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It was like clockwork. As the group wound down for the day, Whisper would invite Astarion to have a little bit of her blood that night, Astarion would trance for the first part of the night until everyone was asleep, then he’d get up and check in on the Bhaalspawn who managed to make his undead heart feel like it beat again. If she was actually asleep, he’d drink a little of her blood, careful not to wake her up. However, more commonly he found her awake still, battling the demons in her mind and the nightmares they brought. He’d sit with her, keep her company, and often still got a taste of her blood in thanks, even though he assured her it wasn’t necessary.
But this night, things were a little different. The invite went as usual, Astarion tranced and then went to Whisper’s tent, but was startled to find Jaheira sitting beside the leader’s bedroll, looking up at the vampire with a raised eyebrow.
“What are you doing here?” Astarion asked, keeping his voice quiet so as to not disturb Whisper’s sleep, as it seemed she was for once sleeping soundly.
“I could be asking you the same question, Spawn,” Jaheira countered, keeping her voice just as low. “Out on a midnight prowl?”
Astarion felt like he was a kid getting caught sneaking out, but he had every right to be here - he was invited. “She offered me a ‘bite’,” Astarion explained, gesturing at the sleeping half-elf. “Were you invited?” He raised an eyebrow.
“No,” Jaheira simply stated. “But I was invited to stay. You’ve grown quite close to her, I’ve noticed.” Her voice lowered even more. “Were you aware she is a Bhaalspawn?”
“Yes, of course,” Astarion said with a nod, relaxing slightly as it seemed Jaheira was just going to talk. “She told me when she found out herself. It was… quite a shock.”
“One she apparently didn’t bother to share with me. But I figured it out.” The druid gave a small shrug. She didn’t sound upset about being left out of the loop.
“Probably because of your history with Bhaalspawn,” Astarion pointed out.
“As an enemy but also as an ally. I had to figure out which she would be.”
“That’s why you’re here then? And what is your conclusion?”
“Ally. For now,” Jaheira replied. She sighed. “She’s going to need help. I can see the torment Bhaal’s blood is causing her as she tries to fight it. She seems to really like you, Astarion. Enough to invite you over while she sleeps?” She raised an eyebrow.
“Yes, well, it’s not like either of us actually sleep much,” Astarion defended himself, suddenly feeling on the back foot again with this conversation. “She trusts me, and I trust her, so long as she’s in control of her own actions.”
“She is not always,” Jaheira said, more of a statement than a question. “I feared as much. Probably why she sleeps so soundly now, knowing I am watching and can take action if the need arises.”
“There was a… harrowing night, right before the fight with Ketheric. I think it really rattled her. It certainly did me, at least at first,” Astarion admitted.
“She’s going to need you, Astarion,” Jaheira said, her tone more gentle. “Your moral compass might not exactly point North as one should, but your support as she fights against her blood will be invaluable to keep her from just giving in to the urges because it’s easier.”
“I know what it’s like to not have control over your own actions, to be a tool of someone else’s will and being powerless to stop it,” Astarion stated. “I refuse to let Bhaal have her.”
“Good,” Jaheira stated, standing up. “I’ll keep you from your meal no longer, though I promised I’d watch over her the whole night.” She gave a small smirk. “I don’t suppose she’d object to me letting you take over for a few minutes while I go grab a small snack of my own.” With that, she left the tent, giving Astarion a chance to get his drink of his love’s blood without the awkwardness of an observer.