🔮 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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[sangwhine]

[Astarion frowns, reaching out to hold Gale's hands in his.]

You are who I want, Gale Dekarios. If anyone wonders otherwise, I'll gladly correct their mistaken assumptions.

[mystracal]

[Astarion is so insistent with his decision — and it is his decision — that Gale can't help but laugh, a quiet chuckle bubbling in his chest and rattling from his throat as a realization hits him.]

A world's worth of wizardly intellect, and I'm still a fool. I tried to give you all the agency in the world this evening, only to doubt it when it came to the most important choice of all: who you want to be with. It might feel a little licentious, but I should consider myself the luckiest man alive to even have your attention... to know who you are.

[He brings Astarion's hands to his lips, kissing them tenderly. That touch means so much to him.]

Forgive me.

[sangwhine]

[Astarion lets out a sigh, curling his hands in Gale's to cup the wizards face between them.]

I won't hold this against you, dearest. Not unless you make a habit of it.

[He holds Gale's gaze a moment longer, some inscrutable thought flickering behind his eyes before he turns away.]

Though I'm sorry to say you might have left the mood dead and buried. It doesn't feel right anymore.

[mystracal]

[Gale nods in agreement.]

And I promised you I would accept it - no matter the reason. I'm a fool - your fool, mind you - but I am also a wizard of my word. There will be other times.

[He collects his shirt and slips it back over his head, hiding the soft glow of the orb in his chest once more.]

[sangwhine]

[His fool, hm? Gods, but Gale is such a fool sometimes. Astarion shakes his head, running his hand through Gale's hair.]

Gale, dearest. I never asked for you to put your shirt back on.

[mystracal]

[He pauses, his arm barely in the sleeve.]

What, you'd like to look at this all night?

[Yes, that is a soft chest with a circular scar and a bit more hair than he's comfortable with, thanks for looking.]

[sangwhine]

I would, yes. I'd like to lay my head on it as I rest.

[mystracal]

[W e l l]

Of course.

[How silly of him to question. How stupid. How utterly asinine. Gods, the way Astarion makes him smile and feel more confident about his self-worth is astounding. Over his neck the shirt goes for a third time, tossed aside as he fluffs the cushions behind him, then reclines.]

Only the finest pillow for the future vampire lord.

[sangwhine]

[So much wizard knowledge in that brain there's no room for anything else. Astarion looks down at Gale, very clearly appreciating the view before he leans closer for a kiss.]

You do spoil me.

[He doesn't let it linger, moving to curl against Gale's side, his head pillowed against his chest.]

You know, even if we didn't continue. I was still glad for what we did have. It felt...right.

[mystracal]

[Even the briefest kiss will carry Gale far, the sensation of Astarion's lips on his leaving his heart just a little lighter. He wraps his arm around Astarion's back, folding his other arm across his middle as he settles in.]

I wonder what contributed? The safety of this well-fortified tent? The deeply romantic atmosphere of pillows and books? The thought that you'll soon be getting your revenge? Or, perhaps more likely, a combination thereof?

[He's halfway teasing; whatever the reason, he sounds happy to help Astarion feel more in control of his life, of his choices.]

[sangwhine]

[This is comfortable. This is nice. Astarion reaches for the hand at Gale's stomach, threading their fingers together as he stretches out to tangle their legs together. He feels safe here, being held by Gale, listening to the steady beat of his heart.]

The thought of making a goddess envious was very appealing. As well as perhaps trying to do better than her at loving you.

[mystracal]

[Gale clasps Astarion's hand readily, adjusting his legs to help weave them together. As close as he is, Astarion can no doubt hear the gentle hum of the orb in his chest - sated and calm, for now.]

You make me feel as though I'm worth something in this world, just as I am. You're already doing far better than she ever could.

[sangwhine]

[The orb is definitely an added bonus. It's not often your partner has pure arcane power just beneath the skin.]

Now don't get too saccharine on me. I was talking about sucking your cook.

[mystracal]

[And now Astarion gets to hear just how that laughter rumbles in Gale's chest before it emerges from his lips. Never change, Astarion.]

I'm not one to kiss and tell, but gods find pleasure in very different ways from those of us in the mortal realm. I don't think it's too much of an assumption that you'd have been far better than her at that, too.

[sangwhine]

I will be, dearest, not would have been.

[He shifts to nuzzle under Gale's ear, nipping at his skin.]

[mystracal]

Will be, then.

[His heart jumps a bit at that nip. Just a little pain for his pleasure.]

Were you ever interested, I could show you how the gods bond through the Weave. It's an experience unlike any other, I assure you.

[sangwhine]

How does it compare to the carnal pleasures of our material plane?

[mystracal]

[A beat.]

It's... been some time since I experienced mortal intimacy. I barely know where to start with a comparison.

[He's not bitter about that so much as embarrassed to admit it, especially given how worked up he was earlier.]

But it is phenomenal. With the Weave, you leave your bodies behind, entwining your very souls. Your senses are heightened, and you experience pleasure not just with your partner, but through them, within them. Anything you can imagine, you can feel and become, all while bathed in its embrace.

[sangwhine]

[Astarion pauses as well before answering.]

Although I'd like to, that may take more time, dearest. I do worry about what entwining my soul might expose.

[mystracal]

Are you afraid of what I might see in there?

[He says that teasingly, but knows there might be a nugget of truth in it.]

[sangwhine]

Obviously. Or what might happen to you should it remind me of a darker time.

[mystracal]

I can take care of myself in the Weave, I assure you. And you, no matter what you may face there. We would face it together.

[He runs his hand along Astarion's back in a gentle, comforting circle.]

But another time, certainly. The offer will stand whenever you are ready.

[sangwhine]

[Astarion gives a quiet hum, rubbing his thumb over Gale's hand.]

Another time, yes. I would like that. We won't limit ourselves in the pleasures we'll share together.

[mystracal]

There will be plenty of time to discover what methods will serve us both well. For now, admittedly, I'm just enjoying having you near.

[Oh dear, maybe he shouldn't have mentioned the Weave, because that takes his mind back to the one who oversees it, who commands all magic.]

Stay the night, won't you?

[sangwhine]

I was planning on it, yes. I did enjoy my conversation with sleeping Gale.