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Tav and Astarion started sleeping together. Not like that. Well, yes, there was also that. But that’s hardly anything new. What is new is that they started sleeping together side by side. It honestly took Astarion aback just how natural it felt, like two puzzle pieces slotting perfectly in place.
It was dreadfully domestic.
It all started with a storm. During one particularly damp night, Tav decided to seek shelter in Astarion’s tent. It wasn’t that long ago since they’d had their little talk, and when things between them changed into something…deeper. Something much sweeter than before. So he supposed it shouldn’t have come as no surprise when Tav approached him sheepishly with bedroll in hand. Not that he minded, of course. Though, he did allow himself the pleasure of teasing them relentlessly for it. But no, far from it. In fact, there was an odd sort of excitement to it, even though the two of them had been in far more vulnerable positions. The idea of being so close almost brought a strange sort of energy in the air. He still remembers how they could hardly stand to touch, just watching each other in the dark. No fire to warm them, nothing but the pelts they shared under. Whispering long into the night about everything and nothing until they grew too tired.
The prospect of 'bad weather' quickly became an awful excuse for Tav to cuddle up to him at night. Safe and dry from any supposed elements that may come. It was adorable really.
From there, it simply became a part of their routine. Eventually, their little song and dance around the subject was dropped altogether. Now, nearly every night when Tav approached him, Astarion would set his book aside to ask “Coming to bed, darling?” and that would be that. As if it were the easiest decision in the world. Granted, Astarion never needed much sleep to begin with, even before becoming a spawn. However, oddly enough, even he would find himself dozing off almost effortlessly from time to time. Especially nights like this, when Tav was curled up so protectively against his back, their arm wrapped securely around his middle. The vampire never knew he could be held so dearly. It felt safe. Cozy even. Astarion sighs softly, all tension melting away as he feels those familiar lips brush against his shoulder. Peppering the pale skin there with the faintest kisses. Any doubts for what new challenges tomorrow will inevitably bring, slowly fade from his mind. He has survived far worse. They both have. There will be plenty of time to worry later.
For now, there he lay completely sated in warmth and absolute bliss. It wasn’t long before Astarion felt himself beginning to drift off into a quiet, peaceful, slum—
—The hells was that?
Astarion’s eyes snap open at the feeling of something hard and wet clamping down around the small flesh of his shoulder. It wasn’t enough to break the skin. It was hardly enough to even hurt, but Astarion went still at the sensation. He was almost certain what it was he felt just now.
Slowly peering over his shoulder, his wide eyes are met with bigger guiltier ones frozen in place.
“…Did you just bite me?”
“Uh,” Tav stared dumbly, teeth still gently clamped around skin. They slowly pull off, smiling innocently. “No…?”
The fabric of their bedroll shifts as Astarion settles more onto his back to gawk at them accusingly.
“You did! Why—I can’t believe you!”
Tav hums doubtfully, trying to look anywhere else but him. Astarion squints, clearly seeing their lip wobble, trying to contain their own laughter.
“I don’t—“ Tav clears their throat, taking on a much more serious expression. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. In fact, I’m wounded by such an accusation.”
Astarion blinks at them before looking down at the same patch of skin. It now had a slight sheen in the dim moonlight, along with a row of soft divots.
“And you drooled on me!” His voice got even higher, which seemed to break Tav’s resolve entirely.
“Sorry sorry! I couldn’t resist!”
Astarion tuts, fully rolling over to face them. “And here I thought we agreed to ask before we bite.”
As their laughter quiets down, they nod with fake sincerity, “Right. You’re absolutely right. I should’ve asked first.”
“Yes you should’ve, my dear.” He pouts, “That was really rather rude.”
Tav smiles, “I’m sorry.” The man huffs, feigning disinterest at the apology. At least Tav has half the decency to look somewhat shy. “May I?”
The rogue regards them carefully for a moment and chuckles, a playful little smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. “Well, alright...” Leaning in closer, Astarion reaches to gently brushes the top of his knuckles along their jawline. “...But only if you say ‘plea—“
Tav swiftly grabs to latch their teeth onto his wrist.
He yelps, “Agh! Will you stop that?!”
Wrenching his hand away, Tav sinks back into their bed with a satisfied shit-eating grin. One that Astarion returns in kind before pushing himself up and swinging a leg over them, effectively trapping them beneath his weight.
