Work Text:
~~*~~
"Remind me why we're out here in the freezing cold again?" Astarion quipped, gracefully sidestepping a passerby so as to avoid being knocked around. The marketplace was bustling, a hubbub of people scattering to the various booths in the cold evening. Luckily it got dark much earlier this late in the season, so his anxieties about the sun were nagging at him a little less as of late.
"Because Gale needed us to pick up some groceries for dinner when everyone arrives tomorrow night," Melphie said, hurrying over to the nearest fruit stand. She began to pick up the various apples, testing their weight and scrutinizing their colors. After picking out four and handing over the payment, she turned on her heel and promptly walked over to the next stall. Astarion had to jog to keep up, dodging the whole way.
"When we decided to come to Waterdeep I didn't sign up to be an errand boy," he grumbled, pressing closer to Melphie's side as she was peering at various greens.
"Gale is busy cleaning up the tower, and it was the least we could do since he let us stay for a few days already," she said, reaching for the onions. Astarion rolled his eyes but didn't have another complaint, instead turning his face down and covering his nose with the red scarf around his neck.
He watched her as she picked out the various vegetables that Gale tasked them to purchase, and he smiled into his scarf as he saw the glint of the ring on her finger that matched his own. He remembered when Melphie had slipped the ring on her finger, murmuring how beautiful it was, and how she had excitedly pressed it's matching ring into his chest hours later in the Healing House in Reithwin. 'Look, Astarion, now you and I can feel as if we're always together!' she had beamed at him, and he had huffed and made a show about how she was being absolutely ridiculous as he accepted the ring and slipped it on his own finger.
"Okay, all finished!" she bounded in front of him, holding up the basket for him to see.
"Excellent, if I have to stay out here for one more second I just may freeze to this spot," Astarion sighed dramatically as he offered his arm, and she promptly hooked her hand around it as they set off back to the tower.
"You know, you could have just stayed behind by the warm fireplace while I ran out myself," Melphie looked up at him, the corner of her mouth turned up in amusement.
"And pass up an opportunity to have you all to myself?" He leaned down and tugged her a little closer, a playful smirk gracing his face, "I think not, letting you loose in the city by yourself means someone could snatch a pretty thing like you right up."
Melphie giggled, "Oh please, no one is going to whisk me away. And you get me all to yourself every night!"
"And it's never enough for me, my love."
"Has anyone ever told you you're sweet?"
"It could stand to be mentioned more," he kissed her temple. They walked down the road, the lamps illuminating the cobbled stones and the people zipping through on their own errands. Melphie had paused in front of a shop, the sign hanging above reading Celie's Clothing Shop.
"Ooh look at this!" She motioned Astarion over, "Do you want to look around? Gale could wait a bit longer, I think."
"Hmmm," he hummed, "Well alright, let's go then."
They entered the shop, looking at the various clothing on display. "Just a minute!" yelled a tiefling from the center where she was hemming a skirt. Astarion wandered off to a mannequin sporting a gorgeous blue jacket, embroidered with gold thread. He reached out and delicatley held the sleeve, feeling the material in his fingers and hummed his approval.
"This is beautiful," Melphie remarked, her eyes watching Astarion study the garment. "You would look very handsome in it. Do you want it?"
"Yes it is, but I don't see the need for it while we're out on our adventures," he said, his voice a little wistful. He let go of the sleeve and crossed his arms.
"Well, you could still wear it just because," Melphie tried to reason, but Astarion just shook his head.
"It's quite alright, love. Did you want to look at anything?"
At that moment, the tiefling hurried over to them, tucking her pins into a pouch tied around her waist. "Thank you kindly for waiting! I'm Celie, and welcome! Can I help you find something to your liking?" she asked.
"Oh! Hello, and we were just perusing. Your clothing is beautiful!" Melphie smiled, and Astarion watched Celie relax. It was amazing, the way she could make anyone feel at ease once she talked to them. "Do you make these yourself?"
"My, thank you! Yes, I make all the clothing myself, with a little help from my asisstants. I can assure you they are the best quality you'll find here in Waterdeep," Celie tucked her hair that had fallen out of her braids behind her ear. "Is there anything here that has caught your eye?"
"Yes, my partner was just looking at this here," Melphie gestured to the jacket. "How much would this cost?"
