Chapter Text
Astarion leaned against the bar as he waited for his fiance, watching couples dance to the music playing over the speakers. In his perfectly tailored slacks and gold embroidered burgundy plum silk shirt, he knew he cut a striking figure.
Which is why he wasn't surprised when a dark haired woman sauntered up to him, drink in hand, and surrounded by a haze of cheap perfume.
“Hello, handsome. Fancy a drink?”
Astarion flicked his eyes down and up her body. Her dark blue dress was a little too tight, no doubt to give the appearance of a fuller figure, and draw attention to her breasts, which almost spilled out the front. A pendant sat precariously atop them, its blue resin stone and uneven fake silver setting indicative of a purchase from the clearance rack at Gate-Mart. The earrings were surprisingly good quality, perhaps a family heirloom, yet were dark from tarnish and lack of care. Her black stiletto heels were a few inches high, giving her the impression of being taller than she was, and elongating her legs. Heavy makeup pulled the ensemble together, topped with shimmering bright blue eyeshadow that reached her eyebrows, which dimly reminded him of an over the top character from a show he’d watched almost 30 years ago. Maybe Mimo? Mimi?
Altogether, Astarion found her quite trashy, and the come-on sealed the opinion.
“No, thank you,” he demurred, turning his face away from her, towards the door, looking for Gale.
“Mmm, would you like something more?” the woman continued, running one finger along Astarion's bicep. It took everything in him to not push her away.
“No, thank you,” he repeated, a bit sharper this time.
“Are you sure?” the woman asked with a pout that she no doubt thought was alluring. “I can be very… persuasive.”
Astarion turned back to her, irritation written across his features at her inability to take no for an answer. “I don't think so. It's not you, you understand, it's me. I have standards.”
The woman recoiled as if struck, and Astarion turned away again, spotting Gale walking in the door. His face brightened at the sight of his beloved, in a pair of black pinstripe pants and vest over a purple shirt, hair up in its customary half bun that drove Astarion wild.
“Darling!” he called out, waving one manicured hand to get the gorgeous man's attention.
Gale’s face lit up upon seeing him, then frowned, seeing the woman at his side. Astarion ignored her, having eyes only for the man walking towards him, the centre of his universe.
When Gale was close enough, Astarion reached out and pulled him close by his shirt lapels, kissing him passionately. “Hello darling,” he murmured when he pulled back.
Gale looked a little dazed, a wide smile on his face. “Hello.”
His gaze darted to the woman, still standing beside Astarion. “Mystra.”
Astarion's eyebrows rose. “This is your ex-wife?”
Gale sighed. “Yes.”
Astarion turned to her. “I take back what I said earlier. It's not me, it's you. I'm not attracted to shallow bitches who sleep around and abuse their husbands.”
Mystra laughed. “He wasn't much of a husband. Fucking him was like fucking a dead fish.”
Astarion smiled pleasantly at her, too pleasantly. Gale knew that smile, and knew that what was coming next would not be nice. For his ex, at least. And he was going to enjoy it.
“If you'd ever bothered to actually fuck the person who was your husband, instead of every other man who fell for your pathetic displays of charm, and makeup inspired by Modigliana the cat, you'd know he's anything but a ‘dead fish’. In fact, I'd hazard a guess fucking you would be like fucking a dead toad, only not as cold. Although, I'd much rather ravish my fiance. My beautiful, warm, kind, loving, and incredibly sexy fiance, who I can't get enough of.” Astarion reached out, taking Gale's hand in his and squeezing gently. “It was a displeasure to meet you. Come on, Gale. I want to dance.”
And off he walked, pulling Gale behind him who followed without a word, letting himself be led to the dance floor, waving at a few of their friends and fellow regulars. Mystra watched them go with a sneer on her face, which quickly fell when Astarion pulled Gale close, and began to dance a slow, intimate dance.
Gale looped his arms around Astarion's neck. “My love, sometimes I find myself falling for you all over again. Now is one of those times.”
Astarion leaned forward to peck him on the lips. “Darling, I disliked that woman when she tried to pick me up. Finding out she was your ex just made me hate her more than I already did.”
“I’m surprised she’s still wearing the earrings I gave her,” Gale mused. “She picked them out herself for our first anniversary. Cost me over a month’s wages.”
Astarion was immediately offended on Gale’s behalf. While he himself had had a large allowance during school, he had only spent money on things he would get a long use from, with the occasional indulgence. The rest had been squirrelled away where his father couldn’t find or touch, in preparation for being cut off when he refused to work for the family company. Being without a source of money meant he couldn’t have had his independence.
The very thought of choosing a gift that would leave his partner short of over a month's income left a sour taste in his mouth.
“You know, the more I learn about your ex, the more I despise her,” Astarion said, fighting to keep his voice light.
There was a short pause.
“Did you mean it? What you said about me before?” Gale asked in a small voice.
“Gale. Darling. How long have we been together, hmm? And in all that time, have I ever shown or stated that I do anything but love, adore, and worship you and your body?”
“No,” Gale admitted.
