#I’d like to shell Astarion

[aro-tarot]

I stayed up a bit longer since I finally got back to playing my gnome bard, my first character in BG3. Stopped the serial killer first since I heard you have to watch the long rests with that.

But then after I did Astarion’s quest. Stayed up a bit longer because of that.

And like, it’s one thing to watch the cutscenes in videos and to actually, like, play it. Even after seeing all the cutscenes, it still made me emotional watching it all. Can’t imagine how much more it might have been if it was my sorcerer who I’ve been playing more lately, and besides cutting a drow’s head off to deliver to be fertilizer, she’s more softer than my bard that started silly and started growing more caring as the story went on.

[vixstarria]

What do you want to do with it?

My headcanon is that over the course of the in-game romance with Astarion, when you stop having sex in Act 2, he still pleasures Tav, but draws the line at himself being touched below the waist directly, gradually exploring and expanding his limits.

Up to you to decide how far in the game this might be appropriate.

18+, smut, Astarion x GN!Reader, Astarion x Tav, explicit, porn no plot, dirty talk, 'use your words', oral sex (male receiving) (kinda?)

Approx 900 words

AO3

Tags: @thisisew - I'm not sure this is what you signed up for, but this is what you're getting today.

All under the cut.

Astarion had just brought you to another climax, using his lithe, skilled hands.  

“I love doing that to you... Your moans, the way you arch against me...” He continued to kiss your neck and stroke your body, clearly not content to be finished with you yet. “I can’t get enough of you,” he whispered. You turned in his arms to face him and drew him into a deep kiss. Once he pulled away from you, he gave you an intense and sultry look. He looked like he wanted to say something but was hesitant.  

“Can we try something?” he said, finally.  

“Anything, if you think you’re up for it.” You tried not to sound too eager, your heart suddenly picking up pace again. 

“I thought we could put that tongue of yours to good use,” he grinned.

Oh? Just like that? Now? There had to be a catch, you thought. 

He took your hand and ran it down along his shirtless torso until it rested over the bulge beneath his pants. This was the first time you’d felt it with your hand in what felt like eternity.  

“Feel how hard I am for you? How bad I want you?” he breathed, hoarsely, maintaining eye contact. He held your hand there, letting you squeeze and lightly stroke his erection through the fabric. The material wasn’t nearly thin enough for your liking.  

"Gods, I miss your cock,” you found yourself saying. Astarion just chuckled in response, his lips curling into a playful smirk.  

“What do you want to do with it?” he drawled. 

“Mmm, everything.” You were caught very much off guard, albeit pleasantly so. 

“Be specific.” 

He guided your hand, controlling the pressure with which you groped him.  

Hmm, where should I start... 

“I want it in my mouth again.” 

“Details, darling,” he whispered, rolling onto his back.  

So that’s what it was going to be. Very well.  

“You want details on everything I want to do with your cock?” You flashed Astarion a devilish grin as you hooked one of your legs around his and sank against him, to whisper in his ear. 

“Every filthy little detail, love,” he breathed, pleased that you took the bait.  

“Nothing filthy about making you feel good like you deserve,” you purred. “First, I'd want to take it in my hand and stroke it, while I licked it starting at the base of your balls, tracing that beautiful vein that runs along its length with my tongue.” 

Astarion hummed approvingly. 

“Then, once I worked my way up, I’d lick and suck lightly just around the head.” Astarion laid back and shut his eyes as you continued to whisper in his ear. 

“Tease its underside with my wet tongue until you start leaking precum for me.“ You nibbled lightly on his earlobe as you said this, making him groan. “I'd lick it all up.”  

You were starting to breathe harder, getting carried away by your own imagery.  

“Gods, I want to taste you again,” you whispered, licking the inner shell of his ear. You were starting to grind against his leg. “Touch me,” you pleaded. 

“And distract you while you’re doing such a good job..?” he smirked, his breathing hard too. “I think not. Keep going.” 

You whimpered discontentedly but continued. He still held your hand on his erection, letting you stroke it lightly through the fabric.  

“Then I'd put my whole mouth on it, working it deeper and deeper in, inch by inch, until it hit the back of my throat.” 

“How fast?” he asked, starting to lightly roll his hips into your hand. 

“Slowly at first, running my tongue all around the head each time I got to the tip.” The look on Astarion’s face was of agonised bliss. “Are you laying or standing in this little fantasy of mine?” 

“Standing,” he whispered, without hesitation. You grinned at the certainty with which he said that. 

“Oh? With me on my knees before you? Is that how you want me?” you teased. 

“On your knees like the good, dirty little devil you are. Keep going.” 

“I’d cup your balls in one hand as I sucked you, playing with them.” 

“Like this?” he asked, guiding your hand lower on the bulge in his pants. 

“Exactly like that. Then I’d pick up pace, sucking you wet and sloppy, humming and moaning around you, until I couldn't do it anymore.” 

“Couldn't do it anymore? You’d give up after all that hard work?” 

“You are a lot of hard work, love. I'd need you to grab my hair and fuck my mouth yourself, as fast and as long as you needed, until you came.” 

“Came where?” his grip on your hand tightened. 

“My mouth, of course. I want to swallow every last drop of you.” Your voice dropped lower as you murmured in his ear: “Do you want me to look you in the eyes while I do it..? I will.” 

He groaned and pulled your hand away, pinning it over your head, as he rolled on top of you, trailing open-mouthed kisses up your neck, over your jaw and up the side of your face.  

“Do you have any idea what you're doing to me?” he growled in your ear. “I’m going to be thinking about that ceaselessly. Until I finally let you do it.” 

