#bg3 headcanons

[opheliabmn]

I had to..

[yellomagoo]

"We could take an evening to ourselves."

[thewritetofreespeech]

Can I request Clingy Astarion headcanons with Tav and he really likes sleepy cuddles too.

Astarion, now that he knows cuddles are a thing, is obsessed with them.

He spends every night curled up next to Tav. Right next to them on the bed, with his arms around them; even though he doesn’t technically sleep.

He also makes a grand show of ‘going to bed’ now.

Commenting on how late it’s gotten, dramatic yawns, inching closer & closer to the bedroom.

If that doesn’t work Astarion will just pout. Much like a grumpy cat who is ready for bed and his owner won’t get move.

Staring around the corner at them with a piercing, miffed gaze until they come along.

Only content when they are finally in bed ready for rest.

[jenkadi]

astarion is nobody. (fluff headcanon)

i relish the fact that astarion is nobody. he has no assets, no family, no goals, no true occupation—inept in society. but it doesn’t matter, because tav loves him for what he is.

but this makes him insecure, especially when she talks to objectively good people.

like when tav meets harper geraldus. handsome, righteous, albeit a bit nervous. he was cute, and actively tried for society. tav, jaheira and him discussed business, but astarion itched, hanging back with the others. fuck, shouldn’t he be involved with her? what could geraldus say that was better than his own retorts? was she sick of astarion’s sly comments already?

or what of tav’s relationship with halsin? and their conversations about thaniel, nature, and the greater good of the grove? nights by the fire, storytelling of his esteemed occupation as an archdruid?

would astarion be better if he was naturally an altruist? possibly. could he try harder? maybe. but it’s just not his nature. it makes him wonder: why does tav love him?

in the heart of city, his anxiety spikes. who would he choose to be, once he’s free from cazador? what could he provide? was he even capable of such a thing? tav notices his turmoil, and shares more gentle glances, touches. but his guilt persists. tav could love someone with so much more.

he envisions them in the future, perhaps at a ball or a festival, one with friends she needed to introduce him to. he’d walk up and shine a vampire’s smile, all bark and no bite. no i’m from’s or i work’s. it was simply him, and tav’s awkward smile, perhaps trying to convince them he was worth her time.

he could kill for her. spend a debauched night with her, trade silly banter her. but then what? eternally attuned to lust, what could he offer, in the name of love?

he’d study what it means to be good, whatever that meant.

but that didn’t mean it’d be life-altering. when tav was busy exploring the city with the others, he strolled past street vendors, straightening like he had a damned clue. he spotted a glowing ring (if it had any magical incantation, he wouldn’t know) and bought it.

(or rather, also convinced the merchant to lower his prices, not just for him, but everyone in this poor, war-torn city) (wait, was that a step towards… being good?)

“i can’t provide anything else right now, really,” astarion played it off that night, confidence thin over his awkward swaying as he nonchalantly threw tav the ring. he’d rather speak before she could make the first comment. things would’ve probably ended anyway.

but tav hugged him, and he froze, his performance fizzling out of his bones. damn it all, where was his confidence now? had love made him truly this soft?

it was all okay, because tav and astarion, in a city of work and coin, were both empty—the best scenario to be in when they both needed a void to fill.

(who knows, maybe one day astarion will buy a house near the water, where tav needn’t worry about a thing again.) (definitely not at full price, though.)

check out my latest astarion fic here ;)

[lllumoria]

How they react to seeing Reader breaking down {Wyll, Astarion, Gale, Lae’zel}

This is a request from my main blog (@a-bit-of-writing ) featuring a reader who’s breaking down from their usual sunny/optimistic self and how the companions react to it.

Wyll

He notices but doesn’t push (at first)

Wyll is perceptive, especially when it comes to people he cares about. He’ll notice the subtle changes first: the forced smiles, the distant gaze, the silence where laughter used to be.

He won’t confront you immediately. He’ll observe — give you space.

“You’ve been quieter lately. Not like you. …Not that I mind a little peace and quiet, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss your laugh.”

He’s gentle about it, not invasive. He’s been taught to lead with kindness, not pressure.

Once he knows it’s serious, he shifts into steady support

When he realizes it’s not just a bad day – that you’re really struggling – his tone becomes steady, his warmth unwavering. He’ll sit with you in it, no grand speeches, no magic fixes. Just presence.

He stops trying to cheer you up and focuses on being there.

