The evening had gone as he had planned, and now Astarion had Lu exactly where he had expected. Only, he found himself unable to relax and across the room. Lu had changed and knocked on his door, as she said she would. He had anticipated some sort of intimate expectation from her, but instead, she simply walked over to his bed and fell asleep. They exchanged a few words of greeting before she yawned, and he had excused himself to freshen up. When he returned, she was asleep.
Astarion stood in the doorway for too long, he would imagine. Generally, after their moment in the living room, he would have thought he would have to kiss her to sleep or maybe have her fall asleep in his arms. Neither were on the table, which gave him a sense of relief. However, he also found that he was disappointed. At least she showed him enough trust to be this vulnerable around him. He could drain her dry, and she wouldn't know until it was too late.
After what felt like an eternity, Astarion walked over to a chair in the corner and sat down. He wasn't sure what he wanted to do in this situation now that she had taken her choice out of the equation. He could let her sleep alone in his room, which would be strange given the circumstances that led them here. He had asked her to spend the night after all. He could also crawl into bed next to her and spend the night that way. There wouldn't be any expectations from him, seeing as she was now snoring softly.
He could tear his hair out by his own frustration. Logically, it made the most sense for him to lift the covers and slide into bed next to her. That's what she was expecting, and nothing more. Just sleep and trancing. He tapped his finger on his knee as his jaw clenched. This was starting to feel ridiculous.
In a bout of courage, Astarion stood and walked over to the bed, opposite from where she was sleeping. Gingerly, he pulled back the blankets and laid down. Once he covered himself again, he stared at the ceiling. He had taken the first step, but now he wondered if he had the capacity to relax enough to trance. It had been a very long time since he last slept next to someone, but he quickly pushed that train of thought from his head. Lu was going to outlive Cazador, and Astarion was going to make sure of it. They had a plan, after all. It helped that she wanted him dead just as much as he did.
He closed his eyes and tried to focus on the rhythm of her breathing. It was steadier than he would expect from a Bhaalspawn, but he found that it was relaxing to listen to. He even found it better than the usual silence that he tranced to.
His eyes flew open as he drew his brows together. Realizing that sleeping next to her was more relaxing than he expected worried him. In fact, many things about his reactions to her in the recent days were starting to concern him. Lu was starting to become a staple in his life, and one that he wanted to fight for. The fact that he wanted her to live so they could live outside of Cazador's rules was proof of that.
Astarion sat up slowly before he turned to the sleeping woman at his side. He was the one who had invited her in, and she never pushed him for anything more than what he asked. He swallowed, slowly realizing that he wasn't sure what he would do if she decided to leave. She would be welcome to leave at any point, of course, but he found a new attachment to her.
That wasn't good.
Attachments meant that he could be exploited and manipulated, and not just by Cazador. He hadn't made enemies, but people weren't generally kind. If they could find an exploit, they would take it.
However, even as he warred with himself about not wanting to grow attached to the drow, he was fighting a losing battle. Lu could defend herself, and she was just as much of a protector as she was a hunter. Even if someone tried to us her against him, she would probably bite their head off. Either physically or literally, depending on the situation.
Astarion rested his head on his pillow to stare back up at the ceiling, realizing that he was well and truly stuck. His attachment to the drow was there to stay, and something that he wasn't willing to change. She would be stuck with him for as long as she would have him. He just hoped that she felt a similar way. Astarion wasn't sure he would be able to live without her anymore, and that both scared and comforted him in a strange way.
As his thoughts raced, he closed his eyes and tried to focus on her breathing again. He had to remember the long game he was playing as well. Nothing good truly be his and only his until Cazador was nothing by a pile of ash. Only then would he be free to pursue Lu as she deserved. As he cleared his thoughts from his head, he rested, letting his trance calm his mind and body.
~U~
Luastra slowly woke from the most peaceful sleep she could remember. She hadn't even jumped up when she didn't recognize her surroundings as she blinked at the room. Her memories came back as she remembered that Astarion had invited her to sleep in the same room together. With Cazador now a threat, or at least a bigger threat than before, he had asked her to be closer to him for his sanity and her protection.
She probably should have thought about it more, but she didn't regret agreeing. His bed was soft, and she found that his presence was more comforting than she expected. She half hoped that he would let her sleep here most of the time. She would definitely feel more rested most days.
Luastra slowly turned over to see that the other half of the bed was empty, but she did note that Astarion had at least laid there. For how long, she wasn't sure. She had fallen asleep pretty immediately when her head hit the pillow. The day had been stressful, and sleep had been calling her name.
