#Gale is like all types of starved

[recitedemise]

𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗶𝗺𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲. Even as a child, Gale struggled to find steadfast friends. He had rambled too much, was a prodigious student among overly envious wizard boys, and honestly, to make sure he kept in the good graces of most, he, with some practice, hammered a mold. He didn't wear a mask, of course, more leaning on concealing his more 'unsavory' quirks, but it was not unlike walking like just half of he was--offering, essentially, the more 'palatable' parts. He was proud, sure, riling his share of more insecure peers, but he was good at magic, obnoxiously good, and in time, people weathered that pride to essentially ride his coattails. As Mystra's chosen, however, that doubled in force. He learned to hide himself, learned he was loved exclusively for magic. He made more friends among those lonely evenings in his tower, growing familiar with the voice of long dead authors and finding, of course, fulfillment in words. In fact, his idea of romance comes largely from words. It's partly why when smitten, he's such traditional ideas. He's not socially inept, mind you, but many of his thoughts come taken from stories, and if asked, he'd admit to having his heart steeped a touch in romanticism--though age, blessedly, has tempered the naive.

With the orb, unfortunately, he learned to quell himself only further. Gale could only feel so much, a terrible weight for a man who longs most to be seen and heard. Again, he'd further stemmed his excitements, his babbling passions and the stars in his eyes, and even despair and heartache were halved or quartered, or else, of course, the orb would burst. Now, he's learned not to be burden, that on top of being something half of himself. Suddenly, Gale being Gale wasn't just halfway a nuisance, but Gale being Gale could be more than inconvenient--Gale of Waterdeep is now plainly catastrophic.

Gale doesn't exactly hate himself, but it's hard for him to think anyone would like him for him. He's so starved to show himself just as he is--and it's partly why he rushes to give himself over completely when the moment's right.

[ofstardustanddreaming]

need your touch

preference summary: you're touch starved and what their reactions are.

content warnings: none

fandom: baldur's gate 3

characters: astarion, gale, wyll, halsin

gender neutral reader

anon request

Astarion: He's pretty touchy through the relationship. He prefers to initiate touch, but once he sees that you're leaning into his touch a little more than the average person would, he realizes that you might have been starved for affection. His heart breaks, knowing what it's like in a sense. He craves touch where he can consent to it, he's also been denied the touch that comes from loving hands, where it's not against his will. So, with you, he's able to start his journey of healing, being able to bring about touch for you, and you giving touch back that he wants. It's refreshing for him, but he also aims to make sure you're also given the attention you crave. He wants to see you happy, and you're the first he cares for in a long time. He will always have you pulled into his side, his touches always fleeting when you're in public. He's always taking his touch from your back to your arm, and eventually to hold your hand. He also really loves cuddling you at night, fully taking in your tiny shivers when you get the touches you so crave.

Gale: You do have to mention your starvation to him, and ask for the attention, because while he may notice it, he never wants to feel like he's giving you too much. He can't bare to hear that he's doing too much and having to dial it back. But Gale is one of the most cuddly people to grant your wishes for touch. When he finds out that you're starved for touch, he's wrapping himself around you like a koala. You barely get the question out of asking him to be a little more touchy with you, and he grants it. You're happy, I mean at this point, you don't have to ask for touch. If anything, you'd have to ask him to lessen his touch. But he's touch starved himself, and I definitely think his number one love language is physical touch. He always has one hand on you constantly, and it's definitely subconscious. He loves PDA, wanting to make sure everyone knew you were together. You'll never feel starved for affection again with Gale, he ensures that you're always wrapped in his embrace.

Wyll: He's very subtle with his touch, but it's always there when he reaches out for you. He notices your touch starvation, you never have to bring it up. Of course there's a deep conversation about it at some point, but you never have to outright ask him for more touch at any point. He's always there, grabbing your hand and kissing the palm, being very romantic with any touch he gives you. He'll hold your hand after kissing it, after spinning you around, pulling you as close as you could get to him. He kisses you all over the face, making sure no part of you went unmissed with kisses. He always makes sure you're pressed against him in some form or another, he's definitely a romantic at heart with his touches. They're always followed by some sort of words of affirmation as well, he really gets a kick out of seeing you flustered with the combo. But he really loves doting on you, ensuring his hand is always somewhere on your body, really just craving seeing you lean into his touch, never wanting to see you starved again.

Halsin: Oh Halsin, he very much makes sure that you're going to experience his touch whenever it's wanted by you. He notices your awkward attempts at getting more touch, and he asks you about it. He doesn't judge, in fact, it means he amps up his showering you in love through physical touch. He loves holding you close, especially when it comes to sleep. He leans a pretty decent amount of weight on you, a warm weighted blanket is what he felt like. He's really skilled at bear hugs, always pulling you in tight and pulling you slightly off the ground. He will always give you small kisses throughout the day, always trying to give you some sort of small embrace with it. He's the type to always have arms around you if everyone is idle for the night at camp, never one to shy away from PDA. He pulls you down on top of him near his tent, keeping a warm grip on you. He loves to nuzzle his head into your neck, really trying to put as much weight on you, knowing that kind of touch can be comforting.

[featherwurm]

I'm going to get a lot more personal on here than I usually do:

Baulder's Gate 3, and especially Karlach, make me feel seen in a way no price of media I've ever engaged with before has. It's a big reason why I love it and why it's sticking with me like it is. I too am a big, loud, enthusiastic woman who says out of pocket shit. I have a heavy internal dialogue with myself. I have a temper, I'm bisexual, I love cute shit. I endured years of being utterly touch starved. I love sex and food and being alive...

I also have cancer; it's Follicular B-Cell Lymphoma. I was diagnosed in 2020 when it had reached stage 3A. It's currently under control after chemo* and I'm living my life normally. But while it's a very treatable kind of cancer, it's not fully curable**. There's nothing in me they can remove (it's my whole lymphatic system that's broken) and no drug currently that can wholly knock it out. It's cause is not known (genetically or environmentally), and its unusual for this type of cancer to affect someone as young as I am (I was diagnosed at 35 - it's much more common 65+***). So every three months I go into oncology and they check my blood and symptoms and see if I'm doing ok. I get imaging and biopsies occasionally too. This will go on until I'm not ok (hopefully a long time yet). I'll have to have still manageable but more invasive treatment the next time around. It's a well researched kind of cancer, and my oncologist hopes that in the next decade there may be some more permanent cure for it.

So you can see where I'm going with this. When you hit Karlach's monologue after killing Gortash, I've never felt better understood. I have no one to blame for my condition, no revenge arc of course, but the very same fear, frustration, grief, and anger are all things my husband has heard from me. I've never seen a more beautiful and moving and real exploration of the topic that resonates with me so meaningfully out of a piece of fiction that I love. Béart's performance is amazing - capturing a whole spectrum of emotion.

Karlach's story is absolutely not incomplete as written, confirmed by both the devs and Sam Béart - a terminal condition is just that. You don't get to fix or save her, you get to go with her through tremendous trial and difficulty. If you want to continue that story in your mind that's great (I know I'm eager to do so, for my own personal encouragement if nothing else) but on it's own it's a whole story about coming to terms with something that doesn't have a quick and easy little fetch-quest resolution.

So - every time I see another whinging post/essay/bitchfest about how her story feels "unfinished" or "incomplete" or "has too much cut content" you can see why I might take it a bit personally - knowing that the life I have, the easy solutions I don't get, and the frustration and grief I live with is seen as incorrect and wrong and bad writing makes me a little pissed off. If you think the story is incomplete as told and think a 'third engine upgrade' is missing you completely missed the point.

Karlach doesn't get a simple easy ending because people like me**** don't get that either. And like my husband and the others who love me you can choose to follow that story anyway. And that's fucking beautiful.

*Yeah dealing with cancer and undergoing chemo during a pandemic was really a peach.

**XKCD hits the nail on the head here and here.

***Current treatments have good decade long prognoses... but saying 'you'll probably be fine for the next 10 years' is a lot different at 35 than it is at 65.

****And believe me I've heard from a lot of chronic/terminally ill folks who love the game for the way it represents these things and feel the same, with her Gale, and Shadowheart too.

[honest-moth-of-silver-grove]

Hcs for a Tav who grew up being starved/neglected. Maybe their parents were poor or they were an orphan on the street. They don’t hoarde too much food but they don’t eat in front of others. And rarely take enough. And they refuse to shower near the others or camp super close to them. They’re almost always on alert and are really bad at self care. They’re always dirty, hair a mess. They kind of smell. And they are also ashamed of the fact no one taught them how to take care of themselves???

For Astarion, Gale, Halsin, and Wyll? ^_^

Thank you!

A/N: Oh Nonnie, I feel this! I was a child of divorce and at one house we were very disciplined and had routines for self-care and homework and everything. But the other house was chaotic and full of resentment and neglect. It’s so odd how something 20+ years ago can still affect you today, but it absolutely can. 💚

For some resources on having to figure things out as an adult, may I recommend the “How Do I Dad?” YouTube Channel and the r/InternetParents subreddit? Those are the two I like the best atm. Also remember, Google is your friend. Whenever I want a real person to answer, I usually type in my question with a plus sign then Reddit (+reddit) which will pull up real user’s threads from Reddit about the subjects you’re Googling. It’s one of the last platforms I think is usable in that way. So that's why I do that. Then again, I’m old and might just miss the old ppl’s Internet. 

Anyway, on to the ask!

…

TW: Mentions of Past Neglect, Disordered Eating, Food Insecurity

...

🧼️ HCs for Neglected!(GN)Tav With Astarion, Halsin, & Wyll 🛁

Astarion: 

Okay, he’s kinda a dick about it at first. He doesn’t mean to be. Well, I mean, yes he meant to make those petty comments, but he wouldn’t have made them if he knew about Tav’s past circumstances. Once Tav lets it slip they’re bad at self-care because no one ever taught them, Astarion immediately feels a sense of kinship. 

He was a magistrate before Cazador captured and turned him, and he considered himself to be a man of some luxury, but after being taken that all changed. He lived in filth, he was fed filth, by the hells, Cazador saw him as filth. He knows what it feels like to be seen as worthless and to have to survive in meager conditions. He wants Tav to understand none of it is their fault. They had no control over their circumstances. He tells Tav to never apologize for the way they had to live in order to survive. 

The first thing he offers to help Tav with is bathing and dressing. When Cazador let him out to lure victims, Astarion perfected disguising his undead scent over the decades. Part of it was using oils and perfumes, and another part was choosing the right attire. He’ll find the right kind of soap and cleansing oils for Tav's skin and hair type, insisting they get only the best the markets of Baldur’s Gate have to offer. If Tav can’t afford it, who cares? He’ll just sneak around the merchant and steal it while Tav distracts them. Or Lazel, if Tav refuses to do something so morally questionable.

He doesn’t really pick up on Tav’s refusal to eat with the others, mainly because Astarion also doesn’t eat with the others. But if Tav requests, Astarion will gladly sit and gossip with Tav as they eat their meal, away from everyone else. 

