🔮 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]

[Gale sighs as well, arching his neck for Astarion's lips.]

You make it sound so tantalizingly intimate when you put it that way. Not that I haven't imagined it as such a time or two.

[sangwhine]

It can be quite an intimate affair if we're nice and comfortable.

[He finds Gale's hand with his, threading their fingers together. All this talk of blood is reminding him that it's been a little while since he's fed properly. Not that it's too difficult for him to find prey in the city. Especially not now with enemies at every turn. Yet Gale has set his mind wandering now, a thought crossing it that he catches hold of.]

Though it does beg a question, of sorts. Feeding on your blood, standing in the sun. Of course both can't measure up to my desire to simply remain at your side.

But suppose we are successful in all our heroic world saving pursuits. Where would that be?

[mystracal]

[Oh, this is something Gale's thought about a time or two, but usually, it was in the context of them both being in roles so akin to gods that physical location ultimately wouldn't matter. With them both as they are - an eternal spawn and a mortal wizard - what will they do once all is said and done with the Elder Brain?]

Assuming I am free of the orb, I had hoped to return to Waterdeep. I have my tower, and family.

[Remember his mother? Yes, that family.]

[sangwhine]

[Ah yes, Gale's family, his tower, his city. Astarion gives a soft hum, nuzzling softly at the soft spot behind Gale's ear.]

A tower does seem a safe place for a vampire. Provided you don't have too many windows.

[mystracal]

[That nuzzle pushes a chuckled out of him. That tickles, Astarion.]

They can always be shuttered. Covered with an assortment of thick, decorative curtains. Or, perhaps, I'll have finished that enchantment for you.

[sangwhine]

[What's a little tickle? Astarion drops a kiss to the spot, lingering a moment.]

The enchantment would be lovely, but I'll happily help you with an appropriate selection of curtains. Waterdeep surely has much to offer by way of quality fabrics.

[mystracal]

[He shifts in Astarion's grasp, doing his best to fight his body's natural reaction.]

It is the City of City of Splendors, though it has apparently been wasted on me until now in regards to fashion. You'll be there to help with that, too.

[A beat as a thought occurs to him.]

Gods, what will I say to my mother?

[sangwhine]

[What will he say? Astarion feels a coil of nervous energy in his stomach. He's certain of his ability to charm any woman, but these circumstances are quite different.]

How would one go about introducing one's paramour to their family, hm? Tell her the charming story of how we met. How we were drawn together by aberrant tadpoles. How you absconded with my undergarments and by the hand of circumstances it led you to fall for me.

[mystracal]

For one, I'm not going to tell my mother about the tadpoles. I haven't quite broached the topic of the orb yet.

[And by 'haven't quite,' he means he's not touching that until the orb is gone.]

And two, she's a fairly perceptive woman. She'll know what you are the moment she lays eyes on you.

[sangwhine]

And what do you think she will have to say about that?

[Astarion's aiming for disaffected in his tone, but there's a small thread of worry that runs through it. He doesn't want to quite face the thought of what happens if Gale's mother doesn't approve.]

[mystracal]

I can't say. My mother's only ever cared for my happiness. I like to think she'd see how you make me feel rather than what you are.

[But oh, he heard that sliver of worry.]

Astarion, are you concerned about what my mother will think of you?

[sangwhine]

[Don't call attention to it, Gale. Astarion shifts somewhat, pressing himself closer to Gale's back.]

It's a perfectly reasonable worry, isn't it? Seeking the approval of the family of one's beloved.

[mystracal]

I'd say so, especially when that family is Morena Dekarios.

[He gives Astarion's arm around him a reassuring pat.]

No matter what she thinks, it wouldn't change my feelings for you. I'd only worry what she might ask.

[sangwhine]

If you're worried, we can always agree upon our answers beforehand. Ensure that she can't catch us in a lie or omission of truth.

[He drums his fingers lightly against Gale's chest, considering this.]

[mystracal]

I'm a poor liar, and you know it. Moreover, I doubt we can prepare for everything she'd ask.

[sangwhine]

Then, what do you propose? For when I should meet your mother.

[mystracal]

[He thinks for only a second, the span of a heartbeat.]

I think you should be yourself. I'll worry about what I'll say to her, yes, but I'd rather she see you for the man you are. The man I love.

