misfitlunatik
misfitlunatik
misfit_lunatik
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misfitlunatik · 18 days ago
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“I always did have a talent for poor decisions,” Gale muttered.
Astarion grinned, lips brushing skin. “Oh, sweet thing. Then I’m your best mistake yet.” ❣️
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Read hot fanfic here 😏
https://archiveofourown.org/works/65495113
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misfitlunatik · 22 days ago
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“Move, please. I need you to move.”
Commissioned artwork for @ GaleAstarionBW ‘s modern AU fanfic ❤️‍🔥 you can read here
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misfitlunatik · 22 days ago
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When Astarion orders a negroni, he raises an eyebrow at Gale in lieu of a question.
“Oh, go on then,” sighs Gale and addresses the bartender. “Another one of those for me, please.”
Are Astarion’s fractionally improved manners a result of introspection or all part of the performance, he wonders?
thank you, ✨thank you✨ to @koalamatcha for commissioning this gorgeous art from @misfitlunatik for my fic, ceremony.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/63657097/chapters/163171273
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misfitlunatik · 1 month ago
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"How does their story end?"
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misfitlunatik · 2 months ago
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When Astarion orders a negroni, he raises an eyebrow at Gale in lieu of a question.
“Oh, go on then,” sighs Gale and addresses the bartender. “Another one of those for me, please.”
Are Astarion’s fractionally improved manners a result of introspection or all part of the performance, he wonders?
thank you, ✨thank you✨ to @koalamatcha for commissioning this gorgeous art from @misfitlunatik for my fic, ceremony.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/63657097/chapters/163171273
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misfitlunatik · 2 months ago
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“Move, please. I need you to move.”
Commissioned artwork for @ GaleAstarionBW ‘s modern AU fanfic ❤️‍🔥 you can read here
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misfitlunatik · 3 months ago
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This Old House - New Artwork!
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Ok so This Old House's Chapter 7 (AO3/Tumblr) had a scene that was super popular if the number of DMs I got about it are anything to go by, so the incredible @misfitlunatik did a smoking commission to commemorate it!
See the full version when no one is looking over your shoulder here.
I highly recommend getting the text and the image side by side on a screen somewhere and enjoying the combo hehehe.
And show Misfit some love on their socials!
https://x.com/misfit_lunatik or https://bsky.app/profile/misfitlunatik.bsky.social
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misfitlunatik · 3 months ago
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Coffee with dessert? 🌝
NSFT 🤫
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misfitlunatik · 3 months ago
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“My sweet.”
NSFW on Twitter
secretly full image
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misfitlunatik · 4 months ago
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Threefold Returns - Ch. 1/16
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The naughty version of the beautiful artwork commissioned from the incredible misfitlunatic (https://x.com/misfit_lunatik or https://bsky.app/profile/misfitlunatik.bsky.social) can be seen in all its glory here.
Work Summary: Magic has rules. Magic has a mistress. And Gale Dekarios knows something he was never meant to remember.
A year ago Gale made Zelara choose between himself and Astarion; she chose Astarion. A few weeks ago, Gale stopped answering their messages. Zel and Astarion show up in Waterdeep and find Gale being mind-fucked by his former goddess.
What begins as an attempt to untangle the lingering threads of Mystra’s influence over Gale turns into something much bigger—and far more dangerous. The truth lurking beneath the Weave is a secret worth killing for, and Mystra will stop at nothing to keep it buried. But Gale, Astarion, and Zelara have never been good at playing by the rules.
And Astarion and Zelara have never stopped loving Gale.
Canon compliance: I'm playing fast and loose with Mystra and Weave lore here, outright changing it for a main plot point, and I'm not sorry about it. My lore is that Mystra is a horrible person in BG3, and I want her punished. Uh, and some magic stuff definitely goes beyond 5e rules and drifts adjacent to some magical realism. If you're here for some feels and smut and seeing Mystra get destroyed, you're in the right place. If you're here for lore, you're probably not lol.
Work Content Tags: Post-Canon, Polyamory, Explicit Sexual Content, Explicit Language, POV Multiple, Threesome - F/M/M, Fluff and Smut, Happy Ending, Humor, Karma Comes for Mystra, Fuck Mystra, Bloodweave+Tav, PIV sex, Oral Sex, Rimming, Anal Fingering, Anal Sex ~64K words.
Work is complete on AO3! Chapters will be posted daily on Tumblr until it's all here too.
Astarion
Moonlight-colored fungi cast a soft glow across Zel's lavender skin as she sprawled beside Astarion, her silver hair spilling across the pillow like liquid metal. He traced idle patterns on her bare shoulder, savoring the warmth of her body against his cool flesh. The lingering pleasure of their coupling hummed through his nerves, making everything feel soft and hazy.
"What if something's happened to him?" Zel's voice broke the comfortable silence. "It's not like Gale to ignore messages for this long."
Astarion pressed a kiss to her temple. "Or perhaps he's simply caught up in some fascinating magical theory and lost track of time. You know how he gets."
"But three weeks?" She shifted to face him, her luminous eyes catching the ethereal light. "That's a long time, even for Gale."
He brushed a stray strand of hair from her face, noting the tension in her jaw. Always trying to fix things, his Zel. Even when there might be nothing to fix.
"Darling, he's not exactly helpless. He did manage to get rid of that pesky orb without blowing himself up." Astarion kept his tone light, though worry gnawed at the edges of his thoughts. "And last we heard, he was settling back into his tower, probably boring everyone in Waterdeep with lectures about magical theory."
"I suppose." Zel nestled closer, pressing her face against his neck. Her breath tickled his skin. "But what if—"
"Tell me three times you are sure there's actually something wrong." He caught her chin, tilting her face up to his. "Not just your brilliant mind spinning hypotheticals."
She opened her mouth, then closed it again. "I hate when you use our thing against me."
"I know." He smirked, drinking in the sight of her—flushed skin, kiss-bruised lips, the mark of his fangs still visible on her throat. Even worried, she was breathtaking. "That's why I do it."
Astarion watched the familiar glint of mischief spark in Zel's eyes. That look always meant trouble.
"We could go check on him," she said, trailing her fingers down his chest. "I've been working on that sunlight resistance potion. The latest batch shows real promise."
He arched an eyebrow. "Oh?"
Astarion studied Zel's expression, recognizing the determined set of her jaw. Usually, he redirected her experimental urges toward more expendable test subjects. Her genius was undeniable, but her methods tended toward the explosive. He had watched her blow up her laboratory three times in the past month alone.
But this was different. The sunlight resistance potion was personal—something she had been working on just for him. He refused to let her test it on the freed spawn. Those poor bastards had suffered enough, and he wouldn't add to their torment just to spare himself discomfort.
"How promising?" He kept his tone casual, though his pulse would have quickened if he still had one. "The last batch only gave me a rather spectacular rash."
"I adjusted the ratio of my dhampir blood to moonflower essence." Zel's eyes lit up with that dangerous sparkle that meant she was about to launch into technical details. "And the crystallization process—"
He pressed a finger to her lips. "Darling, I love you, but spare me the particulars. Just tell me if you think it might actually work this time."
