#THE MISFITS Horror Business

[savage-kult-of-gorthaur]

HE PLEDGED ALLEGIANCE TO THE MISFITS FIEND CLUB -- ONE OF THE BAND'S BIGGEST FANS.

PIC INFO: Spotlight on the mighty Henry Rollins, then-vocalist of L.A.-based hardcore punk band BLACK FLAG, photographed backstage at 688 Club in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, c. August 1982. 📸: Bryan Pritchard.

Source: www.picuki.com/media/3504328634836071789.

[t1r3dr3pt1l3z]

Neverafter era,,, welcome back 🙏

[weirdlookindog]

The Misfits - Horror Business (From 'Evilive' / The Ritz, New York City, 1981)

[punkrockmixtapes]

The Misfits - Children In Heat (Horror Business EP)

[brokehorrorfan]

Aggronautix has launched pre-orders for a Misfits bobblehead celebrating the 40th anniversary of Earth A.D. Priced at $42.95, the 7" resin collectible is limited to 2,000.

The first 500 orders receive a free glow-in-the-dark Misfits enamel pin. It's expected to ship in mid-2024.

[ryetoons]

Horror Business.

[rastronomicals]

9:17 AM EDT October 31, 2024:

The Misfits - "Horror Business" From the album Misfits (July 1, 1986)

Last song scrobbled from iTunes at Last.fm

File under: Horrorpunk

[eddiesxangel]

Show You | Virgin Eddie x Fem!Reader

Summary: Eddie meets you 4 years after he escapes the upside-down when he moves to your small Californian town.

Wc: 7k AN: sorry to the anons that requested Virgin!Eddie like a month ago, but here shit is!

Cw: shy/angsty/insecure!Eddie, fluff, SMUT, Virgin Eddie x experienced fem reader, size kink, blowjob, p in v, protected sex, sub!Eddie. Switch?eddie, dirty talk.

1990

Eddie’s life for his first twenty years wasn’t necessarily the best… drugs, alcohol, child neglect, and that wasn’t even the worst of it. Eddie’s dreams were haunted by the horror story of his life, which was 1986.

Four years ago, the gates of hell opened, and Eddie was dragged into them, kicking and screaming. Eventually, he got out with his weird band of misfits, but the scars left on his body by those disgusting creatures only remind him daily of the horrors he survived.

He survived. He got out and was paid a fat sum by the American government for keeping quiet. So he took the money and his Uncle and they ran. They ran far, far away from Hawkins, so far they ended up in the quaint town of Ferndale, California.

The Munson men had grown accustomed to the small-town life and did not want to give that up. They were pleasantly surprised when they moved to Ferndale. The vibrant Victorian-style homes painted in different shades of pastel colours added a pop of colour to the town's landscape. Wayne was particularly taken by the town's charm and ultimately decided he didn't want to leave.

The smell of saltwater from the nearby ocean was a refreshing change, and the Munson men enjoyed taking long walks on the beach during their free time to clear their heads of their tortured past. The picturesque scenery of Ferndale was a welcome change from the mundane routine of their old town of Hawkins.

With that money from the government, Eddie was able to buy himself and his uncle a nice four-bedroom house; they had so much room for just the two of them they didn’t know what to do with it. Eddie owed everything to his uncle, so of course, he needed to splurge.

Eddie had to undergo hours of physical therapy daily to fix every joint and muscle on the right side of his body, which made it difficult for him to perform even the simplest of tasks. It took him a couple of years to recover and walk properly again, but he remained determined to make a fresh start and leave his old life behind.

Once he was finally able to function normally, Eddie set out to find a new job that would provide him with a real opportunity to rebuild his life. He was determined to leave his past behind and start anew without any remnants of his old life hanging over him, including drug dealing. Eddie knew that it wouldn't be easy, but he remained committed to his goal. He was willing to put in the hard work necessary to succeed in his new job and build a better life for himself. For him, this was a second chance, a fresh start that he was determined to make the most of.

The door chimed and jingled as the fall air flowed into the small music store. While the locals were bundled up in layers of corduroy and jean jackets, scarves, and gloves, Eddie enjoyed the breeze that entered the shop. His faded black Metallica t-shirt was the only one in sight.

The doorbell's persistent chime was starting to wear on Eddie's nerves as the evening came to a close. It had been a long and busy day, with customer after customer coming in. With only twenty minutes left to go, he was getting ready to close up shop alone tonight. He considered flipping the sign a little early because, finally, after hours of non-stop work, the floor was empty of people.

Eddie was behind the counter, wiping down the work area and facing away from the door, when he heard those dreaded chimes. His shoulders dropped with defeat; he was a fool to think this day could be ended early.

He put on a façade of good customer service, but his expression quickly changed to genuine happiness mixed with nerves upon seeing who had walked into the small record store.

He had seen you around town, at the grocery store and sometimes at the beach. He admired you from afar, never once approaching you. No. You intimidated him but in the best way. You were like no other woman he had seen before.

Growing up in Hawkins, being secluded as the town freak, he didn’t have much exposure to female attention. Or any romantic attraction for that fact. So when you entered the store, Eddie’s palms felt sweaty, and his heart started to race; he could hear the blood pounding in his ears as his eyes locked with yours.

He swore he saw a sparkle in your eyes when you looked at him, but maybe that was just wishful thinking. He didn’t even know your name yet.

“E-evening,” he awkwardly waved as you browsed the slim aisle.

“Hi,” your face broke out into a smile and went back to your search. Your best friend Charlie’s birthday was tomorrow, and you needed to get her a gift before her party.

As you searched and searched, you were still looking for an album you thought she would like. You two were total opposites when it came to your music preferences, so you had no idea what to get her. After minutes with no success, you found yourself calling out to the only other person in the store.

“Hey, I don't mean to bother you, but I need your opinion.” You snap Eddie out of his little daydream, obviously that you were the start of that daydream.

“Sure!” He said he was a bit too excited. “How can I help you” he smiled but swung his long arms back and forth uncomfortably as he approached you.

“I’m looking for a birthday gift, and I’m a total newbie when it comes to metal. Do you think you can help me?” You bite your lip, observing the man in front of you.

He possessed an alluring, bad-boy persona that made him quite charming. His hair was long, reaching his shoulders, and looked unstyled, yet it was evident that he had taken time to make it look just right. The chocolate waves cascaded down his face, framing his striking features, which were difficult to ignore. His big, round eyes were captivating, and they softened his tough exterior, making him appear less intimidating, especially with that nasty scar running through his left cheek and up to his temple. He had a fair complexion, and his arms were visible, revealing numerous tattoos that covered some scars running up from his forearm to his bicep, which aided his rugged appearance.

He saw you staring and immediately wrapped his arms around himself, trying to conceal the scars from your gaze. You felt bad. You know it’s rude to stare, but he was so enticing to look at; you’d never seen anyone like him before, especially not in this North California town of yours.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.” You gestured to the arms he was concealing.

"S'all good." He brushed it off, but you could tell he was, in fact, uncomfortable.

"If it makes you feel any better... it makes you look like a total badass." You smirked.

"Oh really?" hearing your compliment did make Eddie feel a little better.

"Yeah, total babe magnet." You flirt.

"Well... I don't know about that?" Eddie's closed-off demeanour quickly changed to bashful.

"You're not from here, are you?" you looked at his name tag "Eddie," you cock your head, taking him in once again.

He's taller than you by at least a full head. His shoulders are broad, and his torso is lean. You'd guess he is around your age, mid-twenties, give or take a year or two.

Eddie liked the way you said his name.

"Nah, moved here a few years ago," he smirked.

"Well, I'm glad you did because you look just like the style of a guy who can help me." You bite your lip.

"I do?"

"Like I said, my friend is a total metalhead, and I don't have a clue on what to get?"

"Sure, yeah, I'm definitely your guy for that."

He walked you over to the correct section of the store, and you noticed a slight limp to his gate.

"If they're just an okay friend, I suggest this," He held up a small cassette. "but if they're a really good friend, Then this is definitely the thing to get them."

"Oh, this looks like something they would like! Charlie never shuts up about this band." You smile, taking the record from Eddie's hands. You decide this is the one and let Eddie know you want him to ring you up.

"So is Charlie like your boyfriend or something" God Munson, real smooth.'

This made you giggle.

"Why do you wanna ask me out or something? You cocked your head.

"Yeah, or something," Eddie's demeanour suddenly became coy.

"Well, Charlotte is my best friend, no boyfriend. " you take the record off Eddie's hands.

"Oh ok cool-cool”

Seconds of awkward silence filled the air, you could sense he wanted to talk to you more.

“Yea, well um”-

“You think I could have your number?" He asked while fiddling with his fingers. His long, thick fingers were decorated with silver rings, scars and chipped black polish. You liked his fingers; he looked like the kind of guy who knew how to use them.

Eddie's personality was more like that of a teddy bear than his outward appearance suggested.

"Sure," You smiled and pulled out an old receipt and a pen from your purse. You flipped it to the blank side and wrote your name and number on the back. "Call me." You winked as you passed it to Eddie before exiting the store.

Eddie couldn't believe what just happened. He locked up as soon as you left, watching to make sure you made it into your car safely. The crime rate in this town was non-existent, but now Eddie knew what was lurking in the shadows. He could never be too careful.

Eddie made it home about half an hour later and was examining the small paper you'd given him. He looked over the pink loopy writing of your name, and he traced over the love heart you'd written in the top right corner.

"What that you got there, boy" Wayne walked into the room and noticed what Eddie had been memorizing. He bent down and picked up the white paper marked in pink ink off of the coffee table. "Well, well, well, I'll be damned," He huffed with excitement. It was about time Eddie put himself out there.

"I bet she's real cute." He winked at his blushing nephew.

"Yeah," Eddie sighed, thinking about your face.

"If you need any tips, let me know." Wayne smiled.

"Huh?"

"I'll have you know I know how to treat a lady right, so when you come begging for help, I'll be right here." He patted his shoulder.

"Yeah, okay, Mr. Cassanova." Eddie scoffed. Wayne had never been with anyone since Eddie entered his life.

"Whatever," Wayne mumbled under his breath as he exited the living room to give Eddie some semblance of privacy. He would be able to hear the whole conversation, but he still wanted to give the illusion of privacy to his boy.

When the phone rang, you had been wrapping Charlie's present in your bedroom.

"I got it!" You yelled out to your roommates, rushing over to the other end, praying that it was Eddie on the other end.

You let it ring two more times as you took a deep breath before picking it up.

"Hello," You smiled.

"Hey, uh, this is Eddie."

"Hi, Eddie," you smiled. He could tell it was you by your voice. "I'm glad you called." You played with the phone cord, wrapping it and then unwrapping it from your fingers as you spoke.

"I was wondering if you were free on Saturday?"

You jumped up and down, giddy he was asking you out, when Charlie and Evan, your two roommates, rounded the corner to see what had gotten you all googly-eyed.

"I work Saturday until three, but I'm free after" You look at your roommates and Charlie's mouth "Who's that"

"Great, I -uh- was thinking we could maybe see a movie or dinner or both; yeah, both are good." Eddie cleared his throat.

"Yeah, both are good," You giggle back.

"Great, I can pick you up around six, that okay?"

You agree and give him your address. You wish him a good night and hang up with phone with the biggest smile on your face.

"Okay, spill, who was that." Evan and Charlie corner you before you can escape.

"You know the music store on Main St.?" You grin.

"Yea," they say in unison.

"I was in there tonight, and the guy who works there, Eddie, asked me for my number, and we are going out on Saturday."

"You mean the scary guy with the hair and the nasty scar on his face?" Evan's eyes widen.

"Trust me, he is not scary," you giggle.

"Okay," Evan draws out. He was always protective of you.

"Trust me, you should have seen how timid he was; he's really sweet." You reassure them.

"We need to get you an outfit!" Charlie jumps into action, heading for your room.

"Wait!" You rush by her, shoving the gift under your pillow so she can't see anything.

"Something I should know? any particular reason you were at the music store tonight?"

"Nope! No reason at all; I saw a cute guy and thought I would shoot my shot." You brush off

"Yeah, okay," She totally knew.

Eddie was frantic. This was honestly and truly his first date. He doesn’t count the disaster of a night that was Jackie Manning in the fourth grade that had been wiped from his memory.

Eddie was bouncing around the house from room to room, trying to gather things he needed for the evening. He wanted this to work. He wanted to get to know you. He wanted to build something, he was already a twenty four year old who’s never been in a relationship or had sex. And he wanted those two things so badly. He was lonely, and he missed his friends from Hawkins, but he could never go back, not after everything that had happened. And because of everything that happened was the exact reason he was still a virgin.

The pressure to please was building in his head as the time started getting closer to 6:00pm.

“Don’t psych yourself out, kid.” Wayne watched as his nephew flew around the house. “You’re making me dizzy.”

“What if she thinks I’m a freak like everyone else?” His sentence tapers off as his voice turns into a mumbled whisper.

“Son, listen to me. This town is no Hawkins. You do not need to hide anymore, and you never know. Maybe she’s more of a freak than you ever can be,” his uncle laughed.

“Not helping.” He rolls his eyes, walking back to his room. He was looking for the new cologne he bought for tonight. He sprits it on himself maybe one too many times, but it didn’t matter, he was sweating so much he needed to change his shirt, again.

Looking into the mirror, he couldn't help but notice the scars that crisscrossed along his torso. It was obvious that his scars had a story, one that was filled with pain and struggle. Despite feeling self-conscious, Eddie took a deep breath, reminding himself that he was more than his physical appearance. With care, he fixed his hair and pulled on a black long-sleeved collared shirt, hoping it would provide some comfort and confidence.

With one last deep breath, he worked up the courage to grab his keys and walk out the front door.

“Good luck, be yourself, don’t forget the flowers and open the door for her damnit! I didn’t raise you to be no brute!”

“Got it!” Eddie yelled out before shutting the door with a click.

As you were lost in thought, a distant rumble of an old engine caught your attention, and you instinctively turned towards the window. You noticed a striking red two-door sedan pulling up to the front of your house, and your eyes were immediately drawn to Eddie as he stepped out of the car. He exuded an air of confidence, wearing a sleek black leather jacket that complimented his impressive physique. You couldn't help but watch as he flicked the butt of his cigarette onto the ground and crushed it under his black boots.

Your gaze moved up his long, toned legs, admiring the way they looked in his fitted black jeans, to his slim waist and broad shoulders that seemed to dominate the space around him. As he walked towards the trunk of the car, his movements were so graceful that they seemed almost rehearsed. He retrieved what looked like a bouquet of flowers. You couldn’t help but fucked him as you watched how he walked up to the front porch. He looked like pure sex, and you couldn’t wait to climb him like a tree.

Yeah, it has been a while since you last got laid, and this date with Eddie was getting your hopes up that that streak will soon come to an end.

The closer he got to the porch, the more the butterflies built in your stomach. The knock on the door shot you up from where you were perched, and you quickly made your way down the stairs.

“Hi” you smile brightly as you open the door.

“Hey,” Eddie smirked shyly as he took you in. It was like he forgot to breathe for a second. How could someone be cute and sexy at the same time?

“Hi” you repeated.

“I got you these.” he passed you a cute bouquet of pink and purple flowers.

“Thank you, Eddie.” You smile and smell them, finding your bashfulness.

“For us, you shouldn’t have!” Evan comes up and takes the flowers out of your hands

“Okay, bad boy, have our girl back by midnight” Charlie comes up from behind you, giving Eddie a once over.

“Charlie?” Eddie points.

“Oh, you talked about me? I’m flattered,” your best friend pecks you on the cheek.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know who you are?” Eddie motions to Evan.

“Evan” he smiles and puts his hand out to shake. “The unspoken about roommate.”

“Don’t worry about him. He’s just salty. I’m going out, and he’s stuck at home with Charlie and her new Dio album,” you smirk.

“Well, I hope you enjoy, I’m personally a fan of track 8,” Eddie rocks back on his heels.

“I like him; he’s the boy version of me.” Charlie nods in approval.

“Okay, let’s go.” You grab Eddie's arm and close the door behind you before your roommates can say anymore.

Eddie walked you to the passenger side of the red sedan and opened the door for you.

“Thank you,” you smiled, and Eddie jogged to the other side.

The car ride was a little quiet but not long. Eddie jogged out to the other side and opened the door for you with a smile.

You talked a bit more before the movie. He bought the popcorn and drinks. He didn’t open up much about why he moved, but you spoke about your interests and your future goals up until the movie started.

During the movie, you tried to pass signals to him to make a move. You rested your hand out so he could take it, but it seemed that he was engrossed in the film. You tried leaning in closer so he could put his arm around you, but nothing. So you pulled a Hail Mary and rested your hand on his thigh. You felt his body stiffen under your touch, but the. He relaxed a little and took your hand in his.

You glanced over at Eddie, and he was grinning at you. The light off the movie screen reflected off the deep scar marking Eddie’s cheek. God, he was beautiful.

“What?” Eddie whispered.

Shit, did you say that out loud?

“You’re beautiful.” You whispered back confidently. Something about Eddie told you he wasn’t complimented often, but you wanted to change that.

“Oh,” Eddie blushes, the red crawled up his chest, and he felt his ears burning bright red. Thankful for his long hair and the dark theatre.

After the movie, Eddie didn’t let go of your hand until you got to the car; then, when you both were back in the car, he bravely reached over and took your hand in his once more.

