#bloodspore

“Good morning flower, please tell me the blood I smell, doesn’t mean you're dead.” She could feel him lean closer to the opening of her blankets. “I told you, piling so many blankets on you, would crush you sooner or later.” Astarion began to poke and prod at her beneath her cozy pile. 

From beneath her cozy fortress came a muffled, “Yes, I am dead now. You may throw me under a willow tree and I will find you again in the next life. Please tell whoever you see fit that you, or they, are in charge now. Thank you.” 

Astarion clicked his tongue, making a show of his fingers crawling up her body as she felt them curl around the opening of her covers. “What a pity,” he sighed, “I guess my lovely little flower will never get the special treat I had planned for her this lazy morning.” He sighed dramatically once again, “Oh well, I guess it's my job to dispose of this beautiful body.” He quickly ripped away her covers, the assaulting morning light of the still open flap, caused the pain in her head to worsen. His cold hands quickly enveloped her sides, pinching and tickling her in a show of trying to bring her back from the dead. 

“You’re a wicked, and evil man, Astarion!” Hellethil shrieked, grabbing his hands, trying to get him to stop. “Your hands are chilly! Stop it! Stop! I’m not in the mood! I don’t feel well!” His vicious onslaught abruptly halted, and she quickly found her back pressed against his chest, his now gentle and welcoming arms wrapped around her. 

“Why is my little flower covered in thorns this morning?” He pressed a soft kiss just behind her ear, whispering a soft apology. “Honestly darling, are you alright? Why is the smell of blood in here so overwhelming?” He sat up, confused, his eyes quickly roaming her, looking for any signs of injury she may have suffered before he came in here. 

Blush creeped up Hellethil's cheeks, her body now feeling too warm despite the cold early morning breeze, drifting in through her tent. “It’s nothing life threatening, I’m alright. It’s just my cycle, I must have lost count of the days amongst the chaos of everything.” She closed her eyes, nuzzling her face into her pillow, curling into herself as another wave of pain took hold of her. “I feel awful. I have a headache, I have horrid cramps, I feel disgusting and bloated. I’m exhausted, I just want to sleep this away.”

Astarion sighed, laying back beside her, dragging the many blankets up their bodies. He carefully wrapped an arm around her, burying his face in the crook of her warm neck, pressing a number of soft, delicate kisses on her. “And here I came in and viciously attacked you. I’m sorry my darling flower.” He held her tighter against him, his strong chest pressed against her back, his fingers slightly tightening against her belly.

Hellethil slowly turned to face him, nuzzling her face against his neck, his chin finding its place on top of her tousled bed head. “What are you doing?” she mumbled. “Don’t we have to get up? Isn’t that why you came in here? Aren’t we leaving today to head towards The Underdark?”

“Lucky for you, everyone so graciously agreed to a rest day. It seems yesterday’s events have everyone feeling a bit run down.” His hand moved in a steady motion up and down along the aching muscles of her back, tempting her back into the sweet caress and comfort of sleep.

“Didn’t you say you had a special treat for me? Or was that a lie to get me out of bed?” she mumbled against his neck, pouting. The cooler temperature of his skin was pleasant against her throbbing head, she draped an arm over his side, pulling him closer to her.

Astarion gave her a soft chuckle, his hand stopping at the top of her shoulder, his fingers giving a squeeze. “Well, yes and no. I came in here with the intention of being your special treat. That is until the alarming scent of your blood hit me. You’re in no condition for me to fully indulge you at the moment.” He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, the hand on her hip slid to the small of her back beginning the soothing circles once more. 

A whine left her lips. “Maybe eventually. I really do feel awful. I feel like my head is going to burst open, and my eyes are going to pop out, she frowned. “Not to mention that I also feel like someone is twisting my insides and trying to rip them out through my belly button. And–” she sighed, “-my boobs hurt.” 

“Tsk, my poor thing. So many awful things she must endure.” He slipped a cool hand beneath her sleep shirt, a satisfied moan leaving his throat at their temperature difference. He traced delicate patterns over her warm skin before that hand traveled to her front, drifting upwards to massage one of her sore breasts.

“That feels nice, just don't go any further please.” A breathy moan left Hellethil’s throat, her fingers tightened in the soft fabric of Astarion’s shirt.

“Of course darling,” he pressed another kiss to her head, continuing to gently massage her. 

His thumb brushed over her hardening nipple, causing a louder moan to leave her lips, her body arching into him. He shushed her, slowly guiding her to lay on her back, as he slotted himself between her thighs. Hellethil’s hand traced up his arm, coming to rest at the nape of his neck, gently pressing his head towards her. Their lips met in slow lazy kisses, the barest hint of heat as they moved against each other.

Astarion switched breasts with his other hand, swallowing her soft whimpers. “Does this feel nice?” he asked, his lips moving against hers, pressing a kiss to the corner of her mouth.

“Y-yes, you're making it hard not to want to continue.” Her legs fell open wider, as she pressed her body against his, feeling him already half-hard against her. “It’s just my head…” she whimpered.

“Shhh, it’s alright. We can always go further another time.” He removed his hand from her shirt, causing her to whine at the loss. He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Now, how can I help you feel better? Does tea and breakfast sound alright?”

She took a shuddering sigh, closing her eyes, and scrunched her nose at the thought of eating. “I suppose I should eat or drink something.” She opened her eyes, his warm gaze making her heart flutter, and a small smile to spread across her lips. “There should be an appropriate tea for this morning stashed away in that little tea tin of mine.” 

Astarion sat up, leaning back on an arm, as he twisted behind him to grab the aforementioned tin in its proper place. He often came in before she had awoken, sifting through various organized labels to bring her a steaming fresh cup when he woke her each morning. “I suppose this one is labeled something akin to ‘reproductive hell?’” He looked up through lifted brows, smiling when she started to giggle.

“That’s funny, maybe I should change the name to that.” Hellethil slowly sat up, grimacing at the continued pounding in her skull. She brought her hands to her face, pressing her palms into her eyes. “But, uh no. I think I labeled it ‘Strawberry Week?’ Sorry, my brain is currently writhing in pain to remember correctly.”

“It’s alright, I think I remember seeing it further back–ah here we are.” He plucked the small paper envelope between his fingers. “Alright, I’ll return shortly. You stay cuddled up in here. I'm assuming you also want honey in this one too?” He gently pressed her back against her pillows, bringing the covers up her body, securely tucking them around her, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

“Yes please, I’m sorry you have to do this.”

He stood, slowly stepping through the opening of her tent, “Don’t be, I offered. Now, a sweet tea for my sweetie.” He winked, letting the fabric fall behind him, listening to her soft laughter as he made his way towards the others around the campfire.

~~~

By mid afternoon, the two had ventured out on another one of their little nature walks. Easy and comfortable conversation flowed between them, as Astarion helped her forage for the many things that had caught her eye traveling to and from the creche over the last day. She was leaning against a boulder, he insisted she take it easy and to let him do the gathering, watching him dexterously remove a cluster or orange mushrooms from the trunk of an oak tree.

“Thank you again for this morning, Star. Aside from some cramps, I feel relatively normal.”

“It was the least I could do darling. You’re always taking care of my needs.” He gently placed the mushrooms in their basket, standing to rejoin her side against the boulder she sat on.”Is it like this every month for you?”  He watched as she rummaged around in the small brown bag she had brought with her, pulling out a small piece of bread and a slice of hardened cheese.

“One, I don’t mind helping you. And two, not normally. It varies, which is probably more annoying than being late. Which that can be worrisome too, even if I’m not…you know…” she blushed.

“Fucking anyone?” Astarion smirked. 

She nodded, not wanting to speak with her mouth full, but also too embarrassed to make any sort of remark.

“Well, you’ll have nothing to worry about with me darling.” Astarin leaned towards her, his lips brushing her ear as he spoke softly, “my magic missiles miss everytime.”

Hellethil spat in shock, coughing from the few crumbs that managed to find their way down the wrong pipe in her throat. Her face turned a bright red from her embarrassment that had Astarion laughing. He brought a hand to gently pat her back before rubbing it in wide sweeping motions. “I’m sorry flower, I couldn’t resist.”

“Of course you couldn’t. I think you like making me blush more than my blood sometimes.” She glared at him, grabbing their canteen of water, taking a sip to soothe her throat.

“Both are quite delectable.” He purred, pressing a kiss to her still flushed cheek.

She brushed the crumbs from her lips, reaching to grab the basket from Astarion, looking over everything they had gathered so far. “Well, as punishment for making me almost choke to death, I’m making you help me gather one last thing.”

Astarion took the basket from her, taking her hand and helping her to her feet. “Seeing you blush is worth any punishment you can throw my way, little flower. Lead on.”

“Perfect, I hope you like climbing trees.” Hellethil battled her eyes, smiling, taking his hand and led him deeper into the clearing. 

The sun was just beginning to descend the mountain range as they made their way back on the main path. Their basket filled with various ingredients for meals and to replenish their dwindling potion supplies. 

Hellethil stood gazing towards the setting sun. "Should we head back?” She brought a hand to absent mindedly rub her lower stomach, another cramp stabbing through her.

Astarion joined her side, watching the sky turn a beautiful pinky orange, the clouds casting a lavender hue. The creche nestled in the mountain range below them caught his eye, a delightful little smile curled over his lips. “Of course, you're probably hungry. And it seems those pesky little cramps of yours are back in full force.”

“What about you? Are you hungry? I’ll be okay heading back on my own, that way you can go hunt.”

“Perish the thought darling. I’ll be fine, let's head on back.” 

~~~

It was a fair bit later, the stars now twinkled in the night sky. Astarion returned to a quiet camp, everyone had tucked themselves away behind the warmth of their respective tents while he was out on his little excursion. Now was the perfect moment to conduct this little plan of his. He approached Hellethil’s tent, stopping at the entrance.

 “Darling? Are you awake?” He couldn’t see the candle light coming through the fabric of her tent, but he could hear the pages of a book being turned, followed by the scribbling of a pen.

Hellethil pulled back the fabric, illuminated by the soft warm glow of a lantern. “I’m awake, did you want to come in?”

Astarion stepped inside, clasping his hands behind his back, slightly bouncing on the balls of his feet. “Actually, I was wondering if you’d like to go on a little late night adventure with me. If you’re feeling up to it, that is.”

“Oh? Where to?” She placed a page marker in both books, closing them and setting them aside, tilting her head up to look at him.

Astarion looked down at her pleased, “It’s a surprise, but a surprise we’ll both enjoy. I can promise you that.” He held out his hand, pulling her to her feet.

“Hmm, that’s awfully suspicious of you. You did disappear after dinner.” She narrowed her eyes, giving him a playful pout.

“Yes well, I wanted us to be comfortable tonight. To make sure we would both remain safe so we could enjoy this little surprise I’ve set up.” He brought his finger up to boop her on the nose.

“What exactly did you go do?” 

“Nothing! I was just making sure that we wouldn’t be ambushed during our surprise. I am a gentleman after all.” He took her hand, opening the heavy flap of her tent, motioning for her to go on ahead.

Hellethil sighed, “Well now I’m super curious as to what a gentleman such as yourself has planned.”

He smiled, taking the hand he held to press a kiss to the back of it, and led her towards the familiar path they had used over the last several days. They walked mostly in silence, save for Astarion occasionally pausing and asking if she was still feeling alright. Eventually he stopped, demanding that she allow him to carry her on his back the rest of the way.

“Wait a moment, Astarion? Are we heading to the creche?” She tightened her arms around his shoulders, angling her head to get a better look at his face. 

“Perhaps.” Astarion smirked, his fingers squeezing her calves.

“I knew this path looked too familiar. Why are we heading there?”

“You’ll see.”

Once they arrived at the creche, Astarion took her to an area the party had not previously explored. He opened a wooden door, closing it behind them, leading them into a dimly lit room. She rested her chin on his shoulder as she quickly took in her surroundings. This room had minimal damage, but was still just as overgrown as the rest of the creche.

“Surprise!” He patted her bottom, signaling her to get off his back.

She slid off, standing in the doorway as she continued to take in the room. Broken wooden pews lined either side of the small room. Books, and pages of scattered hymnals littered the ground. Shattered stained glass windows line the side walls, some with branches and vines reclaiming the spaces as their own. 

At the end of the room, stone steps led up to a small stone altar, candelabras on either side were lit. Behind the altar, was a giant stained window pane of Lathander himself. His arms outstretched greeting the rising sun behind him, beneath his foot he stood upon the neck of an undead skeletal body.

“Why are we in an altar room?” Hellethil asked, confused. Why would Astarion of all people, bring her to a place like this?

“Well, you mentioned not long ago, your family worshiped this God.” He spun to face her, holding out his arms on either side of him. 

“Yes, but I didn’t like or want to…” She was silenced by his finger gently pressing against her lips.

“Let me finish…and while I know, you don't anymore, nor do you care for this God, and seeing as Lathander doesn’t like my kind, I figured we could have a little sacrilegious fun.” He took her hand walking backwards, leading her towards the altar, which she could see now, he had laid out one of the thicker bedrolls on top of it, confusing her further. 

She gave him a questioning look, “What does your idea of a little fun involve? Are you going to drink my blood in front of this depiction of the Morning Lord?”

Astarion gave her a toe curling, seductive smile, “In a manner of speaking.” He stopped walking, bringing her hand to his lips, watching her with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

“What do you mean in a–” Suddenly it clicked. “Astarion?!” Her eyes went wide, her lips parted in shock.

He smirked, chuckling when she realized what he was asking of her. He sauntered over to stand next to the altar, holding his hand out in invitation. “Humor me darling. You’re in pain. I can help. And forgive me, but all that blood coming from you has me ravenous. What better way to heal from some religious trauma, and find some relief, than to spite a God who hates the undead, by allowing me, an undead, to worship what Lathander probably views as his little-lost-pilgrim.”

A shiver found its way up her spine, tendrils of a past fear slowly began to envelop her mind. “What if he smites us?” Her gaze locked on Lathander as she asked.

Astarion scoffed, “Oh please- he’s not going to smite us. The Gods could care less about us. They never once answered any of my prayers. Now please, allow this lowly undead, to get on his knees and worship you.”

Hellethil slowly walked forward, carefully considering his words. She really did despise this God. Not only did Lathander think of the undead she had come to care for as abominations, but her entire childhood was miserable because of him. She had always questioned Him for as long as she could remember. Countless tantrums and arguments with both her parents and grandparents about having to go to a temple devoted to him, for worship and prayer. Being forced to participate in classes and ceremonies for the promise that her soul would forever be bathed in his everlasting light. She shuddered at the darker memories of priests and clerics who tried to coerce her into things, promising her that it was what Lathander was asking of her, to prove her loyalty to him. 

When she was much older, her parents wanted her to become a cleric for Lathander. They told her that the magic that ran in her veins was a gift from him, and she should use it for him. To praise and spread the glory of his name across the lands! She always passionately refused, her magic was hers to command - not some God’s. Eventually, after countless arguments and her refusals, her parents decided that it was her duty as a mature young woman to marry and have babies for the Morning Lord. Sealing her fate in a marriage contract, where they signed her name away.

Until recently, she had spent most of her life terrified that this God would come to smite her should she stray from his path or teachings. It was why she relented in most things until she found herself being pulled from her shallow grave, by her druid master, and the vampire he had fallen in love with. If the last decade had taught her anything, it was that none of her fears were true.

“Well my flower? What do you say?” Astarion took her hand once she had reached him, pressing it against his chest, while he patiently waited for her answer.

Her gaze found itself once again locked on the large stained glass window in the center of the back wall. Lathander large and looming over the small room. Hellethil smirked, a small act of defiance finding its way into her. Her attention returned to Astarion, his patient, curious eyes watching her. “Sure, I think I’m up for a bit of blasphemy.” 

“Excellent.” Astarion surprised her, sweeping her off her feet, setting her on the edge of the altar. His hands skimmed down the length of her thighs, spreading them wide enough for him to stand between them. He pressed gentle nips and kisses up the length of her neck, smiling against her heated skin from the whimpers he drew from her. “I’ve been such a wonderfully naughty influence on you haven’t I?” His hand came to cradle the back of her neck as he kissed up the line of her jaw, meeting her lips.

Hellethil giggled, “The naughtiest.”

Astarion took the opportunity of her parted lips, to slip his tongue into her mouth, flicking his tongue against hers. His hand drifted up her thigh, coming to wrap around her waist, pulling her to the edge of the altar. Hellethil’s legs instinctively came to wrap around his waist as she wound her arms around the back of his neck. He rolled his hips against her center, bringing a moan from her throat. Her hands threaded in his curls tightened, and she pulled, causing Astarion to whimper. Hellethil pulled back in surprise, catching the subtle blush in Astarion’s cheeks from the noise he made.

“Oh, do you like that?” The curious look on her face quickly turned mischievous. She tightened her hold once more, this time pulling his head back just enough for her to kiss up his neck, her lips stopping to hover over his bite marks. “Is this ok? May I give attention to these?” She pressed a single soft kiss to them, noting how he sighed, a small shiver of his own giving away that he in fact was enjoying her sudden boldness. 

Astarion’s lips parted, a shuddering breath escaping him, as her warm breath tickled his neck. “I’m supposed to be the one teasing you darling.”

Hellethil relinquished the hold she had on him and sat back on her hands. “S-sorry.”

Astarion took her chin between his fingers. "Don't be. I rather like the thought of you teasing me.” He brought her hand down between them, pressing it against his hard length. “See?”

She smirked, “Are you sure it’s that, and not the enticing smell of blood coming from between my legs?”

“Perhaps both, my love.”

Hellethil blinked, minorly shocked at this new nickname. 

Astarion noticed his slip of the tongue and quickly distracted any thought running from her mind, with a kiss that had her whimpering and pressing her body into him.

The hand she had resting on his length gripped him, as she began to tease him though the fabric of his pants, drawing a soft growl out of him. His hands made their way to slowly begin unraveling the ties on her pants that held them closed.

Hellethil broke the kiss, resting her forehead against his as she watched his fingers expertly undo her laces. She couldn’t help the giggle that escaped her lips.

“What’s so funny, hm?” Astarion stared back at her, amused, if not slightly confused.

She shook her head, biting her lip, trying her best to fight the smile she could feel forming. “You’re going to laugh at me, but, doing this, something that younger me would have been terrified of is kind of…thrilling.”

Astarion chucked, “What? Letting a world endingly handsome vampire dine between these beautiful thighs of yours, in a temple devoted to the sun god?”

Hellethil blushed, shrugging, before shifting into a look of concern. “Not-not that I’m using you for some sort of revenge or anything. I mean, you want to, and you set all this up, and uhm, well sometimes during this time of the month I can feel a bit pent up. But please know that if y–”

Astarion silenced her with a searing kiss, his hands curling into her shirt, trailing it up her body, only momentarily breaking the kiss while it passed over her head. He took her head between his hands, holding her lips to his as he deepened their kiss. Licking into her mouth, silencing her spiraling thoughts. He broke their kiss, allowing her to catch her breath, slowly kissing down her neck, nipping and sucking, decorating her skin in little bruises.

“You don’t need to explain anything, I know your intentions are pure, my innocent little flower. Now…” His gaze darkened, as a smile full of mischief and sin spread over his lips, his fingers looping into the waistband of her pants and small clothes. “Let’s get these damned things off you.” 

He dragged both articles of clothing down her legs, pausing only to slip off her shoes. Astarion was speechless, perhaps for once in his undead life, as he took her all in. To him, she may as well have been some divine goddess sat before him. His eyes roamed her body, her breasts seemed fuller than they had been previously, her pink nipples pebbled in the cool night air. His eyes roamed over the freckles spread across her body, leading him to her thighs. Her beautiful, thick, muscular thighs. He longed to kneel between them, and lap at her beautiful, bleeding, weeping sex. Perhaps he would cause her to squeeze his head between those thighs in pleasure, crying out his name. 

“Astarion?”

Astarion rapidly blinked away his daze, his brows rising in question.

“Are you alright? You were staring…” Hellethil began to close into herself, bringing her arms up to cover her chest, her fingers began to nervously stroke a section of hair, as she watched for Astarion’s next move.

He took the strand of hair she was currently messing with, looping it around his finger, and gently tugged on it, pulling her face closer to his. “I was simply lost in thought, as I admired the goddess sitting upon this altar.” He admired the blush that spread over her freckled cheeks as he leaned in, their lips brushing. “Forgive me, but you smell…delicious.” He inhaled her scent deeper, his eyes fluttered close, lips parted in a sigh. His lips finally met hers, in what he wanted to start slow and sweet, quickly became heated, hungry, and full of lust. 

Hellethil moaned into their kiss, her hands taking on a mind of their own as they roamed down his back, her fingers clutching the soft linen as he bit her bottom lip. She tugged at the fabric, pulling up, untucking the fabric from his pants. She broke the kiss, panting to catch her breath, “can you take this off please?” Her hands pulled more at his shirt, helping him pull it over head.

“Can’t wait to feel my skin on yours darling?” He teased, pressing chaste kisses across the expanse of her chest, his teeth scraping her collar bones, noting the shiver that ran up her spine. 

“I just don't want to get blood on it.” She brought her fingers to skim the outside of his ear, gently rubbing the tip between her thumb and forefinger.

Astarion groaned, “How thoughtful, should my pants go next?” He looked at her through lidded eyes and a knowing smirk.

Hellethil felt her stomach clench, and her core throb in want, as her body flushed under his stare. “Well, regarding that, I have an idea…”

“Oh? What is this little idea of yours?” Astarion didn’t show it, but he was caught off guard at this sudden willingness of hers to take somewhat of a lead. He was the one who constantly led their midnight rendezvous, but if this sudden show of bravery didn’t make his cock ache in want.

Hellethil bit her lip, fighting the smile that threatened to grace them with how vulnerable this next question made her feel. “If we’re going to spite a God who hates the undead…can–uhm…” she averted her gaze from his, bringing her shoulders up, turning so she could hide behind the curtain of her auburn hair.

