Archive of Our Own ^beta

Astarion leaned against the doorframe of the barn, his gaze resting on Tav as she rolled over on a large bale of hay, fast asleep.

She was beautiful in the way humans usually were—somehow fleeting, and precious. He let out a soft sigh, one she wouldn’t hear.

Love. Is that what this is? The word itself was as unfamiliar and unwelcome to Astarion as a poorly tailored cloak. He wasn’t meant for it. And yet, there she was, unraveling him with every adoring glance or naïve act of kindness.

It infuriated him, truly; the way Tav always looked at him as if he were more than what he was, as if she could see past the fangs and the centuries of blood-soaked darkness. It was absurd. He was a predator, and she was—well, she should be prey.

Yet, as the days ticked forward towards their inevitable march to Baldur’s Gate, Astarion had felt something shift between them. It wasn’t his desire for her, although that had grown in the time they knew each other. This was something different.

Which was why Astarion felt so conflicted as he watched Tav stir slightly in her sleep, blissfully unaware of his presence.  

Well… somewhat unaware.

**

Earlier that night, after they all had finished dinner and headed towards their solitary tents, Astarion had asked Tav if he could visit her once everyone was asleep.

 “For what? Are you hungry?” Tav had sounded tired, had looked tired, but there was still a familiar fondness in her gaze that he still couldn’t comprehend.

“Yes,” he grumbled impatiently. She’d never understand—he always was hungry.

“Astarion, I’m exhausted,” Tav said, yawning. “I can barely keep my eyes open.”

“What am I going to do, then?” Astarion had hated how petulant he sounded. But he had become used to having Tav’s blood at least a few nights a week, and their journey to Rivington had left him without that delicacy for quite some time.

He also missed sneaking off into the woods with Tav, where they could explore one another’s bodies to their heart’s content. Somewhere along the way, fucking Tav had become something Astarion looked forward to as much as drinking her blood.

Tav was different than anyone else he’d ever met. She cared. She was special. And gods damn it, Astarion had gotten used to their passionate nights in camp after everyone else fell asleep. He had become spoiled by the delicious taste of her blood.

“What are you going to do about… what, exactly?” she asked, her voice drowsy.

“Lately, it’s been one thing after the other Tav.” Astarion named off a few things that had kept them out of one another’s arms—and his fangs away from her neck. “We’re supposed to be in the lower city, maybe even before our next long rest, and who knows when we’ll get another chance? At least here, in this old ruined barn, we’re out of sight and earshot of the others.”

Astarion’s eyes followed the tempting trail of Tav’s tongue as she licked her lips. “That’s true,” she said, her deep gaze ensnaring him. “It’s why I claimed this as my sleeping spot, you know.”

His cock twitched in his pants, as if reminding him how long it had been since it had been inside of Tav. “Well, we haven’t even had a chance to take advantage of it.”

“I wish you had told me sooner.” Tav yawned.  “I took a potion from one of Withers’ hirelings that will ensure I get a good night’s rest.”

Astarion rolled his eyes skyward and crossed his arms. “Darling, don’t make me beg. Besides, it’s not just your blood I want. I want all of you.” He raised his brows significantly.

“I want you, too.” Tav looked thoughtful for a moment—as thoughtful as one could look when they were fighting sleep—and then she smiled mischievously. “I think I know a way we can both get what we need.”

“Do tell.”

“I need sleep, and you need blood. And perhaps we both would like a little more…”

Astarion saw her thighs squeeze together, the way they did when she was aroused. His cock twitched again, and her eyes narrowed to where it strained against his trousers.

“Come to me tonight,” Tav said decisively. “And do whatever you like.”

“How?” Astarion was perplexed. “How can I do those things and not keep you up half the night?”

“Although normally I would love to be awake during such activities-“ Tav yawned, “—I don’t have to be.”

He had just stared at her blankly. “What are you saying?”

Her lips curved into a slow, teasing smile, her eyes glinting with a sultry playfulness. “Whether you want to feed from me or fuck me, I don’t see why my being asleep has to stop you.”

