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Chapter Text

Astarion wandered through the halls of the half-ruined estate. The misfits he’d been traveling with had taken it over in the aftermath of the attacks on Baldur’s Gate. Harpers and a few other allies had joined them to figure out where to go from here or just spend evenings together. He couldn’t go out in daylight, but once evening set in he could explore as he wished without looming threats to himself, the city or the world weighing on his mind. He looked forward to the coming weeks being filled with many bottles of wine, warm nights with those who were still here, and maybe he’d even stretch his wings a little by engaging in a few more dalliances.

Halsin had made it clear a few times that Astarion would be very welcome in his bed if he was ever ready for such things. He was ready, but so far had sought pleasure elsewhere. In some ways it felt very safe to go with someone who knew him and his history, but in other ways being with someone who knew him was terrifying. There was a different sort of safety in the anonymous encounters he’d indulged in once their group had finally made it to the city. Still, he didn’t know how long until Halsin would be off to start his grove. He decided it was time to seek him out. He didn’t want to miss his chance to experience a night with that giant of a man. He started to walk with purpose, looking for his friend and thinking about his broad shoulders and gentle laugh.

Then he smelled something amazing, an omega just going into heat. He drew in a deep breath and laughed at his body’s reaction. He didn’t know who the omega was, but he was grateful for this moment, to just enjoy who and what he was. He didn’t expect things to go past just catching an errant bit of pheromones in the night air, helping him connect with himself. It felt good. He’d never had the chance to react to an omega’s heat with his mind free and unclouded. He wasn’t a plaything any longer, he was his own. He wanted to explore this side of himself further, if he got a chance.

Sniffing after omegas was crude, but Astarion certainly not above being a bit crude at times. He walked to the window to see if he could get a second hit of the scent. He wanted a few more moments of feeling his body’s natural reaction. He caught the scent, but clearer this time. Under the pheromones was a hint of sweat and the plants Halsin liked to use to clean his hair. His entire body responded to the realization that it was Halsin who was in heat. His toes curled in his boots and he swayed forward. His pants were damnedly tight.

Then he pushed the window shut. He was about to retreat back to his room for a wank and to reflect on how that felt, but he realized that there was no way Halsin’s alpha was nearby. Most omegas went into heat somewhere between early spring and the hottest part of summer. Now the night air held the promise of fall. His heat was out of season. Maybe it was caused by extreme stress or maybe he’d been trying to delay his heat with drugs and his body decided to stop cooperating. His friend was intensely vulnerable with his scent drifting on the night air.

He ran through his mind the few people he trusted and Jaheira seemed like the best choice to protect him. Between having a no-nonsense attitude and being a fellow druid, if anyone was going to nail down this situation quickly, it would be her. Also, if he wanted his heat suppressed, she’d be the one who could either do it or quickly arrange it.

He wanted to go to Halsin himself, of course he did. He could claim him and keep everyone else, especially other alphas, far away. Halsin might not be in any state to turn down his offer, so he couldn’t go in himself. He didn’t know how he’d react to being around an omega in heat without his body and mind chained. Jaheira would be able to find someone suitable, perhaps another druid. There was no way someone like him would ever be allowed to get their claws on the precious archdruid when he was in heat.

Heats were special, or should be. Memory fragments drifted through his mind of nobles using him to get heats over with. He remembered freshly presented omegas who really did not want an undead prostitute as their first time, but knew that propriety demanded they didn’t wind up pregnant. Either than or they’d caved to family pressure to hide being an omega. High Elf noble families were the worst when it came to treating being an omega as shameful. Some of those omegas came back for their second, third, tenth, hundredth heat over the years. He was used to get heats out of the way. In those days, he could be chained, puppeted, silenced, compelled, anything needed to get the unpleasantness over done with as little fuss as possible. His entire personality could be washed away like an unpleasant stain on fine clothing if a client asked.

A wave of emotion hit him. He wanted this chance. He wanted to be with someone like Halsin. No, he wanted to be with Halsin. He pushed the feelings down. There was no time for them. His boots hit the bottom steps of the stone stairs.

He went into the grand hall. The once formal space was now a series of comfortable conversation areas. The hour was late so some couples and groups were making out and not being nearly as subtle about it as they thought they were. The space was full of friends, song, wine and some mild debauchery. Several people tried to call him over, but he went right to Jaheira.

“Darling, the sky has cleared up enough for the brightest stars to shine down on the city. It reminded me of your beauty,” Astarion said.

“Having you been feeding on drunks, or perhaps people who enjoy colorful mushrooms?” Jaheira peered over her bottle of wine.

“Please, let me admire you among the stars for just a moment. You’ve let me steal kisses before, let me steal one more?” He trusted that his lie would stir her interest. The wonderful thing about professional spies is how easy it is to subtly communicate with them.

“You can pull me away for one moment, but only one you rascal!” She followed him out onto a balcony and said, “So, for what reason am I a pretending to believe your bullshit?”

“Please, it’s Halsin. He’s gone into heat. The scent is… it’s really strong, and really good. It’s Halsin.” He closed his eyes and took a breath to try to calm himself. “Someone needs to check on him, and it can’t be me. Is there any chance his alpha is within a day’s ride?”

“Halsin has no alpha, he never has.”

“What? That’s monstrous! Is this some weird druid shit? No, that makes no sense. Surely you wouldn’t make him suffer for his nature?” Astarion snapped.

“Of course not. He’d just never had a heat before.” She held up her hands to keep Astarion from interrupting her. Astarion struggled to stay quiet, he could feel tension running down his arms and back like venom taking hold. Jaheira’s tone stayed calm. “He was young when the shadow curse hit. He was linked to it. All the druids who were there for the fall took terribly ill and had lingering effects of one sort or another. For Halsin, he knew he was an omega, but hadn’t presented yet. He never did. Now that the curse is gone, I guess that has changed. Whether it’s just the curse lifting or if perhaps Thaniel healed him, I don’t know. But this is new for him.”

“You seem to know a lot about him.”

“He told me. He… ach, I feel like a terrible gossip, but we are the ones who must figure out how to help him.”

“He should be with someone who cares about him. He deserves that.” He tried not to think again about taking care of Halsin personally. He was already fighting the impulse to head back upstairs and claim him before anyone else could get near him.

Jaheira looked like she was about to say something, but then shook her head and said,“For now, go to your room. Once I’ve made sure he’s safe we’ll have to make a plan.”

Astarion nodded. “Dammit, he deserves more than we’ll be able to manage. Fuck.” He walked off without another word.

Chapter Text

His instincts screamed at him as he went back to his room. He knew that Jaheira taking point was the best thing. He wasn’t walking away from Halsin as he suffered, he was doing the right things to ensure his well being. He just had to tell himself that over and over again as he walked.

Once he shut the door to his room behind him, he wet a cloth and pressed it to his face. He had no idea how long Jaheira would take and he needed to calm down, not throw himself on his bed and picture Halsin under him, needing him, overwhelmed with pleasure. He hated fighting his own instincts, he wanted to finally embrace them, but he couldn’t stride in just because he was the first alpha who caught Halsin’s scent. He didn’t even know how he’d react around an omega in heat without restraints. He’d never had the chance to find out.

Deep down he knew what his need to be the one who cares for Halsin wasn’t lust or instinct. He didn’t trust many people in the world. He felt like Halsin would only be safe with him. The idea of entrusting his friend to a stranger scared him. His mind was sure that he’d be the worst option. There had to be druids out there who would look after one of their own, observe the druidy way of handling heats, that sort of thing. Surely there were experienced druid alphas, perhaps ones Halsin already knew and was friendly with. Halsin had lived a long time, perhaps there would alphas he was even close to with bonds of love and affection with grown deep over time. Those thoughts, however logical, tore at him. Not having him felt so wrong. He was jealous of the alphas he imagined, thinking they had long, close friendships with Halsin.

When Jaheira arrived, she’d changed her clothes. Astarion was grateful. Hints of Halsin’s scent still clung to her, but if she hadn’t stopped to change and freshen up it would be so much more.

“How is he?” Astarion felt it was stupid question, but the words came out of his mouth anyway.

“He’s still just in the early stages. Now, there are some delicate matters we must discuss.”

“Now is when you suddenly care about social niceties? You find out what he wants, we set to finding it. Suppressants, the alpha of his dreams, someone from his grove… Shake Gale hard enough and a magic trick to teleport someone should fall out of him.”

“Astarion, do you want to see him through his heat yourself?”

“What? Have you actually dealt with alphas before? How could you ask me that? I’ve been desperately trying to not think about taking him myself. I could make his first time so very good. He’d be in the hands of someone who would do anything to ease his aching body and leave him aching in entirely different ways. The things I could do to soothe his mind and inflame his body.” He felt his body go tense as he talked. He felt it most in his hands. The muscles there seemed to burn. He forced himself to relax.

“I didn’t ask to upset you-”

“Then why did you ask?” He tilted his head. He trusted Jaheira too much to think she’d do anything needlessly cruel. “No, really, why did you ask? It’s an odd thing to ask.”

“If you would shut up and let me speak! He wants you. Did it simply not occur to you that I was offering him, not engaging in bizarre small talk? I found him a miserable mess because he thinks he can’t have you. There are no other hands he wants, and it’s not just his heat talking.”

“Really? Are you sure?” Could he really have Halsin with him, where he could be sure he was alright?

Jaheira continued. “We become close on our journey. He become an archdruid so young, always seeing to other’s needs. Since we met I tried to be to him what he is to others. I could not fix his problems, but I could listen and treat his pain seriously. He’d looked forward to his life as an omega, but then he never got to experience it. No heats, no pregnancy, no letting go and having an alpha take care of him. It was so hard for him to even admit that it’s a pain he carries. He laughed at me appointing myself his mentor, at first, but then it became a comfort to him. I know, all too well, that he wanted you as his alpha before this all happened. He didn’t think he’d ever be with an alpha, but that never stopped him from wanting. It was a hope that he thought in vain. He does not want a professional. He will tolerate one if he must.”

“Jaheira, I am a professional. That’s all I’ve been for centuries.” Astarion felt his stomach twist. He was exactly what Halsin didn’t want touching him. Just like so many omegas hadn’t wanted to be stuck with him. “I don’t know if you realized, but an alpha without free will and who also can’t breed is extremely valuable to many, many rich families. Some as far as Neverwinter.”

“If your past means you cannot handle this, it’s alright. He craves you, but he would never want to see you hurt. You are more precious to him than you know. If you decide to hand him off, which he expects, he has one request, that you pick his alpha. He felt bad even asking that much, but it would be some comfort to him knowing you chose who gets him through this.”

Astarion just looked at her, stunned. Halsin’s first heat was his for the asking. He could use his skills on someone he cared about for once. He could leave Halsin exhausted, sated, and help him feel good about his newly awakened body.

“Your expression is amusing, but I need you to talk to me. You were so eager to interject before,” Jaheira said.

“No one would take better care of him than me.”

“That is true, but are you up to it? He’d never forgive himself if you felt pressured, and trust me, the man excels at being too hard on himself.”

He straightened up. He realized he was pleading for Halsin, rather than claiming him in plain words.

“Yes, he’s mine. I don’t want anyone else near him.” As he spoke, he felt a calm settle in. His blood still ran hot, but the conflicting thoughts in his head gave away to a sense of rightness. “We’ll need supplies. How early is he? We need to move him out of the city if it’s at all possible. He finds just about everything about the city irritating. I don’t know how many other alphas might be walking the halls. With so much disruption, so many people filling in as guards, I don’t want to risk anyone trying to get near him.”

