#maleane/halsin

[mercymaker]

Nature has been most kind to let me share in your heart.

[sorceresssundries]

Lilac and Gold

Pairing: FemaleTav/Halsin

Warnings: Smut, pegging, anal sex, rimming.

Word Count: 4.5k

Some smut with feelings! Halsin deserves to get pegged.

A birthday gift for the wonderful @mercymaker.

“I don’t think being kind comes naturally to me,” Maleane whispered, her voice tinged with quiet shame as she gently bundled Thoriel in thick, woollen blankets, preparing the little one for the colder nights to come in the nursery they had made for her.

Halsin, standing nearby, glanced at her with that steady gaze that saw through every wall she had ever put up. “And yet, you are,” he said, warm and sure, as if it were the most obvious truth in the world. He had a way of stating things so simply, so matter-of-fact, that they felt undeniable. 

“You are trying, and that is enough” There was never any pretence with him—no words spun from too-sweet sugar, no thorns disguised as rose stems. He spoke plainly, and in his words, there was only truth.

The nights are getting longer. Thoriel is teething. The town of Reithwin thrives. You are kind, and strong, and wanted.

In his simplicity, everything seemed so clear, as if kindness was as fundamental to her as the changing seasons or the rise of the sun.

The world turns. The sky is blue. She is kind, and strong, and wanted.

Halsin made her better, in ways she never thought possible. Not perfect, her wounds were too deep for that. But he made her feel safe and loved. He didn’t try to fix her; he simply accepted her as she was, flaws and all.

The warmth of Halsin was always meant to be shared, and she was lucky enough to be welcome and safe in the blazing hearth of his heart.

Maleane wanted to do something for him. She noticed the tired lines etched at the corners of his eyes, the way his movements seemed just a little slower these days. Halsin would never admit to being weary - his sense of duty was too great, his heart too full of love for her, for Thoriel, and for the town of Reithwin. The town had flourished under his care, transforming from a place of shadows and sorrow into a thriving haven of hope and light. People looked to him for guidance, strength, and healing.

But Maleane saw what others missed. He never stopped to care for himself. The moments he used to cherish—smoking his pipe under the shade of the willow tree, the quiet solitude of sketching the creatures of the forest in his well-worn pad—had grown scarce. She missed seeing the peace in his eyes when he could steal away to the wilderness, even if only for a while. He deserved more. He deserved to lean on someone without the fear of crushing them, to let go.

Even the mightiest trees needed a break from the sun, and to have their bark softened by the touch of rain.

And what was she? if not built of moonlight and stormwater. 

The next night, she had prepared everything carefully, making sure that Thoriel was settled with Arielle, and the rest of the village would not disturb them. Halsin had given her so much; she would give what little she could in return, and hope it would be enough.

As dusk settled over Reithwin, staining the sky ink blue and swirling purple, Maleane approached Halsin where he stood at the edge of the village, standing sentinel as the chatter of the day settled into dreams and snores. His expression was calm, as it always was, but she could see the lines of fatigue in the corners of his eyes.

“You’re tired, love,” she said gently as she approached him from behind, slipping her arms around his middle, though her hands didn’t quite meet around his solid form. He didn’t respond with words, just turned slightly toward her and lifted one of her hands to his cheek, closing his eyes as he leaned into her touch. He hummed low, the sound vibrating through him, his shoulders dropping slightly.

“You can lean on me, you know,” she whispered.

A soft chuckle rumbled from his chest, the sound low and warm. “Lean on you, little one?” He smiled down at her, the amusement in his eyes momentarily chasing away the fatigue. “I’d crush you.”

She gave him a playful nudge, shaking her head. “You know what I mean.”

“I don’t think it comes naturally to me,” he admitted.

“Just try. That’s enough.” She pushed herself up onto the balls of her feet so she could kiss him. Softly. The fullness of her dark lips finding the thin smile of his. His fingers were large and calloused from centuries of hard work, but they may as well have been wrapped in satin for how softly he touched her jaw. His other hand found her waist, and he pulled her against him, and a familiar rumble left his chest as their tongues met and her grip tightened on him, then all too quickly for his liking, she pulled away. Her lilac eyes half-lidded and sparkling. 

“Come on, I have something for you.”

They strolled through the forest, hands entwined. leaves rustled in the gentle breeze, and Maleane led him to a small clearing, where the trees parted just enough to allow a view of the starlit sky.

