You start pacing, the panic bubbling up, making it hard to breathe. Your vision blurs, your thoughts spiraling. It’s too much. It’s all too much.
You sink to your knees by the lakeshore, your hands pressing into the soft earth as your breaths grow more erratic. Tears blur your vision as the weight of your two lives crashes into you all at once, your body trembling as a full-blown panic attack grips you. The world around you feels distant, and the sound of your heart pounds in your ears.
Suddenly, a hand presses gently against your back. You’re too consumed by your panic to register who it is at first, but then a soft voice cuts through the fog.
“Breathe, Y/n. You’re alright.”
Gale.
He moves beside you, his hand remaining on your back as he speaks quietly, his voice calm and soothing. “Come on, breathe with me, darling.” The nickname slips from his lips naturally, and though neither of you acknowledge it, it somehow makes everything feel a little less overwhelming. Gale takes slow, deep breaths, guiding you to match his rhythm. Your own attempts are choppy at first, uneven and difficult, but you try.
Gale shifts slightly, moving to sit on the ground beside you. He gently pulls you closer, letting you lean on him as the panic continues to ebb and flow. His hand traces soothing lines up and down your arm, never rushing you, just offering his presence as an anchor in the storm.
One day I was like "damn Gale you're SO difficult to draw I'M SICK OF IT" and ended up with this bunch of studies omg
It's always such a challenge to depict his cuteness, masculinity and handsomeness at a time ,_,
drawn somewhere in april
Hi 💜 I resurrected a practically forgotten tumblr account to say that I love, love, love The End of All Things. I started reading it before ever playing the game, fell in love, and now three ish months later, I’ve finished my first play through.
One of your last chapters, you mentioned that life was a little hard and I just wanted to say I hope you’re well. I love your story, you have a true talent. Looking forward to reading more when you’re ready and hoping you’re taking care of you in the meantime. That’s important!
hihi!!
Thank you so much for your kind words <33 I'm so flattered and glad that you love the story! And I'm happy to hear you've finished your first playthrough :) I hope it was fun for you! and i hope when you come back to the story you find more things to enjoy ^^
did you go straight to gale? you HAVE to tell me how you liked his route!!
as far as life being a little hard, thank you so much for asking after me! I'm alright, it's just a ton of stuff piling up at once LOL like my phone stopped working, and things got a bit tough at my corporate office girly job cz of the "veterans" that work there and want nothing to change, and i moved house which is a good thing cz i got a bigger place BUT stressful nonetheless. So just adulting stress really XD
Thank you again for your concern. It's very very kind of you. I just haven't had a lot of time to like... sit down and dedicate the same effort that i have been, but im taking some time off so i'm hoping to get more writing done! i have soo many plans and soo many notes about how i want stuff to go and it would be a shame to stop now!!
Excerpt from The End of All Things on ao3, an Isekai BG3 Romance.
WARNING: SMUT BELOW THE CUT. MINORS DNI
Pairing: Gale x Fem!Reader
Excerpt Word Count: 2.13K
Current Story Stats:
Words: 107,944
Chapters: 31 (Ongoing)
Hits: 5,457
Kudos: 205
Last Updated: 01-01-2025
Originally Published: 10-10-2024
About the Fic:
The End of All Things is an Isekai-style adult romance set in the world of Baldur's Gate 3. After a sudden death, the reader is thrust into the Forgotten Realms, navigating a new life filled with danger, loss, and hope. At its core, this fic explores a tender and passionate romance with Gale Dekarios, as two souls find solace and strength in each other while facing the trials of a world on the brink.
“The old ways then.” He says and then gestures behind you. A grand bed appears, with a beautiful canopy, as he gestures toward it. “A small gesture, toward your comfort.”
You smile, lying back on the bed and savoring the comfort of being in a bed for the first time in ages. If you weren’t in such a romantic mood, your weary bones would have sunk into the bed and body curled up like a cat. But your mind is too stuck on Gale to think about that right now.
Gale's eyes meet yours, his gaze intense and full of desire. He moves with purpose, climbing onto the bed and positioning himself above you. His body hovers tantalizingly close, the heat radiating from him making your skin tingle with anticipation.
He leans down, his lips brushing yours with exquisite gentleness. The kiss starts soft and exploring, a tender caress that sends shivers through your entire being. His lips are warm and inviting, moving against yours with increasing passion. One of his hands cups your face, his thumb stroking your cheek.
Every inch of your body is electrified, and you respond eagerly, surrendering yourself completely to the intoxicating taste of him.
Your hands glide over Gale's muscular shoulders, feeling the strength beneath his clothes as you pull him closer. The kiss intensifies, growing more heated and urgent with each passing moment. Gale's fingers tangle in your hair, cradling your head as he explores your mouth with a skilled, sensual precision.
When you finally part, the air between you crackles with desire and longing. Gale's dark eyes are filled with a fiery passion as he gazes down at you, his voice husky as he murmurs, "You are exquisite." His lips trail along your jawline, before moving down to pepper kisses along your neck. “Every part of you is a wonder.”
