Chapter Text
The wine bottle slammed on the wooden table, the glass clinking against the other empty bottles that stood. Corvus quietly laughed to himself, admiring his hard work before him. He felt a warmth spreading through his cheeks as his head buzzed like a honey bee to a hive.
“Another fallen soldier.” He grinned crookedly, his speech slurring.
“Feeling better now?” Astarion lifted his head from the table, his hair more wild than usual.
“I feel amazing!” Corvus laughed. “We should have done this ages ago!”
“See! I told you.” The vampire smirked, his head lulling a bit as his speech slurred as much as the drow’s. “You overwork yourself, darling! You’ve gotta cut loose every once and awhile. You can’t be brooding all the time. Trust me on that, you gotta find the balance.”
“Is this good then?”
“You are smiling, laughing and having fun. Yes, it’s good.”
“You know, I can’t believe we haven’t had a party after all these weeks together. Why haven’t we done this yet?”
Astarion pointed at the drow, although his hand swayed. “Because you’re too serious. And you can’t find a bloody good drink anywhere in the boonies.”
“But it’s kinda nice out here. A lot better than the Underdark.”
“Yes, but I’d like to go back to Baldur’s Gate if it’s all the same.”
“How many taverns are out there?”
“Oh lots, my friend. You got the Blushing Mermaid, the Elfsong, Three Old Kegs… um…” Astarion trailed off, thinking a long moment, then waved his hand dismissively. “There’s plenty. Easy to find one.”
“You’ll have to show me, give me a few tavern tours.”
“Oh yes, indeed we will.” The vampire nodded as he reached for another bottle. “They’d have better drinks that this awful wine here-”
Astarion tilted the wine back, his eyes opening as he pulled it away from his lips, shaking it upside down. Corvus raised a lazy brow.
“Are we already out?”
“Maybe."
Astarion and Corvus both reached for random bottles on the table, both men frowning when each one was empty.
“There’s gotta be more somewhere, Astarion.”
“You would think with all the bottles we’ve found that-”
A figure walking some ways behind Corvus caught the vampire’s attention. Astarion squinted a long time trying to figure out who the blurry person was, then his eyes lit up. He leaned across the table to Corvus, whispering louder than he thought.
“Did you get enough of that liquid courage?”
“For?”
Astarion grinned, pointing behind Corvus. The drow turned around, squinting at the figure walking behind him into focus before his eyes shot open. He spun back to Astarion, feeling his face burn as he pretended he didn’t see them.
“You think I should go for it?”
“Darling, I have all the faith in the world you can get that druid on top of you by the end of the night!”
Corvus raised a cheeky brow. “What if I want him under me by the end of the night?”
“If that happens, I want to hear all about it.”
They both turned and looked at Halsin again, who was walking around camp picking up empty bottles that littered the ground. They both grinned as he passed, blissfully unaware of their conversation. Astarion slapped the table.
“What are you waiting for? Go pounce on the druid!”
“You sure you don’t want to? I mean, maybe we can do it together.”
“What, like you, Halsin, and I? In the same bed?”
“Pfft. He’d probably want to do it in the woods. But yes.”
“I didn’t realize you were a little freak.” The vampire grinned teasingly.
“There’s lots of things I like, Astarion. I just like to keep the mystery going.”
“As fun as that sounds, I thought you didn’t want to have sex with me?”
“Well… maybe? You’ve asked me twice now, might as well.”
Astarion frowned. “Just because I asked doesn’t mean you need to. Besides, I sort of like the idea of this thing we have now the more I think about it. I’ve never really had a friend before.”
Astarion felt his face grow warm accidentally admitting that, but Corvus only drunkenly smiled.
“Yeah, I think I prefer this too honestly. But I was just throwing it out there since you asked. I could care less either way.”
“Well, I’d rather not have sex with you if it’s all the same. Wouldn’t want to ruin this little alliance we have now because we’re both a little drunk, now would we?”
“Never ever.”
“Then it’s settled. You go sink your teeth in the druid and I'll find something to sink into mine-" As Astarion stood, he nearly fell over the table. The vampire quickly grabbed the cedar edges and sat himself back down. "...Or, I’ll just root for you from here… Until everything stops spinning at least.”
“Sounds fair.” Corvus grinned. “And, we’ll do this again when we reach Baldur’s Gate?”
“Oh, for certain, darling! Where the drinks taste better!” Astarion looked over the drow’s shoulder, then hit his arm playfully, pointing at Halsin again. Corvus nodded and finally stood to his feet, the camp tilting around him.
