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thunderwavesolveseverything · 4 months

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Sanguine Hunger

[Astarion x Named Tav]

The hair on the back of her neck stood. She wasn’t alone. Her hand grazed against something cold but familiar. It felt like an arm or a leg. She was too unnerved to discern whether, but she knew someone was kneeling beside her as she appeared to be asleep.

Vampire.

She froze. There was no way a vampire could’ve snuck into their camp without someone noticing. Astarion had offered to keep watch.

Oh, no.

The vampire got to him.

And she was next.

*high-pitched Mariah Carey voice* IT'S TIME!!!!!

Phayelynn's bite scene is finally here and can I say, I loved writing this chapter so much!!!!! This is also where it starts to diverge a bit out of canon 😁 I know I just posted, but I've never really had a schedule for posting, and really wanted to post this chapter so here it here. ❤

(word count: 3,585 )

Read on AO3 or below :)

Masterlist for Phayelynn's adventures here

Sanguine Hunger

Phayelynn couldn’t sleep, no matter how hard she tried.

The journey to Ethel’s had been taking longer than any of them had expected. After a short rest, they started their trek back to the edge of the woods, only making one more stop to help the deep gnome, Barcus, who’d been tied and reeling on a windmill blade by a crowd of goblins.

As the day ended, with the sun setting, they decided to make camp before continuing to Auntie Ethel’s teahouse.

Phayelynn strained to keep her eyes closed, rolling onto her back for the umpteenth time since sinking into her bedroll. Her thoughts couldn’t quiet, moments from the day’s action flashing over and over in her mind’s eye. Lae’zel, strong and swift, surging ahead and slashing into goblins and orge. Gale shouting out spell after spell, a master in his craft. Shadowheart, shielding her, and then Astarion, quick as he cut down two orge on his own.

She’d been so close to death. Astarion’s previous lectures on self-preservation finally seemed to set in. She needed to be more careful. She had to start paying more attention. She needed to be more perceptive.

Mindflayers. Harpies. Goblins. Orges.

Phayelynn hadn’t thought she’d ever encounter anything like this.

She shifted again, moving, scratching at her hand anxiously. She moved to her side, fastening her eyes shut even tighter, praying to whichever god cared enough to listen to her to allow her to find some comfort in sleep.

She thought she had finally settled and found herself in a comfortable position but couldn’t shake off the persistent nagging to stay awake no matter how exhausted she was.

She breathed in. Then out. Again, deeper, slower- but it was no good. Her insides quivered, feeling a chill, and she gave another shift back. The hair on the back of her neck stood. She wasn’t alone. Her hand grazed against something cold but familiar. It felt like an arm or a leg. She was too unnerved to discern whether, but she knew someone was kneeling beside her as she appeared to be asleep.

Vampire.

Her breath hitched in the back of her throat.

She had forgotten all about what they had found on the road here. What both Gale and Astarion had concluded was the cause of the dead boar.

She froze.

No.

No, no, no, no.

Her mind was playing tricks on her from the lack of sleep. There was no way a vampire could’ve snuck into their camp without someone noticing. Astarion had offered to keep watch.

Oh, no.

The vampire got to him.

And she was next.

Shakely, she reached out, too afraid to open her eyes. She flinched, and so did whatever was crouched over her as her hand met what felt like a firm chest hovering over her.

Her eyes shot open, focusing on who recoiled above her.

Astarion.

“What?- what are you doing-,” Phayelynn’s voice was faint, gradually increasing in volume as his pointed canines bore down at her. She felt like she was slapped in the face as she saw him for what he was. “You’re--you’re the vamp-”

Terror struck him from the prospect of being caught. His deep, ruby eyes stood unblinking as he only reacted on instinct. Astarion didn’t allow Phayelynn to finish her sentence, cutting her off with a firm hand locked over her mouth, muffling her as she discovered what he was into fruition.

Kill her. Hide the body.

He scowled down at her as he pushed back his initial thoughts.

No, he wanted to shake his head. No one would believe him come morning if he went that route and played innocent. He lifted his head, looking around the camp. They all hadn’t stirred, all still stuck peacefully in the bedrolls.

“Shit,” he closed his eyes. He could feel her lips tremble under his palm.

Of all the idiotic ideas, he cursed himself; he could’ve feasted on anything else tonight. He thought Phayelynn would’ve been easy prey. He should’ve known better. But his mind was clouded.

“Ah!” he cried out, pulling his hand away from her mouth after she gave it a sharp bit. “Did you just bite me?”

