Work Text:
The snow was still falling as she stood in the middle of the main courtyard of Villa Dellamorte. It had been snowing since last night, leaving the city coated in white. It wasn’t a lot but enough that her feet sunk into the fresh powder. As insistent as Lucanis had been that the snow wouldn’t stick, it had. Part of her just thought he just didn’t want to get his own hopes up. She’d seen the way he’d watched the sky last night.
Her eyes were tilted upward towards the sky as the snow continued to fall. To her the snow was peace, it was a sign of new beginnings. Something they and Treviso needed. During the holidays it was especially magical to her. It reminded her of sitting in the window with her papa watching the snow as he taught her to read.
The sound of snow crunching underfoot put an even wider smile on Ellaria’s face. She could recognize his footsteps anywhere, “And you said it wouldn’t stick.” Lucanis was smiling as he walked towards her, the snow starting to stick in his hair. “Sorry mi vida it never lasts.” She gave her best antivan accent.
His laughter echoed through the empty courtyard, “I do not sound like that.” Reaching out he took her hand, pulling her towards him, warmth radiating from his body. “It usually doesn’t, I can count on one hand the number of times it’s actually stuck.” He looked towards the sky, his smile this time for the snowfall.
Nuzzling into his side she breathed in his cologne, a comforting scent that spread through her. “Looks like I’m your lucky charm, Antiva’s lucky charm.” Patting his chest she slid her hand under his jacket warming her hand, “I made the snow stick in Treviso. Brought everyone a nice winter to open their gifts in.”
When Lucanis wrapped his arm around her she quickly huddled closer. She’d been outside for a while, probably too long now that she thought about it. This morning she’d stood on the balcony before making her way outside. Ellaria had taken shelter under the portico to watch the snowfall while Lucanis was inside working. She’d offered to stay in and help him, but he’d insisted she go out and enjoy the snow.
“You are a good luck charm, I’ve told you this. Maybe not in so many words but it’s always implied.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead, arms wrapping around her waist. Dark eyes shifted to the side where she could only imagine what Spite was saying, “Yes and Spite. You’re his good luck charm too.”
More snow was sticking in his dark hair, and a few even sticking in his beard. She wished he could see what he looked like right now, how beautiful he was. Brushing the flakes out of his beard she leaned up, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. “Your good luck charm will be good to no one if she freezes to death.”
—
The fire was warm as they lounged on the couch, Lucanis’ arms a gentle pressure around her. Watching the fire she buried her nose against his chest, and inhaled his scent. This was the peace they both deserved after defeating the gods. Quiet moments with each other while the snow fell outside and people celebrating the holiday. Eventually Caterina would call them from their bubble for the feast, but for now they clung to it.
Under her Lucanis was making small noises, mostly in disagreement, an unspoken argument with Spite. She wished she was better at understanding him without him taking over Lucanis’ body. Emmrich was teaching her but she wasn’t there yet, sometimes she could feel the distortion in the fade or a whisper, but that was it. So for now she had to wait for him to speak through her lover or for Lucanis to tell her what was happening.
Right now the pair seemed more content arguing silently with each other, “I hate when you quietly argue. At least fight out loud so I can hear part of it.” She teased, moving her cheek from his chest to look at him, “The grunting isn’t very riveting for me unless your clothes are off.”
A deep chuckle left him as his arms tightened around her, “I’m trying to ignore his complaining, he’s whining because you stole our spot. He’s being a child.”
Spite wasn’t wrong, usually it was Lucanis who laid in her lap. Her hands in his hair and his weight comfortably against her. She loved giving him the comfort he deserved, that he craved now that he finally let himself have it. “He saw you lay down first, if he wants to complain about anyone stealing spots it’s you he should be mad at.” Ellaria poked his chest, “Or he should learn to love being in both spots.”
A year ago she’d never have imagined this, laying in the arms of the man who loved her, who looked at her as if she was his reason for living. Sometimes it still didn’t feel real, but this, the warmth of the fire, the comfort of his body and the flickers of the fade next to them. This was real, this was the gift she never knew she wanted. And the one they’d killed gods for.
“He can appreciate it when I’m tired of holding you.” His face was pressed into her hair, his words quieter than they were before, “He can wait his turn, it was my body first.”
Lucanis was falling asleep, she could feel him fighting it but it wouldn’t be long until he was sleeping. He deserved it, his sleep schedule was still a mess and anytime he got to rest, she wanted him to take it. Even if that meant giving up an hour or two of the holiday laying with him in front of a massive fire, she was willing to give it.