Thanks so much for the tag @tragedybunny !
Here’s a snippet from a chapter FAR, far down the road in Endlessly (I write these chapters so out of order that it’s not even funny)
-
“Firstly, I have absolutely no desire whatsoever to become a vampire. I know what a true vampire is capable of, as do you. It's not just Cazador that's a piece of shit, Astarion...”
“It won't be the same with me, with us.”
“Won't it, my love? What makes us different from any other person who's become a true vampire?”
Astarion made a sour face as he broke eye contact with Tali. He clearly wasn't happy with what the bard had to say, but it seemed that the vampling knew that his lover was right, even if it hurt.
“The anguish of loss is just going to be a fact in the matter of a relationship where one is endless and the other expires. I've read countless stories and poems and sang a myriad of ballads and songs about such fates — they were tragedies, yes, but such is life,” Tali managed as sorrow fell over him heavily, a wilting feeling that grew from his heart and caused awful, stinging tears to flood his eyes. Such was life, truly, and gods did it hurt — but life was nothing if not a tragedy in the end.
“But it doesn’t have to be that way! It’s not fair to either of us when immortality is a conceivable fate — for both of us,” Astarion attested, his eyes large and desperate, and Tali gave him a sullen smile. He very much understood Astarion’s fear of loss, it was painful to think that he'd watch Tali die one day, one way or another, and have to move on with his undead life. But unlike Tali and his lost love, Astarion would have to live with that woeful burden forever.
“Life isn't fair, my sweet love. I will die and you will not, and that is how it will be,” Tali said, choking up slightly as the words fell from his lips, “but our world — and all the countless realms — they hold great magic. All is not lost. Perhaps we can find another way.”
Tali tried in vain to keep a straight face as Astarion laid his head down on the pillow in apparent defeat — at least for the time being — and he locked eyes with the bard as a few large tears fell, making a soft pattering upon the fresh linens.
“I hate this,” he said under his breath as Tali wiped at his own eyes to stop the tears from stinging.
“I know.”
“I just want us to be endless, little bird.”
Oh Astarion… poor, sweet Astarion…
No pressure tagging: @ollysoxisfree @vixstarria @bardic-inspo @pursuitseternal @tallymonster and anyone who wants to do the thing! (And sorry if ya got double tagged)