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Rook curled up in his bedroll and felt miserable. He did not have time to be sick. They had so much to do to defeat the gods, and getting stopped by a simple cold felt like a crime. They had some momentum going, even with all their obstacles. They had just defeated two blighted dragons! It was the perfect time to hit at some of the gods’ allies, but he had to have a head cold. His throat had been sore the day before, and he knew he had to lie low and, hopefully, recover quickly. He had taken his breakfast in his room this morning and tried to avoid the others as much as possible. He did not want to make a big deal about a head cold, but he was not going to spread it to the rest of the team. He just needed a day or two of rest.
He glanced over when he heard a knock at the door. “Come in.”
“My hands are full,” Lucanis called back to Rook’s surprise.
“Coming.” He hurried over to the door and found Lucanis holding a cup of tea and a bowl of soup. “What is this for?”
“You said you were sick, so I made some tea and soup.”
Rook felt his heart skip a beat at the fact Lucanis had made it just for him. He accepted the meal, though he wrinkled his nose at the scent of the medicinal tea. “Really, you made tea?”
“It is the one thing tea is good for.” Lucanis replied with a smirk, “There is honey in it.”
“Thank you.” Rook looked at him, “You should stay away. I really don’t want anyone else catching this.”
“I won’t be too long.” Lucanis stepped inside his room, and Rook was reminded of the almost kiss as he stepped back. He still did not know why Lucanis pulled away that day. He understood things were complicated with Spite and everything else, though, so he was willing to wait. “Is there anything else you need?”
“Maybe a book or two. The fish are not entertaining for very long.”
“I will see what I can do.” Lucanis reached out and pressed the back of his hand to Rook’s forehead. He burned from the touch and wanted to lean into it but remained still until Lucanis pulled away. “No fever.”
Rook shook his head, “I think it is just a cold.”
“Alright,” Lucanis looked conflicted but nodded. “I will check on you later. Feel better.”
***
Rook sighed as he watched the fish swimming around in circles. If he had been back home in Treviso, Viago would have chastised him for being sick but then would have sent him to bed with soup and expensive medicine. Later on, Viago would come with papers, complaining he was not paying Rook to just sit around. They would review contracts and reports together and talk until Rook fell asleep. As silly as it was, Rook had enjoyed that time. He missed it.
Rook was startled when he heard knocking at the door but perked up. Maybe Lucanis was finally returning with a book. It was taking the other man a while for what seemed like a simple request. “Come in.”
There was no noise except for some more knocking. Rook watched the door and then got up. “Coming.”
He hurried over and found Manfred standing on the other side. The skeleton did not usually come to his rooms, so it was a surprise to see him there. “Hey, Manfred, what are you doing here?”
Manfred hissed eagerly and held out a bag with a note pinned to the top.
Dear Rook,
Manfred cannot get sick, so we sent him up with some things to keep you entertained. Please feel better soon! Everyone is wishing you well.
-Emmrich
Rook eagerly opened the bag and began to sort through everything. There were several of Bellara’s serials, the book Harding had just finished, and several thick tomes from Emmrich. Additionally, there are some small weights from Taash, a knife with a small piece of wood from Davrin with instructions on how to whittle, and a puzzle box from Neve. There was enough in there to keep him busy for a while. Lucanis must have been busy gathering all of this. He smiled to himself, feeling a little less homesick.
“You don’t mind keeping me company, Manfred?”
Manfred hissed happily and held out his hands for a game of rock, paper, scissors. “I am going to beat you this time.”
Manfred shook his head and hissed again.
Rook smiled and held up his own hands, “Ready?”
***
Rook woke to the whisper of footsteps on his floor. Manfred had departed a little while ago, so Rook could nap. He glanced around and then relaxed when he saw it was Lucanis again, setting another cup of tea and bowl of soup on the little table. “You could have sent Manfred up; I don’t want you getting sick,” he said softly.
“You need someone alive to check on you.” Lucanis adjusted the blanket that was wrapped around him, smoothing it out. “I will be fine.”
