#I wasn’t expecting to romance astarion | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

junowritings · 10 months ago

Note

Could I request pre-romanced but interested Astarion (spawn), Gale, Halsin, and Rolan each reacting to Tav, in a moment of desperation, transforming into a silver dragon to save him from death. The kicker? Tav did not remember that they were a true dragon due to the tadpole wrecking their memory and is just as caught off guard by this revelation as he is.

Oh now this was too much fun to write! I ended up trying to generate a different scenario for each of them bc it was fun to imagine the context for each of them! :D

Astarion

♡ What a foolish thing; to let your guard down. Astarion knows better than most that nothing good would come of doing something so utterly stupid, no matter how safe. And yet he makes that very same pitfall after a battle with gnolls goes awry. Most of the beasts had been knocked off the nearby cliff-face, an underhanded tactic but he knew well to make use of the terrain even at the cost of any worthwhile loot. The rest had been picked off easily, and when Astarion buries his dagger into the gnoll prone beneath him the tension in the air finally seems to ease - the battle is over, for now.

♡ He’s still picking bits of viscera from his clothes, bemoaning the effort it’s going to take to pluck the gore from the decals when he spots you across the battlefield. You’re helping Karlach pry her axe free from getting a bit too gung-ho on an enemy’s skull, and he watches your face scrunch up from the effort with a snort. You catch his gaze when you look up, returning his fanged grin with an unamused huff of your own. It’s a sweet sight, even marred by blood and dirt, and Astarion makes a move to rise to his feet intending to amble over and watch you either succeed or count the axe as a loss. That was the plan-

♡ Until the carcass beneath him lurches, a screaming mass that in its death rattle bowls them both straight over the edge. And in the blink of an eye he’s in freefall, barely catching the look of horror on your face before he slips from sight.

♡ It’s nowhere near as graceful as the tales make believe. The wind bites at Astarion’s face and whips around him hard enough that his ears ring as hands try to grapple for purchase against the wall of the cliff. Nothing catches, only grabbing fistfuls of dirt and catching on rocks that crumble away beneath his fingers. No, no, no this was not how he was going to die; but there’s nothing to hold, nothing to see but the vast expanse of sky above his head as though taunting his very fate-

♡ And something else. Something large and scaled and burning silver as wings fan out enough to block out the sun as it appears practically out of thin air.

♡ A dragon. As if things couldn’t get worse?! Astarion’s cursing just about every force in the universe that he can think of as the beast plummets to close the distance. It’s there in seconds, a rippling wave of silver that swelters the very air as a taloned hand shoots out and catches him around the midsection. He expects to be eaten, maybe plucked to pieces right there and then; instead the dragon’s body rolls mid flight, curling close around the vampire spawn like a protective shield as the ground rushes to meet them.

♡ The landing isn’t gentle, having been too close to the ground to take flight. Both hit the earth but it isn’t the fatal fall it could have been. At one point he slips from the dragon’s talons, and by the time he’s wormed his way free he’s marred by dirt and spitting leaves alongside the plethora of curses in his vocabulary. But he’s alive.

♡ He certainly wasn’t complaining about that, but his head is still spinning with the ‘why’ of it all - where had that beast come from? Why hadn’t it killed him when it had the chance? He’s already looking for his dagger that had been lost in the fall as he scrambles to his feet, whipping around to face the dragon as he hears it stir. But he doesn’t find it. No, instead he finds-

♡ You. The last of the draconic visage crumbles like burned parchment, and you slump to your knees in the gouge your previous form had carved into the earth. Your hands tremble as you bring them up to your face, inspecting them like you’re checking that they’re truly there before your head shoots up to look at the vampire spawn you’d just saved. There’s a wild look in your eyes, confusion evident as you mirror his own slack jawed expression and trip over yourself to get back onto your feet with a scream of “What was that?!”

♡ At first he doesn’t believe your pleas of ignorance, and doesn’t get why you’re trying to protest so hard that you didn’t know. It’s not as though he hasn’t kept secrets from the group before - it’s not as though he willingly shared he was a spawn holding hands around the campfire like a jolly old fellow, did he? He’s not going to fault you for keeping your secrets so long as it’s not getting him killed.

♡ But then he catches you pacing later that night back at camp, muttering to yourself of how you could forget and mulling over what else you’d lost with the tadpole. That kind of panic isn’t easy to fake, and you aren’t even aware of the audience to fake it. Has that tadpole altered your memories that thoroughly? A disturbing thought.

♡ Of course he’ll be the first person to encourage you to use this ‘new’ form of yours to your advantage - why wouldn’t you? It’s not everyday that someone finds out that they can turn into a hulking magical creature at the drop of a hat, so why not make the most of it? Not to mention it will be excellent for both combat and persuading anyone who makes the mistake of thinking that you’re easy prey.

♡ Of course that brings the whole other question of - why the hells did you jump after him?! Did you think your little friend in the artifact would somehow save the two of you again?! You hadn't even hesitated to reach for him; to protect him…Astarion doesn’t know whether to throttle you over your own self sacrificing logic, or kiss your damned face until any thought of risking your life like that again goes out of the window.

♡ Perhaps he’ll do both - he hasn’t decided yet.

♡ Plus, he’ll never admit it, but the camp feels a little safer knowing that it’s got a fire breathing, flying scaled powerhouse for a leader - might move his tent just a little closer to your own after that realization.

Gale

♡ Wizards and close combat rarely mix well together. It has been somewhat of a running gag between the pair of you since the first tussle back at the grove when he nearly went sailing off the rocks he’d been casting from when a sword got far too close to his flank for his liking. You’d been there to save him, of course, biting back a teasing comment on his ‘graceful trip’ and trying not to chuckle as you’d helped the man back to his feet when it was all over. Gale naturally had been just as quick to remind you that even with his lack of tact for fisticuffs he was just as capable at keeping you as safe as you kept him. As he’d proved with a well timed magic missile not even one fight later,.

♡ The understanding was mutual - he’d protect you with all of the magic at his disposal, and you would do what you can to shield him on the battlefront. As you got closer, and the wizard got the opportunity to know you better, that protection evolved to something deeper. Something more than just having one another’s back out of necessity; the thought of any harm coming to you in the first place had been a sour notion, but now it was downright unthinkable. You took every blow meant for him without hesitation; pushed back any blade or arrow meant for him even if it led to adding a few more scars to your repertoire. And gods if you didn’t look absolutely stunning doing it.

♡ This time is no different. The sounds of battle ring in his ears, the clashing of weapons striking drowned out only by the roars of a group thrust into combat. Considering just how many unique faces make up their party (with a githyanki warrior, a renowned hero of the coast, and an excitable yet combustible tiefling - to name a few) Gale is surprised that bandits would even try their luck against this gaggle of adventurers. But where your group has skill, theirs has numbers, and this fight has been going on long enough that everyone is exhausted, frayed and running out of steam.

♡ He watches you on the other side of the battlefield, weapon clutched tightly in clenched fists and eyes burning with the fire of combat as you call out to your companions. You’re trying to pinpoint everyone's locations, caught up in the fighting as your weapon comes down on a bandit’s head. Multiple voices call out to you and Gale opens his mouth to join them, the air around crackling as he rears back to cast another spell. But the words barely get past his lips before he feels a solid blow to the back of the head and for just a second his world goes white. There’s a kick to his back and the world topples before he hands on him.

♡There is a fist wrapped up in his hair and a blade so close to his gut to breathe is a risk. One of the bandits - how had they gotten so close without him noticing? Had he gotten complacent thinking he was safe from his vantage point? A knee digs into him and the wheeze he lets out is pained as he attempts to throw the bandit off. But Gale’s not a fighter, and it’s getting harder to think straight when another hard yank knocks his head against the ground with a harsh crack. Magic pulses at his fingertips as they rake up dirt, the words forming in his mouth hoping to get them out before that blade decides to get familiar with his insides. If only he could just-

♡ What comes next happens suddenly. A rush of air, an unrelenting wave of heat and the weight suffocating him is gone. The bandit’s body is hoisted up in a cushing jaw, only able to get out little more than a scream before they’re essentially ragdolled across the field. The threat of an imminent gutting is gone, but Gale finds himself unable to breathe once again as he realizes what exactly has descended upon him.

♡ Multiple times his size with several layers of thick silver hide, and adorned with thick leathery wings, a dragon prowls overhead. Slitted eyes scan across the battlefield, taking in the carnage and what remains of the stragglers that Gale’s companions haven’t taken down with a surprisingly clarity. It’s…looking for something? No, someone - your companions. He watches the creatures head tilt, letting out something akin to a billowing rumble before setting its sights back on the wizard still very much pinned beneath it.

♡ The dragon’s head leans down, a huff of air feeling sweltering against his face as he comes face to snout with the creature that could easily turn him into wizard-chow with but a bite of that wall of teeth in its maw. But it doesn’t; instead it lets out another huff and there’s a ripple that seems to shake every single scale on its body before it’s shifting. It shrinks, morphs, changes into someone all too familiar as you drop down to your knees. Poor Gale almost gets a limb to the gut again as you slump down beside him, shaking off some sort of daze as you come back to your senses. It’s you - that dragon was you?

♡Gale doesn’t realize he’s shouting till he hears your own voice shouting along with him just as confused and panicked. Surely the pair of you must look like fools, unable to get out any kind of coherent word as your brains catch up to. You end up having to cover his mouth with your hand so that there’s enough quiet to actually process what has just happened, but Gale doesn’t miss how utterly lost you look about the whole ordeal - clearly this is as much news to you as it is to him.

♡ Once things have calmed down (and he’s checked to make sure he didn’t infact get punctured by a stray talon on the way down) Gale is absolutely fascinated. Nothing short of a kid in a candy store, this man is enthralled by the implications of your transformation. He knows you’re shaken of course, and he gives you time to do whatever you need to to ground yourself before he thinks to act upon any of his burning questions. He hopes to shed some light on things by working through these questions with you, hoping that they’ll spark some recollection you couldn’t remember before.

♡ He’s tactful, tries to be subtle but you can tell that he’s clearly excited to learn about the origins of this ability. Is it related to your bloodline? Or were you perhaps cursed? Could this be some kind of advanced wildshape unbefore discovered? It doesn’t hurt you, does it? The last question gives the wizard pause, and he can’t quite relax till you assure him that the process doesn’t cause you pain.

♡ Depending on if your memories came back after your first transformation, you’ll only be able to give him so many answers. Feel free to practice your abilities around him though. At first he keeps a safe, out of the line of fire-distance, but it doesn’t take long before he inches closer until he’s close enough to run a hand along your flank if you allow him. There is an almost reverent touch alongside his curiosity as he marvels at the sight of you - breathtaking, is the only word he can find to describe it as you extend a wing for him to examine.

Halsin

♡ Halsin has lived long enough to see many beings, experience many things. But he’s not fool enough to simply assume that he’s seen all that this world has to offer. There are still plenty of things to discover, many days and events he has yet to live amongst these new companions that have stumbled their way into the druid’s life.

♡Every moment with you has been a shining example of that fact - from the tadpole in your skull that you somehow manage to resist with each passing day, to the very way you approach the world around you. You somehow always managed to leave Halsin guessing, trying to wrap his head around the impossibility of you - regardless of you background, regardless of your creed or the life you lived before the tadpole, you remained a walking anomaly. Once which kept him on his toes, wondering what facet of you that you would reveal to him next.

♡ Of course he had done the same for you - you’d just about knocked your whole team over when he’d transformed after you’d first rescued the druid; recalled to you events and moments in his life that had anyone else told you, you would have called bullshit. It was a mutual exchange - you were open to him, and so he would do the same for you. He trusted you after all, and hoped you felt the same for him.

♡ That trust extended to the battlefield as well. Halsin’s desire to protect extended to the entirety of your party, naturally, but you were under a watchful eye with this man. Your penchant for the disregard of your own safety left much to be desired in the ways of keeping you safe; the needs of others or obtaining what you want often put above your own safety in the throes of a fight. Your habits of getting into trouble were something he grows far used to by now, so Halsin willingly takes the mantle of your protector, if only to save you from all of the scratches and scars that you’ll no doubt earn yourself down the road with your current mindset.

♡ Such as now. Within a wildshape, Halsin acts as a defensive shield for the other companions in a fight against a stray goblin raiding party. The leftover dregs of the ones from back at the temple that were set on hunting the party down long after the fall of the cultist once housed there. Teeth and claws rip and tear into goblin flesh and bone with ease, the bear acting as an utter powerhouse shrugging off each and every hit as though he was being poked with sticks and not swords. Things look to be over swiftly, as alongside the attacks of yourself and your other companions the goblin’s ranks are quickly dwindling - having either been felled by your defense or fled once they realize it was not a fight so easily won. With luck, you’ll all be back at camp before sundown.

♡ It is you who warns him that that’s not the case. He hears your voice, hears your scream of his name and Halsin cranes his head in an attempt to seek you out worried that something had happened to you when he wasn’t looking.

♡ But then a blinding light bursts against his side and he roars, loud and anguished at the sudden pain that washes over - some kind of explosive, brutal and all too effective against the druid. It’s enough for him to drop, barely still clinging to his wildshaped form as he braces against the earth in a bid to get back to his feet. What’s left of the goblins swarm, threatening to overwhelm him in his vulnerability and Halsin prepares himself for the approaching onslaught that closes in on him.

♡ Then something slams overhead, the squeals and cries of the goblins drowned out by a blinding roar that rings in the air like a toll as something impossibly large lands above Halsin and the goblins barricading them from their assault behind the wall of its body. A thick sweltering heat takes over, emanating from scales that glint like fine silver as the large body of a dragon settles overhead, and the area around them becomes alive with noise and chaos in its wake.

♡ The very ground trembles under thick clawed footfalls - the trees groaning barely avoiding the wrath of this dragon as it rises to its full height and lunges for the attackers. The goblins never stand a chance - whichever ones weren’t smart enough to scarper before are taken out with little more than a snap of jaws and the swipe of a tail. Large claws break into the earth below, digging deep as though to ensure the dragon doesn’t move an inch from the druid’s side even as the last of the goblins are reduced to shreds.

♡ When it is all over the creature visibly loses its hostility as it rounds once again upon Halsin. A firm nudge to his side, as gentle as a beast of this size can be and Halsin manages to push himself back to his feet, shedding the form of his barely clinging wildshape as exhaustion settles heavily upon his shoulders. By this point he knows that it means no harm, head pressed to his side until he’s firm in his stance before slinking away and circling around the druid as though appraising, checking for more damage. When none is found there’s a twitch, a shift in its tail that works its way up to its skull as though its very being is unraveling before Halsin’s eyes - and that’s exactly what happens.

♡ Scales and talons shift and rend, giving way to familiar flesh and a face the druid has all but committed to memory. This time he is the one to offer support, large hands coming up to brace upon your shoulders as you stumble over yourself looking about with a bewildered expression. “That was…what did I…?” Your words are met with a gentle assurance that that can be tackled in due time - it’s better to tackle those questions with a clearer head after nursing your injuries. And he’ll be right there will you, even guiding you back to camp till you practically insist that you’ll be fine on your own.

♡ Halsin has heard of many species and many abilities, but nothing that’s quite like a dragon shifter. At least, not one like you seem to be. You seem just as distraught by that knowledge, alongside the fact that this appears. Yet another thing that the tadpole has taken from you, if your belief to have had this ability before is true. It isn’t much different than using wildshape, as you learn once you talk through the experience with Halsin - what you were feeling before, what you were thinking. You admit that the only thing on your mind had been protecting him when you’d turned, horrified at the sight of him hurt and just out of your reach to save. The look of momentary surprise on Halsin’s face melts into something far softer at the revelation, a gentle praise at your own thoughtfulness to protect others that may leave you feeling bashful.

♡ Halsin actively encourages you to shift whenever you feel the desire to do so. Learn more about this form and what it means to you; refamiliarize yourself with a part of you that you’ve been separated from for such a time. He’ll talk you through it should you express any need for support, but he knows that you’re more than capable of controlling this aspect of yourself just as you have before. Of course he’ll also be admiring you the whole time, nothing but honest praise about the power of your form and the beauty of this other part of you.

Rolan

♡ It was a mistake to have ever come to the shadowlands - now Rolan is losing everything. Cal, Lia, his very own life; all of it is going to be snuffed out by the oppressive darkness which has defiled every inch of this place, and he’s powerless to do anything to stop it. All he had wanted to do was to make a life for his family, to make Rolan a name that they and others could be proud of. But every good deed seemed to only make things worse in the end - hells had even that one act of kindness saving those damned kids been rewarded like this? Not even his attempt to save his siblings had worked and now he was facing perishing in a land where death was never kind, as though the world was giving him one final kick when he was down to remind him of his own shortcomings.

♡ Shadows circle in, lured in by the dwindling embers of his torch which is the only thing barely keeping him alive in this forsaken wasteland. But that is not enough; they claw at the edges of his light, ripping and tearing at the hem of his robes and grasping for his ankles, hoping to get a foothold on the tiefling long enough to drag him off into the darkness to never be seen again. Panic unfurls in his gut, burning brighter than the useless glorified stick clenched between sharp nails as he wrenches himself free of their grasp and stumbles over himself trying in vain to make some distance.

♡ He’s got minutes at the most, moments at the least; and those creatures writhing in shadow and dark have the luxury of biding their time waiting out his final seconds. He’s going to die here - without ever seeing his siblings again. What had he ever done to deserve such a cruel ending?

♡ But it doesn’t end - at least, not here.

♡ A roar breaks through the sound of his pulse pounding in his ears, and every hair on the back of his neck stands up as a chill shoots down his spine like a shot of ice. What, had some worse creature come to finish him off? As if being torn to shreds within the shadowlands wasn’t bad enough, now he’s got to contend with something bigger. And gods, is it bigger. Even through the thick smog of the shadowlands it stands out like a beacon of silver, its very scales giving off a faint glow within the darkness as though the shadows themselves are reviled by its presence alone. A feeling sinks within the pit of his chest the moment that he realizes what manner of creature is stalking towards him.�� A dragon - gods, why did it have to be a dragon?!

♡ The beast is huge, a rippling wall of impenetrable flesh that cuts through the space between them in little more than a few bounds. Wings stretch wide, an impressively intimidating display as taloned hands slam down on where the shadows persist. The shadows dissipate easily beneath its claws but their shriek in indignation warbles uselessly, clearly not expecting the sudden attack in their bid for new prey. What the shadows have in number the dragon compensates for in size, easily swiping down a handful before attempting to latch onto another with its sizable maw.

♡ Rolan can’t tell if it’s doing any damage, but whatever perceived slight this dragon has on the shadows Rolan isn’t going to question. The shadows have their attention turned to the beast; if he has any intention of making it out alive he reasons he needs to get out of here now. But that’s easier said than done when one wrong move could have him meeting the business end of a stray swipe or the lingering shadow taking the opportunity to pounce. He’s going nowhere - not while the fight persists.

♡ Eventually the shadows must decide that facing a dragon isn’t worth the trouble just for making the meal out of the tiefling, and no sooner had Rolan been surrounded, the shadowy figures slink back into the deepest recesses of the darkness. A wave of relief warms his bones at the realization that they’ve slithered back to whatever domain formed them - he’s alive.

♡ But then those slitted eyes land back on him, and Rolan decides his chances may have been better dealing with those shadows. His attempts to escape are thwarted, the dragon rounding on him in a manner far slower than the frantic thrashing of before. No, it’s watching him, and the tiefling is rendered frozen at the curious way it tilts its head as though it recognizes something familiar..

♡ Almost jumps out of his own skin when it nudges him, a quick bump of its head that almost knocks him flat. Rolan barks out a curse, but the winged creature insists on pushing him till he finally takes the hint and moves to where it’s clearly wanting him to go. Gods, this is unnerving and he doesn’t know what it wants until the nudging finally stops and he finds himself staring down at the lump of belongings haphazardly discarded at his feet. And he tenses.

♡ This pack - that lantern - he knows who they belong to at a glance. And no sooner has he put the pieces together that there’s a ripple of energy, a shift in the very air as the dragon before him begins to change. It molds into something else, taking on a form far more familiar - the last face he’d thought to see, but perhaps the one he should have expected.

♡ You just about keel over, clutching your knees and shaking bad enough to match his own as you let out a wheeze. You’re not worse for wear aside from the general health risks of being out in a land so tainted by dark magic, but even as you dust yourself off and look over at Rolan, you once again leave him speechless with a quick quip of “So…that was new.”

♡New? NEW?! You mean you just suddenly discovered your shifting abilities, like some twisted epiphany?! The pair of you must be a right sight, huddled around the moon lantern with him slack jawed and you looking more confused than you have any right to be after that stunt. It’s too much to process, and he’s still reeling from the near death experience and everything that has happened in such a short amount of time. Doesn’t put up nearly as much of a fight as he would have in his right mind when you urge him to go back to the inn - you’re grateful for that, or he might have insisted on coming with you even more.

♡ He doesn’t get to grill you on your abilities until everyone is finally safe. Many are enjoying what little respite they can get before they move on to the next place away from here, and he catches you finishing up your own business at the inn hoping for answers before you leave. Like Astarion, he has doubts that you didn’t know. Really? Not even an inkling to the draconic blood in your veins or where it had come from. Tries not to be frustrated at the shrug you offer in response, having to remind himself that this is a new development for you - he’s not going to pry you with questions when you’re likely still struggling to wrap your head around the prospect yourself.

♡ Once Rolan realizes what had triggered your transformation he goes uncharacteristically quiet, staring hard at your face as though trying to gauge your bluff. When he finds none his voice breaks with his gratitude, hiding the shake behind a cleared throat as he breaks eye contact suddenly struggling to meet the sincerity in your gaze. That was…perhaps he needed to rethink what exactly that - he - meant to you another time; in a place where there’s not always life or death on the line.

#baldurs gate 3 #bg3 #bg3 x reader #baldurs gate 3 x reader #bg3 astarion #bg3 gale #bg3 halsin #bg3 rolan #gale dekarios #astarion x reader #tav x astarion #gale x reader #gale x tav #halsin x reader #halsin x tav #rolan x reader #rolan x tav #request #anon

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astarionancuntnin · 4 days ago

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Hello! No idea if you’re taking requests, or if they are only Astarion x f!reader, nor how dark you go.

But you think you can write a Gale x f!reader in the third person (Name is just Tav) and Gale is obsessed with having a baby that he and Tav do it every minute even when Tav is asleep?

I'll go as dark as you allow me to go bb (also thank you for your patience oh my god i swear im gonna get through all my requests eventually). fair warning that this is my first Gale fic and i haven't done his romance in game, with that being said-

Silent Night

pairing: gale x tav (fem, not decribed but its implied she looks younger than him by a few years)

rating: E

word count: 3.7k

cw: 18+. smut, mentions of pregnancy, obsessive anxious thoughts, porn with feelings, coercion, unprotected sex, drugging, somnophilia, non-con, breeding kink (and breeding), creampie, using cum as lube, cock soaking, gaslighting, this is a dark one y'all have been warned. full list on ao3.

read on ao3

my masterlist

or keep reading down below~

Ever since getting rid of the Absolute, Gale’s life had been exactly how he had pictured it, and that meant spending most of his days lavishing his wife, Tav. Not a day could go by where he and his beloved did not indulge each other. Not only did they spend every single night at it - it was every single moment they had together: out on a picnic date, while they were cooking, when they were snuggled up on the sofa reading - as if their primal urges could never be satisfied.

Especially Gale’s.

After getting married, he had made it his primary goal to make sure his wife was satisfied at all moments and Gods above did he deliver. Truth be told, his drive had only gone up since they discussed their future, and potentially having a family — a child! Gale could hardly believe it; it was one of his wildest dreams and it was now just within reach.

Growing up alone with his mother, he still struggled with the idea of being a father as he feared to not be up to everyone's expectations — moreso Tav’s — but he couldn’t deny how he hoped he could eventually get the chance to be the father he always dreamed of having. Give his mother grandchildren that she could visit, make their friends aunts and uncles, even new company for Tara; finally have a real family of his own.

They had been careful in the past, however. Tav would always drink a potion that acted as contraceptive before doing anything, and it had been Gale's greatest disappointment. Every time, he wished she'd forget or would dismiss it so he could finally have it his way with her.

Thankfully, Tav was interested in the idea, but he noticed her doubts everytime the topic was brought up.

After everything they had gone through and the uncertainty of their future because of it, she had asked for some time to think about it. Make sure they were appropriately settled in — had a house, a stable income, a place secure for a child to grow up — and yes, of course, that was reasonable, but Gale couldn’t keep his mind from picturing her, with her breasts full of milk and rubbing her belly, swollen with their child.

My, what a sight.

It was enough to get him in the mood to put a damned baby in her.

But, Gale was a patient man, he could wait. Surely, she would make up her mind and have a clearer idea soon enough. She wasn’t saying it just to waste her most fertile years away, only to watch the opportunity fly out the window, or waiting for the next best option in terms of partners. They were married, for Gods’ sake, they had vowed to stay together until death did them apart, and after what they had survived, they were assured to live until their old days; they would be together forever.

…Right?

She wouldn’t just leave him now of all time, now that they were safe and secure. She didn’t just stay out of convenience, surely not. She couldn’t have lost interest since their adventure ended and was just looking for a way out — buying her time until she could safely discard him as Mystra had done to him in the past.

Oh Gods… but what if she was?

It’s not like he was getting any younger. If anything, the stress of destroying the absolute had taken a toll on him that must’ve made him age twenty years in the few months alone it had taken them. It only struck him when he gazed upon his beloved, still the very depiction of youth, as opposed to him. She remained beautiful as time passed by and he loved to admire her, but it was a constant reminder that he wasn’t getting any younger, and the orb in his chest hadn’t helped in the matter either. Even if he figured out a way to live longer, a skill he could learn as a wizard, she wouldn't have the chance to be blessed by those same powers Gale had; he would outlive her and he would be left behind — alone.

Again.

She would have every reason to look for someone more younger, who could age with her, and less broken than he was, and the darkest parts of him couldn’t accept this reality — wouldn’t accept it.

It didn’t matter that they were married, or how many times she had reassured him, those same thoughts came back crawling like a pest.

So that night, before heading to bed, Gale prepared Tav's herbal tea as usual: with chamomile, citrus, and honey — just warm enough to be comforting — and a dose of a special potion he took care of obtaining at the market during his errands earlier, just to make sure she would sleep through the night undisturbed.

Such a good husband! The merchant had exclaimed after he had explained his wife was suffering from insomnia. Taking care of his wife and tending to her utmost care, so thoughtful!

Oh, if only they knew.

They explained in detail the exact effects of the potions, and he didn't need further convincing before dropping a pouch of coins on the table and taking off with the magic concoction.

Upon watching his wife drink the tea he had so kindly prepared, Gale could only see how right the merchant had been — Tav wasn't even halfway through her cup that her eyelids grew heavy, her head wouldn't sit straight, and her entire body screamed at her to go rest.

Gale, the caring and loving husband he is, took it upon himself to bring her to bed and lay her down comfortably, still in her night clothes, with her breathing already heavy with sleep. He pushed her hair aside, letting his knuckles brush against the supple skin of her cheek as he took in the sight of her.

His beautiful wife — almost bare as she wore a short, lilac silk nightgown, and a soft pair of lace underwear, one he would eventually remove tonight to finally take what was rightfully his.

It would be preferable if she were awake, of course, but with the way her own doubts had plagued her mind, Gale thought it fair to give her head a vacation. She could rest peacefully, and he could give her a gift she didn’t know she wanted; he would help her see reason this way and she would have no other choice but to accept it if it just happened to her.

It was for the best, for both of them — he had always been careful, always so damned careful, respecting her wishes; what about what he wanted? What about his needs?

To breed her in the dead of night, leave her with a sticky mess between her legs to wake up to, then offer her another round of morning sex to cover up the soreness he would've caused her the night prior so she could stay completely inconspicuous until her sickness shows up and her belly grows swollen with a new life and—

Oh, Gods above, no, what was he thinking?! He couldn’t do this to her — not like this; not when she was asleep, but… Hells, he couldn’t ignore the throbbing erection this vision had given him. The sheer fabric of his underwear rubbing against his cock made him groan; he wouldn't be able to let it go now… And she was right there, out cold, it’s not like she would mind it if he were to just use her a little, right?

He sighed. Fine, just a touch then, just enough to ease the ache.

He let his hand reach down and underneath his underwear, where his fingers wrapped around his length, hard and angry, and he let go of a heavy breath as he pumped himself just once. Once too many, as it only made him more desperate for what could be around his cock instead of his hand.

Just a few strokes, just enough to satisfy my needs so I can go to sleep.

His grip was strong, but he pumped himself slowly as he eyed Tav's sleeping form. His thumb moved to the head of his cock, where he found a bead of pre-come already dripping, calling out for its home that rested between his wife’s legs. He rubbed it against his tip and slid it over his shaft to lubricate himself — hoping to find some relief with his own arousal — but only found himself wishing it were from his beloved, laying right there in front of him.

