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Leaving the bewildered children behind him, Halsin hurried to catch up with Astarion at the top of the ladder. He half expected the spawn to have taken off without him. Instead, Astarion had taken a seat outside, humming to himself as he counted the extra coin.

It was too much money for Halsin to be comfortable, but hardly everything those kids must have stolen today.

"That was unexpected," Halsin said as he gestured for Astarion to follow him home. The spawn hopped to his feet, tucking his gold in the box of bottles he'd recovered. "You taking them on as apprentices, I mean, not stealing from them."

Astarion shrugged. "What else could I do? You heard that fake cough. Thinking it would trick both the man stealing from them and a renowned healer like yourself is so sloppy it's insulting."

That startled a laugh from the druid. "I admit, I've heard more convincing coughs from the mockingbirds who live by the infirmary." He stared at Astarion out of the corner of his eye. "Regardless. Thank you for taking them under your wing."

"You're the one who's put the entire settlement in the care of your massive paws. Using a few ungrateful kids for daytime labor is hardly anything to write home about," Astarion protested as he sniffed dramatically.

The attitude did nothing to deter Halsin. "It is in my nature to be a guardian. I know it doesn't come as easily to you."

"Maybe you're rubbing off on me. And not in the fun way, unfortunately."

"I can fix that if you'd like."

Astarion burst into laughter. "After we just finished talking with children? You are absolutely shameless, sweetheart." His voice dropped to a rich purr. "I

The little rascals were surprisingly good at following directions. It didn't take long to stop them from emptying the already empty pockets of other refugees and orphans. Once they saw how much better the cash flow was by following Halsin's advice to keep them out of local trouble and Astarion's to pickpocket the fattest cats in Baldur's Gate whenever they could visit, they stopped testing their mentors" patience. Mostly. They were still children, after all; it's not like they had a choice to be anything other than know-it-all brats sometimes. But they got the work done, kept themselves out of prison cells, and made Astarion's business venture flourish on his behalf.

The only complaint Astarion had was about how they addressed him. He'd been careful not to assign his name to anything he sold. Didn't need any old enemies or friends looking him up. Of course, Halsin had no such sense of preservation and used Astarion's name freely in front of the kids, so when they picked it up, Astarion had to demand they use something else to refer to him.

He'd expected the kids to choose something respectable or frightening-sounding as his nickname. Maybe "Boss" or "Shadowman". He'd have even settled for the very literal "Bloodeater" the wolves called him.

But no. The children chose "Uncle." 

The only thing that could have been more mortifying would be calling him "Daddy" like the younger (or more disrespectful) members did Halsin.

Still, being guardian to a bunch of miscreant children wasn't such a bad life. Astarion had started to understand why Halsin took such joy in teaching young druids. It was fun to see the pint-sized thieves go from botching a simple lock to running a multi-part scam so cleanly that the Guild sent a liaison to make sure the kids didn't plan to be competition. 

It was lucrative, too. Between his cut from the kids" income and the success of his scented lotions made from foraged and stolen materials, Astarion had collected a small hoard of gold. It wasn't enough to bribe officials or buy up land yet, but he could finally purchase an entire wardrobe from the most discreet merchants in Baldur's Gate.

A new set of robust but stylish leathers for visiting his canine companions after their claws had torn up his softer clothes with their play. Heavy cloaks in a variety of colors to hide his identity and protect his skin if he had to be out close to sunrise. An elegant, airy outfit designed to highlight all his best assets as a surprise for Halsin the next time Astarion was feeling confident enough to attempt a seduction, though he suspected the druid would tell him his beauty was most remarkable in the nude as nature intended. And, of course, several new garments that screamed "wealthy noble" as befitted an up-and-coming crime lord. After all, if things went to plan, he'd need to meet with plenty of underworld bosses soon enough, which meant looking the part if he wanted any respect.

Astarion was admiring one of his new black doublets trimmed in intricate silver brocade when Halsin made an early return to the cave.

"Why hello, darling," he greeted without lifting his eyes from the inky fabric. "What brings you back so early? Did you miss me?"

"There's a problem."

The druid's tight voice made Astarion glance up. Halsin looked worse for wear, his chest heaving in what would have been a rather fetching manner had his hands not also been shaking. Astarion recognized that look from their time fighting for their lives together against the Absolute. Halsin was fresh off a particularly strenuous healing session.

Astarion set aside his garment, venturing closer to the mouth of the cave as he scanned Halsin for any sign of injury. "What happened? Were you attacked?"

"No. It wasn't me." Halsin grimaced. His hands steadied themselves by making fists as he stepped into the cave's darkness. "One of the nobles, Crowfield, has apparently been causing problems for the children because they've been outselling his established products."

