barges in i finished bg3 and now i'm making it everyone else's problem for a moment. Astarion I'm so sorry for what I'm about to do to you.
Gods. Ok. Cw: non con just in case. Teeth extraction. Abuse in general?
I knowwwwwwwwww that ascended vampire Astarion is supposed to be a top and all and i do adore me a smug smaller top sometimes buuut here's the thing:
gods know i love dethroning bastards.
Part of the thought was spurred when he tells you to kneel. Hot. Nice. Kicked him in the balls once just to see what happens, and the man sitting behind me watching was like 'ok. Now, fuck his mouth. '
which lead me down a horrid little path where your character is a bit displeased about Astarion's newfound attitude. Cocky asshole. Yes, his mind got corrupted by the ritual. Which means that your character gotta keep him in check. Humble him.
Pull out his fangs. They regrow? Well then. Just keep pulling them out. Maybe beat his face in with a hammer, if he gets too snippy. Remind him that immortality is just a damn curse if someone's willing to spend the time kicking his ass.
See, i played my character as a good lad. Nice. Fell in love with Astarion though (not my goal. I was aiming for gale or Halsin but my cock slipped and fell into the wrong hole Ha Ha whatever i love Astarion too he was just reserved for the Evil Run). Let him ascend because they were running out of options on how to save him from being a thrall forever. It's a horrid loss of lives, but his love for astarion is stronger.
He doesn't like what his lover has become.
So it sucks that he needs to keep Astarion humbled. Sucks that he got to keep his love from becoming as bad as Cazador. He does mention that, now and then, how he does this for Astarion's sake. He's sure that the man would never wish to become like his master-- there's no freedom in that, is there?
(in turn, the character turns more into Cazador by the day. Worse, as his mind deteriorates with his obsession to keep Astarion humbled. He's strong enough. The only one who knows of the soft, gentle mind that's now lost. He misses it. Detests what his love has become.
He blames himself greatly. He tries not to think about the growing joy he takes in mutilating Astarion. A soothing routine. A way to wind down the day's struggles.)
Astarion won't take it lying down, though. Angry and horrid and possessive, but he wants his lover to be submissive. Rip his teeth out, and Astarion will just claw into soft flesh until it gives. Until gasping pleas turn into gurgling wet sobbing as life leaves him.
It's fine. Wither's can bring him back. Money's hardly an issue anymore. Being hurt spurs on the character to keep hurting.
Being hurt spurs Astarion to keep hurting in turn.
(There's some idle thoughts here about tadpoles degenerating the brain and all but that's for another time. I love both versions of Astarion greatly, I handle them completely differently.)