Astarion might suggest the party visit an inn or a bar one night, and encourage Tav, in his way, to let their guard down and eat around the others. He wants Tav to practice consuming food in the presence of their other friends. Astarion believes it’ll do two things: 1) It’ll prove to Tav, that it’s safe to eat in their company and 2) It’ll reinforce what Astarion’s been saying to them, that there’s nothing wrong with the way they eat. Even if they scarf their food down or eat with their hands or burp extra loud- who cares? Karlach practically inhales three portions in a single bite. Gale won’t shut up while he eats, so he’s always talking with his mouth full. And Shadowheart takes the tiniest bites imaginable, meaning she takes fricken forever to finish a single plate. Everyone has their own style, and Tav’s is nothing to be ashamed of. 

If Tav and Astarion are especially close or if they’re dating, Astarion will even offer to help Tav wash up. Not because he wants to see them naked, or to have sex, but because he really wants to shower them in affection. He’ll gently massage their shoulders as he works the cleansing oils into them. He’ll help them balance, bending backward as he washes their hair, gently using the very tips of his sharp nails to scratch their scalps. It feels heavenly, and it’s a great intimate, non-sexual way for the two of them to grow closer. 

It may be true no one was there to take care of either Astarion or Tav in the years past. But now that they’re together, the two of them can take care of each other. 

Halsin: 

Halsin prefers to live amongst nature as opposed to city dwellings, so he’s more accustomed to roughing it than the others may be. That being said, he’s not unclean, or unkempt- he keeps himself very well groomed (as one must do when they tend to ask to bed anyone and everyone they come into contact with for more than five seconds). He assumes Tav is just more accustomed to frequent bathing at first. Not everyone is as fortunate as he is. But he begins to suspect something the more the days go on, and Tav’s appearance and demeanor don’t change. 

He’ll try casually inviting Tav to come bathe with him. He knows the perfect spot just beyond the Grove, that’s secluded but not too small, that would well accommodate both of their bodies. He suggests this regardless of whether he and Tav are dating or not. If Tav is hesitant, he apologizes for being forward and kindly explains he just wanted to present Tav with the opportunity to take some time for themselves. When Tav breaks down in front of him, explaining why they’re so upset about the idea of grooming and self-care, Halsin is immediately sympathetic.  He listens intently as Tav gets their fears off their chest. 

Once Halsin understands Tav’s situation, he’ll take them into his tent, and show Tav his collection of soaps and brushes and oils. Halsin explains how he prefers to use each one, before gifting them to Tav to keep for themselves. When Tav protests that it’s too much, Halsin puts a hand up to stop them. He can always buy new items. Besides, he’s learned how to make the most of what only Mother Nature has to offer. He can manage without fancy cleansers and bristles for a time. Tav deserves them more. 

Halsin might even offer Tav some clothes if he has any that wouldn’t be too difficult to tuck or take in, as he’s a very tall man. With Tav’s permission, he might even ask Shadowheart Lazel or even Astarion if they have something they could spare for the time being, if Tav is too embarrassed or shy to ask for themselves. 

He offers to keep watch and guard Tav as they bathe, promising not to look unless Tav asks them to. If the two are dating, Halsin will assist them, helping Tav scrub down, and removing all the dirt, grime, and dead skin before washing them in the water. If the two are only friends, Halsin keeps his promise of not looking at Tav until they are dressed again. He’ll help detangle and braid Tav’s hair, taking care not to pull too hard on any knots. The whole ordeal leaves Tav feeling rather pampered. 

As far as eating goes, Halsin will always offer to share any meal he catches while the party is camping together, which is how Halsin notices Tav’s different eating habits. Halsin swears that as long as he is well and able to hunt and gather food, Tav will never go hungry in his presence. Halsin assures Tav that it’s okay to eat full, rather than stockpile most of their meals for later. It’s much more important to eat for energy now, rather than wait to eat later. It keeps one’s energy levels stable and helps to reduce any unintentional food waste as things tend to spoil sooner rather than later. 

Halsin takes it upon himself to become a provider of sorts for Tav, the one Tav never had. He plans to lavish Tav with so much attention and care, that those wounds caused by years of abandonment and neglect have no choice but to close. 

Wyll: 

Wyll is a bit awkward about it in the beginning. Not because he intends to be rude, but because he’s unsure of how to approach the subject with Tav without sounding like a snide ass. If it were any other companion, he might have made an offhand comment days ago, but when it comes to their leader, Wyll holds much more admiration and respect. So, Wyll holds his tongue until things become a bit more apparent, and he believes he knows the most sensitive way to navigate them. 

When everyone sits down to eat, Wyll asks Tav if they’d like to join them. He does this every evening, hoping Tav will eventually say yes. If Tav still doesn’t bite, he’ll come to them, and ask if he could sit next to Tav as they eat. Wyll makes a casual conversation between bites, trying to bring Tav out of their shell. If there's still no change, Wyll opens up about being on his own, having been kicked out of his home as a young man. He reveals how for the first few years he was often hungry, tired, and cold- being forced to move around from place to place outside of Baldur’s Gate without the proper supplies to fend for himself or keep himself dry. This prompts Tav to open up a bit about their past- how they also had to survive on their own, and now, as an adult, they don’t know how to do anything other than ‘survive’. 

Wyll is, of course, empathetic. Tav may not have come from a noble background like Wyll did, but that’s no excuse for all Tav had to endure, especially as a child. Wyll tells them he’s sorry Tav had to live through all that, and makes it very clear that it was in no way, Tav’s fault. They were just a kid, they should have been protected. There’s nothing to feel ashamed about. They didn’t fail, other people failed them. 

Wyll had to learn how to do many things on his own, and he thinks it would be best for him to share all he’s learned. One night he sits with Tav at dinner, encouraging Tav to eat, as Wyll tells them how he learned where to stay, how to get work, when to leave, and where to train. 

Together, Wyll and Tav come up with a list of items Tav most likely needs for self-care. All the while Wyll does his best to ensure Tav doesn’t feel judged for lacking such things. Again, Wyll reminds them, it’s not their fault. And there’s never any time to start like the present. If they’re close enough to a market, Wyll will take them there, and help Tav purchase everything they need. However, if they’re somewhere without vendors, say the Underdark or the Shadowlands, Wyll will approach a party member for assistance. 

Out of all of the companions, Wyll asks Astarion if he has any extra cleansing soaps or oils because Wyll knows Astarion’s the most high-maintenance party member amongst them lol. Once Wyll secures those items, he gifts them to Tav, and lets them know he’d be happy to stand guard while they bathe. Wyll plants himself midway between the camp and the river, giving Tav ample space. Wyll would feel being too close to them, in this manner, at this point, even if he and Tav were in a relationship, would be inappropriate. 

Once Tav is bathed and dressed, Wyll escorts them back to the fire. As Tav’s hair dries, Wyll regales them with much more upbeat stories, tales of his times as the Blade of Frontiers. His battles and triumphs, his rescues and saves- all of that. He wants Tav to know he has their back. Wyll is capable of protecting Tav, and he intends to do it in a way where Tav never has to feel abandoned or forgotten again.

...

💚💚 Don't Forget to Like & Please Reblog!!! 💚💚

[thecordelialetters]

I’ll love you in every multiverse: First Dates and First Loves Pt. 3 I Five Hargreeves x Reader

Post Apocalypse Au! WC: 2.58k Pt. 1 Pt.2 Pt.3 Pt.4

Summary: You're Five's wife from another universe and he's trying really hard to help you back home, unfortunately, it's been weeks and you're losing hope and he's gaining feelings.

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It's been 4 weeks of research, quality time, sexual tension, and awkwardness, and it was starting to get to you. You knew you shouldn't have feelings for this Five, but this version feels new, like when your relationship has begun again. It was the tender touches and the sense of leaving each other wanting. It felt good but it was torturous.

Today was Friday, every Friday you and Five ordered food and watched a movie to convey some type of normalcy. It started when you guys had been reading and making equations for 11 hours when you had had enough. -------------------------- 3 weeks ago --------------------------------- The two of you sat in Five's room surrounded by a ginormous load of reading material. "Okay, I can't do this right now I'm actually going to explode." You pushed all the papers in front of you aside. Five sighed and leaned back in his chair, a few buttons of his shirt undone from the summer heat. You watched as he flicked his hair back with his hand then rubbed his wrist from the pain of writing so long. "What are you looking at?" He questioned. "Nothing, just thought I saw something." Oh, you saw something all right. Something that made your pulse quicken. But now wasn't the time to think about how hot he was you shook your head "Look we've been at this straight for 4 days I think we need a little pick me up." You started typing away on your phone for the closest pizza place and best movies streaming now. Five furrowed his brows at you before dusting his pants and standing up, "Okay while you do that I'm going to take a shower." Pointing to him you replied, "Fine but you better be back for this prime-time fun." He waved you off but nodded. You had managed to find a pizza store nearby that delivered and ordered half pepperoni, half cheese, with a diet Coke. Plopping on Five's bed you opened his laptop that Viktor had gifted him. Plain. Looking fresh from the store with the mediocre sky background screen saver. You turned your head to the door waiting to see if you had enough time before opening the camera app and taking a photo on his computer and changing it to the background, the perfect prank. You then began typing away looking for free movies online. Normally it would take you forever to find a movie with your Five, the both of you were pretty picky in wanting to find just the right movie. But right now you just wanted to let some steam off. Reaching over you pulled out a side table to rest the laptop on and sat on the edge of Five bed leaning your back against the wall. You grabbed one of his pillows to hug against your chest, subtly inhaling the smell.

You heard Five come in the room and opened your eyes. "You weren't sleeping during our fun Friday right?" He laughed. You smiled, "I wouldn't miss it for the world, and I've already picked out a movie!" He walked in pizza in one hand, plates and napkins in another. You scooted over to make space for him and leaned over to play the movie. "The hunger games? Is this a movie about starving people? Because I prefer thrillers." You laughed loudly, partially because he wasn't wrong. He rolled his eyes before grabbing a slice of pepperoni pizza and putting it on a plate. "Here," he moved it closer, "for you." You grabbed the slice, "What a gentleman."

The two of you sat in silence, munching on your pizza while watching Katniss Everdeen volunteer as tribute. “Me and my husband loved these movies, he was team Gale, initially.” The two of you watched Gale and Katniss say goodbye for the first time. Five hummed “Gale does look more suitable for Katniss. But I won’t judge for now.”

The two of you were halfway into the movie and had 2 slices left of the pie. Sleep was beginning to overcome you as your eyes fluttered open and shut. Five looked at you from the side of his eyes. You looked so cute like that. Like a child trying to stay up past their bedtime. Hesitantly he spoke up in a soft voice, “ You…you can lean on me if you’re tired.” You yawned, confirming that you were indeed sleepy. Slowly your head fell to his shoulder as you shimmied closer to get comfortable. Five prayed you couldn’t hear his heart as he leaned his cheek on the top of your head. He closed his eyes and hoped this moment would last forever, he inhaled deeply trying to remember everything he had experienced with you so far.

Your breaths slowed down, indicating you were fast asleep. Five didn't want to interrupt your peaceful slumber so he carefully scooped his arm under your neck and legs to lay you down. He reached for the laptop closed the movie and saw the little present you left as his screen saver. He laughed, you were cute. Your pearly white smile was wide and your eyes were shut. He'd definitely keep it this way. He shut the laptop and began cleaning up the remnants of dinner before bringing them downstairs.

