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Gale had never personally been religious like his mother, but he remembered going to services with her. She came to him, telling him all about the way that the church needed a nighttime Sexton. He wasn’t intending to do anything but brush her off, but ended up applying, as he honestly needed the money, since his classes don’t run during the summer. This is how he found himself sitting in this little off building from the church, trying to find the little clipboard that the priest mentioned, with his work checklist on it. After poking around for a good five minutes, he finds it and looks it over. Hmmm…let’s see. Basic walkthrough, grave check, recording the settling levels of the newly buried…Seems easy enough. Gale tugs on his jacket, a gray three-quarter length coat his mom got him, taking a sip of his lukewarm coffee before he goes out.
He’s never been one to feel creeped out by spooky places, but he can’t help but feel unnerved. The dark shadows seem to absorb the light from the streetlamps, which run along the fence of the graveyard. Gale pulls up his little map of the grave plots, so he knows which to check for settling. Oh, only four. Good, should be quick…
Gale starts making his way around the graveyard, starting with the left side. This particular graveyard is shaped like a square, with a big mausoleum in the center, made to hold important figures of the church. He takes his notes on the condition of each grave, marking those that will need to be cleaned by the daytime Sexton, who he has yet to meet. He gets to the very back of the graveyard, marking his list, when he sees something that catches his attention.
Under a rather beautiful weeping willow tree lies a grave that at first glance seems normal, albeit recently buried. Gale checks his list, confused. A. Ancunin (buried 268 DR) What?! That’s near two hundred years ago… The headstone is covered in vines, so Gale cannot read what it says directly, but he knows if his paper is correct, this grave should not be disturbed. His hair instantly stands on end, and his mind begins racing. What if someone tampered with the corpse?! He eventually collects himself enough to regain his senses. He jots down a little note to the daytime Sexton: A. Ancunin’s grave disturbed, check footage. Gale frowns, going about his task, feeling very…off.
The rest of Gale’s night is calm and without incident, though he can’t help but look around anxiously. I need to calm down. I’m acting like some scared little schoolboy. He finishes taking his notes, intending to head inside and sit and watch the cameras until the end of his shift, however something catches his eye. He could have sworn he saw glowing red eyes over the fence. Fuck all of that.
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Gale clocks in the next night, feeling a little on edge. He can’t explain why, but he feels a very powerful sensation of foreboding. Odd. He walks into the little gate office, gathering the same things that he needed for the last night. On the camera monitor, the morning Sexton left a sticky note. It reads: checked the cameras, no video for that time. They’ve always been shoddy anyway, so that isn’t surprising. How fun, I get to make sure someone hasn’t dug up their dead wife or some shit… He grabs his coffee, downing it, hoping for some bravery like something stronger would provide, and heads out with his little clipboard.
The first few areas go by without incident, everything going well. Only a few graves need cleaning, which he marks on the sheet, and everything else looks fine. He pokes his head in the mausoleum, making little notes. He hates how still the air is in here, dust motes flittering around in the yellow overhead light. A little sound makes him jump, his eyes snapping to the source. Just a little mouse, running across the ground and behind one of the tombs. Fucking hells… He finishes up his notes over the mausoleum, marking that someone needs to come fill in any holes where the mice could get in.
When Gale leaves, something feels off. Horribly so. He’s dreading the walk over to that grave, but he knows he has to do it. He walks down the weathered cobblestone path Thunk. A bolt of icy dread runs straight down Gale’s spine at the sound of wood being hit. His gaze snaps around, looking for the source of the sound. He walks around, eventually realizing that it’s coming from around the tree. The blood drains from Gale’s face and Gale goes still, staring at the grave with wide eyes. Thunk. Gale barely has the time to take a step before a muffled shriek pierces the air, followed by desperate scratching and more thunks. Eventually, Gale gathers himself enough to rush over to the grave, his body shaking. “Hey?! Calm down!” Calm down? Good going, Dekarios. Whoever is currently trying to get out of a coffin in a grave Oh hells… has gone silent, except for panicked little sobs that make Gale’s heart hurt. Gale’s tone is calmer, trying to soothe the poor being stuck under the earth. “I’m here for you, I won’t leave.” A shaky sob and whimper in answer is all he gets, but he knows he wouldn’t be able to talk in this situation either, so he’s not perturbed. “I don’t have a shovel, so you’ll have to get out yourself. I’ll do what I can to help you from up here.” Gale starts digging with his hands, but he can’t make much progress. Each thump is accompanied by a pained whimper, which Gale can only assume is due to injury. Crack. “Good, you’ve broken the wood. You’ve got this, friend.” Gale keeps digging, making a tiny little divot. The dirt begins to slowly inch downward as the person below him makes progress scratching at the soil. Gale can hear their whimpers and sobs clearer, before a bloody, splintered and damaged hand breaches the soil. “Hey! I can see your hand, okay? You’re doing so well.” Gale hesitates before very gently petting the palm of their hand, letting them know he’s here. With a hitched sob from the person, the hand flexes around his, holding on for dear life. Gale feels his heart crumble, and he starts digging around the hand. “It’ll be okay, we’re going to get you out…” A few more shovels from Gale and the person leads to another arm coming loose. Gale backs up, giving them space to clamber out.
