Some Hot Takes

No Place He’d Rather Be

Pairing: Daycare Teachers!Sope 

Genre: The Fluffiest of Fluff| Domestic Vibes

Word Count: 5.3k

Prompt: Chocolate Covered Faces

Rating: G

Summary:  Yoongi gets called to help out at Jin’s daycare and the following is a small, fluffy oneshot of him realizing Hoseok’s wonderful at childcare and that he’s fallen head over heels for the man.

A/N: @apotatomashedbybts I’m so sorry it took me so long ; w ; this was changed and revised so many times but I hope the end result is still enjoyable. This was almost a Taekook easter bunny thing but i missed the window oops. Please enjoy and feedback is always welcome~

AO3 Link

Yoongi sighed as he nervously ran his hands down his pants leg. Today was his first day as a helper for a daycare owned by his close friend. He normally wasn’t much of a people person, and high-energy kids would surely take a lot out of him, but Jin, the owner and his friend, had all but begged him to help out for at least a month while he tried to find someone to fill in.

Worldwide Smiles was the product of all of Jin’s love and hard work, having invested all of his time and money to open a large daycare in Seoul that took in elementary school-aged kids. Jin had hired several close friends to take care of the kids with Namjoon and himself as the caretakers for the children from the fourth and fifth grade. Taehyung and Jimin for the first through third grades, while Jungkook and Hoseok had taken over the children in both pre-k and kindergarten.

Jungkook was going off to college, and since he had signed up for morning and afternoon classes, he wouldn’t be able to assist Hoseok anymore until he graduated.

That’s where Yoongi came in, as per Jin’s request. The older man had asked his long time friend to step in until he could find someone to permanently take up the position.

Yoongi stopped outside of the room with the sun painted on the door, lips pursed as he heard the chaos unfolding inside spilling out into the brightly colored hall. He inhaled deeply and twisted the door handle, taking a step inside.

Almost immediately, a hand shot out in front of his face and he flinched, letting out a startled scream.

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touching din | din djarin

Summary: The three times that Din bends his own rules and engages in physical touch. 

his primary love languages are acts of service and physical touch. i will die on this hill. i started this one just to indulge in the thoughts of touching his lovely face. it’s been in the works for a while and although i know it’s far from perfect, i’m glad that it finally gets to see the light of day! warnings: bad language, potential incoherence? idk i’m very tired but i hope you like it tags: plenty of fluff, plenty of indulgent, sfw touching, and then a good handful of angst. rollercoaster central. this takes place over a period of time, so part of it comes after finding out grogu’s name, which is why he’s referred to as many things! word count: 4650 written by: archie support me on ko-fi!

The travelling between planets would’ve been excruciating if not for your life partner and your adoptive child. The three of you made rather an unorthodox family. A runaway from Corellia, a Mandalorian and a… a sweet ball of green. An unorthodox family, indeed, but loving.

The Child chirped and bubbled away on your lap, apparently having a conversation with you while you sat in the pilot seat. You listened attentively, made agreeing noises at all the right moments, the lights of hyperspace travel filling the cabin with slow flashes. He really was so cute. You’d tell him it often, and you’d tell him that Din thought so too, even if he’d never say it. That much was obvious.

It was in the way he carried him, the way he protected him. The occasional pat to his head, or the quiet rub to his long ears as he slept. He wasn’t the type to openly say it, but it was clear, and that was what counted.

The Child reached out to the knob atop the gearstick, fingers wiggling.

“Baby, no. We have to always ask Din about the ship, hm?” You bounced him gently on your knee in an effort to ease the sad coos- but there was no need. A gloved hand reached around you, exposed fingertips closing on the ball. It was unscrewed and placed into the waiting green hands, content whirs and chatters soon filling the air.

The warmth in your chest grew into a smile as you dropped your head back, peering up at the helmeted man that stood just out of sight. “That’s a yes, then?”

A nod. “That’s a yes.”

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EVERYBODY SHUT UP NEW JEFF WARD BTS DROPPED

Hi, yes......um I love this so much and I need this in writing 🥴😁

Ok uh monster hunter au? Cryptid au? Idk how to describe it. Sorry for how long this is I got more and more ideas as I wrote it down

Basically, Dream is the neighborhood cryptid of this little town in the forest. The town is basically the Dream SMP, except without some of the newer members because I don’t know them that well. Dream is a mysterious shapeshifting entity/urban legend that lives in the woods.

Tommy and Tubbo have recently become obsessed with monsters/monster hunting, and when they hear legends about the demon ‘Nightmare’ who lives in the woods and steals people away, they have to find out more about it.

Wilbur and Techno, a much more experienced pair of cryptid experts, try to keep Tommy and Tubbo from searching for Nightmare because they’ve lost many friends to the forest.

Other people’s roles in the au:

Nikki: Runs the town bakery, along with Fundy. She’s not too interested in monsters and would rather just live a simple cottagecore life in the small town. She runs a small but lively garden with Eret.

Fundy: While Wilbur is the official mayor of the town, Fundy, as his secretary, ends up doing most of the work. He has access to the town records, and when properly motivated, can pull up little-known facts about just about anything. However, he’s often grumpy, and it’s hard to find him on a good day. Doing him a favor might help as he’s always overworked.

George: Runs the town general store, along with his pals Sapnap and Badboyhalo. Is the only one in the town to have ever had an encounter with Nightmare, but has never spoken about it. However, all encounters with cryptids are logged in the town records, if you know where to look. George always seems to get into trouble, but through some combination of coincidence and luck always gets out of it. It’s almost like someone is looking out for him...

Sapnap: Works at the general store with George and Badboyhalo. He’s talkative and quick to argue, but always knows what the general store has in stock and when the next shipment will be. He knows something is up with George. Ever since George went into the woods, he’s been different somehow, but Sapnap knows better than to ask about it.

Badboyhalo: He knows everyone in town, and is generally on good terms with everyone. When the forest was a safer place, he used to lead tours around to show tourists the wildlife. He still knows the woods like the back of his hand, and unbeknownst to everyone else, he still ventures in on occasion. He’s never met Nightmare, that he knows of anyway. Don’t get on his bad side or you’ll really have fucked up.

Eret: The town carpenter. He builds houses and buildings, and he loves to design. Nikki and Eret occasionally sell flowers at the general store when they have extras from their garden. (Au spoilers for if I ever write anything about this) secretly a cryptid (like the traitor thing?? Hm???) and never takes off her glasses so as not to show her white eyes and reveal that they aren’t human. Eret’s powers are yet to be determined/discovered/used. Even Dream doesn’t know what his powers are.

Techno: The town’s mercenary. No one knows why he decided to come to this specific town, or why he decided to settle in a small town at all. He’s always ready to help with hard labor or menial tasks, but prefers to skip the talking, except with Wilbur. He gets nervous easily but you’d never know from his outward demeanor. He still is extremely good with a bow and a sword from his monster hunting days, and occasionally trains Tommy if he’s in the mood for it.

Wilbur: He’s the mayor of the town, but is more of a figurehead than anything else. He cares a lot about his town but isn’t always the most motivated to fix real issues. He used to be a cryptid hunter, but refuses to talk about those days. Tommy and Tubbo have managed to pry a couple stories from him, but he refuses to answer why he stopped his monster-hunting or how he got that scar across his face. He’s skilled with a bow and a sword, but doesn’t get much chance to use his skills.

Dream: His main power is shapeshifting, which is why no one has ever seen him except George. George caught him in human form, and as soon as he saw Dream’s faintly glowing eyes and face that just... wasn’t quite right... he turned and ran back to town as fast as he could. George didn’t believe the legends before, but after that he most definitely did. Dream stretched out a hand after him as George ran and a whisper fell from his lips, “wait...” but George didn’t hear him as he crashed through the brush. Dream has many different forms but his favorites are wolf, various birds, horse, and human. Dream also has some smaller powers like stronger than normal strength, slight resistance, and a quicker reaction time than a normal person.

Dream has had encounters with other members of the town, but none of them realize it. Fundy has met him in the form of a fox, Bad has met him in the form of a wolf, and George has met him in wolf, parrot, and most recently, horse, though he has yet to realize that those were Dream. Sapnap has met him as wandering traveler who came into the general store once. George and Bad were both off duty, and Dream wore a cloak and a hood that cast his face in shadow.

Tommy and Tubbo have each had their own encounter with Dream as well. Tubbo has met Dream while he was a bee, they were both in Eret and Nikki’s garden. Tommy has seen Dream as a stray cat around the town, and has fed him some leftovers.

All the legends of Dream are greatly exaggerated. Somehow the story of lost travelers being led back by friendly animals has turned into travelers being pulled deeper into the woods by a demon until they couldn’t get out again.

I might change some stuff around eventually if I feel like it, but this au is open so feel free to draw art/write something using this if you want! I’m going to post this without reading through it so there might be some errors/discrepancies

Tagging @dtvibez because I think you’ll enjoy it

Ten Drarry Fics That Made Me Smile Like an Idiot in 2017

I was supposed to write this post a lot earlier, I’d planned to do it on NYE but the last couple weeks have been kinda crazy, so I couldn’t find the time to do it then, to make up for it, this will be an annotated rec list, meaning that I’ll also put in everything that I absolutely love love love about that fic. So here you are, more than 3 weeks later than planned, my fluff recs for 2017.