Astarion swallowed back the fear of where this was going. "I know. I taught them how to run circles around all his dirty tricks months ago." 

"Apparently, he's decided to take more drastic measures. He bribed a few of the refugee-hating guards to go after the children today when the market closed. Two of them came back so bloody that I could barely stabilize them. Brol didn't make it back at all." Halsin closed his eyes, still stoic but a world apart from his usual serene demeanor. His voice remained steady in the face of tragic loss as only a seasoned healer could. "I'm so sorry, Astarion. I am furious, but there is little I can do. As much as I wish publicly outing the man's behavior would end in justice for the tiefling children, that will not happen. It will only result in more resentment and mistreatment. He will use my anger as justification to abuse more outsiders."

Something black and revolting reared up within Astarion. That sniveling bastard had hurt what was

The possessive outrage howled so loudly in his ears that Astarion scarcely recognized the calm lilt of his own voice, saying, "Most perceptive, my dear druid. I'm surprised you're so politically savvy, given how you detest cities."

"I have much experience providing homes for those cast out of their walls," Halsin replied bitterly.

"Well, you can rest easy, darling. I will make sure justice is served. You needn't do a single thing but tend to the little runts who got scraped up."

Halsin's brow furrowed. "Astarion, I understand you are angry, but you can't mean to kill the man."

"Why not? You know as well as I that the only cost those nobles respect is one paid with blood. I will show the world what happens when it harms my children. And they will

The frigid declaration stunned Astarion as he felt it leave his throat.

Astarion's skin had always crawled at the notion of family. With his insistence on them being part of one, Cazador had done his damnedest to ruin that word forever. But when Astarion thought of the tieflings who ran his business or the newly whelped pups at the wolf den, the words "My children" floated to the tip of Astarion's tongue effortlessly, as did an overwhelming urge to steal them away from harm as no one had ever done for him. 

A quiet rumble that sounded like Halsin's voice whispered to his unbeating heart that it was a sign of his true nature. Vampires were compelled to create progeny. It didn't matter if they were fit to be sires. As a spawn with no master to feed from, this was the closest Astarion would ever get to that experience.

It wasn't something he wanted to analyze deeply at the moment. Tearing out Crowfield's throat was a far better use of his time.

But Halsin was an Archdruid and one not easily intimidated by any cursed creature. Astarion's outburst only made the oversized elf plant himself more firmly in his way. "I cannot abide that. If you go after Crowfield, it will bring their fury down harder upon all the refugees, especially if they have no evidence of who killed the man."

"Oh, I intended to make it perfectly clear who killed him." Astarion laughed, devoid of joy. "A vampire and his army of wolves. One who does not like his business being interfered with."

"You would bring the pack with you to the city?"

The spawn sneered at Halsin, pacing restlessly along the line of sunlight caging him within the cave. "It's adorable how inept you are at the art of murder, my dear druid. No, I will not take the pack to the city. Nor will I stab the man in his sleep. Getting invitations to personal quarters is entirely too much trouble. I will lure him out after dark, bleed him dry, and let the pups make toys of his bones."

"I worry for you, Astarion. To take such drastic measures..." Halsin's voice dipped with emotion, "I do not want to lose you to the darkness within yourself."

"That is not a choice you get to make!"

The spawn stood at his full height, nothing impressive next to Halsin's bulk, yet still terrifying as his eyes gleamed with ravenous defiance. Astarion would embrace his inner monster tonight if he must. He would not let anyone, no matter how many debts were owed between them, override his will.

Halsin deflated. "I suppose not. But I am loathe to bury another friend ended by my own hand because they could not stay their bloodlust."

"Aren't you the one who called the wolves my kin?" Astarion pressed, stalking nearer to the druid. "Any wolf would kill without remorse to protect their own. Even

are barely able to maintain your elven shape at times when you feel things strongly, so why is my choice to seek vengeance unnatural, yet all that is fine?"

"I understand what you're saying...but..." Closing his eyes, Halsin exhaled. His voice hardened with resignation as he continued, "No. You are right. I spoke from a place of fear. I have lost one student to the Shadow Druids already and have too often been tempted by their doctrine when I gaze upon the vileness of civilization. Now, I am dwelling with a vampire spawn and enjoying his company. There are times I fear I no longer understand the Oak Father's Balance."

"My sweet bear, don't worry your fuzzy little head. You are nothing if not obnoxiously morally upstanding and generous. Nothing I do could taint that if all the other shit in your long life didn't already cause you to stray."

A soft snort. "Your confidence is comforting. Thank you."

