#baldur's gate 3 has ruined my life

[ickymakesart]

it's been a while since i've drawn anything so don't be mean if it looks bad

[cheekylittlepupp]

[otg-xp]

It's been a while since i made the last hades sprite!

(is the screenshot badly made.....maybe)

[galedekarios]

What do you think of their decision to make Gale a teacher in his good ending? Earlier in the game, he says his attempted students’ ineptitudes irked him. Do you think he’s made enough of a change to make a good professor?

thank you for your message, anon! 🖤

i'm of two minds about it:

i am going to be transparent here and say that i am a teacher myself. i studied, i did my teacher training, and i have been teaching for a good bit now - and some people are meant to be teachers, and some are not. it's one of those professions that you have to be born for, imo. it requires an immense amount of patience and perseverance, a certain intuition when it comes to your students, among many other things.

i have said before that i can see gale as a professor, but less so in a teaching position and more in a sort of research role.

so looking at this, i think what larian is trying to convey is that gale has settled into this new life he leads, that he's found his place in life. that he's finally worked to salvage that life instead of reaching for the stars.

he's content now, more than he's ever been before. he has returned to the home he missed so very much. he's spending his time surrounded with the people he loves. tara, morena, the player, his friends. and he's dedicated himself to the study of magic.

that feeling of being content, happiness and security and love, as well as the journey he's been on, too, may have quelled the things that caused him to feel so irked by his students prior to his journey, perhaps it has given him a new perspective on things, the low lows and high highs he experienced.

but i also think that larian does listen to community feedback - imo too much at times - and this was a intensely popular headcanon for gale.

i have taken a look for you at the files for the epilogue and the notes in it seem to echo my thoughts overall:

His default state is that he returned to Waterdeep and became a professor of Illusory magic at his former school, Blackstaff Academy. General vibe here is that this a Gale who's found peace with himself - he's a great teacher, one his students are mostly in awe of.

[nookstan]

careful, he bites!

[thrawns-babygirl]

Look, Imma level with y'all

The bg3 brain rot is strong. Unending. Undying. Absolutely destroying me from the inside out.

I'm attempting to tag all of my bg3 posts with bg3, so if you don't want to see it, I recommend blocking that tag.

I apologise, I know all 1300 of you are here for Star Wars. But I cannot help myself. I simply am weak for this game. I've already clocked 200 hours since the ps5 release, and I'm not stopping any time soon.

If you wanna unfollow, I understand, but I promise I will still post star wars from time to time. But bg3 has honestly consumed my entire being, and it will probably stay that way for the foreseeable future.

Thanks for understanding my absolutely unhinged hyperfixations shifting and changing. I love y'all, I really do.

[alilaro]

i just would like to run astarion a hot scented bath and feed that boy some soup, is that so much to ask for?

[deontoillogical]

It took the most traumatized elf vampire in existence but I'm a changed man who now checks Tumblr religiously, reads fanfic and WRITES FANFIC

[eagle-claws]

as soon as I just watched one video on YouTube on bg3, YouTube began to recommend this game to me in huge numbers.

Nice try, bg3, But I'm not going to play you.

[red-rose-matcha-latte]

"how do you have over 600 hours in baldur's gate 3 you've only had it for like a hundred days"

have you considered:

but also bc this game has ruined my life help me

[luxlightly]

I love how each and every Baldur's Gate 3 companion (including even a secondary camp ally), one after another, almost verbatim, has a moment like : "Man, our companion got their revenge on the person that ruined their life but it wasn't nearly as fulfilling as they'd hoped and they feel mostly just numb about it. Even though it was definitely necessary and they're glad to have done it, it still really highlights everything they went through. Not mine though. Mine will be nothing but satisfying and won't unlock a torrent of grief I'd been putting off processing because I had to focus on defeating them. My revenge quest completion is going to be awesome." *One companion questline completion later* "By the nine hells this can't be happening"

[nightmarist]

Some Zevlor Things —

EDIT 12/2/23: Added a few more things

A fellow Tiefling Hellrider, Tilses, is with him in the caves acting as his bodyguard. He sometimes calls her Tilly.

There is one bedroll in the caves shoved off in the far corner with a book titled "The Devil You Know: An Autobiography" - not sure if it's his personal writing or if he's reading it, either way it adds to the flavor of his of his tiefling pride (and/or anguish).