Dinner was lovely; he pulled out your chair for you, and he opened up more to you about himself. He was extremely charming and funny, vibrant and animated, and he made you feel alive. Eddie was such a breath of fresh air compared to the men from your past.

By the end of the night, you didn’t want it to end. You drove around for a while before you both decided it was for the best to take you home.

Like the perfect gentleman he had been all night, Eddie walked you up to your door.

“I had a really nice night with you.” You smiled up at him. He made you feel like a teenager again.

“Me too, Sweetheart.”

Your heart soared at the nickname.

Eddie leaned in, hoping and praying he was reading the room correctly. He felt like his insides were going to explode, and he took the risk and kissed you.

Eddie’s hands grabbed your waist and pulled you in closer as you leaned into him. He felt your hands wrap around his neck and bring your bodies closer. His hard frame was pressed against your soft one; he let a soft moan slip as he felt your soft breasts graze his chest and your plush thighs press against his centre.

Eddie quickly pulled away once he felt his cock hardening against your body; the last thing he needs is your thinking he is some perv.

“Goodnight, sweetheart.” Eddie cupped your face, giving you one quick peck before stepping back and trying to cover his crotch with his jacket.

“Goodnight, Eddie,” you smile, and you look at him like no one has looked at Eddie. It made his knees feel like jello.

“I’ll call you,” he smirked; his confidence had grown since he walked out his front door.

“You better”

Eddie and you have been dating for two months now. Everything had been going well, everything but your sex life, or lack thereof.

Eddie hadn’t made a move. Nothing went past makeouts and heavy petting, and you were starting to get insecure. Everything else was amazing, but nothing ever led to anything more.

You had tried to initiate sex, but every time you were turned away, even a blow job, Eddie made an excuse for you not to go past kissing.

You were pulling away, and Eddie could sense it. He was absolutely fucking this up, but his inner thoughts were his worst enemy. How could you be with someone as inexperienced and deformed as him? Could he please you? What if he finished in ten seconds? He would be mortified. But all of that felt like nothing if it meant losing you.

Tonight, he would change that. Tonight, he had the whole evening planned. He had the house to himself as Wayne was also out with a lady friend he had met at the town bar. Things were looking up for the Munson men in California.

After your date with Eddie, he invited you over to his place for the first time. His house was beautiful; you wondered how Eddie could afford a place like this? He had already disclosed to you he had purchased it all on his own.

“Are you a part of the mob” you joke as you take in the house.

Eddie chuckled and led you further into his home.

“You want a drink?”

“Yeah, whatever you’re having,” As you make your way over to the large sofa you take a seat and let out a deep sigh as you sink into the comfortable cushions.

The room is quiet, save for the sound of Eddie shuffling around in the kitchen, and you begin to feel a little uneasy in the silence, not knowing what to do to fill the time. Thankfully, Eddie walks in with two beers in his hands, and you can't help but smile at the sight of him.

He hands you a beer and takes a sip of his own before heading over to the stereo to put on some music. As the music starts to fill the room, you begin to feel more at ease.

“So, where is your Uncle?” You ask casually.

“Out for the night, we have the place to ourselves.” He smiles as he sits down beside you.

“Oh, so he is gone the whole night?” You ask, trying not to get your hopes up.

“Yep,” he ended his word with a crisp pop.

“That’s good.” You nod your head. “Sure is a big place to be alone in.”

“Wanna keep me company?” Eddie nuzzled his face into your neck.

“Yes,” you sigh as the beer in your hands has been completely forgotten. Finally, you were going to spend some much-needed alone time with Eddie.

You push back so you can turn your head to kiss Eddie. You turn your body so you can get a better angle. Eddie cups your face pulling you closer, he wanted to feel you, all of you.

You needed to feel him more, too; your pussy was in control; you swung your leg over his lap so you could straddle your man. Your hips started moving on their own. Grinding down onto Eddie’s lap. Eddie hands travels from your face down your back to cup your ass pulling you closer. His cock was already hard; you felt how big he was through his taught jeans. You pull away to slip your hands under his shirt, but Eddie grabs your wrists hastily.

“Baby, what’s wrong?” You ask worried. The grip on your wrists was firm. “I thought you were into this?” You feel like you are folding into yourself.

“I am!” He was quick to correct you.

“Do you not want me in that way?” Your voice was so small.

“No! I mean, yes, I do, I really, really do.” He shakes his head.

“Then why don’t you want to do anything with me?”

“I do, fuck, sweetheart. I really do. It’s all I think about.” He stroked your hair reassuringly.

“Then let me.” You tried unbuttoning Eddie’s jeans, but he stopped you once again. You were fighting back tears of embarrassment. You were throwing yourself at him, and he was rejecting you time and time again.

“Sweetheart, wait, I have to tell you something… well, two things.”

“What it’s it, baby?” Now you were nervous.

“I-shit- I want this to be… be so good for you, but I’m…not really…experienced.” he avoided eye contact, and it finally clicked.

“Eddie, are you a virgin?” Your question with no judgment or malice in your tone.

He slowly nods his head, looking down in his lap.

“Baby, that doesn’t matter to me.” You hook a finger under his jaw to make him look at you.

His wide eyes were sorrowful like he didn’t want to disappoint you.

“Yeah?” He whispers.

“Yeah,” you confirm with a kiss as you lean down into him. Slowly, you started rocking your hips into his lap once again.

“Sweetheart, there is uh-one more thing.” He pulls away; you can already feel his thick cock beneath you.

“If you’re not ready, we don’t have to do anything.”

“No, no, I-I want to. It’s umm. Shit”

“You don’t have to tell me if you’re not ready,” you cooed.

“I kinda have to if I want to sleep with you…”

“Okay, Eddie. Take your time.”

“My uh- scars. They’re everywhere." he gestured to his middle, " And I don’t want you to be grossed out or whatever.” He was bitterly honest with you. All of his walls came tumbling down, and you felt like an ass for not even considering his feelings about the situation.

“Eddie,” you sighed.

“No, I know what I look like, and it’s not normal. I don’t want you to get scared off or worse because I really like you. And god, I wanna have sex with you so bad it’s all I can think about that makes me sound so perverted- but it’s true. I want to be with you so bad.”

You cut him off with a kiss. A deep, sensual kiss that makes Eddie forget his own name.

“Let me take care of you,” you whisper into his lips.

“You don’t have to. I want this to be about you.”

“No baby, you do so much for me. Let me do this for you” You kiss down his jaw to his neck, sucking a dark purple mark until you’re satisfied and Eddie is withering underneath you, trying to get any sense of friction.

Your hands explored his waist above his shirt, feeling his body. It was bumpy, and there were ridges where you were not used to, but it didn’t deter you from wanting to be with him.

You could feel his body stiffen when your fingers traced over his scars.

“Is there any place you don’t want me touching?” You whispered.

“No, no, touch me- please.” his chest moved up and down with his heavy breaths.

Eddie’s body felt like it was on fire. No one has ever felt him in this way. He needed more but didn’t want to press you. So he let you take your time.

Your hands once again tried to break past the barrier of his shirt. This time, he let you as your warm fingertips worked their way up his tummy, feeling his skin beneath you.

“Can I take this off?” You ask.

Eddie nodded his head frantically; he trusted you and wanted nothing more than to keep going.

He sat up a bit, letting you shuffle the soft cotton over his head.

Your gaze didn’t break from his body. It was so beautifully mangled you could see he had skin grafting scars all across his chest and sides.

“I get it if you’re not attracted to me.”

“Hey,” you grab his head in both hands, forcing him to look at you. “I’ve never wanted to be with anyone more than I want to be with you right now.” You take a hand off his face to grab his hand and guide it to your soaked panties.

Eddie’s eyes widen with surprise as he feels your pooled slick in your panties.

“Holy shit,” Eddie gasped.

“I want you, Eddie. I want you so bad. I want to make you feel good.” You grind yourself on his hand before you slink off his lap and onto your knees in front of him.

You were about to give him the best blowjob imaginable. You didn’t know what Eddie went through, but you knew he was one of the most genuine guys you’ve ever met, and he deserved this moment.

You were quick to unbuckle his belt and pants before guiding your hand up his still-covered cock. Your fingers are hooked under the elastic waistband of his boxers, and his pulsing cock sprang free.

Your eyes widen at the sight in front of you… you knew he would be big, but you weren’t expecting him to be that big. How has he been hiding this from you all this time?

“What? What's wrong?”

“Eddie, you’re huge,” your mouth hung agape. In front of you is a cock at least eight inches long and thick, with a slight curve to the left.

“What? No.”

“You’re joking?” You laugh.

Eddie looks at you with a blank stare. Maybe laughing while his cock was out wasn’t the best idea.

“Eddie, I’m serious,” you take his length in your hand. “This is the biggest dick I’ve ever seen.” It felt heavy in your hand.

"Really?"

"Really, I don't think it's going to fit?" You chuckle, a little worried.

"Can- can we at least try?" Eddie stutters.

"Don't worry, baby, I always like a challenge."

You didn't let Eddie respond before your mouth was enveloping the tip of his cock. You swirled your tongue around the head before taking as much as possible without triggering your gag reflex.

"Holy shit" Eddie instinctively grabbed your hair as you lowered your head down the shaft. His face scrunched up in pleasure.

"You like that baby?" You ask, popping up for air, your hand replacing your mouth.

"Yes," he sucked in a sharp breath as your hand applied the perfect amount of pressure to his cock.

"I can't believe you've been holding this secret from me for so long, naughty boy." You smirked before taking him back in your mouth.

" I-I-didn't-fuck! Didn't know?" Fuck why had Eddie been holding off on this feeling? This wonderful feeling of your beautiful mouth surrounding his length.

You worked your head up and down his head before Eddie pulled you off unexpectedly.

" I'm gonna come if you keep doing that."

"That's the point, baby." You smiled.

"But I wanna have sex," He rushes out.

"Okay." You smile, and you both stand up, taking his hand in yours. "Wanna show me your bedroom?"

Eddie frantically nods his head yes before he pulls you up the stairs to the bedroom. You giggle behind him as he runs up the stairs, trying not to trip as his pants and boxers are wrapped around his ankles.

He rushes the both of you over to his bed, and he lays you down before him before you can take off your clothes.

"Tell me what you want," you coo, tucking a piece of hair behind Eddie's ear as he hovers over you.

"You, I want you so bad," he whines between kisses.

"Good boy," you smile, and Eddie swears his heart stops beating.

"How do you want me?" you ask as Eddie's hands explore every inch of your still-clothed body.

"Naked." He kissed the exposed skin of your neck.

"Mmmm, good boy, tell me what you want," you say as Eddie's mouth finds your sweet spot.

You hear Eddie whimper at your praise, so you decide to keep pushing. In a moment of intense emotion, something inside him breaks. A deep longing takes hold of him, compelling him to be nothing but a perfect and devoted man for you. The thought of being your good boy fills him with an unfamiliar sense of need, one that he has never encountered before.

"You like it when I call you that, baby?"

Eddie mumbles an answer into your neck.

"What was that? I couldn’t hear you."

"Yes, please, I want to be your good boy." He rutted his bare cock against your wet panty-covered core, and it sent a wave of pleasure through you.

"Oh, Eddie," You moan. "help me take off my clothes," You ask sweetly.

Eddie waisted not another second before your shirt was over your head and your skirt ripped off of your hips. You managed your bra while Eddie did the honours of revealing your swollen wet pussy.

"How do you want me?" you ask as your fingers trace your pussy lips before opening your legs wide for Eddie to see you play with your pussy.

"I've died and gone to heaven." Eddie's eyes were wide as he took in your body.

"I want you to feel me, baby." you reach out for Eddie's hand and guide it back to your pussy like you had downstairs. You slowly guided his thick fingers through your folds, collecting your slick before you showed him where your tight hole was.

“Holy shit” Eddie couldn’t believe he was allowed to touch you like this.

"It's okay, you can go in" You rocked your hips into Eddies and hoping his fingers would breach your cunt.

"Oh my god," You say in unison as his long, thick finger stretches you out ever so slightly.

"You're so tight." Eddie slowly tests the waters as he pumps his fingers in and out of your pussy.

"mmmm, think about how good it's going to feel when my tight little pussy is wrapped around your big, thick cock"

Eddie's brain short-circuited, his hand stopped moving, and you let out a giggle when you realized you had broken his brain.

"Can I?"

"Just a little bit more warming up, baby. You're just so big I need to get ready for you." You bat your lashes at him.

"fuck you can't say things like that to me."

"Why you don't like it?" You tease.

"Quite the opposite, sweetheart."

"You wanna know a secret to a woman's pleasure?"

"Yes"

"You gotta pay a lot of attention to right here" You guide his hand to your swollen clit. You let out a moan when his fingers make contact with your bundle of nerves.

You show him how to circle it, and Eddie couldn't believe the sight below him. He was giving you pleasure. He could tell by your blissed-out face he was doing a good job; he was being your good boy.

"Fuck I need you now," you moan, feeling your orgasm build.

"I have condoms," Eddie blurts out.

"Good, go get one," you breathe heavy with lust. Eddie hops off the bed, almost tripping over his pants that were still wrapped around his ankles, making you giggle.

You watched as he reached his nightstand opening the drawer. Your pussy was throbbing, and you couldn’t take your eyes off how his shoulder blade jutted out, and his back muscles rippled and dipped through the large scar that covered most of his left side. Your eyes travelled down, and the perfect view of his perky ass was right there for the taking. So you can’t help yourself as you reach out and swat at it playfully, making Eddie jump.

“You’re a little minx.” he turns quickly, wrapped condom in hand.

Eddie quickly crawls back into the bed before unwrapping and rolling the condom down his throbbing length. Then he froze, not knowing what to do next?

“How do you want me, Eddie baby?” You playfully twirl a piece of his unruly hair around your finger.

“Can-can you be on top to start?”

“Layback for me.” You un-twirl your finger from his hair and gently push his shoulders back so he can get comfortable.

His cock lay flat against his stomach, passing where his belly button should have been.

Slowly, you wrap your legs around his body, aligning your centre with his. You take his girth in your delicate hand and guide his cock to your wanton hole. You glide his tip through your pussy lips a few times, teasing and collecting your slick before slowly sinking your way down. You let out a shaking breath as he splits you in half.

It took everything within Eddie to not rut his hips up into you; his knuckles turned white as he gripped the sheets beneath him, trying to do everything not to plant his feel so he could to hold back.

He’d never felt anything so heavenly. You were so fucking tight around him. He couldn’t believe how amazing this felt. Your pussy was his own personal paradise, and he was never leaving.

“Fuck-fuck-fuck-“ you stuttered as your pussy adjusted to his size. The burn was long but so good, you wanted more of him.

Eddie watched as your pinched-up face relaxed, changing quickly from uncomfortable to pure pleasure when you reached the hilt.

“Holy shit,” Eddie swore he could have come right then and there if he wanted it. But he didn’t want it, not yet. God, he be damned if he didn’t make this moment last forever.

“You like the way my pussy is wrapped around your fat cock, big boy?” You start to rock your hips slowly, teasing the man who is falling apart beneath you.

Usually, you were always the one in his position, but you felt a power you’d never experienced. You wanted to be in control tonight; you wanted to make this so good for Eddie, your sweet Eddie with a monster cock.

Eddie jerked his hips up, and your pussy clenched. “Oh fuck!” Eddie cried as your muscles contracted around him. This was it; nothing could ever be better than this right now.

“You feel that honey? How tight my wet warm pussy is for you?” You start to bounce, and Eddie, stood, corrected.

He tried to hold on as your tits started bouncing in his face as you worked yourself up and down on his cock.

“Touch me,” you panted.

Eddie didn’t need to be told twice. His hands snapped up to your hips gripping you tightly before he ran them up to your swollen breasts.

You throw your head back as Eddie pinches your nipples, exposing your neck. Eddie acts on instinct, wanting to ravage you, he sits up and latches his mouth onto your exposed neck, then down your chest to your perked nipples.

“Oh baby,” you cry at the sudden movement beneath you. The new angel only sank his cock deeper into your cunt. He was filling you so good, you’ve never felt this full.

“Can I - can we switch?” Eddie can’t take it he needs to fuck you, like really fuck you.

“Yes,” you were completely fucked out.

You let out a squeak as Eddie man handles you to be underneath him. He wastes no time pounding back into you the second your back hits the mattress. His sting hands are gripping your hips so hard you’re sure there will be finger shaped bruises. He nearly took your breath away as his hips snapped into your dripping pussy, your walls pulsed around him as his cock grazed that sweet spot that is deep, deep inside.

“OH EDDIE” you scream, eyes rolling back into your head.

It was music to Eddie’s ears. He wasn’t going to last much longer. He needed you to finish. He suddenly remembered the advice you gave him minutes before. His hand grazed down your body to your clit.

His touch sent a zap of pleasure through your core, only making your pussy tighten even more. His fingers worked your pussy slowly, a contrast from how fast he was thrusting into you.

Moans of ecstasy escaped your throat as your brain shut off. You were no longer in control; it was all Eddie.

“Baby, you still with me?” He coos in your ear.

“Fuck Eddie, don’t stop! I’m going to cum!” You wrap your legs around Eddie to pull him closer to you, not that it was possible. You wanted him buried inside of you forever.

“Come on, baby, come for me.”