With his clever fingers, the fastenings of your clothing slowly come undone, revealing more and more of your skin. Each newly exposed inch is worshiped with reverent kisses and caresses, igniting a burning desire within you. "Gale," you gasp out his name, relishing in the way he makes you feel. It's as if every nerve ending in your body is alive and pulsing with pleasure under his touch. His hand trails down your side, going to gently grab your knee, lifting it to press his groin against yours, enjoying the delicious friction.
As his lips continue to move downwards, they find a sensitive spot on your chest, a shiver runs through your body. Your hands eagerly slip beneath his shirt, craving the warmth and firmness of his skin against yours. Gale's soft groan sends sparks of pleasure through you as your fingers trail along his back, tracing the taut contours of muscle. He captures your lips again in a searing kiss, his body pressing you deeper into the soft mattress.
His touch is like fire, leaving a trail of tingling sensation in its wake. "You're beautiful," he murmurs, his voice thick with emotion.
Desire surges through you as you reach for him, tugging at his clothes. "I want to see you too," you breathe.
With a smile, Gale sits back on his heels and slowly removes his shirt, revealing the sculpted and toned perfection of his body. Your eyes roam appreciatively over every line and curve as he leans back down to capture your lips in another passionate kiss. His warm skin melds against yours, creating an intoxicating sensation.
Your hands continue their exploration, tracing the definition of his muscles and feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. You run your fingers over his strong abs, feeling the dusting of hair on his chest and the happy trail leading downwards. He's so gorgeous you don't know what to do with yourself. Gale's fingers glide down your sides in a reverent manner, as if he's committing every curve and plane of your body to memory.
"Y/n… You're incredible," he murmurs against your skin, peppering kisses along your collarbone. "I've dreamt of this moment.”
Those words cause a warmth and desire to spread through your body. The idea that he had thought of you like this, in the most intimate positions beneath him, makes your teeth graze your lower lip.
You arch into him with a soft gasp as his lips find a sensitive spot on your neck. "Gale," you breathe again, unable to think or speak coherently, running your fingers through his hair. His hands roam freely now, caressing and exploring every inch of you – cupping and squeezing your breasts, gently tracing lines on your waist and hips.
Your body is on fire with desire, and you can feel Gale's own need growing against your thigh. He looks up at you with intense, dark eyes before moving back up to capture your lips in a deep kiss. You can taste the hunger in his kiss, matching your own.
Gale's fingers trail lower, skimming over your stomach with feather-light touches that make you shiver. His hand glides along the curve of your hip, then slowly traces the inside of your thigh. The anticipation builds as his fingers dance ever closer to your center.
When he finally reaches your most sensitive area, you gasp at the exquisite sensation. Gale's touch is gentle yet confident as he begins to explore, his fingers circling your clit with deliberate strokes. Waves of pleasure ripple through you, making your toes curl.
"Is this alright?" he murmurs against your ear, his breath hot on your skin.
"Yes," you breathe, barely able to form words as he continues his ministrations. "Don't stop."
Gale increases the pressure slightly, varying his motions to discover what makes you writhe with pleasure; from flicking your sensitive bud with his middle finger to applying pressure and moving his digits side to side. With every touch, your desire grows and your body responds eagerly to Gale's skilled fingers. You can feel yourself getting closer to the edge, the pleasure building and consuming you. Before you can get too far, he stops, causing you to almost groan in displeasure.
Gale chuckles lightly against your skin as his kisses begin to trail lower, his lips and tongue mapping a sensual path down your body. “Patience, my darling.” He pauses to lavish attention on your breasts, flicking his tongue over your nipples, drawing soft sighs of pleasure from you. He moves lower still, kissing across your stomach.
He settles between your thighs, looking up at you with eyes dark with desire. "May I?" he asks, his voice low and husky.
You eagerly nod your head, heart racing with anticipation as Gale's lips press soft kisses to your inner thighs. The slight prick of his stubble against your sensitive skin sends shivers of desire coursing through your body. "Gale," you manage to breathe out, your voice panting with need, "Please don't tease me like this. I can't take it."
He looks up at you with a wicked smile, his eyes dark and filled with lustful intent. "Oh, but I intend to," he replies, his voice husky and dripping with desire, "I've been waiting for this moment. To savor every inch of your body under the stars."
And when his mouth finally finds its way to your center, every nerve in your body lights up with pleasure. Gale's tongue explores you with reverent attention, alternating between broad strokes and focused flicks that leave you gasping for more. One of his strong hands holds you still by your hip while the other roams freely over your curves, exploring and arousing every inch of you. With skilled precision, he continues his delicious torture, sending waves of ecstasy rippling through your veins. Your fingers tangle in his hair as he devours you with an insatiable hunger, the intensity of his desire matching your own.
You moan loudly, unable to contain the pleasure building within you. Gale's fingers join his tongue, adding a delicious pressure that has you writhing beneath him.
Gale's ministrations intensify, his tongue and fingers working in perfect harmony to bring you to the brink of ecstasy. Your hips move uncontrollably against his face as pleasure continues to build within you, a coiled spring ready to release. With each precise movement of his skilled tongue, your body trembles with increasing intensity until finally, you are pushed over the edge. Your voice calling his name fills the air as waves of pure bliss wash over you.
