#vitae writes

The cracking sound of thunder echoed through every wall of Magister Severina's villa, sending the Venatori guards in a panic as they sought the source of the sound.

Alas, Nadir had quite what, or more likely who, caused it.

Walking down the labyrinth-like corridors of the sumptuous palace, one big and grandiose enough to host even gods, multiple Venatori greeted him with great respect, many sounded even grateful for his presence there.

As much as the young elf understood why they would act with such reverence when dealing with him, there was nothing able to not make it extremely awkward.

Out of there Nadir himself killed many of their ranks, furthermore he knew the atrocities they committed as much as their twisted beliefs.

But whenever he was to visit his lover, he wasn't Little Rook of the Veilguard, but Lord Nadir, an elvhen mage apprentice under the direct protection of the Sun god they now worshipped.

“ Lord Nadir, thank Lusacan you're here !” Gaius exclaimed when he sighted him.

As far as Nadir understood, the man was talented but came from a poor family, he joined the group dreaming the glories of the past could fulfill the void in his current life. 

His dreams were cut short and now he stood guard of Elgar’nan living quarters for far too many hours each day.

The young blond elf sighed, greeting the anxious man properly, a light blush appearing on his cheeks as the two were unable to meet each other's eyes despite the formalities.

How many times did this man hear more than necessary what transpired from the closed doors of the Sun-Tamer bedroom? Nadir grimaced at the sole thought.

“ I imagine Lord Elgar’nan isn't in a good mood. ” He exclaimed, trying to sense what was going on in the other room.

Before the guard could even answer back the door in front of them opened up, three Venatori and a very much charred corpse coming out in a great rush.

Two were dragging the victim, which appeared to have been a high ranking Venatori, considering what little remained on their regalia. Everything else, including his body, was melted in horrible amorphous shapes. The smell of burned flesh assaulted the nostrils of everyone present. Nadir could hear poor Gaius gagging behind him.

The last cultist to leave the room was a tall and muscular woman, one who Nadir happily recognized.

Tatiana was the one real friend he made among the Venatori, After he saved her life on their very first meeting, his selfless act paused the woman internalized racism enough to listen, learn and connect with one she once considered a lowly knife-ear, her growing friendship with Lusacan’s favored granting her a prestige she never cared about.

“ Nadir! You're here just in time, we've got… a situation. The All-Father might be in need of your presence. ” Diligent as ever, the woman informed him.

Of course Nadir knew what she meant, amongst the Venatori very little of them were aware he was part of the Veilguard and technically an enemy, most simply knew this young elf was the only one able to placate their God’s dangerous fits of anger, lowering the chances of an early departure for many of them. The Venatori weren't particularly bright people apart from rare exceptions and the standards of a god were awfully high.

And in their world failure only ended in death.

“ Oh. Well, I will do my best… I guess? ” Nadir's voice sounded a bit unsure despite being used to the god's sudden violent reactions. In truth he wasn't scared for himself but dealing with an angry powerful being? It wasn't an easy business.

“ Good. Send a servant if my presence is needed, I leave everything else in your hands. ” And before the poor elf had any time to answer back, she was gone, both to deal with her duties and more likely to put as much distance between her and her boss as possible.

Nadir sighed. “ Wish me good luck, Gaius. ” He mumbled to the guard, not truly caring for an answer, his brain too focused on what he might find in the room ahead.

He knocked on the door, but no answer came from inside, making the silence heavy and uncomfortable. Knowing he had the permission to do so, Nadir entered anyway, closing the double door behind him, not before seeing for just a second the visage of Gaius staring at him with a non indifferent amount of worry.

When he turned to take view of the place, he knew things wouldn't be easy for him.

The room per se was beautiful, with lavish furniture and velvety curtains covering any space available without over encumbering the general design. A corner of the room was dedicated for leisure, the low table was provided with a bowl filled with fresh fruits and around it a couple of loveseats waited to be occupied.

On the other side lay a mahogany desk of fine craftsmanship, each side showing inlaid sceneries but one which was no longer decipherable: a series of lightning shaped cracks and burns ruining the delicate artwork.

To make it more clear what happened, the carpet covering the ground showed a huge charred hole, the rock underneath black and still releasing enough smoke to make Nadir’s eyes water.

In the middle of it all there he was, the source of all the chaos: Elgar’nan in all his grandiose presence was pacing back and forth in clear distress and anger, like a caged wyvern would. His usual cape and armor were gone, neatly arranged on a mannequin in a corner of the room, as it was needed to remind who was the owner of those quarters. Instead his body was covered in an elaborated and elegant vest, its ends moving in every direction following its owner every sudden motion.

The moment golden eyes locked on Nadir’s black ones, the young elf knew the storm was coming.

“I cannot believe the absolute incompetence of these maggots! I am their God! Obedience is not only a requirement, it is due! To me! And so are the results!”Elgar’nan’s nostrils flared as he briefly took air in just to continue his rant, hands moving around emphatically.

