The Take Over, The Break's Over - 2

on love arriving unannounced

Master List for AA/Marin Fic

Links to all chapters of The Take Over, The Break's Over (long fluff & smut fic about Ascended Astarion x Marin (Tav))

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4

Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8

Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 12

Chapter 13 | Chapter 14 | Chapter 15 | Chapter 16

Chapter 17

More to come ;) I have multiple fluff & smut combo fics (both a flashback and a flash forward) in progress if you love these two as much as I do

The Take Over, The Break's Over - 7

Ascended Astarion x Marin (Tav/OC, cis woman)

Rating: Explicit (18+)

Words: 800 (chapter 7 of 17)

Setting: Marin's house

Content: Marin's POV, forbidden relationship, Marin's husband fucking sucks but on screen this time, Astarion sends a letter via his servant, they are so in love and miss each other an excessive amount

I went too far for the bit on these letters and made visuals but I included a text-only version below it for accessibility~

Warnings: descriptions of emotional ab*se & dialogue (I really tried to make this guy an emotionally ab*sive creep without being in-depth enough to bother people, difficult line to walk so I'm sorry if he seems either one-dimensional or is still upsetting)

This is not the place for anti-A!A discourse. I love both versions of Astarion, and it's okay to have issues with the Ascendant route, but I will block you if you clown on these posts~

First chapter

Previous chapter

Next chapter

Marin loaded the bread dough into the oven, drying the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand as she stepped away.

“You smell like an ox,” Del chided as he entered the kitchen. Marin sighed to herself.

“I'm sorry. The oven is hot. Baking is hard work, you know.”

He snickered as if the very idea was foolish, making her cheeks burn.

“Speaking of hard work, I'm off,” he muttered as he finished fastening his buttons. “Behave yourself, a’right?”

She swallowed the urge to say something nasty. “Of course I will, Del.”

“Good,” he replied, kissing her on the cheek. She plastered a smile on her face and followed him to the door.

“Have a good night,” she called as he started down the path. He responded with a half-hearted thanks, not looking back.

“Fucking prick,” she whispered to herself once the door was shut. He seemed to have grown more irritating since her return, but maybe that was imagined. He was acting the same as always, while something inside her had changed.

She took off her apron and grabbed the cushion and gloves she used for her garden. She left the door open behind her so that she could smell the bread cooking, as a reminder to check on it.

She perched on the stones around her front garden, the cushion under her knees. Feeling the sun warm her hair from behind and smelling the soil, she felt the stress of dealing with Del melt away.

“My lady?” came a woman’s voice from behind her. My lady? Marin turned to see a cloaked figure walking up her garden path. She dropped her hood as she approached, revealing a familiar face.

“...Evi?”

“Good afternoon, my lady. I come bearing a parcel from Lord Ancunín,” she announced, speaking formally as if Marin had any social standing.

“A letter? Oh, um, thank you,” she stuttered. “You didn't run into anyone on your way up the path, did you?”

“I waited for his departure before I approached,” Evi reassured her. “Lord’s orders. He wants me to confirm that you're all right.”

Marin’s face burned thinking of Astarion’s concern for her. “I am, thank you.”

“Excellent. I have one more gift from his lordship.” Evi reached into her bag, pulling out a single orange, fragrant and perfectly ripe.

“Oh, thank you!” Marin took it from her, delighted with the surprise.

“Have a pleasant day, Lady Marin,” she said, pulling up her hood before walking down the path.

“You too,” she responded, feeling like she was in a dream. She floated inside, closing the front door and putting her back against the inside of it. She held the letter tightly to her chest, her heart pounding. She checked the oven before scurrying down the hall, letter and orange in hand. She didn't want to be caught reading it in plain view, on the tiny chance Del came home to get something. She locked the bedroom door behind her, sank into the bed, and opened the envelope, addressed only Marin. The letter was written on thick, expensive paper, with Astarion's careful calligraphy folded up inside.

Marin, my sweet,

I was heartened to see your letter this evening. I miss you terribly, darling. Your visit has served as a harsh reminder of my empty bed and lonely existence. Of course, I do not blame you for that. Our time together was far more valuable to me than any continued delusion of self-sufficiency. Your joyful presence feels like sunshine on my skin after so many years in the darkness, a bittersweet feeling with which I am intimately familiar.

We disagreed at the time of my ascension on your vampiric transformation. I recall the details of those arguments quite clearly when I am lonely and disappointed in myself. I want you to know that I will accept you in any form, my love. I am not the man I used to be, but I realize I will have to prove myself worthy of your trust.

I will happily make space for you in my life if you ever feel ready for a future with me. I want nothing else as much as I want to see you happy. There is a greenhouse here which is hardly used, and it makes me long to see you working on your garden to your heart's content.

You are welcome here anytime, my dear. I hope you know that I eagerly await our next meeting. Until then, I will think of you anytime my mind wanders, as I do already.

Stay safe, darling.

Yours eternally,

Astarion

Your comment about beetroot juice made me smile. You enjoyed the fresh oranges when you were here, so I hope you will smile for me in return.

Marin flopped back on the bed, the letter pressed to her heart as if it were part of him. She stared blankly up at the rafters, tears running down her face and into her hair.

Name a better feeling than getting the first comment on a fic you were uncertain about and knowing that at least one person liked the tiny piece of your brain that you put on the internet

"I really have to get going"

"Make me stop, then", he suggests with his lips against the sensitive skin on the side of her waist, sending a tickling wave up and down. Hands like snakes, arms like vines, voice like honey (if honey could taunt). "Just say it, pet. Stop, my love, I have to go. I have better things to do."

With each word his hand draws a loose spiral over her stomach until he's lifting the border of the underwear and by then it is too late, it was always going to be too late, the moment he touched her, and he knows it. His fingers part her lips and find her already wet. If Awbonee was too proud maybe she'd take offence at the way he relishes it, because Astarion is a sore loser but can be an even worse winner.

"Go on then. Tell me to stop. Make me."

It was never going to happen, and at least he has the decency to hide his smile when she sinks back towards him.

-------------------------------------

prompt 17 from the drabbles list, "make me". be patient with me I haven't written in English (or Spanish either) in ages 😔

The Take Over, The Break's Over - 1

Ascended Astarion x Marin (Tav/OC, cis woman)

Overview: I was inspired by an old favorite song - The Take Over, The Break's Over by Fall Out Boy. I really wanted to make a story about a protective A!Astarion reuniting with his ex-lover who has a shit husband and it became a WAY longer story than I intended. Super smutty and quite heavy throughout. Astarion's PTSD and Marin's emotionally ab*sive husband are triggers later on!

Rating: Explicit (18+)

Words: 3.7k (chapter 1 of 17)

Setting: Baldur's Gate, post-plot of BG3

Content: Marin's POV, ex-lovers reunited, forbidden relationship, semi-public make-out, dirty talk, hook-up, fingering, quickie, standing/wall sex, romantic confession, soft Ascended Astarion is lonely

This is not the place for anti-A!A discourse. I love both versions of Astarion, and it's okay to have issues with the Ascendant route, but I will block you if you clown on these posts~

Next chapter

Don't pretend you ever forgot about me

Marin arrived at the bar in the early evening, the fourth place she'd checked for Astarion. The servant at his front door said he went out for drinks and wasn't expected back for several hours, but she couldn't afford to wait in his sitting room for him to come home. Instead, she went searching for Astarion at the fancy establishments near his home, despite the sprinkling rain. As she stepped past the entranceway of the tavern, she spotted him from behind.

There he was, perched on a small chair like a peacock, gesturing as he spoke. A nobleman sat across from him, drunkenly laughing at his story, a courtesan giggling between the two. She was leaning against the other man, but clearly enraptured by Astarion. Marin could hardly blame her - the other man was likely a well-paying client, but nowhere near as charming.

Time seemed to stand still. The drunken man must have noticed her standing across the room, staring at the group of them, and smiled in her direction. Trying to figure out what he was looking at, the woman ended up spotting her as well. She smiled and gave a little wave to Marin.

Astarion glanced over his shoulder, his characteristic smirk still plastered on his face. It quickly dropped when he saw Marin. He didn't look upset, to her relief. His eyes were wide, lips slightly parted. He furrowed his brow and squinted a little, as if he couldn't believe his eyes.

“... Marin?”

Her heart raced hearing her name from his mouth again.

“Astarion.”

He'd completely lost interest in the others at his table, rising slowly from his chair. He strode elegantly across the bar, despite his surprise.

“Bleeding hells. It's actually you,” Astarion said, his mouth breaking into a genuine smile. “What are you doing here?”