“You don’t have to smile for me. You don’t have to say a word. Just… stay. I’m not going anywhere.”

His hero complex makes him want to fix it, but he reins that in. He understands that this isn’t a battle he can fight for you but he can fight with you.

He shares his own pain — to show you you’re not alone

Wyll doesn’t often speak about his own regrets or loneliness. But your breakdown would open that door. Quietly, hesitantly, he’ll begin to offer pieces of himself—not to shift focus, but to remind you he understands.

He speaks plainly, without dramatics.

“There were days I didn’t believe I deserved anything better. Days I looked in the mirror and only saw what I’d lost… or what I’d become. You ever feel that way?”

He doesn’t pity you. He relates to you. And that matters.

His affection grows deeper, not distant

Some would shy away from the intensity of someone unraveling. Wyll doesn’t. If anything, he draws closer. More careful. More devoted. Not because he sees you as fragile but because he sees your strength even when you can’t.

He flirts less during this time — not because he’s lost interest, but because his love becomes more protective. More reverent.

“You don’t have to be the light all the time, you know. Even the sun rests. I’ll keep the fire burning till you’re ready to rise again.”

Long-term: he’s patient, loyal, and will wait as long as it takes

Wyll isn’t going anywhere. Not when you’re struggling. Not when you’re quiet. Not when it’s hard. He will wait. Fight for you. Sit beside you through every storm. Because once he loves — he chooses.

He’ll keep offering small joys — stories, warmth, reminders of who you are.

“You once told me I was a hero. But you — you’re the one who kept hope alive when everything went dark. I haven't forgotten. And I never will.”

Astarion 

His first response is deflection — sharp, defensive, and a bit cruel

Astarion senses the shift. He absolutely notices your sudden quiet, your lack of spark and it scares him. So his first instinct is to mock it, to distance himself emotionally.

He’ll say something sarcastic to cover his panic.

“Well, this is new. Have we given up the role of radiant optimist for something more… dreary?”

There’s venom, but it’s hollow. He’s not being cruel — he’s terrified. This is how he protects himself.

When he realizes it’s not a mood — it’s a descent — his mask slips

Once Astarion really understands what’s happening — that this isn’t passing sadness but something deeper — his tone shifts. Not immediately into comfort, but into a rare, raw honesty.

He’ll sit near you without knowing what to say, awkward and unsure. But he stays. That’s the tell.

“I’m not… good at this. The comforting. The caring. But I notice. You’ve gone quiet. And I hate it.”

He doesn’t ask you to be happy again. He asks you to talk to him. Because he feels helpless otherwise.

He’s afraid you’ll leave — or worse, disappear from the inside out

Astarion has abandonment trauma. Seeing someone he cares about emotionally shut down triggers that fear. He’ll begin clinging in his own way — more teasing, more barbed jokes, more hovering.

He won’t say “I’m scared.” He’ll say things like:

“You don’t get to break now, darling. I’ve only just gotten used to you.”

But there’s a plea underneath. “Please stay. Please don’t fade.”

Small gestures, deep meaning

Once he realizes words won’t fix this, Astarion begins to act in smaller, unexpected ways. He’ll bring you food without fanfare. Offer to clean your gear. Sit closer at night. It’s clumsy affection, but it’s real.

He shows up even when he doesn’t understand what you need.

“I don’t know how to fix you. But I’m here. And I’m… trying, gods help me.”

That’s the greatest intimacy he can offer: effort. Not performance. Real effort.

 If you let him in—even just a little—he breaks first

If you open up to him, if you trust him with your darkness, it breaks something in Astarion. Because someone as good, bright, and lovely as you just let him see what you hide. And to him, that’s sacred.

He’ll try to laugh it off, then go quiet. Too quiet.

“You shouldn’t have told me that. Not because I don’t care but because I do. And I don’t know what to do with it.”

And when he really means it:

“I’ve clawed my way out of darkness. I know what it feels like when it whispers to you. If you’re going to fall, fall toward me. I’ll catch you — clumsily, but… I’ll try.”

Gale

He sees it immediately and treats it like a sacred secret

Gale is perceptive in the way of scholars and poets — he sees subtleties. He’ll recognize the cracks in your smile, the fatigue in your voice, the way you pause too long before answering. But he won’t rush in with questions. He’ll wait, watching with quiet concern until the right moment to speak.

He might approach it gently, over tea, over books, over starlight.