“What?” Astarion’s whisper rose to an indignant hiss. “I can’t do that!”

It sounded like something Cazador would do.

As usual, Tav seemed to be able to read his mind, even half-asleep. “I wouldn’t suggest this, Astarion, if I didn’t trust you. I know you won’t do anything to hurt me. And who knows?  Perhaps I’ll even wake up and get to enjoy it.”

Her eyes sparkled mischievously, and she licked her lips again. Astarion’s cock hardened to the point he thought it would tear through his trousers, as understanding dawned on him. “You’re excited about this, Tav.”

“Maybe,” she had replied, that wicked little smirk on her face widening. “Whatever you want to do… You have my permission. I’ll leave it up to you.”

**

And now, here he was, looking at Tav clutching the blankets to her chin, and listening to her slow, soft breathing. His gaze softened as she snored lightly. Then she rolled over, and revealed her plump little ass.

She was completely naked.

Astarion’s lips parted in surprise. Tav didn’t usually sleep without her camp clothes on, not unless…

Not unless she is expecting me.

He shifted his weight uncomfortably, and realized he was already at full attention. Could he really do this? Could he feed from Tav, let alone fuck her, if she was asleep?

He moved closer to her, until he was standing over her. His heart pounded in his chest, each beat reminding him that his blood supply was woefully deficient. As if he needed the reminder—just looking at Tav’s flushed cheeks was enough to make him clench his fists and begin to salivate. His nostrils flared as he caught the glorious scent of her.

I could just wake her up, he thought, as a hollow, empty feeling richoted through him. His hunger, making itself known in a more physical way.

Tav looked so peaceful, asleep. Her chest rose and fell with her steady, even breaths. Every so often her head would turn slightly, and she would make a little, satisfied sound. He wondered what she was dreaming about.

She stretched sumptuously in her sleep, rolling over onto her back. One of her legs dangled over the edge of her makeshift bed towards the ground. Her fragrance was intoxicating, her pulse like a soft melody that thrummed in his ears.

Astarion ached with the need to taste the hot blood that he knew brimmed just beneath her soft, supple skin. The thought of it consumed him, relentless and unyielding. He knew in that moment that his decision was made for him—he had to feed, he had to have at least a taste.

Tav said I could, he thought defensively. I just need to give her a small bite, but where?

Astarion thought back to places he’d bitten Tav. One that she had enjoyed more than usual had been her inner thigh. He hadn’t done it in a while, because by the time he had his head between her legs, he was ready to do other things, not drink her blood.

But now… It seemed like a good idea. It wasn’t anywhere near her face, so hopefully it wouldn’t disturb her from her slumber. He tentatively stroked her calf, his eyes focused on her face.

Tav didn’t move, and Astarion slid his trembling hand up under the covers. It felt so wrong, to touch her like this while she wasn’t conscious.

He worked the blanket slowly up her legs until it was bunched up over her waist. Then he leaned down, his tousled white hair falling forward on his face. He was salivating to taste Tav’s hot, rich blood. He pressed his fangs down against the soft skin of her inner thigh, and saliva trickled down past his lips.

Ever so gently, Astarion bit her. He went slow, and the moment his fangs pierced her skin, he stopped and glanced up at Tav’s face, at her blissfully unaware expression, and waited for the guilt to hit him. It didn’t.

Perhaps it was because Astarion had done this so many times, that it didn’t bother him as much as he’d expected. Actually, he remembered, he had tried to take Tav’s blood unawares the first time he ever fed from her.

With that remembrance, Astarion commenced his feeding, sucking against the little mark he’d made inside her thighs, and sighing contentedly as her blood moved past his lips, over his tongue, and down his dry throat.

Astarion took his time and drank his fill. By the time he pulled away, he was dizzy and slightly euphoric. He remembered to clean the wound, and then moved away to look at where he’d marked her.

His cock throbbed at the visual evidence of his bite, and then he noticed something else that he had overlooked in his bloodlust—Tav’s delicious sex, mere inches away, glistening with her juices.

