* 𝖘𝖊𝖑𝖋 / ˢᵃᵇᵒᵗᵃᵍᵉ

Astarion had been patiently waiting at home, keeping himself busy with the renovations for his new palace. He had been concerned for Dex and tried his hardest not to let those feelings consume him. Astarion was well aware of Evereska, of their customs, their high houses. He had thought that if he let Kayn and Dex go there, they would simply be turned away, and he'd be waiting when they got back. Though when he heard the door close, it wasn't accompanied by Kayn's heartbeat.

No. That wouldn't do at all. Placing down the paper he had been reviewing, Astarion flew to the spot where his spawn had curled up. Settling down, he gently placed his hand upon their head, "Whatever they told you, you need to understand it was a lie. We will get him back, Dex. You have my word." Astarion stated, his tone calm, measured. He knew that Dex didn't need hysterics, didn't need him getting angry; what they needed from him right now was the vampire ascendant, their maker, their partner.

"Tell me. I know it will be hard, but I need to know what happened." He ordered, moving to sit in front of them, gently taking their hand in his own. Astarion knew he wasn't the best at comfort, but for Dex, he would try his best to be.

A humorless laugh bubbles up & elicits from Dex before they've got the chance to stop it. Not everything said to them had been a lie. For the most part, it had all been quite spot on. They were a tiefling entirely unworthy of a noble elf man. They would only tarnish the family name, Kayn, & anything else they touched. It was not anything that Dex was unaware of. Thoughts that had lingered in the back of their mind for quite a while now. Anxieties brought to life, spoken from elven mouths.

“Believe me, they were not far off from the truth.” Murmured bitterly & Dex shakes their head, averting their red eyes from Astarion. Dex sighs shortly after & lets him take their hand into his own, swallowing down that hard lump within their throat.

Gods, they should've torn those elves to shreds. Painted the city a nice, fine red & bathed themself in it. A mere fantasy, they are well aware. They would not have gotten through many before having a sword driven through their chest.

“See for yourself.” They finally say & reach with their free hand to fish out the letter, holding it out for Astarion to take.

#vascend #verse tbt.

frontmansdog

to be completely honest *starts lying

deadelated

we were thinking of doing something that's wrong later, if you wanted to join

dacuala

why is trespassing not allowed. like i just want to look

scoes

(no drinks in) who wants me

oathwaivered

"Yeah, fun." Kayn laughed weakly, running his fingers through his blue and black curls. Sitting back, the paladin placed his arms behind his head as he listened to Dex, nodding in agreement from time to time. They were right, of course. Honestly, Kayn couldn't really find a flaw in their assessment of the archdruid.

"Sounds like he could be leading us to our deaths." The paladin agreed, humming softly as he turned the information over in his head, "However, this could very well be our only lead if the weird technology Lae'zel was talking about falls through." Kayn countered as he lay back on his bedroll, "If Halsin is familiar with these cursed lands, I don't see a real choice but to give him a chance."

As he was turning over the conversations he had had with Halsin over in his head, he recalled the odd looks he had been giving him and the even weirder things he had been saying. Grimacing at the memory, Kayn groaned, rubbing his hands over his face. "Hells, does he give you the creeps too, though? I...can't really tell if it's just...me"

#oathwaivered #⠀ * 𝖕𝖗𝖔𝖘𝖊 // act i .ᐟ

"That could very well be a death trap too. Literally, even. The gith are not known for their mercy, but I trust Lae'zel far more than him." Dex gives another motion in Halsin's direction before shrugging their shoulders, thinking over their current options. A gith creche, the underdark, & a shadow cursed lands. Nothing about the paths ahead would be easy & usually they are up for the challenge, but something about this elf makes Dex feel on edge. Lae'zel shares a common goal with them, at least. She wants these worms out of her skull as much as the rest of them do.

Dex's attention shifts back over to Kayn at the next question & their brows furrow, faint amusement tugging at the edges of their lips. "Are you feeling a bit off because he's expressed some interest in you?" Their grin widens into something more playful & they reach over to poke at his side. "You are pretty, my dear paladin. It should be expected, though he did come on rather strong, didn't he?" Dex laughs & shakes their head, ignoring that pang of jealousy that spikes at the memory. "Don't you worry, my dagger will be much faster than his unwarranted advances should he try."

pecatus

Kayn sighed softly at their question about the finer details of his pact, "Because I am a paladin-" Kayn paused, frowning at his own words, "because I was a paladin and am martially trained, Raphael agreed that my eye would suffice as payment for now, but if I needed more power, we would need to renegotiate the terms of my contract. It's not my immortal soul, but I hope it's enough to be able to turn the tides of battle in our favor." The knight explained, worrying his lip as he thought about what was going to happen, "He'll be giving me a new one, a magic one."

