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They had done it. The refugee’s were going to be safe going back to Baldur’s gate. Arkhir smiled as he watched the other tieflings mingle in his party’s camp.
It had been awhile since he’s been among his own kind. It felt… nice. But also foreign… as the former encounters hadn’t been so jovial.
The pale purple tiefling sighed as he laid down his bow on exchange for a glass of wine. He had really only planned on one glass, but Volvo was there, encouraging everyone to drink and be merry. After all, they had accomplished quite the feat. They had earned the right to a fun night.
And that’s how the ranger found himself drunk as the rest of them, cavorting around the camp like a fool. That was until…
”Arkhir!” A female tiefling stood up, obviously drunk herself as she sidled up to him. “Mr. Hero~ wouldn’t you care to dance with me?”
”Of course? What harm could a dance do?”
Far more than one would expect apparently. The dance ended with the tiefling woman ripping his shirt down the front, drunkenly trying to be sexy, but only succeeded in exposing his chest to the rest of the party. Which may not have been a problem under normal circumstances. But see.... Arkhir had a secret. He had….some womanly features. And while he usually binded his chest traveling during the day, he would undo it at night so he could let his ribs and lungs breathe.
A collective gasp rang through the party. Ofcourse some of them had their suspicions.... like Halsin and Wyll. While others... like Gale, ShadowHeart and Karlach had been completely clueless.
Humiliated, Arkhir retired for the night, ignoring their drunken pleas for him to come back. No one should've seen that. Especially not an entire group of strangers who may not even understand. Fortunately his party didn’t question him about it the next day. Maybe they had forgotten. After all, the sheer number of drinks they had was enough to make an elephant forget it’s name.
The only one who did know- was Astarion.
They had been having…. Meetups. For about 3 days before then. Astarion hadnt made a fuss, and still treated him like the man he was. And for that… he was so happy. But after the party.... the tiefling shrank away from even him.
”Darling are you sure you are alright?” The vampire asked for probably the 12 time that day.
”Yes Astarion.” Was always his reply.
The day finally ended and once more, the party was tucked away in their bedrolls. Except for Arkhir and Astarion.
The two had… an odd relationship. Astarion would feed on the tiefling, and in return- provide some… gratification.
But tonight felt… different.
When everyone had fallen asleep, and the tiefling met the half elf outside their camp, he went, binded. Which was very abnormal.
Astarion raised an eyebrow when he saw him. “Have you been like this all day? Surely that’s not healthy for when you sleep and do…. Strenuous activities.”
”It’s not, really.” Arkhir admitted. “But I’ll manage. Come on Astarion. You’re not gonna let a few bandages put you off your game are you?”
That of course did the trick, and the two were rolling in the grass seconds later.
It wasn’t unusual for Astarion to feed while he fucked him. It was kind of arousing for both of them. But it was supposed to be a once a day kind of thing. After all, he didn’t want a repeat of the first time…. And he had already drank of him that morning.
”Darling are you sure..?” He asked, confused as he felt Arkhir’s hand guide him to his usual feeding spot- and almost force him onto his neck. “I did have breakfast from you this morning.”
”I’m sure.” Arkhir’s eyes were closed tightly. “Drink as much as you want. I don’t mind.”
He waited with his eyes closed, holding his breath as he waited for the familiar pain of Astarion’s teeth. But it never came. Instead, he felt Astarion pull away.
Opening his eyes, he’s greeted with the half-elf’s concerned expression. “This is not like you Arkhir. Out with it. What is troubling you?”
“It’s… it’s nothing…”
”It is… something…. Perhaps concerning this..” He tapped the tieflings bindings. “Darling… it’s not healthy for you to be like this. Let me take them off.”
”No!” Arkhir gasped, pushing his hand away.
The vampire’s eyebrow raised. Arkhir had never refused Astarion a part of his body before.
”Arkhir…. It is for your health. The bandages don’t make a man. You are a man, no matter what. But right now, these need to come off. You will hurt your ribs and your breathing."
"I said no Astarion!" The tiefling shouted, shoving him away.
The pale elf's crimson eyes showed a flash of hurt, then faded away into something akin to anger. "Very well. You're a grown man I suppose. You can make your own decisions." With that, the vampire pulled on his clothes, and stormed off.
