Chapter Text
"We had a deal, remember?"
Astarion's sharp smirk announces the time that Oriya so long dreaded, has come. Again. Shadowheart's eyes flicker, and Gale downright scowls at the Vampire spawn. With a few words, the Rogue managed to turn everyone tense.
Oriya stiffens, then downs the rest of her drink, and pinces the bridge of her nose.
"You are a sucker for perfect timing, aren't you?"
Shadowheart huffs, and Astarion snickers. Oriya's deadpan response seems to please the Vampire, and he lifts his eyebrow when Oriya frowns at him.
"Well?"
"Fine. Deal's a deal, like you said."
Gale glances worriedly at the Druid, but Oriya blinks confidentially at him.
"If you two hear a bear roar, that's the sign something went wrong. Kindly come kick his ass if that happens," Oriya gestures with a thumb towards Astarion.
Shadowheart lifts her mug to Oriya and gives her a smile.
"Aye, looking forward to it. Don't make us wait too long," the Cleric chuckles.
Gale just shakes his head and stares at the flames. Oriya sighs and gets up, dusting off her clothes. She looks at Astarion questioningly, not sure what to do now.
He nudges his head towards the creek, and calmly saunters away, soon disappearing behind the trees.
Oriya hesitates, then grabs her backpack, and follows after him. There's no one in sight when she enters the small clearing, and she hunches towards the water, quickly washing her face. Her hands linger, and in an impulse, she wipes her neck as well.
When she crosses the stream, she spots Astarion ahead, leaning against a tree. He grins, and folds his arms.
"I'm not used to my food washing itself before I indulge," he quips.
Oriya kicks at a small rock, launching it towards Astarion. He dodges it, and lifts his hands.
"Hey now, I appreciate it. Hygiene is very important."
"If you keep going like that, I'll turn into the fattest bear you can imagine and make pancakes out of you."
"Very well, my apologies, mylady."
The Vampire bows, and even though he's smiling, the apology feels sincere. Oriya sighs.
"It's been a while since you needed my blood. You must be quite hungry to ask for it. And so boldly, at that."
Astarion's maroon eyes become guarded, turning a darker hue.
"Astute and unfortunately very insightful. As soon as we come across prey, I will feed on it and quench my thirst. But for now…"
He sits down against the tree, and pats invitingly on the grass before him. The snark and sharpness are gone, and his eyes have something pleading to it. Oriya sets down her pack, and walks forward. When she reaches his feet, she kneels, stiffly making herself comfortable between Astarion's legs, while leaning her back against his chest.
His arm closes around her, and the Druid side-eyes him.
"Last time, you almost punched my jaw out of its socket," Astarion explains.
"Just some precaution."
"Mhh. I'll allow it," Oriya smirks, then looks forward again.
The Vampire's fingers streak past her shoulder, gently brushing her brown curls to the side, baring her neck to him. Goosebumps well up below his fingertips, and Oriya suppresses a shiver.
"I'll be gentle. No more than you'll allow," Astarion murmurs into her skin.
Then his fangs press into her neck, and Oriya tenses up. The pressure increases and the sharp canines tear through her skin, drawing blood. Oriya exclaims, and Astarion's grasp around her tightens. His one hand grabs both Oriya's wrists, while his other firmly keeps her head steady.
Oriya hisses and tries to keep still. The pain subsides a few moments later, and as Astarions lips tightly press into her neck while he sucks, a numbing sensation washes over the Druid. Oriya groans and relaxes, leaning her head back against his shoulder. She faintly notices a caress against her cheek. Astarion holds her jaw tenderly in place, while his thumb softly strokes her. Minutes pass by, and dark spots start swimming before her eyes.
"Nng… Have you… Is it enough?"
Oriya's cracking voice sounds distant to her own ears. Astarion stirs, tightens his grip, then lets go of her throat. His breath washes hot and heavy over the side of her neck. He moans as he licks at something warm that trickles down her throat, and buries his nose into Oriya's hair.
"Your blood is exquisite. I could keep drinking it and never have it be enough."
Oriya vaguely remembers that he is dangerous, and that even a 200 year old vampire might go feral, if thirsty enough.
But he stopped. She's alive.
She breathes in the evening forest air, enjoys the many scents that the breeze carries. There's a copper tang accompanying the earthy midnight balm.
"...What do I taste like?"
Astarion nudges her ear, his lips following the curve of her earlobe. Oriya's heart starts beating faster under the tender touches.
"As I remember what honey tastes like. Sweet, velvety. A richness that no gold can pay for. The sweetest gift," the Vampire whispers.
Oriya swallows a retort, and keeps the quiet going. It feels wrong to break the silence, right now. Only then she notices her hand was clasping Astarion's arm. She lets go, and folds her hands in front of her. With a tug at the Weave, pulling at the essence from the life around her, she summons a few Goodberries inside her palms.
A quick chew, and Oriya's dizziness disappears. Astarion still holds her, slowly letting her come to her senses.
"That's clever," he softly gestures at the berries.
"Are they helping?"
"Mhmhh. How about you?"
"As if I could crack a tree in two," he reassures her.
"Not on my watch," Oriya warns him, and they both chuckle.
"I am in your debt again," Astarion declares after a few moments.
"Anyone who will try to harm you during tomorrow's battle will feel my wrath."
"Save some for me," Oriya smiles, staring lazily at a few stars that twinkle through the dark canopy.
"I will."
Both fall quiet once more. Oriya slowly becomes aware of the shape of Astarion's body, enveloping her in his ancient strength. She raises, wavering a few uncertain steps. Astarion's quick to get up and support her, and his worried gaze stays on her until she's confidently upright again.
"Alright. The others might come slaughter you if we stay away too long," Oriya nudges, and starts walking towards the camp. The Vampire bares his fangs, his arrogance returning.
"Not tonight, in many thanks to you."
Oriya returns the smirk, and they cross the stream. She faintly feels his fingers on the small of her back before he passes her by and settles down on his bedroll, folding his arms behind his head. Shadowheart is already asleep, and Gale's shoulders relax as Oriya returns to the campfire as well.
Oriya settles down, sighing when her head hits the bedroll. While she falls asleep, her thoughts return to how Astarion's lips felt on her skin. So gentle. As if he cared. The last thing she sees before her eyes flutter shut, is two golden pupils watching her in the dark.