“Did you seriously just ask me that?” Phayelynn spat, pushing harshly against his chest. “Get off of me before I thunderwave you back to Avernus!”

He saw her eyes dart to the others. They all slept in their tents while she stood next to the campfire. Gale was the furthest away, so Astarion hadn’t feared him being woken up yet. But Lae’zel had decided to pitch her tent next to his own, which was just in view. And then there was Shadowheart, who, like Gale, kept her distance, but the girl was so nosey he was surprised she hadn’t already splashed him with the vile of holy water she had found.

He reached for her again, clasping his hand down over her mouth once more as he saw her open it, most likely to scream for help. He knew he wasn’t helping his chances at gaining her trust, but he couldn’t have her getting the others involved. He’d never stand a chance. He could already feel the stake piercing his heart. He had some of a chance of talking himself out of this if it stood just between the two of them.

“Don’t scream, please.” He even pushed through with the tadpole, pleading for her to stay quiet and let himself explain. He felt her start to calm, but he could still hear her heart pounding in her chest. “I wasn’t going to hurt you, I swear.” He slowly started to raise his hand, leaving them where she could see them to show he meant no harm. He studied her as she began to sit up, waiting to see her next move.

“You weren’t going to hurt me?” She pushed herself away from him, reaching for the dagger she had placed underneath her pillow. She grasped it tightly but made no move at him.

She glanced around, seeing that no one had awakened yet. She should scream. She should shout for help. But she didn’t. She saw a flash of dread in Astarion’s eyes as she stared back at him. She deflated narrowly, deciding to keep her voice low as she held her dagger tighter, jerking it towards him, “You were going to eat me.”

“I wasn’t going to eat you, gods.” He snapped, not liking how she was looking at him. Of course, he didn’t blame her, but that didn’t affect his sentiments about how she pointed her dagger at him like some monster that parents told their stories to their children about to keep them from venturing out at night. He loured, failing at hiding his offense.

“Yes, I am a vampire, but I’m not a monster! I’ve been feeding on animals like that boar you cried over. Deer! I found a stray Kobold the other day. Whatever I can get, but it hasn’t been enough, thanks to all the trouble we’ve been getting ourselves into.” he rushed, trying to explain himself. He moved to stand, wanting to get ready if he needed to run.

“So you were going to skulk up on me for a midnight snack!” her eyes narrowed at him. She couldn’t help her voice as it rose. She didn’t like being below him, so she pushed herself up to stand with him. She kept the hand holding the dagger hung at her side while the other clenched into a fist on the other.

“Will you keep your voice down!” He hissed, taking a step forward. He saw her hand twitch, ready to strike him with her blade if he got too close. He bit his lip. He could disarm her quickly. Swipe her right off her feet. But he couldn’t do that if he wanted to escape this alive. He needed this group of weirdos to avoid turning into a Mindflayer. “I’m weak. I’m not used to all this....” his hands flapped about, trying to pick his following words carefully. “Fighting. It’s making me not be able to think clearly. I just need a little blood.”

Phayelynn didn’t say anything right away. He saw her gnawing at her cheek, deep in thought. He tried to reach out with his tadpole again, but she shut him out. She crossed her arms against her chest at his attempted intrusion.

“You really shouldn’t talk about stupid decision-making.” she shook her head at him.

She wrinkled her nose, unconvinced that he meant her no harm. This was why he had been acting so oddly with her. He’d been trying to trick her into friendship and a false sense of security. She wouldn’t lie and say she wasn’t a little relieved that that was why he’d been acting so shady with her. At least now she knew his motive. He was hungry.

She felt a pang of guilt when she grasped the desperation in his eyes. She didn’t need her tadpole to reach in to see it. He was at her mercy.

“Have you been planning this all along?”

“What?” he said, clearly confused.

“This, why you’re, you know, nicer to me than the others” she urged, holstering her knife. She had gotten the sense that she wouldn’t need it. “The other night by the river. Did you want to try this then?” she gently stepped forward.

“What? Gods, no. No.” He shook his head and could tell she didn’t fully buy it. He sighed heavily. “I was hungry last night, yes, and the thought crossed my mind, but I didn’t plan to or want to.”

“Is that why you left so suddenly? To stop yourself?”

He paused at her next question. No, that wasn’t why he had left. He left because she had asked too many questions, giving him a taste of his medicine. Like she was right now.

