around his eyes.

“Of course you can, darling. Thank you for voicing your wants with me once more.”

Oh. Of course it was that simple, it always was. With Emmrich everything always seemed simple, comforting, breezing through difficulties as if they were a journey rather than an obstacle.

As Emmrich leaned down to press a kiss to Rook’s forehead, the Crow wondered at how Emmrich had so thoroughly lowered so many of his barriers. When so many Crows were emotionally shut off by nature, Rook was delighted to no longer feel like the strange one for wanting to talk and to learn with his lover. 

When the mage pulled back into Rook’s eyeline, one of his wonderfully flexible eyebrows had risen into that smirk that signified something lovely was about to happen. How marvelous it was to know someone so intimately, to know that there were still so many facial expressions to catalogue! Even though Rook knew his mask was hard to drop at times, his heart raced with glee whenever his lover found more of his tells.

“Now, the question is, my darling”, Emmrich began with a flourish, pressing a hand over his heart like the true romantic that he was. “Would you allow me to carry you to your continued rest?”

Rook giggled because he couldn’t help it, a truly gleeful sound that seemed to make the older man’s next breath stutter in his throat. As if there could be any answer other than…

“Yes please, you romantic gentleman.”

Even though Emmrich Volkarin of all people must know just how romantic he was, it still filled Rook with glee to watch the man’s expression shift into one that was even more pleased, prideful even. Proud to have made his lover swoon by being himself, with no pretext and nothing to hide. The gentleman necromancer certainly hadn’t lost any of his charm and ability to make people swoon since the last time a special someone had been in his life.

Emmrich let out a very pleased chuckle as he bent down to scoop his arms under his beloved’s body, easing him up and away as if the Crow weighed nothing at all. This close, Rook could smell the mage’s cologne and feel his body heat warming him, his embrace so delicate and firm. If Rook were less awake, then it was very likely that he would have been asleep long before he was tucked up under Emmrich’s bed sheets.

As it was, Rook was awake and smiling when Emmrich Volkarin said

“As long as I am around, my darling, you will be romanced and swept off of your feet as often as possible.”

The pier creaked underneath Rook as he harmlessly tapped his feet against the support beams behind his legs. It felt odd but nice to take a moment out of his day to just stare off at the sunset clouded skyline imagining what could be and what might be.

The events of his life had collectively eaten away at his ability to imagine that running away over the horizon was possible, yet there the horizon always was. Just out of reach, like a constant reminder that the finish line was something he couldn't reach.

A lighthouse like beacon, striped with blues and pinks and oranges, like the most perfect painting his mind could conjure but his fingers could not reproduce.

Still, the current circumstances weren't all bad, truth be told. Rook's time away from the Crows had instilled a hope in him that Varric had helped to nurture and Emmrich Volkarin had kindled into a raging bonfire. That was the funny thing about hope: Rook had never quite been able to loosen his grip on it, even when he had wanted to throw it all at the wall and shatter it into a million pieces.

Outcasts and Crows like him shouldn't hope for better things. Yet here Rook was, hoping that maybe, just maybe, he could find that nebulous concept of home he had always dreamed of. Walls, windows, windowsills, nice furniture and love and connection.

“There you are, dear Rook! Enjoying the sunset?”

Or maybe, Rook thought as he turned back to smile at the beloved gentleman necromancer, home had always been more in the shape of a person than a building. Someone effortlessly kind and compassionate, who strived for authentic connection and cared with every fibre of his being.

“I am. But I know we should head back soon if we want to get back for dinner.”

The soft jingle of Emmrich’s jewelry was like a balm for Rook’s frayed nerves, the swish of his layered robes like the sound of a lover sighing with happiness. Polite as always, Emmrich gestured toward the space next to Rook first, never assuming his closeness was wanted.

Thankfully for both of them, Rook always wanted Emmrich close. Contrary to the sort of romance novels Lucanis liked to read, Rook would much rather curl up inside Emmrich’s rib cage rather than the other way around. What right would Rook have to bundle such a kind man inside his messy insides, after all? Twisted by fear, the lingering ghost of self hatred and guilt.

Emmrich gave Rook such a soft smile at being allowed to enter the man’s space, looking genuinely humbled once more as he began to sit down.

“Yes, but we can always enjoy another moment whilst Taash says their goodbyes.”