Gods dammit… Fine — just a touch, then… just a little… touch…

While one hand kept stroking true, his other one found comfort in the softness of her warm breasts. Small compared to what they could be if she were carrying their child, gorged in milk, but nothing short of delicious, as he remembered their taste in his mouth, his tongue circling around her plump nipple…

Oh, the taste of her–

As she moved in her sleep, he let go, afraid that he had woken her up, only for her to have simply slightly moved her legs apart, naturally lifting her nightgown up above her thighs and allowing Gale a clear view over her beautifully wrapped entrance — all of this without him needing to even lift a finger.

He chuckled nervously, thinking only for a moment she might have been awakened by his lewd touches. Still, she remained unconscious, and he remained painfully aroused by the sight of her barely covered cunt, with her legs wide open. She was right there, ready for the picking, just for him.

Hells, why was he second guessing himself, he had already spiked her tea, it's not like she would know either way; in for a penny, in for a pound, right?

Okay, okay, just a finger, just to pick up her moist and apply it over myself. That's all I need. Nothing more.

He pulled her legs together, just to slide her underwear off, only to be hit with the scent of her arousal completely coating the silk he had pulled away from her entrance.

By the Gods, my love. You're positively soaked. What have you been dreaming of, I wonder?

He brought her underwear to his nose, breathing in her aroma, and a shiver ran down his spine as he let his thoughts wander once again to his original plan. As he looked back to her, legs spread open and slit glistening wet, there wasn’t a doubt in his mind anymore; by the time he would be done with her, her womb would finally be claimed by his potent seed, and she would bear his child whether she wanted to or not.

Hells, forget the finger, I must taste you.

Letting go of his night robe and sliding down his underwear completely, he crawled over the bed and between her legs, settling comfortably with his face right besides the warmth at the apex of her thighs. He wrapped one arm around her soft thigh, while the other hand slid up to her wet slit, squeezing her puffy lips to push her juices out and admiring it drip over their bedsheets.

“Heavens above, my love,” he whispered against her cunt, his low, raspy voice carrying the lust he was done denying himself. “You look simply delicious.”

Bringing his face closer, he pulled his tongue out and pressed it flat against her entrance, swiping up along her slick ever so slowly to collect her essence. A shudder ran down his spine at her taste as he swallowed down her juices.

He murmured, against her core, “Not even the Gods could rival your taste, my heart.”

Using his thumb and finger just below her clit, he spread open her lips to expose her fully to him; pussy wet and enlarged by her arousal, almost as if she knew he was there, as if she subconsciously liked it.

Wanted it.

He breathed heavily over her slit, his mind hazy with lust as he finally dipped his tongue deeper into her folds, working his skilled tongue in and out of her. He took his time to collect her arousal in his mouth and tasted everything she had to offer him; he wanted to please her more than anything else, even as she slept through it all. His tongue circled around her clit and his mouth latched onto it to suckle, until he felt her reaching her first orgasm as she whined faintly in her sleep and her legs twitched — but she remained unconscious through it all, allowing Gale to eat and drink his fill of her.

Pulling back with his chin coated in her essence, he licked his lips with a smile. If this continued to go just as well, he would need to go back to the seller to thank them again.

Satisfied with her taste, and with his cock practically begging for her as he had smeared the bedsheets with his precome, he sat up on his knees and lifted her legs to bring them up and around his waist, then pressed his length over her cunt with a breathy sigh.

“There, there,” he purred as he rubbed his cock along her flushed and wet lips. “That’s a good girl, lying still for her husband. I just need a bit of you, love; you can rest. Just be good for me.”

If there was any doubt of her arousal, now it couldn't be ignored. Despite Gale’s assault of his mouth on her and the certitude he had drank every drop of her come as she climaxed in her sleep, a faint line of her juices dripped down from her entrance as he coated himself with her wet and stained the bed just below them.

I'll just slide the tip of my cock against her entrance, just enough to feel her— Gods, I need to feel her warmth.

No bed sheets or underwear in the way between her and him anymore, which made it all the more simple for him to align her waist with his and push her legs apart as he leaned against her with his arms on each side of her head. His length easily found its way around her warm lips, as he slid between them.

So very soaked for me, fuck— so wet and warm. Just stay like that love, your husband just needs you a little more.

Carefully moving his hips back, he pushed his tips against her entrance, and it didn’t take him long to come to a dreadful realization.

I can't wait any longer — I need this, please forgive me, Gods, I need this.

Slowly, he pushed himself all the way inside of her, and a broken gasp escaped his throat as he hit the end of her channel, filling her completely with his cock. Despite having completely sunk inside of her depths, it still wasn’t enough. He would only be satisfied when she would be filled to the brim with his seed, burst after burst of his cock spilling inside of her until she was leaking with his cum.

He picked up a rhythm — slow and careful at first — but it quickly fastened as he lost himself in the feeling of her tight walls around him, squeezing him even as she was sleeping.

“You little vixen–” he whispered, his voice breaking as he spoke to her as if she were conscious. “Ahhh… Just take it, take it for me. That's right, just like that… Oh, you little tease— you've wanted me to do this, haven't you? Have your husband come and fuck a baby into you as you slept? Are you truly this depraved, love? Are you this much of a whore for your lover?”

As she turned her head around and her arms moved up to touch his chest, Gale thought of the worst right away and slowed down his thrusts once more, but never stopped completely; he couldn’t find the strength within himself to stop now that he had gone this far.

He brought a hand up to softly cup her face and stroke her cheek, “Shhh, please don't make me do this, please, my love.” He whispered, pleading. “Don't fight it, just let it happen, you were doing so well.”

She whimpered, either from a nightmare or the potion wearing off, and brought her floppy arms up to weakly push against Gale's chest. Asleep or not, he couldn't allow her to try and stop him, not now. He picked her wrists and pinned her to their bed as he picked his rhythm back up, pounding into her.

“None of this now, dearest,” he growled. “Your husband is fulfilling his rightful duties to you, and I know you want this, your cunt has been begging me to put a baby inside of you for weeks now. This is for your own good; our own good— fuck—”

When her eyes began to flutter open and she mumbled his name half-asleep, he didn’t need to think twice before casting a sleep spell on her to make sure she would remain calm and docile. He wouldn’t back down now, the best he could do was minimize the damage on her.

His head fell forward, with strands of his hair falling from his messy bun to cover his face and tickle hers.

“I'm sorry my heart,” he pleaded as she slept through his assault, and he wasn't sure anymore if he tried to convince her or himself the most. “You gave me no other choice, I need to take you tonight. I need to make you mine and mine alone. It's for your own good, I promise.”

As if his words had slipped past the veil of her consciousness the moment those words left his lips, he felt her cunt clench around him.

“Oh Gods, even asleep your cunt wraps so tightly around my cock.” He moaned, biting his lips to muffle the desperate sounds fighting to leave his lips. “It's okay, you don't need to use that little head of yours, your body speaks for itself with how it's milking me.”

He wrapped her legs back around his waist and cast mage hands to keep them locked in his back. There was only one way tonight was ending, and he wasn't going to back away until his job here was done.

Despite the sleeping spell and the potion, Tav whimpered as Gale fucked into her recklessly, with a rhythm nearly desperate.

“Fuck, you moan so prettily when you take my cock, I might just burst yet—”

His thrusts started to become sloppy, losing his clean rhythm to replace it by one borderline animalistic as he pressed himself wholly against her body, her breast crushed against his chest with each push of his hips. In the dead of this warm, silent night, the only sounds keeping them company were the sloppy splashes of his hips against hers, his balls slapping against her tight little asshole, and his breathy moans that grew only louder and out of control, barely noticing just how loud he was getting.

“Please let me give you the life we deserve,” he begged, not caring for the sound of his voice anymore. “Let me breed you, bear my children, make me a father– fuck!”

His body pinned Tav down, his cock completely buried into her as he spilled himself in the depths of her womb. With his concentration faltering, she started whining through her sleep spell as if she had fought through it to wake up. With his cock still pulsing his white, hot come inside of her, he brought his lips over hers to muffle her sounds with a one sided kiss.

“Shhh, it’s okay my love, it’s over. You’re okay, I’m right here. I’ve got you. Shhhh…” Gale ushered in her ear as he kept his body pressed against hers, his breath hot against her skin, and brushed away the hair from her face. “Let’s just stay like this for a moment. I need… I need this.”

He stayed inside of her for a few long minutes, until his breath came back to him and his cock went soft inside of her, only then allowing himself to pull out and lay back next to her; it was all too soon when he lost the warmth of her walls around him, and even soft, he knew his cock was missing it's home as it rested sadly over his belly in a puddle of his cum and her essence.

Making sure to avoid any doubt from her, he got up to slip his briefs and her panties back on before sliding back into bed and pulling the covers over both of them, then turned away to pretend to be sleeping. As he finally broke the concentration on his spell, Tav slowly woke up to a sweaty, but very much seemingly asleep Gale.

She shook his arm to take him out of his daze, “Gale? Gale… wake up!”

He turned around as if just woken up, “Gods, Tav,” he mumbled, feigning his fatigue. “What time is it?”

“Did you…” Her voice is sleepy and confused. “Did you fuck me while I was asleep?”

“What?” He exclaimed, raising himself up on his elbows and rubbing his eyes. “Gods, love, who do you take me for? I would never impose myself onto you like that, you must've had a nightmare. Are you quite alright? Come here–”

He brought the back of his hand to rest over her forehead, as if to check her temperature, and pulled back with a worried look.

“Poor thing — you're burning.” He brought her head to rest over his chest as he pet her head, trying to soothe her back to sleep. “Hush now, you're safe, I've got you. Shhh… You’re okay…”

Within minutes, if not seconds later, she slipped back into a restful sleep, with her head moving to the beat of his chest rising, and Gale couldn't help but admire her, chasing away the guilt of his actions as he realized the necessity of it.

The faint light of the rising sun exposed the glistening laying between her legs and pooling over the bedsheets past her panties, and he instinctively licked his lips at the mere thought of it.

Now, there would be no doubt in their future, only a certitude swirling around in his mind.

In time, she will be the most amazing and caring mother.

He just knows it.

Thank you for reading! Comments, reblogs, and likes are very much appreciated <3

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#my posts #my writing #gale dekarios #gale of waterdeep #bg3 gale #gale x tav #bg3 #bg3 smut #writing request #gale smut #baldur's gate 3 #gale x reader

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justporo · 9 months ago

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Hi JustPoro! I wanted to share an observation with you. Maybe you can turn this into some headcanon, fanfic or just share your thoughts on it? I just started my second BG run, romancing Astarion again. I didn't really see/notice it months ago on my first run, but now it's so obvious that when Astarion is sincere he always touches his own hands and fingers, like a tell. One moment he leans forward, looks you in the eye, spreads his arms, demanding all your attention. But the next moment he looks to the side, his words become smaller, he puts his hands in front his body and starts playing with his fingers, basically shrinking back into himself, even if he still smiles. It happens a few times and it's such a heartbreaking detail. How do you think the Tav would react when they first catch on to this?

Hi Anon, thank you so much for hopping in my inbox. And oh, this is a very good observation. So I wanted to write a little drabble about it.

If you see any typos: no you don't (it's not proofread, psst)

As a former thief you knew a tell when you saw one.

Because back in your thieving days it was part of your set of skills needed to survive. You had to know when someone was trying to rip you off.

Astarion had a tell. Quite an obvious one too.

You hadn’t fully figured out yet what it was he was lying to you about or trying to hide from you. But it was clear that something was up, something going on behind these unusual crimson eyes, whenever he started to fidget with his hands.

Admittedly, you probably had figured it out as quickly as you did because you had stared at his hands quite often. They were beautiful hands: quite big, long, elegant and immaculately cared for fingers. You had to admit you had a thing for hands; but Astarion’s especially.

You knew exactly what those hands could do: from lockpicking even the meanest locks and making it look like magic in its own respect to dramatically being flailed around to underline the point the vampire was making; to oh so easily finding this delicate spot between your legs, caressing it, toying with it, making you lose your mind - with nothing but a touch of those fingers.

But the physical intimacy you had shared didn’t mean you were on the same terms in other aspects of your relationship.

And so the first time you noticed Astarion’s small nervous habit you didn’t let it show that you had noticed. It had been a delicate subject obviously. One of those rare moments where the vampire let precious details of his past slip.

From just the few things he had shared with you, you could imagine the horrors he must have lived through.

And from the way his body gave him away, you were sure of the pain it still caused him.

It was when his shoulders fell, his whole body basically folding in on himself from his usual cocksure flamboyant posture and attitude. His ruby eyes seemed leagues and eons away, still lingering agony swimming in them.

Those were the moments where unconsciously he started to nervously play around with his hands, obviously not even noticing. Tugging on the fingers of the other hand, pressing the thumb into the palm of the other - as if trying to give himself at least a bit of reassurance or to pull himself back by the pressure applied. And then the moment quickly passed again. Hands falling to his side again.

And so you took note but remained silent.

Until this fateful night back at Moonrise towers when Astarion had made a confession to you, you hadn’t ever expected.

Immediately it had been obvious how upsetting and strenuous it must have been for him to bring himself to even bring it up with you. So much so that you were sure he must be close to ripping his own fingers off judging by the way he worked while he opened up about his feelings for you.

So if this wasn’t the moment which would it ever be? As Astarion kept speaking you stepped closer, his eyes immediately growing big and round. So obviously afraid. Not of but of what he feared was about to happen. His words died on his lips as the vampire could only stand and watch, positively becoming a statue. His hands froze in position in front of his chest.

That’s where you gently grabbed them from with your own. He let you. Too shocked to react in any other kind of way.

“Did you notice,” you began as you started to gently massage them “that you tug on your hands when you’re upset or nervous or…” You blushed a little as you didn’t manage to finish your question, letting your gaze drop from his to where his hands were mingled with yours.

“I do?” Astarion replied bewildered, fully thrown off his groove and what he had planned to say.

You nodded, still not able to look up at him again, but kept softly soothing his fingers.

Silence fell between you as you kept going, feeling how your warmth spread to him.

After a long while you found the courage to look Astarion in the eyes again. He seemed transformed. A gentle smile was tugging on his lips, eyes full of warmth and kindness. None of that fearful behaviour that made him sink into himself but also none of the cocky performance he so often put on.

Instead, Astarion seemed genuine. Probably more so than you had seen him be this far.

And when he finally continued his speech, you felt more of that. All while you kept holding onto his hands. And - as you felt by the end of it - as he was holding onto yours.

Later, you of course still noticed those moments when Astarion nervously toyed around with his hands. But now you had no good reason to not go and do something about it.

So, whenever you noticed it happening you softly grabbed his hands, untangled his fingers and wrapped them with yours. Or pressed your palm against his. Or kissed his fingers one by one. Until the moment had passed.

And later still, when Astarion had started to learn to rely on you, you found he sometimes came to you, grabbing your hands for a bit of support. You squeezed his in reassurement and let your thumb wander over the back of his hand in these moments - until he squeezed back. A silent thank you, you’ve come to know.

#astarion #baldur's gate 3 #astarion ancunin #bg3 spoilers #bg3 #astarion x tav #baldur's gate iii #astarion x you #astarion x reader #poro drabbles

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roguishcat · 7 months ago

Text

Brunch

Summary: Another, better emotionally equipped male would probably just ask Tav out. Like on an actual proper date at a nice venue rather than sticking to their monthly meeting for brunch as a pathetic excuse for spending time with her. But that was the crux of the problem. Astarion had absolutely zero clue as to how to be in a relationship.

Humour/Friendship/Romance

Tags: AU, Modern times, Elf Astarion, No Cazador, Mature Language, Suggestive Themes, Jealous Astarion, Astarion is bad at feelings

Two-shot: Part 1 - 5k words

Pairing: Astarion x unnamed female Tav

Rating: Mature (Part 2 will be rated E, so MDNI please)

A/N: This does not have a beta. So if you notice any mistakes, please let me know! 💖 Comments are always appreciated!

“Sorry, I’m late,” Tav stumbled gracelessly into the café, her cheeks flushed from the heat.

“Quite alright, darling. I have already ordered,” Astarion replied, his eyes sweeping over her in appreciation.

Tav, being herself, misjudged his look and self-consciously pulled on the front of her dress, unsuccessfully trying to get it to unstick from her clammy skin. Everyone was suffering from the heatwave, and they looked it, except Astarion, of course. He, unlike Tav, looked as cool as a freaking cucumber. Silver curls falling just so, his white shirt fresh, sleeves rolled up to bare his forearms.

“I’m just going to go and splash some water on my face, it’s boiling hot outside today. I don’t know how you can bear it. Here, hold my bag.”

She thrust her tote into his hands and walked off in the direction of the bathroom. Astarion wasted no time in rummaging through it because really, what else did she expect? If she didn’t want him to snoop, she shouldn’t have handed him her things and allowed for him to have ample time alone with said things.

Tav was quick to come back, she didn’t even bother taking her bag back from him when she sat down. Sweet, trusting thing that she was.

“How you’ve been?” she asked and reached for her glass of water.

“Good. Won the case, quite predictably. The other guy’s lawyer was completely out of his depth.”

Astarion didn’t even look up from his phone as he said that. Tav wasn’t even annoyed. He’s been like this as long as she’s known him. For all intents and purposes, he appeared to be disinterested and careless, but actually Astarion noticed much more about others than he ever let on and could even be quite sweet, on a very, very rare occasion.

She was glad that their friendship survived over the years, even if they only met up for brunch once a month. She would like to see more of him, but with how busy Astarion was, it was frankly quite a miracle that he had deemed her important enough to meet up with any regularity.

Astarion and brunch, who would have thought that he would even entertain the thought of something so mundane?

When Tav first met Astarion all those years ago, they were all dirt-poor students, roommates trying to get by. Actually, she was still eyeballs-deep in student debt, unlike Mr. Big Shot lawyer, who was doing very well for himself evidentially.

“How about you, dearest? Anything exciting happen lately?” Astarion questioned.

Tav knew what he was alluding to and was quite prepared to lie through her teeth. Because her latest attempt at a relationship was not going well, but she would never admit it to Astarion. She didn’t need his ‘I-told-you-so’ smirk.

“Good, good.”

Astarion scoffed and rolled his eyes at her woefully inadequate attempt at lying. And to him, out of all people. He did not buy it. Because he knew exactly what Tav looked like when she was actually excited about someone.

“Thought as much. That’s why I went ahead and dumped him for you.”

“Excuse me?!”

She noticed that the phone in his hands was not actually his.

“You cheeky bugger, I can’t believe you swiped my phone and managed to unlock it! And who gave you the right to end my relationship, hm?”

“Tav, two pity fucks because for some reason you were feeling charitable do not count as a relationship. I did you a favour.”

“You’re the one to talk. You’ve slept with tons of people for much less than puppy dog eyes!” she shot back.

“If you are referring to the time Gale and I got shitfaced and got it on in the public garden, let me assure you, the stars that night were beautiful. It was a magical, unforgettable evening.”

“Sure it was,” she laughed and grabbed her phone.

She couldn’t stay mad at him for long and he knew it. Besides, he was right. She wasn’t that into her now ex. She only went out with him because he kept asking and she thought that it wouldn’t hurt to give it a go and make it work. Because, truth be told, it’s been a long, long, long while since she’s been on a date, so she thought that a nice dinner with a conventionally nice, smart, attractive person was not a bad thing for her.

Their order arrived. Full breakfast and coffee for Tav, just black coffee for Astarion. He sipped it slowly, enjoying the way Tav dug into her food with gusto.

“Mmm… this is awesome. Sure you’re not having any?”

“Food? Here? You’ve got to be kidding me,” he grimaced. Even the coffee was foul. He could only imagine what the food was like.

“Yes, I know, I know. Your taste is way to refined to dine on something so greasy and disgusting.”

“Yes, because some of us actually have class.”

“I would throw my bacon at you, but it would be a waste of good food. Consider yourself lucky that this is delicious.”

Her attention back on her food, Astarion was free to look at her at his leisure. He knew Tav hated summer, she was no good with the heat. But he quite liked seeing her all sun-kissed, new freckles dotting her skin, hair swept up to bare her beautiful neck.

Astarion would never admit it even if he was threatened with decapitation, but he liked talking to her, watching her. Tav was probably the only person he actually enjoyed spending time with nowadays, but it was not always so.

Astarion was not very fond of Tav when they first met. Actually, that was an understatement. She annoyed him constantly, especially when she was trying to be friendly and welcoming. He could not understand what her deal was. In his experience, people were never nice just for the sake of it. There were always strings attached. So, her doing the whole sweet girl-next-door act left him entirely unimpressed and irritated. If only he could afford the rent, he would not even bother with roommates. As things were, he had to put up with two.

Except over the years he noticed that her kindness was not reserved to the few that she could possibly gain something from. Tav was helpful, thoughtful and empathic towards everyone, which immediately drew people to her. He suddenly found himself a part of a friendship group which gravitated towards Tav. Them liking her was definitely the only thing they initially had in common.

Whilst Astarion enthusiastically threw himself into his studies during the day and even more enthusiastically enjoyed recreational activities with different partners after hours, he gradually came to appreciate her and was glad that Tav became something of a constant in his life. She was a clueless, naïve, sweet fool, but she was his fool. Not that she was stupid, she was quite intelligent, but rather too wide-eyed and hopeful for this world. People like that did not go far and Astarion was planning on going very far and making the most of every opportunity, no matter the cost.

At one point, sometime between cramming for his finals and helping her study for hers, Astarion toyed with the idea of sleeping with Tav. It wasn’t the first time he thought of it. Over the years, he entertained the idea in passing on several occasions with the level of enthusiasm one has when selecting a sandwich for lunch. That is, the same lukewarm interest that most of his conquests would receive. But over the years, Tav wormed her way into his heart. She was not just an annoyance, not just a roommate. They became friends, even if Tav was the one doing all the heavy lifting when it came to maintaining the said friendship. She was just always there and Astarion was very much taking her presence in his life for granted.

However, the realization that their studies and therefore time together would soon be over made the elf see Tav in a different light for the first time. And so he wondered, if she wasn’t just a roommate, just a friend… Whatever in the world could she be?

If anything, Tav was quite beautiful. Not staggeringly gorgeous, like some of his ex-lovers, but very pretty in her own way. Astarion was sure that if they had sex, it would be a fantastic experience for both of them. Especially for Tav. She would actually get an experienced lover unselfishly fulfilling her needs for once. But then he thought of something that he cared squat about when it came to others and very much when it came to her.

Tav’s feelings.

She wasn’t a prude, but she didn’t just sleep around for the sake of it. She would probably start reflecting on what it meant for their friendship, worry that it was going to screw everything up. And that was why Astarion didn’t go through with it. Although he was really tempted.

Predictably, they drifted apart after graduation. Predictably, it was his fault. He was the one who constantly cancelled plans and didn’t turn up when she invited him and others to outings. Tav went on to get her teaching certification and he continued on his path of becoming a lawyer. He worked hard and partied harder. His life was a kaleidoscope of faces he couldn’t remember, except those that he regularly spent time with for work.

It was fun, great fun, such great fun, he kept telling himself. It was exactly what he wanted. To take the big city by storm and make it his. To get away from his past, from the memory of scrimping and saving, living in borderline poverty as a child. Feeling helpless as his mother worked every waking moment to provide for his future, them constantly worrying about making ends meet. That was why he made damn sure that no one knew anything of his past. And that meant detaching himself from everyone who knew him before he became Astarion Ancunín the successful lawyer, who was now well on his way to getting a promotion and yet another pay rise.

A little under a decade passed. Astarion rarely gave Tav or any of his former friends much thought. Then, one balmy summer afternoon he saw her in the busy city street, surprisingly talking to Halsin, the environmental lawyer he went up against a few times, out of all people. Astarion felt as if someone sucker punched him. Stunned, Astarion found himself stopping abruptly, not paying attention to people bumping into him. Tav was wearing a pretty sundress that bared her delicate collarbones and shoulders, the light fabric whispering against her skin, her unbound hair framing her face. And then she laughed at something Halsin said, a genuine, full laugh, and smacked his biceps playfully. Astarion felt a wave of something that he could not quite recognise. Another, better emotionally equipped person, would recognise the feeling as longing. To Astarion it was just an unpleasant, hollow feeling that he was quite unfamiliar with.

Whatever it was, it compelled him to cross the street and start walking in her direction. Tav was just turning around when she collided with Astarion, which may or may not have been on purpose on his part.

“Ouch, sorry. I wasn’t- Astarion?”

He inwardly preened that she recognised him immediately. Clearly, he was just that unforgettable.

“Hello, darling,” he practically purred, steadying her gently.

“Wow, it’s been years! Fancy bumping into you like that, literally,” Tav chuckled, feeling quite drab next to him. “Well, I would love to catch up, but you probably have some place to be, all dressed up like that.”

Ah, that was true. He did have some place to be. He always had some important meeting, or trial, or party to go to. But that meant letting her go and that was definitely unacceptable.

“Actually, I am quite free this afternoon. How about getting some brunch?”

“Brunch? Really? Didn’t think you’d be the type, Ancunín,” she teased him a warm smile. “But sure, why not.”

He immediately regretted suggesting brunch, out of all things. But he was never very good coming up with something when put on the spot. And yes, brunch was something boring married couples and the elderly enjoyed, but there they were, walking down the busy street and into the nearest café.

And that was how it became their monthly thing. Meeting up for brunch on Sundays.

Another male, who was better versed at recognizing his own feelings, would have probably just asked Tav out by now. Like on an actual proper date at a nice venue rather than sticking to their monthly meeting as a pathetic excuse for spending time with her. But that was the crux of the problem. Astarion may have had a wealth of knowledge when it came to casual flings and friendly fucks, but he had absolutely zero clue as to how to be in a relationship.

And by gods he wanted to! It was embarrassing how much he wanted to. He wanted to wake up next to her every day, to have her move in with him, to have Tav around constantly, give her presents, see her face light up beautifully, whisper sweet nothings into her ear as they got lost in each other. You know, all that sappy crap that couples found so endearing. He wanted all that sappy crap.

But to get to that stage, he had to actually make the first move. He was kind of hoping to entice Tav into propositioning him first, but she was either incredibly dense, bless her heart, or just pretending not to notice that he was constantly flirting with her. Though perhaps it could have something to do with him parading a staggering number of lovers in front of her over the years. He admitted to himself that if tables were turned, he too would doubt that the other person’s interest was sincere.

And so Astarion decided to go for it and ask Tav out. Because he couldn’t stand the thought of her going on yet another date with someone who was not him.

He cleared his throat. “Tav?”

“Hm?” she looked up from her food, half-way done. It was truly impressive how she could devour huge amounts in no time at all.

“I have this thing that I’m supposed to attend, a charity gala dinner of sorts. Would you like to come?”

“You mean to tell me that Astarion Ancunín can’t get a date for the evening?” she teased. “I find that very hard to believe. But sure, sounds like fun,” she smiled, looking quite excited.

He deflated a little. Because whilst it was a ‘yes’ on the outing, it seemed like Tav thought he meant going together as friends. He sighed into his cup. It would have to do for now. At least he would have someone he actually wanted to talk to throughout the evening. And he was curious what Tav would choose to wear. He rather hoped it was something backless.

On Monday, Shadowheart stopped by his office, knocking on the open door to get his attention.

“Got a minute?”

“For you, dearest? Of course.”

She walked up closer to his desk, delicate heels clicking on the hardwood floor and then the sound being swallowed up by the expensive carpet.

“I heard you are bringing Tav along with you to that charity thing,” she began slowly.

Astarion scowled and took his gold rimmed glasses off. They were non-prescription, as everything about him including his eyesight was perfect, but he rather liked how sophisticated he looked when wearing them.

“And how, pray tell, do you know that?” he drawled, annoyed to have Shadowheart out of all people find out about his plans.

“Astarion,” Shadowheart gave a longsuffering sigh that was meant to show that she doubted his intelligence, “I know you don’t pay attention to anyone unless there is something to gain, but you do remember that I used to hang out with you and Tav at uni? Of course, not,” she scoffed at the blank look he gave her. “You didn’t even recognise me when I first started working here.”

Astarion vaguely remembered that there was a goth chic hanging out with Tav from time to time, but he was otherwise uninterested in anyone that he wasn’t involved with. He barely said ten words to Shadowheart back then. Her being snarky and mean should have been reason enough for them to hit it off instantly, but not so. Years later, when Shadowheart first started at the company, the silvery blonde hair, the professional-looking pencil skirts and heels, and the much softer manner with which she carried herself were polar opposite to the way she looked when they were in their early twenties.

“Get to your point,” he huffed, really not in the mood for whatever Shadowheart had to say.

“Look, I like Tav. She’s not like you and me. We are pragmatic, narcissistic, ruthless,” she accentuated her words by closing the file he was looking through sharply in his face. “Which makes us perfect at what we do. But, for some reason, Tav seems to like you well enough to keep putting up with you as a friend. But do you really think that you two are on the same page about what is going to happen once you bring her home?”

“Ah, yes. The relationship advice that I didn’t ask for from the person who is as terrible at relationships as I am. Good talk,” he opened the file again to signal that their conversation was over.

“I’m serious. You can’t just screw around with Tav. She is the type that is for keeps and shit.”

“Tsk, I see Karlach’s potty mouth is rubbing off on you,” he admonished the half-elf with a smirk.

“Perhaps in more ways than one,” Shadowheart all but purred.

