Chapter Text
You reopen the creased letter for seemingly the hundredth time, your fingers fidgeting over the worn edges, the result of your constant furling and unfurling in your anxious hands. You scan over the frail, yet practiced writing, inviting you to join in celebration with old friends and allies.
“Journey to where it all began. Seek to rekindle thine bonds shared between kindred souls, and forge on to face the trials ahead.”
You ponder over the last part of the cryptic message, before crumpling the letter once more, debating whether to toss it into your meager fireplace. As far as you were concerned, you had enough adventure to last you a lifetime.
It had been over six months since your battle with the Absolute. Six months since you had bid farewell to your friends and companions, as they each departed upon their own journeys.
Though one particular companion had been the exception.
Following the immediate aftermath of the battle, Astarion had simply vanished. Amongst the debris, your party had scanned the waters, the docks, and the ruined thoroughfares of the city for any hide or hair of him. Eventually, most of your companions had come to the conclusion that Astarion had likely considered his obligations fulfilled, and had left to pursue his own ambitions.
“Well, he certainly got what he wanted.” You heard the contempt in Shadowheart’s voice. “Most likely off to plot his next move on taking over the city, or whatever’s left of it.”
“Perhaps it’s better for him to depart on such terms.” Gale shot a sympathetic glance your way.
Without a word, your eyes turned to watch the setting sun on the horizon. You didn’t bother to correct them that rather than feeling bereft at Astarion’s abrupt departure, you instead felt a strange sense of relief.
In spite of everything, however, you truly wished him well. You had hoped he would be able to pursue the life he had been seeking after all of these long years.
Ever since, you had chosen to remain in Baldur’s Gate; its streets were once your home after all, and you would see it rebuilt. In the days following, you had donated whatever material possessions you had collected, and had offered your services to assist in whatever capacity that was needed. You slept under half-broken awnings, ate whatever you could scrounge, and dressed in whatever hand-me-downs that could be afforded to you from poor, yet grateful citizens.
Despite the six months of toil and hardship, you were proud to say the city was well on its way to becoming what it once was. The citizens were beginning to thrive, and the markets were becoming a hub of activity once more.
It was with some surprise when you had received the inconspicuous letter, now held in your hands.
Soon to be cinders , you think, as you stride toward the fireplace of your temporary home.
Before you chuck the letter into the dying embers, an inexplicable wave of emotion stills your hand.
You were hesitating. Why were you hesitating?
Your eyebrows furrow as you try to place the feeling that swells inside you, your hand hovering over the sputtering flame.
After a few moments, your eyes slowly dawn in realization as you finally piece together what it was that you felt.
Longing. Loneliness.
You had survived seemingly insurmountable challenges, encountered horrors beyond comprehension. You had faced death in countless ways, and yet...
You miss it. You miss them.
You shake your head in disbelief. If you had told your past self that you actually missed the time you spent having a tadpole wriggling about in your brain, you’d likely kick yourself in the teeth for hosting such idiotic thoughts. Or perhaps its effects did more lasting damage than you had originally thought?
Still, it didn’t stop you as you slowly pulled your hand back, unraveling the letter and scanning through the last few sentences.
…Seek to rekindle thine bonds shared between kindred souls…
It had been so long since you had seen your old friends. If this was an opportunity to see them again, then perhaps just one night of revelry wouldn’t go amiss.
—--
You nervously attempt to smooth out the wrinkles of your long-sleeved shirt. The fabric was scratchy and ill-fitting, but it was still the nicest outfit you had in your possession. The invitation itself didn’t mention a dress code, but still…
You just hope you weren’t too underdressed.
With tentative steps, you approach the forest clearing, following the drifting fairy lights, and the lilt of music floating in the air. Your eyes widen at the scene before you.
An extravagant, yet cozy banquet lay out on several tables, filled to the brim with platters of food and goblets of wine. The lovely melody of a lute accompanies the ambient sounds of the forest.
Before you could take another step, you feel large, muscled arms wrap around your torso from behind, lifting you off the ground before spinning you several times in a dizzying circle. After a few moments, you were able to find your feet again, stumbling slightly as you turn to face your attacker. Your expression shifts from annoyance to elation as you are greeted with the grinning face of Karlach.