“Easily done. For Halsin’s sake, you would be surprised at the resources I can call on. He is already well guarded, I promise you.”

“Thank you, Jaheira, you are marvelous. Are you sure he can be moved?”

“He has started to nest. While moving a nesting omega can be disruptive, one falling asleep and then waking up finding that the nest has mysteriously moved is not much of a problem. Making him stay in the city air and noise would be far worse for him. I will need to drug him unconscious, but I am certain he trusts me enough to drink an allurium tincture from my hands. Food for your omega is no matter. For you, we’ll make sure the barn always has something.”

Astarion felt a flutter of pleasure at Halsin being referred to as ‘his omega’. He had a suspicion that Jaheira slipped that in deliberately. “Okay, what do we need to do first?”

“I can get things done faster alone,” she said. “Sorry.”

Astarion nodded. He didn’t like being hands off, but he knew how Jaheira worked. “If I am just to wait here, could you please send word if there are any problems, even slight ones?”

“I’ll make sure to send word even if things are going smoothly. This should not take more than a handful of hours. Our inner circle will need to know what is going on, but that should be fine. I cannot imagine anyone being anything other than happy for Halsin. Gale already knows. I’ve got him as Halsin’s door guard. Since he’s also an omega, he understands the situation and is very protective of him. Trust me, anyone we disapprove of tries to get close? He’ll be about as gentle as a fireball.”

“How did I not realize Gale was an omega?” Chosen of the gods and high priests were not always omegas, but it was common enough that he should have suspected based on that alone.

“He uses magical suppressants, Halsin and I both recognized herbs he is always picking up, either from traders or from meadows. When he harvests mergrass, he always made sure to get the root. It’s sort of a dead giveaway to what he was after.”

“Interesting. I have dozens of questions, but they can wait. I’ll… be here I guess. I want to stay with him, but that might make moving him more difficult.” If we was in the room with Halsin, would be able to let go?

“If you do go, expect him to be asleep. The sooner he’s out the sooner he’ll be waking up in your care.” She nodded at him as she left, the sort of nod she gave when following Tav’s lead. Again, affirming that he was in charge. He wasn’t used to his alpha nature being taken seriously, or respected. The feelings that suffused him when Jaheira made a point of doing so was something he wanted to reflect on, eventually. He had more pressing things to think about.

True to her word, a message quickly arrived that she’d secured a perfect place, a noble’s hunting lodge just outside the city. Halsin would probably prefer being outside, but Astarion needed shelter from the sun. As much as he trusted her, he had to check on Halsin. Staying away felt so wrong. Halsin’s well being was his responsibility. He needed to see him and feel his heart beat. He’d caught a few ghosts of his scent, but he wanted to know it, even if breathing deeply meant he wouldn’t be able to let go.

He walked back towards Halsin’s room and was surprised that there was only the faintest trace of omega scent in the air. He turned the corner to see Gale reading a book.

“Is Halsin still here?” Astarion asked.

“He’s in his bed, safe, curled up and deeply asleep.” Gale wiggled his fingers and a Astarion felt a light breeze from nowhere. “I thought a few cantrips would help keep trouble away.” He stepped away from the door so allow Astarion in.

“Good, earlier I was near the front window and could smell, well, something glorious.”

“I’m happy for you both.”

Astarion felt that warmth again. He was in charge of Halsin’s well being and everyone around him acknowledged that. More importantly, they were helping keep Halsin safe. It was a feeling both giddy and distant at the same time, like he didn’t dare believe that he was finally going to be an alpha with no chains, physical or mental. He resolved to not think about those chains or who had put them on him, he was just going to focus on this feeling of rightness.

Astarion put a hand on the door, still not quite believing this was all real. “I know Jaheira expects me to wait, since letting go on him for the move might be… tricky. I need to see him, though.”

“You’ll be fine. This is an unusual situation, with shifting him north. It interrupts what should be a natural flow, but this heat was obviously a surprise to everyone. Jaheira didn’t give me any details, and to be clear I don’t need them.” A certain fierceness cut through Gale’s words. He clearly felt strongly about fellow omegas.

Astarion opened the door and slipped in.

Halsin curled up on the bed. He not only smelled like heat, but even asleep his lips were soft and his cheeks a bit flush. His hormones clearly had a hold on him.

Astarion touched the side of his face and felt his warmth. He had an urge to pull back the blankets and check between his legs, feel how wet he was and how swollen he was. He wanted to take in Halsin’s scent right from the source. Instead he brushed back some hair from Halsin’s forehead. His long brown hair was unbraided and loose around his face. Even though he wanted to touch him, explore him, feel the state of his heat, he was also in control. He’d always heard that alphas couldn’t help themselves around omegas, but his instincts were all rooted in protecting the sleeping man, and caring for him.

The skin around Halsin’s eyes looked irritated and his face was oddly sticky in places. He looked miserable, like he’d been crying. Astarion hated the thought of Halsin having a bad time during his heat, one that he’d wanted for so long. He wanted to take such good care of him, return some of the care he’d gotten from his friend.

Astarion sunk his fingers into Halsin’s hair. “You poor darling.”

It was still hard to even think about, all that he’d been through in the past few… was it months or mere weeks? Sometimes he wasn’t sure. It felt like a lifetime. He didn’t know how he would have made it without the strange group he’d been stuck with. Halsin and the others had seen him lash out, had seen him change, they had seen the halls he’d walked for centuries. They’d even met Godey, the fact that they had still turned his stomach. He wished bitterly that the door to the kennels had never been opened. Deep below the mansion, they’d seen him break apart and try to put himself back together. Through all of it, they had been gentle, or in Lae'zel’s case what her idea of support was.

As he sat there, he thought about the first time Halsin had held him.

One night in the Shadowlands loneliness had bitten him hard. Karlach had finally gotten her upgrade and had hugged everyone willing. He’d had mixed emotions about going in on the celebration of touch everyone else was having. Actually, it was worse than that. He didn’t have mixed feelings about hugging her, just about admitting it. He’d grown to adore Karlach and had been caught off guard time and time again by how she saw him. He just was scared of opening up, or everyone knowing that he wanted to join in. Later that night she’d gone off with Tav to release a decade of sexual frustration on him.

As the cold of night set in, he hadn’t been able to focus on his book. He sat there alone in his tent with a gnawing anxiety wouldn’t go away. He liked having his own space. Everyone had clearly gotten the message to look but not touch. And yet, he felt horrible. Some of the others were still chatting by the fire. He tried to ignore his feelings. He’d been through far worse of course, it shouldn’t have been difficult. But there had been something weak in him. He didn’t want to stand it.

He didn’t want to be alone, but didn’t know how to ask, especially after practically hiding during the party’s cuddle fest. So, he solved the problem with theatrics. He’d grabbed a bottle of wine and taken a deep pull. He splashed some around his neck so he’d smell like he was drunk. Of course everyone would buy that he’d just been drinking heavily, it was very like him.

He stumbled over and fell next to Halsin, practically on him, and turned towards him for warmth. With a surprised laugh, Halsin had just wrapped his arms around him. Astarion had shifted a few times, cuddling closer. Halsin hadn’t said anything. He’d felt safe, thinking he’d cleverly gotten away with something. He thought the embrace would feel good. He’d certainly longed for it. At first he just felt numb, but then slowly the warmth of being held started to sink into him. He could smell leather, sweat and campfire smoke. He’d stayed there while the others talked in soft voices and Halsin held him against his chest. Even when the others finally left Halsin just held him by the fire, large hands cradling his shoulders and keeping him close.

It wasn’t until about a week later when Halsin and Tav were talking about the strange effect the tadpoles had on the cultists that he realized he hadn’t fooled the druid at all. He’d overheard Halsin say how easy it was for him to know when someone was effected by intoxicants or not. He was a healer with centuries of experience, he knew the look, the changes in pulse, skin and pupils, the things people couldn’t control. Halsin had just indulged him without questioning him, just quietly given him what he’d needed so badly in that moment.

He was lost in his own thoughts of Halsin’s gentle, undemanding touch when he heard a knock at the door.

“I am old. Do not be doing anything shocking,” Jaheira projected her voice through the door.
Then, the door opened and she said, “You are sitting by his bed and stroking his hair? How unexpectedly wholesome.”

“Jaheira, I’m not going to do anything to him yet. He can’t appreciate my talents like this.” He desperately wanted to touch Halsin more intimately, or at least curl up against him. He was hard and aching. But, despite all the things he’d heard about alphas, he was perfectly in control.

“There are only so many hours of night left. We need to get you north, unless you want to wait a whole day,” Jaheira said.

“When will you move Halsin?”

“We shouldn’t be far behind you. I just don’t want to cut things close with the sunrise. We need you alive, at least for a few more days.”

“Don’t lie Jaheira, you’d miss me if you accidentally fried me.” He gave her a charming smile, but with real affection. Despite her verbal jabs, she was taking both his and Halsin’s needs seriously. She was taking care of them. He didn’t know how to handle that, so he decided to focus just on Halsin and nothing else for now.

“Yes, I guess I would. Myself and Gale will be with him until we finally hand him over to you. He should be awake and at your mercy in just a few hours.”

“I hope you don’t run into any bandits, for their sake. I feel like Gale takes a particular glee in defending fellow omegas. It’s like he’s itching for an excuse to fireball someone.”

“Not just omegas, but go.”

Astarion took one more moment to just look at Halsin. He felt a mix of protectiveness, possessiveness and a deep eagerness for them both to just enjoy their natures, if possible. Soon, Halsin would be his soon. He pressed a kiss to his cheek and followed Jaheira.

Chapter Text

Astarion stood in the parlor of the formal mansion that some idiot nobles called a hunting lodge. It was more of a luxurious retreat in the woods, a place to look at nature while safely insulated from it. Those nobles were probably dead now, considering that this was one of many properties that the Harpers had quietly taken over in the wake of the attacks. The windows were thoroughly covered with thick curtains or storm shutters. Candles were strewn on stacked supply boxes and what tables had been left in the room. Along with the warm fire, the parlor was filled with soft light. This room had been set up as a make-shift bedroom because it had easy access to the outside and an irregular shape that made for a cozy nook where Astarion would be safe from windows even if they were uncovered. There were layers of protection from the sunlight creeping over the horizon. Now, all he needed was Halsin.

He stalked around the space. He kept thinking that it was too good to be true, there was no way Archdruid Halsin would be delivered here shortly and surrendered to his care. But shortly after he’d done this third circuit of the building he heard the sounds of the Harpers arriving. As he walked down the stairs, he caught the unmistakable scent of Halsin’s heat. He caught just a glimpse of him as they moved him down the hall and into the parlor. Astarion was pleased with how quick and efficient they were. He wanted them gone so he could finally wrap himself around Halsin, let the man sink into his senses.

By the time he got to the parlor, the Harpers were already leaving. Only Jaheira herself lingered for a moment.

“One more thing and then I am out of your hair,” Jaheira said.

“Mm-hmmm…” Astarion half paid attention. He stared at Halsin, but wanted Jaheira gone before approaching him.

“He doesn’t know that you agreed to help him. He passed out not knowing.”

“What? Why? You didn’t tell him?” His attention snapped to her.

“You seemed sure of your choice, but since we had to wait anyway, I wanted to give you a chance to change your mind if you grew uneasy about this. I figured, if he is to be surprised it should be a good one, not a bad one.”