After a few minutes to let herself wake up, Luastra stretched and walked down stairs to get herself some breakfast. She glanced around as well, looking for Astarion or any sign that he would have left. She did note that his study was closed, but she heard him talking to himself in there, meaning that he was probably planning something.
With a yawn, she continued to the kitchen to eat. She sat at the table with her food, staring at the wall as she woke up fully. As her mind started to work again, she wondered what had Astarion up before her. There were a few guesses, Gortash and Cazador being the top two, but it still seemed odd that he would get up early to start anything. Gortash was going to be a long ordeal, and Cazador needed to be handled with care.
Although, Luastra wondered how hard it would be to gather up her cultists and make a rush for the vampire. If she went during the day, then maybe there would be a chance. She could also see if there was a way underneath his hideout. Astarion had mentioned it was a large estate in the Upper City. There was a good chance that there was an access to the sewer. If not, Luastra could make a way through the basement. The sewers ran through the entire city. There were ways she could handle getting inside.
On the other hand, there was likely going to be more than just Cazador in wait. Astarion had mentioned that Cazador was looking for more spawn, which meant that there were probably more than just Astarion in the estate. Maybe she could figure out a way for a cultist to do a reconnaissance mission for her. See just who was inside the place and how long it would take to clear it out.
Luastra tapped her fingertips on the table as she thought, now wondering if she could do the reconnaissance herself, when Astarion appeared in the doorway. It took a moment for her to notice, but she smiled when she caught his eye.
"Good morning," she grinned, laying her hand flat on the table. "Early morning?"
"A little. Just a few things I wanted to get a head start on," Astarion answered, leaning against the door frame. "Sleep well?"
"Like the dead," Luastra laughed sweetly. "Honestly some of the best sleep of my life."
"I'm glad to hear it," he replied, a little surprised by her answer.
"So, what were you planning in your study? I heard you when I passed by."
"Just thinking through some things. Mostly about your job with Gortash and that older gentleman, I forgot his name. Also, about what to do about Cazador."
"I wish I could go in and just take care of that problem for you," Luastra sighed, shaking her head. "Do you think that having one of my cultists do a sweep of the place would help? Find out about the rounds and such?"
"If you want to lose that cultist, be my guest. No one has successfully infiltrated the Cazador mansion in decades, if ever. I've never seen anyone do it, but I wasn't always around," Astarion admitted as Luastra groaned.
"I'm sure whatever cultist I find would be fine dying in my name, but it would be a waste of resources if you think it wouldn't go anywhere," she remarked, tapping her finger on the table. "I don't like him having this much hold over your life."
"You and me both, darling."
"Do you think we could pit Gortash and Cazador against each other? Make them take each other out?"
"Unless you have a masterful plan on how to do that, I don't think so. They don't really float around the same social spheres."
"Damn," she sighed, shaking her head.
"We'll be fine. Like I said, it'll take time, but Cazador isn't going to do anything drastic until after the wedding," Astarion reminded before smirking. "I haven't even proposed yet."
"He won't wait around for you forever, though. He's expecting a short engagement," she added, remembering his words from the night prior. "But you're right, we do have time. How opposed are you to finding a vampire slayer to hire?"
"Trying to kill me already, darling? You won't get anything until we're married."
"I don't need a hunter to kill you, honey. I'm just saying that there are experts out there that know how to kill true vampires. Given your nature, I would be willing to hire out and learn the skills if nothing else."
"You think you can kill me, but not Cazador."
"Cazador can turn into mist. You can't. Unless I've misinterpreted something," Luastra recalled. Astarion took in a deep breath before shaking his head. "You are formidable, don't get me wrong. You're a predator. Cazador is a menace and a monster. He needs to be put down, and I don't know how to do that without decapitating him. I can't decapitate mist."
"Alright, you can look into a vampire hunter, as long as it doesn't involve me. At all. I don't want them in the house or my work," Astarion informed as Luastra nodded.
"Agreed. I don't need him to find out about you either. While you being in the sun helps a lot, there are a few things that are harder to explain."
"And any thoughts about Gortash and his merry band?"
"Other than go through the motions? Not a one. Once we steal the crown, I believe Gortash will have to plan out his next grand scheme. I don't really want to go into details, but I'm sure it will take more time than he thinks," Luastra scoffed, rolling her eyes. "I'm not really sure where it will lead at the end, but a part of me is hoping that maybe Gortash's schemes is what gets him killed."
"One can only hope."
"Otherwise, you have a wedding to plan."
