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bookstantrash · 10 months ago

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A/N: okay so it’s been a good while since I’ve posted anything here on tumblr but the last year has been kinda insane as I’m nearing graduation, and my new internship is keeping me very busy.

I have two more one shots written and one half written, but after that I don’t know how long till I’m able to write again and post. Either way, I hope you enjoy this one shot!

But this love is brave and wild

Nesta had not intended to snoop through Cassian’s papers. He was — if she was honest with herself — the most organised out of them. Nesta Archeron being a messy person was something that had come as a surprise to Cassian and he teased her endlessly about it.

“I can find everything I need with no problem,” she had argued once when they were laying in bed, “therefore I am not messy. My organisation method is just different from yours General ‘I Colour Code My Folders’ Archeron”

“Whatever you say Nes,” Cassian had laughed, tightening his arms around her. Her mate, she had discovered, was an incorrigible cuddler “I still love you even if you don’t believe in the practicality of keeping things in one place”

She was always leaving books and hairpins all over the House, discarding her boots after training somewhere and forgetting to take them to their room, her notes about the Valkyries, military and Mind Stilling techniques forgotten and scattered in any surface available. The House was constantly gathering and leaving them on her desk, but it usually took her two to three days until she got the courage to sort and put them away properly. Cassian’s tidy and neatly arranged papers — sorted by importance and filled with carefully written notes — made his desk a stark contrast to her mountain of spread out ones in her side of the room they had transformed into their study room.

They had learned early on that they would never be capable of doing any actual work in their own room when their bed was only a few steps away.

Not that they had not fucked in each and every surface of the House, their study included. It just made the temptation of being all over each other slightly smaller.

Nesta had entered the study and was tidying her desk after the House had made the bathtub water cold and dumped on top of her towel the papers she had forgotten at the dining table.

“I was going to get them later,” Nesta had said, and in turn the military book Cassian had lent her had fallen on the little floating table she used when she wanted to read in the bathtub. She had been meaning to return it to him for over a week, the book forgotten amid her pile of romance books on her bedside table.

“Fine,” she had added, “I got the memo, I will put them in the study.”

So Nesta had gotten dressed in a bathrobe — she had every intention of going back to a bubble bath as a reward for tidying up her things — reordered her romance book stack, and set off for the study, grabbing any paper she had forgotten along the way. She was putting his book on the shelf when she noticed that Cassian had a few papers outside his drawer, something unusual to him.

“I better at least put the paperweight on top of them,” she thought to herself. She did not want to mess up her mate’s drawers and folders in her attempt to clean his desk.

Cassian had left in a hurry after lunch to Illyria — Emerie, Balthazar and him were trying to transform an old property into an orphanage and residence for those who had no place to go. For now the plans were to see how things would go in Windhaven, and then replicate the same in other camps. Apparently some problems had arisen concerning the renovations and he had left to sort things out. That explained why his space was uncharacteristically ‘messy’ for his standards.

Nesta lined his pens and was stacking the papers in a pile when one in particular caught her eye. Most of them were reports regarding Illyria or the Valkyries training plans, but the small piece of paper full of bullet points and notes scribbled in a hurry was neither.

“Is this a checklist of some sorts?” she mumbled to herself, reading it. If it was, Nesta could not make sense of it, for there were sometimes only a page number and an acronym in the same bullet point — “pg. 43, UTOT” — or phrases and even single words thrown around that made no sense — “ smell of rain”, “traditional dances”, “unicorns”, “pudding”, “peppermint”, “braids” and so on.

The list intrigued Nesta. Maybe Cassian was playing scattergories or some other game with Azriel or Gwyn again and had forgotten to throw it away. Nesta and Emerie had since long ago given up on playing with them — their competitive streak when combined was insufferable, and both girls had decided they would rather discuss their latest read than go through a discussion if “ice” could be considered a colour or not — but Cassian kept playing. According to him their bickering was amusing to watch despite the chances of him winning being rare.

Nesta wondered if Cassian had other lists somewhere, if together they could help her make sense of what they were exactly. She would have to ask him when he came back — which she hoped happened soon. It was almost time for dinner, and they always had their meals together. When they had an assignment that did not require them to stay more than a day away — Nesta had accepted the position of emissary, although she chose which places she wanted to go and with who she wanted to work with, not to say that it gave her a chance to travel for free — they always tried to come back in time to share meals together. And Cassian had also promised to bake a cake for her, nevermind they lived in a magical house who could do it itself.

So Nesta returned to her bubble bath, the hot water making her sigh with pleasure. A book appeared on her floating table moments later.

“Is this your way of saying ‘good job’ for organising my things?” she asked the House, which made a peppermint tea appear too.

“Thank you,” she said with a smile, and the faelight near the sink glowed brighter, as if it was saying ‘you’re welcome’.

Nesta ended up staying in the bath until her fingers resembled an old lady’s and she had finished her book. It was now late afternoon and no sight of Cassian. She debated starting another book, but she knew it would make her miss her mate even more. She always pictured him as the love interest in her novels.

“Pull yourself together,” Nesta said to herself “it has been less than a day. It is not like we have to be attached to each other all the time”

Truth to be told, Nesta had become rather clingy when it came to Cassian — not as much as him, she doubted there existed someone as affectionate and tender as her mate — but after their mate and wedding ceremony she found herself more comfortable expressing her feelings. She enjoyed having lazy days where she and Cassian would stay near the fireplace — either reading or just talking — or when Cassian would try and teach her how to cook — she now managed to not burn bread but that was it. He was always touching her — a hand on the small of her back, a brush of his hand against hers when he was passing her food, intertwining their legs when they were laying down, flicking her nose when she got annoyed at him… it seemed impossible for him to keep his hands to himself. And that did not bother Nesta at all. In fact, she loved it, and she had realised that she had denied herself of love and made herself so touch starved for so long that now that she could bask in it she was becoming greedy.

For her utter annoyance, Cassian did not return in time for dinner. Nesta ended up going to Feyre’s house to have dinner, and the sight of Nyx — who had just begun to walk — cheered her up a little, as did the chocolate cookies Elain had baked, although she could not help but think about the chocolate cake she had been promised.

Cassian ended up arriving at the House very late into the night, finding Nesta on their bed buried beneath furs, even with the fire lowly crackling in the hearth.

“Hello Nes,” Cassian greeted his mate the second he stepped inside their room, leaving a kiss on top of her head to not interrupt her reading.

“You are late,” was all she said, turning a page. She had ended up choosing one of his war texts to keep herself busy, but his scrawled notes on the margins of the pages did not help her longing.

“I am sorry sweetheart,” he kneeled on the floor beside their bed, taking her free hand on his and playing with her wedding band “Things at Windhaven took longer to resolve than I had intended and Emerie and Balthazar wanted to go over some new plans”

“What can I do to make you forgive me?” Cassian kissed her fingers, giving her his best puppy eyes.

“For starters you can take a bath,” Nesta wrinkled her nose at the dried mud on his boots “And dry your hair properly, I would rather not have you winning about feeling sick later”

“As you wish, Lady Death. Even if the idea of being bedridden and having you take care of me is very tempting” he said with a wink “I will leave you to your book in the meantime.”

Cassian came back less than ten minutes later, leathers gone in favour of soft cotton pants and no shirt, drying his hair with a towel.

“Bath taken and dirty boots have been put away,” he declared, placing the towel on a chair — the House vanishing it moments later — and grabbing a comb.

He sat beside Nesta on the bed, not having to say anything, only extending the brush in her direction. It had become natural to care for each other’s hair. Nesta still remembered the day she had asked her mate for help with the pins keeping her braid in place, Cassian almost falling in his rush to get to her. He had tenderly taken each one out, massaging her scalp later and carefully brushing her hair.

And the next time they had taken a bath together he had grabbed the shampoo to wash her hair before she could even move. Nesta had almost fallen asleep in the tub with the way he gently shampooed and rinsed her hair. Cassian had confessed to her one day that he had an unhealthy obsession with her hair.

“Oh I know,” she had said with a small secretive smile “I see how you look at me when I am braiding it”.

She also remembered the first time he had ever seen her with her hair down and had called it beautiful, making her blush furiously. And since he began taking care of it Nesta could swear that it had gotten stronger and shinier.

Considering how silky and shiny his hair was, it did not surprise her at all.

Nesta, it turned out, also had an unhealthy obsession with her mate’s hair.

She enjoyed washing and combing it, be it after a bath or after he had come back from a flight from somewhere. She enjoyed learning new braids to braid his hair, especially now that Emerie was teaching her traditional Illyrian hairstyles. She had gotten interested after she saw his hair for their wedding-mate ceremony.

“The Illyrans take great pride in their rituals,” Emerie had told her during the party after the ceremony “Back when we were constantly at war, many years ago during Enalius time, the wives of the warriors would braid tokens of good luck and protection for their husbands. Those with long hair also asked them to apply that pattern to their hairstyle, and we integrated in our culture the costume of different braid patterns depending on the occasion: wars, festivals and ceremonies such as burials and weddings”

“The hairstyle Cassian has now is the common braid style used at wedding ceremonies at Windhaven” Emerie had given her a soft smile “Cassian has no living female relatives, so he asked me to do it for him. I’ve never seen him sit so still for so long”

“Could you teach me?” Nesta had asked, feeling shy all of a sudden “I would like to learn them all so I can braid his hair… and our children’s when the time comes.”

“Of course,” her friend had said, and now whenever they had time Emerie would teach her.

Nesta slowly unknotted Cassian’s hair, and by the way he sighed she knew it would not take long for him to fall asleep.

“All done,” she declared, placing the comb near her book on the bedside table.

“Thank you, Nes” he said, slipping under the furs. He intertwined their legs, hugging her close to himself and burying his face on her neck.

Nesta sighed, instantly feeling warmer. Cassian was like a walking furnace, and even without a shirt he was way warmer than her.

“Am I forgiven now, xe nhia?” he asked, nuzzling her neck “I have bathed, dried my hair and am now fulfilling my duties as your personal Illyrian heater.”

“Perhaps.” she ran her fingers over his arm wrapped around her “You do own me a cake, which I was looking very forward to”

“What if I also made you pudding,” he began trailing kisses over her shoulder “would you like that xe r-endy?”

The terms of endearment in Illyrian made her feel so warm and giddy that Nesta almost let slide one word Cassian had said: pudding.

It was one of the words written on that piece of paper, and now she had the perfect opportunity to ask about it.

“Funny of you to ask me about pudding,” she began nonchalantly “I read something about it today”

“You did?” she could hear the surprise in his voice “Please tell me you were not attempting to cook, we all know how it went last time”

“I set fire to the kitchen one time and you never let it go,” she ruffed with annoyance “No, I did not attempt to cook. But I did find a rather interesting and confusing list with the word pudding on it.”

“What,” Cassian raised his head from her shoulder, and Nesta turned around on his arms to look at him.

“I was tidying up my things when I noticed your desk was uncharacteristically messy. I had only planned to put a paper weight on your papers to hold them down but I ended up reading your list,”

“I am sorry if I did not respect your privacy,” Nesta added in a rush, afraid Cassian might get angry “I did not mean to pry but my curiosity got the better of me and I ended up reading it.”

“I am not mad xe nhia,” Cassian said with a soft smile, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear “You are free to read any and all papers I have. I have nothing to hide, especially from my mate.”

“I am just embarrassed. That is all” he added, and she could see a faint blush dusting his light brown skin.

“Why would you be embarrassed?” she asked, furrowing her brows.

“Because,” he took a deep breath “that was one of the lists I made of topics I wanted to talk with you about. Ever since I met you back when you were human and I used to collect the queen’s letters from you, ever since then I would think of fake conversations and scenarios, building entire conversations inside my head so I could impress you with my comebacks.”

“So that time you stayed circling the house for ten minutes…” she inquired.

“I was compiling a list of chosen insults to throw your way, responses to an invented argument” he groaned, hiding his face on her shoulder “Like a complete fool.”

“You did this back when I was human?” Nesta asked, her love for her big kind hearted mate growing impossibly bigger.

“I never stopped, which might make me even a bigger fool than I was back then,” he admitted, face still hidden “Even after that, when you were Made and I used the excuse of exercising my wings to come and see you, and being together with you felt both so close yet so far given the circumstances”

“Cassian…”

“And even later, when we started living at the House and you were going through so much, trying to get better… I kept coming up with them. Topics I wanted to discuss with you, when we were together but not together. When it was just sex, and I was willing to take whatever you gave me because a little of your time, a little of you, was infinitely better than nothing at all.”

“Conversations we could have had, that I wanted us to have. Issues that I wanted to get your opinion on, if only I was not such a coward. It was always so difficult— I was so scared of ruining whatever I had managed to build with you, of losing you forever” he sighed, finally raising his head “I kept all of them. All of the lists. And I keep finding new things I want to talk with you about and since we got together it seems the list never stops growing. As if I am making up for the time lost, because now we do have that time”

Nesta did not know what to say in answer to that. Sometimes, when she had a bad day and felt like the old bitter and angry Nesta — the one who drowned her problems in alcohol and refused to let herself feel anything good at all — she had to remind herself that she was deserving of the love she had now. That she was deserving of her sisters — the old and the new ones — and of her friends and family.

That she was deserving of such a good male like Cassian. Her mate, her husband, her friend and her family.

“You can laugh if you want,” Cassian said, sounding a bit nervous about her reaction “Cauldron knows I must sound like a madman creating make believe arguments”

“Why would I laugh when my mate loves me so much that he cannot help but think of me literally every single moment?” Nesta arched an eyebrow, letting all of her love and adoration for him shine through their bond.

“What you just said is book love interest level, Cassian” she kissed him, burying her hands in his hair “I would be a fool to laugh.”

Nesta could see the relief in his eyes and she smiled. “You can ask me anything you want to know, anytime. Especially if it means you will cook more sweets for me, xe porang termireco”

Cassian groaned, rolling them so his weight pressed her down deliciously.

“You will be the death of me, Lady Death” he whispered, nipping at her ear.

“I thought you were tired from your flight” she breathed as he started kissing her neck.

“You know what you speaking Illyrian does to me,” he argued, “especially when you call me your handsome husband ”

And Nesta made sure to call him plenty of things in Illyrian in the next hours, both of them falling asleep only when the sun was rising.

•

tag list: @sayosdreams @perseusannabeth @arinbelle @letstakethedawn @katekatpattywack @nestaarcheron @imagine-me @sv0430 @starryblueskies7 @live-the-fangirl-life @valkyriewarriors @readskk @wannawriteyouabook @imwritingthesewords @rainbowcheetah512 @moodymelanist @castielspelvis

[Reblogs/likes/comments are always welcomed!!]

#nessian #nesta x cassian #nesta archeron #cassian #acosf #a court of silver flames #post acosf #sarah j maas #sjmaas #sjm fanfic

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random-kido · 2 months ago

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while I’m on the topic of wild aus, I wanna talk about arguably my oldest au that I’ve been thinking about since around 2015-16(?) but have never posted about because I have been hoping to finish at least one thing from it but never have.

This au started due to seeing people make their own deskformer aus on tweeter, which were aus based off of whatever figures they had on their desks. Originally I only had krk and slash so the au mainly stared those two and they would have a mentor apprentice relationship, but then I got star, windb, and unicronn rodi so they were quickly thrown in to the chaos. When they were added the premise and story line changed to all of them being strangers who were just living their lives until unicronn attacked.

Most of the story would have been told in slash’s perspective through something similar to either snapchatt or ig reels. This I did start but didn’t really get to far with.

the story would start with slash scrolling through her images, remembering the night everything went wrong in their lives while she sits around a debri made campfire with the others.

They had all gotten on one of many evacuation ships that would get them to different off world safe locations, but unicroniann heralds chased after them deep into space. In the chaotic frenzy, their ship and one other were attacked by the heralds, forcing all on board to get to the escape pods. While most escaped and were picked up by the other ships, a handful get knocked off course and are unable to be picked up or get shot down. They were each in shuttles knocked off course, and without the controls working they were forced to sit and brace the crash landing on some unknown planet where none of their coms work. Whether it’s because they are so far from home or there is no home to return to is unknown to them.

they aren’t the only ones on that planet however as many heralds also came down in the crash with them during all the chaos. Now they’re not only stuck but are fighting for their lives almost on a daily bases against foes who are nigh immortal and who they assume could potentially summon more to this planet.

I have more of their story but am still figuring out the full time line, so here are some sorta kinda character sheets(?) for the main five.

While all of them do care for slash, (even rodi though he cannot show it as much as he’d like) she still develops a mentor apprentice relationship with krk out of all of them. Though all of them do have moments in the story where they each have to teach her something so she does spend some time with everyone. Krk is the one that teaches her how to fire a gun, star passes off some of his scientific knowledge (he wants someone to remember some of his work on the off chance death sticks), and windb teaches her close range weapons. Still a little unclear on what rodi teaches her as he doesn’t have much moments of clarity. Probably hand to hand, but whether thats actually rodi or the essence of unicronn looking to pick a fight with what is essentially a tween is still up for debate lmao

There are other characters in the story too. Rc, slipstreem, tg, and elitaa are also stranded. I’ve not decided if it’s on the same planet just on the other side or if it’s a different planet all together, but they are the first people the main five make contact with outside of heralds.

Rosie and warp are safe. They are among the many that escaped the unicronn attack and got away from the heralds. They believe that star, slipstreem, tc, and slash are dead.

Tc is alive.

still debating if krk, rodi, and windb have anyone in the safe zone missing them.

I need to write out more notes for this so for now have some more krk and slash centered doodles for the au ft rc and slipstreem lol

#My art #This au doesn’t have a name #lol #it’s a mentor apprentice relationship but single dad krk is my fav #they both adopted each other unknowingly #My own desk formers is what made me start shipping rodikrokk btw #I do not believe rodikrokk is gonna be endgame for this au #rc slipstreem however is lmao #love that you can tell how old these are because the bg is white instead of grey fhfjfh

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mjrtaurus · 3 months ago

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Thanks for reminding me how much I love Dadan!! Here’s how I imagine her Monkey D Adoption

Dadan was sure she had gotten kidnapped.

Kidnapping, as she would put it, is just people stealing. Her parents would do regular stealing all the time! Yes they got caught and hightailed it out of the East Blue but it wasn’t their fault! It was all that stupid Vice-Admiral! He’s the reason she’s been chased out of every establishment in Goa! He’s the reason she’s living out in the forest! He’s the reason she’s…alone now.

She had been at the market when Dadan heard the most agitating grating voice.

“It’s you! Forest girl! You’re not in the forest today!”

While obviously incredibly annoying, Dragon was, objectively, not the worst kid to run into. Dadan had apparently scared away some bullies of his once. They had been too loud with their jeering and had interrupted her nap! That’s all! She didn’t even know he was there! But ever since Dragon made it a point to seek her out and ask her to play or come hang out at his house, like she wanted to do either of those things!

“How come you’re not in the forest today, Forest Girl?”

“There’s not much to hunt so I came to relieve the market of some bread.”

“Stealing isn’t right, Forest Girl!”

“Well you could come over to my place for lunch! My mama makes the best bocaditos in the world! I’m sure you’d like it!”

“Yeah that’s exactly what I was thinking, how’d you know?! I’ve just been dying to have lunch at your house!”

Dragon seemed to have gained a little sense in her presence because he scurried off after that. Good! Now she could focus on distracting the baker long enough to pilfer some bread rolls.

Unfortunately that brat returned and to make matters worse, he brought his mother with him. Ugh, not only was this kid annoying but he was a snitch too!

Dadan didn't trust any adult as far as she could throw them, this ‘Mama’ was no exception not even when she bent down to meet eye to eye.

“Hello there little one. You must be the famous Forest Girl Dragon's told me so very much about.”

Dadan didn’t bother heeding the woman out, too transfixed by her shining earrings. Were those real gold?! If she managed to swipe them, she’d have it made!

She snapped out of her daydreams to the sound of a literal snap, the woman had removed a tree branch from her hair. She quickly stumbled back, grabbing at her tangled tangerine locks with one hand and smoothing out her tattered mud stained dress with the other. Screw this lady, with her weird watchful eyes, maybe Dadan liked that stick!

