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lendeah · 9 months

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After the Weave 4.

series masterlist

Summary: Following the Duke's murder, Elara and Astarion find themselves detained by the Flaming Fists and interrogated by detective Valeria. Somehow, they are forced to spend a pleasant evening in the barracks' basement, and the outcome is far from what they anticipated.

Pairing: Astarion x OFC!Tav, past Gale x OFC!Tav

Tags: Angst, Drinking to Cope, References to Depression, Eventual Fluff, Eventual Smut, Emotional Baggage, Unresolved Emotional Tension, Post-Break Up, Tav finds herself again with Astarion, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD.

Word count: 5.2k

"How come every time there is a series of murders, it's always you guys around?" Valeria asks, their pipe perched as always.

The Basilisk Gate Barracks are filled to the brim, with every fist trying to talk down the nobles assembled there. Most of them are still in formal attire, adding to the chaos of the situation. Meanwhile, Blaze Elin, a gruff woman with a thick scar running down her cheek, stands at the front of the room, trying to maintain some semblance of order. She had called all of the Flaming Fists in for an emergency meeting, and now they stand tensely, waiting for her orders.

"We have no idea who is behind these murders," she barks, voice booming through the barracks. "But I can assure you, we are working tirelessly to solve this case. I urge you all to share any information you may have so that we can bring justice to the Duke's murder. And then you can go home and rest easy knowing we are doing everything in our power to protect Baldur's Gate." Her eyes scan the room, daring anyone to go against her judgment.

Valeria flies around the room, their eyes narrowed skeptically. "That's what they always say," they spat lowly, their words like venom.

Astarion is slumped in his chair, his white hair falling across his face as he rolls his eyes dramatically. "Must we linger in this dull abode any longer? We have divulged everything we know," he complains, casting a side glance at the detective.

We both knew that was a lie, of course. We hadn't told Valeria about the spawn under the city. Or the ones in the Underdark, for that matter. It was too risky to spread the word about their existence.

But Valeria wasn't easily fooled. They perch on top of a bookshelf, piercing gaze fixed on us. "I know you're hiding something," they state matter-of-factly.

Astarion scoffs. "And what makes you think that?"

Valeria tilts their head to the side, their pipe still clenched between their teeth. "How about your sudden return to Baldur's Gate socialite? Your involvement in an apparent "charity hospital for children"? And let's not forget your companion here, which you have suddenly reunited with after months." They gestured towards me with a wingtip.

I can feel my stomach knotting with anxiety, but Astarion just laughs, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh please, detective, I'm flattered that you find my life so interesting. But I assure you, the only thing I am involved in is solving this terrible murder case."

Valeria raised an eyebrow skeptically, as they calmly blew a puff of smoke.

"Is that so? Then tell me, why does every corpse we are finding present bite marks? Vampire bite marks?"

My heart skips a beat at Valeria's accusation. I know they are onto us. Astarion, however, remains once again unfazed. He leans forward in his chair, his lips curling into a sly smile. "My dear detective, are you implying I am the culprit just because I'm a vampire?"

Valeria's expression remained unreadable, their pipe still clenched between their teeth. "I'm not ruling out any possibilities," they replied evenly.

Astarion chuckles, leaning back in his chair with a casual shrug. "Well then, I suppose anyone could be the culprit."

Valeria's eyes narrow at his nonchalant attitude. "You seem awfully calm for someone who is being accused of killing multiple people," they state, their tone laced with suspicion.

Astarion's smile falters for a moment before he regains his composure. "My dear detective, I assure you, I am not responsible for these murders. Do you have any evidence to suggest otherwise?" He crosses his arms over his chest defiantly. "And in this case, the simplest explanation is that there is a vampire on the loose, preying on unsuspecting victims. Just because I am a civilized vampire, doesn't mean every of my kind is." he ends with another casual shrug. Gods, he is good.

I take a sharp breath and blurt out. "You know, this could be considered vampire discrimination!"

Valeria raises a skeptical eyebrow at my outburst. "Vampire discrimination? I highly doubt that, Miss. Not when we have solid evidence pointing towards a vampire as the suspect."

I clamp my mouth shut, realizing that I may have just made things worse. Astarion gives me a warning look before turning his attention back to Valeria.

"Forgive her, detective. As you know, she tends to let her emotions get the best of her," he says with false charm.

Valeria seems to consider this for a moment before speaking again. "Then why would this vampire target specific people? The past victims were normally lower class, but the Duke and his family were well-protected and respected individuals."

Astarion shrugs again. "Perhaps it was just a simple case of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Just like we were."

I can see Valeria nod reluctantly at Astarion's words, but their eyes continued to bore into us with suspicion.

"Well then, if you come across any information or leads from your kind, be sure to inform me," they say sternly before standing up from their perch on the bookshelf. "I trust you, but I will be keeping a close eye on the both of you."

We both nod solemnly and finally get up to head out. At this point, only a handful of nobles are left to be interviewed. Among them is Lady Saphira, her elegant dress sparkling in the dim light. When she catches sight of us, her painted lips curl into a warm smile and she waves us over eagerly.

