While Rook prided himself on focusing on his partner's pleasure, pride didn't stop his jaw joints from starting to feel the ache of being worked over. It was a small price to pay to scare such beautiful sounds out of Emmrich, but that ring was working a little too well.
When Emmrich bucked his hips with a bit too much vigor Rook made a humming sound almost like a warning. With his free hand he pressed down on Emmrich's chest to tame the arch in his back and keep the other man pinned. Rook rarely threw his weight around between the sheets unless Emmrich was in the mood to be manhandled, but a little show of force was necessary to keep Emmrich from throwing himself off the bed.
"Please what?" Rook managed to raise his head off Emmrich's cock when the other man tensed up, mouthing at the oversensitive skin with Emmrich's hand in his hair, keeping him in place. The burn along his scalp from the desperate way Emmrich pulled on his hair was bliss. His jaw might be getting sore, but he could go on all night like this.
"Talk to me, love," Rook teased as he curled the fingers he had buried to the knuckle in Emmrich. His own cock neglected and reddened, pressed against Emmrich's shin, offering the barest sense of pressure, but he wouldn't do anything until Emmrich begged him.
He outright whimpered at the question, knowing he could not get his mind wrapped around an answer especially as he was pinned down so hard. Emmrich trembled underneath him, unsure of how much more he could take of this and yet still wanting it. He thought he might be being cruel to himself until Rook proved crueler and stole his breath away with both the demand and a motion that sent lightning through his body.
"Ashes," he swore, needing that tiny release to try to get his brain functioning at all. Emmrich flung one arm over his eyes seeking any control of himself whatsoever. What did he even want? He wanted to be destroyed which Rook was well on his way to doing anyway.
But there could be more. He could go for absolute depravity for a change.
"Get, drawer," he pleaded as tears kept leaking from his eyes. "You down my throat, and use, take me with one of them, please, love." He'll take the ring off when he's filled, if he's filled, because he needs release but he's also needed this so much more than he could have imagined.
Rook had yet even to be touched properly and already risked premature release from those sweet noises spilling out of his paramour. He had seen Emmrich desperate before, even debased on a few occasions, but tonight, the man was simply in pieces. It was oddly intoxicating and made the blood rush between Rook's ears with the steady thud of his heart hammering out nearly all other sounds.
"Such language," Rook clicked his tongue with a slight chuckle because, of course, he'd balk even jokingly at that sort of sacrilegious slip of profanity.
With some reluctance, Rook then stood, pulling out of Emmrich and looking down at his handiwork. Taking in the sight of Emmrich's more narrow chest rapidly rising and falling and longer limbs splayed out on the bed. He was flushed, overstimulated, and the most gorgeous creature Rook had ever laid eyes on. Even when he could barely string two words together, he was a balm to behold — a needful thing that Rook wanted to adore and worship.
"Sshh..." Rook gentled and hushed Emmrich, moving his arm and with a hand going to his cheek, thumb brushing away tears. "You're full of surprises this morning, aren't you? I'll take care of you — here."
Rook moved the large feather-down pillows against the carved headboard for Emmrich to relax against. Then he turned and opened the nightstand drawer, hit by its vague floral scent again. Hands-on his hips, Rook weighed his options. Between the two toys of which he couldn't determine the material or if they were enchanted or not, Rook went with the one with the flared base. He noted, with a rush of something bordering on smugness, that neither two was larger than himself.
Setting the phallic toy on the pillow beside where he left the oil bottle, Rook settled back onto the bed. He was seated himself cross-legged beside Emmrich, who seemed to be calming down as Rook brushed flyaway strands of hair out of his eyes.
The break is another thing he hadn't realized he'd needed. The intense pleasure that had been threatening to turn into agony eased up, though he felt incredibly empty and alone in the seconds between Rook pulling away and then touching his face. He started to catch his breath then, leaning into the touch and blinking his eyes open. His love. His indulgent, deliciously cruel, love.
On Rook's return Emmrich went right back to leaning into Rook and his touch. His breathing was now far more stable and the tears had stopped.
"Rather thought I was clear," he said in a thick, ruined voice. He knew he hadn't been completely clear. Some was left up to interpretation. Emmrich lifted a hand and gestured loosely as he sought words. He still wanted Rook at both ends at once, so he needed to sort out logistics.
"What's easiest for you? We could, my head off the edge of the bed, you stand and take my mouth while using the toy? Or you could kneel over me." He wasn't quite able to talk at his usual level; his cock still throbbed almost painfully where it laid against his stomach, hard and flushed. "Or our sides. We could be on our sides. If that doesn't work..." he waves his hand again. "I just want you. And when you fill me, I'm unfastening the ring."
"Take a breath, Emmrich," Rook said as he pulled the other man against him. Running a hand up and down Emmrich's side as he waited for him to come down from his trembling.
Sometimes, Emmrich could work himself up to a concerning degree. Rook enjoyed seeing his love vulnerable and tender, but these lulls were welcomed in equal measure. Once Emmrich came back to himself a little more, Rook found himself grinning at his remark on being clear. Yes, he adored that Emmrich was confident in and communicated his desires well, but he wasn't exactly the most coherent a moment ago. Rook was to blame there, admittedly.
"Right, well..." Rook shifted on the bed, his own erection near-painful with how throbbed as if in protest at being so long ignored. "You're a bit more flexible than me, but I can reach you fine if you want to just stay like this?"
The thought of Emmrich's head in his lap, taking him to the root with that clever mouth while he writhed for release at Rook's mercy was dizzying. If he wasn't sitting the blood rushing from his head to his cock would've had him passing out. In a fit of eagerness, Rook turned and groped for the oil bottle and toy. That would need some extra prep work, it's girth more daunting than a couple fingers.
He'd never had anyone he enjoyed being at the mercy of this much. He'd never felt like he could completely put himself in someone else's hands and trust them this fully, and the gentle care Rook was showing while still so clearly hard and wanting said everything about how safe and loved he was.
The suggested position probavly wouldn't let Rook fuck his throat, but it still sounded good. Granted, anything more of Rook sounded good. Emmrich's thirst for this man is endless.
"Mm," Emmrich 'said,' a noise of agreement that was backed up by how he shifted upward. He'd recovered enough. Now he needed Rook filling his senses and body.
Emmrich wrapped a hand around Rook's cock and licked it slowly from root to tip. His tongue darted out to tease at the slit. Rook's desire was exquisite, a unique blend of salt and musk. After a swirl of his tongue around the head, Emmrich took it into his mouth and hollowed his cheeks, making a pleased noise as he did so.
The slick noises of Rook preparing the toy filled his ears and his hips jerked in a futile thrust. He almost wanted to pull the ring off now and come like this, but then he had an idea. A shame sharing it meant he'd briefly have to pull off Rook, but so be it.
"I'm right on the edge," he said before licking another slow line along his love's dick. "The second the ring is off, I'll be over it. Why don't you choose when that happens?" Rook might break him, but oh, what a way to break.
At first blush, Rook thought Emmrich would want retribution of some sort for the earlier teasing. To say Rook was pleased to discover Emmrich's enthusiasm instead was a criminal understatement. Rook made a noise that was deep from the chest, guttural, and almost feral the moment Emmrich's warm mouth wrapped around his cock. Blinded by the relief he felt at finally being touched, Rook's head fell back against the headboard with a dull thunk and the toy in his hand.