“Hey Soldier! Long time no see, eh?”
Without thinking, you launch into her arms with a joyful laugh, hugging her tightly. Hellfire be damned .
“Karlach! By the Gods, you’re here! I’ve missed you!” You take a few steps back, looking her over, “H-how? Your infernal engine, I-I didn’t think…is it–?” your voice lilts in hope.
The tiefling splays a hand over her chest with a sad shake of her head. “No. No fix yet, I’m afraid. But at least I’m able to pay a short visit with good friends - if only for tonight.”
A familiar voice manifests behind her. “But we have some leads on how we can fix her engine. For good.”
Wyll appears beside her, smiling up at Karlach before turning to face you. “Well met, my dear friend!” Stepping forward, he takes your hands in his, kissing your cheek in greeting before stepping away. You flush, still rather unused to the ways of courtly etiquette, despite his best attempts to teach you.
With a fond smile, you dip your head in greeting. “Wyll! It’s good to see you! I hope you’ve been keeping Karlach out of trouble?”
With a small shake of his head, he chuckles, “More like Karlach is keeping me out of trouble. Between the endless hordes of imps and lemures,” he sighs tiredly, “...tonight ought to be a welcome respite.”
Karlach loops an arm around the both of you, steering you in the direction of the banquet. “Well, come on then! This food won’t eat itself! I’m sure the others won’t mind if we get this party started.”
As the night continues, you notice more of your traveling companions filtering into the clearing to join the celebration. The graceful figure of Shadowheart emerges, along with the flickering astral projection of Laezel. You couldn’t help but smile as you overhear them trade familiar barbs at one another, both of them smirking throughout their exchange. Jaheira, Minsc, and Halsin arrive with crates full of spirits, passing them merrily down the table. Gale arrives with several floating objects trailing behind him. “Gifts”, he explains. Magical items he had procured from his tower, as recompense for the ones he had ‘devoured’ early on in your journey.
“This one in particular, I had in mind just for you,” Gale gestures pointedly in your direction. With a flourish, he reveals a floor-length cloak in a deep royal blue. You notice elegant, silver embroidery decorating the edges of the cloak, tapering at the neck in a beautiful lunar pattern. He deposits the cloak into your hands, despite your stunned expression. “And,” he pauses theatrically, “In addition to being waterproof, it’s enchanted to naturally repel dust and debris. No laundering required. A perfect accessory for any wizard navigating through countless dusty tomes at the academy,” he adds with a playful wink.
You snap out of your stupor, flushing at the extravagant gift. “I can’t possibly take this! This would be much better off in your hands!” You attempt to push the cloak back into his arms.
“Nonsense,” he pushes back, his voice turning soft, “I can’t think of anyone more deserving than you.” You lift your eyes to meet his, fully intending to continue your argument. Your voice unexpectedly catches in your throat, however, as you see Gale’s eyes shining with a warm, loving affection.
You hadn’t had someone look at you like that since …
You quickly duck your head, feeling the heat rush to your cheeks. You pin your eyes to the ground in embarrassment, murmuring a soft “Thank you.” You hear Gale’s indulgent chuckle.
“May I?” Gale takes the cloak from your hands before stepping behind you. With a wordless nod, you feel the soft, warm cloak envelop your shoulders. You hadn’t realized how cold you were until you felt the thick fabric insulate you against the chill.
Stepping in front of you once more, Gale adjusts the silver brooch at your neckline to fasten the cloak before stepping away. You risk a glance at him again, noticing his eyes widen before schooling his features into a more presentable expression.
“A vision. As always,” his voice tapers off softly. He clears his throat in an attempt to dispel the awkwardness. “That being said!” his voice picks up, “My students have been asking about you for ages! It would be an illuminating lesson if you were to attend one of my lectures as a guest speaker. I would be honored to host you at my tower in Waterdeep.” He pauses. “That is - if there would be no imposition on your part,” he amends quickly.
You’re momentarily speechless. Looking over Gale’s shoulder, you notice Karlach and Shadowheart exchange knowing glances with each other, before Karlach waggles her eyebrows at you.
