🔮 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]

[It could be the fever, it could be the blood loss. Thankfully Astarion is attentive enough to how his feeding might effect someone now that he's in the habit of feeding from their leader. Though the sensation and thrill of Gale's blood does push that from his mind for a long moment. He doesn't want to pull away, doesn't want to end this. But when Gale's body starts to shiver and shudder beneath him, he's able to exert his self-control enough to stop. His tongue runs across the wounds to help them close, and for one last taste of Gale's blood so he can savor it on his tongue.

He looks up to Gale once he's done, his cheeks flushed, lips still a dark red from Gale's blood. His hands seek out Gale's face, running through his hair and feeling his forehead just to confirm that he's not in any danger of passing out. When he speaks, his voice is low and rough, a deep satisfaction rumbling through him.]

Dearest Gale. My love.

[mystracal]

[While not in danger of passing out, Gale is certainly pallid as Astarion pulls away, the shadows under his eyes just a little deeper, the violet tendrils reaching from the orb all the darker against his complexion. And yet, he smiles; he can't keep himself from smiling as he pulls his hand from the back of Astarion's head to his cheek, cradling it tenderly, his fingers brushing against the lobe of his pointed ear. It's so novel to see that color across his usually pale skin, endearing in a new way - it's as though Gale brought him back to life, however briefly.

And perhaps he has, in a sense. With his other hand, Gale pushes off the bed onto his elbow, just enough to bump his forehead against Astarion's in an affectionate nuzzle. He likes him so close.]

I'll assume the taste was more than acceptable.

[The noises Astarion made while drinking told him that much, but he wants to hear it from the vampire himself.]

[sangwhine]

[Astarion loves having Gale so close like this. Especially now that he's confirmed he hasn't drunk the other man dry. He responds to Gale's nuzzle by pressing a firm kiss to his lips, cupping the nape of Gale's neck in his hand.]

Darling, I would gladly drink nothing else for the rest of my days.

[He gives Gale another kiss, for good measure.]

You are the most brilliant wizard in all of the realms, Gale Dekarios. Gods, Hells, everything above and below. I am never letting you go far from me.

[mystracal]

[Gale soaks that kiss in, tasting the bitter iron of his own blood. He leans back, pulling Astarion down with him.]

I am brilliant... [another softer, gentler kiss] ... but all the more so because I have you as a muse.

[sangwhine]

[Astarion crawls over him, kneading at the nape of his neck while the other moves to fondle his chest, playfully.]

Mmh, I am an inspiration, aren't I? Your inspiration.

[He slots a knee between Gale's legs, pressing down. Gale's blood has certainly got him feeling feisty.]

[mystracal]

My inspiration.

[He sighs at that knee between his legs, his hips rocking gently against it.]

My love. I want to give you so much more.

[sangwhine]

Darling, you've given me your heart, your blood, your body, your company, and the promise if your magic as well. What more of you is there to give?

[He sits back just a little, running his hands down Gale's chest. His eyes follow the gesture, giving the wizard a very appreciative eye rake.]

[mystracal]

[Gale watches as Astarion looks him over, those ruby eyes drawing over him as though his body - for its softness and scars and all its human flaws - were a beautiful treasure to be kept, coveted. Astarion looks at him in a way Mystra never would, that no lover ever had: as though he's not just his magic and mind, but so much more. Mystra had asked Gale to die for her forgiveness, to detonate himself and leave nothing behind but a cloud of Netherese dust and a crater; Astarion wouldn't let harm come to him even if it meant charging into the temple of the Lord of Murder himself.

He'd been a plaything for Mystra; for Astarion, he is a partner. Someone for whom he willing to sacrifice ascension for them to remain equals. Astarion loves all Gale has to offer, the good, the bad, and even the uncertain. To have his devotion reciprocated means more to Gale than he can put into words.

He takes one of Astarion's hands, his hips still, but his heart thundering in his chest.]

My future. One for us, once this is all over.

[sangwhine]

Dearest, I thought that was already part of it all?

[His immediate response is flippant, flirtatious, but it's a moment later that he feels the beat of Gale's heart beneath his touch. This is something else. Something beyond the promises they've whispered to each other in the privacy of their tents or when wound up in one another. He can see and feel the nervous thrum in Gale's blood at the thought of what's on offer and he can't deny that the thought hasn't crossed his mind as well. But he's never let it linger for as many times as he's had the thought. After all, who would promise their life to a vampire spawn? Who could want Astarion for more than the rake that he plays more often than not?

