Chapter Text
Gale looked up from his book in response to the rhythmic knocking he heard. He'd been enjoying the peaceful mix of rain and silence before he was interrupted. The knock was coming from downstairs, no doubt at the entrance door of his tower. He had a charm on the door so he could hear any knocking on it throughout the entire tower. He hadn't expected guests, especially not at this hour of the night. The moon was high in the sky. He rushed to make himself look decent and teleported downstairs. Stairs were far too much trouble for a wizard of his caliber. He carefully opened the door, and as soon as it was open enough to see who it was, he felt his heart sink into his stomach.
Astarion stood at his doorstep, wet from the rain and with a miserable look on his face. That was only for a moment, though, because as soon as he noticed Gale had opened the door, he was smiling in the flirtatious way he often did during their travels together. A full two years had passed since they destroyed the brain, and he hadn't changed a bit.
“ Gods, come in- you're soaked, “ Gale moved to allow him to enter. As Astarion entered his tower, Gale noticed a large bag on his hip.
Astarion sighed, “ Truthfully, the rain didn't bother me. It was the walk here from Baldur's Gate that was miserable. “
“ You walked all the way here? Why? “ Gale questioned him, looking over his clothes to find he was wearing the armor he'd worn during their final battle against the Absolute.
“ I… I have been in sort of a situation for a while, and… Gods, Gale, I've been dreading this moment since I left the city. I need somewhere to stay. “
“ You can't stay at the elfsong anymore? “
“ I can't, erm… I can't really afford to stay at the elfsong anymore, “ Astarion was looking everywhere but at Gale. He was embarrassed.
“ What happened to all your money? You had a lot saved up after our travels- and you told me you were a mercenary at the reunion. “
“ I've been unable to find work for a little while. It was good for a bit, but now I'm barely finding any jobs. I tried stealing, but I can't enter homes without an invitation. Pickpocketing didn't work- I lost quite a bit of gold buying my way out of prison. People are more perceptive than they were two hundred years ago. It's just all been… awful, “ he groaned. He looked at Gale with round, pleading eyes he knew he wouldn't be able to say no to. Gale was nothing if not generous, and Astarion intended to use that to his fullest capabilities. “ I went through all my options, and the least terrible one I could think of was asking you for help. “
Gale smiled widely. “ I'm delighted to help you, Astarion! I have several extra rooms just waiting for guests to fill them! Come, you must be tired. Let me get you some tea- “
“ I don't drink tea, Gale. I wouldn't say no to wine, though, “ he looked at him with another flirtatious smile, “ If you don't mind. “
Gale nodded, “ Of course. I'll show you to the room you can stay in, and then we can pop open a fresh bottle and reminisce upon our adventures like old times! “
“ Delightful. “
Astarion nearly screamed when Gale teleported them both upstairs. Gale led him to the guest room he was going to stay in, and Astarion audibly gasped when he saw how big and luxurious the room was. He ran his fingers over the silk bedspread before putting down his bag and looking at Gale expectantly.
“ Spoiling me, hm? You know, we haven't discussed what you want in return for letting me stay here, “ he gave him a seductive smile before sitting on the bed. His voice was soft and airy. “ Do you have anything in mind, Mr. Dekarios? “
Gale chuckled, “ Oh, you don't owe me anything. In truth, I've been a bit, uhm… lonely lately with just Tara and myself. It's nice to see a humanoid person. “
Astarion hummed. Gale's choice of words caught his attention. He lowered his voice a tad, speaking slower and more purposefully, “ Lonely? Aw, darling, I'm sorry to hear it. I could fix that, you know. I can be very, very good company. And you deserve some good company for letting me stay in your home. “
Gale seemed to catch on now, if the blush on his cheeks was anything to go by. He awkwardly chuckled, waving his hands in front of him, “ Oh, no, no! You needn't have sex with me to stay here! I promise I don't expect anything in return, “ Gale awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck, “ I'm going to go downstairs and get wine ready. You can join me when you're settled in. Clothes are in the dresser, if you want to get out of your wet armor. They should fit you, I bought them when I was significantly thinner. “
Astarion looked at him with a dumbfounded expression. He nodded and watched as Gale teleported himself downstairs. He looked over at the dresser and then to his wet armor before moving to change.
Gale grabbed two glasses from his kitchen before going to enter his wine cellar to grab a bottle. He looked over each one until he found one that was properly aged. It was quite a huge bottle, being sort of round and very wide. Like a jug of wine. He brought it upstairs and smiled when he saw Astarion sitting on his couch a few rooms away. He was dressed in some comfortable red pajamas.
