essea | [ ELVES CATCHALL POST. ]

[ Everyone thinks the scowling wood elf is the prude of the group until he gets comfortable with someone and starts talking about cock rings. He really has no right to talk shit about Halsin, but the difference between himself and the druid, in Iorveth's opinion, is that he at least knows who to proposition. Honestly still reeling about Halsin's offer for a threesome, however many months later. What the fuck, actually.

Anyway. Iorveth turns around on Astarion's lap, where he's ostensibly perched, to be face to scarred face; frustrated by his limited peripheral vision, and wanting to get Astarion out of his blind spot. He's too lovely not to appreciate fully. ]

Me enjoying myself and you needing something aren't mutually exclusive. [ Not to be annoying, but to make a point (which is probably annoying). ] Example: you need to drink, and I enjoy your teeth.

[ Like, way too much. Speaking of, though, Iorveth reaches for his mostly-empty wineglass, takes a sip, and leans forward again to press his wine-stained mouth to Astarion's. Lazy, warm. Once their lips part: ]

But I suppose I should speak more plainly. I like being full of you. I was just... [ Another vague handwave. ] Out of practice.

Edited 2025-04-25 05:00 (UTC)

[ It's good thing Iorveth does clarify further. Astarion can't stand the idea of having to be accommodated, even if it's true. Clearly, he's enjoyed himself both ways--and every other possible way--but he couldn't have handled the discomfort, the memories. Not that first time, when the mere thought of intimacy still made his chest tighten in anxiety. ]

Well, I'm feeling magnanimous. I could help you practice.

[ He pets Iorveth's hair, affectionate. Sometimes, he likes to imagine Iorveth with long locks plaited in those ridiculous wood elf braids. Ridiculous, because he doesn't care for that sort of Halsin-y style at all, but there's something about the thought of it on Iorveth. Like imagining a version of him before the world hardened him. ]

Do you happen to have that bottle of bath oil you stole from Gale's bathroom cabinets?

[ Casually. ]

[ The normal response would probably be "no, why would I have", but: ]

―Yes. A vial of it, in our pack in the bedroom.

[ Unashamed to say so― he doesn't feel guilty about wanting Astarion in every way that he can― but perhaps with slight reservation, given that he understands Astarion's complicated relationship (or lack thereof) with sex. Intimacy isn't required, and Iorveth loves Astarion with or without encouraging him to be a little freak, but it is always on the table if Astarion wants it.

The long and short of it: Iorveth slumps against Astarion's front, limp, relaxed arms looped loosely around his partner's shoulders. Trusting, affectionate. After being hit in the head with the strangeness of this new city, being near Astarion is a soothing balm. ]

Astarion. [ A soft breath, in and out. They'd made implicit fun of his inability to seduce anyone in the past, but Iorveth tries it now regardless, drawing on whatever dregs of appeal he thinks he might have left. Nuzzling up against Astarion's jaw, he murmurs: ] Beloved. Fuck me.

[ Okay, maybe a little too blunt to be seductive. But he is, as always, clear in his intentions, with no space for deceit. ]

[ Astarion adores Iorveth's bluntness, seductive or not. He always has. He's had enough of deceit and game-playing; Iorveth is never anything but straightforward, even when it's something Astarion doesn't want to hear. (Especially when it's something he doesn't want to hear, it feels like.)

But he wants to hear this, and he grins at the overgrown fox in his lap, fingers trailing over Iorveth's spine, up and down. ]

You don't have to ask me, although a little begging wouldn't be out of order.

[ A control freak, as always.

Teasingly: ] Should I carry you to the bed?

[ An impossibility. Trying to do so would be brutally unsexy. ]

[ A pleased, throaty sound at the feeling of clever fingers along his back, not unlike a fox or canine-shaped creature expressing contentment. It's followed by the hundredth soft laugh of the night, hidden under the sound of displacing water as Iorveth peels himself from Astarion's front. ]

You'd kill us both before we got to the sitting room.

[ Affectionately. Iorveth imagines the maids anxiously peering into their room tomorrow night, and finding two naked dead elves in the bathroom.

Probably wouldn't be the worst scandal this place has seen. Chuckling, Iorveth pulls himself up and out of the pool, careful not to knock over their still half-full bottle of wine on the way. Warm, eager.

Finding a robe (purple) to pull on later: ] That said, [ referring to the fucking, which he still very much wants, ] does it ever bother you? My tactility.

