Share your favorite romance scenes that you have written. Kisses, dramatic confessions, tragic partings, tearful reunions - whatever you like.
I often sneak in some degree of schmoopy stuff, but I will say that this scene from the 9th chapter of Crow Parties are Murder is one of my favorites.
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Neve stood facing [Illario] across the icy graveyard, shaky and unsteady, but triumphant with a smear of blood across her cheek. She gave him a crooked smile as their eyes met and Illario could feel his heart skip a beat. She looked like a goddess of retribution itself had taken form to grace him with her favor. As he stared, a sharp whistle went up around the roof, echoing out down to the streets and courtyard below. Cheers went up from the crowd gathered to celebrate, heralding the sight of dozens of Crows descending on the Chantry from all sides.
Illario paid it no mind. All he could do was smile at Neve in return.
Feet moving before thought, he stepped through the ice without hesitation, keeping his eyes on her. A stray Venatori stumbled into view, fleeing a thrown blade, and he cut them down without breaking his stride. Throat cut, body twisted, pushed out and away from his path as he accelerated. Another cultist pitched backwards off of the roof behind Neve as one of Illario's throwing knives embedded in their throat as he reached where she stood.
"You put the stars themselves to shame, Detective," Illario circled his arm around her waist and pressed her close. He could feel her lean on him for support as he reached up to hold her face with his other hand. Neve gave the slightest shake as she wound her arms up over his shoulders and around his neck, but she steadied in his embrace as they pressed closer.
"Oh? Cold and distant?" Neve chuckled, but there was something around the edges of that laugh that felt like it was sharp enough to cut.
"Imposible," Illario brushed his thumb along her cheek, warm even through the leather of his glove. He gave her a gentle smile as he tilted his face to look down into her eyes. "You burn far too brightly for them to compete, even if I could pluck them from the sky to compare."
Neve gave him a curious look, and then suddenly rose up and pulled Illario down into a kiss with a rush of heat. He pulled her into a closer embrace as the kiss deepened, threading his hand up into her hair gently and pressing her as closely as he could. Around them, the noise of the city rose in a crescendo as the clock tower, long silent, began to toll midnight out over a free Treviso.
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Neve didn't know Illario had the ability to bite his tongue, but who knows how much has changed, at this point? There has to be a reason Rook took him back.
Rook smiles fondly, across from them, and Neve flexes her fingers absently. She remembers the night at the opera house.
There has to be a reason, she repeats to herself like a mantra.
Or: Rook De Riva comes crashing back into Neve's life a year after Veilguard. Some things have changed, some haven't. Neve POV.
IT'S FINALLY READY!! I've worked. so hard on this fic. SO HARD. a huge thank you to @marvelous-goose for going over it with me <3
Chapters: 1/2
Fandom: Dragon Age: The Veilguard (Video Game), Dragon Age - All Media Types
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Illario Dellamorte/Neve Gallus
Characters: Illario Dellamorte, Neve Gallus, Lucanis Dellamorte, Rook (Dragon Age)
Additional Tags: Team Dynamics, Team Bonding, Demonic Possession, Demon/Human Relationships, Flirting, Trust Issues, Developing Friendships, Attraction, Ensemble Cast, Team Feels, Self Confidence Issues
Summary:
Neve Gallus didn't expect it would be easy convincing the Demon of Vyrantium, First Talon of the Antivan Crows, and 'mage-killer' Lucanis Dellamorte to join Rook's team. The man is very busy, after all. But when Lucanis refuses their contract unless they agree to save his younger cousin from the Ossuary... it leads to some interesting possibilities. (AKA: Alternate universe where it was Illario you recruit as teammate in the Ossuary and all the consequences therein.)
Summary: The First Talon gives Illario Dellamorte a set of contracts to clean up several of the Venatori and their allies who have gone to ground in Minrathous. A perfect opportunity for a disgraced Crow to recover his reputation and get some revenge as a bonus.
Characters/Tags: Illario Dellamorte, Rook de Riva, Carina de Riva, Elek Tavor, Neve Gallus, Assassination, Antivan Crows, Gambling, Blood and Violence, Murder, Implied Sexual Content, Drug Use, Alcohol, Illario Dellamorte/Neve Gallus, Illaneve
Read on AO3 or a snippet below (7K Words)
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'There are Venatori that need killing ,' Lucanis had said.
