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He needed some fresh air. Teia had been very insistent on Lucanis coming to the celebration for this new round of fledgeling promotions, claiming that he hadn't visited in so long and everyone needs a break now and then.
It's not that he didn't know how to socialize--that had been ingrained into him as grandson and potential heir to First Talon from youth--but the volume inside was just a bit too loud and the air just a bit too stuffy. He had excused himself to grab a glass of water and just needed to step outside for a moment. Maybe he could slip away with no one noticing.
The balcony overseeing the Treviso canals was quiet, the evening air bringing a much welcome breeze. He was honestly surprised to see no one was outside.
HURKKKKKK
Or so he thought.
The distinctive sound of someone vomiting nearby came from just around the corner. Instead of leaving then, curiosity got the better of him. He peered around the corner to see someone hunched over a potted plant.
Better in the plant than over the edge, he thought. Lucanis stepped closer to get a better look at the figure. An elven boy, one of Viago's recruits if he wasn't mistaken. He sighed before approaching with his glass outreached.
"Here, water."
The boy jumped, clearly had not noticed him walking over. He looked up, face flushed from the alcohol, and stared at the other. Lucanis recognized him better now — this was one of the new fully-fledged Crows, a guest of honor.
Tears started to form in the boy’s eyes. “Thank you…” his words barely audible as he accepted the glass. He took a moment to balance himself before taking a sip, swishing it in his mouth, and spitting it out.
“Don’t let Viago see you like this.” A look of panic came over the boy’s face and Lucanis had to stifle a laugh. “I won’t tell him, promise.” He pulled a handkerchief from his coat pocket to offer to the other, who accepted it as if it were an offering.
“Are you Andraste?”
The question was asked with such an earnest tone that Lucanis couldn’t hold back the laugh this time. He looked down only to see such a serious expression looking back at him.
“I’m fairly confident that Andraste was a woman.”
“Who knows? Stories change over time.”
No wonder Viago had taken a shine to this one. Might as well humor him.
“What makes you think that I would be Andraste?”
“Kind.”
Another laugh. “I didn’t do much.”
“And beautiful.”
Huh?
“Oh, but then you’d already be married… and to the Maker, no less…” The boy looked legitimately upset by this realization and let out an exasperated sigh before finally wiping his face with the handkerchief. “I can’t compete with that…”
Was this boy seriously flirting in this condition? Lucanis needed to change the subject.
“I assure you, I am no prophet. Come now, you need to rest,” he reached over to help the boy up. “We can go in through the side window so everyone else doesn’t have to see you like this.”
It was the boy’s turn to laugh now. “You can’t fool me,” his speech slurred as he accepted the help standing up. Lucanis couldn’t tell before, but was now aware that the elf was taller than him, staring so seriously into his eyes. “Your secret’s safe with me.” A goofy smile.
Lucanis had to turn away, feeling his face warm up. How was this drunk getting him so flustered? Sure, he had been flirted with before, but he could usually stay composed and rebuff the advances. What was so different about this one?
“This way,” he managed to get out. “Follow me.”
The boy took a step, swayed, and grabbed on to his hand for stability. “Wherever you need me.” He seemed a little too eager to prove his faith. But he followed nevertheless, keeping a strong grip on his hand.
“ Mierda , what did you drink to get you to this state?”
“The purple bottles… I think mead?”
Of course his cousin would be at the center of trouble again — Illario had mentioned that he was bringing a few bottles of some imported lavender mead from Orlais. He was going to have to scold him later.
They arrived at one of the guest room windows, opening it from the outside after a quick peek to ensure that it was empty.
“Are you able to make it up?” A nod. It was only a small height to vault over after all. But just in case, Lucanis let him enter first. The boy wobbled a bit on the windowsill but was otherwise fine getting in. As expected of someone from House de Riva. Lucanis followed behind.
The room was barebones — just a single bed, nightstand, and vanity, with no decor. The elf had already found his way to the bed, sitting with his legs hanging off the side. Staring with those amber eyes.
“Take your tie off,” Lucanis sighed. “Viago would kill you if you choked on it in your sleep.”
The boy frowned. “Can’t.” Another sigh. He recognized that look.
“Don’t know how?” A nod and Lucanis couldn’t help the small chuckle that escaped. “Teia dressed you, didn’t she? Here, let me get that.”
Ignoring the stare, or trying to, Lucanis leaned down to begin unknotting the tie. A small pleased hum came from the boy. Being this close, he could smell the alcohol-honey mixed scent coming from his breath. He could see just how tired this boy looked, deep bags showing under his eyes. Loosening the top button of his shirt revealed a rather large scar on his neck, though it appears to have long since been healed. The elf’s cheeks turned a darker shade of red, becoming acutely aware of the examination he was under.
“You’re staring…”
“You’re one to talk,” Lucanis scoffed. “There, it’s undone. Now, get some re-“ Interrupted by a hand on the back of his head pulling him down, closer until lips were touching.
Passionate. Like he had nothing else to lose.
Lucanis found himself unable—unwilling— to resist. He had just met this guy who has done nothing but ramble weirdly, not to mention that he’d never been this intimate with anyone else before. But when the foreign tongue slid over his lips, he let it in graciously with the faintest hint of a moan. He could taste the mead still lingering in the other’s mouth. So, so warm. It felt like time had stopped just for them. Another arm wrapped around his waist and —
Stop.
Lucanis finally snapped out of it and shoved the other boy back onto the bed. “What are you—“
“ Snnnnnzzzzzz… ”
Asleep.
Couldn’t have asked for a more perfect opportunity to escape. He exited the room, through the door this time. He needed to leave, to go far away. Surely there was a contract that urgently needed to be taken and—
“Lucanis! There you are!” Viago’s voice echoed through the hallway. “Have you seen Jenn? We’ve been looking for him.”
“Jenn?”
“Elf boy, short hair, kind of an idiot? He’s going to miss out on the celebratory dessert.”
Ah.
“No.” Lucanis turned away to hide how red his face was. “I’m leaving, give my well wishes to the others.”