It reads:

Have you ever had a god change your blood? It is a horrifying thing, even for those who may desire it. Yet few tieflings wished for Asmodeus to claim their bodies, only be given no choice in the matter. It is not as if we were well-loved before the archdevil's gambit. Our people have always struggled against the notion of 'devilkin', as if a single drop of infernal ichor inescapably corrupts. How amusing, when so many others willingly sell their souls to fiends, yet their culture as a whole escapes the blame. By what method can we redeem ourselves, when the crime is not ours? I would drive a blade into every warlock that aided Asmodeus' damned ritual, but personal vengeance cannot undo the will of a god, much less one as slippery as the Lord of Lies. When every passerby thinks you a thief and heretic, it is deeply tempting to become one. (cut off) The only thing that has stopped me is knowing Asmodeus wants nothing more than for all of us to fall from grace.

Around the his table are Invasion Plans for Elturgard, Traveler's Guide to Baldur's Gate, Traveler's Guide to the Sword Coast Vol IV: The Risen Road (which aligns when he tells you earlier there are gnolls on the road), and "Front and Center: a Thespian's Memoir" that reads:

"... in fact, the greatest joy of my life hasn't been acting, but becoming. When you choose a character to play, you don't just wear a mask - you take a little bit of their soul for your own. Whoever you are in your heart of hearts, if only by the faintest note."

Zevlor aside I think this is a sweet quote for the player and player character relationship <3

Dialogue in the Caves:

Zevlor: I Hardly need a bodyguard, Tilses. This isn't Avernus. Tilses: No sir. At least the monsters there looked like monsters.

—

Tilses: Commander— Zevlor: Just Zevlor, Tilly. We're civilians now, remember? Tilses: With respect, sir — being a Hellrider is for life. They can't take — Zevlor: They can, and did. Avernus changed things — best we get used to that. Tilses: ... Yes, Zevlor

—

Tilses: The Watch or the Flaming Fist? Zevlor: Pardon? Tilses: When we get to Baldur's Gate. Where are we enlisting? Zevlor: I'm done soldiering, Tilly. I'd like a clean start. But go with the Watch. You're too honest to be a mercenary.

—

Zevlor: No word from the scouts, yet? Tilses: No sir. But if there's a clear path past the goblins, they'll find it. Zevlor: Yes, of course.

ITEMS —

in the Chest there is a bronze goblet, 46 gold, and a battle-worn blade. On his person he has his gloves (Hellrider's Pride), an apple, a camp supply pack, and the key to his chest.

The blade says:

A fine by well-used sword. It seemed to have once belonged to a holy order, but the indication of rank and patron deity at the hilt have recently been filed down.

The gloves' flavor text says:

A waft of sulphur emanates from this proudly-kept piece.

Celebration at the Camp:

"I should be out there, talking with them. In... Just a moment, maybe." "Is this everyone? Our numbers have grown so few..." "No more. I can't afford to lose any more of them." "No. Let them have fun. I'll be ruining it come morning anyway."

Mindfayer Colony:

Things he mumbles in the Pod:

The pod will show you his memories of Elturel:

After saving Zevlor, I forced myself to pick the "mean" options just to see how it goes.

If you tell him its his fault tieflings were imprisoned in moonrise, he says:

If you tell him "Do yo have a right to ask?" when he asks about the tieflings:

He doesn't argue with any of your remarks except one, when he says "For a moment I welcomed it" and you tell him "For a moment until you realized your reward would be a tadpole" he corrects you:

If you tell him if he wanted power he should live up to his own ideal:

If you tell him to get out of your sight:

When you tell him it's not his fault he was enthralled:

If you tell him "Fine. Good luck, Zevlor."

If you say you could use another blade in the fight to come:

At the Netherbrain:

(smiling <3)

"The journey has been brutal, but I stand here a Hellrider once more, and I would die a proud man if I died this day."

I know it's a Soldier thing to be proud to die for a cause but it still makes me worry for him given his background so far <:]

If you click on him, he has two unvoiced lines:

if you pickpocket him at this point, he'll have the same items on him as before (in this save he has a carrot instead of an apple for me).