“Is that why he looks like he cried himself to sleep?”

“The thought of being handed off upset him a great deal. It hurt to see, but I was trying to be cautious.”

Astarion bit back a frustrated sound. “I am sure you made the best choice and were just protecting him, but I am rapidly losing my ability to think clearly about any of this.” The past day or so had been filled with stressful decisions and painful self doubt. Now that all the choices had been made he wanted to move on from that and enjoy having the druid in his care.

“Understood, and thank you for this. Myself and everyone are clearing out.” Jaheira walked out of the room and shut the door behind her.

Finally, it was just them. Astarion stripped quickly not wanting to deal with boots or pants in bed. Halsin was still asleep, but he could rest with him, take in the layers of his scent and let his pheromones sink into his mind and body. He lay down among the layers of sheets and blankets with his face near Halsin’s hair. His hips thrust into nothing as he let himself get lost in it all.

“I really hope you bloody wake up soon,” he said has he settled in to wait.

He was suddenly glad he’d had a bite to eat right before he left. He didn’t want to make Halsin woozy right now. Jaheira had presented some Harper to him as a snack, someone, didn’t matter who. Coming here suddenly seemed a blur. Nothing mattered except right now, and Halsin’s even breathing next to him. He had free rein, no, he had no reins whatsoever.

“Whatever shall I do with you?” Astarion asked in the quiet of the empty mansion. He didn’t expect a response, but Halsin finally stirred next to him. The druid seemed to wake with a start and tension gripped his body.

“You’re alright now, darling. I’ve got you,” Astarion pressed his hands to Halsin’s shoulders. He really hoped Jaheira had been right, and that this was what Halsin wanted.

Halsin turned quickly and his eyes widened. His nose flared as he took in a deep breath, likely drawing in his scent. He reached out, but didn’t quite touch him. “Astarion… please, just for a moment, please let me…”

At last the moment he’d been waiting for. “Need to feel my skin against yours?”

Halsin closed his eyes and made a sound that was almost a sob. He didn’t understand yet. Astarion grabbed an outstretched hand and kissed it. He thought about how he wanted these first moments to go. It felt right to ease Halsin in carefully.

“Am I want you want?” Astarion said. “Do you you want to be my omega, and give yourself over to me?”

“More than anything.” Halsin’s voice was rough and tight.

“Then be a good omega and lie across me, put your head on my chest.” He lay back over the blankets and pillows of the nest.

Suddenly Halsin’s eyes were on him. “You mean… I…” He pulled himself out of the blankets he’d been wrapped in and did as he was told. He lay down carefully, as if savoring every moment, every point of contact. His body was so warm. He pressed his face into Astarion’s chest and clung to him. He took in a deep breath and let it out, almost shaking. “Thank the Oak Father, I was so scared.” His scent was suddenly stronger, he must be getting wet again. Halsin squirmed, a motion that started with his hips and carried along his body.

Astarion smiled and wondered what he was reacting to. New sensations? Getting even wetter? Sheer need?

“Thanking him? When I’m the one who is a few moments away from pounding you into the mattress and knotting you? When I am the one who is going to give you what you need? You are so ready for me, aren’t you?” Astarion sank his fingers into Halsin’s loose hair.

Halsin laughed. He lifted his head slightly and placed a kiss over Astarion’s heart. “Thank you, Astarion. I am grateful to be in your care. I’ve wanted this for so long and I thought-” Halsin’s voice was suddenly stressed again.

“Don’t think about it. You are here, out of the city and with me. When Jaheira offered you to me, I didn’t hesitate. She just wanted to give me time to think about it anyway. You drank that potion without knowing that handing you off was never even a consideration. I couldn’t even imagine trusting someone else with something so precious.”

“What a blessing it is, to be yours.” His voice was soft and reverent. Astarion didn’t think he could be serious, but he didn’t sound like he was teasing.

Halsin shifted again, settling his body in with Astarion’s as his muscles relaxed. He took in slow, deep breaths.

“Is is strange, for your body to be awake like this after so long?”

“Yes, I’ve always wanted this, but now that it’s here it’s very odd, and very wet. Did Jaheira tell you about me?”

“That this is your first time? That your first heat is mine? Yes, she did mention. Now, not to rush you but I am very curious to see just how badly your body wants me.” He’d been itching to examine his omega’s body and feel the state of his heat. Not being in touch with how swollen and needy he was felt wrong. He pushed at Halsin’s shoulder and he yielded easily.

Halsin rolled on his back and looked up at him. “May I have a kiss, before you start?”

Astarion had never kissed the omegas he serviced, and that was all the more reason to kiss Halsin. He wanted Halsin to feel cared for, but kissing would also help ground him in the present, in this being a very different situation. Astarion smiled and leaned over. He pressed his lips gently down over his, then again and kissed him deeply. Halsin moaned into the kiss. There was a rustle as Halsin gripped the bedding next to him.

Astarion drew back for a moment. When Halsin had first woken up, he’d reached out for Astarion, then stopped himself, unsure. Touch had always been such a rare and careful thing between them, and that had been such a source of comfort for Astarion. Now, Halsin seemed to still be trying to hold back, still follow those boundaries while pressed together amid piles of bedding while Halsin’s heat soaked into both of them. That was going to get very complicated very quickly.

Halsin had continued to be very careful of him even when the whole camp knew that he was obviously wandering off from time to time for little experiments, to try to reclaim what he had lost. He’d come back to camp smelling like wine, the mixed smoky scents of a tavern and sex, but no one had called him on sleeping with strangers while still keeping friends mostly at arm’s length. He’d sat near Halsin around the campfire, knowing he could sit very near and Halsin still wouldn’t touch him uninvited. How gentle Halsin had been with him was sweeter than the sex he’d started having and perhaps he’d overindulged a little. But now it was time to let go of that, or Halsin would be trying to navigate a minefield during his heat instead of being able to let go and get lost in it.

“Come here darling, touch me as much as you want,” Astarion said and Halsin was immediately against him, his fingertips pressed bruisingly hard into his skin. He could feel the need in Halsin’s tense body. He considered his words for a moment and said, “I love how careful you always are with me, trust me, it has meant so much. But perhaps it’s time to… change things a little. I don’t want you constantly feeling that you must hold back, constantly worried if it’s okay to touch me. When in full heat you might not be thinking clearly anyway. I don’t want you to reach for me and then feel bad about it. Touch me freely, it’s alright. If anything gets too much for me, I’ll tell you.”

“Are you sure? I can be good, even in the depths of heat, I promise.” Halsin said, but still clung to Astarion. His words were muffled by his face being pressed into his shoulder. Astarion liked that Halsin holding onto him so desperately.

“I know you’ll be very good for me, and do as I say.”

“If you change your mind, just tell me. I can follow any rule.”

Astarion had no doubt he meant it. Even now, Halsin was being protective of him.

“I’d tell you to stop worrying so much, but I like how careful you’ve always been with me. I know you’ll do as I say.” He laughed and changed to a flirty voice, to steer away from serious things for now. “You’ll obey me, wont you? Do as you’re told?”

“Yes, I’ll be very good for you.” One of Halsin’s hands started to roam over his side, exploring his muscles and curves. Astarion wondered how long he’d wanted to do that.

“So, I don’t need all that rope someone put in the supplies?”

“If you want to tie me up, feel… If you want to tie me up, that’s your choice. Do what you want with me.” Halsin’s voice softened as he spoke.

“I will,” Astarion said, and felt Halsin’s soft moan. He wasn’t surprised that Halsin wanted to be out of control, not have to decide things for once. Astarion pulled him up for a kiss and ran a hand down his body, feeling hard muscles and the harder ridges of his scars. “Now, lay back and let me have my way with you.”

Again, Halsin yielded eagerly. He kissed his way down Halsin’s body, finding the spots where the sun had burned freckles into his skin. Halsin’s thick cock lay against his belly. He kissed the head and slowly licked his way down the shaft. The taste changed from the salt of his sweat and gave way to something sweeter.

“Now spread wide so I can look at you,” Astarion said. Halsin quickly obeyed. Astarion slid a hand up his inner thigh and found that he was wet all over. His scent, warm and inviting, was almost overpowering. Astarion pressed his fingers to Halsin’s opening, played with the sensitive skin around it. Halsin was wet and swollen, and his body easily gave way to Astarion’s fingers as he pushed in. Halsin was still in early heat, but his body was very ready, eager. Astarion heard Halsin whisper “Please, please, please…”

Astarion licked the folds around his opening. He was almost painfully hard himself, but he wanted to take a little time before fucking him. He slowly ate Halsin out as his cries grew louder. When a desperate edge began to truly creep into his voice, Astarion relented and pulled himself up over Halsin. He pushed the head of his cock against wet heat.

“This what you want?” Astarion asked.

“Yes, yes, push, please, please… ohh…” Halsin writhed under him.

“I’d love to tease you a bit, but at this point I’ve been waiting so long for this…”

Astarion pushed his hips forward. Halsin was tight at first, but slowly yielded and let him in. Halsin groaned. Astarion watched the curve of his body as he pressed his head back into the pillows. Halsin’s body felt hot and welcoming. He pulled back and thrust again and again. He knew that Halsin was experiencing new sensations, pleasure in places deep inside, but he wasn’t going to ease him in gently. They’d both waited enough. They both needed this knotting.

Astarion looked greedily at Halsin’s cock, so flushed and erect against his stomach. He ran a single finger down it’s length and Halsin’s hips bucked hard. Astarion laughed.

Halsin squirmed and then slowly managed to get an elbow under him so he could lift his head and shoulders. He looked up at Astarion with his eyes soft and dark, long hair stuck to his sweaty skin. His mouth was open and lips swollen. He seemed to want something, but was far beyond the ability to ask. So, Astarion leaned forward to kiss him. Halsin curled forward to meet him. From the pleased sounds Halsin made, he was sure this was what he’d been silently asking for.

Astarion felt one of Halsin’s leg hook over his, entangling them as he kept fucking into him. His knot began to swell. He made sure it slipped in and of Halsin with each stroke. There was such a mix of both sweet and feral in their fucking. It was a heady mixture, and not one Astarion was used to. He let himself get lost in the feeling. He wanted to embrace every moment, every feeling, everything about having Halsin as his.

His knot grew and Halsin broke the kiss, whimpering.

“Please, please alpha…” Halsin said. “I need this. I’ve always… please.”

Halsin collapsed back down onto the bed, flushed and begging.

Astarion leaned forward a bit. Halsin was too big for him to be able to whisper in his ear like he wanted, but he came as close as he could. “I’ve going to give you everything you need.” He slammed his hips even harder, setting an almost reckless pace. He felt Halsin’s legs tremble around him. His knot grew larger and it pulled at Halsin’s body with every thrust. He grabbed Halsin’s beautiful cock and stroked it firmly, with purpose. He could drag this out more, but he knew Halsin must be desperate and feeling the knot pulled from him again and again must be maddening. When Halsin gasped, he slammed his hips forward and felt Halsin’s body clamp down tight on his knot.

Astarion felt release flood him. His knot grew to it’s full size, locking Halsin’s body to his own. He came hard inside him. Pleasure radiated all along his body. Halsin orgasmed below him, his cock spurting clear fluid on his chest, drops getting caught in his body hair. Astarion could feel Halsin’s muscles pulse around him.

