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“Really? Him?” Your mother was absolutely flabbergasted as she stared at Astarion. You hid your face in embarrassment at how large her reaction was. “Yeah, mom, he-”
“But you’re so quiet!” She continued, blubbering, “and, I love you, dear, but you’re so unconfident. This man is so entirely sure of himself!” She motioned to Astarion with wide eyes.
“Mama, please,” You whined, covering your face further. Astarion let out a laugh and wrapped his arm around your shoulders.
Your mother wasn’t done. “And a vampire? As a girl, even into your young adult years, you were so afraid of monsters in the dark, I’d never dream you would be with one!” Ouch. Insensitive much.
“He’s not a monster,” You quickly objected, straightening. Your mother seemed to realize what she’d said and stood, taking Astarion’s hand. “Oh, no, no! You’re a lovely, darling man.” She looked at you, still holding Astarion’s hand between two of hers, “I just never dreamed you’d be brave enough to take a step like this, dear. That’s all I meant.” Back to Astarion, “I intended no insult.”
“None taken,” he snorted, “I’ve called myself a monster enough times that the word holds nothing over me anymore.”
Your mother smiled, then wrapped her arms around you. Your face was still red with the embarrassment of her pointing out the multitude of your weaknesses. “I’m so proud of you!” she cooed, “my girl, getting out in the world! Finally getting past your fears… and you came back home alive after all that stuff with the… what was it, a tadpole?” “Yeah.”
You pulled away, offering your mom a smile. Then you were taking Astarion’s arm and heading off into the dark, much to your mother’s dismay. You puffed and leaned against the vampire’s shoulder, letting out a whine. Astarion murmured to you, “Quite lovely. I adored the way she put you down and embarrassed you by telling me about your past without asking you first.”
He turned his head and kissed your temple with a smile. “Don’t worry, darling. You’ve nothing to be embarrassed of with me here.” You yelped and couldn't help the soft smile when his arms swept under you, cradling your body against his as you moved along the path, back toward the small town. “And no darkness to fear.”
You smiled up at him, giggling, your head resting on his chest. You kicked your feet as he carried you princess-style.
Whatever, you told yourself. You didn’t care that your mother thought you were weak.
Maybe you were.
But you’d survived the tadpole. You’d survived the absolute. You’d survived countless battles. And you had Astarion at your side.
You tipped your head back to gaze up at him, watching his glowing red eyes. If this was what the monsters lurking in the dark looked like, they were welcome in.