YAOI RETREAT

When Tav returned from her evening walk, the camp seemed unusually quiet. A few snores guttered out of Wyll’s tent; the grating sound of metal grinding stone from Lae’zel’s—sharpening her sword for the coming day, Tav presumed. Astarion’s tent flap was open and she could see him, sitting cross-legged on his rug, stiff-backed in meditation; the ruddy shine of his vacant, staring eyes made her shiver.

There was no sign of Karlach and Shadowheart—or Halsin, for that matter. Tav smirked fondly and hoped they were having fun, wherever they were.

Gale had begged off their evening ritual with a migraine, insisting she go on without him. At first, she argued; she was perfectly happy to stay with him, especially as he wasn’t feeling well. She could sit up and read, rub his back, fix him some of the herbal tea he liked to clear his head—even just lie still next to him in the silent dark, if that was what he needed. He dismissed all of these suggestions, adamant she go alone.

She finally acquiesced, leaving him with a warning: “I intend to dote on you obnoxiously when I return.”

He’d smiled, said he expected nothing less—but made her promise not to cut her walk short on his account.

Promise she had, but the solitude she used to relish she now found was not as satisfying as his company. The emptiness of her hand without his inside it; the melancholy crunch of a single pair of boots on the sand…It was silly, she knew, to miss him so morosely when he was merely lying in a tent a few hundred meters away, and yet…

It was just the day, she supposed.

It was only her second birthday without Lavinia. The first had been brutal—falling only a few weeks after she fled the city in the wake of…everything. The wounds of loss were still inflamed, spreading their rot right through her. She had marked the day—and the tendays on either side of it—sinking into a black pool of despair so fathomless she expected to drown in it, even wishing she would. Tav could not recall even taking a meal in all that time, though she guessed she must have.

This one was…different. Of course, she still felt Lavinia’s absence keenly—always would—but her life looked vastly different than a year ago. In some ways, it was far worse: embroiled in a world-ending cultist plot, pitted against a new god of staggering power, with the looming threat of turning into a brain-eating monster constantly in the periphery of her thoughts. But she wasn’t alone anymore. She had friends, trusted confidants. Gale…

Gods, just thinking his name made her giddy.

Which was why, despite her promise, she had cut her walk significantly short and hurried home to him.

As she passed through the empty camp, she caught an unexpected scent in the air. Rich and inviting—woody, but not the woods—with a hint of sugary sweetness that reminded her of a certain, life-changing spiced vanilla cake she’d had in Neverwinter a dozen or more years ago and been thinking about ever since.

One she had recently told Gale about.

At the entrance of their tent, it became so potent, so heady, it almost felt like a pair of hands around her wrists, tugging her inside.

“Gale?” she called. “What’s—?”

The question died on her tongue as she ducked inside, the tent flap swatting her bottom as it dropped behind her.

The space had been utterly transformed. Candles. Incense. Pillows. Blankets. A soft waft of…music? Tav looked around for the source and spotted her lyre in the corner, propped against his stacks of books, the strings being plucked by a surprisingly talented pair of spectral hands.

Standing in the centre of this romantic tableau was Gale, his head half-cocked with lazy confidence, mirrored in a smirk that was all cock. He was bare from the ankles down and the waist up—except, notably, for the ribbons. Rich purple silk that shimmered luxurious gold where they caught the candlelight. They crossed his chest and stomach in an intricate lattice, looped around his shoulders and circled his arms, which were bound behind his back. Around his neck was a pretty, perfect bow, the tails grazing his naked chest, which rose and fell in uneven—almost nervous—rhythm.

“Happy birthday,” he said simply.

Tav stared at him, speechless. On suddenly unsteady legs, she took two steps forward, tracing the path of one ribbon with a finger; it shimmered faintly, her touch leaving a delicate trail of glittering blue light in its wake.

“Quite the gift.”

Gale chuckled quietly. “Like it?”

“Well, I don't know—I haven’t unwrapped it yet,” she said, barely containing her excitement.

“Before you do anything—” he murmured, eyeing the way she rubbed the tail of the bow between her thumb and forefinger; it was delightfully smooth, tactile. “—you have a choice.”

Tav flicked her eyes up to meet his wry gaze.

“You can pull that ribbon, unravel the bow and claim what’s yours right away, or—” Gale dipped his head close to hers; his breath, hot on lips, smelled precisely of that vanilla cake. Her mouth watered—how did he do that?

“Or…?”

A slow grin. “Or you can start elsewhere—and earn it.”

She leaned in to kiss him; he snatched his face back, tutting.

“Ah-ah-ah! You may touch the ribbons only.”

“Oh, I see. Well, in that case—”

Tav took a small step back. Gale’s eyes tracked the movement of her hand as it wafted indecisively over his body, tantalisingly close, enough to feel the heat rising from his skin, and the magic thrumming off his enchanted bindings. Besides the bow, the chest was where she felt the strongest pull of temptation.

“Oh, one more thing—before you choose, you should also know: there are…consequences…for each selection.”

Her eyes snapped back to his face. “What kind of consequences?”

Gale only smiled.

“You are…” she trailed off, unsure how to finish.

“Brilliant? Thoughtful? Incorrigible?” he suggested. “Devastatingly handsome?”

Tav laughed, cheeks flaming so hot she feared she may combust. “Exactly.”

He bowed his head slightly. “And patiently awaiting madam’s choice.”

She inhaled. “Very well.”

The shoulder, she decided; she slipped her finger beneath one of the coils, gave it a little tug. With a faint hum, the ribbon slackened and dissolved into a scatter of glimmering motes of Weave.

Before she had time to glance at his face, she felt his voice whisper inside her mind: an excellent choice, my love.

At the same moment, an invisible pressure, steady like a finger, ghosted the hollow of her throat. It swerved a trail down her chest, lingering between her breasts and drawing idle shapes that made her skin prickle warmly. The feeling vanished almost as suddenly as it appeared, leaving her nipples hard, aching.

She gaped at him, her pulse aflutter.

“One down,” Gale announced, his smile so smug she could hardly stand it. “Do be careful—they aren’t all so…polite.”

Tav bit her lip, fingers twitching as she studied each one’s path around his body, as though she might somehow divine their intent by sight alone. Gale stood near-perfectly still, offering nothing but the occasional, distracting flex of a muscle as she deliberated. She could feel the weight of his knowing gaze, the thrum of his excitement—evident in the bulge growing in his trousers; he was enjoying this perhaps even more than she was.

She opted, this time, for the opposite arm, one by the crook of his elbow that disappeared behind his back.

Gale chuckled.

Tav paused. “What was that about?”

“Nothing. Nothing at all. Proceed.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “It’s a wonder you have ever found a willing partner for chess. The mind-games alone…”

He laughed again.

As before, Tav slipped two fingers beneath the ribbon’s edge, unfazed by his attempted mischief. The magical silk yielded with a hum, this time dispersing into a shimmer of golden dust that briefly coated her skin.

Another unseen touch, deliberate and doting, grazed the back of her knee before scurrying upward along the inside of her thigh. Tav’s breath left her in a sharp hiss; the phantom hand stopped just shy of the fire mounting between her legs. With a feathery tickle that softened her knees, it disappeared altogether. She staggered half a step back before steadying herself, and he followed—not with his body, but with that infernal smile.

“Two,” he said, his voice dipping low to add, “and I’d say you’re starting to get the idea.”

“Wizards,” she cursed.

Gale beamed at her.

Determined not to give him the satisfaction of hesitation, she confidently hooked the ribbon just below his ribs, delighting in the way his stomach muscles flexed as she accidentally touched his most ticklish spot. The ribbon vanished into vapour.

Cold bloomed at the nape of her neck, sharp enough to make her spine curve forward. Tav gasped as it followed her arc, a slippery chill racing a shiver down to the small of her back, where it was abruptly supplanted by a flood of heat that rolled the other way up her spine, like the dragging of a curious tongue.

Gale slowly licked his lips, smirking.

Diabolical.

Tav snapped her hand out for a ribbon wrapped high across his shoulder, tugged it in a swift motion, bracing for whatever might come.

Nothing.

“Did you forget to—”

Then she felt it: his mouth on hers, that sweet taste of vanilla—only it wasn’t. Tav watched his face, a step away, as his eyes fixed on her dreamily. She felt hands on her hips, the press of an absent body as her phantom lover pushed in so deep, it stole the breath directly from her lungs.

Her whole body flushed feverishly. It felt…wrong, somehow…indecent. Adulterous. And yet, she saw in his eyes how much he enjoyed watching her mouth move; the absentminded flicks of her tongue around the spectral warmth at her lips. Could he feel this too? Was it him? Her hands hovered uselessly at her sides, caught between reaching for him and bracing herself for whatever came next.

The kiss ended with a soft suckling at her lower lip. Gale, eyes hooded with lust, gave the smallest moan of approval.

By now, her heart was a hammering constant in her throat. Still struggling to regain composure after the last one, she chose a ribbon near his hip, letting her thumb slip temptingly beneath the waist of his trousers, brushing the tip of his hardness. He grunted, reeling backward as the ribbon crisscrossing his chest dissolved into nothing.

A ripple of magic shivered through her from head to toe. Tav frowned, unsure what to make of it at first. Then, an impossible tension took hold of her—a compulsion, bone-deep, to move toward him. Instinctively, she defied it, tightening every muscle in her legs and arms, even her fingers and toes. Useless. With a gasp, her body was yanked forward as if by an invisible rope. They collided, all heat and hardness, the firm press of his cock throbbing between her thighs. Gale ground his hips against her, just once, pulling a sharp hiss out through his grit teeth.

After, the spell thrust her back two steps before releasing, leaving her tight, aching with need.

“You broke your own rule,” she panted.

“You do bring out a certain flair for disobedience in me, love,” he said, exhaling slowly.

Few ribbons remained. Tav’s arm trembled slightly as she reached for one coiled deliciously around his forearm. As it melted away, she felt a new kind of warmth. Long, tender strokes flowing down her calves, along her arms, across her back and stomach, up her thighs. Like a dozen hidden hands caressing her at once, easing her pent-up tension. It brought to mind their first night together, the bonding of their souls among the stars, and his many busy hands. After the sharpness of the compulsion, this softness felt almost…apologetic.

“That’s lovely,” she sighed.

“You’re lovely.”

Tav laughed. “I knew you would say that.” But she blushed all the same.

Gale dipped his head with the shy smile that never failed to turn her into a puddle.

