Chapter Text
Astarion had been going to the Last Light for a couple of years now. He'd gone through the gauntlet of all the BDSM clubs in Baldur's gate after he broke free from Cazador's contract, of course, but it was this cozy space and the people who inhabited it that made it his club of choice.
He'd lost years of his life to the Szarr Palace, one of the most premier and exclusive clubs in the Gate run by Cazador himself. He was swept off his feet when he was a young man enamored by the theatrics of it all, charmed out of his wits by the mysterious and powerful owner who had personally invited him to the Palace. Cazador had taken him under his wing and showed him the ropes, taught him everything he ever wanted to know about BDSM, about submission. He was so gentle and kind, that is until he entered into a permanent full time master/slave contract with him. It was fun and exciting! Until it wasn't.
It was hell.
He had thought this was how it was supposed to be. He'd been surrounded by Cazador's sycophantic followers, all of whom had told him, insisted, that this was how BDSM was truly practiced. Cazador told him that it was him who was being a bad submissive, him who needed to suck it up and endure. It was his fault for signing the contract and perhaps he shouldn't have agreed if he wasn't cut out for it? Cazador owned him financially, owned him body and soul. He'd all but given up on finding a way out until the club was raided by the Flaming Fist. Apparently the Palace had been a hotbed for all sorts of crime and Cazador was involved in everything from money laundering, to drugs, to human trafficking. Lucky him.
He still vividly remembered the first taste of sunlight and freedom on his face.
He thought he'd never get involved in the community again- he didn't even have an interest in sex at the time, let alone kink- but it was his therapist of all people who convinced him to give it another try. Jaheira was a no-nonsense sort of woman who Astarion had clashed with disastrously at first but had eventually become a close friend and a firm, but guiding hand in his recovery.
"What you experienced with Cazador was not a safe and healthy kink relationship," she had said with such vehemence that it had taken Astarion aback. "It would do you good I think to learn about BDSM anew, to reclaim your identity and recontextualize your years with Cazador. It doesn't have to be sexual, and due to your dissociative states, I would suggest you avoid submission for now..."
They had talked about it over the course of several sessions, and she had broken down the myriad of ways that Cazador was not just a shit person, but a bad dom. They had talked about the difference between dissociation and sub space, about how master/slave kink relationships usually worked. She had given him a list of BDSM clubs that were known to be safe and recommended going and talking to the people who frequented them.
It wasn't until Astarion learned more that he truly realized what he had lost, until he realized the scope of physical and psychological torture that he had endured. He talked to people from all walks of life who enjoyed all manner of kinks and relationships. He met people who practiced kinks he'd assumed were impossible to do safely, and were horrified when they heard about Cazador. It was an enlightening time in his life and eventually he found himself making friends, enjoying himself and feeling the hurt and tension ease out of him as he made new connections outside of those years in the Palace.
The Last Light was practically his second home now.
Through the years he took to learning everything he could about kink and BDSM, burned through every book on the subject, attended conferences and seminars and classes- eventually he was the one who did the teaching and lecturing. He rose to notoriety in the community and was a senior member of the Last Light, but most days he hung around the club to socialize, answer questions, and occasionally mentor fledgling kinksters.
It was a balmy spring night in the Gate and Astarion was sitting in the parlor of the Last Light bullshitting with Shadowheart and Karlach who had just finished their shift overseeing the dungeon. He hadn't yet ventured into the dungeon tonight and didn't have any scenes planned but enjoyed socializing with the other staff and the regulars. He dropped by most nights, even if to just curl up on a couch and enjoy tea, snacks, and good conversation.
The girls were both finishing up their chat and preparing to leave when a tall brunette man came in through the vestibule.
"Gale! You made it!" Shadowheart exclaimed with uncharacteristic cheer.
The man, Gale, startled- his expression wide as if he was just caught doing something he shouldn't have.
"Well," he replied with a wizardly flourish of his hand, "I am nothing if not a man of my word. I did promise I'd stop by at least..." he trailed off, looking around uneasily.
"I didn't think you'd make it through the primer videos to be honest, but we're glad to have you." Karlach jested and stood up to wrap the newcomer in a fearsome hug. "Make yourself a cup of tea and sit down, I promise no one's going to jump out of the walls and beat you to death with a dildo."
Karlach cackled to herself and grabbed two cupcakes off the snack tray, shoving one into her mouth and the other into Gale's hand.
"Well, is anyone going to introduce me?" Astarion pouted.
"Be patient, Astarion, let the man settle down before you scare him off," Shadowheart said with a performative sigh. "This is Gale, he's a friend of ours. We've been trying to convince him to come for ages."
"And this tall, pasty, and handsome man here is Astarion. He's been coming here for years- actually Gale, there's no better person for a newb like yourself to talk to." Karlach interjected, using Astarion's head as an armrest.
