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avocado-writing · 2 months

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Companions reacting to Tav telling them they love them right in the middle(or after) a fight?? Like Tav is just so in awe of seeing em in action<3

oh! So sweet! Absolutely, here you go anon - writing as if you’ve seen them do something magnificent in battle & are so overcome with love that you have no choice but to blurt it out! (some stuff under a cut for being a bit NSFW LMAO) plus mentions of blood & violence

Astarion

stabs someone attacking you from out of the darkness with such efficiency they’re dead before they hit the ground

you’re blown away by the bloodlust and fury in his eyes - how DARE someone try to hurt you?

”I love you,” you choke out, wide-eyed and trembling from fear and emotion.

he’s shocked, but reaches over to give you a quick and bloody kiss before stabbing someone approaching behind you and urging you to get back to the fight

tells you later it was very silly to be distracting yourselves like that… but he does appreciate it nonetheless 😌

Wyll

we’ve seen the way he’s introduced in game, we know he’s a fan of some showmanship

you see him deal with three opponents at once, Eldritch Blasts in one hand and rapier in the other, and shout that you love him almost instinctively

when he finishes seeing them off he leaps across the battlefield, spins you, and gives you a fiery kiss before darting back up to block another sword

you feel like you’ve had the air stolen from your lungs but quickly manage to recalibrate yourself - you have a fight to win!

you can’t help stealing glances at his fine form for the rest of the battle though 😏

Gale

we know canonically he gets turned on from watching you fight.

you yell out that you love him after seeing him sling the coolest Fireball? he’s putty in your hands afterwards.

so desperate, kissing you, begging for your hands to be all over him

“you are so wonderful, my heart… to see you in battle… it set every inch of me aflame…”

gets you into a routine of quickies after battle bc the two of you are fired up. neither of you mind delaying your adventure to fuck rough and fast. the rest of the party… could do without that.

Karlach

is busy raging and does NOT hear you lol

roars in response but that could just be a normal battle roar when it comes to her tbf

she finds you afterwards though, a little sheepish, and is like “oh erm did you say you loved me mid-battle?”

”yes! you looked so cool cleaving that dude in half karlach, I was a bit swept up…”

her face goes bright(er) red and she actually giggles before pulling you into a kiss

“things like that make this all worthwhile, solider. I love you too.”

Shadowheart

you’re dying. she floods you with a cure wounds so powerful it starts your heart again and also cures, like, an unrelated ache in your hip too, lol

you look up at her, bathed in the blood of battle, and she is like an angel sent from the heavens

“I love you” you manage to croak out from cracked lips

“I know,” she says, utterly unfazed, and then pushes you to your feet to keep on fighting

does give you a sweet smooch after battle though, to let you know she appreciated it 😌

Lae’zel

“tsk’va! there is a time and a place for this!”

she swings her sword and cuts a man’s head clean off, showering you both in a rain of warm blood, and you’re enchanted with her.

has to fight people off from wounding you because you’re so distracted oops

afterwards tells you that you cannot afford to be so absent-minded in battle… but does hold you close and rest her forehead to yours, allowing a moment of connected closeness between you ❤️

Halsin

you confess it when you see him bear out and start ripping people into pieces.

he is just… incredible. all raw power and brilliance.

you shout your love over to him and the bear roars before taking the head off of a zombie in one bite

always fights nearby you anyway, but will make an effort to get closer so he can hear your words of affection better!

plods over to you in wildshape afterwards and nuzzles into you, huffing happily when you bury your hands in his fur and give him a scratch 💕

Minthara

her blade is full of the might of her god, and she is going to use it to sunder her opponents.

you’re dazzled, in utter awe when she kills a fiend with a single blow from her sword

you can’t help the words falling from your lips.

she lifts her shield to block a blow from falling on you, and in its shade she gives you a kiss and says one word:

”good.”

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macatt4c · 7 months

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Decided to share a short and sweet post-canon fic of Astarion and my Tav, a nobleborn high-elf bard named Sienna!

TW!!! Pregnancy, Body Image Issues, Shitty Nobility Rules, Angst with Happy Ending!

Fic under the cut <3

“Hells.”

Astarion’s head rose from the novel in his lap to gaze at his wife, who was standing sideways before the tall mirror at the other end of their private chamber. His beloved Sienna had pulled her pale nightdress high enough to reveal the full expanse of her swollen protruding stomach.

“Something the matter, darling?” He asked, flipping the novel close and depositing it onto the side table as he stood from the velvet armchair.

Sienna did not move from her stance, her hand gliding slowly over her belly as she spoke. “Had I always been so… protruding?”

Astarion couldn’t help the chuckle rumbling from his throat. “You are pregnant, my love. Your body is going to change for our little one to grow.” He came to stand at her side. “You knew of this, did you not?”

Sienna sighed, her fingers tracing a stretch mark just below her ribcage. “I know the whole point with pregnancy is that you get bigger because there is a whole person growing inside you. But…” She sighed before finally rolling her dress back to its original knee length. “I wasn’t expecting this.”

Sienna’s words made Astarion frown. He was no stranger to the disdain of one’s own body. Hells, he himself just settled his own personal battle with self image, but that was only thanks to his beloved’s support. So here she was, experiencing something he thought was impossible for them to achieve, and she could only see what she perceived as negative changes to her form. A lasting effect of her noble upbringing, he had no doubt.

“Pregnancy for noblewomen wasn’t seen as a blessing or a gift.” Sienna began to explain, now turning to stare straight into the mirror. “It was our duty, something we are expected to do. Our worth is measured by how many children we can pop out before it kills us.” She let out a chuckle, but Astarion could tell it was forced. “My mother is a prime example of it.”

Ah, yes. The envious world of the nobility. Astarion has had his share of experiences gliding amongst the upper echelons of Baldurian high society. He had seen countless pretty young ladies be married off and then disappear from time to time to bear their husbands’ children. It was a side of this artificially-glittering world he did not pay much mind to, but any person with a brain comprehended the utter bullshit noble ladies had to deal with on a daily basis. But now here he was, married to a noble lady, a noble lady with the same fears and anxieties he once scoffed and rolled his eyes at. It was almost enough to make his barely-beating heart ache.

Cold hands came to hold Sienna’s shoulders as Astarion stood tall behind her. He knew she could not see him, but her just feeling him was enough. His eyes stared forward, intensely at the downcasted eyes of her reflection.

“You of all people should know how foolish such thoughts are, darling.” He spoke. “You have proven time and time again that you are more than just some daughter of a count. You are the hero of Baldur’s Gate and have done more than enough to earn a peaceful life.” He huffed before gently turning her around to face him. “You are worth more to me than just your womb. You are my love, my wife, and soon the mother of my child. You have given more to me than I believe I deserve. You deserve all the love I and our little one will give you. Do you understand, darling?”

There was no missing the tears filling the elf’s gray eyes as she pushed forward to hug him, burying her face in his shoulder. It was somewhat difficult due to the size of her belly, but Astarion didn’t care. He was more than happy to give his beloved wife the love and affection she needed. His words were not empty and honeyed like the ones he used when they first met, no these were words of sincerity and truth. Every syllable was filled with a mere fraction of the love he felt for her. Even after the few years they spent together, it never failed to scare him just how much he loved this woman.