His stats at this time: (Steeped in Bliss is from one of my items)

Post Game (Patch 5)

I don't know if there are other permutations of this letter, yet, but this is what I received:

I hope my penmanship has improved somewhat in the past months. When I first stumbled into this city, I shook so badly that I could scarcely hold the soup the priests pressed into my hands - let alone write and thank you as you deserve. It is only when the city itself began to shake that I felt my hands grow still. Along with the other veterans sheltering at the temple - discards of Elturel's 'unworthy' legions - I watched that monstrosity rise over the city. We felt no fear. Only anger. Disgust. Purpose - and with it, power. I do not know what oath we cling to now, or how long it will last - but we shall use it to ensure that this city will not suffer as Elturel did. Whether it wants us or not. It is more than thanks alone I owe. No words can make amends for what I did to my people, but that is as it should be. More come to the temple every day to aid in the relief efforts, and if I am permitted to work alongside them, then I am content. Come and see us, when you can. Zevlor

It's interesting — if not bitterswet, tragic, and inspiring — to hear that Zevlor and other Paladins regained their Oaths via pure, stubborn devotion to saving people when it began to look as bad as Elturel.

[comicaurora]

These have been pent up for a while, so there's a whole list lol. Some are Aurora, some are not.

1) Can lacrimas carry out multiple purposes at once? Or will they blend them? I'm assuming that this is possible, considering that the automaton in the ruins was using a lacrima as a brain

2) Has anyone tried to make tools or weapons out of lacrimas? I'm talking like chisel that needs no hammer. Or maybe a Fire lacrima on a bow that sets your arrows on fire

3) Can you engrave runes on lacrimas to make them affect themselves?

4) Where can I read more about the Twins? If I'm not wrong they're the creator gods, aided by the Light dragon and the Void dragon to create life, but I might be getting a wrong read on that

5) Since we see Erin successfully become the first Void mage, does that now mean there's potential for him to make a Void lacrima? The dragon probably won't allow it, but still

6) What exactly does elemental corruption of each element do? Fire literally burns you up, as we saw in Arc 1. I can infer that Life likely makes you a chimera. Void corruption makes you a cave crawler. But what do the other one do? Does Earth make you a statue? Does Wind disintegrate you, Thanos style?

7) Now onto the non-Aurora questions, is your art vector or raster? I believe it's vector, but it's always better to confirm

8) What are your opinions on reading into the environment and the character design to infer things about the character themselves? In any type of media

9) Have you played Baldur's Gate 3?

10) Do you have any music that you'd recommend? I've listened to every song I liked so many times that I hate them now.

11) I'm new to Tumblr, anything that I should know? You don't have to answer this one if you don't wanna. I think I know some of the basics already. Reblog what you like, and avoid the terfs, right?

You might be able to tell that I like the idea of the lacrimas a little bit. Just a teensy bit. The artificer in me definitely isn't obsessed. I appreciate any answers you can give :3

Cheers!

Ooh, lots of stuff!

Yes, it's possible. A lacrima can be engraved with multiple spells, set in a casing engraved with commands, or some combination of the two. Typically, all spells engraved directly on a lacrima will activate at once when the lacrima is "switched on", but a spell can be quite complex, and conditional activations are possible - "if-then-else" statements, basically.

Yes, magic items exist.

Generally no. If the lacrima is disrupted or broken, the spell generally stops functioning, so a self-affecting lacrima will run only as long as it takes for the lacrima to distort or break.

There's an extra lore page about them!

He probably could if he wanted to (and the Dragon allowed it) but Void energy is very dangerous, so he likely doesn't want to.

Each form of elemental corruption agitates the presence of the element in the mage's body. Earth corruption can damage or alter bones, encourage unhealthy petrification of soft tissues, etc. Wind corruption can have physical effects but it often most obviously produces breakdowns in the person's ability to speak or understand language. Lightning damages, numbs or intensifies a person's physical senses.

Raster, I draw with CSP's digital pens. I've only very briefly experimented with vector art - I don't like how it simplifies the lines.

I think it's a fun school of analysis but, like all literary analysis, it runs into trouble if it tries to lock down exactly what the writer was thinking or intending (which is an objective fact that one can be incorrect about) rather than trying to analyze the story on its own and what meaning might, intentionally or unintentionally, be factoring into it.

Nope

don't trust my taste in music it's 90% nu metal and sonic OSTs

Like what you like, reblog what you want, generally it's considered dubious form to add a comment to a reblog unless you have something profound to contribute (commenting in the tags is fine), steer clear of discourse and callout posts and generally the sectors of the site that are constantly on fire, blocking someone for any reason is 100% fine

[leighsartworks216]

Butterfly's Repose

Astarion x gn!Tav/Reader

Two fics in such a short span of time?! Yeah, I'm procrastinating. I actually wasn't going to finish this little thing I started in my notes today, but then I got an idea for how to continue it and HAD to get it out. So here it is

Title comes from "Butterfly's Repose" by Zabawa

Warnings: nightmares, crying, references to past abuse, low self-worth, hurt/comfort

Word Count: 804

Main Masterlist

First Baldur's Gate 3 Masterlist - Second Baldur's Gate 3 Masterlist

AO3

Tag List Form

Arms squeeze tighter around your middle. You don't notice at first - you've just woken up and your brain hasn't caught up yet, and having arms around you like this is not unfamiliar or strange. In fact, you know right away that it's Astarion. You'd fallen asleep in each other's arms, wrapped around each other with intertwining legs and faces pressed into necks and shoulders.

