𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖕𝖆𝖑𝖊 𝖊𝖑𝖋.

I prefer the term "revolutionized"~

[ Eyes shut, relishing the affection. ]

Well, I've got nothing but time...

[ He nestles his nose into chestnut locks, smoothing hands along Gale's back. ]

But I think right now, I'd rather be spending it catching up with my wizard~

[ Kissing the side of his head. ]

[ Gods, he's precious. Like a nerdy little puppy. Astarion scritches his chin sweetly. ]

Hm... I think I can manage that.

[ Doesn't sound too challenging. Gale would be doing the hard part. ]

... Do you really think it'll have what we're looking for...?

Together...?

[ He chuckles, holding Gale's jaw in his palm and idly rubbing his thumb over his beard. ]

How would that even work?

You turn the pages, and I hold your head on straight so it doesn't go spinning off your shoulders?

You little scoundrel~

[ He teases with a devious smile, settling a hand on the wizard's waist and holding him close. ]

... Learn anything interesting~?

Pity. I was hoping to come back to a story or two~

[ Chuckling, he tilts his head to allow Gale to shower affection as he pleases. ]

Maybe some smoldering ruins...

[ He makes a soft sound as the wizard's warm lips tease against his ear. ]

Mmh... How sweet of you to save all your mischief for me~

My sweet~

[ The book is quickly forgotten, dropped unceromoniously as Astarion reciprocates the embrace, nestling into the crook of his neck.

Beyond the heat from Gale's body, he feels a warmth from within to see how dearly he was missed. ]

Cause any trouble while I was away?

[ A fond smile creeps onto his face.

Reading the title, he can't help but chuckle. ]

𝘋𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘢?

[ He teases softly, lifting the book from the wizard's face to read the opened passage. ]

𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺?

[ Approaching quietly as not to disturb him, peering at the cover on the book curiously. ]

"Now you're getting it~"

Astarion chuckles, handing the bottle back to Gale.

"And I was right-- This pales in comparison."

He smiles, unsubtly eyeing the wizard's neck and licking his lips.

Oh, come now, Gale. You're a smart boy.

[ He gingerly takes a small sip, though the taste just makes him wish he was drinking... something else. ]

Surely you can guess~

I think I've already found my favorite~

... But I'd be happy to try some.

// pfp credit @ monsterSOVKA on X

// why doesn't my pinned gif work... 😔

" 𝔗𝔥𝔢𝔯𝔢'𝔰 𝔞 𝔱𝔦𝔪𝔢 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔞 𝔭𝔩𝔞𝔠𝔢 𝔣𝔬𝔯 𝔳𝔦𝔬𝔩𝔢𝔫𝔠𝔢...

... 𝔗𝔥𝔦𝔰 𝔭𝔩𝔞𝔠𝔢 𝔦𝔰 𝔭𝔢𝔯𝔣𝔢𝔠𝔱, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔦𝔰 𝔦𝔱 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝖙𝖎𝖒𝖊? "