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its-jaytothemee · 5 days

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Until I Met You - Chapter 11

Chapter 11: A Spark to Brighten the Underdark

Pairings: Halsin x Tav

Word count: 5,556

Rating: Currently M, will be Explicit in later chapters.

Read on AO3

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Summary: After Halsin hears Tav having nightmares, he decides to show her a little hidden gem of the Underdark. Now they both have to decide what to do with the sparks flowing between them while helping one of their friends recover from an encounter in the wilderness. Part 11 of the slow burn fic. Halsin and Tav POVs.

Tags: Slow burn, mutual pining, hurt/comfort, emotional hurt/comfort, fluff, eventual love confessions, eventual smut, angst, implied past rape/non-con and abuse, graphic description of injuries.

A/N: Drank a bunch of wine. Started writing. Bon Appetit.

See also - everyone in camp can't stop accidentally cockblocking Tav and Halsin. A little bit of a lighter chapter to offset the last one.

Tav awoke with a start, the taste of blood still evident on her tongue. She reached over to her arm to rub the phantom bruises there. Her breathing was uneven, and her heart was racing. Lunari was still curled up next to her and snoring. Rather than sit and stare at the canvas walls around her, she decided to leave the suffocating confines of her tent to go and sit by the fire.

Maybe Halsin is already awake.

With all of the nightmares she had been having, his company was a welcome comfort. It was much better than being alone with her thoughts.

Instead of finding Halsin by the fire, she ran straight into him as she just crossed the threshold of her tent.

“Oh! You’re awake. Good morning, my friend.” He stammered as she tried to get her bearings.

“Morning.” Tav shook the shock from her face. What in the hells was he doing standing outside of her tent?

They stood in awkward silence for a moment, Halsin rubbed the back of his head nervously as she ran her fingers through her hair. Her dreams were still fresh in her mind, the sight of Tev running away from her brought tears to her eyes.

“Are you…are you alright?” He finally asked her. “I’m sorry to startle you, I heard some cries coming from your tent. I was…worried.”

“Hm? Oh, yes, I’m quite fine. Just some…dreams.”

“Memories?”

She wiped the stray tears that had escaped down her cheeks. “Unpleasant ones, yes.” Halsin gave a soft grunt in response.

“Another curse of the elves. We’re blessed with such long lives, yet we’re doomed to revisit all kinds of memories in our trances, whether we want to relive it again or not.” Pain was rising in his voice, no doubt he had his fair share of unhappy memories to avoid. She nodded along with him.

“Was it the shadow curse?” He asked.

“Not this time. It’s…family related.”

Tav kept her hands tangled in her hair, not willing to look Halsin in the eye. She had kept most of her past a secret – she wasn’t sure how the others would react to her familial ties to the Mendelre house. They were rather infamous in the city, and outside of it as well. Regardless, she had left that life long ago. She wanted them to know Tav, the real her, rather than Lady Tav’ahria Mendelre.

“Would you like to talk about it?” Halsin’s voice was soft and comforting. For a moment, she considered telling him everything, but what would he think of her? Her noble heritage went against everything he stood for; she couldn’t stand the thought of losing his respect.

“I uh, I don’t think I should. It’s in the past, and I’d rather forget it. Let’s just say you wouldn’t have liked the person I was around my family.” She gave a small shake of her head, trying to stop the tears from escaping her eyes.

He studied her for a moment, his eyes sad but intense. She couldn’t hold his gaze, feeling ashamed. No matter how hard she worked to change it, she couldn’t fully leave her past behind. She would always be the little flower of the Mendelres.

“Then perhaps you’d like to take a walk with me?” Halsin was offering his hand out to her. She stared up at him, his handsome face perfectly highlighted by the fire behind him. As much as she wanted to go with him, she was worried that her knees would give out from the sight of him. Yet right now, his company was the only thing she craved. She reached out to accept his outstretched hand and he pulled her closer.

“Come on, we won’t go too far.” He held his arm out for her to take. A light blush took over her face as she wrapped hers around it.

They walked a short distance away from the camp, far enough that they could no longer see the tents, but close enough to still see the soft glow of the fire. There was a small pond of sorts, surrounded by glowing mushrooms, they were more concentrated here than in other areas of the Underdark.

“These aren’t the mushrooms that explode, right?” Tav teased. Halsin laughed in response, and she could feel it shaking his upper body as she kept her arm looped around his.

“Of course not, I do believe you set them all off the last time you ventured out into the wilderness here. I’d be surprised if there were any left based on the state of your return.” She was starting to really enjoy his sense of humor. It was shining through more and more as they continued spending time together.

