#it's 5:26 and i've been in bed since midnight or so

[rragnaroks]

im losing my actual mind

i love this album

[apomaro-mellow]

Wrong Number 2

Someone said they liked when authors put their super-specific jobs in fics so I hope ya like Steve havin a (kinda romanticized) past job of mine.

For the first time in his life, Steve felt like the stereotypical young person who was always glued to his phone. Every time it made a noise or vibrated, his arm shot out like lightning, hoping with every fiber of his being that it was the mystery number.

It had been about five days since he'd sent that first message and he'd been worried about their conversations being stale. But that wasn't an issue. The only times their talks lulled was when they went to bed.

And even that was after texting late into the night. Steve would watch the clock go from 9 to 10 and promise to get to sleep at a reasonable hour. And then it would be midnight and what was a few minutes after that? Then he'd look up and it would be 2 in the morning.

Texting this guy had become the highlight of Steve's days. To the point where he didn't even realize Friday had come until one of his students mentioned it.

Then, purely out of habit, he asked: "Any weekend plans?"

"I've got a soccer game", Zach answered.

"My parents are having date night", Belinda said.

And normally Steve himself would be thinking about going out and finding someone for the night. But the idea hadn't come to him for once. He knew why, but he didn't fully process it until he got home to Robin, who was in the middle of cooking breakfast for dinner it seemed.

Steve was in the middle of replying to a text sent during lunch.

(12:15) I just realized you know about my off the wall job (12:17) But I have no idea what your 9 to 5 is (12:18) Your legally required to tell me if ur famous (12:18) Not bc im a clout chaser (12:19) But bc I might not have a clue who you are

[4:13] Not famous. Don't worry. I'm a teacher.

(4:15) As a former student I apologize

Robin opened the cabinet, looking for pancake mix. “Are you and that girl still texting?”

“Me and the who?”, Steve looked up from his phone.

“That girl? I assume you're finally setting up a date for this weekend?"

"She-" Steve racked his brain for a good excuse. But it was hard to do when the person who knew him the most was staring right at him.

"Whatever flaws of hers you're about to make up, I'm gonna call bullshit because your phone hasn't stopped pinging for days." She started mixing the pancake batter.

Steve looked down at the words on his screen. The one flaw of this guy was that they couldn't meet in person. But maybe it was time to close the distance just a bit.

"She's shy. Might just text a bit more before she's ready."

[4:19] No need for sorries. All my kids are great. But that's probably because I teach their favorite class.

(4:21) Oooh their favorite? (4:21) It's gotta be something like art rite? (4:22) Or are you being a smart ass cuz you teach like calculus or something?

[4:23] I teach cooking 😛

(4:23) Oh shit. (4:24) You're actually the favorite

[4:25] Toldja. Hey quick question and then possibly many more questions.

(4:26) Go ooooon

[4:27] How would you feel about spending the night playing 20 questions? Like are you free tonight?

Eddie bit his lip as he looked at Steve's words. He had picked his shifts this weekend to make sure he had plenty of time to talk to Steve. Which meant he was in fact free tonight. He replied as such and Steve said he wanted a little time to take a shower and then he'd be ready.

And because he was a little shit, Eddie took advantage of him being away from his phone.

(4:35) Since you're in the shower, I'm taking the first question. Boxers or briefs?

[4:54] Cheater. And I prefer boxer briefs. My turn?

(4:55) Go for it

Eddie was curled up on his couch, tv low and in the background as he waited for Steve's question.

[4:55] What's your name?

(4:56) THATS your first question? (4:56) Wait we've been texting for days haven't you saved my number? (4:57) What do you have me as?

Steve bit his lip, wishing he could lie to this guy, but he couldn’t. Instead he sent a screenshot of his phone.

(4:59) Misty? That’s the name of the chick?

[5:00] Yeah. But I guess I should put your actual name now, right?

It was a gamble. But this guy already knew Steve’s name. And by this point they’d been texting for nearly a week. He just wanted to know his name. He pushed back the part of himself that said he needed to know.

(5:00) It's Eddie.

Eddie. The guy he'd been talking to was named Eddie. Eddie with the long curly hair and the chunky rings who threw axes for a living. He was a far cry from the soft girls he usually dated. Or the preppy guys he usually dated.

(5:02) Favorite bug?

The question threw Steve for a moment but he decided to humor him.

[5:04] Bees 🐝I like how fuzzy they are. And I like honey. [5:05] What rings do you have?

