Don't think twice
You'll be dead in a second
Turn your eyes
From your hands to the heavens
Kill your pride
Turn your fear to a weapon
And don't you forget it
~Shadow, Livingston
Astarion's mind raced as he grappled with his decision to remove his mask. It was an action he had never taken before, a layer of vulnerability he had never shed in the presence of another. Yet, Ruby's determination had pierced through his defenses, her sincerity igniting a strange flicker of hope within him.
But even as he bared himself to her, doubts gnawed at his consciousness. He had never allowed himself to trust anyone before, always skulking in the shadows, manipulating and using others for his own gain. Why should he break this pattern now? He knew all too well the transient nature of alliances, the fleeting loyalty that dissolved like mist in the morning sun.
And Ruby—she was so small, so fragile in comparison to the looming threat of Cazador. Astarion couldn't fathom how she believed she could take down such a formidable foe. Her ambition was admirable, born from the tragic loss of her parents to Cazador's merciless hands. But in her fervor to avenge them, had she miscalculated the enormity of the task?
He couldn't shake the suspicion that her promise to save him was fueled by something other than altruism. After all, what use was he to someone like her, someone driven by a noble cause, when he was nothing more than a creature of darkness, a predator lurking in the shadows?
Everything came with a price, every favor extracted a debt. What, then, was Ruby's price? What hidden motive lay beneath her seemingly noble intentions?
As Astarion cursed himself for his vulnerability, a chilling realization settled in his heart: he was walking willingly into the jaws of another betrayal, his trust a fragile thread stretched taut over the abyss of uncertainty. And yet, despite his misgivings, a part of him dared to hope—for acceptance, for belonging, for the elusive redemption he had long believed unattainable.
As the night wore on and exhaustion claimed Astarion's weary body, he drifted into a slumber deeper than his usual trance. It was a sleep haunted by shadows, a realm where dreams twisted into nightmares and reality blurred with the macabre.
In the depths of his unconsciousness, a visitor emerged—a specter of malevolence cloaked in darkness. Crimson eyes, twin mirrors of Astarion's own, glinted with a malice that chilled him to the bone. Long strands of midnight-black hair framed a face twisted into a sadistic smile, revealing pointed teeth that gleamed with predatory delight. Cazador.
The mere image of his master sent shivers coursing down Astarion's spine. It was as if the very fabric of his dreams had been tainted by the looming threat of the vampire lord.
Cazador's voice slithered through the darkness like a serpent, filling the void with whispers of menace and cruelty as he reminded Astarion of his rules:
1. Thou shalt not drink of the blood of thinking creatures.
2. Thou shalt obey me in all things.
3. Thou shalt not leave my side unless directed.
4. Thou shalt know that thou art mine.
With the remnants of hope kindled by Ruby's unwavering faith pulsating through his veins, Astarion launched himself at his master, fueled by a sudden surge of desperate determination. His fingers curled into claws, poised to tear at the very fabric of his tormentor's existence, to defy the chains that bound him to servitude.
Yet, as his hands closed in on his quarry, they were arrested by a pair of calm violet eyes that bore into his soul with a searing intensity. In that moment, the frenzied storm of Astarion's rage was stilled, replaced by a tumult of conflicting emotions that left him reeling.
Beneath his grasp was not his master, but Ruby, the beacon of light amidst the shadows that encased his existence. Even as his undead heart hammered erratically in his chest, her name escaped her lips in a choked whisper, carrying with it a plea for recognition.
Realization dawned upon him like a bolt of lightning, and he scrambled to extricate himself from the tangle of limbs that bound them together. With a swift motion, he rose to his feet, his movements jerky and awkward as he distanced himself from the object of his unwitting aggression.
Ruby's concern softened into understanding as she gazed up at Astarion, her eyes reflecting neither anger nor fear, but rather a quiet empathy that tugged at the corners of his hardened heart. "You were having a nightmare."
She tenderly rubbed the tender skin where Astarion's grip had left its mark, her touch a soothing balm to the wounds of his fractured psyche.
"I felt bad, and I tried to wake you up," she offered gently, her voice a soft murmur in the stillness of the tent.
