#I was gonna do Astarion but then I took one look at his hair and was like nahhhhhh

[hellishgayliath]

Aaaaaaaaaand here’s the finished results! :D I really enjoyed doing this challenge and honestly might do another one sometime soon. Thank y’all for sending me characters :3

I think out of these Wirt and No Face might be my favourites the most :D

[fics-a-plenty]

Hurtful Words and Bear Hugs

Astarion x gn!reader x Halsin

Word Count: 1,411

TW: Spoilers for Astarion's story in Act 3, mentions Astarion's victims, reader crying

Hi! It's been awhile!

This game literally has me in a choke hold. I am so weak for these two men. I love that you can have a little romance between the three of you. 🥰

As always, I hope you enjoy. Feel free to send any requests for these two as they own my thoughts at the moment!

The days following their victory over his past master, Astarion had struggled with his thoughts and feelings. He felt terrible for how distant he had become, especially as you tried your best to be supportive. Yourself struggling with how to balance giving him his space and wanting to just hold the lost man until his world seemed to piece itself together again.

The one thing stopping him from his full blow guilt was that Halsin was there to distract you at times. The larger man seemed to have a better grasp on his emotions than Astarion did, always seeming to pull you off to some task that needed your attention just at the right times or to lead you back to Astarion's tent with hands and hearts full from their adventures whenever he felt the weight of loneliness creep back in. The pale elf was even sure that at times the druid spoke to Scratch and the owlbear cub to cause small bits of chaos or demand attention from you when he could no longer keep your focus.

Astarion was especially grateful for the times the three of you could spend time together in peaceful silence, either walking around near the camp or just sitting near the fire while he read next to you as you focused on redoing the braids on the side of Halsin's head. While the days seemed to be getting better, and his heart seemed to fill in the empty spots left behind by his revenge and the past that had lead to it, some days seemed to thrust him right back into the deep of it.

He pretended not to see the sad glances you shot him as you racked your brain for some way to help. He knew you meant well and normally he would appreciate it or tease you for how wrapped around his finger you were, but today it just seemed to be to much. He hadn't meant for the groan of annoyance to leave his lips as you came by his tent for the third time today, wanting to check in on him.

"What is it you could possibly want this time?" He snapped as he slammed his book shut, shooting a glare at you from where he sat in his tent. "If you're coming to see how I'm doing, let me save you the breath. I'm the same as I was the other million times you've interrupted me today. Now do you have something to actually contribute to my time or can I read in peace?"

It took a moment for him to realize just what had been said, and by the time the guilt had built up in his chest, your eyes had gone glossy. You turned your face away, not wanting him to see your tears welling up.

"I was just coming to tell you that Halsin and I were going into the city to get a hot meal. I was gonna see if you wanted to come, but I guess I'll let you read."

He could have sworn that he could hear his cold heart crack at the shake in your voice. His lips parted to apologize, but his throat tightened around the words before they could leave. He sat in silence as he watched you turn to walk back to where Halsin was waiting nearby.

His eyes met the druid's before you got to him. The wood elf's eyes seemed to be conflicted, split between knowing Astarion hadn't truly meant to hurt your feelings and the disappointment that the interaction had gone so wrong. Once the two figures were gone from sight, the vampire let out a deep sigh and tried to go back to his book. The words just wouldn't come to him now, and every thought seemed to lead back to the hurt look on your face.

Tossing the book onto the ground next to him, he ran his hands through his hair, partially wishing that he could physically push the thought to the back of his mind or even out of his brain altogether. Deciding to take a walk around camp, the lingering eyes of the other camp inhabitants pushed him to walk further and further away until the camp faded from view.

He wasn't even sure how long he wandered, lost in the downward spiral his mind had fallen into. The tears in your eyes fading into the tears of the past victims as they realized the pain he had lead into. Visions of the lives he had ruined flooded his mind until he couldn't take it. An almost feral scream ripped from his throat as he swung his fist against the trunk of a tree he had wandered to close to, another innocent victim to the control he didn't have over himself.

The pain pulsing in his hand seemed to help ground him as he fell to lean his back against the hard bark. He would have been a sight to anyone wandering by, the pale elf with a bloody hand resting in the ground. His fangs bared in his open mouth, and his chest heaving to try to catch his breath. The now rising moon beginning to reflect off the streaks of wetness down his face.

As his red eyes stared up at the glowing rock, he began to push through the dark thoughts, trying his best to lock them back in the recesses of his mind they belonged in. The sound of your voice began to ring in his mind, helping to fend off the thoughts of self doubt and hatred that lingered. The countless times you had told him that he was good enough, that he was worth being loved and cherished. The times you had kissed his face until these same bad feelings were long forgotten.

As his heart and breath began to settle, the world seemed to know what he needed in that moment, and the wind shifted to blow gently against his face. His lips curled up slightly as the faintest whisp of your scent kissed his skin as if you were there with him. It dawned on him that in the hours he must have been gone that you were probably running yourself wild with worry. A short laugh forced itself from his lips as he imagined Halsin trying to quell your panic, probably saying something about some time in nature doing him good.

The walk back to camp was much quicker that he imagined, his feet pulling him home faster as your scent got stronger. It lead him straight towards Halsin's tent. The deep sound of the man's snore was almost as if he was walking into a real bear hibernating.

He froze for a moment as he saw you curled up against the bear of an elf. Your hand slowly moving back and forth over the hairy chest being the only sign that you were still awake. His feet moved him toward you before he asked them to, before he could even worry about if you would want to see him. He crawled in carefully behind you, not wanting to wake the other. His hand hovered over your side, hesitating at the thought that you may still be hurt.

Your skin against his brought him back to the moment as you pulled his arm over your waist. You thumb began to move side to side on his wrist, your wordless forgiveness warming his chest and releasing tension that he didn't know he was still holding.

"I'm sorry." The words were so quiet as they left his lips that he wasn't even sure he has really said them.

"I know." The quiet response was just as possible to be a fantasy.

"I didn't-" His throat closed again as you turned to look over your shoulder at him.

"I know." Turning your face back forward, you brought his hand to your lips before squeezing it slightly and clutching it to your chest.

The moment of peace was interrupted by the sleeping druid rolling over and throwing his arm over the two. As his thick arm tightened around them, each you and Astarion let out a groan as you were both crushed into the bear hug. The smiles on the three faces and the quiet laughs drifting from the tent seeming to right every wrong in the world for just the moment as the two of you joined Halsin in a well needed night of rest.

[secret-smut-sideblog]

Supine Bound

Gale x F! Tav

18+ tension, crossed signals, embarrassment, voyeurism (m&f), masturbation (m&f), restraint, body caging, dirty talk, roughness, domGale, oral (m&f), improper use of mage hand, Gale being a menace, some silliness a lil tenderness ayo, porn w/o plot

With Tav believing she's crossed a boundary of intimacy twice with Gale, she invites the wizard to get some retribution...

Masterlist

-

"Gods, I'm not that short." Tav planted her hands on her hips, giving Gale a mock glare.

"Notice that you had to look up to give me that withering look." The warm tease in his voice making her heart flutter involuntarily.

"Should I call over Halsin to give some input?" She trilled, smiling wider at the narrow in his eyes.

"Oh pish posh," He waved his hand impassively. "That elf is an outlier. It would be academically irresponsible to include him in our data."

"Our data, huh?"

His cheeks flushed the slightest pink.

Tav raised her eyes in memory, giving a puzzled look.

"I don't even remember applying for a grant to fund our research..."

He let out a small bark of laughter, her smile curling triumphantly at making him break first.

"Oh, there is a very neat magic trick people my stature can perform. Wanna see?"

He nodded, giving her an bemused smile.

She leaned down conspiratorially, him following her down. Crouching down quickly, she angled her shoulder under his hips, standing and flipping him onto her back.

"Up you go!" She cheered, bracing the hinge of his hip with one hand. Starting to walk through camp at a jaunty pace.

He laughed loudly, a joyful burst. Going mock limp as she trotted him around their small world.

"Oh, good catch!" Karlach called through a mouthful of apple. "Wizards are slippery! Hold on tight!"

"Ew, why...?" Astarion reeled.

"Guys, I'm trying to make a delivery, do you mind?" Tav huffed, putting a hand on her waist and popping her hip out.

"Of course, of course. Boy deliveries are very time sensitive, don't want him to spoil." Karlach nodded sagely.

Gale's giggle against Tav's back making her bottom lip curl to not smile.

Astarion put down his mending with a sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Oh! Hells, I've gotta go! He's getting unruly!" Tav's voice spiking in fear as Gale kicked his feet happily.

Tav took very careful steps to the turquoise tent, the night song of insects rising in the reeds. Fire crackling low, cleared plates piled, ready to be river tended.

"And here you are." She crouched down, attempting to ease him by the waist off of her shoulder. Gale only going fully limp.

"Oh... oh! The spell!" Tav cried, letting her body slowly crumple under him. "Gravity! it's getting so heavy!"

He giggled against her as she slid into a heap on the ground. His forehead resting above her shoulder, her arms thrown above her head, staring up at the newly woken stars.

"We're just going to lay like this, huh?" She sighed.

"The spell takes a while to wear off, I'm afraid."

She smiled, letting out a contented breath with the closing of her eyes. Enjoying his weight on her and the slow calm of night for a moment. His arm naturally encircling her head, face turned into her hair. Heart fast and breath slow.

She peeked one eye open, feeling his stare.

"Yes?" She whispered in a playful lilt. Turning her head to look at him.

His wide pupils held her still. A single breath shared between them as his eyes searched her, lips fallen open. Their turned faces unreasonably close, air softened with anticipation. All she would have to do was tilt up.

The haze overrode her better judgment, and she lifted her chin. Lips sliding into his in a soft part.

Her mind caught up with her mouth, pulling back in shock. He had very kindly turned her down twice now, the second time just last night at the tielfing party.

"Oh Gods, I'm so sorry." She rose up on elbows, face heating.

His wide eyes followed her as she stood, chest radiating a gauzy purple under his robe.

"I'm- I'm gonna go." She patted her thighs anxiously. "Sorry, again."

Turning on her heel, she grimaced as she strode away from him.

Gods. Way to take it too far.

-

Tav paced in angry circles.

"Fuck Mystra."

"You're going to dig a hole in the ground." Shadowheart raised her eyebrow at her rage loop.

"The fuck is her problem?" Tav continued on, waving her arms. "It's not enough to disgrace him, exile him, then leave him to fend for himself with the fucking orb that you know how to fix! Then you ask him to detonate it? Just all casual, no biggie?"

"Darling, we all agree with you." Astarion drawled, leaning back on the log. "But do you know who isn't as convinced?"

He tipped his head towards the distant point of Gale's tent.

"Maybe spew some of that venom where it's needed."

"You're right." Tav slowed, planting her hands on her waist. Taking a huffing breath out.

"I often am." Astarion sighed, flopping back on the length of the log. "And you can convince him to come start dinner. Unless you want to be supped from early tonight."

"Oh, I could start dinner! How hard can it be?"

"Karlach, that's a very kind offer. But let's see about Gale first." Wyll encouraged.

Tav waved her hand in acknowledgment, heading towards the outer loop of camp.

She took several deep breaths, knowing that coming in hot might just dig his feet in farther. Afterall, this was a diety he had devoted his life to, of course he thinks her stupid fucking idea is founded in some wisdom.

Low pulsing violet light emanated from the seat of his closed tent. Tav bit her lip in concern, ears naturally piqued for any sounds of distress. Picking up the sound of muffled hard breathing.

Her hand hovered over the flap of his tent.

If he was suffering, would he even tell any of them?

A pained whine broke her of her apprehension, lifting the opening.

He was laid back on blankets, head angled back. The underside of his jaw, chest arched up. Hand clamped over his mouth, eyes rolled up into his head.

Her wide eyes traveled down where his velvet shirt was bunched up around his ribs. Sleep trousers pushed down to the seat of his thighs. Bare hips writhing and thrusting up into-

His head lifted and caught eyes with her.

"Ah!" She yelped, turning quickly, pressing her back to the tent wall.

She groaned quietly, doubling over and pressing the heels of her hands into her eyes. A fruitless effort, that moving image was embedded for good.

"All the gods above and below, I am so sorry!" She stamped her foot, embarrassment spiking the threat of mortified tears.

There was only a low chuckle and the sounds of rearranging fabric behind her.

"It is not funny." She hissed, ducking her head around to give him an incensed glare. Getting only louder, snorting laughter.

"Cosmically? It's quite funny. Given the subject of my imagining."

Her cheeks heated at that, sure she had misconstrued his meaning.

"This has happened too many times." She sighed, shaking her head.

Ducking back around fully to level her gaze at him. "You need to get even with me."

"Even?" He gave her a confused but warm smile.

"Yes. I've got too many violations under my belt. It's your turn to do something mortifying to me."

"Interesting..." A mischievous smile spread across his face.

"Don't tell me what it is." She held her hand up preemptively. "Just decide and do it when the time is right."

"And nothing is off the table?" His eyes glinted.

"Go wild. I'll do whatever you ask."

Tav immediately wanted to walk that back, but bit the inside of her cheek.

"Excellent. And Tav..."

Her eyes met his.

"Thank you for checking on me. Truly. You're a guiding star in these dark times."

Tav's voice wavered in her throat into a muffled squeak. Giving him a nod instead.

"Goodnight, Gale."

-

It had been a tenday since their arrangement had been made, and she had fully forgotten about it. Too many events under their collective belts, battles won and grueling progress made towards overtaking Moonrise.

Everyone gathered around the fire, passing bowls and talking around full mouths. Cricket song in the tall grass. The ever-present oppressive air of the Shadowlands lessened just slightly by good company and filled bellies.

Tav had been sitting with their newest addition, Minthara. She naturally stayed back from the gathered camp, but Tav found her conversation very stimulating. She was tough but fair, giving harsh but insightful observations on anything they spoke on.

"What do you think of Gale?" Tav offered, her mortifying displays coming back in a slow creeping blush up her neck.

"The wizard?" Minthara gave that low chuckle she was prone to. "What about him should I find noteworthy? The fool hardy ambition and unconscious death wish is hardly unique to wizards of his caliber."

"Can't argue with that." Tav relented with a sigh. "He's very sweet when you give him the chance. I've grown quite fond of him."

"Yes, that has been obvious." Minthara lifted her glass to her lips, raising one eyebrow at Tav.

"I'm sure I don't know what you mean." Tav mock huffed. Giving her a small smile.

"Why haven't you bedded him yet?"

Tav nearly spat out her food, coughing into her hand. Minthara giving her a few solid thumps on the back.

"Thats... that's hardly..."

"You don't strike me as inexperienced. But perhaps I am mistaken." Minthara mused.

"Or perhaps the wizard is. That seems likely, with the way his eyes follow you around camp."

"They do not." Tav grumbled, turning her eyes down.

"I have my own eyes, abbil." Minthara stated. "And they do not deceive me. That lovesick look is unmistakable."

She gave another low chuckle. "He's doing it right now."

Tav raised her eyes just slightly, catching Gale's in her peripheral. Whipping her eyes back towards her Drow friend. Minthara raising both eyebrows now, giving a knowing smirk.

"Either bed the wizard or put him down like a sick dog. It's a kindness to put him out of his misery."

Tav laughed, though she likely wasn't joking.

She reached out to take Minthara's empty bowl, walking up the way to the fire.

"And how was it?" Gale offered, smiling at her as she approached.

"Oh, delicious as always. You truly are magical making a meal with what we scrounge up." Tav set the two empty bowls with the others to be washed, bending over.

A hand ran from thigh up over her backside.

It was over so quickly she wasn't entirely sure she hadn't imagined it. Popping her head up and looking around in a fluster.

Gale raised a confused eyebrow. "You okay? Something bite you?"

"I'm okay, just... ah, nothing." She shook her head. "How are you feeling?"

"Pretty tired, I might turn in early tonight."

Fingers trailed up the curve of her spine, splaying out across her ribs.

She spun around, finding only gnarled trees.

"You know what, maybe I will too. I might not be all there tonight." She turned back to him to level an apologetic look.

"Of course." He smiled graciously. "I'm confident you'll find rest at some point tonight."

"Here's hoping." She sighed. "Have a lovely night, Gale."

"Oh, I will." He made to walk away then paused, turning as if remembering something.

"Thank you for saying I'm sweet. I'm very fond of you too."

Tav could only nod, pink fluster reaching her cheeks.

-

Tav lay awake in her tent, the damned wizard smothering all other thought. The earnestness of his teasing reaching under her skin.

She pressed her pillow into her face and hit her heels against the ground in frustration. The pool of desire in her pelvis full, heavy and insistent.

She tossed the pillow down at her side and admitted defeat with a sigh. Hand coming down to snake under her waistband. Meeting her already piqued clit, fingers leading down in slow circles. Gathering her pooling slick up over it.

Leaning her head back, she got lost in her own touch. The rising pleasure in her body pulling her along, fingers moving to the unconscious demand. Pushing her sleep pants down to her knees, kicking them the rest of the way off. Letting out a soft moan, fingers working faster. The circling orgasm pulling tighter. All sounds and sights floating away.

Imagining his hands on her, those wide skilled hands. How they would feel climbing her body, grasping and pulling. What the stubble of his beard would feel like between her legs.

The hands splayed along her thighs, pressing them open. Her legs laying flat against her bedroll.

It wasn't until the hands inexplicably didn't dissipate inside her imagination that she opened her eyes.

Gale stared down at her, arms locked out straight, leaning down on her knees.

"Don't stop." He commanded.

"What?" She squeaked, trying to pull back to cover herself, but he wouldn't budge.

"You said I could request anything. We'll, I'm requesting that you don't stop."

She swallowed, the realization of what was about to unfold rising up her already bothered pelvis.

Leaning back, she let her hand return to her center slowly. Her embarrassment making the pleasure she pulled from herself feel even more salacious. Constraining her face in a turn of her head.

"Come now, that's hardly fair." He clicked his tongue, gently pulling her face back to center. "I've been so wanting to see you enjoying yourself."

Her eyes opened into an incredulous glare. Frustration pushing into her arousal, needling her hand faster.

"Well, you've had a funny way of showing it." She huffed.

He got quiet for a moment, then slid both knees onto the inside of her thighs. Leaning up to be level with her, balancing on forearms around her head. His weight holding her legs splayed open.

"I have wanted you so unbearably it has numbed my mind."

His warm voice pulling low into his chest, he continued.

"All of my thoughts have been encircled by you, threading through every tortuous night. My skin hungers for your touch, and no distraction I have tried has soothed the strain."

His face drew ever nearer as he spoke, shoulders lowering him down to her.

"All of your intrusions have proven to have only stoked the flame higher. Much higher."

He was breathing against her lips now, so near it made her eyes flutter up into her lids. The teasing making her feel delirious. Hips starting to writhe fruitlessly against the hold of his knees.

He looked down at her efforts, her stomach twitching in jolts. Her eyes following down, seeing the strain in his trousers above her.

"I want to touch you so terribly." He groaned, eyes lidded. "But I want you to cum first."

She bit back a moan, eyes desperate on his. Feeling like she was going blind with need, bucking her hips.

He leaned forward, cupping the side of her head as he rumbled directly into her ear.

"I cannot resist you much longer. You are so beautiful like this, it's driving me mad. Cum for me, I need you to feel you on my tongue."

She yelped out a moan, his mouth coming down to muffle hers. Her whimpers pushing into his lips. Orgasm crashing over her in high waves, swells rising up through her. He pushed her sleep shirt up to her clavicle. Leaning back to watch her ribcage rise, breasts heaving. Moaning at the sight low in his throat.

She grasped the front of his robes, pulling his face back to hers.

"I came, now please tou-"

His mouth smothered back over hers hungrily. Breathing hard through his nose, gasping against her lips. Pulling up on her waist, her thigh, his hands warm and insistent.

The pull between them was demanding, primal. Tangling and burning with need. Desire barely contained inside of bodies, ready to spill over in a boil.

She tried to reach for his sleep pants but was caught by her wrists, an unknown hand slamming them down pinned above her head.

She looked above and saw a mage hand.

"You bastard, that's what that was." She gasped out when she could get a breath in.

"It is so wonderful to tease you." He chuckled, head starting to lower down her body. Cupping her ribcage reverently as he kissed along her neck, her clavicle. Nose drawing a small circle around her nipple.

