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Astarion had gone stiff at the sight of those glowing eyes boring into him, and Tav and Karlach’s gaze flitted between them, as if calculating what to do. Gale stepped forward first, hands extended in surrender.
They glanced at him sharply, back to Astarion, and then they puffed away into a red mist. It almost made Gale want to question if Astarion could do such a thing, but he seemed the type to use whatever he had at his disposal. No, this was something to return to their ‘master’, of that Gale was certain.
Gale turned to Astarion, and though he didn’t look mad, Gale still felt it was him that had scared them off like so, “Sorry. Don’t think they like me.” He offered in way of an apology.
Astarion caught his eyes and shook his head, ever so slightly, and bit his lip.
“Friends of yours?” Tav questioned.
“Family.” Astarion replied simply, and his voice shook just a little.
“They didn’t look related...” Karlach looked confused and scratched her head.
“He means other spawn. Forced family.” Gale explained and walked back to Astarion’s side with his own questioning look, not too unlike Karlach’s, “Are you alright, ‘Star?”
Astarion nodded weakly at first, then shook his head to clear his mind it seemed, “Just startled me, seeing them again. I know we’re getting close to... him, but it just slipped my mind.”
He looked up to Gale and gave a real smile, “I swear, I’m fine. Just caught me off guard. It shan’t happen again.”
Gale took his hand and intertwined their fingers, “Well, I’m here, so Cazador won’t get close.”
“You can bet on that, Fangs. I’ll cleave him in two, promise.” Karlach grinned ear to ear, as if she weren’t just swearing to make a vampire lord into sliced bits.
Astarion huffed a laugh even as Tav nodded in agreement, “Thanks. Though I’d like first blows, and last if you could.”
“Now that, I don’t mind, as long as I can get a few swings in. I’ve got a Sunlight spell I bet he’d hate.” Tav assented, “I’ll save one
just
for him.”
There was a shift of his feet, “Thank you, truly, all of you.” Astarion managed, a happy yet concerned look on his face, “You don’t have to do this, fight him. He’s.... incredibly powerful.”
“And cruel, from what you’ve said. That’s enough for me, Fangs. Sounds too much like Gortash for me.” Karlach shook her head angrily and clenched her fists.
“As for him, we’ll stomp him too, won’t we?” Tav queried.
“Soundly.” Astarion agreed and Gale nodded.
“Then Cazador will be like swatting a fly. Or maybe a mosquito.” Tav pointed out.
“A mosquito.” Astarion huffed a little chuckle, “I like that. I hope it’s that easy. I don’t think it will be, but I’ve seen us take on quite a few ridiculous things.”
Tav smiled and Astarion mimicked the motion, and the tension was gone again, as easy as that. They all gathered back together and headed back out. Naturally, after one reunion, it was time for another.
Raphael was ready and waiting, a lavish room in Sharress’ Caress while Voss waited in an area below to speak with Lae’zel. One seemed easier than the other and they spoke with Voss first. After all that had happened with Vlaakith, it did not take much convincing to get Lae’zel to side with freeing Prince Orpheus, rather than keeping him imprisoned, though it would wait until they needed to, since the artifact could still protect them from the control of the Elder Brain after all.
Gale honestly knew Vlaakith hadn’t been a great goddess, even what the party had said about events at the crèche didn’t bring her up in his estimations. The line of thought continued though, and he thought again of Mystra, requesting as she had done, ignoring him otherwise, and it still stung. The seed of doubt was rooted steadily in him, and he was reminded of the party and their shared plights. Even Shadowheart had a goddess that’d been using her, and they yet knew how deep that ran with the deceit.
Perhaps Astarion had been right, they were an odd group of ‘weirdos’, but it was also what brought them together, and as Lae’zel trudged back to camp with the Orphic Hammer in tow, the rest of the party ascended the stairs to meet up with Raphael to see what he had to say.
Naturally, the devil had his deal. There were heated whispers between Tav and Karlach, but Gale and Astarion lagged by the door, one hand hovering over a dagger while another hand was ready to sling a spell. There was a mutual hate only held back by the discussion in front of them, and when Raphael extended his contract, they expected it to go up in flames.
When Tav took it though, the other two balked back as Raphael sneered happily, giving them a challenging look and then zapped away with a snap of his fingers.
“What in the
Hells
did you just agree to?” Astarion hissed.
“He wants the Crown that sat atop the Elder Brain, but only after we’ve defeated it.” Tav explained.
Gale’s mouth dropped open, “No!” He shouted and they all turned to him, “I mean, you can’t. It’s the Crown of Karsus. If it can subjugate the brain, who knows what he might use it for. That kind of power and he could...” He trailed off.
“Rule the Hells?” Karlach offered helpfully with a curl of her lips.
“Yes!” Gale agreed angrily, “So, this wasn’t the best of ideas.”
“And did you think I’d go through with it?” Tav countered.
Gale blinked at them for a few moments, “You... you have a plan?”
