Archive of Our Own

Gale sighed as he watched the sun set into Grey Harbour. In this moment, he could feel his mortality. His back ached, he could smell run off from the fish market and all this business with the sacrificial killings had left him with a near permanent nausea. He was tired. He rubbed his eyes with a rough hand. When was the last time he'd seen to his cuticles? When was the last time he'd had a shower? Did they even know what a shower was in Baldur’s Gate? He hadn't seen one. It was odd the place had such imposing architecture and grandiose squares but so many parts of it were a back water compared to home. They'd been in town for 4 days now and he'd not seen a single public bath or spa. Gods he wanted a night off. Not to sleep but to read, walk, play 3 dragon ante, and know that there'd be more of the same come sunrise.

A hatch door thudded behind him. “Ah here you are.” Tav called.

He felt her warm arms wrap around his waist. He reached for her hand and kissed it.

“Do you not want any dinner?” She asked.

“Is Astarion still juggling those hands?” He replied grimly.

Tav went silent and buried her face in his back. She wriggled free of him and leaned next to him on the balustrade.

“Talk to me.” She said simply.

He sighed again. “I feel foolish banging on about it.”

“You, Gale have never been a fool. Talk to me, you know I love to hear you speak.”

He looked into her violet eyes and smiled. Her golden skin the same colour as the sunset behind her. He frowned as he looked at his palms. “Do you still believe we'd do no better than Mystra? That we couldn't create a world where kindness and honesty were rewarded, rather than avarice and brute strength?”

Tav folded her arms. “I gave you my answer last night.”

“I know.” He plead, reaching for her waist. “I just. Think of how you've made the world a better place. What more you could do with that kind of power. You could direct me, be my compass, my star.”

Tav placed a hand on his chest to quiet him. She let the silence rest between them before she answered.

“Last night, you took me to Mystra’s realm.”

“Not just Mystra’s,” he interjected, “the realm of all the gods.”

Tav tapped a finger on his chest, and he closed his mouth.

“It was empty.” She said quietly.

“Well,” gale scoffed, “It could be anything, you need only imagine and”-

“I don't care what it could be. I care what it is. And it is empty.” She repeated carefully.

“The realm of the gods has nothing in it because they don't have humanity in them. They care for nothing. It's why they have us as their chosen, that we may go out into the world and perform great works in their name, without their intervention. They have no imagination, no joy, no hope.”

Tav began to stroke her thumb at his chest, he took her shoulders.

“I do not want to live forever in empty power. I want to live and die in joy, in pleasure.” She cupped his face in her hands. “In love.”

She kissed him tenderly and he held her tightly. The softest of moans escaped her as he squeezed, and his heart ached.

She cupped his face again as their lips parted. “I cannot stop you from reaching for godly powers, and I know that of all mortals you may finally be the one to achieve what no one has. But I can't follow you. Because you won't be the man I love anymore.”

Gale felt a sob rise in him. She looked at him with such devotion it shattered and repaired his heart in the same instant. She was right. He hadn't been good enough for anyone before, an excellent anchor to his incessant lust for power. But she had loved him despite himself, and it had unmoored him. She loved him because he was a man, not because he was magic. She loved his humanity, his flaws and quirks and idiosyncrasies. Parts of himself he'd never share with anyone for fear of disappointment or ridicule. She loved him wholly. Why would he give that up if the other option was spending an eternity without her?

He touched his forehead to hers and rubbed her hand. “You're right, I'm sorry.” 

She sat on the balustrade, legs either side of him, and leant back so he would kiss her neck. He obliged happily as she sighed softly.

“It occurs to me that what you feel you're missing is power.” She murmured.

Gale started, looking up from her neck. “Well, I suppose.” He relented.

Tav looked in his eyes. “I wonder if I could help you with that.” She said sincerely.

Gale blinked, then gave a soft chuckle. “My lady, you have done more for me than even I could ever know. Don't burden yourself with my petty vanity.”

They wrapped themselves around each other and watched the sun sink beneath the sea.

Gale awoke with a start. The room was unusually quiet. He sat up and reached for his basin. Next to it, an envelope.

He washed his face first and realised the sun was high. How long had he been asleep? “Shit” he whispered under his breath.

“Worry not my friend, she gave us the day off” called Astarion from the next bunk.

Gale stood and found Astarion sat in his bunk, surrounded by books. He was drawing a map of the sewers.

“The day off?” He parroted. 

“Indeed. Some went off shopping with Wyll, some are downstairs in the tavern.”

“Where's Tav?”

Astarion smirked. “Your lover’s nowhere to be found. Left us all a note. You have a matching one by your basin.” Astarion finally looked up from his task. “Relax! Go back to bed why don't you, your snoring is giving me an excellent rhythm to concentrate to. Or draw yourself a bath while it's just you and I here?”

Gale smiled at the idea. He turned back to his envelope and opened it.