"You blush such a heavenly pink." He sighed, kissing along the underside of her breast.

She bit back a moan, coming out as a needy sqeak. Arching her ribcage up to meet his mouth.

"Gods, I want to drink you." He growled, cupping her breast and dragging his tongue up over her peak.

She writhed underneath him, wrists straining against the hand still pinning her down.

He lapped at the hard nub, flicking it with his tongue before enveloping it into his mouth. Undulating his tongue in a warm wave.

Her legs rose up into a curl, groans as quiet as she could manage leaving her. His mouth pulling pleasure from her in winding handfuls. The sensation pushing her hips down into an unconscious rocking, the ache in her pelvis her only driving force.

He cupped both breasts and ran his tongue between them, breathing labored warm air over her skin. A trail of saliva connecting the two peaks.

"Gods, Gale! Please!" She whispered, hips rising in desperation.

"No, I am taking my time with you." He stated, the mage hand tightening on her wrists. Licking up a line on the underside of her breasts, watching the flesh mold to his tongue, then bounce back into place with a satisfied groan.

He finally pulled his cock free of his trousers with a relieved breath, settling back down onto his belly. Reaching under her, taking both of her hips into his hands and pulling them flush to his mouth without warning. Tongue crashing into her clit with a vengeance.

She barely stifled the cry in her throat into a soft whimper. Hips already canting against his jaw.

One of his hands snaked around and pulled up on her pubic bone, giving him full access. Latching onto her clit and undulating his tongue in that same wave. Slurping and suckling, hand shooting out to hold her thighs open as they tried to clamp around his head.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck-" She whined, pelvis trying to twist away. The pleasure so intense it bordered on unbearable. His near delirious enthusiasm rising it tenfold. Grinding his hips in time on the tent floor. Staring up at her, eyes dark with intensity.

She could feel her second orgasm about to unravel her. Arms still pinned above her and legs pinned open beneath her, she had nothing to hold onto but his eyes. Hers straining up in pleasure, realization of how intense this was about to be washing over her.

She begged out under her breath.

"Oh Gods, I need you to gag me or I'm going to scre-"

The mage hand left her wrists and pushed two fingers inside her mouth.

She writhed and jerked, orgasm ripping through her. Tearing through her relentlessly, biting down on the mage fingers to silence herself. The pads of its fingers massaging her tongue while his tongue below still pulled and sucked. Bringing her higher and higher, determined to collapse her entirely. Her hips rising in the same plea to escape, his mouth only rising with her. Chasing her up the bedroll.

"Ah! Stop, stop, stop." She breathed when the overstimulation got too much, a laugh on the edge of her words. Pushing his head back gently.

"Too much?" He hushed, a twinkle in his eyes.

She nodded, body going limp. Puddled out under him, eyes glazed and struggling to focus. Head lolling while her breath tried to gather back in her chest.

He rose back up over her body, palming over himself. Laying on his side, he watched her. Wiping his mouth of her arousal and spreading it over his cock.

She reached out again, but he directed her hand up to his cheek instead.

"Just let me watch you, the image of you like this has been tormenting me."

Her body fallen open, cum dripping down her backside. Too fucked out to feel bashful, she stared back at him with lust blown eyes.

His breath hitched in his chest, free hand running reverently over her hip, her belly. Eyes lost in her in awed desire. Hand pumping faster and faster. Face starting to crumple in pleasure.

Seeing the first telltale twitches of his hips, she shot forward. Pulling him entirely into her mouth and sucking down hard. Bobbing her head and opening her throat.

He collapsed back onto haunches, hips rising in jolts. Hand winding into her hair, crying out against his cupped hand. Tremoring hard as his cum fired in waves down her throat.

Using the last of her strength, she sucked mercilessly. Gripping his hips still as he squirmed. Only when he started whimpering did she release him with a pop of her mouth. Falling back boneless on her bedroll.

"There." She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. "I have the upper hand again."

He collapsed down next to her. Both their breath a heady miasma around them.

"Oh?" He laughed, voice strained with lost breath. "Do you now?"

"Mm-hmm," She hummed, turning onto her side and flipping him by the waist to wrap around his back.

"Now you've gotta get even with me again." She nuzzled into his back, arms winding around his front. Hands cupping his chest.

He sighed out, body going limp inside her hold. His hands lacing over hers tenderly. Murmuring out something she couldn't catch when her legs cradled up under his.

"What?" She hushed, kissing the curve of his shoulder.

"Hold me. Closer, please."

She wound her arms tighter, palm rising up over the burned circle. Fingers smothering the purple light. His fingers winding into hers desperately. As if he didn't hold on tightly enough, she would drift away from him.

"Shhh.." She pulled one of her hands behind him. Scratching gently along his back.

He tremored at that, going limp again. Bowing his back unconsciously.

She smiled, reminded of a cat. Nearly expecting him to start purring.

His breath slowly evened out, curling up fetal. Her body following him, encircling into his curl. A deep sleep seemed to take him, a soft snore moving in and out of his throat.

"Sweet, sweet man." She sighed, kissing the edge of his jaw. Seeing the side of his mouth curl up in a sleeping smile.

~

[lizzychanstuffss]

Hey! I got a prompt for you: let's say that the reader comes from a place where courting braids are a thing. Their people usually has long hair and it's tradition that someone would braid their SO's hair. Reader is hesitant to bring it up since their former partners never did it because they found it silly or too time consuming. I think Astarion would love the idea of braiding reader's hair and would probably go overboard and come up with complex braids or add decorations into the braid (feathers, beads, jewelry and all that jazz). Baby boy wants to express his creativity and is happy that you trust him with something so important to you 🥺

And if the braid comes undone, oh no what a tragedy, he's just gonna have to do it again! 😉

If it's too silly or too much of a hassle, feel free to say no tho. I just thought it would be so freaking cute ☺️

This so cute omg I need to write this.

Astarion x Tav!reader GN

set post-game so spoilers

Requests still open!

Finally, after all the adventures of mind flayers and tadpoles, you were happy to finally settle down with your lover. Astarion was happy with the predicament too, even if you also wanted to find a way for him to walk in the sun again...but he suggested you should take a break first, or else your body might start falling apart.

So you took his advice and the two of you had been taking things slow for the past few months. You two had the rest of forever to find a way for him to be in the sun again, there wasn't a real rush. So with that in mind you finally started wearing your hair down more often, it was already rather long but the length really showed now that it wasn't tied up or braided to keep it out of your face.

But there was one thing you couldn't stop thinking about. It was something that was prominent in the area you grew up in and was something you hoped you would be able to continue with whoever you ended up in a relationship with. But considering your relationship with Astarion was forged in the midst of chaos it was never really the time to bring it up to the vampire.

But tonight the man saw you looking over a book. It had instructions for several different styles of braids but all of them were too complex for you to do yourself. You hadn't even noticed that Astarion had been behind you until he placed his hands on your shoulders giving you a peck on the cheek. His eyes glanced over the page and it instantly caught his attention.

"My, my what's this?" His knuckle stroked the page inquisitively. Looking up at him you smiled.

"Ah just some braids, where I'm from there was something called a courting braids..." You trailed off a bit slightly embarrassed at the thought of it. Astarion gave your shoulder a slight squeeze urging you to continue.

"Uhm well, when two people are courting one of them will braid the other's hair...it's a bit silly saying it out loud" You look away from him as you speak only to have him gently move your chin to face him, a frown formed on his face as he spoke.

"Darling, it's not silly if it's something you care about...and frankly it sounds rather fun" He paused. "Would you like me to try one of them?"

"Well, if you want to?" You smile up at him and suddenly Astarion seems so excited. The two of you get into a more comfortable position so he could properly do your hair. He gets to work looking at the guide for the braid and twisting your hair gently into the shape on the page. Once he's finished Astarion marvels at his work quite satisfied with himself.

"Oh my I do say you look rather dashing in this style" He chuckles before grabbing two hand mirrors handing you one and he holds the other to get a good look at the intricate braid. His handiwork is honestly remarkable, must have been from his skills in embroidery  transferring over to another.

"You did a wonderful job Astarion~" You smiled as you looked at it. Turning to face Astarion, he was still rather excited by this new found talent he had discovered and it gave you an idea. "How about you do another more complex one?" Suggesting to him and his eyes seemed to light up at the prospect.

"Are you sure?" His eyes were filled with a sense of light at the prospect but he couldn't help but ask if it was really alright. He was still cautious about such things but you couldn't blame him, it’s not like though healing from trauma was a one fix all. Of course you give him an enthusiastic nod.

Then the man sets off to work trying another braid from the book, something much harder to replicate for certain. As you sit there his hands playing with your hair is a rather soothing experience, it takes a while but eventually he finishes this one. It's slightly rougher as he is still getting used to the process, but it demonstrates such skill and talent regardless.

-

Over the next weeks, Astarion continues to braid your hair. Sometimes he puts in flowers or ribbons or whatever other decorations he thinks would look nice against the color. Today he chose a more simplistic braid instead of his normally complex art pieces. But as you went about your day the braid ended up coming undone.

You were a little distraught as all his hard work became undone. Upon seeing this Astarion wasn't upset at all in fact.

"Oh dear~ such a shame I have to braid it all again" His voice was dripping with sarcasm and sass. Scoffing a bit in response to obvious tease, but then sitting in front of him.

"Alright, let me see what I can do" he smirks a bit letting the hair fall where it may and then getting started on something a bit more secure. As he works his magic looping the hair in on itself, adding a ribbon to help keep it in place.

Once he was finished he proudly showed off his work, a smile making its way across your lips as you take in his work. "You are quite skilled at this, love.” Turning to him you gave him a gentle kiss which he reciprocated in kind.

[thechaoticdruid]

[The Spawn Vs The Ascendant]

Astarion(s) x Tav

Plot: I made a post a while back about Ascended Astarion meeting Spawn Astarion via multiversal timeline shenanigans and legit maybe one person shared a fic with a similar premise.

So basically I was like *puts on infinity gauntlet* “Fine, I'll do it myself.”

Content Warning// 18+ for Sexual humor and suggestive themes. I legit have not been in the fanfiction business in years so go easy on me. 

Characters might be ooc. Spelling/Grammar mistakes may be present. A wee bit of blood and violence. Gale is made fun of. Tav is based heavily off my human druid Tav, Winnie and uses She/Her pronouns.//

Possible Triggers: Ascended Astarion, kidnapping, mentioned character death, possessiveness, obsession, AA touches Tav without her consent (not sexually tho), Galeshaming. 

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•

Ah, the Elfsong. There was really no better place to unwind after a long day of adventuring. And there was really nothing better to help one unwind than a favorite snack, a cold drink and lovely company. Unfortunately for Tav she'd have to wait up on the company as her beloved was currently preoccupied with his nightly grooming. Gods only know how long that man will take doing his hair. The human female rolled her eyes and brought her wine bottle to her lips taking a few swigs before biting into some cheese she'd been nibbling on prior.  Tav lounged about on their shared bed wearing nothing but a black tank and red boxers. Despite the peace and relaxation she was getting pretty bored without her love to snuggle and gossip with. Tav finished off the last few bites of cheese before she pulled out the private journal she'd been keeping since this whole adventure began. Little doodles of her partner decorated the pages along with her chicken scratch handwriting. 

She had documented details of their adventure whenever she had the chance and also took the time to add various doodles of her companions and any monsters they encountered. (Some of her favorite drawings included herself opening a bottle and releasing a spectator. And of course a lovely little drawing of her and Astarion kicking the shit out of Cazador.)

As she waited Tav began to entertain herself by writing down a to-do list.  

“Ah lets see…Yep definitely gonna have to have a chat with that pompous prick who was threatening a kid the other day. Maybe I can invite him back to the tavern later? I'm sure Star wouldn't mind having a snack.” Tav hummed, scribbling down everything she had planned out as of late.

Shit I need to do:

‘Feed rich tit to boyfriend.’ 

‘Teach Shadowheart to swim.’

‘Buy Clive a best friend.’ 

‘Murder baddies.’

‘Wildshape into a pigeon and shit on Gortash's head.’

‘Buy boyfriend cute clothes.’

‘Take Gale shopping for wizardy stuff.’

‘Look into real estate in the Underdark.’

‘Take Scratch for a walk.’

‘Kill more bad people.’

‘Contemplate licking dead spider.’

‘Be screamed at by Gale for licking dead spider.’

‘Buy flowers for Karlach and Shadowheart.’

‘Buy boyfriend more cute clothes.’

‘Study wizard stuff.’

‘Help Moon Lesbians plan wedding.’

‘Research ring of the sunwalker.’

‘Piss off the Gods……Again…’

‘Remember to take Astarion on romantic beach date before fighting the Elder Brain.’

‘Unalive people of not goodness.’

‘Shave Gale’s beard while he sleeps.’

‘Continue writing smutty novel series so I can keep buying boyfriend cute clothes.’

“Tav, a word please.” Gale appeared from around the corner. Tav groaned, annoyed by the prospect of having to get up. Especially since Gale looked like he was going to scold her for something. Begrudgingly she hopped off the bed, leaving the comfort of her room to see what in the hells that damn wizard wanted. 

“What do you need, Gale? I'm kinda in the middle of writing down my to-do list.”

“Am I inclined to believe that you've been writing erotic novels that feature Astarion and I?” The wizard inquired.

“Pfft! What in the hells gave you that idea!” Tav laughed, her eyes staring off to the side nervously as she twiddled her thumbs. Gale pulled out a red leather bound book titled ‘Blood-Mage’. It was a ridiculously smutty novel about a young handsome sorcerer named Garrett Delarous who is reluctantly forced to team up with a dastardly, but world endingly beautiful Vampire Lord in order to save the world or some shit. (The book mostly focused more on smut than plot.) Amazingly the novel had made a killing after Tav had peddled it at Sharess's Caress. It seemed nearly everyone wanted a copy.  (Tav was also pretty sure she noticed Halsin was reading the book as well.)

“My series is about a renowned sorcerer and a Vampire Lord. There's a difference, Gale.” Tav crossed her arms with a huff. 

“You can't just profit off of other people's likenesses Tav! You at least need to pay them royalties!” 

“I always give half the money I earn to Astarion.” 

“I’m talking about me!”

“I think my beloved ‘gloves of power’ were more than enough payment for you.” Tav huffed before looking off to the side with a sad look.

I miss those gloves so much.

Gale sighed in annoyance, pinching the bride of his nose. He was used to Tav’s shenanigans at this point but this was just ridiculous. Not to mention while skimming through Tav's scandalous work he noticed the sorcerer was always on the bottom during intimate scenes. The audacity!

“Besides I use the money I make from this for not only myself and Astarion, but the rest of the camp as well. Adventuring ain't cheap ya know?” 

“You can at least give me a small percentage of the profits. Say thirty percent?” 

“Ten percent.” Tav said flatly.

“Twenty percent?”

“Ten percent.” Tav repeated.

“Fine.” Gale gives in, causing the shorter of the two to smirk triumphantly. Tav watched smugly as the wizard slumped off in defeat before quickly adding another note to her to-do list.

‘Give 10% of book money to the stinky wizard.’

Tav finished off her list as she felt a pair of cool arms wrap around her form from behind, her cheeks tinting light pink. “Do you really need to take five hours in the bath?”  She hummed, turning her head to meet her partner’s crimson gaze. His hair was dry and looked rather soft and silky and he was dressed in this eccentric red silk robe with fluffy black trim.

“You can't rush art, darling.” Astarion purred before nuzzling his cheek against hers. “You know if you were getting impatient you could have joined me in the tub. I would have loved the company.” He murmured huskily.

“In these tiny ass bathtubs? I'd have to sit on your lap and even then I doubt we'd have enough room to really do anything.” Tav replied, nuzzling back against him. 

“We could still try.~” The vampire cooed.

“Tempting, but the others have whined enough about our night time activities. Apparently we're noisy.” 

“Then perhaps next time I shall have to gag you won't I?” 

“Alright! I'm ending this conversation here!” Tav said quickly, face burning up at his teasing. 

“Besides, I’ll need some sleep for tomorrow. Gortash won't kill himself, unfortunately.” Tav said with a yawn.

“Really? Now? I was hoping you'd at least cuddle with me before bed.” Astarion pouted.

“Oh you poor thing. Fine, we can cuddle till I fall asleep. Cutie.” The human female smiled sweetly before planting a kiss on her lover's cheek, receiving a content hum in response. Tav turned to pull away from the elf's embrace before suddenly feeling herself be scooped up and tossed over his shoulder.

“Hey! What did I say about picking me up!?” She whined, squirming a bit as she hung over his shoulder. “I don't like being manhandled!”

“But you're so adorable like this.~” Astarion teased, his hand gripping her ass as he carried over to the bed. Despite Tav’s complaints she did little else in protest besides pout and blush as she was whisked away. The two of them soon settled on the bed, Tav immediately nuzzling into Astarion's chest and relaxing. Astarion’s clawed fingernails found their way into her messy locks, caressing and running through them as the two snuggled together. His skin was cold to the touch, but honestly Tav actually liked it. It kinda reminded her of the cool side of her pillow. Even though there was the constant threat of death around every corner the two of them were still able to cherish their time together, and hopefully now that Astarion had been freed of his master they would continue to do so.

 There was still the tiny issue of an evil alien brain thing that could turn them into soulless squid monsters, but they'd be able to take care of that sooner or later. A part of Tav wanted to put it off as selfish and dangerous as it could be. Because as soon as they destroyed the brain, they'd destroy the only protection Astarion had against the sun. Tav wasn't about to give up on finding a way for her love to enjoy the sun, but for now she'd at least make the time he has left in it special. 

“Star….” Tav murmured aloud, her head tilting upwards to meet her partner's eyes.

“Yes dear?” He hummed.

“You know there's actually something I've been meaning to talk to you about. We've been together for a while now and well…we haven't actually had a real date….I mean I guess it's understandable considering we have to save the world and shit, but I was thinking maybe if there's time we could do something together....”  Tav bit down on her lip as she sat up on the bed. She felt nervous all of a sudden, not used to asking for stuff like this. Astarion had always been the one to initiate most of their romantic activities. The best Tav could do was a kiss on the cheek or a hug and even that had taken a while for her to get comfortable with. 

“What about all our little late night trysts? Do those not count as dates?” Astarion raised an eyebrow though his tone was playful.

“Ehh…well…rolling around in the dirt in the middle of nowhere isn't exactly what I'd call a date.” Tav said awkwardly, earning a chuckle from her vampire. 

“I suppose you're right. We've never really had any bonding time without you being pinned underneath me.” He joked before quickly clearing his throat and finally trying to be serious. “What do you have in mind, darling?”

“I just want to take you out somewhere…We could go out to eat or just walk in the park….” The human female twiddled her thumbs as she trailed off, feeling butterflies in her stomach. “I'd be up for anything really as long as I'm with you.” 

“I…would like that very much, my love.” Astarion cupped her cheek, his eyes soft and full of affection.  He pulled her into a sweet chaste kiss, allowing her to return it before she pulled back and rested his forehead against hers.

Thudd!

Tav quickly pulled back from Astarion's embrace as she heard a noise. She looked around frantically for the sound.

“Tav? Is something wrong?” Astarion asked.

“I just heard something…” She said before suddenly her eyes landed at the window near their bed.  On the opposite side of the window seat a small white bat could be seen looking through the glass. Its little red eyes stared at the human with an intense gaze. “It's a bat.” Tav pointed towards the window. Astarion looked over at the little creature before internally groaning.

 No. She better not even think about it!  

The bat blinked, looking at Tav a few times before curling its left wing against its body. 

“I think its wing is injured!” Tav exclaimed with concern.

“Ugh leave it! We've taken in enough stray beasts!” Astarion scoffed, but Tav immediately ignored him, rushing over to the window. 

“Tav! Don't! It probably has some horrible disease or something!”

Tav quickly opened the window, her eyes going soft as she looked down at the small animal. She moved to scoop it up into her arms but before she could the bat simply fell back. 

“Shit!” She shouted. 

“Thank the gods, it's dead. Now come back to bed, darling.” Astarion said, patting the spot besides him. Tav just glared at him silently before suddenly she wildshaped into a raven and flew out the window.

