#the posts have convinced me. bloodweave it is.

[kalashtars]

i love bloodweave because it really is just the two most pathetic men in the world. a malewife and a trophy husband. both simultaneously the definition of sex appeal and sopping wet losers with no game. they want to rip each other apart and it's not even sexually. neither of them know how to do taxes. i want to study them under a microscope.

[bloodandtheweave]

Following on from my last post.

Another thing I love about Bloodweave is the multiple different ways their relationship could go.

Astarion and Gale seemingly act differently when romanced vs. their friendship routes.

It is easier to convince Gale to give up the crown when romanced. On the other hand, he would be willing to become a God to save the one he loves, the romantic that he is.

(Reference to Gale’s crown reaction being different when romanced vs when not here: https://www.tumblr.com/dekariosclan/750849585245765633?source=share)

When not romanced, Astarion approves of Gale defying Mystra's orders. But would he really want to lose Gale to godhood? It's possible that he would hold out hope that Gale would cure him.

Whereas Astarion is softer with his romance partner. However, he could easily choose to ascend regardless. Gale disapproves of the ascension but is still willing to be allies with an ascended Astarion.

Ultimately, they are both saved by love and don't want to lose the person who saved them. But at the same time, they are both set on achieving power.

It is possible that they could spur each other on, or they could convince each other that they are better as they are.

I think about them slowly developing feelings and falling in love over the course of the game. As they are definitely a slow burn (especially on Gale's part).

Astarion attempted to seduce Gale for protection, and Gale humouring him. Until Gale realises at the end of Act 2 that he has accidentally fallen in love with Astarion. Then Astarion realises in Act 3 that his feelings towards Gale are genuine and have been for a while. It's Astarion’s confession that convinces Gale to give up the crown.

To me, their relationship is like a delicate dance between light and dark. When it works, it's as beautiful as the aurora borealis, and when it doesn't, everything goes dark.

[dreamingofthewild]

After that post, I got thinking about Bloodweave again. Specifically the way Gale loves and how he would be just as a good fit for Astarion as Karlach, Wyll, or Halsin.

Gale's devotion to his loved one is absolute. He's a kind-hearted soul— the very reason he could summon Tara. He's willing to sacrifice himself for the greater good. In an origin run, he proclaims, "...one wizard for the whole of Faerun seems like a fair trade to me."

Gale may not be your typical storybook prince or hero, but his hopeless romanticism shines through a belief in altruism and selflessness. This is a man who says things like "you put the stars to shame" and "with you, I forget my goddess." His devotion transcends physicality, even embracing a romanced, illithid-infected Tav. No mere 'gosh' escapes him when facing the reality of Durge's Bhaalspawn heritage.

Gale approves of helping people, and two of his mini-romance scenes are after you have saved someone. He can only be manipulated into joining you in an evil playthrough because of the orb in his chest. He is a good man, a good man who cried because he accidentally burnt a neighbours rose bush when he was 8.

His love is rooted in personality, not appearances. Gale values commitment, believing sex is an act of profound connection between body and soul. He's the antithesis of the shallow encounters Astarion's was forced to endure. Gale's steadfastness would have made him an unlikely victim for Astarion's seductions. A fact that annoys me in a Gale origin run, as you should be able to say that you can't have sex like you can in a Karlach origin run.

Astarion would find Gale's authenticity refreshing. He doesn't need to put on an act in front of Gale. In fact, Gale prefers the truth. Gale, ever kind, would even offer to help kill Cazador without asking for anything in return. That's simply who he is.

Astarion needs someone selfless, patient, and understanding – qualities Gale possesses in abundance. A romanced Astarion, in turn, deeply cares for his partner once his masked as slipped, and he realises that he is in love (albeit I haven't played his romance out yet).

He repeatedly encourages Gale to think independently ("Where is Gale's will?") and challenges his self-sacrificial tendencies.

Their bond grows over books and shared interests. Contrary to belief, a romanced Astarion would not want Gale to ascend to Godhood. A romanced Astarion would selfishly want Gale to himself.

I'm convinced Gale offers a fulfilling romance for any companion.

Gale and Wyll are not too different. If one is a good fit for Astarion, then so is the other. And if Astarion is a good fit for one, then he is a good fit for the other.

Saying that Gale is too easily corruptible or morally ambiguous to be "good enough" for Astarion is really doing an injustice to Gale. Gale is kind-hearted and morally sound enough to encourage Astarion to be a better person. Gale is neutral good, just like Wyll is. Gale's actions always have good intentions behind them.

Also, I'm not saying people have to like Bloodweave, but I just understand that there are often deeper reasons people like the ship.

[imperator-titus]

Ghost from the Past [Part 6]

In which I've finally concluded that yes I deserve a poly ship. When I get this to Ao3 eventually, I will try to make the Astarion/Gale aspect a little more prominent early on. I think it's time to add the Bloodweave tag? They be flirtin' this episode.

Also yes Eletha is kind of a messy bitch.

CW: Sexually explicit material, non-Canon compliant Poly!Gale

(Prev)[Part 5] (Next)[Part 7] [Master Post]

[Yes I'm using this slutty gif. Finally, planned smut. gif by cheekylittlepupp]

They were going to finally deal with the goblins and rescue the druid Halsin when the sky opened up with a vicious storm. Everyone preferred the comfort of their tents, except for Eletha. In just her small clothes, she wandered around the drowning camp with nary a bother. She took this time to bathe herself and Bonnet.