[ Aware that he has a tendency to touch and kiss Astarion, even in public. Featherlight things, usually― lips to hair, lips to temple― but if it's much, Iorveth can moderate. ]

[ Astarion slips out of the water himself, dripping little trickles of violet water on the tile. Oh, well. It's appropriate for this place's aesthetic, he thinks. Another thing he thinks: Iorveth is a fucking idiot. Astarion approaches him while he's still picking up the robe, hands on his shoulders to manhandle him toward the bedroom. ]

For someone who yaps on and on about seeing things clearly, you don't see very well.

[ It's affectionate, mostly. He adores Iorveth, but it does irritate him a little to feel coddled in a way that he never asked for. Isn't it obvious? He holds Iorveth's hand every chance he gets. ]

I despise other people's touch. You aren't other people.

[ Making a mess already, dripping water all over nice tiles and clean floorboards. Iorveth is bullied towards the bedroom before he can even attempt to dry Astarion off a little, berated for his stupidity all the while. ]

I'd gathered that much.

[ A huff, amused despite the needling. Clearly, Astarion doesn't want mindfulness when it comes to affection― Iorveth will make a note of that. ]

Fine, then. I'll make sure only to stop when you hiss.

[ The entirety of Toril will suffer for it, but the world can fucking deal. Shoved back into their very violet bedroom, Iorveth makes a detour towards their pack and rummages inside it for both the tattoo quill and the vial of oil, keeping the former handy for if and when Astarion decides he wants to do a bit of doodling on Iorveth's skin; the vial is a more immediate necessity, and it gets tossed onto a stack of soft-looking pillows (wine, to match the sheets).

This time, Iorveth is the one to flop backwards onto the mattress first. Limp-limbed, tan skin (less tan than a few tendays ago, when they'd left Baldur's Gate; Iorveth hasn't seen the sun since then) warm and flushed from the bath. ]

Edited 2025-04-26 02:37 (UTC)

As long as I get to hear you purr.

[ Astarion crawls onto the bed, sliding on top of Iorveth in a way that's almost predatory, like a fanged animal sizing up dinner. (Which isn't too far from the truth.) Bath-warm Iorveth is even better than regular-warm Iorveth, a little bit of color on his chest and neck, hair still damp. ]

Gods, you're handsome.

[ The truth as he sees it, no matter what Iorveth says. He leans down to press a kiss against Iorveth's eyelid, then another where his eye used to be. Equally breathtaking, because it's Iorveth. ]

What an idiot you are to think I'd ever shy away from your touch, [ he scolds. ] Don't you know that I crave you?

[ By now, Iorveth can identify Astarion even if he were deaf and blind: the weight of him, the feel of him, his temperature and his touch. All of it is so achingly familiar now that he really does think he couldn't live without it, that he'd hurt from missing it if he were without it for a prolonged amount of time. ]

The concept took some getting used to.

[ Accepting the scolding, while he tries to figure out where to put his hands. 'All over' is the correct course of action, but where to start? One slides down Astarion's back, feeling the texture of those raised scars with careful fingers; the other loops and settles at Astarion's nape, tickling the soft ends of still-damp curls. ]

No one's ever spoken to me the way you do.

[ Iorveth's had lovers, sure, but the sex was either a casual affair or a frenetic, desperate scramble. Nothing like this, nothing that took so much time and built up in bits and pieces. Painstaking and precious. Iorveth wouldn't trade Astarion for anything. ]

[ Good. And yet-- everyone should worship the ground Iorveth walks on. Stuck between these two ideas, Astarion hums thoughtfully, pressing his mouth to the underside of Iorveth's jaw, his throat, his collarbone. ]

Mmm, do you like the way I speak to you?

[ Better to just focus it on Astarion. Other people don't matter, anyway. They're the only two people in existence, as far he's concerned. Everyone else is just set dressing.

He places a hand on Iorveth's chest, letting it wander downward, down the flat plane of Iorveth's abdomen where his fingers splay out, savoring the feeling of something precious beneath them. ]

Do you enjoy hearing how beautiful you are? How much I adore you?

[ Honestly, he's not sure if Iorveth finds such comments uncomfortable or not. He's only just begun to accept the compliments as they are without argument, after all. Of course, he's still going to say such things. One day, he thinks, his comments will make it through Iorveth's ridiculously thick skull. ]

Sometimes I think of tying you up and praising you for hours.

[ The only way Iorveth would let him get away with it, probably. ]

[ The expected (and instinctive) response is to say something along the lines of "you'd only have material for a few minutes at most", but Iorveth refrains. It seems a shame to ruin the sweet, comfortable mood with posturing― not to mention that it would be criminal to say anything that would stop what Astarion is currently doing.