“So, what are we doing here?” She eyed him, unable to hide her suspicion. He let her arm drop and moved to stand in front of her. That dazzling smile had returned, a bright beacon that threatened to blind her in this darkness.

“It’s a surprise. Close your eyes.”

***

Halsin waved a hand in front of Tav’s eyes to make sure she had really shut them. Satisfied with her lack of reaction, he bent over to pick up a couple of small rocks. He looked back over at Tav, who was waiting patiently with her eyes closed, or so he thought. One eye had peeked open and was trying to watch him.

“No peeking!” He scolded her with a smile. She jumped when she realized she was caught, a mischievous grin taking over her face. His heart started to beat faster, excited to show her this hidden gem he had found.

Once her eyes were closed again, he moved closer to the water and tossed a rock out into the pond.

“Okay, you can look now.” Halsin held his breath, waiting for her reaction.

Tav slowly opened her eyes and let out a soft gasp. The water in front of them had come alive with small luminescent creatures. Little dots of light swam along the tiny waves made by the rock he threw into the pond. Her eyes were wide with wonder, darting back and forth along the entire surface of the water.

“What do you think? I found this place shortly after you retired for the night.” He asked, his voice hopeful. More than anything he wanted to see her happy, to give her just a brief reprieve from the hardships of their journey. Maybe even more than that, he wanted someone to share this with, someone who could also appreciate such a small marvel in nature.

“It’s…” Tav shook her head as she let out a few gasping laughs. The colorful lights from the water danced across her awe-struck face, knocking the breath out of him.

“It’s incredible, Halsin! I’ve never seen anything like it.” Her laughs were heartier now, the sound filling his chest with the familiar warmth her company often brought.

Oak Father preserve me, that smile…

She continued laughing as she skipped along the edge of the water. Chasing the little creatures that swam up close to them, she looked like a child that had just been given a new toy. After a few more moments, the lights started to fade. She turned back to him, her lower lip stuck out in a slight pout.

“What happened?”

“They fade after a while, but disturbing the water will bring them back. Here.” He offered the other rock in his hand to her. She giggled with glee and tossed the small stone into the water, once again gasping as the tiny creatures lit up the ripples. Her laughs were pure delight cutting through the eerie stillness of the Underdark.

“Are they dangerous?” She had squatted down by the water, her hand resisting the temptation to reach out into it.

“As far as I am aware, no they are not.” He barely had the words out before she had her hand running through the water alongside them. The little dots of light trailed along in the wake created by her wiggling fingers.

The overwhelming affection he felt watching her made him lightheaded. A stirring in his heart that had been dormant for so long returned stronger than ever. For just a moment, there was no grief or guilt, no weight of responsibility. For just one precious moment, there was only the joy of sharing this experience with someone new, someone he was starting to truly care for. Someone who could maybe care for him too, although he didn’t dare to hope.

“I thought perhaps this could raise your spirits a bit. Being your first time in the Underdark, I figured you would be unfamiliar with these creatures.” He shifted in place, kicking the dirt at his feet. “I have precious little in the way of gifts, but I thought I could at least share this with you. After everything you’ve done for me, it’s the least I could do. I wasn’t sure what you–” Tav cut him off with a hug.

“It’s amazing. Thank you.” She squeezed his waist, and he heard her sniffle against his chest. Once again, he let himself relax into her inviting arms.

“You are most welcome.” The lights faded as he stood there hugging her back, returning the area to its usual darkness.

When she pulled away from him, she went right back to the edge of the water, picking up another rock to bring the glow back. Her look of childlike curiosity returning to her face the moment the little creatures began their colorful dance along the waves.

“Would you like to stay here with me for a while?” She turned to ask him, her smile still plastered across her face.

I think I would stay here with you forever.

“Of course. It’s not every day that you get to experience such a wonder.” He responded, no longer referring to the dancing lights in front of them. Halsin’s eyes never left Tav, even after she turned her attention back to the water in front of her.

She took a seat at the edge of the pond, patting the ground next to her for him to come sit. He happily obliged so they could watch the strange creatures together. Their lights bathed Tav in a soft glow, highlighting every line and curve on her face. He studied every detail, committing it to his memory. The freckles that covered her face and shoulders, the sharp line of her jaw, the small tattoo of a broken sword on her throat. Her long hair tumbled loosely around her shoulders, the colorful lights from the water reflected in the soft locks. The pointed tips of her ears stuck out between the strands. They would twitch a bit each time she smiled at the tiny creatures in front of her.