~•~•~•~•~

While Tav didn't preach about nature 24/7 like Halsin did she was still just as much of a druid as he was and couldn't bear to stay by while an injured animal was in need. (Much to her lover's dismay.)  She'd flown out the window of their room and circled around looking for the little bat. 

There was no sign of the winged beast anywhere near the elfsong, but at least that was a sign it likely hadn't fallen to its death. Tav kept searching, eventually straying further from the tavern until she was forced to land and give her wings a breather, returning back to her human form.  

“Dammit it's so dark I can't tell where I am. Everything looks different at night.” Her eyes strained as she struggled to make out any familiarity. Despite having lived in Baldur's Gate for about ten years Tav had always made it a point not to roam about at night. Her lack of dark vision made night time prowling even more dangerous, especially in this city.

She decided to reserve her strength instead of wild-shaping again. From what she could make out in the dark she'd found herself in one of the back alleys. Tav kept stumbling around in the dark for a while until at last she began to consider heading back. The bat likely wasn't dead since she had seen no hair or hide of it and she really wasn't in the mood to find herself in trouble. It constantly seemed to follow Tav these days it seemed. Last time she wandered around the city by herself she got into a fist fight with some stuck up noble lady who had referred to her as ‘a fat ugly little boy’. (The others were not happy about sneaking her out of prison that day.)

Just as Tav was about to assume the form of a beast fit for the night she noticed some light up ahead. The graveyard had been illuminated by a couple of lanterns. Tav approached hoping it would help her map out her way back if she just remembered how to get to the Elfsong from there. However as soon as she got close to the light someone was waiting for her. 

“Astarion?” Tav called out as her silver haired lover stepped out of the darkness. She expected nagging, and complaining about having to come out here looking for her, but instead Astarion just stared at her intensely as if studying every detail of her face. “Are you okay?” She asked with concern. Something was very strange about this. Astarion being quiet for long was never a good sign. Tav scanned him over, almost immediately noting his elegant attire. A black and red suit with silver bats embroidered on it. Odd. Tav had never seen him wear this outfit before. And he was always quick to show off any new clothes to her, seeking her praise. Astarion moved towards her quickly and out of nowhere pulled her into a crushing hug. 

“Yes of course. I was just worried about you, my sweet.” His grip on her was almost uncomfortably tight, as if he was holding onto her for dear life. 

“I haven't been gone that long….” Tav stiffened. There was an abnormal warmth to his body. Sure he was able to raise his temperature after feeding, but there was hardly a decent supply of beasties for him to nibble on in this city, not to mention he would have had to have found one pretty damn fast before seeking her out.  

“You’ve always been such a brave little thing, haven't you?” He let out a chuckle, his grip on her didn’t falter. His tone didn't seem threatening, but one thing for sure set off an alarm in her.

Thump-thump. 

Thump-thump.

Thump-thump.

Tav immediately ripped herself away from him and took a few steps back, her eyes glaring daggers.  “Who the hells are you?” She snapped. 

“Whatever, ever do you mean, pet?” His voice was full of false innocence, it reminded her a lot of how Astarion would often speak whenever accusations were hurled at him, but this person was definitely not her lover. 

Tav’s first instinct was to assume he'd probably been one of the shape-changers they'd been attacked by in the past, but there was this gnawing gut feeling that this time was different. 

“Drop the act. I've already met enough shit heads running around wearing someone else's face. Who are you really?”

“I’m Astarion. Really dear, I'm disappointed you have so little faith in me that you'd think I'd allow some lowly shape-changers near you.” He took a few steps forward. 

“Stay away from me…” Tav growled out through gritted teeth. Damnit. She didn't have any weapons and was literally in her sleepwear. 

“You seem tired, love. Perhaps we should head back so you can get some rest?” He extended his hand towards her.  Tav was about to say something else before suddenly an arrow came out of nowhere, nearly hitting the Astarion look alike in the shoulder. He was able to dodge just in the nick of time.  Tav gasped in surprise before quickly turning back to see another…. Astarion?

The two looked identical aside from their clothing. The imposter was wearing his elegant suit and the other one (whom Tav hoped to the gods was actually him) was wearing a familiar red and black doublet. 

“Hells teeth.” Astarion spoke up as he looked over at the two.  Tav immediately sniffed air around the second Astarion. The tiniest whiff of death hit her senses and immediately she ran over to him. 

“Star!” Tav was by his side in an instant. His arm quickly looped around her hip protectively before he scanned over her face. 

“Are you alright?” He asked, receiving a nod in response.  Astarion then looked over towards his look alike. “My, aren't you just beautiful? I must admit I'm quite flattered you chose to imitate me.” 

“Is that what you think of me? I'm hurt.” The other vampire laughed. “I am no mere imitation. I am you…..well a better you.” 

“You're not making any sense!” Tav hissed, her jaw clenching as she suppressed the urge to let out an animal-like growl.  

“Allow me to shed some light on it then. I come from a reality where instead of choosing to remain weak and pathetic we became who we always wanted to be.”  Tav's eyes widened at the revelation, though she was still debating whether or not to believe all this madness. Of course she'd been to hells, the shadowfell and even fought a god so maybe this wasn't too far fetched.

“The Vampire Ascendant.”

“If you're telling the truth then why are you here? You have everything you want don't you?” The vampire spawn quirked an eyebrow. Meanwhile the Ascendant’s face suddenly turned cold. He almost looked sad. 

“I did. Wealth, power, pleasure, everything I could ever dream of. I was on the cusp of dominating the entirety of the sword coast. Everything was mine. But none of it mattered without the one thing I cherished most. My beloved consort. My Tav.” His eyes suddenly locked into the human female. She felt small, cornered, like a rat caught between a cat’s paws. “He was taken from me…” 

Tav stiffened, taking a step back. She really did not like where this was going. Her lover kept a gentle hold on her, staying between her and the other vampire.

“And now you're here to take my Tav I presume?” Astarion scoffed, “you obviously didn't care very much about yours then if you're already looking for a replacement.” 

“HE WAS EVERYTHING TO ME!” Before Tav could think her lover was knocked off his feet. A punch had come at him faster than he could react. The Ascendant stood over him, shaking with anger. Tav moved over towards the vampire spawn as quickly as she could, checking him out. He seemed alright, albeit a little winded, possibly bruised. Astarion huffed, getting back to his feet. Tav was quick to cast cure wounds on him to help perk him back up.  

The Ascendant took in a breath, regaining his composure. While the spawn swiftly tossed Tav a spare dagger from his pack. A fight was likely inevitable now. 

“I’ve searched across thousands of timelines. None of these pathetic excuses for adventurers came even close to my beloved. That is…until I found you of course…” The vampire lord pointed a clawed finger at the druid.  “You're the only one who resembles him in the slightest, albeit you are a bit more…voluptuous than he was.” He chuckled a bit. 

“Okay hold on a minute! You can't just come here and take someone else’s Tav because you lost yours!” Tav pointed her dagger shakily towards him.

“My dear, I don't think you understand. I am the Vampire Ascendant. I can take whatever I want!”

“I don't care if you're the fucking god of gnomes I'm not going anywhere with you. I have my own Astarion.” Tav gripped the blade tightly while her free hand prepared to cast a spell.

“I had hoped you'd come quietly, but it seems we'll have to do this the hard way.” With a flash of pink light Tav was hit with a sleeping spell and fell to the ground unconscious. Her dagger dropped to the ground with a clatter. The spawn was quick to move in front of Tav taking out his rapier and aiming a swipe at the other vampire. 

The Ascendant stepped back just as the thin slender blade nicked a cut across his attire, just barely missing his flesh. The spawn took another swing at him, nicking his side and gaining a kick to the ribs in return. The spawn huffed, quickly recovering before moving in for another attack.

However the Ascendant’s clawed hand struck first, slashing through the armor surrounding the Astarion's shoulder and slicing his flesh. The spawn cried out and gripped his arm as his counterpart smirked smugly, bringing his finger up to his lips and basically tasting his own blood. 

“Mmm…Delicious.~” He purred. The Ascendant’s crimson eyes trailed over towards Tav before beginning to glow red. “To me, now.” He said as if issuing a command to unseen soldiers.

Within seconds two oddly familiar figures appeared out of mist. A sickly pale looking Halsin and Shadowheart, both with glowing red orbs for eyes.  

“Gods below. You've turned your own friends into spawn!?” Astarion gasped, his face full of disgust. 

“Eh…I wouldn't exactly call them friends…. Though they are much more compliant this way.” The vampire lord replied with a toothy grin. The spawn felt sick to his stomach. To think he could have ended up this way.  

“Take care of my inferior self, would you darlings? I have places to be…” The Ascendant gave a small wave before quickly scooping the unconscious Tav up in his arms. 

“Yes master.” The undead Shadowheart and Halsin replied, a bright red light shone around their bodies as they were compelled to attack. 

“Farewell beautiful.” The vampire lord gave his spawn self a wink before quickly vanishing into mist, taking Tav along with him.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

“Astarion….” Tav muttered tossing and turning in her sleep as she slowly began to come to. She shot up in a cold sweat, her heart pounding.

“Ugh…That was a terrible dream. Star you wouldn't believe…” Tav went silent as her eyes scanned her surroundings. It in fact was not a dream. 

“Oh gods damnit.” She huffed.

 Tav was in a large elegant looking bedroom, lying upon a purple queen size bed adorned with fine silk sheets. Maroon red walls surrounded her and were decorated nicely by paintings and other fine wall decor.  The first thing the druid noticed after taking in her surroundings was the pressure around her neck. Her hands quickly reached for her throat feeling what seemed like a tight choker of some kind. She quickly hopped off the bed and looked into the mirror of a nearby vanity that sat west of the bed. “Fucking hells.” She breathed out as her eyes laid upon a black and red collar adorning her neck. There was this unnerving glow surrounding the collar. Most likely some kind of magic was placed on it. Quickly she curled her fingers preparing to use a spell in order to tear this damn thing off of her, but nothing happened. 

This thing must be silencing my casting somehow.

Tav for a moment before forming an idea. She could probably wildshape into something small and squeeze out. Maybe. The druid sighed before getting on all fours preparing to transform into a rat. She let out a grunt, but nothing happened. 

“Oh fuck you!” She shouted before rolling and desperately trying to yank the collar off.

 Tav growled and pulled on the neck piece, yanking as hard as she could, resorting to gnawing on it. 

Knock knock.

The druid immediately ceased her actions at the sound of the door. A shiver went down her spine at the thought of it being that so-called ‘Vampire Ascendant’ again.  Her eyes flickered around the room before she took hold of a candle stick and stood next to the door, back pressed against the wall. 

The door creaked open and a small figure walked inside. Tav prepared herself to strike down whoever had entered, but froze upon seeing the person. It was a small blonde haired half-elf woman, dressed in a house keeper's attire. 

Tav quickly looked into her eyes, letting out a sigh of relief as she noticed they were blue. She set the candlestick down on the vanity and looked at the half-elf curiously. “Who are you?” She asked.

“My name is Abigail, milady. The master sent me to help you get dressed and make sure you come see him.” The small woman piped up in a small soft voice.  Abigail was petite and quite short, probably about an inch or two shorter than Tav was, though the druid estimated the half elf was probably around the same age as she was…well physically anyway. With elves you could really never tell. 

“And exactly where am I?” Tav crossed her arms. 

“The Crimson palace milady. My lord has taken up residence here while he stays in your realm.” Abigail replied before scurrying across the room, towards a closet. “It'd be best not to keep him waiting, my lady.” The half-elf rummaged around through the closet before taking a couple of different outfits to choose from and spreading them out over the bed. “My apologies if you'd prefer a dress, but this is all we could bring with us from our world.” 

Tav blushed a bit in embarrassment as she realized she was still only wearing a tank and boxers. She looked over at the bed and took note of the three suits that laid out in front of her. 

“These belonged to Master Tav. Master Astarion said they'd likely fit you, my lady.” 

“Now hold on, I have questions! How did you all get here, and what is this thing!?” Tav demanded as she tugged on her collar once again.

“I'm sorry I can say no more. Please miss, just get dressed.” Abigail pleaded,a hint of fear was in her tone. Tav was hesitant, but begrudgingly she slipped off her tank before sliding into one of the suits, a red one that felt a little snug on her, but actually not by much. The only issue being that she couldn't get the top three buttons of the white undershirt that went with it to button.  It left her cleavage slightly exposed. Her eyebrow twitched in annoyance.

“Okay, I'm ready.” She said, Abigail nodded and began to lead the druid out of the room. 

Perhaps this was her chance? She could make a break for it on their way out! Tav braced herself to bolt only to be met with a shockingly familiar face as she exited the room. Lae'zel.  Or well a vampire spawn that looked completely identical to her githyanki companion aside from a pair of glowing red. 

“Dear gods, Lae'zel, what happened to you? Did Astarion do this?” Tav gasped in shock. 

 “She's not your Lae'zel, milady.” Abigail spoke up.

“I was told to make sure the master’s new pet came quietly, not to answer questions.” Lae’zel simply replied.

“Come on, let's go.” Abigail took hold of Tav’s arm, giving her a gentle smile before tugging her along. Lae'zel quietly followed, a seemingly permanent scowl on her face as she watched Tav's every move, almost daring her to run for it.

The three walked down a long corridor for what seemed like hours. The sound of footsteps along with her own heartbeat seemed to be the only thing Tav could process as a gnawing anxiety set in. Her chest tightened, her throat felt dry and she could feel this nervous pain dancing across her spine. She wasn't sure why but something about this other Astarion scared her. This Vampire Ascendant.  She had never been afraid of her beloved spawn, hells she wasn't even afraid of Cazador or any other vampire she had come across on their journey, but something about her lover's counterpart made her skin crawl. 

“Well aren't you just precious?” A seductive pur tore Tav from her thoughts, forcing her to look up and realize she'd been dragged out into the ballroom. It definitely was a lot cleaner than the past time she'd been here. All the blood and wolf corpses had been dealt with.  Just how long has this other Astarion been here?  He couldn't have just started squatting here, found and kidnapped Tav, and had time to clean everything up on the same day!  The Vampire Ascendant sat upon Cazador’s old throne, looking down at Tav. His eyes trailing over her.

Tav took a deep breath before clearing her throat and trying to appear confident.

“Where is Astarion? And I mean my Astarion.” 

“You needn’t concern yourself with him any longer. You're mine now and I will give you so much more than he ever could.~” The Vampire Lord stood up and stepped towards Tav slowly. 

“I’m not your Tav. I can never be him.” The druid backed up a little, however with Lae’zel’s presence behind her she didn't have much room to retreat. She wasn't sure if reasoning with this alternate version of her lover was possible, but it was worth a shot if nothing else. However instead of listening he swiftly took her hands in his. 

“No need to be modest, my pet, you're practically like him in every way. You have his eyes, his face, the same little quirks and ticks. Granted, you're built a little different anatomically, but that's not something that ever deterred me.” Astarion moved in closer, briefly pressing his lips against her knuckles. “And now that I've found you, nothing will ever part us. Not again.” Before Tav could speak she was pulled in for another tight hug. She squirmed a bit, conflicted feelings of pity and fear were arguing back and forth in her mind as she felt him nuzzling his face into her neck. He was clearly dangerous, but he also seemed heartbroken.  He wanted anyway to have his lover back so badly he crossed time itself to see them again. Or at least someone who resembled them. 

But Tav knew deep down she wouldn't be enough to fill the void left by her counterpart. Gods, she hoped there would be a happy ending to all of this.

~•~•~•~•~•~

A little note from ChaoticDruid: I really hope it didn't suck! I haven't published a fanfic in so long >~<  This idea had just been swimming around in my brain forever I just had to get it out!  I got the idea from the PS5 launch party animation and seeing Launch Astarion and EA Astarion flirting just made me go okay but what if it was Ascended Astarion and Spawn Astarion?

I don't know if I will continue it. I have other things I wanna write and my ADD makes this stuff so freaking hard. But maybe maybe not 🤞🤞 

Part 2: LETS GOOOOOOO

[lagncx]

•Seeing Astarion after all these years since you saved Baldurs gate was well…what you expected. He was doing good he had his own fabric and clothing shop and he looked good.

• “well if it isn’t the hero of Baldurs gate.” You froze hearing that voice you cleared your throat and turned around “I try not to go by that anymore” you chuckled he just smiled “don’t be so shy.”

•He asked you to walk with him the bush street empty since it was night and the lights in windows were off he smiled as he put his arm in yours

•you were always a little clumsy when it came to him, your not sure if he knew, or just didn’t reciprocate the same feelings. You totally were heads over heels for him and that was part of his plan. Now it just felt like you weren’t sure if it was him using you or loving you. So many things went unsaid but you always were there

•Astarion wasn’t sure what he felt for you till you were gone and you all went separate ways. You helped him get settled and you were gone. Gale had offered you a trip to waterdeep and you took it with a spring in your step. You went to your spawn freind and asked if he wanted to go. Eyes bright with adventure

…foolish of you.

• “you know I can’t. I’d just be a drag, I can’t even enjoy any festivities. I’m bound to darkness for eternity.” He smiled at you assuring you it was okay but he looked away for a second

…how could you be so stupid you thought

•you apologized and before you left you leaned in watching the way his body language didn’t back down from you and you kissed his cheek. Then his forehead “I’ll see you again” you whispered and off you were.

…..

•but now your back you looked at him “so what was waterdeep like?” He said looking at the water out in the distance the overcast hitting you both. “No need to talk about it, you’ll see it for yourself soon.” You hummed.

• “your still a dreamer…good.” He said solemnly “well you obviously got a hair change…” He smiled at you. You awkwardly pushed your hair back “Gale is a bit picky when it comes to hair styles thought he should cut it for me.” You laughed “do I look hideous? Be honest.” You whispered

•Astarions arm left yours and his fingers pushed through the tangles in your head making you flinch a little but you leaned in to the touch. You missed this…him. Gods you missed him but there was nothing to miss you’ve shared one night together long ago but to you it was so much more intimate. You just didn’t know how much it was for Astarion, he learned how gentle love could be.

•your eyes closed waiting for an answer. Astarions gaze lingered on your face so close to his before he pulled away. “You look amazing”

• you sighed “don’t pull away, I know you wanna kiss me”

•ya he smacked the shit out of you. Then he kissed you.

—//

Brain rot while I write zombie x astarion and Karl Heisenberg I’m trying so hard to make it seem like idk IM GONNA FUCKING DIE

[captain039]

PART 4 Big bear

Halsin x reader

Warnings: AOB, feelings, tav insert, Angst, abuse, truama, hurt/comfort,

I’m just gonna go cry ✌🏻

Previous part ->

When Halsin didn’t go to your tent you frowned lifting your head to see his face stern and in thought. You glanced to the group who frowned slightly watching you both retreat to his tent. Halsin sat you down on his bed roll gently.

“I’ll be back” he grunted and walked off. You blinked confused as the alpha walked to your tent, tore it down and packed it up before bringing it to his tent. He set it up again, gave you, your blanket and pillows you collected before finally being happy with what he did.

“Halsin?” You asked and he hummed looking to you like he was in some sort of daze.

“What’s wrong?” You asked and he blinked confused.

“Why would something be wrong?” He asked glancing to your tent like he just realised what he did.

“I’m sorry-“ he stuttered and you just shook your head too tired. You laid down your pillows and tugged your blanket over you as you laid down on his bed roll. You sighed the scent of him filling your nose.

“M’gonna sleep” you said already feeling yourself drifting off.

“Ok” Halsin muttered. Your breathing evened and he sensed you were asleep before cursing himself, what the hell did he just do? The others in the group definitely gave odd looks as he growled quietly and went to sit by the river. He wasn’t usually this emotional, he was the calm one of the group and now he was struggling to control his second nature. He’d always had it control, made sure he’d never scared or used it to those lower ranked than him, often people thought he was a beta due to his calmer nature, only to be surprised when they realise he was in fact an alpha.

“Are you alright?” Tav asked sitting by him.

“Yes, apologise I don’t-“ he sighed there was no use lying to them, they could see right through him.

“I’ve never seen you so riled up before, not even in battle” they chuckled lightly and he hummed smiling.

“Is it a special bond?” They asked hushed and he froze.

“I didn’t mean to pry, just the way you’ve been acting and acted-“ they pointed out and he glanced to them.

“Special bonds are not heard of anymore” he said.

“Doesn’t mean they’re not real” Tav shrugged.

