Fool For Love
part 1
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Author’s Note: I have barely been writing anything (I usually write for the Good Omens fandom) since I started playing BG3, but then a few days ago I felt compelled to start on *something* for this fandom that has completely taken over my mind. I usually post on AO3 but for some reason I wanted to post a first teaser-chapter here on Tumblr.
So here it is, my first (unbeta’d) venture into the BG3 fandom. I have no idea where this is going except that the endgame is a happy ending for Tav and Astarion.
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Astarion x reader/Tav
Tags: (Mild?) angst, pining, pining while fucking
Summary: You thought knew what you were doing when you let Astarion into your bed. He doesn’t have feelings for you, and vice versa. Only… Now you do.
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You watch him laugh as Shadowheart leans closer to whisper something in his ear, and the unwarranted jealousy that has your chest aching leaves a sour taste in your mouth. He may be sharing your bed now and then, but you have no right to him. For all you know, he might be spending his other nights with each and everyone in your camp. And that is his prerogative; pretty words aside, Astarion has never promised you anything other than fantastic sex.
A bitter smile tugs at the corner of your mouth. You are sure he thinks he has you wrapped around his finger. That he has convinced you that this means more to him than it actually does. The sigh leaves your lips before you can stop it, but it doesn’t really matter, because none of the others hear you, too busy listening to Gale regaling another story about his ex.
Annoyed with yourself you rise, an excuse prepared on your tongue in case anyone questions your departure from the merriment. The lie remains unspoken and you’re relieved when you can slink into the shadows unnoticed. Relieved, but also perhaps a bit sad. It’s funny, you’ve spent most of your life aiming for anonymity, to stay under the radar. The unexpected friendships you’ve made since the kidnapping has unravelled all of that. Have made you aware of the dark and empty space in your heart you’ve successfully ignored until now.
Except it isn’t empty anymore.
It happened gradually, and without your permission. A dashing pale rogue stealing your affection when you weren’t looking. Because yes, while you know that his only reason for talking his way into your bed was manipulation, he has unintentionally shown you glints of his real self during your time together. He’s a complicated mess, just like yourself, and you love him. Love everything about him, even though it hurts.
So maybe he has you wrapped around his finger after all, because if you had any sense, you would end this thing between you. You should, but you are a selfish being. One day Astarion will realise that he doesn’t need to use sex to feel safe with you, but until that day comes, you will greedily accept every scrap of attention he gives you.
“Pathetic.”
“Talking to yourself, darling? Or have you made another furry friend when I wasn’t looking?” Astarion gracefully — why is that even when he’s pleasantly drunk, the elf manages to appear graceful? — sits down next to you in the grass. “You already have three of them in the camp, surely that’s enough?”
“Three?” You try to gather your thoughts, but it’s difficult when he is this close to you. “Scratch, the owlbear cub, and…?”
“Halsin, of course.”
“Of course,” you repeat dumbly. True, the druid was in his bear form when you first met, but something in Astarion’s demeanour makes you suspect that that isn’t what he meant. Images of Astarion undressing Halsin floods your mind. Halsin is a handsome and powerful man, so it would make sense for Astarion to seduce him too. Just like he had with you.
“Why are we sitting here, by the way?” Astarion shifts to lean on one hand, his face tilted back to take in the full moon. “Wanted a more romantic setting than your tent this time, darling?”
Oh. So you are the chosen one for the night. You were certain it would be Shadowheart, considering.
“Are you alright, Tav?”
For a moment you let yourself believe that the hesitation you hear in his voice is founded on genuine concern. That he truly cares beyond the deep-seated need for self-preservation ingrained in him. But the illusion can only last so long. You know enough of his history not to hold his actions against him, but right now you’re not in a headspace to pretend that everything is fine. And yet, you try.
“Of course I am.” You hold back a flinch when you hear the acid lacing your words like a toxin. It gives too much away, so you do the only thing you can think of. Your hands are already grabbing fabric before you have finished your thought, pulling him closer before he has time to examine your statement too closely. Before he can figure out your lie.
The night air is cool against your skin, a stark contrast to the hot mouth claiming yours. You might regret it tomorrow, but right now, this is exactly what you need. In Astarion’s arms, you can forget everything but him and what he gives you. Around other people he can seem petty and cruel, but when he’s with you like this… this is different.
Or least that’s what you tell yourself. You cling to the illusion that this is special, and you succeed — until you feel yourself leaning your head to the side, offering your neck.
Astarion doesn’t ask it of you, he never does. It’s always you that wordlessly gives him what you believe is what he truly wants.
And this time it reminds you that deep down, this is just a transactional act for Astarion. Nothing else. He doesn’t care about you, not really.
After you’re both sated, you drift off to sleep without meaning to. It has been a taxing day, both physically and mentally, and the last thing you see is Astarion looking down at you with an indiscernible expression in his red eyes. Almost as if you’re a puzzle he can’t figure out. Except that doesn’t make any sense, because to you it feels like he saw right through you the first time you met.
Some time later, you’re vaguely aware of strong arms lifting you from the damp grass. You must’ve made some noise, because you feel a warm breath against your ear.
“Hush, my darling, you don’t want the others to wake up.”
Exhaustion drags you back under, and when you next wake up, you’re in your tent. Alone.
~~~
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I’m literally geeking so much about showtime like ogmfngnfsbfbs Caine would love Pomni so fucking much like-
Imagine the group is in the middle of an activity, and Pomni is starting to have a panic attack from a sensory overload!!! Caine notices that she’s gone and is quick to find her curled up in the corner of her room crying and pulling on the bells on her hat, trembling like a little leaf. He asks her what’s wrong and she explains in choked up words that she’s overstimulated and panicking ohmygodohmyogodngjdjcfjs and like Caine doesn’t know how to help but he’s like “I’LL TRY MY BEST FOR YOU, DEAR!!!” And poofs away before coming back with a bunch of plushies and some snacks, gently putting them down next to her, and then sits with her.
Pomni thinks this is adorable and slowly starts to cheer up while Caine gently wraps his arms around her and hugs her, lowering his voice and telling her that she’s amazing and that she doesn’t have to do the activity, and they can just sit there together for as long as she wants. I’M GOONG YO GO FERALDBDBANC IM JUMPING RN RN I’M JUMPING HEL-
Another thing what if like Caine decided one of the activities would be a dance!!! Like a prom type of thingy!! Pretty much everybody goes as friends, Jax being a lil’ chucklefuck as always- but still having fun. Pomni is in a nice dress that matches up with her jester aesthetic, and Caine absolutely melts. He asks her to dance but she’s nervous because she doesn’t know how, so he gently takes her by the hand and waist, lifting her up off the ground with him and slowly guiding her around I’M GONNA LOSE IT GHFJGSKFJW
I LOVE THEM PLS AUGHFHD
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