Chapter Text
Grier “Rook” Mercar was absolutely livid. She rounded the corner and saw the commotion outside the apartment. As soon as she received the missive, she practically ran the entire way through the Eluvian. She cursed herself for not being with her tonight, she was finishing up some work in Rivain. She had stopped in at the Hilt for a drink.
“Where is she?” Rook demanded as she brushed by Rana.
“Inside…but Rook…” Rana said grabbing the Mage’s arm. “It’s not good.”
Rook swallowed. “Was she—“
“No. Just beat up pretty bad. Just be prepared Rook.” Rana said softly, her tone serious.
Rook stepped into the apartment and had to do a double take, it was completely turned upside down and in disarray. Her eyes found Neve and the air immediately left her lungs. She was lying on the small couch. Rook recalled the way she’d been injured after disrupting the ritual, her face battered by the falling rocks, but this was something else entirely. Whoever had done this, had done so with violent purpose. Whoever did this intended to inflict pain.
Rook knelt down in front of Neve and tilted her face toward hers, Neve let out a quiet whimper and Rook felt the rage that ignited in her chest. Neve’s entire face was swollen and covered in bruises and cuts, her body in the same condition as her face.
“Who?” Rook demanded through clenched teeth as she stood and faced Rana.
“Venetori.” Rana answered. “A neighbor chased them out.”
“Has she said anything?”
“No. She’s been out of it as you can see. I sent for you as soon as I got here.”
“I want to know everything as soon as you do.” Rook said angrily. “I’m not asking.”
“Of course.” Rana responded without hesitation.
Rook exhaled and went back over to Neve. She knelt down and as carefully as possible, cradled the injured woman in her arms and lifted her up. Rook hated the way Neve cried out in pain when she moved her, but Rook had no choice. She couldn’t stay here, she needed to take her someplace safe. She stepped carefully, not wanting to aggravate Neve’s injuries further.
“Where will you be?” Rana asked as Rook walked by with Neve in her arms.
“Not in this fucking city.” Rook snapped.
“Understood.”
The trip back to the Lighthouse felt like it took a lifetime. She held onto Neve for dear life, whispering soothing words meant to comfort. Who they were comforting was another story. Rook should have been there. This should not have happened. She was supposed to protect Neve, be there for her, and now she was broken and beaten in her arms.
Rook stepped into the Caretakers boat and sat. She felt Neve stir in her arms and let out a soft whimper. Rooks heart broke in two. She couldn’t even imagine the pain and suffering Neve was enduring. She felt fingers weakly grasp at her shirt.
“I’m here Neve.” Rook soothed gently. “I’ve got you. You’re safe.”
Neve let out a pained groan. Rook could see the tears that slipped down the battered woman’s cheeks. She resisted the urge to hold her tighter. She had no way of knowing how extensive her injuries were and she didn’t want to make things worse.
Once the boat docked, Rook carefully made her way through the Eluvian, exhausted arms carrying her entire world. As she ascended the steps into the library she called out for Emmrich. He was currently on rotation and would be here until it was Bellara’s turn.
“Rook?” He questioned as he emerged from his quarters. “Oh dear…” He gasped when he saw Neve in Rooks arms.
They both rushed to the infirmary and Rook placed Neve on one of the cots. As soon as Rook laid her down, Emmrich examined her.
“Her jaw is broken. It will need to be reset before I can mend it.” Emmrich stated, his voice grim. “I’m going to need you to reset it and hold her in place.”
Rook swallowed the lump in her throat as she willed herself the strength to do this. She was about to be the reason that Neve was going to be experiencing excruciating pain. She was going to add to the suffering of the woman she loved. She had no choice. She had to fix her. It didn’t make it hurt any less. She just hoped Neve would understand.
“Rook.” Emmrich said gently. “I’m ready.”
Rooks hands hovered by Neve’s face, she closed her eyes and let out the breath she didn’t realize she was holding. In one swift movement, she grasped Neve’s jaw and yanked it back into place. The scream that came out of the Ice Mage’s lips pierced into Rook’s soul. It was desperate and terrified. She held her hands against Neve’s cheeks as Emmrich’s magic seeped into Neve’s battered bones. Repairing the damage they couldn’t see.
Rooks heart clenched as Neve’s hands gripped Rook’s wrists and terrified brown eyes begged for it to stop.
“I’m sorry Neve…I’m so sorry.” Rooks voice cracked as her eyes welled up with tears.
She anchored herself in place while Emmrich worked on Neve’s bruised body. Eventually, Neve passed out due to the unbearable amount of pain. Rook was thankful, it was much easier to treat her when she wasn’t crying out or trying to move. The hours ticked by and Emmrich finally stopped.
