#and gale loves to cook!

[queen-scribbles]

Potato Soup & Other Delicacies

First BG3 fic, let's gooo! \o/ ~1k, Tala and Gale talking about food, bc what better way to make friends? ---

"Turmeric? Really?!"

Tala laughed at the disbelieving tone. "That's what I said! But Lila was so insistent" --a small huff as she settled the lean-to frame together-- "I gave it a try, and damned if it wasn't delicious, even as the last thing you'd expect-"

"In a dessert," Gale finished with her, skepticism still plain on his face. He fussed with his own tent a moment longer. "I will admit, the thought wouldn't have occurred to me."

"Something about the way it interacts with the other flavors," she said, lashing the lean-to securely. The weather was pleasant; this would serve for tonight. "The earthiness enhances them, I suppose."

"No, I know how turmeric works," he said, settling his pack in his tent and kneeling to dig through the communal supplies for dinner ingredients. "I'd think it would be overpowering to everything else in a dish as small as a pie."

"I'm not saying chuck in a handful of it, Gale," Tala chuckled. She dipped her head toward the foodstuff he was gathering in silent inquiry if he wanted help, moved to do so when he nodded. "It's a tiny little pinch added to the filling before you even mix in the fruit."

"Next time I've the opportunity to make that particular pie, I'll give it a chance. Always good to be a bit adventurous, ey?"

"Almost always, at least." She glanced over at Wyll and Bottlen, still nursing some bruises from testing that adage earlier, then down at the growing pile of tubers between them. "What are we making for dinner?"

"Potato soup." Gale passed her a knife. "We have an abundance of the hearty fellows, and some are not much longer for the world. So rather than them go to waste, we have soup. Despite lacking some of the herbs I prefer to include, it will still be a filling--hopefully delicious--meal."

"I'm sure, all your cooking's been delicious so far." Tala hefted one of the larger potatoes, though in her hand it looked rather average. "Skin off or on after we wash them?"

"On, of course." He plunged several of the potatoes into the bucket of water someone had left while they were preoccupied discussing desserts. "Adds flavor."

"Oh, I'm of the same mind," she grinned following suit with the rest of the potatoes. "But I know some who peel them so it looks nicer, or they don't care for the texture. I didn't want to get halfway through cutting one up and find it should've been peeled first."

"A valid concern with all the cooking methods out there. Smart to check." Gale piled the clean potatoes on the rock between them. "D'you mind terribly if I work on the base while you cut these?" He swiveled one hand in a gesture at their companions. "We've a lot of mouths to feed, and some are less... patient about it than others."

Tala snickered. Is this where I make a joke about Halsin being a bear when he's hungry? "Not at all. Potato dicing happens to be my specialty."

That startled a laugh from Gale as he rummaged for other ingredients. "Do tell."

"Fastest and best at the orphanage," she said. She dragged over a smaller stewpot and set to work as she talked. "We took turn with the chores; rotating assignments by dormitories. Kitchen duty was always my favorite." Even if it had occasionally meant being pelted with eggshells or potato peels alongside muttered comments about her heritage. "The cook saw me watching him prep dinner and asked if I'd like to help so I could learn. No one else liked all the chopping so they let me have it whenever it was our turn there."

"And a chef was born?" Gale asked dryly, starting the base ingredients at a simmer.

"Hardly," Tala snorted. The potatoes were half-done, pile dwindling under her skilled hands even while she spoke. "I was in my teens before the cook took me as a more permanent helper, seeing as I enjoyed it so much, and even then... cooking for an orphanage and temple is usually simple fare that's easy to make in bulk. Potato soup, venison stew, roast boar on occasion. My travels haven't afforded much chance to learn fancier or more specialized dishes."

It was only sort-of untrue; the couple times she'd tried to get work at a tavern, they'd wanted her as muscle, not cook. She hadn't wanted to mire herself down for that.

Gale was watching her like he heard the part she hadn't explained. (Thanks to the tadpoles, maybe he had. She kept forgetting about the squirmy little buggers.) "Well, lucky for you," he began, giving the soup base a stir as the simmering picked up, "I happen to have a vast repertoire of recipes, and I'm more than happy to impart my wisdom to a willing mind."

"That part I knew," she teased. With the potatoes all cut, she hefted the stewpot. "And I would love to learn any you care to pass along." A pause. "Soon as we have a better selection of ingredients."

"Oh, pish." He stepped back to let her add the potatoes to the main pot. "There's at least four things I can show you with what we have."

"Alright, now I'm intrigued." She set the pot down and wiped her hand on her trousers. "Considering we didn't even have everything for the soup tonight."

"Adding a couple more herbs if I had my druthers is not to say our stocks are severely lacking," He waved away her droll words with a smile. "I'll show you tomorrow. Do you enjoy roast duck?"

"Who doesn't?" Tala rejoined, propping her chin on her palm to watch him with her job done.

"I knew there was a reason I got along with you." Gale's smile widened. "I'll show you how to prepare one that puts Audrine's to shame."

"Never eaten there, so I'll take your word both that it's an impressive feat and that you can do it."

"No?" He cocked his head. "But I thought you said you passed through..."

"Like most... upper-crust establishments, they weren't overly enthused about serving someone like me," she said with a shrug and sardonic--tusky--grin. "By which, of course, I mean a dusty, travel-stained cleric with more enthusiasm than coin."

