#shrunken reader

“I know how to cast a goddamn spell Astarion” You huff out as you stand up from the blanket you both sit on. He chuckles, standing up to follow you.

Ever since you’d been back to set up camp he’d been pestering you about your mishap. On your mission to set up, a group of goblins had ambushed and in attempts to take them out quicker, you’d sent a fire blast incantation. 

It backfired.

You wouldn’t lie and say it didn’t hurt like utter hell but to Astarion’s smug face, you’d never admit it. Thankfully at the time you had been carrying around a vial of healing potion and that cleared up the blistering burn. But for now, you were stuck with the irksome vampire until the rest of your party arrived. The group had split up into two; Shadowheart, Gale, and Karlach off to kill a nest of spiders and their matriarch. You made it very clear this was not an adventure you’d partake in with your arachnophobia and promised to set up camp. Astarion had conveniently left out through the whole previous weeks of the group’s journey of his fear of spiders too. But you knew how he was. A true diva to the core. Right now you’d almost rather take the spiders.

“You know it is rather unsettling knowing how undisciplined of a sorcerer you are. How in the world did you make it to be the unsaid leader of the group?’He clicks his tongue, steps matching with yours now as you trudge into the woods.

“Go find something to bite!” You groan coming to a stop.

“And leave you alone? Darling if something happened to you I couldn’t live with myself knowing I left such an atrocious spellcaster to defend themselves.”

His teasing words are the edge of the cliff for you. “That’s it!” You yell and cast a mute spell towards him in an effort to shut him up.

You know that it backfires again when a sudden, unexpected sensation washes over you. Your head spins for a moment with a wave of nausea. Then after a few seconds, it's gone. 

“Oh dear…” You hear a booming voice say. Astarion’s. You groan.

You open your eyes ready to yell some more. 

But then you stop.

All around you, everything is enlarged, and like you’ve entered a world of giants. Massive pebbles as big as rocks now, grains of dirt larger than your hand. It’s unrecognizable but it's the same place you’ve always known.

“Well now, that didn’t go as planned, did it? Was your plan to shrink me?”

Your head snaps up taking in the enormous form of Astarion now. And your mouth dries.

He was always a few inches taller than you, him having substantial height for an elf. But now he was godlike. It was mind-numbing to think about how fucking huge he was now. Your eyes follow the gigantic black, leather knee-high boot all the way to his crossed arms and smirking face. You stumble back, overwhelmed by his size and not bothering to mention the fact you cast a mute spell not reduce.

He continues to stand being the little shit he is. Not bothering to kneel.

“Are you going to say something or simply take in my charm little dear? I completely understand the latter choice mind you. What a pleasure I assume that you get to bask in even more of me than usual…”  Of course, he’d say that. He’s probably enjoying this entire thing. For all you know, he has a kink for tiny chicks.

You’re pulled from your thoughts as he shifts his weight slightly, making his boot crunch a leaf.

Fear is no stranger to you in this daunting lifestyle. That quick feeling of your heart skipping a beat and limbs electrifying as you meet your opponent's glare. 

But here you’re useless. One step from his boot and you’re simply another bloodstain on the ground. 

So that’s exactly when you start to run. 

Rationally you know he has the upper hand in almost every way. He’s fast, an expert at hunting, and the small detail of him having a hundred feet on you now. Except it’s you who's smaller than a dormouse and vaulting over twigs that minutes ago you'd snapped with your boot. 

The ground starts to rumble under your feet, causing you to stumble. No doubt Astarion is already on your heels. You still keep running, no idea where you’re headed but far away from-

You stumble, barely managing to avoid falling headfirst into a river.

Well a river to you, but merely a stream to the vampire not far behind you.

You dare glance behind you and see Astarion stalking towards you, his pace unhurried as if this is an afternoon stroll and not a chase. 

You wager you have less than seconds to clear the “river” before he’s caught up. You take a few steps back and start a running leap. You get ready to jump, feet just about to leave the ground when the earth shudders. You misstep, tumbling down the slight slope straight into the running water. 

Your lungs seize with the freezing temperature and you desperately reach out for anything to keep you aloft and not down the stream. The muscles in your arms strain paddling to keep your head above the rapid and take a breath before you’re swept under the current. For a split second everything is peaceful and silent. The only pain is the burning in your lungs. 

Then something cups beneath your body, a tad warmer than the current temperature but not by much. Then you’re lifted away, your body instantly curling up with the chill of the air and your sodden clothes. You cough the water from your lungs.

“I think that went well, don’t you? I’m personally delighted you ran off into the forest like a lunatic! What in the hells were you thinking?” Astarion says, his voice loud. You cover your ears, shivering now. 

He must notice how you don’t respond as he begins to tuck you into his chest with more grunts of complaint. His fingers are surprisingly gentle as he uses the collar of his ruffled undershirt to cover you with. Thankful for the refuge and warmth you close your eyes and pull it around you. You feel every thump of his heart here. An odd but not unfamiliar place for you since you’ve only been this close to Astarion once. 

The one night he was so weak he tried to drink from you in your sleep. You had woken up with his fangs bared at your throat. Immediately he scrambled away, the only time you’d seen him so unsure of himself. He’d explained how weak he was and how he only needed something that would be easy to drink from and no requirement of being hunted. Seeing him as a vital part of your team you allowed him to drink from you. Not to mention you couldn’t bear to stand the sight of the bags under his eyes, how desperate he’d become to make himself vulnerable enough to ask for your help. 