As the title suggests this list is SUPER subjective. These fics are just such nice, light reads with little to no angst and sometimes you just need something this cute and just good.

Edit: Upon finishing the list I realized that my “reviews” are basically just me gushing about the fic in question. So if you’re expecting to find actual intelligent, technical reviews, you are not going to find those here. 

Operation: S.M.W.L.N.T.E.T.H.S.P by XxTheDarkLordxX

Typically, notes from admirers would bring smiles to one’s face or even lift their mood. It might make their day or even their week. It was a sign of a romantic at heart and even considered sweet.

However, Draco Malfoy doesn’t do sweet. If he got one more note saying he looked radiant or beautiful, he was going to kill someone. Literally. His secret admirer better stay a secret before he cursed them into oblivion… right after he figured out how to stop blushing.

This thing right here is so pure and funny The secret admirer notes that Harry sends are so cute and Draco’s reactions to the notes and how they went from “I wanna kill this person.” to “I can’t stop blushing.” is also great. Also they (everyone except Harry, Harry hates it) call it “Operation: Seduce Malfoy With Love Letters To Ensure That Harry Stops Pining” which is kind of hilarious. It was a very fun, light read. 10/10 would recommend.

Owl post by parkkate

Imagine Draco, sometime after the war, sitting alone in his flat and not knowing what to do with himself. He feels so empty, but on the other hand, there’s so much he wants to say. But who should he talk to? There’s nobody there. So he just begins writing his thoughts down. Little does he know his owl is delivering these to the person she thinks Draco needs most in his life

Ahhh this one is just so sweet. I love the idea that Draco’s owl delivers his discarded letters to (SPOILER) Harry. You get to see Harry help Draco so much and I know that I use the word pure a lot (and there is definitely more to come) BUT IT’S JUST SO PURE AND NICE. I just love it a lot.

Surviving the Horde by FleetofShippyShips

Draco has managed to avoid Christmas at the Burrow for ten years, but not this year.

Domestic Drarry, DOMESTIC DRARRY, DOMESTIC DRARRY. All the bickering and the domestic fluff is so heartwarming. I can definitely see Draco refusing to join Harry at the Burrow for Christmas until one day Harry stops taking no for an answer and drags Draco along anyway. Draco’s interactions with the Weasley’s, his friendships with Ron and Ginny are just SO good and I want more of it all.  

Magic Tricks by cant_we_just_be_happy

Draco’s wasted. Harry’s annoyed. Draco wants to be entertained. Harry shows Draco a bit of muggle-culture.

So, Drunk Draco is a clingy blessing. How fascinated Draco is by a simple card trick is just so adorable. The way he demands to know which spell Harry used is just so adorable. How he has basically no filter when drunk is just so adorable. Draco is just so adorable. Oh, and it’s an eighth year roommates AU, which is such a good trope.

I Can’t Take It! by XxTheDarkLordxX

After the war, Draco Malfoy became an author. A best selling author whose books move the hearts of those who read them. Which wouldn’t be a problem for Ron if all of them weren’t about Harry! It was obvious to him that Malfoy was in love with his best friend but why was it that no one else seemed to think so? He was going to get to the bottom of this and get Harry to stop mooning over the blonde idiot at the same time. Perhaps, they just needed someone to come along and get them to fess up. For the safety of his own sanity, Ron was going to help Malfoy ensnare Harry. That is, if they can get along long enough not to kill each other.

I👏fucking👏love👏author👏Draco👏 Well that and THE RON AND DRACO FRIENDSHIP Give👏me👏more👏Ron👏and👏Draco👏friendship👏  Okay, for real though, Draco writes novels, fucking novels, inspired by Harry and Harry’s a huuuge fan of his work. It’s basically mutual pining but more complicated and better and just great. 

Stealing Sweaters by DorthyAnn (JenniferMarie)

It’s their eighth and final year and over the course of several months, Harry and Draco have managed to become close friends. Their friends are entirely certain that they ought to be much, much more. So they just decide to… help things along.

I love this so so so much it’s just so god damn relatable and funny but not without a little bit of angst. Having meddling friends that mean well but almost ruin everything for you is a concept that I’m VERY familiar with and it was nice to see that reflected in this. How Draco’s and Harry’s friends worked together to get Drarry to happen was great, although they made it worse than it was before they meddled. Other than their getting together arc, Harry and Draco’s friendship is also very lovely. Read this, do it, it’s great.

We’re Already Married by XxTheDarkLordxX

“Our whole lives we have always told people that we were married. I knew that it wasn’t exactly normal but it was always something that filled me with so much affection for you. I have loved you for so long. Longer than I ever realized.” Harry took a deep breath as he looked into shining silver eyes.

Or…

Three-year-old Harry asks little Draco to marry him and they insist to anyone who will listen that they are indeed already married.

Okay so, cute baby Drarry ✅ Jealous friends Drarry ✅ I love you so much that I can’t be friends with you anymore Drarry ✅ Oh jeez, this thing right here is just the purest tooth-rotting fluff that I’ve read in the last year. Just imagine tiny Harry telling tiny Draco that he has pretty eyes and that they’re best friends and asking Draco to marry him because they’re best friends and Harry really likes Draco. Doesn’t it just make you want to squeal?! It’s just so pure and sweet and nice and *sigh* I just have a lot of feeling for this fic.

Falling In Like by SereneFreakGeekFandoms:

Returning for his eighth year, Harry finds himself followed by girls catcalling him, surrounded by paired up friends that would rather snog in his presence, and unexpected thoughts that begin to fill his head to the point of confusion. With some gay novels thrown in.

“Falling In Like” features a very sexually confused Harry and it’s about him understanding and coming to terms with his sexuality. And Draco reads muggle gay novels and him and Harry lowkey start a book club between the two of them and it’s great. 

Kiss Me Not by DorthyAnn (JenniferMarie)

Sometimes a witch or wizards magical signature is so completely incompatible with another that they repel one another like magnets. On the other hand, if two magical signatures mesh well together, well there are no stronger relationships in all the world. In a sample of a thousand people, the average witch or wizard will be slightly repelled by four or five people and strongly repelled by only one, at the most. The opposite is true for attraction. But Harry Potter can’t kiss anyone at all.

God, I love this so, so much. One thing about me is that I’m a sucker for soulmate AU’s and while “Kiss Me Not” is not technically a soulmate AU, it certainly has a lot of the elements of a soulmate AU. Guys, it’s just so cute and so well written and just really well thought out. It’s amazing, I love it, it’s amazing.

A Hyperactive Fruit, a Nasty Neighbour and a Love Story by synonym4life

Potter’s pet Niffler is wreaking havoc in Godric’s Hollow and Draco, the Assistant Head to the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, is the one who has to deal with it. Repeatedly. The fact that Potter keeps coming to Draco’s office in grey jogging bottoms - repeatedly - does in no way help the matter.

And last but definitely not least, we have this guy here, the only R rated fic in the list. So Harry has the most adorable pet Niffler, who has a weird obsession with oranges as well as garden gnomes. Draco is weak for Harry with joggers. This is hilarious and adorable and also, it’s really, really good smut. *fans self* ((Fun fact, I am sitting at a coffee shop in our student union building and I wanted to skim through the fic to remember details and I couldn’t stop reading it and then suddenly I was reading smut on a laptop screen in a crowded coffee shop.))

🖤 Black Stack 🖤

Thank you for the tag @abbeyx and @booktheraepy! <3

Pictured from top to bottom: The Secret History, The Picture of Dorian Gray, If We Were Villains, The Wicker King, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Circe, Ninth House, Heartless, Six of Crows, Crooked Kingdom, Vengeful, A Conjuring of Light, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

Tagging (no pressure!): @dauen, @wecandoit, @anxiousstudybuddy, @easybells-studies, @moranjpg, @mirthofbooks, @appleinducedsleep, and @arywizm

TELEGRAPH AVE [smau] || masterlist

>> from the moment she’d met him, matsukawa issei had done nothing but make her life a living hell. years of annoying her on a daily basis for the sake of his own entertainment. it’s like there’s no escaping him, even in college. her only saving grace is his best friend – her best friend – who’s stuck in the middle. so after years of watching them fight, makki’s got a plan. a really bad plan. but what happens when they realize they’ve all been hiding something – something that could change the dynamic of the entire group? << 

pairing : matsukawa issei x f!reader x hanamaki takahiro [poly au]

genres : college!au, crack!au, humor, fluff, will def end up being nsfw at some point, enemies to lovers, friends to lovers

warnings : nsfw language and eventually content, marijuana and alchohol, an unprecedented amount of swearing on this blog, the inside of my mind is a chaotic place so i apologize in advance

a/n : this au idea came to me in a fever dream and refuses to back off so here we go 

status : ongoing

start date : [11/23/2020]

update schedule : MWF [twice per day]

taglist : [closed]

masterlist

>> playlist <<

intros pt. 1 || intros pt. 2

[1] shut up bitch basket

[2] i hate it here

[3] no fighting

[4] coexisting peacefully??

[5] please tell me it’s taco tuesday

[6] this mf

[7] matsukawa issei to the rescue???

