Chapter Text
The colder months take most of camp by sheer surprise, really . they started their journey last spring, no one really thought they would make it this far. But here it seems, the first snow falls. Nothing changes for most. Humans and elves bundle up a bit more. Reinforce the tents a bit. Karlach actually feels a bit more comfortable. But for two, the colder months means a bit more change.
Vampries. Thier blood doesn't move. It sits perfectly still in their veins. Hence why they have no heartbeat. However, they means no circulation either. So it's very , very easy to freeze. Especially when they haven't feed. Outside of the city, food is very scarce. There is little Astarion can do about this. Or so he thought. If only he had some kind of renewable food source.
For Halsin? Well, he is a bear at heart. And bears most certainly hibernate. He had hoped most of this trouble would die out by fall. He did not expect to make as many new friends as he had. He has a bit of explaining to do when he's the one draining the cook pot every evening. He waites until everyone has had their fill of course, but unlike usual, there was absolutely no leftovers. And every bowl was clean. Gale had of course, quickly noticed, and started making more. But gale hadn't known the perpetrator. Nor did he care all that much. He's just happy to cook for his friends. But halsin was in quite a bit of trouble. It's not like he could control this. But absolutely nothing fit anymore. As with every fall, hard abdominal muscles gave way to soft plush. His bear body is preparing to hibernate. Even if he has no plans on doing so. His body will still prepare itself anyway.
As if by sheer coincidence, astarion had been the only one to notice. He's the only one that even got close enough to Halsin ~to~ notice. He's found himself by his side. Listening to his nature stories and prayers. Being swept off his feet by his goofy laugh and bright smile. The pair are polar opposites in that regard. Expect for one thing.
A carnal need. A desire. Halsin and Astarion, both by nature. Both augmented so by their own respective past. They both needed satisfaction. Craved it. At first it was just that. An agreement. To satisfy each other when the need arose. But the pale elf found himself lingering. Holding on too closely to the early morning cuddles. Brushing his hair out of his eyes to see him in the morning sunlight. Kissing his cheeks. Cherishing his time with him. All of the gushy cliche lovey-dovey stuff that made astarion want to vomit, he found to be so effortless in Halsin. Considering he hadn't been pushed away, Halsin felt the same. He cherished every moment all the same. Every lingering kiss. Every night that he'd been used as a pillow. Every hour spent when it felt as though the entire world consisted only of himself and his little vampling were his favorites. They couldn't get enough of each other. Though words never needed to be spoken out loud.
Aside from astarions next witty remark.
"So are you ever going to go into the city and get yourself new clothes or do you plan to bust out of your old ones first?"
Halsin nearly spat out his ale, quickly turning a quite unnatural shade of red.
"Just tell me what you want darling, it will only take a minute. I'm an expert at dress up."
Quite the surprise from him, truly. Haslin was awaiting the remarks on his weight but they never came. Astarion hadn't said a word until now. He still held onto him just as close every night. He truly thought he hadn't noticed.
"I- er- well-"
"You look good in green. Maybe orange, or a nice tan. I would get you a new tunic myself but I need your measurements first."
Good gods can haslin turn another shade redder.
"It doesn't have to be right now of course, I'll measure you when we both get the time. You just enjoy your dinner. I'll be keeping watch."
The same cheeky smile on his face remains. It had never faltered a single time during all of this. Still, quite the surprise from him. Halsin lacks a tadpole. He cannot tell *what* astarion thinks when he looks at him now. But he is happy he hasn't been cast out for something that is quite literally, out of his control.
Another week or so had passed, and haslin was truly, in desperate need of a new tunic. Without a word, he felt tender elf arms slip around him with a string as he went to reach something. Did he need to say anything? He knew he needed measurements. And if Astarion wanted an excuse to get up close with that belly, he certainly has it now. And to halsin's surprise, if the familiar..pressure he felt on his lower back was anything to go off of, astarion enjoyed it. A lot. He silently took a few more measurements, and after a quick kiss, off he went. New clothes to be purchased shortly after. Astarion has no problem encouraging this little habit, it seemed.