#named!tav

Evie not that impressed by Astarion's attitude and he doesn’t try to hide his initial opinion of her. He’s been at this game longer and thinks he has it all figured out. All that talk of knightly honor and duty is bullshit and everybody knows it, they just keep the veneer up to make themselves feel superior.

Evie isn’t naive. She knows there are a lot of schemers out there. Hell, her father is certainly one of them. But her friendship with Shadowheart is real and the safety and comfort now available to her is very real. And she got those things by being her genuine self, as much as she can. She’s not going to let Astarion’s cynicism ruin that for her.

Of course, it's difficult to avoid each other when Astarion is Shadowheart's preferred guard

Karlach is wonderful, but Astarion will actually talk to her and give back sass as much as she can give it. Purely platonic and still a bit of distance given their rank, but she’d much rather have him around for company than a stone wall. It’s frankly the only reason Astarion has managed to keep his position.

I just keep thinking about Astarion and Evie wearing each other down.

Peak, “stop being nice to me, it makes me want to be nice back” from Astarion. And Evie too having a few hard lessons thrown her way about the nature of the court she just entered, but Astarion being there to help because gods knows somebody needs to protect her. Her father certainly won’t do it and Shadowheart can’t be with her all the time.

I can’t imagine many of the ladies of the court would trust Evie. Just as many might be jealous of her immediate standing with the princess.

I like the idea of Wyll being in the court though and being one of the few to actually welcome her.

Shadowheart put in the effort to bring Evie here in the first place so her instict would be to defend Evie and squash the rumors. Of course, that would just make things worse.

Evie would even consider leaving so not to undermine Shadowheart’s standing

It's in that moment Astarion realizes Evie is on of the few people in court who means what she says

Astarion knows exactly what people are willing to do to get to Evie’s position. He’s not sure if it’s a testament to her character or foolishness. But he knows one thing, she’s no social climber.

I just thinking about a moment, Evie is playing a lyre or something to entertain some of the other ladies. Astarion is standing guard as usual, but god know he’s not paying any attention to his surroundings. He’s just looking at Evie as the light comes in and touches her face, the music filling the air. He’s reminded about how he was a child imagining marrying some fairy tale Prince Charming. Evie isn’t a fairy tale. She’s so much more than that. She’s real.

Of course, Karlach hears about it Astarion's new interest in guarding the lady Evelyn while she plays and absolutely teases him for it, even if she thinks it’s sweet.

Astarion insists Evie requested she stand guard so nobody disturb her while she practices, which of course means Shadowheart hears about it

She then asks Evie and Evie, deciding to be nice covers for Astarion saying yes, she did ask him to guard

Shadowheart doesn’t fully believe it, but is like, “very well, Sir Astarion you will continue on you duties to guard Lady Evelyn’s door as she requests it”. Then next time it’s officially part of his duties Evie invites him in and asks for some solid feed back..

I also do also need a moment where Shadowheart and Evie by just having the misfortune of being near her find themselves in some real physical danger

Two options with this: either attempted kidnaping or bandits

In the bandit scenario Shadowheart and some of her ladies are traveling when they get attacked on the road.

Shadowheart gets to cover but somewhere in the shuffle Evie gets separated. Astarion splits off to find her only to see her on the ground with the body of one of the bandits on top of her.

He tears him off only to see the man has a knife protruding from his neck.

Evie is still on the ground, shaking and covered in blood, but none of it is hers, as far as he can see.

He’s not really sure what to do. Karlach would be much better suited for this. Hells, as much as he hates to admit it, Gale certainly would. But it’s just him and he can’t just leave her.

So he kneels down, telling her she did well, bastard had it coming. He’s not sure how to ask if he can touch her, but he manages to get her up right and gathered in his arms.

She smells like blood and sweat. How she isn’t crying is beyond him.

He also makes sure to give the corpse a good kick before rejoining the group.

If kidnapping scenario; Shadowheart and Evie are taken

This would likely happen a little further up in the timeline of Astarion and Evie's relationship

The bandits or whoever know Shadowheart is too valuable to hurt. Evie, on the other hand, yes her father is a lord, but not a rich one. She can go back a little bruised without much fuss.