When she walked past Astarion’s tent, he stuck his head out of the flap and growled at her, “What is wrong with you? Get in here this instant!”

Eletha stood under the awning of his tent, rain dripping off her skin and what little hair she had. “What’s your problem? I’m not bothering you.”

“Just get in here,” he grumbled before disappearing into his tent once more. Rolling her eyes, she followed.

Muttering and grumbling some more in annoyance, Astarion convinced her to take off her wet clothes. He practically ripped them off of her when she didn’t move fast enough. Eletha complained, but complied with his wishes, like sitting still while he toweled her off. It occurred to them both that this was the first time in a very long time that he’d seen her completely naked. Well, except for the new moon, but that didn’t count. 

“I can dry myself, you know.”

“I doubt you can tell that you���re wet, so I don’t believe you.”

Astarion hesitated as he finished her hair and moved on to her back. He ran a finger along a rather prominent scar that went from shoulder to opposite hip. Putting on a smirk and a flirtatious tone, he said, “Aren’t you a proper adventurer? And I thought those scars on your face were just for show.”

Eletha hummed, distracted. Astarion wilted a little, disappointed that he failed to open a conversation with her.

On her neck, he found two faded marks. Clearly a vampire’s bite, but unlike his, they were neat, dainty, and close together. Whoever sank their fangs into Eletha’s neck had done so gently, perhaps intimately.

Astarion pressed his nose into the back of her neck, behind her ear where she kept her hair short. She made a small noise, a little startled, a bit excited. Taking in a deep breath, he groaned and sighed. The scent was somehow familiar and new, sparking something in the dark recesses of his memory. In a low voice he murmured, “You smell amazing.”

“That’s what happens when you bathe,” Eletha rebutted with a laugh, but he could tell her heart sped up and that the sound of his voice by her ear sent a thrill up her spine. “You know… it’s unlikely you’ll find much to feed on tonight, and tomorrow is a big day. You could have some of my blood. If you want.”

“You’re such a good friend, my dear.” 

Astarion smiled to himself against her hair. Her smell was intoxicating. After pressing a kiss to her neck, making her breath hitch, he very carefully sank his teeth into her flesh. As he drank, savoring the taste, he pressed her back to his chest and let his hands wander over her skin. When one brushed against her breast, she managed to smack it away. The other trailed down her abdomen, and he barely passed her belly button before she snatched that one away.

“Naughty boy,” Eletha chastised, humor mixing with the edge in her voice. Astarion took his fangs out of her neck and chuckled.

“Please forgive me. I couldn’t resist,” he purred as she turned around to face him, an invitation in his eyes. “Aren’t high elves supposed to be too imperious for things like dancing in the rain like some common druid?”

“Oh, you want me to be mean, is that it?” she asked, stopping the bleeding on her neck, eyebrows raised.

“I said imperious. Noble. You’re more cold than commanding,” Astarion teased, haughty and confident.

Eletha hardened her eyes. With just a thought, they became sharp and clear, like a predator’s. Her voice was clipped and serious, as if she was another person. “Is this what you want?”

Astarion leaned forward just a little bit, eyes alight with delight. “Oh, yeeees. I think I like this side of you.”

In a flash, Eletha’s hand was on his jaw, controlling his head, digging in just enough to make him uncomfortable. A small gasp of surprise and arousal escaped his lips. For a moment, she looked down on him as if he was some trifling irritant, unworthy of her attention but demanding it.

Then her eyes softened and a smile bloomed on her lips. Wiping away her blood from his chin, she laughed. It was a little shocking how easily she changed. “I think the rain has stopped.”

Astarion watched as she gathered up her wet clothes, not even bothering to put them back on. “You’re going to leave, just like that? I’m hurt.”

“Oh, Astarion, you started the game, I merely finished it.”

“I wouldn’t call the game finished yet,” Astarion insisted, regaining his composure, putting on his ‘I’m starving and you look like a perfect meal’ eyes.

“You should play this game with Gale, I bet it’d be fun,” she told him with a little girlish giggle, like they were two friends discussing their crushes. If either of them had any hair, they’d probably be braiding it. 

Astarion scoffed and rolled his eyes. “Please, Gale is colder than you. I have to admit, he is quite handsome…”

“And powerful. Well, he was. And have you been to a wizard’s tower? It’s full of secrets and valuables and dangerous artifacts.” A wicked little grin started to show on his face and she tittered again. “Besides, Gale likes you.”

“Gale likes you, my dear.”

“Oh, yes, that’s why he found a bunch of books on vampirism and ancient artifacts that protect one from the sun. Because he likes me.”

“You’re having a laugh.”

“And the way you two chirp at each other like birds in spring? I have to keep you apart or I’ll get a headache. And he was very upset when you got excited about being beheaded. Personally, I’d like someone’s hands around my neck. But you have to do it in such a way that they don’t fight for air. You just stop the blood from going to their head and they just…” Eletha made a little gesture with her free hand and softly went ‘poof.’

“You’ve been drinking too much,” Astarion insisted, shaking his head.

“Okay, keep pining for my old used-up body that you’ve had before and deny yourself the powerful wizard that has done some inventive things with a goddess.” Astarion opened his mouth to argue with her, but she flitted out the tent as if propelled by faerie wings.

----

When Eletha stalked her prey, moving silently through the trees and grass, it was with reverence.

In the heat of battle, she kept her head, allowing Karlach or Lae’zel to swim in blood and gore while she managed the field.