She nipped his finger. "It might. And Gale could help refine it further. He always had good insights about the magical theory behind the transformative properties."
That was true. Gale and Zel had worked well together in the past, their different approaches to magic complementing each other. The wizard's theoretical knowledge combined with Zel's practical experimentation had produced remarkable results.
Astarion sighed, already knowing he would give in.
"Just think—you could lay in the sun while I scratch your tummy." Her lips curved into a teasing smile. "And Gale always has the best wine."
"I do not need my tummy scratched." He pulled back, affronted. "I'm not some common housecat."
"No?" She propped herself up on an elbow. "You're constantly preening your hair."
"It's called grooming, darling. Some of us care about our appearance."
"And you get unreasonably excited about sunbathing."
"Two centuries without sun will do that to anyone."
"You mark your territory." Zel gestured to the pattern of bite marks she'd let scar rather than heal magically to humor his odd impulses. So her point was valid. But he did not want Zel to get the idea that he approved of her calling him a cat.
"I do not—"
"You literally hissed at that merchant who touched your favorite coat."
"He was being presumptuous."
"You creep around in shadows and pounce on things."
"That's called being a rogue."
"You get bitey when your dignity is offended."
"I most certainly do not—"
"And you really like having your butthole licked."
He snapped his mouth shut, fangs clicking together. The worst part was she wasn't entirely wrong, but he'd be damned if he'd admit it. Especially about that last bit.
"I am feeling rather bitey at the moment," he growled, nipping at her shoulder.
Her delighted laugh echoed through their chamber. "See? Proving my point."
Astarion's smile faded as he watched Zel's eyes drift toward their window. She always got that distant look when thinking about Gale. His chest tightened with an emotion he refused to name.
"Perhaps..." The words caught in his throat. "Perhaps he simply doesn't wish to be found."
Zel's attention snapped back to him. "What do you mean?"
"Moving on. Living his life." Astarion traced the curve of her hip, keeping his touch light. "We can't expect him to orbit around us forever, darling. Even if you—" He paused, forcing the words past centuries of practiced deflection. "Even if you still care for him."
Astarion watched the shadow pass across Zel's face. He knew that look—had seen it countless times when Gale's name came up. The wizard's absence had left a void in her that even Astarion's love couldn't quite fill. Not that she ever complained or showed regret for choosing him. But he noticed. Of course he noticed.
He remembered how it had been, in those early days after the break. Gale, ever the gentleman, had stepped aside gracefully when Zel refused to give up her relationship with Astarion. The wizard had wanted exclusivity—a traditional romance. But Zel loved differently, loved wholly, and wouldn't compromise one heart to please another.
Their parting had been gentle. No harsh words, no bitter accusations. Just quiet acceptance that their paths diverged. Gale had remained their friend, sharing meals and adventures, offering his wisdom and wit. But something had shifted, become careful and awkwardly contained, like a book whose pages could no longer lie flat.
Astarion had watched it all, uncertain how to navigate this peculiar dance. He understood possession, understood jealousy—but Zel treated love like an endless well, drawing deep without depleting. Her heart expanded to hold them both, even if Gale couldn't accept the arrangement she offered.
Now, seeing that familiar shadow in her eyes, Astarion felt the old uncertainty stir. He never questioned Zel's love for him—she proved it daily in a thousand small ways. But he wondered, sometimes, if she would have chosen differently if he had been the one to demand she choose.
"I didn't mean to suggest we abandon him," Astarion added softly, brushing his thumb across her cheek. "Only that we should be prepared if he's chosen to move forward without us."
"I want to go see him." Zel caught his hand, pressing it flat against her skin.
"Zel—"
"I want to go see him." Her voice grew firmer.
"And if he turns us away?"
"I want to go see him." The third time held the weight of certainty.
Astarion closed his eyes, fighting twin impulses—to protect her from potential rejection, and to shield himself from facing desires he had buried since their earliest days together. The thought of seeing Gale again stirred something dangerous in his chest. Something that whispered of missed chances and lingering looks.
But more than that, Gale's silence felt wrong. The wizard had never been one to simply vanish, even after their paths diverged. And if something was truly amiss...
"Fine." He opened his eyes, meeting her determined gaze. "But only because you promised belly scratches in the sun. And because..." He hesitated, then admitted, "Because I don't actually believe he's just busy with research."
"You're worried about him too."
It wasn't a question, but he answered anyway. "Perhaps a bit. Don't let it go to your head."
Astarion rolled Zel onto her back, straddling her hips. "If you're going to insist on comparing me to a feline, darling, then I insist on being treated like one." His eyes gleamed with a mix of mischief and a desire to lighten the moment for Zel's sake.
Zel's laughter was low and throaty. "Is that so?" Her hands slid up his thighs.
"Mmm." He leaned down, brushing his lips against hers. "And I expect you to be thorough."
"Wouldn't dream of doing it any other way." She nipped at his lower lip before pushing him gently onto his back. Astarion went willingly.
Zel moved down his body, her breath hot against his cool flesh. "So, my little kitty," she murmured, her voice laced with teasing affection, "where do you want me to start?"
Astarion stretched languidly, a smirk playing on his lips. "Well, if you're going to groom me properly..." He shifted, spreading his knees and angling his hips before meeting her appreciative gaze with a raised eyebrow.
"Demanding little thing, aren't you?" She laughed softly, her hands spreading him open. Her fingers caressed him in a way that was both gentle and possessive.
Astarion let out a soft moan as her head dipped down and her tongue found its mark. The warmth and wetness sent shivers down his spine. "Gods, Zel..."
"Mmm?" She hummed against him, the vibration sending a jolt of pleasure through his body.
Astarion's eyes fluttered closed as Zel's tongue traced delicate circles around his rim. Every nerve ending sparked with pleasure, his body relaxing into the sensation. She took her time, exploring every inch of him with a thoroughness that left him breathing deeply through the pleasure.
His breath hitched when she finally pressed her tongue inside him, the invasion slow and deliberate. His body responded immediately, the muscles clenching around her, drawing her deeper. She hummed in appreciation, the vibration sending waves of pleasure through him.
"You know," she murmured, pulling back, "I love how your body just sucks me in. It's like you're trying to devour me."
Astarion laughed, the sound a mix of amusement and frustration. "Zel, darling, I do believe that's the point." He shifted, trying to chase the sensation she'd withdrawn. "And I must object to you stopping."
She grinned, sitting back on her heels. "Patience, kitty. I'm just getting started."
He watched as she turned to her nearby rack filled with small bottles and vials. Each one was labeled neatly in her precise handwriting—a collection of oils and ointments she'd concocted specifically for their use. He'd been adamant about not letting her test her more experimental creations on him in bed, but her lubricants were exquisite.
Astarion propped himself up on his elbows, watching as she selected a bottle. "The lavender one," he suggested, knowing it was his favorite. The scent was subtle, the texture smooth and long-lasting.
Zel glanced at him, a smirk playing on her lips. "Demanding and specific. Someone's eager."