Of course Shadowheart swears if they touch her she’ll personally ensure whatever pain they cause her will be delivered back tenfold.

Of course, that might not be enough to discourage them.

Meanwhile Astarion is losing his mind while Karlach, while pissed, has to force herself to be the reasonable one in the moment.

Evie’s father it brought in to discuss the trade for ransom

While the court is agreed to negotiate for Shadoeheart, they will not do so for Evie.

Evie’s father while willing to put up some money, it’s not nearly as much as they’re asking.

Astarion can hardly keep himself silent, wanting to throttle the man because what does he mean his daughter is lost?! They know what they have to do so why doesn’t he do it?! Does she mean that little to him?!

I just love the image of Astarion shoving this so called lord against the wall using all of his will power not to outright kill the man, damn the consequences. But also in this moment Astarion showing his hand to a man who would want to try some way to take advantage of it.

If we go kidnaping scenario; Astion wouldn't be able to lie to himself anymore about his feelings for Evie. The fear he felt was all too real as well as the relief. He'd want to keep his distance, which is about the opposite of what Evie needs after going through something like that.

Evie meanwhile would be a bit of a mess, obviously. The one thing she keeps coming back to is not the pain or the fear, but the fact that somebody came for her. Astarion came for her, when by all accounts he wasn't ordered to do so. In fact his actions were berated for possibly putting Shadowheart in danger. The only reason he still remains in the palace was at Shadowheart's insistence. And yet, he can't seem to look at her.

Bandit attack is a little different

In the aftermath, Astarion himself lingering near Evie even more.

If confronted about it, he calls it job protection; she slipped away from him before and nearly got herself killed. Shadowheart would have him dismissed in the same breath if it happened again, if not outright behead him.

He tries not to read into just how afraid he was in that moment he saw her on the forest floor, covered in blood. Or how proud he was to see she had killed the bastard and was willing to fight to stay alive. He just slips into her shadow and decides it's best he stay there.

Evie meanwhile is also a complete mess

She tries to remain strong in public and not have people see how much it effected her. Only Shadowheart really sees her at her most vulnerable. Well, Shadowheart and Astarion.

He seems to always be around in those moments when she's alone and her walls start to crumble. He's not comforting in the traditional sense, but she feels safe with him.

Astarion offers to teach Evie how to fight. She did well in the skirmish, but luck may not be on her side next time.

She accepts the training and absolutely freeze up when faced with the idea of having to stab someone again.

Astarion doesn’t baby her about it. He straight up tells her that thinking about it will get her killed. She did well before because she wasn’t thinking. That is her instinct to keep living and whatever happens she needs to hold onto that. Survival at all cost.

Either way, I keep picturing a moment's rest between the two of them when Evie thanks him for rescuing her

“You didn’t have to rescue me, but you did. How could I not think of you as my knight in shining armor?”

He remained silent, biting his tongue to keep the truth from slipping past his lips.

He hadn’t acted out of some sense of righteous duty. It was just about the most selfish thing he’d ever done. He’d prove it right now by pulling her into his arms and kissing her until it finally got through that romantic skull of hers. He didn’t care who had to die. The king, the Queen, the princess, they could all choke for all he cared so long as he could keep Evie safe in his arms. But he couldn’t say that.

Instead, he cleared his throat.

“If I’m your knight in shining armor, that doesn’t speak well to your situation.”

She laughed, the sound easing some of the tension out of his body and the air.

“Perhaps, but I’m grateful all the same.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Some time passes~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A few nights after she spent time with Gale in the weave they conjured together. Robin lays there in her bedroll watching the stars, she’d never looked at them growing up. It was kind of hard to when your house and everyone you knew was underground.