“ Wine and glasses acquired, “ he put them on the table in front of the couch, “ and I see you found some night clothes! I love that particular set. The material is so soft. “
Astarion watched as he poured him a glass. “ I… appreciate the hospitality. “
“ Of course! I would be a terrible friend if I'd just left you on my porch. “
Astarion hummed in response. He sipped his wine slowly, watching Gale drink his own.
Gale smiled at him before asking, “ How has unlife been? Aside from the money troubles, of course. “
“ It's been… alright, I suppose. How has everything been for you? “ Astarion took another swig from his glass, this time downing the entire drink. He didn't want to wait for Gale to pour him more, so he poured himself another glass.
“ Ah, well… Tara and I have done some very important research as of late. I've discovered a way to extend the time someone can concentrate on mage hand, for example. “
“ Anything other than magic? “
“ Ah, no, not really. Magic is everything to me, so… that's no surprise. “
Astarion hummed. He downed another glass and went to pour another. Gale chuckled.
“ You're quite thirsty, aren't you? I don't mind- I have plenty of wine- but you should probably slow down. “
“ Gale, I've had such a shit time lately. This is the first time I've had good wine in months, “ Astarion looked at him with round, sad eyes, once again knowing he wouldn't be able to say no, “ I just want to drink. “
Gale let out a soft huff. “ Understood, “ he nodded, “ Have as much as you'd like. “
Astarion blinked at him and smirked, “ Do you actually mean that? “
“ Of course! “
“ Good. “ Astarion gripped the bottle by the neck and held the bottom with his other hand. He began to chug it. He drank a significant portion of the bottle before moving it away from his lips, “ Gods, this tastes like the heavens. “
Gale stared at him, wide-eyed and shocked. He awkwardly chuckled before sipping his own glass.
Astarion put the bottle down on the table once more and wiggled as he got more comfortable on the couch. “ Tell me about this mage hand thing you've done. “
“ Ah! Well, “ Gale began to explain the process of extending the spell's duration. He talked for a good ten minutes about it, barely paying attention to Astarion, who was now leaning his head against the couch. When he was done, he looked for a reaction to his explanation, and he found Astarion didn't reply for a moment.
“ Oh, are you done already? “ Astarion drunkenly giggled. The alcohol had hit him, and it had hit him hard.
Gale's cheeks burned a bit with embarrassment, “ Yes, I'm done. “
“ That's a lot to take in. You know something, Gale, “ Astarion slurred, “ I was expecting to be sharing a bed with you right now. Riding you, maybe. Giving you head, perhaps? “
Gale blushed and swallowed nervously before replying, “ I'm sorry to be a disappointment. I just know you with your history, and… I don't feel comfortable accepting payment in the form of sex. “
“ You're so sweet, “ Astarion drawled sarcastically before he giggled once more, “ I spent the whole walk here practicing what to do and say to you while we were fucking. I have to say, I… I appreciate that we're not having sex right now. “
“ I'm sorry you felt the need to do that. I hope you don't think I'm the sort of man who'd expect that from you. “
“ No… “ Astarion sighed and shook his head, “ I don't. I think that's why I chose to come to you. “
Gale smiled at him, “ If there's anything at all I can do to make you more comfortable, please do not hesitate to ask. “
“ I- “ Astarion covered his mouth as he gagged. He realized then that he'd absolutely had too much wine, “ I need a bucket- “
“ Magic loo is down the hall to the left, “ Gale's face showed visible concern.
Astarion leapt from the couch and rushed to where he'd been instructed, almost falling over his feet a few times in his drunken hurry. Gale waited patiently for him to return, and he did so after a few minutes.
“ Fuck, I'm tired… “ Astarion slurred.
“ Let's get you to bed, “ Gale stood and made his way over to Astarion. He put his hand on his back and led him to his room. He decided teleporting him might not be the best idea. When they arrived at his room, Gale watched Astarion drunkenly stumble to his bed before wrapping himself up in a blanket. Gale whispered, “ Goodnight, Astarion. “
“ Goodnight, Gale… “ Astarion replied, his speech nearly incomprehensible in his half-meditated state he'd nearly immediately fallen into.
Gale sighed to himself on the way to his own room. He rubbed his temples and decided he'd put away the wine tomorrow. He was happy Astarion was there, but he hoped every night wouldn't be like this one.