Chapter Text
The campfire smoke blew up my nose, and I found myself sitting close to the fire, the cold air flowing around my body. My mind had been somewhere else, in a different world. I could feel my hair, keeping the exposed parts of my back somewhat warm. The bird I had been cooking had already burnt when I returned to reality. I pulled the stick out of the fire, pulling the crisp bird off and taking a hardy bite. Getting good meat was hard, and burning it didn't help. Nobody would want the rest of the crispy bird; it was easier to throw it back into the trees for something else to eat.
The camp had become our safe space. Karlach had her section, and Gale had his. Nobody had to see each other but knew we were there if needed. Everyone had their own space, and that included Asterion. The vampire had his rituals, leaving us to feed on the smaller surroundings. He would always arrive back while the others slept, but it was rare to see him return early. His slimmer but muscular frame was hard to miss; his white skin and silver hair stuck out like a sore thumb. It was always hard to look away when he moved. Even a simple hand through his hair caused people to stare.
His bottom lip was still stained with the blood of whatever creature he had killed. Usually, a snarky remark would be made in passing, but he continued to walk back to his bedroll. I could have easily grabbed his arm as he walked by, but it would never be that simple. I ached at the thought of being able to ask him how he felt and what he needed. Even if others saw him as alluring and selfish, he had glimpses of being authentic and alive underneath it all.
He didn't try to sleep or lie down; his red eyes were soft with a subtle glazing over them. I kept eye contact for a few seconds. The air felt heavy with the knowledge that I could walk over and touch him. I couldn't deny him if he just came over and asked for anything. I could feel my insides warm up at the thought of him, the idea of being near him. He looked fragile, sitting alone, the stars alimenting his soft face. My body had already started to get up on its own, but he had already turned his gaze, making his way into his bedroll. Anything I had felt or needed to say would have to wait.
As I watched Astrion retreat to his bedroll, a mixture of emotions swirled. The campfire crackled softly, casting dancing shadows on the surrounding trees. The night air was cold, and the scent of burnt birds still lingered. I couldn't help but wonder about the complexity of his character, the layers hidden beneath his alluring and enigmatic demeanor. The fire's warmth continued to seep into my bones, my thoughts momentarily distracted from Astarion.
It was clear that each of us carried our burdens, our pasts that shaped us into who we were. Astarion's presence intrigued me more than I cared to admit. His gaze had held mine for a fleeting moment, sparking a connection that resonated deeper than words. I yearned to bridge the gap, to uncover the truths he carried within himself.
However, the complexities of our interactions were evident. His nature, his history—it all seemed like an uncharted territory that I both longed to explore and feared to tread upon. As I settled back into my space by the fire, I knew that the unspoken words and emotions would remain suspended in the air, waiting for the right time to be acknowledged.
The campfire continued to crackle, and the stars above painted the night sky with their distant glow. Our shared existence in this wilderness united us, entwining our stories in ways that transcended the spoken language. And as the night deepened, I couldn't help but hope that someday, those untold stories would find their way into the light.