“Then why the need to ask?” Astarion tilted his head. “Ah. Seeing Mystra brought all those memories back to the surface, didn't it?”
Gale ducked his head. “Yeah. I'm sorry, I-”
“No need to apologise, darling. I completely understand.” Astarion tipped the librarian's chin up with his hand. “I've said it before, and I'll say it again: your ex-wife is a moron. She never deserved you.”
The elf pressed a lingering kiss to his fiance's lips. “I will happily spend the rest of my life proving to you how wrong she was. How much I love and adore you. How all I want to do is worship that sexy body of yours, to draw out every ounce of pleasure within you, and bring it to the surface. And how I will make you forget that bitch who hurt you and tried to destroy you.”
Astarion drew Gale into a tight hug, resting his chin on Gale’s shoulder as they swayed in a gentle circle. His eye caught Mystra, still staring at them, with a look of pure hate on her face. Astarion gave her an exaggerated smile and waggled his ring finger to make the sapphires and blue goldstone within the black gold band shimmer.
He knew the amethysts and blue goldstone in Gale’s ring would be visible when they turned. He'd designed the ring sets himself, with the help of a jeweller, and while their sets were individual, they were made to match the other's.
And all Astarion wanted to do was rub them in that bitch's face, that not only had Gale moved on, but that he had moved on with someone who cherished him like he deserved.
The elf turned his face to kiss Gale's neck, and was struck with an idea. How better to piss off Mystra, than to show how much better off her ex was without her? And with someone who turned her down, to boot.
Astarion's fake smile turned shark-like. He was going to enjoy this.
“Darling, do you feel like dancing the tango?” he asked.
“I'd love to,” Gale answered. “I assume you're going to request a suitable song on the jukebox app.”
“Naturally,” Astarion confirmed. “This is our regular bar. I know how it's done.”
Gale chuckled, knowing what his fiance had in mind. Astarion pulled his phone from his pocket and requested the song one handed over his fiance's shoulder, while they continued their slow dance.
“Wonderful. Our song is next.”
Astarion slipped his phone back in his pocket, and returned his hand to Gale's hip. They swayed together until the last bars of the current song, when they separated, stepping apart in preparation for their song.
Gale smiled as the first notes played, clearly recognising Astarion's choice. Kascade's ‘My Time’ was a favourite of theirs to dance to.
Gale lifted his hands above his head, gently moving his arms out as he swayed his hips. Astarion watched him take a couple of exaggerated steps, then spin towards him.
When he reached his body, Astarion enfolded him in his arms as Gale pressed himself close, one knee raised high to sit above the elf's hip, and his arms either side of his head.
A whoop came from nearby, and people stood back from the pair. Astarion traced his hand up, clasping Gale's in his own as they stepped together, bodies melding as they danced the tango.
Feet criss-crossed and hands swayed as they moved fluidly, Gale throwing in the occasional kick and flick of his foot. Another whoop sounded from the small crowd.
They continued the steps, Gale's face close to Astarion’s own, their movements oozing power and sensuality. The crowd formed a loose circle, watching the couple as they danced, almost oblivious to their surroundings.
Almost. Astarion was keenly aware of Mystra’s eyes on them, and turned his face to her as he side-stepped Gale. If looks could kill, he’d be on the autopsy slab tonight.
He smiled pleasantly, before turning his attention back to the person who mattered most: Gale. Warm, sweet, Gale, who was looking at him with love in his eyes, held safe in his arms.
Astarion could never get enough of him.
They finished their dance with a low dip, one of Gale’s legs wrapping around Astarion’s waist. Applause broke out around them, and they took a bow, Astarion blowing kisses to the crowd.
The elf entwined his fingers in Gale’s and pulled him close for another kiss, before leading him to an empty table. Astarion sat down, and leaned back in his chair. “So, darling, how was your day today?”
“Not too bad,” Gale answered, as he took his seat. “It was nice and quiet, just the way we librarians like it. No kicking anyone out for being loud, but I did have to nudge a couple towards the back corner. They were making out in the medical section!”
Astarion shook his head in mock sympathy. “Such a horrible thing to walk in on.”
Gale’s grin was devious. “Actually, it reminded me a bit of us. I do miss your visits, you know.”
Astarion’s answering grin was downright mischievous. “I might have to remedy that.”
At that moment, someone bumped into Astarion, spilling her drink all over him. “Oh no!” Mystra cried out. “I’m so sorry! Here, let me get that!”
Mystra grabbed some napkins off the table, and began to paw at Astarion’s shirt with them. To Gale’s surprise, Astarion didn’t immediately push her hands away, but as he watched, he saw Astarion’s hands moving quickly. The elf was up to something.
A few more seconds, and Astarion pushed Mystra back, face twisted in disgust. “What the fuck?! You can’t turn me straight!” he yelled. “Just leave me the fuck alone!”
Heads all over the bar turned to face them, and a few tittered to each other, distaste written on their features. The couple were well-known, and well-liked. A few took out their phones, no doubt to start filming, and the music cut out.
“That’s not what I said!” Mystra answered, looking around her nervously.