“No, I just went into a deal with a devil with no plan.” Tav huffed sarcastically, “Of course I had a plan, Gale.”
“And what, breaking a contract with Raphael is going to be
easy?
” He sassed in return.
Tav only shrugged, “Not like we haven’t pulled off more ridiculous stunts. I’m sure we’ll figure out something. We always do.”
An opening of his mouth and then he shut it again, and only gave a disgruntled sigh.
“He thought he was playing a game of cat and mouse Gale, you heard him. He just didn’t realize
we
are the cat, not him.” Tav insisted.
“And down come the claws.” Astarion added with a mirthful sneer.
Gale perked up and let the anger dissipate, “Sorry.” He apologized, “But the Crown of Karsus is dangerous in the wrong hands. Hells, even in the right ones.”
“There’s a magic shop, in Baldur’s Gate, we should visit. They may have more information about the Crown there, so we can be sure what we should do with it, if we can even get it.” He added.
He looked down at his own hands and furrowed his brow, but pale fingers took his and he looked up at Astarion, watching him carefully, “It’s just another thing for our little troupe to handle. Nothing more.”
“Fangs has got the idea.” Karlach grinned and the furrow dropped away like the anger had. They were right, and he could trust that.
“Now, after all that we’ve done, we never did get that drink we deserved.” Tav insisted and waved them towards the door, “We should stay here for the night.” They added.
“Here?” Gale hadn’t meant it to squeak out and Astarion made a soft chuckle only he heard.
“Come now, Gale, it’s only a brothel. You don’t
have
to partake if you don’t want to.” Astarion teased.
Gale tinged pink as they headed downstairs, only to have a pair of white-haired Drow twins offer Tav and them a ‘fun’ time. Tav declined politely, but did spring for rooms, though considering the price, they only got two, and gave a shrug, “I’m sure you two can share. Don’t have too much ‘fun’.” Tav waggled their eyebrows and Gale went pink again just when he’d been losing the color.
Astarion snaked an arm around Gale’s, “Oh, no promises.” He smirked and the shade spread.
“Come now, Gale, unless you’re interested in the Drow.” He tugged lightly on Gale’s arm to drag him towards the bar where Karlach had already downed a pint and swiftly ordered another.
Gale sputtered indignantly and Astarion chuckled warmly in response, “Only teasing, darling. Though if you did, I’d say at least you have a type.” He flicked his own hair in addition and Gale looked away.
“Not a no, dear.” He lilted and Gale tripped over his tongue in a flurry to respond.
“I... I...” He fumbled, then managed, “No, they’re pleasant, I’m sure, but I told you, I’m fine with just the
one
partner at a time, thank you very much.”
“So, you do have a type.” Astarion ribbed and Gale coughed on his own spittle in embarrassment. “You’re too easy, Gale, my darling, really.”
“Astarion, can we just grab a drink and drop the subject?” Gale whined once he had his breath back.
“You know what Gale, I doubt this swill will taste like anything to me, not that you might recall the tiefling party, but I’ll let you have some fun, and I’ll meet you in the room, what say you?”
“I can join you, it’s not like...” Gale stopped as Astarion quickly interrupted.
“No!” He cleared his throat, “I just mean, it’s fine, Gale. I can be patient.”
Gale raised an eyebrow, but Astarion’s one slip was all he was getting it seemed, as his face remained that blank mask that he was so good at wearing when he needed it.
“Just a few drinks.” Gale made it sound like a warning more than anything.
Astarion smirked, “Yes, that may be for the best. Don’t make me wait too long, Gale, my dear.”
Gale let go of the hand in his and ordered one drink while Karlach swallowed down the last of her third. Tav had just started their second and watched Gale carefully as Astarion padded upstairs.
“Am I missing something?” Tav queried.
“Nothing at all.” Gale replied, trying to seem nonchalant.
“Soldier, you’re a bit red in the face, and I
know
you’re not drunk yet.” Karlach noted with a happy grin.
He wasn’t as good at that as Astarion then, the hiding. He only gave what he hoped was a convincing smile and nursed the one drink. He did not order more, and by the time he was done Karlach was already on her seventh and Tav on their third. They did not prod him further, and when he did stand and say his good nights, Tav only gave him a wink, mouthed, ‘Have fun’, which he was sure brought back that blush he kept sporting.
Rather than leave on that note, he only leaned in, whispered at Karlach’s ear, placing something into a hand held at her back, and she perked up and smiled deviously but happily. Tav watched him suspiciously, but he only shrugged without an answer, heading upstairs as Karlach pulled Tav to her with a tug and a kiss.
Besides, he had his own ‘fun’ to attend to, and whatever Astarion had planned.
***Warning here for smut, skip ahead to the next three little stars if you’d like. Nothing plot important happens here.
It was rather obvious Astarion had something planned, after all. Gale had been around him long enough to see the nervous gestures, and the bashful side of Astarion now, and honestly if someone would have told him the rogue was like this when Gale had met him, Gale would have thought them completely mad. Astarion hid that sweet side of him often, but now, with Gale, he didn’t, and Gale positively
lived
for it.
