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<>-Astarion & Value-<>
Wherever could that silly Tiefling be? Astarion was very much used to Valure checking in on others, particularly after the incident with Last Light. However this was quite a bit longer than usual and they had promised him more blood before they were to delve too much further into the crypt. He was not happy about his clinginess, but after Valure’s whole attempted murder thing, Astarion was oddly uncomfortable being apart from them for long. He knew he should be glad they were off, possibly threatening someone else, but here he was pining for them. The Elf sighed and set aside his useless mirror to go and find Valure.
That did not take long of course.
Value was gawking at Wyll who was too busy dancing to notice them. Astarion scoffed at the scene, keeping his distance. Even in the gloom he could see Valure’s good eye, lit up with curiosity. Had they never danced before? If only they’d come back to him, he could show them how to really dance. He smirked, watching the duo, smugly satisfied at Wyll’s awkward greeting, but- “I… wouldn’t want to fail my new partner,” Wyll offered Valure a warm smile, shattering Astarion’s amusement in an instant.
“A new partner?” The Tiefling asked, cocking their head. Foolish, naive thing- Astarion recognized their curious tone, the little smile. Did they truly not realize what was happening? Even after all the time spent with him? “And who might that be?” Valure shifted their weight, arms crossing, an eyebrow raised.
“As luck would have it, they just arrived," Wyll’s confidence was brimming, his words flowing more easily as he offered his hand to Valure, “May I have this dance?” He was every bit a dashing prince, save for the title and official royal pedigree.
Astarion’s eyes kept shifting back and forth between the two. “Say no-” whispered in the dark, every muscle was tense, sickness creeping up his throat- dread, pure and simple dread filled his entire being.
“Dance? There’s no music,” Valure shook their head with an innocent smile plastered on their face.
“Our hearts can keep time,” Wyll pressed gently.
Valure laughed, “Very well. Let’s dance.”
Astarion looked away from them, his heart bleeding with pain, a knife slowly twisting. Then, before he knew it, he was watching them once more, watching Wyll prance around Valure like some priggish bird, flaunting himself before a prospective mate. When it was Valure’s turn- ugh, Astarion would laugh at their disgraceful attempt at a canter if his heart did not ache so terribly. It only got worse as the baby-duke decided to entice Valure with a more intimate- his wretched words- dance, and Valure so willingly obliged him. This was nothing. Astarion cursed at himself, for the cruel way his chest ached, but… perhaps the Tiefling would be better off with someone like Wyll, a sweet hero, much closer to the morals Valure had a tendency to give into… prior to Last Light’s destruction. Astarion looked one last time. They looked so cozy together, each on one knee, face to face, mere inches between them.
Astarion turned away in a huff, slinking back to his corner of camp. It was only natural. He had done nothing, but charm and shower them with compliments. Perhaps they finally decided to wise up and trade him in for someone more… honest.
Valure meanwhile finally got the hint at what was on Wyll’s mind. “I-I- No. I’m sorry, this went too far,” they stood up quickly.
“Oh. I-I mean- Yes of course,” Wyll stumbled, getting his voice back together, although his disappointment was plain as day. What had he been thinking? “The sun only rests for so long.”
“You are very sweet, Wyll,” A small smile crept onto Valure’s face, “But…”
He chuckled softly, “Thank you… For the dance. I… Won’t forget it,” He took a step back, watching Valure, feeling decidedly dejected. He should have known better. It wasn’t much of a secret that they had their heart set on Astarion. He honestly did hope the rogue would get serious with them. Valure had come quite far from that first day in the grove.
So, the Tiefling went wandering straight to Astarion’s tent, the flap already closed, but they pushed through anyway. Against all odds, Astarion’s heart fluttered in his chest when they barged in, and it sank seeing a miserable look on Valure’s face. “Darling?” The Tiefling flopped right down next to him, arms around him before he could even react, burying their face into his side. Astarion hesitated. What… What happened? Cautiously he placed his hand over their shoulder, giving them a gentle squeeze.
Not a single word was said.
He… was unsure what to think. Normally they shared their thoughts with him when upset. This was… concerning. Although he hoped this meant that Valure… hadn't kissed Wyll when he wasn't looking.
Gods, what was wrong with him?