“Good,” you said, biting his lip. “Now touch me again. I think I've earned a reward.” 

~~~~~

Hope you enjoyed, check out my other work

AO3

[lagncx]

Say it back. Please?

Tw: not sure enjoy tho. I’m working on Karl Heisenberg and I wanna do my mutual @nonchalantgat0 Justice ! <3

——

You sighed, scratching your forehead “...150!” You said. The elfsong tavern bartender smirked at you. “To house you and all your friends? Just 150?! Haha! 600.” He demanded. You growled Halsin behind you with Astarion and gale. “Why are there so many weird customs in this place?” Halsin grumbled, eyes looking around. “Oh, the bear coming out of his cave?” Astarion huffed.

You bit your lip counting on your fingers “Uhh-…half!” You blurted out. “Half? Which is.” The bartender raised his chin at you. Astarion put a hand on your waist pushing his weight on his tippy toes to whisper in your ear “300 gold darling. Half is three hundred my love.” He whispered before placing a small kiss on the shell of your ear backing up.

You nodded “I’ll pay 300$ not to mention I’d be bringing people back here since that murder you had upstairs.” You crossed your arms in victory. Astarion smiled, patting your back.

After that night you realized, you all were dirt poor everyone bought armor, weapons, and food. All of it and you spent everything you had on a room and a few pints. Cursing to yourself you needed to find a way to make some fast cash, without Astarion figuring out or Gale. But mostly Astarion. Unless you guys wanted to go back to sleeping outside. You went over to your second guess, Shadowheart.

“I- I don’t understand, why? Do I keep it from Astarion?” You groaned “Because he’s gonna do the look-up laugh through his most and smile smug thing” you groaned.

It was simple, beat someone’s ass and get some gold. But fuck was the dude huge you put up a good fight Astarion said it was stupid, “You’ll end up getting a dent in that brain.” He said and you just laughed it off.

But here you were almost in slow motion. You felt your teeth hit against one another as you fell right on your jaw, face flat on the ground you let out a breath. He was right. You locked eyes with him seeing that smug look.

You flinched away from shadowhearts hand as she dabbed your wounds “It won’t be cleaned any faster if you keep pulling away.” You swatted her hand “Did you see the way he looked at me, didn’t even try to comfort me. I was on the ground in front of him bleeding from my mouth. He didn't even look concerned.” You slumped over hands on your ears holding your head up and avoiding the open wounds.

Shadowheart opened her mouth to comfort you “It was foolish I told you that why would I be concerned when you chose to ignore me.” Astarion. you crunched your face, eyes closing and nose upturned “yea well if we’re lovers I expected I don’t know a bit of comfort. Asshole.” You scoffed and you opened your eyes seeing his shoes tapping on the ground in front of you “you don’t get to call me that.” He turned to shadowheart and took the rag. “I’ll take care of them.”

You sighed displeased by the change “get your hands off your face and sit up. Now.” He said and you did so looking up at him. He overlooked your features: your eye was bloodshot, your mouth scared and teeth covered in dry blood. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath before opening them again and leaning down placing the rag on your lip making you pull back.

“That hurts.” You hissed from the sudden headache after flinching back

“I’m sure it does now quit it.” Astarions hand held you cradling the back of your head making you stay there as he started to clean the wounds. The silence was loud…it was hard to avoid looking at his face but the dread of the thought of even making eye contact was enough. Astarion dropped the rag “You know anyone could’ve seen he was tricking you.” You groaned “Astarion please I don’t want to hear it!”

You got up and walked away swaying around the feeling of nausea washing over you like a cold sweat. You felt yourself slowly falling before a hand went around your waist. “You need to lie down.” You only leaned into astarion in response. You were guided to a tent it was Astarions and yours since a while ago he said

“You can sleep here, anytime really. But tonight I don’t want you to go.”

You haven’t slept in your own tent since. You let yourself flop on the bedroll expecting Astarion to leave you felt a hand push on your lower back making you whine as the muscles were sore. You were so tired you closed your eyes, you felt him pull off your shoes and un do your chain mail pulling you up so he could take it off. “There, now you can be more comfortable.” You took a long whiff of Astarions scent, your head resting in the crevice of his neck. You sighed “I love you.” He didn’t say it back.

“Here, drink.” You looked down at the bottle he handed you, it had gold liquid. “What is it?” You said slurring slightly, your lip swollen and already irritated and even more as he pushed the bottle on your lips “it’s gonna put you to sleep, you’ll wake up feeling better.” You nodded and took a long swig before he put it down. You looked at his hand glow a yellow color as he laid it on your head, a cooling feeling coming over you. You only wished to dream.

You crawled under the blankets of your makeshift futon you told astarion was way more comfortable. And before you fell into your slumber you made sure to remind him “Love you.” You whispered and started to snore.

Astarion crossed his arms watching you sleep soundly, the swollen wounds dying down. He then watched you turn and feel for him. Making him smile. “You’re hopeless.” He whispered “…so hopeless, so perfect. I hate that you put us before you…” he sighed and kissed your cheek making you smile unconsciously. He caressed your face “what the hell’s is your story?”

He got up and made his way out the tent coming back later of course but he took a second before crawling out.

“I love you too.”

[shewhowas39]

a hornier sneak peek of chapter 27

okay so the last sneak peek of chapter 27 of Juniper & Starlight took a little bit of a turn... lol. so here's a shorter, hornier sneak peek of the upcoming chapter. enjoy.

***

Astarion sits back on his bedroll, his hands finding June’s waist and tugging her onto his lap. She complies easily, her body molding itself against his like it’s second nature to her. Her skin is still slightly damp from her bath in the nearby stream, and she smells of the pine soap she’s taken to using. He buries his face in her neck, inhaling her scent - tinged as always with the sweet, rich smell of the blood in her veins. He presses his lips to her pulse point and delights in the breathy little sigh it elicits from her. 

She almost sounds relieved. The way one might when a breeze ruffles their hair on a scorching summer day. Like his hands and his mouth are exactly what she needed. 

She still wants him. She still wants him.

The thought repeats over and over in Astarion’s head as he continues to mouth at her neck while her hands twine in his hair. She wants him and she wants to protect him and she’s not going anywhere.

One of June’s fingertips begins to trace the shell of Astarion’s ear, sending a shiver down his spine. He grazes her soft skin with his fangs in retaliation, and June gasps in response. Not to be outdone, however, she proceeds to pinch the sensitive tip of his ear between her thumb and forefinger, sending an eclectic jolt of pleasure through him. Astarion growls and nips at her neck, his arms tightening around her waist. 

“Do you need blood?” June asks after he nips at her again.

“Mmm. Kind of you to offer.” HIs words are muffled by her neck. He gives her one final nip before pulling back to look at her. “But the bear will keep me going for another day or so. Besides, there’s something else I’d like to taste.”

June’s eyes light up, clearly understanding his meaning and thrilled by the prospect. All signs of her previous guilt or fear are gone.

Astarion catches her mouth in a hard, searing kiss. He bites her lip before pulling away, just far enough to whisper, “Get on your back. Now.” 

[squishymochithethird]

Fuck it the companions ranked by how likely they are to beat me at Mario Kart

1. Jaheira

Not only do I think she’s the most likely to beat me, I feel like she would do it without even trying. She’s never played a video game in her life yet she manages to just completely wipe the floor with everyone. Also a great sport about it, 10/10 would let her beat me again.

2. Lae’zel

I think the first couple of rounds I’d have a chance, but she gets so competitive with it so quickly. She NEEDS to be the best damn racer in the room, and will not rest until she’s won a perfect round. Doesn’t miss a speed boost, has great aim with green shells, and always seems to have another banana peel on hand.

3. Wyll

Probably exclusively played Nintendo games growing up. That being said he’s likely semi-familiar with some of the courses. Sometimes purposely throws the match. True gentleman behavior.

4. Halsin

