#tavuary

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Today is February first, which means it is officially TAVUARY! There are two ways to participate by either following the Week-by-Week Prompts (Week One is "Fluff") or by using the Day-by-Day prompts found in this post! The first prompt is FLOWERS, so I thought I'd share this beautiful commission that the amazing @pantaloonzzz did for me of Astarion getting some beautiful blooms from Dandy (my Tav) and @englidottir's Dot!

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This February is #Tavuary! Let's celebrate our Tavs/Durges and all their romantic interests during the Month of Love with a fanart and fanfic prompt challenge! I'm going to be reblogging art and fanfic from the challenge all February-long here and on my Twitter, LadyAstarlis! There are two ways to participate in #Tavuary: Either use the 4 Week-by-Week prompts in the video above or use the Day-by-Day prompts listed below!

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Today is February first, which means it is officially TAVUARY! There are two ways to participate by either following the Week-by-Week Prompts (Week One is "Fluff") or by using the Day-by-Day prompts found in this post! The first prompt is FLOWERS, so I thought I'd share this beautiful commission that the very talented Nessa (@/vanekaiiri on Twitter) did for me!

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Tavuary Day 6: Warmth!

It's the sixth day of #Tavuary! There are two ways to participate by either following the Week-by-Week Prompts (Week One is "Fluff") or by using the Day-by-Day prompts found in this post! Fic Title: Treasured Pairing: Astarion x Dandy (my Halfling Bard Tav) Warnings: None, just cute and fluffy. Summary: Post-game, Astarion reflects on everything he's gained.

After months of being on the road with thorough baths being few and far between, Astarion was now quite content to revel in a daily beauty regimen that included a long soak in a warm tub. It was deep and well-heated. He had to give the Halflings their due; they certainly knew how to outfit a home with all the best conveniences! In addition, Dandy kept him spoiled for little luxuries he could pamper himself with — perfumed oils, soaking salts, fragrant soaps and lotions. He deserved it all, of course.  Astarion stretched his limbs in the bubbly water as he rested his head on a rolled up towel. The soft sounds of a lute floated through the halls of the home, and Astarion smiled, imagining Dandy’s delicate hands plucking the strings. He had everything that he could want — love, comfort, privacy, and anything he wanted just an ask away.  Though memories of his mortal life were often a bit hazy after so long, Astarion estimated that it could not have been much better than what he had currently. The Berrybornes were not poor by any stretch, but they knew how to elevate simple pleasures to something special. Astarion had once quipped that blood tasted better from a golden goblet, but he was quite satisfied with the mug that Dandy’s sisters made for him.  Treasured more than the fine crystal and silver dishes the family had were a set of glazed mugs lovingly sculpted by Happy, the middle sister. There was one for each member of the household, differentiated by personalised designs painted by the youngest of the triplets, Jolly. The thought of receiving one never crossed Astarion’s mind, yet, one day, there it was — decorated with a swirling of stars and cartoonish bats against a night sky — right next to Dandy’s — painted with fat rabbits and the notes to the first song she wrote as a child — on the shelf in her parents’ kitchen.  It felt strange to be considered someone’s family after so long with the weakest charade of one. Astarion was not just some paramour; Dandy’s family liked him. Well, her mother and sisters did. They were doting and kept him in good conversation, sharing all the best village gossip and scandals. At first, Astarion assumed that it was all part of that famous Halfling hospitality, but it had not waned with time. He felt more than welcome in their home; it was as though he had always been there.   As for Mr. Berryborne, who was a stout and quietly proud fellow, he never said a cross word to or about Astarion. It seemed that, as long as Dandy was happy, then her father was content to not rock the boat of popular opinion.  Good? Nice? Those words seemed far too simple to describe what Astarion felt now that he had someone who loved him, a home that was safe, and a real family who asked nothing of him except to be himself. With a sigh, Astarion continued to enjoy his soak in the bath, trying to convince himself that the warmth spreading through his unbeating heart was from the heat of the bathwater and nothing more. 

