They both know what this is really about. Gale seems to be convinced he needs to die but surely there is another way? Gale may not realize it, but Astarion has been searching, looking for anything that might indicate that there is another way. 

Gale does not deserve to die, certainly not for a Goddess that doesn’t give a single fuck about him. That orb inside his chest, surely he doesn’t need to use it to sacrifice himself when they can come up with another way. The thought of losing Gale hurts deeper than he ever thought possible. 

After spending so long closed off from the world and everybody in general, refusing to let anyone past walls he carefully built up brick by stubborn brick, the last thing he expected was for the wizard of all people to get past those defenses, and yet here they are. Whatever they are, it’s clear they have gotten close, and the teasing flirtations seem more than simple teasing flirtations at this point. 

Focusing on Gale helps him think less about returning to Baldur’s Gate, which in turn makes him feel less terrified about Cazador. He wants to avoid thinking about his Master for as long as possible, which means he wants to focus entirely on Gale. 

Astarion's lips curl upwards as he takes a step forward, directly into Gale's space. One hand grasps at his jaw, thumb brushing over his cheek and then jaw as he inches his face closer and closer to Gale but does not dare cross the distance just yet.

Fate. 

Yeah, maybe Karlach does believe in fate. Then again, maybe she doesn’t? It is something she struggles with truthfully. Does she believe in any Gods? There is not one she follows, but she’d like to have that kind of faith in something. Gale’s faith is admirable. What is it like to believe in something so completely that you dedicate your life to it? She certainly doesn’t think she’d ever be that extreme of a believer but she’d like to think there are deities out there that actually care. 

It’s just hard to believe when she spent ten years chained to an archdevil. What deity out there would have ever offered her help? None. Granted, she never really asked for it either. If she had – would they have helped her? Or would they have refused to get involved with Zariel? 

“I don’t know, Gale. I’d like to believe in the Gods.” It must bring some sort of comfort to those who believe in something so deeply. “I do know what I believe in right now, though. You. Me. Us. This entire fucking group. That’s what I believe in and for now that’s got to be enough.”  Maybe, in time, she will learn more about the Gods and Goddesses of this world. She knows Gale would be happy to teach her.  

"They say an apple a day keeps the cleric away, but perhaps in this case it may keep the tadpole at bay."

(from @watcrdeep )

Unprompted Asks @watcrdeep

The moment Morren's hand closed around the apple, she felt the poke to her nose. Instantly her face scrunched up, confusion clearly evident in her expression as she looked at Gale for an explanation. Why? Was this some sort of human thing she wasn't getting? Did you usually poke someone's nose when offering them food? If so why had he never done it before and to everyone when he handed out food at dinner?

His words only served to further confuse her. Apples kept clerics away? That made her gaze swing to where Shadowheart's tent was and the cleric seemed to be meditating to commune with her goddess. Why did Gale want to keep Shadowheart away from her? She was the best healer in their group, knowing spells even Morren didn't. If anything he should want Shadowheart to stay as close as possible to all of them at all times just in case. The tadpole she at least could understand.