Astarion tucked her hair behind her ear, cupping the side of her face, gently turning her head back to him. “Go on, you’re safe. I want to hear what you’re thinking.” His thumb brushed her cheek as he waited.

“You said you wanted to get on your knees and worship me right?” Her voice wavered with her nerves.

Astarion nodded, waiting for her to continue.

“I was wondering, may I get on my knees for you first? Please?” she whispered, her downward gaze flitted back up to find his, her eyes filled with nothing but sincerity and innocence. 

He stared at her wide eyed, she wanted to please him? First? Rarely anyone had asked, and rarely had he obliged anyone in that regard. Better to get his filthy task over and done with. But with her…

“Alright.” He spoke softly, briefly feeling just as much vulnerability as she surely felt.

“Is that a yes?” Hellethil leaned in, kissing the corner of his mouth, beginning to feel a bit braver. She wasn't ready for their little act of debauchery, the inner shadows of her mind still lurked. If she was going to allow him to do this, and enjoy herself while he did it, she needed to set the pace a little. “I need a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’. That’s how this works right?” Her hand traced down the soft planes of his stomach, gently brushing the front of his pants. “Would you like to see me on my knees for you, Astarion?” she whispered in his ear, her tongue licking up the length of it.

Astarion hissed, his eyes closing, what could that little mouth of hers do, he wondered. “Yes…” 

Hellethil smiled, leaning back to admire the faint flush on his cheeks. “Thank you.”

“Why are you thanking me?” he looked at her confused, but couldn't help the way his lips twitched upward.

She placed her hands on his chest, gently pushing him back, as she hopped off the altar. “For allowing me to do this.” She stood on her toes, pressing a quick kiss to his lips, for luck she thought to herself. “I might need a little guidance…it’s been a while.”

Astarion watched as she settled herself on her knees before him, now keenly aware just how painfully hard he was. He watched as her fingers expertly untied the clasps of his pants, and slowly dragged them down his legs.

Hellethil eyed his straining length in the cool blue and silver of his small clothes. A small wet spot had formed where the head of his cock was, she looked up at him as she softly pressed a kiss over it, and gave it a gentle suck, before kissing down the length of him.

“Fuck…Helle…” Astarion groaned, his knees buckling slightly.

Hellethil smirked as she kissed back up his clothed length, this time pressing her tongue against him. 

Astarion’s hand found the back of her head, threading his fingers through her hair, pulling her back. “Stop teasing…” the last word came out as a soft growl.

A wicked little grin broke out on her face, “but I thought you liked the thought of me teasing you?” Hellethil cooed, her hands skating up his pale thighs, her fingers grabbing his waist band and quickly pulling his small clothes down them.

A breath caught in her throat, she had seen him naked before, but never this close. “Beautiful,” she whispered. Beads of precum leaked from the light pink of the tip, dripping down his thick pale shaft. Her hand rested on his hip, not yet touching him. She swallowed, taking a deep breath and exhaled, “May I touch you now?” She looked up to him through her thick lashes, awaiting his permission. 

Astarion felt himself twitch, he was so painfully hard, sensitive, as the warm breath of her brushed against him. Something about her kneeling before him, asking for his permission, all while looking doe eyed and innocent on her knees drove him wild. “Yes, please flower.”

She wrapped her hand around him, twisting her hand up his length, her thumb swiping his weeping slit, gathering precum on her digit as she brought her hand down the length of him. Hellethil took her tongue, and without breaking eye contact with him, slowly licked up the underside of his shaft, stopping at the tip, her tongue pressed against the underside of his head, flicking the frenulum, and then proceeded to slowly take the length of him into her mouth. 

A groan left the depths of his chest, his hand tightening his hold in her hair, pulling it away from her face. Her mouth felt like heaven, it was so warm, so wet, and the way she was using her tongue, had his eyes rolling to the back of his head. He willed his eyes to keep watching his length disappear in that mouth of hers, again and again. He watched as she closed her eyes and moaned around him, sending shocks of pleasure up his spine, causing his hips to thrust deeper into her throat on their own accord. 

Her hand gripped his hip, applying pressure signaling him to stop for a moment. He looked down at her with wide eyes, worried he hurt her, “shit, are you alright?” He panted, cupping her cheek, his thumb brushing a tear that had escaped her eye.

Hellethil remained still for a moment, before releasing him from her mouth. A mixture of her drool and him, dripped down her chin. “I’m alright, you just surprised me. But you can keep doing that,” she smirked with a heated gaze, “I liked it,” and then proceeded to take him again.

She watched as he closed his eyes, his brow furrowed in pleasure, his jaw dropped a breathy moan of her name fell from his lips. His fingers in her hair tightened, his hips slowly thrusting in time with her mouth. She had pleasured a man before, but it was nowhere near as arousing as this. Before it was a chore, but this? She would gladly fall to her knees anytime if it was for Astarion. Hellethil moaned around him, and brought a hand to wrap around his length, her lips and tongue focusing on the tip, as her hand worked the length of him.

She rubbed her thighs together, seeking some form of friction, some form of minor relief from the ache she was beginning to feel between them. Carefully, without breaking her rhythm, she parted her thighs, her free hand coming to rub her clit, bringing another moan from her, causing Astarion’s hips to thrust a little more harshly, another moan of her name to fall from him. She brought her hand between her legs, her fingers swiping up her dripping center, before slowly pressing a finger into her, trying to thrust it in and out of her with the movement of her mouth and Astarion’s hips. Her grip around him tightened as she felt her pleasure grow, her mouth sucking more greedily at his flushed tip.

“Hellethil, Hellethil, look at me, please…” Astarion’s voice was raspy, he was fighting the urge to come in that darling little mouth of hers, but he could smell the scent of her blood and arousal grow stronger. He found her playing with herself, and the cord inside him drew closer to snapping. 

Her eyes found his, his pupils wide, a light sheen of sweat on his brow glistened in the dim candle light. The ministrations of her fingers inside her stopped, and she shakily removed them, holding them up to him in offer. Dark red blood coated them, and she watched as Astarion took her wrist softly in his hand, and lowered his head, taking those dripping fingers into his mouth. The rolls of his hips stuttered to a stop, she took the opportunity to pay special attention to his tip, while he sucked on her fingers, his eyes rolling to the back of his head.

He released her fingers from his mouth with a pop, “Enough, get on that damned altar, now.” He growled, hungry for more of her, pulling her hair to get her salacious mouth off him as gently as he could. 

Hellethil panted, “But don’t you want to–”

Astarion let go of her hair, his hand coming down to her elbow pulling her to her feet, “you’re a little tease, offering me your bloodied fingers from where I very much find myself needing to be right now. Please–” he cupped her face, pressing a searing kiss that even had his legs shaking. He wrapped an arm around her waist lifting her with ease, setting her back down on the edge of the altar. “--dont make me beg.”

“What would you say…if you did?” Her fingers traced down the length of his jaw, taking his chin between shaky fingers.

He rested his head on her shoulder, staring at the dark curls between her thighs. “Please, please, Hellethil. You smell and taste far too delicious. You’re making it so hard to control myself right now.” He turned his head, kissing up her neck, stopping to tug on her ear lobe with his teeth, giving it a gentle suck, “I am so very, hungry for you right now.”

His hands came to rest on her thighs, his thumbs at her apex, as he pressed down, gently pulling at her skin, wanting, needing, to pry her open and taste her again. The small sample of her blood mixed with the slick of her arousal was unlike anything he had ever tasted. One small taste had him craving more, his begging was not just for show.

“Astarion?” Hellethil whispered, her hand skated up the back of his neck, her fingers gently scratching his scalp. “I’m sorry…”

He stood so he could see her, “Why?” He didn’t miss her eyes beginning to well with tears.

“I didn’t mean to make you beg…I was just curious…I-I feel horrible.”

He felt his face soften, he cupped her jaw, and leaned in for a kiss. The gentle, sweet kiss he had meant for earlier. “You are the sweetest flower, I have ever come across.” His nose skimmed the side of her face, as he brought his lips to her ear. “I assure you, I’m fine, but please…don’t make me beg again,” he whispered. “Please, let me taste you.”

Hellethil whimpered as he began kissing down her neck, his teeth scraping her soft skin, briefly paying homage to the scars he had left on the side of her neck, as he made his way down her chest, stopping at her breasts.

“If I remember correctly, a certain someone liked having her breasts played with this morning.” Astarion kept his eyes on hers, as he took her nipple into his mouth, flicking it in his tongue, before wrapping his lips around the little bud and sucked.

A high pitched whine left her, her back arching, pressing herself further into him. She felt herself grow wetter, her clit throbbing in neglect, as he pulled at her hardened nipple with his teeth. “Ahh-Astari-on…” 

He released her nipple with a soft pop, “yes?” he purred, his hand skimmed up her waist, coming to play with the opposite breast. 

Hellethil tilted her head back, her jaw dropped in a soundless moan, as he tugged at her nipple between his two fingers. “I-I thought you wanted to taste me. Wh-why are you stalling?”

Astarion tutted, flicking her nipple, and pinched it. “Fine.” He placed his hands on her shoulders, gently pressing her to lay down, his hands traced up her thighs as he stood in front of her. “I am going to devour you, until you are utterly delirious with pleasure.”

With that, he spread her thighs open, taking a deep breath through his nose, groaning in pleasure as the scent of her blood and arousal grew stronger. He knelt in front of her, placing one of her thighs over his shoulder, turning his head, and kissed down her opposite thigh, stopping to suck a delightful little bruise over the pulse point.

Hellethil felt the cool night air against her folds, she could feel herself dripping before him. A soft growl left his lips when his focus locked on her most intimate part. A shiver ran down her spine at the sound, and she found herself pressing her heel against his back, pushing him to where she wanted him most.

“Please,” she whispered, her hand went to her folds, her middle two fingers parting them, and swiped up her entrance, hoping to entice him to begin what he had promised.

Astarion softly laughed, taking her hand away from her folds, licking her fingers clean. “Patience darling. Think of this as–punishment, for being such a little tease.”

A frustrated growl of her own left her throat, as she bucked her hips, a silent plea begging him to be where she wanted, no needed, him to be. She wanted him to devour her, to come on his tongue, his fingers, she wanted him to feast on her.

Finally, he pressed a soft kiss to her clit, drawing a shuddering breath from her. His tongue softly traced her outer lips, drawing more pleas from her. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry for teasing you. Just please, Astarion, please, stop teasing me.” Her back arched, her hands clutching the soft fur of the bedroll beneath her.

Astarion smirked, satisfied with how desperate he had made her. He decided that she had enough teasing and slowly, with the tip of his tongue, licked her from entrance to clit, drawing a groan from the both of them. He repeated the motion, this time flattening his tongue against her, taking the blood that had coated her. His eyes rolled to the back of his head before fluttering closed. For a moment, there was only the two of them. Everything else had frozen in time, had ceased to exist outside these stone walls. There was no otherworldly threat looming over them, it was just a man down on his knees in an act of worship to the beautiful woman before him.

He found himself taking his hard length in his hand, slowly pumping himself in time as he continued to lick her, his tongue swirling her pulsing clit, as he wrapped his lips around it and sucked.

Hellethil’s cries echoed off the stone walls in a chorus of pleasure, spurring him on, his free hand not currently occupied, pressing the thigh not currently draped over him, outwards, opening her sex up further for him. “Fuck, Astarion…Gods…” She felt his tongue press into her entrance, his hot breath fanning her drenched folds. Her hand came to the crown of his head, her fingers threading through his curls, tightening. The gentle pull of his hair had him groaning against her, his lips returning to her clit, he moaned again, the sounds vibrating against her clit, eliciting sinful whines from her.

Astarion opened his eyes to take her in, her head tilted upwards, her mouth open as she panted in his worship, her back arched so deeply, it was off the altar. He removed his mouth from her, licking her from his lips, as he removed the hand from his length, to tease her entrance with his fingers. 

The smell of her, the taste of her, was unlike anything he had ever experienced. She was a rare vintage, the ambrosia of the gods, he needed the momentary respite to calm the bloodlust that threatened to overtake him. She was the sweetest thing, his sweetest thing. He slowly pressed a finger into her, her walls squeezing the digit. 

“Oh Gods, Gods please,” Hellethil cried, as she tried to ground herself against his hand.

Astarion withdrew his finger, flicking her swollen clit. “Bad girl, don’t cry out to the Gods. Cry out to me. I want to hear you praising my name. It should be the only name falling from those sinful little lips of yours. Is that understood?”

“Yes, yes, Astarion. Please, please, Astarion.” She sat up frantically nodding, as she looked down where he knelt. His lips and chin were covered in her, his pupils were blown, barely a sliver of his blood ruby red eyes remained. 

Astarion grinned, bringing both hands to grab her thighs, holding her open to him. “Now, who is it we worship, little flower?” He slowly licked her from entrance to clit once again, staring her down. A predator locking eyes with his most willing prey.

“You, you Astarion.” Hellethil whimpered, her head falling back, her hips trying to roll themselves against his tongue. 

Astarion brought his fingers to her entrance, slowly pressing two of them inside her. “Good girl,” he praised, as he brought his mouth to her clit. Gentle licks and teases soon turned to his lips sucking fervently against her bud. He felt her blood drip and pool in his palm. He removed his mouth and hand, licking the blood from his hand, bringing his fingers to his mouth, cleaning her blood from them. “My, my, Hellethil, you taste like you love to see me on my knees.”

“You’re so good Astarion, please, please don’t stop.” Her legs over his shoulders tightened, her heels pressed against his back, trying to press him back into her. Astarion thankfully obliged, his tongue licking up the fresh blood dripping from her entrance, his fingers teasing her clit.

“I want to hear more cries of my name from those pretty lips of yours,” his tongue pressed back into her, bringing a high pitched, near scream of a whine from her.

His name tumbled from her lips, each one more desperate than the last. Astarion watched as she brought a hand to palm her breast, her fingers pinching and pulling at her hardened nipple.

Astarion groaned in approval, sucking at her entrance in loud, obscene, sucks, before pressing his tongue back into her, her inner walls beginning to clench. He brought his thumb to her clit, rubbing it in tight circles.

“I’m close, please, I’m so close…please don’t stop Astarion…Star please.” Her hips rolled against his tongue, the coil in her close to snapping. Her legs began to shake, and she wanted nothing more than to clamp them around his head, keeping him where she desired him most.

He removed his tongue from her, his thumb never stopping its motions. “Ask nicely to cum darling.” His free hand returned back to his cock, quickly stroking himself, trying to catch up to her into the free fall of ecstasy. 

“Please? Please can I cum Astarion?’ Hellethil peered between her legs, met with hungry eyes and a mischievous smile. 

“No.” He removed his thumb from her clit, and instead placed slow teasing circles around it with his tongue.

“What?!” Hellethil cried out.

“You heard me darling, I said no. I don’t think you deserve to yet.” He stopped stroking himself as he stood, using that hand to tease her quivering entrance. He wiped her from his lips and chin, making a show of licking her blood and slick from it. “Beg.”

Hellethil stared at him wide-eyed, her lips parted in shock. She whined at the loss of his tongue, feeling herself still on the edge of her impending orgasm. He wanted her to beg? Before she could place any more thought into his demand, she felt him slowly begging to pump his fingers in and out of her. She cursed, “Ah-Astarion, please…Astarion please let me cum.

He shook his head, “Tsk you can do better than that. Beg.” He deftly crooked his fingers upward, a string of his name in broken whimpers falling from her. He slowed his pace of his fingers, feeling her too close to the edge again. 

Her head fell back to rest upon the stone altar that sat before Lathander. A sob wracked her body, she was so desperate to cum. “Astarion, Astarion please, please, please, I’m begging, Astarion please!” She felt tears begin to fall from her eyes. 

A satisfied smirk found itself on Astarion’s face, “please what? Darling.” His hand skated up her delicate waist, coming to cup her breast, thumb brushing over her hardened nipples, before groping the plump muscle, earning more sobs of his name from her lips.

“Please, please, Astarion, please…let me cum.” Her voice was barely a whisper. She felt the hand on her breast quickly skim down her body, to grip her thigh. Her eyes fluttered open, finding him once more between her legs.

He pressed a soft kiss on her clit. “Good girl, you can let go now.” His lips latched around her clit, and the speed of the come-hither motions of his fingers increased, rubbing the spongy spot inside her.

Hellethil felt herself fall into earth shattering bliss, she couldn’t help the screams of pleasure that left her. She was made a writhing, babbling mess, as he sucked and finger fucked her through her orgasm, the speed of his fingers, and the pressure of his sucking unrelenting.

When her body began to flinch in overstimulation did he stop, only for him to crawl on top of the altar over her, dragging her limp, trembling body further up, hooking his legs into the crook of his arms, folding her in half. In a single thrust, he pressed his throbbing cock inside of her.

“I’m not done with you yet, I’m going to fill you to the brim with my seed. I want you full, and dripping of me.” Astarion growled, his hips snapping into her in quick succession. The sound of skin slapping against skin, her cries, and his grunts of pleasure echoed off the walls, in a beautiful, sinful, cacophony. 

He pressed his forehead to hers, his eyes clenching shut as his own fall from bliss drew closer. “You can give me one more can’t you flower? Can you cum one more time for me?”

Her hands clutched his back, nails digging into his skin, gasping repeated yeses and his name. She could feel herself on the precipice once more of pleasure. Hellethil opened her eyes to find him staring back at her. He looked as blissed out as she felt, his face flushed, beads of sweat dripping from his starlit curls, his scarlet eyes glossy.

Hellethil tilted her chin up and met him for a kiss, the tang of her blood on his lips, almost sweet amongst the salt and iron, catapulted her into her second orgasm. 

Astarion broke the kiss, a strangled moan leaving him as he came, his thrusts not relenting until he felt her clench around him, his name falling from her lips. He stilled, relishing in how her inner walls continued to pulse around him.

Hellethil brushed a hand through his sweaty curls. “You’re so good Astarion, so good to me, you feel so good.” Hellethil panted, her voice raspy from her screams. Her other hand began to softly stroke down his spine. His skin felt so warm against hers for once.

His lips met hers once more, slow and gentle as they came down from their highs. He unhooked her legs from his arms, letting them splay out on either side of him. He could feel her trembling beneath him.

“Are you alright darling?” Astarion asked, bringing a hand to her sweaty face, his thumb brushing away some of the tears that were still falling from her eyes. “I wasn’t too rough with you was I? Did I hurt you?” He searched her face for any signs of pain.

Hellethil shook her head, her eyes lidded, “I’m, I’m ok. Just unable to think,” she giggled, earning a soft smile from him. “Are you ok? I didn’t taste bad did I?” She closed her eyes, nuzzling her face against his, pressing a soft kiss to his lips.

“Darling, you were utterly delicious. I was worried I was going to lose control of myself, and truly devour you.”

She hummed, pleased with his response, “good.” She paused, smirking. “Astarion? Do you think Lathander enjoyed the show?” Hellethil lolled her head in the direction of the stained glass window giggling.

Astarion chuckled as he sat up, slowly removing himself from her, biting his bottom lip at how much he liked seeing the mess between her legs. His seed dripping from her bloodied sex had him half hard again. Before he could stop himself, he brought his fingers to her, pressing his seed back inside her, and then brought those fingers to the tip of his tongue, wanting to taste the combination of them. He groaned in pleasure, their combined flavours complementing the other.

He stepped off the altar, dragging her body back down to the edge, kneeling one more time before her, and began to lick her again, cleaning her of her blood and his cum. He closed his eyes, enjoying their tastes, slowly working her to another orgasm.

Hellethil squeezed his head at this final spark of pleasure, her hand soon coming to find his curls tugging at them, her body shaking in overstimulation. “Astarion, please, no more…I-I can’t.” Her legs fell open, she pressed against his shoulder with her foot.

Astarion stood, his hands traced up her body to pull her up into a sitting position, and held her against him. He held her trembling body, his hand rubbed the length of her spine in soothing strokes. He stood there, whispering soft praises into her ear, pressing soft kisses against her skin, until he felt her begin to relax.

“Astarion?” Hellethil mumbled against his skin, “I’m cold.”