It was tempting, now, to pull the bow and end the game, but only three remained and it seemed a waste not to let him realise his painstaking vision. Tav snatched at one around his middle.

A light flared above their heads—an unassuming orb, beating like a small, golden heart. Pretty. But after watching it for a moment, besides faintly shifting from gold to silver, it did not seem to do much else. Admittedly, she was a little disappointed. She raised an eyebrow at him, hoping in vain for some explanation; he shrugged, so she moved on.

The second-to-last ribbon, she yanked with vigour.

The air around her shifted in a rush that twined around her body, carrying the intoxicating aromas of wood and spice—now also a hint of lavender, of musk and leather, paper and ink, storm and sea—all the marvellous scents of him.

At the same time, she heard a thudding in her ears. Deep and steady. Achingly familiar. The soothing cadence she fell asleep to each night, her cheek pressed to his chest, his heart pulsing purple into her dreams—the colour of her love. A pleasing warmth enveloped her; the comforting sense of being enclosed in his arms.

The orb above had shifted shade, gone a fuzzy mauve, darkening by the moment. When she smiled, and it shivered aqua green—the colour of her joy.

“Oh…”

“This one was for me,” he admitted quietly, looking up. “I wanted to see the world as you do.”

Tav’s eyes dampened at that—and the orb shifted to an adoring rose hue. “I would very much like to kiss you.”

“Well—” Gale turned around, waggling his fingers. “—only one left.”

She wiped her eyes. “Right.”

Tavania reached out, tugging the loose end of the final ribbon. Instead of vanishing, this one slithered up her arm, uncoiling from his wrist only to wrap around hers. The other end looped around her right hand, drawing her arms together in a gentle but firm bind. Heat trailed languidly through her, down to her pulsing core.

“Tricky,” she said, her voice catching at the sight of his satisfied smile.

Gale stepped forward, cradling her bound hands in his. He dipped his head and kissed her deeply, with a hunger both tender and insistent. The same kiss she’d felt before, now real—his tongue hot and probing, tasting her, making sure she tasted him in kind. A moan slipped free of her as his hand slid around her waist, cupping her ass and pulling her flush against his hips, and the solid ache waiting between them.

“Are you ready,” he whispered, “for the final reveal?”

She could only nod.

Grinning, he tipped back his head, exposing the bow.

Tav lifted her bound hands, grasped the tail of the ribbon between two digits and pulled. She watched, transfixed, as it unravelled one terrible, awful, wonderful millimetre at a time.

She held her breath.

With a soft pop, the loop fell apart.

In a burst of power, she felt it all—every ghostly caress and molten ripple, each lick of chill and slender vibration collided in a storm that raged through her. The orb above pulsed wildly, flashing through a kaleidoscope of colours—yellows like sunlit honey, vibrant greens of fresh leaves, blues deep as twilight seas, fiery oranges and brilliant purples—always purples—blazing bright and bold.

Her muscles seized, centreing everything into a fierce knot of sensation—swelling, swelling, swelling—then crashing with the force of a tidal surge battering against cliffs. Tav’s cry ripped free as her knees buckled beneath her; she collapsed into Gale’s arms, trembling, skin flushed with an exquisite burn.

“That was incredible,” she exhaled, surrendering to his embrace.

“Not quite done yet,” Gale murmured, nuzzling her ear.

He pulled back just enough to grasp her bound hands. Between the hum of the Weave against her skin and the desire smouldering beneath it, his touch felt multiplied— tremor spiralled down her back. Their eyes locked, his somewhat unsteadily.

“Shall I…remove these?” he ventured softly.

Were anyone else, she would have already demanded freedom—torched or clawed or chewed her own way out if they refused.

Were it anyone else, she wouldn't be here at all.

“You could leave them a little longer…if you’d like.”

Gale lowered his mouth to her throat. “I would like,” he whispered, his lips meandering. Tav’s pulse stuttered as she tipped her head to the side, giving herself over to him.

“May I touch you now?” she asked, one finger stroking the outline of his cock, pressing firmly against his trousers.

He moaned, mapping a trail across her collar bones, delicate nips and licks that sparked a fire in his wake.

“Not quite yet,” he answered, his hands skimming to her hips, slipping beneath the hem of her shirt. They swept up her stomach to her breasts, kneading almost lazily, as if time was also tethered to his will.

The lyre’s sweet music curled around them and the candles’ flickering glow gilded the planes of his face in amber light. Each swirl of his thumbs over her nipples drew an involuntary gasp, an arch from her back. Bound wrists twitching, she tucked her fingers in, denying her urge to touch him.

With a final possessive squeeze, he dropped his hands to gather the hem of her blouse.

“Lift,” he commanded.

She raised her arms above her head. The air kissed her skin as he bared her by inches, his gaze locked on her—studying her every flush, every hitch in her breath, every twitch of muscle and mouth. With a flick of his wrists, he eased the fabric up over her arm and away.

Tav hooked her arms over his shoulders as he claimed her mouth in an unhurried kiss. The world narrowed to the glide of his tongue, the searing insistence of his body as they sank together to the lushly prepared bedroll. One hand cupped the back of her neck, the other braced against the blankets as he settled her down. A gasp fanned hot over her cheek as her leg rubbed—innocently—against his groin.

“So sorry,” she teased.

“Mm-hmm. Liar.”

His nimble fingers made quick work of the fastenings at her waist. Tav lifted her hips so he could draw the garment down, with each tug staking claim. He sat back on his heels, soaking up the sight of her. She stretched out, raising her tied arms over her head, arching her back for him to admire. His chest heaved as his eyes flicked from the bindings to her breasts, swept down her stomach to her naked thighs.

“Like what you see, wizard?”

“Very much,” he replied, panting.

Tav grinned, turning her blushing cheek into the crook of her arm.

Gale guided her legs apart and settled between her knees. One hand traced a slow path along the sensitive skin of her inner thigh until his knuckles brushed her slit. Tav quivered, wrists straining against the bindings—a precious reminder that she was still in his keeping.

He leaned down, pressed a kiss to her sternum, then followed along the curve of her breast. She tilted toward his mouth, enticing him to suck her nipple; he only flicked his tongue lightly over it before sinking lower, teasing kisses down her body, nosing between her legs just once before withdrawing entirely.

Tav sagged against the bedding. “Cruel.”

“Patience.”

Gale grinned, shifting back as he deftly loosened the ties of his own trousers. She watched the slow reveal—the cut of his slender hips; the delicious trail of hair thickening around his shaft; the tip of his cock glistening tip as it popped free; the glorious flex of his thighs as he pushed his pants down to his knees. Tav bit her lip, salivating.

“But it’s my birthday,” she reminded him, in a mocking pout. “I’m ready for my gift.”

When he bent over her again, there was nothing patient in his kiss—his vanilla-spiced tongue tangling with hers until she was breathless. His hips pressed down, settling firm between her thighs, his cock sliding through slickness in maddening, shallow strokes. Her bound hands twitched uselessly over her head with need to pull him closer.

“You’ll have it,” he whispered in her ear, thrusting the tip just far enough to draw a gasp, “when I’m ready. Now—te astringo linguam.”

A faint shimmer of magic swept the tent. The musical mage hands disappeared; the ties around her wrists reverted to regular silk. Every sound was smothered in silence until only the thud of her own heart remained.

In the silence, her other senses came alive. Every nerve in her body felt tuned to the press and glide of him. The rasp of coarse hair brushing her inner thighs; the shudder of his chest as her hips rocked to meet him. The ties whispered warnings at wrists with every tug, a sweet burn blooming up her arms from her shoulders, grounding her in tender submission.

Gale’s mouth chased the line of her jaw, his beard tickling the delicate skin of her collar. He slid a hand between their bodies, fingers slicking through her wetness, teasing her clit, and the entrance he refused. Every sleepy circle tightened the vice in her muscles, yet he wilfully withheld the pressure she desperately craved. Tav writhed, taut and starving, glaring up at him. He laughed briefly, and after only a moment more of callous teasing, he eased back down with an apologetic kiss. In a steady press, he sank into her; she tipped her head back with the relief of it, lips parting around a silent sigh as her body stretched subtly to take him.

Gale paused there, unmoving, the length of him buried so deep she swore she could feel his heartbeat inside her. His jaw flexed and arms trembled slightly with how hard he was trying to hold himself still, to savour her. The heat was unbearable, exquisite; a molten pool gathering in her belly. Tav clenched her walls around him, a minor tease, and his fingers tightened fractionally in the blankets. Between them, the air felt charged, suspended on the razor’s edge.

His brows pinched together and his lips parted; she imagined the groan she could not hear as he drew his hips back in a measured drag of fever and friction that made her toes curl. Tav’s body jolted on the bedroll as he thrust forward again, far harder, somehow even deeper than before, and her breath left in a shudder. A rhythm found them swiftly, each delectable thrust a study in precision, angled to wring soft sounds from her throat—if only he could hear them.

The bindings stretched taut with every strike at her core, her hands clenching in helpless longing to touch him, hold him, dig her nails into his skin. Gale gripped her thigh with one hand, the other sweeping up over her ribs to cup her breast beneath his mouth as he finally took her most sensitive nipple, lavishing it with tongue and teeth. With each tender bite, she quaked around him, and felt the tremor of his every would-be groan beneath her ribs.

She felt the shift as his restraint began to slip. Controlled strokes grew heavier, sharper, her own body rising to meet him without thought. The Weave tingled at the edges of her senses, and the world took on dimension by degrees—the friction of skin against skin, punctuated by muffled grunts and moans; his Silence spell was unravelling as swiftly as either of them, his concentration faltering.

Gale quickened his pace, control ceding to something rougher, more urgent. Each snap of his hips drew from her a stifled cry, swallowed up by his mouth as he kissed her with ferocity. The honey-slick slide of him inside her and the muted hum of his groans made her head spin. His hand shifted from her thigh to her hip, grip firming, steadying him as he drove into her with relentless force—leaving room for nothing but wave after dizzying wave of primal pleasure.

Her climax took her in a shuddering crest, body clenching fiercely around him, pulling him in deeper. Through a ringing in her ears, Tav faintly heard his ragged intake of breath, felt his last few convulsive thrusts before he spilled into her with a lusty grunt of satisfaction.

They remained locked together, panting through the aftershocks of release. Gale ghosted kisses over her chin, her nose, the sides of her mouth and cheek as he reached over her head. The silk around her wrists slackened, but despite her freedom, Tav dared not move and lose this moment, this feeling. This sweet, fervent reminder that she was safe, cherished and adored.

