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It had only been about a week since she’d nearly kissed Neve Gallus and Rook was not coping well. She wasn’t even sure what she was doing could be considered “coping” at all.
Pining, maybe.
Yearning, definitely.
And she couldn’t be sure, but she thought that maybe – just maybe – Neve was feeling the same. Sure, she’d been the one to back away, but Rook couldn’t help but notice the way her gaze lingered. The way it followed when she thought Rook wasn’t looking.
For a top-notch detective and absolute master of subtlety, Neve sure wasn’t showing it.
The thought made Rook’s heart speed. Because if Neve was being obvious, maybe it was on purpose. Or – the alternative – the feelings were just too strong to try and hide them.
Both options were positives in Rook’s book.
“…Rook, are you even listening?”
Rook shook her head, coming out of her drifting thoughts as Lucanis slid a freshly brewed cup of coffee into her hands. She took a sip before responding. “Sorry, Lucanis. My mind was…” she cleared her throat “What were you saying?”
Lucanis raised an eyebrow, but didn’t press. He swirled his own cup of coffee as he spoke. “I was saying that the Crows could really use you back in Treviso. Or – maybe more accurately – I’d appreciate it if you’d go back to Treviso so I don’t need to hear more wfrom Viago.” He sighed, muttering the rest under his breath. “Maker knows we have enough problems to contend with already.”
Rook’s mouth twitched into a frown. Her heart mourned Treviso. Her home. The place she swore to protect. Part of her still couldn’t believe what happened. Each time they stepped through the Eluvian, she half expected to see it as it was – the beauty of the canals; the market full of life.
But no.
No.
She’d made her choice and Treviso paid the price.
Rook’s jaw clenched. She should be thinking about that more. The loss of her home. The work that she needed to put into saving what was left of it. She shouldn’t be wasting time wondering if a woman liked her or not.
Taking a breath, Rook nodded. “I was going to head back there soon. Tomorrow, in fact. I’ll take Viago’s complaints from here.”
Lucanis chuckled. “Thanks, Rook. Despite his attitude, I think he just misses you. Especially with the state of the city,” he said with a shrug. “Anyway, let me know when you go. I’ll tag along.”
Rook gave a small nod and Lucanis took his leave, slipping back into his room just on the other side of the wall. She stood at the coffee counter a moment, her gaze burning into the fireplace as she let herself get lost in thought.
The flames danced before her; the soft pops of wood splintering a comfort in the solemn mood she found herself in.
She didn’t have long to brood, however, before the door to the dining room swung open and she was met with Neve’s teasing tone. “Up late again? Not going to be able to save the world with that kind of sleep schedule.”
Rook looked up to meet Neve’s gaze; that easy smirk falling across her lips made Rook want to throw caution to the wind. She raised an eyebrow instead. “You’re one to talk, detective.”
Neve continued her walk over to the counter, still smirking as she busied herself with fixing a cup of coffee. “I never said I’d be the one to save the world.” She looked at Rook. “I have realistic expectations.”
Rook leaned a hip against the counter, looking at Neve. “And I think you underestimate yourself, Neve Gallus.”
Neve set her with a humorous, disbelieving look, but didn’t say anything more before turning her attention back to her coffee.
Rook watched as she worked, transfixed by the grace of her movements, as always. She let her gaze wander over the way the fire cast gentle shadows along Neve’s features, how it caught the warmth of her eyes, the smattering of freckles across her nose – which Rook could only see when they were this close, the softness of her lips…
Rook wasn’t sure when exactly her body got a mind of its own, but the next thing she knew, her coffee was set on the countertop and her hand was placed gently against Neve’s forearm, drawing her attention as a small gasp of air left Neve’s lips.
For a moment, they just locked eyes, neither saying anything. Neve didn’t even look confused as to why Rook was being – probably – weird. Eventually though, Rook swallowed.
“Neve I…” She trailed off. She wasn’t sure where to start, exactly. She took a steadying breath. If she was going to focus on Treviso, on the big things, she’d need to face this head-on. “Are we going to talk about it?” She finally said. Her voice felt shaky and she hated that. She was a Crow. Smooth. Sure. Seductive.
But with Neve… she was just a mess.