“I thought we could have a drink,” she responded, trying to keep her voice from shaking. “The two of us. Catch up.”

Astarion's brows knitted together in disbelief, but he played along regardless. “All right, then. Let's have a drink.”

He extended an arm, offering it to her like a gentleman. She took it, tighter than she intended. Without missing a beat, he led her across the floor, walking all the way to the back of the establishment. He presented her with a pair of comfortable armchairs, waiting for her to sit before sinking into one himself, signalling for a waiter.

“Wine for you, darling?”

Marin’s stomach jumped at the pet name.

“Liquor,” she replied, trying to sound composed. He perked an eyebrow with curiosity, but didn't challenge her. He turned to the waiter who had appeared.

“Brandy, for both of us. Thank you,” he requested, before turning back to Marin.

“Sooo, you know I must ask. What brings a married woman into a bar for a drink with her old lover?” he drawled. “I hadn’t the faintest clue you were in town.”

“I wanted to see you,” she replied, earnestly.

“After all these years?” he asked with surprise, watching her carefully. “Obviously, darling, I'm flattered. But I thought you were finished with me.”

“I don't hate you. I never did,” she countered. “It was just too hard to be… close to you, after everything that happened. And then I met Del.”

“Yes, Wyll told me you were leaving town to get married. I assumed that was the end of it. Of us.” His tone was still calm and measured, despite the subject.

The drinks arrived, and Marin immediately took hers from the table. She took a big drink, hoping to steel her nerves, and coughed a little. Damn, it's been a long time since I had something this strong, she thought. How embarrassing. She looked up to see Astarion smiling at her.

“You're cute, you know that?” Astarion mused, admiringly. “I have missed you, dear. Despite myself.”

“Did you really?” she asked, being cheeky despite her nerves. “I thought a lordship would have plenty of distractions. Especially one as handsome as you.”

Astarion tipped his head back with genuine laughter.

“Distractions, certainly. You wouldn't believe the parties,” he purred. “That doesn't mean I haven't missed our… little talks.”

He looked as beautiful as he always had. No, even better. Years of luxury and rest seemed to have helped his skin. The dark circles and fine lines had eased slightly since their adventuring days. She blushed at the realization, hoping she hadn't aged too noticeably in his eyes.

“So, darling, how long are you in town?” Astarion asked, snapping her out of her own thoughts.

“Well, I need to be home tomorrow to prepare the house. My husband will be home from his trip tomorrow night, and I need to get it fixed up for him.”

He furrowed his brow. “Why do you have to fix up the house for your husband?”

“Not all of us have servants to clean up and cook dinner,” she scoffed, teasing him. “I have to do that stuff myself. He expects it to be perfect when he’s around.”

Astarion stared at her suspiciously, looking like he wanted to press it further, but he dropped the subject. “Well, then. Dinner?”

She shook her head. “I thought maybe I could see your home,” she chirped. “I went there first. It looks great. I haven't been there since…” Marin trailed off, realizing what she was saying. Since I helped you kill Cazador.

“Yes, it's changed a lot,” Astarion responded, steering the conversation. “Obviously, with the city in such a state, it was hard to get repairs done. Things have quieted down, though.”

The two stared at each other for a moment.

“Well then, shall we take a little walk?” Astarion said, rising from his chair and extending a hand to her. “I believe the rain has slowed since I arrived, so it should be rather pleasant.”

Marin accepted his hand and stood as well, swaying a tiny bit. Hells, that drink went to my head more than I expected, she thought. Astarion was gracious, offering his elbow for her to grip and walk with him. He led her across the bar, collecting their cloaks at the door.  His was a fine garment meant to protect his expensive suit from the elements. Her simple traveling cloak looked very plain by comparison.

Outside, the soft pattering of rain set a very different tone from the warm, crowded tavern. The streets were fairly empty, aside from a few carriages passing by. Most people were indoors after sunset on a rainy evening.

“I have a confession to make,” Marin admitted.

“I knew it,” came Astarion’s smug voice from beside her. “There's more to this, isn't there?”

“I didn't come here to ask you for money, if that's what you're implying,” she hissed. “I did come to see you.”

“Why would you want to see me, darling? Not only for a free brandy and idle chatter, I hope,” he sneered. “Perhaps to see the look of shock on my face in a crowded bar? To taunt me for my loneliness, despite my hedonistic life? To remind me of what I'm missing?”

Marin stopped and turned to look at him. “I didn't come here to taunt you. I'm not that kind of person.”

“I know that, dear,” he said, a bit exasperated. “I'm just trying to understand why a good girl with a loving husband would track down an old flame.”

“He's not that loving,” Marin snapped, starting to walk again. “Can you stop being a prick?”

Astarion snorted. “Not really, no,” he responded playfully. “What-”

She surprised him into silence, pulling him down a secluded alleyway with a jerk. She pulled him to face her and clumsily kissed him on the cheek, too close to his mouth for a friendly greeting.

“What in the- Marin, are you feeling alright?”

Instead of answering, she grabbed the lapels of his suit and kissed him again, this time on the mouth. He didn't protest.

“There. Is that clear enough for you?” she huffed. Astarion watched her face carefully, thinking before he spoke.

“You're not drunk,” he started, slowly. I forgot he can smell my blood. “You're not joking, either. You came all the way to Baldur's Gate, just to see me? To… be with me?”

“You used to say you were always up for ‘a sordid little affair’ after we broke up,” Marin sniped, mimicking his accent. “What’s the problem?”

“Well, naturally, I am,” he drawled. “But I didn't think you were the type to take me up on it.”

“Maybe I've changed!” she snapped. “It's been a long time since you knew me. Is that really so hard to believe?”

“Yes, it is, dear.”

“This was a mistake,” Marin huffed with frustration. She turned to leave, but he kept a gentle grip on her forearm.

“Please, don't go,” he said, his voice softening. “I was only trying to help. I don't want you to run off just yet.”

She stopped, still turned away from him. She didn’t really want to leave, but her face burned with embarrassment.

“I was trying to protect you. I didn’t want you to make a mistake and… regret me,” he admitted. “I’m sure you already do.”

Marin turned back to him, her brows knitted with uncertainty. How much do I share? Will he think I’m a fool?

“Del slept with somebody else,” she blurted out, staring at the pavement. “So I stopped fighting my urge to come back here. To see you. I thought about it for a long time.”

“I presume… it wasn’t a planned arrangement, then?” he asked gently.

“No. He fucked some other woman for no reason at all,” she hissed, fighting back tears. “He doesn’t even know that I found out. I’m sure he thinks he’s rather clever.”

Astarion took her hand in his. They both stood silently for a long time, with light rain hitting the pavement as the only sound.

“I don’t want you to make a mistake,” he said earnestly. “But I’ll have you, darling. If this is truly what you want.”

“Yes, it is,” Marin responded without hesitation.

Astarion’s eyes searched her face cautiously, looking for any hint of doubt or regret. He moved closer, his eyes locked on hers, gently backing her up against the bricks behind her. She stared up at him, holding her breath, exhilarated from how close he was. His eyes gleamed a deep garnet in the growing darkness, his gaze now fixed on her lips. The damp wall was cold against her back.

He put a hand behind her head and kissed her, his chilled fingers at the nape of her neck making her shiver. Marin leaned deeper into the kiss, poking his lips ever so slightly with her tongue. He responded with his own tongue in her mouth, and before long, they were kissing messily like a pair of horny fools. She rubbed up against him with her hips, feeling the outline of his cock press against her. He inhaled at the sensation, grinding himself against her, his hands on her waist to hold her close. He moved one hand down to her ass, grabbing at her and eliciting a muffled moan.

“Gods, I’ve missed you,” he panted. “I’d forgotten how much until I saw you.”

“And you still know how to drive me wild,” she whispered.

She reached down between them, feeling the firm outline of his cock. His pants were perfectly form-fitting and made of a silky material. They can’t be very comfortable, but Gods damn it, they look so good on him. She felt him pulse at her touch, looking up to find his eyes had gone glazed over, almost feral.

“Just don’t bite me, okay? I can’t go home with a mark like that.”

“As much as I’d love to, I was thinking of something else,” he responded. He snaked a hand down the front of her body, grasping between her legs. Marin gasped, tipping her pelvis forward into his hand instinctively. He wouldn’t have any access through her long dress, at least not without a serious adjustment. Why did I wear this thing?

Astarion seemed to wrest control of himself with great effort, straightening up and pulling away from her with a deep breath. She whined at the loss.

“I don’t want any interruptions, darling,” he whispered. “It’d be a little unseemly to go any farther right here. People know me in this part of town.”