Besides a rather light buzz in his skull, Gale wasn’t drunk, and he found the room with only a slight degree of difficulty, nearly stumbling into a rather private moment between some other couple. If Astarion had been there, he would have watched (given that moment, long ago with the bugbear and the ogre. Gale shuddered at the memory). Flushing pink, Gale quickly shut the door and opened the one to their own rented room.
Only to flush a deeper shade of red and close the door firmly and quickly behind him. He might not have been drunk, but he was certainly knocked off balance by the sight before him.
Astarion, hands tethered behind him by a crimson rope, wearing some incredibly revealing strappy ensemble, and of course nothing else but the Underdark dog collar, charm dangling on his neck.
“Perfect timing, my sweet. I haven’t been waiting long.” Astarion purred, and beckoned Gale with only a flick of his head.
Gale swallowed heavily, “How... how did you...” He motioned to the rope tethered to the bed post that kept Astarion’s arms above his head.
“I had a little help, darling. I’m not quite
that
skilled.” Astarion replied.
To keep his knees from just buckling beneath him in surprise, Gale sat on the edge of the bed, trying terribly hard not to stare.
“Are you... comfortable?” Gale’s eyebrows furrowed in concern.
Astarion gave him a soft look and a little chuckle, “I’m quite alright, dear, really. I appreciate the concern, but this is supposed to be for
your
enjoyment.”
“I know...” Gale fidgeted, ever nervous, still rather red in the face.
“You are ever so adorable when you’re flustered, Gale. Though I do wish you were wearing a few less clothes.” Astarion teased.
Gale gave a weak nod and shyly took off his robe, tugging off his shirt and his pants, until only the small clothes remained. He still shifted on his feet then, though they’d been naked before, he was yet embarrassed.
“I think I’m still wearing less than you, darling.” Astarion pointed out gently, and Gale’s eyes met his, finding comfort there. “I’d take them off myself, but...” He flicked his gaze to the rope, “I’m a little
tied up
.”
Finally, Gale managed a huff of a laugh, as the tension fell from him, and he stepped out of the rest of his clothes. He had sported a rather fair tinge of red tonight, and had just managed to go pink, only to have some of that deeper shade creep back in as Astarion none too shyly ogled him.
The rogue wiggled on the bed, “Gale, I think I’ve waited long enough, would you touch me already?” He crooned with a pout.
Gale flashed a warm smile and sat back on the bed, extending a hand to run fingertips over Astarion’s chest and stomach. The elf could still move a little, since his feet were not tethered, and he did his best to press upwards into that touch.
“Do you have any idea how attractive you are?” Gale praised, staring now when he hadn’t before, storing the image away like he’d done when he’d first seen that collar on Astarion’s neck.
“Then do something about it, Gale.” Astarion retorted, and Gale flicked his eyes back to those ruby ones, that seemed to beg him to touch.
Gale leaned over and pressed a kiss to Astarion’s lips, mouths sliding deliciously against one another, warm meeting cold, and steadily making it warm too. He let the hand on Astarion’s chest press palm flat and trace over while the other hand reached up to cup Astarion’s jaw, cradling him there gently.
A shift of noses and mouths, and Astarion captured Gale’s bottom lip between his teeth and lightly scraped across. Gale retreated to breathe as Astarion tried and failed to follow his mouth.
“Patience, ‘Star.” Gale chided.
“Mmm.” Astarion growled lightly, “I know I said you didn’t keep my waiting, but now...”
Gale hushed him with another kiss, gentle, then deep, and probed at Astarion’s lips with his tongue. Astarion’s tongue met his with a flick, and they explored one another’s mouth with soft little grunts of delight.
Another retreat to pant against Astarion’s lips who breathed out, “More.”
“Not very patient, are you?” Gale teased.
“Am I ever?” Astarion retorted with a playful snip, lifting his head to try to reach Gale’s lips once more.
Gale only pulled back as Astarion growled low in his throat, “Come back here, wizard.”
“Wizard again...” Gale tutted with his tongue against his teeth, “I should punish you for that.”
“This is punishment enough, don’t you think?” Astarion grumbled, wiggling against the sheets again, “I can’t even touch you.”
A warm laugh reverberated in Gale’s throat, “Hush, now.” He soothed.
Another lean, but a duck to the side, to trail kisses along Astarion’s jaw, even if those ruby eyes glared at him, they fluttered closed as Gale carded the hand on his cheek up into his hair and massaged at the scalp.
He shifted those kisses to suck Astarion’s earlobe into his mouth, and scraped his teeth gently across, which at least earned him a little stutter of unneeded breath from Astarion.
Whether he realized it or not, the rogue had dregs of tension in his shoulders, and not just from the rope, and Gale could tell that they were falling away with each little kiss he peppered across his neck, and back up to his ear. Reveled in the way that Astarion’s lips remained parted once he licked up the shell of his ear, how those eyes cracked open, pupils growing dark with desire, but still sporting a glare as Gale ceased his motions to simply stare.
