#about team tadpole

[jynxeddraca]

Small, Soft BG3 Things

Just an ongoing list of small headcanons for Team Tadpole.

Astarion:

Astarion learned how to sew and embroider from his mother. She loved to embroider poems that she sold at market. Most of his word based embroidery looks like her handwriting, even though he doesn't remember that.

He's the go-to member of Team Tadpole for mending because he's the best out of all of them at it. More importantly: as he comes to view them as friends, the basic mending is supplemented with subtle embroidery.

Every child that he ends up spending time around learns some slight of hand trick and/or how to use a knife.

When everyone is asleep and he's particularly at ease, he'll quietly sing to himself while doing other things.

Gale:

As the self-appointed cook - come time to set up camp, Gale might fuss about the bizarre assortment of food stuff they find on their travels, but he secretly revels in the challenge of making filling, delicious foods out of what they're able to scavenge.

Cooking was how his mother and him bonded as he grew up so now it's his favorite way of showing affection/appreciation to others.

Spoils Tara with all her favorite foods when they're reunited (also I headcanon Tara joins the camp most nights in Act 3).

When he was younger, he specifically created an enchantment to enchant his mother's favorite rocking chair so that when it was activated, mage hands would appear and give her shoulders and feet a massage.

Halsin:

He learned to whittle from an uncle and the knife he uses today for his carvings was given to him by his mother - whose favorite animal was ducks.

Halsin likes to go sit in Bloomridge park when the city gets to him, taking Yenna with him if she's agreeable. He has taught her and several other random children how to braid flower crowns.

When he returns to Reithwin Town, he teaches Art how to whittle and Art teaches Halsin how to play the lute.

On nights where Halsin is keeping watch will offer to turn pages for Tara so she can read a book or two.

Jaheira:

Will turn into a cat/dog to give comfort to children if they are inconsolable.

Takes an afternoon with Halsin - both in wildshape - to show him how nature and the city can be more harmonious than he originally thought.

The lullaby she knows how to play on the tin whistle was one taught to her by her late husband - she has put all her children to sleep to it's tune.

Teases Tara about her treating Gale like her kitten.

The rats that show up in camp do give her updates on other Harpers - but most of the time they are updates about her children.

Karlach:

Clive - her teddy bear - was knitted by her mother and she considers him her 'good luck charm'. Before the infernal engine was forced onto her, he could often be found tucked into Karlach's belt at any given point of the day or in her purse/pouch.

Karlach almost left Avernus without Clive, and risked missing the Nautiloid to go back to grab him.

Because she calls Halsin "Bear Man" Arabella starts calling him that too. At the same time, Karlach starts calling Withers "Bone Man" because of Arabella.

Her parents used to dance around the living room with her - in camp she'll get Arabella and later, Yenna, to do the same. When she's especially energetic, she makes Wyll join her.

Lae'zel:

While she originally hates everything about Faerûn, she becomes especially fond of the sunrises and finds she enjoys sunflowers.

After the egg is acquired, she does softly sing an old githyanki lullaby to when she tends to it.

Because she feels it is an important skill to have for when the egg hatches, she learns to sew by watching Astarion. Eventually, she asks him for tips.

Lae'zel seems well-read (on githyanki literature anyways) in my opinion so I feel like even though she's a very skilled fighter, she also spent much of her time in the creche library growing up. In camp, she raids Gale's library bag often.

When Karlach started calling her 'Lae', she began referring to Karlach as 'Kar'.

Minsc and Boo:

When Boo isn't around Minsc, he spends time around Shadowheart curled up on her shoulder or sitting beside her as she meditates.

Amused that it baffles people who can speak with animals, Boo purposefully does not allow them to understand him and sticks with his telepathic communications with Minsc.

Minsc enjoys finding excuses to tell stories and is a good storyteller.

Teaches Tav a few Rashemen songs and stories.

Minsc and Boo both have a faint smell of warm stone about them due to being statues for a while.

Shadowheart:

When meditating, sometimes unknowingly hums an old lullaby her parents used to sing her.

Still sometimes mutters "Lady of Sorrows" when exasperated, and at one point while very tired said "Lady of Sil-rrows" instead.

Has started keeping seeds and nuts on hand for Boo.

Talking to Astarion and Halsin in Elvish is soothing to her, and sometimes it triggers memories of her father.

Tav:

Was gifted a stuffed bunny by her dad when she was a baby. His name is Biscuit.

Biscuit was handed down to Temerity (Tav's little sister) while they were in the orphanage and he currently lives on Temerity's pillow.

Tav and Karlach have introduced Clive (Karlach's teddy bear) to Biscuit.

The smell of leather oil reminds her of her father.

Wyll:

Has a soft spot in his heart for trashy romance novels and anything related to mermaids. An aside: even though he hasn't been home in years, the merfolk around Baldur's Gate remember him fondly as a child trying to swim deep enough to see them.

Actually enjoys debating Astarion about laws and their effects - even though they have wildly different views on the laws.

Has a secret tattoo, and yes, it's mermaid themed.

Offered to teach Lae'zel to use a rapier if she showed him how to wield a longsword.

Also enjoys cooking and likes to show Gale different ways to season/cook in the wilds.

The rapier he has at the start of the game was gifted to him by his father.

[halamshirals]

did you guys know that, well, the cruelty is the point

[boiled-turnip]

Desperately shoving Din Djarin into the horrors of bg3. As if he doesn’t have enough to deal with already, I need to see this guy sigh his way through the world’s most complicated worm extraction quest.

Just imagine Din having to deal with the team tadpole shenanigans. I need him to have the bg3 harem experience. I need to put him through the same bisexual suffering like I did with my Tav.

[thedragonagelesbian]

god i need to get yiseeril into act 2 soon...

[swordmaid]

the new romance banters are kind of diabolical if you’re romancing multiple people 😭😭

[boredrobin13]

making progress in finishing another save in which I finally got that achievement for defeating Gortash without setting off his traps

my strat?

we started off with a bunch of AOE spells

[nethereasypeasy]

Some fluffy head canons I have about the Baldurs Babes

mainly at camp :)

Gale stops tav to lace their boots, sarcastically tutting as he does it.

Karlach holds her hands round someones bowl and cups to warm them if they cool down too much. (Mama K microwave™)

Jaheira and Halsin share nightcaps and chat about the tadpole team. Mainly laughing at their comparative lack of experience - always ends on a 'they're good eggs tho' vibe.

Astarion and Shadowheart rate people's hair to eachother as an injoke, tav hears them mumbling numbers behind them whenever they speak to someone.

Lae'zel asks Gale to explain and pronounce things when no one is around because the 'annoying wizard' won't make fun, he's too eager to teach.

Jaheira has the best bedtime stories but they get Karlach hyped up and she asks a lot of questions till Astarion begs her to be quiet. Wyll takes mental notes for his own storytelling.

Karlach will force a game of 'I Spy' any time there is silence on the road.

Wyll is very good at little random gifts, he just remembers anything someone mentions to him. He's also low-key emotional if you return that kindness, 'you remembered?! 😭'

Halsin stops, kneels and whispers as he points and shows tav interesting plants or animals he spots when walking. 'look there's the mother and her babies' type shit. (He is camp dad(dy) ok)

Wyll teaches Lae'zel fencing. She's too keen though and tries to pin him down. She is not as graceful... But she has fun... chk!

Gale keeps a tiny portrait of Tara on him, you can't tell me modern au Gale's phone wouldn't be full of cat pics.