The next thing she knew she was being walked to her current fate. Past a field of lettuce and pumpkins, weaving through a small sectioned off area full of wild Den Den Mushi snails, she was lost throughout it all. The woman (who told Dadan to call her Mrs Urpi, pfft yeah right!) had given her a bubble bath that smelled like citrus and sunflowers. She had washed and brushed Dadan's hair so gently that she impulsively screamed that she wasn’t glass damnit! She was a tough as nails bandit! The older woman had just chuckled and agreed but added that even the toughest of people deserved a little care. Dadan just sunk herself a little lower into the soapy water, face flushed but only because how warm it was in that bathroom! She was NOT getting soft for a potential mark!

And yet a short while later there she was, preening like a peacock in front of a mirror. The dirt that seemed like it would be permanently attached to underside of her fingernails? Gone! Her mud soaked feet? Scrubbed, lotioned and put into the cutest pair of frilly socks and Mary Jane’s she’s ever seen! She even had a brand new dress and scrunchie to match! She felt like a princess! Nothing could possibly ruin this moment-

“Forest Girl, it’s time to set the table.”

“MY NAME ISN'T FOREST GIRL YOU SHIDIOT, IT'S DADAN!”

“Oh, okay then. Dadan it’s time to set the table.”

She’d play along with these fools for now, she’ll set the table, eat this so-called out of this world food, and when night came she’d rob em blind! She felt the oddest twisting of her gut at the thought of how devastated they’d be…but serves them right! It’s their own fault for letting a notorious bandit such as herself into their home. What would her parents think if she let them off the hook? No, she couldn’t let them down! She’d prove how good of a bandit she was and then they’d come back!

Dadan caught her reflection in the mirror and nodded, all she had to do now was wait.

And wait she did. Waited and waited and waited… years went by. It just never felt like a good time to go for it, that’s all. She would just have to put up with the Mrs. Urpi and her blockhead kid for little while longer.

Honestly there was no wonder that Dragon punk got bullied… he was weird! He always looked angry but never acted like it! Never looked her in the face when they were talking! His friends were all snails! He had wings! He didn’t like oranges because peeling them made his hands feel weird! He was weird!

But he was nice, and those other kids were being mean to him for no reason! So now she’s stuck with him and his too nice mom, she guesses.

#Dadan is best big sister confirmed #one piece #monkey d family #monkey d dragon #curly dadan #taurus answers

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terrors-and-tables · 1 month ago

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Strange Encounters #1

Damn it’s been a while since I’ve posted anything on this blog. Having just run my first game of Dungeon Crawl Classics (to my players who might be reading this, love you guys), I’ve realized that DCC is in need of more monsters; or rather, it’s in need of monsters repurposed from things I enjoy, including other games. That sent me spiraling down the rabbit hole of reading through the original 1e AD&D Monster Manuals and Fiend Folio, meticulously cataloging the monsters and treasure types, cursing Gary Gygax’s lack of consistency regarding how individual treasure versus “in lair” treasure is formatted, and once more appreciating what the RPG community can do, even forty years in the future, as the Fiend Folio (which is mostly a compiled list of monsters from the UK Magazine “White Dwarf”) is pretty consistently written when it comes to formatting at least.

That then led me to admiring the encounter tables in the DM’s Guide, and the use of overland encounters and treasure maps as a sort of perpetual motion machine for quest generation. Don’t need to have some haggard old man deliver a little monologue and beg for your players to help them when those greedy bastards are looting treasure maps (with more overland encounters between them and the treasure, not to mention whatever monster lair or crypt the treasure is in) and coming across pilgrimages of cultists out in the dangerous wilds.

Which brings me to my final point, that the encounter table format in the back of the 2nd Monster Manual is actually quite nice, and I felt inspired to make one today. The monsters given are for 1st edition D&D, but many of them exist in other editions of D&D, retroclones, and other fantasy games, so it shouldn’t be impossible, or even difficult, to repurpose this for your own use.

To use the following chart, just roll 1d8 and add it to 1d12, creating a large flat spot of probability in the middle of the chart, ensuring those results will be equally common

Caverns, Primeval

Roll Monster

2 Medusa

3 Demon, Type I (Vrock)

4 Ant, Giant

5 Beetle, Giant Fire

6 Norker

7 Grimlock

8 Ochre Jelly

9 Lizard, Minotaur (80%), or Protein Polymorph (20%)

10 Caveman

11 Troglodyte

12 Centipede, Huge

13 Black Pudding or Zombie

14 Gray Ooze

15 Xorn or Centipede, Giant

16 Ghoul

17 Caveman (Hero) 70% or Grimlock (Villain) 30%

18 Slime, Olive

19 White Pudding

20 Dragon, White, AN

The table above is meant for a large system of caves somewhere so remote as to be totally unsettled, and even untouched by time. Where early humankind dwells in caves, dwarves have not expanded into every nook and cranny, and the elves do not tread. Specifics and further detail on each kind of encounter are as follows:

The Medusa, likely just one, though if the caverns are truly huge enough there may be multiple, exists to answer the question of where humans get their primal fear and distrust of serpents from; it is from her, the serpentine witch that turns men to stone with a hiss and a fatal glance. The Medusa would no doubt be a known (or rumored) terror of the caves to those cavemen who live nearby.

The Type 1 Demon (the Vrock) is on the chart solely as a servant of the Grimlocks or Troglodytes detailed below, likely conjured to wage war or to serve as a guardian for something precious or of religious significance. They do not live here naturally, and will never come to such a place of their own accord.

Giant Ants have not yet overtaken the primal caves, but as some of the oldest insects, they’ve certainly gotten a head start; where they are found at all, they are found in tremendous numbers. Similar things may be said of the Giant Fire Beetles, which do not form groups quite so large, but work in natural opposition to the ants. The centipedes, of which there are many in all sorts of sizes, colors, and shapes, are kings of the cavernous arthropods, and will happily eat both.

Norkers are one of the only two humanoid races besides Humans (next to the Troglodytes). As written in the Fiend Folio, they are a primitive relative to the hobgoblin in much the same way Cavemen or Neanderthals are to humankind.

The Grimlocks that appear on this table are not actually their own species, rather they are those cavemen who in desperation, greed, or sheer malice have found acceptance in the waiting arms of Abyssal powers or Chaos lords, and among them can be found more advanced arms (such as swords and axes of strange material) and armor (no heavier than scale mail) as well as Chaotic (or Chaotic Evil) Clerics and Magic Users. “Villains” may occasionally be found, which will have the best arms and armor available to the tribe, 4 hit dice, and the spellcasting abilities of 3rd level Wizards (or Magic-Users, Shamans, or Elves), as well as a 10% chance to have a magical melee weapon (generate as if it were a magic sword, but it may be a sword, axe, mace, or spear).

The Minotaur Lizards on this table are huge, pale, broad headed lizards which creep through the caverns, eating whatever they can fit into their gullets, be it bug or man. They are plentiful enough, however, that the exceptionally brave (such as large groups of cavemen) may hunt them for food.

Perhaps more plentiful are the Protein Polymorphs, Ochre Jellies, Black or White puddings, Olive Slimes, and Gray Oozes, found all throughout the caverns amidst the many puddles of bubbling, gurgling, proto-biological crud, the primordial soup from which life emerged. Because of the frequency of such foul puddles (many of which are not such slimes), any slime encountered doubles any chance for surprise (I.E. it surprises on a 4 in 6 for most parties, 2 in 6 for those with elves, etc.). Protein Polymorphs are an outlier beside the other slimes, being dangerously clever, and capable of changing their shape and dividing their mass to appear as all manner of inanimate objects or even entire groups of creatures.

Cavemen are cavemen, it’s not that complicated. Heroes exist among them, the biggest and strongest, with up to 4+2 hit dice and saving as 6th level Fighters. These will no doubt have cavemen followers, their friends, companions, and caveman groupies.

Troglodytes exist even in ancient caves as these, and any encountered here will be marginally smarter and well equipped, perhaps these haven’t fallen as far as their more mainstream counterparts; they still bear the same stench, but are 10% more likely to possess magic items and may even have works of writing, magic, or textile art, though these will be crafted without any use for human language or aesthetics, and will thus be alien to those who find them.

Xorn, oddly enough, are plentiful compared to other places on the Prime Material. With only the fading Troglodytes as enemies, and no local industry, expansionist dwarves or modern humans, or need for currency, precious metals and gems are incredibly plentiful, so the xorn flock here to swim through stone, gorge themselves, and sometimes give strange wisdom to those who can understand it.

Ghouls and Zombies appear more often in areas controlled by the Grimlocks, as foul energies flood the caverns and animate the dead that lie there, but the ghouls in particular appear in the same way they usually do; as the result of humanoids resorting to cannibalism in the cold and lightless tunnels.

The Ancient White Dragon will always be the only one of its kind; how and when it got there, not even the Troglodytes can guess, but the weirdest and wisest (if they can be called that) of the Grimlocks may know. Regardless, it has slept here for quite a while, slumbering at the heart of a subterranean expanse of ice and stone, with cruel, simple deathtraps to guard its hoard.

I hope the above encounter table and implied adventuring location is of use to anyone. I might post more in the future :)

#OSR #RPG #DM Tools #Random Encounters #D&D #Dungeon Crawl Classics

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stevesjockstrap · 1 year ago

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kinktober day 12: Steve/Eddie

& competence kink

read on ao3

MDNI - rated: E

Eddie shoved his van into park and grabbed his keys. Then he turned to stare back at the vision in front of him. He had to be higher than he thought, or maybe he’d gotten in a car accident on the way and this was heaven. He rubbed his eyes and smacked himself in the face. Closing and reopening his eyes again, the sight remained the same in front of him.

Steve Harrington, covered in grease and grime, wearing his tiny Hawkins-gym-class-issued shorts, bent over the engine of his BMW. He wolf whistled as he approached, unable to pull his eyes away from the vision in front of him for a moment until an even better view took its place. Steve stood and turned, showing off his hairy chest and the slightly pudgy belly that had been forming now that Steve wasn’t doing school sports or chasing monsters. Eddie wanted to bite it. Or rut his hard-

“Hey, Eds.” Eddie ripped his attention away from the source of his impure thoughts and up to his eyes. Well, there was a detour first to his sinful lips and then to a smear of dirt across his stubbled jaw that his fingers itched to touch.

“Hey yourself. What are you getting up to here?”

“Oh, a mystery squeak,” Steve frowned and waved a hand behind him at the open hood. “I’ve already greased everything I can find, all the belts are fine. Changed out the water pump pulley’s bearings. Added some power steering fluids. I can’t figure it out.” He rubbed more grease from his hand across his brow.

Eddie’s jaw dropped. His pants were tighter than he remembered them being. He had never gotten hard listening to someone talk about cars to him before. Wayne had shown him small things here and there, he could change the oil on his van so he didn’t have to waste precious money on taking it in, he’d watched Wayne change headlights and the battery. Steve’s level of knowledge seemed way above that.

“Uhhh, that sounds great, Stevie. I didn’t know you knew this much about cars.”

“Yeah, I’m good with my hands,” he winked. Eddie almost hit the ground.

“Fuuuck, I bet you are,” slid through his lips before he could stop it. They eyed each other for a moment, Steve rubbing his hands on a towel that appeared out of no where. Eddie chewed on his lip, waiting to see what was going to happen next.

“I could take a break, get a drink… or something.” Steve stepped forward slowly, Eddie taking steps backwards, letting him direct them to his front door.

Eddie pulled him to straddle his lap on the couch. He couldn’t wait. He slid his hands up his thighs and under the tiny shorts.

“Oh fuck, baby. No underwear?” He groaned. Steve shook his head and leaned down to meet his lips again. Eddie teased the seam of his leg, inching closer to his goal. He desperately wanted to rip these infuriatingly small shorts from his body. But he needed Steve in them again, maybe bent over some other surfaces. He pulled his hands out of his shorts, grabbing onto his hips instead, using his hold to encourage Steve to rock them forward.

“Oh, oh shit, Eds.” Steve broke the kiss to pant against his lips.

“You gunna come in your little slutty shorts, honey?” Steve shook his head but continued rubbing himself against his belly. Staring unseeingly as he grabbed his shoulders for more leverage.

“Looked so good out there. Showing off for me, huh? All hot and dirty and competent. Knew I was coming over, Stevie. You think you had to go through all that trouble for me? Like I’m not always ready to bend you over any available surface any second of any day?” Steve whined and he pulled his hips faster. “C’mon, make a mess for me.”

Steve bit his lip, muffling his little noises as he chased his climax. Eddie pulled on his chin so he released his lip. “Uh uh, let me hear you. That’s it.” Eddie traced through his chest hair, pinching his nipple then scratching his nails across that little roll of fat under his belly button. Steve’s thrusts got wild and he made the hottest little grunting noises as he spilled into his shorts.

Eddie washed off all his dirt and grease marks after he fucked him into the shower wall.

@lighthousebeams

#Kinktober #Kinktober 2023 #Steddie #steddie smut #Mine #stranger things #steve/eddie

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waitmyturtles · 2 years ago

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Turtles Catches Up With Old GMMTV: Together With Me/MaxTul Ship Edition

[What’s going on here? After joining Tumblr and discovering Thai BLs through KinnPorsche in 2022, I began watching GMMTV’s new offerings -- and realized that I had a lot of history to catch up on, to appreciate the more recent works that I was delving into. From tropes to BL frameworks, what we’re watching now hails from somewhere, and I’m learning about Thai BL's history through what I’m calling the Old GMMTV Challenge (OGMMTVC). Starting with recommendations from @absolutebl on their post regarding how GMMTV is correcting for its mistakes with its shows today, I’ve made an expansive list to get me through a condensed history of essential/classic/significant Thai BLs produced by GMMTV and many other BL studios. My watchlist, pasted below, lists what I’ve watched and what’s upcoming, along with the reviews I’ve written so far. I’ve covered Love Sick, SOTUS, and Make It Right so far, and today I offer my thoughts on Together With Me and the MaxTul ship. Thanks to @manogirl for your encouragement to add this to my watchlist!]

Okay! Together With Me. Well -- well, well, WELL.

First off: I’m VERY glad I added this drama to my list, and I want to give big ups again to @manogirl for being the loudest supporter of my adding this to the OGMMTVC and learning about the first high heat ship in Thai BLs. Secondly, I have to admit a mistake. I put Together With Me in-between the first and second seasons of Make It Right on my watchlist (pasted below), but I got the airing dates mixed up -- MIR2 aired before TwM, but I watched TwM first. Womp. I’ll fix my list below. (Thanks to @bengiyo for filling me in on important details about MIR2 so that I can make accurate comparisons in this piece!)

Even though I haven’t watched all of MIR2 yet, I can project from the early episodes what happens -- more heat, more chaos, more teenage angst. (MY DEAR CONFUSED FUSE. MY DEAR HEATY FRAMEBOOK.)

Nevertheless, TwM still provided some fabulous comparative material for me to understand where BL had gone from the time of 2014/2015 Love Sick to the 2017 moment of TwM’s airing.

2016 was a big year in Thailand, I now realize. SOTUS premieres as the first BL-BL -- the first show that was a BL, that focused solely on a main queer coupling. Then Make It Right airs, and it’s pulpy, wild, open, longing, full of implied teenage sex and direct communication about the befores, the durings, and the afters. Make It Right, as the dear @bengiyo stated, depicted a world in which teenage boys are able to explore queerness without being punished for it.

Then we get in 2017, and the second season of MIR2, which has more implied heat than the first season. AND THEN, THEN: we get Together With Me. And just, WOW -- did this show ever benefit from the road that Love Sick, SOTUS, and Make It Right/MIR2 paved.

Why?

One thing I wonder is: could we have EVER gotten two JACKED jocks like Max and Tul in a BL ship if LS/SOTUS/MIR/MIR2 had NOT aired before TwM?

I would actually love to entertain that as a question to the family that reads these posts. Because my own thinking is: no. I’m thinking that Captain and White walked so that Max and Tul could do it on camera run. They warmed up the censors to maybe relax a little. I would argue that the previous BLs and BL-inspired material gave MaxTul the safety, as two clearly masculine-presenting men -- stereotypically jacked, jocky, college-aged, huge, masculine, male-men -- to be the first big heat ship, as @manogirl stated, in Thai BL.

I think audiences were likely primed and ready, if they were following SOTUS (with no heat) and MIR/MIR2 (with high school-teenage heat), to GET some HEATY detail from some VERY BEAUTIFUL, SLIGHTLY OLDER MEN -- men who were also about to have some very moving queer revelations happen between them.

In other words -- the audiences had been titillated enough. As @bengiyo has reminded me: yaoi manga was tremendously popular in Thailand at this time, and showmakers were taking notice. The audiences were likely ready for ACTION-action. And MaxTul were up to the challenge.

(Also for context, I also want to acknowledge a note that @bengiyo sent to me about what Thailand was likely paying attention to across the rest of Asia -- as more BLs were coming out of Japan, Taiwan, and China before censorship. From those perspectives as well -- those different cultural reads on yaoi -- Thailand was likely also inspired. I seriously welcome input from the whole OGMMTVC family -- I’m thinking, besides @bengiyo, @absolutebl, @nieves-de-sugui, @so-much-yet-to-learn, and others might have insight on this -- about what outside cultural factors I’m likely missing from my analyses. I’d love to be filled in by the experts on any cross-cultural context y’all think is helpful from the comparative worldview of what was happening at this moment in time.)

So we get to MaxTul, KornKnock, that first scene of episode 1 that had me going WHOA -- I mean, I don’t know what I’ve missed in the intervening years, but even today, we don’t have many series just going STRAIGHT to it.

I was impressed.

Now, AFTER THAT? Oy vey, ha.

I wrote in a post right after I finished watching TwM, that I felt like while I had watched a show in a university setting, that for some reason, a lot of the show took me back to high school.

I wouldn’t criticize TwM as necessarily missing something by way of tone. Rather, I would argue that TwM experimented with a kind of tone that at least I haven’t experienced yet in my otherwise chronological watching of early Thai BLs. Namely -- TwM approached its material with a kind of...flippant tone, if that makes sense.

The script was larded with sexism and sometimes crude insinuations about queerness. The show went into VERY questionable territory with two ethical boundaries of doctor-patient relations and teacher-student relations. (I admittedly could not help but think of the recent debates around the Wat-Sani ship in the recent Our Skyy 2 x The Eclipse episodes -- but I think the Kavi x Phu ship was on a different, much more problematic level, as there was active engagement by a teacher to ultimately not separate herself from a student.) (And that didn’t even come close to approaching the problematic nature of the Dr. Bright x Farm ship.)

Really quickly about the sexism, before I get back to the boys. It was really interesting to me when it was used, and when it was NOT used. Plern is, in the words of @lurkingshan, the ultimate faen fatale. Bitchy, conniving, smart-but-not -- a true villain. Aim of Love Sick couldn’t even try to compete. Prae was a ditz, and Miki was vengeful, but Plern thought she was smart, had it all, and deserved everything she wanted without trying.

But Yihwa presented with LOYALTY, intelligence, insight, and grace. And Faii presented with a chill demeanor and analytical skills, and surprisingly -- even while she was ASSUMED to NOT be athletic -- was shown playing soccer/football BETTER than the boys, which I think was VERY NICE to see in a 2017 drama. (That pushed a neat kind of boundary for me.)

Yihwa and Faii in particular defy the paradigm of setting up female characters against stereotypes of male success. What made them possibly the strongest female characters I’ve seen in a BL is that they used the characteristics of their enemies to get back at their enemies. That was smart. They broke through a lot of what could have really sunk this show, and lifted the show intelligently.

So what COULD have sunk this show? List time:

1) The Dr. Bright x Farm ship. I was honestly so grossed out by this that I don’t even want to spend time writing on it. And I am HELL-FUCKING glad that I am NOT going NEAR the second season, because I understand that there’s a redemption arc for Bright. I’m very disappointed by this storyline, as I think it saddles an out gay man with stereotypes about sexual preferences that can be done safely (like group activity), and instead presented those preferences as predatory. And then Farm goes from played-to-player. In my opinion, when the Tumblr fam warned me about this show being toxic -- this ship was toxic factor #1 by far.

2) Knock and his cluelessness. Holding on an actual MaxTul analysis for the moment -- Korn and Knock were interesting characters for me to see interacting with each other. I mean, Korn’s admission to Knock, I would argue, actually came (HA HA) a little fast (HA HA) for Knock to process. No, but seriously. A passionate hook-up, Knock’s VERY adamant reaction towards Korn afterwards, and then Knock’s warbling back-and-forth between Plern and Korn. Knock had everything happening to him and at him -- gay-for-you, lingering girlfriend, the inching back to his same-sex lover -- and I’d argue that Knock was just a little...let’s say....diluted and bro-y about it all. I could have seen a little more emotional passion. I could have seen a little more real and introspective struggle (save for the internet posts). I did like that conversation Knock had with Bright about “gay for you” -- where Bright, as an out gay man, kind of corrected Knock to say, yes, it’s a little gay, what you’re feeling -- but that’s okay, it’s normal, and I’m here for you.