“Happy birthday, love,” he murmured.

The words wrapped around her heart like a balm.

As he eased out of her and collapsed onto the bedroll, and she nuzzled into his chest to listen to the drum of his heart beneath her cheek. Gale draped a blanket over them both; wrapped in the gentle hush of the night, she let out a long, contented sigh—because despite everything, it was a happy one.

“I wonder if it’s already stocked!” Gale practically vibrates on your arm with excitement as he leads you around the counter towards the back. A new little alcove is nestled in the wall, nice and big and wide. And indeed, the shelves are packed with tomes. Thick, heavy books on all sorts of magic.

Even the rare and forbidden.

No more hiding things away where they can be censored and forbidden to study.

Gale lets go of your arm, a long contented sigh falling from his lips. “Oh. Yes. This will do,” he proclaims with a nod. He clasps his hand behind his back, bouncing on his toes, eyeing the titles embossed in gold. Every now and then pauses, lifting a finger to trace a spine, muttering to himself something that makes him smile.

You just can’t fight it anymore. The need to roll your eyes. You lean your back against the shelves, the bumps of the books prodding into you. Slowly he gets closer. Still ignoring you. Still … caressing… the books.

A harumph from you doesn’t even draw his attention. “You trail your touch down their spines almost more lovingly than you do mine, husband.” So much vitriol in your voice, surely that would get his attention.

But Gale only nods. “Ah yes, very insightful, my love.” Oh. He just gives you a non-committal answer as he continues to preen and peruse his section.

Hells, you roll your eyes back so far, by Elminster’s beard, it’s a miracle they don’t get stuck.

Not that he notices it, your wizard is pressed nose first into a brand new copy of the History of the Weave or something and inhaling deeply. “Mmm, nothing like the scent of fresh paper and ink my love,” he practically moans against its pages.

Oh. Oh. That was it.

“That is a boldfaced lie, Gale, and you know it,” you snap, glancing around. As this wing is yet to be opened to the public, you decide desperate times call for desperate measures. You slide yourself into his periphery, watching his warm brown eyes still skimming line by line of the book in his hands.

And you, you slowly pull your skirts up. The soft shush of fabric doesn’t draw his attention.

No matter.

You ruck them around your waist, and in your sudden passion, your ill-conceived idea at seduction, you can feel how wet you’ve gotten already. Wet at the idea of stealing his attention away from books… of honing his studies between your thighs rather than between the covers of tomes.

Even you can smell your arousal from here. But that musk you know he adores doesn’t draw his attention either. Handsome, bearded face pressed too closely to the new pages of his read.

You huff, hot and soaked the gusset of your underthings.

No matter.

You pull your panties to the side and slide your fingers into your slick. The bookcase at your back presses into you, stabilizing you as you thrust your fingers into your drenched sex. It squelches and sucks around your touch.

That. That arouses his attention at last.

Brown eyes snap up at you, and you watch them darken as he takes in this sudden sight. “My love… is such… debauchery necessary?” He croons, his velvet tenor rippling with interest. “Is it… warranted?”

His prominent nostrils flare, and his pretty, magical hands snap the book shut.

You tilt your head, parting your lips and… parting those lips down below with your fingers. The hot tangy scent of your sex makes his eyes widen, that practiced tongue darts out to wet his mouth. A blush dusts his tanned cheeks, and you catch a flicker of purple light under the collar of his buttoned tunic. Even dormant, the Orb acts as your favorite portent to when you’ve gotten Wizard beautifully flustered.

He leans in, standing close to cover your lewd engagements with his body from the entrance to this little nook. “What are you doing?” he hisses quietly and desperately as he fights to keep his eyes on your face.

“Proving you wrong, Gale. You said there was nothing like the scent of fresh paper and ink.” A bubbly laugh from your throat breaks into a whine as you fuck yourself on your fingers. “And I am just here to prove to the… delicious… contrary.”

You hear it, that husky inhale and exhale. The one that means you’re testing his decorum. And you glance at the opening to the store behind him.

“Come on, Wizard. Don’t tell me you refuse to christen this wing Dekarios style?” You pull your fingers from your slick and slide them to your mouth. Pursed lips suck around them, and you close your eyes to taste yourself.

Testing him further. Harder. Releasing your fingers with a pop as if it’s the sweetest candy you’ve been savoring. “One can’t always be a gentleman, you know…”

Oh, the way you purr his own words back at him, you see the snap of his control behind his warm brown eyes.

Gale descends on you, shoving you back against the books as he casts some Invisibility with barely an audible word. More of a snarl.

His tongue parts your lips, pressing in as he seeks to taste your slick. Truly his favorite treat. A groan rumbles in your mouth as he works your lips like he usually works your cunt… sucking and lapping over your tongue and between your teeth as he grips your chin. It’s a commanding pinch to your cheeks. One that keeps you just how he wants you. How he likes you.

His other hand reaches between you, knuckles pushing into your sex as he unlatches his belt and frees his cock.

Gods, you swear you can smell him, that musk of his own sex. You don’t even have to look to know how thick and flushed and leaking he is.

“Want to tell me what has captivated your interest now, my love?” you can’t help but jeer, to taunt as you reach for his cock and take him in a tight fist. His grunt, the way it leaks hot seed over your knuckles makes your mouth water. He huffs in your ear, thrusting into your fingers.

Reduced to silence for fucking once.

“Just make sure you keep quiet, my Wizard. Wouldn't want any books blowing up or pesky patrons sneaking into sections that aren’t open to the public.” You rasp quickly in his ear, flashes of purple in both your faces make you smirk. Slowing your strokes, he elicits a little whine, hips grinding into you.

Gale sighs your name, warm lips pressing to the corner of your twisting lips. “Please… let me inside you. You know how captivating you are, it’s you….”

But you only loosen your grip on his cock, letting his cockhead barely breach your sex as you wrap a leg around his hip.

“Say it again, my love. Who has your full attention now, hm?” you chuckle, a dark murmur against his desperately panting lips. “Whose musk is it you crave? These cold pages?”

Shaking his head, he whines loudly again. “You, it’s you, my love… fuck… please…”

You sigh in pleasure as his voice breaks, as he begs. “Mm, you plead so prettily, my husband,” you murmur, savoring the undivided attention and the total control he allows you to have. And you reward him by guiding his cock to sink into your warm, waiting sex.

He lets out a loud groan, thrusted in to be fully seated, and you shudder. A quick hand over his mouth and you barely manage to stifle another as he starts to slide back out and bury himself inside once more. His beard tickles your palm, his breath is searing on your fingers. But best of all, he leans back a little to fix his dark, dilated brown eyes on your face.

You know you’re a sight, hair pushed up against the rainbow of book spines, lips parted as you pant with each shove of his body against yours. Into yours. “You’re going to need to fuck me harder than that to get me to come… and after all that attention you’ve given mere books, I’d hate to think I’m second fiddle to just some parchment and ink.”

“Gods, you're insufferable. Insatiable,” he turns his head to free his mouth and growls into your mouth, but he obeys. His hips snap harder and his hand digs hard into the plush of the thigh at his waist. With a snarl, he grabs it and lifts it, splaying you wider, fucking you deeper. “Such a wanton wife, jealous of a few books?” his voice rumbles in his chest, that dangerous play of dulcet tones from his throat tickles almost as much as his beard.

With a husky laugh, you reach a hand to dig your nails into the thrusting muscles of his ass. “You know what you always say… no rest for the wicked, and if being jealous makes me wicked….” You sigh as you turn to capture his lips with your own. “Give me no rest. You speak… I burn for you, my husband.”

Lips devour yours. His hips angle just right to slam his cock head against that secret little bundle of nerves in your wall. Like it’s some magic trick, the way he always finds your most pleasurable spots. Whining, he can’t fight the noises you pull from his practiced tongue as you flutter and clench on this thickness inside you.

Invisible you may be, but silent you are not. Not as he grunts with that velvet voice; not as his hips meet yours with wet slaps of his skin, his balls against your sex spread wide for him to fuck.

His groans echo against your tongue and his practiced tongue chokes your throat. And try as you might, you can’t keep your own voice from sounding. Whines and whimpers as he takes you deep, thrusting hard enough to send a book falling from beside you.

And Gale pays it no mind. “You’re quite ready for me, aren’t you, my love?” Hands dig into the underside of your thigh as he insists on hiking it higher. His pace drives into you faster, that thickness filling you, splitting you as he snaps fast and deep.

Rutting and sweating, even if your sounds don’t give you away, the flushed and well-fucked looks on your faces will… not to mention that delicious smell of him.. on you, in you. The scent of your coupling makes your mouth water, and you drool against his panting lips.

Deep in his chest, he moans loudly, and your belly burns with a need to be filled. Fire in your veins, you don’t even notice the way the books tumble now, the way they prod into your shoulders, as if they accuse you now of being too captivating in their stead.

“I wonder what these hallowed walls would say if they could speak. How they’d put you down in history as Mrs. Dekarios, a wanton whore for her wizard, hmm?”

His voice breaks in time with your body as it clenches and bends into him. All you can do is huff your agreement… “Yes… Hells below, yes…” you keen into his kiss, a burst of a scream on your tongue before he gags you with his own, so practiced it shuts you up even as you close in on your orgasm for him.

He pulls back, replacing his mouth with the hot, sweating palm of his hand to silence you. “Don’t close your eyes. Not for a moment.” His voice is husky with his own release so close, breath hot on your face as he hisses. “I want to look into your eyes as you come undone for me, my love.”

You obey, for your wizard you’ll always listen… eventually. Half lidded and stars in your eyes, you look into his face. Sweat on his brow and a heat to his cheeks, you drink in the sight of him, studying every detail of your face.

“There you are,” he hiffs, smiling as his own pace grows stilted. Sloppy. “Your flushed cheeks. Your bright eyes. Your glistening skin… All my favorite ways you look as I bring you to bliss.”

He snaps, the final word is half-growled as he thrust home oh so deliciously deep. His hand slides off your mouth, his whole frame shuddering as he fucks into you, your ass slamming against the bookcase as he roughly pushes you in his climax.

You clench and gush, biting into your own lips until you taste blood as you obey. As your body responds to his incantation or an order. Lost in his eyes, you shudder as waves of pleasure threaten to make you collapse.

His lips tremble, your name on them like a prayer as he finally floods your insides. You swear you can feel the way he twitches within your fluttering, clenching walls. Not enough. You’re far too enamored with him to have any distance between your bodies.