After a few more moments of their silent embrace, Sienna stepped back slightly to gaze at Astarion’s face. “You are so good to me.”

Naturally, Astarion smirked. “Glad of you to take notice. I work far too hard to have such an oblivious wife.”

The snarky response elicited a giggle from Sienna before it was cut off by a jolt from her stomach. Concern filled Astarion’s eyes before Sienna’s smile returned.

“I’m alright.” She assured him. “I believe the baby just kicked me.”

This reply did nothing to relieve the vampire’s concern. “I’m sorry- the baby kicked you?”

Sienna nodded. “It’s called the ‘quickening’ in the motherhood journal I’m reading. The baby has developed legs and is learning to use them. It’s not painful, just… strange, I suppose.”

Just then, she took Astarion’s hand and pressed it into the underside of her belly. After a few moments, Astarion felt it: a thump against his palm. His eyes widened at the sensation, bright red irises shining in wonder, all while his wife smiled back at him.

“How… How is this possible?” Astarion’s voice didn’t rise above a whisper.

“It is a part of life, dear husband.” She said softly, her free hand coming up to cup his cheek. “A life we created.”

The couple stood there for a few more moments of silence before a yawn would finally rip its way through Sienna. A glance towards the window was enough for her to see it was already late and now would be a great time for both her and the child within her to rest. Astarion wasted no time leading her to the bed and pulling the covers back for her to crawl under. But instead of making his routined exit to hunt for his dinner, the vampire instead slipped into bed beside his wife, his head resting sideways on her belly.

“Are you not hungry tonight?” Sienna asked with a frown.

Astarion shook his head. “I am, but that can wait. I merely wish to spend some quality time with my child.”

Sienna chuckled and rolled her eyes. “As you wish. But don’t stay too long. I’d hate for you to starve.”

The vampire smiled and brought a hand to rest gently atop her belly. “I promise, my dear. Just a bit longer.”

#inqyhawke #baldur's gate 3 #baldur's gate iii #baldurs gate astarion #astarion #astarion x tav #baldurs gate tav #tav x astarion #oc fanfiction #fanfic #fanfiction #baldurs gate fanfiction

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moonlightrei · 26 days

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Cloud of Daggers Chapter 3 - Freezing

Chapter 3 is out now! Click here to read on AO3 or read below. You can find the other chapters on tumblr via the Cloud of Daggers tag.

Relationship: Astarion/Tav (or reader) Tags: Angst, Pining, Post-Canon, Aberrant Mind Sorcerer Tav, minor shadowzel, Fluff (currently in memories), others to be added Word count: 3.6k

Freezing. Biting cold swept through you, your skin cracking into splinters, your blood crystallising into slivers of ice that tore through your insides. You tried to cry out, but your lungs had frozen solid. Choking only threatened to shatter your organs into pieces, the pressure building within your hardened tissue as you struggled, your thrashing coming to a still as you were made thoroughly rigid.

“You return to us.” Bleariness left your vision, and you could see Halsin hovering above you as you shivered, concern etched into his brow.

You brought your hand up to your head to rub the ache that pounded behind your eyes, struggling at first as you worked the stiffness from your fingers.

“I’m sorry if I disturbed you,” you croaked. With nightmares as intense as yours, it would have been of little surprise to learn your sleep was outwardly unsettled too.

“Nonsense,” replied Halsin, shaking his head. “I rise with the sun. But tell me - what troubles you, friend?”

You rubbed your hands together, eager to warm them from the chill that seemed to leak from your dream. The ring on your left hand shone softly with starlight, a sound focal point to stare at as you steadied your breathing and calmed yourself.

“You are learned,” you began, your stomach twisting in discomfort at the prospect of sharing. Perhaps Halsin could offer some insight into your problem. “What do you know of Sildëyuir?” The wood elf sat back a little, his gaze shifting away from you as he considered your words.

“The home of the Ruar'Tel'Quessir. One half of your family hail from there, I would assume,” he said. “I may be three and a half centuries old, but even I do not remember a time before the Nilshai invaded the plane. What relation does this have to your night terrors?”

“I don’t know,” you whispered truthfully. “I was there, in Sildëyuir, when I was a babe. I hardly remember it.” You slid the ring off your hand again, passing it between your palms to keep your hands occupied. “I can’t help but wonder if my time there has any bearing on my troubles. On my gifts.” Halsin was looking at you steadily, taking in everything you were willing to divulge. He was a good listener.

“I would be lying if I said I had never wondered about your abilities,” he said gently. You thought back to the assault on Last Light Inn, the hushed murmurs between your companions after you had unleashed the power you had tried so desperately to hide, it being necessary to protect everyone present. Your head had tipped back, your skin, hair and remaining eye shining with magic as you tore open an aperture to the far realm, darkness and chill seeping out of it to take hold of your enemies. The cries of twisted creatures filled the room, whispers and screams all at once that only you could comprehend.

It had been the right decision to act, you were sure of it. Last Light remained a bastion of hope, and the tiefling refugees were safe once more. Yet the looks of fear from your friends had been difficult to ignore, a splinter of ice driven into your heart that made a fine reminder of why it was easier to ignore your so-called gifts.

You had sat alone at the campfire that night, knees pulled up to your chest as you recounted the events over and over. Perhaps sticking to fire magic would have been better, more acceptable.

Silently, Astarion had made his way over to you, seating himself beside the fire without a word.

The two of you had remained like that, in quiet company, for some time. You had stared at the flames as though they could have swallowed you up and taken you away, nullified the rejection that stung so much.

“You’re going to burn through your surviving retina if you keep that up,” Astarion had broken the silence. “I’m sure the replacement that fool Volo gave you is useful, but that’s no excuse to ruin your own. Besides, the violet is quite fetching.”

You had remained silent and tucked your chin in to rest on your knees, your gaze set on the ground to comply with his words.

“Come now, darling. If that bunch can deal with a Shar worshipper, a vampire, and a man with an explosive ball inside his chest, do you really think having some slightly unorthodox abilities is going to be an issue?” You had continued to ignore him. Their absence was indication enough of how they felt. He had stood up, to leave, you had assumed, but instead he had walked around to kneel on your other side, placing himself firmly in your line of vision.

“It was impressive. Believe me, we need all the help we can get with this Absolute nonsense. I, for one, am delighted.”

You wanted to believe him, desperately. If he was telling the truth, or even if he wasn’t, there was nothing to lose by indulging yourself in that fantasy.

“And what of this?” You asked, though your lips did not move, and no sound came from your throat.

“That... That wasn’t the tadpole, was it?” Astarion said steadily, his face betraying surprise for only a moment before he plastered on a reassuring smile. “But no matter. In a group of tadpole-infested people such as us, conversing through our heads is hardly special now, is it? Hells, if it’s only speech then it’s even less unusual than our current capabilities. Though I would wager people would prefer you stick to the boundaries we have in place already and not use it without asking first.”

You had nodded slowly, feeling a speck better.

“Personally, I have no issue with getting to hear your lovely voice more.”

“Really?” you spoke into his head once more.

