@lemonwood31 made a post recently about wanting a more nuanced Halstarion and particularly the way they affect each other. I'm working some more on characterization, adjusting voice, and altering how I write them a bit, so here's my first experiment attempt! I'd certainly appreciate feedback, if you do or don't enjoy it!
“Astarion?”
He bristles before calming when he looks to see who spoke. “Ah, Halsin. I’d forgotten that I’m not the only non-dreamer anymore. So what is it? And don’t tell me it’s some misplaced appearance of care.”
“Perhaps it’s misplaced,” Halsin says, settling next to him. Splendid. Now there are two things keeping him awake. “But it’s certainly care. What brings you here, my friend?”
Astarion grits his teeth and looks defiantly up to where the skyline gets slowly brighter over the Chionthar. “We’ve barely known each other for two days and you’re already prying. You’re just as bad as Tav.”
“I am not so new to your camp that I do not recognize when you are longing for comfort.”
Like a wounded animal, Astarion bares his teeth to deflect. “I’m not some damsel in need of saving. Wouldn’t you rather bother some poor squirrel instead? Leave me to—“
Astarion forgets himself, awestruck.
The sun edges over the horizon, bathing the world in ethereal light. A breeze ruffles the trees, soft and promising a warm day. Hello again, sun.
“Ah,” the druid says, and Astarion hates how smug he looks when he glances over. “I see you were waiting on something specific.”
Looking at the druid as he is, taking in the first rays of sunshine on their dim world, he recognizes why the druid is always spouting about the beauty of nature. He sees the peace written on his face in one brief naked moment of shared comfort, and understands something at his core.
“You’re not the only one who missed seeing the sunrise,” Astarion says, and Halsin offers a slow smile.
“I don’t believe I know what you mean.”
“I heard you yesterday, talking to Tav. Pleased to be out among your Oak Father’s creations, or whatever. Exhausted by leadership. Thrilled to be away.” He gestures towards the sun, which begins coloring the clouds in brilliant orange and soft peach. “You never got the chance to sit and watch the sunrise without every apprentice, injured kitten, or dying plant needing your attention.”
Halsin’s smile settles onto his face like a mask. “And if you’re wrong?”
“I’m not.”
“Freedom from responsibility is its own kind of burden. Responsibilities become expectations to meet, and in my case, easy enough to achieve. I was fulfilled. What makes this life any more preferable to that?”
Astarion rolls his eyes at his deflection, and the stubborn bastard chuckles. “You’re not going back afterwards,” Astarion says. It’s an observation, an accusation.
Halsin tilts his head. “You aren’t.”
Astarion hates feeling seen. He’s known Halsin for less than two days, and the druid is carving a place for himself inside of him.
Sure, he’s doing the same, but it’s the mortification surrounding the gesture being returned. He glares at him. Halsin’s smile is unchanged, but he knows very well when he’s being mocked.
Halsin is baring his teeth.
“Don’t you have some sun salutation to do? Prayers to offer to your god?” It’s childish, but given their age difference, he thinks he’s allowed a bit of selfishness.
Halsin opens his mouth and for a second Astarion recognizes the spark of anger in his eyes, expects to be called out for his immaturity. Halsin sighs. “I am wise enough to recognize when my company isn’t wanted.” He stands and turns towards the camp.
Motherfucker.
“Enjoy the sunrise, Astarion.”
They will spend more time together over the next few months, Astarion knows. He is too desperate to survive that he can risk making such a powerful ally into an enemy, and he sincerely doubts that Halsin’s soft heart will allow him to leave Astarion alone for long.
But for now, they put their teeth away, and lick their own wounds.
I just wanna fly on a plane without being molested, and you're tweeting like your a 2014 brand account. I blame Wendy's for this shit.
anyway I hope the tsa gets abolished. they were hastely set up post 9/11 not as a way to actually protect anyone, but to invade our privacy and give the illusion of protection. not once in the tsa's 23 years of existence have they stopped a single terrorist attack. all they do is make your life difficult for people who travel, molest you if your body isn't perfectly cis, racially profile you, and abuse their power and invade your privacy
this was so huge. the alien he’s arguing with uses standard pro-life arguments that you still hear today. he literally talks about all life being sacred (even though his plan to deal with overpopulation is to kill people with meningitis). and this aired only 4 years after contraception was legalized in the united states. in context this is actually even more pro-contraception than it appears in these caps.
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