#gale and karlach are never not on board honestly

[jacqcrisis]

I love how during the Murder Tribunal, none of the companions had anything to say about Holy Warrior Ronan being like 'oh yeah I'd love to be an assassin of Bhaal. Dribbles? Yeah, we super killed that guy. Really fun. Highly reccomend.'

Obviously, in game there's just nothing scripted there, but I like to think that after months of traipsing after the big lizard man and living through all his convoluted plans that have always worked, the party is just like 'yeah, sure, this might as well happen.' It'll be fine and it was (if you don't ask the rogue how many hits he took).

[theshotsheardacrossworlds]

This is a Gift

5 times Astarion told Octavia "This is a gift, you know. I won't forget it" and 1 time she said it to him. Mildly NSFW in some spots and cw referencing sexual assault

“I only need a taste, I swear.” Just a taste. One little taste. You’re a sweet…not so little…thing. Please. One small taste.

Octavia hesitated for a moment and then sighed. “Fine. But not a drop more than you need.”

Finally. Finally!!! “Really? I-of course. Not one drop more. Let’s make ourselves comfortable, shall we?” He watched as Octavia lay back down on her bedroll, noticing she was as tense as a board. Relax. It shouldn’t hurt too much. I hope. When his fangs plunged into her neck, she gasped. Seven hells, if she does that simply from this, I wonder how she sounds when she comes. All in good time, sweetness. I think I have you wrapped around my finger. More. Must have more…

“Astarion, please—” she said with urgency.

And dinnertime is over! “Ah! That-that was amazing. My mind is finally clear. I feel strong. I feel…happy!” Astarion offered Octavia a hand and helped her to her feet. She is…quite beautiful in the moonlight. It’ll make what I must do easier, I suppose.

“I’m looking forward to seeing you fight.”

“Shouldn’t take long. So many people need killing. Now, if you’ll excuse me, you’re invigorating, but I need something more filling.” As he turned to leave, he stopped. “This is a gift, you know. I won’t forget it.” For the first time in a long time, I will trance with a full stomach. Thank you, Octavia dear.

***

“Astarion, look out!” Octavia screamed as a goblin archer took aim at the elven vampire. Luckily for him, he was able to dodge the arrow. Mostly. It tore the leather on my armor! That little shit! But if she hadn’t warned me, I’m fairly sure that would’ve been a critical hit.

After the battle ended, he walked up to the curvaceous tiefling and grinned. Lay on the charm. She adores it. So easy to please… “Thanks for the heads up, my dear. Now, how should I reward you?”

Her eyes widened. “Um, you’re welcome? I don’t need or want anything, Astarion.”

More charm. “Darling, there must be something.” He flashed his best grin and put a hand on one of his hips. They always want something. Just need to figure out what you want.

To his astonishment, she shrugged in quite possibly the most adorably awkward way ever. She’s such a sweetheart. “I just want you to be safe. That’s all.” Their conversation was interrupted by the Scratch familiar barking. “Looks like he’s found something!” She smiled and walked quickly to the dog.

She…doesn’t want anything. Only for me to be safe. Watching Octavia and Gale cheer Karlach on as she dug to get to whatever treasure Scratch found, he felt tears in his ruby eyes. “This is a gift, you know. I won’t forget it.”

***

“Did you honestly think, boy, that you could evade me forever? Play adventurer with this…thing?” Cazador sneered, telepathically holding Octavia by the throat. I can’t move. Why can’t I move? Her tail thrashed back and forth. Her bright blue eyes were full of terror. “I thought I raised you better than that. No, I won’t use her for the ritual.” He leered at her, undoing the pins in her hair that Astarion had set that morning. “She’ll make a fine meal after I force you to watch me take her.”

No. Gods no. No. No! NO!

Her eyes somehow got wider. Try to break free, my love. You’re so much stronger than you think you are. “Astarion…” she managed to choke out. “Astarion…”

“Astarion? Love?”

It all happened in seconds.

He sat up straight as he woke from the nightmare.

He screamed her name.

He had not realized that while he was thrashing that he hit her.

“Ow! Astarion, calm down! It’s okay! I’m right here, love! It’s okay.” She pinched her nose with one hand and tentatively reached for him with the other.