“Really.” A telepathic reply. No one had ever replied to you using your link before. Children had run crying when you had asked them to play as a youth, townsfolk had screamed that there was something wrong with you, but not a single person had ever answered in kind.

Your companions had fallen back into the comfortable dynamic you had fostered in time, doubtless with a little persuasion from a certain elf. You had gotten more confident in using your psionic talents around others, though you were more careful in Baldur’s Gate itself. No one had to know that the telekinesis you used to rebuild the city was an aspect of something greater than simple sorcery.

As Astarion’s need for boundaries and choice became apparent, you had finally found a use for your shamed skill.

“May I hold your hand?” you would ask.

“Of course,” would come the reply, and you would interlink your fingers with his just as you had entwined your minds, the innocent touch a source of joy for both of you as you traversed the perilous paths of the shadow-cursed lands.

“I am no expert,” Halsin said, pulling you back to present day. There were no pale fingers wrapped in yours. Only your ring sat in your palm. “But I would not think it unlikely that your strengths and difficulties could be connected. However, I suspect there could be another reason for these nightmares, as I do not recall them being an issue when I travelled alongside you previously.” He was right. “Though your abilities are beyond by understanding, I believe there may be a simpler answer for your disrupted sleep. I notice a companion is missing from your side. Your magic does not make you immune to emotions.”

You sighed, slipping the ring back in place.

“If only it did,” you said. To your surprise, Halsin chuckled.

“You don’t mean that.” He smiled. “Shake off this icy exterior; it is not you. I am certain that if you dwell on your memories, although it may ache a little, you will find happiness. To have had that, and to miss it, is a privilege.”

Halsin was wise, you knew, having not been archdruid without reason. You would do well to heed his advice, of course, but you wanted to scream and cry, to shut out reason in favour of a fountain of the very emotion you claimed to detest. It would achieve little, but wouldn’t it be nice, be easy, to do the wrong thing for once? To care not for how you should behave and surrender yourself to heartache, to misery and to rage.

Lae’zel returned to camp, her wet hair indicating she had found a place to bathe. She gently picked up the night orchid, inspecting it carefully to check it was still up to her standards. Her face was soft, relaxed, a stark contrast from the aggressive githyanki you had once known. You felt the familiar pressure of tears bleeding into your eyes. Halsin was so right, it hurt. The beauty of feeling was all around, and you could continue in the bittersweet melancholy that held you too.

“I saw Withers before we met with you yesterday,” you told him. “His words did not fill me with hope. I think that I will be continuing with this privilege of missing my happiness permanently.”

“Withers is a being that I will not pretend to understand. What I have established, though, is that he speaks in riddles. I would not be so quick to assume you are doomed.”

The information that Withers had bestowed upon you had seemed especially clear cut to you. You were certain that Halsin would agree if you repeated the words, but Astarion’s potential lack of soul was likely not the type of thing you should be sharing.

“Perhaps you are right,” you said, knowing it to be false.

You packed up your things and continued on your way. Time passed quickly, the city growing closer and closer on the horizon despite your urge to slow your paces. Maybe you would visit the palace today, you thought. The idea had your stomach churning, but you figured if you were going to worry about returning to the city anyway, you might as well tick off another task that you were putting off.

Perhaps your relationship was not as tattered as you thought, you dared to wonder. It could be that you had obsessed over it, as you had a tendency to do, and made it into something much greater and more terrible than it truly was. Maybe Withers’ suggestion that he was soulless simply meant that he was in low spirits. Maybe he spent his days yearning for you, pacing the halls and worrying that you had abandoned him. Maybe you would walk into the castle and be met with your love, eager to see you and comforting. You would embrace and share a gentle kiss, before he would take your hand and lead you to comfortable furniture on which you would recount your journey, telling him excitedly about Lae’zel’s affections whilst he gazed at you lovingly, hanging onto every word you said.

Yes, you resolved. You would go to him this night. You ignored the shiver that ran through your bones as you tried to convince yourself that you truly believed it would be good to be in his presence.

It was nearing dinner time when you reached Baldur’s Gate, so you and your party headed straight for the tents where you knew people would be gathering for food. Shadowheart and Gale were busying themselves distributing rations when you arrived, the portions appearing meagre compared to when you had seen them last.

Children skipped around you as you grew closer, enthusing about how impressive your armour looked and asking Halsin why he was so tall. Despite his reservations on the city, the wood elf seemed immediately at ease with entertaining the children and set himself up where you had played storyteller previously, commanding the attention of the gaggle of younglings as they waited for their food.

You joined Gale in serving the meals, allowing Shadowheart a break from her duties. Mae was absent, you noticed, though you were swiftly distracted by the sight of Lae’zel and the object of her affections chatting in a corner, Shadowheart with a great smile across her face as the warrior presented her with the night orchid. A deft kiss on the cheek was given in return, and then the cleric hurried off with the bloom, presumably to find a safe place to store it.

Lae’zel turned to look at you from across the room with a giddy grin.

The sun sat heavy in the sky as you collected scraped-clean bowls. The people remained absorbed by Halsin, and you looked over to the palace. You could just remain here until the refugees settled in for the night, then return home to take your potion and sleep, and gods was that idea tempting. Yet the picture you had painted of Astarion sitting alone, wondering if you simply didn’t care for him anymore, tugged at your heartstrings too violently to allow you to retire for the night, even if you were sure that it was just make-believe.

You slipped out from the gathering whilst your disappearance would go unnoticed, knowing that the longer you waited to leave, the less likely it was that you would follow through with your plan.

The path to the palace ran by your home, and you lingered outside your door for a moment, considering if entering to drop off some of your belongings would lead to you abandoning your objective. You stared at the wooden door, shifting your weight between your feet, and finally elected to go inside. You worked quickly, not wanting to lose your nerve, and placed down your equipment and bag, checking yourself quickly in the mirror.

Tired eyes met yours, but you had expected that. You slipped your armour off, worried it might give the wrong impression, and smoothed out the wrinkles in the simple shirt you had been wearing underneath. It would do, you concluded.

You paced along the path up to the palace, the red sky tinging the city rouge in the dying light.

Standing before the imposing entrance, you bit at the dry skin on your lips. You remembered the first time you had stood here, taking Astarion’s hand and gently reminding him that he didn’t have to do this, that you could all walk away now and never go near Cazador and his house of torture again.

You reached out and pushed. Unexpectedly, the grand door swung open silently, almost more unnerving than a prolonged, eerie creak would have been. You stepped gingerly into the abode, candlelight flickering as you shut the door behind you. The flames illuminated the atrium well, and you could see that not a soul was present.

You continued down corridors in search of your target, your footsteps disconcertingly loud in the hush of the manor. If it hadn’t been for the candles, you might have concluded that the dwelling was abandoned.

After wandering for what felt like a lifetime, you stopped in your tracks at a sound so soft you might have missed it had your ears not been straining to hear any sign of life.

You swallowed, your throat suddenly rather dry, and turned slowly to look behind you.

There he stood. The candlelight cast sharp shadows on his face, his lips contorting into something between a grin and a sneer.

“Darling,” he said, his voice echoing menacingly through the rambling halls. “I was beginning to think you’d forgotten me.”