“Let’s clean up then shall we?” He lifted her off the altar, and helped her stand. A huff of laughter left him as she fell into him, her legs still far too shaky on her own.

~~~

Cleaned and dressed, they made their way back to camp, her on his back. Morning was still a few hours off, allowing her to get some sleep after their night together. He, on the other hand, was almost buzzing with energy.

Her grip around him tightened, her face nuzzled the space between his soldiers, before coming to rest her cheek against his neck, yawning.

“You can fall asleep if you want flower, we still have a little bit of a walk.” He hoisted her higher up his back, his thumbs brushing her calves.

“I’m ok…I want to stay awake.” She mumbled, quickly losing the fight to keep her eyes open. The feeling of her body against his, and the gentle rocking motion of their walk was beginning to lull her to sleep. She allowed her eyes to close, but began humming a nonsensical tune to try and stay conscious.

Astarion smiled to himself as he listened to her hum. To his surprise, she almost stayed awake the entire way back. But soon her humming had slowed to a stop, as her heart rate and breathing evened out, alerting him that she had indeed fallen asleep.

Quietly, he stepped into her tent, carefully laying her into the comfort of her own bedroll, removing her shoes, and tucked her beneath her cozy pile of blankets. He brushed the hair from her face, pressing a gentle kiss to her temple, whispering a soft good night.

Before he could step out of her tent, he felt a tug at the hem of his pants, and heard her groan. “Stay…please?” He turned, her eyes slowly blinking, but too heavy to remain open.

He sighed, easily surrendering to such a sweet plea. “Alright, scooch a little will you?”

She obliged him, and once he joined her beneath the warmth of her blankets, she quickly wiggled her way into his arms, pressing herself against him, with a satisfied sigh. “Mmm, warm.” 

“I’m only warm because I’m full of you.” Astarion whispered, his fingers massaging her scalp, pulling a soft moan from her lips.

“ ‘M full of you,” she mumbled.

Astarion softly laughed, “Shhh, go back to sleep.”

Hellethil didn’t respond, a soft snore left her lips not much later, content to fall into a deep sleep in his arms.

This time, his mind didn’t spiral into confusing thoughts as she slept in his arms. Astarion found himself rather enjoying himself. His fingers drew random patterns against her back as he listened to her breathe. Her steady heart began to lull him towards a trance, his eyelids slowly growing heavy. His last thoughts of consciousness were how happy he had felt these last several weeks with her by his side, how much he had enjoyed himself tonight. The sex he shared with her was surely the best he ever had. He found himself pleased, and relaxed, instead of feeling like his skin was crawling with disgust. 

He pressed a kiss to the crown of her head, pulled her closer to him, and for the first time, contentedly drifted off with her in his arms. 

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“When is your birthday?” He gently scratched his fingers against her scalp.

“Hmm?” She hummed, pressing a kiss against his bite marks.

“Your birthday, when is it? You mentioned a birthday when you received your name. When is it?” It had been almost a year since the whole…tadpole thing, surely her birthday was coming up; he hoped he didn't just entirely miss it because she didn't want to feel like a burden or felt it was an inconvenience.

“Why do you want to know? Are you planning on spoiling me?” she teased.

“Maybe…but please indulge me and tell me the answer. Or I shall have to pry it out of you.” He sat up, his hand skirting up her stomach stopping to rest just over her breast.

“Pry it out in a fun sexy way or are you going to tickle me pry it out?” she bit her lip, a smile slowly grew on her face.

“Well I know you hate the latter so probably that. Only good girls who tell me the answer to my question get the first.” He smiled mischievously, fangs glinting in the warm candlelight; his hand brushed against her chest, down to slip under her shirt to rest on the soft skin of her waist, his fingers tightening ever so slightly so she could see that he was serious about his threat.  

“Ugh fine...Tarsakh the 26th.” she confessed, rolling her eyes. 

“That's-that's soon is it not?” he asked, minorly shocked, so she very well would have kept this from him had he not asked. How very her, he thought to himself. 

“I guess? I’ll be turning 33 if that's your next question.” She took his hand from her waist to hold it, intertwining their fingers, resting it by her head. 

“I thought you already were?”

“No, I just rounded up when I told you about my past.” 

“Why would you do something like that?” 

She huffed a laugh, a crease formed between her brows. “I don't know…I lost track of time? I didn't want you or anyone to think I was too young?” 

Astarion sighed, “Darling what would a year's diff-ugh never mind; what would you like to do that day?”

“I'm not sure. What am I allowed to do?” She tilted her head, she didn't want to ask for something he was unwilling to do, or would feel like he was forcing himself to do. 

“Whatever you want, within reason of course. I know you would say something selfless like “find a cure for you my lovely beautiful vampire.” That will come in time with how hard you work. I want you to pick something for yourself.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead, still leaning over her.

“Whatever I want?” she giggled.

“Mhmm whatever my love desires.” He took his hand from hers and cupped her cheek.

She furrowed her brow, flicking her eyes down away from his gaze. “To be quite honest, I haven't really celebrated in a long time. After I got my name it was kind of just another day mostly. Miria would get me a little sweet treat and Rowan would give me a day off from lessons and we didn't travel that day. Especially if we were near a town.”

“I see, what about when you were younger?”

“Well,” She sat up resting on her elbows, “my grandparents would give me presents and I'd get a cake. That's about it, that's more than I needed thinking back on it.”

“What’s your favorite gift you were given from them?” Knowing her, she would probably have held onto such a thing if she was able. Maybe it would give him a better idea of what to give her; something that would mean a lot to her.

“Hmmm…” she thought for a few mins before smiling to herself. “A little stuffed cat. I wanted a cat so badly growing up. But my grandmother didn't care for them and my grandfather was always traveling for work. I wish I still had it, it was probably the size of my hand, with a white body, and grey and white stripes along its upper half with green eyes.” 

“Adorable, you would be a cat person.” He smiled down at her, the hand on her cheek tracing down her neck, to rest beside her on the soft bed. 

“That must be why I love you so much–you are very cat-like.” She reached up, combing her fingers through the curls behind his ear and scrunching her fingers. 

Astarion giggled, leaning down to kiss her neck, “Mmm yes, you do love when I purr for you dont you?” He crawled on top of her, using his knee to push her leg up to open her up for him. “Now for being such…a…good…girl” He said in between kisses down her neck, “How about I reward you? Does that sound good?” His fangs grazed over the bite marks on her neck, causing her to shudder.

“But I never told you what I wanted?” she panted, her hands traveling down his back, stopping to press his lower half closer against her, as she arched her body, longing to be closer.

“That can wait, maybe the next events will inspire an answer.” His hand traveled down to slip beneath the waistband of her thin sleep shorts, teasing her wet folds.

She moaned, “Ok, i-inspire me, please.”

“As you wish.” 

~~~

It was much later, Hellethil was asleep in his arms, his fingers gently tracing up and down her spine. He had a little over 3 weeks until her birthday to plan something. It had to be special, it was their first one together. He had a few ideas, he could make her a couple of new dresses or skirts. He did love making things for her, and she felt less guilty when he made her something rather than buying. But he did want to buy her something special. Perhaps a necklace? A ring would probably lead her to think he was proposing and it was a little too soon for that he thought. Yes they were going to be together for as long as they each drew breath, but he wanted to wait a little longer. She was in some need of new books, books for pleasure only he thought, she spent far too much time working on her goals and he wanted her to have time to relax. The only thing he could get out of her to ask for were flowers and cinnamon rolls. 

He rolled to his side, bringing her closer to him, pressing a kiss to her head. He created a plan in his mind of all the little things he wanted to get her. But the biggest surprise he was going to need a little help on, and he knew just the two friends he could reach out to. He smiled to himself, he couldn't wait to spoil his little flower. 

A week later

It was a rainy evening so they set out to the market to visit some of the shops that would normally be closed by the time they were able to go out. He wanted to stop at one of the nicer fabric stores to pick up some materials to make her, and by her request for him as well, some pieces for their wardrobe for the coming warmer weather.

They stopped at various shops along the way, Astarion paying very close attention to things that drew her eye so he could come back another time while she was distracted. They were walking hand in hand down a line of pop up shops when Hellethil stopped in her tracks, causing Astarion to be halted and pulled back a bit.

“Something catch your eye my sweet?” he smirked, he loved when she did things like this. Because now he knew of another little something to get her.

She blinked, clearing her thoughts, turning her head to smile back at Astarion, “Oh sorry,” she giggled. “I saw this little cat collar and thought it was cute.”

He walked the few steps to her to take a look at the little collar that caught her eye. It was a thin green leather collar with nouveau inspired designs embellished along it.

“Oh are you buying? It is rather cute isn't it? It would make your little cat or dog so stylish!” The shopkeeper exclaimed. She was an older rounder woman, with brown curly hair tied back in a low bun, her smile was warm and friendly. 

“Ah sorry! I was just looking! We don't have a cat, but I just thought it was really pretty.” Hellethil blushed and stammered, apologizing for misleading the shopkeeper.

“Wishful thinking I suppose! I hand make all of these and even take requests; so if you ever do find yourself with a furry friend just let me know. I have an actual shop down the way.” She pointed down the road and bid the two farewell.

They left arms linked, Hellethil with a small smile on her face humming. She had been thinking about getting a little cat, but did not want to bring it up to Astarion just yet. She figured he would tell her that the two were far too busy with their current lifestyle for something that needed attention and care. 

“It was a rather pretty collar, wasn't it dear? Maybe one day we’ll find ourselves with a cat of our own.” Astarion drew her from her thoughts, bringing her hand up to his lips.

“Maybe, I wouldn't want to pressure you into anything. But I won’t lie, I've been thinking about it a lot I suppose. It would be nice to have a cat, and the strays aren't always around to pet.” She sighed, a slight frown on her face. “They could be our little furry baby, and we could sit by the fire all snuggled up together. You could have someone to keep you company when I go off to see Halsin or Gale, someone to also keep me company when you're locked away in your own little shop.” 

It was hard for Astarion not to smile right now, he had thought about it, and had also reached out to Shadowheart without Hellethil knowing asking for her help on the matter. Shadowheart was always bringing in random stray animals, and one of those stray just happened to be a cat who had kittens not that long ago. He was so giddy about this little plan of his falling into place; and now he had a shopkeeper to visit the next time she was distracted. Maybe he would suggest she go visit the herbalist she liked to go to, or Gale could come distract her… 

“It's something to think about, that's true.” He didn't want to give her any clue that in just two weeks, she would be holding a tiny little furry thing. “Now let's get home, it smells like it's about to rain and I would rather not be caught in a downpour.”

The day before

Hellethil stood at the stove cooking dinner, when she felt Astarion’s hands slink around her waist. “Oh hello, what can I do for you?” She leaned back against him, puckering her lips for a kiss.

“Tomorrow is your birthday.” He said against her lips, “Do you think maybe I could interest you in a little moonlit picnic?” 

She playfully gasped, “a picnic beneath the stars with my own star? How could I refuse?” 

“Wonderful, and since we’ll be inside for most of the day, would you let me pamper you?” He nuzzled her hair, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

“Like with reading and snuggles?” She put out the small fire, grabbing a bowl to plate her dinner, and a gold chalice for the blood she warmed up for Astarion. 

“Well yes, but I have been–collecting some things to spoil you with. Mainly a nice bath and other..fun activities one can do naked.” He could hear her heart pick up a tick, he unwound his arms to lean against the counter to watch the blush crawl up her neck and bloom across her freckled cheeks.

She bit her lip trying to hide a smile, walking over the small kitchen table to sit. She giggled, “I guess I could be persuaded. It has been a while for us, and I won't lie, you've been awfully aloof lately mister. I think I deserve some of your attention.” 

He joined her at the table, chalice in hand, “oh have I?” He took a sip of his meal, a melody of flavors across his tongue. She had gotten really good at making any manner of blood taste good. She felt bad that he had to miss out on normal food so she had spent a good few months experimenting with herbs. 

“Mhmm,” she swallowed her mouthful of food before continuing. “I know you've been up to something, you're not as sneaky as you like to think.” She narrowed her eyes pointing at him with her fork.

“Well I must remedy that. Can’t have you thinking anxious thoughts now can I?” He took another sip, smirking over the rim. “I’ve been out getting you little things, I want to make your birthday special love, you said it's been a while since you celebrated.”

“I hope you didn't put yourself out too much Star…but I am really excited to see what all you’ve collected.” 

He reached across the table placing his hand on top of hers, “You deserve a day to be spoiled, it makes me happy to know you're excited.”

She smiled, “Good, I really am working on allowing myself to be spoiled by you. It being my birthday just makes it a little easier for me.” 

“Maybe this will persuade you to let me do it more often then?” 

“We’ll see..” she giggled, taking in another mouthful of food when a knock came at the door. “Oh, it's late, who could that be?” She went to get up, Astarion holding a hand out to stop her.

“That my dear, is surprise number one for you. You sit tight, I’ll be right back.” He got up and called out to her to close her eyes as he rounded the corner to open the door.

She did as he asked, biting her lip to try and calm her nerves. Her mind was racing through endless thoughts of what it could be and why would whatever it was arrive this late?

His voice interrupted her thoughts, “Alright dear open your eyes.”

She opened her eyes to Halsin standing in her kitchen doorway, a warm smile on his face. “Hello my heart! Happy Birthday!”

She leapt up from her seat and quickly made her way over to him, wrapping her arms around his neck for a hug. He lifted her off her feet squeezing her, laughing, “Astarion wrote to me not too long ago, asking if I would like to come visit for your birthday, of course I couldn't decline such an offer. It has been a while since we’ve seen one another.”

He set her down on her feet, his hands rubbing up and down her arms a few times before resting at his side. She looked to Astarion, her eyes watering. “Really? You didn't have to do that love. Thank you.” She wrapped her arms around his waist, hiding her face in his chest. 

He wrapped his arms around her shoulders pressing a kiss to her head. “Please darling, I know how much you missed your father, I told you I wanted to make your birthday special.”

She stepped out of his arms, wiping the few tears that escaped, before turning back to Halsin, “Did you want dinner? We just sat down and I have enough left for another serving, I hope you don't mind garden risotto.”

“Dinner sounds wonderful, thank you.”

The three ate together, and then moved into their sitting area, the conversation flowing easily amongst them. Halsin discussed how the improvements of Reithwin were going and spoke of all the children he was taking care of. He even acquired himself a small house he found himself enjoying. “They do ask about you quite often; they ask "Daddy Halsin, will you ask big sister to come visit soon?” So I suppose this is me telling you and asking on their behalf.” He took another puff of his pipe exhaling the fragrant smoke.

Hellethil yawned, “I have been meaning to plan a visit; I’ve just been busy, I told Dal I would visit her in the Underdark soon to compare some notes, and Gale and I are due for a meet up.” She sighed, closing her eyes, tilting her head back to rest against the couch cushions. 

Astarion brought his hand down to rest on her thigh, giving her a comforting squeeze. “Now now darling, don't go stressing yourself out, we agreed no working this weekend. Now why don't you go get some sleep. That way you can spend some time in the sun tomorrow with Halsin.” He pressed a kiss on her cheek, “I’ll be up shortly, so don’t force yourself to stay awake.” 

Another yawn escaped her, she brought her head back up, blinking away the exhaustion if only for a moment. “Alright, I am sleepy. Let me just go set up the guest room first.” She stood stretching, bending to press a kiss on Astarion’s lips.

“Already taken care of my sweet, I’ll meet you in bed shortly.” He gave her a warm smile, as her gaze met his briefly before she turned hugging and bidding Halsin goodnight.

Once her footsteps disappeared up stairs, Astarion turned his attention to Halsin. “Now, this is how tomorrow is going to go…” 

~

Gentle kisses down her neck and bare shoulder roused her from her sleep. Arms around her waist tightened and she felt Astarion nuzzle his face against her. “Happy Birthday love.” He spoke softly, pressing a kiss just behind her ear. 

She hummed a thanks in response, wiggling herself closer in his embrace. “What time is it? Can we stay in bed a little longer?” 

Ever his little sleepy head, Astarion thought to himself, “It’s about eight in the morning, we could probably stay in bed another hour before you should get up.”

She turned in his embrace, burying her face into the crook of his neck, and whined. “Before I should get up? Are we doing something?” 

His hand gently rubbed up and down her back, “Well I'm staying here, you and Halsin are going out to spend some time together and run a little errand for me.”

“But will I get to have time with just you?” her voice was still full of sleep. 

“Of course you will, we’ll have some time once you wake up, some time in the afternoon, and then again tonight for our little moonlit picnic. Shadowheart is coming over this evening, and possibly one other person.”

“Oh? You planned all of this yourself?” She laid back so she could see his face, a sly grin on her face.

“I am capable of planning some things, thank you very much. Now are you going to continue being a naughty girl, or can you be good and stay cuddled up in bed a bit longer?”

“You know I will always want to stay in bed longer, you don't need to ask.” She giggled and snuggled back into his embrace, pressing a kiss to his bare chest.

Not more than an hour later, she awoke to the feeling of fingers running through her hair, the smell of cinnamon and coffee enticing her to open her eyes. “There she is, good morning love, I come bearing sweets. Breakfast in bed for the birthday girl!” There on the bedside table beside her was a fresh cinnamon roll, steam still rising from it, and a cup of coffee.

She sat up to wrap her arms around his shoulder, mumbling a grateful yet sleepy thank you into the crook of his neck. Astarion wrapped his arms around her waist, “You didn't have to do this Astarion, thank you again.” She sat back, he took her hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. 

“Nonesense, you did ask for cinnamon rolls if you remember, unless–I did indeed fuck you senseless and you’ve forgotten.” He giggled, admiring the blush that creeped upon her cheeks.

“Stop, it's too early to tease me like that! Of course I remember…” She pouted, leaning to grab the mug and taking a small sip. She closed her eyes as the hot liquid danced across her tongue and down her throat. “You always make my coffee so perfect, thank you. Do you want to join me for breakfast in bed? You didn't have any of my blood last night, can I indulge you with some of my now caffeinated blood?” She giggled, patting the space next to her, inviting him to sit closer. 

He grabbed the plate with the cinnamon roll holding it out to her, trading her mug for the plate, which he sat back down on the table beside her. “How could I deny such a lovely request, take a few bites first and then I’ll indulge in you.” He crawled up the bed, motioning for her to scoot forward so he could instead sit behind her instead of next to her. He wrapped his arms around her, and when he deemed she had eaten enough, he pressed kisses up her neck before gently biting down. Her sweet blood flowed into his mouth, she leaned more of her weight into him while he dined. 

He didn't take much, not wanting her to spend her day feeling weak and groggy. “Delicious, I'm glad I could enjoy breakfast with you.”

“Could you taste the cinnamon roll?” she drawled giggling, just slightly woozy.

He chuckled, pressing a kiss over her fresh bite marks, “You know what, I think I could, it was delicious.”

She hummed content and closed her eyes, reaching a hand up behind her to caress the side of his face, stopping when her fingers found his curls, threading through them and scrunching against his scalp. “Yay, I'm glad.” She felt him shift a little, and he grabbed her free hand wrapping her fingers around the still warm mug. 

“Have some more coffee, but keep your eyes closed, I want to give you your first gift.”

“You mean this isn't one of them?” She giggled sitting forward so he could slip out from behind her. The sound of his footsteps told her he was heading towards their wardrobe.

“Hmm no I was going to do that regardless of if you asked for it or not.” His footsteps now coming towards her, “Alright open your eyes.” She did as requested and draped on his arms, was a long sage green linen skirt, and a white blouse. “I finished them the other night, I thought you’d like something pretty to wear for today.” 

“Astarion! They’re so pretty, thank you!” She set her mug down on the table before crawling down the bed to get a better look. She reached her hand out, the fabrics soft against her fingers. “Can I put them on now?” 

“Well that leads us to gift number two.” He gently laid the outfit on the foot of the bed, extending a hand out to her to help her off the bed and lead her to the bathroom. He walked over to their counter and grabbed three little bottles, gently shaking them a warm smile on his face. “A nice warm morning bath, accompanied by yours truly should you wish for it, with three new scents.”

“That sounds perfect!” She couldn't help the wide smile across her face. She skipped forward, standing on her tiptoes to press a kiss to his lips. “Shall I help you draw the bath?”

“No no no, you go wait on the bed and finish your breakfast. I’ll let you know when it's ready for us.” 

She wandered back into their bedroom, listening to Astarion hum as he began preparing their bath. She ate the last few bites of her cinnamon roll, and took her mug to take a small peak behind the thick scarlett curtain. It was a lovely sunny day, the leaves of the trees surrounding their home swayed in the gentle breeze. Normally she would frown at the sun, but it had been raining for days on end lately so a small appearance from the sun today of all days was welcomed. Carefully, she laid the curtain back in place so there were no errant sunbeams that would stream into the room, turning to admire the outfit Astarion so lovingly made for her. 

She sat on their bed drinking her coffee, thinking about the past year. Never would she have imagined being where she was now. Back then, before being kidnapped by a mindflayer ship, she would have thought she'd still be wandering aimlessly right now. Would she still be alone? Would she have just travelled back to Tal’dorei? Or would she still have traveled to Baldur’s Gate? Maybe she still would have come across Astarion…but things probably would have turned out very differently. She looked down into her empty mug, a tiny pang of sadness running through her. Maybe she would have tried to find Rowan and Miria and lead them to Baldur’s Gate so they could stop Cazador and save Astarion and his siblings…she dared not think about where Astarion would be if he also wasn't kidnapped along with her…she didn't want to imagine a world without him in it. 

“Hey what's wrong? Why are you crying?” She blinked away her thoughts to see Astarion knelt down in front of her, a look of concern on him. He reached out to brush a tear she didn't know had fallen off her cheek. 

“Oh-sorry..” She leaned back, shaking her head to clear all previous thoughts. “I was just thinking about how crazy the past year has been and–I just thought about what if it all never happened.” She smiled, taking his hand that had been near her face to press a kiss into his palm. “I'm fine, I promise. I'm just…happy with how things transpired, despite how crazy and horrible they had been at the time.” 

He hummed in agreement, a small warm smile gracing his lips. He cupped her cheek and pressed a kiss to her lips, their foreheads touching. “Well the bath is ready now, shall we go enjoy it?” He stood taking her hand in his to help her to her feet. She set the mug down on her empty plate, wrapping her arms around him, rubbing her face against the soft fabric of his sleep shirt. 

“Yes please, it's a little chilly and I think I need to be pampered in a bath with you.” She looked up to him smiling. Happy that he was here with her, happy that she was able to love him.

~~

Bathed and dressed the two made their way down stairs where the sound of two voices greeted them. “You’re not supposed to be here until this evening Gale.” Astarion chided, Hellethil poking her face around him greeting Gale with a big smile.

“Yes yes I know that but–I promise you both, you will be pleased I stopped in early. Now if I may see the lovely birthday girl?”

Hellethil stepped around Astarion feeling suddenly shy in front of one of her closest friends, “Gale you didn't have to get me anything…”

“Well, think of this as a gift for both you and Astarion. Now please I cannot wait any longer! It took me quite a while to obtain this. Another reason why we have not been able to work together.” He held out a small square box, a thin satin red bow tied around it. 

“Would you like to open it Astarion? Since it's for both of us?” She looked up to him, taking the box from Gale, holding it out to him.

“Why not?” He pulled the ribbon off, opening the small box revealing a gold ring with a red stone. Hellethil gasped beside him, covering her mouth with her hand, her head snapping to Gale.

“Really Gale? I knew you had feelings for Hellethil not so long ago but me too? You naughty boy.” Astarion joked, “but in all seriousness, what's the ring? Why a ring?” He narrowed his eyes.

“Astarion,” Hellethil gently took the box and held up the ring to him, “this is The Ring of the Sunwalker…it’ll allow you to safely be in the sun again…”

He looked back to her and at the ring again, his throat suddenly felt tight, and he felt all the air leave his lungs. He took the ring from her fingers holding it up in front of him, he was too shocked for words. 

“You really found it Gale? Actually?” Hellethil left his side embracing Gale in a hug, “I know we talked about it but I didn't think you would find it so quickly! Where was it?”