“Yes,” he lied, and she bought it, giving him an empathetic frown. He kept it up, taking his step forward. “As I said last night, I trust you the most out of everyone here. Questionable of me, yes, given your track record, but I suppose mine is just as bad after tonight.” he looked down at the ground before looking up at her longingly. “I think that’s why I came to you, even in my bloodlust haze, because I knew you’d understand. Or hoped.”

Phayelynn was taken aback. When he said he had trusted her the most, she hadn’t considered the extent of it. Was he just putting on another show? She blinked slowly, ignoring what she had caught him about to do to her. Skimming over him, she saw how stiff he stood, how on edge he was. She had to avert her eyes as she chastised herself for doubting him. Lips pressed together in a conflicted grimace, she cleared her throat, helping her find her voice again.

“You’re right. I would’ve understood.” She wet her lips. “You could’ve told me.”

“Could’ve told you,” he gave a quick snort. “Darling, as you’ve shown, my kind aren’t so received warmly.”

“Well, of course not. Not when you sneak up on people while they’re trying to sleep.” Phayelynn huffed. This was going nowhere. “If you had come to me beforehand, this would be completely different. Why say you trust me out of everyone? That you knew I would’ve understood if you still didn’t trust me with this? What’s the worst thing I could’ve done if you told me confidently?”

“At worst,” he said with a deliberate tilt of his head, “You’d ram a stake through my ribs or a dagger.” He motioned to her hip where it rested. “I do trust you, but I wasn’t sure if you trusted me. I wanted you to trust me.”

He looked away from her, unable to stomach her pity over him. He clenched his jaw.

Phayelynn shifted on her heels. She carefully weighed her options. She could tell him to act like this never happened. Tell him to go hunting, and she’d keep his secret from the others. That would be the easiest. The less painful and awkward for the pair of them. Or, she could wake the others and tell them about the vampire in their midst. But that would be cruel. Astarion wasn’t a monster. He could be an asshole, but he didn’t deserve a pike driven through his heart.

She bit her lip, pinching her eyebrows together.

“So, where are we doing this?” She asked, motioning around them.

Astarion squinted, looking back up at her uncertainly. She saw his stupor and rolled her eyes. She fixed a confident face, certain this was the right thing to do.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea to suck my blood out in the open. If the others woke up and saw you hovering over me, I don’t think neither of us could talk them out of killing you. Especially Lae’zel.”

“Really now?” he smirked, amused. He let out a light chuckle. “I’d wager she’d let me drain you dry. Saying something along the lines of, that’s what you deserve, for so foolishly allowing a vampire to feed on you.” He bobbed his head toward Shadowheart’s tent. “I’d be more concerned about our cleric. She may not admit it, but she undoubtedly has a soft spot for you.”

His playfulness didn’t last long, a solemn frown replacing his smile. He ground his teeth, looking out into the night. He assumed Phayelynn would keep his secret but didn’t appreciate her toying with him.

“Thank you for understanding, but I don’t need the gallows humor. That’s my job.” He gave her a stern look.

Phayelynn shook her head, taking another step forward. They were so close now. She wanted to reach out to him, to show him she had been serious in her offer. “It’s not a joke. You can feed from me.” The words felt peculiar when said aloud. She tried to muster up all her sincerity, “Truly, Astarion. It’s okay,” she laughed a little at his apparent apprehension. “Of course, only take enough to make yourself stronger so you can go hunt something bigger. There’s probably some more goblins lurking about.”

“Darling, I’d never stoop so low as to dine on those filthy bastards.” His playfulness returned for a beat. She noticed the slump in his posture. He tried to play it off, giving her an all-too-quick smile before deflating. There was no point. “Really? I-, are you sure?” he asked her tentatively as if she were luring him into a trap.

“Yes.” she nodded firmly, hoping he’d believe her. She motioned behind him, towards his tent. “Should we do it in there?” she blushed at her words. “You know, like I said.”

“Somewhere private.” He nodded before leading her towards his tent. He felt nervous and could only imagine she did, too. She was willingly giving herself to him, putting herself entirely at his mercy. She trusted him.

He pulled back the curtains, revealing an array of plush pillows and warm furs. A few books scattered about, and some of the trinkets and whatnots, but he kept his tent neat otherwise. He let Phayelynn enter first, a force of habit, before following her in, letting the curtain close behind them.

It was darker than outside without the moonlight. Astarion bent forward, reaching for the candle he left on a small crate he’d used as a nightstand. It was dim, but he could still see her tense.

