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OC toxic traits BINGO

Created by @idolkilling // Template here or Transparent version here

*The "two-faced" thing she does not on purpose by any intention, this is just the way she is, because of her Urge - Saulus is kind, but the obscure darkness in her is there and sometimes it shows suddenly in an outburst; felt I needed to mention that

Just as the rest of the toxic traits have little to do as she would treat her friends and partner, but had to be picked because she is a bard and that is how her gameplay looks like 90% of the game: Lying, cheating, intimidate, persuade – and this very well.

But it is gaslightning aggressive behaviour towards foreign enemies, not to her loved ones. However, since she doesn't hesitate to use these methods for the groups sake, it had to be chosen. And that she is a rude sarcastic cheeky bitch you want to shove her little flute and lyre down her throat is also very true haha.

Thanks for the tag my dear lovely @wasteful-sam and @purpleasters-inseptember 💋

Please, I want to see this from: @cursed-nyxan , @aristenfromwarsaw , @perpetualmaladaptivedaydream , @litsenn , @scoldingdarjeeling , @onlytavs , @thecampjuicebox

✨What does your Dream Visitor look like, and why?✨

On my second Saulus run one year ago I said once:

“There is only one man whom Saulus loves as much or more than Astarion - and whoever says "Volo" at this point , I will find you and kill you - HER DREAM GUARDIAN! “

I've wanted to make a post about this for a long time. So this is it, and that's a good thing, because I think I'll never share screenshots of myself again — totally intimidated by the glory of your houses.

Why he looks like that? Because he is the perfect embodiment of Ethan Reid's magnificent voice.

This alluring whispering, guiding you into sleep (I miss him dearly on cameo)

Just as he bears the same scars as Saulus to symbolize connection and closeness, instantly creating a bond and familiarity, he usually wears the same dagger earrings as her and has the same blue eyes she had in her first playthrough. But with each playthrough, I change things a little, just like life changes with each reincarnation — but only a little.

I like to believe he used he face she maybe met somewhere in the past forgotten or is going to met in the future again...

The dream guardian and Saulus are certainly not good for each other - and he brings her into deep trouble 😈😉 Every single playthrough.

"Saulus don't trust him, he is The Emperor!"

"But maybe not this time 🥺👉👈"

"SAULUS!"

So not good for each other...

On my very first playthrough – my first tav Jelayah got also an interesting dream guardian, in my opinion.

I created her exact likeness, only as a tiefling. They looked absolutely alike, except for two blue & white horns.

A mysterious dream figure meant to guide and protect you? Who better than a distorted version of yourself?

When the Emperor's plans and approach were revealed, this choice proved even more perfect, and this figure even more insidious in his game:

For who would be better suited to convince you than yourself? Who would you ever trust more than yourself? You look in the mirror every day; you are the person you've been through hell and back with, the one who's always been there when everyone else has abandoned you — so who could convince you, manipulate you, and gain your trust better than your own familiar, well-known face?

Made no screenshot of the guardian back then and hardly of her

Thank you very much for the tag @optimisticgrey and @wasteful-sam - perfect tag for me to post finally some headcanons I wanted to talk about for so lang 💞

I tag: @aristenfromwarsaw , @scoldingdarjeeling , @emberstormrage , @cinder-rellish181 , @bloodsol94 - Please forgive me if you have already done this I really don't want to double tag, but my tag time line is in shambles since I had to sit out for many moons due to personal issues

𝕆ℂ 𝕍𝕠𝕚𝕔𝕖 𝕔𝕝𝕒𝕚𝕞

Saulus

✨Thank you for the tag, my @optimisticgrey , @purpleasters-inseptember , @scoldingdarjeeling , @aristenfromwarsaw ✨

I've probably thought to myself many times about singers or actresses, "That is so Saulus!" — but now that I'm being asked, of course, nothing and no one comes to mind.

But that's alright and not necessary anyway.

In the game, I chose the voice of Tav 8 for Saulus, the voice of the fantastic Tirna Barnes, and I simply fell in love with that raspy voice.

THAT is Saulus!

The way Tina Barnes speaks so theatrically and emphatically, truly acting, suits her perfectly. It's performed, staged, accentuated with her voice as if it were an instrument.

What I find even more amusing is that I chose this iconic, raspy, breathy voice specifically for my bard Tav, and not such a delicate, elfin, nightingale-like voice as with my other Tavs - that made it even more entertaining for me, but no other voice would be suitable for her.