"Always, when it comes to you." He let his gaze roam over her body, appreciating the curves and lines he knew so well. The sight of her, the anticipation of what was to come, sent a thrill through him.  He watched her move with that familiar grace, his chest tight with affection. Everything about her touch was generous and gentle, from the way her fingers skimmed his skin to how she anticipated his desires before he voiced them.
What made it precious - what made him absolutely melt for her - was knowing there wasn't a trace of pity in her tenderness. She didn't tiptoe around his past trauma or treat him like some fragile, broken thing that needed coddling. No, her gentleness came purely from learning what brought him pleasure and delighting in providing it. She touched him softly because she knew he loved it, because it made him shiver and sigh, and because his enjoyment was reward enough for her. That understanding, that pure acceptance of who and what he was, made him adore her all the more.
She uncapped the bottle, pouring a generous amount onto her fingers. The scent of lavender filled the air, soothing and arousing at the same time. He hummed in approval, spreading his legs wider in invitation.
"Now," he murmured, his voice low and steady, "where were we?"
She coated her fingers carefully and then they took the place of her mouth, circling, teasing, knowing exactly what he liked.
Zel indulged her own impulses, her teeth grazing his inner thigh. The slight sting made him hiss, but he didn't pull away. Instead, he watched, entranced, as she lapped at the small wound, her tongue collecting the beads of blood. The sight sent a shiver down his spine—a mix of arousal and something deeper, something uniquely theirs.
Their natures, dhampir and vampire, were an odd fit. Her body warm and alive, his cool and eternally still. Somehow, they complemented each other perfectly. Her blood was his sustenance in a way his ichor could never be for her, but they had been pleased to find that small amounts had interesting effects beyond feeding her bitey blood kink.
Zel pulled back slightly, her breath hot against his sensitive flesh. "You taste incredible," she murmured, her voice thick with desire. "Like cool night air and something uniquely you."
Astarion chuckled, the sound breathless. "I do believe that's the oddest compliment I've ever received."
She grinned, her teeth flashing in the dim light. "Well, you are rather odd." She slipped the first finger inside, making him shiver. "And I wouldn't have you any other way."
He laughed, the sound turning into a moan as she slowly worked deeper inside him. His body opened for her easily, the warm slickness of the oil she'd used earlier easing her way. She took her time, her finger moving in slow, deliberate strokes, her tongue mirroring the motion against his thigh and sometimes teasingly back at his rim.
Astarion's eyes fluttered closed, his body melting into the sensation. The warmth of her touch, the slick heat of her mouth, the steady rhythm of her heartbeat—it was all so overwhelmingly perfect. He felt cherished, adored. And in that moment, he knew he was home. Not a place, but a feeling. A sense of belonging that transcended their peculiar natures and bound them together.
He reached down, tangling his fingers in her hair, gently guiding her mouth to where he needed her most.
Zel chuckled, the sound vibrating against his sensitive flesh. She added a finger and picked up the pace inside of him while she took the head of his cock into her mouth. She knew every spot, every trick to make him come undone.
Astarion's breath hitched as she hit just the right angle, her fingers curling inside him. "Zel... gods, yes..."
"Like that, do you?" Her voice was a purr, low and satisfied, as she kissed up and down his shaft.
"You know I do." He arched his back, pressing against her, chasing the sensation. His cock was hard again, dripping, desperate for more.
Zel's free hand wrapped around him, her grip firm and sure. She stroked him in time with her mouth and fingers, leaving him gasping for air he didn't need but somehow felt desperate for.
"You're... ah... you're enjoying this..." He panted, his body tensing.
"Mmm-hmm." She hummed again, the sound sending another wave of pleasure crashing through him. "I love making you happy, Astarion. And I love getting my way."
He laughed, the sound breathless and broken. "You always get your way, darling."
"Damn right I do." She pulled back, her eyes shining with mischief and love. Her fingers never stopped moving, beckoning him slowly and surely toward his edge.
Astarion reached down, pulling her up to kiss her deeply. He could taste himself on her lips, a mix of sweet and salty that was uniquely them and a hint of the lavender oil at the corners of her mouth. "I love you."
"I love you too, Astarion." She smiled against his mouth, one hand still wrapped around him, her fingers still moving inside him. "And soon, we'll go see our friend. But for now..." She kissed him again, gentle and loving.
Astarion's breath hitched as Zel's gentle touch unraveled him. It was her tenderness that undid him as much as her skill. His body tensed, balls drawing up tight, and she pressed harder against that spot inside him, her mouth pulling away from his just in time to indulge this other kink of his. He came undone, his vision whiting out with pleasure as he painted her breasts with his release.
Zel's soft hum of appreciation brought him back to himself, his eyes fluttering open to see her admiring the mess he'd made as she eased her fingers out of his hole. She leaned down, her tongue tracing circles around his nipples, sending little jolts of pleasure through him. His body shivered, oversensitive and spent, but her touch was gentle, coaxing aftershocks from his nerves.
"Look at you," she murmured, her voice warm with affection. "So beautiful." Her fingers traced the edge of his hole, slick with oil. She didn't clean him with magic, instead choosing to lap at his skin, her tongue darting out and dipping in, her own unique take on aftercare.
Astarion's cheeks flushed, a mix of strange possession and arousal heating his cool skin. He loved this—the way she praised him, the way she took her time to clean him intimately. Her tongue licked deeper inside him, cleaning away the remnants of oil, sending the last few ripples of pleasure through his oversensitive flesh.
Zel pulled back slightly, her eyes meeting his. "You taste so good, Astarion. I could do this all day." Her voice was a low purr, vibrating against his skin.
Astarion's lips curved into a soft smile, his body relaxing under her touch. "You're insatiable, darling."
"Only for you." She pressed a gentle kiss to his inner thigh, her fingers still tracing delicate patterns on his skin where her nips had already healed. "And I think you like it."
"Mmm." He stretched languidly, his body humming with contentment. "I think you've made your point."
Astarion's eyes fluttered closed, a soft sigh escaping his lips. He let himself sink into the sensation, into the warmth of her touch and the gentleness of her care. This was what he loved—the way she made him feel cherished, the way she took her time to draw out every last bit of pleasure.
"Zel..." Her name was a soft whisper on his lips, a plea and a praise all rolled into one.
She looked up at him, her eyes shining with love. "Yes, Astarion?"
"I... Just..." He hesitated, the words catching in his throat. "Thank you."
Her smile softened, her hand reaching up to cup his cheek. "You're welcome, my love. Always."
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misfitlunatik · 4 months ago
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hello are you currently accepting commissions? if so how can one go about it? if not please ignore me thank you <3
Hello! I sure do accept commissions! ❤️ here's some info https://misfitlunatik.carrd.co or you can contact me directly 😏
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misfitlunatik · 4 months ago
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losing my mind over your art. you are so talented. you are one of the best nsfw artists i have found on here, ever. not a lot of artists are great at capturing erotic + tender bc that can be super hard to get exactly right but you do it perfectly
Awwwww, my gosh, thank you soooo much! I do try my best!!! 🥰 I just love the love ❤️
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misfitlunatik · 4 months ago
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Threefold Returns - Ch. 1/16
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The naughty version of the beautiful artwork commissioned from the incredible misfitlunatic (https://x.com/misfit_lunatik or https://bsky.app/profile/misfitlunatik.bsky.social) can be seen in all its glory here.