Before them lay a hot spring, its waters warm and inviting, steam rising gently into the cool night air. The surface shimmered under the soft glow of floating lanterns, which bobbed lazily above the water like glowing fireflies. Each one was enchanted, and their golden light rippled on the water’s surface and danced along the rocks. The whole place was soft and golden and dreamlike. 

Maleane had decorated the edges of the spring with wild blooms of lavender and sage, and set a simple arrangement of food on a flat, smooth rock. Freshly baked bread, still warm, sat next to a bowl of ripe berries and crisp apples. A small jar of honey glistened beside the fruits, the amber of it glowing in the lantern light. 

She turned to Halsin, her lilac eyes catching golden flickers. 

He was speechless and love-struck.

“Take this off,” she whispered with playful authority, tugging lightly at the hem of his tunic, her fingers brushing against his waist. Her heart raced a little as she touched him, trying to focus on the task at hand.

Halsin raised a brow, the shadow of a smile playing on his lips. He lifted his arms and allowed her to slide the fabric over his head. The simple motion made her breath catch as the shadows played along the outline of thick muscles that rippled beneath his tanned and scarred skin. He was beautiful.

Once he was completely naked, Maleane gently urged him toward the water. A sigh escaped him as he melted into it. As the water lapped softly at his skin, Maleane slipped in behind him. Her movements were slow and deliberate as she positioned herself at his back, her thighs on either side of his hips. Halsin leaned back slightly, his broad shoulders brushing against her as he settled.

“What did I ever do to deserve you, my heart?” Halsin’s voice was thick with affection. One of his hands found her leg beneath the water, his rough fingers gently caressing the curve of her calf.

His words were a warm and needed cloak which draped and swaddled her. She rested her chin on his shoulder, her lips grazing his skin as she whispered back, “You deserve far more than I could ever give.”

From the side of the spring, she reached for a small vial of oil she had prepared earlier. The liquid was fragrant with a blend of herbs—lavender, rosemary, and a hint of chamomile—and she poured a small amount into her hands, rubbing them together to warm it before resting them on his shoulders.

Her fingers trembled slightly as they worked into the knots in Halsin’s muscles. As her hands moved, slick and gliding over the broad expanse of his back, her confidence wavered.

Her pale, spindly fingers, once so deft at slipping coins from pockets and spinning blades in the shadows, seemed out of place. These were not the hands of a healer, she thought with a pang of self-doubt. They were the hands of a thief and a killer, hands that crackled with the raw power of storm magic, not tenderness. How could they possibly be soft or skilled enough to ease the burdens of someone like him. 

Her rhythm faltered. She eased up, fearful of pressing too hard, of doing more harm than good. What if she added to the strain instead of relieving it? Her fingers hesitated. 

Before she could pull away completely, Halsin took apart the silence. “I won’t break, my love.” He didn’t turn to look at her, but there was no need. “You feel wonderful,” he murmured softly. “Please, don’t stop.”

Taking a deep breath, Maleane pressed her hands more firmly into his back, her fingers sinking deeper into the tense muscles. She felt the hard knots of tension and focused on working them out, letting her hands do what they could. As her confidence grew, her touch became more purposeful, and she found her rhythm again. The warmth of the oil and the heat of the spring worked with her, loosening the tightness in his shoulders and neck.

Halsin was quiet for a long time, simply allowing himself to be tended to, his breaths deep and even as her hands worked a different kind of magic. She moved with intention, her fingers lingering on the spots she knew were always the most tense - his lower back, his shoulders, the thick muscles at the base of his neck. A soft smile curved her lips as she continued the gentle rhythm of her hands.

“Don’t you dare fall asleep, you great bear” Maleane teased, nipping playfully at his earlobe. Halsin’s eyes fluttered open, a low, rumbling chuckle escaped him and without a word, he turned, his large hands sliding down to grasp her thighs, lifting her effortlessly. She gasped, startled, but quickly wrapped her legs around his waist as he stood, carrying her out of the spring with an ease that made her head spin.

Water cascaded from his body in rivulets, catching the moonlight as it fell, while steam rose from his skin in delicate spirals, as if he were made of fire. She clung to him, laughing breathlessly, and through the slick warmth of the water between them, she felt him—hard and ready, pressed against her.