He once again offered her his arm, and she clung to him as they walked. The rain had started picking up again, and they both pulled up the hoods of their cloaks to keep dry.

“Do you know what I’d like to do with you, Marin?” Astarion mused quietly. “I would love to push you up against that wall and take you, here and now. Rain and reputation be damned.”

“I can’t imagine,” she responded, teasing him. “You’ll have to paint the picture a little more clearly for me.” He chuckled, realizing her game.

“Well, it would start with a kiss, just like that one. Our bodies pressed close together, and our hands on each other. Perhaps I’d touch you where it was sure to drive you wild. And perhaps you’d let me know how much you wanted it, and beg me to take you right then.”

She hummed as if she were pondering the scenario, her face scarlet.

“And after such an intriguing request from such a beautiful woman, well…” he paused. “I’d have no choice but to oblige. I’d hike up your dress and pick you up, both of your legs to one side.”

“Would you, now?” She was playing coy, despite how badly she wanted to hear the rest of his story. “And why is that?”

“So that I could pull your underclothes down over your ankles like the naughty little thing you are. Then I’d wrap your bare legs around me and pull your hips close, letting you feel just how badly I’ve missed you. How long I’ve missed you.”

She giggled at his double entendre.

“You’d be so close to my cock, and so ready to take it. I couldn’t resist you after that, naturally,” he whispered as they walked up the path. “I’d have to have you,”

Marin sucked in a breath, realizing she’d been captivated by his description for several blocks. They were nearly to the looming entrance of his palace. He stopped short of the front step to whisper in her ear.

“Of course, it’s all hypothetical, darling. I’m a gentleman, after all.” She snorted at the assertion as he stepped up and knocked, announcing himself.

The servant who had greeted Marin earlier opened the door. “Good evening, my lord. Ah, I see you found each other!” she said, recognizing his companion. “What good fortune.”

They stepped over the entranceway into the lavish home. “Thank you, Evi. You may retire for the evening,” Astarion said with a smile, his tone even.

“Thank you, my lord,” she responded cheerfully, hanging their damp cloaks on hooks. She glanced once more at Marin before heading down a nearby hallway.

“I only have two of them here unless I’m hosting,” he explained. “Their quarters are below the main floor. They won’t bother us.” He must have seen the unease on her face. He snaked an arm behind her waist and led her to the staircase.

“Or hear us, no matter how loud we are,” he added quietly. Her face burned fiercely at the very thought. “Now, let’s get upstairs and out of these wet clothes. There will be time to explore later.”

Astarion led her up the stairs with a haste she hadn’t seen from him that evening. He seemed to drop his gentlemanly demeanor more with every passing second, his excitement becoming more apparent. She followed him without a word. Several floors up, they reached a room at the end of a long hallway.

He swung the door open a little too hard, drawing her in behind him. He shut the heavy wooden door and pushed her up against it. Holy hells. She’d forgotten how fast he could move when he felt like it. Despite her pounding heart, she held her breath, noticing his eyes locked on hers again. They were ruby red in the candlelight, and hungry, like the bloodthirsty predator he was.

“Oh, Astarion,” she blurted out, stunned by the intensity of his gaze.

“This is still what you want, my dear?” he whispered, breathless and deadly serious.

“Yes. Gods, yes,” Marin replied immediately.

And with that, he dropped all pretense, kissing her like they’d resumed exactly where they left off. He pressed his hips against her body, his tight pants giving away how completely hard he was already. His little story on the way home hadn’t been only for her entertainment, apparently.

“You’re so hard,” she whined, grinding her hips against him.

“Of course I am,” he huffed. “You’re here, in my bedroom, after all this time.”

He reached his hand down and grabbed between her legs once more, the thick fabric of her dress in the way.

“Now, that won’t do,” he growled. He took her by the hips and moved her to the four-poster bed, gently pushing her down on her back. He hurriedly undid the buttons on his suit coat, and then his undershirt, before throwing both across the room. Marin watched his every move, her eyes wide. He always looks so good with his chest bare, Gods damn him. Same as he always did. He unfastened his terribly tight pants, adjusting his cock without exposing himself.

“Bleeding hells, that’s better,” he groaned. “It was getting painful.”

Marin let out a tiny giggle at his honesty. He hiked up her dress and kneeled in front of her, pulling at her wet underclothes. He got them down over her ankles and returned his attention to her, his cold, nimble hands snaking up her thighs. She shivered beneath his touch.

“You are… so beautiful,” he managed, trying to control himself as his fingers reached her hips. He met her gaze, an unspoken question on his mind. He was still careful about consent after all this time, no matter how mad he was with lust.

“Yes, Astarion,” she panted desperately. “Yes, please, touch me.”

He moved his hand quickly to comply. First one finger was inside, then another, searching for the spot that made her wild. He found it with a few strokes, making her hips tilt forward in surprise.

“Oh, Gods,” Marin whined, letting her head fall back on the soft bedding. She felt every ounce of tension melt in an instant, and then slowly return. His fingers beckoned inside of her, making her absent-mindedly wiggle closer to the edge of the bed, seeking more. His other hand was flat on top of her pelvis, applying gentle pressure to increase the stimulation inside, with his thumb rubbing at her clit. The combination of his movements was completely overwhelming, emptying her mind of anything else. Every bit of her attention was focused where his deft hands met her body, inside and out. She felt a hot wave of pleasure move slowly up her entire core. More and more waves followed, and she felt the pitch of her moans rising unintentionally. Oh, hells, here we go.

Marin finally perked her head off the bed to look down at him, his forehead dripping with sweat, eyes transfixed on his work. Astarion heard her move and glanced up to see her, doe-eyed and gasping.

“Oh, Astarion,” she whimpered. “I’m so close, I’m going to- ohhh-”

“Come for me,” he purred, enjoying the show. “Come, darling.”

Her thighs quivered, hips thrusting upwards as she reached her peak, crying out loudly as she tumbled down over the edge. As soon as she relaxed her hips, she felt his hands pull away from her. Marin propped herself up on her elbows to look down at him. He had pulled his cock out and was using his hand, still slick from touching her, to cover himself with some oil he’d grabbed.

Before she could say a word, he yanked her to the edge of the bed by her dress, wrapping an arm firmly behind her waist and pulling her up. She did her best to hold on as he stood up, her arms and legs wrapped around his bare torso, despite how weak and useless her muscles felt. He backed her up against the door, his cock touching the back of her thigh, her dress draped over where their bodies met.

“Ready?” he panted. She nodded eagerly, and he reached up under the fabric and guided his cock to her entrance, pushing inside of her. He groaned from the relief as he worked her smoothly down his own length, propping her on his hips. He put one arm out straight against the door to steady himself, the other wrapped around her waist to keep her close to him. He thrusted into her, making contact with her most sensitive spots and making her cry out.

“Oh, hells, Marin,” he whined at her. “You are perfect.”

“Oh, Astarion,” she moaned. “Oh, fuck me!”

“I will,” he grunted, trying to get even deeper. She could hear her back bumping clumsily against the heavy wooden door as he thrusted into her. She felt a hot ball of pleasure building in her chest, bouncing along with her tits and intensifying quickly.

“Oh, fuck! Fuck, fuck!” she cried out, ignoring the racket they must be making by this point. She could hear rhythmic moans rising from his throat as he slammed into her.

“Oh, I’m close, darling,” he panted, his voice higher-pitched and desperate now. “Please come for me, Marin, please- I ca- can’t stop-”

She felt the ball of pleasure explode behind her sternum like a firework, her mouth open wide, voice cracking as she cried out. He let himself loose as he felt her coming around his cock, falling apart, banging her back against the door, hard.

“Oh, Marin, I- love you s-” Astarion whimpered as he came. Her eyes went huge at his admission. She felt him go weak under her weight, and he slid slowly to the ground, careful not to let her fall. He landed on his knees and slumped all the way down, Marin still planted firmly on his hips with her back resting against the door. His head fell forward onto her shoulder, exhausted, his chest heaving.

The Take Over, The Break's Over - 12

Ascended Astarion x Marin (Tav/OC, cis woman)

Rating: Explicit (18+)

Words: 1.4k (chapter 12 of 17)

Setting: A!Astarion's palace

Content: Astarion's POV, Marin's ab*sive ex shows up looking for her, Astarion does a "muahaha" and literally tortures him oops (sorry I know I was meant to be watching him dammit), Asti has some PTSD stuff and Marin comforts him

Warnings: graphic descriptions of violence, PTSD symptoms (Astarion), brief mentions of emotional ab*use

This is not the place for anti-A!A discourse. I love both versions of Astarion, and it's okay to have issues with the Ascendant route, but I will block you if you clown on these posts~

First chapter

Previous chapter

Next chapter

Wouldn't you rather be a widow than a divorcee?