Rook wanted so sorely then to twist his fingers in Emmrich's hair and keep him there, but he would have to wait. Emmrich wanted to be full, and Rook needed him comfortably prepped for that. His head swam, and he struggled to keep his hands steady, and mind focused on the task of smearing oil over the shift of the toy to its flared base.
The familiar ache in his groin warned of impending release. With a frustrated grunt, Rook set the toy aside to temporarily free his hands. Enmrich wasn't the only one with an idea. None too gently, but with the intent to really harm, Rook finally raked his fingers through Emmrich's soft, salt-and-pepper hair and pulled. He nearly whimpered at the loss of that sweet heat around his cock, but he powered through.
"Wait," Rook panted, voice hoarse but command firm. He swung his legs back once Emmrich was out of the way and pushed himself onto his knees.
In one fluid motion, Rook rolled onto his back, feet facing the headboard while grabbing Emmrich by the waist and pulling the other man with him. The intent was made clear when Rook was on his back with Emmrich on top of him facing the other way.
"Want me to decide when you can let go?" Rook was breathing heavily, voice dangerously low as he slid his fingers back into Emmrich with one hand as he reached for the toy with the other. "I'll make you see stars before I let you."
Teasing Rook was the farthest thing from his mind, even though he very much did enjoy it. Right now he was simply too hard to plot and Rook's cock was right there. Emmrich was glad to go to town on him, glad to taste every single inch and hear every single beautiful noise that came from his love. He could taste Rook getting closer and shifted to see if he could indeed get Rook's cock down his throat from this angle when he was pulled off.
Blearily he blinked at Rook, though not for long. The flip made things abundantly clear. It also sent another desperate wave of want straight to Emmrich's aching cock.
Emmrich wasted no time getting a hand back on Rook and he might have delayed, might have teased, but Rook's fingers were back inside him and he was being threatened with the most intense erotic torture of his life. He shuddered around Rook's fingers and took a gasping breath before taking Rook fully into his mouth, pressing his nose to the hard lower planes of Rook's abdomen. As always it was a lot, but he fought his instincts in order to linger there for a few moments.
While he wanted to be filled at both ends at once, he'd still count the night successful if Rook came before managing to fuck him with the toy. He'd just have to tease Rook about trying harder next time later.
After easing back up, Emmrich started a slow pattern of mouthing the head of Rook's cock before taking him in to the root, up and down, not quite loosing himself in it simply because of the heavy, throbbing weight of his own cock dangling between his legs.
Teasing Emmrich was at the forefront of Rook's mind, and he would argue his love of doing so rivaled his beloved's own. If he lost the use of his eyes in that moment, then the last thing Rook would want to see was Emmrich's face with that disheveled hair, blown-out pupils, and soft lips kiss bitten and swollen from his cock.
"Look at the state of you, love," Rook said roughly and barely over a whisper as he tilted his head to catch sight of Emmrich's sucking him to the hilt, chest flushed and as he breathed heavily through the nose. The slide of that clever mouth over his cock was nearing the point of agony with how he brought him so close to orgasm yet never over the edge.
— It was then Rook decided to do something decidedly ruthless.
Just as he started to tease the tip of the toy against Emmrich's entrance, he set it aside. He'll return to it, eventually, but not quote yet. Instead, he gripped Emmrich by the thighs and pulled him back. He was close enough now that when Rook barely had to raise his head to bury his face into the cleft of Emmrich's ass. He licked a strip up from the man's sac, and his tongue caught the tang of metal from the cockring before he hit his mark and plunged his tongue inside him.
He moaned around Rook's cock at the comment, flushing slightly. Being watched by his partner was deliciousness itself. Maybe he should see how Rook felt about mirrors next, considering how this was going. They could try so many things. But those were fleeting thoughts as he felt the toy exactly where he wanted it.
Emmrich relaxed as much as he could considering everything else and the anticipation... and then instead he was yanked back. Rook's cock slipped from his mouth and before he could even start to wonder why Rook's tongue was on him instead, and then driven into him, slick and pointed and so much.
Even without his throat half-wrecked from taking Rook in the noise Emmrich made was going to be hoarse, but now the inarticulate cry was broken, half-sob, half cracks, and entirely desperate as he helplessly rested his forehead on his partner's hipbone. He was not filled but delved into deeply, greedily, and there was absolutely nothing he could do except writhe and moan. More than a few of the sounds he made came close to 'Rook,' but none were quite legible.
The knuckles of one hand went white from how he gripped his love's thigh, needing anything solid to hang on to as Rook pushed him relentlessly against the edge without letting him release. It verged on too much but he wasn't about to reach back and undo the ring himself. He wanted to be in Rook's hands like this. He wanted to be helpless and utterly destroyed and he was getting it in spades.
Emmrich tried to reclaim Rook's cock, to resume any sort of rhythm, but the best he could do was moan around the man and bob his head at a stuttered pace. It was half a wonder he hadn't collapsed yet, though the shaking of the arm holding him up suggested that might change before too long.
It was music to Rook's ears to hear Emmrich cry without restraint, with any attempt at speaking only coming out of pitiful sounds as fragile as breaking glass. Allowing oneself to surrender entirely to baser needs was cathartic in a way. If Rook could be accused of having an ulterior motive here, it was that he had wanted to get Emmrich out of his own head.
The truth was they both needed this departure from any inhibitions, perhaps Emmrich even more so. Rook had lost what felt like a few hours of having any sense of control, but Emmrich had lost weeks. Being shaken to the core and near to sobbing from pleasure was far and away better a reason to make those noises than anything else recently.
Rook allows himself a moment more of pleasure Emmrich, toy with him more like, before he lets his grip loosen, and his head falls back onto the mattress. Without any warning or preamble, he fingers the older man open, testing how loose he was before reaching for the toy and sliding it past the rim of tender, abused muscle. If that weren't enough, Rook then slipped his hand between Emmrich's trembling thighs and lightly gripped his neglected erection.
"Show me how much you want to let go," Rook cooed with a simpering sweetness that hid teeth. "Ask for it."
There's a couple of seconds of respite, if that, before he's abruptly fingered and penetrated. Finally being full after so much buildup is exquisite agony, made intensely worse and/or better by the hand on his cock.
Worse was what Emmrich settled upon with Rook's demand. He could not ask. Not even letting Rook slip out of his mouth again let him find words. All he had, all he was was where Rook touched and filled him. He ached.
"L-love," he panted, finally finding a single word. Rook held him in every sense of the word, in every way, his heart only a piece of the shattered whole. There were indeed stars behind his eyes, as well as at the edge of his vision. Emmrich reached back and put a shaking hand on Rook's not knowing if this would be enough or if Rook was not yet satisfied.
"Not even a 'darling?'" Rook whistled low, "I really did take the words right out of that pretty mouth."
Rook had already guessed (more like hoped, truthfully) that once Emmrich returned to his senses when this was all over, he would have already planned his retaliation. More than once, Rook wondered at how he might feel to be at another's mercy — being taken apart because the trust of being put back together was implicitly understood.
