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Davrin had a spring in his step as he returned from his most recent excursion to Arlathan with Rook. They had a huge basket of truffles for Assan, and she seemed extra joyous lately. A smile always on her face and her lips meeting his at every spare opportunity.
She had insisted that the griffon get special treats for some reason, though for the life of him he couldn't understand why she wanted to spoil him so. Was really going to ruin training.
She excused herself to run up to her room, the pink creeping up her beautiful skin confusing him as she dashed up the stairs. He had a feeling she was up to something, though be damned if he knew what was on his sweet love’s mind.
He wasn't that tired, their trip more leisure than work. So he decided to forgo his room and head to the delicious smells coming from the kitchen.
It must have been Lucanis’ night on duty. And while he still didn't completely trust the man and his inner demon, he couldn't deny the Crow could cook. And despite it all, they were unwillingly becoming friends.
He pushed open the door and grinned as he saw Lucanis hastily untangle himself from Neve. The Detective was sitting on top of the table, and pulled her hat down in embarrassment as Davrin stepped inside.
“Mierda,” the Crow winced as he busied himself with the rice on the fire.
“Well hello to you two as well,” he chuckled as he took a seat at the end of the table. “You know we eat on this table right?”
He was teasing but it still had Lucanis shifting with unease. Neve of course swept in to save the day.
“Oh come now Davrin it was just a kiss. Or do we need to revisit you and Rook in the Music Room last week…”
Now it was his turn to look uncomfortable. Rook had just looked so good and teased him with kisses so sweet he had forgotten himself. A common occurrence here lately it seemed.
And of course, Harding had to pick that moment to take a ‘leisurely stroll around the Lighthouse’ with Taash.
As if he didn't know they had the same idea and just found the room occupied.
“Hey I wasn't judging,” he recovered as Lucanis handed him his favorite mug full of ale. “Just merely- observing.”
“Right. As if finding you two half naked isn't becoming ridiculously frequent. I should get you both a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign for Satinalia next week,” Neve teased as she rolled her eyes and took a sip of her coffee.
“Sure,” Davrin grumbled. He had no idea what the Detective was talking about. Not about the amount of times he and Rook were caught red handed. That he was well aware of. But whatever this ‘Satinalia’ was she spoke of.
His blank look must have given something away. Neve always was too good at reading people.
“You don't know what Satinalia is, do you?” she asked incredulously.
“I have heard of it, I think,” he replied, trying to jog old memories. “Some kind of winter celebration maybe? I remember a few of the guys from the barracks mentioning it.”
Lucanis walked over and sounded as shocked as Neve looked when he spoke. “It's a holiday. In Antiva it's so grand we celebrate for a whole week. There are masks and parties and presents for your loved ones and feasts-” the Crow continued to prattle on but Davrin hardly heard him.
Presents for your loved ones.
There was no doubt in his mind Rook celebrated Satinalia. Is this why she wanted to get Assan extra truffles? And why she was in such a good mood?
Dammit she definitely already had a present for him. And here he was with no gift to offer her.
“How many days away is this?” he choked out as his mind was already racing.
“Five,” Neve answered as she put a hand on Lucanis’ arm to stop his rambling. “The Dalish don't have anything like this?” she asked curiously with a tilt of her head.
“Um- we have something on the solstice. The Keeper would gather us all for a large meal as we would huddle around the fire and tell stories of the Old Days. The Elders would scare the children with tales of Fen'harel playing tricks on the longest night and how they had to go to sleep early to stay safe.” He chuckled at that memory. He had always liked hunting for his Clan in the snow, and always brought home the largest offering to the Gods he had never believed in.
“It's kind of ironic,” he continued as he stared down into his drink as a distant past long forgotten called to him, “-but the story is that on the shortest day the Dread Wolf steals the sun and we make offerings so that he returns it.”
Maybe the holidays mirrored each other. He read somewhere the current Calendar was just stolen from the Dalish. Like a lot of things. Probably Bellara told him that. Dammit, even Bels probably knew about Satinalia and here he was. Looking stupid.
