#but regardless PLEASE PLEASE everyone is welcome to write fic based on/incorporating these and tag me I wanna see em so bad😭���

[tomurakii]

My last post about bloodweave was pretty negative (though necessarily so imo) so I wanted to talk about the little things about the bloodweave dynamic that I DO like and want to see more of in fic (under the cut).

- the orb means Astarion can't start their relationship transactionally. Gale can't give Astarion blood, and also can't have sex with him (and presumably would refuse casual sex anyway). How would the relationship develop without Astarion being able to rely on the give-and-take, forced instead to just trust Gale will watch his back? Astarion isn't a plans guy, I imagine having to come up with something on the spot (considering none of the other companions are reeaaaally an option either) would lead to a lot more emotional vulnerability as he tries to take a route he has much less experience with. Not to mention that the flirty and standoffish front isn't exactly going to endear him to Gale, who approves of the capable, loyal, and righteous. How long can Astarion pretend to be invested in Gale's wellbeing before it becomes true?

- they both have bad ascension endings, but different natural outcomes. Gale is considered the more morally upstanding one, but in their solo states (without the player's influence) Gale will go through with ascension and Astarion won't. Would they goad each other on? Gale disapproves of Astarion's ascension, using arguments that could apply to himself about the personal sacrifice and loss of the soul. Would Astarion flip them around, become defensive? Their dynamic could mean the power hungry character ending up discouraging the pursuit of godhood, or the two of them hurtling over the edge together. Or, maybe, Astarion encouraging Gale to ascend and having to trust him to return.

- they're the party members with the most life experience, and they're also both pretty well-educated (even if Astarion's law qualifications may well have expired by the events of the game). He spent his time under Cazador sewing (like Gale in his Baldur's Gate epilogue) and learning languages (of which Gale knows four). They have enduring common interests beyond their circumstances. Gale can help Astarion rediscover the latent nerd potential he lost when he died, and lord knows he would love to pick his brain for a first hand account of the mid-to-late 12th century.

- Astarion recently regained hope for his future when the tadpole freed him, Gale recently lost all of it. While act 1 is a continuous series of positive discoveries for Astarion (tadpole frees him from cazador -> ceremorphosis is held off by the dream visitor -> tadpole can be controlled), Gale's life gets worse with time as his treatment stops working. It's a dynamic that could give Gale hope, force Astarion to practise empathy, or put them completely at odds.

- Astarion's all-encompassing desire to reclaim his life could be inspiring to Gale. Moreover, I imagine seeing just how passive Gale is about his death would infuriate him. To have so little regard for his real, mortal, free life? It's a great source of angst, and also a great starting point for Gale to start wanting to live again. Because after learning about Astarion's past he would agree, he'd recognise how much value a mortal life was supposed to have. He'd think himself ungrateful or impolite for entertaining the idea of throwing it away when Astarion would give anything to have what he had. This would lead to guilt, and potentially self-loathing, unless someone was there to help pick up the pieces.

- If Astarion meets Oblodra before Gale's act 2 romance scene, (or for a fanfic plot, just before Gale is confident enough to confess) they most likely won't have sex until the graveyard scene in late act 3 (or the post-ascension equivalent). It means that rather than the fuckfest we so often see from bloodweave fics, the relationship is almost entirely a slow-burning, emotionally intimate affair. I'd really love to see that play out, the progression from semi-horny yearning on both parts as the orb keeps them apart, to two love confessions that are followed by the both of them experiencing non-sexual intimacy for the first time in years. I doubt Mystra was one to hug her chosen, after all, or hold their hands.

I just love a bg3 ship that forces the characters to take different actions than they do in canon. It makes me feel like I'm developing a broader understanding of the characters, you know?

[crackimagines]

A Warm Place (FE: Three Houses Short Fic)

Child!Byleth Professor AU (Golden Deer)

After choosing the Golden Deer class to teach, the tiny professor’s life begins to change, for better or for worse.

Golden Deer Sequel to Part 1

——

Child!Byleth Post Masterlist here!

——

Byleth walked into the Golden Deer class after his meeting with Rhea. He decided to teach them because it seemed like they were a good crowd and didn’t have too many problems.

Truth be told, Byleth only worried about Leonie and Lorenz from the way they acted during their introductions.

The tiny professor would soon regret underestimating the class’s sanity.

Jeralt wanted to tag along with Byleth in meeting the class but Rhea had pulled him away for some unknown reason. With that, Byleth walked into the class alone and stood in front of the group.

(Hilda) “Oh hey, it’s that kid again!”

(Leonie) “YOU!”