As you come down from your high, Gale kisses his way back up your body, a satisfied grin on his face. His lips leave trails of fire along your skin as you pull him into a passionate kiss. Your hands roam his body, tracing every curve and muscle as you eagerly reciprocate the pleasure he has given you.
"I love you," he declares, "I love every inch of you," he breathes, "every sensitive spot, every sigh and shiver," his voice drops to a whisper.
“I love you, too.” You say, and with a burst of confidence, you flip your positions, straddling Gale's hips. His eyes widen in surprise and delight as you begin to explore his body with your mouth and hands. You trail kisses down his neck, across his chest, reveling in the soft sounds of pleasure he lets out.
Your lips trail lower, kissing a path down Gale's chest and stomach. His breath quickens as you reach the waistband of his trousers, fingers deftly unfastening them. Gale lifts his hips, allowing you to slide the fabric down and away.
You take a moment to admire him, drinking in the sight of his arousal. Gale watches you with heated eyes as you lower your head, placing a soft kiss on his inner thigh. He inhales sharply as you move higher, your breath ghosting over his sensitive skin.
When you finally take him into your mouth, Gale lets out a low groan of pleasure. Your tongue swirls around him as you take him deeper, savoring his taste and the way he twitches against your lips. One of Gale's hands tangles in your hair, not guiding but simply connecting.
You work him with enthusiasm, using every technique you know to bring him closer to release. When he's close, but not quite there yet, you pull back slightly, teasing him with gentle kisses and licks along his length.
Gale growls in frustration but also in appreciation. When he can't take it any longer, he pulls you up for a searing kiss before flipping you onto your back once again.
He positions himself between your legs, one of his strong hands gently holding your hip, his thumb caressing soothing circles as the other hand lines his member with your entrance. Your bodies fit together perfectly, and as he enters you slowly, you both close your eyes and savor the feeling of being connected in such an intimate way. A low moan escapes his lips as he revels in the tightness and warmth of your body.
His movements are slow and deliberate at first, the pace tantalizingly torturous as he savors each thrust and your body's response to it. You can feel him shaking with pleasure above you, his head tilted back in ecstasy.
Your hands roam over each other's bodies, exploring and igniting new sensations with every touch. When your gazes meet, they are filled with unbridled passion and a sense of wild abandon. With each movement, sparks fly between you like wildfire.
Gale's body moves in perfect harmony with yours, each thrust sending ripples of pleasure throughout your entire being. His intense gaze never wavers from you, his desire for you evident in every line of his face. The sound of your name falling from his lips is music to your ears, driving you to new heights of pleasure.
As his rhythm becomes more urgent, you wrap your legs around his waist, pulling him even closer to you, causing him to press his body onto yours, your warm skin flush against his. The change in angle has you both gasping as the intensity increases exponentially. Gale's control begins to slip as he chases his release, his voice husky with need. His breath is hot against your skin as he murmurs praises and declarations of love.
"You feel incredible," he whispers against your neck, causing shivers to run down your spine.
With one final thrust, Gale releases a deep groan and fills you completely with his essence. The sensation triggers your own climax, and you ride out the waves of pleasure together with intertwined bodies and racing hearts. As you both come down from the high, Gale collapses onto you, his chest heaving as he catches his breath. Your bodies are still connected, and you revel in the feeling of being completely and utterly united with the one you love.
Excerpt from The End of All Things on ao3, an Isekai BG3 Romance.
Pairing: Gale x Fem!Reader
Excerpt Word Count: 2.03K
Current Story Stats:
Words: 107,944
Chapters: 31 (Ongoing)
Hits: 5,457
Kudos: 205
Last Updated: 01-01-2025
Originally Published: 10-10-2024
About the Fic:
The End of All Things is an Isekai-style adult romance set in the world of Baldur's Gate 3. After a sudden death, the reader is thrust into the Forgotten Realms, navigating a new life filled with danger, loss, and hope. At its core, this fic explores a tender and passionate romance with Gale Dekarios, as two souls find solace and strength in each other while facing the trials of a world on the brink.
“What’s it like?” Gale asks suddenly, his voice soft, like a whisper carried on the wind.
You glance up at him, your brows furrowing slightly. “What’s what like?” you ask, curious yet guarded.
“Your world,” he says, his tone gentle and wistful. “I’ve always wanted to see it the way you saw it. You talk about it like it’s a distant memory, slipping away. I wish I could help you hold onto it.”
The bittersweet weight of his words tugs at your chest. You manage a small, sad smile. “I don’t think words can really do it justice,” you murmur.
He is quiet for a moment, his eyes locked on yours, before he speaks again. “Then show me.”
Your breath catches in your throat. “What?”
“You’ve seen my tower,” he reminds you gently. “You know illusion magic—what it can do. Let me teach you. Let me help you bring your world to life.”
“I…” Your voice falters, uncertainty creeping in as you look around the clearing, the ache in your chest growing sharper with each passing moment. “I don’t know if I can.”