The night had already escalated far more than Corvus and Astarion intended, but now with their heads buzzing, neither of them cared.
Corvus himself wasn’t a stranger to drinking, but he hadn’t cut loose like this in a long time. He forgot how much alcohol calms his nerves.
As a guild master in the Underdark, he was always self conscious of how much he drank. Anything from a noble drow’s hired assassin hidden among their ranks waiting to kill him to a ravenous rogue beast bursting through their floors was always on Corvus’ mind when he was in the Underdark. Mix alcohol with that and he would have died years ago.
He told himself he wasn’t going to drink at the tiefling party in fear of similar reasons. He knew how he was when he drank too much: loud, reckless, bold… not the qualities wanted in a leader. However after settling in with so many allies and seeing there was no real danger tonight, Corvus decided he deserved a break. He had been through so much between losing his guild, the tadpole insertion, and saving the grove, he and the others deserved a night of fun.
Just a few drinks, that’s all he would have.
Well… that was the original plan.
When the party began, he kept to himself for some time. He wandered away from camp and found Wyll alone, joining him for a drink on the bank for a while and talking about their lives prior to the tadpole as they watched the water ripple and flow ahead of them.
After almost finishing a bottle, Wyll insisted Corvus go relax and mingle with the others. The drow, feeling a little more at ease after drinking most of a wine bottle, took the advice and headed back to camp. However, before he returned, he froze when he heard a faint rustle in the bushes close to him. When he approached, a dwarven woman appeared. Her eyes grew big for a moment, as did Corvus’, then his face darkened.
“I don’t remember inviting you here… or meeting you for that matter. Who are you?”
“You and I will have plenty of time to speak, but not tonight.” She said with a charming smile. “This is a night of celebration! You should enjoy it while it lasts.”
“Is that a threat?” The drow nearly hissed.
“Of course not, you and I are on the same side.”
“And what side is that?”
“The one where we fix the tadpoles- or, where you and the boss fix the tadpoles.”
“Who’s your boss?”
“Another time.” She insisted, although kept her tone sweet. “Just know the boss wants you to celebrate tonight and not think of such things for now. He says it would be good for you to have a little break before things get worse.”
“Do not bounce around my question.” Corvus commanded. “Who is your boss-?”
With one fell burst of magic, the dwarven woman was engulfed in ash, disappearing before Corvus’ very eyes. He coughed and swiped at the air as ash flew in his lungs. As it settled, he could smell the air of magic left behind, the vaguely familiar scent making the pit in Corvus’ stomach drop.
Sulfur and cherry.
The only time he had ever smelled such a combination was when he first met that devil, Raphael. The realization that hit him soon after made him sick.
That devil was spying on them.
How long has this been going on? How did Corvus not notice?
Normally, he would have perched himself somewhere like a raven, watching for every move and every interaction that happened at the party looking for any more unwelcome guests while allowing the others to be blissfully unaware until morning. But he wasn’t a raven, nor was he completely sober.
Instead, the idea of it all made him grow restless. He swiftly left the bushes, his eyes darting around camp for anything else suspicious. So far, everything seemed normal. Then, a mellifluous voice called out to him.
“Ahahahaa! I see you finally found the wine!”
Astarion, also with a wine bottle in hand, waved Corvus over. The drow’s eyes grew wide. Surly, he of all people would understand, seeing how the vampire was the most like-minded person in camp Corvus knew.
He quickly paced over to Astarion, the elf taking a sip from his bottle.
“Terrible, isn’t it?” The vampire said haughtily. “It’s a good thing I’m desperate to get this tension out of my system after these last few weeks, lest I would have thrown this rubbish in the river by now. Are you enjoying this awful wine too?”
“You haven’t seen anyone suspicious tonight, have you Astarion?”
The vampire raised a brow. “No, I can’t say I have. Why?”
“I think I just met one of Raphael’s associates.”
“Really? Where?”
“Snooping in the bushes. She smelled just like that wretched House of Hope that the devil whisked us off to.”
“Well… That’s troubling.”
“Do you want to hunt with me then? I’d like to send a message to Raphael, if it’s all the same.”
Astarion’s face beamed. “A murder at a party? Now that sounds like it would liven things up!”
“Then let’s go.”
“Where are we off to? The wine barrels? The river? Gale’s tent? Oh please let her be near Gale’s tent! He would be so furious if we drenched his tent with blood. Can you imagine? It would be hilarious!”