Whilst looking at the heavens, the memory of the night with Gale passes through her mind. She had never realized how fun and easy it was to cast magic. She always watched Gale from afar on the battlefield in awe of how his hands moved when casting a devastating spell on an unsuspecting enemy. “Pining darling?” Astarion chuckled from his tent while cleaning his nails. Snapping out of it Robin sits up and scowls at the white haired elf “Excuse me?” “Don’t act so oblivious. Your love lorn sighing could wake a dragon” finally looking up from his manicured hand. “Tell me little one, who is on your mind?” He’s standing up only to walk over and crouch into a ball next to the dwarf. Her glare intensifies at the belittling that was just given to her, she stands to her full height and balls her fists. “For your information, hoon, I’m an adult and I expect to be treated like one.” Meeting his gaze, her anger ever growing. “Ha!- This is a fight you won’t win love. Now come on, let’s gossip, I only want to know who is taking up so much of your brain. That’s not the tadpole that is.” He’s still in a crouch now tapping the ground next to him commanding her to sit. The anger now fading seeing he is not a threat, she sits back down on her bed roll. “Fine.” She lets out a exasperated sigh “I was thinking about that damned wizard, the way we channeled the weave. It was..” she trailed off looking down at her hands. “Sensual.” In the most lustrous tone Astarion finished her sentence before she could, Robin snaps her head up to look at him again “I was going to say eye opening.” She shakes her head looking straight ahead in a far off gaze “I never considered that I could use magic for more then being a menace, Gale was a great teacher. I want to ask him if he’d show me more but I don’t want him to think that I just want to see him for lessons. The thing is, I really like him. The way he smiles, the faint blush he got when we were in the weave together, the way his damned eyes sparkle like the stars when he’s talking about something he’s passionate about..” Robin pulls her legs inward to her chest and puts her head on her knees. Astarion has been quiet for a while now taking in the information that was just given “…all of that..because you want to be tutored?” There’s a long pause.

“PFF!” Loud laughter pours out of Astarion as he rolls back on the ground holding his stomach. “Gods! That’s better then anything I was thinking of darling, I’m so glad I stayed up for this!” He exclaims propping himself up on an elbow. Robin looking back at him with a dumbfounded look on her face in pure shock. “- listen darling, if you want the wizard that badly then tell him.” in a mocking girlish tone he starts batting his eyes and twists a piece of hair that has fallen into his face, he continues “Oh.. Mr. Gale of Waterdeep, please teach me how to use mage hand so I can please you.” He breaks out into laughter once more.

A deep blush spreads across her face and she stands up, her voice trembling with anger and embarrassment “THAT’S NOT EVEN HOW YOU FUCKING USE MAGE HAND!” She takes off, running to the nearest water source to cool herself down. She wasn’t exactly being subtle about her outburst, most of the camp was awake now. She felt embarrassed by what she told Astarion in confidence but that damn elf wanted to know so badly. She huffs and sits on the shoreline with her feet in the water and lays back in the sand. She once again watches the stars.

Time passes by for what seems like hours.

She’s in her head thinking about what she was saying to Astarion and how he didn’t let her finish. She was trying to say she has all these feelings but is terrified to share them in fear he wouldn’t see her as anything more than an ally and student. Her thoughts are cut short once again by the sound of footsteps behind her. She looks up and sees the man she’s been thinking of all night. “Are you alright?” Gale worryingly looking straight down at the Duergar in the sand. “I heard some erratic laughter then something about mage hand? Care to elaborate?” He continues arms now behind his back with a kind but silly smile on his face.

Her world spins as she pulls her body from the sand and turns to face Gale. “Yes, our pale friend was just educating me on the many uses of mage hand.” She lays the sarcasm on like a thick blanket. “Ah, I didn’t know he knew so much about cantrips. I’ll have to ask him if knows anything about Elminsters’ writings.” He completely missed the point. Robin rolls her eyes and looks back at the water “The stars are quite beautiful tonight.” He sits down next to her legs crossed, “Yes they are.” she starts to look at him but notices out of the corner of her eye that he’s already staring at her, she looks back to the water and swallows hard as she feels a blush slowly start creeping along her face. “Astarion told me you had a proposal for me?” She can hear a faint smile on his face, “um yes.. he didn’t mention anything about mage hand did he?” She asks fully turning her head to him this time. “No but whatever you two were talking about left him in quite a hysterical state, did you by chance cast Tasha’s hideous laughter on him?” They both laughed at the thought, “No but he’s right I do have something to ask. Would you..um.. be willing to teach me magic? When you showed me the weave I remembered how easily magic comes to me.. and that I never use it to do anything then be a nuisance. If you want to that is.” She looks up at him finally only to be met with stars in his eyes and the biggest smile on his face. “Of course I’ll teach you, you’re in good hands Robin.” He takes her hand and holds it in his “We can start tomorrow night, but right now I think we should get some sleep. We have a big day tomorrow.” He helps her up, and walks her to her bedroll.