[8] keep lying to yourself

[9] im trapped

[10] that’s clingy makki for you

[11] was it that bitch kindaichi

[12] right,,, haha anyways

[13] mind your business, rat

[14] kick his ass babe

[15] i think we need to talk

[16] like how horses get???

Love Conquers All (one-shot)

Synopsys: The wedding is finally afoot. Astarion and his love have fought for it tooth and nail, but could there be more to life after happily-ever-after?

Set after the main events of BG3 This is a follow up to Homecoming (one-shot). Would probably advise reading it beforehand :)

Pairing: Astarion x fem!Reader

Genre: fluff, maybe a bit of angst, insecure Astarion, but just pure teeth-rotting fluff

Warnings: talks of blood, injuries, swearing, mentions of abuse, mentions of SA

Word count: 8875

A/N: I have not played Baldur's Gate 3 (I don't own a PS or a PC where to play it. all of this is based on the info gathered online and through Neil's own gameplay etc. Please be kind :) )

Astarion knew ever since he met Y/N, she was the only one he could imagine spending the rest of his life with. They had gone through hells and back for one another, quite literally going head-to-head with a devil. They’d fought for their happily ever after tooth and nail, and now, the biggest day of their lives (yet) was here.

           The vampire spawn woke up from his trance jittery and excited for what was to come. It had been ages since he’d felt this way, such joy while looking forward to what the day had installed for him because he was finally going to marry the love of his life.

           Their day would be perfect, Astarion had done everything to ensure it. He’d taken to wedding planning like a cat to cream, making sure that once their day arrived, even the smallest detail would be flawless.

           It had taken them two years to settle on a time of the year, let alone a date, but that had given him enough time to grow the flowers for the arrangements that now decorated their house, fussing with them like one would with a child (and sometimes threatening a certain rose if it didn’t grow the way he wanted it to). He even invertedly created a couple of new variates in the process, but those were specifically relegated as the flowers Y/N would weave in her hair for the ceremony.

           He had even meticulously studied cookery books, having his parents along with his love be his taste testers, seeing he couldn’t really enjoy eating human food, but he’d be damned if something disgusting would be served in his house, no less on his wedding day. Unless it had a ten out of ten approval from everyone involved, Astarion scrapped the recipe and started over. He was fairly certain the caterers hated him because he’d made them prepare the food before and until they got it absolutely right, he was on their asses day and night.

           But if he had to pick a favourite process throughout all the planning, it was when Y/N had come to him late one night as he burrowed himself in his sowing room and requested, that he design and make her wedding dress. Astarion almost got down on his knees in reverence as she looked at him with such tender eyes. And, well, let’s just say – during fittings, his hands might’ve skimmed the inside of her thighs on more than one occasion, and his head might’ve slipped below the skirt to taste between her legs, wholly unprofessional.

           Oh, and that dream of a house with a grand library, where shelves of books stretched from one corner to the other, and a large ballroom to host parties until daylight broke – no longer was it a simple dream, but rather his reality. Not only that, he could hear people fussing all across the house as hired staff prepared final details and decorations for the ceremony.

           The new house, or let’s be honest, the manor, Astarion and Y/N lived in, had not come easy though. He’d pretty much brought his lover to the end of her wits when they’d gone on the search for their dream home. In the end, it boiled down to her threatening to make them live in the forest like Halsin, sleeping on the hard ground, if he didn’t come to a decision.

           Astarion was aghast at the suggestion, crossing his arms and pouting hard. “Why are you so upset about this?” He couldn’t understand what the big issue was with him being so picky. “We’re looking for the place to start our new lives in! It has to be no less than absolute excellence! Do you not want that?”

           “Of course, I do!” Y/N rolled her eyes, putting her half-drunk wine glass on the bedside table and shifting her body to completely face him. “But nothing is perfect in this world, Star.”

           When he narrowed his scarlet gaze at her, she huffed and shifted to sit on her knees, cupping his face between her palms. “Nothing in life is without its flaws, but that’s the beauty of it all. It gives us a chance to grow and change. And it’s the same with a house. Floors are fixable. Sofas and divans can be reupholstered. Walls can be repainted, those dilapidated wallpapers ripped off, hells we can knock the wall down if we want to… but we will never find our perfect home if we don’t put the work in and make it ourselves.”

           Y/N’s soft thumb ventured up to smooth out the grumpy lines that had appeared on Astarion’s forehead. “If you want perfect, you have to do the work to make it so. Because that last house we saw, the one you said could be ours, if it didn’t have those stains on the table or that feeling wallpaper or the hole in the roof that needs fixing – that was someone else’s perfect home because they made it that way.”

           Astarion scrunched his nose. “Did a shitty job, that’s for sure.”

           If Y/N could roll her eyes any harder, he was sure they’d get stuck in the back of the skull like that. “My point is, we have to make it that way. Yes, the whole process will be long and tedious and I’m fairly certain, there will be moments where we want to kill each other, because, gods forbid, I want the blackout curtains to be emerald not burgundy. But none of that will matter because it will be ours… what can be more perfect than that?”

           The vampire always had a comment on the tip of his tongue, he always had a sarcastic remark or some sort of critique to offer, but to this, he had nothing to reply, as he pondered the words.

           Y/N tilted her head, a smile blooming on her lovely mouth. “I know you want everything to be exactly how you see it in your head, right from the very start. I know you don’t want to fight anymore, and gods, my love, you don’t deserve to fight for anything, but this isn’t it… this is change. And I think you’re more scared than annoyed at all the little things that might need mending.”

           Astarion averted his gaze, looking past Y/N and to the window, the bright light of the moon illuminating the woods beyond. From the corner of the eye, he could see her engagement ring, the ruby glinting like a star in the sky. A finger brushed over his brow, soothing him. “I think you’re nervous to go after what you want, so you’re trying to find any possible reason as to why every house we’ve viewed has had something unfixable to it.”

           Closing his eyes, Astarion leaned into her touch. “I hate it when you can see through me like that.” He hated to admit it. It felt like some sort of weakness to be seen so clearly, but he also knew Y/N would never judge him for his fears. But it was still hard to voice them. “I just – I’m scared it will be different.”

           “It will be.” She shrugged. “But different doesn’t mean it’ll be bad.”

           He didn’t seem convinced though as his mind and attention drifted off, and she had to tilt his chin towards her, a kiss to his forehead bringing him back into the moment. “My Star, we can always stay right where we are. I love this house. And as long as we’re together, it doesn’t matter where we make our home.”

           “Oh, don’t be ridiculous, my love,” Astarion let out an undignified scoff. “As darling as this place is, I still want that library. And, well, maybe a tailoring room would be lovely. And I can’t say I would be opposed to a walk-in closet, instead of that little dresser we have now.”

           More and more his lips turned into a smile and his gaze lightened as they went on until the morning dawned, talking and mapping out what their perfect abode would be like. They talked about the colours of the walls, where they’d like to hang paintings and how many mattresses their bed should have. Astarion insisted on at least three, so it would feel like resting on a cloud. Y/N thought it was a bit ridiculous, but if that was what he wanted, it’s what he would get. As long as he promised her to have separate duvets, the cover hog that he was.

           They settled on a manor near the city, but far enough from the crowds to still keep some sort of privacy. She had been right about the restorations being long and mind-numbingly taxing and took them over a year and a half to return the manor to its former glory. All of their funds sank into it, and as Y/N had also warned – there came a moment where it seemed like they would rip one another’s heads off, having to spend a night in separate rooms. But now they got to relish in the fruits of their labour as the ballroom Astarion had manifested was being transformed into their wedding chapel.

           He lazily stretched out his limbs, curling around his still-sleeping love. If he’d had a tail, the cat that he was, he would weave it over Y/N’s middle and curl it, trying to pull her closer if possible.

           The woman grumbled something unintelligible, tightening the hold she had on one of the four pillows she had.

           “Good morning, my wife. Our big day is here. Time to get up.” Gently, he brushed strands of wild hair from her face, placing them behind her ear, to which he leaned down and gave a playful nibble. To Astarion’s delight, he felt a shiver run down her spine, her toes curling against where she’d pressed them to his calf.

           “Not your wife yet,” Y/N grumped, turning so that she could hide her face in the crook of his neck, tickling the sensitive skin there with warm puffs of breath. “And your bride needs her beauty sleep unless you wish for her to look like a troll at the altar. Didn’t give me much of it last night.”

           A wicked grin formed on his mouth, one incisor lightly biting on her earlobe. “I didn’t hear you complaining though. In fact, I didn’t hear you say anything but my name.”

           Teasing fingers brushed against her ribs and the underside of her breasts, a breath hitching in Y/N’s chest. When he splayed his hand against her stomach, she hummed in pleasure, the sound reverberating through his chest and seeping into his bones.

           Her own palms moved from hugging Astarion’s side to his back, nails softly scratching up and down the skin there – so very tenderly over the scars, but with a bit of a bite right above his rear. If he could purr, he would be, but alas, he just moaned and melted like an icicle in the sun.

           It was almost tempting to just stay in the bed like that, twining together and just relishing in one another’s touch.

           “When are your parents getting here?” Y/N yawned and pressed a kiss to his collarbone. “Your mother promised to help me with the dress and hair.”

           “Right as the sun goes down. We should have plenty of time before the moon is high.”

