jiiicricket
She sees Cazador, beaten and broken on the ground.
"...I know." The words finally break free from her tightening throat. Her eyebrows furrow just enough as she meets his eyes again, her jaw sets. "That's why I can't, Astarion."
"...What?"
The dagger held in his palm glistens as it turns. With a tilt of his head, he searches her eyes for any give but he knows her answer is... final. Done. He can't talk her into this, and that more than anything proves to be the first and final nail in the coffin.
"Astarion, I need you to understand exactly what it is you're asking me to do. To understand why I'm saying no-"
"No." His expression contorts just slightly, grip tightening around the dagger, nostrils flaring in a way she's seen many times - but never once directed towards her. "I understand completely."
Elkyra can sense the line he just drew, a valley with it's connecting bridge reduced to glittering embers. The one she so carefully built, gone beneath her feet.
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This is an exploration of a headcanon idea I had, born from a bad dice roll.