Chapter Text
Tav had always seemed a little oblivious when it came to romance. Perhaps it was the wild magic coursing through her veins, leaving her more in tune with the chaotic ebb and flow of existence rather than the subtleties of courtship. Or maybe it was her kind heart, so focused on the well-being of others that she rarely stopped to notice how they looked at her.
And oh, how they looked at her.
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting the forest in a wash of oranges and purples. Tav sat near the campfire, humming softly as she helped prepare dinner. She was barefoot again, her sandals set neatly by her bedroll. Her deep red robe with golden markings fluttered lightly in the evening breeze, the fabric split at the thighs allowing her to sit comfortably. Her dark caramel skin glowed in the firelight, and her hair, nearly black but catching faint hints of blue, was loosely tied up, a few tendrils escaping to frame her face.
Astarion watched her from the shadows, his keen gaze catching the way her soft body moved as she worked, the little roll of her stomach when she leaned forward. She was so alive—warm, kind, and heartbreakingly unaware of her effect on others. Gale was seated nearby, seemingly focused on a book, but Astarion wasn’t fooled. The wizard’s eyes flicked to Tav often, lingering when she laughed softly at her own thoughts or tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
It was intolerable, really. The way Gale looked at her—his Tav—as if she were some celestial object of study. And yet, Astarion couldn’t summon the venom he wanted to. After all, Gale wasn’t wrong. Tav was remarkable.
Gale, ever the romantic, was equally smitten. Her wild magic episodes, unpredictable as they were, fascinated him. She was a creature of wonder, like a star fallen to earth, her every movement brimming with grace and energy. Even her missteps charmed him; he would never forget the day she accidentally turned them all into cats during a skirmish. She’d laughed so hard she couldn’t breathe when Astarion—a particularly elegant feline—had given her the most indignant glare.
Their mutual affection for her had been an unspoken tension between them for weeks. Gale had noticed how Astarion lingered just a little too long when offering her his hand to climb over obstacles. Astarion, in turn, couldn’t ignore the way Gale’s eyes softened when she spoke, or how the wizard always ensured she had the most comfortable spot by the fire.
They were rivals in every way—except neither wanted to hurt her. Tav was the kind of person who would give her last piece of food to a starving stranger or like she offered her wrist without hesitation when Astarion confessed his vampiric nature. She was too good, too gentle, to be caught in the crossfire of their affections.
And so, one quiet night by the campfire, Gale and Astarion decided to talk it out.
“I know you’ve noticed.” Gale began, his tone carefully neutral as he gazed into the flickering flames.
Astarion smirked, swirling the dregs of his wine in his goblet. “Noticed what, darling? You’ll have to be more specific. I notice a great many things.”
“Tav.” Gale said bluntly.
The smirk faded, replaced by a guarded expression. “What about her?”
“You’re not exactly subtle,” Gale pointed out, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Though I suppose neither am I.”
Astarion raised a pale eyebrow. “You? Not subtle? I would never have guessed, what with all the heartfelt stares and oh-so-earnest offers to carry her supplies for her.”
“And you?” Gale countered. “The lingering touches, the way you watch her like she’s the last mortal left worth your attentions?”
They stared at each other for a long moment, tension crackling like lightning. Then, unexpectedly, Astarion chuckled.
“Well..” the vampire said, leaning back with a smirk. “Aren’t we a pair of pining fools?”
Gale relaxed slightly, his own smile growing. “It would seem so.”
They were quiet for a moment, each lost in their thoughts. Finally, Gale spoke again.
“She’s... remarkable..” he said softly. “I’ve never met anyone quite like her.”
Astarion hummed in agreement. “She’s beautiful.” he said, his voice unusually sincere. “And kind. Infuriatingly so.. I can’t decide if I want to protect her or just corrupt her more.”
“Why not both?” Gale suggested, surprising himself.
Astarion turned to look at him, his crimson eyes narrowing. “What exactly are you suggesting?”
Gale hesitated, then forged ahead. “We both care for her. And I think we both know she deserves more than pur petty squabbles and wounded egos. If—if—she were willing, perhaps we could... share.”
Astarion’s eyes widened, his goblet pausing mid-air. “Share? As in...” He gestured vaguely. “Share share?”
“Yes.” Gale said, his cheeks turning a faint pink.
Astarion blinked at him, clearly taken aback. Then his lips curled into a mischievous smile. “Well, well, well. I didn’t think you had it in you, wizard.”
