[ A low groan as Astarion tugs his hair and praises him, breatheless with sincerity. Can’t help how his hips hitch up, wanting despite his efforts to give alone. You’re so good to me. Something Gale has yearned to hear and yet doesn’t feel he can accept, given his avoidant behaviour. Astarion deserves far more than this, but it’s a start.

It should be. It had felt like it, for a brief moment in the mountains. His resolve to leave him and this world frays at the edges. The longer he lingers in Astarion’s arms now, the harder it will be to let go.

Gale slides his free hand up Astarion’s chest until he can chuck him under the chin, brown eyes adoring. ]

[ brows lifting, ] With all you’ve given me? [ Fingers still slow and sure on his cock. An expert twist of his wrist, squeezing on the upstroke. ] Even a pack’s worth of enchanted objects seems insignificant, in light of everything else.

[ Including this, now, the gasp that slips past sharp teeth because Gale is lucky enough to touch him. He’s greedy for it, he knows that, already retracing the path down to one of Astarion’s nipples, gently rolling it between his fingers. ]

Your company, your attention, your teeth. [ A light scrape of his at Astarion’s throat, in mutual reminder. Marked at his request, visceral and human in a way he hasn’t felt since Mystra took him as a lover. ] And that’s to say nothing of your laugh — or your beauty. I’d fear a life forever in your debt, if I didn’t savour repaying you so.