Somewhat Clear

deerna
somewhatclear

Rating: SAFE
Fandom: baldur's gate
Relationship: astarion/halsin/staeve
Tags: missing scenes, injury, compersion, polyamory
Wordcount: 704
Notes: staeve belongs to MAF.

Summary:
a few moments about halsin witnessing staeve and astarion's feelings

Excerpt:

Halsin looked up from his task and, when he saw Astarion’s expression, he knew.

compersion (noun, uncountable) • Vicarious joy associated with seeing one's partner have a joyful romantic or sexual relation with another.

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Dread and worry squeezed Halsin’s heart when he saw Staeve’s limp form, but he knew he didn’t have time to indulge such feelings.

The half-drow skin felt too warm under his hands, his body heavy and his face slack with the non-resistance of the deeply injured. It was second nature for Halsin to cradle him in his arms, letting the healing magic find the worst of the burns and spread relief where it was so sorely needed, to lift pain where the fire had cruelly bitten his flesh away.

“What happened?” Shadowheart asked.

“There's more pressing matters at the moment, don’t you think?” Astarion growled.

It cut right through Halsin’s focus. He had heard the elf snap in anger and annoyance so many times before, but it was the first time he had witnessed such a sound from him.

He looked up from his task and, when he saw Astarion’s expression, he knew.

#

Even for a healer as seasoned as Halsin, the sight of melted skin peeling away from Staeve’s back was proving a difficult trial. In his long life he had seen many injuries that were worst, of course, but rarely he had to tend them on the flesh of someone he felt such affection for. At least, unconsciousness granted Staeve shelter from the worst pain.

As Halsin gently laid him on his side, Staeve stirred slightly. “I’m sorry,” he heard him half-mumble, half-groan in the bedding of the pallet, a wet whisper.

He stroked the half-drow’s hair back from his sweaty forehead. He still felt feverish, despite the healing spells, despite the soothing balms. “What is it, my heart?”

A choked sob, a gasp. A few garbled words, his voice lilting through them in an odd, unfamiliar cadence. “I’m sorry…”

“It’s alright,” Halsin rumbled, reassuring, helpless. “You’re going to be just fine.”

#

“That pain is misplaced in your beautiful eyes,” Halsin murmured against Staeve’s hair.

The half-drow buried his face into his shoulder. He wasn’t making a sound, but Halsin knew he was crying because of the dampness against his skin, the minute tremors going through Staeve’s body. He was willing to let him shake through whatever emotions were overwhelming him for however long he’d liked, but it was only a short while before Staeve pulled himself away from the embrace, rubbing any trace of tears from his face.

“I don’t know what came over me.” His voice was a little raspy. He let out a small, self-deprecating chuckle. “Sorry about that.”

“Everyone needs a moment of release, my love,” Halsin reassured him. “Do you feel better?”

Staeve’s pained smile was answer enough.

Halsin clamped on the urge to speak more comforting words. He brushed his thumb against his chin instead. “Let me take care of you a little longer, dear heart.”

At Staeve’s nod, he wiped the last of the soot off his face and neck with a damp towel. He looked so sweet with his eyes closed, waiting for Halsin’s touch, trusting and minutely relaxing more and more with every stroke.

As a final touch, he brushed out his hair, putting them up with one of his own hair ties. He felt him shiver, as he gently scratched his nails against his scalp. He wasn’t quite purring by the time Halsin was finished, but he seemed calmer, more settled.

Staeve hesitated only briefly, before standing up on his own and dressing himself into a clean shirt. His brow was furrowed when he turned towards Halsin, visibly turning words in his mouth.

Halsin smiled. “I know you need to go,” he said. “I only ask that you don’t overexert yourself.”

Staeve nodded. He kissed his farewells against Halsin’s cheek, and slipped out of the tent.

#

Anticipation and anxiety squeezed Halsin’s heart when he heard Astarion and Staeve start arguing in the middle of camp like they had forgotten they weren’t the only people in the whole world, but he knew it wasn’t his place to indulge such feelings.

Halsin stuck his head out of his tent and, when he saw Astarion flush, when he saw Staeve grab his hand and lean his cheek against his back, when he saw them kiss like they were inventing love all over again, he knew.