You broke at his words. Your orgasm ripped through you as he worked his cock through your tight grip. Eddie broke as soon as you did no way he could hold on any longer.

A loud roar rips out of his chest as his seed spurts out of him into the condom that is buried deep inside of you.

“Fuck me, you sure that was your first time?” You giggle, still totally fucked out.

“Yep, guess you can say I’m a natural sex god.” his ego was definitely boosted.

“Mmmhmmmmm,” you nod in agreement. Rolling over to wrap a bare leg around his body.

Eddie couldn’t believe his life could be this sweet. He wrapped his arms around you and fell asleep with a shit-eating grin plastered on his face.

Tags!: @nailbatanddungeon @s6raphic @3rd-conchord @sadbitchfangirl @gri959 @reidsbtch @taintedcigs @skyline4446 @babygorewhore @mmunson86 @paybacksawitch @lesservillain @imyourdaninow @bimbobaggins69 @liminalpebble @keeksandgigz @lightcommastix @wtfmariaclara @st4rgirll3 @ali-r3n @xxhellfirebunnyxx

[2ndkaiser]

MOUTHWASHING CREW HEADCANONS

This is my first time writing. I’m not the best at this, I’m just trying to pick up a new hobby so don’t come at me if this is ass. These are my headcanons, this is what I think, my headcanons do not need to be like yours.

꩜ Warnings: Extremely small mention of NSFW content for Daisuke’s part, one swear word.

CAPTAIN CURLY (PRE-CRASH)

Has a collection of cowboy stuff he’s extremely proud of. Pridefully shows it to the rest of the crew.

I like to think he’s not that much of a sweet tooth, but once in a while he eats a spoonful of biscoff spread because he claims that “Its not too sweet” but really he just can’t go one month without the taste of biscoff.

A terrible cook. Absolutely awful. I’m talking frying an egg and made it undercooked but overcooked at the same time.

Used to take immaculate care of his hair back on earth but ran out of products within 4 months on board.

Definitely misses his shiny curls…

Genuinely loves the taste of Alpen yoghurt bars, he could down 20 of them in one sitting.

Once asked Jimmy to help cut his hair and ended up with a frizzy bob look for a while.

CO-PILOT JIMMY

Y’know how one of his canon hobbies is weightlifting? Well he only started lifting because Curly did, he wanted to appear buffer than him.

He cant lift past 50kg btw.

Has a favorite shirt hes too attached to throw away. It’s a Misfits band t-shirt which now has holes in it, the hem of the shirt is practically falling off but he refuses to throw it out.

I know people like to say he probably stinks but honestly he probably smells faint of wood and light musk. It’s not the worst, kind of smells pleasant actually.

Heavily dislikes board games because every time he’s slightly falling behind the rest of the crew he rage quits, gaslighting himself that the game is rigged and storms off.

Secretly likes The Hungry Caterpiller. (Only because it was the only book he could afford as a child.)

Likes the smell of gasoline. I’m not elaborating.

NURSE ANYA

Originally, the Tulpar didn’t have any board games (considering how shitty Pony Express is), she brought them on herself. Theres now a small box of games for everyone tucked away under the table in the living room.

Ran one of those small businesses that sold slime when she was younger but stopped because she got slime stuck in her hair so bad she had to cut her hair.

Back on earth, she was often invited to school trips as a nurse or a medic. One of her fondest memories was when she was brought on a 5 day school residential trip to the beach with 9th graders. She got to go snorkeling with them and became close friends with a few other med students who also got invited.

Never skips leg day.

Theres a hidden cupboard of kids cereal no one knew about but her. She gate-kept it and pours herself a bowl every morning since the other cupboard of cereal is only filled with cornflakes and the granola ones.

Gave a box to Daisuke though but only because he promised not to tell anyone after he saw her taking it off the shelf.

Bonds with Daisuke over animes like Ouran High School Host Club, Assassination Classroom and Life Lesson of Uramichi Oniisan. They’re best friends now.

INTERN DAISUKE

I don’t care what y’all say, he loves playing Wii Sports, specifically tennis and bowling.

Once got scolded by his mother because she thought he was watching hentai. In reality, it was just an anime where the female lead sounds like shes making explicit noises every time she gasps. Poor Daisuke.

Wants to go to Hawaii so bad. He tells his friends that he just wants to go because he loves sunny weather and the beach but really he adores those tanned Sanrio plushes exclusive to Hawaii.

A sucker for malatang. He has the highest spice tolerance out of the whole crew and brought a few packs of Shin ramen to eat. (He offered Swansea one and later saw a sprinting Swansea dashing towards the vending machine for water.)

Won’t be able to sleep for MONTHS after seeing horror movie.

Surprisingly hates gummy bears. Claims the texture is too thick to chew on.

MECHANIC SWANSEA

Tried to convince Pony Express to let his dog on board. Got refused.

Makes a mean Texas Smoked Brisket which he used to make for family gatherings back on earth. Everyone would get upset when he doesn’t show up with one in his hands.

Uses Daisuke as his tool boy like those dads who make their sons hand them tools. Daisuke holds a flashlight for him all the time and Swansea gets annoyed when the light isn’t shining where it’s supposed to be.

Fears balding and asked Anya how to deal with hair loss. She gave him her set of scalp oils to use and now he has the best smelling hair on the ship.

Used to be a jock in his school days. Pulled like 50 girls.

Has a special pair of fun socks his wife gave to him on his 30th birthday, he brought it on the ship because it reminds him of her. Though, everyone laughs at the mini pepperoni pizza patterns on them.

Thanks for reading, this is my first time writing and I have no clue if this is what I’m supposed to be doing. Requests are opened but I don’t have any rules or a masterlist yet. Take care.

[sorchathered]

The Willows Never Stopped Weeping for You

Pairing-Tyler Owens x female OC (Olivia Wright)

Warnings- language, drinking, angst, death, injury, smut

Summary- Olivia let Tyler go to carry out his dreams, but broke his heart in the process. What happens when in the wreckage of a little small town he learns the real reason she left him, and how do they repair it?

A/N- we back at it again on the angst train, third week in a row lol!! I really loved this one, twisters was so good and I am excited to start writing for the fandom! As always, like, comment, reblog anything to let me know what you think!

“We’ve gotta get the hell out of dodge, we can’t sit here any longer Ty!” Dani is panicked, sweat dripping from their brow as they tremble, eyes wild and afraid of what will happen if they don’t make it out.

“I can’t- I can’t leave without her goddamnit and you know it, go ahead of me, you gotta trust me! We will make it out of here, get everyone to safety Dan, I’m serious get the hell out of here!” He yells over the roar of the wind, shoving them towards the rv and as much as it pains the crew, they know Tyler would die in this storm before he ever left Olivia behind. She was his everything, he’d loved her his whole life, and even if things were broken between them he would die a thousand times over to make sure she was safe.

——————————————————————

The crew had been up and down the state the past few weeks, working together with Javi and his crew to test out Kate’s theory and it had been one hell of a ride. They’d mostly been able to help keep the damage to a minimum, but as always with storms like these it was always a risk.

The little town on the outskirts of Enid had been ravaged more than once, but this storm seemed to be hell bent on taking whatever was left of the small community and turning it to rubble. So many injured, and so many homes and businesses destroyed, it seemed like a no-brainer that the government would send aid relief workers to help repair the damage, but what Tyler Owens hadn’t foreseen was the bright green eyes and auburn hair of his first love as he helped people in the aftermath.

Olivia Wright had been his everything since he was fourteen years old, occupied every one of his dirty fantasies and dreams of the future. He’d never been more sure of anyone in his life, until they’d crashed and burned so spectacularly shortly after college. He’d fallen in love with storm chasing, his dreams of working for the NWS had turned into something else entirely as he and the crew of misfits he migrated to became more and more obsessed with the beauty and danger these storms brought.

Liv had their whole future planned, finish college, get married. Ty would work for the NWS and she would become a nurse, fulfilling your passion to help people and getting to be by his side while he pursued his passion for meteorology. The two of them were growing apart, everyone could see it but him, and she knew she’d have to be the one to let go, he was always bigger than the whole sky and Liv couldn’t bear to keep him down. So she broke his heart and her own, and in that time she watched him flourish. His channel and all of his friends, the articles written about his discoveries, she watched it all with rapt attention, he was living out his dreams and Liv couldn’t have been more proud. Eventually she had to decide what was best for her, and watching storms ravage communities just like hers in Arkansas became too much to bear, working in disaster relief and helping to save lives became her passion, she kept her head down and let the work take over, but never lost hope that one day she’d run smack dab into that man that was as wild as the western wind.

It had happened less like a rom com and more like a horror movie, he’d seen her first and lost his cool immediately, ducking under an awning and scrambling to find somewhere, anywhere else to be but near her. Lily, who had been both of their friends in college couldn’t quite figure out what the hell was wrong with him, but it didn’t take long to spot her bright hair and the FEMA t-shirt Liv was sporting as she handed out water to a group not far from theirs.

“Oh my God is that my Livvy?!” She shrieked as she ran for her friend, the two of them erupting in giggles and swaying each other in the midst of the debris-covered road.

“Lily bug!! Oh my goodness what are y’all doing here?! I thought from your last video you guys were over near Lawton!” She said, smacking a hand over her mouth as she realized she’d given herself away already.

“Ooh so you have been watching hmm? Come say hi to everyone cutie pie, it’s been too long and we need to catch up.” She pulled her along but Liv tried to dig her heels in, wild green eyes panicked.

“I can’t intrude Lils, and I don’t want to make Tyler uncomfortable, I’m sure he doesn’t want to see me” she says as she puts both hands up in surrender but Lily is having none of it.

“Nope, you don’t get to pussy out Olivia, life is too short and you know it. Now come on! I want to hear all about your life, and Dani makes some bomb ass burritos so you should try to eat something, it’s gonna be a long day babygirl.

————————————————————-

He somehow manages to avoid her like the plague all day, catching glimpses here and there but mostly staying close to Kate and Javi, much to Lily's frustration if the glares she’s cut at him all afternoon are any indication.

Livvy wasn’t quite sure what to make of it; she had been watching them for so long online that she felt like she knew the crew personally, they were some of the kindest people she’d ever met and it wasn’t lost on her that all of them had been brought together by Ty. He’d made himself a family, it was just another thing that she had missed her chance on and she couldn’t help but feel a little emotional over it.

When Kate had come over to introduce herself later in the evening, it had been obvious to Olivia that she and Tyler had something going on. It was hard to dislike her, she was beautiful and kind, and smart as a whip from what Liv could tell. Definitely perfect for him, so after a while of watching them all interact and being all but ignored by her oldest friend, it got to be too much and she found a way to make her escape, using an early morning as an excuse and holing up in her motel room to lick her wounds and cry.

Lily chases after her with another nasty glare in Tyler’s direction, everyone had questions now and he couldn’t give them, waving them off with a middle finger as he stumbled through the parking lot, a little tipsy and feeling an ache in his chest that he’d thought he’d healed from.

“Liv! Stop damnit, I know this shit is hard but just talk to me honey, tell me.” Lily shouts into the crowded lot and watches her friend's shoulders sag as she turns with tears sliding down her cheeks.

“Oh Lily.” She lets out a ragged breath and lets it all wash over her, everything she’s left unsaid and held deep inside. “I could never deny him happiness, if it’s not with me that’s OK, it’s been a long time and I’ve learned to accept it. If Kate makes him happy then of course I want that for him. I never stopped loving him, so of course I would always want what’s best for him. It wasn’t right back then Lily, that kinda love was unpredictable. We were growing together like two gnarled trees, neither of us were helping the other reach our potential and I had to let him go so we didn’t end up hating each other. “ A shudder runs through her at the declaration, tears are threatening to seep from her eyes but she won’t give them the satisfaction.

“That sounds like horseshit and you know it” Lily says she jabs her finger into Liv’s shoulder, her eyes are full of fire. Liv knows she means well, she’s always been a good man in the storm, someone you want in your corner when things get hard which is why she’s so glad that Tyler has her. Liv lets her shoulders sag and look at Lily full of defeat.

“I can’t change it now, even if I wish I could.”

“Do you wish you could?” She says with raised eyebrow and Olivia gives her a little nod.

“Every day. I miss him every day.” Tears well up in her eyes and she shivers as the wind blows through the camp, but she won’t let the pain overtake her, she made her choice and she can only hope that he’ll be happy.

Olivia doesn’t see it but Lily does, Tyler is half hidden behind the RV, he’s heard it all and she watches as his face goes from grief stricken to angry turning on his heel as he walks off into the dark, the weight of her confession breaking his heart all over again.

—————————————————

He paces the concrete hallway of the motel for what feels like hours, letting the weight of what she said run over him. Had he really been so blind? Olivia hadn’t wanted to let him go, and he’d never thought to question it when she pushed him away. He had been hurt and stubborn, shutting down immediately and saying some of the meanest things he could hurl at her to hurt her back. In hindsight he should have known she was just trying to give him the ability to do what he wanted, but just the fact that she had convinced herself that she was what was holding him back made a fire rage in him. Sure it would have been hard to manage, but they could’ve handled it! They could handle anything together, he’d always told her that, why she would have ever thought otherwise was something he couldn’t reconcile with.

He was at her door before he could stop himself, rapping sharply on the peeling metal and praying that she would listen. The sounds of the lock being undone told him she was still awake, the door swinging open to reveal her puffy tear stained face, hair up in a messy knot on her head and an oversized t shirt full of holes, one that had definitely belonged to him.

“Why are you here Ty? You’d had all day to say something to me, and you waited until midnight?” She said with a sniffle, there was no point in trying to hide what she’d been doing, it was all over her face and his heart clenched in his chest knowing he’d hurt her again.

“You didn’t want us to end, did you?” He said gruffly, he wasn’t leaving until he got his answers, he needed to know the truth.

“What does it matter now? You’re with Kate-“ she said as more tears formed, arms wrapped tightly around her waist as though she was trying to hold herself together.

“I’m not. We tried it, but she’s got her own demons to work out, and we agreed it would be better to be friends. Answer my question baby, I need to hear it. Do you still want me?” He was leaning in close to the door frame now, close enough to feel the heat radiating from his body and smell the beer on his breath. Liv let out a ragged breath and nodded, that was all he needed to push the door the rest of the way open and pull her into his arms, kicking the door shut behind him as he pressed kisses to her cheek and neck while she held on for dear life. Sobs wracked her body as he sat down on the creeky mattress, pulling her into his lap as he rocked her side to side.

“My sweet girl” he murmured into her hair, he let her cry it all out until she relaxed in his grip, tipping her chin up to look at him as he stroked her cheek.

“I never stopped hoping for this, I didn’t want to hold you back but- I can’t stay away anymore. I-I love you Ty, I always will.” She stuttered and he let out a groan as he pressed his mouth to hers, flipping them both so she was on her back and spread out for him, she’d been the star of every fantasy he’d ever had, and nothing would ever be as good as the real thing.

“I never stopped either Livvy girl, can I have you? Please baby I- I need it, need to show you how much I missed you.” He looks wrecked, hair a mess and eyes wild, and she can’t stop herself from pulling him down to her, licking into his mouth and running her hands over his broad shoulders, watching him shiver in her embrace as he grinds down into her.

They make up for all the time lost, re-learning each other's bodies until the early morning, finally coming up for air when Tyler’s phone begins to go off with weather alerts and texts from Boone.

“Looks like there’s another cell coming this way, we need to get these people to safety while we can.” He says with a sigh as he rolls his body off of hers, she’s sated and happy as she stretches her limbs like a cat and moans, he feels himself twitch in his boxers as he watches her. She’s like a siren, calling him back to her and he wants nothing more to than to stay right here between the sheets and ravage her again.

“Stop looking at me like that Owens, or we’ll never get out of here in time” she playfully punches his chest and he lets out a hearty laugh, they’d have plenty of time to talk and catch up, he wouldn’t be letting her out of his sight anytime soon.

“Ok, ok sugar, let’s get back out here, storms a comin’ and times a wastin’.”

——————————————————————-

He should have known. He should have known they’d never get that lucky, especially knowing how unpredictable the storms had been this season.

They thought they’d had more time, weather warnings saying the tornado would likely just pass the town, but it had all gone wrong. What had started out as one had turned into two, splitting off and causing maximum damage to what was left of the area. He’d lost Liv and Boone somewhere along the way, Kate and Javi and the rest of the crew were safely out of danger, but somehow the twister had gotten between his truck and yours, and when the dust had settled you and Boone were nowhere to be found.

He was sick, bile crawling up his throat as he trembled, they’d been searching the perimeter when he’d heard Boone screaming for help, tearing through the field of corn to find your upturned truck, mangled and covered in broken glass. Boone had tried his best to pull you from the wreckage, but his shoulder was mangled; most likely dislocated from the crude angle it hung from.

Tyler pulled Olivia’s limp body out and heard a sharp gasp from her, she was alive, that was good. At least that was what he thought until he got her in his arms and saw the jagged shrapnel wedged in her abdomen, blood flowing like a water hose from the wound, way too much to be a minor wound. She kept lolling her head back and forth as she tried to lift her hand to his face, god there was blood everywhere, he couldn’t take the metal out, what if that made it worse? He yelled for Boone to give him his shirt, tears pouring from his eyes as he tried to stop the bleeding, but it just wouldn’t stop coming.