“I’m not blind,” Gale muttered, avoiding his gaze. “You’re... a very handsome man, you know.”
For once, Astarion seemed at a loss for words. His mouth opened, then snapped shut. Finally, he leaned forward, a spark of intrigue lighting his eyes.
“This could be... interesting,” he murmured.
“Only if she agrees,” Gale reminded him firmly.
“Of course..” Astarion said, his smirk returning. “But if she does... oh, what fun we could have.”
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The days continued, one blending seamlessly into the next as the group trudged through forests, across mountains, and into dangers both expected and unforeseen. Tav remained her usual, radiant self—a bright light amidst their often grim circumstances. Astarion and Gale, however, were a different story.
They had decided, begrudgingly, that patience was the best course of action. The idea of broaching the topic with Tav while they were constantly on the move, with barely a moment to catch their breath, felt ill-timed. They needed a longer respite, a chance to truly gauge her feelings and present their proposal with care.
Until then, they pined, badly.
Astarion played the heads on game, leaning into his natural charisma and charm. His compliments grew bolder, his teasing more pointed, each interaction made to elicit that delightful flush on Tav's cheeks. He thrived on her reactions—the quick glances away, the laughs, the way her fingers fidgeted with her robes.
"Such a dangerous little sorceress you are.." he'd purr after a battle, his hands lingering just a moment too long as he helped her to her feet. "One might almost think you enjoy keeping me on edge."
Gale, in contrast, took a much gentler approach. He sought out quiet moments by the fire to go over spells, his voice low and soothing as he guided her hands through the motions. He asked her about her life before their journey, listened with rapt attention as she spoke about her family, her hopes, and her fears.
"You have a gift, Tav, truly." he said one night, his voice warm as the firelight cast golden hues on his face. "Not just for magic, but for making people feel... seen. It’s rare, and precious."
Her soft smile in response made his chest tighten painfully.
Their truce, though genuine, was not without friction.
"Are you always so heavy-handed with your flirtation?" Gale muttered one evening as they trailed behind the group. Tav was ahead, animatedly chatting with Karlach, her laughter ringing out like bells in the cool evening air.
Astarion smirked, his crimson eyes gleaming in the twilight. "Oh, forgive me, dear wizard. Perhaps I should start waxing poetic about her eyes and how they are like the very constellations instead? Or wait—have you already claimed that approach?"
"It’s called Romance, Astarion. You should try it sometime," Gale shot back, his voice tight with restrained irritation.
"Please." Astarion drawled, his smirk widening. "She likes it. She laughs, Gale. Something your dry lectures on Weave theory could never truly accomplish."
"At least I’m not blatantly ogling her every chance I get," Gale retorted, his voice low enough to avoid drawing the others' attention.
"Not blatantly," Astarion conceded, his grin taking on a wicked edge. "But don’t think I haven’t noticed the way you look at her when you think no one’s watching. You can wrap it in all the ‘respectable scholar’ nonsense you want, but I know hunger when I see it, Gale. And you, my dear wizard, are positively ravenous."
Gale opened his mouth to retort, but Tav’s voice called out to them, breaking the tension.
"Are you two coming, or are you plotting something nefarious back there?" she teased, her green eyes sparkling as she turned to glance over her shoulder.
"Would we ever do such a thing?" Astarion replied smoothly, his grin shifting into something softer as he closed the distance between them with an easy stride.
Gale sighed, falling into step beside her with a wry smile. "Ignore him, Tav. His schemes are about as nefarious as a kitten's purr."
She laughed, the sound washing over them like sunlight, and both men found themselves momentarily speechless, their rivalry forgotten in the glow of her presence.
But even as they bickered and plotted, there was one thing they both knew with unshakable certainty: when the time came to tell her, it would be worth the wait.
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The decision to camp for a few days before venturing into the dark, dangerous depths of the Underdark was met with general agreement from the group. Wyll had made a compelling argument—rest, preparation, and a moment to breathe would do them all good.
For Astarion and Gale, however, it was more than just an opportunity to rest. It was the opportunity.
Their eyes met across the campfire that first night, an unspoken agreement passing between them. If they were ever going to confess their shared feelings for Tav, this was the time. They’d discussed it, debated it, and come to a tentative truce: approach her together, tactfully, with as much charm and respect as they could muster.
No crude insinuations. No vying for dominance. They were above that—or so they told themselves.
But Tav, ever oblivious to the undercurrents of tension between her companions, remained her usual radiant self, blissfully unaware of the nervous energy building between the two men.