In the goblin camp, she walked tall and her presence commanded the vile creatures to back away. Astarion saw it return, that regal severity in her eyes and words. The soul passed down to her through the ages had to be thirsting for this moment, to have lesser beings groveling at its feet and brought to heel with word or blade.

Half the night he worried that this day would end in chaotic bloodshed, a lot of it their own. He could hear Shadowheart and Lae’zel offer prayers to their respective goddesses. Karlach danced around in front of her tent out of nervousness, not gaiety, oblivious to his staring. Wyll tended to his blade and armor with fanatic fervor and offered Astarion a serious nod of camradic understanding. Gale practiced his spells for perhaps the ten-thousandth time in his life and when he met Astarion’s eyes, he smiled cockily.

Eletha had sat by the fire, staring into its flames, her bare knees crushed into the stones that surrounded it. For a while now, he considered her naive. Despite her age and experience, she still insisted on helping others with little reward. But unlike Wyll, she sometimes knew that people couldn’t be helped and served her own interests instead.

Then they were in that kennel. A proper kennel, not the one Cazador kept him in. Those little goblin children threw stones at that bear and it roared in pain and rage. Eletha’s ears twitched and somehow, he could hear her breath shudder for just a moment. The goblins giggled and clapped with glee and before anyone could say anything, Eletha’s elven longsword was wet with blood and little goblin heads rolled on the floor.

After that, Astarion didn’t think her so naive. Judging by the looks on the others’ faces when this small scrap was done, they all were recalculating their opinion of their leader.

As Eletha cleaned her blade, the cave bear reshaped into a man, the largest wood elf any of them had ever seen. He even rivaled Karlach in height and thickness. His body was soft, but not patriar soft. No, those hands could crush stones and lift ancient trees and his core was thick and sturdy, like a great oak resisting a storm.

“I would ask for your forgiveness for my appearance, but…” Halsin looked down at the headless bodies of the goblins. Everyone else was pointedly not looking at them.

“I’m all for believing any creature can overcome its nature, but I can’t abide animal cruelty,” Eletha explained, voice becoming a little humored as she spoke. Her severity melted away and she grinned at him, a hand on her chin as she appraised his appearance. “Bonnet is going to adore you. I’m almost disappointed that I don’t bring her to these sorts of things.”

“Haa, I’m sure I will enjoy making her acquaintance-”

“Bonnet is a bear, by the way,” Gale said helpfully. Shadowheart snorted, strangling a sudden laugh.

“Ah, that explains your rush to my rescue.” His attitude changed once he noticed that they were all infected with mindflayer tadpoles. After some discussion, they came to an understanding, but first thing was first.

The hunt was on.

After dispatching the goblins guarding the entrance to the kennel, Eletha stopped Astarion with a gentle touch on his arm. That harsh look was back, but there was a mischievous air to it. She pointed a finger up and he scanned the temple rafters for what she was indicating.

“What do you say? Shall we rain terror down on the Absolute’s idiots?”

Astarion gasped softly and touched a hand to his chest above his dead heart. “I think I’m falling for you all over again.”

----

This time, when Eletha aimed to put a dent in their alcohol stores, it was out of revelry and not a need to push back a deep dark sadness that threatened to crush her into dust. Gone was the icy chill, or the dour frown, or the knives in her eyes. 

She disturbed Gale’s peace with an offering of wine and a broad smile.

“What’s on your mind, Bhin?” she asked as she poured him a drink.

“It’s just… a beautiful night, don’t you think?” Eletha let him paint a picture for her of a normal night for him, fraught with wist.

“What’s Tara like?” she asked after he cleared up their misunderstanding.

“Astarion reminds me of her somewhat. The same sharp tongue. And sharp teeth,” Gale explained.

“Then I guess we’d get along.”

“As long as you don’t try to rub her belly. She hates that.” 

“But what if I want to rub your belly?” Eletha asked with a smile before putting the mouth of her bottle to her lips.

“I’m afraid I’ve experienced pleasures far more thrilling than tummy tickling,” Gale argued quite seriously before going on a small tangent about his celestial love life. Then it dawned on him. “Wait. You were flirting with me. For once, I think it is I who has had too much wine…”

“You know, Astarion doesn’t really like his belly rubbed either, but he does like having his ears gently touched and a nice stroke down the spine,” Eletha explained, demonstrating how one could pet either a cat or a certain elf.

“Are you trying to foist me onto another?” She smiled as she filled her pipe with something more fragrant than her usual tobacco. Gale didn’t think that what he said was humorous in any way, but Eletha often seemed amused by some private joke.

“Young ones should stick together. And a vampire seems like a half-step down to a normal person after a goddess, yes?” she asked after drawing in a bit of smoke. 

“Your logic is… interesting, to say the least.”

“Yeah, well, if you don’t blow up, you’ll live a long time, right? And I’m not exactly confident in my longevity, elf blood or no,” Eletha said before drinking some more.

“I believe I understand what you are trying to say.” Gale sipped his wine and Eletha refilled his glass. “I want to say this is disappointing… but I find it so… heartwarming, that you have so much concern for Astarion.”

“Don’t let him know,” she false-whispered, holding up her hand to hide her mouth and giving him a wink. More seriously, Eletha asked, “Can I paint you my own picture?”

“I wasn’t aware you had artistic pur- Oh. Yes, a story.” Gale chuckled under his breath. She wrapped her smile around her pipe, sparing him a witty remark that sparkled in her eyes. “Please. Speak to your heart’s content.”