“You’re very protective of everyone, but especially her” they smirked slightly and he felt heat in his cheeks.

“And I don’t think I’ve ever seen you craze out like the way you did at the healers” they added and he sighed, not his finest moment obviously.

“I admit I was over the top, I wasn’t thinking straight” he tried to defend his actions, but it was no use.

“It’s not a bad thing” Tav said and he looked to them.

“She’s been through a lot” he sighed looking back to the river.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone with so much hatred for alphas that that hag” he scoffed lightly.

“She called me a lump of meat” he grumbled and Tav laughed quietly.

“Charming” they chuckled.

You awoke to soft laughter and jolted a bit before remembering where you were. You saw Tav and Halsin by the river bank, sitting next to each other talking. You felt your heart clench for some reason and glanced around his tent. This wasn’t your space. You stood on shaky legs, grabbing your pillow and blanket and slowly walking to where your tent originally was.

“You shouldn’t be walking around” Astarion said and you waved him off as you shuffled back to Halsin’s tent seeing the alpha there with confused eyes.

“What are you doing? You should be resting” he said and you shrugged.

“I’m fine” you muttered ignoring the way your leg muscles began to ache. You began to pull your tent down, each movement bringing more aching.

“You’re going to hurt yourself more, please” Halsin took the rod from you and you glared at him.

“I’m fine!” You snapped feeling sick to the stomach. You gagged a bit and quickly rushed off to a safe space to puke. You coughed and gagged before groaning, Halsin had held your hair back for you.

“I don’t need-“ you tried to push him away as your knees began to shake. You almost collapsed if it weren’t for him and cursed feeling your eyes fill with tears as you kept your head down.

“You’re not fine” he said softly and you watched a tear drop fall to the ground.

“I don’t need help” you said trying to stand on your own two feet.

“Why are you being like this, why can’t I help you?” He said, which made you flinch.

“Because you’re an alpha!” You yelled gaining everyone’s attention.

“You have no idea what it’s like” you sneered storming off the best you could.

You stayed in the barn instead, laid your bed roll on the hay bale and laid there. You had cried for some time, body shaking and stomach churning. If somebody approached you ignored them, maybe it was time to go your own way now.

Next part ->

Taglist:

@iwannabealocalcryptid

@thatcutewerewolf

@aeryntheofficial

@vinithechocolatevampire

[captainlilyuniverseworld]

Never Gonna Give You Up

Next Part in Willingly Unwilling (Can't believe we're already at 9 🤯)

Summary: Gale wants to forget Mystra but can't. Astarion helps.

It’s stupid and he should leave. He should not be sitting here in the tabernacle with Mystra’s shrine in front of him. He is admittedly a little drunk. Astarion may have collected and burned everything in the palace that reminded him of Cazador and his siblings but he left the wine cellar intact. And it’s very good wine. Gale finished the first and is working his way through a second bottle. 

The floor is cold and hard and his back hurts from leaning against the stone bench behind him. His neck hurts from the angle he’s held it in for so long. Peering up at Mystra’s statue. He missed her and he shouldn’t. He should be mad at her. He should be forgetting her. 

She’d tossed him aside. She’d left him with a hole in his chest that no matter how much magic he gave, he sacrificed, it just took and took and took. She made her forgiveness contingent on blowing himself up. He had the crown of Karsus within his grasp. All he had to do was reach out and take it. But then she’d dangled the cure right in front of him. 

“Bring me the Crown of Karsus and I will heal you Gale. I will restore you to your rightful place as an archmage. As my chosen.” 

And what did he do? Caved like the doe eyed schoolboy he’d been all those years ago. 

And she’d cured him alright. He had all the magic and power at his fingertips and then some. The only evidence of his folly, of his mistake, the evidence that something had been mildly wrong with him was the scared reminder on his chest. 

He drank more wine. He needed to leave. He needed to get up and leave and forget her but he can’t. She’s taken up too much space in his head. In his heart. And he shouldn’t be thinking these things knowing that he would come after him. 

Because it wasn’t a matter of if, it was a matter of when. Not after the earlier conversation they’d had. 

“I just don’t understand why you’re so against the idea,” Astarion watched Gale brush his hair in the mirror. “One little bite. One little drink and eternity is yours.” 

“I never said I wasn’t against it,” Gale replied. 

“Are you scared?” Astarion sat up. “Because it’ll only hurt for a bit. I’ll make it as painless as I can. I never want to hurt you, you know that.” 

“I do. I know, and it’s not, it isn’t out of fear,” Gale shook his head. He didn’t know what it was. He set the brush aside and started to pull his hair back. His fingers brushed his ear and his hand stilled. 

It was empty. It was still an odd feeling. It’d been less of a request and more of a demand from Astarion. He caught his gaze in the mirror and looked away just as quickly. 

“Surely you are not still beholden to your former goddess?” Astarion asked as he walked over to him. “The ex-lover who asked you to kill yourself for her. Who dangled a cure for that bomb in your chest in order for you to hand over a crown that by all rights, could and should have been yours? Are you?” 

He put one hand on Gale’s shoulder the other coming around his front, fingers stroking his cheek. A few inches over and those delicate fingers would be around his throat. It’s funny how much Gale would prefer that. 

“Of course not,” Gale reached up and put his hand over Astarion’s. “Why would I when I have you?” 

“Always so predictable.” 

Gale straightened and swallowed the mouthful of wine he’d been drinking. He didn’t have to turn around, or look over his shoulder, but he did. Astarion is standing near the doors with his arms crossed over his chest. 

It must have started raining because his hair’s wet and plastered to his forehead. Even with the dim lighting of the candles he can make out the man’s expression. He’s not angry like Gale would have expected. But he is upset. He’s hurt. 

“I thought we’d moved past this running away and getting drunk,” Astarion walked over. “If it’s not the Elfsong, or the Blushing Mermaid, it’s here.” He looked around. “The shrine belonging to your ex lover.” 

“...I’m not getting drunk…” is the point Gale makes. “I’m drinking…but not getting drunk.” 

That doesn’t make it better but it doesn't make it worse. 

“Do you still love her?” Astarion asked. 

“Of course not,” Gale answered. “I told you. I don’t love her anymore.” 

“Then why the fuck are you here?” Astarion stood in front of him. “Why do I have to find you here in front of her? Staring at her like some lovesick puppy?”

The rain is louder now. Thunder breaks up the sound every so often. Astarion is looking down on Gale and Gale is looking up at him. And his eyes are wet. From tears? From the rain? 

“I…” Gale doesn’t have an answer for him. Because he doesn’t want to be Astarion’s spawn? Not now. Not yet. But it isn’t as if he really belongs to Mystra anymore now does he? But if he becomes a spawn. Astarion’s spawn it’s the same thing. No longer beholden to a mistress but to a master. 

When Astarion touches him, his fingers are cold but gente. His eyes are soft. “Poor thing. You say the words but struggle to believe them yourself. She really has you in a chokehold doesn’t she? That’s why you came here isn’t it?”

Continue Reading

[thatfreshi]

"Did I Smudge the Scars?" (Uni AU P. 19)

Hello. The long-awaited Halloween party (I know it's almost spring whoops). This took a different turn than I was expecting, but it felt right to me.

TW - alcohol, references to grooming, references to self-harm

When you get to Karlach's dorm, you're met at the door with a lot of scuffling and 'ow!'s, as well as other pathetic hurt sounds.

"Tav, they've been fighting and I can't get them to stop."

A disheveled Gale and Shadow are on the shitty dorm floor, pulling at each other's hair. You glare at your tallest friend.

"Are you... you're serious? As if you aren't literally an athlete?"

She shrugs.

"Well, I'm not going to tell my girlfriend what to do, and I think if I touched Gale he'd fall into tiny pieces. C'mon, please? Just say something to try and get them to break apart?"

The heaviest sigh you've ever let out released from your lungs.

"Hey losers! Astarion and I kissed!"

And as if magically, they stopped clawing at each other. The pale girl is the first to talk.

"What?! And we weren't there?"

She gets off of the artist and fixes her braid.

"Yeah, you guys weren't there because it didn't happen! Karlach's phone call interrupted what was about to be the best kiss of my life, but thanks for getting into another stupid argument that I have to solve for some reason! If I get brought into your bullshit one more time, I swear I will burn this university to the ground."

Gale's eyes go a little wide.

"Can we... at least be outside when you burn it down?"

Your strong gaze doesn't falter, causing him to abandon his lame joke.

"And next time Karlach, please just manhandle her. That's probably what she wants anyways."