Illario had agreed with the general principal, but his cousin had then handed him a packet containing several contracts. Each inked, and awaiting his signature. His contract negotiator's notes were included as well.
'These ones, specifically. In Minrathous. I trust you to see it done, cousin."
A week later, Illario found himself in The Lamplighter with Carina de Riva, waiting for a contact of theirs. The beer and food were passable, and the entertainment genuinely good. He'd made note of the acrobatics troupe, who struck him as a little better than one might find in this area, but they did not appear to be actively concerned with either of the Crows. They did seem to appreciate Rook's pun-laden comments about their performance, which he personally found mildly aggravating in the circumstances.
Illario had spent last couple of days getting acquainted with the Dock Town neighborhood in Minrathous. It wasn't hard to find a half-decent place to stay with help from Carina, and he'd visited a rather eccentric tailor near his rooms to get a set of clothes that were far more in keeping with Tevinter style. There were enough Antivans among the populace that he didn't need much to blend in.
Abruptly, a man with short-cropped brown hair and an easy smirk sat down at their table, blocking Illario's view of the stage. "So you're the Crow."
"And you are?" Illario returned the smirk, but with a somewhat sour edge.
"A concerned citizen, naturally," his eyes full of amusement as he nodded to Carina. "Rook. Always a pleasure."
Illario rolled his eyes. Everyone just had to be funny today.
"Illario, this is Elek Tavor. He has a lot of interests, but for today he's here as a friend," Carina ignored their banter amiably, cutting to the point. "A friend who happens to be able to help you find what you were looking for."
"I hear you need a bit of local information," Elek nodded to the table, and their waitress set down a tray with a fresh round of drinks. When she left, the man pushed a small package under the table to Illario's feet. "Gallus had us do a little asking around, and then did some digging of her own. It should get you started."
"And when I am ready?" Illario asked, packet neatly concealed in his jacket in a simple movement.
"Tell me what you need then," Elek shrugged. "I can arrange most things you might need if I have enough time. Money will help."
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Three weeks had told Illario a lot of things about Dock Town, and even more about his target. At the very least, he was pretty sure that the city of Minrathous actively hated him, and this part of it in particular. It didn't seem personal, Dock Town hated everyone. It took the blood and sweat and hope of the people that lived there and in return gave them endless rain, crime, and the terrible smell you get when too many people aren't careful about what they throw into the water. He had a begrudging admiration for anyone who could thrive under such conditions, even if he never aspired to that himself.
Ericius Satenti moved through it all like a ghost. Illario had managed to infer his movements from the notes Elek had provided, but even when combined with his own information, the man eluded him. He found it frustrating both professionally and personally, given what he knew of Satenti. Tall, heavyset, and dressed in a very singular style that he repeated each day. Black coat, black pants, white shoes, white gloves, white hat. A single red peony in his cap, and a golden cane with a large ruby at the top, echoing the same lurid color as the flower.
He could not be more recognizable if he had chosen to wear a sign on his person spelling out his name in all known languages. And yet, he remained an enigma.
Thankfully, after a lot of hard work, Illario knew where the man would be for at least one evening in the next week. Following a thin lead from the files Elek had given him, he had made the acquaintance of a very accommodating tea shop clerk a few weeks ago. Illario had been tipped that someone matching Satenti's description had yet another quirk, well known to any reputable tea seller in the city. His target favored Calico Blush, a very specific tea blend which was exclusively available in only one card room in the city.
"So, you need an invite to his game?" Elek asked as he leaned against the outer wall of The Cat's Paw, the Thread-run card room in question. "Are you sure he'll show up next week?"
"Yes, we already went over this," Illario rolled his eyes. "He apparently shows up one night a month, plays a few rounds, drops some cash at the most exclusive table in the place, buys a large amount of tea set aside for him by one of the bartenders, and takes home someone pretty for the night. This repeats every month, with little variation."
"Variation?" Elek raised an eyebrow.
"Sometimes he finds two companions," Illario shrugged.
"What's the plan then, you going to poison his tea? Slip him a dagger while he's betting?" Elek crossed his arms. "I don't know that I like the idea of someone dropping dead during business. It might make people uncomfortable."