Regrettably, just as we are about to exit the building, I catch a glimpse of the first rays of sunlight peeking over the horizon. The soft orange and pink hues cast a warm glow over the city, signaling the start of a new day. I look at Astarion with a grimace, knowing this means we are unable to walk outside. The elf lets out a heavy sigh, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of cover.

"Well, well, it appears we'll have to find some shelter until nightfall," he mutters.

I nod in agreement, my mind already racing with thoughts on where we could go. And then I realize: we are in the Barracks. I look to the corner of the room, where the door to a small staircase lies hidden out of sight.

"Maybe we could rest in my old basement until then?" I ask.

Astarion turns to me with a raised eyebrow. "Your basement? Well, I suppose it's better than wandering out in the open..." he says with a hint of skepticism.

However, as I lead him to the door, I notice a guard is currently standing in front of it, and he would surely notice if we were to go down. During my time here, the Barracks were often pretty empty, so I didn't worry about the Fists finding out I was using their basement as my home.

I try to call the magic to my hands to cast an invisibility enchantment, but it is so rusty from months of no use that barely a few sparks appear.

Astarion, noticing my thoughts, places a hand on my arm and smiles. "Darling, you can just ask me to cause a distraction."

I raise an eyebrow, intrigued by the mischievous glint in his eyes. "And just what kind of distraction are we talking about?" I ask.

Astarion smirks, his charming smile reaching his eyes. With a flick of his wrist, Astarion reaches into his cloak and retrieves a small vial filled with a shimmering liquid. He holds it up to the light, the liquid sparkling like stardust. "This," he says, waving the vial playfully, "is a little something I acquired during our time apart. It's an enchantment potion that can cause illusions. But not just normal illusions, big illusions. Trust me, it'll be quite the spectacle."

I nod, dubious of the effectiveness of said potion. "Alright then, show me what you've got."

He smirks, and gets closer to my ear to whisper, "¿Ready to run?"

Without another word, Astarion forcefully throws the vial to the other side of the room where it explodes in a thousand shards. I watch in amazement as an image of a huge ogre appears in the corner of the room, letting out a deafening roar.

Panic erupts among both the soldiers and nobles as they scramble to either arm themselves and prepare for battle or run away. The Fist in front of the door immediately runs to help in the chaos, leaving the door unguarded. The image of the ogre is so realistic that even I start to panic for a moment, but then Astarion's hand grabs mine and pulls me towards the stairs. As we run, my ball gown gets caught on one of the tables, causing me to stumble and almost fall. But Astarion quickly catches me and effortlessly detaches my dress from the table.

"Come on, we need to move fast," he urges, his grip tightening on my hand.

I nod and we continue our escape. Soon, we reach the small door, and it takes all my strength to open it since I haven't used it in so long. Finally, with a loud creak, it swings open revealing a dimly lit staircase that goes down into the basement. I quickly urge him forward and close the door behind us, making sure to lock it. The sound of chaos from above fades as we hurry down the stairs into the darkness. I can feel Astarion's hand gripping mine tightly, guiding me through the narrow staircase.

As we reach the end, I see another door, this one larger and made of metal. It has a large lock on it, but before I even remember where I left the key, Astarion quickly takes out a set of lockpicks and skillfully picks the lock. The door opens with a soft creak, revealing a small underground room, barely lit from a small window to the street. Astarion collapses onto a nearby chair with a grin on his face.

"Well, that was exhilarating," he says with a laugh, catching his breath.

I take a deep breath and let out a sigh of relief as I sink down onto another chair beside Astarion. My hands shake as I begin to remove the layers of my ball gown, leaving only the outer scarlet texture that falls freely over my feet. Astarion watches me with amusement in his eyes as I struggle with the intricately designed dress. Finally, I manage to pull it off and throw it onto the floor, feeling suddenly free from its suffocating hold.

"I can't believe you had an enchantment potion on you," I say.

Astarion shrugs nonchalantly. "What can I say? I like to be prepared for any situation."

I chuckle and then take a look at my surroundings.

As I take in the room, my chest constricts. Despite it only being two weeks since I last stood here, it feels like a lifetime has passed. The room is dirtier and more somber than I remembered. A small bed sits in one corner, with a tiny window near the roof as its sole source of light. Two old chairs and a table, coupled with an old sofa, make up the rest of the barren furnishings. Empty bottles of alcohol litter the floor, along with many plates of half-eaten food. Oh, and it absolutely stinks.

I can't help but feel ashamed of Astarion's presence; I don't want him to see this place. Don't want him to realize how low I fell before he took me in.

Astarion takes note of my discomfort and raises an eyebrow. "Is everything alright, love?" he asks, concern coloring his voice.

I force a smile and shrug it off. "It's just...I didn't think it had gotten this bad," I say, trying to brush it off casually.

Astarion's eyebrows furrow in concern as he takes in the state of my basement. "What do you mean?" he asks softly.

I sigh and avoid his gaze. "I hadn't been taking care of myself properly since... since Gale left," I admit with a hint of sorrow in my voice.

Astarion's expression softens and with a tenderness that surprises me, he takes my hand in his and gives it a gentle squeeze.