Astarion watches over the camp at night, he acts like he 'might as well/ I'm the only one lurking in the dark around HERE darlings' but sometimes he secretly gets a little teary looking at his first real friends all together.

Shadowheart writes moody poetry. She would tell Gale but she doesn't care for his taste... Or his possible critiques. If he ever did find her journal though he would be VERY enthused.

Astarion and tav will play with people's wardrobes when looting. Tav loves a funny hat and Astarion will do impressions of who he thinks would wear such god's awful attire.

Gale and Wyll play chess together after dinner some nights. They both say progressively cheesy lines when they take pieces, which is its own game itself at this point.

Halsin would quietly sing or hum to owlbear baby and scratch at night. Little lullabies and he'd probably tuck them in too. OR he'd be big daddy bear and snuggle up, especially when owlbear is scared and misses his mum.

The gang have played 'never have I ever' ONE time and ONE time only. It was a messy night.

... Jaheira was 100% last man standing.

[reasonsforhope]

"For over a decade, the Yosemite toad has been recognized as a federally threatened species, after experiencing a 50% population decline during the Rim Fire of 2013.

The wildfire, which encompassed a mass of land near Yosemite National Park, made the amphibian species especially vulnerable in its home habitat. 

Native to the Sierra Nevada, the toads play a key role in the area’s ecosystem — and conservationists stepped in to secure their future.

In 2017, the San Francisco Zoo’s conservation team began working with the National Park Service, Yosemite Conservancy, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the U.S. Geological Survey. 

The goal of all of these stakeholders? To raise their own Yosemite toads, re-establishing a self-sustaining population in the wild. 

“Over the past several years, SF Zoo’s conservation team has been busily raising hundreds of these small but significant amphibians from tadpole stage, a species found only in the Sierra Nevada, for the purpose of reintroducing them to an area of Yosemite National Park where it was last seen 11 years ago,” the zoo shared on social media. 

By 2022, a group of toads were deemed ready for release — and at the end of June of this year [2024], 118 toads were flown via helicopter back to their habitat.

“It’s the first time anyone has ever raised this species in captivity and released them to the wild,” Rochelle Stiles, field conservation manager at the San Francisco Zoo, told SFGATE. “It’s just incredible. It makes what we do at the zoo every day worthwhile.”

Over the past two years, these toads were fed a diet of crickets and vitamin supplements and were examined individually to ensure they were ready for wildlife release.

Zoo team members inserted a microchip into each toad to identify and monitor its health. In addition, 30 of the toads were equipped with radio transmitters, allowing their movements to be tracked using a radio receiver and antenna.

The project doesn’t end with this single wildlife release; it’s slated to take place over the next five years, as conservationists continue to collect data about the toads’ breeding conditions and survivability in an ever-changing climate. They will also continue to raise future toad groups at the zoo’s wellness and conservation center...

While the future of the Yosemite toad is still up in the air — and the uncertainty of climate change makes this a particularly audacious leap of faith — the reintroduction of these amphibians could have positive ripple effects for all of Yosemite.

Their re-entry could restore the population balance of invertebrates and small vertebrates that the toads consume, as well as balance the food web, serving as prey for snakes, birds, and other local predators.

“Zoo-reared toads can restore historic populations,” Nancy Chan, director of communications at the San Francisco Zoo, told SFGATE. 

Stiles continued: “This is our backyard, our home, and we want to bring native species back to where they belong.”

-via GoodGoodGood, July 11, 2024

[truly-sincerely]

Comprehensive Dead Three Timeline

Outdated! I've made a new timeline!

Obviously there's varying amounts of speculation here, but I believe this is as close to a reasonable order of events as can be achieved with current, in-game information

1460s

Enver Flymm sold to Raphael by his parents, renamed Gortash

Gortash learns about the Crown of Karsus while a prisoner of Raphael

1470s

Gortash escapes the House of Hope

Gortash gets involved with black market arms dealing

Durge begins their serial killing spree in Baldur’s Gate

The Emperor dominates Duke Stelmane

1480s

Gortash establishes a cult of Bane in Baldur’s Gate

Gortash approaches Durge about an alliance

Hall of Wonders test mission - Durge gets Bhaalist memorabilia - Gortash gets a bunch of Gondian designs - Durge & Gortash get companionship

Gortash trades Karlach to Zariel for infernal machinery & iron

Baldur’s Gate’s Beloved Ranger statue goes missing

Gortash recruits Franc Peartree to distribute infernal iron weapons

Gortash moves against the Zhentarim & Knights of the Shield

Wyll Ravengard enters pact with Mizora, leaves Baldur’s Gate

1490s

Dead Three made aware of the Crown of Karsus (most likely informed by Gortash) - Gortash becomes Bane’s Chosen - Durge becomes Bhaal’s chosen - Gortash & Durge are instructed to recruit Ketheric

Gortash tells Durge about the Crown of Karsus

They visit Ketheric and learn of the illithid colony under Moonrise

Gortash & Durge visit the House of Hope (for intel on Mephistar?)

Gortash & Durge raid Mephistar - They get the Crown of Karsus - They get the book on the accelerated grand design

Gortash captures the Emperor

Gortash & Durge return to Moonrise - Their identities are kept secret from Ketheric’s people - Durge impresses the Moonrise Gnolls, but not Steelclaw - Ketheric yells at Durge in the throne room for unknown reason

Durge proposes their plan to the Elder Brain who accepts

Raid on the illithid colony - Durge puts the Crown on the Elder Brain - Orin gets Durge alone during the raid & stabs them in the head - Orin tadpoles Durge, making them the first True Soul - Orin leaves Durge in an illithid pod - Orin tells the Chosen she now speaks for the Temple of Bhaal - Orin likely told Gortash, Ketheric, and Balthazar something vague about Durge’s disappearance being related to Durge’s religious crisis and let their imaginations do the rest

1492

Durge breaks out of their pod & is found by Kressa Bonedaughter

Gortash gets weird and intense with unethical experiments - Some futzing to get the tadpoles to consistently remain in stasis - This is when the name ‘True Souls’ gets coined - Extremely questionable fun with brains - Getting the Absolute’s voice sorted out - Tadpoling his parents - Poorly conceived experiments on children & their parents

Isobel is resurrected by the Dead Three

Minsc captured by Absolutists at recruitment rally in the Undercity

Minthara Baenre is recruited by Orin and Ketheric

Gortash has the Iron Throne converted to hold hostages

Gortash presents prototype Steel Watcher to the city council

Jaheira tracks cult to shadow-cursed land, meets Isobel

Elturel falls into Avernus

The brain sends the Chosen dreams about the Astral Prism

Gortash researches the Prism, finds out that Vlaakith has it

Gortash tells Ketheric to send a team to get the Prism - A nautiloid piloted by the Emperor and other illithid is sent - Kressa’s husband arranged for Durge to be on the nautiloid

Gortash deploys Steel Watch in Lower/Outer City

At this point Elturel is no longer in Avernus

Nautiloid picks up Shadowheart & the Prism from Astral Plane

Nautiloid picks up Lae’zel (?)

Nautiloid picks up Gale (?) & Astarion in Baldur's Gate

Nautiloid picks up Karlach & Wyll in Avernus

Nautiloid crashes, game begins

[adinafay]

I like to think Bhaal spends the entire timeline of BG3 just so incredibly confused and absolutely pissy about why he can't convince anyone - even his most special, Chosen, purest of Bhaalspawn- to murder for simple murder's sake.