“We’ll go outside of camp. Patrol a little.”
The vampire frowned, rolling his eyes. “Ugh! Patrol?I thought she was here.”
“She was, but she might come back.”
“I doubt it if you met her.”
“Maybe that’s what Raphael wants us to think.”
“I think you’re being paranoid, darling.”
Corvus frowned. “Paranoid? Did you not hear me? We are being spied on by Raphael.”
“Perhaps we have for some time. How else would he have known our situation when we first met?”
“That’s what I’m worried about, Astarion.”
“Which is the problem. What are you able to do about it, right now, specifically?”
“I don’t know? Patrol around camp, make sure she's really gone?”
“You truly think she’s already come back after you just ran into her?”
“I don’t know, maybe? What would you suggest then?”
Astarion smiled, grabbing the almost empty bottle of wine from Corvus’ hand and trading it with his freshly opened one.
“I think you need to relax and enjoy yourself for once, my dear. There’s nothing you can do about it now, so you might as enjoy the night.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“Oh, I am. Have yourself a little fun, why don’t you? Maybe see if you can sneak off in the night with that druid you keep gawking at and have a little one-on-one time with him.”
Corvus slowly blinked as he felt his face grow hot. He nearly snorted as he shifted in place.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, don’t be coy, darling.” Astarion leaned closer, cheekily grinning. “I was wondering why you didn’t want to spend the night with me last week, then we spoke to that druid again and the look on your face? It all made sense.”
“What look?"
“The one you have right now where you are trying to be the hardened drow you want everyone to believe you to be, but those bright red cheeks just give you away.”
That made Corvus’ face grow hotter, and the vampire only laughed more.
“See? Look at you now! You’re smitten-”
“I am NOT ‘smitten’.” Corvus hissed, “Especially with the druid. Karlach? Absolutely, but not Halsin.”
“I don’t knooow.” Astarion sang, “You’ve had your eyes on him all day…”
“I have not-”
“Ah. Speak of the devil. Hello, Halsin!"
Corvus nearly shot up and stumbled over his own feet to turn around when Astarion glanced behind him. The smile Corvus didn’t even realize had appeared vanished just as quickly when he saw no one was behind him. Astarion barked out a laugh.
“HahaHAAA! See? You’re smitten!”
“f*ck off.”
“Oh don’t be an ass, just admit it! You like the druid and who can blame you? He seems your type.”
“A tree hugging elf is not my type.”
“That part, maybe not yet, but a person at least a head taller than you and twice as wide certainly is, what with how openly fond of Karlach you are.”
Corvus bit his tongue, his ears turning red the longer Astarion stared at him with that knowing smirk.
“You might as well just admit it, darling. You don’t have to be shy. We’re friends! You can tell me anything.”
Corvus rolled his eyes, then finally huffed.
“...Fine. Halsin is… conventionally attractive. There. Are you happy?”
“Hmm… Not yet!”
Astarion grabbed Corvus by the shoulder and spun him around, gripping and ushering him along through camp. Corvus raised a brow, looking back at Astarion as the vampire hummed. Then, the drow’s eyes grew wide as he realized they were walking towards Halsin’s tent.
“W-What are you doing?”
“Making sure you stop overworking yourself tonight and have a little fun.”
Corvus whipped his head in front of him again, now seeing Halsin wasn’t that far, the druid kneeling on the ground as he sorted through a bag.
“ASTARION, WAIT-”
“Off you go!”
Astarion pushed Corvus as hard as he could. Halsin’s head shot up as Corvus tripped over his own feet, nearly tumbling on top of the druid and dropping the wine bottle. Halsin quickly grabbed Corvus before he could fall to the ground, instead falling in his arms.
“Careful there!” Halsin laughed. “Are you alright?”
Corvus’ face felt as if it was on fire when he locked eyes with the druid, especially when he realized Halsin was practically holding him now.
“I-I… um… Sorry.”
Halsin only smiled. “It is quite alright. Just make sure to watch where you step. Your camp has quite a bit of rocks laid about-”
“Hm mm. Thanks.” Corvus said quickly as he scurried to his feet and briskly left the druid. Halsin’s smile faded as he watched Corvus vanish, then the druid shrugged, going back to rooting through his bag.
At this point, anyone would have thought Corvus was running a fever with how much he was sweating and tinged the skin of his face was. He tried his best to ignore the other tieflings and companions as he brushed past everyone, but especially Rolan when he co*cked a smug grin as Corvus passed.
