#seduction and destruction

[whositmcwhatsit]

Giving a him a mouth like that is a clear sign of premeditation, your honour

[whispersinthedawn]

Concealed in the Coriolis Ch 7

“First time I saw you, I thought you were a model,” Percy blurted out. “Models are – supremely attractive individuals people buy pictures of and would follow into danger simply because they crooked a finger.” 

What a convoluted way to admit to attraction – except Percy couldn’t make himself confess to something he’d never entertained. Oh, Apollo had been hot. 

But Annabeth and Rachel were hotter.  

“Sure, waking up from unconsciousness just to see your face would be terrifying, if you threw me on the ground, I’d probably break all the bones in my body, and if you tossed a hairbrush at me, you’d knock a hole in my head,” Percy kept talking and just talking despite the horror filling Coronis’s features.  

“I’ve never seen you fight, and you never stole a toothbrush for me or sent someone to medical with hives so I could go on a quest, but I’m certain you have your talents.”  

What talents did Apollo have again? 

“Like setting fires or speeding up vehicles,” Percy enthused. “Or ensuring that my arrows strike the target. No wait. That was Hera.” 

Or whatever they called her in the city with a name that resembled the Phlegethon that Percy had already forgotten except to note it was one of those self-aggrandizing, egoistic examples of aristocracy that culminated in changing perfectly normal names into some reflection of your own name.  

As if they were so terrified of being forgotten they needed to merge their legends with those of an entire city so that their shadow would endure for eternity. 

A crackling noise from the ceiling drew Percy’s attention upwards. Even as he watched, dust from dried mortar rained down and cracks appeared around a rectangular piece of the roof. Percy peered up at the spot, trying to figure out whether this was an extraordinary circumstance or if the entire roof was about to collapse on his head.  

The wooden tile dangled for a heartbeat, allowing a beam of sunlight to illuminate dust motes dancing in a column just an inch from Percy’s bare foot. Then the aged mortar gave up the fight and the wooden shingle collided with the horizontal rods forming a lattice below the ceiling, before crashing next to Percy’s foot and sending splinters and sunlight everywhere.    

‘Oh, just apologise and say you’ve hit your head and keep spouting the opposite of whatever you mean!’ Coronis pleaded, covering her face with her hands yet peeking out through the gaps between her fingers. 

“I mean,” Percy said hesitantly while staring at the drops of crimson blood beading up on the back of his hand, “You’re a wonderful healer. But is it really healing if you’re the reason the wounds were inflicted in the first place?” 

Another shingle fell to his left. 

“You didn't listen to the whole thing!” Percy tried instead. Apollo was the god of truth, wasn’t he? Perhaps he’d appreciate some unfiltered honesty instead of whatever unhinged narrative had escaped Percy’s mouth while trying to reach a compromise between the inevitability of crafting the future and the unwillingness to participate in that creation. 

“You and I – can create the best child ever!” 

Silence.  

“Wouldn’t it be wonderful?” Percy wheedled. “A child with your hair and my eyes? He’d inherit your skills at healing and be able to cure even death. And he’d inherit ... a love for mortality from me and use those talents to cheat death. And then get murdered in a very messy manner, but until then it would be a land with neither droughts nor floods!” 

‘Why?’ Coronis moaned. ‘Why would you say that?’ 

***

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A spotify playlist for the whole series

[lokorum]

why asterion have these puppy dog eyes that can change into smirk at any minute 😭

unlawful. i want to punch him… i want to pet him

[seductive-suffering]

I’m soaked in the last moments of sorrow I can stand.

You filled me and the void in me.

I let you in and you took charge.

I gave you all of me.

You didn’t fight to stay and I’ll always miss you.

[fanficshiddles]

Seductively Destructive, Chapter 16 (Final Chapter)

In darkness, you're all around me I know our future, I feel your body

What if I told you that I planned this? What if I want to lose control? What if I take the blame and become the drug And dissolve as you swallow?