Work Summary: Magic has rules. Magic has a mistress. And Gale Dekarios knows something he was never meant to remember.
A year ago Gale made Zelara choose between himself and Astarion; she chose Astarion. A few weeks ago, Gale stopped answering their messages. Zel and Astarion show up in Waterdeep and find Gale being mind-fucked by his former goddess.
What begins as an attempt to untangle the lingering threads of Mystra’s influence over Gale turns into something much bigger—and far more dangerous. The truth lurking beneath the Weave is a secret worth killing for, and Mystra will stop at nothing to keep it buried. But Gale, Astarion, and Zelara have never been good at playing by the rules.
And Astarion and Zelara have never stopped loving Gale.
Canon compliance: I'm playing fast and loose with Mystra and Weave lore here, outright changing it for a main plot point, and I'm not sorry about it. My lore is that Mystra is a horrible person in BG3, and I want her punished. Uh, and some magic stuff definitely goes beyond 5e rules and drifts adjacent to some magical realism. If you're here for some feels and smut and seeing Mystra get destroyed, you're in the right place. If you're here for lore, you're probably not lol.
Work Content Tags: Post-Canon, Polyamory, Explicit Sexual Content, Explicit Language, POV Multiple, Threesome - F/M/M, Fluff and Smut, Happy Ending, Humor, Karma Comes for Mystra, Fuck Mystra, Bloodweave+Tav, PIV sex, Oral Sex, Rimming, Anal Fingering, Anal Sex ~64K words.
Work is complete on AO3! Chapters will be posted daily on Tumblr until it's all here too.
Astarion
Moonlight-colored fungi cast a soft glow across Zel's lavender skin as she sprawled beside Astarion, her silver hair spilling across the pillow like liquid metal. He traced idle patterns on her bare shoulder, savoring the warmth of her body against his cool flesh. The lingering pleasure of their coupling hummed through his nerves, making everything feel soft and hazy.
"What if something's happened to him?" Zel's voice broke the comfortable silence. "It's not like Gale to ignore messages for this long."
Astarion pressed a kiss to her temple. "Or perhaps he's simply caught up in some fascinating magical theory and lost track of time. You know how he gets."
"But three weeks?" She shifted to face him, her luminous eyes catching the ethereal light. "That's a long time, even for Gale."
He brushed a stray strand of hair from her face, noting the tension in her jaw. Always trying to fix things, his Zel. Even when there might be nothing to fix.
"Darling, he's not exactly helpless. He did manage to get rid of that pesky orb without blowing himself up." Astarion kept his tone light, though worry gnawed at the edges of his thoughts. "And last we heard, he was settling back into his tower, probably boring everyone in Waterdeep with lectures about magical theory."
"I suppose." Zel nestled closer, pressing her face against his neck. Her breath tickled his skin. "But what if—"
"Tell me three times you are sure there's actually something wrong." He caught her chin, tilting her face up to his. "Not just your brilliant mind spinning hypotheticals."
She opened her mouth, then closed it again. "I hate when you use our thing against me."
"I know." He smirked, drinking in the sight of her—flushed skin, kiss-bruised lips, the mark of his fangs still visible on her throat. Even worried, she was breathtaking. "That's why I do it."
Astarion watched the familiar glint of mischief spark in Zel's eyes. That look always meant trouble.
"We could go check on him," she said, trailing her fingers down his chest. "I've been working on that sunlight resistance potion. The latest batch shows real promise."
He arched an eyebrow. "Oh?"
Astarion studied Zel's expression, recognizing the determined set of her jaw. Usually, he redirected her experimental urges toward more expendable test subjects. Her genius was undeniable, but her methods tended toward the explosive. He had watched her blow up her laboratory three times in the past month alone.
But this was different. The sunlight resistance potion was personal—something she had been working on just for him. He refused to let her test it on the freed spawn. Those poor bastards had suffered enough, and he wouldn't add to their torment just to spare himself discomfort.
"How promising?" He kept his tone casual, though his pulse would have quickened if he still had one. "The last batch only gave me a rather spectacular rash."
"I adjusted the ratio of my dhampir blood to moonflower essence." Zel's eyes lit up with that dangerous sparkle that meant she was about to launch into technical details. "And the crystallization process—"
He pressed a finger to her lips. "Darling, I love you, but spare me the particulars. Just tell me if you think it might actually work this time."
She nipped his finger. "It might. And Gale could help refine it further. He always had good insights about the magical theory behind the transformative properties."
That was true. Gale and Zel had worked well together in the past, their different approaches to magic complementing each other. The wizard's theoretical knowledge combined with Zel's practical experimentation had produced remarkable results.
Astarion sighed, already knowing he would give in.
"Just think—you could lay in the sun while I scratch your tummy." Her lips curved into a teasing smile. "And Gale always has the best wine."
"I do not need my tummy scratched." He pulled back, affronted. "I'm not some common housecat."
"No?" She propped herself up on an elbow. "You're constantly preening your hair."
"It's called grooming, darling. Some of us care about our appearance."
"And you get unreasonably excited about sunbathing."
"Two centuries without sun will do that to anyone."
"You mark your territory." Zel gestured to the pattern of bite marks she'd let scar rather than heal magically to humor his odd impulses. So her point was valid. But he did not want Zel to get the idea that he approved of her calling him a cat.
"I do not—"
"You literally hissed at that merchant who touched your favorite coat."
"He was being presumptuous."
"You creep around in shadows and pounce on things."
"That's called being a rogue."
"You get bitey when your dignity is offended."
"I most certainly do not—"
"And you really like having your butthole licked."
He snapped his mouth shut, fangs clicking together. The worst part was she wasn't entirely wrong, but he'd be damned if he'd admit it. Especially about that last bit.
"I am feeling rather bitey at the moment," he growled, nipping at her shoulder.
Her delighted laugh echoed through their chamber. "See? Proving my point."
Astarion's smile faded as he watched Zel's eyes drift toward their window. She always got that distant look when thinking about Gale. His chest tightened with an emotion he refused to name.
"Perhaps..." The words caught in his throat. "Perhaps he simply doesn't wish to be found."
Zel's attention snapped back to him. "What do you mean?"
"Moving on. Living his life." Astarion traced the curve of her hip, keeping his touch light. "We can't expect him to orbit around us forever, darling. Even if you—" He paused, forcing the words past centuries of practiced deflection. "Even if you still care for him."
Astarion watched the shadow pass across Zel's face. He knew that look—had seen it countless times when Gale's name came up. The wizard's absence had left a void in her that even Astarion's love couldn't quite fill. Not that she ever complained or showed regret for choosing him. But he noticed. Of course he noticed.
He remembered how it had been, in those early days after the break. Gale, ever the gentleman, had stepped aside gracefully when Zel refused to give up her relationship with Astarion. The wizard had wanted exclusivity—a traditional romance. But Zel loved differently, loved wholly, and wouldn't compromise one heart to please another.
