Chapter 2:
Jaheira was the first to act. Shooting up from her seat and stomping over to the hooded figure who had just shut the front door. She grabbed him by the collar and shook him violently as she yelled,
"Where the HELLS have you been, Astarion?"
His hood fell and revealed his pale, fanged face. He looked sheepishly at the other companions as he gave a slight wave and a forced laugh. "Aha, …hello everyone!"
"ASTARION!" Everyone's faces lit up at the sight of their pointy-toothed friend, except Jaheira who was still scowling.
"We have been looking for you everywhere! Tav is completely devastated that we couldn't find you after you ran off. You could have at least left us a note somewhere obvious, or any sign really, that you were still alive."
He sighed dejectedly, unable to look into his friends' eyes as he said, "I know, and I'm sorry. I just… didn't want any of you to see me like that, let alone Tav. It would have hurt her too much to see me in pain. I- I didn't want to do that to her." His voice shaking with remorse.
"Tch, selfish bastard." Jaheira spat as she forcefully let go of Astarion's cloak. But he saw her eyes soften slightly before she stalked off back to her seat and take a long draught from her drink."
Shadowheart's overjoyed expression slowly morphs into infuriation. "So you thought you could just sneak in here and pretend like nothing's happened?! Tav is beside herself worrying about you!"
"I KNOW!" He sighs and closes his eyes. "I know…" Astarion's voice cracks and his lips quiver. He is clearly close to tears. He takes a moment to re-compose himself before continuing. "I've been following her, in the shadows. Making sure nothing bad happened to her while she was out there—especially when you all returned here without her!" He gave them a quick, accusing glare before reverting back to his morose tone.
"But no one paid her any mind since most of the people in the city were in similar situations – searching for their loved ones and hoping they survived this disaster. I debated myself whether I should just come out and embrace her, tell her I was okay, and that she would be okay…" His face contorted into a pained expression. "But I couldn't bring myself to do that after hiding from her for so long…"
Minsc gives Astarion's shoulder a shove, almost pushing the Vampire over. "Boo says that Astarion is a COMPLETE IDIOT, and he should have come out as soon as he was able. Minsc thinks that Boo is right, and that little Astarion should go and apologize to Tav right away."
Astarion sighs deeply, "I should, shouldn't I… But what would she think of me? I couldn't even face her because of my self-loathing, to comfort her in her time of need."
Gale places a reassuring hand on Astarion's shoulder and smiles at him genuinely. "She'd think the world of you, as she always has. You already know that she's the most understanding and forgiving out of all of us."
Astarion manages to stifle a sob and turn it into a laugh upon hearing Gale's words.
"She certainly is."
"I'm glad we're finally on the same page, Astarion." Gale says jokingly.
Halsin rises from his seat. His hulking figure standing out in the tavern, and he walks over to Astarion. "Well, since no one here has said it yet, I'll be the one to do it! I'm glad you're back with us, Astarion." He opens his arms, inviting him in for a hug. "Now c'mere, you!"
Astarion accepts the druid's offer, and he's pulled into a massive bearhug. He now understands why he appealed so much to Tav that she'd want him to join in their relationship. The massive elf radiated safe and reassuring energy and it gave Astarion the confidence to finally face his Darling by the time he pulled away from the hug.
With renewed confidence, Astarion says, "Well, I guess I should just get on with it, then. Wish me luck!" He turns toward the stairs leading up to the room he and Tav rented.
