Enjoy!

AMNE POV

I bobbed back to consciousness. Ow. And then I heard the yelling. Double ow. Turns out, being nearly drained totally dry of your blood is very similar to a bastard of a hangover. Every inch of me felt bruised, and my heart was slow, very slow. It was very clear to me, as my mind clarified, that if I hadn't managed to catch Astarion's attention with that jab of my sword, he'd have killed me. That was a lot to process. I nearly died. But even with that knowledge, I also knew deep down that hadn't been his intention. Not really. He had been overtaken, I think. Maybe it had just been too long between feeds. Maybe he was just unused to Elf blood after so long eating animals. Maybe…

"Explain yourself right now you fucker!" Karlach bellowed from somewhere nearby, but slightly muffled. I think I was inside a tent now, and she was stood outside – presumably by the fire. She sounded angry. Really angry. The kind of angry that usually went with some intense flames. Shit. Astarion was going to be barbecued without any need for the sun.

"You shouldn't move yet." Shadowheart spoke near me, her hand on my shoulder. "And don't worry, that beast isn't going to–"

"S'fine." I slurred, frowning. "I let him… Don't kill the idiot…"

"What?" She scoffed. "You're serious?"

"Yes." I groaned, forcing my eyes open into the dull light. Shit even that hurt. "Please."

Shadowheart was staring down at me in total disbelief, which was fair enough, but thankfully she soon snapped out of it and stepped out of the tent. "Hold it. She's awake, and apparently this madness was consensual."

"What?" A scoff rang out from them all; Gale, Karlach, even Lae'zel. Shit, he really did have them all stood there, ready to skewer him didn't he? Technically it served him right. But it was also going to be beyond stupidly pointless for us to lose an ally over this. Especially when I truly believed it was accidental.

Come on. Move…

I rolled and hauled myself to my feet. My body felt like it was filled with lead from the top of my skull to my boots. And as I steadied myself, it was only then I registered that Astarion hadn't spoken yet. Not one word. No retort, no sass, not even a huff. I reached for the tent flap and pushed it aside, stepping into the warm light from the campfire, and into their alarmed gazes.

As expected, Karlach had stationed herself right outside, axe at the ready. She looked back at me with wide eyes and then concern puckered her brow. "Soldier, you shouldn't be standin' yet, you're gonna topple like a–"

"Help me to the fire?" I asked, and Gale stepped in to help where Karlach of course couldn't. She stayed close though. My head was clearing bit by bit, and immediately I felt soothed by the warmth from the campfire.

Astarion was sat beside it, on his knees, hands clasped in his lap. He hadn't even wiped his lips yet, and a couple of droplets had caught along his collar. As I approached, his knuckles paled, but he kept his eyes down. Shame radiated from him. Every breath only raised his tensed shoulders a tiny amount. Self-loathing came to him easily I think, and right now he was drowning in it. There was a part of my mind outraged at the fact I felt pity towards him – he had almost killed me. But there was the stronger part, that could recognise his desperation. And now, his obvious guilt. Shame. Regret.

Karlach grabbed a nearby crate and set it down for me to perch on, which I did, feet dangling a little. "Alright, now we can stop the yelling. Can I get some water?"

Gale handed me a waterskin and eyed me as I sipped. "You're very pale and the bruising under your eyes isn't exactly promising. But how're you feeling?"

"Like I had a lot of fun with wine last night." I swallowed and nodded to him, to all of them. "I appreciate your concern, really I do. Good to know I have allies willing to give me some recovery time, not just leave me in the dust."

Gale almost smiled. "Of course."

"But along with that, please don't go and blame Astarion. It's not that simple. Yes he did it, but I don't think he meant to."

He jolted and his eyes snapped to me, wide with their searching. No, he hadn't meant it at all, and now he couldn't believe I knew that. Idiot. His mouth opened, words looking like they would be brimming his tongue. But then he bit them back. His eyes lowered again and his shoulders hunched. Shame I could understand, but too much more silence and the others would be hard to calm down.

I sipped again. "Astarion, I kinda need you to explain. I'll tell it if you want, but it sort of feels like your tale to tell. And clearly they need to know, to understand."

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Y-You're right."

"Take your time. And you lot, please try to hear him."

Lae'zel set her sword down and folded her arms. "You have the space to speak, pale one. Use it. We shall hear you out. Until then, judgement can be set aside, even by the likes of myself. Sell us falsehoods however, and you die where you kneel."

Her and the rest of them then nodded to me, their eyes then landing heavily on the man on his knees. They unclenched and re-clenched a couple of times. His jaw worked. His shoulders trembled for a moment.

He drew a deep breath. "I'm a Vampire Spawn. I require blood to remain in my best condition, and to function at all really. Down here there aren't any of my usual options for drinking, in fact the beasties here are poisonous more than anything else. So I…" the trembling returned, much worse than before. "I… I asked– that is I…"

Words tripped into each other, and his frame was totally rigid. He was drowning.