You muster your best glare at them before turning to Gale.
“While I’m not exactly proficient in public speaking, I would love to visit Waterdeep,” you say with a sincere smile. “Truthfully, I’ve never traveled to other cities outside of Baldur’s Gate. I could do with a change in scenery. It would be wonderful if you could be my guide.”
Gale’s chest puffs up with pride, “Then it would be my greatest pleasure to welcome you! I shall endeavor to be the very best of guides.”
You feel a warmth blossoming in your chest. The heat returns to your cheeks. “I am very much looking forward to it, Gale.” You offer a shy smile.
Gale returns the smile, taking your hands in his and squeezing them affectionately. “Well then, I’ve kept you to myself for long enough. Go, enjoy the frivolities!” He gestures towards the party. “Until then, I am very much looking forward to your visit.”
With that, he places a brief kiss on your knuckles before departing.
You stand there in a daze, feeling yourself flush from head to toe. After a few moments, you stumble over to where Shadowheart and Karlach are sitting. Karlach is grinning widely, while Shadowheart’s face is hidden behind her goblet of wine; you can still make out the amusement dancing in her eyes. As you sit, you brace yourself for the inevitable teasing.
“Well, well, well,” Karlach begins, “Does someone have a little meetup with our wizard friend?”
You don’t answer, choosing instead to fill your goblet with the nearest wine bottle before taking long gulps. You hoped the alcohol would disguise the permanent blush on your face.
“Gale is a pleasant enough fellow,” Shadowheart notes, “A bit long-winded, but he means well.” She takes a sip of her wine before slyly meeting your eyes, “Perhaps his running mouth could be put to better use.”
You sputter out your drink, as you hear Karlach loudly guffawing.
“Please! Stop!” You cover your face in your hands, mortified.
Karlach sidles up next to you, placing an arm around your shoulder. “C’mon then! Go for it! We’ve all known he likes you - you know it too! You should see where this leads.”
Shadowheart nods, “He’s certainly far more reliable than Astar–” she trails off as she notices your eyes quickly snap up to meet hers. An unexpected sense of loss washes over you, jagged and raw. Astarion’s absence had not gone unnoticed by everyone, it seems. She must have seen the pain in your eyes, turning to cough before continuing, “That is, he’s much better than the alternatives.”
You gaze into your goblet. She was right of course, but you couldn’t help but mourn what once was. Astarion had beckoned, insisted you follow him down his path. You couldn’t. You refused to. Yet a pervading sense of guilt still clung to you, like a sickness.
“Hey,” you hear Karlach’s voice, uncharacteristically gentle, “You can’t blame yourself for other people’s choices.” With a soft squeeze to your shoulder, she continues, “You deserve some happiness. Don’t spend it worrying about the past. We only have today.”
The poignant words hit you all at once, and you feel your eyes water at the revelation. You didn’t consider yourself particularly devout, but by the Gods, how blessed you were to have such friends.
You turn your grateful eyes to Karlach, and then to Shadowheart, your voice wavering. “You’re right. Thank you for everything. Truly.”
You all share in an intimate moment of companionable silence before Karlach’s rowdy voice interrupts. “Now then! Enough with the sentimental stuff! Let’s get wasted!” She snags a bottle of dwarven spirits and downs it in several seconds.
The night continues in drunken song and dance. Raucous laughter fills the air, as you lean heavily against your companions, swapping stories of your travels together, sharing in fond memories and embarrassing moments of hilarity.
It may have been the wine talking, but you couldn’t remember being this free . For the longest time, you finally felt…happy, at peace. You look fondly over your companions as they continue in their merrymaking and revelry. A warm sense of belonging swells inside your chest.
Truly, you wished this night would never end.
—----
The festivities had since died down, as everyone settled in for the night, sleeping off their excessive drinking. Some had the foresight to set up their own individual tents, while others were draped over the table or sleeping in the dirt, empty bottles littered around their snoring bodies.