You remember how he’d leaned over you, how his eyes met yours asking permission one last time. With either hand planted beside your head, he’d tilted your jaw up tenderly before sinking his teeth in. The pain had been icy sharp, but his tongue lapped your blood and it settled into a dull, pleasant ache. 

You blink your eyes back to reality as his finger twitches from the sensation of your tiny foot brushing the soft pad. As you tuck your legs in you notice his many rings that adorn his fingers. The one on his middle catches your eye with the ruby gem atop it. The jewelry is elegant and you think of how much it suits Astarion. Your heart still pounds, even with a small twitch the movement of something so big startles you and your stomach flips. You wrap your fingers in the soft cloth of his shirt and deeply inhale to soothe your nerves. And for the first time, you notice how silent Astarion is. 

Peeking a look up at him you see his defined, taught jaw. He’s clenching it looking straight ahead. It’s astounding how much of your vision he takes up. And you can’t help but admit how attractive he is. His throat bobs as he swallows, at one point you’d imagine running your tongue over it but now the damn lump is bigger than you. And the firm chest under you is only a fraction of the rest of his solid, lean body. 

“Are we there yet?” You ask

Astarion looks down at you, huddled in his shirt collar and in a small puddle of water his palm had created. “Patience little mouse.”

“Don’t call me that!”

“Why? It’s fitting no?”

“Well then I guess that makes you a…” You search your mind for a fitting creature of his stature compared to you now. With a sigh you have nothing. You settle for ignoring him.

“Don’t go quiet on me now…” He says raising you to his eyes. The sudden elevation is dizzying and you shoot forward to hold onto one of his fingers. 

“Astarion!” You chide him.

“Apologies…” He smirks not being apologetic at all. Probably secretly loving how your chest is pressed tightly against him in your embrace. 

“Serves you well making me chase after you on your mad run.”

“You didn’t have to chase after me.” You pout.

“And become some creature’s next meal? How dreadful of an end for you though…”

You roll your eyes, but notice how his hand curls around you as you shiver. He lowers you back to his chest and almost smothers you with his shirt collar piling it on top of you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Later on when Astarion finally gets you both back to camp...

“You can’t sleep in wet clothes.” He says holding out a palm for you to drop them into. 

“It’ll b-be fi-fine As-Astarion.” Your teeth chatter and you bite down to keep them from clacking. 

You sit on his pallet with him towering in front of you despite his sitting position on the ground. His eyes darken as he looms over you. “You’ll take them off or I’ll take them off for you.”

Your heart quickens and you nervously chuckle, “I kn-knew y-you were kin-kinky bu-but-” 

Your words are cut off as his hand whisks you from the ground, placing you in his palm. “A pitiful attempt at seduction on your part my dear. You know I can’t in good mind accept your invitation when you are colder than me… now help me warm you up. You're tinier than a pixie.”

He’s gentle as his fingertips pinch the hem of your shirt to get it over your head. You undo the buttons at your breast to let it slip over your head. He sets them on the ground and lets you go about undoing your bottoms and the wet fabric falls with a slap to his palm. 

You don’t make a move to remove your undergarments. He gives you a questioning look with a lift of one eyebrow. 

“Oh no darling I meant it all. Don’t worry, although tempting I suppose I’ll leave you be tonight.” The side of his mouth quirks in a smile with your blushing face, revealing a glimpse of a sharp fang. 

You roll your eyes and shuck off the rest throwing your bra at his face. It lands on the slope of his nose, so he crosses his eyes to see it making you laugh. With an unimpressed look, he peels off the garment and lays it with the rest. 

“Cheeky little pup…” His eyes flicker up and down your naked form.

You blush and lean back into his palm, feeling very exposed. Not that you aren’t.

“I need some clothes you pervert.” 

Astarion’s eyes are heavy, darkening as he continues to stare. “I suppose you do. Though I don’t have a habit of carrying anything your size darling.”

“I’m not going to stand here naked! Besides I’m cold.” You whine.

He exhales. “Fine, I’ll see what I can do.”

Instead of setting you down on the pallet, he brings you to his shoulder. “What do you expect me to do?” You ask him. Certainly, it can’t be safe up here.

“Climb aboard my little pet.” He purrs. Your stomach jumps from the name.

“Astarion! I could fall! And then you’d miss me and my terrible spellcasting abilities.”

“Ah! You admit it! You were dreadfully awful at it. I suppose you being the size of a mouse and quite adorable make up for it.” He maneuvers you in his hand, instead of standing he has only two fingers gripping your waist. He deposits you right beside his neck. 

The sliver of bare skin feels intimate as you begrudgingly sit down. You even feel his pulse beneath you.

“Hold tight.”

He stands up without warning and your soul leaves your body as the ground moves. It’s all you can do to find something to hold on to which is his beloved hair. Your death grip is certainly noticeable but you can’t seem to care.

“Ow!” Astarion shouts as you watch his hand appear and part you from your only saving grace. You hold tight, not willing to let go while your heart races.

“A little warning next time you stand or anything for that matter! Fuckin hells…” You squeak out.

He must sense your racing heart and relents, pulling his hand away. “Fine… let's come to an agreement. You keep your hands out of my hair as irresistible as it is. I’ll make a better effort to forewarn you of any sudden movements. Deal?”

You grunt and let go of his white curls, hands still shaking from the height you’re at. 