Celie clapped her hands together, "Oh, very good ma'am! That there is one of my more ambitious projects, but it has been one of my best! That jacket goes for about 800 gold."
Astarion sputtered, "Goodness, that is a pretty penny." Melphie elbowed his side.
"Yes well, as I said that one was one of my more ambitious projects. And only the most fine threads were used for that one," Celie said proudly. "But if that one is a bit beyond your coffers, perhaps I could interest you in some of my others?"
"No thank you, we should probably be on our way," Astarion said with a small smile as he turned to leave.
"Astarion!" Melphie admonished lightly, then turned to Celie. "Thank you very much for your help. Please, have a happy Yuletide!" and she hurried out after her vampire.
"It's such a shame," she sighed when she caught up to him, placing her hand in the crook of his hand again, "it was so beautiful. And you look so wonderful in blue."
"I know, but for 800 gold? For a garment I most likely won't wear while out in the wilds of Faerún? Better to just forget it," Astarion said.
"Okay, if you say so. Let's get these groceries back to Gale, before he wonders if we've stolen his gold and ran off," Melphie said, resigned.
~~*~~
The tavern was loud, buzzing with patrons talking over each other to be heard by their companions. Being as the holiday was around the corner, it was busier than usual. Gale looked a little uncomfortable, but Melphie had insisted on her and Astarion taking him out of his tower for a little while, and Tara had agreed that it would be good for him. Gale hadn't been able to refute them after that, and so they had made their way over to the nearest tavern that Gale would sometimes go to with his colleagues from the School of Illusion.
"I'm going to go get us some mead, do you want wine?" She asked Astarion as she stood from the table.
"It most likely won't be good, but better than nothing. Thank you, love," Astarion pat her hand and smiled. She returned it, then turned and disappeared in the crowd towards the bar.
"So, Astarion, have you two made any progress on finding the Sunwalker's Ring?" Gale asked, leaning on his crossed arms.
"We have a lead that places us in Neverwinter, though we still don't have an idea on where the ring itself is," Astarion said.
"I'm sorry I couldn't have been more help myself, none of my colleagues have an idea. Some haven't even heard of it," Gale said. Astarion waved his hand to dismiss it.
"No harm done, the fact we have a lead at all is enough."
"Yes well, I'm familiar with your method of not really having a plan," Gale smiled.
"And look where it's gotten me! A new and improved family of weirdos, a sense of self-worth, and a beautiful and kind lover," Astarion looked in the direction of the bar, where he could see Melphie having a conversation with the human man next to her. He frowned slightly as he immediately noticed the man's body language: leaning in toward her, a big smile across his face that even from across the room Astarion could tell didn't reach his eyes. Astarion narrowed his own when he saw the man scoot a little closer, and to his dismay Melphie didn't get up to leave or move away; she just laughed herself, her voice clear as a bell to his ears above the din of the crowd.
Gale looked in the direction of the bar once he heard the low growl coming from his friend's throat. "Looks like she's got someone's attention," he mused aloud, "though I am a little surprised considering her appearance. It's not often someone would be daring enough to try their hand at flirting with a drow."
"Well who wouldn't? She's a vision! But he's clearly trying to seduce her--"
"I don't think you really get to be upset about that, as I seem to recall you--"
"I don't think you want to finish that thought, my friend," Astarion glowered at Gale, who just chuckled. "And that was different. I was doing what I knew best in order to secure protection!"
"So it was transactional?"
"Well yes, but when you put it like that it makes me sound cruel," Astarion scoffed, though he looked a little uncomfortable. Gale almost felt sorry for him, but he didn't often find himself on this side of teasing and was having a bit of fun.
"In a way it was, we could all see just how much she was in love with you from the beginning."
"Gale!" Astarion sounded exasperated, and the wizard figured he should throw him a bone.
"Alright! In your defense, neither of you were spoken for then."
Astarion looked relieved, and sat up straighter in his seat as he resumed glaring at the two at the bar. "Exactly, unlike now. He's just lucky he--" Whatever he was going to say turned into another growl as the two men saw the human rest his hand atop Melphie's. Gale looked at his friend and was alarmed at how murderous Astarion looked with his teeth grit, fangs bared in a barely contained snarl. "Oh, now I'm going to kill him."