Gale's hand tightens gently around yours, grounding you. “You can,” he reassures you, his voice steady and sure. “You just need to feel it. Let the weave flow through you, and I’ll guide you.”
The earnestness in his eyes leaves no room for doubt, and you nod, swallowing the lump in your throat. “Alright.” He helps you up to your feet by the hand, his touch kind and gentle.
He steps closer to you, his hands lightly brushing against yours as he begins to instruct you, his voice low and soothing. “Close your eyes,” he says softly. “Picture it—not just how it looked, but how it felt. Every detail. The things you loved. The colors, the textures, the light. Draw on those memories. Let them guide you.”
You do as he says, closing your eyes and letting his voice anchor you as you allow the memories to rise to the surface. The familiar hum of the weave begins to pulse through you, tentative at first, and then stronger as Gale's presence steadies. He gently grabs the hand that pulses with the weave and slowly brings it up to the space in front of you, dragging it to the side as the magic begins to materialize following your palm. You can feel your world coming to life before your closed eyes, and a sense of wonder and gratitude washes over you.
As your eyes flutter open, the familiar clearing has transformed into something entirely unexpected. No longer are you surrounded by towering trees and a serene moonlit sky. Instead, you find yourself standing in the center of your old apartment. Your breath catches in your throat as you take in the scene before you. The cluttered desk with its slightly pushed back chair as though you’d just stood up, the dimly lit computer screen emitting a faint blue glow. Your phone lays on the neatly made bed, its familiar case still adorned with scratches and scuffs. The shelves are lined with well-loved books, their spines worn from hours of reading. Memories flood back as you absorbed every detail of this unexpected return to your past life.
Gale's eyes widen as they dart around the room, his expression a mix of amazement and wonder. "This is it," he murmurs, almost in disbelief. "Your world."
You nod, your throat feeling tight with emotion. "Yeah… This is where I spent most of my time," you reply, your voice barely above a whisper. "It's just like I remember."
He walks slowly through the space, his movements careful and almost reverent. His fingers lightly graze the spines of books on the shelves as if he were afraid to disturb them. "These..." he begins, pausing in front of the bookshelves. "Were they stories? Knowledge?"
"Both," you confirm softly. "I loved reading. These were my escape from reality."
Gale smiles in awe, as though he was excited to learn more about you, his hand still hovering near a book but not quite touching it. He turns back to you with a curious expression. "And this?" He gestures towards your desk.
"That's my computer," you say with a hint of pride in your voice. "I...worked on it, played games, connected with friends."
His eyes flick towards the glowing screen, filled with both fascination and confusion at this foreign device. "A gateway to endless possibilities," he muses, awe evident in his tone. "Ingenious."
Your eyes linger on the small speaker sitting on your desk, a mix of longing and fear welling up inside you. You cautiously approach it, your hand shaking as you reach out to touch it. As your fingers pass through the object, a familiar feeling of unreality washed over you, causing a deep sadness to take hold.
Gale appears beside you, his presence offering some comfort in the midst of your conflicted emotions. "What is it?" he asks softly.
"It used to play music," you whisper, your voice shaking with emotion. "I wanted to show you, but..."
He smiles gently, his hand guiding yours back towards the speaker. "Illusion magic can be tricky. It may look real, but it doesn't always feel real." He pauses, his fingers leading yours to the speaker once again. "The key is to believe in it, to truly feel it."
You hesitantly reach out again, trembling fingers making contact with the solid object this time. A gasp escapes your lips as you pulled back in disbelief.
"It's okay," Gale reassures you with a warm smile. "I'm here with you."
You tentatively explore the surface of the speaker once more, the physical sensation of it overwhelming your senses. You press the power button, but nothing happens.
Gale’s curiosity didn’t waver as he gently asks, “What did it sound like?”
You hesitate, your fingers brushing over the illusory speaker. The weight of the moment settles over you, and you close your eyes, letting the memory of a song drift to the forefront of your mind. It isn’t about missing it specifically—it is about what it represented. Home, routine, the quiet corners of your life before all this chaos.
“It started slow,” you begin softly, your voice catching on the words. “Just a gentle rhythm, like it was trying to coax you to listen. Then it would build, layer upon layer. The vocals would come in—not perfect, not polished, but raw and real. It was the kind of song that… felt like it understood you.”
The speaker begins to hum faintly, a soft melody threading through the space as if responding to your voice. Gale’s eyes light up with quiet wonder, but he doesn’t speak, letting you continue.
“It wasn’t extraordinary,” you admit, the words tumbling out in a quiet rush. “It wasn’t some grand symphony or a magic spell. It was just something that kept me company. Something that made the loneliness less loud.”
The hum grows fuller, the melody clearer. You open your eyes to see the speaker playing the exact song you’d described. A laugh bubbles up in your throat, caught between disbelief and nervous joy. “It works,” you say shakily, your voice barely above a whisper. The room fills with the music of your old life, perfectly rendered through magic. It's surreal, and for a moment, it almost feels like you’d brought a piece of that world back.
Gale steps closer, his gaze filled with awe. “It’s beautiful,” he says softly, his words reverent. “So much emotion in something so simple.”
