[ It’s a sliver of hope, light slanting through the window, although Gale still can’t see another way forward. His nose nudges Astarion’s in his eagerness to encourage this closeness. Selfish to the last. A wanting, ruinous thing. To die is terrible enough — to die alone, so far from home — he shudders without knowing why. ]

I can work with that. [ Gale knows he deserves even less that what he’s given. He only releases Astarion’s hands to cradle his jaw. ]

[ with quiet urgency, ] I should have come to you. [ He dares not kiss Astarion the way he wants to, after all he’s done and may yet do, but his lips brush his brow, then his raised cheekbone. ]

The day Elminster came, I should have found you first, before licking my wounds. [ that, at least, is true. ] I am a brilliant wizard of international renown and a terrible fool, who has been alone in a tower for far too long. [ Thinking of others as more than precious, endangered things is new. His very existence remains a threat, with detonation in the cards. ] It’s only that, of late, I am a fool for you. [ His mouth quirks on one side, hesitant. ] A situation I much prefer, to be clear.