The deep, sated lull of having one’s knot released inside a lover settled into Astarion. He shifted a bit and then just leaned forward over Halsin, laying in his sweat and come. He didn’t mind the mess, in fact he liked it. Halsin settled one hand on his back and the other tangled into his hair. Astarion soaked in the bliss of connecting to his true nature and knowing he’d thoroughly satisfied Halsin, for the moment at least.

As they lay there and Astarion felt Halsin’s frantic breathing begin to even out, from long ingrained habit he almost started to fight his own body and make his knot loosen. He stopped himself and relaxed back down onto Halsin’s broad body. He was very used to cutting his own pleasure short. He couldn’t even remember the last time he was able to enjoy the fullness of his knot. He was going to let his own wants and instincts guide him for once, since Halsin was laying underneath him so sweetly, just lying there trapped on his cock and used for his alpha’s pleasure.

Once his body and mind were again settled, he said “My knots last longer than most. I could have warned you, but where’s the fun in that?”

“Oh, trust me, I am very happy with you right where you are.” Halsin still sounded breathless.

“You say that after round one, let’s see how you feel this time tomorrow.”

“I think I’ll feel the same. Feel free to make me eat those words.”

“Careful, I might take that as a challenge.”

“Good.”

Astarion laughed, still feeling flush and loose from his orgasm and his knot still being held so snug inside Halsin’s body.

When Astarion’s knot began to naturally loosen, for once, he said “You take me so well, darling.”

“Thank you,” Halsin said. Astarion laughed in surprise at how earnest he sounded.

“I’ve always wanted this,” Halsin continued. “I don’t mind some reassurance, or direction. I want to be good for my alpha.” He felt and sounded so relaxed.

“What a sweet thing you are.” Astarion closed his eyes for a moment as he slipped out. That was the only moment when Halsin protested, gasping and straining forward. “Don’t worry, you’ll be under me again soon.” Astarion shifted to the side and lay down in the piles of blankets, scent of his omega’s sweetness heavy in the air.

He looked over at Halsin and saw how flushed he was, but he also looked drained. It was time to make sure his omega was fed and kept hydrated. As he slid out of the nest for supplies, he heard Halsin try to swallow a distressed noise.

“You need water, and you probably haven’t eaten in a while. You need to keep up your strength, I’m not going to be putting in all the effort every time.” He sat back down and handed him a peach. Halsin’s fingers brushed his as he took it.

Halsin immediately devoured the fruit. “I didn’t even realize, it’s been a day or more?”

Astarion pressed a bottle of fresh water into his hand. “At least a day. Eat, then come share a bath with me?”

“Sounds wonderful,” Halsin said, leaning into him.

Chapter Text

Astarion walked naked around the parlor of the formal estate. He had a roaring fire, plenty of food and wine and an omega falling deeper into his first heat. The situation was gloriously debauched and decadent. He loved it, but he also sorely needed a bath and Halsin probably did, too. He’d pulled some of the sheets off the bed and put them in the fireplace. Omega scent was hard to clean and he hardly wanted the sheets aired out, where the wind could carry it.

Halsin had been drugged and moved like cargo. Having been unconscious for hours seemed to have been rough on him. Some time floating in warm water should let him relax and recover from his unusual transport. If he was still worn after that, Astarion figured they could rest together in the nest, have naps punctuated by fucking. Once Halsin had the rest he needed, Astarion wanted to talk to him a bit and actually hear directly from him what he wanted. Halsin seemed to be very calm about everything, even though he’d admitted that he was feeling very off balance from his body suddenly changing. He wanted the freshly presented omega to get in touch with his own body.

Once Halsin was done eating, Astarion lead him down the hall. Now that he’d eaten and had some relief, exhaustion seemed to be hitting him hard. The bathing room was dominated by a large, warm pool. Enchanted stones could be activated to re-warm and purify the water. Astarion prepared the bath and lit candles, then walked into the water.

Halsin followed him in and sprawled against him. With a deep sigh he relaxed against Astarion and fell into a trance. Sated and fed, this was probably the first time he’d been able to really rest since this started. His body and mind both probably needed this. Astarion was perfectly content to close his eyes and also let his mind fall quiet for a time.

When Halsin started to stir, he grabbed a sponge and started to gently run it over his body, use it to carry water onto his shoulders and let it run down. It didn’t do much, but Halsin just seemed to enjoy being cared for.

After indulging him for a while, Astarion laughed and said, “Okay, now sit so I can wash your hair.”

Halsin let go of him and let Astarion position him between his legs. The archdruid was usually so in control, always weighing every action and moral implication, so much weight on his shoulders. He thought about how passive Halsin was being as he gently worked shampoo into his hair. Halsin just murmured and leaned into the touch. It was like by being in heat he was able to give himself permission to put that all aside for a bit. The man was so harshly critical of himself, constantly. Astarion hoped that a break from his burdens would be good for him.

“Want me to put your braids back in when I’m done?” Astarion asked more to hear his voice than anything. Halsin hadn’t spoken in a bit, and Astarion wanted to check on his mood.

“I like having my hair down during this, but I also like the thought of you braiding my hair by the fire.” His voice was relaxed, with a warm resonance. Good, he was enjoying this.

“I’ll braid you when this is over, for now let’s have it down.”

Halsin jerked unexpectedly under his hands. “Don’t talk about this ending, please? Not if you can avoid it?”

“Sorry, darling. I’ll pet you in front of the fire if you want, but I like your hair loose.” Astarion cupped water to rinse out his hair slowly. He was in charge of not just Halsin’s body, his pleasure, but all of him. He wanted this interlude to give them both what they needed. Pleasure he could do, and he knew a few things about helping newly presented omegas get comfortable with their changed bodies. He just hoped that somehow Halsin’s heart and mind could find from comfort from what he could do, that he could help Halsin claw back some of what was taken from him by the curse. Astarion knew feel the soul deep relief of getting part of yourself back. Both of them had been denied their natures, in very different ways, but if he played things right both of them could get some of that sweet relief. He had plans for later, to help guide Halsin and also assert more control.

He worked in a conditioning treatment, enjoying having the giant man completely submissive to him. He was drawing out everything, almost like a meditation. It was such a pleasure to pass the time like this, bathing and enjoying each other’s company. He had Halsin rest his head again him to let the oils soak in. After a while, Halsin squirmed a little.

“This is nice but, how much longer?” There was a telltale roughness to Halsin’s voice.

“Such a needy thing you are.” Astarion sighed dramatically. As he drew in breath, he realized that mixed in with the honey scent of the candles, the luxurious oils and warm botanical scents, he could smell Halsin’s pheromone laden sweat. He leaned forward and licked his neck to taste it.

“You need me, too.”

“Who is in charge here?”

“You, of course. It was merely… an observation.” Halsin’s voice was amused.

“Very good. Now, let’s try this again. You’re in need, omega?”

“Yes, alpha.”

“And what do you need?”

“Your knot, inside me, so big I can’t move. I’m just utterly yours and… when you are inside me, using me for your pleasure…” Halsin squirmed against him. “When you’ve got me trapped you lay on top of me, your skin against mine. That was so good, feeling your body against mine. Nothing in the world mattered but being yours and cradling your body with my own.”

Astarion frowned at the word ‘cradling’, but Halsin couldn’t see his expression. It was true enough, he supposed, since Halsin was so much larger. This was a good start, he wanted to know more of what Halsin was thinking and feeling. “I’d ask if you liked the knotting or cuddling better, but I’m not sure I want to hear the answer. Let’s just get you cleaned up.”

“I like your skin against mine.” Halsin dipped his head back to rinse out the cream.

Astarion made a grumpy sound. “Come now, let’s finished getting clean so we can get messy again.”

Halsin laughed. They both stood so they could easily sponge each other’s bodies off.

Halsin was stunning in the soft light. With his large muscles, long hair and thick cock there was a lushness to his body. Astarion got distracted washing his chest and wound up fondling it. Then he collected himself and got back to cleaning. A warm rumbling sound from Halsin let him know that he’d definitely noticed. Later he was going to indulge himself in fondling him all he wanted.

“Here,” Astarion said, “sit on the edge of the tub and spread your legs for me, darling.”

Halsin did as he was told, looking curiously at Astarion as he did. He leaned back a bit to give Astarion access. Astarion cleaned his cock with his hands, then reached back and slowly, gently cleaned his opening. Halsin gasped and his legs jerked.

“I’m still not used to being sensitive there,” Halsin said.

“I know.” Astarion pressed a gentle kiss between his legs. Halsin gave a soft cry. “Let’s get back to the parlor so I can play with you some more.”

“I need you. The need, it’s so strong. I don’t know how to contain it.”

“Don’t fight it, enjoy it. It’s good to get a bit lost in your own heat. If you need something, you can always beg.”

When he saw Halsin’s eyes light up, he continued, “Beg back in the parlor, not here. I’ve got plans for you.”

Halsin laughed and followed him out of the tub. After a quick towel drying, he lead him back to the room. He had Halsin sit in front of the fire so his hair could dry a bit more.

“Lay back darling, I want you to do something for me.”

Halsin complied easily and looked up at him. His chest somehow looked even bigger when he laid down. His legs were spread and he had one arm under his head.

“Touch yourself,” Astarion said.

Halsin lifted his head and looked at him. “Myself? When you’re right there?”

“Brat, you will do as you’re told.”

“You are calling me a… I mean, yes, I will do as I am told but I could use a bit more direction?”

“Tell me when you knew you were in heat.” Astarion sat on an ottoman to be able to look down on him for once.

Halsin was quiet for a moment and then said “I woke up wet. I didn’t know it was heat at first. I thought something was wrong.” He paused and looked up at Astarion who nodded. So, he continued, “I remember touching the fluid on my leg and being so confused. It wasn’t water and I hadn’t gotten so drunk that I pissed myself. I moved my fingers up to see how much wetness there was and then, Oak Father, I felt sensations that I never had before. I’d dreamed of this happening so many times, but at first it just felt so disorientating. It actually felt wrong to be wet, to have my body clench and relax like that. I was scared. I wondered if, because I’d spent centuries without this, that I wouldn’t be able to enjoy it. Maybe I was broken by being a dry omega for so many years.”

“Dry omega?”

“That’s what it’s called when you’re like me… like how I was, I mean.”

“What happened next?”

Halsin shifted on the carpet, bringing his legs together for the moment and also crossing his arms. He took a breath and then, started talking again.

“I had no water in my room. No way to wash up. I can’t transform in heat. Animals don’t have secondary genders, only sapient creatures. I’d either not be able to or I could get stuck for the duration. Though I have always wanted to do at least one heat as a bear… confined, of course, with another druid in bear form. Bears fuck for hours sometimes…” He blinked and refocused. He relaxed his arms and ran a hand over his own chest. “Anyway, there was so much. I couldn’t walk the halls like that. I couldn’t fly to Jaheira. I opened my windows hoping a bird might land that I could talk to.” He fondled his right pec without thinking about it and said, “Ah, sorry, just…”

“It’s alright, I want you to touch yourself. I want to see how you pleasure yourself. More than that, but we’ll get there. Keep talking.” He put his bare foot on Halsin’s left shoulder to further emphasize his authority. Halsin groaned in response.