           They had decided on a night-time wedding, so the following celebrations could be moved outside into the lavish gardens Astarion had so lovingly created. He may not be able to walk in the sun anymore, but he’d be damned if he didn’t enjoy at least the moonlight. Besides, daytime weddings were so casual, and he was anything but.

           He rested his palm in between Y/N’s breasts, but he just kept it there, didn’t try and stray any further. He simply wanted to feel how her heart beat against his palm, the rhythm a steadying and grounding feeling, and it somewhat calmed his fluttery nerves.

           “Then we have a few more hours to sleep,” came Y/N’s slurred response as she hitched a leg over his naked hip, but she didn’t try to go any further either. “And you are not getting out of this bed, my personal pillow.”

           Astarion smiled at her words and kissed her forehead. He’d been smiling an awful lot since he met her. “Wouldn’t dream of it, my love.”

           And even though he itched to go downstairs and supervise every single thing, he allowed the peace that came with being next to Y/N to settle over him as well. It was their day. His day. And starting it off with his little human sweetheart wrapped around him like a vine, keeping him close to her, was nothing short of wonderful.

           At some point, she did fall asleep again, Astarion’s movements as his deft fingers massaged the back of her head, lulling her to dreamland. His mind drifted a bit but remained more alert than when he tranced, wandering to how exactly he’d gotten to a moment where in just a few little hours he’d become someone’s husband.

           Not only did he have Y/N, but he had his parents to relish in the moment with. He had friends, something that was competently out of the question for two hundred years, and all of them would be arriving to witness the most joyous day of his life. Him! With friends! He even had a true sister, something that’d surprised even him.

           That had come about when Astarion had ventured into the Underdark once and reconnected with Darylia. At first, he’d thought there would be too much bad blood between them, no pun intended. It’s why he’d strayed away from the region after he’d freed the rest of the seven thousand spawn from Cazador. Too many painful memories bound them, but instead of admonishments, he found comfort.

           He’d bumped into Dalyria at a tavern as he was tracking down an artefact. Astarion was nothing short of astonished when she invited him to a tavern for a drink. The conversation was awkward at first, but as they talked more and more, she seemed to be actually happy for him as he confirmed he was still with Y/N, had a little house by the forest to call their own and spent his days keeping in touch with the party that’d formed during the tadpole adventure while trying to get a sowing business off the ground. She was even more ecstatic to hear when Astarion announced he was engaged.

           Dal had a wistful smile on her face. “I would be a liar if I said I didn’t envy you, but… you deserve it. All that happiness… after what Cazador put you through, you deserve all that’s good.”

           He didn’t want to, but a ball formed in his throat at her words. “Cazador wasn’t kind to any of us.”

           “No,” she mussed. “But you did free us from him. And when you had the chance to take his power for yourself, to become the most powerful vampire in existence, you didn’t. You allowed us to go out there and regain the years we lost under his control. To make our own lives. For that, you deserve only the best.”

           A snort escaped him as he swirled the remains of his wine. “Y/N would say not committing mass murder is quite a low bar, if that’s why I’m worthy of happiness.”

           “Maybe, but no one would fault you had you gone for it.”

           “Maybe…” Astarion pondered. “But I would not have been worthy of Y/N, then. That is for sure.”

           Dalyria clinked her glass of blood against his before emptying it, and he was glad he had not been drinking himself as he sure would have choked on the drink. “Will you teach me how to find love? I – I think I’d like to find what you two have. Become… worthy of having it.”

           Astarion didn’t know how to respond, but ultimately said he could only try, yet unless the change came from within, there wasn’t much he could do. And the hardest part wouldn’t be learning how to find love, but learning how to love oneself. Only then you could learn how to love others.

           “Seems awfully tedious,” Dalyria’s brow had furrowed.

           He chuckled and nodded. “It is. But I’ve learned, as much as it can be boring, it’s worth it in the end.”

           It had taken time for the vampire to start the process of self-acceptance and processing the trauma, but Astarion was right there by her side, and now, she would be by his, a partner of her own next to her, a human at that, as he tied the knot.

           Y/N’s nose scrunched in her sleep as their blissful moment was interrupted by a bell chiming through the house. She grabbed a pillow and smushed it over her head hitting him in the face in the process. “We should’ve eloped.”

           “My love, you know as well as I do, our dear friends would’ve hunted us down like prey and dragged us before an altar by the ears. And honestly – I would help them with that.”

           When they had rolled out the announcement of their engagement, Astarion’s mother helping them write beautiful little cards to send to their party most had actually shown up to congratulate them in person.

           Karlach had been the first one to arrive, banging on the door to let her in, seemingly bursting with excitement. “If my engine wasn’t fixed, I think I would have levelled a whole block when I got the card!” She jumped up and down as she smothered them in a hug.

           The second the Tiefling reluctantly released Y/N and Astarion from her grasp, Shadowheart appeared, a bit more subdued in the way she showed her happiness, but still very much so thrilled. She’d even brought along a bottle of wine, as such an event had to be celebrated.

           Gale along with Tara teleported right into the living from straight from Waterdeep, a chest of tomes with him, a gift for the library Astarion wanted.

           “I even cancelled today’s lectures, and my students were so delighted, they also got you something.” He extended a smaller box, a gorgeous set of feather pens inside. “A thanks for the day off and congratulations on the engagement.”

           Wyll, now Grand Duke, joined the festivities right as the sun started its descent.

           “I would’ve come sooner, but duties call.”

           “Ever the honourable man.” Astarion hugged the once Blade of Frontiers. “I’m lucky Y/N doesn’t care much for honour, otherwise I would be fighting a losing battle.”

           “It’s all the blood loss,” she chimed in, hugging Wyll as he congratulated her. “Questionable decisions are not uncommon when oxygen is depleted in the blood.”

           Her vampiric love pointed a finger at her. “Well, there are no takebacks, so deal with it.”

           Oh, how far he’d come such jokes didn’t sting, and instead he could laugh at them because he knew she wouldn’t leave him. It was certainly not something he ever had to fear.

           Halsin and Lae’Zel were last to join Dalyria accompanying them as the night settled, completing their little group.

           They spent hours drinking and laughing, enjoying red drinks, some wine, and some other ethically sourced, of course, substances as they lounged by the fireplace.

           “So, when will the actual wedding be?” Gale asked as he stretched over a loveseat, Tara having claimed his lap as a napping spot, her purrs echoing through the room. “I would be more than happy, and well, my students most definitely, to cancel the exams for it. Such an affair cannot be missed. Two heroes of Baldur’s Gate wedding each other.”

           Wyll pointed a finger at the wizard. “You know, you are onto something. I might just have to make it a day of celebration in the city!”

           “Actually…” Y/N shifted next to Astarion. “We were thinking of just going to a magistrate and signing the papers as soon as possible. Nothing grand really.”

           A stunned silence settled before Dalyria snapped her gaze toward her brother. “You must be joking,” she deadpanned. “Astarion, I think you might need to lay off feeding from her for a while.”

           “Y/N was thinking that,” he rolled his eyes at the outburst. “I disagree.” Turning on his best pout, the vampire glanced at the woman pressed to his side. “You would so willingly deprive me of seeing you in a wedding dress like it isn’t the most important day of our lives. I, for one, wish for this to be my only wedding, yet you break my heart into pieces with your words.”

           Lae’Zel let out her signature “t’chk” of disapproval at Y/N’s amused huff. “I cannot believe I am saying this, but the spawns are right. A ceremony must be held. None of this magistrate nonsense, but a real, proper ceremony.”

           “You all just want a party.” The Y/H/C-haired woman crossed her arms over her chest.

           Halsin boomed a chuckle. “Well, we will not say no to the one a wedding comes with. But if you do not wish to have your dearest companions, people who love you most in the world, to be next to you on such an important day, that is completely dine. It is your wedding after all.”

           “Oh, come on!” Y/N threw her hands up with a laugh. “That is so unfair! I mean, I just don’t care for the pageantry of it all.”

           “Sweetheart, you are marrying the most pompous man to walk this earth. No offense, Astarion.” Shadowheart looked at the elf, but he simply shrugged, as it was true. “And you mean to tell me there will be no grand display of love?”

           Her lover nodded at the cleric’s words, batting his lashes at Y/N. “Besides, would you truly be so cruel, that you’d deny my parents such a day? After everything they’ve gone through.”

           “Alright, now you’re just blatantly blackmailing me.” She gave him a humour-filled look.

           Astarion put a hand on his chest in mock outrage. “Blackmail my darling intended? I would never! However, if I were, I would also mention that the ring on your finger did belong to my mother, who so lovingly passed it onto you, saying she wished for you to wear it when she saw you next. You know, just a little information, to tug on your heartstrings.”

           And tug at her heartstrings it did, as Y/N’s Y/E/C eyes widened, no doubt mind whirling from the statement.

           “This is your mother’s ring?” She looked down at the piece of jewellery like it was the most precious thing in the world. “You didn’t tell me that.”

           He didn’t intend for her to cry, but he wiped at her cheeks as a couple of tears rolled down her face. “She gave it to me the night we went to see my parents for the first time. I was already preparing to do it, but it just gave me the final push I needed to actually ask you. Even though I technically never did ask.” Astarion nudged her side, and Y/N snorted, dabbing at the corners of her eyes.