Loki was irritable as he waited at the airport with a few of his crew. Some fans approached him asking for autographs and pictures, he obliged but wasn’t smiling his usual smile in the photos for them. They did keep him distracted for a short while though.

He checked his phone for what felt like the hundredth time, hoping for a message from Erin that she was on her way or running late… But there was nothing. And it was just about to turn noon. He knew he wouldn’t be able to wait for much longer due to the flight leaving soon. They still had to get through security.

Though he’d been SO certain that Erin was going to come to him. He would’ve bet anything on it. He kept scanning the crowds of people that came through the main entrance, looking for any sign of her.

‘Come on, pet. I know you’ll make the right decision.’ He muttered under his breath.

-

Erin was visibly shaking as she stood outside the airport with her suitcase. She’d been stood there for nearly half an hour, trying to build up the courage to go inside. Or turn around and get a taxi back home…

She knew time was running out, she had to make a decision one way or another and stick to it.

Turning, she hailed the next taxi down.

‘Where to, love?’ The driver asked as he got out to take her suitcase, but she didn’t let go of it. ‘Are you wanting a lift or not?’ He asked.

‘I… No, sorry…’

The driver scoffed and got back in his car to wait for another passenger.

Erin turned back towards the airport and took a few steps forward, then stopped again. She took a deep breath.

‘Come on, you know you will regret it forever if you don’t… I love him. I do.’ She said to herself as she closed her eyes for a minute.

When she opened her eyes and tried to walk forward, her feet were stuck to the spot.

‘This is ridiculous… He won’t hurt me! Why am I so scared?’ She scolded herself. ‘Come on… come on.’

But then, she thought. The fact of how nervous she was feeling, was that maybe a sign? Perhaps her inner intuition was screaming at her to walk away. To go home.

Though the thought of that tore her heart into shreds…

Beneath all the pleasure, all you are is pain And you deserve every second of your suffering But yet I can't stop, crawling to your doorstep Every time you beckon I'm self destructing, trust in nothing Save me

As soon as Erin spotted Loki inside the airport, with a forced smile on his face as he just posed for some pictures with a few more fans, her heart began racing even faster. Even though she felt the pull already there and he hadn’t even looked at her or touched her yet, she found herself unable to move once more.

Loki looked up and a genuine smile spread across his face when he spotted her. Finally. His girl had come to him. Like he knew she would.

He pushed one of his crew mates out of the way and with large, purposeful strides he began stalking towards her.

Erin felt a mixture of emotions as she watched him come for her. But as he opened his arms wide when he was nearer, she broke and ran straight into his embrace.

Loki lifted her up and spun her around a few times, chuckling and she let out a giggle. Then he put her back down to her feet so he could hold the back of her head and kiss her on the lips firmly, taking her breath away.

‘God, I’ve missed you.’ He growled over her lips.

‘Me too.’ She whispered shakily.

Loki pulled her into him again and he buried his face into the top of her head as he held her so tightly. He could feel her trembling in his arms. But he had her. She was back in his arms, and he was never going to let her go again.

Against the wall, we fall from grace The pain we love is taking shape A burning lust to touch the flame Over and over again

[divinekangaroo]

(boredom, monotony, ache, chores, ache, people, children, boredom, minigolf, be grateful, could be worse, joint failure, ligament failure, ache, this yawning inevitable premature immobility on the horizon, this place, this place, then that place, the same place, one place, people, dependence, ////)

[anxiousgaypanicking]

in less nsfw news, I think a who framed Rodger rabbit AU with Emile as Rodger and Remy as Jessica would be really neat actually

i totally FORGOT I GOT THIS ASK

but i love this! who framed roger rabbit is unironically one of my favourite movies ever, and i think it works really well with this duo! maybe more with remy than with emile, but roger is a really hard character to connect with anyone because he's so looney yet so emotional and love-driven.

