[ Astarion is opposed to Iorveth calling Damris a cat, because that's what he calls Astarion, and he's terrible at sharing. 'Kitten' is acceptable because it implies he's a lesser, unevolved form of Astarion, which is exactly what Damris is, in Astarion's opinion.

He leans his cheek into Iorveth's touch. It's astounding, really, how different it feels to the touches of his memory-nightmares. Those had been all for someone else, but when Iorveth touches him, he can tell that it's with the intention of making him feel cherished and cared for. He doesn't know how he ever survived without this sort of pure, chaste touching, because he craves it all the time. An embarrassing amount. If he had his way, Iorveth would do nothing but stroke his hair all day. ]

Ugh. Maybe we should reach out to Linus. I don't want him falling in love with Gale.

[ Which feels horribly possible, considering that Gale is probably one of the first people to ever treat him with kindness. Astarion absolutely, positively does not approve. ]

—But I suppose you're right. Besides, he hasn't anywhere else to go.

[ He could take to the streets, but Astarion knows where Damris is right now: lying in a soft, plush bed, safe and comfortable. He won't go.

Finally, finally, he breaches the topic he's been avoiding: ] Did we get the right cloak, do you think?