“Despite being, well, him, Astarion was my only friend. In all honesty, he was the only one I could relate to or who could make me feel safe, even when he was getting us in trouble,” she told him fondly, building up her own wist. Then her smile fell and she took a drink. “Then one day, he was gone. And I thought I would never have a friend again. Never thought I could love someone or be loved.”

“Admirable that you haven’t chased him with a sharpened stick by now,” Gale said while she uncorked another bottle of wine for him.

“Anyway. I wandered for quite a while, alone. Sometimes I picked up an animal companion, but there was a lot of time where it was just me and the stars. Solitude felt good. I would meet people, but I might as well have been a construct, for all the care I afforded them. There was this village, it’s not there anymore. They grew the best apples. For decades I traded with this one fellow whenever I came through. We would share news, like what creatures had been seen lately, how the weather was shifting unexpectedly. He would offer me this delicious apple brandy, ‘recipe passed down for ten generations!’ he would boast. He let me set up my tent behind his house and his wife would insist on feeding me. When his children were little, they would play with whatever companion I had at the time. Then his grandchildren would play with them.

“Eventually, as most Aethen do, he died. The next time I came through, his son gave me one last bottle of the family brandy and thanked me for being his father’s friend. I didn’t even know we were friends.” Eletha toyed with her bottle and took a puff of her pipe, clearly trying to calm herself. “It was weird, how much it hurt. I hadn’t lost anything more important than a comfortable pair of boots since Astarion left.”

“A good pair of boots is hard to come by,” Gale said enthusiastically, happy to relate. He realized it probably wasn’t appropriate, given how Eletha seemed to be hovering on the edge of tears. Then she laughed and raised her bottle to his glass in cheers.

“The point being. After that, I was able to admit that sometimes, I was lonely. Little by little, I stopped being so cold. Actually learned people’s names. It still took me a while to realize when I was friends with someone.” Eletha looked over to Astarion, who was conversing, or rather flirting, with Halsin. A fond but sad smile graced her lips. “I look at him and I remember what it was like, being alone, afraid of the pain that comes with letting something in just to have it taken from you through no fault of your own. A human’s life is like the blink of an eye compared to mine, so what is an elf’s to an immortal? A single beat of a hummingbird’s heart?”

Gale was formulating a clever but sincere response when Eletha looked him in the eye so intensely that it made him stop.

“It must have been hard for you too,” she said bittersweetly. He looked down at his reflection in his wine. It was. It was hard for him. Then Eletha giggled. “There. Have I thrown you off my scent?”

Gale chuckled despite the lump traveling up his throat. “Honestly? No. You’ve only managed to become more interesting and complex.”

“Damn! I’ll have to find some way to become more repugnant.” With a sigh, Eletha stood. A wicked smirk tugged at her lips as she spied Astarion moving back to his tent. “I have some ideas. Please make sure Wyll doesn’t drink too much, I already warned him about the dangers of becoming me.”

“A drunken drowning would be quite the anticlimactic end for the Blade of Frontiers, I agree.” Gale watched as Eletha walked away and hooked arms with Astarion. It was strange, watching the two. They would throw on a different mask in the blink of an eye, become someone else to suit their needs or whims. Aside from them, the most duplicitous was Shadowheart, and even then, she was just guarded. People said he was hard to read sometimes, but Gale always felt like he was being honest when the situation didn’t necessitate secrecy.

It was sometimes hard to believe that they were ever in love. The rest of the time, it made perfect sense.

“Fancy taking a walk? Get away for a bit?” Eletha asked Astarion conspiratorially as her hand caught his elbow and snaked up his bicep. He lifted his eyebrows in surprise before putting on his own wicked grin.

“Oh? You want to go out into the woods, alone, with me? What will Gale think?”

“It’s a walk, darling. You look like you need to get out of here,” she answered, imitating him. He was flattered.

“Then lead the way.”

They walked quite a ways; Eletha smoking her pipe and Astarion taking sips of wine as they went. Eventually they came upon a hollow of trees illuminated by the brilliance of the moon.

“You know, I don’t know that I’ve had so much fun as when we were chasing each other across those rickety beams,” he told her with a practiced twirl of fondness as they found a suitable place to sit. Eletha chose to lean against a tree and he sat down beside her. “Even the cobwebs in my hair were worth it.”

“Rare to have fun instead of fighting for your life,” she pointed out lazily, soaking in the moon’s light.

“I would have changed my tune about you sooner if I’d known you could be so bloodthirsty,” Astarion purred, trailing a teasing finger along the back of her hand. “You were magnificent back there. Makes me wonder what other talents you’ve been hiding.”

Eletha sat up with a soft grunt. “Alright. You’ve caught me in a rare mood.”

“Oh?” Astarion was surprised for a moment. Last time they were in the woods together, just the taste of his lips made her sick. Well, that’s how he saw it, anyway. “A good fight has that effect on people, I just assumed you were immune.”

Eletha knelt in front of him, one knee on either side of his. She took a drink of his wine and some of it escaped in a little trickle from the corner of her mouth. Astarion reached up to sensually wipe it off and lick it off his fingers, maybe make a comment about her being as messy as him or just a generic postulation about how she tasted. Eletha smacked it away a little forcefully before running her fingers up the underside of his exposed forearm from elbow to wrist. 