His hair had grown out a little, the curls snaking down past his ears to nestle at his nape. It was pretty, you thought, though it highlighted just how long you had left it without visiting.

He pouted, twisting his face into one of feigned hurt. “These halls are awfully empty without my precious treasure by my side.” With a flick of his wrist, every candle in the estate was snuffed out. Though your elven blood enabled you to make out some of the darkness, it was dingy and discoloured, and you felt the hairs on the back of your neck prickle as anxious gnawing bled into your stomach.

You stayed like that for a minute, the two of you still and silent in the pitch black. You cleared you throat and took a deep breath, almost expecting your voice box to fail.

“I’ve been busy,” you proclaimed, cursing inwardly at the wavering of your voice.

“Ah yes, saving the city.” You couldn’t place where exactly he was, his words almost disembodied. “I had rather thought you’d have grown bored of that by now.”

“There is still much to be done,” you insisted, balling your hands into fists and digging your nails into your palms to ground yourself.

“Yet there is time enough for you to gallivant off on a quick jaunt?” Cold fingers traced your throat and you flinched at the sudden contact. He ghosted over the scar that adorned your neck, tutting as he did so. “Did you really miss the wood elf that much?”

“It was for the people that I went,” you said, glancing down at his hand, the only thing you could clearly see in the gloom, before he snatched it away again, leaving you disoriented in the endless void once more. You wondered if he knew of your visit to Withers, if he could possibly even know of what the undead had told you. “I’m surprised you even know of my journey.”

“Of course I knew of it. Did you really think I wouldn’t keep tabs on you?” He seemed to be circling around you, a vulture scouting out its next meal. “I know all about those terrible nightmares that are haunting your pretty head.” He leant in to whisper directly in your left ear. “Poor pet. If you’d only join me, sleep needn’t be a worry any longer.”

“I am certain that they will pass in time,” you said, bracing yourself to stay still and not recoil from his closeness.

A laugh rang through the halls, everywhere and nowhere all at once.

“Decline my generous offer once more, and you may find I rescind it.” He stood before you, and grabbed your right hand, sandwiching it between his and giving it a few gentle pats. “Such awful night terrors. I only want to help you.” Your daydreams of intimate gestures felt ridiculous now you stood here, hand in his as you had hoped, yet feeling as though the blood in your veins was ice. After processing his words for some moments, you pulled your hand away. You wanted to question how he knew of all this, but you refused to be on such unequal footing any longer.

You cast light on your shirt, deeming it the most useful object to select. The cold glow lit up the room, but Astarion was nowhere to be seen. You tiptoed through several rooms for any sign of him, but there was nothing. Ordinarily you needed to see the object of your mental link to create it, yet this had ceased to be the case with Astarion, your connection becoming so frequent and comfortable that you could restore it with little effort. You attempted to reach out in this way, querying where he had gone, but you couldn’t feel his presence. It seemed you would be getting no answers today.

Not wishing to spend more time creeping about in the darkness, you hurried back to the door, unsure that your path was correct, though you reached it eventually. The sky outside was inky black and dotted with stars, and you dismissed your cantrip to go by the starlight instead.

Your thin shirt did little to protect you from the cold wind that rushed down the city streets. You slouched and hugged your arms around your body to try and fend off the chill, to limited avail. The city was still and quiet, a state you had rarely seen it in, the hush broken only momentarily by the flapping of a bird’s wings as it darted across buildings overhead.

Electing to utilise your body’s aversion to sleep to your advantage, you fetched some water from the nearest pump after reaching your home. You conjured flames beneath your large pot to heat the liquid whilst you undressed, discarding your clothing on the floor.

You dipped a toe into the bath to check the temperature and, satisfied, sat down in the vat. You took a deep breath and shut your eyes firmly, then submerged yourself fully, staying under the water until your lungs screamed for reprieve. Soap pressed with crushed violet removed the grime from your skin and hair, and you inspected your leg, which bore no reminder of the injury you had sustained on the road.

You remained in the water for long after it had grown cold, your head resting on the rim of the pot and your eyes closed. It was the closest you had come to a good rest in an age, yet surely you should have been beside yourself following your visit to your beloved. Withers’ words repeated in your mind. Perhaps it was you that was becoming the empty vessel.

With some effort you heaved yourself out of the bath, water streaming from your hair as you wrung it out. You removed your sleeping potions from your bag to line them up neatly next to your bed once more, then tossed your muddy clothes into the bath to soak them overnight, hoping it would make the task of washing them simpler when you found the time.

You climbed into bed and pulled the blankets up, recalling how your mother would have scolded you for going to sleep with wet hair, worried that you would become sick. Though you were tired, sleep would not take you. You were growing used to your nightly ritual, the warmth of the potion almost a loving embrace by this point. The screech of a creature outside of your window might have bothered you, had your eyes not become heavier than lead.

#Cloud of Daggers #bg3 fanfiction #astarion #bg3 astarion #astarion x reader #bg3 #baldur's gate 3 #an ascended astarion fic for the spawn lovers

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vivi-the-sky-kid · 3 years

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Sowing the Seeds (of Love), Chapter 1

Aka the Resh/OC Fix-It Fic Nobody Asked for but I'm Inflicting on All of You Anyways as Punishment for Kai's Your Hubris

The King has always been a mysterious figure in the annals of the Sky Kingdom's history, generating both awe and fear within the hearts of the sky spirits. Few can claim to have met them in person; certainly not Tav, a researcher of light creatures for the Vault of Knowledge. But when they discover their research may be used to harm the very creatures they know and love, Tav knows they cannot allow this to happen.

Somehow, they must change the King's mind. If that means throwing butterflies at their royal face, then so be it.

-<◇>-

Warnings: Will be added to each chapter when necessary, but there's not gonna be anything graphic in this (do send me an ask if you think there's something I should warn about tho)

Rating: T (just to be on the safe side)

Pairing(s): Resh/OC

Tag(s): Enemies to Lovers, Fake Dating, Canon Divergence, Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies

Additional Tag(s): Resh and Alef are twins, Resh and Tav are both nonbinary, Resh uses he/they, Tav uses she/they, Resh is demiromantic and pansexual, Tav is biromantic and demisexual, no beta we die like moths in eden

Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

-<◇>-

Chapter 1

Word Count: 2,477

Warning(s): None

-<◇>-

Fury powered her strides as Tav marched towards the elevator leading to Elder Lamed's level of the Vault. What they had overheard... it was unthinkable! Outrageous! And they intended to let Lamed know exactly that! She couldn't let her research be used like this. Not to harm the very creatures they had spent their life studying.

Onwards and upwards she went, a lone figure on the elevator. Scholars sorting memory cubes and acolytes tending to the spiritual residue of the Kingdom's history flew past her vision. Finally, the elevator came to a stop, its power diamond moving to rest over the Elder statues, and Tav mustered their psychokinetic powers to fly the short distance to the grassy island. That had been a trick the mantas had helped her master; if not for them, she would still struggle to get around Vault's upper levels like before. They took a breath to steady themself, adjusted the prairie lily clipped to their hair, and moved forward.

As they crested the structure bearing the Elder statues, Tav looked around. She could see no sign of Elder Lamed, which meant, more likely than not, the Elder had withdrawn into their private domain. There was nothing for it but to light the altar candles, sit before their statue, and pray.