He shifts so his head rests squarely over your chest, and again you think nothing of it. You relax back into the bed, into your pillow and the warm sheets. Sleep starts to claim you again, grabbing you with syrupy tendrils that make it hard to think.

But then you feel something wet against your skin. Wet and hot, and he's trembling. You force your eyes open, fighting against the desire to sleep. You can't see his face in the dark, but you know. You know he's crying.

You slowly begin to slide your fingers through his curls, careful not to startle him or pull at any knots. "Star?" you murmur into the dark. "What's wrong? What happened?"

A choked sob rips from his throat. There’s no point hiding his tears now. He tries to speak, but he can’t come up with anything. All he can do is shake his head and press further against you.

You wrap your arm around his shoulder to hold him close and fully begin to play with his hair in all the ways you know he enjoys. You shush him gently, kissing the top of his head. “You’re safe, love. You’re safe. Nobody is going to hurt you here.” Another harsh sob wracks his body, and you begin rubbing up and down his back. “It’s okay. Let it out. I’ve got you. I’ve got you.”

It must have been a nightmare or a memory - nothing else could upset him this much, and he flipped between trances and normal sleep so often it was hard to know which he’d endured. You would kill Cazador over and over again if it meant removing Astarion’s suffering. You’d kill the bastard 200 times - once for each year of life he ruined for your lover. And a million more for every other life he ruined.

His fingers curl into the fabric at your back, holding on as though letting go would cause him to fall off a deep precipice. But you wouldn’t let that happen. Not for as long as you live - and further if you had any say in the matter.

Sleep does not come to visit again. You’re too worried for the man in your arms to care. By the time his crying has softened to whimpers and sniffles, you can see the orange of the sun trying to break through the dark curtains. And still you don’t care.

When the whimpers reduce further to mere shaky breaths, you know it has finally passed. You kiss his head again, whispering into the white hairs that tickle your face just how proud you are of him, how much you love him, how strong he is. You’d never stop until he finally got it through his brain just how true each word was.

He pulled away and you let him, watching as he cringed and tried to wipe away the wet spot he left on your skin. You chuckled gently and grabbed his hand to stop him. “It’s okay, love, I don’t mind.” He sighs, relenting. He can’t meet your eyes. You wonder if you were in his dream.

“I’m sorry,” he croaks out. You immediately shush him again.

“It’s okay, my love. Thank you for trusting me.”

He sighs shakily, eyes closing. He’s relieved. When he opens his eyes again, he notices the sun’s orange glow behind the curtains, just as you had. “Gods, I’m sorry,” he says, “I didn’t mean to keep you up all night.”

You cup his cheek and lift his head just so you could place a kiss to his forehead. “It’s okay. Just means we get to have a lazy day in bed.”

He holds your wrist and turns into your palm. “You’re too good to me.”

“And you deserve every second of it.” He kisses your hand, but argues no further. “C’mon, love. I’ll hum to you for a bit, how does that sound?”

It must sound perfectly lovely, because he wastes no time repositioning so his head is tucked into your shoulder, nose pressing into your neck. His hands rest loosely on your back now. You continue to stroke and comb through his hair and hold him close. He can feel the vibrations of your voice as you begin humming a quiet lullaby. They mix with the heartbeat thrumming through your pulse and the breaths you take to continue singing. A symphony of sound to reassure him you’re alright. You’re alright.

---

Tag List:

@hypopxia @flsalazar @beverlybeav @angelofthorr @emiemiemiii @marina-and-the-memes @aurasyn @furblrwurblr @cappsikle @mjmygd @thegirlsadventuresinwonderland @kindadolly @bloopthebat @pandimoostuff @chesb0red @black-star1472 @sessils @olitheghostboy-blog @puppyg1rl666 @maruichio @cyber-dump-171 @katharynmarie @twinkliker3000 @cherifrog @catching-fire-in-the-wind @phantoms-fandom-blog @thespectacularspaceace @lynnlovesthestars

[baldursyourgate]

Minthara Lore Masterpost

Just putting things in one post so I could come back to it later I guess.