You stirred in your sleep, twisting and groaning as if you were having a bad dream. Five crept back into the room hearing your discomfort. He approached you and placed a hand in yours, perhaps thinking that the comfort would help you sleep. But your turned and pulled him toward you hugging his arm, face pressed against his palm. He wanted to leave, not in a bad way, but he didn't want to take advantage of you. Although, you had looked so much calmer with his hand in yours. He carefully laid above the covers making sure to not disrupt you. Five stared up at the ceiling, a million thoughts running through his mind. He genuinely enjoyed your presence and thought less and less about Delores. It was no surprise to him why almost every variation of himself was in love with you, and it scared him to admit that he was one of them. He closed his eyes, wishing to silence the thought, and eventually drifted off.

You cheek was smushed up against something hard and your hand against something warm, the smell of cologne and books welcomed your nose. Well whatever it was, it was breathing. You looked upward and saw your husband, you reached your hand to trace his jawline before pressing a kiss to his neck and snuggling deep into his side for a bit extra shut-eye. Unknown to you, Five was awake and felt everything, he knew you must've confused him for your Five but he pretended to sleep. You woke up again but this time Five was gone. You stretched out your arms and let out a groan before getting up and wandering downstairs. You saw Five nose-deep in a newspaper with a fresh pot of coffee. "Morning! Five, how did you like the movie last night. Sorry, I fell asleep I was exhausted." The boy put down his mug before responding "No worries, I kinda got into it and finished while you were asleep." He paused, thinking about his next words, "It was really fun just kind of relaxing." You jumped up and smiled, "I'm glad! We should do these movie nights often." You zipped around the counter to pour yourself a glass, unaware of green eyes following you, memorizing your figure.

--------------------------- Present Day ----------------------------------

Ever since then Friday nights became a regular thing for you and Five. You would order in fast-food and pick a movie. It almost always ended with you falling alseep first and the Five, but the two of you never acknowledged that.

There was a knock on the academy door. "I'll get it." Five said he was able to get there the fastest after all. "Viktor?" he said skeptically, "Come in, what are you doing here?" He moved away to let his brother in. "I'm here just checking in on you and our uh new visitor. You two kinda disappeared for a while. Luther and Ally had to catch up on work, Diego and Lila had plans, I don't know about Klaus but we wanted to know what was up." Viktor took a good look at Five. Although he still retained those dark eyebags under his green eyes, they seemed lighter. He even looked like he put on a healthier weight. "They're all busy with their own things, seems reasonable I'm busy with mine. But for you and our sibling's information, I'm doing just fine. I've been helping (y/n) try to get back home for a while. It's been...tough. But we're slowly making progress." Viktor nodded understanding that they, including him, as of late have not been the most invested in Five.

You came walking from behind Five, "Hello Viktor! Nice to see you again." Viktor waved awkwardly. It was funny seeing someone you'd known for years but here you'd only just met. "You know Viktor back in my universe we hung out a lot. I went to every one of your concerts." You paused, "I missed that." Viktor smiled, you were so nice, he kinda wished you were apart of this universe and this family. "Well, I have a concert tomorrow if you wanted to come? I know you two are probably busy with the machine but..." Five and you spoke simultaneously "I'd love to." "Yeah we are." You turned to look at Five with a harsh look before responding, "What time is it and were?" "its a 7pm at the mainstreet theater." You grabbed his arm excitedly, "We'll be there!"

When Viktor left Five looked at you with one eyebrow raised, "Don't we have work to do?" As much as he wanted to support Viktor, the two of you were busy, and there was no end in sight to when you would be able to go back home. Weren't you worried? At times he thought you to be too carefree, unbeknownst to the seriousness of your own situation sometimes. "Yes, but it's good to be there for Viktor, it's important to him." You had similar talks with your Five, growing up in an emotional student house, vying for the affections of their stoic father, you could tell that it was hard for the family at times to understand certain things. "Sometimes, it helps to be the first one to reach out, it shows that you care and you want to prioritize them." You nudged him on the arm. "Now...weren't we about to commit to our weekly movie night?" And that's how the two of you ended up in his bed once again burger wrappers in hand while The Conjuring played in the back. You pulled the covers over your eyes and gripped Five's sleeve. "Why did you have to pick a scary movie. Five.. she's right behind Lorainne!" You jumped up and buried your face in his side. "I can't watch!" You cried. Five only chuckled and pulled you closer. "Shh, It's okay it's almost over." His voice soothed you. You peeked through your fingers for the ending. "I didn't take you to be a scared cat." He chuckled. "Me and my Five used to go on movie dates often. I remember the first day he took me too was at the movies and it was Insidious. I had no idea what it was and didn't research beforehand. But I had a feeling he did it on purpose because I was so terrified I was almost in his lap." You remembered your first day fondly. "Anyways I was so scared after the movie and after he drove me home that I had called him that night to talk and refused to hang up, just in case the monster got me. So he stayed up all night talking to me. I swear we talked until 5 am, about everything." It pained Five to know that these were memories of him, but not. He had risked everything for his family and given up so much of his life due to one mistake. Didn't he deserve this? You continued, "You want to know when I fell in love with you?" Five nodded. "We had 3 dates so far, not too fancy just dinner and the occasional movie. But the day I fell in love wasn't even planned"

----------------------October 15 2018-----------------------------------

You had just the shittiest day at work ever. Absolute garbage. You worked at Lancroft Banking, one of the world's biggest banks, so there was constant pressure and work. Today your boss had made snarky comments at you all day about how you messed up the calculation in the data that was supposed to go to their international team. It was a small era just due to the outdated information you received. But someone must've shat in his coffee that day because nonstop was he giving you backhanded comments. You cried your whole lunch break and texted Five that you were going to quit because of your shit boss ( just a bluff though).

After work, you were getting ready to head to the train when a bouquet of tulips infiltrated your view. Your eyes looked up to the giver of the beautiful flowers. "I heard my favorite girl had a hard day at work." You blushed at his words. "You were having a bad day, so I'm here to distract you. I've already picked up Thai from Mai Thai and got (your favorite dish). I have vanilla ice cream in my fridge and the entire (favorite movie) collection waiting for us at my place." You were shell-shocked. No one had ever taken the time to care for you like this. And it wasn't till you were driving in his car, ranting to him about your job when it hit you like a soft wave crashing in. You started to notice how his eyes crinkled when he smiled, the little flash of a dimple on his cheek. His responses faded into the background when a warm hand grabbed yours. The moment felt perfect, he felt perfect, not a flaw in your eyes. You had been in what you thought was love in high school. But this was different. No one had cared for you like this. I mean there was Diego who looked out for you in the police academy but Five? Five had taken the time to understand you, listen to you, talk to you. You thought to yourself, "I think...this is what love is."

-------------------------------Present ------------------------------------

"We dated for 2 years before you proposed." You said while admiring your ring. "This ring you had custom-made for me." You pushed your hand out to show off the diamond ring surrounded by two small emeralds. A thick silence came across the two of you. It was undeniable the attraction the two of you had for each other, but neither wanted to push the boundaries. They feared the consequences. You eventually had to go back home and Five eventually would have to move on. It was complicated. "Well, I'm a bit tired so I'm going to head to bed now. Good night (y/n) I'll see you tomorrow." Five lifted the covers, letting a cool breeze hit your legs before packing up the food and his laptop and retreating to the door. "Good night Five, sleep well." You responded. Your body ached for his closeness again, the feeling of comfort and solitude in a single person. Instead of calling out you just laid back in bed and closed your eyes replaying the last moments again and again you had before you fell through the portal. This was a mistake.

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Author's note: I know there are still a lot of unanswered questions but I'm just getting started! be on the lookout for pt 4!

I also just want to say I finally realized messages and inboxes are two different things so I was able to read some of your comments! Thank you so much to everyone who has written something nice, your comments make me want to keep writing and be better.

I will get around to some of the requests!

Masterlist 🖊️

Taglist : @cialovesklopp , @lovehatekill, @rosekeu , @iifrui

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[secret-smut-sideblog]

When The Night Is Over

Astarion x F! Tav

18+ blood drinking (duh), dom/sub, sexual tension, vulnerability, dubcon, predator/prey, group sex, free use, complicated feelings, relationships forming

Tav was no stranger to vampiric hunger and found her new companion in the throes of it. He held tightly to his mask, but her offer to guide him could crumble it...

Masterlist

-

He was a vampire. It was... well. Obvious.

That first encounter, when he had held a dagger to her throat and got a well-deserved crack into his head with hers, she had felt it on the cold that radiated from his skin. Further confirmed by the flash of fangs as he spoke.

She almost felt sorry about it. He clearly thought he had everyone fooled, though she couldn't parse why. Maybe a lack of reflection had made his visage a ghost to him over time. But surely he couldn't have been turned long. He had the unmistakable air of a fledgling about him. Uncertain about his place and finding suitable prey. Hunting skills still soft on the edges.

He stood over her many nights at this point, unaware how light a sleeper being fed on had made her. She waited for him to lean down, to graze his nose along her neck. Surely he could smell it. Her blood had been highly coveted. A rare type that danced on the tongue. Or so she had been told.

But he didn't. Eventually wandering away toward the forest to search for scraps.

It baffled her, rising on elbows to watch him dissappear in the treeline. Did he not know how to feed on people? Had no one taught him?

A sorrow sat low in her belly. Scoffing at her soft heart, she flopped back onto her bedroll. He was clearly starving, and, of course, it had to be her. It was always going to be her.

She turned on her side and grumbled.

Fine. She would show him.

Night fell heavy over the camp, fire low, her companions all spread into their small homes. The comforting sound of Gale's snore mingling with cricket song.

On hushed feet, she ducked into his tent.

He was awake. Of course he was. Glancing up from his book like he had expected her.

"Well..." He purred. "Isn't this a surprise."

She nearly rolled her eyes. Sweet talk had never worked on her. And she had no amorous interest tonight.

Falling to knees, she straddled over his hips. Pulling her blouse open.

"Oh, moving quickly? I'm not opposed." He lilted, setting his book aside to rise onto elbows. Cocking his head just so, arching his back into a lean.

"Do you see the scars? Look closely." She hushed, lifting his head with a pull on his nape. Directing him to above her breast where two small pinprick scars lay.

"That's a minor artery. Start there."

His eyes went wide, all sensuality fallen away. Looking up at her like a stray she had offered a succulent meal to.

"I'm not-"

"You are. I know what I'm doing. You're safe. Now be fed."

He took a strangled breath and grasped her ribcage. Opening his mouth wide. Biting down with the fervor of a starved man.

The bite of fang had become standard to her, but he was messy in his fervor. Teeth cutting instead of sliding. The suction of his lips barely formed, blood spilling in his gasps down her front.

She positioned her thumb into the point behind his clavicle that would force him to release pre-emptively. With the way he was taking she would likely need it.

"I wish you could have practiced with someone else." She sighed, though she doubted he could hear her. The lapping and low gasps all he was likely capable of in this moment. "My blood is a lot, I know."

He whimpered against her breast when she tried to gently pull him away.

"Okay, just a little more." She sighed, her limbs tingling. Such a soft heart she had.

She trailed her fingers gently along his temple, the points of her nails brushing along the downy hair along his ear.

He leaned his head into her, whimpering again. His grip still bruised on her ribcage, but his eyes fluttered under lids at her touch.

