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Rook was not short.
Okay, maybe he was a little short.
Fine. He was shorter than most of the Veilguard, but it had never mattered before. He was fast, he was sharp, and he could outmaneuver just about anyone. He had survived ambushes, escaped traps, and slipped past some of the most heavily guarded fortresses in Thedas.
So why, why, was his greatest challenge in life the fact that Lucanis Dellamorte was just a little too tall for him to kiss properly?
It wasn’t fair.
Lucanis, of course, wasn’t obnoxiously tall—just enough that Rook found himself tilting his head up whenever they stood close together. Which was often. And while Rook had never considered himself the kind of person to be self-conscious about height, it had become increasingly irritating when he realized that kissing Lucanis required extra effort.
And today?
Today, Rook had finally had enough.
The two of them had been alone in the Lighthouse common room for a while now, the fire in the hearth burning low, filling the space with flickering gold. Most of the others had either retired for the night or found places elsewhere to be, leaving them in comfortable silence.
Lucanis was standing near the window, his usual smirk tugging at his lips as he spoke. "You know, I did catch you staring earlier."
Rook, seated on the edge of the couch, raised an eyebrow. "Staring?"
Lucanis hummed, turning slightly, eyes sharp with amusement. "At me."
Rook scoffed, crossing his arms. "I was not staring."
Lucanis stepped closer, tilting his head. "Oh? So you weren’t watching me while we were training earlier?"
Rook’s ears burned. "I was assessing your form."
Lucanis laughed. "Maker’s breath, Rook. If you’re going to lie, at least try to be convincing."
Rook grumbled under his breath.
Because the truth was, yes, he had been watching. It was hard not to when Lucanis was all sharp precision and effortless control. And while Rook would never admit it, there was something maddening about the way Lucanis moved—like he always knew exactly where to place his feet, exactly how to hold himself, exactly how to draw just enough attention to drive Rook insane.
And right now?
Right now, Lucanis was too close.
Which would have been fine—if Rook wasn’t thinking about it so damn much.
Lucanis’s voice lowered, teasing. "You’re thinking about something."
Rook narrowed his eyes. "What makes you say that?"
Lucanis smirked. "You have a very specific look when you want something but refuse to ask for it."
Rook hated that Lucanis was right.
And, worse, he wasn’t wrong.
Because, yes, Rook did want something.
He wanted to kiss him.
And, really—why shouldn’t he?
It wasn’t like they hadn’t danced around this for months. It wasn’t like Lucanis didn’t already know where this was going.
So, with a quiet exhale, Rook made a decision.
He moved.
Closing the space between them, he reached up—only to immediately realize that he was still too short to properly reach.
Maker’s breath.
Lucanis blinked, watching him with quiet amusement. "Are you trying to—?"
Rook let out a frustrated noise before he did the only thing he could think to do.
He stepped onto the balls of his feet, reaching up, his fingers catching against the back of Lucanis’s neck.
Lucanis inhaled sharply—surprised, if only for a moment—before Rook used that grip to drag him down, closing the gap between them in one firm, deliberate pull.
Their lips met in a kiss that was not soft.
It was insistent. Determined.
Lucanis made a quiet sound—pleased—before he immediately responded, hands settling against Rook’s waist as he let himself be pulled down.
For a moment, neither of them moved—just warm breath and the quiet crackle of the fire in the background.
Then—
Lucanis smirked against Rook’s lips. "That’s what this was about?"
Rook barely pulled back, his breath uneven. "Shut up."
Lucanis chuckled, fingers pressing slightly tighter at Rook’s waist. "You could’ve just asked, you know."
Rook scowled. "And give you the satisfaction? Absolutely not."
Lucanis hummed, his hands shifting slightly. "I don’t know. I think I do feel pretty satisfied right now."
Rook groaned, dropping his forehead against Lucanis’s shoulder. "Maker, why are you like this?"
Lucanis laughed. "Oh, Rook—you adore me."
And, honestly?
Rook didn’t have it in him to argue.