“Do not need the sordid details and to save you the trouble, never will in the future.”

“Oh really?” she raised her eyebrows in surprise, flipping her long hair over her shoulder, “I thought you lived to gossip. When did you become such a bore?”

“Since I had this terrible, headache inducing environmental case thrown on my table,” Astarion rubbed his temples, trying unsuccessfully to fight back a yawn.

“Halsin?”

“Who else. As if it is possible to save that fucking lake for those damn ducks. What is it with that man and ducks?”

She chortled. “Good luck with that. Who knew that he would be so proficient at what he does, right? Wasn’t he the one who was caught streaking couple nights before his graduation? I think we were first year students at the time.”

“It was him, shouting something along the lines of being one with nature. Nice ass though.”

“Nice ass indeed,” she agreed. “But we are digressing. Don’t just sleep with Tav to have yet another notch on your bedpost. If you want to try to make it work with her, go right ahead. Gods know she’s had a crush on you long enough. But if not, well… Expect to be in for a world of hurt. Karlach will hound you and impale you with one of those new swords she bought for her weapon collection she thinks she snuck past me a couple of days ago.”

“You are living together?” Astarion actually looked up, giving her his full undivided attention.

“So it seems,” Shadowheart smiled, a proper, genuine soft smile which rarely graced her face. “Think about what I said. And don’t do anything rash.”

After she left, Astarion tried to focus on his computer screen and the papers in front of him, but his thoughts kept drifting to what Shadowheart said earlier.

Tav has had a crush on him for years. Surely not! He would be the first to know if she had feelings for him, right? And what confused him the most that instead of being elated, relieved that she wanted him, he felt a sick kind of dread.

Shadowheart was right. What was he even thinking? He was not ready for an honest-to-gods relationship! Especially with someone like Tav! Someone he cared about too much to just say ‘thanks, but no thanks’ if something went wrong.

He groaned and massaged his temples again. Why did he even ask her? He couldn’t just cancel now, could he? Although… why couldn’t he? It would be easy enough. Make up an excuse of some sort. Tav would probably forgive him. One could hope.

That same evening there was a pounding on his apartment door. Shadowheart was furious, that much he could tell just by checking the doorcam.

“Can I help you?” he opened the door and Shadowheart stormed right in.

“Cut the crap, Ancunín!” she snapped, eyes blazing and clearly ready for a confrontation. “Tav called me. Apparently, you haven’t the balls to actually admit that you like her, so you just cancelled the date!”

“It wasn’t a date,” he said pathetically, sounding like a petulant child even to his own ears.

“That’s what she said too. That it was just you two going as friends,” she mocked. “So, tell me, what set you off? Was it me telling you that she likes you? Is that it?”

“That has nothing to do with this!” he bristled, his hackles raised. “I simply decided that I don’t want to take anyone.”

“Sure you did,” she rolled her eyes at the obvious lie.

Astarion chose this moment to regroup, sensing that Shadowheart had one over him. And under no circumstances was the obstinate elf stooping so low as to admit that he was afraid of dealing with feelings. Letting out a breath, he ran his fingers through his snowy curls, letting his lips curl upwards into a smirk. It was a familiar act, comforting in a way. Playing the rake has served him well over the years.

“Besides, why would I even want Tav in that way? I could have anyone, literally anyone, just like that. I could have you right here, right on the floor, right now, if I wanted to.”

“Excuse me?” She scowled and crossed her arms over her chest, unimpressed by his insinuation.

“You heard me. In fact, I think that’s why you are really here,” he took a purposeful, predatory step towards her, taking his glasses off and giving her a slow, practiced smile. He tilted his head forward a little, letting a rogue curl fall out of place, dropping his voice to a sensual murmur. “Want me to throw you one, Sha-dow-heart?”

Her eyes narrowed into slits. In hindsight, perhaps challenging her was not one of his brightest ideas. But then again, how many of his snap decisions were?

“Do it,” she lessened the distance between them, so they were standing almost nose to nose. “I said do it. Throw me one, Astarion.”

“Excuse me? Wha- what about Karlach?” he stuttered, panicking and unsure of what to do next.

“Let’s just say we have an understanding, of sorts. So come on then. Right here, right now, on the floor.” Shadowheart trailed a delicate finger up and down his chest, bringing her other hand up to pop the top button on her shirt open.

“What do you say?” she murmured, looking up at him through her long, fluttery lashes.

Shadowheart was a picture and she knew it. There was no way any living, breathing creature would turn her down, especially when her intent was all-too-clear.

Astarion gulped. “I- I think you should go.”

“I knew it!” she jabbed him hard with a manicured finger, making the elf wince. “I knew that you were full of shit! And you know why? Because you like Tav, you clueless idiot! So do yourself a favour, stop being a fool and call her! Take her to the party, don’t take her to the party. But tell Tav how you really feel or I swear to gods, I will give her number to everyone who has been clamouring to ask her out. I have a list a mile long of people who would happily sweep her off her feet the way that she actually deserves! Your move, Ancunín.”

And with that she stormed out, slamming the door shut for good measure.

Astarion did not call Tav. Not that evening, not the day after, and not the day after that.

He hated how much of a coward he was. And Shadowheart was right, Tav deserved much more than his half-arsed attempts at asking her out.

On Friday evening, Shadowheart stopped by his office before leaving for the day and sat down on the sofa opposite his desk, crossing her shapely legs as she looked at him with an unreadable expression.

“Halsin asked Tav out, you know. And she said yes. They are meeting for drinks tonight, probably right about now.”

Astarion did not look up from the papers strewn across his desk. “Thank you for that information, not that I asked.”

“So I take it that you don’t care?”

“Not in the slightest,” he waved her question off, as if it was completely inconsequential and unimportant, lifted the cup of coffee off his table and took a sip. He definitely would have to pull an all-nighter, with the workload being absolutely impossible.

“Good, good. That’s what I thought too. Which is why I told Tav that it wasn’t slutty at all to go all the way on the first date.”

He choked on his coffee.

She quirked an eyebrow and waited a beat for her words to sink in. “And then, being a good friend, I made sure that Tav had three types of condoms in her bag. Halsin looks like a big boy, but you never know what size they might actually need.”

Astarion could not reply because he was still trying to cough up his lungs, but the look in his eyes spoke volumes.

“But never mind that, I’m sure you have a marvelous evening ahead of you,” Shadowheart smirked, getting up and smoothing the front of her pencil skirt out. “I, for one, am meeting up with Karlach in an hour, so have a nice weekend.” With that she walked out of his office, her heels clicking in a way that could only be described as smug.

Astarion told himself that it didn’t matter to him if she slept with Halsin. Hells, it didn’t matter if she slept with half the city! It was none of his business. He had their monthly brunches to look forward to. The next one would be in a couple of weeks, or 26 days, or 624 hours. Not that he was counting.

And that was how Astarion found himself standing across the street from the place that he heard Tav go on about. He guessed correctly, she was indeed at that exact restaurant.

Astarion scowled as he saw that she actually made a real effort for this date, looking absolutely delicious, if he said so himself.

He could have taken her there. It could be him sitting across from Tav now. Reaching out to wipe a bit of sauce from the corner of her mouth with his napkin, she really was a messy pup sometimes, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. Leaning forward to-

“Oh, hells no,” Astarion hissed, watching as Halsin leaned forward to whisper something in Tav’s ear, making her blush prettily.

“You deserve it, you know.”

He jumped at the familiar voice. Karlach was looking at him with a smirk, Shadowheart standing next to her tiefling.

“What are you doing here?”

“On no, Shadowheart, Astarion’s been discovered!” Karlach stage whispered. “Spying on a person on her date like some kind of creep.”

“And you two? Don’t tell me you just happened to stroll past this particular restaurant at this exact time, hm?” Astarion mocked, his back rigid as he placed his hands on his hips.

“Oh, we are nosy, alright” Karlach admitted readily with a shrug. “But we are rooting for this date to be a success. And I bet Shadowheart that you would turn up. Pay up, baby!”

Shadowheart grumbled and got her phone out, sending the money to Karlach. “You see, I had some faith in you. Should have known better.”

“Well, thank you very fucking much,” he bowed with a flourish and turned away from the two. “Now if you two excuse me, I have a date to crash.”

“What do you think you are doing? There is no way you are going there!” Shadowheart hissed, grasping his forearm and making him squirm. The woman was deceptively delicate, holding him in place easily with a vice-like grip.

“And why the hells not?” Astarion spat, finally managing to push her away with his other arm.

“Because Karlach here will throttle you if you make one step towards that restaurant.”

“Fine,” he grumbled. He survived this long by knowing to pick his battles wisely. He could perhaps take Shadowheart in a scuffle, but Karlach was a different matter entirely. Yet, he was not above being a petty bitch about it.

“Shadowheart wanted me to throw her one,” he hissed spitefully.

“Yes, she told me about that conversation you had,” Karlach grinned, completely unfazed by the hostile looks the two elves were giving each other. “Because my baby always tells me everything.”

“Baby does,” Shadowheart nodded without looking away from Astarion but squeezed Karlach’s hand, her shoulders relaxing somewhat.

“Ew, talking in third person,” he sneered. “It’s such a disgusting, coupley thing,”

“How would you know? Not exactly an expert,” Shadowheart countered quickly, making him scowl.

“Come on, let’s get you home,” Karlach patted Astarion’s silver curls good-naturedly. She really did feel sorry for him, firmly believing that the elf was capable of getting his head out of his ass if given enough incentive. “Whatever happens now, happens. You missed your chance.”

“Shadowheart? Is that you?”

The three froze as they saw that Tav was walking towards them, smiling broadly.

Shit.

She saw them. The three weirdos stalking their friend whilst she was on a date. Not their proudest moment.

Tag list: @ninty900, @ayselluna, @dajeong, @ravenswritingroom,

@misscrissfemmefatale, @clazberryk

#bg3 #baldurs gate 3 #astarion #bg3 astarion #astarion tav fanfiction #astarion fanfiction #bg3 tav #fanfic #baldur's gate fanfiction #fanfiction #astarion is bad at feelings

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pursuitseternal · 1 year ago

Text

Spend “A Night with the Ascendant:” the Dark Lord Astarion and his concubine spawn

Ascended Astarion x His Spawn (Lumina) | 🪦Dead Dove | 7k of harem/concubine smut

Summary: The Vampire Ascendant of the Crimson Palace takes an interest in his newest spawn and prize. She is a radiant young woman who defies his expectations of servitude among the throng of beautiful concubines, all the rest who await his attention in their gilded cage.

CW: Dub!Con, Harem dynamics, consorts/concubines, public sex, degradation, humiliation, dom/sub dynamics, Oral sex male recieving, somnophilia if you squint, shared love of books, a hint of a softer side to the exalted master, and an Ascended Vampire Lord who finds himself far too comfortable around his obedient spawn.

A/n: assumes no “in game romance” No Tav… no one.

Ao3 link | Astarion fic Masterlist

🔥⚜️🔥⚜️🔥⚜️🔥⚜️🔥⚜️🔥⚜️🔥⚜️🔥⚜️🔥

“The little girl, from the little shop, with the name that means “light…”

Some silken voice woke her. The ghost of his laughter swirled in her ear through her sleep. Her dreams were harsh and restless. Her body was sore, as if knit back together after being torn asunder.

Head spinning, body wracked in the ebb of pain, but she stirred. Alive.

Lumina woke on a little bed, the scent of perfume cloyed in her throat. Her very parched, very thirsty throat. Her belly gnawed, unspeakably hungry. Her eyes flew open to the strong environs— a small freshly made bed beneath her, a chest in the corner, wash basin and a vast array of bottles beside it. Each was brightly colored and brimming with oils and soaps and fragrances.

Her nose could smell them through the glass. Her eyes could read the labels, even at this distance. Her head swam with all the input, all of her senses sharp and overloaded as she struggled from her bed.

Three of her walls were a smooth, white stone, but the fourth…. Bars, inlaid with gold and etched with filigree and filament.

A gilded cage.

Rising quickly, she took the pitcher in her washstand, trying to slake that thirst at last. But after even a single drop of water hit her tongue, she knew for certain it wasn’t water for which we thirsted.

Blood.

She had read enough books, sold enough copies of The Curse of the Vampyr to know full well what she was. She vaguely remembered being hooded and whisked away from her Keeper’s back room. His gruff voice happy to have her gone and his debts paid all at once.

He would burn in the hells for this and everything he had done. His little shop of spells and scrolls and books wouldn’t keep him from the recompense coming to him. She had been one of a long list of indentures who suffered from his greed.

Thirst, hunger, pain… it was no different now. At least her cage was gilded and her bed was stuffed with feathers.

But there was the bloodlust. The agony. The need to feed.

Even as her hand started to claw at her throat, she heard the sounds of movement from the hall.

She heard whimpering, pleading. Some musical feminine voice just near her cell spouted out such pretty words. “Please my lord… I’ll do anything my lord… take me, fuck me, drink me near to dry… I’ll be good this time…”

“Shut up!” A voice sliced through her hissing and whining. And instantly she was silenced.

Lumina heard the swing of metal on hinges, the click of the lock once it closed. “Now,” that same voice purred. And instantly, Lumina’s gut twisted. She had heard it. In her head. In the darkness. In her fitful dreams. “As my first consort has left me so…” he huffed, “…unsatisfied, I guess I’ll just have to select another for tonight.”

Footsteps echoed on the floor. That velvet voice slunk closer with each word. Until he stood before her.

His head cocked as he looked her up and down, bright scarlet eyes that glowed just a touch, a combed and coiffed tousle of silver hair. Manicured to look mussy. He stared at her, unmoving.

And Lumina stared back. He was tall, lithe and strong, his jacket embroidered to perfection, a mix of golds and silvers and beads that wound around his shoulders and chest. His breeches…

Fuck.

They gaped at the waistband, the smooth pink head of a cock peeking from the dark material. She could watch it twitch as her eyes undoubtedly widened to see it staring back.

Unbothered that she should see it, he grinned at her reaction. He wanted her… everyone to see him. Unsatisfied, requiring more.

“You’re awake at last, my newest little spawn,” he smirked as he closed in on her barred cell. “How do you feel?”

She froze. Keeping her mouth silent as she often had before. Handsy shop goers, clients in the back rooms. She would stare them off; it worked before. Most of the time. And then if not she had other recourses and tricks.

But even as her mind began to spin ideas of how to reply, she could feel him in there. A pressure, a poke. A command to reply. So she shut her lips tighter.

His presence swelled, that poke became a chokehold, throttling her mind as her lips opened. “I feel new… pained… different, my Lord Astarion.”

“Good girl,” he replied, a bit of praise that accompanied a bit of a smile.

And it made something in her gut warm all over to receive it.

“I would be remiss if I didn’t take the time to make you… acquainted… with your new lodgings here at the Crimson Palace.” His lips sneered back, voracious and delighted. “And we can tend to educating you in your duties as well. Two birds, one stone sort of thing, darling.”

Lumina still held still, her body growing hot at his plans. “You mean sex, my lord…” It wasn’t a question.

“Well… you’re my lowest, newest concubine, but a concubine nonetheless.” He gave her a dramatic sigh. “Hopefully you fare better than the most experienced one here did tonight.” He turned, looking over his shoulder to shake his head and tut his tongue. “So disappointing.”

Lumina stepped to the side to catch a glance at the consort in question. She was tall, elegant and regal in bearing. Tiefling. Unfamiliar. And her dark eyes that matched her dark skin settled back on her with vitriol and loathing.

Minutes awake, newly vampiric, and she already had an enemy. Lumina’s eyes scanned back to the Master as he returned that assessing gaze on her once more. His pleasure… his approval would be weathervane at best, it seemed. She could already tell from the way his deep set eyes narrowed, how his legs spread with the stance of confidence and power. But it was what she needed— what she would seek to survive.

“What would you have me do, my lord?” she kept her voice soft, submissive, tilting her head down to look at him through her lashes. A trick she had learned in her twenty-some years of indentured servitude.

“A promising beginning.” His lips twisted to one side, that left brow arching rakishly. Suddenly the gate released, and he beckoned her out, crooking a single, long-nailed finger in her direction. “Perhaps you can show your betters what to do for me, hmm?” She obeyed, treading on her bare feet across the bright marble floor until she stood before him. She had always been shorter, but there was something about his bearing, his demeanor and power that made her curl in, feel small.

“Well, I didn’t even have to compel you, curious…” he cast his condescending gaze back at the towering and fuming Tiefling consort behind her bars.

Lumina glanced carefully down the hall—rows of similar cells stretched on… a dozen eyes, all glowing red, locked on her.

His chosen for the night.

She could feel his breath before his touch. His fingers gripped firmly around her jaw, turning her head, angling her up so she had nowhere to look but those piercing, enticing red eyes. “You are one of many, little spawn, but you are untested, and that makes you… interesting. Shall we taste but a sample of what you have to offer?”

His lips consumed her before she could suck down air, that hand at her jaw spun her, shoved her back against the bars. His taste was of fire and wine, burning and sweet. And entirely intoxicating.

A tug at the skirt of her flimsy little shift, and she knew what was coming. Unavoidable. Not unwanted either now that his taste was on her tongue, and not when his tongue was thrust so tantalizing between her lips. Her hands pulled the fabric faster, making his lips smirk as he worked them against her mouth.

Three fingers swept quickly between her legs, his thumb pushing past the soft curls on her mound. And he sneered a bit. “I’ll forgive you this once,” he growled, disapprovingly. “I keep my concubines clean shaven. A pity for you human ones, but you’ll just have to obey me, my pet.”

“Yes, my lord.” The words flew from her mouth before they even passed her brain.

“Given how wet you are already, however, I’m sure you’ll more than make it up to me. So new and willing and obedient…” his voice failed, those fingers drawing deeper inside her, back and forth. His fingers crooked hard and fast, making the wettest, most obscene noises he could from between her legs.

“Doesn’t she just sound eager and ripe?” He lifted his head from hers, cocking his chin at the closest one watching.

The first consort hovered behind her, her breath was cold against Lumina’s neck. It was her cage he had pressed her against, her punishment enacted where Lumina was but a weapon to use.

“Want to see if I’ll fit?” hegrowled, again over her shoulder. “Shall we test it… and see?”

“Whatever pleases you, my lord…” the Tiefling hissed, her deep and sultry voice was so close behind Lumina’s head that it tickled her ear.

“Hmm,” he hummed delightedly and darkly, one hand moving between their bellies. “Seems you’ve remembered your place, at least a little…” Then his head returned to glare down at her. “But this one is adorably short. Assist her, Morana.”

His command tingled in the air pulling at both their bodies, she could tell. The Tiefling panted and hissed as her clawed hands slid under Lumina’s armpits to hoist her higher up the bars. She held on for but a moment, until she dropped quickly.

His cock waiting to catch her, his thigh braced her fall. He roared in her ear, hands gripped into her hips so he could fuck. Split apart, so full, her body cried out in blissful agony. It had been awhile since she had a lover… and none was like this. His shaft pumped hard and fast, his breath tingling and hot in the crook of her neck.

“Why…” he panted, loud enough for the others to hear. “You’re perfect, wet and tight as if never taken, you sweet little spawn.”

That silken voice, those honeyed praises, they settled right in her belly, pooling just where the head of his cock had rammed her already senseless.

“But I would hate to debase you completely before your peers. Hate to spoil in public… what I will have in the comforts of my chambers.”

With a groan, he pulled out. His cock, pale and veined, twitched to be denied. Her feet slammed on the floor, her body thrown forward until she almost crashed into him. But she caught one hand on a golden jail bar behind her. Just in time.

“They’ve seen enough, little Lumina,” he purred again, his fingers smelled of her slick as he clutched at her chin again. “And I, why, I have just begun to have my fill of you.”

Lumina shuddered under the intensity of his gaze, his sharp face twisted in that sensual smirk, his hand still pulling at her jaw. Bringing her in for one more biting kiss. One more that made her head spin and her legs shake.

Voices called from down the hall, a mixed chorus of male and female.

“Be sure to bite him…”

“He loves it when you swallow, dear…”

“Use just a little teeth, he will thank you for it…”

“Hush, the lot of you,” he hissed, a snarl on his lips, those pointed fangs now in her sight as she trembled. “Stop toying with the precious, little thing,” he turned down to kiss her once more. Almost a chaste little peck. “That is my right as your maker, dear.” He let her go, her flesh suddenly ice cold without his burning touch. “Come, Lumina.”

There it was again, that push in her mind, like tendrils of him woven into her nerves, making her feet follow him from the dungeons.

Halls stretched before them, stair after stair, winding up higher into the palace. All was gilded with creams and scarlets and sable. All was decadent. Magnificent and mouthwatering.

Not unlike its Master.

He was quiet, turning an infrequent smile down on her from time to time. Certainly every time her thighs squelched with wetness.

Of course, as they reached the topmost landing he turned, flashing some wicked smile as he caught her hand from her side. His cock still poked from the top of his waistband, barely contained and leaking as he brought her hand to his lips. “Tonight I bring you to my rooms myself, make you acquainted with your new living situation, but from now on, you’ll come when I summon you…” He paused sweeping her hand from his lips face to press it hard against that raging erection.

She gasped and swallowed the sound quickly.

“…if I summon you that is… much depends upon how you please me this evening.” He laughed, backing her into the open door behind him. She couldn’t take in the surroundings, not yet. Not when she lost herself in the scarlet glow of his eyes and perfect flash of his fangs. He was all sensuality and luxury set in ivory skin, his voice dripped in arousal, no matter what degrading things he purred down at her. “It is quite the coveted role, spending the night with the Ascendant. I’m sure you could feel all their jealousy, could cut their envy with a knife…”

He let out a giggle, pulling her hand from his cock to tug her flush against his body again. The room was dark. Soft little candles gave off flickering lights, lights that caught in his silver hair and refracted in his gaze. “But you’ll do your best to please me, I’m sure of it, little spawn,” he rasped right in her ear, allowing his lips to brush over the smooth, rounded edges letting his warm breath flow down her neck. “It is only your first day as my creation…”

He sat himself on the edge of his bed, a grand thing, four postered and canopied in scarlet silks and velvets. Hands pressed into the covers behind him, a little groan in his throat as he leaned back.

Letting his cock ease from his dark breeches a bit more, giving it a few strokes as he did so.

“My little spawn, come here,” he ordered, clear and concise. Direct enough to send a shudder down her spine at its snapping tone. “Kneel.”

Her body paused, eyes wide as she took in the sight of… him… his cock… his rooms. All of it.

And then those tendrils tugged at her thoughts again, ordering her body lower and lower. She had always been slightly smaller, but now, crouching on her knees, brought to kneel at his feet, she never felt so small. So insignificant. So lucky to have been chosen despite it.

“Lumina,” he breathed and slid his legs further from bed, until they crowded her in from either side. “A curious little name. I’m sure you were quite the brilliant light in your past life, like your name suggests.”

No, I wasn’t.

“Yes, my Lord Astarion,” the automatic reply sounded from her lips. And he hadn’t even compelled them. They just seemed safer.

He preened, a slight buck of his hips at the way her voice rolled out his name. She noticed. A gaping, fang-showing smile and he cocked his head. “You know why I chose you? Well… other than to pay off your master’s debts, of course….”

Lord Astarion grinned— something wicked and feral beneath that smile. “How could I pass up damning the little girl, from the little shop, with the name that means light to an eternity of darkness in my bed?” He sighed, deep and long and loud, from where he still perched at the edge. From where he held court before her at his bedside. His legs were so long, almost brushing her, where she knelt at his feet. The bed creaked as he arched back on his hands. Aroused. Pleased. “It’s too delicious an irony to pass up, wouldn’t you agree?”

The pressure in Lumina’s mind reinserted itself. His power, his presence made a smile come to her pressed lips as she heard her own voice give a sweet noise of assent. “Yes, my lord…”

“Such a good little girl,” he purred, leaning forward to pull her by her collar. “Now, open.”

She batted her eyes shut, slowly letting her mouth hang open, her pink tongue to just barely cover her lower lip. The second that salty, bitter tang on his cock brushed the tip, she lapped greedily, letting him slide deeper into her mouth.

And she earned herself a rumbling groan from above. “Gods,” he crooned, “you’ve done this before, haven’t you, little spawn?”

She just smiled, flicking a glance up, a bat of her lashes as she took him deeper, sucking on and off, up and down. He leaned further back into the bed, legs splayed out, long and lazy.

“And here I thought you some virginal thing, needing instruction and guidance. A pleasant surprise….” One had reached to brush back her bright golden locks, planting a firm grip at the back of her neck. Not pushing her rhythm, rather he rode it, savored it, as she worked with tongue and lips and cheeks.

It was warped praise, but it was enough to ignite a little boldness. Her cold fingers slipped past the base of his cock into the warmth of his trousers, reaching to cradle softly around his balls.

So smooth and taught. Almost ready to blow. She gave that smooth, soft pad of skin a gentle rub, a subtle tug. And all the while she kept her mouth busy, wet enough and loud enough to fix his gaze on her.

On where she knelt at his feet. Submitting. Sucking every little bit of that velvet skin, relishing the pulse that thrummed through its length. Swallowing every little eking drop of his seed as it leaked onto her tongue. Every little trick she had learned before, every move that made her handful of encounters and lovers pleasured, she used every one. It was easy with him, the way he began to groan out sweet little nothings. “Faster…. Deeper… yes.” His voice sent shivers right to her cunt, soaking down her thighs more the faster she bobbed back and forth.

Until he gripped into her hair and yanked her off. Holding her steady over his thighs, he rubbed himself in his tight fist all the faster. The wet beat increased in speed until he came, streams of cum dripping down her cheeks, her chin. His voice barely more than a groan as he sighed at the sight. Lumina’s little tongue lapped it from her lips, using one hand to gather it from her face, licking her fingers clean.

“Hells below,” he grinned, ever so rakish, ever so pleased. “You’re quite the slut aren’t you? Like the way I taste on your tongue, the way I dry on your skin, hmm?”

“Yes, my lord,” she simpered, sitting back on her heels.

“Incredible, little spawn. You’ve more than earned a reward, darling,” he stood, once again unbothered to clean his leaking cock or return it decently away. No, instead, he stood, keeping his gaze fixed on hers. Smirking all the wider as her dark eyes followed him across the room, darting between his face and the away his hardened cock bobbed up and down as he swayed.

A little cabinet opened in the wall across the room, and only then did Lumina take in the grandeur of his chambers. The far wall was entirely lined with books, big bright beautiful spines glowed in the light of the massive fireplace adjacent.

It stole her breath away, having spent years working in servitude to sell them… those and whatever other shit her old keeper had to peddle.

Seeing such a massive collection of books, so cared for and well-tended, she could almost catch a glimmer of who her new master was beneath that embroidered veneer of power and sex.

But it faded the second he grabbed a bottle from one shelf, a golden cup in the other, a red beverage pouring loudly. Lumina smelled it before she saw it. Blood. At last.

He seated himself in the large, plush wing-backed chair by the fire, crimson gaze burning her skin as he gave himself a long, slurping sip.

A small, scarlet line slipped from the corner of his lip as he offered the cup to her. “Drink, my pet. You earned it. Sate that bloodlust for the first time, little spawn.”

She fairly scrambled on all fours, stumbling and catching herself as she raced for that little cup. She knocked it back in one swig, her breathing ragged as it filled her stomach just a bit, just enough to take the sharpest pains away. But as she lowered the cup, her stomach sank, Astarion only smiled at her. Bemused. The glass bottle still sat on the shelf. “Something you wish to ask of me?” he crooned.

“Please, my lord,” her hand shook, holding out the golden offering. “I’m so… so thirsty.

“I know my pet,” he cajoled, a little shake of his head, brows furrowed and mouth frowning in pity. “But you’ll have to earn more.”

“Tell me anything,” the words raced off her tongue, her body sinking back to her knees. She begged, tears in her eyes as she caressed up his thighs. Those dark pants were so soft under her touch. But there was too heavy a scent in the air for her to appreciate anything more. She wanted to lick that dribble still on his chin, wanted to drink her fill straight from the neck of the bottle…

Wanted to drink right from the pulsing artery in his own neck.

But the second that thought crossed her mind, those dark tendrils were there to seize it. “Ah, ah,” he chided. “None of that. You don’t get to taste any more of me than what has already covered your tongue, my spawn.”

“Then what will you have me do, my lord?” she forced the words through her thick throat, trying to swallow to chase the parched feeling away.

“Disrobe,” he snipped, reaching for that bottle of blood, taking a swig right from the opening just as she wanted too. “You’re not clothed in much, but I appreciate a demonstration of beauty.” Another swallow, louder this time, loud enough to make her lick her dry and swollen lips. “And aren’t you beautiful, Lumina.”

She could feel her sallow, cold-fleshed cheeks blush at his words. One hand pulled the little shift from over her head, a single fluid motion as she tossed it into his lap.

Oh, the way that smirk widened enough to show his teeth… it made her stomach knot all funny, made her body hotter than she thought possible for the undead.

He reached for the cup from her hand, filling it a bit more. Another little reward for her display. “Good girl, Lumina, my little light I think I’ll keep close to me.”

She swallowed the fresh offering down, setting it down on the floor beside his chair. Those drinks in her belly made her all the bolder, all the more alive.