"If it helps, you can think of me as your shadow," Astarion suggested. He kicked a pebble towards the setting sun. "You do all the touchy-feely wisened druid nonsense about respecting nature in the daylight, and I will show them the consequences of ignoring your warnings at night. Doesn't Silvanus teach something about light needing dark in the rules about nature you're always quoting?"

"I believe you're referring to the importance of both life and decay, but I understand your meaning."

Astarion clasped his hands together, turning back towards the druid. "Ah yes, life and decay. Even more perfect, as you are alive and I am...well, not decaying, but living challenged, shall we say."

"Your lack of decay is precisely why I waver!" Halsin exclaimed in a rush of breath. His eyes were devoid of magic but still shone wild. "Such things are against nature's design. The dead are meant to stay that way."

Astarion knew, logically, Halsin didn't mean that in the horrible way it had been said. He had shown too much grace since Astarion had arrived for it to be true. The unflappable elf had simply reached the limit of his patience. Halsin might be old and wise, but no one was immune to a crisis of faith.

Astarion knew all that, but that knowledge didn't stop old hurts from flaring. Ones not yet healed from so many years of trying to be what Tav and the others wanted him to be.

"So he says the truth at last. I was wondering when the mighty Archdruid would finally cast me out. I shouldn't be surprised that as soon as I stopped being your perfect little pupil and showed my fangs, you'd want nothing to do with me," Astarion accused. 

He bared his teeth, displaying the monster he was proudly.

Astarion had wanted to hide his nature once upon a time. He had thought that pretending he was just another high elf dealt a horrible hand in life rather than an undead abomination would make things easier. That parading around like a simple, terrified mortal would somehow allow him to take back everything Cazador stole. But Astarion had only scarred himself further in the process. 

He was a vampire spawn. Nothing could change that now that the Ascension ritual was impossible. The strengths and limitations of his unlife were reality. Whatever new fears and lusts that had become his the day he died were his to own now.

Halsin should have understood why he needed to do this. He was the one who had taught Astarion to respect his role as a vampire spawn, to find his place as a unique predator in the natural order. Maybe that was the real reason Astarion was so infuriated. Because Halsin should have understood....and Astarion was so, so afraid he wouldn't.

"I am not casting you out, Astarion." Halsin's stern voice eased that knot of fear. The druid sucked in another breath, his eyes squeezing shut as if in pain. "Oak Father, forgive me if I've betrayed his teachings, but I want you to have this. It is a comfort to see you be Silvanus" wrath where I cannot. Is that wrong of me?"

"Is this you asking for me to soothe your conscience, my darling bear?" The purr slipped naturally from Astarion's lips, a sweet venom overproduced by his momentary panic. "If that's what you need, far be it from me to deny you. I'll spin you the most beautiful story about a wicked vampire spawn whose soul was made to worship Silvanus by a handsome, selfless druid."

The fingers crawling up Halsin's chest were slapped away.

"Do not insult me. I have long outgrown such pretty lies," the druid growled.

They stared at each other for a long moment. There were times when Halsin had been unknowable to Astarion. Either because he was too free or too experienced for an elf 200 years dead and caged to fathom. 

Halsin often chose abstinence when he clearly hungered. He was kind and patient in the face of blatant insults, yet did not hesitate to wield a devastating whirl of claws and teeth to protect his god's Balance. With his reputation and strength, he could have anything he wanted - money, influence, followers - yet he was happiest living alone in the woods, far from his title of Archdruid. He loved deeper than any Astarion had known, yet his heart would still never be content to beat for only a single partner.

Yes, Halsin was often an enigma to Astarion. However, those frustrated hazel eyes could not be more transparent in their desire today.

He wanted the truth. Raw and ugly as only nature could be. And Astarion, a self-made king of deception, felt compelled to give it to him.

"How you justify your actions is not my concern. I intend to do what I want, regardless of your approval," he said. Astarion withdrew his hands and crossed them over his own chest. "I have spent enough of my life letting people steal things from me without consequences. I won't let anyone have this too. If ripping out that bastard's throat can be justified by your Oak Father's teachings, that's a happy coincidence."

Halsin stared a moment longer, then nodded. He wasn't smiling, but the severity of his frown had diminished. "I see. Then I expect we will have this conversation many more times in the future."

Astarion groaned, "It would be easier if you would let me do as I please without the endless questions. But if you insist, I suppose I can spare the time. And as far as tonight?"

"I am not so foolish as to prevent a wolf from guarding his pack. I wish you a successful hunt." Halsin's lips tightened. "Just be careful."

"I always am, darling."

Astarion wasn't so bold as to kiss the druid when he was wearing that concerned scowl. Instead, the spawn left a gentle tap on Halsin's cheek with the back of his knuckles. He brushed past the druid to enter the crisp air of evening's first hours.