3) Jocks in love. But Knock’s behavior, and to an extent, Korn’s behavior as well, was, well -- jocky. Knock, I think, was very much like -- “why is this all happening to MEEEEE, my broooosss, crying on my beddddd??” To me, at least, what reminded me about high school with this show WAS this jockish approach to romance. The show presented Knock posting on the internet, for instance -- but not spending time thinking exactly about what those posts and answers meant.

For comparison, Bright and Farm, as the other same-sex ship in the show, were presented in a predatory match-up. We didn’t have femme-presenting characters (like Christina in MIR) or other trope-y or stereotypical elements of queer behavior that we had seen in dramas past.

I think the jocks-in-love approach to this show, which came naturally by way of how Max and Tul LOOK and CARRY THEMSELVES -- was risky. Knock was kind of the perfect nickname for that character. He wasn’t a dude that was very able to read between any lines. His true revelation about Plern came when idiot Plern spilled her beans to other people, that dumbass. And I think a lot of the way Knock accused Korn of Korn’s own feelings, and Korn’s behavior in “taking advantage” of Knock, came out of jockish cluelessness. When Korn said, “I love you, dipshit!”, “dipshit” was ABSOLUTELY the right word to use to the continually clueless Knock.

ALL OF THAT BEING SAID. (Leaving Bright and Farm aside forever, let us never speak their names again.)

I think Max and Tul themselves were a revelation. Were they AS SKILLED ACTORS as Singto in SOTUS, or Ohm and Toey in Make It Right? Oh god, no. Were they AS BAD as Krist? No, no, no one comes close. And were they AS INEXPERIENCED as Captain and White when those two first debuted? Also, no.

Max and Tul, I think, seized a different damn moment. I’m actually not sure I’d say there was electric chemistry between them. I think they both acted WELL, but there wasn’t EMOTIONAL sizzle, at least the kind I look for. They were certainly bros and homies -- but longing gazes à la Tee and Fuse, they did not have.

What they DID do, with their PHYSICALITY, was break boundaries by way of what we could SEE, without needing to read between lines or analyze shit. We just SAW THEM DO IT, tear off shirts and make out and bounce around and show off their muscular anatomy, and I think THAT was actually groundbreaking. I think IN THAT -- the boys knew EXACTLY what they were doing, they KNEW they could do it well, and they DID do it well -- and I didn’t see an iota of hesitation from either of them. And I thought that was really impressive. And I think these guys knew -- by DOING THAT SO WELL -- that they were breaking important ground in the world of television BL. The viewers -- those viewers who, like Knock, don’t like or WANT to read between lines -- THEY GOT what Max and Tul were serving.

What I also find impressive is that these guys IRL are serious allies. Their social media profiles, for the both of them, are gilded with allyship. That’s huge to me. (Tul at NYC Pride, come awn.) They’re owning their ownership of a slice of representation -- again, as jocky dudes in real life who engage fearlessly in queer material. (I now can’t wait for The Outing.)

Honestly? Yes, TwM was at times either painfully and/or hilariously toxic. I think the Bright x Farm ship is violent and harmful, and I truly wish it didn’t exist.

But I’m glad I watched TwM because -- well, fuck it, I’m an old mom, and I like to see jacked, shirtless dudes sometimes.

BUT ALSO: I think the makers of TwM knew that there were VIEWERS who WANTED TO JUST SEE QUEER MEN BE QUEER MEN WITH MEN, and you know what? I think the show’s creators said to themselves -- well, hot damn, maybe we have something here. And now’s (in 2017) the time for it. Sometimes I don’t want to read between the lines, too -- sometimes, I want a show that I can watch with a damn martini in a Solo cup and just be like, ooooh, man tiddies!

And the show creators found Max and Tul for Bad Romance, and realized, yes -- let’s spin this off, because there’s an audience out there who wants this. And I think that was accurate then, and now. Award-winning actors, Max and Tul are not. But they are VERY important to my historical understanding for how queer representation was progressing in BLs at the time of TwM -- in a vastly different fashion than Love Sick, SOTUS, and MIR had set up in their own worlds and their own paradigms.

I think TwM created a paradigm of its own -- one that I think has helped BL to grow at least in quantity, maybe not in quality, but at least paved a road that allowed creators to think and to say, well -- if we lead with the sex, we can still make a show. I see the OG BL fans on Tumblr marveling often at the sheer volume of BLs we have now. I want to think that that happened in part for what TwM created -- the permission, the openness, and the standard to do just that. And for the fans that want that content? We live in a world now where we have our fair share of shows to choose from. I think TwM created a paradigm that we didn’t know we needed in 2017. And I don’t regret -- even if it’s not my preferred style of drama -- having the option to watch a cheesy, jocky show every so often. Instead, I feel lucky that in 2023, I can have my choice.

[Alright! It was so much fun late-night liveblogging TwM and hopping on the Yihwa bandwagon, and I’m getting back into doing it for Make It Right 2. Thanks to everyone who answered my questions about TwM along the way: @manogirl, @nieves-de-sugui, @absolutebl, @crowie, @clairificusrex, @respectthepetty, @bengiyo, @shortpplfedup, @kyr-kun-chan, @telomeke, @miscellar (I will always be looking for the BBS connections, friends telomeke and miscellar, haha), @lurkingshan, and apologies if I’m missing anyone else -- thank you, family!

Watchlist update below, which is corrected for chronology for Make It Right 2. And...unbelievably...I’m adding something else to this list. I’m gonna add SOTUS S. I vowed I wouldn’t because of Krist, but. Since I am NOT, EVER, going to watch the continuation of TwM, I want to watch the continuation of another early series, besides Make It Right 2/FrameBook, to see the maturing of a relationship, as I’ve been involved in excellent convos with @bengiyo and friends about how length-and-depth-in-committed-relationships is NOT the most popular of BL themes -- but it’s a theme that literally brought me to Asian BLs via Kinou Nani Tabeta so many years ago. (I’ve read a lot that SOTUS S is better than SOTUS anyway, and it has my beloved Nammon in it.) I’m wondering if seeing a relationship developing and maturing is an important movement for Thai BLs at the end of 2017 into 2018, maybe a theme that hadn’t been explored YET, before TwM’s continuation, and one that might feed into the shows of 2018 and beyond. And I’m wondering if it’s important, as MaxTul was, for seeing the KristSingto ship move forward -- especially as I get prepared to FINALLY get to He’s Coming To Me, and getting to understand the impact of what Aof, Singto, and Ohm Pawat did to split the KristSingto ship. As always, I welcome any feedback!

1) Love Sick and Love Sick 2 (2014 and 2015) (review here) 2) SOTUS (2016) (review here) 3) Make It Right (2016) (review here) 4) Make It Right 2 (2017) (watching) 5) Together With Me (2017) 6) SOTUS S (2017-2018) 7) Love By Chance (2018) 8) Kiss Me Again: PeteKao cuts (2018) 9) He’s Coming To Me (2019) 10) Dark Blue Kiss (2019) 11) TharnType (2019) 12) Theory of Love (2019) 13) Dew the Movie (2019) (not an official part of the OGMMTVC watchlist, but I want to watch this in chronological order with everything else) 14) Until We Meet Again (2019-2020) 15) 2gether (2020) 16) Still 2gether (2020) 17) I Told Sunset About You (2020) 18) A Tale of Thousand Stars (2021) (review here) 19) I Promised You the Moon (2021) 20) Not Me (2021-2022) 21) Bad Buddy (2021-2022) (thesis here) 22) KinnPorsche (2022) (tag here) 23) The Eclipse (2022) (tag here) 24) My School President (2022-2023) 25) Moonlight Chicken (2023) (tag here)

#together with me #together with me meta #maxtul #korn x knock #knock x korn #kornknock #turtles catches up with the essential bls #turtles catches up with thai bls #turtles catches up with old gmmtv #the old gmmtv challenge #ogmmtvc #max nattapol #tul pakorn

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timaeusterrored · 1 year ago

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(Happy Birthday Vax Florence Eurodyne)

((Well, it’s finally here. A whole year (give or take) of me first playing Cyberpunk. It’s been a wild ride and I’ll be honest, there for a second I didn’t think I’d make it a year. I’ve met so many amazing people, met some not so great ones, and lost some amazing ones as well. But at the end of the day… Vax has survived a year. Happy birthday, sweet boy!))

Kerry had done it on purpose, getting Vax fucked up the night before so he could sleep in. Vax didn’t normally sleep in, and normally he woke up when he felt his partners getting up… and yet he somehow woke up at 10am completely alone without realizing.

The penthouse was silent, but the smell of a nice breakfast greeted him as he came to his senses. He whined and face planted back into the pillow, glaring at where his husband should have been.

Fucker… wait.

What day was it?

Oh fuck him. It was his fucking birthday. Well, his and Vex’s birthday…

He should text her at least today. Maybe they could go- no. Maybe not.

Vax rolled out of bed, stretching as Nibbles and Pluto tried to take him out. The cats meowed at his feet, and Vax realized Jupiter was nowhere to be found. Venus must’ve took him out.

Well this was a little rude. He didn’t expect much from his birthday but some kisses would have been nice. But no one was here. Though a plate of delicious looking pancakes sat on the counter and a full pot of coffee had been made just for him. A little whipped cream heart with cherries added made the fixer smile, and realize he hadn’t been forgotten about today.

As he ate, he realized a note had been left on the coffee pot, in Venus’s handwriting.

‘Come to the place we first shook hands for your next clue <3’

Next clue? What the hell?

Vax thought for a moment, wondering where the hell that could have been. When he and Venus met, his sickness was at its peak and he had been preparing for his meeting with Hanako. He frowned at the memories of that time, of headaches so bad he couldn’t move, the mornings he woke up choking on his own blood…

He shook the thoughts away and looked at the note again, trying to think.

It had been somewhere in the badlands, guess he should go ahead and get ready then.

V had gotten dressed after he finished his food and had started his long drive out to wherever the fuck Venus was dragging him. He found his partners laid out on the back of the Beast, absolutely blasting Lizzy Wizzy’s newest album with Jupiter laying next to him.

The nomad looked up when he heard Vax’s car roll up and Vax smiled. He truly believed he had scored the hottest people in Night City somehow.

When he got out, Venus was standing with a piece of paper in their hand. But when Vax approached, they simply held their hand out for a shake.

“It’s a pleasure doin’ business with ya as always, Eurodyne.”

What? No kisses? No darlin’?

When he looked at the new note is when he realized what was going on. A fucking scavenger hunt.

“No kisses? It is my birthday.” Vax pouted, tugging on Venus’s chrome hand.

“Don’t tempt me! No kisses until later, boss’s orders.” Venus pulled his hands away, and got back into the vehicle, calling for their dog to follow as Vax pondered who the boss of this whole thing was. He thinks he knows.

The next note read: ‘Come lose at cards again, I’ll be waiting -The better J’

Judy.

On the drive over to Judy’s place, Vax had to admit this whole thing was cute and exciting. And obviously a lot of effort was put into it. As he pulled in, Judy was standing outside, messing with the note in her hand with a smile.

“Happy birthday.” She said as if she couldn’t contain herself.

Vax smiled as he held his hand out for the note, honestly excited to see who all was involved.

“Who else is in on this?” V finally asked, just wanting to know.

“Boss’s orders, can’t say.” She shrugged, before heading back inside. She had always been a shitty secret keeper.

‘Come find me at the place we had the most awkward dinner known to man- R’

Vax laughed as he headed back to his car. River.

Kerry and Johnny’s newest song came on the radio as he drove, he couldn’t help but turn it up and wondered where his husbands would be in all of this.

He pulled up to the trailer and found his best friend sitting on the table outside, watching Dorian and Monique play.

“Vax! Happy Birthday!” The kids were immediately on him, giving him hugs and saying they had something for him but it wasn’t done yet.

“Alright you two! He’s on a mission. Happy birthday, V!” Joss said from the door, letting the kids come back in.

“And this is for you now.” River handed him the note, Vax eager to figure out who was next. “Having fun?”

“Dude I’m having a fucking blast. Getting to see my favorite people on my day? Hell yeah.”

“Good, I’m glad. I’ll- uh. Bye.” River quickly walked off, rubbing the back of his neck. Okay so River was a shit secret keeper too. Good to know.

‘The place I hid your man’s asshole ex manager’s couch. -SM’

He was glad to see Mike embracing the Small Michael joke.

He found Mike behind the El Coyote, sitting on a dumpster while he waited.

“Hey dude! Happy birthday!” Mike hopped down and wrapped his friend in a hug. “Was told to keep the meeting quick so here ya go.”

Ahhh, so the boss wanted the meetings to go quick. He obviously had to be somewhere by the end of this.

“Goooooo! You got people to see!”

‘Nice and Cozy in here. Come to bar. -P’

Panam was being straightforward as always. It was late afternoon by this point, each place taking quite a bit to get too and find, as well as his rather slow and late start to the morning. Depending on where he was dragged next, he was starting to worry Kerry and Johnny wouldn’t be on this adventure…

He pulled up to back, once again finding his target outside. Short and sweet.

Panam handed him the note, then leaned back against the wall.

“What? No kiss? It’s my birthday, Pan.” Vax teased, making the nomad roll her eyes.

“Short and sweet. Boss’s orders.”

“Didn’t think you followed orders.”

“He’s really convincing- fuck. Fuck you.” Aha! A pronoun! And now a pissed off Panam. She glared at him as he blew a kiss to her and got back in his car to read the note.

And his heart swelled…

‘Go to the place we knew we were fucked. -J’

He’d know that handwriting anywhere. And the note lead him to the oil field.

Johnny Silverhand was sat in the same place Vax had been all those years ago, looking at what was possibly the note he had carved into the metal.

Vax whistled as he approached, his man looking fine as hell today if he had to say so himself. By now, it was around 4:30pm, and most of Vax’s birthday had been spent driving all around the city and Badlands looking for people. He wasn’t complaining though…

“Took you long enough.” Johnny stood, hands in his pockets as Vax stood directly in front of him.

“Had a long day, very little birthday affection I might add. The fuck is that about?” Vax pulled his husband closer by his collar, making Johnny grin a bit.

“Boss’s orders… never listened to orders anyway.” Johnny gave Vax his first birthday kiss, hands sliding around his waist. Their kisses were always a bit intense trying to become one again.

“Where’s my note?” Vax asked when they finally pulled away, but Johnny shrugged.

“Don’t have one. I do however think you should go get you a Jackie Welles at the bar. You’ve earned it.”

“Where’s Ker, J?” Vax asked finally, no note, no nothing. Not even a text from him all day. He had a feeling he knew where he was but if he went down there and Kerry wasn’t waiting for him, he’d be destroyed.

“Just go get you a drink. He’ll be around later. I swear.” Johnny lightly pushed him towards his car, making Vax frown.

The frown didn’t go away when he didn’t see Kerry’s car at the bar… or anyone’s as a matter of fact. He sighed and wondered if Johnny was his prize in the end. Maybe. He hadn’t completely lost hope.

The Afterlife was suspiciously quiet. That was the first thing he noted, the second thing he noted was that Claire wasn’t at the bar, and also the there was no one fucking here-

Hands covered his eyes.

Normally he’d tense up but he could smell the cologne and could recognize the hands from a mile away. He smiled.

“Happy birthday.” Kerry whispered before uncovering his eyes.

Friends and family alike had come out of their hiding spot, with none other than his twin sister at the front, Blue standing behind her as if he had been covering her eyes. The twins stared at each other before everyone burst out a loud ass ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY!’

“Did you have both of us running through the city- did you plan all of this?” Vax turned to finally meet his husband, wearing that blue shirt he loved so much.

“Yes I did and apparently we had some close calls because some of your people overlapped. Now what the fuck is about you thinking I forgot your birthday? I’m an asshole not a fucking monster-“

Vax pulled his husband in for a kiss, one he earned and had been craving all day. Whistles and laughter alike from around them as music began to play.

“How’d I do?” Kerry whispered when they pulled away. It was easy for Kerry to drag them into their own little world.

“Would’ve liked to have a good morning kiss… but other than that I had fun.” Vax teased.

“Then I did my job.”

The rest of the night was filled with talking and drinks, and the twins’ favorite foods. Vax was attached to his partners the rest of the night, okay yeah maybe he was a bit codependent but he loved them! And hadn’t had them all day.

Rogue stated she couldn’t believe Kerry had slipped this by Vax, and honestly Vax himself was surprised. But Kerry knew him like an opened book so he couldn’t be too surprised that his husband knew how to keep secrets… it was Judy they had been worried about.

At some point, Mama Welles had called for cake. Vax was surprised there even was one, but for the first time ever, the Kane Twins got to blow their candles out together.

24 notes · View notes

jinxhallows · 2 years ago

Text

𝐔𝐧𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝 .

━━━━━━━━

☾ -- ᴛᴀʙʟᴇ ᴏғ ᴄᴏɴᴛᴇɴᴛs

prologue | chapter one | chapter two | chapter three ((you are here)) |

━━━━━━━━

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴛʜʀᴇᴇ | ᴡᴄ: 𝟻.𝟸ᴋ

━━━━━━━━

Its only a few more nights until the Full Moon.

Tensions are high in the house once daylight falls. You’re able to spend a few moments in bed with Chan while he explains everything in depth before you two fall asleep that morning. You have another peaceful slumber with no remembrance of any dreams or nightmares whatsoever. At this point, you’ve forgotten you even had them….

You’re seated in front of the bookshelf where Chan found the demon’s curse book the night before. With nothing better to do, and your curiosity having gotten the best of you, you find yourself taking one book down at a time. You first turn them over in your hands, closely looking at material. You’d dream up wild stories in your mind of who they belonged to, and what secrets that person held when they still lived here. Some were in English, many were in languages you couldn’t understand, or had never even seen.

“Still over there looking for trouble, bookworm?”

The moment your ears registered the sound, you knew who it was - Felix, his deep voice unmistakable. You look over your shoulder and he’s standing in the doorway. He leans in a little, to look over at the empty bed.

“Didn’t mean to interrupt, I was looking for Chan.”

“Oh, he went out for a run.” You turn back to the bookcase and place one back, pulling down two more and setting them on your lap. “Did you hear from Minho?”

“Not yet, but I expect to soon.”

You share a wordless pause, the silence stretching between you before you look over your shoulder again.

“I miss you.” You finally say.

Felix's lips curl upward in a half smile as he pushes away from the door frame, walking towards you.

“I’m always here, little witch. You know where to find me when you need me.” He takes a seat next to you, folding his legs underneath his body as he leans forward and takes one of the books from the shelf. Felix opens it tenderly, turning its pages one by one with care.

“That’s not what I mean.” You speak. “Ever since I’ve been back…it feels like…your light is—I don’t know—dimming, or something.”

A thoughtful hum escapes his lips as he closes the book and looks over to you. “It’s very difficult to explain to a mortal. Once your brain recognizes that there’s no end in sight…that your life is…infinite.” You watch as his eyes glaze over. “The prospect of it continuing like this, in this way, is just…” Felix struggles to find the words he wants to say and lets the sentence trail off with a sigh.

“I’m just tired, little witch, that’s all. I’ll be back to myself soon, I’ll figure it out. I always do.” He adds with feigned reassurance and a crinkle of his nose, as he gives you an added smile for good measure.

Abruptly, Felix’s nose then twitches in familiar recognition.

“Ah, he’s back.” He nods knowingly.

You sniff the air. “I don’t smell any–”

All at once you’re struck with a scent that was rich and complex, like a fine wine with notes of leather, pine, and musk. It's the first time you’ve ever experienced it, and its nothing like Hyunjin or Felix had ever described.

“Whoa…” You open your eyes.

Felix lifts a brow before he stands to his feet.

“Your eyes, they remind me of Chan right before he turns. I’ll have to take a note of that for later.” He says in observation. You blink several times, as if you’d suddenly see the amber color he was referencing appear in your vision.

“Little witch, little witch, let me come in.” You hear Chan sing from the bedroom door.

“Nope! Not by the hair on my chinny chin chin!”