Gale's brows twitched briefly toward furrowing before he--as she hoped--let it lie. "Well, you won't need to after I confer this knowledge upon you. For now, however, could you fetch some parsley, please?"

"Of course." Tala swiveled to root through pockets for the herb, tone completely innocent as she added, "Would you like some turmeric as well?"

"Very funny," he drawled. "And no, thank you. Just the parsley."

She handed it over and settled back in to resume watching. "What other sorts of things do you know how to make?"

Gale chuckled. "Do you want them alphabetically or categorized by course?"

Oh, that was promising. Tala grinned. "Surprise me."

[madbalalaika]

Based on "Sauced" by dirty_whorchata. Very wholesome and has just the right amount of spice :>

Requests and (urgent) commissions | Buy me a ko-fi ☕💗

[valiantvillain]

You can't convince me Gale wasn't totally advertising himself as marriage material throughout the entirety of his romance. He's got a tower. It's got a great kitchen and a wine cellar. He can cook. He'll formally introduce you to Tara over a nice dinner. His mother will love you. And after so many years of the bar being in the pits of hell for irl men I fell for that shit hook, line, and sinker. Feel his shirt that smells like a library. It's husband material.

[galedekarios]

😾

[perilegs]

gale when you let him talk about chess

[rin-hanarin]

They made two of them.

[secret-smut-sideblog]

Exhale Inhale

Gale x F! Tav (named)

18+ hurt/comfort, feelings of guilt/inadequacy, allusions to self-harm, mentions of sex work, rough sex (with safewords used), sub Gale/ dombrat Tav, dirty talk, endurance play, (light) gender play, restraint, handjob, pegging, prostate orgasm, aftercare, tenderness, porn w/ light plot

After Aurum took a hard hit in battle, Gale blames himself for a break in his concentration. Requesting they practice something a little rough for him to hone his skills...

Masterlist, More Aurum and Gale

-

His body bristled with anger across the room, hands clenching and snapping down on various utensils as he cooked.

"Gale's in a way tonight, isn't he?" Karlach remarked, clear concern in her eyes.

"I know what this is about." Aurum sighed, the ache under her bandages agreeing.

"Oh come on, that wasn't even that bad of a hit." Karlach scoffed, eyeing her hand gently cupped over her ribs.

"I agree, I've had far worse."

"Ohh man, do you remember that time in the Shadowlands when that Shambling Mound got your arm? Had to teach Shadowheart how to reset a dislocated shoulder in the field!" Karlach pantomimed pulling with two hands.

Gale slammed down a bowl across the room.

"Oh, whoops. Think I made it worse." Karlach rubbed her neck, voice lowering back to a private level.

"I'll settle him." Aurum patted Karlach's bicep in reassurance.

"You do have such a way with him. Go get 'em Sunshine." Karlach's warm hand urged her forward by the small of her back.

Aurum glided down the steps into the sunken room where the hearth lay. Passing Astarion who gave her a downturned stare, fluttering his eyes over at Gale. Communicating through eyes as they often did.

Loud... can you please...?

She tilted her head at him reproachfully, but gave a small lift of her eyebrows and sliding of eyes to assure him.

I got it, you asshole.

He smiled at her and returned to his book with a toss of his legs on the chaise lounge.

She shook her head at him ruefully and approached the tense back of her beloved wizard.

"Hello, my love." She hushed, sliding her hand up the middle of his spine, letting it rest between shoulder blades.

He leaned back into her instinctively, letting out a small sigh. Hand releasing the ladle he had been spinning onto the lip of the pot.

"You're still upset." A soft statement, her other hand coming up around his middle. Palm gently pushing at the crest of his ribs. Her hands an anchoring, her gentle force weighing his torso.

"Very." He started to bristle again.

She expected this, stepping up to rest her temple inside of his shoulder. Another weight to bring his body back down.

"I understand." She whispered. "You feel like you let me down today."

He nodded, his chest hitching slightly under her palm. His guilt keeping him from stepping back into her embrace as he usually would.

"Do you want to talk about this now or later?" She turned her head into the curve, nestling down.

He did step back into her then, letting out a slow breath. Pressing into the sunlight heat of her chest. Her hand at his back winding around to meet the other at his front. Encircling him. Palms overlapping along his heart.

"Later." He sighed, body relaxing into hers in a small heave.

She smiled into his shoulder, holding him closer.

"That's what I'd like too." She hummed. "Can you take a big deep breath with me?"

She expanded her chest in a breath against his back. Feeling his chest fill under her hands a little after hers. Letting it out in a soft purse of her lips against his shoulder. His following in tandem. Giving one more deep fill and release, feeling the tension in his back dissipate slightly.

"Thank you." She sighed quietly, rubbing a small circle into his chest.

His head bent forward, hands coming to cup over hers.

"I don't deserve you. Flowers bend to your light in prayer." His voice low in reverence, guilt sliding back under the words.

"You do." She hummed easily. Kissing the soft skin above his collar. "You still do, and you always did."

She wound her fingers into his. Pushing language into him.

Good. After. Talk. Relax.

He took another deep breath independently. Responding in assured fingers.

Know. Try. Thank you. I love you.

She patted his chest with her quiet hand.

I love you. Back. Work. Focus.

He laughed quietly, picking up his ladle.

"Loud and clear." He teased.