She falls asleep, dreaming of kissing Gale in the weave again and praying that it will happen.

Next part

Instinctually she reached out into the dark only for her fingers to meet nothing but silk.

Panic threatened to seize her once more, just as a hand slipped around her waist.

"None of that darling," Astarion murmured in her ear. "I'm here."

Evie let out a shuttering breath; her hand moving to clutch his.

She must have been a mess. He didn't even bother to tease her as he pulled her closer.

His chest moved up and down in slow breaths against her back. She took his lead, moving in his rhythm and letting everything else fall away.

This was her home. This was her bed and her husband. She wasn't lost any more. The dark couldn't frighten her.

Cool lips pressed against her neck, cautious and gentle.

"That's better," he said. "For a moment I mistook your heart for a hand drum."

"I apologize for the impromptu performance," she said, keeping her tone light.

"You never have to apologize for that. But I am curious as to your inspiration."

She couldn't see his face, but she knew he was looking at her with soft eyes. Carefully, she guided his hand to her lips, allowing her to kiss his fingers.

"Old memories," she assured, "nothing more."

There was a pause. It was clear he wasn't fully satisfied, but Evie couldn't think of what else to say.

"Did I tell you I finally met Lady Telbrook today?" he asked, suddenly.

Evie blinked. "No."

"Awful."

She laughed. It was a surprised, slightly strained thing, but genuine.

"I mean everything. It's no wonder her husband is having an affair with their footman."

He continued on, talking about every bit of gossip and thought that came into his head while she listened in rapt attention.

Clara goes out exploring the country side of their new home. Gwen tells her not to wander far but of course she does, climbing and exploring everything.

Gale is out for a walk when he spots a young girl climbing a tree. He doesn’t think much of it, only that she must be the daughter of the woman who just rented out the cottage, but his thoughts to come into sharp focus when he hears a crash and thud. 

Clara is sprawled on the ground and Gale goes running to check on her. Clara is obviously scared and hurt, but Gale helps to calm her down, thankful that she can at least talk so nothing too bad can be broken.

He then gathers her up and takes her home.

This proves a little tricky as Gale's leg is injured due to his duel and in the shock of seeing a girl tumble from a tree; he left his cane in behind

He's running on pure adrenaline when Gwen comes running out of the house in a fervor

Once the commotion of fetching for a doctor and getting Clara is settled Gwen’s able to get her head on straight and realize she is the precence of a very handsome man.

Gale is also taken a bit aback as Gwen finally slows down enough for him to finally get a good look at her and…oh. 

They finally make proper introductions

They don’t know that much about each other other than where they live and their evident financial situations

Gwen tries to invite him to stay as a thank you, but Gale declines seeing that she’s still clearly overwhelmed and can’t be expected to play host. 

It's then Gwen notices Gale is in some pain and asks if there is anything she can do; they don't have a carriage to offer, but maybe she can fetch someone

Gale insists he's fine, but had to begrudginly admit he left his cane in the field

Gwen then promptly leaves and comes back with it; no judgement or words of pity, just thanks for what he did

There is a clear tension in the air, both of them wanting to find an excuse to see each other again, but falling short. Gale asks if he can come by again to check on Clara

Gwen accepts, a little surprised he hasn’t mentioned anything about Clara’s skin, but it only endears him more to her.

This is made even worse when Clara clearly takes a shine to Gale, especially when he catches on to her interest in nature and science, spotting a few botany books on her shelf.