“You don’t have to do this,” he sighed. The bard probably saw him as just another poor sod that needed help.

She turned to face him, a look of determination washing over her. “I know, now how should we do this? Standing? Or lying down? I--whatever’s easier for you?”

He gave a soft chuckle, bringing a hand up to motion to the furs. “Lay down, make yourself comfortable.”

She nodded, looking behind her and kneeling when she found a suitable spot. She tugged some pillows from where they sat and brought them closer before settling down on her back, making herself comfortable.

“Where did you find these? They’re so soft.” She sighed contently. Her neck had been getting stiff every morning from the nights sleeping on her bedroll. She’d been jealous of her companions, having found tents to pitch while she hadn’t. She did find herself thinking, wondering where they found them.

“The Grove. Where else?” Astarion chuckled, kneeling next to her. “You should invest in one. Really, what are you going to do if one night it decides to rain?” She pulled a face, unmistakably having not thought of that. He let out another laugh, giving her a once-over. “Are you comfortable?” She nodded, and he leaned down, “This will only hurt for a moment,”

Phayelynn closed her eyes, hands clenching the furs underneath her as she braced herself. His face was at her, the crock of her neck, his breath softly beating against her skin, making her gasp. Her heart beat fast again as she felt him unclench his jaw, mouth open and pressed against her. She arched her back, bringing a hand up to grasp his shoulder as his fangs pierced her skin like shards of ice.

Her body shook as the sharp pain struck her deep, and she was unable to stop the moan from escaping past her lips. It was numbing and throbbing at the same time. Her blood coursed through her, fleeting as he drank it up. Her grip on her shoulder tightened, but not in discomfort or fear. It was an unknown emotion, one she couldn’t find a word for. Exhilarating?

She shook, squeezing her eyes shut as Astarion tangled a hand in her hair, an effort to help her settle back down or make her growing desire worse, which one she didn’t know. She didn’t know how long she let him continue to drink from her, but she felt herself starting to slip. Opening her eyes, she saw spots and a wave of dizziness. She was going to faint. Her hand fell from his shoulder, her body heavy. She let her hand move to his chest, giving the most pathetic shove she could rally.

“...’Starion,” she hardly recognized her voice as she spoke. “Too much...” she moaned as she felt more blood leave her.

She swore he growled against her. It made her drop grip on his shirt, digging her fingers into the fabric to ground herself. Was she enjoying this? Why was she enjoying this? She wondered what would happen if she let him keep going. He would drain her dry, surely. No, he promised, not a drop more than he needed. But the numbness and the intimacy of it all felt good. She shook again as the grip on her hair tightened. What if she didn’t want him to stop? Shadowheart surely had some Scrolls of Revivify tucked away in her pact, right?

She caught her breath. Her pulse quickened.

No, this was bad. Phayelynn couldn’t let him continue.

With one hand still clinging to his shirt, readying to attempt to channel the energy to conjure a thunderwave if he didn’t budge, Phayelynn brought up the other, lacing her fingers through his white locks, sighing at how soft they were to the touch. She furrowed her brow, scolding herself for getting so quickly distracted. She gave him a weak tug, fingernails scraping against his scalp to gain Astarion’s attention.

“No, ‘Starion,” she winced, “please.”

She felt him tense above her, fangs still puncturing her, but he stopped lapping at her. He groaned, not in irritation for having to stop, but simply out of satisfaction, pleasure even. Feebly, he unlatched himself from her, giving her neck a lick to gather up the leftover blood. He took his time pulling away from her, the hand that held her head letting go, making her pout. He gave her a soothing chuckle, grinning as he brought that hand up to pull hers out of his hair, lacing their fingers together, a surprisingly tender gesture he hadn’t expected himself to do or make an attempt to end.

He stared down at her, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles, letting their hands rest against her chest. He heard her pulse weakening but still flutter at the contact. He felt somewhat bad for taking so much from her. He couldn’t help himself. She was delicious.

“That was...that was amazing,” he finally spoke, his eyes blown in wonderment. “My mind is clear. I feel strong. I feel happy?” The haze he had found himself in was gone. His eyes flickered down at Phayelynn. She was struggling to keep her own open.

“I’m glad I could help.” Her voice was so quiet that he wouldn’t have understood it if he hadn’t been inches from her face. The hand holding onto his shirt dropped, landing unceremoniously on the floor. She closed her eyes, lulling to sleep.

