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Chapter Text

“You look good in my shirt, Vi.” 

The words shook Viago from his thoughts as he stood at his window overlooking Salle. The Warden's thin cotton shift barely covered to his thighs. And he turned back towards the bedroom with an exasperated quirk of his eyebrows as he spoke. 

“Now that is a mendacious statement if I ever heard one, Rook.” 

The Crow glanced over to the bed where the Warden lay in repose. His massive Qunari form stretched across the silk sheets, bare save for the vitaar painted on his skin. His hunter's eyes followed the Talon's every move, flashing darkly as he propped himself up for a better look. 

“Oh love, I do not lie. If only you could see yourself through my eyes-” He finished his words with a deep rumble of approval. Viago suddenly glad at least something covered him as the heat of a blush crept up his chest and to his neck. Rook just made him… feel things. Like he was wanted. Desired. As if the Qunari craved him above all else. 

Not for lack of Teia trying to steal the Warden away. 

“And what would I see, cariño?” Viago asked boldly as he stepped forward. Challenging his lover as he felt real power course through his veins at the enraptured way Rook watched him. 

“Oh love,” the Qunari replied as he slipped from the bed and to his knees. Kneeling before the Crow as he gave over complete control. “My marks peeking out under the collar of that shirt. My scent on your skin. I am yours completely, my little king. But you are mine as well-” 

Chapter Text

“Remind me again why we are doing this?” Davrin grimaced as he looked over at his fellow Warden. But Rook's full attention was narrowed on Viago. The Talon bent over his workbench head to head with Bellara. Both whispered with excitement as they poured over notes and examined various bottles. That gleam in the Crow's eye that made the Qunari's skin tingle in a mix of excitement and fear. 

“Oh come now Dav. We're Wardens. Blight flows through our veins. Don't tell me your worried about what experiments your girlfriend is cooking up over there-” 

The Elf just shrugged him off as he rolled his eyes. Leaning back against the cold stone of the wall as he gazed around Viago's extensive lab. His hands gripping his knees a little tighter than was necessary when Bellara squealed with glee and held a bottle triumphantly over her head. Its contents flashing as dangerous as the thoughts in her head at what her and Viago would subject the Warden pair to. 

“And you're telling me that doesn't scare you?” Davrin clicked his tongue in disbelief as Rook simply chuckled. 

“Nah,” he dismissed as the pair across the room muttered about variables and controls. “Vi has had me down here a few times to satisfy his curiosities. Something about testing my Warden and Qunari biology.”

“And you just let him?” Davrin asked incredulously as he shook his head and rubbed the headache forming behind his temples. 

“I mean why not?” Rook challenged as he shrugged. “If Vi's happy then I'm happy. Plus there's no living with him when he has a question to be answered. Figured you could relate since you're dating Bellara and all.” 

“Guess you're right,” Davrin finally conceded with a grin that said he knew more than he was letting on. “But I'm here because I love Bellara. So you know what that means brother.” 

He couldn't help but call out his fellow Warden's feelings for Viago. A slight blush heating Rook's skin as he dipped his head and whispered, “You're right. I do know what that means. And if you really are my brother, let's keep this between us.” 

Chapter Text

“No.” 

The word hung in the air between them. Rook defiantly staring at her Talon as he crossed his arms over his chest. 

“You don't get to tell me no about this Vi. This is my life. These are my choices-”

“And you chose wrong, Marina,” he spat back as he used her real name. One of the few bold enough to do so. “My answer is still no.” 

He dismissed her with a wave as he walked to the door and considered the conversation ended. Only stopped when a dagger whizzed by his face, the blade sinking into the wall as he turned with an annoyed huff. 

“You missed,” he sneered as his protégé stood with another knife ready. Her chest heaving with fury as he waited for her next move. 

“You don't get to toss me out for a whole year,” she screamed as she launched the other dagger. “And then tell me I make bad choices.” 

She missed again, this time the blade glancing by his shoulder. And while he knew she was upset, he had no patience for one of her tantrums. 

“What did I teach you about throwing knives?” he growled as he crossed the room in three strides. Swiftly grabbing her wrists as she let out a pained cry. Her eyes wide in fear as he forced her to her knees. “If you are to kill someone then do it. Otherwise keep your blades close-” 

He never got to finish his lesson. A jolt of magic struck him so hard that he was knocked back onto the ground. His head swimming as he looked up to see a protective figure standing in front of Marina. His vision focusing as the man began to speak. 

“I am sorry, darling-” Emmrich apologized as he helped Rook to her feet. “I know he is your family. And while he can make whatever disparaging remarks regarding me, I cannot stand idly by while he hurts you. I have tried to respect your Crow customs, but there are some things even I cannot tolerate.” 

Viago stood with all the grace he could. Straightening his armour as he chuckled at the pair. No one would ever deserve his little Marina, but his respect for her chosen love had definitely grown in light of recent events. 

“I still do not approve of him, cuervita. But perhaps you and the Viejo can stay for dinner. Just this once.” 

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“He does make a fine figure, doesn't he?” 

The question hung between them as Teia eyed Rook over the rim of her glass of Antivan port. Viago barely listened as he hummed in agreement. His gaze fixed on the Warden across the room as he chewed the inside of his cheek. 

No less than half a dozen admirers currently fawned over the Qunari. And while Viago could respect their interest, his patience was wearing thin. 

“Maybe he needs rescuing,” Teia offered with a giggle. “Unless of course, you just want to stare at him all night.” 

He ignored her teasing as he continued to watch the scene. This party had been all Caterina's idea, of course. To show that the Savior of Thedas stood with the Crows. Though she would never admit just how much of that loyalty was due to House de Riva. 