But Gale has proven time and time again that he's willing to do just that. That he sees Astarion for who he truly is, the man he can be beneath every defense that he's built for himself over centuries of torment.

He squeezes Gale's hand with his, lacing their fingers together to press their joined hands gently over the heavy beat of Gale's heart. When his gaze meets Gale it's equal parts nervous and anticipatory, one fang gently indenting against his lips in a coy smile.]

Unless there's more on offer...?

[mystracal]

[Knowing good and well that Astarion can feel his heartbeat, Gale hopes he knows what future plans he has in mind, thinking that might help ease his nerves; it doesn't, but he presses forward., squeezing Astarion's hand for reassurance.]

I'd thought I would have this planned out eventually. [His smile crooks unevenly.] When Orin lured me from the camp like the besotted, stupid man I am, I thought it might be the right time. I even had something for you, which is probably now lying on the ground where she rendered me unconscious. I know we've not known each other terribly long, and the circumstances that brought us together have been trying at the very, very least, and maybe once this is all over, we'll find we've not got as much in common as we believed, but...

[He's rambling, and he knows it. He licks the dryness from his lips, swallowing the knot forming in his throat.]

I've never been so sure of wanting anything more in my life. Anyone more. I love you, and if you would, once it's all said and done, I want you to accompany me back to Waterdeep. [A beat as he finally gets to the point:] I want you to marry me, Astarion.

[sangwhine]

[For as much as he saw it all coming, the words still put a flutter in Astarion's stomach. They draw the breath from his lungs, stilling the entire world for just this moment. He has to remind himself to breathe again so that he can give voice to his words, so he can answer Gale properly. Yet even still the first words he speaks are nearly whispered for how mush he rushes to push them past his lips.]

You know, I'd rather given up on the thought of such a mundane thing as marriage. As promising my life to someone, domestic bliss and all of that. But you've changed that. Through your words, your heart. Your faith in me, your trust.

[He pauses, gathering himself. His gaze trails down to their joined hands, Gale's darkened skin against his own pallor, with the same blood beating through them both now. It brings a smile to his face, they've already bound themselves to each other in so many ways, what's one more? He draws Gale's hand up to his lips as he lifts his gaze again, meeting Gale's eyes with a look of warmth and adoration.]

You gave me a life again, one I can live in any way I choose.

[He presses a kiss to the inside of Gale's wrist, against his racing pulse.]

I can truly think of no better way to spend it than at your side.

[mystracal]

[Gale smiles so wide, wide enough he's afraid it might tear his face in two; there's relief in his eyes, elation, unmitigated and boundless.]

I- gods, you make me the happiest man alive.

[His hand in Astarion's grasp turns to cup his face, his pulse pounding from excitement rather than his nerves. He wipes his eye with the heel of his palm, his hands shaking.]

You know, we have to live through this now. I can't go getting your hopes up, only to not keep my word.

[sangwhine]

[Hells, Astarion really is head over heels in love with this stupid man, isn't he? Gale's smile is infectious, so much so that Astarion can't keep a wide grin from spreading across his own face. He moves to brush the tears from Gale's eyes, leaning forward to catch his lips in a brief, firm kiss.]

It's just a matter of steering clear of murderous cultists and my feral siblings, darling. Only the usual perils.

[He leans in again, unable to resist another kiss before resting his forehead against Gale's, his body braced over the other man's, their legs tangled together.]

But it is something I think I'll enjoy looking forward to. Sharing in all the delights your wizard's tower has to offer.

[mystracal]

[Gale takes a deep inhale, breathing Astarion in. He's not sure what's making him so flush, the fever or his feelings - he suspects a combination of both - but he can feel it all the way down his chest, sweat beading along his neck.]

My tower is rather empty these days, what with all the artefacts I've had to consume. It could use some redecorating. Something to make it a place for both of us.

[sangwhine]

Oh, I do love the sound of a good challenge. Making it a space truly worthy of our names.

[He presses a kiss to the corner of Gale's lips, then turns to trail kisses along the line of his jaw. The adrenaline of Gale's blood in his veins, the sheer emotion welled up in his heart makes him loathe to separate himself from the wizard. He draws his hand up along Gale's side, dragging his nails to indent against his skin.]

[mystracal]

[Those nails push a sigh from Gale, one that stutters against his ribs on the way out as though the very air in his lungs were raked through; his neck arches as he leans into Astarion's hand, as though demanding to be marked further.]