Their legs had started to fall asleep when they finally felt the brush against their mind that meant Lamed had heard their prayer, and was ready to listen. She relaxed and let the Elder pull their consciousness into that dreamy world. When they next opened their eyes, they knelt in the same spot, although the elevator diamond was now gone, casting the area in comfortable shadows. In the statue's place stood Lamed, gazing down at her with an unreadable look.

“Ah, so you are the one who prayed. Tav, was it? Head of the light creature research effort?”

“That's correct, Elder Lamed. I've come to you regarding a decision involving my research.”

“Is that so?” Their eyes flickered beneath the mask, before they dipped their head. “Very well. Speak.”

Tav jumped to their feet, hands clenching the fabric of their robe. “Elder Lamed, I cannot permit my research to be used to develop these 'dark weapons' R&D is proposing! Light creatures are beautiful, wonderful creatures that share a great deal in common with us. They are intelligent, gentle, and loving beings. To turn them into weapons is... is... is out of the question!”

The Elder's eyes had grown wide at her outburst, but soon closed as they pressed a hand to their forehead. “Really, Tav, you're being unreasonable. R&D has already gained permission from the King to go forth with this project. Are you saying you doubt His Majesty's judgment regarding the good of the kingdom?”

“Yes!”

Silence filled the domain. Sweat began running down Tav's back as a great pressure weighed down on them. When they almost gave in and knelt once more, it lifted, and Lamed turned away.

“I expect your research to be turned in to the Vault at the appropriate deadline. Is that understood?”

Tav was silent.

“I said, is that understood, Tav?”

“...It is, Elder Lamed.”

“Good. You are dismissed.”

With that, their vision swam, and they closed their eyes to ward off the nausea. Upon opening them, she found herself back at the summit, the power diamond shining coldly overhead. They looked up at the statue and sighed.

Resolve filled them once more, and they stood and walked back to the elevator. Lamed may not have listened, but there was one more person she could try to convince. All reports of the King had them as a kind and benevolent ruler who listened to the people, yet these latest projects said otherwise. Which was the truth, and which was a lie? There was only one way to find out.

Tav swallowed the lump of fear in her throat. This was no time to get cold feet. The light creatures were counting on them.

First things first, however. She needed to keep her research out of the wrong hands.

-<◇>-

Another day, another round of paperwork. Resh sighed inwardly as he dipped his manta quill into the inkwell to sign the latest report from the Golden Land's biggest sunsteel refinery. Production was holding steady due to the shipment of light from Daylight Prairie, and they would likely have enough in reserve for the little project Vault R&D had recently proposed.

A soft call from the doorway caught their attention, and they lifted their head. One of the guards—a new recruit, if their nervous demeanor was any indication—was standing there somewhat awkwardly, but snapped to attention once his gaze was upon them.

Yes, definitely new. That salute was just a little bit too sloppy to be one of the older members.

“What is it?” he said, fixing his gaze on them.

They stiffened. “Y-Your Majesty, there is... a researcher from the Vault demanding to speak with you. They refuse to leave otherwise.”

“Return them to the Vault. We have no time for a meeting, let alone with some unknown researcher,” they replied, returning to their paperwork.

“What do they want?” said a new voice, chiming up from the door leading further into the royal quarters.

Resh blinked and slowly turned towards it. Watching the exchange was their twin, Alef, still dressed in the formal wear of the golden mask, yellow-painted pizaine, and midnight-blue cloak they used for being the public face of the King. They must have returned a short time ago from their trip to the Valley.

“Your Majesty, they have requested you withdraw your support for the Dark Matter Bioweapon project.”

“Have they, now?” Resh shook his head. “Unfortunately, it is too late. The proposal has been signed and delivered to the Vault. To withdraw it now would be equivalent to saying We have made a mistake.”

They let the implications of that statement hang in the air like a sword above the guard's head. With a stammered response of, “Of course, Your Majesty,” they left, and soon only Alef and Resh remained in the office. The latter ignored the former's pointed look, turning back to the stack of paperwork that had yet to be completed with another sigh.

“You've been doing that a lot lately. Perhaps you should take a break.”

Resh shot them a glare out of the corner of his eye, but did not stop his work. Only when they had signed a petition to expand the Valley of Triumph, a tally of candle production in the Isle of Dawn, and a request for more light shipments to the Hidden Forest, did they gesture with their free hand to the desk's contents.

“As you can see, Alef, I am kept busy with the affairs of the kingdom. I am King, after all. My guidance is needed to ensure the kingdom's prosperity.” He dipped the quill into the inkwell once more and grabbed another piece of paper—this time, a request from the Valley to provide them with more boats, as some had broken recently.

“I cannot rest until I have dealt with these matters” —and they said this last bit under their breath— “even if they are incredibly dull.”

Alef hummed and moved closer, cloak swishing softly around his body. They picked up one of the papers in the discarded stack, scanned it, and then looked to Resh. “Surely you can rest from these for a short time? All work and no play makes one a dull star.”

“How rich, coming from the one who only concerns themself with attending celebrations and avoiding any work here,” they replied.

Alef narrowed his eyes, then shook his head and shrugged.

“You want me to do some work here? Very well.” They went up to the switch next to the desk, which would summon a guard when activated (not that Resh had ever used it), and called forth their inner flame in one hand to light it. Soon enough, the same guard from before came to the office. They gave the salute again, a little more firmly this time.

“You called, Your Majesty?”

“Is the researcher still here?”

“Y-Yes, Your Majesty. I was on my way to relay your wishes when you summoned me back.”

“I have decided to grant them an audience. Please have them escorted to the throne room.”

“Oh, uh...” They cleared their throat. “As you wish, Your Majesty.”

“What are you doing?” Resh said, eyeing their sibling with suspicion.

“Work. You said you were too busy to meet with them, didn't you? Well, it just so happens that I am remarkably free. As your dear elder sibling, it is the least I can do for you, Resh.”

With that, they glided from the office before Resh could stop them, leaving him standing with his hand grasping at air.

They sighed.

-<◇>-

The throne room was easily the largest chamber of the Palace, with a throne built to match—a deliberate choice on Resh's part, during its construction all those years ago. Looking the part was half the battle, and what better way to show your kingliness than by being five times the size of Elder Tsadi, he had said. Which Alef now was, having shifted in size to full height as they approached the throne room. The guards at the entrance snapped to attention, and he nodded in greeting as he passed through.

Near the far wall was the diminutive figure of the researcher, their head craned back to take in the full view of the mural displayed there. Two guards flanked them, ensuring they didn't go anywhere they weren't supposed to be. Alef cleared their throat, the sound echoing to every nook and cranny due to the chamber's acoustics, and every person in the room jumped. The guards soon lined up and stood at attention, and the rogue researcher turned to look at him as he took his place on the throne. One guard said something quietly to them, and the researcher nodded, brushed out their robe, and walked forward beside the guards.

“So this is the spirit who requested an audience with Us?” Alef intoned, glancing down at the guard who escorted them, and they nodded timidly. His eyes returned to the spirit, noting that, even with the crest typical of the Vault's senior members, they barely surpassed most of the guards in height. Despite this huge difference in size between them and himself, they barely trembled.