A fact he would cash in later. When Rook wasn't striding straight toward him after finally breaking away from the crowd. Only stopping to extend a large hand as he cleared his throat. Bowing slightly as he flashed that rare smile. 

“Oh, machazo. I love to dance!” Teia's small hand fit easily in his, but his attention was fully on the man before him as his eyes darkened with desire. 

“No offense,” Rook said as he finally spared a glance for the other Talon. A winced of awkwardness as he withdrew from her. “But I was actually hoping Vi would do me the honor.” 

Viago was speechless, though his face betrayed none of the torrent raging inside. Rook, despite all the pomp and circumstance and throngs of people throwing themselves his way, still only wanted his little king. 

“Well, are you going to answer him?” Teia was never one to let a little loss get her down. Instead pivoting with a knowing grin as both waited for his reply. 

“Alright, but I am going to lead,” he finally consented as Rook grinned and Teia tried to suppress a giggle behind her hand. 

“Of course, Vi. As long as I get to be with you, you can lead me anywhere.” 

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Every one of Viago's nerves felt like they were alight with desire. A sheen of sweat down his spine as he was pressed beneath the Qunari's massive frame. The wood of his desk bit into his bare chest as a broken moan tore through him. But the stinging pain only added to his pleasure as Rook leaned down and licked a trail from his shoulder to the wild thrumming of the pulse in his neck. 

It had been too long since his last visit. Too many days spent dreaming of the release only the Warden could give. The sweet surrender of tangled limbs and exhausted bliss. His traitorous body craved this like the best high. Incomparable to any poison he mixed in his lab. 

“Fuck, Vi. You taste as good as you smell.” 

Viago's vision blurred at Rook's words. Or maybe it was the fingers threading in his curls that made him see stars. His head forced back as Rook buried his face against the Crow's skin. Greedily drinking him in as he pressed the growing hardness of his cock against Viago's thigh. 

“Tell me you have missed this as much as I have,” Rook chanted as his free arm snaked up the Crow's chest, large fingers wrapping around Viago's throat. Holding him with a reverence as the most undignified whine crashed through the smaller man. 

“Sueño con esto todas las noches.”

His thoughts were broken. Disjointed as a deep growl reverberated through the Qunari's chest and straight into Viago's soul. Rook might not know Antivan, but he could understand the words' meaning clearly enough. And his control barely hung on by the thinnest thread and his head dropped down. His lips ghosting against his lover's ear. 

“So fucking perfect, my little king.” 

He loved him. Viago knew this to be a fact. A love shared and returned. A passion written like the faded scars across their skin. 

And for once, he wasn't afraid. Here he was safe. Secure. 

Here he was meant to be. 

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They were supposed to celebrate a victory today. Viago had procured his finest wine from the cellar for the occasion of killing gods. Rook said he didn't care about those things. Swore any old swill would be good enough for a simple warrior, but the Crow noticed how his Warden's eyes lingered a bit too long on the vintage labels. 

And por la Hacedor, Viago would see him have something to match how exquisite the Crow viewed his latest acquisition.

Teia had simply grinned to herself as she watched with amusement. Giggling at his wild scurrying around the market as he bought Rook’s favorite cheeses. A small fortune in bread and meats. Preparing a feast for the victor. Not giving worry a chance to creep in, or the annoyance at being left behind. 

Ignoring the fluttering of his pulse beneath his armour as a knock finally came. No fledglings dared disturb their Talon in such a state, and only one would be brave enough to darken his door on such a joyous Treviso night. 

Or so he thought. Face falling into a frown as Lucanis stood there flitting more like a nervous sparrow than the powerful head of the Crows.

And as the First Talon handed him a familiar leather necklace, Viago felt like someone had punched him right in the chest. 

“He's gone, isn't he?” 

He knew the answer, but he had to ask. His heart ripping in twain at the thought of Rook lost. 

“It's- more complicated than that, Vi,” Lucanis sighed as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. The first flutterings of hope taking hold as Viago looked to his fellow Crow. “Please we need you at the Lighthouse. I will explain on the way.” 

“Is he alive?” The words tumbled from Viago as he grabbed hold of Lucanis’ arm. A fierce desperation clinched him as he waited on baited breath. 

“As far as we can tell, yes Vi.”

“Then that's all that matters,” the Talon replied as he clutched the broken necklace in his hand. If Rook lived he would find him, no matter what it took. 

Chapter Text

“So if you are king, does that make me a princess?” Rook giggled as Viago groaned. Six months she had been gone to the Necropolis, and as soon as he called her home she took to behaving like a child. 

“Well darling, you are always my princess.” He could have been sick as his protégé blew kisses to her lover across the room. The Viejo who had stolen his little Marina. Emmrich, the Necromancer who was his constant headache. 

“No, but it is what we need to discuss.” His plans had finally come to fruition and soon he would be crowned in Antiva City. Which would leave his position as Talon and head of House de Riva vacant. A spot his cuervita was born to take. 

“Ayy if this is going where I think it is, the answer is no.” Rook's eyes narrowed as she looked at Viago, already sensing the direction this conversation would take. 

“Marina-” he warned as she simply crossed her arms. 

“Viagoooo-” she taunted back as he resisted the urge to cuff her for her insolence. “Maybe when Seheron freezes over. Or you agree to give Emmrich your blessing.” 

The man in the corner balked at her words as Viago continued to stare her down. A pregnant pause before he made up his mind. Determined to win this time at all costs. 

“Fine,” he growled as he turned to look at Emmrich. “You can marry my Marina. But if anything happens to her-” 

He never finished his sentence. A small form threw herself into his arms. Hugging him as tears fell from her eyes. “Oh Vi,” she sobbed with happiness as he couldn't help but grin. Knowing he had called her bluff, and in doing so given them both what they had really wanted.