You will have to [ah] decide what life you'll lead with me. We can share the library, but what other hhhhhobbies will you indulge in now that you have your freedom?

[sangwhine]

[Astarion will never tire of drawing these reactions from Gale. He could spend a lifetime mapping the different touches that leave the wizard undone and squirming beneath him. It's such a heady rush to have found this again, to reclaim this part of himself, and the promise of more ways to carve out his own life is all the more alluring.]

Mmh, that is a thought, isn't it? We shall have to find some way to pass the time...

[He drops a kiss over the healing fang marks on Gale's neck, then lower, mouthing against his collarbone with teeth and tongue. His hand finds the hem of Gale's pants, his thumb brushing against the soft jut of his hip bone.]

[mystracal]

[Bloodloss does not seem to have slowed Gale much, his arousal evident as he pushes against the bed with one foot, sliding his back against the pillow behind him so he can sit at an angle - better to fight his lightheadedness, as he wouldn't want this to end too soon. One of his hands slips behind Astarion's neck as he grazes, his other coming to rest near his own head. Gods, he feels hot.]

We'll keep ourselves occupied somehow, I'm sure. The theatre, the merchants, the —gods, Astarion— Um... the topics we'll be broaching with my family, among other things.

[Astarion's teeth on Gale's skin drag a whine out of him between all the soft panting he's doing, the hand near his head curling in reply.]

[sangwhine]

I suppose that will change the tone of the conversation with your dear mother, to introduce myself to her as your intended.

[Is it weird to mention your fiance's mother when you're about to go down on him? Possibly. But Gale did bring up his family in the first place. And Astarion isn't about to stop when can't get enough of the heat radiating from his skin. He lets his lips trail lower, dropping a kiss to the center of the orb, then over Gale's heart, before latching onto his nipple. All the while, his hand slides in, lazily working to undo the ties on his pants with teasing strokes against his arousal.]

[mystracal]

I'm sure she'll be thrilled to learn I've someone special in my life who isn't Mystra.

[He looks down to Astarion, eyes half-lidded, his teeth gnawing on his lower lip.]

The others may return at any moment, you know.

[sangwhine]

The tavern below is quite welcoming. I'm sure they'll gladly partake of all it has to offer.

[He draws Gale's cock slowly from his pants, giving him time to pull away should he want to. He knows that Gale's self-concious about the others overhearing, but it's a lovely little thrill. Meanwhile, he trails kisses lower and lower, until he's practically nuzzling against his length.]

[mystracal]

[Though Astarion gives Gale time to move away, it seems the wizard doesn't want to, despite his remark about their companions. Admittedly, there is a thrill in the danger of being caught, seen with his lover in a compromising position. He opens his thighs for Astarion, his length already hardening.]

And should anyone come in, I suppose we do have this screen for privacy, what little it offers.

[sangwhine]

Mmh, a delight for the ears but not the eyes.

[Astarion will take that invitation for what it is. He lowers himself to Gale's cock, licking a long stripe against the underside of it before sealing his lips over the head and tonguing at the slit. All the while he keeps his gaze fixed on Gale, his cheeks still flushed from Gale's blood, his mouth noticeably warmer for it.]

[mystracal]

[Gale tries to hold Astarion's gaze for as long as possible, but finds it a challenge as the vampire's tongue toys with the head of his cock, maneuvering it with a well-practiced deftness. His mouth is warm, even more so than it had been in the fine baths of The Hissing Stones. For as enamored with Astarion as Gale thought he'd been, he'd had no idea then the depths his devotion could reach.]

What delights I offer are yours, and yours alone.

[He bites deeper into his lower lip as he tries to control his breathing, his hand slipping into Astarion's hair, fingers gently gripping his slivery curls.]

[sangwhine]

[Astarion's only answer is a soft groan of affirmation as he lowers himself down on Gale's length. His head tilts just slightly as he does, into the pressure of Gale's palm. Even as Gale's eyes close he keeps his gaze on the wizard, memorizing the look of him, the flush of his cheeks, the way his teeth indent against his lips, the rise and fall of his chest.

Astarion breathes in the scent of him as his nose buries in the coarse hair at the base of Gale's cock. With the thrum of his blood pumping through veins only inches away, the aroma of him is thick and heady but so unmistakably Gale. It makes Astarion's mouth water around his length, makes him hungry for more.

He gives a low, indulgent moan around the other man before slowly drawing his head up, lips tight on Gale's length. It's Gale who makes this worthwhile once more, who makes Astarion crave more.]