“Oh darling, scared of spiders and now heights…what am I to do with you? Hold on.” You begin to snap at him asking what in the hell he means by both those sentences when his hand engulfs you, tucking you snugly against his shoulder. 

“Ah here we are.” He says lifting his hand away and nudging you to the side with a fingertip. You watch as he puts on a chain necklace. 

When his hand retreats your left staring at it. Did he feel he had a fashion crisis and desperately needed an accessory?

Even now your eyes are heavy and you fight not to topple over. 

‘I’m afraid this condition will have to wear off on its own.” Gale interrupts, coming to stand beside Astarion as he looks at the both of you. He’s hinted at this before when he first laid eyes on you. 

At the time, their group leader clothed in an embroidered handkerchief Astarion had stolen from a merchant. You’d looked pathetic with your hair soaked and still shivering. It was quite annoying how cold you were all the time now despite the warm clothes Astarion had managed to make in a matter of a couple of hours. You were impressed with the detail of his stitching and swiftness. Not to mention how the clothes seemed to fit you almost perfectly. 

You look at Gale’s hand as he carefully holds something. “What's that you got there?” 

“Dinner for you, I figured you were hungry.” He reaches out a pointer finger, balancing a plate steaming with bread and some sort of meat. You graciously accepted, puzzled by how Gale had catered to your needs quickly. Truly everyone had, save Karlach. The tiefling so scared of hurting you that she only risks a mere glance your way. You’ve tried to ease her nerves and reassure her you'll be okay but it doesn’t seem to help. Gale presses an equally tiny fork into your hands, the small scrap of metal almost lost in the ridges of his fingerprint. He leans back and crosses his arms. 

 Gale clears his throat and pointedly looks at Astarion. The latter is hyperfocused on the book he holds. “Go take up space somewhere else Gale. Don’t you have some magical artifact to eat?” You kick Astarions’s neck for the quip with a booted foot. You don't even think he feels it since he doesn’t even flinch. 

“I think it’s best for everyone if I take Tav while you find something to eat. Away from here, far away.” Gale adds. 

Astarion rolls his eyes. “Afraid I may find you appetizing? Even at death’s door, I’d have to mull over that one.”

Gale rolls his eyes and leans over to take you into his hands. Astarion leans away quickly, making you stumble and hold on to his necklace and your plate for dear life. You glare up at him even though he can’t see you doing so. 

“Go on Astarion, Tav certainly won’t do you in for tonight.” You blush at the implication of his words. Usually, Astarion feeds from you but in your reduced size you couldn't offer him more than a drop. 

You feel his shoulder tensing under you as you eat your meal. You gently pat his neck, “I’ll be ok here for a while. You need to eat too.”

He sighs and reaches up to take you off his shoulder, his fingers are cold yet gentle as they wrap around you. He’s still reluctant as he places you in Gale’s outstretched palm. 

“Be safe!” You shout as he stalks off into the woods. An answering grumble is all you get in return. 

When Astarion returns later that night with the moon high he hears raucous laughter. He feels refreshed from the deer privy to his hunger. But his main worry is Tav and ensuring she’s okay. Leaving her with Gale hadn’t eased his worries but he knew he posed more of a threat the hungrier and weaker he got. And he couldn’t for some reason bear the thought of Tav being a victim of an unfortunate accident of his. Earlier, she’d fallen off his shoulder. He’d barely managed to catch her as she’d tumbled off in a doze. So he expects her to be deep in slumber. 

He couldn’t be more wrong as he approaches the blazing fire and sees the tiny figure running around it while carrying a stick taller than them.  

The rest of the crew is encouraging the behavior doubled over laughing or chanting nonsense as Tav parades around. Usually with the commotion and liveliness, he’d retreat into his tent, but his worry grows increasingly with Tav so small and close to a fire. So he opts to sit, placing a blanket down as he crisscrosses on the ground. He scoffs at the situation. 

His eyes keep tracking Tav as they sprint and he knows they must’ve drunk something. 

He looks around taking in the group of lunatics he calls his own. Even Karalach doesn't seem to be holding back her excitement as she claps. Gale and Wyll are clapping and chanting. Shadowheart bent over laughing, even Lae’zel has a slight smirk on her usually grim face. 

He jolts when he feels something run into his boot. He looks down and it’s none other than Tav. Her face flushed red as she stared up at him. His stomach flips at the tininess of her standing there with a huge smile on her face. “Astarion’s here!” She cheers and manages to scale his boot, even with it on its side in his crisscrossed position. 

“Well hello Darling, it  seems you’ve been busy.” He smirks as he extends a hand to prevent her from falling. A part of him wants to scoop her up and feel her small weight in his palms but he refrains. 

That is until she clumsily climbs up his trousers, wobbling at his knee. His reflexes are fast, but not fast enough to catch her as she falls between his legs. He panics thinking she's injured herself until giggles sound. 

She’s giggling 

“Tav?” He says, eyes gleaming with amusement. How much had she drunk? Even a simple shot would have had her intoxicated. 

“You’re so big… like a mouse. No that’s not right. Mouse? Mountain?” She garbles.

Astarion looks up expecting to see the rest of them staring blatantly, only to find half of them passed out and the other half gone. He assumes retreating to their tents. He directs his gaze back at her and becomes very aware of how much he towers over her. Especially at this angle. 