“Fucking kill me.” Felix mutters.

“Then I’ll huff,”

“And I’ll puff,”

You squeal when, within a second, you’re scooped off the ground and into the arms of your hybrid. His body is slick and wet with sweat covering his bare chest, shoulders, and arms.

He blows a puff of air at you, his breath tickling your nose.

“And I’ll blow your house in.” Chan says softly, following with a kiss to your soft lips as he sets you down on the bed gently. He presses another kiss to your crown and then turns around to his brother, whom he knew had been in the room all along.

“Felix! Out of your study? What’s the occasion?” He teases jovially.

“Business as usual brother; you, me and Hyunjin should talk before Minho contacts us tonight. If we’re going to Abysmora, there’s a few extra steps we need to take.” Felix crosses the room, stopping at the door.

“Hm.” Chan nods, “Okay.”

He leans over you, grabbing the black hoodie that lies across the bed. Chan takes you by the chin, giving you another parting kiss before he follows Felix out of the room, pulling his hoodie over his head.

They take human-paced strides down the hallway side by side. “You know, her eyes shifted color when she picked up on your scent. That’s the first time I’ve noticed that happen.” Felix says. One behind the other, they continue down the stairs.

“To what?”

“An amber color, I don’t think she even realized it until I pointed it out.”

“Hm.” Chan opens the door of Felix’s study as his younger brother strolls through first. “Then your theory about the Full Moon sounds like its coming true.”

“It wasn’t my theory–” Felix walks over to his desk, clicking on the stained glass lamp. It casts a warm, orange white glow above the brown wooden tabletop. “It was Hyunjin who noticed it.”

“He’s a lot different, yeah? Hyunjin has always been capable and smart, but he thinks with a different set of rules than you and me now.” Chan plops his body into the chair, his legs hanging over the arm.

“His soul was sealed for hundreds, thousands of years. He’s lived more of his life in hell than he has on Earth. Would you not come out different too?”

Chan’s lips tighten. “Mm, that’s not exactly what I mean.”

“I have watched Hyunjin since the night he was born. I have seen his mind work when he’s had his humanity, and I saw the moment in his eyes when it disappeared. I’m not saying being sealed didn’t change him, but I’m saying—” Chan’s getting more passionate about his viewpoint, so he brings his legs down to the floor, sitting forward on the chair, as he finds what he’s trying to say.

“He’s more intuitive, almost more…perceptive. It's a type of intelligence that’s not based on rational thinking or logic but…instinct and…feeling. Something’s been unlocked…and you like to forget that you and he both—are also hybrid.”

“I don’t forget, it’s not relevant. You know this, brother, vampire blood nullifies witch blood capabilities.”

“Does it? Because I thought we found out, from Hyunjin himself, that when you drain a powerful witch, there’s a short window of time that you can conjure. Nobody told us that was possible. What if it’s not possible for other vampires? What if its only possible for us because our mother was not only a witch, but a witch that turned all of us? What if—other things are possible in us that we haven’t even awakened?”

Felix sighs. “Don’t you think I’ve been trying to figure that out for years? I think of that power that surged in me when we conjured at Edith’s tomb, and even beforehand, during the fight, constantly. If I could drain witches daily just to conjure, I would.”

“The key might be Hyunjin, and he might not even know it yet.” Chan counters, sitting back in his chair. “All this talk…. where is he?”

“You don’t smell that disgusting cigarette smoke from the back porch?” Felix makes a face of disgust.

Chan lifts a brow. “I didn’t know Hyunjin smoked cigarettes but come to think of it…. I have been smelling it lately. I just assumed Jisung was pretty stressed.”

The door opens, slowly creaking its way wide. “Your first mistake was smelling it and not checking the source of it.” Hyunjin says, entering the room. “What if it was someone who’s not supposed to be here?”

“Well, that’s just it, Hyunjin, my tracking capabilities are far superior to you two, so if someone trespasses, I’ll smell them before they get to the porch.” Chan retorts to his younger brother matter-of-factly.

“We are all vampires, let’s not make this a thing right now.” Felix holds up his hands, stopping the two from starting in on each other. He can’t say he missed this sibling rivalry element of the relationship that they all shared; But Hyunjin was back, and safe, and beggars can’t be choosers. “We’ve gotten into it with demons now and not just any demons, but the Lee family.”

“That reminds me, Christophe, you saved Minho…once?” Hyunjin asks for clarity. Chan nods. “And you called him for a safehouse, yes?” Chan nods again to Hyunjin’s inquiry.

“So that puts us in his debt if he helps us get to Abysmora.”

Felix’s mouth drops as he pushes himself back from the desk slowly. “Shit, you’re right. Demons don’t do things for free, he’s going to want something in return, and it’s not going to be something simple, or easy.”

Chan gives it a once over in his brain. “So, then we tell him that for his help, I’ll be in his debt for a favor.”

“Hold on Christophe, that’s a lofty deal, a demon having a vampire/wolf hybrid indebted to him? Remember, Minho isn’t our run-of-the-mill demon.”

Felix interjects, “He’s just a demon witch hybrid, if it didn’t put us in danger with the Lee family, we could really take care of him ourselves after we get the Blood Bloom. Without pure demon blood he can’t be too powerful.”

“We could always frame someone else for the murder, send them on a wild goose chase after some other creature.” Hyunjin suggests.

Chan grunts in disagreement. “That won’t work. Maybe for a human, but if we’re the last ones to deal with Minho, his network of demons can trace it back to us at some point. I don’t want to keep running from things like this forever…”

The conversation peters out as the air between them grows still. All of them were tired. Life cycled repeatedly, but things barely shifted or changed for them. You had brought them all such unexpected circumstances, they could remember what it was like for life to be brand new to them too. It was a contagious feeling that they were all growing to love and wanted to protect.

“You’re going to be a father.” Hyunjin’s soft voice shifts the mood of the room.

“That would be irresponsible, indebting yourself to a demon like that...” He nods to affirm it to himself before he looks between the two of his elder brothers.

“Minho has wanted to have me in the palm of his hands ever since I met him as a witch. It’s more valuable to him to have me as a pawn. I’ll be the bargaining chip.”

“No-”

“Absolutely not-”

Felix and Chan oppose strongly at the same time aloud, going into their reasonings in a cacophony of Australian that causes Hyunjin to rub his temples to soothe his aggravation.

“HEY” Hyunjin finally shouts, with much more bass in his voice than he usually uses. Felix and Chan both stopped mid-complaint. The scarlet haired vampire opens his brooding, piercing eyes and slowly drops his hands back to his side.

“You two know better than anyone how I get when someone tells me what I need to do with my life. I didn’t ask for this life, so I’m not allowing anyone to dictate what I do with it.” He makes things clear.

“My apologies if it sounded like I was asking for permission.”

Chan wants so desperately to contradict his younger brother. They didn’t go through all of what happened with Edith just to sacrifice Hyunjin now. They’ve barely begun to feel what its like to be brothers again.

“Felix, brother, where is Abysmora?” Hyunjin takes control of the conversation and steers it back off of him skillfully. A soft succession of raps is heard from the door before it opens softly, Jisung coming in to join them in the middle of the room. He yawns.

“Another rager last night, Jisung?” Felix wisecracks, to which Jisung flips him the bird, taking in a deep breath and widening his eyes so he didn’t appear as fatigued as he was. “Actually, you got here just in time…Hyunjin was asking me the whereabouts of Abysmora, and all I’ve heard of is rumors that it’s in an extremely remote area of the Appalachian Mountains.”

Chan voices his opinion. “Those span multiple states, the Appalachian Mountains are enormous.”

Jisung chuckles at the naivety of the brothers. “Yeah, this is no joke like we’re going to be hiking for miles and a lot of Supes hide out throughout Appalachia. Like I said, nobody knows it’s exact location.”

“How are we supposed to do all of this with little witch being pregnant?” Chan adds.

“You know she’s not gonna go for being left behind, it’s not worth the fight.”

“Jisung’s right, brother, you’d better get used to the idea of her not only joining but using her powers—” Felix lifts a finger to halt his brother from arguing back before he finishes his thought, “–I’m just saying to prepare yourself mentally now, because this is who she is, and she’s not going to just lie down and let us run into the fray. Am I wrong?”

Not only does Chan fall silent, but the others don’t have a logical rebuttal either.

“So, what I’m gathering is that this will be a long trip. The Full Moon is coming, and quickly. The three of us need to figure out a way to survive the night without murdering our pretty witch and Jisung.” Hyunjin says as he leans back onto the desk, crossing his arms.

“Why don’t we drop you off at one point, and the little witch and I drive in the opposite direction?” Jisung suggests.

“You’ll have to go pretty far to avoid Chan, and we don’t want to bait him into a town or area where humans live.”

Chan’s phone buzzes and rings out from his pocket.

He pulls it out and the caller ID shows it’s Minho. He points to Jisung, “Go get her.” he mouths walking over to the desk and setting the phone down on speakerphone.

Felix and Hyunjin move closer as Chan begins.

“It’s a little bit later than dusk. I thought maybe you were ghosting me.”

"Forgive my tardiness, my dear friends. It's 3:38 in the morning here in Moscow, as you can plainly see."

You and Jisung quietly enter the room to join the others.

“Yes, Minho, all the way from the coast of Maine we can plainly see that it is, indeed, 3:38 in the morning in Moscow.” Chan says, voice dripping with sarcasm. “I’m assuming you’re ready to let us in on Abysmora…but I’m also assuming you’re not doing it out of the kindness of your warm heart.”

Minho lets out a sardonic laugh on the other side. “These deals back and forth, haven’t we become friends by now, Chan? I do mean that, by the way, I intend to help you out of the kindness of my heart, just this once.”

Hyunjin presses his lips tightly together, as if to withhold a comment.

“Friends. Right.” Chan looks to Felix dubiously. “Last night, you didn’t know why you were risking your reputation, and now…. we’re friends.”

“Call it a change of heart.”

You lift a brow in doubt.

‘Just go with it’ Felix mouths.

“In that case, what’s the next step for us to break this curse, my friend?” Chan asks.

“Which room are you in at the moment?”

“The library.”

“Perfect. Watch the desk, I’m going to give you coordinates to a small coal mining town in Virginia.” As Minho speaks, Chan has to literally snatch the phone from the wooden desk, which begins to burn the numbers into existence in front of everyone. Felix hurriedly pulls open the drawer, grabbing a notepad and a pencil, scribbling them down.

“Those should take you to a coffee shop that a dear friend of mine runs. He will be your guide to the Blood Bloom but be forewarned…the mountains surrounding Abysmora are full of some of the most vicious factions of supernatural creatures in existence. You’re on your way to the burial site of our highest ranking demons, the influence of their energy over the area and its people is profound. We aren’t allowed to step foot there until we’re laid to eternal rest. One, two, or all of you will probably die. If you do somehow make it back with the Blood Bloom intact, it’s a miracle I’m interested in witnessing.” Minho finishes, his voice low and ominous.

Chan can hear the satisfaction in Minho’s tone, and he imagines the dangerous path that lies ahead. “Understood,” Chan responds, before ending the call and setting the phone down on the desk. The coordinates had long since disappeared and the desk has returned to its normal state. The room falls silent, each of you lost in your own thoughts as you contemplate what’s to come.

━━━━━━━━

The first thing to stimulate your senses is the moldy, sewage-like smell that fills your nostrils. You open your eyes but can’t see anything but blackness. In a panic, you move, but as your awareness grows, you realize your hands are tied behind your back, and you’re seated in a chair.

You hear voices murmuring around you, and you wriggle a little more, trying to feel for a knot in the thick rope that binds your wrists.

“…wer…”

“…Power…”

“…blessed…ause of the…Full Moon…we can take more…”

You’re straining to make out the sentences, frustrated that it feels like cotton has been stuffed into your ears. Icy fingers touch your shoulder, and you jump away from the strange touch.

You land onto the floor of the bedroom and Chan is at your side at once, helping you sit up and tugging the lamp string to fill the room with some light.

“Did you have another nightmare?” He already knows the answer. It had been quite some time since you’ve rattled yourself and him awake, but it had been even longer since you’ve physically thrown yourself from your bed because of it.

You sit up against the side of the elevated bed, wincing as you rub your tummy. “Yeah, same place I think…held hostage. They were talking about taking more because of the Full Moon.”

“Are you okay? You’re in pain, what’s wrong? Did you fall on your stomach?” Chan asks questions one after another in quick, alarmed succession.

You shake your head. “No, I didn’t fall on my stomach, I’m just…I’m getting those weird cramps again.” You tilt your head back against the bed. “God, I just fed from Jisung only three nights ago, and I took a lot.”

Chan releases a gentle sigh. “The Full Moon is in five nights. You dreaming about people discussing ‘taking more’ sounds a lot like someone, or something, is siphoning from you. I don’t know if it's your conjure, your blood, or your patience, but we’d better get the others up to speed pretty soon.”

“Babe, I think the Full Moon has everyone in a frenzied state. Telling them about my nightmares will only add fuel to a fire we can’t snuff out right now.” You groan. You were tired of involving everyone every time something in your brain went wrong. Others had secrets of their own, why couldn’t you? It’s not like it had anything to do with the others right now anyway.

Chan switches from kneeling to sitting down on the floor next to you. He leans against the nightstand. “You are the most stubborn woman I’ve ever met. Like…in history.” he says, a smile playing at the corner of his lips.

“Good, because you’re the moodiest hybrid I’ve ever met…like, in my lifetime.” You reply with amusement glinting in your eyes, nudging his knee with yours as you two chuckle. A knowing pause grows between you both before Chan talks again.

“Your stomach, does it still hurt?” He asks.

“It’s not quite like a sharp hurt right now…just a dull ache.” You rub back and forth over your soft tummy. You’re still early in your pregnancy.

“You should let me feed you.” Chan’s voice is gentle as he places his hand on your stomach, slowly running his fingers from left to right, his eyes taking on a warmer tone.

“If you feel up to it, maybe it can help.” You say, and his gaze catches yours when he looks up with a smile.

“Yeah. I know it's pretty close to the Full Moon but…I wanna share this moment with my family, I want to at least try.” He waves his hand towards his body, opening his legs up to allow you to scoot over and up against his thick torso, his knees on both sides of your shoulders.

“Lean back for me, yeah? Perfect, juuuust like that, my little witch.” You move into place, following his instructions, and then nod to let him know you’re ready. He takes a deep breath, you can feel his chest expand behind you, and you hear the crunch of his bite into the palm of his hand. It makes you wince, still to this day.

“Open up for me.” Chan tenderly coaches you, and you let your head hang back onto his shoulder. You open your mouth as he holds his fist above your lips. Droplets of blood spatter onto your tongue and he observes you closely, taking steady breaths. He squeezes his fist only a little tighter, and the droplets pick up a steady tempo while you close your eyes and relish the melody of Chan’s blood as it dances along your taste buds and down your throat. Your brain can’t make sense of it. The blood tasted like…well…blood, but the more you swallowed, the better you felt. Your pain ceases, you feel like you had drank the coldest, purest water in existence after four days in the Mojave Desert with no hydration. It was incredible, how blood feedings defied the laws of nature.

“Good evening, sleepyheads.” Felix’s voice is somehow even deeper when he first stirs from his daytime death as he stands in the doorway. He yawns, his eyes still low and sleepy. “You’re up early, the sun’s barely set.”

Chan’s hand is nearly healed, and he releases his fist, allowing the skin to knit back together in completion. He looks up to his younger sibling across the room. “We were kind of in the middle of something, Felix.”

The blonde vampire chuckles, “Do you think I’m stupid? My room’s right down the hall, I could smell what you were up to; and that’s exactly why I’m up. Just making sure nobody’s killing anyone, is all.” His voice is picking up a cheerier tone as he rolls his shoulders back. “Can you do me a favor and wake up Jisung when you’re done? I don’t get my breakfast in bed like you, so Hyunjin and I need to take a trip before we leave for Abysmora.”

He’s gone before Chan can fire back a response and you have to giggle a little at how their exchanges went. They were brothers, alright, and bickered like ones often.

“I guess you’re feeling better now, my little witch?” He asks you, standing up, and helping you also rise up to your feet.

You nod, wiping your mouth with the back of your hand. “I’ve got to clean myself up.”

“Take your time and meet us in the living room when you’re done.”

━━━━━━━━

Felix places his hand against the tiled wall, allowing the hot water to run over his body as he hangs his head. The skin of his back is reddening with the level of heat, but he still barely feels it. He brings his other hand in front of him, curling his fingers into a fist and splaying them, looking over his pale skin, blueish-purple veins spreading out underneath.

“I miss you, Mother.” He says softly, “We all do. We got Hyunjin back, are you proud of us?” He sighs. “Chan really needs you, and Father. He’s having a baby, and he’s got nobody to tell him how to do what you two did. I’m so old, and I still feel like I’m only twenty three. They expect me to help and I’m still trying to figure it all out…”

Felix tilts his head back and the water washes his tears down his face and swirls them down the drain. He sniffs, pushing his emotions back down to where it was more comfortable, and he twists the knob, ending his shower.

He finishes up, constantly thinking, always feeling like he wasn’t doing enough. He feels trapped inside of his head sometimes, and nobody around him could understand how constricted it felt. He wondered how it would feel to burst into a beast and run off in the night like his brother. Chan described it as a brutal physical pain, but that was only temporary, for a moment. Felix could endure centuries of pain if it meant he’d have a night of pure freedom.

He buttons his shirt in the mirror and runs a comb through his white hair, making sure it was styled just the way he liked it and slicked back. Leaving his bedroom and closing the door behind him gently, he uses a more efficient speed to arrive at Hyunjin’s bedroom door. He taps with his knuckles, but the door opens on its own. A little concerned, he pushes it further, stepping inside of the room. It’s dark, very dark, except for the oil lamp near Hyunjin’s window. Felix feels a wave of relief wash over him, however, when his eyes land on his brother, on the other side of a massive canvas. It must’ve been six feet wide and six feet tall.

Felix walks around to join Hyunjin on the other side. The youngest vampire’s shoulder length crimson hair is pulled up into a messy bun. He’s staring at his masterpiece, finger tapping against his lips, his gaze focused as he tries to figure out where he’s going next with it. Felix tilts his head, trying to make sense of it. He’s happy his younger brother is painting again, it was something he deeply enjoyed as a mortal, and even in his early vampire days. It was a sign he was returning to…normal.

“What’s this supposed to be?” The older brother asks. The work was quite abstract, for Hyunjin. An explosion of fiery reds and oranges, with smoky black lines cutting through them like a knife, creating a chaotic scene.

“Everything. Nothing.” Hyunjin moves forward, picking up another paintbrush and adding more swipes of color in the lower corner. He steps back and looks over it again. “It’s how I feel tonight.”

Felix hums with a nod, understanding exactly where his younger brother was coming from, despite his lack of a more descriptive way to express it. “Violent. Are you sure we should feed tonight, little brother?”

Hyunjin crosses his arms, tilting his head at his painting as he shrugs.

“Probably not, but it’ll get worse with time, and we’ve got to get on the road to Abysmora.” He takes off his apron and tosses it onto the nearby wooden stool, pulling his sweater sleeves down over the smudges of paint that had dried on the white skin of his forearms.

“Let’s not waste any more time then.” Felix says.

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“Jisung, there is absolutely no way you’re gonna be able to help us at all when you’re like this.” You say, pacing back and forth in front of the ancient witch, who looks right now, like a sleepy young woodland creature as he’s slumped lazily into the couch.

“She’s right, you’re a liability, you’re gonna have to let us help you. Perhaps, there’s a spell you could teach little witch, maybe I can drain you until you lose consciousness, but we have to do something.” Chan insists.

Jisung looks like he’s under hypnosis, as he stares ahead, his body rocking side to side just a little. His eyes almost close, but he jumps awake again. “We’re going to Abysmora, how can I sleep? I’m living in a nightmare.” His voice is croaky.

“I know someone who can maybe help me, but he’s in New York City.” he says, rubbing his eye with a heavy sigh, as if he didn’t want to mention it at all. “But that’s what? Six hours away? And he might not even be able to do anything.”

Chan is beside himself at this point.

“You mean to tell me you knew someone who could lift the curse this entire time and you didn’t say anything?!”

You walk over to Chan touching his arm gently, reminding him to keep his temper in check. This isn’t normal behavior for him.

