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Kage hissed as Illario's scythe swiped across his cheek, leaving a line of sliced skin and blood. Kage backs away, narrowing his eyes to distract himself from the pain.

"Illario!" Lucanis shouts from across the room, having seen what his cousin just did. "I'll kill you for that!"

Kage just lifts up a hand in Lucanis' direction before tightening his grip on his battle axe.

Lets just get this over with...

Lucanis growled but turned back to the Venatori advancing towards him. Spite was barking out commands and alerts, guiding Lucanis through the room. He drove his blades through flesh and organs, decreasing Illario's support little by little. He glanced to his left, watching as Emmrich held his own, green necrotic magic leaving his skeletal hands and colliding with the unfortunate Venatori that risked getting too close. 

Crush. Them. They! Will! Pay!

Emmrich dispatched the last of the soldiers around him, dashing towards the assassin and sending a bolt of magic to finish off the last threat around them. "Are you alright, Lucanis, Spite?"

Lucanis nods, catching his breath. Spite flexed his wings in response.

"Ahh!"

Emmrich gasped in horror and Lucanis quickly spun on his heel, eyes widening at what he saw. 

Kage was down on one knee, clutching his abdomen as blood stained his hand. His battle axe laid a good distance away, out of reach. Illario was pointing the tip of his scythe at the Qunari, a smirk on his face.

"Kage!" Lucanis cries out, prepared to dash forward. Emmrich stops him, pulling him back as more Venatori charged at them. 

Damn it! Kage, hold on!

He. Hurt. Kage! NO! 

"You chose the wrong Dellamorte." Illario sneers, his tone full of smugness and humour.

Kage's whole body tensed up, his eyes widening. A whirlwind of rage began to course through his body, setting his blood alight. He felt his magic flare up, sparks traveling through his veins and pulsing through his muscles. He took in a sharp breath, smoke filling his lungs. He clenched his fists and allowed his flames to push forward.

"No, I chose the right Dellamorte." He states, standing up.

Illario backed up, sensing something changing within the giant before him. Kage shakes his fists and they burst into flames, the scorching heat immediately heating up the room. His eyes turned to a bright shade of red, glowing intensely. Illario flinched, fear curling in his stomach.

Lucanis watched in shock, completely speechless by their leaders rage.

Smells. Like Fire. Smoke. Anger. Defence.

In an instant, Kage darted forward, his flaming fists colliding with Illario's scythe, sending sparks flying into the air. "Do you have any idea what it's like to live like me?!" Kage shouts, his voice full of anger. His fists kept swinging, not allowing Illario any time to counter them. "I spent my whole fucking life being called a monster! People looked at me as I walked down the street, sneering and running away in fear!"

Emmrich slammed his staff into the final Venatori, taking his place besides Lucanis. The two men watched as Kage battered his fists against Illario's weapons, the man being forced backwards with every hit. 

Kage only increased the heat, the flames consuming his fists glowing brighter. "People take one look at me and believe that I'm dangerous, that I'm hideous or monstrous!" His eyes glowed brighter. "But Lucanis is different!"

Lucanis' eyes widened a fraction, his breath hitching.

"He remembers all of my favourite foods!"

Another hit.

"He actually gives a shit about his city and his fellow crows!"

Hit.

"He saw me for the person I am! I never want to harm anyone, but I will if I must!"

Hit. Hit. Hit.

"He's kind!"

Bam!

"He's caring! Compassionate! Understanding!"

Bam! Bam!

"He sees me!"

BAM!

"He cares about me!"

BAM! BAM!

"He sees me as Kage! Not as a monster, or a threat!"

Kage's fire became a blazing inferno.

"Lucanis is more of a crow, more of a gentleman, more of a person that you will EVER be! I care for him! I care so much!"

Illario's eyes widened in fear as fire completely consumed the Qunari.

"I CHOOSE HIM! I'LL CHOOSE HIM EVERY TIME! I CHOOSE LUCANIS DELLAMORTE, FOR HE IS EVERYTHING YOU AREN'T!"