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Tavuary Day 3: Hugs!

It's the third day of #Tavuary! There are two ways to participate by either following the Week-by-Week Prompts (Week One is "Fluff") or by using the Day-by-Day prompts found in this post! Fic Title: Shield Pairing: Astarion x Dandy (my Halfling Bard Tav) Warnings: Mentions of blood, a bit sad but still fluffy Summary: Exploring the moments after Astarion loses his sun-protection...

Burning. Burning. Burning! All thoughts of victory or heroism or even reward flew from Astarion’s mind as he stumbled across the dock, searching for somewhere — anywhere — that he could hide from the sun. His skin sizzled; the sound of it, the smell, it would have sickened him if he was not already filled with primal fear.  Finding a stack of crates, Astarion ducked behind them. If his heart could beat, it would be breaking through his chest. He gulped down unneeded breath in an effort to calm himself, and it was then that it finally occurred to him that he had been wearing a cape the entire time. He could have used it for temporary cover instead of running off like a complete prat. As he reached up to unclasp the cape from his shoulders, embarrassment began to creep over the terror and form a tight ball of anger in his stomach. He eyed the shrinking shadow drawing closer to his foot before bringing his knees to his chest. I just saved the whole bloody world! I helped! I played the selfless hero, and the gods couldn’t give me the one thing that would have made it worth it. One fucking thing… Astarion slammed his knuckles into the stone beneath him, immediately regretting the action as his skin bruised and bled. He was not going to cry; he might have to hide under the ridiculously bright-coloured cloth like a coward, but he refused to lose what was left of his pride. Why did Dandy dye this stupid cape purple? He lamented silently as he rubbed his thumb over the fabric. I guess I did ask her to… but she didn’t have to embroider all these stars on the hem. Decadent frilly creature… In his misery, Astarion did not hear the soft pap-pap-pap of slippers rushing over the cobbles towards him. A new shadow appeared over him, and he blinked up wearily. Speak of the creature, and the creature appears. Dandy practically enveloped him, her hair providing as much cover as the cape would have. With concern-filled eyes, she was checking him over for burns and wounds, cupping his bloodied fist in her delicate hands. She pressed her lips gently to each knuckle. Astarion’s half-hearted laugh was followed by him quipping, “You can’t kiss it better, you know.” He did not want to admit that it did actually make him feel slightly less sullen. “I can try."  Dandy held his injured hand to her chest, and Astarion almost pulled away when he saw the blood soaking into the ribbons of her bodice. They were both coated in all manner of ash, slime, bodily fluids, so blood hardly should have made the difference, but seeing that fresh red bleed through the bodice’s floral pattern made Astarion’s stomach turn for reasons he was not entirely ready to admit.  “I’m sorry,” Dandy’s voice wavered. “I’m so sorry.” 

Astarion tilted his head, panic setting in when the tears began rolling down Dandy’s cheeks. He sat up straighter, brushing her hair aside to better see her face. “Why in all the hells are you crying?”  Dandy shook her head. “It’s not fair: Wyll, Karlach, you! You all deserved more.” “We’re alive,” Astarion paused. “Well, more or less. Wyll gets to be the Blade for a while longer. Karlach can go on smelling the flowers… assuming that Illithids can smell. As for me, I’ll be all right.” Astarion did not know if he was lying. It felt true in the moment. The burning, the pain, while not completely gone, faded temporarily to the background as he pulled Dandy to him, hugging her tightly.  “Just stay with me.” He closed his eyes, focusing on her breath against his neck as they waited for sunset. 