One hand in his dark waves, one hand on his clenching ass, you pull him in harder. Kissing his gasping lips, shoving his cock further inside you until it kisses your cervix… at last. You sigh, more contented in this store than ever have you been before, especially as his seed begins to drip down your standing leg.

You feel his lips pull into a sated smile, and gods as you hear other patrons passing the entrance to this new wing of the store, you hope to hells he’s kept his concentration.

He must sense your unease. “Don’t fret, my love. As captivating as you are, it takes considerably more distraction for me to break a spell.”

But by the way one woman stops to gawk from the door, eyes wide before she scurries off, you suspect otherwise.

You pat him on his soft bearded cheek. “Better check. I might be more distracting than even you can account for… Gale of Waterdeep.” You giggle, too blissed out to care if others witness your aftermath.

Gale pauses, lifts his head as if to sense his surroundings, then bites his lip. “Ah, I stand corrected.” A droll comment, he laughs breathlessly as he fixes her cock back in his pants, straightening your skirts. “I’d offer to clean you up, but I rather think I like the idea of you leaking me as we walk the rest of the store, hm?” He murmurs as he tucks you sweat-streaked hair behind your ear.

Then with the demurest of kisses to your bright pink cheek, he offers you his arm. That smug glint in his eyes, that rakish turn of his smile, tremors roll through you again.

No. You laugh as you take his arm. He’s certainly not always a gentleman. How fortunate for you.

The city of Baldur's Gate was bustling, as it was every morning.

The army of the Absolute, the constant earthquakes, the political changes… so many were the novelties shaking the great city. Already from early morning, this beating heart of the people could be heard outside the tavern windows. The group had been accustomed to the much more sinister and mysterious sounds of the forest, the Underdark, and the Shadowlands. By comparison, the city and its lively din were pleasant in their own way, even though it made everyone wake up with a certain alarm.

Gale turned several times in bed, blindly searching for the warm presence of his lover under the covers, before realizing that Athalia was not there. Forcing himself to wake, he began to wonder if she had already risen, if she had already begun planning the day and the missions to be undertaken. When his eyes began to search her room, searching for answers, he was shocked and even slightly saddened to see that Athalia was none other than sleeping in her bed, across the room. She still hadn't fully accepted their relationship, and this broke Gale's heart, even though he understood sweet Athalia's insecurities.

She had never loved anyone before him, had never shared a bed, not even for the pleasure of a single night. She had grown up at court, in a glass bell, and later in the convent of Selùne.

Sleeping with her man was completely incomprehensible to her.

This, of course, didn't mean she loved him with all her being, but even so, she couldn't overcome certain barriers. She still couldn't be completely uninhibited, free.

Gale would have given anything to free Athalia from her gilded cage of insecurities, naivety, and good manners. He wanted so much to see what Athalia was capable of, if only he knew how much Gale would love every single aspect of her, without judging her or inhibiting her.

Even making love to her was torture. Every time Gale wanted to worship her, celebrate her, as his new and unique Goddess, Athalia felt ashamed. She closed herself up like a shell, clasped her hands over her mouth, hiding her sighs of pleasure, blushed, and looked away. So sweet, so unreal.

In Gale's eyes, she was a vision, a unique creature. No woman was like his Athalia; he loved this aspect, so delicate, so celibate. And yet he would have given anything to feel her more, to see her not be ashamed.

What was there to be ashamed of? Perhaps he still made her uncomfortable?

As these thoughts swirled through Gale's head, he noticed Athalia begin to gasp and turn in bed, until her barely open eyes met his. Athalia smiled as if she'd seen the sun of her day, already in a good mood. Gale couldn't help but smile back, enchanted by the beauty of that woman's appearance and manner, with a single smile and her eyes still half open. A dream.

How lucky he was.

But he didn't want to push her. If she'd slept alone, he didn't want to invade her space, and Gale simply got up and pulled the screen forward to change. He packed his backpack for the next adventure, read a few spell books, considering which were most useful for the type of missions that awaited them.

He waited calmly for Athalia to come to him, to give him the first kiss of the day.

When he smelled that sweet, fresh scent of citrus and fruit, he immediately turned, realizing that the long-awaited moment had arrived.

"Hello, Gale."

She still called him by his name. She didn't yet have the courage or audacity to call him anything other than Gale. Gale, for his part, had never dared to call her anything saccharine, so as not to rush her or make her feel inadequate.

"Athalia."

They pressed a gentle kiss on each other's lips. Sweet, like that of someone who has truly known each other forever.

They headed with their companions, Karlach and Astarion, into the streets of Baldur's Gate, intent on investigating the Bhaalite threat that was stalking the city in the shadows. Gale hadn't had the courage to talk to Athalia about why the previous evening, as soon as he'd closed his eyes, she'd left what he considered "their" bed. Maybe it wasn't as bad as he thought, maybe she was just uncomfortable; after all, that was a bed designed for one person.

As he was freed from his thoughts, Athalia exclaimed, "No. Something doesn't add up."

Gale blinked several times to get out of his world of thoughts.

"Excuse me?" "Something's eluding me. I can't figure out how these things connect. We need to go back to the murder scenes outside the city."

"Nooooo… I've gotten used to that lovely fireplace and the room service" exclaimed Astarion, desperately.

So, the group packed up and returned to the refugee camp, near the circus and the sanctuary of the Open Hand.

When evening came, instead of returning to the city, as in the old days, they packed up their gear and set up camp near an old barn, where they usually set up camp before they even entered the gates.

Late in the evening, with the stars high in the sky, Athalia approached Gale's tent.

"Can I?"

This startled the wizard. "Could she? Athalia, really?" he thought, but his thoughts weren't entirely hidden, and a frown crossed his face.

"Why do you ask? Of course you can."

Athalia made her way into the tent, clinging to the wizard. "Am I bothering you?" Her voice was innocent and pure; she wasn't trying to attract attention by getting her beloved to say the obvious. She was genuinely concerned.

"Are you kidding?" Gale didn't hold back, and the remark came out completely naturally.

He closed the book he was reading and faced Athalia, trying to be transparent. "You don't sleep with me, you just call me 'Gale,' and you ask me if it's you who bothers me? No! Good heavens, no! You never bother me, for the love of the Gods, I love you, Athalia!"

Athalia simply replied, looking at him with her huge, ocean-blue eyes. She didn't add anything, she didn't respond with words, she seemed to lack the courage. Gale hesitated before speaking again, his lips thinning to a slit. He hoped Athalia would say something, but he immediately regretted the way he addressed her. Had he hurt her? Maybe he'd been too blunt.

"Don't you feel loved by me?" Athalia asked, as soon as Gale opened his mouth to speak.

"…No! I would never say anything like that!" Gale held her close, to chase away all those demons from both of them. To feel the body of his beloved little Athalia, all his, in his arms.

"I'm just afraid you don't have the courage to love me. I don't doubt that you have sincere feelings for me, just as I do for you. I'm just afraid you're not ready for certain things." Athalia's arms tightened around Gale, returning his embrace.

"I-…"

A long sigh, muffled by the wizard's robes.

"I've never loved anyone before, Gale."

Athalia pulled away from his embrace to look him in the eyes. "I don't even understand why you love me."

Gale, contrary to his intentions, didn't react excessively to that statement. He wanted to stand up and give a detailed outline of all the things he loved about her, as if he were presenting a scientific thesis.

But instead, he simply smiled tenderly, took her hand, and kissed it.

"My love…"

Athalia squeaked at those words.

"I know that no matter what I tell you, you won't believe me. Any rational explanation, any tangible fact, you'll turn into a fantasy and settle for believing you're not enough. But you, to me, are everything."

Another kiss, on the knuckles of Athalia's delicate, small hand.

"Let me hear you."

Another kiss, this time on the inside of her palm.

"Listening to you is all I have to truly show you that I love you."

Gale brought Athalia's hand against his cheek, against his stubble. Athalia's thumb gently caressed Gale's lips, while hers closed like a shell, narrowing to a slit.

Athalia kissed Gale, with love, passion, ardor. A kiss of pure love.

A kiss that began to grow more and more lustful, hot, passionate. Athalia pulled Gale down, while she straddled him.

She broke the kiss only to sit up and settle herself on top of him as he grew hard. Gale, taken aback, blushed until his face was almost purple.

"W-What are you doing?"

Athalia began to pull down Gale's pants from under her robe. With a final bounce, she settled herself on top of him. A hot, lustful sigh escaping her body. Oh g-gods Gale impulsively gripped her thighs with both hands, dropping his head into the pillows behind him with a deep moan.

"I'll let you hear me." ⊹₊⟡⋆⊹₊⟡⋆⊹₊⟡⋆⊹₊⟡⋆⊹₊⟡⋆⊹₊⟡⋆⊹₊⟡⋆⊹₊⟡⋆⊹₊⟡⋆⊹₊⟡⋆⊹₊⟡⋆⊹₊⟡⋆⊹₊⟡⋆

•°•°•

Halsin's thick, talented fingers curl against the fleshy part of your walls, perfected by years of experience. The heel slapping into the sensitive knot of your clit, then griding in rolling circles.

His other hand holds your leg up, the wide palm-span holding you spread with ease. You turn your head and groan into the crook of your restrained arms, held by strong roots wrapped around your wrists.

"So perfect, so beautiful," Halsin's deep voice rumbles in chest, making your brain melt in the process. His tone laced in want and need; it was intoxicating.

His rhythm changes to a quicker pace, fluttering inside your warm and wet cunt with two girthy fingers; the fast, sinful slapping sounds filling the heavy air of the forest.

You call out sharply, pulling down fruitlessly against the restraints trying to take his digits deeper inside you.

"So very eager for me, my heart," he chides with a devious smile in voice, "I'll give you what you need. But first.."

Halsin's calloused palm glides along the inner curve of your breasts, up your sternum and pauses to rest, like a pretty necklace, at the front of your throat, "I have to give you something you've wanted."

His breathing slow and measured, he stares down at your naked form, a darkness present that you'd not seen before.

Yes, you'd seen him charge in battle with a hardened glare, or seen the madness in his eyes as he changes into his bear state. You'd seen him wild with passion as he fucked up into you but this, this was something else entirely. This was sinful.

He licks his bottom lip, his mouth agape, breath hot. You swallow under his splayed fingers, your breath shallow and expectant.

