[ There wasn't much fight left in him, truth be told, but that takes whatever's left in one fell swoop. Something else moves into his chest to take its place, so warm it almost aches. ]

Oh, Astarion... I didn't want you to get hurt, either. You scared the hells out of me.

[ If Astarion lets him, he moves a few steps closer and — if Astarion lets him — reaches out to brush the other's cheek with his fingers. ]

We're both alive. Surely that has to count for something.