“I’ve mended all of her bones. She will be tender for a while. The bruising and swelling will go down naturally. I will make some potions for the pain. She’s going to need them.” Emmrich said, exhaustion laced in his tone.
“Thank you Emmrich.” Rook sighed.
“She’s going to be ok Rook. It will take time.” He reassured the Mage as he went to leave. He squeezed Rooks shoulder as he passed by.
As soon as Rook heard the door click closed, she fell to her knees and felt the absolute horror and devastation of the events that had just occurred. Her breaths came out shallow and panicked as tears stung at the corners of her eyes.
She could have lost Neve today.
She wasn’t there when Neve needed her.
She heard the other Mage let out a desperate whimper and she immediately pushed herself up off the floor. Neve was very obviously in pain. She approached the bed and sat next to Tevinter woman carefully. Rook cupped her cheek and sucked in a breath when Neve opened her eyes.
“Hey.” Rook said softly, her voice thick with emotion.
“Grier?” Neve rasped, her voice cracking.
“I’m here Amata.”
Neve responded by pulling Rook closer. Rook shifted so she was lying down, and carefully pulled Neve’s body against hers. She noticed the sharp intake of breath as Neve winced in pain from the contact.
“I’m sorry.” Rook whispered.
“Don’t be…I need you close to me. Please.” Neve mumbled.
The desperation in Neve’s voice nearly killed her. She had never seen her so fragile, so broken. She felt the way Neves body trembled against hers, she could feel the pain that radiated—and it tore Rook apart. Rook felt Neve grab fistfuls of her shirt and press her face into her chest. When she heard the sobs that fell from her lips, she held her tighter. Careful not to squeeze too tight, just enough for Neve to know she was there.
Neve cried for quite some time and Rook just held her. Words weren’t needed, Neve just needed to feel anchored and Rook would provide that without question. Rook held her until they both drifted asleep.
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Rook groaned as she felt someone tapping lightly on her shoulder. Her whole body ached and her brain was fuzzy as she tried to pull herself out the grasp of sleep.
“It’s me.” Rana whispered so she didn’t disturb Neve who was still fast asleep in Rook’s arms. “I’ve got information and I brought some of Neve’s stuff…”
Rook carefully shifted and pushed herself up out of the cot. She covered Neve back up and let out a tired sighed. She gestured for Rana to follow her and they left the injured woman to rest. They walked downstairs and sat in the library, both women exhausted and on edge.
“What did you find out?” Rook asked her voice still thick from sleep.
“The Venetori targeted Neve to send you a message.”
“Excuse me?”
“Neve and I have been working rather mundane cases…as you know…helping the people around Dock Town. We haven’t been a bother to them as of late. You and the Shadows have been disrupting their slavery operations. They wanted to get your attention.”
“Oh they fucking have it.” Rook snapped.
“I have an address. It’s their base of operations.” Rana said carefully as she handed Rook a slip of paper. “What’s the plan?”
Rook narrowed her eyes as she read the note.
“The plan Rana…is to show the cult there is not a limit to the violence I will commit to protect Neve.”
“Rook—“
“I don’t want to hear it. You saw what they did to her. What could have happened—“
“I know…I want to help.”
“Rana…you don’t want to be a part of what I’m about to do.”
“Does she know what you’re about to?”
“No.”
“Are you going to tell her?”
“No.”
“Tell me what?” Neve asked as she limped down the stairs.
“Neve…” Rook spoke slowly, concern laced in her tone.
“That’s my signal to go.” Rana said as she pat Rook on the shoulder. “Find me in the city.” She added softly, before disappearing down the stairs.
“Did I scare her off?” Neve questioned as she stood in front of Rook.
“You should be in bed.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine.”
“What were you talking about?”
“The people who did this to you.”
Rook stood as she looked at Neve’s battered face. The bruising was ugly and violent in a way that pierced into Rook’s soul. The people that did this to her would pay, and they would pay with their lives.
“Rook—“ Neve’s voice trembled as tears slipped down her cheeks.
Rook pulled Neve Into her arms and rested her chin on top of her head.
“I fought back.” Neve mumbled against Rook’s chest. “I tried—“
“I know.” Rook whispered as she held in the raw emotion that ached in her chest.
Before Neve could object, Rook bent over and scooped Neve into her arms. Automatically Neves arms wrapped around Rook’s neck, her nose nuzzled into the crook of the other woman’s neck. With ease Rook carried her up the stairs and into their bedroom.
Rook placed Neve on the bed and started drawing a bath. She could feel Neve’s eyes on her as she worked. Neve had a habit of just watching Rook when she felt overwhelmed with emotion. Rook would stay quiet until Neve broke the silence. It was habit that was born of understanding what Neve needed. Rook would always be steady and patient.