"Okay, that's all I can give." She directed. Turning her thumb in preparation. The soft point that would force him back poised under the pad. "Release, Astarion."

He gripped on tighter, trying to rise over her. Pressing his warmed body deep into hers in demand. The ridge of his hard cock pushed into her thigh.

"That's what I thought." She sighed. "Sorry about this."

She pressed into the release, her thumb pushed deep into the tender point. A pain she knew was crippling seized him, falling back from her in a twist. His mouth open in a silent scream.

Quickly reaching inside his mouth, she gathered venom laced saliva and spread it across her breast before clamping her hand over it. The ragged wound pulling itself closed under the pressure of her palm.

"Well, you got most of it into your mouth." She encouraged, staring down at her blood-soaked front. "How do you feel?"

He stared up at her in a daze. Lost and shaken. The haze of first taken blood.

"Oh... I hadn't realized." She softly breathed. "You hadn't..."

She removed her ruined blouse and wiped up his front. Touching as softly as her drained limbs would allow.

"Why...?" He eventually gasped, watching her with tight fear. Eyes full of her bright blood.

"You were starving." She said simply. Wiping the last of her from him.

He stared down at her. His brows knitted together, distrust flitting behind the natural vigor in his body.

"I'm not some kind of pervert, if that's what you're thinking." She sighed, sitting back from him. "I... used to know someone like you. A very long time ago. They taught me how to stay alive while being fed from."

"So I'm not your first?" The purr was back in his voice, still trying to convince himself.

"No. Far from it. Vampires can smell people like me. As I'm sure you've noticed."

He huffed, darting his eyes from her like a caught child. She smiled.

"It's not your fault. My blood is a siren. It's better for me to control this exchange, trust me."

"How do you feel?" She tried again. Sitting back on her knees.

He shook his head, staring down at his open hands. Flexing them in slow pumps.

"Strong. Clear." He hushed in awe. "I haven't..."

She rung out her soaked blouse into an abandoned goblet of wine at his bedside.

"You..." He looked up at her again. Eyes swimming in complex feeling. "Thank you."

She shrugged, rising to feet. Tapping twice on his cheek playfully.

"You owe me a new shirt. Goodnight, Astarion."

He smiled carefully, nodding at her in depart. His fingers grazing hers as she pulled from him.

"Goodnight, darling."

She had been content to keep their exchange between them, but he had insisted on coming clean to the others in the morning. Though, she still led that discussion.

There was, naturally, a lot of uproar. Gale's shouted 'He did WHAT?!' drawing an already forming crowd. But she stifled it immediately. The fact that she had led the feeding seemed to calm the upset slightly.

"I am not a victim, and you will treat him with civility. If you have any prejudices you must air you will bring them to me. Understood?"

Eyes darted from her in vague shame, nods conforming to her directive. Feeling Astarion's gaze on her back.

"Good. I'm glad we've come to an understanding."

"Yes, we're all friends again." Astarion sighed, stepping from behind her shadow.

"Well, just so you know, I taste absolutely awful." Gale urged, unable to help himself.

She smiled, clapping her hand on his shoulder as she passed. "I'm sure you do."

"I do!" He huffed.

"Lucky." She laughed.

"Tav, a word?" Astarion caught up with her, long legs taking up her stride.

"What's up?" She offered easily.

"Can I... if you're up for it..."

"Can you feed on me again?" She finished for him.

He paused, halting their step. Turning to her.

"I don't want this to be... I'm grateful."

"I'm glad to help. I know I'm... abrasive sometimes."

"Oh no, I love it." He hurried. His words ringing out genuine. "I've always had a soft spot for frightening women."

She smiled. "Good. You can feed from me tonight, if you'd like."

His shoulders settled, smiling in an open way she hadn't seen before.

"I'd like that." He sighed.

Her heart fluttered involuntarily. Gods damn her. It's always the soft eyes that got her.

"I'll show you some good artery points. In case you want to explore with anyone else. Halsin seems like he has a lot of hot, thick blood." She mused, a sparkle of tease in her eyes.

"That's not all that's thick about him, I'd wager..." Astarion sighed dreamily.

Tav laughed, and his eyes returned to hers. Something terribly soft in them again.

"I like your laugh."

"Don't get used to it, leech."

He smiled wide, curling into dimples that popped up. Fuck.

"I'll see you tonight." She pat his bicep affably.

"Count on it." He sighed.

Astarion sat in the curve of her leg, feeding from her opposite thigh. The vein that sat above her knee a favored feeding spot of her previous counterpart.

She missed him terribly, and the young spawn sat it the crook of her body reminded of him.

He had cornered her under the cover of a tree. Eyes wild in that deep starving red. Pressing her to the bark.

"How are you not a slave yet?" He hissed.

"Excuse me?" She breathed, the disgust she meant to project lost in her throat.

"You know what I mean. I can smell it in you." He pressed harder to her.

"I've gotten good at killing." She smiled.

He smiled back.

"So that's where they've been going."

"You're going to feed on me."

"Yes. But it doesn't have to end that way."

He held the curve of her waist.

"I can show you. I can teach you."

"They're not going to stop, are they?" She sighed.

"No. But it can be on your terms."

So he showed her. He made her a formidable lamb.

"There is strength in feigning prey. They all think your a soft little thing. And you bleat so sweetly, it's quite convincing."

She laughed. Tangling her legs with his. Her bare breast rising and falling, his tongue slowly gathering the stray drops along her sternum.

He had been resistant to giving her any information on his turning, his lord. But it was inevitable. He had been punished severely but assured his sire that she was special and offered to prove it. She went willingly.

They pulled her inside the ballroom, many like her already positioned in a circle. Fear wide in their eyes. All filled with blood that sang. They wouldn't last long.

She stood obediently in the circle, shoulders relaxed. Feeling eyes rove her frame delicately draped in a cream dress. Oh yes, she could play the part.

Her blood companions fell quickly, drained, and thrown aside. Eyes appraised her as she leaned back into the pull. She fought, pushing weakly against arms. Cooing out pleas, trying to scramble away when one would release her as another shoved their way to her throat. Yanking her back by the waist. They liked when she tried to run.

A hierarchy quickly formed. Lower ranking stood while higher ranking kneeled in a circle around her, waiting for the contender to release her. Or to slip up enough to cut their throat. The blood splattering in waves across her ripped dress. The ones in waiting rubbing into their sex, breathing heavily at her sides.

The one on top of her would always feign dominance at first, thrusting into her in a great show of their prowess. But it never lasted. They would fall to her sloppily, gasping into their pleasure. Gulping blood by the mouthful. The spill being caught by those kneeled. Lunging forward to lap at it and spread it between mouths. The ones standing moaning in longing, stroking themselves.

She would cry out like a caught little thing, hiding her desire. Her cunt clenching around her captor. The most salacious pleasure rocking through her. She shouldn't have liked it, and that made her want it more. Roving the eyes of the waiting with lidded beckoning.

They always liked the idea that they corrupted her, only giving in to their most powerful. Gloating over her moaning as they thrust into her. Calling out how good of a whore she had become for them. Her nodding in a haze on her belly, finally showing her true colors. The squelching of her sex telling on her. The bold of the circle drawing forward to slide under her, taking up her throat. Cumming with a shudder as they latched on.

It rapidly devolved into an orgy at that with her at the center. Many tongues licking along her. Many fingers pulling, rubbing, and urging. Cumming again and again and passing from blood loss with the same rhythm. Revived with a new cock or fingers inside her, the ritual going until the sun intruded.

When all were fed and collapsed on the blood smeared marble, he would find her. Lifting her onto his chest, walking her down to the secret exit. Hushing encouragement against her hair.

She had become a favorite quickly. And when one would, inevitably, try to make her theirs, she would kill them easily. The wrath of the lamb.

Her eyes glazed over as Astarion fed, core aching at the memory. He glanced at her center, breathing heavily into her flesh. His own hard filling his trousers.

It was natural. Like the mouth salivating around sour candy. She had ignored it, content to let him lead his pleasure. Though he had shown remarkable restraint. Only gently grinding on her a handful of times.

Now, though, he watched the curve of her sex with hunger she had seen many times. He could smell her arousal flooding.

She pulled him closer in the curve of her leg, encouraging him to the seat of her. His pupils widened into saucers. Fingers dancing up her thigh. Palm hovering over her clothed cunt.

She waited for him to cup her, breath held. But he pulled away. Eyes darting from her. Licking his wound closed.

"Done for the night?" She offered, her tone soft in its casual. Giving him the out.

"Yes, you've been... Gods it's so good." He shuddered.

She nodded, pulling her legs back to her center as he rose to a kneel. "You're getting good at stopping."

"Thank you. I'm... well, it was very hard for me. That first time."

"I understand."

"I know you do." He scoffed, eyeing her with incendiary affection. "Stop being so sweet with me."

"I'll do what I please. Now get out of my tent."

He smiled that wide cheeky smile again. Rising onto knees to crawl toward her.

"And if I don't...?"

"I have a stake with your name on it."

"Is that a promise?"

She pushed his face away in a playful huff. His laugh smothered under her palm.

"Hush. Begone from me."

"As you wish." He purred. And she believed it this time. Her body heating.

"I really am grateful, you know." He paused at the mouth of her tent, his profile lit by the falling moonlight. Gods, why was he so beautiful.

"I know." She called softly.

He stood for a moment more, then ducked out into night.

~

I'm making this into a two part cause it's getting out of hand. so.

Part 2

[galedekarios]

this is probably going to be controversial and it's not meant to be a slight against gale or people who enjoy that particular headcanon, but:

i love gale, i truly do. but gale would not be great with kids imo. i can't see him as a father. i think i may have talked about this before, but i keep seeing it and while he has many great qualities, this, in my eyes, would not be one of them.

(apart from him saying outright that he doesn't consider himself "father material". which... why is this constantly being dismissed, lol? not wanting yenna to starve or arabella&mirkon not to die does not a good father make.)

he's extremely impatient. he states that several times over. even with the protag ("if the roles were reversed, i don't know if i would have your patience."), and while he does like sharing his knowledge and engaging different types of people from different cultures and walks of life in conversations, to learn, he has again, no patience.

there is a line about him having had students, too, but he does also state in the same breath that their "ineptitudes" irked him. he strikes me more as a professor with older students, who already have some sort of knowledge that he would be able to build on - and even that is sort of reaching tbh imo. what i would find more accurate is him being in the role of some sort of researcher, being able to do things alone and at his own speed. exchanging ideas with colleagues every now and then, perhaps.

so if he already disliked having students, and being annoyed by them, having no patience for them, i just am unsure how this is meant to work out with tiny little kids. again, i just cannot stress enough how much patience you need with children.

there's also other minor stuff like being sensitive about chaos, messes, smells, etc., liking his quiet and solitary time, etc.

all in all, i just think that gale being kind with children you meet in-game, not wishing for them to starve or die, doesn't necessarily translate to being a good parent.

i also think that someone being reluctant - or in gale's case, outright saying he doesn't consider himself the material - is not a great place to start either.

[randomfanner]

Gale + Tara Headcanons

I love Gale so much. SFW Headcanons only, relationship and also just general life headcanons I have about the worlds saddest oxymoron.