I think he’d also be surprisingly good at Mario Kart provided I could convince him to actually sit down and play. He won’t be winning every round per say, but he can usually hit the top 5. The controller is a bit small for his hands though, so he’ll be complaining about cramping after just a few rounds. If you’re lucky you might hear him humming some of the music when he thinks no one is listening.

5. Karlach

Plays for fun more than competition. She loves hitting tricks but often lets the extra speed throw her off. Has no idea how to break and therefore crashes into every other wall. Her favorite course is waluigi pinball and she’s correct.

6. Shadowheart

Not super interested in playing, so she tends to hang back a bit. Not enough to place last, mind, she still has a reputation to keep. At least 75% of all blue shells thrown came from her, and that is accomplishment enough.

7. Gale

Would pick rainbow road because it’s pretty and reminds him of the weave. Would immediately regret picking rainbow road. Prefers to watch tbh.

8. Astarion

Not only is he bad at Mario Kart but he low key sucks to play with. He’d gas himself up before the first round. He’ll win, darling. It’s so easy, just watch. He immediately places last and refuses to play anymore. Yells and complains so loudly anytime he falls or gets hit by something.

[justcallmefox89]

Gnome Troubles - Chapter Seven (Wicket's POV)

Astarion puts his new plan into motion.

“Darling it’s a celebration, not a funeral.  If I can manage to feign having a good time, surely you can as well.” 

“Hm.”  I flash Astarion a half-hearted smirk and motion for him to join me.  He moves next to me, and I fill his goblet from the only half-decent bottle of wine I’d scavenged from the druids. 

“So why are you brooding over here in the shadows when you could be celebrating?”

“Did we really give them anything to celebrate?”  I shrug and take a drink, the heavy, rich red wine rolling over my tongue.  “We cleared one obstacle for them but there’s another twenty for them to clear before they get to Baldur’s Gate.”

“Gods,” Astarion groans.  “Is it too much to ask for just a little bit of fun for one night?  A bit of excitement?”

I glance over at him from the corner of my eye, choosing to remain silent and continue drinking.

He leans closer to me; close enough for me to smell the fresh scent of the soap he used to wash up with earlier, and the warm, slightly spicy scent of his perfume.  “You know, we could always make our own entertainment darling.  Get a little closer, so to speak,” he murmurs, his voice low and sultry.

I start at the blatant proposition, spilling a little wine onto my trousers.  Astarion gives me a cat-like grin and tilts his head to the side, waiting for my answer.  I restlessly tap my fingertips against the stem of my goblet, ignoring the burn in my cheeks as I consider the elf’s offer.

On one hand Astarion is objectively beautiful, and it’s been longer than I care to admit since I’ve enjoyed the touch of another.  On the other hand, he is a vampire and I’ve already betrayed my oath by allowing him to live this long.  Accepting his proposition would be akin to daring Kelemvor to smite me.

I am so godsdamned tired.

I swallow down my nerves.   “What did you have in mind?”

“Find me after the other have gone to sleep,” he purrs in my ear.  “And we’ll have a more… private celebration.”

I shiver at the feel of his warm breath against the shell of my ear, tantalized by the prospect of his fangs scrapping against my skin… the feel of his lips against mine…  I nod in affirmation, not trusting myself to speak.

“Then I’ll see you later tonight, my dear.” 

[heylittleriotact]

It’s Wednesday. Have part of a WIP. It is fluffy and sweet.

It was immediately comforting, being inside the tent with him. She had taken to spreading out a spare bedroll over the ground since they started sharing a tent, and the admirable collection of pillow that she had amassed over the course of their travels thus far lined the perimeter of the sleeping area which covered the span of the tent nearly wall to wall on all sides.

They spent some nights in Astarion’s tent, but hers more often: it was decidedly better suited for cuddling, what with the ample amount of blankets and soft surfaces. If she had for some reason failed to learn anything else of Astarion, she certainly managed to pick up that he loved to cuddle. If it wasn’t because he personally enjoyed draping himself over her like an overgrown housecat, it was almost certainly for the heat she provided.

Perhaps he simply enjoyed having a warm body to hold that thought the world of him.

Regardless, Echo found she was happy to oblige his penchant for snuggling in every circumstance - though his ice cold feet on her calves were a shock to the system at times…

“I’m not sure what it is, but I find you to be irresistibly attractive when you’re antagonizing our friends…” She said to her lover with a coy smile as she finished lighting a few candles and moved over to the bedrolls, stretching her legs out in front of her and leaning back on her hands.

“Our friends?”

“Yes dear.”

“I’ve never had a friend before,” He said, and though the admittance was casual, it caused a bolt of pain to sear through Echo’s heart. “Let alone many.”

“Well I’m your friend too.”

He was silent for a time as he looked at her with a strange expression on his face. “I suppose you are at that, aren’t you?” He seemed to snap out of whatever reverie he fell under and said, “Apparently none of the other ones know how to take a hint.”

“I know. And I had to sit there watching you practically wasting away of hunger…” She shook her head pityingly and tutted.

“But now we are here…” He remarked, and ravenous need filled his ruby eyes again as he began to crawl towards her over the sea of pillows. “All alone with the entire night ahead of us…” He slid one knee between her legs and leaned forward, nuzzling her neck lovingly as he basked in her scent.

“Indeed we are.” She agreed. “And what remarkable self-control you possess… waiting must have been an onerous task…”

“You have no idea…” He half growled directly into the shell of her ear, and gooseflesh erupted on her skin. “That little taste in the cave more than whet my appetite… it’s all I’ve been able to think about since…”

“Oh good, I’m glad I’m not the only one.” She smiled at him, and he shoved her back lightly so that she was reclining now. “Mmmm… not wasting any time I see.” She said as he crawled atop her and wrapped an arm under her, pulling her flush with him.

“My chatty little minx…” He murmured before capturing her lips in a heated kiss. His other hands worked at her pants, unlacing them effortlessly with his wickedly dexterous fingers. “If I didn’t know any better I’d think you were nervous.” He was pushing her pants down, dragging her underwear down with them. “And I do know better…” he whispered. “Which is why I know you are…” He slackened his grip around her, lowering her gently back to the plush ground beneath them and meeting her golden eyes with his red ones.

“This is… uhm… this is the first time we’ve done anything like… like this since we started being honest with each other.” Echo explained, grateful for the dim candlelight that would obscure the flush of colour on her cheeks. “I’m not sure why I feel nervous, but it all feels a bit different now… doesn’t it?”

“It does.” He conceded, bringing a hand up to stroke her cheek softly, his thumb tracing over her cheekbone. “But don’t fret, my love. Just relax. Let me do this for you… let me take care of you…”

[warrior-of-light-is-my-boo]

I had thought today and it was about which of origins + Halsin(I haven’t recruited Minthara and honestly I don’t know if I want to) would react to the Cruck from NADDPOD.

Personally I think most of them would Iike it. Wyll and Karlach for for how free and open and kind the Crick elves are (during the events of campaign one. I’m not caught up with campaign three and the all the drama with the dragon elves). They would probably love it there. I could see them easily becoming Cricks themselves. They would not eat the crawdad shit and that would be the major cultural hurdle. Wyll would be a little overwhelmed by how spicy the food is but Karlach might not notice. She spent 10 years in hell and the foods probably wild down there.

Gale would like meeting them and being around the crock elves but have a mental break down when he finds out almost all of are illiterate. Moonshine would be like “we’re an oral society” and Gale would be like “okay but reading is great??? Help.” I think he’d get over whelmed by how the Cricks do not give a shit about privacy. Like what do you mean you’re going to sleep in my tent please leave. Would 100% get bullied for being wizard. Also would not eat the brown from the crawdads and would be fun of for it.

Astarion, Shadowheart and Lae’zel would hate the crock. The Crick always want to be in their business, they’re too nice, they’re annoying. Astarion also hates nature so he would hate having to sleep in a swamp. I could see Shadowheart warming up to them though the Cricks just have to break through that defensive shell. Lae’zel would start to enjoy it once she realized their legal system is mostly wrestling based. None of them are eating the crawdads. Both Shadowheart and Astarion will die from how spicy the food is while Lae’zel asks for more.