(Lorenz) “I do hope you’ve come to apologize young man!”

(Byleth) “…Is Claude here?”

(Claude) “Hey there, kiddo. What brings you here?”

(Lysithea) “My goodness, can anyone give him the proper respect he is due? I’m so sorry for their rudeness, professor!”

(Everyone) “…”

(Raphael) “Wait a second, this cute kid is our professor?!”

(Claude) “HAHAHA! Oh, that’s a good one, Lysithea!”

(Marianne) “I-I um…Don’t think she’s joking.”

The class turned to Byleth who was looking at them with the most dead pan expression they had ever seen in their lives.

(Byleth) “I found the joke amusing too until I realized Rhea was serious.”

(Hilda) “…Oh my gosh, he really is our professor.”

(Lorenz) “What?! Why on earth would they choose someone so young to be a professor?”

(Claude) “Ain’t it obvious? The little teach here chose this class to get to know me better. I’m flattered, really.”

(Byleth) “…”

(Claude) “Yikes, not even a chuckle? Er, whoops now that you’re our professor I guess I should choose my words more carefully.”

(Byleth) “I don’t mind.” Heavens forbid I try and you all ignore me anyway.

(Raphael) “Yeah, seeing as we’re your seniors I guess it makes sense! Oh, does that mean we get to be your big bros and sisters?”

(Hilda) “How am I being taught by someone so much younger than me?”

(Lysithea) “He’s the same age as me and I’m just as surprised, honestly.”

(Leonie) “I think I can see it. After all, he’s a kid after the former captain of the Knights, Jeralt! There’s no way he isn’t worthy, even if he DOES have a smart mouth…”

(Hilda) “Judging a kid based off his lineage alone is a bad idea, Leonie. Right, Marianne?”

(Marianne) “Y-Yes. I agree..”

(Ignatz) “Wait Claude, didn’t you see him firsthand a little bit ago?”

(Claude) “That I did. He was quite impressive for someone that young! Regardless of how you all and the others see him, he’s got my seal of approval!”

(Raphael) “Let’s have a welcoming party! I’ll go get the meat!”

(Lorenz) “How savage. I prefer to get to know our professor through some tea! He may be young, but that’s the exact reason why he should learn how to talk like a no-”

(Raphael) “What?! You can’t have a party without the meat, Lorenz!”

(Lorenz) “Please stop speaking. Your commoner antics are quite grating on the Noble ears-”

(Claude) “Hah, as you can see little Teach, our crowd here’s a rowdy bunch. But hey, it’ll be more exciting for you, right?”

(Byleth) “I suppose.”

(Claude) “Well I hope you’re looking forward to the year as much as I am.”

Byleth gave a simple nod, and the class erupted into conversation, talking about how young he was among other things.

He slowly but surely began to regret choosing this class.

Few Weeks Later…

The way Byleth instructed his class was nothing short of draconian. 

Byleth being a mercenary knew there was only one way for kids to learn, and that was to get firsthand experience.

While Byleth did lecture to his class, most of the experience the Golden Deer class got was field studies on the training grounds, learning the ins and outs of combat.

He incorporated the knight’s teachings into his training demonstrations, but was the most unorthodox out of Manuela and Hanneman.

The first thing he said to his class when getting into the training ground was:

(Byleth) “Following the Knight’s teachings to the book will get you killed. I’ve seen idiots from other mercenary companies who diverted from the Knights lose their limbs from being too predictable.”

So, he encouraged free form training as soldiers in order to prevent rigid training practices, and to keep his students alive.

Though from the way he usually spoke to them, they were more of soldiers than they were students.

After training one day…

(Byleth) “Class is dismissed. Please remember we have practical exams tomorrow, and rest up properly.”

Hilda let out a sigh upon hearing the words “practical exams”.

His version of exams weren’t simply writing what you knew on a piece of paper. You had to physically demonstrate it in the training grounds against classmates to make sure you understood the material.

Ignoring the sigh, Byleth nodded and began organizing his papers as the class left and the bell rang.

(Claude) “Man, kid needs to lighten up. I don’t think I’ve seen him smile once.”

(Ignatz) “Yeah, it’s a little intimidating honestly.”

(Hilda) “And he’s so young too, shouldn’t he be more expressive?”

(Lysithea) “I admit while I’m quite serious, he takes it to a whole other level. Maybe we just need to talk to him about it?”

(Leonie) “Hey, why don’t we ask Hanneman and Manuela about him? They’ve been in professor council meetings with him right?”

(Lorenz) “That seems like the most logical path.”