He stands between your soft thighs, his long, thick cock standing proud and eager, perching on the mound of your sex. His body crowding over yours as he leans down closer. You feel beads of precum daubing your belly as he nears to you.

"This is what your truly want, my heart? He checks, his voice rasped with lust, "To feel my hand wrap around your throat," his grip raises to the delicate column of you neck, your body tenses in excitement.

"To squeeze down on your neck, to choke the breath from your body as you cum around my fingers." He growls, beginning to drag his thumb lazily over your clit. The breath shudders from your lungs, your thigh muscles taut and shaking.

Halsin flexes out the hand on your throat, more vines rustle around the rocky outcrop, snaking their way towards you. They wrap around the bend of your knees and hold you spread, your hips stretched deep. You keen at the night air, the smooth vines writhing to manipulate your body, as Halsin's might wills them.

His fingers languidly stroke in long, pumping motions, driving his fingers deep, to almost the point of leaving you empty, only to return to stuff your cunt once more.

You whine at the torturously slow movement, bucking your hips to feel more friction.

"Please.. please Halsin." You moan, shaking your head back and fore.

"Please, what my heart?" He responds, increasing the fervency of his plunging digits. You groan between your lips at the delightful friction pulsing at your core.

"Is this what you want, what you need?" He snarls through bared teeth, "to be primed and satisfied before taking my cum deep inside you? Before I claim you, make you mine again, mark your womb with my seed?"

His fingers pounding inside your throbbing walls, thumb fluttering against the nub of your clit. He never falters, never waivers. His strength and resilience present in everything he does. The perfect pace and power to unmake you, to bring you to the precipice of unabashed, euphoric glory.

You tilt your head up, exposing your neck to him, "Choke me, please.. please, my love." You beg, desperation laced heavily in your tone.

He lays his large hand back on the stretched line of your neck, nodding as a wordless instruction. You take a long inhale and as you reach the top of your lungs, he begins to squeeze on the sides of your throat; his thumb and peace fingers pressing on the pulse points under your jaw.

His expression hardens, mouth tense, as he huffs through his teeth from exertion. His thick, unyielding fingers thrusting and curling, heel pounding against your soaked lips.

Your body strains, every sinew singing as your ears begin to pulse and brew with the blood rushing through your veins. Your heart thumping hard against the prison of your ribcage. Supressing the fight, or flight response, you embrace the sweet sensation of breathlessness.

Halsin's face dark and maddened above you, his massive frame shrouding yours, as he squeezes only a fraction of his strength against your throat. A feral, but unsure grin begins to snarl across his mouth; tongue pressing hard against the sharp ridges of his teeth.

Although he had had his reservations when you'd suggested choking during sex, you could see it in his expression; his tender, loving heart was hesitantly enjoying the more wicked side of your carnal desires.

Your release was imminent. You could feel it bubbling, feel it rising within you. You try to call out in pleasure but it's contained by Halsin's tight grasp. The pitched whines eek through strangulation and your eyes loll back into your head, every inch of your skin singing.

Your head was pounding, veins feeling twice their size as they thrum through your skull. The tadpole wriggling against the lack of oxygen, adding to the bliss of being choked.

But your lungs start to burn, you need to take some sort of breath in. You look at Halsin and pointedly blink twice at him, he immediately relinquishes his hold. You take in three large gulps of air, the pressure in your head diminishing from finding air.

"Again, please. I need to cum like this. It feels so good." You pant, whining and biting down on your bottom lip, wriggling against the vine restraints.

He nods to you again, you inhale and he resumes his snare on your throat. Warbling noises of ecstacy make it passed Halsin's hold, as your eyes roll once more into the back of your head.

"I need you to cum for me, my heart. You look so perfect trapped beneath me like this, my hand around your throat and my fingers buried inside your dripping cunt." He rumbles through a tight jaw. His efforts re-double, pumping faster inside your clenching walls.

Pitched moans and groans of desperate, pining need pulse against his grip. Your body begins to tremble, to shake, at the threat of oblivion.

"Cum for me, my beautiful heart." He whispers at your breathless lips, squeezing firmer.

Your orgasm grips you tight and low, wrapping it's fist around your release even tighter than Halsin's firm grasp, ricocheting from your core to exploding outward.

Your body convulses, spasms under his hold, the shock of your intense euphoria taking you both by surprise. You try to scream, your vocal chords vibrating against Halsin's toughened palm.

He finally releases your throat and the sound of your cries echo out through the long night, ravenous and deranged. Low, growling moans shiver and quake from your exhausted lungs, as they try to take in the lost air.

The cool night burns into your chest as you regain yourself, sharp inhales and long breathy exhales. The wide, blissed grin on your face evidence of your satisfaction.

Time slows, broils down to the pounding of your veins, the twitching after shocks of orgasm and the heady high of asphyxiation. You feel Halsin's soft lips peppering kisses against your collarbone, pressing them into the sides of your neck, into your hair. His calloused hand smoothes down your face, cupping your jaw.

You blink, finally focusing your eyes on Halsin's handsome face, his features shrouded in astounded awe and lust.

"If should live another 300 years, I'd wager I shall never see such a sight again. You are truly breathtaking, my love." Following his praises with an all-consuming kiss, one that curled your toes and clenched your cunt around his still lingering fingers.

You were still unable to speak, the force of your orgasm stunting your ability to form words; words that your mind screams at you to say.

"You are.. incredible. Thank you." You smile deliriously, nuzzling your nose against his warm skin.

"And you felt safe?" He ventures, withdrawing his hand from inside you, to rest on your hip, leaving you feeling empty without his intimate touch.

"Yes love, you took immense care of me." You nod with a loose neck and a slack jaw.

"I must admit, I was concerned when you approached me on this topic but now I see just how much you enjoy it, I can promise to include it more in our love making." He confesses, gazing down at you with a serene desire, "It is not the first time I've been asked to choke someone during sex but it's been more 'spur of the moment'."

"It's something that needs a conversation, for sure. You can't just pull that one out mid-fuck without some sort of forewarning." You muse, laughing gently.

He returns the chuckle, "Some kind of agreed upon sign is greatly appreciated and seemed to work well in our case."

You nod, smiling and sighing contentedly. A comfortable moment passes over the two of you within the glade, the sounds of nature murmuring around you, the smell of the wet grass. It's oddly mediative as you lay on the smoothed rock below.

You sigh again, resting your head to one side, the pounding finally coming to rest. You see Halsin's proud, thick erection begging to be used, still waiting to be satisfied too.

"Well, you know there is another way to choke me." you suggest with a feign of innocence, his eyebrow irks to an arch.

"Oh yes?" He inquiries nonchalantly, rearranging his knees to kneel up on one foot. Taking his broad cock in one hand, pumping the length as he inches it closer to you.

"Yes, and you'd have both hands free." You trace your bottom lip with your tongue, already salivating at the thought of him stuffed down your throat.

His face pulls into a mischievous grin, as he gestures his hand to manipulate the vines once more, pulling your arms wide apart. Halsin moves to straddle your chest, still masturbating. The glisten of your release still lingering on his fingers mixing onto his cock.

"Maybe for a time, but I intend to cum inside you tonight. If I may be so bold as to ask?" He ventures, looking down upon you through lidded eyes, his other hand reaching down to graze the backs of his fingers against your cheek.

"I never could refuse such a beautiful man. There was talk of making me yours again? Marking me. I do love it when I can see your finger bruises on my hips." You tilt your head to the side, biting your bottom lip and lowering your lashes.

"Mm.. bruise you, sucker kisses on your flesh so all can see who you belong to." He growls through his teeth, precum beading from his measured blows.

You narrow your eyes, regarding him within the willing helplessness of your restrained situation, "That's uncharacteristically possessive of you Halsin."

"Forgive me, just this once. You smell, particularly good this evening." He raises the back of your head and lowers his cock into you awaiting mouth.

You suckle on the large, purplish head; tasting the sweet and salt of his essence as you tongue the slit. He groans to the sky, his breath catching, as you swirl around against the ridges. He lowers your head back down to arrange himself comfortably. You glance up to meet his piercing eye contact, unconsciously biting your bottom lip.

"Well, it would be a shame to waste such a tight, wet cunt ripe for claiming, wouldn't it?" You keen through baited breath, your pussy clenching down on his enormous size already.

"It would be an abysmal shame," he gasps, as you suck him into your mouth, wrapping your lips around him fully. He grabs the sides of your head and grunts as he slides his length slowly, inching towards your begging throat.

His voice is raspy with lust as he instructs you, "Blink twice hard, my heart. Because I intend to enjoy this."

•°•°•

I hope I did the ficspriration justice 🤭 Feel free to peruse my other offerings 😏✨

I've also seen this pic below (can't find the artist again!) and it's brought up feelings of a switcheroo situation.. y'all interested? 👀😏

•°•°•

"We have to be quick." You warn, hurrying to unbuckle your belt, as Halsin shuts and locks the dining chamber door behind you both.

"Then we have to time for removing clothes," Halsin growls, pushing you roughly down on the long feasting table, "lie still, my heart."

He hoists your legs straight in the air with one large hand, your ankles held between his proud fingers. Then with the other hand, unceremoniously yanks your trousers and underwear off and up in one movement.

Gathering them up to your knees, he conjures a localised grease spell in his hand and pumps his thick cock three times, then rubs the rest on your twitching hole, venturing a firm finger inside. You gasp, throwing a hand over your mouth at the graceless intrusion.

"Not your usual decorum today, love?" you question through a tight pant.

"You asked for quick, my heart and if this is to be quick. I cannot be gentle." He warns, eyes hooded and jaw set.

Holding your legs together against his chest, he aligns himself and prods your tight entrance with his massive cockhead.

"Breathe deeply for me, little fawn. And stifle the scream." He instructs, pushing himself inside your tight walls.

Your chest hollows as the pain of his broad cock spears your sex, screwing your eyes against the tears pricking, and slamming your hand across your face to muffle the shout.

He doesn't stop, using the grease spell to slicken his entry, he drives himself inside to the hilt in three long strokes; gasping to the sky as he reaches the base.

The throbbing twitch of the intrusion painful, you hiss at the uncomfortable sting. Your face contorts, your breath held through gritted teeth.

"Breathe, my heart. It will help." He coaches, smoothing your thigh lovingly.

You know. You know it's worth it. It's always worth it.

"Fuck me, Halsin. It'll feel good once you stretch me to fit around you." You keen behind your fingers, breathing through the momentary discomfort.

Halsin acquiesces and begins pounding into your tight hole, the satisfying slap of skin on skin connection echoing around the chamber.