Right now, putting Emmrich back together meant making sure the toy was snuggly inside him. Its flared base was flush against the spread, reddened cheeks that Rookran his other hand alone up to the base of Emmrich's spine. Rook murmured soft, encouraging words he doubted Emmrich even registered as he thumbed at the adjustable part of the cock ring after gently moving Emmrich's hand away. He recalled Emmrich wanted to be the one to do it, but Rook doubted he had the mental wherewithal even to try.
"Love," Rook echoed back warmly as he unlatched the ring and reached back out for Emmrich's hand.
Pretty mouth. He'd never had any compliment along those lines ever before. Maybe it's just flattery. He can't really weigh anything right at the moment. He can't even fully hear or process what else Rook is saying.
Then the pressure holding him back is gone and Emmrich gasps, releasing so hard he almost faceplants into Rook's knee. It's a miracle he doesn't, really, and he manages to lay on his side instead, panting for air and holding his love's hand.
Eventually he comes back to himself and he gives Rook's hand a little squeeze. "I will," he croaks before coughing and trying to clear his throat, then giving a small shake of his head.
"I will remember that little stunt, my dearest." The cough hadn't helped much, his voice is still shattered, but at least it's shattered for a good reason.
"But perhaps I won't remember it just yet." Rook's still hard because Emmrich had fallen apart... but it's not going to be enough to toy with him now. It won't be nearly intense enough. Emmrich reaches over and takes Rook in hand, gently stroking him a few times before he smirks at Rook with still-a-little-dazed eyes and returns to his earlier efforts with his mouth. It's never the easiest task, considering the man's girth, and it had certainly been a bit easier when he'd been half-mad with need, but he's happy to take Rook in and fuck his own throat with his partner's cock.
"Mind like a steel trap on you, I'm counting on it," Rook said as he tried to go for confidence but was too overstimulated and knackered to manage more than vaguely smug.
Emmrich was now communicating in something more complex than needful sounds. Already his eyes gained more focus, and Rook noted through his own arousal, a sharp edge of a keen mind forming the start of a plot to return the favor. Mercifully, Emmrich wasn't keen on returning in the favor now.
Groaning in relief when the warmth of Emmrich's mouth wrapped around his cock again, Rook almost immediately felt the building pressure of rising close release. When Rook came it was a more subdued affair. The muscles in his legs tensed and his grip on Emmrich's hand tightened, but the only sound he made was a contended sigh as his head tilted back.
Eyes closed and smile breaking across his face, Rook groped around and eventually found Emmrich's should.
"C'mhere," His voice was becoming sluggish and low. He knew Emmrich preferred to have Rook draped over him but right now he just wanted to feel the other man over him, "Wanna...hold you."
He can taste how close Rook is right away, and hums his approval when when his love releases. As always it's a bit much and he does have to pull off and wipe his chin, but it's good. He feels so good. Playfully he flicks his tongue along Rook's length a bit more after just to toy with the man after all of that; over-stimulation can be incredibly fun to play with. It's almost a shame he doesn't have the energy to do much more.
It's only almost a shame, though, because he's so happy to be pulled close by Rook. Emmrich scoots up to lay on his partner. It's unusual for them, probably because of his preferences, but he's been quite indulged already toni--this morning. This very early morning. Rook deserves some too, especially after what all he's just gone through.
"And how could I deny you that?" He gets comfortable, or as comfortable as one can on someone who is entirely solid muscles. It's a wonder Rook likes sleeping on him, truly, as he's all bones and joints and those have to be even less comfortable.
Emmrich presses a lazy line of kisses along Rook's jawline before resting his head on the pillow behind the man, keeping their temples together.
"Like this, darling?" He's absolutely ready to go back to sleep for a bit, and after a moment's consideration he flicks his hand at the candles, pushing the enchantment back an hour. That will be fine. It won't disrupt his sleeping patterns any more than these past few weeks already have.
"Mmhmm..." The agreeable noise comes out of Rook almost as a sigh of relief.
If he were more cognizant right then, Rook would have made the jest that it'll be snowing in the Deep Roads before Emmrich denies him anything after a good fuck. Instead, he had slipped into a headspace where everything but Emmrich's voice was all pleasant white noise. All Rook knows now is that he's laid out on the softest mattress he's ever been on, wrapped in sheets that glide off their sweat-soaked bodies like silk, and the man he loves is unfurling in his arms.
With what energy remained, Rook expended by turning just enough to keep Emmrich on top of him as he wrapped him in his arms and pulled him in for a warm, lazy kiss. Rook slipped his tongue past Emmrich's lips, languidly exploring the brackish taste of himself before pulling away. The arm wedged under Emmrich's weight having enough room for him to raise to run his fingers through the man's mussed hair.
The only attention he paid to Emmrich adjusting the enchantments was a brief flicker of a look before settling in for another stolen hour. Falling back asleep then was a simple as closing his eyes then. The dark curtains of pure exhaustion covered him as soon as they stilled in each other's embrace.
Little more than an hour passed before Rook roused, unable to deny the pressure in his lower abdomen and the sticky, cloying feeling on his skin much longer. Extracting himself from Emmrich without waking the other man was a slow-going process, but if Emmrich woke alone in bed, surely Rook would find forgiveness after cleaning them both with warm wash towels.
Rook eased himself off the bed and followed the dimly lit lights to the washroom. He left the door ajar by less than an inch to listen for Emmrich, just in case. The mirror over the water basin revealed a man with dark circles under his eyes who was much in need of a shave but smiling easily like the cat that caught the canary. He wrung a wash towel in hot water and cleaned himself before filling another basin to bring to Emmrich. Maybe after they could have breakfast in bed again if Emmrich were amenable to the idea, he thought.
That hour held the best sleep he's had in some time - there is no fear that Rook's controlled, no concerns that perhaps the man's interest was some sort of Solas-guided distraction, it has been a very long time since he'd let go anywhere nearly that much, and Rook's touch is the perfect little touch, the Shroud's Kiss on the grave.
He was distantly aware of Rook moving, but not yet ready to be awake and so he dozed off again until startling awake to realize he was alone in the bed. A glance showed him the bathroom door was set-to, that there was no reason to worry, and he pulled a blanket up higher and relaxed again.
A shift in the darkness in the corner ended that feeling. He'd been wondering if or when the lecture was coming. Only two people had the standing in the Necropolis to deliver it, and only one would ignore what they knew of mortal norms to deliver it.
YOU SHOULD CONTINUE TO REFRAIN FROM CASTING.
"It was a simple delaying spell, nothing more." His voice still didn't sound completely right. Clearly he needed to deep-throat Rook more often to get used to it.
YOU DOWNPLAYED YOUR FADING YESTERDAY. YOU WILL NOT DOWNPLAY IT FURTHER.
Great. It was probably too much to hope that Vorgoth was talking into his mind and Rook wouldn't hear that bit. Emmrich sat up and rubbed his temples. "Yesterday was an emergency situation. I know my limits."
AND NEARLY CROSSED THEM.
He couldn't argue that. "Again, ye--"
THE CROWS WILL BE IN POSITION IN 12 HOURS, VEIL JUMPERS IN 13, AND THEN EVERYONE WILL BE PREPARED. WILL YOU CALL THAT AN EMERGENCY.
"I would call that war. And I'm already much recovered from the last couple of weeks. I know you can feel that." He would not be left behind in this battle.
THEN YOU WILL REFRAIN FROM CASTING AGAIN UNTIL WE TAKE THE FIELD, AND DRINK WHAT IS SENT UP FROM THE KITCHENS.