“So what do you intend to get her, my boy?” He almost jumped out of his seat at Emmrich’s voice, the mage arriving for dinner while Davrin was deep in his musings.
“I- don't know. Dalish don't really give presents. And there wasn't time for such things in the Wardens.”
He was so screwed. Rook deserved everything. Anything she wanted. And he was running out of time with zero ideas.
Lucanis gave him an annoyingly sympathetic look as he placed his hand on Neve's shoulder and they exchanged a glance.
“Well maybe we can help with that,” the Crow offered as Neve nodded in agreement.
“Well I certainly wouldn't be above making sure our Rook gets the perfect gift from her strapping young Warden. And now I have a few things to consider regarding my present to Strife. Maybe I could consult you later on such matters Davrin-” Emmrich was rubbing his chin in that thoughtful way that told Davrin there was no point in protesting.
“Honestly as much as I hate to say it, the help would be appreciated,” he admitted with an irritated huff.
“Great. Then let's get started,” stated Neve as she leaned forward and they laid out their ideas before Rook appeared for dinner.
*****
They wasted a full day with no good ideas. There were ideas, but none of them good enough for Rook. He certainly wasn't getting her the dagger Lucanis suggested.
His annoyance grew by the moment. Thankfully Rook took Harding and Bellara on a short trip to Dock Town to visit the Viper. It was odd for her not to take Neve- or him. And he had a suspicion that seeing the Shadow Dragon leader wasn't her true purpose when she chose her two best friends for the mission.
He had to figure this out. And quickly.
By some miracle, it was Taash who came up with the solution. Rook was a true corvid by nature. She loved all the things that sparkled. And Taash said they had a pirate friend named Sam who was an expert at procuring trinkets most rare.
Davrin just hoped this- Sam could come through in time.
*****
Rook awoke Satinalia morning in the comfortable warmth of Davrin's arms. She was careful not to wake him as she slipped free from his embrace and her bare feet hit the floor. She had been planning this for weeks. It didn't bother her that he had no idea what was coming. Honestly, she kind of liked how much she was going to surprise him.
Maybe there were more holidays her Dalish love was unaware of. Wintersend was coming after all.
She petted Assan’s head and shushed him as she quietly slipped out the door and headed off for her room. She had so many gifts planned for her friends, and especially for Davrin. It didn't bother her that he wouldn't have one in return for her. He and their griffon son were the best present she could have ever received.
She grabbed a few packages from their hiding place under her chaise before going back to her Warden. Gifts would be exchanged with the others later, but she wanted her exchange with Davrin to be private.
Thankfully, he was still sleeping when she slipped back into his room. Assan tilting his head in excitement at the brightly wrapped boxes.
“No treats right now boy,” she hissed as quietly as possible. The griffon gave her what she could only describe as a pout before settling back into his bed and watching her with rapt attention. Just in case a worm fell out of her pocket.
Rook was careful to arrange the presents on the bed, and once everything was just perfect she awoke her love with a gentle touch to his bare chest.
“Davrin,” she called as she stepped back. She had quickly learned standing too close when he was startled awake was dangerous, and he still apologized for breaking her nose the first time she stayed with him.
“Huh what?” A giggle escaped her as he flailed in the sheets. Momentarily confused until his eyes settled on her and he gave her the sweetest of smiles. “Vhenan,” he sighed as he held his arms open for her to join him back in bed.
She sat down beside him, biting her bottom lip as he only had eyes for her and not the presents now precariously sitting on the bed.
“Ar lath ma,” he breathed as he kissed her knuckles as she felt her heart flutter. He always had a way of touching her. Looking at her. As if she was the only person in the world. “I have something for you, emma lath.”
Her eyebrows raised in confusion as he reached under his pillow and drew out a small box tied with a red bow.
