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Astarion was cold.
It wasn’t just a feeling, he lacked blood flow. It was a fact that he was always cold. He took joy in brushing up against an unsuspecting neck and watching the owner flinch in surprise. While Wyll and Tav had hilarious reactions, Gale was his favorite. And it wasn’t because they now shared a bed amongst other things.
Well, it mostly wasn’t because they were sleeping together. Astarion was a shit stirrer. And Gale’s shit was so easily stirred.
While he was constantly cold, one might think he was used to it and he was. To an extent. There were some days when he was aware of the distinct lack of heat. Astarion could almost feel the coolness surrounding his hands. The surrounding air lowering a few degrees just from the proximity to his skin.
Especially on the days after certain memories plagued him. When he hasn’t had a good meal in a while and the lack of sustenance makes itself known and a squirrel- Not a rat. Not. A. Rat. -scurries past.
And even if he didn’t have any heat to conserve, sometimes he just enjoyed wearing one of the oversized sweaters the group found and made the decision to throw away or sell.
He still wasn’t sure who noticed his lingering touch on the fabric. But finding the sweater folded up on his mat in his tent was a surprise that only made him feel slightly uneasy.
Astarion wasn’t sure how long he stared at it before sitting on his bed and holding onto the gift. Because it was a gift. Something he hadn’t really received in who knew how long. He put on the sweater that night and while he knew intellectually it wouldn’t have changed a thing, Astarion swore he felt warmer.
While he did enjoy the cozy feeling. Gale’s reaction to him wearing the sweater was also interesting. The vampire was already aware of the soft looks the wizard gave him (He was genuinely hopeless.) Astarion wanted to see if there were any other looks Gale would shoot him. And he found the shocked, appalled, and exasperated reaction he had to Astarion not wearing anything but the sweater was his favorite.
Astarion grinned to himself and settled more comfortably against the large chair in Gale’s tent. It was only a matter of time before he heard the not so quiet footsteps approaching the front. He exhaled sharply at the lack of stealth but decided to flip another page of the tome in his hands.
He heard the scrape of a sudden stop against the dirt before a shocked, “Why aren’t you wearing any pants?!” followed.
The spawn was able to school his features just in time, “Do I have to?” came the seemingly genuine question. Astarion didn’t move from the chair, still curled up and reading. Red eyes glanced up without moving his head. He knew Gale also had a thing for books, and while most of the time it was innocent, the spawn knew exactly in what way to pose and how to look to make the heat appear in those deep brown eyes.
Gale paused, torn between his want to say ‘No’ but the fact of the matter was ‘Yes’. They were most likely going to head out soon. While he’d love it if Tav decided to leave them both at the camp, they weren’t sure what they were going to be doing today.
Astarion continued to stare him down as a small, knowing smirk drifted onto his face. The vampire knew exactly why the wizard was taking so long to answer him.
Gale let out a fond sigh, “You’d be less cold if you were wearing pants.” he remarked with a matching wry smile.
Astarion hummed, “That sounds like false information.” He let his eyes drift back to the book, suddenly aware of the lack of heat once again. Pale fingers spread from where he was holding the book the slightest bit to keep them from touching each other. If he focused intently enough on the words he could almost forget why he sought out the wizard's tent and wore the sweater in the first place.
The pregnant pause proved his reply wasn't as joking as he hoped. Astarion felt defensiveness rise up slowly but kept his gaze on the words he could no longer read. He felt the wizard’s eyes on him and withstood it for as long as he could before closing the book and glaring back at him, “What?”
Gale just continued to gaze softly. As if he could read the other’s racing thoughts.
For the moment, Astarion was glad he didn’t have flowing blood. He was certain a bright flush would be traveling across his face.
They stared at each other for a few moments before Gale nodded to himself. Astarion blinked in surprise when the wizard turned and closed the drapes fully, “What are you doing?”
Gale finished fixing the fabric before taking off his own outer robe. After folding it, he approached the still sitting elf and gestured for him to move over.
Astarion stared at him before slowly sitting up. He froze again when Gale immediately sat in the spot behind him. His heart swooped slightly before narrowing his eyes at the fabric wall in front of him. Silence permeated the small tent before, "There's no point. We'll be leaving soon."
Gale tucked his face into Astarions shoulder and hummed, "And until then, we can be here."
The spawn flexed his hands against the book. He hated how Gale knew him. But he couldn’t deny the fact that he felt strangely touched at the same time.
Astarion kept glaring to the side before he scoffed. He reopened the book and relaxed into the soft body against his back. Closing his eyes, he focused on the feeling of warmth and tipped his head slightly to lean against Gale's. He felt an arm wrap around his shoulder and laughed softly, "You're impossible."
Gale just shrugged, "Someone has to make sure our resident icicle can warm up." He smiled when he felt a soft smack against his arm.
"Shut up and cuddle me."
Gale grinned and readjusted so they both were on the small couch. Astarion tucked against his front and their legs pressed together.
Tav wouldn't need them today.