Astarion's response was sharp, the words laced with a bitter coldness that belied the raw vulnerability simmering beneath the surface of his outward facade. "Don't do that, again," he admonished, the harshness of his tone cutting through the air like a blade forged of ice. Yet, even as the words left his lips, he recoiled at the hurt that flickered in Ruby's eyes, a pang of remorse twisting in the depths of his chest.
The vampire spawn's breath hitched as he fought to rein in the torrent of emotions raging within him, grappling with the realization of the danger he had unwittingly posed to the one person who had dared to extend him an olive branch of compassion.
"I could have killed you, you know?" he continued, his voice softening slightly as he struggled to articulate the weight of his guilt. "I mean, if you have a death wish-"
But before Astarion could finish his sentence, the expression on Ruby's face shifted once more, the shadow of sadness dissipating to reveal a steadfast resolve tempered by genuine concern. "No, no. I understand. Sorry, I was just trying to help," she reassured him.
An awkward silence settled between them as Ruby made no move to depart from the confines of the tent. And then, as if compelled by an unseen force, she stepped closer to Astarion until they stood mere inches apart.
"It was Cazador," she declared quietly, her voice tinged with a certainty that sent a shiver down Astarion's spine. "He was haunting your dreams, wasn't he?"
The vampire spawn's eyes widened in astonishment at Ruby's perceptiveness, a flicker of disbelief dancing in the depths of his gaze. He had never doubted her intelligence, yet for some reason, he had never expected her to piece together the fragments of his shattered psyche with such effortless grace.
"He haunts my dreams, too," she confessed softly, her words carrying the weight of a burden too heavy to bear alone. She rubbed her arm absently, as if seeking to dispel the phantom chill that lingered beneath her skin. "Almost every night, I relive that moment. Coming down those stairs. Seeing my parents' lifeless bodies...and Cazador stands there laughing."
Astarion's jaw clenched involuntarily, the memory of past encounters with the vampire lord like a festering wound that refused to heal. He felt a pang of empathy twist in the depths of his undead heart, a silent acknowledgment of the shared scars that bound them together.
As Ruby's gaze flickered over his form, Astarion's discomfort grew, the realization dawning upon him that his own suffering had not gone unnoticed. The dark circles under his eyes, the pallor of his complexion—signs of his inner turmoil made manifest in the fragile vessel of his undead form.
"Astarion, when's the last time you ate?"
Under the cloak of night, Ruby led Astarion deeper into the embrace of the forest, a clandestine journey guided by the flickering light of fireflies and the ethereal glow of the moon. With every step, the silence of the woods enveloped them like a comforting blanket, broken only by the nocturnal symphony of owls and crickets.
Ruby's crossbow remained slung over her shoulder, a silent sentinel at her side, though her attire betrayed no hint of imminent danger. Clad in a simple white blouse that billowed gently in the nocturnal breeze, paired with loose brown trousers that allowed for ease of movement, she moved with a grace that belied the weight of her burden.
Her signature thick red velvet cloak trailed behind her like a regal banner, a splash of vibrant color against the muted hues of the forest's twilight embrace. It was a cloak that had witnessed countless adventures, each thread woven with the memories of enemies fought and victories won.
As they ventured deeper into the heart of the woodland sanctuary, Astarion found his gaze drawn inexorably to Ruby's form, the crimson depths of his eyes alight with a flicker of genuine curiosity. She was undeniably beautiful, he acknowledged, her features illuminated by the soft glow of moonlight filtering through the dense canopy overhead.
Yet, it was not mere physical allure that captivated his attention, but rather a deeper intrigue—a hunger for understanding that gnawed at the edges of his consciousness like a persistent itch.
"Darling?" he whispered just in case she found dinner for them.
At the sound of Astarion's voice, Ruby's attention shifted, her gaze alighting upon him with a playful sparkle in the depths of her violet eyes. She emitted a soft noise in response, a melodic murmur that echoed through the stillness of the night like a gentle refrain.
"From what I recall, dhampirs have different...appetites from most humans, right?" He watched intently as Ruby's expression shifted, anticipation coiled like a spring in the pit of his stomach.