"Astarion, wait!" Gale lowered his voice, grabbing his wrist. Astarion whipped around, and Gale was afraid for a moment that he was going to tear his arm off. He cleared his throat, "Melphie's not helpless, let her handle this so as to not make a scene."
"Are you serious?!" Astarion was incredulous; was Gale actually suggesting he let this sorry excuse of a creature attempt to seduce his lover?
"Listen to me!" Gale hissed, "If it gets messy then by all means go to her rescue. But don't forget that she's powerful in her own right."
Astarion ripped his arm out of Gale's grasp, but to Gale's relief he just sat back and crossed his arms, settling for glaring at the man's back. His chest was tight with anger, "You're right of course, but I can't help worrying about her. You know how naive she is, she probably doesn't even understand his intention is to just fuck her."
Gale winced slightly at his crudeness, "I know her nature as well as you do, but she more than capable of taking care of herself." The men watched Melphie laugh, extracting her hand before placing it on the man's shoulder. She then grabbed the mugs from the counter and walked back to their table. Astarion kept his eyes on the man, who was noticably watching Melphie's backside before looking up and meeting the vampire's eyes. The man's smile disappeared and his eyebrow quirked, as if challenging Astarion.
"Sorry! I was just chatting, but here we are!" She passed the men their respective drinks but before she could sit in her own chair she was abruptly pulled into Astarion's lap. "Astarion!" she let out a squeak, but he was not paying attention. He and the stranger were still locking eyes, and without breaking eye contact he kissed her neck.
Melphie tried to wiggle out of his grasp, completely unaware of what he was doing. "Hey," she said weakly, but his hold on her was like a vice.
Gale let out an awkward cough, and at that same moment the stranger stood up and slammed his payment on the bar before stalking out, his irritation written plainly on his face. Satisfied, Astarion loosed his grip and she slid onto her seat. "Sorry, my sweet, I just missed you in my arms."
She tilted her head in confusion, "But I was only gone for a moment. Oh! But I met such a nice man!" she smiled at Gale, and Astarion's glare returned. "His name was Brendt, and he's a local cobbler. He was telling me about his favorite Yule activities around the city, and he even invited me out to visit the festival in Lower Waterdeep. I told him I thought visiting the festival was a lovely idea and that maybe I should--"
Gale noticed Astarion getting more and more agitated, and felt he needed to get her to stop talking. "Melphie, Astarion was telling me about your progress with the Sunwalker's Ring! Perhaps I can help you with some more research?"
"Yes! Oh that would be wonderful!" Melphie then began to tell a story of her and Astarion in a cave near Ormath nearly two months ago. Astarion was seething internally, but he remained silent. How like his Melphie to be completely oblivious to someone seducing her--after all, it had been child's play to do so himself. And then, her being her sweet self, just building that hope by unknowingly reciprocating. Still, he was making an effort to be a better person, for her sake.
That didn't mean he wasn't thinking of murder, all the same.
Time passed as the three exchanged stories of their adventures, Astarion gradually relaxing after Melphie grabbed his hand with a squeeze under the table. Before long, Gale stood up and placed 10 gold on the table next to the empty mugs, "Well! This was delightful but I think it's time we get back. Lots to do before everyone arrives tomorrow night!"
Melphie stifled a yawn, "Okay." They all got up and donned their fur coats and scarves to brave the chilly winter air. As they walked, Melphie was telling Gale about a woman that they had helped a tenday ago with locating her missing family heirloom. Astarion remembered her, a curvy woman whose clothing was snug and untameable curly hair. She had been a little too friendly with touching them both, but Astarion was already on edge from the man's clear advances on Melphie earlier so his mind was warping his memory just a little. Now his mind conjured the image of the woman holding Melphie's hands, her smile just a little too perfect and a bit sultry. And Melphie, sweet clueless Melphie, was smiling widely and laughing.
Astarion shook himself and gripped Melphie's mittened hand tighter, anchoring him in the present. Don't be ridiculous, he chided himself, she's here, she's chosen you and no one else. He released a breath he didn't know he was holding, and he firmly tried to keep his thoughts away from any jealousy.
He wasn't quite successful, but dammit he was trying.
They eventually arrived at Gale's tower, Melphie and Gale greeting Tara as they removed their coats and stomped the snow off their boots. Astarion, however, kept his furs and boots on. "I'm going to go and hunt. The wine was decent but I'm quite peckish."