“Ga...” Astarion began, until the wizard whose very name he’d been about to say tracked his hand down and traced over the slip of leather fabric that strained over his cock, barely covering much, leaving little to the imagination.
When he opened his mouth again, Gale only pressed once more, palming his erection, watched Astarion’s head loll lightly back. He kept that other hand on the nape of Astarion’s neck, cradling him so he wouldn’t thunk painfully into the headboard behind him, and even when the rogue managed to lift his gaze back to Gale’s, the glare diminished to simply pure, unadultered want.
“Gale...” Astarion whined as Gale kept massaging lightly over, back and forth, teasing Astarion through the leather fabric. Those pale hips stuttered to move with him, but Gale was careful to keep the friction faint. “Gale, please.” Astarion begged.
He couldn’t very well deny such a sweet declaration of need falling from those lips and slid his hand under the fabric and palmed Astarion’s cock with his hand.
Astarion’s head dropped back again, still carefully held in Gale’s other palm, and his lips fell open in a grateful, low groan, hips canting upwards, desperate for more.
Ever so gently, he removed the hand from Astarion’s scalp, making sure to rest it on the headboard before he adjusted so he could reach down. Another movement, taking his hands away entirely, and Astarion whined in his throat.
“Shh.” Gale hushed, “Just a moment.” He comforted.
He took the little strip of fabric that lay over Astarion’s hips in each hand, and immediately Astarion lifted his hips in understanding, let Gale slide the garment off.
An idea flitted through Gale’s mind, and he leaned in to whisper into Astarion’s ear, “Good boy.”
Astarion shuddered and when Gale withdrew, a soft smile on his face, Astarion’s mouth quirked into his own little smile. “I suppose I see why you like that.” He admitted, ears tinged pink.
Gale chuckled warmly, and then moved, one leg swinging over so he could straddle Astarion’s legs, pining them below him, cupping his palms to Astarion’s hips. He couldn’t move now, much less wriggle as he had been before, and Gale could see Astarion bite at the inside of his lip, eyebrows furrowing down, desperate for attention.
There was little denying him with this either, like the begging, it was all a jolt of pleasure straight though Gale. Being needed, wanted, all like this, it was a sort of drug.
One hand traced up Astarion’s stomach and chest once more, trailing over as the other hand drew little lines over the dips and hollows of Astarion’s hips, not quite touching.
“Gale...” Astarion whined.
“You’ve been teasing me to make me blush for... how long?” Gale lilted in question.
The tips of Astarion’s ears went a little pinker, and perhaps his cheeks seemed to sport some color now too, even if only a dusting hint of it.
“I feel like it’s fair I get to tease you a little in turn.” Gale added, and Astarion’s gaze darted away, almost shyly. It was altogether too endearing.
Gale took the hand on his chest and cradled his chin, pulling those eyes back to his, “Our safe word still applies, ‘Star. If anything is too much, you say something.” He warned.
Astarion nodded, biting at his lip again.
“Good boy.” Gale praised, and Astarion’s pink across his cheeks went a little darker.
He let Astarion’s chin go, tracing his hand back down where it had been, while the other hand relented in its ministrations, and palmed Astarion once more.
Astarion’s eyes fluttered shut, and Gale could feel the movement below him as Astarion tried to shift his hips upward, unable to with the weight atop him. Gentle motions, up and down, like he’d done over the fabric before, could hear Astarion’s stuttered, unrequired breaths fall from his lips. Over and over, mixing in the lightest change of pressure, pressing in as he stroked up now, and earning a delightful little grunt of pleasure with each press.
Gale stopped, only to take that cock in his hand and wrap his fingers around now and repeated the motions with a twist of his hand. There was a trail of precome that tethered to the head of Astarion’s cock as he lifted it, and it beaded a little more as Gale stroked. Astarion’s mouth had fallen open now, those hips still trying to move, head pressed into the board behind him.
The rope strained above the rogue, cords in his arms standing out as he struggled to move into the pressure, make it go faster, harder, anything.
“Ga... Ga...” Astarion panted, unable to finish the name that was trying to tumble from his lips.
Gale stilled his motions, and Astarion made a desperate keening sound immediately, though he did find his words again, at least. “Gale... I can’t... please.” He begged.
“What do you want, ‘Star?” Gale questioned.
“More.” Astarion whined.
“Do you just want my hand?” Gale prodded, and Astarion shook his head.
Gale shifted and kissed over Astarion’s hips, then mouthed lightly on the tip of Astarion’s cock, delighting in Astarion’s sudden attempt to move his body now that the weight had moved, arching up needily towards that mouth hovering over him.
“Mouth?” Gale huffed against him.
Astarion hummed in his throat, but still, he shook his head. Gale tilted his head inquisitively, like a dog might, even if Astarion couldn’t see it, eyes closed as they were.