Not that Bhaal doesn't appreciate murder more generally, but also how in the hells is he supposed to achieve global-genocide when everyone, even his own idiot kids, keeps using his precious murder as a mere tool, a means to their own ends, ya know?

He has to be a helicopter-parent to Durge about it:

Pre-tadpole Durge is so in-want of connection that they have to be under constant supervision by their specially-assigned butler to try and keep them on task. ("Stop bitching and let me live vicariously through you like all the other sport-parents!")

Then, even that isn't enough to stop them from connecting with Bane's lil shit "Gortash" and eventually starting in with the crown/Absolute plan ("Why in the hells are we using MY MURDER to help fucking Bane with his fucking tyranny?!")

Shortly after that Durge goes and gets merc'd and tadpoled by the other one... ("Have I taught my children nothing!? Orin really should know well by now that it's not 'murder' if they survive...")

... And then - clearly still prone to frivolous connection - they fucking gang up with a bunch of weirdos only to head home with other, new bad habits like "thinking for themselves" and "the apparent intent to entirely trash the plan they insisted on making with Gortash!" ("If you didn't want to play you shouldn't have had me sign you up for the team! Get your ass back in the game! You already got your Deathstalker uniform and everything! Now stop embarrassing me and maybe I'll even give you a slayer form.")

And, while Durge is being a rebellious lil Bhaalspawn, Bhaal also has to contend with:

His cultists, who are apparently killing mostly just for notoriety and/or safety amongst themselves. ("Quit playing around! I assure you I do not give a single fuck which one of you did it or how clean it was so long as the murder(s) did happen.")

Orin, who is playing at being an artist and completely absorbed in her exploration of murder and maiming as novel media to express her innumerable daddy issues ("Yes, I DO still like your lobotomized bloodkin more; at least they never wasted my time asking me to put all their shitty artwork up on the fridge.")

And Bane and Myrkul, who are presumably laughing their godly asses off and/or absolutely raging at Bhaal's inability to keep anyone at heel and how it's interfering with their mutual plan.

TL;DR: Life is hard when you're The God of Murder and neither your employees or your children properly respect the family business and your frenemies mock you for it.

[vampire-caprisun]

So I have a wholesome hc. Im trying to work out how Astarion stays fed in the Shadow Cursed Lands and the Underdark and I'd like to think the tadpole gang has started a donation system for the team vampire. Tav does most of the legwork and is the only one he'll actually bite, but on week 2 of being in the shadowlands Tav is looking pretty exhausted and Astarion is foggy and irritable. Shadowheart and Wyll are the first ones to figure out why, and the next day theres a jar by his tent and Wyll has a bandaged hand. This continues when Shadowheart is seen healing her wrist by the fire while on watch and then Halsin leaves him two large jars the night before they take Moonrise Towers so Tav can save their strength. Astarion doesn't ever say anything about it, but he rendomly offers to fix a tear in Wyll's shirt when it got caught on his horns. He goes out of his way to help Halsin up despite the man being twice his size. He even tosses a pair of purple gloves Shadowhearts way, claiming he has no use for them. He may reluctantly yowl and hiss about it at first but he's slowly learning how to be cared for and care about others.

[theannoyingurge]

Playing with the idea that none of the bg3 villains are fully honest with Durge. Everyone is hiding some piece of the puzzle and happy to abuse the amnesia situation to their advantage. 'Cept Kressa. She's psycho, but she's an honest psycho. In another life, we might have been friends.

Edit: part 2 here

Ketheric is the first, most obvious example of this. He doesn't even bother to inform the other Chosen you've reappeared. (Myrkul is the god of exhaustion, so this tracks.)

Balthazar also 100% recognizes you and also doesn't even bother. To him, your amnesia means no tedious reunions with annoying Bhaalspawn who are big mad that he stole their brother's name and rib bones.

The Emperor is sometimes overlooked when piecing together Durge's history, but he admits to knowing your past if you reject him in Act 3 (stating "I know everything about you" while threatening to turn you into a puppet like Duke Stelmane). Whether or not he's posturing, he should at least be aware of your past with Gortash, considering you helped kidnap him in the first place. For evidence, see Gortash's interrogation notes, which open with "When we captured you". (Sure, this could refer to Orin, but I simply do not see these two working as a highly functional team. More on this and the timeline below the cut.) Naturally, despite traveling together for months, The Emperor wouldn't want to fill any gaps in your memory that might cast doubt on his trustworthiness or help align you with his enemy.

The Absolute might be lying about respecting you/your plan and preferring you over your replacement. I am of two minds about this. If you were attacked immediately after crowning the brain, there should be no basis for a preferential relationship. In that case, the brain is just stroking your ego and need for approval. However, I have doubts about Durge being taken down during the initial raid.** I think some time must have passed after crowning the Absolute, giving it the chance to develop a working relationship with you that it lacked with the other Chosen, which caused everything to fall apart after you were tadpoled. This also buys us time to kidnap the Emperor and bring it under the Absolute's thrall as described in Gortash's interrogation notes.

**Some of Gortash's other notes claim Durge was lost during the first raid, but his journals are full of contradictions. He leaves the House of Hope out of his memoirs entirely. He seemingly retcons history to present himself in a more favorable light, which probably includes intentionally diminishing the work of his allies (or erasing the painful memory of his nearest and dearest). In any interpretation, the brain definitely hates Gortash the most, and that's good enough for me.

Orin and Gortash paint somewhat conflicting pictures of you pre-tadpole. The difference here might be genuine (the honest perspectives of a little sister vs a business partner or lover) or it could be a manipulative game of tug of war over your budding and impressionable self image.

Now, I like Durgetash - but I like every possible interpretation of these assholes, not just the mutually reciprocated and/or sexy ones. It's conceivable to me that Gortash may have discovered Durge's crush on him via the Prayer for Forgiveness and played up their history in Act 3 as a defensive measure. Maybe Gortash always knew of Durge's feelings and used them to his advantage (Orin outright tells you this, but again, nobody listens to Orin. Sorry sis).

It's also conceivable that he knew Durge was the first to be tadpoled, considering how close their pod was to his workbench. The brain was given orders to transform the party (that were resisted several times), so Gortash's surprise that Durge still lives makes sense, assuming he even knew Durge was with them (he doesn't seem to be checking the scrying eyes at all. What kind of loser tyrant ignores his own surveillance system? I digress). His general relief and preference for them over Orin is also still valid. (I imagine he feels something along the lines of Durge being the one who got away, you don't know what you've got until it's gone, etc etc. Cue hysterical bonding as the long lost love of his life waltzes into his coronation covered in blood to save him from their psychotic sister and the poorly housetrained Netherbrain they left him full custody of. Yes he wanted full custody, but still.)

Puppy eyes aside, Gortash is a blackhearted pragmatist (he will turn on Durge if they give him the stones) and progress is progress. The first True Soul was an incredible breakthrough, and the show must go on. So just imagine the bricks he's shitting in Act 3 if Durge comes back and remembers the Wrong Things from before the nautiloid. What if they want revenge on him? Nope, not good at all. Best to position himself as Durge's only friend and most trustworthy partner. Regardless of how well he treated them before, Durge was willing to piss off Bhaal to spare his life. That's an extremely useful vulnerability right now, because he's about to ask them to do it again!

