The last thing you remember is the annoyance, the disappointment in yourself for being so careless, for letting yourself be distracted enough to actually get hurt. You were almost unmatched in your class; you’d helped to defeat the Absolute for goodness sake! And to be taken by surprise, injured by a mere thief? Absurd. You hadn’t even thought to bring a healing potion with you. Why would you need one to go shopping in the city?

Astarion was going to be furious with you not only for being so careless but also for allowing the thief to run off with the expensive new necklace he’d just gifted you. You’d almost prefer the injury than to face his ire when you returned to the Crimson Palace.

…And then it’s the staggering, burning pain, the thick red rivulets seeping from between your fingers from where they press against your ribs. This was worse than you thought. You slump to your knees. Then the blackness pulls you under.

You’re not sure how much time has passed when your eyelids slowly begin to flutter and open, the candlelight almost blinding at first. You blink, adjusting to the light, your mouth so dry, limbs so heavy. You begin to get your bearings. You’re lying in your bed in your shared bedchamber at the Palace. How did you get here?

Then you see wide, garnet eyes peering down at you - distraught, terrified in a way you’ve never seen them - even before his Ascension when he wasn’t so reticent to show weakness around you.

He’s clutching your hand, you realize.

“There you are, my treasure. You’re…alive.” He lets out a breath of air he doesn’t need, bringing your knuckles to his lips. “I’d lost you. You were gone. I thought for good this time…”

Oh.