You breathe deeply through the deep thrusts of Halsin's girthy cock, listening to how good his groans rumbling in his haired chest sound. The tension in your body loosens, as the muscles relax around him, welcoming his gargantuan size. You release the grip on your mouth, as the feeling ripples over your body.

Your jaw slackens and your eyes roll up, arms splay to the side. You mewl out, "Yes, yes, yes."

The table clatters and screeches underneath you at the sheer force of Halsin's hips driving inside your now pliant body.

"Yes, my heart. Body limp, head empty, getting thoroughly fucked out by 'The Mighty Bear of the Emerald Grove'." He growls out the nickname you gave him the first night you had sex.

You reply a blissed cackle, as your head flops around, in rhythm with his viciously pounding hips.

The roiling pleasure radiating from your core has you in a chokehold, you could barely breathe from desire and lust. He'd never been this demanding before. This rough and careless.

Gone was the tender lover you knew, and while you missed him gently preparing you to take him; you couldn't deny that seeing him this voraciously feral for you wasnt immensely - licentiously - erotic and vulgar.

Looking up at the towering Elf above you, your legs crossed at the ankle, pressed against his chest. His one hand holding you there, the other digging bruising fingers into your hips.

Slamming up inside you, Halsin grunts and groans. The grease and sweat mixing to make the sex slippery sweet. Hitting the bundle of nerves inside you at the perfect angle, your body begins to tremble.

Halsin sees your change and knowingly drives faster, leaning his body down over you and fucking into you deeper.

He moves to play with your sex, to use his hand to drive you to ecstasy quicker. Your breath sticks in your chest and it heaves to keep up, shuddering out a loud moan.

It's too much, as you hurtle full speed towards release. Your hands fly to grasp any of him you could muster, to delay the inevitable but he shirks off your meager attempts. You try to move away but his strong grip keeps you trapped.

"You're not getting away, little fawn. I have you, and I'm going to paint your insides white with my seed. I will claim you. Claim you as mine. Mine." He rumbles the last word thorough his chest and picks up the force of his hips to snap against the backs of your thighs even harder, stroking your sex in sublime synchronicity, "Mine."

A strangled scream wrenches from your chest, as your climax pulls you under, drowning you in a sea of Halsin; of his autumn scent, his divine spirit, his inscrutable loyalty and his delicious, thick cock spurting inside your walls as he roars in rapturous abandon above you.

Release crashes down around both of you, as you feel your sex flood, coating him and yourself in your essence. He slams his hips against you, burying himself to the hilt as he spasms inside your exhausted body. Heaving out loud, whined breaths through a tense throat, he twitches the last spurts of cum.

You barely had enough time to comprehend the orgasm you'd had, before he slips himself abruptly from you. Patting you on the ass and pulling down your garments, sliding them under your cheeks.

Tucking himself into his waistband, still half-hard, covered in grease and a sinful mixture of both your cum; he smirks down at you.

"I think that lesson was sufficient." He irks a brow, a cocky grin on his face.

Your legs uncomfortably bent off the table's edge, you clumsily sit up, "What lesson was that?" You ask unsure, readjusting your garment's rough placement by Halsin's hand, your eyes still bleary from tears.

"That when I need to, I can be quick. And that I choose to spend countless hours pleasuring you by agonising choice. To not excite myself into ending everything too soon." He cups your jaw and sweeps his tongue inside your mouth, kissing you hard. Gods, he still tastes like sex. How could you still need him after just cumming?

"Oh." Was all your scrambled brain could manage, ears still ringing.

"Now, you'll spend the rest of the day with my seed leaking from your aching hole, until I fill you again tonight." He croons against your lips, "Now, thank me."

"Thank you, Halsin." You blubber, still not quite present.

He bares down on you, thumbing your cheek softly, "Good, little fawn."

•°•°•

There's plenty more smutty goodness where that came from, take a peek! 👀🥴

Halsin had been carrying the weight of the Shadowcurse for over a century, now he'd finally been able to lessen it's hold and rescue his childhood friend from a terrible fate. There was almost a glow about him as he sat nursing his only glass.

He looked a little lost at times, almost in mild shock. As though he couldn't quite believe what had happened.

Tav smiled warmly, they wondered what was in store for Halsin Silverbough.

They'd been brushing out Shadowheart's hair for 45 minutes to redo her hair ready for tomorrow's foray into Shar's Gauntlet, down to find the Nightsong.

Finally, the brush glided through her long raven locks with ease.

"There, that's half the battle won already. Ketheric will be a walk in the park after dealing with your tenday's long hair." Tav jested, brushing her hair up into a ponytail.

"Oh, shut up you," she threw with failed derision, "I would have done it myself, but you offered." She shrugged, taking a sip of wine.

"Oh, yes. Forlornly calling out that you wanted to gussy yourself for Shar, only.. alas! You can't remember how to do your hair. The pinnacle of passive aggressive whinging." Astarion threw across the fire, nursing his own goblet.

"Well, you're the expert." Shadowheart countered, illiciting a jeering reaction from the group.

"Ooh, she's got you there Fangs!" Karlach nudged his shoulder with her elbow, a little too forcefully. Astarion rubbed yelped and rubbed his shoulder.

"What do you mean? When I'm unhappy, I come right out and say it. I don't waste time beating around the bush."

"Correct, but your continued and incessant complaints regarding self-cleanliness in this wilderness are tiresome." Lae'zel sneered.

"Not to play devil's advocate, Lae'zel but I have to agree with Astarion on this one. Trying to maintain any kind of a bathing routine whilst braving these perilous lands is a task most impossible to undertake." Gale retorted, holding his hands up in gesture.

"Well, now that Thaniel and Oliver are restored, these lands will flourish once more when nature takes it's course. Oakfather willing." Halsin did his customary gesture.

"I don't really mind, and you've been a very good model sitting here without whining." Tav stated, tying off her hair and pulling it tight but comfortable, "it reminds me of my childhood, we'd spend hours brushing and braiding each other's hair. It was practice for when we'd be braiding those in ceremony."

"Ah yes, the braids of your people are intricate indeed." Wyll nodded, "I've met a few with the most complicated of braidwork, it's very impressive."

"Well, I was never good enough to braid those. It's more about the smaller victories that I specialise in. Smaller and more personal to the individual." They explained, twisting her hair to make it more manageable to thread through her hair adornment.

"Smaller victories?" Lae'zel narrowed her eyes with a curious tilt.

Shadowheart handed Tav her silver adornment, "Yes, they can be anything really. Anything that the person overcame; hardships, trials, successes, even failures."

"Your people celebrate failure? Bah. Mediocrity must be cleansed-"

"-Cleansed, yes we know what the Gith think about all of that. Despite this apparently fatal flaw, my people are great warriors, Lae'zel." Tav interceded, threading Shadowheart's hair through the chains to secure the hair piece.

"I know this. You have shown yourself distinguished in battle many times." Lae'zel insisted, frowning in the way she did.

"And yet, I'm not your 'typical' warrior. I'm valued because of the strengths I do have, not shunned for the ones I don't. My people embrace failure without shame, or repulsion because it takes more from a person to admit their mistakes, than to admit their success."

A hush fell over the group as Tav's words sank in. A few uncomfortable shuffles echoed around the group.

"I feel like there was more I could do to help the Tiefling refugees. I should have done more." Wyll said, breaking the silence.

"That's not a failure, that's a regret. Regrets are useless, Wyll. They keep us from seeing the good. You taught those children enough to survive that attack. You told Umi it's about giving him enough time to escape and they did. So, I'd count that as a success." Tav replied, smiling. Wyll took a stuttered inhale, surprised by their perspective.

"I failed to stop the Shadowcurse, it shouldn't have come to this." Halsin admitted, a pained expression on his face.

"You failed to kill Ketheric Thorm but so did many others that day. But you, my friend," Tav leaned to rest a firm hand on his muscular shoulder, "are the only reason it's ended now."

"If it had not been for you-"

"-Then you would have found a way. Your failure, is now your triumph, Halsin. This pain that has clouded you for a century, is finally done." Tav jolted him hard to emphasise their point, then scanned his hair, "I need to give you a new braid."

His head jerked to look up, hazel green eyes wide, "I did not think-"

"You need two; one for your failing, one for your victory. We are defined by both and must wear them proudly. If you'll permit me?" Tav paused, seeking consent.

They allowed the revelation to seep inward. The tenants of their people were often the cause of deep realisations regarding the self. Even when those people were as wise as Halsin.

"You would honour me." His warm, kind eyes brimmed with the threat of tears but he stoically swallowed them down.

~~~

The evening passed in reflective revelry, the gang admitted many deep seated secrets that had shamed them. It bonded them further, in a way that was Tadpole-free. By the end, Tav would need to braid all of their friends.

Lae'zel touched the fresh re-plaiting Tav had done for her, adding another to symbolise her small achievement of befriending Istiki. She seemed pleased.

Halsin had peeled away from the fire a short while ago but hadn't returned. Tav hoped that they hadn't caused him hurt by what they had said.

After such a long time of carrying this burden, taking a step back and looking at the situation in it's entirety after being so intrinsically entwined with it.. blinded within it.. would take time.

But they'd meant every word. He was an incredible man. And they hoped he saw that in himself.

Eventually, everyone resigned to their bedrolls. A goodnight hug from Karlach, Wyll, Gale and surprisingly Shadowheart, a pat on the shoulder from Astarion, and the usual nod from Lae'zel, imparted with more warmth than before.

"You can feed on me again tonight, let me just go check on where Halsin's got to." Tav gently patted Astarion's arm.

"I appreciate that. Unless I want to eat cow, there's nothing around here."

"Cow can be delicious but not in the way you experience taste, I'll bet."

"Ugh, no. Livestock taste - ugh - well, you can imagine." He curled his lip in disgust.

Tav laughed, "If they taste as bad as they smell, I think I can."

~~~

After very little searching, Tav found Halsin by the lakeside, just inside Isobel's protection. There seemed to be a large, silver basin in front of him.

He was naked from the waist up, revealing his impossibly muscled physique. Tav gasped. They'd obviously seen his barely contained body in his Druidic armour, but laid bare in front of them like this, their mouth had suddenly run dry, yet salivated hungrily simultaneously.

His hair looked longer, almost freer, as he took the basin over his head with ease and poured it over his hair.

Again, Tav gasped and a pooling of lust hit low in their belly watching this mountain of an Elf drench himself in water.