Before she could form another teasing remark, his mouth found hers, claiming her in a kiss that was hungry and urgent. His lips were firm, and his tongue swept across hers as her fingers tangled in his damp hair.

Maleane had never felt more alive than when she was with Halsin. His touch bloomed her like the spring. The vines of her heart, which she often thought rotted and curled into nothing but husks where fruit had once ripened and died, were all of a sudden green again. Lush. Halsin’s devotion held the power to bring life and joy to the very soil, and it was the same with her. He had seen the best of nature, the full beauty and bounty of the world around him. And he looked at her as though all of it paled in comparison. 

She was his heart, and he was hers. 

But, the intimacy they both desired didn’t come easily. Halsin’s sheer size had made it difficult - overwhelming for her smaller frame. The first time they’d tried, he’d been everything she could have asked for: gentle, patient, his every touch careful and soft. Yet even with all that care, the discomfort had quickly become too much. Time and again, they had tried, searching for different ways to make it work, but the result was always the same. His body was simply too large for hers to fully accommodate. And though they had found other ways to explore each other - through hands, tongues, hot caresses - it was never enough. No matter how much satisfaction they brought each other, that unfulfilled hunger remained, gnawing at the edges of her mind. She wanted more. 

“Before you get carried away, I have a gift for you.” she murmured.

Halsin groaned into the crease of her neck, she knew if she didn’t stop him now he would kiss his way down her body and settle his devoted tongue into the sweet warmth of her cunt, and then all her thoughts would be pulled apart and lost. 

“I don’t need more gifts, my heart. You have spoiled me. Let me spoil you in return.” 

The pad of his thumb rubbed her waist, in slow mesmerising circles. 

“I promise, this will be worth it.” She said with a sly little smirk. 

As the heat of the moment simmered, she leaned over to reach for a box wrapped delicately in a lilac ribbon. The wood was finely carved, etched with intricate patterns of vines and leaves. She handed it to him, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

“Something special for tonight,” she whispered, her voice bubbling with an unmistakable edge of mischief.

Halsin's eyes, still hazy with pleasure, widened with curiosity as he untied the ribbon and carefully lifted the lid. Inside, nestled on velvet cloth, was a beautifully crafted wooden sex toy. A phallus, not as large as his, with a sturdy leather harness. Designed for Maleane’s petite figure. Maleane had taken great care in selecting it, ensuring it was as much a work of art as it was a tool for their pleasure.

His gaze lifted to hers, as he took it in his hands, feeling the weight of it in his palm. 

“My heart, I must say…” He sighed as he studied it. “I am a little offended.”

Her heart sank, the sudden realisation striking her like a thunderclap. She had misread the situation. Of course she had. Acts of generosity, of attuning to what others truly needed, did not come naturally to her. Of course she would get it wrong. Panic surged through her, and her eyes widened as they met his - the colour of a long and love-filled summer slipping into a comfortable autumn. 

“Did somebody else whittle this for you?” He admonished, with faux-hurt. 

She burst into a rare, full grin—one of those grins she thought she had long forgotten how to wear. “I may not be the most considerate person,” she replied, “but even I thought it was a bit much to ask you to carve your own sex toy.”

He laughed, low and loose, and it moved her like music. “Why do you think I learned the skill in the first place?” he teased.

Halsin’s large hands took the harness with surprising delicacy. Maleane couldn’t help but smile as he examined the intricate design, his fingers tracing over the sturdy leather straps and polished wooden attachment. He looked at her with a soft, playful smile that made her heart dance.

“Let’s see how this fits, shall we?” 

Maleane stood before him and held her breath as Halsin knelt and began fastening the straps around her waist. His movements were careful, but his large fingers struggled with the smaller buckles. After a moment of fumbling, he let out a low chuckle, shaking his head.

“This is a little more fiddly than the ones I'm used to.” he murmured.

Maleane grinned down at him, “The mighty archdruid, stumped by a wooden phallus” she teased, biting her lip to suppress a laugh.

“It seems even the wilds did not prepare me for this challenge,” he said, finally managing to slip the last strap into place. He stood up and admired his work, his expression one of playful triumph as he adjusted the fit slightly.

“I think we’ve done it,” she said, giving a small experimental thrust of her hips, the equipment now securely in place. They both laughed as the movement caught Halsin by surprise, his eyes twinkling.

