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They all stand, stunned and looking at the sky. Shadowheart breaks the spell first. “Oh my gods, we’re actually alive. We actually did it.”
Astarion waves a hand, “of course we did. There was never any doubt we’re brilliant- OW!” He looks at his hands as they begin to crack and sizzle, the heat of the sun searing into his face as the tadpole’s protection is finally gone from him.
“Astarion!” Havoc reacts as Astarion seems stunned in place. “Don’t move!” He pulls his violin smoothly off his back and pulls a note along the strings as he calls out the verbal components of his spell. Darkness suddenly envelops the area they are in, blocking the sun from continuing to sear Astarion’s skin.
“Astarion, please don’t move. I am going to walk into the darkness to you but you can’t panic and run.” Havoc’s voice is firm and calm, with all the authority of someone who has been their little troupe's leader for the last months. He walks slowly, tail swinging slowly behind him, a single hand out toward where he can hear Astarion’s occasional whimper.
He lowers his voice, “I am right here. I have to put my hands on you alright?”
“Yes please just get on with it!” Astarion’s voice carries none of his usual snark, instead giving away his fear and helplessness. He got so far he doesn’t want to die like this.
Havoc places a hand gently on Astarion’s arm. “I’ve got you. Just trust me.” His voice is quiet, comforting so only Astarion can hear him. He can feel the elf nod.
“Gale! I need your cloak please!”
Gale is quick to find Havoc and Astarion in the darkness, handing his cloak over to be wrapped around the vampire like a large blanket. Havoc fusses until he is confident all of Astarion’s skin is covered. “I won’t leave your side.”
“Gale!” Havoc calls again to the wizard. “I’m going to drop the darkness. I need you to make me fast.”
“Got it, love.”
All in one fluid motion, the darkness falls away and Gale pulls the weave towards himself, spreads his hands, and casts haste on Havoc. The bard grins at the rush of energy, and belts out a note, grabbing hold of Astarion as they are transported once, twice, and in seconds are hundreds of feet away stumbling into a dark tavern.
Havoc lets Astarion go to step back and look him up and down. He sings softly and some of the cracks and blisters that had formed along his face and arms soothe or vanish entirely. They meet eyes and Havoc sees almost as much raw emotion in Astarion as when he was knelt over the bloody corpse of his former master. He looks completely devastated, and stares vacant down at his still slightly sizzling hands.
Astarion seems to realize how he must look and he schools his expression. “Thank you. I’m not sure how much worse that would’ve been had you not reacted so quickly.”
“Come here.” Havoc gently tugs at Astarion’s elbow, moving him to a chair in a windowless corner. He ushers him to sit down, pillages some wine from behind the bar, and sits down in the opposite chair, the open bottle between them.
“You don’t need to stay here with me. I’m sure everyone is out there celebrating and cheering. Gale probably wants to wax poetic about how much he loves you or something.” He tries to sound playful, but there is a bitterness underneath that Astarion can’t hide. He picks up the bottle and takes several gulps of wine, pulling a face at the taste before setting it back down on the table.
“I’m alright here for a bit.” The tiefling’s smile is genuine as he takes his own deep drink of wine.
There are a few minutes of quiet where Astarion clearly wants to say something. He looks more and more annoyed until he finally snaps “You’re maddening! There is no reason for you to be just sitting in here with me! You probably didn’t even have the energy for all the magic you wasted to get us over here that fast.” He pushes away from the table quickly and stands to pace back and forth. Havoc leans back in his chair, waiting quietly for Astarion to work through his outburst to get to what he actually wants to say.
“You’re brilliant and should be basking in what you’ve accomplished.”
“What we all accomplished.”
Astarion stops stalking and leans down right in front of Havoc, voice too loud for how close he is. “I am just a vampire spawn now. I’ll burn up in the sun, surely can’t walk into houses uninvited anymore, running water is right out. I am a liability now. And yet you insist on just sitting here with me for no reason instead of celebrating and being whisked off to Waterdeep like Gale has been dreaming of for weeks now!” Astarion hears what he says too late to take it back, as Havoc’s eyes go wide.
"He’s going to ask me to Waterdeep with him?”
“Well yes I had a whole speech planned and everything.” Gale is slowly walking into the back of the empty tavern. Astarion properly shrinks in on himself, pulling his hands through his hair. The other two men hear the small ‘fuck’ he whispers as he drops back into the chair opposite Havoc.
Gale just walks all the way up to Havoc before kneeling at his feet.
“You’re everything. And while I once told you a moment could sate me for a lifetime, I am but a greedy wizard. I want countless moments with you that I may sate every lifetime I might ever live. I would be honored if you would come back to Waterdeep with me.”
