mystracal | 🔮 exsanguinated (with @sangwhine)

[Though he has plenty of time to walk off the tension and uncertainty brought about by his harrowing nightmare, Gale still finds his mind wandering as they make their way through the streets. He's grateful they darted into the alleyways immediately, avoiding the main roads - he was sure he'd feel nauseous if they stepped anywhere near the Stormshore Tabernacle. However, it's hard to stay anxious when on a brisk trek through the Lower City in the cool air of the night.

His eyes started on the Fists and the Watch, peeled for any sign of danger, but as they journey further into the walls of Baldur's Gate, Gale finds himself... enjoying it. The way they dart from the shadows to avoid the eyes of the night patrols, the thrill that comes from a close call - there's something undeniably romantic about sneaking hand-in-hand through the streets in the early hours of the morning, well before the dawn. It feels like something out of a book, the sort of fairy tales Wyll would enjoy, though Gale never quite pictured himself having the experience.

Alone together in the bathhouse, Gale has hardly started disrobing, getting to work once he realizes Astarion is already out of his clothes. Off his shirt goes for hopefully the last time tonight.]

Absolutely preferable. Saves me the trouble - and the magic.

No more magic tonight, dearest. At least none of the arcane sort.

[It's not until this moment, when there's finally a chance to catch his breath, to take in his surroundings, that the strange deja vu of the situation strikes Astarion fully. While the Stones weren't the sort of place he frequented, like any other place in the city, they're known to him through his dalliances and hunting at the behest of Cazador. Sometimes prey would need to be loosened up before he could lure them further into the city, back to his master's lair. He rarely hunted so far afield, so the memories are hazier.

Having Gale here with him is different. There's no worry about whether or not he'll be successful before dawn touches the sky. No need to contemplate escaping into the sewers to avoid the sunlight if he overstayed his welcome. The realization strikes him as he takes in the pale skin of the wizard before him, the faint glow of the orb in his chest. Whatever unconscious desire for Gale it was that guided him here, it was at least in part driven by a need to reclaim the space, to make it his own. No longer a hunting grounds, but fertile ground for something new to grow.

A warmth suffuses through his chest at the thought, his smile softening as he waits for Gale to prepare himself. Tonight, they'll make a new memory for these walls to hold, a better one.]

[Gale slides out of the rest of his clothes, putting on his robe after his shirt so he has some modesty when removing his pants and undergarments - it's not done on purpose so much as out of habit. The room itself is inviting, the soft glow of the lights and the nearby steam leaving the area awash in a warm haze.

It's not nearly so warm as the smile on Astarion's face, though. It catches Gale's eye, and he can't help but grin in return.]

After you.

Come along, dearest.

[Astarion links his arm around Gale's, resting a hand on his forearm as he leads them both through the building to a small tucked away room that he opens with the key he was given. Inside is a small, square bath, steam rising from the surface. Tiled steps lead down into the water with a ledge that runs the perimeter of the bath, clearly meant to be used for sitting. A bench and table sit to the side, the latter holding a tray of various oils, soaps, and the like.

Astarion takes in a deep breath of the hazy air before he turns to Gale.]

What do you think?

[He doesn't wait for a reply before circling behind Gale, putting both hands to his shoulders, pushing the robe down over his flushed skin.]

[As he's taking in the room itself, Gale feels the robe slip from his shoulders; his ears burn from the anticipation. It's nothing Astarion hasn't seen before, he reminds himself - nothing he hadn't intended to see earlier in the evening, before Gale so thoroughly killed the mood.

... and there's nothing he won't see eventually. He likes that thought.]

I'm not sure what I imagined when you suggested a bathhouse, but it was nothing this lavish.

[He half-turns, giving Astarion a smile.]

But I should have suspected. You are a man of refined taste, after all.

I do appreciate the finer things in life.

[He leans down, dropping a kiss to the crook of Gale's neck where it meets the line of his shoulder, just below one of the blossoming bruises that he left there earlier tonight.]

Yourself included.

[He continues to trail kisses across Gale's skin, his hands smoothing over his arms as he pushes the hem of the robe until it cascades gently to the floor. There's a heat in him, a desire. He loves this man, he's loved by him. Astarion wants nothing more than to show Gale just how much the wizard means to him.]