It had been a very long time since Emmrich felt ashamed, possibly even humiliated, and it was still an incredibly uncomfortable and loathsome feeling. He'd known he'd nearly gone too far with his reserves yesterday and he knew Vorgoth was right. He just wished Vorgoth had delivered this somewhere actually private. Then again, this might be as private as Vorgoth figured things would get today, considering he had Rook in his bedroom for the first time.
Crimson-faced, Emmrich nodded.
GOOD. Vorgoth vanished. Emmrich laid back down and pulled an extra pillow over his face, wondering if it would kindly hide him for, oh, 12-to-13 hours.
Rook had kept an ear open for the sounds of sheets rustling or soft footfalls moving around on the hardwood floors or one of its padded rugs. The last thing Rook expected to hear filtering in through the crack in the door was voices — more than one. The distinct, otherwordly voice of Emmrich's enigmatic superior in the Mourn Watch, Vorgoth, had been low on the list of potential intruders.
In an instant, Rook is pressed to the door and tries to see as much as possible through the inch-wide slot without revealing himself. In the near-darkness of the room, only the end of the bed is visible, and most of it is obscured by the massive figure floating beside it. He can't hear everything, but the context of the conversation is clear — Emmrich was being reprimanded for earlier.
A rush of outrage floods Rook to know Vorgoth had effectively ambushed Emmrich at a vulnerable moment. Rook knew that Emmrich was a private man who hated feeling exposed, and the mental image of him hiding behind the bedsheets had Rook white-knuckling the brass door handle. Vorgoth could have given Emmrich the dignity of being able to stand and argue for himself.
— Vorgoth mentioned the hours until the others would be gathered, and anger fled Rook as the grim reality of the impending final act of this nightmare was drawing closer. Twelve hours.
The one-sided conversation ends, and Rook feels safe enough to leave the washroom. He would have preferred to come out sooner and confront Vorgoth, but Emmrich had the bedsheets, and Rook doubted even a being such as Vorgoth could take the argument of a naked man seriously.
Basin and cloth in hand, Rook quietly pads over to Emmrich's bedside. Judging by the pillow Emmrich was hiding behind, he wasn't taking things in stride.
"I guess they're too omnipresent for knocking," Rook attempts a joke as he sets the water basin down on the nightstand before sitting by Emmrich. He reaches out and gently lays a hand over Emmrich's wrist, "Hey...look at me, please?"
He wishes he could fully be angry at Vorgoth for that. It would have been so much more convenient than the shame he feels, and the increased shame when Rook has to come comfort him. His are not the actions of an adult.
With a swallow, Emmrich puts the pillow down and looks at Rook as asked. It is incredibly difficult to meet the man's eyes.
"Being what they are, they find knocking complicated." His gaze darts back away. Does he need to further justify yesterday? Maybe he should just let Rook ask questions if he has any, though that feels cowardly. What a mess he's made, and it still feels warranted. They''d been dealing with an extremely powerful, ancient spirit with capabilities beyond their understanding. Elgar'nan had moved one of the moons. It was still astounding.
"I don't know how much you heard," Emmrich manages. "But it sounds like everyone will be in place in 13 hours. There's been planning just in case I, we didn't..." He shakes his head. They had Rook back. He didn't need to dwell on the possibility of failing a task he'd already succeeded at.
"There was a plan also put in place in case you were back and that will be the one we're using. I can run us through it over breakfast." Which technically should still be a bit away, it's still early, but he doesn't think he can go back to sleep just yet. He might be able to take a nap after briefing, but only now is the red of his face beginning to abate.
"The short of it is going through Minrathous, as Elgar'nan has set up in the archon's palace and we have both the Archon and a Magister who know the palace." It was going to take time to fully adjust to Dorian being the Archon, but at least it was a positive amongst all of the other changes of late. Just like it was difficult to process the fact that they had and would continue to fight alongside the Black Divine. "Part of the reason we had so much time to bring you back was because we don't know where most of the remaining Antaam forces are. Which is also the cause of the delay for the Crows and Veil Jumpers; they were doing deeper searches."
They don't want to be flanked. Emmrich doesn't know a great deal about battle plans, but he knows that much. Once they're committed and in the field there will be little adaptation.
"Enough that if we weren't in need of every able-body incorporeal or otherwise, I'd have put my boot up their ashen fucking-" Rook cut himself short there, less because he wanted to curb his temper. More to do with not being entirely sure exactly how capable Vorgoth was at hearing them whenever mentioned. Instead, he huffed and said, "You're not a child, and I won't have you patronized. You're the best this place has, and there's this saying in Ferelden- even squirrels fall from trees.
They'll do well to remember demanding perfection at all times only ensures failure."
While on his sudden tirade, Hugh kept his hands busying with cleaning and putting away the evidence of earlier this morning back into the drawer. With a clean towel, he wrung hot water out over the basin and passed it to Emmrich. He would have loved to do that task for him, but Rook surmised it might only compound Emmrich's feelings of helplessness.
"As for the rest, well...I'll speak to everyone when the time comes," He would be remiss not to even if a plan was already in motion; his input would be expected - he'd not lose more time than he already had. "Right now? We rest and...also there's something I've been meaning to do. Well, more like there's something I wanted to give you."
Ashen. That was close to one popular theory. Emmrich wondered how Rook had landed there. He knew Vorgoth's nature was not casually chatted about, which meant his beloved had probably come to it on his own without any of the education on spirits a resident of the Necropolis had. He also wondered if it was possible a boot there could do anything. Either way, he was touched, very, very touched, by Rook's protectiveness.
"I was rash yesterday," Emmrich admitted quietly. "But thank you."
The best. Rook was biased, but it still warmed Emmrich's heart to be called that. And he was indeed the best in his field... save perhaps for those holding fragments of gods or who had at one time been considered such. If only Solas hasn't chosen to be their enemy.
He thanked Rook again, this time for the cloth, and began tending to some of the mess as he listened and nodded. Despite the workout several minutes ago, Emmrich was feeling like he was nearly rested. A nap and breakfast (and whatever concoction the Necropolis healers saw fit to send with it) should have him ready and able. It was almost as if he was as young as Rook all over again.
Any further thoughts along those lines were driven away by the last, though, and his eyes went a little wide. Rook didn't tend to simply give him gifts, not after that tea set months and months ago. He normally gave things as reciprocation anymore, so often missing the fact that Emmrich gave him gifts for the joy of giving them. This would have to be special.
Emmrich forcefully kept his mind (and heart) from running wild with speculation and smiled warmly at Rook as he finished cleaning and hung the cloth back on the basin.
"They could have simply told you as much when time allowed instead of barging in and cornering you in what was clearly a private moment," Rook argued because the entire ordeal still made him bristle even if Emmrich was willing to let it go. Call him stubborn like that. "I assume they're aware people aren't naked in bed with company over because they just wanted to feel a stray breeze."
Rook then hiked his shoulders and took in a deep breath. On the exhale, the tension carried, and the urge to discover if wraiths could be hit with a haymaker abated.
"Right..." Raking a hand through his hair, Rook looked over at where he haphazardly discarded his clothes and armor. With a note of hesitation, Rook gets off the bed and makes his way over to the little pile of leather and steel. After some rummaging, he pauses, then returns, holding something in his closed fist.