Empty wine bottle tossed aside, she leaned forward until their noses were almost touching. Astarion lifted his face to capture her lips in a fervent kiss, but she dodge him. With her hot breath on his ear, she whispered, “When was the last time someone took care of you?”

Astarion had an answer for that: never. At least where vampire Astarion was concerned. Despite the fact that it was completely unsexy, he opened his mouth to answer what was clearly a rhetorical question.

Then her mouth was on his neck and a gasp escaped his lips in a cold puff. Her fingers, rough yet dextrous, teased his own before finding his belt. Astarion moaned as her hot tongue ran along the bottom of his ear. The moan turned into a desperate whine when she retreated.

Sitting back on his thighs, Eletha spared him only a passing glance before focusing on undoing the fastenings on his breeches. When he reached for her, this time aiming to pull up her shirt, she smacked him away once more. He tried again, not easily swayed, and she captured his hand, just to kiss and run her teeth along the inside of his wrist.

Readjusting, Eletha untucked his shirt. Lavishing his stomach with kisses, licks, and gentle scrapes of her teeth, she tugged down the waistband of his breeches. Astarion groaned in the back of his throat as she brushed her lips over his cock through his underwear. She left kisses from tip to base as she painstakingly pulled down the offending garment. He actually quivered as her tongue left a stripe of spit along its length.

Normally, Astarion wouldn’t let himself be so easily pleased. He’d fake this reaction, of course, and pepper in reactions that reflected what his mark desired most in him. Some wanted the commanding, debonair noble while others wanted a mewling plaything. But Eletha wasn’t a mark and she’d proven time and again that his body wasn’t the price for her protection.

It really was shocking to him how good it felt when he could let go of the performance. He had to fight against the innate instruction to turn off, just go through the motions. Astarion even tried to stop her so that it could be her ‘turn’ and he could show her how good he was, but she swatted him away. When he persisted, she laced their fingers together and just… held his hand. It felt almost as good as her lips and hand wrapped around his cock.

There was just a tiny worry in the back of his mind. Was she doing this just to please him? Were these just motions?

Then he noticed that her hand felt hotter. Her strokes became more insistent. He could feel the back of her throat and the filthy groan she made traveled down his cock. Gasping, Astarion bucked his hips just slightly and when she came up, moaning for air, strings of spit connecting them, he whined again. The look in her eyes was hungry and her lips smirked with pride. 

Thus began his undoing. With her left hand in his right, he laid his left hand gently on her head, following her rhythm with small rolls of his hips. Occasionally, unwilling to be done so soon, he would tug her hair just the slightest bit to pull her back and give his nerves a rest. She was relentless, swirling her tongue around him, groaning like a starving man eating at a king’s buffet.

Astarion felt a jolt of pleasure he’d never felt before and threw his head back with an unabashed moan. His hand had to leave her head, lest he push it down further in his blind ecstasy. Squeezing each other’s hand, Eletha took everything he had to give and made sure there would be no mess except for the wrinkles in their clothes and the disarray of their hair.

Boneless, Astarion watched her through hazy eyes as she made him modest and fixed her own clothing. He managed to offer her a husky chuckle and a half-cocky smile. “Are you sure I can’t interest you in some more fun?”

“That was fun enough for me, but thank you,” Eletha said politely, gathering up their discarded things.

“Why?” Astarion asked, maybe a bit too much like a plea. “Why do this for me?”

“Because I’m a little drunk, had some wizard’s weed, and well-”

Now that hollow far-away look came to her eyes. Eletha just… stared straight ahead, as if she could see something happening deep in the earth. 

“Eletha…?” Astarion’s bliss shifted into something akin to fear. He reached out hesitantly, debating the ramifications of touching her while in this state. “Lorelai.”

Eletha’s head snapped around, startling him. For a moment, with her body rigid, she seemed to be seeing someone else in his place. There was terror in her eyes. Then her shoulders relaxed and she was herself again. Smiling as if nothing had just happened, she said, “What’s a party without a little fun?”

“Right…” Astarion agreed, dragging out the syllable.

“I’m gonna try to get some sleep. You should hang out with Gale. He really misses his little tressym friend. Sounds like you would be a good replacement,” she explained cheerily as she got to her feet, dusted herself off, and marched back to camp.

Astarion was magically transported to Gale’s tent. Not really, but he couldn’t quite remember getting from the glade to camp and making the decision to sit down with Gale of all people.

“Are you alright, Astarion?” the man asked him, offering him a glass of wine.

“I’ve had the strangest experience.” Gale gave him a critical look-over. “With Eletha, I mean.”

“I’m not really the kiss-and-tell sort,” he told him only to receive a look that said ‘do you hear yourself?’ Ignoring it, he added, “It can be very easy to fall back into the arms of an old lover. I am sure it is… complicated.”

“Did your dear Mystra ever… tend to your… needs… and refuse reciprocation?” Astarion asked hesitantly, searching for the words that both conveyed his intention and couldn’t be misunderstood by Gale.

“Well, if I set aside the fact that our intimate affairs are not quite analogous to those shared between mortals-” Gale started rather academically and a little smugly. Then he actually thought about it and his face fell back into neutrality. “No. I wouldn’t say that was ever the case.”

“It’s a strange feeling,” Astarion remarked, still trying to untangle his thoughts. “Also. That may have been the best orgasm I’ve ever had, and now I’m disappointed that she went to bed.”

Gale cleared his throat. “I’m sure she has her reasons. As… elusive as they might seem.”

Astarion tilted his head and put on a smirk. “Fancy a go? Someone like you might be able to teach me a thing or two.”