Yes, the noise of the mini party that was going on had been what had driven Rook down here in the first place. Emmrich had seemed happy enough chatting with a local scholar, so Rook had left him to it. He should have known that the necromancer would come and find him though, as he always did.

It filled Rook with glee that both of them sought out the other’s company so much these days, that it wasn’t just a one sided affair on his end. No, sometimes Emmrich Volkarin seemed to be just as unwilling to part with Rook as Rook was to part with him.

There was that damned hope again, surging inside Rook at the thought of returned feelings. Calm down, Rook, he told himself quietly.

“Rook, are you sure you are alright? I would not blame you for being lost in thought more than anyone else, but…”

Rook watched as Emmrich thought over his words for a moment, before his lips finally twitched up in a sad smile.

“I do worry about you. With the amount of stress that you are under, you can rely on other people to help you. You can rely on me, my dear.”

The stillness of both of their bodies was shattered as Emmrich bravely put his arm around Rook’s shoulders, effectively short circuiting the Crow’s mind and ridding him of whatever reply he had. There was a tell-tale prickling sensation as tears began to form in the corners of Rook’s eyes, something that Emmrich immediately noticed, of course.

“You are not alone, I promise.”

Resounding truth. Hope. Compassion beyond measure. A promise that Rook knew would be kept.

Once again, Rook questioned how he could not have fallen in love with this amazing man. He was just…a dream made real. And a dream that deserved to have his own feelings reflected back when Rook knew he struggled with his own sense of self.

“You are not alone either, Emmrich. I promise you that.”

With that, Rook quickly leaned across and slotted himself against the necromancer’s side, resting his head on one of those broad shoulders that he loved so much. There was a moment of stillness and silence after the initial stuttered breath that the necromancer let out.

And then Rook felt a kiss being pressed against the top of his head, followed by the pressure of Emmrich’s cheek leaning there instead.

“Thank you, Rook. I know that, thanks to you.”

The Fade was shining and shimmering in some truly wonderful colours today. Like the dancing lights of the aurora Emmrich had heard so much about but never seen, or the colours out of space from that cosmic horror novel Rook had told him about. It was a truly beautiful part of the other world, a little haven where so much felt possible away from the stresses of the outside world.

Down below Emmrich from his position on the balcony, he could see Rook and Manfred engaged in some manner of fun activity. They were both talking with their hands animatedly, both of them seeming truly gleeful and happy.

He was glad they were both happy, truly. To think that so recently he could have lost one of them and had to shift his relationship with the other. That this precious world he had found himself in could have been torn apart and reformed in an instant. Like so many other things in his life, the upheaval of the world could have left him stunned and confused, feeling alone and afraid.

But instead, Rook had showed Emmrich the bravery of continuing on with the living, of staring his own mortality in the face and defying it to live a happy life. A happy life with him and their skeleton son, as Rook had affectionately called him.

If Rook could dodge death so many times and his own misgivings on his own life to stand and live another day, then so could Emmrich. If Rook could hope for a better future and fight to see it, then Emmrich Volkarin would live and love and fight to achieve the future he had longed for for so many years.

Of waking up every morning with the love of his life and falling asleep next to him at the end of the day. Of sharing tender moments and bouts of passion that left them both breathless and sated. Of asking the love of his life to marry him and knowing that he would say yes.

Emmrich had been honest when he said he wouldn't change his current life for anything, despite his wonder over what lichdom might have been. Davrin had actually come up to him one night and told him explicitly that he thought Emmrich had made the right decision. And he had said that whilst the pair of them watched Bellara and Rook dance together and giggle happily in the library a few evenings ago.

That sentiment was also in the gripping hug that Bellara had pulled him into one morning, and the hand on his shoulder during a tender moment with Neve over a glass of wine. To be able to be warm and alive and to feel their hugs and touches was something he would never give up now. To share in the joy of being alive to fight another day knowing that victories would feel all the sweeter for having survived them in his mortal form.

All in all, Emmrich knew that he had made the right decision and he had made peace with it. And no matter what happened, Rook would always be willing to talk things through.

Speaking of Rook, a flash of movement caught the necromancer's eye. When he looked back down to the scene in front of him, Rook was waving at him happily, adoration plain to see in every aspect of his body. Not a second later, Manfred also gave a happy wave, wanting to be part of the fun.