“Where was I? Oh, I suddenly smelled an alpha and suddenly I could feel the slick just spilling out of me, such a strange feeling. I felt drenched and suddenly swollen. The smell just felt so right that I could have cried if I’d let myself. It was just a fleeting bit on the wind, there and gone. I ached so much.” His hand stilled. “Then suddenly the hatred and, I guess, anxiety was back. My need hurt so much, I was sure I was broken…” He paused and closed his eyes. The memory clearly painful. “I was sure my body was not doing things right and that my mind couldn’t handle change after so long. Then the scent was back, stronger. I realized it was you. My mind settled a little. I thought if I could have you take me through my heat, then it couldn’t be bad. I thought of you running fingers through my hair, of you demanding things of me, of you roughly taking what was yours. The ache was suddenly worse, throbbing, but I didn’t hate it. Sylvanus, the way my emotions swung back and forth. Elated one moment, feeling broken and humiliated the next. I pulled pillows from the couch not even aware of what I was doing. When I realized I was nesting I crawled into it and tried to figure out what in the hells to do. I was drenched. I took my braids out, but didn’t know why at the time. Then, Jaheira was there, sent by you. You’d left because you were trying to take care of me. That thought was so loud in my mind I had trouble even talking with her. I wanted you there, but at least…”

“Alright, you don’t need to keep going unless you want to. You never really touched your opening since your body awakened? You haven’t fingered yourself?”

“No.”

“It’s time you did.” Astarion pressed his toes into Halsin’s skin.

“You could fuck me first and then I could finger myself?”

“You’ll finger yourself before and after. This is how your body is now, even out of heat. Every time you’re aroused you’ll get wet. When you sluttily offer yourself to muscular orcs or refined high elves, you have another hole to offer up to them. When you spread your legs your partner, or partners, will have more to play with. Even old lovers will be able to do new things to you.”

Halsin’s breathing had picked up. There was a fine sheet of sweat on his brow. “Astarion… please…”

“If you want a good fucking, for me to take what’s mine, you better hurry up and do as you’re told.”

Halsin’s right hand slid down between his own legs. He parted them again. Astarion moved his foot so Halsin could curl his body and reach better. Halsin got an elbow under him and Astarion could see how his hand reached down and moved. Halsin’s groan was surprisingly strained.

“It’s good, but it’s making me need, oh Oak Father, I… the ache is so much.” Astarion could hear the real distress in his voice. He’d done with exercise with the newly presented omegas before, but with Halsin it was hitting different. This wasn’t the fun kind of distress.

“Move your hand,” he ordered and Halsin obeyed.

In a smooth and swift motion, Astarion stepped over him, slid to the floor and thrust in hard.

Halsin roared. Then he cried out, “Yes, yes, yes… take me.”

Astarion set a brutal pace, especially for an inexperienced omega, but he wanted him knotted as fast as he could. He know that masturbation while in heat could inflame need and he’d meant to push that a little, push Halsin deep into his own heat. But it had gotten so intense so quickly. Halsin gripped his own legs and pulled them up and out of the way so he was spread and open. Astarion held on and fucked him hard, only pausing for a moment to get a hand on Halsin’s dick to stroke him until he came. Halsin’s body clamped down on him and Astarion surrendered to his own orgasm. He felt his knot expand and press into Halsin’s body.

Halsin panted, breathless. After some time, he let go of his legs and let them curl around Astarion’s.

Astarion wiggled his hips to grind his knot into his lover. He felt Halsin’s legs twitch each time. Then, he leaned forward to drape himself over his lover. Halsin held onto him.

After Halsin finally caught his breath and started to relax, he deliberately tightened around the knot locked into his body. He shifted very slightly, exploring the connection. He widened his legs more and strained forward. Astarion answered the motion by pressing forward and his knot slipped just a little bit deeper and was rewarded by a shiver all through Halsin’s body.

“Oh! Oh… oh… that’s… that’s perfection.” Halsin’s voice was loud in the high-ceilinged parlor.

“My good omega is learning his body? Doing as he’s told?”

“Yes, oh yes. I didn’t know your knot in me could feel even better… Gripping it with purpose, instead of just laying here, you feel so perfect inside of me.”

“Mmmm….” Astarion hummed happily. Knotting Halsin felt a thousand times better than any of his other times as a alpha, but he didn’t want to talk about that. He just pushed thoughts from his head and enjoyed the deep satisfaction of being in his lover. Halsin was locked under him, learning his own body and who he was as an omega. Who Astarion was as an alpha, his words and his knot, those where the experiences guiding him, teaching him. How would this effect Halsin? Would he think of him every time a heat came on? Astarion liked the idea of leaving a lasting mark on the man.

When Astarion finally released him, he pulled back to kiss between his legs and enjoy the scent of his omega with his own sweat and come accenting it. Halsin smelled sweet, but there were other notes to his scent. The smell make Astarion think of a mossy forest after a rainfall. Then he went back to his ottoman to loom over Halsin.

“Now, put on a show for me, darling,” Astarion said.

“Yes, alpha,” he said.

Astarion knew Halsin would be overstimulated and needed some rest before he could properly enjoy touching himself, but he wanted Halsin to know his body like this. And he did enjoy Halsin’s calm obedience.

Halsin started by playing with his nipples and chest first and then reached down to stoke his cock with one hand. With the other he reached behind his cock and started exploring his newly sensitive opening. He gasped and twitched a few times. Then his movement slowed and he looked back to Astarion for approval.

“Very good. Any soreness yet?”

“Not really? I can feel where I’ve been stretched.”

“Hrm, don’t worry, you will be sore soon enough. Want to lay together in your nest for a bit?”

“Yes, please.” Halsin scrambled to his feet.

“If you lay in my lap I’ll feed you fruit slices and honey.”

He’d put Halsin through the wringer a bit, far more than he’d intended. Astarion gathered a basket of food and a knife. He sat in the nest and had Halsin put his head in his lap. He carefully sliced up a peach into chunks and pressed them to Halsin’s lips, getting juice on his skin. The giant of an elf being so calmly obedient was intoxicating. He never wanted to let go of this. Then he drizzled honey on his fingers and had Halsin clean them thoroughly, sucking and licking. He kept his fingers in Halsin’s mouth far longer than was needed each time, but Halsin didn’t complain.

Astarion alternated fruit and honey until Halsin was full and drowsy.

“When do you eat?” Halsin asked.

“Soon. My dinner is in the stables. I can go there anytime, but I’d rather go while it’s still dark.” He traced a finger over the artery in Halsin’s neck. He could feel his pulse, relaxed and steady.

“I could feed you.” Halsin rolled his head to the side, clearly offering.

“Your offer is a gift, darling, but your blood is soaked in heat hormones right now. I can smell them when we’re close. I love the smell, but I don’t know how a mouthful of them will effect me. For once my instincts are telling me to not sink my fangs into that strong neck of yours.” Astarion wanted to say that he’d gladly take a drink when the heat was over, but he knew Halsin didn’t want to be reminded of that. He didn’t either, he realized. He didn’t want this to end. Halsin had plans to start a new grove, a new family. He remembered the look on Halsin’s face when they’d stumbled across Jaheira’s home in Baldur’s Gate, full of kids and plants, full of life. If he hadn’t known the gentle druid so well, he’d have thought he wasn’t effected. After so many weeks of living and fighting together, getting to know each other in such intense ways, he’d seen past the seeming-calm and had seen the heartbroken longing.

They’d soon be on such different paths. He only knew life as a slave or roaming the sword coast stuck with a strange assortment of people. He was about to start a new chapter, alone. There was a time when the thought of living alone would have sounded like bliss.

Astarion wished that he could at least be Halsin’s bonded alpha, not just his alpha for now but the one who came back every spring to care for his omega. He wanted to fuck him and hand feed him fruit every year. He started to squeeze Halsin tighter as the thoughts of their looming separation pulled down his mood.

Halsin stirred. “Everything alright?”

“Yes, I just need to slip away for a bit for dinner. Stay right here and think about me.” Astarion kissed him before he slipped from the room.

Bedding some he cared about was a wonderful and terrible. He was going to keep the terrible bottled up, there would be time enough for them later.

The stables were far more stocked than he’d expected. Goats, sheep and pigs all looked at him curiously. He decided on a pig followed by a sheep. The pig was milder than the wild boar he was used to, and the sheep was tasty for an animal. When he was done, he strung them up so the meat could be used as food for the living. There were Harpers securing the area, and they’d come by for it. He washed up on his way back to the parlor.

Halsin was snug among his blankets. Time to enjoy him while he was still here.

Chapter Text

Astarion felt a rush as Halsin’s hand smoothed over his heart. He didn’t know how long they’d been in the nest or how many times he’d fucked Halsin. The druid’s abjuration cantrip worked wonders to restore his vigor. He was able to have stamina even greater than the men in the dirty romance novels he’d stolen from Shadowheart’s tent during their adventure. Being able to perform at will was intoxicating. He’d made it very clear that he wasn’t going to ask for the cantrip, Halsin was just going to keep doing it and not say anything about it.

“I could go again already,” Astarion said.

Halsin kept quiet, but Astarion could feel his amusement, his warm huffs of breath and his grin.

“Something funny omega?”

Halsin cuddled close and said, “Ah no, just happy to be here and with you, nothing else.”

Astarion nipped his ear, not hard enough to draw blood but just to make his fangs known. “Yes, remember that.”

Halsin was deep in his heat, needy and a bit giggly. He wanted sex most of the time he was awake. One of the benefits of the cantrip was that he’d be awake when Halsin was not. Halsin was not allowed to use any spells on himself, so he stayed sore, tired and blissed out. The difference in their stamina levels from the cantrip gave Astarion a glorious feeling of control. He felt like a god of sex and could also take breaks, clean up and clear his head once in a while. He loved letting Halsin’s scent sink into him, let it effect him, but having so much control made it easier to let go when he chose to.

He was determined to either learn the cantrip when this was over, or acquire an enchanted amulet. Having access to that spell was just too good.

He could tell by Halsin’s breathing that he was worn out. Halsin’s breathing, the way his muscles relaxed and so many other things about the man’s body had become familiar to him. They rested in the nest, fingers entangled and Halsin’s scent and warmth soaking into him. He loved this, he loved that he was choosing this. Halsin teased him a bit about the spells, in gentle laughs and amused expressions, but he gladly went along, like he was happy to have a way to support his alpha.

Eventually, Halsin stirred and sat up on the bed. Astarion took the chance to stretch and then lay sprawled across the bed. Halsin took in the view hungrily.

“My alpha, you’ve been taking such good care of me. Perhaps it’s time I returned the favor, give you more attention?”

“Hmm… Sounds lovely.” Astarion stretched to give him a better view. As much as fucking Halsin into an exhausted mess over and over again was delightful, he wasn’t going to turn down some pampering.

Halsin ran a large hand over Astarion’s chest and stomach. “Good. I want to take care of you, service my alpha properly.” Halsin’s tone was warm. Astarion wasn’t sure how much of what he said was teasing and how much sincere.

“What did you have in mind?”

Halsin’s eyes wandered down his body. “I want to use my mouth on you, worship you.”

“That certainly sounds promising. Shall I just lay here, darling?”

“For now.” He smiled.

Halsin touched him so gently. He started by kissing Astarion on his lips and slowly working his way down. He lingered over Astarion’s heart, pressing kisses there again and again. Then he roamed his chest with his mouth, sometimes pausing to run a broad tongue over sensitive areas.