He knew that Tav sometimes experienced pleasure from his feedings, but he hadn’t expected it while she was asleep. He supposed that perhaps she was having a naughty dream of some kind, or was even somehow aware of what he’d done, even though she wasn’t awake.

Astarion had fully intended on only feeding from Tav tonight, but… his mouth was so close to her sex already… Gods, she is dripping for me. He inhaled the luscious scent of her desire.

Even asleep, she wants me, he thought deliriously, and moved his face closer to the puffy lips of her sex. Her arousal clung to the silky curls there, and Astarion stifled a groan. He wanted every drop.

He gripped both of her thighs and pushed her legs farther apart, positioning her the way he wanted her. Tav stirred slightly in her sleep, and Astarion froze for a moment. He waited, and when she didn’t wake up, he swiped his tongue down the center of her. He needed to taste, to touch, to worship…

Astarion began to lick her sex eagerly, parting her slick folds to find her clit. It felt strange to service her like this. If Tav was awake, she would be moaning and grabbing Astarion’s wavy hair, or squeezing his head between her legs.

He enjoyed that, but there was something indulgent about having her open to him in this way, so that he could lick and suck her delicious juices to his heart’s content, any way that he wanted.

Astarion lost himself for a moment, feasting between Tav’s legs. He coiled his tongue around her clit and made his mouth a seal over it, sucking voraciously. Then, he tongue-fucked her entrance, lapping up every pearl of moisture he could find.

Tav moaned suddenly, and Astarion jerked his head up. Her head tossed and turned to the side, and a smile curved the lips of her beautiful face. She licked her lips.

“Tav?” he whispered nervously. Something seemed terribly torrid about being caught in the act like this, regardless of whether she asked him to do it.

Her eyes were closed, and there was an expression of bliss on her face. Astarion moved his tongue back to her clit, and flicked it. She moaned again, and arched her back slightly.

Hmmm, he thought. Interesting.

 He had noticed that Tav was getting wetter and wetter, and wondered if she was somehow aware of what he was doing. If so, perhaps I can give her an orgasm.

Yes, that would be good. He would feel less like he was using Tav if she was getting something out of it too, even if she wasn’t awake to enjoy it properly.

Tav moaned again, a sleepy, contented sound. It was so delicious that Astarion wished he could bottle it and keep it with him wherever he went.

He moved his head back between her legs, and redoubled his efforts. His cock was aching, desperate for contact. Astarion found himself taking it out of his trousers, and he started to stroke it.

Now that he was looking for it, he could feel the tremors in Tav’s thighs as he rolled his tongue over her clit, back and forth. He could sense the infinitesimal shudder that ran through her lower abdomen as he slid one finger inside of her, then another.

It was all building towards something familiar, and he licked and sucked at her clit furiously, moving his fingers in and out of her sex. Astarion stroked his length harder, grabbing it at the base and tugging the shaft.

Tav whimpered suddenly, and her legs trembled. Her back lifted up into the air, frozen for a moment as her tight sex clamped down on his fingers. A warm stream of liquid gushed around his hand, and he quickly moved his tongue there to taste as much as he could.

Then, she seemed to relax, and made a small, pleasurable noise. Astarion reluctantly lifted his face away from her soaked sex.

“Darling?” he crooned softly.

Tav sighed, and then her breathing began to even out again. He watched her for a few moments longer, but she was still fast asleep.

Astarion stood up, preparing to leave the barn. His cock was throbbing now, desperate for release. A little bead of moisture clung to the tip. I can take care of that myself, he thought, even as the taste of Tav’s release on his lips made his cock ache for his own.

Her legs were spread wantonly on the hay bale, and her luscious breasts were bare—he hadn’t even noticed that before, thanks to the blanket. But now that it was piled up on her waist, it made her glistening sex seem even more exposed.

Astarion’s cock pulsed in his hand. He had been stroking it again while he looked at her, and had barely been aware of it. His mind was dizzy with lust, and before he had time to think about what he was doing, he had climbed up between her knees, and his cock surged forward towards her entrance.