“Perfect,” He reached out, his hands resting gently on her hips as he looked into her eyes, and the laughter faded as he kissed her. Slow and deliberate.

His hands slipped down to her thighs, squeezing gently as he pulled her closer, his lips crashing against hers once more. The kiss was urgent now. Maleane’s hands found his hair, fingers threading through the strands and braids as she tugged him closer.

Halsin’s hands roamed over her. Each scar and stretch mark and imperfection a treasure he wanted to feel under his fingertips. He grazed the straps of the harness, tracing the lines of the leather as it wrapped around her hips and thighs. The sensation of calloused hands against sensitive skin sent a shiver through her, and she pressed her hips against his, feeling the hardness of him beneath her. The wooden shaft of the strap-on nudged against his lower abdomen, and Maleane’s breath hitched as she ground against him, the pressure sending sparks of pleasure through her own body despite the toy being designed for him.

Halsin growled softly, his hands tightening on her thighs as he lifted her slightly, adjusting their position so that the tip of the wooden toy brushed against him. His lips found her neck, kissing and nipping at her skin as his hands roamed over her backside, pulling her closer, urging her on.

Maleane’s heart raced, her body thrumming with desire as she felt him give himself over to her, his control slipping. She gripped his shoulders tightly, her lips finding his again in a hungry, desperate kiss, her hips grinding against him with increasing intensity.

Halsin moaned into her mouth, his hands guiding her movements as she rolled against him. 

“I’m going to need you to lie down for me, on your stomach.” Her voice was lower than he’d ever heard it, lust-soaked and wanton. “Raise your hips.”

Halsin compiled and Maleane couldn’t help the little thrill that ran through her as she took in the sight of him. The lean, powerful legs, the muscles of his shoulders and dip of his lower back. He was strength and beauty. He was hers. 

Usually when she took charge, it was out of necessity. She had to be in control, so he could be certain he wouldn’t hurt her, and he trusted she would stop if it became too much. Which, unfortunately, was too often for Maleane’s liking. 

But now, she was in charge because she wanted to be. 

His body stretched out before her like a meal before the starved. She could feel the heat between her thighs, the frustration of nights spent wanting him to take her fully, without restraint. But tonight, things were different. She was in control. The thought sent a heady rush through her as she settled between his legs, her fingers trailing lightly down his spine. Halsin shivered under her touch, letting out a soft sigh that made Maleane’s own arousal pulse. The sight of his body responding to her, the way he tensed and relaxed under her hands, was magical. 

“So eager,” she murmured, her voice low, hungry. Her hands skimmed across his firm ass, feeling the solid muscle beneath her palms. She leaned down, her breath hot against his skin as she tongued and bit at his cheeks.

Halsin groaned, glancing back over his shoulder, his expression already dazed. The wildness in him, that primal side she knew he fought so hard to keep in check, flickered in his eyes, but went nowhere. He was not in charge, she was. 

“Gods” he gasped, his voice strained.

Her lips curved into a satisfied smile, the power of seeing him unravel beneath her touch sending a fresh surge of arousal through her. She continued teasing him with wet kisses. Halsin’s deep moans filled the night, his hips grinding involuntarily against the ground, the friction making him twitch and gasp.

Maleane’s heart raced. His submission, his willingness to let her take control, driving her mad with lust. She wanted more - wanted to see him bow and arch for her, to hear his rough, needy pleas.

She parted his legs a little wider, exposing him fully to her. The sight of him, so strong and spread bare, so vulnerable and trusting, made her mouth dry and cunt wet. She dipped her head, her breath ghosting over the sensitive skin between his thighs.

“I want to make you feel good” she ran her tongue up in a long, deliberate lick, from his balls to the edge of his entrance. 

“Maleane—” his voice was the crackle and spit of a hungry fire. 

She smirked, satisfied by his reaction, and repeated the motion, each wet flick of her tongue making him shudder and gasp beneath her. His desperation was palpable now, his restraint slipping as she worked him over with slow, deliberate strokes of her tongue. The way his body trembled, the way he clenched and relaxed with each teasing lick, made Maleane’s own need burn hotter.

“Please,” he rasped, the word barely coherent through his ragged breaths.

Her breath hitched at the sound of him begging, that deep voice usually so controlled now raw with need. She slid her tongue inside him, pressing it against his tight hole, savouring the way he trembled and moaned. She revelled in every reaction. She wanted to push him past his limits, to make him forget everything except her. Except this. 