The way Tina/Tav 8 delivers Durge's lines in such a dramatic, brutal way is unparalleled and makes me exclaim every time, "Wow Saulus girl, calm down!"

She is so lively — could step in for one of the companions anytime, in my opinion.

Her bard singing voice...hard to claim - how would Tina Barnes sing?

Wish Saulus sing to the heavens like Hildegard? Like as the dancing Pinky Pony Maiden, that is how I imagine her.

Or would I want her to be like Priscilla, when holding a lute?

Maybe her voice could find more display in this mordern bard?

Mary Elizabeth McGlynn - when I think about it - would catch eventually the sound of Tina Barnes. What do you say?

📸: by @aristenfromwarsaw ✨

tag: @cursed-nyxan , @wasteful-sam , @alpydk - I am quite sure anyone should have already done this by now, since I haven't been on tumblr for a while due to personal issues - so if that's the case, just show me your posts so I can read and share them 😊

𝐒𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐮𝐬 - 𝐒𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐎𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐃&𝐃 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

Got tagged by the lovely @litsenn , @saylofwaterdeep , @anacdoce 💜 Thank you very much my precious diamonds 🖤 Now I have quite a row of sweet questions to answer!

How does your character act when they want to seem inviting? (18)

That's precisely where the problem might lie: Saulus is considerably more successful when she doesn't try to do something intentionally.

Now the question arises: inviting in what sense?

To be inviting, to encourage friends to open up, to calm them down —well, the bard certainly manages that very consciously, but gently.

She can also flirt very gracefully when she wants to, but the "wanting" is usually rather flawed, and her winking nature, which tends toward bad puns, coupled with overly eager, telltale facial expressions, is a bit of a mixed bag.

How does your character act when they want to seem threatening? (19)

The perfect segue: The same.

Because Saulus' enthusiastic, tail-wagging expression resembles one flashing with murderous intent, which might occasionally hinder her from forging the friendships she so desperately wanted.

In short: Her eyes. Just look into her crazy eyes.

Plus maybe a wild growl and barking because it can't quite be calle words anymore, which she then blurts out wildly 😄

I've come to bombard your inbox about Saulus and Kieth!

• How did they meet?

• Of the two, which one is more of a romantic?

• Who us usually more willing to give in and make compromises?

• How would each character want to better themselves for the other?

● How do they think the other perceives them?

● Share with me some shared background experiences...? 🥹

👉👈

NYXIE!!! 😍 OMG NYXIE!!! We got Keith&Saulus asks, we got a Keith&Saulus ask!!! AAAAH!!! 😍🤩😍

Skee you honor me and especially make me incredible happy with this one 🥰 Oh this is so much fun and I’ll excuse already for all my rambling😅

I will answer – but I want @cursed-nyxan to give her insight on it as well 😃😚

How did they meet?

We could go the classical rom com meet cute way – having the real Disney moment. Or over screaming together at the goblin to back off and handing over the hyena – because that is the bonding moment:

Always rescuing the hyenas in the shadowlands – ALWAYS!

Keith adopted the cutie as has son – so attention certified.

Until now they clash into each other at Act II because of the hyena and their love of animals – if it would funny to change it and let them travel since Act I like all companions, could also be a possible way. It’s just how I wrote to let them have the dalmatians moment – very important.

Of the two, which one is more of a romantic?

Haha – Saulus of course!

She may have her moments of absolute silliness, rudeness and scandalous behaviors, but she is still a bard after all. Plus Keith’s head goes blank and his body in shock by romance, most of his idea of romance is jokes during foreplay and training fights together. It's good that she's up for both, but that pretty much goes without saying that they're both equally crazy 😆

Who us usually more willing to give in and make compromises?

Once more Saulus.

She could take and leave everything the same way, because Saulus is very much of a shift what others require, just wanting them to be happy and comfortable all the time.

So saying “yes” to almost everything and go along what her friends or partners wants, is very much of her personality. I mean, what could go wrong? What terrible thing – that not already had been happing to her – could happen to her in worst case? As optimist she is sure everything will turn out fine, so rather make the other one happy and put a smile on their lips, because a joy shared is a joy doubled.

Sure thing. Easiest calculation for her.