Their parting had been gentle. No harsh words, no bitter accusations. Just quiet acceptance that their paths diverged. Gale had remained their friend, sharing meals and adventures, offering his wisdom and wit. But something had shifted, become careful and awkwardly contained, like a book whose pages could no longer lie flat.
Astarion had watched it all, uncertain how to navigate this peculiar dance. He understood possession, understood jealousy—but Zel treated love like an endless well, drawing deep without depleting. Her heart expanded to hold them both, even if Gale couldn't accept the arrangement she offered.
Now, seeing that familiar shadow in her eyes, Astarion felt the old uncertainty stir. He never questioned Zel's love for him—she proved it daily in a thousand small ways. But he wondered, sometimes, if she would have chosen differently if he had been the one to demand she choose.
"I didn't mean to suggest we abandon him," Astarion added softly, brushing his thumb across her cheek. "Only that we should be prepared if he's chosen to move forward without us."
"I want to go see him." Zel caught his hand, pressing it flat against her skin.
"Zel—"
"I want to go see him." Her voice grew firmer.
"And if he turns us away?"
"I want to go see him." The third time held the weight of certainty.
Astarion closed his eyes, fighting twin impulses—to protect her from potential rejection, and to shield himself from facing desires he had buried since their earliest days together. The thought of seeing Gale again stirred something dangerous in his chest. Something that whispered of missed chances and lingering looks.
But more than that, Gale's silence felt wrong. The wizard had never been one to simply vanish, even after their paths diverged. And if something was truly amiss...
"Fine." He opened his eyes, meeting her determined gaze. "But only because you promised belly scratches in the sun. And because..." He hesitated, then admitted, "Because I don't actually believe he's just busy with research."
"You're worried about him too."
It wasn't a question, but he answered anyway. "Perhaps a bit. Don't let it go to your head."
Astarion rolled Zel onto her back, straddling her hips. "If you're going to insist on comparing me to a feline, darling, then I insist on being treated like one." His eyes gleamed with a mix of mischief and a desire to lighten the moment for Zel's sake.
Zel's laughter was low and throaty. "Is that so?" Her hands slid up his thighs.
"Mmm." He leaned down, brushing his lips against hers. "And I expect you to be thorough."
"Wouldn't dream of doing it any other way." She nipped at his lower lip before pushing him gently onto his back. Astarion went willingly.
Zel moved down his body, her breath hot against his cool flesh. "So, my little kitty," she murmured, her voice laced with teasing affection, "where do you want me to start?"
Astarion stretched languidly, a smirk playing on his lips. "Well, if you're going to groom me properly..." He shifted, spreading his knees and angling his hips before meeting her appreciative gaze with a raised eyebrow.
"Demanding little thing, aren't you?" She laughed softly, her hands spreading him open. Her fingers caressed him in a way that was both gentle and possessive.
Astarion let out a soft moan as her head dipped down and her tongue found its mark. The warmth and wetness sent shivers down his spine. "Gods, Zel..."
"Mmm?" She hummed against him, the vibration sending a jolt of pleasure through his body.
Astarion's eyes fluttered closed as Zel's tongue traced delicate circles around his rim. Every nerve ending sparked with pleasure, his body relaxing into the sensation. She took her time, exploring every inch of him with a thoroughness that left him breathing deeply through the pleasure.
His breath hitched when she finally pressed her tongue inside him, the invasion slow and deliberate. His body responded immediately, the muscles clenching around her, drawing her deeper. She hummed in appreciation, the vibration sending waves of pleasure through him.
"You know," she murmured, pulling back, "I love how your body just sucks me in. It's like you're trying to devour me."
Astarion laughed, the sound a mix of amusement and frustration. "Zel, darling, I do believe that's the point." He shifted, trying to chase the sensation she'd withdrawn. "And I must object to you stopping."
She grinned, sitting back on her heels. "Patience, kitty. I'm just getting started."
He watched as she turned to her nearby rack filled with small bottles and vials. Each one was labeled neatly in her precise handwriting—a collection of oils and ointments she'd concocted specifically for their use. He'd been adamant about not letting her test her more experimental creations on him in bed, but her lubricants were exquisite.
Astarion propped himself up on his elbows, watching as she selected a bottle. "The lavender one," he suggested, knowing it was his favorite. The scent was subtle, the texture smooth and long-lasting.
Zel glanced at him, a smirk playing on her lips. "Demanding and specific. Someone's eager."
"Always, when it comes to you." He let his gaze roam over her body, appreciating the curves and lines he knew so well. The sight of her, the anticipation of what was to come, sent a thrill through him.  He watched her move with that familiar grace, his chest tight with affection. Everything about her touch was generous and gentle, from the way her fingers skimmed his skin to how she anticipated his desires before he voiced them.
What made it precious - what made him absolutely melt for her - was knowing there wasn't a trace of pity in her tenderness. She didn't tiptoe around his past trauma or treat him like some fragile, broken thing that needed coddling. No, her gentleness came purely from learning what brought him pleasure and delighting in providing it. She touched him softly because she knew he loved it, because it made him shiver and sigh, and because his enjoyment was reward enough for her. That understanding, that pure acceptance of who and what he was, made him adore her all the more.
She uncapped the bottle, pouring a generous amount onto her fingers. The scent of lavender filled the air, soothing and arousing at the same time. He hummed in approval, spreading his legs wider in invitation.
"Now," he murmured, his voice low and steady, "where were we?"
She coated her fingers carefully and then they took the place of her mouth, circling, teasing, knowing exactly what he liked.
Zel indulged her own impulses, her teeth grazing his inner thigh. The slight sting made him hiss, but he didn't pull away. Instead, he watched, entranced, as she lapped at the small wound, her tongue collecting the beads of blood. The sight sent a shiver down his spine—a mix of arousal and something deeper, something uniquely theirs.
Their natures, dhampir and vampire, were an odd fit. Her body warm and alive, his cool and eternally still. Somehow, they complemented each other perfectly. Her blood was his sustenance in a way his ichor could never be for her, but they had been pleased to find that small amounts had interesting effects beyond feeding her bitey blood kink.
Zel pulled back slightly, her breath hot against his sensitive flesh. "You taste incredible," she murmured, her voice thick with desire. "Like cool night air and something uniquely you."
Astarion chuckled, the sound breathless. "I do believe that's the oddest compliment I've ever received."
She grinned, her teeth flashing in the dim light. "Well, you are rather odd." She slipped the first finger inside, making him shiver. "And I wouldn't have you any other way."
He laughed, the sound turning into a moan as she slowly worked deeper inside him. His body opened for her easily, the warm slickness of the oil she'd used earlier easing her way. She took her time, her finger moving in slow, deliberate strokes, her tongue mirroring the motion against his thigh and sometimes teasingly back at his rim.
Astarion's eyes fluttered closed, his body melting into the sensation. The warmth of her touch, the slick heat of her mouth, the steady rhythm of her heartbeat—it was all so overwhelmingly perfect. He felt cherished, adored. And in that moment, he knew he was home. Not a place, but a feeling. A sense of belonging that transcended their peculiar natures and bound them together.