How interesting.

“We permit you to speak, spirit.”

They bowed in acknowledgment, and upon straightening, called out, “Your Majesty, I must urge you to reconsider this Dark Matter Bioweapon project! Light creatures are our friends. They do not deserve to be treated like mere tools, to be used up and cast aside!”

Alef tilted their head to the side thoughtfully, taking their chin between their thumb and index finger.

“...What is your name, star?”

“My name is Tav, Your Majesty. Head of the Vault's research into light creatures.”

“I see.” They leaned forward, casting their shadow over Tav. “Tell Us, Tav. This project is intended to better the kingdom's future. If light creatures are our friends, do they not owe this kingdom their aid, in whatever form we require?”

Tav stepped forward, their hands balling up at their sides.

“There must be a better way than this! Whatever future that project holds is worse than one where we treat the light creatures as our allies. I know it! Please, Your Majesty, let me show you.”

How very interesting.

And exactly what they needed.

Alef steepled their fingers before them, resting their elbows on the armrests of the throne. A sly grin formed on his face. Though it was hidden by their mask, Tav seemed to sense its presence, because they took an involuntary step back.

“We have an offer for you, Tav.”

At the same time, they called out to their sibling and requested their presence in the throne room.

-<◇>-

Resh sighed as they walked.

At one point, the magnificent tapestries and luminous murals decorating the walls of the throne room had brought him such joy. But that had been many, many years ago—too many to count. Now they were just another feature of the brilliant, intricate, boringthrone room, easily ignored in favor of dealing with the unwelcome researcher currently standing before the throne. The reason they had been called away from their work by their sibling.

“Ah, there you are,” Alef said from their spot on the throne. They turned back to the spirit. “Resh is Our Will, you see. They are the one who approved the project. Now, We will send a message to the Vault requesting that they do not proceed with the project until We permit. You have until then to persuade Resh of the truth of your words.”

...What?

The two of them turned, and Resh winced when he realized he had spoken aloud.

“Forgive me, Your Majesty. I was just wondering what this task you have given me is.”

“Ah, of course. You see, Resh, Tav here would like to show Us that light creatures should not be used in the Dark Matter Bioweapon project. However, We have our duties to contend with, and so cannot leave the Palace for such a matter. You, on the other hand, are Our Will, and so We have decided that you shall go in Our stead.”

Even from this distance, and even with the mask hiding their face, Resh could feel the gleeful smugness radiating from Alef like heat from a flame. Their most venomous thoughts, directed like psychic arrows at their twin, only increased the smugness, and so, narrowing their eyes, they bowed courteously to the researcher—Tav, was it?

“As you wish, Your Majesty. When shall we be departing?”

“I assume Tav here needs some time to prepare their case. We shall permit them a day to do so. On the morrow, you shall follow after them to...?”

“Oh, uh, Daylight Prairie, Your Majesty.”

“Daylight Prairie. I can see why you chose to do your research there.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Tav said, bowing deeply before leaving with their escorts.

When they were gone, Resh unleashed the full force of their glare at Alef, folding their arms before their chest.

“What are you plotting?”

“Why, nothing! Simply giving you the rest you deserve,” they said, rising from the throne. “Now, if you'll excuse me, I do believe there is paperwork with my name on it. Don't be late for the boat tomorrow, Resh. It would reflect poorly on Us.”

With that, they waved and left, shrinking back down to a more manageable size as they went. Resh watched them go, scowling and boring holes into the back of their head.

Then he sighed and returned to the royal quarters to rest and prepare appropriate clothing for this farce.

Alef would pay for this.

-<◇>-

Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

#sky children of the light #sky #sky king #resh #resh my beloved /j #hi this fic is technically to blame for the bones thing last night #i'm very sorry #i thought of some potential headcanons and then it spiraled out of control #author's note: a pizaine (also spelled pixane) is a type of armor also called a standard or mantle #while in our world it's made of leather or chainmail #in the sky kingdom they seem to make them out of stone as seen on various spirits

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vivi-the-sky-kid · 3 years

Text

Sowing the Seeds (of Love), Chapter 2

Aka the Resh/OC Fix-It Fic Nobody Asked for but I'm Inflicting on All of You Anyways as Punishment for Kai's Your Hubris

Somehow, they must change the King's mind. If that means throwing butterflies at their royal face, then so be it.

-<◇>-

Warnings: Will be added to each chapter when necessary, but there's not gonna be anything graphic in this (do send me an ask if you think there's something I should warn about tho)

Rating: T (just to be on the safe side)

Pairing(s): Resh/OC

Tag(s): Enemies to Lovers, Fake Dating, Canon Divergence, Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies

Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

-<◇>-

Chapter 2

Word Count: 3,464

Warning(s): Some swearing

-<◇>-

How had this happened again? Tav's mind was still reeling the next day, even as she sat amongst a flock of birds near one of the rookeries of the Bird's Nest. Normally, their chirps would soothe them, even as they reminded them of a different life. Unfortunately, the events of yesterday kept playing through their mind like a broken memory cube.

Now the King's Will—they refused to use his name—was coming to Daylight Prairie, and all Tav's courage had run out. In the time it had taken to travel to Prairie, her false bravado had melted away like snow in the bright sun. Panicked thoughts now ran through their mind, and not even the cheerful chirps of birds, or the soft squeaks of butterflies, or the whimsical whoops of mantas, could help. Most of them were because of the Will, if she was honest with herself.

Their gray gaze had been so cold. So... empty. Like any warmth and life had faded away long ago. Like they could no longer care about anything.

And now they had to convince him to care about light creatures?

It was impossible. There was a better chance of becoming King herself and killing the project that way.

A chirp from the bird perched on their knee caught their attention. She reached up and tugged on one of the flat locks sticking out of her hair, mouth tightening.

Yes, it was impossible. But they had to try.

-<◇>-

Kumibir hummed as ey left the solar altar, the morning's prayer putting a spring in eir step. With the Megabird's blessing, the Prairie was sure to flourish with light and life. Now ey just needed to get to work tending to the prairie lilies...

“...from Eden, you say? How fascinating!”

A conversation nearby caught eir attention, and ey slowed.

“Isn't it? From what Omifiti told me, the spirit that arrived went into Elder Ayin's temple right away! I wonder what business they could have.”

A spirit from Eden? Could it be...?

Kumibir smiled to emself, taking hold of eir chin. Then ey turned away from the boat that would take em to the Butterfly Fields, and instead made for the next boat bearing a shipment to the temple for processing. The lilies could wait a little longer. Ey had a spirit to catch.

-<◇>-

Feeding time at the Bird's Nest was a sight to behold. As the caretakers spread seed across the grass and stone, flurries of white would descend from the sky to feast. A cacophony of chirps filled the air as the countless birds flocked to their meal. It was a welcome distraction from the thoughts racing through Tav's head.

Unfortunately, it didn't last long.

“Are you Tav, from the Vault?”

They turned to look at the speaker. A messenger fresh off their boat, by the looks of it. She nodded. “That's me. Do you need something?”

“A spirit from Eden is asking after you at the temple. If you would please come with me...”

From Eden?