Neve searched Rook’s eyes a moment before her eyes darted away. “About… what?”
“I’ll give you a moment to consider that, detective,” Rook said, smirking. She was nervous, but not willing to miss the moment to poke at Neve’s nerves. Sure enough, Neve set her with a look. Rook grinned. “I know you can crack the case.”
Neve laughed, and though Rook didn’t think it was all that earned, she delighted in hearing it. Then, silence fell over them again as Neve’s eyes continued to search Rook’s. Rook wasn’t sure what she could possibly be looking for that wasn’t written so clearly on her face, but she let her take her time.
Eventually, Neve sighed and looked away. “I don’t…” She sighed again. “I don’t really know what to say here, Rook.” She gave a half-hearted shrug. One Rook was becoming accustomed to. One that spelled a war raging in Neve’s heart.
Rook’s heart broke a little. She nearly backed off. Nearly. But the way Neve shifted closer, a silent plea not to let go, kept her. Instead, she let her hand on Neve’s arm drift up, running gently along Neve’s forearm before she moved to tuck a knuckle under Neve’s chin instead.
It didn’t take much to coax Neve to look in her direction. Just the smallest hint of pressure. Neve’s breath hitched when their eyes met and where the last time they were like this, Neve had been light and flirty and carefree, she now looked scared. Rook couldn’t be sure if the sheen in her eyes was just a trick of the fireplace or if there were really unshed tears brimming at the corners.
Vulnerable. It wasn’t really a word Rook would associate with the Neve Gallus. But here, in the late night, with only the beginnings of caffeine in her veins, that’s the word that would describe the woman in front of her. And Rook felt herself fall just a little harder.
“I…” Rook’s voice was soft. Another surprise. Not something she was used to from herself. “Neve, I want…” Her hand moved to cup Neve’s cheek; her touch delicate along the line of her jaw.
Neve swayed forward, her forehead pressing against Rook’s as their noses brushed against each other.
Rook’s breath hitched. This was closer than before. She could feel Neve’s shaky breaths on her lips. All she’d have to do was…
The sound of the door creaking behind her made her jump and Neve do the same. As quick as they came together, they sprang apart – two teenagers caught by a parent. Rook sighed as she turned around.
Lucanis’s eyebrows were raised, his lips pursed, having the decency to look just a little guilty. He cleared his throat. “I’m… interrupting. Sorry. I’ll just…” And as quickly as Lucanis arrived, he slipped back into his room.
Rook sighed again, this time turning to face Neve, a small, sad smile etched along her lips. Rook shrugged. “Whisps, assassins; I wonder what will interrupt us next—”
Rook choked on her words as soft lips brushed against her cheek. She could feel the crook of Neve’s smirk against her skin and felt herself flush.
Neve pulled back slowly, her hand gently slipping off of Rook’s arm.
“…time,” Rook finally said.
For a moment, they just stood there, staring at one another. Rook wondered if she could test her luck. Wondered if she should lean in and claim Neve’s lips with her own. Her mind flashed to being pushed up onto the counter, Neve’s lips tracing feverishly along her neck as her hands grasped onto the lapels of Neve’s shirt…
But as she looked at the woman before her, she knew she shouldn’t. She knew she couldn’t. She watched as Neve’s walls slowly raised back up, the easy grin and relaxed shoulders tensing back into the buttoned-up, realist detective. Another side of Neve Rook lo— cared for. But not one that was ready to admit that what they had ran deeper than what they allowed on the surface.
It was painfully familiar. The clearing of Neve’s throat, Rook’s accepting nod. She wondered how many more times she’d have to come so close to stay so far.
Neve scooped her cup of coffee into her hands, and gestured vaguely to the door. “I’m going to… try and get some work done.”
Rook nodded. “Let me know if I can help.”
Neve nodded.
Neither of them moved. For what felt like ages, they stood there. It should’ve been awkward, but the silence was so loud, screaming words left unsaid until finally Neve nodded again and started for the door.
Before she could leave, Rook finally spoke again. “Neve.” Neve turned around, eyebrow raised in expectation. Rook smirked. “We’re talking about this later.”
Neve huffed a laugh and said, “If that’s what you want, Trouble,” before slipping out into the night and leaving Rook wondering just when they’d get to have that next talk.