[ It's said fondly enough, at least, and there's no heat behind Astarion's words. He enjoys the gentle nudge of teasing her with his words, at drawing it out and allowing them to banter with one another, and it's nice after years of not being able to say anything for fear of retribution. His heart had felt heavy for such a long time, but now... Now he feels much better about the situation. He can allow himself that, to settle into comfort.
She leans into him, and Astarion lets himself smile, coyly. For her, he can be softer. He is beginning to mean it, too.
Careful fingers brush over the shape of her face, teasing out the familiar pathways as he cups her skin and allows himself the chance to indulge. She is a wonder, he tells himself that often, and the way he is beginning to feel safe, and loved, and wanted... It's alarming, how accustomed he could get to it. ]
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[ It's said fondly enough, at least, and there's no heat behind Astarion's words. He enjoys the gentle nudge of teasing her with his words, at drawing it out and allowing them to banter with one another, and it's nice after years of not being able to say anything for fear of retribution. His heart had felt heavy for such a long time, but now... Now he feels much better about the situation. He can allow himself that, to settle into comfort.
She leans into him, and Astarion lets himself smile, coyly. For her, he can be softer. He is beginning to mean it, too.
Careful fingers brush over the shape of her face, teasing out the familiar pathways as he cups her skin and allows himself the chance to indulge. She is a wonder, he tells himself that often, and the way he is beginning to feel safe, and loved, and wanted... It's alarming, how accustomed he could get to it. ]
And I don't need to do it any more.