You open the dorm door and proceed to slam it, hearing Karlach laugh at her lover.

~~~

The next evening, the seven of you are in Astarion's dorm getting ready for the Halloween party. Shadow and Gale seem to have put their feud away, at least for the night. Your best friend is helping Karlach put on fake horns. You remember her explaining her costume a while ago.

"Listen, I know I'm like super nice! That's why I'm gonna be a demon, because it's like the opposite of me!"

You stare for a while, since your outfit is already put together. Gale catches your gaze lingering for a little too long and gives your shoulder a push, and the two of you laugh a little under your breath.

"Alright, if that amount of eyelash glue doesn't hold those in place I'll give up on makeup forever."

Astarion finishes testing the horns, and they seem to stay in place.

"Tav, come here darling."

You're taken aback, considering your costume was finished first.

"What? Did I smudge the scars?"

Your look for tonight is a scrappy adventurer, something you'd find in a Dungeons and Dragons campaign.

"No no, they're fine my dear."

You sit on the couch beside him, and he grabs his eyeliner.

"If you're going to be some fierce adventurer, your eyes have to stand out at least."

You're not sure if it was just in your head, but it felt like the entire room got silent. He grabs your head and goes to work on his craft.

"You know you have to close your eyes for me to do this properly, right?"

You didn't realize you had been locking eyes with him.

"Right, sorry."

A light chuckle comes from your throat as the cold, black liner hits your skin. After what feels like only a moment in time, he lets go of you, taking in his work.

"Hm, I probably could've done that a little more evenly, but it'll do. Besides, I doubt eyeliner is all that even in the wilderness."

You open your eyes again, and he smirks when you do.

"Well, thanks for making sure I look 'fierce' or whatever."

He smiles.

"Are we all ready to go then?"

You look at a bored Shadowheart, who is unsurprisingly dressed as a sexy nun. Apparently the lovely couple's costumes matched more than you thought.

"Yeah, I think everyone's done getting ready. Gale, you good?"

You're checking on your friend in a shitty cheap wizard costume, who has been intently staring at his phone for the past 20 minutes.

"Yep, ready to go!"

And suddenly his phone is back in his robe pocket, and the air around him dissipates. So, after a long walk to the parking garage, Gale drives you all past GU, onto the rich area outside the city. When you get to the location on the invite, you're all a little baffled.

"Is Halsin secretly a millionaire? Because he should teach us a thing or two about finances in college if so."

Everyone laughs a little at Wyll's quip as the seven of you exit the van. You all decided to get to the party about an hour after it started, leaving plenty of time for things to pick up. Astarion is a little paranoid before you get inside, and you tug at his vampiric blouse sleeve.

"Hey, it's fine. No one has any reason to think you're here. And if it just so happens that someone less than friendly finds you here, then we leave, simple as that."

"Right, of course. No reason to be worried."

He's trying to convince himself, but before you can further reassure him, Halsin meets your group outside the front door.

"Ah, if it isn't Tav and their lovely friends! Please, come in."

"So like... do you own this place? Or like your mom?"

Halsin turns to respond to Karlach.

"Hah! No, not in the slightest. A friend of mine let me borrow the place. He's from a much richer family than I am, and I figured a party should be held in a vast mansion such as this. Anyway, there's plenty of food, beer pong, board games, and plenty of stunning people looking for a fun time."

He winks at Shadowheart playfully.

"I'll be around, let me know if you all need anything. Please though, go have fun!"

Karlach and Shadowheart look at each other knowingly and start eyeing a couple across the room. Wyll and Lae'zel make their way to beer pong, and Gale wanders off to wallflower somewhere, very unlike him. That leaves you and Astarion, gazes skipping around the room.

"Certainly a much larger abode than I expected. Don't get lost in here darling, I can't remember the last time I went to a party that wasn't purely for PR."

Astarion seems excited. The news of his social media blackout seems to be relatively hidden for now, and there's almost a manic sense about him. For once, he's not a model, he's not repping a brand, he's not watching his figure for some shoot, he's just a college kid.

"Well, what do you want to do then?"

"Perhaps go check and see if the punch is spiked?"

There's a little bit of lust on the tip of his tongue, lust for life, and maybe even you. It's hard to tell though. Emotions have been so high as of recent, and Astarion is difficult to read at best.

"Perhaps we shall."

You playfully extend your arm to interlock, and he accepts. There are most definitely whispers as the two of you go across the main room, and you start to wonder if the articles are coming out, if everyone knows. You try desperately not to grab your phone, and succeed, at least for now.

As you two take a sip of unspiked punch, you take in the scenery. It's quite dark, obviously. Halsin and his friends have very intensely decorated the entire first floor, with all eco-friendly and thrifted items as he constantly reminds everyone.

"Hey! You're that ghost lookin' model boy right?!"

Some party-goer yells, who is clearly drunk. Astarion ignores him at first. The random drunk then yells even louder, as if the music was drowning him out.

"He's gonna fucking kill you!"

He perks up after that, making eye contact with the stranger.

"What did you say to me?"

"I said that weirdo is gonna fucking kill you! Szarr or whatever? I mean good on you though, making a cool statement or whatever. I used to date a model that worked under him, and a couple months after we broke up she went 'missing!' Crazy right?! Anyways man, I hope he doesn't kill you because you're a fuckin' looker. Have a good night!"

After the guy walks off, you and Astarion look at each other.

"Did you know about that?"

"I mean, I knew one of the models he used to work with disappeared, but it was never determined what happened. You don't think..."

You put a hand on his.

"Let's not right now. Let's not go down that route right now."

"Right. I think I need this to actually be spiked."

He leans down and grabs a flask out of his boot.

"I didn't know you brought booze."

"Eh, an emergency stock in case they didn't have any here."

You twiddle your hands nervously.

"Just don't get like, drunk drunk, please? I really cannot handle that tonight."

"Dear, you think I can't handle my liquor? How little you must think of me."

He takes a sip of his newly mixed punch, tapping red acrylics on the cheap plastic cup.

"Let's see if our wonderful Wyll and Lae'zel are winning beer pong, shall we?"

It's as if you've seen a new man tonight, overconfidence to mask fear. Of course it concerns you, because he constantly concerns you. You want to reason, to say that he's enjoying some kind of newfound freedom, but this isn't the Astarion you've come to know. He's not the simple dorm room you've come to love, the glasses he won't tell anyone about, the late-night hours spent on reviewing law papers. Something about it makes your stomach sink a little, wondering if this is who he is now, somehow. That maybe-

"Are you coming darling?"

"Of course."

And your lips curl into a smile, one that you find yourself faking the way he does.

"Bullshit! You moved the cup you fool!"

Lae'zel has already started arguing with various frat bros. Her and Wyll are a surprising duo, already wiping out the competition and taking several cups of shitty, watered-down beer.

"Lae, it's fine, be a gracious winner!"

The guys across the table disperse and leave the champions to reset the table, clearly being the sour ones in this situation.

"Well well well, already winning silly little games are we? Might as well start putting money on it."

Lae'zel turns to Astarion.

"As if I would waste my money on chance. Some people have brains around here."

He simply rolls his eyes, and turns his attention to Wyll.

"I'm sure daddy wouldn't feel too good about you being in a place like this."

Wyll mocks him back.

"I'm pretty sure 'daddy' doesn't even care what I'm doing right now."

He then goes to somberly refill the rest of the cups on the table. You push Astarion's shoulder and give him a look that should clearly say 'hey, that was mean, what the fuck are you doing?' but all he does is shrug at you.

"Don't mind him Wyll, his father doesn't care about him either. That makes you even."

Before the three further bicker about parental relationships, you hear a familiar voice off towards the corner of the room.

"Because Gale, I miss having a friend! I miss knowing you were in control of your life, not some stupid professor. And right now? Right now I'm yelling at you, at a party, instead of hanging out with my hot girlfriend and that sexy GU couple we just chatted up."

"As if you haven't been hiding things from me too Shadow."

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm just saying, maybe there's a reason you picked sexy nun instead of sexy cat this year."

"What does that even mean Gale?"

"Oh, don't think I didn't notice during our little scuffle earlier, your arm?"

Suddenly, she gets very quiet, extremely aware of how many people at the party can hear her and Gale yapping. She then grabs his arm and drags him outside the side door. Your stomach is in knots at this point, because for some reason everything is wrong. Everything was supposed to be right after the blackout. Your friends would all be happy and get along, Astarion would be a free man, you'd finally get that kiss you'd been waiting for, and yet here you are, at some Halloween party hosted by your ex, and everything is just... wrong.

Without thinking, you go to the nearest exit of that room, the staircase. You're trying to block out the loud music at this point, but it feels almost impossible. The closest door is the first on your right and you open it, slamming it behind you. You're met with a large bed, probably belonging to some rich couple. The giant windows are covered with blackout curtains, and the carpet is luscious. Things are quieter in here, except for a soft knock at the door once you sit at the edge of the bed.

"Go away!"

"It's me Tav."

Of course Astarion followed you up here, how inseparable the two of you are.

"C'mon Aster."

When he comes in and quietly shuts the door, your head is in your hands. You feel the mattress move as he sits down next to you.

"I'm sorry."

You wipe at a watery eye, the tears just beginning to come in.

"For what? I'm the one that ran off."

He doesn't say anything at first, pondering how to best word this new thought.

"You- you're the first person who has helped me recognize my own patterns, that when I get scared I have this wall up. I've been feeling it since we sat down and cleared all my socials, this overwhelming feeling, like I'm being hunted to the ends of the Earth. And that fear, it makes me someone I don't like. Especially tonight, being outside of campus for the first time since, I just-"

He cries too, the first time you can remember seeing him cry. You lean on his shoulder. He continues.

"I thought I was ready, and I'm not. I'm not ready to be a normal person right now, a college kid that goes to parties."

You scoff slightly.

"I thought things would be normal too. Like somehow we had fixed everything, ya know?"

"Yeah... I do."

"I would like to find normal though, someday... with you."

He turns toward you, forcing you to pick your head back up.

"What does that mean?"

"It means, I think it's time to admit that this isn't just a close friendship. Not to me at least. And that scares the shit out of me too, just like everything else right now."

"Out of billions of people in the world, you would choose to try and find normal, with me?"

"Yeah, if that's okay?"

He hesitates, fear.

"Why?"

"I don't know. Is that bad, that I don't know? I just know you're different, and special to me, and that's enough to me."

"Well... maybe we can give you some time to find out?"

"Well, could I kiss you then, and maybe I'll learn something?"

You two laugh, quiet enough as to not disturb the room, but loud enough that the two of you feel the happiness radiate. He wipes at a tear and nods. It's different than the first time you met, vastly different, as if you've gotten to know someone entirely new. Although, you're not sure what words could really describe the kiss. Fearful, yet excited? Nervous, yet brave? It's over before you know it though, leaving a little flit in your heart. He interrupts your thoughts.

"We should definitely try that a couple more times."

And so you do, alone in a stranger's bedroom, and for once you forget about the various issues spiraling back at RU, about Gale and Shadowheart hating each other, even about Szarr. There's just this soft time in between, where two barely adults having fun just kissing each other, even if it's only a short moment in time, it's yours forever.

[atsadi-shenanigans]

Feeding Alligators 69 - Eat Your Heart Out, Van Helsing

You and Gandrel have a chat.

On AO3.

The gur looks haggard. Bags under his eyes and a tired slump to his shoulders. But there’s a light in his eyes that tells you physical exhaustion ain’t gonna be an issue for him right now.

You lift your hands, “Whoa, whoa, hold on!”

The clearing is small. The brown horse is saddled and bridled. But there’s something else over its muzzle. A bag. It’s ears flick to y’all, but it otherwise seems unbothered. You wonder if there’s herbs or something in that bag to mask the smell of all the blood.

There are no visible injuries on the dead deer.

And lying next to that, flat on his back, is Astarion. Blood coats his front, from mouth to groin. It bubbles up around that horrific stake buried in his chest. He ain’t breathing, ain’t moving. Head tilted slightly back, but his eyes are on you, bugging out. His mouth moves but no sound comes out.

“What the fuck, Gandrel?” you say all soft.

“Easy now,” he says. “He’s not any deader than usual, and he’ll remain that way. His kind are quite difficult to kill, after all. It seems you knew my quarry after all.”

You lied to his face. Protected Astarion from him. But also protected him from Astarion.

“I was trying to avoid a fight. He ain’t hurting nobody out here. I mean, unless we’re already fighting them.”

“I have no idea what he or any of you are doing out here,” Gandrel says. “Nor is it my business. That lies in Baldur’s Gate.” He eyeballs you, and the ghost of a wry grin tugs at his lips. “I don’t suppose I could convince you to turn away and let me finish my hunt?”

Astarion is soaked in blood. And you’re pretty sure it’s all his. You seen people shit-scared; you seen people in Faerun as they fucking died. That is the level of terror staring out through the elf’s eyes. His fingers give the barest twitch and he manages a wet, rasping sound.

“I don’t suppose I could convince you to let him go?” you say. “We can pay more than whoever sent you.”

Probably. Taking donations from all the others. Y’all could make a down payment, at least.

“Pay?” Gandrel says. He seems actually startled. Then he turns to look at Astarion and lets out a bark of laughter. “I see. No, my friend, I’m not here on account of pay. My mission lies much closer to home”

A wet, clicking sound, this time. New blood bubbles outta Astarion’s mouth. Must be shoving the last of the air in his unmoving lungs up his throat just to try. The adrenaline burns through you, hands all numb, skin gone icy.

“What’s with him? Why can’t he move?”

The crossbow doesn’t even twitch. “Are you not familiar with vampires? You seemed knowledgeable about the hag.”

Above, the crow coughs her hideous laughter. Fucking witches.

Gandrel follows your gaze. Nods, and there’s that tiredness in his eyes again. “I seems you angered her enough she accepted my terms.”

She should be fucking dead. That’s why ain’t nobody should mess with fucking witches. Then the rest of what he said catches up. Gandrel went for help to find Astarion. That crow flutters, cocks its head with that eyeball still in its beak.

It’s…it’s been following y’all. The whole time. The hag spying on y’all. That night with Astarion in the woods, when you woke up after that disastrous talk when you got your soul stuck in a jar, after the goblin camp massacre. She’s been watching.

“You been following us,” you say.

“Indeed.” You study him again. Brown hair tied back in a partial tail. Beard tidy and waxed to a point, framed by kind, brown eyes—

One brown eye. The other pale, glazed over like a cataract. The same color as that eye in the beak of a bird.

“You’ve been difficult to catch up to,” Gandrel continues. “I only managed it this morning with a hard trek through that storm. I thought it would take longer to corner my quarry alone, but he is a vampire spawn, and they’re greedy, wretched things. He took the poisoned deer quite readily.”

Fuck. Fuck. He ain’t been eating for days. Not since the goblin camp, you think. He’s half-starved, running on fumes. He ain’t never said nothing about eating already-dead things—memories of a putrid rat and congealed blood sticking in his throat, and you’d avoid that for the rest of your life, too. It’s too easy to imagine him coming up on that deer. Slow. Maybe shaking. Clearly weak—either too old or too sick, and it’s perfect predator bait. White hunters and park rangers used to bait meat to slaughter wolves and coyotes (and then wondered why the woods started pulling back for grasslands cause there were too many goddamn deer to feed so they started stripping saplings).

Wasn’t enough to kill Astarion outright. Wasn’t meant to. Just slow him down, make him sick enough for Gandrel to get close enough with that stake.

You find the gur watching you. Something like sympathy softening his mis-matched eyes. “You truly know nothing of his ilk, do you?”

Ilk huh? Lotta meaning packed into that word. “I ain’t from here.”

“How lucky you are, then, to live free of such monsters. A stake through the heart—”

You wince.

“—paralyzes him. I have safer methods, but that will do until I can put some distance between this trail and the Gate.”

Jesus, if you hadn’t had to pee when you did, if you’d slept through the night…

“Why, then?” you say. “If nobody’s paying you?”

He hunts monsters; gave up a fucking eyeball. Astarion is a vampire. Maybe that’s all the justification he needs. Maybe it’s some bullshit pride thing. An honor thing. Or maybe monsters is just that bad—Astarion ain’t a peach on the best of days.

Then the skin around Gandrel’s eyes tightens, and his lips go thin when he says, “He stole our children.”

You don’t hear him right. That damn dirt potion. The words don’t make no sense, even as the meaning stabs you in the heart.

Mother and the Pastor came for you, hiding underneath Grandpa’s kitchen table. Grandpa—sly, laughing Grandpa—crying as he wrung the paper in his hands. Court documents. Because she was your mother (White woman) so she had more claim over you. And the Pastor came from money, so the Nation would have a hard time fighting courts and others had done it before only to be painted as drunk, druggies, sluts and poor, poor dirty Indians. You can’t leave an innocent child with those people. They deserve better.

Kill the Indian.

Save the man.

Steal the children and dress them proper and cut their hair and beat their mother tongues outta them. Not as much to your Nation as to others, but them others? Oh. Whole generations killed on purpose. Deliberately. Meant to bleed an entire people off the face of the earth.

Grandpa cried so hard he shook as he held you that last time.

“Wh,” you start. Swallow through sand. “What?”

“He and his fellow spawn, led by the vampire lord Cazador Szarr. They came in the night four tenday ago. They stole our children. All but the twin babes too young to leave their mother’s sling. My elder sent me and several others when we heard whispers one had escaped his master’s control. I will return Astarion to my people so we can question him.”

It’s one of the most sadistic forms of genocide. Literally stealing away the future. Killing them outright—disease, abuse—or changing them so much the person, the culture, came back as something else. Something strange. Altered forever. The soul gone, the language erased.

“Why?” you say. You mean, “Why your people” but your mouth don’t wanna work.

Astarion has stopped trying to speak. He just stares at you, silent and unmoving. He looks like a corpse.

“His master���s orders,” Gandrel says. “Beyond that, Szarr is a vampire lord. He needs no reason for cruelty. So he sent his spawn, who cannot disobey their lord.”

“But…but why go after Astarion? Why not that fuckface who sent him?”

In his position, drowning in the kind of rage you only catch echoes of, you already know why.

“Because we cannot reach him,” Gandrel says. “Not yet.”

You close your eyes.

The world is not just. Not unless someone is already rich and powerful. Everybody else lives under a different set of rules. And when one of them high and mighty fucks lashes out and hurts somebody, when the other somebodies know they can’t ever touch the one who did it?

They settle for a scapegoat. A crony. A lesser member of the high and mighty. Somebody they can reach. Somebody they can hurt.

“This creature,” Gandrel says. “This spawn can tell us how to get to his master.”

Two hundred years as a slave. A puppet. You saw how Astarion watched everything in that swamp after y’all left Gandrel behind. The way he peered into the dark beyond camp for nights afterward.

You’ve tasted that prey terror yourself.

“He’ll probably just tell you all that if you let him,” you say. Glance to Astarion’s wide, scared eyes. “I suspect he wants that fucker dead just as bad as you.”

But Gandrel shakes his head. “I cannot risk that. Nor can I turn down this opportunity.”

That word don’t make no sense. Getting information’d be as easy as pulling that godawful stake out. You’d bet all your Faerun possessions that Astarion would leap at the chance to sick a band of vengeful monster hunters on that fuckface.

Gandrel, apparently, clocks your confusion. “Vampires are elusive monsters. They hide in the shadows, use manipulation or compulsion to coerce others to do their bidding.”

And the man gives you such a soft look. You nearly snarl at him.

“It’s a rare thing to capture one. Even a spawn. My people can learn much from him. Use this chance so we may better protect the defenseless. Prevent anyone else’s children from being snatched in the night.”

He’s right. That shining line in your head knows it. A chance to study the enemy, learn how they work, see how they operate.

Take them apart.

They have a right to their anger. And it’s logical to learn more, to do better, in order to stop it.

But he’s going to torture Astarion probably to death.

“I want to help you,” you say, and can’t look away even as Astarion manages another horrible sound. “But you don’t got to take him. We’ll help you, Gandrel. All of us, in any way we can. Please.”

Pity. That’s what he’s looking at you with. The anger in you bares its teeth even as your skin crawls.

“You’ve made your decision, then,” he says. Sighs. “It’s not entirely your fault. They are masters of deception. I don’t know what he promised you—”

“He didn’t and he’s been a bitch the whole time.”

But your attempt to bleed off some of the tension fails.

“Or what he’s done to ensnare you,” Gandrel continues.

The devil tempts you. Calls to sinners. Especially women, who are evil by nature. Too soft, too female. Too weak to hold morals and too easily corrupted for anyone to trust. They have no judgment, no logic, you cannot help your base instincts—

“Don’t you fucking presume I ain’t making my own goddamn choices,” you say.

Gandrel gives you a small smile. “You’re a brave one. Loyal and caring, too. I suspect that’s exactly why he targeted you.”

The weakest link, the lamed gazelle. That shouldn’t hit as hard as it does, you shouldn’t let it, but all them suspicions come roaring back. He bit you cause he knows you got no connections, hit you up cause you’re the most desperate out here.

And you’re pretty good at holding a blank expression, but Gandrel is perceptive as fuck. He gives you a sad smile. “I won’t force this choice upon you, friend.”

And his fingers moves on the crossbow trigger.

“No Gandrel wait—”

A chunk. Something green flashes—

You wake to cool dirt and choking. Try to lift up, but you cannot move. The panic bites deep and you twist, try to thrash, and manage to turn your head enough to blow dirt and pine needles away enough to suck in a gasp.

Torchlight flickers. You’re face down in the woods. Your muscles fucking shake. It don’t hurt, but you can’t stop it. Fingers twitch. Arms seize and release. Feet kick around in the detritus of dead tree needles.

A dragging sound and a grunt. You got to turn the other way. Barely manage, whole body shuddering like your thighs did after that first run with Lae’zel. More clumsy and flopping than a newborn foal.

Gandrel drags Astarion by the armpits. Heaves the man a few steps closer to the horse. Astarion’s head flops uselessly at the movement. Lolls to the side as Gandrel stops to take a few breaths, and the elf’s gaze lands on you. Man’s half-crazed. He knows once Gandrel gets him on that horse, he’s looking at death by torture.

He stole their children.

He’s been a puppet for two hundred years.

He’s a murderous cunt.

He’s saved your ass at least three times by now.

He threw you away.

And now he’s being dragged off.

His laugh is bitchy and he’s mean. He teases you and makes sure you know what species you’re looking at. He keeps your secrets and cuts your heart out and holds your wounds closed and doesn’t talk to you and tries to fuck Lae’zel and seeks you out after he got rejected to watch you fucking cry and he don’t tell a soul about it or make fun of you.

“Guh,” you say.

Gandrel huffs. Looks to you. “Don’t worry. The toxin should wear off shortly. You may be numb or experience trembling on and off for several days, but it should fade entirely.”

This bitch poisoned you. It’s almost fitting.

“Wa,” you say. And yeah, it’s real hard to talk when your lungs keep shuddering and gasping like you’re hyperventilating after getting kicked in the chest by a horse.

“Take it easy, friend. These woods are dangerous, even without a vampire on the loose. Drawing attention to yourself by shouting for your companions could draw something else to you. I’d advise you to save your strength until you can get up.”

You pant. Blow more dirt from your nose. Another wave of the tremors rips through you and your head kinda flops around. Lands you face down right as your lungs suck in and you inhale in a mouthful of dirt.

The gag reflex kicks in. You make awful sounds. Can’t breathe, fuck fuck air. Which just feeds into itself and you gag and retch again. Whole body heaves and your eyes water and you just want air. Just need to inhale—

A sound. A crunch next to you. Hands grab your shoulder and Gandrel rolls you onto your side. You meet his gaze for a second, your eyes watering, face smeared with dirt and spit.

