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Gale rushed towards the rogue, “Astarion!” A harsh growl met him and he stopped. As the dust cloud cleared he could see the other crouched over, holding onto his side with one hand and glaring ferally at anyone who was too close.
He glanced at Wyll, who was able to show up a bit earlier and winced at the what looked like claw marks on his arm.
“He’s not himself.” The warlock commented as Shadow heart came near with a small look.
She took in the mannerisms of Astarion and sighed, “He’s been Feeble Minded.”
Gale glanced at her in shock before looking back to Astarion, “What?” He felt a deepening sensation of emptiness as he took a single step forward and immediately backed away, “Oh no, that’s-” He actually looked at the tree Astarion pinned himself to, “That’s a sussur tree. We won’t be able to help him from here.”
Astarion kept gasping and holding his side. Red frantic eyes still flitting over the others in distrust.
“Astarion, it’s okay, we’re here to help.” Shadowheart stepped forward and stopped when the red eyes shuttered into a glare.
Another warning growl came from the Vampire and Gale winced.
“How are we going to get him to come back to camp?” Gale caught a small glance to him and could have sworn his eyes shifted slightly. The wizard swallowed his uneasiness and stepped forward cautiously, “Astarion-”
The growl was lower, but he could have sworn it was less dangerous.
Maybe their friendship was helpful in this. Gale wasn’t sure what the other could smell, he only knew the Elf’s senses were a lot stronger than his own. Maybe he could smell his own scent on him from the amount of time they spent together sharing a tent, reading, and playing lanceboard, “-We’re here to help, my friend.” He slowly extended a palm and ignored the twin worried calls of his name from behind, “We’re safe. You’re safe. I promise.”
Astarion’s growl turned into a small pain-filled whine. His guarded stance finally failed and he dropped to his knees, still holding his side.
Gale almost jerked forward but refrained from making the sudden movement. He didn’t want to lose any of the ground he’d earned with the spawn. He knew from much experience how feral animals reacted to certain things. And he’d likened Astarion to a cat many times. Gale knew just what to do in this instance.
He didn’t register what he was saying, simply narrating what he was doing softly, even if Astarion couldn’t understand him, he knew the calm and collected voice would only help. Gale gently lifted the hand pressed to the side and bit his lip at the rough wound.
Gale took some wraps from his pack and started to try to treat the wound as best as he could, “We need to get you back to camp or a potion-” He glanced back at the two others, “Do either of you…” He trailed off as they shook their heads, “Damn.” Gale blinked when a soft weight settled against his shoulder.
Astarion had leaned against him and rested his forehead on Gale.
The wizard slowly brought his hand up and started to pet the back of his head. He had to refrain from smiling at the barely there rumble that sounded suspiciously like a purr, “Would you like to come with me back to camp?” He asked softly. Gale stood and gently helped Astarion stand as well.
The spawn’s eyes were slightly glazed with the pain and exhaustion from the day. And Astarion stayed huddled against Gale, growling low if Shadowheart or Wyll came too close.
Gale’s heart broke the smallest about when he would hear the growls trail off into the quietest whine. Gale knew the other was confused and scared. He was as defensive as a lot of the stray and feral cats around Waterhaven. He just hoped they could get his mind back sooner rather than later, “You’re going to be alright.” He said as he continued to hold onto Astarion.
They made it back to camp a bit later than planned. Gale had to trail a bit further behind with Astarion since the spawn didn’t want to be next to the others. But they hit another hiccup when everyone in the campsite came into view.
Astarion became an immovable wall. He stopped so suddenly Gale almost face planted himself.
Cursing under his breath, Gale moved so that he was in front of the other. He tried to get Astarion’s gaze to follow only him but the red eyes were darting around frantically. The wizard could see the tension and knew Astarion would end up trying to run away to safety.
Why wouldn’t he? He was injured and apparently didn’t know who these people were.
Gale had to use the fact that Astarion trusted him and somehow get him to stay and accept help.
Who knew what would happen if he ran off into the darkness.
“Astarion, hey, it’s alright.” He slowly reached out and laid his hand against the rigid shoulder, “I know you don’t know what’s going on, I know you’re scared but please don’t run.” Gale bit his lip, he really didn’t want to cast Hold Person. He knew if Astarion figured out it was him, he’d break all of the fragile trust they had.
The wide eyes went from him to the others in the background and then back to him. The stillness of the body didn’t move but Gale counted it as a win that he hadn’t bolted yet, “That’s it, it’s all okay.”
Astarion let the other take his hand. The slow progress to his and Gale’s tent was stilted, it was quickly noticed that any movement from the other’s would cause the spawn to freeze and zero in on that person. After making sure there was no other movement towards them, Astarion would continue on the trek with Gale.