“ And yet none are achieved! They bring me one failure after the other, and then! They beg for my forgiveness ! The audacity… They are all leeches, ready to suck power out of my veins giving nothing in return!— ” His words fell like a cascade out of his mouth, his tone potent enough to reverberate through the room like an echo and Little Rook was sure every single soul in the palace was now aware of what was happening.

Acting unphased but still listening to every word, Nadir approached the raging god as if nothing was truly happening, taking one of his huge hands to drag him to sit down in a calmer space and surprisingly the man didn’t oppose and simply followed without interrupting the stream of his words.

They sat close to each other, the action stopping the All-Father’s venting enough for Nadir to speak.

“ Lord Elgar’nan, please, breathe. I will listen to all you have to say .” The elf squeezed the hand he still held, wanting Elgar’nan to understand he was there to support him. “ Tell me everything from the start. ”

Their eyes met for a moment, and Nadir couldn't suppress a chill down his spine, the golden irises so intense and fiery in their rage and yet there was something beyond the superficial anger the boy couldn't decipher which made his heart skip a beat all the same.

But then Elgar’nan groaned and the magic of that brief moment broke, interrupted by a new wave of words.

“ Oh, Da’len, there is so much I could say and yet a lifetime of these feeble pathetic mortals would not be enough for half of it. ” As much as his voice sounded calmer now, but his scowl and the tension of his forehead wrinkles made it clear he was doing his best to contain himself.

“ I send them to retrieve an artifact and they fail, I send them to occupy a region and they fail. Minrathous is in my hands thanks to the dragon my dear sister so generously sent to help these useless cultists, without it they would have lost. The favor of a God like myself is obtained through sacrifice and results, it is never owed just because they chant my name all day long. ”

“ And that fool… ” Elgar’nan nudged his head in the direction of the still smoking hole in front of his desk. “ ... Not only was not able to obtain the weapons I had graced this city with centuries ago as Lusacan, a quite simple job considering his position in the magisterium. No. He also came to tell me Those Beyond The Sea are back and meddling with my PLANS! ”

Suddenly a lightning bolt cracked through the room, hitting the very same hole caused by the one Elgar’nan summoned before to punish the Venatori he was ranting about.

One arm was raised, tendons and muscles tense, sparks of ambient magic still crackling between his fingers.

The All-Father’s breaths were uneven and fast, face strained as he found it difficult to contain his ire.

Nadir could feel his own heart beating madly in his throat, the surge of magic so dense the hair on the back of his head rose up followed by another chill.

While the young elf didn't fear for himself, any show of power from a being closer to godhood was indeed terrifying.

Gulping down his unease, he leaned over his companion, guiding with a gentle hand Elgar’nan’s face to look at him. To focus on him instead of the storm raging inside his mind.

“ Hey, look at me. I can't do much about the failure of your lackeys… ” his voice lowered almost to a whisper, one eyebrow rising in confusion “ ... And I honestly still wonder why you took them in, considering their not so bright history… ” his eyes locked again with Elgar’nan’s.

“ But I could share with you what I know about those beyond the sea. They've been meddling with us all far before your return. Before that though– ”

“ You will tell me all at once ! ” Elgar’nan voice rose up again, his attention fully on the younger elf now, eyes open wide in surprise.

Nadir raised his hands in front of him, gesturing to the god to calm down. “ I will, I promise! But first… ”

Making sure the ancient elf wouldn't act up again with a swift look, Nadir opened the bag he came in with, getting out a neatly enveloped package, which once opened revealed an array of beautiful sweet pastries of various shapes and flavors.

“ ... I bought something for you. I understand your anger, I truly do, but wouldn't it be better if we discussed the matter with a clearer mind? ”

In truth it wasn't the first time Nadir came armed with snacks to subdue the All-Father’s fiery moods, and although they probably weren't comparable with the cuisine the Evanuris remembered from the days of Ancient Arlathan, he seemed to appreciate them all the same. At least in the past.

Sweets, cuddles and a little stroke to his ego used to be the perfect remedy to calm the god down.

Not this time apparently.

“ I am not a child in need of soothing nor I care for the bland food of mortals! I see what you’re doing here and let me remind you, Nadir: my patience is limited, even for you. Tell me what you know or leave . ”

“ I promised I will tell you, but only when you're going to calm down. ” Nadir knew going against the will of the All-Father was like playing with fire while surrounded by gaatlok, but he also knew there were some boundaries he could trespass without consequences as long as he didn't push his luck too much.

As long as he played his cards right, there was a chance of success.

Elgar’nan growled at him but didn’t dare to do anything else, he simply got up and left his seat to reach the one at his desk, throwing his head into piles of documents to check if his lightning bolts didn't ruin some precious ones.

A heavy silence fell between them, interrupted only by the sound of rustling paper. But in truth Nadir was thinking, seeking out the best plan to coax his partner to listen and chill down with him.