I cleared my throat. "Astarion asked if he could drink from me, instead." I said, not entirely sure we should go anywhere near the fact he had almost bitten me without permission. One thing at a time. And once again, I truly believed that was a moment of madness. But not a helpful one to bring up right now. "And I said yes."

"Right." He nodded and sucked in a breath between his teeth. "But I got carried away. I'm sorry. I… I truly didn't mean for it to go that far. But it did." He looked to me with such pleading in his red eyes I felt a new ache take hold of my heart. Poor guy. He swallowed hard. "I'm so sorry, Amne. Truly, I am."

"I know." I smiled softly and relief washed over him, as the breath rushed free. "You're an idiot, but I know. How bad did I get you with my sword?"

He looked down, gesturing to a small patch of red at his side. "A graze at most, but enough to bring me to my senses. So thank you. Sincerely. I've never been happier to have a new repair to make on this shirt."

I chuckled and took another swig of water. The others were all watching, eyes going between me and Astarion, expressions a mix of confusion, outrage, a little disgust and disbelief winning out. Gale shook his head and looked down, mumbling to himself as he thought. Shadowheart glared at Astarion fixedly, her jaw so tight I expected to hear cracking teeth. Lae'zel was calm, but stern, as always. And Karlach? Well she was pacing, and the whole cove was getting warmer. Oh dear.

She stopped and pointed a finger at Astarion. "And how long was it gonna take for this confession to take place otherwise, huh? When were we gonna be privy to this little detail about you otherwise?"

"Why's that matter?" I asked, getting up and wobbling over to stand in the space between him and the others as they remained a few metres away each. Tension continued to roll off them all. Karlach frowned at me and I swallowed hard, still feeling bloody woozy as hell, but still not about to let Astarion be ripped apart due to some spooked nerves. "It was a secret, yes, and perhaps one he should have shared earlier. But what difference did it really make?"

"We have a right to know that we got a bloodsucker along for the ride."

"Alright, fair. Astarion?"

He looked at his hands and sighed. "I don't know. At best I could assume being thrown out of the group for the sheer disgust at what I am, at worst, I'd find myself on the end of someone's axe or a handy pitchfork would be found. I've… I've not exactly had many experiences sharing this detail about myself."

"Why not?"

He hunched a little more. "Can we leave it at, I never really had the opportunity?"

Gale huffed, the spell readied in his hand still glowing. "The hells does that mean, though? We need some context, Astarion, we need–"

"Hold on." I said, raising my hands to them all. "We can't go demanding all the details. Think about it. What the hells does this group have but a bunch of folks tied to something uncontrollable?"

They didn't know of those strange urges in my gut, but they knew I was quick to anger at least.

Karlach lowered her axe and looked to the side. "Meaning?"

"You have an engine that's going to explode any day, when you get riled those flames of yours are unstoppable. Look what you did to the damn tollhouse. And what did we do? What did Astarion do?"

She took a deep breath and nodded, kicking a stone aside. "He let me."

"Exactly. He allowed you that space, that outlet. You needed to burn that place down, to release those flames. And you Shadowheart, that pain that rips through you from that mark in your hand. Can you control that?"

Shadowheart lowered her hammer. "That's hardly–"

"If that happens in a fight, what're we going to do? Back you up. Have any of us questioned that? Pulled you up on it? No. We've accepted it and moved on. And Gale, well you can stop holding whatever fucking spell that is right not Mr. 'I need to gobble magic items or I'll explode'. Astarion needs blood to sustain his life like you need fuckin' magic to sustain yours. You have given us some info on your situation, but not everything. You've told us enough to understand. Right?"

His eyes lowered. "Mm, true."

Lae'zel jutted out her chin. "And what of me?"

"Well you I can't actually pin on this. So I'd actually go to you for your honest reaction, rather than a panic induced one. Not that you're panicking of course." I added when her eyes flared with outrage. "So c'mon Lae'zel, what's your take?"

Her cold eyes studied me for a moment, and then they landed on Astarion as he continued to sit there in the dirt, on his knees. I wavered on the spot, but steadied myself. Her eyes narrowed, snapped back to me in that second. Damn it.

"Amne," she began, saying my name like an accusation. "Astarion nearly drained you, did he not?"

I swallowed. "He did."

"And yet you defend him."

"I do."

"Why? Is it some Vampiric thrall he has you under, or–"

"I would nev–"

"Shush!" I hissed at him, his affronted expression remaining, but his lips thankfully sealing in a pout. I then turned back to Lae'zel. "He's not compelled me, no. I don't believe he can do that as a Spawn rather than a fully fledged vampire. And he didn't mean to drain me so much. I truly don't think he did."

"Why?" She demanded, but I had noticed that ever-so-slight softening of her expression when I mentioned Astarion's Spawn status. It hadn't been my intention, but maybe due to the Githyanki history as a slave race, she could empathise. Maybe. Or I was reaching.