At the question regarding Halsin, he hummed, turning it over in his head, "Well, the druids who seemed to be loyal to Halsin fought with us against Kagha. I can't really see a reason why he would turn away our request for aid. Kagha was cruel; she tried to kill a child and was performing the rite of thorns, which, from what I gathered, is a really big deal, and it might be an even bigger taboo than what Rath was telling me." Kayn explained as he made himself comfortable next to Dex, "I just question if he's as powerful as Rath and…I want to say Needle? Led on because, if he is, how did he get captured by goblins? Perhaps his healing prowess is better than his martial?"

Chuckling softly at Dex's comment, Kayn sat up to flash Dex a smile, "You've grown on me quite a lot too, much more than I expected." He grinned before moving his head back to their shoulder, breathing in deeply. Gods, why did they smell so good? Why did their scent seem to put his mind at ease?

After a moment, Kayn sat back up, blushing deeply as he glanced away from Dex. Unknowingly, Kayn's tadpole reached out to Dex. He felt so vulnerable, so embarrassed. Gods, all he really wanted was to rest his head in their lap. He wanted to be told that everything would be okay, that he wouldn't be alone. He felt like such a failure. He knew his father wouldn't accept if he came back with a broken oath, if he came back weaker than he left. If they survived this journey, there was a chance he wouldn't even have a home to return to.

#oathwaivered #⠀ * 𝖕𝖗𝖔𝖘𝖊 // act i .ᐟ

"Gods, do you always have to make fair points?" Dex teases & their mouth curls with a playful grin, their elbow nudging lightly against his side. Amid all of the bloodshed, they had almost forgotten that not every druid had been brainwashed by Kagha. Rath seemed as if he meant well enough; Nettie had proved that she did not. Trust must be earned & Dex could not find it within themself to be enthused about extending said trust to another druid, no matter how well a healer he may.

“I suppose it depends on just how many goblins were there to take him, which we'll find out soon enough." They knew better than to underestimate goblins, at least those who come in hordes. Walking into a goblin camp seemed like something of a death wish, but Dex thinks it'll be quite fun. More chaos than a druid's grove & they've always thrived in the chaos.

Kayn shifts to look at them & they turn their head to meet his gaze, the playful grin lingering upon their lips. They hold his gaze for longer than necessary, as if to memorize the blue of both of his eyes before one is gone tomorrow. Words linger on the tip of their tongue that want to plea for him to reconsider this deal he's made. Keep his beautiful eyes & soul for himself. Kayn was better than a devil's deal, but Dex swallows it down instead. It would only serve to make them hypocritical.

“Have I now?" Their grin widens & their eyes drop down briefly to his lips, a passing thought of just how he'd taste on their tongue, & they glance back up just in time to watch him look away.

Dex winces at the sudden pull within their skull & their hand lifts to press fingers against their temple, features pinching. A wave of emotions flood their thoughts, or more so Kayn's thoughts, his desires. They mirror Dex's own. They want nothing more than to be closer to him. There's a tug within their chest & they give him another look over. “Come now,” They speak softly & give motion toward themself before patting against their thigh as they readjust into a more comfortable position. “It's been a long day and you could use some rest."

@oathwaivered

At the shift in Dex's tone, Astarion crossed his arms, quirking a brow as he waited for an apology. He would not be spoken to like that by anyone, let alone Dex. "Good. As you should be." He nodded, moving to lean against the nearby wall, "Need I remind you, you aren't speaking to Kayn right now. He's off doing-" Astarion paused, trying to use his newfound powers to sense him, only to sigh in frustration, "do remind me, once we've all moved past this, to give Kayn my blood. He mustn't wander off like this, especially now." The vampire hummed, wanting to be able to track Kayn; he had a feeling it might come in handy.

When Dex mentioned not killing their patron, he shrugged, "Wanting the power is understandable, and I did read up on infernal negotiations; perhaps I might be able to help." The vampire offered casually, his gaze falling to his nails, examining them. From the records he had uncovered about himself, then subsequently burned, he found out he had been a...rather opportunistic magistrate. It wasn't terribly enlightening news, but it had been a rather interesting read, seeing the laws he had advocated for and against.

