Chapter Text
He kept looking over his shoulder. Nearly jumping at every shadow. Constantly waiting for his master to emerge and drag him back to hell. Every day that passed he silently counted in his head.
2...3...4...5!
When was the last time he went five whole days without feeling the bite of Cazador's lash? Each night he contemplates this as he lays down on a pallet. Clutching his knife Astarion's eyes dart around the camp waiting for his master's hired goons to spring from the bushes. Surely they were coming for him. Cazador would not let this dalliance stand.
He spends his sleepless nights imagining all the ways he'll be punished. Astarion will be strung up by his ankles and left hanging for days. Cazador will come at intervals and carve flesh from his body laughing at his pet's screams. He can already feel being strapped down as his is taken. Again and again. Finally, master will have executed every conceivable torture and grow bored. Then. Gods then he'll be locked back in that coffin...this time for years. He's practically hyperventilating that first night away from Baldur's Gate and his master.
By morning, however, he sees the sun cresting over the tree tops and it dispels the horrors plaguing his mind. The first true delight he experiences is the overwhelming lack of Cazador in his head. Astarion isn't sure yet but it feels like every order that was ever engrained into his mind has disappeared. Eyeing his companions he wonders what they might taste like.
He's almost giddy the first time sneaks from camp to hunt. Unfortunately he is objectively terrible at it. Still the thrill of simply having an option other than putrefying rat invigorates him.
By his second night of trying he comes across a boar walking lazily in the road. Instinct takes over and Astarion is able to work out the mechanics of lunging, gouging his fangs into the tough flesh of the animal. He doesn't even hear it's squealing as he sucks his fill. Doesn't even notice he's killed the poor thing until he stumbles back.
Laughing. Gods he's laughing. After two hundred miserable fucking years he's finally eaten something by his choice. Sure it was a pig but it was his kill. It sends his mind reeling at the possibilities before him.
When he returns to camp afterwards he can't help but glance at the large form sound asleep by the fire. What would it be like to taste him? In his current state of euphoria he can't help but imagine stalking over and testing his theories against reality. Tomorrow he vows. When that lug of a man Tav is asleep. He'll try it then.
He's not free. Not really. Astarion is intimately aware that there's still a Gods damn worm in his brain just waiting to take over and turn him into a tentacle monster. It doesn't take much to recognize that he needs these people he's found. The only chance he has of survival is by molding them towards his needs. It doesn't help that with all the goblins crawling over these hills the protection of their de facto leader would go a long way.
Astarion sighs. He's been trying for days to be at his most charming and sultry self but this Tav fellow seems to be cutting right through all his best bullshit. Oh the man plays along. He says all the right things to get Astarion to flirt but they both know it isn't flying. Not really.
It's mostly frustration and annoyance that finally forces Astarion's hand. He can't stand the calm coldness emanating from that man for one more moment. Feeding from him feels like the best revenge for being forced to help every Gods forsaken person they come across.
The plan was perfect. Tav sleeps. Astarion bites.
He's fairly certain his eagerness is what gets him caught. It must have been coming off in waves. Just as he's bending to strike he feels a paw of a hand slap him back making him stumble.
"And just what the hells do you think you're doing?"
The question is calm. Astarion does his best to explain. He makes his voice small and whiney hoping Tav doesn't wake the rest of their travel companions and start lighting the torches right then.
To his utter and absolute shock Tav shrugs.
"Is this something you need Astarion?"
Dumbfounded he doesn't immediately answer. A part of him is starting to seriously question the sanity of their chosen leader and if even the gith might not be better than whatever mind sickness clearly plagues the person before him.
Tav sighs and crosses his arms in boredom. "I imagine it's easier if I lay down?" He asks pointing back at his abandoned pallet.
Astarion nearly chokes on his words trying to pretend like this is definitely something he's done before.
"By all means make yourself comfortable darling." He waves a hand and crouches to his knees as Tav lays back.
The man before him looks gorgeous and Astarion suppresses a gasp as Tav stretches his head back exposing his neck. He pauses there a moment watching the jugular pulse, excitement to have a willing donor making him smile savagely.