She sat up and dipped her fingers in the oil until they were well-slicked. Slick enough to slide effortlessly between Halsin's muscular cheeks. She ran the tip of her finger lightly over his entrance, savouring the shudder that rippled through his broad frame. His responsiveness was addictive - this powerful, unbreakable man, surrendering so completely to her touch. The control she held over him made her head spin.

Slowly, she pressed a finger inside, feeling the initial resistance give way as Halsin relaxed into her. His deep groan reverberated through the still night air. She moved with gentle precision, coaxing him open inch by inch, her touch slow and deliberate, as she prepared him for what was to come. His breathing became ragged, his massive chest rising and falling heavily as he succumbed to her rhythm.

"Look at you," she murmured, her voice dripping with admiration and lust. "So beautiful."

Halsin rolled his hips into the ground at her words, his need and her praise sending him spiralling deeper into submission. She added a second finger, feeling the tight heat of him yield as she worked him open further. His fists clenched above his head, the thick leather band around his bicep straining under the tension. Good, she thought. Let it break. Let him come undone, completely untethered, in her hands.

With two fingers inside him, Maleane curled them slightly, searching for that perfect spot that would make him tremble. It didn’t take long. Halsin let out a low growl, his body tensing, as she hit that sensitive place deep within him. His hips jerked involuntarily, pleasure crashing through him like a wave. Maleane smiled, revelling in his reaction as she made a scissoring motion with her fingers, stretching him slowly but steadily, making sure he was ready to take her. She withdrew her fingers and poured a liberal amount of the oil on the wooden cock between her legs. 

“I want to see your face.”

Halsin complied, rolling over and spreading his legs for her. Maleane’s breath caught in her throat as she took in the sight of him - his strong, muscled body trembling, his cock hard and leaking against his stomach. His pupils blown and face flushed. She licked her lips, her own desire burning hotter as she positioned herself between his thighs. He steadied for a moment, and crooked one of his fingers under her chin to raise her eyes to his. The meeting of lilac and gold. 

“I love you, Maleane.”

As though there was any doubt. 

The head of the dildo pressed against his entrance, and Maleane felt her own body tense in anticipation. Slowly, she pushed forward, watching as Halsin’s eyes fluttered shut, his mouth falling open in a silent moan as she slid inside him. The heat of his body, the way he stretched around her, made it difficult to be slow, to be gentle. 

Maleane had never felt more powerful, towering over Halsin, watching the mighty druid reduced to soft gasps beneath her, completely surrendered. His body, all muscle and raw power, yielded to her every touch, every thrust. The man who could command the very forces of nature, who had spent centuries mastering control over the wilds, was utterly at her mercy. And she delighted in it. With every moan that escaped his lips, she felt her own dominance swell, like she could conquer the world if she wanted to. But right now, her world was Halsin, and there was nothing more powerful than knowing she could undo him completely. 

“Look at me,” she growled, her voice rough with need as she thrust deeper. His eyes opened, filled with pure, desperate pleasure.

Maleane could sense the difference in him tonight - the way his usual battle between man and beast seemed almost at peace beneath her touch. It was as though she had tamed that wild part of him, her dominance overtaking his. The way his massive frame trembled beneath her, the way he moaned and writhed as she fucked him, made her feel feral, ravenous. He was soft and pliant under her, while she was the one barely holding back the savage need to take him harder, faster, until nothing else existed but the feel of him breaking beneath her.

Maleane’s hips snapped forward, setting a hard, punishing rhythm as she fucked him, her body trembling with the power of it. “Let go, Halsin” she demanded, her hand sliding down to grip his cock, stroking him in time with her thrusts.

Halsin’s head fell back with a broken moan, his hips bucking wildly against her as she pushed him over the edge. His body tensed, his cock pulsing in her hand as he came with a strangled shout of her name, spilling onto his stomach. Maleane watched him, her heart pounding as his release wracked through him, her own satisfaction swelling as she saw him finally let go, fully and completely beneath her.

The rest of their evening was spent touching and talking, the way lovers who can laugh and struggle and trust together do. There were more orgasms, for both of them. Food and snoozing and bad jokes and so much love.

Halsin’s eyes were a little bit brighter, Maleane’s more hopeful.

She had been kind, and he had leant on her. 

They were trying, and it was enough.

