Astarion considers himself a rather proficient actor.
So after the first time you offer to carry him on your back after his insistent complaining about how terribly sore his feet are, he decides he's found the ultimate loophole to be constantly by your side without making it sexual.
It's been only an hour since you've left camp? He has a leg cramp.
He has to carry an ounce more than his usual load? He cannot possibly walk a step further.
He gets a suspicious look from the other companions when he feigns exhaustion for the umpteenth time? He purposely gets himself a small cut during battle for you to fawn over, worry painting your expressions in a way that makes his chest swell.
This extends past adventure too. Even when you're resting at camp, he insists he's far too cold to rest. And, of course, you offer to sleep beside him to conserve body heat, even though he knows damn well a bit of cold couldn't actually harm him in any way.
"He's lying, you know," he overhears Shadowheart tell you one day outside his tent. "He doesn't actually need you to coddle him so much."
Astarion doesn't hear your response, as you've gone too far off. But even he can't deny the pit forming in his stomach as he wonders if you'll return to his tent as usual tonight.
By some miracle, you do. And just as usual, you snuggle into his chest, in hopes of "preserving the heat."
For a moment, he contemplates not bringing it up. However, seeing as you aren't as quick to fall asleep as you usually are, he thinks he must face the inevitable. "About what that cleric said, I--"
He blinks. You adjust so that your chin rests on his chest, and you're staring up at him now. Then you sigh and pull him closer again. He's not sure if he should be relieved you didn't just leave, or scared that you'll pull a knife on him.
He's quick to bounce back. "No, you must know why I've been deceiving you when it comes to my capabilities and that there is some truth to them to some extent--"
His eyes grow wide. "What?"
"I could've let anyone else do all this, or at least share the burden," you shake your head. "I didn't want to. I didn't want anyone else to be close to you like this."
Astarion thinks his hearing finally must have gone out after all the explosions he's heard during battle. But somehow, his voice remains. "Darling, are you saying what I think you're saying?"
He feels you nip at his collarbone. "What do you think?"
Astarion considers himself a rather proficient actor. But the smile stretching on his lips as he runs his fingers through your hair is no act. Not at all. Especially as he feels you intertwine your fingers with his free hand.
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