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Astarion recognized the keening coming from the prison cells.
He'd meant to bypass the cells entirely, but with his curiosity piqued, he had to go see. Sure enough, locked in a cell, was Gale Dekarios. He almost didn't recognize the man. His hair was longer, and his beard looked a bit ragged. He had been stripped of his robes, so he wore only his trousers, and they were filthy from the detritus in the cell. His bare chest was missing its telltale orb. He must have sorted that out with Mystra before ending up in his current predicament. His hands were chained behind his back and the fingers bound. Stuffed in his mouth was a leather gag to prevent him from speaking.
One couldn't be too careful when dealing with wizards.
"Gale? What in the hells are you doing in there?"
Gale tried to reply, but all that came out was a muffled complaint.
Astarion splayed a hand across his chest. "Don't get mad at me about it. I didn't put you in there. I do rather enjoy the view of you on your knees, however."
Gale stared at him, his brow furrowed.
Astarion said, "What am I doing here? Breaking into Wyrm's Rock. Again. And I thought I was on the outs with Wyll. Here you are locked up tight."
Gale shook his head furiously.
Astarion replied, "I'm breaking in to try to talk to Wyll about how we left things, what with me trying to pickpocket his father, the matter of some stolen silver. All a misunderstanding. There's no reason we can't put it all behind us and be friends again. I keep sending him letters, but he won't see me. I figured I'd come to him."
Gale sighed, and he said something too muffled to make out.
Astarion picked the lock on the cell so quickly he barely broke stride as he opened the door and stepped in. "You don't have to be so cranky at me about it. You know, I always preferred you over Wyll anyway. The Blade of Frontiers. Spare me. You just know it's a name he picked out himself. No one calls him that."
Gale tried, without success, to enunciate carefully. Astarion still couldn't figure out what he was trying to say, so he untied the gag. Gale spat it out and said, "Wyll didn't do this. There is a faction of Fist working against him. I was coming to warn him. If they catch you, you will be in worse straights than I am, I imagine. You're in a lot of danger."
Astarion said, "Oh. Why didn't you say so?"
Gale growled, "What do you think I've been trying to do?"
Astarion stood over Gale, looking down on him. It was a position he preferred. The wizard had the most beautiful brown doe eyes, and when he looked up through his long lashes, Astarion felt things he hadn't felt in a long, long time. Almost tender things. "Tell me you missed me," he said.
Gale peered at Astarion. "I'm sorry?"
Astarion said, "Don't be sorry. Just tell me you missed me. It's been over a year since we defeated the netherbrain. I haven't seen anyone since then, except for Wyll, and that ended badly. Tell me you missed me."
Gale sighed. "I missed you. Will you untie me?"
Astarion held up a finger. "Patience. Tell me I'm beautiful."
Gale scowled. "Astarion."
Astarion narrowed his eyes. "Tell me or I'm leaving you here."
Gale's shoulders slumped. "You're beautiful."
Astarion twirled one of his white-silver curls. "How am I beautiful?"
Gale looked up at Astarion again. "Your body could have been carved from the finest marble," he said. He sounded more tired than Astarion liked, but his deep, rich voice was still a balm to the vampire's ears. "The most brilliant artists in all of history could not have conceived of so lovely a face, with bow lips and eyes like garnets."
Astarion frowned. "Rubies are worth more."
"Eyes like rubies," Gale said. "Astarion, please, the guards could return at any moment."
Astarion said, "I'm listening for them. We're alone. Tell me why you never pursued me."
Gale said, "Astarion, I'm quite shy in that regard."
Astarion asked, "Is that the only reason?"
Gale studied Astarion. Astarion imagined Gale couldn't see him very well in the near darkness. There was only a candle in his cell, and its flame wavered and sputtered. As with most humans, Gale didn't have darkvision. A design flaw, clearly. Gale sighed again. "It simply never occurred to me that someone like you would be interested in someone like me. You are beautiful. And arrogant. You can be mercurial. Cruel. But also funny, fierce, loyal to the ones you choose to surround yourself with. You're quite clever. I didn't give any thought to there being an us because, quite frankly, you could have whoever you wanted. Why would you pick me?"
Astarion knelt in front of Gale. "Do you not realize how hard I tried to get you to notice me?"
Gale shook his head. "I thought you were making fun of me, because, quite frankly, I'm a bit ridiculous."
Astarion said, "You're hopeless, wizard."
Gale said, "Tell you what, if you untie me and get me out of here, I will definitely notice you."
Astarion asked, "Will you tell me more sweet things?"
Gale replied, "I will spend the next several decades whispering sweet things to you every day and night."
Astarion's lips pressed thin. "I'll hold you to that. I did miss you." He reached around Gale to unchain him by touch alone. The Fist's restraints weren't a challenge. Then he got to his feet when Gale did.
Gale flexed his fingers, wincing. "I missed you, too. And I will plan the ideal date, but first we have got to get out of here."
Astarion said, "I know where they keep the prisoners' gear. Let's get your things back." He led the way out of the cell, keeping his ears pricked for any untoward sound. Rats chittered and scrabbled about, and in the distance there were voices, but no footsteps came their way. The chests of gear belonging to prisoners was unguarded. Handy, but foolish on the Fist's part.
Before long, Gale had put on his robe, reclaimed his magic components, rings, amulets, scrolls, diadem, and staff. Once more he radiated confidence and power. It was impressive, but Astarion was prompted to say, "Before this date, You need a bath."
Gale eyed Astarion. "Yes. A bath. Anything else?"
Astarion said, "A fresh robe. I'll steal you something nice."
"Don't bother," Gale said, "I have a change of clothes at the Elfsong."
Astarion said, "Perfect." He drew his daggers, and he crept toward the secret passage and trap door that would take him to Grand Duke Ravengard's office. "Let's just take care of this unpleasantness with Wyll, and then we'll have the night of our life."
Gale said, "Can't wait, my dear."
Astarion smiled. He'd taken part in some grand heists in his day, but this was the first time he'd stolen a wizard's heart.