This beautiful commission was done by the lovely @steamclouds
Jarlaxle and Viridiana share their first Simril together in Waterdeep.
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This beautiful commission was done by the lovely @steamclouds
Jarlaxle and Viridiana share their first Simril together in Waterdeep.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Jolán has lived a hard life and finally gets to know some peace with the wizard she fell in love with during the adventure of a lifetime.
A post-game fluff fic for a beautiful tiefling bard and the rizzard of Waterdeep. OC Tav belongs to @artfullyelyse
Simril
Masterlist - BG3 masterlist
Notes: a little something I had in mind thinking about the holidays approaching slowly but surely ☺️
Words: 1022
Warnings: fluff
Summary: Simril was not only an annual winter festival celebrated along the Sword Coast but also the perfect opportunity to gain new clients for a certain devil. That was until you entered his life...
The sun had set and the festivities of Simril had engulfed the entire city of Baldur's Gate with a magical aura, bringing joy and cheer to the hearts of its inhabitants. It was an evening filled with laughter, merriment, and the promise of the blessing received upon finding the lucky star on the clouded sky. As the celebrations unfolded, the city became a playground of different coloured lanterns, merry tunes and enchantment. Raphael, adorned in his typical formal attire, was casually strolling through the streets during this festive day. He would wander through the bustling streets, keeping an eye out for potential clients and his so-called business opportunities. However, on this particular Simril, fate had something else in store for him.
Unbeknownst to Raphael, someone had been observing him, studying his every move. It was you, the mysterious figure lurking with in the shadows, a mischievous smile painted across your face. Since you got to know the devil, you always thought that he was way too focused on gaining souls, signing contracts, never truly embracing the tempting pleasures of his nature. So, of course, you had devised a plan, daring and audacious as you usually were according to your devil, to capture Raphael's attention and demanded a favour from one of his more noble debtors. As you caught sight of Raphael meandering along a bustling road, you couldn't resist any longer. With a swift and confident stride, you approached him, taking his arm and leading him away from the noisy crowd.
"What in the nine hells?", Raphael cursed, slightly bewildered, yet willingly complying with your guidance, captivated by your audacity.
You guided him through a myriad of hidden passages, until you arrived at a secluded courtyard adorned with exquisite decorations. The air was filled with the delightful fragrance of heated wine and the faint echoes of a minstrel's tune. In the center, a bonfire crackled, casting captivating shadows that danced around the surroundings. With a mischievous sparkle in your eyes, you presented Raphael with a cup of warm, spiced wine.
"Join me," you whispered, your voice carrying a note of invitation, "sit with me by the fire, let the music fill the night and let us enjoy ourselves."
Intrigued, Raphael complied, settling down next to you on a cushioned seat. The bard's melodies filled the air, wrapping the courtyard in a blanket of tender notes.
"If I am not mistaken, and I rarely am, this particular courtyard belongs to one of my debtors," Raphael calmly remarked, "and that bard over there recently signed his contract with me."
You delicately sipped your wine, avoiding his piercing gaze. Uncertainty filled your mind as you pondered whether this could potentially mark your final day on this mortal plane, condemned to be dragged down to the depths of hell for your transgressions. Although, there remained a tiny glimmer of hope that you might escape punishment for borrowing two of his clients for your own purposes. As you drained the last remnants of your wine, the devil snapped his fingers, conjuring two handwritten notes that ominously hovered before you.
"I do believe that is your handwriting," he declared, his fingers gently finding your chin and tilting your head upward to examine the notes, "And my signature, which, if I may say so myself, appears rather convincingly authentic."
You hummed, eyes darting to Raphael's unreadable expression. Deep within you, a sense of fear began to rise as he stood up, reaching out to lift you from the bench. His strong fingers curled around your neck, his piercing gaze digging into the depths of your soul. Even in his human form, his aura exuded authority and danger, reminding you of who he truly was.
"My little mouse", Raphael sighed, unable to hide a little smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, "I can't decide whether to be angry or proud of your audacious escapades."
"I'd prefer the latter", you offered, attempting to conceal your mounting anxiety, "after all it was all in favour of you relaxing for once."