Even as his heart squeezed with affection in his chest, Emmrich’s feet were already carrying him toward the stairs and the two people that made him happiest in the world.

The scene only became more delightful as it came into more clarity the closer he got. The blanket Rook and Manfred had spread on the ground was one that was usually draped over the sofa in Rook’s room. Pillows from there had also been draped across the surface, making everything seem so cosy. In a box to the side was a growing pile of very familiar looking origami ships, and in a basket was a pile of paper of varying different shades.

“Emmie, my love! Come to join us?”, Rook greeted warmly and adoringly, and Emmrich felt his soul quiver with wonder at being addressed in such a way.

“Hello, darling”, Emmrich murmured sweetly, before turning his head to Manfred and giving him a fond smile too. “Hello, Manfred. This looks like quite the party.”

Rook grinned and giggled, his cheeks flushing beautifully as he gestured to everything in front of him.

“We're making some more bunting to replace the last set.”

Ah, yes. An unfortunate accident, that had been. Manfred was still in the early days of his magic then, and the bunting had been included in the casualties of “the rug incident.” He'd been so upset about it until darling Rook had taken the skeleton's face between his hands and said that they could make more together, accidents like this are bound to happen. The delighted hiss their skeleton son had let out had been heightened a moment after when Rook had smiled and pressed a kiss to his bony forehead.

If anything, after seeing his two most favourite people in the world looking so happy, Emmrich didn't mind that his bunting gift had gone up in flames. It had been nice whilst it lasted, and now something new could come about. Something shared by the three of them, of the love that they shared for each other.

“That sounds like a wonderful idea, darling. Would you like any help in your venture?”

Their lives were so full of big adventures right now that little ones like this were to be treasured for what they were. Spending time with loved ones whilst the world spun around them, a quiet island of calm in a sea of chaos. Plus Emmrich could do with the opportunity to practice this sacred craft, given he hoped to be making these ships for many more years to come.

To Emmrich’s delight, Rook grinned widely and patted the blanket, already reaching for a cushion for his lover to sit on.

“Yes, please.”

It shouldn't surprise Emmrich even now that Rook wanted to spend so much time with him, but he couldn’t help it. After spending so much time being told he was too much, too overbearing in his very being by past people in his life, Rook’s encouragement still felt so…freeing. To be so accepted and so wanted for exactly who he was would always make Emmrich Volkarin count his lucky stars.

As he gingerly sat down and crossed his legs, Manfred was quick to reach for a pile of familiar bluey green paper and hold it out, the colour of that first ship that had started all of this wonderful adventure.

“Here.”

Seeing Manfred grow under his own care had been a wonder, but to see how much his skeleton companion had grown under Rook’s care was astonishing. To see him hold out the paper so gently, his fine motor skills honed towards tenderness and care. The way he clapped his hands with glee when Emmrich took the paper and Manfred said out loud...

“Happy.”

And he was. Manfred was so happy, and so was Emmrich. Truly and utterly. Here in this moment, sat two beings who loved and accepted him for just who he was, without condition and without question.

No man alive was more fortunate than he. And the stars and the movement of the universe above would be thanked everyday for conspiring to bring all three of them together. For bringing him the love of his life and the son he thought he would never have, both of whom he would be entirely lost without.

“So am I, Manfred”, Emmrich sighed happily as he leaned across to take hold of both of their nearest hands. For Manfred, he gave his hand a gentle squeeze. For Rook, he placed a gentle kiss to his fingers, wondering just how it would feel to repeat the same action if Rook wore a wedding ring. Something to ponder after the world had been saved, but for now Emmrich Volkarin was content.

“I can’t believe we actually did it.”

Rook’s soft tone of voice called Emmrich Volkarin back out from the depths of his own mind and back into the present. He focused instantly back on the man of his affections, the wonderful smile on his face and the loving light within his blue eyes.

They really had done it. Together, they had won. Before all of this, Emmrich had never ever expected to be at the heart of an effort to save the world. And now, staring at the figure of the man he loved, illuminated by moonlight, he knew that he regretted nothing.

Meeting Rook really was the best thing that had ever happened to him, all of that time ago when the assassin had stumbled into the Shrouded Halls with an amazed expression on his face.

