🔮 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]

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.

I meant Gale's hand in that last tag. Whups

[sangwhine]

[Astarion will certainly appreciate Gale's body enough to make up for Mystra ignoring it. The sweeping gaze he gives Gale when he stands is evidence enough of that.]

I think I'll be taking you up on that offer. But, for now, you did mention a rather dashing man who would lend you clothes for the night.

[Astarion's already moving towards his packs, rifling through to find something that would suit Gale.]

I figured as much. ;)

[mystracal]

[Gale remains a pinch red across his ears from that lingering glance, his eyes following Astarion as he sifts through his clothes.]

Karlach is going to tease me about this, no doubt.

[sangwhine]

[Astarion gives a laugh as he pulls out a nice linen shirt in navy blue, offering it over to Gale's.]

Oh, I doubt that either of us will hear the end of this from dear Karlach anytime soon.

[mystracal]

[He takes the shirt, holding onto it until he has some pants.]

I daresay she has been championing us for some time now. Even if she weren't, you'd best prepare your back for the hug she's likely to give you. She's quite proud of you for what you did today.

[sangwhine]

[That gives Astarion reason to pause, a pair of fine black pants in hand. He and Karlach share a similarity in their time spent enslaved by an immortal power and he's grown very fond of her particular brand of humor and banter. But pride?

With the earlier revelation still at the edges of his thoughts, it's like a piece falling into place. He rubs a hand at his chest, quietly wondering at the warmth spreading there. When he turns back to offer Gale his pants it's with a wide grin across his face.]

I'll prepare my ribs for her onslaught.

[mystracal]

[Gale smiles in return. He might be Astarion's most fervent defender on account of their relationship, but Gale has no doubt each and every one of their companions would have faced Cazador on Astarion's behalf without a second thought if it came right down to it. Astarion might not think it himself, but he has more friends than he knows, ones who would - and will, no doubt - defend him until the very end. When on a shared journey that's been as arduous as theirs since the very beginning with the Nautiloid, it's nigh impossible not to make some strong bonds, no matter how different they all may be as individuals.

He slips into the pants, pulling the shirt on next to tuck it in. It's not a bad look thus far.]

Ah, there's that quality in your clothing I liked so well. Such fine fabric, even all the way out here.

[sangwhine]

[Astarion does like how Gale looks in his clothes. He could very easily get used to this. He gives Gale one more appreciative glance before setting about dressing himself.]

It's a comfort to have some semblance of civilization even when our surroundings would say otherwise.

[mystracal]

And perfect for an impromptu celebration. We could dance if we had music.

[It's Gale's turn for an appreciative glance, though he doesn't like to get caught looking. He's supposed to be the one with manners.]

[sangwhine]

Ah, a pity we didn't invite that tiefling bard to join our merry little band. Or bring along their stores of drink.

[Despite the talk of celebration, Astarion isn't dressing himself in anything too elaborate. A white linen shirt with a modestly embroidered dark silk vest over the top of it, and his usual slim fitting black pants. His sleeves are rolled up as usual, and he takes a moment to run a hand through his hair, twisting his curls into place between his fingertips.]

[mystracal]

[Even dressed down, Astarion manages to cut a fine figure. The vest is a particularly nice touch, one Gale can't help but fiddle with. He straightens it across his shoulders as Astarion fixes his hair.]

You look perfect, as always.

[sangwhine]

Flattery will get you everywhere.

[Astarion turns, dropping a kiss to Gale's temple before reaching up to catch his hand with a soft squeeze.]

[mystracal]

[Gale returns that squeeze, and gestures toward the front of the tent, still holding Astarion's hand.]

Shall we?

[sangwhine]

We shall.

[Astarion keeps his hold on Gale, stepping back out into the camp. Though he rather promptly loses that hold as he's pulled into a bear hug by a very enthusiastic Karlach.

It's an odd feeling, knowing they all care so much. It tilts him off balance and leaves him floundering at times throughout the evening. But despite that unease, he never falls. It's his first night of being truly free, in the company of those he loves and nothing in the nine hells could stop him from savoring it.]

[mystracal]

[And a celebration it is.

Once she's done hugging him, Karlach attempts to drag Astarion toward the fire - and the food. Wyll dug deep into their stores to not only bring out the finest wines, but he even managed to make a spread from the meats, cheeses, vegetables, and spices they've collected to rival even those in the Upper City. Everyone is in the finest of spirits: Halsin tells stories around the fire, Karlach and Lae'zel arm wrestle until the barrel they're using as a table cracks from the pressure atop its musty lid, and even without music, Wyll is happy to dance with any partner who will have him.

For the most part, Gale is by Astarion's side the entire time, occasionally reaching for his hand, even giving him a peck on the cheek in front of everyone before excusing himself. By the time Shadowheart and the leader of their merry band propose a drinking game, he seems to have more or less exited the scene, returning to his tent - well, what's his tent for now.

Maybe it's the celebration, or the wine, or their earlier intimacy, but whatever the reason, Gale has been inspired to get to work. On the table in his tent, he's arranged what antidotes and antitoxins he's managed to scrounge up, as well as his notes on their potency and how they affect him. It seems he's been doing some experiments in his free time over the past several days toward a very specific purpose, one he'd like to accomplish sooner rather than later.]

[sangwhine]

[Even if Astarion can't really get drunk himself, not without some very strong blood, he's more than happy to take part of the festivities. He'll provide some color commentary for Lae'zel and Karlach's competition, take Wyll up on his offer for a dance or two, and he's more than happy to do everything he can to help Shadowheart cheat the rest of their party under the floor once it comes time to start drinking. It's only when most of the party has been forced to retire to the evening that he returns to his tent, somewhat surprised to find that Gale isn't there.

It's not hard to figure out where Gale's gotten off to, though. He makes his way across camp to Gale's tent, stepping inside without any preamble.]

What is it that you've been working on, dearest?