"I wanted to do this sooner, but it never felt like a good time, and then with...everything I didn't want to just presume you'd even-" Rook shook his head, "I'm rambling, let me start over. Just...you don't have to take it, but..."
Rook took Emmrich's hand and gently placed something cool and metallic in his palm. When his hand drew back it was revealed to be a simple latched pendant no larger than the tip of a man's thumb on a braided metal chain. Nothing about it was fine and in fact there were visible scratches and dents on the pendant itself.
"It, uh, it's mine it...every Warden that's survived their Joining has one. Oh, and don't open it. It's been a decade but I'm pretty sure the dried blood and lyrium isn't safe."
Rook flushed, "Not-! Not that's it's dangerous just...important. I wanted you to have it."
Naked and full of protective anger, Rook was quite the sight. He always was, to be fair, but Emmrich's heart was especially full of love for this man in this moment.
There's also something else running through Rook, something nervous that Emmrich hadn't felt from him in quite some time. It's impossible for him to continue refraining from speculative hope. Rook's words, his faltering, have Emmrich's heart pounding hard enough he's shocked the beat isn't audible.
Emmrich opened his hand and gazed at the pendant with reverence. It was a familiar sight by now, having seen Rook wearing it for months, but he hadn't known the significance.
Now he did. And he thought it wasn't a stretch to say giving him this was even more incredibly significant. Rook had sworn loyalty to the Wardens, sworn to serve, and he was putting the physical reminder of that vow in Emmrich's hands.
A question might not technically be being asked just yet, but he had an answer nonetheless.
Emmrich met Rook's gaze. "Will you put it on me?" He held it back out to Rook. Today he would wear this into battle, into a fight against the gods, carrying his love with him while he battled at his side. And after, when the dust settled, he was going to marry this man.
Anyone could forget they were bereft of clothing when incensed enough, but now that his temper had cooled, he thought perhaps he should put on some clothes. — Eventually, once he was able to stop staring at Emmrich, marveling to be more precise.
Rook wasn't sure what sort of reaction to expect; he doubted such a trifling keepsake with its sortied history would be found endearing by anyone. It was a poor offering from an even poorer man who hadn't a thing to his name in half his life. Part of him screamed out at him from the back of his mind to take it away, wait until he could give Emmrich something of real value.
— And then Emmrich holds his pendant, the pendant with his blood mixed in with the blood of the Blight itself, as though it was something precious. With his heart so fit to bursting, Rook almost didn't register the request that he be the one to put it on.
Wordlessly, Rook gathers the necklace into his hands and unclasps it. Moving closer and on his knees, he sits taller than Emmrich and stops when he's so close their foreheads nearly touch. Rook places either side of the chain around Emmrich's neck and lays it flat on narrow shoulders. Once secure, the pendant hangs lower on Emmrich than himself, just at the sternum — closer to the heart.
This was an unspoken promise — Rook never thought having a long life, let alone with anyone, was ever an option, but he could have a life, perhaps even a kinder and more wonderful one, with the man wearing Rook's literal oath around his neck.
"I love you," Rook whispered before cupping Emmrich's face in both hands and reeling him in for a deep kiss.
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When Emmrich bucked his hips with a bit too much vigor Rook made a humming sound almost like a warning. With his free hand he pressed down on Emmrich's chest to tame the arch in his back and keep the other man pinned. Rook rarely threw his weight around between the sheets unless Emmrich was in the mood to be manhandled, but a little show of force was necessary to keep Emmrich from throwing himself off the bed.
"Please what?" Rook managed to raise his head off Emmrich's cock when the other man tensed up, mouthing at the oversensitive skin with Emmrich's hand in his hair, keeping him in place. The burn along his scalp from the desperate way Emmrich pulled on his hair was bliss. His jaw might be getting sore, but he could go on all night like this.
"Talk to me, love," Rook teased as he curled the fingers he had buried to the knuckle in Emmrich. His own cock neglected and reddened, pressed against Emmrich's shin, offering the barest sense of pressure, but he wouldn't do anything until Emmrich begged him.
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"Ashes," he swore, needing that tiny release to try to get his brain functioning at all. Emmrich flung one arm over his eyes seeking any control of himself whatsoever. What did he even want? He wanted to be destroyed which Rook was well on his way to doing anyway.
But there could be more. He could go for absolute depravity for a change.
"Get, drawer," he pleaded as tears kept leaking from his eyes. "You down my throat, and use, take me with one of them, please, love." He'll take the ring off when he's filled, if he's filled, because he needs release but he's also needed this so much more than he could have imagined.
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"Such language," Rook clicked his tongue with a slight chuckle because, of course, he'd balk even jokingly at that sort of sacrilegious slip of profanity.
With some reluctance, Rook then stood, pulling out of Emmrich and looking down at his handiwork. Taking in the sight of Emmrich's more narrow chest rapidly rising and falling and longer limbs splayed out on the bed. He was flushed, overstimulated, and the most gorgeous creature Rook had ever laid eyes on. Even when he could barely string two words together, he was a balm to behold — a needful thing that Rook wanted to adore and worship.
"Sshh..." Rook gentled and hushed Emmrich, moving his arm and with a hand going to his cheek, thumb brushing away tears. "You're full of surprises this morning, aren't you? I'll take care of you — here."
Rook moved the large feather-down pillows against the carved headboard for Emmrich to relax against. Then he turned and opened the nightstand drawer, hit by its vague floral scent again. Hands-on his hips, Rook weighed his options. Between the two toys of which he couldn't determine the material or if they were enchanted or not, Rook went with the one with the flared base. He noted, with a rush of something bordering on smugness, that neither two was larger than himself.
Setting the phallic toy on the pillow beside where he left the oil bottle, Rook settled back onto the bed. He was seated himself cross-legged beside Emmrich, who seemed to be calming down as Rook brushed flyaway strands of hair out of his eyes.
"How do you want me?"
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On Rook's return Emmrich went right back to leaning into Rook and his touch. His breathing was now far more stable and the tears had stopped.
"Rather thought I was clear," he said in a thick, ruined voice. He knew he hadn't been completely clear. Some was left up to interpretation. Emmrich lifted a hand and gestured loosely as he sought words. He still wanted Rook at both ends at once, so he needed to sort out logistics.
"What's easiest for you? We could, my head off the edge of the bed, you stand and take my mouth while using the toy? Or you could kneel over me." He wasn't quite able to talk at his usual level; his cock still throbbed almost painfully where it laid against his stomach, hard and flushed. "Or our sides. We could be on our sides. If that doesn't work..." he waves his hand again. "I just want you. And when you fill me, I'm unfastening the ring."
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Sometimes, Emmrich could work himself up to a concerning degree. Rook enjoyed seeing his love vulnerable and tender, but these lulls were welcomed in equal measure. Once Emmrich came back to himself a little more, Rook found himself grinning at his remark on being clear. Yes, he adored that Emmrich was confident in and communicated his desires well, but he wasn't exactly the most coherent a moment ago. Rook was to blame there, admittedly.
"Right, well..." Rook shifted on the bed, his own erection near-painful with how throbbed as if in protest at being so long ignored. "You're a bit more flexible than me, but I can reach you fine if you want to just stay like this?"