The moment came the following evening. The fire burned low, casting flickering shadows over the camp as the others retired for the night. Tav sat cross-legged on a blanket, absentmindedly tracing the golden embroidery on her deep red robes while humming softly to herself.
“Tav,” Gale began, his voice careful but steady as he and Astarion approached her.
She looked up, her green eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Yes?”
“We were hoping to... have a word with you,” Astarion said, his usual confident smirk tinged with a hint of nervousness.
Tav tilted her head, her soft curls catching the firelight. “Of course. What’s on your mind?”
The two men exchanged a glance, silently urging the other to start. Finally, Gale cleared his throat.
“Well, this may come as a bit of a surprise, but... Astarion and I have both developed feelings for you,” he said, his voice gentle but firm.
Astarion nodded, stepping in smoothly. “Indeed. And rather than squabble like children—which, I assure you, neither of us are inclined to do—we’ve come to a mutually beneficial solution.”
Tav blinked, her brows furrowing slightly. “A solution?”
“We’d like to propose,” Gale continued, his words measured, “the possibility of... sharing your affections, should you be amenable to the idea.”
The silence that followed was heavy and expectant. Tav’s expression shifted, her lips parting slightly before breaking into a wide smile.
“So that’s what you two have been bickering about?” she said, her tone light but laced with amusement. “I thought you were actually properly fighting. I’ve been worrying about you two for days.”
The stunned silence that followed was almost comical. Gale blinked, utterly flabbergasted, while Astarion’s mouth opened and closed like a fish gasping for air.
“You’re not upset?” Gale asked finally, his voice tinged with disbelief.
“Upset? Why would I be upset?” Tav replied, her laughter bubbling out like music. She looked at them both, her cheeks tinged with pink. “You two care about me. That’s so sweet. Honestly, it’s very flattering.”
Astarion narrowed his eyes suspiciously, studying her reaction with his usual calculating gaze. “You’re taking this far too well. Are you sure you understand what we’re saying?”
Tav’s smile only grew, her green eyes gleaming with mischief. “Oh, I understand. You’re both hopelessly in love with me, can’t bear the thought of me choosing one over the other, and have decided to share me instead. Did I miss anything?”
Gale opened his mouth, but no sound came out. Astarion, for once, seemed genuinely at a loss.
“Well,” Tav said, her tone turning playful as she rose to her feet, standing between them with an impish grin. “If that’s the case, I suppose we’ll have to see if you two can actually get along well enough to make this work. Shall we?”
Astarion blinked, his surprise quickly morphing into a sly smile. “Oh, darling, you are delightful.”
Gale, still processing her reaction, could only nod, his heart pounding in his chest. “Yes... delightful indeed.”
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Tav sat back on her blanket, her fingers nervously playing with the golden embroidery on her deep red robe. The fire crackled softly, casting a warm glow across the three of them. She took a steadying breath, her voice soft but clear as she began, “I was wondering…”
Both men leaned in slightly, their full attention now on her.
“How... how would this work?” she asked, glancing up at them through her lashes, her brow furrowed in tentative curiosity.
Gale and Astarion exchanged a glance, the flickering firelight illuminating the contrast between them—Gale’s quiet reserve against Astarion’s sharp, teasing confidence. Yet, for once, neither seemed in a rush to speak.
“Well,” Gale started cautiously, settling onto the ground a respectful distance away from her, “it would depend entirely on what you want. This isn’t something we’d force or rush you into.”
Astarion perched on the edge of a nearby log, his posture as graceful as ever. His crimson eyes gleamed with a spark of mischief as he added, “Yes, dearest. Gale’s right, of course. We’re nothing if not... adaptable. Though I must admit, the logistics are intriguing, aren’t they?”
Tav’s cheeks flushed a warm pink, the colour blooming against her caramel skin as she glanced between them. “Logistics?”
Astarion’s lips curled into a devilish smirk. “Oh, you know. Who gets to shower you with affection first? How do we handle jealousy? Or,” he continued, leaning forward ever so slightly, his tone dripping with playful allure, “do we skip all that and see just how very generous we can be at the same time?”
“Astarion,” Gale said sharply, though his own cheeks had darkened to a shade that matched the embers of the fire. “This isn’t the time for—”
“Oh, please,” Astarion interrupted with a dismissive wave of his hand. “I’m simply being honest. Besides, look at her.” He gestured toward Tav, whose fingers had frozen mid-trace on her robe, her wide eyes darting between them, her blush deepening. “She’s not scandalized. Are you now, darling?”
