#I made her before I knew Karlach existed

[mini-zorayas]

My Tav :) she’s a tiefling barbarian!

[chaoticbardlady99]

Pinkie Promise? (Astarion x F! reader) MDNI 18+

Author note- this is specifically for @spitfireunhinged who wrote a beautiful little post with a concept that I adored. I hope I did it justice and you enjoy!

CW- NSFW, mentions of SA

Synopsis- You tell Astarion that you don’t think sex is as good as people say it is. Astarion is determined to prove you wrong.

*not my pic. Please let me know if it is yours so I can give credit

I rewrote this like 7 times. This draft is lightly edited, but I couldn’t wait to post it!

Part 2: I Triple Dog Dare You

Astarion had heard the phrase “pinky promise” before. It was usually between Leon and Victoria before Leon left for a hunt. She always made Leon pinkie promise that he would come home and Leon always swore it- his pinkie hooked with hers.

The whole thing made Astarion vomit, but he thought it was just a “them” thing since he had never heard it before.

Then you used it on him and he had hurt your feelings terribly. He had called you a child and then proceeded to mock you.

You had just smiled at him sweetly like you usually do, apologized for invading his space, and for crossing his boundaries.

When Astarion had come by an hour or two later to drop off a book he ‘borrowed’ (it was his book, but he wanted an excuse to talk to you again), he heard you sniffling and asking Karlach if you were a child. You were so upset by his judgment because you like him as a person and thought the two of you were friends. Karlach said that some people just aren’t capable of being nice.

Astarion found you after Karlach went to sleep and pinkie promised to never call you a child again (and that he doesn’t think you are a child).

Suddenly, it was your thing and it slowly became more enduring as time went on. A part of him was envious if Karlach or Gale offered you the gesture first and you would give them one of your breathtaking smiles. He wishes he could initiate it, but it feels far too intimate to him. Asking someone to promise him something? Perish the thought! No one can truly be trusted. Well- maybe you can be trusted.

Astarion doesn’t know when he became so infatuated with you and your existence. Maybe it was that first night at camp when the two of you got to know each other a little bit better. You hadn’t been able to sleep because you were struggling to adjust to the new environment. You asked him lots of questions that he honestly had struggled to answer, but you were actually interested in him- not just his body.

Astarion was beginning to crave your presence and he despised sharing it with anyone else. One time he even went as far as making you pinkie promise you wouldn’t kiss Gale when he had called you over. You had scoffed and said that is ridiculous because “Gale would not kiss you ever, yuck!” , but did it anyway.

Low and behold- Gale did not get his kiss. He’s tried since, but you have rejected his advances. Astarion likes to think it’s because you like him more- want him more.

So maybe that’s why he was quick to drag you away from the Tiefling party after you had made your rounds- not wanting to watch you be with another person a second longer. You let him take your hand and you giggle as he chastises you for taking so long to talk to everyone else.

“How dare my self-proclaimed ‘best friend’ spend so much time not in my presence!” Astarion melodramatically states, “I am hurt, Darling. I thought we had something special.”

You blow air out of your mouth with an eye roll and smile at him.

“Well of course we do,” you say matter of factly, “but I also knew the minute I went to talk to you that I wouldn’t talk to anyone else.

“I’m the fearless leader!” You say with emphasis, “Leader of the Freakshow- welcome one and all to the most traumatized individuals alive!”

Astarion’s chest bursts with laughter, “how very on the nose of you, my Dear.”

“I must keep all of us humble, my Sweet,” you say boldly.

He tsks at you and twirls you around, “I’m afraid you aren’t allowed to steal my lines- that is going to cost you.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Certainly.”

“Name your price.”

Astarion pauses- right now doesn’t feel like the moment to go full throttle. He has more work to do.

“I need time to think,” he says lewdly, “there are so many things I could ask for, after all.”

You hum in agreement and smile at him coyly.

Maybe it’s because you are the first person he has actively sought out since he has been released from Cazador’s grasp.

Astarion guides you to a spot in the meadow he had found earlier. Well- actually he had followed Gale to it earlier- Astarion just found an even better spot like 10 yards away.

Gale had stupidly announced to Wyll around the campfire that he was going to ask to spend time with you alone tonight.

There was immediately not a chance in hells that that was going to happen. Gale found a nice spot in the forest- Astarion found a better one. Gale brought a blanket and wine? Pfft, Astarion can do that.

You stop in front of the blanket and wine before you look at him- a nice blush running up your neck.

“Is this for-?” You seem surprised.

Which Astarion finds very interesting considering you are from Noble society- shouldn’t you be used to being courted? Astarion is almost certain you’d have at least a hundred suitors.

“For you?” He smiles charmingly, “well of course, only the best for you, my Dear.”

You duck your head and you blush even harder. Astarion guides you to sit with him. You both drink the wine and talk. You ask him questions about himself and he asks plenty about you.

Astarion isn’t sure when the conversation turns into talking about sex- that had always been the original intention of the conversation.

“Sex can’t possibly be all that great.”

“Pardon?”

You shrug your shoulders and slightly slur the sentence again with emphasis.

“Sex can’t possibly be all that great.”

Astarion is shocked to his core. You flirt back and forth with him as if you’ve bedded at least a couple men.

“You’ve never?”

“No.”

“How?”

You look at him with a puzzled expression. You are staring at him as if he’s grown a second head.

Hypocrite. You’re the one spewing none sense!

“How?” You state incredulously, “you have looked at me right?”

Oh yes and I’ve imagined fucking you until you are screaming my name, but that’s beside the point I suppose.

“I’m nothing much to look at. I’m always the friend- never the girlfriend or the lover or whatever!” You emphasize with your hands, “no one has ever felt that way about me and if they have- they’ve never gone for it so I assume it’s just not that much fun.”

Astarion feels like he’s dying all over again. That was your assumption? Not that you might be horrifically oblivious because he’s only tried to to get in your pants several times. One time he quite literally asked you to come to his bed that night and you showed up with a book.

“Darling,” Astarion’s exasperation obvious, “I’ve been trying to have sex with you for a couple weeks now. Probably even more than that at this point.”

You stare at him with wide, unblinking eyes.

“You,” you stammer, “you want to? With me? No way.”

You laugh nervously, “you are beautiful and intelligent and-“

“No, no way.”

Astarion raises an eyebrow at you and smiles seductively. Your lips part slightly as he pushes you on your back and parts your legs with his knee.

Your arms automatically wrap around his neck- your pupils blown wide with lust. Astarion kisses to the left and right of your lips- grinning when he hears your huff in frustration.

“You sure do keen a lot for someone who doesn’t think sex could possibly be ‘that good’, Darling,” Astarion coos, you tighten your lips in embarrassment.

Astarion rolls his eyes at you and cups your face while putting his thumb in your mouth, pressing down on your tongue. You hum with pleasure and peer at him through hooded eye lids. Astarion feels his cock strain against his pants

“So, my Dear,” Astarion drawls, “do you want me to fuck you? Would you like to see all the bliss you are missing out on?”

You nod eagerly and Astarion presses his thigh against your growing heat. You whine around his thumb and you run your tongue against his skin.

Fuck.

“Are you going to be a good girl for me?” He asks hotly.

You nod- Astarion can smell your arousal and feel it seeping through both of your pants.

“Pinkie promise?” He says teasingly, pulling his thumb out of your mouth to hold out his pinkie.

You hook your pinkie with his and whisper, “pinkie promise.”

Astarion pulls you in for a mind numbing kiss- caressing your lips with his until you are keeping up with his pace. He feels your arms around his neck pull him in deeper.

Your kiss against his lips is sweet and intoxicating- for a second he completely forgets about the purpose of the evening. Astarion could sit here and just kiss you like this until the sun comes up.

Your breathing hitches and Astarion watches as you desperately try to find release by riding his thigh- your movements erratic and wanting. The sounds you are making fill him with excitement and for the first time in a while- he’s actually eager to be inside someone.

He realizes your moaning has become muffled all of a sudden and he looks up to find you covering your mouth- your cheeks and ears are bright red while you pant with arousal.

Astarion laces his fingers through yours and holds your hands down on either side of your head- your pupils are blown wide from lust. The galloping of your heart is like music to his ears.

“Oh no,” he whispers seductively, “do not keep those delicious moans of yours from me, Darling. You promised to be good, remember?”

“Y-yes,” you say between heavy breaths- this time you are the one to surprise him by closing the space between the two of you with a needy kiss.

Astarion unlaces his fingers from yours as he begins unlacing your trousers- quickly discarding them to reveal your soaked underclothes. He growls involuntarily as the smell of your arousal hits the back of his throat- you smell incredible.

Astarion could leave it at just taking your pants off for now, but Gods does he want to see more and if you are willing to let him, then he is not going to deny himself the pleasure of being able to touch and kiss every inch of your body.

Your shirt is next and you don’t even fight it- helping him get the article of clothing off and helping him discard his shirt as well. Astarion stops and looks down upon your naked form.

“Gods you are exquisite,” Astarion says as he begins to kiss down your naval, “open your legs for me, Darling.”

He leaves tiny love bites as he goes- wanting to make sure everyone knows exactly who you belong to. You are a whimpering mess underneath his touch as he presses his fingers to your clothed clit- teasing you slowly.

“Asta-“

You are cut off by your own sounds of pleasure leaving your throat as he slips your underwear off- slowly pushing one finger into you while playing with your clit using his tongue. A string of curse words leaves your mouth as he begins to pick up the pace with his fingers and basks in the way pleasure looks on your face, how your body is writhing for him, and the tumbling praises for him echo through the clearing.

He rolls your sensitive nub between his teeth and he has to hold your hips down as you keen underneath his touch. Astarion adds a second finger- still meeting some resistance, but you aren’t stopping him, in fact- you are giving him complete access using your tadpole right now (intentionally or not) and he can feel how desperate you are to feel fuller. Then he adds the second fingers and the euphoria that rings through your body goes straight to his groan. Astarion can feel his cock straining against his pants as he brings you over the edge with his fingers and mouth- your sweet pleasure dripping down his chin and his fingers. He languidly cleans his fingers off with his mouth, humming in delight while making eye contact with you.

Your eyes are half lidded and glassy- your mouth is slightly parted open. He leans forward and leaves a chaste kiss on them and begins unlacing his own pants- slipping them off and throwing them to the side- his underwear quickly following.

Astarion lines himself up with your entrance- your orgasm coating the head of his cock and he has to fight the urge to slam into you right away. He lines himself up with your entrance- teasing you. You look more nervous now than lustful and Astarion feels his gaze soften. He hovers over you and caresses the side of your face with his thumb. The last thing he wants is to start with you in the wrong headspace.

"Wrap your legs around my waist."

You obediently comply- your back slightly arching and your pert nipples are touching his chest. You sigh in arousal at the contact.

“This may hurt a little,” he says, “we can stop whenever or however much you need- we can stop completely and try again another time even.

“But do you want me to continue?”

You smile up at him with relief and nod coyly.

“I trust you, but please go slow,” you whisper.

Astarion feels a tightness in his chest when you look up at him. Your eyes are so vulnerable and of all the people you’ve decided to trust you chose him. Astarion is fighting not to dissociate- wanting to give you his full attention.

Astarion slowly begins to push inside you. You cry out and clutch at his shoulders- taking a sharp breath as he slowly sheaths himself inside you. Astarion has to fight the want- no need to go faster- you are so damn tight and Astarion is almost wondering if he should have done more foreplay.

He rocks in and out of you- making sure to check on your facial expressions. There are tears pricking your eyes, but your look of discomfort is becoming more and more euphoric as he keeps rolling his hips into you gently.

“Hells darling,” Astarion manages to moan out through clenched teeth, “you feel so fucking good.”

You whimper at his praise and Astarion lifts you up by the hips so he can get a better angle. He thrusts a minuscule harder this time and the whimper that leaves your mouth is making him feel positively feral.

“Astarion,” you whine, “ple- please I need more.”

You definitely don’t have to tell him twice. Astarion snaps himself up into you at a faster pass- your keening only encouraging him to go faster- both of you moaning and gasping while clawing at each other. For the first time in the last 200 years- Astarion does not want to stop. Despite the feelings that are always there, this may be the only time he’s actually experienced bliss while being with someone.

"Such a good little pup, aren't you?"

You clench around him at his words, you beg him to fuck you harder, and he drops your hips back to the ground before putting his face into the crook of your neck- kissing and praising you as you ride out your high.

“You were such a good girl for me,” he breathes into your air, “thank you.”

Your hands find purchase in his hair, tugging his lips to yours. If he needed air, the kiss would have suffocated him from how intense and wanting it was- the air between the both of you feels alive and Astarion barely registers that he’s finishing inside you until he’s collapsed on top of you- his head resting on your chest as it races in time with your breathing.

“That was amazing,” you say breathlessly and Astarion can’t help but laugh.

“I told you so.”

You plafully slap his arm and laugh- the sound filling his body with comfort. He can hear your heart beat begin to slow down and your breathing becomes deeper.

“Thank you Astarion,” you say sleepily, dozing off with your hands teasing his curls, “not just for this- for everything. I feel worth something when I’m with you.”

You yawn and Astarion tries to focus on the sound instead of the twisting guilt in his stomach. He cares for you too and that might be where he fucked up.

Your breathing quickly evens out and he is drowning in the smell of sex and rose water- a scent he heavily associates with you. Astarion stays there with his head on top of your chest- trying to get his bearings together. That was like no other sexual encounter he has experienced before- it was blissful- so why the hell is he about to have the melt down of the century?

“Shit,” you jolt awake, accidentally pushing Astarion off you- your eyes are still glassy “sorry I should probably not just fall asleep here- I’m sure you want to get back to your tent…”

Astarion pulls you back down and against his chest as if it’s exactly where you belong. The idea of you leaving right now makes his soul twist painfully. No, he needs you to stay. Existing is easier with you around- it has been since he met you on the beach.

“Stay,” he whispers, “please.”

There is a pause and he worries he may have overstepped his bounds. You look up at him with sleepy, kind eyes. If peace were to have a face- it would be yours.

“I’ll stay as long as you want me to.” You smile at him sweetly.

The word leaves his mouth before he can stop himself, “pinkie promise?”

You give him the biggest, toothiest grin he has ever seen. Astarion is certain you may be the single most beautiful person he’s ever met.

You take his pinky in yours and then place a soft kiss against his cold lips.

As you pull away, you whisper against his mouth, “I pinky promise.”

[amica-aenigmata-naboo]

Endlessly

Astarion x plus size! Y/N - drabble - 1.3K WC NSFW 18+

Masterlist

Warnings: insecurities, yelling, self deprecation, fluff on fluff on fluff, Astarion being a big sap, loveeeeee

Part 2

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You and Astarion had been together for 8 bliss filled months. You knew you were in love with him the day he asked you to be his. Yet you never said it. He hadn’t said it either. Honestly, you were still amazed he was with you. You knew your size wasn’t perceived as conventionally attractive or desirable. It used to bother you, but you were quite comfortable in yourself now. Until it came to Astarion. It was like you were trying to hide any and all fat on your body when he was around. He had never made any negative remarks, quite the opposite actually. You just knew one day he would wake up and see through the honeyed fog of lust and find somebody who matched him. Somebody perfect, just like him. 