Labeled TW: Gale got groomed. We are going to be discussing today Because even if he was an adult(which he probably wasn't) he still got groomed because Mystra had so much power over this man.

General TW: Gale has self hatred issues. I hate Mystra. We will be talking about Mystra in depth I promise. Also Gifted kid burn out and general tying all of your self worth to a talent.

So, body type head canon because Gale does not have abs. You cannot look me in the eyes and tell me Gale has abs. He is soft and a little squishy and very huggable.

Man is a cuddler. He always wants to cuddle. Whether it be you two be lounging on a sofa, each reading/doing your own tasks well you snuggle together, spooning in the morning, laying together after a night of passion, or whatever reason he can get to just hold you in his arms.

I think he is touch starved other than Tara. Which as great as Tara is it is not human touch. And gods don't... really physically touch. So I don't think he got very much physical affection from Mystra. So being touched, being held with your hands and feeling your flesh on his means so much to him.

He doesn't think he is good at it. But he still really likes to do it. If you ask him to cuddle with him, he will flip in his heart because it makes him the happiest man in the world to know you want to cuddle with him as much as he wants to cuddle with you.

Tara likes you. She likes you fast. She begins telling you all of Gale's stories from when he was younger, how sweet of a boy he was and how he would use his beginning magic to help people. If you give her attention she will purr so loud. Gale and Tara both really like chin scratches.

She begins calling you "Mrs/Mr/Mrx. Dekarios" pretty damn quickly. she has accepted you as his partner which she never did Mystra. it really throws Gale off when she does it. He admittedly thought Tara was so against Mystra because she was a lover period.

Tara also may begin to favor your lap. If this happens, Gale is... shocked and disappointed "You have stolen not only my heart, love, but my Treyssem as well." "Would you like to repeat that, Mr. Dekarios?"

And he wonders why she favors your lap.

She also favors you lap because she has to thank you for keeping her sweet boy alive for her. She may even allow you the honor to stroke her stomach a few times.

She also brings you gifts, magic items, trinkets, carcasses, whatever she can get her paws on and thinks you would like.

She takes you in fast and begins asking for grand babies. She wants grand babies and Gale's mother wants grand babies. The topic of course make your flustered each time and Gale denies the possibility of being a good father, but Tara is pretty insistent.

Morena also loves you as well and you best believe she is showing you pictures from Gale's childhood and telling you as much information as she can. Poor Gale just sits there and is extremely flustered well she recounts even his less flattering tales... but he does nothing to stop it.

He is really happy his mom and Tara both like you. It makes him the happiest man in the world.

Gale likes to cook for you. A lot. He cooks the fanciest, gourmet food and he is extremely good at it. He will set up fancy candle lit dinners with music in the background. This is basically every night but he tries to make sure it never truly loses its luster. (It never does).

He also makes you breakfast in bed. He has to crawl away from you in the morning to feed Tara and so he just makes you breakfast and comes back freshly deserved.

If you cook together man is smiling so much his jaw hurts. I cannot describe to you the joy he feels having you by his side, helping him cook.

Expect so much love poetry all of the time. Even when you are questing or not he will just slip a small piece of paper into your hand with all of his affections written down as poems.

He also quotes poetry verses that make him think of you, to you, at random times. He is hoping to make you smile with all of them.

Gale is so sweet to you all of the time. He treats you like you are divine, and to him you are. Complete gentleman all of the time. He does not carry anything. You could be a fighter with a 20 in strength with thighs and arms that could crush his fucking head like a grape, He will still insist on trying to carry anything heavy for you. He holds doors, pulls out chairs, makes sure your wine is refilled. He is so doting.

Man feels guilty that he is doing so little to help you at times. He wants to do more for you then he does. He tries to make sure you are pampered at all times. Kisses, gifts, fancy shows, lovely nights together.

But he tries to do more. he always makes sure to protect you in battle. He will take attacks, using shield and mage armor to make sure he can take as many hits as needed to protect you. He will be your knight in magic armor, a dashing smile well he does so.

This often leads to the ES(Emergency Shadowheart) because Gale is an over-confident wizard but if you are safe he doesn't care. If you are meant to be a tank, you may need to have a chat with him about the fact he is the squishy wizard man and you can protect him.

But it is Gale.

If you get sick or injured or anything Gale is fretting over you. He is holding you and yelling for Shadowheart like you are going to die at this moment. Even if it is a small thing he is very dramatic and very scared of losing you.

When you get sick or are on your period he makes sure to give you medicine to help with illness and pains, magic hiding the taste, and so much good food.

Tara also rests on your lap and acts like a heating pad. Purring and trying to help you feel better.

So like, after the ending I think Gale and you take a break from everything and just, go and look around. And Gale takes a break from magic. He can still love the art, and he will go back to it but I just think he needs to take a step back because magic and his talent for magic has kind of defined Gale his entire life.

I think him taking a break and just... being a person rather than a wizard for a little a while. He can be both, he knows he can. But he will need time and a deep breathe. He will go back, he loves to do magic. It means the world to him. But absences makes the heart grow fonder. And I think working on other skills he can be proud of and knowing Magic is one of the many things he is good at rather then the ONLY thing he is good at will do him wonders.

So I am going be talking about Gale's trauma a lot in the lower half of this. First, Gale's confidence issues and how fucked up the orb is. There will be comfort with Tara and you. After that we are going to get into the problem. The problem will come up in this section, however not the fact Gale got Groomed. That will be another different section.

Warning out of the way:

I think his self confidence and self image is being held together by the type of "I am good at magic". He was a prodigy and I think Gale only saw worth in his magic and his skill on it. He loves to do it too but at the same time he HAS to be good at it, or it feels like. He respects people who are better.

He did fuck up with the orb, but I also think he wasn't fully aware of what he was getting himself. Yes he should have known not listening to Mystra was a bad idea, but she didn't explain exactly what he did wrong until Gale talks with her in the game. This is years later.

Gale really needed Tara after he went from Mystra's Chosen and the Lover of Mystra to a fool who flew too close to the sun and came crashing down in a brilliant display of horrible glory. Man ruined his life, lost everything, and had a problem that Mystra gave him no ideas how to fix.

Mystra DID NOT EXPLAIN ANYTHING TO GALE UNTIL THAT CUTSCENE IN GAME YOU GET AFTER MYSTRA TELLS GALE TO BLOW HIMSELF UP. Gale was kept alive due to Tara. Tara was the one who flew off and found out how to help Gale.

I also think the only thing Mystra valued with Gale's magic knowledge and abilities. She is a goddess, she doesn't really eat human food, Tara and Mystra didn't each other, she is a goddess and I doubt physical touch was common.

So I think Gale being rude to you about magic, especially if you are a different class who can do magic and he insulted you, is because the is grasping with issues of trying to remind himself he is a good mage. This does not excuse his behavior. But I think when he realizes what he did he is going to apologize whole heartedly

One day he is just thinking about how you first met and he just realizes 'I was awful!"

He is going to hold your hand to his cheek, and apologize for doing that. Because you make him realize that he is more than his magic. He is more then what he has been called talented for and tied everything too for so long.

He isn't a failure if he fails with his magic.

Don't get me wrong, Gale can get ahead of himself and is pushy. I want to flick him in the head as soon as he begins thinking trying to become a god is a good idea in the first place. It is a horrible idea as much as I hate Mystra, don't want Gale to become a god. He deserves to be a good man with his wine, his library, his treyssem, and, should fates permit, you.

So, we are going to start talking about Mystra being a P*dophile and just the worst emotional manipulator. When we get to talking about it I am not censoring the word.

This is the end, I am not putting anything else below this. You are free to move along your day, you will not miss out on any of the good stuff. I promise.

This is the only notable part of this: I want Withers to be the god of Magic. He would be a great god of magic, he proves with Arabella.

So, Gale was like, 17 to 23 I believe the range is. And even if Gale is in the later half of that, he still got fucking groomed by Mystra because Mystra had and still has so much power over Gale.

She is the goddess of his greatest asset. His magic. And as we just discussed, the goddess of the thing he ties all of his self worth to. Mystra was literally someone he worshipped. She IS the goddess of magic. Gale had no power in the relationship and never did.

Mystra knows this. She is smart enough to know what is doing is fucking horrible, and get it, she is a god, but she is also a straight up pedophile. We all know about the fact people LITERALLY HIDE THEIR CHILDREN FROM HER.

I do not doubt that being Mystra's chosen meant doing everything she asked. I don't think Mystra took no for an answer in any matters. I also think mistakes were punished with emotional manipulation. Not violence like we see with Shar or Vaalikith (She sorta counts) but gods did he make Gale feel worthless if he failed.

I think Gale feels guilty for a lot of things a lot he shouldn't feel guilt for. I think one of the biggest things Mystra would make Gale feel guilty for was talking to basically any one else if it was not a work relationship.

I would not doubt if Mystra cut Gale off from his mother and would have from Tara if Tara was anyone else. Mystra is noted as a jealous goddess if you are dating Gale. I do not doubt that jealousy was a pretty frequent thing.

Tara hates Mystra with every bone in his fluffy body and tried so hard to talk to Gale but Gale would not listen to her because, well- she is his boss, his teacher, his lover and also the person who controls the thing he ties his self worth too of course he is going to listen to everything Mystra said.

Also Mystra 100% cut Gale off from any source of help he could actually get. Again, Tara was the one to find out about the orb. And I think more than just shame, embarrassment and being a laughing stock from one of the greats, I think Mystra made sure no one was going to be talking to Gale.

I want DLC where we beat the fuck out of Mystra. I really want to kill her. I know I cannot but she is terrible and she deserves death. I know I am captain obvious right now but I cannot stress this enough.

I want Withers to be the god of Magic. He would be a great god of magic, he proves with Arabella.

[katnissmellarkkk]

The parallels between Katniss and her mother are quite apparent when it comes to their reactions to grief (as displayed when Mrs. Everdeen lost Katniss’ father and when Katniss lost Peeta and Prim). There’s been posts made about that on here many times before.

But we never really explore the opposition in their choice of man. What I mean is, we’re led to believe (granted, based on very little hints in the first book) that Mrs. Everdeen was with Mr. Mellark in some fashion, at the very least. Enough that he felt it was not only plausible that he could marry her but seemed to be still holding a candle for her all those years later. Mr. Mellark was a merchant, someone from her side of the district, part of the well-to-do class of Twelve. But she instead chose Mr. Everdeen, a poor, coal miner who couldn’t only give her a simple life in the Seam. A life that is much more difficult objectively and in a place that even her own daughter claims she sticks out like a sore thumb in (appearance wise).

Katniss, her daughter, on the other hand, chose Peeta in the end. Even before Mockingjay, it was obvious to anyone really paying attention (in the story or as a reader) who’d she fallen in love with. Gale was a strong, attractive guy from the Seam, who’d lived a pretty parallel life to hers, who was her partner in crime — literally — and her best friend. Everyone expected them to get together. Even the reporters who came from the Capitol took one look at him and thought he seemed like a threat to the idea of the Star-Crossed-Lovers being portrayed on the television screens. And yet, Katniss chose Peeta, not Gale. Peeta, who at the start, she seems to have nothing in common with. Not in terms of their upbringings (she was super poor and starving, he was popular and more comfortable but implied to suffer from heavy child abuse) and not in terms of their mindsets either. But there was an inexplicable attraction between the two, an instinctive pull bringing her back to him no matter how much she tried to fight it. And I suspect her mother had the same feeling, for Mr. Everdeen. That feeling is what led Katniss to choose Peeta over Gale, despite the fact that Gale may have seemed from an outside, detached perspective, like her natural choice of romantic partner. And that feeling is probably what also led her mother to make the same choice all those years before.