A movement back, as Gale’s weight rested on Astarion’s legs again. Astarion’s eyes managed to open, staring at him expectantly. Gale bit his lip, cock still in hand, though he did not move it.
“Should I...” Gale trailed off, and gently lifted his hips, and hovered over Astarion’s cock. It would take only a word to cast Grease, to work himself open. It could be done, he thought, though he preferred if it were Astarion’s hands on him, at least he could still make him watch, perhaps squirm below, wanting but unable to touch.
Astarion only shook his head again.
Gale’s eyebrows furrowed down, and he sat back on Astarion’s legs. “Astarion, is it too much? I told you to tell me if it was.” He chided.
He nearly went to move off, until Astarion spoke, “No!” He interjected quickly. “Wait.”
Gale halted, doing as commanded, simply waiting.
“I...” Astarion mumbled, and bit at his lip again, “I want...”
Gale only blinked at him, patient as Astarion worked through his nerves. He stroked the hand on Astarion’s chest over in comforting circles, “I’m right here.” He assured, “What do you want, ‘Star? You can tell me.”
Astarion swallowed, and mumbled out, ever so quietly, “Fuck me.”
Gale pursed his lips, “How?”
A shift of his head sideways, looking away, a little roll of his eyes like it was glaringly obvious, “You, in me, Gale. It’s rather simple.”
That pink was as dark as Gale had ever seen it, across Astarion’s cheeks, the tips of his ears. His own heart had stuttered with nerves at those words, spoken so plainly.
“Oh.” He breathed out.
Astarion met his eyes again, though they kept darting away, and Gale moved both his hands to cup Astarion’s face in his palms.
“Astarion, don’t think I don’t want to.” Gale assured. “I just... I don’t know what to do. I’ve never... never been the one on top.”
“I can walk you through it, Gale.” Astarion replied.
“Are you sure?” Gale pressed.
“I wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t, my dear.” Astarion insisted, moving to kiss Gale, who only let him, a soft chaste press of lips before pulling away.
Gale moved his hands, though his face stayed rather close, leaning over Astarion still.
“You’ll need to cast Grease, of course...” Astarion began, though his words faded as his hands became freed. Gale had undone the rope.
“Gale, why did you...” He started.
“I want you to touch me, Astarion.” Gale interjected, holding that ruby gaze with a solid look. “I know you went to a lot of work for this, and it’s very sweet.” He explained.
“But I’ve never done this, Astarion.” Gale’s breath shuddered, and he brought his hand up, showing how it quivered with nerves, “I’m... I’m so nervous, I think it would ground me, to have your hands guide me. Please.”
Astarion’s hands came to Gale’s face and pulled him into another quick kiss, peppered more light ones over his face until Gale let out little breaths of laughter.
“Relax, darling. I’m not complaining that I get to touch you. I’ve been
dying
to.”
“You have?” Gale queried softly.
“Of course I have.” Astarion assured. “You don’t have to worry so much, my sweet. You won’t hurt me.”
Gale’s eyes flicked to the side, and Astarion tugged his chin back until that gaze met his again, “That’s what you’re worried about, isn’t it?” He pressed and received a nod in return.
“I...” Gale began but was shushed by a finger on his lips.
“Shh.” Astarion instructed, “You won’t, dear. I promise, you won’t. Quite the opposite, if we do this right, and I’m sure we will.”
“Though you will have to move a bit.” Astarion chided, and Gale managed a wan smile and a nervous chuckle.
“Right.” Gale flushed pink, and moved, sitting between Astarion’s legs, unsure of what to do, or where to put his hands.
Astarion took one of Gale’s hands in his, and brought it to his mouth, moving the digits so that he could suckle two fingers into his mouth. It was a bit of a display, that motion, how he swirled his tongue around Gale’s fingers, hollowing out his cheeks, and pulled away with a sultry smile.
It certainly was doing something for Gale. “You’re too good at this.” Gale huffed.
“Practice, darling. You’ll get there.” Astarion waved away the compliment and leaned in for a moment to huff against Gale’s ear, “I’ll show you
everything
.”
Gale shuddered at that cool breath, but Astarion pulled away, and drew Gale’s damp hand down between his legs.
“Like what I did for you, Gale.” Astarion told him.
Gently and carefully, he pressed his fingers to Astarion’s entrance, tracing over the outside, and Astarion’s eyelids fluttered closed and back open, trying to focus on Gale, but enjoying the sensation.
“That’s it.” He assured, and Gale gained a little confidence.
He teased one finger in, back out and around, as Astarion’s mouth dropped open, still attempting to keep his eyes from shutting entirely. He kept doing it, but Astarion was wiggling his hips, trying to grind down into the feeling, so Gale let one finger slip in.
A delightful gasp came from Astarion then, and it took him a moment to open his eyes now, as Gale stilled.
“More.” Astarion instructed, pupils dark.
Gale shifted his hand and softly moved the other finger, until it joined the first. Astarion made a little whimper of pleasure, and tried to grind his hips down, but Gale’s other hand came to halt him.