“I notice things. Not just in the stars or in spellwork—but in people. You… aren’t quite yourself lately. Would you like to talk about it?”

He gives you the space to not be okay. No judgment. Just a safe harbor.

His reaction is compassionate, never condescending

Gale would never suggest you “cheer up.” Instead, he’d normalize your pain, offering philosophical reflections that are both grounding and comforting.

He speaks in metaphors — light and shadow, storms and silence — but always with sincerity.

“Even the sun rests, my dear. Even the Weave frays. There is no shame in being… still. In being soft for a while.”

He reassures you that your value does not fade with your smile.

“You, in sorrow, are no less radiant. Only quieter. And I will sit with you in that quiet as long as you need.”

He tries to bring you back gently with joy, not pressure

He doesn’t want to pull you out — he wants to walk with you through it. He might read to you, share arcane stories or magical curiosities just to make you smile. He offers warmth through shared wonder.

His flirting slows, becomes sweeter, less performative.

“I’ve missed your laughter. I don’t expect it but I look forward to its return. Like waiting for the first bloom of spring.”

If you cry in front of him? He won’t rush to fix it. He’ll witness it. That’s love to him.

 He opens up, too — so you know you’re not alone

Gale has his own darkness. And when you begin to break, he shares more of it, not to compare, but to let you know you’re not the only one walking through shadows.

His confessions are quiet, offered like gifts.

“There were days I feared the world would forget me. That all I was, all I am, would disappear. And still, I carried on. And now I see you. And I want to carry with you, if you’ll let me.”

He doesn't see your sadness as fragile. He sees it as real, and real things are worth staying for.

When he says he’s staying, he means it

Gale’s love is intentional, lasting, and utterly faithful. If you break down, he doesn’t waver. He simply settles beside you, hands gentle, voice soft, waiting for you to find your breath again.

He will stay up with you at night. He will keep the silence warm.

“You don’t need to shine to be loved. Sometimes, existing is enough. You are enough.”

And when you’re ready to stand again, even shakily — he’s right there.

“Let’s take one step. Just one. Together.”

Lae’zel 

Initial confusion, followed by frustration

Lae’zel is used to strength. She respects it. When you — someone she likely viewed as emotionally resilient — begin to fade into silence, she notices. And she doesn’t know what to do with it.

Her first response might be sharp. Defensive. Confused.

“You are not yourself. Why? What weakness has taken root in you?”

It’s not cruelty — it’s fear in disguise. You were a constant. Your unraveling threatens her idea of control.

“You do not cry. You fight. What has changed?”

She tries to snap you out of it because that’s what she would want

Lae’zel believes that pain is meant to be crushed, not carried. She doesn’t coddle. Her instinct is to provoke a reaction, to push you back into action.

She gives tough love before she even understands what gentle love looks like.

“Sitting in your sorrow will not serve you. You must move. You must act. That is how we survive.”

It’s not graceful but it’s her version of showing concern.

When you don’t react — that’s when she begins to understand

If you don’t fight back — if your silence lingers — Lae’zel’s armor begins to crack. She realizes this isn’t laziness or weakness. It’s something deeper. And she begins to see you.

That’s when she quiets down. Her tone shifts.

“You are not broken. Just… tired. Worn.”

She sits closer. Doesn’t touch but stays close, ready. Watchful. Protective.

Loyalty becomes her language of comfort

Lae’zel doesn’t know how to say “I love you” or “I’m here.” But she knows how to guard you, how to stand between you and the world while you regain your footing. And that’s what she offers.

She’ll position herself at your back in combat without being asked. Sharpen your blade while you sleep. Watch you out of the corner of her eye.

“Rest, if you must. I will not let anything touch you.”

And if someone else comments on your changed demeanor? She’ll shut them down instantly.

“Her strength has not left her. It is only… hidden. And it will return. You will not question it again.”

If you let her in — even a little — she becomes fiercely protective

If you choose to open up to her — say just a few words about what’s weighing you down — Lae’zel won’t say the perfect thing. But she’ll offer you something far rarer from her: trust.

She might look away while saying it, but it will land like an oath:

“You are strong. Even now. Especially now. You need not prove it to me.”

And in her own hard-edged way:

“You are not alone. Not while I breathe.”

