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It came naturally to him. Being sultry and mysterious enough to draw them in, charming enough to keep them around. And his companion was falling for it hook, line, and sinker. A tall, broad-shouldered ally strong enough to fling around his enemies as if they were gnats. He had him wrapped around his finger, and everything was going according to plan.
Then why does Astarion feel so bad about it?
He'd never felt this way before. It was a foreign feeling, a cold pit between his stomach and heart that couldn't be reasoned with. Every time the barbarian looked at him with those striking milky yellow eyes that softened at the edges when he saw him, it panged in his abdomen like a boulder thrown into a cavern. It was almost a miracle to see a man so physically powerful, so full of ferocity on the battlefield turn to putty in Astarion's hands. It would be funny, if it wasn't happening to him. If it wasn't making his plan crumble with every soft glance and whispered word.
For the first time in two hundred years he had autonomy, and he was still doing the things he despised Cazador for making him do. He cursed himself, more than once, for getting himself in this situation, but cursed himself even more for not leaving. He could have severed this connection long ago, abandoned the plan to seduce and gain the trust of this man. But every time Tav so much as smiled at him, those thoughts died on his tongue. The attention was intoxicating, the feeling of someone enjoying you.
And it seemed like Tav enjoyed much more than his charm and good looks. As if he actually wanted to know him.
He had to take a break from camp this night. One too many nights in a row where the bright-eyed man came over with a glimmering grin, towering over him and saying all the right words. For the past few nights he had allowed Astarion to feed on him and they took a spot just outside of camp as to not disturb the others. And each time they made that trip, it felt more intimate.
Last night, as his teeth sunk into Tav's thick, muscled neck, a hand reached up and held on to Astarion's back. It didn't seem intentional, almost instinctual- Tav was not the one with the nerve to initiate contact like that. But he held onto Astarion gently and their bodies flushed even closer together, as if it were possible to be closer to the man you were actively draining the blood from.
Their legs slotted together after that, grounded by the other's leg between their own. And it took until that point for Astarion's daft ass to realize that Tav was into this. He could feel the heat radiate off of his deep tawny skin as he twitched with every new point of contact. Habit took over before Astarion could reason otherwise as he placed a hand over the vast chest beneath him and grounded the other on the dip between his side and his hips. Tav shuddered, breathing hard and dazed as his blood slipped away.
Astarion bordered on dangerous how long he continued. He knew when to stop with Tav after a few sessions of bloodletting, but the feeling of the man trying his damndest to muffle his whimpers and his arms around him was just as intoxicating as the blood he drained.
He forced himself to pull away eventually, a drop of blood dripping down his chin as he met Tav's eyes. And Tav looked at him with an affectionate stare. Infatuated. And that pit in Astarion's stomach doubled in size.
Was he now taking advantage of him? After being taken advantage of for so, so many years? Abusing this soft affection the man has for him, while he knows nothing of his less than pure intentions?
Astarion kept him around his finger. He was keeping Tav tethered to him. You would have to be a fool not to notice the way some of the other members of their camp looked at him, curious, prodding, looking to connect, but Astarion all but prevented it. It was especially obvious with Gale, making sheepish comments of affection that were rarely reciprocated.
He would look at Astarion in those moments. As if to smile and say Don't worry, I won't. As if he thinks he belongs to Astarion.
Astarion had to shake his thoughts. He grabbed a rock from beside him and tossed it off the edge he sat on. It was a perfectly clear night, a full moon above him casting the land in a sickening blue. Bats flittered through the sky, catching moths that fluttered a bit too close towards the enchanting light of the moon. The only sounds that echoed through this valley were the yawning of crickets and the echo of his rock reverberating off of the granite cliff. Astarion brought his knees to his chest, looking over the horizon of trees.
It was a nice enough night to sleep out here. And maybe he should. The blanket beneath him provided enough coverage from the dew-soaked grass to be comfortable, and it was the closest thing to a cold shower he could get in the middle of the Faerûn wilds.
A twig snapped behind him, causing him to reel around towards the sound of the noise with a hand overing where he tucked his dagger.