“What will you do to earn even more, I wonder?” he purred, wagging the bottle slowly, eyes skimming down her pale, little body, tongue tip licking his fang as he smirked.

“Suggestions to entertain you, my lord?” she smiled so sweetly, decided to follow his gaze with a featherlight touch down her own body. She started on her neck, where his cum still dampened her skin, trailing it down her collarbone, grazing between her full and swaying breasts.

That made his tongue dart and lap at his lip, a predator licking his chops. “Very good…” he growled, leaning back and sliding his ass lower in the chair. “Now, take my cum on your fingers and touch yourself, darling…”

Another loud swallow in his throat as she obeyed. Not even a tendril of compelling required. Lumina did as she was told, lowering her eyes to watch her own hands, gathering one more streak of his seed from her shoulder before she slid it inside her folds.

Her eyes fluttered shut to finally feel an iota of release. She burned, wanting more since he fucked her quickly against those bars. Like lighting, pleasure flashed down her nerves, her fingers working so quickly to chase that swell of satisfaction that flared inside her.

“Enough,” he growled.

But she... couldn’t. She needed something. Needed to either satisfy the gnaw of her stomach or the inferno between her thighs.

Not compelling in her brain this time, Astarion gripped her by the waist, dragging her between his legs before he ripped her hand from her fold. “Bad girl,” he tutted, bringing her sopping fingers into his mouth to suck them clean.

And then he bit. Fangs tore into the heel of her palm. She cried in pain, a deep, wicked laugh was her answer from him as he drank from her. It was brief, but painful. And now she was left all the hungrier for it. “Learn your place, little spawn. You do as I say… nothing more, nothing less.” His voice was sharp, wild. With all the arrogance of one who has been obeyed for a century, perhaps longer.

“Sorry, my lord,” Lumina quickly stammered. Give him what he wants, she reminded herself. “I will obey you.” Added for good measure.

That softened the razor lines of his cheeks, his jaw unclenching to hear such sweet submission. “I’ll allow you another chance, little light,” he purred once more, all honey and silk in his tone. “Undress me.”

Amused glint in his crimson eyes, conceited smirk on his lips, he reclined against his chair. A single hand gestured lavishly over the clasps and buttons of his luxurious jacket. Lumina did not hesitate, careful to keep her wounded hand from offending his clothing, already clotting as she healed quickly.

A reminder she was now Vampiric, as if she could forget her new form with that hunger in her belly. She eyed the bottle in his hand still, watching the blood dance and slosh inside its green clear walls.

“Look at me, little spawn,” he hissed, her hands almost done with the heavy meal clasps before beginning the inner buttons. She acquiesced, quickly lost in the way his eyes hungered. They brimmed with power, but that dulled light of boredom was gone— its crimson now bright with curiosity, fascination. And for a moment, she let herself feel a hint of pride that she was giving him that.

Once his perfect, ivory chest was in sight, she let her fingers just brush down that deep groove between his muscles. She pushed the heavy clothing apart, mouth salivating the more she saw. And she doubted it was just the bond of him as her creator that caused such a visceral reaction to the sight of him…

Of his body.

A rolling, rumbling chuckle in his chest shook under fingers. That cool glass bottle was thrust against her belly. She caught it, smiling as he ordered her to drink. But even as she downed swallow after swallow, she watched his every elegant movement. So sleek as he pulled himself free from his clothing, he tossed it in a rumpled mess on the floor. He even slid his breeches from under his ass, hand gripped around that pale, achingly hard cock.

As he stroked himself, he watched her drink, watching the drips slink down her chin as she couldn’t help but drain that bottle dry. “Feel better?” he cooed, still absentmindedly stroking himself as he watched her clean her mouth on the back of her little hand.

Lumina sighed, the bottle dropping to the floor from her hand as it shook. She was finally fuller, finally more sated and happier and warmer. “Yes, my Lord Astarion,” she moaned in response. “Thank you.”

“So very polite you are. Oh, I like you. That genuine little sound in your voice as your small, curved body shakes to be near me. Yes,” he reached a hand towards her. Leaning forward, he clutched her in his own long fingers, “you’ll do very nicely, for quite awhile, I hope.”

“You flatter me, my lord,” she hummed, a little swivel to her hips, a slight stroke of her free hand over the crest of her mound. “Anything else I might do for you, Lord Astarion?”

He cocked his chin, face twisting and tweaking in flirtatious amusement. “I believe I can think of a thing or two… best send you back down to your quarters with enough cum to drip down your legs for days. That way they all know just how very much you’ve pleased me…”

She shivered, his words making her stomach drop to her toes, making her cunt twitch and ache to be filled. Her eyes grew wide watching him buck a little on the seat of his chair. “Finish your task, little spawn. Undress me completely.”

She knelt so quickly, hands pulling off the supple leather of his boots, unsheathing his legs one by one. His skin was so smooth, muscles bunched and taught under the little accidental brushes she made against his calves. Tossing it all to the side with his discarded jacket, she glanced up at him, the paragon of beauty, the image of power and sex she had fallen madly obsessed with.

It only took one night with him, one touch of his fingers, one taste of him on her tongue. She knelt happily and would obey.

His legs spread wide, a single slap of his hand on the top of his thigh. “Sit,” he commanded, and she flew to him, hovering over his cock just long enough for his sly hand to line that head just so. And sit, she did. His forehead pressed against her breasts, his breath hot as he sighed to fill her. Her body took command, hips riding that length that pushed and thrashed against the end of her channel. She looked at him, watching the soft curls of his silver hair tousling as she fucked him.

And then, she felt it. A warm sweep of his tongue on her full and rounded breast. He drew it into the heat of his mouth, sucking hard until he made her cry. Her hands braced carefully on his shoulders, the perfect height for her to grind up and down. Little buck after buck of his hips beneath her met every slap of her cunt on his thighs. But even that natural ride of her body on his grew harder with the way he swirled his tongue on her nipple. Hands wandered up and down her back, one finally stopped to cradle her other swinging breast.

A single brush of his razor-fangs on that perfect pink nipple, and she shattered. Writhing, twitching, there was no sensation in her body that wasn’t the pleasure he drew from her. It was blistering hot and all-consuming, her body going nearly limp to allow him to grab her by the waist and fuck up into her with abandon.

It was his turn. Those long nails scored into her back, drawing blood under his touch. Scraping lower, he clawed their sharp edges into the rippling flesh of her ass, making her moan so, so deliciously loudly. She was clay in his hands, knowing just how to respond to his touch, how to reply to his words.

More intoxicating than immortal life had been for decades.

Clenching, she shattered on his cock once more so soon. Lumina panted, starved of breath, unable to let her muscles relax and slow in post-coital bliss. He just gave her more, gave it to her harder. Until at last, he groaned. Practically lifting her with his strength to slam her back down with every thrust into her, until he finally let it all go. His voice hissed, growling and groaning as he came, filling up into her with spurts that stole even his undead breath.

Finally, she was allowed to soften in his arms. Cautious not to sprawl into him, to cuddle or savor the press of his body that had just given and taken so much. A few breaths, and he pressed his head against her shoulder for a moment.

As if he forgot for that moment he was the most powerful being in Faerûn.

“Get up,” he hissed, voice steeled over and sharp. Remembering himself.

Lumina did as she was told. Shaking and trembling, she reached for the bookcases to steady herself. Fingertips brushed the soft leather bindings, and it made her smile. Sweet little moments of comfort, the only ones she had all her life.

He was beside her in an instant. Gaze following where hers had been, his lips smiled faintly. “See one you like, little spawn?”

Lumina’s brow quirked in confusion. A delightful picture, he decided. A portrait of well-fucked surprise. “So many of them, my lord. I could hardly choose a single interesting star in the sky.”

“Choose one star for this evening, another for the next,” he turned away, a low throated chuckle as he left her. “One each time until I tire of you.”

“Thank you, my lord,” she replied, his twisted gift making her smile as she pulled a simple, blue leather-bound book from its shelf.

The bed creaked. And as she turned her stomach fluttered again to see, to feel those eyes piercing into her. Even as her slick and his cum slipped down her thigh, she burned for more. He held out two more cups, a fresh bottle on the nightstand to replenish them both. “Come, Lumina,” he bid her, loudly and formally. But the way his smile widened as she clutched the little blue bloom against her breasts, slinking closer as if she were shy, she knew something may have shifted.

If only slightly.

Cautiously, she slid into the scarlet sheets on the opposite side. That book still pressed into her body. He didn’t look away, proffering her that cup of replenishment as she leaned against the pillows. One arm wrapped around her shoulders. “Closer, my little spawn.” He flashed his fangs, raising his own cup to those conceited, smirking lips. “I would say I don’t bite, but…” his voice trailed off as he drank deeply.

Lumina slid closer, sipping slowly this time, thumbing the vellum pages’ edge, lost in her thoughts.

Something warm and heavy pressing into her lap threw her right back into her surroundings. The rooms of the Ascendant. His face rested on her lap. His head turned toward her, his breath was warm on her belly, where her skin reached up above the covers. “Not going to read while I allow you some respite, Lumina?”

“I…” she trailed off.

“Don’t you worry, little light. I’ll let you know when I am ready and eager for more of your submission, darling.” His voice sounded softer to her ears than the silks and downs of his bed. “And after all, from here…” that voice turned hungry, edged with velvet seduction again, “I’ll be more than ready to eat you right up.”

Shuddering from his words, she obeyed his suggestion. One hand held her cup, the cool, sanguine drink filling her up and chasing away that pain inside her. The other hand carefully opened the book to the side of her lap, turning the delicate pages with reverence. After a while, words began to swim, her immortal human body growing tired after all. But even the comfort of a book in her hands and the fresh stories between its covers didn’t soothe her more than the weight of his head on her lap…

The slowing breath from his nose on her belly…

The growing heaviness of sleep that filled her frame from his.

He nestled there on her thighs, eyes shut in trance, breath steady and peaceful as he rested.

Carefully, she set the empty cup down on the end table. Laying back, she soon drifted as well, and as she dozed off, her fingers unknowingly wrapped in the unruly tendrils of his silver locks.

Her sleep swept her away, body aching, lips swollen… It was finally a rest that was hunger free and soft. Sleeping with the Vampire Ascendant, unheard of in all the realms. She dozed, she knew not how long…

Until the sheets were ripped from her body, heaviness crushing her as he rasped in her ear, “Wake up, little spawn. Surely you don’t think I would let you merely sleep the night away.”

Astarion knelt between her thighs, hands raising them, forcing her knees to bend. Her sleepy eyes forced themselves open, watching that self-conceited smirk leer down at her, his erection bobbing so rigid and pink as he lined himself up.

“Come, Lumina,” he groaned as he sheathed himself in. “Rouse yourself, make yourself useful for once.” She arched her back, and sleep did quickly leave her limb, blinking the haze from her eyes. Those long fingers dug into her knees, his hips slapping hard and rough and wild. She could feel her blood drip from where he clawed into her skin, that essence swallowed by the scarlet sheets.

Every thrust drew sweet little pants, whimpering cries from her tired mouth. She couldn’t help it, not as he had his way with her, still half asleep but also half eager for more. And totally, completely drenched for his cock again. This time, it was all for him, his eyes glued to the way her breasts swayed with every ride of her body, her lips bitten by her own newborn fangs as she took his fucking so well.

Not one complaint, not one iota of resistance. No, she lounged, arms sprawled into the pillow, thighs opened wide for his use. Music drawn from her throat that resounded in his rooms, he loved it.

Loved it so much, he wanted to feel that sweet little cunt milk him, clench around his cock to take his spend so deep inside her, it would take days to drip its way out. A little sweep of his thumb into the peak of her folds, and he circled that hardened clit. So swollen, she instantly writhed and grinded back at the new source of pleasure. Panting, keening, she shuddered into the bed, the sharp edge of his fingernail digging slightly into her flesh, scoring around her clit’s thickened hood. Pain sliced through her pleasure. And as her hands gripped into the downy pillow, she thrashed in her climax. Ribbons of her arousal poured out around him, fire scalding hot down her limbs and pouring through her as she shuddered.

Every clench of her walls sucked him in harder, making it nearly impossible to drag himself in and out. A beautiful little burning light, burning hot just for him.

And they all would see it. Every last one of his spawn he kept for pleasure… they would know beyond a shadow of a doubt that she pleased him. The vision of her, walking back down the halls of his harem, smelling like him, trails of her slick and his cum running down her heel to puddle on the floor. That book in her hand, a treasured gift to his new favorite…

“Fuck,” he groaned, her voice matching his in volume as she mewled all the louder. He split her open, slamming against that end of her. Untethered, uncontrolled as he spilled hard and fast inside her. His breath was heavy and damp, almost as much as his body as he laid on top of her, cock still buried deep inside her folds. He crushed her, covered her. Lumina needed to crane her head just to fit in the space of his neck to breathe.

Did she even need to breathe anymore? But even such thoughts melted, as he rested there. Again. So warm and blanketing her in all of him.

The air was thick with their scents, wet with their sweat. But she didn’t care. She would let him sleep until dawn like this if he willed it. Beyond smitten, addicted as she was instantly for more of him. Her Master.

One more deep inhale, and he pulled from her body. A brush of his hand down her cheek, he whispered to her. “Go, Lumina.”

She paused for a moment, aching to have to leave. Her gut twisted at the thought of returning to them all… in that place. But she swallowed that feeling back down. “If it pleases you…”

He gave a breathy laugh, reaching for the small blue book before he tossed it into the bed beside her. “Here, take this too. You can return it when I summon you again tonight.”

She knew she must have looked like a foolish girl, face beaming for a second in hope. Knowing she would be back… knowing he would have her again.

“Thank you, my Lord Astarion,” she tried not to sound too giddy.

He just gave a deep, breathless chuckle, rolling that perfect body, hewn from ivory by the gods themselves, back under his covers. “Clean yourself up this time, my little light. I won’t have anything less than perfection from you.”

“Yes, of course, my Lord Astarion,” she preened. Preened from the edge of his bed as she shuffled her little shift back on. As she grabbed for that small leather book to hug against her beautiful breasts. He rolled his back to her, not caring to watch her journey back.

Resting his head in the pillow, he could smell her still. For the briefest flash of a moment, he wished it had been her yielding thighs again beneath his head… No, that was a transgression he had been sure to rectify. He fucked all sentimentality on his part out of her. That book was a boon, a sign of favor that would claim her as his… his favorite. For now.

But as he laid in those damp, silken sheets, he thought of her hair in his fist, her dark eyes at knee-level. And his hand stroked his length again.

Night couldn’t come soon enough once more.

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candyk0rn · 1 year ago

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hi hi hi!! i just read your bg3 headcannons and the way you write astarion and gale is so on brand!! i love the way you write! its a follow for me :> my older sister is the one who is into bg3 (i only know basically everything due to her rambles LMAO) and i read them out loud with her listening while she did her laundry and she loved them sm! thanks for being the source of my sister's serotonin

i also saw that your requests are open, and my older sister would like to make a request :)) she was wondering if you could write wedding planning/wedding ceremony headcannons for the characters?! She was so sad she didn't get to see any wedding related scenes with Gale after the game events ;-;

Wedding preparations-BG3

I’m literally going to cry that’s one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me 😭 I’m so happy your sister and yourself like my writing so much, it gives me so so so much joy that you both enjoy it. Also I agree, Larian Studios should add a wedding dlc or something 🙏🏻 (Also since you weren’t exactly specific, I’ll do Astarion and Gale because it sounds like those are your favs!!)

Before reading: Fluff, gn reader, Astarion x reader, Gale x reader

Astarion:

After his journey with you and the other companions, he’s sure that he wants to spend eternity with you

He’s never thought of romance, he wasn’t able to when he was a slave to Cazador

But now that he’s free, and now that he’s with you, he’s sure that he shall never love again if he loses you

You’re the one who has to actually bring up the thought of marriage,

He knows he will forever stay with you wether you marry or not

He lets you do all of the planning, as long as he gets to pick the guests

He doesn’t want anything too extravagant, shockingly

Just you, your eternal bond, and your closest companions

That’s all he really wants for a ceremony

He doesn’t ask for much, because he’s never put any thought on marriage or anything like that

He asks you if it’s alright to take your surname, for he wishes to part with his old life and start anew with you at his side

Planning is easy with him around, but expect him to jokingly complain here and there lol

Gale:

Bro has never been more sure of anything in his life

He wanted to marry you the moment he laid his eyes on you

After your long, dangerous journey rehearsing the Absolute, he makes it his mission to propose to you

He just wants to take you back to Waterdeep, have you meet his mother, and finally settle down

He’s been through so much, a comfortable life with you would have him die a happy man

When it comes to the actual planning, he would like to keep everything equal

As long as you agree with everything, he’s happy. (and vice versa)

Like Astarion, he doesn’t want anything over the top or extremely fancy

A simple, fun wedding with the traditional dancing and close friends and family is all he really wants in a ceremony like this one

Also you cannot convince me he doesn’t bring Tara (his cat) to the wedding omg

He just wants to make this day special for the both of you

It’s a day he shall never forget, after all

Thanks for reading!

#x reader #fanfic #fyp #candyk0rn #Baldurs Gate 3 #bg3 #bg3 x reader #bg3 astarion #bg3 Gale #baldurs gate astarion #astarion x reader #gale x reader #baldurs gate gale #fluff

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tavs-tressym · 9 months ago

Text

Delicious Denial - Chapter Five

(AO3 Link) | Master List | Ko-Fi

Rating: Explicit, 18+

Pairing: Astarion x Fem!Tav (You)

Word Count: 4900 (approx)

Tags: Fluff, eventual smut, domestic fluff, camp life, slow burn romance, sexual tension (A LOT), masturbation (a bit), voyeurism (a bit).

WARNING: SELF-HARMING BEHAVIOUR (to feed Astarion), knives.

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A reimagining of the game's events if Tav had zero magical or fighting ability. But she's still pretty fucked up. 👍

(Lots of comforting camp life content)

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A/N: PLEASE PROCEED WITH CAUTION, CONTAINS POTENTIALLY TRIGGERING CONTENT, LOVELIES!!! XXX

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Chapter Five - Syrup

This morning’s spread isn’t as luxurious as yesterday’s, but you’re putting in all the effort you can. There’s an art to porridge, simple to make, difficult to maste- Okay, it’s porridge… But it does taste surprisingly good considering the lack of resources. Various chopped fruit and berries that you harvested from nearby bushes adorn the top of each bowl. Each one identical and artistic, aside from Karlach’s portion which is arranged in a smiley face. You think she’d like that. You lay the bowls out for the group to pick up in their own time. Then you clean the knife you used for the fruit and hover your wrist over a cup. The knife rests against your skin and… You hesitate. It’s okay, you take a deep breath and try again… You hesitate. “Guh!” You exclaim, jumping, jogging and huffing on the spot.

Okay Tav. You got this. It’s just a little cut. It’ll only hurt for a moment. Come on. Don’t be a coward. Let’s go in three… Two… One!

… You hesitate…

But you push through! Slicing your skin, dripping the scarlet contents of your wrist into the cup until it is full.

Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow…

You grab a cloth and wrap it around your wrist, pressing hard to stop the bleeding. Holding it away from your new shirt, you promptly replace it with a bandage and sigh. You continue to clean the station as the others emerge from their tents and take their bowls with thanks. Lae’zel doesn’t thank you, but you expected that. Each companion spots the cup of blood, but doesn't say anything. Karlach takes her bowl, thanks you whilst giggling at the design before rushing over to Shadowheart to, no doubt, gossip about the blood-filled cup. Gale is the only one who comments.

“Ah, I see you’ve discovered Astarion’s little secret?” In truth, you’re thankful that someone actually said something so you could explain yourself. You nod, smiling. “I’m just happy he wasn’t skipping meals because he was turned off by my cooking.” You chuckle.

“I hope you found out in a more… Appropriate way than we did.” He searches your neck for any injuries.

You gasp. “He didn’t…?”

“He certainly tried. I woke up to his teeth grazing my neck… But once I sent a mild shock of lightning through him, we seemed to understand each other.” You both laugh.

“Well, he just told me. From a safe distance.” Gale watches you giggle, still smiling.

You look at each other for a little longer than is comfortable before he catches himself. “Oh-er- Thank you for breakfast.” He holds up his bowl and walks over to the rest of the group.

Last but not least, Astarion leaves his tent, he revels in the feeling of sunlight on his pale skin as he stretches. He spots you: cleaning and unaware of his presence. You don’t clean gracefully, but brutally. You wrestle with a particularly stubborn spot on the makeshift counter, eyes wild with determination. His eyebrow raises, grinning at the sight before making his way over to you. His movement stutters when he spots the cup, pleasantly surprised to see it there. The closer he gets, the stronger he can smell it, smell you. Resting one hand on the counter and his weight on one hip, he makes a strong and successful effort to pull his eyes away from his gift and onto you. “For me?” At the sound of his voice, you untuck your lips and un-crinkle your nose, leaving the spot alone to see him for the first time today.

Last night ended a little abruptly. Once you noticed he was staring at your lips, you had turned away. You weren’t willing to give him that much. He didn’t say anything about it, but you could tell he was a little frustrated, mostly confused. You had been flirting all night, so why not? You still don’t know and you aren’t ready to look at that yet. But that didn’t stop you from staying up, worrying about how awkward it would be the next morning.

Your grin matches his before you decide to test the waters. “Oh no, that’s Wyll’s, he’s going through a phase.”

A light giggle escapes Astarion’s lips. “That is a shame, now we’re going to have to fight for it.” You smile, shaking your head.

Good… Back to normal…

“Well, hurry up then. Because you took your sweet time, it’s going cold.” He smirks and takes it in his hand, delighted that he can still feel warmth through the metal. He begins to walk away. “Oh no, no, no. You’re not going anywhere until I know how I taste.” He stops and spins around quickly, his grin somehow even wider. You adjust your position, bending over, elbows resting on the counter, one arm lying flat, the other propping up your head under your chin. You raise an eyebrow. “Go ahead.”

“Who’s the freak now?” He taunts.

“Uhuh, enough talking, more drinking.” You say playfully, gently pushing the bottom of the cup up, towards his face.

His eyes: animalistic, as the scent grows stronger. He chuckles a little before breathing it in, deeply. As he exhales, a groan threatens to escape, but he catches it in his throat when he sees your eager eyes in the corner of his vision. He wouldn’t dare to give you the satisfaction. He presses the rim against his lips and hesitates before taking a sip… Which turns into a gulp… Which turns into a chug... The cup is empty, yet still upside down, his mouth still wide open, his eyes rolling back behind closed lids, desperately trying to yield more from it. He admits defeat as no more drops will fall and stares, downcast, into the emptiness. The memory of your taste still dances on his tongue: rich, nutty, buttery syrup. He wipes his teeth clean with his tongue, savouring every smear of red he can find. “Very eager…” Your voice breaks his hypnosis, he clears his throat and regains some control over his body, ensuring the counter hides his bottom half. You giggle, his efforts of concealment flying under your radar. “I’d say that’s a very good sign... So, full review?” Your cheeks begin to ache from your constant smirking, but there’s no stopping it, his reaction was truly delicious.

He sighs, happily. “That… That was amazing…” You sit up to meet him on his level, arms supporting your upper body. Meeting your eyes with his, he licks his lips.

“Good, I take it you’d like to continue with our arrangement then?” He nods. “In that case, you can expect another cup for dinner.”

“Dinner…” He thinks to himself. “Dinner is so far away…” His gaze passes your face and finds the blood-soaked cloth on the table behind you. Saliva begins to rapidly fill his mouth. Then the bandaged cut on your arm grabs his attention: a spot of red, peaking through the white. If he had it his way, he’d drain you entirely, right here, right now. But that wouldn’t be wise, you’re offering this to him, he needs to play by your rules if he wants to keep his new, continuous food source. And he knows it. Plus, he’d miss your company. You feel the danger under his stare.

“Don’t start getting greedy now. One cup per meal, remember?” He swallows before engaging with you again.

“Of course, not one drop more…” He grins, flirtatiously.

“And what do we say…?” You gesture with your hand, expectantly. You love this. He scoffs but when he realises you aren’t letting up, he sighs dramatically, blowing a curl of his hair into the air. “Ugh… Thank you…” He rolls his eyes, but you can tell his gratitude is genuine. You smile triumphantly and take a bite of your own breakfast before turning around, ready to multitask eating and cleaning. Astarion stands there for a minute, looking at anything but you in order to calm himself down. Once he succeeds, he turns around to find every companion staring at him with very, very wide grins. You just beat him at his own game, and everyone saw it.

“Not. A. Word.” He commands, causing scattered giggles to emerge from the group. He adjusts his shirt and storms off into his tent to get ready for the day.

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Once everyone is finished, it’s once again time for everyone to armour up. You notice Karlach struggling with her straps and walk over, offering a helping hand. “Aw… Thanks soldier…” She seems sad when she sees you.

“Don’t mention it… Are you alright?” You ask as you dodge the hot metal of her armour.

“Me? I’m more worried about you! Last night, I-”

“I know. And it’s okay. Really… Astarion told me about your heart… It must be hard, not to be able to touch people…” Her knitted brows relax and she chuckles softly.

“It’s awful… Maybe I’ll tell you the full, long story sometime soon, but the short version? I was betrayed by someone I cared about… Someone I trusted… I was given to Zariel and I became her personal attack dog. She took my heart and stuck this damned engine in it’s place. I spent a decade trying to escape… But, thanks to this mindflayer bullshit, here I am!”

Zariel, you recognise the name, the Archdevil of Avernus.

You finish the last knot and step back to look her in the eyes. There’s no tears, but a deep sorrow, still.“I’m so, so sorry Karlach, I can’t even imagine…” Her mouth becomes a smile, but her eyes don’t match up. She tuts.

“Hey, come on, I’m here now! I’m free! I might be burning hotter than a furnace but I’m free!” When she speaks the word ‘free’, her eyes finally catch up and her whole face lights up. You sigh, then smile at her.

“How I wish I could hug you…” You look at each other for a moment, unsure of what to do. Then you have an idea as you spot a stuffed toy bear on the floor. You hold it up.

“Ah, Clive, meet Tav. Tav, Clive.” You laugh and squeeze the bear tightly, rocking with him in your arms. Once the ‘energy has been transferred’, you hold him up for Karlach, posing him so his arms are outstretched. Once she realises what you’re suggesting, you swear you see tears filling her eyes but she shuts them quickly as she takes Clive from you. She holds him close, rocking. She sighs and mouths a ‘thank you’ to you. She finds it difficult to pull away from your indirect embrace, but does so anyway, still smiling at the gesture.

She turns her attention to the rest of the group. “Right gang, let’s go smash some skulls!” Her and the rest of your companions gather and head off together. You wave them off, smiling.

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Last night’s party left quite a list of chores for you today. Certainly not the worst mess you’ve ever had to clean, but it’s pushing it. You work through the camp, humming sweet sounding melodies to yourself as you do. The laundry basket quickly fills with wine soaked rags and clothing. You set it aside to gather the empty wine bottles in a neat formation, ready to be washed and reused for potions. Occasionally you stumble into lost trinkets and jewellery you don’t recognise before shrugging and adding them to the camp inventory. Once the camp begins to look somewhat presentable, you turn your attention to the food station, examining the current and limited ingredients.

Tonight’s meal: Butternut squash pie.

You fold the raw pastry, time and time again. Beautiful layers rest and expand with each waiting period. The squash is well seasoned, roasted over the fire. Onions left to caramelise for as long as possible whilst you assemble the well worked pastry in a greased tin. Once the filling is complete, you take the time to cover it with an intricate pattern, strategic holes poking through pastry petals. Braided crust containing the treasures within. A savoury, sweet concoction all wrapped up and adorned with some of your best work, ready to be baked.

Sinking the basket of laundry into your hip, you make your way to the lake. It’s there that you flick through clothing, separating them neatly and guiding them into the water. As you target smears of red on a ruffled, white shirt, you notice a tear. Along the hem, it sags, revealing a hole, surrounded by torn thread. After doing all you can to cleanse it, you hang the shirt to dry in the sun. It makes quick work of it and once you’ve finished the rest of your task, it is dry.

Sitting with your back against a tree, you drape the fabric over your lap, a small, sharp fish bone in hand. You reflect on your lie as you’re faced with the daunting task ahead of you.

Shit. Why did I say I could sew?!

Hesitantly, you pierce the soft material with a mess of knotted, red thread following the fish bone’s path. You weave and knot it further, leaving messy kinks and bulging mistakes. It doesn’t look great. But, you suppose, fashion is hardly the party’s biggest concern. You hold your pitiful attempt at the sunlight to inspect it. It really doesn’t look good. Alas, it will have to do.

Soon after you’ve folded and distributed the fresh laundry to each tent, the midday drop off arrives. This time, it’s Shadowheart, carrying a bulging backpack as though it weighs nothing. You give a welcoming smile that she doesn’t reciprocate. “Here, this is everything so far…” She plonks the pack on the floor, creating a small dust cloud and a loud thunk.

“Thank you, I’ll sort through it in a moment.” You continue, expecting the sound of distancing footsteps, but there are none. You look up again to find her still standing there. She seems awkward, anxious, her hands intertwining and parting. Puzzled, you ask “Is there anything else I can do for you?”