Name: Minthara Baenre - Min/Ran - lesser, minor, second. thara/tar - glyph, marker, rune -> drow name meaning post

Age: estimated born sometime in late 11XX or early 12XX, referred herself to be young when Viconia DeVir was exiled from house DeVir, which occur sometime before 1297 when house DeVir fell. The events of Baldur's Gate 3 take place in the year 1492 -> Estimated she's around at least 200 and no more than 300 years old.

Lineage: Noble of house Baenre, mother unknown. Mentions that mother is alive and remarked "If the world were to end, I think my mother would survive to rule over the ruins.". Speculations ->

Early days: Survived an assassination attempt as a baby. Own mother tried to kill her when she came of age. Expectation of greatness was put on by others since birth. Trained to be a soldier in Lolth's service - while most noble houses seems to largely employ male soldiers, house Baenre has many elite female soldiers/fighters. Lived a life of many luxuries and dangers.

Events that she (could have) witnessed when she was still living in Menzoberranzan: the exile of Viconia DeVir (canon) (happens sometime before 1297 - the fall of House DeVir after Matron Ginafae aided a deep gnome and lost Lolth's favour, destroyed by the Do'Urden), matron Yvonnel Baenre's reign and her death (1358), matron Triel Baenre's reign and her death (1383), matron Quenthel Baenre's reign (1383).

Sos'Umptu Baenre became the current Matron Mother as of the end of Lolth's Warrior, third book from "The Way of the Drow" trilogy. The exact year was not stated, but it happen sometime after 1490 stated in the first book of the trilogy, so the timeline narrows down a little more... The events of BG3 take place in 1492, so she possibly could have been there when Sos'Umptu became matron. Or had missed the entire thing, which could potentially be very hilarious if she went back.

Siblings: unknown, mentioned that her own sibling would've slain her if she set foot back to Menzo, so she must've had at least one. If her name is any indicator (Min means lesser/second), might be a second child.

Relationship: complicated relationship with her own mother. Recognises her mother's abuse, but begrudgingly respect and admire her still - the woman taught her how to survive the ruthless, unforgiving life in Menzoberranzan. Nevertheless, Minthara wants a matricide.

First romantic relationship was with a high priestess of house Vandree. Poisoned her when was ordered to do so, but stayed and "whispered words of comfort as she slipped away". Does not like wizards.

Feel free to add more in the reblogs or replies, I'll update the post when new info comes up!

[dez78]

You can't run

---------------------------------

Fandom: Baldur's Gate 3

Pairings: Astarion x Fem!SorceressReader

Warnings: Violence, Blood, Angst, Death. Happy ending.

Summary: You do whatever it takes to protect the one you love and so does he.

A/N: I'm pretty sure I wasn't lore friendly, I just had an idea and decided to have fun with it, please don't leave any negative comments about this being un-lore friendly. I was just having fun. Enjoy!

------------------------------------------------------

'When you love something, you protect it with your entire life at any cost, and right now, your guts telling you to do that very thing.'

---------------------------------------------------------------------

The battle with Cazador raged on, his prowess was relentless. You struggled as did your companions. Astarion was being held captive and you did whatever it took to protect him.

Even if that meant putting yourself in front of death itself.

"You stupid girl! Astarion is mine!" Cazador spat at you as he blasted powerful spells at you, you dodged effortlessly.

"You have no power here!" Cazador wailed, his crimson eyes glowing with the power of the devil.

"Then you were foolish and have underestimated me!" You cried boldly.

"Underestimated? Silly girl, love will not save Astarion. Nothing can!" Cazador mocked you. You were furious and your eyes flashed red. Your nostrils flared.

"He isn't yours to torment! " You screeched,

"And I will not stop until I get him back! Until he's safe in my arms!" You wailed; your companions watched as your hands illuminated in a powerful magic.

"GIVE ME MY HUSBAND!" Your voice was not your own as you screamed at the top of your lungs. Your whole body glowing with the weave, your eyes bright orbs.

You pushed your hands out in front of yourself and the magic within you came out in a wave of thunderous light. The shockwave was devastating. The stone floor undid itself from the impact, your companions and Cazador flew back. The pillars the spawn were held, crumbled from the impact and crashed to the floor.

----------------------------------------------------------

When you came to, you saw the disaster you had created. You ran through the wreckage and was able to get Astarion, you grabbed his hand, raising him to his feet. He embraced you tightly.

"You stupid, girl!" Cazador wailed as he stood up, you looked up angrily. You stood between him and Astarion. You would do anything to protect the one you loved. Anything.