Lastly, I have no proof, but I strongly suspect that Sceleritas is fibbing about Durge's past as well. Partly because the Slayer form is severely disappointing in-game and canonically excrutiatingly painful, despite Fel claiming you've always wanted it. It honestly sounds like a way to sell an unwanted used car back to it's amnesiac owner who failed to appreciate it before. Bhaal isn't a full deity any longer, so take what you're given (and you'd better damned well like it!) I also call bullshit on tossing a coin to a beggar being the "worst" crime Durge ever committed against Bhaal (*ahem* looking at you, Gortash). Some dialogue with the Oathbreaker Paladin suggests we've tried somewhat consistently to be good in the past, and Sceleritas has a vested interest in making Durge worse, not planting noble ideas in their freshly lobotomized murder-happy brain.

[omgzineplease]

SPREAD THE WORD! ZINE, PLEASE! IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE OUR UPCOMING THIRD VOLUME!

The third volume you've all been waiting for is here! Following the success of our previous two volumes, the Zine, Please! team is proud to announce we'll be bringing you another volume full of Check, Please! goodness made by the fans for the fans!

As with our previous iterations, this will be a multi-month affair, with sign-ups happening in October 2024, check-ups happening throughout the process, and the zine being published in free PDF format in June 2025.

This volume's theme is.... #TripleTrouble!

'Swawesome things come in threes! For this volume, we want you all to explore the shenanigans, celebrate the triumphs, and dive into the inner workings and dynamics of all your favorite Check, Please! trios!

There's endless trios to choose from, some more familiar than others. I mean, who can forget the most iconic canon trios? We're talkin' Ransom, Holster, Lardo! We're thinkin' Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot! We're screeeamin' Chowder, Dex, Nursey!

If you're willing to go outside the box, think about trios you'd love to see together who the fandom hasn't seen! Who among us is brave enough to put the Jack's Type Trio of Bitty, Camilla, and Kent in a room together? Hell, we could even take a dive into Deep Fandom Lore that OG fans may remember with the No Chill Trio of Lardo, Nursey, Kent.

Be it everyone's faves with polyfrogs, tadpoles content, or unlikely trios we'd all kick and squeal about, it's all welcome for this volume!

Gather your fave Check, Please! trios, go forth, and wreck havoc with #TripleTrouble!

Sign-ups open October 15, 2024!!!

More specific guidelines will be released when sign-ups open. 'Till then, look forward to seeing feature posts for previous amazing zine contributions, fun polls, and more from our team! Make sure to check out our carrd for our FAQ, previous volumes, our contributor server, and more info! ---Zine, Please! Admin Team Zine, Please! Carrd

[sky-scribbles]

Do you ever think about how the Tadfools are psychically linked together right from the moment they meet? And how, when the Netherbrain dies and the tadpoles are gone, that link just... vanishes?

All those months of being constantly aware of each other's presence. Always knowing if one of them is hurt or tired or needs a hug. Fighting together with uncanny fluidity, knowing exactly when to dodge out of the way of an incoming spell, knowing who needs healing and when. Holding entire conversations without any of them opening their mouths. And then - in a moment, they're cut off from each other.

Do you think Tav ever leaves the room their partner or friend is in and has to fight a stab of anxiety, not quite certain they're still there once they're out of sight? Did Gale go straight to Sorcerous Sundries and learn Rary's Telepathic Bond, because sometimes the silence is just overwhelming, too much like being shut up in his tower, alone? Do Karlach and Wyll ever finish a fight in Avernus and almost fall over from spinning around to to find each other, because without the tadpole link, they don't know anymore if the other one is okay?

I think maybe they all touch each other a lot, for that first week or so. Little pats and hands on the shoulder whenever they can, making up for that weird feeling that the others aren't quite tangible anymore. I think sometimes they try to send their thoughts to each other, and it takes a while for them to realise why no one's responding. I think they have to relearn how to fight as a team, even how to communicate, because they're so used to just knowing each other's feelings and needs.

I think sometimes Tav holds their partner or their dearest friend, and says, I know it doesn't make sense. I know you're right here. But I miss you.

[whiskeyskin]

Just One More

Premise: After their passionate affair before the mission, now it's a success, sparks really begin to fly 😏✨

Part Three to "A Practised Tongue" and "Lavender Haze"👅💋

• Gale x afab!reader • Mature rating • Act 3

Reader POV, desire, need, lil' angst, interrupted but need satisfaction, I'm deep-throating and loving it!, beg, admission of feelings, pinv, Gale "erupting".

4.3k words

Much obliged once again to @foxtatodreams for this scandalocious pic of our dear Wizard 😏💜

_____________________________

•°•°•

Your hand grips Gale's wrist tightly, dragging him behind you, to disappear into the crowd.

You'd been given the code word through the Tadpole that the operation had been a success; that Shadowheart, Wyll, and Astarion had accomplished their side of the mission.

Karlach, Minsc, Halsin and Lae'zel were already back at the Elfsong after a victory their end quite quickly.

You, Gale, Jaheria and Minthara were the last team to leave. However, if they left too conspicuously quickly, there would undoubtedly be questions. Jaheria and Minthara were making way to the food in an attempt to remain in plain sight before returning to camp.

You, however have other plans.

"Where are we going?" Gale asks, sauced intrigue lacing in his voice.

You don't answer. You just keep walking.

A door stands a-jar four feet ahead of you down the quiet corridor and you dash for it, dragging Gale with you. Finding it to be an empty study of some sort and finding this acceptable, you duck in.

Moonlight cascades through the glass doors at the centre of the room; the sconces remaining decidedly unlit.

Gale takes in the room, glancing around the shelves in the dim silver light. You take the moment to hike your dress and glide your peace fingers against the sopping wetness of your folds, before walking confidently towards him.

"Care to tell me what we're doing here? We shouldn't-" He turns and you silence his mouth by placing your fingers barely an inch from his face. Gale freezes, not expecting you to be so close.

"Open." You instruct.

He tilts his head, then realises. His arcane bubble pops around him and a wicked smile curves his lips. He immediately obeys, welcoming the taste of your warm juices.

His eyes roll back into his head slightly, as he suckles, moaning against your digits. You feel his tongue swirling, flicking between the slit of your fingers.

"I've been so disgustingly wet all evening, I hope you know that. As you've been chatting and mingling, I've been driving myself to distraction, fantasizing about what I want to do to you next."

You withdraw your fingers and wrap your arms around his neck, pulling him in. He instantly meets your fire, seizing your waist tightly and folding you against him.

The frantic pitched moans eliciting from both of you, demonstrating your feverish need for each other.

Pushing him backwards, his thighs hit the desk and he sits atop it, pulling you between his legs and firmly grasping an ample cheek.

You both smirk into the kiss, devious chuckles melding between you.

"What have you been planning to get yourself to riled up? Do share with the class." He parts the kiss to tease, before diving back in.

You wordlessly cup him through his fancy suit trousers, the delectable length hard as granite. Gale gasps against your lips.

"I'm going to devour you, Dekarios." You purr, slightly mad with lust, "I'm going to take the entirety of you down my throat and gag on you till you cum, hard and needy."

You already have the belt undone. His chest is glowing with the familiar purple hue.

"I don't want to hurt you." He protests, licking the sweat forming on his upper lip.

"I want you to," you keen against his mouth, "Gods, I want you to."

"And just what precisely do you think you are doing?" Comes a dry, disgusted voice from behind you.

You both jump and turn to see Minthara's strong stature in the doorway.

"When I saw you drag the Wizard away, this is not what I anticipated was to take place."

"We can explain, Minthara." Gale begins, slightly breathless.