A couple minutes later, Eddie replied with an image. It was taken from above and showed his hands lying flat on a coffee table. Steve zoomed to make out the details of each ring. He was also able to see a watch and a couple of wristbands on him.

[5:08] How did you take that picture? With your mouth? 🦭

(5:09) Did you did you just compare me to a seal???

[5:09] What other animal catches things in their mouths?

'I can be an animal with my mouth'. Thankfully, Eddie's fingers weren't as fast as his brain and he didn't send that to Steve. Eddie had in fact put his phone in his mouth the take the picture, having a real 'no thoughts, head empty moment' when Steve asked about his rings.

Steve was letting his own mind wander as he gazed at the picture. Eddie's hands were...his hands were...well they were-

(5:10) Favorite youtuber?

The adoration of Eddie's hands were interrupted by Eddie himself as their question and answers continued. The picture continued as well. Steve sent pics of his favorite pair of shoes, his hair products, and of his neck when Eddie said he didn't believe he had all these moles.

Eddie had sent pictures of one arm, covered in tats, his acoustic guitar, and a super worn copy of Peter Pan.

The hour was growing late and both of them were feeling more bold but at the same time hesitant because it felt like they were close to crossing a line.

Needing an outside opinion, Eddie consulted with The Council (the discord server with his band mates) about whether or not he should shoot his shot. Gareth told him to go for it, what harm could it do? Grant said to do it because it could potentially be the funniest catfishing story. Jeff agreed that he should, if only because their guitarist getting murdered would be a great back story.

With their unanimous approval, Eddie decided to start actively flirting with Steve.

(8:37) Soooooo ya like jazz?

[8:38] I do actually. I really love the piano.

Okay, that one was just practice. Be smooth. Be suave. None of that was in Eddie's wheelhouse but thankfully nothing he said turned Steve away. He always seemed just as eager to reply back.

(9:10) What's your oldest piece of clothing?

Eddie was thinking of his own oldest article a t-shirt that had started out overgrown on his tiny eight year old body but he'd grown into and kept over the years. It was super faded but filled with the memory of the first time he spent more than a couple of days with his uncle.

[9:12] I'd show you, but I'm wearing them right now.

Steve had closed his bedroom door before sending the text. There wasn't anything scandalous but it seemed like it could very quickly veer into that territory. All Eddie had to do was ask. If he wanted to see them, Steve would show it.

'I would like to see it.'

(9:12) I would like to see it

Eddie knew it could be anything. Maybe a holey sock. Or maybe he also had a super faded t-shirt with deep sewn-in memories as well. Maybe he was wearing a class ring?

[9:14] image.jpeg

Eddie was treated (and goddamn what a treat it was) to Steve Harrington's bottom half, barely covered in shorts with a school's logo on them. Thick thighs covered in hair. And a bulge that was there. It was very there. Eddie couldn't overstate how there it was.

He palmed his own crotch before remembering he was looking at a guy's junk and about to jerk off to it in his living room. And he had yet to answer. What was the most respectful way to say 'humina humina humina-wolf whistle-awooga'?

(9:16) Are you trying to kill me Steve?

[9:17] Do you like it?

'Awooga.'

(9:18) ❤️‍🔥 🔥 🥵

Eddie tried to think of any other way to tell Steve how hot he made him but it felt like typing words just wasn't enough.

(9:19) Can I do something insane? (9:20) And feel free to ignore me if it's too much

Steve was lying in his bed, phone of his charger now. Nothing Eddie could do would be too much. He could knock on his door and he would let him in.

[9:21] Go ahead

A second after he sent that, Steve's phone started to ring. It was Eddie. He stared for about five seconds before picking up.

"Hey."

"Hey."

If possible, Steve melted more into his bed. Eddie's voice...he didn't know what he expected but it wasn't that. He said one word and Steve wanted to wrap himself in it.

"That was pretty naughty of you, sending me that pic. I could show up to your school."

"You'd be a few years too late. These are my oldest shorts, remember?"

"Tiniest shorts maybe."

Steve laughed and Eddie was on cloud nine. He was so lost in bliss, he miscalculated and fell off the couch.

"What was that?"

"I uh, I fell. Off my couch."

"Did you fall hard?"

Eddie beamed as he got up and turned off the tv. Now that he had his voice, all he wanted to hear was the man on the other line.

"Oh super hard."

Steve let out a sound from the back of his throat and he wondered if Eddie had heard it. It was honestly amazing how the smallest things got him going. Or maybe he was just that into Eddie.

"You still there Steve?"

