[ Even while being scolded, he can't help melting into Iorveth's warmth, hands instinctively winding around his middle. Although he's come to tolerate touch from his most trusted companions, there's no one whose touch brings comfort except Iorveth. He rests his head on Iorveth's shoulder, unconsciously gravitating into him. ]
You've never spoken falsely in your life.
[ It's something Astarion both liked and hated him for from the beginning. A straight shooter, never manipulative. Astarion always knew what to expect. At the same time, Iorveth never hesitated to scold or chide him. Still doesn't hesitate to do so, obviously. ]
It's just—
[ If he keeps asking Iorveth to make sacrifices for him, how long until he comes to resent Astarion and that future never comes to pass? A humiliating thing to say, so he doesn't. ]
I know that I... ask quite a lot.
[ An understatement. Astarion takes and takes and takes, and Iorveth just gives. He asks for attention, love, blood. He asks for Iorveth to stay with him even when he'd rather be elsewhere. Hells, he's been trying to force immortality onto Iorveth when he's never shown any inclination toward it himself. It might not bother Iorveth now, but in a tenday or a month or a year, maybe it finally will. ]
no subject
You've never spoken falsely in your life.
[ It's something Astarion both liked and hated him for from the beginning. A straight shooter, never manipulative. Astarion always knew what to expect. At the same time, Iorveth never hesitated to scold or chide him. Still doesn't hesitate to do so, obviously. ]
It's just—
[ If he keeps asking Iorveth to make sacrifices for him, how long until he comes to resent Astarion and that future never comes to pass? A humiliating thing to say, so he doesn't. ]
I know that I... ask quite a lot.
[ An understatement. Astarion takes and takes and takes, and Iorveth just gives. He asks for attention, love, blood. He asks for Iorveth to stay with him even when he'd rather be elsewhere. Hells, he's been trying to force immortality onto Iorveth when he's never shown any inclination toward it himself. It might not bother Iorveth now, but in a tenday or a month or a year, maybe it finally will. ]