[The robe falls, and Gale feels an almost unexpected calm wash over him as Astarion continues to explore his skin, pressing kisses into his shoulder; his neck arches away to give him room. In that moment, there is no Mystra, no crown, no gods or goddesses - it's just the two of them in a universe of their own, one of their making. He feels safe there, steadier than he's felt in years, the earlier ordeal with the orb nearly forgotten.

He turns to fully face the man allowing him to feel that way, letting his own hands slide beneath his robe - they come to rest on Astarion's hips, where they give a gentle tug to pull him closer.]

And so you have me - all of me. My body, my mind, my heart. There are no masters or gods here. They belong only to you.

[Astarion steps in without hesitation. He gives a careful roll of his shoulders, letting the robe fall down about his waist, pooling over Gale's hands. His hands find Gale's face, framing it gently, his gaze softened as he meets Gale's eyes.]

And I intend on loving all of you. Body, mind, heart. I want to make you sing with pleasure, dearest.

[Dearest. Gods, that pet name alone makes his heart sing.

He leans forward, pressing a gentle kiss to Astarion's lips. Despite the desire welling in his chest, it's a soft, restrained embrace, followed by a second: both are colored by an irrepressible grin. Astarion is practically bare before him, but Gale can hardly take his eyes off his face, his crimson eyes, the soft curls of his hair, the way his skin creases unevenly as he smiles.]

You are a sight, Astarion. You truly are.

[He lets Astarion's robe fall the rest of the way, clasping his hand to lead him to the bath.]

Let's make ourselves comfortable, shall we?

Oh yes, let's.

[Astarion surely makes a unique sight in the steam of the bathhouse, his cheeks flushed darker than usual, his normally perfectly styled hair damp and sticking to his skin. But he still doesn't miss a beat. He kicks his robe off and away with a flourish before following Gale down into the bath. The ledges set into the sides of the pool are the perfect height so that he can sink down into the warm water to sit, his body submerged up to his chest. Just as soon as he sits, he turns to spread his hand up Gale's arm until he cups the back of the wizard's neck, drawing him into a warm and wanting kiss.]

[Gale lets Astarion pull him in, utterly entranced. The heat from the water seeps deep into his muscles, relaxing him, but it's the warmth from his chest and the cool touch at the back of his neck that leaves him wanting more. He folds one leg under him while the other hangs off the side of the ledge, settling as close as he can without outright climbing onto Astarion's lap - though the temptation is absolutely there.

He deepens the kiss, fighting his earlier hunger as it comes clawing back, eager for more; his hand beneath the water finds Astarion's thigh crawls up it, his fingers getting halfway before they slide higher.

Seemingly stricken with second thoughts, he pulls away just long enough to mutter:]

Tell me if I need to stop. Promise you'll tell me.

[Gale's touch thrills him so much more than he expected. He wasn't sure how it would be, having Gale express interest in him. Yet Gale's touches have been so rare, so fleeting, that it means more to Astarion than simple lust and desire. It's a true and honest want. He reaches for Gale's hip without a thought, giving a gentle squeeze before tugging lightly, drawing Gale even closer. When Gale pulls away, Astarion chases his lips, murmuring against them in a heated whisper.]

I promise. But don't you dare stop until then.

[He leans in to emphasize the point with another kiss, matching the hunger he felt in Gale before.]

[Gale barely manages to nod before Astarion is on him again, their lips meeting, heat rising as his pulse quickens. One hand traces Astarion's jaw, keeping him close; the other beneath the water trails higher, his fingers brushing against the vampire's shaft tentatively, teasingly.

The orb glows softly between them, no with the threatening light of before, but in excitement, its illumination hazy in the rising steam.]

[Astarion gives a soft gasp against Gale's mouth, curling his fingers tighter in the hair at the nape of Gale's neck. He's not yet fully aroused, but the touch does stir him. His hand drags to the small of Gale's back, nails digging in to soft flesh. After a moment's thought he presses harder, all but pulling Gale into his lap.]

[The hint of pain at his back draws Gale closer; he chuckles softly, barely above a whisper as he revels in feeling wanted, needed.