-

Aurum rubbed a small amount of burn ointment into the angry bubbled skin under her breast. Letting out a small wince of breath. The full force of Lorroakan's Lighting Bolt had struck through her chest, just below her heart.

She had said it wasn't that bad, but it had knocked her back into a wall. Nearly blacking out, ripping the breath out of her. The sunburst activated in overdrive, a near involuntary Sunbeam ripping from her. The shard of false sun protecting its vessel. Dame Aylin bringing two winding strikes over her head, bellowing out in rage at her expense, finally taking him down.

Shadowheart had worked her healing, but a palm sized charred semicircle still lingered. A smaller exiting wound sat at the edge of her spine, having to twist her elbow back to rub with the edge of her fingers. Taking shallow breaths that she forced slow and even.

Gale entered their private chambers behind her. His steps pausing short at the threshold after closing the door softly behind him.

She craned her neck, sitting on the bed facing the balcony. Fingers still struggling to find purchase.

"Can you help me, baby? I can't quite..."

He took a shuddering breath in, coming to her side. His weight taking up on the mattress.

She handed back the small pot of ointment and turned her back towards him. Folding her legs under her.

His breath filled as if about to speak, once, then twice. Fingers gently swirling cool balm into her.

"Take your time." She encouraged softly, reaching back to squeeze his thigh.

He carefully positioned the fresh bandage over the wound, pressing down with the palm of his hand. Pressing his sorrow into her.

"I'm so sorry." He shuddered. "I'm a better wizard than that, my concentration is better than that. I fucked up. Gods, it almost hit your heart."

His voice was descending slowly into restrained tears.

"I had you. I had Protection from Good and Evil covering. But that barrage of Magic Missiles..."

"I know," She hummed, thumb arcing in slow waves on his knee. "You got hit hard."

"He wanted to break my protection. He wanted Aylin, I know. But I think he wanted you too." His voice shook in anger. "He could see your light, I saw it. Under your covering. He had some fascination, I could tell."

She tilted her head, raising one eyebrow in agreement. She noticed too.

It was not the first time a powerful man had taken interest in the false sun in her chest. That was part of the reason she covered her chest in bandages in public, besides the obvious constant interruption it was in crowds.

She had left it open in the Shadowlands, if just for morale. Some point of light keeping a sense of sanity among them. It had helped the denizens at Last Light Inn too. Isobel especially finding it reassuring. Joking that she wasn't the only light anymore.

But in Lower City? She would be mad to leave it uncovered.

Gods, her father knew exactly what he was doing, making her a walking spectacle. An incredibly effective tool in his subset.

"Men like that deserve what they get." Gale growled.

She chuckled darkly. Knowing he was only referring to Lorroakan, but his wisdom ringing ever true.

"He's quite dead now, and both Aylin and I are safe, Gale."

"But not unscathed..." He hushed.

She turned, pulling her robe up around her shoulders.

"No, not unscathed. And not more wounded, with you there."

"I hate when you're so gentle with me when I hurt you." Holding his hand up to pause her rebuttal. "When I've allowed you to be hurt."

She wanted to argue, but respected the request of his hand still held in a bid for silence.

"I want to practice, so this doesn't happen again. And I want you to punish me."

Her breath drew in slow, heart pulsing in an ache. She had always known, on some level, that he sought pain. Not the exploring delicious kind found in bed, but true pain. The kind given to those who believed they deserved it.

"I can hurt you, Gale. If you want. But not like that." She slid forward, hand rising over his heart again.

"I can only do play pain, okay?" She hushed.

He took a shaky breath out, both disappointment and relief released in it.

"Okay... thank you."

"I started a bath for you." She smiled, kissing his jaw. "Go get clean and loose. I'll take care of you."

He smiled, leaning down to kiss her tenderly.

"You always do."

She slow swayed her hips, eyes closed. Getting in the zone. Hand rising to rub up the soft side of her ribs. Rocking in time to the soft music playing on an enchanted crystal on the dresser. A deep winding beat carrying her away into a sensual wave.

Thinking about the brothel that had become her sanctuary in Waterdeep after fleeing the temple. How she had fallen at their step, seeking debauchery to dirty her sterile holy body. But finding cleansing instead. The working women gathering her and making her anew. Teaching her the spirituality of her sex. How to draw desire not only from herself but the rising hymn of finding it in others. Teaching her dance and velvet and the divinity of bruises and bitemarks.

When they had visited Sharess' Caress, she had bounded in, shocking her companions. Waving to the Mamzell, coming up to the stage, smiling up at a familiar face.

Rhol's eyes lit in recognition, smiling down brilliantly at her.

"No way! Golden Lily!" She whispered, leaning down to hug her before returning to dancing. "You're far from The Laughing Lass, aren't you? I've got to get back to work, but go meet the twins!"

How later that night, Gale had come to her uncharacteristically coy. Handing her a list of sexual endeavors he wanted to try.

What she had planned tonight was one of the many on the list.

She twisted in a small circle, pulling the pin holding her long hair atop her head. A wave of burning gold falling and bouncing to the curve of her waist.

"By the Weave, you're going to blind me with your beauty."

She smiled over her shoulder, turning to take him in. The towel tied around his hips a tease, running her hands up his stomach and delighting in the tense in the muscles there. Rising her fingertips up to his chest, fanning out over his broad shoulders. His nipples standing at attention.

"Mmm, your body missed me." She smiled, thumbs arcing playfully over the hard peaks.