“Okay Little Mouse, bedtime.” He says as a warning before his hand sweeps her up. Feeling her tiny body pressed against him sends another wave in his stomach. He has no clue why he’s reacting like this. Perhaps it's simply the power of holding someone so small and knowing their life is in his hands. 

Certainly no other reason. He hasn’t the time for relationships or finding love. Besides, who’d want to shackle themselves to a vampiric elf like him? He’s too broken for that.

But the way Tav makes him feel loved and cares for him, despite their banter… gives him hope. Foolish hope that there’s a shard of possibility that he is lovable.

He sighs opening his hand to find Tav curled up there, sound asleep. 

Perhaps it's selfish of him, but he lets himself indulge in her drunken closeness. Eventually, she’ll realize how awful and detestable he is. 

But this now… this is nice.

The morning follows and you wake up with the worst, god-awful headache. The memories fly back into your head. Karlach in her already-drunken stupor had offered you a cap-full of mead. It had all gone downhill from there. You faintly piece together running with a stick and then into something. It's then you notice the presence around you. You’re upon something soft and curled into a shoulder? 

You rub at your bleary eyes and see the tufts of silver hair. Your eyes widen realizing it's Astarion whose neck you curled upon the entire night. You shiver, not from the coldness of his skin but the mere fact he let you sleep near him while he meditated. It’s not long till he begins to stir, and you clutch onto the blanket draped over you, finding it sweet that he thought of you in such a small gesture to ensure you stayed warm by his side. Yet his movements as gentle as they may be to him are tumultuous to your shrunken form. It's strange in a way since you’ve only ever known him to be sly and sneaky due to his roguish nature. 

“Astarion!” You shout trying to remind him you’re there.

 At the sound of your voice, his movements halt and his hand comes to cup around you but pauses. “Apologies. May I pick you up?” His sleepy, rough voice sends tingles down your spine.

With permission, his long fingers snake around you, gold ruby ring glinting in the sunlight. Your head pounds with the movement and brightness. You massage your eyes and temples to rid the ache. Opening them you find his giant pale face inches from yours, red eyes openly staring back at you.

Astarion smiles knowingly. 

“I’m never drinking again.” You sniff yourself, “Ugh and I need a shower.” 

“Shall I douse you in the stream you plunged into before?”

“You have your entire life to be an ass, why don’t you take a day off bloodsucker?”

Tav and Shadowheart wait outside for the group to continue scavenging. Tav hears Gale scolding Astarion to stop looting so much followed by a groan when the vampire ignores him and continues to stuff his pockets. Tav looks away from the open door, gaze settled on the ground.  An unfamiliar tightness starts in her chest and she knows exactly why.

 A part of her is upset and even betrayed that Astarion had laughed at her and then walked away without even asking if she was okay. Was she delusional to think she meant anything to him?

“Everything alright?” Shadowheart asks. 

Tav sighs. She wants to get this feeling off her chest but isn’t ready to admit her feelings for Astarion yet. The way he’d cared for her after she’d shrunk, protecting her while she slept, bathing with him… His actions tore down the walls she held toward his questionable characteristics and views. He’d let her be open and tender. The perfect victim. 

Before she can mutter an excuse the group comes out with bags slung over their shoulders. She unintentionally searches for a white head of hair, but being so close to the ground she’s closer to their boots. She starts to become anxious when the ground trembles from the multiple beings heading her way. But it's Karlach who reaches her first and takes a knee to check on her. 

“Hey tiny soldier, you ok? A big run-in you had in there and I know spiders aren’t really your jam.” Tav looks up at her friend and nods. “Yeah, I’m fine.” Tav shivers thinking of the spindly, furry legs that had chased her. 

She’s touched that the tiefling cares so much about her, but that’s just how Karlach is and why Tav would do anything for her.  The rest of the group approaches and asks her if she’s okay, to the point she has to shoo them away for some space. All but one person. 

Astarion’s sitting on a rock inspecting his stolen goods when Tav slowly approaches him. She unhooks the needle he gave her but doesn’t immediately look down at her, even though she knows he hears her. She shoves down the pain that arises from that fact. 

“Astarion…I uh have your needle thanks for letting me borrow it.” She says holding the needle out to him.

He doesn’t bother to even look at her when he says “Keep it”, then stands up stuffing the loot in his pockets. She flinches at the sudden movement and is even more shaken when he purposely steps over her. The tremor he causes is so severe she falls. Her body curls into itself, protecting her head with her hands and eyes squeezed shut until the tremors fade. 

She doesn’t even realize she’s crying until a hot tear slips over her cheek. 

Quickly she wipes it away, smearing dirt onto her cheek right before another set of tremors starts. She realizes she’s still holding onto the needle so she tucks it away. She lifts her head seeing a tall, broad-shouldered figure approaching. Wyll’s kind face comes into view, his dark skin glowing in the midday sun. She can only imagine how pathetic she looks when his gaze locks on her. 

He kneels, his mismatched eyes locked onto her. “Hi, the group is moving on. Figured I come to check on you. Need a lift?”

Even without him saying it she hears the implied point of “We saw Astarion and not you.”

 She sniffles and nods. “Thanks.”

 His hand unfurls in front of her, long fingertips extended. She berates herself when she starts to compare his hand to Astarion’s as she climbs aboard. Wyll’s fingers and palm are shorter but broader, his skin obviously warmer, and even the layout of his palm feels like a new landscape. 

She holds onto his fingers as they fold around her and she starts to rise as he holds her to his chest. “Are you okay?” he asks.

