Work Text:
Being a spawn was hard. Granted, with Cazador dead things got easier, no risk of getting compelled and Astarion didn’t feel that tight knot in his chest anymore whenever he was away from the palace but it still made him regret not going through with the ritual. He’d never be able to lay in the sun again, or go out for a lunch date, as gauche as it seemed. His “dates” with Gale had turned into late night dinners or sitting in his tower and listening to him talk at length about the latest study he read.
Astarion never minded it though, letting his lover’s words wash over him as he stared at the ceiling of Gale’s cluttered room. It’s where he lay now, his eyes flitting over the stacks of scrolls and tomes that littered every surface. Piled high along the dresser, the bookshelf, the bedside table and the foot bench was what seemed like every book Gale had ever read. Though Astarion worked his way into the decor too, throw pillows and candles, bottles of perfumes and the odd plant pot nestled behind Gale’s ever growing clutter.
The hoarder in question was currently ‘working’ in his study and Astarion knew that was code for wanting some alone time. He respected it, the little language they had created where only he and the wizard knew the intricacies of what each word meant. Astarion was always better at veiled words. He liked having the benefit of the doubt if he needed it, always able to play it off with a fanged smile and a laugh, never having to spell it out. Gale knows him well enough now to read between the lines, he always was too curious for his own good anyway.
It’s just as Astarion looses himself in his thoughts that he feels warm hands wrap around his waist and warm lips against the back of his neck, Gale’s usual hello. Astarion blinks himself back to reality as a soft “sorry I took so long, Starlight” floods his ears, before all the warmth is suddenly gone. He looks up to watch Gale shrug off his waistcoat and glasses, he smirks up slightly “am I going to like where this is going?” He purrs softly, crawling closer to Gale.
The other just rolls his eyes, settling down on the bed and hauling Astarion into his lap “so, how have you been entertaining yourself while I was away? The usual snooping and brainstorming quips?” He teases as he buries his face in white curls “or were you just away with the fae?” He hums through a soft kiss below Astarion’s ear. “Oh-“ the elf responds “I gue- mm, stop” soft laugh fills the room “I was just getting distracted” he murmurs, pushing Gale away gently.
Gale huffs softly before hooking his chin over Astarion’s shoulder “distracted? By what?” He asks softly, one hand subconsciously rubbing softly over Astarion’s back. Over his scars. “The usual, I spent a while trying to decipher those books of yours…boring stuff” Astarion dodges the question as he pulls away from Gale’s hand. He knows he shouldn’t start something he can’t finish but old habits die hard, his palm pushes against Gale’s chest and the man lets out a soft “mmph-“ as his back hits the headboard, Astarion can almost see the cogs turning in the other’s head as he crawls onto his lap, boxing him in with his thighs. “But you know I’m sure we can do something much less boring” he cocks his head, trying not to cringe at his pseudo pick up line.
After Gale stops malfunctioning and he lets his brain catch up he clears his throat “darling, are you sure? Last time we tried you uh” He pauses, trying to find a way to say this delicately “you…didn’t respond well” he frowns, his mind telling him to stop even as his hands stroke up Astarion’s thighs to his hips, steadying him.
Astarion hides his head against Gale’s neck to try and distract from how his shoulders tense at the reminder, he scrapes his fangs gently along the soft skin “come on, you loved this” he whispers softly, nipping gently but not breaking the skin. Biting just hard enough to drive them both insane.
“Just…” Gale pulls back, cupping his lover’s face “are you sure?” He asks firmly, his voice slightly harsh as he pushes the subject. He tries to catch Astarion’s gaze but he’s staring at Gale’s chest instead so Gale moves his hand to pinch Astarion’s chin gently, tilting it up “Astarion.” He says again “answer me” though all he gets back is a roll of the eyes and a kiss, his hand sliding into those perfect curls again as he parts his lips.
He groans softly, letting out a small muffled laugh into the kiss as Astarion’s tongue swipes across his bottom lip. His fangs scratch ever so slightly at the soft flesh before he pulls away, leaving Gale wanting more as always. “Bastard” Gale laughs softly with no heat behind his words, only a soft teasing lilt. He leans in again though this time it’s to press his forehead to Astarion’s “you never gave me a ‘yes’” he mumbles softly.
“That was a yes” the elf snarls softly “what? Not enthusiastic enough for you?” He glares, his tone rather undercut by how sweet he looks as he tries to meet Gale’s eyes as their foreheads touch. His deep red eyes gazing up with furrowed brows look more cute than anything else but Gale doesn’t say so. “We’ve been over this” he sigh, cupping the sharp pale jaw again “I need it verbalised, you know how you get” he murmurs as he moves his head, pressing a kiss to Astarion’s forehead “…can’t say it?” He whispers with a frown and leans back against the headboard. He watches silently.
After a long pause he hears a whispered “must you be so incessantly observant?” The voice mutters, looking to the side and at the floor. When Gale doesn’t answer Astarion is across the room within a second and Gale just sits there a little stunned at this hot and cold act. He looks up but the bedroom door is already shut and he is left there alone.
He gives it ten minutes, filling the time with a chapter of a book on semantic casting as he tries to give Astarion time and space to cool off. As he marks his page and pads into the living room he expects to see Astarion on the sofa but it’s empty, a knot of panic works its way into Gale’s chest. He takes a heavy breath and fiddles with a gold band on his finger as he peeks into the kitchen, the bathroom, the study, all empty. Gale waits the minutes and looses track of time letting his mind go to every place Astarion could be before the front door slams shut on the lower level of the tower.
Astarion saunters up looking much happier than when he left. Their previous disagreement seemingly forgotten in Astarion’s mind as the elf collapses into Gale’s lap on the sofa. He’s quiet, practically purring as he cuddles close. ‘Well’ Gale thinks ‘this is different’ but either way he lets his arms cradle the other man, kissing the top of his head. “Did you run an errand?” He hums softly, trying not to push too hard but still wanting answers “-was hungry” the elf mumbles into his chest, nuzzling closer “so…you went and fed on someone?” Gale asks slowly “should I be expecting The Flaming Fist at my door?” He half jokes as he musses up Astarion’s hair but he gets no response. He supposes this is better than setting him off again though he tries to keep his thoughts away from the possibility that he made Astarion go and drink that stranger dry. Instead he stares down at the sleepy pile of elf in his lap, stroking gentle patterns along his arms and back, simply enjoying the moment.