"Ah, yes, the one we are definitely having because one of us has already proposed," Astarion replied with a grin.
"You better get on that, too," Luastra laughed before shrugging, her mood darkening. "Honestly, though, I would understand if you wanted to put off the wedding entirely. It sounds like Cazador was the one who pushed you into this union, and if we kill him, there's nothing forcing you to continue the wedding."
"That is… true," Astarion answered, surprised by her words. "I did give my word to your mother, though."
"I think she would understand. Having Bhaal's Chosen as a wife would be… difficult," Luastra reminded. She brought her gaze down to the table, waiting for him to realize that there was nothing keeping him there anymore. Sure, there was the agreement with Nosilna, but there wasn't a ring or a certificate of marriage involved.
Astarion moved across the room quickly and silently before sitting across from Luastra at the table. He swiftly gathered her hands, causing her to look up at him. Anger filled his expression, and Luastra swallowed, not expecting that reaction. He also looked nervous and uncertain.
"Luastra Gallanth. I swear to every god that exists and doesn't, if you try to imply that I don't want to be here one more time, I am going to lock you in your room. If you don't want to be in this arrangement, then say so, but you don't get to decide for me whether or not I want to be here," Astarion informed sternly, his eyes searching hers. She swallowed, keeping her gaze on him. "This isn't about your mother or Cazador, and it isn't about that damned book upstairs. I want you in my life. If you don't want to be my wife, then that's fine, but I would be over the moon if you would stay with me."
"You really mean it," Luastra whispered, her eyes shining. It hadn't been a question, and it wasn't meant to be.
"Of course, I really mean it," Astarion hissed, growing frustrated. He opened his mouth again to try and argue further when Luastra pulled him across the table by his shirt. She kicked the chair behind her as she lay on the surface, surprising him with a kiss. He leaned into a little as she cradled his cheek in her hand.
She pulled away after a moment and stared at him, looking for even a modicum of regret or second thoughts. There was none as he smiled at her. It was an expression that she rarely saw. He often smiled with humor, sarcasm, or to just be polite. This was full of contentment and joy, and it stole her breath away.
"Now do you believe me?" he murmured as she laughed under her breath. "You are a ridiculously stubborn woman, you know that?"
"Ah, but now I am completely and utterly your ridiculously stubborn woman," she answered, pecking the tip of his nose with a kiss. "And I am most certainly going to make it your problem."
"You better," Astarion grinned, catching her jaw to kiss her again. "I expect nothing less."
"I think we should celebrate," Luastra suggested, now fully on the table in front of him with her legs kicking in the air.
"Oh? And what did you have in mind?"
"Maybe a nice dinner with a delightful dessert in the Lower City," Luastra suggested as he raised an eyebrow.
"Feeling the urge again?"
"No, but that doesn't mean that I can't help you find a meal every now and then."
"What did I ever do to deserve you?" Astarion chuckled with a smirk. Luastra shrugged.
"To be in a relationship with the daughter of murder? Who knows," she teased as he rolled his eyes.
"Then it's a good thing she turned out to be such a generous, kind, and loving woman towards her vampire beaux," Astarion exhaled, leaning back to guide her to sit on the table in front of him.
"Generous, kind, and loving?"
"You are to me. And a few of our neighbors. Even if it doesn't extend to the likes of Gortash."
"I do kill people in the Lower City," Luastra reminded as Astarion smirked.
"You get the criminals that would prey on the weak, dear. Maybe not the hero, but most certainly the vigilante. Your discerning nature is a blessing, I promise," he reassured as she gave a small smile.
"A vigilante? Don't you arrest people like that and put them in prison?"
"I don't, but yes, the Fist certainly do. So, it's important that we don't get caught."
"Already the plan," she nodded, holding his hands in hers. "So, while you were making your grand plans in your study. Did you make any plans for today? I'm afraid I have the whole day open."
"Not the whole day, you made plans to celebrate tonight."
"Alright, then what are you doing until then? Do you have work?"
"Not today, it seems that the entire office went to Gortash's party last night and found themselves in different states of hungover. So, I suppose Gortash is good for something if I get to spend the day with you."
"Then a walk around the city before dinner? With a satisfying dessert after dark?" Luastra teased as he rolled his eyes.
"If you mean draining a criminal of their blood, then yes, I am very much interested in that itinerary," Astarion smiled. He stood from his chair, kissing her again on the way up. It was strange just to be able to kiss her so easily and freely without any expectations outside of it. "I'll let you get dressed, and then we'll have a night out on the town."