"People die in card rooms all the time," Illario replied amiably. "However, that is not my plan. You just need to get me into the place, and I'll take care of anything messy off of the premises. I can't be inconveniencing concerned citizens."
Elek didn't need to know that taking the man's life was only one part of the contract. So few people appreciated what else the Crows could do for clients willing to pay the right amount of money.
"As long as you have money and charm to burn for a few days, I can get you in the door," Elek sighed, giving Illario an appraising look. "Clearly I have an internal problem that can't be resolved until after your little assignment. Show up tonight looking like you're ready to make some expensive bad decisions and we'll get you set up for next week."
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Illario had to admit, the tea really was quite good.
He sprawled indolently in one of the private booths off to the side of the main card room, artfully disheveled as he sipped the famed blend of tea, flower petals, spices, and milk. The remains of several indulgences lay scattered around the table in bowls of fruit, decanters of wine and half spilled glasses of some kind of ornate sugar candy mixed with a hallucinogenic grass Illario had never heard of. The curtain obscuring the booth from prying eyes was artfully drawn back just enough to allow most of the room to remain visible, while also showing his features off to their best advantage.
The Cat's Paw was well suited for Dock Town. It was just sleazy enough to be what it was, a place where a mix of hope, danger, avarice, and just a little luck funneled money into the Threads. Small and large luxuries and conveniences made it easy for patrons to spend their money and time like water and leave feeling just the right mix of exhilaration and disappointment to keep them coming back. A perfect spot to find an eccentric mage who made his living on selling lives and despair to the highest bidder.
"Mmmph, olives," a bare foot slid up the inside of his thigh as the woman across from him abruptly sat up. She tipped forward slightly with her dress askew, but didn't open her eyes. Her face was sleep soft, which he found a vast improvement over the arch and pinched expression she had worn for most of the evening.
"I think that is perhaps enough for you, palomita," Illario murmured, keeping his accent a bit thicker than usual. She didn't protest as Illario gently moved her leg back to her side of the booth, and eased her into a less compromising position laying down. Her dress was artfully readjusted so that the position was natural, attractive, and unlikely to provoke anyone into waking her for some time.
Illario stretched and stepped out of the booth, making a show of re-buttoning his shirt and arranging his hair. He'd dressed in the style of most Antivans in Tevinter, with Tevene fabrics cut in a more Southern style. His cover required good clothing, the more conspicuously newer the better. He tugged the curtain closed behind him, ensuring that it would be unlikely for the staff or anyone else to disturb her until closing time around sunrise.
"He'll want you more if you're someone else's," the bartender panted in Illario's ear, shifting their position to press him closer against their neck.
"Oh, like yours, Ennka?" Illario laughed and nipped at their ear in return, letting one of his hands trace up to the point. He pressed closer, pinning them against the storeroom wall and slipping his leg between theirs.
"No. Not what he wants—" the elf gasped and writhed as his other hand slid up under their shirt, then gently pushed back for some space. Their big green eyes were luminous in the dimly lit room. "He likes to take, from someone. Especially if he hates them. That's who he leaves with. His prizes."
After a short but entirely enjoyable fuck with Elek's best bartender, it had taken Illario the better part of the next day to find just the right mark. Cassida Lux, fashion darling of High Town in Minrathous, and the good-time party girl in every Paper's gossip section. Scion of a noteworthy house, indifferent at magic but still a mage, with no discernible talent apart from being tall and thin enough to look good in even the most questionable attire. She was exactly the type of society dilettante that someone like Ericius Satenti would take immense personal pleasure in slighting.
It was almost a pity that Cassida was too blissed out to register the insult to her pride, but Illario didn't want to take the chance that she might actually disrupt his plans. Feeling the kind of tense relaxation he did so often before things really started on a job, he slid through the scattered patrons over to the bar and schooled his face into a mask of mild annoyance.
"Another, if you don't mind," Illario leaned against the bar with his back to the main room, and handed his empty tea cup to the nearest bartender, a dwarven man who looked like he could carry a keg with each arm and not break a sweat. He received a glare in return, but the man did start making his drink. Illario make a brief show of brushing nonexistent lint off of his pants, propping his leg up on the footrest of the nearest stool.