Gale, meet me at Sharess’ caress at 7pm. I've arranged a private room. Give your name at the desk. T x

He blushed at the note. Sharess’ Caress? The brothel? She mentioned power last night and she knew what a prude he was. He felt a punishment coming on. Still, if she wanted to teach him what being powerless felt like, he trusted her, even though it pinched in his lower stomach.

He lay back on the bed and smelled the paper. Lily of the Valley. Her scent. No matter what tonight brought, he would accept it. Maybe some humility would do him good.

The owner of the brothel had been surprisingly discreet compared to their first meeting, where she'd suggested he’d enjoy being 'topped' by a well-hung orc and he'd blustered so much it had turned into a coughing fit, drawing the attention of the entire foyer. His face burned hot even now at the memory as he silently climbed the stairs.

The owner stopped at a door with a gentle flourish.

“It's rather dark in there. She said you'd know what to do.” She opened the door and held back a thick velvet curtain. He stepped into the inky blackness.

He heard the door thud behind him, muffled by the curtain.

“Um. Hello?” He whispered.

Silence replied.

“I say. Er. Hello?” he tried again.

Still no reply.

Gale murmured “ignis” and a flame circled the room, lighting every wick it flew past. As the room lit up, Gale surveyed his surroundings.

The room was plush and gaudy, reds and pinks on satin sheets and throw pillows, blankets and yet more velvet curtains. He could smell eucalyptus in hot water and saw steam rising behind a wooden screen. A hot bath. Oh my.

As his eyes acclimatised to the dim light, he saw on the floor in front of him was Tav. She was on her knees, feet and hands bound behind her. A long black rope knotted itself around her body in an arousing manner he’d not seen before. Her eyes were black, and she made no movement at his arrival. She’d been silenced and blinded.

Next to her a console table. A book with diagrams detailing the knots binding her and a selection of… things? Tools? Accessories?

Gale felt his face blush. He shook himself from his embarrassment. There was no need for it, he was practically still alone. He crouched in front of Tav and waved a hand in front of her face, then clicked his fingers at her ears. No response. Nothing.

He inspected the rope bindings on her. They hugged and compressed around her breasts and thighs in a manner that made him instinctively lick his lips. He reached out to her and flinched, thinking better of it. Preparation is key he thought.

Back at the console, another envelope. He opened it.

My love. If power is what you desire, then I give it to you.

(I hope you turn up. I’ve booked the room til midday tomorrow and my knees will be fucked if I have to sit here all night.) Tx

Gale chuckled to himself. Gods was he ever so lucky. He sat in the chair opposite her while his head swam with possibility. He tentatively picked up a feather on the end of a stick thing. He brushed it at her shoulder and watched her flinch, then smile warmly. She licked her lips and said… something.

Damn silence. He scanned the console for a potion and pressed it to her lips to drink.

“Ah!” She gasped and cleared her throat. But she didn’t say anything else.

“What’s all this then?” he asked.

No reply. He leaned forward. “You may speak.” He offered.

Tav’s head snapped up. “An evening of debauchery as you see fit. Master.” She purred.

He felt his cock twitch at the word. “Master” he rolled the word around his mouth as he leant back in his chair. “I like that. And what will you do?” He asked.

Silence again. Oh, this was fun.

“Speak.” He ordered, smiling at her head snapping up again.

“Whatever my master desires.” She replied, trying to suppress a smirk.

Gale bit his lip as she knelt there naked and eager. He noticed how there were rope loops dangling from various stages of her, um, outfit.He saw a loop at the centre of her waist and gripped it. He would pull her to him and see if she could unlace his trousers with her teeth while blind.He pulled the loop hard and Tav gave a sharp yelp. The rope pulled at her knees and shoulders, forcing her knees to spread deeper and her back to arch. Her nipples hardened instantly.

“Oh Gods oh sorry I didn’t realise it would do that” Gale fumbled as he fell onto his knees to slack the ropes for Tav. She giggled once and cleared her throat to compose herself. She took a deep breath and relaxed back into her bindings. Placid for him once again.

Face to face with her, he could hear the anticipation in her breathing. She was just short of panting. His cock bristled and he couldn’t help but look down to her sex. The ropes were tight on her thighs, the skin bulging against the cord. Gale licked his lips again and gripped the same loop. He held Tav’s chin in one firm hand to steady her, and slowly pulled on the loop at her waist. Her thighs shook as the ropes forced them further apart. A deep moan escaped Tav’s lips as her head fell back to ease the arch in her spine. Gale reached for his groin and took a deep breath. He had a whole night of this, he needed to savour it. He let go of the noose and Tav snapped forward, groaning again.

Gale cupped her face and kissed her. Her mouth searched for him like a new born seeking a teat. He pulled her towards him and wrapped his arms around her and the dichotomy of coarse rope on silk soft skin aroused him further. He reached for her rump but realised she couldn’t unbend her knees for him to position. He pulled away from her and revelled in her nosing the air for his mouth again. As she realised he’d moved away, she sat back on her feet and pouted. It was gorgeous.