"Unbearably." He sighed, hips angling out in an unconscious seeking.

The way his body seemed to remember her, driving forward almost beyond his command, was so endlessly delicious to her.

She hooked her fingers in the fold of the towel, looking up at him in question. Raising her eyebrows up in a playful tick.

"I'm quite ready for you." He rumbled, raising his hand to twist blue fingertips. "Same safewords, if it pleases you."

"It does. Cast away." She purred, watching his wide gorgeous hand sway in sure movements.

Dancing Lights appeared above her head, swimming in playful circles.

She smiled up at them, turning to his still raised hand. Kissing into his palm before he could lower it.

"Then we've started your training, I presume?" She sighed into his hand. Pulling him to her by the loop of towel.

"Yes..." He huffed, her tongue cupping the pad of his thumb.

"I'm not going to go easy on you." She hummed, running her nose up the arch of his pointer finger. "So you'd better focus."

She pulled hard on the towel, looking up at him under her lashes.

"Got it?"

He nodded, face flushed. Mouth hanging slightly open, lost in lust.

"Words, wizard." She commanded, giving the towel another yank.

"Yes, saer."

"Good." She purred, finally pulling the towel away. A pillar already sitting against his belly.

"You do like being directed, don't you?" She smiled appreciatively at him, eyes sliding back up to his.

"Yes, very much." He hushed.

"On the bed, on your knees."

He climbed onto the mattress, rising on knees. Hands folded behind his back.

"Oh, already assuming the position? You are eager tonight." She chuckled, circling behind him. Dropping her robe in a silky pile on the floor in her wake. The dancing lights following her like a halo.

"Yes, very." He sighed.

"Hmm, I'm going to leave you untied. But you keep those hands behind your back, or I stop."

He whined, but his fingers clasped obediently anyway.

"I know!" She giggled, kneeling behind him. "You do love to touch me, but you offered."

She wrapped her hand around his overlapped wrists and pulled. His shoulders arching back, a soft groan woven into his hard breathing.

"You've made your bed, now you're going to lie in it. Aren't you?" She hissed.

He nodded, glazed eyes sliding over his shoulder.

She wound her hand roughly into his hair, pulling his head back in a yank.

"Words. I won't warn you again."

His mouth opened in a wanton pant, hips starting to rock.

"Yes, saer." He gasped.

"Never thought I would have to coax you to talk." She teased. Knee sliding between his thighs, knocking them further open in two strikes. "But here we are."

She pulled his hair back into a ponytail in her palm. Kissing along his shoulder. Other hand rising with a flat palm to his mouth.

"Spit."

His eyes danced uncertainly to hers.

Her closed fingers tapped in warning against his cheek.

"Spit. In my hand." She ordered.

He paused, breath hard.

She smiled, seeing his objection for what it was.

"You want me to hit you again, don't you?"

"Yes."

She cracked her hand against his cheek. He moaned, pushing his shoulders back.

"Bad boy." She whispered into the shell of his ear.

"Spit. Now."

He leaned forward, trailing saliva into her palm. Licking up the curve of her fingers.

"Oh, trying to please me?" She hummed, sliding her hips up to his hand.

"No need." She chirped, pulling his hands down. "Feel."

She pushed her cunt into his curled fingers. His hand scrambling back to cup and dip into her.

"Fuck..." He shuddered, fingers pulling into her arousal.

"I know, you get me so wet." She whispered.

His fingers started seeking out her clit behind him.

"I didn't say you could fuck me. Hands down."

"Aurum..." He moaned, voice already dropping into a beg. "Please let me."

"No." She grasped his cock in her slicked hand, eliciting a whine from low in his throat. Starting to pump tight strokes.

"I'm fucking you tonight."

He froze, his hips rocking into her hand of their own accord. Then dropped forward, pressing his chest to the mattress. Presenting his backside, angling his hips up to her.

"Oh!" She delighted, still wrenching wet strokes from him. "Very good boy!"

"Just for that, you can have your hands back."

He immediately rose one to brace above his head, leaning on a forearm. The other to cup behind her thigh, fingers pulling hard into the back of her leg.

"Thank you." He gasped.

"You're welcome." She leaned forward to kiss the dimples on his lower back. "You're so cute, do you know that? Such a sweetheart."

He turned his head against the mattress, a soft smile pulling along his beautifully flushed face.

"And focusing so well for me." She looked up at the lights still twirling above her head.

Her eyes lowered back on his dangerously.

"But I'm not nearly done with you."

Her hand paused on his cock.

He whimpered, hips trying to drive into her hand. She gripped his hip, hard.

"Stop."

He bit his lip, looking back at her with pleading eyes.

"Oh," She laughed. "Giving me those eyes. You know what you're doing, don't you?"

"You know what, keep your eyes on me." She called a mage hand, appearing at the dresser. Pulling the harness up to her open hand. "I want you to watch me put my cock in you."

His eyes went wide, cock throbbing hard into her stilled hand.

"Shoulders up, you can't see from down there." She smiled, hand leaving his cock to pull up on his chest.

He rose back into a sitting kneel, turning slightly to keep his eyes on her hands. She stood on her knees to tighten down the straps, humming happily as she took her time getting it adjusted to her hips.

"Aurum, please..." He huffed, his hand hovering over his leaking cock.

She raised an eyebrow at him, tightening down the last strap with a snap against her thigh.

"Patience is a virtue."

