Chapter Text
Astarion sat on the edge of the mountainside, pale fingers gripping onto his cloak as he kept the —not very warm— fabric around his frame, red eyes scanning the horizon line as the sun had moved out of view, light fading behind the mountains. He let out a breath and gazed up at the colourful sky, now dulling as it faded in colour, and stars threatened to start twinkling dare it get any darker.
A small cloud of air appeared and subsequently faded in front of his face, pulling the cloak closer in on himself. Despite not being warm to the touch, the vampire did seem to feel the chill of a winter night when cast outside.
“Cold?”
A familiar voice asked, stepping through the shrubbery and perching themselves on the rubble next to their companion.
Astaion turned his head, meeting the doe eyes of Tav, watching the human situate themselves beside his own, shivering form.
“I hardly think so. I’m merely enjoying the view, basking in the last rays of sun for today.”
He dismissed, waving a hand and trying to sit casually, despite his harsh grip on the carefully embroidered cloak he was quite fond of. The vampire cast his gaze down, watching the small town below, seeing lanterns turning on, firepits being lit, many a creature carrying barrels and whatnot to bring to their residing homes or taverns.
“Ah, that must come with a firm appreciation of your cloak, then?”
“Indeed.”
“Well, I might just join you.”
Tav muttered, pulling on a woollen coat, hand woven, it seemed, before pulling the hood up over their messy hair and seeing Astarion try to feign nonchalance at seeing something so seemingly warm, soft and comforting being worn by his party member.
Astarion huffed and sat up straighter watching the town below once more, trying to ignore the way his fingertips twitched and the way he shuddered when a soft breeze blew past the two of them, causing his white hair to move in front of his forehead, ever so annoyingly.
“And just where did you get that? Might I ask?”
He questioned, turning his head to glance at the woollen cloak that had seemingly come out of nowhere. It looked well-made, and to Astarion’s knowledge, Tav had no talent in weaving or knitting whatsoever, so this must’ve been stolen, paid for or gifted to them. All of which —except stealing— was unlikely to have happened, knowing Tav.
“Gale found it.”
Tav answered innocently, as if they simply forgot how much that specific wizard pissed Astarion off.
“Gale?”
He asked incredulously.
“And why am I only being informed of this now? While I've been wading through this horrendous cold for three days just like the rest of you!”
Tav laughed softly, covering their smile with the back of their hand briefly before moving it down and meeting the vampire’s wide eyes as his chest moved up and down softly, waiting for an answer.
“Sorry, he grabbed them on his way back up the mountain with some more wood and supplies.”
They answered before unclasping the button that held it on their shoulders as they swiftly took it off and placed it around Astarion’s. They did up the button, focusing almost entirely on clasping it securely into place before speaking once again.
“But if you’re going to be so stubborn about the weather, you can have it.”
Astarion was silent for a moment, mouth agape, watching as his companion gave him the warm cloak without a second thought. He relaxed his grasp and sat more comfortably next to them.
Tav’s hands slid off of the woolly fabric which was now covering most of his torso, warmth settling against his heart.
“Alright then, thank you.”
He huffed, turning away and pressing his lips together in a thin line, ignoring this weird pool that had settled in his stomach at such an act of selfless kindness, and towards him of all things.
It was odd, for the most part. He was scared to think any more about what other parts were there too as he nodded curtly, watching the darkening sky.
“You better not dare tell Gale about this.”