The dhampir's laughter bubbled forth, a sound as infectious as it was enchanting. She turned her head toward Astarion, the glint in her eyes dancing with mirth as she regarded him with amusement. "Are you asking if I feed on blood?" she teased, the corners of her lips quirking upwards in a mischievous smile.
"Well..."
Another chuckle escaped Ruby's lips. "Yes, Aestar," she affirmed softly, her voice laced with a warmth that dispelled the lingering tension. "I feed on blood. Not human blood, although I'll admit, it's tempting sometimes."
Astarion's amusement danced in the depths of his crimson eyes as he regarded Ruby with a playful glint, his lips quirking into a smirk of unabashed curiosity. "You've never tried human blood?" he echoed incredulously, his tone tinged with mock disbelief. With a dramatic flourish, he threw a hand to his chest in feigned shock, his expression a mask of exaggerated astonishment. "You're telling me you're able to indulge in the delicacy of thinking creatures while I'm confined to the grease of pigs?"
Ruby's features softened, her gaze shifting to a more solemn hue as she absorbed the weight of Astarion's jest. "It's not safe for me to drink human blood, Astarion," she explained quietly, her voice tinged with a hint of sorrow. "Papa said it could... corrupt me."
As Astarion's mischievous grin widened into a smirk, he leaned in closer, his crimson eyes flickering with playful mischief in the dim light of the forest. His breath ghosted across Ruby's skin as he teased her with a question dripping in mock innocence. "What's wrong with a little corruption?" he purred, his voice laced with seductive charm as his fingers traced a delicate path along her cheekbone. He could feel the subtle reaction of her body, the hairs on her neck standing on end, a physical manifestation of the electric tension that crackled between them. Ruby's response was swift and resolute, her voice carrying a quiet determination that brooked no argument. "It's not who I am," she declared firmly. With a gentle yet decisive movement, she pulled away from his touch, putting distance between them as she resumed her steady pace through the forest.
Astarion's eyebrow arched in amusement, a playful challenge flickering in the depths of his crimson gaze as he sought to unravel the enigma that was Ruby. "That's your defense? It's not who I am?" he quipped, his tone tinged with a hint of incredulity.
Ruby met his gaze with a playful shrug, her smile imbued with a hint of mischief as she pressed forward through the forest, undeterred by his judgment. In her eyes, there was a quiet confidence that spoke of a deeper understanding—a certainty that her choices, however unconventional, were a reflection of her true self.
Once he caught up with her again, Ruby stopped walking and turned to face him. "You never had that choice though, did you?" Her voice was soft, laced with a remorse that tugged at the corners of Astarion's consciousness. Her gaze bore into him with an intensity that made him feel exposed, vulnerable in a way he hadn't felt in centuries.
The vampire spawn's eyes widened at the realization of the truth in her words, the weight of his past choices bearing down upon him like a heavy burden. He had never been afforded the luxury of choice, his existence dictated by the whims of his vampiric master and the relentless hunger that gnawed at his insides like a ravenous beast.
"But you're free now, right? You have that choice." Ruby's words pierced through the silence like a clarion call, a beacon of hope amidst the darkness that threatened to consume him whole. "Would you like to try it?"
She leaned against one of the towering trees, her posture relaxed yet expectant as she brushed her hair back from her neck and tilted her head. "I don't think it'll affect you like it'll affect me."
As Astarion closed the distance between them, his anticipation mounting with each step, he could feel the hunger stirring within him like a dormant beast awakening from slumber. His senses were heightened, every fiber of his being attuned to the delicate dance of temptation that unfolded before him.
With trembling hands, he reached out to touch her shoulders, the heat of her skin a tantalizing contrast to the coolness of his undead flesh. His mask slipped from his grasp, falling away to reveal the vulnerability that lay beneath, a reflection of the raw desire that burned within him like a smoldering ember.
How did she make it so hard to keep it on? Her mere presence seemed to ignite a fire within him, a primal urge that threatened to consume him whole. And yet, amidst the chaos of his turbulent emotions, there was a flicker of uncertainty—a lingering doubt that whispered of the consequences that awaited him should he dare to succumb to the temptation that beckoned him ever closer.
"Are you sure?" he asked with a hint of desperation.
