[If anyone had asked Gale twenty-four hours prior how he felt about Astarion, he'd have been utterly conflicted and struggled to give a concise answer. Now, he'd still struggle to be concise, as his slightly drunken rambling exemplified perfectly, but at least he understands that longing that has been welling in his chest since their first kiss. He knew it was silly to think anything more of it than a passing fancy, more embarrassed about his fixation on it than the fact it happened at all, but...
Well, maybe he'd have regretted it if things turned out differently, but as Astarion kisses his hand, it's hard to argue with that fluttering in his chest.]
[Astarion is really no better off in all this. He never expected to be so charmed by Gale's presence, to feel so well understood by him. It brings with it such an unfamiliar comfort, a balm over wounds that run deeper than he knew. He can't help but crave more of it, to let himself indulge in Gale's company.]
I won't have you disparaging Shale's fine qualities in my presence. He's an excellent traveling companion.
But you are a marked improvement over him in several areas.
Well, I'm not sure that I could match the verses that you sang for me, but your eloquence is a point in your favor. Shale makes for a poor conversation partner when one wants to match wits. And I feel you and I are quite well matched in that regard.
[Astarion turns to move closer to Gale, still keeping their joined hands between them, but now he's facing Gale fully, propped up on his side against the pillows.]
You are easier on the eyes as well. I've always found sheep eyes frankly unnerving, but yours have a spark, a glimmer. Like the facets of a gem, I seem to always find something new to admire when I meet them. The rest of your body is also, well. We can explore that later.
And that's not to mention your skill and talent. A sheep can hardly protect me from anything more than a wolf I can throw it to as a distraction, but you are a prodigy of a wizard. Your mind imagines possibilities I can't think to fathom. [There's a pause, a beat, as Astarion squeezes Gale's hand in a tight pulse, looking up to meet his gaze.] And you would turn that imagination to helping me, protecting me. That does count for quite a lot.
[Maybe that's the wine and the mood talking, but as Gale listens to Astarion, getting lost in those ruby eyes, it all feels like a dream; the squeeze of his hand and the chill against his fingers tell him it's real, that he didn't pass out in his tent after the exhausting morning only to imagine this entire scenario.
He can feel that exhaustion wearing into him; gods, he doesn't want this dream to end, particularly when he's the one being flattered for a change. Relief crosses him, adoration: it pulls at his smile, deepens the creases around his eyes as they shine in the fading light around them.]
The orb might have taken a great deal of my power, but it did not hinder my intellect. I use it to the best of my ability for my friends, but... especially for those I care about as more. I have been— [his eyes flick away, the slightest bit of embarrassment crossing him] —considering these enchantments since I first told you I would help you. I thought it would convince you to trust me - simply an exercise to endear myself to you. But the more I thought on it, the more it consumed me. I wanted to see you walk in the sun, once the tadpole was gone. Free.
[He laughs quietly.]
For all my intellect, but I didn't realize how thoroughly you had ensnared me.
[He leans into Astarion's touch; gods, he loves that.]
Then let me try again. You appealed to something in me with a power that even you didn't recognize, with something Cazador couldn't take from you, no matter how he tried: empathy.
[Though Astarion giving his head a good wash certainly helped.]
[Yes, Gale agrees: melt is a very apt way to describe what is happening. Or rather, he would agree if he could think any clearer than the fog rolling off the shores into Waterdeep in the morning.]
You'll have to wash my hair again. I'll beg if I have to.
One night, hopefully soon, you shall be regaled with the finest begging one could receive from a wizard of my standing. There will be bribes, promises, offers made in sweet whispers, anything you want for you to continue doing...
[A smile and a quiet sigh escape him simultaneously.]
Whatever this is. Whatever it is you're doing to me.
[Despite how great his hair is, he's had few lovers actually play with it, lavishing him with attention rather than the other way around. It certainly wasn't Mystra's thing.]
[Astarion can't help but give a small laugh, dragging his nails gently along Gale's neck. Really, it's a shame no one's paid attention to Gale's hair, it's very nice when it's taken care of.]