“Oh, I heard you clearly,” Astarion shot back. “It wasn’t hard to, while you were pawing at my chest!”
He stood, anger radiating from his body. “You don’t even want me for me. You want me because I’m engaged to your ex husband! This is all some fucked-up powerplay, and I’ll have no part in it!”
One of the waitstaff materialised at Mystra’s elbow. “Ma’am, you need to leave now.”
Mystra turned to the woman, Alfira. “He’s lying!”
“I most certainly am not!” Astarion retorted. “This woman has been harassing me all night!”
Another patron, Rolan, stepped forward. “He’s right. I saw it earlier, and she was staring at them while they danced. She looked so angry. I wouldn’t be surprised if she spilled the drink on purpose.”
Rolan flashed a look of concern at Gale. “Are you alright?”
Gale nodded back. Rolan had been one of the students who’d helped out in the library back when his divorce was being finalised. The pair had become friends soon after, and often met for drinks at this bar.
“I did nothing of the sort!” Mystra yelled vehemently. “It was an accident!”
“I’m sure the security footage would disagree,” Astarion shot back with a confident gleaming smirk.
Alfira made a gesture towards the bar, and Lakrissa, who was manning it, nodded, and reached for the phone.
“Gale, you know I’d never lie!” Mystra pleaded. “Tell them!”
Gale eyed her coldly. “Your track record with lies is well established. Our divorce was full of them. All the men you slept with behind my back, while claiming to be devoted to me, the excuses for not being at home, all of it.”
“I didn’t lie about that!” Mystra cried. “I just didn’t tell you!”
A titter of laughter ran through the patrons at that statement.
“In law,” Astarion stated, voice clipped. “We call that a ‘lie of omission’.”
Mystra turned to Gale. “You’re fucking the lawyer from our divorce?”
“No,” Gale answered. “I’m fucking the man who sees me for the person I am, not what she can drain from him. The man who loves me, and who I love in return with all my heart.”
Astarion flashed a quick smile at Gale. “I love it when you talk poetry.”
“Ugh!” Mystra wrinkled her nose. “Disgusting!”
A booming voice from the door interrupted them. “Alfira! Lakrissa said you have a patron who needs a butt-kicking! Minsc came as soon as he could at the news!”
The crowd parted to let Officer Minsc through, Officer Boo sitting at attention on his shoulder in his tiny uniform. Astarion breathed a sight of relief. The pair were also regulars at the bar. Minsc said Boo liked the snacks, but the elf had a suspicion the cop liked not getting hit on. Everyone knew he was asexual.
“Don’t you dare lay a finger on me!” Mystra snarled.
Astarion winced.
Boo squeaked in Minsc’s ear, and the massive human nodded. “Yes, Boo, I think we will have to arrest this one.”
“You can’t arrest me!” Mystra cried. “I haven’t done anything wrong!”
“You spilled a drink on Astarion and pawed at him!” Gale exclaimed.
“And then told him that you could make him straight, to try and steal him from Gale,” Rolan added.
“After harassing him,” Gale pointed out.
“And you refused to leave when asked to,” Alfira stated.
“Ah, you are causing trouble!” Minsc boomed. “Boo and I will make sure you stop.”
Minsc reached out, and gently took her upper arm. “We shall escort you out.”
“Don’t touch me!” Mystra snarled, slapping at the hand.
The bar fell silent.
Before Mystra could even realise what she’d done, Boo had launched himself at her, squeaking indignantly as he climbed up her hair. The woman put her hands up to grab him.
“Not the eyes, Boo!” Minsc cautioned, as he cuffed one of Mystra’s hands with practised ease.
Mystra struggled angrily, but it was no use against the living mountain now cuffing her other hand. Minsc gave her a gentle push towards the doors. “Now we go to the station. Luckily for you, it is only a few doors down.”
Defeated, Mystra allowed herself to be escorted out, her face like a thundercloud. The bar watched her go, and the music kicked back in on a new song. Astarion groaned as he sat. “Who the hell requested Lemon Demon’s ‘Two Trucks’?”
“I think it was Halsin,” Gale answered, gesturing to the huge elf dancing happily away.
“Ah, well, that does make sense. At least it wasn’t ‘No Cock Like Horse Cock’,” Astarion replied.
“I think he’s banned from requesting that,” Gale quipped, though it was clear his heart wasn’t really into the banter.
Astarion reached over the table, and took his hand. “Do you want to leave, darling?”
Gale sighed. “I’m not sure. Seeing her again brought up a lot of emotions I thought I had dealt with.”
“Then let’s go home. I can think of a few ways I can get her out of your head,” Astarion said, with a squeeze of his fiance’s hand.
“What did you have in mind?” Gale asked.
Astarion leaned forward. “I was thinking of that tentacle dildo on the fucking machine. Nice and slow, driving all your thoughts to the point of incoherency…”
Gale visibly perked up a little. “That sounds… good.”
“You know it does, darling. Come on, let’s go.” Astarion stood, and pulled Gale to his feet. “Let’s get you out of your head. But most of all, let’s get that bitch out first.”