He stepped out of her embrace, clasping his hands behind his back making his way over to Astarion, “Hilariously enough, in the Underdark, we had even spoken to the merchant who had it.” He stopped in front of Astarion smirking, “Well go on, don't keep us waiting! I went through a lot of trouble tracking down that hobgoblin.” He chuckled, placing a hand on Astarion’s shoulder giving it a brief squeeze.

“I–I don't know what to say, I’m-I'm a little shocked honestly.” he gave a watery laugh, and looked to Hellethil, who was smiling and wiping tears off her face. “Would-would you like to put it on me love?” 

She walked forward, taking the ring from in between his two fingers, and took his left hand, and albeit shakely, slipped it on his ring finger and brought his hand up to her lips, pressing a kiss on the ring. “Well, do you want to test it out? The garden has some shady spots just in case…but I think the sun is shining for a reason today.” She beamed at him, refusing to let go of his hand.

Halsin walked over to their back door and held it open, the area in front of it was still shaded at the time of day. Astarion slowly made his way over to the door, Hellethil in tow, not letting go of her hand. He stopped just at the door, looking over his shoulder at her, a nervous smile on both their faces.

“Don't worry, I’ll be right next to you. I can even cast darkness if need be alright? We’ll step out together whenever you're ready.” She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze, bringing it to her lips once more. 

He took a deep breath and stepped out into the shade stopping just short of where the sun started. Why was he so nervous? He came out here to be in the shade anytime she was out here. He even set up a little sitting area for the two of them when they spent early mornings out here together. He closed his eyes, taking another deep breath, deciding that maybe holding his free hand out in the sun first was a better idea. He would hate to ruin her birthday with a bad burn and lock himself away in their room, refusing to be seen. A small burn on his hand would be ok. It will work, this will work, I trust her, I trust Gale, this will be ok. He repeated this mantra in his mind over and over again until he finally tentatively held up his hand, slowly reaching out into the sun, closing his eyes just before the sun could touch his skin.

He was met with warmth…just warmth. There was no pain, no smell of burning decaying flesh. He heard a broken sob come from Hellethil beside him, causing him to open his eyes to stare at his hand. Was he so numb to pain he couldn't feel the sun begin to scorch him? No…no he was perfectly fine. He barked a laugh and fully stepped out into the sun, pulling her with him. He pulled her into an embrace, titling his face to the sun, to feel its rays kiss his skin once again. “I can’t believe it…I can’t believe it…” He buried his face into the crook of her neck, tears wetting her skin. 

“I know the day just started, but this is the best birthday I’ve ever had.” Hellethil giggled, pressing a kiss to his curls. She met Astarion with a smile when he pulled away from her, he cupped her face with his hands and pressed a kiss to her lips. 

Looking behind her as he pulled away, to see both Halsin and Gale with wet eyes as well. He walked over to Gale and brought him in for a hug, “Thank you, you magnificent bastard.” 

“Of course! You’re very welcome, Helle and I have been looking into this for a while now and I just happened to find it quickly.” He pulled from his embrace clapping his hands on Astarion’s shoulders. 

Astarion stepped back, turning to Hellethil who had her arms wrapped around Halsin, watching their interaction. He held out his hands to her, and she stepped forward to take them. “Darling, I know I said you and Halsin would spend some time in the sun, but would you be alright with moving our little moonlit picnic to one in the sun instead?” 

She turned back to Halsin, “Would that be ok? Could we have a father daughter day tomorrow? Are you able to stay a little longer?” 

“Go on you two, don't worry about me. I’ve arranged things before I left to stay for a couple weeks. Enjoy the sun, I’ll see you both later.” He walked forward bringing both of them in for a hug, pressing a kiss to Hellethil’s head before walking back into the house. 

~~

The breeze danced across their skin as they laid in the grass hand in hand. The smell of wildflowers surrounded them. He rolled over to his side to admire her in the sun, this time up close. She was lying on her back, eyes closed, and a contented smile was painted on her face. He admired the way the sun brought the subtle red out in her hair, how it amplified her overall beauty. She flitted her eyes open and turned her head to look at him. “I could feel you staring at me.” She giggled, sitting up, knees pressed against her chest, admiring him in the sun.

She had missed how the sun made his silver hair glow, like starlight in broad day. The sun made his scarlet eyes appear deeper in color, like precious rubies. She didn't care for the color red before him, but his eyes were her favorite shade. “Are you happy?” She asked him, she knew he was but she wanted to hear it. It still felt like a dream to be in the sun with him once more. 

He sat up, scooting closer sitting on his knees. “Of course I am! How could I not be? In all honesty, I thought it would be…years before I got to do this again. I didn't expect it so soon, it's a little overwhelming, but a feeling I welcome.” He gave her a warm smile leaning forward to kiss her in the sun once more. “Now I know these aren't bought, but I didn’t forget that you wanted flowers…” He pulled out a small bouquet from behind him, consisting of the wild flowers that surrounded them. 

Her jaw dropped in a happy surprise, and she reached out to happily take them. “I'm going to treasure these forever. Thank you.” He cupped her face with his hand placing a kiss on her sun kissed skin. 

~~

After their little meadow picnic, Astarion wanted to visit some shops in town that would normally be closed when he was finally able to venture out. Of course he demanded that she let him spoil her and she happily, albeit a little reluctantly agreed. She eventually did enjoy herself, and ended up liking being spoiled. Watching him get excited over things for her was infectious; he picked out more bath oils for her, they picked out a new series of fantasy books to read, according to the bookseller they did have quite a bit of spice in them, and she even agreed to let him buy her some dresses not made by him. 

So when they did return home, bags in hand, the sun was just beginning to set. Astarion felt no need to rush or fuss over the itinerary he had originally planned, he got to enjoy the sun at last with his love! 

“We’re home!” she called out, only to be greeted with arms wrapped around her shoulders from behind. 

“Welcome home! Happy Birthday!” it was Shadowheart, which caused Hellethil to drop everything she was holding to turn in her arms to hug her back.

“You would think you two never see each other yet I lose her to you at least once a week.” Astarion teased.

“Hey you be nice to my platonic wife!” Hellethil jokingly scolded him. “Did Gale and Halsin fill you in on today’s turn of events?” She unwound herself from Shadowheart’s arms, bending down to pick up the things she had been holding.

“Yes they did! What a lovely surprise for you both! The three of us are going to have to plan more outings now.” 

“I don't know how anything is going to top that; I think that's the best part of today.” Hellethil said breathlessly, still in awe and shock of how things had gone thus far.

“Darling, why don't you take your little gifts up to the bedroom? That way they'll be up there for later.” 

“Ohh sexy stuff?” Shadowheart teased Hellethil, trying to peek into one of the bags.

“No! No…stay out of my stuff!” She snatched the bag Astarion had out along with the two other wrapped parcels and ran them upstairs.

Once she was out of earshot Astarion turned to Shadowheart grabbing her shoulders, “where did you hide it? Is everything good?”

She laughed, “Yes don't worry, I haven't been able to tear Halsin nor Gale away since we got here. I know you being able to be in the sun now is amazing, but with how badly you said she has wanted this…I think this might top it.” 

“Yes well…I wouldn't be upset if it did honestly. I'm rather excited about it myself. Now no more, I can hear her coming down the hall.”

“Ok the definitely normal items and definitely not also sexy things have been put away.” She called, bounding down the stairs. “So, do we have any other surprise guests? Maybe my other platonic wife from the hells? A blade of the frontiers? Maybe even a certain astral warrior lady?”

“Sadly no my love, Im sorry.” Astarion turned to cup Hellethil’s cheeks pressing a kiss to her hairline.

“It's alright, they're off being heroes or whatever. Killing bitches who are full of themselves.” she giggled. “Sooo shall I make us all dinner?”

“No! No you shall not!” Gale’s voice came from upstairs, and she heard his footsteps coming down the stairs, “I'm taking care of that. Astarion made it very clear to me that you aren't allowed to do anything this weekend. So go sit down and relax or whatever it is you do.” 

“What were you doing upstairs with Halsin? Ooo is there something going on between you two?” Hellethil giggled, grabbing Shadowheart by the wrist and dragged her to the little sitting room.

Astarion peered around Gale’s shoulder, “Ok I dont think I can wait any longer, I think we should give it to her now.”

“Should I go get Halsin then?”

Astarion nodded, heading into his tailoring room to grab one of the last gifts for Hellethil. 

Moments later, Astarion entered the room the two girls were in and cleared his throat, drawing their attention, his hands behind his back. “Darling I have one last surprise for you, now close your eyes, and hold out your hands.”

He could hear her heart begin to race, but she did as he asked, and he placed a carefully wrapped box in her hands. “Can I open my eyes now?”

“Yes, go on ahead.” He bit his lower lip, part excited, part nervous as he watched her unwrap the gift.

She froze, eyes widening and jaw dropping in shock as she looked between the gift and Astarion. In her hands, was the tiny green leather collar they had seen a couple weeks before. “Astarion…did…does this mean?” She could feel her eyes watering and she started to feel overwhelmed with emotion. 

Astarion walked over to stand behind her, placing a hand over her eyes and taking the collar from her hands. She heard the heavy footsteps of Halsin walk toward her, and felt him place something warm and soft, in her hands. She gasped in surprise, leaning back into Astarion. He slowly removed his hand from her eyes, and she saw in her hands she held a small orange kitten. 

She turned to him, kitten in hand, “Really? R-really? We can have a cat? Is this real?” She asked, her voice watery. She looked down to the squirmy little kitten in her hands, carefully pressing them against her chest. 

He placed his hands on top of hers and nodded, a wide smile on his face. “So, I'm assuming you like your gift?” 

“Astarion I love my gift!! Are you kidding?! This-this is probably one of the best gifts I've ever received! I’ve always wanted a cat! I'm so happy! I'm so happy–thank you.” She gently pressed herself against his chest, kitten in between them and Astarion wrapped his arms around them, his hands rubbing her back.

“Good I'm glad, I know you would but I was still nervous. It's been weeks in the making, I reached out to Shadowheart after you confessed that your birthday had been soon.”

She turned to Shadowheart, “Really?” 

“Yep, he's about 12 weeks old by now.” She reached forward to pet the little kitten, “So I know you just got him, but do you have any names in mind?”

Hellethil pursed her lips and furrowed her brow deep in thought, and then turned to look at Astarion, “Do you have any names in mind?”

“Hmmm…I'm not sure; what did you have in mind?” 

“What about…Juniper?” She held up the kitten so he was eye level with her, it held out its paw, pressing it against her nose. “I think that means he likes it?”

Astarin barked a laugh, “I think so too, can’t you cast your little speak with animal spell and ask yourself?”

“Mmm he's too young. That's like talking to a babbling baby.” She brought Juniper to her face to nuzzle her nose against his. 

“Well Juniper it is.” ~~

It was well past midnight when the two finally settled into bed, a very sleepy Juniper between them. “So darling, did you like your birthday?” He asked, a gentle hand laid against the sleeping kitten.

“I loved my birthday; you get to be in the sun again! We have a cat son now…it was wonderful. I feel so undeserving of such a great day, minus the ring you received. I'm glad that happened, I'm happy something miraculous happened for you today most of all.” She sighed happily, closing her eyes. “I'm really happy, thank you for a wonderful day.”

He leaned forward, pressing a kiss to her lips, “It really was a wonderful day.” 

“Can we spend the morning in the sun? If it's not raining? I want to show Juni the garden..” She was beginning to slur and mumble her words, the exhaustion of such a wonderfully emotional exciting day taking its toll.

“That sounds like a wonderful idea my love. You sleep now, I’ll be up a little longer, but I’ll be right here.” 

She hummed, her breathing starting to slow as sleep claimed her. He looked over his little family, a warm smile on his face. The ring on his finger caught his eye and he held out his hand, admiring the gold band on his finger. Some normalcy had finally been granted in his life, and he was glad that her birthday of all days was the one that it had happened on. That he got to spend today of all days with her beneath the warmth of the sun. Now that he had the ring, he was going to be sure to tell her to relax a little more, that she needn't be so hard pressed on curing him. He could be in the sun with her once more, and he wanted to take advantage of it with her by his side as much as he could. 

He reached forward to tuck a stray lock of hair tuck it behind her ear, fingers gently grazing the side of her face. He ran the same hand down the side of Juniper, the kitten stretching beneath the comfort of his hand, and began purring. “Happy Birthday my love.” He happily watched the two sleep for a while longer before closing his own eyes, and drifted off as well. 

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Astarion turned to look over his shoulder, her voice mildly surprising him. “You sleep light. I thought last night’s excitement surely would have caused you to sleep in.”

“I got cold…and when I went to cuddle up to a certain somebody, they weren't there.” She playfully pouted, sticking her tongue out at him.

“I'm afraid it will take more than cuddling with me to warm you up.” He chuckled, turning his attention back to the sun. “Apologies my dear. I just wanted to enjoy the sunrise.” 

 It was early summer, but she could already feel the warmth of the early morning. She rose to her feet, stretching once more, but his back caught her eyes. “A-astarion?” The sight filled her with dread.

“Hmm?”

“What’s on your back?” The center of his back was covered in a morbid decorative scar. Circular in design, harsh cruel symbols followed the curved design. She walked towards him, her hand hovering in the space between them, wanting to trace her fingers the jagged lines, but knowing better than to touch him.

“It’s a poem. A gift from my old master, Cazador. He considered himself quite the artist and used his slaves as a canvas. He composed and carved that one over the course of a night. He made a lot of revisions as he went.” His voice sounded pained, ashamed even, as his face fell. 

She stood beside him, her face somber. “I'm so sorry you had to go through that.” 

He took her hand, giving it a squeeze but remained silent, still basking in the sun, his eyes closed until he heard Hellethil giggle moments later. “Why are you laughing? It's not something to laugh about.” He snapped his head to her, sneering, ripping his hand from hers.

“I'm sorry, I promise I'm not laughing about your scars. It's just–you just remind me of a sunflower.” She smiled warmly at him, taking and lifting his hand to press a kiss on the back of it. “A very beautiful sunflower, basking in the morning light.” 

He rolled his eyes, unable to help the smile that crept up on his lips. He shook his head, “that was a terrible come on.”

“What?! It's not a come on! I'm just simply saying you remind me of one of my favorite flowers! Are you one of those people who is cranky before breakfast?” She shoved her wrist in front of him, “Here, have your breakfast, lest you be cranky all day.” 

He took her wrist, and instead of biting it like she expected him to, he pulled her into him, wrapping her in his arms. “Says the woman who screamed at poor innocent Wyll for waking her up the other morning.”

“I wasn't ready to wake up. I don't like being woken up before I planned on it.”

“My apologies, I’ll make sure everyone knows that little Miss Hellethil needs to plan her morning out the night before.”

“Or you could just wake me up…” She pressed her face into his chest. 

“Oh? Why is that? Does someone want to be woken up with sinful little kisses? Hm?” He pulled her away from him, taking her chin between his thumb and index finger, tilting her head up to press a kiss to her lips, giggling when she squirmed.

“Stop it, I have morning breath! I am disgusting!” 

“I assure you, I have had my mouth on worse. Your morning breath will not stop me.” He held her tighter against him, kissing her again, this time his lips landed on the corner of her mouth. “There–was that better?”

Hellethil sighed, a small pout on her face. “I suppose. But if you really are fine kissing me…then you may as well kiss me properly.”

Astarion chuckled, cupping her face and this time properly kissed her, flicking his tongue against her bottom lip, waiting for her to part her lips. His hand traveled down her back cupping her ass, pulling her closer to him as he deepened their kiss. Hellethil moaned into their kiss, threading a hand through his curls, standing on her toes so he didn't strain himself. He pulled away so she could catch her breath “you taste like sleep.” He murmured.

“I-is that bad?” She whispered pressing her forehead against his, shallowly breathing, still self conscious about how her breath must smell so early in the morning.

“Not at all.” He kissed her one last time, before he pulled away. “We should probably clean up and head back to camp.” He unwound his arms and made his way over to their little nest, looking back to her over his shoulder. “Well? Are you going to help?”

“Y-yes sorry.” She scrambled to help him, feeling flustered. “What do we do if the others tease us?”

“Why does it matter? Are you embarrassed about our night together?”

“No-no I'm not. I liked it…I'm sorry nothing really happened.”  She stood there awkwardly picking at the skin on the back of her hand, avoiding eye contact with him. She still felt guilty and embarrassed about last night. Even though he had forgiven her about everything that hand transpired. It didn't stop the guilt of it all, a reminder of all the things still wrong with her. She came back to her senses, kneeling to begin rolling up their bed rolls and blankets. 

Astarion noticed her momentary spiral and reached a hand out to comfortingly squeeze her arm. “Don't apologize, it's fine. As for the potential teasing you’re sure to endure, answer however you like.” He was curious to see what she would come up with. Would she lie about their night together? Or would she be honest?

Hellethil sighed, “Alright. Shadowheart and Karlach are going to talk my ear off either way. They’ve already teased me enough the past few weeks. You should have heard them the night you first kissed me.”

“Oh? What did they say?”

“Well first Shadowheart tried to give me the sex talk.”

Astarion barked a laugh, pausing to sit back on his hands and watch her blush at whatever memory was playing through her mind. 

“Then they asked me a ton of questions. When did I start liking you, why, if we had fooled around previous to it.”

“What did you say? I'm curious to know the answers.”

“Uh-uhm well…I told them that I started having a small crush on you a few days after you bit me.” He stared at her contemplatively, his lips pursed. “Not–not because you bit me! It has nothing at all to do with that or the fact that you’re a vampire.” 

“What does it have to do with? If you don't mind me asking, you’ve piqued my curiosity.” The blush that crawled up her skin was mouthwatering. 

“Well, to start, you stopped when I asked. Then you were concerned about me, and did something nice. You also don't complain when I ask you to go forage with me. I enjoy spending time with you. I don't know; is that silly?” She ducked her head, a sheepish smile on her face.

“No. It’s not.” He sat forward taking her face in his hand, “darling, as much as I am enjoying this little morning together, you should probably put pants on before someone walks out this way curious to where we’ve run off too.” 

~~~

Lae’zel was insistent that they find the creche that was rumored to be in the area. “Once we get to this Creche, we will be purified, you will all be thanking me, wishing you had listened to me sooner.” 

They went about packing up camp to be on their way towards the mountain pass, where Zorru, the tiefling from the grove, had informed them that's where he last saw the other githyanki. Hellethil was mindlessly packing all her belongings when Shadowheart approached her, “I saw you and Astarion sneak off last night. How was it?” 

Hellethil turned her head, a smug grin on Shadowheart’s face, “Uhm, it was fine?”

“Fine? It was fine? That's all you have to say? Is the man really all talk?” Shadowheart giggled, kneeling to begin helping Hellethil pack up.

“No, no he's not. It's just…I don't know. I have issues I guess.” Hellethil paused for a moment, “But he was very kind and understanding, and then he suggested we sleep beneath the stars. It was very sweet.” 

“Oi what are you two gabbing about?” Karlach joined the two, her stuff already set to the side ready to grab and go.

“Hellethil was just telling me about her night with Astarion.” 

“Spill, I want every little detail. Mama K can’t get any action, and I'm going to live vicariously through you.”

“I don't know, he couldn't make her cum apparently.”

“That–that's not at all what I said! Or implied!” Hellethil’s voice was shrill, she looked over her shoulder making sure no one, especially Astarion, could overhear their conversation. 

“Well, do explain yourself better.” Shadowheart scolded.

Hellethil’s brow furrowed, a somber look on her face. “Could we talk about this later? Please? I just want to get everything set to go before Lae’zel comes over here and starts yelling.” 

“Well, if Astarion asks, you're ours for tonight. He’s a big boy, he can part with your neck for the night.” Shadowheart stood, patting Hellethil on the head before walking off with Karlach.

Hellethil sighed, standing with her full pack, taking in the area one last time, when she felt an arm sling around her shoulder. “Were they giving you the third degree darling?” Astarion asked, grabbing her pack and trading it with his own since his was a fair bit lighter than hers. 

“They tried, but I told them I would tell them later. They wanted details, every little detail.” She turned to him to face him as they spoke.

“Darling, you know I'm not little.” Astarion giggled.

“Are you not? I can't remember.” Hellethil teased, “regardless they told me I'm theirs for tonight and you’ll have to make due without my neck.” 

“You two! Stop your little mating ritual and hurry up to leave!” Lae’zel shouted. 

As if to spite her, Astarion grabbed Hellehil’s face, kissing her with as much lust as he could. Once he pulled away from a scarlet faced Hellethil, he smirked at Lae’zel walking away to stand next to the small cart with some of the bigger camp supplies. 

~~~

By the time they reached the base of the mountain, evening had fallen. “I suggest we make camp and rest for the night. We’ve had a long day; best to rest now and wake up early and set out again.” Gale suggested, setting down his pack, stretching his arms and back.

Lae’zel rolled her eyes, muttering about how the inhabitants of this plane were weak before setting off to pitch her tent. Hellethil gave him a reassuring smile, “She’s just…excited I guess to get to that Creche. She keeps saying purification is a sure deal, and maybe it is. Getting rid of this worm would be nice after all.” 

“Don’t worry, it takes a lot more than a cranky githyanki to hurt my feelings. Now, where are those cooking supplies? I could scrounge up a nice filling meal for us all after that grueling amount of walking we all just did.” Gale set off to set up his tent and the fire. 

Hellethil started to set up her tent but was instead pulled by Shadowheart in a different direction. “No no, you're not setting up your tent tonight. You're staying with me so we can continue our talk from this morning.” 

“That's fine but do I really need to sleep next to you to guarantee that?” Hellethil whined stumbling after her. 

“You give into Astarion’s charm too easily, so yes.”

Soon enough, Hellethil, Shadowheart, and Karlach were all sat outside Shadowheart’s tent, Lae’zel opted out claiming she had no time for silly gossip when they could be cured already. 

“So, you just remember kissing him and then the next thing you know he was pulling away from you mid session?” Shadowheart asked, sipping her wine as she waited for Hellethil’s answer.