"If you want him, then you have to go through me first." You growled, Cazador rolled his eyes and held up his hand.

"So be it." He replied as he made a fist. You made the most horrible sound Astarion has ever heard, the sound of pure agony. You held your chest, you felt like your organs were being crushed.

You fell to the ground incapacitated.

"Y/N!" Astarion wailed with despair as he knelt by you, your companions rushed over to you.

Cazador limbed away, holding his broken rips. He needed healing sleep. Astarion's face held something his companions had never seen. His eyes glowed bright and darkened at the same time.

His face twitched with fury as he watched Cazador disappear into his coffin.

"You do not get to take her from me. You can take my life, but you cannot take HERS!" Astarion was full of rage as he stood, his companions looked up. Shadowheart healed you.

Astarion paraded towards the coffin, he pushed the heavy stone away, then he grabbed Cazador,

"No healing sleep for you, WAKE UP!" Astarion bellowed as he threw Cazador onto the floor.

"You pathetic child, how dare you! Your stupid bitch ruined the ritual already. It will take me months to rebuild this room!" Cazador spat. Astarion's face was rage filled, he snapped his hand forward and slapped his old master across the face.

"How dare you speak ill of my wife." He snarled.

"For a moment, I wanted to be just like you, but I realized I could be so much more. I envied you, but now. I want nothing more than to see your corpse beneath my feet." Astarion said as he grabbed Cazador's hair and snapped his head back.

"I'm above you, I'm so much more than what you made me." He said as he grabbed the dagger,

"But I'm not above enjoying this." He said turning the knife, before he strikes, he whispered to his old master.

"Give the devil my regards."

Then Astarion stabbed Cazador repeatedly. The years of torment, abuse, and the pain of his wife's near death came all out at once in one raging moment.

The companions stood back watching the scene play out, Cazador's blood splattered onto Astarion's body and face. The boy screamed as he finally got the revenge he desired after two hundred years.

Astarion finally let go of Cazador and he fell to the floor, his blood gushing from his chest, pooling on the floor. Astarion went to his knees, letting out short, guttural cries.

-------------------------------------------------------------

You finally came to, but you were barely conscious.

"Hey, soldier." Karlach smiled softly, Shadowheart sighed in relief. You looked around with hazy vision. You saw Astarion kneeling in Cazador's blood as the vampire laid lifeless.

"What happened?" You asked groggily.

"The bastard crushed your insides." Wyll growled.

"But Astarion put an end to him!" Karlach said proudly.

"We thought we lost you for good." Gale said, knitting his eyebrows together in concern.

"I've never seen Astarion that angry. He truly loves you Y/N. You sacrificed your life to save him, and he avenged you." Shadowheart said shakily.

"Avenged me?" You questioned, Shadowheart sighed.

"Your heart did stop, but I managed to revive you before the gods claimed your soul." She explained. You were taken aback. You looked back at Astarion, he was still kneeling, his head hung low. You couldn't imagine what he was feeling.

You stood and stumbled, but Gale caught you before you fell. He carefully led you over while the other companions followed in tow.

"My star?" You said, Astarion looked up when he heard your voice,

"You're alive!" He wailed. You saw the wave of relief wash over his face, replacing the grief. He stood and embraced you tightly, you winced.

"Be careful, fangs." Karlach warned him, Astarion pulled back, but still held your shoulders.

"You're okay." He breathed as he pet your face, tears racing down his face. You smiled weakly, still in pain.

"I'm okay, sweetheart." You told him.

"Don't you ever leave me again!" Astarion barked, you chuckled slightly.

"That? Pfft, it'll take more than crushing my organs to keep me away from you, babe." You joked teasingly with a playful smile. Astarion couldn't help the huge smile that made home on his face.

"You found the strength to kill him?" You said, nodding towards Cazador who was lying dead at his feet. Astarion's jaw flexed, he was making a face you didn't recognize.

"I wasn't about to let that bastard walk free after what he did to you. He wasn't going to get away from me, nobody hurts my love and lives to tell the tale. They can't run or hide from me." Astarion explained, his eyes started to glow as they became a darker shade.

Now you knew what Shadowheart was talking about. You gently put your hand to his face, bringing him out of his trance.

"I love you." You said with a smile, Astarion stretched his lips into his own smile. That beautiful one you loved so much. The one that put the glint in his eyes.

"I love you too, darling." Astarion replied as he embraced you, you returned it. The two of you stood there for a long time, not wanting to let each other go. Ever again.