Oh gods… This poor person, now half out of the dirt, looks absolutely shattered. Gale moves over, kneeling by the poor man. “Shh, you’re alright. You’re out.” The man sobs more, not from despair anymore, but with relief. Gale wraps his arms around the elf’s midsection, cradling him for a moment, before lightly lifting. The man gasps with pain, causing Gale’s eyes to snap to his midsection. “Your ribs…? Alright, I’ll be careful…” Gale slides his palms lower, cradling the man’s hip bones. He lightly lifts the elf, slowly wiggling his thighs out of the dirt. Eventually, the elf is completely freed, and Gale cradles his limp form against his chest. “There we go. Deep breaths.” The man’s deep ruby eyes meet Gale’s deep brown ones, one reflecting warmth and tenderness and the other filled with fear and apprehension. The elf coughs up some dirt, trying to speak but getting choked up on the material trapped in his lungs. Gale softly rubs up and down along the elf’s spine, frowning when he feels the overexposed nobs of his vertebral column. “Ack!...Um…hello?” Astarion aims for soft and flippant, but his voice is completely wrecked, so it falls flat. “Hello. I’m Gale, the Sexton here. And you are?” Astarion coughs softly again, rubbing his breastbone with his fingertips. “My name’s Astarion. Thank you…for removing me from that blasted grave.” Astarion sags into Gale, too tired and thirsty to hold himself up.
Gale knows he needs to ask the question that is thick in the air. “Why were you buried down there?” Astarion tenses against Gale, warring with what he should admit. He decides truth might be best, but he doesn’t relax. “Darling, have you ever heard of a vampire master?” Gale nods, trying not to go into full professor mode. “Yes, I have…why?” Astarion nods, lightly playing with the button on Gale’s jacket. “So…I’m a spawn and my master thought I deserved being buried for not bringing him some prey…” Astarion rambles bitterly, frowning. When Gale speaks, Astarion’s eyes go wide with shock, and he looks up with big eyes. “Okay. So, you just need somewhere safe and maybe some blood?” Astarion gapes for a few seconds, before clearing his throat and nodding. “That would be…greatly appreciated, but I don’t have anyone you could call.” Gale frowns, responding in a slower, soothing voice. “You can stay with me, friend. I know we barely know each other, but I have more house than I know what to do with, as of late.” Astarion blinks, vulnerability flashing across his face. His voice is small and nervous when he speaks. “…really?” Gale laughs, and even though he’s just met this little vampire spawn, his laugh is fond. “Yes, really, you silly bat.” Astarion is absolutely miffed by Gale’s comment, giving him a faux offended look, his charm coming back to him rapidly. He sets a hand on his chest and gives Gale pathetic eyes. “Silly bat?! You are so cruel to me.” Gale chuckles, getting to his feet and lightly hauling the spawn into his arms, one under his knees and another under his back. Gale carefully sets Astarion in the desk chair while he gets his things. Astarion spins around like a toddler, which warms Gale’s heart. To go through what the spawn has and be able to giggle while spinning is truly amazing. Gale shakes himself off and carries Astarion to his car, setting him in the passenger seat and buckling him in. Gale got his fussy nature from his mom, but he has a sneaking suspicion that fussing is exactly what Astarion could use.
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After the drive home, which was filled with banter and getting to know his new roommate, Gale shuts the car off and carries Astarion inside. He carefully balances the vampire on his hip like an overgrown toddler while he fumbles with his keys. Astarion giggles like a little brat, kicking his legs to further accentuate the childish position that Gale has him in. Once Gale manages to get the door open, he adjusts Astarion back to the bridal carry, leading him into Gale’s home.