“Yes–but…it's just always been that way. Before I set off to be a druid–I was involved with someone not so nice…It's just how I coped when no wasn't allowed.” 

“Oh man, after we get this worm out of our heads, you point him out to mama. I'll make sure the prick doesn't have a prick when I'm through with him.” Karlach growled.

Hellethil chuckled at her friend's willingness to protect her and sighed. “I don't want to see him. I hope I never run into him again.” She laid on her back, staring up at the stars. “He thinks I'm dead.”

“Why?” Both asked.

Hellethil sat back up. “Ok, Karlach, move about 10 feet or more away before I tell you.”

“Is it really that bad?”

Hellethil waited before answering. Karlach rolled her eyes, dramatically rolling backwards to her feet walking back a few feet and held out her arms dramatically. 

Hellethil couldn't bear to look at either one of them as she spoke, opting to pick at the back of her hand instead. “The last day I was with him…was really bad. I was tired of everything, and I tried running away. One of his friends spotted me, and the next thing I knew, I was being dragged home by him. We yelled for hours…he snapped, I don't remember much. At one point we were in our cellar so no one could hear me…and then I woke up outside The Gate.” 

Shadowheart reached over and took her hand, giving it a squeeze, an apologetic look in her eyes, while Karlach stood there, flames beginning to violently flicker. “Ok, good call on having me move away but that bastard is dead if I ever lay eyes on him.” She growled, slowly walking back to the other two as her flames calmed themselves. 

“Astarion knows all this?” Shadowheart asked. 

“Mhmm…anyways–Astarion is the first person I’ve tried sleeping with in over 10 years. And before either of you ask or assume, yes it was consensual. Obviously. He stopped when he noticed I wasn't fully there.” Hellethil flicked her eyes between the two, “Uhm but if you want some, spicy details, when he–drinks from me, he gets really handsy and that feels nice.”

“What does that feel like anyways?” Shadowheart cocked her brow, sipping more of her wine. 

~~~

They set off as soon as the sun peeked over the horizon the next morning. Astarion happily joined Hellethil by her side towards the back of the group. 

“Sooo, how was your girls' night?” Astarion asked, his hand brushing against hers, a smirk on his face as he heard her heart pick up in speed from the innocent touch.

“Like you didn't come and hide to overhear. I know you Astarion.” 

“Well Gale and Wyll are boring, and Halsin was off, gallivanting with the local wildlife or something. I needed some entertainment; besides I wanted to hear what you told them.”

Hellethil laughed and rolled her eyes, “Did you even go eat last night?”

“Yes yes I found a cute little burrow of bunnies. So you like it when I get a little handsy with you?” He purred.

She bit her lip, avoiding his gaze, “yes.” Hellethil whispered, feeling shy. 

“Why?”

“Why?” she repeated.

“Yes why.”

“Why why?”

“What do you mean why why? Why do you like it when I get handsy with you? What about it do you like?”

“I–hmmm…” It was silent between the two of them for a few minutes while she thought it over, Astarion not pressing for an answer right away. She liked that he never pressured her to answer right away when he asked her deeper questions, or pressured her to do anything for that matter. Maybe that’s why the teasing of his hands excited her so much; it was open ended. They easily could go beyond the barriers of clothing, she knew what and where her blood coursing through him did. But he never talked her into anything, not even nibbling her neck. 

“I think–” she began, “I like that it's not a promise to anything. Does that make sense? You allow it to be open ended on both our parts.” She turned her head to look at him, looking for a reaction if what she said was acceptable. “The lead up to a potential something is…hot…also.” He didn't respond, “Is that ok?” 

“Why are you asking if your answer is ok?”

“I don't want to upset you.”

His brow furrowed for a moment. He had forgotten that her thoughts and feelings did matter greatly at one point. That they needed to be acceptable, they needed to be correct. “I have to agree with you. I do rather enjoy that it doesn't lead to something. I feel–aware–of everything happening. I get to enjoy your little whimpers.” He took her hand in his, bringing it up to his lips as they walked on, their fingers loosely intertwined by their sides when he lowered their hands.

“Less flirting, more walking friends!” Gale called out, standing at the top of the small hill, hands on his hips. 

Hellethil let go of their hold, and jogged to catch up. “We’re not flirting! We are two adults conversing about our thoughts on certain subjects pertaining to…shut up!” She blushed and passed Gale towards the head of the group. 

Astarion passed Gale, who joined him by his side. “I see you waste no time pursuing your quarry Astarion. Tell me, do you always woo your lovers with such patient attention?” 

“I rather think I'm a little slow this time. Usually they’re begging me to drain them on the first night.”

“So, you two haven't slept together?” Gale questioned, his brow raised.

If it was anyone else he probably would have indulged Gale in some dirty gossip. But with her he felt protective about the details regarding their intimacy. “So Gale, how is your sad hopeless pining going?” Gale and Hellethil spent a fair bit of time together, and while Hellethil was oblivious to Gale’s pathetic attempts of flirtation, Astarion was not.

“I'm hardly pining. It's been a year or more since Mystra cast me aside.”

“Oh my dear wizard,” Astarion laughed, “I wasn't talking about Mystra.” The two men continued their walk in silence.

Eventually they all stopped near a cliffside, arguing in what direction they should head off in next, seeing as they only had a very vague idea of where this creche actually was. “I could turn into a falcon and scope things out quickly? I could probably spot something. Better to have a clearer idea than to wander aimlessly.” Hellethil suggested. The group agreed, and watched as she shifted and took flight, heading off in the direction Lae’zel thought would be their best bet. 

They took this opportunity for a much needed break, the summer sun beating down on them. “I didn't exactly dress for hiking mountains.” Shadowheart grumbled, adjusting her armor, fanning herself from the afternoon heat. “Shame we couldn't procure some pack mules or horses.” 

“Horses? Perish the thought. Those–ill tempered–beasts are prone to biting.” Astarion replied, disgusted at the thought.

“Well, so are you but we keep you around. Don't we?”

“And I'm not offering any rides, if that’s what you're thinking.”

“I bet if it was Hellethil you would.” Karlach laughed.

“You're lucky she's not here to overhear that.” Wyll snickered. 

“Honestly, why are you all so obsessed with that topic today?” Astarion rolled his eyes. 

“I simply meant you could carry her like a princess. Not my fault you thought of something perverted.” 

“Sure you did.” Astarion’s gaze returned to the sky as he saw something fast approaching and swooping downwards. Hellethil shifted and stumbled as she landed, Astarion catching her before she could fall flat on her face. 

“S-sorry.” She panted, bracing herself on her knees. “If we keep heading in the direction we’re going in, we should get there in a few days.” She stood up, swaying on her feet before righting herself. “It’s pretty steep and rocky though. We’ll have to be careful. There’s a spot not too far ahead where we could set up camp, potentially. It’ll take us until evening to get there.” 

“Then let's be off.” Lae’zel took off in the direction they agreed on, everyone following behind her.

“You alright?” Astarion asked Hellethil, handing her his canteen of water.

Hellethil thanked him and took it, the cold water welcoming down her throat. “I'm fine, I just wanted to hurry. I’ve never been good at landing.”

~~~

“Knock knock.” Astarion’s voice drew her from the book she was reading. 

“Come in.” She set down her book, a smile on her face as he entered. “Hi.” 

“Hello dear, I've brought you something.” He held out a small pouch, and she took it from him. He toed off his shoes, making himself at home next to her as he watched her open the pouch.

“Raspberries?!” She smiled, biting her lip, a slight shimmy of her shoulders in excitement as she popped one in her mouth. “These are so juicy! Thank you.”

“Of course, I found them while out on the prowl tonight.”

“Oh? Did you find anything appetising?” She popped a few more in her mouth, juice dribbling on her lip.

“I have now.” Astarion flirted, leaning forward to kiss her, licking the juice that had trickled over her bottom lip onto her chin. “Delicious.” He took the pouch and set it off to the side. Threading a hand in her hair, kissing her once more, deepening the kiss. 

“Astarion?” Hellethil whispered against his lips.

“Yes?” He kissed down her jaw, giving her a chance to continue speaking. 

“What do you like?”

Astarion paused, pulling back, confused by her question. “What do you mean?” 

Hellethil rested her head on his shoulder. “Well…I like how handsy you get…what do you like?” 

“I’m-I’m not sure. No one has ever asked me.”

“I’m sorry.” Hellethil turned her head, pressing a kiss on his neck. 

“Don’t be. It’s sweet of you to ask.” He wrapped his arms around her, leaning his head against hers and sighed. “What about you? Anything other than handsy?”

“I don't know.” She mumbled.

“You never–explored that kind of thing with anyone after you left?”

“No…” 

“Why not?”

“I was scared.”

He pulled them both to lay on their sides, intertwining their legs. “What made you want to with me?”

He could feel her play with the curls on the back of his head, as she pressed her face harder against him. “That night you took me to that little spot you found. You could have easily…” Her voice trailed off, not wanting to say the words, but he knew very well what she meant. “But you didn’t…I was really scared you were going to if I'm honest. But that's just–instinctual, or was. I trust you completely ok?”

“I know.” 

“I'm sorry.”

“Please don't be.” He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, his hands gently tracing up and down her back.

“I just feel bad because I had those thoughts about you. Please know that I think that you’re incredible and sweet and kind. I want to enjoy intimacy with you; very badly actually.” Hellethil nervously giggled into his neck.

Astarion held her against him as he rolled them over so she was on her back, settling himself between her thighs. “Oh is that so?” His lips brushed hers, his hand trailed down her neck to settle on her hip. “Would you believe me, if I said I felt the same?” His hand skated back up her side, this time to palm her breast, a grin spread across his lips as a breathy moan left her.

“Y-yes.” Her lips met his in a shaky attempt to take the lead, her hand traced down his back, clutching the fabric beneath her fingers as he gave a slight roll of his hips against her, chuckling as he pulled a small whimper from her.

“Do you want to keep going?” He asked her, surprised by how breathy he sounded, almost desperate. “You can say no.” He could feel himself harden against her. He could hear her heart hammering in her chest. He pulled back slightly to get a look of her face. Her cheeks were flushed, her pupils dilated, only a sliver of her blue eyes reflecting in the dim candle light of her tent.

She cupped his face with the hand currently not clutching his shirt, her thumb brushed his cheek, cool and smooth. He looked as desperate as she felt, his eyes lidded, lips parted, his brows slightly furrowed. Her fingers curled slightly beneath the sharp edge of his jaw, a gentle pull back to her as she placed a soft kiss against his lips. “Just until we can't anymore. Until one or both of us needs to stop.” 

“Of course, let's make ourselves comfortable, shall we?” He sat up, pulling his shirt off, tossing it off to a corner of her tent.

She giggled while sitting up, “you said the same thing the first time you bit me.” 

“Did I?” He watched as she slowly pulled her shirt overhead, her breasts unbound. Her nipples a pale rosy pink, hardening in the cool night. 

She took her index finger under his chin, tilting his face up to look back to hers, nodding before kissing him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her to straddle his lap. They stayed that way for a while, kissing and touching, both slowly growing into something more. Soft kisses began to turn into heated nips of his teeth pulling her bottom lip, her little moans and whimpers igniting something carnal inside him. He took one of her hands from his shoulders, slowly tracing it between their bodies, down his firm pectorals and the plane of his stomach stopping at the laces of his pants. 

“Will you touch me?” He spoke against her lips, giving her one last peck on the lips, nuzzling her face. Hellethil wordlessly nodded, her fingers shakily tried to undo the laces, her second hand joining the first to undo the knots, loosening his pants. Astarion sighed, kissing her cheek, taking one of her hands in his, her knuckles brushing against his cock, currently straining against his smallclothes. He hissed, he lowered his head, pressing kisses against her neck. The small innocent touch drove him wild. She now placed her hand against him, cupping him, slowly moving her hand up and down the fabric, stopping once she reached the top of his waistband, her fingers pulling the fabric. “You can keep going.” He whispered against her neck, a whimper left his throat when he felt her hand now grasping him.

“Don't laugh at me, but you’re big.” She twisted her wrist as her hand went up his length, her thumb swiping over over the head, coating her finger in precum. 

“I told you I wasn't little.” He chuckled, his lips skimmed her jaw, his hands now tightening against her hips. “You’re surprisingly very good at this.” He sighed into her mouth as she tightened her grip around him, slowly picking up the pace. A few more strokes and he grabbed her hand, stopping her. 

“Are you ok?” 

“I'm fine darling. You’re just making it very hard to not want to throw you down on this bedroll of yours.” 

“I think I could be ok with that…”

Astarion then gently laid her down, still sitting between her legs. “Let’s take it slow then–shall we?” His hands slowly, delicately traced up her thighs, stopping at her waistband. “Can I take these off?” His fingers traced the inside of the band, her skin soft against the backs of his fingers. She nodded. “Darling, it's very important from here on out that we use our words alright? Yes or No?” 

Her breath caught in her throat as she tried to sort the onslaught of thoughts and feelings battling themselves within her mind as she stared up at him. “Y-yes,” it came out as a breathless whisper. 

“Good girl.” His eyes softened but hunger lurked beneath them as he worked her pants off of her, slowly pulling them down her legs, tossing the garment to join his shirt. His fingers traced up her sides stopping at her collarbones, tracing the bones with his fingers, stopping at the tops of her breasts. “May I?”

“Ok–I mean yes. Yes.” She sat up, straddling his lap as she stared into his eyes, waiting for his next move.

“Very good girl darling. Using your words.” His hand thread through her hair guiding her lips back to his.  His fingers traced the curve of her breast as he cupped the soft flesh, giving a firm but gentle squeeze, drawing a sinful moan from her lips. He smiled “so we like that?” He gave her another squeeze before taking her nipple between his thumb and forefinger, slowly rolling the delicate bud between them. She moaned again, her hips rolled of their own accord. “I’m taking this as a yes?” He kissed along her jaw, making a slow descent down her neck, stopping at the pale pink twin pinpricks on her neck to give them their own attention as well. 

“A-Astarion?” She moaned, who knew such simple touches could feel so…good. 

He stopped, a breathy exhale on the spot he currently had been kissing, licking. “Are you alright?” He whispered, his lips hovering against her skin.

“Y-yes…I just wanted to say…that this feels good” She sighed, tilting her head back as she wrapped an arm around his shoulders, the other hand shakily threading through his soft silver curls. 

He took this opportunity to kiss down the length of her neck. His fangs delicately scraping the soft skin, his nose following the path after. “Darling, arousal smells beautiful on you.” He whispered against her. “May I?” His fangs hovered her bite marks. “Just a small taste. I promise.” 

“Ok.” She moaned.

“Words darling.” He smiled against her skin. She sounded like she was enjoying herself, but he needed her to use her words to make sure she had something to focus on, to stay present. It was just as much for her as it was for him. These constant little check ins. 

“Yes…please.” She said breathlessly.

His fangs pierced her skin, a moan left him as her blood fell over his tongue. Her arousal amplified the taste. She was refreshing, thirst quenching, it made him crave the entirety of her more. His free hand traveled down her side to stop at her hip. His fingers pressed harder into her skin and he began to guide her hips to roll against him. 

A whine left her lips, as small sparks of pleasure climbed her body. His hard length, though still clothed, rubbed against the thin wet fabric still covering her core. A curse left her lips and she tightened her hold on him. 

He unlatched from her with a chuckle, his tongue licking up the rivulets of blood still slowly flowing from her neck. “Such naughty words from my good girl.” He kissed up her neck, making his way across her jaw to meet her lips. He swallowed her whimpers and whines as he guided her hips against him with both hands now, pressing her harder against him. 

“I-I’m g-gonna…” She was gasping, a whine left her lips.

“That’s it my sweet girl, let go.” His hand trailed down to move her small clothes to the side, so there was one less barrier between her and his clothed hardened length.

She suddenly stopped, her hand grabbing his wrist. “N-no, I-I don’t want to y-yet.” She panted, her body shuddering against him from the sudden stop in its climb to bliss.

An amused smirk found him, “oh so we like a bit of denial?” 

“I-I just want, I w-would like…” 

“What is it you would like sweetness?” 

Hellethil slouched, resting her forehead against his. “I’m worried if—if I cum now, I won’t around you—around your cock. So, so if it’s ok with you–”

He stopped her mid sentence with a kiss that was mostly tongue and teeth as he tightened his hold on her laying her on her back. “Oh darling, you have no idea how badly–I want to feel you cum wrapped around my cock.” He growled, pressing kisses down her neck and chest, before sitting up. “Let's even things up shall we?” He removed his pants, his cock springing free, she watched as it twitched, the head of his cock glistening with precum. He tossed his pants to the side, settling on his stomach, his face between her legs. He kissed down her thigh, stopping when he met her groin. He stared up at her through hungry eyes as he placed a kiss over her clothed center, smirking when she whimpered, her hips subtly bucking towards him.  He turned his head to give the opposite thigh the same attention as the other, stopping once more to place a kiss on her center, pulling back to admire the growing wet spot. “How about we build that tension back up darling?” 

“O-ok.” 

He tutted, “Naughty girl, remember what I said about our words? Yes or no?” He sat up to crawl up the length of her flushed body, pressing kisses along the way, stopping at her lips, pressing a kiss to them, opening them up to slip his tongue inside, careful and precise movements danced with hers, as he teased her with his cock. 

“Yes, yes. I'm fine, just please…” Hellethil panted against his lips, arching her hips into his, a silent plea for him to press harder against her. 

“Good…girl…” He said between kisses down her jaw, her moan caused him to stop and look at her with hungry eyes. “Oh? Does my flower like praise? Does she like being called a good girl”

She blushed, “Yes…” she whispered, embarrassed that it indeed turned her on further. 

He continued his path down her body, slow kisses, licks, and nips, bringing little whimpers and whines from her. Each one stirred a sense of accomplishment within him; he knew he was good, but watching her, hearing her, staying in this moment with him, made him feel great. He pressed one last kiss above the waistband of her small clothes, his eyes flicking back to meet hers, they were bright, hungry, awestruck. With a wry smile he asked her, “shall I remove the final barrier darling?” A finger moved down to slip in between the fabric that rested against her wet folds, his finger teasing her entrance, slipping inside her, before he pulled it back out. 

She closed her eyes, and tilted her head back, “Haaaah, please–y-yes.” She moaned, clenching around nothing, wishing it was his fingers, or cock, she just wanted to feel some part of him inside her. Her legs fell open wider in invitation for him to settle between, however he chose to.

He brought his finger up to his face, admiring her glistening slick against it, “Look at me.” He waited, watched as her eyes fluttered open, and she sat up on her elbows to peer down at him. He stuck that same finger in his mouth, a heavy exhale huffed from his nose as he cleaned his finger of her. “You taste delicious flower, shall I supp from more of your nectar?” He giggled.

She laughed in return, lying back down covering her face. “Thank you, I needed that laugh. I was beginning to feel crazy aroused. I-I still am, but I'm not as overwhelmed any more.” Her arms found their place down beside her once more, lifting one hand out to him, which he took in his and pressed a kiss against her knuckles. “Are you feeling ok?” She asked him, a soft smile on her face.

“Darling I'm perfect, but if I don't find myself inside you soon, I fear I shall go mad.” 

“I'm glad I'm not alone in the feeling…o-of wanting you inside me, I don't think I can go inside you…I’m going to shut up now.” She closed her eyes, embarrassed at her nervous rambling. 

He chuckled and sat up, surprising her with a kiss. “I'm going to tear these damned panties off you now.” His fingers grabbed the waistband, as he dragged them down her legs, tossing them to rest with the rest of their clothing. She was now completely bare before him, he had seen her like this once before. But there was something about them being here in the privacy of her tent, both completely aware, that made him ache for her. He settled himself on his stomach between her legs once more, a breathy exhale washed over her wet folds and he watched as she clenched. 

“Has anyone gone down on you before?” He pressed a gentle kiss against her swollen clit, the movement surprised her and caused her to flinch beneath him. 

“N-no. But I don't want to think about any of that.”

He hummed, and pressed another kiss against her this time bringing his tongue into the mix. She moaned, it was the same movements as when he was kissing her. “G-Gods…” she cried. This felt incredible, there was no way she could feel disconnected from herself, not when he was doing this to her. She felt a finger trace her entrance, “Y-yes, yes, please yes.” She answered before he could ask, biting her lip to hold back a high pitched moan as a finger slipped inside her, her fingers gripped the bedroll beneath her in the pleasure he was bringing her.

He paused his ministrations with his mouth, resting his face against her thigh to take in the writhing panting mess he was making her. Admiring and relishing in her moans and cries of his name. To have her completely present with him right now stirred pride within him. In his past, he long would have retreated into his mind, into the shadows where he could have a moment of respite. But here he was, enjoying the sweet taste of her against his tongue, feeling the warmth of her skin against his cheek. 

 He crooked his finger up inside her that caused her to fold into herself, a string of curses left her mouth. He brought his mouth back to her center, his tongue circling her clit as he slowly inserted another finger inside her, humming a laugh as he sucked on her clit when she flopped herself back down rolling her hips against him. The tall tale signs of her impending climax made him slow his rhythm before stopping entirely. He sat up, sticking his fingers in his mouth to clean them of her. “Did you enjoy that?”

She looked up at him, sweaty, flushed, panting, through bright eyes. “Yes…yes.” Suddenly shy, she asked him, “Do you want me to return the favor?”

He crawled over her, his hips slotting between hers. “Not tonight. Tonight I want to make you feel good.” He rolled his hips against her, coating his throbbing cock with her slick. 

“Ahhhh-starion?” She cried out, her hands grasping his arms, her eyes closed, head thrown back in pleasure.

“Yes?” He purred, kissing and sucking on her neck, a lovely little bruise beginning to bloom.

“Can-can you say my name. Just so I know you’re still with me.” She opened her eyes to stare up at him, worried that he was forcing himself through this, putting on a show for her.

He stopped, his gaze softening on her, “Hellethil–” He purred, “I promise I'm still present with you.” He pressed a kiss against her lips as he brought a hand down in between them, grabbing himself to rub the head of his cock against her wet folds, pressing gently at her entrance. “Tell me a random herb.”

