essea: (42.)
ɪᴏʀᴠᴇᴛʜ. ([personal profile] essea) wrote2022-09-07 10:10 am
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nibbling: (pic#17263716)

[personal profile] nibbling 2025-07-09 01:10 am (UTC)(link)
[ Sometimes he fantasizes about that, too, when he's feeling particularly low. There's an appeal to making somebody who won't ever be able to leave him, couldn't possibly hurt him. But while a master can control a spawn physically, he still can't control their hearts (unbeating as they may be). He'd always know, somewhere deep down, that Iorveth didn't really love him, and it would make him go mad.

So:
] No. Well, not for long.

[ A vampire ascendant, maybe, but very soon not a spawn. He sucks gently at Iorveth's wrist, almost casual, like this is just as normal as post-coital cuddling. ]

If I fed you my own blood, then you'd be a true vampire. [ Teasing: ] Honestly, Iorveth, if you're going to be married to one, you really should brush up on the lore.
nibbling: (pic#17292425)

[personal profile] nibbling 2025-07-09 03:36 am (UTC)(link)
[ Astarion licks a few more times at the soft skin of Iorveth's wrist before he relinquishes it, fitting himself against Iorveth's body as best he can with this stupid leg in the way. Even worse than cockblocking, it's cuddleblocking him. ]

I don't know.

[ The lore isn't exactly his strong suit. He only knows the basics: you become a spawn, and then your master dangles the prospect of letting you drink his blood and become a true vampire in front of your face to torture you for two hundred years. Simple. ]

If there's a ritual to become a vampire ascendant, which, honestly, I'm not even certain is a real thing... [ It sounds fake!! How many fucking levels of vampire are there? ] ...then I'm sure there must be an alternative way to rise through the ranks from a spawn, as well.

[ With the power of devils on your side, it seems you can do just about anything. As long as you pay the price. ]

I guess I never gave it much thought, after— [ Giving up the ascendancy. He already sacrificed the greatest power he could ever have in the world; his lot in life was fairly cemented at that point. ]
nibbling: (pic#17335027)

[personal profile] nibbling 2025-07-09 04:43 am (UTC)(link)
[ Ugh!! Another downside of these injuries: he can't both hold Iorveth's hand and pinch his cheek. Justified in hating Iorveth. Astarion could never be justified in hating him — and he could never hate him. Iorveth could betray him in every possible way, and there would still always be a part of him that longed for Iorveth's love. ]

The only reason to have that world-changing power is to protect you. [ Yes, he wants to be safe himself, but it's become less and less important. Not because he's somehow healed and found that the world is not an inherently dangerous place, but because he's simply shifted his neuroticism onto Iorveth's safety instead. ] The hag would have been a fine paste rubbed into that ugly carpet.

[ And it would have been glorious. If he had only ascended, he would have been able to save Iorveth, really save him, rather than just taking him and running. ]

...But I suppose seven thousand souls is quite a steep price to pay. [ He squeezes Iorveth's hand. ] And your disapproving scowl would have been too much to bear.
nibbling: (pic#16872694)

[personal profile] nibbling 2025-07-09 07:04 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Horrifically, Astarion actually giggles like a besotted schoolboy under the barrage of Iorveth's affection. Iorveth makes him feel— light. Unburdened. Like he really is young again, untouched and untainted. Like he's perfect the way he is. ]

I am particularly wonderful, [ he agrees. ] As are you. Hence why we make the perfect match.

[ There's only one thing he'd ever change about Iorveth, and it's that awful mortality. At least Iorveth isn't a human, or gods forbid, a halfling or gnome. He'd be beside himself if he thought he only had, what, fifty or sixty years before Iorveth's demise. No, he's lucky, really. Iorveth's elvenhood has never meant much to Astarion, but he's grateful for it. It gives him time. ]

...Besides, the whole 'turning you into a vampire' idea is really more of a plan B. I'd hate to bury you six feet under, darling, even for a day. And not only because you know I hate digging.

[ Although that's definitely part of it. Astarion's own death was one of the most traumatizing experiences of his existence. Forcing Iorveth to go through the same would be harrowing.

He'd do it, if he had to. But there are plenty of options to explore.
]
nibbling: (pic#17335021)

[personal profile] nibbling 2025-07-10 12:06 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Astarion practically glows with happiness. Yes, that's exactly how he feels. An absence of Iorveth would be too terrible to bear. It seems very clear that the way his life has gone has been "no Iorveth = awful" and "yes Iorveth = pretty good"; an Iorveth is necessary for things to be all right. ]

Luckily for you, I've already cheated death.

[ Sure, that's discounting the fact that he very much can still die if (and when, probably) someone gets irritated enough with him to kill him, but at least that pesky old age won't get him. ]

Vampirism has its drawbacks, to be sure, but at least I'm not a hideous zombie like that Conway fellow.

[ He's referring to Connor, Mayrina's poor husband. ]
nibbling: (pic#17341343)

[personal profile] nibbling 2025-07-10 11:20 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Astarion settles close, pulling the covers over their lower halves, head nestled in the crook of Iorveth's shoulder. He simply couldn't be happier; an orgasm, a fiancé, and the promise of Iorveth's quest for eternal life—

Wait, what did Iorveth just say about his quest for eternal life?

Astarion pulls back to get a good look at his face, as if he thinks he might find Iorveth winking and laughing, because surely he's joking. No one would ever say such a ridiculous thing in all seriousness. He raises an eyebrow, wary.
]

I can't imagine how your quest for eternal life could ever go wrong.

[ It's eternal life. He doesn't care if Iorveth is a hideous zombie!! ]

So we really don't have to make any sort of contingency plan.
nibbling: (pic#16872719)

[personal profile] nibbling 2025-07-11 02:50 am (UTC)(link)
Well, obviously, but—

[ Astarion whines, shifting uncomfortably where he's lying. Why would Iorveth ruin his afterglow with such unpleasant thoughts? He doesn't like this at all. Not at all!! ]

Are you mad? [ he finally says, blowing a strand of hair out of his face. Unfortunately, he already knows the answer is probably 'yes', so he doesn't leave Iorveth time to respond to that. Iorveth is insane, and most of the time, Astarion adores that about him, but not when he's asking him to, what, put Iorveth out of his potential future misery like a rabid dog? ]

I'm not going to kill you.
nibbling: (pic#17263775)

[personal profile] nibbling 2025-07-11 03:57 am (UTC)(link)
[ The continued affection does placate him... somewhat. Astarion can't help but lean into Iorveth's touch, an insuppressible bodily reaction. The desire to be cuddled outweighs all rational thought, unfortunately. Still: ]

—Because, [ is another petulant whine. He can't believe, actually, that Iorveth is asking 'why not'. Would Iorveth kill him if he were an ugly zombie?

Better not to think about such impossibilities. He'll never be ugly.
]

I would... find a way to fix you. [ After dragging around his decaying corpse, just like Mayrina did to Conway— er, Connor. ] It's as if you've never heard of the healing power of true love.