You watched as Karlach played in the stream, she had such a child-like wonder about her. It made you happy to just be in her presence. Shadowheart sat on the shore with you, meditating. Everyone else was back at camp. 

“Come on Y/N! Come play!” Karlach yelled, splashing a bit of water at you. 

You got up wading into the water up to your knees. Thankfully you wore shorts and a massively oversized top. You felt comfortable enough around everyone to be seen like this. You and Karlach flicked water at each other, finding rocks and shells to take back to camp. You talked about nothing and everything. Gale and Wyll made their way down, even Lae’zel. The weather was just too good to not enjoy your little beach. You didn’t see Astarion make his way down the hill. He walked up behind you, wrapping his arms around your waist. You lurched forwards, not used to touching as you were still nervous about it - especially when he touches your waist/stomach. Your foot slipped on the soft mud beneath you, you fell forwards. You caught yourself, avoiding any injury but you were soaked. Your clothes clung to you, your body on full display. You scrambled up, crossing your arms over your torso. You pushed past Astarion as he held a hand out to you. You rushed up the hill and to your tent, stripping your clothes off. 

“Darling? May I come in?” Astarion said from the front of your tent.

“Not right now Star.” You tried hard to hide the waiver in your voice, or the subtle sniffles you were letting out. You layered on clothes, wanting to hide within yourself somehow. 

“Love…” he said, barely peeking inside.

“I said not now! Please just go away…” you yelled, sounding harsher than you intended. You laid on your bedroll, curling into yourself. You cried until you fell asleep, the moment earlier exhausting and overwhelming you. 

---------------------------

Astarion backed away from your tent. He had never heard you yell before, much less at him. He racked his brain, not exactly sure what he did wrong. It clicked after a moment, he touched you. You two had never established boundaries verbally but you knew he was ok with touching. You, however, were only ok with light touches that didn’t really invade your person. Holding hands, a kiss, caressing your face - all things he had done before that you seemed to be happy with. But today, perhaps he had overstepped. When he saw you and your radiant smile, so full of joy to just exist in the moment looking for shells and splashing about with Karlach. He acted on instinct, without even properly thinking it through. He felt positively wretched. Out of everyone he understood most how awful it is to have physical boundaries crossed, and he crossed yours. He walked to his tent glumly. He would seek you out later, right now he wanted to give you the space you deserved. 

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You woke up later. The crickets outside chirped and you could hear the campfire crackling. You rubbed your eyes. A blanket had been thrown over you, a note was folded up on your table. You got up and snatched it. “Find me when you wake - A” You sighed, closing your eyes. The way you yelled at him echoed in your mind. You were flustered, you hadn’t meant for it to sound so mean. You peeled off your coat, feeling hot and constricted in all the layers you had piled on. You left your tent in a sweater and pants. You felt less anxious than you had earlier, knowing your campmates didn’t care what you looked like. All you cared about was that Astarion had touched your stomach, the spot you were most insecure about. You couldn’t act like it wasn’t there anymore, you had to face him. You willed back your misty eyes, preparing for the worst. You softly called his name outside of his tent, waiting for him to call you in. He did, and he looked just as nervous as you felt. Your stomach dropped but you tried not to show it.

You sat rather far from him, wanting to have space between you both. “I’m sorry I yelled at you.” you spoke first.

“I’m not worried about that darling… I am worried about the fact that I hurt you.” he spoke softly but you could hear the guilt in his tone.

You looked at him, confusion dripping from your face. “I wasn’t thinking… and I know that isn’t an excuse, but I’m sorry I crossed your boundary. It won't happen again… that being said, we need to have a talk.”

Your blood ran cold, a cold sweat covering your back. This was it. You nodded stoically, convincing yourself not to cry. 

“I would like to know where you are comfortable with me touching you. I, personally, am comfortable with you touching me wherever, whenever.” he smiled at you gently, a simple twitch up the corners of his mouth.

Well… this is not where you thought the conversation was going. “I…” you tried to collect your thoughts, “I do like your touch. I want you to know that. I love it, in fact. What happened earlier wasn’t anything to do with you, I just…” you paused, unsure if you should even tell him. 

He looked at you with his big pleading eyes, you had to tell him or this wall would intrude upon your relationship.

“I am insecure about my… size… my weight. I know you have had many diviner conquests, and you yourself are a vision… I just… I don’t know… I don’t want to disappoint y-” you were cut off by his lips melding into yours. They were soft but you could feel a fire behind them. 

“Respectfully, darling, shut up.” he kissed you again, deeply. As if trying to convey a multitude of feelings at once. “You are perfect. And you are not a conquest, you are the one I…” he paused, his eyes flicking between yours before he spoke again. “You are the one I love. And I love all of you.”

You were shocked, you were sure you felt everything about your relationship deeper than he did. And yet, here he was saying he loves you. “I love you… I’m so sorry about this whole thing.” you scooted closer to him, reaching for his hand. 

“Don’t be sorry. I understand insecurities, nasty little thoughts that cannibalize you from within.” he cupped your cheek, “You have nothing to worry about. You are perfect, I love everything about you.” 

He sounded so sincere you couldn’t help but tear up. “Can we… work on expanding my boundaries? I want to touch you, and have you touch me… I just need some time to get comfortable. Get out of my head, ya know?” you asked, picking at your nails. You hadn’t talked about intimacy with anyone else before, not like this. 

“Of course little love… we’ll go at your pace. Honestly, I’m excited to do this with you.” he smiled, his fangs making an appearance. “I love you, endlessly.” he said as he kissed your cheeks before landing on your lips. The kiss was sweet, almost like it was sealing a promise.

“I love you, endlessly.” you spoke on his lips before connecting your mouths once again.

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Naboo's Note:

Hello! I hope everyone enjoys, I haven't seen too many plus size reader inserts with Astarion so here is my shot at it. As a plus size person I think this kind of representation is important and very validating. Post again soon, love you guys!! Thanks for all the likes, comments, reblogs, and requests!! XOXOXOXO

[baldurs-gape]

Pulling githtails

Sometimes people had very peculiar ways of making friends. If Gale had ever felt like he was not very well equipped in such a skill, watching some of his current tadpole infected companions made him reconsider his own aptitude. Sure, there were some like Karlach who were larger than life, laughed and drew in all those around them. She had an easy time making friends wherever she went. So did Wyll, his earnest determination didn't even have to wear people down, he simply existed in their orbit and people let him in. By contrast, Shadowheart seemed to choose being aloof, something something Sharran teachings about connections leading to nothing but grief. It was fine, that was her choice. Meanwhile Lae'zel seemed to simply not care for forging bonds. She was on a mission and that was all that mattered. Those who could assist were welcome to share her space in order to obtain their goal but that was it. Last but perhaps most fascinating was Astarion. His aloof manner and poorly disguised vampiric nature were made all the more interesting by his incessant need to poke and prod at people.

At first Gale had been irritated. He didn't enjoy Astarion's digs at his abilities, his past with Mystra or even his fashion sense. Yet every one of his rebuffs was met with a laugh and quip rather than Astarion leaving to pester somebody else. Truthfully, Gale had thought Astarion would be more like a cat that needed a subtle approach until he was accustomed to his presence. Instead, he found himself being treated like a cat but by a five year old who tugged at the cat's tail for attention and perhaps even trying to poke at the limits of a boundary. Either way, the end result was that Astarion's snide comments became less about Gale himself and more about life in general. And, actually, Gale found himself rather enjoying Astarion's company once he'd calmed down somewhat. It also afforded him the luxury of watching the same process of making friends take place while comfortable in his own standing.

After a fight where they were all covered in viscera, blood and who knew what else, Astarion gave Lae'zel a long look from head to toe. In another situation it could have been misconstrued as something more but now Astarion just smirked.

"Looks like we've got ourselves a githskanky," he announced and grandiosely pointed towards the river. "Please wash off that stench before I lose my lunch."

Grumbling, Lae'zel stomped past but made sure to flick her braids near him and Astarion got a glob of mushy red on his cheeky. He scowled, nose crinkling and looked at Gale.

"I guess she took double lessons in fighting at the cost of etiquette lessons." As if that would put someone like Astarion off. If anything, he was spurred on as he trotted after Lae'zel. "Wait! Lae'zel!"

She was wading into the river, already half stripped and rinsing the worst off her armour. Head snapping up, she took in the approaching vampire.

"What?"

"I had the sudden concern around your relations with water," Astarion explained. However, his mouth was already pulled into a badly hidden grin, betraying the incoming joke. "You're of the lizardy sort and they're not usually very water oriented in these parts. It would have been a rather unfortunate oversight on my part to not ensure you are safe. After all, I'd hate to be respinsible if our merry little group had to remember you as their githsanky."

A helmetful of water was hurled rather expertly in Astarion's direction, drenching him. But it didn't wash the smile off his face.

Astarion didn't ease up. At dinner he asked Lae'zel about washing up and whether she was their 'dishyanki' which earned him pot washing duties for the rest of the week. No matter how much he complained about not actually using any of the equipment, the whole camp seemed in agreement he needed to atone for his terrible jokes. At least Gale was more than happy to accompany him to the quiet spot with the flat rock that plates could dry on. And maybe the dishes weren't the only thing getting wet, something which Astarion's dick very much approved of (so did Astarion but that wasn't something he was ready to think about yet).

Trading with the woman wanting the githyanki egg was fortuitous. They had all been carrying rather a lot of scavenged wares they had no use for. To be able to offload it all was a relief. Until Astarion spied a ring in the woman's wares. Trying to bargain for it hadn't worked, neither had he managed to pickpocket her much to his frustration. Determined to get the ring, even if it was outside of his means, Astarion did the only thing he could.

"Lae'zel," he said in a singsong voice. "I know you plan on leaving this plane as soon as we're successful in our mission. Having all that gold would only weigh you down, it would be useless to you in the Astral Planes where you'll fight glorious battles."

"Spit it out."

"I don't suppose I could pretty please alleviate you of such a heavy burden?" Astarion paused, fluttering his lashes. At the lack of reply he shrugged. "No? I could make it up to you in other ways." Hearing that made Gale's heart clench. "Just think, I am a dab hand with swords, I could sharpen yours each day for a tenday. Consider it a loan maybe? I'd pay you back whatever you gave. And with interest! What say you? Be my githbanky?"

Lae'zel marched away from him without dignifying a response. Pouting, Astarion tried to play off his disappointment as over the top dramatics. That evening through, he couldn't hold back the surprised little "ooh" as he spotted the much coveted ring on his bedroll. His eyes met Lae'zel's but neither of them said anything.

Any worries Gale had about Lae'zel's intentions towards Astarion were laid to rest that same evening when she rather loudly and in a prolonged manner claimed Shadowheart as her own. Come morning, sat around for a snack of nuts and fruits, Astarion leaned into Shadowheart's personal space.

"So, you played githyanky?" A glare was his answer but he was undeterred. "Guess you must be on best behaviour or you'll get a githspanky."

"I wouldn't let her hear you say all that," Shadowheart replied airly. "She can get quite irate when tired. Let's just say she stayed up very late last night."

"Oh I know. I think we all heard." Not missing a beat, Astarion bumped his shoulder against hers. "We'll blame you for the githcranky."

A blade was under his throat and lifting his chin to turn away from Shadowheart. Lae'zel glared down at him. With zero sense of self-preservation, Astarion let out a giggle.

"Oooh. A githshanky!"

The flat of the blade smacked gently against his pale cheek before it was dropped back down. Lae'zel seemed to feel she'd made her point and turned away, already fully armoured and ready for the day. Her head turned as he looked at Astarion with a crinkle at the corner of her eye as though smiling.

"No. A githpranky."

[quartz-crow]

Bleeding Heart Pt. 1 - (Astarion x Reader)

Reader x Astarion fic - hints of Halsin too! Please let me know what you think! I'll try to update as often as possible.

Read part two here ⚔️

Chapter 1

“Tav, look where the fuck you’re going?!”.

Your eyes widened as you felt each muscle in your body abruptly seize. With each heartbeat, you felt your limbs tighten - restraining you. Your feet hung lifelessly beneath your body as you felt yourself rise above the ground. Your vision grew hazy, shattered and shimmering with auras. Sharp pulses, like lightning bolts, echoed within your skull as something explored every thought… every face… every emotion you’d ever witnessed.

“What the fuck?!” Karlach thundered. Flames licked her body as the she-tiefling smashed her hammer down onto a ghoul’s gnarled head. The creature yelped as it clattered to the floor with a bloody squelch. “What’s wrong with her?!”. Astarion’s eyes darted across at you. He grimaced and closed his eyes for a split second. “Shit”. The highelf plunged a blade into the chest of the ghoul that stood before him. Black blood splattered across his translucent skin, but he barely noticed. With a soft growl, Astarion gritted his teeth as he forcefully kicked the ghoul back. The undead crashed back on the floor, writhing pathetically as it attempted to stand again. However, before it even had the chance, a large bear club flattened it roughly. Halsin’s large dark eyes stared into Astarion’s own, and although he never spoke in this form - the vampire spawn knew exactly what that look meant. Go to her.

Astarion rushed across the uneven ground, dodging swings from his allies and foes alike as he made his way across to you. Panting beneath your feet, Astarion glared up at you as sweat and blood dripped down his pale face. “Snap out of it” he hissed. He stared at you, but it was obvious that you couldn’t hear him. Your eyelids flickered as the whites of your eyes practically bulged out of their sockets. Astarion felt like screaming. He had seen you overcome to whatever was going on in your head before, but not like this… You had never been so… lifeless before. Behind you, a dark lumbering body slowly emerged from the shadows and Astarion’s heart froze. “Fuck”. Without hesitation, he lept across as it - fangs bared like a mountain lion. Upon impact, both the spawn and the creature clattered to the floor and began to tussle in the grass. With an unkempt rage that Astarion preferred to hide, he plunged his face into the creature’s chest. The creature screamed as he ripped out its unbeating heart. He felt blood pool down his chest before he spat out the heart with a loud gag. Astarion felt like throwing up. But instead, he bit back the vile that was rising in his stomach and lifted his head to stare up at you. “LISTEN TO ME” he snarled, his voice pitching in alarm.

“What the fuck is wrong with her?” Karlach shouted as she continued to bat away enemies that were beginning to surround your party. As far as the eye could see, shadows swirled around you all - melting into the night… creating an endless sea of darkness. “How should I know?” Astarion hissed back. Halsin-bear snorted as a mob of undeads began clambering over his body, slowly pinning him to the ground.

Despite Astarion’s pleas, you were far away from your allies…and even your own body, for you were currently on another plane of existence entirely.

Purple haze washed around you as your dream visitor walked out from the darkness. You recognised his face, the wide set jaw and dark hair which was loosely pulled into a braid at the nape of his neck. The tall human smiled as he knelt in front of you. He offered you a hand, which you hesitantly took. “Othim.. Where -“. Othim lifted his hand to silence you. The tentative smile left his lips as he shook his head. “You’re safe, don’t worry. I wouldn’t have left your body in a vulnerable position”. You frowned as you took in your surroundings. It was as if you were in the night sky itself… You observed the stars and smoky clouds that surrounded you. In slight amazement, you turned back to face your dream visitor. You watched as the human slowly made his way to the edge of the cliff on which you both stood. He had his back to you as he seemed to peer down at the ground below. “I’m not asleep, am I?’ you asked cautiously. Othim turned back to face you. He seemed amused by your question, or perhaps he simply found you amusing. “Not quite” he replied. “However, this couldn’t wait until you were asleep I’m afraid…”.

