#this feeds into me “non-ascended astarion is the superior astarion” thing too lmfao

[harcove]

I NEED to talk about Astarion x Durge because, if you try to break up with him later in game, and tell him it's because you're scared you are going to kill him one day, the dialogue you can get? Absolutely amazing.

He sort of, lets out a breathe of relief, because it isn't that you don't love him or he did something wrong (he asks if he did something wrong to make you want to break up)- it's because you're worried about killing him. He goes on to tell you that while he is prone to embellishment, he meant it when he told you before that together, you'll find a way to help you. He reiterates it, to drive the point home. He is going to help you- to save you from the Urge. He says that he's learned during your time together/during the adventure thus far, that you can't let fear rule you, or else you will never really live.

Then he tells you, "I'm not afraid. Not of you, not of your darkness, and not of our future."

If you tell him that you could end both of you, he sort of hums, then says, "Cazador used his tortures to strike terror into me. But I've rarely been more afraid than on the night I feared Bhaal had claimed you for good." He says he trusts you won't kill him (then playfully says that, if you do, then he's just gotten sloppy and he probably had it coming.)

When you decide not to break up with him after he says this (by telling him he's sweet) he sounds SO relieved. He breathes out, and makes a joke, about how he is sweet- and beautiful, and no one says that enough. Then ends it with a heartfelt, "I'm not going anywhere."

This is all non-Ascended Astarion by the way. He is so in love with Tav. He cares SO much about them, is WORRIED about them, but not because of the idea they might kill him (he is not worried for himself-) he's worried of losing them. He says it blatantly when he says he has rarely been more afraid than the night he thought Bhaal took you for good; thought he lost you.

I am so unwell over this. Two people, with dark, haunted pasts, who want to be better (if you're playing the Durge that way) and they both want to help each other. And they aren't going anywhere. He's not afraid, not of you, not of the future with you. He loves you.