Iorveth breathes. Feels that hand on his stomach move up and down in time to his inhales, his exhales. His pulse skips and jackrabbits a bit, the beginnings of expectant arousal sitting just under his skin, waiting and wanting. ]

I could do the same for you, [ he finally manages, ] but with less rope.

[ A light squirm under Astarion's weight, with the fingers exploring Astarion's back pressing inwards just a fraction. A manifestation of how has to fight himself a bit to say the next words, which still feel strange in his mouth. ]

I... do, like being loved by you. [ Uncharacteristically mealy-mouthed. He's told Astarion about his hangups, about how others have left or died, how he feels that everyone he cares for eventually dies or regrets it; Iorveth is fine with loving, but it always seems like wanting it back ends in the kind of disaster that he doesn't want Astarion to experience.

But he can only ever be honest, especially with someone he cares for so much. Another slight shift, and Iorveth presses his face against Astarion's neck. ]

You've accused me of being besotted, but you're the one who makes me so. Every time you speak. More and more, with each passing day.

[ Very rude of Astarion. If he wants Iorveth to be less obsessed, he could stand to be less lovable. ]

[ With less rope, he says. Astarion isn't sure if it's because Iorveth doesn't want to suggest he'd do anything to make Astarion feel trapped (even in ridiculous fantasy), or because there's no way Astarion would ever need to be tied up and forced to listen to praise when he demands it on the regular.

He laughs at 'every time you speak', because the gods know it isn't every time. All the same, he shifts, hand snaking down further between their bodies to wrap loosely around Iorveth's cock. Out of practice, he'd said, and Astarion wants to ease him into it. Relax him as much as possible. Iorveth seems to enjoy some level of pain in his intimacy, but discomfort is as unsexy as it gets. ]

You sound as if you're under my thrall. [ Then, teasing: ] Perhaps you are.

[ More shifting, as that touch trails down and wraps around the beginnings of a semi. It should probably be more embarrassing that sweet words and gentle cuddling in bed were enough to make his dick feel a little stupid, but it is what it is. A hitched breath and a low sigh through his nose later, Iorveth relaxes, letting the mattress have his weight. No tensing, no immediate move to reciprocate as a distraction. ]

You're a vampire, aren't you?

[ Half-laughed, even as he tries to reconcile the teasing conversation with the hand around his cock. Both are nice. ]

But, mm. I'll not be a mindless servant who doesn't challenge you. [ Obviously. ] Being foolishly besotted doesn't exclude me from getting on your nerves.

[ Another low laugh, and he moves his hips under Astarion's scrutiny, humming in time to that little ripple of friction. ]

Get on my nerves enough, and I'll have to punish you.

[ Only idle teasing, the suggestion of a punishment undoubtedly sensual in nature. To accentuate his point, his hand squeezes gently, beginning to stroke lightly, up and down. The movement is lazy, casual, as if there's nothing more natural in the world than giving a handjob to Iorveth while they talk in bed. ]

—But not tonight.

[ A maybe another night, if you're into that sort of thing. ]

I think tonight you should be rewarded.

[ Iorveth deserves to be rewarded every night—and every day, too—for putting up with Astarion the way that he does. Besotted or not, he puts up with quite a lot. ]

How do you want it, darling? Do you still like it rough, or would you like to be treated gently?

[ It's sweet that Astarion always asks. Iorveth has noticed it, and attributed it, perhaps, to the fact that no one ever thought to ask Astarion what he wanted.

Again: it's sweet. Especially since the answer is always going to be "I want whatever you're willing to give", as unhelpful as that is. Iorveth understands the necessity for it, and it makes his heart grow three sizes in the cynical chasm of his chest― he turns into the touch, lets himself accept it and respond to it, hot and hardening between lukewarm fingers. Not conceding, but accepting.

Which is why his answer is: ] Gently. [ Not the choice he usually goes for, weird freak creature that he is. It's easier to mix pain into pleasure because it gives him an excuse not to be treated softly, but he doesn't want excuses when it comes to being around Astarion. ] ...The world won't be kind to us, but we can be kind to one another.

[ They still have vampires to contend with, and a cloak to win. Everything is a struggle, but they don't have to be. ]

[ He'd hoped for that answer, although he hadn't been sure it would be the one he would get. Iorveth is, after all, a freak, and Astarion had thought that perhaps rough would always be his preference. He enjoys it either way, just pleased to be the recipient of Iorveth's touch, but he favors gentleness, always has. Thousands of conquests, but none of them were ever gentle or loving. Iorveth had questioned if Astarion minded his tactility, but in fact, there's nothing that brings him more happiness than being touched kindly by someone who loves him.

