Idk I Made This At 4AM

vander gotta die idc

No context

YALL WHYD THEY MAKE HIM SOUND LIKE THIS IN DBD....... FUCKKKKK

One thing I absolutely love about Astarion’s redemption arc is the complexity of his relationship with the figure of the hero.

Astarion is a vampire, a monster, and also a victim (as well as, in a way, a perpetrator, due to his forced obedience to Cazador). He is the first person in desperate need of a hero to save him and the last person suited for the role of a hero.

He prayed to every god for salvation, even for death, and even that was denied to him. He resents heroes and the powerful, and when confronted with the idea that both have a duty to protect the weak, he scornfully responds that no, they’ve done a terrible job—that in 200 years, no one saved him from torture, and that it was the mind flayers, other monsters, who finally freed him. And that, in reality, the powerful only use their strength to bend others to their will and serve their own selfish interests. It’s in this same conversation that Astarion declares his desire to be better than Cazador—stronger, more powerful—though the player likely meant kinder, more noble.

Yet, despite everything he says, despite his disapproval of every heroic action taken in Act 1, Astarion is irreversibly drawn to the figure of the hero. First and foremost, he seeks their protection, though still through the warped lens of his past under Cazador’s cruel talons. Secondly, he is extremely sensitive to kindness, understanding, acceptance—to being treated like a person, just as a true hero would treat him.

And then, this is something I particularly noticed while playing as Karlach—Astarion is fascinated by Wyll, who is, in many ways, the quintessential hero of the party. He even admits that if he had to choose one of them to feed on, it would be Wyll, because he is sweet and righteous, just. Which is a contradiction, because the very traits that draw Astarion to him are the same ones that make him want to drain him dry. Love and hate, all in one.

With this in mind, even the conversation after meeting Aurelia and Leon takes on a deeper meaning. The player sees something in Astarion, but he still refuses to recognize it, to admit it, and rightfully says he can’t be what we see in him—a good person, a righteous, understanding, even heroic figure. And yet, the player sees through him…

And it’s breathtaking when, during the ritual, just before stabbing Cazador, Astarion says those very same words: "You're right. I can be better than him." But this time, he doesn’t mean stronger or more powerful. No, this time, he means it exactly as it was first presented to him and so bitterly rejected. And he means it with all his heart.

And in doing so, in freeing all his siblings and all the poor souls imprisoned there, Astarion commits a truly heroic act. He does for others what he once desperately hoped for himself, what he prayed for—becoming the hero he needed. Because at the same time, he is freeing himself—from his chains, from his narrow worldview that saw everything in terms of power and dominance. For the first time, he is free to live outside of the path that someone else forced upon him.

And that’s exactly why, in my opinion, the next morning, it’s right to tell him that yes, we were the heroes who stood by his side, but we only gave him a push. Because, in the end, he saved himself.

He is the hero he had been waiting for centuries!

And that thought makes my heart race! ❤️

GUYS

headcanon: Alastor wears a monocle because he had glasses in life and when he got shot in the head his glasses broke in half, just the right side staying on his face when his body fell.

Artist: insta Connor_asteria

We’re gonna reach 900 soon??? It would be so fucking cool if my first public writing on this site reached 1k notes so go check it out maybe if you haven’t? Consider leaving a like? Thank you :))

Sleepy Cuddles

Masterlist

Type: fluff

Requested by: @tripthlightfantastic

Request: i’d die for eddie cuddling reader when they can’t sleep (i have the worst insomnia lol)

A/N: Thank you for requesting! (It takes me ages to fall asleep as well lol so I know the feeling.) I actually really enjoyed writing this, it was really cute. It did end up being shorter than I thought it would be, but I hope you enjoy! If you do, keep in mind that my requests are open!

Warnings: none

Word Count: 436

»»————-　♡　————-««

With a sigh, you turned over for what felt like the hundredth time since you’d laid down a few hours prior. As an insomniac, the experience wasn’t exactly uncommon - just incredibly unwelcome. You turned your head, checking the clock which read 3:26 in big bright red letters. Huffing out another exasperated breath, you turned again, this time facing the other figure in the bed, who, unlike yourself, had fallen asleep hours ago.

For as long as you’d been staying over at his trailer, Eddie had never had any trouble falling asleep quickly. He knew about your sleeping problems, sure, and he always vowed to stay up and try to help you fall asleep to no avail. But sometimes, like tonight, you’d see him stir in his sleep from one too many movements on your behalf. He opened his eyes slowly, blinking a couple times before noticing your soft e/c eyes watching him.

“Can’t sleep?” He murmured softly, sleep still lacing his voice as he tried desperately to wake himself up a bit more for your sake. You nodded, knowing you didn’t have to explain yourself. He just understood. Without a word, he lifted his arm towards you, gesturing for you to come closer. You flipped yourself around and shifted closer, your back pressed against his chest, letting him be the big spoon tonight. He let his arm drop once you were situated, resting it across your waist and letting his other arm snake around your chest, pulling you closely against him. You felt him bury his face in your hair, his light breaths tickling the back of your neck and making you giggle, which in turn, made a lazy smile grace his lips.

You were so grateful for Eddie. You both knew the only way you could get to sleep at this point was if you were in his arms, and him being the fidgety person he was, he never stayed in one position very long whilst sleeping. However, for you, he was willing to lay in the same way for hours just to let you get a little bit of sleep.

You heard him yawn from behind you, and you knew he was barely keeping his eyes open, but he was trying for you. As your eyes finally began to droop, you felt him place a gentle kiss to the back of your neck, followed by a barely audible “I love you.” “Mmm, love you too,” you whispered back, nestling your body back into his and finally allowing yourself to drift off into a peaceful slumber with the love of your life beside you.

Lil things❤️