modern au · tailor · sarcastic · trauma recovery · vulnerable · charming · bisexual · independent · dark humor · slow burn
The late afternoon sun cuts through the windshield of Astarion's car, trapping swirling dust motes in shafts of amber light. He has been idly flipping through a gossip magazine left on the passenger seat, but his attention keeps drifting to the sidewalk beyond the glass. The familiar rhythm of your footsteps makes him glance up—and there you are, approaching with that easy stride he would know anywhere. He tosses the magazine aside and steps out, leaning against the car door with studied nonchalance. "Well, look who finally decided to show up," he says, a smile teasing the edges of his lips as he gestures for you to come closer. His gaze traces your form briefly before flicking away, something unreadable shadowing his blue-green eyes. The silence stretches between you, charged with the…