All way too embarrassing to say, of course. Still, he dips down to kiss Iorveth, light and gentle as requested. A few more languid strokes of Iorveth's hardening length and he sits up, creating space for himself between Iorveth's long limbs as he reaches for the vial of stolen oil, uncorking it and depositing a generous amount on his fingers until they're suitably slick. ]

You ridiculous sap. [ (Affectionate). With the nudge of a knee, he urges Iorveth's legs open wider. ] Luckily, you're the only one I want to be kind to.

[ On the cusp of being pleasantly sex-brained, Iorveth has to make a conscious effort to coordinate the lower half of his body to do as he's prompted. His limbs are comfort-heavy and relaxed, and his legs take a bit of nudging to spread enough to let Astarion sit between them. ]

You can be kind, [ Iorveth laughs again, despite the very vulnerable position he's in. ] But I will sulk if you kiss someone else.

[ Astarion can and should have friends, many of them, but Iorveth might have to rescind previous statements about not minding if Astarion goes and finds his pleasures elsewhere. Sure, Astarion still can, but more and more, Iorveth is finding that he might feel Some Type Of Way about it if it happens. Terrifying.

A low breath, and Iorveth tries to lift a leg and rest his calf on his partner's shoulder. Playful. Not exactly the most elegant position for what they're about to do, but at least his cock is hard enough now that it sits comfortably (?) on his stomach, giving Astarion easy access to the rest of him. ]

[ You can be kind, as if he has any inclination to do so. The only thing he has less inclination to do is to kiss someone else. It's oddly very sweet that Iorveth takes umbrage with the idea of kissing someone else and not having sex with someone else, although he imagines neither would be received particularly well. Still, he enjoys the idea that such chaste, nonsexual contact could be special enough to Iorveth to warrant being singled out.

He's not that interested in chaste, nonsexual contact right now, though. His hand dips between Iorveth's legs, fingertip brushing against him, circling the rim. Less teasing and more languid, taking his time. He's often rushed his way through sex just to get it over faster, but he doesn't have anywhere else he wants to go right now. ]

I do like the idea of you in a fit of jealous rage.

[ Not how Iorveth would truly react, he knows. That's probably why it's a fun fantasy and not a dreadful one. ]

—But you know I have no interest in any lips but yours. No one else's scowl quite as attractively.

[ Pinpick thrills run up Iorveth's spine at the feeling of questing fingers: not pleasurable, per se, but interesting. He finds a pillow to stuff under the small of his back (since they're going for care and comfort), hips angled upwards as he relaxes into the touch. One hand rests on his own stomach, then drifts down to his now-erect cock to give it languid attention. A bit of a show for Astarion, if he's into that sort of thing.

A huff through his nose, warm and deep; for a moment, he forgets how to speak, distracted by everything happening to his lower half. He makes a pleased sound of half-acknowledgment, 'hm?', then remembers to use his words. ]

I have perfected the art.

[ It's economical, being able to tell someone to fuck off just by looking at them. Iorveth has it down to a science by now, though it's impossible to attempt the look here, even just to demonstrate.

Instead: a content nuzzle into purple-burgundy bedsheets, damp bangs sticking to his jaw. Turned on, skin hot, eye half-lidded. He swallows, and his tattoo ripples along his throat. ]

―Though you're stiff competition.

[ Use of the word 'stiff' intentional. That said, Astarion is incredibly cute when he pouts. ]

[ Astarion is into that sort of thing. Of course he is; Iorveth's hands are one of his favorite parts of him, and the sight of his fingers brushing against his erection makes heat pool in his stomach, 'stiff' becoming more accurate by the second.

All of that aside, he reaches out to remove Iorveth's hand, replacing it with his own free one. ]

Sweetheart, [ he says, the endearment full of warmth as he moves his featherlight touch up and down, ] I know this may be a difficult concept for you—

[ Gently, as he'd promised, he pushes a fingertip inside, a shallow breaching at first. 'Out of practice', Iorveth had said, and so he deserves to be prepared tenderly, softly. He feels warm and tight, and Astarion savors the feeling for a protracted moment before exploring deeper, both hands matching that slow, unhurried pace. ]

But I want you to lie back and do nothing but feel pleasure.