The wizard, meanwhile, was debating on which tent to bring him to. On the one hand, Astarion’s tent would no doubt be a good choice. But he also knew the other spent a lot of time in his own so maybe their mingled presence would help build that trust?
Gale paused out front of Astarion’s and took in the way those red eyes looked around before looking onto Gale’s tent. He smiled and continued the few extra steps. He was a bit more comfortable with this option since he would be able to look through his books as well as keep an eye on the other at the same time.
He knew Shadowheart would be able to help them out the next day but he also wanted to be able to treat the wound the other had. It looked painful, “Can I look at that again?” Here in his tent he actually had the means to treat the wound.
Astarion had made his way to the corner and sat with his back to it, still cradling his side. He was still looking around on high-alert, taking in all of what Gale’s tent looked like.
Gale paused when those piercing eyes shot to him and a low growl sounded. He held his hands up with a small nod, “Alright, I won't come any closer. Not until you’re ready.” He watched as Astarion’s grumble lowered before trailing off when he stopped advancing. The spawn started to look around again.
The wizard couldn’t help but be reminded again of the stray cats in Waterdeep. He had to tread carefully. Gale watched Astarion carefully and kept holding onto the new wrapping in hope that he would be able to help as soon as he could.
“Gale.”
He looked to the opening and ignored Astarion’s low growl for now. It wasn’t as feral as before, more of a warning than anything else, “Yes Shadowheart?”
“We were only able to find one health potion.” She said gently, hearing the low warning and not coming into the tent. A pale hand appeared and in it was the potion, “I won't be able to heal anything tonight, that battle was a difficult one.”
Gale glanced back at Astarion who was staring at the hand in distrust. He knew using the last of their potion could be risky but at the same time, he didn’t think the spawn would allow Shadowheart close to him. He already knew there would be a hassle for it the following day.
“Thank you.” He reached over and slowly took the potion from her hand.
“I will be able to restore him tomorrow, I just need to rest and pray.” She commented through the fabric before leaving.
Gale took another small breath and turned back towards Astarion.
Who was now watching him closely and keeping an eye on the new item in his hand.
Gale sighed and held it, he wasn’t sure how this would work out…. Although maybe…. Gale unstoppered the potion, kept eye contact with Astarion and took a sip from the bottle before slowly handing it over to him.
Astarion glanced down at the bottle before quickly looking back to him. Gale watched his throat spasm, as if realizing he was thirsty. He uncurled slightly and, still keeping a hand pressed to his side, reached forward and took the bottle.
He held it for a few moments before raising it to his lips and draining the potion.
Gale felt the stress that was resting on his shoulders lift and relaxed that much more. He watched Astarion blink a few times before looking at his side. Gale saw through the tears in the fabric that his wound stitched itself together.
The wizard was exhausted, “I am glad we were able to get you to drink that.” He said to himself more than Astarion. But now the next problem. How was he going to rest if he wanted to make sure Astarion didn’t run away. There wasn’t really much he could do if he wanted the other to keep trusting him. If he tried to get the other to stay with force, that would just ruin everything.
Gale felt his eyes start to droop and he leaned against the pillows on his bed roll. He extended a leg and hoped the other would just accidentally trip over him if Astarion tried to leave. That way he’d be able to wake up and try to coax the other back.
He knew it was wishful thinking but gods, was he tired.
He only remembered a sudden firm press against his side and a light weight on his shoulder but it was comforting so he let it be. It reminded him of Tara when she snuggled up against him back at his tower. Gale shifted slightly and wrapped an arm around the figure as he drifted back into sleep.
Coming out of sleep was a bit more languid than usual. Gale inhaled and his nose filled with the scent of bergamot, rosemary and something else he couldn’t quite place in the moment. And something was in his arms?
He felt a light vibration and smiled to himself at Tara’s purring.
Wait.
He wasn’t at his tower. Gale blinked his eyes open and stared at the white mop of hair. That was Astarion. Not Tara.
The memory of the last day hit him and he relaxed slightly. Right, the rogue was Feeble Minded and didn’t really trust anyone. Gale paused. Well, apparently everyone aside from him. He smiled slightly at the continued purring. He didn’t know Astarion could purr. He wondered if the vampire even knew this.
But now he was hit with another dilemma. How was he going to wake the other up? Gale’s brow furrowed, was he even asleep? Elves tranced, they didn’t need to sleep. He wondered if it was another catlike thing where they decided to stay in a certain spot and would be disgruntled if moved before they were ready, “Astarion?” The purring didn’t stop, “Can I move?” He continued to ignore the wizard.
Gale sighed and started to shift away. He heard the purr trailed off into a slight grumble and he couldn’t help but laugh at it, “Today is the day we can get you back.”
