🔮 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

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[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.

[sangwhine]

[It thrills Astarion more than he thought it would to hear that. He drags his tongue over Gale's skin, tasting him just briefly before he latches his lips to the skin, starting to work a mark into his neck.]

[mystracal]

[Gale leans into Astarion, his pulse quickening as he catches his skin. His hand weaves through Astarion's curls as he leans further into the pillows, pulling the vampire with him. His tug is gentle - he won't keep Astarion there any longer than comfortable.

But as for Gale, he's very comfortable at the moment, his teeth finding his lower lip.]

[sangwhine]

[Astarion goes easily, settling more firmly against Gale--between his legs--as his mouth does its work. For as much as the thought of this had turned his stomach earlier, it's different now. There's defiance in this, a challenge to Mystra's power over Gale, revenge for the way she treated him before. His hand finds Gale's hip, settling over it with a squeeze as he finishes his first mark, lifting his lips from Gale's neck only to drag them a fraction lower and begin again.]

[mystracal]

[As Astarion settles against him, Gale's thighs spread just a little wider to accommodate. He exhales as Astarion moves lower on his neck, his body shuddering as he pulls in another breath.]

Gods.

[He finds that while Astarion works, Mystra never crosses his mind, nor the thought of how and why he's so good at this - he only revels in their closeness, in the feeling of his partner against him.]

[sangwhine]

[Astarion gives a soft groan in answer. In this position, he wants to feed, to simply prick his teeth against Gale's neck and drink him in, but the need to mind his fangs, to hold himself back just that hairsbreadth only serves to heighten the moment. He can feel himself rousing from it. His hands suddenly feel restless, moving up over Gale's sides then back down, finding the hem of his tunic and slipping under it.]

[mystracal]

[Astarion's hands are cold against the warmth of Gale's skin, but he doesn't pull away; his hand slips up Astarion's back, his fingers curling against the fabric of his fine shirt. He can feel the heat from his face spreading down his neck to where Astarion works his skin, leaving plenty of evidence for Mystra to see.

But as much as he's enjoying it, he forces himself to feel a moment of calm, to keep his head clear. Even as he relaxes, he remains attentive to Astarion's agency, knowing it's of utmost importance.]

Are you- comfortable with this?

[sangwhine]

[Astarion pulls away to answer. He looks up to meet Gale's gaze, taking a moment for the words to sink in. Is he comfortable? His tongue darts out over his lips, chasing the heat from Gale's skin. There's no twist in his stomach, no bile at the back of his throat. He gives a nod, his thumbs running against Gale's sides.]

I am. For now.

Should I need to halt this, you would accept it?

[mystracal]

[Gale gives Astarion a smile; it's soft, reassuring rather than laced with the hunger that obviously courses through the rest of his body.]

Of course. I promise you, whatever you need - I will accept. I would never be satisfied were you to suffer on my account.