Idk I just think it’s interesting that Katniss chose Peeta but her mother — in a lot of ways — chose her Gale. Although there’s a strong argument to be made that her mother was actually choosing her version of Peeta by choosing Katniss’ father but my brain’s not there quite yet.

This post also could have been written and summed up a lot quicker if I’d just said, the love triangle between Katniss, Peeta and Gale and the love triangle between Mrs. Everdeen, Mr. Everdeen and Mr. Mellark are actually parallel love triangles that ended with the woman choosing the opposite type of man.

[shenanigans-and-imagines]

ok I can only assume there is at least the occasional cuddle pile and bed sharing. So I have to ask, between the three (Gale, Evie, and Astarion) who sleeps in the middle? Or does it switch

The answer is elaborate, because I have a lot of thoughts. Strap in. (Another shoutout to @leighsartworks216 for letting me ramble)

For context: Astarion x Evie (Ace!Tav) x Gale AU Headcanon

Bed sharing is a near constant for all of them, it's just a matter of who is sharing with who

Once they all get together, Astarion and Evie both slow down on adventuring and make a more permanent home with Gale in Waterdeep

It's a type of domesticity neither Astarion nor Evie have ever had before, and admittedly a bit of an adjustment for them, even if they find it suites them beautifully

Astarion is down right giddy when he realizes he has fully access to Gale's library, and Gale is more than happy to make room for Astarion's books

The biggest shift for Evie though, is realizing that she gets her own room

It is something they all discussed before hand

Gale and Astarion have slowly been growing more sexuality intimate, and Evie would rather have some place to retreat to when they decide to have sex

She doesn't begrudge them spontaneity, just so long as she's given some kind of warning before hand

Cue Gale sending down his mirror image to inform Evie that, "Gale and Astarion are currently engaged in carnal activities. If you do not wish to go for a walk, it was suggested you take some tea and make yourself comfortable in your room for the evening."

Bottom line though, having her own space and bed becomes a priority, one it takes her a bit of time to fully comprehend

She frankly wouldn't know what to do with it at the start, experimenting with furniture and colors, throwing everything at the wall and seeing what stuck

Eventually she lands on a space designed for comfort; the softest bed she can find paired with so many pillows and blankets you can get lost in it

Also, sound proof walls because 1) she doesn't want to disturb everyone while she practices and 2) for as much as she and Astarion pretending to be loud, Astarion and Gale can get very loud

Astarion considered having his own room as well, but quickly scratched the idea.

He's gotten to used to sleeping beside someone. Even if he doesn't need sleep he still likes being near by. He also has an entire tower to himself while his partners are resting. Why would he stay in one room?

Besides, having the satisfaction of going into Evie or Gale's room and seeing bits of himself mixed in with them makes his undead heart melt just a little.

So, all that to say, sleeping arrangements are kind of all over the place

It's not unusual for Astarion in particular to switch rooms on a whim

On more than one occasion Astarion and Gale have fallen asleep together, just the two of them, only for Gale to have to wake up earlier to lecture

Astarion doesn't want to loose his hot water bottle so Gale then politely suggests he move over to Evie's room. Gale then half leads/half carries Astarion as the vampire dramatically clings to his back before depositing him on Evie's bed. Astarion then buries himself in her nest.

Evie is absolutely sleeping in until noon and just registers Gale going before snuggling up to Astarion and falling back asleep.

Granted, Astarion does not need to sleep, but when is he going to pass by a moment to be dramatic

Evie is also touch starved af, and can be down right clingy when given permission to

Astarion and Gale have walked in plenty of times to find Evie curled in the other's lap just enjoying the closeness

For as much time as they might pair off, however, I do think the majority of the time they can be found together.

Gale is down right hedonistic when it comes to showering those he loves with affection and receiving it in return

Astarion will be the first to admit he's a greedy bastard and once he gets a taste for something he only wants more.

And Evie is so affection starved she grabs on to whatever is given to her with both hands

The three of them actually run the risk in getting so caught up in each other, they can forget other people exist

So, when it comes to them all cuddling together, they really don't care who is in the middle, so long as they're together; it's just a matter of who needs what

Sometimes Evie and Astarion conspire to get Gale to finally relax and keep him in bed with them; all but ensuring he's late for lecture or even not to show up at all

Sometimes Evie and Gale can feel Astarion getting inside his own head and want to remind him that he's safe and loved

And then there are the times Evie needs that same comfort, that for the first time in so long, she's not alone

And sometimes it's not even that deep

Evie often comes back the latest so that means she's slipping into the side of the bed with Gale or Astarion in the middle

Because she gets back so late, it's not usual for her to take an afternoon nap with Astarion holding her, only for Gale to join them

Or Gale and Evie cuddling together and Astarion inserting himself like cat until somebody gives him attention

[dangerouslypassiveaggressive]

A Terribly Organized Almost-Essay About Suzanne Collins and Why I Think She Writes

Lukewarm take because it's been years, but here it goes: if there's anything I've learned over the years, it's that Suzanne Collins is not a people pleaser. (The author, at least. I don't know her personally lol). And she be pleasing the people, that's not what I mean! I just kept hearing the same question being asked over and over again. "Why Snow? Why him?? Why not anybody else? Really?? A prequel about HIM??" It really made me think.

And don't get me wrong! I'd slash someone's tires for a Finnick prequel just like the next person (Suzanne please!), but that has never been the point of her writing. The Hunger Games novels, and by extension, the prequel book The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, aren't just fun fiction reads. Yeah, they're gripping. The world-building is superb. Young people are at the center of it. And all these characteristics are great, but the thing that draws us in, that keeps us consuming her media like hungry little caterpillars, is that they are, time and time again, a captivating and accurate criticism, analysis, and deconstruction of the broken systems society experiences in the real world. I can only speak from my own experience as a Mexican American woman in the United States, so take all of this with a grain of salt.

The Capitol is colorful and fun and interesting and horrible and sadistic. And it is all those things because it is a symbol of our own real-world 1%, except our own glittering Capitol members here in the real world feed us the hope that we may reach their status if we only work hard enough for long enough. The Hunger Games system never makes that claim. In fact, they are fed the narrative that the system only works because they're stuck where they are. Suzanne Collins is taking everything one step further in her writing because it is a type of satire, a critique of the things we already know. So as an author, she blows it out of proportion so that her reader will say "look at this! How ridiculous! How would someone let the system treat them this way!" And it is ridiculous, it's downright laughable that an entire society, an entire country, would let itself be oppressed in such a cruel way by just a few people in charge instead of rising up and- oh wow, yeah, I see it. She wrote about us.

Suzanne Collins just organized everything neatly into boxes- well, districts. Because every district comes with some form of product that they manufacture, but much more importantly: a class. We go in order from 1-13. District 1 manufactures luxury items and District 2 makes weapons (but mostly trains Peacekeepers), so they have the most privilege and wealth. On the other end, Districts 11 and 12 are the agricultural and coal mining districts, respectively. That's back-breaking work. Not to mention District 11 puts kids as young as 12 to work, and District 12 is poverty-stricken and starving. "But what about District 13?" You may ask, "They make nuclear weapons! Why aren't they up there with 2?" Fantastic question. If we know, and the people of Panem know, that the hierarchy is very clearly set by literal number order, why would one of the most powerful and competent districts be given more power and be put at the top? Placing them at the end lets them believe that they aren't powerful or competent. I mean, jeez, look at 12 and they're before 13? I wouldn't believe I could make it on my own either. (We know now that's not how things go down, but it's a clever power move regardless.)

But after all this, would it hurt Suzanne to give us a single book just for fun?

Yes, I believe it would, that's the whole point. We're not meant to fall for the Peeta/Katniss/Gale love triangle. We're not meant to be interested in Finnick's secrets and early life. We're not meant to want to know the morbid details of how Haymitch won his Games (with double the contestants! Ooh. Aah.) We're meant to be horrified at every turn, at every story. We're meant to ask ourselves how things got so bad, how anyone let this happen. Suzanne Collins has written wonderfully fleshed out characters that grip us and make us want to know more, but the point has never been them or even their loved ones. It was never about Katniss or Prim or Peeta or Finnick or Annie. It's always been about the systems that let this story happen, and where Suzanne got her inspiration: the very real lives we lead. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes shows us the same thing.

So why Coriolanus Snow? Because he is the catalyst to a broken system that only serves the powerful. If Suzanne were to write a novel about any of our much more beloved characters, then she would be writing the exact same book over and over about the same oppression happening in the same system. She does not write for the sake of bringing her very well-written characters to life, but to flesh out the poverty, the starvation, the power struggles, the horrors they experience. We know this because she writes a lot of her characters as symbols. (Coin, for instance, as the symbol for a power-hungry figurehead, or Prim as the innocent during war.)

Snow is living in a slightly different biome than what we know from The Hunger Games series. He has to make sacrifices and decisions for him and his family, but it's different. It is a view and critique from the inside looking in. This is not Katniss getting to experience the Capitol for the first time and understanding just how terribly unfair everything is. This is someone who is very aware of the way things work and playing the game to stay in power and keep their privilege. Not only that, but it's someone who feels entitled to all of it. In this novel, Suzanne plays around with power and people's position in it. What if a mad scientist was in charge? What if the creator of the thing that brought a semblance of peace was just as horrified as the reader? How far is one person willing to go for power? What if we saw the dawn of a world we're already familiar with?

So I hope she keeps writing, because I love seeing our world through her eyes and the parallels she writes from our world to hers of the injustices happening every day. Even though we'll probably never get the stories we crave, but that's okay. Keep putting those kids through hell, Suzanne.

[kingthunder]

So I'm doing an Astarion origin run and I'm not very far into it yet but it's been really interesting to me from a character work perspective. I'm trying to RP him as himself from a non-origin run. Like, take the guy who tries to sleep with you and gives approval for doing all kinds of shitty little things and can't think ahead etc, and put him in a situation where he's the leader now.

There are definitely some situations where I don't think he'd say any of the PC dialogue options, but I've been doing my best.

Anyway, the character dynamics that are coming out are not what I expected going in!

Gale: Astarion thinks he's annoying as shit and leaves him at camp.

Lae'zel: Astarion thinks she's physically intimidating and he might want to get closer to her, except her upbringing and way of thinking is so foreign to him he can't get a bead on what tactic to take. So he mostly avoids her just in order to not piss her off.

Karlach: Astarion likes her but she doesn't like him yet. He brings her along in his party because she can hit stuff and is less likely than Lae'zel to try to murder him. He doesn't think flirting will work with her but he doesn't know what will work—bringing her along is also a way to study her reactions to things and figure out how to make her like him more, because he wants her to.

