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Gale was nervous. Since his return to Waterdeep a couple of months ago, he had not had the chance to see or talk to the majority of his former traveling companions. He had had the very brief visit from Shadowheart awhile back, as the cleric’s adventures had taken her to the City of Splendour. But safe for the Selûnite he had not heard from any of them. He was surprised to discover very soon after their separation that he missed them.
One of them, he missed dearly.
He had thought about him constantly since they had abruptly parted ways after the fall of the Brain. How he regretted not having the courage to confess his affection earlier. How he wished he had invited him back to Waterdeep to make a life of his own there. How he had hoped to see him again and hopefully open up about his feelings.
Such a night had come, thanks to Withers and now all of them were reunited for the first time in six months. Gale was restless. He tried his best to not let it show. He had spent hours picking an outfit for the evening. And he was still unsure about the garments he chose to wear.
He arrived a bit later than everyone else. As he began to greet his companions, his breath caught in his throat when he saw the silver curls and red eyes he had longed to see again. Astarion was laughing, talking enthusiastically to Karlach when he caught the wizard’s eyes from the opposite side of camp. The vampire waved at him, a timid smile stretching the corner of his lips.
Gale did not want to interrupt. Or he was too afraid to approach him. Either way he thought it was polite to wait for Karlach to depart before making his way towards him. He started a conversation with Minsc (and his… date?) darting weary eyes in the direction of the spawn checking in on him from time to time and patiently waiting for his discussion with the Tiefling to end.
After a while, as Minsc was still rambling about his (questionable) methods of rehabilitation, Gale saw Karlach walk towards the buffet.
"Finally!" he thought to himself.
He tried to politely walk away from Minsc but he could not manage to say a word as the latter was singing the praise of each and every member of their old gang. Gale decided to slowly back away, suspecting Minsc would not notice, too focused on his own tale.
A few small and subtle shuffling steps and Gale had successfully slipped away from the giant and his hamster. He decisively walked across camp towards the person he wanted to talk to the most but before he could reach the elf, Wyll had already joined his side and was squeezing him into a hug.
The night went on like this: every time Astarion seemed to end a talk with someone, another would take their place. He was rather popular amongst their friends... Gale decided to wait it out. Maybe Astarion would reach out to him eventually when all his suitors would have finished paying their hommages.
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The evening had dragged on and still there were no words of the vampire. Gale was feeling his patience falter but the more he waited the less courage he had in his endeavour. In waiting for his turn to come he had indulged in “liquid courage” as Shadowheart called it.
As he refilled his glass for the tenth (maybe eleventh) time, he heard a familiar voice behind him and his stomach dropped.
“Are you avoiding me or just trying to drown yourself?”
Gale turned around and the sight he beheld had him almost choke. Astarion was as gorgeous as ever, but he was not expecting him to be already standing so close. Gale coughed and wheezed, as his wine poured down the wrong pipe, in front of the amused, albeit worried, spawn.
“Apologies. I… I understand you were busy with other people and… Didn’t want to interrupt.”
Another fit of cough shook Gale’s shoulders. Astarion slapped his back, gently. Once Gale could retrieve his breath the slap had become a soft stroke. The wizard shivered.
“I am glad you came to find me.” He added shyly.
“Of course… You know you always were one of my favorites…”
This statement was music to Gale’s ears at first although a little bit disconcerting. He was used to Astarion being flirty but that felt different somehow.
“I hear things have been going well for you?” Astarion asked.
“Yes, back in Waterdeep. Tenure at Blackstaff Academy. Orb-free.” Gale answered enthusiastically at first before showing reserve, “Although… Despite how quiet and calm my routine has grown I sometimes miss our days of adventuring. It can get lonely in my tower.”
“I thought you shared it with your cat.”
“Tressym!” Gale corrected abruptly.
Astarion smiled maliciously. He knew damn well what Tara was, but he also knew how to push Gale’s buttons.
“Well loneliness is not something I am struggling with. We are running a city of spawns down in the Underdark. It’s far from an utopia there, but at least we have some structure…”
Astarion sighed. Despite the well groomed and attired look of the vampire, Gale could see the signs of tiredness on his face.
“I suffer from loneliness. You, from an excess of company. Maybe we should switch life.” He chuckled.
Astarion gazed at him, his eyes unblinking and fixated on the mage’s neck. Was he hungry?
“I wanted to talk to you about something…” The elf finally said.
Before he could continue Minsc came behind him and wrapped a strong muscular arm around his shoulders. The colossus closed his big fists on the vampire's arm with a loud thud.
“Gale! You will forgive Minsc for stealing your beloved spawn but his good friend Apie really needs to meet him. He is willpower incarnate and the best rehabilitation example one could dream of!”
Gale stood there, jaw hanging open as Astarion was swept away by the ranger. Before they both turned away fully Astarion called out to Gale.
“Don’t go anywhere wizard! I’m not done with you!”
Gale giggled and put his glass down. Maybe the confession he had dreaded making would prove easier in the end. Or maybe he wouldn’t have to make it at all.
He looked up at the sky. The stars were shining like sequins on a dark velvet drape. Was that place always so stellar or was he too worried about other things to notice back then? It mattered not. Tonight it was beautiful.
Gale took a deep breath, taking in the smells around him: the wild flowers blooming, the gentle stream flowing nearby and the table covered in tantalizing goods and wines exuding odours of a feast for heroes. He grew confident.
The night was young and he couldn’t wait to be reunited with Astarion once more.