Jisung doesn’t really have the energy to react to Chan’s heightened sensitivity. “I didn’t say that. I said maybe, and I mean maybe, he can help me. He’s been close to my family for generations, and even if he did want to help you, his conjure can do nothing for the undead, and that includes you now that you’re pregnant, little witch.” He explains groggily. You sit down next to Jisung on the sofa and take his hand into your own, the way you always did when you wanted him to take your words very seriously.

“New York City is on the way to Virginia. Six hours can cover most of the night before dawn breaks, and then we can find a place to stay for the daytime before we continue. If we can heal you, we have a better chance at getting to the Blood Bloom, which will heal us all.” You reassure him and Chan.

Jisung gives you a small smile.

“Thank you, little witch.” He speaks.

“When you say his conjure can do nothing for the undead…what is this person? ”

“He’s a Gumiho.”

Chan’s fully blown by this information and his expression shows it.

“There’s a Gumiho in existence in America?”

“First, there are a few, second, he’s been here for a long time, centuries.” Jisung yawns, “But you know Gumiho don’t really help those outside of their own species. He’s worked closely with my family for a long while and helped me learn several important skills in conjure. When my father crossed to the other side, he took me under his wing, since he was unable to have a son of his own.” He looks to you, “Do you know what a Gumiho is, little witch?”

You’re following their conversation along, just as surprised as Chan, if not more. “From fairytales, sure, you mean, the nine-tailed foxes, right? I read them in some folklore, but I mean…my family never told me about any of that.”

Jisung grasps your level of understanding now. “Then you’ve got a pretty good idea of how powerful they are. He owns several restaurants in Manhattan and Flushing, Queens.”

“Okay then,” Chan nods, feeling more confident about their plan now.

“New York City is our first stop.”

━━━━━━━━ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴅɪᴅ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ? next part ---> click here

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littlemourningstarr · 10 months ago

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Meeting other drow, being propositioned to work at a brothel, and running into vampires feels like just a normal day for Sekh, at this point. But what feels exceptional is Astarion admitting he misses him, every aspect and inch.

Read below or on AO3!

Pairing: Astarion x Transmasc tav

Part of the Eternally Yours series!

Tags: Transmasc tav, fantasy racism, soft Astarion, fluff, bath scene, edging, masturbation, vaginal fingering, blow jobs, cunnilingus, vaginal sex, dirty talk, cum play

Sekh stared at what seemed like just a quaint little building, as his companions around him bickered over if they were willing to go in.

Gods it was just a brothel.

“Absolutely not,” Wyll said.

“Scared of a little temptation?” Karlach asked, raising her brows and elbowing him. Wyll tried to push her off, but Gale echoed Wyll’s sentiment of having no desire to go in.

“We’re not going in for fun,” Sekh pointed out, only to have Astarion fold his arms and frown, as if he disagreed. Sekh chose to ignore him. “Look, we don’t all need to go in. We just need to find Valeria- it can’t be that hard. Besides-” Sekh cast a glance past the group at Yenna, who was looking around her in awe- as if she had never gotten this far into Wyrm’s Crossing, “I’m not bringing a child in there. I’ll go in-”

“And me,” Astarion pointed out, and Sekh just sighed.

“-And Astarion,” he added. “The rest of you can give the rest of the crossing a look- see how bad the bridge is into Wyrm’s Rock.” Sekh really didn’t want to relive the mess of getting past the last gate. Thank the gods they had helped those Iron Hand Gnomes, back at Moonrise. He wasn’t interested in his first real night in the city being spent in a jail cell.

Gale and Wyll seemed more than happy with this- but Karlach and Shadowheart both frowned, speaking over each other that maybe they had wanted to go in. Shockingly, Halsin seemed to not care- but he was quite distracted with Yenna, and Sekh was glad for that.

Lae’zel just looked bored.

“Okay, fine,” Sekh said, as Shadowheart and Karlach continued to argue the decision. He was going to get a headache already and the day had barely begun. “You two come with us.” Karlach looked about to burst with excitement, and Shadowheart grinned, looking like a predatory cat.

Oh gods he was going to regret this, wasn’t he?

Decision finally made, the four headed into Sharess’s Caress. It was lively inside, despite that it was early- the entrance room framed with a bar that boasted plenty of patrons already. Music could be heard from a neighboring room. Sekh had barely gotten to register anything beyond that, when a woman greeted them from a little desk, facing the door.

She clapped her hands together once, nearly cooing when her eyes caught sight of Sekh. “Oh, another drow. How lovely. Come here darling- what’s your pleasure?” Sekh turned to her, took in the wild blonde hair piled atop her head, her face older but attractive, lips painted the most vibrant red. Her dress cut so far up her thigh he could see the crease of flesh from her pelvis. “No no, let me guess.”

Sekh folded his arms, cocked a hip- intrigued. She studied him for a moment longer, before she snapped her fingers, a grin finding her face.

“I’ve got it- a sturdy dwarf, a leather whip- she gives, you receive.”

Sekh laughed, felt a bit of color rising on his cheeks. “Not my first choice,” he said, and she frowned, even as Karlach asked if she could take her up on that option. “But apparently my friend here might be interested.”

And, okay, there wasn’t really time- but if Karlach wanted to pay some coin for a little fun, Sekh wasn’t going to stop her. She deserved it, after so many years of forced celibacy.

He would have gone utterly mad.

The woman’s frown deepened, creasing her brow. “Unfortunately Ffion has gone missing, or I’d send you right up to her room- Elminster’s Library.”

Astarion barked a laugh so hard and loud he had to cover his mouth and turn away. Sekh heard him mutter oh I cannot wait to tell Gale.

This was going to be a long day, Sekh was sure.

“We do have options for other company, of course,” the woman said, now eyeing Karlach. “Drow twins, just through the curtains. There is nothing their skilled hands cannot fix.” She turned just her eyes back to Sekh. “Drow do quite well here, sweetling. If you might be interested in some work, you have a look that I know our customers would eat right up.”

Sekh fumbled for words for a moment- but a moment was enough time for Astarion to curl an arm around his waist, nearly draping himself against Sekh. “I don’t share him,” he said, and the look in his eyes was almost predatory.

Sekh suppressed a shiver.

The woman grinned then, offering a little chuckle. “Oh, now I see your type. I did have you all wrong. Still,” she waved them off, “I’m sure you bend the pretty little thing over and use him quite well.” She turned her attention completely back to Karlach, even as Shadowheart began laughing so hard she had to walk away. Astarion simply stared, eyes a little wide, completely caught off guard by the woman’s brass response.

Sekh chuckled himself, managed to say, “Oh I like her.” Astarion frowned, pulled away so he could face Sekh properly. “She has some nice ideas.”

He couldn’t keep the heat from his voice, or the way he knew his eyes were devouring Astarion. But the prospect of watching Astarion fall apart, of having his fingers inside him-

Well, Sekh quite liked it.

Astarion cleared his throat, glanced away- but Sekh could see just the faintest flush, to his eyes. He took the single step to him, leaned in and placed a very soft kiss to his cheek. “If you’re ever ready, know that I’m willing.”

Astarion moved to speak- but whatever he said disappeared in the excitement as Karlach was suddenly off, into the depths of the brothel. Lost to them, Sekh figured. Well, good for her.

They headed further in, turning into a curtained room where the music grew louder. The room had a liveliness to it, a few patrons enjoying their drinks, watching not only the music, but a gorgeous tiefling woman draped in jewels, dancing along a stage.

She was breathtaking.

Sekh elbowed Shadowheart, who followed his stare, her eyes going a bit wide, locking on the woman and not once leaving her. Astarion noticed their distraction, seemed content to watch as well for a moment.

Sekh forced himself to look away, noticed that across the room were a pair of drow. He said something to his companions, but it seemed to fall on deaf ears, as he turned and walked towards them.

“My, my,” the woman said, her eyes trailing down the length of Skeh’s body in a slow, lazy pace that seemed obscene and yet wonderful. “Aren’t you a special one- I can tell from just a glance.” Her smile was controlled but still petty. The man next to her folded his arms, gave Sekh an even longer once-over.

Sekh felt his pulse pick up. Still, he was more excited to see other drow. He hadn’t expected any in the city. “I didn’t expect to see other drow here.”

The woman smiled, and offered out her hand. “Nym,” she said, and Sekh took it, pressed a gentle kiss to her knuckles. Her smile grew, her eyes dancing in amusement. “And my brother, Sorn.”

“Pleasure,” the man said, stepping closer, taking Sekh’s free hand, and flipping it, pressing his mouth to his wrist. He glanced up at Sekh, could easily feel the momentary spike in his pulse.

“The feeling is mutual,” Nym said, “I can’t say we’ve seen many other drow lately. Just an endless line of surface dwellers.” She didn’t seem bothered by the fact- Sekh’s look must have given away a hint of concern, because she waved him off. “Your look is sweet, honey. Trust me- we’re much happier here, kissing the man lips of the surface, than tending a shop or- gods, manning a farm back in the Underdark.” She shuddered, and the man, Sorn, laughed.

“It’s very true, everyone is always so intrigued by us.”

“Life is easy, here.”

Sekh smiled, his concern melting away. If they wanted to use the surface’s curiosity about drow to their advantage- let them. He didn’t blame them. He couldn’t even say he hadn’t done it himself.

“Well, we are immaculate,” he teased, “how could they resist us?” That got him a round of laughter from both, and Sorn was reaching for him, taking his hand.

“You are a pretty thing,” he mused, “if you were interested, I would love to see how wicked you could be. Or,” he nodded towards Nym, “you can be as sweet as you like, with my sister.”

Well, that explained their resemblance. It didn’t even register as strange, to Sekh. He’d seen plenty, growing up. Heard far more than he should have, about his father’s work.

“I’m flattered,” Sekh said, “but I do have a…” he paused, settled on, “partner.”

“Oh?” Nym looked intrigued. “Four can be quite a party.”

And wasn’t that just a novel, lucious idea. Sekh had to admit to himself it was so tempting- to get to see Astarion fall apart, under another’s hands. He didn’t feel threatened by it in the slightest- Astarion was his, when the day ended.

And he was Astarion’s.

But… “I don’t think now is a good time for that,” he said, and Sorn actually frowned, said, what a pity. Sekh hadn’t even bedded Astarion properly since before they had reached the shadow cursed lands- he couldn’t fathom asking the vampire if he’d be alright sleeping with strangers, when he wasn’t even sure Astarion was comfortable with him, again.

Although, the man had welcomed Sekh’s presence, yesterday morning- in his tent, when Sekh had found him. He’d wanted Sekh’s touch, asked for it.

Maybe he’d want all of Sekh again, soon. Or maybe he wouldn’t- whatever the case, Sekh would accept it. He might have quite the fondness for sex, but his affection towards Astarion went well beyond that.

As if his thoughts could summon the vampire, Sekh was startled to suddenly feel his hand, on his lower back, as he leaned in slightly, taking in the other two drow. And making a very quick decision on what he seemed to think was going on.

“I’m sorry pet,” he said, and Sekh thought his eyes looked sad, “I’m not quite ready for this yet.”

“I wasn’t even thinking-” Sekh stared, a moment of terror taking hold. He didn’t want Astarion to think Sekh was willing to look elsewhere for release, if Astarion wasn’t ready. He didn’t want him to feel threatened, feel like he might owe Sekh sex-

“He already turned us down,” Nym said, smiling at them both. Her smile seemed real now, relaxed. “Quite the charming man you have- and quite the devoted one, to turn down the both of us for you. Although,” she took Astarion in, a quick glance that felt almost polite, despite what it was. “I can certainly see why.” She turned back to Sekh, “if you ever change your mind, come find us here. We’ll be happy to spend some time with you both. Or,” she paused for a moment, and her smile grew, “if you just want some company. We know the surface can be strange for drow.”

Sekh relaxed. He’d like that, honestly. Both options, if he was honest- but the sex could wait, indefinitely if Astarion said so.

Having another friend though? That was very welcome.

They found Valeria already half a bottle of wine deep, and unwilling to listen to them, even when presented with a murder weapon. The damn dried blood was still caked on the vile looking dagger. But it wasn’t enough for her.

Sekh had been very tempted to try and scare the damn thing into listening- but he hadn’t wanted to cause a scene in the brothel. He wasn’t trying to be permanently banned on his first visit. With mounting frustration, he left Sharess’s Caress, Astarion by his side. Shadowheart had stayed behind to wait for Karlach, and promised to find them shortly.

“The murders have something to do with all of this,” Sekh said, tapping on his forehead. As if on queue, his tadpole squirmed, and he grimaced. Gods he hated that feeling. “I just don’t know what yet- and it’s not like that stupid hollyphant would listen to reason anyway.”

He was scowling without meaning to. Astarion chuckled slightly, arms folded. “You’re a moment away from pouting, my sweet. I’m sure we’ll figure it out.” He waved a hand dismissively. “Don’t let the drunkard get to you.”

Sekh sighed, but tried to relax. Astarion had a point- they would figure it out, because that was what they did. What they had been doing, since the Nautiloid. What they would continue to do.

Frankly, he just didn’t care for hollyphants. Asskissers to the divine, mostly. But he kept that to himself.

“Listen, about the drow,” Sekh said, feeling like they had brushed that off far too quickly- they had left and immediately gone back to business. “I wasn’t… I don’t want you to think I was looking elsewhere.”

Astarion shifted a little, and while he tried to appear cocky, with his shoulders squared and his chin lifted- Sekh could see through it. There was a muted panic, in his eyes. “You can look all you want, but I don’t see why you’d ever need to.”

Astarion didn’t believe his own bluster. It made Sekh’s chest cramp. He reached for the man, settled a hand on the curve of his waist, stepping so close he could smell the bergamot on Astarion’s skin.

“You’re right, I don’t need to.” Sekh inclined his head a little, made sure to keep Astarion’s stare- wouldn’t let the man look away. “You’re everything I’ll ever need, Starshine.”

Astarion let out the smallest of breaths, his stare wavering. He cleared his throat after a moment. “Don’t be so nice to me.” His voice was laced with mock annoyance, as if he wasn’t even trying to make it convincing. “It makes me want to be nice back.”

Sekh laughed then. “Oh what a shame. I guess you’ll just have to be nice to me.” He leaned in, pecked Astarion’s cheek- but before he could pull back, the vampire was reaching up, grasping his chin, holding him steady as he turned and stole a far deeper kiss.

Sekh sighed into it, eyes fluttering shut, utterly undone in a single breath. He’d gladly kiss Astarion until the sun burnt out. He’d kiss him into the endless darkness that followed.

“If I’m everything to you, darling,” Astarion whispered, “you should kiss me like I am.”

He was still so close, Sekh could feel his breath, with each word. “I don’t want to overstep,” Sekh admitted, and Astarion frowned, pulled back much to Sekh’s dismay. The vampire sighed, bowed his head, rested his forehead on Sekh’s shoulder.

“I’m sick of waiting,” Astarion mumbled, his hands moving to Sekh’s waist, squeezing affectionately. “I miss you.” Those hands slid to his hips, pulled Sekh against him- and the drow shivered. “I want you.”

Sekh forced himself to take a single, deep breath. He forced himself not to shove the vampire to the ground right there and climb into his lap, create a spectacle for all of Wyrm’s Crossing.

But gods was it difficult.

“And every bloody night i think I’m finally going to get you,” Astarion added, “someone else takes you.”

Sekh frowned. Yes, Shadowheart had interrupted what might have been their first night together in so long- but Astarion hadn’t hinted at his desire the previous night-

Oh.

Sekh forced Astarion to straighten up. “I’m sorry,” he said, “I didn’t think… Yenna seemed so nervous alone, and nearly jumped on the chance to have some company. I wouldn’t have-”

“You would have,” Astarion corrected, “even if you knew. Because you’re… sweet.” There was something then, in Astarion’s eyes. Something that didn’t feel right. Sekh wasn’t sure what it was, a sadness, an anger- he couldn’t decipher it, and before he could ask, Astarion was pulling back, turning Sekh away from him and the brothel, towards another building. “We’re never going to get anywhere just standing here making a spectacle,” he said, and Sekh didn’t argue-

But he filed away his questions, refusing to forget whatever had crossed Astarion’s eyes.

The building they entered next Astarion recognized, quite well. He told Sekh he’d found so many victims for Cazador here. There was a look of remorse, on his face, as he admitted it.

Sekh only took his hand, laced their fingers together, and squeezed. There wasn’t anything to say- what was done was done. But Astarion had never had a choice. He wasn’t guiltless, per say, but he need not carry the weight of it on his shoulders.

That fell to Cazador himself.

They began up the stairs. Sekh wasn’t exactly sure what they were looking for- but if this had been a haunt of Astarion’s, he felt they should give it a proper look through. They still knew nothing about the ritual aside from what its end goal was- and if they wanted to stop it, they needed details.

At the top of the stairs they heard voices, from an open room to the left. Sekh watched Astarion tense, then- as if in recognition. Before Sekh could ask, Astarion raised a hand, holding up a finger to silence him.

“Soon, sister. I just need one more mark.” A man’s voice. Astarion bristled at it- one he knew, Sekh was sure.

“We have enough for the master- no more are needed.”

“This will be for me, not the master. I’ve spent one hundred years feeding on dogs and rats. I want to be able to feast. And so, so soon.” His words dripped with hunger, one that Sekh recognized, from Astarion.

These had to be his kin.

“I want someone ready, waiting, so that when the Master grants my freedom, I can drink. Them. Dry.”

Astairon moved then, briskly barging into the room. Sekh had to hurry to keep up. “Cazador promised you your freedom?” He was nearly yelling the words, pausing only a step from the two. Sekh paused at his shoulder, taking them in- red eyes like Astarion, only glowing in a way that screamed magic. A noticeable tether to Cazador.

The two stared at Astarion, those red eyes going wide.

“And you bloody well believed him?” His expression changed to one of disgust, as he leveled his stare at the blond man. “You were never burdened with intelligence, Petras,” he spat his name like it was laced with poison, “but your load seems especially light, these days.”

The man was scowling at Astarion, the tips of his fangs visible. The woman had a much softer look directed at his vampling- but no less surprised. “Astarion?” She asked. Sekh liked her voice, even after only one word. “It cannot be…”

Astarion held his arms out, chin lifted- looking smug and regal. “That’s no way to welcome back a brother, Dal.” He paused, and then added, “Didn’t you miss me?”

It was meant to sound cocky, but something about it was sincere. Something about Astarion wanted her to miss him. Sekh had presumed things had never been great with Astarion and the other spawn, but if there was one, just one, who might have cared just a little- well, Sekh might consider setting aside his distaste for the divine to pray for that.

He wanted Astarion to have someone, in every aspect of his life. He wanted his world to be full of someones.

“We thought you were dead.” She spoke as if that would have been the favorable option, to being here. “If not, if you were free- why come back? You got out.” She lifted her hand, as if to reach for Astarion, but Petras reached over, pushed her hand away. Sekh felt his lip twitch over the action.

“Isn’t it obvious, sister? He wants to ascend with the rest of us. He heard of the Master’s plan and came back with his tail between his legs, hoping everything would be forgiven.” The sneer on the man’s- Petra’s- face was ugly. He turned his stare to Sekh, gave him a look that was not only undressing him, but pulling his skin from his bones. “He even brought a gift to get back in the Master’s good graces. You’re too late, brother, the Master has all he needs. But I,” Petras dared to take a step forward, eyes still honed in on Sekh, ignoring Astarion as if he was nothing, had never been and could never be a threat. “Don’t. I don’t think drow would have been my type, but I’m willing to lower my standards.”

Sekh fisted one hand, felt it crackling with a chill of necrotic magic. He was deeply considering knocking the man flat on his ass, but Astarion acted faster. He reached for Petras, wrapped his hand around the man’s throat, and hauled him across the room, into the light of the sun, streaming in through a window.

The moment the light touched Petras, his skin glistened, began to turn a molten silver, flaking away. He gave a shout, mouth turning into a pained grimace- while Astarion stood, utterly untouched.

“Keep your eyes and your pathetic fucking mouth away from him,” he hissed, bared his fangs fully. They looked so much longer than Petras’s. “He’s mine.” He squeezed, choking the unneeded breath from the other vampire. “Now, where is he hiding?” Petras reached up, clutched at Astarion’s wrist, but didn’t have the strength to even threaten his grip. It was iron, unmovable. “Tell me!”

The woman, Dal, moved halfway across the room, past Sekh. She paused just out of reach of the light. “Brother, please! Astarion!”

