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Storms always set you on edge. The horrid claps of thunder and endless vibrations sending you right back to that crashing ship. Explosions racing over the night sky. Tonight was one of those nights. Sopping wet and miserable. Not to mention the pretty vampire behind you complaining the entire trip. Boots trudging over mud and stone.
It was an easy enough task. Finding magical artifacts here. Slaying a few enemies there. Your every quest seemed to run together at a certain point. You could have gone alone but Astarion was bored. Poor thing. His words. Not that he liked your company. No, no, no. Not at all.
You teased him for that before trekking out. The smell of rain was already in the air before the sky began to grey. Sunset moving too quickly. Shelter seemed like a logical option when the task was finished. No use traveling back in this mess.
Astarion saw you cringe with every flash and boom. Sparks rippling across the sky. Your shoulders rising. You might have even given the slightest whimper under the pound of rain. Fingers flexing out with a spell ready. Not like that’ll do you any good.
You told him you could keep going. You were fine. Fine. The trek wouldn’t be too long. It’s not that bad. Lie. Lie. Lie.
Astarion pretended it was all his brilliant idea. He urged for proper shelter, mumbling that he was too pretty to be out in this filth. Splashing through mud as the rain ruined his hair and clothing. It wasn’t at all for your benefit. Wasn’t at all about easing your fears. So he said.
“A tent will do us no good in this,” he uttered, catching your eyes. A little sway in his body. Playful. “You should see me in plush covers. I wouldn’t mind seeing you spread across them either, darling. You’ll feel so much better when you’re relaxed again. Maybe a little cuddle.”
Heat crept up your expression. His dramatic way was amusing even if it irritated you. Always so bold when it came to such carnal matters. The strange twist struck between your souls had no strings. That is what you told each other. Just some fun. Just pleasure. Maybe a nibble here and there.
Another flash decorated the sky. The boom signaled that the worst of the storm was near. You stepped closer to him as you looked. He saw the lights glint in your eyes.
“Suppose so,” you puffed, defeated. Soaked.
Water was still dripping from every curl of his white locks by the time a shelter presented itself. An inn with warm firelight flickering from every window. A quick exchange of coin and key before you both were walking creaky steps into something somewhat cozy. Music and patrons echoed from the tavern downstairs. Maybe a drink was a good idea for your nerves.
Astarion had similar sentiments looking at you.
“Best get out of these wet clothes, hm.” Breezy and light, he stared at you while unfastening a few outer layers. Cool and collected. A growing thirst rising. “No time to waste.”
“Oh, so subtle,” you quipped, lighting a fire with the quick twitch of a spell. A sigh elicited into some warmth. At last.
“Only thinking of you, love. Can’t have you sick for the rest of our trip. My poor thing.” He shook his hair out after pulling fabric over his head. “Be a shame to waste the bed. We have firelight and some music. It’s almost perfect.”
“Almost?” You faced him. Water droplets hitting his bare chest to run down the gorgeous lines of him. Fingers pulled at the ties of your own wet clothing to peel it off. Slowly. Too slowly.
“Yes. In another life, I might have taken you somewhere with a view to dine before getting you alone. So, almost perfect. I think we can get there with a little imagination tonight.” The hush of his baritone sent shivers down your spine.
You started to hang up the drenched fabric until a warm exhale ghosted like dragon’s fire over your neck. Astarion closing in on you as he flicked his own clothing over a small dresser and continued with a shift in his tone.
“You’re not your inquisitive self today.”
“I’m always quieter when we have to venture out.” You distractedly removed your belts.
“Oh, please, even your constant questions have shut off.”
Breath hitching, you turned into his chest. Inhaled that refined scent. The lingering of bergamot and rosemary under the rush of the storm that came for you both. A sly smile flicked at him.
“And here I thought you’d relish a break from that,” your voice lowered, “how sentimental.”
“Maybe I’d gotten used to talking about myself,” came the playful counter.
It was stark. The way he cared and shielded it. Layers of sparkling gossamer and pretty silks hiding too many truths. Surely, it fooled everyone else. Being so beautiful that it was a trap or a distraction.
You knew better. And knowing better was…
Exposing.
Rain continued to beat. Still pounding outside the locked windows. Shaking the glass. Washing so much away. Your breath trembled with his proximity.