....."Yeah. I'm still here."

Part 4

Tag Team (closed)

@anne-bennett-cosplayer @estrellami-1 @newtstabber @omletlove @ifyoudonlysurrender @rehfan @morganski-19 @corvidcantina @dragonmama76 @just-ladyme @tinyplanet95 @goodolefashionedloverboi @idoquitelikebread @kittydeadbones @manda-panda-monium @rhapsodyinalto @paintsplatteredandimperfect @keylime-green @ihavekidneys @samsoble @honorarybrit81 @swimmingbirdrunningrock @aizawa-emma @deleataecount @thesuninyaface @fromapayphone @justmeinadaze @hbyrde36 @queenie-ofthe-void @resident-gay-bitch @bestwifehaver @dangdirtydemons @ellietheasexylibrarian @perseus-notjackson @pyrohonk @holysteddie @cinnamon-mushroomabomination @mrsjellymunson @geekymagicalpotato @notaqueenakhaleesi @phantomcat94 @ladylokilaufeyson5 @dude-as-in-i-love-u @micheledawn1975 @magpiemuseum @novelnovella @marklee-blackmore @stevesbipanic @martinskis-lydias @beckkthewreck @gay-little-bitch @everywherenothere @emma-elsa-0000 @rlpersephone3259 @songbird-garden @trucoop @omgshesinsane @fantrash @7-starboi @soulminyg @larawrmonster @blackpanzy @offical-potato @aellafreya @mightbeasleep @lorelei724 @moomkin77

If you were tagged but it didn't show up in your notifications, lemme know and I'll do that thing where I tag you in a reblog instead. I know tumblr can't be trusted to function XD

[justjasper]

60 Alkaline Trio Lyrics Writing Prompts

What do I do with these? Write something inspired by one of them! Get your followers to send you a prompt for you to write for!

Themes: love, death, substance abuse, suicide, violence

Kiss You to Death

1. I don't care if we fuck or we talk or we cry

Every Thug Needs a Lady

2. Right now you're all that I recognise

Over and Out

3. Please tell my wife I loved her more than life itself

This Could Be Love

4. I've got some mad ideas involving you and me

Cringe

5. You were the last good thing I ever saw

Pocket Knife

6. I've been waiting here so long // For someone just like me

Clavicle

7. I want to wake up naked next to you // Kissing the curve of your clavicle

Mr Chainsaw

8. Found out recently that you were leaving // For good I hope, I softly tell my ceiling

You're Dead

9. But I now have nothing but your heartbeat in my head

Enjoy Your Day

10. I hope he bought you roses

Steamer Trunk

11. I love you so I told you, but it didn't matter much

Dead on the Floor

12. We felt so good together // It was way too good to be

Continental

13. Ran out of time, no kiss goodbye

One Last Dance

14. Beyond repair, the damage that I did

Kick Rocks

15. You had nowhere to go, so you came right back here

Sorry About That

16. Maybe I just set aside the fact that you were broken-hearted

Midnight Blue

17. I had nobody but you

This is Getting Over You

18. Today I woke up younger than I've been in years

Bleeder

19. My heart bleeds for what you never did

Calling All Skeletons

20. I've come to love your disappearing act // Do one more pretty please

Blue in the Face

21. I don't dream since I quit sleeping // And I haven't slept since I met you

Radio

22. I've got a big fat fucking bone to pick with you, my darling

Dethbed

23. They tried everything and everyone but you

One Hundred Stories

24. I'm dying just to feel you breathe

My Friend Peter

25. I don't care who you've been sleeping with these days

Sweet Vampires

26. This love-hate is making me cry

I Lied My Face Off

27. It's never fine when you go away

Love Love, Kiss Kiss

28. Do you curse the happy couple?

Crawl

29. Never had a drink that I didn't like // Got a taste of you, threw up all night

Cooking Wine

30. Sorry I'm late, I was out spoiling my liver

Off the Map

31. I'm like a junkie for your smart mouth

San Francisco

32. And I was drinking you goodbye

Fine

33. It's ironic that I drink to make my insides stop hurting

I'm Dying Tomorrow

34. Take lots of pills, commit irreversible sins

Back to Hell

35. Like the pills in your hand, I'll never let you down

This Addiction

36. I once tried to kick this addiction // I swear I'll never kick again

Trouble Breathing

37. You said tonight is a wonderful night to die

While You're Waiting

38. I'm not crying wolf, you whisper // I'm really dead this time

Sadie

39. Play dead dear, it's your only hope of pulling through

Only Love

40. You're dying when you start thinking like that

Do You Wanna Know?