"I bet you do, little mouse", the devil laughed, his mind lingering on the last part of your statement.
As the fire flickered, casting a warm glow on your face, he suddenly was all to aware of how effortlessly you succeeded at wiggling your way into his heart. He couldn't deny that he had grown rather fond of you, for reasons that would forever elude him, you had chosen to stick by his side and help him without any contract or asking anything in return. The memories of how he huffed in sheer disbelief as you claimed that you simply liked him were still as fresh as the day they were forged. No mortal had ever demonstrated such unwavering loyalty, not to him nor, he would stake his wretched soul on it, to any other devil in the infernal realms. And yet here you were, going through all the trouble and danger to ensure he would have one evening to enjoy himself. Raphael leaned in, pressing his lips on yours in a tender kiss, muffling your surprised gasp. To hell with all that meant being a devil, his mind urged him. Under the spell of the enchanting atmosphere, Raphael allowed himself to embrace his humanity, if only for this night. He resolved that there was more to existence than the relentless pursuit of souls—at least for this fleeting moment.
A wistful smile formed on your lips as you broke the kiss, your eyes sparkling with pure happiness and Raphael couldn't tear his gaze away from you. His little mouse, a potential client who became his unlikely ally and, if he'd had any say in the matter, would become even more in the days to come. You suddenly jumped away, looking up to the sky, gasping as your hands found his, fingers intertwining with his.
"I found my lucky star", you giggled, "do devils have a lucky star?"
"No", Raphael chuckled, "but I have a suspicion that this particular one just might", he whispered, a faint smile playing on his lips as he kept his eyes locked on your silhouette.
The stars in between.
Chapter 3 - Gifts
(Happy holidays, folks! Cozy Churchstarion continues.)
Chapter Summary: Astarion finds the warmth of his former companions’ company by the fire, although he is again intimidated by the gifts Church has lovingly crafted for them. But before Astarion can find another excuse to wallow, Church steals him away for a dance — as well as yet another precious moment for just them.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Excerpt below:
A warm hand slips into Astarion’s, squeezing it. “Everyone seems so happy,” Church says softly, resting his head against his partner’s shoulder. “As do you,” Astarion murmurs, smiling down at him. For the most part, it’s true. But the tiefling still seems preoccupied by something. “What’s troubling you, my dear?” “Ah, nothing,” Church lies. “Darling, you’ve hardly eaten a thing all night,” Astarion chides him. “Don’t think I haven’t been watching.” He grabs one of Mrs. Dekarios’s fruit tartlets and holds it up to the protesting tiefling’s mouth — insistently. “Eat,” he commands. “It’s no wonder you haven’t been holding your drinks well.” “Fine,” Church grumbles, taking a messy bite of the tart from the elf’s hand. “Ugh. Delicious.” He lets Astarion shove the rest into his mouth, grinning as he watches the tiefling chew it happily. “Honestly, how do you manage without me?” Astarion scolds him as he swallows, brushing away the crumbs. “No idea,” Church smiles at him, warmly. “Dance with me?” “What?” the elf blinks. “Dance with me!” Church laughs, pulling the rogue over to where Wyll leaps and spins somewhere beyond the fire.
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A Winter’s Holiday in Waterdeep
Background and description: Bard Tav and spawn Astarion head to the City of Splendors on their way north in search of a cure for Astarion’s vampirism. They drop in on their friend, Gale Dekarios, during the Winter Solstice. The couple spend the day inside, entangled with one another, before joining the night’s festivities at Gale’s tower. (This was intended to be a one-shot, but will end up getting included in post-brain chapters of Tale of the Tadpoles)
Content: minor post-game/epilogue spoilers, sex (a lot), blood drinking, soft domination.
Tav and Astarion arrived on the outskirts of Waterdeep an hour before sunrise. They had hoped to arrive with a little more leeway, but unexpected snow had slowed down their horses. They were both bundled tightly in soft wool underclothes, riding leathers, fur-lined overcoats and waterproof cloaks. They would have normally remained home in Baldur’s Gate during the colder winter months, but their newest lead on Astarion’s cure was too promising to wait for Spring. They had already contacted Gale about their impending arrival, but wouldn’t be able to reach his tower before they needed to retreat from the morning sun.