"Do not bother. It clearly speaks volumes to the lack of focus on our mission together and your distinct shortage of respect for your companions. You repulse me." She spits, her chin turned upwards.

"Whoa, what are you talking about?" You shake your head in disbelief, "It's just a little fun."

"Fun?" Minthara's tone dark, foreboding tone freezes your heart, "You focus on fun at this most important juncture? You forsake the fate of all through this world and beyond to Illithid slavery, all because you wish for fun ?" Her gaze withers you to the spot.

Neither of you have anything to say. It wasn't like that, but you could see her point.

"Your distraction in each other this evening could have put this entire operation in jeopardy. I suggest you seriously evaluate your dedication to this group. They have sworn their lives to you. Will you disregard that so easily?" She sneers down her nose, eyes flitting between you.

"Of course not." You answer, ashamed.

"Never. You're right, Minthara. This will only distract us from what is truly important. Defeating the Netherbrain." He releases you and steps away. Your heart drops uncomfortably in your chest and your expression with it.

"Then I suggest quelling this ridiculous romance, and focusing on our task. Follow me." She barks, walking away militantly.

•°•

Two days pass.

You and Gale wordlessly decide to stay in opposite splits of the party; it was for the best.

Minthara's words had cut deep, as they often tended to do. The Drow certainly had a brutal honesty about her.

Sitting in the middle of the room, when everyone else had gone to bed hours ago, you stare blankly at the flames to your left. You sigh.

"Gods, it's not that bad, is it?" Shadowheart's joking lilt comes from your right.

Jerking to look, you paste a smile, "No, just sighing is all."

Shadowheart tilts her head, a sleepy expression on her face, "You've been downright miserable since the Ball the other day. What's happened?" She asks, with a new sense of softness since her journey with Shar's torment had ended.

"Nothing's happened." You answer, trying sound casual.

"That was almost convincing," she jokes, then places a hand on yours, "Look, my friend. Whatever it is that's making you miserable, I suggest you face it. Trust me, there's no forgetting about it. No matter how hard you try. And come tell me about it when you're ready." She smiles warmly, pats your hand and leaves with a swish of her braid.

You purse your lips, and sigh again through your nose, deciding to take some air.

You silently leave the room and make your way to the roof of the Elfsong, the cool night air welcome on your skin. It was decidedly empty at this time of night, the patron's long gone from their night of revelry.

You step out past the floral covered trestles, to find that your silent haven in the city's still night, wasn't just yours alone.

Gale stands with his back to you, leaning against his forarms over the side. He sighs deeply and glances up to the moon, and mutters something you can't quite hear.

You consider walking away, but something traitorous inside calls out, "Can't sleep either?"

His gaze swivels to look at you, his handsome features wide, "Oh, you startled me." He huffs a short laugh and covers his heart with his hand. His robe is wide and loose around his chest, the moonlight glinting off his warm skin.

"Sorry, I'll leave." You mutter, retreating backwards.

"No!" He calls out, hand outstretching, "Stay."

You pause, the shadow of the wooden pergola streaking your face. You swallow and step back out, crossing your arms over your own robes, a tight smile on your face. Stepping towards him, you jut your hip against the low wall.

"What brings you up here in the wee hours then?" You ask, attempting polite conversation.

"Ah, well. There's a question." He replies, gently pulsing his fist on the stone top, "The big question." He mutters to himself.

Gods, he's beautiful.

The way the silver light shines across him; his grey streaked hair, his warm brown eyes, the musculature of his chest. It painfully panged through your sternum and made you wince, sucking you lips between your teeth.

"Why are you seeking reprieve up here?" He ventures, smiling falsely.

You can't bare it. The charade of it all.

"Oh, let's cut the crap, Gale. We both know why we're up here. We're miserable." You profess, gesturing out your arms, "What Minthara said when she caught us sneaking off.. it was harsh but true. We let our feelings get in the way of the goal - me especially - and now it's like we can't be in the same vicinity as each other without feeling shitty about it." You walk back under the flower adorned pergola, to perch on the arm of a chair.

Gale nods, following you in and leaning against the wood, "And now containing our feelings for one another.. is making life unbearable." He looks crestfallen, thumbing a flower bud that hadn't bloomed.

You scrunch your eyes closed, and sigh out again, "Absolutely miserable." You agree, dejectedly.

"Positively intolerable." He agrees, morosely.

You look out over the gabled roofs and houses stretching out into the distance, all but a few dim in the night.

"So, it stands to reason," Gale begins, "that in our current state of malcontent, we're actually endangering the group far worse.."

You blink twice, letting his words pierce your foggy misery, "Pardon?"

"It could be argued that our dower moods are actively destroying morale amongst our companions.." He persists, inching closer.

Your posture straightens, intrigued, "We could be causing more harm by denying ourselves, than if we just allowed it?" You offer in questioning agreement.

"Quite so," he nods, "From personal experience, I know with certainty that Minsc has been taking our sour moods to heart, as has Wyll, as matter of fact." He punctuates his statement with a pointed finger pacing aside a soft, red blanket abandoned on the floor.

"You know, now you mention it," you start, sliding to stand, "Shadowheart just said that I shouldn't hide from whatever is making me unhappy. She noticed too."

Gale gestures his palms at you, "You see! We're destroying our peers with our despondency."

"Clearly we are." You nod several times, grapsing your chin in faux thoughtfulness, "You know, I think Minthara interrupting us like that caused a sort of 'unfinished business' between us, if you will."

Gale's arcane bubble flickers around him, a familiar glow threatening under the cover of his robe, "Mhm, mhm. I see what you mean. You mean to say that as we didn't get to resolve our burgeoning attraction, there's an almost irreverent longing to conclude that lingering undiscoveredness." His breathing is shallow and his eyes are searching, "And that if we removed the distraction of the unknown, we could move passed our.." There was barely six inches between the heat of your bodies, "need." He finishes, eyes boring down on yours.

"Fuck it." You moan, rushing to meet him.

He expects you, and wraps his arms around your waist, as you swoop your arms high to engulf him in a passionate kiss. Tongues encircle and mate with each other, as hands explore and delve.

Parting his robe, you reveal his chest proper, tearing your lips away from his and suckering onto the bright, burning orb in his chest. His hands instinctively wind into your hair, as you trace your tongue along the illuminated shape of Karsus' mark on his perfect body.

"Oh, Gods. I've missed your touch. How could I miss something I barely got to experience?" He questions to no one.

"Because we were denied, sweetheart. But we need this. We need to finish it. Finish it and we'll be fine." You rant, dropping to your knees.

Gale's breath hitches and he braces against the table; a poetic symmetry in the switching of your positions.

Untying the loose knot hanging low on his hips, you open the robe to unveil his navy, loose sleeping bottoms; the telltale tenting of the soft material obvious.

Wasting no time, you yank down his trousers and underwear, till they pool at his feet. His cock stands to attention, rigid and proud. He kicks out of his clothes hurriedly, moaning through clenched teeth.

You look up at him through lidded gaze, as he returns it with purple fire blazing through him.

Gods, he looks like perfection. Wisdom, and courage, and beauty. He deserves to be adored. To be worshipped.

You place your hands on his muscular thighs, gliding your touch around and back. You press hot, suckling kisses to the inner meat, trailing your tongue behind.

His legs twitch and he groans out, "Oh, oh."

Sitting up a little on your toes, your lips trail to the tight lines of his obliques.