Also what is just as easy for Keith to refuse to play along —even though he's a well-mannered lad — because he secretly aims to provoke her. Let's be honest, he's sometimes truly her nightmare and a curse! It's a good thing she knows this, otherwise he might really drive her out of her last bit of mind. As it is, she plays along willingly, and suddenly Saulus isn't so quick to say "yes" anymore, but knows how to keep someone on tenterhooks...because maybe someone needs to suffer and be punished, and she punishes him with pleasure...

How would each character want to better themselves for the other?

Absolutely Saulus, AGAIN! Really fighting against Bhaal and all his influences.

Just because as we learned Keith is super well mannered due to his big big elder elder brother Roy 😌😊 He rose him well, very well.

Good virtues. Good standards.

Keith might be a fool that causes trouble, but always seeking the good, always.

Saulus is a Dark Urge – daughter of Bhaal.

She never was ashamed of the sudden killing urges – to be honest, the group kills all the time, why judging her for what is bad killing and what is good killing? Saulus never ever did that with one of them. Shar, Goblin kids, Gur hunter *cough cough*

Due to Keith and being with him and his big brother as his glorified role model, suddenly Saulus started to care. Care how she looked in the eyes of another, care how she could fit into a family and their name. She never felt shame, but she was afraid to lose him, what the Urge, the heritage could do to him and that Keith looks differently at her – and that were something she could not stand.

So yes, it’s her to want to better because of him. Even though Keith is for real her curse and a stubborn, pseudo-cool daredevil who drives her crazy, and who really should work on his affected coolness. Nevertheless, he contributes to her wanting to be better, no matter how disastrous he sometimes is.

Nyxie - does Keith want to be better in any way for Saulus?

I can only imagine to impress her...but that, she does not need.

Maybe to please her, in many ways. But sometimes he is winy baby 🤭😋 And gets all the comfort from her again. So what would his "becoming better" for her look like? I don't know.

Maybe becoming more self confident and versed in certain things 😉🤭 Try to be more romantic. Not to freak out when owlbear is super overprotective over its mom at the beginning maybe 😅 I have no clue...

...oh maybe...the same thing the other way: not freaking out about the whole bhaal thing.

How do they think the other perceives them?

Easy, for Keith, Saulus perceives him of course as the coolest, most daring, charming and strongest bladesinger that ever lived wink wink 😎

(eventhough for her he is her lil unicorn – get it, like one horn – her pumpkin, her sweet apple pie. But don’t let him hear that 😅😆🤭 But what’s so bad…every girl wanted to ride a unicorn 😏) How Keith perceives Saulus?

I don’t know…

Need nyxie’s help.

Myself – I may have some worshipping problems, so I let him worship her in my writing. Is that true?

For him she is his pretty, sexy girlfriend with sharp teeth and a even sharper tongue. Still she got sharp nails and a strong hand – he gladly likes to see in action on his body – he still sees her literally as his doll even it’s only a nickname. Doll in, I need to protect. I must be strong, impressive, imposing and carry her on my back over danger…but not making her feel like a princess at the same time, even she is mine, because I can’t let all know.

He is dumb in many ways 😆😝😋

Share with me some shared background experiences...?

You’re the best skee 😊 I could share forever🥰 Like super stupid fools in love 💓

What is important nyxie, what do you, say?

Their endless love for animals is totally #1. Puns and banter - super important "That's what she said!"

I giggle how I wrote them to often say the exactly same thing at the same time 😁🤭 They are all what the other is and all what the other is not and because of that it’s thrilling and works out😊

I think…I always liked their star gazing scene, because even later when reminiscing about it, Saulus still holds pages and thoughts back, she dares not to speak out loud into the night, because she never dreams loud, but quietly to not disturb.

"You see those? Those are the stars of the zodiac of the foolish hero: every time he is scarred in battle or loses a horn, a star is added to the constellation. But the legend also says that every time this happens, a defenseless creature he wanted to save gains another life."

For a brief silent moment, Keith studied Saulus' features, studied them longer than the stars she was pointing to. Once again, he looked up at the small enclave of starlight before his eyes traced her outstretched finger and arm back to her face and lingered there.

"It's been a while since I learned about star constellations, and I wasn't the best at it in school, but...that one, you made totally up," he smiled in her direction, catching the bard in her story, which Saulus, with a beaming face, didn't even try to hide.

"Yeah."

The short, honest laugh rang in his ears, and Keith noticed that when Saulus smiled, she didn't just do it with her lips and her voice, no, she smiled with her whole face.