You, on the other hand, had opted to wander along the outskirts of the clearing to clear your head. You could feel the wine muddling your senses, yet you managed to find a small outlook overlooking the clearing below. You could feel the air turn colder, and you were grateful for Gale’s gift, as you wrap the cloak tighter around yourself; not even the alcohol was enough to ward off against the oncoming chill. The pervading chirps of crickets filled the otherwise still night.
Settling against a tree, you turn your gaze upward toward the stars. Out in the wilderness, you could see their prominence shining more brightly than you ever could in the city. Their silvery shards scattered across the darkness in an illuminating tapestry.
“It’s quite a sight, isn’t it?”
The familiar voice manifested somewhere to your right.
You quickly shoot up from your position, bracing a hand against the tree to steady yourself. Your eyes swimming against the dizziness from the alcohol and your own abrupt movement.
In the darkness, you could make out the silhouette of a figure dressed in deep blacks and red. It takes you several moments for you to fully register who it is standing before you.
“...Astarion?”
He said nothing, but a quirk in his lips let you know he heard you before stepping closer. You could feel his eyes sweep over you, continuing his advance until he was an arm’s width away. A terrifying sense of déjà vu washes over you, yet you somehow manage to find your voice.
“...What...what are you doing here? Why are you here? We didn’t think that–”
“Now, now, darling,” he chides playfully, “Is that any way to greet a dear friend?”
Your brows furrow, as you take a step back while he takes a step forward. Despite your muddled state, you instinctively feel a sense of wariness at his arrival.
At your lack of response, you could see a glint of teeth beneath his tight smile.
“No?” his voice lilts, though there’s an underlying edge to it. “Well, then how about a lover ?”
He leans forward, bringing a hand to capture your chin. His familiar scent triggers something within you, and you rip yourself away before his lips reach you, taking several steps back.
His hand hovers in the air from where you were before. You could feel his momentary displeasure before he carefully tucks it away, instead releasing a put upon sigh. “And they say absence makes the heart grow fonder…” he tuts, “...I did miss you, you know.”
Strangely, you swear you can hear the sincerity in his voice. Though perhaps it was only your foolish imagination tricking you. It wouldn’t be the first time.
You feel your eyes harden, as you appraise Astarion from a safe distance. His elegant attire screams opulence, the fine silks and glittering gems fitting his form in flattering ways. You wonder at the cost of such a commission - and how much better spent that coin would have been for those that truly needed it.
“I see you’ve done well for yourself,” you acknowledge blandly.
“I have,” he affirms, not a trace of humility to be found. “I have built quite the foundation for my power in these past six months. Made friends in high places. Removed those that stood in my way…” he trails off with a smile. “Rebuilding the city…in my own way.”
“With you positioned on top, I assume?”
“Naturally.”
You look away dejectedly. Of course. Why would you expect differently?
“Well then, you have everything you’ve wanted. I’m happy for you. Truly. Yet you still haven’t explained why you’re here.” You frown in spite of yourself. Surely, he had better things to do than to gloat? “I assure you, we haven’t all gathered here to plot against you, if that’s what you’re concerned with.”
“I am so very glad to hear that, but that’s not why I came here.”
“Then why did you come here?”
Your voice catches in your throat as you suddenly find him standing right before you. You freeze, as he slowly extends a hand toward your shoulder, carefully, as if not to spook you. You flinch despite yourself. His hand pinches together the fabric of your cloak, rubbing it thoughtfully between his fingers before releasing it.
“What a lovely gift,” he comments pleasantly, ignoring your question. “I wonder who would have given such a thoughtful present?”
Your throat suddenly feels very dry. Despite Astarion’s deceptively calm demeanor, you could feel the subtle shift in the air, could feel the brittle edges of something dark and dangerous underneath those words.
You keep your lips resolutely sealed, though you couldn’t help the slight tremor within your body.
Astarion slowly traces his fingers from your shoulder toward the clasp around your neck. With deliberate movements, he lifts the brooch with a singular finger, tilting it to get a better look at the design.
You feel your blood freeze in your veins, as you see the slow, triumphant smile stretching across his face.
“The crest of Waterdeep. I should have known.” He lets the brooch fall back against your neck, as he withdraws. You quickly cover the brooch with your hand, as if it would somehow shield it from his memory.