41. My spine is slipping like a fault line // If I go I'll bury us all

Eating Me Alive

42. The end of me was so beautiful

Queen of Pain

43. I've never seen scars like yours

Burn

44. Everyone learns faster on fire

Trucks and Trains

45. Some hit so hard you barely feel a thing

Is This Thing Cursed?

46. My haunted head aches so much worse

Your Neck

47. We'll do our very best to keep our appetites in check

Emma

48. Note on the bed stand signed in blood: Sincerely, never coming back

I Was A Prayer

49. To a hopeless cause I sold my soul

Hell Yes

50. You watched all my dreams come apart at the seams

Take Lots With Alcohol

51. I have no desire to see through my own eyes any more

Trouble Breathing

52. Cause things they never work out right

Help Me

53. You left all the lights burning but nobody's home

Prevent This Tragedy

54. I'm begging you, stop praying for me

If You Had a Bad Time

55. If you're up to your ears in blood sweat and wasted years // I'm hoping you're going to open your throat and just scream

Balanced on a Shelf

56. A somewhat inviting very different kind of hell // To live without ever looking at yourself

Settle For Satin

57. You'll never dream again, but you can pray

Every Thug Needs a Lady

58. I needed to hear something that sounded like an answer

If We Never Go Inside

59. A train appeared in town one night // For some of us it saved our lives

Song For Julie

60. I was wrong when I said things never turn out right

[little-tyrant-gortash]

Oathbreaker

Pairing: fem!Tav x Enver Gortash, fem!Tav/Astarion

Tags: Emotional Manipulation, Manipulation, Manipulative Relationship, Paladin Tav (Baldur's Gate), Vaginal Sex, Penis In Vagina Sex, Drunk Sex, Unrequited Love, Implied/Referenced Abuse, Scars, Blood and Injury, Injury, Implied/Referenced Rape/Non-con, Pregnancy, Unplanned Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Torture, Psychological Torture, Implied/Referenced Torture

Word count: 2,204

Ao3 here.

Chapter 1.

Chapter 2.

Chapter 3.

Chapter 4.

Chapter 5.

Chapter 6.

Chapter 7.

Chapter 8.

Chapter 9.

Chapter 10.

Chapter 11.

Chapter 12.

Chapter 13.

Chapter 14.

Chapter 15.

Chapter 16.

Chapter 17.

Chapter 18.

Chapter 19.

Chapter 20.

Chapter 21.

Chapter 22.

Chapter 23.

Chapter 24.

Chapter 25.

Chapter 26.

Chapter 27. ⬇

Chapter 28.

Chapter 27: The Dark Urge

After lighting some candles, she sat back on the bed again, exhausted and hungry, once again. Enver stopped beside the bed, then reached for the backpack he placed just beside it.

"After you've left, I started to research the subject", he rummaged through the bag, and Tav frowned.

"How did you know?"

"Well, after you've said yourself that your cycles returned to normal, I immediately thought that that couldn't be. Thinking about all the evenings you've spent with me, then, your midnight craving, the way you avoided wine… thinking back on all of these, it was clear as day. I was just surprised you didn't notice."

Tav blushed beet red and looked away.

"I guess I was distracted."

"By what?" Enver mumbled with a frown.

"By the gods Enver, what do you think?" She huffed, running a hand in her hair. "It's all your fault."

"So you're blaming all of this on me?" He chuckled, finally lifting a smaller bag from his backpack.

"Definitely. After all, you made this possible", she motioned at her lower stomach.

"I'll gladly take all the blame", he chuckled, sitting next to her with the bag in his hands. "You wanted to have a child, and I could give it to you. I feel like that finally, I could do something right."

Tav frowned slightly at his choice of words. She tilted her head a little, then brought her hand up to touch his back to rub it. He felt… relaxed. Calm.

"While the timing could've been better… thank you", she said then, then shook her head with a smile when her stomach rumbled. "I just wish that I could keep something down. Anything."

"That's why I brought these", Gortash opened the bag and showed it's contents to her. To her surprise, it was full of cookies. "These have ginger and lemon in them, both should help with nausea."

"Did you make them?" She asked as she got a cookie out of the bag.

"No", he laughed lightly, "I'm afraid that this exceeds my expertise in the kitchen."

"Do you have any idea how many times I've been thinking of those steaks you've made for me in the past few days?" She sighed as she slowly munched on the cookie.