Astarion glanced at her, when she said his name. Yet he remained firm. Sekh folded his arms, offering up his best glare, directed at Petras.

“Talk or burn. Your choice.” The vampire glanced at him, and there was something so pleasing about seeing his initial confidence replaced by fear. It didn’t take much thought to see Astarion had never gotten on well with this one.

“You heard him. Tell me what I need to know. Now.”

“The Master is preparing his black mass beneath his palace.” Dal, speaking quickly, looking at Astarion with a fear that felt new. “The entrance to a chapel is hidden in the palace- he hid it from us all. We never knew.”

Astarion smirked, turned so his body shielded Petras from the sun, and shoved him. The man stumbled away, safely out of the sun’s reach, panting in pain. Astarion stood firm, letting the sunlight halo him.

“I’m going to stop Cazador.” The way he bared his fangs while saying Cazador’s name was as if he were ready to bury them into his throat.

“What the hells happened to you, Astarion?” Petras reached up, touched his burnt face. It was already beginning to slowly knit itself back together. “What are you?”

Spoken as if Astarion was a god, an abomination, something to be terrified of, in darkness and sunlight. Sekh bristled with pride.

“I’m more than what I was.And I’m not afraid of anything anymore.”

It was a lie. Sekh didn’t believe either of the other vampires caught it- but there was a tick to Astarion’s mouth, a glint in his eyes- he didn’t believe the last bit. At least, not yet.

“No one else can stop him. The sun can’t harm me- he cannot compel me.” He lifted his hand, letting the sun hit it directly, as if him standing, silhouetted by the sun wasn’t enough. He turned his head, beckoned towards Sekh with his fingers, and the drow walked over, took the hand in front of the others, kissed his knuckles while holding Petras’s stare. “And I’m not alone any longer.”

Petras stared, still in shock, jaw going slack- but Dal, she was studying them. Her alarm seemed to have ebbed, now that Petras wasn’t in direct peril. She was looking at Sekh, as if she was trying to read him, determine the thoughts bouncing around in his skull.

Determine if he was genuine.

Sekh lifted his chin- he didn’t need to prove himself to her, yet something in him reared to ugly life at his adoration for Astarion being challenged. “You should go,” he said, not looking at Petras- keeping Dal’s stare completely.

Astarion didn’t seem to notice. “You heard him- before I change my mind on roasting you, brother.” The last word was spat, foul tasting.

Dal tore her eyes away from Sekh, turned her stare back to Astarion. “This isn’t over, Astarion.” In a moment, they were gone in a flourish of red mist- leaving the room oddly silent.

Sekh turned to Astarion, who had a mingling of pity and disgust on his face. “They actually believe Cazador will save them,” he muttered, “poor fools. I’d expect this from Petras- but not Dal.” He turned his gaze back to Sekh, who wanted to ask about the both of them, wanted Astraion to tell him more about his kin-

But it wasn’t the time. “They’ll warn him we’re coming,” Sekh pointed out. While the information they had received was valuable, it also ruined the one advantage they had going for them. Surprise.

“And they’ll be trembling like terrified babes while they do.” Astarion waved the concern off. “They’re no threat to us- they don’t have a choice but to obey him. If anything I…I pity them.” For a moment, the disgust was gone, only the sadness remaining in Astarion’s voice. They faced the same forced fate he had for two centuries, after all.

But Sekh knew they could save them, if they only stopped the ritual.

“Worst of all, they don’t know their fates are already sealed. They’re doomed- it’s just a matter of if their deaths benefit a monster like Cazador, or,” he paused for a moment, a smile growing on his face-

Not a pretty one. It twisted his lips in a malicious way, the very air around Astarion seeming chilled.

“If they serve a greater purpose.” Sekh felt his blood running cold, a stabbing ache in his chest growing. Dread. “We find Cazador and take this power for ourselves. The rite can be mine.”

Sekh had hoped, considered praying, that perhaps Astarion’s initial mention of considering the rite for himself would have passed, faded into memory. He realized now he was so, so wrong.

“They’re your brothers, your sisters,” Sekh pointed out, “your family.”

“Not by choice!” Astarion snapped, reaching out, jabbing a finger into Sekh’s chest. “None of this is by choice! They’re the lot Cazador thrust on me.”

“They didn’t have a choice in the matter either,” Sekh pointed out, reaching up and gently pulling Astarion’s hand from him. “Astarion, are you ready to sacrifice them for this? To what end? What would you gain?”

“I’d rather slaughter someone else’s family, true- but they’re just as guilty as I ever was. Were any of them in my position, they would take the rite within a heartbeat.”

“But they’re not,” Sekh pointed out, “Astarion, only you can make this decision. But you have to know the consequences…”

“The consequences of unlimited power? Of never being afraid again?” The vampire laughed. It lacked the almost silly quality that Sekh loved so much. It rang hollow. The vampire reached for him, gripped his waist and pulled him in. For a moment, Sekh pulled back, just a fraction- Astarion didn’t even notice. “You’re not getting sentimental on me, are you? Your bleeding heart will be the death of us.”

His voice almost didn’t sound like himself. Sekh felt a cold sweat on his spine.

“I thought you were with me on this. I thought you wanted what was best for me?”

Sekh sucked at his own tongue. He did- he wanted Astarion to be safe, happy, loved. And none of that felt like it would stem from this ritual.

Nothing good ever stemmed from power like the divine. A man becoming a god would always undo him. And the last thing Sekh wanted to see was Astarion destroy himself, and the future he had.

“Can we just go?” Sekh asked, hoping that getting Astarion away from the ghost of his siblings might help dispel some of whatever had come over him. Hoping distance might bring back the man who had kissed him moments ago, had made him feel light. The man he loved.

Loved.

“Of course love,” Astarion said, relaxing a little. “It stinks of rat blood and dispair in here anyway.” He let go of Sekh’s waist, but Sekh took his hand again, gripping it perhaps too tightly.

Holding on, fearing if he let go, he’d lose the Astarion he had come to know.

The rest of the day was spent exploring the Flophouse- which proved fruitful, shockingly- and then arguing with the hollyphant over a possible target list they’d found. When she eventually caved and told them to seek out her comrade, it gave them exactly what they needed to get into the city properly.

A pass.

A pass that came with a face to face with Gortash, which ruined whatever fine mood Karlach had gotten from her time at Sharess’s Caress. Yet despite the ugliness, as evening was flooding the city with an orange glow from the setting sun, they finally set foot into Baldur’s Gate.

Sekh glanced around him, the streets bustling with so much life, despite the ever looming threat of the Absolute’s Army. Seemed no matter how close the end of days were, folks would always find time for their nightly activities.

He chose to stay in step behind Karlach and Wyll, who knew the city better than him. He’d expected Astarion to be leading them, but a few paces from the gate he noticed the vampire was nowhere in the group. He paused, glanced around, turned fully-

And found Astarion hadn’t moved from the entrance, was simply looking around, frozen in time.

Sekh left the group, hurrying back, reaching out to place a hand gently on his arm. “Are you alright?” Astarion glanced at him, his eyes looking almost dreamlike.

“After two centuries… you forget how much color there is.” His voice wavered, and Sekh hurt over it. Astarion hadn’t seen his city, his home, in true daylight for almost two hundred years.

Of course he was awestruck.

He was going to wait with him in silence as long as Astarion needed, but suddenly there were hands on his robes, Yenna leaning in, looking between the both of them. Her own eyes sparkled with wonder. “It’s so busy here- there are so many people!”

Astarion snapped from his trance, glanced down at her- and frowned. Without a word he brushed past both Sekh and the girl, hurrying to catch up with the group.

Sekh frowned himself. He didn’t understand why Astarion seemed to have a problem with the girl. He had been fine around Arabella, and the tiefling children at Last Light had grown quite fond of him. What was so different about Yenna?

“Did I upset him?” she asked, looking up at Sekh. Sekh shook his head, offered his hand to her. She gladly took it, and he walked them back towards the group.

“No. This is Astarion’s home, but he hasn’t really seen it in a long time.” He didn’t want to divulge too much- it wasn’t his palace to tell Astarion’s story.

Yenna only nodded, walking in perfect stride with Sekh. They had a destination- The Elfsong- to find the Flaming Fist Valeria had referred them too. Sekh was hoping they might be able to grab some real dinner, as well, before figuring out where they were going to rest their bones for the evening.

“Are you two married?”

The question came after long minutes of silence, as the two were still paces away from the rest of the group. Sekh paused, stared down at Yenna- who looked up at him as if the question made perfect sense.

“You and…” She paused, obviously trying to pull Astarion’s name from memory. “Astarion,” she finally said.

“Why would you think that?”

Sekh’s heart was hammering, and it wouldn’t quell it. A future that he hadn’t dared jump to seemed to be blossoming behind his eyes-

Astarion hadn’t even put a name to what they were now.

“You look at him like no one else is around.” Yenna shrugged a shoulder. “I never knew my dad, but my mom liked to point to couples when they looked like you and tell me they were married. That they didn’t see the rest of us, only each other.”

Sekh cleared his throat, shoving his wild torrent of thoughts aside. He couldn’t think about this now. “No,” he finally said, “we’re not married.”

“But you love him?” Sekh turned his gaze from Yenna, looked at his companions as they grew further and further away. Looked at Astarion, who had buried whatever annoyance he’d had at Yenna, was laughing at a very flustered Gale. The setting sun dazzled his curls in goldens and vermillions, and Sekh could just make out the lines around his eyes, from smiling.

His heart was racing, his body warm- pleasantly so, beneath his skin.

He squeezed Yenna’s hand, and knowing this had been the answer for much longer than he should ever admit, said softly, “Yes. I love him.”

The Elfsong, it turned out, happened to be the answer to all of their problems. Not only did they get support that they were chasing the Bhaalist cult in the right direction- but they got a roof over their heads, for as long as they needed. Sekh had smiled sweetly at the owner and the man had been more than happy to give them the whole upper floor for a price that was far too cheap.

And to find Lakrissa and Alfira again- it was warming, to know they were safe.

The upper floor was spacious, beds lining the parameter, privacy screens placed for some discretion. Sekh felt like he couldn’t even remember the last time he’d slept in a bed.

But the best part had to be the prospect of a bath.

With evening in full swing, it seemed pointless to try and venture further into the city. They needed to rest. The Dead Three could wait until morning. The majority of the party happily headed back down into the pub, eager for a drink and a hot meal.

“Are you coming?” Yenna asked Sekh, as the drow shed his shortsword- still fractured, the tip now a ragged edge. He hoped he might get it fixed- that a blacksmith in the city could smooth the edges for him again. Until then, he’d carry it as is.

His mother would have done the same.

“In a bit,” Sekh said, “I need a bath.” He reached out, tussled the girl’s hair. “You probably do too.”

Yenna pouted, and it made Sekh laugh so hard his belly hurt. “I’ve just been in Wyrm’s Crossing. I think you stink more than I do.” She folded her arms, and Sekh had to urge to grab her and toss her around- throw her on the bed and smack her with a pillow.

He’d never had siblings- he had to wonder if it felt like this.

“I smell lovely,” Sekh said, leaning forward, voice dripping with a sass that had Yenna rolling her eyes. As he did so, Astarion walked over, dropping some of his armor that he had just pulled off on the floor, at the foot of a bed in the corner.

Where Sekh had dropped his shortsword.

“Lovely is a … choice word,” Astarion said in passing, and Yenna cackled. Sekh spun on his heel, staring at Astarion, who glanced over- gave him a teasing smirk.

“You ass,” Sekh said, reaching for him and pulling him closer. “I smell fine.” Astarion squirmed in his hold, but didn’t try to actually escape it. Sekh placed a kiss to his cheek, caught out of the corner of his eye Yenna beaming at them.

Astarion huffed, finally pushing Sekh off. “Perhaps I like how you smell anyway,” he muttered, before he caught sight of Yenna smiling at them. For a moment there was this looking of longing, of wonder in his eyes- like there had been, when they’d first stepped into the city.

And then it was gone, smothered quickly as he turned away, frowning so hard his brows creased. Sekh turned away, focusing back on Yenna as Karlach walked over, wanting to take the girl for herself so they could go have a right, proper dinner.

Sekh was glad for Karlach taking the girl- he wanted to make sure she ate, but he needed a moment to focus on Astarion. The man had shed his armor, had made it abundantly clear that he was claiming the bath first.

Everyone else was more interested in dinner and hadn’t argued.

Sekh took the last few steps to him, placed a hand gently on his lower back. Astarion didn’t even glance back at him- knew who was touching him without a look. Of course he did.

“Can I ask you something?” Sekh asked, quietly, and Astarion huffed.

“You just did.”

Sekh rolled his eyes, slid his arms around Astarion’s waist. The vampire covered his hands with one of his own, as they rested on his belly, Sekh placing his chin on his shoulder. “Funny. Why don’t you like Yenna?”

Astarion went tense in his hold, before he scoffed at him. “What are you talking about?”

“You don’t like her. It’s pretty apparent. You’re not a subtle man, Astarion.” Sekh gave him a gentle squeeze. “Do you just not like kids? I didn’t get that, from how you acted with Arabella and the tiefling kids.”

Astarion didn’t speak, for a long moment. Sekh began to wonder if the man was just going to ignore the question- but then, in barely a whisper, Astarion said, “No.” He pulled from Sekh’s hold, turned to face him-

And Sekh’s heart cracked. Astarion’s eyes looked lost. A sadness had fallen over his face that Sekh hadn’t seen in quite some time. Gods, he hadn’t meant to upset him.

“Children don’t belong around vampires,” he finally said, his voice seeming a bit strained, caught in his throat. “Nothing good will come of it.” Astarion glanced away then, his fingers fidgeting at his sides- as if he wanted to reach out to Sekh, but wouldn’t allow himself. “She’s best off far away from me.”

Sekh reached out then, took one of Astarion’s hands. It felt like his fingers were trembling, as Sekh squeezed them. “Astarion,” he said, and then, softer, “Starshine. You’re not going to hurt her.”

“I may not, but something will because of what I am. Trust me, children do not belong around us. We aren’t allowed the luxury of family.” The words were heated- a deep seated despair that hadn’t been breathed to life ever, if Sekh were to judge. The words were barely out of his mouth before Astarion was pinching his lips shut, pulling his hand from Sekh’s hold. He moved to turn, but Sekh reached for him, slipped his arms around his waist, pulled him into a tight hold, hands splayed on his back, pressed along the ridges of his scars that he could just feel through his shirt.

Astarion didn’t try to pull away this time. He melted against Sekh, pressed his face into the crook of his neck. “You’re allowed everything,” Sekh said, softly, “Astarion, I promise you- whatever you want, it's yours. Whatever that monster did to you, whatever he made you think you can’t have- he’s wrong.” Sekh squeezed him, wanted to gather the man up, cage him in his ribs and keep him safe, sheltered.

Astarion nuzzled against his neck, breathed him in. “You can’t promise that,” he whispered. “But I can, if-”

Sekh cut him off. He didn’t want to hear it- didn’t want Astarion’s mind going down that dark path now. “I can promise it. And I do.” He pulled one hand from Astarion’s back, forced him to lift his head, cradled his cheek against his palm, kept Astarion’s head steady so he was forced to gaze at Sekh. “I told you I’d take care of you. And I will. I meant that, I mean it to my damn dying breath, Astarion. You are everything.” The vampire turned his head just slightly, managed to press his mouth at the base of Sekh’s palm, kissed his warm skin.

The softness, the affection made Sekh’s chest ache. His fingers pressed harder to Astarion’s back.

“Astarion,” he breathed, “I…” The words caught in Sekh’s throat, then. Thick and cloying and true, but a part of him feared it was too much for this man. That he was running where Astarion was content to walk.

He settled on silence, which Astarion took as an invitation to lean in, press a kiss to his lips. Sekh kissed him back, slowly, hand finding his way into his hair. The vampire hummed, opened his mouth for the kiss- seemed content to let the conversation die in favor of this.

Sekh was happy to indulge, but swore to himself he would revisit this.

“Gods, can you two wait until we’re all gone at least?” Astarion paused his mouth’s movements, as Sekh glanced to the side- and Shadowheart was watching, a hand on her hip, the other pinching the bridge of her nose as if they were giving her a headache.

Sekh pulled back, just offered her a sheepish smile, and Astarion moved out of his embrace. The vampire gave Shadowheart a teasing smile, before he headed across the large, open room- heading for the bath, situated behind a few privacy screens. Shadowheart rolled her eyes, turning back to Sekh.

“Please tell me you both aren’t getting in together.”

Sekh choked. “There isn’t room,” he said, knowing Shadowheart knew that. “I just… thought maybe he might want some help with his hair…” He reached up, rubbed the back of his neck, and Shadowheart laughed at him. Sekh decided this was definitely what it was like to have siblings.

“You two would find a way. Don’t take too long, you need to eat.” Sekh only nodded, and Shadowheart left him, heading out herself. He shrugged out of his robes, leaving them tossed on the foot of his bed-

Astarion’s bed? Their bed? Astarion hadn’t said a word about it, he’d just dropped his own items on the same bed as Sekh and carried on.

Sekh found he was smiling, as he walked across the room, rolling the sleeves of his shirt up. He stepped around the privacy screen, found Astarion with his arms out along the wooden bath, head tipped back, looking utterly blissed out. He could see the steam from the water.

“Enjoying yourself?” Sekh asked, and Astarion didn’t even open his eyes, simply hummed an affirmation. Sekh got down on his knees, ran his hands along Astarion’s outstretched arms. “Need a hand?”

This time the vampire cracked his eyes open, glanced at Sekh. Those eyes teased, and Sekh laughed himself.

“I meant that as innocently as possible,” he admitted, and Astarion lifted his head properly, arms sliding from the bath into the hot water.

“How dull.” Still, Astarion smiled. “But if you want to be helpful, I wouldn’t say no.”

Sekh took the invitation, reaching for one of the bottled soaps, as Astarion dipped himself awkwardly under the water. He came back with his curls drenched, as Sekh lathered the soap onto his hands. Once the vampire was settled again, Sekh worked the suds into his curls, fingers scratching softly against Astarion’s scalp. The man sighed, eyelids fluttering shut, as Sekh seemed to work each individual curl as if they were made of glass.

When Sekh finally pulled his hands free, Astarion dipped under the water again, working his own hands through his curls to free them of the suds. Sekh took advantage to grab one of the tiny hunks of solid soap, and the moment Astarion was back out of the water, curls wet and flung into his face, Sekh was guiding him back, dragging the soap down along his chest.

Astarion arched slightly, head tipping back, resting against Sekh’s shoulder, hair soaking through the fabric instantly. Sekh didn’t care. He got his other arm around Astarion, pressed his hand flat to his chest as he worked the soap down along his abdomen, then back up, slowly covering each inch of him.

When Astarion tried to reach up, brush his hair from his face, the hand on his chest batted him away. Sekh pushed his wet hair back instead, watched Astarion’s eyes open, looking a bit hazy. The vampire bit his lip, one fang poking out between them, and Sekh wasn’t sure if he wanted to laugh, kiss him sweetly-

Or ravish him until dawn.

He slid his now slick fingers and the soap back down along Astarion’s belly, past his navel, curving towards his hip. Astarion lifted his hips slightly, made a frustrated little noise. “Tease,” he breathed, and Sekh kissed his wet temple.

“I said I was going to help,” he said, “I never said I was going to do anything sordid, sweetheart.” Still he moved dangerously close to the base of Astarion’s cock, felt the man’s body shifting, trying to get to him.

He couldn’t help teasing just a bit.

His next movement dragged the soap to Astarion’s thigh, and then he was leaning over the tub, working it along his bent legs. Another huff from his vampire, but this time Astarion sat still.

Once Sekh had gotten both of his legs he straightened up on his knees, gently pushing at Astarion’s shoulder. “Let me get your back.”

For a moment, Sekh wondered if Astarion might refuse him. The vampire hadn’t shied away from his touch on his scars lately- but Sekh also understood that a layer of clothing could create enough of a barrier to allow for the touch.

But Astarion leaned forward without a word, Let Sekh cup the warm water in one hand and spill it over his back. He shivered, once, at the first touch of the soap against his scars- but it almost didn’t seem bad. After a moment, when he hadn’t pulled away, Sekh asked, “Okay?”

Astarion nodded, and when he spoke, his voice caught in his throat. “Okay.”