[Gale murmurs something about a date, but with the rough night, the early morning, the wine, the pillows, and now a gentle head-scratching from the man he has the worst crush on, it seems he's hit his limit. Another thirty seconds, and he's snoozing, his hand still entwined in Astarion's, a soft grin plastered across his face as he's utterly lost to his dreams. He might be a powerful, brilliant wizard, but he's still terribly human when it comes right to it.
Just don't let Karlach see. He'll never hear the end of it.]
But before that, Astarion is content to do the tried and true vampire tradition of watching the person you're infatuated with sleep. He continues slowly and gently brushing his fingers through Gale's hair, waiting to see what nighttime conversation they'll have.]
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I'll have you know Karlach asked me about my visits. She was not subtle in her insinuation.
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[He draws Gale's hand to his lips, kissing his knuckles.]
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Well, maybe he'd have regretted it if things turned out differently, but as Astarion kisses his hand, it's hard to argue with that fluttering in his chest.]
So long as you like me more than Shale.
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I won't have you disparaging Shale's fine qualities in my presence. He's an excellent traveling companion.
But you are a marked improvement over him in several areas.
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Indulge me. Tell me how.
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[Astarion turns to move closer to Gale, still keeping their joined hands between them, but now he's facing Gale fully, propped up on his side against the pillows.]
You are easier on the eyes as well. I've always found sheep eyes frankly unnerving, but yours have a spark, a glimmer. Like the facets of a gem, I seem to always find something new to admire when I meet them. The rest of your body is also, well. We can explore that later.
And that's not to mention your skill and talent. A sheep can hardly protect me from anything more than a wolf I can throw it to as a distraction, but you are a prodigy of a wizard. Your mind imagines possibilities I can't think to fathom. [There's a pause, a beat, as Astarion squeezes Gale's hand in a tight pulse, looking up to meet his gaze.] And you would turn that imagination to helping me, protecting me. That does count for quite a lot.
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He can feel that exhaustion wearing into him; gods, he doesn't want this dream to end, particularly when he's the one being flattered for a change. Relief crosses him, adoration: it pulls at his smile, deepens the creases around his eyes as they shine in the fading light around them.]
The orb might have taken a great deal of my power, but it did not hinder my intellect. I use it to the best of my ability for my friends, but... especially for those I care about as more. I have been— [his eyes flick away, the slightest bit of embarrassment crossing him] —considering these enchantments since I first told you I would help you. I thought it would convince you to trust me - simply an exercise to endear myself to you. But the more I thought on it, the more it consumed me. I wanted to see you walk in the sun, once the tadpole was gone. Free.
[He laughs quietly.]
For all my intellect, but I didn't realize how thoroughly you had ensnared me.
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[Astarion gives him a playful grin, running his free hand through Gale's hair.]
Though it hardly seems so moving when you phrase it like that. You wished to endear yourself to me, I wanted to manipulate you, and so on.
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Then let me try again. You appealed to something in me with a power that even you didn't recognize, with something Cazador couldn't take from you, no matter how he tried: empathy.
[Though Astarion giving his head a good wash certainly helped.]
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You are such a sweet thing. Gods, to think I almost wanted to just slap your hand and leave it at that all those days ago.
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[He feels himself drifting as he soaks in that touch along his neck.]
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You'll have to wash my hair again. I'll beg if I have to.
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[A pause]
But I won't stop you if you want to.
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[A smile and a quiet sigh escape him simultaneously.]
Whatever this is. Whatever it is you're doing to me.
[Despite how great his hair is, he's had few lovers actually play with it, lavishing him with attention rather than the other way around. It certainly wasn't Mystra's thing.]
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I'll wait for it with bated breath.
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Just don't let Karlach see. He'll never hear the end of it.]
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But before that, Astarion is content to do the tried and true vampire tradition of watching the person you're infatuated with sleep. He continues slowly and gently brushing his fingers through Gale's hair, waiting to see what nighttime conversation they'll have.]