Chapter Text
"Alright," Tav said after a pause. "As long as only people you sink your teeth in are either future corpses or willing participants, I've no problem with it."
"That's the most surprising," Astarion couldn't stop his brows from rising higher. "I expected you to be…more prudent about this. Not that I'm complaining. Obviously."
"So far we've met but a couple goblins who deserved whatever came their way, so don't get too hopeful about your diet." Her playful reprimand was softened by a chuckle, "But I don't expect to plow our way to creche without meeting at least a handful of bandits or other unsavory fellows. And if we're so forced to confront them in battle, there's little difference between them dying under your dagger or under your teeth. The least they can do is to stave your bout of hunger, no?"
"A-ah, ever a rational thinker. If my heart wasn't dead, it might've just skipped a beat."
Astarion leaned to her with smile on his lips, catching and gauging her reaction. Tav stayed still, arms crossed as she allowed him closer, though she appeared unmoved by such approach. A pity.
"Well then, I don't suppose you would include yourself to the list of willing participants again this night, would you?" he still asked, a little hopeful. Though not without fussing, Tav once agreed to lend him her blood, and he remembered the taste with fondness.
She rolled her eyes in thought, clearly contemplating the proposition.
"Tomorrow," she finally decided. "I'll ask Shadowheart to prepare a spell to deal with my bloodloss."
Astarion sighed, disappointed, but not surprised—having fun and a full stomach every day was outside of his expectations anyway.
"Fine. I'll stay put for tonight, but be aware, I would spend my every waking moment consumed with thirst and much anticipation," Astarion whispered, close enough for his words to tickle her ear. His smile was practiced, with just enough promise to make her breath stagnate.
As much as Tav loved keeping her calm, the fact that he was affecting her didn't slip past him. His lips quivered, bending into a satisfied grin that Astarion quickly erased.
He knew enough to see how long this little game would take. He didn't mind it, though. As long as he was winning.