"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Astarion." Gale said primly.
"The pleasure is all mine," Astarion purred. "It's always a delight to see new faces around here."
"And it's a delight to see your face anywhere, Gale," Karlach said with a chuckle.
Shadowheart glanced at her watch. "Unfortunately we don't have time to stay and chat," she said, rising to her feet. "Our reservation is at seven and it's nearly six-forty-five."
"You got us a reservation?" Karlach asked. "Babe, there's never a wait there."
"I reserved the best table in the restaurant," Shadowheart retorted before crossing over to Karlach and hooking an arm under hers. "So we really do need to get going."
"Well," Gale cut in. "I hope you enjoy your dinner, Shadowheart, Karlach. I'll just…"
"Let Astarion show you around?" Karlach finished for him- from the look on her face knowing full well that wasn't what Gale was about to say. "Hey, that's a great idea! You two have fun."
The two women had left before Astarion or Gale had a chance to say anything else. Gale cleared his throat nervously, looking much more uncertain now that he was left alone. "I don't want to impose," he said.
"It's no trouble," Astarion replied, offering a reassuring grin. "I would hate for you to feel pressured, but I am something of an expert, and I do love the sound of my own voice. Please, have a seat- what can I do for you?"
Gale sat gingerly on the opposite couch. "How does all of this," he gestured around with a waving hand. "work, exactly?"
"First off, it can be whatever you want it to be. Everyone's preferences are different, you never even have to step foot in the dungeon if you don't wish. If you're looking to play though, first you need to fill out a worksheet detailing preferences, kinks, triggers, and medical history- the staff, myself included, can help you fill it out and answer questions if need be."
He paused to read Gale's expression and make sure he wasn't losing him, but he seemed to have calmed down a tad when Astarion mentioned the worksheet. One of Shadowheart's university friends? "Well," he said, "that is a relief to hear at least. No offense to Karlach, but she can be rather... exuberant. I was worried I'd be dragged off the second I stepped through the door."
Astarion grinned and added, "You should know I am not a narc. If you do choose to leave, I won't snitch on you to Karlach- you have my word."
Gale smiled nervously. "I don't see any harm in giving it the old college try." He chuckled - university friend for sure, then. "What else should a 'newb' like myself be keeping in mind?"
Astarion took a second to think. "Remember, you never have to participate in a scene you're not comfortable with. Consent can always be revoked."
"I'll keep that in mind," Gale said, nodding sagely. "I think I would like to try my hand at the worksheet- I'm an academic at heart, I suppose."
"Excellent! I'll go grab one for you."
Gale started working his way through the documents, his face and the tips of his ears growing redder by the second. He cleared his throat and shuffled anxiously around on the couch before turning to him.
"Would you happen to have an example I could look at?" he asked. "I'm at a loss for how much detail to include."
"Of course, darling. I'll go grab mine."
Gale's throat made a choked out splutter as Astarion left the room and returned once again, setting a sheaf of paper down next to Gale's hands- which were now gripped into the cloth at the edge of the couch.
"Right, I'll just..." He trailed off, resolutely avoiding eye contact with Astarion.
The flush never left Gale's face as he worked his way through his worksheet, stopping to ask clarifying questions about vocabulary that Astarion had used, eyes flicking between his own paper and the reference. Eventually he finished writing and was now staring down at Astarion's papers, clutching them tightly.
"Like what you see?" Astarion asked, startling him.
"It is…" He cleared his throat. "Certainly a lot to take in. There is so much I don't know- I can't even begin to imagine how I would feel about some of this."
"It is definitely overwhelming at first," Astarion agreed. "I've been doing this for ages and I still learn new things about myself." He paused. "Did you have any plans for this evening?"
"Truth be told, I thought I'd let Shadowheart or Karlach drag me off and tie me up, then go home and we could have a laugh about it later. But it seems I've been left to my own devices this evening."
"Shadowheart is a pillow princess wrapped in femdom clothing, but Karlach would have delighted in tying you up, I'm sure." Astarion leaned back against the couch. "Don't let her absence stop you if you want to play, though- there are plenty of people here who do bondage, and the night is young."
Gale cleared his throat yet again. "Well, I couldn't help but notice your page says you 'rig' and Karlach did leave me in your care tonight." His confident flirting was entirely betrayed by the fact that he couldn't look Astarion in the eye.
Astarion grinned sharply and leaned in close. "Darling, I thought you'd never ask."
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"To start," Astarion narrated, leading Gale back toward the dungeon. "I don't do any sexual contact during first scenes or tastings- so if you were hoping to get laid tonight you're going to have to live with your disappointment."
"Ah, no I'm actually rather relieved," Gale replied, looking around him as they went. "I certainly wasn't planning on sex tonight."