Astarion relaxed into the bedding. He’d been the focus of sexual encounters so many times, but not like this. He was used to his body, not his pleasure, being important. Halsin seemed to be intent on finding and lavishing attention on every sweet spot om his neck, along his collar bone and the very lowest part of his chest where his pecs sloped down to his stomach. He tended to touch himself there, but he’d never had a partner find how sensitive he was there and linger. He wondered if Halsin’s lips were going to be sore by the end. He looked down and longed to fuck the druid’s mouth. He imagined Halsin enjoying having his mouth taken. His own erection, already eager, became very hard. He ground it against Halsin’s body. He groaned as the friction gave him some relief.

Halsin took the hint and shifted down to suck him. The man’s mouth was warm and talented. He moved slowly, his tongue taking in every detail.

Astarion looked down and saw Halsin looking back up at him. He grabbed a handful of Halsin’s hair and took control. Halsin yielded instantly and let Astarion control the depth, the pace. He should have been able to last after having come in the other man more times that he could count over the blur of nights they’d been here. The rush of Halsin’s unquestioning submission and the way the man was looking at him made him feel like he was melting. Halsin’s large hands cupped his hips. The man started to hum as he sucked, layering in more sensation. There was something sweet about all of it, but he couldn’t focus on what or why as he got lost in intense pleasure. Thoughts of vanity or wanting to last where long lost. He just let himself he carried along by what he was feeling and came into Halsin’s mouth. He felt Halsin swallow as he pumped into him. Coming in his mouth, and Halsin taking in every drop, was so satisfying even after all the sex they’d been having. He’d put so much come in him, and Halsin still wanted more.

Halsin held him in his mouth as he softened, and then only slowly pulled back. He stayed down there as Astarion slowly drifted. Once Astarion started to collect himself Halsin whispered into his skin, creating a rush of golden power through him. Halsin ended the cantrip with a kiss to Astarion’s sweat soaked skin.

Astarion reached down and pet his hair. The way Halsin had gently eased him from peak pleasure and didn’t let anything disturb his afterglow, like suddenly pulling off his cock, felt wonderful. It was like his pleasure was deeply important to Halsin. He wondered if it was an impulse omegas had when they embraced their natures.

“I enjoyed that, but I was planning to do more,” Halsin said.

“Did I tell you to stop?”

“Well then, could I draw you down the bed so I can kneel on the floor?” He cupped Astarion’s balls. “Easier access that way.”

“You may.” Astarion made no move to help. Halsin pulled him gently into the position he wanted, and then reached up for a moment to lift Astarion’s head and smooth the hair on the back of his head down. “Careful, I could get used to this.”

“It suits you,” Halsin said as he slid off the bed and between Astarion’s legs.

Halsin put his arms under Astarion’s legs to support them and angle his hips so he was just as Halsin wanted him. Halsin set to licking his cock immediately, like he was eager to taste him again. When Astarion gasped or twitched, Halsin went over the same spot again, varying pressure and switching between using his lips or his tongue. Astarion felt like he was being mapped, every reaction explored so Halsin knew how best to pleasure him. Halsin slowly licked his way down to the base of his cock and pressed his tongue against the two bumps that became his knot when he fucked.

Astarion hadn’t expected Halsin to touch him there, much less so casually. He was used to partners politely avoiding that part of him, outside of when he knotted omegas, and even then he always needed to force his own knot to loosen long before he wanted to. He had a complicated relationship with that part of his body, but he felt more at ease with it after letting his knot linger in Halsin as long as it wanted to over and over again. Still, he felt a jolt of complicated emotions when Halsin deliberately pleasured him here, but they quickly melted away in a rush of warm feelings. He felt something uncurl inside of him.

His muscles tightened as Halsin explored him and stroked his tongue over the bumps. He arched his shoulders, pressed his head back and let out a long moan. He wanted to be sure Halsin knew how much this was getting to him. Halsin pressed gentle kisses right over the bumps. Astarion squirmed and actually whimpered. It took him a moment to realize that the soft sound had come from him. He felt enveloped in a warmth he never wanted to lose.

After lingering on his knot for a long while, Halsin’s tongue wandered down and licked around one side of his balls, then the other, finding every fold, every nerve ending. Then his tongue pressed behind them. The warmth was gone for a moment and he heard Halsin’s voice. “Is this alright, my heart?”

“Keep going, I didn’t tell you to stop,” Astarion said. He remembered Halsin saying he meant to worship his alpha, it certainly felt like he was. He felt glorious.

Halsin’s grip on him changed. His large hands moved to his hips, holding and lifting them so Halsin could get at his ass. Then Halsin boldly licked back over his hole and Astarion gasped. Halsin’s tongue was broad and moved confidently over every ridge and wrinkle, then he went back and slowly took in every detail and then back to broad licks again. Halsin’s pointed tongue pressed to his opening and paused. It felt like a question.

Astarion drew in a ragged breath. “Again, I didn’t tell you to …. Oh… I… don’t stop.” He felt the pressure increase as he talked, and then Halsin’s tongue was inside him, pressing in deeper with each stroke. Astarion felt himself melt with pleasure. Again, Halsin didn’t rush, he stayed on his ass and tongue fucked him.

The pleasure was intense and left him panting, but it wasn’t going to push him over the edge into orgasm. He stayed in that sweet place with Halsin tonguing him for as long as he could, then he asked for more. Words just spilled out of him, pleading for more and for Halsin to get back on his cock. Halsin, ever obedient, kissed his way back up.

Then Halsin’s tongue was on his knot again. He tried to press forward into the sensation, but barely had the leverage to move with Halsin holding his hips up like he weighed nothing. From the huff of Halsin’s breath on sensitive skin, he was pretty sure Halsin could feel his strain and was enjoying it.

Then Halsin’s mouth was on his knot, sucking on it directly. A jolt of pleasure went through Astarion. He’d never felt anything like it before. His whole body arched. His feet curled up tight as they dangled in the air. Sensation gripped him. His instincts flared and he suddenly needed to be inside Halsin, knotting him, claiming him. He pushed himself up and suddenly he was pushing Halsin down on the floor. He was only able to because Halsin went along with his movements, easing him down and settle him between his legs. Astarion pushed in and thrust frantically. He’d never felt such a strong urge to knot anyone. Halsin’s voice was deep and sweet. He welcome the rough thrusts, encouraged them. Astarion couldn’t make out the words, but the tone felt welcoming, like he was inviting Astarion to just let go and lose himself in his own feral needs and the overwhelming pleasure. Soon, too soon and also not nearly soon enough, he knotted Halsin and came inside him. The pleasure from his knot felt different, deeper somehow. It was a bone deep relief to be locked inside Halsin.

“Did I service you well, my alpha?”

Astarion couldn’t even respond. The pleasure, the sense of being treasured, the way Halsin’s sweet, lingering attention to his knot had drawn out his own needs and how Halsin had welcomed those needs, falling back and wrapping his legs around Astarion’s, left him far beyond being able to speak. All he could do is slump forward and let Halsin hold him.

Halsin kept talking. His mind was stunned with pleasure, unable to think or even realize that the comfort of Halsin’s voice was helping to keep him deep in his own bliss, drawing the experience out. Halsin stroked his hair and shoulders slowly.

Astarion wasn’t sure how long he lay there, but he was in no hurry to gather himself. He was content to stay there as logs popped in the fireplace and Halsin’s fingertips rubbed slowly against his scalp. Eventually, his own curiousity tugged at him enough to make him list his head.

“What was that?” Astarion asked.

Halsin put his other arm under his head to prop it up and better meet Astarion’s eyes. Astarion was still inside him. The knot had mostly loosened, but Astarion hips were still pressed into him.

“What was what?” He sounded very pleased with himself.

“I don’t know if anyone’s touched my knot except on accident. They certainly feel it when I’m inside, but no one’s ever done anything like that to me.”

“That’s a shame, you seemed to enjoy it. By the Oak Father, it was good to finally do it.”

Astarion wanted to press, but even his pleasure-drunk mind knew that he was on the fringes of a difficult topic for Halsin, so he let it drop for now. He lay back down and let them both drift in the afterglow.

After a long while, Astarion pulled out slowly. From Halsin’s intake of breath, he was very sore. He nuzzled his chest and asked, “Still the good kind of sore, or do you want some relief?”

“I don’t know, but I like it? Being sore, even painfully sore, I don’t want to lose it.”

“Alright darling, let’s at least get up off the floor.”

They managed to get back into the nest. Astarion made him drink more water and fed him fruit. He had Halsin cuddle up against his chest to rest, so he could think about the intense pleasure and release he’d felt. He’d never been worked over like that.

He’d been caught off guard by how intense Halsin directly pleasuring his knot had been. Was that a typical sex act between alphas and omegas? Halsin has made sure to get permission to rim him and to tongue fuck him, and gods he was going to make sure Halsin ate him out again before this was over. Halsin had acted like pleasuring his knot was normal. Maybe he would have teased it a bit when sucking Astarion off if he hadn’t taken control so strongly. Stimulating his knot during other sex acts like sucking or being stroked sounded amazing. He wanted that from now on, instead of feeling like that part of him was dirty. He’d had stray fingers or other body parts press against it, but he didn’t remember feeling he it was sensitive outside actively knotting people. Or had he just been too disconnected from parts of himself, too conflicted about his own pleasure? He’d never touched another alpha, never pleasured a body like his own. Before this, he’d only been with omegas who didn’t want to be omegas. He never picked alphas or omegas as prey, fearing their heightened sense of smell. Maybe he didn’t actually know a lot about being an alpha? That was a chilling thought.

He needed time to sort all this out, hopefully after more experimenting. Halsin’s mouth on him and the feelings he was able to draw out, the way his tangled, sharp emotions seemed to melt under the man’s tongue, that sounded much better than long hours pretending to read while he really struggled with his own mind.

He took a deep breath. Fuck, he was going to spend the next several weeks, if not months or more, just thinking about this time with Halsin and what a balm it had been to his heart. The man was going to fill his thoughts every free moment from that alone, not even counting how much Astarion wasn’t ready to be without him. He had a sinking feeling that the man would be filling his thoughts even if he didn’t have so much shit to work out.

But now was not the time to think about it, at least not deeply. He’d sorted it as much as he could take for now. There would be time for more of that later, when every memory of this brief interlude in their lives seemed more dear than gold or blood. For now he needed to stay in the moment and just feel Halsin’s resting form next to him move with each deep, relaxed breath.

Later, Halsin stirred and propped himself up on the pillows a bit. “I feel like you had questions for me earlier?”

Astarion paused to take him in for a second, and decided that they could handle talking about this at least a bit. “You said you’d always wanted to try certain things. Have none of the people you’ve slept with have been alphas? Through all these years?”

“No. I’ve gotten cozy with a few but they always become disinterested when they found out what I am, or were faced with the reality of it. Omegas and alphas are rare enough that most of my casual partners didn’t even realize anything was off about me. I used to want to… at least throughly pleasure some alphas. I wanted to at least have that.” Astarion recognized that tone of voice, it was the one Halsin used when he was describing something deeply painful to him, but trying to somehow sound casual. “It never occurred to me that certain practices might be uncommon outside of druidic circles.”

“It might be common. I guess I wouldn’t know. It felt wonderful and…” His throat tightened for a moment, but he pushed down the emotions inside him. “And amazing. You took exceptionally good care of me.”

“Good. Having you be my first alpha has been sweeter than all my daydreams. I want this to be good for you, too. If I can tell you anything or if there is anything you want to explore, I’m all yours.”

