mystracal | 🔮 exsanguinated (with @sangwhine)

No sense in it at all, no. Especially as what's mine seems to have become yours as of late.

[The familiarity of the moment, their usual back and forth strikes Astarion for how much it contrasts to the beginning of the evening, to when Gale first arrived. He quiets a moment, taking Gale's hands in his properly, turning to face him.]

I hope you understand what it means to me, everything that you've done. You have given me a gift. One I hope to never forget. Thank you, Gale.

[Gale gives Astarion's hands a squeeze as he takes them, his smile widening to touch his eyes.]

And what gift is that, Astarion?

[He suspects he knows, but he wants to hear it, for it to be all the more real in his heart.]

All that you have done to help me find myself again. Not to mention the love that you've shown me, the faith and trust that you've put in me.

[He tugs at Gale's hands to draw him closer, reaching up to cup his cheek again, tracing his thumb over the flush on Gale's skin.]

And the gift that is you, Gale of Waterdeep.

[Beneath Astarion's gentle touch, Gale burns brightly, the orb etched into his skin illuminated with a soft glow as his heart sings in his chest.]

Dekarios. If it's all right with you, I think I'd rather be Gale Dekarios, a man who loves you very much, who you convinced could be enough just as himself.

[He kisses the hand still in his grasp atop the knuckles.]

Gale Dekarios, then.

[Astarion pulls Gale's hand back to kiss his knuckles in turn, running his thumb across his fingers in thought.]

Ancunín. That was—is my family name.

[The name leaves Astarion's lips, and Gale can't help how his expression shifts in quiet disbelief. He's never heard Astarion's family name around the camp - and from the sound of it, he's not spoken it to anyone in a long time. It's one of the few things Cazador couldn't take from him, and for Gale to be trusted with it feels divine.]

A pleasure to meet you, Astarion Ancunin.

[Ever dramatic, he gives a little bow.]

[Astarion can't help but smile. Gale understands the importance around the name, yet he's still the same Gale about the whole affair. Astarion takes Gale's hand, kissing the back of it.]

The pleasure is all mine.

[Gale has to stand there another few seconds, just taking Astarion in, before he finally manages to tear his eyes away.]

I suppose I should put some clothes on. Hang these all to dry. Levitate the tub somewhere less obtrusive. Start thinking about how our new living arrangement will look.

[He could do those things, yes. They could settle down, there's been enough for them today. But now that Astarion's more at ease, more present within himself, with Gale so close, he doesn't want to go far from him. He turns Gale's hand in his, lacing their fingers together before drawing Gale's wrist to his lips for a kiss.]

Or perhaps, you could keep your clothes off. We can deal with things like living arrangements when the sun rises.

[Gale bites his lower lip, liking those suggestions as he lets Astarion have at his wrist. His skin is warm, both from the bath and the hot blood pumping through him as his heart drums away.]

Excellent suggestions, but I didn't hear a no to moving the tub.

[With a wave of his free hand, the basin is carefully lifted a few inches off the ground with a gentle swirl of magic. It floats out the front of the tent, his wet clothes still hanging off the side, before setting itself on the ground, leaving the rest of the space free for the two of them.]

[Astarion breathes a soft laugh, putting his hand to Gale's hip to draw him in.]

I suppose you're not worried as to what our companions might think anymore.

Given that Wyll offered to take up cooking duties tonight because he thought it best we have some privacy after your ordeal, I'm afraid they already know anything we could have kept hidden.

[But Gale doesn't seem too upset about it as he lets himself be drawn forward, leaning in to steal a kiss.]

[Astarion returns the kiss, cupping Gale's face in his hands as he does so.]

Then there's no point in hiding anymore.

[His tongue darts out to wet his lower lip, the tip drawing against the length of one fang.]

I know our recent attempts have been somewhat fruitless, but . . . I'd like to make love to you.

I wouldn't say they've been fruitless at all. We've been finding together the boundaries of our comfort, of our needs. Still, I... would like that. Very much so.

