a/n: we have 148 days left till Halloween, so one could argue this chapter is actually early and not late. anyways, this is the one where Astarion wears fishnets and Eve gets mad horny (do you see a pattern here?)
pairing: Astarion x f!Durge · word count: 7.9k
rating: Explicit (18+)
tags: modern AU, witness protection, strangers to friends to lovers (see AO3 for a more exhaustive list)
summary: It’s been over a year since Eve had to uproot her life and assume a new identity—anything to distance herself from the past she wishes she could forget. When an erratic, if oddly charming, newcomer stumbles into her place of work, she recognizes something familiar within him and the two can’t seem to stay away from each other. But Eve is not the only one running from her past.
An alternative, modern take on the Dark Urge x Astarion romance, filled with friendship, secrets, healing, and ABBA.
previous chapter · read on AO3 · dividers
“Well done,” Barcus comments as Eve steps off the ladder to assess the fifty-or-so paper bats that are now hanging from the ceiling above the children’s reading corner.
“Do you think it’s enough?” she muses, hands on her hips. “One can never have too many bats.”
“I think one can, objectively. But this seems to be the optimal number of bats.”
As he helps her set up the remaining decorations, Barcus asks:
“So, do you have any plans for tonight?”
“On a Thursday? No, I’m not nearly as fun. But tomorrow we’re going to a costume party with some friends.”
“But what about the trick-or-treaters?”
“Uh… I forgot that’s a thing, honestly. We didn’t have any kids in the apartment building I used to live at. Is trick-or-treating a big deal around here?”
“Well, which neighborhood are you in now?”
“Just on the west edge of town. You know Jonathan Drive?”
“Oh! Yes, that’s just a few blocks from where I live. We might run into each other then. My partner’s daughter, Obelia, she’s a nurse at the ER and she’s working the night shift, so we’re taking her kids trick-or-treating, since they’re far too young to go by themselves.”
Eve’s eyes widen, as does her smile, when she looks up from the garland she’s unwrapping to meet Barcus’ eyes.
“So you’re a grandpa?”
“Absolutely not,” Barcus retorts, his cutting tone dampened somewhat by the hint of blush in his cheeks.
“Do they call you ‘grandpa?”
“…yes,” he mutters defeatedly. “But that’s besides the point! The point is that people take their trick-or-treating very seriously around here, so you’ll need candy. Inordinate amounts of candy.”
“And costumes,” Eve sighs.
“I thought you already had those.”
Eve blushes, trying to think of an appropriate way to explain.
“Um, we do, but… They’re not exactly… family-friendly.”
“Understood,” Barcus says matter-of-factly, suddenly very interested in his nails. “Please do not elaborate.”
(read the rest on AO3)
taglist: @roguishcat @amouseyoucanhold @nerdalmighty @irondeficienttav @hellethil @funniestbitchinfaerun @andromedaancunin @deadly-diminuendo @mesmerisingpurple @dramatiquechipmunk ✨ (lmk if you'd like to be added or removed)
The Stormbringer, the Shark Lord and their twin pups, Celeste & Rowan ⚡️🌊🩸
The birth of Lady Celeste and Lord Rowan is the beginning of a historic new era of collaboration and melding of the Mermaids of Tempest Reefs and the Sharks of Bloodwater Trenches. The members of the Ancunín family serve as ambassadors between their two people, ushering in a beautiful new age of multi-species prosperity.
❤️💛💙💜
Read about how the forbidden romance between Sharkstarion & The Stormbringer Evelyn began here!
This first one is following the aftermath of Hellethil's druid master Rowan abandoning her. Halsin takes a reluctant Hellethil out on a little walk, trying to entice her to use her druidic powers that she has been neglecting to use the past week. (please excuse all the errors, its currently in the editing/rewrite process.)
This second piece, is from the first chapter of my modern au "The Laws of Nature." Wyll and Karlach introduce Astarion and Hellethil on a blind date. Astarion is doing his best to flirt but miss ma'am is a bit too oblivious.
I hope to have the first one out soon :3 please let me know what you guys think of either one!
Disclaimer: After I post chapter 1 of my au here, the rest will be strictly posted on ao3, with only a snippet of each chapter on here. Unless there is heavy interest in the chapter. :3