Cold Hearted: BG3 fanfic

Chapter One: Night talking

"Do you ever stop mumbling?" A rather annoying yet familiar voice distracts me from my concentration. Astarion. He stares at me with mocking eyes. 

I avoid his gaze, instead deciding to admire the starry night sky. Millions of glistening balls of light, illuminating the beautiful outdoors. Laying back in my bedroll, I prepare to slip back into blissful concentration. 

"Hello? Are you trying to ignore me?" 

I grumble, "What do you want?" 

"You're mumbling. It's annoying, I'm trying to rest." I roll my eyes. 

"Astarion, you don't need sleep, what's the problem?" 

"That's why I said rest. Sleep and rest are different concepts, you know." He gives me a smug look. "And the problem is all I can hear is your incoherent chatter, not the sweet birds or calming breeze. Just you."  

"The tadpole makes it difficult to focus.. hence the mumbling."

"I have one of those wretched things in my head too, you don't hear me mumbling." 

I huff in annoyance, turning over. 

"Why aren't you just asleep like everyone else? Well besides me." He smirks playfully. "Are you staying up to spend more time with me? How sweet." 

"No.  I'm trying to plan out our next adventure." 

He feigns excitement, leaning in closer, "Ooo~ Well, don't keep me in suspense, is it as thrilling as our last adventure where you got side tracked by two bandits and explored these ruins. Spending the rest of the time trying not to die at the hands of the undead and more bandits?" 

"Shadowheart was intrigued." 

"Oh yes, we must do what Shadowheart says! After all she's an expert on standing around whilst we're all getting killed!"  

"Killed? You're not getting killed! You're getting downed! And Shadowheart is excellent in fights!" 

"Downed is still bad!" 

"Did you forget all the interesting things we found? All the skills we honed and that mysterious figure we potentially allied? That "Side track" was totally worth it!" 

"If you say so." 

"So, About tomorrow!" I begin, taking no notice of Astarion pretending to show interest. "Druid's Grove might be a good place to explore. There's bound to be a talented healer around somewhere!" 

"There's rumours about a rite happening there as well. So, that might be of some interest." 

"I see, that's your plan.. Well, as long as we stick to doing things of importance instead of roaming around wherever our adventurous spirit takes us, we should be alright." He smirks at me, a patronising look in his eye.

"What's that supposed to mean?" 

"You tend to be a little reckless and lack priorities, Darling."

"Don't call me Darling."  

He smirks at me, raising an eyebrow, "Oh? Would you prefer another name? Dearest? Sweetheart? Tease?" 

"Ugh.. Regardless! I'm planning! People that lack priorities don't usually plan out everything based on important priorities!" 

  "This is the first time I've heard of you planning, Darling." 

"Well! At least I do something at camp!" I angrily retort. "All you do is hunt and read your stupid books!" 

He smirks, his red eyes glimmering into mine, leaning closer, he gives me a knowing look. 

"I wouldn't need to hunt, if you perhaps, gave me another bite~" 

I cringe, my whole body tensing in disgust, "Ugh.. No! Fuck off!"

 As I shove Astarion away from me, Gale lets out an irritated groan. "Oh gods! Could you two please, show some more consideration for the other members of your group? I'm trying to get some well deserved rest."

I nod softly, "Right.. Sorry Gale.." 

"Such an attitude change! Do you play favourites, Darling?" 

 "No. But I know whose my least favourite." Saying this, I close my eyes, shutting out  Astarion's snarky come back.