“What? What is it?”, You quickly stepped forward, “Have you found a cure?”. The human frowned, his face grew shadowy as he sighed. You winced as you felt your heart sink in your chest. Every life your blade had taken was in the hope that Othim could free you. You had pinned every hope on the belief that your dream visitor would find a cure for the tadpole in your head. Without one? Well, you were good as dead. “Gods please tell me some good news Othim, please”. Othim clenched his jaw and looked away from you once more. “I’m afraid that there’s… something in the way between you and… a cure.”.

You felt awfully cold in the moment, and yet, blood raced to your face. “What? What is it?” you pleaded. Without a single word, Othim turned to stare back down over the cliff edge. “I’m sorry” he murmured. You felt so cold. So awfully cold. And yet, you slowly made your way to stand beside your dream visitor - for you knew he wanted you to see whatever it was that he was staring at.

As soon as you stood beside the human, you wished you never had. You felt like throwing up as you stared at the scene below your feet. Blood… body parts… bodies… and fire. A pile of bodies were scattered across the campsite - each nursing various kinds of horrific wounds, the like of which made your stomach churn. And there, amongst the chaos and the destruction stood a man you knew all too well. As pale as moonlight itself, stood Astarion breathing heavily in blood-soaked clothes. His piercing eyes stared coldly back up at you. His crimson irises were devoid of any warmth you associated with your companion. Worst of all… There in his hand, hung your lifeless decapitated head.

You fell to the floor as you covered your mouth. You clenched your eyes shut as they began to well with tears. Your body shook violently as it tried to eject the sight of what you had just witnessed. Between dry heaves, you felt a hand rest on your shoulder. “I’m sorry” Othim murmured. Sobs fell from between your lips. Astarion.. That wasn’t him. It couldn’t be. He’d never hurt your friends - and he’d never hurt you.. he was ever so gentle with you. He always was... “I’m sorry… All of this will be for nought with the spawn amongst your ranks”. You wiped your face and shakily stood up, careful not to accidentally look over the cliff edge again. “What… what was-?”. “You don’t have to speak” Othim whispered softly. His dark eyes looked over you fondly, but you couldn’t bear to meet his gaze. You knew it was pointless to try and voice your thoughts - Othim could read your mind either way.

You couldn’t understand. Othim sighed and nodded knowingly. The human stared blankly at you as he replayed your memories in his own head. He watched how you and the vampire-spawn had touched each other - and he tried not to recoil in disgust. He clenched his jaw as he cast that memory away and out into the night sky. “I know how he manipulated you. I’m afraid that’s what his kind do. For he’s a monster after all-”.

“No”.

Othim turned to face you in surprise. You glared at him as tears rolled down your cheeks. You panted deeply as you balled your hands into fists. Try as you might have, you were trying to keep your composure under check - but of course, Othim saw right through it. “No?” he repeated, tilting his head to the side. “May I remind you what’s waiting for you on the other side?” he asked, gesturing down to the scene below. You shook your head. Visions of Astarion’s cold eyes, your dead friends and your own lifeless body flashed across your mind. “Please.. don’t” you mustered in a whimper. “…I know how you feel about him” Othim confessed as he walked towards you. He softly took your hand and ran his thumb across your knuckles. “I can see it in your mind… It’s clear as sunlight on the sea itself - but sweet child, I wouldn’t show you this if it weren’t a future truth”. You stared blankly at the amulet that hung around Othim’s neck. It was a glass locket with a gold frame, and inside the locket, appeared to be some kind of liquid - it glinted in the dark m each time Othim drew a breath. “What… should I do?”. “Hm..” Othim hummed softly as he let go of your shoulder. “A kind man would abandon the spawn… a kinder man would put him out of his misery. It’s up to you what kind of man you wish to be”. “…And if I can’t?”.

Othim stepped back into the clouds as they began to swirl around you both. His eyes switched from brown to gold as he began to disappear once more into your mind. “If not, then you will have signed your death warrant … and the deaths of your allies with Myrkul himself. Choose wisely my friend. I know you will make the right choice”.

Electric bolts shot throughout your veins, electrifying each nerve painfully as you began to reenter your body back on the physical plane. For a brief moment, your eyes regained focus… for a brief moment, you thought you saw Astarion’s face staring up at you. But perhaps not, for the next thing you knew was that your body had plummeted to the ground with a dull thud.

[mumms-the-word]

Intimacy prompts #11

Sorry that I took so long with this! I struggled for a while trying to think what I wanted to write for it, only to realize I had something that was already kind of perfect for this in my WIP drafts.

(It did get a little angsty tho sorry lol)

Prompt #11 - sharing secrets

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One Sleep Away

Gale x Dani In the camp outside of Baldur's Gate, Dani and Gale share a few secrets while watching the city rest peacefully below.

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They were one sleep away from Baldur’s Gate. One sleep away from walking through Rivington, through Wyrm’s Rock, through the Outer City neighborhoods that curved around Dusthawk Hill, and into the Lower City. Or at least, according to the resident Baldurians, Dani, Wyll, Astarion, and Karlach, that was the path they needed to take tomorrow. They could have explained anything to Gale about Baldur’s Gate and he would have believed them. He knew very little, aside from the fact that Sorcerous Sundries existed somewhere in the city.

He glanced up at the ruined watch tower that stood sentinel over their camp. They’d pitched their tents in its shadow and among its crumbling walls, but whether it was the inhospitable surroundings or the fact that they were so close to the city at last, no one seemed keen to sleep just yet. And Dani, who normally preferred sitting by the campfire chatting or wandering a little ways off to play her fiddle, had yet to climb down from her vantage point near the top of the watch tower. 

Gale waited for some time to see if she’d come down. He missed her being nearby. The last several nights, ever since their first visit to Moonrise, she’d joined him in his tent, wrapping her arms around his middle, tangling their legs together and resting her cheek (carefully, lest she poke him with her horns) against his chest. Every night was the same, with her wrapping him up in her embrace so strongly it was as though she feared he would disappear in the night. She never expressly said why she had made this their nightly habit before they fell asleep, but he suspected he knew part of the answer. 

He’d very nearly given in to Mystra’s command to set off the orb in his chest when they’d discovered the elder brain beneath Moonrise. He would have killed not only himself and the brain, but Dani and dozens of others, too. It likely affected Dani more than she let on. But of course she never said as much. She wasn’t much for talking out her fears or her grievances, except to jokingly complain about little things like the weather.

But something else distracted her tonight. It had to be something serious, to keep her away from the company of others for so long. He glanced once more up at the old watch tower and at last resolved to seek her out. Perhaps she wouldn’t mind his company, if it was only him coming to see her. 

He passed through the camp and up the stairs and ladder that he’d seen Dani take a few hours before. He was careful to be as quiet as possible, despite the creaking wood of the ladder. If she had dozed off, he didn’t want to wake her. They all needed all the sleep they could muster.

But when he reached the top of the ladder, he found Dani sitting on the battlements, her back against the stone wall of the signal tower, one knee propped up and the other leg dangling down, her foot idly swinging. Her face was turned toward the city, away from him, but even so, he couldn’t help but stop and admire her.

Even seated, her body seemed lithe and graceful. Moonlight had turned her light blue skin as soft as hydrangea petals and the icy blue highlights of her long hair nearly silver. Even the breeze itself seemed to grow gentle as it touched her, brushing the hair that framed her face softly against her cheek, like a caress. She hummed quietly under her breath, a tender song all to herself, her foot swinging in time with the tune. After a moment, her lips parted and she sang the words themselves under her breath.

“It’s one more day boys,  That’ll do, boys, Soon we’ll draw alongside, To the gate, boys,  Baldur’s Gate, boys, See the journey’s nearly done.”

Even when she wasn’t casting magic through song, her voice enchanted him. She was a vision unto herself. Though he knew no painter would be interested in immortalizing the unraveling threads and dirt stains on her linen blouse, or the stone dust that clung to her trousers, or the scrapes and bruises on her arms from travel and battle, he preferred to commit it all to memory. This beautiful moment of Dani seated like a classical model, with the sprawling, torch-flickering expanse of Baldur’s Gate as her backdrop. The sight felt like a gift, just for him.

He cleared his throat quietly, so as not to startle her. “Beautiful view. I can see why it’s kept you up here so long.”

She turned her head quickly, tensing, only to relax instantly when she saw that it was him and not a random attacker. Tendays of battle had done that to all of them. He’d never been so suspicious of crackling twigs or approaching footsteps before this wild adventure.

“I guess I lost track of the time,” she said. She turned back to the view of the city. “It’s just so hard to look away. Just look at it, Gale. Baldur’s Gate. Isn’t it beautiful?”

He joined her at the battlement, clasping his hands behind his back and looking beyond her at the city beyond. It stretched before them, curving around rough-hewn Dusthawk Hill but otherwise hugging close to the Chionthar. Two stone bridges, built up with wooden tenements and shops, spanned the Chionthar and connected Rivington to the Outer City. To their left, the heart of the city lay, illuminated by torch light and glimmering peacefully in the night. If he didn’t know better, he could scarcely believe that the city was on the cusp of war.

“I’ve never seen it from this angle before,” she said softly to herself. “I was too busy moving around inside of it. To think, I’ve lived here my entire life, and I missed the views like this.”

“It is quite the view, to be sure,” he agreed, his gaze straying away from the glimmering lights to rest on her instead. All of the city’s distant candlelights and torchlights seemed captured in her golden glowing gaze as it lay fixed on the city beyond.

“Gods, I’ve missed it,” she whispered. “I know I haven’t been gone that long, especially compared to Karlach or Wyll, but…” She trailed off and finished with a vague gesture of her hand. 

Gale said nothing. The city was unfamiliar to him, but that didn’t mean he didn’t understand her sentiment. If he thought too long on Waterdeep, he found himself getting misty-eyed. What he wouldn’t give to sit on his balcony overlooking the sea again, or nestle into his favorite armchair with Tara on his lap, or take tea again with his mother in her cheerful little sitting room. 

Hells, his mother was probably beside herself, at this point. It had been more than two months since he’d been taken by the nautiloid, and he’d yet to send a single letter. He pushed that thought away before it threatened to bring a real tear to his eyes and cleared his throat again. 

“What part of Baldur’s Gate do you hail from?” he asked.

Dani snorted softly. “Everywhere. Anywhere that could take me.”

Gale’s eyebrows drew together. “You were…you didn’t have a specific home?”

“I did…for a while.” She pointed toward the small mountain that stood in the midst of the city, just slightly left of its center. “I was born in Stonyeyes, on the other side of Dusthawk Hill from here. It’s a half decent neighborhood of families that work as servants, craftsmen, or shopkeeps in the Lower City, if they’re not tending their own shops in Stonyeyes. You can’t see it from here, but we’ll pass through it to get into the city proper.”

She lowered her arm and rested her head against the signal tower again. “I lived there with my mum until I was…gods, fifteen? Then I struck it out on my own. Joined up with a troupe and tavern-hopped with them from gig to gig. We’d play in exchange for room and board, most nights. I’ve been just about all over the Outer City and the Lower City.”

“You left home at fifteen?” He tried to imagine a fifteen-year-old Dani. That must have been ten years ago, give or take a year. He envisioned her a little shorter, a little rounder in the face, her hair its natural, undyed shade of deep, rich mahogany, but in two much shorter braids and no buns behind her horns. The girl in his mind’s eye seemed far too young to strike out alone, but what did he know? He was conjuring complex magic and summoning powerful creatures into his dormitory bedroom when he was fifteen.

“Yeah. I had to. My mum was sick and we had to afford the healers somehow. So I sang and played in taverns for a bit and scraped together a few coppers each night to send home to my mum. When Brann and his Rovers passed through, I joined up in an instant. He’d always been good to me.” She smiled softly, as if reliving a memory. “He taught me my first clunky chords on the lute when I was just a kid, and showed me how to scrape a bow across fiddle strings without making an awful screech. I’m just glad he saw potential in me.”

Right, Brann Rufford, the human bard who had a complicated but strong connection with Dani. Gale recalled many stories Dani would tell of Brann, his daughter Liara, and the other two bards, Paraxxel and Kellen, as the five of them traveled around together. It struck him only then that he knew more about that part of her life than her childhood. She talked about her mother, but rarely, and he realized he couldn’t recall a single thing about her father.

He almost didn’t ask his next question, but his curiosity got the better of him. “Was your father not able to help?”

Dani rolled her eyes. “Not willing, more like. He probably wasn’t even in the city. I never met my dad, but I know he was a right arsehole, from what my mum told me. The sort that give bards a bad name.”

“Ah…not the poetic, charming kind of bard then?”

“No. More like…the fucking and leaving kind. The only thing he ever gave me was a knack for lying and cheating at cards.” She frowned, her brow furrowed, and then leaned over the edge of the battlements and spat, as though talking about him left a bad taste in her mouth. “Good riddance.”

“My apologies,” Gale murmured. “I shouldn’t have asked.”

“No, it’s all right. You didn’t know. And now you do.” She shrugged, as if it were as simple as that.

They lapsed into silence, gazing out over the city together. Gale thought back to his own father, then, unable to keep from drawing comparisons. It had been so long since he gave his father any serious thought. He’d tried for so long to forget him, after all. But glancing at Dani, who looked a little sad now as she leaned back against the signal tower, he felt the odd urge to share. To at least let her know that she wasn’t alone in feeling…complicated…about her own father.

“Can I tell you a secret?” he asked, folding his arms loosely and leaning his hip against the battlements. He waited for her to look at him, curious, before he smiled faintly and continued. “In some ways, I think you’re lucky. Your father was an arsehole but at least you didn’t have to see it. My father was an arsehole and we had to live with him for a decade before he left us.”

She didn’t say anything, but he saw her expression shift from curiosity to quiet sympathy. No judgment. As if she understood.

Perhaps in some ways she did.

“I could lie and say there was some big dramatic fight that occurred the day he left,” he said, looking out over the city again. “Or go farther and say he was taken from us too soon by some disease or battle or what-have-you. But the reality is that he simply left one day while I was living at Blackstaff Academy. No note, no warning. My mother wrote to tell me and Tara delivered the letter.”

“What did you do?” Dani whispered.

He shrugged, lowering his gaze to the ground below. “I threw the letter in the fire. I told Tara I didn’t care about him anyway, and I went back to my studies.”

It was strange, to be talking about his father. He hadn’t brought him up to anyone in years. Better to have forgotten he existed at all, he thought. But he felt comfortable mentioning him now. Though that did not necessarily mean he was unaffected by it. Old feelings of resentment and bitterness coated his tongue, but eh didn’t try to swallow them back this time. He felt…safe sharing this with Dani. 

He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt safe sharing these sorts of secrets with anyone.

“Was he cruel to you?” she asked softly.