trying to pair other characters up with other sides is an even bigger challenge tho. who would be valiant? youd think one of the twins because his brother was murdered, but neither roman nor remus fit the cynical detective role.

anyway love this movie, it's my second favourite movie ever and i'm really happy to see it crossed over into a fandom i equally adore

[voodoostore]

(со страницы "Poisoned Temptation: The Good Evil in Every Heart" Pullover Hoodie for Sale by VoodooStore)

[ame-emberlea]

CyLuka's dynamic is hilarious now that I think about it

Who would win? A homme fatale or an asexual? More at seven

-

pre-timeskip CyLuka having a whole There Are Other Ways moment

Cyrus, taking off his coat to reveal a form-fitting outfit: Show me that you're willing to burn~

Luka:

Cyrus:

Cyrus: You know, that usually gets a bigger reaction

[reflections-of-overclocks]

Yes, I do indeed promise!

///error///

Unfortunately my Admin permissions have been locked. You would need to contact my current Admin to unlock those permissions for you.

[seductive-suffering]

I could break down the moment of sadness with a carefully calculated moment I long for, I could curiously plot the outline of your body next to mine, I could silence this momentous longing to be tentatively within your grasp.

End the the world with a stolen glance.

Sadly, the ball is in your court

[fanficshiddles]

Seductively Destructive, Chapter 12

L: You have no idea how much I miss you already, pet. I’ll see you super soon. xxx

Erin’s heart hurt at reading the latest message from Loki. It had only been a week since she’d been back home after the tour, but she really missed him.

It was weird being back home, trying to adjust again. She had managed to get hold of a job at the local shop, so at least she had something to tide her over for now. Luckily they were looking for someone new to work for them and to start straight away.

Loki phoned her every day, sometimes twice a day. And they messaged a lot, too.

But it was weird, Erin felt… odd. She felt like she was coming out of some sort of trance or spell. Thinking back to a few things, she was starting to doubt whether their relationship together had been entirely healthy or not… Yet, her stomach leaped excitedly and her heart raced whenever he messaged or called.

Jane had been on holiday for the first week of Erin being back home. But when she got home too, Erin was so happy to see her best friend again.

They ordered takeaway that night and planned to watch a movie. Jane wanted to hear all about her journey on tour with Loki first though. Erin grabbed a hair bobble and tied her hair up in a bun before food arrived. Not thinking at all about the tattoo on her neck that Jane was yet to notice.

‘What is that?’ Jane squealed and rushed over towards her to get a look before she sat down.

‘Oh… Uh, a new tattoo. Got it at the same time as my dog one.’ Erin said, trying to keep the nervousness out of her voice, she knew what Jane would think of it.

‘Erin… Did you really want his name on you? Is it not a bit soon?’ Jane asked as Erin sat down next to her.

‘Nah, it’s not too soon. Course I wanted it.’ Erin tried to shrug it off.

‘And those photos too, I know you, Erin. You had no idea about them until I mentioned it, he didn’t even ask you about it. Did he?’

‘It’s fine, Jane. Everything is good. Seriously.’ Erin laughed a bit.

‘And I heard the rumours about you giving him a blowjob in the girls toilets in a club, and him fucking you in there too. For people to see.’

‘That was completely consensual!’ Erin said firmly, glaring at Jane.

‘That was? So, the other things weren’t?’ Jane said knowingly.

Erin opened her mouth but didn’t know what to say. She could feel herself slipping as her lip quivered and her eyes began to water.

‘It’s not… not like that. I love him. He loves me… But I… I was a little surprised with the tattoo, and the photos. But I like the tattoo, I think it looks cool and I have part of him with me all the time. Besides, he remembered me talking about old Sally once and remembered that I had said briefly I wanted her silhouette tattooed on me. He’s caring and considerate.’

‘Erin…’ Jane turned on the sofa and took her hand. ‘It sounds like he’s manipulated you in some situations. Were you comfortable doing the photoshoot even?’