The interior is decorated just like his work office, cluttered but very homey. He lays Astarion on his leather couch, examining the spawn for any injuries. “Are you hurt?” Astarion waggles his splintered, bloody, and bruised hands at Gale, smirking. “You tell me, professor.” Gale sighs, already exasperated with how flippant and silly Astarion can be about his traumatic experience. Gale lightly hauls the vampire into his arms, to deal with his wounds. He deposits the elf on his kitchen counter, going to collect things from his bathroom, so he can treat the spawn’s injuries. When he returns, he sees said spawn all snuggled up with Tara. His heart goes mushy at the adorable sight. “Aww, Tara! It’s good that you two are getting acquainted.” Astarion gives Tara his lap space, extending his hands for Gale to treat. As Gale begins cleaning them, he feels a small surge of emotion, like a warmth growing in his chest at the domesticity of the moment. He starts getting the splinters out of Astarion’s hand, being gentle and keeping him comfortable. He shoots Tara a thankful look, for providing the emotional comfort Astarion needs. Gale finishes the care with some anti-inflammatory cream, before releasing his hands.
“Alright. That should do it.” Gale gives Astarion a reassuring smile, which is met with a shaky and anxious smile. “Hey, can I shower? All this dirt really is icky, darling…” Astarion aims for confident and flippant, but he sounds more anxious and hoping for validation. “Of course! Use mine, it’s the only one with soap.” Gale hooks Astarion under his legs and lifts him up, carrying him to the bathroom. Suddenly, Gale realizes that Astarion can’t stand properly, meaning they’ll have to shower together. “Hey…uh…do you need help?” Astarion nods sheepishly, biting his lip with a fang. Gale takes a deep inhale, vowing to be nice and chaste, maintaining the elf’s dignity. He lifts Astarion and puts one of the elf’s arms over his shoulders, Gale’s other hand holding Astarion’s hip, while the spawn undresses. Gale keeps his gaze on the wall, carefully undressing himself so his clothes don’t get wet. Gale meets Astarion’s eyes, a hot flush spreading across his cheeks. “Mhm…well…” Gale turns the water on and climbs in the shower, supporting Astarion as he starts rinsing off. Gale focuses on the dark red water running down the drain, a mix of soil and blood, his hand subconsciously rubbing against Astarion’s ribs. A shy tug on Gale’s arm breaks him out of his thoughts, his gaze meeting Astarion’s. “Can you wash my hair? My hands still hurt…” Gale nods, smiling warmly. He pours some shampoo into his hair, lathering it into his dirty scalp. He cleans the blood and dirt out of Astarion’s hair, his fingers gently scratching at the scalp. Gale’s fingers are enough to pull a purr from the spawn, which causes more warmth to bubble up in his heart, something Mystra never got out of him. “You’re so…sweet.” Astarion smiles softly, leaning up against Gale’s warm chest. “Thanks, darling…” He trails off, distracted by Gale’s chest hair. As an elf, Astarion has no body hair, which makes Gale some sort of a novelty with his hairy chest. His eyes are filled with childlike wonder as he runs his fingertips through the soft curls, his touch gentle and curious. Gale blinks down at Astarion, his cheeks a deep red color. “Um, what are you doing?” Astarion only just realized how forward he is acting, and if he could blush, he would be bright pink. “Ah! Um…sorry…” Astarion pulls his hand back, albeit reluctantly. After a few seconds, Gale carefully sets Astarion’s hand back on his chest, letting him touch, Gale’s cheeks burning. “It’s okay…I liked it…” Gale clears his throat, rinsing the elf’s hair and trying to avoid the vampire’s gaze. He lifts Astarion onto the bathroom mat, wrapping them both in a towel, so the weak spawn doesn’t catch a cold.