“What?” Her brow furrowed as she looked up at him.

“A random herb, it’ll be our safeword. If either one of us feels like this is too much, or we start to feel like we’re not fully present we’ll say it, alright?”

“Ok…uhm…l-lemon balm” 

“Good girl.” He slowly pressed into her, making sure to go slow so he didn't hurt her. “Gods you're so tight. Oh my perfect girl, my Hellethil.” He groaned, resting his head against her shoulder. He wasn't even fully in, and he could feel his stomach tighten in pleasure. How could he have missed this the first time he sank inside her? What was different now, only days later, than that night in the clearing? 

A high pitched whine left her lips, her grasp on his arms tightening. “Ah-Astarion.” She hooked a leg up on his hip as he gave her shallow thrusts, each one pushing him deeper inside her until he was flushed with her. She focused on his face, her brows furrowed. She refused to let herself slip away again. He paused in his movements while she adjusted to him inside her, watching her face for any sign of further discomfort or any hint of blankness in her eyes. She smiled, her thumb brushed his lip, “I'm ok, I'm here.” Such a small gesture on his part, filled her with comfort. With him, she could let down her walls, she could explore this part of her and know that he wouldn’t hold it against her if she wanted to stop.

Slowly, he began to roll his hips, she felt so full of him, the slight discomfort she felt at first began to dissipate, pleasure beginning to grow. She moaned, an arm wrapping around his shoulders, her hand gripping him in pleasure. The other went to thread through his hair, her hands were shaking and clumsy, she instead brushed up the length of his ear. 

“Ohh Gods, that feels good. Please, please do that again.” He moaned, resting his forehead against her own. His eyes were glossy, and distinctly present as he looked into her own. She did as he asked, causing his eyes to flutter close and he picked up the speed of his thrusts. 

“You like that?” Hellethil bit her lip, this time using a single finger to lightly skate up the length of this ear, pinching the point. Astarion groaned, his head turned to rest on her shoulder. She took this opportunity to follow the path her fingers just took but this time with her tongue, teeth scraping the length of his helix, bringing a breathy whine from him. 

Astarion brought an arm down, hitching it under her knee and pressed her leg up towards her, able to now thrust deeper in her. “You naughty little thing. Someone has been indulging in one too many dirty novels involving elves.” This time, Astarion brought his hand up to skate up her ear. Hellethil cried out, the hand on Astarion’s shoulder tightening. “Oh? Has someone never had her ears played with before?”

Hellethil shook her head, unable to form coherent words, instead a series of breathy gasps left her lips. Astarion laid more of his weight onto her, leaning down to whisper in her ear, “You may be a half elf, but your ears are just as sinfully sensitive as mine, my flower.” He then licked up the length of her ear, gently biting her point before giving it a gentle suck. 

“Ohh fuuu–” She couldn't help but clench around him, she could once again feel that slow climb she knew she wanted to fall from. 

“Shhh not too loud…we don't want the whole camp to hear how naughty their innocent little druid is.” He whispered, but couldn't help the groan that left his own lips as she clenched around him. 

“Please, please don't stop.” She could feel her climax fast approaching, could feel herself clench around his thick cock. She had to bite her lip to keep from crying out fully, only little whimpers and grunts left her as she begged him to keep going. 

“Don’t worry. I won't stop. Not until I feel you cumming around me.” He let go of his hold on her leg, bringing that hand down to place his thumb on her clit, rubbing it in tight circles. The steady pace he had set began to pick up with his need to make her cum and him along with her. Breathy gasps left him, his pace faltering. “You’re taking me so well, be a good girl and cum around me. Please? Can you do that?” He could tell that he wasn't going to last much longer, between the heat and tightness of her, and her moans, he was doing his best to hold on. 

“I'm-close, I'm so cl-ose. I'm, I'm, I'm–” Her lips part to cry out, but he met her lips with his, as she cried and whimpered into his mouth. Her toes curled as she wrapped her legs around his waist, wanting, needing, him to stay within her. Her eyes shut close as her climax ripped through her, so much pleasure was near painful. Her eyes watered as she whimpered and sobbed through his lips on hers. 

 “Fuck, g-good girl. Gods you feel–” He was unable to finish his sentence as he fucked her through her orgasm.  He could feel her writhe beneath him, her pussy clenching his cock as she came in such a vice grip it catapulted him into his own, surprising him and stealing his breath from him. His mouth fell open in a silent groan, faltering in his pace as he came inside her. When was the last time he had felt pleasure like this? He felt his cock twitch and stomach clench as he continued to fill her, her pussy still fluttering around him. 

They both lay there breathless, as they came down from their highs, still entangled in one another.  Hellethil carefully traced her hand up and down his back, careful to avoid his scars. Her legs fell open wider, feeling shaky and heavy. “Wow.” she giggled.

Astarion laughed, “Wow?” 

In broken elvish Hellethil said “I cant speak.” All thought of anything, language especially, had escaped her for the moment. She closed her eyes, shaking her head, her fingers gently combing through his silver curls, now damp with sweat, an exhausted smile on her face.

“So I take it you enjoyed yourself?” He brushed his hand over her forehead, clearing it of her hair sticking to it, as he placed gentle kisses down the length of her face. He could feel himself begin to grow soft inside her, “This might feel a little uncomfortable.” He slowly pulled out of her sitting back on his knees, admiring his seed slowly drip out of her. “Well, that's a pretty sight…second prettiest actually.” His eyes returned to her face, she was flushed but pure bliss glowed from her. Beautiful.

Hellethil sat up on her elbows, “Did you enjoy yourself?” Her eyes traced over him, he looked more relaxed. His cheeks were faintly blushed, his skin damp with sweat. 

“Oh, she can speak again.” He leaned forward kissing the top of her head, before turning to look for a cloth to wipe them both up. She indicated where what he was looking for was, and he returned to first begin cleaning her up. “But to answer your question, yes. I enjoyed myself, the evidence between your thighs proves that.”  She held out her hand for the second cloth he had, wanting to return the favor but he shook his head, content with cleaning himself up. Something about her wanting to return the favor made him nervous. It was too intimate, too soon for such sweet things from her. 

“Will you stay?” She asked as he tossed aside the rags, and watched him grab their clothes.

“You want me to stay?” He paused, handing her hers, fidgeting with his in his hands. 

“If you're ok with that…” She looked away, choosing to set her clothes to the side, pulling her blanket up to cover her lower half. 

“Will you be upset if I leave?” Astarion surprised her as he crawled beneath the blanket as he laid down beside her, placing his hand on her wrist to get her attention. 

“It might hurt for a little bit. But I would understand. If this was too much. I would understand.” She laid next to him, a shy smile on her face as she searched his eyes for any emotion he tried hiding. 

Astarion thought back to all the victims he had been with, and how every single one had been taken away. Some left screaming, some left completely unaware of their impending doom. Even though he had tucked his feelings away for a majority of them, it would always haunt him. Leaving her tonight would feel the same. Would he wake up and this had been a dream? A new cruel form of torture from his master? What if they were attacked by patrolling gith or a passing vagrant in the middle of the night and she was killed? He sighed, pulling her closer to him, “I suppose I could stay. I wouldn't want to hurt your feelings.” 

Hellethil tried pulling away, but he held her to him, desperate for her to stay tucked in his arms. “Please don't stay because you’re worried about my feelings Astarion.”

“I'm not forcing myself, it's more of an excuse if anything.” He pulled the blanket further up her body.

“If you say so.”

“I do, now be a good girl, and close those eyes.” His hand cupped the side of her face and he tilted his head down to kiss her good night. He had kissed her plenty of times, but there was something about this kiss in particular that was different. This kiss was like feeling the sun on his skin for the first time in centuries. Terrifying. Beautiful. Exhilarating. She must have felt something similar, because next thing he knew her fingers were tangled in his hair as she whimpered in his mouth. He pulled her to lay on top of him, his hands traveling down her sides, finding their place on her ass, his fingers gripping her soft skin there. 

“Mmm–” she broke the kiss pulling away but still remained on top of him. “As much as I really enjoy this,” she pressed another kiss to his lips, “I'm afraid, I'm starting to feel a little too sore…down there…for a second round.” She giggled, and rested her head on his shoulder, pressing one last kiss to his neck. 

“Sorry.” He chuckled, his hand rubbed up and down her back. 

“Don’t be.” She yawned, "I'm ok.” 

“Alright.” He twisted them both so they laid on their sides, his back now facing the entrance to her tent. He ran his fingers through her hair, tucking it behind her ear. Admiring her smile as her eyes fluttered close. “I’ll still be here when you wake up.” 

“That makes me happy.” 

“So simple to please.”

She hummed in agreement, scooting closer to him, taking his hand to hold against her chest. “Thank you for being patient with me Astarion.” She mumbled, pressing a kiss to the hand she held. “You're so nice.”

Those words made his chest ache, if you only knew how horrible I really am. “You're not so bad yourself my sweet.” He watched her as the muscles in her face relaxed, listened to her breathing slow, felt her heart settle into a steady pace as she drifted to sleep. Leaving him with his thoughts. 

He didn't expect tonight to feel so good, he thought one of them surely would struggle and they wouldn't have gotten very far tonight. Why did he enjoy tonight so much? Why did he want to do this again with her? He stared at her, brows furrowing. What was it about her? 

He heard a twig snap from outside her tent and he tensed, holding her close, waiting, listening. Sniffling and the parting of her tent flap had him yanking his hand from hers as he sat up turning to face the threat who just entered. His body relaxed when he saw it was just Scratch, and the owl bear Hellethil had deemed Screech. “What do you two think you're doing sneaking around? You need to be more careful–I could have hurt you both.” He whisper screamed.

Scratch entered her tent walking up to Astarion and licked his face, wagging his tail. “Ew stop that, you mangy mutt.” Astarion pulled back, but patted the dog’s head. Hellethil mumbled behind him, sitting up for the briefest moment to squintily stare at the three of them, before laying down and rolling back over. Astarion huffed a laugh, returning his attention to the two animals. “We need to be quiet. If you're both going to be taking up space in here then lay down.” Screech settled himself at the entrance of her tent, his back facing inside, like he was keeping watch. Scratch settled himself next to Astarion. 

Astarion sighed and laid back down, stroking the dog’s head. “I'm so confused, Scratch. I feel like I’ve been asleep for so long. But now, she’s gone and made me feel like I'm finally awake. You wouldn't understand, you're just a dog. I doubt either of you for that matter have to worry about feelings. Just when you're fed next…something we used to have in common.” Soon Scratch fell asleep too, leaving Astarion once again to the barrage of thoughts and feelings now occupying his mind.

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“Please, no, go away, I'm disgusting and it smells like sick in here.” she groaned trying to shake his hands off her, wiping her mouth. She didn't want him to see her like this; it was embarrassing enough sometimes having to do such mortal things in his vicinity. 

“Darling please, need I remind you of the time where you could barely walk back when we had tadpoles?” he chuckled, giving her a small kiss to the temple. 

“Shhh please don't remind me, I hate thinking about that.” she groaned, head resting on her arm on top of the toilet's rim.

They both sat there in silence for a few minutes; she felt Astarion playing with her hair, only to realize when he stopped he had braided it for her to keep it out of her face. 

“I'll be right back alright? Shout for me if you get sick again or need me please.” his footsteps receded into their adjoined bedroom. 

She wasn't sure how much time had passed when she felt his hands on her again. “Do you think youll be ok if I carry you to bed?” His voice soft next to her ear, a delicate kiss placed just behind it. 

She nodded and mumbled an answer, he gently lifted her so as to not jostle her stomach and cause her to get sick again. Her head rested against his cool neck, she inhaled the soothing scent of him, her fingers curling into the neckline of his shirt. Her body was soon laid down on their soft bed, her neck being cradled as he rested her head against her freshly fluffed pillows. When she opened her eyes, she discovered that he had changed the bedding for her, and his hands held a fresh nightgown.

“Would you mind if I helped you into this? It might help you feel less disgusting.” 

“Yes please.” She sat up slowly, and went to lift her current sweat soaked night shirt above her head, Astarion’s hands stopping her.

“No no darling, allow me.” He smiled and lifted the fabric above her head, placing a kiss on her forehead after it passed over, helping her slip on the fresh one. “Now, doesn't that feel much better my love?” he asked, tucking her into the cool sheets, placing a light blanket on top, remembering how she loves the extra weight on her. 

“Yes thank you, you really didn't have to go through all the trouble. I know you've been really busy lately.” She always felt guilty when he did things for her. She hated feeling like he was forcing himself or pulling him away from his work, when he should be lazing around and doing what he wanted.

“Please-I wanted to, how could I let my Little Flower wilt away in misery?’ He leaned forward to grab something off her bedside table. “Now, drink this, it'll help your stomach feel better.” He placed a warm mug in her hands, steam wafting off the top.

She brought it up to her nose, notes of chamomile, peppermint, and something slightly earthy gracing her senses. “Sometimes when you're asleep,” he started, “I read some of your notes, and I saw various herbs and their uses in there, so I concocted a little something for you. Nothing overpowering but gentle enough to help you feel better.” He looked down, a faint blush kissing his cheeks.

Her eyes watered, she felt so loved, so cared for. He always did things like this for her and he never once threw it in her face when they did happen to argue. She would never get over it,they could be together for hundreds of years, and the kindness in the small things he would do for her would make her cry. She brought the tea to her lips taking a small sip, sweetness kissing her tongue. He had added honey to it, she loved sweet things, and always complained how tea only tasted good with honey. She sniffled, tears finally spilling over.

“Shit, I'm sorry did I make it wrong. I would have tasted it if I was able to. I'm sorry, here let me remake it for you.” He went to take the mug from her, but she pulled it away shaking her head.

“No-no it's perfect, I just…I’ll just never get over how kind to me you are. Ugh I should just be normal about how loving you are to me. But it will always make my heart ache in happiness.” She took his hand, bringing it up to her lips and pressing a kiss to his knuckles, placing it next to her rubbing her thumb across them. “Thank you ma vhenan, I appreciate everything you do.”

“Of course! What’s that saying, “in sickness and in health?”” 

“Yes but that's in wedding vows, and we aren't married you goob.” she poked his side giggling.

He hummed, a moment of silence passing between them. “Hey you spoke elvish! That's not a word we’ve covered, where did you learn that?” He smiled, kissing her hand in return.

“Mmm I maaaay have asked Halsin for some help during my druid studies…” she looked away blushing. 

He brought his free hand to cup her cheek, turning her head to look at him, a goofy grin on his face. “Oh? What else did he teach you? Anything naughty?” He brought her face to his nuzzling her nose, giving her a kiss.

“Ew dont kiss me, I've been vomiting! And no, he did not teach me anything naughty…” she pouted, “That's your job…”

“Oh is it now? Well I guess it's in both our best interest for you to get well quickly then. Now finish your tea, shall I sit next to you and read something?” He pinched her cheek, giggling with how easy it was to fluster her. Pride filled his heart that he was able to make her smile and feel maybe a tiny bit better. 

“Yes please, could you start that new Drizzt book we bought?” She took another sip of her tea, watching him walk to the small bookshelf in their room and grabbing it off the shelf.

“Well who am I to deny my love of anything?” He sat next to her in bed, lifting his arm so she could snuggle into his side. Pressing a kiss to the top of her head, he opened the book and began, “Briza placed the newborn on the back of the spider idol and lifted the ceremonial dagger…”

It wasn't long until he could hear her soft snores, he marked and closed the book, reaching to take her empty mug from her, placing both on his bedside table. He slowly and silently got up, changing into something more comfortable before gently crawling into bed next to her, pulling her into his arms. He closed his eyes, thinking back to her comment about how they weren't married. Yet, he wanted to correct her, they were not married yet.

ma vhenan: DA elvish for "my heart"

quote from: R.A. Salvatore's The Legend of Drizzt Homeland; Book 1 of the Dark Elf Trilogy

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“Love you've been on that same page for the past 5 minutes, care to indulge me what’s in that pretty little head of yours?”

Hellethil gasped, jumping causing the book to fall out of her hands. “Ahhh! How long have you been there? Maybe Shadowheart was right and you need to wear a little bell.” She reached forward grabbing her book, flipping to where she had left off and stuck her bookmark back in. 

Astarion let out a dramatic sigh, laying on the plush carpet and rolled his head into her lap, forcing her attention on him. “Darling don't be like that, I just wanted to know what is bothering my fierce little druid. Is the lack of nature getting to you? Shall I steal one of Shadowheart’s potted plants to bring in here for you? Hmm?” He booped her on the nose, “Or shall I fetch Scratch and the Owlbear to come keep you company?” 

She looked down, smiling at him running her fingers through his soft hair. “No it's ok, I'm just worried about Gale. He seemed weird at dinner. I kept catching him looking at me and then he would panic look away when I caught him. Maybe I said something wrong, or the whole orb situation is bothering him now that we’ve found the towers.” She leaned back on her hands staring up at the ceiling of his tent. 

“You're really going to think of another man when a beautifully handsome vampire who dotes on you is here in your lap? Darling, I'm hurt.” He sat up and pressed a kiss to her cheek, trying to get her focus back on him. “It's not like you're gonna ask him to blow up tomorrow, we still have to go find that relic Z’rell wants. Why blow up if that Ketheric Thorm can just brush himself off after. Honestly, the wizard claims he’s smart but clearly he’s forgetful of important details.”

“I wouldn't ask him to blow himself up anyways, even if it felt impossible. There has to be another way…I’ll be right back I promise, I just want to make sure he’s not going to sneak off in the middle of the night and try and end it all.” She gave him a quick kiss before exiting out of his tent.

Thankfully Gale’s tent was right next to Astarion’s, but instead of Gale, there was not Gale? An astral projection of himself was standing right outside his tent. She cautiously approached the projection. 

“Good evening! I'm here on the behalf of Gale of Waterdeep. He wishes to extend to you an invitation for a private conversation in a more suitable locale.” Suitable locale? Out here, in a land of forever darkness? She furrowed her brow tilting her head questioningly, what would he want to talk about that deemed a private area? 

“So, you're not Gale? Ok, that explains the glow about you.”

“You are speaking to a mere projection of Gale-his appearance, his voice, and a certain measure of his personality-reconstituted in this case to play emissary and usher.” Projection Gale gave a silly gesture as he explained himself to her. “Would you care to join him?” he continued, “What little I could gleam from the portion of his mind that is open to me, it is a matter most urgent.” 

Anxiety bloomed in her chest; was this about the orb? Was he leaving to take care of The Absolute on his own? “Very well, lead on.” Hellethil gestured for Astral Gale to lead the way.

Instead Astral Gale held out his arm, “Simply follow yander path and soon you will find him.” Before it dissipated into the cold night air. She took a calming breath, taking the path shown to her.

The path surprisingly led to a grassy meadow, trees surrounded it, a night sky full of stars shining down upon Gale, who sat on a blanket, weaving colors into the sky with careful movements of his fingers. The air felt lighter here, warmer, unlike the bone chilling cold that the Shadowlands usually gave. “Gale?” She slowly approached, sitting next to him. 

He looked at her with warmth before turning to look back at the sky. “I love this time of night. There's an almost reverent silence that accompanies the peak of darkness, when you'd almost believe that dawn would never break.” He raised his hand, “The cradle of eternity…the timelessness of lovers…That most beautiful of fantasies.” He turned to her smiling, that smart gleam he always had twinkling in his eyes. 

Hellethil smiled, she turned to look back to the night sky. “It's breathtaking Gale, is this starry sky your doing?” Gale never ceased to surprise her with his magic. Her surroundings made her feel right at home. Like the shadows were not creeping upon her anymore. 

“Indeed. The curse is still present of course-just veiled at arms length for now. Not a trick I can repeat often, but tonight? Tonight is different.”

She turned and looked at him confused, waiting for him to continue. 

“Tonight may be my last night alive…I wanted it to be under a canopy of beauty and wonder…and with company to match.” He nudged her shoulder with his, “I thought this place might bring me peace. I thought it might make the weight of what I must do feel lighter, but...now I'm not so sure.” He furrowed his brow, casting his glance downwards, like he wasn't sure what to say next. 

“Is that what you truly want, to die for the promise of Mystra’s forgiveness?” Her voice was quiet, it tinged on cracking with worry and sadness. She didn't want Gale to do something he truly did not want; all for a Goddess who didn't appreciate him for who he truly was. He wasn't some disposable man. He was clever, funny, and had so much patience and understanding for her and her companions. She was worried he would regret doing what was asked of him, that all he would get in the afterlife was a thank you and a pat on the head and that be it.

“Babe or crone, coward or hero, death is assured. Mystra’s forgiveness is not. If the end was near, would you not want to ensure that it had meaning?” A heavy silence fell between them before he continued with a sigh. “I am terrified-I would not claim otherwise. My face could scarcely conceal it even if my words sought to deny it. There is no point in running from the inevitable. Better to meet it, on my own terms.” 

Hellethil shook her head, “Nothing is inevitable. Not when we face it together. You don't have to die.” She’d be damned if she allowed herself to let Gale end himself without trying to get him to consider other options. 

“One moment with you could sate me for a lifetime, and prise fear from my heart. I'm so very glad you came to share this with me. I know this is all unreal, but I created it for you. You must know you’re…That you’re very special to me.” 

Where was this going, what did he mean he did this all for her? This, this couldn't be something else entirely could it? She and Gale were close, but surely he means this all as friends right? Maybe he had seen how stressed she had been lately and this was his way of trying to cheer her up? Maybe the weird glances around the fire tonight were him nervous that she wouldn't like all of this.

His next words ripped her from her thoughts; “If things were different, if we were home, I’d have taken time to do things properly. To say it all better. But time is short…I'm in love with you.” He looked at her with heartfelt eyes, she could see them lining with tears. She felt her eyes go wide and her mouth part in surprise at his confession. The seconds of silence felt like a lifetime between them. He loved her? He loved her. 