"I'm sorry, Elara," he says, sincerity lacing his words. "I didn't mean to leave you alone for so long."

I shake my head, feeling a touch of guilt for bringing up the subject. "It's not your fault, Astarion. I'm sure you had your own reasons for leaving," I say, trying to reassure him.

Astarion nods, but I can see the guilt still lingering in his eyes. He stands up and starts looking around the room, "Let's clean this place up a bit, shall we?" he says with a grin, picking up empty bottles and plates.

I can't help but laugh at his sudden enthusiasm for cleaning.

"Oh, you? Engaged in the noble art of cleaning? I am astonished."

Astarion gives me a mock offended look. "Why yes, my dear, I am capable of more than just thievery and seduction," he retorts with a smirk.

I laugh again and join him in cleaning up the mess. Together, we spend the next hour tidying up the basement. It's a surprisingly cathartic experience, feels as if we are washing away the memories of my past struggles together.

When we finish cleaning, Astarion looks around with satisfaction. "Much better," he says with a smile.

I look around as well and feel a weight lift off my shoulders. The room is no longer dark and depressing; although still austere, it feels a bit more cozy and welcoming now.

"Thank you," I say sincerely to Astarion.

Just when I am prepared to sit on the makeshift sofa, I notice a stray bottle hiding between the wall and the bed. Curiosity getting the best of me, I reach for it and realize it's still full.

"I really spent five months drowning my sorrows in ale. What a brilliant strategy, right?" I say, reaching it with a heavy sigh.

I sit defeatedly back on the sofa. Astarion looks at the bottle in my hand, deep in thought. After a moment, he turns to me with a determined expression.

"Why don't we make a different kind of toast?" he suggests, his voice filled with genuine warmth.

I raise an eyebrow in confusion. "What do you mean?" I ask.

Astarion settles beside me on the plush sofa, grabbing the last bottle of ale. "Let's share this final bottle, closing the chapter as it began," he suggests with a wistful smile. "And then let us make a promise to each other – to move forward as one."

I look at Astarion in surprise, not sure what to make of his sudden declaration. But something in his eyes tells me that he is being genuine, and I can't help but feel touched by his words.

I nod slowly, and Astarion opens the bottle with ease "To new beginnings," Astarion says, raising the bottle in a toast, and gulps with a grimace. "Gods, this ale is awful."

I chuckle and take a sip myself. The drink is strong and bitter, but I find myself enjoying it more than I thought I would. We sit in comfortable quietness for a few moments, passing the bottle back and forth.

"I can't believe the Duke is dead..." I say, breaking the silence. "Wyll..."

Astarion nods, his expression grim. "Yes, and he won't have a clue unless he graces us with his presence again."

I let out a sigh, running a hand through my hair in frustration. "I wish there was a way to contact them."

Astarion leans back against the sofa, taking another swig from the bottle of ale. "It seems we are also very screwed," he says bluntly."No noble will want to help a vampire now, even with a charming hero by my side."

I roll my eyes at his choice of words, but can't deny the truth in them. I bite my lip. "And now everyone will hate you even more," I murmur.

"I'm used to it by now, that is the least of my worries," Astarion shrugs nonchalantly."The problem is the Underdark spawn. We can't keep covering to sustain them if the nobles don't pay us."

Astarion takes another swig of the ale, his expression troubled despite trying to conceal it. I can't help but admire his genuine dedication to the well-being of the spawn.

"You're right, but we can't just let them starve," I say, thinking of the innocent children that were turned into spawns by Cazador.

Astarion nods in agreement. "We'll have to come up with a solution soon or else things will only get worse."

I take a deep breath and try to think of a plan. "Perhaps we could find the culprit spawn? That way, instead of being labeled as monsters, the nobles might see us as saviors in the end. Plus, you know, prevent further harm to innocent lives."

Astarion looks at me with a smirk. "Ah, always the hero. But finding the spawn? That's a risky move, my dear. They're not exactly known for their civility or cooperation. Much less yours or mine."

I raise an eyebrow at Astarion's comment. "I never said it would be easy, but it could be worth a try. We can't just sit here and do nothing while they go around killing more innocents."

Astarion nods slowly and then gives me a sly smile. "Well, looks like we'll have to go on a little hunt. We'll most certainly find them, but we must tread lightly and play our cards just right."

"I agree," I say with determination. "We can start tomorrow and see what we can find out."

A heavy silence settles between us, the warmth of the ale slowly creeping into my mind. Suddenly, I feel emboldened by the alcohol and ask the question that has been nagging at me for months: "What did you do during all that time we were apart?"

Astarion looks at me with surprise before a small smirk forms on his face. "Oh, just the usual. Drinking, gambling, and charming my way into the beds of highborn virgins."

I raise an eyebrow at him and he chuckles. "Just kidding, of course. Well, mostly kidding."

I roll my eyes at Astarion's flippant response. After what I saw at the party, I am more than sure that he has indeed been visiting a lot of bedchambers. The thought, for some reason, doesn't sit well with me.

"Seriously though, what did you do?" I press on, trying to distract my thoughts. We are so close our arms are touching, sending pleasant shivers down my spine.