Halsin was his, for now. The way Halsin’s calm had deepened and the way he was speaking, he was past peak heat. His heat wasn’t over, it was far from breaking, but it was starting to crack. Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck. He didn’t want this to end. He forced his mind to calm down and push upsetting thoughts away.

He leaned forward to kiss Halsin and lose himself in feeling connected to him, a way to hide from his own thoughts and focus on this moment.

Chapter Text

“Is it still night outside?” Halsin asked. He’d been resting in a sprawl over Astarion, and Astarion had been enjoying Halsin’s skin against his and how warm he felt with the large man pressed against him.

“Yes, will be for hours. Why? Need to go commune with a tree?”

“We’re right next to a nice patch of woods, and we haven’t spent any time in them.”

“Why should we? Should I just indulge your every whim?” Astarion said, as if he hadn’t been doing that for days. After waiting centuries for this first heat, he wanted Halsin to have as many of the experiences he’d dreamed of as possible. Bear form heat and being shared by multiple alphas would have to wait for another time, but he did love hearing Halsin telling him all his fantasies. He enjoyed hearing Halsin share about himself even when it didn’t involve orgies.

Finding out that alphas could share omegas went against everything he thought he knew about alphas. That, and other tidbits he’d picked up from listening to the hopes and dreams Halsin had held onto for so long had been very interesting. He had a suspicion some of Halsin’s pillow talk was to gently teach him some things. He’d be deeply annoyed by that if he hadn’t been hanging on every word. Hearing about alphas leaning into their natures talked about as fun and intimate rather than unhinged was uniquely soothing.

Halsin thought for a moment and said in a teasing tone, “It wouldn’t be about indulging me, it would be about your… your fine sensibilities, of course. You’d take a lord in his fine chambers, a king on his throne, a scholar in a library, a priest over their altar-”

“Halsin! You filthy thing! A priest over his altar? Keep talking.”

Halsin furrowed his brow in confusion for a moment. “Oh, right, that isn’t proper in other religions. Ours encourages it. I’d find you taking me on an altar to Silvanus a deeply moving experience.”

Astarion blinked in surprise. “You druids are different, aren’t you? The whole undead thing wouldn’t be an issue? If the possibility ever presented itself?” He wasn’t sure he wanted to try that, but the turn of the conversation reminded him that Halsin was the druid equivalent of a high priest. Druids tended speak of Halsin as if he was something precious, but he didn’t seem to have been treated that way. He indulged the sudden spark of possessiveness he felt by pulling Halsin against his chest.

“You walked sacred ground in Emerald Grove. Druidic magic heals you, as I’ve tested many, many times. The nature spirits of what was the Shadowlands are fond of you. None of that came from your former passenger, I promise you. We could take things very slow, to be careful, of course.” Halsin’s voice dropped lower. “You could lay me down in the center of a grove, in full view of everyone, while I offer myself up to you…”

“Appealing to my sense of the dramatic, darling?” He said, though it appealed to him on many levels. To him, the scenario sounded like a very public claiming. Halsin could never be claimed, it wasn’t in his nature. But Halsin was his for now, and Astarion was going to savor every moment of it, no matter how bad his repressed thoughts and emotions would hit him later. “You are right though, I do have extremely good taste. Druids should be enjoyed in their… proper surroundings. We should go outside and see where nature leads us.”

Astarion wasn’t looking forward to being out in the woods, but they’d spent so much time in the parlor. They’d fucked so much some of the memories were already starting to blur together. He really had no idea how often he’d come in Halsin at this point. Heading outside to make a unique memory to cherish, that appealed to him greatly.

They walked out into the nearby woods in fur lined robes that Astarion had found poking through the bedrooms of the estate. Astarion was in leather slippers and Halsin barefoot. The druid paused now and again to feel the earth under his feet and seemingly commune with a few trees. He realized that Halsin needed this, to have part of his heat in nature. Heats were part of a natural cycle that Halsin had been cut off from, there was probably a whole side to this for the druid that Astarion didn’t understand. Later, in their nest, he’d get Halsin to tell him how this all felt to him. Astarion likes doing that after being intimate sometimes. He cherished everything he learned about Halsin from doing that.

Astarion wondered was it was like for him. What did he see and feel in the forest? They’d only rarely been together in the woods and meadows Halsin loves. He was much more at ease here than in a city, or walking shattered paths soaked in unholy darkness.

At an old, mossy oak, Halsin stopped to lean forward into the tree, press his forehead against the bark and whisper some words that sounded like a prayer. When Halsin moved to continue walking, Astarion put a hand on his back.

“Take your time, if you need it. Be one with the mud or something. I don’t mind enjoying the view.”

“I never get enough time to just feel the rhythms of nature. I feel part of them in a way I haven’t before.” He smiled at Astarion. “But I could feel them even deeper.”

“Oh, you will, once you’re done doing… whatever this druid stuff is.”

They wandered through the woods until Halsin found a mossy clearing surrounding by tall trees. The large elf slid off his robe and lay on the wet ground, looking up at the hints of starlight through the canopy of leaves. His body was an lush as the surroundings with the soft curves of his muscles, the thickness of his arms, legs and his cock laying half hard and flushed. His legs were parted enough for Astarion to get a tempting glimpse between them. His long hair was fanned out over the moss. He looked so peaceful, happy and ready to be fucked.

Astarion took off his robe and sat on top of him.

Halsin laughed in surprise. “Am I your picnic blanket? Keeping you off of the dirty forest floor?” Halsin said. He drew up a knee and Astarion leaned back against it, his legs stretched across him.

“More of a chair, a nicely upholstered one. I’d rather stay out of the mud.” He relaxed into a sprawl that was comfortable, but he made sure Halsin was getting and interesting view.

“Not exactly what I had in mind, but I guess as long as I am being of service to my alpha…” Halsin said, that teasing warmth in his voice.

“You are entirely too content about this.” Astarion shifted carefully as he changed position on Halsin. He leaned forward and cupped Halsin’s chest in his hands, and then started playing with his chest hair. Halsin’s skin was so soft over his hard muscles. The swell of his chest was mesmerizing.

“I am in the forest, nothing outside of here and now matters, and I am pleasing my alpha. This is perfect. And I doubt my alpha be able to resist taking me right here.”

“Excuse me, who is in charge here?” Astarion pinched a brown nipple.

“You are, of course, but isn’t this a perfect place to fuck a druid?”

“You just want to get pounded into the forest floor.”

“I do want that, yes, but I don’t just want that.”

Astarion dragged his nails across Halsin’s chest. “And you think I am going to give you what you want?”

“Honestly? Yes, yes I do.” There was that infuriating smile, amused and perhaps a bit smug. His cheeks were a bit flushed and his lips swollen. Astarion could feel his heart beat under his hands. He was tempted to lay his head on Halsin’s chest, feel his heart and his breath, soft skin over the swell of his muscles. There’d be time for that later. For now, his omega needed him.

“Time to put you in your place, druid. I am going show you who the alpha is here.”

Halsin laughed as Astarion slid off and pushed his way between his legs. Astarion gently ran the tips of his fingers over Halsin’s opening until the laughter subsided and he was gasping and his body tensing from something else entirely. He wrapped an arm around one of Halsin’s thick thighs and leaned into it as he gently fingered him. Halsin’s scent seemed to blend perfectly with the smell rain-soaked moss. He looked down and saw that Halsin’s slick was dripping into the earth below them. The lushness of his body, how swollen and wet he was, the mounds of soft moss below them, it all seemed to fit somehow. He looked over Halsin’s body and knew this vision of him was going to stay in his mind forever. He moved his hand very slowly as he took in every detail.

He lifted wet fingers to his nose for a moment to drown in Halsin’s scent and let the pheromones take hold of his own instincts. He had thought his alpha nature was something he was going to need to keep tightly controlled, something as dangerous as his hunger for blood. The more time he spent with Halsin, and the more stories and dreams Halsin told him while curled up around him in their nest, the more he saw himself in a very different light.

When Halsin’s moans came with an edge of desperation, Astarion finally sunk his cock deep inside him. Halsin cried out in response. He was so ready, so needy. Astarion expected him to stay sprawled out on the moss and become one with the ground or something, but once he’d settled into a slow deep rhythm Halsin pushed himself up on his elbows as usual and looked up at him. One of Halsin’s large hands covered his own.

He thought Halsin was supposed to be connecting to nature, but Halsin was reaching for him, looking in his eyes, doing his best to push into the thrusts. Astarion didn’t know why he pulled himself up as usual, but he did enjoy seeing Halsin’s expression and how he looked when he threw his head back and moaned. Astarion leaned forward and thrust harder. Halsin’s body was so welcoming. He watched Halsin’s muscular chest heave as he fell further and further into pleasure.

His knot began to form and he pushed it into Halsin again and again. He could feel the mud under his knees as he dug in for leverage. He reach forward and stroked Halsin’s thick cock, and made him come right when he finally seated his knot inside. He came hard, his own body shaking, the pleasure blocking out everything. Then he shifted and lay forward on Halsin as usual.

“I’m completely filthy and it’s your fault,” Astarion said. Not that he minded, he often took a perverse joy in being dirty.

Halsin played with his short hair as he came down from the highs of pleasure. Eventually, he replied. “You certainly showed me who is in charge here, alpha. You did an excellent job of putting me in my place.”

“I’m going to murder you.”

“Alpha? You were every bit as in charge as you’ve been this whole time.” Halsin’s voice was strained and high pitched from holding back laughter.

“As soon as I can fucking move, you horrible brat…” Astarion growled.

Halsin’s torso spasmed as he tried to keep from laughing. Cracking up with his alpha firmly lodged inside him would be a mess.

“Gods you’re the worst.” Astarion squirmed as he felt Halsin’s body tense and move from trying to hold back his laughter. Halsin made a strangled sound as he struggled to get himself under control. He slapped Halsin’s side. “Absolute bastard.” He tried to say it with at least a hint of edge, but he couldn’t keep his own happiness out of his voice.

A light rain was starting. Halsin’s irregular twitching as struggled with laughter stimulated his knot in a way that slid towards too much, almost painful, but he felt so connected to him. The sheer joy they both seemed to feel was intoxicating. He let his head fall forward onto Halsin’s and felt a large hand ruffle his hair. Halsin finally relaxed and they seemed to melt into each other.

Chapter Text

Astarion walked back into the parlor. He’d been out having dinner in the stables. Halsin was in their nest, probably napping. They’d washed and cuddled after having sex out in the woods. Astarion was still caught up in the lingering euphoria. He felt more connected with Halsin each day that passed and he cherished that feeling.

He was halfway to the nest when he was hit with a feeling of wrongness, like a chill where there should be warmth. He rushed over to Halsin and found him tense, tears on his face. Once close, Astarion could tell how different his scent was. Halsin’s heat had broken. At the start he’d dreaded this, but as the days passed it was like he’d slipped into sort of a denial. Halsin also hadn’t wanted to talk of this ever ending. He remembered the way his demeanor would change from happy and relaxed to suddenly tense, muscles jerking, whenever it was mentioned. Perhaps Halsin had been dreading it just as much.

Astarion focused so much on living in the moment, and pushing aside so many thoughts, worries and the knowledge that this had been looming over them. He’d known, distantly, when his thoughts drifted in that direction, that Halsin moving on from his heat was going to be devastating for him. What he didn’t expect was that it would hit Halsin so hard.

Astarion sat next to him and pet his arms in a way that he hoped was soothing. He didn’t know what to do, but he was desperate to comfort him somehow.