“Skittish little one tonight, are we?” His pale fingers reached up to assist you with those pesky buttons and ties. The glow of him shimmering tonight. Your own heart began to pick up a strange dance. A hymn he heard and echoed while he leaned in to play up his theatrics. “I could warm you. Distract you. I am feeling extra benevolent.”
A drink for you was out of the question because he already had your world spinning. Hazy with blown pupils and a speeding pulse. Astarion backed you up into the dresser as your top layers were off. Pushed away just so he could look at you. So he could lean down and lick rain from your collar to inhale toward that divine beat.
“Such a pretty song. All for me?” He taunted and teased until your hands cupped the sharp angles of his face. Bringing his mouth down into yours. Unable to stand another second without his air in your lungs. His skin on your skin. His palm pressed your heart to feel it while you kissed him.
Sometimes, Astarion still didn’t know what to do with himself when you initiated such gentle contact. Kisses and caresses. So many little exploring touches and stares to take all of him in. You adored him and he liked to be adored. But, this was more. So much more.
You peeled his rich layers aside and you weren’t sorry. He was glad you weren’t frankly.
This was real. It ached at first but you made sure it didn’t. After a while of him facing down the feelings, building fires around his heart that he armored too well once, he settled in the embers. With every touch, you made sure he felt worshiped and secure in his flesh. Whispers of what you both liked and how good it felt became a rush unlike anything else.
Touching freedom with another was remarkable. Truly, madly, deeply. Remarkable. New flowers blooming from the grounds of violence and rot. Thriving and appreciated by kind eyes.
He always thought you had astonishing eyes. A hand lifted, hesitating before cupping your face now. His chest sank at the contact. You covering his large palm to nudge into the cool skin. He looked at your eyes, sinking further. His thumb traced the swell of your lips, not prepared for the dainty kiss upon the pad.
You took his hand in both of yours. Beaming so bright. Warm sparks in your expression that never went out around him. Lips touched his wrist then his knuckles.
“I like your hands,” you said, smoothing your cheek where you just kissed. Shamelessly seeking his touch.
Astarion thought his knees might give out watching your mouth drag over his knuckles. Giving one peck to each pad so he could count them like stars. So he could make new constellations after Cazador snuffed so many out. Astarion only watched with his pretense shattering. Swift and graceful.
A rare show of vulnerability in his eyes before he took your chin and leaned back in. Needier this time. A charge building. Ready to burst. Lips opening upon contact.
“Astarion.” You let him drink your moan down so he lifted you an inch or so half onto the edge he’d pinned you into. Those fingers already opened the laces of your trousers to slip inside. Needing to know. Needing to feel.
“Do you like my hand here?” he whispered into your skin. A whine betrayed you and thrilled him. Your hands pressed tight into his shoulders to stay somewhat level. “What was that?”
“Yes,” you squeaked out.
“Already so worked up. Maybe I can bring that voice back myself.” Astarion chuckled as you pulled him closer into your body. Your legs opened for him while he cupped you for a shameless rub. Fuck. You buried your face into his neck. The two perfect scars there rubbed your cheek. “Why, I’ve barely touched you. So needy.”
“Maybe I thought of you along the road,” you tried to taunt back, rocking into his big hand ever so slightly.
“Thought I might grant you a little ease, hm?” he came out to see your eyes. His lips parted to sigh when he sank his middle and ring finger inside. Relishing how your lips went slack. “Thought about how perfectly I’d play you through the night?”
“Yes!” You tried hard to articulate but he was relentlessly working you. Chasing your fears and nerves aside with pleasure instead. His tongue swiped the hollow of your throat when he curved into you. He let you hold him in close. Nose running your chilled skin until his mouth closed around your nipple for a suck.
Fingers slid into his damp curls. You captured his lips the second his head lifted. Felt him shudder while you planted all your kisses along his cheek and jaw. One graze of his pointy ear had his mouth opening. You mapped out stars on his flesh. Burned him to the marrow. Burned him too sweetly. Honey dripping from every edge.
“Oh, my little love, you’re divine.” Astarion felt himself melting into you. His fingers slipped out so he could tug you in and yank your trousers down. Muscles flexed in his arms closing around you. A gasp filtered. You hit the bed and bounced.