"As much as I wish to boast about how I was far off better than you... I cannot" He sighs. "Hiding in the shadows once again took a toll on me, and I fear it may have shattered me completely. I never thought I would have to resort to such methods again. It was like reliving a nightmare."

Astarion takes another swig of ale before continuing. "I spent most of my time huddled in my bedchambers. My appetite disappeared, along with any sense of purpose or thought. All I could do was lay there, consumed by my own despair."

His raw confession tugs at my heart, causing it to clench painfully. My mind struggles to process this new side of Astarion - so unlike the guarded and closed-off man I thought I knew. It's almost as if he's a completely different person now, changed by the events of these past few months. Or perhaps, his sudden honesty is simply a result of the alcohol loosening his inhibitions.

I find myself reaching out to gently place my hand over his in comfort. He just looks to the wall, as if his mind is elsewhere, and keeps talking. "I was utterly alone. Everyone else had found their own happily ever after - Lae'zel fulfilling her duties to her people, Shadowheart finding her true calling, Wyll and Karlach, you know, at least they were together. And then there was you and Gale..." He looks over at me with an unreadable expression before turning his gaze back to the wall. "I couldn't help but feel envious of all of you. It seemed like everyone had moved on except for me."

I take a deep breath, his thoughts resonating so deep within me, reminding me of my own struggles back when I was alone and trying to help everyone. "I understand what you mean," I say softly, squeezing his hand lightly. "I've been there too, feeling like everyone has moved on and left me behind."

Astarion shrugs, a bitter smile on his face. "It's not their fault. It's just... hard being alone after so long. It reminded me too much of my old life."

I nod, "I can imagine how hard it must have been for you," I reply sincerely.

"Surviving wasn't easy, but I managed." He says with a hint of amusement, "Dalyria found me cowering in the bedroom after a month and gave me quite the scolding. But then she helped me dust off my pride and put me back on my feet. She knew we needed all hands on deck to deal with the spawn, and apparently, I was deemed the most capable." With a shrug, he sums it up, "And that's how it went."

His final words are a bit slurred as if the alcohol is getting to him too. I grasp his hand tightly, not wanting to let go even as the world around us spins. His skin is cold against mine and I can feel the tremble in his fingers.

"Well, we're not alone anymore. We're together." I whisper, my words also a bit slurred.

Astarion looks at me with surprise before a small smile forms on his face. "Together," he repeats, his voice muddled, before pulling back and taking another swig of the bottle. My gaze follows the movement as his strong hand grips the bottle, his soft lips enveloping the tip, his translucent eyelashes fluttering shut in pleasure. My mind reels as I watch his throat move while he gulps, and for some reason, my drunken haze makes me ache with desire for him.

His red eyes connect with mine, and I can feel myself getting flustered under his intense gaze, caught in the act.

A faint smirk appears on his lips as he takes another swig of ale. "Do you like what you see?" he teases, and his voice is now low and husky.

I have the urge to look away, a blush creeping onto my cheeks. But instead, I reply emboldened by the alcohol, "Maybe."

Astarion's eyes widen in surprise, and a mischievous grin spreads across his face. He leans closer, his breath fanning against my ear. "Well, isn't that interesting," he whispers, his voice dripping with playful suggestion. "Perhaps we should explore this newfound curiosity of yours."

My heart skips a beat as his words hang in the air, my mind buzzing with a mixture of desire and confusion. A part of me wants to push him away, to remind myself that this is just the alcohol talking, but another part of me yearns to indulge in this intoxicating connection we share. It's been so long since I've felt this desire, this need. So long since I've been touched.

Summoning up the courage, I lean in closer to his ear, our knees now touching.

"Do you like what you see?" I manage to say, my voice barely above a whisper. From this close, I can admire the small moles dotting his cheek, and fight the urge to trace them with my fingertip.

Astarion chuckles softly and pulls back slightly, his red eyes locking onto mine. His lips curl into a mischievous smile as he places his free hand on my thigh. His touch sends an electric jolt through my body, igniting a fire within me. "Who are you and what have you done to my dear Elara?" he asks teasingly.

Our faces are now mere inches apart, our bodies pressed against each other.

"Do you like what you see?" I repeat, surprised at how low and sultry my voice comes out.

Astarion leans in closer, his nose barely brushing mine. "I do," he replies, his voice filled with desire. "Who could resist such a stunning creature?"

The tension between us is palpable as Astarion's hand continues to trail up my thigh, his touch igniting a burning desire within me even through the thick fabric of my dress. I don't know if he is pretending anymore, my head is swimming, my thoughts clouded by the alcohol and his touch. I know he can hear my heartbeat, his pupils expanded to the point where there is no crimson in them. He licks his lips, briefly showing his fangs, and I can't help but shiver, my body remembering the way they felt on my neck.

Without fully realizing what I'm doing, I take my trembling hand to his neck, touching the bite mark there softly, and caress my way to the base of his throat. My fingers tremble as I tug on the strings of Astarion's black shirt, feeling the smooth fabric open to reveal his sculpted chest. The dim sunset light from the basement window casts a golden glow over him, accentuating his every muscle and curve. He looks like a creature carved out of marble, perfect in every way.

