[ Gods, but Astarion is quiet. Not that he has room to complain, because more often than not, the way he slinks about like a cat works in their favor. He can deal with the odd startle – evident now in the way pale eyes flick in the vampire’s direction, the minute way his frame tenses before smoothing into something more relaxed again.

Truly, if Astarion wanted to hurt him, or worse, he’s had more than enough opportunities to do so. ]

It looks to me like you were already on your way, so apparently I need not have gone to all the trouble.

[ He leans back, defeated, the curve of his lips humorless, and lifts his injured arm. ]

Never could leave well enough alone.