He shook his head. “Not physically. But he’d always been distant. I got the impression that he never wanted me, and once he had me, there was nothing I could do to earn his favor. Nothing was good enough, and he viewed every little mishap of mine as mounting evidence of my many faults. In truth…I’m not certain why he stayed as long as he did.” 

Gale looked up at the stars then. Strange, how easy it had been in comparison to win the favor and impress the likes of Elminster Aumar, and from there the Mother of Magic herself, but not his own flesh-and-blood father. Accidentally cast a fireball into a rosebush and Elminster himself calls him a prodigy. Do the same in front of his father, however, and the only reaction he’d received was an angry tirade about how he could do nothing right.

Looking back, he saw now that his mother had overcorrected in her attempts to counteract his father’s coldness. She had been nothing but supportive of Gale in opposition to his father, fueling Gale’s desire to learn magic, doting on his every victory, and excusing his faults where they made themselves known. His father had instilled in him a desire for perfection, first to impress him, and later to impress Mystra, while his mother had unknowingly fanned the flames of his hubris and arrogance by telling him that his father was wrong and that he was destined for greatness. He’d told himself some time ago that his actions were for himself alone, or himself and Mystra, but it was looking back now with a clear head and someone like Dani at his side that he was starting to see how far-reaching the consequences of having such an upbringing really stretched.

“The day he left, I said much the same thing you did,” he said after a moment of quiet. “Good riddance. Good riddance and go to hell.” He paused, and then added with a wry smile, “Having been to hell personally, I can say that I still think he’d fit right in down there.”

Dani sat up, her legs on either side of the battlement, and laid a hand on Gale’s shoulder. “You don’t have to carry him with you wherever you go,” she said, her face serious and sympathetic. “I don’t know if that helps but…you can focus on remembering the ones who love you more, instead. Like your mother, and Tara. And me.” She added those last two words so softly he might have missed them had he not been watching her lips.

He put a hand over hers where it still rested on his shoulder. “I know. And I love you, too, Dani.” He leaned over and gave her a gentle, lingering kiss before the both of them settled back the way they were, Dani leaning against the little stone tower and Gale resting against the battlements, their eyes on the city beyond.

It was good to speak of it, he thought to himself, even if the memories did still sting with bitterness. But it helped even more knowing that Dani understood, in some ways. Their experiences were not entirely the same, but she wasn’t telling him to forgive his father or trying to justify his actions. She’d met him with nothing but understanding and a reminder that other people loved him, still loved him, and would always love him.

Just as people loved her and would always love her. Himself included.

“Is your mother still in Stonyeyes?” he asked suddenly, a plan forming in his mind as he looked at the city.

She looked up, surprised by his sudden question. “Yes. I assume so, she was there when I last saw her a few months ago.”

“If we must pass through the Outer City, we could stop by.”

She gave him an odd look, part confusion and part amusement. “You want to meet my mum?”

“Of course. That is…if you’re not against me meeting her. I think we’ve both weathered worse than awkward introductions to one’s mother, after all. But if you’d rather avoid all that…” He shrugged. “Then I suppose we can simply drop you off for an afternoon and continue on to try and reach Basilisk Gate without you. We’re all more than capable of finding our way through to the Lower City. Probably.”

She laughed softly, shaking her head. “Don’t be so quick to say that. Baldur’s Gate’s streets can confuse even the most street-savvy of us.” She shifted so that she was sitting with her back to the city, her legs dangling over the stone floor. She leaned forward on her hands, toward him, tilting her head. “Do you want to meet my mum or not? Supposing we find the time, I mean.”

“Only if you are comfortable with me meeting her,” Gale said, adjusting so that he was facing her fully and not awkwardly leaning off to one side. “Though,” he added, as if in an afterthought, “I’ll need adequate time to prepare. You’ll need to give me her name, for one, and how best to address her and whether I ought to shake her hand or come bearing gifts. That sort of thing.”

Dani shook her head in amusement. “Gale.”

“Is she allergic to anything? Would she be offended if I offered to make her dinner, or perhaps a dessert?”

“Gale.”

“Are there any customs I ought to be aware of? Anything I ought to avoid? Leave my shoes on the doorstep, that sort of thing?”

“Gale,” she said, this time with more emphasis, reaching out to grab his shirt with one hand and give him a little shake. “Calm down. She’s a normal tiefling, love, not a complex magical ritual you have to prepare for.”

“I just like to be prepared for anything and make a good impression.”

Dani rolled her eyes fondly and took his shirt in both of her hands, gently bringing him to stand between her knees. With her seated on the battlements, she was a few inches higher than him. It was a little thrilling, to look up and see her illuminated golden gaze, one of her braids slipping over her shoulder as she leaned down to smile at him. Unbidden, he smoothed his hands up her thighs, fitting himself snuggly between her legs, as though obeying her silent command.

“You ramble when you’re excited, darling,” she murmured.

“I—”

But his protest was cut short by her lips meeting his. He caved to her affections, letting the words he was going to say slip from his mind as he returned her kiss. Kiss after kiss, he let himself get lost in the taste of her tongue, his fingers curling into the muscle of her thighs. 

“Conjure us a little tent, won’t you, love?” she mumbled against his lips. When he pulled back to look askance at her, she merely gave him a smirk and traced his lower lip with the point of her thumbnail. “I’m in no mood to climb down to the rest of camp just yet.”

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[saintsands0rcery]

Sunset And Storms - (Saints and Sorcery)

Pairing: Gale x f!tav

Summary: reminiscing comes with its own price

Tw: I am not sure when I should use trigger warnings but here are the main points - grief, death/mention of death

Words: ca. 1000

Ao3

Most sunny days the curtains remained drawn. Well, not all of them, every now and then the the once-adventurer would sit in the early morning light and bask in the rays of the sun, eyes closed, only disturbed by the sound of the sea beneath.

Once the day truly began though, she couldn’t help but think of her friend. All the noise and happiness. Children playing chase in the streets especially, somehow.

Each morning.

With a sigh she took on the last remnants of the golden glow, now that the world had quieted down again. She leaned over the balconies railing, feet hocked beneath the banister to secure herself. Gale would be happy to know she didn’t deliberately put herself in danger, Cyder thought, unlike during their travelling days.

She halted for a moment as she was swept up into the fond memories. The smell of the campfires smoke, still caught up in Gales hair as she snuck into his tent later that night, the warmth of his body against hers. Her hair in twin braids-

She swallowed, tugging at the braids her husband had arranged her hair into that morning. Cyder had never learned how to do it herself. Previous to meeting Karlach she had kept it loose, always at a loss as to what to do with her horns.

Now Gale did it for her, she didn’t even need to ask anymore. Her days started with his hands running through her tangled locks paired with gentle words and kisses pressed to the back of her neck.

She was lucky. Somehow.

She remembered exactly how oblivious she’d been - and how her friend had nudged her into the right direction. Always jesting that everyone but her and Gale knew.

She leaned a little further, holding on to one of the beams forming the top structure of the balcony. She could feel the heat of the sun burning hot, stinging her eyes, the wind cool against her skin.

It was hard to remember how beautiful the world could be at times.

The front door opened with a creak, it had done so since the temperature began to cool a little. Cyder halted for a moment, refusing to blink, waiting as the afterimage of the bright evening sun burned into her vision.

There was someone who would want her to enjoy this. All its beauty, all its wonder. She knew she was wasting her time staring, she knew.

“Cyder?” he didn’t catch her by surprise - she expected him behind her - it was the tone of his voice that made her falter.

“Gale.” She smiled as she turned towards him, knowing that it fell flat, knowing that there wasn’t much sense in concealing where her mind had wandered. The Tiefling climbed carefully back down to greet her husband.

“What are you up to, exactly?” he asked as he gently wrapped his arms around her.

“Nothing, really.” She muttered, taking in his familiar scent. He was perfection, the way the light accentuated his wide, dark eyes. The silver in his hair…

He nuzzled his nose into her hair before pulling away to kiss her forehead. “Did you think of her again?”

Cyder nodded.

Gale glanced down at her hand - the one without the ring. The memories of his beloved kneeling beside Karlach, clutching her friends hand in hers were still fresh in his mind. He remembered how her voice had broken as she promised to not let go of her, not for a moment. Now the only reminder of Kalach’s existence left to Cyder was a net of deep burn scars across the palm of her left hand.

He remembered vividly how she had pushed away Shadowhearts attempts to heal her and how he had held her later, when they were in their room after the celebrations had died down.

She had managed to stay cheerful through it all, for the sake of her friends memory. Of course reality settled in only with time, it always did.

He had rinsed the wound with water and alcohol, cut strips out of an old shirt and gently bundled them around her hand. He had drawn her as close to him as he possibly could have, promised her to never leave her side, gave her all the comfort he could.

“It’s unfair, don’t you think?” the way her voice was firm and not barely above a whisper told him all he needed to know. He could read her like a book.

“What is?” He asked, now wanting to interrupt, but wishing for her not to fall silent again either.

“That I am right here, and she is just a memory now. If I think of-“ she halted, frowning “- well, if it had been me. I wouldn’t want to be your memory. I would want to be the thing that keeps you going, not what stunt you.”

He puled her to him again, her death wasn’t a thing he ever thought about. Sometimes it appeared in his dreams though, waking him up with his heart galloping and his fear so all-consuming he couldn’t help but reach for her comfort.

“not that I would ever leave you.” she smiled up at him, genuine this time. “I believe she is somewhere int the colours of the sunset, the power of a storm, the laughter of a stranger. She’s not for me to touch or talk to whenever I want. She’s not here but I am, and even though that doesn’t feel right, I know that she would hate for me to cling to that darkness. That’s the hardest part.”

Gale tucked a lock of hair behind his wife’s ear.

“Can we go for a walk? Tomorrow maybe?” her voice tore him away from the thought.. It was very unlike her to plan on doing anything when she was deep in her thoughts just moments earlier.

“If you wish to.”

“I do.”

[aliantic]

Baldurston: A Baldur's Gate 3/Bridgerton Crossover

Summary: Navigating the Sword Coast was full of adventures - thrilling fights, daring deceptions, and even a hint of romance. However, when the party travels through a portal and winds up in the world of 1800s London, they know their path has been drastically changed. The world that was once theirs is no more - now, they are amongst the Bridgertons. Can they leave their old ways behind and navigate the complex social dynamics of the ton?

Chapter 14: Lae'zel

Baldurston Masterlist

Lae’zel hadn’t been lying when she told Benedict Bridgerton that she needed a break. Far from it, in fact - while she found that she quite enjoyed the similarities between the art of war and the art of the dance, there was only so much that a body could take. Besides, she’d conditioned her body to be able to hold a sword, run into battle, and defeat her enemies. While the thought processes were similar to each other, the physicality certainly wasn’t, and her muscles were aching in places that practically hadn’t hurt since the first days after she hatched. Or perhaps, she thought woefully, it was just that this body was weaker than her githyanki form. Humans, in general, weren’t raised to have the same fortitude, and the body she was currently in didn’t even have calluses from her sword! She wasn’t looking forward to trying to remake those, but it was nevertheless in her day's plans until Lady Featherington had swept her up in all of these dresses and frills and other useless garbage.

Lae’zel gathered her far too large skirt into her fist, apparently much too high for society's standards if she were to judge by the shocked look of some of the mothers, but she knew there would be no way for her to get through the crowds of people unaccosted otherwise. She wasn’t sure if it was something about her face, her family, or her grace on the dance floor that kept these human males swarming after her, but she needed a moment to breathe. In her current state, she would be surprised if she could defeat even an intellect devourer, and frankly, that thought terrified her.

She was supposed to be protecting her people. She was supposed to be gearing up to defeat an Elder Brain before it made them all into mindless zombies. And yet, here she was - wearing dresses and playing pretend with these people that, in all likelihood, didn’t actually exist outside of her own mind. She might not put her faith in Vlaakith anymore, but for the first time she realized that maybe there was a reason Vlaakith didn’t support her anymore, either. Well, an additional reason outside of her directly disobeying her by refusing to kill the being inside the Astral Prism.

Gale was still over by the food when she arrived, and she found herself happy to talk to someone else who knew about their situation. That may have been the craziest thing of all, she thought - being interested in talking to someone like Gale. But alas, he was here, and while he might be a wizard who mistakenly thought himself to be the smartest member of their party, she supposed it wasn’t that odd. It wasn’t like she was finding herself glad to talk to Shadowheart, after all.

“Greetings!” Gale said with a small wave that almost made her want to turn right back around and return from where she’d come. Instead, she paused for a moment to give a silent sigh, then continued toward him. “I saw you dancing out on the floor! I never pictured you as much of a dancer, personally - Karlach, of course, but I’m glad that she seems to finally be taking a turn.”

Lae’zel turned to look at Karlach and Benedict spinning together. Karlach looked like she was using her full concentration, which made sense to her - barbarians weren’t known for their detail, after all. And Benedict looked like he was laughing. She hoped for his sake that he was laughing with Karlach instead of at her. She may be trapped in a human body as well, but unlike Lae’zel, she seemed to retain at least some of her strength. While Lae’zel held no personal regard for the safety of the Bridgertons, she knew that Penelope cared greatly for them, and Penelope had been kind to her. She’d hate to have one of her friends kill one of Penelope’s.

“I would say that I’m surprised that you’re not on the floor yourself,” she said, turning back to the table and grabbing a lemonade, “but you’ve never been much of a fighter.”

Gale chuckled. “That may be true, but I’ll have you know that I’ve attended my fair share of balls in Waterdeep. Granted, my mother went with to those as well, so I spent a fair bit of my time asking the daughters of her friends to dance, versus choosing who I actually wanted to dance with. But none of those parties had these types of biscuits.” He picked up a biscuit from the table and popped it into his mouth, his eyes nearly rolling back in exaggerated pleasure from it. “I’m afraid I’ve eaten so many of these that I shan't have to eat for the rest of the week.”

“Excellent,” Lae’zel said, taking a biscuit for herself. She had to admit that he was at least right about the quality of the food. “If you aren’t needed at meals, that will leave us more time to look for a portal back home.”

Gale choked on yet another biscuit.

After coughing for a moment to clear his throat, he glared at her as subtly as he could (which was not particularly subtle, considering there were now people looking in their direction). “Are you mad?” he hissed. “I hardly think this is the place to discuss such matters.”

“Why not?” she hissed, crossing her arms. She knew it was undignified, especially for a githyanki, but if she didn’t do something to restrain herself, she might not be able to physically restrain her irritation. “It’s not as though any of these simpletons would have any clue as to what we’re talking about. Most of them have not even left this town, much less left this plane.”

She saw a couple of eyebrows raise near them, but Lae’zel knew that there were too far away to be able to hear a word of what they were saying. Gale, however, clearly didn’t, as his eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets. “You can’t just say such things in public,” he whispered back to her. “At least not by the dessert tray. Here,” he said, offering his hand to her, and for some reason that she couldn’t quite fathom, she ended up taking it.

Gale started walking back to the dance floor, and the crowds parted for them as they moved. Several people looked at them in confusion and shock, and she wasn’t sure if it was because she was going out to the dance floor with Gale after having rejected a Bridgerton (which, even not having been from this area, she knew would be quite foolish if she was actually planning on staying here for any length of time) or if they had heard her, but frankly, she wasn’t sure if she really cared.