3 Days Later

“Lord Astarion,” came Reardon’s voice from the other side of the heavy door. “It’s urgent. Someone’s at the gate.”

Astarion’s heart started to pound at once. The moment I’ve been waiting for. He tossed his book aside, grabbed his dagger and threw a robe over his nightclothes, tying it closed in a hurry. Marin stirred from sleep.

“What’s going on?” she mumbled, confused.

“Stay here, my love,” he whispered, harsher than intended. “You’re safe here. I’ll be back.”

Astarion closed the door behind him and took a deep breath, slowing his movements and putting on an air of confidence. He made his way down the stairs, meeting Reardon at the bottom.

“I’m sorry to disturb your rest, m’lord. I think it’s him.”

“Quite alright,” he muttered. “Send Evi to my room to keep Marin calm. Stay on the landing with them.”

“Of course,” Reardon replied. “The sentries have him under control. No weapons on him. He’s right outside.”

He could feel his heart pounding, but forced himself to remain calm. He opened the front door wide, as if he were greeting a guest.

“You’ve finally arrived,” he snarled. “I’m surprised it took you three days to find me. Tsk, tsk. Perhaps you’re even slower than I reckoned.”

Del was being held between two guards, his eyes wild at the sight of Astarion.

“Please, gentlemen; bring our guest inside for me, will you?” He turned on his heel and strode in before them.

The guards dragged him in, putting him on his knees on the tiled floor, still holding either arm. Astarion brandished his dagger, the precious Rhapsody, with a flourish. He pricked the tip of his own finger, just enough to draw a drop of blood, as Del watched in confusion. He brought the finger to his mouth, licking the fresh blood.

“Mm, delicious,” he mused, turning his eyes towards Del, grinning to be sure his fangs showed. “Now, I don’t think you wish to challenge me, hm? That would be… so very dangerous.”

Del shook his head, apparently realizing his position.

“Thank you for your excellent service,” he said coolly to the guards. “If you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to speak with him. Alone.”

The two armed fighters looked at each other, then to Astarion, before releasing their grip on the captive.

“We’ll be right outside, my lord,” one replied as they took their leave.

“Now that it’s just the two of us,” he growled down at Del, on his knees a few feet away. “I’d like to share what’s on my mind.”

“Marin wouldn’t come here to be with a little dandy like you,” Del shouted. “And a fucking vampire. You must have taken her, you monster!”

“I’m not sure you know who exactly you’re speaking to, darling,” he drawled, his voice calm. He bared his fangs again, summoning a black mist around him, feeding off the fear in the man’s eyes. Some theatrics before I crush you.

“Now, Delaney,” he hissed, every syllable sharp. He twirled Rhapsody with ease as he spoke. “I’d like to tell you how I came to control this place. I killed the vampire lord who owned it before me, by sacrificing him to a devil. I carved his flesh with this very weapon, in fact. And through that ritual, I was imbued with more power than any vampire in Faerun has ever known. More power than your tiny mind can comprehend. Now, since you’re already on your knees, perhaps I’ll allow you to beg for your life to be spared, like he did.”

Del watched him, eyes wide, seemingly trying to discern if he was serious.

“Go on!” Astarion shrieked suddenly, his voice ricocheting in the enormous hall. “Beg!”

“Please, don’t kill me, I’m- I’m sorry for trespassing-”

“Ha! You think that’s what this is about?” he snarled. “You really are slow, aren’t you? I want you to apologize for hurting my lovely Marin. Perhaps, if I like what I hear, I’ll pass your message along.”

“I love her-”

“I don’t want to hear such nonsense,” he growled, cutting Del off by gripping his jaw, hard enough to inflict pain. “I told you to apologize.”

“I’m s- I’m sorry, I don’t know what I did, please don’t-”

“Pathetic,” he sniped, cutting him off again. “You know exactly what you did. You hurt her, and now, I’m going to hurt you.”

Astarion moved swiftly and noiselessly, taking one of Del’s wrists in his hand, slashing at his arm with the dagger. He writhed and screamed, trying to pull away from his powerful grip. Astarion yanked his bloodied forearm to his mouth and drank from the wound. He pushed Del onto the marble, placing his heel on the man’s stomach and kneeling down.

Astarion drew the knife across his chest slowly, over and over, slicing through his clothes and letting out a wicked, manic laugh. He kept him pinned with his foot as he worked, bathing in his screams of agony.

“Astarion, no!” Marin’s echoing voice stopped him in his tracks. He pressed the dagger to Del’s throat before turning his head to look at her. At the top of the stairs, his servants were holding her back, trying to keep her from running into danger. Gods damn it. They were supposed to keep her upstairs; to keep her from seeing this.

“Please, Astarion, stop!” she cried, desperate. “Don’t kill him, please!”

He looked back down to the disgusting creature writhing and bleeding beneath his foot. I wanted to kill the bastard slowly. But she’s seen enough death for seven lifetimes. Especially after what I did. I can’t make her watch this. With great struggle, Astarion wrested control from the bloodthirsty monster inside him, longing to slit the man’s throat and bathe in his blood.

“This is her mercy, not mine,” he growled slowly, keeping his dagger still against Del’s neck as he knelt to lean close to his face. “I would have enjoyed killing you, slowly and painfully. If you ever return, I will end your life without hesitation. Hm?”

Del nodded, his eyes huge and terrified.

“I’ll be watching you,” he snarled, down to a whisper. “For the rest of your wretched life. You will never again take advantage of her kind heart or trouble her mind.”

“Let him go,” Astarion yelled to the guards outside in advance. He relaxed the blade, standing and taking the pressure off of his chest. Del immediately scrambled to his hands and knees and out the front door, running for his life. He stood and watched, motionless, before letting the bloodied Rhapsody fall from his hand. The heavy dagger clattered to the ground and broke the deafening silence left behind.

“I’m so sorry, my love,” he called out, not turning to look at her, still frozen in place. “I’m sorry that you saw. You don’t need to be afraid.”

He heard quick footsteps down the stairs, and turned to see Marin running towards him, slipping in her bare feet across the smooth floor. He absorbed her force as she crashed into him. He buried his head in her shoulder.

“I’m sorry, Marin,” he whispered, feeling manic. “I’m sorry. I wanted to make him pay for what he did, to make him suffer-”

“Cazador is dead, Astarion,” she insisted. His whole body stiffened upon hearing his tormentor’s name, his stomach churning. “You don’t need to be afraid anymore. You don’t need to kill him ever again.”

“What in the hells-”

“You were the same way at the ritual,” she whimpered. “You were so scared then, and you did a terrible thing because of it. I couldn’t watch it happen again.”

“I’m not scared of Del,” he snapped, his tone harsher than he ever used with her. “I wanted to taste his fear. I was going to torture him to death. I only stopped because I… I know you’ve seen enough.”

“You were afraid of losing me. Afraid he could hurt me. But you don’t need to kill him to keep me safe, Astarion.”

Hearing those words, he felt a wave of sorrow rising inside him. All his defenses fell. He burst into tears, sobbing mournfully into her shoulder. Her long hair stuck to his cheeks.

“I don’t even know why I’m crying,” he lamented. “I don’t know why it hurts.”

“It’s all right, love,” she whispered, holding him tight. “It’s all right to hurt.”

Part 8 of this WIP, the (quite short) final part! Will post the whole thing properly soon

Ascended Astarion x Tav (Marin, female) Rating: E (overall; this section is M? I think?) Content: Bathtime talk about sweet stuff, flash forward ~3 months and they're chatting about stuff going on, disgustingly in love, I am so sad to let them go I love them sm

“Thanks for taking care of me.” Marin murmured, resting her weary head on Astarion's bare shoulder in the bath.

“Gods, thank you,” he countered. “You were delicious. And the way you touched me earlier was…” He shuddered with delight at the thought.

“Has no one given you a massage before, love?” she asked earnestly. He pondered it for a moment.

“You would touch my body like that when I got injured or travel-weary,” he recalled. “I loved it then, but… I didn’t know how to ask for more, and we never had much time for comfort on the road, anyway. No one has done that to me before or since. And certainly not… anywhere so intimate. I would never have thought to ask.”

“That settles it, then,” she declared, being cheeky. “I’ll give you massages more often, now that I know.”

“Really?” He perked up at the idea.

“Yes, you silly boy,” she replied, chuckling softly. “I know how, and it makes you happy. The same way you treat me to your talented fingers.”

He seemed to turn the idea over in his mind before he spoke.