Her eyes laughed along with her.

It was a whole aura that surrounded her.

The truth was that she smiled at him like that because he gave her exactly the same feeling.

Warmth, security, familiarity, cheerfulness, willingness to take risks.

Just like the feeling of wishing to run her fingers through that soft honey-ginger hair.

A short crinkle tingled Keith's ear as the bard straightened her neck, a neck where he had noticed something, he had to ask about her maybe one day.

"When I was a little girl," her words were spoken very softly and the bladesinger felt a change immediately, "I used to think that all those little lights in the sky came from houses with happy families around a cozy fire, and the lights came from all the open windows, where a tiny spark of their warmth and joy escaped into the night sky. Wandered above and became a star, so that the little girls without happy families can look at them, in hope that one day it will change."

Keith almost held his breath, hearing only Saulus' voice and somewhere the faint crack of the campfire. But far, far away. There were her words, breathing over her lips. Spoken so softly, as no one had ever told a story before.

“I used to believe that at every window there was a little girl just like me, looking out at the other lights, and I wondered what it would be like to be one of them.”

Her dark smooth lips stopped moving and her voice dropped silent. To be honest, the bladesinger wished she wouldn't, that she would continue to narrate through the night.

"I remember our fireplace at home when we were just kids," the bladesinger felt the need to fill the silence, "well at least I was a kid - and I was the only one with horns. You can imagine when seeing a real full tiefling family for the first time, I started to believe I was adopted and my parents needed to convince me otherwise. And not the other way around." A short laugh of memories drew over his lips and Keith for real thought about their house, their fireplace, their windows - everything Saulus talked about, talked about as if it were so special and desirable, a rich treasure.

"We have or had all those things - before all this started. Our home in Rivington was always a joyful one. Not the biggest house, but with everything we needed." "So you had the full deal? Brother, father, mother? "

"Yes."

"What was it like? Growing up like this?"

It didn't escape Keith's attention how Saulus phrased her question.

She asked how it was to grow up like this - a full, loving, intact family - not as the only tiefling born into a human family, as most would have been.

Just a minor detail, but it made him pause. Creating a moment of silence in this moment in which he saw Saulus under the stars.

He noticed her little heart-shaped box of longing melancholy sealed up and thrown into her deep ocean of inner thoughts. Forever lost in the abyss of her mind. Only seen in the shining light of the stars.

With a gentle movement so as not to make any sound, Keith drew his face closer to the bard, to get a better look at her star-gazing profile.

Unfortunately, he couldn't find any hint upon it, if Saulus wanted him to get her drift or was expecting an answer, as if she had just picked the wrong words.

"I would have called it fun, even if my parents would insist on trouble for sure," another gentle smile drew from the lips of the tiefling bladesinger, his eyes not leaving the soft face of the bard at his side.

Unfortunately, her gaze remained fixed on the night sky, as if she could really find something there. If only he knew what…

"How was your childhood, Saulus?" Keith dared to ask, unable to get over the look on her face. Too reserved from all the smiling and shining from before. Not palpably sad, but not happy either. Just different from how he had experienced her minutes before.

Thank you soooo much @onlytavs for that wonderful ask about Keith & Saulus 😍😭🥰 I will be forever grateful 💖 That was so nice and fun!

All of the incredible VP is of course by @cursed-nyxan 💖 My greatest treasure 💖

𝐒𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐮𝐬 - 𝐒𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐎𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐃&𝐃 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 - 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝟐

@optimisticgrey tagged me in this ages ago - please accept my sincere Gomen nasai 🙏

I already did DnD questions for Saulus, but I thought, after all...I hardly talk and post about my girl ever, so why not take the chance and do another round? Why shouldn't I answer them? *insert Bilbo meme* 😁

How does your character express they're comfortable? (5)

Being comfortable is comfort. Sounds silly.

Just as being silly is her comfort.

What does that mean?

It means she can let her guard down - literally. No armour, no clothes that hide any from her true tiefling nature. She shows everything from her vulnerable skin and maybe doesn't even mind if a little more slipping - a little too much even 😉 What is a little slip among friends 🤭

Shared drinks at a quiet, private evening alongside good company, is comfort. Fine dresses to make her feel pretty at last, thin fabrics to get comfortable in her skin to deny it no longer. Vivified fascinating conversations near a sheer dream or relaxed shared silence. Convenience in sharing her company, her attention and maybe some gifts if bought along the way because she seen and instantly thought of you, or made it herself, to make you feel better. A moment of true trust would be her showing the pages of writing which beholds the most inner world of her feelings and thoughts.