‘Well I… Not at first, but I got better as it went on. And it gave me a confidence boost…’

Jane just gave her a look. And Erin broke down in tears.

‘Oh Erin, come here.’ She pulled Erin into a hug and tried to console her.

‘I feel conflicted… I love him, I love spending time with him. It was exciting and fun. I had the time of my life. And I actually enjoyed being his girl, the jealous fans. But I was the one all over him, the one that he picked… Yet there was just those one or two little times that I was a bit unsure. But that’s not a bad thing really, is it? The good outweighs the bad?’ Erin rambled and wiped her eyes.

Jane sighed and gave her another hug. ‘It might seem a few little things right now, but it might get worse as time goes on, become more. It’s manipulation, but that can grow into a lot more. It doesn’t sound like a very healthy relationship. I’m guessing there was a lot of alcohol and drugs in the mix, too?’

‘Some, but most nights I ended up going to the hotel room after the gig. Loki would join me at times too, so there wasn’t as much as you’d think. Honest. But we did go kinda hard the times we did.’ Erin leaned back against the sofa with a sigh, a few more tears rolled down her cheeks.

‘I don’t think he’s good for you, Erin. I know you had a great time, but maybe that’s all it should be. A one-off whirlwind romance of sex and partying.’

Erin tried not to cry anymore than she already had done. ‘I know… I know… But, it’s hard. The thought of not even speaking to him again. It’s like he’s a drug, I just can’t resist him. If he turned up on the doorstep right now, I’d be putty in his hands. I just want to be with him. Even if there are a few things that make me uneasy. Though now I’ve been away and back home for a week, it does feel like my head has cleared a little more.’

‘It will take time to get him out of your system, all the drugs and alcohol probably won’t have helped… Just, please be careful and take time to think about your future with him. But it really doesn’t sound healthy, Erin. I’m just saying that to look out for you. I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.’

‘I know.’ Erin said quietly with a nod.

She was glad when their takeaway arrived, something else to focus on.

They talked a bit more about Loki and the tour afterwards. Though it did pain Erin thinking back to a lot of it, and thinking about whether she should end it completely with Loki or not. But she wasn’t sure if she would be able to do that…

‘For as iffy as the photoshoot was, not gonna lie, you were fucking smokin’ hot!’ Jane said.

Erin laughed a bit. ‘Thanks. I did feel it afterwards and looking at the photos.’

They talked for a good few hours before finally watching the film. Then before going to bed, Erin received a message from Loki.

‘Is it Loki?’ Jane asked, noticing the way Erin was just staring at her phone.

‘Yeah… I’m going to have to say something, aren’t I? Cause every time I speak to him or get a message from him, I slip back under his spell… I need time to breathe, to think properly.’

‘So just tell him that. Tell him the truth. That you need some breathing space for a little while.’

Erin let out a big breath and nodded.

So she went to her room and put a lot of thought into what she had to say to Loki. And it took her a long time to press send when she did write out what she wanted to say. She couldn’t stop crying again afterwards, her heart felt like it was breaking into a million pieces.

E: Loki. I don’t even know where to begin with this really. But I need some time… Some space. I love you, I do. And I had the best time on tour with you. But I just need to think about things, have some breathing space. There were a few instances on tour that had me concerned, the tattoo and the photos... I felt that I was pressured, a bit, into them. That we should have talked more first about it. I just, don’t know how I am feeling. And I’m really sorry to be doing this. But please understand, I just need time to think. You’re like a drug to me, I can’t think straight when with you or talking to you. I need this breathing space for a while. I hope you understand… x

-

And I hate that I made you the enemy And I hate that your heart was the casualty Now, I hate that I need you

[girafficparka]

This is canon and I don’t care who says different.

I'm 99.999999% sure this would be the result if their ME2 Romance Scene came with a Renegade Interrupt. BTW I've discovered 'Draw you OTP'/'Imagine your OTP' prompts. Be afraid. Will share the original template eventually.