Mindlessly he took one of the pastries, munching him down in silence, a pensive expression painted on his face. The taste of lemon custard filled his mouth, his tongue tingling in pure overstimulation as he had eaten nothing for most of the day.

But the sweet didn't only give pleasure to his senses, no, it gave Nadir an idea. One he knew would work.

Lil Rook flipped the rest of his treat inside his mouth and silently stood up, walking in the direction of Elgar’nan who was not paying him any mind, preferring to drown his bad mood into work.

With a smooth gesture Nadir grabbed his chin, forcing him with gentleness to turn his head and before the god had any chance to complain, their lips connected in a kiss.

It didn't take not even a second for Elgar’nan to deepen it, pushing his tongue inside the mouth of his lover.

Nadir always wondered if these sudden reactions were due the long millennia spent in solitude because with every kiss they shared there was a hunger and a need to simply feel which felt beyond desperate.

Surprisingly for somebody who made subjugating others’s mind and body a common practice, the ancient elvhen always respected Nadir’s boundaries, at times it felt like he almost feared them. But the moment he got the permission to give in… there was nothing which could stop the All-Father.

A low moan from Nadir’s throat reminded both they were in need of air, forcing their kiss to end. The boy took some big breaths while the god simply licked his own lips, with an expression of curiosity.

“ You taste better than usual, Da’len. ” he admitted, as the flavor of the pastry Nadir had now filled his mouth.

The lad laughed as the other pulled him on his lap with ease.

“ Not so bland, are they? I did choose these just for you and you spurned them, so cruel! ”

Elgar’nan simply raised an eyebrow at him, but it was clear the kiss did its magic and his anger was gone from his golden eyes, replaced by something as fiery but definitely better: desire.

“ You have spent far too long in the company of that wretched wolf, little one. Look at you! Tricking me like the wolf would! ” He joked, one hand languidly caressing the back of the blond elf.

Now it was time for Nadir to give him a fake perplexed look.

“ Solas tricked you with a kiss? That's new. ”

“ Not what I meant, da’len. ” The glare he gave his companion definitely wasn't an amused one, but thankfully the joke wasn't enough to ruin his newfound good mood.

“ I know, I know, I was just teasing you! ” 

Elgar’nan lips brushed against one of Nadir’s lobes, his breath warm and his voice low.

“ I am certain you know better ways to… tease me. ”

It was clear the direction things were taking was meant to grow hotter, so Nadir gently pushed the man’s shoulder back, a little pout on his face making him look even cuter than usual.

“I thought you were going to try my pastries since you seemed to like the taste… and after I can give you what I promised!” But he knew it was too late for that, the god now too lost in his lower needs.

“ Later. There is a hunger in me that simple food cannot sate and besides… I have got quite the delicacy in my hands already. ”

Nadir’s crystalline laugh filled the room as he accepted his fate, Elgar’nan standing from his seat with the boy secured against his chest and his throat already trapped between his teeth.

Laughing turned into gasps and precious papers easily forgotten.

—

Later on Nadir, still dizzy by the shared pleasures, was trying to put his clothes back, despite it was kind of obvious most Venatori knew what happened behind closed doors between the elf and their God.

His mind went back to Gaius, probably still keeping guard outside… his cheeks turned red at that simple thought.

Across the room Elgar’nan rested on the loveseat he previously occupied, robe loose enough to show his chest, his precious vial of dust hanging from his neck.

To Nadir’s delight, the All-Father was wolfing down the pastries with gusto, especially those the boy had before kissing him.

“ Are you going to leave some for me or what? ” He asked playfully as he sat close to his beloved.

“ You demanded that I eat and so I obliged your desire. ” Elgar’nan accompanied his words with a shrug, popping another sweet into his mouth.

“ Their taste reminds me of you now, how could I resist it? ” he added with a knowing smile.

Nadir chuckled, shaking his head in amused disbelief. He took a pastry himself and the two consumed the food in a now comfortable silence.

Nadir’s voice was the first to break it.

“ I am sorry if I made you feel like I was chiding you before, I didn't mean to, I wanted to put you at ease, instead I ended up angering you even more… ”

Elgar’nan sighed, his free hand catching his lover’s shoulder, dragging him closer.

“ I am aware you mean well, da’len. Sometimes I do forget you are not here to get boons out of me. Nonetheless your care is appreciated. ” He gave Nadir a little smack on his scarred cheek in a show of peace; he no longer felt anger toward the younger elf.

“ But you more than others should know it is not wise to tame a raging dragon as it still breathes fire. ”

Lil rook snorted at the comparison and as silence descended between them once again, he nuzzled affectionately against the man’s biceps.

“ Anyhow, I plan to keep my promise. I will tell you everything about those we call Executors. ” Elgar’nan didn't answer, preferring to simply pat his little friend’s thigh, as an invitation to follow him.