He sets Astarion on the bed gingerly, walking away to get dressed and getting Astarion some pajamas. Gale tugs on boxers and a loose t shirt, with a pawprint on the front that he got for free when he adopted Tara, getting Astarion a matching set his mom bought him, that doesn’t fit. He walks out of the closet, shyly helping Astarion dress. Neither comment on the shivers that run through the spawn when Gale’s warm hand brushes across his thighs and hip. “So…would you like to stay in here or in my guest room?” Astarion doesn’t answer right away, trying to not appear desperate, but he needs Gale’s warmth. “I’d like to stay in here, if I wouldn’t be a bother…” Gale notices just how somber the spawn looks, as if he is expecting to be shoved away and rejected. “I’d love to have you, don’t worry about it.” Astarion nods, waiting for Gale to lay down, sitting there like a statue. “Lay down, Star.’ The nickname flicks out before he even reconsiders what he said, them both going wide eyed. Astarion lays down against Gale stiffly, but once that human warmth seeps into his bones, he relaxes and tucks his nose into Gale’s chest, sticking his leg between Gale’s. Gale sighs, looking down at the spawn on his chest, the sight bringing a small smile to his lips. Even though he’s only known Astarion for hours, they already feel very close. As Gale is thinking, Astarion gets a desire, just a small want. He leans forwards, his nose an inch from Gale’s. When the man doesn’t push him away, he leans in and presses a soft and tender kiss to his lips. Both of their breaths catch, Astarion’s undead cold warring with Gale’s warmth, making for a pleasing middle ground where they connect. Astarion doesn’t know what to say, he just lays his head on Gale’s chest once more, and the professor isn’t much more aware, just rubbing the vampire’s back until they both drift into a peaceful sleep.
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~+Two days later+~
Astarion pads downstairs, poking around for Gale. These last few days have felt like a dream, he can scarcely believe that he is actually out of that damned grave and now in the life of such a kind and tender man. He finds the man cooking breakfast in the kitchen, making eggs and toast, something that Astarion used to love when he was alive. Now, the scent alone makes his nose wrinkle. He gets some of the blood that Gale bought, pouring it into a cup of coffee. Astarion takes a slow sip, letting out a pleased sigh at the taste. It was Gale’s idea to try mixing blood into other drinks and now he has found many other drinks that used to be unpalatable to him. He sits at the bar, clad only in Gale’s boxers (the clothes they ordered Astarion haven’t been delivered yet), watching the man’s shirtless back as it shifts as he cooks. Gale sits next to him once the food is ready, eating slowly. Tara circles around Astarion’s ankles, rubbing her head on his legs, asking for breakfast. Astarion gets up and opens the tin of kitty food, spooning it into her bowl. “There you go, little girl. Eat up.” Astarion gives her head a scratch in reward, before leaning on the counter by Gale. The shirtless torso and the trail of hair running south is enough to spark a fire in Astarion’s belly, that he’s been trying to ignore since Gale dug him out of that blasted grave. He reaches over to trace Gale’s nipple, a silent question in the motion, an invitation of more between them. When Gale looks up, the answer is clear in his eyes, which are half lidded and heated. Gale reaches out to grab Astarion’s hips, hauling the vampire into his lap. “Getting frisky, are we? Not that I mind, of course.” Gale runs a hand down Astarion’s back, grabbing his ass to hold him up. “And if I am? What will you do about it, darling?” Astarion purrs the words, his hand coming up to rub at Gale’s jaw. Apparently, that was not the right thing to say (or was it?), as Gale is suddenly biting and kissing at Astarion’s collar, wrenching gasps and whimpers from the spawn with each pass of Gale’s lips. Gale’s fingers clench on the plump globes of Astarion’s ass, pulling the vampire even closer. Gale leans back to claim Astarion’s lips in a searing kiss, which Astarion matches with equal fire. They break apart, Astarion sliding closer to Gale’s lap, grinding his hips down with a need for friction. His cock throbs at the contact, the two men moaning in tandem as their dicks rub against each other between thin boxers. “Gale- fuck…I need you now.” Astarion gasps out the words, his rubbing picking up speed and his breath getting stilted. Gale nods, not trusting himself to be able to make any kind of coherent words.