No. Freaking. Way. He got her a present! She would have to figure out who told him later. Her excitement as he presented her the gift was overriding all sense.
“Davrin, I can't believe it!” she exclaimed as she took the box in one hand and used the other to touch his cheek as she gave him a brief kiss. “And I have presents for you and Assan. You have to open them.” She bounced with exhilaration as she motioned to the packages at the end of his bed.
He chuckled as he propped himself up on his elbow, loving her joy more than anything she could ever buy him. “I will open them soon, vhenan. But I want to watch you open yours first.”
She simply nodded, carefully unwrapping the bow before opening the box. Her eyes caught the glitter of silver, and her breathing stopped as she picked the bracelet up and inspected it. It was intricate. Swirling tendrils that reminded her of his Vallaslin. It wound in a circle like entwining branches of a tree with veins of green emerald interwoven throughout.
It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.
“Davrin-” her voice was barely a whisper as she looked up from the piece to his expectant gaze. He shifted slightly as he waited to see how she liked his offering, and he had his answer when she threw her arms around him and peppered him in kisses.
“I love it! It's the best present ever! I can't believe you did this!” Her exclamations were lost in the elation they both felt. And when she finally pulled back, she noticed the biggest grin splitting his face.
“I'm glad you like it. It's almost as beautiful as you. And-” he added as he took it from her and slipped it onto her wrist as she felt a soft hum of magic on her skin. “I has a protection ward on it. Had Emmrich and Bellara check it out just to be safe.”
She marveled at the bracelet, running her fingers over its design before remembering he needed to open his gifts.
“Alright now it's your turn,” she clapped as she handed him the first heavy package. This one she got from Ashur on her last trip to Dock Town when she left him at the Lighthouse. And she hoped he loved it. She hoped he loved them all really.
He opened the package and looked at her in disbelief as he pulled a dragonscale out to admire it.
“Rook, how did you-”
“Nu uh,” she chided as she placed a finger against his lips. “You don't get to ask about where it came from. Just enjoy it. Maybe we can ask one of the Dwarves to craft you an armour piece.”
He simply shook his head in amazement as he placed it to the side and she handed him another to open.
It revealed a brand new wood whittling kit. It was exquisite craftsmanship. The handles were made of some kind of animal bone and the metal was highest quality steel.
“Dracolisk horn,” she answered his unspoken question. “I was advised these are some of the best available.”
There were two more boxes, one large and one small. He knew next year he was going to have to try to make up for lost time.
“Here, this is for Assan.” The griffon perked up at his name, padding over as he sat down and watched the exchange.
Inside was a basket full of homemade treats and a large bone.
“Lucanis helped me bake the treats,” she explained as Assan squawked with happiness. “And the bone is a bronto thigh. Thought it might take him some time to get through that one.”
“Rook I- can't believe you did all this,” he said with disbelief as she handed him the last gift.
It revealed a small wooden figure. Crudely shaped from soft wood into a sword. Or maybe it was supposed to be a feather.
“I know it isn't nearly as good as what you can do,” she blushed as he realized she carved this gift herself. “But it's my first piece. I have been watching you trying to learn.”
She held up her fingers and he noticed the small nicks along them in various stages of healing.
He placed the gift to the side with reverence. Turning back to her as he took her hands in his own and kissed each one of her fingers as she giggled.
“I know I probably went a little over the top,” she explained. “But I love you so much Davrin. I wanted to make this special for you. You and Assan, you mean everything to me. And if I can give you even a fraction of what you give me-”
He silenced her with a press of his lips to hers as he pulled her down into bed with him. Fingers tangling in her hair as she melted under him.
“Hear me now, emma lath,” he stated with conviction as he pulled back and his eyes found hers. “You give me so much. Much more than I could ever give you. Vir shiral malasa, bellanaris.”
“And I will always journey by your side,” she responded with a whispered promise.
They spent most of the morning in bed, their friends wise enough not to seek them out. Enjoying the love shared between them, and the perfection of their first Satinalia together.