[mercymaker]

✶ 𝐇 𝐀 𝐋 𝐒 𝐈 𝐍 & 𝐌 𝐀 𝐋 𝐄 𝐀 𝐍 𝐄

he brought something softer, sweeter out of her—the twinkling remnants of a person she was, perhaps, supposed to be. not a drow raised by a lolth-sworn spy—ever-scheming, trusting no one—but a dark elf who had a place on the surface that wasn't hiding deep in the forest.

[mercymaker]

❛ If I give in, I may not be able to stop until I have devoured you❜

[mercymaker]

𝐌𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐍𝐄 + partner outfit swap pt. 2 🌿

[mercymaker]

the big bear man & his itty bitty drow 😳🤭

[mercymaker]

ʟ 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐒𝐈𝐍 & 𝐌𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐍𝐄 ⌝

❝ With the Shadow Curse finally lifted, the weight of a different duty quickly found its way on his shoulders once more. There was a welcome change in its timbre, however, for instead of fighting off loss and despair, endlessly looking for solutions to a hopeless problem, Halsin could now focus on rebuilding and nurturing the ravaged land. Throughout the years, he’d seen many faces; some seeking refuge, others hoping to witness the land flourish once more, and some looking to Thaniel’s realm as the new beacon of hope. As the decades passed by, so did friends from all corners of the Realms—sharing stories of adventuring, healing, or finding purpose after years of aimless wander. The druid would welcome them with open arms and ears, finding comfort in the warm hum of their evolving lives.

When he’d first heard a word of a drow woman seeking him in Reithwin, a cold wave ran down his spine, tugging at the line of memories he’d long kept buried. Yet, the worries melted like morning dew the moment he saw her. The years might have changed her, but his feelings remained the same, and this time, unlike all those moons ago in Rivington, Maleane could finally return them. ❞

[mercymaker]

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐑𝐔𝐈𝐃 & 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐎𝐑𝐂𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐑

[mercymaker]

❛I want to lay with you under the stars and feel your skin against mine.❜

[mercymaker]

I loved a man as white as winter, with moonglow in his hair, I loved a man as spry as springtime, with blossoms in his hair.

[mercymaker]

rolling in bed thinking about halsin

his softness and his kindness. how he carries the burden so others don't have to. how he offers help and guidance to those asking. how he places others before himself.

halsin and his view on life itself. how he managed to survive the most brutal blows a life could offer. and not come out all bitter. how instead of guarding his heart, he opens it willingly.

and yet, how he carries the sorrow. the grief. the odd little fragments of survivor's guilt. how he feels the sharp edges of torn threads. the connection that was once there. the people that are now merely ghosts, only alive in his memory. his family, his mentors, all those he could not save.

i'm thinking of that halsin. and him saying

"I never thought I would outlive her."

[mercymaker]

She curled up next to her mother, grabbing her arm and draping it over her shoulders like a blanket. It took her a while to finally speak, but Maleane knew that the words had been sloshing around in her mouth for a while now, waiting to escape.

“Can’t we go live with Halsin?” Thoriel finally built enough courage to speak her mind.

Mal had been waiting for this question. With the amount of other Halsin-related inquiries the little one had bombarded her with, it was only the matter of time. She thought for a moment, weighing the words, pondering the real, heavy prospect that was not a good topic to discuss with a child.

Could they? Go live with Halsin?

She knew he would never refuse them. On the contrary, Maleane was confident the druid would be glad to welcome them into his home, like he had all those years ago.

But things were different now, times had changed, feelings were more complicated.

She cut that thread of thought short, knowing it would lead her nowhere and provide little comfort to the child that looked at her with curious eyes. When Mal finally spoke, it was with a soft smile stretched across her lips. “What about your friends? Will you leave them behind?”

For a moment, Thoriel looked away, the sudden conflict etching a line between her tiny brows.

“Hmm…” the girl pondered, weighing her choices. “Can’t Halsin live with us?”

Maleane’s smile faltered.

She had asked that of him, a year after they’d left Reithwin. It wasn’t an easy question and it took a lot of time spent chipping away at her own pride. But the sadness and the loneliness weighed heavier than all the gilded walls she’d built around herself throughout the years. What was once an impossibility to someone like her became a sad, fragile reality.

The sorcerer had to surrender her pride and ask him to stay because the humiliation of such a question stung less than the solitude that threatened to swallow her whole.

And yet, none of that mattered.

