#he's also like : is he gonna end up sucking someone up or whatgdfjgdkjfgkjdgfnkdgn

[greenelight]

when   they   arrive   ,   the   other   members   of   their   group   have   already   begun   tending   to   their   campsite   &;   while   this   has   been   done   countless   times   before   ,   the   prince   still   struggles   with   the   simple   task   of   setting   up   a   tent.   the   last   time   he   tried   ,   it   all   ended   in   failure   &   he's   pretty   sure   there   was   a   lot   of   laughter   shared   in   secret   due   to   his   inability   to   complete   a   task   that   is   probably   a   common   skill   for   most   people.   he's   had   things   done   for   him   for   most   of   his   life   ,   so   unfortunately   he's   left   with   little   to   no   skills   that   could   help   him   survive   in   the   real   world.   it's   what   made   his   sudden   decision   to   run   away   all   the   more   difficult at the start   &   now   that   he's   going   back   ,   he's   sure   many   assume   it's   because   he   misses   home   &   the   privileges   he   once   had.   truthfully   ,   the   prince   hasn't   had   a   true   home   in   a   long   time   ,   but   being   with   this   group   .   .   .   this   was   the   closest   he's   ever   felt   to   having   a   comforting   ,   safe   place   ,   pits   of   death   included.   &   yes   ,   that   does   include   the   banter   shared   with   astarion   as   well   ━━   especially   so   ,   to   be   honest.   it's   nice   to   have   someone   to   talk   to   who   seems   to   actually   want   to   talk   to   him   ,   even   if   they   do   talk   about   less   than   conventional   things   like   deals   &   returning   favors.   at   this   point   ,   mason   will   take   anything   &   the   vampire   is   a   lot   of   fun   to   be   around   .   .   .   well   ,   for   now   anyway.   he   still   hasn't   seen   him   eat   or   indulge   in   much   of   anything   &   even   vampires   need   sustenance   ,   but   would   he   ever   try   to   take   a   drink   from anyone in the camp , or even   him   ? the prince shivers. he doesn't want to think about it.

❝   can't   blame   me   for   trying.   but   good   to   know   you   think   i'm   adorable.   i   should   use   my   boyish   good   looks   to   win   your   favor   more   often.   ❞   teeth   are   exposed   as   he   flashes   a   charming   grin   ,   hands   outstretched   as   they   reach   one   of   the   campfires   that   have   been   set   ,   the   warmth   a   welcomed   sensation   from   such   a   cold   ,   crisp   day.   the   flames   almost   lick   at   the   skin   of   his   palms   ,   but   he   quite   likes   the   subtle   burn.   ❝   you   can   keep   your   secrets   if   you   want.   i   have   plenty   else   to   keep   me   up   at   night   ,   but   your   need   for   a   favor   from   me   won't   be   one   of   them.   still   ,   you   can   surprise   me   with   it   later   &   i'll   pretend   you   left   me   squirming   with   anticipation.   ❛   oh   astarion   ,   please   tell   me   what   you   plan   to   ask   of   me.   i'm   at   the   edge   of   my   seat   !   ❜   ❞   laughter   bubbles   in   his   throat   as   he   gently   elbows   the   vampires   in   a   show   of   friendship   &   comfort   ,   perhaps   a   naive   thing   to   do   ,   given   how   little   time   they've   come   to   know   one   another   ,   but   mason   can't   help   it   ━━   he   finds   himself   in   a   good   mood   whenever   in   his   presence.   ❝   in   truth   ,   get   me   to   the   kingdom   in   one   piece   &   you   can   have   whatever   favor   you   need.   jewels   ,   gold   .   .   .   what   sort   of   things   does   a   man   like   you   desire   ,   astarion   ?   ❞   the   prince   is   curious   to   know   ,   as   the   vampire   is   not   quite   like   any   man   he   has   ever   or   will   ever   meet   in   all   his   life. what is it that he could ever possibly need or want ?

“  that it would, my dear, that it would. so, we best avoid any stray feet, ” mason's amusement adds to astarion's own, gladdened by the prince's ability to jest and brush off idle threats with humour. oh, it's some of his favourite kind of banter. there was no point pretending they lived in a fairy tale world, untouched by darkness and corruption; such naivety would only ever end in a miserable death. a spot of dark humour went a long way, without it he just might expire from boredom. he's intent on forgetting the cobweb altogether until they reach camp, where he would strip and soak his blouse in a water barrel. however, it's a matter sooner resolved when mason brushes the remaining bits of tacky web from his person in a gesture wholly unnecessary. astarion supposes this is one of those moments where he should be thankful for the prince's good nature or just ... simply acknowledge that small gestures of kindness are simply what normal people do. instead, the vampire watches as mason dusts the web from his fingers, resuming their repartee and all prior consideration of goodwill vanishes.

“  hmm, saving someone from a pit of death... and saving another from cobwebbed clothing― i wouldn't exactly call that 'even', no, but you're adorable for trying, ” astarion laughs to himself as they head towards camp, or the beginnings of. there's an unlit firepit and tents in the midst of being set up. a tedious task lies ahead, but with how often they set up camp, it's becoming much more second nature than anything else. “  i suppose i could let you know in advance, but where's the fun in spoiling the surprise? ” nevermind the fact that he hasn't hashed out the details as of yet. he's not sure he's ever had someone owe him a favour before, and who knew what the future might bring? “  i'm not opposed to negotiating the terms. i'd hate for it to keep you up all night, not when there's other things you could be doing, ” the obvious insincerity pairs with the insinuation as if it's been said a thousand times before. nevertheless, astarion gleefully leaves mason with the thought.