"I love these," you whisper, ghosting your fingertips over the dents, "the first time I saw you bathing in the river, I wanted to fall to my knees and lick them till you begged me to stop." You admit, hoarse with lust.

"I'd much rather beg you to start."

A playful giggle rumbles in your chest, "Go on then."

"Please. Please. I have no will to refuse you here. Please." He immediately pleads, eyebrow creasing upward.

"Please, what?" You ask, mouth against his skin, hands squeezing his taut buttocks.

Gale gestures his hand and an image of you with a ravenous look in your eye appears in his palm.

"I'm going to devour you, Dekarios." Your image moans, "I'm going to take the entirety of you down my throat and gag on you till you cum, hard and needy. I'm going to devour you, Dekarios. I'm going to take-"

He closes his hand with a flourish and the magic snuffs out, he maintains eye contact with you, "That, please."

You smirk, slightly embarrassed but more than a little flattered, "How many times have you played that?"

"Hundreds." He answers flatly, "A man hears that and can't easily forget it." He irks a brow to you.

"It would be the greatest of pleasures to gag on your perfect cock, Mr. Dekarios." You tip your head to the side in a bow.

"I meant what I said, I don't want to hurt you." He insisted, thumbing your cheek.

"You won't, trust me; I enjoy it. The desperation you feel from the bliss I'm giving you, is a big arousal point for me."

Gale swallows and his breath quickens, "That will not be a problem."

"I have one condition though; if I tap on your leg twice," you demonstrate, "I need to stop. Understand? There's a fine balancing act between breathing and blowing." You titter at your own small joke, which he graciously replies with his own, "Unless I specifically do that; please, don't stop. You're not hurting me."

"I promise." Gale nods with a fierce assurance, blue and lavender cutting aross his features.

With the conversation, his thick cock wilts slightly but you soon have his full attention once more. Laving your tongue across his skin, while your fingers graze his testicles.

Gale's hips twitch as you gentle squeeze his sac within your grasp, he airs out a long moan at the contact. The flushed tip of his cockhead swollen and leaking, you brush your tongue over the slit, tasting the salty mix.

"Gods." He chokes out, his eyes streaking to the skies.

You wish you could temper your desires, to drag this out torturously until he's practically ready to cum from teasing but Gods if you hadn't waited long enough already.

You wrap your lips and tongue around his engorged tip, your hand around the length, the other still massaging his balls.

A tense, shuddering sigh flows from Gale, as you try to start slowly.

Your hand and mouth work in tandem, drawing him deeper into your mouth. The velvet feel of his cock against your tongue, as Gale's breathing tenses above you.

Settling onto your legs proper, looking up at the gorgeous Wizard above you, you angle your throat to prepare. Your pussy already wet from anticipation, slightly cool from the night air under your nightgown.

Gale reaches a hand towards your face, and brushes back the hair in your face. He smiles at you; a sweet, simple smile, that has you weak and willing to do anything for this incredible man.

Still working his cock with your mouth, you take your hand from his length and reposition his to the back of your head. A gentle, "oh" noise leaves the back of his throat, as you do. The mark pulses and his eyes darken like coals in the shadow and moonlight. He firms his grip with a hungry flick of his tongue over his lip.

Maintaining eye contact, you attempt to dive for the kill. Relaxing your throat, breathing out and calming your reflex, you begin to gulp down the length of him.

Gale gasps, as the vision that was you consuming the entirety of his dick, stares back at him with an intentional glint of devious mischief.

Your hands switch to forcefully grab his hips, and start to pump them forwards. Your throat tries to resist as you swallow around his girth, pricking tears in your eyes. The sensation twitches your pussy, the wetness between your legs growing.

Gale understands quickly and takes the initiative to mimic the movement. The feeling of his plump head hitting the back of your throat, ripples gooseflesh across your skin. It puckers your nipples, your eyes rolling and jaw slack as he takes over.

Gods, you love this part.

He sees the reaction wave over you and clearly grows in confidence, his grip on you head more firm and controlled.

You roll your head to bob with the rhythm of his thrusts, a high, garbled moan sounding from your stuffed throat.

As you breathe on a long out-stroke, you bare down, as he continues to pound into your mouth. Sloppy, debauched noises, snapping hips, grunts and hedonistic moans echo into the night air.

Gale picks up speed, and you meet his stroke. He whines in desperation, sucking in breath and cursing.

You're determined to take all of him, and summon the strength to do precisely as he requests. Gagging and jerking, you dig your fingertips into the curve of his ass and attempt the last inch. His other hand now fisted into your hair, he helps by pushing you deeper.

Your nose brushes the curls at the base, his cock fully seated in your throat. Tears stream down your face, as he fucks himself inside your mouth. Saliva drips down his sac and onto your chest and legs.

You begin to moan, vibrating the back of your throat, tongue flat and strong. You encourage him, gently patting his ass to bolster the effect.

Desperate moans tremble from Gale as he looks upward, straining his neck. The delicious curve of his throat, the bob of his Adam's apple while he moans. You can see from his body language, he was tettering on the very edge.

He shoots his gaze down to you, "I'm going to-" is all he managed before his face contorts with sheer ecstacy, his thighs tense and his hips splutter.

A soundless boom of bright violet and cerulean light erupts from his chest, as he calls out your name and censored expletives, as he raggedly pumps his load down your throat.

You feel the pulsing against your tongue and the warmth hitting the back. He twitches and pulls his teeth tight against the stimulation he feels at you skillfully milking every last drop of his cum.

Relinquishing his cock from your throat, you suckle on his tip, and release it with a soft pop. It bobs in front of you, spent.

Thank the gods he was seated against the table, or there was a high chance he would probably collapse.

"Oh, dear and cursed gods above and below. That was indescribable." He babbles, his hand his woven in your hair.

You gently ease off your calves, leaning up to press soft kisses against his lower belly. Gale sighs and blinks hard against the night sky.

Dabbing your eyes and cheeks with your sleeve, you quickly reorient yourself, pushing off the floor to stand.

There is a brief moment between you, before Gale sweeps his head underneath to capture you in a passionate, all-consuming kiss. His hands grasp your sides and wrap you in closely, as yours snake around his neck. Your tired tongue playfully meets and bonds with his, as he kisses you long and slow.

You part with a gasp, a smile on both your faces, "That is definitely better than moping around for days." You quip, barely above a whisper.

Gale hums in agreement, "Indubitably." His hand glides down your thigh and hooks underneath your robe, "Now you."

He pauses at the apex of your mound, and raises his brows expectantly, "Beg." He instructs.

You irk a brow and purse your lips in a sideways smirk. Remembering the discarded blanket on the floor, you push off him and begin to untie your robe.

His eyes hungrily follow you back, watching intently as you drop it to the floor, revealing your thin strapped nightie. You cross your hand across your chest, making a point to glide your fingers over the arch of your breasts and push the straps down your arms. The thin material falls away, revealing your nipples, peaked against the cool Baldurian night.

"Please, Gale. Lay your hands on me, show me how much you missed me."

You gently shuck off the nightie, and stand before him completely exposed.

Your heart was racing.

Stupid though it was, this was a truly vulnerable moment for you.

Of course, you'd had his mouth, fingers and cock inside you. You'd already had sex. But there had been a clothing barrier between you. Now there was nothing. Now there was just you.

You took a steadying breath, and wait in anticipation as he still perches on the small table, watching you.

"Lie down, please. Legs spread." He instructs, pushing off the surface and standing tall.

You do as he askes and lay on the red blanket, parting your legs with bent knees.