“I never thought of it,” he mused. “I do try to give you the benefits of my skills. I didn't dream of you reciprocating like that.”

Marin’s heart ached at his response. He doesn't believe he's earned it.

“Someday, you'll learn that you deserve to be loved, my silver star,” she fawned. “I'll just have to keep reminding you until you figure it out.”

He looked down at her, completely disarmed.

“I'm so grateful for you, my treasure.” His face was serious, but gentle. “You have given me everything. I love you.”

“I love you too, Astarion,” she whispered. “Always.”

~~~~~ That Summer ~~~~~

Astarion poked his head outside, looking for Marin on the grounds. He spotted her at a distance, working on a flowerbed in the sun. I'll surprise her. He snuck up almost silently, but the dog napping in the sunshine perked up to look at him, right before he could reach her.

“What is it, Sug- eek!” She shrieked as he grabbed her shoulders, dissolving into laughter in a second. “Gods above. You scared the piss out of me, Astarion.”

“I certainly hope not,” he replied with a smirk, giving Sugar her requested head pats. “And besides, she gave me away again.”

“She looks out for me!” Marin scolded playfully.

“So do I!” he protested. She giggled and smiled up at him.

“What do you need, my love?” she asked, setting her things down and standing to meet his eyeline.

“Must I always need something in order to disturb you, my pet?” he purred.

“Maybe not, but you always do,” she replied with a chuckle. “Out with it.”

“All right, fine. The post came,” he confessed. “Wyll and his family are back from their summer home.”

“They're home!” Marin’s face lit up, giddy with surprise. “Oh, how lovely!”

“I thought we could host tomorrow, invite the others,” he went on. “I know how you love to have them here.”

“Yes, yes!” she chirped, excited by his idea. “I'll bet he's going to the inn tonight to see Karlach and her partner. I have to go visit.”

“Of course you will,” he responded, smiling at her joy. “I'll let Evi know it's just me for dinner tonight.”

“Oh Astarion, won't you go along?” she proposed. “I know you're not as close with them as I am, but I do love to have you with me. And they love you, too, whether you like it or not.”

“How could I refuse, my sweet?” he purred. “Anything to make you happy. My writings will have to wait.”

“You and your damned books,” she teased lovingly. “You have eternity to sit alone in your study.”

“I pray I’ll have eternity for dinner with you, as well,” Astarion responded honestly, butterflies in his stomach.

“Eventually, my love,” she replied with a genuine smile. “When it's time.”

I like that answer. He pulled her in for a kiss.

“I'm all sweaty!” she giggled as they pulled apart.

“As if I mind,” he purred. “And who is this, I wonder?” He gestured at a ginger tabby cat cautiously approaching them. Marin turned to look.

“Oh, it's a little friend I've made,” she explained. “He likes the food I leave out at night, so he's started coming up to ask for more.”

“Be careful,” he scolded playfully. “You’ll end up with another pet before you know it. We already have a few around here.”

“As if I mind,” she giggled, repeating his words back to him. He put his hands on her waist, staring at her admiringly. She was radiant in the morning light.

“I couldn't love you more,” he murmured. “My lady.”

“My lord,” she mirrored, kissing him on the cheek, warm like the summer sunshine itself.

The Take Over, The Break's Over - 8

Ascended Astarion x Marin (Tav/OC, cis woman)

Rating: Explicit (18+)

Words: 2.3k (chapter 8 of 17)

Setting: A!Astarion's palace

Content: Astarion's POV, forbidden relationship, Marin shows up unannounced, masturbation talk/demonstration, teasing, dirty talk, fingering, PIV sex, doggy style/hittin' it from the back, Astarion's bitey urges make them switch, riding, multiple orgasms, Astarion bites his own arm to stop himself, they talk a little about their past

Warnings: vampire bite described in some detail

This is not the place for anti-A!A discourse. I love both versions of Astarion, and it's okay to have issues with the Ascendant route, but I will block you if you clown on these posts~

First chapter

Previous chapter

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We do it in the dark / With smiles on our faces / We're trapped and well concealed / In secret places

A couple weeks later

“Lord Astarion, you have a visitor at the door,” Evi announced formally, poking her head into the sitting room.

Astarion scowled, looking up from his book over the rim of his reading glasses. “I'm not expecting anyone. Who the hells is it?”

“Marin,” she snickered.

“What in the- Gods damn you, Evi!” Astarion snarled, nearly dropping his book as he jumped to his feet. “That's not funny!”

Marin appeared behind her at the entryway. Evi left with a smirk on her face.

“She thinks she’s terribly clever, baiting me like that. She's meant to be my employee,” Astarion grumbled, before softening up. “My sweet, what are you doing here?”

“Del went out of town for the night, so I hurried through all my chores and caught a carriage straight here,” Marin muttered excitedly, putting her arms around his waist. “I missed you so much.”

“I missed you terribly, my dear,” he whispered, one hand in her hair. “It's been too long.”

“It's been sixteen days,” she giggled. “I counted.”

He pulled back from her hug a little, his hands on her shoulders. “My schedule is cleared. What shall we do?”

She kissed him, pulling him by the front of his shirt. Oh, Gods. He felt himself growing stiff right away and pulled back.

“My bedroom, then,” he purred, trying to keep control of himself.

“Yes, please,” she giggled again, her cheeks pink.

He swept her off her feet, surprising her, picking her up under the knees to carry her. She let out a tiny shriek and burst into laughter. He strode quickly out of the sitting room and crossed the main floor to the staircase.

“Are you my fairytale prince?” she asked playfully.

“Darling, you wound me!” he joked as he carried her up the stairs, his voice high and overly dramatic. “Here I thought I was the vampire lord from your dirtiest novel.”

Marin turned bright red and laughed too loud. He finally set her down in his bedroom, breathless from the action.

“Hells, I forgot how much work that would be,” he chuckled. “Perhaps I'm all out of stamina now.”

Instead of responding with a joke, Marin pushed him against the wall and kissed him. Gods above. He could feel himself growing rapidly harder with her hands moving hungrily across his body.

“I missed you so, so much,” she pouted.

“Really? Let me see…” Astarion reached down under her mid-length skirt, snaking up her thigh. She jumped at his cold touch, but didn't pull away. He felt between her legs. Oh… Gods. She was soaked all the way through, to the point his fingers came away wet from even the outside of her underclothes. His cock went hopelessly hard.

“Oh, Marin,” he whispered.

“I want you so badly,” she whined, feeling clumsily for the outline of him through his pants. “I haven't had much privacy since I saw you. I'm desperate.”

He felt his cheeks and ears grow warm. “I wish I could say the same for the cause of my own desperation. It's a little embarrassing, with how much you've been on my mind, and I'm here alone…” he trailed off, feeling his cock pulse against her hand, giving him away. Marin looked up at him, bright pink.

“Really?” she whispered, a big smile on her face. “And how does that look?”

“A gentleman doesn't kiss and tell, darling,” Astarion joked, grimacing with embarrassment.

“Well, it's a good thing you aren't a gentleman, then,” she teased, smirking flirtatiously. “Because I want to know about the fun you had without me.”

“Gods, you don't really, do you?” he replied, searching her eyes for signs of a joke.

“I'll let you touch me if you show me how you touch yourself,” she giggled. His head swirled at the thought of touching her again.

“Deal,” he whispered. “Now, off with your clothes and under the covers with you.”

Both of them quickly got down to their underclothes and slipped under the blankets.

“I wait until I know I'm alone and sure to be undisturbed,” he whispered. “And then I, uh…” He mimed a jerking motion.

“No fair! You're not getting off that easy,” Marin teased. They both snickered at the double entendre. “You have to show me or you're not getting any prizes, you swindler.”

Astarion closed his eyes and groaned, his stomach muscles tense. “All right, I'll show you, but you owe me. You'd better hold up your end of the deal.”

Marin nodded eagerly. He pulled his cock out, sliding his underclothes off, and rolled onto his side, facing the edge of the bed. He opened a drawer on his side table, pulling out a bottle of oil and getting some into his hand. Her big eyes watched his every move.

He rolled back towards her and put his oiled hand down under the covers. She tented them with her hand so she could watch him. He worked the oil down the length of himself and groaned a little. He jerked himself for a few seconds and then stopped, looking expectantly into her eyes, his cock still in his hand.

“You can touch me, but don't stop touching yourself,” she whispered. He groaned but turned onto his back to free up his pinned arm. She wiggled out of her own undergarments and positioned herself within his reach.

“And what do you do then?” she asked, gasping as he put his hand on her cunt. “If I'm not here.”

“I think of you. Of this,” he whispered, pushing his fingers inside of her. She inhaled as he felt around, finding the right spot.

“What part of this?” She watched with interest as his hand moved smoothly up and down his cock.