What…fuck. Fuck. FUCK. I’ve hurt her. Shit. I never want to hurt her, and she’s…fuck. Monster. You’re nothing but a monster. He crawled away from her slowly, holding up his shaking hands. “Forgive me. I-I…”

“Is everything alright in there?”

“Fine, Shadowheart. Just having a bit of a nosebleed, but it’s already slowing down.”

“Just make sure Astarion doesn’t drain you dry.” She snarked as she left. Octavia peered through the tent flaps to make sure she was gone before she turned to Astarion.

“Love—”

Monster. Monster. Monster. Monster. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what came over me, darling. I’m so sorry. I…I’m…” He felt himself uncontrollably trembling and wet, hot tears dripping down his pale cheeks.

Octavia slowly moved towards him, a warm smile on her face. “Hey, it’s okay. The bleeding’s already stopped, so that’s good. Do you want to talk about it?” She sat next to him and put her right hand palm up on her thigh. If I touch her hand, then she has permission to touch me. A nice little idea she had a while back so I could establish boundaries. My darling is so brilliant. One of his pale hands rested in hers, and he gripped it. Hard. She’s here. She’s fine. She’s safe. She’s perfect. She’s safe. She’s safe…

He shook his head. “No. I frankly never wish to think of it again.”

She nodded. “Do you want to sit here for a while? Do you want to feed? What can I do for you?”

“Hold me, my love.” Astarion was not entirely sure the words left his lips because he said them so softly, but she must have heard. Scooching next to him, one long arm went around his shoulders while the other held a hand. They sat in silence for some time before Octavia fell back asleep.

He watched over her, noting the small smile on her face.

“This is a gift, you know. I won’t forget it.”

***

“Sweetness, do you mind if we take a raincheck for tonight?” Astarion asked hesitantly, watching Octavia read a book in their room at the Elfsong Tavern. The original plan had been a date night and lovemaking, but even though I wish to, I simply…I can’t. Not tonight.

She looked up from her book and smiled. “Of course, love. Do you still want to go out?”

He frowned. “No. I think for tonight I need some time to myself.” It’s not you, dear. Please don’t think it. I know how you are. You will and then you’ll feel awful, and I’ll feel awful.

“Fine with me.” She closed her book and set it aside. “Hmmm, maybe I could persuade Gale to teach me lanceboard—”

“Darling, please don’t torture yourself.” Who in their right mind would have Gale teach them anything, let alone lancecboard? He rolled his eyes. “Darling, love yourself.”

She rose from her chair, her expression a mix of amused and peeved. “Oh, hush you! Be nice to Gale. He’s a wonderful man and a lovely friend.” She shifted uneasily. “I just didn’t want to automatically say Halsin lest it make you feel bad…because I never want you to feel that way ever again.”

She truly is the sweetest. How lucky am I? He took one of her hands and brought it to his lips. “My dear, I’m always tickled pink when you’re with Halsin. And you always come back so delightfully,” smirking, his fingers danced over the base of her tail. A guaranteed moan every time! “fuck drunk.”

She moaned uneasily, her cheeks turning a dark pink. “I’ll, um, keep that in mind for later, love.” Quickly giving him a kiss, she maneuvered around him to grab her bag and checked her hair. “You relax tonight, okay? There’s still a lot ahead of us I fear, and I worry.” You always worry. Far, far too much.

“Then follow your own advice and relax, sweetness. Now, shoo! Go relax or rut or whatever filthy things you two do.” And soon, very soon I think, I want to watch. He kissed her and guided her outside their room, a deliriously happy grin on her face. Gods, her smile. Perfect in every way. She waved and then practically skipped to Halsin’s door. Astarion watched as she explained that her plans changed and then Halsin wrapped his thick arms around her and nearly lifted her off the ground. They both laughed and then shuffled into his room, the door closing with a bang.

As he laid back down and opened his book, he smiled. “Octavia, my everything---this is a gift, you know. I won’t forget it.”

***

“A-are you certain, my love?” Astarion asked with uncertainty. “Halsin darling? Is it true?”