Halsin placed the basin back on the rock and pinched the water out of his eyes. He shook with an exhale, squeezing out the excess water from his hair and caught Tav's gaze.

Immediately feeling foolish, Tav jerked themselves out of their stupor and waved nonchalantly, making their way down to him. Halsin returned with a half wave as he wiped his face down with his hand.

"I didn't see you there, didn't realise anyone else was awake." He smiled brightly, towering half naked and beautiful.

Tav returned the smile, "I just wanted to make sure you were alright."

"You were concerned for me?" He sounded surprised.

"Of course, I understand that what I said might have been quite a lot to digest before one sleeps. I wanted to see that you were well, and rested."

Halsin's brows pulsed together but his expression remained warm, "It has been quite some time since someone checked to make sure I was rested but I promise you, I'm perfectly fine."

"I didn't mean to offend, or speak out of turn. The Shadowcurse has superceded everything else in your life and having that finally lifted from your burdens-"

Halsin held up a large paw to silence them, "Hush now, you did not speak out of turn. In fact, you spoke more truth than I've heard in a long time. A redeeming quality of yours.." he trailed off, with an intense stare.

"I'm glad to not offend, because I don't regret what I said. What you've achieved today will change the course of this land forever, for good this time."

"I must admit, it is a strange feeling to see hope sprout anew in these lands, after so much darkness." He mused, looking to the spot he'd brought Thaniel through from the Shadowfell.

Tav thought on the fierce battle for the portal, the desperate need to keep Halsin safe. The sheer relief that flooded them when they saw him return with Thaniel unconscious in his strong arms.

They stole a glance at him while he looked out towards the water. He truly was beautiful.

The strong line of his scarred jaw, the definition of his muscles, the uncharacteristic growth of chest hair dark against his sun-kissed skin. The lingering droplets of water chasing each other down the contours of his torso and into the damp waistband of his camp clothes.

Tav swallowed. Halsin was obviously a stunningly attractive man, but the energy and presence that exuded from his very soul was intoxicating; His strength, his compassion, his bravery and his boundless capacity for goodness and hope-

He'd taken out his braids.

Tav blinked twice, then glanced down to the empty silver basin and now what they saw to be soaps, glass bottles and tubs.

"What are you doing down here, Halsin?" They asked, plainly.

He blinked, returning his gaze to them, "Well, I had hoped to commemorate this occasion, as you suggested. That you would honour me with a new braid. However, my cleanliness has not been the top priority these last days and my hair is seldom touched by anyone but me. It required some attending to." He chose his words delicately. It made Tav laugh.

"Would you like some help?"

"I think I have imposed enough on your good will for one day. Although, I must admit, I do not know anything about hair care." He admitted with a chuckle.

"Well, I see you come fully stocked." They motioned to the jars, picking them up to read the labels.

"I spoke to Isobel about blessing some water so that I may bathe, one of the Harpers kindly gave me some of their own poltices and potions to use."

Tav opened a container to gauge the consistency, Halsin also reaching for a bottle. They took a sniff of the thick, white poltice and found it to be coconut.

"Ah, this is to soften and strengthen hair. Plus it smells divine." They offered Halsin to smell the balm, to which he let out a hum of agreement.

"This is an oil. To help with hair?" He said shrugging his shoulders and unstoppering it, the scent of lavender and rosemary strong on the air.

Tav nodded in agreement, "That's for the scalp as well as the hair. A scalp massage is unlike anything else for relaxation."

"Is that so?" Halsin asked with a playful lilt.

"It is so. Would you like a scalp massage? I am very proficient in them." Tav boasted, taking the oil bottle Halsin offered.

"Another of your many talents." He admired in a low register. Another intense gaze burned them in place.

"Well, in order for me to braid you, your hair must be in a good condition. If you'll allow me?" They gestured for him to sit.

"Now? Here?" He asked.

"Where else could be better than at the site of your achievement?" Tav posited, gesturing to the jutting rock.

Halsin turned down his lips and nodded in agreement, "I can't argue with that."

They both settled on the rocks, Halsin sat lower down in front of Tav's crossed legs. Tav rolled his camp shirt to place against the rock to afford Halsin more comfort, to which he rewarded them with another warm smile.

Once they were both in position, Tav pushed their sleeves up, "Tilt your head back for me." Halsin dutifully acquiesced, and they poured a good helping of the rosemary and lavender oil, assuring that it didn't drip.

"That smells wonderful." Halsin said through a smile.

"That it does," Tav agreed, flexing their fingers against Halsin's scalp in small circles, "It should feel even better." They returned with a smirk.

"Ooh, that it does." He mimicked, after a few moments of groans.

Tav proceeded with the scalp massage, fingers practised and strong, offering healing and relaxation for body and mind.

They saw the tension in his shoulders ripple away and he sank lower into the feeling, "You can rest your head against my legs if you'd like." They offered. A normal suggestion in these circumstances but this time it felt far more loaded.

They'd given hundreds of these kinds of treatments but this time felt different, important.. charged.

Wordlessly, Halsin sank back into them. The back of his neck resting on their crossed calves, as they continued their practice. His handsome face was contented.. at peace, as he gently lay on them.

Tav watched the small changes in his expression as their fingers worked their magic. His brows would flex, his closed eyelids would stretch as though his eyes were rolling back in his head.

Tav employed the subtle use of their nails to awaken the scalp for regeneration, raking them across his head. Halsin's jaw tensed and he let out a low rumble that sounded not quite human but it made their stomach tumble over uncomfortably.

"Apologies," Halsin's voice came out slightly breathlessly, "This is feeling quite good, and my grip over the animal within can be tenuous at times. I hope it doesn't frighten you." He opened his eyes to look up at them, his incomparable green hazel eyes shadowed with lashes and uncertainty.

"You could never frighten me, Halsin. You make me feel safe, protected. Never afraid." Tav spoke in a hushed tone and moved their thumbs to massage the worry lines that appeared there, "You are immense and powerful and you deserve to feel good."

"Mm, you make me feel good. Very good." Halsin licked his bottom lip and took a shaky breath.

Tav paused to add more oil to their hands, rubbing them together and gliding their full width to smooth his hair down. Then tossing his hair from side to side to work their way to the underside to massage the back of his neck.

Halsin groaned at the force of their fingers, "Tav, that feels quite extraordinary. You have a real talent for this." He let out a breathy chuckle.

"I'm not even started yet, Bear man." They teased, "You'll be practically unconscious by the time I'm finished with you." The tinge of unintentional sexual energy peppered their words, as they pushed the muscles of his neck under their hands.

"Bear man?" He shot out a laugh, "We shall both be exhausted after this, I'll wager."

"I've been doing this for many years, I could do this for hours." They braced into their strength and worked the heel of their palms hard, down into the extremely tight musculature of his shoulders.

Halsin let out a shuddering yelp, then a rumble paired with a gasp, "That.. was unfair."

"You're wound tighter than a Patrirar's arse, Halsin. You need to relax."

He sat up a little, pushing against the force.

"Oh, and how would you suggest I do that, when you're burying your fingers into my shoulders? Gods." He strained through gritted teeth.

"Besides a massage? A bath, masturbation, meditation, booze? There are lots of fun ways to unwind." Tav smirked, thumbs working over his wound muscles.

"All sound suggestions, apart from masturbation. That would be a tad inappropriate, don't you agree?" His tone was light and dark at the same time, it curled a devious smile to Tav's lips.

Their eyes flitted down to Halsin's crotch subconsciousally, only to almost choke at the sight of the thick snake straining against the fabric.

The aroma of arousal suffused around them, now turned to a thick smog, covering them unabashedly.

It gripped Tav low in their belly and held them by the throat, their own desire throbbing between their legs.

They folded themselves over him and leaned to whisper in his ear, their firm hands gliding down the strong plains of his chest.

They had never been good at being coy.

"Halsin. I would love you to touch yourself while I massage you. I would love to hear the sweet sounds of your pleasure and satisfaction, as we celebrate this together. To see you, to hear you. To bless this with an act of self love." Their lips caught on the hard edges of his Elvish ears, and he shuddered beneath them, his muscles bunching under their palms.

"You would?" He muttered, swallowing thickly.

"To see your beauty laid bare to me in such an intimate and scared act, yes I would.." They hummed into the shell of his ear.

He stretched his head back, pulling his lips back and baring fangs for a split second.

"Show that you're free of this regret, that it holds you no longer. Own this. Take this moment as yours. Praise the Gods with your surrender and pleasure."

Halsin huffed out an unsteady breath and began unfastening his trousers until his large, thick erection jutted free, sprouting from dark hair.

Tav eyed his cock hungrily with trepidation and intrigue, the image of Halsin buried deep inside them flashing before their eyes. The ghost of the stretch around him clenched their sex, filling their mouth saliva.

"Is this truly what you want?" Halsin asked, his large hand waiting in a fist on his toned thigh.

"If you mean to ask; is this an appropriate scenario for two friends to participate in, then no, it's probably not."

His fist squeezed tightly in frustration, as he sighed.

"I thought not." He said bitterly through tight lips.

"However, I was never one to follow rules." They moaned through a grin, as they flicked the tip of their tongue across his earlobe, nipping lightly with their teeth.

The air from Halsin's lungs whooshed out, as he slammed his to grip the back of their head, the other placed on their's across his heart. He fisted their hair, as he writhed against their suckling of his sensitive ears.

He pulled on their thickest braid, desire tugged them deeper with every follicle. Tav's eyes rolled back as they moaned, open-mouthed. Halsin trembled out a repressed groan, biting down on his lip and closing his eyes.

"Silvanus forgive me." He whined, sliding his hand from their hair, finally allowing himself the freedom to touch his twitching, weeping cock.

"No, 'Silvanus bless me'," Tav corrected, as they slid their oiled hand from under his grasp and held his forearm across his chest. They looked up, passed the moon barrier, to the sky, "Silvanus, bare witness to your faithful servant. Bless this act of devotion."

"Yes.. yes." He uttered, head sliding to their shoulder, cradled into their embrace. His huffed, hot breath jagged against their jaw.

Tav looked down to watch him pump his cock mercilessly, the beading precum that had leaked coating the blows. They swallowed his gasps and moans as he pushed against them.

Suddenly, the cold night of the shadows were ushered away, replaced by the sensation of sunlight and the smell of the trees and fresh earth. Tav could taste the juice of the fruits bore and the brilliance of light shining.

Tav smiled joyfully, bathed in the light of Halsin's God.