"You're going to hunt? In the city?" Melphie asked, taken aback. Usually he really only fed from her or from their enemies in battle.
"Yes, I'm rather hungry."
"Hmmm...as long as you stick to criminals. The southeastern part of Waterdeep is particularly seedy, you may have some luck there," Gale scrutinized Astarion, who lifted his hands up with his palms out.
"I promise, no innocents," he echoed his vow from way back in the Grove. "In case you haven't noticed, I'm a hero now!"
Melphie put a hand on his arm, "You sure? I mean, you know you can feed on me, I'm alright."
Astarion smiled down at her and tucked a wayward strand of hair behind her ear, "I know, my dear. But as delectable as you are, I'd rather give your poor neck a break tonight. There's a whole city out there, with plenty of ne'er-do-wells that I can take a nibble out of." He leaned in and tenderly kissed her forehead.
She let out a contented sigh. "Alright. Just please be careful out there."
"Of course, darling." He watched her give him one more smile before Gale invited her to the study for a game of Three Dragon Ante.
~~*~~
Astarion returned a few hours later, feeling sated. He had gotten rather lucky and encountered a group of men that had cornered a young woman down an alley, saying many nasty things about what they would do to her. He had taken them out rather swiftly--it helped that they were all very drunk--and told the woman to go home. She had shakily whispered 'thank you' before scurrying off, and he had felt the need to tell Melphie about this so that she might throw her arms around him and tell him she was proud of him. It was strange, this need to get her approval when he already had it, but it was there.
He heard murmuring coming from the study as he peeled off his layers and shook snow out of his hair. He entered, the fire casting a warm glow on the two sitting at a table with chess pieces. Gale was sitting back in his seat, looking confident while Melphie held a fist in front of her mouth as she was deep in thought. Her eyes scanned the board intently, searching for a move.
"Welcome back, Mister Ancunín," Tara greeted him from where she was curled up on a cushion near the fireplace.
"Hello, Tara," he greeted. He'd never admit it out loud to Gale, but he was quite fond of Tara. The two seemed to get along very well, much to everyone's surprise.
Gale's eyes met the vampire's, "Yes, welcome back! Got your fill, I take it?"
"I did, thank you. I found a rather uncouth group of men surrounding a lady in a dark alley, so I swooped to her rescue," Astarion puffed his chest out a little, proud of himself. He never quite got used to the fact that being a good person would make him feel...good. His eyes slid over to the half-drow, who was still concentrating and didn't respond to what he said. His nostrils flared, and he narrowed his eyes as he recognized the smell of fresh snow on her. He noticed her hair was damp as well, and he frowned slightly. "Have you been out as well?"
Melphie let out an 'aha!' as she leaned forward and moved a piece. She sat back triumphantly and grinned. Gale scanned the board once, twice, before taking his piece and knocking over her King.
"Checkmate," he grinned. Her jaw dropped and she flopped back in her seat with a humph.
"Good game," she grumbled. Then she looked up at Astarion, "I'm sorry, I didn't pay attention. What happened while you were out?"
His eyes flit around, taking in the fact that yes, Melphie had definitely just come back from being out herself. "I rescued a woman from assault and then fed on her attackers," he said with his tone short, also a little annoyed she hadn't listened to him the first time. He hated it when things didn't go the way he pictured they would.
"Oh, that's great!" Her eyes shone, and he cleared his throat.
"Yes, thank you. But have you also been out? You smell like the cold air." He didn't miss the way her eyes darted in Gale's direction.
"Well, um...Gale and I....uh..."
"We forgot an important ingredient for tomorrow's dinner," Gale broke in. Astarion's eyes narrowed and his eyebrow raised. He knew very well they were lying; Melphie had never been good at lying to him, and Gale didn't have the same smell of the crisp outside air as she did. Suddenly, the vision of Melphie and the man earlier swam into view of his mind's eye.
"Oh, really?"
"Yes!"
"And I suppose you didn't make a stop at the tavern again?"
"What?" Melphie scrunched her face in confusion, and despite Astarion seeing the truth in her expression he couldn't help himself.
"I saw how you couldn't resist flirting with that man, Bodie or Brendon or whatever--"
"Brendt," she corrected. It was the wrong thing to say.