Choosing to strike before Tav comes to his senses Astarion sinks his fangs in. He hears his own moan echoed by the man beneath him and feels pure joy. Humanoid blood is nothing compared to the boar and miles away from the rats. He can't help himself as he takes one greedy mouthful after another.
Some part of his brain is dimly aware of Tav's requests for him to stop becoming less and less polite. Eventually he finds himself gripped roughly about the shoulder and rolled on to his back. Tav's body is heavy over him as he's violently shaken from his blood lust.
"I said enough!" Tav growls face inches above him.
"Yes, right sorry. Sorry!" He's still in a fog but Astarion can recognize the danger he's in. Unfortunately it's this moment that he's finally managed to crack their leader's tough exterior and he's ashamed to admit the fear it brings.
"You will never do that without my permission and next time you will listen when I say stop are we clear?"
"Next time?" The words are past Astarion's mouth before he can properly think. There's going to be a next time?
Tav looks at him quizzically, "You're telling me you won't need more blood by the time we reach Baldur's Gate?"
Astarion blinks up at him rapidly trying to process what in the hells is happening right now. He shifts his body under Tav's trying to come up onto his elbows only to freeze when his thigh rubs against the telltale firmness in his donor's pants.
Ah. Now this. This he can work with. This has been bred into him.
Astarion puts on a sly smirk rolling his hip upwards to grind on Tav's erection.
"And what, my handsome companion, might I be able to do for you in return?"
He raises his brow suggestively and attempts to roll his hip again, but is abruptly stopped by a hand on his thigh.
"No. Not like this."
Astarion doesn't think he's ever been so offended in his life. Here he is beautiful and willing, offering payment for services and he's being turned down?
It's as though Tav can sense the indignation coursing through the vampire. He has the gull to laugh. Laugh!
Tav leans close just then. Astarion instinctively backs his head away until it hits the ground behind him.
"Oh I'll have you. Don't you worry for a moment about that. But it will be on my terms, when it doesn't feel like payment to you."
With that he lifts off him completely and rolls onto his bed giving the stunned Astarion his back.
And so it continues like that. Each night Astarion goes to war with his mind. Each night trying to convince himself that he's never asking that bastard man for another thing. But then like clockwork he caves and sits before Tav's bedroll as soon as the others have gone to sleep.
He isn't prepared for the smile Tav gives him every time. The man just sits there and waits letting Astarion work through his feelings on it until he finally breaks.
"Can I please drink from you tonight?" It's said through gritted teeth but with practice he finds it's getting easier.
"Is that what you would like Astarion? Would that make you feel satisfied?"
Breath comes out of him in a gust the first time Tav asked this and then laid there patiently waiting for an answer. What he wanted? When was the last time anyone asked him what he wanted and truly meant it? Despite everything. Despite all the horrors of his life, he can tell, Tav means this.
"Yes Tav. I want this."
His only response is to smile knowingly and lay back fully waiting for Astarion to strike. He's gotten much more gentle since his first bumbling try. He no longer savages Tav's neck as badly and he always jerks away after the first pressure he feels pushing on him to stop.
Manners. Apparently he could still learn some.
Sheep that are clearly not sheep. He'd laugh at the absurdity if he wasn't currently dodging a knife from these fowl swamp creatures. Honestly finding this damned girl the hag stole can't be worth any amount of gold.
These distracting thoughts are why he isn't prepared as they come around a bend and run straight into a Gods damn Gur. He's thinking as fast as he can not even paying attention to what Tav is saying. Looking for easy exits when the hunter finally says something to freeze Astarion in his tracks.
"I'm looking for a vampire actually. His name is Astarion. Any leads on the fellow?"
Fuck.
Of course Tav just stands there considering. Their eyes finally meet and of course Tav's eyes are as calm and calculating as ever. Great he's going to get a bounty from this fucking hunter first-
"We kill the Gur."
What?
Astarion doesn't think just follows after Tav knifes slicing forward not believing or understanding what is happening in this moment.
When it's finished Tav checks the man's pockets collecting a meager coin purse.
Astarion approaches him still dazed at how quickly the man has dispatched an innocent.
"What the hells was that about?"