“Livvy, baby look at me ok?” He says with a gentle pat to her cheek, her eyes keep rolling around in her head as she tries to focus on something, anything, but she just can’t seem to get there.

Finally she seems to see him through her unfocused bloodshot eyes, a small victory and he breathes for the first time since he found her.

“Oh god, Ty there’s so much blood! What happened? Are- are you ok? How do we stop it? We need help!” She cries out as her body shakes in his arms, she’s going into shock and bleeding to death but is still selfless to the end, always worried about everyone but herself.

He’s sobbing so hard now he can hardly speak, just kissing whatever skin he can get to as he holds her tightly, still pressing hard into the gaping wound despite knowing it won’t do anything to stop the inevitable. He’s going to lose her, and he just got her back.

A scream comes from somewhere, Tyler jolting awake from the world’s most uncomfortable hospital chair. He’s drenched in sweat, and his neck aches, as he looks around the dimly lit room he realizes the scream came from him. He’s replayed that awful night over and over for the past three days, it ends with Olivia choking on her own blood as she fades away and he can’t seem to make his brain understand that while it definitely happened that way, the end result wasn’t quite so gruesome. She’s alive, unconscious, but alive. How EMS found them in time will consume his thoughts for a good long while. He’d been so sure he’d lost her but the miracles just kept coming because somehow the doctors were able to save her and had assured him that though recovery would be long and hard she would in fact recover.

—————————————————————

Months later he would still be convinced it was all just a dream, the nightmares had ceased but the jagged scar along Olivia’s sternum would always be there to remind him of how close he’d come to losing it all.

He lived for chasing storms, he’d convinced himself it was everything he’d ever need after she’d left, but he’d been so wrong.

She’d never ask him to give it up, but he didn’t know if he could continue to run after something that had nearly taken everything from him. He and Kate took a job consulting with the NWS on her research after Ben’s article got traction, and he left his truck to Boone to continue the legacy and the channel. He wanted to prevent the storms from happening before they started and he knew with Kate’s research and the grants from the government they could really dig in and make a difference.

He asked her to marry him on her birthday, 6 months after the accident and she’d said yes before he could even finish his speech. The future hadn’t been linear like he thought, he didn’t have to accept what he thought he deserved and finally allowed himself to accept what he wanted. Olivia Wright Owens sounded damn good to him, and maybe one day a house full of babies. Yeah he could definitely make that his new dream.

Tagging- @sailor-aviator @goldenseresinretriever @hangmanapologist @roosterforme @trickphotography2 @mynameismckenziemae @seitmai @sebsxphia @im-just-ken @kmc1989 @jessicab1991 @dizzybee03 @nouis-bum @attapullman @bobgasm @floydsglasses @withahappyrefrain

[punkrockhistory]

45 years ago

Beware is an EP by the American punk rock band Misfits, a combination of the singles "Bullet" and "Horror Business", released January 1980.

[savage-kult-of-gorthaur]

FILE UNDER: MISFITS FIEND CLUB, HORROR PUNK, PUNK ROCK, PUNK ART, BUTTONS, BADGES, VINTAGE HORROR, ETC...

PIC(S) INFO: Mega spotlight on assorted early MISFITS graphics, pin-back buttons/badges, and three vintage-as-fuck, screened Fiend Club envelopes sent out by Glenn Danzig himself.

Source: www.picuki.com/media/2233920003212375778 (all found @fiendcrypt).

[eashmo]

-Scream Queen - 18+

Warnings: Smut, small knife play, Teratophilia i guess, friends to lovers.

A/N: pretend that scream came out in 1980 and not in the 90s. Also happy halloween ya filthy animals.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1984

Tonight was Halloween,which happens to be one of my most favorite holidays. but instead of getting dressed up and going out to get shit faced drunk with Steve and Nancy at Tina's party, I was chilling at home, all by myself, my little brother was with Dustin and the rest of the boys and my best friend was doing business at the halloween parties that are happening around town. so, here I was. watching the horror classics and my most favorite movie, which was Scream. There was something about ghostface that made me tingle. i was in the kitchen getting some snacks together when there was a thump on the top floor. 

"the hell was that?" 

My house phone began to ring. 

"hello?"

"y/n!” Mrs. Wheeler.

"Oh hey, Mrs Wheeler, how are you?"

"I'm doing great darling, I was calling because Y/B/N just asked if he could stay over, I told him it was alright but I wanted to make sure it was alright with your parents."

"Well, they are out of town, but I don't mind that he stays over. He loves your house more than ours, especially if it involves D&D." we both chuckled at that and said our goodbyes. 

There was a loud crash which sounded like it came from my room.

“It better not be carver and his fucking goons” I walked up the stairs, i'm really not in the mood to deal with their shit. Last year they decided to toilet paper my entire front yard. They like to torment us misfits of this town. Thinking they are better than everyone because they have money and such. 

when I came into my room and the first thing I saw made my heart drop. My window was wide open, and my bedside lamp was knocked over. I don't know if I was getting goosebumps from the cold autumn chill flowing through my small room, or I was making myself paranoid to actually think Jason is going a little overboard. my  heart was pounding hard, leaning out of my window i saw no sign of jason and his friends only kids that were going door to door, my brother and his friends cleaned out our stash of candy before other kids in the neighborhood could get to it so i didn't bother leaving the front porch light on to indicate that the house had candy. 

I huffed and slammed the window shut. I was about to turn around until a leather gloved hand clasped over my mouth, I let out a muffled scream.

“Curiosity killed the cat, darlin." A dark, deep voice disguised with a voice changer whispered into my ear, sending chills up and down my spine. I felt a long piece of metal make contact with my throat. It was most definitely a knife. I started to struggle against the mysterious person's hold. His hand slipped off my mouth.

“Jason i swear to god you are crossing the line this year!”

"Shut up, or I'll slit your pretty little throat, and I'm not that asshole." he said, then began to chuckle deeply when he realized I relaxed against his hold when he told me he wasn't jason. But I soon went stiff again when the man began to pull me backward from the window. He quickly spins me around. his attire. was dirty, beat up white Reeboks, black ripped jeans, a leather jacket paired with the infamous white ghost face mask. The mysterious man smelled of weed and cigarettes  which was an all to familiar smell to me. so i played along.

"So what do you want?" I snapped. 

 “You've always been so feisty” he let out a low chuckle. He used the tip of the knife to trace my collar bone gently. “I just wanna play with you before I kill you."

“Is that so, Mr. Ghostface?” I smirked. He pressed the knife harder into my skin, causing a small cut to appear, and a single stream of blood began to flow. This caused me to moan softly. 

"Hm you're a little horror slut aren't you" he lifted my chin with the knife, i wished i could see his face that was hidden under the mask.

"My my, you are a pretty looking thing. Wearing nothing but panties and a thin tank top” he commented as his free hand found my throat. 

“Doesn't sound like you are complaining” I breathed. 

"You're right, princess. I might consider letting you live for you to be my personal plaything. How's that sound?" the man said with a playful tone. the pet name fully confirmed my suspicion on who it was. The only person I know that calls me princess was Eddie, who I've had a crush on since elementary school. And thanks to Steve babbling his mouth one day at school. I finally knew he returned that same affection.   

"Deal," I smirked. 

 “Hm, that's what i thought princess lets see how much of a horror slut you really are then, shall we? Shirt off and get on your knees." he demanded, slowly taking off my shirt letting my tits bounce free as I lowered myself onto my bedroom floor. 

"I can't wait to wreck this pretty face of yours,' he groans.

“take my cock out. Now". undoing the jean button and zipper quickly, I swiftly pulled him out. I licked my lips to the site of his cock. Eddie cock was standard. But it was deliciously thick and veiny, not waiting for his approval. I placed a long lick from the base of his cock all the way to the tip, giving it a good suck causing him to immediately buck his hips which pushed him further down my throat. "s-shit" he growled, this time his voice sounding a bit breathy. "just like that" his breath hitch when I went faster, swallowing him completely causing tears in my eyes. 

"you're sucking me so fucking good." he said as he placed a hand on the top of my head he started to face fucking me, wet noises and gagging began to echo in the room.

"shit, fuck y/n" he groaned and threw his head back. My thighs began to clench together when I finally heard my name which made me hum a moan causing him to almost cum down my throat. He grabbed a handful of my hair and abruptly pulled your mouth off of him with a wet pop. 

"I want to cum in that pussy," he said growling.

"Then do it, Munson."

“H-How did you know it was me?” His voice sounded like he was pouting behind the mask. 

“You called me princess, and I know your smell” I giggled. He sighed as he gently caressed my face with his leather hand, and the other removed the voice changer.

 “I don't wanna stop Eddie” I looked up at the black holes of the ghost face mask. “Strip for me, but leave the mask on and also put your rings back on” I said as I grabbed his leather clad hand, bringing it to my mouth and using my teeth to take the glove off him. He groaned deeply at the sight. He quickly put them back on and stripped. I stood up from the ground, and my knees were screaming at me from giving him a blow job on the wooden floor. 

“Mr.ghostface? Arent you going to fuck me” i batted my eyes.    

"Indeed princess, i'm going to have you dying over this cock" his now ringed hand went to my neck squeezing it lightly as he backed me into my bed. I fell back with a soft thud as he stood before me. 

"Let's get these off, shall we?" Eddie immediately cut off my panties with the knife. I was unbelievably wet. 

"So wet for me babygirl" his fingers gently ran down up and down my slick slit, making me jump slightly at contact.

"Such a sinful sight," he was prepared  to completely ruin me. Thank fucking god i thought, he suddenly pushed himself into me fully.  “E-Eddie” I whined. The feeling of him stretching my tight cunt made me gasp at finally feeling full. The feeling I didn't know I was missing from him, I was already addicted to him but now I'm also addicted to his cock.

"Fuck y/n, i should have done this sooner, you're so fucking tight." he groaned lowly as he tightly grasped my hips and his thrusts got faster.

“Yes you should have” my eyes immediately rolled to the back of my head as his cock pounded into me.

"f-fuck. Your cock feels so fucking good, Eds" i began to moan loudly, his head back falls and he lets moan out.

"You take my cock so well princess, it was made for you, y-yes…..take it just like that." he leaned over me, the mask was cool against my warm cheek as he pounded me deeper into the mattress. 

"E-Eddie Im abo….." I breathed heavily, gripping the sheets, my knuckles turning white.   

"Cum for me babygirl '' with that i saw stars and it felt like my body was on fire. I clamped down so hard on his cock he let out a loud moan in my ear. He contined to fuck me through my orgasim "damn princess, squeezing this cock so fucking hard." he breathed.

"Eddie!" I continued to moan as I felt another orgasim on its way.

"You're mine!" he growled.  I ripped off the mask from his face, I wanted to stare into those beautiful big brown eyes as he fucked me. His long hair is now curtaining our faces. 

“This pussy is yours, I'm yours, always have been.” with my words he began to moan as he filled every inch within my pussy with his seed.

My second orgasm hit me harder than the first. It felt like I was ejected out of this universe.he was right i died and gone to heaven. Eddie collapsed on top of me. Our sweaty bodies are melting into one.  

"holy fucking shit that was amazing" we both said at the same time which caused us to burst into laughter. 

“So y/n? I've been wanting to ask you this since I first met you in elementary…… wanna be my girlfriend”

Giggles “you are truly an oblivious idiot Munson, it's about time you asked me”

“Is that a yes?” 

“Yes it is Mr.Ghostface.... also, does that mean i get to live?" i gave him the puppy dog eyes.

"Maybe, if you are a good girl," he says as he slips out of me.

Masterlist

2023

[chaoticbardlady99]

Lethal Woman- Chapter 6 (GN! AFAB! Reader x Astarion) 18+ MDNI

Author note- work has kicked my ass left right and center. I also deleted my draft of this chapter like three separate times until I finally wrote something I loved.

CW- mentions of still birth, mentions of miscarriage, smut, fluff (I think? Any emotional intimacy is fluff to me 💀), mentions of torture, mentions of rape/sexual assault, mentions of physical and emotional abuse, violence. (I think that may be all? Also this all looks not awesome, but I promise it’s a lot more awesome than you think and not Uber grotesque.)

It’s been mostly edited and I definitely have chapter 7 basically done so I’m anticipating being happy with my draft by Sunday. Happy reading! Thank you for everyone who likes my little self indulgent angst fic!!!!

Also- please remember I take creative liberties. A good chunk of the Nightmasks are dead canonically (RIP my guys) but for the purpose of this story, they are alive. Oh and the names are hard so forgive me for the lack of consistent spelling lmao

Chapter 7

“Ugly, wretched little thing.”

Dahlia’s term of endearment sticks to your brain like- well- an illithid parasite. You are sitting with Karlach and Shadowheart, each of you on your fourth glass of whatever alcohol you could find as the Tieflings jovially celebrate around you. You want to feel the same warmth and happiness everyone else does, but you are too busy trying to ignore the fact that Alfira and Astarion have been talking since the beginning of the party- Alfira immediately walking up to him with her stupid, beautiful face. And her stupid kind heart and pretty voice.

You liked her enough to be her friend, but now? You are struggling not to haul her off by her horns and kick her into the river in the stinking Owlbear den.

Get yourself together Rowan, it was never going to happen anyway.

“Soldier, you might want to stop burning a hole through the Bard with your eyes- Astarion can’t tolerate fire remember?,” Karlach jests and you give her a sour look.

You hadn’t really talked to Astarion since earlier in the day when he had come to your aid when Priestess Gut had a firm grip on your mind, then he fought by your side while you freed Halsin. You had split up after that, him going to help Shadowheart and Karlach and you off to support Wyll and Gale’s group. The fight against Dror Ragozlin and his crew of misfits was easy and Lae’zel evidently enjoyed getting to fight next to you for once. You wanted to enjoy the moment with your companions, your victory just in your grasp, but you had been somewhat distracted during the battle because Minthara’s thoughts had been so Gods damn loud.

You appeared to be the only one experiencing this problem- you assumed that she is specifically targeting you for a reason, but you couldn’t figure out why until she showed you a different image than the fight in front of her.

It was you, standing over a drow female in Menzoberranzan. The alley way is dark with her blood dripping into the cobblestone. You could feel Minthara’s rage- you had killed her lover.

You remember that contract now- It was one of the few you had received where it was required that the target be mutilated and you hated every second of it. Minthara was one of the few people who had ever managed to almost catch you, but you had evaded her successfully. The picture changed, she showed you a flash from Shadowheart’s perspective- it’s you and Astarion, talking in hushed voices and close to each other by the fire. The scene is far more intimate than you realized and certainly incriminating. Her voice boomed in your head.

You killed my lover. Now I’m going to kill yours.

A scream pierced the air as Karlach cried out for Shadowheart. You watched in horror as Shadowheart hit the stone wall hard and dropped flat on her face- unmoving. Karlach was at her side within seconds, trying to get her to wake up. Then Karlach pitched forward after a spell hit her. Karlach was screaming in terror at the top of her lungs and rolling around in pain. You stared at the scene for what felt like hours- rigid and mortified- until Minthara caught your attention again.

Minthara showed Astarion- fighting for his life against her as her blade nicked him and cut him superficially. Thankfully he is a lot faster than her, but your feet were moving before your brain had time to process your actions. Your rage is all consuming- every part of your body feels like it’s on fire.

Between the use of Ghost Step and Spider Crawl, you made quick work of sneaking into the battlefield. You waited for an opening- Minthara and Astarion were neck and neck, blow for blow before Minthara managed to break one of his daggers and slam the hilt of her longsword atop of his head.

Astarion stumbled backwards and fell over on his side. You tried to suppress your own nausea as you watched him struggle to get up as Minthara began menacingly moving towards him. The bloodlust in her thoughts- you could taste it on your tongue. Vengeance is in her reach, but you are not the same you when Tessa died. You will be damned if this bitch of a woman was going to torture two of your closest friends and kill the one person who has made your barely beating, locked away heart a little less heavy to carry.

You cast Evard’s Black Tentacles and manipulated them so that one vine grabbed Minthara’s right hand and ripped it away from the left- her long sword fell to the ground. You picked it up as she screamed profanities at you.

You manipulated another to wrap around her throat and it pulled her down on her knees- she faced the bridge with horror on her face as you stalked towards her with your vampiric stare. You watched as she confronted her own mortality with angry tears- her tadpole hurled profanities at you in Elvish, Drow elvish, and Common. You just smiled at her, sweetly, slowly, like you had perfected for years now.

Minthara’s tears were running down her face and she fought against the tentacles as they squeezed tighter around her throat and wrists.

The next words you had spoken in Elvish- “Say hi to your lover for me”- before you cut her head clean off her shoulders with her own weapon.

You hadn’t looked at Astarion after you had killed Minthara- you were actually too afraid to see the way he may look at you. Would he be repulsed by you? Afraid? You didn’t want to know.

So now, instead, you are stuck watching him flirt with the feminine, beautiful tiefling that you want to go and feed to the resurrected harpies (they aren’t resurrected- yet). You know it isn’t her fault- you just never stood a chance.

“Roo, really, he is barely focusing on her,” Shadowheart says with a roll of her eyes, “he keeps looking over here at you anyway.”

“Oh I’m sure he is after I brutally murdered someone in front of him,” you cross your arms, your tone laced in venom, “yeah that’s a real attractive quality to have- I am capable of brutal MURDER.”