As soon as Gale leaves after his visit, promising to bring her some books for her collection, Clara pesters Gwen on when they'll see Gale again and if he's coming over for tea and or maybe even if they should go over in person, you know, to return the book later

Gwen chastises her, they can't just invite themselves to someone's home, but she admits, she rather likes the idea of seeing Gale again

Gale would be more than happy to entend that invitation, but it's also around this time he learns more about his new neighbor; namely, her husband is alive and rather than being a solider or sailor off fighting, he's a philandering bastard who won't support his family

This leave both Gwen and Gale in a very bad situation; it's clear they care for each other, but Gale isn't about to ruin Gwen's reputation further by having an affair and Gwen can't risk putting Clara is a worse position than she already is

They try to be friends, and nothing more

Gwen can use all the friends she can get and God knows Gale could use somebody else beside his mother and housekeeper to talk to

The trouble is the more the talk the deeper their feelings grow and neither of them can boast of being chaste

It comes to a head when Gwen gets a rare letter from her husband

It's short and details how he cannot send her money this month while also making some not so unsubtle digs of her and Clara; this is made worse from the current rumors from London, that's he's taken another mistress

It's a silly thing to cry over; no worse than anything else he's done, but it's all so unfair

It's then Gale wanders in and in the next moment has Gwen in his arms

It can't be helped; he never could imagine Gwen crying before, she is always so resilient, but everyone has their breaking point

It's then Gwen sinks into him, feeling loved and cared for for the first time in so long

Without thinking, she kisses him

Gale pulls away and Gwen realizes what she did and starts to apologize. Gale cuts her off telling her to please not be sorry, not as a dismissal, but something more like he’s asking her not to regret kissing *him*

Gwen doesn’t pull from his arms and Gale brings her into another kiss. They know they can no longer deny what they feel for each other after that. It’s only a matter of what they do next.

There are really only two ways this ends well for them A) her husband does them all a curtosy and dies or B) it is revealed her husband was actually married before in his youth, the woman is still alive, but he covered up the marriage

This is of course would mean his marriage to Gwen was never legitimate and Clara is a bastard, but Gale doesn't give two shits, he just wants to marry her

I have a variety of different ideas for things going on in this AU

Gwen starts to make her own money writing novels under a pseudonym; they're all rather scandelous and Gale's mother has every copy of her work

Gale does reveal how he injured his leg at some point; a foolish bit of chivalry on his part, but in retrospect, it had more to due with his ego than Mystra

Although, Gwen is quick to point out Mystra mistreatment of him too

Astarion was a former friend of Gwen’s husband but once he abandoned Gwen, Astarion took Gwen’s side in the whole affair making it clear his “friend” was basically dead to him.

There are possibly some rumors buzzing around him and Gwen because of his generosity towards her and the falling out between him and her husband. Astarion has stamped them out for the most part, but people will talk.

This causes a bit of jealousy on Gale's part when he first hears them, but both Astarion and Gwen are quick to assure him there is nothing to it

I'm thinking Astarion found himself in some hot water in the past which Gwen helped him out of by paying off the blackmailers; this landed her permanently in his good graces

Astarion's connection to Cazador is a secret, but he still has a rather licentious reputation which he embraces

Obviously nothing has ever officially come forward of him sleeping with men, but a number of his circle have been quietly cast out of proper society over the years. It simultaneously makes his home one of the few to places others can express themselves while also running the risk of ruin.

Either way, Evie has her own connections in the theater which, while higher in respect that prostitutes, it's not by much. A number of actresses have found protectors in Astarion's circle (some actors too). So she already knows Astarion is bad news, so him trying to get close to Wyll is a bad sign.

She and Astarion get into several confrontations on the subject, with Astarion possibly offering her a few extra pounds to just find herself scarce for the evening while he and Wyll get to know each other. Evie immediately shuts this down and tells Wyll, forcing Astarion to rethink his approach.

He realizes that to get to Wyll he needs to get Evie to trust him so refocuses his efforts on her.

Astarion at first thinks Evie is like any other actress he's met over the years; talented, charming, fine enough company for an evening but inevitably gold diggers hoping for a man to buy them enough jewelry for security.

Evie does not trust him form the jump and thinks he's an arrogant lord who has never had to pay for a single consequence in his life. Of course, perspectives start to shift once they get to know each other.

One of the first things that gets her to give him a chance is him “rescuing” her from some unwanted advances when Wyll isn’t around.

Obviously Astarion does it for his own means. His determination to destroy the man who did it is just good business practice, nothing to do with needing to punish the other man for leaving her genuinely shaken. 

From there it’s a lot of talking on his end. He makes a point to frequent the theater more often. He is still a well read lord with plenty of interesting things to say and observe.