“Every part. The way you kiss me, the way you grab at me, the way you pull my clothes off…” She shifted herself up onto her knees, sinking all the way down onto his fingers with a tiny moan. He beckoned towards himself, looking up at her. “I think of how dripping wet you are for me, and the way you beg me to touch you.”

Instead of responding with more questions, Marin moaned and rolled her pelvis. She rubbed herself on his palm, looking down at him with lidded eyes.

“I think about the way you sound, darling,” he huffed, getting carried away watching her. He was trying to touch himself slowly for her sake, rather than desperately seeking a release like when he was truly alone.

“Yeah?” she moaned, her voice raising a bit higher. She pulled the blankets back to watch him stroking himself. She kept rubbing against his palm while he worked his fingers inside.

“And I think of how amazing it feels when you- touch me,” he muttered between his own moans. Marin's mouth fell open, her noises spilling out. “And when you have my cock- in your mouth.”

“Ohhh, Astarion,” she whined, rocking faster against his hand. Gods, she is so beautiful.

“And the perfect way you- the way you feel when I’m inside,” he groaned, slowing down further on himself. “How good you feel when you're all around me. Your beautiful face when you're mad with lust, and when you- hah- float away as you come…”

Marin cried out louder and fucked his hand harder. Her hip movements were spotty and stiff, and her eyes widened, focusing on his. She must be close. He took his hand off of himself and instead grabbed at her breast from his place below her.

“Ast- arion, I'm- going to come-” she whimpered in broken sounds.

“Yes, darling, please,” he purred. She cried out loudly, slamming her eyes shut.

“As- Asta-” she moaned, trying to make out his long name through her ecstasy. He felt her pulsing around his fingers. Thank the Gods. He could hardly bear the wait.

“You're so lovely, my dear,” he admired, keeping his fingers still as she came down from her high. “Do you want my cock?” She nodded, her eyes halfway open. He sat up and positioned himself behind her.

“Is this all right, my love?” he asked. She nodded again. He gently pushed her forward onto her elbows and knees. He looked down at her cunt as he prepared himself, lining up carefully. He felt his tension melt into bliss as she surrounded him.

“Oh, Gods, Marin,” he groaned with relief. “You are so slick, darling. You're perfect.”

He used one hand to pull her pelvis as close to his as he possibly could, eliciting a moan. He put the other on the bed to prop himself up above her. He curled down close to her body like they were animals, fucking her from behind, their sounds and bodies mingling. Her heartbeat was pounding in his ears, and he longed to bite her tender neck, to taste her again for the first time in forever. His vampiric pains were gone since his ascension, but he still felt the urge to bite. I can't, he thought. Not her. Not yet. I have to restrain myself.

“I wish I could taste you, my love,” he panted. “You smell… so lovely.”

She moaned as if the thought was invigorating for her. He felt his self-control starting to slip as he got more and more overwhelmed by the stimulation. Oh, shit. He stopped moving, making her whimper at the loss.

“I can't stay like this, Marin,” he whispered breathlessly in her ear. “I want to bite you so damned bad. Get on top of me and keep away from my mouth, all right?”

He used his remaining willpower to pull away from her and lay down. She clumsily positioned herself over him, lined up his cock, and sank down all the way to his hips. His eyes were fixed on her hands where they lay, flat on his chest.

“I'm sorry, my love,” he whimpered. “It's so hard to control myself right now. Your wrists.”

She pulled her hands away in a hurry, placing them behind her on his thighs, all of her extremities out of his fangs’ reach.

“Is this all right?” she whined, her voice high and desperate.

“You're perfect,” he huffed, putting his hands on her knees. “Fuck me just like this.”

She rocked against his pelvis and moaned loudly. He felt the pleasure in his belly building, pushing him closer to the edge.

“Are you close, my love?” he panted, holding back. She nodded, her eyes wide. He thrusted up into her, hard, bouncing her on his hips.

“Astarion!” she cried out, and he felt her pulse around his cock. He thrusted as deep as he could, desperately seeking his own relief.

Marin looked a little woozy as she came back down from her peak, and one of his thrusts sent her top half tumbling down towards him. She caught herself on his chest with her hands, her beautiful pale wrists landing in front of his face again, right as he reached the point of no return. Oh no, Marin, oh no, ohnonono-

“Shit- unh-” Astarion threw his own arm across his face and bit down, deep into his own bicep. He felt the tang of blood in his mouth, his arm burning with the strength of his hardest bite, and the pleasure in his core slipping out of his control. He cried into his upper arm, latched on tight, as he rolled his hips into her and came, hard. His muffled sounds were loud and visceral.

He unlatched his jaw, his arm falling away from his face and his chest heaving. What in the sweet hells was that? He usually had little trouble controlling his fangs, and the urge was rarely that strong to begin with. Not anymore.

“Astarion? Are you all right?”

He opened his eyes to Marin, sitting motionless on his lap, shining with sweat. The look in her eyes was almost afraid. Of me? Shit. I must have looked like a monster.

“Yes, I'm all right now,” he managed between breaths. She seemed to calm down, hearing his voice again. “I'm sorry if I frightened you, my love. I don't know what came over me. I was so afraid of leaving a mark on you, after what you said. And I never want to bite you as hard as I’m able to.”

“It’s all right,” she reassured him, climbing down from his lap. “I'm sorry for the trouble.”

“I'm the one with the urge to bite people, my dear,” he chuckled, trying to comfort her. “You’re no trouble at all.”

“I miss it too,” she muttered, almost to herself. Astarion stared at her in surprise.

“Oh, um,” she stumbled. “Being bitten, I mean. I liked it when you fed on me back then. You were always tipsy afterwards, and grateful, and… aroused, if you weren't already.”

“Yes, it's an… intimate act,” he managed, embarrassed at his past self. “I always assumed you were just going along with it, because of how badly I needed it back then, when I was so hungry.”

“Of course not,” she responded with a gentle smile, laying next to him in the crook of his unbitten arm. “And besides, it's like making a meal for someone. It's nice to feel needed.”

“I suppose so,” Astarion mused, staring up at the canopy. “I still do, you know. Need you. I’d forgotten how badly.”

“Me too,” Marin said quietly. He turned to look at her.

“I’m not quite sure why,” he admitted. “I don’t know what I can really provide for you, Marin. Besides money, I suppose.”

“You make me feel safe,” she whispered. “Like I could tell you anything. Like you can see the person inside, and you want me anyway.”

Astarion’s heart jumped into his throat. Gods, how I want you.

Part 7 so far of this WIP, will post properly soon. Nearly over

Ascended Astarion x Tav (Marin, female) Rating: E Content: Astarion and Marin's date, he's super overwhelmed by the way she makes him feel so she helps him relax, he feeds on her with full consent, so much sexy time like it's egregious and I'm only slightly sorry about it, aftercare for poor bloodless Marin

Warnings: detailed description of vampire bites, veins and stuff

“Well, did you enjoy yourself, darling?”

Marin was practically bouncing on their walk home. She broke into a huge smile.

“I did,” she replied earnestly. “The food was incredible. And you were so very charming.”

“Really?” Astarion purred, turning towards her with fake surprise. “Charming?”

Her mind raced with all the little moments, her face flushing. His hand on her lower back, subtly presenting her like a prize. His sweet, lovesick eyes across the table. His whispered promises that made her turn bright red, to his delight. Gods, his mind is filthy. His offer to dance, despite her lack of skill, and how he’d guided her through something simple without embarrassing her. His rigid cock brushing against her every time their bodies made contact, distracting her and making it even more difficult to move and speak gracefully.

“You’re always charming,” she teased flirtatiously. “As if you didn’t know, you little peacock.”

He laughed, louder than usual. He put his arm around her shoulder as they walked, and leaned in close to her.

“I’m going to take you home and charm you right into bed, my treasure,” he whispered, avoiding being heard by passerby. “But only if you want me to.”

Marin’s heart pounded at the thought. He smirked, likely hearing her getting flustered. Gods damn him. What a tease.

“Having fun, are you?” she muttered. “Winding me up and listening to my heart race, like it’s your little toy?”

He looked down at her with concern, relaxing when he saw her smiling over at him.

“I suppose I am,” he mused. “But only because it’s so much fun to play with you, my dear. I would never wind you up without release, after all.”

Her face was burning, red and hot to the point of discomfort.

“You smell… absolutely intoxicating,” he whispered. “Your blood is running so very hot right now.” She nodded in agreement.

Once they arrived, he took her by the hand, leading her upstairs without another word. The tension had been building for hours.

“Is this how you want our date to continue, my sweet?” he asked, looking back as they reached the bedroom door. “There’s no pressure.”

“Of course it is,” she responded immediately. “I want this.”