"Good," Astarion said before continuing, "I use the traffic light system, and the dungeon's safe word is 'stop'. Lastly, I know you've read my worksheet but I don't do master/slave, and I ask that you not call me master. Was there anything you wanted me to know that wasn't on your worksheet?"
"No," Gale replied with a nervous grin. "I can't promise I won't have more questions, but I am happy to leave myself in your experienced hands."
"Excellent. Shall we get started then?"
They made their way out of the cozy, golden toned parlor and through another room which was made up of small nooks that contained piles of luxuriously large and fluffy cushions, dim lighting, and lightly scented candles.
"This is the aftercare room," Astarion announced, turning back toward Gale and gesturing behind him. "People come here after scenes to wind down. It's considered polite to not talk to other couples when they're in this room."
Gale made a noise of affirmation as they made their way into the dungeon proper. It was a large, but dark spacious room with long gauzy curtains embroidered with glittering stars draped tastefully throughout the room to give a modicum of privacy. There were cute twinkling lights dangling from the ceiling and soothing ambient music drifted out from hidden speakers. Padded tables, benches, Saint Andrew's crosses and other equipment were scattered throughout the room for use. Astarion had been to a lot of BDSM clubs, but he thought that the Last Light's decor was rather tasteful.
"Not quite what I was expecting," Gale remarked. "I was imaging more... cages, spikes, and flashing lights to be honest." he added, startling a laugh out of Astarion.
"You're not the only one to have that reaction, dear. I have been to clubs that fit that description." Astarion guided them to a private corner enclosed by glittering curtains, with a large dark mat on the ground and metal loops bolted into the wall. Dancing light winked back at them from the electric candles on the shelves. "Is this location suitable, darling? It's my favorite spot to do floorwork."
Gale eyed the intimate space appraisingly, taking extra consideration of the hook dangling on a chain from the ceiling.
"As good a place as any, I suppose. What's next on the agenda?"
"Firstly, you can remove whatever clothing you're comfortable with. I'll start you off with a couple of basic ties, some rope cuffs on your wrists and ankles and see how you like that. Then, we can move on to some more exciting positions." He smiled and lifted his gear bag off his shoulder, placing it gingerly on the ground. "I expect you to tell me if anything gets to be too uncomfortable. We wouldn't want you to lose circulation now, would we?"
Gale shifted nervously back and forth on his feet while Astarion knelt by his bag and sifted through the carefully organized compartments inside, pulling out several bundles of blood red jute rope. Out of the corner of his eye he watched Gale unbutton his shirt and peel it off, revealing a long expanse of warm toned skin. He had a smattering of hair across his chest, an intriguing purple tattoo under his throat, and a slightly soft stomach.
He was gorgeous. Astarion couldn't wait to see the flesh there indented and bulging from the rope.
Gale quickly shucked his pants and then meticulously folded his clothes, placing them in a neat pile in a nook inside the wall. He was left in just a pair of royal purple briefs and an embarrassed flush spreading tantalizingly down his chest.
"Shall we?" Astarion asked with a dangerous grin, standing up and gesturing theatrically at the spread of rope on the mat. Gale knelt, peering up at Astarion through long lashes- and wasn't that a sight? A thought for later perhaps.
He joined Gale on the floor, knees sinking into the firm foam of the mat, and untied a pair of short lengths of rope finding the bight and pinching it between his fingers to keep its place.
"Your hands, darling?"
Astarion watched the knot of Gale's throat bob as he lifted his hands, holding them parallel to his pecs. He met Gale's wide, brown eyes and slowly dragged the length of rope across the other man's sensitive wrists.
Astarion loved the performance of bondage, enjoyed the textures and scents of the silks, ropes, and leathers that he used. There was an undeniable art to shibari, a loveliness to the methodical wrapping and unwrapping of a gift mutually enjoyed. He hoped he could share this with Gale, that at the very least he wouldn't hate it.
He liked watching Gale watch him, attention rapt on Astarion's long pale fingers as they wound the rope several times around his wrists, tensioning them together, and tying the tails off with a flourish.
"Alright love, give your fingers a little wiggle for me. No pinching? What's your color?"
Gale obediently wiggled his fingers. "Green... everything feels fine," he ventured cautiously, staring down at his captured wrists like the knot there contained secrets he was trying to decipher.
Astarion gently nudged Gale off of his knees and onto his ass and slid a new length of rope down his legs- guiding them into the position he wanted, and deftly tied a rope cuff around his ankles.
"Let's sit with the cuffs for a little bit before we continue. Try tugging at them- some find the restriction… intriguing."
He watched through half lidded eyes as Gale squirmed around on the mat, shimmying his feet together and attempting fruitlessly to pry his wrists apart. Eventually he settled into a comfortable position, his hands curled around his tattoo and his knees drawn up towards his stomach. Gale's eyes bored into his own, his eyebrows drawn together in thought.
"I think- I think I'd like to continue."