The All-Father was here with them.

"Do you feel-" He barely managed through gasps. They nodded against the sweat of his skin.

"Silvanus sees you, Halsin," they breathed, an irreverent smile across their face.

They heard words that had no source booming through their mind, they knew the meaning and listened.

"He has felt your faith and love. Your devotion and dedication to him and to the task of freeing these lands. He has found you deserving of his blessings. He granted you passage to retrieve Thaniel because he knew that you are worthy."

The divine words came out without thought, as tears slid down their cheeks.

"Thank you, Oakfather.. but.. none of this.. would have been possible.. without Tav." He keened, grip on his throbbing cock intensifying, "Bless them, Silvanus. Bless them."

The swell of the divine enhanced tenfold. Tav wept at the radiance coursing through them. The heat, the force.. it was indescribable. Incomparable.

"We would have been lost without you. All would have been lost without you." A low whimper rang from the back of his throat, as they kissed his markings.

The voice thundered inside their head once more, words of affirmation and benevolent boon. Tav gasped, their vision blinded by light, their lips rounded into a serene smile.

"You are the catalyst, Halsin. You are the might that wrenches away the rot, you are the sunlight and water to feed the earth.. Yours is the seed that brings new life."

Their other hand came down to grasp at his forearm, feeling the furious movement of Halsin's joy. Halsin yelped, gulping moans as he pumped his massive cock in abandon, thumping his strong hips to meet every stroke.

"I'm-I'm.." He choked, his jaw clenching, rhythm erratic.

"Yes, Halsin. Spread your fertile seed upon this land.." The feeling of the divine power crescendoing in their head.

"Silvanus.. Silvanus.." He struggled, "Bless me.."

Halsin convulsed and spasmed, roaring as he climaxed in hard, thick shoots of cum, spilling over the cold, grey earth beneath him. He jerked and strained, as he spurted thick and full, spattering the grass.

Tav held him close, guiding him through his orgasm, soothing him with sweet words, until his white seed wept down the sides of his softening member.

Still panting heavily, he licked his dry lips and removed his grip from his trembling cock; the remnants of his elation coating his fingers.

Tav's hand slid up his forearm in delicious abandon, bringing his hand to their mouth and greedily licking his cum off his fingers. Halsin hummed in appreciation of their enthusiasm.

Suddenly, the night was cold again, the warmth of divine embrace ended. However, heat rolled of Halsin in waves, chasing away the chill.

Several moments stretched between them, their breath still calming; both needing a moment to recompose. Tav moved their fingers to his temples and wound them in strong circles, Halsin exhaled long and slow.

Tav was reeling. Their body wrung out, their ears ringing. It had not been the first time a God had spoken to them but it was certainly the first time they acted as messenger for a God, especially for one that wasn't their own. They weren't even sure it had ever happened before, and especially not during such a sexual explicit act.

It was incredible.

"That was.." Halsin eventually began.

"..I know." Tav finished, as they carded their hands through his hair.

"What do we do now?" He asked, cock large and limp against his taut belly. An uncomfortable air of something akin to shame tinged his voice.

"We continue the celebration." Tav smiled, picking up the poultice beside them, smoothing it into Halsin's semi-dry, oiled mane of hair.

Wordlessly time spanned before them, as Tav slowly worked through his tangled hair. The coconut poultice soaked into the mess and loosened the knots, the scents of lavender, rosemary and coconut dancing together on the silent air.

Nothing stirred, apart from Halsin's soothed groans and the sounds of the brush through untangling hair.

"Did you feel it too?" He asked, uncertainly.

"Silvanus?" Tav clarified.

"Yes. I've heard his words before but that was.. different." He said, gravely. He sat taller removing himself from their touch, "I took advantage of the situation. I have been without the touch of another for some time now and I sullied this act of friendship with my own desires-"

"-Hush now," Tav murmured, gently pulling back into their chest, "You did not sully anything, nor take advantage of anyone." They kneaded their cheek into his to offer comfort.

"Silvanus was able to speak through me because I opened myself to you and by extension, to him. Put aside these fears. I wanted this too." Tav reassured him, grazing his cheek with the back of their hand. Halsin turned his head, nuzzling slightly and rested his hand on theirs, with another warm smile.

"That is good to hear. Thank you, my friend."

Tav laid their chin upon his head and pressed a small kiss there. A happy moment surrounded them both.

Conversation flowed easily between the two, now that the air had been cleared.

Tav brushed his hair through, with a modicum of difficulty, then sectioned his hair and retied the braids that had previously existed with Halsin's guidance. While he regaled the story of how the Shadowlands had come to be, Ketheric Thorm, Shar, the Harpers and Druids coming together. Fierce battles, death, terror, success, hubris and finally how he'd dedicated his life to the eradication of this curse.

Tav was just finishing the last braid, the one commorating his achievement.

"I've spent this last hundred years of my life in persuit of this goal, forsaking most everything else. Now that it's nearly done, I do not know. I-I feel.. hollowed.. aimless. Like I am without purpose. Apart from helping you with your tadpole, of course." He added with a incline of his head.

"Is that why you're helping us? To feel like you still have a mission?" Tav asked, curious.

The only reason he'd come to Moonrise with them in the first place was to get closer to the Curse. It would make sense that he would return to the Grove, now that that part was complete.

"Gods no, never think that. I'm here with you till the end, regardless of what comes next. You have aided me in ways I could never repay, there's not a chance I'll abandon you now." He said firmly.

"But you mustn't need to feel like you owe us anything, there's no-"

Halsin reached across himself to grab their arm, and with a fluidity becoming of an Elf, he slowly turned to face them.

His earthen eyes looked up at them with a fierceness and urgency that stopped their thoughts.

"My friend, I have lived a very long time. Many lifetimes of others. But I have never met anyone quite like you before. Your bravery, your warmth, your valour. You are unique," his big, warm hands covered theirs with ease as he edged closer, "and I am yours, for as long as you need me. Against Ketheric, against the Absolute.. everything."

Tav swallowed. The radiant energy flowing from his heart was almost unbearable to withstand. They felt themselves drawn to him, leaning in. Halsin followed.

The distance between them seemed miles and nothing at all, as they were pulled together. His eyes focused on their lips, head tilting to accommodate their impending meeting.

The air was hot and doused with lavender and clean soap; the energy palpable. Tav closed their eyes to let it overtake them.

"Ahem." Came a voice far too close, "Not to break up this lovely little moment, but that strange ox is looking more appetising by the second." Astarion drawled with a sass that was entirely his alone, "Any chance of wrapping this up?"

Tav opened their eyes to see Halsin looking irritated but resigned to the intrusion.

They laughed between themselves; the bubble of their celebration had clearly clouded their awareness for intruders.

"I'll be back up shortly." Tav said, tight lipped, their focus still on Halsin.

"I told you to leave it." Came angry, hushed chiding from Shadowheart. Tav heard a small scuffle of clothes being wrenched and Astarion being dragged away, bickering following their leave.

"Reality beckons it seems." Halsin said with a small smile.

"It seems so." Tav breathed out, disappointed.

They pressed their foreheads together, chuckling lightly. A moment shared between them, connecting them.

They both took cleansing breaths and Halsin kneeled up to stand. He took a little time to familiarise himself with his new braids, while they gathered the various glass containers, soap and brush, placing them gently within the silver basin for ease.

Tav had chosen one above either ear, pulling them up into his half-do, to help secure it.

He gave a murmur of agreement, "I will wear them with pride. Thank you for honouring me."

"Thank you for trusting me to do so." They leaned up and pulled out his usual loose curls around his ears to frame his handsome face.

Their eyes met and air around them stilled, cloaked in coconut and lavender.

Halsin quickly grasped them into a desperate kiss, wrapping his strong arms under them and pulling them into him.

Tav's arms wrapped around his neck, pulling in closer, willingly losing themself in him.

Halsin's heat flooded into them; his desire, his adoration, his need.. and into him they poured their reverence, their respect and loyalty, their awe and their unyielding desire.

They felt his arousal pressed flush against their own, and Halsin huffed out air.

He broke the kiss, breathing heavily, "My heart. If I could, I would take you as many times as you would allow. I would caress your skin and fill my mouth with your taste until you could bare it no longer," he licked his lips with the ghosting thought of your essence on his tongue.

"I would bury myself slowly inside you, feel you gloriously stretch around me. Gently make love to you underneath the light of the moon again and again until we are both spent.."

There was a pregnant pause.

"But?" Tav asked, eventually. Halsin gave a long, frustrated sigh.

"But.. tonight is not that night. Not here." Halsin looked disappointed but sure in his judgement. Tav brought a hand to cup his face, pulling their lips into a side smile.

"I know, I agree," Barely nodding, Tav looked into Halsin's gorgeous face, "But know that every fantasy that keeps me awake at night, has your name falling from my lips."

Halsin's eyes darkened, then softened with a sheepish grin.

"Those are unfair words spoken to a man so close to giving in." He teased, still grinning, "I would like to at least repay you for your efforts. It seems a travesty that I should reach orgasm and you should not."

"Dear one, I had Silvanus' light coarsing through me. Trust me when I say that is more than enough excitement," They paused for a moment, "I do believe you're the only man to have actually made me 'see the Gods'." They laughed, quoting previous, over-confident lovers. Halsin joined them, his chuckle warming through the night.

They kissed again, softly this time. Several slow, peppered kisses. Each one reaching new depths in their desire for him.

"We'll have to continue the celebration another time." Tav licked their bottom lip and gently sucked it between their teeth, trying to contain more words, that could potentially leave them delightfully bruised and aching the next day.

"I will sorrowfully count the hours until that moment comes." His loving gaze pouring over their face.

"I will gladly kill anyone who tries to stop it."

Halsin gave a short, breathy chuckle, "I'll take care of this, you have another waiting for you." He swallowed, beginning to pull away but stopped. His eyes narrowed in confusion and he looked to the ground.

Tav turned to see what he was concentrating on, to see a tree sapling unfurling out of lush greenery, on the spot where he had spilled himself.

Their mouth gawped open, eyes wide.

"That's an oak sapling." He breathed in shock.

Tav blinked hard twice, "Well. Silvanus did say that you were the seed to fertilise the land. Apparently that wasn't an aphorism." They returned their gaze to him, expression almost identical.

Halsin shot out a laugh, "Praise Silvanus. Praise you, my heart." He chorused, pulling them close, cupping their jaw.

"Praise you, my love."

•°•°•