Arkhir felt his voice catch in his throat, he had offended the one person that wasa close to him, who knew his secret and didn't question it. What had he done? Was he really such a fuck up..?
He sighed as he went down to the beach. He needed to think. He needed to figure something out. He had to apologize to Astarion didn’t be? But why should he? He only wanted to feel… normal..
He stared at his reflection in the water, hating what stared back at him. He’d always tried to make himself look masculine, and it had worked to an extent. But some things were just… harder to hide.
Despair sank over the tiefling and he let himself fall to his knees. He couldn’t keep doing this. Something had to give. Maybe start a new life? He felt his own claws dig into his skin, easily cutting it open. He was here at a deep enough body of water… it would be so easy to die…
A flutter of wings attracted his attention. A harpy in her nest, quiet but studying him with glinting eyes.
This could be a way out.
”Sing me your song….” He whispered, locking eyes with the creature. “Please…”
The harpy needed no further asking, and soon, that sweet melody was surrounding him, pulling him into the water, making him feel at peace… finally.
He closed his eyes as he walked, humming along with the sweet music of the creature, the water getting deeper, up to his waist now when the monster cut off with an unholy shriek.
The singing being disturbed caused Arkhir to open his eyes, just in time to see the harpy fall from its perch, a single arrow through it’s neck.
He stared at the body in a sort of dazed confusion, until he felt a hand grab his arm, and he was turned around to face a very angry Astarion.
”What in the hells are you doing?!” He shouted, shaking the other male. “Is this your plan to feel better? Getting eaten by a damned harpy?!”
Arkhir felt his eyes prick with tears, but he had no fight in him anymore. “I’m sorry…” He whispered. “I just… I’m tired of living… I just want to feel at peace with my own body… not trapped in one that isn’t… me…”
The pale elf’s face softened as he sighed. “Come on… let’s get you cleaned up… then we’ll talk.”
”I don’t need to clean up…it’s just water..”
”Darling you know I’m a vampire. The air is full of the sweet smell of your blood.” He grabbed the tieflings wrists and turned them, showing off the deep scratching into his skin. “I wasn’t exactly born yesterday.”
Like a scolded puppy, Arkhir allowed Astarion to lead him to shore, his head down. He still felt… terrible… but at least Astarion wasn’t angry with him. Well he was…. But not for the reason he’d thought.
”A waste of such sweet blood.” The vampire sighed longingly as he cleaned up the tiefling’s cuts. “If you’re going to do something like this, just tell me. I’ll have a little snack instead.”
Arkhir couldn’t tell if he was joking.
The older male sighed as he met the other’s eyes. “Arkhir… look… I’m not going to tell you to completely stop binding. I know it helps you see yourself better. But at least… at night…. For your health…”
The tiefling nodded mutely. “I know I shouldn’t be doing it 24/7 but…”
”But nothing darling. Look. You ARE a man. Besides.” A small smirk entered his face. “I’ve seen men with MUCH bigger breasts than that.”
His face flushed and he gave the other man a soft shove that barely moved him. “I thought you were supposed to be helping me feel better you goose.”
“Did it not? You’re smiling.” He leaned close to him, his crimson eyes full of amusement.
“Be quiet.”
”Ahah!”
The elf’s expression turned serious once more. “But Arkhir… I need you to promise me… if you ever feel like pulling a stunt like this again…. Come to me. And we’ll deal with those feelings together.”
He pulled the other male to him in a soft embrace, and whispered softly in his ear. “You’re my treasure… and if anything happened to you… I don’t know what I’d do. So please darling… promise me.”
Arkhir’s eyes locked with the elf’s crimson orbs. The genuine concern and fear he saw confused him slightly, but also comforted him.
”I promise..”
”Good boy.” He whispered, squeezing the tiefling tighter. “Now. Let’s head off to bed hm? You need rest my darling.”
”But Astarion-“ The tiefling started to protest.
”Dont worry my treasure. I’ll be right here whenever you need me. And that’s my promise.”
The vampire pressed a soft kiss to the tieflings forhead, and Arkhir simply melted. He would be safe… Astarion wouldn’t let anything hurt him. Even himself.