At the prospect of someone other than him thinking they owned Dex made his blood boil for the briefest moment. He understood fully well that their contact predated him, but he couldn't say he was happy to hear this. Taking a deep breath, Astarion walked over to Dex, his hand moving to their chin so he could tilt their head up to look at him. "If anyone understands wanting to change, it's me." The vampire ascendant stated, his red gaze searching Dex's, "The choices you made were admittedly questionable, but you act like a being trying to survive, and I can't be angry with you for that." Astarion whispered, leaning down to gently place a kiss upon Dex's lips, "I will, however, hold you to your word on not keeping any secrets from me, my darling."

#vascend #⠀ * 𝖕𝖗𝖔𝖘𝖊 // act iii .ᐟ

“He's getting a drink.” Dex finishes Astarion's sentence, shrugging their shoulders quickly. They didn't necessarily like that he had wandered off now either, but what were they to do? He needed space & they had said they would give him as much. However long he needed, despite the empty ache that resides in their core at the very thought of prolonged absence. It's quite funny, really, how incomplete they can feel without their paladin these days. They've been alone their entire life & yet now… Now, the thought of being without Kayn, without Astarion, is a terrifying one. They're not quite sure how much they enjoy that, feeling less independent than they had been prior to the little worm within their head, or perhaps it is for the better. So long as they can keep themself from setting it all aflame every so often.

Something of a laugh leaves Dex at Astarion's proposal. They know he means well & he truly believes that help is an option, but they know Naamah well enough to know that she will not surrender her control of them to him. It will take much, much more than a negotiation. Dex has done nothing but progressively upset her with every action taken, specifically those that involve Kayn & Astarion. “I don't believe it will be that simple with her, my love, but perhaps you can prove me wrong.” He does, after all, have a way with words. Dex is aware of that as well.

Their head tips back with his touch & they meet his red gaze with their own, features softening & fingers curling loosely around his wrist to hold onto him. They nod in response & return the kiss just as soft, rising to their feet in the process. They kiss him again & let it linger, their other hand lifting to rest lightly against his arm before grasping gently. “No more secrets, I swear to you.” It's the most sincere that they've ever sounded, their eyes locking with his. “Is there anything else you'd like to know?”

ohisms

✱˚｡⋆ ↪ THE 𝐒TAGES OF 𝐈NTIMACY. a collection of various action prompts centered around the varying stages of intimacy. feel free to adjust as desired. heavily mature content, dni with this post if you are under 18, & DO NOT use these prompts for non-con scenarios. )

SETTINGS.

[01.] finding privacy in a cramped dressing room.

[02.] cramming into the backseat of a car together.

[03.] slipping into the lonesome alleyway behind the bar for "time alone".

[04.] pulling them away from a party after hours of relentless teasing.

[05.] getting handsy under the table at a fancy dining establishment.

[06.] taking the long way home and pulling over on a dark stretch of road.

[07.] staying behind at the venue after everyone else has left.

[08.] the hotel room door barely clicks shut before hands are on them.

[09.] a tent in the middle of nowhere where no one can hear anything.

NEW TERRITORY.

[10.] finding yourself staring at their mouth and getting caught.

[11.] pulling back from a kiss to look at them, then immediately going back in.

[12.] memorizing the shape of them for the first time with your palms.

[13.] that exploratory first kiss, reserved and shy.

[14.] a gentle first kiss that morphs into intense want.

[15.] feeling the shape of their body through their clothes.

[16.] asking for permission to remove one of their garments.

[17.] finally succumbing to the thick tension & colliding feverishly.

[18.] fumbling with buttons or zippers because your hands won't stop shaking.

[19.] admitting out loud that you've been thinking about this for a while.

HEATING UP.

[20.] pulling them into your lap in the midst of a heated kiss.

[21.] discovering that they're wearing [ GEAR / LINGERIE ] under their clothes.

[22.] kissing away from their lips, down the length of their neck.

[23.] desperately grinding on them through layers of clothing.

[24.] dirty talking directly into their ear to turn them on even further.

[25.] pushing them onto a piece of furniture before straddling them.

[26.] lifting them onto the countertop while making out.

[27.] tugging their hair to expose more of their throat to your mouth.

[28.] the wrecked way they say your name for the first time.

[29.] fabric tearing because neither of you has the patience for buttons.

[30.] removing an obstacle of clothing with your teeth.

UNRAVELING.