Gale reached for the feather thing again and stroked her neck with it. She tittered and rolled her head back, letting him drag it as far as he wanted. He pulled it across her chest, her breasts, circled around her navel and smiled as she giggled and fidgeted. He gripped on the loop again and pulled gently, he watched as her legs spread and teased the feather though her labia, making sure it swiped past her clit. She shuddered and let out a gasp that set his hair on end. He abandoned the feather in favour of his hands. He gently stroked her hips as he pulled further on the loop with his other hand, moving up her thigh to tease her. She gave a high-pitched titter, and he felt heat between her legs. He reached under her, and gently stroked a finger through her labia, pleased with the pained moan she made as she tried to sit on his fingers and failed. He kept her like this for a while, teasing her entrance, keeping a firm grip on the loop that kept her still. He licked and nipped at her nipples as she let her head roll back and rested her hands on her ankles. He missed her face, but he wanted to be in the spirit of the evening.

He teased her until she began to drip into his hand, spittle on her bottom lip, aching want knotting in her tensed muscles.

“Water?” He asked.

“Please master.” She whimpered.

He let her rope go and she fell as far forward as she could, sighing. Her whole body was blush with frustration. Gale fed her water and pulled off his clothes. Tav began to pant as she heard his clothes hit the floor.

“Ok.” Gale commanded. “Up on your knees.”

Tav straightened up to attention. Gale settled himself on his back between her legs and took a firm grip on the loop again. She was dripping down her thighs and onto his face already.

“Gale this is supposed to be for”- Tav whispered.

“I didn’t say you could speak.” Growled Gale.

Tav shut her mouth.

Gale inhaled deeply. The scent of her was intoxicating and the heat of her after this much frustration was incredible. He grazed his fingers through her once more and watched her quiver and gasp. He pulled on the loop and Tav spread, lowering on to his face. He grabbed her waist with his other hand and thrust his tongue deep into her, grinning at the subsequent squeal. He tugged hard on the loop, forcing her clit into his mouth so he didn’t even have to lift his head and he suckled at it, chuckling as she rumbled a loud groan. He held her there for as long as his strength would allow, flattening his tongue at the back of her labia, serpentining his tongue through her and feeling her writhe and running the length of his tongue across her clit before suckling at her, circling with the tip of his tongue and feeling his cock in his hand. He daren’t stroke himself. He didn’t want this to be over any time soon. Their shared frustration left them both on a dizzying knife’s edge between pleasure and pain. He felt Tav’s familiar body shudder as she neared her climax. He kissed down her thighs, letting the rope slack. He rose to get more water as he watched her writhe and catch her breath, mad with lust with no end in sight. He saw on the console another antidote for blindness and fed it to her.

Tav blinked hard and her eyes came back. Her vision focused on Gale as he stood naked before her. Her mouth watered and her lip curled as she stared at him. He padded to her and rested his cock on her face, grinning filthily. A pearl of pre cum rolled down her nose and she caught it with her tongue. He saw her lips quiver and her eyes roll back as she tasted him. She panted and looked up at him, begging in her eyes. Gale was mystified for a moment before he remembered the rules. “You may” he began and Tav threw herself at him.

He stumbled back into the chair but she didn’t let go, she ran her mouth all the way to the base of his cock, twisting her tongue as she receded, spiralling the tip of her tongue at the head before sucking hard on it. Gale gripped on the arms of the chair as he tried to stand up, finding his legs too weak against her urgency. He grabbed her hair to try and steady her but she drank him like the only water in the desert and he felt his grip loosen as his eyes rolled back in his head. She was too good at this, and he’d teased them both so much he wouldn’t be able to last much longer. He scrunched his eyes and thought of Elminster teaching him a particularly difficult evocation he’d never quite mastered. He begged his brain to remember those words now in an effort to block out the sensations of Tav’s mouth and the loud, wet slurp of her joyously sucking him.

As he felt himself steadying, he heard an odd tearing sound and opened his eyes to see the ropes on Tav had begun to rip apart. Tav, who was grunting with the rhythm of sucking him suddenly released him from her mouth with a wet pop and roared, tensing her whole body and breaking the rope binding her. Her hands shot forward and she grabbed Gale’s rump, pushing him into her mouth as she fell on him. Her tongue overwhelmed him and he braced himself on the chair as she pulled him to the precipice. She was swallowing him, rubbing her face in his pubic hair, and grunting with pleasure at the smell of him. His climax swept out his legs and he called her name as he came in waves. Tears streaked her face as she kept him in her mouth all the way to his base and as she writhed on his cock, he realised she was also at her peak, fingers inside herself, thighs slick and the floor dripping wet beneath her. He leant back in the chair and let pleasure drown him. Gasping her name and shuddering into her mouth. He collapsed and Tav finally let go of him, nuzzling his lap, kissing at his belly and thighs. He stroked her hair as he tried to steady his breathing.

“My word” he whispered. And began to chuckle.

“I must apologise” Tav panted. “I’m sure I broke some rules back there. Next time I’ll try to control myself.”