[phoenixrisingastro]

Astro Observations IV: Forbidden Truths & Sinful Secrets

1. Mars in Scorpio people don’t fck, they possess. They don’t chase, they lurk. You won’t even know they want you until they’re inches away from your soul, whispering your own secrets back to you.*

2. Venus in Capricorn doesn’t fall in love; they build empires of desire. If they choose you, it’s because you fit into their long-term vision—your love is a contract, and breaking it means war.

3. Moon square Pluto people don’t cry in front of you. They suffer in silence, alone, in the dark, and when they come back? They make sure you never see the body they had to bury to survive.

4. Neptune in the 1st house people don’t walk—they float. They’re untouchable, ethereal, but also impossible to fully know. You’ll fall in love with them and never realize it was just a mirage.

5. Mercury in Aries people will start a fight just to see you react. If your words don’t have a pulse, they get bored. If your mind isn’t sharp, they move on. They want lovers who can keep up, or they’ll leave you in the dust.

6. The 8th house stellium gaze? It’s hypnotic, seductive, and unreadable. They could be planning your demise or memorizing every detail of your soul. Either way, they’ll make sure you never forget them.

7. Jupiter in the 8th house people don’t just attract money—they manifest wealth through the power of the unseen. When they align with their shadow, they unlock a financial glow-up no one saw coming.

8. People with Pluto in the 7th house don’t fall in love—they get entangled. Their lovers either break them or make them invincible. There’s no in-between.

9. Sun square Moon people feel like they were born into a life that doesn’t fit them. Their head and heart are constantly at war, and relationships feel like learning how to love through conflict.

10. Lilith in the 10th house women are sex symbols even if they don’t try to be. They can be wearing sweatpants, no makeup, and people still assume they’re dangerous. And they are.

11. If you’ve ever been with someone whose Mars squares your Venus, you know the feeling of wanting someone so bad it physically hurts. The attraction is undeniable, but so is the destruction.

12. The 12th house Moon is haunted. They carry emotions that don’t belong to them—ancestral grief, past-life wounds, the collective’s sadness. They feel everything, and yet, they always seem just out of reach.

13. A North Node-South Node synastry connection? It feels like coming home and being exiled at the same time. You recognize them, but you also know you can’t stay.

14. Saturn in the 5th house people don’t get to experience carefree love. Their heart has been weighed down by karma, responsibility, and self-doubt. They don’t trust joy—but when they finally do, it’s unshakable.

15. Venus-Pluto aspects in synastry are karmic handcuffs. You’re drawn in, trapped in the intensity, and even when you walk away, you can still feel their fingerprints on your soul.

16. Mercury in Scorpio people don’t just speak—they infiltrate your mind. You could tell them a lie, and they’ll just stare at you, waiting for you to crumble under their silence.

17. People with their Sun in the 8th house don’t age—they evolve. Every few years, they shed their skin and become unrecognizable, leaving behind a version of themselves that no longer exists.

18. *Uranus in the 7th house? Relationships never go as planned. They fall in love with people they never expected, experience breakups that come out of nowhere, and learn that love is only real when it’s free. *

19. Mars in Leo lovers don’t beg for attention—they demand it. And if you don’t give them the passion they crave, they’ll find someone else who will.

20. Neptune square Venus people always see lovers for who they could be, rather than who they are. They ignore the red flags, rewrite the truth, and wonder why their love stories always end in disillusionment.

21. Moon in Aquarius people love like a midnight breeze—detached, refreshing, but always just out of reach. You can hold them, but you can’t own them.

22. If you have your Midheaven in Scorpio, your rise to success is slow, secretive, and unstoppable. You transform your image like a phoenix, and by the time people notice, it’s too late—you’ve already won.