Halsin is in his element I feel like. He’s surrounded by other druids that don’t want to completely disregard the outside world, the animals can talk on their own, and everyone is just vibing with nature? Sign him the fuck up. Would love to be everyone’s daddy (not sexual. The Cricks don’t place a lot of stock on father’s figures as a maternal society). Plus he is free from capitalism. Gets high with Ol’ Cobb and Jolene the Green before turning a bear and taking a nap. Would find it weird that the Crick eat crawdad shit but would be too polite to say no and eat it anyway. Can not handle how spicy the food is but you wouldn’t be able to tell until you looked him in the eye and saw him holding back tears from how spicy it is.

I don’t know a lot about Jaheira and Minsc but I think the Crick would love them. Jaheira would vacation there as she might find them a bit annoying? But that might be me not knowing a lot about her (i have not played BG1 or 2). Minsc would be adopted as a Crick in heartbeat.

If you’re a fan of NADDPOD and BG3 let me know what you think. Or if you have thoughts of the Tadfools in other actual play worlds let me know. I don’t listen to a ton of actual plays but I’d like to hear people’s thoughts.

[paganwitchisis]

"What Love Can Change" Chapter 14

Chapter Fourteen: Resolving differences

Rated: E for Explicit!!

Pairing: AFAB Female Tav/Spawn Astarion

Words: 9,795

Link to AO3 here!

TRIGGER WARNING -Breeding kink, violence, descriptions of trauma, sexual assault, torture, suicide attempt and mention/idealization, self harm, starvation, depression, pregnancy, hyper-sexuality, and rape. a more complete set of warnings can be found on AO3 but these are the main ones.

Story:

Tav grew flustered “Do you know how…how irrational that sounds?”

“I don’t care. I fucking love you, and you’re barely put together as it is. Whatever you’ve been doing this past week has made you a shell and already has endangered both of your lives. Then! To top it all off you want to endanger your life and child again for someone else, and although I know it is because it’s for another kid…you can’t put yourself in harms way like this, but all you do is not trust me, and if there is no trust, then we have no relationship.”

Tav sat there for a moment and thought. She was a mess of emotions but he had a point on many parts. She treated him horribly that morning and rushing in would endanger her child…

With a deep sigh and tears beginning to form, Tav held out her arms and walked over to her husband, wrapping him in an awkward embrace since he didn’t reciprocate it. He was afraid to, as she still didn’t give him an answer. When she pulled back she dropped her arms to her sides and looked to the floor.

“I…I really fucked up. I love you too and what did I do? I treated you like I did, and even though I turned around to make amends the damage was done. I should have listen to you from the start. You have changed so much since we met yet not once since we started the relationship have you done or said anything to hurt me. You’ve always been there, you’ve always cared…I can’t…” She began crying and sobbing at this point. “I can’t believe I treated you this way and caused this all to happen and you’re right, I didn’t take care of myself this passed week. I was too busy wallowing in pity and doubt, worrying that you left the city because I couldn’t detect the ring. I am not sure how I can prove it or show you I love you, to show you I trust you, but I do. I’d pick you every time, I just don’t want to let a kid die. You’re right though, we need backup and I can’t just jump into this without remembering I’m carrying a passenger as well.” Her body began to shake with her sobbing and Astarion heard what he needed to. He stopped forward and held her tightly to him, an act she reciprocated right away as she cried into his armor. Astarion was worried that with her emotional state that she may want to sit instead of stand and brought her to the bed to sit on the edge. She followed and did so still holding on to him as he did her. When she stopped shaking so much and her crying subsided, she looked at him with red, puffy eyes. Astarion’s heart broke to see her like this. He grabbed one of the clean cloths on the side and dipped it in the water making it damp before lovingly wiping her face down.

“I will admit, I was really hurt that morning by how you spoke to me. I will also admit it hurts because I know it wasn’t you who figured out what you said was wrong, I am willing to bet one of our friends brought that to light for you. So the fact that you would listen to them over your husband, really makes an impact.“ Tav was going to speak but Astarion held up a finger asking her to wait a moment “At first I wondered if it hurt because I relied on you too much or was it because it pulled back images and memories I felt were best left forgotten. I then worried if I was only good for sex and not respected for much else but before I could go down those rabbit holes, I felt I had to get out and run away. I ran into the slag and pushed past her as I made my escape, that was the only contact we had but I never would have left the city, left you without closure of some kind between us on that. I took off the ring because I didn’t want to be found. I was hurting, still am. It had nothing to do with how I saw the relationship. In fact…” Astarion pulled his light armor down to show Tav where the ring resided “It is on a necklace next to my heart. It doesn’t get more symbolic than that.” Astarion put his armor back in place and continued. “I am not sure how I…I’m not sure what the word is…hibernated I guess? I literally feel like I fell asleep for a few hours. I didn’t even realize how long it was if not for you telling me how long and the weakness. Maybe it was something my body did on it’s own to combat despair?”

Despair. That word rang in Tav’s mind. She made him feel despair and that hurt her more than she thought it would, to inflict more pain on him – a man who has gone through so much already.

“I need to make this up to you but I don’t know how. I do want you to know that I am really sorry for everything. I do love and respect you, you are worth a lot more than sex…and if you want us to stop having sex to show that, then we can. How can I make this right between us? How can I show you I love you, respect you and trust you?

Astarion chuckled “Darling, knowing how much you lust and want, it’s a miracle you went without for so long the first time. Now? While you’re pregnant? As soon as you found me you had to suck my dick…with Halsin interrupting of course.”

“I just wanted to help you with your…issue. Plus I owe you something more than that and was planning…if that was still on the table…to make it up tonight.”

“Anytime I drink your blood I’m going to have an ‘issue’ my sweet. And about sex as a whole, no. I will not stop it because my punishment for you is sexual in nature. I figure this is what will stick in your mind the most, so…”

Tav grew worried “What…what do you mean?”

“I wont trigger any trauma if that’s the concern. Now what is this owing something more and making it up bit you were saying?”

“You tell me my punishment and I’ll tell you that? Fair deal?” Tav tried to get information out of the vampire.

“I wasn’t hiding it in the first place. Now keep in mind if it is too much, I’m not a heartless bastard and will stop if you use the call word.” Tav fidgeted in place, crossing her legs and making Astarion smile “Do you remember our honeymoon? We practiced orgasm denial and you enjoyed it.” Tav shifted some more uncomfortably. Astarion noticed, of course, he’d have to be blind not to. “Well, your punishment is for me to bring you to those brinks for a bit but ultimately never get you off. You’ll be frustrated and upset I am sure, I understand that well but keep in mind it will be the only time I deny you completion my love. I didn’t want anything that would hurt you or the baby.” Tav kept her legs clenched while Astarion smiled. “Got a problem?”

“With the punishment? No.”

“No…I mean…now?”

“Maybe.”

Astarion chuckled. “We don’t have much time, remember? Hag after kid. Plus, I’d feel better about sex if our relationship wasn’t so…fragile right now. Let’s give it time to get better. Although I am interested to hear about this thing you owe me.”

“Well…I was setting it up for that night and was one of the reasons why I didn’t want you with, so I can drop by a shop to get what I needed. Remember when you didn’t finish because Yenna interrupted us? Well, I had a different way to help you with your problem and I’d like to do that to you if I could…but it is sexual so I understand if you’d rather wait.”

Astarion sighed “You and sex, you’re gonna kill me.” he muttered under his breath. Tav did not pick this up. “We’ll see where the night takes us” Astarion commented “Let’s get our companions and kill this hag.”