You smile at him, but the weight in your chest grows heavier. “I thought I’d forgotten it,” you murmur. “I thought… I wouldn’t remember the sound of it, the way it made me feel.”
Your hand hovers over the desk, longing for something tangible, something real to anchor yourself to. The song fills the room, but your emotions—grief, confusion, gratitude, love—all tangle together, making it harder to hold on. The melody begins to falter, the illusion shimmering as your focus wavered.
“It’s not just the music,” you say, your voice trembling. “It’s everything I used to know. The languages, the way we traveled, the little routines… They’re gone. And even if they weren’t perfect, they were mine. They were all I knew.”
The desk beneath your hand flickers, turning insubstantial. You press harder, desperate to hold onto it. “I love this life,” you choked out, your voice trembling. “I love you, I love the people I’ve met, the strength I’ve found. But sometimes it hits me—this isn’t my world. No matter how much I come to love it, it’s not mine.”
The room begins to dim as the illusion wavers, the walls dissolving into faint ripples of light, cracking under the weight of your emotions. “No,” you whisper, your tone rising to a desperate cry. “No, please!”
Your hand passes through the desk as it dissolved into nothingness and you fall to your knees, your weight having been put on the desk. The speaker follows, the music cutting off mid-note. The remnants of the illusion evaporate like smoke, leaving behind only silence. The loss hits you like a physical blow, a reminder that this is all an echo of something you could never truly reclaim.
The sobs come before you could stop them, raw and unrelenting. You bury your face in your hands, the weight of the moment pressing down on you. It isn’t about wanting to go back; it’s about everything you’ve lost and the impossible task of reconciling the person you were with the person you are becoming.
Gale kneels beside you, his hand warm and steady on your back. He doesn't rush you, doesn't try to fill the silence with empty reassurances. Instead, he waits, grounding you with his presence. His touch, gentle and sure, reminds you that even in this moment of despair, you aren’t alone.
When your sobs begin to subside, you look up at him, your face streaked with tears. “It’s just…” you whisper, your voice cracking. “I don’t even know why it matters so much. It’s not like I wanted to go back. But it was my home. It was all I knew.”
Gale’s eyes soften, his hand brushing a stray tear from your cheek. “Because it was yours,” he says gently. “The places, the sounds, the moments—they belonged to you. And losing them, even knowing you can’t return, doesn’t make the pain less real.”
You let out a shaky breath, your tears spilling over again. “I fought so hard to live that life,” you whisper, your voice breaking. “I held onto every moment, every scrap of hope, but it still wasn’t enough. And now, I’m here—this life, this chance—I’m grateful for it. I want to hold onto it with everything I have. But seeing this? It reminds me of everything I lost. Everything I’ll never get back.”
Gale’s arms envelope you, his voice a low murmur near your ear. “That loss will always be a part of you, Y/N. But so will your strength—the same strength that brought you here, that built this life you’re grateful for. And you don’t have to carry it all alone.”
You bury your face against his chest, his embrace grounding you as your shoulders shake with renewed sobs. His hand strokes your hair gently, his presence unwavering, like an anchor in the storm. He lets you cry, lets you feel, until the sobs begin to ebb once more.
Pulling back slightly, you rub at your eyes and let out a weak, tearful laugh. “I just wanted to hear the music again,” you say, your voice uneven. “I wanted to share it with you.”
Gale’s hand lingers on your shoulder, his touch steady and reassuring. “And you did,” he says with a small smile. “Even if only for a moment. I heard it. I saw it. And it was beautiful.”
His words wrap around your heart, easing some of the ache. You smile through the tears, your hand resting against his. “Thank you,” you murmur. “For being here. For always being here.”
“Always,” Gale promises, his voice steady, his gaze unwavering. He pauses, his hand moving to cradle your cheek. “And when you’re ready, we’ll create something new together—something even more beautiful.”
"My love, you are more wondrous than any magic I've ever known. The way you move, the sounds you make... it's like a symphony that resonates with the very fabric of the universe."
As the night goes on, you and Gale find yourselves immersed in the book, words flowing between you as the stars twinkle softly above. You stumble over a particularly intimate passage, the letters still a bit muddled in places, and Gale helps you along, murmuring the word quietly, “Ecstasy.”
You burst into a quiet laugh, shaking your head as you attempt to continue, the situation settling in.
Gale chuckles, clearly amused, his smile warm as he watches you. “What’s so funny?”
You shake your head, still grinning. “It’s just… this is like learning to read with the Kama Sutra.” Your shoulders shake as you speak through laughter, the absurdity of it finally bubbling over.
He arches an eyebrow, his smile growing intrigued. “The Kama Sutra, you say? I’m not familiar, but it sounds like a most fascinating read.”
You bite back another laugh, glancing at him as you catch your breath. “It’s… an old book, a guide, you could say, on intimacy.”
Gale’s eyes widen with interest, his voice dropping to a flirtatious murmur. “Ah. A most fascinating read indeed. If only I could get my hands on such a tome…”
You titter and blink, surprised, your eyebrows raising. “Why? I’m sure there’s no shortage of books on the subject here. You’re holding one right now.” You nod your head towards it lightly.