As soon as he shut the door, she watched him shed his charming, composed persona. He closed his eyes, drawing in a deep breath, his hand shaking slightly on the doorknob.

“Are you all right, Astarion?”

“Yes, I’m…” he trailed off, swallowing and taking another breath before starting again. “I’m so overwhelmed by you. I feel like I might explode at the slightest relaxation of my self-control, my love. I want you desperately, but I don’t want to… disappoint you, after we’ve had such a perfect night.”

“Is that all?” she pressed, her face surely scarlet. “You’re… aroused? You’re not upset?” He turned to meet her eyes immediately, his own face flushed, a rarity for him.

“Gods, no, my dear,” he replied breathlessly. “I’m so very happy with you. You’re beautiful in that gown, and I’ve been hard for hours… You make me feel so differently from everyone else, Marin. I kept thinking it would get less intense, but… it seems to be the other way around. My feelings for you are… stirring me up more than I expected. And I hate not having control over myself.”

“Perhaps you’d feel better if we… got that out of the way first?” she offered gently.

“Wha-? You wouldn’t mind?” he asked sheepishly. “If I’m… selfish? Out of control? I don’t feel like I could hold myself back for long.”

“We have all the time in the world, Astarion,” she responded, comforting him. “I wouldn’t mind at all. I want you to feel comfortable when we’re together. Can I kiss you?”

He nodded, his eyes and pupils wide. Marin pressed her body close to him and kissed him softly. She could feel the outline of him, rigid against her lower belly. He gasped as she brushed against him.

“You’re sensitive right now, aren’t you?” she remarked. He nodded again, his eyes nervously fixed on hers. “I won’t tease you, then. Perhaps… we should take our nice clothes off first? Just to be safe.”

He turned her around to unlace her dress, his fingers cool and jittering slightly as he touched her skin, undoing the knot he’d tied. He started working at his own buttons, and she slid out of her dress, placing it over the back of an armchair. Once they were both down to their underclothes, Marin took his hand and led him to the bed.

“Lay down,” she murmured. He crawled into bed, laying on his back and watching her as she climbed in next to him. She gave him a kiss, his lips warmer than usual from his excitement.

“You’re so handsome, Astarion,” she fawned, her face close to his. “Will you let me take care of you?”

“Yes,” he mumbled, barely above a whisper. “I would like nothing more.”

“Thank you for trusting me,” she whispered.

She kissed his collarbone, working her way down his body, avoiding rubbing up against his cock while there was still cloth separating them. She finally crawled across his legs, settling in between on her hands and knees. She tugged at his waistband, and he sucked in a breath through his teeth at her touch.

Once she had him right where she wanted him, she licked her lips, moving down to meet the tip. She glanced up at him, checking in, and saw him staring down at her, one hand propped behind his head so he could watch her. Gods, he has no right to be so damned beautiful from such an unflattering angle.

She took him in her mouth, hearing him gasp and shudder right away. She put her hands on his narrow hips, feeling his muscles ripple and tense as her fingers made contact. She started gently working at the muscles there while she sucked him off, feeling his hips melt under her touch. She massaged inside and outside of his hip bones, the top of his thighs, closer to the center of his pelvis. He trembled under her touch. She realized he’d been quiet for a while and looked up to check on him.

He had his free hand over his mouth and nose, trying to muffle his breaths and moans. He froze, his eyes wide, when he saw her peering up at him. She took her lips off of his cock and tilted her head, inquisitive.

“Please d-don’t stop,” he managed, his voice trembling. “No one’s t-touched me like that before and I- I don’t- want to embarrass myself.”

“I like the sounds you make,” she fawned, a soft smile on her face. “Your moans make me wild, Astarion. You don’t need to stifle them.”

He grimaced like he was uncomfortable, but he kept his hand away from his mouth.

“Please, do it again,” he begged.

She put her head back down, taking him in her mouth again. He moaned as she moved down the length of him, and again when she started working at his hip muscles. She thought back on his words earlier in the night. Unraveling him. I like the way that sounds.

Astarion started letting out low, rhythmic groans like purrs, deep in his chest. She moaned a little in response, feeling herself get excited by the sound of him. The massage seemed to have kept his thrusting at bay for a while, but as he got more overwhelmed, his hips started bucking. He moaned in earnest then, his voice rapidly getting higher and louder. He put his hand behind her head, not holding her in place, just touching her.

“I- hah- I’m close to- ah- Marin-”

His hips trembled, all his muscles taut under his skin. She took the sign and moved her head back a little to keep from choking as he thrusted at her. She kept lapping and sucking at his cock as his intensity increased. He moaned with her every movement, and she felt him pulsing in her mouth.

“Hah- oh, fuck!” he grunted, the sound coming from deep in his belly as he came, tapering off into whimpering and panting. She gave him a moment to finish completely, keeping her mouth still as he shuddered under her, before pulling away from him.

He reached down to where she was positioned, beckoning her to come back up. She crawled up his side and settled into the crook of his arm. He rolled towards her a little, gathering her up and holding her close, her hair sticking to his cool, damp skin.

“Thank you,” he groaned into her neck.

She hugged him, ignoring her own arousal in favor of staying close to him. His body felt so relaxed and open.

“You liked that, hm?” she chuckled.

“Gods, so much,” he replied breathlessly. “That was incredible. You’re incredible.”

“I’m glad I could help,” she fawned.

Astarion pulled back a little, kissing her forehead, and then her cheek. He looked at her, his eyes lidded and a deep blood red in the dim lighting. She leaned in to kiss him, his lips and cheeks cooling down again. He melted under her, rolling onto his back with her on top of him. They kissed slowly and passionately, his cool hands running over the surface of her skin and making her shiver. It felt like he was exploring her, slow and calculated, compared to his urgency earlier. She could feel any tension she’d been holding drifting away.

He rolled her onto her back, kissing her with more intensity now. He pulled back only to lean back in, treating her neck to gentle pecks and nuzzles, making her shudder. He kissed all the way from her earlobe to her shoulder over and over, using more tongue as he went, one hand at the nape of her neck. She squirmed a little, the stimulation causing her clit to twitch, her mind running through old memories of times he’d fed on her.

“Oh, Astarion,” she whispered, his attention overwhelming her senses. He hummed against her neck in response, not bringing his head up from his work. She felt his free hand run down the side of her body, grasping at what he could reach of her breast from the side. He is completely focused on me. Fucking hells.

“If you want to feed on me, you can,” she whispered between deep breaths. “You feel so good there, against my neck.”

He pulled his head back a little to meet her eyes.

“Are you sure?” He was clearly excited by the prospect, but serious about consent.

“Yes, love,” she murmured.

“I’ll be gentle as I can, my sweet,” he whispered, leaning in close to her neck again. She felt his lips hovering close and brushing against her skin, running down her jawline and the front of her neck. He licked at her jugular vein a couple of times, finding the right spot before sinking in. Fuck, that stings. Marin settled in again as the pain faded, feeling his lips sucking gently against her skin. She heard his infrequent gulps in between his gentle breathing sounds, his hand still holding her at the nape of her neck. He pulled his fangs from her, licking the little bit of leftover blood from her skin. His work was always surprisingly neat, with very little blood leaking from the punctures.

“Ohhh-h-h, yes,” he murmured, his voice almost a purr. He was so warm and relaxed after he fed, making Marin smile. He smiled back at her, his eyes heavily lidded, before moving down to her breasts. He used his hand to cup underneath as he kissed her delicately. He pulled his lips in to cover his fangs, carefully taking her nipple in his mouth and running his tongue across the surface, making her squirm under him. He lapped slowly at her nipple, using his lips to create a bit of suction and pressure around it as he worked. She bucked her hips at the sensation. 

“Oh, Gods, Astarion,” she moaned. “That feels amazing.”

He hummed a little in response, her nipple still in his mouth. She rolled her hips again, enjoying his attention. She felt pleasure building behind her sternum, even though he hadn't touched between her legs yet. He moved his head, taking her other nipple into his mouth and starting to work at it the same way. The previous lack of stimulation on that side made the pleasure even stronger. She pushed her hips against his belly, looking subconsciously for something, but finding no relief.

She whined and moaned as he licked and sucked at her, feeling pleasure building in her chest before reaching an impasse. She could feel the waves of pleasure lapping at her, but refusing to wash over her. Her cunt was throbbing, needing something to tip her over the edge. She was desperate, and he must know from her body’s responses how far along she was. She lifted her head, his eyes flicking up to hers without pulling his head away.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” she whined. “Astarionnn.”