Tav blinked, her voice soft but steady as she answered, “I— I’m not.”
“See?” Astarion said smugly, reclining back with an air of triumph. “She’s not scandalized.”
Gale sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose before addressing Tav directly. The warmth in his tone was unmistakable, even as his own cheeks remained tinged with colour. “What Astarion is trying to say, in his uniquely explicit way, is that this would be a partnership. All of us. Open communication, mutual respect. And no expectations beyond what you would be comfortable with.”
Tav buried her face in her hands, her voice muffled but still audible. “I would... be very comfortable with that.” She peeked out at them through her fingers, her blush deepening as she admitted, “I have... liked you both. But you were both so sweet, and I couldn’t choose, so I decided I wouldn’t.”
The stunned silence that followed was broken by Astarion’s delighted laugh. “Oh, darling, you’re absolutely perfect, aren’t you?”
Gale, though still flustered, couldn’t help the fond smile that spread across his face. “You’ve been agonizing over this, haven’t you?”
Tav nodded shyly, dropping her hands to her lap. “I thought if I chose one of you, I’d hurt the other. And that’s the last thing I’d ever want to do.”
Astarion leaned forward, his voice unusually gentle as he said, “Oh, my sweet Tav, you’ve been carrying all this guilt for no reason. If anything, we’ve been the ones bickering like fools over how to approach you.”
“You have?” she asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.
“Of course we have,” Gale admitted with a soft chuckle. “You’re... remarkable. It’s impossible not to care for you.”
Astarion nodded, his smirk softening into something more sincere. “Even I have to agree with the wizard on that one. You’re utterly enchanting.”
Her blush returned in full force, and she ducked her head, unable to suppress the smile tugging at her lips. “You two are going to make this very difficult to concentrate on anything else, aren’t you?”
“Perhaps,” Astarion teased, his grin returning. “But think of all the fun you’ll have.”
Gale rolled his eyes, though his expression was one of amusement. “What he means to say is that we’ll be here for you, whatever you need. No pressure, no expectations. Just us, however you’d like us to be.”
Tav looked between them, her heart full and her cheeks still warm. “Thank you. Both of you. I... I think this could work. It’ll be different, but... I like different.”
Astarion’s grin widened as he quipped, “Oh, darling, you have no idea just how different we can make it.”
Gale groaned, his hand covering his face. “Astarion, for the great love of Ao, give her one moment of peace before you start.”
Tav laughed, the sound bright and full.
The fire crackled softly as the three of them sat together, the tension of the moment easing into something warmer, softer. Tav still felt the heat in her cheeks, her blush stubbornly refusing to fade, but there was a lightness in her heart now, a sense of relief she hadn’t realized she’d needed.
She glanced between Gale and Astarion, the two men who had somehow managed to capture her affections in such different ways. Gale, with his quiet wisdom and steady, grounding presence; Astarion, with his sharp wit and magnetic charm. They were opposites in so many ways, and yet both had found their way into her heart.
Tav cleared her throat softly, drawing their attention. “I was wondering...”
Both men turned to her, their focus so absolute it made her stomach flutter.
“Yes, darling?” Astarion prompted, his voice smooth, curiosity piqued in his crimson eyes.
“What’s on your mind?” Gale added, his tone gentle, encouraging.
Tav hesitated, her fingers once again tracing the golden embroidery on her robe. She glanced down, then back up at them, her green eyes glimmering with a mixture of shyness and resolve.
“Would it be... proper,” she began, her voice soft but steady, “for me to ask for a kiss? Or two, as it stands?”
The silence that followed was palpable, broken only by the soft crackle of the fire. Gale blinked, his expression one of startled surprise, while Astarion’s lips parted slightly, as though he were caught off guard for once.
Then, as if on cue, Astarion’s mouth curled into a slow, wicked grin. “Oh, my sweet, sweet Tav,” he drawled, leaning forward just enough to close some of the distance between them. “Proper or not, I can assure you, it would be my absolute pleasure.”
Gale, though still visibly flustered, composed himself quickly. He cleared his throat, his gaze meeting hers with a warmth that made her heart skip a beat. “If that’s what you want, Tav,” he said, his voice low and sincere, “then I would be honoured.”
Her cheeks burned, but she nodded, her lips curling into a small, nervous smile. “I... I do. I think it might help, you know. To make this feel a little less... hypothetical.”