Stepping away, he regards you with vague amusement. “I see the wizard is still carrying a torch for you, after all this time." He taps a contemplative finger against his lips, "I wonder what it would take to put an end to it. ”
Your eyes narrow. “Astarion…” you warn. “Don’t.”
“Whatever do you mean?” he asks with feigned innocence.
Despite your fear, you feel a surge of protectiveness override your better judgment. Vampire Ascendant or not, you wouldn’t abide by any threats made against your friends, real or imagined. Not while you still drew breath.
“There is no threat here, Astarion,” you say in a clipped tone. “I’ll be sure to pass along your regards to the others. Congratulations on your success. Now if you don’t mind, I’ll be heading back.” You incline your head in his direction, “Goodnight, my lord.”
You pull the cloak tighter to you, walking away at a brisk pace, eager to place as much distance as you could between the two of you.
“It is a fleeting thing, you know,” you hear Astarion call out to you.
You pause mid-stride, frowning at his cryptic words, though curious all the same. You turn your head slightly, carefully watching him from the edge of your vision, waiting for him to elaborate.
“You think you’re returning to something better. But I can assure you, those pleasant feelings that you harbor now?” He pauses, “It. Won’t. Last.” He punctuates each word with a growl. “Sooner or later, fate will turn against you. Those you once thought of as friends, will eventually stab you in the back. Or if fate is merciful, you’ll watch them die a horrifically violent death, or waste away into nothing.”
You could see him tilt his face toward the night sky before shaking his head in a dismissive manner.
“The Gods are cruel and vicious bastards. Whatever shred of contentment you find? They will eagerly snatch it away. It is only through our own power that we can attain true happiness.”
You had heard enough. “Farewell, Astarion.”
As you walk away, you suddenly feel your wrist catch unexpectedly, quickly halting your steps. You whirl around in alarm, only to find your wrist hovering in the air, as if tethered by an invisible force. It’s with dawning horror that you notice the long forgotten bite marks on your wrist, glowing bright red against your skin, matching the glow of his eyes.
A manacle, binding you to him.
You dig your heels in and pull desperately at your arm, yet it doesn’t yield.
Your eyes snap up to meet Astarion’s, and you immediately regret it, as you take in his look of pure hunger as he advances upon you.
“Have you forgotten, darling ? I made a promise to you.” He makes his way toward you, ignoring your futile attempts to free yourself.
“I have the power to take anything that I want.” He looms over you before wrapping his arms around you, caging you against him. “I will have you.”
“Stop this, Astarion! This isn’t you! This isn’t!” you insist, your voice cracking in desperation.
“Oh, my naive little love,” he chides fondly, reaching for the clasp on your cloak before ripping it off violently. “This is me. This has always been me.” The remnants of the cloak pool around your feet.
“N-no!” you attempt to push yourself away, as he dips his head against you, feeling the scrape of teeth along the column of your throat. “Don’t–!”
Your protests immediately die in your throat, as you feel a sharp, piercing sensation sinking into your neck. Rather than pain, you feel yourself involuntarily shudder as a wave of euphoria sweeps throughout your body, your nerves alight with indescribable pleasure. This bite - this was different than before. Every consecutive wave threatens to overwhelm your senses, as you feel your eyes roll into the back of your head. You dimly sense Astarion tighten his hold on you, growling possessively, as he continues to feed. Your trembles grow weaker as you feel your heart frantically beating in your chest before gradually slowing, as you feel yourself losing consciousness.
Unexpectedly, you feel Astarion tear himself away from your neck, but not before licking over the bite salaciously. You feel him smirk against your skin.
“A taste of what’s to come, my love,” he murmurs against your throat. He lifts your limp body in his arms, cradling you delicately as you struggle to stay awake. Hopeless tears make their way down your face, as you close your eyes in exhaustion.
“Fear not. You will not want for anything,” he assures.
You let your head fall against him, not having the strength to hold it up.
“Even if the world falls down, you will always have me.”
Your hearing gradually fades as you finally give in to the darkness.
“We will be together. Forevermore.”