Gale stopped toward the edge of the dance floor and turned abruptly, giving her a small bow. She returned with a small curtsy of her own (not because she thought it was proper for Gale, but because she had followed the queues of other women when she’d first started dancing. Frankly, she thought it was a ridiculous tradition - they were already willing to be in close proximity to each other, so was it really necessary to expose the back of your neck for a vulnerability?) and Gale stepped forward to grab her hand, trying his best to match the beat of the waltz that was playing.

“Much better,” Gale said quietly as he stepped toward her. “Everyone out here is focused on their own conversations and their own steps. Now back to what you were saying, I’m not sure we should even be going home, personally.”

“What?” Lae’zel yelped, and even though the dance, she managed to draw a few stares. She smiled politely at them to reassure them that she was okay, then turned back to Gale. “What do you mean by that? We have to go back. The Elder Brain is planning on turning people into a zombie hoard. For all we know, this,” she said, gesturing to the dancing around them, “is all a hallucination from them.”

“I don’t think it is,” Gale said after a heartbeat. “It feels too real. You feel real to me,” he said, squeezing her hand. “I don’t think I’d be able to touch anything in a hallucination. And I highly doubt you’d be disagreeing me, or even having any thoughts about wanting to go back!”

“Unless you are the hallucination for me, and you’re trying to make us stay here,” she argued back.

“A fair point, although I assure you that, from my viewpoint at least, that is inaccurate. Now,” he said, cutting her off before she had a chance to respond, “I’m not saying that we shouldn’t look into it and see if there is even a possibility of us going back. If there’s a possibility, I’d like to know about it. But once we find it, I’m just saying that we should seriously think about the possibility of us staying here regardless.”

“We can’t,” Lae’zel said, as though that was the only argument that she had. Frankly, she thought, it was the only argument that was really needed.

“But what is even waiting for us back home?” Gale asked. “A large battle in which we all quite possibly die, or us turning into a group of slaves. Even if I can get up to the Elder Brain and explode before it kills all of us, what then? Karlach dies, Astarion and Wyll go back into servitude, and you go back to serve a false god who doesn’t want you anymore. Why is that better than here, living amongst these people, eating delicious food and dancing the night away? And I’ve yet to even see an imp, much less any real danger.”

Lae’zel opened her mouth to answer, but she found she couldn’t come up with any words other than that they had to leave because they had to leave. As she tried to wrap her mind around the thought, the music came to an end, and all the women started to retreat from the dance floor.

Gale, noticing the lack of sound, stepped away and bowed yet again. “Just think about it,” he asked. “For now, I’ll have to bid you good night, however. It seems I finally found the woman I was talking with earlier, and I would love to ask her to dance.”

In a sea of confusing things, Lae’zel, though, that was perhaps the most confusing. She turned toward where Gale’s eyes stared, and she saw Penelope in her garishly yellow dress. She started to shake her head, but then stopped herself. Really, she thought, if there was one thing about tonight that made sense, she thought she would put that at the top of the list.

[animentality]

You ever think about how the fandom will go nuts trying to explain how Astarion is ~basically~ an elven child and how he’s absolved of all guilt for everything he’s done by the abuse he endured and yet… on the other hand we also have Gortash, who very literally was a child when sold to the hells and put through who knows what manner of abuse, saw who knows what messed up shit, who has had chances to do better, yes, but has also had to fight to survive and be more than just a beggar on the streets once he escaped. And he’s the totally evil and irredeemable one according to most fans. I’m not trying to woobify him btw, it’s just always interesting how every other character gets defended on the basis of “but cult conditioning/abuse/etc” but Gortash is uniquely the worst man alive. Which he is, but also. Cmon. Astarion has a long list of innocent victims and is a razors edge away from becoming the next cazador in any given play through and yet he’s a perfect uwu angel apparently. This isn’t about saying Gortash isn’t evil, this is about saying he’s not drastically more evil than a lot of other nuanced characters in this game who get defended by the fandom masses.

ANON if I could kiss you, I would commit tax evasion with you.

THIS.

Like I know Gortash is awful, but so is fucking everyone.

Shadowheart can become a Dark Justiciar and do awful things for Shar. Lae'zel and the githyanki are a bunch of pricks who kill their own kids for showing weakness and kill innocent people all the goddamn time. Minthara obviously slaughters a bunch of innocent refugees, if you allow her to, and as a drow, probably committed a cavalcade of evil actions.

Gale's blind ambition could've nuked a fucking town. He might not have intended to become a living bomb, but he did, and by running around Faerun, he WAS putting literally everyone within like five miles of him in mortal danger. Wyll would've killed Karlach if you weren't there, and he expresses this horror, because he has definitely killed innocents for Mizora before.

Astarion would've gladly become Cazador 2.0, if you didn't stop him. He might've started out ok, but he would descend into that same evil, using you until there was nothing left of you, and treating others the way he was treated, because he sees himself as a god now.

Even fucking Karlach...who is a sweetie, and god I love her...well fuck, didn't Gortash accuse her of knowing just how shady his shit was? She was a desperate kid, yes, and he definitely took advantage of her, but he explicitly calls her out for working for him, even though she knew he was shady (if not a Banite). Plus she was his bodyguard for years. As if your bodyguard wouldn't know you were being a peace of shit?

The WHOLE POINT of Baldur's Gate 3 is that you and your companions are defined by your choices.

The option EXISTS to SAVE THESE PEOPLE.

THERE IS NO OPTION TO SAVE GORTASH.

The game gives you the option of seeing him die one way or the other way.

I'm just SAYING it's not totally fair to act as if Gortash is truly irredeemable, when out of all the villains, he at least had an idea of a better world, even if it was still self serving and frankly awful.

He was slightly better than the Dark Urge, and they GET the choice of redeeming themselves.

He never does. And maybe he wouldn't have taken it, but that's really not the point.

You hit the nail on the head, bud.

Gortash is evil, no doubt, this is true, he is not just a victim of circumstances, he made every wrong decision he could've made...

But the fandom has no problem woobifying Astarion even though that scene with Sebastian is fucking soul wrenching.

They raise their hackles at Gortash, as though he's been alive for 200 years and lured thousands to their deaths/vampirism, and they forget that Lae'zel is absolutely awful, and approves every time you murder children in front of her.

And Shadowheart spent her childhood learning to torture people.

You can say well their crimes aren't equivalent- and yes, that is true, HOWEVER.

Remember that you have met them when they were powerless.

If given power...if they had never been mindcontrolled by parasites...well shit, they might've fucking killed you.

They might've become tyrants themselves. I know it's purely conjecture on my part, I just kinda...I don't even necessarily want a redeemed Gortash storyline.

I'm fine with him just being a villain!

I just also have a working brain that doesn't understand the reflexive urge to say, he couldn't redeem himself if he tried.

I think, in this fictional world of course, that redemption should be possible. I think if they are honestly trying, and they repay the debts they incurred, then it might be justified.

But we didn't get that choice, and neither did he, and honestly, with what the game presents...I can whole heartedly say no, he wouldn't have redeemed himself. Even if he could, he would not have done it.

But the possibility does exist.

Trying to deny it makes you look like a hypocrite as you insist Ascended Astarion is still an uwu baby.

Like nah, sweetie. Good luck with that.

[paganwitchisis]

Chapter 5 of "The Price of Freedom"

Chapter 5: Family Gathering

Rated E for EXPLICIT!!

Word count: 4,894

Warnings for full story: DEAD DOVE DO NOT EAT! Abuse, torture, smut, oral sex, rape, healing, beatings, dismemberment, breeding kink, act 3 spoilers, canon divergence, blood, violence, graphic depictions (It is Cazador after all)

Last chapter - Chapter 4

This is chapter 5

Next chapter- here

RATED 18 PLUS

AO3 link - Here

“Huh?”

“Love. Do you actually love me?” Tav clarified.

“Yes.” Astarion answered without hesitation. 

“I’m sorry the first time was during sex, my dear. That was unintentional. I would have preferred it to be more meaningful, but it slipped out.”

Tav hugged him happily all the same saying “I love you too.” regardless of how he wished to initially say those three words. It seemed she was just happy that he came to that conclusion, the same she had in regards to him.

“We should get cleaned up and dressed. Thankfully, we only got half undressed. I think we were a bit eager.” Tav said, laughing. “I don’t want Shadowheart to find us like this.”

Smiling, Astarion helped Tav get dressed and cleaned before he did the same to himself. He used his sleep shirt to clean between her thighs the spend that leaked and stuck to her flesh. Astarion then moved the table back as quietly as he could and picked his mate up. This startled the woman who yelped and giggled. The pair kissed each other before making their way back into the room. Astarion tucked Tav back in after giving her some food and water from their packs, and Astarion, in an effort to hide their activities, got dressed into his armor and hid his filthy shirt in his bag of holding.

Astarion made sure to prep Tav’s clothes and armor to the side while she slept as he sat next to her so she could hold on to him as he worked on their bags of holding to prepare for their departure. She slept with her arm thrown over his lap, her head there too. Astarion smiled at this and threaded his fingers through her hair and messaged her scalp. Tav was receptive of this and lifted her head into his ministrations. It had been about two hours after Tav had fallen back to sleep.

“Like that?” Astarion muttered to himself, or so he thought.

“Mmm. almost as good as the sex we just had.” Tav said via the tadpole as she looped her arms around his thin waist. She nuzzled into his lower stomach and tightened her hold on him as she kept her eyes closed.

“You little minx, you should be sleeping. I’m not sure if your comment means I need to sate you more, or…” Astarion started to reply via the tadpole when Tav cut him off.

“Everything you do feels good.”

Astarion smiled, but their conversation was cut short as their friends began to stir. As they rose and prepared for the day, Astarion kissed his mate before he knew he wouldn’t be able to freely.

“Oi! Lovebirds!” Karlach yelled out as she approached. “I’m happy to see Tav feels better.”

Tav giggled and put her hand to the new scar on her throat. “Better, but not out of the woods.”

Astarion grabbed a potion out of his pack and held it out to his mate who looked at it with disgust. “No offense, honey, but I am tired of potions. If Shadowheart feels like healing me, I’d appreciate it, but I’d like to avoid potions if I can help it.”

“You two done snogging that you remember we exist?” Shadowheart asked, but in a joking manner as she approached already in her gear. Shadowheart kneeled down next to Astarion, Tav still rested in his lap partly, as Shadowheart placed her hands on her throat. After a moment, warmth enveloped Tav and strength returned to her. Astarion smiled seeing Tav being healed in front of him. Shadowheart finished and pulled away.

“There, now you should be fully healed, but just in case, you may want to take a day to rest.” Shadowheart said before withdrawing and rolling her bedroll up.

“We can go after Cazador tomorrow, love. We can’t go after him injured, he is just too powerful. I’m more afraid of losing you both than returning to him.” Astarion admitted once Karlach left to prep for their return to Baldur’s Gate. Astarion helped Tav get ready, but not because she needed it at this point, but because he wanted to touch her, to feel her, to just be close to her. He wanted to feel intimate with her again. Of course, he wouldn’t admit it, and Tav wouldn’t say that out loud even if she cued in on what was going on.

It took longer than they thought to get out of the dwelling, considering some of them literally fell into the place to begin with while Karlach had poor directional skills. This left the group to rely on Shadowheart to navigate them out of the fortress. Eventually, by mid afternoon, they found their way out of the forest of Rivington and into Wyrm’s Crossing. From there, it was a fairly short commute to the Elfsong Tavern, where their concerned friends congregated around them. Tav began to explain what had happened and why when she noticed Astarion was missing. She reached out with the tadpole to find he wasn’t far, maybe a floor away, when he spoke to her.

“I’ll be up soon, my love. I am securing us some…privacy, and maybe a bath.”  Astarion said via the tadpole.

By the time Tav was through telling the tale of her new scar and what had happened, Astarion was wrapping his arm around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder as if staking his claim on her. Tav didn’t mind, as no one knew but them four about her being pregnant. So far, herself and Astarion had yet to discuss when would be the best time to clue the rest of their companions in on her pregnancy. Obviously, they would have to let them know for the simple reason that it would ensure Tav’s safety, but due to the nature of the pregnancy, they had to make sure only they knew of it and no one else. Astarion would burn all of Baldur’s Gate down to protect Tav and their child, should their secret get out.

No one questioned why Astarion was acting out or acting more protective than usual. No one asked why Astarion had gathered their stuff and picked Tav up and out the door, and certainty no one asked why Shadowheart rolled her eyes and muttered “Not again.”

Astarion had picked up Tav and moved her to the room next door. He paid five hundred gold for indefinite use since it hosted a murder. Of course, what does it matter to their group that the room had someone die in it? According to the inn keeper, no one wanted to rent it because of that, and because of that situation, he couldn’t generate revenue. This would give him gold, make people feel like there was interest in the Elfsong regardless of the murder, and the party would partake of their services.

Astarion put her down and locked the door after they entered the room.

“Welcome to our new room my love. Now we have some privacy, our own bed and even...” Astarion pointed to the corner “Our own bath.”

Tav smiled and seemed to light up at this. The tub was wooden, like the others in the establishment, but it was large. Very large. Astarion gave a sly smile.

“We got absolutely filthy earlier, darling, what do you say to getting a bath together?”

“Please!” Tav asked and kissed Astarion tenderly who smiled into the kiss.

Astarion set the water and dropped in a few drops of lavender oil. When he turned around to disrobe and tell Tav the water was ready, he was met with an image of his mate bare before him.

“Gods, you’re a vision.” Astarion muttered as his eyes raked in his lover’s nakedness. He easily shucked off his light armor and undershirt. His trousers were the next to go, but as he went to remove them, tender hands stopped him.

“Let me, lover.” Tav huskily said against Astarion’s neck as she drew close and tucked her head into the crook.

“Mate. I’m more than your lover, dear.” Astarion corrected her and felt Tav chuckle against him before she kissed his undead skin.

“Mate. Let me take off your clothes.” She corrected herself.

Astarion put the strings into her fingers and dropped his hands to the side. “Do your worst, my love.”

Tav undid his trousers, and in a quick move, dropped his pants and underwear to his ankles. This brought her eye level to his soft and flaccid cock. Astarion was so focused on stepping out of his trousers that he did not see Tav’s devious mind cooking up a plan. After he kicked his pants away, Tav began kissing his inner thighs and Astarion placed a hand on Tav’s head out of instinct. He rarely, if ever, had anyone service him. In fact, he didn’t remember anyone but Tav ever caring about his pleasure, so when she wished to make him feel good, it initially scared him. She didn’t just seek to give him pleasure, she would worship his body and remind him of his worth, and he thrived in it. He loved when she did this, but with his past, he could not bring himself to ask for it. Astarion let a moan out, when Tav finally, after kissing between his thighs, met the crux between and kissed his sack.

“Hells, Tav.” Astarion was now half hard and lightly rocking his hips towards her face, slowly getting harder as he guided her face closer to his main desire. Tav ran her hands up his thighs and grasped his cock which earned a gasp from the man who curled forward in pleasure.