Astarion chuckled softly, his crimson eyes sparkling with amusement. “Always the practical one, aren’t you?”
“Well,” Tav said, laughing, “someone has to be.”
Astarion tilted his head, his expression softening as he reached out a hand. “May I, then?” he asked, his voice unusually gentle.
Tav hesitated only a moment before nodding, her heart racing as she leaned toward him.
Astarion’s touch was featherlight at first, his fingertips brushing against her jaw as he tilted her face toward him. His lips were cool but impossibly soft as they met hers, the kiss both tender and teasing, with just enough pressure to make her breath catch. When he pulled back, there was a glint of satisfaction in his eyes.
“You taste just as sweet as I imagined..” he murmured, his voice a low purr.
Tav’s blush deepened, but she managed a shaky laugh. “You’re impossible.”
“Impossibly charming.” Astarion corrected, reclining back with a self-satisfied smirk.
Gale cleared his throat again, drawing her attention. His expression was softer, his eyes full of quiet affection as he reached for her hand. “May I?” he asked, his voice warm and steady.
Tav nodded again, her heart fluttering as Gale leaned in. His kiss was entirely different from Astarion’s—gentle and unhurried, as if he wanted to savor every moment. His hand lingered against her cheek, his thumb brushing lightly against her skin as he pulled back just enough to meet her gaze.
“You are extraordinary,” he said softly, his voice filled with sincerity.
Tav’s breath hitched, her heart pounding in her chest as she looked between them, her lips tingling from their kisses. She felt lightheaded, but in the best possible way, as if she were floating on air.
“Well,” she said finally, her voice a little breathless but laced with humour, “I think that was... very helpful.”
Astarion laughed, a rich, melodic sound. “Oh, my darling, you are an absolute treasure...”
“And you’re sure about this?” Gale asked, his expression still gentle but tinged with concern.
Tav nodded, her smile soft but certain. “I’m sure.”
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Tav excused herself with a soft, bashful smile, retreating to her tent and leaving Astarion and Gale alone by the dwindling fire.
Astarion broke the quiet first, his voice a low, amused murmur. “I’m aware you can’t smell it, but she was very happy when she left. Probably going to take her edge off...”
Gale spluttered, his face immediately turning red. “Astarion!”
“What?” Astarion asked innocently, though the wicked gleam in his eyes betrayed him. “It’s not my fault you’re oblivious. Honestly, Gale, it’s a pity you can’t smell her. She smells divine.”
Gale opened his mouth to retort but found himself utterly flustered, his words tangling in his throat.
“Oh, come now, Gale,” Astarion continued, his grin widening as he leaned forward, resting his chin in his hand. “Don’t tell me you weren’t tempted tonight. If she had asked you for more than a kiss, you’d have followed her to that tent without a moment’s hesitation.”
“That’s not—” Gale began, only for Astarion to cut him off with a chuckle.
“It is.” the vampire purred, his tone dripping with amusement. “You’ve thought about her far more... intimately than you let on. And just as I can smell her, I can smell you, Gale.”
Gale froze, his blush deepening as his mind raced for a response.
“You’re actually very cute when you blush...” Astarion added, his tone teasing but laced with genuine curiosity.
For Gale, it suddenly felt as though Astarion was much too close. The vampire had a way of closing the distance without warning, his presence magnetic and overwhelming. Gale had been honest with him earlier—he did think Astarion was handsome. How could he not? He had eyes, after all. But this proximity, this intensity, was something else entirely.
Astarion’s smirk softened, his crimson eyes gleaming with something almost contemplative as he studied Gale. “Hmm,” he murmured, tilting his head slightly.
“What are you on about now?” Gale asked, his voice strained as he leaned back slightly, as though putting distance between them might ease the tension.
“Just wondering,” Astarion said smoothly, his voice dropping to a softer, almost intimate tone, “if you’d let me kiss you, if I asked.”
Gale stared at him, his breath catching. For a moment, the world seemed to narrow, the crackling fire and the distant sounds of the camp fading into nothing.
Astarion arched a brow, his smirk returning. “Well? Shall I take your silence as a yes, or are you about to scurry off to your own little tent as well?”
Gale swallowed hard, his voice low as he finally answered. “I... wouldn’t say no...”
The vampire’s grin turned triumphant, and before Gale could second-guess himself, Astarion leaned in.
The kiss started light, Astarion’s lips cool against Gale’s, testing, teasing. Gale’s initial surprise quickly gave way to curiosity, and then something warmer, deeper. Astarion was, unsurprisingly, an exceptionally good kisser, his every movement confident and precise.
