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It was an odd thing. Astarion had never paid much attention to any one person - either because he just didn't care, or because Cazador was always a danger - so when he started to notice Tav's habits more often, he felt strangely elated. Not having to constantly watch his back for the dread vampire lord certainly helped.
He had taken to sleeping in her tent most nights, just enjoying her warmth and softness and the security of her next to him. They were often joined by Scratch and the owlbear cub, which lead to her tent being quite warm through the evenings. He didn't usually mind; when she was too warm, Tav would search for him in her sleep and hold him closer. One perk of being undead, he supposed.
Tav was also an early riser. Sometimes he would get up too, just to sit and enjoy the sunrise at her side, both of them not knowing when it could be his last. Other mornings, she would get up to run laps around their camp, and he would stay snug and warm in the tent with Scratch and the cub.
"Are you sure you don't want to run with me today?" She asked him, as she stretched her legs outside their tent. Astarion watched her from their bedroll as he lay on his stomach with his chin propped on his hands. "No thank you, my dear. I'm quite content to lay here in comfort and watch you work up a sweat." He replied with a lazy smile.
Scratch popped his furry white head up next to Astarion's and licked the side of his face. "Eugh, down, boy," said the vampire, as he pet the dog's fur. Tav chuckled and bent down to kiss the tops of both their heads. "I'm really glad you've taken to Scratch so well. He's the goodest boy." She said.
Astarion sighed and rolled his eyes. "Well, it was easy. You two are a lot alike. Now go for your run before I say something disgustingly saccharine." He huffed. She laughed and sprinted away.
He continued to pet Scratch, ruffling his fur with his hands, and the dogs tongue lolled out happily. Astarion chuckled and patted the top of his head. "You are just like your mama. Brave, kind, loyal, loving. Selfless. Charming. But also dumber than a bag of rocks...oh, don't give me that sad puppy look. That's mine, I practically invented it." Astarion said.
Today was a slow day. One of the rare occasions where they weren't fighting for their lives or chasing down leads. A day where their little found family could fuck off and entertain themselves or take care of business for the day. Some would stay at camp reading or chatting or plotting.
"Ow! You did that on purpose!" Shadowheart cried out. Tav had knocked the mace from her hand with a well-aimed smack to her wrist with the flat of her sword. She grinned, "Of course I did it on purpose. Now pick it up and try to block me. Again." Tav said.
Shadowheart grumbled and picked up her mace, her shield in the other hand, while Tav got into position. "Now when you see my sword coming at you from this angle," she turned her sword, the flat facing Shadowheart, "you need to flick your wrist like so." Said Tav, moving her wrist to demonstrate.
The younger woman tried it out, moving her wrist in the same motion a few times, her brow furrowed in concentration. "Good. Now, again!" Tav shouted and got into an offensive position with her longsword, then quickly advanced on Shadowheart. The girl successfully deflected her disarming blow, only for Tav to knock her shield out of her opposite hand.
"Gods! You didn't have to hit so hard!" Shadowheart whinged and cradled her hand close to herself. "Shit, are you okay?" Tav asked, dropping her sword to rush to Shadowheart's side.
"You didn't break anything, did you? Can I see?" She asked. Shadowheart slowly held her hand out and allowed Tav to examine it. She blushed as Tav's warm, calloused fingers gently touched her hand, probing for any injury. Shadowheart felt the familiar tingle flow through her as Tav channeled healing magic into her hand.
Shadowheart smiled shyly. "Your magic always feels like a warm hug." She said. Tav chuckled and gently let go of her hand. "Well, a good hug can be healing." She said with a smile, her eyes immediately scanning for a certain white-haired vampire.
"I think if I tried that, Astarion might appear with a dagger in hand." Shadowheart replied with a grin. "I think Wyll is hoping to spar with you next, so I'll go see the others and nurse my bruised ego." Said Shadowheart. Tav nodded and gave her a little wave as Shadowheart left their makeshift sparring ring.
