🔮 exsanguinated (with @sangwhine)

[mystracal]

tfln | invitations | and there was only one bed | undermountain alurlyath | what could be | blood bond | the price of freedom
it wore his face | dinner with morena dekarios | rediscovery

Comments

[mystracal]

[Gale gestures dismissively with his free hand.]

It won't, I assure you. You needn't—

[He cuts himself off, Astarion's claim giving him a sudden moment of clarity, painting that earlier touch to his thigh in a far less flattering light. His expression softens, colored with unease as he casts Astarion a concerned look.]

You needn't have thrown yourself at me, but the fact that you felt you had to just to get my attention is a testament to how distracted I've been. It's unbecoming of me as a friend, and certainly as a partner - as your partner... no matter how good my intentions in the end. Here—

[He releases Astarion's hand and picks up the book, taking it with him across the tent. He sets it on the table, tossing a spare tunic atop it for good measure, hiding its presence entirely. With that, he returns to Astarion's side, offering him an apologetic smile.]

There. You have my full attention, I promise.

[sangwhine]

[It's a complicated series of thoughts that run through Astarion's face once Gale's back turns on him. First, the fact that Gale saw straight through him, that he understood the meaning veiled behind Astarion's words. Second, that he sought to correct it without a moment's hesitation. It's what Astarion wanted, in the end, but what he hadn't been able to admit, to put to words properly.

By the time Gale turns back to him, there's a gentle, lopsided smile on Astarion's face. He holds both hands out towards Gale, beckoning him closer.]

Come here, my dearest.

[mystracal]

[Ah, there's the approval he so desperately wanted. It helps Gale know he's back on the right path. His head feels that much clearer - the book is out of sight, and thus out of mind, relatively speaking.

He takes Astarion's hands, settling next to him.]

You know, I like the sound of that. Dearest.

[sangwhine]

[Astarion pulls him closer, kissing each hand in turn before he releases one to cup Gale's cheek, his thumb brushing along the line of his jaw.]

There's no one else I could think of who would claim the title. Even in the moments when you make me wonder how a man so well read can't seem to read a mark to save his life. You are still my dearest Gale.

[mystracal]

I read books, not people. I'll leave the latter to you.

[He leans into Astarion's hand; from the feel of it, he's been keeping his beard more maintained than usual, right down to the oil.]

You're the only one I need to understand. And more importantly, keep my promises to.

[sangwhine]

I've been quite pleasantly surprised at how well you understand me.

[He does notice that change, it makes running his fingers along Gale's beard a much more pleasant experience.]

[mystracal]

[Gods, he loves that feeling.]

I'm sure the others would, were you to let them in. To help them understand.

[sangwhine]

They a charmingly empathetic group when you stumble through their various fortifications, aren't they? But we were talking about you.

[mystracal]

And you were talking about Aylin, and your fears.

[sangwhine]

[They were talking about that, weren't they? Astarion lets his hand trail down to Gale's chest, his palm pressing lightly over his heart, the orb.]

It hasn't quite grown to a fear yet, only an unease. A discomfort.

[He pauses, looking down at his hand to gather his thoughts.]

What if I kill him, take his power, and nothing changes? What if I still don't know how to give you what I want to give you?

[mystracal]

[Gale feels the orb thrum in his chest, as though reaching out to Astarion; its pulse is still distinct from his heartbeat.]

And what is it you want to give me? What is it you could offer my heart that you don't already provide?

[sangwhine]

Don't play dense, Gale.

[His fingers dig in slightly before he forces them to relax, smoothing his hand against the fabric of Gale's robes.]

I want to be able to please you. To lie with you, without hating myself for it once we're done.

[mystracal]

[Yes, he had a feeling that might be what Astarion was getting at, but the confirmation still makes his ears red.]

I would like that, to be perfectly honest.

[He puts a hand on Astarion's at his chest.]

But this relationship - it's not about what you can offer me. It's not a vampire lord with whom I've been terribly, dreadfully smitten, after all. If nothing changes, then nothing changes, and we move forward from there. Find a new plan. We don't give up.

[sangwhine]

[Astarion gives a bit of a huff, resting his forehead against Gale's shoulder]

Even if that vampire lord has power beyond all reckoning? Beyond what we can even imagine? You would still be smitten with merely a vampire spawn?

[mystracal]

That kind of power would be tempting to see, but so long as that vampire lord is still the same spawn, deep down, I don't care what he calls himself.

[He presses a gentle kiss to the side of Astarion's head before resting against it.]

It's not the promise of power that drew me to him.

[sangwhine]

More's the pity. A man should never be ashamed to be lured by the promise of power.

[There's a faintly lighthearted tone to his words, no weight behind them. He's at least finally found some levity in the conversation. Perhaps more than that, even, as he shifts to wrap both arms around Gale's waist, settling in close.]

I could say the same. Even if I would love to see you in a crown, it was simply Gale, with no promise godlike power, who stirred my heart.

[mystracal]

And here I thought Shale might've had something to do with it.

[He tries to match Astarion's tone, but in pulling him close, he's reminded just how much he relishes the affirmation he gets from his partner - and how it stills the lingering doubts in his heart.]

I've only just realized how much I needed you here tonight. Not just to take my mind off the book, but off the morning. Off Mystra.

[They had no sooner instated Rolan as head of the tower before Elminster caught them outside, informing him that she wanted to speak to him at long last. She knew what they'd done; she knew what they'd found.]

[sangwhine]

Gods, I'd entirely forgotten that little wrinkle to our tale.

[He pulls back just enough to look Gale in the eye, brows furrowed with his lips drawn into a tight frown.]

She's not allowed to tell you to take your life again. I won't allow it. If she so much as tries, I'm having words with her.

Hells, it's an insult that she even thinks you'd answer to her beck and call after what she's asked of you. She should feel blessed that you would even deign to grace her with your presence.

[Astarion is deeply unafraid to be a catty bitch to Gale's ex, even if she is a goddess.]

[mystracal]

[Someone needs to be a catty bitch to Gale's ex to his face, because the others tend to shy away from it, save for Karlach. Gale seems surprised when Astarion pulls back, their eyes meeting - and despite his prickly attitude, the wizard can't help but smile.]

This is a conversation that needs to happen. I shouldn't be surprised she wants to speak to me now, given what that crown could do to her.

[There's no excitement in his voice at the moment; only an undercurrent of unease.]

I'll need your strength tomorrow, if you'll come with me. Just to the Tabernacle. You needn't even step inside, if you don't wish.

[sangwhine]

[At least Astarion's unease has momentarily abated. He cups Gale's cheek in his hand, reassuring.]

I'll be with you as far as you'll have me go, darling. Should I leave a mark on you? To make her jealous.

[mystracal]

[He laughs quietly, air pushed from his nose.]

I'm not sure she can even feel such things.

[sangwhine]

There's one way to find out for sure.

[He traces a thumb over Gale's pulse, just above the collar of his robes.]

[mystracal]

[He reddens, his pulse picking up just a hair.]

You know I always endeavor to satisfy my curiosity.

[That's very distinctly not a no. He arches his neck with Astarion's touch.]

[sangwhine]

I thought you might want that.

[Astarion leans in, gently kissing at Gale's neck with just a hint of teeth. He's giving Gale a chance to pull away before he really gets to work.]

[mystracal]

[Gale keeps his hands on Astarion, one wrapped around his waist; he runs the other along his partner's cheek, threading his fingers into his silver locks. He breathes deeply, nodding.]

Let Mystra know. Let her see.