I just really love some of the subtlety in Astarion's approval mechanics.
Initially in act 1 he will just absolutely whine and bitch every time you try to do something even vaguely altruistic. Under the hood, they're only small dings to your approval--1 here, 5 there; he's constantly annoyed with your average do-gooder player, and it comes off like he's just a purely selfish asshole. Which he is. But there's more to it.
Pay attention to his banter throughout the game and he'll mention how he called on every God, how he wanted someone to rescue him, and no one ever did. How he used to be attracted to heroic princely types like Wyll. It's the bitterness of someone who had his worldview shattered. He's basically in the back of the group rolling his eyes every time you do something cartoonishly heroic, because he doesn't think heroism exists.
But by act 3, there's a shift. You start getting "Astarion approves" for things like rescuing slaves or being kind to children. Slowly but surely, as it becomes apparent that your intentions are sincere, your hero bullshit starts rubbing off on him. And it's rewarding as hell.
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
âś“ Live Streamingâś“ Interactive Chatâś“ Private Showsâś“ HD Qualityâś“ Free Actions
Free to watch • No registration required • HD streaming
⬆️Canonical proof that ascended Astarion is in love with the player.⬆️
Also canonical proof that he is truly the dumbest man to ever pass law school
Ascendant powers or not, one cannot simply force chemical reactions in their brain at will. Not even for the sole purpose of randomly finessing his ex into believing he cares about them romantically (for what purpose would he do this?). It is an unconscious biological reaction being read by a psychic alien. It cannot be faked or temporarily forced and illithids don't misunderstand these thoughts and chemical processes.
✨Lord Astarion loves the player. This is a canonical fact.✨
"He only sees them as a slave/he's an abuser/he's cruel/he secretly hates the player for what they let him do to himself" is entirely fanon and I'm tired of seeing it tossed around constantly as the gospel truth.
The more I think about Fenris the more established my “Astarion is literally not Fenris’ archetype, you all just saw a white haired elf and blacked out” agenda becomes. Sorry if I’m insufferable about it.
Astarion is so… loud. He is so obviously asking for help without directly asking for help. You don’t even need to pass checks (aside maybe the boar) to make him talk about his past, he’ll lay it out. He isn’t… closed off? He doesn’t know what he wants, he only knows what he doesn’t want. Fitting the shoe of his tormentor and choosing to wear it or not is his whole crux. Just like Morrigan.
Fenris is so, so guarded. He isn’t scared, he’s suspicious. He loves the quiet, he is elusive. He is short-spoken and direct. He doesn’t like opening up, he is secretive and isn’t begging to be saved. He is determined and ambitious and is an unstoppable force that needs to be directed. He has an immutable sense of right and wrong that is very hard to alter. Just like Shadowheart.
The tadpole gave Astarion the tiniest scrap of normalcy after 200 years of both being a monster and being treated like less than shit. All of a sudden he can go out in the sun, he can touch running water, he can walk through a damn door without waiting for an invitation. All of a sudden he doesn't feel like a monster anymore.
No wonder the dude immediately wants everything the tadpoles can possibly give him, risks be damned. No wonder he craves ascension, at the expense even of his soul, his own self. He finally found water in the desert and he's gonna chug until he vomits.
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
âś“ Live Streamingâś“ Interactive Chatâś“ Private Showsâś“ HD Qualityâś“ Free Actions
Free to watch • No registration required • HD streaming
Warnings: tooth rotting fluff, HEAVILY inspired by this scene in Bridgerton (plot belongs to them)
---------------------
You and Astarion glared at each other, tensions high. So high, in fact that everyone else left camp to do gods know what just as long as it was away from you two.Â
“Do you love me?” you asked him point blank.
He hesitated, “I’m trying to protect you.”
“Do you love me?” you asked again.
He looked at you with a pained expression, “I cannot.” he said defeated.
“Do you love me?” you repeated.
“Y/N please, stop.” he said, backing away slowly.
You followed him to the center of camp, not letting him walk away from whatever this was, “Is this because you believe that I cannot love you? Because I do…. I love you Astarion.” Sincerity shined in your eyes.
Astarion stared in disbelief, his mouth not able to produce words.
“I love you so much that I will go, if that is what you wish. I will do that. We can live our separate lives and once the tadpoles are dealt with you never have to see me again. But first you have to say you do not love me; you must tell me that I am utterly alone in this world.”Â
He shook his head, trying to break your gaze but unable to, “I’m a monster Y/N. I am a danger. There are two sides in me fighting for power, it's as if the heavens and the hells are colliding.”
“Do you love me?” you asked with a wanting tone.Â
“You do not wish a life for yourself with me!” he yelled, making you jump a bit “No one wishes it!”
“Astarion!” you yelled back not backing down, “I will stand with you between the heavens and the hells, I will tell you who you are, do you love me?” you said as you stood only a breath away from him.
“I love you!” he yelled, his voice wavering at the end. You could see unwanted tears welling up in his eyes. “From… from the moment you walked into camp I have loved you desperately; I cannot breathe when you are not near…. I love you Y/N… my heart calls your name.”
He looked at the ground, feeling weak for telling you everything he had tried desperately to keep bottled up and pushed down. He felt your hand cradle his face, bring him into a sweet kiss. He kissed you back fervently, but sobs escaped him after a moment.
“This… condition has been my shame for 200 years… this darkness... my burden for so long… and you… you are a light in that darkness.”
You ran your thumbs comfortingly over his sharp cheekbones, “Astarion, it's you and me. Just us. Together.”
Astarion scanned your face multiple times, looking for any indications of deception, yet all he found were kind eyes and a loving smile. His lips twitched upwards for the first time all night, Astarion pulled you back into a kiss, much deeper and full of passion. His arms enveloped you into a hug, your hands still holding his face.Â
“I love you.” he breathed out just above a whisper.
“And I you, for eternity.” you reassured, kissing the tip of his nose.Â
----------------
Naboo's Note:
Hello darlings, life has been a little busy lately but I wanted to give you a little snack of a drabble. I watched Bridgerton and all I could see in this scene was Astarion and Tav. All plot and rights belong to Bridgerton - idk how copyright works but I hope putting that keeps me from *cough* "legal issues". Anyyyyyy whoooooo - I hope you enjoy, I'll post again soon. Please comment, like, reblog or send me a request! Ilysm <3
Personally I HC a post-game spawn Astarion who (with the help of his Tav and possibly Gale) can walk in the sunlight. A spawn Astarion who goes back to practicing law; not as a judge, but as an attorney- specifically a defense attorney. A spawn Astarion who's healing and has been influenced by his Tav to be better and help people. Who defends the underprivileged and abused and maybe even fellow stray spawn who are just trying to live a life without their master but haven't managed to successfully reintegrate back into society. His wits and tongue are just as sharp (which occasionally gets him in trouble during court sessions) but he now uses those sharp words and wit to be the person, the voice, he never had when he was hurting.