The thought of Emmrich's head in his lap, taking him to the root with that clever mouth while he writhed for release at Rook's mercy was dizzying. If he wasn't sitting the blood rushing from his head to his cock would've had him passing out. In a fit of eagerness, Rook turned and groped for the oil bottle and toy. That would need some extra prep work, it's girth more daunting than a couple fingers.
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The suggested position probavly wouldn't let Rook fuck his throat, but it still sounded good. Granted, anything more of Rook sounded good. Emmrich's thirst for this man is endless.
"Mm," Emmrich 'said,' a noise of agreement that was backed up by how he shifted upward. He'd recovered enough. Now he needed Rook filling his senses and body.
Emmrich wrapped a hand around Rook's cock and licked it slowly from root to tip. His tongue darted out to tease at the slit. Rook's desire was exquisite, a unique blend of salt and musk. After a swirl of his tongue around the head, Emmrich took it into his mouth and hollowed his cheeks, making a pleased noise as he did so.
The slick noises of Rook preparing the toy filled his ears and his hips jerked in a futile thrust. He almost wanted to pull the ring off now and come like this, but then he had an idea. A shame sharing it meant he'd briefly have to pull off Rook, but so be it.
"I'm right on the edge," he said before licking another slow line along his love's dick. "The second the ring is off, I'll be over it. Why don't you choose when that happens?" Rook might break him, but oh, what a way to break.
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Rook wanted so sorely then to twist his fingers in Emmrich's hair and keep him there, but he would have to wait. Emmrich wanted to be full, and Rook needed him comfortably prepped for that. His head swam, and he struggled to keep his hands steady, and mind focused on the task of smearing oil over the shift of the toy to its flared base.
The familiar ache in his groin warned of impending release. With a frustrated grunt, Rook set the toy aside to temporarily free his hands. Enmrich wasn't the only one with an idea. None too gently, but with the intent to really harm, Rook finally raked his fingers through Emmrich's soft, salt-and-pepper hair and pulled. He nearly whimpered at the loss of that sweet heat around his cock, but he powered through.
"Wait," Rook panted, voice hoarse but command firm. He swung his legs back once Emmrich was out of the way and pushed himself onto his knees.
In one fluid motion, Rook rolled onto his back, feet facing the headboard while grabbing Emmrich by the waist and pulling the other man with him. The intent was made clear when Rook was on his back with Emmrich on top of him facing the other way.
"Want me to decide when you can let go?" Rook was breathing heavily, voice dangerously low as he slid his fingers back into Emmrich with one hand as he reached for the toy with the other. "I'll make you see stars before I let you."
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Blearily he blinked at Rook, though not for long. The flip made things abundantly clear. It also sent another desperate wave of want straight to Emmrich's aching cock.
Emmrich wasted no time getting a hand back on Rook and he might have delayed, might have teased, but Rook's fingers were back inside him and he was being threatened with the most intense erotic torture of his life. He shuddered around Rook's fingers and took a gasping breath before taking Rook fully into his mouth, pressing his nose to the hard lower planes of Rook's abdomen. As always it was a lot, but he fought his instincts in order to linger there for a few moments.
While he wanted to be filled at both ends at once, he'd still count the night successful if Rook came before managing to fuck him with the toy. He'd just have to tease Rook about trying harder next time later.
After easing back up, Emmrich started a slow pattern of mouthing the head of Rook's cock before taking him in to the root, up and down, not quite loosing himself in it simply because of the heavy, throbbing weight of his own cock dangling between his legs.
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"Look at the state of you, love," Rook said roughly and barely over a whisper as he tilted his head to catch sight of Emmrich's sucking him to the hilt, chest flushed and as he breathed heavily through the nose. The slide of that clever mouth over his cock was nearing the point of agony with how he brought him so close to orgasm yet never over the edge.
— It was then Rook decided to do something decidedly ruthless.
Just as he started to tease the tip of the toy against Emmrich's entrance, he set it aside. He'll return to it, eventually, but not quote yet. Instead, he gripped Emmrich by the thighs and pulled him back. He was close enough now that when Rook barely had to raise his head to bury his face into the cleft of Emmrich's ass. He licked a strip up from the man's sac, and his tongue caught the tang of metal from the cockring before he hit his mark and plunged his tongue inside him.
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Emmrich relaxed as much as he could considering everything else and the anticipation... and then instead he was yanked back. Rook's cock slipped from his mouth and before he could even start to wonder why Rook's tongue was on him instead, and then driven into him, slick and pointed and so much.
Even without his throat half-wrecked from taking Rook in the noise Emmrich made was going to be hoarse, but now the inarticulate cry was broken, half-sob, half cracks, and entirely desperate as he helplessly rested his forehead on his partner's hipbone. He was not filled but delved into deeply, greedily, and there was absolutely nothing he could do except writhe and moan. More than a few of the sounds he made came close to 'Rook,' but none were quite legible.
The knuckles of one hand went white from how he gripped his love's thigh, needing anything solid to hang on to as Rook pushed him relentlessly against the edge without letting him release. It verged on too much but he wasn't about to reach back and undo the ring himself. He wanted to be in Rook's hands like this. He wanted to be helpless and utterly destroyed and he was getting it in spades.
Emmrich tried to reclaim Rook's cock, to resume any sort of rhythm, but the best he could do was moan around the man and bob his head at a stuttered pace. It was half a wonder he hadn't collapsed yet, though the shaking of the arm holding him up suggested that might change before too long.
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The truth was they both needed this departure from any inhibitions, perhaps Emmrich even more so. Rook had lost what felt like a few hours of having any sense of control, but Emmrich had lost weeks. Being shaken to the core and near to sobbing from pleasure was far and away better a reason to make those noises than anything else recently.
Rook allows himself a moment more of pleasure Emmrich, toy with him more like, before he lets his grip loosen, and his head falls back onto the mattress. Without any warning or preamble, he fingers the older man open, testing how loose he was before reaching for the toy and sliding it past the rim of tender, abused muscle. If that weren't enough, Rook then slipped his hand between Emmrich's trembling thighs and lightly gripped his neglected erection.
"Show me how much you want to let go," Rook cooed with a simpering sweetness that hid teeth. "Ask for it."
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Worse was what Emmrich settled upon with Rook's demand. He could not ask. Not even letting Rook slip out of his mouth again let him find words. All he had, all he was was where Rook touched and filled him. He ached.
"L-love," he panted, finally finding a single word. Rook held him in every sense of the word, in every way, his heart only a piece of the shattered whole. There were indeed stars behind his eyes, as well as at the edge of his vision. Emmrich reached back and put a shaking hand on Rook's not knowing if this would be enough or if Rook was not yet satisfied.
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Rook had already guessed (more like hoped, truthfully) that once Emmrich returned to his senses when this was all over, he would have already planned his retaliation. More than once, Rook wondered at how he might feel to be at another's mercy — being taken apart because the trust of being put back together was implicitly understood.
Right now, putting Emmrich back together meant making sure the toy was snuggly inside him. Its flared base was flush against the spread, reddened cheeks that Rookran his other hand alone up to the base of Emmrich's spine. Rook murmured soft, encouraging words he doubted Emmrich even registered as he thumbed at the adjustable part of the cock ring after gently moving Emmrich's hand away. He recalled Emmrich wanted to be the one to do it, but Rook doubted he had the mental wherewithal even to try.