Tav swallowed the lump in their throat. With the help of the messenger's proffered hand, she got to her feet. Together, they went to the nearby empty boat, and set off for the temple. The ride was quiet. They would have preferred the agony of small talk with a stranger. At least it would have distracted her from the feeling of going to her own execution.

Tav disembarked a short distance from the pond outside the temple, and the messenger got off to load nearby pots. They took a deep breath and moved toward a very tall spirit standing on the bridge arching over the pond. With the warrior's garb and spear slung across their back—two things nearly unheard of in the peaceful realm of Daylight Prairie—it was clear they were the spirit from Eden.

The King's Will had arrived.

As if sensing their eyes upon him, the Will turned. She gaped at them, thankful her mask hid her look of surprise. An elegantly patterned cape draped from beneath the stone pizaine resting on their shoulders. Long, silky hair drifted in the wind from beneath the diamond-shaped crest of his mask. She had to admit, it was all rather striking, except for one thing...

Tav shuddered slightly when they saw the Will's stony gray skin—as chilling as his gaze.

Then they froze as another spirit peeked out from behind him. An impish grin broke out across eir face when ey caught sight of her.

“Oh, and look who it is!”

Kumibir walked up to Tav, wrapping them in a tight hug. She hugged em back, a little numbly, and tried to ignore the piercing look the Will was shooting her. Thankfully, Kumibir soon released them, though ey kept an arm slung about Tav as they walked back to the Will.

“We were just talking about you!”

“Y-You were?” she said, beads of sweat forming on her back.

“You know, when you said you were expecting someone from Eden, I didn't think you meant your partner! You should have told me. I would have gone to stay with one of my own so you two could have some space.” Kumibir grinned and added, in a conspiratorial whisper, “I can see why you like them. So polite! And so tall! They're just your type!”

Tav blinked. Then blinked again. And then a third time for good measure.

“My wha—?”

“You really are so generous, Kumibir,” the Will cut in smoothly, wrapping an arm around Tav's shoulders and pulling them against his side. His other hand curled by the side of their face, gloved fingers brushing against their mask.

What.

With a squeeze of her shoulders, they continued, “We've been wanting to spend more time together, but sadly, Tav's work has kept them so busy I could rarely see their darling face.”

What.

“Oh, I know how that is. Sometimes the others' work keeps them away for almost the entire day,” Kumibir said, nodding solemnly. Then ey glanced at the sky and squeaked in surprise. “Speaking of work, I have some prairie lilies to tend to. Have fun, you two!”

Ey waved and ran off to the boat Tav came in on. Tav themself remained frozen, trying very, very hard to wrap their head around what just happened. It wasn't until the Will was pulling her around the walls of the temple and out of sight of the boat that she regained her senses. They wriggled out of his grasp and folded their arms in front of them.

“What was that?”

The King's Will scoffed. “You tell me, little researcher. You're the one who told that spirit we were partners.”

“I never did that! I just told Kumibir that you were coming so ey wouldn't be surprised. It's not my fault ey jumped to conclusions.” They turned away, eyes squinting in confusion. “Also what did ey mean, my type...?”

“And why would you not tell them my purpose for being here? I doubt one of your position would be very familiar with a soldier.”

Tav glanced back to him balefully, but they could not deny it. Although the midnight blue and electrum threads of the Will's cape would fit right in amongst the Vault's denizens, soldiers were a less likely story. The Golden Land's lack of light creatures near its dunes meant she was even less likely to go near it. The odds of them and the Will chancing to meet were slim enough to be unbelievable.

But they couldn't tell Kumibir the truth. It would break eir heart.

Ey couldn't know about the Dark Matter Bioweapon project.

Taking a deep breath, Tav said, “The people here love light creatures. If they found out you were here because of a plan to turn them into weapons, it would ruin any chance of cooperation to get you to not want to do that. So I told them you were just here to confirm my research. That's all.”

The King's Will studied them, arms crossed in front of him. Then their demeanor changed, and a shiver ran down Tav's spine.

That wasn't good.

“Very well. In the spirit of cooperation, I will not speak of my reason for being here. But” —and he held up one finger— “you have to pretend I am your partner for the duration of my stay.”

“What?!” Tav said, clapping a hand over their mouth at their volume. She scowled and lowered both her hand and her voice to add, “Why?!”

“Despite what you may think, I too would prefer my identity remain a secret. They don't need to know of my connection to the King. As far as these spirits are concerned, I am Resh, a high-ranking member of the Sky Kingdom's army, and nothing more.”

“Why do you care if these spirits know about your connection to the King?”

They turned away. “I have my reasons.”

“And those are...?”

“None of your concern. Now, do we have a deal?”

She stared at them incredulously, then threw her hands in the air and marched off, much to their surprise.

“Where are you going?”

“To the butterfly fields. It's time for your first lesson on light creatures, darling,” Tav replied, jerking their thumb towards a nearby boat.

-<◇>-

The boat to the edge of Prairie had arrived before any further stilted conversation could occur, and the two had spent the ride in relative silence. That had been a mercy. Now, however, she wanted to scream in frustration. The butterflies were acting strange and uncooperative today. They were fine with Tav themself; it was the King's Will they had a problem with. They flew away squeaking as soon as he approached. Even those she could coax to her hand fled as soon as she beckoned the Will forward.

So things were going just fine.

In the end, as the sun began to set and the butterflies flew off to the nearby sphere they slept within, they had decided to call it a day.

Of course, that didn't mean their bickering had ended. Even when they passed other spirits, the two kept it quiet, making it seem more like two partners sharing private thoughts than opponents exchanging barbed words.

“For a creature claimed to be 'loving' and 'kind,' these butterflies were rather standoffish today.”

“Maybe they sense you're a terrible person who wants to use them as weapons. They're perceptive like that.”

“And yet they cannot perceive the bitter heart inside you, my dear.”

“They can't perceive what isn't there, darling.”

“Ah, of course. How could I have been so blind? You don't have a heart.”

So caught up in their verbal battle was Tav that they didn't realize they had boarded the same boat as the Will until the two were standing outside the elder's temple.

“Good night, my dear. I look forward to tomorrow's efforts,” the King's Will said, pressing a masked kiss to the back of her hand.

Tav narrowed their eyes, but nodded and managed to hold back a shudder as their hand was released. “Until tomorrow, darling.”

The Will nodded back and entered the temple, leaving them to sigh heavily and wait for another boat.

-<◇>-

“So... how did it go?” Ayin asked, a hint of nervousness in their voice.

“Oh, horribly. The butterflies refused to go near me. But that Tav... I must admit, they're a stubborn one. Either they're planning to assassinate me, or they really believe they'll be able to change my mind over this matter. This may be the most entertaining thing I've done in... I can't remember how long. I'll have to thank Alef when I return. After punishing him for enabling this nonsense in the first place, of course,” Resh responded casually, lifting the stone pizaine from their shoulders to lounge more comfortably across the bed provided. For a moment, they thought his skin seemed a little less gray, but it was likely just a trick of the light, nothing more.

“I see.” Ayin turned to leave, but lingered in the doorway long enough to say, “Rest well, Resh. You have a busy day tomorrow.”

Resh grunted in acknowledgment, and the room fell dark.