After grabbing Karlach and to Astarion’s embarrassment, Halsin, they set off to go to the Blushing Mermaid. On the way there, Astarion forced Tav to eat a provision bar in his pack that he began carrying just for her as he wasn’t convinced she ate that day. Not that pleased but willing to do anything to make him happy, she accepted and ate the bar, much to her disapproval. Halsin made some jokes about what he walked in on before Tav asked him to quit it, and Karlach mentioned how nice it was to have Astarion back in the group.

Upon arriving, they tried to talk to the man behind the counter who seemed disoriented and confused at times, claiming to have never seen a child and that the woman was there alone. Deciding they should speak to whoever was in charge, the group went upstairs to Captain Grisly in her room on the right. Halsin stayed at the entryway in case he was needed there, and Karlach was further out looking around at the rowdy and drunk patrons on the second floor. When Astarion and Tav went to speak to the captain, the captain inferred they would be willing to kill the other for a paltry sum of gold. Tav was appalled and said no, to which the captain transformed into the hag they fought some time ago in the swamp and the one they sought. She pointed out her physique and that she was with child now, as in the child was in her stomach. A terrifying prospect, to say the least. The hag then claimed she couldn’t fight, it was bad for the baby, and Astarion looked at Tav right away. Maybe it was this telling statement or maybe the hag could tell from her work with stealing children for a living, but the hag looked at Tav up and down and cracked a smile.

“Can’t kill you though, sweet stuff! Maybe we can cage you till you give birth. That youngin will be needing a proper mom, a good mom who can take care of it and help it. Hells, by the look of you, you can barely keep yourself together, much less a kid.” Astarion then threatened the hag on Tav’s defense since Tav was staying mute on the subject. It was then he noticed he forgot to slip his ring back on since he wasn’t sure why she wasn’t speaking. The hag left while heckling them, Astarion turned around to face his wife and see what was going on.

There was a commotion from the main area on the second floor. As most of the rowdy and drunk patrons became redcaps set on attacking them!

Astarion glanced at his wife who seemed slow to gather her wits and get into her fighting mode. The two fought in perfect synchrony but as they fought, they spoke. Thankfully the bulk of the enemies were being taken by Karlach and Halsin.

“What’s wrong?” Astarion called out as he stabbed an enemy who remained standing.

Tav came up behind him with her greatsword with a pommel strike to finish it off, following up with a regular melee attack on the surrounding redcap that was about to hit Astarion on the side of his face. As usual, they complimented each other well in battle as warriors.

“I worry I’ll be a crappy mom, like she said.” Tav spouted out as she dodged an attack from another enemy that came into view. They had two more to take out as Karlach and Halsin finished up their area, thankfully they were gathered in one group when they spoke to the fake captain. The first redcap lunged and she dodged but a bit slow. The blade nicked her left arm a little and caused her to bleed. Astarion didn’t have to see it to know she was bleeding, he could smell it. He turned to see the wound and grew upset and attacked the red cap in the stomach, twisting Orin’s blades as he yanked them back towards himself, posed to strike again if need be.

“You’re a great mom! Don’t let that bitch get in your head!” Astarion commented as Tav took out the last one beside them. Halsin and Karlach soon joining them. Astarion quickly went to her side to look at her wound and noticed it was shallow, it just bled a lot. Without thinking he brought her arm to his face and licked her blood from the wound, kissing the serrated flesh with care. This made Tav blush and the friends said nothing. Astarion pulled out a gauze piece and tape, rending quick first aid to his wife to protect her from infection down the road. Astarion let go of her arm after having tended to it, and looked at their friends who gave lopsided grins.

“What? I’m not about to leave good blood lay about.” Astarion claimed and began searching the bodies of the red caps and then the chest on the side for good measure. Astarion also took the time to slip his wedding ring back on his finger. He missed feeling and knowing how his wife felt on matters. He missed her. While he was doing this, Halsin whispered to Tav.

“Things are better between you both?”

Tav shrugged her shoulders “I think so. I wouldn’t say we’re in the clear, I plan to make this all up to him tonight in…one way. Other than that, I plan to keep showing him I trust him and that I respect his decision, that he has a voice, and I won’t just throw it so casually aside again.

“well, I’m no expert, but from what I just saw, it looks like you're on more stable footing than you think. Whatever you both are up to tonight, just remember you have neighbors.” Halsin laughed and walked off and before long the party was looking around the Blushing Mermaid and found an interesting area in the basement. Above the vats was what looked to be an entryway, of course getting up there was no easy task, but once they were able to figure out a workaround they got to the top. Tav was a little confused, she thought this had to have been an entrance, however she saw walls unperturbed. As she moved forward, her foot caught on a stone on the ground which sent her forward toward the stone wall. She expected to hit into it but when none came she opened her eyes. She noticed that Astarion had caught her and broke her fall and that she was somehow partially through the wall. It was an illusion.

“You need to start watching where your feet are going. You keep tripping on things, my dear.” Astarion mentioned as he helped her to her feet.

They all descended the ladder and Astarion got to work on the door. Within moments the door was open.

Tav was about to walk out the door when Astarion’s arm flew out in front of her and stopped her.

“Traps, dead ahead.” Astarion told the crew and helped them avoid the flower looking explosives on the ground. Thankfully they spotted them before they were spotted first and saw the four people with familiar looking masks on their faces. Tav knew they were in for a fight and told the others not to kill them, merely knock them unconscious. Astarion would rather just kill them and be done with it, knowing this will bite them in the ass later, but he listened to his heroic wife as he rolled his eyes. Tav saw it all the same and shook her head with a smile, still the same Astarion. The terrain had a few tough spots so movement was difficult at times but they managed to surprise the enemy and gain the upper hand. A few of the victims of the hag resisted her mask for some time which granted them opportunities to deal with the others first. Surprisingly captain Grisly was the first to fall for the hag’s charms and succumb to the mask. She was surprised thankfully so she didn’t react or attack before Halsin used Entangle to secure 3 of the enemies together, because for some reason or another they were clustered together. While Astarion and Tav came at them with their melee for Astarion as he could do more damage that way and with bow and arrow for Tav as she couldn’t get to them from where she was easily. With Astarion’s blow, Grisly went down, unconscious. Next to Grisly was a young person with a mask and was still resisting. Karlach came up the side and was able to jump to the opponent and lacerated the person to make them bleed. Tav said not to kill, not to maim or hurt.

Tav frowned but said nothing.

Now that they caught on, the real fight had begun. Astarion moved first, considering he was right next to the person resisting the mask he moved away while he could. He misty stepped next to Karlach and jabbed the enemy with his dagger to knock them out too. Now they had taken out half of the enemies.

The one in front of Tav who was resisting that Astarion left behind? That person gave in. They howled they would do anything for Auntie Ethel and jumped, or rather lunged at Tav who was only a few feet away. The new masked player in front of Tav had their long sword in hand and slashed at Tav who was in tough terrain and could not dodge. She took the hit to her front, her armor taking the brunt of it. Tav recoiled but only grunted in reply. Astarion was concerned but focused on the task at hand. Tav swung her greatsword with a flinch and hit her opponent twice, knocking them out. The last one remaining was in the far back still resisting but gave in. He yelled out something unintelligible and ran towards them. He stopped before them and fired his bow at Halsin but he made a critical miss. Halsin laughed, he would have used Wild Shape, but was concerned whether or not it would knock them out or kill them so instead he went over to the last one standing and used the mace of Lathander to wack his opponent. With all the buffs on the weapon, Karlach wasn’t needed as the enemy went down, unconscious.