Halsin nodded as he poured some tea. “Yes. Our family will be expecting a little one again in the summer, and this time—”

“The cub is yours, Star.” Octavia said dreamily, hands on her belly. “Just like we wanted.”

Five years since Ianfir’s birth. Three since we started trying for another.

Before he knew it, Octavia reached him in three strides and embraced him, her nose in his white curls. “This is a gift, you know. I won’t forget it.” she whispered, tears streaming down her face. How the three of us have wanted another child, but my sweet treat has wanted this so badly. “I think the newest cub is a girl.” She smiled, still holding him. “Wouldn’t that be lovely?

A little girl.

With my eyes and her nose.

Pale ginger curls.

A tail that will wrap around my hand like Ianfir’s did when he was a baby.

She’ll have Octavia’s smile.

He wept into her shoulder. “Yes. Yes, it would. We’ll name her Helestina. It’s such a beautiful name.” Some time ago, Octavia surprised me with records she obtained from Baldur’s Gate---records of my birth, my graduation from law school, my installation as a magistrate, cases I had ruled on, and my obituary.

Helestina…was my mother.

[shinyglaceonice]

So. I beat Baldurs Gate 3. Safe to say it's the best thing I've played in years.

Spoilers under cut.

Companions were 10/10 across the board. Shadowheart and Astarion were my besties that never left my party, and I really appreciated the shot when we first entered the city and it was the three of them looking at the horizon. Wish I could have screenshot that.

Karlach is my wife, and the new ending is the best thing we have for her at the moment. I like to imagine my Paladin has the time of her life smiting demons and Devils in Avernus, ala Doom Slayer style whilst trying to find a way to help her. Also Wyll is there.

Speaking of Wyll, he served as my moral compass. I like him a lot, and it would have been a nice turn if my Paladin could convince him to become a Paladin himself. Let him smite, as a little treat.

Gale... grew on me. I was ready to throw him in a nearby lake but he charmed me. Managed to talk him down from power.

Also I would like to apologise. I know Laezel is a great character... but she died at the entrance to the mountain pass from that Githyanki squad. Did not have a means to revive. I'm so sorry.

Halsin is great, would have liked to see more of him. He kinda fell quiet in Act 3.

I went with the emperor ending. Honestly, I like the guy. He's very morally grey and is fascinating to me. Do I trust him? No, not at all. But I will tag along to see where following him leads too.

All in all, I'm going to miss Paladin Nah. My chaotic, vengeful Paladin who somehow managed to keep her Oath despite making some very questionable choices in Act Three, such as releasing 7000 spawn into the Underdark, teaming up with terrorist gnomes, teaming up with a mind flayer, slaughtering the entire House Of Grief, breaking into the House Of Hope, and so on. Also ends the game with a pet Intellect Devourer because Us is the best and I will die on this hill.

[teamdilf]

Consider with me. For just a moment.

Would you ever write a sci-fi AU of lost souls?

It’s honestly just Karlach with a big ass gun for me, but could you imagine Astarion—

Oh, so I've never considered this and I kind of love it. I have pondered a modern AU, and a far off into the future fic looking at how Astarion fares in a contemporary world long after all of his friends/family have died. My conclusion is that the man has learned how to use a gun - and is a good shot, but laments that the days of daggers in a large fight are over. He prefers killing up close, and I'll bet he gets a TON of side eye when he's like, "I used to be able to watch the life leave people's eyes as I buried my blades into their guts" because he's still a little feral, even hundreds of years later.

So, sci-fi AU? We'll have sharpshooter Astarion (who gets stabby whenever he possibly can because see above). Petra is a lounge singer in a dive bar on a space station singing for room and board. Karlach is a bad ass with a big gun, because of course she is. Something happens to get the Tadpole gang together (space tadpoles? Sure!), and Petra somehow winds up the leader of this crew of misfits. Astarion steals them a ship and they take off in search of a cure for their alien infection.

Antics include: A space chase because Astarion accidentally stole a police ship (the man cannot plan his way out of a paper bag), Gale getting them out of trouble with a well-placed bribe after Wyll name drops his dad because in this universe, fancy magic types make good credits, legitimate concern that Karlach will burn a hole through the hull and they'll all wind up spaced, and Petra whining that it's tough to dye one's hair purple when your timed shower is only 3 minutes.