Kage charged like a bull, drawing all of his flames into his fists. With immense strength, he sent both of his fists forward, shattering Illario's scythe into many pieces and sending the man into a wall several feet away. 

Illario slumped to the floor, holding his chest in pain. He coughed up blood and lifted his head to glare at Kage. The Qunari stepped forward, flicking his wrists to dowse the flames, his fists smoking from the remaining heat. 

"So don't you dare tell me I chose wrong, because Lucanis and Spite are worth more than you could ever imagine. You caused this, you let jealousy cloud your heart and you have lost everything because of it." Kage's eyes eventually stopped glowing, returning to their normal orange. He growled, baring his teeth in a threat. "Talk about Lucanis like that and I will make sure you're nothing but ash the next time you piss me off."

Illario stood up, staggering at he gained his footing. Kage made no attempt to move, his gaze still hard and angry.

Ha! Kage Was! Amazing! Bold! Powerful! Blazing!

Spite was absolutely delighted by the display.

...So was Lucanis.

Kage raised his fist again, still driven by anger. Lucanis darted forward, taking a hold of the gentle giant's wrist. Kage turned his gaze, his face softening when he realised it was Lucanis besides him. He lowered his fist, taking a deep, calming breath. Emmrich appeared on Kage's other side, handing the man back his battle axe. Once Kage was settled, Lucanis sent him a warm smile.

Before sending a fist into his cousin's face and kicking him in the chest.

Illario stumbled backwards before he sunk to his knees in defeat. Lucanis stepped forward, the spectral wings on his back folding and disappearing in a purple shimmer.

"What are you waiting for, cousin? Finish what you start." Illario spits, his chest heaving.

Lucanis spreads his arms. "I already did. What am I ever going to do that is worse than this?" He takes a step forward, eyes cold. "On your knees? In front of every house?"

"Get up, Illario." Another voice rang through the Opera House. The three men turned to see Caterina step towards them, her head held high and cane firmly grasped in hand.

"Caterina! Thank The Maker!" Teia exclaims, a wide smile on her face.

The First Talon stops a few paces away from where Illario knelt, placing both her hands on her cane and her face full of disappointment. "No one from House Dellamorte kneels."

Viago took that moment to clasp Illario's forearm tightly and haul him up to his feet.

Lucanis sighs, a frown on his face. "Mierda. What am I supposed to do with this idiot?" He questions.

Kage lets out a large snort, smoke blowing from his nostrils. His gaze was trained on Illario, anger and hate still present on his face. "That's easy. He tried to kill you and got you imprisoned. He is the reason behind Spite being unwillingly tied to you. Not to mention he kidnapped the First Talon, tried to take the position by force and made a deal with the Venatori."

"And he hurt you." Lucanis added, sending Kage a soft look. The Qunari's face softened, those soft brown eyes easily calming his rage, like a soothing balm. "That is too much to forgive." The assassin turns his head back to Illario, furrowing his brow in thought. "But he's still all I've got. Viago, lock him up." He commands the Fifth Talon.

Viago yanks on Illario's arm but the crow stays put. A smirk appears on his face. "You think you can put me away? That is not your decision, is it? Caterina is still First Talon-"

"Enough, Illario." Caterina's voice booms throughout the room, knocking the smirk off of Illario's face. She turns her head to look at Lucanis. "Lucanis is First Talon now." Lucanis turns to look at her, surprise clear on his face. "His decision stands."

Viago sneers at Illario, starting to drag him away. "You're lucky he didn't cut your throat."

Caterina approached the table ahead, picking up a wine glass and turning to hand it to Lucanis. Lucanis stepped forward, reaching out with a slightly trembling hand to take it from her. "Welcome home, my boy." She says, a hint of softness in her usual sharp tone. The other Talons took glasses of their own, with one offering Emmrich and Kage a glass. 

"A toast! To the new First Talon!" Teia cheers, raising her glass.

