Chapter Text
Cazador was finally dead, and Astarion felt like he could live again. He had wanted to ascend, but Whisper managed to convince him not to. Though he still wasn’t sure about their choice to unleash thousands of spawn into the Underdark.
When Astarion took Whisper to see his grave, it was the start of his new life, represented by the new carving he made on his headstone. He finally admitted he loved Whisper, then showed her physically as well. He had to go slow, to make sure not to draw any attention because of the public setting, and to make sure he was mentally ready for intimacy again. For once, he could genuinely enjoy the act. The old feelings of shame and disgust did try to rise up, but he was able to dismiss them, focus on the here and now with the Bhaalspawn that somehow stole his undead heart.
Once they had their little bit of fun in the graveyard, they returned back to the Elfsong tavern, passing the big room that the party shared and heading into one of the smaller individual rooms. The night was just starting, and they didn’t want to keep any of their companions up with their continued celebrations.
They were both breathing heavily, Astarion still holding himself up over Whisper as they both came down from their excitement. She lay under him on her back, their clothes thrown about the room and the blanket barely still in place over the bed. She smiled as she reached a hand up to caress the side of Astarion’s face.
“You look so happy right now,” she observed, tracing a thumb over his cheekbone.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been happier,” Astarion admitted, rolling over to lay on the bed and scooping Whisper into his arms to lay on his chest. “I’m finally free, safe. And with you.” He placed a kiss on the top of her head. “One evil master down, one to go.”
Whisper lifted her head off of Astarion’s chest to look down at him as though he’d gone crazy. “But, mine’s a god. We can’t fight Bhaal!” she protested.
“I thought Cazador was impossible to defeat too, but we managed that,” Astarion pointed out. “Freedom was impossible, until it wasn’t.” He tilted his head a bit. “Maybe we could talk to Jaheira. She has experience with Bhaal and Bhaalspawn. Later, of course.” His eyes flicked down to their naked bodies with a smirk.
“I don’t know about fighting the god of murder, but I really hope there can be some way I can be free of the urges,” Whisper stated, clenching her hands. Astarion took her right hand in his left, holding it until her grip on nothing loosened enough that he could slip his hand in hers.
“Maybe we can start with this goblin butler of yours,” Astarion suggested, his voice lowering into a growl.
“You really don’t like him,” Whisper noted with some amusement, lowering back down to rest her chin on her hand laying on Astarion’s chest. “You haven’t even met him. He mixes lies with things that could be true to manipulate me to serve Bhaal.” She frowned. “He tried to tell me that you’d never believe that I liked you for more than just your looks. I’d be glad to prove that one wrong.”
“I won’t lie, the thought did cross my mind. Perhaps more than it should’ve,” Astarion stated, voice soft. “And I do wonder how long you’ll stay with me once I’m chased back to the shadows.” He reached down to run his hand through Whisper’s hair, brushing it back.
Whisper shook her head. “The only reason I’d leave you is if I become too much of a danger to you. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you, especially if it was my own hand.”
Astarion moved suddenly, rolling over and grabbing Whisper’s wrists, pinning her to the bed with her hands up by her head. The half-elf yelped in surprise, looking up at the vampire with wide eyes. “Then it looks like you’re stuck with me,” he said with a smirk. Leaning down, he added quietly, “We’ve already proven we can handle when the urges get bad. You just let me know if you feel like you need to get tied up,” he gave a playful smirk, showing his fang. “If it comes up suddenly, I AM a skilled vampire spawn, and I’m stronger than I’ve ever been. I’ve got you.”
Whisper smiled, relaxing into the mattress under Astarion. The elf bent down to give her a kiss, a quick one, before getting up to pull the blanket out from under them, pulling it up and over them both. He snuggled under the blankets, wrapping an arm around Whisper. The half-elf let out a sigh, relaxing into Astarion’s arms and closing her eyes.
“You must be tired after today. Sleep, darling. I’ll be here,” Astarion said, just slightly above a whisper. Whisper seemed to finally relax, and it wasn’t long before her breathing and heartbeat slowed enough that Astarion was certain she was asleep for once. She actually looked… peaceful. Astarion smiled, before closing his own eyes to drift off into a trance.