[ After so long of not being able to do anything for himself, of course Astarion would have a hard time untangling this. It is twisted and jagged and more likely to draw blood than not, but it should be very obvious by now that Winter does not mind bleeding for him. For this. The mood isn't brought down, it's simply changed, and perhaps for the better.

Astarion isn't someone he's going to drag to his bed to fuck and forget. And neither is Winter someone Astarion is seducing under orders, as a matter of survival. This is something they both want — isn't it? ]

Astarion...

[ There's something terribly sweet about the way the vampire has tilted his head into his touch. Winter draws his thumb along his cheekbone again, following the crest in small and soothing motions. ]

Will you let me explore you? I would be honored to discover the things you enjoy together, to make a map for us both.