Shadowheart goes to protest, but Karlach beats her to it.

“I don’t know Soldier, he looked pretty dazzled to me.”

You bust up laughing, choking on some of your wine.

“Dazzled, you say?”

“Razzle DAZZLED!” Karlach offers big explosive hands with her statement, “and I mean- he’s into blood so it’s not like you beheading something is all that damning. Maybe he’s really into it.”.

You choke on your wine again, this time it comes out of your nose. You are both dying laughing now, evidently the alcohol had gotten to your heads. It wasn’t because you were making fun of him- it was just the whole idea itself was so ridiculous and the fact that you can nonchalantly talk about beheading a person as an endearing prospect with these two individuals is so bizarre. Shadowheart was laughing despite herself.

Eventually the three of you make your way to the firepit and join Halsin and Gale while they smoke something out of Halsin’s pipe. You ask to try it and it burns your throat as you cough harshly. Halsin laughs hardily and says you’ve passed initiation. Shit, you don’t even remember walking over to the campfire anymore.

Another hour or so passes, Astarion is out of sight and the high has worn off. You feel pleased to see Alfira standing and talking to her friend dejectedly. Maybe he rejected her? You might be a terrible person, but you feel like you already knew that.

You feel overwhelmed all of a sudden by the proximity and warmth of everyone around the fire. You wait for the right moment to remove yourself from the situation- desperately needing a moment of peace and quiet.

If anyone notices you get up, they don’t say anything. You quickly steal another bottle of wine from beside Gale and Halsin and sneak off into the woods.

You crack open the bottle and slowly sip on it as you meander through the woods, finding the secret path to the beach that you have come to adore so much. You had been eyeballing one specific cliff edge ever since you and Astarion had found this place. It wasn’t a massive cliff, but the pool at the bottom of it is deep enough for you to jump into the water without injury. It was something your father used to do with you when you were a child. There was a river that ran outside of your little town and as you moved further into the woods, you could find a waterfall with a deep pool at the bottom. He would teach you flips and different jumps. He had deemed you the world’s finest diver right before he died- cheering you on from the ground below.

You feel warm and melancholy from the memory. Gods you miss your parents.

You drop the bottle of wine and strip down to your underwear and make your way towards the top of the waterfall.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Astarion had finally managed to get Alfira to leave him alone. She is an adorable little creature, but she is not the one on his radar right now. Adorable does not compare to the vision you are- nor the protection you provide.

Astarion had spent the last painstaking hour and a half watching you laugh with quite literally every person in camp who has a crush on you- Shadowheart, Lae’zel, Gale, and even Halsin is fucking smitten now. Gods could you just stop being yourself for five minutes? Astarion needs (and silently wants) your attention to only be on him. It is absolutely crucial to his survival. Speaking of which, where the hells were you?

You were no longer by the fire where he had last seen you before he snuck into Gale’s tent to steal one of the nicer bottles of wine he hoards away from everyone. Astarion had planned on using your shared connection to ask you to meet him at your spot, but now you are nowhere to be found.

Astarion fights the urge to scream out of frustration as he treks through the woods towards the spot on the beach hoping by some miracle that you may already be there.

Astarion stops as your scent hits his nose. He walks around the corner of the rock that you both use as a landmark and freezes when he notices your clothes are sprawled across the ground and a bottle of wine is a third of the way empty. He tries to ignore the ache that is starting to consume his chest. Did you bring someone else here? Shadowheart maybe? You were sitting rather close to her earlier…

Did his three days of stubbornness really just allow you to fall into someone else’s arms?

Astarion’s sinking feeling gets worse when something flashes out of the corner of his eye.

He sneaks around the corner- reminding himself that he is merely just making sure Shadowheart isn’t being… Shadowheart?

Imagine his shock when Astarion doesn’t see Shadowheart at all. Instead, he witnesses you complete a perfect aerial twist before graciously diving into the waves below. He feels completely frozen until you break the water and laugh wildly. Astarion thinks his own heart might start beating from his chest being filled with the sound.

You jump out of the water and race back up to the top of the rock using Spider Crawl- something you had promised to teach him when you found out Cazador had never actually made him privy to the entirety of his capabilities as a spawn.

Astarion grins as he watches you once again go flying into the air, doing a backflip before straightening out, disappearing once again into the water below.

You break the surface and get back onto the shore. You pretend to bow and wave saying “thank you” and “I’ll be here all week.” It’s silly and he’s enjoying every minute of watching you just be yourself.

Astarion knows you aren’t a serious person, not really, but you pretending to bow for an imaginary crowd of adoring fans in a (not) private moment? It feels authentic to your silliness- not just when you and Karlach are joking together.

You are funny, kind, and entirely too cunning- despite what he said three days ago. Your prowess in combat is second to none and you speak a couple different languages- infernal being one of them when he noticed you and Karlach speaking it back and forth like it was also your native tongue.

Elvish is the other one and he only knew that from overhearing what you said to Minthara while he was too busy experiencing shell shock from how quickly you had gotten over to him. Oh and the hit to the head didn’t help either.

Astarion’s thoughts are interrupted when you make eye contact with him and freeze.

You look down at your semi-exposed figure and then up at him.

Astarion flashes you a flirtatious grin and sweeps his eyes up and down your body as you look at him. You are a work of art and the blush that creeps up your neck is an added bonus.

The scars on your body are numerous and varying in degrees of severity. It doesn’t make you any less attractive to him or revolts him by any means; It makes you more real if anything.

“Well hello there, beautiful,” Astarion says melodically as you walk over, “I was hoping I might run into you here.”

“Oh is that so?” you say and put your hands on your hips, teasing him “and to what do I owe the pleasure?”

Astarion smiles widely at you. He holds up the bottle of wine.

“I was hoping I may be able to drink with my most favorite companion at camp,” he looks at you with a sly grin, “but I didn’t think I’d be getting a show. You are delightfully talented in multiple faucets, Darling.”

You smile shyly at him while adorably scrunching your nose.

As you bend down to grab your shirt, you look at your bottle and scratch the back of your head awkwardly.

“I might need to apologize considering I already started without you.”

Not telling me to piss off so that’s an optimistic start.

“Hm,” Astarion hums, cracking open his bottle and taking a drink, “I’ll allow it this once. I suppose I do owe you for my… words the other day.”

“I’ll forgive you,” you say with a mischievous grin, “but for a price.”

“Oh?” Astarion purrs, “and what is your price, my dear.”

“I demand at least half of your spoils in loot.” you say with flourish and over exaggeration- you aren’t even remotely serious.

“No, no, no, “he emphasizes, his finger waving around in the air, “Never. Going. To. Happen.”

“Ugh fine, I guess I’ll just have to accept that you saved my life earlier.”

“I still think you are ahead on that front, but who’s counting really?”

“Definitely not me,” you say and cough a number under your breath.

Astarion playfully glares at you and you giggle in response.

You close the gap between the two of you and gently grab his hand, pulling him to sit down next to you at the edge of the water. Astarion pushes down the giddy feeling that arises- hoping you didn’t notice he flinched when you first went to grab his hand.

You look at Astarion and then your clasped hands- you definitely noticed.

You begin to pull away and he feels his body protest, grabbing your hand back and interlocking them again. Astarion drinks out of his wine, refusing to look at you- this is entirely too intimate. Entirely too much like the lovers he used to hate and envy in Baldur’s Gate, but he can’t bring himself to let go or stop the slight smile that creeps on his lips.

You drink out of your bottle of wine and put your feet in the water. Astarion glances at you and notes the growing grin. He feels a twinge of guilt when he thinks about his plan and how fragile your heart probably is. Astarion pushes it away. Astarion needs his plan to work and so far, it’s working.

The space between the two of you is silent- nothing but the ocean waves roaring in his ears. It’s not uncomfortable, but Astarion doesn’t necessarily know where to start. He wants to begin the process of seducing you, but he’s also unsure of how well that would play out- considering what he’s seen thus far in your memories.

“My dad taught me how to cliff dive,” you say in a melancholic voice, interrupting his thoughts “we would go all the time over the Summer when we lived outside of Daggerford.”

“I was wondering how you had managed to pull off such an impressive feat.”

You guffaw at him and then pout with a glint of humor in your eye. He rolls his eyes at you.

“Fine Darling,” he muses, “I suppose you are rather impressive in all facets.”

Your face is practically burning with his compliment. Astarion has decided he will leave out the bait and let you take it. If you give him any signal or specifically say “I want to have sex” then Astarion will pleasure you and you will see how useful he can be in return for all of your gifts- your blood, your protection.

Your company.

Whatever feelings Astarion felt over the last three days- he never wants to feel again. You have been the one and only person to be kind to him, protect him in 200 years. You treat him with respect and like a friend- not the monster he absolutely is and that you should hate him for being. It had been a very lonely three days without your company-besides, no one else is nearly as fun to converse with. Astarion hears the whisper of a previous conversation in the back of his mind.

“So what does boar taste like?”

“I don’t really have much of a reference, but better than rats and flies,” he scowled.

“Gods, how filthy was that palace?” you murmured under your breath.

Your comment had caught him off guard and he couldn’t help but bark out laughing. You had felt horrible for it- you thought he wouldn’t be able to hear you. In your defense, you had spoken very quietly. Astarion assured you that he found your observation quite peculiar and hilarious.

Astarion likes that you point out the small things and allow him to decide how much of the larger things he wants to tell you. You never push him and Astarion isn’t used to it, but he knows he never wants it to go away- to be treated any other way ever again.

“What else did your father teach you?” Astarion asks softly.

You smile, “My father followed Ilmater. He was a ranger. He dedicated his life to helping others.”

A daughter of Ilmater worshippers turned into a half-dead creature who is forced to kill by an evil vampire, Astarion thinks, I guess even the Gods have a sense of humor.

“What happened to him?”

The pause is pregnant and loud. Astarion notices the single tear that manages to escape your eyes. You clear your throat.

“He’s dead,” you whisper, “a group of Ravagers destroyed our village. They didn’t like that it was a mix of humans and Drows escaping from Lolth- and they especially hated us ‘filthy half breeds’. Made the women and the children watch as they beheaded their fathers and husbands.”

Astarion doesn’t know what to say to something that horrific. He just merely looks at you- waiting for you to continue speaking.

“He just kept telling my mom and I how much he loved us. How he’d always be protecting us,” you manage to choke out, “I can’t even tell you how many times I have prayed to Ilmater for help- only to be reminded how alone I am and that, despite being the God of Compassion, Ilmater doesn’t care.”

Astarion knows that feeling all too intimately, but he wants to hear more.

“How old were you? What happened to you and your mother?”

You are looking at him wearily now, so he gives your hand a squeeze.

“You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to Darling.”

“I want to, I’ve just never talked about it before.”

“Well then,” he states in a flattered tone, “I’m honored to potentially be the first and only keeper of your deep, dark secrets.”

You laugh breathily while you roll your eyes at him. The smile on your face is replaced by an unreadable expression. You take a deep breath before you turn your gaze back to the ocean.

“I was 5. They sold us to a mine outside of Westgate. It was run by a group of fanatics that I can’t even remember the name of anymore,” you shake your head in disgust, “all I knew was that they were terrible people. They threatened us children to get our mothers to do anything they wanted. One of them raped my mother and ‘blessed’ her with a child.”

Astarion squeezes your hand as he feels you tense. You look at him with your teary, angry eyes and the intensity of your emotions- your grief- are written into every crack and crevice of your face. Astarion notes that you look uncomfortable, but he gives you a soft smile, encouraging you to continue. You take a big swig of your wine- he shortly follows.

“I don’t know what happened, but the baby… didn’t make it and mom developed a blood illness. It was the week before she had planned on breaking us out. I didn’t know she was dying- she told me she was going to be okay. I should have known- She gave me everything for the escape and had explained the plan to me so many times in that week she was dying that I can still recite it to this day.”

You chuckle to yourself before pulling your knees up to your chest.

“I asked them if I could have a funeral for her. They took me outside and made me watch while the pigs ate her. They told me that’s the only funeral a Drow deserves.”

“What a bunch of racist assholes,” he states.

“Oh, they were only the biggest.”

“You escaped a prison by yourself then or?”

“I did. I was 9 years old and probably one of the only people who has ever escaped that mine. I haven’t seen anyone from my village since. I went back to Daggerford one time and it was still decimated- no one ever came back to rebuild it.”

You both sit in the heavy silence. Your thumb begins to absentmindedly rub circles along his thumb- the gesture is simple, but it’s probably the softest touch he’s felt in the last 200 years that was not filled with the anticipation of sex.

“I’ve only ever had one failed escape,” you sigh harshly, “I was going to run away with Tessa because I didn’t want to go through the ceremony to be a Deathbringer, but Dahlia didn’t care what I wanted. She was too busy trying to win Obarhk’s favor.”

“How did you end up with Dahlia then? If you didn’t want to be a Deathbringer?”

You scoff and he sees the resentment behind your eyes.

“I was 13 and had been living on the streets for a while by then. I had my little tent and I had managed to convince one of the local inns to let me clean the rooms,” you scrunched up your nose, “it was gross, but decent work and they fed me once a day; let me use the baths. Sometimes they even gave me extra food and if it was cold out, they’d let me stay in a room if there was one available. I didn’t have to steal food anymore which was nice. I was actually very happy. I was saving my money so I could travel to the Underdark and hire a sword to go with me- to my grandparents- like my mom had told me to do.

“Then one day, a few of the other local boys, also urchins, had watched as I was given a decent amount of gold and a burlap sack of food. They followed me to my tent. I had offered to share and to give them some gold to help, but they didn’t want just some of it- they wanted all of it and all of me too. I thought I was going to die- the fight was brutal and they were so much bigger than I was, but I wasn’t as easy to take down as they had thought.

“Right as they had slammed my head into the pavement, right when I thought it was over- an Ilmater Priestess had appeared out of no where. She had killed them all. She came up to me, was kind to me, promised she would protect me, give me a home, teach me how to be stronger than anything else in the dark while she helps me travel to the Underdark. I was thrilled. I thought Ilmater had finally heard all my prayers. Then she took me outside of the city- I thought we were maybe going to a temple. I was so naive and stupid.”

Your voice breaks and you struggle to compose yourself- taking a shaking breath.

“She changed- the kind Ilmater priestess I had just been following to safety ended up being the Queen of Venom and a Sharran priestess nonetheless,” you spit out with disgust, “Dahlia stripped me of my clothes- she beat me, cut into my skin, threw me around. Dahlia kept telling me how ugly, wretched, small, and weak I was for hours- how she would be the only person to ever love me from now on. Then she chained me down to the floor, unmoving for I don’t even know how long in the dark. I just know when she finally came back, I was on the brink of death. She starved me and refused to give me water until I stopped asking her to leave. I stopped, but then I learnt how much worse it could be. I also began to accept that I would probably never be free again.”

“Are you free now?”

“Barely. A bit over a year ago I was assigned to the Faceless himself.”

“What changed?”

“I won the Deathbringer Tournament and Lady Thistle Thalaver, the fucking consort of all people, said that she wanted me to be assigned as her personal Deathbringer. Thistle made the point that we are close in age and it would make her happy to have someone she can talk to and protect her. News flash- I was more horrified by that than Dahlia. How the fuck does someone who is a literal husk of a person become the prize comfort pet of the Consort that is the reason you were even kidnapped to begin with,” you say, throwing your hands up in frustration, “Dahlia hated her. She was envious of her already and boy, when Thistle asked for me? I thought Dahlia might kill me and Thistle right there if Obarhk hadn’t stepped in.”

“She sounds like a sore loser.”

“ Oh she is, this grudge has lasted a little over a century or three supposedly. I can’t ever seem to get the exact date right, but Dahlia had allowed Obarhk to change her and became one of his Nightmasters because she had hoped to be his Queen and consort,” you shake your head, “it was childish- supposedly. Obarhk was going to go through with it initially, but then Thistle’s father had extensive debts to the guild and offered his only daughter as payment.”

“What a shitty father.”

“Oh the shittiest,” you agree pointedly.

“If she wanted you to help her gain his favor, why did she hide you away?”

“There are rules within the Guild for how recruits are to be treated. Obarhk plays with his cards very close to his chest and he has an absurd amount of political pull. He doesn’t want word getting out that the Nightmasks beat their assassin’s and thieves, but not their Deathbringers- it’s bad for recruitment. Guess they used to do that and damn near went extinct, not everyone is into becoming half-vampire” you shrug, “Dahlia had ‘presented’ me to gain Obarhk’s favor- not his consort’s. She lied and said I sought her out days ago, begging to get a chance to become a Deathbringer. When I was asked if it was true, I said yes, the alternative was whatever hell awaited me later. At least if I didn’t survive the ceremony, I would be laid to rest.

“Except Thistle won. Obarhk may not be particularly loving towards Thistle, but he won’t deny her what she wants if it’s reasonable. I was still under Dahlia, but now if I disappeared for days on end or came back beaten, it was noticed. A year ago, Lucia and Ghost found me bleeding out in a street with Dahlia over me- it was the first time she had done serious harm to me since the ceremony and the first time she was caught,” he watches you smile despite yourself, “Thistle wanted her to be tortured for what she had done- for creating the infamous ‘Hollow Deathbringer’ as I was called when I first started, but Obarhk doesn’t interfere with religious affairs and Dahlia claimed it was for her Sharran worship. So the solution was that I would report directly to him, Phultan, Lucia, and Lady Thalaver only. If Dahlia attempts to hurt me again, I am allowed to end her life and if I attempt to attack Dahlia, she is allowed to end my life. She isn’t allowed to send her assassin’s after me either or there will be consequences. That’s the same day I found out Dahlia had been lying to me- she is Obarhk’s spawn, not a Master Vampire. She never would have been able to get away with half of her threats if I had known, but I’m sure that’s partly why she isolated me from the Guild until I was old enough and skilled enough to compete.