He looks at you, and his gaze softens, a sincerity creeping into his eyes. “That may be so, but I’d read every book on the subject if it meant I could learn to love you better.”
“I’ve read volumes on devotion, but none of it prepared me for the way I feel when you’re near. I’d abandon it all—the studies, the magic—for just one more moment with you.”
WARNING: SPOILERS FOR THE END OF ALL THINGS BELOW!!
if you've ever dreamed about giving Elminster a piece of your mind... well, this one's for you.
“Right, ahem.” Elminster clears his throat, hesitating. “You see… I, er… that is to say…” He pauses, takes a steadying breath, and seems to decide to come out with it plainly. “Gale, m’boy, I’ve come to address a most pressing matter. I’ll speak as plainly as I can, forswearing the accustomed frills that decorate my speech. I’m here on behalf of Mystra. The message and the charge I bring you are hers.”
You feel your spine straighten, a tense shift in your weight as you brace for whatever Mystra could possibly want. “Okay. And what does she want with Gale now?”
Gale lets out a humorless laugh. “Oh, one can only imagine.”
Elminster gives him a look, then sighs. “You know where you went wrong, Gale. We needn’t dwell on that here and now. But even so, you’re to be given a chance of redemption.”
Your jaw tightens, and you feel your arms cross on instinct, your posture bristling with defiance.
“Redemption?” Gale’s voice is quiet, laced with surprise and the faintest glimmer of hope. “Mystra would consider… forgiveness?”
Elminster hesitates, then replies, “She would consider… what she considers to be forgiveness.”
Your eyes narrow at the evasive response, suspicious of what it could mean. Elminster continues, “Mystra is aware of the misadventures that have befallen you both. She knows of your strife with the Absolute, that most insidious of evils.”
You stifle the urge to make a sharp retort about Mystra herself, but a quick glance over your shoulder reveals Karlach giving you a worried look, silently urging you to hold your tongue. You shift uncomfortably, biting back your words.
Elminster’s tone grows somber as he addresses Gale. “You must know that the Absolute is more dangerous than you can possibly conceive. It threatens all who live—even those who are undying. It threatens the gods, the Weave, the very fabric of the universe itself.”
At this, Elminster glances your way, and his look makes your brows furrow with unease. It’s almost as if he’s implying you should understand the gravity of the Absolute’s threat on a personal level. You force yourself to ignore the unease settling in your chest as he turns back to Gale.
“This is why I have come here to charge you, Gale, with its destruction. It is Mystra’s belief that only you can.”
The words send a chill through you, and your mouth twists in a scoff. “Don’t tell me…”
But Gale, eyes wide with dawning realization, looks at Elminster. “The orb.”
“Precisely,” Elminster replies, his tone grave, as though he takes no pleasure in saying it. “Mystra has granted me the power to ‘stop the clock,’ as it were, on the orb’s rush to overpower you. Instead, you will be able to unleash its lethal combustion at will.”
Your face falls, horrified at the suggestion. Before you can even voice your dismay, Elminster continues, his tone unwavering, “You must find the heart of the Absolute, whatever that may be, and use yourself as the catalyst that will burn it from this—”
“No.” The word leaves your mouth like a gunshot, breaking through his speech with the force of your conviction.
Everyone turns to you in shock, including Gale, who tries to speak. “Y/N…”
You don’t look at him, your glare fixed squarely on Elminster. The old wizard, visibly startled, stammers, “Pardon me? No?”
“You heard me,” you say, taking a step toward him, squaring up. “I said no.”
Gale’s hand lands on your shoulder, a gesture both grounding and calming. “He’s not the one tasking me with this, Y/N. Mystra is.”
You turn your gaze to him, eyes blazing. “Fine. Then she can answer to me.”
Elminster looks almost awkward, taken aback. “It brings me no pleasure saying this, my friend, but such is Mystra’s will. Yours must be the sacrifice that will undo the Absolute. And for your sacrifice, you will be redeemed. Such is Mystra’s promise.”
A bitter, sarcastic smile crosses your lips, and you wave your hands mockingly. “Oh wow. Redemption.” You scoff, the venom unmistakable in your voice. “What the fuck kind of good is that going to do if he’s dead?”
Elminster opens his mouth as if to respond but hesitates, clearly at a loss for words. After a long moment, he sighs. “I have said my sorry piece. I can say no more. I need only bestow unto thee the charm I was bid.” He raises his hands, chanting softly as his eyes glow a deep purple. An arcane rune appears in the air, swirling with magical energy before flowing into the tattoo on Gale’s chest, which flares in the same purple glow.
Gale stands still, his face unreadable as he accepts the charm. You watch him, incredulous, your expression full of hurt and anger as you wonder if he truly means to go through with this.
Elminster lowers his hands. “It is done. Both charge and charm have been committed into your care,” he says to Gale, then turns his gaze toward you with that same knowing look, a look you meet with a hard glare. Finally, he addresses Gale again, his voice softer. “Farewell, my friend.”