Gale chuckled and raised a warding finger. “I’m afraid you will have no such luck with me, Astarion.”

Astarion pouted. “Come on. You’re not curious? All this time out in the wilderness and you don’t feel the least bit pent-up? I’m not some backwater farm girl looking for a tumble, you know.”

“Whether I have those feelings or not is irrelevant. Who knows what a sudden increase in excitement could do to the orb? A moment of destabilization when I’m unable to control it and we’re all dust.”

“That sounds very exciting, if I may say so,” Astarion purred, a hand finding Gale’s thigh under the table. Gale huffed as he moved it away, making Astarion laugh. “Ticklish, Gale? A mighty wizard defeated by just the brush of a hand?”

“Careful. The tadpole won’t protect you from this wizard’s magicks.” Astarion found Gale’s thigh again and managed to slide up a little before Gale moved away even further. “I know you’re having fun, and I don’t slight you for it, it is a bit amusing, but I am afraid you’ve come to the point where if you persist, I will consider it harrassment and be forced to retaliate most fiercely.”

Astarion sat back up, retrieving his hand from beneath the table. “I apologize, Gale. I thought I might convince you to loosen up a little.”

“Your apology is accepted. Perhaps under different circumstances, I would have taken you up on your offer.” Astarion picked up his wine glass and held it towards Gale’s. Curious, Gale held his up as well and Astarion clinked them together.

“Here’s to different circumstances, darling.”

[smilingmarauder]

I'm really surprised and happy for the enthusiasm generated by the last sketch which I posted! I know that the credit partly goes to the subjects (bloodweave always in my heart), but I really thank you all!

I almost never make things like this because I'm convinced they're not interesting. Well, you convinced me otherwise! More will surely come. I also have other couples that I love very much in mind... (Did someone say Halsin? Hmm??)

Do you have any suggestions for me? ☄️

And, although a little late... Happy BG3 day! 🍷✨

[sybaritick]

cal "sybaritick" BG3 fanfic compilation post ✨

i like my current pinned post about trichloroethylene water pollution but i have to admit it doesn't exactly represent the things i regularly post. so here's all my recent fanfiction for Baldur's Gate 3! :3

Astarion/Gale

nor heaven peep through the blanket of dark (2.4k, E): the one where Astarion convinces Gale that if a sussur flower is nearby, he can drink Gale's blood, and this is totally safe and fine and not at all an excuse to get Gale in a vulnerable state

Appetites (1.2k, E): the one where Astarion is a little too into Gale being chubby and feeds him pastries and dreams of keeping him like a cute little overfed pet

Ensnared (0.8k, M): the one where Gale gets sexily caught up in an Ensnaring Strike and Astarion's predator instinct is very much awakened

oh, rotten little thing (1.9k, M): the one where Gale realizes the Netherese orb has grown powerful enough that it wants to absorb magic from people, not just items...

At Knifepoint (2.4k, E): the "mark me down as scared AND horny" one that goes with this amazingly hot artwork of some bloodweave knifeplay from the art/fic swap! :3 Alternatives (1.5k, E): the one where they got their nice domestic ending but maybe they'd like to imagine just for a moment what would have happened if Astarion made a worse choice. and as a bonus, they're both transmasc in this one! (both described as if they're on T but pre-any-surgeries.)

Tav/Gale

Suggestion (1.9k, M): the one that takes place post-canon where Gale is horny about the concept of being charmed by his somewhat-ethically-questionable enchantment wizard friend

Gortash/Dark Urge

Grim Trigger (3.0k, M): the one where Gortash and the Dark Urge have a normal, friendly conversation early in their alliance that is definitely not some weird psychosexual dominance game slash foreplay

enjoy! :3

[hyacinthslibrary]

Intro :)

You can call me Bug, I'm 20 and my pronouns are he/it. My friend convinced me to post my writing so here I am

Things I'm working on

A couple BG3 fanfics (both are about Gale Dekarios, one of them is Bloodweave)

A novel titled "Lamb of God" about religious trauma and illness (my 2023 nanowrimo project)

My longest running passion project is called Gunsmoke, about gay cowboys very simply (also with a prologue about one of the main characters)

A million other WIPs that I haven't touched in months

If you have any questions about my WIPs or OCs ask!! I love talking about my writing projects so feel free to ask me anything :)

Also follow my friend @imagination-overreaction for funsies

[hismercytomyjustice]

I finally finished fixing chapter 12!!! \o/

Ugh, breaking up and filling out the last/next few chapters was a pain in the ass, but I feel like the story and pacing are better for it.

I was reading through my draft before I did that and just kept being like “wait, that happens in this chapter too?!” over and over again.

Chapter 12 was the one that needed the most meat on its bones after breaking up (I think) 7-13. Originally 7/8 was one chapter and either 9/10 (or 9/10/11?) and 12/13 were one chapter each too. Or something like that.

It just felt like waaay too much was happening waaay too fast and there needed to be a little more breathing room/better chapter breaks based on what all was going on.

I’ve tried to make sure the stuff I’ve added to round them out further boosted the story rather than felt like filler or something. Really hope that’s how it comes across and not like I’m just dragging things out. T^T Pacing is haaard.

Also greatly appreciate @theeladymystic being a sounding board for later plot stuff and convincing me to keep this story relatively self-contained and not give into the temptation to add more plot points.