Astarion watches me with intense eyes as I trace my fingers down his chest, feeling the softness of his skin under my touch. His breath hitches slightly and he leans in closer, his lips brushing against mine, sending a shiver down my spine. I can feel his hunger for me radiating off of him, and it only fuels my desire.

"How long has it been?" Astarion's hand goes up and cups my cheek gently, his thumb stroking my skin softly "How long has it been since someone touched you?"

I take a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions raging within me. "It's been a while," I admit, feeling vulnerable and exposed under his intense stare.

A small smile tugs at the corners of Astarion's lips as he leans in closer once more. Our lips brush lightly again, sending all kinds of electric feelings along my skin. "You are drunk," he whispers.

And then, he pulls back completely, retrieving his hand. A wave of disappointment washes over me and I can't help but whine at the lack of contact.

"B-but I want to," I say, my words almost gibberish.

He just shakes his head and gets up to get even further away, allowing me to see I wasn't the only one affected by our exchange.

"You will regret it tomorrow." He adds, "If you still want to when you sober up, I will more than oblige."

The room suddenly feels cold and empty with Astarion away from me. I can't help but feel disappointed, my desire still burning strong within my veins.

"I won't regret it," I say with determination, but my words are slightly slurred from the alcohol. "I want you."

Astarion's eyes darken with desire as he looks at me, but he shakes his head again. "Oh darling, you are clearly drunk," he repeats, "And a whiny, obnoxious one at that."

I pout, feeling rejected and frustrated. Why won't he just give in to our mutual desire? Is it really because I'm drunk? Or maybe because he thinks I'm not good enough for him? Is this even his true self, or is he simply pretending to be flirty as usual?

"Can we please go home now, precious little crybaby?" he drawled with a smirk, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

My pout deepens as I watch Astarion head towards the door. "Fine," I mutter, standing up and swaying slightly as the alcohol starts to hit me harder.

Astarion's teasing grin transforms into a devilish chuckle as he observes my unsteady steps. "Oh, darling, is this your attempt at seduction?" he quips with a wink. "I won't fall for it, but I'll gladly watch you stumble."

But then he comes to stand beside me and with his firm grip, he assists me in walking up the stairs once more. The barracks lay eerily quiet and devoid of life in the cover of night, the moon casting an eerie shadow over our movements. As we walk through the empty hall, Astarion's arm finds its way around my waist for support, and my mind is still consumed by thoughts of our previous interaction. The alcohol in my system makes me more aware of his touch and the way his body presses against mine.

Before leaving the place, Astarion turns to face me with a mischievous grin on his face. "Now, shall we finish our little promise?" he asks in a low voice.

I can feel my cheeks heating up at his words and I nod eagerly. I hold out my hand "I promise to move forward from this place. And from Gale. And from the ale."

Astarion raises an eyebrow at my wobbly words, but he takes my hand in his and gives it a firm shake. "Together," he says with a smirk, his grip surprisingly steady despite the amount of alcohol we've consumed. How is he not drunk? He drank more than me!

As we make our way back to the Palace, Astarion keeps his arm around me, guiding me through the now-dark streets of Baldur's Gate. Despite the alcohol clouding my senses, I can't help but feel safe and protected by his presence, and I unconsciously lean into his touch. As we reach the metal gates of the Palace, I am starting to sober up, and he finally releases his grip on me and opens the door.

"Well," Astarion says, leaning against the door frame with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "That was certainly an interesting day."

I roll my eyes at his comment, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and frustration. It's bad enough that I made a fool of myself in front of Astarion, but now he's going to tease me about it too?

"Can we just forget about it?" I mumble, trying to brush off the embarrassing events of the evening.

A cunning smirk spreads across Astarion's face as he gazes at me. "Oh, don't worry darling," he drawls. "I will most definitely forget." but his words drip with sarcasm.

I roll my eyes at Astarion's teasing comment, but I can't deny the small flicker of disappointment at the thought of him forgetting about our drunken encounter. Despite trying to push those memories away, they keep resurfacing in my mind. The way Astarion's fingers had felt against my skin, the desire burning between us... I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts.

Astarion leads me inside and we have barely taken two steps when two figures appear in front of us.

"Are you two drunk?"

Astarion and I freeze in our tracks as Shadowheart and Lae'zel stand before us, their arms crossed and disapproval etched on their faces. My heart stops at the sight of the two women.

I straighten myself, attempting to regain some semblance of composure. I can feel my face flushing with embarrassment, desperately wishing for the ground to open up and swallow me whole. Astarion, ever the smooth-talker, steps forward with a sly grin.

"My two favorite companions!" he replies, feigning innocence. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit to my modest property?"

Shadowheart and Lae'zel exchange a doubtful glance before turning their attention back to Astarion.

"We've been waiting here the entire day for the both of you," Shadowheart says, her tone serious. "We heard the Duke died, and it's clear you two were entangled in the mess somehow."

Lae'zel finally speaks up, her voice cold and commanding. "We are here to deal with the wreckage you left behind."