Tav doesn’t know what to say. Why did Astarion suddenly act like she didn’t matter? She tries to control the trembling of her limbs, her body still reacting to Astarion stepping over her. 

“Give him some time…he’ll come around Tav,” Wyll says raising her to his eyes. Tav sniffles again. “Did I do something wrong? I-I know I didn’t exactly help-”

Wyll cuts her off. “Tav you’ve helped this group so much already and were happy to help you. This is a team. Even if you did something wrong we have your back, just like we know you have ours. Astarion is a being with much complexity just give him some space and let him know you’re there for him.” 

“Thanks, Wyll.” Tav sighs, patting the nearest finger. 

“Of course,” He lightly squeezes her hand between two fingers.  “You ready to catch up with the group?”

“As long as you're walking, these little legs aren’t good for long distances.”

Wyll laughs, the corner of his eyes crinkling. 

“Good point, I suppose I can get us both there Little Legs.” 

The group finds a campsite next to a stream, surrounded by trees with leaves bigger than Tav. Wyll lets her off his shoulder to stretch her legs as he sets up his tent. The ground is wet and earthy. Tav has already had to get out of a few earthworms' ways in the few minutes she’s been down. Creatures that aren’t too pretty up close. Tav gets ready for bed after a late dinner and washing off in the stream. She finds her way to Astarion’s tent to wish him goodnight, hoping that the bed he usually makes for her is still up for the night. She’s grateful when her feet no longer sink into the damp ground but find themselves on the rough carpet of his tent entrance. His intricate pillows are meticulously placed as she walks by the path they make to the inside of his tent. It’s quiet but she knows he’s settling in for the night with a book. He doesn’t have to hunt for the night Tav knows thinking back to the unfortunate bear who’d crossed their path a few hours earlier. 

She rounds the corner of a pillow and sees him propped up with a heavy book held in his large hands. She admires his form, how long and graceful he looks. How his pale hair settles effortlessly which she knows is not quite as effortless as it seems. Her entire body flushes just looking at him. She reaches his bare foot, stopping a few steps away so she can still see his face.

“Hi… I just wanted to say goo-” 

“Get out.” Astarion cuts her off. 

“Wh-what?” Tav stutters her eyes wide. Her hands start to tremble. 

“I said get out. I need my rest.” Astarion says staring at his book.

“B-but my bed? Where am I to sleep? I’m sorry-” Tav tries again

“I said GET OUT!” His voice is loud and she covers her ears as her bottom hits the ground. 

This time she doesn’t hesitate to stand and scurry back outside. 

She only allows herself to relax after she steps off his rug and goes near the campfire. She’s dumbstruck he was so upset with her. And she has no clue why. She’d given him space all day like Wyll suggested. And now she doesn’t have anywhere to sleep. Ambling around she spots a small tree and walks over to it. 

The trunk is smooth against her back as she slides down it. The hollowness she feels is soon turned into sobs. He’d yelled at her. Tav tries to control her breathing but it comes out in pants. She’s crying so hard that eventually, she can only gasp for air when the pain in her throat is too much. Soon, she's so tired from crying that she passes out.

She wakes up to the wet splash of something on her head. She looks up when it splashes her again. It’s raining. The leaves above her are good shelter but the smallest one can’t bear the weight of all the water. She scooches back knowing the reasonable thing to do is find better shelter but she can’t bring herself to be around anyone currently. She drifts off again shortly. 

“Tav?” 

“Tav where are you? Dammit doesn’t anyone know where she is?” 

Tav barely rouses to the loud shouting. It takes all she has to open her eyes, and even more to keep them open. The sky is grey and it’s still raining. 

She shivers violently. Hell, why is she so cold?

She tries to stand but can’t even feel her legs. And when she tries to sit up straight her arms and fingers are numb. 

Tremors head her way and she prays they’re not from a predator. God why had she been so stupid to sit out here all night?

“Tav?” A voice shouts again, closer this time. 

“Here.” Her voice is weak and barely above a whisper. 

“I-I’m h-here!” There. Almost a shout but that’s all she has. 

Tav watches a black boot plant itself in front of her. “Oh, little soldier…”

Karlach hands instinctively reach towards her but the tip of her claw stops a hairsbreadth away. “Shit, I-I can’t touch you.” 

Karlach looks around hoping someone is close but finds herself alone. “I’m afraid if I go get someone I’ll lose you.” 

Another set of tremors starts, but Tav doesn’t care. She’s too cold and keeps drifting off. 

“Tav?” The familiar and smooth voice is weak yet still fills her with dread. 

As if a fire had been set under her she begins to cry out. All she can think about in her disoriented state is to get away. 

“No..no..” She moans just as the second pair of boots fill her vision. She weakly pushes up on her arms but slumps down just as quickly. 

“Not sure it's you that she wants leech,” Karlach spits.

Astarion growls, Tav watches as he pulls a thick handkerchief from his pocket, then hands it to Karlach. After she determines it won't burn in her grasp she faces Tav again. 

“Hang on soldier, we’ll get you taken care of.” The tiefling’s words are soft as she scoops Tav into the cloth. 

“Watch your fingers.” Astarion snaps.

“Back off, I know what I’m doing.” Karlach snaps back. 

Tav feels her eyes slowly closing again, lulled by the immediate warmth Karlach gives off. Soon she’s off to sleep. 