(Raphael) “A kid his age should be enjoying the breeze and sun with other kids, not cooped up in some classroom all day!”

(Marianne) “Um, that’s not really why we’re going to the others, Raphael…”

The Next Day…

After the Practical Exams, Byleth was about to head back to the classroom and grade everyone’s performance until Claude stepped in his way.

(Claude) “Hey, little teach! Ya got a sec?”

Byleth looked up blankly, seemingly not caring what he was about to ask.

(Byleth) “How can I help?”

(Claude) “You doing anything this afternoon?”

(Byleth) “Grading your performances, but that is it.”

(Claude) “Well, I was wondering if you wanna catch lunch with the class? Ya know, bond with the students and all that?”

(Byleth) “Sure. May I ask why?”

(Claude) “…”

—

“Dear, that child does not even know what the word “fun” means. He won’t listen to me because he thinks I don’t take my work seriously enough. He’s like Hanneman but worse! A cute little kid like him shouldn't be acting like a 70 year old man.”

“Ignoring that spiteful comment, I am in agreement. I think a bit of levity would do him wonders from what Byleth has told us about his methods of teaching. We are relying on you and the rest of your classmates.”

—

(Claude) “It’s cause I haven’t seen you take a break is all! You should be enjoying your youth. That reminds me, I should get on Lysithea’s case about that too…”

(Byleth) “I see. Well then, let’s get the rest of the class.”

Claude nodded and got everyone’s attention. To Byleth though, they seemed to agree a bit too fast. Even someone as lazy as Hilda was quick to jump in on this. Deciding not to dwell on it, Byleth followed Claude out into the Mess Hall. 

Everyone sat down next to each other, or more accurately, near Byleth.

The tiny professor was beginning to suspect something was up, but when he heard everyone talking, nothing seemed particularly forced. For once he decided to let down his guard and just enjoy some time with his students. Now that he thought on it, this was only the second time they ate as a class.

(Lysithea) “So professor, are you enjoying your time at Garreg Mach?”

Byleth shrugged.

(Byleth) “Guess so. You all don’t seem as bad as I thought you were going to be.”

(Leonie) “I’d be delighted if you didn’t add that last part. How bad DID you think about us?!”

(Hilda) “You all need to be reigned in, you’re all like a bunch of animals!”

(Lorenz) “Pft, speak for yourself, Hilda! I saw you during that exam, you were barely putting any effort in!”

(Hilda) “I did put effort in, excuse you!”

(Marianne) “G-Guys, we’re supposed to be eating…”

(Byleth) “Heh…”

Everyone suddenly turned to Byleth, who was looking at everyone with an eyebrow raised.

(Claude) “Teach, was that a laugh? My goodness, the kid’s human after all!”

(Ignatz) “H-Hey, don’t be mean to him!”

(Byleth) “Don’t worry about it Ignatz. I suppose I haven’t exactly been…the most friendly of professors.”

(Raphael) “You can say that again! Everyday you look like you wanna kill us!”

(Lorenz) “Oh for goddess’s sake, Raphael watch your tone!”

(Byleth) “It’s fine, really. I apologize for my lack of…emotions they’re…something I’m not familiar with.”

(Leonie) “Wait, what?”

(Lysithea) “That’s a little absurd. Surely you’ve experienced things like joy and pain, right?”

Byleth shrugged as he put a bit of his meal onto his spoon.

(Byleth) “I think? Not sure honestly. I never had time to think about it, and even when I did, it wasn’t important to the mission.”

Everyone looked a little sorry now. It wasn’t that Byleth didn’t care about showing emotions, it was the fact he doesn’t know how to show it.

(Claude) “Well no worries, little teach! We’re here to change that around for ya!”

(Marianne) “With our class, I think all he might know is annoyance…”

Lorenz and Hilda spat out their drinks while Claude began laughing hard.

Byleth watched the chaos unfold as the class spoke amongst each other, the lunch becoming much more livelier. 

Byleth’s memories started flashing of when he and Jeralt were dining with his mercenary company, being loud and obnoxious.

Most of the time, Byleth had been alone from both Jeralt and the other mercenaries, so he was starting to get a bit homesick.

But seeing the class interact like this gave him more than a little comfort.

It was going to take some time, but eventually Byleth knew he was going to like this class a lot more than he thought. 

(Byleth) “I guess we should do this more often.”

With no one looking at him, Byleth had a small smile creep up on him, going back to the meal as Claude and Lorenz began to bicker, the rest of the Golden Deer chiming in.

(Byleth) “You’re no mecenaries but…You all will do.”

And this was the first steps of many for the class of the Golden Deer down a path together.