Astarion bristled, "Oh, you're right! Please excuse me, my dear, for not remembering!" His voice was getting more scathing. Stop it, the rational part of his brain told himself, she is not to blame, that man is. But she was here in front of him, and Brendt was not--and Astarion was never good at controlling his emotions, despite his efforts. All of his irritation and anger and fear at losing her flooded him in this moment, and before he knew it he stood abruptly and started to walk away to their room. He needed to get away so as to not say anything else that he would regret. His mind swam with images of Melphie meeting Brendt at the bar once more, smiling and touching his arm and--
"Astarion!" Gale called to his back, his voice stern. "That's not fair--" but the vampire was already gone.
Melphie sat still as a stone in her seat, watching the doorway. "I..." she tried, but she couldn't say anything.
Gale ran a hand over his face and sighed. "Well, that could have gone better."
Eventually she turned to him, "Why would he think...? I would never....I thought he knew..." Her voice was small, pleading. Gale's heart broke a little for his friends.
"Oh, I'm sure he does know. Vampires are jealous creatures, I imagine it's no different for spawn," the wizard sat back in his seat. "As I'm sure you know better than I, Astarion has always been a little...ah, impulsive."
"But why would he be jealous? I don't know Brendt! I was just talking with him, and he was being nice!" Melphie's hands twisted in her lap, desperately trying to think about what she had said or done wrong. Brendt hadn't seemed weird, he hadn't leered at her or anything...so why?
"Maybe it wasn't obvious to you from where you stood, but from where we were sitting it was pretty clear that Brendt had, erm...not so pure intentions." Gale looked at her, eyes shining with sympathy. "I thought he was going to commit murder, I had to practically beg him not to go to your rescue."
Melphie's brow furrowed as she met Gale's eyes. "You're saying Brendt just wanted to bed me?" Gale nodded, and Melphie groaned. "Oh, gods...and here I thought I had made another friend!"
Gale chuckled, "You do have a knack for that, I'll admit. But--and don't let Astarion hear me say this--you are also a very attractive woman. It's no surprise some people get brave and try their hand at capturing your attention."
"But Astarion knows I love him! I've been in love with him since I've met him, he has to know that!" She sat up straight, her voice desperate. "I could never look at anybody else!"
"Oh believe me, I know," Gale sighed, "But I'm sure you can understand that you can't always control your feelings, or your thoughts when you feel so strongly about something. Or someone. And looking at it objectively, lying to him about where we were didn't really help matters."
Melphie sighed and leaned on the table, chin in her hand. "No, I suppose it didn't. I just wanted to surprise him."
"I know. I think he'll appreciate it, just let him be for now."
"Okay. Thank you, Gale. I'm really glad to have such a wise friend," Melphie shot him a tired smile.
Gale returned the smile, "At your service, my lady."
~~*~~
Melphie nervously watched Astarion's back as he was regaling Karlach with thier latest adventures. The tower was filled with laughter and voices, the air was warm and the decorations of pine leaves and glittery tinsel shone. She was mostly enjoying the party, seeing everyone together again for the first time since Wither's own shindig and being caught up in so many hugs. Shadowheart had honed in on her like a magic missile and flung her arms around with an enthusiastic 'I missed you!' while Scratch followed behind; Karlach had scooped her up in a giant bone-crushing hug while Wyll beamed behind her; Lae'zel had managed to show up in person this time, as she was nearby in the area on her quest to take down Vlaakith's regime--and more than a little determined to see her friends again; Jaheira had managed to track down Minsc, bringing news that Halsin wishes he could have made it but was responsible for festivities for the children in Reithwin and could not tear himself away.
Melphie was mostly content as she chatted away with her former companions or occasionally helping Gale in the kitchen. But then she would catch sight of Astarion, who had not spoken a word to her since the previous night. To everyone else, nothing was out of the ordinary with him as he grinned, good-naturedly bantering with the others and allowing Karlach to hug him within an inch of his undead life. But Melphie, who knew him better than anyone ever could ever hope to, could see the air around him was off and her heart sank even lower into her belly when he wouldn't even look at her unless someone was talking to them both.
"Melphie, could you please come help me with this?" Gale called to her from the kitchen. Melphie excused herself from Minsc as he was telling her about Boo's latest heroics and made her way to the wizard, who was taking a big roasted pig out of the oven.