"Oh, I was hoping you'd say that. You are a delectable sight, darling."
A visible shiver wracked Gale's body. It seemed his guest tonight had a bit of a praise kink- how delightful.
Astarion was in the mood to treat Gale to an intricate harness- he thought he'd look delicious crossed in stark red lines- so he gently untied the cuffs and pulled a longer length of jute from his bag.
He worked his way back and forth across Gale's chest, dragging the textured rope behind him in a practiced rhythm he was intimately familiar with. It was meditative- soon Astarion found himself slipping into a familiar space, anchored to his body and sharply focused on the handsome man before him. He could feel the tie between them, the give and take of power and trust.
Gale was a vision, wrapped in a red spider's web of rope woven intricately across his chest, straining against Gale's labored breathing and leaving lovely divots in his plush skin, his hair fanned out around his head in a halo of brown and silver in the flickering faux candlelight.
"Color?"
"Green. Green." Gale said breathlessly.
Gale's pupils were blown wide and his gaze was unfocussed, his body seemed to be completely relaxed into his restraints.
"Oh." The syllable tumbled unbidden out of Astarion's lip in his wonder.
"Hmm?"
"Darling, I think you've reached subspace."
"Oh, so that's what this is." Gale slurred out, his hazy eyes affixed to his own from his place below him.
"Gods you're perfect. You went down so easy for me." Astarion murmured in awe.
Gale's breath hitched at the praise, a sigh escaped his parted lips and his chest strained towards Astarion like a plant reaching for the sun. There was nothing more that Astarion loved than this feeling, the immense trust that Gale must have placed into him to reach that soft wooly state so easily. They hardly knew each other but Astarion resolved to hold Gale gently in this place, to whisper sweet praise in his ears, to let him feel like the center of Astarion's universe- if only for tonight.
He didn't want to overwhelm the other man, he didn't need to tie any more tethers- just needed to let him float in his fuzzy headspace. Astarion settled down next to Gale and propped his head on his lap, carding his fingers through the brunette's long silky hair and caressing his cheeks.
He complimented Gale in any way that crossed his thoughts, a litany of praise spilling effortlessly out. After all, there was so much to extol. "You're doing so well," he whispered, tone lilting, into the shell of Gale's ear.
"Your hair is so soft." He plucked a strand of red that laid across Gale's sternum.
"You're so perfect." A caress down Gale's ribs.
"I love having you like this." Shivers erupted across Gale's skin, as Astarion's words pulled melodious whines and moans from him.
"You are beautiful." Gale was hard in his boxers, his erection tented the fabric lewdly, dampening the spot where the head of his cock was steadily leaking pre. It was a beautiful sight, but tonight wasn't for that- wasn't for the sexual pleasure he could surely wring from Gale's body- but for the intimacy of rope and words.
"I adore you." He petted across Gale's collar bones, trailed his fingers down his toned arms, pinched at the layer of fat on the plushness of Gale's stomach, delighting all the while in every pleased little sigh and strangled groan he teased from Gale's lips.
Astarion knew all too well that he could get carried away like this, and was glad for his foresight in not picking a more restrictive tie when he checked the time and saw that an hour had passed since he'd finished with the harness.
"Gale darling, I'm going to untie you now. Is that alright?"
"Mmmm." Gale had been rendered speechless but nodded his head, blinking drowsily up at Astarion.
Astarion took his time unwrapping Gale, easing the knots out and thumbing at the skin that was revealed, pink and indented with the twisting pattern of the rope, a specter of the web that had bound him. When he was done, he let Gale sag boneless onto the mat while he tidied up the space.
"Alright love, let's go have some cuddles while you come back down."
He slowly guided him back out into the other room and flopped down onto a large pile of pillows, tucking Gale into his side and holding him closely.
"Gale, you did so good. Thank you for sharing this with me tonight." He pressed a kiss into the crown of Gale's head and rubbed soothing circles on his back while the other came gently down from his rope high.
"I think," Gale's voice was soft and indolent. "I think I quite liked that… and that I need to check the 'praise kink' box on my forms."
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"Let me know how you're doing tomorrow, alright?" Astarion asked while Gale typed his number into his phone.
"I feel perfectly cognizant now," Gale reassured him.
"Still," Astarion replied with a grin. "If you have any new thoughts or feelings on our scene, I'd like to hear them."
Gale nodded sheepishly. "Already making plans for next time?" he asked.
"Always." Astarion brushed a stray lock of hair behind Gale's ear. "Of course there doesn't have to be a next time, but if you want to do this again, or try something new, do let me know."
"Oh, I will," Gale said, smiling back at him. He retreated into the doorway with a little bow. "Until next time."
Astarion watched him go, then sat on one of the couches in the foyer and started reorganizing his rope, mentally rifling through harnesses and positions he'd like to see Gale in. Next time.