“It was quite an amazing feat, wasn’t it?”, Emmrich encouraged, offering his lover a fond smile as he walked out from the depths of the little hut they had been occupying for the last couple of days. The Lords had pointed him and Rook in the direction of this little place when they had asked for a good place with a sea view away from prying eyes. After all that had happened, Emmrich just wanted to keep his lover all to himself for a while, and it gratified him that Rook wanted that too.

The Necropolis and Treviso felt a thousand miles away as Emmrich settled himself on the edge of the porch beside his dearest man, swinging his feet over the edge to dance in the air beside his beloved’s.

Rook’s chuckle brought his attention back to the man next to him, a fond and knowing look present in those blue depths that made the old necromancer’s heart surge with affection every time he saw it.

“A feat is right. Couldn’t have been done without a lot of help, though. We all made it happen.”

A slender hand reached over and squeezed Emmrich’s closet hand firmly.

“It would have been impossible without you, my guiding star.”

For an assassin, Rook was remarkably humble. It hurt Emmrich in a way that Rook thought his part in everything was so minimal, that he was just a cog in the bigger wheel that had saved the world. It also boggled him that Rook thought Emmrich had played such a big part in their venture. From his perspective, he had always done what anyone should do for the person they love above all else. Given he had very nearly lost Rook entirely, it would have been impossible for Emmrich Volkarin to have done any less.

Never again would he be parted from Rook. Never again would Rook be left alone. Emmrich would always be there to love him, support him, romance him and look after him. For as long as he could.

“Rook…”

Emmrich was surprised that his own voice sounded so wobbly, not realising just how close he was to tears. But then again, that nickname had always rendered him dumbstruck and flummoxed by the love and trust stored within it. To be entrusted as the person that would always guide his lover back home, to be the lighthouse that showed him the path to safer waters.

“Emmrich”, Rook whispered gently, his lips then pressing a tender kiss to his beloved necromancer’s cheek.

With the feelings bubbling inside him, Emmrich could do little else but turn his head as his lover pulled away, capturing his lips in a kiss. The moment the other man responded with his own enthusiasm pulled a raw whine from Emmrich’s throat, hands already reaching across and grabbing for the assassin’s hips. By the time Rook was in his lap, Rook had already licked the seam of Emmrich’s lips and been given instant permission, beginning a familiar but no less exciting dance of their tongues.

Sweet spirits, but Rook was so alive in his arms. Warm, hot, panting, wanting and whining and wriggling in his lap. How could Emmrich ever want anything else? When the elven assassin fitted so perfectly against his body, had so easily nestled into a niche in the necromancer’s heart that he thought would never be filled. The enduring affection Emmrich had longed for for so long was all bound up in the man in his arms, giving himself so effortlessly and so gladly, always.

And to top all of that off, Rook had told Emmrich so many times over that he was the love of his life. That Rook had always felt like something was missing in his life, missing that connection where someone chose him and only him. Someone who saw past his walls and helped to bring them down with a gentle hand so the true him could be revealed and loved. Emmrich Volkarin felt incredibly proud and grateful to be that man, so grateful to the universe for conspiring to bring them together and allowing them to stay together.

In a few years time, once things had settled down, Emmrich hoped to surprise Rook with a ring. They had already talked about marriage at length, of course, but Emmrich being the hopeless romantic he was, couldn’t stop thinking about that wonderful day. The day where Rook would keep his promise of becoming a Volkarin, even if Emmrich already thought of him as one anyway.

What an amazing future both he and Rook had in store for them! A safe and happy home that Rook had always been craving and that Emmrich was desperate to provide for him. Safe and sound with their boy Manfred, in a little corner of the Necropolis that would be all their own. Endless mornings of waking up in each other’s arms, and evenings where Emmrich would be welcomed home with sea shanties, a restless ship being called home to the port he loved so much.

Utter perfection.

Rook was the first one to pull away from the kiss, cheeks flushed, mouth open as he panted, showing off his lovely teeth in a grin, eyes sparkling with glee. Emmrich couldn’t help but grin back, pushing down his thoughts of wanting those teeth to bite into his neck in favour of moving to rest their foreheads together.

“I love you so much, Rook.”

Rook’s giggle was delightful and warm, like a wisp tittering with glee in the quiet of the Memorial Gardens.

“I love you too, Emmrich. Not even death will keep us apart.”