beautifulbows924

[beautifulbows924]

Common Ground

Act One!Astarion x Gender Neutral!Reader

Masterlist

Word Count: 650+

A/N: This fic is sort of a combination of a few of the (comparatively) similar requests I received, along with one particular scene that’s been running wild and ping ponging around in my brain for far too long. I somehow convinced my partner (who could not care less about fanfiction, but adores me) to proofread this for me. So any complaints should definitely be addressed to them—as I was, unfortunately, far too sleep deprived to read over this anymore than I already have. As always, I hope you enjoy—feel free to leave any feedback you have in the comments, and happy reading! :)

Warnings: Angst, intentional allusions to past SA (the circumstances are left purposefully vague), concerning both Astarion and the Reader, writer will often suddenly break off into unexpected poetic tangents, a smidge of fluff—if you squint, & perhaps a bittersweet ending (depending on how you interpret it?)

“Darling”, Astarion carefully poses his words, “Are you certain that you’re quite alright?”

You’re terrified. He can see it. Your pulse is visibly thumping beneath your skin, and there’s a tremor to your hands he’s certain wasn’t there before.

But why now?

You’ve told him you trust him, demanded the others leave if they weren’t willing to accept the gift that is his company, and mere seconds ago offered yourself to him as a meal—to what you, with both intimate knowledge and first hand experience, know is a hungry vampire.

He would be questioning your sense of self preservation, or alternatively, your sanity. If he wasn’t awed by just how quickly you’ve managed to sway your companions' loyalty.

It takes a moment for you to notice he’s asked you a question. But once you have, you nod.

He sighs, clicking his tongue at you. That vacancy behind your eyes, it’s unnerving, too familiar. “Don’t lie, it doesn’t suit you. What is it?”

Your gaze shifts, opting to search for what must be a rather interesting spot somewhere behind him.

Two breaths in.

Two breaths out.

Astarion falters. That may have been harsh—if your continued silence is anything to go by. Perhaps, he should have left the lie to rest.

“Dearest”, he works to intentionally soften his tone, shoving past the honeyed lump that rises in his throat, thickly coated with syrup. This little manipulation won’t be ending in a hand naively held between his as he leads you down unassuming crypt steps.

He knows that.

“If you’ve suddenly changed your mind about”, he gestures vaguely between himself and your neck, “I’m sure I can make do with whatever animals find themselves unluckily situated in this part of the forest.”

Humble or selfless certainly isn’t his favorite role to play, but if he wants you to be his personal guard, it seems he may have to make an exception.

“No!” You blurt out, swallowing thickly at the raised brow he sends in your direction, mouth suddenly very dry, “I—It’s not that. I swear to you.”

He tuts, “Ah, but it is something. Hmm?”

You nod again, frustrated tears building in your eyes as each attempt at an explanation falls flat.

“No, it couldn’t—it”, Astarion makes a rather exaggerated motion with both of his hands, clutching his chest in theatrical shock, “Was it Gale?”

You huff, but it’s more exasperated than annoyed.

The left side of his lips lifts.

You drag your own roughly between your teeth.

“Earlier, you made a comment about being quiet, not wanting to disturb my rest”, unsteady hands bury themselves in the fabric of your pants, “Those words, the sudden realization that someone…anyone could have access to my body like that while I slept”, your head slumps forward, “The last time—I can’t.”

Two breaths in.

Two breaths out.

Astarion’s fingers slot into place beneath your chin, tilting it upwards to look at him.

And suddenly all you can see are the differences.

Everything he is appears less forced. No longer are you merely an audience and he an actor, but equals. Those that have found a common ground built upon the cruelty of others.

Far too accustomed to it.

There’s a raw familiarity held within your expression Astarion can’t quite discern.

Perhaps, in another life, someone cared for him. Once. To look at him with such fondness.

He wonders if he deserved it, then.

He allows the hold he has on you to become lighter and lighter, until his arm returns to hang at his side.

You hear a weary sigh, then, gently, “For what it’s worth, I’m truly sorry.”

A small smile flutters across your lips, light and without expectation. It’s a kindness he hasn’t yet learned how to navigate—and certainly has not earned, but he yearns for it all the same.

“Thank you, Astarion.”

BG3 Taglist: None yet!

#bg3 #Astarion x unnamed reader #astarion x reader #astarion ancunin x reader #astarion x tav #astarion x durge #baldur's gate 3 #vampire spawn astarion #gender neutral reader #astarion x you #astarion angst #trigger warning: sa #fluff and angst #bg3 fanfiction

[beautifulbows924]

I’ve got major brainrot I need to spill onto pages again.

Astarion requests, anyone?

(I need to write about this man, desperately.)

If you aren’t sure if I’m comfortable with a particular topic—do feel free to send me an ask, or even a message! I love having requesters beta read their own requests for me (if they’re interested in doing so, of course).

I’m sure my coworkers will thank all of you for the reprieve. (I’m absolutely insufferable about fictional characters.)

#request time #Astarion #Baldur’s Gate 3 #BG3 #Astarion x Reader #Astarion x Tav #Astarion x Durge #astarion ancunin

[beautifulbows924]

astarion the kind of guy to say “no” to something you ask him to do while he does it. he finds it hilarious.