“That’s not fair! What about my turn?” Karlach joked with Halsin who only laughed in response.

Astarion rushed over to Tav to see if she was okay. Tav was leaning forward, her hand on her chest but she looked up at Astarion and nodded. “Just got the wind knocked out of me.” She replied.

“That better be all. You know I’m going to see you naked tonight, if I see one scratch, I won’t be happy.” Astarion whispered to her as he helped her regain her composure.

The group left them where they lay and walked through the door to the left (after Astarion disabled the trap his wife almost stepped in) and they found a handle on the side which opened a hole in the wall for easier access to and from that location to the basement of the Blushing Mermaid. Astarion looked down and at his foot was a flyer. He picked it up and before the party could do anything he asked them to follow him.

He left the basement and out into the fresh air outside until he was in front of the counting house.

“What’s wrong?” Tav asked Astarion who only handed her the flyer.

Tav read the article and understood. It was an article about fighting back against hags and a group that was comprised to do so.

“If we had a few more on our side or if we could get some information, that would be helpful before we face this witch…” Astarion commented. They went to turn left to go to the boarded up house when a Fist ran into Tav. Astarion held her to stabilize her. Tav held her head a moment and got scared for a second as her she would to any Fist since that fateful day but there was something different about this one…she just couldn’t place it.

The Fist looked at Tav up and down and smiled which Astarion did not like, Astarion was right next to his wife and he held her hand in case she needed it. The Fist called out to her. ”Tav? Is that you?”

“Y…Yeah…wait…Michael?” Tav slowly crept up on the realization. She wasn’t as afraid anymore but she did feel very awkward. Astarion was confused but kept silent and watched it all play out.

“The one and the same! How do I look now? No longer a farm boy huh? Now I am a guard!” He was as proud as a peacock as Tav watched on with a bored expression on her face yet the rings made Astarion feel something else. Fear? Worry? Anger? A mix of all of those? Astarion then noticed he couldn’t let go of her hand if he wanted to as she was holding it very tightly. Something was up and he would find out what.

“You…still look like Michael. It has just been a while since I saw you, is all. How have you been?” Tav asked being a gracious person.

“I’m doing great and I’m sending money back home to my folks, so everything is good. The Absolute hasn’t touched their village yet. What about you? How have you been? Who are these people you’re with?” The Fist eyed up Karlach more than she liked and Halsin his look shifted to disdain but with Astarion? It was something different. She wasn’t sure what his expression was towards him as he eyed up her companions but she was going to set the record straight.

“This is Karlach, my best friend and a warrior of both this plane and Avernus.” Tav said and although Karlach wasn’t a fan of bringing Avernus into the subject, she could tell something was up about this Fist. She wasn’t boasting, something felt off…wrong, even. Karlach kept silent but vigilant as she watched this man who kept checking out Tav, an action she was sure Astarion had taken notice to.

Astarion had noticed this, in fact he wanted to act, but Tav asked him not to through the rings and she would explain later. Astarion respected his wife of course, but if this Fist crossed a line, so would Astarion.

Tav then showed Halsin and spoke “This is Halsin, an archdruid and very dear friend of mine as well.” Halsin had long since picked up on the vibes going on in this environment. Astarion looked uncomfortable, Tav looked like she was pretending and Karlach looked concerned. This was evident. Halsin was worried as well, who could this Fist be and why was Tav so concerned by him?

“Finally, I save the best for last! This is Astarion. He is an ex-magistrate and more importantly, my husband.” Tav held up her wedding ring to show proof of their nuptials and the expression on Michael’s face changed drastically. He went from content to upset pretty quickly. Karlach took a step forward and flanked Tav’s left side to protect her since Astarion was on the right. Halsin was on the right behind Astarion in case Astarion moved for whatever reason, he could take his place and protect Tav if need be. Both friends and Astarion could tell something was up and it wasn’t quite good.

Tav felt uncomfortable as she knew she would be with this situation. She watched as Michael tried to hide the expression but failed miserably.

“I see. You married one of those feminine men, huh? Couldn’t handle a pure man like me?”

Karlach quickly jumped in with a comment to diffuse the situation as Astarion bit his tongue.

“We’re at a disadvantage. Who are you?”

Michael laughed and looked at Tav. “You never told them about your greatest conquest?” He then turned to Karlach and replied. “I’m an ex-boyfriend of hers. Taught her quite a bit, too.” he mumbled that last bit under his breath, but Astarion heard it all the same. At this point, he was done. Not one to stay silent, he stood up for his family.

READ THE REST ON AO3!!! CLICK HERE FOR THE LINK. TUMBLR DOESNT LIKE LONG POSTS APPARENTLY

[starcunin]

Astarion listens to her speak of memory like it’s some capricious ghost, haunting her with fragments and whispers. He knows the feeling all too well——how memory can be both a blade and a balm, cutting deep when you least expect it. The way she describes being a prisoner in her own body, it sends a ripple of something dark through him. His jaw tightens instinctively at the thought. It feels too familiar. Too much like Cazador’s leash around his throat, commanding his every movement, his every breath, until he forgot what it was like to move of his own volition.

His fingers tighten around hers, a silent promise in the gesture. He doesn’t let her see the flicker of anger that crosses his face——anger not at her, but at the world that’s treated her the same way it treated him. For a moment, the thought of Cazador is a knife twisting in his gut, and the urge to kill him, to tear him apart piece by piece, is almost overwhelming. He can still feel the phantom pull of those commands, the way his body would obey before his mind could rebel, how his muscles would lock in place if he so much as thought of defying his master. And gods, how he’d hated it. How he still hates it.

But he swallows that hate down, buries it deep for now. She doesn’t need his rage. She needs his reassurance. ❛ We’ll find a way, ❜ he says softly, his voice like velvet against the growing dawn. ❛ We’ll make sure your body is your own——truly your own. No chains, no commands. Not from the Urge, not from anyone. ❜ His fingers brush gently over the welts around her wrists, a reminder of the night before, of how close they’d come to something far worse.

He doesn’t know if he believes it himself. There’s a fear that coils around his heart like a serpent, a fear that one day he’ll wake up and she won’t be there——not truly. That the Urge will have swallowed her whole, and all that will be left is a shell, a puppet to a darker master. But he won’t let that show. Not now. He’s spent centuries learning how to wear a mask, how to project strength when all he felt was terror. He can do that for her, if nothing else. He can be the one solid thing in this chaos, the one constant she can lean on when everything else is spiraling out of control.

He’s just about to suggest again that they find something to eat when she says Athkatla out of nowhere, the name catching him off guard. Astarion’s eyebrows raise in confusion for a heartbeat, but when she explains, when she paints that picture of a future so rich with possibility, so full of hope, it makes his chest tighten in a way that’s almost painful. He hadn’t dared to imagine a future like that with her. A future where they might survive all of this, where they could simply exist together without the threat of death looming over their heads. Without Cazador’s shadow stretching between them, dark and suffocating. But the more she talks, the more she speaks of comfortable beds, silk sheets, and indulgence, the more Astarion can almost see it. The sensation of lounging in luxury, of holding her in a world where they are free…

And she never says if. It’s always when.

A slow smile spreads across his lips, and it’s not the usual smirk or the sharp edge of his usual sarcasm. It’s something softer, something real. ❛ Athkatla, Waterdeep, the hells themselves——I don’t care where we go, ❜ he says, his voice low and warm, a touch of amusement coloring his words. ❛ As long as you’re there with me, we could be sleeping on a bed of rocks, and I’d call it home. ❜