"Love," Rook echoed back warmly as he unlatched the ring and reached back out for Emmrich's hand.
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Then the pressure holding him back is gone and Emmrich gasps, releasing so hard he almost faceplants into Rook's knee. It's a miracle he doesn't, really, and he manages to lay on his side instead, panting for air and holding his love's hand.
Eventually he comes back to himself and he gives Rook's hand a little squeeze. "I will," he croaks before coughing and trying to clear his throat, then giving a small shake of his head.
"I will remember that little stunt, my dearest." The cough hadn't helped much, his voice is still shattered, but at least it's shattered for a good reason.
"But perhaps I won't remember it just yet." Rook's still hard because Emmrich had fallen apart... but it's not going to be enough to toy with him now. It won't be nearly intense enough. Emmrich reaches over and takes Rook in hand, gently stroking him a few times before he smirks at Rook with still-a-little-dazed eyes and returns to his earlier efforts with his mouth. It's never the easiest task, considering the man's girth, and it had certainly been a bit easier when he'd been half-mad with need, but he's happy to take Rook in and fuck his own throat with his partner's cock.
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Emmrich was now communicating in something more complex than needful sounds. Already his eyes gained more focus, and Rook noted through his own arousal, a sharp edge of a keen mind forming the start of a plot to return the favor. Mercifully, Emmrich wasn't keen on returning in the favor now.
Groaning in relief when the warmth of Emmrich's mouth wrapped around his cock again, Rook almost immediately felt the building pressure of rising close release. When Rook came it was a more subdued affair. The muscles in his legs tensed and his grip on Emmrich's hand tightened, but the only sound he made was a contended sigh as his head tilted back.
Eyes closed and smile breaking across his face, Rook groped around and eventually found Emmrich's should.
"C'mhere," His voice was becoming sluggish and low. He knew Emmrich preferred to have Rook draped over him but right now he just wanted to feel the other man over him, "Wanna...hold you."
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It's only almost a shame, though, because he's so happy to be pulled close by Rook. Emmrich scoots up to lay on his partner. It's unusual for them, probably because of his preferences, but he's been quite indulged already toni--this morning. This very early morning. Rook deserves some too, especially after what all he's just gone through.
"And how could I deny you that?" He gets comfortable, or as comfortable as one can on someone who is entirely solid muscles. It's a wonder Rook likes sleeping on him, truly, as he's all bones and joints and those have to be even less comfortable.
Emmrich presses a lazy line of kisses along Rook's jawline before resting his head on the pillow behind the man, keeping their temples together.
"Like this, darling?" He's absolutely ready to go back to sleep for a bit, and after a moment's consideration he flicks his hand at the candles, pushing the enchantment back an hour. That will be fine. It won't disrupt his sleeping patterns any more than these past few weeks already have.
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If he were more cognizant right then, Rook would have made the jest that it'll be snowing in the Deep Roads before Emmrich denies him anything after a good fuck. Instead, he had slipped into a headspace where everything but Emmrich's voice was all pleasant white noise. All Rook knows now is that he's laid out on the softest mattress he's ever been on, wrapped in sheets that glide off their sweat-soaked bodies like silk, and the man he loves is unfurling in his arms.
With what energy remained, Rook expended by turning just enough to keep Emmrich on top of him as he wrapped him in his arms and pulled him in for a warm, lazy kiss. Rook slipped his tongue past Emmrich's lips, languidly exploring the brackish taste of himself before pulling away. The arm wedged under Emmrich's weight having enough room for him to raise to run his fingers through the man's mussed hair.
The only attention he paid to Emmrich adjusting the enchantments was a brief flicker of a look before settling in for another stolen hour. Falling back asleep then was a simple as closing his eyes then. The dark curtains of pure exhaustion covered him as soon as they stilled in each other's embrace.
Little more than an hour passed before Rook roused, unable to deny the pressure in his lower abdomen and the sticky, cloying feeling on his skin much longer. Extracting himself from Emmrich without waking the other man was a slow-going process, but if Emmrich woke alone in bed, surely Rook would find forgiveness after cleaning them both with warm wash towels.
Rook eased himself off the bed and followed the dimly lit lights to the washroom. He left the door ajar by less than an inch to listen for Emmrich, just in case. The mirror over the water basin revealed a man with dark circles under his eyes who was much in need of a shave but smiling easily like the cat that caught the canary. He wrung a wash towel in hot water and cleaned himself before filling another basin to bring to Emmrich. Maybe after they could have breakfast in bed again if Emmrich were amenable to the idea, he thought.
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He was distantly aware of Rook moving, but not yet ready to be awake and so he dozed off again until startling awake to realize he was alone in the bed. A glance showed him the bathroom door was set-to, that there was no reason to worry, and he pulled a blanket up higher and relaxed again.
A shift in the darkness in the corner ended that feeling. He'd been wondering if or when the lecture was coming. Only two people had the standing in the Necropolis to deliver it, and only one would ignore what they knew of mortal norms to deliver it.
YOU SHOULD CONTINUE TO REFRAIN FROM CASTING.
"It was a simple delaying spell, nothing more." His voice still didn't sound completely right. Clearly he needed to deep-throat Rook more often to get used to it.
YOU DOWNPLAYED YOUR FADING YESTERDAY. YOU WILL NOT DOWNPLAY IT FURTHER.
Great. It was probably too much to hope that Vorgoth was talking into his mind and Rook wouldn't hear that bit. Emmrich sat up and rubbed his temples. "Yesterday was an emergency situation. I know my limits."
AND NEARLY CROSSED THEM.
He couldn't argue that. "Again, ye--"
THE CROWS WILL BE IN POSITION IN 12 HOURS, VEIL JUMPERS IN 13, AND THEN EVERYONE WILL BE PREPARED. WILL YOU CALL THAT AN EMERGENCY.
"I would call that war. And I'm already much recovered from the last couple of weeks. I know you can feel that." He would not be left behind in this battle.
THEN YOU WILL REFRAIN FROM CASTING AGAIN UNTIL WE TAKE THE FIELD, AND DRINK WHAT IS SENT UP FROM THE KITCHENS.
It had been a very long time since Emmrich felt ashamed, possibly even humiliated, and it was still an incredibly uncomfortable and loathsome feeling. He'd known he'd nearly gone too far with his reserves yesterday and he knew Vorgoth was right. He just wished Vorgoth had delivered this somewhere actually private. Then again, this might be as private as Vorgoth figured things would get today, considering he had Rook in his bedroom for the first time.
Crimson-faced, Emmrich nodded.
GOOD. Vorgoth vanished. Emmrich laid back down and pulled an extra pillow over his face, wondering if it would kindly hide him for, oh, 12-to-13 hours.
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In an instant, Rook is pressed to the door and tries to see as much as possible through the inch-wide slot without revealing himself. In the near-darkness of the room, only the end of the bed is visible, and most of it is obscured by the massive figure floating beside it. He can't hear everything, but the context of the conversation is clear — Emmrich was being reprimanded for earlier.
A rush of outrage floods Rook to know Vorgoth had effectively ambushed Emmrich at a vulnerable moment. Rook knew that Emmrich was a private man who hated feeling exposed, and the mental image of him hiding behind the bedsheets had Rook white-knuckling the brass door handle. Vorgoth could have given Emmrich the dignity of being able to stand and argue for himself.