#there’s a 50/50 chance on whether he actually does it or not #he has to keep the group on their toes somehow #bg3

[beautifulbows924]

Something, something, I feel like we need to make use of

Dead Canary: Stay Above Ground

Or alternatively,

Dead Canary: Do Not Decode

as a tag.

#perhaps as a spoiler warning for tmp or another fandom specific form of Dead Dove: Do Not Eat #tmagp spoilers #tmagp #the magnus protocol #magnuspod #spoliers #tmagp shitpost

[beautifulbows924]

Canary. I have so many emotions about that it’s a FUCKING canary.

they are giving us. A fucking canary. You know, the warning sign for miners to get out as fast as possible when it dies. To not go deeper. To not keep going. In episode ONE (1). It goes into the magnus institute.And it dies.

“Canaries should stay above ground”

Something something anglerfish luring us in, something something canary dying, telling us to GET THE HELL OUT.

—except that.

It’s also a RED Canary. You know what that reminds me of? A red herring.

#tmagp spoilers

[beautifulbows924]

Okay hear me put

what if the fears arent the fears?

like think abt it, the statements so far havent been very afraid.

theyve all been obsession/desires.

Statement 1: Obsessed with seeing him again

Statement 2: Desire to explore the institute (this ones a lil shakier)

Statement 3: Obsession with perfection

Statement 4: Obsession with his ex (who he killed)

also jonny said the fears had been reconfigured, which what if theyve been reconfigured into the desires.

#tmagp theory #the magnus protocol #good soup

[beautifulbows924]

Norris: “I lost someone I love </3 and they came back wrong </3 </3”

Chester: “do NOT GO TO THE MAGNUS INSTITUTE DON’T GO TO THE MAGNUS INSTITUTE DON’T GO TO THE MAGNIS INSTITUTE YOU WILL DIE DO YOU HEAR ME DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT THE MAGNUS INSTITUTE”

Norris: “sometimes I can still hear his voice”

#the jonmartin vibes are immaculate #the magnus protocol #tmagp

[beautifulbows924]

Our special Jarchivist boy but I put him in an outfit I own

He's making a [fashion] statement

#i love seeing the ceaseless watcher’s ‘special little boy’ in a skirt #tma #jonathan sims

[beautifulbows924]

I was a different person before I saw this.

stumbled upon a pic of this tweet somewhere i dont remember but i just saw it today and remembered that i had to draw this LMAOASDJFDG

elias talking as if he has an ass JK LSKJFLKS but he is an ass so

#No hiding in the tags for you #Ceaseless watcher behold whatever the hell this observation is #tma #elias bouchard

[beautifulbows924]

It's actually so bad I started listening to tma and my brain immediately started redrafting all my career plans...the "How to Become An Archivist" tab is open...another tab is online shopping for cardigans...

#a career restructuring if you will #to include research #& more space for cardigans #the magnus archives

[beautifulbows924]

Realizing I need to rewatch Sandman not for serious refamiliarization with show!canon but because I need to confirm whether or not Dream eats anything in the Waking before I really commit to this stupid fucking joke I want to commit to so bad

#this is how i cope #let’s ​add theorizing about the digestion of cosmic entities to my resume #also not to make this sadTM but I’ve always assumed the people in Hob’s life would think Morpheus has a TW eating disorder #I can just imagine Morpheus getting pissed off over the looks of pity he’s getting #And then realizing he should probably start eating in front of them unless he wants there to be some kind of intervention #And of course Morpheus drops the most concerning statements randomly #Things like: #‘I don’t eat’ #& #‘Human food doesn’t nourish my body the way it does yours’ #And everyone else is MORTIFIED #Hob feed your crushfriend STAT #tw: ed mention

[beautifulbows924]

I first read “if you were lazy you would be having fun” on your blog and it has genuinely been a life-changing piece of advice for me and my friends - I’ve said it to like four of my other executive dysfunction judies and without fail it earns a ten second silence followed by a single revelatory “fuck”

My dad and I actually ran into the speech language pathologist who told me that over 20 years ago at a town hall a few months back—she is retired now, but still advocating for disabled students at IEP meetings and being a nuisance to school administrators. I thanked her for everything, and she was delighted to hear that I was passing her words along to other people who needed to hear them!

#Oh. oh. #…fuck #everyday a post on this app attacks my (least favorite) ability to be upset at myself for things I cannot control

[beautifulbows924]

absolutely love it when people are like why do you like this fictional character so much look at all their bad qualities. my brothersister in christ their bad qualities are why i like them

#‘​only the very worst’ #i’m losing it #accurate

[beautifulbows924]

people will bring up the fictional murder as if i had anything to do with it or could stop it. like i’m not aware. “you know this freak KILLS people right?” man what do you want me do about that. i’m not his keeper. he’s funny to observe. and also not real

#silly little fictional characters

[beautifulbows924]

Thinking about how Crowley thinks Aziraphale calls him when he’s bored (when nothing is happening) , when he’s “done something clever” (when something good happens), or when he needs help (when something bad happens) . Like. Crowley my beloved that’s all the times.

#Good Omens #Aziracrow

[beautifulbows924]

#he’s so pretty #Good Omens #GOS2

[beautifulbows924]

Please feel free to reblog for a wider audience.

#for scientific purposes or something #lgbtq+