Astarion has a plan, a practical, life-saving scheme. He doesn't need the realization that the druid traveling with him is unlike anyone he has met before.
In which Astarion has feelings for the first time
Inspired by Hozier's Abstract (Psychopomp)
Astarion x Drow Druid!Tav
935 words
I headcanon her as a circle of stars even though that is not available in BG3
TW: Animal Death, slight, tiny tiny Act I spoilers
“What are you doing?” Gale shouts as they watch their party Druid gasp and run towards the sound of an animal yipping. She doesn’t answer as she moves with a speed Astarion has only seen in the heat of battle. They all pick up the pace to follow behind but are stopped in their tracks by the troubling image in front of them.
Astarion watches her lean down over the creature, the scent of blood and gore thick in the heated air. It’s overwhelming to his senses as he holds back a gag at the putrid scene, but it doesn’t seem to even register to the Drow. The hyena was panting, eyes wide and frantic looking at her in confusion. She shushes the animal, and with a calming voice, begins to speak.
What is she doing? Is she crazy? He knew teaming up with a Druid would come back to bite him, no matter how easy it was to work his charms on nature lovers with their heads in the cloud.
“It’s okay darling, it’s okay, you’re going to be okay,” she coos, slowly petting its head. The tell-tale tingle of magic surrounds him as he sees a soft glow emitting from her palm, and the tension in the animal's body releases as it leans its snout into her hand. It finally hits Astarion, the realization of what is occurring here, the smell, the blood, and the carnage. Gnolls had savaged their way through what looked to be a caravan of merchants.
“We need to leave! Gnolls could be around any corner,” he hisses, his fellow companions sucking in a sharp breath of air, but the little Druid makes no move to leave. Instead, she holds her hand up, as if to signal them all to stop. He doesn’t know when she became such a force within the group, but her presence was commanding, and everyone froze.
Never in a thousand lifetimes could Astarion predict the actions of the odd elf next. She sat on the blood-soaked ground, unfazed, as she rests the creatures head in her lap. It’s gentle, so gentle that Astarion can’t remember a time he’s seen something cared for so delicately. Then, the Druid starts to hum. It’s an unfamiliar tune, probably something from the Underdark. It’s whimsical and a little haunting in its cadence.
Astarion realizes he has been holding his breath, a lump forming in his throat. He would have killed the creature. A gnoll ripping out from its body would have been a gruesome nuisance. It would have been a mercy. He’s never seen mercy like this, comforting, safe, and so incredibly sad. Why is he suddenly so overwhelmed with his own sadness? Why is she treating such a disturbing creature with such… compassion?
She continues to pet the wounded animal, its fate sealed long before the party stumbled upon the scene. Its eyes are closed, breathing soft and even as she continues to hum. He notices her eyes are closed now too, with a furrowed brow and slightly scrunched nose as she sways back and forth, rocking the animal to its final sleep.
All the companions are still, watching something so intimate feels like an intrusion. It’s as if the Druid is saying goodbye to her familiar, not a random hyena found on the side of the road moments before.
Astarion notices things about her he’s only noticed in passing before, but it’s as if he is really seeing her for the first time. Her hair, he thought it was black, but he can see where the sun hits her that it’s a deep blue. It’s falls down her back in loose waves, swaying back and forth with her movement. She has freckles forming on her shoulders and across her nose and cheekbones, unusual for a Drow, but emphasizing the time she has spent in the sun, potentially hurting herself in her goal of helping others. Her skin, pale and scarred, looks soft and smooth under his gaze. He thought it was strange a Drow could be as white as him, but she’s not. Her skin is a pale purple.
She is graceful. She’s beautiful.
Astarion hasn’t found anything beautiful in quite a long time. He doesn’t know what to do with these emotions, how to keep playing this flirtatious game of manipulation. Was it even working? Were the soft smiles he read as bashful really just her placating his advances? Druids are wise, despite their carefree lifestyle, he had forgotten that it seems.
A tear falls down her face as the hyena takes its final breath, slow and soft, before going limp in her arms.
“May Eilistraee guide you to peace,” she whispers, a tear falling off her cheek to the animal. Taking a moment, she lays its head down, and flowers appear around the body. Standing, she sniffs, before rolling her shoulders back and standing straight. Her gaze hardens as she reaches for the weapon her side.
“Let’s go deal with these creatures before they take any more lives.”
Her demeanor has shifted completely, her once kind eyes now set on vengeance. Revenge. Standing up to fix the unbalance created here, to bring justice to these animals who cannot do it themselves.
Astarion thinks he would follow her anywhere.
The thought is quickly shaken away with a feeling of dread in his gut, no. He has too much going on, avoid Cazador, avoid growing tentacles, and gain unprecedented power. There’s no room for a kindhearted druid with stars in her shining purple eyes to distract him.
hi! do u think you'll ever go back to writing endangered? It was my favorite story and i really miss the updates
Hi!
Thank you for the love for Endangered. I really love the story and do plan to continue and finish it. School and life just kind of took hold.
A little bit of a life update, but my grandmother passed away right after Christmas, and my aunt is disabled, so her care is now my and my fathers responsibility. Things are started to calm down now and find a new normal soI have time to write finally.
I may need to rewatch the movies to get back on track of the plot, but I am excited to post soon.
I really appreciate everyone’s patience and kind words I’ve received since starting this, it means the world ❤️
Hi!!! It’s @paulxlahotee !!! I am LOVING endangered. Like so much it’s SO good!!! I just read the entire thing and I am absolutely blown away. I would love if you could add me to the tag list because seriously your story is incredible. I love the way you write Paul and Anna is so much fun as a character!! I love how you’re giving us just enough world building to where I don’t feel confused about the fae but there’s still so much I want to learn about!!! I love your writing style and your dialogue. Honestly I love everything about this akdhskdj
I’m so excited to see where this is going to go!!! 💞💞💞
Wow 😭❤️ this was so kind and motivating I am crying. Of course I can add you to the taglist!
This is the first fic I’ve really stuck with and I’m always so amazed by how people are actually reading it. Paul is one of my favorite characters to write for. Thank you so so so much!
Hi!!! I love love love love love your Paul Lahote series? Is there anyway I could be tagged in it? I like literally binged it all today and I’m so desperate for more!!💚🤎