He lifts her hand to his lips, brushing a kiss against her knuckles, lingering there for a moment longer than necessary, savoring the feel of her skin against his. It’s funny, really. How he once thought himself incapable of this——of caring for anyone beyond what they could offer him. How selfish he had been, how survival had been his only priority for so long. And now? Now he finds himself willing to fight for something more than just his own life. He’s willing to fight for her. For them. ❛ I’m not saying I won’t enjoy the silks, of course, ❜ he adds, a playful glint in his crimson eyes as he pulls back slightly, that familiar smirk returning for just a moment. ❛ But the truth is, I could be anywhere in this wretched world, and it wouldn’t matter——so long as I have you by my side. ❜

The words surprise him even as they leave his lips. He’s never spoken like this before, never allowed himself to be this honest. But there’s something about her that draws it out of him, something that makes him believe, if only for a moment, that a future like the one she imagines might actually be possible. He wants to believe it. He needs to believe it.

Astarion’s heart stirs as he watches Stori struggle to rise, her pain evident in every movement, every breath. The sight of her like this—so vulnerable, so real—stirs something deep within him, something that both thrills and terrifies him. The love he feels for her is a force of nature, something wild and uncontrollable, a current that pulls him toward her no matter the cost. He’s never felt this way before, not in all his centuries of existence. It’s exhilarating, but also terrifying, because Astarion knows all too well how love can be used, twisted, and broken. But not with her. Never with her.

When she says his name, torn from her lips like a lifeline, Astarion feels a sharp pang in his chest. He wants to banish every ounce of pain from her, to bear it all himself if he could, but all he can do is offer her his presence—his touch. As her trembling fingers trace the lines of his face, smoothing a curl back into place, Astarion leans into her hand, savoring the adoring touch of her skin against his. The intensity of her gaze, the relief and love that shine in her eyes, are enough to make him forget the horrors of the night before. It’s moments like these that remind him of why he stays, why he fights—for her, for this.

Her touch is a balm to his own lingering fears, and when she moves closer, winding her arms around him and nestling into the curve of his neck, Astarion welcomes the embrace with open arms. He wraps her in his hold, his fingers splaying across her back as if to shield her from the world, from the Urge that had nearly taken her from him. She’s close, and he drinks in the sensation of her, the scent of her, the simple fact of her being alive and with him. There’s a strange kind of peace in holding her like this, in knowing that despite everything, despite the darkness that claws at the edges of their existence, they are still here, together.

He feels her breath against his skin as she murmurs, the single word love sending a shiver through him. It’s such a small word, yet it carries the weight of everything they’ve been through, everything they’ve become to each other. Astarion’s lips curl into a smile, one that is both soft and laced with a hint of mischief as he tilts his head slightly to press a kiss to the top of her head. ❛ I suppose there are worse things to be addicted to, ❜ he replies, his voice light, though the emotion behind it is anything but. ❛ But if you insist on being hopelessly enamored, I suppose I’ll have to get used to it. ❜

When she pulls back, Astarion reaches up to brush a stray lock of hair from her face. Her declaration of love sends another jolt through him, a warmth spreading through his cold chest that he hasn’t felt in centuries. ❛ Oh, my love, ❜ he says, his voice gentling, his thumb tracing the curve of her cheek, ❛ you have no idea how much I cherish every wretched piece of you. ❜

As she kisses his palm, a gesture so tender it nearly undoes him, Astarion closes his eyes for a brief moment, simply absorbing the sensation. The trust she shows him, the way she gives herself to him so completely, is something he once thought he could never have. Something he never thought he deserved. But here she is, and here he is, and perhaps that’s all that matters.

When she stands, pulling him with her, Astarion rises smoothly to his feet, his hand still clasped in hers. Her question hangs in the air between them, and for a moment, he considers brushing it off with a quip, something light to keep the darkness at bay. But the truth is, she deserves more than that. She deserves the truth.

He sighs softly, his other hand coming up to cup her cheek, his touch gentle, reassuring. ❛ It wasn’t pretty, darling. But we’ve been through worse, haven’t we? ❜ He smiles, though there’s a faint edge of sadness to it. ❛ I sat with you all night, listening to that dreadful little thing go on and on. Eventually it stopped speaking altogether and resorted to animalistic grunting and snarling, and by that point I was growing quite bored. It was rather poor company, all things considered, but I wasn’t about to let it win. Not then, not ever. ❜

Astarion tilts his head slightly, his smile turning more genuine. ❛ But you’re here now. You’re you, and that’s all that matters to me. The rest… well, it’s just another battle we’ve fought and won. ❜ He pauses, his gaze softening as he looks at her. ❛ As for why I stay… I suppose it’s because you’ve done the impossible, my love. You’ve made me care about someone more than myself. Terrifying, isn’t it? ❜

[timeforelfnonsense]

His Hero

Criella x Wyll (ft. a little Dafni x Astarion) || M || Ao3 ||  Ko-fi ||  Let me write you a story? || Want to know what Dafni & Astarion got up to?

Criella looked absolutely radiant. Her long straight lilac hair hung loose and lovely down the long line of her back. Her spiraling, rosewood colored horns dressed in chains of silver and charms of luminous crystal. Her slender arms were free of their normal leather coverings revealing a tattoo of elegantly scrawled infernal that pulsed with arcane iridescence. 

Innovate 

A fitting descriptor.

As striking as she was it wasn’t her beauty alone that drew him to her. Rather it was the cocktail of boldness and brilliance she had exhibited in their short acquaintance. Her mind was sharp and quick to collaborate. In the heat of battle, her voice never wavered. He had watched in awe as she conjured roaring thunder and icy lighting. Weaving each spell together in a fearsome tempest. Raining down elegant destruction on Ragzlin’s perverse throne room. Ending the leader’s tyrannical grip on the coast with one precise strike of crackling electricity. 

“Enjoying your evening?” She asked, handing him a tankard of honeyed ale.

“There she is- the woman herself.” Let us raise a glass! Wyll chuckled, clicking the edge of his cup with her own goblet of red wine, “To freedom from tyranny! May we hew a path for the downtrodden to travel. To you a legend in the making! And of course to us. May our bond only grow stronger.” 

“Quite the toast.” She stated, casually bringing the silver goblet to her soft, quirked lips, “Are you coming on to me, Wyll?”

Wyll shivered at the feeling of the heart-shaped tip of her tail training up his spine. The curing white lines of her facial tattoos crinkling as she arched an expectant, manicured brow. 

“I hadn’t imagined myself so subtle?” He said, glancing up at her over the foam of his ale. A subtle grin curling across his lips, eyebrows ever so slightly raised, “Or to put it another way: yes.” Criella’s tail wrapped itself loosely around his waist a coy smile of her own working its way across her stunning features. Her silver eyes were nearly opalescent in the warm, gingery fire’s glow. Wyll pressed his lips to the slightly angled shell of her ear, speaking in a voice smooth as silk, “Your heart beats strong, friend. The Blade rarely seeks partnership.”

Criella’s hold on his midsection tightened as the warmth of his breath sent a shiver down her spine. The timbre of his voice felt like a hot beverage on a cool morning. Warming her from the tips of her fingers to the depths of her belly. It had been ages since she’d felt that sort of pull towards another being. Her heart dropped a bit as the memory of standing beside Zoria in a Neverwinter temple entered her mind. She had looked so beautiful, dressed in her gown of chiffon and net. The Ivory fabric standing in perfect contrast with her violet skin. 

Criella had been profoundly hurt when her best friend announced she was not only to be wed to her latest sweetheart but that she’d be leaving Waterdeep with her. It had felt like a betrayal. They had built something special together. Something so unique that Criella had sacrificed her own desires to pursue something deeper to preserve it. And Zoria was going to throw it all away. Yes, she had been mad but that all fell away when she saw the love Zoria had for her bride. She loved Zoria and loving her meant wanting to see her happy even if it was with someone else. The passage of time had softened the sting of losing her. It became easier and easier to write to her in the past few years. She even had begun to enjoy hearing about her wife and the sweet life they had made for themselves in Neverwinter.  

