The Shadows | Astarion

~ 33 ~

When the sun had set, they'd all began to pack their things and be ready to set off into the swamp lands again.

They left the house as quickly as they'd entered it, walking into the night carefully as the ground was sunken and unstable in some places.

Astarion didn't know whether Aelia wanted space or for him to walk by her side, he was confused, so he settled on walking beside her but not too close.

The group was mostly silent as slowly progressed through the swamp lands, they didn't want to alert anyone of their presence. It was mostly difficult for Gale, since he didn't have any DarkVision, whereas the rest of them did.

The progress was slow and grueling, all of them tired after walking for hours. The sun was rising soon, and they weren't coming up to any sort of building to hide Astarion. So they began setting up their tents before the sun rose.

By dawn, their tents were set up and Aelia glanced at Astarion.

"Will you be alright in the tent again?" She asked in concern, Astarion hated being cooped up most of the time, he liked the freedom of free movement. Aelia guessed it had something to do with the year he was trapped in the coffin for, not being about to move at all. She hated Cazador, and was glad he was dead but she would've loved to kill him herself.

"I'll be alright, thought you'd jump at the chance of getting me alone." He smirked, his eyes soft as he gazed down at her.

"Well, obviously, but I know you hate being in there all day, I can stay in there with you if you want?" She offered, and Astarion grinned.

"Oh, would you, my love? I won't have to worry about getting bored if you're with me." He drawled, and Shadowheart tilted her head.

"Save that for when you're alone, some of us would like to sleep without worrying about what sounds we'll hear." The cleric said jokingly, her voice amused.

Aelia laughed, "Don't worry, I'll keep him on his best behavior." She grinned at Astarion, and he smirked at her, his eyes bright.

"I'm sure you will." He replied, staring at the sky to see the sun about to rise. He raised his eyebrows and went into his tent, keeping the flap up for Aelia to enter.

The healer smiled and walked into the tent, getting herself comfy on his blankets and pillows.

Astarion smiled, just staring at her.

"What?" She asked, feeling a little shy as she felt his gaze on her.

He smiled softly, "Nothing, darling." He settled beside her and sighed tiredly, putting his hands behind his head.

She didn't say anything and just smiled secretly, and watched his curls lying about his face. She loved his hair, and really want to just run her hands through it, but she didn't know how he'd react.

Her face must've been amusing because Astarion grinned, "What are you looking at?" He asked, his fangs showing a little as he smiled.

She felt her face going red, "I was... just thinking that I'd really like to touch your hair, if that's okay with you?" She murmured, she could assume that he was particular about his hair, and quite proud of it despite not knowing what it looked like.

And she'd touched his hair before, but that was to make him fall asleep, and comfort him.

Astarion waited a few moments, before nodding, "I don't mind." He murmured, and she smiled.

She slowly reached her hand and ran it through his curls, they were so soft. She grinned and ran her other hand through his hair.

Astarion closed his eyes and hummed softly, letting her touch his hair. She lay beside him and just kept running her hand through his hair, and Astarion sighed happily. She always touched him so gently, so softly. So different to what he was used to, and he was getting use to her soft touch. That she was doing it for the sake of making him happy, not just to seek pleasure from him.