Gale laughed “It’s quite alright. All’s forgiven.” He got up from the chair, his legs still shaking, took her hands and led her to the bath. They both slipped in and sighed.

Next to them, an ice bucket with a summer wine he’d noticed on their tour around the city. Tav poured them a glass each and popped a grape in her mouth.

She settled next to him and he put his arm around her. Gale sighed happily and sipped his wine. Tav pressed her face to his and they kissed, long and deep and full of love. Gale rubbed his nose against hers. “There is nothing that compares to you.” He whispered. Tav smiled and kissed him again.

“Come.” She said. “The nights just started. Give me them feet, I’m gonna rub them.”

Gale sank into the bath and groaned.  Godhood just couldn’t compare.

Dry, clean and smelling delicious, Tav led Gale to the bed. The sheets had been perfumed with a heavy hand but gods was the bed soft. And they were alone. This could be their last night together like this, unless they survived.

“Well, this is a step up from the roof no?” Tav asked, sipping her wine.

Gale blushed into his glass. She lay there naked and splayed while he’d slipped under the sheet immediately. She’d never once poked fun at him about it his prudishness but he felt a sting of shame at not having the bravery to just lie naked with her. To let her enjoy seeing his body as much as he enjoyed seeing hers. He realised he hadn’t answered her yet.

“Oh yes, the mattress is rather good don’t you think?”

Tav watched him with interest as she drank her wine.

Gale coughed a little awkwardly. He realised this is the first time they’d been together without a time limit or for fear of being caught. He suddenly felt himself short of something to say.

“I should have brought a book” he stuttered. “It’s a little early to sleep don’t you think?” He asked her.

Tav smiled into her wine and put it on the side table. She took his hand.

“Gale, I don’t want to read or sleep here with you.” She pressed his hand to her face and chuckled. “Well. Maybe later.”

Gale’s groin warmed as he leaned in for a kiss. He placed his own wine glass down so he could wrap her in his arms.

“I don’t know why but I suddenly felt”- Gale began.

“Awkward?” Tav replied.

“Er. Yes. How did you know?”

Tav answered between kisses to his neck. “It makes sense. It’s the first time it’s truly just been the two of us.”

Gale felt his shame dissipate and his lust awaken. He kissed her, wriggling his tongue into her mouth playfully and stroking her back.

Tav pulled back from him and smiled coquettishly. She bit her lip and traced a finger through his chest hair.

“Tell me what you want.” She whispered. “Tell me what you’re thinking, what you plan for.”

Gale looked puzzled. “Like in the future? Er.” He cast about, thrown by the question.

Tav took his hand and pressed it between her legs, he inhaled sharply as she licked her lips. “No Gale. Now. In this moment.”

Gale felt a hot blush in his face. Why was this difficult for him? This was the woman he loved, and he wanted her every moment, to kiss her and feel her, be inside her and with her. To keep her his most delicious secret and stand on the rooftops of the city and declare his love for her. She made him a bumbling fool and so brave he’d fight the gods if she asked it.

He stammered and clutched her thigh. “I. Um. Well.” He began, feeling himself crumble under her expectant gaze.

Her eyes fluttered. “Would you like me to begin?” She offered.

Gale stammered and nodded lightly. Tav stroked his chest and squeezed his hand between her thighs.

“I think about you constantly.” She began. “Our last fight, that shapeshifter tore your robe and your bare chest heaved. You pulled the air from his lungs in a rage. I wanted you in that moment, to lick the sweat on your face and feel you inside me, rage still hot on your breath.”

Gale’s mouth watered, he gripped her thigh and felt the satin caress his stiffening cock.

“When you kiss my neck” she continued “I thirst to feel your skin on mine, to lose myself in your body. My sex aches when I look at you.” She whispered, her claws beginning to dig into his chest.

She moaned low and soft as he kissed her deep. He felt her warm tongue caressing his as he pulled back the sheet to roll on top of her.She pushed him back with a firm grip and looked in his eyes, panting gently. “Speak to me” she whispered.

Gale swallowed. Where to begin?

“My lady,” he murmured. “I dream of you, even while you are next to me”. Tav turned her face to her pillow and moaned. “I study your form as you sleep. Your breasts as they heave while you sigh, your skin shivering in the cool night air. I want to kiss all of it at the same time.” He ran his fingers over her breasts now, letting his fingertips brush over her nipples. She inhaled sharply and rolled onto her back. He kept at her side, clutching her in one arm, mouth to her ear.

“I would taste every part of you.” He whispered. “I want to lick you from toes to tongue, to wake every morning with the taste of you in my mouth.” Tav groaned and squeezed her legs together, he began to run his fingers through her pubic hair, teasing her as she licked her lips and gazed into his eyes.  

“I would enchant hands to touch you, but I would scorn them for having that part of you when I cannot. I would like to wrap your legs around me and lick you until you begged me to stop. But I wouldn’t.” He grunted, slipping his fingers inside her as her breath caught in her throat. “I would forsake all and drink only from you to sate me.