Wyll bounced toward Tav with a spring in his step, while a few of the others drifted over to watch. The afternoon sun beat down on their camp while Wyll and Tav decided on the rules for their match. Tav walked to the edge of the ring where a small section of broken fence still stood.
"So you will duel the warlock. I look forward to watching him fight without his spells, to see if he can still make his enemy bleed." Lae'zel said. She passed Tav a waterskin, which she gratefully drank from, while Lae'zel watched Wyll. "Tchk. He has a fine form, for a demon." She said.
Tav grinned and handed back the waterskin. "Have you told him you like his stink yet?" She asked. Lae'zel clicked her tongue. "That didn't work well with you. Besides, he smells more of sulfur now." She replied.
The redhead chuckled as she removed her sweaty tunic and hung it over the broken fence. "Well, I think I was already starting to fall for someone else when you said that." Said Tav, smiling, as she watched Astarion approach them.
Lae'zel wrinkled her nose. "Yes. And now you smell like him, too." She said. Astarion clicked his tongue, "I disagree. She smells like sweat and blood, whereas I smell delightful." He said with a giggle. Tav smiled and leaned over to peck him on the cheek, causing Lae'zel to roll her eyes. Astarion grinned smugly at her.
"Tav! Are you done flirting over there?" Wyll called to her. "Coming!" She replied, then turned around and jogged over to him. Gale joined Astarion and Lae'zel as they watched Tav and Wyll behind to move in the ring.
Wyll had stripped down to his slacks and held his rapier at the side, while Tav was in her slacks and a bra, longsword at her belt. Sweat rolled down their bodies in the afternoon sun and Tav threw back her sweat-soaked hair more than once.
They fought, swords clanging as they charged, feinted and parried. Wyll would thrust his rapier, only to have it turned aside by her blade. Tav would swing her sword and strike nothing but air as his fencer's footwork moved him aside. Karlach whooped and cheered them on, while their little crowd gathered.
Tav's well-defined muscles flexed with every practiced movement, a sheen of sweat beading up on her freckled, sun-kissed skin. She moved gracefully, every muscle movement tightly controlled from years of practice and soldiering.
"How you do not bed that magnificent beast every night eludes me." Lae'zel remarked to Astarion, never taking her eyes off of Tav and Wyll.
Astarion chuckled. "Darling, just because we don't have sex doesn't mean I'm not wrapped up in those arms every night." He watched Tav's back as she sparred and sighed dreamily. "Sometimes I trace out the constellations in her freckles." He said.
Gale sighed and leaned on the fence with his chin in his hands. "The jealously is palpable. Mere mortals were not meant to glisten like that." Said Gale.
"Right, you guys know I'm also a statuesque goddess, and I'm available?" Karlach asked, with her hands on her hips. Lae'zel looked her up and down and narrowed her eyes. "Tchk. I do prefer your hair to hers. Tell me, do you think you could wrestle with a krrg'zaikil and win?" Lae'zel asked.
Karlach scratched her head. "No idea what the fuck that is, but sure! I'll try anything once. Hey Tav, mind if I spar with you next?" She shouted across the ring.
Wyll had tossed Tav a towel, and she walked towards Karlach while she patted the sweat from herself. "Of course! Grab your weapon and come on over." Tav said. Astarion handed her a waterskin which she gratefully drank from, then she kissed him on the cheek.
Tav and Karlach started to move into position. Astarion leaned over the fence, "Make me proud, darling!" He called to her with a wave. Tav turned to look at him, then flexed her arms and blew him a kiss. He smiled smugly at their friends.
"Shall we start taking bets?" Astarion asked with a grin.
Gale handed him a few gold coins. "If we ever run out of funds, you and Tav could start holding fights and make a killing." He said to the vampire.
Astarion laughed and collected gold from the rest of their party. "Ha! Parting fools from their coin is the one of the few crimes that Tav approves of."