He lays on the charm, but changes his tactics from overt flirting to something a bit more subtle. Evie may not trust it, but he is interesting and funny and actually inquires her opinion rather than assuming it.

It’s a more a matter of persistence. For as much as she tries to be smart about it, the plain fact is she is lonely and wants to connect with someone and that leaves her vulnerable to the type of attention Astarion is giving her. 

He knows it too, which is why he feels worse the deeper in he gets.

What gets Astarion to finally re-evaliabe the situation is when Evie explains her sexuality. Sex to her is purely transactional and something she takes no pleasure in. It's why she's willing to go to the lengths she goes to for Wyll, because he's the only man who never asked any of that from her.

The few men she was “kept” by were those she cared for, but by nature of her position she couldn’t marry them and they both knew it. But she could pretend, it’s her job after all.

She's used to being used and discarded with a handful of jewels for her troubles, that's the name of the game. She finally has a safe harbor and Astarion is actively trying to destroy it.

It's not greed on her part, it's something much deeper and desperate. He could only imagine what he'd be willing to do in her shoes. He's surprised she hasn't tried to poison him. 

She would find out about Cazador eventually.

Astarion finally gets some tangible blackmail on Wyll, but hesitates in delivering it to Cazador.

Evie finds out and confronts Astarion about it.

Astarion tries to explain saying he no longer intended to use them, but Evie is too hurt to fully listen. She gets her hands back on the blackmail and goes to tell Wyll. 

Wyll actually knows about Cazador, more through rumor, but he knows if half the stories are true, Astarion is going to be in trouble for not delivering.

Astarion knows his best chance at survival is getting the letter back, but ultimately decides not to.

He’s been running on borrowed time by sacrificing others lives, he can’t keep living like that

He then decides to challenge Cazador to a duel

Cazador is a public figure with a reputation and Astarion we’re to challenge him to a duel, Cazador would have to answer it.

Cazador has a killer's reputation; he's never lost a duel, but Astarion is willing to take that risk

Wyll hears about the duel and decides to be Astarion's second, joining him in the field

They face off and Astarion kills him, but not before taking a bullet himself

Astarion is still on the hook for murder, but considering the number of people Cazador has destroyed, it is quietly swept under the rug as Astarion makes his quiet exit from society

Evie comes to him while he’s recovering as Wyll explained everything.

She berates him for putting his life in danger, but Astarion would argue that he wasn’t really living before. He needed to do this, to be free. He’s only sorry it took him so long to find the courage to do so. He doubted he would have found it at all if not for her.

Evie responds with a confused, “I’m not sure what I did to inspire such action. I don’t think you give yourself enough credit.”

Astarion smiles softly at her, “Perhaps you’re right, I did have to find it on my own, but you gave me a reason to look in the first place. Having someone to care for is quite the motivator”.

Evie would soften at this, telling him, “I think I know what you mean.” Astarion takes her hand then, giving it a small squeezed “Might we try again then?”

Evie and Astarion then spend some time getting to know each other, again as she come back and forth from town turning his recovery

The times in between are filled with letters to the point that Wyll teases Evie of being unfaithful. Evie tries to brush it off, but she can’t deny how hard it is for her to leave Astarion every time she does.

Eventually though, she have to leave.

The London season is wrapping up and she and her troop must move on with it. She goes to visit Astarion one last time. She tells him news of town, and how the heat has started to die down around Cazador’s death. She suspects whatever blackmail he’s gathered has now been either burned or taken into evidence. Some of Cazador’s other minions have fled England leaving Astarion relatively safe should he want to return to London.

Astarion admits he’s rather done with the city for a while. It’s frankly no skin off his nose if he never comes back. He then says he’d like to do some traveling himself now that things have cooled down. Evie agrees that sounds like a wonderful idea. God knows there’s plenty of distraction to be found in Paris or Italy.

Astarion merely shrugs saying maybe he’d start smaller; where is her troop headed? This makes Evie pause naming the next town, but insisting it’s nothing special.

Astarion disagrees, she’d be there and he’d like to claim an acquaintance with at least one friendly face.

Evie says she’s not much of an acquaintance, but if he’d like a guide, she’d be happy to help. Astarion says he’d like much more than a guide.

Evie, starting to catch on, is like, “you might need to confer with Wyll. I’m not sure what people might say to his companion taking on another protector.”