Tav writhed around his fingers. “Oh, Gale” she moaned as she pushed him off her, rolling on top to straddle him. He gripped her hips as she ground herself against his hard cock. Slick and hot and blushed.

“Gale, I would spend my life at your beck and call just for the promise of your touch,” she pulled his hand to her breast and he brought his knees up to her.

She leant forward and kissed him hungrily, her tongue curling around his, moaning loud into his mouth, making his cock ache. As she kissed down his chest, she gathered more pillows under his head. He shifted up to sitting against them. He straightened himself for her and she teased the head of his cock, letting him sit at her entrance, pressing on his stomach so he couldn’t thrust. He shuddered as she teased him, seeing the hunger in her eyes matching his as she stared at him expectantly. And yet she wouldn’t allow either of them the pleasure. He felt his heart thunder with the excitement.

“I would forsake Mystra, magic, my very soul to be inside you.” Gale rasped. He held his breath and felt Tav finally slide onto his cock, her walls pulsating around him. They both groaned in pleasure, their bodies shaking, and it took a second for them both to compose themselves. Tav began to writhe on him, and he gripped her hips, trying his best not to thrust into her and have this be done too soon. She kept a measured pace, sighing with every movement. His top lip sweat, and she wiped his mouth with a thumb. He kissed at her palm, and she pressed her thumb against his tongue, letting him lick and suck it as she circled her hips on him and moaned loudly.

“The hells would have my soul if I couldn’t feel you inside me” Tav gasped and she thrust herself back onto him, giggling as he moaned with the pleasure. He gripped her hips tighter and began to thrust into her. Letting her bounce of him, drowning in the pleasure of listening to her grunt and gasp and laugh. She leant down to kiss him and he gripped the back of her neck as he thrust into her faster. She panted in his ear and chanted his name, running her fingers through his hair and pulling hard on it. They both grunted with every thrust, and he felt her tense deliciously around his cock as she reached climax. "Let me drown in you, let me be your pleasure until my dying breath" he cried and plunged himself into her, his toes curling, his body shuddering. He saw stars and heard her moan his name into his neck as she pressed her claws into his arms.

They both sighed in synch as their peaks ebbed. Tav panted into his neck and kissed him lightly. He stroked her back and felt her still pulsating around him. He chuckled and she moaned at his vibrations, still riding out her climax. She finally lifted her head and kissed him. He wrapped his arms around her and sighed into her hair.

“I couldn’t be happier than I am in this moment.” Tav murmured. Gale sighed in agreement, stroking the sweat from her brow.  

“Did you enjoy your power then?” She asked.

Gale’s blush deepened his already pink cheeks. He cleared his throat. “I, er. Obviously enjoyed it immensely. I’m not sure about all the accessories but the, er, knotted loop at your, um.” He chuckled nervously and Tav giggled. She kissed him again. “Well, the book’s yours.” She murmured. “Next time you can tie me up yourself.”

Gale blushed again. “I think I’d like that a lot” he murmured.

Tav slid off him and onto the bed. He wrapped an arm around her, and they cuddled up. He reached for his wine and finished the cup, sighing deeply.

“So, we’ve got the place till tomorrow?” He asked. Tav murmured in reply and nuzzled at his neck. “Better get reading.” She murmured. “I might have another soak.”

Gale perked up. “Capital idea.”

“Out of curiosity, where on earth did you learn about dressing yourself in rope?” Gale asked as he measured a length of cord to the height of Tav.

“Oh here. Today.” She replied simply.

Gale stuttered and looked into her eyes. “You…learned this for me?”

Tav blushed and looked at her feet. “I haven’t done anything like this before, but since we came to the city you’ve become more relaxed. More adventurous in our love making.” She mumbled. “I thought it would be something we could try together, and the people here were really nice about it.” She chuckled to herself. “The drow twins said they’d forego payment just to watch us.”

Gale’s face dropped. He spun, scanning the room for voyeurs, intruders on their private and most intimate of evenings, suddenly acutely aware of how naked he was. Tav grabbed his hands.

“They’re not here you silly.” She laughed. “I paid them extra for the promise to not even look at you tomorrow. I don’t want to embarrass you.”

Gale exhaled nervously. He resisted the urge to cover himself as they both stood there naked. He cleared his throat and went back to his rope.

He began to tie it around her waist and found himself lost again. He went back to scan the diagrams in the book and found them slipping from his view. This book was not for a complete beginner, and he floundered.

“Do you want me to call someone in and you can direct them?” Tav offered.

“Absolutely not.” Gale blushed.

He knelt back at Tav and secured the rope around her waist as she stroked his hair. He wrapped the cord around her thigh, looped it back to her waist and frowned as it bunched up at her hip.

“I’m all thumbs.” He sighed, exasperated, and felt a tinge of shame as Tav tittered above him. She reached down the back of his neck and gave him a squeeze.

“Let’s leave it for now?” She suggested. “I guess it takes more practise than I’d considered. We’ve only the one night, I don’t want you frustrated.”