[31.] biting down on their shoulder to muffle how good it feels.

[32.] the sound they make when you find the spot that undoes them.

[33.] begging without any trace of pride left and meaning every word.

[34.] their composure cracking for the first time, they finally stop holding back.

[35.] repeating "don't stop" like it's the only language left in their mouth.

[36.] leaving possessive marks in places only they'll see.

[37.] whispering "look at me" right before you take them apart.

[38.] trying to be quiet and failing, so they clamp a hand over your mouth.

[39.] flipping positions so fast neither of you remembers who initiated it.

[40.] their nails dragging down your back hard enough to sting later.

[41.] being told to open your mouth and doing it before the sentence is finished.

[42.] having your hands pinned above your head.

[43.] the desperate scramble to get closer when there is no closer to get.

COMING DOWN.

[44.] fingers lazily tracing the marks they just left on your skin.

[45.] pulling the blanket over both of you without being asked.

[46.] that silent, dazed smile when they catch your eye across the pillow.

[47.] the shaky laugh when neither of you can remember where your shirt is.

[48.] going to get water and bringing a glass back for them without asking.

[49.] lying chest to chest, feeling their heartbeat slow back down against yours.

[50.] the quiet "hey" that means something completely different now.

[51.] "come here" said softly — not urgently. just wanting them close again.

[52.] the reluctant moment of untangling.

#⠀ * 𝖒𝖎𝖘𝖈 // inbox prompts .ᐟ

shittttyproblems

what if being loved by me is a curse

#I MISS DEXXXX #i hate anxiety so bad #ooc.

i have been #suffering this week w my health anxiety but i have a doctor's appt tomorrow so i'm hoping i'll be able to relax after that and actually write

ohisms

✱ ˚｡⋆ ↪ 𝐁:𝐓𝐕𝐒, S01 ... ( PART 01. a collection of dialogue prompts originating from season one of the 1997-'03 series BUFFY the VAMPIRE SLAYER. adjust phrasing / gendered terms as necessary, mature themes present. )

i'll show you, come on.

so you're from [ LOCATION ], right?

ugh, i would kill to live in L.A.

of course, we do have to test your coolness factor.

no wonder you're such a guy magnet.

the first rule is: know your losers.

i was looking for some, well ... books.

i was told you were coming.

i know what you're after.

that's not what i'm looking for.

uh, hi ... [ NAME ], right?

let's segue into me asking for a favor.

look, i really want to get by here.

i have this burning desire not to flunk all my classes.

oh, i could totally help you out!

we could meet someplace ... louder.

is it me or are you turning into a bibbling idiot?

what do you do for fun, what do you like?

gee, everyone wants to know about me.

don't you have an elsewhere to be?

i was afraid of this.

it's like, a whole big sucking thing.

why am i still talking to you?

you think it's a coincidence you're here?

what do you know about this town?

hey, i know! why don't YOU kill them?

are you going out tonight?

you know, i think we can make it work, here.

yeah, there's a problem. why are you following me?

you've got to be ready.

what i want is to be left alone!

yeah, well maybe i don't want a friend.

i don't actually date a whole lot lately.

it's probably easy for you.

this is me having fun.

i'd much rather be home with a good book.

this is the perfect breeding ground for vampire activity.

i have to make you understand.

perhaps there is no trouble coming, the signs could be wrong.

oh, yay, it's my stalker.

glad we had this little chat.

it's not like i have all these fluffy bunny feelings for them.

god! what is your childhood trauma!

excuse me, i have to call everyone i have ever met right now.

don't worry, one vampire i can handle.

so, uh, what did you say your name was?

whatever, it doesn't matter.

hey, have you have you ever been in one of these?

is that what you think?

you couldn't go to some other town?

you're wasting my time.

hey, i had other plans too, okay?

oh, i – i need to sit down.

how do you kill them?

does anybody mind if i pass out?

this may be a dumb question, but shouldn't we call the police?

there's no "we", okay?

that was a bit, um ... british, wasn't it?

do i have to tell you to be careful?

and where do we think we're going?

do you see where i'm going with this?

i, in the meantime, will help by standing around like an idiot.

everyone else just thinks it's a normal day.

nobody knows, it's like we have this big secret.

maybe we should get to class.

you gonna wish me luck?

who gave you permission to exist?

it's cool, [ NAME ] is a superhero!

they knew you were going to come. they said i was the bait.

do you know another way out?

we need to get out of here.

you failed me. tell me you're sorry.