Astarion then is like, “You’re quite right. What do you think they would say to his companion taking on a husband?”

That causes Evie to do a full double take, her eyes going wide as Astarion just grins at her. “Of course, she would also have to say yes to such an arrangement.”

Evie finally gets her bearings shaking her head as she says, “Please don’t tease me like that.”

Astarion eyes then soften, his expression turning finally serious as he promises he’s not. He only just found his heart again, it wouldn’t do well to let it play every stage in England without him.

Her very presence tapped into the furthest corner of his memory. The thrill of first love mixed with the weight of experience. It bubbled and turned leaving him unsure of what he was supposed to do next. He just knew he had to love her and Gwen, by some miracle, found it within her to love him back.

It took time for the truth of that reality to fully settle within his own heart. Gwen loved him for the man he was. He was enough.

Of course, she was just one person. There was one more he needed to win over before they could truly be together.

Gwen squeezed his hand, pulling him back to the dirt road before them.

"I can hear you thinking," she said. "She's going to love you."

Gale held back a sigh. He had no doubt Gwen meant her words, but they didn't mean anything, not really.

He had a chance to meet Clara, briefly on their travels. She was a smart girl, curious, bold and every bit her mother's daughter. But Gwen introducing him as a traveling companion was rather different than reintroducing him as the man who soon hoped to be her father.

"Gale," she pressed.

It was enough to convince him she had cast "detect thoughts" without his noticing. He knew better though. Gwen just has a knack for reading him; magic or no.

"I didn't know my father," Gale blurted. "I was aware of him, of course. Logically he must have existed. There are some memories, rather vague. I think he wore blue. But, that's besides the point. The point is, I don't know what I'm doing. It's a rather uncomfortable sensation. Terrifying, actually. I don't know how every one does it. My mother always said half of being a parent was improvisation, but you can't improvise without some base knowledge and I have none."

He turned to her, his heart and his mouth racing well past the speed of his thoughts.

"I love you. I love you more than the world and I know if given the chance I will love Clara just as fiercely. My nature won't allow for anything less. But love isn't enough, not when you're raising a child. I can't fail in this. More than any task I've ever been given I can't--"

He stopped as Gwen's hand pressed hard against his mouth.

He stared at her, his eyes going wide. She'd never shut him up. She made a point of never shutting him up. Even when they were arguing or in the throes of passion Gwen never asked him to stop talking.

She stood firm though, her expression resolute and expecting.

His lips closed shut against her hand.

It was only then her gaze softened as she moved that same hand to his cheek.

"I'm sorry," he said.

"Don't apologize for rambling," she said, firmly. "But there is a difference between rambling and spiraling. And don't," she pressed a finger against his lips, "apologize for spiraling either. It happens to the best of us and that does include you."

He let out a sigh, some of the tension leaving his body even with the lingering embarrassment.

"May I speak now?" he asked, his lips moving against her finger.

She pulled it away, a silent allowance to continue.

"I wasn't spiraling," he insisted. "I was merely expressing my...trepidations about the coming meeting."

"Trepidations which lead you to focus on the worst case scenario," she countered.

"Well, you know what they say," he said, cheerfully, "plan for the worst, hope for the best."

"And were you coming up with a plan or were you spiraling?"

Gale opened his mouth, but found little in the way sound arguments. With some reluctance he closed it again.

Gwen understood, taking both his hands in hers.

"You are allowed to be nervous, you know," she said, gently. "Frankly, I'd be more concerned if you weren't."

He didn't answer right away. Too many emotions stirred inside him; love, reserve, hope. If he had the time, he'd allow himself a good hour's contemplation. In the end, it was the fear lying in his heart that gained a voice.

"What if she doesn't like me?"

Gwen shook her head. "Impossible."

"Gwen..."

"Gale."

He stopped, taking another deep breath. This whole being nervous thing was really getting out of hand.

Gwen once again took the lead, taking his hands and pulling them to her chest. They were barely an inch apart now. Even if he had to look down, her gaze was unavoidable.

"You know I love you, right?" she said.

He nodded. "I do."

"And do you believe I give my heart lightly."