Shadowheart: They're besties. She was the first one there on the beach and he's kind of imprinted on her a little. They're both evasive and not super fussed about morals and they recognize that in each other. She always has a lot to say when they're running around doing stuff, and Astarion values her opinion (he doesn't even know what his own opinion is half the time so he's glad there's someone else around give him input who isn't a Do-Gooder type). They just had a conversation last night where he pressed her about her secrets and she admitted to Shar worship, and in a fit of camaraderie he organically came out as a vampire to her, and it felt very natural and right.

Wyll: Pisses him off even more than Gale but for a completely different reason. Wyll is the kind of hero he dreamed about when he was a kid, the kind he wished would rescue him from Cazador and never did. He wants to hate him. But Wyll LIKES ASTARION, and Astarion's starved little heart is just eating it up. It makes him want to cosplay as a person who does nice things so that Wyll will keep liking him. It makes him want to *gag* be a better person. But he knows he's not a better person, he's just pretending to be, and that eventually he'll do something that will piss Wyll off too much and he'll leave. Shit, he'd better sleep with Wyll to get him to stick around.

The wyllstarion is happening so naturally I'm shook.

[idle-soliloquy]

like a mermaid, I want to eat you by yours truly

Explicit || Buck/Bucky

One chapter, one kink.

Chapter 1: (romantic) rimming

Gale goes slack against the blanket, spreads his legs wider, and arches his back. Asking the dream presence for more, and granting access—he’s carved open already, but he wants to show off, assure the presence that he’s willing. He gasps in surprise when it roots deeper inside him, spreads its imaginary fingers. The fluttering pleasure that perched on his bones kneads his stomach like a cat, and purrs in self-delighter approval.

Sticky wetness gathers in his belly button. He’s itching all over, wants to reach out and wrap his hands around his cock, coax the shy but steady bloom of orgasm to the surface, but he can’t move his arms.

Wake up.

The words rattle inside his skull. The blanket under his cheek morphs colours—green, blue, then green again. The blades of grass lose their sharpness, mutating into a plush swipe of cloth against skin, threading between the gaps of his fingers.

Another lick of warmth, buried deep within. A wetness, warm to the touch, slides into the crevice between his thigh and the curve of his ass.

A finger joins the fleshy weight of a tongue inside his hole.

Gale comes to himself, not all at once, but in serpentine stages; he’s spinning, the meadow flickering like a light that someone is switching off and on at a rapid pace. A lightbulb dying with a lambent last breath.  

Wake up. 

The thudding of his heart, for once, does not scare him into a stupor. His chest hurts, but with the type of sweet, spanning pain only known to lovers who fear they will burst from the vehemence of their mutual adoration. Thick spurts of blood rush to his extremities, the tingling in his toes and fingers further fueled by the slide of the thick tongue inside him. John’s eating him out with the starved attention of a man who’s been denied his last meal. Lips parted, Gale moans, deep and guttural, sends it clattering against the walls. John’s nails, sharp and uncut, dig into the globe of his ass, pinching, holding him wide open. Gale squirms, rocks back against the finger and the tongue, then tries to crawl away, overstimulated, mind still fuzzy and shocked into awareness by the intensity of John’s touch.

“Don’t move,” comes a muffled moan. Johns licks a stripe against his rim, dips inside again. His finger curls up and strokes, and Gale fists the sheets, his cock twitching. “Don’t move, doll, just let me—” 

[fairuzfan]

Hey, I've been wondering why you like the Hunger Games. Is there anything that makes it special or appealing for you?

Oh boy, Hunger Games discussions! Here's an essay for you :)

When I was growing up, I read about the districts and the way the capitol profits off their labor — how they have every luxury in the Capitol with doing absolutely none of the work whereas the people doing all the work are the ones that are the most oppressed, facing restrictions in speech and movement to the point of being in literal cages — and I thought "Just like in Palestine!" And not just in Gaza either. The West Bank with their settlements are the same way in that their movement and speech are so vehemently restricted despite the fact that much of the labor (in farming, manufacturing, etc) is being taken to feed the imperial empire.

With the games themselves, I saw the way in which Palestinian children are expected to play in the world stage — pander to millions for the hopes that they would take pity as they walk into a death arena and perhaps donate to help them. It's dehumanization to an extreme scale, but it's what happens in real life. Some people decide to help certain Palestinians because of what Palestinians say or don't say — not because they're actual human beings who deserve life for no other reason than being born. People can coo and coddle the Palestinian children who articulate their struggles well, pretending to care about them, but they don't really. They're just there for entertainment. They're there for people to feel like they're helping some poor kid who they have no hand in their oppression at all. The fact that the children of the districts feel like they have to sell themselves is the same in real life. Just think about that conference where that kid in Gaza did a whole speech in English pleading for people to stop the bombing campaigns.

What I really liked about Katniss, narratively speaking, is her romances with Peeta and Gale not because I felt like she was especially interested in either one of them romantically (Katniss ace/aro rep to the max) but because of what the romance signified and how each one had a specific purpose. I remember reading analysis about how Peeta represented "peace" and Gale represented "revolution" and at the time I agreed, but now I feel a bit differently.

Peeta might represent "peace," true, but he was abandoned and abused his entire life. He was sent off to the games where even his parents had no hope for him. But even though he suffered physical and verbal abuse, he still gave Katniss that bread even if he personally suffered for it. I'm not sure if that represents "peace" so much as it represents "love." Even thinking about it now, how he risked his safety to give bread to the girl he loved... for some reason in these days, I cry whenever I think about it. The whole world had abandoned Katniss and her family, leaving her to starve. But that one little boy cared so much about her that he gave her bread despite what his mother told him to do. He risked everything — at the time, a little boy can only comprehend having his safety as a possession — for Katniss. For someone to love Katniss so much... in a weird way to me, that's heartbreaking. Even as I type this, I'm actually sobbing. My sincerest hope right now is that someone gives the people of Gaza and the West Bank that bit of bread, that bit of love, even if its at their own expense.

And this is not to say I think Gale wasn't necessary and important to the story too. I think Katniss needed both of them at different points. The fact that Gale had wanted to leave and live in the woods, and it being a serious consideration instead of it being ridiculed as "cowardly," was something I appreciated. I don't think its especially valid of us to tell people who are under the worst oppression imaginable how to live their lives and whether to put their lives on the line or not. That's not our choice to make. Katniss ultimately stays of course, but she constantly thinks about how the world would have been different if she did accept Gale's request to leave. I think a lot of people do think about that, honestly, when they're fighting oppression. What if they just left it all behind?

Katniss, herself, though, never really wanted to pick either boy. Throughout the story, she feels like she's forced to pick between them, being pulled in either direction, feeling pressured by each boy to choose. And I think that in itself is a perfect metaphor. She's being put in this situation — forced to participate in the games, forced to pretend to marry Peeta (which, false "peace" marriage orchestrated by Snow btw, great narrative choice there), forced to participate in the games AGAIN, and finally forced to lead an entire REBELLION... to me that's a pretty apt summation of what its like under oppression. The people who are the most oppressed don't WANT to fight — they just want their humanity to be recognized. They just want to live. They're not jumping through hoops because they want to, they're just doing it because they have no other choice.

But, I think my absolute favorite part of the Hunger Games Trilogy is probably the last part of Mockingjay, the third book. I find myself rereading the ending of the book quite often. The part where Plutarch says "Who knows, maybe it might stick this time" in reference to the newfound "peace" they have now. The part where the people of District 12, despite having their entire village bombed and destroyed, coming back to rebuild and bury their dead. The part where Katniss lives with this almost unbearable trauma for the rest of her life. And this one quote that she says, after she kills President Coin — who herself took this rebellion as an opportunity to profit and oppress:

"I no longer feel any allegiance to these monsters called human beings, despise being one myself. I think that Peeta was onto something about us destroying one another and letting some decent species take over. Because something is significantly wrong with a creature that sacrifices its children's lives to settle its differences."

And honestly, that's what I kind of feel sometimes as I watch children get shot down and murdered on TV both in Gaza and the West Bank. I can't understand the... unadulterated cruelty that these people show to Palestinians. Today, I heard Lindsay Grahm (an USAmerican politician) talk about Palestinians as if they all deserve to die in some of the most horrendous ways possible. I look at zionists online deny the humanity of Palestinians and ruthlessly call for their slaughter. I just genuinely can't comprehend why people hate us so much, why I continue to watch the destruction of my people for months on end and how I'm expected to live my life as normal. What is the point of life if we do not value it? What's the point of living on like this, putting money over each of our lives? What's the point? Truly?

Why do we live in this life to watch skyscrapers be built on top of graveyards?

But then I think about how Katniss comes out of this again. She builds a family. The people that were around her from before, although a smaller group... they're still there and they're alive. They care about whether she lives or dies and force her to eat. To live. Greasy Sae made her food for months. Peeta came back to be with her. Gale's friend came back and buried the dead and rebuilt District 12. Buttercup, the cat that loved Prim more than anything, came back. Haymitch helped with the book of memories, raising geese for himself even if he was drunk. But they never forget. And they never forgave.

Katniss, she plays this game where she recounts all the good things she's ever seen anyone do, and I think "maybe that will happen to us. Maybe we will live our lives remembering the good to counter the bad."

So yeah, that's a big part of why I love the series so much. Throughout the entire three books, first and foremost we care about Katniss and we want what's best for her. That's something I think a lot of people forget. We say "Free Palestine" not for some abstract political concepts, but rather so that we can treasure the sanctity of life and live in a society that puts humanity over power.

I want the ending of Mockingjay to come true, for the Liberation of Palestine to be the peace that sticks.

[thirdlotusprince3]

Inside Out characters talk about their favorite genres.

Anger: Action movies

Joy: I like action movies! Action comedies like Free Guy or Superhero movies like Superman!

Anger: No like John Wick

Joy: That’s very bloody.

Disgust: Yea, I agree with Joy. My favorite are romantic comedies with occasional cringe comedy. I like Mean Girls.

Joy: I like romantic comedies.

Envy: Oh my gosh! I love Mean Girls! What about Gossip Girl?!

Disgust: Oh my gosh yes!

Anxiety: My favorite are mysteries, thrillers, dystopias.

Fear: Mine is similar, psychological thrillers, mysteries, dystopias, conspiracy thrillers.

Anxiety: Conspiracy thrillers are good.

Anxiety: I like the ones where the main character is running from the secret police.

Anger: Because they burned the villain’s house down?

Anxiety: No, because they were wrongly accused.

Anger: They should be beating them up.

Joy: Any other genres Anxiety?

Anxiety: Science fiction with aliens and A.I.

Joy: And humans become friends with A.I and aliens.

Anxiety: No, the A.I and aliens want to kill all of humanity.

Joy: I’m sure aliens and A.I could be our friends. They’re pretty cool.

Anxiety: No, they will destroy all of humanity.

Anger: Well, we’ll all be dead before aliens or A.I takes over!

Joy: Anger. No.

Anger: I like science fiction! Especially cyberpunk! And I also like apocalyptic movies

Anxiety: Where is everyone just trying to survive a nuclear disaster?

Anger: Like Mad Max Fury!

Joy: Nuclear disaster? That’s nonsense. What about you sadness?

Sadness: Dramas like Titanic, Boy in the Blue Pajamas, Romeo and Juliet, where everyone dies.

Disgust: I like Titanic. Young Leonardo Dicaprio was cute.