There was much to do tonight. But by the light of dawn, this world would be free from the blight of one more gluttonous noble, and Astarion's pockets would be twice as full.

Halsin took a long drag from his pipe as he stared up at the moon. He had come out here to re-center himself in nature. Yet even cradled in the bosom of her splendor, Astarion haunted his thoughts.

The forest's underbrush, chilled by a nighttime breeze, reminded Halsin of Astarion's cool touch as it brushed against his naked skin. Moonlight streaming through the canopy of the ash trees overhead made them glow like sussar leaves, reminiscent of the Underdark Astarion had called home these past many years. Even the soft rush of wings overhead made Halsin think of the vampire spawn. How could they not when they belonged to bats heading home to their caves after a long evening of hunting?

How could they not when he feared Astarion would not do the same tonight?

Halsin exhaled deeply, watching smoke drift through the sky after them.

He had let his idealism get the better of him again. 400 years of wisdom and learning, yet he was still the same fool he'd always been. Not for believing in Astarion's ability to find peace in his nature. For believing Astarion would be able to find peace in his nature while out here.

A spawn like him was destined to thrive in cities. He needed humanoids to con, cajole, and seduce, not the company of woodland creatures who had no interest in politics or material goods. After tonight, when he tasted the lifeblood of civilization's twisted ways again, Halsin did not doubt Astarion would realize it, too.

It would be a shame to part ways so soon. Halsin had enjoyed having someone to come home to after a great many years alone. He'd hoped to see more of Astarion's journey of self-discovery, too, now that the spawn had chosen freedom over security. But it was precisely that choice that kept Halsin from wanting Astarion to stay. The younger elf should go where his nature called him, not cling to whatever safety he'd found in Halsin's den. Their hearts would have hundreds of years to find one another again, should the Oak Father will it.

The voices of a wolfpack rising in glorious chorus marked the success of Astarion's hunt. Halsin smiled as he filled his lungs with another drag from his pipe. As he breathed out, a figure appeared through the haze like another wisp of smoke.

"Astarion. I take it you were successful?"

The spawn didn't answer. Not with his voice, anyhow.

As Astarion prowled closer, Halsin saw the blood on his lips. His eyes glittered dangerously in the night, bright and alive from the thrill of sating his basest needs. He was mesmerizing in the moon's soft caress. An alabaster avatar of dark divinity. The temptations of every devil's whisper made into perfect, marble-smooth flesh.

Halsin recognized the way Astarion stalked towards him, not sparing a word or thought for the druid's nudity. He'd seen it from many less-elven creatures during the height of their mating seasons. He'd even felt it himself when his blood ran too hot, and the bear within him demanded he let instinct override reason. Whether Astarion was drunk on blood or the high of a successful hunt, desire had consumed his fears, leaving only his most primal self and a need to indulge.

Astarion dropped to his knees, bracing Halsin between their obscene spread. His nails clawed into the druid's chest.

"I want you," he said. His voice was too rough with hunger to mimic his usual seductive cadence.

Halsin put a hand over Astarion's to calm him. He didn't mind giving himself to the spawn in any way he desired - this was hardly their first foray into physical connection - but he didn't want to be torn to ribbons by vampiric madness either.

"Peace, my most accomplished hunter," he murmured, running a thumb over cool knuckles slightly heated from a fresh feeding. "I am happy to give you my body if that is what you desire. My questions can wait until your thirst has been slaked."

Astarion did not use his tongue to form words for the rest of the night. It was strange, seeing him so far removed from the suggestive persona and flirtatious airs he used to both attack and protect. Yet Astarion's mind did not stray during their long romp. If anything, it was the opposite. His eyes focused intently on every move Halsin made, memorizing the sight of their bodies together like he could not believe this was his now, and he never wanted to be without it.

Or like he knew he might never have the chance to see it again.

Halsin couldn't shake that thought. Not even after they'd returned to their cave for a final round of pleasure as dawn broke.

He stroked Astarion's hair while the spawn lay boneless on his chest, still gathering his wits like pieces of armor flung across the room during the heat of passion.

"I hope you enjoyed that as much as I did," Halsin whispered. He bent down to place a kiss into the white curls. "But rest assured, I won't demand more of you. I understand if you're ready to return to the city now."

Astarion jolted up to half-sitting. "What? Why would I do that?"

"Because it is your home. I saw how you thrived tonight, eager to dance like one of Llolth's children along their webs of deceit and corruption. As much as I do not understand it, I would never presume to keep you from it either."

"But you presume to know what I want?" Astarion hissed. 

"I had thought..." Halsin trailed off. "I'm sorry, Astarion, was I wrong in my thinking? Tonight was so different from any other we'd shared that I could only assume..."