His gaze softened, thinking back to when they first met. She was quite possibly the strongest person he'd ever known. The idea of her needing anyone seemed absurd. And yet, here she was, with him.

"No."

She smiled at that. "I chose to love you, just as you have chosen to love me, and have already decided to love Clara. Do you think I would hold on as tightly as I do, if I did not believe that you would make an excellent father?"

"No," he said, knowing it in his heart to be true. "That is not your nature."

"Then if you do not trust yourself, trust me; at least until you find your footing."

Gale stared down at her a moment, feeling the odd urge to laugh at himself. He really did sound ridiculous when she laid it out like that.

Unable to resit any longer, he closed the small gap between them capturing her lips in a gentle kiss. All other fears slipped away. So long as she had faith in him, nothing else mattered.

"Thank you," he murmured.

She answered with a kiss of her own, assuring and loving as any of the words she could express.

"There are books though," he said, as they broke apart, "that you might recommend? Just for a base understanding?"

She did laugh then, pulling him right along.

Granted, it's been a while, for both of them

Gale obviously was involved with Mystra for years and Gwen hasn't been properly courted since her husband

Still both are eager to try

I picture they're "first" date being some time after they've settled in together

Gale makes a reservation and tells Gwen to meet him at the resturant for dinner

Gwen arrives and Gale starts in pretending they're relative strangers; Gale claims they met in an isle of a book shop, he was so taken by her beauty and her selection he just had to see her again

Gwen, playing along, agrees that saucy romance novel would turn any well respecting wizard’s head

They just keep going like that, playing “yes, and” while asking all the first date questions. Most they know but there are a few they don’t.

It’s strange the things that come up while you’ve got a tadpole in your head and the ones you don’t. How did he go this long without knowing Gwen’s favorite color? (It’s yellow)

At the end of the night Gale "drops her off" at the front door, the two of them playing that little song and dance of if they should go in for a kiss or not.

Gale can’t help himself and pulls her into a proper kiss. Gwen teases him saying that’s at least a third date kiss. Gale smiles an apology before leaning in for another, this one a little more gentle, mirroring their first kiss in the field.

Gwen concedes that it’s better, but still clearly a little lightheaded.

She then claims she “never does this on the first date” and asks if he wants to go upstairs. Gale counters that she has technically done it at least once but gladly joins her. Who is he to refuse?

He doesn't stop at just dinner though

While Gale, Gwen and Clara take time to go out together as a family, it feels important to Gale for him and Gwen to still have time just the two of them

They go to plays and concerts

One of their favorites is going to museums

Gale is always fancinated whether it be covering history or art, and has a number of opinions on a variety of subjects

Gwen in turn loves listening to him ramble

More than once she's purposefully taken the opposite opinion on a painting; claiming it's pretty, but nothing of note stands out to her

Gale then goes into a lecture about the piece with a passion that Gwen can't help but indulge in

She then appeases him saying he makes an excellent point, she sees the piece in a new light now; it's hard not after all that

Of course, Gale is guilty of this too

Gwen has had an extensive education, and so has her own hard set opinions are characters in history and the art world

He's not as good at hiding it when he plays devil's advocate, but there is something enticing at seeing his soon to be wife go on a rant about how a certain kind or lord was completely overrated and begins listing all the things they did wrong

What I'm saying is nothing gets these two nerds more hot and bothered than watching the other express their passionate opinion about a subject they're knowledgable in

And I know I mentioned resturants, but I gotta talk about how Gale can be absolutely indecent

Imagine you're Gwen; you're finally home, no life and death scenarios and starting to settle into a routine with the man you love who also happens to be great with your kid

That's enough to be grateful for as is, but he also makes a point to take you out at least once a week

He then has the audacity to dress to the nines while doing with showing off just a bit of chest hair to tease you

He then proceeds to order wine and not drink it like a normal person; no, he indulges, truly taking his time to take in the scent and letting it linger on his tongue before letting out a borderline pornographic moan

He then looks at to you with the biggest expectant smile on his face, waiting for you to try it too

How is she possibly going to last the night under these conditions?! And with the candlelight on his stupidly handsome features jumping between erotic moaning and adorable enthusiasm? It's a miracle they make it back home with all their clothes on

And don't you dare think it stops after they're married