“I’m taking my time, ‘Star. Patience.” Gale chided.
Astarion gave him a playful glare, but there was a smile on that face, “There’s my Gale. Getting the hang of it already.” He teased.
“I bet...” Astarion began, but Gale moved his fingers, a slow pull out and back in, and he lost the words, shuddering at the sensation.
When Gale stopped, Astarion whined, “Stop teasing, Gale.”
“Please tell me I look as good as you do, blissed out like this.” He huffed in reply.
“Oh, darling, trust me, you do.” Astarion assured, eyes hooded, “Now would you move that hand of yours before I...”
Gale did so like making him lose his voice, as the sound stuttered into breathy pants while he did as was requested and moved the hand. He recalled the sensation Astarion had elicited from him and curled his fingers.
He didn’t know what he was doing, and Astarion, thankfully, noticed, “Searching, dear?” He huffed with little pants, those hips still trying to grind into the pressure, even as Gale’s other hand held him in place.
“Curl up and towards the belly button.” He instructed, “Small little bump. It’ll feel different, sort of walnut sized.”
Gale’s eyebrows furrowed in concentration, searching. Astarion let out a little gasp as Gale’s fingers trailed, so he shifted back to that same spot, and massaged around. The elf’s head lolled up, mouth dropping open in a litany of keening noises.
“Good... good... b... boy.” Astarion stuttered out as Gale kept up his movements.
He pressed and Astarion’s head fell all the way back, “Ahhhhhh!”
Gale could see the appeal, watching Astarion come undone like this, and was half tempted to see if he could use his hand alone. But his own cock twitched, eager for attention, and the thought of being buried inside Astarion and still earning those noises was another matter entirely.
He leaned in, stopping his motions, letting Astarion’s gaze refocus, and kissed him gently, passionately. As he kissed, he went back to drawing in and out, only stroking over that point with a light graze of each thrust of his fingers, enjoying Astarion’s sounds turning to mewls on his lips.
When he pulled away from the kiss, a string of saliva connected them, and Astarion’s eyes refocused, pupils blown wide with desire.
“Fuck me, Gale.” He muttered.
Gale nodded and withdrew his fingers, and Astarion bit his lips, whining in the back of his throat at the lost sensation. He shifted, pulling Astarion’s hip towards him so that he laid back on the bed, head cushioned by the pillows.
Astarion lifted his legs as Gale adjusted, cock teasing close, lightly touching Astarion’s entrance. A mutter for Grease, coating himself, using his fingers to smear some across Astarion, gently prodding some within, even as Astarion rocked his hips to that motion, he did not complain as much when Gale withdrew now.
The rogue bit his lip, and Gale paused for a moment, but pale hands came to his hips, trying to pull him in, “Gale, please. I want this.” He muttered.
“I want you.” He added, and Gale leaned down to give him another soft kiss.
“I know.” Gale breathed, and gently pressed, slowly, carefully, as Astarion relaxed beneath him, until he was seated fully within, where it was tight and warm. “I... want... you... too.” Gale huffed.
It felt... amazing. Did Astarion need time to adjust? It felt only fair to wait, but that heat, it was delicious, he felt wrapped in a summer day, comfortable, and also so tempting to thrust into immediately.
“Gale, darling, if you could move, or I might lose my mind.” Astarion’s breath shuddered against his lips.
“Already?” Gale huffed. It’d only been a minute, maybe a little longer.
“I have done this before, darling.” Astarion chided. “Sorry.” He added, as if in afterthought.
“That’s alright, Astarion. I’ve had other lovers too. I’m not bothered by it. Besides... I’m yours now, aren’t I?” Gale used one arm to hold himself up, but the other came up to cup Astarion’s jaw and run a thumb in soothing motions over his cheek.
Those ruby eyes opened to meet his, and Gale could feel the smile against his lips, “Yes, you are. And I am yours, Gale, darling.”
“Now would you
please
fuck me already?” Astarion huffed, and Gale chuckled warmly.
“Gods, I love you.” He laughed, and slowly began to move his hips.
Astarion’s breath stuttered, “L... Love... you too, Gale.”
“Sorry, what was that?” Gale teased.
“I said... ah!” Gale had shifted and pressed, recalling with ease just where his fingers had been.
He halted, as if waiting, as Astarion’s hands clawed at his hips to move.
“Couldn’t hear you.” Gale playfully ribbed.
“I love you, Gale, but I might change my mind if you keep this up...” Astarion grumbled, and the last word went up in pitch, falling into a grateful groan as Gale pressed again, and thrust, and pressed, back and forth.
“Such a good boy.” Gale praised, and Astarion whined between sounds.
“Sh... shut... up.” He muttered. “Stop... teasing.”
“Besides... how are you... ah...” Astarion was having such trouble speaking, “How are you... not losing your.... ah...” Astarion panted, “mind?” He finished.
Gale shifted his hips, his own breaths becoming fast and stuttering, “Trust me... I’m having a hard time... not just
fucking
you into this mattress.”