“Trouble, you always know exactly what I need.” Neve spoke softly, fondness in her tone.
“I do what I can.” Rook smiled. “Get undressed and I’ll carry you to the water.”
“You don’t have to do that. I can walk you know.” Neve chuckled.
“I know.”
Rook watched as Neve undressed. Her jaw clenched as she saw the bruises and scrapes that covered Neve’s body. Her face was bad enough. Seeing the rest of the damage further ignited the flame of fury that burned in Rook’s heart. Rook crossed the room and knelt in front of the other Mage. Carefully her hands traced the marks, then her lips followed pressing kisses onto bruised skin. Rook heard Neve sigh as she tangled her fingers in Rooks hair, melting into the gentle touch and affection Rook offered.
“Rook…talk to me.” Neve said as she tilted Rooks face up to meet her eyes.
“I’m gonna take a step back from the Shadow Dragons.”
“Rook, that’s absurd. The work you do is important.”
“It’s not more important than you.”
“Rook—“
“Neve.” Rook interrupted. “When I saw you lying on that couch…that was a different kind of pain. Someone could just take you away from me.”
“That could happen anyway.”
“But that’s not why it happened this time. You were beaten—“ Rook’s nostrils flared and she took a deep breath before continuing. “They hurt you to send me a message.”
“It’s not your fault Rook.”
“Neve—“
“It’s not.”
Rook swallowed the lump in her throat as her voice failed her. She was too emotional, she didn’t trust herself. Instead she stood and gathered Neve into her arms. She held her tightly as if she was the most precious thing to ever exist.
Neve pulled away and started to unbutton Rook’s shirt. “We are going to relax and not think about any of this. Even if it’s just for a little while…”
Rook surrendered and let Neve strip her of her clothes. Rook carried her over to the tub and lowered her gently into the hot water. Neve let out a hum of approval and looked up at Rook expectantly.
Rook wasted no time and slid into the water behind her, pulling Neve against her chest. She closed her eyes and lost herself in the moment. She relished the weight of Neve’s body against hers. The familiar warmth and softness.
“Rook.”
“Hmmm?”
“No matter what happens…what you do. You have my support and I love you. Don’t turn into something you’re not. Don’t lose yourself to vengeance.”
“I can’t let them get away with this. I can’t just let this go Neve.”
“I know. Just don’t forget who you are. You’re better than them.”
“What I am Neve, is yours. I will never forget that.”
Neve didn’t say anything else, she simply entwined her fingers with Rook’s and held their hands against her chest. Rook knew she was worried. She knew that Neve wanted to ask her to let it go, but she wouldn’t. She wouldn’t ask that of Rook because it would be unfair. Instead she validated Rook’s need to get revenge—to do something about what happened.
Rook had Neve’s permission.
They stayed in the bath, Neve’s back pressed to Rooks chest until the water started to cool. In between Rook washed Neve’s head and massaged her scalp. Once they were both out of the water and dried, Rook felt dark brown eyes staring at her expectantly.
“Can I help you Detective?” Rook teased softly, a sly grin on her lips as she buttoned her black shirt.
“You’re leaving?” Neve asked as she settled into the bed.
“I have some leads I need to follow up on. Information to gather.” Rook explained as she rolled the sleeves of the shirt, exposing her forearms.
“Just leads and information?” Neve questioned, her tone even and deliberate.
“Yes my love.” Rook reassured as she pulled on her knife belt. “Not even wearing armor.” Rook added, holding her arms out wide before letting them drop back to her side.
Neve studied Rook carefully and a short sigh escaped her lips. Rook could tell Neve didn’t quite believe her, and truth be told she was only being partly honest. She regarded the other woman carefully, waiting to see if Neve would let the part of her plans that she had omitted—go unsaid.
“Be careful.”
Rook let out a relieved sigh as she approached the bed Neve was reclined in.
“Always.” Rook said softly before she leaned down and kissed Neve.
Neve reached up and deepened the kiss, her fingers pressing into the nape of Rook’s neck.
“I mean it.” She mumbled against Rook’s lips.
Rook pulled away and headed toward the door. Her chest felt heavy, but her mind was anxious. She was ready to make the Venetori pay for what they had done to her woman. To Neve.
“Grier.” Neve spoke, her tone slightly melancholy.
“Neve.” Rook said as she turned around and returned Neve’s intense stare.
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Rook steeled herself and walked toward the door. She closed it softly and made her way downstairs to the Eluvian.
Dock Town was about to be lit up tonight. Dock Town was going to be liberated from tyranny. Rook would have her revenge. No matter the cost.