“You’re eager,” the joke slipped away quick with a roll of thunder that rattled the walls. Instinctively, your eyes flicked up and about before his hand on your cheek coaxed you back.
“It’s just me,” his lips found yours, “just us tonight.” Astarion worked the rest of your clothing and boots off. “Just us. Say it.”
Fingers took your chin. Made you stay locked in. Made you stay with him. The glint of his big, red eyes shined there. Weakened your resolve. Rain washed everything away.
“Just us.” Your hands pawed to turn Astarion on his back. A little shock ran through him. You always gave back with such fervor. Always made sure his needs were met which he wasn't used to.
Always made sure your stars shined together.
You straddled his thigh and focused on the ties of his pants. Skin to skin contact until there was no telling where you ended and he began. Astarion watched you, propped up on his elbows. Liking this. Loving it.
Loving you. It was simple even when it ached. Even when he beat himself up for falling. You both made it an easy task despite everything.
“Darling, I had you right where I wanted-ah!” His voice clipped off. You killed it swiftly. Scorched his every thought the second your mouth closed around his tip. “Fuck.”
You held him so intimately there. Slid your mouth down over his cock until he gave a small, needy buck. His eyes clouded and lips rendered useless. You just heard your name. A delicate plea for more of you.
Astarion let you care and tend to him. Sometimes he even let himself ask for more. Falling back into the mattress, he savored you. Your ass in the air as you were filled to your throat. Your pretty eyes lifting to see him react between laps and suckles. Lips working down his shaft. Stroking him when you came up.
“Come up here, love, let me taste you tonight.” Astarion had you in his grasp for a filthier kiss. Mouth opening as he tasted himself on your tongue. A trail of spit between your hot lips swelling. “Let me taste all of you.”
A push sent you back again. Always having to steal a little control, Astarion hovered. Blocked the storm outside as best he could with his body.
“I wanted to try something new.” His thighs spread your legs open when he bent over for a slower kiss. Your palms running his skin.
“Drink from me,” you whispered, body twisting for his touch. You cupped his face there to see that smile cross. “I want you. Want this…”
“I hoped you’d ask.” Astarion pressed his cool lips to your neck but he didn’t bite. Not there.
Instead, he went lower. In no rush. Exploring your frame with his hands. Mesmerized. You lifted one palm to kiss his wrist before settling his hand down. Just for him to feel your heart pounding. Just so he knew what he did to you.
“Astarion?” You mumbled. His lips pecking at your hip and stomach. Legs parting for more. For him. For anything to touch you. The side of his face nuzzled at your thigh. Hot and tender flesh. All his.
“Trust me, little love. Can you trust me?” Nuzzles turned to kisses. “Trust me. I’ll say pretty please if I must. Pretty please for my pretty sweet.”
Your legs bent to spread just a little wider for him. Astarion touched his mouth to your inner thigh. One hand snaked up to cup your tit, fingers rolled over your nipple.
Splayed against the pillows, you bowed. His other palm held your leg. Tightening until you stilled.
“Twitching open for more. Go on. Play with yourself for me. Let me watch you now. Let me see it.”
Relief quelled in your gut. A fire spread over your cheeks. His eyes so close while your fingers sank down. You spread your folds open.
The sight made him moan aloud. Fingers slipped against your wet clit. A throbbing ache pulsed. Astarion hummed. Loving every little sound you made.
“Trust me,” he said again, "and don't stop playing." One slow kiss against your skin signaled what he had in mind.
He’s never…
Not there at least.
You, who’d been his first and only delicacy. You looked down at him. Wanting it.
“Can I…” A kiss. “Please?”
“I want you,” came your whisper. Fingers working yourself up to ethereal clouds.
Astarion's fangs bared and sank down just barely into your most tender flesh. You locked up with a gasp. He squeezed your breast and felt your body seize, waiting until you relaxed. Murmurs soothing you.
"Just me...I'm here. I have you..."
Fangs broke the skin just a little. Just enough. Careful not to nick anything important. Just a nibble. Eyes on your clumsy fingers processing pleasure and pain. He moaned low at the metallic taste spreading over his tongue.
“Gods,” you arched for him, “yes.”
A hard suckle into the beading red followed. He drank from your inner thigh. So close to your bared wet sex. You both moaned. Lost. Found. That usual stab of ice numbed. Coolness spread over your skin.