Sekh smiled, leaned in and kissed the back of his wet curls, soaping up his scarred skin until the soap had dissolved into nothing in his hands. Once it had, he cupped both his hands together, rinsing the suds away, noting that the water was beginning to cool.

He leaned back, was about to stand up, assuming Astarion wouldn’t want to remain if the water wasn’t scorching. But before he could Astarion had his back pressed to the lip of the wooden tub, was reaching up and back, grasping at Sekh’s shirt, pulling him forward.

The drow was forced to bow over him, as Astarion’s other hand tangled up in his hair, held him still as he pressed a feverish kiss to his lips. Sekh groaned, too shocked to move for the first few moments. It was only when Astarion’s tongue flicked the seam of his lips that he seemed to respond, opening so willingly for him, as water splashed up onto his shirt.

Sekh gasped around the kiss, Astarion’s tongue teasing the points of his teeth, pushing at the plush of his cheeks. He trembled, and Astarion pulled at his hair harder, broke the kiss to let Sekh pant against his wet lips. “I’m going to devour you,” he said, voice low, pulled from his chest.

Sekh bit his own lip, couldn’t even think to answer. His silence seemed to be all Astarion needed- because the man gave him a smirk, before he pushed him back.

Sekh stood, carefully- legs feeling numb from being on his knees, and before he could even turn to give Astarion privacy, the vampire stood up. He didn’t turn to face Sekh, but reached both hands into his own curls, squeezing the water back so it riveted down his back, between his scars.

The drow swallowed thickly, felt the juncture of his thighs throbbing. Astarion glanced back at him, over his shoulder. “You’re staring, darling.”

Sekh felt like he had forgotten every word he ever knew. And that seemed to be the response Astarion wanted from him. The vampire turned then, reached a hand out, beckoned him closer. Sekh took the two steps to the tub, and Astarion grasped his shoulder with one wet hand, used him for balance as he climbed out, before leaning back in, brushing his chest along Sekh’s.

“I’m going to get dressed,” he said, voice soft yet commanding. “I’m going to find something to drain dry- and when I come back, I’m going to pull you apart until you forget everything but. My. Name.” Astarion leaned in, breathed into Sekh’s ear, “You’re mine- and it’s been far too long since I proved that.”

Sekh shivered then, heart hammering so hard his chest ached. He swore he was seeing stars already, little tendrils of heat snaking from his cunt up his belly, taking hold and twisting.

Astarion stepped away, took one last long glance at his drow- and then crossed the room, completely naked, leaving Sekh in a soaked shirt wondering how he’d survive until the man returned.

Bathed, dressed in dry clothes, Sekh made his way downstairs, found the entire party scattered about- looking happy. There was only one absence- Astarion- but Sekh was almost glad for it. If his lover was gone, that meant he was already hunting- and the sooner he had left for his hunt, the sooner he’d be back.

Sekh made his way to a table most of the party had sequestered, was nearly pulled down onto a bench by Karlach. “Wondered if you were ever going to join us,” she teased, pushing a plate of food towards him. “We ordered enough for everyone. Don’t worry- no fish for you.”

Sekh grinned at that. “You’re a blessing,” he said. He knew he was hungry, but it was hard to focus on that need, when another was raging within him. Still- he rationalized he might need some energy tonight.

He must have blushed, because as he was biting into what might have been the best roll of his life, Karlach grinned and simply said, “So, are we all invited to the show, or are we locked out until you two are done?”

Sekh choked, and she laughed so loudly it could have shaken the very building, smacking his back once.

“Teasing!” she said, “relax- I think we all know you two need some quality time together. Fancy boy barely said a word when he came down, I thought he was going to run right through a wall to get outside if it would be the fastest route.” She tossed her arm around Sekh’s shoulder, giving him a one armed hug. “And don’t worry about your little counterpart. Auntie Karlach will keep an eye on her.”

Sekh breathed out a relieved sigh at that. Truth be told, he had been a little worried about Yenna. He was the one who had decided she could stay with them- she was his responsibility, in his eyes. Knowing Karlach would keep an eye on her so he could focus solely on Astarion was a godsend.

“I owe you my life,” he said, pushing the rest of the roll into his mouth. Across the table, Shadowheart caught his eye as she was speaking with Lae’zel- and without breaking conversation, poured him a cup of wine and pushed it across the table.

Karlach waved him off, as Sekh picked up his cup and took a drink. The wine was a mild white, not exactly to his taste, but also not strong enough to make him regret it. He just wanted a bit of courage.

He felt foolish, the excitement building in him like this would be his first night with Astarion. Like he was back at their old campsite, drunk tieflings about, counting down the seconds to when he could sneak off for their first tryst.

He had to smile to himself, thinking about where they were now, and how it felt like they had progressed lifetimes.

He was standing with Karlach and Wyll, when Astarion returned. He wasn’t facing the doorway, was across the pub, near the stairs- yet something warmed in him. He glanced at his hand, holding his wine cup- at his ring, and realized it was mildly warm, buzzing softly. He turned, thinking it had to mean something regarding Astarion-

And the vampire was already quickly crossing the room, heading directly for him- eyes boring a scarlet fire directly into his soul. His curls were wild and soft- having dried in the night air and not been styled. His cheeks had a hint of color- be it from feeding or a chill in the night wind, Sekh didn’t know.

All he knew was that his heart stopped, and then crashed back to life the moment Astarion reached him, cupped the back of his neck with one hand, and pulled him in for an unceremonious but so needed kiss.

Sekh fell into it, kissed Astarion back, matching the fervor the man was pouring into him. His free hand clutched at Astarion’s shirt, his knees feeling weak. Gods, he was so undone.

When Astarion broke the kiss, Sekh tried to chase him- but the vampire pulled back just too far. He took the cup from Sekh’s hand, blindly handing it to Karlach- who seemed too struck by the show to even offer her typical commentary. Then, grabbing Sekh by the wrist, he pulled him towards the stairs, nearly running up them.

As they were disappearing, Sekh heard Karlach announcing to Yenna that they were going for a little adventure. The last thing he heard of the world below was the girl’s ecstatic response-

And then the world was gone, as Astarion pulled him along the upper floor, throwing open the door to their sleeping quarters. It had barely closed when Sekh had his back pressed to it, his vampire boxing him in, greedily taking another kiss.

Sekh melted into it, hands finding Astarion’s waist, squeezing. He could still taste the ghost of blood in his mouth, as Astarion pushed his tongue past Sekh’s lips, kissed him so hard that Sekh swore his lips would bruise.

He rolled his hips forward, into Astarion, as the vampire splayed a hand on the door, the other finding Sekh’s neck, wrapping along it, thumb stroking his throat. The drow shivered, could feel the scrape of Astarion’s nail on his skin, before the hand was gone, and Astarion was suddenly hoisting him up. Sekh gasped, clutched at his shoulders, legs wrapping around his waist.

Astarion purred. “I like you like this,” he whispered, and Sekh squeezed his shoulder tighter. He was panting lightly from sheer need already- felt ridiculous over it, and yet couldn’t find the will to try and control or contain himself.

Astarion deserved to know how desperately he wanted him.

The vampire turned, actually began carrying him across the room. Sekh bowed over him, kissed his jawline. “You’re not this strong,” he teased, only to have the hands on his hips squeeze, nails digging into the fabric of his pants.

“Darling, I am divine.” Sekh nipped at his earlobe, got a little rumbled growl from Astarion’s chest. “With you, I can do anything.”

He reached their bed- it had to be theirs, didn’t it?- and tossed Sekh down onto it. Sekh fell without a care, arching on impact, as Astarion crawled over him, slotted between his legs and found his mouth for another kiss.

In the back of Sekh’s mind, the drow knew that if Astarion was this alive, this virile, his dinner hadn’t been animal blood. And yet, he didn’t care. He trusted Astarion enough to believe he wouldn’t have just slit open the first person he met’s throat.

If someone died, they deserved it. He just wished he had seen it.

He would never deny what seeing Astarion take what he needed did to him.

He rolled his hips up, could feel Astarion’s cock, straining within his pants. “I can feel you,” he managed, between kisses. Astarion grunted, ground against Sekh’s pelvis and nipped at his lip. Sekh reached for Astarion’s waist, began pulling at his shirt.

Astarion pushed away from him, got up on his knees and nearly tore his shirt off, tossing it to the floor. Sekh sat up then, still pinned beneath Astarion’s legs, hands working almost clumsily at his pants as he pressed his face into his neck, kissed at his pulse.

The vampire tipped his head back, sighing when Sekh finally got his pants unlaced, was able to free his cock. He was so hard already, skin hot in Sekh’s hands as he wrapped it around his shaft, stroked slowly. He dragged his teeth along Astarion’s throat, wanted to bite himself- wondered what sort of noises Astarion might make, if he could break his skin.

Astarion rocked his hips to meet each stroke, breathing coming quicker- before he was reaching for Sekh’s hand, desperately pushing it away. “Darling,” he managed, breathless, and Sekh grinned.

“Don’t want to come yet?” he asked, watched Astarion bite his lip. The vampire took a single breath, as if composing himself, before he climbed off of Sekh, stood up to properly shed his clothing.

“Not without you,” he finally said, and Sekh’s breath caught. “Now, you have ten seconds to remove your clothes, or I shred them myself, pet.”

Sekh thrashed, shoving his clothing down his legs, up over his shoulders. It took more than ten seconds, but Astarion managed to restrain himself.

Just barely.

Sekh was still tugging off his shirt, his last piece of clothing, getting it tangled around his arms over his head, when Astarion’s patience wore out. He climbed onto the bed, grasped the drow’s thighs and shoved them roughly open, groaning because Sekh was soaked- had been since before Astarion even left.

Sekh arched, arms still stuck over his head, and Astarion gave a wicked smile. “I could leave you like that,” he teased, as he stretched out between his legs, hips grinding into the bed the moment he was settled. “In fact,” he purred, his breath warm against Sekh’s cunt, making the drow tremble, “I think I will.”

He dragged his tongue up along Sekh’s slit, from entrance to clit- and the drow gave a cry, eyes squeezing shut. Gods it felt like lifetimes since he’d felt Astarion’s tongue.

The vampire groaned, a mumbled fuck, his fingers pressing with bruising force into Sekh’s thighs. Sekh managed to untangle himself from his shirt, letting it drop off the bed, as Astarion eagerly went back for another taste, lapping at his lips, just teasing his clit enough to keep Sekh squirming.

“Tease,” the drow breathed, hands grasping at the blanket beneath him. It was nice, to be in a bed for once- to not have the hard earth pressing into his bones.

Astarion growled, but otherwise didn’t respond, hips continuing to rock into the bed as his tongue worked Sekh’s cunt. He finally gave the drow the touch he wanted- tongue rolling over his clit, again and again and again, until Sekh was seeing stars, behind his eyelids, gasping for breath.

He hadn’t had release, even by his own hand, since the last time he’d bedded Astarion. The weeks of celibacy had left him desperate, sensitive- and he could feel his orgasm already building, in his belly.

He reached down with one hand, tangled his fingers into Astarion’s wild, soft curls- and pushed. Astarion made a surprised little noise, and Sekh felt him tremble as he was forced closer to his cunt, held there so Sekh could grind against his tongue.

From the eager way the vampire’s tongue danced along the sensitive bud, he was loving it.

“Astarion,” Sekh breathed, “I’m so close.” It made his belly ache, to be right there, dancing along the edge of bliss and yet not tripping over the edge. Astarion made another needy noise, and Sekh could feel the bed shift as he desperately rutted against it, needing friction just as badly as the drow.

Sekh dug his shoulder blades into the bed, one hand twisting the blanket, the other Astarion’s hair, as he found his first release in what felt like centuries. Euphoria washed over him as he cried out Astarion’s name, thighs trembling with the force of his orgasm, body seizing up, wishing desperately to have something inside him, to clench around.

Astarion’s efforts didn’t diminish, his tongue eager, working along Sekh’s clit until it was so sensitive Sekh was squirming, pushing his head away instead of towards him. Astarion fought it for a moment, before he obeyed, moving his tongue instead to Sekh’s entrance. The hands on his thighs moved, spread him open so Astarion would push his tongue just inside him, get a true taste.

Sekh arched again, eyes nearly rolling, behind his eyelids. Astarion’s growl reverberated into his body, echoed in Sekh’s very bones. When he slit his eyes open, it was to the vampire lifting his head, looking at him with pupils so blown his eyes seemed black, lips and chin glistening.

Sekh opened his mouth, to say his name, anything, but Astarion was crawling over him, pinning him down, kissing him fervently. Sekh got his arms around him, dug his fingers into his shoulders, bucked his hips up, felt Astarion’s cock rubbing against his pelvis, smearing precum onto his skin. Sekh shifted his hips slightly, trying to get himself at an angle where Astarion could slide inside him, but the vampire pulled his hips back, exhaling a shaking breath against Sekh’s lips.

“Darling, wait.” Sekh paused, thinking for a moment that perhaps Astarion didn’t want to go farther- and despite the lust clouding his mind, leaving his head foggy, he would never be so beyond himself to not stop.

“Are you okay?” Sekh moved one hand from Astarion’s shoulder to his face, cradled his cheek. The vampire was panting.

“Yes. No.” Astarion swallowed thickly, and Sekh could see the delicious points of his fangs, each time he spoke. As if they would respond to his arousal. “I…” he paused, cleared his throat, and in a softer voice that was embarrassed, admitted, “I won’t last inside you.”

Oh. Sekh relaxed, smiling up at Astarion. “Is that it?” He chuckled, and color flooded Astarion’s face. “Starshine I don’t care.”

“You should,” Astarion retorted, but Sekh shook his head. He let his hand leave Astarion’s cheek, slid it between them, fingers just brushing his cock.

“No, because this isn’t a performance. If you feel that good already- well,” Another ghost of his fingers, and Astarion trembled, “I’m flattered. Besides,” he leaned up, as he wrapped his hand around Astarion, breathed into his ear, “we have all night.”

He gave him a single stroke, and Astarion dropped his head down, rested it on Sekh’s shoulder, hips moving to desperately fuck his hand. His cock was slick with precum, droplets falling onto Sekh’s belly. Sekh smiled, rubbed his hand along Astarion’s upper back, over scars that felt warm, to his touch.

“Do you want to come?” he asked softly, and Astarion gave a desperate nod. Sekh gave his cock another squeeze, before he stroked faster, let Astarion’s hips set the rhythm. Each breath into his neck was coupled with a whine, a groan, until Astarion was sighing in pure relief, body trembling from his very core as his first orgasm took him.

Sekh felt his cum, splashing his belly, down onto his cunt. It was filthy and had him nearly squirming as he continued to stroke, until Astarion was arching his hips away.

The vampire pushed himself up, back up onto his knees between Sekh’s legs, to get a look at him. Unable to help himself, Sekh reached down, fingers moving through Astarion’s cum on his belly, until he was pushing it between his legs- rubbing along his clit once, before his own fingers delved down into his cunt.

Astarion bit his lip again, and Sekh swore the vampire was going to break his own skin. Sekh let out a shaky breath, fucking himself slowly, Astarion’s eyes locked on his fingers movements. When he went to ease his fingers out, Astarion reached for his wrist, squeezed it, pushed his fingers further into him. “Don’t,” he whispered, voice thick, “stop.”

Sekh sucked at his tongue, dug one heel into the bed and lifted his hips slightly, getting his fingers deeper. He thrust them quickly, as Astarion released his wrist, laid a hand flat and low on his belly, so he could rub his thumb over Sekh’s clit.

His other hand moved back to Sekh’s thigh, pushed so his legs were open further. “I could watch you forever,” Astarion admitted. Sekh tipped his head back, squeezed his eyes shut, felt his second orgasm of the night beginning to build, in his belly- stemming perfectly in time with Astarion’s slow rubbing of his clit. His cunt squeezed at his fingers, and he pushed them deeper, mouth falling open as he began to pant, feeling dizzy. Yet Astarion didn’t move any faster- kept a rhythm that was far too calm.

Sekh tried to roll his hips, but Astarion pressed with the hand flat to his belly.

“Don’t be impatient,” he warned, and Sekh could scream that Aastarion was the epitome of impatience- yet he listened, forced himself to still his hips. “Good,” Astarion whispered, his other thumb rubbing soothing circles into Sekh’s thigh. “Do you wish it was me inside you?”

Fuck. “Yes, gods yes.” Sekh whimpered, felt a wave trying to catch hold in his belly- his orgasm receding a moment later, leaving him wanting terribly.

“Why?”

Sekh bit his lip, dug his teeth in so tightly he almost broke skin. Astarion was going to drive him mad. “Because,” Sekh breathed, curling his own fingers, sliding along his sweet spot and making him see stars. “Nothing- nothing feels as good as you.” He craned his neck slightly, to look down his body, could still see smears of Astarion’s cum on his dusky skin.

Astarion hummed, approving. “Do you come better around me?”

Fucking hells- “Yes, yes.” Sekh’s thighs trembling, his orgasm trying to build again. He rubbed his fingertips desperately at that spot inside him, but it just wasn’t enough with how slow Astarion’s thumb was moving- and in a moment the orgasm was fading back into his belly.

The damn vampire knew, from the smirk on his face. Sekh wanted to scream.

Astarion leaned over him then, caught his stare, held it. “Sekh, darling,” he breathed, “can you be a good boy and come now?”

Sekh arched, and Astarion moved just a tick faster. But gods, it was enough. This time when his orgasm welled inside him, it crested, sent his belly and cunt into the sweetest, tightest knots- and then burst. Sekh arched so far his back should ache, shoulders digging into the bed, crying out Astarion’s name, little pleas of yes and more, as he fucked himself through the orgasm, Astarion encouraging him on.

When he finally went lax, his fingers easing from his body, the vampire was grabbing him by his wrist, pulling his hand up, sliding those two fingers into his mouth, along his tongue. He sucked at them gently, tongue rolling around him, getting a taste of Sekh’s wetness, his own cum that the drow had fucked into himself.

When Astarion finally guided his fingers from his mouth, Sekh grabbed him, pulled him down and rolled them over, so he was sprawled on top of the man. Astarion let him, seemed relaxed as Sekh kissed him eagerly, rocking against his body. He wasn’t fully hard again yet- but his cock was still pressing tight to Sekh, weeping precum already.

Sekh broke the kiss, had Astarion chasing his mouth, wanting more. Instead he kissed the hollow of his throat, then the dip of his clavicle. Slowly, Sekh eased down his chest in a line, only glancing up when he reached Astarion’s navel.

The vampire was watching him with rapt attention.

Sekh smiled softly to himself, continued his way down, until he could press a kiss just under Astarion’s cockhead. The vampire groaned, as Sekh took him in hand, easing his mouth down along him, able to take him until his lips pressed to Astarion’s pelvis-

For now.

“Gods,” Astarion breathed, as Sekh suckled gently, his tongue rolling along Astarion’s cock. He could feel each throb of desire, as the vampire hardened slowly, against his tongue. Carefully, Sekh eased back, pulled off and stared up at Astarion as he stroked up along his length.

“There are no gods here.” Sekh’s voice was a rumble from his chest. “Only me.” Astarion whined, and Sekh took him back in his mouth, easing down along his length as far as he could- which was quickly becoming less and less.

Astarion tangled a hand in his free hair, rubbed it between his fingers as Sekh reveled in the salty taste of his skin. He pressed his thighs together, his cunt aching again, body insatiable.

He was still squirming, when Astarion tugged at his hair, guided him off his cock. It left Sekh’s mouth with a wet pop, bobbed against his lips. He stuck his tongue out, unable to keep himself from teasing, as Astarion still watched.

But the vampire’s eyes told him everything- this wasn’t what he wanted. This wasn’t what he’d ached for, all day.

Sekh pushed himself up onto his hands, let Astarion pull him up the bed, stretch out on his side. The vampire kissed him, drank down the saltiness on his tongue, as he carefully rolled him onto his back. Sekh moved like liquid, thighs spreading without Astarion’s guidance, as his lover slipped between them, still kissing him hungrily.

Sekh hooked a leg up on Astarion’s hip, bared himself, as the vampire took himself in hand, rubbing his cock along his cunt. Sekh trembled, as Astarion breathed against his lips, before the vampire’s tongue was pushing back into his mouth, at the same time as he eased into his body.

Sekh groaned, his hands reaching up, grasping at Astarion’s back, as the vampire’s hand planted on the bed, supported himself as he rocked into his body. Sekh broke the kiss to gasp a breath, and Astarion dropped his head, panted against Sekh’s hair. The drow could feel the muscles in his back and shoulders- tense- as Astarion tried to contain his thrusts.

