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As they made their way through that darkness-infested land, they were ambushed by a group of very inebriated and bloodthirsty goblins.
The fight itself wasn't difficult, and the sluggishness of their opponents was another point in their favor. Once the goblins were defeated, Astarion approached the last one standing, draining him of his blood. An instant later, however, he let go of the goblin, his expression twisting into a grimace.
"Are you alright?" asked Gale.
"Yes, I…" Astarion shut his eyes firmly, bringing a hand to his head. "What in hells were they drinking?"
His words caught the attention of their companions.
"Is something wrong?" asked Wyll.
Astarion shook his head. "No, just… Whatever it was, it went straight to my head. I need to sit down for a minute…"
He approached a nearby rock, sitting on it, seeming paler than usual. His body slowly tilted to the side, so Gale approached him, placing a hand on his back to keep him steady.
Karlach furrowed her brow, seeming concerned. "Mate, you sure you're fine?"
"My head is spinning…" said Astarion. "Just give me one minute…"
He spoke in a grumbling manner, each word making an effort to crawl off his tongue. Shadowheart met Gale's eyes.
"Is he… drunk?" she asked.
Now that she pointed that out, it sure seemed like it. How curious… Gale had no idea it was possible to get drunk from someone's blood.
"It certainly seems to be the case," he said.
"He is in no state to fight like this," said Lae'zel. "We should bring him back to camp."
"Great idea," grumbled Astarion.
He tried to stand, only to lose his balance. Gale and Shadowheart managed to hold him, keeping him from falling.
"My apologies…" said Astarion. "My legs don't seem to be very functional at the moment."
"I can see that," said Shadowheart.
Karlach looked at them with an apologetic smile. "I would carry him but, you know…" She gestured at her engine. "Still cooling off from all that."
Lae'zel approached them, holding Astarion by the arm. "I will do it."
"I'll give you a hand," said Wyll.
"There is no need. I can carry a drunken vampire on my own."
"Not just any drunken vampire, darling…" said Astarion. "I haven't seen my face in nearly two centuries, but I'm fairly certain I am the most dashing drunken vampire you've ever come across."
Lae'zel narrowed her eyes. "Speak to me in that way again and I will cut your tongue."
Her response made Astarion pout. "I don't want to be carried by you, anyway… Gale, why don't you carry me? Lae'zel is such a bore…"
Lae'zel clicked her tongue, shoving Astarion into Gale's arms. "Someone take him before I slit his throat."
Astarion rolled his eyes. "See what I'm talking about?"
Gale glanced at Shadowheart, who raised both hands, shaking her head. "Don't look at me, I'm not going through that."
No consideration for his lack of physical strength, it seemed…
"Very well, leave it all to the wizard." Gale placed Astarion's arm around his neck, holding his waist. "Here… I'll help you walk."
Astarion giggled, pleased. "Oh, thank you. You're such a darling…"
"Don't make me drop you too."
"You would never…" Astarion tried to caress his cheek, but ended up slapping his nose. "Anyone else would, but not you, my sweet. You're the only one who cares about me in this entire group."
"Come on, buddy…" said Karlach. "You know that's not true."
"I know…" Astarion laughed. "But he likes to feel special. Don't you, my dear?"
"Yes, of course…" Gale looked at the others. "Well, we should get going."
"Agreed," said Lae'zel.
Just a few steps later, however, Astarion tripped on his own foot, bringing Gale down with him to the ground.
"Shit, are you alright?" asked Karlach.
Astarion grunted. "Why is everyone spinning?"
"We're not." Gale took Wyll's hand to stand up, then faced Astarion. "Come on, I'll help you stand."
"Gale… What are these bright colors everywhere?" Astarion scowled. "I don't like them…"
Gale tried to make Astarion stand, but he wouldn't stay up.
"This will be faster if you just carry him," said Shadowheart.
"You are probably right." Gale crouched on the ground. "Come here… Climb on my back."
Astarion tried to do as he said with sluggish movements. Noticing his difficulty, Wyll approached.
"Wait, let me help you."
He helped Astarion get on Gale's back, wrapping his arms around his neck. Astarion stared at him.
"Are you flirting with me, Wyll?"
"You know I'm not."
"How tragic." Astarion laughed, amused. "You were my second option, you know? In case Gale rejected me that night…"
Wyll raised his eyebrow, seeming unsure of what to say. "Why, thank you."
"Good thing I acted faster, then," murmured Karlach.
Astarion didn't seem to hear her, soon continuing. "But then Gale invited me to see his…" He paused, letting out a little giggle. "Magic."
Something in his tone made it sound more embarrassing than it should.
"Astarion, please…" said Gale. "No one here is interested in hearing about that."
"Wait," said Karlach. "I want to!"
"I'm curious too." Wyll laughed, amused. "Go on, Astarion. What happened that night?"
Astarion seemed pleased with the attention. "So… I was gathering my courage to invite him to spend the night with me. I didn't really care for him back then, but he is pretty hot, isn't he?"
"Yeah," Karlach agreed. "Quite a stud."
"Don't test your luck, Karlach," Astarion pouted, pointing his finger at her. "He is mine."
