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The camp was bustling with so many people. Alfira was playing music and the liquor was flowing freely. Everyone was in good spirits after the successful fight against the goblin leaders. Lavender was having a great time amongst her kin, their smiles and laughter were contagious and she indulged in having some fun too.
Rolan was setting off magical fireworks and Karlach was having a drinking competition with Dammon. Even Gale seemed to be enjoying himself.
Shadowheart was sequestered in her tent probably tired of all the hero worship but Lavender spied some empty wine bottles that she may have finished herself. Perhaps she wasn't even alone in that tent of hers, but far be it from Lavender to go spoil her fun.
Then there was Astarion, a man so beautiful it should be a crime. He had a scowl on his face and seemed content with reading his tomes than joining the festivities.
"Come on then," She offered her hand to him, "Shall we dance?"
"Um, no," he sniffed, "I'd rather not."
Lavender smirked at him, "I suppose even you couldn't be magnificent at everything."
"Oh?" His eyebrow rose, "is that supposed to be a challenge?"
"Hmm?" She hummed cheekily, "oh no, it was a simple fact. I can see no other reason for your denial besides embarrassment."
Astarion scoffed, "I know what you're trying to do and I admit it's cute, but no, I think not."
"If you say so," she bowed, "my apologies to your royal highness if my offer to dance has offended you."
He sniffed pretending to be petulant but his smirk gave him away, "you are forgiven peasant. Don't let it happen again."
She laughed going on her merry way burning her hands a bit to try dancing with Karlach. He watched her, amused to find that she downed a bottle of fire resistance. He scowled, she had a way of getting under people's skin and he wasn't sure why he rejected her to dance but it was a novelty that he could.
He tried to ignore a bit of regret that he isn't the one dancing with her now.
Lavender was having a blast dancing with Karlach and the woman was ecstatic that Lavender decided to use one of their rare potions to have a dance with her if the massive smile wasn't any indication.
Once she started dancing, all the other tieflings started to join in and it was a massive circle of uncoordinated dancing. It couldn't have been any better, except she glanced over at the man that was increasingly gaining her affections, she supposed it could have been.
He noticed her glance and she waved him over shouting, "Come on! Live a little!"
There was something unreadable in his eyes for a flicker of a moment and then it was gone, replaced with an intensity she could only describe as determination.
The chaos of the dancing was gone and there was only him. He sauntered into the pit of dancing tieflings and joined her. Lavender was sure that her dancing was ridiculous and awful but she couldn't think, couldn't breathe, completely captivated by him.
He seemed unsure at first but the carefree attitudes of all those around him seemed to help. She realized that she was staring but she couldn't keep her eyes off of him.
She laughed when he pulled off a difficult tiefling move, "you are good at everything! I'm sure it's difficult to do that without a tail!"
"What can I say? I am as talented as I am beautiful." He was delighted at the giggle she gave.
The music died down to a softer tempo and couples began to slow dance.
"I don't suppose you know how to waltz?" she offered her hand tentatively afraid he would reject her again.
He seemed to hesitate but took her hand firmly and brought her closer, "perhaps you could teach me."
She put his hands in the proper places and settled her hand in his, "I'd love to."
The world melted away again and her heart was hammering away in her chest as they found their rhythm. She was sure that he could feel it through her hands but he stayed silent, pensive.
Her breath hitched when he kissed her hand, "What say you and I go find our own fun?"
"Wh-What do you mean?" She felt her face flushing.
He nuzzled into her hand and his gaze seemed to pierce her very soul, "sex, my dear."
"With me?" She was incredulous. "Why?"
"Why else? Pleasure, yours, mine, our collective ecstacy." His voice was soft and smooth but there was something else in his eyes that made her hesitate.
"A-are you sure?" Lavender didn't believe that she was beautiful, average maybe, but why would such a beautiful man want to be with her when he wouldn't have a shortage of beautiful bed mates.
"Of course my dear." He kissed each of her fingers, "I want nothing more than to taste you, isn't that what you want?"
"I won't lie, you're beautiful and impossibly errotic but I don't-'' she floundered, unsure of what to say, "-I don't do casual Astarion, if you want me and you mean it, I'd rather start small. If you don't mind of course."
They stopped swaying and were on the outskirts of the dancing circle and Astarion was dumbfounded. This was not part of his plan at all, perhaps it could still work but a slow game like this could end in disaster. Would it be worth it?
"Alright, what do you have in mind?"
Lavender fidgeted for a moment before standing on her tip toes and kissed him on the cheek, lingering for just a moment and settling back down.
Astarion stood frozen in place, an innocent gesture had taken his breath away and his non-beating heart lurched in place.
She smiled at him shyly and bid him goodnight as he stood there rooted in place. His hand laid against the cheek she kissed and tried to stop the swelling of feelings in his chest.
"She's a dangerous one." He may not have realized it then, but from that moment his undead heart started beating again.