           “Wait, hold on.” Dal leaned forward, a scrutinous gaze turned towards the elf. “What do you mean he never asked the bloody question? First no wedding, now no proper proposal?”

           Karlach though seemed to have other more pressing thoughts in her head. “Holy shit, Fangs, you robbed your mother’s grave!? I mean that is messed up even for you!”

           “Rewind.” Gale swirled a finger in the air. “You have a mother?”

           All these questions and statements were said one over the other as the room exploded into a full-blown interrogation, everyone flinging queries their way. It took Astarion and Y/N about an hour to respond and tell the full story, but not before they stopped laughing.

           At that moment though, Astarion clad in his silk pyjama set, the face greeting him was so full of delight, Karalch shone brighter than the set sun.

           “I feel like I could just burst!” The tiefling hugged him, and he responded in kind. It’d become one of his favourite physical ways to show and receive affection. “But where is the wife-to-be herself?”

           “Still in bed. You know Y/N and mornings, well, nights I guess, do not mix.”

           “Ah, yes,” a male voice agreed and Karlach stepped aside to allow Wyll to enter. “You know, there were moments during our adventure when I genuinely thought our fearless leader would be the one to end us. Remember that time Gale woke her up before dawn because he needed an artefact to consume? His poor eyebrows.” The Grand Duke shook his head. “Honestly thought it might’ve very well have been the last moments of our dear wizard.”

           “And yet, it wasn’t!” As if summoned, the Wizard of Waterdeep himself poofed into existence in the foyer. “I live to see yet another day where I can bless my friends with my presence. Eyebrows intact this time.”

           Astarion couldn’t control the eye roll as it was almost reflexive when it came to Professor Gale Dekarios, but he couldn’t deny the happiness rushing through his veins seeing the man. If he ever saw Mystra in the mortal plane, she’d better start praying to a god herself, for what he put his friend through.

           “It was… quite the look, I have to say,” Lae’Zel commented as she entered the house, joining their group. It seemed like they had a tendency to appear in the same places at the same time even without scheduling such a thing. “But do not attempt to upstage the bride, Gale. Astarion will already be doing his best. Though if these are your chosen clothes,” she gave him a onceover. “I believe Y/N has absolutely nothing to be concerned about.”

           Astarion scoffed. “This is handwoven silk.”

           “That is poor excuse for wedding attire.” Shadowheart appeared behind them all. “For once we agree, Lae’Zel, so enough with the chitchatting. A wedding needs to happen, and you need to get dressed.”

           The only reason he’d decided to put on some clothes was because the thought of his parents walking in on him naked, was enough to pull out all the stashed winter attire and cover himself up so much nothing but his nose would be showing. Now though, Astarion almost wanted to rip them off just to spite the gathered crowd but abstained.

           Before he did scamper off, he showed where they could go and mingle while he checked on the final details, especially how the ballroom was looking, and he had to admit, the drow in charge of decorations had turned it into something from a fairy tale.

           The room had high windows, all the shutters open to let in the pale light of the moon garlands hanging from the ceiling and walls, the many mirrors on the sides, giving an effect that the room was larger than it truly was, creating an illiusion of a forest inside their home. At the very end between two columns of chairs was the altar where Shadowheart would officiate, two golden cups already placed on a velvet pillow.

           There was hired staff in the gardens where food and drinks were being handed out.

           Astarion took in a deep breath and held it for a moment before letting it out. Everything was going to be just fine. He had promised as much to Y/N. This nervousness had been one of the reasons he’d wanted to take on the whole wedding affair onto himself.

           “I don’t want you to lift a single finger.” Astarion had brushed his nose against Y/N’s cheek after it was settled a full-blown wedding was happening and their friends had dispersed, leaving the two lovebirds on their own. “Just leave it all to me.”

           “I mean, I can’t do that,” she exasperated. “It’s our day. We both should be involved. I won’t put such an event all on your shoulders.”

           “But I want you to! Listen to me – me getting to order others around as they have to bend our every wish and whim, while all you have to do is nod for yes, and shake your head for no – sounds like a great time to me.”

           “Sounds very unfair to you.” Y/N was still sceptical frowning hard at Astarion’s proposition.

           “Look,” he sighed, taking her hand in his. “Let me do this for you. For us. You saved me back when I thought I was beyond it. I fully believed I was relegated to nothing but a life of pain and darkness and then… you showed up. You helped me through so many horrors, held me when it felt like the walls were pressing in… I would not have been able to do so without you. So please… let me make this day something you can enjoy and not have to worry about. I am very convincing when I set my eyes on something I want.”

           And when he pulled his puppy dog eyes on her, Astairon knew he had her right where he wanted. Y/N could never resist him when his eyes got all soft and round. He could practically see her resolve melting then and there like fresh-fallen snow.

           “Alright,” she conceded, and with a passionate kiss against her lips, he pulled her to sit in his lap. “But if it becomes too much, you have to promise to ask me for help.”

           “I swear it.” Astarion pecked her lips once more, and though he had no intentions of letting her lift a finger, he was truthful when making such a vow. With Y/N, he’d learned it wasn’t a crime or sign of weakness to request aid.

           He left the door open, surely more guests would be arriving, but before he could disappear, two more frames rushed up the steps, his mother and father practically beaming with pride as they saw him.

           “I think your druid friend is also on the way,” his mother said, pressing a light kiss to Astarion’s cheek and pulling him in for a hug. “But he stopped to pet a flock of sheep along the way.”

           The vampire snorted. “Well, we can only hope Halsin actually arrives for the ceremony on time. Or doesn’t bring the lambs as guests… appetizers though.”

           She gave him an amused smile, before squeezing his hand. “I’ll just go and say hello to that wizard of yours. I think I saw him walking somewhere in the gardens and then I’ll be right up with Y/N. Has the sleeping beauty awoken yet?”

           “Yes,” he mumbled, frowning. It was a well-known fact his love was a notorious sleepyhead, but that was not his reason for watching with a grimace how his mother practically skipped to the terrace in search of Gale.

“How does she know him?” he directed the question at the male elf standing beside him.

His father sighed, looking at his wife as she disappeared behind the corner, but not before she made sure she looked good, fluffing up her hair in the mirror before the grand entrance to their house. “She’s been quite obsessed with his cookbook. Just be glad she didn’t bring it along for an autograph. But enough of that. You need to get dressed, my Star. The moon is almost nigh.”

All other thoughts vanished from Astarion’s head as he noted how the white orb was pretty much at its peak, and the notion of getting married suddenly became a tangible thing. In just a few hours, under the pale light, he would vow to protect and cherish Y/N, they’d fill one another’s cups and drink, before tying strands of magical gold around one another’s fingers as a symbol of their unity in the ancient elven traditions. Astarion was about to become a husband with Y/N as his wife. If his heart had still beaten, it would’ve been jumping out of his chest.

“Did you feel like this as well when you married Mother?” the vampire’s hand shook as he entered the sowing room he’d claimed as his dressing room for the day. A naked mannequin stood at the corner. It’d born Y/N’s dress which was now surely being slid onto her frame, perfectly fitting against her body, and it was just another reminder of what was to come.

His father closed the door, going over to a suit that was hanging on another mannequin and slipped it off, laying it gently onto a settee. “Like what, Star?”

“Like unless in twenty seconds this whole thing is over, you’ll pass out.”

The deep chuckle the older elf let out was like a reassuring hug, somewhat calming Astarion. “Yes. Very much so. Add onto that wanting to throw up and black spots across my vision, I was pretty much hopeless. But then I was by the altar waiting for your mother, and when she appeared… nothing else mattered. It’s just the waiting that’s horrible.”

“Gods, maybe Y/N was right,” Astarion breathed out, sitting down by his tailoring table, head in his hands. “We should have definitely eloped. I mean it’s not normal to feel this way, is it?”

“Dear Star, it might have taken us two hundred years to find you, and we’ve only been lucky enough to have you back for two, but make no mistake,” his father deadpanned. “Your mother is not above murder and physical restraint if needed.”

“Yes, I know, you kidnapped my bride,” Astarion said. “But, I mean, what if it’s not perfect?” He looked at the elf. Blue reassuring eyes stared back, but even the conviction he saw in them couldn’t quench the lingering fear. “What if she isn’t there? What if I’m left a fool standing by the altar and she does not come?”

Those last words were barely a whisper, shame running through his veins as he said them, but it had been something plaguing his nightmares for weeks on end – Y/N finally realising she deserved so much better and leaving him heartbroken.

When he awoke in a cold sweat and she asked what was wrong, Astarion wrote it off as having a bad dream about Cazador. In truth, he hadn’t dreamt of his master in a long time, his only fear being Y/N tossing him to the side for something better.

           “Astarion,” his father said sternly, but not unkindly. “That woman has walked through literal hells for you. And taken on a devil, as you yourself have told us. I highly doubt now would be the moment she gets cold feet.”

           Deep down in his heart, he knew the words rang true. Astarion remembered after having killed Cazador, how strongly the urge to Ascend took over. Such power right at the tips of his fingers, yet at the cost of seven thousand souls. But at that moment, he was willing to pay it. He’d never have to be afraid of anything anymore if he finished the ritual. All he needed was for someone to copy the runes on his back. He’d turned to Y/N, someone who he knew supported him, but to his shock, she refused.