"Okay, okay…" She waved her hand toward him. "Go on."
"Anyway… I was going to invite him, but then Gale got to me first… Said he had something he wanted to show me."
"His magic?" asked Shadowheart, barely able to contain an amused grin.
"Oh, yes…" Astarion's grin widened. "He told me to meet him later, and then things got all… you know, magical."
"Just to be clear," said Gale, "we are talking about literal magic here."
Astarion cackled. "He said it would feel so good, and it did!"
Gale sighed. "You're not helping."
"Who said I want to help you, darling? Making things difficult for you is one of the joys of my existence." Astarion hummed to himself, pleased. "But anyway, he said I could do anything and it would feel real, so I kissed him. He was so embarrassed… It was so cute."
Karlach brought both hands to her chest. "Aww."
"And then we fucked," Astarion added. "On the grass."
Karlach wheezed, while Shadowheart grunted. Wyll let out an awkward chuckle.
"Gods…" he said. "I don't think I needed to know that much."
"I must admit that I envy you both," said Lae'zel. "I would have appreciated a night of carnal pleasure to celebrate our victory."
"Why don't you ask Shadowheart?" said Astarion. "I'm sure she wouldn't say no."
Shadowheart stared at him. "Excuse me…?"
"You speak nonsense," said Lae'zel, clicking her tongue.
They avoided looking at one another. Karlach and Wyll exchanged a knowing glance.
"Oh shit…" said Karlach, sounding half amused, half nervous.
"Why don't we change the subject?" suggested Wyll.
"Yes, yes…" Karlach smiled widely. "Anyway, is anyone else getting hungry?"
"Definitely," said Gale.
Astarion hummed in agreement, then buried his face in the crook of Gale's neck. "Gale… If your blood tasted as good as you smell, I would suck you dry even if it killed me."
Gale furrowed his brow. "Killed you?"
"Wait…" Karlach looked at him, seeming amused. "Does that mean your blood tastes bad?"
"According to our expert, it tastes like bile."
"Utterly disgusting…" Astarion groaned. "What a waste…"
"Well…" Shadowheart glanced at them. "That was an interesting find, I guess."
Gale smiled at her. "One of the few positive sides of carrying a time bomb in your chest: it is also a pretty effective vampire repellent."
Astarion seemed offended by his words. "It does not repel me."
"Very well." Gale conceded. "As long as you keep your teeth to yourself."
"I could get used to the taste if you'd allow me…"
"No."
Astarion sighed loudly. "How terribly selfish of you… And I never asked for anything."
"Oh, you surely didn't. I have certainly imagined all those occasions."
"There is no reason to be so stingy…" Astarion insisted. "It is just one tiny little bite."
"I already said no."
"And I thought you liked me…"
"If I didn't, I wouldn't be carrying you on my back while you threaten to bite me."
His words made Astarion grin. "So you do."
"I do," said Gale. "Happy now?"
Karlach let out another low "aww". Astarion giggled, then tightened his arms around Gale's neck.
"Very, very much." He paused for a moment. "Gale…"
"Yes?"
Astarion rested his head on Gale's shoulder, and Gale could hear the smile in his voice. "I love you so much…"
Then, he completely passed out, leaving Gale alone to face all the friendly teasing.
-
Gale still didn't know what to make of what Astarion said. Those were the words of a drunken man, of course… But they still refused to leave Gale's mind.
He already knew Astarion cared for him, enough to want them to share a physical relationship. He would be lying if he said he carried no feelings for Astarion in his chest, but never expected such feelings to be returned. To hear him say something like that, even if it wasn't completely honest, was enough to affect him.
A small groan coming from Astarion's bedroll called his attention. Gale leaned in his direction, inspecting his tired face.
"Oh, you are back with us," he said. "How are you feeling?"
Astarion met his gaze, staying silent for a while. Then, he scowled. "Not a word."
"So, do you remember what happened?"
"Unfortunately, I do."
Gale couldn't hold back a slight smile at his grumpy tone. It seemed to only make Astarion's mood more sour.
"What is that grin for?" asked Astarion.
"I was just surprised… I didn't expect you to be the honest kind of drunk."
Astarion rolled his eyes, then covered them with his arm. "Oh, just keep it to yourself."
"As you wish."
Astarion raised his arm, looking at Gale. Then, he spoke in a lower voice. "But I appreciate you carrying me back."
"Don't mention it."
"I won't." Astarion looked away. "Ever again. In fact, I can't wait to forget everything about today."
Gale simply observed him, and his silence made Astarion glance in his direction.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked in an annoyed voice.
"It is nothing."
"Then make yourself useful… My head is killing me."
At first, Gale wasn't sure of what he meant. Astarion gestured for him to move closer, and when Gale did, he rested his head on his lap.
"Just be my pillow for a moment," he said.
That simple request almost made Gale giggle. "As you wish, love."
"Oh, don't even start."
There was amusement in his words, but also some fondness. Gale brought his hand to Astarion's head, caressing his hair, earning a low, pleased sigh from him.
Maybe Gale was being too hopeful but, at least for the moment, he chose to believe that there truly was something deeper between them, hiding just barely out of sight.