My #1 goal with multi chapter stories is to tell a complete and finite story with a clear end in sight. As fun as it would be to explore some of the possible tangents that have tried to tempt me, it definitely would have come at the risk of losing the main storyline and needlessly bloating the fic.

Tbh I’ve also been working on this fic since June (even tho I didn’t start posting it until after I was done with my BG3 fic) and am starting to get the itch to work on something *new*. And I don’t want to risk running out of steam and not finishing it.

I already have a mini-rut multichapter fic I’ve been fiddling around with since September (please god let it be mini, lord knows I am terrible at guesstimating my word counts). It’s already at 9k, but has been sitting there for a while now.

I also have a modern day AU I’ve been brainstorming for that I’m itching to see whether or not it will go anywhere.

I also also need to finish up part 8 of my Radioapple series (I think it’s maybe halfway done at 8k words T^T ) and I want to write some more Radiodust, maybe making that standalone fic into a little series too.

While I’ve done a little brainstorming for BG3 Bloodweave oneshots, the spirit has not yet moved me for them. I feel bad about it since I said I was going to do some when I finished my multichapter fic, but I also know forcing myself to write something I’m not currently feeling will not end well for me or any folks who might want to read them. I don’t want to put something out purely out of obligation. That would feel disingenuous and I also doubt it would result in my best work.

I mean, I do hope the dark urge returns, but I don’t want to try to force it if it doesn’t. Because that’s a one way ticket to me not wanting to write at all and losing the momentum I’ve finally built back up over the past year. And I’d rather just have a complete BG3 fic that folks enjoy than put out a bunch of half hearted oneshots, tbh.

Time will tell!!! Ah, the joys and perils of hyperfixation…

Well I WAS fixing my kid!fic and then I got wildly distracted reading another fic and now my dog is too cozy, so I guess I am trapped for all eternity now.

It was nice knowing you all, but at some point my phone will die and I will be unable to charge it without committing the unforgivable sin of ruining my dog’s 12th nap of the day.

[dreamingofthewild]

hi! did you see the post i wrote mine in response to? i didn't want to comment on it because i don't want to invalidate anyone's interpretation. i do feel that gale and astarion are extremely similar (having done both romances this was so evident to me and my multiplayer group that we were like wow) and even for similar reasons because they both want to be safe & power = safety to them imo

See, I think they are plot foils. Astarion is also a plot foil for Wyll as Gale and Wyll share many similarities, but I will not detail that here.

They represent bad vs. good, light vs. dark. They are opposing forces that highlight each others traits.

Here are some ways they have similar themes with opposing ways of going about it.

On a similar note, Astarion tries to gain the PC's support through manipulation and Gale through helpfulness.

Dependency: Astarion needs the player's character for protection. Gale relies on the player character to help manage the orb. They both rely on the character's support and choices. Which is why you can convince Gale to stay with you in an evil playthrough, and the only way Astarion will leave is if you're antagonistic towards him. The other characters don't rely on the PC as much.

Pursuit of Power: Both are drawn to power but for different reasons. Gale seeks power for knowledge and autonomy, while Astarion seeks it for freedom from his past and for control. Unlike Shadowheart and Lae'zel, who want to become chosen, Astarion and Gale aim to surpass their respective abusers.

Redemption Arcs: Their stories both involve redemption but from different angles. Gale seeks self-forgiveness and understanding his worth, while Astarion’s redemption, in a good playthrough, is about finding humanity and empathy after a life of manipulation and survival. Gale doesn't need to be redeemed. He just thinks he does. Where Astarion needs to be redeemed but thinks he can't.

Worldview and Personal Growth: Both need significant shifts in their worldviews. Astarion needs to learn empathy and trust, while Gale needs to understand his value beyond his powers and reassess his relationship with Mystra. Both don't think they're worth anything other than what their abusers made them to be. Gale with his magic and Astarion with his looks.

Charisma: Both are charismatic but in different ways. Astarion uses seduction and cunning, while Gale uses intellect and persuasion. Astarion's flirtations are inauthentic, while Gale’s charm is genuine.

They are opposites because Gale is good but has the potential to be corrupted by his own insecurities if you don’t convince him that he is enough. Where Astarion is a bad person who has the potential to become better if you can convince him that the world is not a bad place and he is worthy of being saved. Both need to be challenged and know that they can change.

Self-Identity: Both struggle with self-identity and have moments of deep self-reflection and doubt. Gale struggles with his sense of failure and worthiness in Mystra's eyes. Astarion struggles with his autonomy and whether he can be more than a tool used by others.

The thing is, it's not the Gale x Astarion shippers who are villianising Gale and turning him into a power-hungry karsus Jr. Toxic Bloodweave exists, but it's only a small portion of the ship. Most fics deal with Gale just wanting love, acceptance, recognition, and approval. Astarion wants the same things but doesn't feel worthy of having them until Cazador has been defeated. Once in love, they are both fiercely loyal.

They balance each other out. And when we say they're similar, we're not saying Gale is inherently evil or Astarion is always good. We're saying that they both need saving from themselves because they are both more than what their abusers made them to be. Both their stories are more fulfilling and sweeter in their romance route.

I managed to get Astarion’s good ending while not romancing him and having only 52 approval points with him. Wyll and Karlach were proud of him. Wyll seemed to like Astarion. I'm Act 3 in my playthrough, and I doubt Wyll the monster hunter would be proud of Astarion the monster if he thought Astarion was evil even in a non-ascended playthrough I'm adding this because some people don't see that Astarion has a redemption ending. I don't think Wyll, Gale, or Karlach (but especially Wyll) would associate himself with Astarion if Astarion was fully evil even in a spawn ending.