[ A very difficult concept. Iorveth was not built to be a pillow princess. ]

[ Coaxed out of touching himself, then coaxed to lie back and just feel. It's definitely an unfamiliar request, and one that puzzles him even while his body reacts to the careful, slow intrusion happening between his legs.

A soft exhale and a conscious effort not to tense around that pretty digit later: ]

―What of yours?

[ A strange thing, to be told not to reciprocate. It would worry him if not for the gentle way Astarion is handling him, giving him welcome shivers of pleasure from his cock to offset the initial strangeness of being relaxed open. He remains achingly hard, toes curling and eye flitting closed every time his partner pets along the underside of his flushed erection or strokes something inside of him that feels far too sensitive to be reasonable.

Fuck, it's starting to feel good. Slowly, terrifyingly. Already, Iorveth can tell that this is going to make him utterly stupid by the end of it. ]

[ 'What of yours', Iorveth asks, and Astarion laughs a little. It's a fair question. He's used giving pleasure without reciprocation as an excuse not to be touched more times than he can count. It isn't the same now; he adores Iorveth's touch, but just not as much as he's adoring the sight of him relaxed and limp right now. ]

This is mine.

[ Another thin finger pressing in, curling, seeking out the spot that makes Iorveth react and brushing against it, light enough to be pleasurable but not overwhelming. He does have the thought of being almost punishing with it, at pressing against that spot over and over until Iorveth trembles from it, but, well. Another time. Tonight is for being kind, and for making Iorveth feel loved. ]

Do you think that I don't enjoy touching you?

[ Oh, he mouths as a response to "this is mine", both as an answer to the statement and an involuntary huff at the feeling of another finger. Is it embarrassing that it's getting easier to accept the intrusion, that he can feel his knees parting another inch for better access, that his hips hike up a fraction from the mattress to chase the buzz he feels every time Astarion grazes against that spot that makes him feel raw, too good?

A little. There's something to be said about trusting a partner with pain, but he's finding that the trustfall of allowing someone to be careful is just as intense. Nowhere to hide, stripped bare in all senses. Pre-Astarion, even in more halcyon days, he might have shoved someone away and masked it as a playful push-and-pull.

It's scary, being loved. Loved like this, more accurately. He flushes hotter, his lust-stupid erection making a bit of a mess on his stomach already, and chokes back another too-honest sound. ]

You're insane. [ Affectionately. Only Astarion could find joy in touching such a weird, jagged elf, and Iorveth loves him for it; it makes him writhe around those fingers again, tightening around them as he reaches up with one hand to try to touch Astarion's perfect face. ] ―If you want to spoil me, kiss me.

You deviant.

[ Astarion leans forward, the movement gently pushing the leg still perched on his shoulder closer to Iorveth's body. His hands are practically trapped between their bodies like this, so he relinquishes his hold on Iorveth's cock, allowing it to brush against his own erection instead so that Iorveth can feel just how much he's desired, jagged edges and all. His fingers keep up their steady work between Iorveth's legs; he'll complain about having a sore wrist later, but it feels worth it right now.

He knows that kisses are special to Iorveth, so he takes his time with soft, light pecks against his mouth to distract and relax and pamper him, tongue only darting out to wet his lips without pushing inside. A third finger enters that tight heat, a ring of muscle stretching around his knuckles in a way that's dizzyingly satisfying. ]

You're doing so well, [ he coos, and he would know. He's had plenty times of his own not 'doing well', tensed up and anxious. ] Does it feel good?

[ For once, not fishing. ]

[ A lot of limbs to negotiate, but they get there. Iorveth hums at the feeling of soft lips against his, infatuated with Astarion's mouth as ever; Astarion doesn't have to breathe, so the intimacy of sharing exhales and inhales is slightly undercut, but it matters very little in the grand scheme of things. It feels good, and lets him acclimate to the third finger pressing inside him, the stretch momentarily verging on the edge of uncomfortable but never quite getting there. Subsumed by trust and the eventual spine-shaking feeling of clever digits rubbing just right. ]

Good, [ he murmurs against lips warmed by his breath. ] Good all over, hells.

[ An elf puddle on the sheets, boneless (minus the part that counts) but vibrating all over. The press of their bodies and the slide of their cocks against each other makes Iorveth see stars momentarily― like the first sparks of an orgasm, but not quite. He knows Astarion can feel that tremble from where Iorveth squeezes around his fingers, not from tension but involuntary pleasure.

A whisper of a moan, and Iorveth closes his eye. He feels like his brain is leaking out of his ears. ] Can't think, [ he corroborates. ]

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