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[tadpoled]

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[waterdhavianwizard]

A good bath does wonders. [Gale nudges Tav's damp hair back from his face.] We'll have to sneak in a proper luxurious soak.

[Something a bit softer, more soothing than this grim cleanse. No matter how tender Gale tries to be, it's hard to ignore the perfunctory practicality of it: there is little sweetness in washing away such viscera. He waits for Tav to climb out and follows after, bundling Tav in a towel before he turns to deal with draining the tub.

He dumps their filthy armor in the tub once it's empty -- better to get it all out of sight and deal with it when they've had a chance to rest than to have it lurking in the corner as a grim reminder all evening, then gives his hands one last aggressive scrub in the washbasin. Maybe he'll just burn the robes.

Eventually, the room is back to some semblance of normal. Prestidigitation takes care of the last bit of mess. Hard to forget what they've been through, but at least they won't be confronted with some gruesome reminder every time they turn around.]

You should rest. [They both should, but: Gale is prone to fretting.] Is there something else you need?

[tadpoled]

[Tav leaves Gale to do all the extra work. As soon as he has a towel wrapped around him, Tav wanders into the bedroom, stopping just short of the bed they’d made love in numerous times the last time they were here together.

He eventually sheds his towel and lets it drop to the ground as he climbs into bed.

Gale’s voice echoes from the bathroom and Tav answers in almost a whisper.] A sleep spell or potion. Please.

[waterdhavianwizard]

[Gale feels as if he might break at Tav’s quiet voice, and when he slips back into the bedroom proper to find Tav already curled in bed, small and fragile, he falters for just a moment before climbing in after him.]

A spell. Of course, my dear.

[He settles into bed, drawing Tav into his arms again and tugging the blankets over them til they’re both ensconced, hidden away from the world and the events of the day by the quiet comfort of their room.

Gently, Gale strokes Tav’s hair, murmuring the spell loud enough for Tav to know it’s coming as Gale’s hand glows in gentle, familiar purple.]

[tadpoled]

[Tav remains curled up in bed until Gale joins him, tucking Tav up to him. Tav desperately needs sleep and the familiar incantation is a comfort as he slowly drops off into some much needed rest.

However, before he completely falls asleep, Tav murmurs,] I love you.

[waterdhavianwizard]

I love you too, Tav. [Gale kisses the top of his head as Tav slowly dozes off, doing his best to stay awake a little longer until he’s confident Tav is properly asleep. He takes a moment to cast sending just to let Astarion they’re alright and will regroup in the morning so no one worries, then settles himself more comfortably in bed with Tav and lets himself fall asleep.]

[tadpoled]

[For once, Tav doesn’t wrestle with nightmares or paranoia while he sleeps. No, instead he wakes up with the sun coming through the shutters, Gale tucked safely beside him. He sucks in a shaky breath before the last 48 hours since Gale was kidnapped hit Tav in the face. Stalking Orin, thinking Gale had escaped, racing after her and fighting her new form on his own. Dying while denying Bhaal and facing the Fugue Plane.

It’s still a bit too much to comprehend all at once. His heart and mind jolt awake and he goes to disentangle himself from Gale and the blankets. If asked, he’s ready with the excuse that he needs to relieve himself. Nevermind that he plans to use the privacy to try and wrap his mind around everything.]

[(Anonymous)]

[When he wakes up properly, Gale will realize how different tonight’s sleep with Tav is. Every stolen moment has felt like a gift, but no matter what efforts they took there was always the tension of the Urge — Tav’s struggle with it, and Gale’s anxiety about how best to support him… or to prepare for the worst case scenario.

Tonight he sleeps through, deeper than he has since before he freed the sliver of Netherese magic that lives in his chest. The relief of being alive, of Tav being alive manages to stave off any nightmares of his torment by Orin’s hand.