Gale smiled to himself. He leant his head against her thigh and kissed it. He dropped the rope and it fell off her instantly, coiling on the floor in a tangle.

Tav knelt in front of him, wiping his hair from his face and kissed him. He took her hands.

“I’m sorry I’m not performing to”-

“Hush.” Tav whispered. “I didn’t bring you here to shame you. I brought you here to love you without fear of waking anyone else. For a change.”

They both chuckled.

“I want to fulfil as many of your desires as you wish.” She murmured, placing her hand on his heart.

Gale understood. If they didn’t make it through all this, if they died or became mindless illithids, they would lose each other. She wanted to gift him a night filled with the experiences of true lovers. He sensed the fear in her, echoing his own. He shook the thought from his mind.

“It occurs to me that there are two of us here, in love with each other.” He murmured. “Perhaps you could tell me a fantasy of yours?”

Tav blushed, wide eyed. “I hadn’t really thought of that.” She stammered. Gale cupped her face tenderly.

“You can imagine and prepare all of this for me, with no thought that I may feel the same for you?” He chuckled.

He kissed her forehead and bent to her ear.

“Tell me your fantasy my lady, I would share it with you.” He leant back and saw the blush in her cheeks had spread to her chest. She giggled awkwardly and picked at the rug. He wanted to tut at her. Why was she shy with him? She could tell him anything and it would never change how he felt about her. He realised this is how she must look at him as he stammers over himself and felt a chuckle rise in him.

“Um.” Tav’s lashes fluttered as she looked into his eyes. “Do you like…jam?”

Gale faltered. “Jam?” his brow furrowed. “Well, yes I do actually. I make a delicious plum jam. My mother’s recipe. I have a tree in my garden and this is not what you’re getting at is it?” He trailed off.

“It’s my favourite. I…um… like how it sticks. It’s… sort of filthy?” Tav mumbled at the rug again.

Gale caught on. “You want to eat jam off my…er…me?” he offered.

Tav looked longingly past him to the bathtub behind him, then back into his eyes. Her blush deepened and spread across her shoulders.

Gale took her chin in his hand. “Cast off your shame, my lady. Your wish is my command.” He led her to the tub and drained the water with a wave of his hand. “I actually have the perfect incantation for this.” In an instant the tub filled with plum jam.

Tav tested the surface with a finger, scooping and tasting it.

“Oh it’s good” she giggled.

“Well it wouldn’t do to serve you any old sugary mush, this is my recipe.” Gale said triumphantly.

Tav pushed her hand into the tub up to the elbow. She frowned slightly.

“It’s a little cold” she murmured.

Gale’s fingers writhed and steam began to rise from the surface of the tub. It made a sloppy blubbing sound as bubbles rose and burst on the surface. Tav’s eyes went wide, and she bit her lip.

“Get in.” She whispered hoarsely.

Gale’s legs moved before his brain registered the order. The jam was deliciously warm and viscous. It made a delightful sucking sound as he pushed his feet into it. He offered his hand to Tav and she stepped in and exhaled in a ragged breath. She closed her eyes to the warmth and sighed with pleasure. She leaned in to kiss him and he embraced her. As she brushed her lips against his, his foot slipped on the bottom of the bath and his legs gave way. He crashed into the tub, clinging to her for purchase as she yelped and fell with him.

His rump hit the tub surprisingly gently, the warm jam cushioning the fall. The two of them writhed over each other, the jams lubrication cancelling any possibility of them gaining purchase again. Possibly ever. They wriggled and stammered, laughing as they slipped, finally finding the tubs edge. As their laughter subsided and they were finally balanced a large bubble formed between them, making a delightful pop as it burst, splattering them with hot jam.

Tav brought her hands out of the jam together, pulling them apart and watching the purple sugary strands wobble between them. She sucked a finger and smiled as she licked the jam from her lips. Gale tittered. The jam was warm and gave a delightful cushion but as it cooled on his shoulders, he felt it stick. It wasn’t pleasant. His brow furrowed as he watched Tav struggle through the jam towards him, grunting with the effort. She placed sticky hands on his face as she heaved to straddle him. She kissed him, her mouth delightfully saccharine, her lips sticking to his, creating a vacuum that forced them both to breathe through their noses. She slipped her hands down his chest and stomach, fingers pushing through the jam to find his cock. He felt himself twitch as she fondled him, the friction of the jam pushing back against him. He gripped her hips, his fingers constantly slipping off balance as she moaned and stroked him. She giggled constantly, the jam coming off the surface in stringy wisps as her arm moved through it while she played with him. He kissed down her neck and her hair caught in his mouth, sticking to his face in a wet slap. He began to push it away and realised his hands were covered in jam.

“It’s fine.” She panted. And she pulled at her hair, scrunching the jam into it so it matted itself into a makeshift ponytail. She wriggled her hips and gave a puzzled frown as she pushed against the jam to lower herself onto him. He held himself steady and guided her, smiling at her moan as she slid down around him. She clutched his shoulders, sticking to him as he shifted to sit comfortably. The sensation of fucking her in the jam was interesting to say the least. Tav writhed on him and giggled every time she had to unstick a hand from him. She faltered.