But, of course, the offending sound came from Tav, looking captured in the moonlight. In that moment, Astarion could imagine him as a marble statue carved by one of the greats. His muscular arms were well-defined in the tight button up he wore, and his expression was perfectly non-threatening. He had the looks of a hero, the looks of someone to be remembered for years to come. Nothing like the fiendish looks of Astarion. Tav raised his hands up in defense, smiling wide enough for his teeth to shine.
"Sorry. I was wondering where you went off to."
"Brooding." Astarion said quickly, turning back away from him. He sat up a little straighter, crossing his legs. "I'm a vampire. We do that."
"Oooh, I see." Tav hummed, wandering a few steps closer. "Could I join you?"
Always asking. He just had to be polite, too. Astarion didn't have the will to say no. "Well, it isn't exactly brooding if I have company. But I can end early tonight."
Tav snorted a laugh, sitting down next to him with a heavy thunk. "What are you brooding about tonight?"
Astarion pursed his lips, thinking of a convenient excuse. "Oh, you know. The dark nature of things. Our expeditions. How we're all on the verge of turning into illithid." You, his mind practically yelled. "And I've been putting a lot of thought into bats, of late."
"A vampire? Thinking about bats?"
"Har har," Astarion pushed him, but trying to push a tree would have more give. "But that's the point. Just look at them, the way they dance around the sky. It's more graceful than any vampire I ever knew."
One bat flew closer towards them, swooping around and grabbing a large moth in its mouth and charging towards a tree with its treasure in tow. It seemed like his words summoned half a dozen more bats to bathe in the light of the moon, swooping back and forth and chasing one another like they were dancers. Tav watched intently, head tilting as he followed their movements. Astarion couldn't help but to look at him in that moment, moonlight reflecting off his skin and shining in his eyes. His thick lips pulled back into a smile as he watched the bats move.
His gaze was only disrupted when he noticed Astarion looking at him, blinking a few times before he smiled. "I think I know a vampire as graceful as they are."
Astarion withered under his gaze. He turned away, and if he could blush, he would. "You think you know him," Astarion echoed, the pit in his stomach growing.
Tav turned his head to catch his gaze again, but didn't say anything. He seemed to think for a moment before he inched closer to Astarion. "Can I see your hand?"
Astarion arched a brow at him, but wide eyes looked at him with anticipation, asking, and Astarion felt safe. It was such a rare thing for him to feel safe with anyone, and he wasn't sure what it meant if he felt safe around a large, daunting man who splits skulls on the daily. He lifted his hand to him slowly, watching the way Tav moved.
Tav took his hand in both of his, looking at it palm-up. He angles it a few different ways, his pale skin glinting under the light of the moon. Tav's dark skin contrasted greatly against Astarion's, and his mind drifted to what they would look like hand in hand. He couldn't help but to watch him as he examined his palm with a thoughtful expression.
"You have fire hands." Tav said matter-of-fact, like Astarion would understand what he meant.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Oh, it's- palm reading. Elemental shape. It means you're confident and lead a colorful life. But you may lack compassion."
Astarion snorted. "You could guess that without looking at my palm. I did not take you for the superstitious type."
Tav huffed at him, shaking his head. "Well, here." A thick finger points just between his wrist and his palm, where two creases met. "Fate and life connect. Ambition, confidence. But this circle here," his finger ghosted over the sensitive skin of his palm, pointing at a rounded branch in one of the creases. "It says you are easily convinced."
Astarion looked at him for a few moments, trying to determine why his heart fluttered in his chest when Tav met his eyes. "You humans and your rituals," he breathed. "Where did you learn how to do this?"
Tav smiled, but there was a subtle change in his expression. "My mother. It was a family tradition, all the first daughters were to be healers." There was a shadow in his eyes there, caused by the recollection.
Tav still held his hand in both of his as they looked at one another for a few quiet moments. Astarion noted the thread-thin line of blue around Tav's pupils, like magic did rest within this barbarian after all. The intensity of his gaze made him turn his attention back to his palm, clearing his throat. "Well, what else do you think it says?"