“Then stop... speaking, and do... it, wizard.” Astarion chided, fingertips pressing into Gale’s hips, desperate, his own pale hips jittering to keep pace, cock bouncing between them, leaking.
“I want you... to come... too, Astarion.” Gale insisted, and pressed his forehead to Astarion’s, a sheen of sweat breaking out from his exertion, trying to keep from going mad, as Astarion had teased him about.
He moved his hand from Astarion’s face, and snaked it between them, taking Astarion’s cock in his fingers.
“Ah!” Astarion jolted in surprise, but only moved his hips, searching for more friction, even as Gale gently moved back and forth, stroking in and out deep within him.
“How’s that?” Gale panted.
“That is... rather... pleasant.” Astarion assented. “But please... go faster. I’m... I’m so close.”
“Gods...” Gale breathed. To know he was, to feel the tension in his body, but not the kind of nervousness he’d felt earlier, no, just a white-hot need that Gale could share in, his own heat building in the depths of his gut, pooling like syrupy honey, sweet and warm.
He snapped his hips, going faster, pumping his hand in time with his thrusts, as Astarion’s mouth panted sighs and mewls of pleasure against his lips. His own groans were being pulled from him, noises intermingling between them, sweat slicking between their bodies, Astarion’s once cool flesh heated from the closeness, the intimacy.
Astarion’s body tensed, his head lolling back, a desperate, loud groan torn from his lips, cock pulsing strings of come between them, while he also pulsed around Gale, the walls of him clamping around Gale’s own cock.
A few more snaps of his hips, pressing into Astarion as he rode out the waves of his orgasm, and then he was coming too, buried within Astarion, groaning deep and low.
They panted, catching their breath, as the world came into focus around them once more.
“Told you, you wouldn’t hurt me.” Astarion teased, bringing his forehead up to press to Gale’s again, bringing a hand up to cup his cheek, stroking his thumb over as Gale always did.
“I... noticed.” Gale huffed. It wasn’t fair how Astarion didn’t need to catch his breath as much as Gale did. Sure, he panted and such, habits hard to break when breathing was so ingrained to survive, but the vampire didn’t need it. Gale, on the other hand, did.
“Still out of breath, darling?” Astarion teased, as if reading Gale’s mind.
“I... am only... human.” Gale panted.
Astarion gave a warm chuckle, “Ah, but you’re
my
human, dear. I don’t mind. It is ever so delightful to leave you
breathless
.” He huffed, and ground his hips up, earning a gasp from Gale.
“Are you really...?” Gale questioned, trying to glance down to see if, somehow, Astarion was ready to go again.
“I could go all night, dear. I’ve told you before. Your noises... they set me on edge, and I keep thinking about getting some more to tumble from those sweet lips of yours.” Astarion cooed.
“I...” Gale stuttered, unsure.
“If not, that’s alright.” Astarion assured him, “We’ll get you some good stamina, Gale. Give me time. I told you I could teach you everything, after all.”
“Gods, you’re going to kill me.” Gale admitted.
“It
is
called a ‘little death’, after all, my sweet.” Astarion teased and wiggled his hips again. “Oh, did you just need some time, dear?”
He was growing hard again, that much was certain, even with the thrum of sensitivity under his skin.
“You’re the one wiggling your damned hips.” Gale retorted.
“I don’t see what the problem is, Gale, darling.” Astarion taunted, and shifted back and forth, grinding lightly.
“Not a... ah, problem.” Gale panted, grunting, “Just give me... a minute.”
“Oh...” Astarion lilted, intrigued. He waited, patient now, when he hadn’t been before.
“Now you’re patient.” Gale scoffed quietly.
Astarion pushed up, on purpose, “What was that?”
Gale gasped and put a hand on those treacherous pale hips below him. “You little tease.” Gale chided.
“Of course, I am. You’re too fun to tease, after all.” Astarion cooed, and pulled Gale down into a gentle kiss, “Besides, you’re so
responsive
.”
“Speak for yourself, I think the neighbors heard you in the next building.”
“Embarrassed, dear? It’s a brothel. I’m sure they’re used to it.” Astarion retorted, “I’m sure you were
just
as loud, Gale, darling.”
“And I still plan to get some more noises out of you.” Astarion purred against his lips.
Gale gave a snap of his hips, and enjoyed the flutter of Astarion’s eyelids, as he groaned in pleasure. His eyes opened again, “Why did you stop, wizard?”
“I have a name.” Gale ground again, slow, purposefully so that Astarion could not move his hips, giving little friction.
“Ahhh...” Astarion gasped, “So... so you do.”
“Well?” Gale kept grinding.
“Pry it... from my lips... darling. I’m yours...” Astarion panted, and his hands were pulling at Gale’s hips, desperate for more movement.
“You’re going to ruin me.” Gale huffed.
“Think... it’s the other... way ‘round... right now...” Astarion chided.
“You would think.” Gale retorted and fell into thrusts once more.
