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[illithidnapped]

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[illithidnapped]

[It's better, honestly. Not because he can't see the look on Bastien's face, but because of what's said if only to fill otherwise dead air— and how off guard the truth of it catches him.]

...I...

[Hm.]

I suppose you might be right.

[A pause, then, as though determined to switch tack:]

But maybe not more than what you have, I think.

[cozen]

No.

[ All quiet sincerity, for that word. A glimpse of raw beating heart. But then— ]

But I am the luckiest man in all of Thedas. An outlier. Anyone who holds their lives to the standard mine sets will wind up bitter and miserable. You must not do it.

[illithidnapped]

[He doesn't want to laugh at that, you know. It's far, far too easy a joke, and more than that, too rewarding: if he lets Bastien in on just how little it takes to make Astarion snort in earnest, he'll never—

Oh. No. Wait.

He already knows that.

(And besides, Astarion actually is laughing already, so.)]

Right, that's it. I've had all the talk of love and happiness I can stomach. Go on. Shoo.

Get out of here, and go back to winding yourself around the man tighter than his own belt.

[It's warm, for the record, his tone. And don't you dare bring it up.]