She pushed hard between his shoulder blades, coming down to purr in his ear.

"But you aren't a virtuous man, are you?"

"No." He gasped, her faux cock rubbing into his backside. "Please, I want your cock in me."

"And what do you need?" She pulled back on his hair, his neck arching open for her.

"I need you. I need you to fuck me. Fuck me full, until I cant think."

"That's going to make keeping your concentration very difficult." She smiled.

"Hey, I love you." She whispered, kissing his cheek sweetly.

He rose onto his elbow, leaning back to kiss her. Seeking desperately as she pulled away playfully.

"Sussur." He commanded. Their word for pause, that he wanted a moment outside of the scenario.

Her face went soft, leaning back down to him.

"Are you okay?" She hushed.

"I need to kiss you, come back to me."

She smiled, pressing back down into his sweet lips. Sliding so tenderly against hers, pulling a soft moan from her.

He cupped his hand up to the back of her head, fingers pressing into the curve of her neck. Breathing in hard through his nose.

She allowed him to pull her under him, pulling up on her waist. His kiss intoxicated her, chirping out little moans into his mouth. Tangling up into him, pulling and pushing. Need tying tight, his tongue and teeth slowly driving her into a maddening haze.

"Fuck, you're a good kisser." She gasped when he pulled away to give her breath.

"Only with you." He laughed. "Gods, Rosa. I want to devour you."

"I can tell." She sighed, looking up at him with glazed eyes.

"You look like an angel with those lights above you." He sighed, cupping her face.

She rolled her eyes and gave him a gentle smile when he huffed at her.

"Do you want to be on top?" She tilted her head at him.

"No." He smiled, eyelids lowering again. "I want you to fuck me into the mattress."

Her cunt clenched hard, mouth opening into a wanton part.

"Chianthor." He rumbled. The command to start the scenario again.

She flipped him onto his back, pushing his thighs up and pinning them under her knees. Grinding her faux cock into his.

His head fell back, huffing out a breath. Hips trying to grind up into hers.

"You look so good under me." She smiled, pushing a hand flat to his lower belly to force his hips down. "Boys should be on their backs, don't you think?"

He whimpered, eyes closing as she pushed hard into him.

"Oh, not talking anymore?" She pinched his nipple, rolling the bud in her fingers. "That's a shame. You usually have so much to say!"

"How will I know if you want to be my good little whore?"

His eyes flew open, precum spilling onto his belly. Face flushing in astonished desire.

"Ohhh, you really liked that." She smiled dangerously. "You want to be my dirty little slut, don't you?"

"Yes, dear gods, yes." He panted.

"You're going to take my cock, aren't you? Take all of it into your greedy cunt?"

"Yes, please-" He whimpered. "I want it so bad, saer."

"On your belly. Now." She growled.

He twisted under her, pushing his hips up into her. She sighed, snapping her hands down on the globes of his ass. Aligning behind him. Mage hand bringing her a bottle of oil that she lathered copiously onto the length and up his hole.

"You're going to fuck yourself on my cock." She planted a flat palm on his lower back. Gently leading his hips back. Pulling up on his throat to rise him against her chest. "Watch."

He twisted his face over his shoulder, slowly pushing her cock into him. Head falling forward in a tremor as it disappeared down into him.

"Good, go slow as you need." She rubbed his hips in soothing kneads. "Breath, baby."

His breath started back up, shoulders stretching out as he fell back forward on hands, pushing back. Seating himself to the base of her belly.

"That's all of it." She marveled. "Wow."

She saw the edge of a smile on his face. Bracing her legs into a wide stance.

"Begin." She commanded.

He began rocking back into her, tentatively at first. His ass slowly pushing to her hips.

"It's so sexy, watching you break yourself in." She smiled, grabbing his ass as he pushed back. "But you've done this before, haven't you?"

He nodded, letting out a whine. Hips starting to thrust back into her in earnest.

"Of course you have." She purred, gripping his hips as he picked up speed. "Only a good whore knows how to fuck into a cock like that."

She pulled up on his hair, hissing into his ear.

"Like a bitch in heat."

The lights sputtered out above her as he buckled forward onto his chest, ass still raised. Gasping loudly.

She smiled, reaching under him. "Did you cum?"

Her hand found him still hard, cock only slick with precum.

"No?" She hummed.

"Oh, I see..." She laughed. Driving her hips into him in one rolling thrust.

He moaned out, hands bracing next to his head.

"That's what you want, isn't it?" She rolled into him again.

He could only whimper, hips starting to fall down into the mattress as she thrusted into him in increasingly hard pulses. A chorus of choppy moans leaving him in time with each stroke.

She rose over him, locking her arms out under his shoulders. Snapping her hips down into him at a high angle.

His moans came out choked, head starting to loll.

"Thaaat's it." She drew her words in a long, satisfied hum, hips snapping faster. "I found it, didn't I?"

His hands gripped hard into the sheets, a deep shuddering starting to spread from his pelvis.

"Yes, yes," She breathed, bracing down on her hands. Driving hard into fast, rough pulses. "I feel that shake. You're going to cum hard for me, aren't you, baby?"

He nodded, face pulled into a tight grimace. Hands pulling desperately on her wrists. Bracing into himself.

"Come on, give it to me." She urged. "Make a mess, baby. I got you."

He cried out, pushing his shoulders up into a curl. Hips stuttering in choppy pulses.