He wordlessly kneels down before you, grabbing an orange pillow as he descends. He covers your body with his and gestures the pillow at you. Obliging, he places it beneath your head for you with a smile that crinkles his eyes.

Your heart swells and aches to look at him. Could you have fallen in love with him so quickly? Or has it been slowly since the moment you pulled him from that rock?

Has it been in the moments between moments? The unseen parts for no one else's eyes.

In conversation, in banter, in laughter? In the big things like protecting you in battle, or the small things like a pillow for your comfort?

"I love you." You admit, unable and unwanting to keep it in.

For what feels like an age, an agonising age; the world is silent.

Tears form silently in his eyes, as his smile turns wistful and joyful.

"I love you." He responds, tearfully.

He kisses you, quite unlike the others. There is truth and heart and unhidden love contained within it. Breath and heat, lips and hunger.

His fingers trace down the rises and falls of your body before two fingers crest over your curls and glide down the swollen lips of your soaking pussy.

Without any resistance, his digits are welcome in the warmth of your walls. The kiss deepens as his fingers tease your soft spot, and his thumb draws circles on your clit. You moan against his mouth, as pleasure radiates outward from your core.

He strokes your walls, gently pumping his hand and flexing his thumb in perfect rhythm. You were already so aroused from deep throating his delicious cock, it wouldn't take you long to finish.

Your breathing becomes erratic as pleasure pushes in on you, the chill of the air no longer affecting your body.

Suddenly, there was an absence within you as Gale removes his fingers. You whine in disappointment, only to feel the pressure of his cockhead seconds later.

His thickness fills you in no time from how wet and ready you were, both of you moan in wanton bliss as your bodies truly reconnect.

"Oh Gods, Gale. I've missed you. I want you. I want you. I love you." You ramble, his hips forcefully rolling against yours.

"Oh, I've missed you too. I love you, I love you. I've always loved you." He replies, wrapping his arms your back to pull you closer to him.

Filled with his perfect length, you match his speed and force, euphoria building together.

Chorusing your love and adoration for each other, electricity pulsing between you, the precipice of orgasm rapidly hurtling towards you both.

Sweat glistening in his periwinkle blaze, breath choppy; your body and souls connect in an inconceivable torrent of devotion, friendship and passion. Your orgasm hits a split second after his, as you both cum hard and ragged, calling to each other in a blissful cacophony of joy and elation.

Gale barely holds himself above you, as the purple haze of magic of his orgasm hangs around you both. Your muscles tremble, recovering from the devastating peak you shared.

Your face buries in the crook of his neck, breathing in the scent of his damp hair. Gale bumps his head against yours, kissing your jaw to you mouth. Sloppy lips press open-mouthed kisses, barely able to function.

He rearranges himself slightly, leaning on his forearm but remaining pressed deep inside. You reach your hand to softly fist his hair long hair in your grasp, the other tracing the light ember lines of Karsus' mark on his eye and cheek.

A wave of profound sadness washes over you and unable to hold back, you choke out, "Don't leave me." Thinking of his intended task ahead.

"Unless you ask me otherwise, I shall not leave your side, my love." He takes your hand from tracing his face and presses a kiss to it.

"Never." You reply, barely above a whisper.

"Then never shall I leave you." He dips down to kiss you again, swallowing any more protests.

And for that night, the world was only made for them.

•°•°•

I'm a sucker for happy ending 😚 Speaking of sucking and happy endings.. want more?

[nyrandrea]

You have very good writing and I think you really do comfort fics well! So I was wondering if you could write a fic with Astarion where the Tav he is trying to seduce has like major self esteem issues. Like they kind laugh at his attempts to compliment them. But at first it seems like a joke until he realizes that Tav isn't joking about it and he tries to help them see they are beautiful. (this is one of my fav prompts to give people ngl)

Thank you so much! This is a lovely prompt and I hope I did it some justice! :)

Word Count - 2k

Enjoy!

xxx

As the storm clouds gathered ominously on the horizon, you and your party found yourselves on a desolate, rain-soaked road in the middle of nowhere. The relentless downpour had turned the earth into a sea of mud, and the wind howled like a vengeful spirit. 

Your clothes were soaked through, and faces were etched with exhaustion and desperation. With each step, your boots sank into the muck, making the journey even more arduous. Thunder rumbled in the distance, a menacing reminder that you had to find shelter soon. 

“Ugh, there’s probably some saying about rainbows after the storm and whatnot,” Astarion said, holding a rucksack over his head in a failing attempt to save his hair. “But I’d much rather not be out in the middle of one.” 

“Ah, it’s not so bad, just think of it as a long overdue shower,” Gale said. “And the saying is ‘Don’t fear the storm, for the rainbow is never far behind!’” 

“Oh yes, that’s the one,” the vampire drawled.  “I’ll rest so much better now that you have enlightened me.” 

Amid the pelting rain, you spotted a faint glimmer of light in the distance. With newfound hope, you quickened your pace and beckoned the others to follow. As you trudged closer, the light revealed itself to be a cozy inn, nestled among ancient trees that shielded it from the worst of the storm. 

“Thank the Gods,” Karlach breathed. “If I got any more drenched, my engine would have snuffed out.” 

“Wouldn’t that solve your problem, then?” Lae’zel snidely chimed in, only to hiss when you elbowed her. 

The inn's windows emitted a warm, inviting glow, and the scent of wood smoke and hearty meals wafted through the air. Your tired body yearned for a meal and a warm bed, mindflayer tadpoles be damned. 

“Have we got enough gold to stay here? I mean, for everyone to have a room?” Shadowheart asked. 

“We should do,” you said, pulling out the team’s shared coin pouch. “I sold that egg we uh... found.” 

“You mean the one we stole after we killed its mother?” Wyll asked, clear disdain lacing his voice. 

“It’s not technically stealing if the target is dead,” Astarion cheerfully chimed in. “Besides, we rescued the other one, didn’t we? One good turn deserves another.” 

Wyll grimaced. “Your idea of virtue is a damn twisted one.” 

“Aw, you love me really,” the vampire teased back. 

“Here we are!” you announced as you reached the inn's doorstep, you were greeted by the innkeeper, whose eyes twinkled with the knowledge that you had nowhere else to go for the night. After taking payment, he ushers you inside, where a crackling fireplace cast a comforting light over the room, he takes your belongings up to your rooms with the help of Wyll and a begrudging Astarion. 

Finding a long wooden table in the corner of the room, the group sat together, their spirits lifted by the fact that they were safe from the fury of the storm outside, at least for one night. The innkeeper, his apron stained with years of hospitality, served you a hearty meal of roasted meats, fresh bread, and stew. 

You listened to the rain's rhythmic drumming on the inn's thatched roof, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for having found refuge in this little hidden haven. With a deep, contended sigh, you tucked into your meal, savouring every bite.

At least, you were trying to. 

“You better eat up,” Astarion teased, lacing his fingers together as he rested his chin upon them to watch you. “Because I plan on doing just that very soon.” 

“Crap,” you mumbled between mouthfuls. “Are you hungry? Why didn’t you say so?” 

“Oh, am I hungry,” he smirked. “Just not for blood.” 

You almost choked, but you masked it well with a nervous chuckle. He wasn’t... flirting with you, was he? You had always been bad at picking up signals, not that you received them often. 

‘Nah,’ you thought. He couldn’t be, not when there were so many other better-looking people, at this table alone, that he could choose from. 

“Well, I know you’re not craving my charming banter.” 