"Because of his panic afterwards. As soon as I managed to nick him with my blade, to bring him back to his senses, he was distraught. I heard it. You all did. He wasn't bothered about hiding what had happened, he immediately called for help, begged for it as far as I could hear. Didn't he?"

Shadowheart nodded, frowning. "Yes. He did. And he wouldn't step away either, as much as I was tempted to roast him on the spot."

Gale sighed and his hand finally stopped glowing. "This was with your permission, Amne? Truly?"

"Yes." I still didn't see any reason to clarify his earlier stupidity. Yes, he had been driven by hunger to nearly biting me in my sleep. But he hadn't shared the squirrel confession I made earlier so I would hope that would stand if I kept quiet on this front. "This changes nothing for our group, except now we know we have someone extra adept at the shadows. Normally he gets by with animals, but down here that's not an option. He was desperate. Surely we can all understand that feeling?"

Karlach shoved her axe into the ground. "Alright. Y'make a good point, Soldier. You do. All fair, and understandable. But why's it you're defending him so hard, eh?"

"Look at him." I gestured and he blinked up at me. "Do you enjoy kicking puppies when they've fallen over?"

And she pressed her lips into a thin line, she looked down at his little bambi eyes and she did exactly as I expected. She laughed. In fact, they all did. The tension had built, and built, and now we tipped over the other side. I knew it. These people, as ready as they were to defend themselves, they weren't bad lots. And eventually, I would have to share my own secret with them. But right now, mentioning my strange urges when defending Astarion seemed unwise. One thing at a time.

"Alright everyone," Shadowheart yawned. "Let's get a few more hours of rest. Amne, drink the rest of that water before you sleep. I'll see how you're doing in a few hours."

"Yes, ma'am." I grinned and she shook her head, gaze lingering on Astarion.

He straightened where he sat under her attention.

She frowned. "Do not make us regret this trust."

He nodded and she went into her tent, like the rest of them, leaving us alone by the fire once again. I went over and held my hand out to him, him taking it and getting to his feet.

"You did it." He murmured, looking around as though still expecting pitchforks to appear any second. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. And if you're in need of a boost, we can talk, alright?" I smiled softly and eased myself back onto the ground. He followed actually and handed me the water again, my head pounding. I then leaned close and whispered. "But ask? Sneak up on me again and I'll have you bleed out from where you're missing your balls all of a sudden."

He nodded, lips pursed. "Agreed."

I sipped the water slowly and sighed as a little of the pain eased. Between the warmth of the fire, whatever spells Shadowheart had already used on me, and the water, I already felt less heavy.

"Why did you go so far, by the way?" I asked, setting aside the water and running my fingers where he had bitten. The marks weren't there after my healing though. I smirked. "Do I taste that darn good?"

"I'm so very sorry, truly."

"I know, you've said that. So why?"

"I lost control." He looked down at his lap. "Truth is, you uh… Yes, you did taste divine."

"Mm, not the most common of compliments. At least not from drinking my blood." I winked and chuckled. "Then again, I have no idea what compliments I've had before, do I? Fucking hells this life of mine is ridiculous."

"Indeed, but you do bear it with such determination, my dear."

"Mm, I guess I do." I nudged him. "Smooth-talker."

"Not so smooth when bargaining for my life, it seems." He looked to the tents. "I couldn't answer their questions, everything that came to mind felt unworthy, unjustified. But you got through to them."

"They're good people."

"Perhaps… But you also, you just get people, don't you?"

"I try."

He laughed breathlessly, frowning still as he shook his head. "And you succeed. A wonder, that is what you are. Truly."

And the sincerity caught me off-guard. There was no veiled double-meaning, no innuendo, he was just marvelling at me in that moment. The warm glow of the flames danced along his silver hair, and warmed his porcelain complexion. But most of all it caught in his eyes. Gold flecks appeared among the ruby shades. A treasure. That was what he looked like in that moment, gilded by the firelight.

I tore my gaze away and sipped some more of my water, well aware of how I had once again begun to thrum with that sensation of want that had overcome me when he was drinking. Heat gathered at my cheeks in a blush, and it felt like it reached the tips of my ears too. He offered me a blanket and I took it. He then further surprised me by sitting closer so I could lean against him.

A hum sounded in his throat and he held a hand towards the flames. "I feel warm for the first time in a very long time…"

"How long?" I didn't fight it as my eyelids grew heavy again.

"Nearly two hundred years."

"That's a long time to be cold…" I mumbled, frowning as my eyes closed properly and I felt a chuckle rumble through him. "I'm sorry."

"Whatever for, Little One?"

"That you were cold for so long. That's not okay."

Another chuckle. "Mm, well alright, the sentiment is appreciated. Now stop fighting it and sleep. I'll keep watch over you and the camp."

And I sighed, letting myself drift. And as I slipped deeper into slumber's embrace, I could have sworn I felt a kiss pressed to my hair.

But I must have imagined that, right?

Thanks for reading!