“No, he has someone else home. Someone he loves,” Mal finally spoke, the sadness she could feel threatening to spill out of her eyes pushing the corners of her lips a little higher.

It was as if all the little cogs and wheels were shifting in the little one’s head. She tried to make sense of things, but her own knowledge of the world proved to be too little to explain the inconsistencies rising with every sentence her mother uttered. “I thought he loved you. Doesn’t he?”

I thought he loved me too.

The words hung heavy in her mouth, singeing her teeth like a flame. Yet Maleane kept her mouth shut, forcing the sentiment deeper and deeper down her throat to rest with all the other buried thoughts in the grave of her heart.

“He does…” The smile on Mal’s lips remained, yet the sadness in her eyes was now unmistakable, even to a little child’s eye. “Just not enough, my sweet.”

[mercymaker]

Halsin's 💪 appreciation post

[mercymaker]

ayo, these two need to chill

poor lae'zel is just trying to catch some sleep dfsdfsf

[mercymaker]

looked at some steamy halsin x tav art, so naturally my mind is plagued by malsin demons today but like

i'm just so obsessed with their dynamic. the size difference. the way she assumes control only to slowly relinquish it as an act of trust. how sweet and gentle halsin is with her, and yet it's like a sweater breaking at the seams, with unbridled lust rippling underneath, trying to break out. how they want each other, despite all the difficulties. how maleane plays around with that, teases and provokes him. how she makes him find her in the woods, a little game of hide and seek, a little chase, and then she's in his grasp... and she smiles, desire dancing underneath. he can claim his prize.

and then there are nights when they're all hushed whispers and silent moans. when the baby is asleep nearby. how warm his hands feel as he touches her, holds her. kisses so hungry and desperate, they're both left breathless. nights that are unexpectedly selfless. where they're both more invested in pleasing the other. how quick and precise mal's hands are when she strokes him, her gaze fixed on the druid’s face. the way he melts underneath her touch, this giant man who could snap her like a mere twig. yet he's entirely at her mercy and that's exactly where he wants to be.

[mercymaker]

woke up thinking of halsin (naturally)

and how once mal shows up at his doorstep, his heart just flutters. he never expected to see her, especially not in such circumstances. but his shock is quickly brushed away in favor of excitement, of worry, of care.

for a little while, he's unsure how to act, with his heart singing of affection, yet his mind reminding him of her rejection. so he slips into the healer, the guardian role. he wants to help her. this tiny, fragile, pregnant woman who crossed half of the continent to reach him. the contrast between how he remembered her and who stands in front of him simply jarring. but he knows that even if her physical form is weakened, she's still mal. the powerful sorcerer. the charismatic drow that toppled half-gods and vanquished century old curses. the woman he fell in love with all those years ago. the woman he had to learn to let go.

halsin offers her his bed the first night. he tells her he doesn't mind sleeping on the ground, the bear shape can keep him plenty warm. that alarms her. mal accepts his offer, but it's not long before she tells him that there's plenty of room for both of them.

and their first conversations? with halsin trying to figure out what happened, yet treading carefully not to pry. it's obvious that something extreme had to happen in order to lead to such a drastic change.

last he heard of her, mal was adventuring with astarion, their love unmistakable to anyone around them. but now? she's alone and pregnant and sick. and then, when she thinks no one's looking, he catches such sadness in her eyes.

but halsin is a patient man. he pushes away all those questions and instead focuses on her health. her well-being. he asks her if she's in pain, what hurts. what she would like to eat. if there's anything she needs to feel more comfortable.

he watches her rest after the long and arduous journey. mal catches him in her reverie, makes a joke about it and the laughter stirring from that is such a comfort. he missed her, terribly, halsin realizes. and he can feel that love returning, as fragile as her form. halsin doesn't want to assume anything, build his hopes up like all those decades ago in rivington.

but he doesn't need to fight his heart for long. it all starts with a kiss. with his little sorceress floating up to press her lips against his. and when he looks back at her, he sees her smile. and from that moment, it's all warm.

his heart feels warm. her lips against his feel warm. and then later in the night, when she invites him to join her in his own bed... her skin feels so warm against his.

halsin holds her, firmly yet carefully, as she slips into trance. and the warmth in his heart turns into a fire. just like decades ago, when they were sleeping in their tents around an abandoned farm in rivington... he's in love with her.