She glances at you. “I…” she begins “I just wanted you to know that I’m… Happy… For you.” The words sound pained, reluctant, a desperate grasp at grace.

“Oh?”

“I saw you earlier, with Karlach.” She pauses. “You’re… A good fit. I think.” You raise an eyebrow as her sour expression becomes clear to you.

She’s jealous.

“Shadowheart, I-” You’re interrupted by a defensive tone.

“Just remember, she has friends. Lots of friends. Understood?” Her inner conflict pushes spite in her threat, making it panicked but firm.

“Shadowheart-”

“I’ll spell it out for you. Hurt her and die by my hand.” She grabs the handle of the mace secured to her hip, just to emphasise the point.

“Shadowheart!” She finally shuts up and lets you speak. “We’re friends. That’s it. Don’t get me wrong, she’s wonderful, but that's just not the nature of our relationship.” There’s a long silence as red slowly creeps onto Shadowheart’s cheeks.

“Oh… I see…” Her embarrassment cannot hide the beginnings of a smile.

“You like her.” You smirk.

“I- What?! I- Don’t be ridiculous!” Her flushed face panics, wide eyed at the accusation.

“You like, like her.”

“I-...” She waits for your cackles to end, unamused. “Alright! Yes, I do…” A deep, sorrowful sigh falls from her mouth.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. It’s just… I’m… A cleric of Shar.” She caresses her hand, comforting a small, dark wound. “I have a mission from my cloister and I intend to follow it through, as I have with so many others, but… My devotion leaves little room for… ‘Recreational activities’. Let alone a relationship.” You try to show her your most understanding smile. She seems to soften her edges a little and looks… Sad.

“Well, considering Karlach can’t touch you, I doubt many ‘recreational activities’ would be on the table, anyway.”

“Oh, I think we could work around it…” She smirks, it seems that she’s thought about the logistics before. You chuckle.

“Surely you have more time now than ever, since being on the road. You could die tomorrow, why not see where it goes for now? What’s the harm?”

She pauses. “Well… I imagine we’ll all split ways once we’re cured, so the distraction shouldn’t linger for much longer than that… Alright, I’ll consider it. I suppose there’s no harm in having a little fun in the midst of all the chaos.” She looks around as you try to hide your smile, so as not to embarrass her. They truly would make an adorable couple.

“And what about you?” She not so subtly segways, moving the attention away from herself.

“What about me?” You almost scoff at the suggestion.

“I’d rather not pretend you haven’t attracted some… Attention. If that’s alright with you?” She says firmly, hand on hip. This time, you do scoff. But not because you don’t believe her, but at the thought of actually committing to any of the potential suitors before you.

“Mmm, yes. I’ve noticed Lae’zel flirting with me too.” A successful attempt to dismiss this topic? Maybe?

“Very funny, but we both know what I mean.” You smirk and shrug. She rolls her eyes. “Fine, I won’t press you.” The smirk turns into a smile, you nod, gratefully. “I should head back, we’ll be back at sundown. See you then.” She disappears down the path, you breathe a sigh before continuing your list of chores.

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It’s getting close to sundown, you cover the pie in the tin and leave it over the fire to bake so that when the group arrives, the smell will find them. Hovering your wrist over the cup feels less daunting this time. You’ve decided to reopen the wound from earlier, as painful as that may be, you don’t want any further scarring on your arm. And so you do just that. The cup is filled and placed on the counter as you hear familiar voices nearing the camp. You watch and wait for them to enter. Astarion arrives first with the rest following distantly behind. He must have rushed ahead. His armour is a deep leather, layered over a black, ruffled undershirt; paired with matching leather pants and extra padding on the knees. It’s lightweight and well fitted to his lean body. There’s blood splattered all over him, adding crimson streaks throughout his otherwise perfectly styled, silver hair. His confident posture suggests that the blood is, thankfully, not his.

Must have been an eventful day…

He looks around and finds you, he grins. You smile and nod your head in greeting. He takes this as an invitation to move closer, trying to ignore the tantalising smell emanating from the cup. “Hello, darling.” He moves behind the counter to get closer to you, resting his elbow on it. You turn to face him, hand on hip.

“Hello, Astarion. Busy day?” You gesture to the state of his apparel.

“Always.” He smirks. The voices grow louder, there are excitable squeals, thumping footsteps and… A bark?

Karlach bursts in with a white-furred, four legged friend following closely behind. She’s holding a bone over her head as the dog jumps at her, playfully. She trips and falls over, giggling as the dog chases the, now flying, bone across the camp and catches it in the air. “Good boy Scratch! Who’s a good boy? Who’s the bestest boy?!” She stands and the mouthwatering smell of dinner fills her nostrils. “Gods…” She turns to you. “Tav! We have a dog! Meet Scratch!” You turn to Astarion with a questioning look.

“Ugh, as you said: ‘Busy day’.” He responds.

“I can see that.” You laugh as the rest of the group enters at a more leisurely pace, the smell of dinner hits them too. Gale practically moans at the scent.

“Tav, you’re putting my humble stew to shame, time and time again.” He says, smiling warmly at you. “Thank you, but you haven’t actually tasted it yet so please try to reduce your expectations for me.” You laugh. You feel Astarion move a little closer whilst you aren’t looking.

“And that is something, I simply cannot wait for. Is it almost ready?” Gale moves towards the pot on the fire.

“Hmm, let me check.” You move past Astarion who watches you leave his side with a slight annoyance at the intrusion on your conversation. You open the pot, allowing the steam to escape before bending over and inspecting the crust with Gale looking over your… ‘Shoulder.’ Well… He’s looking at something…

Without looking, you reach your hand out behind you. “Could you pass me the-” A rag is placed in your hand before you can finish asking Gale for it. You look back to see Astarion, cup in one hand, towel in the other, standing over you. “Oh, thank you.” You say in slight surprise.

“No, thank you my dear.” He says, tapping his finger on the cup before walking past Gale to sit by the fire. You fold the rag and use it to lift the pot and place it on the counter. You shimmy the pie out and begin slicing it, revealing the glistening, rust coloured interior. You place a slice on each plate and hand them out, receiving the usual thank yous and none thank yous.

Scratch sniffs your legs and sits in your way, waiting patiently. “Uh… Hi, Scratch…” You look at him, awkwardly. His tongue just lolls out of his mouth as he tilts his head in response. “Um… What do you want? What does it want?” You turn to Wyll, hoping he can read this creature’s mind. He chuckles. “I think he’s hungry.”

“Oh…” You scan your brain for the little information you know about dogs. Meat, they eat meat.

“Never had a pet before, Tav?” He asks, amused at your awkwardness in front of a dog, of all things.

“Uh, no. Never seemed like my kind of thing.” You make your way to the food storage, now refilled with bits and bobs from their journey. You take a string of sausages, pull a few off and slowly put them in front of Scratch, yanking your arm away for fear of biting.

Wyll laughs at the sight. “It’s alright Tav, he seems well trained. Look, he’s not even touching it yet.” Scratch whines at the sausages on the floor, awaiting your command.

“Er-Go ahead, Scratch.” You say casually. He doesn’t seem to understand and stays still. You roll your eyes and make a gesture to him, urging him to eat. He pieces it together and pants excitedly before tucking in.

Taking your own plate, you walk back towards the fire and look around to find an empty spot. Each log is big enough for two and most are full. Wyll and Lae’zel are sharing grand battle stories with Lae’zel being not-so-subtle about her attraction to him, making him blush aggressively. Shadowheart and Karlach are deep in conversation, Karlach seems to be unable to take her eyes off of her as she speaks passionately about her love for night orchids. Astarion had tried to sit alone to enjoy his ‘dinner’ in peace, but that didn’t last long as Gale decided to shuffle over and talk his ear off about some theory he had about something or other. As much as you like Gale, even you’re starting to get bored. But, you can’t help but smile as you quietly decide to sit alone, on an empty log to enjoy your pie in the atmosphere of sweet conversations around you. Taking a deep breath, you feel grateful that you get to experience this. That you get to enjoy these peoples’ company. Friends aren't something you’re used to, any friend you had, you had to lose. But not now.

You feel… Safe... Mostly…

Basking in the moment, you look around and notice Astarion stand up and excuse himself, cup still in hand, he enters his tent. Presumably to get away from Gale’s ramblings. Everyone finishes their meal and you gather the plates. You need to wash Astarion’s cup. You set the plates aside and head towards his tent in search of the missing vessel. You begin to call out to him but then you hear something. You swear it was a grunt. Thinking nothing of it, you go to speak again. But stop. This time, you’re sure it was a groan. The whisper of a “Fuck…” followed by quick breaths.

Is he? No way…

There’s a gap in the fabric, candlelight inviting your gaze. You shouldn’t. You know that. But in your mind, you can see what you can’t see, and you have to know if you’re right. Just a passing glance, one moment to confirm your suspicions and that will be all… You lean in…

His back is facing you, one hand encouraging the flow of liquid from the tilted cup. Head tipping back, just far enough for your eyes to gather that his brows are knitted. His right arm seems to be wrapped around something in his lap, his hand peeking out from the left of his waist. You begin to pull away, your vision gaining one more vital piece of information as you do: The rocking of his hips.

You take a deep breath, grinning. You choose a nonchalant approach when you call his name: “Astarion?”

A rapid fumbling can be heard from inside. “Er- Just a minute!” You’re desperately trying to hold back laughter as he pokes his head out, your blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. “Yes?” You follow the stream as it drips from his chin.

“Cup?” You hold your hand out.

“Ah, y-yes, of course. Wait here.” He dips back into his tent and retrieves it.

“Thank you.” You take it and begin to turn away… But you can’t help yourself, this is too good of an opportunity to make him sweat. “Do you need help with anything?”

“Hm? What? N-no. Why?”

“Oh, you just sounded like you were struggling with something.” You look directly into his eyes with a mischievous grin. He coughs and clears his throat, his pale cheeks becoming tinged with the slightest blush. “But, if you’re sure…” You shrug nonchalantly and begin to walk away, stifling further giggles. You turn your attention to him once more, gesturing to your own chin. “Oh, and you have a little something. Right here.” He immediately wipes it away with his hand and squints at you, clearly irritated by your teasing. That doesn’t stop you from snorting with laughter as you make your way to the rest of the dishes.

You start washing the dishes and by the time you're finished, Astarion emerges from his tent, no longer wearing armour and adjusting his shirt. You make eye contact as you remove your apron, let down your hair, shake it out with your hand and sigh at the relief. He definitely isn’t over it, it’s clear in the way confidently saunters over to you, in a desperate attempt to maintain his pride.

Nice try…

“So, how was it?” You ask with the widest of grins.

He scoffs and folds his arms. “Look, I don’t know what you think you heard, but-”

“I don’t know what you mean, I’m just asking how your dinner was.” You wink.

“Of course you are.” He rolls his eyes, then smirks at you. You take two cups from behind you and fill them with wine. “I’m sorry for teasing. Peace offering?” You hold a cup out for him. He grazes your hand as he takes it from you, without hesitation.

“I accept. But, surely you can do better than this, darling.” He flashes his eyes at you, grinning, anticipating your next move.

“Hmm, how about this? Oh, my lord! I beg your forgiveness!” You twirl dramatically, feigning devotion. “Tell me, your majesty, is there anything a lowly subject such as myself can do to earn your mercy?” You take his hand and kneel before him.

He laughs at the display. “I could get used to this.” He takes a sip of his wine. “Fine, I forgive you. Get up.”

“Oh thank you, sweet, merciful lord!” You plant several tiny kisses on his cold knuckles. He doesn’t stop you, enjoying your warmth on his skin.

He chuckles and helps you up. You use your free hand to brace yourself on his chest, regaining your balance. Looking up at him, he smiles, warmly, at you. You smile back. As you remove your hand and pull away to sip your wine, you realise it’s wet. You look at your crimson coated palm, then his bloody shirt. “Um… Ew.” You wipe it on his sleeve. “Do I even want to know where all this came from?”

He raises an eyebrow at your squeamish display, grinning. “I’ll tell you if you come and sit with me.” He gestures towards the lake and as you turn to see it, he moves closer to your ear and whispers: “It’s quite the story.” His breath tickles and sends a shiver down your spine.

You clear your throat and find the wine bottle with your free hand. “Well, in that case…” You wink and begin to head to the lake. Astarion follows closely behind, shooting a smug smirk towards Gale, who was watching the entire interaction from the corner of his eye.

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mrfancyfoot · 2 months ago

Text

Plots & Prosody: Prompts

Raphael x Evie (f!OC)

- A Gift of Heart-

"To a devil, gifting the heart of your enemy (for free, no less!) is practically a confession of love.

Evie contemplates getting a spray bottle to spritz her murderous cat of a devil friend."

Happy Halloween! This prompt is slightly thematic for the holiday (in a, uh, horror kind of way - sort of. More along the lines of Addams Family kind of "horror"). 😈

Did not quite succeed in getting both prompts out for October, but I should have my Kinktober prompt out very soon (and unlike this one, I have spent far more time on it than two sleep deprived nights). :)

Rating: M / NSFW-ish

Word Count: ~1.2k

Timeline: Plots & Prosody, Part II - Canon

Tags: POV Evie; She/Her Pronouns; Raphael Referenced; Housemate Astarion; (Dark) Humor; ...Fluff?; Dark Romance; Evie is a Bit Socially/Romantically Naive; Some Mutual Pining; Devil Courtship; The Devil is Smitten; Raphael probably off strutting around like a tom cat so proud of himself

Warnings: Gore (Dismembered Body Parts...As Gifts); Referenced Murder; Implied Eating of one such part (Astarion); Evie has found herself a surprising degree of okay with most of this

Main Fic (Rated E/Varied): AO3 + Tumblr | Master List (contains related prompts)

[Quick Context: After being isekai'd by the nautiloid, Evie spends most of Plots & Prosody Part I (Game Events) “befriending the devil,” yet denying him her soul. Once things settle after game events, Evie goes about her new life kick-starting her business and re-inventing modern-day things. She remains oblivious to Raphael's attempts at courting her and chalks many of his more questionable behaviors up to cultural differences.]

Part of my devil courtship series.

❤️ Thanks for reading! :3 ❤️

Being friends with a devil was very akin to being friends with a particularly mischievous, deadly cat. A cat that sometimes left little unsettling gifts in the middle of her dining room table to show its fondness.

It was mid-morning when she woke and readied enough to drag herself downstairs for breakfast. The glint of shiny, gaudy wrapping paper had been quick to catch her eye. The ribboned cube was about the size of a hat box and she recognised who it was from upon sight for Raphael had a set of preferences and this was far from being the first. Crimson paper, gold ribbon, occasionally switched up when he was feeling extra pretentious with gold paper and crimson ribbon or with a navy accent.

As his cherished, self-appointed best, and only, friend - though he was certainly putting effort into getting her to agree to the forever ‘forever’ part - the word that came to mind for this behavior was ‘lavish.’ Raphael had begun to lavish her with gifts.

Exotic spices, rare books, furs with magical properties, trinkets from his travels, fine clothing, expensive jewelry.

Which wasn’t at all what she had expected several months ago. Her goal with ‘befriending the devil’ had started out as purely self-preservation as a means to stay on his good side if he was as adamant about getting her soul as he claimed. Perhaps they’d occasionally have tea and trade book recommendations, catch a play at the theatre... Actually succeeding was not something she had foreseen.

But though she insisted that he didn’t have to gift her anything, let alone such finery, he insisted that he did. His friend had a place of high honor in his life that deserved it. And to show that he could - protecting and spoiling her these ways was another display of his power and status.

Those were the innocuous gifts, at least comparatively - she wasn’t sure she wanted to know where they all may have come from. The gifted body parts were…less so.

A behavior that she was still parsing. Being friends with a powerful devil meant having to make some concessions and strive to understand their culture.

She supposed it was how he showed he cared.

At least he wasn’t yet leaving her half dead things to tell her that her own skills needed honing.

Evie thumbed the bow of the pretty, sleek ribbon and slipped the tiny card out from under it. The back was signed with a simple, scripted initial R. It carried his distinctive, warm scent that she took in fondly.

He never wanted there to be any question as to who the gifts came from.

“Ooo, another present, I see. Isn’t that the second this tenday?” Having come from his own room, Astarion sidled up beside her and gleefully peered over her shoulder. “Now, what do you suppose is hidden within this one? More jewelry to match? A nice set of ears? Oh, I know! A stunning pair of earrings still attached to the lobes. Do hurry up, I’m dying of anticipation!” He giggled to himself. Earlier this week was an enchanted bracelet. Not attached to anything.

His question was somewhat rhetorical given his heightened sense of smell, so he would at least know if it was ‘organic’ or not.

“Hmm.” She lifted the box and gave it a gentle shake. “It has an odd weight. Bit more oomph to it than I would have thought. So…I’mma say some unlucky soul has been relinquished of…something.”

Guessing the contents had become somewhat of a game between them.

Evie pulled at the ribbon and flipped the top off the box.

She leaned over the box and squinted, her head tilting.

A heart.

Lovingly nestled within tissue paper splattered with still-wet blood.

Astarion bent closer and she heard him inhale deeply. “Oh, my. A bit engorged but it does look delicious, darling.” He stepped aside and scanned her, asking, “Did something happen? I cannot wait to find out which poor sap crossed you the wrong way to deserve this.” As though he didn’t also contemplate the same thing. There was once a time that he bemoaned Raphael ‘beating’ him to dealing with certain problems. It was a cute little rivalry between her bloodthirsty gremlins.

She would like to say that it bothered her, but trying to keep her workers safe was such an immense burden with how troubled and unsafe the Gate was, especially at night and especially in the Lower City. Thugs, sharks, drunkards…dandy nobles able to bribe guards and magistrates to get their way. She could fend for herself, but many of her women and younger employees couldn’t. With her hired security only able to do so much above water if the proper authorities refused to act, it was little skin off her nose for the lowest of scum to find their way to the Hells.

“No, nothing comes to mind for this one.” She sighed, a wry smile pulling at her lips. “You can have it if you don’t drool on me, Asta. Please put it on ice if you don’t plan to do anything with it right now, though.”

He snagged the box with an eager, ‘Don’t mind if I do.’ and walked off, disappearing down the hall.

She’d have to dispose of it anyhow so having a vampire housemate made that easy.

Hopefully the authorities wouldn’t come pounding on their door after finding a body - if there even was one - but she feared if Raphael kept threatening and picking off her enemies and those who had done her wrong, someone out there was bound to make the connection back to her as a common denominator.

A drunken fishmonger had mysteriously lost some fingers after inappropriately grabbing her and finding himself thrown into the bay.

A set of eyeballs from a disgustingly lustful trio of gangsters thinking they’d cornered her in an alley near her warehouse. She had dealt with them, as well, but apparently Raphael felt more needed to be done.

The tongue of who had once been her daily catcaller on her way to work.

Occasionally, Raphael felt the need to posture and share the origins of such offerings, though often it was a few days or even weeks until they learned who the bits came from.

Raphael had once shared the deplorable things a visiting noble had said of her to him while at a gala. Decorative beads had been made from his bones and Raphael was having them sewn into a dress for her to wear to an upcoming event in the Hells.

He, of course, would never dirty his own hands within the Material Plane, but he had plenty of agents and those in his debt to carry out his orders.

As this one had not been handed to her, it was more likely that they’d be hearing of the potential cause and prior owner at some point from the news or street gossip mill.

As amusing as it was to imagine spraying the devil with water in the same way one would attempt to alter the behaviors of a cat, she doubted it would be so simple. But, thinking like a devil, maybe she would have more luck getting him to cease the morbid gifts from the angle of conveying that she felt insulted by the assumption that she could not or was not handling these things properly herself.

Her stomach rumbled and she decided to think on it more after breakfast. She palmed the tiny gift card and made her way to the kitchen.

#Plots & Prosody #baldur's gate 3 raphael #bg3 Raphael #raphael x tav #raphael the cambion #baldur's gate 3 fanfic #baldur's gate 3 raphael fanfic #mrfancyfoot #raphael x oc #Prompt Fill #Fluff #Dark Humor #Dark Romance #Devil Courtship

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miaowitch · 11 months ago

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The Hardest Part

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read on Ao3 or below !!

gale dekarios x tav oc (baldur's gate)

cw ⋆｡‧˚♡ m/f, semi-public sex, fingering, innapropriate use of mage hand, smut with feelings, pet names, oc/canon

summary ⋆｡‧˚♡

AKA

Local Wizard might be obsessed with a Cleric of the Moonmaiden, will he ever actually tell her how he feels? or will he be alone with his cat forever in a library?

Elle was never the type to assume feelings. Gale wasn’t that elusive anyway. She could always tell how he felt, or at least weasel it out of him. Camp was quiet though, and a lot weighed on Gale’s mind. They had only been traveling a few months, everything was fine in Elle’s eyes. The elf found it easy to say that she considered her party to be very close friends with one another. Growing up, she didn’t have too many friends, so traveling with the group was more of a practice in socialization. When you’re known as the bookish nerd with a heavy devotion to Selûne; not that many people want to approach you in the grove. Except Gale just understood her. She couldn’t joke the same with anyone else, no one understood her when she went on tangents. Just Gale.

Their tents were in perfect eye shot of each other, it’s not like she wasn’t allowed to look in his direction. They set up camp by the shore for a reason, the lakeside is beautiful. Easily she could claim that she was looking at the water, but each time… Gale found her attention. It was always a pleasant distraction in the evening, her dear friend Gale wouldn’t blame her for her wandering eyes anyway. Though when he looked back for a second time, eyes locking directly with Elle before he looked away, she began to think. “The lake is right there, why does he look at me?” Elle had an imagination from the amount of romance novels in her collection, but never would she imagine someone falling for her. She could only picture herself as a spinster holed up in a grove far from civilization. Not that she didn’t notice the attractive qualities of everyone she’d met, the romantic in her could never be silenced. Gale just didn’t seem the type to pay attention to her when people like Wyll or Shadowheart traveled with them. Even Astarion was more appealing than her, in her mind at least.

For just a moment though, she imagined walking up to Gale and just announcing her suspicions. Her eyes for the third time had fixed on Gale. The moon broke through the trees and illuminated his tent now, as if her Goddess was giving her better sight for her fixation. She watched as he sighed, broad shoulders rose and fell quickly as he thumbed at the page of the book he definitely wasn’t reading. The water still distracted him.

Elle took a deep breath to gather her courage. The rest of camp had either retired for the night or had taken up an activity that they couldn’t be pulled from. She thanked Selûne, Elle wasn’t sure if she could handle Shadowheart’s cautious gaze as she watched her with the ‘dangerous wizard’. They’d all worked on their gripes with one another, but Shadowheart still struggled to see Gale as anything but power hungry. Elle couldn’t see him as anything but Gale. Quietly, she gathered herself, wrapped a blanket over her shoulders to help keep her warm on the walk over. The cool night air also helped cool off any embarrassment from rejection, too. It wasn’t that she expected rejection, Gale wouldn’t be so cruel, but she’d been wrong before. The crunch of the dirt beneath her leather shoes alerted Gale, snapping him from his daze. He seemed more on edge for the past few nights than he ever had. “Well, I didn’t expect your company tonight.” He smiled, as if all the previous concern had washed away. “What can I do for you, friend?”

“Is there something on your mind, Gale?” Elle asked, stepping closer and taking a seat on the cushion laid out by his own. He’d always been happy when she stopped by to sit with him for a chat, that he added a seat just for his favorite company. Gale only responded with a sigh, “Oh, just the usual melancholies of the enlightened mind. Brain worms and what not…” Gale’s comment only made her more suspicious, his moodiness was more than the usual tadpole concern. He seemed genuinely lost in his mind with something more. “Of course, it’s your usual weekly brooding session…” Elle looked off towards the lake, the moonlight dancing on the water. “You’re positive it had nothing to do with me? You kept looking-” She was cut off by Gale’s boisterously nervous laughter. “Oh, Elle, what would I be thinking of you for? Aside from your never ending wit or your b-” He sputtered to clear his throat, “Your vocabulary, I mean. My apologies. Perhaps the cold is getting to my head? I should retire.” He began to stand, but Elle grabbed onto his wrist. His pulse was fast, his face flushed, but he still lowered himself back to the patterned cushion.

“What’s really troubling you?” Elle asked earnestly. She didn’t catch onto his thoughts this time, she really had no clue what the wizard was thinking. For all she knew, the mindflayer transformation was upon him, and she would have to do the unthinkable. His hesitation didn’t fully melt away, but she could tell he was easing into the confession of his thoughts. “I just…don’t wish to burden you with my mind. It’s nothing concerning, but it just might be a little…complicated though.” Gale finally admitted, but still kept it vague enough to make Elle officially frustrated.

Complicated? Elle didn’t wish to brag, but nothing was too ‘complicated’ for her to fathom. She’d been subjected to a tadpole behind her eye, she could surely understand the inner workings of a dumb wizard. So, she scoffed. Rolling her grey eyes, she took her hand away. “Right, too hard for me to understand.” Elle now stood up. “I can understand when I’m pressuring you though. I apologize, Gale.” She felt offended, flustered, and most of all disappointed. Perhaps she’d just been misreading the signs from Selûne. “Not everything can be fixed, stupid Cleric.” Elle scolded herself internally, but was interrupted by Gale’s calloused hand grasping her wrist now.

“You must understand…the hardest part is understanding my own feelings for you.”

It clicked at that moment. “Oh...that’s why.” Elle looked around, hoping that no onlookers would interrupt them. “Y-Your feelings?” She felt like her heart was pounding straight out of her chest. “I just can’t get my mind off of you, Elle.” Gale sighed, removing his hand from her wrist to run over his hair earnestly. “I can’t even spend an evening without looking your way…” Brown eyes met grey now, eye contact holding for a moment before Elle broke the silence. She lowered herself back down to his level. “You…um…you mean that?” She questioned in an almost whisper, his response was an honest nod. “Did you not catch me staring your way earlier?” She leaned in, as if the secret would leave the space between them. “I was so afraid I’d been bothering you with my attention.” Elle’s cheeks felt so warm, but she refused to back away. Not with Gale.

“Did you not expect my adoration? Even after all this time?” He questioned, looking at her as if he was studying each feature. He just didn’t want to lose her with this new proclamation. “How was I supposed to ever expect this.. I’m not the type to fall for..” Elle’s own esteem issues would rarely surface, but she found it hard to find the good in herself. “Not the- Not the type to fall for? Elle, that is just utterly absurd.” Gale’s hand gripped each other in his lap, just to hold back from holding her. “How could you not be the center of all my attention when you challenge me so often. Your beauty shows itself in so many ways, how am I supposed to ignore you?” Now his right hand reached out to brush a piece of her longer bangs from her eyes. “I’m obsessed, honestly..” He sighed again, but now she understood his reasoning. Lovesickness wasn’t fatal, but it definitely could hinder a traveling party.

“How long..?” She asked finally, but Gale could easily answer. “When you pulled me from the portal..” He lowered his head, as if to be ashamed. “I suppose you’re not alone then..” Elle scooted in closer, the gap between them just kept getting smaller with each shared confession. When she pulled the wizard from the whirling portal, she almost felt like it was a divine gift from her Goddess. After being with two of the most sarcastic members, it was a breath of fresh air to have the wizard tag along.

“Gale, you don’t understand how long… I’ve wanted you to say this.” She sighed out, her manicured hand resting on his knee closest to her. Elle had such a hard time admitting her own feelings, even if she spent so much time worried about others. “I’m still having such a hard time even believing I’m not dreaming.” Gale’s throat bobbed as he swallowed his anxieties. “What can I do to convince you that you’re truly awake?” His voice was confident, with a slight waver. Not that his own experience was anything to worry about, but being in his tower for so long hadn’t given him a chance for practice. “What do you mean?” Elle asked innocently. Her experience in the love field was basically nothing outside of her novels and mage hand. She had no clue how to respond to his moves.

She didn’t need to respond, though, as Gale had leaned in now. Their lips met with a tender touch, Gale just couldn’t be anything but gentle with Elle. Her tension melted away at his touch. Elle didn’t feel uneasy or unsafe when it came to Gale. Even when the kiss became more intense, she didn’t feel any boundaries being crossed. Pulling her into his lap, Gale helped her sit on his thigh as he held her waist closer. The sound of the crickets chirping, the owls sounding off, and the water crashing soft on the shore just covered the sounds of their clothes rustling. Elle was the first to let her hands wander.

First, they traced his collar bone. Detailing each small scar and running over the low ridge of his tattoo. Then, she traveled lower with her left hand. She just rested it on his chest, but Gale was bursting just from her sweet grazing on his body. Breaking from the kiss, Gale panted to catch his breath. Elle just folded her head into his neck, leaving even sweeter kisses with every whimper he’d release. “Elle…p-please…hold on…” Gale begged, feeling himself about to burst. Elle thankfully relented. “I-I’ve never done anything like this before, Gale… I don’t know what I should do…” Elle confessed, hiding her flustered face in his shoulder.

“Allow me to help you then, my dear.” Gale whispered soft into her ear, not wanting to scare her any. “Will you trust me?” He smiled, pulling her back to look at him. Elle of course agreed. How could she not trust Gale Dekarios?