Tag List - @astarioffsimpmain, @amazingnerd, @ayselluna

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idontplaytrack · 11 days

Note

Could I request a part 2 of your most recent amber appleton x reader fic? maybe where reader takes care of amber during her recovery after the birth and them adjusting to being new parents

Hard to Concentrate

Amber Appleton x fem! reader

Warnings: mentions to blood & bodily fluids, some coarse language, fluff

Basically the request :)

After forty-eight hours, Amber was discharged from hospital and the three of you were on your own. It was terrifying having to keep both of them safe. So fucking terrifying. While you drove, Amber sits in the back with the baby in the car seat.

You kept looking in the rear view mirror to make sure they were okay.

Amber caught you watching, and said, “We’re perfect back here, honey. Don’t worry.”

You smiled brightly, “Okay. I know, I just— I can’t believe it. She’s ours.”

“I believe it.” She chuckles, leaning over to watch the sleeping baby.

Alethea Elin — her first name was decided by you and Amber, her middle name was Amber’s mother’s.

“She looks like a mix of us both.” Amber continues.

“Are you kidding? That’s all you.” You bit back a laugh, keeping your eyes on the road.

“Do I need to remind you both our DNA was in there?” Amber teased quietly.

“She looks more like you though, and thank god because could you imagine if she looked more like me after you’d carried her for what— 38 weeks?”

“Well.” Amber hums, “That wouldn’t change anything. She’s still our baby.”

Your heart flutters hearing her say those words, a bright smile forming on your face as you snuck a glance at her with Thea. Amber’s decided to hold her for a bit. You two still had about thirty minutes until home, anyway.

“You feeling okay? Any pain?”

“It’s still fine, the meds haven’t worn off yet.” She smiled a little.

“Okay.” You answered, voice barely above a whisper. You were cautious, you didn’t want to wake up the peacefully sleeping baby.

Fortunately, the drive back home went by without a single problem. You took Thea from Amber and set her down in the cot, Amber followed right behind you. You then led her to your shared bedroom and sat down with her. “Maybe we could let Ricky know that he can drop Sammy back off now that we’re back.”

“Sure, baby.” You cupped her cheek, gazing into her eyes with a smile on your face.

Right, Sammy. He was a golden retriever you and Amber adopted about a year after Bobby passed. Sammy was two, and the sweetest little guy ever.

You got your phone out and gave Ricky a text, to which he very promptly responded.

“I’ve missed him.”

“I know.” You pecked her cheek. “Do you want to take a nap?”

“I’m okay, I think maybe I just want to read, or cuddle with you?” Amber took your hand slowly, linking your fingers together and smoothing her thumb over your knuckles, “You’ve been with me through every step of the way but I miss the little things like cuddling. It just felt weird to do that in a hospital setting— so tense, so sterile.”

You nod, giving her hand a squeeze. Then you got up and sat yourself down at the head of the bed with her. You still had to help her move around— especially with the standing up after she sat down. You were so careful, terrified of doing something that might hurt her even though you knew that was impossible because you were just cuddling with her. Still, you were careful. So careful, Amber laughed. “You know I’m okay, right? I’m not made of glass, darling.”

“I know, I’m sorry— I just— it’s honestly a little terrifying watching what you went through and you’re walking around like that didn’t just happen to you a little over two days ago.” You stuttered, “You are so damn amazing.”

Amber smiled back at you, a smile that made your heart happy. One that reminded you of your teen years. Shit, after all these years…such a mundane thing she does reminds you of something. There was a glimmer of that in her expression, but the more you looked at her, the more you noticed some more things…how mature the both of you had become, that little scar on top of her eyebrow that she got from an oil splatter trying to cook you your favourite dish for an anniversary dinner, her freckles…how they multiplied somewhat over time. But most importantly, the love. The love in her eyes was so apparent day after day. Amber was the personification of love, and comfort. She was the love of your life, and it was always clear that you were hers.

Now, both your love have grown, you were going to be raising a daughter together and it was going to be hard, it was going to be scary at times, but yet you knew you three will be okay.

“We have about 40 minutes before she starts fussing and crying again.” Amber pointed out.

“Are you sore or anything?”

“Mm, no. They feel fine, it’s the cramps that make me want to curl up in a ball and cry.” She admits, “So I’m glad they gave me the meds to help when it gets bad. But other than that, everything else seems as expected.”

“That’s good.” Your arm around her tightens, you press a kiss to the side of her head, “Do you want something to drink?”

“Babe.” She warned, “I’m gonna need you to take a breath because you have been running around like chicken without its head, doing everything. Rest your mind, rest your feet. I’m good, let’s just enjoy the peace while it lasts for now. Before I feed Aletha, I’ll get myself something to drink. I got it.”

“Alright.” You gave in, because she was right, you’ve been on edge and helping with whatever you could.

You sat with Amber while she fed Aletha, just watching them both. You could watch them all day and not get tired, though you were, honestly. It’s barely been a day and you have already gotten a taste of that sweet, sweet sleep deprivation.

“I’m gonna go get started on dinner, okay?”

