[ This is probably what Reginald (and Iorveth of spiritual yesteryear) meant when he said they need distance: it's no good to hinge one's entire concept of goodness or happiness on one person. Better to disperse it, better to discover it all around them, in order to make the world feel less threatening. Iorveth is not, in fact, everything good in the world－ he's not even good in the conventional sense at all－ and Astarion owes it to himself to make that discovery so that he can navigate things with a clearer, more secure mindset.
Iorveth should say as much. Maybe on a different day, though. Not now, when they both feel like shit and the world does present itself as a challenge they have to wade through. ]
As are you.
[ So. No pushback. Just an unhinged reciprocation, mirroring intensity. ]
You're free now, [ is another affirmation to add to the pile, palm moving from Astarion's back to his face, thumbing his jaw slowly. ] No one can take anything from you.
no subject
Iorveth should say as much. Maybe on a different day, though. Not now, when they both feel like shit and the world does present itself as a challenge they have to wade through. ]
As are you.
[ So. No pushback. Just an unhinged reciprocation, mirroring intensity. ]
You're free now, [ is another affirmation to add to the pile, palm moving from Astarion's back to his face, thumbing his jaw slowly. ] No one can take anything from you.