[He smiles lopsidedly to himself.]

She'd want me to be happy, and you want me to be happy. You two might actually get along better than expected, if given the chance.

[sangwhine]

I would hope we would be given the chance, should we survive all this.

[He settles, moving his hand to rest over Gale's heart.]

I have promised you as many days together as we might have.

[mystracal]

[Pulsing in time with the orb, Gale's heartbeat is warm and calm, steady as opposed to the thundering rhythm it so often beats in Astarion's company. Though he tries not to let it bleed into his voice, Gale can't help but wonder just how many days in each other's company they might have, even if they do survive all they face. Mystra had implied she'd remove the orb if he brought her the crown, so perhaps they'll have more than Gale thinks.

... but she hadn't said it outright, had she? Surely the goddess who demanded his death for some semblance of forgiveness wouldn't make promises she doesn't intend to keep.

That's a distressing thought, and one Gale doesn't want to ponder a moment longer, knowing just how heavy his heart will become if he does. He wants to rest in Astarion's arms, enjoy the evening, revel in his newfound freedom and the intimacy they've shared. Gale wants his love to carry him farther than the orb may ever allow.

It's a bridge they will cross eventually, but not now. Not tonight. He takes a deep breath - from beyond the tent comes the smell of food, as Wyll has apparently finished cooking.]

I suppose we should join the others. They'll no doubt want to celebrate your victory.

[sangwhine]

[If Mystra denies Gale his freedom from the orb, Astarion is going to have Words with the goddess. Though at the moment his mind is more occupied with the thought of how he would make his way to Waterdeep once the tadpole is gone. As well as the larger social implications of what it would mean for him to return home with Gale, meet his family, spend the rest of their days together...

The smell of food doesn't catch his attention until Gale speaks up. He makes a thoughtful hum at the back of his throat. He's quite comfortable where he is, naked and pressed to the warmth of Gale's skin.]

I think I'd consider my victory quite thoroughly celebrated.

[He gives Gale's ear a playful little nip to emphasize the point.]

[mystracal]

[Gale can't help but smile at that. As he also prefers where he is, he ignores a pang of hunger at the moment, the coolness of Astarion's skin against the warmth of his back helping ease any lingering aches in his muscles. That nip pushes a quiet laugh out of him.]

Perhaps they can be convinced to try again tomorrow. They care about you, you know.

[sangwhine]

[Hm, Astarion hasn't stopped to think to long on their companions. But it wasn't just Gale who came for him, who stood next to him while he faced down Cazador. It isn't just Gale who's been here for him along the way. Gods know Karlach has been exceptionally vocal in her support for Astarion in his struggle, as much as Astarion hasn't yet allowed himself to acknowledge it. He lifts his head a little, glancing to the closed flap of his tent, the shadows cast by figures by the firelight. He can faintly hear the sounds of their conversation, not enough to make out words, but enough to intuit the tone of it, the underlying emotion.

He strokes against the skin of Gale's chest, contemplative.]

Would you like to join them, dearest? To cut our pillow talk short?

[mystracal]

[As Astarion strokes his chest, Gale can't help but think that he was right: maybe he should be the big spoon from now on.]

I think it would be nice to celebrate with them, for a time. We can always come back to the pillow talk, now that we'll be sharing a tent.

[He puts a hand atop Astarion's.]

Besides, I've worked up quite an appetite tonight. Wouldn't be good to sleep on an empty stomach.

[sangwhine]

[Astarion does love touching Gale, it's true. He catches Astarion's hand in his, pulling it up to his lips for a kiss.]

I can't very well let you go hungry. And I suppose I'll have plenty of chance to monopolize your time otherwise.

[Though he is loathe to separate from Gale, he does pull away after a moment, pushing himself to stand and stretch, unabashedly naked. He offers a hand to Gale to help him up.]

[mystracal]

[Gale is a little more reserved when it comes to his naked body, grabbing his towel before taking Astarion's hand, wrapping it around his waist once he's up.

It's been a long time since he had a lover who actually cared about his physical body - who actually appreciated it. He stretches as well, albeit slowly, carefully to accommodate for his soreness. He needs to get used to that again, too.]

You're welcome to monopolize all my time after we eat, you know.