“You’re a wonderful, beautiful man. You deserve this. You deserve pleasure and love.” Tav spoke before twirling her tongue over the head of his now hard cock, tasting the natural lubrication that spilled to the surface from the slit in his manhood. Astarion let out a moan before Tav pulled back.

“Sit on the bed.”

Astarion didn’t have to be told twice and backed up to the bed. He sat down and watched as his goddess of a mate crawled to him and immediately took his cock into her hot wet mouth. Astarion gripped the edge of the bed and thrust his hips inside his mate’s mouth but was careful and considerate of her recent injury. He refused to go too deep even though she tried to take him deeper.

Tav snaked her hand around, and thanks to Astarion sitting on the edge, it gave Tav access to his backside muscle. Tav pulled back and grabbed something from her pack. She returned to the very aroused man who had his legs spread and was laying back on the bed. Astarion had his arm over his eyes and fully trusting his partner. Tav opened the bottle of slick substance she had retrieved and coated two fingers in the stuff before kneeling between Astarion’s legs. She took her other hand to guide his hard cock back into her mouth while she used the hand with the coated fingers to probe his back entrance. Astarion initially jumped when he felt her fingers at his sphincter but relaxed into it when he felt her massage the muscle. Astarion moaned when Tav slipped one finger past the first ring of muscles and further more past the second ring. Tav gently stimulated his rear, searching for his prostate until she got an idea. She curled her fingers like Astarion did inside her, and immediately Astarion moaned and jumped forward into her mouth more. Tav smiled and began to slide her finger in and out while hooking her finger inside him to hit the erogenous zone. After a moment, feeling bold, Tav slide a second finger inside after adding more lubrication. Astarion was bucking now and rutting into her fingers and her mouth. Tav looked up at him and stared into his eyes as she wrapped her tongue around his tip to catch his natural fluid. She sucked and hummed whiled going down on him which seemed almost too much for the vampire. Astarion was almost ripping the fabric in reply to her actions. Tav then dragged the flat of her tongue up the bottom of of his cock, following the thick vein that ran from base to tip.

“Hells! The things you do to me. This is… Gods! I’m gonna come!” Astarion exclaimed. Tav sealed her mouth over his cock and sped up her actions in reaction to his words. She bobbed her head faster and stimulated his prostate more that Astarion came hard. Astarion held Tav’s gaze as she brought him to climax until it was too much and he threw his head back. Astarion became loud and very vocal, which was something he rarely did. Of course Astarion would moan during sex, but he would never get like this. Astarion almost screamed out in pleasure and was thankful for the private room. His stomach clenched and Astarion pulled forward, his hands holding onto his mate’s head tenderly as she swallowed his come. Gods, was there so much spend that Astarion was amazed how much was still releasing from him. No matter how much he released, Tav swallowed it like a thirsty woman finally getting a drink of water. She loved seeing Astarion’s blissful face as he climaxed, his half open to closed eyes, his open mouth and short pants of breath. She loved seeing him in ecstasy like he deserved.

After what felt like eternity, Astarion finally felt himself grow overly sensitive and Tav pulled herself off of the vampire and pulled her fingers tenderly away from his prostate and out of the man. Astarion could only catch his breath while Tav cleaned up a bit and checked the temperature of the water afterwards. Thankfully the water was still hot, and she wasn’t surprised when, still bent over to check the water, she felt Astarion pressed against her from behind.

“How do you feel, honey?” Tav asked as she stood up, turned around and hugged the man’s waist.

“Gods, I love you. Both of you.” Astarion added as he turned Tav around and placed his hands over her belly. “Let’s get a bath, darling. I want to wash your hair.”

“Are you saying I stink?” Tav acted like she was wounded by his comment.

Astarion chuckled “No, my sweet, but I do think you could use more conditioner. You could do with more hair care. You have beautiful locks, after all.” Astarion nuzzled her hair as he pushed his body flush to hers.

“You remember we haven't had a bath accessible to us for months until now, right?” Tav reminded him with a laugh. “But you’re right, I don’t take care of my hair. Let’s get in while it is still hot.”  

Tav took Astarion’s hand and they stepped into the bath. Astarion would never admit it, but he loved baths because it would warm his skin and make him feel alive if even for a brief moment. Tav almost moaned when sitting down into the hot water as it soothed the sore muscles and felt heavenly on her body. Tav sunk her body into the water until only her eyes and nose remained outside and she came back up to clean her body. Astarion found it comical but repeated what Tav did himself so he could get some grime off of him and wet his body.

Tav grabbed a rosemary scented soap and lathered it into a rag placed by the side of the tub. She then went to her mate and asked, “May I?” while holding the rag up to show what she wanted to do.

Astarion nodded and Tav went forward with cleaning her mate methodically. Astarion would moan occasionally out of the sensual nature and intimacy between the two. They may have had sex and oral recently but somehow, this seemed more intimate and closer than that. Sure, sex was the joining of bodies and souls, but what she was doing was a level of trust and care that was beyond lovers and beyond simply caring for one another. This was love. Astarion, after his body was cleaned, took the rag from Tav and repeated the process on Tav as a reciprocation. During their bath, the couple would kiss each other chastely or sensually. They would not linger on private areas, partly because of Astarion being sensitive from his earlier orgasm and because Astarion was following Tav’s direction and she, unknowing to Astarion, wanted to wait until that night for more sexual activity between the two. It wasn’t that she shied away from it. She loved being intimate. She just wanted to get some things done before nightfall, and could not do so if she was tangled in the sheets.

“We gotta tell them about the baby, you know.” Tav said to Astarion as she put a generous amount of shampoo on her palm and lathered it between her hands to apply to his white locks of hair.

“I’d rather not, but you’re right. Ugh…they’re going to ask so many questions on how I got you pregnant…” Astarion sighed exasperatedly and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“I don’t think it is any of their business.” Tav giggled. “By the way, come here.” Tav asked while Astarion did as she asked and Tav lathered his hair while pulling his head down to the nape of her neck. He was positioned right over her pulse point on her neck where he usually bit and Tav looked over at him but held him firmly.

“You haven’t fed in a while. I’m fine now, dear, so please eat. I’ll clean your hair as you do.” Tav said as Astarion moaned from her hands massaging his scalp. Astarion would have protested, but he was so very hungry. He kissed and licked the flesh before, as gently as he could, sank his teeth into her flesh. As expected, Tav moaned from Astarion feeding while Astarion moaned from Tav working his scalp. Astarion pulled back sooner than expected, licking the wounds to seal them and lick up the last rivulets of blood.

“I don’t want you completely bloodless, my dear. We can find something more filling after our bath, although nothing will taste as delicious as you.”

The couple had washed each other’s hair before Tav found out that Astarion was ticklish, something even he himself was unaware of. After drying off and donning their armor, the couple decided they would gather two more companions as Tav wanted to go shopping.

“I want to tell them, honey. Is that okay?”

“Ugh…if you must. I’d rather keep that information to ourselves. This gift is precious, but our child will need protection…”

“Plus, our friends will be their aunts and uncles, Astarion.”

Astarion seemed to just looked a bit pained at this information when Tav addressed him again.

“You realize they are your friends too, right?”

“It’s just…not a concept I am familiar with, my dear. I mean, I am still getting used to us, let alone having… Friends… Too. It is surreal to have so many people who care about me.” Astarion replied as he grabbed his pack.

“You’re just that lovable, dear.”  Tav went to grab her pack when Astarion grabbed it for her.

“Darling…” Astarion was going to protest when Tav cut him off.

“...Come on, let’s get going…” Tav held his hand as they were completely ready and unlocked the door.

Astarion shook his head in defeat, chuckled nervously and followed behind his love into the companion room.

Once inside the companion room, Astarion looped his arm around Tav’s waist and waited as their companions realized they had returned.

“About time you two returned! Done fucking yet?” Karlach asked while joking. Astarion blushed as he remembered the incredible blowjob he got not long ago.  

“You’re just jealous you have no one to make love to.” Tav joked back.

“Damn right! If I had a man as hot as him, I’d ride him to the Feywild!” Karlach said with a wink and laughed boisterously “Don’t worry, Fangs, I know you’re taken!”

Astarion just shook and dropped his head so that his forehead would rest on his mate’s shoulder.

“Thanks, Karlach, because he is mine.”  Tav said possessively.

Astarion smiled hearing his mate claim him and looped both hands around her waist, pulling his body and hips flush with her own so he was behind her.

“What’s the plan today?” Gale asked as he came by and in front of Tav.

“We actually have an announcement to make, so if everyone would gather, we would appreciate it.”  Tav said as Astarion’s arms tightened around her hips.

“Astarion, come here.” Astarion came out from behind Tav after she asked and came over to her side where she held his.

It didn’t take long for their party to gather and sit around the fireplace and rugs. Astarion felt his chest getting tighter. He never thought he would feel this way about such a thing, but then again, he never thought he could create life when he was the one who was taking it. Tav took Astarion’s hand and gave it a squeeze. Astarion noticed that Yenna and the cat were not in the room for some reason, but this was a good thing as he preferred it only be between those who could be trusted.

“We… myself and Astarion have some news that cannot be spread outside this room. Apparently, if it is spread, it can be lethal to me.” Tav took a breath to steady herself but what she didn’t expect was Astarion taking over.

“Tav is with child. My child. It’s early, and very rare for a mortal to carry an undead’s child, so if anyone should find out, it could be disastrous. People like Cazador could come after her for their own purposes. This can NOT leave this room or your lips.”  

Almost immediately were there questions.

“How is this possible?” Jaheira asked at the same time as two others that Tav could understand.

“Is it a girl or a boy?” Minsc questioned out loud?

“Is it really yours? Did you do some sort of deal?” Lae’zel pondered loudly to the couple.

Astarion sighed, tightened his hold on his mate and whistled. This seemed to have done the trick as the group quieted down. Astarion figured that although Tav was right and it was none of their business, he had a few things to clear up.

“Lae’zel, yes, the child is mine. It was confirmed to be a Dhampir. Additionally, do you really expect Tav to cheat on me? No, no devils or demons involved, so no contract.  This child was conceived the natural way…” Astarion pinched the bridge of his nose when Minsc asked an additional question, cutting the vampire off from explaining.

“What way is natural? Boo says he will tell me later, but Minsc is confused.”

“How are you still breathing?” Astarion asked while Tav burst out laughing.

“With my mouth! Minsc can show you!” Minsc proudly replied.

“No, no! That isn’t needed. Look, Jaheira will explain what I meant,” Astarion said while Jaheira glared at the vampire. “Anyways, apparently if I have enough blood in me, it increases the chance of a fertile woman to have children with one of my kind. Apparently, this is all conjecture, as the odds are impossibly high. Well, my darling, once again, shows how special she is.” Astarion lovingly glanced towards his mate. “Apparently a woman having an undead’s child is so rare, that would make her rare as she could do so again. This puts her in danger if anyone would know about this.” Astarion turned his head to give a deadpan look at Minsc one last time “And about if they are a girl or a boy? I just want the child healthy.”

Astarion waited and ignored the further intrusive questions as Tav made her rounds, but before gathering a party, Tav returned to Astarion which puzzled him.

“Didn’t you want to go shopping?”

“Change in plans. It’s starting to get late and I’m exhausted after everything. It is so weird, it kind of just crept up on me.”

“You’re with child, and frankly, darling, you had a hell of a day. Nothing is strange, my love.” Astarion looped his arms gently around her waist. “Let’s turn in, it is getting late anyways.”

Tav nodded and let Astarion lead them back to their private room. They ordered room service which afforded Astarion and Tav rare steaks. Tav wasn't keen on the blood, but after some coaxing from her mate, she ended up trying the meat, only to find it satisfied her cravings and made her feel better. Astarion felt he could use more blood, but felt he would hunt in the morning. They changed into night attire and got into bed, cuddling and snuggling with one another closely.  

That was until the floor boards creaked and Astarion woke Tav up, knowing there were intruders inside their room.  The couple jumped out of bed, startling the attackers who Astarion wasn’t surprised to see were his vampiric siblings.

“What the Hells?!”

“Brother! You finally returned! Come with us, the master is going to ascend and take us with him!” Aurelia attempted to persuade Astarion who merely laughed in their faces. Astarion looked around and knew he was outnumbered as Aurelia, Leon, Yousen, and Violet surrounded the bed. Tav was on the other side of the bed, greatsword in hand while Astarion had his daggers. The couple always slept with them close at hand but hoped they would never need them.

“Cazador,” Astarion let his old master’s name drop like venom from a blade. “will not turn you all. You know what he did to us, does it make sense he would give you a reward?”

“He is going to kill you all to ascend!” Tav shouted out to the group earning Astarion’s brief glare. He didn’t want the siblings to know of this as he intended to still use the ascension for himself, but he couldn’t be angry at Tav. Not after everything that happened, the past few days, and the revelations that came with it.

“Kill us?” Leon repeated. “You’re a liar!”

“Am I? We got our information from a more...reliable source.” Astarion replied, his daggers still drawn.

“Why do you think you waited until Astarion returned to ascend? He needs you all to be sacrificed!” Tav kept trying to convince the siblings with logic.

“Look! It doesn’t matter! If we don’t return with yer both, we’re as good as dead…er…” Yousen shifted to move against the mates.

“But Yousen, what if they are telling the truth?” Violet asked cautiously, facing the gnomish man.

“What do you propose…?”

Yousen’s words were cut off as the four pairs of red eyes watching Astarion and Tav grew more red and their bodies ridged. With a swing, Aurelia swung her blade towards Astarion who was much quicker. He dodged easily while yelling out to Tav. “They’re compelled!”

Tav was fighting Leon and Violet while Astarion fought Aurelia and Yousen. Astarion dodged the attacks easily enough and began to go on the offensive. He used Magic Missile to attack the gnome and chanted “Ignis!” before throwing a fireball at Aurelia. Meanwhile, as they fought, Astarion was keeping an eye on his mate. She held her own well enough against Leon, but Violet was much more agile for his mate. His mate was a fighter and used her strength more than her speed, yet Violet was more dexterous.

Astarion saw her take Leon out with her pommel strike and Astarion used his dual wielding skills against Yousen, knocking him out as well. This left them against two left.

That was, until Violet almost got a slice in on Tav’s midsection. Astarion reacted without thinking and pushed his mate aside. He was cut on the arm instead while she fell to the ground, her greatsword clattering a distance away.

“Please, don’t do this!” Astarion begged as he knew their situation had changed. “Don’t hurt her and I’ll come with you quietly.”

“Oh, no. The master wants you both. You know we can’t stop ourselves. Either you both come quietly or master will have me slice her belly in two”

Astarion snarled but Tav spoke up via the tadpole. “I’m disarmed and your arm is injured. We can’t fight them both. If our friends come to find us, they’ll see the blood from your wound. They’ll come for us.”

“This is a horrible idea.” Astarion communicated back via the tadpole.

“Would you rather our child killed? I hate the option too, but what else can we do? We can escape.”

Astarion growled and dropped his daggers in an obvious area he knew would signal to their friends their situation.

“Fine.”

Then in an instant, one of the two women used a teleportation scroll, transporting them back to Cazador’s mansion, or the horror of Astarion’s life. Astarion reached out for Tav’s hand but stopped when he realized he was now face to face with Cazador Szarr.