With a wave of his hand that wasn’t holding her, he cast a veil over the tent. The world seemed normal, just as if a haze had fallen over the tent. “What happened…?” She questioned, Gale just started to smile. “Just something to deter the others.” He leaned into her neck now, trailing kisses from the bottom of her ear to the base of her neck. “My tent appears closed now, so they won’t bother…this.” They were still in the night air, exposed, with all the risk warded off.

Gale’s free hand now moved to hold her thigh, causing Elle to gasp with surprise. Their lips met again, this time with more urgency. The spell could wear off at any moment, so they had to make it count in one way or another. Elle’s own hands began to move down again, this time pushing the limit. Gale groaned into the kiss as Elle palmed his already hard cock through his lounging pants. Her palm rubbed at the length over the cloth as she tried to deepen the kiss. Gale allowed her, his tongue working its way into her mouth now. He moaned with a deep grumble into her, not wanting to waste a moment any longer.

“I’ve dreamed about this exact moment for months now, Elle…” He broke the kiss to now move his pants down. Elle moved off his lap to sit on her knees. Patiently waiting for him, as if she’d expected the evening to take this path. His dick sprung from the tightness of his pants, Gale audibly sighed in relief.

Elle would be lying if she said she wasn’t mildly intimidated by its girth, but she sure was excited. Only reading about this in her risqué books, Elle had no actual experience with sex in real life. “M-May I…” She started to ask, but Gale just feverishly responded with a nod. Elle took it as permission to reach out. Positioning herself between his legs, she pulled at his pants just slightly to make it more comfortable for him. With one hand she began slowly moving up and down, with the other she palmed at his balls that perfectly rested on her hand. “E-Elle…oh gods…” Gale threw his head back when she started to pump at his cock, his wrist moved up to cover his eyes. She was focused, though, her speed quickening with every second passing.

His panting grew louder with her speed. Elle was stopped, though. Gale moved his hand back down to hold onto her hand. “I need you…” He confessed desperately. Pulling at her wrist softly, his puppy dog eyes were too much for her to resist. “Please.” Gale begged again. If Elle wasn’t a sane woman, she’d be clawing at the tent behind them.

She moved back, pulling her pants off with haste. The cool air hit her, the only things keeping her warm was the sweater she wore and the heat from her full body blushing. Crawling forward on her knees, she didn’t feel as exposed, knowing their moment was hidden. She felt almost more excited, knowing that if the veil fell, she’d been seen for all that she is. Elle wanted Gale more than she ever thought possible. His firm hands grabbed onto her soft ass, pulling her up to straddle his lap now. Gale’s cock bobbed with his movement. His erection now rested on her pelvis, throbbing in anticipation. Gale held himself firmly to not absolutely devour her on the spot, needing her more than the magic he craved. He took two fingers to ready her for their endeavor, but was not prepared for just how wet she’d become. Elle wasn’t even aware that a person could make her feel so…euphoric.

Biting her lower lip to hold back her moans, he moved around her clit just to tease at her. Elle’s body crumpled against his torso again, head resting on his neck. “G-Gale-” She sputtered out, breathing heavily into him. Two fingers moved down her pussy, inserting one after another into her. She shook, thighs quaked the deeper he pushed. Gasping softly as she gripped at his shirt with one hand and pulling at his hair with the other, Elle couldn’t sit still. Even the thickness of his pointer and middle finger was enough to drive her mad. “Darling, if I don’t do this I won’t fit, just try to hold on a little longer.” Gale cooed in her ear, petting her head soft to coach her as he began thrusting his fingers faster.

His fingers coated in her wet was a feeling he’d savor. Gale wasn’t surprised that he was growing harder by the second. Each time he’d move his hand, his cock would throb. Tightening around him, her back arched into his body, just trying to hold patience. “Haah… Hah… Gale…” Elle breathed out, her grip getting tighter. Gale wouldn’t let her finish, though, he needed Elle to help him. Pulling his fingers out, fighting the tight suction of her virginity. She mewled at the absence, but Gale tried to console her. “Shh, love. J-Just wait. Please.” Holding the shaft still, he helped Elle stand on her knees to hover still.

Anticipation made him shake slightly, he anxiously ran the tip down from her clit to her waiting hole. Meeting her pussy with a deep moan, Gale felt like he could’ve melted. Elle helped him by lowering her body, her pussy resting right on the tip. Gale sped it up by pulling her further, going deeper. Elle quickly moved a hand over her mouth, his girth stretched her more than just his fingers. Forgiving her cluelessness, Gale just kept trying to soothe her while easing her down. “Gods… Elle…you…” He breathed as he finally bottomed out, “You are….divine…”

Tightening around him from the compliment, Gale once again felt the need to burst then and there. It’d been upwards of a year since he’d been with someone so intimately, but he tried to remain patient. On her own, though, she began to move. Gale tried to lighten the load by guiding his hands to her ass again, allowing him to move for her. “Thank you…for trusting me with this.” His brown eyes looking at her with the sweetest smile, but she was too far gone as he began speeding up his pace. Her arms laced around his neck to hold her stability, she laid on him with her full weight.

Gale was stronger than he looked, but it also just could’ve been the instinct to rail into her. The amount of sound coming from the pair almost made her doubt the spell truly hid what they were doing. The soft padding of skin meeting skin, the soft moans and groans, and the sound of lips against lips. Fucking into her was easy, but Elle couldn’t stop from kissing him. Trailing along his tattoo (which only drove him mad) up to his mouth, Gale’s pace sped up faster to match his own needs. “E-Elle-” He sputtered out, breaking the kiss she kept leaning further into.

He had to pull her off, trying not to upset her too badly by cumming inside her. Pumping at his own cock, he used the lubrication from her pussy for ease. Elle started to whine, but Gale just cast Mage Hand to help her along. A mystical blue hand appeared to work at her clit with the same speed he’d shown prior. He smiled as Elle laid back on her knees, so Gale could get a good look as he stroked his dick. As Elle’s body shuddered with pleasure, she arched her back to fend off the eventual climax. She wasn’t sure what she was fighting off though, maybe she just didn’t want the moment to end. Gale helped her legs get more comfortable, holding her still just to watch her squirm under the hand. Gale felt himself at the point, so he rose on his knees as he continued pumping at his dick.

Elle came with a sigh of relief through her nose, but Gale had to bite his tongue as he came into his fist. The hand still moved, even as Elle softly begged to slow down. Only as she squirmed around did he snap out of his daze, waving his hand once again to send it away. The two sat in exhausted silence, crickets outside acting as a white noise to their panting.

“Well…” Gale began. “I don’t suppose that’ll be the end…right?” He looked at Elle with hopeful eyes, holding out a hand to help her up. Elle paused for a moment to allow herself to catch her breath. “Well, you don’t just expect us to never explore the notion.” Gale scrambled nervously, now expecting rejection from the silence.

“Shut up, Wizard.” Elle finally sighed out, giving a soft kiss onto his cheek.

#baldur's gate 3 #gale dekarios #bg3 tav #tav #gale of waterdeep #gale x tav #bg3 gale #baldus gate 3 smut #bg3 fanfiction #bg3 #bg3 fic #`` ~ ୨୧ ♡ · love notes #`` ~ ୨୧ ♡ · series #`` ~ ୨୧ ♡ · 18+

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everyones-fangirl · 5 months ago

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Delectable Little Pet

Warnings: 18+ This will be about after ascension Astarion so expect some extreme dark romance and future triggers. Stalking. Being super forward/not taking no for an answer. CNC. Drug Use! Emotions are wild in this one guys.

Word Count: 11,729

A/N: Hey! Sorry for such a long lapse in time since the last chapter. This one is extra long to hopefully make up for it. Let me know your thoughts and Thanks for reading! xxx

Chapter 16

Cassara

It’s been a whole week since I had last seen Astarion, and he had some serious explaining to do the next time I saw him. Which, according to the weird energy shift in the manor, could be very soon. The entire place buzzed with an undercurrent of activity that I hadn’t sensed before. Servants were moving with purpose, though their eyes were evasive, and the halls echoed with whispers and hurried footsteps. They were setting up for something, or at least trying to make it look like they were. I wandered through the grand corridors, feeling the weight of the castle pressing down on me. Ornate tapestries depicting scenes of ancient battles and legendary figures seemed to follow me with their eyes as I passed. The air was thick with the scent of polished wood and old stone, mingling with the faint aroma of the blood that fueled the inhabitants of this dark fortress. As I turned a corner, I caught sight of a group of servants huddled together, their heads bent in hushed conversation. They scattered the moment they noticed me, leaving behind an air of secrecy that only fueled my curiosity and unease. What were they planning? And why was I left in the dark?

I made my way to the grand hall, where the preparations were most evident. Tables were being set up, draped in rich, velvety fabrics, and the chandeliers overhead gleamed with a freshly polished brilliance. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation, but it did little to ease the knot of anxiety twisting in my gut. “A party,” I muttered to myself, my voice echoing softly in the vast room. “They’re preparing for a party.”

But who was it for? And why now, after such a prolonged silence from Astarion? The questions churned in my mind, each one adding to the growing sense of dread that gnawed at me. The castle, once a place of mystery and allure, now felt like a labyrinth of shadows, hiding secrets I was desperate to uncover. I moved to the edge of the room, where the floor-to-ceiling windows offered a view of the sprawling gardens outside. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the meticulously maintained hedges and flowerbeds. It was beautiful, a stark contrast to the turmoil I felt inside.

As the last rays of sunlight dipped below the horizon, I turned away from the window, determination hardening my resolve. Astarion had some serious explaining to do, and I wasn’t going to wait idly by for him to make his grand reappearance. I needed answers, and I needed them now. With a final glance around the grand hall, I set off in search of anyone who might provide a clue as to what was going on. My footsteps echoed through the silent corridors, a steady reminder of the resolve that burned within me. One way or another, I would get to the bottom of this. And when Astarion finally returned, he would find a very different Cassara waiting for him.

As I made my way around, looking for anyone who would look me in the eye, I noticed that I had a shadow. In fact I’d noticed that a certain tiefling, who had been appearing far too often for it to be a coincidence, had been trailing me for days. My eyes narrowed as I tried to keep my gait steady, ensuring she would keep following me.

I rounded a corner, quickly ducking into a doorway so that when she followed, we’d be face to face. And that’s precisely what happened. She barely had a chance to react to me catching on before my finger was in her face. “Why are you following me?”

Her eyes widened in surprise, then quickly narrowed in defiance. “I wasn’t—”

“Don’t lie to me,” I snapped, stepping closer. Sanna took a step back, her back pressing against the cold stone wall. “You’ve been shadowing me for days. What’s your game?”

She sighed, her shoulders slumping in resignation. “Fine. Astarion asked me to keep an eye on you.”

My heart skipped a beat and I promptly tried to ignore it. Astarion. Even in his absence, he was still orchestrating everything. “Why? What does he want?”

“He didn’t tell me the specifics,” she replied, her voice softening. “Just said to make sure you were safe and to report back any... unusual behavior.”

“Unusual behavior?” I echoed, my anger flaring. “What does he think I’m going to do?” My frustration was boiling over. “I’m not the one sneaking around and spying on people.”

She shrugged with a nonchalance that made my anger spike. “How am I supposed to know? You know we can’t really refuse him.” Her response deflated my anger, and I grew quiet. “We’re happy to do it for him. Astarion has saved every single one of us from something.”

“Not me..” The words left my mouth before I even realized what I was saying.

Sanna’s eyes softened with understanding. “You might not see it that way, but he cares about you more than you know. Maybe more than he even admits to himself.”

I looked away, trying to rein in my emotions. “He just left without a word, Sanna. How am I supposed to trust that?”

“He didn’t leave you,” she said gently. “He’s doing something important, something he believes will protect you. And he trusted me to keep an eye on you while he’s gone.”

I sighed, the weight of her words pressing down on me. “I just don’t understand why he had to be so secretive. Why couldn’t he just tell me?”

Sanna took a step closer, her voice low and earnest. “Because he knows you’re strong, Cassara. Stronger than you realize. He didn’t want to burden you with worry. He wants you to be ready for whatever’s coming.”

I shook my head, frustration mingling with a flicker of hope. “But how can I be ready if I don’t know what’s going on?”

“Then let’s figure it out together,” Sanna said, a determined glint in her eye. “We’ll uncover whatever he’s planning, and we’ll be prepared for when he returns.”

I studied her for a moment, then nodded. “Fine. But if we’re going to work together, I need to know I can trust you.”

Sanna’s expression turned serious. She took a step closer, her eyes meeting mine with unwavering sincerity. “You can trust me, Cassara. I owe Astarion my life, but that doesn’t mean I’m blind to what’s right. I want to protect you, too. I’m not here to deceive you.”

I searched her face, looking for any sign of deceit. Her gaze held steady, and I found a flicker of something genuine in her eyes. “Alright,” I said slowly. “I’ll give you a chance. But if you betray me, I won’t hesitate to take you down.”

A small smile tugged at the corners of Sanna’s lips. “Fair enough. Now, where do we start?”

I took a deep breath, thinking of the best approach. “We need to gather information. Find out what’s really going on in the manor. There’s been too much secrecy, and I don’t like being kept in the dark.”

Sanna nodded. “Agreed. Let’s start with the servants. They hear and see more than anyone else. If anyone knows what’s happening, it’s them.”

“Good idea,” I said. “We’ll talk to them discreetly, see if they’ve noticed anything unusual. And we’ll keep an eye on the comings and goings in the manor. Someone must know something.”

As we began our investigation, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that had settled in my gut. Astarion’s absence was more than just a personal affront; it was a sign that something bigger was at play. And I was determined to uncover the truth, no matter the cost. Over the next few days, Sanna and I worked together, gathering snippets of conversation, piecing together clues, and slowly unraveling the web of secrets that seemed to shroud the manor. The servants were hesitant at first, but with a little persuasion—and Sanna’s reassuring presence—we managed to coax some information out of them. It became clear that preparations were being made for some kind of event. The staff was tight-lipped about the details, but the signs were there: increased security, unusual deliveries, and a palpable tension in the air. Whatever was happening, it was important, and it involved Astarion.

One evening, as we sat in the dimly lit servants’ quarters, Sanna shared a piece of information that sent a chill down my spine. “I overheard one of the guards talking about a visitor coming to the manor. Someone powerful and dangerous.”

“Who?” I asked, my heart pounding.

“They didn’t mention a name, but from the way they were talking, it sounds like someone from Astarion’s past. Someone he’s not exactly on good terms with.”

I felt a knot of fear and anger twist in my stomach. “We need to find out who this visitor is and what they want. If Astarion’s involved, it can’t be good.”

Sanna nodded, her expression grim. “Agreed. We’ll keep digging. But we need to be careful. If they catch on to us, it could get dangerous.”

“I’m not afraid,” I said, determination hardening my voice. “I need to know what’s going on. And I won’t stop until I get answers.”

“I also heard that you embarrassed a couple of Astarion’s private guards,” Sanna said with a small laugh.

I rolled my eyes before letting out a growl. “They disrespected me... and I made them apologize.”

Sanna's laughter grew louder, and she covered her mouth to stifle it. “I wish I could’ve seen that,” she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “Those guards are usually so high and mighty. It must have been quite the spectacle.”

“It was necessary,” I said, my voice firm. “They needed to understand that I won’t tolerate being treated like that. Not by them, and not by anyone.”

“Good for you,” Sanna said, her tone sincere. “You’re getting stronger, Cassara. Astarion is going to have his hands full when he gets back.”

I couldn’t help but smirk at that. “He certainly will,” I agreed. “But first, we need to figure out what he’s been up to. And why he left without a word.”

Sanna nodded, her expression turning serious again. “We’ll get to the bottom of it. Together.”

Our investigation continued, each day bringing new pieces of the puzzle. We learned that the event being planned was a grand masquerade ball, meant to lure someone important out of hiding. The staff was tight-lipped about the guest list, but it was clear that this was no ordinary party. The manor was being transformed into a place of opulence and mystery, with decorations and preparations that spoke of both luxury and danger. One evening, as we pored over a list of recent deliveries, Sanna leaned in closer, her voice a whisper. “I found something interesting. A shipment of rare alchemical ingredients arrived yesterday. And they were addressed to Astarion himself.”

My heart raced. “Alchemical ingredients? What could he possibly need those for?”

“I’m not sure,” Sanna admitted. “But it’s something we need to look into. It could be related to the visitor the guards were talking about.”

We decided to pay a visit to the storage room where the shipment was kept. Under the cover of night, we slipped through the manor’s shadowy halls, our footsteps silent on the marble floors. The moonlight filtering through the high windows cast an eerie glow, elongating our shadows as we moved with purpose. The air was thick with anticipation, every creak of the old manor making my heart race a little faster.

When we reached the storage room, I picked the lock with a skill that surprised even me. The satisfying click of the lock giving way was almost drowned out by the pounding of my heart. We pushed the door open, revealing a dimly lit room lined with shelves and crates. Inside, we found crates filled with exotic herbs, vials of shimmering liquids, and mysterious powders. The scent of strange, potent ingredients filled the air, a heady mix of florals, spices, and something metallic that made my skin prickle. Sanna examined the labels, her brow furrowing in concentration. “These are powerful ingredients,” she said, her voice a whisper in the stillness. “Whatever he’s planning, it’s big. And it’s dangerous.”

A shiver ran down my spine. The room felt colder, the weight of our discovery pressing down on me. “We need to find out more. Maybe there are documents or notes that can give us a clue.” We carefully searched the room, our hands moving quickly but cautiously among the fragile vials and delicate herbs. In a hidden compartment behind one of the shelves, we discovered a stack of papers, yellowed and brittle with age. We huddled together, the dim light barely enough to make out the spidery handwriting.

As we read through them, a chilling realization dawned on us. Astarion was preparing for a ritual—one that required these rare ingredients and the presence of someone with immense power. The masquerade ball was a cover, a way to gather the necessary players in one place. “We need to stop this,” I said, my voice shaking with a mix of fear and determination. The words felt heavy, laden with the gravity of the situation. “He’s going to try to trap the wizard that almost killed me. He does not get to kill him.” My fists clenched at my sides, the rage bubbling up inside me. I had dreamed about feeling Lucian’s blood run down my arms, hearing his screams in my ears instead of mine. The thought of Astarion taking that from me was unbearable.

Sanna looked at me, her eyes wide with understanding and resolve. “We need to be careful,” she said. “If we confront him without all the facts, we could make things worse. We need a plan.”

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. “We’ll need to gather more information,” I said. “Find out exactly what this ritual entails and how we can disrupt it. We can’t let Astarion go through with this.”

Sanna agreed, and we spent the next few days in a state of constant vigilance. We scrutinized every shipment that arrived, every conversation we overheard, and every suspicious movement within the manor. Our nights were spent poring over the papers we had found, piecing together the details of the ritual and its intended outcome.

As the date of the masquerade ball approached, the atmosphere in the manor grew increasingly tense. The staff worked tirelessly to prepare for the grand event, unaware of the sinister plans that lay beneath the surface. I could feel the weight of the impending confrontation pressing down on me, but I refused to let it break me.

One evening, as Sanna and I reviewed our notes in a secluded corner of the manor, she looked up at me with a determined glint in her eye. “We’ve got enough to go on now,” she said. “We know what Astarion is planning.”

I nodded, my resolve hardening. “We’ll need to be smart about this,” I said. “But we don’t even know how to stop it.”

“We know that Astarion does not have the power to do this by himself. He’s gone off to bring someone back with him. The party is tomorrow, so expect him soon.” Sanna spoke confidently. “I suspect he’ll use me to try to keep you away from here, but instead, I’ll help you get into the party.”

I nodded, the bridges forming as she spoke. “He won’t notice I’m there?”

“I doubt it. He’ll be too preoccupied with his plan. Your job is to find whatever wizard he’s bringing and distract him long enough that the plan is ruined.”

“Distract him?” I frowned. “How am I supposed to do that?”

Sanna gave me a look before gesturing to my body. “Look at you! I’m sure you can think of something,” she said suggestively.

I rolled my eyes, but a small smirk played at my lips. “Fine, but I’ve never had to seduce anyone before.”

I could hear the frustration in her sigh as she rubbed at her temples. “How you roped in Astarion then I have no idea.”

I scoffed before punching at her arm. “Hateful.. I’m more than what my body can do.”

“Yes, yes you are. But tomorrow night I need you to be a slut.” She explained and I felt my face heat up at the thought.

“With a stranger? I don’t think I can do it.” I stuttered out.

“Come on, you can do this. We can practice.” She pauses. “Yes, practice. You need to get comfortable with the idea and figure out how to use your charm to your advantage.” Sanna stood up, her expression serious. “Seduction is as much about confidence as it is about appearance. You need to believe you can do it.”

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. “Alright, show me what to do.”

Sanna grinned, nodding approvingly. “That’s the spirit. First, let’s work on your posture and walk. You need to move with grace and confidence.”

We spent the next hour practicing different poses and walks, Sanna coaching me on how to carry myself with an air of allure. It felt strange at first, but as I repeated the movements, I started to feel a flicker of confidence.

“Good, now let’s work on your voice,” Sanna said. “When you speak, make your voice low and inviting. Draw them in with your words.”

I nodded, clearing my throat. “Like this?”

“Almost. Try to sound more... sultry,” she suggested. I practiced speaking in a lower, more seductive tone, and Sanna gave me pointers on how to improve. With each attempt, I felt a bit more comfortable, the initial awkwardness slowly fading away.

“Alright, now for the real test,” Sanna said, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Pretend I’m the wizard. How would you approach me?”

I hesitated for a moment before stepping closer to her, letting my hips sway slightly. “Hello there,” I said, my voice soft and inviting. “Care for a dance?”

Sanna smiled, nodding. “Much better. Remember, it’s all about confidence. If you believe in yourself, others will too.”

I took a deep breath, feeling a newfound sense of determination. “I can do this.”

“You can,” Sanna agreed. As we continued to practice, I felt my anxiety gradually transform into excitement. The masquerade ball was our chance to uncover Astarion’s plans and stop whatever he was plotting. And with Sanna by my side, I knew we could succeed.

The night of the ball arrived, and the manor was a flurry of activity. Servants rushed about, their footsteps echoing off the marble floors as they made last-minute preparations. The air was thick with the scent of fresh flowers and the anticipation of the evening’s festivities. I kept to myself, acting as if I didn’t even notice the difference in the energy, my heart pounding with each passing moment. It was about midday when Astarion finally showed up. I wore a simple satin nightgown and sat in one of the large armchairs with my feet tucked under me. The gown, a deep emerald green, contrasted sharply with the crimson upholstery of the chair, making me feel both exposed and hidden at the same time. I had read through half of the book that rested in my lap, but if you had asked me what it was about, I wouldn’t have been able to tell you. My thoughts were too scattered, too focused on the impending confrontation.

The door creaked open, and Astarion’s presence filled the room. He pulled my attention from my thoughts by gently pushing my face toward his with a few fingers pressed under my chin. His touch was cool, a stark contrast to the warmth of the fire crackling in the hearth. I blinked up at him, feigning my best doe eyes and cocking my head to the side.

“Forgive me, darling. I had urgent business and I had to leave.” He pressed his lips to the top of my head, the gesture both tender and possessive.

I tried to keep my anger at bay as I pouted. “You scared me...” I lied, letting my voice quiver slightly for effect.

His eyes softened, and he knelt down beside the chair, his fingers still lightly gripping my chin. “I’m truly sorry, my love. I never meant to cause you any distress.”

I studied his face, searching for any hint of deception. He seemed sincere, but I couldn’t forget the papers Sanna and I had found. I needed to play my part perfectly. “You’ve been gone for over a whole week,” I said, my voice trembling. “I didn’t know if you were coming back.”

He sighed, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “I know, and I hate that I had to leave you like that. But I promise, it was necessary.”

I leaned into his touch, feeling the warmth of his hand against my cheek. “Necessary for what? What could be so important that you had to leave without a word?”

He hesitated, a shadow passing over his face. “There are things you don’t understand, Cassara. Things I can’t explain right now.”

I pulled away slightly, just enough to show my frustration. “You always say that. But I need to know, Astarion. I can’t keep living in the dark.”

He stood up, a sigh escaping his lips. “Trust me, darling. Everything I do, I do for us.”

I nodded, biting my lip to keep the flood of questions and accusations at bay. “I do trust you,” I whispered, hating the lie but knowing it was necessary.

“Allow me to make up for it, yah?” Astarion closed the book that lay in my lap before pulling me from the chair.

I looked at him with confusion. “Make up for it how?”

“A surprise.” He smiled, his fangs flashing in the firelight.

Sanna didn’t tell me about a surprise, and I suddenly grew very nervous. I cared for him so much, dangerously so. But I didn’t trust him. He kept me in the dark, and I had grown to expect only the worst. And on top of all of that, his staff said I was his whore, and I could only imagine where they got that from. “Astarion, please. I’m hardly dressed for such a thing.” I argued, tugging my wrists from his grasp.

“You look lovely, like a dream.” He turned to grasp me once more. “When you see what it is, you will no longer care, I promise you.”

I sighed, knowing I was fighting a losing battle. Something in me wanted—no, needed—to bend to his will. It was second nature, like taking in a breath or blinking. I couldn’t stop it if I tried. So I allowed him to pull me through the back halls until we emerged in the back garden, one reserved for the lesser of his staff. Ones his guests would probably turn their noses up at—or he was trying to keep me away from the party. He truly believed I was so ignorant. My anger was almost bubbling over until I heard a familiar voice arguing over the hedges. When we rounded the corner, a small fountain caught my eye before the bright red hair of my best friend came into view. Sanna had her hand in hers and looked sad as Caty yelled at her. “What the hells is going on? You’ve known where Cassara was this whole time?” I could hear the tears in her trembling voice.

I broke from Astarion and ran to her, taking her into a hug. “Don’t be angry at her, please. She couldn’t say anything. I have been in danger.”

Caty’s eyes widened as she hugged me tightly. “Danger? What kind of danger, Cassara?”

I glanced back at Astarion, who watched us with a guarded expression. “It’s complicated,” I said softly. “But we’ll figure it out together.”

Astarion stepped forward, his voice smooth but commanding. “Ladies, I understand there’s a lot to discuss so allow me to leave you to it.” If I hadn’t known to look, I would have missed the knowing look he gave Sanna, but I kept my cool, knowing she’d fill me in when she could.

We all watched as he walked away, and I let out a frustrated groan. “I’m sorry. He sprung Caty on me at the last second. I didn’t think he’d go this far for a distraction.” Sanna tried to explain.

“Sanna,” I started, pointing toward her. “What did he tell everyone when I first came in? When he moved me into his room? Who did he tell everyone I was?”

Sanna’s ears drooped and her eyes went to the floor. “Cassara, I don’t—“

I turned my head toward her sharply, cutting her off. “Tell me... now,” I commanded.

“H-He said you were his whore,” she stuttered out, and Caty gasped.

My body tensed, the words hitting me like a physical blow. I felt Caty’s grip on my arm tighten, her own shock mirroring my own. The anger that simmered beneath the surface threatened to boil over, but I forced myself to remain composed. “He said I was his whore?” I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper. The humiliation and betrayal cut deep, but I couldn’t let it show. Not now.

Sanna nodded, her eyes still cast down. “I’m so sorry, Cassara. We all thought... well, he’s our master. We believed him.”

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. “It’s not your fault,” I said, though the words felt hollow. “He’s manipulated all of us.”

Caty’s eyes blazed with fury. “We need to get you out of here, Cassara. You don’t deserve this.”

I shook my head. “No, I’m staying. There’s more at stake here than just my pride.” I hesitated, not truly wanting to admit my feelings for the man who’s done nothing but lie to me since the moment we met. “Revenge. The person who did this to me will be taken out by me. No one else.”

Caty looked between Sanna and me with worry and confusion. “Did what? Who? Cassara, what happened to you?” She looked at me with wide eyes as if she was finally fully seeing me, taking in all the changes.

I sighed, feeling the weight of the past bearing down on me. I had no other choice but to sit by the fountain and tell my story. The ambient noise of the garden faded into the background as the gravity of what I was about to reveal settled over us. “It started in the forest,” I began, my voice trembling slightly. “I was ambushed. Lucian and his men—they took me by surprise. They dragged me away, far from any help, and locked me up in a dark, damp cell. Every day, I was subjected to unimaginable pain and suffering.”

Caty gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. “Cassara, I had no idea...”

“I know,” I said, swallowing hard. “Lucian enjoyed it. He took pleasure in breaking me down, in seeing me suffer. He used magic to inflict pain that went beyond the physical. My screams echoed in that place, and I thought I’d never escape. He used every method he could think of to break me—starvation, isolation, mental and physical torment. But I survived. I held on, waiting for a chance to escape, clinging to the hope that I’d be free one day.”

Sanna looked horrified, her eyes wide with shock and empathy. “How did you manage to hold on?”

I shrugged, my shoulders feeling heavy with the memory. “I focused on one thing: revenge. I promised myself that if I ever got out, I’d make Lucian pay for every single moment of agony he put me through.”

“And then Astarion found you?” Sanna asked, her voice soft with concern.

