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Admittedly, there were other ways this could have gone.
When Spite had suggested they spend date night with him getting a tattoo, this had definitely not been how Rook envisioned it going.
He could understand the demon's jealousy. Twin dragons flanked his massive arms, done years ago when he was young and had first joined the Shadow Dragons. And then there was his newest, the one he picked up when visiting Taash and the Lords after his first fight with Lucanis. A Crow, or well their emblem, placed right over his heart.
Lucanis had been infatuated with his newest piece. Spite, on the other hand, was less impressed.
And that was how Rook came to be looking in a mirror at Jimmy's shop on the Rivaini coast. He was trying to hold in a laugh as he inspected the scratched word along his back left shoulder. His demon had wanted to mark him himself, and he was never one to deny his love anything.
SPITE
The letters were shaky. Spite might possess Lucanis’ body, but lacked the smooth hand that spent hours writing letters to the other Talons.
“Rook likes. Rook likes!” cackled Spite as he clapped his hands with glee.
The Qunari couldn't lie. He loved it. And he told the demon as much when he pulled him in for a searing kiss.
“It's the best present anyone has ever given me,” he sighed as he buried his face in Spite's hair. Coffee and sandalwood and the smokey hint of whiskey comforted him. The smell that was unique only to his demon.
“Now Warden knows. Other dragon knows. Mine,” he growled as he pointed to the scratched name along Rook’s shoulder before pointing to the Crow symbol on the Qunari’s chest, “And Lucanis.”
“Yes only yours, darling,” he promised as his fingers laced with Spite’s, his lover's eyes blazing purple as he brought his hand to his lips. “Now what does my favorite demon want to do for the rest of our date?” he asked with a raised eyebrow despite already knowing what the answer would be. What the answer always was.
“Spite has ideas,” he replied with a wolfish grin. Giving Rook a look he knew all too well.
“I bet you do, darling. I bet you do,” he chuckled as he pulled him away to the privacy of the beach and another night spent wrapped in each other.
*****
Spite watched Rook sleep. He liked watching. Rook handsome. Had horns. Like Other Dragon but better. Spite liked Rook's horns. Fun to touch. Made Rook make noises Spite liked. Same noises when Spite kissed Rook. When he touched. When they had fun.
Spite always had fun with Rook. Lucanis didn't like fun. Always tell Spite no. Tell Rook no. Scared. Rook have more fun with Spite. Maybe scared Rook like Spite better.
Spite touched Rook. Touched the scars. The skin marks. Rook had his skin mark now. Spite on his shoulder. Spite liked his skin mark. Better than Lucanis skin mark. Better than dragon skin marks.
He liked touching Rook. Rook liked being touched. Rook never said no. Hold him close. Let him kiss. Tell him he was good.
Spite liked being good. For Rook. Only for Rook.
Spite wanted to keep touching. But Spite tired. Rook made Spite tired. So much fun. Spite liked Rook's fun.
But now sleepy. Laid beside Rook. Touch his hair. Sigh. Rook's arm around him. Pull him closer. Spite liked closer. Smelled like melon and woodsmoke. Best smell.
Fall asleep with Rook. Before eyes close whisper.
“Spite love Rook.”
*****
Neve was up early. She always rose with the sun. And even though there was no sun here in the Fade, old habits die hard.
She made her way across the courtyard to the kitchen, seeking a cup of coffee and hoping Lucanis was awake. Because she certainly wouldn't say no to breakfast. Though if he tried to get her to eat some kale again-
She shook the thoughts away as she heard commotion in the kitchen. Her steps hurried, fearing what she would find inside.
“Oh no, not this again,” she grumbled as she remembered the last time she found the demon and his host at odds. Lucanis had replaced the broken dishes, but still.
She threw open the door, ready for anything as she saw Lucanis loudly arguing with the air beside him.
Well, at least he was still in control for now.
“Good morning, Neve,” he turned to greet her briefly before returning to glare at the emptiness beside him. Clearly he and Spite were at odds about something.
Neve snuck around to grab her favorite coffee cup which Lucanis had thankfully already filled. She wanted to keep it close, for safekeeping. Just in case Spite gained the upper hand in this fight.
"So what exactly are you two fighting about this time?" she questioned as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"Spite took Rook on a date," Lucanis answered with an angry huff.