The other talons followed her lead, each one raising their glass in a toast. Emmrich did the same, whilst Kage sent the assassin a warm smile. "To Lucanis!" Kage cheers, raising his glass high. Cheers echoed around the room, the celebration of the new leadership of the Antivan Crows now in full swing.

Lucanis looked a little overwhelmed, unsure of what to say or do.

Kage was smiling at him, eyes shining with affection-

"AH!" The Qunari cried out, dropping his glass and gripping onto his abdomen. He gasped for air as he remembered his wound, blood having seeped into his armour and was now staining his hand once again. His vision blurred as the adrenaline and additional strength from his magic left him all at once. The last thing he sees is Lucanis drop his own wine glass as he dashed towards him, crying out his name in panic.

"KAGE!"

---

"There, all patched up." The Lich stands up, his magic fading as Kage finally relaxed in his seat. "Just make sure to eat something and take it easy for a couple of days. I'll check the bandages tomorrow morning, after you've had breakfast."

"Thanks, Emmrich." The Lich nods and takes his leave. 

Lucanis steps forward once the necromancer was gone, approaching Kage with quiet steps. "You scared me, Kage." He leans against the dining table, looking at Kage with a frown.

"Sorry." Kage reaches up to rub at the back of his neck. "I was still running on fumes afterwards. Completely forgot about my wounds until everything finally settled."

Lucanis reaches out, taking a hold of the Qunari's hand. He was quiet for a moment, just tracing his thumb over large knuckles until he gathered his words. "...Did you mean it?"

Kage blinks up at him. "Of course I meant it, I meant every word." Kage stood up, bracketing the assassin against the table. "I care about you, Lucanis. I care about you and Spite, so much." He sighs. "I-I'm sorry you saw me like that, I'm not proud of letting my rage control me." He leans his head down, pressing it gently against the assassin's. "I just couldn't let him insult us like that...I'm proud of what I share with you, both of you."

Kage. Smells Like. Smoke! Gentleness! Compassion! ...Desire.

Lucanis inhaled sharply, his eyes swimming with multiple emotions. He was frozen in place, struck speechless by the look of pure adoration in Kage's eyes.

If Lucanis wasn't certain about his feelings for Kage before, he certainly is now.

Now, he just needs to gain the courage to actually voice his truth to the other man...

The assassin darts forward, connecting their lips in a firm kiss. Kage trailed his hands down, pulling the crow closer by the waist, returning the kiss with enthusiasm. Lucanis wraps his arms around the Qunari's broad shoulders, feeling the world blur into the background. His eyes slid shut as Kage's hands gripped his waist tighter. 

Spite was cheering in his head, encouraging the crow to pull Kage closer, to kiss harder...

But Lucanis didn't want to rush, he was still unsure of how to act in a relationship. He pulled away, eyes opening again. He watched as Kage's own eyes fluttered open, bright orange staring at him. He cleared his throat, ignoring how wildly his heart was beating in his chest. "T-Thank you, Kage. For everything today...and...for just-"

"I know what you're trying to say." Kage spoke softly, a warm smile on his lips. "You're welcome, Lucanis. I'll always be here, I promise." The Qunari stepped back, collecting his shirt from the back of the chair. "I should probably go and get some rest, unless I want to be on the opposite side of Emmrich's kindness."

"You know he cares." Lucanis points out, smirking when Kage laughs.

"I know, but have you ever been on his bad side? He's secretly terrifying." Kage chuckles, heading for the door. "Get some rest yourself, Kadan." He smirks at the flush that crept up on Lucanis' cheeks. "You are the First Talon now, you'll be needed soon enough." He blows the crow a kiss before heading out the door, but not before speaking one last time. "Between you and me, Lucanis? I think I'm the most luckiest man alive to have your heart." 

The door closed, leaving Lucanis alone with his thoughts.

Sounds. Like. Love! You Love! Kage! He! Loves! Us!

Lucanis groans as Spite starts chanting, acting like a toddler with a crush.

He needs some coffee...