[Once he knows the embrace won't completely shatter Gale, Astarion clings to him with everything he has. His hands twist in the fabric of Gale's shabby robe, not caring for how he might be worsening the tears that Orin's already put into the garment. He'll buy Gale a new one. He'll sew it back up for him. All that matters is that Gale is safe.]
You ought to be. You can't—you promised me forever. For all of our days. I won't have you breaking that promise on account of some addle-brained changeling. You can't leave me like that, you can't.
[His breath is labored, too fast and heavy, but it's Gale's scent that he's inhaling, it's Gale's pulse he feels against his skin. The familiar astringent tang of Gale's blood is on the air and somehow it's the most comforting thing Astarion's ever felt.]
no subject
You ought to be. You can't—you promised me forever. For all of our days. I won't have you breaking that promise on account of some addle-brained changeling. You can't leave me like that, you can't.
[His breath is labored, too fast and heavy, but it's Gale's scent that he's inhaling, it's Gale's pulse he feels against his skin. The familiar astringent tang of Gale's blood is on the air and somehow it's the most comforting thing Astarion's ever felt.]