           Fury took him over. He’d thrown insults so vile it made bile rise in his throat nowadays when thinking back on it. Words wishing her a painful and slow demise, telling her he hoped she died screaming. Astarion had expected her to leave, yet as his mind had cleared, processing the grief and agony he was going through, she was there by his side.

           Even though he didn’t deserve it, Y/N held him as he cried, and whispered comforting words when he could do nothing but slump over himself in physical and emotional exhaustion. She was there for him like an unmovable rock, that not even time or tide could erode.

           “I’m sorry,” Astarion had begged that night for her forgiveness while she cradled him in her arms. “I’m sorry for what I said. I was – I was blinded by the power. By what I could be, what I could do… I – reality was no longer visible to me. And I’m sorry.”

           “I know you are.” Y/N’s kiss was a balm to his wounds, especially those that no one else but her could see or soothe. “And I forgive you.”

           Astarion’s father put a hand on his shoulder, bringing him out of the reminiscing. “She will be there because if there is one thing in this world I don’t doubt, it’s her love for you.”

           He wrapped that thought around his heart. She would be there. Y/N would always be there for him. But first, he had to be the one to await her, so with his father’s help, he stood up and got ready.         

           After a year of getting reacquainted with his parents, he’d told them some of what Cazador had done. With Y/N holding his hand through it, he even felt brave enough to show his scars. There were a lot of tears and hugging, and much to his surprise, talks of resurrecting the vampire lord by his mother, just so she could drive a stake through his heart. And Y/N was very eager to agree.

           His love had a vicious glint in her eye, and Astarion had to swallow his arousal as she leaned closer over the table where they’d been drinking afternoon tea and said, “I know how to skin a man and keep him alive the whole time.”

           “Yes!” His mother accepted the idea immediately. “Let’s do that! My Star, how do we contact that Withers friend of yours?”

           Honestly, the fact that Astarion was the one trying to quench their bloodlust and be the peacekeeper, for a moment, made him think he’d been thrown into some different universe. That was not how he expected the conversation over some tea and biscuits to go.

           His father smoothed down the back of the white linen shirt and Astarion tucked it into the white trousers while the older elf helped with the cuffs, onyx squares glinting in the warm light of the candelabras. Looking down, he surveyed the intricate frock he’d slaved over days and nights.

           It was matching a ivory to that of Y/N’s dress, the chest decorated with weavings of golden threads, much like what he’d sown across the bodice and through the hemlines of her gown. Astarion smiled, a gentle finger skimming over his work, knowing what the scribbles meant.

           To the unknowing, it looked nothing more than a pattern of leaves and flowers, but to those who could read ancient elvish, the truth was laid bare. The idea had struck him late one night as he’d sketched Y/N’s dress. With the help of his parents, as his memory of what once used to be his mother tongue was not so good, he stitched into the fabric little love confessions.

           Throughout her wedding attire, he’d sown the words of his undying love, of what she meant to him, and on his own jacket, he’d sown the promises he intended to keep as a husband, to always make sure she was safe and loved.

           By the time he was tying the cravat, Astarion’s knees were shaking, and his father had to take over, tucking in the piece of cloth by his chest.

           The vampire ran a quivering hand through his white hair. “So?” Gods, even his voice was trembling. How was he supposed to say his vows and not sound like a growing youth whose voice was on the verge of breaking? “How do I look?”

           For a moment, his father didn’t say anything, just smoothed down the fabric over his shoulders. “Like a man ready to start the best chapter of his life.”

           “Good.” Astarion nodded. “Because now I’m feeling that nausea you talked about.”

           The older elf let out a warm laugh before nudging his chin towards the open window and when he looked over, he saw the moon shining bright in the sky, a smattering of millions of stars behind it. “It’s time, Star.”

           With a shaky breath, Astarion nodded. He was ready. As long as he remembered how to move his mouth and say words, nothing could go wrong.

           As he walked back towards the foyer, gentle music greeted him, meaning the string quartet of bards had arrived and their family and friends were filtering into the ballroom.

           It was as if he was floating, barely being able to acknowledge the gathered people. Some patted him on the back, some asked if he was excited, and all of his responses were like through a haze, especially as he took his place by the altar.

           Shadowheart was already there, giving him an encouraging smile.

           “Don’t you clean up nice.”

           Astarion wanted to give some sort of a sarcastic quip, but all he could manage was a hum of acknowledgement. He was really truly, nervous. The breath entering his lungs was shaky and came out the same way. He didn’t even need to breathe, but if he didn’t, he might just pass out.

           “If it’s any consolation, Y/N is calm as a cucumber,” the cleric said. “Or maybe she’s just a better actress than you.”

            The vampire’s pale brows scrunched, as he looked at the woman. She just shrugged.

           “She said she knows you’ll be here. What more is there for her to want or be afraid of?”

           And that trust, the belief Y/N had in Astarion, settled something in his heart, and when his parents entered, taking their seats in the front row, both elves beaming, all that fear disappeared like mist in the morning.

           Beautiful music swirled around them, and all of the guests stood.

           The whole world stopped turning the second he laid his eyes on Y/N.

           Her body was clad in the white gown he’d poured all his love and care into, the gold thread shimmering in the candle and moonlight. Her hair was free as she always preferred, but small, intricate braids inlaid with diamonds as if rain had settled atop her head, a flower crown gracing the top of it. Y/N’s skin was also covered in a shimmery powder, that made her absolutely glow, as if from within, and the Y/E/C eyes he loved to get lost in, were lined with kohl giving her gaze an intense look. Had it not been for her rounded ears, Y/N would be the epitome of a true elven queen.

           Astarion released a breath that’d gotten stuck in his chest and tears welled in his eyes, rolling down his cheeks.

           He’d been lucky, especially in these past few years where he’d been able to witness a lot of beautiful things. But nothing was as beautiful as her walking toward him.

           Y/N’s head was high, as her gaze bore into his – his scarlet not looking away from her Y/E/C ones – her lips pulled in the widest smile he’d ever seen on her face.

           Gods, she was beautiful, and his ego also revelled in how that grin was directed at him. At only him. It seemed like it took her ages, but at the same time not even a couple of seconds to be standing before him, handing off her bouquet of lilies of the valley to his mother and placing her palms in Astarion’s awaiting ones.

           He couldn’t take his eyes off Y/N, but she couldn’t take hers off him. Vaguely he heard Shadowheart offer blessings and words of wisdom for the new couple as they started their joined lives. Astarion only snapped back to reality when it was time for him to take the golden thread and tie it around her finger, an ancient elven tradition – instead of simply exchanging rings, one would take a twine of gold and imbue it with the power of their words, before the vows were sealed.

           No longer did his hands shake, and his voice didn’t crack once as he said his vows, as he gently twisted the twine and looped it back around where it moulded together by magic on their own, creating a gorgeous ring.

           Then it was Y/N’s turn.

           “I vow to protect your life as my own,” her voice was soft and steady as she spoke. “I vow to walk the dark paths and lead you to the light when needed. I promise to be your reassurance when doubts come, and I promise to love you until the stars no longer shine.”

           Astarion didn’t care as more tears slid down his cheeks and wetted the neckline of his frock when finally, the golden thread connected and solidified itself on his ringfinger.

           He was married. He didn’t care that Shadowheart hadn’t said yet he could kiss his new wife, that they needed to drink the blessed wine from the cups, as he surged forward, taking Y/N by the wrist and smashing their lips together. From somewhere afar he heard whoops and cheers, and a “you could’ve waited for just a second more,” but it was all background noise with no meaning as his love’s palm slid to cup his jaw and pull him in for a deeper kiss.

           All the nerves had been worth it. All the pain and suffering he’d gone through – it was all worth it just for that moment alone, when Y/N had to press him back a bit, a breathless laugh escaping her lips as she took in greedy gulps of air, but put her forehead against his, not straying far from his touch.

           “I love you, husband.”

           His cheeks hurt from so much smiling. “I love you, wife.”

           They didn’t get to stay in the small bubble for long as people were stepping up, congratulating them, and pulling them in embraces from left to right.

           The revelry slowly moved outside where drinks and food flowed without stopping. Slow melodies turned into fast foot-stomping beats, as people twirled and danced, celebrating the union between two of Baldur’s Gate’s heroes.

           It was during a moment of reprieve when Y/N was chugging down glass after glass of water and champagne, Astarion following suit with some blood, when his parents came up to them, a small, yet intricate box in their hands.

           The frame was of old oak, no doubt, scuffed at the edges and corners, while the top of it was engraved with a whole flora and fauna piece, but that didn’t matter. He’d said them being at the ceremony would be enough of a gift and that him and Y/N didn’t need anything, yet here the two elves were.

           “Don’t even start, my Star,” his mother interrupted Astarion’s rant before he could even go on one. “There was no way we would’ve come empty-handed to your wedding. Besides, we think this might be of great interest to you two. And of use”

           Gently, as if the box might crumble if touched any harder, the older elf opened it. Inside, laid on green velvet sat two golden bracelets, their visage moulded like wreaths of leaves and budding flowers.

           They were handmade, that was certain, and ancient if his eye for jewels and jewellery didn’t deceive him. And it rarely did. But the oddest bit was the sensation it radiated as if it was imbued by vibrating energy, barely contained in the circlets.

