#astaribun

[astaribun]

Things to show/experience with Astarion after you save the world:

Showering and/or bathing together, in the fluffy I'll wash your hair for you way

Solving murders and disappearances in the city to be the heroes that never came for him

Going on dates, publicly, proudly

Holding hands as you walk

Shopping for clothes and accessories and shoes

Finding a cute little house to live in and decorating it

Adopting a cat

Becoming ageless to live forever together (many options available)

Oooooor curing him of vampirism and growing old with him

Finding a way for him to walk in the sun

Checking in on the spawn

Having game nights with the members party that are still in baldur's gate

Helping Dammon find a way to fix Karlach's heart

Trips to visit their favorite wizard mostly to see Tara

Turning Cazador's palace into something he'd have hated, like a hospital or refugee centre

[astaribun]

Giving Astarion forehead kisses, reblog if you agree

[astaribun]

Imagine one day, when Astarion can't take your love and kindness anymore and the urge to push you away bursts out of him. Whether he's afraid to hurt you down the line or you him he doesn't even know. But anything and everything he knows about you is turned on you with words of poison.

And while on the outside it looks like a simple outburst with no regret or doubt nothing could be less true on the inside. The hopeful part of him begging, pleading, crying, kicking, screaming at him to stop, to shut up, to not push you away. And the fear raging, burning, tearing, howling to push harder, to hurt deeper, to never trust again...

[astaribun]

How I imagine Ace Tav would respond to Astarion's invite

Tav: Astarion, I know what you're trying to do, you don't need to sleep with me to get me to care about you as I already do.

Astarion: Well that's hardly the only reason. Besides it's not like I need you to make my choices for me, I'm only enjoying my freedom, darling~. So what do you say? Meet me in the woods later?

Tav: Fair point, I don't want to take away your choice.

Astarion: Wonderful, I can't wai-

Tav: But you're not the only one that has additional reasons. I uhm... I don't feel comfortable having sex.

Astarion: Oh. I see, you're one of the few people that don't find me attractive.

Tav: No! You're very attractive! I'd love go on dates with you and cuddle and maybe even kiss you. But I just don't really do sex...

Astarion: Why-

Tav: So if you still want to get closer we can meet tonight and talk and cuddle if you feel comfortable?

Astarion: I suppose we could try your 'just talk' idea, just don't expect it to lead to a fairy tale romance like Wyll would give you.

Tav: Of course, you're still you.

[astaribun]

Imagine before Astarion and Tav feel fully secure and safe in their relationship and how to navigate each other, they have a "break up" where they both believe the other is about to break up with them because they can finally see how they're "not enough". And then they find out they both don't and were just scared and so they're laughing and crying and cursing their relationship skills (and low key missing the tadpole mindsharing option).

Just insecure traumatised dumbasses trying to figure out how to be in a long term relationship and how to navigate issues they run into.

[astaribun]

Imagine abuse survivor Tav who instantly recognizes Astarion for being the same.

Who notices him sneak out of camp and heard him have a nightmare before the bite scene and so is ready with "need anything? Water, a hug, blood, a distraction?"

Who knows to give Astarion his space and open up on his own terms but refuses to accept negative self talk from him and calls him out gently on trying to use himself as Cazador used him because he's afraid. Assuring him they're already on his side.

Who gives increasingly less subtle encouragement when Astarion sets boundries and has informed the others about things to avoid and sometimes translates what looked like a disproportionate reaction for them.

Who doesn't talk much about what they themselves went through, because they're further along in their healing journey, but mainly because Astarion doesn't have the space to help them carry their past and would likely start comparing to find ways he's not worthy.

It doesn't even have to be romantic, because we all know Astarion could use some friends.

[astaribun]

Don't think about Tav who is well aware of Astarion's "subtle" seduction trap getting dosed with a truth potion. You know, the plot convinient type that compels you to answer any and all questions with the truth as well as being unable to lie until it wears off in general.

Don't think about how they'd try to avoid Astarion so they don't say things he's not ready to hear yet and how much that spurs Astarion on to seek them out if he hears about it.

Don't think of both their plans being in ruins for it and how they have to pick up the pieces with the truth smacked into their hands. The awkwardness! The shy unsure reconnecting! The angst! The unavoidable fluff!

[astaribun]

His face says so much in this moment:

Pleasantly surprised at Tav

Disassociated

He feels safe and unsafe at the same time

Worried (about his nice simple plan?)