THE BODY HOLDS THE SPEAR

Ship Tournament, Round 2 — Match 15 / 15

Astarion/Gale

"They’re both so performative, but in opposite directions. Astarion performs confidence and seduction because it kept him alive. Gale performs competence and charm because he is terrified of being useless, dangerous, or unwanted. They’d annoy each other SO much at first because each one can see the other doing the act and thinks, gods, is that what I look like? But underneath all the vanity and sarcasm, there’s such a good emotional match. Gale is patient and romantic and wants to give love in tangible ways - food, words, magic, comfort. Astarion is wary as hell, but he also craves luxury and safety and attention so badly. Gale would make him feel cherished. Astarion would make Gale feel desired without worship involved, which is probably exactly what Gale needs after Mystra."

"gale choosing humanity over the crown, astarion choosing freedom over ascension, both of them stepping away from the huge tempting power-up that would make them “safe” by making them worse. there’s something really lovely in them building a smaller life after all that. and it would still be funny, obviously. astarion in waterdeep being dramatic about the weather, gale trying to introduce him to respectable wizard society, astarion immediately insulting three academics and charming the fourth. gale apologises with his mouth and looks proud with his whole face"

vs. Karlach/Wyll

"I mean, those two are almost implied in the Blade of Avernus, Karlach and Wyll traversing hells together ending. Karlach's dialogue about doing this with someone she loves is both in romanced Karlach ending, and if she's just with Wyll! Karlach was my first romance, and when I saw a non-romanced Karlach and Wyll epilogue for the first time, I just felt such a "it should've been me! Not him!" feeling that it's hard to say there's nothing there. Also, Karlach has been through tough times. She deserves a fairytale prince to sweep her off her feet - what companion doesn't, really, but still. Also, Karlach will stand up for Wyll when he gets too self-sacrificing, I'm sure of that, and he deserves that, too. They're dear to each other, is all I know, and they'd be good together. After they get out of Avernus, I'm sure they could have a good, comfortable life in Baldur's Gate, adventuring, and when needing a break, having a nice house in the upper city to belong to."

1. Men are systematically privileged over women.

2. Men love to take advantage of that privilege while simultaneously denying that it exists.