Gale nods slowly, his voice hesitant. “Farewell, Elminster. I’m glad she chose you.” With a final nod, he turns and walks off, his expression clouded.
You start to follow him, but Elminster’s voice stops you. “Miss Y/N, if I may…” He begins, his voice carrying a weight that pulls you into tense attention. “The Lady of Mysteries has a message for you as well.”
You hesitate, glancing at Gale’s receding figure, then back to Elminster. “A message?” you echo, suspicion flickering in your eyes.
Elminster nods, almost as if regretting what he’s about to say. “Mystra hopes that you, too, will do the honorable thing.”
Disbelief settles into something sharper, colder. “And what exactly does Mystra think is the ‘honorable’ thing?” you ask, keeping your voice steady.
“To die a hero,” he replies, his tone firm but edged. “You are not of this world, yet you’ve bound yourself to it in ways that risk its very existence. The Absolute is dangerous, yes, but you…” He pauses, his voice weighted with foreboding. “Your presence here is not merely a threat—it’s a near certainty that you will destroy us all.”
The words sink in like stones, and, almost in answer, a subtle wind picks up around you, swirling the flames in the campfire and casting long, erratic shadows across the ground. The trees along the camp’s edge sway, their branches bending toward you, pulled as if by an invisible force. You stand tall, a fierce determination in your gaze, and reply coolly, “Then who better to destroy the Absolute,” each word razor-sharp, “and spare Gale this madness… than the only person more dangerous than the Absolute itself?”
Elminster’s eyes flicker with a hint of unease as he glances at the trees, which bow and sway in your direction as if caught in reverence—or subjugation. He presses on, though his voice is less steady. “Mystra hopes you’ll see it differently,” he says. “That you’ll let yourself be destroyed by the orb’s power.”
The fire flares again, and the wind grows stronger, a steady, unsettling breeze that seems to sweep through the entire camp, rustling the tents and whipping through the trees. You feel a deep pulse within you, resonating with the Weave, and a faint glow ripples around you, a flicker of purple energy illuminating the edges of your aura. “That goddess has let her divinity go to her head,” you say, voice like steel. “How many sacrifices does she demand before she’s satisfied? How many people has she asked to blow themselves up in her name?”
Elminster’s expression tightens, his voice laced with a warning. “You disrespect the goddess of magic herself,” he says, though there’s a flicker of doubt as his eyes flick to the fire and the trees, all bowing, all yielding toward you.
Your patience snaps, and a faint arc of purple energy sparks from your fingertips, rippling through the ground as your aura sharpens, brighter and more defined. “I have not disrespected the goddess! She has disrespected me.” You step forward, your presence commanding, the ground beneath your feet trembling as the fire’s flames tilt in your direction, casting the entire camp in a shifting violet glow. “And you—a wizard of legend, sent here to command someone you once mentored to blow himself up? Are you out of your mind?”
Elminster’s stance falters as he takes in the energy roiling around you. The trees seem to bow more deeply now, bending almost unnaturally toward you, the wind pulling leaves and branches toward the gravitational force of your anger. “I am Mystra’s chosen, and so I follow her will,” he says, but there’s a tremor in his voice as he struggles against the pull of your defiance.
A humorless, cold laugh escapes you, reverberating through the camp. The shadows cast by the flames deepen, flickering wildly as the trees sway in rhythm with the pulse of your anger. “Yeah. I can see that. You’ve become more her chosen than you are a man, Elminster.”
Taking another step forward, you meet his gaze, eyes glowing a fierce, unyielding purple, the Weave crackling visibly around you. “Gale will not be destroyed. I will not be destroyed. I refuse." You take a breath, shaky with barely contained fury, "Mystra’s will can never match mine. And if she has something to say about that then she can come down here and face me!”
With that final, resolute declaration, the fire flickers and subsides, the wind slowing as the energy around you stills, leaving the camp in heavy silence. Elminster stands rigid, his expression struck as he watches you. But without waiting for him to recover, you turn sharply and walk off into the darkness to calm down before finding Gale, leaving the campfire’s dim, violet embers to fade in your wake.
As you leave, Elminster sighs heavily, and with a final glance in the direction you stormed off, he vanishes in a puff of smoke, teleporting away to wherever Mystra’s summons will next take him. The companions are left watching after you, each stunned into silence by the sheer force of your display.
Karlach breaks the quiet, whistling low. “Whoa. Remind me never to make Y/N mad.”
“I thought I’d bring you this. It’s not much, but it might… liven the place up a bit,” he says, a teasing glint in his eyes.
Your smile widens slightly as you take the book, the leather binding cool and worn beneath your fingers. "Thank you, Gale." You glance at the cover and blink, realizing the writing is unfamiliar. You chuckle awkwardly, holding it up to him. “You know, I may look like a half-elf, but I can’t read Elvish.”
He tilts his head, a hint of surprise flickering in his eyes, though his expression remains warm. “Ah… but this one’s in Common.” He watches as your smile slowly fades, your eyes going back down at the cover in a mix of shock and quiet disappointment, a wave of embarrassment slowly settling in. You run your fingers along the cover, your voice soft and dejected as you murmur, “I can’t read it.”