           “Could it really be – but no. That is only a legend,” Halsin’s and Gale’s eyes were wide as they beheld what lay in the box as the two had snuck up on the group and shadowed behind them. The druid gave Astarion’s parents a bewildered gaze. “How in the worlds did you come by this?”

           “Let’s just say, you are not the only ones with connections.” His father threw Halsin a mischievous smile, but Astarion didn’t like that.

           “And the cost for such a thing?”

           His mother smiled. “My dear, you talk like your skill of words and stealing didn’t come from somewhere. We might be old, but that doesn’t mean we cannot have adventures of our own.”

              “I’m sorry for interrupting this moment,” Gale said, “but can we get back to the fact you have the True Love’s Curse sitting in that box.”

           “The what?” Y/N’s brows furrowed, but no one bothered to answer as Gale went on.

           “I can feel the magic.” The wizard laid a reverent palm above the bracelets but didn’t touch them. “The Weave… I’ve never felt something so strong. As if it could change the matter of the cosmos around us at any second.”

           Astarion lifted a finger, just as confused as his love, pointing at the bracelets. “What exactly is this curse? And, I do apologise, mother, as we appreciate everything you've done for us, but why in the worlds did you think a curse would be a great gift?”

           “True Love’s Curse is simply the name,” Halsin said. “It’s an old elven legend of two lovers – one forever meant to walk the dark, the other meant for light. In the myth, they are so convinced they are soulmates and meant to be, they create two bracelets, symbols for their loves, imbued with a mirroring spell, but not just any average enchantment. It gives the nightwalker the ability to walk in the sun, but there is a cost – if the other person is no true love, no soulmate, the nightwalker will succumb to the rays and perish forever.”

           Y/N grimaced. “Seems quite harsh. And unfair.”

           Astarion’s father closed the box. “It’s why it’s called True Love’s Curse. But if there is anything we all can learn from you two, is that love conquers all.”

           Hope ignited in the vampire’s chest, as he accepted the box.

           Could there really be a chance he would be able to live his life with Y/N by his side, and also live it in the sun?

           He used to be scared of what the future held for him, especially what the future with Y/N would be like. He’d had his doubts – that she probably didn’t actually love him. How she was with him only for pity or to use his body like so many others had before – but those no longer existed. She’d meticulously shattered every single brick of the wall that was his mistrust and built a castle of love in his heart. If what Astarion’s parents said was true, he had nothing to worry about – Y/N had been ready to walk her life in darkness with him and not asked anything in return apart from his devotion.

           But he pushed the thoughts of the bracelets, of the True Love’s Curse, to the side as he was pulled in a dance by Dalyria, then her girlfriend, and at some point, even Lae’Zel allowed him to lead her in a slow waltz before once again returning to Y/N’s side. His rightful place

           His arms wove around her waist, while her cheek leaned to rest against his chest. She sighed, closing her eyes.

           Astarion pressed a kiss to Y/N’s head. “I don’t know what I might have done in a previous life, but whatever it was, it had to be something exceedingly good for me to end up with you.”

           She hummed in contentment. “You deserve all that is kind in this world, my love. I am the least of it.”

           He wanted to argue, to tell her she was his whole world, but instead, he closed his eyes too and smiled, relishing in the love. He did deserve good. He deserved all that was kind. It was time Astarion finally embraced it, and if that was Y/N in his arms, he would hold on a bit tighter then.

Hours later they stood alone by the cliffside, a slight breeze ruffling their hair as they waited for the sun to fully rise, the gardens empty, their house as well, as the wedding party had ended, leaving people satiated and tipsy on their way home.

           “What if it doesn’t work?” Astarion asked. “What if they were wrong?”

           “Then I have the cloak right here, and all the shutters have already been closed at the house.” She took his hand in hers, the bracelet clicking against his.

           She didn’t try to convince him, give him false hope of how it would work, because not everything in life did. Not everything was perfect and not everything was supposed to be perfect. Of course, he would be devastated, if the True Love’s Curse was not real. But Astarion also knew he’d never be alone in it. He’d have Y/N by his side, as he always had. She wasn’t going anywhere and that was enough.

           As the sun rose, the sky turning from a deep blue to pink, then orange and red, Astarion took in a deep breath. Then – on the first day as a married man – the first rays of a new day touched him for the first time in four years.

           A tear rolled down his face, scarlet eyes not daring to stray away from the stunning view that was the dawn and greeted the sun like a long-lost friend.

           Y/N gave him the widest smile ever, a match to the one she’d sported when seeing him by the altar. “Where to first, my love? We have the whole world for the taking.”

           He looked at her, cupping her face. “First, to home. And then – to the very edge of the universe.”

Tags:

Astarion tags: @spacebarbarianweird @omggiannarosa @poisonquinzell @iffazu @alisoncdariel

Everything tags: @palaiasaurus64 @supernaturalbaesduh @thatawkwardlittlefangirl @sea040561 @staryeyedgirl @deathbyarabbit @m-a-t-91 @maladaptive-ninja-returns @averyrogers83 @gallifreyansass @dewy-biitch @avxgers @unlikelygalaxygiver @magicwithaknife @ollyoxenfrees @bnhvrdy @tvwhoresblog @thatkindofgurl @sj-thefan @lestersglitterglue @im-squished @strangersstrange

A/N: I've re-written this whole thing like 3 different times because I just couldn’t get it right, but now I feel like this is how it's meant to be :) I do have like extra 8k words of stuff I might release as smaller fics set around these two specific versions of the characters. Let me know if you'd like that or want to be tagged in future fics :)

I might edit this at some point a bit more. English is not my first language, so I need time to step away, before I can see additional mistakes.

Please don't repost on other platforms without specific written consent! That is called plagiarism

More ideas!

God Au. Heavily based on @sallysoot God au! Technoblade fic. Check it out cuz it's absolutely beautiful!

Philza being the god of life and death. He is the reason you have lived for so long. And everytime you happen to die, he resurrects you. Even if it's against your wish. Please don't be so harsh with him. He has lost so many people he held dear, he can't bear to actually lose you.

He calls you his goddess/god and sometimes the younger gods (like Tommy and Tubbo) call you mother goddess/ father God. Even if you're a mortal

Has offered to make you a god

Technoblade, the blood god, also the god of war. The humans that worship him say he's cruel and heartless but he's actually awkward. He would fight the whole world and other Gods for you. And because he's so tough, he's afraid he'll hurt you so he's super gentle with you.

He's scared to hold your freaking hand as it's massive compared to your hand. But he finds it so cute. If he found out someone had hurt you, Philza knows Techno would tear them apart.

Tommy, the God of chaos! Kinda the life of the party, but horrible life? He creates chaos everywhere he goes and forces you to join him. The only way you can stop him from destroying something is if you refuses to join him.

He enjoys having you around and considers you a best friend. Enjoys when you, him, and Tubbo hang out together (Tommy's is Platonic!)

Wilbur, the god of music and insanity. He writes songs dedicated to you. Your smile, your eyes, his love for you. Songs and poems galore! Every time he creates a new piece, you're the first one who gets to listen to it. Sing with him please, he'll love it.

But the God of music has a dark side. Where he conducts the fall of nations and bloodshed. He goes mad with heading the people cry out. He says, "It's music to my ears~". Just know, he'll never show you his insanity, for fear it'll drive you away.

Nihachu, the goddess of rage and the forgotten. She's the forgotten, stuck in the black pit filled with anger and sadness. But no matter how hard she rages, screams out to be heard. No one hears her.

Till you did. You heard her whispers as you were left behind and filled with rage. You heard her cries and you went to her. She finds comfort with you. With you, she's calm, she smiles, she loves. You make her feel important and loved.

Schlatt, the god of wealth and alcohol, He takes and takes. He wanted to take from you, but when you kicked him to the curb. He decided he would rather have you than take from you.

He spoils you beyond belief, anything you want? Done! Handed to you on a gold platter. He may say he hates spoiling you, but he's lying. He's happy to see you covered in the gifts he gave you. Gave you a Ruby ring that shows the other Gods you are with him.

Dream, the God of lies and manipulation. He didn't want to fall in love, he believed love was pointless. Till he spotted you from above the clouds and was smitten from the start. But he finds it so hard to court you.

You believed he was lying to you. He was the god of lies after all. But he stayed around. He spent months, almost a year just being your friend till you believed he really loved you.

Talk Your Sh*t - Jenson Button

Summary: After a new commentator joins the Sky Sports team, Jenson and her bond over a dislike of Danica when they come to Miami.

Age gap - Mid-20s/black cat!reader

Warning: Mild themes of misogyny within F1/media

No part 2 requests please

Jenson wasn't sure if y/n was brought in to purposely get under Danica's skin the way Danica gets under his skin. But it's safe to say the public has deemed Jenson and y/n the sex appeal of watching Sky Sports.

Y/n is actually very knowledgable on the sport and with the exception of Danica, gets along very well with the team.

"Sorry, I think I'm going to have to disagree with you, Danica." Y/n states as what has become now a famous line of the weekend and it's still only Friday.

Jenson has already begun to find himself smiling every time y/n speaks while not being able hide his grimace whenever Danica speaks.

They cut the segment and before the group can divide, Danica seems to have hit a boiling point with y/n.