He bit his lip, pausing uncertainly, still running his hand over his length. Gods, he wanted her. Such an innocent, beautiful look on her sleeping face, all that soft skin beneath him. He pushed the head of his cock between the swollen lips of her sex, gliding it up and down.

Astarion stifled a moan as he paused at her entrance. He recalled how tight and wet Tav had felt when his fingers were inside her. All his resolve slipped away, and he entered her.

A soft moan escaped her lips, but otherwise, Tav didn’t move. There was one, tiny thought of this is wrong that ran through his mind, but it was eclipsed by his desire. He moved closer to her, entering her gradually so as not to wake her. Her hungry sex seemed to pull his cock deeper inside, and before he knew it, he had sheathed himself completely inside of her.

He looked at Tav’s face. Her expression was dreamy, peaceful. Then his gaze dropped down to where they were joined together. He pulled his hips back, dragging his cock out until just the tip remained inside. He was already slick with the juices of her climax. Inhaling sharply, Astarion pushed his cock back in until his balls pressed against her round ass.

“Fuck,” Astarion hissed. He gripped her sumptuous backside in his hands to position her body at the proper angle, reveling in the warm heat of her walls fluttering around him. Every velvet inch of her sex seemed made for him, and it took all his control to not begin thrusting into her immediately. Instead, he slowly pushed forward, and then retreated slightly. He repeated the motion, going agonizingly slow. After a few similar movements, he began to thrust more normally.  

Just as before, it was strange to not feel Tav grinding against him, meeting his thrusts and building that passionate rhythm alongside him. Eventually, however, he found a cadence and began to fuck her in earnest.

Hells, she feels so good. Astarion rolled his eyes to the heavens. So slick and hot and wet. He used his grip on Tav’s superlative ass to measure his pace, trying not to dig his fingers too deep into her skin, but rather lift with his palms to pull her ever so slightly back and forth.

Astarion hunched over Tav, his thrusts going shorter and deeper. Her eyelids fluttered as if she was in the midst of a dream, and her lips parted. He thought about kissing her then, just dipping his tongue into her waiting mouth and exploring it, but surely that would rouse her.

He questioned if it would—after all, he was fucking her, sliding his cock in and out of her tight heat, and all she did was make soft, dreamy sighs and heavenly noises. He imagined whether she would be outraged at losing her precious sleep, or if she would wrap her legs around him and spur him on.

Astarion decided it wasn’t worth the risk, but he wanted more. He needed more. He pulled his hips back and drove his cock into her, using her ass as leverage. With each thrust, the blanket slipped lower, until it fell off her round breasts completely.

Astarion gently slid his hands away from her backside and moved them to her soft breasts. He cupped them gently in his hands as he moved back and forth. Tav’s brow furrowed, and a soft moan slipped from her lips.

Astarion almost lost himself right then, but he gritted his teeth and paused, trying to savor the moment, enjoying the sensations too much to finish too soon. After a tortuously long moment, he began to pick up the pace again.

Soon he was rutting into Tav mindlessly, the sound of his balls slapping against her ass drowning out the soft noise of her deep breathing. The pressure of his release was building, the desire to spill himself inside of his sleeping lover too much to ignore.

“Tav,” he grunted softly, not to wake her but because he was moved to say her name, to express the source of his pleasure.

“Mmmm,” she moaned sleepily, rolling her head to the side, blissfully unaware of his actions.

Astarion’s hips snapped, and a strangled cry escaped his lips. The first spurt of his seed washed into Tav’s tight sex. He grunted and surged forward, burying himself inside of her as his spend coated her insides, relieving himself of the tension that had been building up in him ever since he entered the barn.

Finally, Astarion relaxed. He pulled out of her, his body shaking from the impact of his climax. He moved to cover Tav back up. Something wicked inside of him enjoyed seeing his thick white seed gathered at her entrance, prepared to spill out the moment she moved a certain way.

He was tempted to wake her up so that they could have another go, but Tav had been adamant that she needed her sleep.

Besides, he thought mischievously, tucking his cock back into his trousers, I think it’ll be a nice surprise for her in the morning.