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The lock clicks open slowly. The fire has burned low, the hour is late and few are left awake save for him. He's been waiting all day. Worried. His eyes going to the door more times than it's healthy to admit.
By some miracle he's been able to work today. Focus today. Tarquin only giving him a few knowing glances when he would stare off lost in thought before coming back to himself.
He looks up from his desk to see her standing there. His little Rook is so small and tired in the twilight of Minrathous. He notices a new scar twisting down her arm. One Davrin couldn't protect her from and Emmrich couldn't heal properly. A reminder of the danger she faces daily.
But when she smiles at him in that softest way, he knows that they are whole once more.
There's a new chaise in his office, shoved in the corner. It mirrors her one in the Lighthouse, though he likes to think this one is more for two people and not one. At least, they make it work as her back presses to his chest and his arms curl around her middle. He breathes in the floral scent of her hair as they curl up together, and she sighs at the peace of it all.
Tonight she's exhausted. His rogue returning home to him after a long day slaying whatever horrors have awaited her. And as much as he would love to strip her and show her how much desire she lights in him, he refrains.
What she needs now is something else entirely. And he would gladly give her anything she asked, even if it meant the end of him.
So he lays beside her. His fingers playing along her skin. Tracing old scars and new. His soft voice humming some long forgotten song to her. Allowing her to simply exist in the safety of his love. A leader in need of relaxing her burder long enough to find strength to carry it once more. Trusting that he's got her. That he will take care of her.
Her days are so long now. Their visits becoming less and less frequent. She always looks so exhausted. He knows they are getting closer to the end. To a time when she will have to face her greatest challenge. When he will have to watch her fight Gods to save those she cares for most. To save the world, their city, their people-
Him. She whispers it's all for him. And he hates her burden but is thrilled he can give her the resolve to persevere. Because he knows when the days are darkest, that is all she will have.
She is all he has. His reason his heart continues to beat when the days are so difficult. The Venatori relentless to try and claim his city. Their city. But he has to endure. To give her something to come home to.
Because she will come home. He will accept no other option.
He watches as her breathing evens and her eyes flutter closed. He thinks he loves her most like this. She looks peaceful cradled against him. As if there's nowhere else she wants to be. As if he can take away all her worries and pour comfort into her. A small smile, a true smile, teasing on her lips as the tiniest snore escapes her.
Maker, this woman has him so enraptured he should be ashamed. But as he finds himself falling harder each day, he can't help but go willingly into such an enduring embrace.
He wants to stay awake. Lay beside her all night and enjoy the moments of holding her in his arms. But she calms the turmoil In him. Untangling the knot that normally resides in his chest whenever she's not in his presence.
And as he feels himself drifting into sleep beside her, Ashur gives breath to his last conscious thought with a whisper into the still night.
“I love you, Rook.”