"I'm surprised you're getting away with wearing the outfits you do. They're quite skimpy. What are you trying to attract some of the drivers?" Danica comments seeming to try and make it a joke but y/n frowns not hiding her offended reaction while Jenson goes to speak in the young woman's defence. But y/n beats him to it.

"What about my outfit is skimpy exactly?-Actually, don't answer that. Consider this strike 1, 2 more strikes and I'll take you straight to HR, your hand in mine and I'll have you repeat every out of line comment you've opened your mouth to make." Y/n states then scoffing. "And for the record, if I was trying to attract the drivers. You'd know about it."

That's true. If y/n set her eyes on a driver, Jenson is pretty sure she could have her pick. Maybe of even a couple of the drivers who are in a relationship.

Really her outfit isn't skimpy, she's wearing almost an outfit that's mourning-worthy. Black heels, tight and sort of a short skirt with a slightly oversized blazer with a white blouse under the blazer. Truth be told, the appeal of her is more than she's a gorgeous woman who dresses well, is young and looks good on tv. She's styled well, she's confident, and not afraid to share her opinions which do tend to disagree with Danica but they're well founded opinions.

Y/n is minimal and classy with an undertone of sexiness that might be easy to be distract by.

Today she's wearing full black tights but yesterday something that had every mans attention was stockings with ever so slightly visibly suspenders that were clipped on to keep her stockings up.

Carlos, Lando, Pierre and Logan were all caught in HD slow-mo staring and doing double takes of the young woman.

Danica seems to get the hint that her presence isn't wanted so she takes off and y/n scoffs rolling her eyes and shaking her head.

"Remind me to never cross you." Jenson comments making y/n turn and smile.

"I don't think you'd have the audacity to make a comment like that unprovoked." Y/n sighs before she smiles at him. "I don't think I've earned a spot in your bad books yet, have I?"

"No. No. I think you might be my favourite person to work with already." Jenson smiles watching her seem to get a little flustered at his words. "Wait, was that a crack in the confidence that I seen?"

"I-As if." Y/n scoffs in a quick recovery, shaking it off quickly.

"You hungry? We should grab some food before we're pulled into more recording." Jenson states making y/n smile and nod.

Sitting down together, y/n does gain some attention from other commentators from other broadcasters. But eventually the two are left on their own and y/n sighs deciding to speak of the elephant in the room.

"You know, you should try masking your expression when Danica speaks. Especially if you're going to look so happy whenever someone else is speaking." Y/n comments leaning back in her seat as she cross on leg over the other making her skirt slide up a little. Something he shouldn't notice but he does and he has to force his gaze away. This woman is nearly 20 years younger than him. He can't be the old perv who has wondering eyes.

And for some reason there's something in Jenson wishing she was wearing the stocking and suspender duo for the outfit today.

"I am happier whenever someone else is speaking." Jenson states honestly then shrugging. "I don't even know why they've still got her here when they've brought you in. You add much more to the conversation and you look good doing it."

Y/n doesn't say much back, just looking down with a small smirk before she shrugs a little.

"So humble." Jenson laughs while she finally looks up then clears her throat as her phone goes off.

"Oh...Fun. Apparently I'm being paired with Danica for more stuff-oh haha! You are too." Y/n grins watching the man look at her with a grin.

"I'll just stand and watch the two of you bicker."

"I'm not that bad."

"You've said the sentence sorry, I think I'm going to have to disagree with you, Danica at least 5 times since yesterday and we've not been on air that much." Jenson laughs while she grins at the man before placing her phone back down and picking up a chip from her plate.

"I'm not that bad...I just think it's important we all voice our opinion if it's not on the same understanding." Y/n smiles earning a look form Jenson while she just flashes her a teeth in a smile.

-

Y/n and Jenson eating meals together in the paddock and just sort of gluing themselves to one another was beginning to be a habit for the two and it was a habit others were beginning to notice.

"Wait, wait. Don't leave me." Y/n gasps when the cameras cut and Jenson seems to take off since she'd said something that disagreed with him only slightly. "Jenson..."

Now she's just doing it on purpose. Whining his name has an unnecessary effect.

"I'm sorry." Y/n pouts making him slow his fast pace away. He wasn't really mad but he did maybe just want to tear him. "You left me with Danica."

"Consider it payback." Jenson states as he turns finding her looking up at him as they stand face to face.

"I'm sorry." Y/n pouts again and it takes every fibre of Jenson's being to maintain the self control not to close the space between them.

He feels like a teenager with a crush. He's a grown man for fuck sake and this woman is making him melt.

"You're forgiven." Jenson declares making her perk up and damn her because the brightness in her eyes actually makes his heart skip a beat.

"Are we intruding?" A sly smiling Lando questions as he passes by making y/n flush stepping away.

Truth be told, y/n is more successfully hiding an unshaken childhood crush on Jenson. She's be fighting the urge to climb on the man any time he sits down.

No doubt he sees her as a child, probably a mentor and mentee situation. Not that that's what she's going for.

Lando has already disappeared since he really was passing by and making a comment which he thinks needed to be made to point out that everyone is beginning to notice the tension between them.

Suddenly it dawns on y/n and she decides it's time to stop being shy about it.

"So what are you doing tonight?" Y/n asks making Jenson literally do a double take looking very shocked. "Just...usually I do nothing but go back to my hotel room and do nothing."

"Are you...asking me on a date, y/n y/l/n?" Jenson smirks looking like the playboy that he's quite famous for in his only slightly younger years.

"Would you...say yes if it was a date?" Y/n mumbles feeling the drop in her confidence because she wasn't exactly expecting him to call her out so obviously, or loudly.

"Yes."

Oh thank fuck.

"Then yes."

-

Y/n likes to think that she's got quite a dark feminine energy, she's not the doe eyed golden retriever type of girl. She's the siren eyes black cat.

But on a date with Jenson he's described her as cute and funny and even made a comment about her adding light to the otherwise dim room. He's charming and certainly knows how to converse on a date.

"So I have to know, when did I become so irresistible that you had to ask me on a date?" Jenson asks, the teasing mischief behind his eyes making her flush. This man just brings out a side she wishes she could hide but it's no use with him.

"Just living the dream. Meeting you was the whole goal when I decided to pursue sports journalism." Y/n shrugs making Jenson smirk. "Don't get cocky. I could still team up against you with Danica."

"That's a lie." Jenson laughs shaking his head while y/n grin at him.

"Ok, maybe that is a lie. I don't think I could ever try to befriend her. The amount of fans who call me out online and say they would do what I do." Y/n shrugs then picking up her glass of pink gin and lemonade.

"I love it. I think you are the best commentator we've had added to the team in years." Jenson shrugs making her beam at him. "I'll be pushing for them to keep you. Even if they drop me."

"As if they'd choose to drop Jenson Button, F1 world champion 2009 from the team." Y/n jokes before sighing and smiling as she sits back in her seat. "I think I dreamt about having a date like this for years."

"Here I am, making dreams come true." Jenson hums earning a laugh. "I would return the gesture but you're not an F1 champion."

"Wow...That's a violation. My feelings are hurt now."

"Oh sounds like I've got some grovelling to do."

-

There was no hints throughout the weekend, Jenson and y/n silently agreed to sort of take things slowly. Which is exactly what they did. They took things slowly and after a couple months of dating and building the perfect dynamic, which was really built after the first date.

Y/n decided it was time for a soft launch ahead of COTA.

She chose a mirror selfie what hide his face but there was definitely enough on show that it wasn't exactly a hard to tell it was Jenson.

Her comments were a blaze with his name and even a couple drivers along with many within F1 sent her messages some asking flat out and some just question marks searching for answers.

But she didn't reply and only decided to let their entrance in the paddock speak for itself.

Jenson quite enjoys the fact he is openly able to somewhat lay his claim. Y/n is a woman who could have her pick of people, and while people can say he's a man who can have his pick too. His pick was y/n and there was a chance she might not have reciprocated it.

Y/n definitely isn't expecting the very public kiss with one hand up cupping her face but Jenson feels her smiling against his lips and her face is definitely heating up under his hand.

"Well if I didn't send a message, you just hard launched a confirmation." Y/n whispers breaking the kiss while Jenson grins down at her.

"Can't I kiss you when you look so good?"

"Oh so usually I don't look good?" Y/n teases earning a groan a little.

"Trust you to twist my words." Jenson laughs then pecking her lips again. "You look good everyday. That's why I've been kissing your everyday."

"Mmm...good recovery."

"I try." Jenson smirks making her laugh before she steals a kiss this time then spins, linking their hands and beginning to walk very confidently through the paddock. Though they come across Martin, Danica and Crofty, all of whom look surprised to say the least.

After a small conversation, of which none of them address the obvious till Danica does pipe up. Unable to keep a petty comment to herself.

"You weren't wrong, we really do know when you're trying to attract someone."

"Well...I'm doing a bit more than attract Jenson." Y/n shoots back smoothly while Jenson looks at her fairly proudly and smug. "But I'm glad you can pick up on it. I know sometimes you struggle with seeing the obvious when it's right in front of you."

Martin and Crofty both pull expressions that are a combination of shock and maybe mildly impressed.

"Anyway, we're going to grab lunch. See you guys later for the broadcast."