When she wakes up again this time she’s warm and not drenched with rain. She hears the soft crackling of a fire nearby. Her eyes open to a nest of blankets around her and her head supported by a pillow. She sits up and tries to gather who’s tent she’s in. The soft throw falls down her shoulders, leaving her bare-chested. She gasps and quickly pulls it up to her chin, wincing at how her muscles ache. 

“Oh come on darling it's nothing I haven’t seen before.” A smooth voice says. A voice she knows from the first word he breathes. 

She hates how her body tenses up now in his presence. How she seems to shrink into herself and stare wide-eyed hoping he doesn’t yell again. 

Astarion notices all of these minute reactions and his teasing halts, face falling in shame. Her temper flares at his wounded look. He’d been the one to yell at her! But she’s too weak to tell him off. 

For what feels like forever they sit there in silence, avoiding each other’s gaze. Thankfully Shadowheart walks in carrying a small bowl and a cloth. 

“Tav thank the goddess you're awake. I have some soup and a cloth for you to wipe off with.” 

Astarion takes that as his cue to leave, standing and walking out without a word. Tav watches him leave, her body slouching when he’s gone. 

Shadowheart kneels, her dark braid swinging over her shoulder and eyes sharp as she offers Tav the soup. Tav sits the rest of the way up with some help. She takes the bowl and carefully blows on the spoon until it doesn’t burn her mouth. 

“So… Astarion and you?” Shadowheart starts.

“Ugh, don’t ask I have no clue. I went in his tent last night to say goodnight then he yelled at me to get out.”

“Ah, so that’s why you camped under a tree last night.” She smirks 

Tav winces, “Yeah sorry about scaring you… I just didn’t…” 

Shadowheart sets a slender hand in front of her. Tav looks up at the cleric. “You don’t have to explain… I'm just glad you’re ok. But for future reference, if you ever need a place to crash silently my tent is always open.” 

“Thanks,” Tav says, knowing that offering trust to her can be difficult to do for Shadowheart. Tav finishes off the soup and cleans off with a damp cloth. 

“Uh where are my clothes, and who took them off me?” 

“Here and that was me. Sorry, it was me seeing you naked or freezing to death.” 

Tav puts on the shirt and pants. Two things that Astarion made for her. The thought sours her mood even more. 

“How long was I out?” 

“Only a few hours. We’ll head out tomorrow to find some leads on this whole situation.” Shadowheart gestures towards Tav. 

“She’s awake?!” A loud voice says before Karlach barrels in through the tent flaps. The tiefling’s eyes are glowing when they spot Tav sitting there. 

“Tav! I thought we lost you! Hells I’m so glad you’re alright. I’d hug you if I wouldn’t set you on fire you know?”

“Honestly go ahead. I’m sure Astarion would be pleased to see me gone.” Tav pouts. 

“You’d be surprised to know he was in here while you slept. Didn't leave your side once.” Shadowheart offers gently. She takes a seat, criss-crossing her legs. 

Tav’s heart warms at the thought until she remembers how he yelled at her to get out and ignored her the whole day. “Yeah well, it would be nice to know if he even gives a damn about me.” She crosses her arms and sighs. 

“As much as I hate to defend the leech, he did seem pretty messed up when he saw you slumped against that tree.”

“I was not slumped!” Tav huffs.

“Oh you mean not slumped like-” Karlach imitates how Tav had been “slumped” over earning an eye roll from her. 

“Rude! Tav shouts pointing a finger. Her mood sombers, “Thanks for saving me Karlach… I don’t know if I would have made it. I seem to be getting myself in all sorts of crises don’t I?”

Karlach waves her off. “Nah don’t mention it. And honestly, I’m surprised you’re not dead yet.” 

“Karlach!” Shadowheart scoffs.

“What? She’s so itty-bitty! I’m sure other people would have conked out by now. Not you though tiny soldier.” She winks. 

“You don’t think it’s too deep do you?” Tav asks nervously peering down at the hot spring from the edge of Astarion’s palm. Steam wafts from the pool of water dissipating into the cool morning air. 

“Darling a muddy puddle would be too deep for you. But good thing you have me” Astarion says cheekily ignoring Tav’s eye roll. He lowers her to the ground, balancing his weight on his heels until he stands back up to his full height. His toned abdomen reveals itself to the light, each ridge and valley of his stomach catching Tav’s eye as he removes his tunic. She can’t help but gawk at the towering vampire. At ground-level height, he’s akin to a god.

She’d never tell him that though. 

He starts to take off his shoes and pants, Tav despite her trust in him steps away in self-preservation. It's hard not to be unnerved by every movement of his as the ground trembles under her feet.

Sheepishly she starts to remove her clothes. She’d already been naked in front of him before when she’d taken an impromptu dip in the stream yet the act of voluntarily removing them without his persistence is flustering. 

She strips to her undergarments and peeks up again at Astarion. He’s fully undressed and her face flushes red. Sensing her gaze he catches her eye and smirks. Tav attempts to hide her ogling but it's no use.

“Admiring the view my sweet? Look at you. So small and cute huh?”

“Shut the hell up!” Tav says

“Hmm feisty for someone who could fit in my pocket.”

Tav rolls her eyes watching as he casually steps over her and towards the spring, his bare foot planting itself a few meters away. 

She hurriedly strips the rest of her clothes away trying to keep close to him. Being out here at this size frightens her. She skirts around Astarion’s pile of clothes; like a mountain of expensive fabrics. But she's cut to a halt when the ground is replaced by a sheer cliff straight into the pool of water. 