“We’ve been in a very strange stalemate over the last year. Unable to find each other, but I don’t even know if I could kill her anyway. At least, not by myself.”

It was a lot to take in at one time. Your entire world is so heavily influenced by vampiric beings- no wonder you were so nonchalant about him being a spawn and him feeding from you.

Astarion will admit though, he isn’t necessarily thrilled to find out another sociopathic vampire might be hunting them- specifically you.

“Darling, if Dahlia ever darkens your door step ever again,” he leans toward you and speaks his next words with conviction, “I’ll rip her throat out myself.”

You smile at him and squeeze his hand.

“ Thank you Star, but you don’t need to do that. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“Unfortunately, I don’t listen to hypocrites- Miss ‘I’m going to put Cazador’s head on a pike and we can parade it around the city’”

You gasp, “how dare you! I felt like that would be a fun leisure activity.”

“Oh believe me, it will be very fun,” he says with a malicious grin,” but someone needs to keep you humble, my dear.”

“Oh okay,” you roll your eyes, “because I’m the one who needs humbling here. Thank you for your service kind sir, I will never be able to repay you.”

He can tell that you are done with the previous conversation- he’ll have to thank you for sharing later and ask follow up questions. Astarion has a plan to execute.

“Well of course,” he lifts your clasped hands and kisses the back of yours, “ I live to be a hero for the common folk.”

“You’re lucky you’re a beautiful bastard.”

“Why thank you, my Dear. I am rather beautiful, aren’t I?”

You turn, facing him now and you move closer- giving him a light shove. One of your eyebrows is lifted in amusement- a lopsided grin on your face. This is most definitely the moment he has been waiting for.

He leans in, your faces near inches apart and he savors how your heart begins to race.

“I must admit, I was lying to you before,” he muses, “I maybe would like to do a little more than just drink wine with you tonight.”

“Y-you do?”

Astarion smiles at the way your breath hitches.

“Well of course, I believe you may be one of the most bewitching individuals I have ever had the pleasure of meeting,” he says while gently brushing your hair behind your ears, “but only if that would be okay with you.”

You look at him- there is lust in your eyes and you worry your bottom lip with your teeth. One of your canines graze your lip and a bit of your blood begins to paint your lips- Astarion fights the urge to smash his lips to yours. You search his face for deception.

“I want to. Very badly,” you pause, “but I need to be open with you. I’ve only ever been with one man before and it wasn’t my choice. That was over 10 years ago. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to go completely through with it or give you some wildly fun time… it would probably be vanilla at best even if I can get through it…”

You trail off and look at the ground, gently pushing his hand away from your face. Astarion frowns.

“If you want someone who you can actually have fun with, it might be better to go find Alfira again,” you whisper woefully, “I would absolutely understand. No harm, no foul.”

Astarion’s heart breaks for you. He gently guides your eyes back to his. You look sad and dejected -like you are ready for him to get up and walk away. You are expecting him to confirm what Dahlia has always told you- that you are an ugly, wretched, little thing. Unloveable at best and absolutely unforgivably intolerable at your worst. Astarion has slept with plenty of virgins before- he knows how to say all the right honeyed words to get them to bed, but this is entirely different. This is you and your first, consensual time with a man if you choose. If you don’t, then he won’t press the matter, but leave his door wide open. Astarion is not Cazador or Dahlia- he is not going to force you.

“I don’t care about any of that Darling,” Astarion assures you quietly, “I want you, not Alfira. We only have to go as far as you are comfortable with- if you want to.”

Your eyes are wide and searching for any hint of insincerity.

“We could even try multiple times if needed,” he says jokingly, but he knows that you can tell he’s serious.

You beam at him and your posture straightens up- a new found confidence in your eyes.

“Okay,” you finally say, “I trust you. I want to try.”

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

You would be lying if you weren’t feeling slightly anxious. The last person you had been with was Tessa and she’d been in the ground a little over 8 years now. The two of you had made a lot of groundwork in your last year together before she died. You had attempted to be with others before, but it never felt right so you could never go through with it.

This feels right. You just aren’t sure what your reaction will be, but you want him and Astarion wants you. You trust that he won’t hurt you.

Astarion pulls you up off of the sandy floor and gives you a smile, “I promise you, you do not want to try this in sand. I happen to know a very nice spot, but we are going to have to make a brief stop first.”

You smile enthusiastically and allow him to take your hand in his as he leads you back to camp.

The walk is a blur, you barely notice that Astarion had grabbed a blanket, taken you quite far from camp, and without warning, Astarion pulls you in for a breathtaking kiss.

You have to fight the urge to collapse completely into him, your arms snaking around his neck as you kiss him back. The kiss is slow, melodic and soft. Astarion’s strong arms hold you close to his chest as he picks you up before laying you down on the blanket.

You help him discard your clothes and your wet under garments. Astarion quickly discards his shirt and pants before he returns to kissing you sweetly, softly. You let your hands glide up his torso to his shoulders and let your hands fan out as you try to memorize every inch of his body. He groans with approval at the touch and when you go to touch his back- you find if you go a little too far over where there is raised skin, he tenses up.

You stop and look up at him- he doesn’t seem like he is all there.

“Star, are you okay? Are you sure you want this?”

Whatever trance he is in, he seems to snap out of and he kisses you sweetly before placing his forehead against yours.

“I assure you that I want this, that area is just… it has some sensitive spots.”

“Okay,” you whisper, “I’ll be mindful of that and try to avoid them. Is it mostly in the middle of your back?”

Astarion stares down at you and for a moment, you think he might start crying. Astarion’s face looks so raw and appreciative in that moment- as if you are the first and only person to ever take the time to listen. Maybe you are. Maybe this is just as much of a fear of his as it is for you.

“It is,” he says huskily,” I- thank you.”

You beam up at him and gently cup the left side of his face with your hand. He leans into the touch and you stroke his cheek bone with his thumb.

“Of course Astarion, I want you to feel safe too.”

Astarion kisses you with a neediness that wasn’t there before. The kisses are still soft and innocent, but a bit more urgent as his hands begin to slowly roam your body. Everywhere he touches leaves you feeling like you are on fire and you find that you never want it to stop. You are intoxicated and so wrapped up in his cologne, his lips- everything. Him.

Astarion’s lips leave yours and you breathlessly look at him. He smiles down at you and slowly moves his hands up to your breasts.

“May I?”

You shyly nod in approval. Astarion slowly begins to pinch and tease your sensitive buds with his fingers- you arch your back and cover your mouth as you whimper needily at the touch. It’s embarrassing how touch starved you are. Astarion pulls your hand away from your mouth and he stares at you through hooded eyes.

“None of that, my Dear,” he commands, “I want to hear every little sound you make.”

You blush and then are quickly squirming underneath him again as he gently takes one of your nipples between his mouth, sucking, licking, and teasing it while he rolls the other between his thumb and forefinger.

You are a complete mosning mess underneath him by the time Astarion’s fingers move from your breast to your throbbing clit- earning a loud, despairing whimper from you. You need so much more- you can feel your own slick coating the inside of your thighs, weeping in anticipation.

“My, you are a very needy lover,” he chastises you as he slides a finger in,” Gods you are so wet for me already. If I had known you wanted me this badly, I would have said something a long time ago.”

“Astarion-“ you gasp as he enters another digit inside you, causing you to arch your back keening as he teases your G-spot. His other finger continues to play with your now very swollen clit and with every moan you make, he praises you. The praise alone is enough to send you over the edge.

“You are being such a good girl for me,” as he enters another finger inside.

His mouth hovers over your clit, “I’m absolutely certain the Gods sent you to ruin me.”

“You taste like the heavens,” after his tongue has been flicking inside of you in tandem with his fingers.

You come undone underneath him- your hands have made purchase in his hair, and struggle to be as gentle as possible. He groans as you gently tug him up to your mouth, kissing him, tasting yourself on his swollen lips.

“Do you want to continue Darling?” Astarion whispers as he kisses up your neck, along your jaw, and slowly nips at your earlobe.

You need him inside you and you want him to be as close to you as possible. It’s like a Dam had broken open inside you and you never want it to stop flooding.

“Fuck- Astarion,” you pant, “please continue.”

Astarion kicks of his undergarments and dips his fingers between your folds and coats his cock with your orgasm. You are speechless as you watch him slowly stroke himself, looking at you.

Astarion puts himself in between your legs and you feel him tease your entrance.

“Before I start,” he says, “you need to tell me if it’s too much and if we need to stop. You will not offend me nor hurt my feelings. We can try again another time if you want.”

“The same goes to you.”

There was that look again. Astarion grabs your bottom lip between his teeth, the neediness has certainly grown since the last statement.

You feel him begin to guide himself inside you, slowly moving until he’s bottoming out- curse words and your name leaving his lips like a prayer. You feel the tears prick your eyes at the pinching and pressure as you adjust to his size. He slowly rocks himself in and out, barely making any movement, but enough to stimulate you more.

“Are you okay?” He says with alarm, wiping your tears.

“Yes- I promise,” you say between panting whimpers, you press your ankles into his lower back to keep him there. It’s beginning to feel better and you open up through the tadpole to show him you mean it. The thoughts were probably far hornier than you meant to show him and he smirks at you.

“Cheeky pup.”

Astarion begins to make his thrusts longer as your moans became louder and more euphoric sounding. You kiss him with fervor as he pumps in and out of you, keeping a slow pace.

“You can speed up now,” you whisper between kisses, “you feel really fucking good inside of me Star.”

Astarion moans against your mouth, the kiss becoming sloppy as he teases your bottom lip between his, pulling slightly. You feel his hips begin to snap slightly harder against yours and you cry out as he begins to hit that perfect spot faster and slightly harder.

“You are so beautiful,” he says while grazing the sensitive skin on your neck, “and you feel so fucking good around my cock.

“I’m not sure I’ll be able to stand any of our other companions looking at you sideways ever again.”

“Then give them a reason not to.”

That seemed to be enough for Astarion as he immediately goes to work leaving hickeys along your neck, your shoulders. You will have to ask him how he’s able to do it so gently.

Astarion’s thrusts inside you are getting sloppier and you have your hands dug in the earth as he slightly lifts you off the ground to get more leverage. You moan his name in between curse words and whimpers as another powerful orgasm rips through your body. You feel him stutter as you tighten around him and finish inside of you. Astarion’s pace moves to a slow rhythm before coming to a halt.

Vampire and half-vampire perks- the whole kid thing? Basically not even remotely possible.

Astarion lays gently on top of you, kissing your neck lazily.

“How was that, Darling?” Astarion asks as he looks into your eyes with concern and worry.

You gently grab his face with your hands and leave a chaste kiss on his lips.

“It was absolutely perfect,” you say, your brain foggy and swimming in the throes of bliss and your deep fondness of the man above you, “you are absolutely perfect.”

************************************

You had fallen asleep quite some time ago in Astarion’s arms. The concept of what happens after sex (normally) was quite foreign to him. Usually he was dragging people to their death after sex, but now he gets to sit and enjoy you- have you all to himself. After it had all been said and done, you had curled into one another, practically nose to nose and just talked. You caught up with each other about what the other missed over the last three days, picked the next ideal type of book to read, and how disasterous the Crèche is likely going to be considering Shadowheart is insisting on going. Lae’zel is positively miffed about it. You laugh and he asks about Minthara. You tell him about the vision she showed you, but he could tell you were holding something back. You don’t push him- he won’t push you.

You tell him about your mother- a former Lolth sorceress who didn’t align with the Spider Queen’s ideals. She was shunned by her parents when she denounced Lolth and she moved to the surface- meeting your dad. Your mother was practical and pragmatic- calculating and protective. Your father, on the other hand, was like a warm breeze on a perfect sunny day.

Astarion tells you about what little he remembers of his life as a Magistrate and his parents. You both ponder what they could possibly be doing in the world right then- pretending there is a possibility that you could find them together when this was all over- even just so he can know.

Astarion’s head is swimming with confusion. It was all very different than when Astarion had gone out hunting for Cazador.

You and him had spent at least a two and a half weeks getting to know each other extensively, spent quality time together over mutual hobbies, and you’ve even seemed to meld together as a fighting duo. You are friends- Astarion expected it to be maybe slightly different, more enjoyable than usual.

Astarion was quickly proven wrong.

This was eons different. Despite the feelings of it being tainted to some degree due to his past, it had been jaw dropping, sweet, simple, and, dare he even say it, intimate. Astarion finds that he actually craves more of you this way, but he also still wants you the way you had each other before. The shame and self-loathing are choking him. There is no way you’ll see him as something other than sex now.

Right?

Astarion honestly isn’t sure and that terrifies him. You were so kind to him tonight while you were in his arms. You respected his boundaries; you avoided that part of his body even though he didn’t tell you not to; you wanted him to feel safe with you too. You took the time to talk to him and play with his hair while he spoke about his parents, becoming a bit emotional.

Vanilla is hardly the word to describe what just happened between the two of you- it was wonderful and frightening. Astarion questions if it’s selfish to want more, to abandon his plan all together.

Astarion stares down at your sleeping face as your limbs are tangled with his. He wants to stay, but he wants to run away from you too. Except Astarion needs your protection- that’s what this was all for, wasn’t it?

That’s what compels him to leave soft kisses on your forehead and to hold you a little tighter- it’s why tears fall from Astarion’s cheeks onto the blanket beneath you when he thinks about the day you’ll end up letting him go.

[sandmandaddy69]

[biblicallyaccuratemeat]

Star-crossed

A/N: Commission for @denim-lich! I had such a fun time writing this and navigating Barry & Astarion’s dynamic! Thank you again for trusting me with your lovely little bard! :) <3 Astarion x OC, established relationship, fluff, werewolf & vampire relationship, dorks in love, moonlight strolls, stargazing, and talking about our feelings!

Word count: 8.1k

Barry lounged before the crackling fire, the flickering light casting dramatic shadows across their contemplative features. They strummed idly at their lute, the soft melody mingling with the pops and snaps of the burning wood. A pensive expression settled over their face as they gazed into the heart of the blaze, the fiery dance of the flames inspiring a train of thought.

They sighed dramatically, a flair they couldn’t resist even in this quiet moment. “Ah, the trials one faces on the path of the wandering bard’s life…” they intoned, giving an exaggerated shudder, “The monsters, the perils, the… oh, alright, let’s be honest, it’s mostly the monsters. But still!” Barry was never one to shy away from a chance to reflect on themselves, even when in conversation with only a fire and the stars for company.

Leaning back further, they draped an arm over their eyes with a theatrical groan, “And still, I find myself awake, unable to quiet my busy mind. That is, of course, except for the occasional goblin or eldritch horror constantly reminding me of how fragile our mortal lives are.” They peered out from under their arm at the flames, eyeing them suspiciously as if expecting them to argue against their statement.

After a moment of sternly staring down the fiery tendrils dancing from the logs, they sighed again, more wearily this time. “I should be resting, replenishing my strength for the next leg of my adventures- not that I’m fond of referring to them in such a grandiose term. Adventures, ha!” They let out a short, disdainful little laugh at the word, “Sometimes I wonder what I got myself into, truth be told…not that I truly chose this band of misfits. More like the tadpoles did…”

Barry was quiet for a long moment, just watching the flames flicker and spit, the dance of light and shadow almost hypnotic in its motion. “But then… then I think of Astarion.” They murmured, voice softening a bit. “And lounging around in the midst of a cozy fire, away from the frontline of battle, doesn’t seem like such a terrible fate after all.”

“I must say, you look rather lost in thought, my dear bard.” Astarion purred as he appeared seemingly out of thin air, his red eyes glinting in the firelight.

Barry let out a startled yelp, nearly leaping out of their skin at the sound of Astarion’s sudden appearance. Their heart raced wildly, pounding against their ribs like a runaway drum as they whirled around to face the vampire. “Fuck, Astarion!” they exclaimed, automatic irritation coloring their tone, “Don’t sneak up on me like that! You scared the piss out of me!” Barry’s voice rose in pitch, clearly rattled by the unexpected encounter.

They placed a hand over their chest, feeling the erratic thrum of their pulse as they glared at Astarion, attempting to mask the lingering jolt of fear with feigned outrage. “You just couldn’t resist the urge to give your loyal bard a good scare, could you?” They accused, but the teasing lilt was unmistakable in their voice. Barry couldn’t help but let their natural exuberance bleed through, even as they tried to maintain an air of indignance.

Astarion skillfully ignores their feigned indignance, “A penny for your thoughts? Or perhaps you’re already composing the next bardic masterpiece in your head? Surely there’s a noble reason for you to still be wide awake at such an hour of the night and not in our cot…” He smirked, amused by the notion of Barry finding such commonplace events worthy of song. “I suppose you’ll have to save me a verse. I do love a good ballad.”