I nodded, a bitter smile curling my lips. “Yes, he did. He appeared like a savior, cutting down Lucian’s men and pulling me from that hell. He promised to protect me, to help me get my revenge. But it was all a lie. He has done nothing but use me for his own purposes, keeping me in the dark about his true intentions.”

Caty’s eyes filled with tears. “Why didn’t you tell us sooner? We could have helped you.”

"I couldn't," I whispered, my voice trembling. "I didn't know who to trust. Astarion has a way of making you believe in him, even when you know you shouldn’t. He’s... charming, manipulative. He made me feel safe, even though I knew deep down that something was wrong.”

The garden grew silent, the only sound being the gentle trickle of water from the fountain. I took a deep breath and continued, my resolve hardening. "No more crying. I have a job to do. If he wants me to be his whore, I’ll show him a whore. Give me the dress you had me try last night."

Sanna looked at me with concern. "You said not to bring that one, it was too—"

I cut her off again, my voice firm. "I know what I said, but I'm changing my mind. Let's go to your room and get ready."

As we made our way back to Sanna’s room, the tension was palpable. My heart raced with a mix of anger and determination. I knew I had to play my part perfectly if we were to succeed. Sanna helped me into the dress, her fingers deftly fastening the intricate buttons and laces. I stood before the mirror, taking in my reflection. The woman staring back at me was a stark contrast to the one I was just hours ago. The deep crimson dress clung to my curves, its fabric smooth and luxurious against my skin. The neckline plunged daringly, revealing just enough to tantalize without giving everything away. The slit up the side of the dress reached mid-thigh, offering glimpses of my leg as I moved. It was a bold choice, one that commanded attention and exuded power—exactly what I needed tonight. My hair, usually tied back or left in a simple style, now cascaded in loose waves around my shoulders. The soft curls framed my face, enhancing the smoky makeup Sanna had applied. My eyes looked larger and more intense, lined with dark kohl and shadowed with shades of deep plum and gold. My lips, painted a deep, sultry red, stood out against the paleness of my skin.

The transformation was startling. Gone was the frightened, uncertain girl who had been trapped in Astarion’s web of lies. In her place stood a woman determined to reclaim her power and get the answers she so desperately sought. The dress, the makeup, the hair—they were all part of the armor I needed to face the night ahead.

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the night’s mission settle on my shoulders.

"You look incredible," Sanna said, her voice a mix of admiration and concern. I turned to face her, nodding in acknowledgment. I could see the worry in her eyes but also the belief that I could pull this off. She had lit a blunt sometime while I was finishing up, and I watched as the smoke filled the room. I held my hand out for her to pass it. “I grew this myself, I don’t think you should—”

“Gods, Sanna. I grew up in a druid village. I’ve smoked grass before,” I snapped, and she handed it to me. I felt awful for being so mean, but I was stressed. I breathed in the smoke, allowing it to fill my lungs before blowing it out slowly. After a few more hits, I nodded, ready to go.

Caty stepped forward, her gaze sweeping over my transformed appearance. "Are you sure about this?" she asked, her voice tinged with both worry and determination.

"I have to be," I replied, my voice steady. "For all of us." I turned back to the mirror one last time, taking in every detail of my appearance.

The dress hugged my body in all the right places, accentuating my curves and giving me a sense of confidence I hadn’t felt in a long time. The makeup and hair added to the overall effect, transforming me into someone who could command a room and hold her own against anyone. With one final breath, I squared my shoulders and faced Sanna and Caty. "Let’s do this," I said, my voice filled with resolve.

Caty gave me a tight smile before handing me the mask she had been tinkering with. The mask was a work of art, intricately designed to both conceal and captivate. It was made of delicate black lace, with tiny shimmering beads woven throughout that caught the light with every movement. The lace formed elegant patterns that framed my eyes, drawing attention to the dramatic makeup Sanna had applied. Long, delicate feathers adorned the sides, adding a touch of mystique and elegance. When I fixed it onto my face, the transformation was complete. The mask added an air of mystery, allowing me to blend in while still standing out. After securing the mask, I turned to Caty, thanking her with a tight hug. "You did an amazing job," I whispered, pulling back to look into her eyes. "Thank you."

I turned to Sanna next, embracing her tightly. "Thank you for your help. This could get bad... get Caty far away from here." I could see the struggle behind her eyes, the conflict between wanting to stay and knowing the danger that lay ahead. After a few seconds, she nodded, the determination in her eyes mirroring my own.

“We’ll be ready,” Sanna assured me, her voice steady despite the gravity of the situation. “Just be careful, Cassara.”

I nodded, feeling a mix of gratitude and apprehension. "I will. And I promise, we’ll get through this."

With one last look at my friends, I steeled myself for the night ahead. The manor was bustling with activity, and I knew the masquerade ball would be in full swing soon. I had to slip in unnoticed, blend with the crowd, and find out exactly what Astarion was planning. I made my way through the back halls, my satin gown whispering against the floor with each step. The mask gave me a sense of anonymity, a shield to hide behind as I navigated the treacherous waters of the evening. As I neared the grand ballroom, the sound of music and laughter grew louder, the energy of the gathering palpable even from a distance. Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the room, the grandeur of the ball hitting me all at once. The grand ballroom was a breathtaking sight, a testament to opulence and extravagance. The room was vast, with high ceilings adorned with intricate frescoes depicting mythological scenes. Crystal chandeliers hung majestically, casting a warm, golden light that bathed the room in a soft glow. The walls were lined with tall, arched windows draped in luxurious velvet curtains, allowing glimpses of the moonlit gardens outside.

Guests in elaborate costumes and masks filled the room, their laughter and conversation creating a lively, almost enchanting atmosphere. The air was fragrant with the scent of fresh flowers, carefully arranged in towering vases that dotted the room. A string quartet played a melodic waltz from a raised platform, their music weaving through the conversations and adding to the magical ambiance. As I moved through the crowd, I noticed the variety of masks and costumes. Some guests wore elaborate, jeweled masks that covered their entire faces, while others opted for simpler, yet equally elegant, half-masks that highlighted their features. The costumes ranged from the classic and regal to the fantastical and whimsical, each one a reflection of the wearer’s personality and creativity. Tables covered in pristine white linens were scattered around the perimeter of the room, laden with an array of delectable foods. Silver platters held an assortment of hors d'oeuvres: delicate pastries filled with rich creams, savory tarts topped with fresh herbs, and colorful skewers of exotic fruits. The centerpieces were masterpieces in their own right, with arrangements of rare flowers and intricate ice sculptures that sparkled in the candlelight. Servers moved gracefully among the guests, offering trays of champagne flutes filled with bubbling golden liquid. The glasses caught the light, adding a touch of sparkle to the festivities. The guests, already animated and jovial, seemed to glow with excitement as they sipped their drinks and indulged in the evening’s offerings.

In one corner of the room, a group of performers entertained the guests with acrobatic feats and fire dancing. Their movements were fluid and mesmerizing, drawing a crowd of admirers who watched with rapt attention. The flickering flames from the fire dancers cast playful shadows on the walls, adding an element of danger and thrill to the otherwise elegant affair. Despite the lively atmosphere, there was an undercurrent of anticipation. It was clear that this was no ordinary masquerade ball. Whispers of secretive plans and hidden agendas floated through the air, mingling with the laughter and music. I could feel the weight of the night pressing down on me, a constant reminder of the mission at hand.

As I continued to weave through the crowd, I kept my eyes peeled for any sign of Astarion or his mysterious guest. The evening was a delicate dance of deception and intrigue, and I needed to stay sharp. The mask gave me a sense of security, allowing me to observe without being observed, but I knew that I had to be careful. One wrong move could unravel everything. The night was still young, and the secrets of the masquerade ball were waiting to be uncovered. I caught a glimpse of white hair climbing the grand staircase in the ballroom that led to a private balcony. Astarion. My eyes followed his ascent until he stopped beside another masked man. They both watched the party, their heads close together as they murmured to themselves. I cursed the loud music and chatter that drowned out their words, preventing me from eavesdropping.

Astarion looked striking, even from a distance. His white hair was tied back elegantly, contrasting sharply with his dark, tailored suit. The suit was a work of art, made from rich, velvet fabric that hugged his athletic frame perfectly. His mask, a delicate piece of black lace and silver filigree, covered the upper half of his face, highlighting his sharp cheekbones and intense crimson eyes. Despite the mask, his presence was unmistakable, commanding attention and exuding an aura of dark charisma. Beside him stood the strange guest, equally impressive in his appearance. His tall, broad-shouldered figure was draped in deep indigo robes embroidered with golden runes that shimmered under the ballroom's lighting. The mask he wore was a stark white, crafted from porcelain, with intricate gold leaf patterns framing his eyes and the bridge of his nose. His dark, wavy hair cascaded down to his shoulders, and even behind the mask, his piercing green eyes were recognizable, sharp with intelligence and intensity. The two men formed a striking pair, their contrasting appearances adding to the air of mystery that surrounded them. Astarion's predatory grace and the wizard’s imposing presence were captivating, drawing the eyes of many guests who speculated about their identities and purpose at the ball. I needed to get closer, to hear their conversation and figure out what they were planning. The crowd was dense, making it difficult to move swiftly without drawing attention. I carefully navigated through the throng of guests, avoiding servers and dancers as I made my way toward the staircase. My heart pounded with anticipation, the stakes of the evening weighing heavily on me. As I neared the base of the staircase, I paused, scanning the room for any signs that I was being watched. The guests were absorbed in their own revelries, their laughter and chatter creating a perfect cover for my movements. The air was thick with the scent of expensive perfumes and the sound of clinking glasses, creating an intoxicating, almost surreal atmosphere. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the next step. This was it—my chance to uncover Astarion's plans and stop whatever he was plotting.

But as I rounded the corner, I ran straight into the mysterious guest Astarion had been talking to. The collision was sudden and unexpected, and I cursed under my breath before quickly turning on my best charm. "I'm terribly sorry," I said, my voice laced with an apologetic sweetness. "I didn't see you there."

He studied me for a moment, his gaze intense and unyielding. "No harm done," he replied, his voice smooth but with an underlying edge. "Though it seems you were in quite a hurry."

I forced a smile, trying to maintain my composure. "Just eager to find my friends. It's such a large party, easy to get lost in the crowd."

He nodded, but there was a flicker of suspicion in his eyes. "Indeed. And who might you be, running so swiftly through this grand event?"

I hesitated for a split second, then gave a slight curtsy, playing the part of the demure guest. "My name is Cassandra," I lied, using a name close enough to my own to avoid any slip-ups. "I'm here with a few acquaintances, but it seems I've lost them in the excitement."

His lips curled into a faint, almost predatory smile. "Is that so? Well, Cassandra, perhaps I can assist you in finding your way. These events can be quite overwhelming for those unaccustomed to them."

I glanced around, searching for Astarion, but he was nowhere to be seen. "That's very kind of you," I said, trying to keep the conversation light. "But I'm sure I'll manage. Just a matter of retracing my steps."

He stepped closer, his presence imposing yet strangely comforting. "Nonsense. Allow me to accompany you. It would be a shame for someone as charming as yourself to wander alone."

The alarm bells in my head were ringing louder now, but I couldn't afford to let my fear show. "Thank you," I said, my voice steady. "I appreciate the offer."

As we began to walk, I tried to steer the conversation. "I couldn't help but notice you speaking with Astarion earlier. Are you old friends?"

He chuckled, a sound that sent chills down my spine. "In a manner of speaking. We've had dealings before. He mentioned he had a... special guest tonight. Perhaps that guest is you?"

I laughed softly, the sound forced but passable. "I'm afraid I'm not that special. Just another face in the crowd."

He tilted his head, studying me with an unsettling intensity. "I find that hard to believe." We continued to walk, my mind racing as I tried to figure out how to extract myself from this situation. The party around us seemed to blur, the music and laughter a distant hum compared to the immediate danger I felt. I needed to find a way to get over my nerves and remember what Sanna had taught me. Be seductive. Some grass, Sanna. Home grown into nothing.

“Say, I have a room just down the hall. We could...” I trailed off, letting my gaze wander to where his robes exposed his chest. The faint glint of interest in his eyes told me I was on the right track. And almost as if Sanna had heard me curse her bad grass, my head started to feel lighter—the drug starting to take effect. This might actually not be as hard as I thought.

I let my eyes linger on the exposed skin of his chest, my fingers lightly grazing the fabric of his robes. "I’ve always found these parties to be a bit... overwhelming. A quiet room might be a nice escape," I said, my voice low and inviting.

His gaze didn't waver, but I could see the flicker of curiosity mixed with something darker. "An interesting proposition," he replied, his tone still guarded but less dismissive.

I took a deep breath, trying to project confidence. "I promise, it will be worth your while," I purred, taking a step closer. The proximity allowed me to catch a whiff of his cologne, a mix of spices and something earthy. It was oddly comforting and a reminder of the mission at hand.

The drug in my system was making me feel more at ease, my movements more fluid and my mind sharper. I needed to keep him interested, to buy myself enough time to figure out what he and Astarion were planning. "You know," I continued, tracing a finger along the edge of his robe, "I’ve always found men with a sense of mystery... irresistible."

He raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by my boldness. "Is that so?" he murmured, his eyes flicking over my form.

I nodded, letting a small, playful smile curl my lips. "Absolutely. There's something thrilling about the unknown, wouldn't you agree?"

His eyes darkened, and I could see the shift in his demeanor. He was hooked. "Perhaps I do," he said softly, his gaze never leaving mine.

I felt a surge of triumph, but I kept it hidden beneath a demure smile. I took his hand, leading him toward the hallway I had mentioned earlier. My heart pounded in my chest, but I forced myself to remain calm and collected. Each step brought us closer to a secluded area, away from the prying eyes of the partygoers. I was playing a dangerous game, but I had to stay focused. This was my chance to learn more about Astarion's plans. As we walked, I stole glances at him. He moved with a confidence that spoke of power and control. His mask, intricately designed, only added to his enigmatic presence. His eyes, partially obscured by the mask, seemed to pierce right through me, making my skin prickle with unease and excitement. Once we reached the room, I opened the door and gestured for him to enter. "After you," I said with a flirtatious smile.

He stepped inside, and I followed, closing the door behind us. The room was dimly lit, creating an intimate atmosphere. I could feel the tension in the air, a mix of anticipation and danger. I turned to face him, my hand still lightly resting on his arm. "Now, where were we?" I asked, my voice soft and inviting.

He studied me for a moment, then smiled. "I believe we were about to explore the unknown," he replied, his tone matching mine.

I bit my lip, feigning hesitation. “Maybe,” I said. “But first, tell me about you. Astarion seemed very interested in your visit tonight. What brings you here?”

He chuckled softly, the sound sending shivers down my spine. “Curiosity, mostly. And perhaps a bit of... professional interest.”

I tilted my head, feigning innocence. “Professional interest?”

He reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair from my face. “Yes. You see, I’m always on the lookout for intriguing opportunities. And Astarion’s invitation suggested there might be something... special here tonight.”

My heart raced, but I kept my expression calm. “Special how?”

“A pretty little thing like you should hardly be interested...” he mumbled before scraping his teeth gently down my neck.

The usual sting of anger at being talked down to barely registered. I was too high, too wrapped up in the sensation of his teeth on my skin. It sent shivers down my spine, and damn, did it feel good. It was childish of me, but I wanted to do this for another reason now: to get Astarion’s attention. Or maybe, deep down, that’s what it had always been about. I wanted to be the one who could make him lose control, to force him to see me as more than just a pawn in his game. Fueled by my disorientation and the heady rush of the moment, I found myself reaching for the growing bulge in his trousers.

“My, my... sir, you are certainly excited. I don’t even know your name yet.” My voice was a low, teasing whisper as my fingers traced the outline of his arousal, lingering just enough to draw a reaction.

He let out a growl, his body tensing under my touch. His eyes darkened with a mix of lust and caution, as if he wasn’t sure whether to trust me or simply give in. “Gale... it’s Gale.”

I smiled up at him, my fingers continuing their teasing exploration. “Gale... what a lovely name,” I purred, my voice laced with the kind of sultry confidence I had never felt before tonight. I let my fingers dance along his waistline, slipping just beneath the fabric as I leaned in closer, my breath hot against his ear. “And what exactly are you here for tonight, Gale? What makes this masquerade so... special?”

He tensed, his hands tightening on my hips as if debating whether to pull me closer or push me away. The vulnerability in his hesitation made him even more enticing, and I couldn’t help but wonder what secrets he was hiding beneath that composed exterior. His fingers brushed against my skin, leaving a trail of heat in their wake.

“Something far too dangerous for a little thing like you,” he murmured, though his voice wavered ever so slightly. The barrier between us was thin, both of us teetering on the edge of something neither fully understood.

I let out a soft laugh, my fingers now tracing patterns on his chest. “Dangerous? I think I can handle a bit of danger, Gale. Besides, you seem to be enjoying yourself.” I pressed my body against his, feeling the heat of his skin through the fabric of our clothes.

Gale’s breath hitched, his resolve weakening as his hands roamed down my back, pulling me even closer. The tension between us crackled with unspoken desire and hidden agendas. My mind was a whirl of conflicting emotions—part of me was still yearning for Astarion’s attention, while another part of me wanted to unravel Gale’s mysteries, to make him lose himself in me the way I was beginning to lose myself in him.

“You really don’t know what you’re getting into,” he whispered, but the way his lips brushed against my neck told me he was more than willing to let me try.

“Maybe not,” I replied, my voice dripping with a mix of challenge and seduction. “But I’m willing to find out.”

Gale’s grip tightened, and in that moment, I knew I had him—if only for tonight. The question was, what would I do with him? The thought of using him to get closer to Astarion flitted through my mind, but as I looked into Gale’s eyes, I realized that tonight, the game was changing. This wasn’t just about Astarion anymore. It was about me, about seizing control in a world where I had always been a pawn. But as the thought solidified in my mind, a new question began to surface, one I hadn’t allowed myself to confront until now. Who was I? Who did I want to be?

In the heat of the moment, with Gale’s eyes dark with desire and my own heart racing,

I suddenly felt a shift within myself. It was almost as if I were stepping outside of my own body, seeing myself through his eyes—seeing the lengths I was willing to go to gain an upper hand. The power I had over him in that instant felt intoxicating, yet something about it left a bitter taste in my mouth. If I used this man, manipulated him for my own gain, did that make me just as bad as Astarion? Was I becoming the very thing I despised?

The realization hit me like a cold wave, dousing the flames of lust and ambition that had been fueling me. My fingers, which had been tracing seductive patterns along Gale’s chest, suddenly stilled. I backed away, drawing my hands away as if his touch burned me. The change in me must have been palpable because Gale’s expression shifted from one of desire to confusion. He looked at me, brows furrowed, his voice low and questioning. “What’s wrong?”

I met his gaze, my own emotions in turmoil. How could I explain this sudden clarity, this glimpse of the person I was on the verge of becoming? I had spent so long being manipulated, being used, that I hadn’t realized how easily I could slip into that same role—until now. “I... I can’t do this,” I whispered, my voice shaky as I tried to process the whirlwind of emotions churning within me.

His confusion deepened, his hands hovering near me as if unsure whether to reach out or let me go. “Why not? What changed?”

I searched his face, trying to find the right words. “I thought... I thought this was what I wanted,” I began, my voice wavering. “But I don’t want to become someone who uses people, who manipulates them the way I’ve been manipulated. I don’t want to lose myself in this... in whatever this is.” Gale’s expression softened, his confusion giving way to something else—understanding, perhaps, or at least empathy. He stepped closer, but this time, there was no lust in his movements, only concern.“I don’t know who I am anymore,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’ve been so lost, so desperate to survive that I haven’t stopped to think about who I want to be.”

For a moment, there was only silence between us, the noise of the party fading into a distant hum. Gale’s presence, solid and warm, was like an anchor, grounding me in a world that had felt like it was spiraling out of control. His hand moved with a gentle certainty, cupping my cheek as his thumb brushed away a tear I hadn’t even realized I’d shed. In that tender gesture, I could feel something stirring within me, a spark of hope that had long been dormant. Here was a man who had no reason to care, no hidden agenda, yet he was offering me comfort—something I had been starved of for so long. It was in that moment that a fragile faith in goodness began to take root within me, nourished by the sincerity in Gale’s eyes. For so long, I had been surrounded by manipulation and deceit, but here was someone who saw me, not as a pawn or a tool, but as a person.

Just as I started to believe that maybe, just maybe, I could start trusting again, the door to the room burst open with a violent crash. The heavy oak door slammed against the wall, the sound reverberating through the room like a gunshot. I flinched, instinctively stepping back from Gale, my heart pounding in my chest as my eyes darted to the source of the intrusion. Astarion stood in the doorway, his silhouette framed by the dim light from the hallway. His eyes were dark, smoldering with a barely contained fury as they locked onto Gale’s hand on my cheek. The anger radiating from him was palpable, filling the room with a suffocating tension. His usual composed demeanor was gone, replaced by something far more dangerous, something that made my blood run cold.

“What in the Hells is going on here?” Astarion’s voice was a low growl, each word laced with venom. He stepped into the room, his movements deliberate and predatory, like a cat stalking its prey. His gaze flicked from Gale to me, his eyes narrowing as he took in the scene before him. The tenderness between Gale and me had clearly struck a nerve, and now, the storm I had feared was upon us.

Gale, to his credit, didn’t flinch under Astarion’s wrathful gaze. He lowered his hand from my face, his expression calm but guarded. “We were just talking,” he said evenly, though his body was tense, ready for whatever might come next.

Astarion’s lips curled into a sneer, his fangs glinting in the firelight. “Talking?” He echoed, his tone dripping with disbelief. “Is that what you call it?”

My heart raced as I took a hesitant step forward, trying to defuse the situation before it could escalate further. “Astarion, please—”

He cut me off with a sharp look, his eyes blazing. “You think I’m a fool, Cassara?” His voice was low, dangerous. “I leave you for a moment, and you’re already throwing yourself at another man?”

The accusation stung, but more than that, it terrified me. I could see the jealousy burning in his eyes, a dark, possessive fire that threatened to consume everything in its path. This wasn’t just about Gale; this was about control, about the power Astarion believed he had over me. Gale, sensing the gravity of the situation, stepped forward, placing himself between Astarion and me. “She wasn’t throwing herself at anyone,” he said, his voice firm.

Astarion’s eyes flashed, and in an instant, he was in front of Gale, their faces inches apart. “And who do you think you are to speak for her?” His voice was a deadly whisper, and I could feel the tension between them like a live wire, ready to snap at any moment.

I knew I had to intervene before things spiraled out of control. Summoning every ounce of courage I had left, I stepped between them, placing a hand on Astarion’s chest. “Stop,” I said, my voice trembling but determined. “This isn’t what it looks like.”

Astarion’s gaze softened as he looked down at me, his anger momentarily tempered by something else—confusion, perhaps, or hurt. For a brief second, I thought I saw a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes, something almost human beneath the facade he wore so well. “Then what is it, Cassara? What is going on?” His voice was quieter now, as if he genuinely wanted to understand.

I searched his face, desperately trying to find the right words, knowing that whatever I said next could either calm the storm brewing between us or unleash its full fury. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat a reminder of how high the stakes had become. “I finally got fed up with being lied to, Astarion,” I began, my voice trembling with a mix of anger and pain. “So I took things into my own hands. I know what you and Gale are planning, and this spell will not happen tonight.”

The moment the words left my mouth, I saw the shift in his expression. The softness vanished, replaced by a cold, cutting anger that sent a shiver down my spine. His jaw tightened, and his eyes darkened as if a mask had been ripped away, revealing the true depths of his fury. “You stupid, foolish girl,” he spat, his voice laced with venom. “You would ruin everything we’ve worked for—everything I’ve worked for—for what?”

“For my revenge!” I screamed back, my own anger finally boiling over. My voice echoed off the stone walls, carrying with it all the pain and frustration that had been building inside me for so long. “You will not take this kill away from me! You have no right to take away the vengeance that is mine!”

Astarion’s eyes flared with rage, and for a moment, I thought he might lash out, his hand twitching as if resisting the urge to strike. But then he stilled, his gaze boring into mine, the intensity of his emotions threatening to drown me. “This is bigger than your petty revenge, Cassara,” he hissed, his voice low and dangerous. “This is about power, about survival. If you derail this plan, you doom us all.”

“And what about me?” I countered, stepping closer to him, my hands clenched into fists at my sides. “What about what I’ve suffered? What about the blood on my hands? I have a right to justice, Astarion. I have a right to end this on my terms, not yours. If you have even an ounce of care in your heart for me, you’ll let me do this. You’ll stop this madness and let me have what is rightfully mine.”

For a heartbeat, the tension between us was so thick it was almost suffocating. Astarion stared at me, his chest rising and falling with the effort to control his emotions. The anger, the hurt, the betrayal—all of it was written across his face, a storm of emotions that I could see but not fully understand. And yet, beneath it all, I caught a glimpse of something else—something almost like fear.

“You don’t understand,” he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper. There was a tremor in his words, a crack in the icy facade he wore. “If this spell fails, it’s not just your revenge that will be lost. We’ll all be lost. You, me, everyone.”

I shook my head, refusing to be swayed by his words, even as they tugged at the part of me that still cared for him. “Then let us be lost, Astarion. But I will not let you take from me the one thing that has kept me alive all this time. I will not let you steal my vengeance.”

The silence that followed was deafening. Astarion’s eyes searched mine, desperate and unyielding, seeking something—understanding, perhaps, or maybe a sign that I was bluffing. But I wasn’t. I had made my choice, and there was no going back. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat echoing the finality of my decision. For a moment, the tension was so thick I could scarcely breathe, the weight of unspoken words and lingering emotions pressing down on both of us. If it weren’t for the fact that Astarion dismissed Gale with a single, almost imperceptible nod, I might have completely forgotten he was still in the room. The way Gale hesitated, glancing between us as if debating whether to intervene, told me that he sensed the gravity of what was unfolding. But with a small, apologetic smile—one that did little to hide his own frustration—Gale turned and left, leaving Astarion and me alone in the charged silence. As soon as the door clicked shut behind Gale, Astarion’s demeanor shifted. In the blink of an eye, the back room disappeared, and I found myself back in our bedroom, the transition so sudden that I barely had time to process it. The familiar surroundings were disorienting; the warm glow of the fire, the plush furnishings, all of it felt wrong, out of place given the storm of emotions that swirled between us.

Astarion was a blur of motion, his vampiric speed leaving me breathless as he pulled me across the room and pushed me against the wall. His grip on my shoulders was firm, not painful but enough to convey the desperation that now radiated from him in waves. His eyes bore into mine, a mix of anger, confusion, and something far deeper, something that made my heart ache in a way I didn’t want to acknowledge. “Our conversation is far from over,” he hissed, his voice low and dangerous, yet tinged with a vulnerability that surprised me. “You think you can just walk away from this? From me? From everything we’ve built together?”

“I’m not walking away,” I shot back, meeting his intensity with my own. “I’m taking control. For once in my life, I’m making a choice that’s mine and mine alone.”

His grip tightened, and for a moment, I thought he might lose control, might let the anger and fear consume him. But then he released me, stepping back as if the very act of touching me had burned him. He ran a hand through his hair, his expression conflicted, torn between the man I knew and the monster he feared becoming. “This isn’t just about control, Cassara,” he said, his voice quieter now, more pleading than demanding. “This is about survival. If you derail this plan, you doom us both—doom everyone we care about. You don’t understand the consequences.”

“I understand more than you think,” I replied, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. “This isn’t just about revenge, Astarion. It’s about reclaiming my life, my dignity. I refuse to be a pawn in your games any longer. I refuse to let you use me, manipulate me, like some mindless puppet.”

His eyes flashed with pain, and I knew my words had struck a nerve. “Is that really what you think of me?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. “That I’ve been using you? Manipulating you?”

“What else am I supposed to think?” I challenged, the bitterness in my tone undeniable. “You keep me in the dark, you lie to me, and now you’re trying to take away the one thing that’s kept me going. How am I supposed to trust you?”

Astarion’s expression crumbled, the mask he wore so effortlessly falling away to reveal the raw vulnerability beneath. “I never wanted this for you,” he said, his voice trembling with emotion. “I never wanted you to feel like this.”

“Then why do it?” I demanded, my voice breaking. “Why push me away? Why keep me at arm’s length?”

“Because I’m afraid!” The admission tore out of him, his voice cracking with the force of it. “I’m afraid of losing you, of failing you, of watching everything I’ve tried to protect you from destroy you. You think you’re the only one who’s suffered? You think you’re the only one with demons?”

The vulnerability in his words hit me like a punch to the gut, knocking the wind out of me. I stared at him, my anger wavering in the face of his raw honesty. For the first time, I saw past the facade, past the carefully constructed walls he had built around himself, and glimpsed the man beneath—the man who had fought so hard to survive, who had done terrible things, yes, but who had also cared for me in his own twisted way. “Astarion..” I began, my voice softening, but he cut me off, shaking his head as if trying to ward off the emotions that threatened to overwhelm him.

“No,” he said, his voice firmer now, though the pain in his eyes was unmistakable. “Don’t try to make this about me. This is about you, about what you want. So tell me, Cassara—what do you want? What do you really want?”

The question hung in the air between us, heavy with the weight of everything left unsaid. I opened my mouth to answer, but the words caught in my throat, tangled with the fear and uncertainty that still gripped my heart.