The experience had stung but it had taught her that hiding her feelings away was not necessarily the best course of action. Who could say if things would have worked out differently had she voiced her feelings? Regardless, it was not a mistake she’d be making twice. Wyll was a good man. She admired his tactical mind. His plan to take on the goblins had been clean and clever. He had fought for people whom he had no loyalties or connection to . Not because they had offered him gold or glory, but because they needed help. A fond smile played at her lips as she pictured Wyll with his tiefling charges, so gentle and patient. She’d practically melted on sight when she found him sparing amongst the children. 

Wyll was the sort of man she’d imagined into fairy stories as a brave king or gallant knight. An uncharacteristically wistful sight fell from her lips, causing her baby pink cheeks to grow a deep strawberry. Gods he was handsome! With a strong, noble countenance. Yet, there was a bit of ruggedness to his stubbled jaw that added a certain something to his charms. 

“Are you propositioning me, Blade?” She purred careful not to bump him with her horns as she placed her head on his broad shoulder. 

“If I were?” Wyll asked. 

“I would be incredibly flattered.” she assured, tilting her gaze up at him, “And happily accept.” 

“In that case, I reckon our union might continue to your bunk tonight.” Wyll beamed placing a feather-light kiss on her temple. A low chuckle rumbled in his chest as he added, “ Or I suppose we could just start out here like those two.” Wyll nudged her hip with his own, pointing a discreet finger towards their elven compatriots. 

“Now that is an idea!” Criella laughed. However, her amusement curdled as she watched Dafni’s hand travel ever closer to the front of Astarion’s breeches, “But, I think we’d best spare these poor people another...display.”

“You’re probably right.” He agreed, his hand reaching up to stroke the delicate line of her cheek, “But, I’d like to kiss you. Something to tide me over until the party winds down.” 

Criella lifted her head from his shoulder with an eager look. Wyll took her chin between his sword-calloused fingers, tilting her rosy face toward his lips. The moment their mouths brushed the world spun to a halt. She tasted of cherry wine and rosewater. The tip of her tongue sliding across the inner edge of his lip coaxing a soft gasp forward. Wyll wrapped one hand around her waist, his fingers gently pressing into her hip. The other laced through the waterfall of lavender hair, soft as satin as in his grasp. His heart thumped loudly in his own ears at the feeling of her warm palms sliding against his chest. A dull ache began behind his eye. A flash of bronze hair and moonlight skin tearing through his mind. 

Wyll stumbled back ending the heart-stopping embrace, “Pardon, just a bit woozy…”

“That’s alright. Do you still want to meet later?”

“Definitely.” Wyll nodded twirling a stray lock of hair around his index finger, “I’ll meet you at your bunk when you’re ready. I trust I won’t have to wait long.”

As soon as the party dwindled to its embers, Criella practically skipped back to her tent, a smile fixed on her face. As she pushed the heavy lavender canvas back she took a quick stock of her surroundings. She kept her quarters tidy enough but spick and span did not necessarily correlate with romantic. Perhaps she could light some candles? Criella’s lower lip caught in her sharp teeth. It wasn’t like her to feel like a giddy green lass! She was a woman of confidence and ambition. Her affections had always manifested as quite longings rather than whimsical, girlish fancies. Then again, she’d never been kissed in such a breathtaking manner before.

Criella brushed the tips of her index and middle fingers across the plush flesh of her lips shivering as she felt the ghost of Wyll’s astounding kiss. He tasted of ale and smelled of campfire and sweet earth. Criella had been a firm believer that first kisses were more often than not dreadfully awkward but he had proven her dead wrong. She could have even been coaxed to reconsider her stance on public displays of desire, were it not for the strange sharpness that pried them apart.

She felt a phantom throb behind her eyes. Who was that? She’d caught the glimpse of a face in Wyll’s mind as their thoughts slipped together. Bronze hair glowing in a fiery halo, flawless skin the color of the moonlight, her lips impossibly pink but the finer details of her appearance remained obscured by a fog of uncertainty. After a moment of concentration, she came to the conclusion that It didn’t matter who she was. Criella had never been the jealous sort and she had no intention of starting now. Wyll was a charming, attractive gentleman; she hadn’t deluded herself into thinking his affections had never belonged to another, nor did she mind that they had. What mattered was the here and now. And in the here and now Wyll wanted her. 

With that sorted, she shifted her focus to the matter at hand. She kicked off her boots before peeled away the soft leather of her leggings carefully folding and tucking them away. She loosened the laces of her green blouse allowing it to hand loose and casual from her narrow shoulders. With a stylish flick of her hand, she projected her mirror image. She shifted her weight to her right foot, her hip popping out slightly as her hand came to rest on its peak. 

“You are still glowing from battle. On my honor, you’ve never looked more beautiful.” Wyll’s warm voice filled the tent wrapping around her half-dressed body like a lover’s embrace. He approached her with slow, sure steps but his eyes flickered with a gentle want that set a fire between her thighs. 

Once more, Wyll pulled her close, their lips meeting in a deep sensual kiss. Criella’s palms pressed against his firm chest taking up a handful of his dark cotton shirt as she pulled him closer. His fingers found their way to her hair, his nails skimming lightly across her scalp. Criella cupped his cheek, thumb running along his scarred cheek. 

Wyll winced, pulling back from her kiss once more. Before she could ask what was wrong the needling pain behind her eye retired once more along with the mysterious woman. Her dazzling smile turned razor-sharp. Horns pushed their way through her ginger hair. Her creamy complexion shifting to a steely blue as two great, leather wings spreading out from her proud shoulders. 

A Cambion.

There was no mistaking it. This woman was Wyll’s patron, she was certain. Criella tried to hold her image in her mind, searching for any defining features or giveaways of her nature but Mizora’s wicked grin cut through her thoughts like a knife forcing her to look away. 

“Damnit. Must she ruin everything?” Wyll muttered bringing his palm to his stone eye to rub away the discomfort. “I’m sorry it's not supposed to be this way.”

“That was her, wasn’t it? Mizora.” 

Wyll’s shoulders slumped, hand still guarding his eye, “Yes. Wherever she’s gone she still haunts me. A ghost in all but name. Sometimes I swear I can smell her- sulfur and orchids. Stops my heart just to think of it. I thought I could forget Mizora. Just for one night. Gods, how wrong I was. “

Criella’s lips turned up into a soft smile as she pulled Wyll’s guardian palm from his face. Her voice was warm and sure as she spoke, “I understand Wyll, as well as I am able at least. Why don’t you spend the night beside me? No sex just sharing each other's company, hm?”

“I’d like that.”

Criella guided him down to her woolen bedroll by the arm. Wyll’s head came to read against her chest as she gently rubbed the tension from his strong, reliable shoulders. He let out a sigh as her nimble fingers worked at a perpetually tight spot near his collarbone. 

“I’d forgotten what it’s like to feel safe.” He confessed, warm whisky brown eyes meeting her’s. “I’m used to being the hero. Not so used to needing one.”

“It must be hard,” She mused in a musical tone, hands still working the stubborn muscle, Looking out for everyone else all the time. Devoting yourself to helping others. That’s a heavy burden for one man to carry. You are allowed to have a few moments for yourself. Besides, you’ll always be a hero to me, Wyll.”

“It means so much to hear those words from you.” He sighed, warping his hand gently around her wrist, I wish I could give you something more in return. My flesh at least. Something deeper were you to ask it. But only a free man can give himself fully. Until my pact is broken... I’m never free.”

“You will be rid of her one day. Sooner than you might think too.” She winked, tossing her loose hair with a flick of her tail, “You have my aid now after all! I’m somewhat of an expert on the Hells, Cania in particular, but I have a fair knowledge of the other eight as well. I’m no stranger to the politics and schemes of devils and there is nothing I can’t do once my mind is set to it. “

Wyll pressed his lips in a soft kiss to the sensitive skin on her inner wrist before pressing her palm to his steadily beating heart. “You are a blessing, Wit.”