He should have told Lucanis to leave but did not want to. “The soup was good.”
“It was Illario’s favorite when he was sick.” Of course, Lucanis supported Illario when he was sick. He just hoped Illario returned the support. “If you want something else, though, just let me know. Bellara has also offered to make you something…and so did Harding.”
“Please, anything but that.” He adored Harding, but while Ferelden desserts were good, most of Ferelden’s cooking left much to be desired. They really did not understand spices.
Lucanis smirked, “Don’t worry, I want you to recover. I told them the illness left you craving Antivan food.”
Rook smiled; Lucanis had no idea how correct he was. “It is true.”
“I know.” Lucanis touched his forehead again, and Rook sighed at the touch. “You feel a little warm.”
“I’m under the blanket.”
Lucanis considered him for a moment, “Drink the tea. It is supposed to help.”
Rook could smell how healthy it was from his spot and glared at the tea. He did not mind regular tea, but this was medicinal tea, which was awful. He knew it would help, but the idea of sitting up and drinking it felt like too much.
“Please… for me,” Lucanis said gently.
Rook glared at Lucanis but sat up and took the cup, “For you.”
It was as healthy-tasting as he feared, but the honey at least made it bearable, and he hated that it soothed his throat. “There.”
“Good job.” Lucanis teased and, to both their surprise, stroked his hair once before he quickly snatched his hand away.
“Lucanis?”
“Yes?” Lucanis did not look at him.
He wanted to say something about that. He wanted Lucanis to do it again, but he suspected that would not happen. Instead, he asked, “Tomorrow, if I am feeling better, could you bring me coffee?”
Lucanis looked at him and smiled slightly, “Only if you are feeling better, otherwise more tea.”
Rook wrinkled his nose, and Lucanis’s smile grew. “Very well.”
“And no trying to pretend, I will be able to tell.”
“You’re no fun,” Rook said, teasing back.
Lucanis hesitated and stroked Rook’s hair again, which Rook did lean into this time. “If I smuggled you a deck of cards, would that fix it?”
Rook smiled, “I can play with Manfred…I wonder if he knows Wicked Grace.”
“Probably just 52 pick up.”
Rook laughed, and Lucanis seemed pleased with himself. “I wonder if Manfred could actually pick up a card.”
“I guess you will find out tomorrow.”
“I guess I will.” Rook gazed at Lucanis, who returned his gaze. He seemed so conflicted. It was hard to read what he was thinking. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Checking in on me and getting all those books and other things.”
“It is the least I could do, and the others wanted to help you, too.” Lucanis looked away. “I will be back later. Drink your tea and eat your soup.”
“I will.”
Lucanis hurried out of his rooms, and Rook watched him go. He thought about that almost kiss again. It had surprised him. Lucanis had flirted a little before and seemed to enjoy his company, but he had not been expecting that move. It had reminded him of a seduction trap he had been taught in his Crow training. If Lucanis was interested in something more physical, he was willing to go for it, though. However, that was not the case. It almost felt like he had failed some unknown test, yet Lucanis did not act that way. The man had brought him tea and soup, and he could feel the tension stronger now than before. He did not understand it but hoped things would become clearer soon.
***
When Rook woke the next morning, his nose was still stuffed, and he still felt tired, but his throat did not hurt anymore and he did not feel as cold. He sat up and found the bowl and cup from the night before gone. In its place was a warm cup of tea with fruit and toast next to it. Next to that, however, was a small cup of coffee, not even half filled, and a deck of cards.
Not better, but a little coffee won’t hurt- L
Rook smiled and took the cup of coffee. He breathed as deeply as he could and could tell these were from Lucanis’s good beans. The coffee was wasted on his nose, but he still sipped it. It was just getting cool, but it still warmed him in a way nothing else would have. Lucanis was worth the wait.
There was a knock on the door. “Come in.”
Manfred stepped in with a friendly hiss, and Rook smiled. “Good morning, Manfred! Do you know Wicked Grace?”