“Having a little trouble tonight, ‘hero’?”
“Go f*ck yourself you sh*t eating wizard!”
“It’s sorcerer.”
“Same thing!”
"It really isn't. Someone with half a brain would know the difference."
"Do you always need to run your mouth? Do you evenknowwho you are speaking to?"
"And do you know whoyouare speaking to?"
"A tielfing who doesn't know how to shut his f*cking mouth."
"Ouch, you wound me with an insult I have heard one hundred times."
"Then maybe read the room."
"Aww... is our savior a little pouty because he can't talk to the druid?" Rolan tutted. "How embarrassing for you."
Corvus said nothing else and kept walking, no matter how much he wanted to jump across camp and tear into that arrogant tiefling for lipping off to a guild master. He quickly hid himself behind someone’s tent, burying his face in his hands and grumbling.
"You know, I thought you were smoother than this.”
Corvus frowned at Astarion, who seemingly appeared out of thin air beside him, leaning against a large boulder.
“I am when I work at my own pace!” Corvus snapped. “Why the hells would you do that?!”
“Because you obviously weren’t going to make a move on your own. What’s the deal with you, anyway? You have no problem declaring your heart to anyone else when you want to get in their pants.”
“I don’t know!” Corvus blurted out. “Halsin is… different. I can’t explain it. It pisses me off I can't even have a conversation alone him without becoming a rambling mess! I’ve never had this problem with anyone in my LIFE.”
“Obviously. It’s shocking really. You remind me of an adolescent boy trying to talk to a girl for the first time. It’s rather difficult to watch.”
Corvus glared at Astarion, before sighing and running his hands through his hair, gripping his scalp.
“I don’t know what to do now that he’s staying in camp, Astarion. I can’t be like this all the way to Baldur’s Gate!”
“Maybe tonight’s your chance to work through this then.” Astarion grinned before hooking his arm through Corvus’. “Come along. I have an idea that might help.”
“No way. You’re not throwing me at Halsin again!”
“That’s not what I was going to do! This idea is more practical.”
Corvus’ gait was unsteady as he walked with his chin high towards Halsin. The night had grown more quiet since he and Astarion settled at their table of wine, both drinking much more than intended. Corvus could feel Astarion’s eyes on him from the table as he strides towards Halsin, but any nervousness he had before was now gone.
Astarion was right. A few bottles of wine was exactly what he needed.
Or did he say just one?
The drow’s eyes beamed when Halsin looked in his direction. The druid held a bottle in his hand, setting it on a table near his tent as he cleaned up the after party. Corvus couldn’t stop the crooked grin that formed on his face when Halsin met his gaze.
Halsin couldn’t help but smile either the moment Corvus stumbled in his direction and opened his mouth, as if already knowing what was about to unfold.
“Hey you.”
“It’s good to see you again, Corvus. Are you enjoying the party so far?”
"I am... but I'd enjoy it more if I had some more indulging company with me." Corvus waggled his brow at the druid."
Halsin chuckled. “I appreciate the visit, but you really should not waste this night on me. You have many people who I’m sure would love to indulge in your company.”
“If I thought I was wasting my time on you, I wouldn’t bother speaking to you, archdruid.”
“Hmmf. Fair enough.” Halsin’s eyes scanned the drow as he examined his posture, then quickly glanced over his shoulder to Astarion, who quickly looked away, although the pale elf couldn’t stop smiling either. Halsin’s brow faintly shot up. “I see you’ve been having a bit of well deserved fun among friends."
“I have,” Corvus had to grab the table as he swayed, “Lots of fun, but I’m not ready to call it a night just yet.”
“Oh, I could tell.”
“Could you now…?” Corvus bit the bottom of his lip, leaning more against the table as his grin widened. “I didn’t know you had been keeping an eye on me, archdruid.”
“I have. You seemed… distracted earlier. I was surprised to see you spending much of the beginning of the party alone. In truth, I wasn’t sure if something had soured your mood or something was weighing on your mind, but I’m glad to see I was wrong.”
“You weren’t entirely wrong, but that’s tomorrow’s problem.” Corvus tapped the wine bottle on the table. “But if you’re so worried about me being alone… How about you and I share a drink?”
Halsin smirked, his brow raising as he laughed. “In truth, I rarely imbibe. The stuff goes right to my head.”
“You don’t have to worry about that.” Corvus purred. “I’ll keep you safe, big man.”