"What do you need?"
"I need you to stir the soup if you please."
Melphie got to work, watching Gale put the garnishes on and admiring his work. "So I see things haven't gotten better with Astarion since last night," he mused aloud, eyes checking over the roast.
She hummed, "Not really, no. He's brooding and won't talk to me. I can't even get him alone to apologize."
Gale was silent in thought. "Well that's simple enough. I'll call everyone into the study for games, and you get him alone then," his eye twinkled.
Melphie smiled, "Thank you."
She put the spoon down and doused the fire, then helped Gale bring the various dishes to the table where everyone gathered. "Soup's on!"
"This is just like the good old days," Shadowheart sat down, already on her second goblet of wine.
"Yes, thank you very much for your generosity Gale," Wyll nodded his head.
"Oh, what's a little graciousness among friends? It's Yuletide!" Gale chuckled.
As they began helping themselves and talked animatedly amongst one another, Melphie took her seat next to Astarion who had his own large goblet of blood he was sipping from every now and then. "Are you having fun?" she asked eventually, not sure what to say.
"Hm? Oh yes, hard for me to believe but I actually missed everyone. Even Minsc, as bizarre as he is," his voice was it's usual lilt, nothing betraying if he was still angry with her. It drove her mad, not knowing what to do to reconcile things. He still wouldn't look at her.
"Me too, I'm really glad Lae'zel is here this time. She let me hug her, and didn't threaten me this time!" Melphie told him, determined to meet his eyes. She'd be able to tell then.
Still he looked anywhere else. "I guess even she can't escape the holiday spirit," he said, and then Wyll on his other side asked him a question that she didn't hear.
Dinner was an otherwise uneventful affair, and after everyone helped to clear the table and do the dishes (which included a very drunk induced splash battle), Gale called everyone to the study for games. His eyes met Melphie's and he gave her a small, subtle nod. She thought of the wrapped package on the small table in the hallway, and gave a little nod of her own.
There was happy chatter as they moved to the room, but Melphie grabbed Astarion's wrist. "Astarion, wait."
He froze, then turned slowly toward her. "Yes?"
Now that she was here, Melphie found it was she who couldn't meet his eyes. She was afraid of what she might find there. "Um...I just...wanted to tell you something."
"Well, what is it? We're missing out on bonding time," Astarion lightly scoffed.
"I just, I wanted to tell you I'm really sorry. I wasn't thinking about your feelings at the tavern. I guess I was so used to us being so...well, us that I..." she swallowed and looked up. Finally, finally he met her eyes, and her insides clenched painfully as she saw the hurt in his own. "I took for granted the fact that you knew how I felt about you and didn't think. I didn't realize what Brendt wanted of me, and I...I'm sorry I didn't take you into consideration. I guess I'm as naive as you always say I am."
Astarion searched her eyes for a moment, before closing them and sighing impatiently. Her jaw clamped shut, shame washing over her. How could she be so selfish? She always did this, always chasing that high of making friends and not hurting someone that she threw herself headfirst into being a people pleaser, never thinking about how others might feel. She knew she couldn't keep doing that, but she never seemed to learn her lesson. She just didn't to be a bad person, even though there was a part of her that always whispered about how awful of a person she was. She wrapped her arms around herself, holding her breath and waited for his response.
"Oh, sweetheart," he said finally, and her heart seemed to unclench slightly. "I...you have no need to be sorry. If anything, I should be apologizing to you." He gently took her hands, "I knew it wasn't right of me to take out my irritation on you, but I did it all the same. And I made you feel awful for it." He lifted a hand to cup her cheek, "I'm so sorry, Melphie."
She leaned into his hand, feeling the weight in her stomach lift. "Well, we both messed up. I'd say we're even." She looked up at him, her red eyes round and so innocent that Astarion wanted nothing more than to sweep her into his arms and take her to their room, guests be damned. "But you do know just how much I love you, right?"
Her voice was so sweet he gave into his thoughts and kissed her, so deep and slow that a small noise came from her throat and she snaked her arms around his neck. They parted when she needed air, and he kissed the corner of her mouth. "I do, and I couldn't love you more if I tried," he said solemnly, his expression as soft as she'd ever seen it.
