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“Gods, the two of you really were made for each other.” Shadowheart huffs while she inspects your face. Her fingers hover over the irritated skin of your cheeks, burned by the beautiful sunset that served as the backdrop to your victory over the Netherbrain.
Your enjoyment of said victory had been rather short, just like Astarion’s. Only that he’s already regaining his regular vampire spawn powers, including the fast restoration while you’re left red faced and embarrassed.
“Just how did you forget you don’t tolerate sunlight?” Shadowheart offered to look at the injuries you sustained, even though she doesn’t have the energy left to heal them right away.
“Yes, I always thought between the two of us you were the one who’s more put together…” You reward his comment with a glare but deep down you’re glad Astarion is still in the mood to joke after almost being burned to a crisp out on the dock.
His injuries have completely disappeared by now. You on the other hand feel the burn more every passing minute and its not a pleasant feeling
“I’ve never been in the sun before, I thought everybody was exaggerating…” You would pout if that didn’t make your cheeks hurt. No matter your expression, the skin of your face tightens uncomfortably and burns.
“I don’t have the energy left to heal you right now, you’ll have to wait til tomorrow… until then I guess you can use Jaheira’s Aloe cream to soothe it.” Shadowheart lets go of your face and points you to the Harper’s backpack by her bed.
“Thanks.” You sigh and stand up to search for the cream. You’re willing to try whatever is available if it stops the feeling of fire burning behind your cheeks.
“You know, it is somewhat comforting to know I’m not the only one who can’t tolerate the sun anymore now that the worm is gone.” Astarion has made himself at home on your bed, despite still being in his armour and covered in blood.
Somehow his hair still looks perfect.
“Well I DID promise to be with you, darkness or not.” You locate the Jar between Jaheira’s belongings and return to his side with it in hand: “Help me out?”
“Of course, my sweet.” He opens the jar and dips his fingers in before applying the cream to your reddened cheeks first.
“Oh, that is so good.” You immediately groan and close your eyes. Not only the cream but also his cool fingers are already doing wonders on the burn.
“If I knew it was this easy to please you…” He continues diligently and carefully. You chuckle.
“It’s not.”
“So, what happens next? Now that we saved the world.” He asks. You open your eyes again to gaze at the ceiling while thinking.
“I… don’t know.” You meet his eyes, “I would like to find a way for you to stand in the sun again, if you want.” You are used to the dark, you’ve never known anything but the comforting eternal night of the Underdark and after experiencing the effects of sunlight first hand, you’ll be okay without it.
But you’ve seen him close his eyes, drinking in the sunrise, heard him talk about being without the sun, the longing in his voice and you won’t be able to forget the look on his face when he realized he was losing this very important part of his freedom again.
He deserves not to live in fear.
“Do you think that’s possible?” He’s hesitant to get his hopes up, you can tell.
“We just beat a god’s ass. I’m willing to believe we could come up with something. Maybe set Gale on the task, now that he’s now longer at risk of exploding I’m sure he’s happy to go back to reading books in a tower.” You propose. It’s a long shot, sure, but it’s not impossible.
“Well, at the least we’d get to go on another adventure together.” He concedes, looking cautiously optimistic.
“Exactly.” You wait until he’s done applying the salve to give him a quick kiss. “Also, we should probably check on all those spawn we released into the Underdark.” You can only imagine the chaos you caused down there.
“Right.” He pulls a face but it’s not entirely serious. “We probably should. And you could go see your family while we’re at it.”
The thought is uncharacteristically sweet but you can’t help but laugh and shake your head.
“If I bring home a surface elf my mother will behead both of us.” You sigh. “Although that wouldn’t be the first time she tries so I guess I’ll think about it.”
“My family tried to kill you too the first time you met them so at least we’d be even.” He jokes. You smile along, your face already feeling better, and think to yourself how nice this is: Joking around, not having to worry about tadpoles and cults and whatnot.
“Should we join the others?” You ask. He pulls you into another kiss.
“I’m sure they won’t miss us for a couple more minutes.” The look on his face can only be described as suggestive and you grin. You’re about to lean in, hands already on his cheeks to pull him closer, when someone knocks on the door to your room. Rather loudly. You groan.
“I guess they do miss us.” You conclude.
Your more personal celebration will have to wait, which isn’t too dramatic, considering you have much more time together than you previously dared to hope. An entire lifetime and beyond.