“I-I…” she looked away, shocked by such a heartfelt expression and admission of his love for her. “I'm sorry Gale…I don't feel the same way.” Her voice cracked and she felt a tear escape and looked back to him to be met with heartbreak in his eyes. Like she had ripped all the happiness from the world and destroyed it in front of him.

“Thank you for spending time with me. I think I want to be alone now.” His voice cracked as he turned his face away from her, waiting for her to leave.

“I really am truly sorry Gale.” She got up, waiting for him to say something more. That it was ok, that he would forgive her. But instead she was only met with silence, and the feeling of warmth that had clung to her, was replaced by the iciness of their reality. Hellethil returned to her tent trying her best to hold back her tears. Guilt tore through her having turned Gale down and seeing that look of heart break across his face. She sat on her bed roll, not bothering to light a candle, face in her hands letting her tears fall.

“Oh darling, I saw you return. I'm assuming your little talk was sh-Ellie? What's wrong? Did he do something to you?” Astarion rushed forward, sinking to his knees placing his hands on her arms. “What did he do to you?” anger edged his voice, he would make that wizard pay for whatever he did.

“He didn't do anything. I'm just-I'm just an awful person.” She looked up sniffling 

“Why? What happened?” Astarion took one of her hands kissing her knuckles, his other hand he brought up to her face to wipe her tears.

“He led me to this clearing, he had cast some illusion to make it look like a night sky.That he did all of it for me. He confessed that he loved me, and-and I couldn't return the feelings. He looked like I ripped his heart out.” a broken sobbed escaped before she continued, “I didn't mean to hurt him, I'm scared he’ll do something stupid like blow himself up at the first opportunity and it’ll be all my fault.” 

“Darling, if he blows himself up it's because he's an idiot, not because you upset him.” He placed both hands on the one he was holding, “besides, if he does blow himself up that means our work is done and then you and I can have more time for fun.” He patted her hand, he couldn't fully explain why, but seeing her cry over Gale hurt his heart. Did she like him but just wasn't ready for that level of a relationship? He knew the two were close, but he was worried they were closer than he thought.

“Do you think he hates me now? I just…I just don't like him like that. I don't know what I did to make him think that. Did I lead him on? Did you ever see me do anything to make him think that?” 

He wouldn't lie at the relief hearing her say that brought him, but his heart still ached. He wasn't ready to admit to himself why. He sighed and gave her a warm smile, bringing a hand up to cup her cheek, thumb wiping away her tears. “He doesn't hate you my love…you're just, very kind to everyone. You have a big heart, and it's no wonder he fell in love with you, who wouldn't?” 

She stared into his eyes, like she was waiting for something more to be said. Her lips parted, before she could say or ask anything further, Astarion pulled her to him and kissed her. He wasn't ready for this conversation, he wasn't ready to admit to himself or her that he was no better than Gale. That he too, somewhere along the line came to fall for her. 

He deepened the kiss, pushing her back to lie on her bedroll, as he crawled over her, using his knee to open her to him. He brought his forearms down on either side of her head, caging her in, he bit her bottom lip causing a small gasp to escape from her. He kissed down her jaw to her neck, placing kisses and small nips there, sure to leave bruises come morning. She brought a hand up to brush through his hair, gently pulling at his scalp as he licked over his bite marks that had scarred her skin. 

“Y-yes.” she said in a breathy moan, he pierced her skin with his fangs, warm blood flooding his mouth. He began to roll his hips against her in time with slow pulls of her blood. He cradled the back of her neck, fingers scrunching at the hair that fell at the back of her neck causing her to whimper. She brought her hips up to meet his, matching his rolls. He could taste the blooming of  arousal in her blood. After a few more pulls of her blood, he unlatched his fangs, kissing and licking her wound staunching the flow of blood. 

He brought his free hand to the hem of her blouse, eyes meeting hers for consent. She furrowed her brows and nodded, both of them sitting up, he lifted her shirt above her head and tossed it to the side; leaning forward to kiss her again. Her hands wandered down his back, reaching to untuck his shirt, she pulled back from the kiss, their foreheads touching, panting against each other's lips. She opened her eyes, meeting his, waiting for his consent before continuing. Astarion pulled back, pulling his shirt over his head, his hands going to the laces of his pants to loosen them, releasing the strain of his hardening length that was pressing against the fabric.

He brought his hand to the waistband of her pants, waiting for her to stop him. She looked down to where his laces were opened, biting her lip and looked back to his face, nodding. Astarion pressed a kiss to her lips, “Use your words love…please,” he whispered, pressing another kiss to the side of her mouth. 

“Yes Astarion, yes.” She turned her head to press her lips against his, her tongue flicking his bottom lip. He made quick work of her trousers, pulling them down her legs, slipping her shoes off her feet as he went. She was left in only her small clothes, he took her ankle and began pressing gentle kisses up her leg. His hand caressed up her thigh as he went. He didn't want tonight to just be one of their rare nights of carnal lust. He wanted to show her how he felt for her without putting it into words, not yet at least. Soon, he would tell her everything soon.

His hands had reached the waistband of her small clothes, he hooked his fingers in them and slowly pulled them down, not breaking eye contact with her as he tossed them to the side. He hooked his fingers in his waistband, cocking an eyebrow making sure she was ok for them to continue. She sat forward placing her hands on his, and pressed her lips against his, nipping his bottom lip asking for permission in. Slowly they dragged his pants and underwear off, pressed against one another, his hard cock pressing against her stomach. He gently laid her back pressing soft kisses to her face, taking his time to reach her lips, and then down her neck. He kissed down her chest as he unhooked and removed her bra, where he kissed and sucked on her breast, tonguing her hardening pink nipple.

“Astarion…” she groaned and arched herself into him, wanting to be closer, wanting him to take more of her.

“Yes my sweet?” he slowly started to kiss his way back up, slowly rolling his hard length against her wet folds.

“Be gentle, please...” she sighed, the fingers in his hair tugging his curls, pressing herself closer against him. 

His free hand traced down her neck, his lips following. Pressing kisses down to her breast, taking her nipple in his mouth gently sucking. His hand continued its journey down to her wet folds, teasing her warm entrance, to pause and begin gentle slow circles on her clit.

“We’ll take it slow, my love.” he kissed back up her chest, up her neck, along her jaw, until he finally reached her lips. His lips hovering hers, feeling the warmth of her breath pant against his. He slowly moved to dip a finger inside her, gently stroking causing her to cry out. He laid her back to kiss down her body, watching for any signal that he needed to go slower or stop. Once he reached her thighs, he took one leg to hook it over his shoulder, opening her up to him. Kissing from her knee down the soft path of her thigh, reaching her folds. He kissed around her labia, licking as he went. He could feel her start to tighten around his finger. 

He withdrew his finger, not wanting to let her finish just yet, “Look at me love.” He wanted her to see him lick her essence off his finger, he loved that such a simple act made her gasp. It was as if she doubted he found her delicious and loved reminding her. “Now that I've had a small taste, would you like it if I tasted you further?” He purred, settling himself down, spreading her thighs further to open her up to him. 

“Okay…” her voice sounded small, causing him to pause. 

“We can stop whenever you like.” he stayed where he was, but rubbed up and down her thighs, trying to keep her grounded. He knew what it was like to disconnect in the moment. Savoring every action with her was one of his favorite things. They kept each other tethered, knowing they were safe. They didn't have to finish for the sake of the other’s happiness. 

“We can keep going if you’d like.” She propped herself up on her elbows looking into his ruby eyes, giving him a reassuring smile, reaching down to rub the tip of his ear.

He groaned from the pleasure of her small action, licking up her wet stripe. She closed her eyes, leaning her head back, softly moaning. 

“Mmmf, do that again…please…” 

He repeated the action several times, each lick getting shorter and shorter until his tongue slowly circled around her clit, before latching on in a gentle suckle. Her hips bucked,trying to get closer to him. He held her down with one hand, while the other traced two fingers around her entrance, before dipping in. Slowly thrusting in and out with a gentle curl against the spongy spot that had her cry out.

He paused his suckling to take her all in. He could see a faint flush begin to bloom across her skin, hinting at her nearing climax. He debated letting her come on his fingers and tongue, he loved watching her fall apart, it was a moment oh so rare for the both of them, and he wanted to just let it happen. Instead he gave her one last kiss on her clit, and withdrew his fingers, tasting her once again. 

“You're doing so well, little love, but I would very much like it if I could feel you come on my cock. Does that sound good? Would you like that?” He rubbed the head of his cock against her core, lubing himself up and teasing her further.

“Yes, yes I would like that. Please, I want more.” She panted, reaching to place her hands on the back of his arms to pull him up to her. “Will you please kiss me?”

“I’d like nothing more.” he whispered against her lips before pressing them against hers, and slowly pressing himself into her heat. She never failed to take his breath away from how tight and warm she felt against him. He slowly rolled his hips, inching further in each time. Once he was fully seated in her he paused. The feeling over her became overwhelming, but in the best way possible. He never thought he would meet someone who made sex not feel like it was a chore. He knew it was the same for her, but more so the feeling of safety. He wanted her to always feel safe with him, especially at her most vulnerable. 

“A-are you ok Astarion? Do you want to stop?” she gave a kiss to the side of his mouth, rubbing up and down his arms. It was getting harder and harder to deny that he loved her. She was more than just a box to check off in his plan. He wasn't sure what she was, he couldn't think of a definition for her. Other than not wanting to see her in the arms of anyone else. 

He pressed a kiss to her lips, “I’m alright my dear. I'm just savoring this moment with you.” He began to roll his hips, taking one of her legs in his hand, to hook it over his hips to try to press deeper into her. She followed suit with her other leg, crossing her feet to pull and press him deeper. Both moaning into the other's mouth, their tongues sliding against each other.

“Gods, you feel so good.” Astarion groaned, picking up the pace, kissing down her jaw, nibbling her neck, not breaking skin, but leaving bruises to claim her as his. 

~

His breathy moans furthered her pleasure, knowing that he was here in this moment with her, enjoying himself as much as she was. Gale’s confession made her realize she loved Astarion. She had been too scared to let herself fall for him. Too scared to let her heart become so vulnerable again. Too scared to admit that she wanted only him by her side for as long as she drew breath. Who wouldn't fall in love with her? But who wouldn't fall in love with him? 

He was just as kind, just as caring to her as she was to him. He never pressured her to do things she wasn't ready to do, or didn't want to continue. He was so gentle with her, like she was the most fragile thing in the world, but didn't treat her like that's all she was. He made her feel loved, he made her feel safe, seen. Like she could bloom to her truest self and be lovingly admired in his gaze. She would tell him soon, tell him how much she loved him. 

Her moans were becoming breathier, higher pitched. The fingers pressing against his arms grow tighter. She tightened her legs against his hips, her toes curling. “A-Astarion, I'm going to, I'm close, I'm close..” She couldn't finish a sentence from the pleasure that was thrumming through her veins. 

His pace grew faster, sloppy, pressing harder into her. He grunted and moaned against her shoulder, biting down without breaking the skin. His hand cradled her head, his fingers threading through her hair, tightening, pressing her head into his shoulder. “Let go my love, I'm here, I'll catch you…I’ve got you.” He praised her in between thrusts. 

She fell over the edge moments later, in a silent scream, her mouth open, breathy moans coming in bursts. He loved how her body tensed against him, how she clenched his hard cock so tightly, fluttering so violently, causing him to fall over with her. Pulling him deeper within her, releasing his seed inside. He could feel how wet she was against his groin, and how his cum filled her so fully, it began to seep out, furthering the mess between them.

They laid there held against each other trying to catch their breath. Astarion pressing kisses trailing her neck, up to her lips again keeping them both in the moment. His fingers gently scratched her scalp. Her hands gently rubbing up and down his sides, her forehead falling against his shoulder. He pressed kisses against her temple in between soft praises. How beautiful she was, how brave she was, how good she felt, how good she made him feel. 

Gently he untangled them, slowly pulling out of her. Watching how his cum seeped out of her, causing his mouth to twitch into a small smile. He pressed a kiss to her forehead, before sitting back on his knees to reach for a cloth to begin cleaning them up. He gently wiped between her legs, more gentle praises falling from his lips. Wiping himself off after taking care of her and tossing the rag off to the side to be dealt with later. He laid down beside her, bringing blankets up to cover them and pulling her into his arms. Kissing her forehead again, sighing in contentment, beginning to rub her back in gentle circles.

She sighed just as happily, and kissed his chest, leaving a trail of warm kisses up to end at his lips. He looked down into her blue eyes, and smiled. “You feeling ok there, my love?” he asked, giving her a kiss to the tip of her nose. She gave a small giggle, pressing her forehead against his shoulder, nuzzling her face against his chest. 

“Yes, it was very nice. I forget how nice sex can be. I'm glad I have you to remind me that it can be.” Her voice cracked a little, she started to feel overwhelmed with emotion. “I'm just really happy I found you Astarion. You make me feel so safe.” She pressed her face harder into him, feeling a little embarrassed about the sudden tears. Scared that she would verbally admit that she loved him if he saw.

He gave a soft laugh, holding her tighter, his chin resting on her head. “Funny, I could say the exact same thing about you my dear.” He didn't want her to see his tears either, worried that if she saw them, the truth would come tumbling from his lips. 

They laid there in silence, not feeling the need to say more. It wasn't long before he could hear her heartbeat and breath slow, signaling that she had started to doze off in his arms. 

“Hellethil?” he asked, waiting to see if she responded.

“Hmmmm?” she groaned, she was in between states of awake and asleep, a battle she was quickly losing as she laid held in his arms, his breath lulling her to sleep.

“I'm glad you feel safe with me.” He rested his cheek against her head, closing his eyes, bringing his hand up to gently brush through her hair, willing her to fall asleep faster before the words he was trying so hard to keep in fell from his lips.

She sighed, nuzzling him further, her hand resting against his chest curling. She said nothing more, but he wasn't willing to risk it. He laid there in the darkness of her tent, thinking about how everything up until now had transpired. She never once balked at his condition, and only met him with kindness and the willingness to help. He knew that she knew what he was the moment she saw him on that beach and didnt out him. How she would scold their companions whenever she felt they were too rude to him but made sure it didn't leave him feeling babied. 

He wasn't sure how much time had passed, but he could tell she was out. He pressed one last kiss to her head, nuzzling his cheek against her soft auburn hair, sighing. “Good night my love…I love you.”

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The question took her by surprise, she had forgotten she had told him that the first time he came to drink her blood. “Well yes and no. I lived with my grandparents off and on. My mother is an elf, but she was orphaned and adopted by humans. To help her embrace her elvish-ness, they learned and taught her elvish. They tried teaching me some, apparently I was fluent when I was tiny, but I remember very little, and I rarely spoke it with Rowan and Miria who were both elves. I know how to say, hello, goodbye, you know…simple conversation.” She stopped suddenly crouching down at a fallen tree, taking out a small dagger to collect mushrooms growing in from the side of it, placing them in the small basket she carried. “But my dad-I guess you would call him” she continued “is a human…He-isnt the nicest person, awful really. He didn't want my mom or I talking behind his back. So we couldn't secretly make plans to run away. So it was strictly forbidden; speaking or writing.”

Astarion huffed a laugh, “Yet he allowed you to have an elvish name?”

She stood up with a sad expression on her face, handing him the basket so she could wipe her hands on her pants. “To be very honest with you, Hellethil isn't my actual name. I have a human name, I hate it. I hate how it feels in my mouth, when I hear it…I hate the memories it comes with.” She rolled her body as if just thinking about the name sent a painful chill down her spine.  

“So how did you end up with or come up with Hellethil?” 

“I was given this name by Rowan and Miria one birthday. We made a little bonfire, and they just asked me if I wanted a new name. A chance to start anew, to leave the old me behind. Miria came up with it. She said it was the perfect name for someone so shy. She didn't tell me it meant “hidden flower” though.” She glanced back at him before staring off in the distance behind him, replaying the memory in her mind, giving a soft smile. “It was probably one of my favorite birthdays…” She blinked rapidly, shaking her head; "Don't tell anyone that this isn't my “real” name-please? I just want to be known by this name.”

He stepped towards her, cupping her face, bringing her attention back to him. “Of course I won't tell, we all have our secrets. Although, I do hope this is one you'll share with me? Please?” He brushed his thumb across her cheek, she leaned into his touch, taking a deep breath.

“Well help me forage for what I need and maybe I’ll tell you.” She giggled, taking the basket from him, skipping off in front of him.

“Wait…is that why you said you thought your name was because you actually were pulled from the ground?” He called walking after her.

~

Later that night she approached his tent. The scrap of paper she held in her hands felt as though it weighed a ton, despite it only containing just a scribble of a word.

“Astarion? May I come in please? I have something for you.” Her voice was soft.

He parted the fabric with a sultry smile on his lips “Ah here's my little treat with her cheeks all flushed, come to join me in bed tonight?”

A blush bloomed across her freckled cheeks, she chuckled, biting her lip, looking away, playing nervously with the scrap of paper in her hands. “Uhm, well maybe not tonight. I uhm,” she looked down at the paper in her hands, bending the paper back and forth in her hands causing wrinkles to form. “I-said I would tell you my name-my old name. Just-just know that sharing this means a lot ok…I dont just give pieces of myself to anyone…this means I trust you.” Her eyes met his, “Really trust you…” She hesitated before holding it out to him with a shaking hand. He took it from her, unfolding it but not yet glancing down to read it. 

She took a deep breath glancing down to her feet. “Just please-never say it to me…I don't want it to tarnish your mouth.” She looked at him, her eyes glossy, gave him a small smile, "I'm going to go now. Good night Astarion.” With that she turned to quickly walk back to her tent, her posture stiff.

He waited until she had vanished behind the brown flaps of her tent. He contemplated just crumpling and tossing the paper into the fire. A secret she gave him but he thought about never truly knowing it. But she had given quite a big piece of her trust and herself to him, and he should honor it right? This should thrill him that she really did trust him. This is what he wanted afterall! He wouldn't deny he was rather curious to see what name she hated so much. 

He looked down and read what was written, he could tell her hand was shaking when she had scrawled out the letters that made up the name. Each letter a piece of trust. He wouldn't lie, he wondered how they would feel tumbling from his mouth in the throes of passion with her. How it would  feel calling it out to her for any simple reason. He wanted to praise her with this name, to show her it was just as beautiful as the one that had been gifted to her that one birthday. But he thought about the scars he carried. How they made him feel ugly. How this could be one of her scars she carried and how it made her feel the same ugliness he wore.

Before he knew it, he was at her tent, throwing the flap open, surprising her. He grabbed her by the hand, telling her to follow him as she stumbled behind him. He tugged her towards the small campfire, stopping in front of it. He held that scrap of paper up between two fingers for her to see, and then flicked it into the fire. They watched it burn and curl in silence before he turned to her, he gently took her face between his hands, cupping her cheeks. 

“I don't care what name you choose to bear. You're beautiful no matter what you ask me to call you. You're you, and that's all that matters.” He brushed her cheeks with his thumbs, and bent his head towards her, pressing his lips against hers. Her lips were soft as petals against his own. She gasped in surprise, her eyes wide before fluttering close to kiss him back. Her hands coming up to softly grip his wrists. His one hand traveled down to her waist pulling her closer to him, her arms wrapping around his neck. He bit her bottom lip, she parted her lips open with a small moan, her tongue flicking against his bottom lip.

A throat cleared, causing them to break apart; “I suggest you two carry this on somewhere more, private, unless you want just anyone watching you two tangle tongues.” It was Shadowheart, standing with her arms crossed with an amused smile on her face.

“Oh, uhm, sorry Shadowheart.” Hellethil took a step away from Astarion blushing, avoiding any and all eye contact with her, embarrassed. Astarion laughed, pulling her back against him.

“Feeling jealous are we? I have to say, green is not your color.” He sneered.

“No, I just don't want to step out of my tent to watch you two or anyone for that matter grope each other like two love sick teenagers.” 

“Alright case made, I’m off anyways, I’m hungry, and you,” he turned his attention back to Hellethil, “Your pretty neck gets a break for tonight. Good night ladies.” He pressed another kiss to her lips, wiggling his fingers in a wave to the two before walking off to go hunt.

“Be safe please!” Hellethil called after him, he gave a thumbs up as he disappeared into the tree line.

“So…you and Astarion eh? How long has that been going on?” She walked up to Hellethil, draping her arms over her shoulders, giving her a teasing smile.

“Not long really, before the kiss it was just talking…that was our first kiss. It kind of just happened I don't know! I don't know how to do these things! I've never done them! Stop questioning me like you're my mother!” She waved Shadowheart’s hands off her trying to walk past her back to her own tent. 

“Ohhh a virgin? How sweet…shall I give you the talk? Lets see, I believe it goes, when two people really like eachother-” Shadowheart grabbed Hellethil’s wrist pulling her back, wrapping an arm around her shoulder, steering her in a different direction.

“Im-Im not a virgin!” Hellethil whisper screamed, placing a hand over Shadowheart’s mouth. looking around to make sure no one else was going to come up and tease her.

Shadowheart grabbed Hellethil’s hand away from her mouth laughing, “Alright, relax; I'm just teasing you. Now come join me for a glass of wine. I want to hear all about this!” She tugged Hellethil towards her tent, stopping at Karlach’s tent “Karlach you were right, come join us, Helle is going to tell me all about her little crush on Astarion.” 

“Oh fuck yea finally. Did you catch them fucking?” She was lying down, but quickly got up, laughing.

Hellethil covered her face in her hands, groaning in embarrassment. 

“Karlach you're going to kill our druid, now come along you two, there's gossip to be had.”

Dont worry, Lae'zel was already in Shadowheart's tent for girl talk hehe Karlach will loose her shit when Helle and Astarion DO sleep together though.

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She took a sudden deep breath, covering her face and turned away from everyone. “You mean–the staff that laid near my things for today. The staff you've seen me carry and use for the last 2 tenday? The staff with incredibly intricate designs and runes on it? After I said “Gale there's a staff outside my tent for you?” ” She crossed her arms, turning back to stare at him with a frown on her face.

“Y-yes?” He nervously ran a hand through his hair.