He’s a monster hunter, hunting a monster that stole a people’s children. He came back to keep you from choking to death.

You cannot let him take Astarion, and most of the choking was real. But not all of it.

Your body is a numb, seizing mess. Fine motor control is gone. All you can manage is a single shove. One, single roll.

You hit his shins. All your mass keeps going. He tries to stumble back, get clear, but there’s too much of you and it happens too quick.

He falls.

Something cracks.

The clearing goes silent, save for your shuddering, heaving gags.

Then Gandrel moans. Shifts.

He fell on a rock. Cracked his head. Much better than you expected. His chin lifts and the side of his head is smeared in red. Your body ain’t under your control—arms flop like dead meat as you writhe along the ground, in the dirt, stones and sticks digging into your flesh.

Gandrel moans again. One hand comes up, waves around the side of his head before flopping down. Head injuries are serious things. They don’t actually, conveniently and cleanly, knock people out like hitting a restart button on a computer. Best case, he’s got a bruise and a cut scalp. Worst case, it’s a traumatic brain injury and his brain swells up and he dies.

But between all that, he’s got a chance to wake up and hurt you. Kill you. Get Astarion on that horse and disappear into the night.

You cannot let that happen. You can’t.

You continue to flop and shimmy your way along his body. Not for Astarion—he’s too far away and you can’t grab that stake like this. Not for the knife glittering in the torchlight that Gandrel must’a dropped.

The man tries to sit up. Collapses again. And you’re level with his chest. Just below his chin. He’s knows he’s hurt, knows something bad is going to happen.

Your hands are useless. Feet useless. You got nothing as you sort of flop over him. He’s warm beneath you, smells clean, the fresh air clinging to his clothes.

“Sor,” you manage as one of his hands comes up to bat weakly at you. This man who came back to help you, to keep you from choking on the dirt.

He’s kind, when he can be.

You can’t think about that. Can’t let that man and his sad smile exist. You shove that down. Down and down into the deep and the dark. Take all of that, all the could-be’s and walk them down rickety, wooden steps that squeal beneath you. Walk it along loaded shelves, over to the back wall where you can chain it tight amongst evaporated milk and canned peaches.

And then you walk yourself back. Lower them creaking doors. Lower, lower, until they clack down onto the frame. Until you slip that chain through the handles and click down the great, big padlock to keep them shut. Keep them down there, screaming in the dark.

You find Gandrel’s neck.

You start chewing.

Previous - Index - Next Chapter

[faerunsbest]

Every time @drizztdohurtin posts cute ass headcanons I get so fricken AMPED!

So have a rolan thought.

After laroakan is punted ungraciosly from the towers premise and Rolan has rushed out to gather his siblings, the three find themselves standing in the middle of the towers ground floor grinning wildly. Out of nowhere, Lia just starts laughing, Cal follows suit and three of them look around grinning and laughing unable to believe it's theirs.

This is home.

After all that strife, chaos, and terror, they have finally got somewhere to call home. Walls to keep them safe, a roof to keep them dry. He held his siblings close, dropping kisses to the top of their heads.

Cal laughed and punched his shoulder lightly

"So how are we gonna say thanks? This is because of dwyllas help, right?"

Rolan nodded before looking up the seemingly expanse of spiraling stairs. Lia looped her arm through his and leaned against his shoulder.

" Let's have a big dinner for them!"

He didn't see the quick cheeky smile cal and Lia exchanged before cal said almost thoughtfully.

"Yea and it'd be as good a time as any to tell her that you like her."

Rolan feels his face flush with warmth as he sputters at them. Now the pair of them stand to look at him knowingly. He huffs and tries to wave them off before hurriedly heading out towards the kitchens.

"Dinner is a good idea. I don't think they've eaten anything not on a stick in a long while."

The invitation goes out, and for one day, instead of everyone heaving themselves exhausted into bed, they find themselves welcomed to the tower with a small potion of rejuvenation.

Cal and Lia run a muck trying to listen to everything everyone has to say. There's so many stories!

Laezel finds herself staring at a train of mage hands that seem to keep bringing out more food. Gale blinks at her, wondering how there's so many and for Rolan to seem so unfazed by it.

She leans over to ask.

" shouldn't that require some focus?"

" I would think so, but I don't know what training he was undergoing, so maybe he learned a trick or something."

Some time after dessert, jaheira can be heard laughing with karlach. Gale stands with a glass of wine, admiring the contents of a particularly tall bookshelf mumbling to himself. Astarion and some others regale the siblings with story after story.. some details conflicting and erupting into laughter filled arguments.

Without notice to most of them, a small cat had perched on the nearby window sill to look down the them. Rolan found himself watching a pleasantly buzzed Dwylla saunter over to feed it a bit of chicken off her plate. He watched her fingertips disappear into its tall tufts of fur as she gave it a few little scratches before sitting back down.

Rolan watched her from a lounge chaise off the side near the fireplace. He took another drink before voicing a thought.

"For some reason I didn’t think you liked cats."

Dwylla smiled and decided to share his spot on the other side of the lounger.

"I don't mind them but I suppose I get jealous of them."

" You're jealous of cats?"

" they live the best life, don't you think? A housecat gets everything it wants, just strolls up because it wants attention and no one bats an eye. Just give the attention it wants."

The pair hadn't noticed two pairs of eyes suddenly focused on them. Astarion huffed against cals hand over his mouth while Lia kept his hands from prying it away. Laezel snickered at him while they stared at the pair on the lounger a short distance away.

"...mmm. Do you want attention?"

Rolan shifted in place, letting himself relax more than he normally would. The vintage in his near empty glass helped. Dwylla seemed to pause quietly deep in thought before turning her glass upside down against her lips.

Now with a belly full of courage, she crawled over the cushions to settle herself in his lap.

" I might."

Now, with a much bolder smirk, Rolan reaches up with his free hand to run his fingers through her hair. He feels her shift just enough to let her head sit on his shoulder.

The wine is moved to his other hand so he can pet her hair while she relaxes against him, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.

" I could give you all the attention you like..."

He feels her look up at him, her smile peeking up at him.

" oh"

" if you do one thing for me"

" What's that?"

" when this is over, when it's done... come back here and marry me."

Her hand found its way to his cheek, trailing the back of her nail over his ear as she hummed in thought.

"You can have better life than any little housecat that ever made you jealous."

He says it leaning down, letting the words fall against her skin, enjoying the little goosebumps that rise up I response.

" promise?"

" I do"

Astarion grunted as he found himself on the receiving end of one of cals tights hugs, lias arms up in the air while she mimed a cheer.

While their kiss deepened, a clatter could be heard from the kitchen could be heard as the mage hands suddenly vanished.

Laezel just snorted.

" so he can lose focus"

[goodluckdetective]

FIC: FIVE HOURS (Tumblr Edition)

Ship: Durge/Astarion but this is a fic about Astarion

Fandom: BG3

Warnings: Astarion backstory is referenced in passing

Rating: PG-13

AO3

Summary: 

Being controlled by one’s dark urge is hard, but watching someone you care for lose themselves might be harder. Or Astarion and five hours spent watching over someone he can no longer recognize. (How do you keep hating yourself as a monster when you've started to fall for one?)

Notes:

Hello, I took one look at vampire man and Durge and went “ah yes, the drama of falling in love with someone who sees themselves as a monster.” This fic does have a custom dark urge/durge because I don’t think it hits as hard otherwise, but it’s very much a fic about Astarion. Rune in this piece is me holding up a mirror and going “if you’re gonna to see the humanity in this person, then why do you refuse to do it for yourself” while Astarion hisses like a cat. Sorry bud, get perceived. All you need to know about Rune is that they’re a NB human wild magic sorcerer (they/them) A big thanks to @dykezambo and Rose for being my beta readers. I salute you.

Fic is below the cut

HOUR ONE:

Astarion thinks it might still be some sort of sick prank until Rune Tavernus’ eyes roll up into the back of their head and they collapse to the ground in a heap.

A prank would make more sense than this, Astarion thinks, as he scrambles onto his feet and towards the unconscious sorcerer. Rune wasn’t much of a prankster, but they did have some wit and a streak of dark humor to match. What the point would be of a prank like this was beyond Astarion, but in his head he can manufacture a bizarre scenario where Rune thinks it would be funny to give Astarion a taste of his own medicine with a sinister wake-up call. And yes, the whole explanation of “killing the one they cared most for” didn't fit the prank theory, Rune wouldn’t play with his feelings so brazenly, but when one's occasional bedmate starts rambling about being forced to kill you, a cruel trick tends to be a kinder explanation. 

And then Rune passed out and that idea had gone out the metaphorical window.

“Shit,” Astarion says, pressing his palm to their forehead. Rune runs warm to Astarion, almost everyone does, but they feel clammy to the touch. Their short white hair is almost damp with sweat and sticks to their forehead. He shakes them, once, then twice, calling their name with increasing volume, but they don’t stir. That in itself is alarming; Rune is not a deep sleeper. In fact, they’re known for sleeping poorly, waking up from unremembered dreams with a choked-off scream. Every morning they chug whatever caffeinated beverage Halsin brews as soon as it’s cool enough not to burn their tongue. 

Rune doesn’t rouse even after a minute of shaking. Astarion considers waking Shadowheart, but the whole business with Alfira gives him enough pause to instead first go for the rope in his pack. Rune had been back to normal by morning when she was slain; if this is similar, then Astarion would just have to wait until dawn for a full explanation. With a great deal of effort on his part, he drags Rune to an open bedroll closest to the fire and binds their arms together as well as their legs, feeling somewhat like out of body. 

(He tries hard to not think of a pig prepared for slaughter. He tries harder to not think about how Cazador might have tied up the people he brought home the very same way.) 

“You know, this was not the situation I was envisioning when the idea of you and rope came to mind,” he says, because making a flirty joke is familiar and Gods knows he needs something familiar right now. This is a situation he can handle better as Astarion the rake, who lets nothing get too close, who brushes off mortal peril with a quick comment and a fake grin. When he’s sure the ropes are tight, he walks over to his bedroll, and grabs a blanket to sit on, a light scroll, a book, and after some hesitation, his daggers. 

(He’s not going to need them, he isn’t. Rune gave him these daggers and told him to “keep them as sharp as your fangs” should he choose to use them.)

(He desperately hopes he’s not going to need them).

Once his supplies are grabbed and organized, he places the blanket on the ground and sits on it. He casts light on a nearby wilted plant, and sits back. He looks at the sorcerer he has bedded in a gambit for security and thinks about how said gambit turned on its head when he found he actually rather liked the person who offered to cast him minor illusion to see his own reflection and provided their blood in a land of shadows because “you shouldn’t starve.”

“I will admit this isn’t how I wanted to spend my evening, but I suppose I’ll survive.” He reaches for his book and opens it, even though he doubts he’s going to be able to focus enough to read a word. “Hopefully, this is all a false alarm, and I can simply catch up on this chapter. Do you think the Count will actually manage to make any progress in his grand plan, or is he going to keep dithering about Waterdeep for another thirty pages?”

(The book was also a gift from Rune, though it was not the first one the sorcerer gave him. A day after reaching the Blighted Village, Astarion had sneaked back from his midnight meal to find the human grumbling over a slightly burnt text near the fire. Hoping to distract them from the fact he was awake in the first place, Astarion had inquired about the books’ contents, only to find himself the audience for a tirade about overly complicated murder plots. Apparently, Rune had strong opinions on the accuracy of snakes climbing ropes. From that point on, Astarion had found himself part of the world’s strangest murder mystery book club, where the pair both tried to guess how the murder took place and then endlessly complained about how overcomplicated it was when stabbing them in an alley would work just fine). 

Rune does not reply. Astarion doesn’t know if that’s a good thing or not. Instead of debating it further, he instead tries to turn his attention to the text in front of him, and hopes that Rune is wrong and the only thing that will occur this night is Astarion getting some reading in and Rune waking up with some neck pain.

HOUR TWO: 

Rune wakes up around ten minutes after the first hour mark. 

That isn’t quite correct. Something wakes up around the ten minute mark. It is not Rune.

Astarion knows it before they even open their mouth. From the moment they wake up, they struggle against their own bindings, jerking much like a wounded animal caught in a trap. When their eyes open, there are none of the emotions he’s used to seeing in their expression, instead an empty raw look that reminds Astarion of a starving hound. Before he can say a word, they snarl at him.

“I see my rope is sadly going to good use,” Astarion says, putting the book aside and getting on his knees in case he needs to stand and get away. He doubts it, those knots should hold and Rune doesn’t seem to be capable of casting spells at the moment, but it's best to be cautious. 

“I will rip out your tongue and swallow it whole,” Rune says in a voice that does not sound like Rune at all. It’s a whole octave lower, and there’s a throaty edge to it, like the human has inhaled smoke.

“I know I tease quite a bit, but ripping out my tongue is rather excessive, don’t you think?” The banter doesn’t land, it’s almost like Rune can’t even hear him. Astarion wonders if they will even remember this in the morning. 

He hopes not. He can remember watching his body follow Cazador’s every order as he tried desperately to claw back control. It is a fate he would not wish on any of his companions. 

It occurs to him that this could be like a possession. It would make the most sense, and the impulse to wake up Shadowheart returns. Rune hisses and snaps forward, trying to bite one of his hands and Astarion steps back. He can see drool and blood from their now broken lip fall onto the bedroll. 

( He can see himself in a coffin, snapping at the rat Cazador is holding out for him with a wicked smile .)

No, he won’t wake her. Not yet at least, not unless morning comes without a respite. Instead he shakes his head, tries to keep his voice light. 

“Ah, ah, ah, we ask before we bite.”

Rune snaps at him again, struggling at the bindings and Astarion can smell the blood from broken skin on their wrists and lip. His own mouth waters and he ignores it.

If there is one thing he learned in Cazador’s halls, it was how to be hungry. 

HOUR THREE:

After an hour, the thing that has taken Rune’s face stops threatening to murder him and starts growling instead. Despite it being off-putting, Astarion is thankful for the respite, as all the comments about ways to display his internal organs were getting old. 

“You’re cute, you know.,” he says, too tired to think through what he’s saying. “In another life we might have been friends.”

It’s an odd thought that comes to mind, the concept of him meeting whatever this is back when he was under Cazador’s boot. What would he make of someone like this, who growled murderous insults and clawed at the ground as if the dirt could draw blood? Interesting perhaps? Maybe pitiful? An asset against Cazador?

(He knows what he would have done. He would have dragged them back to the manor and not had a second thought as soon as Cazador had them in his clutches. He would have gone back to the rooms and thought nothing more of a human with white hair, a lanky build and a soft smile. He would have continued on and not known that should he have met that same human during the day, they would ask him about the embroidery on his sleeves and tease him that magistrates were actually in contact with the hells. He would not even know the human’s name when the sun rose to a world they no longer occupied).

(He cannot think about this. He refuses). 

He feels like he’s going to be sick. 

“On second thought,” he says, looking away from Rune. The shadow lands around them seem darker at night. He finds himself desperate for the sun. “It’s probably for the best that we didn't meet at all.”

The thing that is not Rune growls again, with more energy this time. 

“Growl all you want but it won’t stop the dawn. This will be over soon.”

HOUR FOUR:

Whatever is controlling Rune goes back to insults eventually, though their voice frayed from all the growling. Astarion ignores most of them, until one in particular captures his attention.

“I will wed you with a delicate veil of blood blooming over your white curls.”

Astarion stares at Rune, or whatever is possessing them, with a rather shocked expression. It says something about his life, or undeath, he supposes, that the word “wed” is the one that caught him off guard in that sentence, not the rest of it. Marriage is not a concept he has thought about in relationship to himself for at least a century. When he was younger it had its allure, Astarion was serious when he said Wyll was the type of man he dreamed of marrying when he was thirteen, but now? He’s a spawn, for Gods sake. Creatures like him either die or become vampire lords: there are no other endings. 

He does not say any of this out loud. Instead he goes for a quip. 

“Marriage? Darling, I think you’re getting ahead of yourself, we’re not even-“

He cuts off. They’re not even what? More than bedmates? That’s not right: he hasn’t bedded Rune since they entered the shadowlands and Rune has made no complaint about it at all. Not even friends? That didn’t seem right either. He’s not sure how to label how he feels about this human, but when one offers to draw your scars in the dirt so you can see them and you actually let them, you were probably at least friends.  Exclusive? No, that also doesn’t fit. Astarion hasn’t bothered to lie with anyone else in camp and Rune hasn’t either, even when Astarion made it clear he didn’t mind. And it wasn’t like Rune didn’t have options to pick from: Lae’Zel’s proposal had been quite direct and Astarion had bit the inside of his cheek to not laugh as their usually composed sorcerer flushed peach pink. Gale had made an attempt as well, though Rune didn’t tell him about that one until afterwards. 

“I’ve spoiled you too much for even the lover of a Goddess. How flattering!” They were in Rune’s tent at the time, a mage light cast upon a blue crystal Rune kept around for decor. It was one of the few pieces of decoration they kept around consistently, as the human tended to switch things out, trying to figure out what they liked and what they didn’t from the ruins of their memory. Rune had returned from a talk with Gale with a moderate flush and after a glass of terrible wine and some cajoling, Astarion had gotten the whole story out of them.

Rune tilted their head and shook it slightly. Their hair was rumpled from a day of casting electricity magic, and Astarion resisted the urge to curl his fingers into one of the white cowlicks. Something about the lack of polish Astarion found endearing.  

“No, no, not that,” they said. “It’s just, well for one, I don’t like him like that. And even if I did, well-” Rune took a sip of their wine, finishing off the glass. “His last relationship wasn’t good for him-”

“Darling, you cannot kill the Goddess of magic,” Astarion said, noticing a hard glint in their eyes. It wasn’t like Astarion was on board with the idea as a concept, the Goddess sounded dreadful, but he rather liked existing and fighting Gods was a speedy way to die. He didn’t mind Rune’s more violent tendencies, but he’d rather they not get themselves smited. 

“Anyway-” Rune continued, ignoring him. “He’s a sweet man but, well.” They placed the glass on a wooden stump Rune used as a side table and tangled their fingers together. It was something they did when they were being thoughtful. “Gale seems to admire me too much for his own good. I’d ruin him.” 

That was not the answer Astarion was expecting. He sat up on his own bedroll, a feeling of apprehension coming over him.

“And what, you think I’m-” Already ruined? That stung more than Astarion cared to admit, even if it wasn’t surprising. He didn’t finish his sentence. He couldn’t. Saying it out loud made it seem too concrete, too physical, too noticeable. 

"What! No!” Rune’s eyes grew large and they shook their head violently. They tore their left hand from their right to gesture with and for a moment, Astarion feared for the fate of the wine glass on the table should they accidentally knock it off. With their right hand, they reached out and grabbed Astarion’s hand tightly, while their left reached out for his jaw, pausing a moment so he could turn away should the touch be unwanted. Astarion didn’t protest, and Rune’s hand touched his chin briefly to tilt his head up so he’d meet their eyes. “No, absolutely not. Shit, I could have phrased that better. Gods, no, Astarion, I didn’t mean it that way.”

"And in what way could you mean it?” The sneer in Astarion’s voice wasn’t intentional, but it was better than sounding hurt. 

Rune bit their lower lip, which was something Astarion often found adorable when he was in a better mood. They looked away from him, took a steadying breath, then looked back. “I’d ruin Gale because he’s a hopeless romantic. He’s sweet, but he has a nasty habit of hubris; if faced with an unstoppable problem, he’d burn himself alive to fix it. I’m not saying you’re not smart, or romantic-“

“Or beautiful, don’t forget beautiful.”

Rune chuckled, some tension leaving their shoulders. “That too, as well as quite vain.” Astarion pouted at the addendum but let the sorcerer finish. “I’m saying you’re smart enough to run away.” 

Astarion considered that for a moment. It was certainly better than what he’d originally thought, but he wasn’t quite sure if it was a compliment. What was that supposed to mean? “Are you calling me a coward now?”

Rune smiled, a little sad, and rubbed their thumb across the back of his hand. It was unfamiliar but nice. “No, no, more realistic .” They leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to his forehead, something they’d previously only done after sex. “I just know you’ll be safe, that’s all. That you wouldn’t hurt yourself for a hopeless cause.” 

Rune jerks again in their sleep, snapping Astarion out of the memory. Thinks of resignation in the sorcerer's eyes that night, how something about it ached. How familiar the sentiment felt.

“I’m not going anywhere,” Astarion says as the sorcerer spits out another cruel insult.

He’s shocked to find that he means it. 

HOUR FIVE

Astarion has spent much of life afraid, but he has never been so frightened when the dawn is an hour away and Rune has not stopped twitching.

He thought he was done with this, the idea of caring for others. After the year in the darkness, he’d swore to never care about anyone again except himself because caring was a luxury and he couldn’t even afford to buy new clothes. The tadpole has given him more freedom than he’s had in centuries but as long as Cazador was alive, caring was supposed to be off the table. 

And yet. And yet. 

Astarion intended for Rune to be a means to an end. Someone to wind around his finger like an armor against the world. But Astarion does not find himself panicking when his armor is dented or bruised. Astarion does not spend more time with his armor than necessary so it will not be lonely. Astarion does not worry that should his armor learn it was initially a means to an end of keeping him safe, it will never trust him again.

(This metaphor is rubbish, this Astarion knows. Watching someone you care for deeply scrape their wrists raw makes one less adept in turns of phrases).

For the first time all night, Rune whimpers, a small soft noise that would have frozen Astarion’s heart if it was still beating. Rune doesn’t whimper (well, not unless it was in the fun sort of way). They’re  reluctant to show weakness or accept the comfort they so freely give to others. For them to sound like this-

Astarion reaches forward and when the human doesn't try to bite him, he pushes their white hair back and out of their eyes. They were drenched in sweat, and still clammy. Before he can pull away, they lean into his hand with a sigh, seeking comfort from frozen hands, and Astarion feels his throat tighten.

“This thing can’t have you,” he says, running his thumb against their forehead wrinkles and a faded scar just over their right eyebrow. They are so covered in scars, and each day they risk gaining even more. “It won’t win.”

Rune doesn’t respond to his statement, instead breathing softly. They must have finally worn themselves out to fall asleep. Astarion considers pulling his hand back, he probably should given the threat were they to wake up again, but he finds himself reluctant to do so, instead continuing to gently stroke the sorcerer’s brow with his thumb. 

“You have no idea what you do to me, do you?” He whisperes. The birds were starting to chirp now, singing their song in anticipation of the sunrise. “Come back to yourself, and I’ll consider telling you. I think that’s a fair bargain.”

DAYBREAK:

Day comes and Rune returns with it. 

They don’t open their eyes right away, tense and still. Astarion can see them rub their hands together and they stiffen further when the sorcerer’s thumb runs across some dried blood on their palm. He doesn’t understand why until the corner of their eyes tighten and they suck in a short breath, a whisper of a sob on the precipice. 