Why do you tempt yourself like this? What did you hope to accomplish in bringing her here?

Of course, he knew the answer. All he wanted was to see her smile, to see her laugh. He wanted any excuse to be alone with her, any excuse to hug her or touch her. Taking every chance to have those little moments of intimacy that he had craved for decades.

“Thank you…for thinking of me.” Tav sighed.

As if I could think of anything else of late.

“But please don’t think that you owe me anything.” She turned to look at him.

“You’re too modest. I would not be here if not for you. That is a debt I doubt I could ever repay.”

Tav seemed lost in thought for a moment, tossing another rock into the water to bring the strange light show back.

“Then consider the debt forgiven. I truly don’t want you to feel like you owe me anything. I want you to stay with m…us…because you want to. I want you to share things like this because you want to. Not because you feel obligated.” He could just make out tears gathering and threatening to spill down her cheeks.

“I can assure you, Tav, that I am here of my own accord. I promise you that despite the hardships, despite the dangers ahead, I am here because it is where I am needed. I…” He trailed off as he found himself lost in her kind eyes.

“When I found this place, I thought only of you. I wanted to share it only with you.” Her endearing blush crept over her face and cheeks at his words. He could feel his own face warming as well, causing him to snap his attention back to the water in front of him.

They sat in silence for a while, the only sound being the occasional rock Tav threw into the water.

“Why do we stay so long in places that make us so unhappy?” She whispered the question, almost as if she didn’t mean to speak it out loud.

“What do you mean?” Halsin had a moment of panic, was she unhappy here?

“Being here, now I’m…happy. I’m happy to be here with you, I’m happy to see these tiny new creatures for the first time. I’m happy to have our traveling party, despite the circumstances of how we met. But I spent a long time being very unhappy when I didn’t have to be.”

Halsin sat and listened quietly, waiting to let her share her thoughts. She took a deep, trembling breath.

“My family…” She trailed off. “My father wasn’t…isn’t…a good person.”

“He was awful to me and my brother. Honestly, I’m not sure which of us he hated more. I was useful to him, and he was more than happy to use me. But gods was he terrible to Tev’aron.” A few tears slid down her cheeks, shining with the different colors from the lights in the water.

“If I spoke out of turn, if I rebelled, Tev was usually the one who paid the price, not me. He knew that was a much more effective punishment. That’s not to say he didn’t take the opportunity to hurt me as well, but somehow it stung less than watching Tev suffer on my behalf.” Her voice was so small, the woman sitting next to him seemed to transform into a frightened young girl for a moment, shivering in the dark.

“Despite always paying for my mistakes, Tev loved me, he looked after me. He always came to my rescue even though it meant suffering for him. And I let him take on that suffering for so many years.

“I could have left, Tev begged me to for years before he escaped. We could have snuck out and made a new life for ourselves much sooner than we did. I could have saved both of us so much pain…” The small breaks in her voice brought tears to his eyes.

“Why did I stay?” She turned to face him. Her eyes were pleading for an answer that he couldn’t give.

Halsin was hardly the best person to ask. How long did he stay at the grove despite his sadness? For years before he met Tav he had yearned to roam and explore, to return to Moonrise to bring back the light, to return to his home in the High Forest. Yet, he also stayed. How long had he denied himself happiness in the name of responsibility?

“Often times I don’t think we know how truly miserable we are until someone comes along to show us. The pull of obligation and responsibility is a strong one. I think we need just a small glimpse of freedom to know what we’re missing, but once we have it…” He reached out to take one of her hands. “It’s impossible to look back.”

She smiled weakly back at him.

“No person can break through such hardship alone. We need others to help lift that veil, and it sounds to me like Tev did that for you. Even if it took longer than you would have liked.”

“I just wish I could have repaid the favor, you know?” She sniffled.

Oh Tav, so willing to forgive everyone’s debts except your own.

“Perhaps you have.” He said, his voice soft. She gave him an inquisitive look in response.

“You may not have been able to do the same for your brother…but look at what you’ve done for everyone here with you now. How many of us here have been shown the freedom and happiness we’ve desired through you? You are a guiding light in the darkness helping to brighten our path. You are far too hard on yourself, my friend. I think Tev would be quite proud to see what you’ve done for the others in your care.”

“I miss him, Halsin.” She wiped a few more tears from her face.