“Divine. I need it. All of you,” he repeated to himself. There were other ways to drain you. More delicious than this. He believed that now. His tongue worked soothing circles into the bite. Hushing and preening you.
A thin line of red smeared his lips. No warning. No beat skipped. And then he pushed up into your mound, moving your fingers away.
"Fuck!" you cried out. Forgot everything outside the room while his tongue swirled and flicked at your bud. Suckling it swollen and wet. Palms kept you spread for his mouth.
Astarion was careful with you. Rough still when he needed and wanted to be. Euphoria crawled over your every bone and joint. Thighs writhing with no escape as he held you against his lips. Lifting your hips a little off the bed. Devouring you utterly.
He thought to eat his way through you. Tasting you in every way there was.
The bite on your inner thigh twitched. Astarion moaned into you. His cock twitching and leaking. Smothering himself into your pussy and thrilled about it.
“I could have you all night like this,” he mumbled into you. One of your hands found his white locks. Tugged.
“More,” you urged, “don’t stop. Astarion, please.”
The plea ravaged him. He buried his mouth back down in response. Sly red eyes lifting to watch you writhe there. Flashes of you so opulent in firelight. Teeth sinking into your bottom lip. Cheeks hot. Lashes fluttering. The hush of a moan lifting. Every twitch under your flesh. Each picture of you seared him.
If his heart could beat, it would for you.
“Chase it,” he sank those persuasive fingers into you, “just chase it for me, little love.”
You tried to say his name with a hint of warning but the syllables came out like ashes on the wind. Already bowing for him. Pleasure lighting you up. Sparks across the sky. You cried out. Felt him drag your hips up off the bed to finish you. Legs over his strong shoulders. Drawing it out until your throat seized with the rest of you.
Fingers tore at pillows. Forced into an arch, you rode each wave as he settled you back down. Peppering his lips all over in a way of praise. Hovering so he could admire you splayed and out of breath. The buzz of the storm lost on you.
“You make me so insatiable,” Astarion leaned down, “and I shall never mind it.”
He drained you. Filled you. Made your knees weaken and stitched your every bleeding seam. A security and strength between you both forged like hot irons.
“Kiss me,” a gentle plea made him still. Made him look. Really look.
“Gods, you’re beautiful,” he said in his trance.
You brought one hand up to his cheek and he didn’t shy further. Lips touched your forehead and cheek. Sought out your mouth. You urged him down into your body, fingers combing into his hair.
"I like the way you taste," came the confession. None of his usual frills attached.
Just so good. You cradled him. Made him feel dainty and safe. Temples nudged and he felt down to rub himself into you, seeking solace with your body.
Astarion filled you with a single thrust and stayed there. His fingers tight into the pillow while you squeezed him, still twitching from the first end. Fangs flashed. You saw his entire expression scrunch and crease. Brow furrowed while his lip gave a strange wobble. Marble still. Relishing this. You.
Mumbling your name, he relaxed to come up. Wanting to watch you before he gave a shallow thrust. A desperate hand felt for yours to lace trembling fingers. You tasted yourself on his lips. Watched him fuck you thoughtlessly. Hard thrusts with you spread wide before he let himself lie against you again. Nuzzling at your jaw.
He decided against another taste with his free hand on your throat. Thumb smoothing the pulse there. Whining, you wrapped yourself around him. Felt the scars all along his back. It took Astarion a few rounds to let you trace and kiss them over the slow weeks.
“Is this alright?” You uttered because you still were in the habit to ask. His face burrowed down into your throat. The stroke of his cock pounding into you harder while the bed jostled. His voice was lost this time but he nodded slightly into you.
Shivers stole his bundling nerves as you rocked together. Your fingertips running his skin. Groans and cries barely carrying above the storm. Not caring if the entire inn heard you. The thought riled him further.
“Pretty as a picture like this. Begging under me so sweetly.” He moaned, rutting into you roughly. “I’d like to fuck you on something silk and expensive next while you're dripping in jewels.”
Astarion turned his charm back up. He tried to pretend your simple touch didn’t undo him. Tried to pretend that sharing this beautiful slice of freedom with you wasn’t the highlight of his every waking day.
Being with you made him acutely aware that his body was his again.
Sometimes, he felt there was no repaying that in secret.