She listens, she talks, whatever both of you need and if Saulus knows it is also to the comfort of the other one she gets closer into reach. Maybe resting her head on the shoulder or the lap. Literall comfort in cuddling up.

Comfort in "I trust you" in the figurative sense of the soul is the jokes she makes about friends. There is always a smartass pun upon her lips, but then with a grin that says "Hit me back with your best shot - and I only say it because I know you so well and I love you and I am so damn funny". The teasing is like in a family, like siblings – she shows you, you're her pack, and she trusts you with whatever she says; you don't turn your back on her, and of course, vice versa, because your bond is so strong.

Otherwise, she wouldn't take her hand off the crossbow while running her big mouth.

How does your character blow off steam? (11)

Do you mind if I split this into two tempi?

If she's a little annoyed, which might lead to sadness and pensiveness, then it's very likely that Saulus will retreat to peace and solitude to make some music and try to coax something meaningful out of her thoughts, something worth writing down. Whether seeking seclusion is always good for her is another question. But focusing her eyes on nature and the beauties around her, enjoying the sounds of nature and the harmony of peace and quiet, aligning her heartbeat with them, is what she believes she's doing.

If, however, she's in a blind rage and wants to literally let off steam, then she will put the "battle" into Bhaal Battle Beer Bard and if you are very unlucky the "Bhaal" as well. Get ready to learn why it is called a tavern brawl. What you might hear is "Saulus, what does GrraaaarghRaaawwwrrrrr mean?!" "What part of GrraaaarghRaaawwwrrrrr didn't you understand?!"

What does your character have too much of? (29)

For sure music instruments.

Saulus always plays the same lyre. The same she always had - she even refuses to replace the two broken strings on it, that is why she is called “The Bard with the 8-stringed lyre” as well. But not replacing it, got some prestige reasons as well at this point, to the story how she lost them.

Nevertheless, she still likes to have a variety of instruments available to create different spheres of accords. For example, Saulus always carries a tin whistle on her belt, so she always has at least a small musical accompaniment readily available.

One could definitely call her habit of keeping leather bustiers that no longer quite fit and giving he nip slips — of which she might have too many a quirk, but which stems from "having too few."

"No, no, it's still good, look," Saulus says, trying to reassure you as she mends and repairs the bra to avoid throwing it away. She grew up in an orphanage, a place of often hard times due to the well-known crises in the country, and children without parents aren't exactly top priorities. Frugality and sustainability, perhaps a leftover from that, but the most important reason: The owlbear cub strangely loves playing with her bustiers, so why throw them away when they're still good owl bear toys?

Therefor: Adopted pet animals she has for sure too much 😉

Let's be honest - she also has too much snarky, unprompted comments and imagination.

Which party member would they pull a prank on? Who would they plan a prank with? (63)

Best question!

Thank you for this absolutely best and glorious question!

And please — may I ask a question in return first, and would you all please answer it? Yes, please?

Everyone who knows Saulus - Who do you think she's pranking, and with whom?

🎶... dim dim dim

... dim dim dim

... dim dim dim 🎶

*insert famous quiz show waiting music*

Not gonna lie, it's Gale who is the victim of her pranks — follow her on a "What's with Andy?" BG3 version.

It has nothing to do with her not liking him, but he's the easiest of all to hoax, and EVERYONE — be aware of this — ABSOLUTELY EVERYONE gets fucked over. She's a bard, which makes her the court jester. It's her duty and privilege to compose satirical songs about everyone, much to the king's delight 😉😁 (We are just making this up so no one hangs her 🤣 we all know you want to hang her by the trees like Cacofonix 😆)

But with Gale, it's a bit of a thing. He makes it so easy for her to mock him, practically handing her every witty remark and getting so wonderfully worked up about it. His obsession with his cat and his mother contributes a lot to this 🤣 (But as I said, she finds something in everyone that can be turned into a pun; that's her superpower. She'll find your greatest weakness and shame and either rhyme it or deliver a wicked barb.)

Who's egging her on? It's always the same pale elf who sits with her in the back row of troublemakers, whispering and giggling, while the teacher turns to the blackboard. While Saulus would actually be a good girl, a good noodle, Astarion brings out all her nonsense and her chaotic nature, which makes her enthusiastically shout "YES" to everything her friends do, which seems crazy fun!