“I know, Tav. I know.” And he did. His entire family had passed, parents and siblings alike. It had been so long that he could hardly recall any details about them. Only fragments remained, his mother’s hair, his father’s strong hands, his sister’s laugh…

His thoughts were interrupted when Tav leaned over to him and planted a quick kiss on his cheek. The gesture made his breath catch and his heart stop. His fingers moved to his face to trace the spot where her lips met his skin.

“I’m so glad I met you, Halsin. You’re…a wonderful friend.” She smiled that oh so sweet smile at him, once again stirring him to his core. The tiny lights reflected in her teary eyes caused them to sparkle. They were sitting so close, all he would have to do is lean forward a bit and feel her soft lips against his…

“You’re…beautiful.” The Elvish whisper escaped his lips before he could stop it.

Her blush returned as she stared back at him, stunned.

“What did you say?” Her smile widened.

Panic spread over him. He didn’t mean for this to happen, he should have been able to control himself. Apparently, he underestimated just how intoxicating her company would be sitting here by the glowing pond.

“I…uh…I mean you are…” He started stammering wildly, unable to form a coherent thought. His eyes wandered to her lips, desperate to feel their touch again.

Tav was about to say something when another voice called out to them from the darkness. Halsin let out a deep breath, happy to have bought himself just a little more time. She slowly took her hand back, leaving him feeling just a touch colder than before.

***

Tav and Halsin’s conversation was cut short as Astarion wandered into the small clearing. She took a quick, shaky breath to compose herself before turning to face him.

“Astarion? How long have you been up?” Tav smiled as he walked over towards them. She stood up to greet him, hoping her blush wasn’t still noticeable.

“There you are! My friend…” He giggled as he yelled out to her.

“Are you…are you drunk?” Tav snorted at Astarion’s stumbling display.

“I have…been…drunking…drinking yes.” He smiled and leaned against her shoulder. “I found a bear. He took a little of my blood, I took all of his.” His slurred words tickled her ears.

“Quite a dangerous meal. Where did you find a bear down here?” Tav giggled along with him as he leaned onto her shoulder for support.

“I mean – I think it was a bear? Big head, four legs, hair that gets stuck in your teeth…” Astarion gestured his hands toward his fangs as he recounted his tale.

“Whatever it was…I thoroughly enjoyed it.” He laughed some more as Tav put an arm around his back to help hold him up. Her breath caught as she felt lines of raised skin through his flowy shirt.

“Astarion?” She asked as she moved her hand across his back, feeling more bumps and lines as she went along.

“Darling, if you want to keep touching me like that, you’ll need to find something to drink too.” He moved his face to be much closer to hers and booped her nose, a goofy smile spread across his face. She gently pushed him back as she laughed at his drunken display.

“No, you lightweight. What’s on your back? Did you get hurt and not tell anyone? It feels like there’s some scarring.” She tried to bring him over to sit down, but with a sudden moment of sobriety he spun out of her grasp.

“What? No, it’s nothing.” He blurted. “Just probably some dirt and rocks from wrestling with that bear.” His eyes darted around him, and she noticed one of his hands shaking. “Maybe learn to keep your hands to yourself, my friend. Then we won’t have silly misunderstandings like these.” He turned to continue stumbling off toward their camp.

“Wh–” Tav started to stammer, looking at Halsin who seemed equally confused.

Watching him walk away brought her dream back to the front of her mind. The way his messy curls bounced around his head, disappearing into the dark environment, brought Tev back to her for just a moment. How she watched him run from her to his freedom…

She forced herself back to the present. Astarion wasn’t leaving, he was just going back to camp. And Tev…Tev wasn’t here anymore.

“Are there…bears in the Underdark?” She turned her attention away from Astarion as he continued to stagger away from them.

“Not typically, no.” Halsin’s expression shifted to concern.

“Then what the hells did he dr–” Tav was stifling a laugh when he cut her off.

“Perhaps I should go check on him…make sure it wasn’t anything too poisonous.” He chuckled alongside her as he ran after the inebriated vampire. She followed a little slower behind them, fighting the ridiculous smile tugging at her lips.

You’re…beautiful.

They were words she had heard countless times in her life, usually a drunken slur into her ears as she entertained yet another potential benefactor for her father. Or used by her father himself. Words of flattery were often thrown her way but seldom made her feel anything.

But from Halsin? It was like she was hearing it for the first time. The way he whispered it to her, it was like he couldn’t control the words forming, they just spilled out. He didn’t say it because he wanted something from her, he said it as if he couldn’t possibly hold it in any longer. Her heart was still racing from the short conversation.