She reached under him and pulled tight strokes on his cock, hips still driving into him. Pulling his orgasm to its highest crest by force.

He choked out pleading whimpers, hands scrambling above him. Hips rising up as cum drove out of him in hard strikes. Pressing his chest flat into the mattress. Crying out her name in half formed calls.

She marveled at the pool of cum under him as she slowed. Pulling the soiled sheet away and lowering his hips gently down to rest, kneading into them. Making to pull out of him.

His hand rose and pulled behind her thigh again, a silent request.

"Okay." She smiled, staying inside him. Leaning down to fold her arms on his back. Turning her head in the curve.

He reached back again, seeking her hands and twining them into his next to his head. Breath still utterly lost, gasping hard and shallow.

"Breath deep." She urged warmly. "Big full pulls."

She began her own deep breaths again, his picking up her rhythm. Chests rising and lowering in tandem.

She pulled the hair from his face, kissing his shoulder. Sliding her palms under his body to cup his chest.

Murmuring out against his back.

"Don't blame yourself for things you can't control. You are a great man, and I love you so dearly. I know it's hard to be kind to yourself, but please try not to treat someone I love so harshly, okay? It hurts my heart."

He buried his face in the pillow, turning his face from her.

"Hey," She hushed, rising from his back to slide under him. "Don't hide from me. Come here."

She pulled him to her, wrapping her arms and legs around him. His face smothering into her shoulder. Gripping to her, tears slipping down the back of her neck.

"That's it, let go." She whispered. Carding her fingers through his hair. "I'm right here. I'm here as long as you need."

"Thank you." He choked.

Taking a moment to ride the hitch of his breath, he whispered.

"Can you sing for me?"

"Of course." She smiled. Taking a breath in to call a sweet song that she had heard in a passing tavern out against his hair. Scratching soft lines into his scalp.

He relaxed into her, breath evening out slowly. Letting her sing him to sleep.

"The sweetest of all my visions

Paling to all the other dreams that I was given

I carried a bounty from the apple trees

To your caroling laughter in the kitchen"

~

[helpimstuckinafandom]

My Big Fat Dekarios Wedding when

[hairlessgoblin]

I love how Galemancers will just support eachother on random headcannons like for example, as much as I hate to admit it…

Gale would wear socks and sandals inside the house.

[mariana-oconnor]

BG3 Companions: Do we really have to look in every barrel and burlap sack we find? It takes so long.

Tav: YES! Do you know how much food you guys eat? And now we have an Owlbear to feed? Honestly, I kind of wish more of you were vampires, then at least I wouldn't have to carry all these potatoes.

[wizardsix]

the greeks are claiming gale as one of their own . have you Seen him?? his last name?? that man is greek im being so serious

[satanicspinosaurus]

Seconds

Tags: Bloodweave, Gale’s cooking, blood, cow’s blood, gift giving, fluff, getting together, after a break up, basically two hungry and scared people trying to figure out the world, Gale’s POV, so enjoy all his insecurities, and some verbose writing choices that are intentional, Astarion snark, kissing, ear touching, frankly you can read half of this as a metaphor for sex, author can’t stop you, author thinks it would be a mistake though 

Length: 2k

Rating: Teen

Read on A03: here.

Summary: Gale and Astarion had struck up a friendship after a failed night of romance. Now, with the Netherbrain fight around the corner, Gale finds his heart still aches to give Astarion any scrap of happiness he can offer. This is a story about a man made of failures and hunger, trying to be a good friend. It begins with a steak. And ends with this most delicious second course.

With thanks: To my dear friend @lumienyx, who is frankly encouraging my bullshit at an alarming rate. And to the lovely @tragedybunny who hunted down the typos and errors on this like Tara feasting on pigeons. 

•・・・◉・・・•

Gale rummaged through the spice cabinet of the Inn. He was pleased to see that the cook, who had allowed him to slip her a few gold coins for access and privacy, had managed to craft a solid selection. The sprig rosemary seemed a touch too on the nose, so he grabbed a little bundle of thyme instead- striping it into the butter as the filet sizzled in the cast iron skillet.

It was a delicate process, mainly because he was aiming for as close to rare as humanly possible to achieve. It didn’t give him much time to develop a proper crust, but as Gale spooned the butter back onto the filet, he also pulled from the Weave. Perhaps he asked more than normally would be needed for a simple cantrip. But he needed to infuse all the wonderful things Astarion deserved to taste in it. 

Astarion meandered in a few moments later, when Gale had plated it and was intensely overseeing the food resting as if he could personally will it to perfection. 

The vampire gave a sharp tut after observing the scene, perhaps annoyed his entrance hadn’t been noted. 

“When you said you had a surprise for me to try, darling, I assumed it would be something that would make me interested in swallowing,” the vampire finally said to announce his presence.  

Gale looked up brightly at where the playful swatting came from, a warm smile breaking onto his face. He laid the best knife and fork he could find near the plate and pushed it forward.  

“Ah, trust me my dear friend,” Gale encouraged. “I do believe I have made some acceptable advances since the last time you tried my cooking.” 

That had been back when Astarion was still trying to hide what, and more importantly, who he was. Perhaps it had helped in the long run though. It had taught Gale that Astarion could put a wide variety of things in his mouth and pretend to love it. Later, after sampling a decent red Astarion claimed to be vinegar, Gale had come to the quick conclusion that vampirism negatively affected the culinary practice of taste. 