Melphie smiled so wide she thought her face was going to split. "Before we get back to everyone--"
"Do we have to?" he leaned in and nuzzled her neck, arms fully encircling her waist.
"Yes, silly! Anyway, before that, I uhm...I have something for you," she smiled sheepishly as Astarion retreated to look at her.
"For me?"
She untangled herself from him and grabbed the brightly colored package, then skipped back to him and held it out. He could practically feel sparks coming from her, which he supposed they might in her case. "Yes! I, uh...you were right that I went out while you were gone yesterday," she blushed, a light purple spreading across her blue cheeks and nose as he took the gift from her. "I'm also really sorry Gale and I lied to you, but I wanted to surprise you with this."
He stared at the package, then looked at Melphie. She had gone out to get him a gift? And how had he repaid her? By being petulant and spiteful and jealous. He sighed again, his shoulders slumped. "Oh, dear. And here I was acting like a spoiled child while you went out of your way to be nice to me." He looked at her, "Why do you even put up with my nonsense?"
"Because I love you," she said, so matter-of-factly that he had to fight the urge to kiss her again. "And anyway, what's done is done and we've cleared the air. Now open it!" she said eagerly.
"Oi! You two stop making out for two seconds and get in here!" Shadowheart called from the other room.
"Just a minute!" Melphie called back, giggling and bouncing on the balls of her feet.
Astarion unwrapped the ribbon, then carefully pulled the wrapping paper off to reveal a long white box with Celie's Clothing Shop embossed across the lid in gold lettering. He glanced up at her before opening the box. "Oh," he breathed, his eyes wide. He picked up the cloth and held it up, the beautiful blue and gold jacket from yesterday shining in the candlelight. "Oh my love, you got me...?"
"I went out last night and managed to get in right before Celie closed up shop," Melphie explained. "I just remember how much you liked it, and I really wanted to get you something. I want to get you nice things like I think you deserve." She looked down, suddenly feeling very shy, and when she looked back up she saw in his face a look of a man so in love she felt her heart flutter.
"Gods, you really are perfect," he said in wonder, and she blushed again.
"Put it on!"
He shrugged off his current red and white doublet, then slipped the jacket on carefully. He did a little turn, "How do I look? Seeing as I can't check for myself."
Melphie smiled, her white teeth standing out against her always-dark lipstick. "You look like a prince in a fairytale," she said earnestly.
"Well, that can't possibly be true. No fairytale prince would do the things to you that I want to," he gave her a wicked smirk as he pulled her closer by her hips, hands firmly gripping her ass.
"Astarion! We can't, our friends are waiting!"
"Fine, fine. Tonight then?" He leaned in and met her lips again, and where the first one was sweet and loving this one was dangerously on the cusp of filthy, his teeth nipping her lower lip and enticing noises from both their throats. He pulled her impossibly closer to his body, and her hands gripped his shoulders as if her life depended on it.
"Yes, tonight," she agreed breathlessly, and he kissed the tip of her nose before letting go to grab her hand. He loved that he could get her into this state of need, and felt satisfaction that it was only for him.
"Excellent. Now! Let's go show off my new gift to everyone."
They walked into the study, which was almost too warm as everyone sat scattered around the room and chatting amongst themselves. Karlach grinned, "Finally! I thought you had abandoned us to go fuck all night!"
Melphie's whole face burned and turned a lovely shade of rosy-purple. She hid her face behind her hands as Astarion giggled. "You could always join us, you know," he shot back without missing a beat.
"Astarion!" Melphie whispered her admonishment, and he giggled again.
"Nah, but thanks for the invite," Karlach laughed.
"Now we can get started!" Shadowheart practically crowed from her seat on the plush sofa.
"Yes, I would like to know this 'charades' I've heard so much talk about," Lae'zel crossed her arms, her voice inquisitive.
"Oh, it's a blast," Wyll assured, "Although I must warn you, I am very good."
"Oh, is that a challenge?" Shadowheart grinned mischeviously.
Astarion pulled Melphie over to an unoccupied chair that matched the sofa, then sat and pulled her onto his lap. She kissed his temple, and he squeezed her waist in return. The night was filled with shouts and laughter as her family was gathered once more, without a looming threat above them, and she felt full--of happiness, of warmth, of love.
~~*~~