He stirs a little when Tav does, instinctively reaching out and curling into the warm spot Tav leaves behind, but he’s clearly still mostly asleep when he blinks blearily up at Tav with a drowsy mmkay, love you, hurry up before burying his face in Tav’s pillow with a soft sigh.]

since you accidentally anon’d

[tadpoled]

[Tav ducks into the bathroom and sees their bloodied armor in the tub first. He nearly darts back out, but for now his mind is churning with the sight of Gale on that altar bleeding, mixed with the swirl of the fugue plane.

He knows he should be grateful, ecstatic even to finally be free, but something still feels wrong. All three netherstones are in their grip, but Tav wants to take them and confront the netherbrain alone.

He’s tired of his friends and his love getting hurt because of him and Tav slides down the wall to bury his face in his hands.]

oh no!! thx don’t even know how i did that

[waterdhavianwizard]

[Gale wakes properly not long later, when his sleepy searching for another body next to him proves fruitless too long to ignore. He starts awake when he realizes Tav’s missing, stumbling a little in his haste to get out of bed and clutching his chest in relief for a moment when he spots him in the washroom.

He crouches near Tav, careful not to crowd him too quickly, and though his voice is rough with sleep the concern is evident.] My love, how long have you been in here? Are you still hurt?

[tadpoled]

Since I woke up. [Tav keeps his voice down, whether for his own needs or to not wake their companions, he’s not sure.] ‘m not hurt; something still feels wrong.

[He’s been trying to tell himself the reason is due to the netherbrain still remaining, or the choice to steal the orphic hammer or not, who to betray and who to serve.

They may have saved the day in regards to Bhaal but Tav feels their journey remains just as unfinished as ever.]

I… How can we still have so much before us? How can the steps we just took feel so small?

[waterdhavianwizard]

[Gale lets out a thoughtful hum and settles carefully down on the floor next to Tav, their arms pressed together. It’s hard not to maintain some point of connection, after everything that happened, just to make sure Tav is still there — that it’s not a dream.]

The scope of everything before us is… [He trails off, brow furrowed as he mulls it over.] We’ve all experienced things I think the average person could never dream of going through. Unfortunately it seems fate has decided that means all of us together are meant to be thrust into a staggering scale of events.

[Gale leans into Tav, head resting lightly on his shoulder for a moment.]

You took an extraordinary step today. I can’t diminish that tonight just because you’ll have to take another one tomorrow.

[tadpoled]

What if I don’t want to? I got you back and I’d rather fuck off with you and the others than go fight some giant brain wherever.

[Tav had never planned to be the de facto leader of their little troupe. He never asked to have so much reaponsibility thrust into his hands at once.

At his core, he’d been a broken shell of what he once was, but now with Urge cured, what reason does he have to not run off?]

I haven’t even decided if I want to help Voss or the Emperor and that alone will completely change our odds at the battle with the netherbrain.

[Tav sighs.] All I’m sure of is that I want to lie in bed with you until oblivion comes for us.

[waterdhavianwizard]

[Gale stays silent, still leaning into Tav’s side as he listens. Truthfully, if it weren’t for the crown, Gale’s own opinion would probably be much the same. Surely there was somewhere they could go; surely there were others who could carry the mantle of hero.

But there is the crown to consider — and placating Mystra, so whatever happens to him and Tav down the line is not intruded on by a returning arcane hunger and worsening symptoms.

He reaches for one of Tav’s hands, tangling their fingers.]

I have the orb to consider. [he says finally, voice strained.] I have no intention of using it as Mystra wishes, but whatever Mystra allowed Elminster to do, I’m sure she can undo. I would give anything to abscond with you to Waterdeep, or even Neverwinter or Calimshan, and think of nothing but you until there is nothing of me left.

I’m… not sure what path forward there is without confronting the netherbrain. But you don’t have to make any of these decisions alone, my dear. I know we all look to you, and for good reason, but I don’t think any of us truly intends for you to bear the entirety of these burdens alone.

[tadpoled]

[Right, the orb. In all the excitement, Tav had completely forgotte about yet another threat. He can’t leave Gale to possibly lose his life if Mystra removes the protection she offered.

Still, Gale’s words are comforting, the thought that he doesn’t have to make these choices alone.]