Tav looks up from his crouched position considering. "That hunter was hired by the man that called himself your master was he not?"
Almost rendered speechless by Cazador being referred to that way Astarion simply nodded his head.
"Well he wasn't getting you and I couldn't leave him alive to report back. Simple."
"Oh sure. So obviously simple." Astarion's drawing sarcasm only earned him an eye roll.
Tav stood already heading to his next objective without another word. What was he supposed to do other than follow the mad man?
The smell of goblin was never going to get out of his clothes. How many had he killed? More than he had ever before that's for sure. Astarion's eyes scanned the tiefling party looking for the burly man he couldn't keep out of his head. He was finally out from under Cazador's thumb and all he could think of was getting on his back again. He needed to secure Tav's favor. He thought he might have had it with the Gur but they frustratingly had barely spoken since. How was he supposed to manipulate him under these conditions?
There was an unexpected hand on Astarion's shoulder coming from behind his left side. He whipped around and nearly spilt his wine in the process.
"Looking for someone?" Tav's voice dripped with confidence.
"Oh hello darling I just found exactly what I want actually."
Tav's smile was back as he reached out and took the wine from Astarion's hand. "Is that right?"
Blessedly it took so little to convince the man to accompany him further into the woods for a late night tryst. Astarion's skin was practically buzzing with anticipation when Tav easily acquiesced.
Later into the evening Astarion caught from the corner of his eye Tav slipping away towards the thick pine grove. He took in a deep breath. Show time.
He'd like to say it all went to plan. Gods when was he going to learn that nothing went the way it should when this insufferable man was involved?
Astarion had broken from the trees having discarded his shirt and already loosened his pant laces. He wasn't at all expecting Tav to meet his progression into the clearing. He felt himself being picked up by lean arms and brought forward that Astarion had no choice but to wrap his legs around Tav's torso.
The first brush of Tav's lips was not gentle. It was probably payback for all the times Astarion had used his neck as a chew toy he imagined. He didn't even try to keep up. He let Tav consume his mouth in whatever way he wanted bruising his lips with the intensity.
A low moan escaped him as his ass was gripped giving Tav all the access he needed to start delving deeper into his mouth. Tonight was going to be rough and he quickly started to mentally prepare for what that would mean. Thank Gods he'd thought to put lubricant into his pocket.
The kiss continued Tav ravaging at his mouth as he tried to keep up. This is what Tav wanted. He wanted to consume Astarion. Wanted to feel like a strong man able to throw a vampire around. This wouldn't be the first time he played this game with a lover.
Astarion started to grind at the torso in front of him making mewling noises from the back of his throat.
"Stop that."
Mid grind he stopped and broke slightly from the kiss.
"Pardon?"
Tav looked into his eyes clearly searching for something. He must have found it because he nodded once to himself and then bent to place Astarion on his back in the grass.
"Pants off."
Fabulous. Maybe they could be done here in time for Astarion to steal another bottle of wine and get drunk enough to forget.
"With pleasure darling."
The laces he had already loosened came away with ease. He put on his most sensual smile as he dragged his pants down fully. Tav was crouched over him fixated on the body that was slowly being revealed.
"Flip over. On your hands and knees."
Without hesitation Astarion complied. He had plenty of domineering lovers in his time. He knew how to take a command.
"You'll find lubricant in my pants dearest. I had thought you might not be able to resist my body." He said it with all the cheek and bravado he possessed but quickly started to panic at Tav's next words.
"Hm, don't think I'll need it honestly."
"Don't think you'll what-" Astarion had made to start getting up. He was not getting dry fucked tonight, but firm hands on his back kept him in place.
"Stay still." A sharp slap to his buttock punctuated the words.
Well hells apparently he was getting dry fucked in the woods tonight.
As he crouched there on his hands and knees he thought of everything he could have done differently. This was necessary however. Securing his place under Tav's protection was vital to his survival right now. He heard a quick spit sound from behind him and tried not to wince at what was to come.
Astarion nearly collapsed when instead of a rough intrusion he felt a warm hand on his cock start to pump up and down. The grip was loose but wonderful. Just enough pressure to feel the callouses on Tavs fingers.