Astarion settled himself beside Barry with a certain elegance, his pale skin nearly glowing in the flickering flames. He crossed his legs, leaning back casually as he regarded the bard with a mix of playful curiosity and something more warm in his gaze.

“I didn’t realize you were still awake as well,” they say after a moment, a soft smile playing at their lips. “I thought for sure you’d have turned in for the night considering our long day slaying all those awful goblins.” Barry stretched languidly, the firelight dancing across their skin and glinting in their eyes. “I suppose we’re both a bit too wired to sleep just yet, hm?”

Barry realizes he’s seeking their company, a mischievous gleam entering their eyes as a playful retort sprang to mind. “You know, I was just thinking about composing a song about our grand adventures. Perhaps I could even craft you a special verse, sing your praises as the dashing vampire who saved us all,” Barry teased, grinning wickedly, “Unless you’d prefer I focus on your penchant for causing trouble and lounging by the fire in the dead of night? I’m sure that story would be just as entertaining, in its own way.”

Astarion seemed so at ease, so comfortable being himself around them, even if his version of ‘himself’ was rather…singular. They chuckled softly at the thought, it was a side of Astarion they didn’t often see, but it warmed their heart- a testament to the loyalty and affection growing between them. Still, Barry couldn’t shake the sense that something more lay beneath the vampire’s playful demeanor.

Barry wondered what’s really on his mind. Behind all the jokes and the flirting, is he thinking the same thing as them? They tilted their head to the side slightly as they studied Astarion’s face. “Be honest with me though, is everything alright? You’re not usually this restless,” Barry asked, all levity fading from their voice. In truth, they understood Astarion better, they could peel back the layers of bravado and cool charm to uncover what truly lay beneath. Astarion was quick to show a facade, to feign bonhomie and good cheer, but Barry could comprehend him on a deeper level. They showed him he was safe, that he could simply be himself around them without fear of judgement or recrimination.

Astarion’s expression softened at the genuine concern in Barry’s voice, the playful smirk fading from his lips as he met the bard’s gaze. For a moment, he seemed to war with himself, torn between maintaining his usual bravado and yielding to the rare vulnerability Barry always seemed to draw out of him. With a sigh, he uncrossed his legs and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he studied the flickering flames.

“You’re right, of course. I am restless,” Astarion admitted, his voice low and unusually unguarded. “It’s just…hard to explain. I can’t help but feel like I’m still coming to terms with everything that’s happened. The change, the tadpole, the way it’s made me feel…it’s not something I can simply push aside or ignore.” He glanced at Barry, a flicker of that old defensiveness sparking in his eyes. “I don’t need your pity, you know. I’m not some fragile creature to be coddled.”

He paused, seeming to wrestle with the impulse to clam up entirely, “But…I suppose I don’t mind you seeing me like this. It’s just…” Astarion trailed off, searching for the right words. “I feel like I’m standing at a crossroads. Like you can see past all the…unpleasantness that surrounds me.” Astarion’s voice was soft, almost tender. “I don’t want to burden you with my problems, but…I suppose I just needed you to know. That I’m not always the carefree, hedonistic creature I pretend to be.” He looked up at Barry through his lashes, a rare vulnerability shining in his ruby eyes.

“Will you…will you stay with me for a while? I’m not usually one for heart-to-hearts, as you well know, but…I find myself craving your presence. Your companionship.” He paused, a hint of that old arrogance creeping back into his tone, “Surprised to hear such a thing from a monster like me, hmm?”

Barry couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh, their body shaking slightly against Astarion’s side in mirth as they shook their head, “Oh, please. Like either of us is the poster child for normalcy around here,” they snorted, leaning into the vampire’s side with a conspiratorial smirk. “I mean, come on- a werewolf and a vampire. Talk about a recipe for disaster…or maybe a grand adventure.”

They turned their gaze back to the flickering flames, watching as the fire danced and twisted, casting warm shadows across their face. “But hey, who wants to be normal anyway? Boring, that’s what it is.” Barry’s voice was casual, unguarded, a hint of that usual theatricality creeping into their tone. “Besides, I’ve always thought that the misfits, the freaks…now those are the type of people worth knowing. The ones who dance to their own tune, who force their own paths…who see the beauty in the broken and the strange.”

They felt Astarion tense slightly beside them, and knew that they had struck a chord. Barry reached out, their fingers finding the vampire’s hand as if guided by instinct, and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Hey…I didn’t mean…” They paused, seeming to think better of their next words. “You know, in all honesty, I’m just happy to be here. Happy to be by your side, through all of it. The good, the bad…the utterly batshit insane parts of this whole ordeal.”

Barry’s voice softened, grew more sincere, “And hey, if being vulnerable means I get to see a new side of you…well, I suppose I can handle that. Oddly enough, I don’t think you’re a burden at all. I just think you’re…you.” They smiled softly, their eyes reflecting the warm glow of the fire as they turned to face Astarion. “And you are…perfectly imperfect. Just like the rest of us.”

Astarion felt a warmth blossom in his chest at Barry’s words, a sensation so foreign that it took him a moment to recognize it for what it was- genuine affection. His eyes widened slightly, and he turned to face the werewolf, searching their expression for any hint of deception or mockery. But there was none. Only a soft, sincere smile and a gaze that seemed to see right through him, into the very heart of his being.

He couldn't remember the last time someone had looked at him with such open acceptance, such unconditional support. In his long life, he had known many who had sought him out for his power, his influence, his...assets. But never had anyone simply wanted him for him. Not until Barry.

Astarion felt a sudden, overwhelming urge to pull the bard into his arms, to hold them close and never let go. To pour out all the pent-up emotion and longing he had carried for centuries, locked away behind a facade of cool indifference and cruel amusement. But he held back, uncertain and wary of such a bold display of vulnerability.

Instead, he brought Barry's hand up to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to their knuckles as he gazed into their eyes. "You are... remarkable," he whispered, his voice rough with emotion. "I don't know what I did to deserve your loyalty, your companionship... but I am deeply grateful for it." He paused, a wry smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Even if you are stuck with a monster like me."

With a sudden, impulsive motion, he pulled them closer, barely a breath of space between their bodies, and wrapped his arms around their waist. He rested his chin atop their head, breathing in the scent of them - warm and comforting, with a hint of something wild and untamed that called to the beast within him. The beast that, for once, was at peace.

"I'm glad you think I'm... perfectly imperfect," Astarion murmured, his lips brushing against Barry's temple. "Because you, my dear bard, are the only one who seems to see me that way. The real me, beneath all the... unpleasantness." He hesitated, torn between the desire to bare his soul entirely and the instinctive need to maintain some semblance of control. "I feel like I'm at a crossroads, as I said. Like I have a choice to make, and I... I don't know what the right path is." His arms tightened around Barry, as if he feared they would disappear if he didn't hold on tightly enough. "But I do know that... I want you with me. Through it all, whatever it may be. I want to face it with you by my side."

"Ooh, I just gotta soak in this seriously swoon-worthy moment for a teensy bit longer," Barry cooed, snuggling into Astarion's embrace as they gazed up at the star-studded sky. They let out an exaggerated, wistful sigh. "It's like gazing into a real-life painting, painted by the hand of the gods themselves! Imagine the song lyrics practically writing themselves, inspired by such majestic beauty!"

After a moment more of indulging in the closeness and the view, Barry suddenly hopped to their feet with renewed energy and purpose. They grabbed Astarion's hand, tugging the vampire up to join them. “I doubt either of us will be heading to bed anytime soon, let’s find somewhere we can see the stars more clearly!" Barry grinned, their eyes sparkling with mischief and excitement as they looked around. “C'mon, don't be a stick in the mud.” 

Astarion rose gracefully to his feet, allowing Barry to guide him. A flicker of surprise crossed his face at their sudden shift in demeanor, replaced quickly by a warm smile. "A stroll under the stars? I do love a romantic gesture." He teased, but there was a tender undercurrent to his voice. He held out his arm to Barry gallantly. "Shall we, my dear?"

As they walked, Astarion couldn't help but marvel at the sheer novelty of the moment. It was rare for him to engage in such simple, unassuming activities. His life had long been a whirlwind of dark deeds and dangerous encounters, with little room for the quiet contentment he felt in Barry's presence. And yet, here he was, strolling hand-in-hand with a human - a werewolf, really - like one of the lovestruck fools he had once mocked and derided.

The cool night air was a balm to his skin, a refreshing contrast to the stuffy confines of the tent. The sounds of the forest encroached around them, the chirping of crickets and the distant hoots of owls filling the space between them. It was a soothing symphony of nature, one that Astarion had never bothered to appreciate until now.

They soon came across a clearing, the grass dotted with wildflowers and the stars glittering above like diamonds strewn across a velvet canvas. Astarion pulled Barry close, his arms encircling their waist as he gazed up at the sky, a rare sense of peace washing over him.

"I have to admit, this is... nice," he murmured, a note of wonder coloring his tone. "It's been a long time since I've experienced such a moment of tranquility." He glanced down at Barry, a smile playing at the corner of his mouth. "You have a strange effect on me, you know that? Softening the savage beast, and all that."

He tightened his embrace, pulling Barry's back flush against his chest. It hits Astarion square in the chest- a deep, aching longing for something more than the fleeting pleasures he had long chased, a desire for a connection that transcended the physical.

Astarion knew he should be wary, should guard his heart against the temptation of such vulnerability. And yet, in this moment, wrapped up in the warm embrace of Barry... he couldn't bring himself to care. Let the morrow bring what it may. Tonight, he simply wanted to lose himself in Barry's company, to forget the horrors of his past and the uncertainty of his future.

Barry gazed up at the star-studded expanse overhead, their eyes wide with wonder. They let out a soft, appreciative whistle as they took in the breathtaking sight. "Well this view is definitely worthy of having a song written about it," they mused, a note of inspiration coloring their voice. "There must be dozens of constellations out right now. Do you know any of them?"

They turned to Astarion, a playful smirk tugging at their lips as they poked his chest with a teasing finger. "Come on, vampire extraordinaire. I'm sure a creature of the night like you knows every single star up there. What's the story behind the biggest, brightest one?" Barry asked, a mischievous glint in their eye. "Let me guess, is it the star of some tragic romance between a vampire and a werewolf? Or maybe it marks the spot where some unlucky hero met their untimely demise at the hands of a cruel, heartless monster?"

Barry giggled, clearly amused by the notion. They had a knack for turning even the most serious of moments into a chance for playful banter. It was all part of their charm, and one of the many reasons Astarion found themselves drawn to the charismatic bard. Of course, that draw was tempered by a deeply seated loyalty and protectiveness. Barry was fiercely dedicated to those they held dear, and would stop at nothing to defend and support them. It was a side of their personality that Astarion had experienced firsthand, and was endlessly grateful for.

Still, there was a part of Barry that remained eternally reserved, a deep well of emotion that they rarely tapped into. Perhaps it was their complicated past, or maybe it was just their natural inclination towards guarding their heart against further pain. Or perhaps, and this was a thought that made Astarion's undead heart ache more than he would care to admit, it was because they feared he simply didn't feel that same deep, abiding connection to them that they had begun to feel towards him.

But whatever the reason, Barry's boldness and brazen teasing was a balm to Astarion's weary soul. It grounded him, reminded him of the simple joys of the mortal world. And in that moment, gazing up at the stars with this remarkable, infuriating, wonderful creature in his arms... Astarion felt a sense of belonging that he had never known in his long, lonely existence.

Astarion's eyes followed Barry's gaze up to the heavens, a rueful smile playing at the corner of his mouth as he considered the bard's teasing question. He knew the constellations like the back of his pale hand, had listened to countless tales spun by drunken bards and dreaming lovers across the centuries. But he had never bothered to place much stock in them, seeing them for the fickle, indifferent forces they truly were.

"Ah, you want a tragic romance or a gory tale to match my blood-soaked reputation?" Astarion mused, a hint of mockery coloring his tone. "I'm afraid the stars do not hold such cliched notions, my dear. There is nothing so mundane as a vampire and werewolf star-crossed love story etched in their celestial dance."

He paused, considering his next words carefully, a glint of mischief sparking in his red eyes as a thought occurred to him. "Though..." Astarion began, a conspiratorial note creeping into his voice. "There is a certain constellation, one that has long intrigued me. A cluster of stars that, if the legends are to be believed, mark the path of a wicked sorcerer's triumphant return."

He leaned in closer, his breath ghosting over the shell of Barry's ear as he spoke. "They say that the sorcerer, in his arrogance and greed, dared to challenge the gods themselves. He sought to harness the power of the very heavens, to bend the stars to his will."

Astarion's lips curled into a self-deprecating smirk. "Sound familiar?" he murmured, a hint of a barb hidden within the teasing lilt of his words. But it was tinged with a self-awareness, an acknowledgement of the parallels between the legend and his own past misdeeds.

"In his hubris, the sorcerer failed to heed the warnings of the celestial beings, and as punishment, he was struck down. But in his last breath, he cursed the gods, swearing that he would damned well have his revenge." Astarion's voice dropped to a low murmur, his eyes glinting with an uncanny light. "And so, when the alignment comes... when the stars align in just such a way... the vengeful sorcerer shall rise again. A monster, forever damned to walk the earth in search of vengeance and retribution."

He trailed off, a rare note of vulnerability creeping into his voice. "Some say that the constellation marks his path, a celestial map guiding him to his ultimate triumph." Astarion's gaze turned inward, his expression unreadable. "Others claim that it is a reminder of the folly of challenging the heavens, a grim warning etched in the Floating Eye."

He turned back to Barry, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "But I have always wondered..." Astarion murmured, his voice low and thoughtful. "If such a figure as this sorcerer truly existed... What drove him to such a desperate, reckless act? Was it hunger for power, as the stories claim? Or... something more?"

He paused, searching Barry's face for a reaction, and found himself captivated by the play of emotions across their features. Wonder, amusement, and beneath it all... a glimmer of understanding. Astarion felt a sudden, inexplicable urge to bare his soul to them, to expose the darkest recesses of his heart and trust in their compassion.

Barry snorted, a grin spreading across their face as they listened to Astarion's tale of the vengeful sorcerer. They arched an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in their eye as they turned to face the vampire. "You know, it's funny you should say that," Barry remarked, their tone droll. "Sounds to me like that sorcerer was about as bright as a rock. I mean, gotta know your own limitations, right? Otherwise you end up cursed by the gods and immortalized as a cautionary story up in the heavens."

They punched Astarion playfully on the arm, a casual intimacy that spoke volumes of their growing familiarity. Their grin widened, showing off a trace of fang - not nearly so sharp as Astarion's, but no less disarming.

"Well, that's just grade-A foolishness." they gestured vaguely at the stars above. Barry leaned into Astarion, their voice dripping with mock derision. "I mean, who in their right mind goes around challenging the gods? Unless they've got a death wish and a handy 'I'm immortal' card tucked up their sleeve, of course." 

There was a beguiling lilt to Barry's voice, a melodic cadence that hinted at the bard they were. A poet's soul, able to paint pictures with words and unleash the art of persuasion... and mockery. "And poor old sorcerer boy here, going around causing a ruckus and mouthing off to the big boss upstairs? No wonder he got the ol' smite-o-vision treatment. Really, if he'd just had a lick of sense, he wouldn't be up there as an... 'alignment', or whatever you called it."

Astarion chuckled, a rich, full sound that rumbled through his chest and sent a shiver down Barry's spine. He arched a brow, equal parts amused and intrigued by the bard's brazen mockery of the very legend he had just shared. "You know, you have a clever tongue, my dear," he remarked, a note of grudging respect coloring his tone. "Almost as sharp as my own, and that's saying something."

He slid an arm around Barry's waist, pulling them closer, as if to shield them from the icy caress of the night air. A part of him reveled in the boldness of this creature, the fearless way they seemed to fear neither monster nor deity. "You make a fair point," Astarion conceded, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "The sorcerer was undeniably foolish to provoke the wrath of the gods. But tell me..."

He paused, his eyes glinting with a sudden intensity as they met Barry's gaze. "Is it truly so different from the way I have lived my own life? Have I not, in my own ways, dared to defy the very powers that would seek to control me?"

Astarion's grip tightened, a flicker of old pain and anger sparking behind his eyes. "I too was cursed, cast out and left to wander in the shadows of the world. And for what? For the sins of my past, the choices that led me down this twisted path?"

He shook his head, a bitter laugh escaping his lips. "Perhaps we are not so different, you and I. Two reckless souls, stumbling through a world that seeks to break us."

Astarion searched Barry's eyes, a sudden intensity burning in his gaze. "Tell me, my dear... do you believe in fate? In the idea that some things are written in the stars, beyond our control?"

Barry pulls back slightly, their eyes widening briefly at the sudden shift in Astarion's demeanor. They blink, shaking their head as if to clear it before fixing the vampire with a wry, exasperated look. Their lips pursed, a soft huff escaping them as they place a hand on Astarion's chest, giving it a light, reproachful tap.

"Oh, for the love of... You're not seriously buying into all that star-crossed, woe-is-me nonsense, are you?" Barry scoffs, rolling their eyes dramatically. "Listen, I know you've had a rough go of it, and don't get me wrong, being immortal and all must be a real party in your pants most days. But this?" They gesture vaguely at the night sky, making a face. "This is just you being sleep deprived and dramatic."