"Well that sounds terrible," she chuckled as she swiped a muffin from the table. She groaned from the taste. They were fresh. Obviously their spat had led Lucanis to start cooking early.
"No it's not that. Rook let Spite tattoo him," complained Lucanis as he glared at an invisible spot a few feet away. "No Spite. I don't care what he said. You shouldn't have done it."
Neve had to hide her mouth behind her hand so he didn't see her smile of amusement. Of all the stupid ideas-
"Come on, Lucanis. It can't be that bad. Besides Rook obvious agreed to allow it."
"He should not encourage Spite. He gives him too much freedom." His gaze flickered to her before returning to the air where Spite obviously existed unseen to her. "Yes you two are trouble together. I am going to have a talk with Rook about what you are allowed to do on your date nights."
"And what do you do? On date nights with Rook that is?" she questioned with a tilt of her head. She found the whole subject of Rook's dating life with his demon and Crow fascinating. And since she seemed to be the unofficial relationship counselor around here, she might as well try to help sort out this dispute.
“Well we go for coffee in Treviso. Or I make dinner. Or we read together,” he named off on his fingers before he was obviously interrupted by Spite. “No, he enjoys our dates as well! You aren't the only one Rook has fun with.” He was fuming and Neve had to bite her cheek to hold in her laughter.
It was clear what the issue was. Spite and Rook went on a date to get Rook a tattoo. Which made Lucanis angry and Neve thought was just crazy, but Spite and Rook obviously enjoyed themselves. A tattoo date certainly sounded like something the Qunari would like. Now Spite was likely goading Lucanis, and the man was likely a little jealous.
Great. Analysis over. Neve knew how to help here.
“So- you read with Rook?” she asked with a raise of her eyebrow. The last thing she could picture was the Qunari curled up reading a book. Though she was sure for Lucanis, he would do anything.
“Yes. He enjoys it. Why?” The Crow eyed her as she chose that moment to pop another muffin in her mouth. She needed a minute to chew over how to say this politely.
“Did you ever think,” she began before taking a sip of coffee. Both to clear her throat and steady herself. “To ask Rook what he likes to do for date night?”
She could see her words had their intended effect as his face flipped through a whirlwind of emotions. He finally settled on a scowl, grabbing his coffee as he sat across from Neve.
“So Rook doesn't enjoy our dates?” he asked with a defeated slump to his shoulders.
“Oh I'm sure Rook loves your dates. He loves you. And anyone with eyes can see how that man trips over himself to chase after you. Pouts like a damn puppy if you don't give him attention for five minutes.” She made a disgusted face before continuing. “I do, however think Spite isn't wrong here either. They probably do have a lot of fun. Spite isn't human. He is more willing to do things Rook likes because he doesn't have his own ideas for what he wants to do with Rook.”
“Oh trust me,” Lucanis interrupted as he stared down into his coffee. “He has plenty he wants to do with Rook-”
“Ew,” she wrinkled her nose at his insinuation before choosing to continue. “All I am saying Lucanis, is talk to Rook. Compromise. I know being in a relationship is new to you. And there is a lot of- extra you three have to contend with. But Rook loves you. Both of you,” she looked to the air beside Lucanis as she tried shooting Spite a pointed look. “And his life would be much easier if you two would get along. And have conversations when things upset you.”
Lucanis stroked his beard as he considered her words. Finally coming to a resolution as he leaned his arms down on the table.
“Alright. I will speak with him when he wakes. Thank you, Neve. For all your help. Not just today but-” She held up her hand to stop him.
“It's no problem, you two. But Spite,” she added with a serious expression. “No more breaking coffee cups. Alright?”
It took only a second for Lucanis’ eyes to bleed purple and wings to sprout from his back. The demon smiled at her, which was equal parts terrifying and unsettling. She definitely had questions she didn't want answered about Rook's tastes in men.
“Thank you, Bad Hat.” Bad hat? There was nothing wrong with her hat. She frowned but said nothing as he continued. “Helped Lucanis. Helped Rook. Good Hat now. Won't break cup.”
She was just going to take those words as a compliment. And she returned his smile though much less enthusiastically.
“You're welcome, Spite. Glad I could be of use.”
She returned to sipping her coffee as Spite relinquished control back to Lucanis. The man busied himself finishing breakfast, and Neve silently wondered if she should start charging for this.