“Oh, sure.” Amber nodded, face scrunching up a little in discomfort. You watched her for a few seconds, “You good?”

“Yep.” She nods, “Just felt a little uncomfortable for a moment. I’m good, I swear. She’s got no teeth yet.”

You chuckled, “Alright, Ams. If you say so.”

You cooked up a couple of steaks with avocado and sweet potatoes. You knew how Amber disliked the bland hospital food. Besides, the iron would be good for her recovery too.

You were still finishing up in the kitchen when Amber appeared next to you. “Hi, love.” She smooches your cheek, “Wow, that seems delicious.”

“I knew you were sick of all that bland hospital food, so…steak and veggies for dinner.” You grinned.

“Lovely.”

“Oh, um— Ricky said he’ll pop by after dinner with Sammy.”

Amber gasped softly, “Yay.”

Dinner was calm, quiet…everything you needed it to be after the understandably chaotic environment that was the hospital. You were finally calm again, your mind no longer racing like it was. “How about a movie after?”

“Oh, yes please.”

————

2:15. You heard Amber get up at 2:15 in the morning to feed Alethea. And you were then up too, truth be told, you’ve been drifting in and out of sleep since the two of you turned in at about 10pm. You were scared you wouldn’t wake up when Thea cried, you didn’t want to let her cry it out, you wanted to hold her. “Go back to sleep.” Amber notices that you were awake too.

“You’re up, so I’m up.”

“I’ll only be up for awhile.” She continued quietly. You refused to go back to sleep but didn’t say anything. You watch her carry Thea out of the cot and then she sits down on an armchair on the other side of the bed.

“Baby, go back to bed, please.”

“I’ll be okay.” You answered with a shrug.

She left it at that, not wanting to squabble over this. But she appreciates the company. You could see it in her eyes. After about half an hour, Amber burps the baby and set her back down to sleep. “Have some water before you go back to sleep.” You hand her a cup. “Thanks.” She mutters, taking it from you as you sat down in your spot. Soon, you and Amber drifted back to sleep until this cycle repeats itself several times since feedings had to be every two to three hours.

Both of you started your days officially at around eight. You got Sammy to eat then got started on making breakfast while she was in the bedroom feeding Thea. Nothing fancy for breakfast since you wanted it done quick— you were tired as well. Probably the most tired you’ve been since college where you had to stay up to revise. You knew Amber must’ve been feeling the same, if not more tired than you were. Her body was still recuperating from the birth, while you, having only accompanied her, were already feeling like you were becoming like a zombie.

“All good?” You ask when you felt Amber behind you.

“Yup.” She presses a kiss to your shoulder blade. “Need any help?”

“It’s fine.” You said with a smile, “Almost done.”

Plating the scrambled eggs and ham, the slices of bread popped up from the toaster right around the same time. Amber helps you put those slices of toast onto a separate plate anyway, then put two more slices into the toaster— even though you said you didn’t need help. “Thank you.” You kissed her on the lips sweetly after placing the ConningWare plate on the dining table.

“No problem.” She smiles into the kiss, then kisses you back. “Tea?”

“Sounds good.” You gave in and let her make the drinks, she’d just help out anyway.

Ever since getting home from the hospital, the time you and Amber had alone together were reduced to pockets of two or three hours at a time, which was a lot lesser than either of you were used to, given how much had to be done even during then. While you had to make sure everything in the house was spick and span, you also had to make sure all was okay with Alethea. And Amber. There was some things to look out for, to make sure she didn’t get herself in the hospital again.

Breakfast was as quiet as dinner was last night, barely any conversation, just each other’s company. “I’m gonna pump after this so we have some milk in the freezer just in case.”

You nodded, “That’d be good. Then you can nap more often and I’ll still be able to feed her.”

Amber gives you a crooked little smile as she continues eating the remainder of her food. Right as she picked up her mug and brought it to her lips, Alethea burst out crying, startling the both of you. Her cries seriously rang through the whole place. “I got her, it’s okay. You sit down.” You promised, “Ams, relax.”

She doesn’t really react, or respond. Again, she was tired so she was a little unlike her usual self. You brisk-walked into the bedroom and cradled the baby in your arms, bouncing her lightly as you cooed and shushed her quietly.

“Hey, precious.” You admired her features, “Hey, it’s okay. It’s okay, mommy’s right here.”

Her crying stops at your voice, she fusses a little before her eyes opened up to look at you. “That’s my girl.” You smiled, stroking her cheek with your pinkie. As your hand moved away, her tiny one grabbed onto your finger and refused to let go.

“Aw, I guess you don’t like being alone, do you?” You chuckled over your words. “Does that mean you won’t let me go back to breakfast without you?” Thea just stared at you, not a clue what you were even saying— obviously.

You lowered her back into the cot and she started to fuss. Biting back a sigh and a laugh, you stood back up and she stopped fussing. “Guess you’re coming with me.” You returned to the dining room slowly, Amber saw you holding Thea. “Why are you still holding onto her?”

“She didn’t want me to put her back down.” You let out an exhale in amusement. “I tried to put her back and she immediately started to fuss.”