Understanding dawns in his eyes, and he gently sits beside you on the ground, his demeanor tender and without a hint of judgment. “Would you like some help?” he asks, his voice warm and quiet, as though offering a gift rather than a favor.
You swallow hard, feeling the weight of your frustration mix with a hint of gratitude as you nod. “Would you teach me? If you don’t mind...”
He gives you a reassuring smile, leaning in close, his shoulder brushing against yours. “Not at all,” he says softly. “Now, let’s start with the basics.” Opening the book to the first page, he traces a finger under the lines, guiding you gently. “See this here? This is ‘A.’”
You can’t help but smile, some of your embarrassment ebbing away. His voice is calm, unhurried, and as he names each letter, he gives you examples, weaving tiny stories from the words. “This is ‘B,’” he says, glancing at you with a soft warmth in his eyes.
With each letter, he leans in a little closer, his voice gentle and patient, guiding you through the shapes and sounds. You follow along, repeating the letters and words softly under your breath, feeling the beginnings of familiarity as you match sounds to symbols.
For a few quiet moments, you sit there, the two of you leaning over the book together, his hand tracing letters and words while yours follows. The fire crackles softly in the background, the world feeling wonderfully small and close.
Eventually, you reach a simple sentence, and you manage to read it aloud, slowly but confidently. Gale’s smile deepens, and he chuckles softly. “Perfect. I told you—you’ve a quick mind.”
You feel a flutter of pride as you glance over at him. “Well, I have a rather patient teacher.”
He laughs gently, his gaze holding yours. “Patience is hardly a chore when the company is as engaging as you.”
— The End of All Things on ao3
“I wanted— want —to be someone steady. Someone you all can rely on. And I didn’t want to reveal that I was, perhaps, the most unsteady of us all. Because I wanted you to have solid ground to stand on."
“You’re dangerous, you know that?” Gale murmurs, his voice barely above a whisper, like a secret slipping free. “A man could lose himself in you… and never once wish for a way back.”
You being so popular is a big inconvenience for me, you know.
Astarion turns to you, his usual playful demeanor replaced by something more... cautious. “So, since you know of my… predicament, I was wondering if you might indulge me.”
Your eyebrows raise in anticipation.
He shifts, clearly uncomfortable. “I... well, there’s no easy way to say this, but I need blood.”
You blink, cocking your head to the side. “...Does it have to be mine?”
He scoffs, crossing his arms. “Well, yes, because you’re the only one who knows! I could try to bite the others in their sleep, but something tells me that wouldn’t go well.”
You groan, already dreading where this conversation is heading. “Astarion, I really don’t want to. It seems like it would hurt.”
Another scoff from him. “Don’t be so delicate,” he says, waving his hand dismissively. “It’s not as bad as you think.”
You groan again. “Can’t you just keep feeding on animals like you have been?”
His expression sours slightly. “I would, but they’re not sustaining me properly. I’ve been meaning to ask you for some time, but everyone always seems to demand your damned attention. You being so popular is a big inconvenience for me, you know.”
You shoot him an incredulous look. “Excuse me?”
He waves you off again, placing a hand on his hip. “Look, it’ll only hurt for a moment, and then it’ll be fine. I just want a taste.”
You grimace at him, clearly not thrilled. “Fine, but don’t make a habit of this.”
Astarion smirks, leaning in with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Oh, I certainly won’t, but who’s to say you won’t come back for more?”
Your eyes narrow as you give him a cold smile. “Keep talking like that, and you won’t bite me at all.”
He clears his throat and quickly wipes the smirk from his face, as if to avoid losing his chance. Without another word, you steel yourself and stand there, waiting. Astarion approaches slowly, his hands hovering near your shoulders as he tilts your head to the side. He bites down gently—but not gently enough. The sharp pain is sudden and overwhelming, like two needles stabbing into your neck. You grit your teeth, the discomfort unbearable for a moment.
He feeds for a few moments and then you speak, “That’s enough,” you say, your voice strained as you place your hands on his shoulders to push him back.
Astarion pulls away, blinking rapidly, as if he was lost in the action. “Oh... of course.”
He steps back, his chest rising and falling with deep breaths. “That... was amazing,” he says between breaths, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. “My mind is finally clear, I feel strong. I feel... happy.”
You press a hand to your neck, wincing as you feel the blood seeping from the puncture wounds. Your head swims, your vision spots for a moment as you try to steady yourself. “Jesus...” you mutter instinctively, momentarily forgetting you’re far from home. Fortunately, Astarion doesn’t seem to notice your odd phrasing.
He adjusts his clothes, regaining his usual composure. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, you’re invigorating, but I need something more... filling.”
Without giving him time to protest, you guide him closer to the music. His fingers tighten around yours as you lead, but he hardly notices where his feet are taking him. Gale is utterly entranced, his breath catching as he meets your eyes—there’s something in your gaze, something so captivating that it pulls him in without hesitation. The feel of your hand in his, the softness of your touch, is all he can focus on. When you look at him like that, when your fingers brush against his so gently, he’s lost to you. He would follow you anywhere.