When she kissed his cheek, the sensation was sparks against her lips, setting the kindling in her heart aflame; a fire that filled her chest and warmed her entire body. She licked her lips lightly as she walked with the hope that she could maybe still taste him there. When they first met, she was enamored with his handsome face and broad, muscled shoulders. The first time Tav saw him smile, she had thought for sure she was going to faint. At their party with the tieflings, she had propositioned him hoping for a night of raw passion and pleasure. After all, they’d only known one another less than a day. But of course, if he had wanted to get to know one another better afterwards that would have been a welcome bonus.

Flash forward to today and here she was blushing like a little schoolgirl over a kiss on the cheek and fawning over two little words…

You’re…beautiful.

Now, Tav wanted much more than a single night of fun and lust. She wanted to curl up in his lap and fall asleep to the sound of his breaths and heartbeat. She wanted to run her hands through his hair again, gently untangling the little braids he weaved into the strands. She wanted to keep hearing his laugh and feel the way it shook his entire torso. And gods did she want to kiss that gorgeous face. All along his scars, the tips of his nose and ears, slowly making her way to his lips.

Tav took a deep breath, drawing in the cool air to douse the flames starting to rage inside of her. From the way he spoke, Halsin wanted something more, but for the life of her she couldn’t figure out what that was.

You’re…beautiful.

“Taaaavvvvv…” Astarion’s slurred cry brought her head down from the clouds. She looked up just in time to see him throwing up in the bushes behind his tent. Halsin stood next to him, giving him reassuring pats on the back.

“Oh Astarion…” She came over to help Halsin hold him up. “Did you find out what the fuck he was drinking?”

“Well, if we’re going by his description…some unholy cross between a bear, a bulette, a lich and just a touch of beholder.”

Tav snorted. “Well, that’s quite an abomination. Should we be concerned?”

“I don’t think so. We should let him purge as much of it as possible and then monitor him for a while.” Halsin gave him a couple more pats on the back as he threw up some more. Tav gagged at the sight.

“Oh gods…why is it blue?” She turned away to try and calm her own stomach.

“Oh, Tav…don’t tell me you’re squeamish from a bit of vomit. Last time we were in the Underdark you nearly lost a leg.” Halsin laughed at her.

“When it’s blue?! Yeah, it makes me a little squeamish. Blood is blood, vomit is…well it shouldn’t be that color.”

He shook his head fondly at her gagging.

“Okay darlings, I’m ready to wash all of this down with a nice glass of wine.” Astarion spun around and almost faceplanted into the dirt. Luckily Halsin still had ahold of his shirt and caught him.

“Okay my friend, why don’t you come sit with Tav and I by the fire?” Halsin persuaded him to follow them.

Halsin sat their pale friend between them on one of the logs they had rolled over by the fire pit. He leaned onto Tav’s shoulder and groaned. She rested her cheek on his head.

“Astarion, love, are you okay?” More groaning. She pushed some of his hair from his face and tucked it among the strands on the top of his head. The way his white curls stuck out in all directions after his sojourn from camp reminded her so much of Tev. He could never be bothered to run a comb through that mop of hair unless she did it for him. Instinct took over and she started smoothing the wild strands down on his head to tame them. Her fingers made quick work of the tangled curls, coercing them back into place.

“Perhaps we need to find him something safe to eat. I must admit that I’m not overly familiar with vampire physiology. Can they be hungover?” Halsin snickered.

“No worries, I can help with that.” She tilted Astarion’s head back slightly as she wrapped an arm around his shoulders, causing him to giggle. Once again, she felt the raised bumps and lines along his back.

Definitely scars.

“Here buddy, you need to drink some healthy blood.” Tav placed her free wrist up close to his mouth.

“Wait! Are you sure?” Halsin looked startled at her offer.

“Don’t worry, he mostly has his hunger under control. I’ve let him drink my blood a couple of times.”

“Mostly?” Halsin’s eyes were wide with worry.

“It’s fine, Halsin. I trust him. Besides, if I start looking too pallid you can just pull him off me. I doubt he’ll be able to put up much of a fight.” She winked at him as Astarion brought his mouth to her arm.

The familiar sting of his fangs sinking into her soft flesh caused her to draw in a sharp breath. Halsin tensed on the other side of Astarion, panic evident on his face. After a moment, the initial pain faded and Tav relaxed. She hugged him a little tighter and stroked Astarion’s arm as he fed from her other wrist. His head made its way back onto her shoulder.

“Not many people would trust a vampire not to drain every drop of blood from their body.” Halsin kept his wary eyes moving between the two of them.