“You’re a fool.” Havoc smiles, pulling Gale’s face into a warm kiss. “Obviously, yes.”
Astarion clears his throat. “Well, so glad to have not actually ruined that tender moment. I am going to go hide now in the darkest corner until nightfall when I can be off.”
As he begins to stand, Havoc pulls Gale’s attention to him. They don’t have the tadpoles anymore, but he prays that Gale understands what he is asking without them. “Please.”
Gale’s head tilts a little to the side, like he is trying to figure out a puzzle. In the briefest moment his face softens completely, he smiles and replies, “Anything, my love.”
Havoc’s tail flicks behind him, betraying his excitement as he gets up and steps around Gale. “Astarion wait please.” His hand stretches out, beckoning but not grabbing the elf. “Please come with us.”
Astarion whips around, wide eyed stare at the both of them. He opens and closes his mouth twice before Gale adds, “It’s a big tower. After my year of isolation it could use the extra company.”
Havoc steps towards him cautiously, like trying not to startle a wild animal. “Plus, I haven’t figured out how to let you walk in the sun yet. And Gale has so many books and nerd stuff an answer must be somewhere in there.”
“Hey!”
Havoc smiles warmly at him over his shoulder.
Astarion is so quiet Gale can’t make out his words from a few feet away, but Havoc can hear his timid question. “Why would you want me? Why would you still help me?”
Havoc embraces him, slinging one arm across his back and the other over his shoulder, and pulls Astarion tight to his chest. “I’m surrounded by fools. You’re my friend Astarion.”
At Havoc’s words the elf returns his hug, clinging tight to the hard armour, and burying his face. They embrace for a long time before separating. Astarion has finally let go of the manic energy left from the adrenaline of almost cooking in the sun. Gale comes up next to Havoc, who places a hand on his lower back.
Tentatively, Astarion questions, “You won’t mind doing the whole trip back to Waterdeep at night? Sailing is really not my thing.”
“What travel?” Gale sounds offended at the question. Both men turn to look at him, clearly puzzled. “I was an archmage! I have an entire tower. Do you really think it exists without a teleportation circle? With a few pieces of special chalk and a handful of inks and gems that would be easily acquired at Sorcerous Sundries I’ll have us in my tower in an instant.”
Gale looks remarkably smug at their shock. Havoc turns, “Hold on you could have gone back in an instant this whole time? Why did you stay on this suicide mission?”
Havoc feels a pang of guilt when Gale cringes at the choice of words. “Well to be fair I did want the tadpole gone when you pulled me from that portal. Then it became my actual suicide mission if you will. Don’t look at me so sad I chose you didnt I? And that’s just it.” Gale turns his whole body to face Havoc. “By the time I wanted to live I was living for you. It took a while before I was also living for myself. We had to finish what we started and I did really want the tadpole gone.” Gale realizes he might be rambling. “I couldn’t just get back here if I had left! It made no sense to leave. Nevermind that's not important.” He looks at Astarion again before continuing, “ Anyway, the short answer is we don’t have to travel by night because we will teleport in an instant. No need to worry about the sun or water at all.”
Astarions smile is small, but genuine. Havoc’s smile is blinding, and he is now practically bouncing with excitement.
“You’re incredible! It’s going to be great. I’m going to go get our friends and we should all drink until dusk. Then we can sort out our affairs here and get you somewhere safe before morning Astarion. We all probably have a few days of things to take care of here and make sure balance is somewhat restored before we head off.” Havoc leans forward to give Gale a quick kiss to his cheek.
“Don’t go anywhere!” he calls as he is running off to gather everyone.
Both men watch the tiefling bound happily out of the tavern. Astarion breaks the silence first. “Gale, I’m sorry-”
Gale holds his hand up before Astarion makes it any further. “Please don’t. You’ve no need to do that. Everything is perfect.” He smiles before turning to find the best wine among the chaos behind the bar.
Astarion does not seem convinced, but moves to sit at a stool on the other side, just watching as Gale debates between two bottles. “Plus, if you don’t come with us, who will I talk to about theoretical academics and obscure history? Havoc? I love him but he could never keep up.”
Astarion barks out a laugh and catches the conspiratory look that lights up Gale’s face. It eases the last of his tension. Him and the wizard had been setting up tents near each other at camp for a while now, and when he wasn’t busy with Havoc, Gale had somehow also become Astarion’s friend.
The two fall into easy banter, comparing wines until Havoc drags everyone back to properly celebrate as a group. They will all clean up the mess later, together.