[ Frankly, the conversation's gone past the length Astarion would typically entertain, despite (or perhaps because of) Mat's habit of pushing back. He doesn't feel uncomfortable or nervous about it, per se, just a little uncertain. There's nothing he really stands to gain out of this interaction, as far as he can tell, and it's hardly as though he wants to jump head-first into an affair, either. (Trust doesn't come easily enough to him, and as for an actual desire for physical intimacyβ well, it's complicated.)
With all that in mind, it's difficult to account for his willingness to play along, or the fondness with which he engages in it. But the fact that they're both circling as opposed to showing their hands tells him that, perhaps, what trust he is willing to put in Mat isn't misplaced. ]
If you asked.
[ Yet another challenge, yet another dare, though Astarion finds that he extends it without much agonizing at all. He's tempted to ask if that's what Mat genuinely would find to be a good time, but he keeps the thought to himself, both for the sake of keeping his message appropriately mysterious and because he doesn't want to give off the impression that it'd be a bad thing. ]
Oh, I think I've heard of this tactic before: "It's not you, it's me"? More to the point, don't let me clip your wings either, my dear.
no subject
With all that in mind, it's difficult to account for his willingness to play along, or the fondness with which he engages in it. But the fact that they're both circling as opposed to showing their hands tells him that, perhaps, what trust he is willing to put in Mat isn't misplaced. ]
If you asked.
[ Yet another challenge, yet another dare, though Astarion finds that he extends it without much agonizing at all. He's tempted to ask if that's what Mat genuinely would find to be a good time, but he keeps the thought to himself, both for the sake of keeping his message appropriately mysterious and because he doesn't want to give off the impression that it'd be a bad thing. ]
Oh, I think I've heard of this tactic before: "It's not you, it's me"? More to the point, don't let me clip your wings either, my dear.