Astarion recognizes Petra's hardship, but everyone else thinks she's being a princess.

[ablogofsapphicpanic]

Hey it’s been awhile 😞 but I’ve been tinkering away on your story and am really excited about where it’s going. 👀 But first I wanted to ask a couple more questions to make sure I’m going in the right direction. 

Do you have a preference for a long one-shot or multi-chapters?  Right now the fic is shaping up to go either way, so I want to ask now before I hunker down in writing land and the scope implodes. 

On a scale from 1-10 how much angst do you like? If you'd prefer something a bit more lighthearted let me know!!

And of course, do you want something smutty? I can stick with something more sfw if that’s your vibe! 

AND LASTLY: Would you want a preview in a week or so? If not, that’s fine too. 

ALSO I TOO AM A HUGE KARLACH FAN. I love her so much. My first playthrough I started romancing Astarion, but then I took a long break b/c I got the flu (which SUCKED). When I came back, I decided to start a new campaign and went the Karlach route. TRULY the best and I want the world for her. 

I have two close friends who both agree Karlach is wonderful, but we’re currently at a stalemate because one of them is EXTREMELY pro-Gale and the other is not and it’s been hilarious mediating between the two. Every year our friend group hosts a powerpoint presentation party and I’m convinced Gale friend’s presentation is going to be on her now in-game husband Gale and why he is the best. I’ll report back if she changes my mind and makes me love him too. 

Do you have any plans for the holidays? I’ll probably visit my family, but I’m mostly looking forward to having some interrupted reading time. We also play a lot of board games. Do you have any favorites? After that I’m hoping 🤞  to swing by NY to say hello to friends who live upstate and then to NYC to see Sleep No More. This is probably the most adventure I’ve had in a while.

🎅

Ahhhh I’m so sorry, I kept forgetting to respond to this!!! Hi! I hope you’ve been doing well 💖💖

Honestly, I am fine with whatever the flow of the story is but if it really comes down to it, a long one shot is slightly preferable but if you feel like chapters flow better/help with the story, go for it! If it winds up being a lot or if there’s a cut off that you feel would be a good break, I’d definitely prefer chapters over the one shot if that makes sense

I do love angst, I’d probably say like a 7. I enjoy crying, I find it cathartic but I do like happy endings to my angst because I’m a sap. But I love a little bit of suffering in my media, it’s the best way to go. Not to say that lighthearted stuff is boring, but angst can be excellent for storylines

Smut or no smut is fine with me! I’ll never say no to a little bit of ✨spice✨ (insert that tiktok sound here).

I WOULD LOVE A PREVIEW ABSOLUTELY PLEASE 💖💖💖 I can’t wait to see what you’ve got going 😫 I’m sure I will lose my mind over it

I am a part of the small group that hates Astarion but am fully willing to admit that if he was a woman I’d be all over that shit 💁‍♀️ Yes I am a hypocrite but I don’t think I’ll ever try a romance with him. I hope you’re feeling better from your flu though 💖💖Being sick suuuuucks and I just want to spend the whole time asleep. With Karlach, shadowheart sums it up nicely that she can throw you over her shoulder and carry you to safety. And I love her calling you soldier. I giggle every time she does. I’m doing one playthrough where I’m romancing Laezel and I love that you can call her out for insulting you after she comes on to you (I didn’t cuz I love that shit). I am currently pro Gale bc MB poisoned my mind it’s all her fault but honestly Godspeed with the two friends so vehemently against each other 🫡 report back on if she does the presentation bc that would be hilarious

I’m hoping to go visit family too! I usually pop home for Christmas and use up the last of my vacation hours for the year. And I’ll hopefully get to meet my brand new baby nephew! Also have fun in New York!! Be prepared to see weird shit if you take the subway, I was not properly warned before I took it for the first time in October. Idk where in upstate you plan on going but hopefully there’s some pretty snow instead of the gross mucky rain we’ve been getting the past two weeks.

Sorry this took me so long to answer! I hope you’re doing well!!