Note: The next chapter is DEAD DOVE DO NOT EAT!!! it is VERY, VERY DARK. Be warned

[cowboydeers]

random little fic i’m working on kinda sorta but also will probably never complete (this is a rough draft, written in quick increments and little sections of scenes and quite horrible so please ignore)

premise: tav is gorion’s ward but also the dark urge (well more like gorion’s ward is the dark urge but i call her tav in this so), gorion died earlier when gorion’s ward was five so jaheira and khalid became her guardians and raised her, not that canon accurate for bg1 and bg2 but i don’t care

…

tav randomly before battle: they fall for you father!

her companions having seen her memories of khalid teaching her to braid flower crowns: …are we talking about the same father???

…

“Did I play this game as a child? Was I sweet once?” Tav wanted to ask, to speak the words in existence. Her companions would no doubt reassure her, tell her that all children were sweet but how could such a wretched thing like herself ever be capable of playing such childish, innocent, games even when young.

Yet—

A memory flashed before her eyes, the man with the kind eyes again, staring down at her reassuringly, her hand cradled in his. They hopped together, feet clashing together in the almost two small squares they were forced to share.

A woman’s laughter sounded in the background, the kind of laugh that came from someone that often did not express joy in such a way but whenever they did it was the brightest sound in the world.

Tav’s eyes closed, savoring the memory as she felt tears well behind her eyelids even though she refused to let them fall.

She almost wept.

She was sweet once.

.

“Oh. It’s the poor Owlbear Cub,” Karlach murmured, voice sad at the sight of the cub surrounded by Goblins, poked by sticks.

Cub.

Cub.

Cub.

Cub.

Tav bit her tongue so hard it bled, the familiar tang of rust coating her mouth as she pushed back the words which begged to escape.

She was called Cub once.

But whoever would call a child Cub?

Another memory flashed.

“I’m not a pup!”

“You are my pup.”

“No, I am not! Wolves have pups. You’re not a wolf. You’re a panther! What do panthers have?”

“Panthers have cubs, little one.”

“Then, I’m your cub.”

That laugh again—the kind woman’s laugh. The one who Tav instinctively knew seldom laughed but who made Tav feel so warm whenever she heard the noise.

“Alright. Then, you’re my little cub.”

A headache throbbed through her skull, pounding behind her eyes. Tav reached a hand to pinch her nose, grimacing.

Cub?

Panther?

Was it the tadpole causing the pain whenever she had a flash of memories from a life of kindness or was it the Dark Urge inside of her, punishing her for remembering kindness rather than blood and death?

.

Tav ignored the vines wrapped around her legs to stare at the woman.

She wanted to ask her, Jaheira the Harper had called her, many things, odd things even for Tav’s dark mind. She wanted to ask the woman to call her Cub or even ask her to laugh, mind begging her to compare the memory of the kind woman with the presence of this woman in front of her, living and breathing.

A part of Tav thought it was impossible for this woman to be the same woman from her memories, not because of the strict face the woman wore, but rather because happy things did not seem to exist for someone like herself. Tav knew deep down that she did not deserve happy things but that did not stop the torturous hope that swelled in her chest.

[2plottwist]

The Representatives' Gala

Characters - Astarion x Female!OC (Calathiel), Karlach, Shadowheart

Summary - During a mission, Astarion and Calathiel have to go undercover for the annual Representatives' Gala in Baldur's Gate. 

Word Count - 2.4k

Warnings - Possible, very light allusion to SA? Slightly jealous vampire boyfriend

Author - Kenna:)

pic cred - gracie hergert on pinterest

psst! this is our first time posting. if you are seeing this for the first time, before we magically work out the kinks, we're sorry. if you are here from the future.. how's our bestseller doing? ;)

The mage lights shone brightly among the large crowd of nobles and aristocrats. Their dresses and doublets proved how high their status was amongst the population of Baldur’s Gate. The ladies' gowns moved across the floor in trains as long as dragons with colors representing the regions and kingdoms they hail from. The men donned exquisite coats and trousers embellished with jewels and metals that no one from Calathiel’s colony could ever imagine existed.

The annual Representatives’ Gala was a party like no other. Established by the Council of Four to mend relationships between the regions and kingdoms across the continent, the gala was planned by a different council member every year. This year belonged to Grand Duke Ulder Ravengard and his newly-married wife, Duchess Seraphina.

Calathiel could not stand the dress she was forced to wear this evening. She will definitely not allow Shadowheart to choose her dress again. Why was she even here in the first place? Actually, she knew. Earlier that day, her party was summoned to the lower city to visit Lord Malvin Blackthorn. According to whispers, his quest for power in Baldur’s Gate led him to believe he was a rightful council member. He vaguely requested a set of documents that were sealed in the council room of Duke Ravengard’s manor. No one asked any questions after Lord Blackthorn described the amount of gold that would be awarded for their success. 

As she continued through the foyer of the massive monument of a house, she began to feel her corset squeeze at her organs. She could feel her stomach folding over her intestines and her liver could crawl up her throat. There was no way she could pull this undercover mission off. She wasn’t going to blow it for just her and Astarion, she was going to blow it for Karlach and Lae’zel who are currently preparing to scale the stone walls of the manor. Instinctively, her arms contracted and took a handful of Astarion’s velvet purple coat. 

“Callie,” he whispered. 

She was brought out of her trance by the nickname. Shaking her head and looking up into crimson eyes, she was finally able to take in her surroundings. Gold fabric banners hung from the ceiling. Tables, chairs, and settees scattered across the room, some holding people and others holding glorious amounts of food. The smell of roasted meats and vegetables, freshly baked pastries, and ripe fruit was enveloping. No one had begun dancing yet, so the smell of the guests' perfumes and colognes hadn’t settled into the room. 

The royal blue accents clashed harshly with the dark purple dress and coat Calathiel and Astarion donned. Her off the shoulder sleeves made every breeze that moved through the room feel like ice raking across her entire body. The dress accentuated her curves, allowing her to feel the soft velvet material that matched Astarions coat.

A loud voice booms over the room, “It is my honor to present to you Lady Calathiel and Lord Astarion Ancunin,” a squire recites from the invitation list, “Representatives of Residence Szarr of Baldur’s Gate.”

Calathiel’s eyes widen at the sound of Cazador’s name. Fuck, why did Astarion use that as our in? Again, her hand tightens on Astarion’s arm as he begins to walk them down the shallow staircase. 

His hand lays on top of Calathiel’s, “Callie, my love, rest assured we are in good company,” he smiles down at her. I believe that’s his way of saying Cazador decided to skip out on the occasion? I highly doubt it.

Lords and ladies chat and drink among the crowd. Calathiel follows Asterion around the room, latched to his arm like a love-sick puppy, as he introduces her to the various noble couples of Faerun, each adorning colors that represent their region. The emerald greens of farmlands to the north, the pale whites of the Cold Lands, and whispering blues of Waterdeep cascade through her vision. Calathiel thinks of Gale who is probably still pouting about the illegality of their mission tonight. 

“Now presenting Lord Ulder Ravengard and Lady Seraphina,” the booming squire’s voice interrupts Astarion’s words of mining and excavations in Tashalar. 

She brings her eyes to the staircase and watches as the heavily armored lord and softly laced lady move simultaneously, as if rehearsed. Lady Seraphina donned a fitted blue gown that draped out behind her in waves of tulle and lace. 

Callie recalled Astarion’s lecture given to her on the way here. Formerly of the Terasin family from the human tribes inhabiting the Lands of Intrigue, Seraphina was arranged to marry Lord Ravengard for political gain. Much gain that brought, for the humans of the region are still lowly regarded. 

“Welcome, ladies and gentlemen,” Lord Ravengard boasts, “Tis a glorious night to see representatives of all territories, regions, cities, and residences inside our manor. Please continue in your revelry and let the dancing begin!” 

Seraphina’s light smile blooms across her face as Lord Ravengard leads her to the dance floor to begin a night of waltzing. The music swims through the room, igniting all intuitions to dance and sing. Astarion was no different. 

As if falling into an old persona, he takes Callie’s hand to gently pull her to the middle of the room. Snaking his hand around her waist, Astarion pulls her close enough to lean down to her ear. 

“How does it feel to finally be a noble, my sweet? Everything you thought it would be?”

“More extravagant than I pictured, actually,” Callie huffs, “and exhausting.”

A short chuckle leaves Astarions lips, causing a gust of cool breath to lick Callie’s pointed ears. “You’re doing great, Callie. Let’s just keep from embarrassing ourselves.”

She nods and pulls her head back to scowl at the pale elf. When she does, her attention is dragged to a man lounging at the side of the dance floor, eyeing her. 

Realization dons her face as she whispers, “Lord Blackthorn is here.” 

“Oh, wonderful. There is simply no trust in this city,” Astarion rolls his eyes, continuing his steps. 

Making sure to not step on his toes, Callie can’t help the feeling of uneasiness Lord Blackthorn causes her. Not only is his large, brute body heavily intimidating but his words leave a sense of dread and threat in her chest. However, the gold is needed, and she’s worked with worse people. 

As the dance comes to a close and guests retreat back to the outskirts, footsteps quickly approach Callie. A rough hand grabs her elbow and twirls her around on the slippers she nicked from the town square market. 

“Lady Calathiel,” Lord Blackthorn states, “May I?”

The abrupt motion causes Astarion to move as quick as a shadow in front of Callie. Eyebrows furrowed, he yanks the lord’s hands off Callie’s silken elbow, “I think not, sir.”

“Hm, Astarion. So good to see you, again,” Lord Blackthorn balks, “Why, I didn’t know you were a designated representative of House Szarr. How wonderful of Cazador to send his finest of patrons.” 

Callie could see the tension coil in Astarion’s back. Worry sprouts behind her eyes. “You know, I’ve been meaning to write to my dear old friend. I’m sure he would love to hear of your exploits,” the lord’s words ooze with malice. A promise to provide details to Astarion’s former master of their whereabouts. 

Callie’s hand moves to Astarion’s lower back, gently pulling him to the side, “Lord Blackthorn, I would be delighted for a dance with you.” 

Plastering a smile on her face and taking the lord’s incredibly sweaty hand, Callie follows Lord Blackthorn to the dance floor for yet another waltz, this time she’s not so nervous to step on his toes. 

“When I said I needed those documents, I did not mean after your courting with the lanky man boy over there,” the lord spits. 

“You will get your documents just as we will get our reward. You added no limitations or suggestions to our contract,” Callie snipes, recoiling from his mead-scented breath

Lord Blackthorn’s head tilts, a menacing smile moving across his lips, “Now, Now, Lady. I was only meaning that your focus should be on your agendas, not on courting.” 

“No such thing, sir. We are here on business, as you requested.” Callie chides, quickly leaning away from the lord’s tightening grip. The floor becomes more crowded as couples gain the courage to dance alongside them.

“Ah, yes, my requests,” he breathes, “I do have another.”

Callie’s eyebrows furrow, disgust racing through her body. She could feel a burning sensation crawl across the back of her neck. Though she couldn’t see him, she knew Astarion was shooting arrows with his eyes at the lord, a wine cup in his hand to drown out the growing need for murder. 

Lord Blackthorn’s hands grip harder against Callie’s waist moving downwards. His fingernails dig sharply into her dress to the point that she knows there will be crescent shapes on her skin. She tries to part from the revolting embrace, but even her strength could not remove his hands. A cold breeze moves under the dress as she realizes that the lord is slowly pulling her skirt and moving her backwards toward a corner of the ballroom. 

Her lungs burn from the absence of air. Fucking do something, you stupid stupid girl. Anger races through her body, tingling her fingers and toes. Before she could gain enough power to plow her knee into Lord Blackthorn’s groin, a sharp hand grabbed his shoulder. 

Starlit white hair rose above the lord’s greasy black mane. Astarion's polite, yet threatening, smile raked across his face. A low voice broke from his lips, “Tsk, tsk, tsk. Let’s use that pig-headed brain of yours and let the lady go.” His face contorts to one of pure malice as his voice drops another octave lower. 

Spit flies from the lord’s mouth and hits Astarion on the shoulder, “You work for me, boy, and so does she. I do as I please with my employees and my whores.” 

“Oh, shit,” she whispers, using the moment of arrogance to move out from the corner and away from the line of fire. 

Astarion chuckles, taking a napkin off the nearest table and wiping his shoulder. In a movement as quick as lightning, Astarion pulls a blade from his waist, shoving it to the lord’s jugular. Easy, swift, lethal. 

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Astarion says lowly, “The blade, not the lady, I mean.” Callie’s stomach drops to her feet. 

“I’ve been waiting for a chance to use this wonderful piece of metal work,” he pushes the blade closer to the lord’s throat, causing a trickle of blood to slide down his skin. 

Callie’s eyes widen. No, no, no. There’s too many people here, even with the dark, secluded corner that they have been hidden in. Her hand moves to Astarions bicep, “Astarion - no.” 

“Callie, stay out of this,” a low growl crosses his lips. 

The lord’s eyes plead with Callie’s. A call to save him from the monster that came out of the darkness. She squeezes his bicep tightly, just as she did on the way in. This time, it’s not nerves or a plea for comfort from the elf. No, this time, it’s a request to come with her. 

“Star,” she whispers. 

His body stays rigid, pressing the blade into Lord Blackthorn’s throat. Callie won’t be able to move him with words. She uses his stone-like trance to pull herself to his body. Aligning the front of her body to his back, she rests her head on the tight muscles. His tall body allows her head to only reach the bottom of his shoulder blades. 

“Let’s go,” she whispers again, “Let him live another day,” 

Lightly pulling on his bicep, Callie moves Astarion away from the lord and the dark corner. Dagger still in hand and eyes still piercing the lord, he follows Callie to the streets of Baldur’s Gate. She notices mage light flitting off the sheen of dark horns passing through the bushes on their way out. 

At least Karlach succeeded. 

Letting out a breath of air she was holding, Callie leans against a shop’s stone walls. 

“Callie - “ 

She looks up at Astarion through dark painted lashes. 

“Are you…” he hesitates, as if the words are stuck to the top of his mouth, “Are you okay?” 

She smiles, “Yes, Star. I’m fine,” a breathy giggle leaves her lips. 

“What could you possibly be laughing about? You were just harassed - “ Astarion quips. 

“It’s nothing I’ve never handled before, but thank you for being such a gentleman and rescuing me.” 

“W-w-why, I, uh,” he clears his throat, “I’ve been meaning to kill him for years now, actually. You were just perfect timing.” His head tilts up, adding a sense of bravado to his words. 

“Mm-hm. Well, thank you either way, my lord.” She says, trying to mask a smile. 

Astarion extends his arm to Callie, to which she takes happily. She could get used to the feeling of his muscles under her fingertips. 

“Am I really more beautiful than your blade?” she asks quickly with a hint of amusement. 

“I am never working another mission with you weirdos,” Astarion sighs as he lays his hand on top of yours, yet again. 

—---------

Two days later, Calathiel makes her way to the city square to barter for food and clothes for the coming journeys. She moves swiftly from cart to cart, shop to shop, until she notices a stand selling today’s edition of The Baldur’s Mouth. A familiar face dons the front page. 

“May I?” she asks the tenant politely. 