Envy: I like school dramas.

Ennui: I don’t know.

Embarrassment: Heartfelt dramas, like The Good Will Hunting.

Joy: Now that’s my type of movie!

Anxiety: Anyone like dystopias?

Sadness: Everyone dies.

Envy: Hunger Games!

Anxiety: Yes.

Disgust: Peeta or Gale!

Envy: Everlark!

Joy: I only like the Starving Games.

Envy: Where they turned the iconic Hunger Games movie into that?

Joy: I like something playful y’know. A movie must have jokes.

Anger: If they blow up the tyrants. Anyone like crime and gangster movies?

Anxiety: If it’s a psychological thriller.

Anger: If it’s a psycha-what?

Anxiety: Like The Talented Mr. Ripley. Fight Club was also interesting.

Anger: Yea! Fight Club!

Joy: I like crime comedies. Ocean’s Eleven is fun and the Hustle.

Sadness: Catch Me if You Can is not bad either.

Joy: Anyone like comedies?

Anger: I like satire. The Interview.

Joy: Anyone like fantasy?

Anxiety and Fear: We like dark fantasy and supernatural!

Anxiety: Jujutsu Kaisen!

Joy: I like Gojo and Itadori.

Joy: I meant light fantasy like fairies, mermaids, unicorns, Pegasus.

Anger: Dragons!

Joy: Yea!

Joy: What about musicals?

Sadness: like melodramatic sad songs like, “Memory!”

Envy: I like musicals like the protagonist sings their desires, “Your so lucky,” or something.

[leighsartworks216]

I Come With Knives Pt12

Astarion x gn!Tav/Reader

Had this idea out of nowhere, and I thought it would be a good filler so I'm not jumping super far ahead very suddenly. I may do another part with the love test, but I wanted to go ahead and share this bit

Also, I know this is not at all like the fair or w/e in-game. I haven't played the game yet (😔) and so I based it mostly around my ren fair experience(s)

Warnings: food, eating, reference to starving, references to past abuse, references to emotional abuse, hints at torture methods, social anxiety, crowds, mentions of loud sounds and strong smells, honestly very fluffy I promise

Word Count: 1,906

Main Masterlist

First Baldur's Gate 3 Masterlist - Second Baldur's Gate 3 Masterlist

I Come With Knives Masterlist

AO3

Tag List Form

The sights and sounds and smells were overwhelming. Crowds of people, young and old, wandering from stall to stall for food and merriment. Barkers beckoned them over for games, promising prizes for any who dared to test their luck.

It made your head spin. You stepped closer to Astarion, tentatively brushing your hand against his.

It was supposed to be fun - it was fun. Karlach had bounded on ahead with Wyll in tow, eager to test her skills at one of the games with loud proclamations of her imminent victory. Gale and Shadowheart were tempted by the wine tasting, whether to find the best of the bunch or to drink as much as possible before getting kicked out, it was impossible to tell. Lae’zel was particularly intrigued by a display of Dwarves demonstrating how they build weapons, the best way to sharpen them, and how to care for them so they last a lifetime and a half.

And here you were, at the very cusp of it all, seeking safety in Astarion.

“Ah, another first?” he asked, taking your hand in his and running his thumb along your knuckles. He wasn’t so bothered by the loud body of people or shouting and laughter - he’d been in the thick of it back when he sought victims for Cazador. Besides, he found it rather easy to blend in… And slip some tokens from the pockets of unsuspecting passersby.

You let out a long breath. “I don’t think so,” you admitted. “I feel like I’ve been to one of these before, but it’s all fuzzy. Maybe I just dreamt it.”

You both watched, amused, as Karlach cheered and whooped, excitedly taking the stuffed toy from the vendor, before turning bashful as she handed it to Wyll. They made a rather cute couple. Certainly the most normal of the bunch - and that was saying something.

Astarion snorted. “It would be rather difficult to dream up a place like this out of nothing.”

A couple passed by, brushing against your shoulder as they did. You instinctively stepped closer to Astarion to avoid the strangers’ touch, squeezing his hand. He frowned down at you.

“We can always go back to camp, love. They know the way back. And we’d get the whole place to ourselves.” He waggled his eyebrows playfully.

You chuckled, slightly strained. “You just want to read Shadowheart’s diary.”

“She has a diary?” he gaped, overemphasizing his words and pretending to be shocked. “Why, I had no idea! We should ensure it doesn’t get stolen by any unsavory types that might be lurking about.”

“You can’t read her diary.”

He sighed dramatically, rolling his eyes. “Spoil sport.”

The idea was tempting, though. It would be quiet. There wouldn’t be people to bump into you or crowd you in. You could spend an entire day forgetting what lay ahead of you, what trials you had to face, what foes were sharpening their swords and awaiting your arrival.

With a deep breath, you took a hesitant step forward. And another, and another. Your friends were enjoying themselves… surely you could too, right?

“Let’s just… look around.”

Astarion followed along, close at your side. As you began wandering, glancing at stalls that offered handmade trinkets and jewelry, ciders, and even face painting, he worked to make the experience more bearable. This meant subtly directing you out of the paths of heedless fair-goers. Every now and again, he’d whisper snide little comments in your ear; snickering observations of an obviously rigged game upsetting a child who screamed for their parents to let them try again, remarks on intriguing tidbits of information overheard from loose-lipped conspirators, scowling growls at annoying vendors who tried to get your attention to look at their random nonsense.

He was your anchor, grounding you to the experience. His comments eased your anxieties little by little. Your shoulders relaxed, you looked around with wide eyes that sought to capture everything going on. You didn’t feel the need to run. Not with him there. You wished you could show how truly grateful you were for it.

You stepped into a tent toward the center of the fair. Immediately, a flood of smells hit your nose - smoked meats, tart fruit, something floral you couldn’t quite pin down. Chatter filled the air until it devolved into a wordless humdrum, buzzing ceaselessly in your ear like a persistent bug, but there seemed to be enough space to walk about. Astarion followed as you followed the empty space like a path.

Stalls all aligned against the walls presented various foods from all over Faerûn. Delicacies, both appetizing and slightly disturbing, sat next to chef specialties. Wood elves and druids with various prepared mushrooms and herbs, orcs with meat piled high, farmers from the surrounding area that gathered with their fresh-grown crops. There was something for everyone here, guaranteed.

You leaned closer to Astarion to speak without shouting over the noise. “Shall we find a booth for you?” you teased.

He laughed. “Darling, this is a veritable buffet. None quite compare to you, however,” he flirted with a seductive grin. He reveled in the way your heart skipped.

You both scanned the stalls a bit longer, until something caught Astarion’s eye. Excitedly, he tugged you along. “What is it?”

He grinned over his shoulder. “Something as sweet as you, dearest.”

At the end of the row, tucked away in a corner, was a mess of hobbits, cherry-cheeked and full of mirth. Their entire stand was full of baked goods, from cakes as tall as Astarion with a multitude of layers and intricate detailing, to itty bitty cakelets that would be the perfect size for a mouse decorated simply.

“Ah, here we are!” He plucked up a tiny cakelet and tossed a coin to a hobbit that was all freckles. When they thanked him, the rest piped up to thank him, too. He paid them no mind, instead tugging you somewhere quieter and more private, despite the bustling people that filled every inch of this tent. He held it up to you between his fingers, an offering. “A sweet treat for my sweet treat.”

You laughed despite the corniness of it, cheeks warming with affection. There was something about hiding away in a dark corner that felt like some cheesy romance novel directed to young teens. But you liked it. A rare moment of peace away from the world, with Astarion and his rounded eyes and his charming grin. “You don’t even know what it tastes like,” you teased, eyeing the cake warily.

He hummed as though the thought had never crossed his mind, but his smirk said otherwise. “Well, I had rather hoped to try it myself.” His voice dropped to a whisper as he leaned in until his breath brushed your ear. So close to your neck, and yet… you didn’t feel the need to pull away. “From your lips, of course.”

His words had an immediate effect on you - your heart raced wildly, your breath hitched, your thoughts spun. His red eyes watched you intently as you looked at the little cakelet. It was innocently iced white with a small red berry on top. But it wasn’t what it could taste like or what it could be laced with that made you hesitate. Hells, it could be fish paste and roe and you’d try it if he looked at you with those big, pleading eyes.

When you were behaving, when she acted like you were her most precious thing, she would feed you. Countless fruits and sweet meats had passed from her long fingers to your mouth, and now here Astarion was, doing much the same.

But it wasn’t the same.

She adored you as an item - a little plaything she could dote upon and torment as her mood dictated. Astarion truly cared about you, in ways unique to him. He was rude and demanding, but you never had to do anything. He’d be horribly needy for a hug or a cuddle, with no proper, easy way of asking, so he’d demand it, lamenting about how terribly lonely he was. But even then, despite his theatrics, you could turn him down with no consequences. No dark rooms or scold’s bridle awaited you. Even now, you could refuse entirely and he’d smile politely and tug you back into the throng of people. You could even feed yourself the cake and still accept his kiss. She would never be so kind. You would eat what she offered, or you would starve.

He could almost see the mental war you fought written on your face. The slight crease between your brows, the way your throat bobbed with an uncertain swallow. After a second too long, he panicked. He’d done something wrong, overstepped or ruined this entire relationship altogether. Whatever it was, he was about to step back and make a witty remark to laugh it off, and pray to all the gods who cared enough to listen that whatever he did the relationship was still salvageable. But you looked at him, and he froze, waiting for you.

You inhaled, gathering yourself. When you exhaled, you smiled, soft and sweet at him. “I trust you,” you whispered.

Somehow, by pure accident, he’d uncovered something horrible. And yet you seemed to be willing to press through it, to experience it anew with him. He was honored. Truly, genuinely, honored. You’d trusted him with so much already, and here you were, doing it again. Oh, he could kiss you without need of the cake to bolster his intentions.

Still, he held it up to your lips. The world around you disappeared as you glanced at the cake again, and opened your mouth. He watched your mouth attentively as you bit down, the juice of the red berry on top staining your upper lip. It was sweet: A vanilla cake covered in white chocolate with a tart red filling. But what truly made it wonderful was Astarion, when he tilted his head and slotted his lips with yours.

His tongue was quick to slip out and lick your lips, seeking the flavors you’d just experienced. You opened your mouth to him with a soft sound that made his undead heart seem to beat once more. His tongue dipped inside to taste more. He groaned quietly as the red berry hit his taste buds. Tilting his head to kiss you deeper, he caught a hint of the chocolate. Cupping your cheek with his free hand, he found the vanilla. You tasted sweet on your own, but this was heaven - if such a thing existed. He wondered what the rest of you would taste like if he spread the hobbits’ confectionaries along the rest of your body.

Unfortunately, the raucous laughter of a drunk couple reminded him of your surroundings. He stroked his thumb along your cheek as he eased off, and finally, reluctantly, pulled away. Your cheeks were all flushed, burning with hot blood against his hand. Your eyes stayed closed a moment longer. It was as if you had to find your way back into your body after the kiss. When they fluttered open, your eyes found his immediately, pupils dilated. He had to force himself not to kiss you again.

He grinned and pulled away, leaving a somewhat respectable distance between you. He fed you the other half of the cake, and licked his fingers with a devious smile.

“Absolutely delicious.”

---

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