Nothing could have prepared him for gentleness in Tav's touch. He felt another hand come up and rest on his hip idly moving in patterns he couldn't recognize.
There kept being an expectation that Tav would speed up. That at some point he would get bored of trying to pretend he actually cared about Astarion's pleasure and finally move on to fucking him. He stayed there on his hand and knees for what felt like forever continuing to take in the feel of Tav's hand as it slid up and down his cock in rhythmic motions. He stayed on that edge of anticipation for so long he began to pant. But still it continued. Stroke after stroke he lost most of his confidence that he was still in control of this interaction.
"For Gods sake just fuck me already." He growled out his brain beginning to fog at the feel of that methodical hand gripping his cock.
"Is that what you want Astarion?" Came the reply from behind him.
Was he serious? Did he want him to beg? Gods he didn't want to beg. But he would if it meant completing the task.
"Please Tav will you fuck me?"
He could practically hear the consideration that can from behind him.
"You know Astarion I think you truly believe you're such a good liar. I think you'd do anything right now if it meant survival." And still that hand moved never stopping or slowing. "I think that right now you're hoping I take from you so that you don't feel like you owe me in the morning."
Astarion gritted his teeth trying to thrust his hips back. He wasn't sure if he was trying to dislodge Tav's hand from his cock completely or to shove his ass closer to the goal he needed.
The hand that had been lazily resting at his hip gripped harder and kept him in place however.
"I want to give you something Astarion. And I'm not going to ask for anything in return. Do you hear me?" That damned incessant hand kept the course although just marginally tighter. Still not enough to push him towards release but there causing pleasure none the less.
"Would you like that Astarion?"
Stunned as he was Astarion found himself nodding. What was the harm indulging in what Tav had to offer. He'd just work twice as hard at his next opportunity.
"Yes." Came his breathy reply.
"Good boy."
With that Tav stopped holding back. He more firmly held Astarion's cock quickening the pace with which he moved.
Astarion was settling in for a simple handjob and nearly bucked at the first feel of a wet tongue at his entrance. Mind scrambling he tried to brace as Tav started his worship. And what else could it be called when his hot mouth moved over him like that?
Astarion had never once been on the receiving end of this. He could remember countless times his master had made for him to kneel naked under a desk while Cazador received the various nobles of his court. He'd be there for hours with Cazador's cock in his mouth simply warming it. Then as the night's business finally drew to a close he would be commanded to crawl down the hallway to his master's room. Cazador would be waiting there looking bored as Astarion was made to lick every inch of that bastard's body.
The memories threatened to overwhelm him but the tightening rhythmic grip on his cock just barely kept him in his own skin.
Tav was relentless. Never stopping for a moment. Never giving Astarion a break as he bent lower capturing each of his balls in his mouth in turn.
It took Astarion a moment to realize he was moaning with abandon. Glorifying in the feel of every touch.
It was too much. He wasn't going to last.
With one final groan he came, shaking through it the whole way.
Astarion eased down from his high only to realize Tav clearly had no intention of stopping. His hand never paused even after all of Astarion's orgasm was spent. He squirmed trying to stop the over sensitive flesh from being touched.
"Tav Gods please. I- Tav- I can't-" each word came out as a strangled pant as he rapidly lost control of his ability to string words together.
"Tell me Astarion. Tell me what you want."
Mustering mental strength he found the ability to breathe out his next words. "Please Tav. Please stop."
Instantly when he uttered stop the hands and mouth left him. He cried out both from relief and loss unsure where his desire was anymore.
Arms wrapped around him from behind lifting Astarion to sit in Tav's lap. He could feel the rock hard cock underneath his ass, separated only by the pants Tav managed to never take off.
"I can- Tav I can for you." The words came out slurred and muffled spoken softly against Tav's chest as he tried to shift.
He felt the chuckle as it rumbled through his companion while being squeezed tighter. "No dear one, I think you're going to be asleep in seconds."
Astarion thought to protest but his body felt so heavy and sated. His eyes fell closed as he contemplated his last thought before succumbing to sleep.
Tomorrow. He'd balance the scales tomorrow.