@aristenfromwarsaw and @cursed-nyxan have new babies - maybe you want to answer some questions about them and take this chance if you have some lore upon your mind 😉 Or you answer these for my favourite blorbo of yours 😉😊😋

@scoldingdarjeeling Would you like to share a bit more about Tempest?

I'll pick for you to answer: 1 + 2 + 14 + 15 + 16 + 17 - Find the questions of @notetakers-blog-of-holding right here!

For the Ship Headcanons! 🫂🎶🧳🩹

Thank you✨ - and since no ship was mentioned, I think I'll do it this time for Saulus x Astarion, because it's the perfect excuse to share this masterpiece by VP that @aristenfromwarsaw made for me. Thank you darling for bringing light with such pictures in my life, every time it is grey and heavy, you are a true friend, for bringing me joy with your photography when I need it most.

Saulstarion

🫂 What’s their favorite way to hold each other when words aren’t enough? I think holding onto each other is very important. Lying in each other's arms and feeling safe and secure — feeling warm — means a great deal to both of them. The feeling that, finally, something is right. They hold onto one another until a feeling arises — a desire to crawl right into the other’s chest, just to be even closer. Astarion even pulls her arms tighter around himself, letting them clasp firmly against his back; he no longer fears — or feels uneasy about — her fingers tracing his scars. And because Saulus often worries she might poke him with her horns and is very tentative about how she leans against him, he presses her head to his chest to show her she needs not be afraid — that no matter what happened, she would never hurt him, and that he wasn't made of glass… not anymore. Just as he was no longer made of stone.

🎶 What’s their song - the one that makes them both tear up / grin like idiots? That is answered quickly and with pleasure 😊 I picked “Daylight” in the Alligatoah version as their song, because the lyrics fit and it would be something Saulus would sing for Astarion on their first date 😊 Exactly like this, because she is so excited 😆 The tear up song for their love is either Summertime Sadness the Within Temptation version

or Through the Darkness by Colin & Caroline and Nao Sato Because it became on one hand a song for Saulus’ Dark Urge side, her two sides and darkness she must live with and has to overcome, one way or another. This aching side of her, dripping tar and pitch, which doesn't suit her and threatens to drown her with the filth of her own soul. Darkness, pain and blurring past they both must deal with and can’t do it so good on their own, but try so hard to keep it shut down in their hearts and souls until it is dragging them down. The moment they learn to reach out for help, to take the hand of what is there, they will rise back into the light and breathe again. On their own after centuries and together. Totally a tear up song, to tell you, to not walk alone in dark places. Because you don’t have to.

🧳 If they had to run away together tomorrow, where would they go? Astarion is a 100% city boy, so it's not that easy 😉 You can't put his pale ass into the wilds - haha. Saulus’ horns have their problems with crowded and tight places 😅 But she wants to be at Moonrise Towers, build it up again and see it shine and grow after the shadows are gone. Some unfinished business in the name of Thorm. Or wouldn't it be nice to go where it all started? Withers knew why…

🩹 How do they comfort each other after nightmares? Saulus tenderly hums Astarion back to sleep, holding him carefully in her arms and letting him find the position that feels comfortable and soothing to him in that moment. Her hand strokes delicately through his curls; her fingertips dance across the cool skin of his forehead and caress his pointed ears—which listen to the melody—while his other ear catches the rhythm of her warm, beating heart against which he rests, or feels the pulse that resonates deep within her belly when he has snuggled up close.

Astarion allows Saulus to let her cling tightly to him — whether instinctively in her sleep, beyond her conscious control, or when she wakes up in a state of terror, with a jerk — whenever red vortices terrify her and voices haunt her. Her tail also wraps itself around him quite unconsciously, tightening its hold; he welcomes this, too, moving closer to hold her even more firmly, cradling her head and stroking it gently. Wrapping his arms around and his cuddle blanket her in a warm embrace, he holds her close — for often, it is easier when he doesn't try to use words. While caring for someone other than himself — and wanting to be there for her — once felt strange, he now wants to show Saulus that he can be a shoulder to lean on, that he, too, can be her rock in the storm when needed. Astarion wants to be more for Saulus than he ever was, or ever believed he could be.

Thank you for your ask, friend 😘 Question credit found over here