“Don’t,” Sekh whispered, as Astarion lifted his head. “Don’t hold back.” Astarion made a small, needy noise, and Sekh smiled, curled his leg tighter around Astarion’s hips and ass, pulling him in quickly, so deep that Sekh nearly forgot his own thoughts.

Astarion groaned, before he went back for the drow’s mouth, kissing him rhythmlessly, hungry. His hips moved faster, fucked into Sekh so hard that the drow didn’t think he could breathe. He clung to Astarion desperately, body coiling tight, screaming because this is what he had wanted, for so long.

Astarion nipped at his lip, pressed the tip of a single fang just hard enough to break skin. He gathered the drop of blood on his tongue, and the following thrust had Sekh breaking the kiss, screaming. Gods, he was going to bruise inside- and he wanted nothing more.

“They’re going-to-hear us,” Sekh panted, words broken by thrusts. Astarion bared his fangs, looked feral, ethereal, divine and hellish.

“Let them.” He pushed up, grasped a hand at Sekh’s hip, the other at the thigh not clutching tightly to his body. He pushed Sekh’s leg until his hip ached, yet the drow didn’t stop him, eyes rolling at the way it let Astarion get even deeper inside him. “Let them hear you break, darling.”

Sekh arched, a hand scrambling down his belly, between his folds. He rubbed at his clit, the bud hard and aching. His cunt was screaming, nerves alight and burning so hot he swore he would combust. Astarion didn’t seem to be in a better state- his breaths rushed, sweat along his hairline, a bead running down his throat.

Gods Sekh wanted to lick it away.

“Only,” Sekh managed, felt his cunt clenching around Astarion. “Oh fuck.” He rolled his hips, for a moment forgetting what he had even been trying to say. Astarion didn’t seem to mind, nails digging little crescent moons into his thigh.

Sekh swore his nails were sharper, lately. Talon like. And yet somehow, he didn’t think they even could hurt him, were they inside him. As if Astarion didn’t possess the power to make his body cause Sekh harm.

“Only if you break with me,” he finally managed, watched Astarion baring his throat. Sekh still wanted to dig his teeth into that pale skin, feel it break, get a taste of the vampire for a change.

Astarion’s mouth fell open, an attempt at Sekh’s name. Sekh felt his muscles coiling, along his back, his belly, his very core. His fingers moved desperately, and he knew Astarion could feel how close he was, how desperately his body wanted to break.

He pushed harder, so deep into Sekh it should have hurt- but everything felt good, in that moment. Sekh cried out his name, a panted mantra of Astarion, Astarion, Astarion, as his orgasm took hold and quaked through him. The world faded to black, the only light the white hot starbursts, behind his eyelids. Sekh was smiling, head tipped back, still coming when Astarion followed, his own shout of Sekh’s name.

Sekh felt each wave of Astarion’s orgasm, inside him. Behind his eyelids, his eyes rolled, realizing he was so full, and gods, wanting still more. He wanted Astarion to fill him to the point that he couldn’t contain all of his seed, that it was spilling down his thighs.

Astarion’s hips finally stilled, as he leaned over Sekh, sought out his kiss swollen lips. Sekh sighed into it, pulled Astarion until the vampire was lying along him, a pleasant weight as they both slowly came down from their high. The drow’s hands roamed along his back, fingers idly tracing his scars without even meaning to.

Astarion sighed into the kiss, broke away just to press his forehead against Sekh’s. And, in a voice that was hoarse yet soft, whispered, “I missed this.”

Sekh smiled. “The bed or the sex?” he teased, and Astarion huffed, finally rolling off of him. He stretched out next to him, staring up at the dark ceiling.

His only answer was, “You.”

Sekh felt his heart flutter, the wicked thing taking flight in his chest. He rolled onto his side, slotted in against Astarion’s, tracing a hand down his chest as he propped his cheek against his other hand. “Astarion,” he started, “what are we?”

The vampire glanced at him, before turning his eyes back to the dark above. He was quiet, for a moment, before admitting, “I don’t know.” He licked his lips, rolled the next words over before continuing. “You’re not a target. You’re not a night it’s best to forget. But then, what are you? What does that leave?” Astarion reached for the hand that was stroking slowly along his chest, grasped it, tangling his fingers with Sekh’s. “I don’t know how to be a part of anything else.” He turned his head to face Sekh, his eyes open, vulnerable. “But you said you care… and I trust you. I feel safe with you.”

Sekh leaned down, pecked Astarion’s lips very softly. “I do care,” he whispered, “more than I’ve ever cared about anyone. And I’ll always keep you safe, Starshine.” Another soft kiss, but when Sekh tried to pull away, Astarion chased him, dragged the kiss out until he was pulling Sekh back down properly to the bed, so he could sprawl against the drow’s side, rest his head on his chest.

Sekh wrapped his arm around him, rubbing along his spine. Astarion’s cheek was cool against his warm skin, a comfort. For a long moment, they lapsed into silence, and Sekh was content with it, happy to hold the man against him. He could have laid in silence forever.

But Astarion broke it. “I’m terrified,” he admitted, not lifting his head. Sekh’s hand stilled. “Terrified because you should be taken from me. What you do to me…” He took a slow breath. “Anyone else who made my dead heart sing died for it.”

Sekh resumed his slow strokes of Astarion’s spine. He didn’t need to ask who would never let Astarion have anything. It was all too obvious.

“Once,” Astarion said, his voice trembling, “in the early years of my… slavery. I met a boy. A darling boy.” His voice caught, and he had to pause, take a slow breath. “And I couldn’t bear the thought of bringing him back to Cazador- couldn’t live with myself knowing I was going to bring him to his death. So I… I ran.”

His arm slid over Sekh’s waist, held onto him. Whether for comfort or as if to protect Sekh from the phantom of his master, the drow wasn’t sure.

“Cazador found me. Of course he did. And he locked me in a tomb for an entire year, starving.” A tremble wracked Astarion’s body, as he tried to grip Sekh even tighter. “There were months of trying to claw my way out, feeling my nails break off my fingers just to sprout back. Months of screaming my throat raw- months of nothing at all. Of silence and blackness. And months of just wishing for death. And then…” Astarion squeezed his eyes shut. “Even moments of begging for forgiveness. Thinking that if Cazador would just let me out, I’d make things right.”

Astarion pushed himself up then, looked down at Sekh. The drow could see a shimmer to his eyes, tears unshed, begging for freedom but never having it granted.

“I was weak. I never knew what happened to that man. Perhaps my suffering was for nothing and Cazador still drained him dry, took his life while I screamed in my tomb. But I learned that I… I can’t have anyone. They will always belong to him.” Astarion closed his eyes, and added in a broken voice, “I’m terrified that I’m bringing you death.”

Sekh sat up then, pulled Astarion into his arms. He cradled the man, held his head to his chest, stroked his hair as he felt a silent sob wrack the vampire’s body. “I told you he’d never have me,” Sekh whispered, “and I meant it. You don’t belong to him. And nor do I. I won’t ever let that happen to you again.” He held him tighter, and in a voice that felt like fire and steel, added, “I will never let him hurt you again.”

Slowly, Astarion calmed. His trembling subsided, and he sat up himself, pulling from Sekh’s chest. There were no tear stains on his cheeks- but Sekh almost wished there were. It would do the man good, to cry for himself.

“You can’t promise that,” Astarion pointed out.

“Oh, but I can.” Sekh reached for Astarion, caressed his cheek, cradled it softly. “I swear on my life, on my pact with Syl, on everything that I am and ever will be. He will never hurt you. Again.” Astarion nuzzled against his palm, eyelids fluttering shut, as the vampire simply breathed him in, mulled the words over.

If he had an answer, a rebuttal, he kept it to himself. Instead, when he spoke, he only added, “Stubborn fool.” Those eyes fluttered back open. “I shouldn’t expect anything less from a drow.”

Sekh cracked a smile then. “No, you absolutely shouldn’t. We are rather amazing.”

Astarion huffed, turned to kiss Sekh’s palm. “You’re rather ridiculous,” he corrected, but- oh- he was smiling. And Sekh would do anything for one of those smiles. He must have stared, with the same lovesick, dumb look on his face, because Astarion’s cheeks flushed lightly, and he added in a mumble, “and staring.”

“Sorry,” Sekh said, “it’s hard not to.”

Astarion rolled his eyes, before he reached out, shoved Sekh. The drow sprawled on his back, and Astarion crawled over him. “That’s enough talk,” he said, bowing his head and pressing a kiss to Sekh’s throat. “We’re only going to get so much privacy before the rest of our merry band get bored.”

Sekh tipped his head back, exposed his throat, and Astarion dragged his tongue over it, the drow so sure he could feel his pulse. “Is this what you want?” Sekh asked- just wanting to be sure.

Astarion paused, mouth poised over Sekh’s warm skin. For a moment, Sekh could feel just his breath, before the vampire said, in a voice that sounded sure, “Yes.”

The one word affirmation was all Sekh needed. Before Astarion could do more than plant a single kiss against his throat, he was rolling them over, pinning Astarion back to the bed. The vampire arched, as Sekh grasped his wrists, pinned them up towards his head. Astarion’s eyes danced like evening lights.

“Darling,” he purred, “what are you doing?”

His voice was intrigued, dripped with anticipation. Sekh gave him a cocky, sly smile, and pecked his lips quickly. “Taking care of you,” he whispered, before he let go of Astarion’s wrists and slid down his body. He didn’t give the vampire a moment for even a thought, before he was dragging his tongue along his soft cock, making Astarion arch.

He smiled to himself, teased him with his tongue, his hands rubbing Astarion’s thighs, urging them open. The vampire obeyed, as Sekh turned, kissed his pelvis, then the soft skin of one pale, inner thigh. Astarion sighed, and Sekh nipped at the skin, felt Astarion shake, just once.

He grasped the flesh between his teeth harder, enough pressure to ache, and Astarion’s breath caught. Oh. “I want to tear into you,” Sekh admitted, the hand that was on Astarion’s neglected thigh moving to his cock, teasing it. He was half hard already, from just that one bite.

Astarion tossed his head, little noises leaving his pretty lips as Sekh stroked him, teasing his cockhead with his thumb. He kissed the spot he’d bitten, and Astarion pushed his thigh closer to Sekh’s mouth. Taking the invitation, Sekh grasped the flesh in his teeth again, digging in until it had to burn, his teeth indenting into Astarion’s soft skin.

Astarion gasped, arched- and Sekh felt his cock throb, leak precum down over his knuckles. He laved his tongue over his teeth marks, before he sucked at the skin, knowing it had to sting. Astarion squirmed, but not away from him- and when Sekh lifted his head, he knew the flushed skin he’s bathed in his attention would bruise, soon.

The thought made his cunt ache.

He turned his attention back to Astarion’s cock, taking him over his eager tongue, swallowing until he couldn’t fit anymore. The vampire reached for his hair, tangled it around the fingers of both hands, pushing Sekh down further still, until tears beaded in the corners of the drow’s eyes.

Astarion was panting, as Sekh grasped at the thigh he’d bruised, digging his thumb into the sensitive skin. Astarion whined, this sweet, nearly broken sound, and Sekh ground down into the bed- wanting friction, wanting Astarion inside him again. Wanting everything.

The moment Astarion let up even the slightest on pulling at his hair, Sekh was pushing himself up, forcing the vampire to lose his hold. Sekh climbed over him, straddled his hips, and with an ease that was obscene, lowered himself onto Astarion’s cock.

The vampire groaned, eyelids fluttering, eyes nearly rolling. Sekh leaned over him, grasped his wrists, pushing them back to the bed, pinning him down as he rode him. His movements were quick, his hair falling over his shoulders, into his face as he panted.

“Fuck,” Astarion growled, hips rocking up to meet each of Sekh’s movements. “Darling, slow down.”

Sekh bared his teeth, squeezed Astarion’s wrists. “No.” He pressed himself tight to Astarion, had his cock nestled so deep inside him he could nearly choke. Astarion shuddered, mouth falling open- and Sekh knew what the man wanted to say, if he could form words-

He wouldn’t last. He needed Sekh to come first. He needed, he wanted-

“This is about you,” Sekh said, lifting his hips, before slamming them back down again. “Let me just focus on you.”

Astarion tipped his head back, whatever words he had dying on his tongue. Sekh smiled to himself, his thighs beginning to burn as he rode Astarion. He didn’t care. He wanted his lover to find a soul shattering release while simply lying back.

Sekh squeezed his wrists, his cunt clenching around Astarion. His own body yearned for more stimulation, for another release. He ignored it completely, simply enjoying being aroused, as Astarion melted beneath him. The man’s breaths were ragged, his hips losing any rhythm they’d had.

The drow grinned to himself, wicked and divine, watching Astarion’s face contort in sheer ecstasy. His cheeks were flushed, kiss swollen lips open in desperate pants, whining keens of need. And gods those eyes.

“Can you come for me?” Sekh asked, and Astarion managed a nod. Sekh clenched around him, purposefully, and Astarion choked, eyes fluttering open. “Good. Come on Starshine-” he bowed his head down, found Astarion’s ear and breathed into it, “fill me until I’m nothing but you.”

Astarion cried out, wordless, trembling as he obeyed. His orgasm had him nearly thrashing, arching as he pushed against Sekh’s hold on his wrists. The drow pushed him down harder to the bed, continuing to slide along his cock, milking Astarion’s orgasm until the vampire had nothing left for him.

When Astarion began to melt into the bed, Sekh slowed, began to grind against him instead of riding him, getting a bit of friction that sent sparks down his spine. Eyes still closed, Astarion licked his lips, trying to catch his unneeded breath.

“Wicked,” he managed, his eyes slitting open, “wicked, darling boy.” Sekh grinned, finally lifting himself off Astarion, rolling onto his side. The moment he did, Astarion was turning to face him, one hand sliding between his legs, two fingers pushing into him with such ease it had Astarion growling.

Sekh gasped, thighs trembling, as Astarion buried his fingers as deep as he could, nosing at his throat, his jaw. “Don’t you dare waste a drop,” he whispered, fingers thrusting slightly, mostly just curling to push at all of Sekh’s sweet, aching nerves. Sekh bit his lip, and Astarion clicked his tongue, and the moment Sekh released his lip Astarion was there, pinning it between his teeth.

Desperate now, body craving another release to the point that Sekh was dizzy, the drow slid a hand between them, pressed his fingers along his aching clit, rubbing quickly. Astarion released his lip, smiled. “Good,” he said, words breathed against Sekh’s mouth. “Fall apart for me. Let me feel it.” His fingers thrust quicker, and if Sekh’s mind was clear, he’d wonder how it didn’t hurt, how Astarion managed to not catch those sharpened nails on his soft insides even once.

Again- it was as if the vampire couldn’t hurt him.

Sekh tipped his head back, body so close that all his muscles felt knotted. Astarion mouthed at his exposed throat, dragged his fangs along Sekh’s pulse. Sekh saw stars, before everything burst in another crest of pleasure. His cunt tried to milk Astarion’s fingers, and the vampire gave a warm chuckle, bemused by the fact that Sekh’s body was so starving for him.

Sekh touched himself through it, lost in his own body, in each pulsing wave of pleasure. Even as they began to ease he touched, Astarion’s fingers never once letting up.

When Sekh’s hand finally fell away, the vampire slowed his ministrations, but didn’t cease. “Aw, pet,” he cooed, “is that all you have for me?”

Sekh’s eyes fluttered open, and he reached for Astarion’s chin, grasped it and pulled him in for a kiss. He pushed his tongue into the vampire’s mouth, teased those glorious fangs, felt Astarion trying to tame him. He clenched himself around his fingers purposefully, and Astarion gasped, suddenly giving to Sekh’s clawing at dominance.

“No,” Sekh finally said, against Astarion’s lips. “I have so much more for you.” Astarion growled, pulled his fingers from Sekh then, sliding them up between their mouths. Astarion dragged his tongue along them, and Sekh mimicked him, tasted himself mingled with Astarion’s cum.

Astarion parted his fingers, and Sekh’s tongue flicked at the vampire’s. Gods he wanted to go again already, wanted to ride Astarion again until the vampire was screaming for him.

But before he could roll the man over, climb back onto him, he could hear loud footsteps, outside their rooms. Laughter.

It seemed their time was up.

Sekh frowned, and Astarion sighed. The vampire pulled from Sekh, stood up and stretched. “I believe that’s the after party,” he said, nodding towards the door.

Sekh flopped over onto his belly, still frowning. “Dammit,” he mumbled, as Astarion found his own discarded underwear, stepping into them. “I wasn’t done.”

Astairon glanced over his shoulder, now holding his pants. “You are insatiable.”

“You weren’t done either,” Sekh pointed out, and the vampire simply flashed him a toothy smile, before getting into his pants. He gathered up Sekh’s own pants and underwear- which had somehow managed to be flung with enough force to land on Gale’s bed- and handed both to the drow.

“Maybe if you can be quiet,” Astarion teased, bending over and pecking his lips quickly, “We can have a little more fun once they’re all asleep.” Sekh choked, as Astarion straightened up, adding, “of course, we both know you can’t.”

He grabbed his shirt, carrying it with him as he crossed the room. Sekh grinned, called out after him, “You can’t either!”

Astarion didn’t once pause to challenge him.

Sekh hurriedly squirmed into his underwear and pants- was sitting on the bed when Astarion opened the door, leaned against it and greeted a rather tipsy Gale and Shadowheart. Sekh didn’t bother to listen to what they said, as the two entered.

“Were you two not done?” Shadowheart asked, folding her arms as she reached Sekh. Gale sat down on his own bed, sighing because it had to be nice not to have his aching joints cushioned by just a bedroll.

“Maybe not,” Sekh teased, and Gale groaned.

“I regret choosing this bed,” the wizard said. “Shadowheart, want to switch?”

“Absolutely not.” she sat down on the edge of Gale’s bed, seeming to think for a moment. “Wait… who is on your other side?”

“Karlach.” Gale looked a bit confused, and Shadowheart grinned.

“I might change my mind, then.”

Sekh bit back a laugh. He had to wonder if Shadowheart was ever going to follow through with a single of her flirtatious remarks regarding the tiefling. He doubted Karlach would have a single complaint.

Speaking of- “Where is Karlach?”

“She and Wyll just came back- and yes, they have our resident child in tow.” Shadowheart said it fondly. “Hence why we’re here. If it wasn’t Gale and I- Lae’zel was going to burst through those doors and demand you two stop mid act if needed so she could sleep.”

Sekh smiled, just as he heard the door opening again, the room flooding with the rest of their companions. Astarion was with them, shirt now on, walking next to Karlach, who had Yenna in one arm, the child draped across her shoulder, dead asleep.

“That one,” Astarion said, pointing to a bed around the corner of the room, from the one Sekh sat on. “She’ll want to be close to Sekh, I’m sure.”

Karlach nodded, heading up the single stair to the enclave, Yenna’s cat following behind in perfect step. Sekh watched the cat, felt a strange tingle in his mind, almost a recognition.

He didn’t have time to dwell on it, as Astarion returned to him, passed a cup he was holding to Sekh. For a moment Sekh thought it was wine, which really wasn’t what he needed- but the cup was quite cold.

He took a sip as Astarion sat down next to him, the man saying something to Gale that had the wizard groaning, exclaiming he hadn’t had enough wine to deal with him.

It was just water.

Sekh glanced at Astarion, must have stared, because the vampire looked at him, quirked a brow. “What?”

“Uh. Nothing.” Sekh glanced down at the glass, and Astarion cleared his throat, made a point to look away.

“I just assumed you’d need it.” He turned his attention back to Gale and Shadowheart- but there was the faintest color to his cheeks, the tips of his ears.

Sekh smiled, taking another sip, the cool water soothing on his throat. Astarion had said he didn’t know what they were, didn’t know how to be anything-

But Sekh would argue he did. He would argue that Astarion even thinking about his needs was the vampire already doing more than he thought himself capable of.

Sekh leaned over, pressed a kiss to Astarion’s temple- and without looking, the vampire slid an arm around his waist, pulled him closer.

This would be alright, Sekh told himself. In the end, no matter what- this would be alright.

It had to be.

#baldur's gate 3 #astarion #astarion ancunin #tavstarion #sekh'met #sekstarion #eternally yours #astarion/tav #astarion x tav

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