— Vorgoth mentioned the hours until the others would be gathered, and anger fled Rook as the grim reality of the impending final act of this nightmare was drawing closer. Twelve hours.
The one-sided conversation ends, and Rook feels safe enough to leave the washroom. He would have preferred to come out sooner and confront Vorgoth, but Emmrich had the bedsheets, and Rook doubted even a being such as Vorgoth could take the argument of a naked man seriously.
Basin and cloth in hand, Rook quietly pads over to Emmrich's bedside. Judging by the pillow Emmrich was hiding behind, he wasn't taking things in stride.
"I guess they're too omnipresent for knocking," Rook attempts a joke as he sets the water basin down on the nightstand before sitting by Emmrich. He reaches out and gently lays a hand over Emmrich's wrist, "Hey...look at me, please?"
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With a swallow, Emmrich puts the pillow down and looks at Rook as asked. It is incredibly difficult to meet the man's eyes.
"Being what they are, they find knocking complicated." His gaze darts back away. Does he need to further justify yesterday? Maybe he should just let Rook ask questions if he has any, though that feels cowardly. What a mess he's made, and it still feels warranted. They''d been dealing with an extremely powerful, ancient spirit with capabilities beyond their understanding. Elgar'nan had moved one of the moons. It was still astounding.
"I don't know how much you heard," Emmrich manages. "But it sounds like everyone will be in place in 13 hours. There's been planning just in case I, we didn't..." He shakes his head. They had Rook back. He didn't need to dwell on the possibility of failing a task he'd already succeeded at.
"There was a plan also put in place in case you were back and that will be the one we're using. I can run us through it over breakfast." Which technically should still be a bit away, it's still early, but he doesn't think he can go back to sleep just yet. He might be able to take a nap after briefing, but only now is the red of his face beginning to abate.
"The short of it is going through Minrathous, as Elgar'nan has set up in the archon's palace and we have both the Archon and a Magister who know the palace." It was going to take time to fully adjust to Dorian being the Archon, but at least it was a positive amongst all of the other changes of late. Just like it was difficult to process the fact that they had and would continue to fight alongside the Black Divine. "Part of the reason we had so much time to bring you back was because we don't know where most of the remaining Antaam forces are. Which is also the cause of the delay for the Crows and Veil Jumpers; they were doing deeper searches."
They don't want to be flanked. Emmrich doesn't know a great deal about battle plans, but he knows that much. Once they're committed and in the field there will be little adaptation.
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They'll do well to remember demanding perfection at all times only ensures failure."
While on his sudden tirade, Hugh kept his hands busying with cleaning and putting away the evidence of earlier this morning back into the drawer. With a clean towel, he wrung hot water out over the basin and passed it to Emmrich. He would have loved to do that task for him, but Rook surmised it might only compound Emmrich's feelings of helplessness.
"As for the rest, well...I'll speak to everyone when the time comes," He would be remiss not to even if a plan was already in motion; his input would be expected - he'd not lose more time than he already had. "Right now? We rest and...also there's something I've been meaning to do. Well, more like there's something I wanted to give you."
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"I was rash yesterday," Emmrich admitted quietly. "But thank you."
The best. Rook was biased, but it still warmed Emmrich's heart to be called that. And he was indeed the best in his field... save perhaps for those holding fragments of gods or who had at one time been considered such. If only Solas hasn't chosen to be their enemy.
He thanked Rook again, this time for the cloth, and began tending to some of the mess as he listened and nodded. Despite the workout several minutes ago, Emmrich was feeling like he was nearly rested. A nap and breakfast (and whatever concoction the Necropolis healers saw fit to send with it) should have him ready and able. It was almost as if he was as young as Rook all over again.
Any further thoughts along those lines were driven away by the last, though, and his eyes went a little wide. Rook didn't tend to simply give him gifts, not after that tea set months and months ago. He normally gave things as reciprocation anymore, so often missing the fact that Emmrich gave him gifts for the joy of giving them. This would have to be special.
Emmrich forcefully kept his mind (and heart) from running wild with speculation and smiled warmly at Rook as he finished cleaning and hung the cloth back on the basin.
"What's that, my dearest?"
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Rook then hiked his shoulders and took in a deep breath. On the exhale, the tension carried, and the urge to discover if wraiths could be hit with a haymaker abated.
"Right..." Raking a hand through his hair, Rook looked over at where he haphazardly discarded his clothes and armor. With a note of hesitation, Rook gets off the bed and makes his way over to the little pile of leather and steel. After some rummaging, he pauses, then returns, holding something in his closed fist.
"I wanted to do this sooner, but it never felt like a good time, and then with...everything I didn't want to just presume you'd even-" Rook shook his head, "I'm rambling, let me start over. Just...you don't have to take it, but..."
Rook took Emmrich's hand and gently placed something cool and metallic in his palm. When his hand drew back it was revealed to be a simple latched pendant no larger than the tip of a man's thumb on a braided metal chain. Nothing about it was fine and in fact there were visible scratches and dents on the pendant itself.
"It, uh, it's mine it...every Warden that's survived their Joining has one. Oh, and don't open it. It's been a decade but I'm pretty sure the dried blood and lyrium isn't safe."
Rook flushed, "Not-! Not that's it's dangerous just...important. I wanted you to have it."
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There's also something else running through Rook, something nervous that Emmrich hadn't felt from him in quite some time. It's impossible for him to continue refraining from speculative hope. Rook's words, his faltering, have Emmrich's heart pounding hard enough he's shocked the beat isn't audible.
Emmrich opened his hand and gazed at the pendant with reverence. It was a familiar sight by now, having seen Rook wearing it for months, but he hadn't known the significance.
Now he did. And he thought it wasn't a stretch to say giving him this was even more incredibly significant. Rook had sworn loyalty to the Wardens, sworn to serve, and he was putting the physical reminder of that vow in Emmrich's hands.
A question might not technically be being asked just yet, but he had an answer nonetheless.
Emmrich met Rook's gaze. "Will you put it on me?" He held it back out to Rook. Today he would wear this into battle, into a fight against the gods, carrying his love with him while he battled at his side. And after, when the dust settled, he was going to marry this man.
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Rook wasn't sure what sort of reaction to expect; he doubted such a trifling keepsake with its sortied history would be found endearing by anyone. It was a poor offering from an even poorer man who hadn't a thing to his name in half his life. Part of him screamed out at him from the back of his mind to take it away, wait until he could give Emmrich something of real value.
— And then Emmrich holds his pendant, the pendant with his blood mixed in with the blood of the Blight itself, as though it was something precious. With his heart so fit to bursting, Rook almost didn't register the request that he be the one to put it on.
Wordlessly, Rook gathers the necklace into his hands and unclasps it. Moving closer and on his knees, he sits taller than Emmrich and stops when he's so close their foreheads nearly touch. Rook places either side of the chain around Emmrich's neck and lays it flat on narrow shoulders. Once secure, the pendant hangs lower on Emmrich than himself, just at the sternum — closer to the heart.
This was an unspoken promise — Rook never thought having a long life, let alone with anyone, was ever an option, but he could have a life, perhaps even a kinder and more wonderful one, with the man wearing Rook's literal oath around his neck.
"I love you," Rook whispered before cupping Emmrich's face in both hands and reeling him in for a deep kiss.
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