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It had been a long day in Minrathous chasing Venatori with Lucanis and Neve. Watching them flirt. How protective the Crow was over her. How they always had each other's backs. Watching Spite tear enemies in half for getting too close to the Detective. Reminding Rook of another time. When a swirling cloak of black and green stood at her side while they infiltrated slaver's rings. Working in tandem to end the injustices of the Imperium.
She wasn't jealous or anything. Nope, not at all. Her mouth wasn't pressed into a hard line. Her hands weren't clenched at her sides. She didn't stomp into the Shadow Dragon hideout and flop onto one of the corner chairs before taking a long drag of a nearby hookah. (Banana today. Good flavor.)
Despite the hard day and even worse envy, she found herself slowly relaxing under the steady hits of the pipe and the familiar hum of activity around her. She was happy for her friends, truly. Lucanis and Neve made an amazing pair, and she could see how tightly their bond was woven. Where one went, the other followed with patient understanding. She just wished sometimes that she had that sort of freedom. That her days weren't spent so far away from the one who held her heart in his hands.
She sighed with contentment as her head fell back and she relaxed further into the cushions. New recruits and old friends passed by in a constant stream. Some waved, and others ignored her. But all kept their distance and respectfully left her to her peace.
If given the choice, this was where she would choose to be always. Her home, among her people. Eyes fluttering closed as she debated on falling asleep right in the middle of the hideout. Where she wasn't a leader and no one would bother her with their problems. Where she could simply exist as a little assassin once more. Where she never had to be parted from her love again.
Neve and Lucanis had long been dismissed back to the Lighthouse. Not that they needed much convincing to leave her behind. They had their own pursuits, and they knew she had hers. None of her friends mentioned her many late nights spent in Minrathous, but all were secretly aware who held her there. The force that seemed to be the anchor of her very existence. The shadow currently falling over her face as she barely cracked open one eye to peer at him.
“I guess the others told you I was here,” she grinned as she closed her eyes once more and crossed her hands over her stomach. Deciding to enjoy a little game as she made a grand show of ignoring Ashur. She practically felt the annoyance rolling off of him. Unhappy that she hid out here instead of coming to his office as soon as her day was done.
“You know I could find you anywhere, little assassin. So there's no point trying to hide from me,” he replied in a low tone. One that she knew so well. The hint of a veiled threat to his words as she secretly shivered. A warning that if she didn't get her ass up and in gear he wouldn't be nice.
And Maker, did she love when he wasn't nice.
“Want to test that theory?” she challenged nonchalantly as she had to suppress a giggle at his growl of anger. She chanced a peek at him to see him staring down at her with blue eyes bright and gloved hand clenched. The poor muscle in his jaw was working overtime as he took a few calming breaths to steady himself.
“Rook. Get up.”
She quivered at his command but held her composure. Fighting every instinct to stand and follow him as she pressed her boots firmly against the ground. Chewing the inside of her cheek as she stared at her hands and avoided his piercing gaze. “Or what, boss?”
He balked at her boldness, but then she saw his eyes narrow. A flash of wickedness that seemed so foreign to his usually gentle features. He didn't lose his composure with her. No, that wasn't his style. He was calculated. Controlled. Deadly.
A fact he reminded her as he leaned forward, his hands pressing into the arms of the chair as he caged her in. Her breath caught as she froze, prey to the hungry predator. Worry down her spine that anyone could see them like this, and a secret thrill that he didn't care if they were caught. Overwhelmed by the creaking of his armour and the scent of leather and incense. Every thought leaving her when his mask brushed against her shoulder and he hummed his words into her very soul.
“Then stay here, little Rook. I know you will come find me soon enough.”
And then he was gone. Cool air across the flush of her skin as he turned from her. Watching his retreating broad shoulders with a pout as she bit back a groan of frustration. Swearing she could hear the faintest chuckle as he disappeared up the stairs. Embarrassment coiling along with desire in the pit of her stomach as she realized he had won at their game.
“Maker damn that man,” she grumbled as she made to stand and chase after him. Only halted by the sudden realization that there was a small black box in her lap. A simple gold ribbon wrapped around the delicate edges as she inspected it thoroughly. It hadn't been there before, and she grinned despite her irritation at his sleight of hand.
She had to admit, he was getting better at rogue things. Their practice was paying off. And she anxiously unwrapped the present before taking a deep breath and lifting the lid.
There was a small note neatly folded on top, and she removed it carefully before scanning the words written in his smooth scroll.
Little Assassin,
I'm sure you have forgotten what day it is, but I haven't. The Twelfth Day of Parvulis. Your Name Day, amatus. Please enjoy your gift, though it pales in comparison to all I would give you. And know that every time it touches your skin, I think of you.
With every beat of my heart,
~A
Her hand flew to her mouth as she read his note. The sweetness of his gesture breaking her heart before remaking it once more. She had forgotten their conversation so long ago, but of course he hadn't. She had no idea what she had done to deserve him, but she thanked the Maker every day that she ended up in his arms.
“Orphans don't have Name Days,” she said to herself. Mirroring words spoken between them in this very room. Remembering his gentle chuckle when he told her to choose her own then. It would be extra special since no one else got to do that.
So she chose the month of Parvulis, ‘little’ in Tevene. She often wondered if Ashur ever caught onto her reasoning. A little month for his little assassin.
He chose the Twelfth Day, giving no specific reasoning. She asked him for a number and he gave it freely. Though she wouldn't put it past him to have some hidden Chantry bullshit up his sleeve. It would be so like him, and yet she adored him for it.
Every year he remembered, even when she was away with Varric. When she had been angry and cursed his name, still he thought of her. Her fingers going to the custom daggers at her hip as she grinned at the memories.
“This man-” she mused as she shook her head in amazement. Reaching into the box as she pulled out her present with a slight gasp.
It was a necklace. A thin silver chain with a pendant. A dragon and a snake intricately wrapped together in green and black jade. The symbol of the Tevinter Empire. Yet another small claim that she was his, and always would be.
The craftsmanship was exquisite. She could only imagine where he had gotten such a thing as she fingered along the fine edges. Mesmerized by how it caught in the light, shining with almost an unnatural glow. As if it was kissed by magic, and for a moment her skin tingled beneath its weight as she slipped it around her neck.
Her eyes darted to the top of the stairs, not surprised when she saw him standing there watching her. Glad he didn't miss her opening her gift. Then she would have felt guilty, and she already regretted her stupid little game keeping them apart. Even for a few minutes.
She could feel the grin behind his mask, and she rolled her eyes as she refolded the note and shoved it in her pocket. “Do I even want to know how long you have been standing there?” she asked with fake annoyance.
“Long enough,” he chuckled down to her. Arms crossed over his chest in that easy way as she rose from her chair and stalked after him. Forcing herself not to rush as she climbed the stairs. Thankful that no one seemed to be around at the moment as she reached out to him with a gentle hand.
“Thank you, amatus. I adore it,” she said as he folded her into his arms. Pressing his face to the top of her head as he breathed in her scent.
“It suits you,” he replied. Unspoken words between them that as much as the necklace suited her, so did he. The Dragon and The Viper, locked into an eternal dance beneath the Tevinter sky. And as he led her away to the quiet of his office, she realized there was nowhere else she would rather be.