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Tavuary Day 1: Flowers

Today is February first, which means it is officially TAVUARY! There are two ways to participate by either following the Week-by-Week Prompts (Week One is "Fluff") or by using the Day-by-Day prompts found in this post! Fic Title: Blooming Pairing: Astarion x Dandy (my Halfling Bard Tav) Warnings: No warnings, just silly and cute fluff Summary: Just a short and silly domestic drabble

Finishing up her supper-time calling around the neighbourhood, Dandy stepped over the threshold of the hillside-nestled cottage that she and Astarion called home during the winter months. She was shaking the snow from her boots before kicking them off into the little alcove near the door reserved for hats, cloaks, and outdoor footwear when she noticed that a pair of Astarion’s shoes were also a bit frost-covered. Since returning to her home village, Dandy had gotten accustomed to Astarion’s need for evening constitutionals, time he could stretch his legs (quite literally as the cottage was not built with someone of his height in mind) after being cooped up during the day. The fire in the parlour hearth beckoned Dandy to warm her hands and feet, but she was stopped by an unexpected sight: On the table nearest her harpsichord, a few pink, yellow, and periwinkle winter-blooms poked their petalled heads out from an earthenware jug. A swell of happiness flushed through Dandy, and she went in search of Astarion to thank him. She thought she would find him in their bed, waiting to be praised and spoiled with affection for such a kind gesture. To Dandy’s surprise, however, she found him curled up in his study with a rather grumpy expression. “Why are you hiding in here?” Dandy wrapped her arms around his shoulders and gave him a delicate kiss to his temple. Astarion stared at her as if she should already known what had soured his mood. “I picked flowers,” he muttered with a somewhat disgusted tone. “Colourful ones.” “Yes, you did.” “For you.” “They are lovely. Thank you, Gumdrop.” Dandy gave him another kiss, this one to his cheek as positive reinforcement. 

“I hate flowers.”

Astarion seemed quite at a loss as if bamboozled by his own actions. “I know,” Dandy nudged him over in the overstuffed armchair so she could cuddle him properly, “but I like them.” “I know,” he repeated, drawing his arms around her. The tenseness in Astarion’s shoulders melted away as he buried his face in the sweet scent of her abundant chestnut curls. 

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A commission by the very talented ArcaneMoonArt on Twitter!

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Tavuary 14 - Love!

Still not 100% health-wise, but I'm determined to get caught up with these prompts! It was the fourteenth day of #Tavuary! There are two ways to participate by either following the Week-by-Week Prompts (Week Two is "Amour") or by using the Day-by-Day prompts found in this post! Fic Title: In the Darkness Pairing: Astarion x Dandy (my Halfling Bard Tav) Warnings: None, just fluff. Summary: (Act 3) Astarion may have said "I love you" aloud first, but love takes many forms.

Love was not what Astarion expected to find after so many years of loneliness and false pretences. He had scarcely dreamed, even while alive, that love, the kind built of trust and understanding, was in the cards for him. He could not even say if he truly desired it until the possibility was taken from him in death.  Dandy, however, loved very freely — she loved people and songs and so many things in the great wide world. It seemed, to Astarion at least, that hers was a life made for loving, for tenderness. She cared so openly even when it brought her pain.  Though Astarion might have been first to say “I love you” aloud on a cloudless night above his empty grave, it was Dandy who first showed it. She listened and was patient with him, even when he acted his worst, when he taunted her good nature and mocked her kindness.  When Astarion needed assurance the most, in the depths of Moonrise Towers, Dandy opened her mind to him. She had always been reluctant to use the tadpole’s power, but she did so because Astarion needed the truth: not a promise, not physical affection, but the plain truth. He allowed their thoughts to merge, and he feared he would learn that Dandy saw him as some beautiful broken doll in need of repair and protection. Dandy’s mind and heart, however, did not view him as an object of pity. In her mind, Astarion saw himself standing strong and proud despite the looming shadows trying to push him to his knees. Dandy wanted to be the light in the darkness to ease his pain and to share his burdens but not to fight his battles for him. In her mind, they were equals, partners without pretext. She loved him as a friend first, and, in that troubling time, a friend was what he needed more than anything.