She watches Astarion merely step in, the water coming up just below his waist. He lowers himself to dunk his head, popping back up with it drenched and plastered to his skull. He stands back up to his full height and wades over to grab the plethora of hair products he’d hauled in a huge basket. 

She looks to him then back down to the water devising the best way to go about this. After a few seconds of contemplation, she scoots to the edge stretching out a tiny leg to see if her toes would even touch the water. Which they don’t. 

“Don’t you dare. Let me rinse my hair and I’ll help you.” Astarion's voice cuts through the silence.

“I-I can do it myself you know.” She says not entirely convinced she actually can.

“And what’s the fun in that?” He says popping up from underwater. He wipes the water from his eyes, her gaze catches on his large hands. Veins trickle down his wrist, cascading to his fingers. The very same fingers that soon pluck her from the ground and into his palm. 

She doesn’t have time to complain as the heat from the water thaws her bones. She melts into the warmth as he drops his hand so the water descends to chest level for her. 

She contentedly lets herself soak in his palm, eyes closed. Only a gentle nudge to her arm gets her eyes to flicker open seeing Astarion hold out a fingertip of soap. She glances up finding his red eyes already upon her. Quietly thanking him, she takes the bit of soap off his fingertip. In her hands though it translates to a handful. Still, she’s grateful he let her borrow some of his. She hadn’t even thought to bring her own. As she began to think about it her tent had been untouched for a couple of days. She hadn’t bothered to visit it since it would be of no use to her currently. 

They both return to camp clean and somewhat ready for the day. Her body is strung tight with Astarion’s closeness. How had she been naked in his palm just minutes ago?  Karlach passes by hauling boxes to set them in a pile. Everyone’s tent had been taken down save for Astarion’s. Someone had probably taken hers seeing as she was in no shape to do it herself. 

Gale walks by noticing the both of them, his expression a momentary glimpse of curiosity before settling into a calm.“We’re packing up to move onwards. Wyll found a village in need of help for quite a bit of coin. I went ahead and got your stuff ready Tav.” 

“And not for me? How rude.” Astarion chimes stalking off before she can thank Gale. 

The tightness from earlier is replaced by anxiety. In the campsite, she had been lured into a false sense of security. Not even beginning to think about traveling at this size. And what if the group decided she was no longer an asset? And how could she be? 

She jerks when something pokes her shoulder, falling onto her back against cushiony skin. Astarion’s sanguine eyes worriedly glance at her as he brings his hand closer to his face; nose close enough to touch.

“What?” She asks.

“Grumpy are we?” He says with a quirk of his brow before lowering his hand to place her on his shoulder. She sighs, grateful he can’t see her here as she leans against his neck. He goes about collecting his things and packing them in his chest and bags. Her eyes glance over to the two bite marks on his neck. Reaching out, she places a hand on the scar; palm sinking into the groove. 

“Quit that it tickles,” Astarion says poorly suppressing a shiver. With a smirk, she lightly runs her hand between the two dents laughing when his body convulses. Long, pale fingers pinch her body bringing her to a pocket. 

“Hey!” She shouts up at him as he drops her in. 

Immediately the space around her darkens, reduced to a small ray of light from above. Surprisingly the pocket isn’t too small. It’s less spacious than a tent but better than a cot. 

Astarion shouts for Gale to collect his items using whatever magic he’s been doing to haul their stuff from camp to camp. 

His voice is louder here, startling her as it rumbles through her entirely. 

It isn’t long until Tav’s eyes start to feel heavy as Astarion and the rest of the group start to walk toward their next destination. 

The last thing she remembers is a crimson iris blinking down at her before succumbing to exhaustion. 

“What do you mean? That lock would be easy even for a novice with their hands tied Gale. In other words you.” Astarion’s irritated and loud voice wakes Tav. Sitting up and trying to find her bearings is hard in the darkness and she hasn’t a clue what’s going on. She gets to her feet, reaching up on tiptoes to the edge of the pocket only to find the tips of her fingers a ways away from the lip of fabric. Astarion moves again, knocking Tav back down. Grumbling she pushes up off the ground. 

“Seems that someone’s awoken...” 

The pocket around her darkens and the familiar feeling of two fingers gripping her waist hoists her out into bright midday sun. The fingers release her into his palm, noticing him and Gale in a tense conversation.

There she sees the entire group huddled around in front of a wooden door to a stone cottage.

“Why are we gathered around the door like heathens? Haven't you ever heard of being discreet?” Tav grumbles. 

“Why risk someone being in there and an unneeded fight when Tav can slip right under and scope out the place?”  Gale ignores her comment. 

Astarion scoffs, “You’re serious? That’s unnecessary! She’s two inches tall for heaven's sake!” His voice gets louder and she covers her ears.

“HEY!” She shouts earning everyone’s attention.

“I’m right here so maybe let me make that decision.” 

Gale’s face softens and he steps back, “Yes, of course, forgive me for not asking you before. What would you like to do?” 

This is her chance to prove she’s still an asset. While the back of her head screams with warnings it feels wrong to let the rest of the group carry her weight. 

“I’ll do it. Set me down Astarion.” 

“That’s nonsense, you could get killed! One careless move and you’re gone Tav.” His eyes burn with intensity. 

Her body’s immediate reaction is rage. How dare he try to tell her what she can do, but she sees the tenderness of his gaze behind that intense persuasion to keep her safe. “I understand you only wish to keep me safe but Gale’s right. Might as well try to be useful at this size. You can’t be the only rogue now can you?” She winks at him. 