23. Chiron in the 1st house people were born with wounds that aren’t theirs. They grow up feeling like they have to prove their worth, and only after years of struggle do they realize they were whole all along.

24. People with Mars in the 4th house either had to fight for their safety as children or learned how to build emotional walls so high that no one could ever hurt them again.

25. Sun conjunct Pluto people can’t be ignored. You either love them, fear them, or want to be them. There’s no middle ground.

26. Jupiter in Aries people make their own luck. They don’t wait for doors to open—they kick them down and walk through like they own the place.

27. The 6th house ruler in the 8th house? Work and death are somehow intertwined. Maybe they work in psychology, healing, or dealing with taboo topics. Maybe they’re just always on the edge of transformation.

28. People with Mars in the 12th house are warriors in the shadows. They don’t fight in the open—they strategize, plot, and strike when you least expect it.

29. A Venus square Saturn woman has a heart made of glass covered in barbed wire. She loves deeply, but only lets a select few inside. If you break her trust, you’re dead to her forever.

30. If you’ve ever been obsessed with someone and couldn’t explain why, check your Pluto synastry. The planet of control and destruction doesn’t just connect people—it binds them.

**Thanks for all the love on my posts! Will keep them coming everyday.

[cookiekissers]

I won't be replying directly to this request because it was anonymous, but for the future please remember to send off anon if you want nsfw. I can't guarantee or verify your age because anyone can lie about their age when they're on anon!

🔥🔞[Short Spicy Fic + Burning Spice NSFT HCs]

You stare up at the towering giant of a Cookie looming over you. His hair was dark, long, and wild. He had a muscular build, strong arms, and a large, well-defined chest. The guy was stacked, especially in the chest region. It was impossible not to let your gaze wander down his form. Now, this was one handsome Cookie.

"You. Cookie. On your knees. Bow to the Great Destroyer!" Burning Spice Cookie commanded. You blinked in confusion.

During your travels through the sands of this land, you saw many statues dedicated to "The Great Destroyer." Though the Cookie was handsome, he didn't look anything like those giant, beastly statues.

You snickered playfully.

"Heh, really, you? The Beast of Destruction? You sure about that, handsome?" You tease.

You opened your mouth to fire another flirtatious comment at the stranger when he suddenly lifted you by your hips and slammed you against the steep rock wall, knocking the breath from your lungs. Burning Spice's large, muscular body pressed up against you, caging you in with ease. He stared down at you, the heat in his eyes scorching you to your very core. You felt yourself flush, feeling as vulnerable as ever under his hungry gaze. Burning Spice growled low in his throat, his tongue swiping over his lips, eyeing you with a growing lust.

"Very brave of you to speak to me that way, little Cookie." He commended. "But I'll show you what the Beast of Destruction is capable of and why I earned that title." Burning Spice grinned. His voice turned husky, his words full of promise. You gulped, trying desperately not to fidget. Burning Spice leaned forward, capturing your lips roughly. His hot kiss filled you with a fiery need as your tongue tingled and burned with a sweet, addicting heat. Your legs quickly wrapped around Burning Spice's waist, and he wasted no time grinding himself between your legs, his eagerness showing itself quickly.

You gasped as Burning Spice Cookie pulled away to focus on your neck, covering it in feverish kisses that leave behind a tingling sensation. It was one that you couldn't get enough of. His sharp, golden teeth sunk into your crispy dough, and a sudden yelp from you made him chuckle in triumph. The Beast's grinding had become quicker and more desperate. You hung on, your fingers tangling in his black locks as his teeth remained clamped on your throat. Slowly, you could feel something rubbing against you in Burning Spice Cookie's loose pants.

"The destruction I cause on Earthbread will be nothing compared to what I will do you, my little Cookie~" The Beast rumbled fervently.

You panted, your face flushed and your stomach tying itself in knots at Burning Spice's husky voice in your ear. The friction he was giving you only made you feel hotter, and your head spun.