[jmliebert]

☆ Gale as Your Husband ☆

completely, utterly, and blissfuly under your thumb (and he wouldn’t have it any other way)   

not a soul will ever hear him utter a bad word about you

every single one of his students know about you. not by accident— Gale will find a way to work you into any anecdote, and always manages to speak about you in such a sweet manner 

sobbed when he saw you at the aisle 

remembers every anniversary 

call him your husband, even in a jest, and see what happens (it absolutely gets him. every.single.time)

will tell his friends he can’t make it because he “promised to spend time with his beloved” even if you never actually said so

when he’s out shopping (though not very often because he always wants to go with you), he’s always thinking of you. spices for your fav dish, book you might enjoy, a trinket he thought you would like…he jus’t can’t help himself

does everything you ask, no questions. if it makes you happy, he’s already on it

“where’s this? where’s that?" the number of times he’s misplaced things has you genuinely questioning how he survived before you

and when you find it, he will be like “oh, what would I done without my wife/husband” and kiss you senselessly 

if you argue, he’ll quietly take the sofa for the night when needed (though he would feel very lonely…) 

his students secretly poke fun at the way his cheeks flush whenever you surprise him at work with food or just to say hello (maybe because of that heated make-out sessions you do in his study after if time is kind) 

when it comes to your home, you’re the one in charge. want to redecorate? change something? by all means—he’d even live with the ugliest piece of furniture if it meant making you happy

because he really is all about making his other half happy :’) 

well, I think it's rather obvious but let me say it. Gale was made for marriage. he thrives in a partnership built on mutual support, on lifting each other up, on sweet talks, and kinky sex here and there

also a malewife 

even  after all these years, he still looks at you like you hung the stars in the sky. romantic love, yes— but more than that you are his best friend as well, someone who cares, someone who won’t cast him aside and a truly beautiful and courageous soul

the thought of growing old with you isn’t daunting—it’s something he longs for actually 

his best time? the slow, quiet evenings with you of course (let these moments be eternal, he wishes)

overall, a proud and loving husband through and through

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

hello! what would you add to that?

also! you can find more of my works about gale ♡here♡

[kawareo]

Lae'zel is pretty fluent in Common but since she still sometimes messes up some words, I don't believe she understands a third of all the big words Gale uses casually. My headcanon is that she memorizes them during the day and then goes to demand elaborations in the evening, and Gale is very happy to have someone to teach linguistics to.

By the end of the game she can call Vlaakith an pernicious, diminutive old fuck, cut to Gale in her corner wiping away a tear of pride

[echoechowhiskey]

Marks

I think a lot about the fact that Astarion biting you would eventually leave a mark and what HE might think about that.

With a Lesser Restoration spell it would take repeatedly injuring the area for it to start leaving obvious scars, which would take a decent amount of time. Unless you're offering it up nightly(which is fine), but I see it being more common HC, mine included, that not only is it better for him (autonomy wise) to feed off baddies more regularly but also you since, you know, that's bound to tally up against your health if he's feeding on you daily, spells or no.

So how would Astarion feel the first time he catches a look at your neck and sees faint traces of his mark?

Those scars becoming more obvious over time.

The other companions noticing.

Your varied possible reactions changing but not lessening the wide range of thoughts and emotions he could have on the matter.

You could flaunt it, playing up the "hot" Vampire stigma in his mind and making those marks remind him of that everytime..

You could hide it.. making him feel sort of ashamed but also resentful. Why help him if you're ashamed to do so? Maybe you are simply helping to keep someone you need healthy in a fight fit.

Or maybe it just doesn't bother you.

It's part of the help you give. You aren't proud, not embarrassed. It's just not worth worrying about considering all the other scars you're probably accumulating.

Does he feel a sense of claim when he sees it? Possessive in a way he isn't accustomed to feeling towards... anything.

A sense of fondness at the reminder that you were his first tatse of happiness? The first to help him simply because he needed it and you could.

The first aching pulls of affection when he leans into you, the scars catching his eye as he dips his head, lining his fangs up to the mark. HIS mark.

The ways you could handle the scars appearing and he could then respond are endless.

But then..

What would happen if say, Shadowheart happens to want to practice the Heal spell she's just learned? So she takes healing up your bite and bloodless as an opportunity.

But Heal is more powerful then lesser restoration and is known to remove scars, so that mark is erased entirely.

You go about your morning, but the first thing he notices the moment he's joined you is that there isn't a trace of the scars.

Where his fangs had been just hours before.

His mark is gone.

How would he feel about THAT?