I think we should poll the group as to which to help: Voss or the Emperor. I don’t want to make this decision. Perhaps over breakfast.

[waterdhavianwizard]

At breakfast, then. I’ll try to herd the cats to a productive conversation.

[Gale gives Tav’s hand a squeeze and leans into his side again.]

I know you’ve had a uniquely harrowing experience, in many ways. But the tadpoles have all brought us to the same point from different paths, and whatever happens now, you won’t go through it alone. We’re your friends — we care for you. [His voice takes on a fond, teasing edge.]

None as much as I do, of course, but they do care.

[tadpoled]

[Tav is content to lean against Gale as well, his heart swelling with the knowledge that he doesn’t have to carry this decision or any decision by himself.

He can’t help but chuckle at Gale’s addition.] I’m grateful you’re at my side.

[He raises his face enough to kiss Gale’s cheek.]

I love you.

[waterdhavianwizard]

[Gale tips his head to steal a kiss to Tav’s lips, chaste and sweet.]

I love you desperately, my dear. I am so grateful you’re here.

[A pause, and then:]

Though I might be a smidge more grateful if you were back in the bed. Even if you need a little space to yourself, I’ll have to insist you take it — I can make do.

[tadpoled]

I think I can do that. [Tav smiles, soft and full of affection.]

Please join me, as well.

[Tav stands and offers a hand down to Gale.]

[waterdhavianwizard]

Gladly, my dear. [Gale gladly accepts the hand up — his knees aren’t what they used to be, after all — and holds on long enough to tug Tav in for another lingering kiss.]

When we’re through with all this, I’m paying for a tenday at the most luxurious inn we can find. The posh sort where they’ll bring food to your room so you barely have to leave the bed. But I’m glad we have this tonight.

[He tugs Tav back to bed, sinking back into the sheets with a pleased sigh.]

[tadpoled]

Sounds nice. And good encouragement to survive.

[For now, though, he curls up against Gale, kissing along his jaw and throat. Tav shuts his eyes and immediately his mind is once again filled with the quandaries they face. Tav rolls over to face Gale to try and get better sleep this way, but the same problem occurs and he rolls back the way he came.]

[waterdhavianwizard]

You’re still so restless.

[Gale doesn’t sound bothered — just thoughtful, assessing a puzzle to solve. He tosses an arm over Tav’s waist when Tav twists away from him, trailing a few soft kisses across a smattering of freckles over his shoulder.] Do you need another spell? Or perhaps some other distraction.

[tadpoled]

Another distraction. [Tav twists in Gale's arms once more to press a hungry kiss to Gale's lips. He shifts to also sling one leg over Gale's waist.] Need to not think.

[waterdhavianwizard]

[Gale muffles a dry laugh against Tav’s lips.] What a terrible burden to bear, distracting you so. [He nudges Tav onto his back and shifts over to straddle him, bending down for a heated kiss as he rocks his hips down in a lazy grind.]

I intend to be quite thorough.

[tadpoled]

Please do, Gale. [Tav rolls with the nudge, white hair splayed out beneath him, and when Gale meets his urgency with another kiss and rolling hips, Tav gasps. He needs Gale to quite literally fuck the brains out of him so he can't think about all the possibilities any more. With their cocks sandwiched between them, Tav reaches down to stroke Gale's first.]

[waterdhavianwizard]

No, none of that. [Though despite his protest Gale rocks into Tav’s fist all the same before sliding to the side, just out of reach.]

You’ve a bad habit of asking me to wear you out and then rendering me too distracted to do a proper job of it.

[He isn’t mean, though, or that selfish. Tav doesn’t need Gale to be precious about it tonight, even if Gale is determined to dedicate himself to Tav’s pleasure first and foremost.

Gale nudges Tav onto his stomach instead, dragging his nails lightly down Tav’s back as Gale settles behind him again. He bends over Tav and presses a kiss to his shoulder.]

You’re going to let me open you up with my practiced tongue that you like so much and then you’ll get what you’re angling for.