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a reflection of black and white in one of the several mirrors positioned carefully around the room. They were artfully arranged as a part of the decor, and allowed the guards positioned through the room to keep an eye on the players at the tables. Of course, they also allowed anyone else to so the same, and Illario took full advantage as his prey walked right into his trap.
"A man of taste, I see. At least in your choice of drink," a low voice rumbled near Illario's ear as Satenti slid up to the bar. The man had a large frame, but moved with an elegance that must have taken a lot of time and work to achieve. He nodded to the bartender who had set Illario's drink down, and immediately started to make another.
"I like to think that my personal style may pass for fashionable in discerning circles," Illario gave the man a half smile before taking a sip of his tea, looking out from under his lashes as the steam wafted the delicate fragrance around his face. "Sadly, my choice of company appears to have been less … discerning than I hoped."
"That, dear boy, can always change," Satenti brushed his hand along Illario's thigh as he leaned out to take his own cup from the bartender with his other hand. He caught a not entirely subtle look between the two as the cup changed hands. Satenti removed his hand from Illario's leg to retrieve a small bag of coins from his jacket, and slid them onto the counter.
"For the better, il produttore lo desidera," Illario flashed him a half smile, and took another sip of the tea. He savored the second taste, taking time to sift the light, fragranced notes of the tea from the drug that had been introduced as Satenti had taken his own cup. No doubt Viago would have some clever name, but he just thought of it as the Venatori Special. Dulled the senses, made someone suggestible, easily counteracted with a small amount of the powdered counter-agent concealed in one of his pockets.
"I have a table set aside for tonight," Satenti gestured towards the back of the room, where there were a few smaller tables with privacy screens around them, then let his hand drop back to Illario's leg. "If you would care to join me. A stake isn't necessary, if you don't wish to risk your own funds. I'm sure Cressida's will do nicely enough."
"It would be …una delizia— a delight, ser," Illario smirked as he made the slip between Antivan and Trade, making eye contact with Satenti. He took another sip of tea and produced a couple of high value chips from his pocket where several more rested in reserve. "She's already provided me with such a generous start."
"Then we go well armed," Satenti laughed and stepped back to allow Illario to stand. "And you must call me Eric. We must be good friends in good company, yes?"
"Alessio Valenze," Illario nodded, placing a couple of fingers lightly on Satenti's arm as he gave him the name that the people in the Cat's Paw would know for him. "I would very much enjoy that."
Moving through the room with Satenti's hand at his back, they were seated quickly with their drinks, some food, and a dealer ready to start any game of their choice. The private tables were still a part of the room, but the privacy screens really did a lot of work to make it feel more secluded. Illario took advantage of the movement of people bringing things and settling in to pop a small pill under his tongue.
As enjoyable as it was to not really care about the game or his odious company, he couldn't afford too much of anything that dulled his senses right now. The counter-agent went to work immediately, and the table and the people around him came back into perfect focus. Illario studied Satenti as he interacted with the other players as they sat, feeling more than his usual amount of disdain for the Venatori mage, which was already considerable. He let his gaze linger on the man's hands as he arranged things on the table in front of him with meticulous detail.
Control.
"Something on your mind, Allesio?" Satenti's eyes flashed another question as he gave Illario an assessing look. The intensity reminded him of Zara, always looking for a sign that her control had slipped. The comparison left an oily trail through his thoughts, offering a distasteful, but shamefully easy set of moves for him to follow.
"No, no," Illario waved his hand absently, letting it land on Satenti's knee, and returned a lazy smile. The man's eyes relaxed as he placed his hand on Illario's, and moved it further up on his thigh without breaking eye contact. "Simply curious about what kind of game you prefer."
"Hmmm," Satenti reached into Illario's pocket and took out the chips he'd flashed earlier, seemingly satisfied when he didn't react to stop him or ask any questions. He handed them to the dealer, who fanned an array of smaller denominations and placed them back in front of Illario, neatly stacked. "I have a few in mind. But if we're going to enjoy losing Cressida's money, let's start with Dead Man's Tricks."