But Gale was not one to be outdone. He kissed back with increasing fervour, his hands gripping the edge of the log beneath him for support as he pressed forward. What began as something almost chaste quickly escalated—Astarion’s hand slipped to the back of Gale’s neck, pulling him closer as the kiss deepened.
The tension that had simmered between them for weeks ignited, their breaths mingling as they broke apart for only the briefest of moments before Astarion closed the distance again. Gale’s hands, almost of their own accord, found their way to Astarion’s waist, pulling the vampire closer.
“Well, well, well...” Astarion murmured against Gale’s lips, his voice low and amused, though tinged with something darker, more intense. “You’ve been holding out on me, wizard. You’re far more passionate than I expected.”
“I don’t like to lose..” Gale replied, his voice breathless but determined, before capturing Astarion’s lips again.
The kiss grew hungrier, more heated, and before long, Gale found himself pressed back against the log, Astarion leaning over him with that infuriatingly smug smirk.
“Oh, darling..” Astarion purred, his crimson eyes glowing in the firelight, “this is going to be so much fun.”
Gale’s breath hitched as Astarion leaned over him, the firelight casting flickering shadows across the vampire’s sharp, elegant features. There was something undeniably predatory in the way Astarion looked at him, his crimson eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and desire.
Gale, however, wasn’t one to back down. He pushed himself upright, forcing Astarion to shift back slightly, and gave the vampire a look that was both challenging and inviting. “You’re enjoying this far too much,” Gale said, his voice low, though it carried an edge of humour.
Astarion’s smirk widened. “And you’re not?”
Gale opened his mouth to respond, but Astarion didn’t give him the chance. The vampire closed the distance between them again, his cool lips capturing Gale’s in a kiss that was anything but restrained. Astarion’s hands found Gale’s shoulders, his fingers curling into the fabric of the wizard’s robes as he pressed closer.
For a moment, Gale let himself get lost in it. Astarion’s kisses were intoxicating, a heady mixture of confidence and skill that made Gale’s pulse race. But Gale was nothing if not competitive, and he wasn’t about to let Astarion take full control.
With a sudden surge of boldness, Gale shifted, his hands finding Astarion’s waist and pulling him closer. The movement caught the vampire off guard, and he let out a soft, surprised laugh against Gale’s lips.
“Oh,” Astarion murmured, his voice a purr, “so you do have a spine. How delightful.”
“You’ll find I have more than that,” Gale replied, his tone steady despite the flush still lingering on his cheeks.
Astarion arched a brow, his smirk turning wicked. “Is that so?”
Gale answered by leaning forward, his lips trailing along the edge of Astarion’s jaw and down to his neck. Astarion tilted his head back with a low hum of approval, his fingers tightening on Gale’s shoulders.
“Careful, wizard,” Astarion murmured, his voice rich and teasing. “You might make me think you actually know what you’re doing.”
Gale pulled back just enough to meet Astarion’s gaze, his own eyes dark with determination. “Perhaps you should stop underestimating me.”
Astarion’s laughter was soft and warm, a sound that sent a shiver down Gale’s spine. “Oh, darling, I’m starting to think I’ll have to.”
Their lips met again, this time with a fierceness that left little room for restraint. Gale felt Astarion’s hands slide down his shoulders to his chest, his touch firm and deliberate as he tugged at the fabric of Gale’s robes. Gale’s own hands wandered, finding their way to Astarion’s back and pulling him closer still.
Somewhere in the back of his mind, Gale knew they should stop before things went too far, but the thought was quickly drowned out by the heat building between them. Astarion’s lips moved with a skill that made Gale’s thoughts scatter, and the vampire’s quiet hums of approval only spurred him on.
“By the gods,” Gale managed to murmur between kisses, his voice breathless. “You really are insufferably good at this.”
Astarion chuckled, his tone as smug as ever. “I do strive for excellence in all things, darling.”
The firelight danced around them, the rest of the camp silent as the two men continued their heated exchange. For Gale, the world had narrowed to just this moment—Astarion’s touch, his teasing words, and the undeniable pull that had been building between them for weeks.
And for Astarion, it was more than just a game. There was something exhilarating about the way Gale responded to him, the way the usually reserved wizard had let go of his inhibitions and met him with equal passion.
Neither of them noticed the faint rustle of fabric in the distance, or the quiet footsteps retreating back to Tav’s tent.
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