Tangled together as they were, they made love again, slow and gentle, not just once more, but twice, though Gale collapsed after his second orgasm. Astarion only flipped him over, and fucked himself atop Gale, completely, and gratefully spent himself after. Both had gotten quite the number of sounds, noises, and litany of names spilled in ecstasy between them.
Afterwards, Astarion curled up on Gale’s chest, all having been magicked clean with a wave of Gale’s hand.
“So, Gale, darling...” Astarion trailed lazy fingers over Gale’s chest, enjoying the light fuzz of hairs across. “Did I surprise you?”
“Yes, you did.” Gale admitted.
Astarion moved and took off the collar, “You didn’t even use this, dear.”
“Another time.” Gale waved it away, obviously tired.
A warm laugh bubbled from Astarion’s throat, “You are too precious, wiz... Gale.”
“There’s my name.” Gale mumbled.
“As if you didn’t hear it a few dozen times tonight.” Astarion chided.
“Still nice to hear it.”
“Wizards and their ego.” Astarion teased.
“Says the man who won’t shut up about his looks.” Gale retorted.
Astarion acted offended, a hand over his chest, “I know what I have, dear. No reason to get sour about it.”
Gale looked down at him, eyes bleary, “Yah, and yet you went with me.”
Astarion reached up, carded a hand through Gale’s hair tenderly, “Yes, I did, Gale. And I would do it again. You... you...” Astarion stopped and tried again, “No one else did what you did Gale. No one else listened, or held me when I cried. You were there for me, through everything. Cazador is...” He waved a hand to the window, “out there somewhere, close, and you haven’t batted an eye in fear.”
“I’ll kill that bastard.” Gale snipped, eyebrows furrowing down, and Astarion wiped away the crease.
“Hush now, darling, I know you will. I... believe you could. I truly do. And I know... that no matter what happens, you’d stay with me.”
“Of course I would.” Gale huffed, as if it had been in question.
“And that is exactly why I choose you.” Astarion pressed a soft kiss to Gale’s forehead, still carding fingers through his hair carefully, “I love you, Gale. With everything I am, I love you.”
“I love you too, ‘Star” Gale smiled a soft, sleepy smile.
“Go to sleep, darling. I know you’re tired. I just... wanted you to know that.”
“Good night, ‘Star. I... I love you.” Gale mumbled, draping a hand over Astarion’s side, holding him to his chest.
“Good night, Gale, my darling, my dear, my sweet.” Astarion smiled softly, snuggling into Gale’s warmth, at peace.
***Smut over, thank you, read on.
In the morning the party met up, and Tav gave him a glance, and then a wide smile, almost bashful, and Gale returned the grin with a nod of his own in understanding. At least that little plot had worked as he had thought.
As the two intertwined their hands he could catch the gleam of the rings he’d fixed and was glad Karlach hadn’t pressed him on his own question. Give it time though, and she was like to. But he’d promised before to not wait too long, though he’d hoped to wait until Cazador was ash at least. Surely, that was fair enough.
He reached out and took Astarion’s hand in his, pressing a kiss to the knuckles before letting it drop and Astarion practically preened, pressing into his shoulder happily, “It’s a fine morning, isn’t it, Gale, my darling?”
“Yes, it is.” He agreed as they trudged on through Wyrm’s Crossing. After enough of the reunions, one got tired of them, so when first Mizora greeted them telling them of Wyll’s distressed father, it was hard enough to maintain face.
But Wyll’s pact remained broken. The party could find him, as they promised to help everyone else, Wyll was only another. Tav broke the news and comforted him even as Karlach patted his shoulder. There was a shared look between the two over his shoulder that Gale couldn’t quite catch the meaning of, but it was time enough to have the second of the unwanted reunions.
Gortash, on the throne, sneering at them, and Tav faked another deal with him through gritted teeth, even though Karlach steamed beside them. They needed to take out his Steel Watch, and find Wyll’s father, and the man was likely behind it anyway. Another false deal was nothing to add to the pile.
Now all that remained was Baldur’s Gate. It no longer loomed on the horizon, it
was
the horizon, standing before them, and Gale set his shoulders in determination. There was a brush against his shoulders, Tav and Karlach, next to him with a nod, ready to go. Then, a squeeze of his hand and he turned to Astarion, who had dispatched his fear, and snarled at the entrance.
“It’s just a city.” Tav said simply.
“Don’t forget that.” They stated, “If you start to wonder if we can do something,
anything
at all, I want you to remember how we got here.”
“All we’ve done. This is just a city, and each thing we must do is another step to our goal. We
will
be free of this thing in our heads. We will all come out of this, safe, and happy, and free.” They insisted.
“Fuck yes. You betcha.” Karlach agreed enthusiastically.
“It’s just a city.” Gale assented, holding a ruby eyed stare.
“It’s just a city.” Astarion repeated, and smiled, head held high and determination sparking behind his eyes.
“Now let’s go.”
Together they walked in, and after all they had done, all they had gone through, they had finally come to it. To Baldur’s Gate.