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Throwing out tags for visibility, because I can't remember who all told me to tell them when this was out 🤣
Please comment on this post or DM me to be added removed at any time! Tags are always no pressure, check this fun thing out, with no expectation of response ❤️
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The sounds of the Villa Dellamorte coming to life drifted up through the open balcony and into the attic with the morning sun. Unseen, someone had discreetly placed a change of clothes for Neve, along with her own toiletries, in a neat pile on a small table outside while she and Illario slept in. It didn't take long to get changed, and set aside the far more complicated jewelry and clothing from the party. Her hair took an extra minute, but after locating a mirror propped up in a corner with some light, she was able to get it sorted out much better than she would have expected in the circumstances.
"Have you seen my sash?" Illario moved through the room, rearranging his own outfit in restless fits and starts. He was trying not to show it, but Neve could tell that he was carrying some anxiety about the brunch with his family later this morning. Unlike the room that was supposedly his own, this hidden space upstairs felt a lot more like who Illario actually was. The attic was an organized chaos of work tables, a sewing machine, several racks of clothing, and some comfortable, but mismatched, furniture.
"I don't know, Handsome," Neve propped her elbows up on a small table in front of where she sat, and rested her face in her hands to watch him as he searched. Shirt half buttoned, no boots, his hair undone. "Maybe someone made off with it in the early hours of the morning. I can round up some likely culprits."
"And who would they be, Detective," Illario flashed her an exasperated smile, only the smallest pinch around his eyes betraying anything more than amusement. "The cats? My own carelessness? A wayward bird? I know our fledglings know better than to disturb anything in this room."
"You should examine all of the suspects very carefully," Neve laughed and gave him a wink as he walked over and reached out to lightly touch her cheek.
Dark blue eyes looked back at hers for a moment before they narrowed slightly to sweep across her hair, neatly bound up in the back with a familiar length of teal silk. They widened briefly and he started to laugh, tension melting away from his eyes and shoulders.
"All the suspects?" Illario asked, trailing his fingers through end of the sash to neatly arrange the tail and fringe on her shoulder.
Big shout-out to @stealingpotatoes who did this absolutely amazing cover. I love them so much 🥰
Crow Parties are Murder
Summary: Illario isn't having the best of times at a party thrown by the Dellamorte family to celebrate Treviso's freedom when he becomes embroiled in bad manners and unsanctioned murder. Thankfully, Neve Gallus is on the case.
Chapters: 13/13
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Blood, Murder
Relationships: Illario Dellamorte/Neve Gallus, with minor references to Lucanis Dellamorte/Rook de Riva, Emmrich/Strife, Viago de Riva/Andarateia Cantori
Characters: Illario Dellamorte, Neve Gallus, Caterina Dellamorte, Josephine Montilyet, Lucanis Dellamorte, Rook de Riva, Caterina de Riva (named Rook,) Viago de Riva, Andarateia Cantori, Chance Candide, Jacobus Egrativi, Emmrich Vokarin, Bellara Lutare
Crow Parties are Murder is the second story in a series with Illario Dellamorte, set after the events of Dragon Age: The Veilguard. It is not necessary to read either of the other installments to read this one.
Series information below.
In the order they have been, or are being, published.
The Philosopher Contract
Complete. 3/3 Chapters, 13.8K Words. Illario crashes a swank Tevinter party with Neve to identify and kill a Venatori mage for a discerning client.
Crow Parties are Murder
Complete (above). Set several months after The Philosopher Contract.
Five Easy Targets
In Progress, 1 of 5 Chapters published. Takes place during the several months before The Philosopher Contract. Illario works a series of contracts in Minrathous to regain his reputation and get a little revenge on the Venatori for himself, the Crows, and his mysterious clients.
Thank you so much to @strugglinggranola for hosting, @hedwigoprah for the game, and @notyourmamasdeerbat, @woundedsoul12 for the tags!
Indelible
an adjective: . that which cannot be removed, washed away, or erased.
This just popped in fully formed, a bit of Illario and Neve banter.
Neve: Why are you staring like that?
Illario: You have left a mark on my heart.
Illario: As indelible as if it were carved there.
Neve: Is this about the time I stabbed you?
Neve: Because I'm not sorry.
Illario: I am wounded.
Illario: Deeply.
Neve: That was the point, Handsome.
Illario: You know, never mind.
Illario: You've ruined the mood.
Sending out soft tags to @serensama, @davrinsleftpectoral, @aetherflowers, @blackwall-my-tiny-husband, and @jukkaricity if you've got stuff cooking!