got anything to make this day even worse?

i'll find my own way.

yours is a glorious sacrifice.

i'm sorry, were you in the middle of something?

you didn't think i'd miss this, did you?

you should have been there, it was so creepy.

i expect a certain amount of responsibility.

do you ignore everything i say as a rule?

you have a sacred birthright, [ NAME ].

and you'll be stopping me how?

i just want to have a life, something normal. something safe.

who said i was pretending?

i didn't know you wanted to be a cheerleader.

that much quality time with my mom would lead to some quality matricide.

it's okay, it's okay ... it's gonna be okay.

you know, it might not kill you to give me a hand here.

get down with your bad self ...

that's kind of romantic ... okay, that part's less romantic.

my folks split up too.

i'm going to get changed.

we have to achieve our dreams, otherwise we shrivel up and die.

brownie pig-out at my house?

this just in: i'm not you.

[ NAME ], you haven't been mean to me all day!

you're not invisible to [ NAME ].

you don't have to drive it into my head like a railroad spike.

we can pick this up later, you don't mind — do you?

we gotta get you to the safe house.

you just don't get it, and believe me, you don't want it.

what, i can't be in a good mood? new house rule?

i'm going to stop this, i promise. you just hang on.

i've come to a very simple conclusion: i don't get it.

please promise me you won't do anything rash.

yes, i lied, and i'm a bad person. let's move on.

wasn't here, didn't see it, couldn't have stopped you.

i'm gonna need you to really listen, okay?

just for the record, you were right, i'm an idiot.

as it is written, so shall it be.

90% of the vampire slaying game is waiting.

follow your hormones, if you want.

you will be judged.

are you willing to stand with the righteous?

i feel like everyone is staring at me.

are you, uh ... having fun?

just be really quiet and barricade the door.

two days in my world, and i'd get you killed.

i don't come with an instruction manual.

we who walk at night share a common bond.

the taking of life is a serious matter.

their deaths will bring me little joy.

you read my diary?

you don't even know what you.

hi, it's been awhile. a lifetime.

guess what, precious? you're not one of them.

is that what you tell yourself these days?

you and i both know what you hunger for. what you need.

it's nothing to be ashamed of, it's who we are.

it's what makes eternal life worth living.

i'm not afraid of you.

can you please warn me before you do that?

ohh, you're giving me orders now?

do i sense a plan, [ NAME ]?

i'll be quiet now.

i need to stop thinking about this.

get some rest now.

[ NAME ], it's not your fault.

if you care about somebody, you care about them.

don't whimper and mewl like a mangy human.

you had a chance to come home.

we'll kill them all.

#⠀ * 𝖒𝖎𝖘𝖈 // inbox prompts .ᐟ

i miss dex....

#lowkey i want to make their blog my main But #idk i haven't been vibing w bg as much lately so i think #i might give them a little revamp w a modern focus & a bg verse #idk!!!#we'll see how i feel later #but i miss writingggg #ooc.

armavnd

Roman Godfrey in Hemlock Grove season 3

this scene >>>>

#⠀ * 𝖘𝖍𝖎𝖕 // vascend .ᐟ #usfw cw

@roguepact

egosdeaths

LIZETH SELENE via tiktok

#⠀ * 𝖒𝖎𝖘𝖈 // countenance .ᐟ #cw scopophobia

Astarion was determind to not have @racointeur suffer the way he did, to experience the first day of their new life the way he had to. To this day, his mind still flits back to the dark grave, nails broken and bloody, his lungs filled with dirt. None of his spawn would ever need to face such suffering; he would be sure of that. Astarion would not let Dex wake up alone after being turned. He knew how disorienting of an experience it was, and I wanted their first day reborn to be perfect. He needed to show them that being a vampire, being his dark consort, was a gift.

The day Dex awoke, Astarion made sure he was there and present, gently stroking Dex's hair as they slept. When he noticed them starting to stir, the vampire smiled, his hand moving to cradle their cheek, "Good morning, my love." He whispered, his thumb gently tracing their bottom lip, itching to see their new fangs. Dex was already so beautiful, and now they would be beautiful forever. He was so happy he was able to share this gift, so happy he could have someone by his side to walk this plane together. His precious spawn.

"How are you feeling?" He whispered, his eyes searching their face for any signs of pain or discomfort, "I know it will be a lot at first. Not breathing is definitely something you're going to need to get used to and how heightened your senses are now, but I'll make sure you're taken care of, I promise."