He winked at her and switched back to her other nipple. Fucking hells. He's teasing me. He wants me to ask for it.

“Astarion, please, I'm losing my mind,” she panted. “Please, touch me. Your fingers, anything.”

He pulled her underclothes down, keeping his mouth at her nipple, and she lifted her knees so he could slip them off. Instead of his hand, he casually slipped a knee in between her legs, at a 90 degree angle and close enough to feel how slick she was. She rutted at his thigh, smooth and cool against her cunt. A surface strong enough to provide some relief.

“Ohhh,” she moaned. “That’s better.”

She used his leg and her hips’ motion together to stimulate herself.

“I’m close now,” she whimpered. “Please don't stop.”

He moved his knee slightly closer, increasing the pressure against her. She cried out, tumbling suddenly over the edge, her cunt slipping against his thigh. He finally pulled away from her breasts, looking up at her without moving his knee.

“Can I feed on you, my sweet?”

“Yes, yes, anything,” she panted.

“From your thigh?” he asked.

Her eyes widened at the request. They'd only done that once, years ago.

“Will you touch me while you do?” she asked. “I've been thinking about your hands all night.”

“Mmm, how could I resist?” he purred, a lopsided smirk on his face. He moved down on the bed, his face close to her belly, kissing down across her pelvis. He put her knee over his shoulder, spreading her wide to access the inner thigh. She felt his tongue poking at her skin, searching, planning to bite her with precision, to access the large vein with minimal damage and bruising. He tapped his fingers against her thigh, in a way she knew wasn't an accident. Checking for consent.

“Yes, I’m ready,” she whispered, feeling his fangs puncture her tender skin as soon as she responded. She inhaled at the stinging sensation, letting the breath out as it faded. He propped his other arm and ran his fingers over the outside of her cunt.

“Mhm,” she encouraged before he could ask. He slid them slowly inside, feeling for where she was most sensitive. She moaned, trying desperately not to squirm against him as he found it. She could feel how hot her thigh was getting under his mouth from the increased blood flow he was summoning. He beckoned with his fingers, making her hips buck, no matter how hard she tried to still herself. As she felt her pleasure build, she started to feel a cold tingle in her cheeks and hands. Too much. She reached down and tapped his head.

“That's all I can- hah- give, my love,” she managed between her moans. He pulled his fangs from her immediately, gently licking at the punctures to clean and soothe the spot. He looked up at her, licking his lips to get every last bit of her blood.

“Are you feeling all right, my sweet?” he asked with concern in his voice, his eyes fixed on hers as he gently continued touching her. She nodded, overstimulated, words evading her. He started pushing harder with his fingertips.

“You are so beautiful, Marin,” he purred. “Will you come for me?” She nodded, a loud moan escaping her. “I want to fuck you so badly, my darling.”

“Fuck!” She cried out as she reached her peak again, hips raising off the bed. She saw Astarion staring up at her as she came back down, his mouth open.

“Astarion, you- I want you, inside me- please-”

“I could never deny you, my lady,” he responded, crawling across the bed to grab the oil. He covered his cock with it, spreading it with a few strokes, his eyes locked on hers as he lowered himself on top of her. “Like this?”

“Yes, please,” she whimpered. He looked down to line himself up, slowly pushing into her, a little bit more with each thrust. He was painstakingly in control of himself, compared to earlier. She felt his soft breaths against her cheek.

“I like this,” Marin whispered, her breath catching. “You have such- pretty eyes-”

“As do you, beautiful,” he whispered. He kissed her, his face still hot from feeding on her. She reached up and put a hand in his hair, hoping to keep him close. So soft and fluffy.

“Oh, Gods- Astarion,” she moaned, looking right into his eyes, holding him by the nape of his neck. “That feels- so good-”

He was letting out those little purrs again as his belly rubbed against hers. Fucking hells-

“Fuck, Astarion I’m- c-coming-”

“Come for me, darling,” he groaned, still fixed on her eyes as she pulsed and moaned. The connection between them felt unbreakable with his ruby eyes looking down at her like that. “Gods above, you feel amazing.”

“Take me harder,” she whimpered, craving more, one last release before he was finished with her. “Fuck me. Love me.”

“As you wish,” he responded breathlessly, still thrusting. “But you’re going to- make me come soon. You feel- hah- so lovely.”

“I don’t mind,” she assured him with a smile. “I just want to feel you deeper first.”

Astarion gave her one last peck, his lips hot against hers. He leaned back and sat up straight on his knees, using his hands to pull her onto him by the hips. She wrapped her calves around him with the little strength she had left, moaning and arching her back as he fucked her, faster, harder. He was manipulating her hips with his hands more than thrusting into her, keeping her close and slamming her pelvis against him without pulling out. She could feel the pleasure building, hot and tempting in her chest, when he finally spoke again.

“Are you- are you getting- close?” he panted. They were getting quite loud, overlapping and rising in pitch.

“Yeahhhmnh,” she moaned, trailing off into a long, noisy sound. He switched back to the position they started in, using his arms to suspend himself right above her, the tips of their noses brushing. He stared intensely, his eyes sparkling like rubies as he watched her, his eyebrows high and mouth open. Waiting for me.

“Oh, fuck!” she cried out as she came, much louder than she meant to with his face so close to hers. “Fuck, fuck, fuck!”

“Marin- hah- I love- I love you,” he whimpered, still staring right into her eyes. It was a completely intentional declaration this time, drawing a shuddering aftershock of pleasure from her. She felt his hips stiffen, his thrusts spotty and his cock slipping more and more as he came. The sensation overwhelmed him into breaking eye contact, his eyelids flickering before he collapsed gently onto her. He slid off to the side to keep from crushing her.

“I love you too, Astarion,” she responded, breathless as she came down from her high. “Four times, by the Gods. You’re incredible.”

“You’re incredible,” he panted next to her ear. “You deserve it.”

“You too,” she whispered, closing her eyes, the room spinning slightly.

“Thank you for letting me taste you so much tonight, my sweet,” he whispered, gently brushing her neck with his fingertips. “Give me a moment to collect myself and I’ll bring you some water. Poor thing.”

“Yes, it’s… been a long time since I lost that much blood,” she replied sheepishly. “Maybe I had more tolerance back when we were fighting and getting hurt all the time.”

Astarion stood after a moment, and she rolled on her side, watching him put on a robe. He paused with his hand on the doorknob.

“Don’t stand up, darling. I’ll be quick.”

She clumsily pulled the blanket up, letting her eyes fall closed and trying to ignore her lightheadedness. The rest of her body felt pleasantly weary and satisfied. Just as she started to drift off, she heard Astarion at the door again and opened her eyes. He can move so quickly.

“Are you all right, my love?” he asked with concern.

“Yes, I’m just… worn out,” she murmured. “Don’t worry about me.”

He sat on the edge of the bed, handing her a glass of water without letting go of it. He helped her guide it to her mouth and she took big, inelegant gulps. He took it back from her and started to peel an orange he’d brought up.

“Now, that’s ridiculous. When have I ever not worried about you, my sweet?” he challenged her, grinning. He held an orange slice to her lips and popped it in when she opened up. The flavor was bright and sweet.

“I don’t know,” she mumbled quietly, taking another orange slice from his fingers.

“Exactly,” he responded. “I don’t want to risk your comfort, or your safety, for my enjoyment. We’ll have to be more careful next time. Or keep something on hand to help.”

“The alchemist,” she said. “I could make something. Tomorrow.”

“You can make a list, and Evi will go shopping for whatever you need. You are to stay here,” he responded, ready to hand her another slice of the orange. Suddenly, his smile faded and he looked like he was far away.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, concerned by his haunted expression.

“I felt like I was forbidding you to leave. I never will, my dear. I was only-”

“It’s all right,” she cut him off. “I know what you meant. Because I’m not feeling well.” He took her hand, pressing it between his own.

“You will always have your freedom,” he pressed, meeting her eyes. “You may do whatever you please, and leave whenever you’d like. You are free, forever. I’m committed to defending that for you, Marin.”

She felt her heart jump at his serious tone. He kissed her hand, not breaking eye contact.

“Thank you, Astarion,” she replied honestly. “I know how much that means to you, too. After everything.”

He nodded, holding another orange slice to her lips.

“Are you feeling any better, my love?” he asked. Marin nodded.

“Excellent. Perhaps you’ll feel up for a bath soon. I’m sorry for… making it a necessity.”

“Never apologize for that,” she responded with a flirtatious grin.