Halsin couldn’t help but snort a laugh at the much smaller drow.
“I’m sure you could after all you’ve faced so far. But, perhaps it is wise I do not indulge in the wine tonight.”
“Perhaps you’d rather indulge in something else then…? Or someone?”
The drow gave a knowing grin to the druid, leaning on the table more. Halsin shook his head, but his smile remained.
“Hmm… As tempting as it sounds, I think it would be best if I passed on indulging in anything tonight. I'm content at the moment.”
“We could always just chit chat then. I barely know a thing about you, other than the fact that I find it nearly impossible to take my eyes off you. It’s like a sweet, savory treat for my eyes every time I see you.”
“Oak Father, preserve you.” Halsin finally burst out a hearty laugh. “I must ask, how much wine have you had tonight?”
Corvus took the bottle from the table, biting into the cork and spitting it out. He took a sip and smiled at Halsin again.
“Beats me. I stopped counting after 4 bottles.”
“I see that.” Halsin smirked, quickly glancing at Astarion again, who tried to hide himself behind the empty bottles on the table. “Do not take offense to this, but I think you may be close to your limit tonight, my friend.”
“Pfft. No way. What makes you say that?”
“You’ve grown quite bold with me this evening.”
“Oh, but I am bold.” Corvus cooed. “And adventurous. I’ll try just about anything and anyone.”
Halsin looked down at his feet, trying his best not continue laughing at the drunk drow on his table. “How about this: we can spend some time together tomorrow if you still feel up to it by then.”
“Aw, come on Halsin! The night is still young! We might not get this chance again! I can make your night memorable! We can share a bottle of wine, go for a nice little walk out in the woods, lay under the stars, just the two of us- hell, you ever been skinny dipping? There is a perfectly nice body of water on the other side of camp. We could get to know each other really well there… What do you say?”
Although his grin never left, Halsin’s voice was more stern.
“The answer is no, I’m afraid. Besides. Whether you realize it or not, you've already made this night memorable. I'll remember this for a longtime. Perhaps we could do such activities another time... preferably when you are sober."
“Ah. I see…” Corvus frowned. That was disappointing, but he nodded understandably. Corvus’s eyes narrowed playfully though as realization hit him. “But just to be clear, you’re not saying no to tomorrow?”
“If you still feel like discussing a night of passion when you are sober, then no, I am not.”
“Yes!” Corvus whispered. He poked Halsin’s chest, his confidence now soaring. “I promise you come tomorrow, you will have the time of your life. I’m quite versatile.”
“We shall see. You strike me as extremely… resourceful.”
“I’ll just have to show you how resourceful I can be. My actions are far louder than my words.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing how vocal your actions are then,” Halsin grinned, “Because I have a feeling you may find yourself growing hoarse rather quickly after just a few minutes of spending time with me.”
Corvus nearly spit the wine from his mouth, fumbling to put the bottle upright on the table.
“W-Well… I better get some rest then.”
“Take care of yourself, Corvus.”
The drow stood, star eyed at Halsin for a long moment, then quickly scurried away with a smile back to the table, feeling his heart throb against his chest and Halsin chuckling to himself again. Astarion perked up as the drow got close, staggering to his feet and meeting Corvus.
“You look like you're about to keel over.”
“You’re a f*cking genius!!!” Corvus grabbed the vampire by the shoulders. “Me. Halsin. f*cking. Tomorrow.”
“Really?”
“Mm hm! Come tomorrow morning I will be riding the druid!” Corvus playfully punched Astarion in the arm over and over, giggling with glee. “You’re the best, my pointy toothed friend!”
“I am, aren’t I?” The vampire said with his chin high. “I told you you'd have no troubles getting him in your tent! What would you do without me, darling?”
Corvus hooked his arm through the vampire’s, both men leaning on each other trying not to fall over as they stumbled back to their tents. “Not get my confidence back, that’s for sure!”
“Are you sure you’re going to be this confident come morning?”
“Without a doubt! Probably need to grab a bite to eat and sober up quicker."
"A bite to eat...?" Astarion pondered. "I wonder how that works with a vampire?"
"You've never gotten drunk before?"
"Oh I've been drunk plenty of times, darling." Astarion had smiled, but quickly frowned, "But Cazador never let me have enough blood to feed on to ever find out whether it would sober me up quicker or not. I wonder if blood would work the same as food."
A wide grin formed on Corvus’ lips.
"Only one way to find out, Fangs."