You'd never need such a thing. You were happy that he was. That was enough. Fighting together through this was enough. Power wasn't everything. You could only hope he came out of all this believing that.
When you felt his sharp edges softening on starry nights like this, it felt possible to come out of it all together. Maybe there'd even be a beautiful moonlit night to dance under down the line. Maybe.
Maybe...
“And my pretty, little love deserves everything her heart desires. Everything she wants shall be within reach.”
In response, you pulled him back against you. Tighter. Lips touched his sensitive ear.
“I have what I want.” The admittance almost broke him. Almost. Your hands roamed, coaxing him faster. Deeper. He held back less. Pinned you there to thrust with an obscene sound. Shuddering. Closing in on his own end. Whimpering for you too sweetly. “Stay with me. Stay.”
You tucked him in close, pleading with each gasp. Nails in his shoulder blades. Overcome.
“Touch me,” you nearly wailed when he did, “right there! Astarion, there!”
“Hearing my name from that mouth. Fuck! Give me another,” Astarion was all encouragement as he sank into you and rubbed in tune, “I know you have another.” Fingers worked your every raw ache. Sent sparks up your belly that churned everything over and over. “Feel it, darling, just feel it. Let go for me.”
The wave crashed again. You thought stars burst from every dark corner. A cry elicited with your entire body quivering. Wrapped tight around him to stay in this realm. Feeling you quake pushed him to an edge. You held his face when he sprang into a curve toward you. Slipping out to finish on your skin.
You whispered to him as he climaxed. That he was beautiful. That he felt so good. That he was here with you. Safe.
He was safe.
Tangled into your legs, Astarion settled down half atop you. You tucked his head under your chin. Decided to take control of the aftercare part this time because he so often liked to charge that as well. The realization made him shiver while he tried to hold some semblance of himself together. Tried not to get all weepy into your pulse.
"What are you...?"
Astarion went still at you petting his hair and spine. Rubbing his muscles. Hard not to purr for it the more he went lax. Eyes fluttered and then he came back to spring up. Hovering again on his elbows. A question dawned in your expression but he came back to himself and gathered you while he sunk back down.
"Are you alright?" you offered carefully.
"I am."
A beat.
“Your heart is loud,” he mumbled, inhaling at your collar.
“So is yours,” you resumed playing with all his alabaster curls. Tracing his cheekbone and ear. His fingers brushing featherlight over your temples when his weight was back on you.
“You cannot hear my heart.” His eyes cracked open to watch the dying embers glow. Naked skin pressed. Both of you swaying down in distant clouds.
“I can imagine it,” you tapped the beat into his spine for him, “I hear it plenty. You could be in pitch black and I’d still know. Still hear it. Still see your lovely eyes beam like ruby candlelight.”
Astarion shut his eyes. Savored. Drank down every piece you gave him. You continued to tap an imaginary beat for him. Maybe he’d recall what it was like. Maybe being close to you was his reminder to live. He had so much to do.
You’d talk of your possible forever another time. Now was enough. He’d follow you into the pitch black. Follow you anywhere because he wanted to. Because he had the freedom to. Because you saved him. You loved him back.
There would be so many more storms. Lying there with you tonight still felt like a beginning. He nudged up into your jaw for more affection. More praise. More touch. Lips lifting, you continued to caress and explore him. The parts of himself he granted in turn.
Astarion opened his eyes again for a sigh with a little added drama. Dropped the mask completely. Just two souls, strangely too young somehow to be fighting such fires in life. Craving the stillness of peace. Maybe it would come when the storm was out. Maybe you’d create it here with the fire dispersing. Maybe that dance under moonlight wasn't far off.
“Can we stay like this,” he softened, “for a while longer?”
A protective hand cupped his skull. You held each other there in the dark. Safe.
“Yes, it’s just us,” you assured him, “be a shame to waste the bed. You had a point.”
Astarion smiled into your pulse. The mingling lullaby of your heart and the gentle beat you were tapping into his back. His palm felt for your jaw. Thumb tracing circles. Protecting each other without words or armor. Just gentle touches into the veil of night. Free to touch and love without a weight. Without fear.
The most beautiful thing in the world.
“I always do, love.”
~~~~~~
Let's take it down
To the heart
Let's take it down
To where the loving starts
Where we're just kids in the dark