Gortash chuckled again, shaking his head as he wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer to himself to kiss her temple.

"Move in with me", he murmured, "ever since I've known… I kept thinking about how dangerous it is for you out there."

Tav weighed her options. She could still meet her friends and try and plot everything with them during the day; it'd also be nicer to sleep in a bed. Lately, her back was slowly killing her whenever she slept in her bedroll. And she was almost constantly exhausted. Coupled with the small portions of food, bad quality rest and everything in between… it'd be definitely a positive change if she slept in a proper bed, and more importantly, with him around to help her if she needed it.

"Alright", she bit from the cookie again. It really helped with her rebelling belly. "I'll just go back to camp to gather my stuff, alright?"

"I'll need to be back at Wyrm's Rock Fortress tomorrow morning."

"Well, I could go to camp right now", she shrugged, "it's not that late. We can meet back here and go there together."

"Do you think I'd allow you to go back to your camp alone?" He raised a brow.

"No need to be so protective, Your Grace", she finished the cookie and booped his nose with a giggle, which made him furrow his brows even more. "I'll be fine. It's just a ten minutes walk away. It's not even dark yet."

Gortash contemplated arguing, but then, he decided not to. Her tempers could rise so much easily than a few weeks ago, and while he wanted to have things his way, he decided not to upset her again. Yet, anyway.

"Fine. But hurry back."

"Of course I'll hurry back", Tav promised, kissing his cheek before she got up and left the room.

Hurrying down the stairs and out of Sharess' Caress, she made her way straight back to the camp with a smile permanently stuck to her face. For once, her future looked much brighter than she thought it ever would; apart from a few nuances, all was well, and would be well, too.

But as Gortash warned her at their first meeting, there were people who were following her. Not just allies kept their eyes on her, but also those who wanted to turn inside out.

At the first corner where she had to turn right, just before she could reach her camp, she was abruptly stopped by a huge figure. She had to tilt her head back to look at the stranger's face. Even though he was wearing a hood, she could see that he was a dragonborn; his scales pale white, his eyes a burning crimson.

Rage. He looked like he was full of rage.

Tav took half a step back, but his right hand shot up and grabbed her arm. She struggled against him and opened her mouth to scream for help when he moved a piece of cloth against her nose and mouth with his free hand. The edges of her vision blurred and darkened until everything was consumed by the nothingness.

Pacing up and down, he counted the minutes. The room grew darker and darker still, and once again, darkness brought no comfort, no confidence.

Just agitation.

Something was wrong. He could feel it.

Casting the shape shifting spell, he donned the appearance of the redhed elf again, then fled the brothel, making a beeline for her camp. He'd made it in such a little time that his nervousness only grew.

"Who are you?" Gale arched a brow, looking him over suspiciously.

Gortash didn't want to waste time on an explanation. He broke his concentration, revealing himself, allowing Gale no time to react before he snapped:

"Did she make it back to camp?" Gale blinked, then dread visibly overwritten anything else he had on his face. Gortash grew impatient fast. "Did she make it back to camp?!" He shouted at the wizard.

"N-no. No, she didn't."

Gortash spun on his heels and went back to the alley where he came from, looking for clues. Gale followed him, Karlach and Shadowheart in tow.

"What happened?" Karlach asked, and Gale answered:

"Apparently, Tav should've made it back to camp", he furrowed his brows as he looked after Gortash.

"What?" Shadowheart whispered. "I thought she was with you, Gortash."

"She was", he confirmed in an almost detached tone. "She insisted coming back here to pick up her things. We planned going back to Wyrm's Rock Fortress together."

"Why didn't you come with her?" Shadowheart snapped.

Gale glanced at the Cleric. It was unlikely she'd snap in a way like this at anyone, especially at the tyrant who gave them many reasons to be wary of. But Gortash wasn't focusing on her tone.

"I trusted her to come back to our meeting point without a problem. She's strong and resourceful, I did not expect her to get into trouble. Especially because the camp is just a few minutes away."

"In her state, you should've came with her", Shadowheart snapped again, even angrier, this time.

"Her state?" Karlach echoed. "What does that mean? What state?"

Neither Shadowheart nor Gortash answered. Gale said nothing, but the way his expression shifted with confusion, realisation and then finally, sorrow and heartbreak, spoke volumes that he suspected the truth. Karlach, though, remained looking puzzled. Nobody answered her question, though.