Rune told the entire camp that when Alfira died, they’d woken up in the morning with their hands covered in blood. For them to wake up and find the same sensation present-

“It’s your own blood, darling,” Astarion says, reaching forward to place his hand on their shoulder. Their eyes open wide, and they take him in with a look that Astarion feels like he might be able to name if he lived a kinder existence. “You rubbed your wrists raw enough to bleed, I’m afraid.”

“Astarion,” they said, lips parting, some tension melting from their frame. “You’re alright.” Then, they flinch, pain crossing their features. “Ow, my neck.”

Astarion almost wants to cry at the complaint. “You might have strained it trying to bite me. Do you remember that?”

Given the sudden look of horror on Rune’s expression, they do now. 

Rune explains what they can after Astarion unties them. Most of it are things Astarion already knows; Alfira, the urges, the loss of sleep. The insight about Isobel and the butler is a new one, and he thinks back to the cape in his tent that Rune had shoved onto him like they couldn’t get rid of it fast enough. At the time, Astarion thought the gift was an attempt to curry his favor. He’s not sure how to view the gift with this new context.

“I was wondering why you didn’t want to spend much time enjoying Harper's hospitality,” Astarion muses. He watches as Rune rubs their wrists with their palms, trying to massage out the aches. They will need to see a healer for certain; Astarion knows they’ve been dabbling in the bardic arts but not enough to heal injuries. 

“I thought I couldn’t risk it,” Rune says, moving to pick up the rope. Astarion watches as they cast mending and then pull at each end. When the rope holds firm, they hand it back to Astarion. “I thought the less time I spent around there, the less likely I might slip up.”

“If you’d shared that earlier, I would have grumbled less about the horrors of the great outdoors.”

Rune shoots him an apologetic frown. “I thought telling Isobel would be enough. I never thought-“ They close their eyes briefly and sigh. “I should have considered it a possibility. I’m sorry.” When they open their eyes again, Astarion does not miss how they take a step away from him. They look towards the other tents, avoiding his gaze.

“I should tell the others.”

Astarion reaches forward and grabs their wrist. They pull back for a moment and Astarion loosens his grip to make it clear that’s an option, if they want it. But after a second passes and they don’t pull away, he pulls their hand up to inspect the rope burns and cuts. Their wrists are going to bruise a sickening greenish-yellow. 

“You don’t have to tell them if you don’t want.” Astarion says, dropping their wrist. He forces a smile, makes sure his fangs are visible. “I can keep a secret.”

Rune’s hand reaches forward and up, like they are going to touch Astarions face, then stops, dropping arruptly. Astarion finds himself disappointed by the lack of contact. How strange. 

“I know you can,” they said. “But they deserve to know that there’s a danger. I can’t hide a monster from everyone.” And with that they head off towards Lae’Zel’s tent, to start gathering everyone for an unpleasant announcement.

It takes Astarion a moment to realize the “monster” they’re talking about is Rune themselves. 

*******************

Rune tells everyone about the night once everyone is up, gathering everyone around the remains of the fire. For someone who might not have slept more than an hour last night, they’re relatively composed as they tell the story, though they don’t look anyone in the eye as is their usual habit. As the tale begins to wind down, Astarion is reluctant to look at their companions either. 

It occurs to Astarion halfway through Rune’s tale something that he should have realized much earlier: he might be content to camp with a sleeping murderer, but other people might object. In fact, most people might protest to such a situation, and he can feel himself grow colder as he realizes a grave mistake.

When Rune woke him last night, Astarion saw someone who needed their help. He’d held off from grabbing anyone else for the sake of Rune’s privacy. But he never considered they might see something else: a monster needing to be exorcized. 

He steps closer to Rune and is very glad they are wearing their gear.  Astarion doesn’t think most of the camp will attack Rune, it would be foolhardy given the prism’s like of their resident sorcerer, but fear makes people foolish and he is not betting Rune’s life. The sorcerer doesn’t appear to be paying much attention to their crowd at all, a rarity for them, speaking of an urge to maim and kill as they stare down at their raw wrists. When they bring their story to a close, their voice is a whisper from overuse.

“And that’s it,” they say, rubbing a thumb over a red mark on their left hand. “I wasn’t trying to keep it a secret, you know that, I just-it escalated so fast. I thought-no I hoped, Alfira was a one off and when I realized otherwise, well-“ A half hearted shrug. “I’m sorry for not saying anything earlier but that’s all I know.” They look up, exhausted. “I can’t promise it won’t happen again. I’m terrified it will happen again.”

Rune is looking at Astarion when he says the last part. Astarion knows what they’re trying to say, besides the obvious. The statement is one part apology and one part resignation. Permission for him to run away as fast as possible and not look back.

He should run away, that’s the thing. Or at least consider it. Astarion has spent two centuries desperately wishing for the power to just run away, and now that he has it, he should be taking it as far away from this ruinous sorcerer as possible.

He doesn’t want to. It’s ridiculous, and ludicrous and absurd, but he doesn’t want to. Not because this group offers him the closest thing he has to protection against Cazador, not because the prism might not work if he runs too far, but because the person who is now the greatest threat to his person was also the one who offered him blood when he was starving, who stole him gently used clothes because he had none, who treated him not with pity or condemnation but as a person. 

Astarion has so little he could call his own. But whatever relationship lies between him and Rune mocking poorly painted portraits and trying to solve mystery novels three chapters in was his. He will not throw it away so easily. 

Karlach speaks first. “So, how are we doing this then? I’m thinking about shifts so no one gets too tired?”

“What?” Rune sounds entirely lost and Astarion finds he doesn’t follow either. He watches as Karlach counts everyone in camp off on her fingers.

“Well, there are seven of us total, so we could probably each pick a different day and then rotate who has two shifts each tenday.”

“Do you think one of us would be suitable alone, or should we do pairs,” Lae’Zel adds, looking equally contemplative. A smile starts to spread across Astarion’s face as he realizes what they’re discussing. “Though if Astarion could hand it by himself, pairs might be a wasteful use of manpower.”

“Hey-“ Astarion says but before he can speak further, Wyll chimes in. 

“I can take tonight: I rested earlier last night anyway.”

“Are you guys offering to watch me sleep?” Rune says, staring at everyone with their mouth slightly open. It would be cute if they weren’t so incredulous. 

“Ew, that makes it sound creepy,” Karlach says. “We’re watching you in case you get all stabby again.”

“Do they even know how to properly wield a blade?” Lae’Zel eyes Rune’s arms and raises an eyebrow. “They couldn’t even open a door two days ago.”

For the first time since they’ve woken, Rune sounds something other than exhausted. “That door was solid stone-“

“Rune can wield a blade just fine,” Astarion purrs, trying to hide the relief that this is the result of this conversation. Everyone groans, Rune included.

They hash out the specifics of the rotation after that. No one mentions when Rune rubs at their eyes and takes a shuddering breath, nor do they point out how they cling to Karlach when she pulls them into a hug. Shadowheart offers to take a look at her religious texts to see if this malady might be divine in nature, while Gale offers in turn to message Tara and inquire about some texts he has back in Waterdeep. By the time Astarion and Rune are left alone, there is a full schedule set for watching the sorcerer for fits, with Astarion free to steal any extra should he wish to monopolize their time for himself without watching eyes. Rune looks an odd mix of fond and overwhelmed.

Astarion’s heart twists at that. Was that how he looked, when Rune offered him blood upon being rudely awoken? Was that how Astarion looked the next morning when everyone else learned of his affliction and no one began sharpening a stick?

Gratitude should not hurt so much. 

“I know you said it’s worth the peril but I did mean it, you know. When I said you could run. I won’t take it personally.” Rune says after a moment. They’re looking him in the eye, a sharp contrast to earlier when they were speaking about their urges. 

“You did mention it, yes. You know, you told me it wasn’t an insult but I find myself rather insulted. Do you truly expect me to cut and run?”

Rune’s chin tilts up, their face stoic, but Astarion can hear the hint of a tremble in their voice. “You should.”

Astarion thinks to last night. How Rune had woken him up and in a shaky voice told him that his life was in danger solely due to the sorcerer’s care. A care Rune apparently doesn’t expect to be returned in light of this recent revelation.

Astarion will have to remedy that. Come clean about his whole botched scheme really, which he’s frankly dreading, but some tasks are worth doing despite the mess. Now isn’t the best time but soon. He’s hoping he’ll find the right words soon enough, words that are actually his instead of automatic cloying phrases used over two centuries of hell. To stop feeling like he needs to put on an act.

“I’ve been doing quite a few things I shouldn’t do recently; walking in the sun, leaving the city, snacking on nearby sorcerers,” He turns to Rune and quirks one eyebrow. “I might as well keep at it with such excellent results.”

Rune blushes and chuckles. Their hand is right there, should Astarion wish to take it, but it doesn’t feel right, not until he tells them the entire truth at least. Hopefully it will still be there once the dust has settled.

It might be nice, he thinks, to lace his fingers between theirs and know that he’s doing so solely because he wants to. 

[sparkly-scales]

Pretty Pink Pranks Astarion x Female Tav *Smut*

Pretty Pink Pranks

ObsidianRose96

Summary:

“I’m very upset with you, my love.” You pout. “I have to go around looking like this for the next month and it’s all because of you.” He watches intently as you reach into your satchel and begin to pull out a couple of soft, velvet, ropes “What are you planning on doing with those? Are you going to tie me up?” He asks, flashing a fanged smirk. “Quiet. I don’t want to hear a word from you. Is that understood?” “Or what?” “I’ll gag you.” You say. “And it’s going to be hard to do what I have planned if you’re gagged. So, be a good boy for me, won’t you?” He nods. 

Notes:

Hey guys! Man, I've re-written and re-written this fic several times because of how goofy it is. I got this idea after seeing a Tik-Tok while I was stoned. And I decided, why not. I wonder how this situation would happen. So I present to you all, "Pretty Pink Pranks". Re-written for like the fifth time. Enjoy!

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Work Text:

It had been a long day. One of those days where you spent most of it slicing and dicing through countless foes. These days were commonplace and you’d think by now that you’d be used to the feeling of blood and viscera caked onto your skin and matted in your hair. But no. You felt absolutely disgusting. So when the day was over and you finally got the chance to take a bath you took it, eager to wash yourself clean of that day's battles. 

Perhaps you were too tired or just weren’t paying close enough attention to notice that something was very wrong with your shampoo. You mindlessly, unknowingly knead the viscous liquid into your wet tresses, just thankful that you were able to actually wash your hair that night. 

Everyone else is in the large suite that neighbors your room, getting ready to eat dinner, when they hear you let out a loud, horrified, shriek. Concern washes over their faces and a few are about to get up to go investigate before they hear Astarion laughing. You would think he’d be more concerned with the fact that his lover was screaming from the other room but he clearly knew something they didn’t. 

“Gods, what did you do?” Asks Karlach, shooting a curious look over at her fellow companion. 

“I put pink dye in her shampoo bottle.” He snickers. 

“You what? Why?” The tiefling asks. “Do you not value your life?”

He smirks. “I’m considering it as a little bit of payback for making me go up on stage with that horrid clown earlier. She had no right to put me on the spot like that.”

“You  weren’t even up there for all that long and we ended up killing the clown anyway.” Says Shadowheart. “I think dying her hair pink is a bit much.”

“Nonsense. It’s just hair.” Says Astarion.  

It doesn’t take long before you’re shoving the doors to the suite open. You’ve gotten over the initial shock and now you’re pissed. 

“Who did this?”

Your companions look over at you and the room erupts with shocked gasps and laughter. You look absolutely livid standing there, ready to carve a new asshole into whoever thought this would be funny. Normally, your companions would have probably taken you more seriously. But at this very moment how could they? Your once fair colored hair was now pink. Bright, bright, pink. And it was hilarious! To some at least. 

You repeat yourself,  much louder this time. “WHO. DID. THIS?”

“God’s, you poor thing! That looks absolutely atrocious!” Exclaims Gale. “If I only knew of a spell to fix that monstrosity sitting upon your head.”

“ Ra’stil, Don’t listen to him. I like it!” Says Lae’zel, not even trying to hide her amused laughter. “You remind me of one of those birds. What are they called again…..flamingos! Yes, a flamingo!”

“Shut up, shut up, shut up!” You shout. “Gods, I look like a fucking clown!”

“It could be worse.” Says Shadowheart. “You could have no hair at all.”

You let out a frustrated cry. I can’t go around looking like this! By the gods when I find out who’s responsible I’m gonna-

“He did it.” Says Karlach, pointing a clawed finger at  Astarion. 

“Seriously? Did you really just out me like that?” He asks, trying to contain his laughter. He knew he was going to get caught at some point but he didn’t think it was going to be this soon. Your gaze turns to him, eyes dangerously narrowed.  “You’ve got to be kidding me. You’re responsible for this?” 

“Oh come on darling, it’s just a little prank! It honestly doesn’t look all that bad.” 

“A little prank? Astarion, you of all people should know how much my hair means to me!” You shove a finger into his chest, glaring up at him as you say, “You will be paying to get this fixed. And mark my words, I’m going to get you back for this little prank of yours.” He reaches out to grab you, to wrap you in an apologetic hug, but you step away from him before he can lay a hand on you. “Oh, and since you think you’re so funny with this little prank of yours, you can bunk with Gale tonight.” You storm out of the suite before he has the chance to protest, slamming the double doors behind you. 

“I don’t think I’ve seen her this angry since…well, ever.” Says Shadowheart, pouring herself a glass of wine. 

“Right? Man, you really fucked up this time, fangs.” Says Karlach, looking over at the elf. 

He just shrugs. “She’s overreacting. It’ll be fine. Once it’s fixed I’m sure she’ll forget the whole thing ever happened. Besides, now I get to have a snuggle with my good old friend Gale tonight!”

“Absolutely not!” The wizard scoffs. 

**************************************************************************************

A month. You were going to be stuck looking like this for an entire month. You had gone to both of the hairdressers in Baldur’s gate that morning hoping they could fix you but both were booked out for the rest of Uktar. Oh, Astarion would pay dearly for this. While you had been sulking in your room the previous night you had come up with the perfect plan on how you’d get your revenge. He thought it’d be funny to ruin your hair? Fine. You’d ruin his. 

Since you were already out and about you decide to do some shopping, purchasing various bits and bobs you would need to enact on your plan. The first of your purchases is a very enticing piece of lingerie you pick up from the Face makers boutique. It was black, lacy, and deliciously skimpy. A tad bit expensive but you knew he wouldn’t be able to resist the sight of you in it. Your next few stops are various shops around Baldurs Gate to pick up the other supplies you’d need. By the time you're finished you end up with a satchel full of supplies that would certainly come in handy. You smile deviously to yourself as you take a moment to inspect the items. He was in for one hell of a payback. 

When you get back later that afternoon you make sure Astarion doesn’t see you slip in, sneaking into your shared room to get everything set up. A few hours pass before he finally comes to check on you, surprised to see that your hair is still bright pink and even more surprised to see you clad in the lingerie you had bought earlier. 

“There you are darling! I’ve been looking - oh my! Look at you, and in the middle of the day? Naughty thing!” He glances up at your hair. “And I see you decided to stick with the pink. I think it suits you.” 

You shake your head and fold your arms over your chest. “Not by choice. The only two hairdressers in all of Baldurs Gate are booked out until Uktar.”

“Oh. I’m sorry darling, I hadn’t anticipated that.” He chuckles. Of course he didn’t. “Why did you do this to me Astarion?”

“You remember yesterday when you forced me to go up on stage with that awful clown in front of all those people? That’s why.” He says. “You know how much I despise clowns.”

“You did this because of that? I wasn’t sending you up there to be a bitch Astarion. I saw right through that bastard and I thought you’d be the best person to handle him. Which you were, you took out that shape shifter almost immediately. You could have come and talked to me about it instead of doing this!” You gesture up to your head.

“I’m sorry darling, I didn’t think-

“Of course you didn’t. Now come here. You're being punished.”

“Oh. Am I now?” He asks. “By the way you’re dressed I have a feeling I’m going to enjoy this.”

“I don’t know about that.” You say. “Get on your knees.”

He complies without any resistance.

“I’m very upset with you, my love.” You pout. “I have to go around looking like this for the next month and it’s all because of you.” 

He watches intently as you reach into your satchel and begin to pull out a couple of soft, velvet, ropes

“What are you planning on doing with those? Are you going to tie me up?” He asks, flashing a fanged smirk. 

“Quiet. I don’t want to hear a word from you. Is that understood?” 

“Or what?” 

“I’ll gag you.” You say. “And it’s going to be hard to do what I have planned if you’re gagged. So, be a good boy for me, won’t you?” 

He nods. 

You can see that his cock is already straining through his trousers. It’s obvious he’s eager for whatever you have in store for him. Usually it was he who exhibited dominance in your relationship. But seeing you like this made something stir within him and at this moment, he was happy to be your obedient little pet. But how long would that enthusiasm last, you wonder. 

You help him tug his shirt off, working on his trousers and underwear next. When you're finished with him he looks almost ethereal, sitting there on his knees fully nude. His cock sit’s there freely, hard and wanting, begging to be touched. To be inside of you. You wanted so badly to take him right then and there, to force him on his back so that you could ride his stiff erection. But that would have to wait. 

Sliding the rope over his skin, you bind his hands tightly behind his back in a series of intricate knots, certain that even his dexterous fingers wouldn’t be able to undo them. Then you do the same to his ankles. You step back, taking a moment to admire your handiwork. “Gods if you could see yourself right now.” You say, sliding a hand under his chin. “I didn’t think I’d really appreciate seeing you all tied up. But gods, it’s doing something for me. I wonder how it feels, knowing that I’m the one calling the shots for once.” You force him to look up at you, crashing your lips down onto his. He eagerly kisses you back, making little wanting grunts as he does so. But just as quickly as you initiated it, you end it, giving him a gentle shove backwards. 

He looks at you, almost pleadingly, desperately wanting more. 

Perfect. 

You sit on the bed and spread your legs wide enough so that he has a full view of your scantily clad, dripping cunt. You see him lick his lips as he takes in the sight of it, his cock twitches in anticipation, awaiting your command. With a single finger you slide your thin, lacy, black panties to the side.

“Eat.” 

He obediently obeys your command, leaning forward and shoving his face into your folds, devouring you as if he were a starved man. You moan in approval as his tongue swirls around in your cunt, occasionally hitting that sensitive little bundle of nerves. Gods how you wanted to sit there and enjoy it for a while. But you couldn’t let yourself get too distracted. You had a punishment to dish out after all. 

You reach into your satchel and dig around until you find what you’re looking for. “Keep your eyes down, love.” You instruct. And he does so, focusing all of his attention on your sweet, delectable pussy. That’s when you grab a fistful of his curls, pulling him closer, enjoying the sensation of his tongue going deeper into you for just a moment longer before 

Snip, snip, snip, snip

He jerks his head up and looks at you, horrified to see that you’re not only holding a pair of scissors but a generous handful of his silver colored locks. A short, stubbly, patch is all that remains of what you had just cut.

“Tav, What in the nine hells?!” He shouts.  

“I told you I’d get you back. A fitting punishment wouldn’t you agree?” You smirk down at him, tossing the severed hair into his lap. His crimson colored eyes are narrow slits as he glares up at you. He’s absolutely livid.

Good. Now he knows how you feel. 

“You messed up my hair. It’s only fair that I mess up yours.”

You slide your panties down your leg and his angry gaze follows. “By the way, I told you not to speak, didn’t I? Open.” You command. 

“I’m going to fucking kill you.” He growls. But ultimately he obeys, opening his mouth wide. 

“Now hold still and let me finish. If you're a good boy I’ll reward you.” You say, running a hand through what remains of his hair. “Maybe I’ll let you finish eating while I sit on your face. Or maybe I’ll ride your cock until my insides are coated in your spend. Who knows? Maybe I’ll do both. But first, you have to let me finish cutting off all of this pretty hair . ”

You gather up another fistful of his tresses and close the blades of the scissors down close to the roots.

Snip, snip, snip, snip

He’s powerless as he watches curtains of his curls fall onto the ground around him. You continue on until he’s left with nothing but a short, stubbly, cut. He looks so different like this. Still incredibly handsome. But different. 

You’re not finished with him yet. 

He eyes you curiously as you reach into the satchel yet again. You smile when you feel what you're looking for, pulling out a pair of steel mechanical clippers. His eyes go wide. 

“I’ve always wondered what you’d look like if you were bald. Haven’t you?” You ask. 

He scowls up at you. A silent warning. But you ignore it and in a quick motion guide the clippers through the center of his head. They leave a wide white strip in their wake and you have to stifle back a giggle when you glance down at him. If only he could see himself right now. Gods how you wish he could, he looked absolutely ridiculous. More so than you. Good. 

“It’s funny. You remind me of another elf I dated a long, long time ago. Solas was his name I think. Lucky for you, you look decent without hair. He resembled an egg.”

By the time you're finished all that’s left on his perfectly shaped head is a tiny amount of pale stubble that blends in almost seamlessly with his scalp. 

“Gods I don’t know how I feel about this.” You say through a fit of giggles. “I can’t wait for the others to see you!” You pull your panties out of his mouth. “You may speak now, my love.”

“After all of this you’d better get over here and let me indulge myself in that delicious cunt of yours.” He growls. 

“Hey, I’m the one in charge right now.” You say, gently pushing him onto his back. “What’s the magic word?” 

“Get your ass over here.” He says, reaching out towards you. 

You yelp in surprise as he pulls you down from off the bed, free from his bindings. Gods damn those dexterous fingers of his!

He guides you up towards his face, getting you into a good position before his fingers dig into your hips, pulling you down to his face. His tongue quickly finds your center, hungrily lapping between your folds eager to taste you once more. His name escapes your lips in a series of moans as he unravels you in a way only he knows how to. 

“You taste so, so good my love.” He murmurs into your cunt. You gasp when his tongue finds your clit and he’s relentless when he teases the little bud of nerves. You can feel your stomach tighten and the throbbing between your legs becomes more apparent as he continues to lick and swirl his tongue around your swollen clit. “As-Astarion. I’m gonna c- cum!” You whimper. 

You let out a loud cry as your orgasm ripples through you. Your body trembles as you release the pleasure that had been pent up inside of you. Your lover hums happily beneath you as he laps up your delicious slick. 

You’re about to roll off of him when he grabs you and guides you down towards his cock. “Oh no, I’m not done with you yet! I was obedient! I let you get your revenge! Now ride me like you said you would! I want to be inside of your pretty pussy!”

He lowers you onto his stiff erection. With how wet you are it slides in easily, earning you a breathy moan from your lover. The feeling of his cock finally inside you feels so fucking good! He slowly guides you up and down his shaft

“Fuck you feel so good.” He says. “Ride me.”

He once again hands over all control to you, and you grind your hips down into him, taking all of him inside of you. You grind your hips, slowly at first just to get used to the feeling of being completely filled. But your own arousal quickly overtakes you and you can’t hold back any longer. You thrust your hips forward as quickly and as hard as you can, setting a much more erratic pace. His cock hits the very back of your cunt with each and every thrust. The noises the two of you make are absolutely lewd, a symphony of blissful moans and primal grunts, filling the room with the sounds of your collective ecstasy. You’d be surprised if no one could hear the two of you. 

