[ Iorveth doesn't think Astarion's behavior is neurotic at all: it all rings very logical for Iorveth, who has constantly had everything good in his life taken from him by callous third parties with no respect for things he held sacred. Everything precious in his life, then, should be protected by force if necessary, and if someone like Astarion also expresses extreme protectiveness over the things that make him happy, well. Who is Iorveth to tell him to change?

No moderating force here, no objective perspective to tell them both to chill the fuck out. "Deliriously happy" makes Iorveth feel proud－ not of himself, but of Astarion and his capacity to feel that way－ so he turns his hand over under Astarion's, palm to palm with fingers loosely curled. ]

You're not a difficult man to like. Even Lae'zel was fond of you by the time we got to Moonrise.

[ A half-smile, remembering the rough start they all had. Iorveth didn't even really want to share a camp with those losers (affectionate) way back when. ]

...It's no small thing, that you still want to go north with me. That you want to learn my language, and that you've given these things thought.

[ "Meeting the family". Iorveth wonders if Astarion really understands what that sounds like, how some may interpret it. ]