[sybaritick]

cal "sybaritick" BG3 fanfic compilation post (updated Jan 2024!) ✨

a new pinned post because i've written 4 more fics since the last one!

Astarion/Gale

nor heaven peep through the blanket of dark (2.4k, E): the one where Astarion convinces Gale that if a sussur flower is nearby, he can drink Gale's blood, and this is totally safe and fine and not at all an excuse to get Gale in a vulnerable state

Appetites (1.2k, E): the one where Astarion is a little too into Gale being chubby and feeds him pastries and dreams of keeping him like a cute little overfed pet

Ensnared (0.8k, M): the one where Gale gets sexily caught up in an Ensnaring Strike and Astarion's predator instinct is very much awakened

At Knifepoint (2.4k, E): the "mark me down as scared AND horny" one that goes with this amazingly hot artwork of some bloodweave knifeplay from the art/fic swap! :3

oh, rotten little thing (1.9k, M): the one where Gale realizes the Netherese orb has grown powerful enough that it wants to absorb magic from people, not just items...

Alternatives (1.5k, E): the one where they got their nice domestic ending but maybe they'd like to imagine just for a moment what would have happened if Astarion made a worse choice. and as a bonus, they're both transmasc in this one! (both described as if they're on T but pre-any-surgeries.)

On Concentration (1.8k, E): the post-game established-relationship one where Astarion walks in on Gale using Mage Hand for certain purposes late at night in his library

Minthara/Astarion/Gale

Certain Talents (3.3k, E): i just think gale would be really into femdom and know way too much about drow culture (and astarion is extremely aware of this and willing to share just this once)

Tav/Gale

Suggestion (1.9k, M): the one that takes place post-canon where Gale is horny about the concept of being charmed by his somewhat-ethically-questionable enchantment wizard friend

just Gale

catalyst (2.3k, M): gale decides to spend his time stuck in his tower alone by Eating A Lot. a gift for excellent writer gaspingforcontact that takes place a few months before her gale feeding kink fic. 100% stuffing/weight gain/fat fetishism you were warned

Gortash/Dark Urge

Grim Trigger (3.0k, E, graphic violence/gore cw): the one where Gortash and the Dark Urge have a normal, friendly conversation early in their alliance that is definitely not some weird psychosexual dominance game slash foreplay

Gortash/Gale

Incentives for Compliance (3.7k, E, noncon cw): a prompt fill for the bg3 kinkmeme where gortash kidnaps gale to secure help from the rest of the tadpole gang and then uses the fact that he's no longer nearby the astral prism to mind control him; 100% an excuse for blatant mind control fetishism

enjoy! :3

[sybaritick]

"Which Of Cal's BG3 Fics Should I Read?" Flowchart

1 / Do you have a strong ship preference?

yes, for Bloodweave, Astarion/Gale: go to 3

no, any ship is good: go to 2

2 / Consent issues...

are hot admittedly. i love coercion and power imbalance: go to 4

are not what I am looking to read about today: go to 5

3 / One of the things I really like about Bloodweave is...

the parallels between Gale's condition and Astarion's vampirism: read oh, rotten little thing!

Gale absolutely seems like the type to want to get bitten by a vampire: go to 6

their banter and teasing: go to 7

4 / and when it comes to said dubiously consensual situations...

I enjoy a little mind control/hypnosis/enchantment to get somebody's guard down: go to 8

I want it to be all-natural manipulation, no magic necessary: go to 9

5 / but something I do kink on is...

Gale should get fat: read Appetites, then catalyst!

a little D/s roleplay about what might have happened if Astarion went through with the ascension: read Alternatives!

cute post-canon established relationship + Gale getting walked in in when he's trying out some particular uses of Mage Hand: read On Concentration!

6 / You're so right about this. And when might Gale be daydreaming about said vampire bite?

in act 1, because Astarion's so sweetly manipulating Gale into being a willing food source: read nor heaven peep through the blanket of dark!

in act 3, after Astarion's been plying him with sweets: read Appetites!

post-canon months after Astarion's ascension, because even though Gale has long since left him, he can't quite get the thought of him off his mind...: read At Knifepoint!

7 / and about said teasing...

it should be because Gale's gotten himself all caught up in the remnants of an Ensnaring Strike: read Ensnared!

it should be about Gale's thing for femdom... especially when it comes to Drow women uwu: read Certain Talents!

8 / I like your taste. How heavy do you want it?

gut his higher brain functions for me: read Incentives for Compliance!

just a little something to take the edge off, and Gale's baiting you into it, really: read Suggestion!

just a little something to coax him a bit closer in this already-fucked-up situation: read At Knifepoint!

9 / and you'd like to leverage that +6 to persuasion and deception for what in particular? The world's your oyster, with that sort of charm.

slow-burn moral corruption because you know how useful Gale could be if it weren't for the lingering remnants of ethical principles: read Tephra Year!

I just think he could stand to put on a few pounds: read Appetites (and if you've read Tephra Year, definitely read Highharvestide as well!)

i just enjoy bizarre mind games more than sex. i want them fully clothed standing across the room utterly fascinated with one another. and i like default!Durge: read Grim Trigger!

convincing Gale to let me bite him while he's rendered helpless by sussur flowers' anti-magic properties: read nor heaven peep through the blanket of dark!

enjoy! :D