He takes that pull as an invitation, slipping one leg around Astarion's side along the ledge, the other folding over the vampire's thigh. Their cocks brush one another at their proximity, neither fully erect - not yet.

Sliding his hand between them, Gale starts working Astarion, his fingers tightening around the delicate skin of his shaft as he gives it a series of encouraging strokes.]

[Astarion breaks the kiss with a gasp, letting his head fall back against the edge of the tub. His hand drags up along Gale's spine, restlessly wanting. He rolls his hips up into Gale's touch, hardening under the attention, at the deft touch of the wizard's hand. And here he thought he was going to be the one taking the lead.]

Gods, Gale.

[Gale shivers as Astarion says his name, his spine arcing as Astarion claws against it, but does not slow in his ministrations. If anything, it just makes him work harder, his thumb dancing playfully over the head of his partner's cock.]

If I cannot express through Weave or words how you make me feel, then let me show you through service. Through devotion.

[He presses a kiss to Astarion's collarbone, another to his neck.]

[Astarion laughs, a breathless, heady sound. He turns his neck to offer more to Gale, well and fully fucking into the tight circle of his hand now. When he answers, his voice is half a moan, delighted and intoxicated.]

I think you did quite well with words before.

[His hand at Gale's spine draws down to the cleft of his ass, his palm smoothing over the curve of it so he can get a nice handful to squeeze]

But I promised--to make you sing.

I can stop anytime you want, my love. You only need say the word.

[But until then, he lets Astarion grope him along his backside, continuing his own journey up his neck with hot, eager kisses. He is deft for a mage, maneuvering his hand to grab his own erection, caressing them both in tandem.]

["My love," oh. That sends a shudder running down Astarion's spine that has nothing to do with Gale's hands or mouth on him. He reaches down with his free hand, closing his fingers over Gale's as he strokes. Gale isn't the only one with a deft hand here.]

I did want to taste you--ah, to see how unfortunately indiscreet you can be.

[Gale's hand tightens as Astarion's closes on it, his breath hitching as he starts to lose himself in sensation. He presses his forehead to Astarion's shoulder, his other hand sliding along his back, feeling the scars that lie there.]

We'll have to, ah. Maneuver a bit for that. And this feels so good at the moment, being right here.

It does feel very good.

[He gives a soft squeeze of his hand to emphasize the point.]

But tell me, dearest, is this all you want? Rutting into our hands until we burst like some desperate youths? I could--mmnh--I could give you so, so much more.

[Gale has to compose himself after that squeeze, and it gives him just long enough to reflect on Astarion's words. As eager as he is to please his partner - and that has always been Gale's prerogative when it comes to intimacy - he realizes that Astarion is itching to take control. Moreover, it's important he be allowed to do so.

Gale nods, releasing them, a smile on his lips as he slides away, one hand trailing to those bruises on his neck.]

All right, then. [He finds himself almost lost in those eyes again - gods, Astarion is beautiful, the barest amount of color dusting his pale face, his hair looser, heavier from the steam.] I'm yours, however you'll have me.

However I'll have you, hm?

[In the water it's easy to shift their positions, to reverse them so it's Gale pressed against the edge of the tub rather than Astarion. Astarion takes a moment to observe him, to take in the glow in his chest, the flush of his cheeks, the hazy outline of his body obscured beneath the water. He gives a grin, the tip of one fang pressing seductively into his lower lip.]

Well. I have always wanted to try this.

[Without any additional preamble, he ducks down beneath the surface of the water. His hands anchor to Gale's hips as he lowers himself to run his tongue and lips over the head of Gale's cock, mouthing at it before he sinks lower, taking him all in.]

[And here Gale thought he might sit on the edge of the bath, just above the ledge to make things convenient for Astarion - but no, he surprises Gale instead by ducking right under the water. The wizard can't help but laugh at his candor, a smile splitting across his face as the blurry shape of Astarion closes in on him—

Oh. That laughter dies right in his throat as Astarion grips his hips, replaced by a choked, needy whine as he's hit all at once by the sensation of the vampire's mouth teasing his cock. Gale's already erect from the earlier stroking, the skin hot and sensitive - he has to lean back, his hands barely catching the outer ledge of the bath to hold him steady.]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject