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Waves crashed against the sides of The Burning Rose, rocking the ship side to side. The boards creaked and the lanterns swung dangerously, causing the shadows to shift and sway as if alive. Astarion’s footsteps sounded hollow as he paced around the room he’d set up as his sleeping quarters. It was no more than a storage closet with a thin mattress on the floor and a small porthole that he’d covered with some canvas. Though it wasn’t much, it was clean, and more importantly, private. Astarion hadn’t had a space of his own in centuries and he appreciated being able to retreat and lock the door behind him.
As much as he enjoyed the solitude, however, Astarion found himself restless that evening. The sun was just about to retire below the horizon so he could finally wander above deck again, but the wind and seabirds warned of an approaching storm. He’d done what he could in the lower decks, securing canons and other cargo that could topple over in rough seas. Tav had remained above deck, preparing the sails and the cargo up there. Astarion found himself thinking about her, almost hoping she’d come and find him.
‘Foolish,’ he chastised himself. ‘Of course she didn’t. The Captain is far too busy to think about me.’
Astarion couldn’t say what exactly it was that drew him to her. It wasn’t about looks, that much he knew. Tav was beautiful, yes, but he’d met many beautiful people in his life. He’d met people who were just as strong and with a fearless lust for life. So what was it, then? What made him seek her out for conversation and made his undead heart flutter when she laughed? What kept him inviting her to bed over and over?
There was no answer Astarion could think of. There was just something about her that kept him dangling like a fish on a hook. When he closed his eyes, he could perfectly picture her sparkling blue eyes, the smattering of freckles across her nose, and the half smile she often wore on her rose pink lips. He could only hope that his plan had worked and she thought of him the same way. Otherwise, he’d pushed himself into this hell for nothing.
An aching need began to spread through his stomach and spread down between his legs. Astarion’s cock hardened as he reminisced about Tav’s warm, soft skin under his fingers.
‘Stop it.’
Astarion sighed and spun on his heel to pace to the other side of the room. Of all the things he dreamed would be different when he was free of Cazador, the return of his libido was not one of them. Astarion had forgotten what it was like to crave affection, even if he knew it wasn’t real.
“It is rather annoying,” he muttered to the empty room. “Too much to deal with, I don’t need sex on the brain as well.”
Still, no matter what he tried to distract himself with, the ache persisted. Astarion blew out a long breath and slid one hand between his legs to palm his cock. It had been years — decades, maybe — since he had touched himself. Hells, sex hadn’t been fun or pleasurable for centuries. It was something he did because he had to, not because he actually wanted to.
‘But I want to now, don’t I? That’s what this means. It’s simply a fun distraction for both of us.’
Once again, Astarion turned to walk to the other side of the room and absently stroked his cock through his trousers. Sex simply felt different with Tav. He might even say it was good. Tav was soft, she was gentle, and seemed to care about his pleasure as much as her own. Their last encounter had been especially intense. If he concentrated hard enough, he could almost hear her cries of pleasure and smell the sweet, delicate scent of her skin.
Astarion groaned and pushed the thoughts away. He glanced around the room for a distraction and his eyes landed on the pile of discarded books in the corner. Though, he couldn’t bring himself to even pretend to read. There was the journal he’d bought recently. He could try to write down some of his thoughts, but that idea seemed just as awful as reading. The ache was only worsening and Astarion was sure he’d go mad.
“Godsdammit,” Astarion sighed and banged one fist against the wall. The battle between his mind and body had been decided, and his body was the victor. He peeled back the corner of the canvas to peer out the porthole. It seemed dark enough that he wouldn’t burn to ash in the light, so he turned and walked to the door to head above deck.
The ship was a flurry of activity. Crew members rushed around shouting orders to each other as they double checked that everything was securely in place. Astarion knew most of the crew would stay below deck to have dinner and ride out the storm. Tav never stayed below, though — not unless she had to. She said rough weather invigorated her, and she never backed down from a challenge. Astarion made his way up the stairs to the top deck and pushed the door open. The salty smell of the sea greeted him, accompanied by the fine spray of mist that preceded a storm. Dark grey clouds loomed above, threatening to open up at any moment. The ship heeled to port as wind whipped through the sails and waves crashed against the hull.
Astarion glanced around and found Tav standing near the railing, her head bent low as she tied the starboard tack. Her auburn hair flew loose in the wind and a smile pulled at Astarion’s lips as he watched her. Though he couldn’t see it, he could picture the way her eyes narrowed and her tongue poked out to wet her bottom lip as she concentrated on her task. The tack line would be tight and sturdy, of course. Captain Valnorin stood for nothing less than perfection on her ship.
Astarion crossed the deck and placed his hands on her hips. The sharp, fresh scent of ozone — a remnant of her magic — lingered on her skin and clothes. He gathered her hair in one hand and brushed it away, then bent down to press several small kisses up her neck until he found her heartbeat. Astarion let out a soft moan as her veins pulsed, rhythmic and slow, against his lips.
“Mm, can I help you?” Tav rolled her head to the side to expose more skin.
“Maybe,” Astarion purred. His fingers tightened around her hips and he leaned against her, his cock already partially hard.
“Don’t distract me,” Tav said, but made no move to get away. She worked quickly as she coiled the rope around the cleat and tied the line in a tight knot. “Don’t you know there’s a storm coming?”
“Mmhm.”
Astarion kept his lips pressed against her neck. His tongue flicked out to lick the salty sweat from her skin and he bit down, not with his fangs, but with his front teeth. Tav’s breath caught in her throat and she arched her back.
“We should really get…the…” Tav’s voice trailed off as Astarion ghosted his lips over the outer ridge of her ear.
“We’re fine, darling,” Astarion murmured. He loosened the laces on her shirt and pulled it open to expose her breasts. Her nipples pebbled in the chilly night air and Astarion trailed his hands up her stomach to pinch them between his fingers. “The hatches are battened, the sails are furled. You can afford to take a break.”
“You’re a menace, you know that?” Tav let her head fall back against his shoulder, her eyes mostly closed.
“Is that what I am?” Astarion smirked. He rolled her nipples between his thumb and forefinger, relishing her quiet, breathy moans.
“Among other things,” Tav mumbled.
Astarion paused for a moment as he pretended to consider her words, then resumed kissing her neck. “I’ve been called worse.”
Tav chuckled and braced her hands against the railing. The sun had fully set and the sky was dark, not a sliver of moonlight could penetrate the clouds. Lightning flashed and Astarion counted six seconds until he heard the rumble of thunder.
“We have some time before it hits us,” he whispered into Tav’s ear. He slid one hand down her front and between her legs. He could feel the heat of her through her clothes, and it made his balls clench. Astarion ran his tongue along the patch of skin behind her ear while he pressed two fingers against her clit. “I’ve been thinking about you.”
“Have you?” Tav leaned back to push her ass against his cock. Astarion was certain she could feel how hard he was.
“About our last time together, how gorgeous you looked writhing under me. How you cried out for me. How sweet you tasted.” Astarion punctuated every sentence with a kiss to her rosy skin.
“Would you like another taste?” Tav groaned. Her hips rocked into his hand in a silent plea for more.
“More than anything, my sweet.”
Astarion dragged his fangs down her neck but didn’t break the skin. Tav tried to turn to face him, but Astarion held her in place. With one hand, he brushed his fingers over her nipple and slid the other inside the waistband of her pants. Tav was already slick with need. Astarion used two fingers to tease her opening, sliding them in just far enough to make Tav groan before he pulled them back out.
“I think about you, too,” Tav murmured. “I haven’t stopped.”
“Mm? Tell me more.”
Astarion ran his fingers up her pussy and over her clit. Tav whimpered under his touch. The simple sound of her heart pounding in her chest made Astarion ravenous, and it was all he could do not to sink his teeth into her right then.
“Well…” Tav gripped the railing so hard her knuckles turned white. “I lie in bed at night and imagine your cock filling me up. I think about the desperate noises you make when you’re close to the edge, and what it feels like when…when you…”
Astarion had slipped two fingers inside her, and Tav couldn’t finish her sentence. She closed her eyes and let her head fall forward as she took deep, shaky breaths. Astarion pumped his fingers in and out of her slick pussy, his thumb making slow circles around her clit.
“When I what?” he whispered. Though Astarion couldn’t see it, he felt the heat of her skin under his lips and knew she was flushed. He trailed kisses along her jawline before he focused again on her pulse.
“When you cum inside me,” Tav said, breathless.
Those words made Astarion’s cock twitch. Tav released a desperate whine as Astarion curled his fingers up inside her to press against her front wall. Each stroke of his fingers made Tav’s heart thump faster. Her veins pulsed against his lips with every beat and his own breath quickened as the scent of her arousal, tangy and sweet, filled his nose.
“Do you like that?” Astarion tightened his grip on her to hold her tight against his body. “When I cum inside you?”
“Yes,” Tav gasped.
“As do I, darling.”
Using his thumb, Astarion applied more pressure to her clit. Tav gasped and clenched around his fingers, her hips bucking up to meet his hand as she chased her peak. She was close, any second now she’d be cumming all over his fingers. Astarion groaned at the thought and his cock throbbed with need.
Tav bit her bottom lip to stifle her cries as she reached her climax. Astarion smirked against her neck as he felt the hot rush of her juices over his fingers. He kept pumping his fingers in and out of her tight hole until the spasms subsided. Finally, Tav inhaled and exhaled deeply and leaned her head back against his shoulder.
“That sounded intense,” Astarion muttered in her ear.
Tav nodded, her eyes closed and face serene. “It sure as hell was.”
Astarion pulled her hand out of her pants and licked his fingers. “Mmm,” he hummed. “Delicious.”
Tav spun to face him, a smile playing across her lips. Her arms wrapped around his neck and she stood on her toes to kiss him, her mouth hot and desperate against his. Astarion could taste a hint of whatever she’d eaten that day; something spicy and robust. As they kissed, a fat drop of rain hit Astarion on the cheek and rolled down his face like a tear.
“We should go in,” Astarion mumbled, his lips still pressed against hers.
“Why? It’s just rain,” Tav answered. More drops fell on and around them, quickly soaking through their clothes. Tav’s fingers brushed against his cock, which was now achingly hard, and Astarion released a sigh. “Besides. It’s your turn.”
Lightning flashed somewhere in the distance and thunder followed a few seconds after. Tav seemed completely unbothered as she reached inside his pants to run her hand along his length. The relief of being touched exactly where he wanted it most made Astarion groan.
“What do you have in mind?”
“Just relax,” Tav pressed her body against his and cupped his balls. She kissed his chin, then down to the hollow of his throat.
Astarion nodded. The rain splattered violently against the deck as Tav took his hand and pulled him towards the stairs that led to the helm. She urged him to sit, and Astarion complied. Tav nudged his knees apart and knelt between his legs.
“It occurred to me I’ve never gone down on you,” she said, though Astarion could barely hear her over the hammering rain. She rubbed his cock through his trousers. “I think we need to rectify that immediately.”
Astarion swallowed.Oral sex was an act he’d never enjoyed and tried to avoid whenever possible. Most of his “lovers” didn’t care about making things feel good for him, and it just wasn’t a pleasant experience. Tav gazed up at him, her eyes round and hungry, and Astarion wondered how different it could be with her. He swallowed again and nodded. It was worth a try, at least; he could always stop her if it was bad.
Tav smirked and started to work the button on his trousers open. The ship lurched side to side as the wind picked up and the waves got higher. Tav licked her lips and pulled his cock free of his trousers. Astarion leaned back on his elbows and shifted his position slightly. The rain was relentless and cold, but he barely noticed it as Tav’s tongue flicked out to circle the head of his cock. She worked the shaft with one hand, twisting her wrist as she stroked him.
“Your cock, like the rest of you, is perfect.”
Astarion let out a groan as Tav’s lips closed over the head and her tongue ran along the underside. She locked eyes with him as she began to bob up and down on his cock, slowly taking more of him into her hot, wet mouth. Finally, he hit the back of her throat.
“Fuck,” Astarion sighed. He brought one hand up to tangle his fingers in her hair to guide her head as she bobbed up and down. Lightning flashed and thunder boomed almost immediately after — the storm was almost on top of them. Tav showed no signs of slowing, though. She pushed his cock to the back of her throat over and over while she massaged his balls with one hand. It was then that Astarion realized he did enjoy oral sex, when it was done right. The tension built in his stomach, threatening to send him over the edge far too soon.
Tav seemed to sense this, because she popped his cock out of her mouth and resumed stroking with her hand. She flicked her tongue over the head before she moved down to suck one of his balls into her mouth. Astarion moaned and his hips bucked involuntarily.
“How’s this?” Tav looked up at him with round, innocent looking eyes.
Astarion grunted in response. Tav’s hair was soaked and slippery, so he twirled his fingers in tighter to encourage her. Tav brushed the head of his cock against her lips, glossing herself with his precum while her hand stroked his shaft. Astarion lifted his head to watch as Tav slid his cock into her mouth again. Her shirt was still open to expose her tits, wet and glistening in the rain. The visual was almost too much for him and Astarion’s eyes slid closed when he imagined how good it would feel to cum in her mouth. If she would let him, that is.
Tav pulled his cock out again and Astarion opened his eyes. She smiled as she straightened, bringing herself up to his height. Astarion smiled back and leaned in, kissing her with a fierceness he’d never known before. Tav rested both hands on his thighs as she leaned into him and his cock pressed against her stomach. Tav’s tongue slipped past his lips and tangled with his for a moment before she pulled away. She smirked when Astarion moved to chase her lips.
“Can I…” Astarion cleared his throat. He’d never asked, nor been asked, for permission before. Tav raised her eyebrows as she waited for him to continue. “Can I cum in your mouth?”
Tav grinned and nodded. She sat back on her heels and leaned in to take him in her mouth. Now that he knew he could enjoy himself as much as he wanted, Astarion’s whole body relaxed. The rain had eased and the wind died down; it seemed the storm was on its way out. Somehow, they’d missed the worst of it. Astarion watched his porcelain cock slide between Tav’s cherry red lips.
Astarion’s thighs twitched as Tav quickened her pace. Her hand twisted around the base of his cock as Tav alternated between taking his full length and sucking on just the head. Tav moaned around his cock and the vibrations made Astarion’s cock throb. He thrust his hips up to meet her mouth and pushed his cock against the back of her throat. Tav took it without complaint and massaged his balls with one hand. Astarion made a noise that was halfway between a moan and a whine as he gripped the back of Tav’s head tight, his other hand clenched around his own thigh. The tension in his stomach reached a crescendo as her mouth suctioned around him and a moment later he came in thick spurts down the back of Tav’s throat.
“Tav,” Astarion moaned, his voice hoarse and breath ragged. He let his head fall backwards as relief rushed through him and the ache finally subsided.
Tav kept her mouth around his cock until the last shot. She eventually pulled his cock out of her mouth and licked the remaining droplets from his tip. She kissed his thighs before she tucked his cock back into his pants and came to sit beside him. They were both soaked to the bone, but neither seemed to care. Tav leaned her head against Astarion’s shoulder and looped her arm through his.
A comfortable silence stretched between them. Astarion was free to catch his breath and recover while he listened to the pattering of rain against the wood. It felt nice to simply exist for a while, without any expectations or obligations. After a few minutes Tav raised her head and looked up at him.
“That was great,” she said with a grin. “Did you enjoy it?”
Astarion nodded. His body was still going through the aftershocks of his orgasm, and he wasn’t quite ready to use his brain just yet. Tav groaned as she stretched her arms above her head. Astarion couldn’t help the way his eyes roamed over her glistening skin and followed the curve of her breasts down to her navel.
“It’s almost a shame we didn’t get to have sex,” Tav said. “I really have been thinking about you.”
“Who said we can’t?” Astarion turned towards her and captured her mouth in a kiss.
“Mm,” Tav hummed. “You sure you’re up for it?”
“Please, darling,” Astarion smiled and pulled her bottom lip between his teeth. “You forget you’re speaking to a professional.”
Tav grinned and brought one hand up to cup the side of his face. Like the storm, the urgency between them had disappeared. Their kiss this time was deep and slow — full of desire, but not frenzied like before. Tav’s lips were soft and full and he could taste the salty remnants of his cum on her tongue. Tav pulled away and took one of his hands in hers.
“Come with me,” she breathed.
Astarion followed her to the stern of the ship, behind some stacked crates. With a wicked grin, Tav gripped the front of his shirt and pulled him close. Her hands roamed all over his body and his all over hers. Tav’s dexterous fingers worked the buttons of his shirt open before she pulled it off and tossed it aside where it landed in a wet pile. Their lips pressed together and her hand found its way back into his pants and she stroked him until he was hard again.
“Can I get on top?” Tav asked, and Astarion nodded.
Tav knelt and pulled Astarion down with her. Something about her made Astarion feel safe enough to relinquish some control, and he let her take the lead. Tav pushed him flat on his back and Astarion helped push his wet trousers down to expose his cock once more. Tav wiggled out of her own pants and kicked them off into a pile with his.
Tav straddled him, one knee on either side of his hips. Moonlight broke through the clouds to bathe her in silver light and Astarion watched droplets of water roll down her neck and between her breasts. Her shirt clung to her curves, the peaks of her peach pink nipples visible through the thin fabric.
“You’re beautiful,” Astarion said before he could stop himself.
Tav’s smile was soft and genuine. She braced her hands on his chest and raked her fingernails lightly over his skin. “So are you.”
Astarion ran his hands over her thighs as Tav pumped his cock a couple times with her hand. When he was fully hard again she lined him up with her entrance and sank onto him slowly, his cock enveloped in her hot, tight pussy. Astarion moaned as Tav rolled her hips to grind herself on him.
“Tell me something,” Tav’s voice was hoarse and breathless.
“Hmm?” Astarion had been focused on the spot where their bodies joined, watching her slide up and down on his cock. He pulled his eyes away and looked up at her.
“What do I taste like?”
Astarion, who hadn’t expected that question, paused his movements. “What?”
“My blood,” Tav explained. “What does it taste like?”
Astarion resumed his rhythm, their bodies connecting with every roll of her hips. “It tastes like…like blood, I suppose. Metallic. A little sweet.”
Tav rolled her eyes and braced her hands against his chest. Her wet hair hung like a curtain around her face and a smirk pulled at her lips. “Come on, Mister Silver Tongue. Don’t you have anything better?”
Astarion thought for a moment. He didn’t have much to compare it to, since he’d never feed on a conscious being before. Her blood did taste different than an animal’s, though, that was for certain. “It’s…well, it’s indescribable, really.”
“Try. Tell me what it’s like to taste my blood.”
“Well,” Astarion said slowly. “Your blood is a finely aged wine, with a depth of flavour you can’t quite put your finger on. You taste sweet and a little tart, like ripe summer berries.”
“Mmm,” Tav moaned. “What else do I taste like?”
Astarion dug his fingers into her hips, guiding her movements so his cock sunk deeper into her. Tav ran her thumb across his lower lip and gently pulled it down to reveal his fangs. She pricked the pad of her thumb on the tip of his canines and a single drop of ruby red blood seeped out and fell onto his tongue.
It was as if all Astarion’s senses awakened at once. Suddenly, everything seemed sharper, clearer. Though it was dark, Astarion saw Tav as if in broad daylight, her creamy skin aglow in the moonlight, her eyes partially lidded as she rode his cock.
Astarion sat up to bring himself chest-to-chest with her. Tav smirked and wrapped her arms around him, her breasts pushed against his bare chest. She raked her fingers through his hair and against his scalp. Their foreheads touched and they locked eyes as they moved together, their breath mingling in the space between them. Astarion held her close and inhaled her scent - crisp ozone mixed with the salty tang of sweat. The intimacy of the moment might have scared him, if he’d been in the right mind to think about it.
“You taste like years spent adventuring. You taste as powerful as the sea and as beautiful as a sunset,” Astarion whispered. His hands roamed over her thighs and ass to pull her into him, wanting her as close as possible. “You taste like life.”
Tav moaned, breathy and desperate, into his ear. “Bite me, Astarion.”
Without pause, Astarion brushed his fangs along the pulsing artery in her neck and bit down. Tav gasped and stiffened under him, but recovered quickly. Astarion moaned as her blood coated his tongue and he swallowed it down, savouring the way it warmed him from the inside.
The world around him seemed to melt away and for a few minutes there was nothing but Tav. If anyone else had dared to venture above deck, Astarion would never have known. He no longer heard the waves crashing against the ship, or the wind rushing through the sails. He could only focus on Tav’s soft cries of pleasure as he moved inside her.
“I’m close,” Tav whimpered. Her body moved in perfect time with his, her quivering pussy clenched around him, urging him deeper. “I’m so close, Star.”
Astarion responded with a groan. He brought one hand up to cradle the back of Tav’s head to hold her in place while he drank her in. The heat in his abdomen had turned into a full blown inferno, and his balls again ached for release. Astarion took a few breaths through his nose to steady himself and delay the inevitable for a few more minutes.
Tav undulated against him, crying out in desperate, whiny breaths. “Star, you feel so fucking good. Ugh, I’m so fucking close.”
“Cum for me, darling,” Astarion urged, his lips still pressed against her neck. “Cum all over my cock.”
That seemed to be all Tav needed. Her body went rigid, her pussy clenched around him until she released a loud moan, her head thrown back as she reached her peak.
“Fuck! Fuck, Star…”
Astarion licked away the remnants of blood from her neck and held her close as Tav rode out her orgasm. He tried to pull back from his own climax and stretch out the moment for as long as possible, but it was no use. Tav’s moans and cries made his cock throb with need and Astarion bucked his hips up to meet her, driving himself as deep as possible. Before he knew it, he was spilling inside of her. Astarion let out a loud moan, his face buried in the crook of Tav’s neck. Their juices mixed together and rushed out down her thighs and over his balls. They kept the momentum going until they both collapsed against each other, sweaty and exhausted.
After a while, Tav straightened up and gave him a warm smile. “I’ve never had sex on the main deck before,” she confessed.
“Never?” Astarion asked as he brushed a strand of wet hair away to kiss her freckled shoulder.
“Never,” Tav repeated. “Any time you want a repeat performance, let me know.”
Astarion licked the last of the blood from her neck and looked into her eyes. Something warm bloomed in his chest. Something bright and comfortable and safe. It seemed to push away the darkness inside his mind and made him feel…something.
“You are…” Astarion started speaking before he even knew what he wanted to say. His senses were still amplified, and the feeling of her warm skin against his, her scent, the taste of her blood on his lips — it was all overwhelming.
“Absolutely perfect,” he finished. It was the best he could come up with.
Tav grinned and kissed him before she moved off him. His cock slipped out of her and cold night air rushed over Astarion’s skin. Immediately, he felt the darkness creep back in. He resisted the urge to pull Tav back on top of him and stay there, entwined in each other’s arms, all night.
“I’ll see you in the morning,” Tav said as she gathered her wet clothes into her arms.
Astarion nodded and climbed to his feet. He found his trousers and pulled them on, but didn’t bother with his shirt. “I’ll see you tomorrow, darling,” he said quietly.
Tav turned to flash him a smile before she disappeared into her quarters. Another ache, one he couldn’t quite name, started to spread through his chest. Astarion knew he didn’t want her to go, but didn’t know exactly why not. They never spent nights together because there was no reason to.
‘Pull it together, Astarion. It’s just sex. Good sex, but still just sex. Just sex.’
Despite what Astarion told himself, he knew that was no longer true. Something had changed in him. He was no longer in control of the situation, no longer the puppet master pulling the strings of manipulation. Tav was not on his hook, he was on hers.
Astarion stared out over the dark choppy water and heaved a heavy sigh. “Gods below, I’m such an idiot,” he muttered. Luckily, there was nobody but the sea to hear him.