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Caterina was up to something. He knew it too well; the way she acted around them moments before she sprang a new challenge upon them. She always had this crazed look in her eyes, the darkness gleaming ever-so-slightly as if they were smirking behind that sour mask she always wore.
It sent a shiver down Lucanis’ back, but he would be a fool to admit it out loud, least of all in front of Caterina herself.
So he kept his mouth shut, unlike Velasco, who always had something to say about Lucanis’ — so say — easy compliance even when it was obvious that he didn't want to be — that he wanted to question her choices instead of blindly accepting them.
It was such a moment when things decidedly went to a whole new low between the two.
“You can't keep letting her get away with this! Luca, you have to say something! This shit will kill you if you're not careful, I—”
“You think I don't know that?!” Lucanis snapped, cutting Velasco off with a harsh yell. “This is what we signed up for, Vel. It is merely a possibility that we all must face at one point or another. People do so every day. So do us Crows. It's part of the job description: ‘death comes for all’.”
Velasco was pacing the length of the room at the foot of Lucanis’ bed, a hand tugging at his long hair with fear, “She's literally sending you on a suicide mission!”
“It is a task she has deemed me worthy of. She would not have chosen me otherwise. You know this.”
“I do! That's what worries me. What if— I… Ugh! She's a cruel woman, I can't let her force you to take this death wish with open arms just because you're her ever loyal favourite.”
“Now you just sound like Illario.”
Velasco stopped his pacing only to turn and glare pointedly at his boyfriend. It was a wicked glare, especially knowing the pure love and care that usually gather in those familiar pools of dark coffee when looking at him.
“You doubt my skills. You think I can't do this job because you'd be better at it. You don’t like the fact that Caterina chose me instead of you.”
Lucanis was raising his voice with every sentence. Anger steadily climbed its way to the surface as he clenched his fists at his sides; prepared to stand his ground.
“Don't. You do not want to go there.” Velasco grit out between clenched teeth.
“And why not? Can't back yourself up. Or is it because you know you can't beat me.” It wasn't a question.
It was childish of him, yes. However, he knew there was no other way to get it through Velasco’s thick skull that he was capable of doing such a task. That he wasn't useless in the eyes of the highest power achievable among their field. He had to prove his worth or die trying. There was no other way.
“I won't fight you, Lucanis,” Velasco shook his head, “don't make me have to.” Tears began to well up in his eyes.
Lucanis took a step back, shifting into a stance agile and loose. If this was the only way to prove his point, then fine. He will prove it.
Velasco watched as Lucanis moved his foot ever-so-slightly before he launched himself at the younger man.
It was sudden. A fist connected with his jaw. And Velasco fell back, hitting the bedpost at a rough angle.
“Mierda—” The taller man began before the familiar taste of copper filled his mouth. The other man remained unaffected by his actions, fists still raised and ready as Velasco wiped a hand across his mouth, a streak of red painting the olive skin.
Cuervo pulled himself up from the slump he was in and lunged at the other. Arms wrapped around his legs, and he fell to the ground with a loud thud.
Lucanis was breathing heavily, having the wind knocked out of him. He let out a frustrated growl as the other shifted to pin him to the hardwood floor, straddling him and placing his hands on either side of his head.
“Why won't you let me do this.” Lucanis struggled against the weight, trying to gain some control back in the fight.
“I won't let you kill yourself for her.”
“That's. To. Bad.” Lucanis struck him again. Producing a cut to his upper lip — just barely missing his nose — with a jagged piece of ceramic.
Velasco must have caused a vase to topple off of a side-table when he went for him.
Now it was Velasco’s turn to growl something animalistic. Pinning the hand with the makeshift weapon
to the floor, he plucked it out of his grip and threw it across the room away from them.
Lucanis’ wrist strained against the fierce grip of the other. He could hear his bones creaking in protest the more he continued.
Velasco sat above him, panting for breath, eyes clouded with anger. Gaze momentarily distracted as a drop of crimson fell to the others’ cheek, giving Lucanis that opening he needed to swap their positions.
The shorter man now straddling the others’ back, Lucanis pinned Cuervo's arms to the ground with a deep breath, “You don't get it, Vel. I need to do this. You have no say in this.”
Velasco seethed, voice muffled by the wood floor, “Don't ‘Vel’ me, Lucanis, I'm doing this for your own good.”
“Who are you to tell me what I can and can't do?”
“What? Your boyfriend can't want you to come home after a job anymore? Your boyfriend can't want you to be safe? Lucanis, please.”
“This is— Velasco, I can't disobey a direct order from the First Talon. You know this.”
“And that overrides my feelings, got it. Great to feel appreciated by my own boyfriend!” Velasco twisted a hand free and felt around for a shard of ceramic. He swung blindly.
Lucanis let go of Velasco's arms, falling back and off of him. Velasco took the opportunity to get up and face the other.
He held out the shard between them, hand shaking as the adrenaline began to wear off. Lucanis had a hand over his right ear, and Cuervo could see the blood flowing from between his fingers.
Those eyes that only ever looked at him with love and respect now contained a burgeoning terror and dread.
Velasco dropped the shard as if it had burned him.
“Fuck, Luca— I—” He brought the hand that had held the weapon to his mouth, silencing himself, as tears began to well in his own eyes.
“You should go.” The other croaked out, gaze unmoving from the man before him.
“No. No… I can't—”
“It wasn't an offer. I want you to leave.”
Velasco froze for a moment, body unwilling to move. “Luca…” He took a cautious step forward, Lucanis flinched, “I'm sorry, I didn't…” He tapered off, heartbroken.
Lucanis watched as the young de Riva left him alone in his room. Gaze locked on the spot where Velasco once stood and at the carnage they had caused in their scuffle.
“Mierda…”