His expression hardens and she fears that she said the wrong thing until his words are teasing.“Oh darling, I would hate to lose my cherished little blood bag now. Let’s not get over our heads now hmm?”

Her heart flutters at the deep seduction of his voice. He soon sets Tav on the ground by his boots. 

Everyone’s boots. 

It's unnerving knowing that the entire group towers over her like gods now. Even Lae’zel who had been a little shorter than Tav at her regular height.

“Hey wait don’t you think you need like a weapon?” Karlach says. Tav shrugs, “Only if you have something.” Even a dagger at this point would be larger than a greatsword. 

A few moments pass with everyone rummaging through their belongings and coming up empty-handed. Someone clears their throat high above, she assumes it's Astarion when he begins to kneel. In his fingers, he holds what appears to be a sewing needle. 

“Oh wow, that’s perfect!” She says taking the needle from his fingers and then laughing at the whole ordeal. A damn sewing needle is like a sword to her now.

“That’s one of my good ones and I expect it back in good condition.” Astarion says leveling her with a look.

“Good luck squirt.” Gale says with a smile

She shoots him a death glare. “I’ll put tree sap in your hair, Gale.” 

His expression sobers instantly earning a few snickers from the group.

She walks over to the door finding a small crack in the rain-swollen wood. With a last glance over her shoulder at the group, she climbs inside. 

Immediately the smell of rot hits her nose. The smell is familiar being an adventurer and warrior but it doesn’t make it any more pleasant. Instinctively she makes her steps soundless, only to realize even without effort they already are. A smug smile finds its way to her face knowing Astarion would have a fit as he loved to boast about his excellent sneaking skills. Her thoughts travel back to how protective he’d been. It's touching knowing he cared about her.

The room around Tav is dark, only lit by torches meaning someone has been here in the past day. She walks down a hallway until the edge of the wall ends. She peeks around it and finds the area empty. However, what catches her eye is the wooden chest placed in front of a small bed. She knows better than to immediately go for it and chooses to scope out the rest of the small cottage. In the room, there's a small potion table, a fireplace, and a square table. Of course, these are all from the view of a mouse, and even though meant to be small they seem fit for giants. 

A taller person would have missed it in the shadows. As she approaches, it looks like what one would call a bear trap. The pressure plate in the middle and a halo of spikes ready to pierce the flesh of some poor thief. 

Tav simply walks around it, gazing up at the contraption making a mental note to warn the others when they enter. Letting out a relieved sigh she turns on her heel heading back to the door. The others would be pleased to know there was loot in here and this whole thing showed them she was still an asset. 

A scuttling sound perks her senses. She searches for the noise unable to make out where it's coming from. Turning back around, she’s instantly met with the eyes of a gigantic brown spider. The damned thing is bigger than a full-grown owlbear. And a whole lot less cuddly. It hisses, revealing fangs that are a lot less attractive than Astarion’s. 

Wait! Attractive? 

It charges at her, a bloodcurdling scream escapes her chest and she takes off in a sprint. Each pound of her feet hitting is met by the eight legs gaining on her. Her heart feels as if it might burst from her chest. The door is only a few feet away and Tav can see the hole she slipped in. Wasting no time she climbs the short distance, nearly getting there until something pulls her down by the leg. A sharp pain slices her ankle as her fangs scrape the skin. Another scream escapes her and at this point, she wants to cry. The fear of spiders hasn’t gotten better since she shrunk. 

Jerking away from its grasp she finally climbs through the hole. Daylight greets her as she plummets to the dusty ground. She doesn’t stop running though when as she pulls herself up off the ground. 

“Spider!” She screams to her companions chancing a glance at the massive boots surrounding her. 

They burst into a fit of laughter. She halts. 

“This little thing?” Gale says, the spider now levitating. 

“Little? I-its fucking huge Gale! And screw all of you for laughing… you try being two damn inches tall!” 

Her body still shakes from the fear of being killed by the arachnid. Something brushes her body and she immediately jerks away only realizing it to be Shadowheart’s fingertip. 

“Are you okay? It didn’t get you did it?” She asks softly, eyes flickering over her form. 

“I’m fine. It got my leg some. Just pick the lock. Watch out for the beartrap in the middle.” She grumbles taking a seat on the ground trying to calm her racing heart. Shadowheart kneels in front of her. “May I?” She points to her leg.

Tav nods.

“I’m sorry they laughed. I know that this whole thing has been hard for you. Not to mention you hate spiders.” She pulls up Tav’s pant leg. With a soft-spoken spell, the skin is unblemished and smooth. Laying out a palm Shadowheart offers to carry her as the others get into the building.  

Tav refuses to meet Shadowheart’s eyes as she fidgets with the hem of her shirt. Her breathing slowly returning to normal now that she’s not running for her life. 

“You know we're not going to kick you out or anything right?” Shadowheart says.

Tav’s head jerks up to see the cleric looking back at her. “What?”

“I know you think you have to prove yourself to keep a spot here but you don’t. None of us have any issues making sure you’re safe. Were a team. We help each other. Okay?”

With a sigh of relief, Tav nods. “I still want to help… but just no more spiders.”

“No spiders? Deal. Besides we can always send Gale and Astarion for that. The spiders would scatter from their bickering anyways.” 

Tav cackles at her friend’s humor.