The idea was tantalizing to him. In part because no bestiary had even half the details he could observe in a single evening around Astarion. But he also hoped to reach past the honeyed words for the real truth. 

He was curious, in particular, about why Astartion still attempted to drink wine. It said something about appetite that felt vaguely nostalgic to Gale. 

But then Tav, who had uncritically eaten up Astarion’s sweet smiles and words at the party, eagerly indulged in their place of origin first. Gale didn't feel hurt that Astarion preferred someone else's straightforward affection over his own questions. The tadpoles had made their timelines risky and fortune favored the bold. 

It was a short thing, in the end though. After one encounter, Tav ultimately found her heart lay more with Karlach’s wholesome sweetness. It was better fit for her than wrestling with the delicate halflies that laid nestled to hide half-truths in Astarion’s heart. If it had hurt him, the vampire hadn’t let on, going back to mulling around the camp with hungry eyes and talking of desires. 

And once again, Gale was left turning over the dozens of little curious details about appetite Astarion occasionally dropped; trying to lay them out and find the bigger picture. Gale had been too confident of his ability to uncover that truth once again. Astarion’s sudden thrust backing onto the dating scene hadn’t struck him as quite so desperate, but a beautiful mystery he alone could solve.

He was grateful his hubris had at least allowed him the chance of friendship with Astarion. Rather than once again stripping him of everything when he inevitably failed. No, he savored the friendship he was allowed. Even if, quietly, his heart still wanted to give Astarion all the beauty his mind could dream of and his hands could weave. 

The food was a meager offering, really, but the wizard was happy to see Astarion shrug and sit down to try it. 

Maybe it wasn’t everything Gale had dreamed of in his books to see a bit of excitement build on the man’s face when he delicately sniffed his offering. He was not worthy of giving a thousand days and nights of little pleasures to anyone, it would seem. But, oh, if his heart didn’t flutter a bit at how Astarion’s eyes widened slightly when he gracefully cut into the steak and a weave-enhanced aroma wafted up. 

Gale had truly grown to enjoy his time spent in friendship with the pale elf. He was a stellar, if not acerbic, conversationalist. And the only other person at camp that enjoyed books beyond bawdy romances. Astarion was a person Gale could imagine being around every day for decades without it ever becoming boring. Well, assuming Gale wouldn’t be left alone because the vampire wandered off to find more interesting company than a stuffy wizard. 

At least for now, sometimes he’d say something clever and elicit a sharp grin. Or he’d make a genuine offer to want to properly introduce Astarion to Tara once this was all over, and something soft would grow on the man’s face before he schooled it away. Hells, even walking around Baldur’s Gate and just commenting on architecture with him made Gale desperate to show Astarion Waterdeep.  

It was clear his dear friend had a taste for the finer things in life, but had been left starved. Gale wanted to lay out a banquet for him, to hear his commentary and innovate until he found satisfaction. It was a beautiful thought for the future, but that was a thing still being written. 

Gale needed to try and take that joy and give it in lump sum, lest the worst happened tomorrow. There were notes in his pack on leads Astarion could begin searching down for help finding a place in the sunlight, that he’d entrust to a messenger soon. A desperate letter to his mother, hoping she would extend the clan’s aid to his dear friend. A few letters of introduction that Gale prayed would be enough to get Astarion a chance to observe rare books at Candlekeep if he so needed.  

In the meantime, Gale had but this moment. Watching Astarion primly take a bite of the filet and chew as if he was a bit out of practice. 

This wasn’t the first time Gale had cooked something special for someone - he had a sophomoric idea of what facial expressions to expect. Like always, Astarion didn’t disappoint though with novelty. There was a strange look on his face; emotions roiling so intensely nothing had a beginning nor end. 

“This is shit,” Astarion eventually hissed. 

Gale offered up open palms, apologetic shoulders, and the broken in, embarrassed smile of a man so used to his reach exceeding his grasp in anything that truly mattered. 

“I’m sorry,” he began. “You don’t have to finish it–” 

Astarion looked him dead in the eye. When he had Gale's full attention, he stabbed the piece of meat like it had been carved from Cazador himself. He brought it to his mouth and bit down. Hard. Hard enough Gale could hear the cutlery screech in protest. 

Astarion was a messy eater- a man of singularly devouring hunger. The blood from the filet trickled down his chin, to his chest, marking him temporarily like Gale’s own source of perverse appetite.

Gale watched him swallow and ruminate. 

“This tastes like goodbye,” the man drawled, eyes pinning Gale to his spot. “I don’t like it.” 

Gale smiled, trying to ignore the first thing and address only the second. 

“Well, sometimes experiments don’t always work out,” he began to affably ramble. “I did believe that a few uses of prestidigitation would help overcome your normally exclusively sanguine diet, but I would still appreciate if you could offer some notes-” 

While Gale had been prattling about cantrips, Astarion had decided to switch from rumination to predation. He had gotten up, head refusing to move as he stalked towards Gale like a cat fixated on a songbird. The vampire pounced, slamming the wizard into the cabinets. All it took was a bold hand wrenching one wrist up above his head and a tongue thrust into his mouth to strip him of his power, his self-image as Gale of Waterdeep. 

Astarion devoured Gale Dekarios’ mouth, eating up the moans his actions elicited.  

After a second or eternity, the poor man wasn’t sure which, Astarion broke away to let Gale pant. 