“Rest,” he let go of her hand, giving her cheek a soft caress before catching himself. He squinted, glaring at the affection. “I won’t forget this.” He muttered before standing.

He watched her briefly before stalking out of his tent and closing the curtains. He paused, looking back, imagining Phayelynn curled up in his furs, surely getting drool all over his pillows. And even supposing that, he didn’t find himself annoyed by the thought. He sneered, shaking his head and refocusing. As invigorating as that was, he needed more. And he felt stronger. More confident. Ready to hunt.

#astarion #astarion bg3 #astarion x tav #baldur's gate 3 #tav bg3 #astarion x oc #astarion romance #astarion x mc #bard oc #bg3 spoilers #astarion x reader #astarion ancunin #baldurs gate

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heartsfm · 3 months

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↻ ⊲ Ⅱ ⊳ ↺ obsessed - mariah carey 0:01 ❍──── 4:28

( kaya scodelario, cis woman, she/her ) — 🎬 just announced, AMELIA COSTA HEART has been cast as CHARLOTTE YORK in the upcoming SEX AND THE CITY reboot. the twenty six year old is trending as people are debating if the vintage chanel sunglasses that once belonged to her mother, glasses of champagne that are sipped a bit too quickly, walks around new york with a shakespeare & co tote bag, smudged makeup, being the inspiration behind more than one song that they are known for is enough to make them as good as original. a quick google search shows that their fans call them intellectual, but internet trolls think they’re more manipulative. i guess their newest interview for variety where they talk about her life as a broadway child star will let people to know them better.

basics:

full name: amelia costa heart

nicknames: amy, ames, occasionally ellie

gender: cis woman

pronouns: she/her

sexuality: bisexual

age: twenty six

ethnicity: brazilian-american, white

hometown: new york city

residence: has both a mansion in l.a. and a fashionable apartment in new york, though she has a clear predilection for her hometown

personality:

traits: intelligent, loyal, romantic, confident, obsessive, manipulative, selfish, occasionally self destructive

mental health: has been struggling with depression and anxiety since childhood, but has it mostly under control nowadays

physical health: could be better, since the cigarettes and alcohol mostly tip the balance over her good exercise routine and eating habits

hobbies: is an avid reader and writer. likes to play tennis or go riding on her free time

character inspo: blair waldorf (gossip girl), charlotte york (sex and the city), venetia catton (saltburn)

family:

mother: clara costa, a famous brazilian writer who wote many acclaimed broadway plays and prestige television shows

father: james heart, from an old money new york family

siblings: none

pets: two ragdoll cats called pippin and merry

bio:

amy doesn't really remember when she started acting. she played a baby on one of her mothers tv shows when she was barely a year old, though played is really an exaggeration. at six years old she was already starring in a broadway play, which led to a series of musicals such as annie, the sound of music and matilda.

the peak of her career as a child star was at 13, when she was cast in a brand new movie version of the wizard of oz, as dorothy gale. though amy remembers the movie clearly, it also stands very solidly as the end of her childhood, and the start of a much more troubled part of her life.

amy's entire family has a troubled history of mental illnesses, and by 15 she started heavily self medicating and drinking to deal with a newfound explosion in fame. she always loved dancing and the crowded, barely lit atmosphere of hot new york clubs provided her a decent escape from her own overactive mind.

her teenage years were marked by incredibly successful movies, scandalous affairs with more than one musician and parties that lasted for several days. it was also marked by the sudden and tragic death of her grandmother the day she turned 20. amy was so out of it her parents were only able to contact her two days later. that's when she decided to get her shit together.

amy took a break from acting, got a literature degree in yale, published a book about her life and then another one, not about her life. she came out of hiding a much less self destructive person, though old habits die hard.

the sex and the city reboot was a bit of a one eighty as far as projects go. after the wizard of oz amy become known for high brow indie projects, but the tv show proved to be exactly what she needed.

personality

like many born and raised rich girls, amy can have an over-inflated ego. it's not really her fault, and if you can get past that then you'll see a very sweet and caring person. she just so happens to think the world is her personal country club.

she likes to party and is not ashamed of it. though she is quite more restrained than she was as a teenager, it's not hard to find pap pics of her and her friend on a night out.

is quite intellectual and likes to discuss books and movies with anyone who has half a mind to engage with her rantings. though she tends to be a bit of a know-it-all.

a part of her is still obsessed with childlike ideals of friendship and romance, which means she is loyal to a fault. she tends to get caught up in people, even when they're clearly bad for her.

#2000s.intro

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