Barry leans in closer, their voice dropping to a more serious, almost stern tone. "Believe me, I know fate and destiny are just words we mortals use to make sense of a senseless world. But you? You're the master of your own ship, Astarion. You've clawed your way out of the trenches and back from the brink more times than I can count. That's not fate- that's grit, that's you being the badass vampire you've become."

They grip Astarion's chin, tilting it down to force the vampire to meet their gaze. "So, snap out of it, alright? We're not slaves to the stars or unknowable gods. We make our own luck, we forge our own purpose. That's the only 'alignment' I believe in - when you take control and steer yourself to new heights."

Barry flashes a roguish grin, their old fire rekindling in their eyes. "And hey, if all else fails, just remember - even if the stars have it in for you, at least you've got me watching your back. So buck up, buttercup. Enough with the melodramatic vampire bullshit - let's go make our own story, yeah?"

Astarion stared at Barry, a confusing mix of emotions playing across his face as he processed their words. Shock, disbelief, and a tentative flicker of hope warred for dominance in his eyes as he listened to the bard's passionate tirade. It was a rare thing, indeed, for someone to speak to him with such boldness and conviction, let alone a mortal.

For a moment, Astarion simply gaped at Barry, unable to formulate a response. Then, slowly, a smile crept across his face, starting as a mere twitch at the corner of his mouth before blossoming into a full-blown, devastating grin. His eyes sparkled with a newfound appreciation and affection for the brazen creature before him.

"You know," Astarion murmured, his voice low and tinged with a newfound respect, "you have a way of cutting through the nonsense and getting straight to the heart of matters. It's rather... invigorating."

He reached up, his fingers curling around Barry's wrist, still resting on his chest. He marveled at the way their pulse fluttered beneath his fingertips, a living, breathing reminder of the vitality and passion that seemed to radiate from within them.

Slowly, almost reluctantly, Astarion nodded, a determined glint entering his eyes. "You're right," he conceded, his voice growing steadier and more resolute. "I am the master of my own fate, and I will not be a slave to the whims of gods or stars. Nor anyone or anything else for that matter…”

He leaned down, his forehead coming to rest against Barry's, their noses brushing in a way that sent a frisson of electricity crackling through the air between them. "You have a point, my dear. Perhaps it's time I stopped dwelling on the past and started focusing on the present... and the future."

Astarion's hand slid up Barry's arm, coming to rest on the back of their neck. His fingers curled into the soft hair at their nape, a possessive gesture that spoke volumes about the fierce loyalty and devotion he felt towards them.

"Together," Astarion murmured, his voice a low, intimate rumble. "We'll make our own story, just as you said. One of defiance, of love, and of unbreakable bonds forged in the crucible of adversity."

He pulled back slightly, just enough to meet Barry's gaze, his own eyes blazing with a hunger that had nothing to do with the thrill of the hunt. This was a different kind of hunger, a deep, abiding need that could only be sated by the warmth and companionship of another.

"And where shall we begin?" Astarion asked, a note of hopeful anticipation coloring his tone. "What grand adventure do you have in mind, my bold and brilliant bard?"

"Listen, as much as I love a good story and a grand adventure, getting these godforsaken tadpoles out of our heads should be priority number one." They shudder at the thought, their nose wrinkling in disgust before their expression turns thoughtful, their brows furrowed in concentration. "After that nasty business is taken care of though... Well, the world's our oyster!”

Barry's eyes start to shine with excitement as they muse aloud, their voice pitching higher with each idea. "Picture this - a grand tour of the Sword Coast, regaling the masses with tales of our daring exploits over tankards of frothy ale! I'm talking packed inns, eager audiences hanging onto every word, tossing coins at our feet..." 

They pause, a sly grin spreading across their face as they lean in closer, pitching their voice to a conspiratorial murmur. "And who knows? Maybe we'll even find a powerful patron or two who want to bankroll our very own little mercenary company. 'The Silver Swords', with Astarion as the dashing, if unconventional, leader, and yours truly as the silver-tongued recruit and intel gatherer extraordinaire!" Barry throws up their hands, as if painting the glorious scene for Astarion. But as quickly as their excitement flared, it flickers and dies, their shoulders slumping with a rueful laugh.

"Apart from that, I've got no idea. But hey, as long as we're together, I figure we can stumble our way to grandeur pretty much anywhere we go. Plus, you're way more fun than most people I know, so that helps!" One last mischievous grin flashes across their face before it fades, replaced by an expression of earnest affection. "Seriously though, I'm just glad you're on my side, Astarion. Call me sentimental, but there's something to be said for a partner-in-crime who actually wants to keep me around. It's... nice." Barry's face turns a bit red at that last confession, and they clear their throat, looking away as if suddenly bashful. "Anyway, tadpole removal first, world domination second! Sound like a plan?" 

Astarion listened intently to Barry's passionate outpouring, a sense of wonder and excitement kindling in his chest. He found himself drawn to their unbridled enthusiasm, their capacity for dreaming big and imagining a future filled with possibility. It was a rare commodity in a world that had long since lost its luster, a beacon of hope in the suffocating darkness that had once consumed him.

Astarion chuckled, a genuine, unguarded sound of amusement at the bard's mention of the Silver Swords. He could picture it clearly - the two of them, a mismatched pair in every sense of the word, leading their own band of mercenaries on a never ending quest for glory and treasure. The thought sent a thrill of anticipation racing down his spine.

But as Barry's excitement reached a fever pitch, Astarion saw the shift in their demeanor, the sudden gravity that settled over them like a shroud. He felt a pang of concern, a flicker of worry that perhaps he had somehow offended or upset them. But then, as quickly as it had appeared, it vanished, replaced by a look of such raw, unbridled affection that Astarion found himself momentarily stunned.

He reached out, his hand coming to rest on Barry's knee, squeezing gently in a gesture of silent support and solidarity. "I couldn't agree more," he murmured, his voice low and fervent with emotion. "Together, you and I can face whatever trials and tribulations the world may throw our way. And I can think of no one I would rather have at my side than you, my dear Barry."

Astarion paused, his thumb tracing idle patterns on the fabric of their trousers as he gathered his thoughts. He knew he was treading on delicate ground, that the words he chose next could either solidify the bond between them or shatter it entirely. But something in Barry's earnest confession had struck a chord within him, a long-buried part of himself that he had thought lost forever.

"And you're right," he continued, his voice growing softer, more intimate. "Having someone who truly wants to keep me around, who sees me not as a monster or a curse, but as a person... it means more to me than you could possibly know."

Astarion's hand tightened on Barry's knee, a gesture of pure, unadulterated affection that spoke volumes about the depth of his feelings for them. "I know I may not be the easiest person to love, but I want you to know that I... that I care for you, Barry. More than I have ever cared for anyone before."

He swallowed hard, his heart pounding in his chest as he awaited Barry's response. The vulnerability of the moment was almost too much to bear, a raw, aching openness that left him feeling exposed and defenseless in a way he had never experienced before. But somehow, with Barry by his side, he found himself wanting to take that leap, to cast himself into the unknown and hope that they would catch him.

"Together," Astarion repeated, a note of conviction and determination entering his tone. "Tadpole removal first, world domination second... and maybe, if fate allows, a love story for the ages written in the stars above. But either way, you have my word that I will stand by your side, now and forevermore."

He lifted his gaze to meet Barry's, his eyes shining with a fierce, unshakable devotion that belied the centuries of pain and suffering he had endured. Barry leaned into Astarion's embrace, a soft smile playing on their lips as they met the vampire's gaze. They felt a rush of gratitude wash over them, a profound sense of thankfulness for the unlikely bond they had found in each other.

"I may not be one for all that sappy, lovey-dovey nonsense most of the time," Barry murmured, a note of self-deprecating humor in their tone, "but I gotta hand it to you, Astarion - out of all the people I've met, out of all the messed up, crazy, impossible situations I've found myself in... meeting you? That's gotta be the most insane twist of fate of them all."

They chuckled softly, shaking their head in amazement at the sheer absurdity of their circumstances. "I mean, a vampire and a werewolf, bound together by a freak accident and a shared curse? It's like something out of a bad novel. And yet... here we are."

Barry's smile softened, turning into something more genuine and heartfelt as they looked up at Astarion. "But you know what? As much as I hate to admit it... I'm damned glad I met you. I've never felt more seen, more accepted, more just plain... got for who I am than I do with you."

They swallowed past the sudden tightness in their throat, blinking back the sudden moisture that had gathered in their eyes. "You're the first person I've ever met who doesn't just tolerate the loud, goofy, sometimes downright obnoxious persona I put on for the world... but actually seems to enjoy it. To appreciate it, even. To think that there's merit and worth in just being myself, unapologetically and without reservation."

A single tear broke free, trailing down Barry's cheek as they gazed up at Astarion with a mix of awe and gratitude shining in their eyes. "I don't say this kind of thing very often... but thank you," they whispered, "Thank you for being the one constant in my life, for being the one person I know I can always count on to have my back, no matter what. You're not just my partner-in-crime, Astarion... you're my anchor. My lifeline in a world that all too often feels like it's spinning out of control."

Barry's arms tightened around the vampire, holding them close as if they could merge the very essence of their being, as if they could fuse their souls into one. "I don't know what the future holds, but I know that as long as you're by my side, I can face it. Stand by me, and I'll stand by you, through all of it - the good, the bad, and everything in between."

Barry's voice grew steadier, more resolute as they spoke those final words, a glimmer of unshakable determination shining in their eyes. "You're stuck with me now, Astarion. Partners, remember? For better or worse, in sickness and in health, till death do us part... and even then, I have a feeling death won't be able to keep us apart."

With that, Barry closed the scant distance between them, capturing Astarion's lips in a fierce, searing kiss that spoke volumes about the depth of their devotion and the sheer, unbridled love they held for their vampire companion. It was a kiss that promised a future, a lifetime of shared adventures, laughter, tears and everything in between.

Astarion's heart swelled with an emotion so profound it stole his breath away, a feeling of pure, unadulterated love and devotion that threatened to consume him entirely. He had never been one for sentimentality, had long ago hardened himself against the notion of anything as fickle and fleeting as love. But in that moment, as Barry's words washed over him like a tidal wave of affection and gratitude, he found himself drowning in a sea of sentiment he had once thought himself incapable of feeling.

He tightened his embrace, his arms becoming a fortress around Barry, a sanctuary that he never wanted to let go of. The bard's tears, the single crystalline droplet that had slid down their cheek and come to rest on their trembling lips, only served to underscore the raw emotion of the moment. Astarion knew, with a certainty that settled deep in the very core of his being, that he would move heaven and earth to protect and cherish this miraculous, impossible love that had blossomed between them. He would defy the gods themselves, dare the wrath of the gods and the fury of the stars, rather than let anything come between them and the future they had only begun to imagine.

They chuckled, nuzzling playfully into Astarion's neck, their breath hot on his skin as they spoke. "Well, this has certainly been a day, hasn't it? I'd say we've more than earned a good night's sleep.” Barry yawns dramatically, "Perish the thought of what fresh horrors the fates might have in store for us on the morrow! I tremble at the mere notion." Barry said, their tone dripping with mock dread.

Barry wiggled out of Astarion’s arms with an exaggerated sigh, "Alas, to bed we must go! For even the bravest of bards need their beauty sleep, lest we wish to face the battlefield resembling something that's been dragged through a hedge backwards."

Barry paused, tapping their chin thoughtfully, "And if the gods are smiling upon us, I'm sure this little tale of woe and triumph will make for an epic ballad! Though I dare say the minstrels may have to leave out the less savory bits for the sake of propriety. Or perhaps merely change the names to protect the guilty, as they say! The life of a bard is a fickle mistress indeed, no?"

Slinging an arm around Astarion's shoulders casually, they declare, "But worry not, my pointy-eared paramour! So long as we stand together, I've no doubt we'll emerge victorious and ready to regale the masses with our latest exploits." 

Astarion let out a soft, indulgent chuckle at Barry's dramatic antics, his eyes sparkling with amusement as he watched them preen and posture like a peacock displaying its finest plumage. It was a side of them that he had come to love and cherish, a fiery, unapologetic spirit that refused to be cowed by the trials and tribulations of life. He found himself drawn to their unbridled enthusiasm, their capacity for finding joy and laughter even in the darkest of circumstances.

Astarion rose to his feet, his arm coming to rest around Barry's waist in a gesture of casual intimacy that spoke volumes about the depth of their bond. He allowed them to lead the way towards the sleeping quarters, his own weariness catching up with him now that the adrenaline of the day had begun to fade.

"You're right," he murmured, his voice low and tinged with a note of fondness, "We have more than earned a night of peaceful rest after all that we've been through. And I, for one, can scarcely wait to wake up and face whatever challenges the morrow may bring... so long as I have you by my side."

He paused, his hand coming up to cup Barry's cheek in a gesture of tender affection. "You know, I may not be much of a bard, but even I can appreciate the epic tale that our lives have become. A tale of love, of friendship, of triumph over adversity... and perhaps a touch of madness thrown in for good measure."

Astarion's thumb brushed over the curve of Barry's cheekbone, a gesture that was both a caress and a promise. "But enough of such heavy thoughts for tonight. Come, let us seek our rest and leave the fate of the world to sort itself out until dawn. For now, I wish only to hold you in my arms and lose myself in the feel of your embrace."

Barry sighed contentedly as they sauntered alongside him, their body swaying gently with each step. It was a comforting rhythm, one that spoke of a weariness that had settled into their bones but also of a peace, a tranquility that had taken root in their very soul. In that moment, as they walked together back towards the sanctuary of their shared tent, Astarion could see the weight lifting from Barry's shoulders, could feel the tension draining from their muscles as if it were a physical thing. It was a profound sensation, one that filled his own heart with a warmth he had never known before.

"Do you feel that, Astarion?" Barry asked softly as they walked, their voice barely above a whisper. They glanced up at him, their eyes shining with a soft, almost ethereal light that seemed to dance and flicker in the moonlight, "This feeling, right here... this sense of peace, of rightness. I don't think I've ever felt anything quite like it before."

The bard's hand found Astarion's, their fingers intertwining with his own as naturally as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world. It was a gesture that spoke of a familiarity, a comfort with each other that had grown and deepened over the long and arduous journey they had shared.

"I suppose we must be doing something right if we've found ourselves in this situation," Astarion replied, a note of gentle teasing in his tone. He gave Barry's hand a light, playful squeeze, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Though I dare say it's not the fate I would have chosen for myself when I was still a foolhardy young man, convinced that I was destined for greater things."

He shook his head, a wry chuckle escaping his lips as he remembered the arrogance and pride that had once defined him, that had led him down a path of darkness and despair. "But I wouldn't trade a single moment of it... so long as I have you by my side, my dear and loyal partner."

As they reached the entrance to their tent, Barry paused, turning to face Astarion fully. Their free hand came up to rest on his chest, their palm splayed out flat against the firm muscle of his pectoral. It was a possessive gesture, one that spoke of a claim staked, of a bond that could not be broken, even by mind flayers and tadpoles.

"You know, I once thought that love was something that only fools and poets believed in. That it was a weakness, a vulnerability that could only lead to pain and suffering." Barry's voice was soft, almost wistful, as they gazed up at him through hooded eyes. "But now... now I know better. I know that love is the strongest, most powerful force in the world... and that I am stronger because of it."

With those words, Barry leaned in, their lips finding their mark against Astarion's in a tender, lingering kiss that spoke volumes about the depth of their affection. When they finally broke apart, there was a new light in the bard's eyes, a fire that had nothing to do with the blush upon their cheeks.

Astarion felt a profound surge of emotion as Barry spoke those words, the meaning behind them striking a chord deep within his own heart. He had once been a man haunted by his past, a creature of darkness and shadows, a monster that had been forged in the fires of another's cruelty and malice. But in the time they had spent together, in the trials and tribulations they had faced side by side, Barry had shown him a different path. A path that led to a kind of happiness and fulfillment that he had never known before, a sense of belonging that had always eluded him.

As their lips met in that tender, intimate kiss, Astarion poured every ounce of his own love and devotion into the embrace. His hand came up to cup the back of Barry's neck, his fingers tangling in the soft strands of their hair, holding them close as if they were the most precious treasure in the world. And in that moment, he knew that they were.

When they finally broke apart, Astarion's eyes were glowing, the red of his irises seeming to burn with an internal fire that had nothing to do with his vampiric nature. He rested his forehead against Barry's, his breath mingling with their own as he spoke in a low, fervent whisper. "You are my heart, Barry. My soul, my reason for living... even if I cannot fully embrace the light, I know that I am fortunate to have you as my partner, my lover, my friend. I will spend eternity proving to you the depth of my devotion, of my love for you."

Astarion's hand slid down from Barry's neck to their waist, his arm coming to wrap around them in a gesture of possessive intimacy. He knew that he would face down death itself to keep Barry safe, to protect them from the horrors of the world. And he knew, with a bone-deep certainty, that even in the face of the unknown, they would face it together.

Tucking Barry close to his side, Astarion guided them both into the sanctuary of their shared tent. As the flap fell closed behind them, he could feel the weariness of the day catching up with him, the adrenaline of battle fading away to leave a profound sense of peace and contentment in its wake.

"Rest now, my love," he murmured, his hand coming to rest on the curve of Barry's hip as he lowered them both down onto the soft furs that lined their bed. "Let us take solace and comfort in each other, and face whatever tomorrow brings with eyes open and hearts full of love. For in the end, it is all that truly matters."