He nods and motions for her to read the front page without paying for the paper. The headline reads, “Lord Malvin Blackthorn Found Exsanguinated in Lower City.” 

“You have got to be fucking kidding me,” she whispers to herself and slaps a copper on the wooden stand. 

Callie marches into camp, dropping her bags at the entrance of Astarion’s tent. Moving the canvas flaps aside, she sees the gorgeous elf sitting smugly on his bedroll, cheeks flushed red. 

She holds up the paper, “I told you NOT to kill him.” 

“No, my pet, you told me to let him live another day,” he smiles leaning back on his hands, “And I let him live two.”

[ladyofsilverr]

Please tell me all about Sylvia and the Nightsong's Twin 👉🏻👈🏻 I also have a 'canon' that involves Dark Urge twins!

So, I am still kinda working with what I know so far in the story. My goals for the two characters are this: Sylvia and Karlach are going to be the romance for the I guess "main" storyline of my playthrough. Aylin's twin sister Thetia will be romanced with Shadowheart, a romance I am quite looking forward to as they are both completely opposites of each other even in their faith and often even have arguments about them in the beginning of their time together. Now to give you some backstory on my characters, or at least what I've gotten in my head so far. Keep in mind, this is most likely going to change as I play throughout the game. Thetia is the daughter of the moon goddess Selûne. She takes place in her role as The Shield of the Moonmaiden, and co-exists with her sister who is known as The Sword. Much can be said about the two, but what is known from is the bond they had was unbreakable. This changed when the two became separated. As Dame Aylin was caught under the curse of the Nightsong, so too did a curse fall upon Thetia. Shar sought to anger her sister, and to do so she cursed one of her children and trapped the other. She cursed the Amulet of Selûne she wore to that of a curse. She was stripped of her immortality, as well as her armor being stripped of its color and appeared as black and grey. The curse also removed the ability for Thetia to be in contact with her mother, and so she was left in her solitude. But the one most humiliating thing that was bestowed as part of the curse was the loss of her whiteish blonde hair, and replaced by black hair. Shar felt it fitting to leave behind 2 silver streaks that ran down her scalp as a reminder of the curse. As Thetia began to roam Faerûn alone, she stumbled across a village that had been attacked by raiders. One of the many men had a child with a blade stretched against her throat, which infuriated the black armored Paladin. With quick haste and vigorous speed she annihilated them all. But she was too late to save the poor little girls parents, and so Thetia decided she wished to take care of the girl herself. Throughout the years she took care of, trained, and schooled the girl with as much as she knew. Thetia would tell stories of her adventures during her very long life span, and of course of her sister. As they travelled from Baldur's Gate, they were caught and captured by Mindflayers, albeit very difficultly, and thus the beginning of Baldur's Gate 3 starts. The thing about Sylvia and Thetia is they consider each other family, and grew to understand each other in a way only Thetia's true blood had come to understand her. The two protected each other, and throughout the events of the game they still do. NOW, I will get into the spoiler territory, so please be mindful.

The events of each romance play out exactly how you'd imagine it. Sylvia loves Karlach, and when she saw the opportunity to join her in Avernus she did not for a second hesitate to join her. Thetia knew who Sylvia was deep down, and regardless if she pleaded for her to stay she knew she wouldn't abandon Karlach to be alone. So the two end up in Avernus, and the story for how that all ends is something I will have to come up when I actually fully complete the game. As for Thetia, she gets her happy ending with Shadowheart. I do plan on having her be free from her curse and like Aylin getting her gleaming power back. But until I have a mod that gives wings or can change hair color mid game, this will simply be nothing more than a thought. I hope this made at least some sense, and as I said before this could very well be completely different once both playthroughs are complete. I hope you enjoyed my oc rambling!

[sailorgundam308]

This up there is Alexena, my first/original Tav in BG3. She is a strong barbarian skull-bashing human lady with a breezy haircut.

When I started playing BG3 I knew NOTHING of the story or Early Access. What I knew was that I had played BG1 and 2 decades ago (or watched my older brother play, in case of BG1), and was beside myself to learn Baldur's Gate was getting a third game. I'm not a gamer, I only play few titles that appeal to me, but I watched the Panel from Hell live and saw the bear scene… and I pre-ordered the game immediately. :V

Anyways, back to Alexena. She is not a "new" character. I play as Alexena in any medieval-ish fantasy game I get my hands into that allows me to make either a barbarian woman or a paladin. I also played her for years in D&D. I always name them Alexena because, well, my name is Alexandra, and motherfucking XENA. THE Xena. Sounds funny and I've been doing it for decades. So I repeated it in BG3.

I didn't know about the characters, about Astarion or Karlach (besides just laughing at the bear sex), or the premise of the story. So I went in blind, and BOY HOWDEE it was a wild ride. I left Gale stuck in the stone, so he didn't exist in my play (oops - but to my defense, the narrator said it looked dangerous…). I made decisions as I would if I could freely do so irl - meaning I was alternating between nice and absolute douchebagery, depending on my mood and how the characters came across to me at the time. I killed what annoyed me, and defended those I liked. As a barbarian, I was having A BLAST. I'm not an experienced or technical player, I just wanna bonk shit to death and growl epically while doing it. It's my happy place.

I ended up meeting Karlach only after I did the entire goblin camp, south map and underdark. I genuinely opened the HUGEST GRIN when I talked to her. She was brash, foul-mouthed, muscular, flirty and an all-around BADASS. She was what Alexena wanted to be when she grew up. I'm not crazy about tieflings design-wise, but Karlach was KARLACH. I didn't bring her with me all the time, then, but everytime I did I was laughing from any and everything she said or did. She is THAT charismatic.

I romanced Astarion (cause looks and because he suddenly hit on me before the party). So, you know, ez fun. Later on I did some smooching with Wyll too, and Astarion called me out on it so I did the right thing and ended things with the Blade. In my mind I had already decided that I'd let the companions do their own thing - it made sense for Alexena's personality. So, in the end, I let Astarion ascend, eventhough I knew I would break up with him soon after.

That is a funny thing. I am not, and was never into the whole vampire aesthetic. I even refused to play Vampire (a ttrpg) and instead joined a D&D group back in high school. It's just not my thing. I'm more the big-ass warhammer, large pauldrons, teeth smashing kinda girl. So I was surprised with myself, truly, that I really got into Astarion as the game progressed (and I was very whatever about him at first, just went with the flow).

He grew on me immensely (his story arch is great and I love me some angst), but I did NOT want to be a vampire. I wanted to continue to be a human woman, who would grow old and die. That was my tragedy - the fact that a human life is one of the briefest in the lore. And in my logic, it made no sense to ask Astarion to NOT ascend for my sake, or whatever, when I'd die in a blink and he'd live alone. Kinda selfish, in my view. Also, the thing was that the Ascension promised to quench his vampiric hunger (which in DnD lore is so horrible it drives vampires to madness), and allow him to be in the sun. Alexena would end a relationship even if she was in love if it was the best to do. Coincidentally I learned that when I refused to be bitten, Astarion also thought the same and so we broke up anyway.

Which takes me back to Karlach. Her breakdown after Gortash BROKE ME. I took a no shit 1 month+ break from my run after that scene. I was devastated - and honestly mad at Larian for just leaving her story like that (still am). In the end I swallowed my disappointment and rushed the end fight just to get the game over with. Alexena decided to go with her, with this impossibly amazing woman that was as strong as herself. So off she went with her to Avernus, with her friend. Two badass barbarian women raging and smacking the shit out of devils and demons.

The end was disappointing overall, and, to be honest, after Karlach's quest journal said "we did all we could for her", I tried a Karlach Origin run cause I was sure I'd missed something. I was okay with the separation from Astarion because it made sense, role-playing wise, for me to break up with him. But the Karlach thing just threw me off the last half of the experience.

BUT HEY. That's Alexena, my alter ego in fantasy games :3

[larkaloke]

I finished my first Baldur's Gate 3 playthrough a couple days ago, so now it's time to talk about it, because I keep meaning to generally talk about my characters more and then I don't do that. So I'm doing it.

Things will get spoilery after the first couple of screenshots.

Yezka'al started as a githyanki fighter (who would become an eldritch knight) from a noble background. It's a little unclear in this game/5E context what noble means for githyanki, but certainly what it meant for Yezka'al was that they did not want to be bossed around by Lae'zel and butted heads with her a lot to begin with. I figure they got snatched by the nautiloid while on their first mind-flayer hunt.

Although, since you do get this line about calling Tu'narath your home, maybe my original interpretation of coming from a noble background as being one of the githyanki who lives in Tu'narath works still?

Anyway, Yezka'al made a lot of bad choices to begin with, because they didn't understand the prime or the people on it and also they were just extremely laser-focused on getting the tadpole out whatever way would work and getting back to killing a mind-flayer.

Not understanding that people don't usually like it when you just up and kill someone, even if that person was a bad person, led to everyone except Zevlor being dead in Emerald Grove, and that... kind of set the tone for things. People kept ending up dead where they went. They realized this was a problem eventually and were better about it after making the truly bad choice of letting Isobel get kidnapped for no real reason (since they, y'know, didn't actually try infiltration at any other point).

But generally their character arc went from this:

To this:

Honestly, I've never successfully played a character who went the self-sacrificing route before (the closest I came was one DA:O character who was all set up to do it but I knew by then that Alistair would just jump in her stead anyway), so that was new. Also tough. But the whole point of freeing Orpheus was so that he could overthrow the Lich Queen and free the githyanki, and how would he do that as an illithid? It turned out to be a satisfying if not completely good ending for Yezka'al.

(Apparently there's a third option if you have Karlach in your party, but unfortunately Yezka'al kind of cut her head off and turned it in for a cool sword, so they didn't have that option.)

People could be forgiven for assuming Yezka'al's hair was red because they were basically always covered in blood whenever they weren't in camp.

As for how the various companions fared (not including anyone I failed to even encounter):

Astarion: Yezka'al mostly took him around because they wanted to be able to get through locked doors and open chests, and also kept getting blown up by traps. They did not get along. Still, they figured maybe if he got a lot of power by becoming a Vampire Ascendant he'd be useful in stopping the Lich Queen and all that, but then he went full villain, so they killed him. RIP.

Gale: Generally just kind of existed? Yezka'al didn't do much with him, beyond pulling him out of a portal. They did say he could have the Crown of Karsus though, because that seemed way better than giving it to Raphael, which they went through a lot of trouble to not actually have to do.

Halsin: He said he'd meet Yezka'al at the camp but also it's fair that he didn't because he probably found out that they killed the entire rest of his druid circle and that's gotta be a bummer. (This also might have been a bug. I don't know, but it made sense.)

Jaheira: That little incident with letting Isobel get kidnapped caused the doom of absolutely everyone in the Last Light Inn except for Yezka'al and companions, and that included Jaheira. RIP.

Karlach: Wyll wanted to kill her, Yezka'al was offered a cool sword to do it, they did it. Then Wyll got all uncertain about it and they got annoyed. RIP.

Lae'zel: Became best friends and fellow rebels, after the intial "who's the better githyanki warrior who's actually destined for greatness" rivalry faded.

Minthara: Killed while generally rampaging through the goblin area, but I suspect that's pretty common. RIP?

Shadowheart: Despite the fact that Yezka'al's initial reaction to her was basically that they just did not care, she clearly took this as support, and eventually the two actually did end up getting along well. She became a cleric of Selune. (Yezka'al didn't care about killing the Nightsong or not, and just let her make the choice. They'd have been cool with the other way, too.)

Wyll: Kind of got left in camp for almost the whole game and just had bad things happen to him and around him, because Yezka'al just didn't much get along with him, and even after they killed Astarion Gale seemed more useful.

There was no explicit option to tell people "look, I'm going to become a mind-flayer to get this thing done, but once we've accomplished our goals kill me", but I figure they probably did tell Lae'zel that while coming to their decision and that's how it'll happen after the hopefully-successful rebellion. (I mean, if it's not successful, they'll probably be dead anyway.)

On that cheerful note, I'm on to my next playthrough!

This is Vethryn. He woke up with a really bad headache and can't remember anything but his name, and he has an urge to kill, but he's dressed as a paladin and has a book about paladin oaths, so that means he probably is one, right? Surely he would have been a good person and he just can't remember it? Yeah, that adds up.

He's probably actually going to end up killing less people and doing more miscellaneous quests than Yezka'al did, honestly, despite that little occasional murder problem... so that'll be interesting.

[swordmaid]

i like doing the orin duel last in yves’ playthrough bc it’s like theee climax of her story and also so she doesn’t get time to process her trauma bc I fight the brain right after hehe 🤭. but anyway throughout act 3 yves doesn’t just get her memories back as the bhaalspawn, she also gets the slow revelation of how she became one.

bc yves used to live in the lower city and she was one of the kelemvorite mortarch working in the graveyards before she got turned, id imagine current yves came across people she knew before, as well as visited the mortuary (where she spent the most time in) and found her old journal detailing her life - or lack of- after she got turned. yves managing to slowly piece together her past ; she was a kelemvorite cleric - at least that part of herself is true - but she tried to look into the ritualistic killings by the bhaalists and got killed bc of it. and then, to spite kelemvor, bhaal took that dead cleric’s flesh and face and moulded it with his to make his very own bride -> durge yves. she’s made for the sole purpose of worshipping him instead of her death god and killing for him. and when she’s killed enough in his name, he’ll consider that dowry sufficient and claim her, fully making her his.

anyway, yves’ revelation that she died and was remade against her will, and she’s essentially just wearing a dead girl’s face, and she defiled her own god and twisted his teachings in the worst way possible likeeeeee … the spiraling..!! and the meltdown …!!!! the NEED to claw at her own skin bc existing in it disgusts her. and now she’s seeing small fragments of the horrible things she has done for bhaal, and the killings she performed, and perhaps the worst thing was she remembered that she liked it. and the ecstasy that came through her whenever she did it. and when she tries to pray to kelemvor again now that she has her own mind back bhaal literally stops her heart from beating as a reminder that he holds her leash.

so when the time comes and she has decided that she’ll rid of all the bhaalspawns (and then herself), and when she’s duelling orin, I always make yves cast divine intervention to finish orin off bc it’s like her calling out to kelemvor and offering herself to him again. and when he answers her call and she denies bhaal, she’s finally granted the death she was denied of, and finally finally she can return back to her death god.

until withers is like lol no you’re not done yet

after the revival I think yves is like 🧍‍♀️ a bit shell shocked and lost. but she doesn’t have time to reevaluate herself when there is a nether brain to fight and she’s helping dismantle the very thing she crafted with gortash. and in the end she lets wyll go with karlach to avernus because she thinks he’s better off without someone like her, and after the little party they’ll have I imagine yves quietly leaves. she joins the other clerics who are helping clean up the aftermath. she doesn’t say that she was part of the group who helped saved the city, only claimed that they helped her in one point, and she doesn’t keep contact with anyone and generally tries to avoid them - out of her own shame and her own guilt.

she keeps the memories with her though - even the most disgusting and horrible ones, and with time she wrangles through them and learns to reconcile. she accepts this strange life of hers now, and she tries to help and do good just so when she finally finally reunites with the god of death again, the scales are at least tipped to her favor.