“Are–are you kidding me right now?! Do you even know what you just GORGED yourself on Gale?!” She couldn’t contain the yell that escaped her lips. She threw her arms down at her side and took two steps towards him before Wyll held his arm out between her and Gale, stopping her in her tracks.

“Well, it was indeed uhm, very powerful. I thought that's why it was left for me given the last magical item didn't do much for me. I thought the one outside was the one you were using to replace it. But I'm gathering that was not the intention and I uhm gorged myself as you put it on the wrong one.” He took a step back and nervously laughed. 

“Correct! What you just snacked on, was a staff that is probably older than your entire family line! It’s made from a tree in another plane that doesn't exist anymore!” She tried to take another couple steps forward, but Wyll grabbed her waist to pull her back, she turned to pinch his side causing him to drop his arm and fold into himself. She now stood toe to toe with Gale. “That staff was over 7,000 years old! It was my master’s master’s master’s!” She poked the center of his chest in between each master. “Do you know how long archdruids live Gale? Hmm? Do you? Did they teach you that in your little wizard school? I got that staff, after completing an earth trial THAT COULD HAVE TURNED ME INTO STONE!” she shrieked. 

He held his hands out taking a step back from her. “I sincerely apologise, I do, but once I absorb the magic from something i-its gone–I cant get it back.” He set his hand on her shoulder, only for her to smack it off of her.

“Don’t touch me.” She growled. 

“Well–on the bright side, we shouldn't have to feed him for a while if he ate something that powerful.” Astarion’s voice broke the tense silence as he came up beside her.

She knew he probably said that to try and diffuse the tension, but all she could do is look at him in shock. Her mouth opened to say something, only for a sob to escape. She covered her mouth and turned, walking away from everyone. 

“Wait, where are you going? Aren't we searching the area for the creche?” Shadowheart called after her.

“Away to calm down so I don't accidentally conjure a storm big enough to kill Gale and anyone standing near him.” She hollered over her shoulder.

“Can that really happen?” Wyll asked, looking at Halsin, rubbing his side where she had pinched.

“If one is upset enough. It's rare with more trained druids, but she is fairly new. Only a decade in if I remember what she’s told us.” Halsin responded, watching Hellethil disappear down a hill.

“Is there really a trial that could turn you into stone?” Karlach asked next.

“I suppose, but trials vary based on the circle and where you are. I imagine the earth circle, I believe she mentioned Tal’dorei, had a trial, that if she failed, turned you into stone. Any trial if failed could have a fatal consequence. For her to complete such a trial so soon into her training is rather impressive if I'm honest. Her master must have given her that staff for such an accomplishment.”

Gale wiped a hand over his face, looking toward the sky groaning “Oh Gods…”

“And you ate it.” Lae’zel said, mocking him.

“Yes Lae’zel. I'm very well aware of what I've just done, thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“That’s not…ugh” He walked off towards his tent, the flap closing behind him.

“Now what do we do?” Karlach groaned.

“I suppose we could still go out and search the area, we probably shouldn't  waste the day.” Wyll said, picking up his pack. “How about we all head out, and the other two stay here so they both calm down.”

“I’ll pass.” Astarion said, turning to walk off in the direction Hellethil had stomped off in. 

“I'm not sure that's wise Astarion, she seemed pretty angry.” Wyll called after him

“Please, one of us has to calm her down, and I have a way with words. Leave it to me; now off you pop. There’s only so much daylight.” He waved a hand out in farewell. 

~

She had no clue how long she wandered, just letting her feet guide her as she stomped through various bushes and low hanging branches. She stopped when she came across a small clearing between a cluster of trees, it was secluded enough that she didn't need to worry about anyone passing by could see her. She sat herself down, her breath stuttering in between sobs as she did her best to take calming breaths. The wind started to pick up, the sound of it thrashing through the leaves. She didn't care, let it whip against her skin, it was a welcome feeling in her efforts to calm down. She was so furious at Gale, she felt like the things she said were ignored and he just helped himself to whatever powerful item he sniffed out. 

For several minutes she took deep breaths, holding them for various intervals, exhaling. Trying to picture anger leaving her on each exhale but nothing was working. She tried to remind herself of Gale’s condition. How maybe the hunger made him desperate, and maybe he only heard key words and just tunneled in. The anger refused to leave, she wanted to scream and cry. They had so many magical items for him to eat and he just had to hone in on the one thing that meant so much to her. 

She groaned in frustration and laid on her back, staring at the grey clouds now rolling in. She really needed to calm down. Rowan would have scolded her for letting her emotions get the better of her, allowing her magic to get out of control. She sniffled, tears now escaping, that staff had meant a lot to her. It was the one thing that made her feel like maybe she was actually a good druid. It was proof that she was capable of doing terrifying and hard things. It was the only time she felt like she had made her master proud. Without it, there was no reminder to herself what she could do. 

“There you are! I thought I’d never find you.” Astarion’s voice startled her as he walked through the brush to stand over her. “Having a nice cry are we?”

“Im trying to calm down…” A fat rain drop plopped right between her eyes after she said that, another one to follow. She sat up feeling defeated.

“I dont think youre doing a good job my dear.” He held out a hand, casting a glance to the darkening cloudy sky above them. More rain drops beginning to fall.

“I know!” She snapped, “I know…Sorry…Im trying–Im really trying. But I'm just–I’m just so mad. I hate being mad…I don't want to feel this way.” She covered her face so he couldn't see her beginning to cry. 

Astarion sat across from her, stretching his legs out in front of him, leaning back on his hands. “Why?”

“Why what?” She peered between her fingers at him.

“Why don't you want to feel mad? You should feel mad.” 

“Because…because…” She dropped her hands, staring at her lap.

He watched her waiting for an answer, what should she say? How does she explain that any time someone around her was angry, she ended up as the one they took it out on. It resulted in her being screamed at, hit, thrown out of her home for hours or days at a time. That anger equals bad? 

“I don't know how to put it into words.” She whispered looking back at him.

He sat forward, crossing his legs to rest his elbows on his knees, resting his chin on a fist. "Well try…if anyone knows anything about anger it's me.”

“Really?” Her voice cracked.

“Do I really need to remind you about my past 200 years? Did you not pay attention or were you distracted by my pretty face?”

“Sorry…I did listen, I wasn't distracted.” 

“I know,” he sighed, “Now, please explain why you don't want to feel mad.” 

She rose to her feet, walking a few steps away absentmindedly picking at the skin on the back of her hand. Astarion got up to follow her, he noticed she tended to do that when she was upset or nervous. He grabbed the hand she was pinching, bringing it up to press a soft kiss on the back of her hand. “Stop that.” 

She looked up at him, her eyes watering, he showed no signs of annoyance and anger as he awaited her explanation. His expression remained soft as he waited patiently, he pressed another kiss to the back of her hand. “I just don't like feeling mean. I tend to bottle up anger because all I’ve ever associated it with was bad.”

“Do you think you could explain a bit more?” He held on to her hand, rubbing soothing circles with his thumb against the back.

“Anger means–anger means being hit or screamed at, being thrown out. I screamed at Gale. I invaded his personal space. I feel bad for exploding at him, but I feel like he ignored me. He just did what he wanted. I feel–I feel like my kindness was taken advantage of. That I would say “It's ok that you ate a staff made from a tree in another realm that doesn't exist anymore! A staff my master didn't even think I was good enough to have! I almost didn't turn into stone trying to prove myself so I wasn't tossed to the side. I hope it was tasty!”” She sigh exasperated, it was starting to sprinkle now. “I don't like feeling anger, it reminds me of my father and I would rather die than ever become someone like him. I tend to try to ignore anger so I stay pleasant. I don't want to feel like I'm becoming him.” 

“So, you think that even though you feel he violated you in a way, you should have just said that it's ok? That you also shouldn't feel or express anger because it reminds you of your past, just so you can keep everyone else happy while you feel miserable?” He furrowed his brow, titling his head as he tried to understand what she had just expressed to him.

“I guess…yes. He does have an explosive bomb in his chest. I should be understanding.” She looked away ashamed. 

“No, no you shouldn't. Don't let someone’s condition make you feel like you should let them do what they want to you.” He brought his hands to the tops of her arms, giving her a comforting squeeze. “We give him all these good trinkets that we could most certainly get a fair bit of coin for. Was this morning a bit of a misunderstanding? Perhaps, yes; but–did he double check with you or me for that matter? No, he just helped himself. Hellethil–you are allowed to be angry, to feel anger. It’s not going to turn you into your father. You are allowed to be angry; what matters is how we handle ourselves when we are angry. Now, did you get up close and personal with him? Yes, but you didn't cause him physical harm, harmed his ego perhaps. Maybe he needed to be screamed at. Need I remind you, when we all first met he said you weren't practiced in magic just because you didn't go to some fancy school? You probably gave him a bit of a reality check, especially with mentioning that druid trial bit.” 

She stood there sniffling in silence for a bit as she took in his words, but a sob escaped her. “Do you think everyone is scared of me now? Do you think he hates me? Oh Gods! I had pinched Wyll! I'm so–horrible! Astarion I did hurt someone!” She looked up to him, tears streaming down her face.

“No I don't, I think you made everyone realize that even the sweetest little druid can get upset, and that they shouldn't take advantage of her kindness.” His eyes darted away when he said that last bit, a small pang of guilt running through him. “I'm sure Wyll will forgive you, he knows you didn't mean it maliciously. He’s just as sweet and kind as you are.” 

“Are you scared of me?” Her voice cracked, the knot forming in her throat made it hard to speak.

He looked back to her confused, “What? Why would I be scared of you?”

“I don't want my anger to make you worried that I’ll lash out and hurt you…I–From what you’ve told me, you understand being around…I just–I just don't want you to be scared of me…I would hate myself forever if that were the case…” She looked down at their feet, crying harder, the rain also picking up. “Ugh I need to calm down, I haven't been this way in so long, I’ve messed up the weather…Halsin probably thinks I'm some untrained child…” 

“First off, you can be angry with me if I’ve done something that deserves it. Secondly, I'm not scared of you. You haven't given me a reason to be scared of you. I don't think you ever will. You're not the kind of person who purposely hurts people when you're angry. For God's sake Helle, you feel so guilty about being angry you've caused a little downpour. Lastly, I overheard Halsin as I was leaving to find you, that he was impressed with you.”

“Really?” She looked up to meet his gaze. 

“Mhmm…now how do we stop this rain? It took me ages to look this good and I fear I'll resemble a mop at this rate.” He chuckled hoping to get her to laugh, he brought his thumb up to her cheeks to wipe away her tears, resting his hands on her shoulders giving them a comforting squeeze. 

“I'm sorry, I'm trying to calm down, I promise. I just still feel bad, I feel guilty, I messed everything up for today. I'm also worried about how I made Gale feel.”

“Gale, Gale, Gale. Let’s stop thinking about him for one moment and focus on you. Hmmm…did you know when you yell you clench your ass?” A seductive smile painted his face as he stared at her through lidded eyes.

“What?! Why were you staring at my ass?” She hiccuped in between deep breaths as she continued to try to calm down. 

“Well because it’s a nice ass! I've also never seen you so riled up unless it's me doing the riling.” He brought a hand to her face, guiding it towards him as he pressed a kiss to her lips. He deepened the kiss as he moved his hands down to her wrists, guiding them to wrap her arms around the back of his neck. He broke the kiss to whisper in her ear. “Shall I fuck the anger out of you? Would you like that?” He brought his hands down to her ass to squeeze it and press her hips against him.

She giggled, finally, he thought to himself, proud he was beginning to lighten her mood. “Would you be mad if I said no to sex right now?” She asked, pressing her face to the front of his shoulder, rubbing her face against him, not caring that the leather of his armor wasn't exactly soft against her skin.

He pulled back surprised from her denial. She didn't want to have sex? Why? Surely it would make her feel better, it was the only comfort he felt he was any good at. He knew she enjoyed it too, so why refuse? He couldn't wrap his head around it; still…it made him happy for some reason. “No–I supposed I won't get mad. What would you like to do instead if anything?” 

“Could you just hold me? Please? Your hugs make me feel better.” She mumbled against him.

He sighed and adjusted his hold on her, wrapping an arm around her waist, the other around her shoulders. “Of course dear, if that what it takes to get you to smile and feel better.” Such a simple innocent request, how could he deny her of such a thing? 

“You don't have to if you don't want to…” 

“Shhh no I want to! Now let me hold you dammit. Now I need to calm down.” He buried his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling her scent, the smell of rain adding another intoxicating layer to her normal scent. He couldn't help the arousal he felt, it was different. This wasn't forced arousal, this was honest? Holding her in his arms, his face buried in her neck, he couldn't help the twitch of his cock against her. Why did her turning him down get him so worked up, and why wasn’t he upset about it? 

Before she could ask why, she felt something hard against her stomach twitch. She snorted a laugh, “Oh, was it because you were thinking about my ass?”

“I did just have my hands on it. Could you blame me? I'm just a man Hellethil. I can't help myself when I have a beautiful woman in my arms whose ass looks great in all circumstances. Who may have also looked very attractive angry.”

“Eww I am not attractive angry stop it.” She giggled again, the rain started to lighten, the sun beginning to shine down through breaks in the clouds.

He swung her around walking her backwards, still wrapped in his arms and pressed a kiss to her head. “The way your brow furrowed, you had this glint in your eyes, your skin flushed. I didn't think you had it in you to be so–firece. It was very hot.” He whispered in her ear, admiring the shiver that ran up her spine. 

“You’re a doofus.” She giggled. 

“Yes but you like it when I speak to you this way don't you?” He pressed a kiss to her lips, biting her bottom lip to slip his tongue in her mouth.

They stopped moving, and she pulled back after a moment to look at him, pursing her lips in thought. “Hmmm I suppose; but I guess I would be a fool to not admit that I think it's really hot how fierce you look when you stab our enemies.”

“Oh really now?” He brought his lips to her neck, pressing a kiss to her bite marks, his fangs grazing the delicate skin there.

She moaned, her eyes fluttered close as she threaded her fingers into the hair at the nape of his neck. “Mhmm, you also get this glint in your eyes, and you curl your lip up, and your fangs peek out…and then there's your fancy little knife tricks, I love watching your fingers move across your dagger.” He hummed kissing up her neck to mouth her jaw line pressing his lips to hers once more. She whimpered as he deepened the kiss, her fingers tightening in his curls. She pulled away giggling, "You're supposed to be calming down.”

“I can't help myself. Besides, we have a whole day to ourselves now. Everyone but us, and Gale left.” He pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth, tightening his hold around her.

“Can we indulge in each other later? I wouldn't be able to focus until I make things right.” 

He let out a defeated sigh, “Well I wouldn't want that lovely mind of yours preoccupied with another man. Alright let's head back, but don't you dare let him get away with this.” He pulled away from her, grabbing her hand to walk beside her.

“I’ll try…” her voice small.

“I’ll be there to make sure he doesn't weasel his way out of this.”  He kissed her hand, pleased with himself that he was able to get her calm and happy again, the sun now shining down on them as they walked back to camp.

“Thank you Astarion, I feel better. Well mostly, I’m going to miss that staff.” She sighed, threading her fingers between his.

“We’ll find you another one; well not like that, but we’ll fix you back up. I’ll keep you safe in the meantime.” 

“My hero.” She brought his hand to her lips, giving him a peck and a shy smile.

~

They returned to find Gale pacing in the middle of camp, he looked up as soon as he heard them. “Oh Hellethil! You’re–Youre back. I–uhm–well.”

“Relax Gale, I'm a lot calmer now. Could we talk please?” 

“Yes–yes! Yes we can talk, allow me; I apologise profusely for this morning, I wasn't aware how much that staff meant to you, let alone recognize which one it was, nor how special it was. How can I make this up to you? I could probably find something just as rare and powerful for you once this adventure of ours is over.”

“Gale, relax you’re rambling, it's fine…now please, may I speak?” She began pinching the skin on the back of her hand again to which Astarion grabbed to hold in his own. 

“Do you want to go somewhere more–private?” Gale asked her and then turned his attention to Astarion.

“Oh ignore me, I'm just here to make sure you don't take advantage of her kindness and weasel your way out of this.” Astarion stood beside her, letting go of her hand to cross his arms while he over saw this conversation.

Gale’s mouth dropped, nonsensical sounds escaping from him as he pointed a finger at Astarion, looking between him and Hellethil.

“Gale…” Hellethel stated, wishing she thought about what exactly she wanted to say to him on her way back. But Astarion had distracted her with his jokes and flirtations. “I'm mad at you for more than taking something from me. I'm mad, annoyed even, because I feel–I feel like you ignored me and just took what you wanted instead. If you really weren’t sure why didn’t you wait to ask me? Or ask Astarion?”

“I'm sorry…youre right, I should have asked. I wasn't clear of mind. Sometimes it's hard to think when I feel the gnawing of the orb’s hunger inside of me.” He looked up through his thick lashes, his brown eyes glossy.

“Well now I feel bad all over again…” She thought back to when Astarion first bit her, how he admitted that he was also so hungry he couldn't think clearly. Surely she could offer Gale the same compassion. “Just…just please ask me next time before you just grab something, to make sure it's not something we really need…or means something dear to someone.”

“Of course I could do that. I'm sorry I did not do it today.” 

“It's alright. I'm sorry I yelled at you, and invaded your personal space.”

“Dont worry about it. I'm rather surprised you could get that angry. You put up such a sweet front.” He chuckled. 

“Oh…uhm…” She looked down at her feet, her chest suddenly feeling tight, so she did frighten someone.

Astarion uncrossed his arms, reaching to give her hand a squeeze, a deep set frown on his face while he spoke to Gale. “Its not a front. You upset her, it was a rational response to you gorging yourself on something of hers that was evidently the most powerful thing you probably have ever had. Not to mention, it was an item that meant a lot to her.”

“Sorry, that’s not what I meant–”

“And you better not use your condition to take advantage of her or her kindness.” Astarion waggeled a finger at him, hand on his hip.

“That’s rich coming from you.” Gale snorted a laugh.

Hellethil cut in before Astarion could retort. “He–he doesn't take advantage of me…I offer my blood and he tells me yes or no. I know you and the others tend to view him as just someone who’s blood hungry but he’s not. He’s a perfect gentleman when it comes to my blood and body. Now apologise to him.”

Both men looked at her stunned, Gale especially who glanced back between her and Astarion. Just a moment ago she looked so drawn into herself, and now she stood with both hands on her hips staring at him, waiting expectantly. “Well?” She asked, leaning towards him.

“Uhm, sorry Astarion, I-uh should know better.” He looked away, rubbing a hand on the back of his neck.

“Yes you should! What would Tara think if she heard you talk like that?” Hellethil scolded him, crossing her arms.

Gale blushed, “Wha-Dont you bring her into this! You're as bad as her…scolding me.”

“Well it seems it needed to be done, eating my staff and just assuming things. Now–Im going to go off and see if I can replenish some of our food stores. Do either of you gentlemen want to accompany me, or am I to go alone?”

It was Halsin that answered walking towards the three of them. “I’ll come with you, it seems you need a small lesson in better controlling your magic when it comes to emotions.”

Hellethil blushed, embarrassed, she turned to Astarion and mumbled, “See I told you he thinks I'm a child…” She walked in the direction of her tent to grab the basket she liked to take with her while she foraged.

Halsin laughed following her, “I promise you I don't think that. You're talking to someone who tends to turn into a bear if he loses his inhibitions. It can be a lesson for us both.” 

~

It was later that night, the others had long returned, having spotted the Creche off in the distance and agreed that tomorrow that they would move further towards it and investigate. They had gathered around the fire to eat dinner and relax.

“So Elles, you really almost turned to stone?” Karlach asked, gulping down the last of her drink.

“Yes, it was when my master and I visited another plane. He’s being strategic I guess in the trials I complete. That one was from Tal’dorei’s Earth Circle, completing it allowed me to locate anyone anywhere in any plane, before the tadpole that is. I haven't been able to do it since…”

“That sounds like it certainly could be useful.” Wyll nodded.

“Ugh tell me about it!” Hellethil slowly slid backward off the log she was sitting on now laying on the ground, her legs resting on the log and she let out a groan.

“How much of you was stone?” Gale asked, looking up from the book he was reading, his eyes full of curiosity.

She threw her right leg in the air, “This leg…and my arms.” Her arms shot up and she waved them around. “As you can see I am still…fleshy.” Her limbs went back to their resting positions. 

Shadowheart laughed into her cup of wine, it splattered on her lips and chin. She lowered her cup wiping the splashback from her with the back of her hand. “How much wine have you had tonight?”

“Half a glass…why?”

“Are–are you drunk?” She asked giggling.

“...No…Im going to bed” Hellthil pushed herself up to her feet and looked to Astarion who had been sitting next to her. “Are you hungry?” A sweet smile on her face, she rocked back and forth on her heels waiting for his answer.

He gave her a sultry smile, “I’ll meet you in your tent shortly.” He took her hand pressing a kiss across her knuckles, admiring how the small action caused her to blush.

She bit her lip and nodded, bidding the others good night and slipped into her tent. It was silent for a few moments, the fire crackling and crickets chirping. Shadowheart broke the silence, “Tell me Astarion…I'm curious, are you just after her for her blood or is it something more? What do you see in her? I could have sworn you disliked her given how many times you had rolled your eyes and complained any time she agreed to help someone.”

Astarion scoffed, “I beg your pardon? I find her sweet thank you very much. I just didn't want us getting side tracked. But now that our little dream visitor has assured us our transformation isn't imminent, let her help whoever on our journey. Her kindness usually ends up in us getting a reward of some sort.” He finished off his wine and stood up. “To answer your question–yes there is something more. Now if you will excuse me, I'm not one to keep her waiting.” 

He strode off towards her tent, parting the fabric as he sauntered inside, a smirk on his face. “Now, where were we earlier? Ah yes, I believe we were going to indulge in one another.” 

Don't worry! Hellethil apologized to Wyll! She definitely did not cry for 15 mins refusing to let him out of a hug and apologized about 100 times.

read the next part to this fic here!