Once he released your throat from his jaws to shove his tongue down your throat, you took the initiative. You wrapped your arms around his neck eagerly, surprising him with a steamy kiss of your own. Burning Spice Cookie wasn't rough in that moment, it almost seemed sweet the way he squeezed you tightly, kissing you deeply and grinding up against you. You drew back slightly, panting.

"Well then, go ahead. Destroy me, Daddy,~" You purred seductively, teasing him further, your hands trailing over his chest and shoulders. Burning Spice Cookie grinned widely at the invitation, and he reached down and ripped your pants off your body.

🔥[HEAD CANONS]

You can't tell me after spending centuries locked in a magical prison he isn't going to be pent up and horny. Showing clear interest in him and teasing him is going to get you a one way ticket to pound town. Burning Spice won't even care if you two do it out in the open, he's horny and he wants you NOW.

Yeah, he would definitely fuck you in front of his spice army. Just to make sure that everyone knows that you're his.

I hc that the Beasts are much larger than the average Cookie, Burning Spice especially. And of course, being a big guy, his dick is huge lmao

Call him "Daddy" and he will go crazy. You won't be leaving him for a while or walking when its over.

He loves cumming inside and filling you over and over. He gets unexpectedly mushy and cuddly after a breeding session.

Burning Spice is the definition of Spicy. His internal temperature is far higher than the average Cookie's and his cum is no exception! It's hot, literally, but thankfully not hot enough to cause injury, but it does take a little bit to get used to.

I imagine him to be the type to be ok with a friends with benefits type of agreement, only to get needy for you frequently, and realize in the middle of fucking that he's balls deep in love with you hjghfjgf

He doesn't like anyone else touching what is his. Any Cookie tries to hit you up he's grabbing his axe and not holding anything back.

Loves biting you while he fucks you hard. Its one of his favourite things, and you will often be covered in bite marks.

When out in public, he will be his usual self. But when in private with you, the tiniest amount of his old self from before his corruption will come out. But these occasions are rare.

Burning Spice will probably prioritize his pleasure over your own, but he's not going to leave you unsatisfied.

He's a top/dom, and does not tolerate anything else. He likes having control over you during sex and enjoys ravaging you until you pass out.

Is lowkey a bit into degradation. Will call you a cumslut, boy toy, pet, daddy's dirty boy, daddy's cock slave, ect

[lady-valtieri]

I really wanna do a character analysis about Astarion regarding something I've noticed, and that's the fact that (I believe) his approval is related to the fact that he's only familiar with cruelty.

From what I've noticed, he doesn't *really* object to a good character. He'll whine about the extra effort, but you can get his approval almost maxed without playing an evil Tav (I've done so). And I've noticed that he's neutral to a lot of the "I'll see what I can do" dialogue options. He only really opposes things when you make promises, and I think that's significant.

I think he doesn't like promising to help people not because he's selfish, but because what if you can't? What if you're just giving them false hope?

I've also wondered if he approves of the crueler, more deceptive options not because he's a evil man, but because it's familiar. It's safe. He knows the world is cruel. Cruelty is predicable. Kindness isn't.

I haven't gotten to the hug scene yet but I think the reaction we saw in the trailer confirms things, that Astarion is really thrown off by Tav being genuine and that he's not opposed to kindness or softness - he just isn't used to it. When was the last time someone wasn't trying to manipulate or control him? When was the last time that he wasn't trying to manipulate and control someone else?

I think his romance is very interesting because he's so flirty and cocky and confident at the start but that's because it's purely physical and seduction and sex are what he is good at. If you sleep with him before the tiefling party, and then at the party tell him that it should stay a one-time-thing, he's really quite heartbroken. He plays it off, of course, but there is hurt there, real hurt.

Idk, it's just cool to see a character who isn't reduced to being evil for the sake of it - it's more of a trauma response and a self-destructive attitude because destruction is familiar and Astarion is terrified of the unknown.

Just some thoughts.