“Um. Are you ok?” she panted. “You don’t seem comfortable. We can stop if you”-

Gale kissed her deep, wrapping his arms around her, gently thrusting into her as her fingers trembled at his cheeks.

“Oh, I am enjoying you immensely my love. The jam is a… distinct sensation I’ve not experienced before, I’m merely acclimatising. Consider me your very willing and sticky participant.” He chuckled.

Tav relaxed again and he gently thrust into her, his feet barely gaining purchase on the tub floor. They laughed every time his foot slipped, and she fell backwards, squeezing her thighs around him to make sure he didn’t slip out of her. As she began to quicken their pace, the edge of the tub scraped against his back painfully. He winced and arched his back, losing his grip. "Oh shit!" He yelped as he slipped under the surface of the jam. Tav fell off him immediately, lest he drown, and he grappled back to the surface, feeling his hair begin to crisp instantly. They laughed as he floundered, waving his arms in front of him to find her again. As she slipped against him, he gripped her arms tightly and licked her neck in one, long sweep as she wiped his eyes. She sucked the end of his nose as he pushed his fingers into her, pulling her up so he could suck jam off her nipples. She threw her head back and her body shook as she laughed with delight.

“I have an idea.” He murmured, grabbing Tav’s waist.

He turned her to face the edge of the tub, placing his hands over hers and interlocking his fingers for purchase. She rested in his lap, and he rubbed himself at her entrance, aroused by her moans, and her body shuddering. He rose to his knees, spreading hers and pushed into her as her breath hitched and her back arched. He gripped the edge of the tub and began to thrust into her gently as she sighed. He thrust a little harder and as she was pushed off him the jam sucked at their bodies with a disgusting slurp. Gale grunted. She was right, it was filthy. He chuckled as he thrust into her, digging his toes into the tub floor and finding he’d gained a good purchase. As he relaxed Tav became more wilful and pushed back into him, squealing with delight. The two of them tittering as Gale gripped her hips and had to unstick himself to touch anywhere else. He was losing control and the jam was as viscous as it cooled. He felt the heat rise in his chest as he fought through the sticky jam to fuck her. She clung to the bath’s edge and groaned loudly, spurring him on and he picked up the pace. As they grunted and laughed, the wet sucking noises around them joined in, a symphony of sticky sweet bliss.

Gale felt his sweat pool at his neck, running over the hardening jam on his chest and plop loudly onto Tav’s back. He bit his lip as he let the new sensation wash over him, and he thrust into her harder, grunting with pleasure and she began to moan in a high pitch. Their first climax racked them both and Gale fell forward, steadying himself on the windowsill above them, thrusting into her with full force and a measure tempo as she cried his name. His chest stuck to her back, pulling at his chest hair and his hands stuck to the windowsill. Somewhere the jam made a disgusting bloop and Gale felt pleasure strip him of his faculties as he began thrust into her at a rapid pace, knuckles white on the windowsill, matching tavs knuckles on the tubs edge. "Oh yes oh gods oh Gale oh fuck" She cried as he called her name and pulled her hair, arching her back. He yanked her ponytail and she shot backwards, her back hitting his chest with a wet slap, he clutched his arm across her chest, steadying her and sucking jam off her shoulder and neck, resisting the urge to bite her until as they both climaxed again and he sank his teeth into her shoulder. His cock shuddered as he fought the jam inside her, seeing stars and feeling as though he might pass out. She yelped and writhed against him, pulsating around him and begging his name repeatedly. Her eyes rolled back in her head, and she let go of the tub, letting the jam anchor her to him. He clutched her neck to steady her as her body roiled and shuddered. She reached behind her and tugged at his hair as she gasped and panted, finally giving one last full body shudder as she cried his name. He came again at her calling his name a final time, the peak sucking the air from his lungs as his legs shook and his throat rasped. She collapsed forward, her body shaking, and fell into the jam panting. Exhausted, Gale collapsed backwards into the jam himself and they leant at opposite ends of the tub, rubbing each other’s legs with their feet and sucking in air, waiting for sense and eyesight to return.

Sexual escapade over, Gale felt a little nauseous at the sweet-smelling jam, feeling it pull uncomfortably at his body hair. He tried to rise out of it, but it pulled at him, sucking him back into position. He’d climaxed so vigorously he could barely make a fist with his hands, let alone wrestle a tub full of goo. He looked over and saw Tav was having the same problem. Her long white curls had set in the cooling jam, and she was scooping into it to loosen herself. She looked over to him and grimaced.

“I didn’t think about this bit.” She admitted with an embarrassed laugh.

“Not to fear.” He mumbled, still drunk on ecstasy, and with an incantation, the jam dissolved into warm water. The scent of eucalyptus wafted into the air.

Tav crawled across to him, still shaking, her breath ragged. He pulled her the last few inches and sat her in his lap. They kissed and their lips were still sticky sweet. They giggled and held each other, washing each other’s faces.