[He leans into Astarion's hands, basking in how those pale fingers brush against his beard, grateful for every affectionate touch as though it were the first he's had in years.]

You know the rules. The one rule, really.

I know it very well, yes.

[He gives Gale a gentle push to his shoulders, urging him to lie down.]

But until then, I expect your full participation.

[Pillows appear behind Gale atop Astarion's bedroll with barely a thought's effort, almost catching him as he sits among them, then reclines; the towel around his waist splits at the opening on the side, one thigh completely bare as it drapes between his legs.]

And you shall have it.

[He reaches a hand forward, inviting Astarion toward him.]

[Astarion is already moving before the hand extends to him. He crouches down, crawling over Gale to slot a knee between his legs as he presses him down into the pillows with another kiss.]

[Gale brings a hand around Astarion's side, brushing his knuckles against the vampire's ribs before finding its way down his thigh; the other slides around Astarion's neck, giving him just enough purchase to lean into the kiss. He's careful not to lean too far, given that knee between his legs - he lets Astarion set the pace, eager to match.]

[Astarion will happily set the pace for both of them. He puts his hand to the exposed skin of Gale's thigh, sliding it higher, pushing the towel open without yet pulling it away. His intent, though, is on the kiss. His lips angle against Gale's to deepen it, eager to taste him.]

[And Gale is enjoying that kiss very much, if the quiet moan that escapes him is any indication; it's brief, soft enough to practically be a whisper, but plenty loud in his own ears. He opens his lips, letting his tongue explore as he breathes him in.

The towel does little to hide how the attention makes Gale feel; his hand presses harder on Astarion's neck, pulling him closer as he nips his lover's lower lip.]

[It's plenty loud to Astarion as well, who can feel it through the touch of their lips. He's encouraged by it, drawn in, kissing Gale like he wants to devour him.

He pulls at the towel, dragging it away to bare Gale to him completely. Yet he's careful to keep distance between their hips, at least for the moment, his touch returning to Gale's hip, against the line of his thigh.]

[Though he feels the brush of the towel against his hardening length as the fabric slips away, Gale can hardly focus on anything but how deeply, passionately Astarion is kissing him - and how desperate he is to answer in kind. He parts for a breath, but barely gets one before he returns to Astarion's lips, his own flush with color.

He gets another chance as Astarion touches the line of his thigh, his cool skin sending a gentle shudder through Gale, like a chilly breeze in the evening air. The smile it remains as he retreats to Astarion's mouth, still hungry for his embrace. His hand on Astarion's thigh slides up his back to the middle, his touch tentative, but encouraging.]

[Ah, yes, Gale does need to breathe. Astarion breaks the kiss after a few more moments, nuzzling softly against Gale's cheek as he nips at the corner of his lips. He draws in a ragged breath himself so he can give a low groan against the heat of Gale's skin.]

Gods, you are wonderful.

[He puts both hands to the soft skin of Gale's stomach, sliding them up until he's palming against the flesh of his chest. He shifts his knee forward, teasing it against the line of Gale's erection.]

[Gods, that groan does things to him. Gale would love to describe such 'things,' assigning positive attributes to the sensations and reactions he's experiencing throughout his body while describing in full detail how they make him feel emotionally, but between the lovesick haze, the increasing thunder from his heart, and that knee brushing against his arousal, he can barely string words together. He certainly tries, though.]

Astarion—

[Just the name will have to do; he closes his lips, stifling another moan that attempts to escape, cutting it short. As Astarion's hands press against his soft chest, Gale feels the hairs there stand on end, the scar of the orb aglow in the space between them. He tries words a second time:]

No one has... ever made me feel like this. Like you do.

Mmh, the pleasures of the flesh are a wonder, aren't they?

[He turns to kiss along the line of Gale's jaw, tracing it up to where it meets his neck. He runs his tongue against the movement of his pulse, reveling in the way it flutters beneath the skin. Knowing he has this effect on Gale is a thrill, that he's the only one who can see the way he flushes, hear the moans drawn from his lips.

One hand trails down from his chest, his fingertips finding the head of Gale's cock to play against it, teasing.]

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