He saw the slanted eyes regard him with detest and Astarion sat up. Gale slowly sat up and noticed the eyes on him as he pulled on his robe and ran his fingers through his hair. How was he going to be able to get Shadowheart to cast on the distrustful spawn, “Okay, let’s go out and get you restored shall we?”
He stood and waited for Astarion to stand as well before pausing. Would it be better to bring her in here with the only one way out? Although, Astarion could rip through his walls if he just tried the barest amount.
But they did only need him still for a few moments.
Shadowheart’s voice drifted in from the front, but still further away, “How did we want to do this?”
Gale watched Astarion glance over at the noise but not do anything else. He took a small breath and called back, “I think it might be a bit easier in here. Just come in slowly.” He kept watching Astarion as Shadowheart approached and noticed the slight stiffening and his calm demeanor slowly shedding into tenseness.
“Astarion. It’s okay.”
His eyes didn’t leave the half-elf. And Shadowheart opted to sit just inside of the tent, “I’d rather not be subject to him lashing at me.”
Gale nodded, “That is more than fair.” He continued to watch Astarion’s body language and was grateful he hadn’t started to growl again, “I think this is definitely improvement from yesterday.”
Shadowheart kept watching, “We need to get him back sooner rather than later.” She continued to inch closer. Astarion stared and as soon as his eyes narrowed into a glare, Shadowheart stopped.
“Calm Emotions?”
Gale nodded, “Yeah,” He went through the somatic waves and casted the spell. They both watched as Astarion’s shoulders relax and his gaze soften. Shadowheart went closer and gently placed her hand on his shoulder. Red eyes shot to it but Astarion just continued to look, not do anything else, thankfully.
Shadowheart cast the spell and Gale watched as Astarion’s eyes widened and saw the awareness and intelligence flood back. Their gazes locked and the wizard saw a slight amount of panic before Astarion shot up to stand.
Red eyes darted around as he no doubt filtered through all of the past day and that typical mask settled shakily on his face, “Well then, I would definitely say that was a terrible experience.” He idled slightly before leaving the tent without another word.
Shadowheart watched him go before looking back to Gale, “Well, he’s back.”
Gale looked at the tent flap as it fluttered with the slight breeze. He knew the spawn was embarrassed. He hoped he’d be able to help Astarion get past it.
He waited until everyone was in their tents before he exited his own. Gale idled outside of Astarion’s tent, trying to decide if he wanted to actually try to talk to the other. He fiddled with the small cube he’d found in one of the towns and bit his lip.
Gale flinched when he heard a loud annoyed sigh come from inside Astarion’s tent.
“Will you be pacing outside my tent all night or are you coming in?”
The wizard put the cube back in his pocket before taking a deep breath and pushing the flap aside. He entered the tent but stood only just inside of the opening. Gale started to feel uncomfortable with the silence when it was obvious that Astarion was waiting for him to start the conversation.
“I wanted to see how you were doing.”
Astarion raised an eyebrow, still staring.
“I-I know it must have been an unsettling experience-”
“That’s an understatement.”
“-But I hope it doesn’t change anything.”
Astarion tilted his head, “Change what in what way?”
Gale still couldn’t quite read the vampire all that well. Especially when he was masking how he was actually feeling, “Well, I like to think we are friends. And I don’t want any of our get-togethers to cease because of a hiccup from an opponent.”
Astarion kept staring. And Gale had to force himself to not keep talking to fill the silence.
The vampire sighed and shook his head, “It will change things Gale.”
Panic rose inside him, panic at the possibility of losing his closest friend, panic at losing the small steps they were taking towards something that could maybe be more, “It doesn’t have to! We can-”
Astarion closed his eyes tightly, “Yes it does because now I-” He cut himself off and let out a sharp breath. He laughed humorlessly, “Being reduced to that… and remembering how everything felt, how everyone was in my eyes.” He looked back at Gale, “I felt safe with you.”
The wizard blinked, “...And that’s… a bad thing?”
“I suppose that depends-” Astarion said looking at one of his hands, “-on what you want to do with that information.”
Gale could see he was trying to give off an air of confidence but the stillness of his shoulders, the slight shaking of his hands that Gale wasn’t actually sure was there, “...I wouldn’t want to do anything you wouldn’t like.”
Astarion’s sharp gaze pinned him again, “And what wouldn’t I like?”
Gale slowly stepped forward until they were almost touching, “I would hope that you would let me know so I would never cross a line.” He saw a different kind of fear in those carnelian eyes. Fear of letting oneself have something they want. Fear of letting another close enough to harm them deeply.
Fear of the possibility of being known .
Gale couldn’t help but feel the swell of happiness when a cool hand reached forward to trace along his cheek. The answering “I will if you do as well.” had Gale grin.
They’d be more than okay.