Gale sighed lovingly. “I am quite spent.” He murmured, kissing her hands. She exhaled shakily. “Me too.” She kissed his face.

“What say you then, my love. Shall we call it a night?” He murmured.

“No” she replied. “I did bring one last gift.” She stood, the water rushing off her, steam wafted into his face. He stood with her and took her hand. She was going to be the death of him he thought, as she led him back to the bed.

“I will need some time before we can, you know.” He mumbled sheepishly. Tav chuckled and opened the bedside drawer, pulling out a stack of cards. He sat up inquisitively.

“I thought you could teach me the basics of 3 dragon ante.” She posited. Gale felt warmth rush him as she frowned at the cards. He took her hands.

"And here was i thinking the night was over, when its only just begun.” He smiled.

"But if I give up my Knight now, I'll leave my lady unguarded" tav huffed.

They'd been playing for hours, and she'd picked up the game quickly. It helped that he was an open book to her. She could instantly tell when he was lying and it had made her a difficult opponent. It didn't help that she was constantly trying to bend the rules either. He watched her frown at her hand, then at him. She placed a card. A gambit no doubt.

"So." She cleared her throat. "I assume you strip to this game?"

Gale laughed. "Yes. Many a time. Though I can assure you, no one ever stripped me past my smalls."

Tav feigned disappointment and he chuckled. "I bet I could get you to drop your drawers" she murmured.

"My good lady" he retorted. "You already have. I am stark bollock naked. As are you."

They giggled as he placed his card.

She looked puzzled at it and racked her brain, trying to remember his many earlier instructions.

Gale sipped his wine. "We could always play to clothe each other?" He suggested.

Tav gave a dramatic gasp. "Absolutely not! I am a proud sex wench thank you very much!"

She placed a card on top of his and looked triumphant. "And that's 3 dragon ante!" She cried, clapping, and laughing gleefully.

Gale looked at the cards. She had nothing, but she looked so happy.

"My lady, I can't believe you've bested me." He scooped up the cards and Tav yawned loudly.

"What do I win?" She asked, rubbing her eyes sleepily. Gale frowned at her. "A goods night’s sleep, wrapped in my arms." She beamed at him through half closed eyes.

"Outstanding. I'll take my prize now thank you."

Gale threw the cards off the bed as she collapsed into him, her back against his chest, so he could wrap his arms around her. Her head hit the pillow with a heavy floomp. She kissed his hands as he wrapped them around her and whispered "I love you" as her head grew heavy on his arm. He kissed her neck until he heard her softly snore. Sighing, he rolled onto his back and sank into the soft mattress. He closed his eyes and let sleep claim him, dreaming that this was his life now. There were no monsters to slay, no death to face. Just he and her, living their lives together in bliss.

Gale awoke bleary eyed to the cry of seagulls. They screeched and yelped, circling fishing boats coming back to port with the days catch.

Gale groaned and rolled over, knocking into Tavs sleeping form. He started for a moment and remembered he was not at the Inn, but in a private room with just his lady love. He smiled at the thought and scooped her up to cuddle her. She snorted but didn't wake, merely clinging to a pillow and nuzzling her face back into his arm. Gale stared at the back of her head and listened to her breathing, watching his arm rise and fall wrapped around her chest. The crushing weight of their mission had him scanning as much of her as he could, desperate to commit this moment to memory, should he need it for his dying breath.

He gently kissed the back of her neck and she stirred. "G'morning" She yawned and rolled over, kissing him, then resting back on the pillow with her eyes closed.

"Morning" he whispered, stroking her face. Her eyes blinked open and she smiled at him, resting her hand on his cheek as he kissed at her wrist, taking her hand in his.

They lay there for a while, staring at each other, sighing, and smiling. Happy in each other’s company, committing the other to memory.

"Thank you for last night" She murmured. He chuckled. "And thank you." He replied.

"We should probably go back." She said quietly, making no move to get up.

"We have some time. The others can enjoy a long breakfast." He said, kissing her again. He sighed. To wake up in a bed with her, naked. To have her face be the first thing he looked upon. It broke his heart to fear it may never happen again.

"Can we do this again?" He asked.

Tav looked down, her brow furrowed. "I'm not sure when we'll have the time." She bit her lip.

"No." He said quickly, lifting her face to his. "This, right now. I don't want to wake up without you again. As long as I live."

She melted.

"I don't care about what the others think." He continued. "I want to wake up with you in my arms for as long as I can. Please?" He felt a lump in his throat as he said it. They were mortals, facing gods in battle. His hope was all he had. She was all he had.

She kissed him tenderly, tears filling her eyes. "Yes." She whispered. "Of course, yes."

He kissed her, the taste of wine and plum jam on her lips still, and he chuckled as his own eyes welled up. They lay there for a time, wiping each other’s tears and giggling at how silly they were. She stroked his hair and kissed his forehead as he clung to her, clung to this moment, watching a sun beam creep up the sheets as the new day dragged them towards inevitability.