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The stars offer you no solace tonight.
Instead their gentle twinkling light seems only to mock you, taking you back to the memory Gale shared with you from his meeting with her.
Mystra.
The goddess who has held so much of Gale’s past in her hands and apparently still seems to have him in her grasp.
Your self worth has always been something you’ve struggled with, especially in relationships. So, when Gale showed interest in you all those weeks ago you had a hard time accepting it, especially when you found out about his past with the goddess.
But you’d started to love past that. As each day with Gale he proved his love for you more and more, with each little action or sweet word. He told you of the betrayal he faced at Mystras hand, how he had been cast aside and now with the orb in his chest…
You shake your head.
All of that has shattered now. That tiny voice in your head coming back full force after your visit to Mystra’s shrine. After Gale had seemed so excited about the prospect of earning his goddess’ forgiveness by giving her the crown.
You have to fight the tears that burn at the back of your eyes.
Even now, Gale is off at Sorcerers' Sundries trying to learn more about the crown, asking Rolan if there are any more tomes he may have on hand.
That little voice is loud tonight. Louder than it’s ever been as you gaze at the stars from the balcony of your shared room at the Elfsong. Telling you that you were right all along. You’re not worthy of a man like Gale.
How can you be? How can you ever compare to a goddess?
The tears finally slip down your cheeks then, unable to contain the emotions that have been building in your chest.
And as if the goddess herself wants to torment you, it’s at that same moment that the door to your room creaks open, Gales' excited voice drifting through the air.
“You’ll never believe what I was able to find at Sorcerous Sundries,” he says happily, and you hear him set something down somewhere behind you as you try to wipe fruitlessly at your tears.
You can hear Gale approach where you're standing, and you turn your face away just as he comes up to your side.
“Rolan truly is a visionary, he was the one able to point me in the direction of-“
A particularly harsh sniffle from you makes Gale stop in his tracks, brows furrowing in concern.
“What’s wrong, my love? Are you alright?” He asks, reaching out to wrap an arm around your waist, hand settling on your hip.
Just another reminder of where you feel you fall short of Mystra.
You step out of his embrace, missing the way his face further crumples, confused at your withdrawn state.
Gale is not blind, nor is he deaf or inattentive. He knows of your struggles when it comes to relationships and your own self image, you’ve told him as much. But things were good - you’ve both made great strides when it comes to your relationship.
So why are you pulling away?
You shake your head, still wiping at the tears that won’t stop. “I’m fine, Gale.”
He takes a step closer to you, frowning deeper when you take a step back. “Clearly not,” he says gently. “Please, you know you can confide in me, as I have you. Talk to me, my love.”
Finally, you turn to look at him fully, face hot and eyes wet with tears.
“Will you go back to her?” You finally ask, voice cracking through the lump in your throat.
Gale looks puzzled. “I’m afraid I don’t understand what you mean.”
You take a deep breath, chest heaving. “To Mystra, Gale. Are you-“ your words break as you fight back a sob. “She asked for the crown in return for removing the orb, correct?”
“Yes, but I have yet to see why that is causing you such upset-“
“Because she’s a goddess!” You cry, tears coming down harder than before. “She’s offering you forgiveness, for you to be back in her good graces and I-“ a sob interrupts your words. “Why would you ever stay with me when you can go back to her? Why do you love me?”
Gale’s lips part in surprise, eyes widening as it finally settles in why you’re upset. And if you could see through your tears, you would see the heartbreak that displays itself on his face.
“She’s beautiful,” you continue, “and I-I’m this!” You gesture at yourself, heart threatening to snap in two.
How did you ever think he would stay?
You’re just about to turn and leave the balcony, leave the room in an effort to leave before he can prove you right. But before you can escape two warm hands cup your face, thumbs wiping at the tears that still cling to your cheeks.
“Put those vile thoughts from your mind. You are a sight to behold, more beautiful than any god or goddess,” Gale whispers, brown eyes searching your own as he pulls you close. “Mystra may still be my goddess but that is all,” he says firmly.
“I did agree to bring her the crown. But only so she could take this orb from my chest. Forgiveness be damned. I would not care if she took the crown and never looked upon me again,” he admits, thumbs moving down to trace gently over your lips.
“I could not bear the thought of living the rest of my life with you with that threat looming over us. I agreed for you. For us.”
His words are so full of conviction as he whispers them into the air between you, his lips almost brushing yours from how close he stands. You want to believe him, and in truth you do. You do believe him, because he’s shown you time and time again that he chooses you over anything. He even chose you over the crown, the chance at godhood.
Yet that voice is still there, even if it’s quieter than before.
“But… why?” you ask again, voice matching his in a whisper. “Why do you choose me when you’re worthy of so much… more.”
Gale presses his forehead to your own, your noses bumping together as his lips brush your cheek.
“If anyone is unworthy in this situation, it is me,” he tells you softly. “A man fallen from the grace of the gods. I have failed myself and you in more ways than one and yet you still remain by my side. Please…” His lips brush yours once more. “Let me do the same for you. Don’t push me away.”
Before you can respond, Gale presses his lips to yours, arms moving to slide around your waist as he pulls you close.
This time you don’t stop him.
This time you stay. You let him kiss you and let him embrace you as he pours his love into you.
Only when he pulls away do you finally find words.
“I’m sorry,” you whisper.
Gale's lips tilt up in a small smile as he shakes his head. “Do not apologize to me, my love. Just know that I love you to the ends of the universe, and hold that love in your heart whenever those thoughts of doubt try to creep back in.”
You nod, moving to wrap your arms around him as you nuzzle into the crook of his neck. “I love you too.”
Gale hums low in his chest as he holds you tighter, swaying gently in the cool night air of the balcony.
And when you pull away just enough to look up at the stars…you swear they shine just a bit brighter than before.