He reached down, tangling his fingers in her hair, gently guiding her mouth to where he needed her most.
Zel chuckled, the sound vibrating against his sensitive flesh. She added a finger and picked up the pace inside of him while she took the head of his cock into her mouth. She knew every spot, every trick to make him come undone.
Astarion's breath hitched as she hit just the right angle, her fingers curling inside him. "Zel... gods, yes..."
"Like that, do you?" Her voice was a purr, low and satisfied, as she kissed up and down his shaft.
"You know I do." He arched his back, pressing against her, chasing the sensation. His cock was hard again, dripping, desperate for more.
Zel's free hand wrapped around him, her grip firm and sure. She stroked him in time with her mouth and fingers, leaving him gasping for air he didn't need but somehow felt desperate for.
"You're... ah... you're enjoying this..." He panted, his body tensing.
"Mmm-hmm." She hummed again, the sound sending another wave of pleasure crashing through him. "I love making you happy, Astarion. And I love getting my way."
He laughed, the sound breathless and broken. "You always get your way, darling."
"Damn right I do." She pulled back, her eyes shining with mischief and love. Her fingers never stopped moving, beckoning him slowly and surely toward his edge.
Astarion reached down, pulling her up to kiss her deeply. He could taste himself on her lips, a mix of sweet and salty that was uniquely them and a hint of the lavender oil at the corners of her mouth. "I love you."
"I love you too, Astarion." She smiled against his mouth, one hand still wrapped around him, her fingers still moving inside him. "And soon, we'll go see our friend. But for now..." She kissed him again, gentle and loving.
Astarion's breath hitched as Zel's gentle touch unraveled him. It was her tenderness that undid him as much as her skill. His body tensed, balls drawing up tight, and she pressed harder against that spot inside him, her mouth pulling away from his just in time to indulge this other kink of his. He came undone, his vision whiting out with pleasure as he painted her breasts with his release.
Zel's soft hum of appreciation brought him back to himself, his eyes fluttering open to see her admiring the mess he'd made as she eased her fingers out of his hole. She leaned down, her tongue tracing circles around his nipples, sending little jolts of pleasure through him. His body shivered, oversensitive and spent, but her touch was gentle, coaxing aftershocks from his nerves.
"Look at you," she murmured, her voice warm with affection. "So beautiful." Her fingers traced the edge of his hole, slick with oil. She didn't clean him with magic, instead choosing to lap at his skin, her tongue darting out and dipping in, her own unique take on aftercare.
Astarion's cheeks flushed, a mix of strange possession and arousal heating his cool skin. He loved this—the way she praised him, the way she took her time to clean him intimately. Her tongue licked deeper inside him, cleaning away the remnants of oil, sending the last few ripples of pleasure through his oversensitive flesh.
Zel pulled back slightly, her eyes meeting his. "You taste so good, Astarion. I could do this all day." Her voice was a low purr, vibrating against his skin.
Astarion's lips curved into a soft smile, his body relaxing under her touch. "You're insatiable, darling."
"Only for you." She pressed a gentle kiss to his inner thigh, her fingers still tracing delicate patterns on his skin where her nips had already healed. "And I think you like it."
"Mmm." He stretched languidly, his body humming with contentment. "I think you've made your point."
Astarion's eyes fluttered closed, a soft sigh escaping his lips. He let himself sink into the sensation, into the warmth of her touch and the gentleness of her care. This was what he loved—the way she made him feel cherished, the way she took her time to draw out every last bit of pleasure.
"Zel..." Her name was a soft whisper on his lips, a plea and a praise all rolled into one.
She looked up at him, her eyes shining with love. "Yes, Astarion?"
"I... Just..." He hesitated, the words catching in his throat. "Thank you."
Her smile softened, her hand reaching up to cup his cheek. "You're welcome, my love. Always."
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misfitlunatik · 4 months ago
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Together, at last. 🕯️ Thank you profusely, a thousand thank you’s, to @misfitlunatik for this comm of Al and Cooper Howard’s first time making love.
The uncropped version is on my Twitter or my Bsky! 💛
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misfitlunatik · 5 months ago
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✨ The First Worshipper | Art Breakdown✨
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The naughty version of the beautiful artwork commissioned from the incredible misfitlunatic (https://x.com/misfit_lunatik or https://bsky.app/profile/misfitlunatik.bsky.social) can be seen in all its glory here.
Read the fic this art was commissioned for on AO3 or search my blog for #myfic for chapter posts on Tumblr (Ch. 1 here).
Now that The First Worshipper has begun posting, I wanted to talk about its banner art and one very deliberate detail that makes it more than just a parody of Michelangelo's Creation of Adam:
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Below the break read about my thoughts about working with Misfitlunatic to create a cheeky take on this masterpiece that reflects the vibe of The First Worshipper and how I see a Bloodweave relationship would play out with an ascended Gale.
This piece is inspired by The Creation of Adam (above), but one small change shifts the entire power dynamic. Astarion’s “Adam” isn’t just reaching for Gale’s divine touch—he’s making a “come hither” motion instead. I asked Misfitlunatic to make this change, and they nailed it!
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💡 Why the Change? Astarion’s faith in Gale in The First Worshipper isn’t one of passive worship or desperate devotion. He doesn’t simply reach for the divine—he beckons it to him. Instead of an awe-struck mortal, we get an Astarion who is:
✔ Playful and irreverent – Faith as something to tease, not just revere. Gale may be his god, but he's also his friend.
✔ In control of his own relationship with godhood – He chooses divinity on his terms, regardless of how infuriating Gale finds those terms to be.
✔ Not supplicant, but equal – Even as Gale is positioned as the god-figure, Astarion’s body language suggests he’s the one making the invitation.
That one small change to the hand gesture turns this from a simple parody into a statement—one that defines Astarion’s relationship with Gale in The First Worshipper.
Misfitlunatic also gave our AstarionAdam a cheeky grin and made the spark between them quite literal, which I just adored! And, of course, because we are both Bloodweave diehards, they created an NSFW version (see link above) that doesn't shortchange either of our boys beneath their robes
😜😏
What do you think of Misfitlunatic's take on this classic painting?
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misfitlunatik · 5 months ago
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The First Worshipper: Ch. 1
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The naughty version of the beautiful artwork commissioned from the incredible misfitlunatic (https://x.com/misfit_lunatik or https://bsky.app/profile/misfitlunatik.bsky.social) can be seen in all its glory here.
What if Astarion, grieving and haunted by the passage of time, became the first worshipper of the newly ascended God of Ambition, Gale, in a strange bid for connection, purpose, and perhaps just a little bit of chaos?
Story Completion: This work is fully written (~60K words) and mostly edited. I'll be posting at least 2 times a week, maybe more if the fancy strikes me.
Read below the break here or on AO3!
Work Content Tags: Post-Canon, Vampire Spawn Astarion, God of Ambition Gale, Immortality, Grief, Slow Burn, Friends to Lovers, Angst and Hurt/Comfort, Happy Endings (despite pretty much everyone dying), Explicit Sexual Content, Dual POV, 1st Person Astarion, 3rd Person Gale, Epistolary
Chapter 1
16 years "After Netherbrain" (AB)
[A letter written in elegant script on expensive parchment, waiting to be burned]
My dearest, most infuriating Tav,
I failed. Our little thief, our Mol—she's gone. Just like that. A knife in the dark, they tell me. Quick and clean, as though that's meant to be a comfort. She didn't suffer, they say. As if that makes it better. As if anything could make this better.