In the meantime, Gortash found some clues. It appeared that a heavy person had been dragging someone much lighter there recently, straight to a manhole, leading down to the sewers. He cursed under his breath. He hadn't had much with him right now, but he wouldn't waste time going back to his home for weapons. He had to make do with what he had with himself: his spells, his dagger, and his ability to call upon Bane's Black Hand, should he need it.

Seeing that he wasted absolutely no time to go down, the other three exchanged confused glances.

"Wait, what's the plan?" Karlach asked Gortash then.

"We go down, find her captors, tear them to pieces and bring her out", Gortash grunted as he removed the lid.

"I like the sound of that, actually", Karlach smirked. "Especially the "tear them to pieces" part."

Gortash almost smiled. Almost.

"We'll split on the way so we cover more area. You can use your tadpoles to communicate from a distance with each other, I'll go alone and rely on myself, as always." He straightened up and glanced at the other three with a look that could strike terror into the heart of the fiercest warrior. "We're not leaving the sewers until we find her, understood?"

All of them looked surprised at how fast Gortash could whip out a plan they all agreed with.

"Understood", Shadowheart said on their behalf, and couldn't resist adding, "this sounds like a good plan."

"A good plan indeed." A silky voice broke the sudden silence. Astarion approached them, revealing himself from the shadows, dressed in a different set of clothes – which made Shadowheart snort. "Who are we searching for?"

"You just go back to your palace, Ascendant", Shadowheart teased him, "unless you want to change those clothes again."

"Why, if Tav is in danger, I'm nothing if not helpful." His voice was still calm and quiet, but his eyes burned with crimson fires. "Do we know who took her?"

"Since I have plenty of enemies", Gortash growled, "we'll see."

"It's dangerous to be your ally, is it not?" Astarion whispered, his eyes trained on the tyrant who made no move and gave no clue how the vampire's words made him feel. "One wonders if it's even wise to even talk to you, let alone-"

"Do you want to help us find her then, or not?!" Shadowheart snapped again. "Every minute counts! Shut up, make yourself useful for once and try to find her!"

And with that, she brushed Gortash out of the way and started to climb the ladder down without hesitation. Gale and Karlach followed without saying a word, leaving the tyrant and the Ascendant behind.

Gortash stared at the pale elf with as much malice as he could muster.

"What are you waiting for?" Astarion's smile looked dangerous. "Go on."

"I'm not turning my back on you", Gortash growled.

"Haha!" Astarion gave a little laugh, "you think you're very clever, aren't you?" He glanced up at the stars before he looked back at Gortash, his crimson eyes burning with hatred. "Let's play a game. If you find her first, she's all yours. But if I do, she's mine."

Gortash's brows twitched for a split second.

"This isn't a game, and she's not some prize to be won."

"Oh, please, spare me your fake rigtheous bullshit", Astarion waved him off as if he was fly. "You are a tyrant. If anyone believes she has a free will of choosing who will she spend her days with, they're not just gravely mistaken but also horribly stupid. With you, she doesn't have a choice."

"Why, does she have a choice with you?" Gortash snapped, his voice dangerously quiet.

"No", Astarion's lips twitched, then curled up into a small smile. "But she could never resist me. By now, you must've learned what I am."

"A vampire."

"Not just a regular vampire", Astarion tutted, "the Vampire Ascendant."

"Shiny title for someone who visibly has nothing else to his name." Gortash shifted closer to Astarion, clearly stepping into his personal space. The pale elf said nothing, he did not move, but his eyes flashed dangerously once more. "The only reason you're able to parade around in my city like a reanimated corpse is because you're useful to me. Every little act of yours makes her turn to me for protection even more than ever. But I'm growing tired of your empty threats. Cross my path the wrong way and you'll see that even a Vampire Ascendant can suffer and die."

"You are but words", Astarion whispered.

"Test my patience", Gortash challenged, his voice a low growl, "I dare you. It's wearing very thin, with every word you utter."

"Then let's get back to business", Astarion's brows lowered even more, and he snarled. "If I find her first, she'll be mine, and she'll become my spawn. She'll have no choice but to obey my every whim. We'll see how you'll like it when she gives me a lapdance at your next ball, Archduke."

The thought of Astarion changing her surely would mean that Tav would lose their unborn child. Gortash would not let that happen under any circumstances. He'd defend his own blood at any and all costs. It seemed that the very air around him darkened.

"If you touch a single strand of hair on her head, I will end you as painfully as possible."

"We'll see", Astarion purred, then shifted into his bat form and disappeared into the sewers.

Gortash cursed and followed him.