“I want seconds,” Astarion commanded, his other hand running down a thigh- barely keeping to a space that wouldn’t be scandalous if someone walked in. 

Gale tried to master his fluttering heart, to let it accept air and nourishment so it would stop screaming in his chest almost loud enough that it drowned out the orb. 

“You don’t,” he gasped, licking his lips before trying again. “You said you don’t do seconds.” 

That was one of the first, sharp pieces of truth Astarion had flung at him, after their night of gentle love making had cracked through a mask made to suffer only harsh blows. 

People don’t use me twice, he had lilted in the morning. After he had time to lick the wounds Gale’s gentle praise had inflicted and compose himself back to untouchable beauty. Go find someone you can wake up with a thousand times. 

That was back when Astarion wasn’t sure if he would be free, but Gale was still hopeful a solution was available for his own woes. Now things had changed. 

Gale felt the grip on his wrist tighten. Nails that bit into his skin, fearful that without the contact there would be nothing. It was the touch of a man who had rejected the stolen pleasures of ascending, and now wished to ground himself in freely offered affections. 

“I didn’t want you to die,” Astarion offered quietly as his body screamed in accordance. “But I am realizing now that not dying is second to living.” 

Gale wanted to soothe away the worry on the man's face. To cradle the pressed brow gently and let it entrust all its worries to him. But Astarion held him firm. No matter - Gale always had a clever tongue.

"With the number of threats our group has managed to vanquish in the last tenday alone, I think our odds are very good at succeeding, Astarion."

Astarion laughed, letting go of Gale’s wrist to poke at the site where the orb marked him. “I know this is your back-up plan, Gale. Maybe you’ll blow yourself up if we struggle too much against the Netherbain. Maybe you’ll let Mystra own you to remove it. Or she’ll use it as a threat to bargain against your interest in the Crown. But I am tired of petty tyrants’ wants and demands.” 

“She’s a Goddess, Astarion, it’s not remotely-” Gale tried to interject. 

Astarion didn’t even dignify that with a verbal response. He simply looked at Gale, eyes flickering from where the orb burned him to his own, violently marked neck. Astarion knew what manufactured pain was, appetites unanswered. It was why they spoke so easily, they shared this perverse second language. 

“You deserve a choice too,” Astarion eventually said. 

The first kiss in the kitchen was Astarion’s - passionate and aggressive to hide the tenderness it came from. The second was Gale’s - slow and soft, an adventure that ended with being more daring by the hearth. They weren’t so different. Both had left a man gasping for more, a hand traveling to places to hint at encores. 

Astarion leaned into the way Gale’s fingers gripped his curls, the pad of his thumb ever so slightly brushing against his ear in a way that would barely be considered scandalous if anyone ever came in. 

“What if I wanted to choose a second Mr. Dekarios?” Gale whispered. 

Astarion had a talent for saying one thing, but meaning another. It was intoxicating to Gale. The way he could roll his eyes and bring up a lip in a perfect sneer that to an onlooker signaled disgust embodied, a hint of fang and claws coming out. But oh, if the man wasn’t still tender to the touch- a gentle weight that was as inviting as his words were barbed. A secret laid out only for him to discover.

“Well, you should probably get better at cooking, darling. I have no clue how you plan to catch any self-respecting man in your current situation.” 

His hungry red eyes glanced down to a plate that was empty. 

“I, for one, have standards,” Astarion said softly. 

Gale was a man of great pride. It was tempting to press back, to needle the vampire. Perhaps to bring a thumb to wipe up the blood that was still shining on his neck and watch the man lick it off before calling him on the falsehood. 

But on second thought, Gale also desperately needed to close his eyes and believe in the magic of being allowed this close again. He leaned his brow to Astarion’s to give a kiss to the naked skin he found. Not to soothe away the way the vampire had his eyebrows furrowed in concern of being seen. But as a promise he loved this too and wanted it just as much as every other part of him. 

“I look forward to learning about every single one, no matter how small or obscure,” he promised. “I will ascribe them upon my heart, and treasure each word as a gift.” 

Astarion looked at him, searching for the lie. Gale was granted the privilege of watching his eyes grow soft with the knowledge that the wizard was as sincere as he was loquacious.

Then, he had the thrill of watching a vampire who had recently declared he wanted to start living realize he was ravenous.

And that Gale was the perfect second course for this evening and many more to come. 

︶꒦꒷❤︎꒷꒦︶

Author Notes: Thank you for reading this! As always, I would like to remind you thirsty folks to hydrate a bit if needed. Although I suppose for this fic, maybe encouraging you to get a snack would be more appropriate! 

Please let me know if you enjoyed the pun in the tags. :P 

Hopefully this is the start of a solid writing month for me. I'm going to be aiming to put out something each Monday.

[wolfsong-the-bloody-beast]

I've romanced plenty of characters at this point, but Ifan is the only one who's ever shared his snacks with my character. Also, gave her a flower (okay, drugs, it was flower-shaped drugs). And a rare mushroom as a means to poison her enemies. All that completely casually, in a single conversation, without ulterior motives. I'm just saying.

[youokaybucky]

Today I'm thinking about...

This Buck

With this Bucky

[lyriumsings]

my dragon age prediction is that non romanced lucanis will end up with bellara and there’s gonna be a lot of vitriolic hate towards her after send tweet

[eggbagelz]

Sharing a moment