Where are you? You should be here. You should have been here to stop this. To warn her, guide her, protect her—all the things you were always better at than me. Instead, you left us. Left me to fumble through this alone, and look what happened. I didn't keep her safe. I couldn't...
Do you remember how you'd scold me for being overprotective? "Let her spread her wings," you'd say. "She needs to learn." Well, I did. I let her take over the Guild, let her play at being Nine Fingers' successor. I tried to trust in her abilities, just as you would have wanted. And now she's dead.
I should have locked her in that tower like I threatened. Should have forbidden her from the Guild entirely. Should have been the monster everyone already thought I was, if it meant keeping her alive. But I wanted to make you proud. Wanted to prove I could be the father she deserved.
I hate you for dying. I hate myself more for failing her. Our daughter deserved better than both of us—better than a dead hero and an immortal fool who couldn't save her.
The funeral's today. I don't know how to do this without you, Tav. I don't know how to say goodbye to our child alone.
Forever yours, even in my anger,
Astarion
* * *
I adjusted my black silk cravat, adorned with an obnoxiously large amethyst brooch, and swept my cloak back for maximum dramatic effect. The gathered mourners shifted uncomfortably in the grand hall of my estate.
"Friends, enemies, and those of you still unsure which category you fall into—we gather here today to honor our beloved Mol." I raised my arms skyward. "And what better way to commemorate her life than by dedicating it to our newest, most ambitious, and might I add, most absent deity?"
Karlach's jaw dropped. Shadowheart pressed her fingers to her temples.
"Oh great and powerful Gale, God of Ambition and Spectacular Fashion Failures, hear my prayer!" My voice echoed through the hall. "Your first and most devoted worshipper calls upon you to explain why you, in your infinite wisdom, allowed our precious Mol to die in an alley like a common cutpurse!"
"Astarion," Halsin warned, but I waved him off.
"What's wrong, old friend? Too busy rewriting the fabric of reality to notice one small death? Or perhaps you simply didn't care enough to intervene?" I spun in place, addressing the ceiling. "Come now, don't be shy. Surely the God of Ambition has something to say about this tragic waste of potential?"
The air crackled with divine energy, and Gale materialized in a flash of light, his expression thunderous. "This is not appropriate, Astarion."
Wyll muttered something that sounded like "here we go" while Lae'zel leaned forward with obvious interest.
"Isn't it?" I bared my fangs in what might have been a smile. "Then by all means, oh divine one, tell us what would be an appropriate response to your negligence."
Gale gathered his breath, but I wasn't done.  Not by a long shot.
"Oh mighty Gale," I drawled, prowling around him like a cat stalking prey. "Tell me, what offerings should I make to earn your divine intervention? Blood? Gold? My undying devotion?" I gestured to the gathered mourners. "Look at all these potential worshippers. Surely that's worth something."
Gale's divine aura flickered with frustration. "You know that's not how this works. The laws of—"
"The laws?" I laughed, the sound brittle as broken glass. "You're a god. What are laws to you? Or was that whole 'ambition' thing just for show?"
"Astarion—"
"No, no, let me finish my prayer." I dropped into an exaggerated bow. "Most illustrious deity, who watched our Mol grow from a street urchin to the finest thief in Baldur's Gate, who drank the wine she poured at Last Light Inn, who promised to keep an eye on her from on high at at her mother's funeral—where were you when she needed divine intervention?"
"I couldn't interfere." His voice carried the weight of celestial law. "Ao's restrictions—"
"Restrictions?" I spat the word like poison. "The great Gale, bound by restrictions? How disappointing. Perhaps we should find a more competent god to worship."
Divine energy crackled around him. "That's enough."
"Is it? Because I'm just getting started, old friend." I infused the last words with all the venom I'd been saving. "What good is having a personal god if he can't even save one little tiefling?"
"That's not how it works and you know it!" (Don't fucking tell me what I know.)
“You! You took her! And now you owe me, Gale. Personally.”
“I didn’t take Mol! She was mortal, Astarion. Mortality happens. It’s not some divine conspiracy!”
I waved dramatically at the crowd,“Oh, of course, just a coincidence that the only people I care about keep dying while you sit there glowing smugly in your celestial robes!”
Gale took in the crowd listening to all of this, and I gloated at his discomfort. Divine energy crackled around Gale, his celestial aura flaring with genuine anger. "You think I don't understand loss? I gave up everything I was! Everyone I loved looks at me like I'm a stranger wearing their friend's face!"
(Finally. There you are, old friend.)
"Oh, poor Gale," I sneered, circling closer. "Forced to become a god. How tragic." (Make it hurt. Make him feel it.)
"You're not the only one who's lost people, Astarion! You're not the only one who—"
"Do you know what it's like to have centuries stretching ahead of you, and the only thing you can count on is losing everyone? Do you? I stayed in Baldur's Gate for her. I could've left! I should've made them both leave with me! But no. She wanted to be here, and I—" My traitor voice cracked. "I stayed. And now she's gone. So yes, Gale, you owe me. You owe me this, you miserable excuse for a deity."
The divine light around him softened. (Don't. Don't you dare pity me.)
"Astarion." His voice carried centuries of understanding. "I'm here. I've always been here."
"Don't." (Please.)
"I know it's not enough. I know it will never be enough. But I'm not going anywhere."
I laughed, the sound raw and broken. "Until Ao decides you've broken too many rules and strips away your godhood."
"Then I'll be mortal again." He stepped closer, that insufferable compassion in his eyes. "And I'll still be here."
(Damn you, Gale. Damn you for knowing exactly what to say.)
"I hate you," I whispered, but there was no venom left in it.
"I know." He smiled, sad and gentle. "I know. You’re angry. You’re grieving. And, for what it’s worth, I am sorry."
Karlach's pointed cough broke through the tension. Right. We had an audience. How terribly gauche of me, letting genuine emotion slip through.
I smoothed my cravat, collecting myself. "Well. Since you did make the effort to show up, I suppose I can forgive your divine negligence." I waved a dismissive hand. "For now."
"Astarion—"
"On one condition." I raised a finger. "You must try harder at this whole godhood business. It's embarrassing, really. The God of Ambition should be more..." I gestured vaguely at his celestial form. "Ambitious."
Gale's divine aura flickered with what might have been relief. "I'll take that under advisement."
"Excellent!" I turned back to our gathered mourners with renewed theatrical vigor. "Ladies, gentlemen, and assorted creatures of questionable origin—in honor of our dear departed Mol, I hereby announce the founding of the First Church of Gale!"
"You what?" Gale's voice cracked in a most ungodly fashion.
"The Church of Gale," I repeated, savoring each word. "Dedicated to ambition, fashion disasters, and the memory of the finest thief Baldur's Gate has ever known. I think she'd appreciate the irony, don't you? Since it was ambition that took her in the end."