He picks up Astarion, who wraps his legs around Gale’s hips, using the position to continue his grinding, while Gale tries walking to the bedroom, the grinding making his legs weak with pleasure. Somehow, they make it to the bedroom with only minor stumbles, both of them kissing any skin they see, all while Astarion continues his relentless grinding. The vampire is lightly tossed on the bed, while Gale scrambles to shed his boxers. Astarion leans back on his forearms, watching the sight of Gale undressing. Everything is cool until Astarion’s gaze wanders south, seeing the sheer size. “O-oh…” Astarion is practically amazed, watching with wide eyes as Gale settles between his legs, beginning to mouth at the bulge straining in Astarion’s boxers. Astarion whimpers, his legs flex around Gale’s head, needing something around his cock. “Gale, please-“ Astarion chokes out the words, his hand moving to tug lightly on the roots of Gale’s hair. Gale does acquiesce, his hand sliding into Astarion’s boxers to give his cock firm strokes as he rifles through the nightstand for lube and condoms. “Shh, don’t beg, I’ll give you whatever you need, baby.” The care in Gale’s voice is more attractive than anything that he’s done so far. Astarion nods, whimpering softly as Gale gets what he needs. Gale holds up the condoms, speaking softly to Astarion. “What do you think? I haven’t had anyone in a while…” Astarion nods, not wanting to explain that it’s probably smart to have protection. Gale doesn’t fuss or make an issue, which Astarion is immensely grateful for. Gale carefully lubes his cock, giving himself a few strokes to keep him hard while not making him too tense. He slickens his fingers next, making eye contact as his pointer finger moves down to circle Astarion’s rim, earning a breathy sigh from the vampire. “Forgot to ask, you have a safe word?” Gale murmurs the words into Astarion’s neck, being gentle and sweet with the elf under him. Astarion nods after a moment, his voice shy. “Does knife work? It’s what I’ve always used…” Gale nods, smiling encouragingly at Astarion as he slides the finger in down to the first knuckle, Astarion’s body clamping down before relaxing. “That works for me, love.” Gale slowly slides the finger all the way in, kissing Astarion’s neck while he does so. Another finger joins the first and Gale begins to carefully scissor them, careful not to harm the beautiful man below him. Astarion whines, grinding down on Gale’s fingers. Gale takes the hint, hooking his fingers on the top of Astarion’s prostate, massaging slow. The elf’s eyes snap open, his breath hitching and his body twitching, as Gale’s fingers prod inside him. “Gale, so help me gods, I need you in me now.” Gale nods, lining himself up and slowly nudging the head of his cock against Astarion’s rip, letting him suckle on the tip until Gale can start moving forward. Astarion grumbles, trying to jog his hips down and slide Gale in. Gale gives Astarion a chastising look, his hands moving to firmly hold Astarion’s hips so he can’t move anymore. The elf squirms, pouting at Gale like a petulant child with his pupils blown with need and arousal. The pout is swiftly wiped from Astarion’s face as Gale begins to push in, taking things slow and steady. “Ngh! Gale-!” Astarion writhes under the professor, the feeling of being filled making pleasure race down his spine. His hands grab onto Gale’s shoulders, clutching at the other man for support. “Shit, you’re so tight…” Gale is practically panting as their hips connect, stilling to provide Astarion with some time to adjust. They kiss, sloppy but full of desire and affection, lips, teeth and tongue sliding against each other as Gale waits for Astarion. “I-I’m ready...” Astarion keens when Gale begins to slowly press in and out, giving him that delicious friction that he’s been waiting for. Astarion’s nails dig into Gale’s shoulders, fueling the man’s desire and pace, picking up to something near punishing in pace. Each thrust pulls a moan from both of them, Astarion’s hips rocking to match Gale’s thrust. “Shit! Gale, right there! Mnh…” Gale smirks, aiming each thrust to make the elf below him come undone. “Damn, you look so good like this…” Astarion whimpers, looking up at him with emotion all over his face. He hides his face in Gale’s chest, suddenly overwhelmed with feelings he wasn’t ready for. This is the first time he has been present in sex, allowed to be pleased and to be cared for, no expectations to be anything but him. This isn’t simple sex, this isn’t something he should forget for his own sake, this is true and proper love making, and it’s amazing. “Oh, Gale...” Astarion moans with each thrust, rocking with Gale. “Star, I’m close. You?” Astarion nods, his words getting lost in a shaky moan. Astarion shudders, his body quivering as he gets closer and closer to release. Gale loses his pacing, thrusting sloppily until he’s shooting cum deep into Astarion, thick and long pulses of pleasure ebbing through Gale as he rides the orgasm out. Astarion feels the hot cum fill his cold insides and suddenly he’s coming all over both Gale and himself, each wave of pleasure sending another pulse of spend out of him. He closes his eyes as Gale rolls them over, so Astarion is on his chest as he cleans them up with paper towels. “Shh, rest. I’ll take care of you.” It isn’t just a promise of aftercare, but a promise of a future between the two. Astarion smiles, a bleary and blissed out smile, mewling his words in a half delirious haze. “Love you, Gale…” Gale’s heart tenses up at first, before a shaky smile spreads across his face. “I love you too, my Star.” Maybe I dug up something more than just a vampire…