“That does it. Someone ought to teach you some manners…”
Tav, the bastard, just bit their lip and snickered. The two stare at each other for a moment. Though, Tav swore they can see a glint of something dark and mischievous in their partner’s eyes. It’s a look they’ve grown all too familiar with during their travels. Hunger. A sly little smile plays on their lips as they tilt their head back, fully exposing their neck to the man looming over them. Astarion could feel his breath catch at the sight. The expanse of skin tempting his senses and threatening to draw him in. Even in all of Tav’s smug confidence, Astarion could still see them thrumming with anticipation just below the surface of their skin. Open and yearning for him to properly sink his fangs into them. To show them what a real bite feels like.
What Tav didn't expect was for him to shove his hand into the crook of their neck, causing them to immediately wriggle and squeal.
“AH! Nonono! Wait wait—!”
“Oh? Did you expect something else, perhaps?” He teases, keeping himself balanced even as Tav tries to squirm away and buck him off. “Think you can just offer your neck, and that’d be the end of it?”
Tav writhed underneath him, the only noise coming from them quickly dissolving into bubbly shrieks.
“I’m afraid you’ll have to speak up, darling!”
They wheeze, “Ah-haha! I’m sorry! I’m sorry-ehehe!!”
It’s suddenly an absurd flail of limbs between the two of them. Tossing and turning, nipping and clawing, both desperate to drive each other into a horrible fit of laughter. The entire camp could hear their cries, no doubt. Though they would probably never guess the absolutely sickening display within the privacy of his tent. Thank gods for that. As much as Astarion loved to flaunt his little treat around (Tav had once called it ‘preening’), he much preferred to keep the truly sappier things all to himself. Away from any prying eyes. Besides, he did have a reputation to maintain, after all. By the time it was all said and done, Astarion and Tav were lying back on their bedrolls, panting and grinning madly with a few new love bites to boot.
Before he can speak up, Tav turns to nuzzle into the space of his neck. And for the first time that night, Astarion fought down a sense of unease. Suddenly all too aware and nearly afraid that they would take the opportunity to bite him there too. But thankfully they didn’t, seeming to have finally calmed down after their little ‘tussle’. Or perhaps Tav had already suspected that such an area would be off-limits. They were always so weirdly considerate with that sort of thing.
Astarion’s heart squeezed at the thought. He cleared the lump in his throat. Alright, enough of that.
“So tell me...”
“Hm?”
“Does this happen to have anything to do with me being a vampire, or is this just one of your many odd quirks?”
They snort.
“I…” Tav’s brows knit together, trying to come up with any reasonable explanation where there clearly is none. Instead, they give him a half-embarrassed shrug. “I suppose when I think about it, I’ve always liked to nip people. I can’t quite explain. It’s…fun.”
“Oh, is it now?” He purred.
Tav rolled their eyes, their face slightly flushed. They give him a gentle shove. “You know what I mean.”
“Mm, yes. Yes I do.”
Now it seems it was finally Tav’s turn to pout. Astarion laughs at them, all teeth and fang.
“Come now, my sweet. Far be it from me to put a stop to your carnal desires.” He says in a sultry voice, wandering eyes roaming along Tav’s body. “Not when you’ve been so kind as to cater to my own…”
His companion’s face burned deeper as his piercing red eyes settled on a still healing mark decorated upon the side of their neck.
“I—You know I offer it freely.” Tav still reassures him, even after all this time. Their face was full of that tender earnestness that made him simply ache. “I need nothing in return.”
Astarion’s eyes soften, “I know.” And he did. Though, he must admit it was still nice to hear. He tilts his head back, looking up at the canvas ceiling thoughtfully. “But y’know…you could always try to bite a little harder.”
Tav stares at him. Astarion tries to give a casual little shrug.
“If you wanted to.”
There is a beat of silence inside the tent before he suddenly finds himself with a lapful of Tav. Desperate hands grab at his shirt while eager lips urgently crush against his own. He groans lowly and cranes his neck to deepen the kiss, his hands searching to grip Tav’s hips and pull them towards him. The motion sends a shiver through them, and Astarion can feel Tav’s hands slide up to cup his face. In between their heated broken kisses, Astarion couldn’t help but smile as he felt sharp teeth start to tug on his bottom lip.
Something tells him that neither one of them will be getting much sleep tonight after all.