“Oh no, something far better.” 

Now you really were at a loss. 

“Do you... need to borrow my hair comb again?” 

“I mean sex, darling.” 

This time you couldn’t hide the choke, but you were more afraid of dying from embarrassment than anything else. 

“What?” 

The deafening silence that had befallen the table was broken by a low whistle from Karlach. 

“The direct approach, I can respect that, mate.” 

“Direct? I’ve been trying to drop hints for weeks now but perhaps a little more serenading is needed,” he looked you up and down with a knowing smile; he had hooked you, now it was time to reel you in. 

“Darling,” Astarion began softly, his voice a gentle caress, “when I look into your eyes, I see galaxies of beauty and depth that defy description. It’s as if the universe itself painted them with the colours of a thousand sunsets.” 

A faint blush tinged your cheeks as you lowered your eyes, unsure of where to look. Astarion reached out and gently lifted your chin, so your eyes met once more. 

“And your smile,” he continued, “it’s like a radiant sunbeam on even the cloudiest day. It has the power to brighten my world in an instant.” 

“Ooh, that’s a good one,” Karlach said, fanning herself. “You’re even making me blush!” 

“Careful, we wouldn’t want you burning any hotter now,” Gale smiled, though it was strained. He looked almost as uncomfortable as you felt. 

“Your kindness,” Astarion went on, “it knows no bounds. You have a heart that’s more expansive than the ocean, and it’s a privilege to be the one you’ve chosen to share it with.” 

“Bah!” Lae’zel practically spat. “These nonsensical attempts at beguiling are a waste of time, why waste your energy talking when you can claim and dominate each other instead?” 

You were hard-pressed to agree with Lae’zel on this one. Well, except maybe for that last part. 

“Alright, you can stop now,” you said. 

“Not until you’re convinced,” Astarion replied, a sly smirk forming on his lips. “How about this? You are a masterpiece in a world of art,” The vampire flamboyantly declared, his gaze unwavering. “Your uniqueness, your quirks, your imperfections – they all make you the incredible person I fell in love with. You’re not just enough; you’re more than I ever dreamed of.” 

You roll your eyes. “Gods, you know you don’t have to keep practising the fancy fake flattery on me, right? I know it’s all like a big joke to you but enough is enough, eh?” 

Astarion finally pulls back and frowns at you, not in that puppy-pout way when he didn’t get what he wanted, but in a way that he looked genuinely offended. 

“You think I’m joking?” 

“I... uh,” you stutter, suddenly flustered.  

“My compliments aren’t fake, darling. Decorative, perhaps, but you do know I mean every word, don’t you?” 

“Pfft,” you try to wave him off nonchalantly, but your quivering voice betrays you. “No, you don’t. It’s... it’s all just a bit of fun, r-right?” 

“Perhaps I should be a bit blunter then,” Astarion said, leaning forward ever so slightly, his expression serious and scarlet eyes piercing into you. “You’re... beautiful.” 

You swear you could feel something just break inside you in that moment.

A tentative smile, like a fragile flower pushing through the cracks of self-doubt, graced your lips, but it wilted in the harsh light of scrutiny. A tight knot formed within your throat as everyone stared at you in anticipation. What were you supposed to say? Thank you? That you were grateful for the shower of compliments from Astarion, this... gorgeous man, because you sure as hell didn’t deserve them? 

“I’m a little tired,” you suddenly say, your chair scraping the floor with a shrill screech as you quickly stand up. “Excuse me.” 

Leaving their concerned calls behind you, you made your way up the stairs of the tavern and into the hallway leading to the rooms. The innkeeper had allocated them, but he’d neglected to say which one was which, so you merely picked the first door you could get your hands on. 

It wasn’t until you slammed the door shut and leaned your back against it that you realised that you picked the wrong bloody one. 

The room was large and luxurious, the centrepiece was an ornate, four-poster bed adorned with rich, crimson drapes that seemed to dance with the flickering candlelight and crisp, white linens, neatly turned down. An old, familiar skull-faced tome laid face up, its amethyst eyes staring ominously at the ceiling. 

It seemed that someone got first dibs on the rooms, and it didn’t take a genius to work out who. 

‘Shit,’ you curse to yourself, scrambling for the doorknob. ‘Maybe I can get out before he-’ 

As soon as you open the door, Astarion is already right there, his hand raised into a fist. 

“Knock-knock?” he says, giving you a tentative smile. 

“S-sorry, must have gotten a little mixed-up.” 

“That’s quite alright, dear,” his tone is too soft for your liking, as if he feared offending you in any way. 

“Right, well,” you strain a smile and edge around him to get to the hallway. “Goodnight.” 

“Wait,” he catches you by the arm. “Come back in, won’t you?” 

You squint at him suspiciously. 

“To talk, darling. Nothing else, not if you don’t want to.” 

Gods know that you wanted to, you were just... surprised that he did. 

As you re-enter the room, you notice a small, antique writing desk nestled by a leaded glass window. A vase of freshly picked wildflowers graced the wooden surface, infusing the room with their sweet fragrance. 

Astarion caught your stare. “Ah, unfortunately I have run out of perfume to mask my er... musk. So, I had to improvise.” 

“It’s nice,” you remark, the tight knot in your throat making it hard to speak. 

“Well, I should hope so. They are your favourite after all, are they not?” 

A surge of guilt jabbed through your chest, you had occasionally stopped on the road to admire the flowers; their colours, their scent was intoxicating to you. Had he been observing you even back then? 

You didn’t know what to say, words were always tempered by hesitation, their resonance dulled by the fear of judgment. Each sentence was punctuated by apologies, as if you believed your very existence owed the world an explanation. Confidence always remained just beyond your reach, an oasis in the desert of your own mind. 

Astarion sat on the bed and patted the empty spot next to him; you silently took the invitation. 

“I would like to... apologise for earlier. Making you uncomfortable was never my intent, I...” he paused, his eyes flickering over you. “I just wasn’t sure how much clearer I could make it to you.” 

“That you... like me?” 

“Like you?” Astarion took your hands and squeezed them. “I adore you. Everything about you, all that you do is... nothing short of breathtaking.” 

Tears welled in your eyes and spilled over your cheeks like the gentlest rain, your trembling shoulders burdened by the weight of your emotions 

“I’m sorry if you don’t hear this enough but... I wish to change that. You really are, truly, beautiful.” 

The tears flowed freely then, your sobs echoing in the stillness of the night. Astarion gathered you in his arms, a silent pillar of support. His hand, cool and reassuring, gently cradled your trembling one, his thumb grazing back and forth over your knuckles. 

“It’s okay,” he whispered, his words a gentle caress. “Let it out, darling.” 

Astarion’s presence felt like a sanctuary, a safe haven in the storm of emotions. He didn’t offer empty platitudes or rushed advice. Instead, he listened, letting you pour your bottled emotions out, allowing it to find solace in his quiet understanding. 

With each tear that fell, Astarion’s touch remained steady, unwavering. 

As the night wore on, you found yourself nestled into his side as you lay together on top of the covers, your head tucked into his shoulder while he stared up at the ceiling. He turns his head briefly to kiss your forehead, and in that sacred space, amid the tears and whispered sorrows, you found solace, strength, and perhaps the willingness to accept that, in your own way, you are beautiful. 

xxx

Links to my other Astarion works

Everything's Fine

Restless

Request - Astarion kills everyone in his path to get to you

Request - Astarion tries to rescue you from kidnappers