Ruby's response was a gentle smile, radiant with warmth and understanding. It was a smile that would have quickened Astarion's nonexistent heartbeat if he possessed such a thing, a gesture of trust and acceptance that washed over him like a soothing balm.
"Of course," she assured.
As Astarion's hand gently settled on Ruby's hip, a wave of anticipation coursed through him, mingling with the heady scent of her proximity. With a delicate touch, he cradled her head in place, his fingers grazing her skin with a feather-light caress. He leaned in, his breath cold against her ear, his lips mere inches from the pulsing vein that beckoned to him like a siren's call.
But before he could give in to the primal urge that threatened to consume him, Astarion hesitated, his words a whispered confession that hung in the air between them like a fragile thread.
"Why are you letting me do this?" he murmured. "Why are you so eager to help me? You hardly know me."
Ruby's response was a quiet reassurance, her words a gentle echo in the darkness that surrounded them. "I want the same thing you do. Vengeance. Freedom," she explained, her voice tinged with a quiet determination. "I think we could make a great team, but we need to be able to trust each other. Do you trust me?"
Astarion's brow furrowed in contemplation, his gaze searching Ruby's face for any hint of deceit. "Darling, I hardly know you," he admitted.
"Trust has to start somewhere, Aestar," Ruby replied softly as she tilted her neck closer to her shoulder.
For a moment, Astarion hesitated, the weight of his doubts pressing down upon him like a heavy burden. But as he gazed into Ruby's eyes, he saw something there—something that stirred within him a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness that threatened to engulf them both.
With a silent nod, Astarion leaned in, his lips brushing against the delicate skin of Ruby's neck as he surrendered to the inevitable pull of destiny.
As the vampire spawn's fangs sank into her skin, Ruby couldn't suppress the small whimper that escaped her lips. The initial sting sent a jolt of pain coursing through her veins, but she gritted her teeth and bore it, her body tensing instinctively against the onslaught of sensation.
Instinctively, she wrapped her arms tightly around Astarion, seeking solace in his embrace as she tried to numb the pain with the physical comfort she had longed for years. Astarion tensed slightly at her touch, his own instincts warring within him. But as he felt Ruby's arms tighten around him, he allowed himself to relax, a fleeting glimpse of the humanity he had long believed lost to him.
The pain faded as quickly as it had come, replaced by a sensation that bordered on euphoria. Ruby's whimper turned into a soft sigh of pleasure, her body melting against Astarion's in a haze of blissful surrender.
But as the heat began to build within her, Ruby's panic resurfaced, her instincts screaming for her to break free from the intoxicating allure of the vampire spawn's embrace. With a sudden surge of strength, she pushed herself away from him, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she struggled to regain control of her racing heart.
"Astarion, that's enough."
As Astarion released her from his embrace, Ruby felt a wave of relief wash over her. She watched as he licked the last few drops of blood from her wound. Despite the lingering ache in her neck, there was a strange sense of satisfaction that settled over her—a feeling of completion that transcended the physical realm.
"That was amazing," Astarion panted. Ruby managed a gentle yet tired smile in response, her body still buzzing with the remnants of their shared experience. She felt her legs begin to tremble beneath her, threatening to give out at any moment.
Sensing her weakness, Astarion caught her in his arms, guiding her to sit against the rough bark of a nearby tree. Ruby leaned back against the trunk, grateful for the support as exhaustion washed over her like a tidal wave.
"Maybe it wasn't the best idea to do this standing up," she mumbled, a tiny chuckle escaping her lips despite the heaviness in her limbs.
"Shit, now you need blood, don't you?" he remarked, his voice laced with genuine concern. Though he knew little about dhampirs, he understood enough to know that, like vampires, they required blood to replenish their strength. And despite the steady beat of their hearts, their bodies lacked the capacity to produce new blood on their own.
He had to keep her alive... to avoid being killed by the others, obviously.
Ruby hazily met Astarion's gaze, her eyes clouded with fatigue yet still sparkling with a glimmer of mischief. "Probably," she shrugged, her words slurring slightly as she settled onto her side, her body sinking into the soft earth beneath her. "We didn't think this through, did we?"
The vampire spawn couldn't help the genuine chuckle that escaped from his mouth.