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Quin wasn’t sure how he was feeling. He’d already mourned the loss of his boyfriend well over a year ago, and now he’s being told that same man isn’t actually dead. The whole family did. Hell, Quin was still a wreck when they ended up following Varric out of Treviso. So now, being told his Luca is still alive and in a Venatori prison? That someone sold him out? It’s almost too much for him to handle right now.
He’s still going to break out his boyfriend, though, no matter what his anxiety has to say about it.
“Quin? You alright?” Sylvhen asks. “This has to be a lot.”
“What if he’s not actually still alive? What if he doesn’t like me anymore? What if he’s not the same Luca as—“
“Quin. You’re spiraling. Stop and think for a moment.” His little brother states. “We’re going to find him. Lucanis has been in prison for at least a year. Chances are, he’s going to have some form of trauma. But I can almost guarantee that he’s still going to love you.” Syl takes a few steps forward. “Now, come on. We have to break your boyfriend out of prison.”
That lump in his throat is still there, but Quin nods and pushes on. All they have to do is get through this stupid underwater prison, and then he’ll be able to hold Luca in his arms once more. There’s surprisingly few guards left alive in this place. It’s weird.
“Why’s it so empty here?” He tries. Not that he expects Syl to have an answer. “For a Venatori prison it’s surprisingly light of staff.”
“You think they abandoned it?” Quin’s steps falter. If they abandoned this place, then that means they either took Luca with them, or left him here to die. What if they get there and they find Luca’s already starved to death?
A hand floats on his back. “I know you’re worried. I would be, too. But you need to focus. We’re never going to find him if you keep feeding into your anxieties. Take a deep breath. Then we’re moving on.” Right. Right. They’re here on a contract. Not to let Quin’s anxieties get the better of him.
He takes a deep breath. Then two. A third, and he opens eyes filled with determination. They’re going to find his boyfriend and they’re going to get him out of here alive. He’s not going to listen to the thoughts in his head telling him otherwise.
Eventually, they find themselves in front of a few crystals pointed at a door. Quin blinks, cocking his head. “There’s something weird about the magic behind there.” He’s… What is that?
“Do you think it’s something you can handle?” Syl inquires? He blinks, mulling it over. It’s a lot weaker than his maximum output. So unless whatever it is happens to catch him before he can see it, he should be fine.
“Yeah.”
Syl smiles at him. “Then lets break those crystals and see whats in there.” Quin nods, pulling at his magic before flicking four tiny bolts out, shattering all the crystals in a moment.
“Gonna have to be a bit quicker than that to get a new record.” Syl jokes. “After all, you missed that one.”
“Did I?” Quin smirks. The crystal blocking the hole in the wall shatters the moment he finishes his sentence. Syl rolls his eyes, but smiles as they go up to the door that the Venatori clearly wanted to keep closed. Quin nods to his brother, and they open the doors together.
There, in front of them, is a few Venatori. Quin’s magic buzzes in his hand in half a second as he approaches them with ice in his gaze. “One of you is going to tell me where my boyfriend is.”
“How di—“ The first ones dead. There’s a spike of the unfamiliar magic nearby.
“You?” He glares down the second future corpse. They move as though they have any chance of beating him so Quin simply electrocutes the fucker before he has the chance.
Turning to the third and final obstacle, a purple blur, the source of that magic, speeds down and takes them out before Quin has the chance to move. It rushes into him, nearly toppling Quin over as a pair of arms wrap around him. He’s halfway to electrocuting the blur when he looks down at the dark mane pressing into his chest.
That’s… It’s longer and unkempt, but— “Luca?” He tries.
He pulls away from Quin just enough for those big wet eyes of his to meet Quin’s, then pulls him in close for a kiss. It’s needy and hurried and soothes every last one of Quin’s anxieties. He pulls his boyfriend closer, refusing to let go.
“I missed you so much.” Quin manages. “I was told you were dead, and then you weren’t.”
“You came for me. I was starting to lose hope.”
“What. About. Me!” An unknown voice states. Quin looks up to find a shade with Luca’s face standing behind them looking annoyed.
“You have a companion?” Quin asks, trying to piece things together.
Luca pulls away as much as Quin allows, looking to the ground sadly. “That’s Spite. We have a… Complicated relationship.” That weird magical signature’s coming from Spite. And Spite’s signature is tied to his Luca. He’s possessed?
“It’s fine.” Quin decides. “We can talk about it once we get you out of here.” Luca looks up to him, surprise lining his features.
“It’s not an issue?”
“Lucanis.” Quin starts, pulling all of his attention. “I thought you were dead for a year. Now, you’re here, in my arms, very much alive. I couldn’t ask for anything more. Spite’s a part of you now, so I’ll deal with it and we can talk about him later.”
Luca manages a smile and pulls away properly this time, giving Quin a full view of his condition. His cheeks heat. His hair may be longer, but it’s the beard nearly hiding Luca’s face that has his attention for the moment. It’s… Really hot. Quin swallows and moves on. After all, Luca’s barely more than skin and bones, completely naked, and his body’s littered with cuts, bruises, and half-healed scars.
Quin makes a choice and passes off his cloak to his boyfriend. “Here. I’ll get us out of here. Just stay safe, yeah?”
“I can still fight!” Luca complains.
“Babe. You’re naked and unarmed.” Quin muses. “I know you’re plenty capable. But right now, let me do the fighting.” He doesn’t mention how the only reason the man he loves with all his heart is still standing is the spirit holding him up. “Syl?”
His bother nods, taking up a position to help protect Luca. “Got it.”
Luca sighs. “Fine. But they still have a vial of my blood and I still need to complete the contract I was sent here for. It’s the jailer, Calivan.”
Quin smiles. A chance to get back at one of the bastards that hurt Luca? It’s just a matter of time.
“I’m perfectly capable of washing myself!” Luca complains.
“I know.” He doesn’t put down the sponge.
“I don’t need help!” Quin can see every one of his ribs clearly outlined.
“I know.” He’s going to have to work just as hard to get all that muck and grim out of Luca’s hair. That’s alright. It’s been far too long since he’s gotten to run his fingers through it.
“I’m not an invalid!” Luca actually turns around to look at him with that, a thread of hurt in his tone.
Quin sighs, focusing his attention on his boyfriend. “I know. You’re a perfectly capable man, and the one I love.” He swallows. “But just like you’re capable of doing this, I need to do it for you.” Realization plays in those coffee brown eyes. Luca deflates, slipping further into the warm bath.
“I’m sorry.”
Quin reaches out to cup the side of Luca’s face. “There’s nothing to apologize for. I know you want to be self sufficient as soon as possible. I get it. I just… I need this one moment to help with all these emotions in my chest.”
Any fight in his Luca melts away in a moment. “You’ll help me shave, then?”
“If that’s what you really want.” Quin decides. “But I think the beard suits you.” Luca flushes that pretty pink Quin thought he’d never get to see again.
“Let’s just get this over with…”
Quin snuggles into bed with his boyfriend securely in his arms for the first time in a long time, heart full of warmth.
“Are you sure Spite’s not going to be a problem?”
“It’ll be fine.” Quin reassures, burying his face in Luca’s back.
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because you’re back with me. Everything else is secondary. I don’t have an issue with your companion, Luca. But if I did? We both know I’m more than capable of dealing with him without hurting you.” Quin yawns. “Love you?”
“Fine. But we’re having an actual talk about this in the morning.” Luca decides. Quin hums in response. Luca sighs. “Love you.” With a smile on his face, Quin falls into the easiest sleep he’s had in a while.