Tav hummed. "You have a good arch on your life line. Bright and energetic. But you have a few breaks early on," his fingers ghost over the space near his thumb. "Tumultuous time, early on. But it steadies out just fine. See?" He followed the path of the line, starting with a few frays and breaks before it becomes a solid, clear line until it ends at his wrist. "Means things get better."
Astarion felt limp in his hand. It was rare he felt himself at a loss for words, but no matter how hard he searched he couldn't find anything to say. He took a few moments, staring at how clear his line becomes, before meeting the soft gaze of Tav again.
Tav stared at him, and he felt the gravity of it all. He felt like he couldn't breathe. It was quiet for quiet for a few moments as Tav just watched him, waiting for him to move. Astarion shivered and flipped his palm over to thread his fingers with Tav's. That pit in his stomach dissolved some, being replaced with a much more pleasant warm tug at his heart that made him feel drunk. The longer he stared into those eyes, the more it swelled through him.
What came next felt natural. He closed the gap between them and kissed him gently on the lips. It was soft enough for Tav to pull back if he wanted, but of course he didn't. He seemed surprised, frozen for a few moments before he was able to kiss Astarion back. Astarion brought his free hand to Tav's cheek, holding his warm cheek in cold hand.
Tav was clumsy with the kiss, like he wasn't exactly sure what he was doing. But Astarion was more than willing to guide him, moving slowly and carefully for him to mirror. The way he moved was cautious, noting everything Astarion did and doing nothing more than what Astarion initiated. This man was strong, powerful, more than able to throw Astarion around and do what he pleased, but he wouldn't. He wouldn't even touch him if he didn't know he was allowed. And knowing that thrilled Astarion. It provoked a happiness he wasn't even sure was possible in two hundred years.
Before he lost himself in the kiss, Astarion pulled back and pressed his forehead against Tav's. He kept his eyes closed for a few moments before slowly opening them, terrified to meet the intense gaze of Tav. But as soon as their eyes met, he relaxed, smiling giddily at the human's endearing focus.
"You've wanted to do that for a while now, haven't you?" Astarion teased.
Tav's brow furrowed, but his grin remained. "If it's that obvious, I should probably back off."
Astarion gripped him by the sleeve of his shirt, so quickly he hardly realized he had done it. "Don't you dare."
Tav laughed, soft and quiet as he lifted his head up and looked at Astarion. "Well, while I'm here, you can feed on me. If you wish."
Astarion wished. There was very few things he wished for more in that moment than to pin the man down, strip him, and feed on much more than just his neck. He was almost dazed by the desire, dazed by the feeling of Tav's warm skin and the smell of him after a long day's adventure.
But he felt the urge to show restraint. He wanted to test this patience of Tav, to test how much restraint the primal killer had. To see if he would break when pushed and do what Astarion expected any other man to do. Astarion very much doubted it, doubted he could get Tav to so much as raise his voice at him, but enjoyed this newfound feeling of power and choice. He could wait, if but just a few days more, to play with Tav.
He pressed his lips to Tav's again for a much shorter kiss, peppering another on his cheek. "I appreciate it, darling, but I've been sated plenty already. You wouldn't want me to get greedy, you generous thing." He smiled at him, turning towards the horizon and resting his head on Tav's shoulder.
"It's a beautiful night, however. If you'd share it with me." He said quietly.
"I'd like nothing more." Tav almost whispered. He pressed a tender kiss to the top of Astarion's head before laying back with his arms above his head, looking at the stars. Astarion couldn't help but to follow, laying back with him and using his large bicep as a pillow. Tav wrapped that arm around Astarion, holding him close.
"Is this okay?" He asked quietly.
Astarion laughed airily and nodded. "It's perfect."
"Don't laugh," Tav said bashfully, giving Astarion a soft squeeze.
"I don't mean to. I'm just not used to this, is all."
"This?" Tav met his eyes, and that warm feeling tugged at his heart again.
"Softness." Astarion whispered. With that, he turned on his side and burrowed his face into Tav's shoulder, body flush against his side.
They snuggled close together, and although Astarion would never sleep as deeply as the human that began to breathe so deeply beside him that he threatened to snore, he felt so comfortable in Tav's warmth he thought he might.