What did I want?

I wanted revenge, yes, but more than that—I wanted to feel whole again. I wanted to reclaim the parts of myself that had been taken, to find some semblance of peace in a world that had done nothing but take from me. But I also wanted him. Despite everything, despite the lies and the betrayal, I wanted Astarion, the man I had fallen for even when I knew I shouldn’t.

But could I have both? Could I really walk this path and still hold onto the part of me that loved him?

“I don’t know,” I admitted finally, my voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t know what I want anymore.”

Astarion’s expression softened, and he took a hesitant step toward me, his hand reaching out as if to touch me but stopping just short. “Then let me help you,” he said, his voice tender, almost pleading. “Let me help you figure it out. We can do this together, Cassara. But you have to trust me.”

I looked into his eyes, searching for the truth in his words, and for the first time, I saw a glimmer of hope—a fragile, tentative hope that maybe, just maybe, we could find a way through this. But it would require something I wasn’t sure I could give: trust. Trust in a man who had lied to me, who had manipulated me, who had kept me in the dark.

Could I trust him? Could I trust myself to make the right choice?

I swallowed hard, my mind racing as I weighed my options, knowing that whatever I decided would change everything. And in that moment, I realized that the choice wasn’t just about Astarion or revenge or even survival. It was about me. About who I was, who I wanted to be, and whether I was willing to risk everything for the chance to take control of my own destiny. “I want to trust you,” I said finally, my voice trembling with the weight of the decision. “But I need to know that you’re being honest with me. No more lies, no more secrets. If we’re going to do this together, then I need to know that you’re with me, really with me.”

Astarion’s gaze met mine, and for a long moment, he said nothing, the silence between us filled with unspoken promises and fragile hopes. And then, slowly, he nodded, his expression one of solemn determination. “I’m with you, Cassara,” he said, his voice steady and sure. “Look, I had a plan. A nice, simple plan when you caught my eye through that tavern window - seduce you, sleep with you, manipulate your feelings so you'd never turn on me. It was easy - instinctive. Habits from two hundred years of charming people kicked in. All you had to do was fall for it. And all I had to do was not fall for you...which is where my nice, simple plan fell apart. You - .. you’re incredible. You deserve something real. I want us to be something real. No more lies. No more secrets. Whatever happens next, we face it together.“

I nodded, feeling a tentative sense of relief wash over me, but it was tempered by the knowledge of what lay ahead. This wasn’t the end of the battle—far from it. But it was a start, a step toward something better, something more than the endless cycle of pain and betrayal that had defined my life for so long. And as Astarion reached out to take my hand, his grip warm and reassuring, I allowed myself to hope that maybe, just maybe, we could find a way to save each other.

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donottouchredbutton · 1 year ago

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having thoughts about durge’s confrontation with orin in the temple of bhaal when she shapeshifts into durge and the implications it has on when orin replaced them.

like???? i wasn’t expecting her to shift to look like durge but when she did i couldn’t help but think did she do that to gortash before he learned that durge was gone?? i’ve seen a lot of people talking about how orin probably posed as gortash with durge, but what if it was the other way around? what if when orin was actively getting rid of durge, she would pose as them around gortash so as to not arouse suspicion about what was going on? make it seem like durge was beginning to pull back from the whole thing to open up the position for orin, when in reality it was just her tricking gortash into believing the person he was closest to was pulling away from him while they were being infected.

like thinking about it from both sides, both gortash and durge probably had some very vulnerable moments with orin thinking they were with the other that she directly used against them to get where she wanted to be - replacing bhaal’s chosen and being one of the leaders of the absolute, one step closer to total power.

in my playthrough too, orin was posing as the one dryad at the circus who you can talk to about your “love match” (i don’t remember what her name was), and i thought it was really interesting to see what means she’s willing to go to to get information. i’m romancing astarion, and when you get the scene with the dryad, you can choose multiple options that are “correct,” but he will disapprove for certain ones because they are much more intimate knowledge than the other ones so depending on what you choose, once orin reveals herself you can be like “oh fuck i just told the chosen if bhaal my partner’s deepest darkest secrets and she can use that against us.” not that it ever really comes into play, BUT THINK ABOUT IT. she surely would’ve done the same thing with gortash and durge

#i have no idea what this is but i have a lot of thoughts ok #i’m very normal about them #baldurs gate 3 #baldurs gate 3 spoilers #baldurs gate 3 durge #baldurs gate 3 dark urge #gortash x durge #gortash x dark urge #baldurs gate 3 orin #baldurs gate gortash #idk if anyone has talked about this before but they might’ve lol #dark urge x gortash #idk how to tag #bg3 gortash #bg3 durge #bg3 dark urge

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swordmaid · 2 months ago

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big thoughts about hag romance in their fwb stage and not actually kissing much since shri’iia doesn’t know how to ask for affection outside of sex (since she didn’t know it was something u could do) and I like the idea of astarion keeping her at arms length in terms of Feelings so he doesn’t fuck his plan over (which he eventually does anyway). like from the outside pov their relationship is purely physical, and they hardly do any loving gestures outside of sex and in the small chances they do, it’s astarion’s overtly grand gestures to seduce her and make her fall for him. like now I’m thinking about the possibility that the only time they’ve kissed is in the act 1 scene in the forest, but when they did I imagine shri’iia looks so alarmed bc she wasn’t expecting it, and if he tries to kiss her again she would avoid it and she would just tell him to stop wasting time, which adds to his general discomfort then the -> holding himself back line. I think the second time they sleep together he doesn’t try to kiss her on the lips at all, which they’re both content with since she doesn’t know what to do with all of That and this is just Physical for him anyway, no feelings involved.

but I think when they started hanging out more and they’re going closer, I think the sex becomes more intimate and he’ll kiss her again - and she will not look so alarmed anymore but she does look more vulnerable, and he’ll kiss her again and again. and I like the idea that there’s instances where he thinks about kissing her outside of the sex -like in a scenario where she lets him feed on her arm and so he thinks about kissing her as a thank you, or she has a particular cheeky look on her face and he thinks about kissing her then - but he doesn’t, bc this is just physical btwww he can’t be stupid and get feelings involved 🫵🫵 (he does anyway).

and after the act 2 lock in I like the idea that they’re experimenting w this new relationship, and actually doing more intimate gestures w each other but then they’re absurdly shy about it. like astarion could hold her hand and she’ll freeze for like 3 seconds then be like ? anyway, as if nothing happened. the first time shri’iia pulls him down to kiss him they end up banging their teeth together bc she does it so quickly and abrupt and he’s like ??? what the hells are u doing but she can’t say she was trying to kiss him (she’s too flustered) so she’ll just mutter something then walk away. but when they finally get together like after the act 3 graveyard scene and all the feelings are reassured and etc. I think they’re the type to do sm pda that everyone is just like omfg I thought this was a classy party

#I hav like this mini comic of shri’iia getting flustered over the hand holding LMFAO that’s def one of the things #I want to finish. like something abt the great virtuous self assured paladin getting so disarmed at a small gesture bc she’s such a loser 🤭#but sm thoughts abt the hag romance dynamic and their fwb relationship #n I like the idea that’s why he was hesitant to confess in act 2 bc he doesn’t want to ruin what they have #since he thinks it’s Just Physical. nothing else. but then he’s catching feels and he wants it to be more but he’s unsure if that’s what #she wants too. like in my playthrough I do the yurgir fight near the end of act 2 so it’s like a slow burn to me #n throughout that he’s fighting for he’s life catching feelings lmfao #his* autocorrect stop ruining my life

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its-jaytothemee · 10 months ago

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Until I Met You - Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Onward

Pairings: Halsin x Tav

Word count: 4,521

Rating: Currently M, will be Explicit in later chapters.

Read on AO3

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Summary: A slow burn Tav and Halsin romance fic about their relationship forming between the major events of Baldur's Gate 3, and probably a little bit after too. Explores Tav's friendships with all the other companions, but mainly Karlach. Lots of longing and fluff, including plenty of soft Halsin moments.

Tags: Slow burn, hurt/comfort, love confessions, eventual smut, light angst, implied past rape/non-con, description of injuries.

A/N: I took my BG3 party into the Underdark at too low of a level and paid the price. But what is an almost TPK but a good excuse for hurt/comfort in the fic? Karlach also tries very hard to be a good wingwoman.

Tav awoke the next morning to a warm, wet feeling sliding over her face. Scratch was looming over her, licking her cheeks. She sputtered a bit and gently pushed him away.

“Good morning, buddy. Yes, yes, your breath is the perfect hangover cure.” Tav felt her head reeling from last night’s activities. She nudged Karlach awake using one of the empty bottles, there were more surrounding them than she remembered.

Stretching her arms and legs was more difficult than expected, her stomach lurched at the movement.

“Oh Gods…I’m too old for this.” She leaned over with her hands on her knees to steady herself.

“Me too, soldier. Me too.” Karlach had only made it up to one knee. Half of her hair was tangled around her undamaged horn.

“I see you two got your beauty sleep.” Astarion’s voice sounded behind them.

“Ugh…not so loud.” Tav waved her hand at him. She was trying to shake the sand from her hair.

“Run a comb through that hair, darling. Halsin wants to speak with you.” He winked at her as he turned to walk back to camp.

She splashed some cold water on her face, taking a cupped handful and dumping it on Karlach as well. Her hair was a disaster, so she just tied it back out of her face. The tieflings had already cleared from their camp, no doubt they were anxious to get on the road to Baldur’s Gate.

“Good morning, I trust you enjoyed your evening?” Halsin called out to her.

“What gave it away?” Her eyes were still adjusting to the morning light. He snorted in response.

“There are worse ways to wake up than next to a friend with matching hangovers.” His eyes shifted over to Karlach, who was laying on the ground again. Tav couldn’t help but smile affectionately.

“Regardless, it was well deserved after all your efforts. It may be some time before you’re afforded another such night. There is much to be done, and I promised I would help you however I could.”

Tav nodded along as he spoke, working to push the fog from her mind.

“I’m certain a cure can be found for you at Moonrise Towers, but it’s…complicated. The journey specifically is particularly perilous.”

Tav sucked in a sharp breath and bit her lip. She still wasn’t certain that they should be going to Moonrise. Halsin heard her and shifted his gaze to the ground.

“Halsin, how sure are you that we have to go to Moonrise?” She asked. Her voice was small, quiet, and not just because of the incessant pounding in her head.

“I am certain. In the goblin camp, I heard the destination mentioned constantly.”

“Fuck.” She grumbled.

“What’s wrong with Moonrise?” Karlach had finally gotten up and joined them.

Tav and Halsin shared a knowing look, she nodded to him to take the lead.

“To get to Moonrise Towers, we must pass through a terrible place – a cursed place.” Halsin turned to address the rest of the camp. “The curse shrouds the entire land in shadow. Nature cannot thrive here, there is no life, no light.” He spared another glance toward Tav, but she couldn’t meet it.

She squeezed her eyes shut, convincing herself to keep tears from forming in her eyes. Desperately trying to keep the memory of her brief time at Moonrise out of her mind. It had been a century, yet the pain still plagued her.

“Any beings who linger are twisted by the shadow curse into tormented, dangerous souls.” Halsin’s voice was quiet, and she could feel his eyes on her.

“How have the Absolute’s forces been able to tolerate it?” Tav spoke up again, still looking at the ground.

“I’m not sure, but we will have to plan our approach carefully. There are two routes of which I am aware. The mountain pass, quicker at first but we cannot avoid the shadow curse entirely.” He took a deep breath. “You could also go under. I have heard of a secret passage in the secret temple of Selûne. Supposedly, it contains a passage through the Underdark to Moonrise.” So, her hunch was right, there was a pass through the Underdark.

“That’s why you went with Aradin, isn’t it? You hoped their search for the Nightsong would lead you to the passage.” Tav guessed.

“Precisely. But in my eagerness, I put far too much faith in Aradin and his band. We didn’t even get close.” Halsin sounded ashamed.

“We found the entrance to the secret temple of Selûne. We should be able to pick up the trail from there.” Tav took a deep breath, finally accepting that one way or another, she would be going back to Moonrise.

“Already? If only I had met you before Aradin.” He let out an impressed laugh. Tav tried to return a smile, but the shadow curse now weighed heavily on her mind.

“We will work our way to the Underdark as soon as we pack up camp here.” Tav decided.

“Thank you all, for allowing me to join your camp. I will offer my skills and counsel whenever possible. I have long awaited a chance to return to Moonrise.” He paused and looked Tav in the eyes. “It seems our fates are aligned.”

***

Halsin stood awkwardly in the center of camp as his new companions dispersed around him. This newfound freedom was refreshing, he was able to enjoy nature outside of the confines of the Emerald Grove. Still, he was unsure of how he would fit in with this group. The last time he set out with a strange group of adventurers, he ended up locked away and tortured for days.

To be fair, this group was far different than Aradin’s band of mercenaries. Aradin was a harsh, selfish leader. Halsin wasn’t even sure if he could call him a leader with the way he treated his followers. He saw how easily he abandoned those who had joined him on his quest. Aradin had left the injured behind as he ran away. The one night he spent in a camp with the group was enough to drive him to near madness.

But with these unlikely companions, he could already feel a difference. He already witnessed their ability to fight, as well as their ability to watch out for one another. They had laughed and mingled with the refugees that had been in their camp, inviting them to share their campfire. Even now, they worked together to clean up their belongings. Tav moved between everyone, checking in on them and helping roll the large pieces of canvas and taking stock of their supplies. He found himself smiling as he watched her, feeling another pull in his chest. Her advances from the night before were still fresh in his mind, stirring him to his core.

No, you must stay focused. You’re so close now.

The feeling of a wet tongue on his hands startled him out of his fantasy. The shaggy white dog he had seen prowling the camp had wandered over to his side. Halsin knelt down to pet him.

“Hello, you’re quite the handsome creature.” He said, scratching his ears.

“Hello, new friend. Mistress says you’ll be joining us now. I’m called Scratch.” The dog’s tail was wagging furiously.

“I suppose I am.” He couldn’t help but smile around dogs, they were such happy and loyal animals. Scratch sniffed around him quickly, his ears perking up a little bit.

“You have a different scent to you. Not bad, but different.” He sat back down, and his head cocked slightly to the side.

“Such a good nose. I spend time around all different sorts of animals, nothing to be worried about.” Halsin assured him, Scratch seemed content with his answer.

“You’re lucky to join us. The nice people rescued me after my last Master was killed. The Master with the pointy ears says I’m the most handsome one in camp.” Scratch looked over towards Astarion.

“Well, I think he might be right.” Halsin gave him one more pat on the head before standing up.

“Keep well, friend. I’m going to see if Mistress will bring back my friend to play for a while.”

Scratch trotted off to the bushes to grab something before going up to Tav. Her face lit up and she knelt to rub his ears. He could just barely make out their conversation.

“Could I play with sister? I found a toy.” His tail was wagging faster and faster, he dropped a small red ball at her feet.

“Sure, I’ll call her forward.” Tav let out a loud whistle and her wolf companion, Lunari, appeared by her side. She immediately knelt into a playful bow when she saw Scratch. Tav picked up the ball and tossed it into the bushes, causing both canines to sprint after it. Tav and the wizard, Gale, laughed as they watched the two of them playing. He found himself smiling along with them.

Yes, this group is much different than the last.

“Hey, bear man!” Karlach’s voice called from behind him. “I could use another set of tall limbs to take this stuff down.”

“Happy to help.” He grabbed the canvas at the top of her tent and tugged, bringing the whole thing down to the ground.

“Thanks! It’s nice to have someone else with some reach around here.” She beamed at him.

He helped her fold up the fabric and gather some of the various items lying around.

“So, Karlach, you and Tav seem to be close friends. How long have you known each other?”

“Tav and I? Oh, we just met about 4 days ago. Helped save me from some assassins Zariel sent after me. But yeah, I suppose we are good mates now.”

“Only 4 days? I would have thought you two grew up together from the way you spoke.” Halsin chuckled.

“What can I say? You may not believe me after her crazy stuttering yesterday, but she’s incredibly easy to talk to.” Karlach was stuffing a small toy bear into her pack as she spoke.

He spared a glance at Tav who was currently vomiting into the bushes.

“Even if she can’t handle her wine.” Karlach laughed. “Thanks for the help, want me to help you get your things together?”

“That won’t be necessary. I don’t really have any things. I brought a pack with some medical supplies and a couple of notebooks, but that’s about it.” He patted the bag slung around his back.

“What about your tent? Or a bedroll? I don’t think we have any extras.” Karlach looked around her, perhaps hoping that one would have magically appeared.

“You’re very kind to worry about me, but I don’t need such amenities. I’m happy to be resting under the stars and amidst the Oakfather’s creations.” He sighed happily at the thought. Karlach had a big grin on her face suddenly.

“Well, if you change your mind, I’m sure there’s someone here who would let you share. You know…in case you get cold. Or lonely.” Karlach was still grinning, and he caught the very quick change in her gaze as it momentarily shifted to Tav. He couldn’t help but laugh at her matchmaking attempt.

Good mates indeed. If only you knew, Karlach.

“I’ll be sure to keep that in mind, thank you. If you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll see if I can’t get our leader feeling a bit better before we head out.” He stood up with a grunt, leaving Karlach with a proud grin on her face.

Halsin made his way over to Tav, who was finally standing up straight.

“I uh…I’m thinking year 207 is officially the year you’re too old to drink all night.” Tav wiped her mouth on the back of her hand.

“207? Please, wait until you get to be my age. You’ll barely want to look at a bottle.” Halsin teased. “Come here, my friend. Let me get you back on your feet.”

“No, don’t waste any healing on me right now, I’ll manage.” She waved her hand in front of her face, causing her skin to take on a bit of a sickly, green tint.

“I insist. I’m sure there will still be plenty to go around after helping you. Besides, I noticed some burns on your hands that will make moving all this equipment difficult.”

She looked down at her palms, apparently trying to figure out where they came from. Finally, a look of realization popped up on her face.

“Oh right…I accidentally touched Karlach a couple of times.” She remembered.

“May I?” He reached out to her, and she nodded in response.

He gingerly held her hands in his outstretched palm. His other hand covered the burns. The small blisters slowly faded away as he murmured the simple incantation, the words coming as easily to him as his own name. Even after all these years, he still hadn’t tired of the feeling of healing another living soul. The way their aching muscles or splitting skin would relax under his hands, the look of joy and relief on their faces as the pain vanished.

The familiar feeling came over him tenfold as Tav smiled up at him, causing his knees to buckle slightly. Her skin was returning to its normal color, and the blisters on her palms had transformed back to her smooth skin. He kept his eyes fixed on her hands resting in his. Letting out a shaky breath at the sight, he thought of how badly he wanted to keep holding them there.

“Halsin? Are you alright?” Tav spoke softly, her brow furrowed as she looked up at him.

“Y-yes. Quite alright.” He let his hands drop from hers.

“Thank you…I feel much better. Once again, not making a great impression I fear.” She chuckled nervously.

“What makes you say that?” Halsin tried to meet her gaze, but she looked off towards the trees.

“Well, it’s not exactly a great quality in an ally to start the first day of an important journey hungover as all fuck. Not to mention, I can’t help but feel I perhaps came on a little too strong last night. I got a bit caught up in the moment and…I’m sorry if I put you in an awkward position.” The now familiar blush returned to her face.

“Cast those regrets aside, you were celebrating a great deed with your friends. And there are few things too strong for me. You did not get caught up in the moment you seized it.” She seemed to relax a little at his response, which is why he surprised himself with the next words that came out of his mouth.

“Under different circumstances, I would have done the same.”

Her head snapped forward again at his words, one eyebrow raised.

First day out of your Archdruid position and you lose all your self-control? Oh Tav, please let it drop this time.

“Well, I’m glad I didn’t leave a bad impression, then.” She said slowly, trying to conceal a smile.

“I’ll help get some of these tents packed up. Can’t have anyone thinking I don’t pull my weight around here.” He gave a small nod before turning to walk away, desperate to conceal the blush he felt coming over his face.

***

Tav kept her eyes on Halsin as he walked across the small camp. She felt even more confused about him now. After their other conversations though, she didn’t want to push the subject any further. She was certain that she had made her thoughts known over the last two days, if he felt anything as well, he would say so when he was ready. He was already proving to be a kind and valuable addition to their group, she would hate to push him away.

Under different circumstances, I would have done the same.

The words played over again in her mind. There was a sadness to the words that she couldn’t quite place. She thought back to their brief discussion of Moonrise when they first met, he said they could perhaps see the light again there. Something told her his eagerness to join their adventure wasn’t just to deal with the Absolute. Any living soul who has witnessed the shadow curse was likely forever changed by it and by the way Halsin spoke, she guessed that he was there when it was unleashed.

A high-pitched squeal pulled her from her thoughts. Karlach had bounded over next to her.

“That looked like it went well!” Karlach was dancing in place, eager to hear what Tav had to say.

“You’re being weird.” Tav smiled as she walked to her tent to finish packing.

“Come on, tell me!” Karlach begged.

Tav recounted her conversation with Halsin, leaving out her observations surrounding the shadow curse.

“Oh, he likes you mate. Just you wait, you’re gonna ride that bear before we make it to Moonrise.”

“KARLACH!” Tav half yelled, half laughed.

“What? Excuse me for rooting for you to get some action. I have to experience it through someone since I can’t touch anything without singeing it to bits.”

“If you’re going to stand here teasing me, at least make yourself useful.” Tav rolled her eyes and threw her bedroll at the large tiefling.

“Taaaaaaaavvvvvvv!” Astarion’s voice called from across camp.

“Actually, you know what, why don’t you go help Astarion with his instead. Otherwise, we’ll never get on the road.” She joked. As Karlach jogged over to his tent, Tav let her eyes wander back to Halsin, playing their conversation over again as she packed up her things.

Since they had ventured there already, the trip back to the temple was an easy one. They had left a magical sigil in the underground temple, allowing them to travel there easily with a simple incantation from Gale. A second later, they were all teleported to the Underdark, taking a moment to allow their eyes to adjust to the darkness. The musty smell around them was a sharp contrast to the air above ground. Although, she had to admit there was a strange beauty to her surroundings. The glowing crystals and mushrooms bathed everything in soft, colorful lights.

“First time in the Underdark?” Halsin asked, setting some of their packs on the ground.

“Yes. I didn’t expect it to be so…enchanting.” She looked through the bars of the temple that overlooked a large section of land.

“Yes, an entirely different world and an incredible feat of nature. But it is as enchanting as it is dangerous. Do be careful as you explore, there are many hidden threats.” He warned.

“Okay then, we should probably scout ahead a bit before we decide where to make a camp. Who wants to come with?” She asked.

“I’d like to explore this area a bit more. I’ve always been somewhat fascinated with the Underdark’s ecosystem.” Gale piped up from the back of the group.

“I’ll join as well. I’m awfully used to prowling in the dark after all.” Astarion was strapping a couple of daggers to his belt.

“Anything to get me out of this heinous temple.” Shadowheart was visibly disgusted by the building around them.

“Great, grab your shit and let’s get moving.” Tav called, checking her supply of arrows. Lunari padded up beside her, ready to accompany them.

***

All in all, the four of them were probably only gone for two hours before they came limping back to the temple. Astarion had Gale’s arm around his shoulders on one side, helping him walk. On the other side one of Tav’s arms was draped around his shoulder and neck. Shadowheart had the other and they were dragging Tav back in, unconscious, one of her legs a torn, bloody mess. Lunari trotted alongside them, whining and headbutting her. Halsin ran to the iron doors at the entrance of the temple.

“You guys weren’t gone long. Everything o –” Karlach started to call out but let out a loud gasp when she saw Tav. “Fucking hells! What happened?”

“Everything happened. Think of a creature and we probably found one and fought it off.” Shadowheart snapped back.

“Why didn’t you heal them?” Karlach asked, pacing nervously.

“I did! This is what’s still left over, I could barely keep her alive. I’m tapped out.” Shadowheart was breathing heavily.

Gale let go of Astarion and limped over to a bench. A large cut ran down his right temple. Halsin quickly looked over the four of them, out of all the injuries Tav’s were by far the most severe.

“Bring her over here.” Halsin pointed to a table nearby. Wyll cleared all items from the table as Karlach and Lae’zel lifted her up to lay on the old wooden surface.

“What creature did this?” Halsin asked, slowly moving the fabric around her legs out of the way. The right thigh had a huge laceration running down its length. Her left lower leg was shredded, tassels of sinew and skin hanging in various directions. One bone was broken in half. As he looked her over, he also noticed a very large puncture wound in her abdomen, but it looked like it had at least been partially healed. This had to be one of the worst injuries Halsin had seen in some time. Tav’s breathing was shallow, her eyelids fluttering slightly.

“Minotaurs. Two of them ambushed us not far from here on our way back. We already had the absolute shit beat out of us by a spectator, then a bulette.” Astarion was kneeling on the ground, catching his breath.

“A bulette?” Halsin asked, trying to keep his curiosity from distracting him.

“Also, some Drow that had been petrified for gods know how long.” Gale had grabbed a cloth to press against his head wound.

“Don’t forget the exploding mushrooms, darling.” Astarion was leaning against the doorway now.

“You mean the ones I told you to leave alone?” Shadowheart snipped. Astarion just made a face back at her.

“I’ll need some extra hands, whoever has the stomach for it.” Halsin started calling out instructions. Lae’zel and Wyll both stepped up to his side.

“Lae’zel, remove her armor, starting with her legs. Cut it off if you must. Wyll, there is a large, purple pouch in my pack. We’ll also need plenty of cloth to bind wounds. I doubt I will be able to heal all of this in one evening.”

Blood was starting to pool under her legs and seep into the wooden table. There was no way he could get all of these wounds taken care of in one session, not on his own. Shadowheart was already exhausted, and Tav was the only other one of them with healing magic.

Think, Halsin, think…the burns!

“Karlach, I’m going to need your help.”

“How? I can’t touch her without burning her.” She came and stood next to him.

“Precisely. I need to cauterize the thigh wound. She’s losing blood and I need time to get everything in place.”

“If you say so…” She held her hand tentatively above Tav’s leg.

Halsin made sure all her clothing was out of the way before he had Karlach press her hand into the bloodied skin. The smell of burning flesh filled the air around them, causing a few groans and gags from his new companions. Tav’s leg spasmed slightly, but he held it down. He pointed to the different spots for Karlach, who was grimacing with each touch.

“Okay, that should do for now. Well done.” He dismissed Karlach.

Halsin set to work, first cleaning the other leg wound best he could. Luckily with Tav already unconscious, he didn’t have to be as gentle. She likely wasn’t feeling much pain at the moment. He ground up a large mixture of healing herbs, pressing the fragrant paste into the hole in her torso. Her skin was slightly cool to the touch, with a light layer of sweat coating her entire body. A raspy groan slipped from her lips.

Hold on, Tav.

Once he was confident the wounds were clean, he began the healing spells. He had to work slowly, going too quickly could cause additional scarring and lingering pain when a limb was in such shape as this. He finished his first healing spell and waited a moment, giving the flesh a chance to react to his words. After a deep breath, he started the incantation over again, still concentrating on her tattered leg. He repeated the process over and over again, moving to the other wounds after a couple of rounds on her worse leg.

“T…Tev…Tev’aron come…back…” Tav whispered the words.

Halsin kept working between the wounds until he was unable to produce any magic. It took hours of concentrated healing to get the wound to a manageable state. He eventually fell to his knees, exhausted. Luckily, he had healed the worst of the injuries. Her left leg was still cut up and bloody, but he had at least managed to mend the broken bone and guide the tendons back into place. It was wrapped in some clean bandages to keep any dirt out. The wound in her stomach was completely healed outside of a small circular scab. Her right thigh was looking much better, although there was still some evidence of the burns around the area.

“That will have to do for now.” He said quietly, out of breath. “I’m sorry, I don’t have enough to help the rest of you.”

“We’ll live. We should have some spare potions here somewhere.” Gale assured him.

“Let’s get her to bed, I’ll watch over her tonight.”

They set up a quick camp within the walls of the temple. The others helped him move Tav to the ground onto her bedroll. Halsin sat down next to her and leaned against the wall. Karlach was kind enough to bring him dinner, he didn’t mind that she mainly used it as an excuse to sit next to Tav for a bit. After she left, he noticed a small stuffed bear sitting in the crook of Tav’s arm. He wiped the sweat from his brow as he looked down on the sweet elf next to him. Her breathing had calmed slightly, and her temperature seemed to be normal again. He slid his hand across her forehead and softly brushed some hair from her face. There was a low whine in the doorway as Lunari slowly walked into the room. She circled around Tav, sniffing the bandages around her legs. Eventually she circled over next to Halsin and curled up at Tav’s side, resting her head gently on her chest.

Halsin carefully reached over and pet the wolf on the head.

“It’s okay girl, she will recover just fine.” He assured her.

“Yes. She is strong. She would never leave me.” Lunari let out another whine as Tav took a ragged breath.

He laid his head back against the wall, trying to drift into a trance for a while, one hand still resting in Lunari’s fur.

Oakfather, please…watch over her.

Halsin’s silent prayer echoed in his head as his eyes slowly closed for the night.

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