We met a mother bear. Well, a mother owlbear. Karlach's determination is certainly comparable. [ Is that a compliment? From Astarion? It keeps happening; being here, around the positive influences, is starting to have a rather telling effect on him and his ability to be as catty as possible.
There's an urge to pull away and put distance between them, if only because Astarion isn't used to this. When there are hands on him it is usually because he is being tortured, or it is sexual, with a stranger he doesn't know, for the sake of providing his master with sustenance. This is gentle, soft, caring, and Astarion doesn't know how to cope with the calming feelings that it's inspiring on him, the way that his instinct is to try and hide himself from it all.
Halsin might not bother him about it, might not judge him, but it would still be mortifying enough.
Turning his head a little, breath warm on his skin, he closes his eyes and shakes his head. It makes his skin prickle, the height of warmth flooding through him. It makes him feel... Alive. ]
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There's an urge to pull away and put distance between them, if only because Astarion isn't used to this. When there are hands on him it is usually because he is being tortured, or it is sexual, with a stranger he doesn't know, for the sake of providing his master with sustenance. This is gentle, soft, caring, and Astarion doesn't know how to cope with the calming feelings that it's inspiring on him, the way that his instinct is to try and hide himself from it all.
Halsin might not bother him about it, might not judge him, but it would still be mortifying enough.
Turning his head a little, breath warm on his skin, he closes his eyes and shakes his head. It makes his skin prickle, the height of warmth flooding through him. It makes him feel... Alive. ]
... Please.