Your thighs begin to quiver and your walls clench tightly around his cock when you reach your peak, crying out as another orgasm comes to fruition. He follows shortly after, getting a few more thrusts of his own in before emptying his spend deep inside you. You collapse on top of him, taking a moment to catch your breath. 

“That was exhilarating.” He says, gently sliding you off of him. “I think I quite like it when you take control. But gods, if you ever bring a pair of scissors near my head again I’ll do something much worse than mix dye into your shampoo.”  He reaches up and runs a hand over his head. “Ughh, it feels so weird.”

“It looks weird too. I didn’t realize how big your ears were.” You tease. 

“Oh shut up.” He says, covering them with his hands. 

“By the way, I’m not finished with you yet.”

“What do you mean you’re not finished?” He asks, cocking an eyebrow at you.

You rise up off the ground and walk back to your, pulling out the tin of shaving cream and a razor. “Get in the bathtub.”

*****************************************

You walk into the suite where your friends are gathered, about to have dinner yet again. 

“Hey there soldier! Ah, You’re still pink.” Karlach says, looking up at you. “I thought you were getting that fixed?”

You walk up behind her and lean over her shoulder. “I was but unfortunately they couldn’t get me in. I’m stuck like this for a month. But I did get some sweet, sweet, revenge.” You say, swiping a butter roll from her plate. “Astarion darling, you can come in now.”

All eyes are on the double doors as your lover walks in. He stands there with his arms folded over his chest as the room erupts in laughter. 

“Oh my gods, no fucking way!” Karlach exclaims through her fits of laughter. 

“He looks like a shaved cat!” Says Lae’zel. 

Shadowheart gets up and walks over to him, reaching out a hand towards his head. “I want to touch it.”

“Touch me and you’ll lose that hand, darling.” Astarion warns. He looks to the rest of your companions. “Go on, take it all in.” He says, doing a little spin. 

“Gods, I didn’t realize how big your ears were.” Says Gale. 

“That’s what I said!” You giggle. 

“Oh, will you two shut up!” He shouts. 

“I think it looks good on you Astarion.” Says Minsc, placing an arm around Astarions shoulders. “We really are twins now.”

He sighs, looking over at you. “We’re even now, yes?”

“Yes my love, we’re even now.” You say, taking a bite of your butter roll. 

This was certainly one hell of a payback. 

Notes:

If you made it through this silly fic of mine, thank you for taking the time to read it! I know it was kind of dumb but hey, it was fun to write. I guess the quality of the fic doesn't really matter. What matters is the friends we've made along the way. Anyways, I wrote this because of a Tik-Tok I saw where someone drew Astarion bald and I was like, what would get him in a situation where this would actually happen. Que this idea. So yeah, I hope you enjoyed reading about Astarion becoming Solas from Wish.com. I probably shouldn't write stuff when I'm stoned lol.

[shewhowas39]

NSFW Alphabet Tag

so i was tagged by @kittenintheden a hot minute ago, and i'm finally getting around to this!

i'm answering this for June and Astarion from my longfic, Juniper & Starlight, but since that fic is still in act 1, I'm gonna answer these from the perspective of Act 3, when my smut fics are set. just to give me more interesting answers.

***

A = Aftercare (what they’re like after sex)

cuddly. June relies a lot on physical touch to help keep herself grounded - a little protection from the urges and the visions - so some snuggling is always appreciated. and Astarion is like a cat curling up against he warmest surface (in this case, June) he can find.

B = Body part (their favorite body part of theirs and also their partner’s)

June likes her legs. they're the most muscular part of this wizard's body, and she can run quite fast. her favorite part of Astarion is his mouth. she loves that little smirk of his, and she loves the things his mouth can do to her.

Astarion likes his own hands. he has such perfect control over them and they do so much - they weild knives, they unlock doors, they disarm traps - and he's very confident in his ability to use them to drive June insane. his favorite part of June is a tie between her ass (soft! squeezable!) and her eyes, which are an unusually dark shade of blue that absolutely destroy him.

C = Cum (where does your muse prefer to cum/have someone cum)

inside June is the answer for both of them. both like to be able to feel the moment the other orgasms.

D = Dirty secret (pretty self explanatory, a dirty secret of theirs)

by act 3 i don't think they really have any dirty secrets in terms of sex stuff? June is a very honest person - she hates lying - and Astarion isn't so honest, but by this point, June can read him well enough that there's not much point hiding things from her. so...no particularly dirty secrets, i'm afraid.

E = Experience (how experienced are they? do they know what they’re doing?)

June doesn't remember how much experience she has, but based some muscle memory, she suspects she's had at least two or three partners in the past because she does know what she's doing. but she's also realized that - in the wordsof Shadowheart - her heart is in her clit. so most likely all of her past partners were people she had a relationship with, not just casual one-time hookups.

Astarion, we all know, is very experienced. not necessarily by his own choice. and yes, he does know very well what he's doing.

F = Favorite position (this goes without saying)

Astarion, as we've all been told, likes missionary. it took him a bit to do it with June because it felt too personal, but by act 3, he prefers being able to look at her face. for her part, June likes being pinned down/feeling held or restrained in some way. so being beneath him is her favorite thing.

G = Goofy (are they more serious in the moment? are they humorous? etc.)

depends on the scenario. sometimes they are very intense and serious. other times they like to tease and laugh. most of their encounters have a bit of both.

H = Hair (how well groomed are they? does the carpet match the drapes? etc.)

Astarion has like no body hair because elf. and June has very little because half-elf. what June does have she keeps very neat and tidy, and yes, the carpet and the drapes are both dark blond and curly.

I = Intimacy (how are they during the moment? the romantic aspect)

it took a while to get to a point where intimacy was comfortable for them, but by act 3, even their most debaucherous sexual encounters has a clear undercurrent of sweetness. June is a very emotional person and Astarion is new to the whole "sex can be intimate and romantic" thing. but once they get there, they both tend to like eye contact and few sweet/loving words, even amidst the dirty talk.

J = Jack off (masturbation headcanon)

both know how to take care of themselves, and both are deeply turned on by the idea of the other thinking of them while they pleasure themselves. masturbation hasn't come up in the fic yet, but oh it will.

K = Kink (one or more of their kinks)

both enjoy engaging in some light dom/sub dynamics. June spends so much time trying to stay in control to fight her urges, that she enjoys submitting to someone else and letting them take control for a while. and Astarion is happy to oblige because he's in the opposite boat - where he's spent so long being told what to do that it's nice to be the one in charge. so they frequently engage in a bit of restraint play and June likes being bossed around.

L = Location (favorite places to do the do)

honestly? a bed is their preference, because comfy. but neither of them are opposed to being a little adventurous. that one time on Gortah's desk was fun.

M = Motivation (what turns them on, gets them going)

June is most turned on by physical touch and sweet words. she loves Astarion's voice when he's being sincere, but also she loves it when he's being authoritative. him being a little bossy gets her going.

Astarion is turned on by June's intelligence. he might tease her for being a stereotypical brainy wizard, but he finds it pretty sexy when she shows how smart and competent she is. related, he's also very turned on when he remembers how fucking deadly she is. knowing she could absolutely kill him but hasn't/won't is sexy to him because he's a little gremlin man. watching this sweet, sensitive woman turn dark and murderous with someone - watching her threaten or even kill. - also gets him going.

also he eventually discovers that relaxing with a bit of pipeweed gets him horny.

N = No (something they wouldn’t do, turn offs)

neither of them is into degradation or humiliation. June also is turned off by choking/breath play. and Astarion is very, very particular about the situations in which he's comfortable being told what to do (for obvious trauma reasons).

O = Oral (preference in giving or receiving, skill, etc.)

June *loves* when Astarion goes down on her. he could get her to do almost anything witht he promise of oral. she enjoys going down on him, too, mostly because she enjoys when his composure absolutely crumbles.

Astarion has so much fun going down on June, especially if he can get a little nibble in on her thigh in the process. he loves that she'll beg or occassionally even getting demanding about it. even better if he can get her to curse. he's been known to giggle at her reactions to the things he can do with his mouth. he'll never say no to recieving head, though. he's always a bit shocked by how good at it June is, and it's embarrassing how quickly she can make him come apart.

P = Pace (are they fast and rough? slow and sensual? etc.)

slow and sensual probably 70% of the time and fast/rough the other 30%.

Q = Quickie (their opinions on quickies, how often, etc.)

they (especially Astarion) prefer to be able to take their time with each other. that said, sometimes June's visions and urges can be very disorienting for her, and a quickie is exactly what she needs to ground her again. so neither of them is at all opposed to it. though usually if they have a quickie during the day, both are lefting wanting a longer, more thorough session later that night.

R = Risk (are they game to experiment? do they take risks? etc.)

once Astarion reaches the point of being ready to explore his sexuality again, he's very interested in a bit of experimenting, seeing if he actually likes the things he's been doing for years now that he's with a partner who he trusts. and June's a naturally curious person. she's always happy to learn new things. her only criteria is that whatever they do can't make other people feel uncomfortable or unsafe. which is slightly disappointing to Astarion who loves making other people uncomfortable.

S = Stamina (how many rounds can they go for? how long do they last?)

Astarion, being an immortal vampire etc etc has a shorter than average refractory period (because i decided so lol), and he can usually go at least two rounds. if June ever says she doesn't think she can have another orgasm, he takes it as a personal challenge to prove her wrong. as for how long they last - it dependson the situation. they know how to get each other off in a couple minutes if they really want to, but they usually take more time than that. Astarion doesn't focus too much on lasting a long time - just long enough to get June off first.

T = Toys (do they own toys? do they use them? on a partner or themselves?)

not really. neither is opposed to them and both would probably be down to try them out for the sake of experimenting. but both are pretty satisfied without them.

U = Unfair (how much they like to tease)

oh, they love teasing each other. like Astarion making it a challenge to break June's concentration on a spell. he's usually the one doing ht teasing, but she can hold her own when she wants to.

V = Volume (how loud they are, what sounds they make, etc.)

June gets pretty loud. if there are people nearby - next room or in another tent for example - she tries to muffle herself against Astarion's neck or by putting her face in a pillow. lots of moaning and whimpering and crying out his name (which Astarion loves. he frequently orders her to say his name multiple times.)

Astarion isn't as loud in terms of volume, but he does make plenty of noise - a mix of talking (bossing June around, as she likes), moans, and - when he's really getting it good - little gasps and sighs.

W = Wild card (a random headcanon for the character)

June's dark urge nature sometimes gets amped up when she's in the throes of passion. she is at times overcome witht he urge to bite and claw. she never does it hard enough to actually hurt - or if she feels like she might, she asks Astarion to restrain her (which is also fun for them both), but Astarion kinda loves it when she gets all feral and bitey. he's more than happy to pin her down and bite her back.

Astarion enjoys being sucked on - his fingers, his ears, and especially his tongue. it really makes him wild, and once June figured that out, she used that as a secret weapon as often as she could.

X = X-ray (let’s see what’s going on under those clothes)

we've all seen what Astarion has going on beneath those clothes, so i'll focus on June. she likes to wear pretty simple, comfortable underwear, except on occassions when she knows Astarion will be taking her clothes off, in which case she might pick something a little sexier as a treat. she has absolutely *no* scars. to the point of it being unrealistic/strange (that'll come up soon in the fic actually). but she does have a tattoo on the back of her neck, usually hidden by her hair, of Ilmater's holy symbol. otherwise, she has very pale, smooth skin. her build is quite tall (5'11") with breasts that are about a solid handful and a very nice, round ass. the biggest surprise is probably her legs, though, which are very long and more muscular than any other part of her body. she has sprinter's legs, where the rest of her is pretty lightly muscled and soft.

Y = Yearning (how high is their sex drive?)

June has a pretty average sex drive. her yearning tends to be more of the emotional variety. Astarion's sex drive has skyrocketed since getting involved with June (someone he finds very hot, yes, but also someone he trusts to respect his limits). he's the one to initiate probably a solid 80% of the time, but he knows exactly what buttons to hit to have June begging for him in a matter of minutes. so her more moderate sex drive is rarely if ever an issue.

Z = Zzz (how quickly they fall asleep afterwards)

June falls alseep first usually. once she knows they are done for the night, she can snuggle in and pass out pretty quickly. Astarion takes a little longer. he likes to enjoy the afterglow for a bit, watch her sleep like a creeper, etc, before either sleeping or trancing.

wooo! and i'm done! that was a lot of fun!!! time for me to pass the toch to @dungeonsdragonsandlawyers @selunesdreams @andauril @dalgursbate and @khywren! (sorry if you've been tagged before and i missed it. like i said - i got tagged in thsi a while ago and only just got to it.)

[lagncx]

Dadastarion x reader because I’m working on so much fanfics and a horror/ thrill story and school and I’m losing my- sorry

  “COME DOWN HERE RIGHT NOW!” You fell out of bed, your husband's voice shaking the whole house, a groan escaped your lips as you took your last few hops off the stairs. “What is it love?” You hummed looking at your husband who was facing your son with his hands on his hips “Your son here is disobeying the rules again” he scoffed “Honestly I don’t know how much I can take before I pop your head off.” He sighed, his body relaxed when he felt your arm around his waist and a warm kiss on his cheek “What did he do today?” You smiled 

    Astarion pushed you off him, glaring at you “Sorry..” you hummed. “Your son went out without asking, again!” he huffed “Oh yeah? Where'd he run off to this time?” you raised a brow at your son who was entering his teen era so this was well expected but since everything astarion has been so worried about your son's safety. From any monster hunters, goblins, or any other enemies from the past. “Just the festival Mother, the people are getting ready for it today and my friends were going so I joined but I stayed in the shade Mom just like Dad ordered me to.” Oh so much like his father the sarcastic tone and his sneak at his father which Astarion catches on quickly his nose flaring “Well he only does that because he loves you dumplings. It’s for” Before you finished your son sat down in the chair looking out through one of the windows. 

“My safety I know I know.” You chuckled “Then you know to behave and follow rules.” Astarion only scoffed and walked to the kitchen. You could feel he wanted to say something to you so you followed your instincts toward your dear partner. “What is it, baby?” You said picking some lint off of his shirt and laying your head on his shoulder as he covered whatever he had to put in the oven, shooing you away to back up. “I hate when you do that.” He said, closing the furnace and leaning against the counter looking at you, “Do what?” You laughed genuinely lost “Make me the bad guy.” He rubbed his forehead, his lip creased as he frowned “I try to get along with him but he likes you more, you're easygoing. But he doesn’t know what I do, the things we’ve gone through and I’ll die if anything happens to him the way my heart tightens. I'm scared one of the days he goes out he’s gonna be a pile of ash…gods forbid someone take him and I can’t protect him like Cazador, Kidnapping me I-'' his throat catches, tightens but you pull him towards you into your embrace you held him tightly “shh baby. It’s okay, it's been a long day. I can take care of the food for now.” You kissed his hair and led him to the stairs watching him go up you turned towards the chair your son sulking his head in his hand leaning against his hand “It's not fair” he whispered to you his father out of earshot “Not fair I had to be cursed because I'm his blood.” you leaned against the hall frame “Now I have to deal with this weird hunger and have to worry about blowing up if I even enjoy the warm sun?” you laughed “That won't happen, you got that from me.” you shrugged “But it's not your father's fault, he didn't ask for this. To be what he is.” you sat on the chair arm next to

You looked down at your son seeing the way his face changed from annoyance to fear when he saw the cold look in your eye the look paralyzed him. “You will respect your father's wishes however and you won't talk back to him. He's been through so much and you are one of the only people he has and I won't tolerate you talking down on someone you haven't given a chance to Learn about. Especially not your father.” you got up and left your son in the room alone entering the kitchen, were you too hard on him? Well, at least Astarion wouldn't be the only bad guy now. 

   ——-

You walked into your home the curtains of course closed so your eyes took time to adjust to the darkness “I'm home!” you yelled and there was silence…Awesome the house all to yourself?! Freedom to be a slob? To be lazy?! To sit and do nothing?!!?? The gods have blessed you finally. You kicked off your shoes before stepping on the wood panel floor and the velvet wool carpet in the living room. Why did you do that? you thought. 

Damn you house husband!! 

“You filthy animal! Have you no manners remove those shoes before you even think of walking into this room!” 

You sighed too late to disrespect his rules you just sat down pulling a book from the shelf next to you putting something to mark where in the shelf you pulled it from since your husband insisted on it being alphabetical so you could know where recipes for drow poison were instead of pulling out millions of books nowhere near poison or anything you needed leaving a mess. You started to read the novel and enjoyed your time alone. 

  Ten chapters in, You Heard the Door, and in came your two stars. “There are my boys!” you greeted them walking over to them both kissing your son's forehead and pushing him away playfully to embrace your husband dramatically “Oh my dear! Where have you been?!! I couldn't feed myself darling it was oh so terrible and the chores! Oh, the chores!! I was so alone.” you felt a hand push you away since it collided with your face your voice was silenced “away with you, your like a leech” Astarion scoffed. You pouted then just giggled kissing his knuckles. “Seriously darling, where were you? It's barely sunset are you hurt? What did our son do this time?” you glared at the boy in question who just put his hands up scoffing in offended confusion. “Nothing…we went to the festival.” he smiled at you and your mouth fell open “What?? How?!” you spun him around looking for burns “G-get off of me!!” he pushed you brushing off his clothes “I just wore a cloak and stayed close to the shadows and he went to play with his friends but we had a great time.” he fixed a few hairs in your son's head picking out the grey hairs making your son hiss a breath “beauty is pain kiddo.” He laughed and they both passed you headed to the kitchen to store the treats they got

——

  You climbed into bed flopping over the legs of your beloved he took a hand from the book he was reading brushing it over your hair* your body shivered when you stretched and sighed “so what possessed you and our son to get along for once?” You looked up at him, he shut the book and sat it down on the dresser beside him, his hair slicked back and his reading glasses drooping over his nose looking at you. “He just really wanted to go and he said that we would be careful. And gods I can’t deny that face and those eyes. I made an adorable child.” He laid his head back shutting his eyes “you sure did” you smiled admiring the pale elf’s beauty. 

“I owe it all to you.” He smirked “filling your role as the bad guy.” You inched your face closer to his “all for you baby, anything you need.” You giggled and kissed him before he pushed you to the side “quit, we have a sleeping son in the other room.” You just grumbled and he chuckled at your cute frustration. “Tomorrow morning he’s going out with his friends. Maybe if you behave and” he grabbed your ear “Stop tracking dirt around the house!! I’ll give you some long needed distress.” You cried in pain.

Eh, you loved him though. And your son did too. They were your stars guiding you through the dark 

(*I don’t like to say through cause mine is nappy) 

(I’m so embarrassed if they don’t have ovens or some kinda furnace oven back then)

[hazzyking]

Happy New year everyone! Here's a small little drabble for all my OC's I hope you all enjoy! I love and appreciate you all than you so much for making this a successful year in writing. I couldn't have done any of it without you 🫂

@fanaticsnail for Astarion and Mihwak 🤤

A New Years Kiss (multi fandom)

Astarion x Lovissa

The camp all gathered around the campfire with various alcoholic drinks of their choosing, Astarion held a chalice of Lovissa's blood in a very Astarion fashion and smiled as he wrapped an arm around her waist.

"It's almost time everyone, one more minute," Gale spoke, looking up at the stars.

"How do we know he's not tricking us?" Astarion muttered, narrowing his eyes at Gale.

"Why on earth would I trick you about this?" Gale said with a chuckle.

"Astarion," Lovissa said gently, pulling him in such a way so he's staring into her eyes.

"Hm? Yes, Darling?" Astarion said with a smirk as he rested his forehead against hers.

"Are you ready to kiss me?" Lovissa smiled, inching her lips closer.

"Always, Darling"

"5... 4... 3... 2... 1... Happy New Year, everyone!" Gale exclaimed, Astarion was already pulling Lovissa close, resting his hands on her bum as he kissed her passionately. Lovissa's hands caressed his face as they kissed and took their first breath of the New Year.

Reno x Reeza

You all don't know a lot about them yet, but that's okay cause this is post Advent Children anyway

Everyone gathered around the tiny TV in 7th Heaven, Reeza had her arms around Reno's neck as they slowly swayed to the music coming from the jukebox. "Don't you wanna watch the ball drop?" Reno asked softly, his nose brushing against hers.

"Countdowns make me nervous," Reeza simply said, laying her head against his chest.

"Noted, Princess... I'll hold onto you until the ball drops, then" Reno smiled softly and kissed her forehead. "Can you at least be my first kiss in the new year?" He asked again, still swaying and holding her close.

"There's no one else in Midgar who I'd rather kiss~." Reeza smiled softly, looking into his eyes.

"Oh good, I was worried for a second-"

"Would you two love birds quit yer' yappin' they are about to start!" Cid yelled, causing the group in the bar to chuckle softly.

"5..." the crowd chanted, and Reno looked down at Reeza, who was gripping his suit jacket tightly. "You're okay, Princess," Reno hummed softly. "Eyes on me," he said, pulling her chin so she was looking into his eyes.

"4..." Reeza's expression got increasingly nervous, Reno dragged his thumb across her jaw, staring into her eyes "your Gorgeous, Reeza. Y'know that?" He said with a wink, causing Reeza to blush. "I'm not gonna let you go" he said, rubbing the small of her back.

"3... 2..."

"Reno, I need to get some air!"

"1..." Reno smirked and pulled her into a passionate kiss, causing her to gasp in an instant. All of her anxieties drained from her we his lips danced with hers.... "Happy New Year, Princess," he said with a smirk. "You just got through your first count down"

"Thank you... Reno"

Mihwak x Ame

I got distracted... this one is suggestive of smutt

The fire place crackled as Ame and Mihwak sat in the study of the large castle, Mihawk tangled his fingers in her hair as he sat in the chair, reading a book, and occasionally putting it down to sip some wine. Ame sat cross-legged on the floor, watching the fire and mindlessly sipping her wine. "You're doing great... y'know." Mihawk looked down at her, breaking the silence of the room.

"Hmm?" Ame looked up at him, brows twisted in confusion.

"You are doing great... after everything you've been through, you're coming out the other side... and I couldn't be more proud." Mihawk spoke eloquently, though his words weren't all the fancy. He still made them sound the most expensive.

"Proud..." Ame's lip quivered, looking up at him. "You're proud of me?" She muttered quietly.

"Yes, little Dove. I am so proud of you, " Mihwak said, dragging his thumb across her lowerlip. Ame stood up on her knees, pulling him down so her lips crashed against his in a searing kiss,

"5... 4..." she had pulled him down off the chair and onto the floor so that way he was ontop her, never breaking the kiss.

"3... 2..." Ame rolled them over, pushing Mihawk into the carpeted floor, she herd him groan softly, but before he could say anything else, she kissed him again

"1..." Mihawk groaned into the kiss, as he threaded his fingers through her hair, he growled lowly, rolling his hips up against hers.

"Happy New Year Dracule" Ame said, panting softly with her forehead resting against his.

"Oh... were not done here yet..."