-<◇>-

The smell of fresh bread greeted Tav's nose the next morning, as well as Kumibir singing a cheerful song praising the sun. It was a welcome start to a day that would doubtless be a strain on her patience. They'd try again with the butterflies, and hope that somehow Resh would be... more cooperative.

Perhaps a vain hope, but she'd hold fast to it.

Tav managed to answer Kumibir's excited questions (“Where did the two of you meet?” “They're so tall! Is that why you like them?” “Do they have a sibling?”) with vague replies that technically weren't lies (“Oh, we met because of my work.” “What? Why would that be a factor?” “Oh, they might. We haven't talked about our families yet.”). Eventually, Kumibir left to attend the morning's prayer to the sun, and Tav was free... for now. As they sat there, idly munching on a slice of bread and listening to the soft whoops of mantas in the distance, irritation rose once more. The sooner they got this over with, the sooner they could escape this miniature hell.

With that thought, she stuffed the rest of the slice into her mouth and left, slinging a light staff across her back. At the very least, it might help in coaxing a butterfly within reach of Resh.

-<◇>-

Resh waited at the dock for Tav, arms folded before him. Ayin had suggested being a bit more agreeable when they awoke, and despite their better judgment, they had agreed. Unfortunately, it was hard to be agreeable when the person in question was late.

...All right, maybe not late, but later than he liked. Too many locals had gawked at them while they waited, muffling their voices with their hands. Too many had giggled in his direction, and all had avoided eye contact when he turned to glare at the offenders. The same nonsense had happened many years ago, when they had first grown into an adult under the watchful care of the Elders. He could still remember some of those that commented on how handsome they had become.

They were all dead by now.

“Good, you're here.”

Thankfully, a familiar voice drew him from that unfortunate reverie. Tav was now approaching... with some kind of staff across her back for some reason. Resh huffed and placed their hands on their hips.

“You're late.”

She shrugged. “I was eating breakfast. You know, since it's morning? What, too good to eat breakfast like the rest of us? Or are you too used to the fancier fare of Eden?”

Ah, yes, such fancy fare as standing near a blazing fire long enough to push back the ache deep within. Too long, and a different pain began. But they didn't need to know that. They were just some too-bold researcher.

“Something like that,” he said curtly.

They continued to stare at him, eyes narrowed, before shrugging again and gesturing to the boat. “Well, whatever. Come on. The butterflies should be waking up now.”

-<◇>-

Just as they had said, the butterflies were starting to pour out of the sphere and head towards their typical spots for the day as the two of them stepped off the boat. It was a beautiful sight, although she doubted Resh appreciated it. Still, it meant they could start for the day.

Like before, the butterflies came willingly to them, as long as they stayed away from the King's Will. At one point, six were perched on her hands, which she then promptly, and smugly, showed them. Their response was to turn away with a grunt. Tav snickered and lifted their hands, releasing the butterflies to return to fluttering about the flowers of the field.

“Here. Let's try this,” they said, drawing the light staff from their back. She held it out, and soon enough, a butterfly perched delicately at the diamond-shaped tip. Then they slowly moved their end towards him, holding it out for Resh to take.

Instead of grabbing it, however, they stared at it. Tav's arm began to ache as the seconds dragged on. When Resh showed no sign of accepting it, they snapped and said, “Would you take the staff already?”

“And just why should I do that? For all I know, you're planning to attack me as soon as I try.”

“It's a light staff. The only thing it can do is bruise that thick skull of yours. Now take it.”

He glared at them, but begrudgingly took hold just below their hand. With her hand on the staff, the butterfly remained even as they grasped it. When they removed their hand, however, and left only his, it squeaked, quivered, and flew off. Tav watched in bewilderment as it returned to its flock.

“...Well, then. I can't say I've seen that happen before.”

“And here I thought you were the expert on light creatures, my dear.”

“And I thought you were someone who could be reasoned with, darling. Looks like we were both wrong, hm?”

She turned away to study the butterflies, wondering just what exactly was driving them away. They were normally such friendly creatures, often taking a break from basking in the sun's rays and pollinating the prairie lilies to loop around nearby spirits. To have them avoid a person like this...

Something must be very, very wrong.

That niggling discomfort over the coldness of Resh's skin and eyes rose up once more, and Tav avoided his gaze as they called for a lunch break.

-<◇>-

As she chewed on a piece of crab meat, Tav considered the issue with the butterflies. Like any other light creature, they were drawn to flame and light. It was their bread and butter, so to speak. As spirits had an inner flame granted by Megabird when they were born, a light creature could simply be near them and feed on the warmth given off. It wasn't much compared to the innate light of another creature, but it was enough that spirits were often accepted as members of the flock, so to speak.

Was something wrong with Resh's inner flame?

It would explain the unusual color of their skin, and the butterflies' behavior. Then again, was such a thing even possible?

Their inner researcher burned to figure out more, but Tav beat it back down. There wasn't time to travel to the Vault, let alone search its archives, and Resh was too irritating and evasive to hope for an actual answer. It was bad enough they had to put up with his dour attitude. Trying to pry information from them would be a nightmare.

Tav swallowed and stood up, stretching with a soft groan. The hill they had chosen to take lunch on was near the butterfly sphere, with a small cave underneath that where Resh was currently skulking. And... talking to someone?

Someone actually wanted to talk to them?

They knelt and leaned closer to the edge of the hill, straining their ears to catch a snippet or two of the conversation.

“...so lucky to have a partner like you. With someone like you around, I'm sure they'll have much less trouble getting things off high shelves.”

The spirit chuckled, and Tav had the sudden urge to throw something. Or scream. Either worked.

“I shall, of course, do my best to assist them with any high shelves they may encounter,” Resh replied. She could practically feel the smirk on their face.

Bastard.

The spirit laughed again, and Tav crouched a bit lower as they left the cave, the puff of the two buns atop their head bouncing slightly with each step. More footsteps sounded, and soon Resh was also leaving the cave. Unlike the spirit, however, they stopped and turned to look up at her.

“Do you need help getting down from there? I've heard you have difficulty with heights,” he said, eyes crinkled in amusement.

Tav glared back. She stood up and walked down the side of the hill, then past Resh, making sure to whack their shoulder with the light staff as they went.

“Come on. The butterflies don't have all day.”

-<◇>-

Butterflies are curious light creatures. While birds and jellyfish are content to keep to themselves when it comes to spirits, butterflies (and mantas) possess a kind of empathic sensitivity that, more often than not, draws them towards spirits. Whether it was a sad spirit in need of comfort or a spirit blazing bright with joy, they would soon find themselves with a squeaking companion looping about their body before flying off into the distance. The only spirits they tended to avoid were those with a great deal of aggression.

They avoided both Tav and Resh this time.

-<◇>-

Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

#sky children of the light #sky #sky king #resh #resh my beloved /j #here's hoping it doesn't get shadowbanned like the first chapter did #although i think i might have fixed what caused it #btw if any of y'all have questions regarding this cursed cursed fic #feel free to send in an ask #i'll answer as long as it isn't spoilers #i call it cursed but i am actually putting quite a bit of effort into this #this isn't like those quick and lazy meme edits i sometimes do #i am Making An Effort™ here

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