The stars in between.
Chapter 1 - Provisions
(Happy holidays, folks! It’s time for some cozy Churchstarion.)
Chapter Summary: Years after the events of the game, Withers invites Church, Astarion, and their former companions back for yet another party — a festive, cozy, winter Simril celebration! Thrilled at the prospect of seeing all his friends together again, Church takes the opportunity to indulge in a nostalgic tradition of his old village. But once Astarion realizes that this tradition involves giving gifts, he desperately tries to come up with a last-minute gift worthy enough for his partner with help from their friends and a certain (former) god of death.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Excerpt below:
“You’re awfully excited,” the elf observes. “Feeling nostalgic?”
“Hells, yes,” Church laughs. “It’s been literally years now since I’ve been able to celebrate with friends.” He gestures sheepishly at the bags. “I… might have gone a little overboard on gifts.”
Astarion chuckles, but then he sobers in an instant. “‘…gifts?’”
“Yeah,” his partner says, preoccupied as he frowns down at his collection of packages.
“Since when does Simril involve gifts?” Astarion asks, aghast.
“Ah — it was a village thing for Tarrin’s Hearth,” Church waves him away. “Supposedly a tradition to spoil the kids, but as long as I’ve known it, the adults can join in on the fun too…”
He continues to ramble on, but as much as he nods and smiles, Astarion’s stomach begins to squirm. Gifts? He had no idea, and he is very aware that he has nothing to offer Church for the occasion…
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The stars in between.
Chapter 4 - Echoes
(Happy holidays, folks! Cozy Churchstarion continues in its smutty, penultimate chapter.)
Chapter Summary: Church leads Astarion away to their own little piece of nowhere. They see stars, to put it simply.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Excerpt below:
Church nuzzles into him to steal another kiss, and then another. Their eager hands knead into the folds of their clothes and contours of their skin. At risk of losing balance, they cling tighter to each other as they sink to their knees upon the ground. “Oh, gods,” Church grunts. “I really thought the blanket would be enough to make this more comfortable…” “Mm, it’s… an improvement,” Astarion winces. “Here, let’s—?” They shift clumsily, and the tiefling yelps as he pitches forward. But in a split-second, the elf has already caught him. For a long moment, they gaze into each other’s dazed, starry eyes. In the short time it takes for Church’s grin to bloom across his laughing face, Astarion has already collapsed on top of him. He presses the tiefling into the hard ground, sinking the weight of his hips atop Church’s. They groan into each other’s mouths, tongues tracing the contours of their lips and pricking upon the sharpness of Church’s canines and Astarion’s fangs. “Remember when we were last here?” Church pants, tugging Astarion’s shirt out of his trousers and running his warm hands over the elf’s flexing torso. “Vaguely,” Astarion murmurs into his neck. “Your voice was… resonant.” “Yeah, well,” Church laughs breathlessly. “I, er… I cast a silence spell over the opening.” Astarion pauses, smirking down at the tiefling in amusement. “…so we don’t have to be worried about prying ears, this time around,” Church explains, unnecessarily. “Well, I’m glad you told me, darling,” Astarion purrs, rolling insistently against the whimpering tiefling’s hips. “Because this time… I’m going to make you scream.”
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The stars in between.
Chapter 5 - Stars
The end of this fic. Thank you for reading! <3
Chapter Summary: As a time-honored Simril tradition, Church and Astarion gaze upon the night sky together. Church finally gives Astarion his gift and, to his own surprise, Astarion realizes that he has one to give back as well.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Excerpt below:
“I actually have something for you,” Church says, nervously. “Er, close your eyes?” Astarion humors him. “Hold out your hand?” The elf gives a long-suffering sigh, but holds out his hand. It’s soon enveloped by Church’s warmth as his partner presses something small and cool into his palm. “Alright, you can open them.” Astarion blinks down at the gift. It’s… a ring.