"You can't—"
"Oh, but I can. And I will." I flashed him my most dazzling smile. "After all, what's the point of being your first and most devoted worshipper if I can't cause a little chaos in your name?"
"And so, my darlings," I swept my arm in a grand arc, "let us remember my beloved daughter, my Mol, not as she died, but as she lived—clever, bold, and absolutely insufferable." A few chuckles rippled through the crowd. Good. She would have hated a somber farewell.
"She once told me that respect was overrated, but a good story was forever. So tonight, we'll gather at The Copper Crown—" I paused, savoring (hating) the moment. "Which, as of this morning, is officially mine. A gift from our dear departed troublemaker, who apparently thought it amusing to make me proprietor of a thieves' den."
More laughter now, genuine this time. Even Gale's divine aura flickered with something like approval.
"The first round is on the house," I announced, then added with a sharp smile, "Though I expect you all to drink enough top shelf to make me regret that particular generosity. It's what she would have wanted."
I turned to the ornate coffin, carved with the symbols of Mask that Mol had secretly worshipped. "Rest well, my little thief. Try not to pick too many celestial pockets." (Rob them blind, darling daughter.)
The mourners began filing out, heading toward the bar in the Lower City. I caught Gale's eye. "Don't disappear just yet, darling. You and I aren't finished."
He inclined his head, that infuriating divine patience still radiating from him. "I know."
"Splendid." I turned back to the ornate coffin, my hand brushing against the edge as if touching it could keep her closer for a moment longer. "Rest well, my little thief. The world is poorer without you, but the stars... they’re brighter now."
I straightened, adjusting my cravat as if donning armor. "Come, my darlings," he called to the remaining mourners. "Let us drink, lie, and fight in her memory. She'd want nothing less."
* * *
From within his divine avatar, Gale watched his old companions gather at their usual table in The Copper Crown. He hadn't intended to be here.  His business was no longer with these few friends.  He had a wider scope to learn to manage.  But Astarion was Astarion.
You always did know how to yank my chain.  It seems divinity has not lessened your pull on me.
Ao would not be pleased.  Yet, here he was.
The familiar weight of mortality hung over the mourners like a shroud, despite their attempts at cheer.
Halsin raised his glass. "To Mol."
"To Mol," they echoed.
Karlach leaned into Dammon, her new heart humming steadily. "The forge is doing well. We've been thinking..." She exchanged a look with her husband. "Maybe it's time to fill that empty room upstairs."
Lae'zel scoffed, but her eyes held warmth. "Your offspring will be fierce." She adjusted her armor, battle-worn from the Astral front. "Vlaakith's forces weaken. Soon, all will kneel to Orpheus."
The conversation drifted to the former Shadow-cursed lands.  Now known as Brightbough Vale, Jaheira and Halsin were proud of its prosperity and eager to share the newest developments, but Gale's attention fixed on Astarion. The vampire's fingers traced the outline of a vial in his pocket. His declaration of worship had been classic Astarion theatrics, yet beneath the performance lay raw desperation.
Gale recognized the maneuver for what it was: a challenge, a demand for divine intervention. For divine attention. Astarion was trying to force his hand, to draw him back into mortal affairs when he needed to focus on establishing his godhood.
Still, watching his friend's careful mask slip when he thought no one was looking stirred something in Gale's newly divine heart. Perhaps that was Astarion's real power – the ability to make even a god feel human again.
Gale watched Jaheira lean forward to draw Astarion into the conversation, her weathered hands curled around her cup. "What will you do next, Astarion? You could come to the Vale. We have room, and the children would benefit from your... unique perspective."
Oh, that won't work at all. He'd drive the initiates mad within a week.
Astarion's lips curved into that familiar, deflective smile. "Thank you, but I think I'll stay in the city. The Copper Crown needs attention, and someone has to keep these dregs in line." He gestured at the rowdy tavern crowd.
There it is. The lie wrapped in just enough truth to pass inspection.
Gale observed the subtle tells he'd learned over years of friendship – the way Astarion's fingers drummed against the table, how his gaze slid past direct eye contact a moment too soon.
"Running a tavern?" Jaheira's skepticism matched Gale's own. "That seems... beneath your usual ambitions."
"I'm tired of Patriar politics." Astarion shrugged. "Besides, the Lower City has its charms. More interesting characters, fewer tedious social obligations."
He's planning something. The bar's just a convenient excuse to stay in the city.
Gale wished he could pierce the veil of divinity and pull the answers directly from Astarion's mind, but even gods had their limitations. More than he had realized, if he was honest. He would have to do this the hard way, and it would be hard. Whatever Astarion was plotting, he'd wrap it in layers of half-truths and misdirection.
Just like old times, my friend. Though usually, I could be there to help untangle your schemes.
Gale watched Astarion deftly steer the conversation away from himself.
"Speaking of the Vale, how's that temple coming along, Shadowheart? Still insisting on putting up those gaudy moon symbols?"
Shadowheart's shoulders tensed. "Selûne's symbols are not gaudy."
As the others engaged in the theological debate Astarion had provoked, he caught Gale's attention with a slight tilt of his head toward a quiet corner. He produced a bottle of Baldurian brandy – Gale's old favorite – and poured two glasses.
"Come down here a moment, oh divine one. I have a theological question of my own."
Gale shifted his consciousness to join his friend. Strange, how the physical world felt both more and less real now.
Astarion swirled the amber liquid in his glass. "Tell me something. Would Mol be like Tav? Turning down resurrection?" His voice carried none of its usual artifice. "Because I've tried. With Tav. Multiple times. But she won't..." He knocked back the drink. "Well. You know how she is. Was."
The raw honesty caught Gale off guard. In all their years of friendship, Astarion had never spoken of Tav's death so directly.
Gale weighed his next words carefully. The truth would hurt, but Astarion had earned honesty. "I see more than I used to, but souls... they're complex. Most who find peace resist returning."
"Ah. Annual attempts too frequent then?" Astarion's attempt at levity fell flat. "I should space them out more."
The admission struck Gale silent. He'd watched those desperate rituals from afar, unable to intervene. Each failure had carved new lines of grief into his friend's otherwise ageless face.
"Don't look so shocked. We both know you've been keeping tabs." Astarion's fingers tapped against his glass. "Though I suppose proper worship requires some transparency on my part."
"What are you planning, Astarion?"
"Nothing that requires divine intervention." Astarion refilled their glasses. "For now, could we just... sit? Like we used to?"
The pull of the celestial planes tugged at Gale's consciousness – duties, responsibilities, the weight of divinity demanding his attention. But across from him sat his oldest friend, mask finally lowered, asking for nothing more than company.
Gale settled his divine presence more firmly into the moment. "I suppose the pantheon can wait."
Astarion tilted his glass, a sharp grin cutting across his face. "To making gods wait."
Gale shook his head, a trace of amusement softening his features. "And vampires who never change."
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misfitlunatik · 5 months ago
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I am feral for your artstyle and the blessings you continue to provide to the fandoms™️
may your internet always be lightning fast
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It's truly my pleasure 😘
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