“Despite his aloof and prickly attitude, I really do think he cares about us. Besides, look at him. He is absolutely clobbered right now, he could hardly kill a fly in this state.” She rested her head back on top of his. Halsin was studying them intently when Astarion dropped her wrist and turned toward him.

“So, mister Archdruid…” His words were a little less slurred than before. A little. “When are you going to lock this little elf lady down, eh?” He tried to tap Halsin on the nose, but missed and poked him in the eye instead.

“Ow.” Halsin laughed as he placed Astarion’s hand back in his lap.

“Ha! Okay Astarion, you shouldn’t talk with your mouth full, it’s awfully rude, love.” Tav shoved her wrist back into his mouth to cut him off, desperate to conceal the redness coming over her face. His teeth sunk back into the small punctures from his first bite without a struggle.

They sat in uncomfortable silence as he continued to suck the warm blood from her veins. After a couple of minutes, she pulled her arm away. Astarion gave a small pout at the move.

“No need to sulk, Astarion. Our friend is going to need her strength today.” Halsin helped him stand up. They helped move him down to Halsin’s bedroll that was still spread out near the fire.

“I don’t sulk, darling, I brood.” He mumbled before falling face first onto the soft fabric. After drinking her blood, his cheeks had started to take on a bit of a rosy hue.

“Of course, my apologies.” Halsin chuckled as he sat back down next to Tav, closer than before now that Astarion was no longer between them.

“Aw man, is Astarion okay?” Karlach had woken up and joined them.

“He’ll be fine.” Halsin assured her. “He just chose a poor target for his evening meal.”

“What did he eat?”

“No idea.” They answered at the same time. Tav filled Karlach in on their encounter with him from the morning. She left out the detail about his scars, there was something about them that he didn’t want to share, and she felt it wasn’t her place to reveal them.

“Poor Fangs.” Karlach went and sat on the ground next to Astarion.

“Let me see your hand.” Halsin was offering his out to Tav.

She placed her bloodied wrist in his hand, the partially congealed bite marks had stopped oozing. Both punctures had a tiny bruise encircling it. His now familiar magic surged around her, closing the wounds and healing the small bruises left there.

Even once all evidence of the bite was gone, he kept a gentle grip on her wrist. His thumb ran over the area where she had been bitten, the feather light touch sent shivers through her body. She bit her lip as she watched him trace small circles into the sensitive skin.

“Ahem!” Karlach cleared her throat while grinning at them. They snapped their heads toward her, startled. “Oh good, just wanted to make sure you remembered I was here.”

Halsin dropped her hand and scooted a couple of inches away from her. Karlach kept her grin spread across her face as she stood up.

“Who’s on breakfast duty today? I’m going to go and kick their tent walls to get them moving. Mama K’s getting hungry.” She skipped off toward Gale’s tent to try and coerce some cooking out of him.

“I uh, I should probably start getting our things around for the day.” Tav stood up and turned back to Halsin, twirling strands of hair around her fingers. He followed her up from their seats.

“Listen, Tav…” He started. “About what I said, I…it’s just…y-you are beautiful, obviously…I didn’t mean to…” He let out a grunt and averted his eyes as a flustered blush fell over his face and neck.

Tav reached up and lightly held his chin between her fingers, bringing his gaze back to meet hers. Her thumb traced the small scar there causing his eyelids to flutter at the touch.

“You’re pretty easy on the eyes yourself.” His lips parted to let out a soft sigh. “Thank you again for sharing that with me.” She let her hand drop.

“Anytime.” He whispered.

“Are you okay with keeping an eye on Astarion while we go explore today?”

“Of course, I think it’s for the best if he stays here to rest for a bit.” Halsin glanced over his shoulder where Astarion was still lying by the fire.

“Thank you, I’ll feel better knowing you’re here with him.” She gave a light squeeze of his arm before turning to gather her things for the day. His light touches on her wrist lingered, making her chest feel warm again.

Tav tried to shift her focus back to the treacherous outing they had planned for the day ahead. More exploring in the Underdark, a search for murderous duergar, and a secret fortress hidden somewhere that would lead them to Moonrise Towers and the shadow curse. Despite the dangers they faced, those two sweet words still rang in the front of Tav’s mind.

You’re…beautiful.

#these two have completely rotted my brain #bg3 #bg3 fanfiction #baldur's gate 3 #baldur's gate iii #bg3 halsin #halsin x tav #halsin fanfic #halsin silverbough #bg3 fluff #halsin fluff

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