Halsin took in a few deep gulps of air and seemed to get a hold of himself, at least a bit.

“You’re alright, it’s just a bit of a shock,” Astarion said. “You came down from your heat fast. It’s got you all mixed up. You’re alright, I promise.”

“I’m not ready for this.” The emotion in Halsin’s voice scared Astarion a little. The druid was also so solid, dependable. Gods knew he’d leaned on him more than he even wanted to think about.

“Then we stay, as long as you need. No one knows how long such a delayed heat could last. I’ll take care of you, for as long as you need.” His own words surprised him, as did the strength of what he felt. He couldn’t bear Halsin being so upset, it pulled painfully at his heart. Astarion closed his eyes for a moment as he finally admitted to himself that he was hopelessly in love. He was in love and here was where their paths would diverge.

“No, I need to get control of myself.”

“What is so terrible? I thought you were looking forward to your sunlit grove filled with noisy, needy children? You light up when you talk about it.” Astarion thought that reminding him of the future he was so eager for might help focus him.

Halsin pulled himself up so he was sitting on the nest. He was quiet. Astarion was about to grab some food and urge him to eat when he finally spoke.

“I am looking forward to the grove. My calling is a beautiful one and I’m grateful. I’m not ready to be parted from you. This whole time I’ve been… refusing to think about it, just getting lost in my heat and in being with you.”

“You’ll be fine. You just need to take some time to let everything settle in your mind. You’ve been through a lot of intense experiences in only… however many days it’s been. You need a bit to reflect before flinging yourself out the door.” Had it been seven days or ten days? More? Less? He’d gotten so lost in how good it felt to be with Halsin that he’d started to feel like they’d been there forever.

Halsin took deep breaths to calm himself, but his hands gripped the sheets and pillows tightly.

“Stop,” Astarion said. “You don’t always need to be in control, pushing everything down. If you need to cry, then cry.” He pulled at Halsin, who resisted for a moment and then let Astarion pull him down.

Astarion held him. He felt like the world was upside down with him trying to comfort a sobbing Halsin instead of the other way around, but Halsin needed him. Astarion clung to the thought that he was still caring for Halsin like a lifeline. He narrowed his focus to that and only that. Nothing mattered outside of them.

He thought he’d be the one inconsolable when this was over, hidden away somewhere so no one could see him fall apart. Instead he was trying to figure out how to sooth Halsin, his precious omega. No, not his omega, not his. He’d slipped into thinking of Halsin as his over the days they’d spent in the lodge. He’d been so reckless, wanting to squeeze every drop out of this experience, not caring about how rough things would be after.

When Halsin finally calmed, he wanted out of the nest and to bathe again. Astarion was used to this, omegas suddenly needing the scent of heat slick gone to reset their mind and their senses. It also created space between their heats and re-entering the world. Maybe this was all he needed. Halsin was subdued while they cleaned each other, but his hands roamed over Astarion’s body slowly, stroking over his skin far more than was needed. As they cleaned the space in silence, Halsin stayed close and their hands brushed against each other’s and they leaned against each other to reach for things.

When they were done they piled some pillows in front of the fire and lay together. The fire popped and crackled. Astarion remembered talking about rebraiding Halsin’s long hair. He decided not to offer, that would feel final somehow.

“You could come with me, to the grove.” Halsin broke the silence.

“You know I wouldn’t fit in there. I’d wind up useless and miserable. Cities have more shadows to hide in. I’d have to hide from almost everything and everyone.”

“Are you so sure?” A hint of that usual warmth and depth was back in his voice and that stirred something in Astarion. He was wary, but very interested.

“What can I do but stay in Baldur’s Gate or chase hopes of a daywalker charm?”

“You can go where you want to go. My new grove, for all the hopes and joy I have thinking about it, would never be a home to me if it wasn’t a place you could feel at home, feel safe and welcomed. How could I take joy in a place inhospitable to you? How would I see the druids there as my clan if they didn’t welcome you? How could I care about any of then, if they’d reject you or treat you with unease?” Halsin stroked his hair gently. “The kids might drive you crazy. As bonded as many of them already are to me, it will only be natural for them to want to know my heart.”

Astarion turned and pressed his face into Halsin’s chest. Halsin pulled him closer.

“Your heart is beautiful,” Astarion said.

“Yes, my heart certainly is.”

Astarion looked up, not sure what he meant. Halsin usually used that tone when talking about nature. “If you’ve just strayed onto some beauty of nature or nature has my heart druidy stuff…”

Halsin cupped his cheek and looked in his eyes. “You are my heart, Astarion. I will love you no matter where you go, but I would take it as a great kindness if you would linger with me a while. You can chase daywalker charms or whatever you desire, but that can wait until you’ve had time to settle in and make the grove your home and give us a chance to grow even closer. I’ve seen your darkest hours and the choices you make in the hardest of circumstance, yet I don’t know my heart as well as I’d like. I’d like to know you at rest and staying in bed on a rainy evening. And I’d like to know the man you become over the years, going on adventures and coming home to me.”

Astarion stared at him, overwhelmed. He was being offered both safety and freedom from someone who understood those concepts deeply, and what they meant to him.

“The man I will become? Not could? A little sure of yourself aren’t you?” He was only half aware of what he said. He mostly needed to run his mouth to give him some space to think.

“Perhaps I am, maybe it’s hard to even think about not having you in my life. You can adventure strengthened by rest, deepened bonds, memories of home and knowing someone hungers for your return.”

Astarion fell silent. His hands hurt as his fingertips bit into the druid’s sides. He had intended to fling himself back out into the world, search for a way to walk in the sun again and also see more of the world. His short stint outside of the city, and Gale’s stories of Waterdeep, had ignited his curiousity. But there had been another side to his willingness to throw himself into the world. If things went badly, if he fell, he’d just seem to disappear into Faerûn like a myth. If things went bad none of his friends would ever know he failed. They’d probably speculate about him being in some distant city causing chaos.

This would shift everything and that was terrifying. He could still explore, but the very shape of his world would be different if he pursued this bond with Halsin. The risks he would take and how far he’d travel would have very different stakes, but maybe that was a good thing.

Halsin certainly wouldn’t object to him continuing to explore himself on his journey with a variety of partners, they could probably swap naughty bedtime stories when he was home. Home… the word rolled around in his mind. The concept was a strange one. The closest thing that he had to a home he remembered was damp little campsites, and the memories of those nights, despite everything, filled him with a strange warmth.

He let out a long, shuddering sigh of relief. His mind was made up. He would have a home in the grove, even if it was a bit quaint and full of annoying and nosy little brats. He would travel when he was ready, and when Halsin was also ready. Halsin would likely fall into a natural heat in the spring. There was that heat and every other heat to consider. A lifetime of heats and Halsin needing his care. He’d just saved the city, and possibly the world. He would take some rest before setting out again, and spend evenings with the man he loved. He could come to know Halsin deeply, and be known by him.

“Are you going to tell me what’s going on in that head or yours, or leave me to guess?” Halsin said, but there was a warm rumble in his voice. The man wasn’t worried.

“I love you. I want this.”

“You’ll come home with me?”

Astarion nodded into his chest.

“Oh my heart…” Halsin said.

“Not sure how I’ll live there, or what I’ll do… besides you of course.”

Halsin laughed and Astarion felt that warm rumble all through his body. “I’m sure you’ll find plenty to hold your interest. Also, do you remember what you said in that strange mushroom filled kitchen deep in the mausoleum?”

“Remind me.”

“You said it felt homey. When we first entered you said you adored it, that the ruined grandeur suited your style. All those lands are mine, including Moonrise Tower and the mausoleum and all that lies beneath. So many rooms and halls and floors safely tucked away in the darkness. Even paths that slide down the Underdark if one was so inclined to travel underground.”

“Why didn’t you lead with that! Because you…” Astarion sighed. “I know why. Even without all those grand, dark spaces, we’d still make it work. I’m choosing you, not what you have.”

“As I said, the grove would only be a home for me if it was a home for you. I just so happen to have miles and miles of ideal habitat for a vampire.”

Astarion finally shifted a bit, realizing that he’d been clinging so hard his arms were cramping. He stretched and pushed Halsin so he could lay on top of him. “I can have it? The mausoleum and temple?”

“All of it?” He laughed. “How much do you want? I was planning on using parts of it for an archive and some other things, but I can be flexible.”

He tilted his head, pretending to consider the idea of taking it all over. “Not all of it, but… space for my own library? A place to bring back all my research? Maybe a few rooms in case I want them? A hall to use a wardrobe?”

“We’ll carve out a good space for you. We’ll also have a bedroom above ground, but you should have a place to rest down there. Besides, you had a druid in nature, I should have a vampire in his creepy underground lair.”

Astarion laughed, and then kept laughing. Tension fled his body and left a turbulence in it’s wake as he laughed so hard he almost sobbed. A home, but one he wasn’t bound to. A partner who wanted to see him spread his wings and explore.

They waited out the day in the parlor. The thought of a home and a parter still slowly settling into Astarion’s mind. As the sun began to set, he gently brushed out Halsin’s hair and braided it.

“Ready to go?” Astarion asked as he smoothed the last of the plaits into place.

“More than ready,” he said.

They headed out into the night, to get the attention of whatever harpers had been left to guard the estate. When Halsin lowered himself down off the stone porch, Astarion couldn’t resist pulling him in for a kiss. Still on the ledge, Astarion’s head was higher than Halsin’s and the druid had to stretch up to meet his lips. Halsin broke the kiss and rested his head on Astarion’s shoulder. He expected Halsin to tease him about it, but he seemed to just enjoy being held like that.

“What is this?” Jaheira’s voice cut through the quiet night. “Is this how alpha Astarion asserts dominance? Did he do this the whole time?”

“Jaheira, if you want to hear bedtime stories about how I dominate omegas you only need to ask,” Astarion said. He could feel Halsin’s grin pressed into his chest and he whispered in his ear, “Not a word out of you. I was completely in charge.” He felt Halsin struggle not to laugh. He drew himself imperiously and looked down at Jaheira. Halsin’s hands slid over his sides he embraced Astarion. Halsin felt so warm and comforting against him in the night air.

“Of course you easily kept everything under control. Such an alpha. I hope Halsin wasn’t too much trouble,” Jaheira said.

“More of a brat than I expected, much more, but I think I’ll keep him,” Astarion said.

“Really? As his bonded alpha or a bit more?” Jaheira said.

“You gave me this druid, I’m not giving him back. I like him too much.”

“I’m glad you turned out to be so compatible. I was worried. I tried to find you some potions of enlarge, but we were… short on time,” Jaheira said.

“Really? How thoughtful! Giving some to Halsin would have made for quite the memorable evening,” Astarion said.

“Indeed, we should try that sometime,” Halsin said.

“You have better be thinking about sex and not new ways to cuddle me,” Astarion said.

Rather than answer, Halsin turned to face Jaheira while keeping one arm around Astarion. “Jaheira. I never got a chance to thank you for everything. Truly, I will always be grateful for your help through this.”

“I’m glad to see you both happy. More than that, I am glad to see you both being unafraid to hold on to what you want in this world. Ach, I sound old and jaded.”

“Of course you do you, my dear,” Astarion said. “There’s a reason you sound that way.”

“Please tell me you are ready to go? So I can be done with you?” Jaheira said.

“Yes. I’ll miss this place, but we’re ready for what’s next,” Halsin said.