andithil

[andithil]

Sprouting 🌱 Bloodweave Mini Fic

Wanted to share this little fic I wrote on Bluesky for the new year! ~600 words of plant-based fluff. Enjoy!

Astarion has a habit of planting things.

At first, Gale isn’t even quite sure he does it on purpose.

He’ll see the other man peel an orange, slice a chunk of mottled skin with the sharp side of a nail, and Gale assumes that it is mostly to keep his hands busy.

But it isn’t as if he plants the seeds immediately, either. No, it’s always at the break of dawn, on some far-flung side of whatever campsite they’re dismantling for the day of travel ahead.

Astarion will disappear against the foliage line and press his knuckles to the dirt, careful not to get anywhere it may be difficult to wash, even though they’re guaranteed to be blood-soaked in an hour or so.

It’s the orange, back near the nautilus crash. And a handful of strawberries outside the charred remains of Waukeen’s Rest.

Gale thinks he’s heard something about the benefits of ash and soil, though he doubts that is the reason for his companion’s new horticultural interests.

He watches from a distance as Astarion paces the monastery grounds, trying to find the spot the sun will reach first this morning so he can plant his pocket full of tea leaves. Something for him to leave behind out here, basking in the light.

The Shadow-Cursed lands are hard on them all. The sun doesn’t reach the undergrowth, and Astarion balks when Halsin tells them of how the city used to blossom in his youth. Astarion’s hands grow idle in the darkness. He toys with his daggers, skulks off to hunt.

He doesn’t linger around the dinner pot the way he used to, foraging for scraps. Gale tries not to mourn the loss too much.

It's a welcome sight when Gale sees Astarion steal a stalk of sunflower just beyond the city gates. His lip curls, and there’s a butterfly-winged patter in his stomach.

They linger longer in Rivington, and there are neat rows of pebbled soil tucked between their tents.

But once they have reached Baldur’s Gate proper, there’s less space to sow, so to speak. Or perhaps Astarion feels no need since his roots are already much too deep here.

There’s a sense of impending loss that hangs over their days, even now that the vampire lord lays dead. The sun sets too quickly behind the rooftops. They can’t delay much longer.

And yet when the sun finally rises on their victory, Astarion isn't there to see it.

It’s been months since they’ve seen each other—some amount of sentimentality was expected, wasn’t it?

Gale looks at Astarion, and Astarion looks at the little sprig of orange blossoms. His brow furrows.

“Don’t you recognize it?” Gale offers, though his words feel sap-sweet and heavy on his tongue. He sucks a breath and smiles through it. “Citrus reticulata. They’re better known as the mandarin orange, of course, but I did a little reading in the hours since arriving. The plant has flowered right over there where you…”

…Oh, Gods, he’s done it again, hasn’t he? Poked around with good intentions, tried to surprise a mercurial being with something sentimental. He hears himself speaking again before he can think better of it.

“You’ve sprouted up seedlings from grove to gate, you know. You may be undead yourself, dear Astarion, but the soil seems to give everything you touch a second life.” It had been more charming in Gale’s head. Now it just seems morbid.

“And I thought perhaps you might be so generous as to plant something for me, the next time you’re in Waterdeep.”

His mouth is dry, and Astarion is looking, and the sprig of orange blossom spins impatiently between his fingers.

“And I… hoped that might be sometime soon.”

“Awfully presumptuous, aren’t you, Gale of Waterdeep?” Astarion plucks the flowers from his hand and considers them a moment, “Spying on me all that time, and not even offering to spare a spell for the mess.”

Astarion notches the stem behind Gale’s ear.

“But I suppose I don’t mind the attention, so long as you don’t mind the long walk back home.”

[andithil]

Värmland, Sweden (December 22, 2023).

[andithil]

“I may think of you softly from time to time. But I’ll cut off my hand before I ever reach for you again.”

— Arthur Miller, The Crucible  (via itcuddles)

[andithil]

fanfiction is so awesome. some of the most brilliant writers youve ever met are writing the most crazy porn youve ever seen. does that not move you

[andithil]

If you look like this please hit me up

[andithil]

It's been over a year since I made this set and someone finally mentioning the caption has literally made my whole day lmao thank you

Il me parle tout bas

[andithil]

This image shows the changing arcs of the sun throughout the year. The smallest arc at the bottom marks the winter solstice, and the largest one at the top the summer solstice. The band in the middle is the 'equinox'.

[andithil]

i need to show you guys something that a brewpub near me is currently selling for genuine real world money and youre not going to believe it. youre going to look at the image and construct a string of words in your head and your instinctive response will be "No. Absolutely Not." you will think "these words cannot describe something that actually exists." but i swear to god: this is real. you need to look at it. i cant bear the burden alone.

[andithil]

You should be able to rot in bed for 2, maybe 3 hours after waking up before it starts affecting what time it is. If I wake up at 8:30 and lie in bed for 2hr it should still be 8:30 when I get up

[andithil]

Nadja of Antipaxos through the seasons

[andithil]

Peace and LOVE on planet Earth

[andithil]

local man cannot catch a fucking break, more at 11

[andithil]

Tis the season where All is Bright

[andithil]

“The best part of wakin' up is Folgers in your cup....”

[andithil]

my earnest hope for 2025 is that everyone embraces being a little weirder and freakier and less judgmental bc we will all be better off for it like to charge reblog to cast

[andithil]

in this new year I want you to be alright. I hope you move out. I hope you have enough money to feel safe. I hope you abandon shame and forgive yourself. I hope you get enough sleep and some good news. I hope you laugh a lot and the heaviness of the world eases a bit. I wish you to be alright.