“That’s cute.” She noticed the tiny hand gripping into your finger.

“Yeah, she doesn’t want to be alone.” You wriggled your hand a little, then your hand underneath her, rubs her back soothingly.

“Do you want me to feed you?” She offers, laughing at how you said that the baby didn’t want to be alone.

“No, it’s—” You squinted at her, “You’re gonna do it anyway, aren��t you?”

“Well I could try holding her while you finish this half of your meal. But she clearly wants you right now.” Amber had a cheeky smile on her face, “Besides, I get to have a little fun doing what I like to do anyway.”

“You like to feed me?” You gasped softly, playing along.

“You only ever let me do that when you’re sick and I love doing things for you,” Amber grabs your fork, laid a slice of ham and some of the scrambled egg onto a slice of toast, “So, just let me. It’s nothing compared to what this girl’s going to eat.”

You shrug, glancing at Thea before Amber held the toast to your lips. You took a careful bite, not wanting the food to fall on Thea. Amber chuckles, “I gotta admit it feels quite strange when she latches on and eats.”

“I bet.” You quirked a brow.

“Gonna need some getting used to. But at least it’s going well, she’s feeding well.”

You nodded, “That’s great, I’m relieved you’re not having any discomfort or pain.”

“You know what really freaks me out?” She continued.

“What?”

“Going to the bathroom after that area felt like nearly got ripped front to back.” She cringed. You do the same. You could only imagine just how uncomfortable and even painful that could be. You saw everything that went down— being in the bathroom with her was no exception. She needed some help getting to the bathroom at first, and a couple of things to make actually going to the bathroom less irritating for her lower half.

“Okay now I really gotta pee.” You gave her a sheepish smile as you took another bite of the toast. She puts it down and took Alethea from you so you could go do your business. By the weekend, you and Amber have successfully got into a momentum that worked. Sleep was getting better, so you two were way more energised. Ty, Ricky and Jordan even finally came by to visit now that you two had the things under control. Donna very kindly prepared like, twenty frozen meals for you and Amber that Ricky brought over. “Oh, my god. Ricky, please thank your mom for me, this will be so helpful.” Amber gasped, reaching out to take one of the bags. You swiftly swooped in and took them both from Ricky before going to the freezer to unload them, “Thanks, Ricky.”

“Oh, no worries. My mom had a lot of fun in the kitchen making all those different recipes.” Ricky replied, then crouched down to pet Sammy who’d just walked by his feet.

Your friends all got a chance to hold Thea, but not before they’d properly washed and sanitized their hands. That evening, Ty made dinner for everyone— allowing Amber and yourself a much needed break and to catch up with your friends.

“She’s the cutest baby I’ve ever seen.” Jordan remarked, “I mean really, I haven’t seen a lot of newborns that actually look cute, they always come out looking a little like a tiny grumpy old person— you guys have seen my baby sister.”

“Jordan!” Amber chided in a whisper.

“It’s a compliment.” Jordan chortled, “Take it. I love my sister, I love babies. I’m just saying, Thea’s the cutest one I’ve come across.”

“Has the sleep deprivation caught up yet?”

“Oh, yeah.” You laughed, pinching your temple. “But we’re figuring it out.”

“Yeah, well, you two look good. So I trust you guys are sleeping enough?”

“Uh, sure.” Amber chuckles, rubbing your back, “I think she’s been more worried than I’ve been lately.”

You sulked, “Can you blame me though?”

“I get it.” She replied, “And I appreciate it because you’re so attentive. But we’re in this together.”

You nodded, softly responding, “I know.”

“And, you have us to help you out. We’re pretty good babysitters if you ever need one for some alone time.” Jordan quipped.

Amber giggles, “We will keep you all in mind. But seriously— thanks so much for coming over and spending some time with us. It’s been great, we missed you guys and even though it’s honestly for me, it’s been hard to concentrate on the conversation because I’m always just making sure I don’t leave the baby crying— I know this apartment is not that big and I can definitely hear her, I’m just a little bit nervous I suppose.”

“Nerves are valid.” Ricky says, “It’s both your first time being parents, and you guys are doing everything you can and doing your best. You need to know that. And remember it. If you need help with anything, we’re always gonna be there to support you guys.”

Amber sniffles, easily getting emotional since her hormones were going to take some time to get back to normal. “I know. You guys tell me and y/n that all the time and we appreciate it so, so much. Some moments I just wish that my mom was here to meet Thea, spend time with her or help us with her. But instead, the pregnancy felt lonely for a little bit, because we were on our own technically. But then once you guys knew, we had you guys being the most supportive bunch and I just— cannot believe how much easier you’ve made it for us.”

“We’re like family now, you won’t be able to get rid of us anytime soon.”

🏷️Tag list:

@ashecampos @auliisflower @cheesysoup-arlo @frogs00 @ludoesartandstuff @pda128

#auli’i cravalho #amber appleton #all together now netflix #Netflix movie #alternative universe #fanfiction #wlw fanfiction #fluff #domestic fluff #gxg #wlw #reader insert #x reader #reader imagine #queer fiction #lgbtqia #anon requested #thanks anon #part 2/2

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