"As much as I appreciate the thought of you being all protective, I can say what I don't appreciate is being handled and tossed around like a sack of potatoes, my sweet." His comment was made as you hoisted him up like he weighed nothing, an almost child-like grin on your face as you slung him over your shoulder as gently as you could in a show of strength, almost subconsciously trying to prove to Astarion that you were strong enough to protect him and would. He wasn't entirely sure how you'd even gotten into the habit but it seemed like routine at this point. The camp fire would die down, the stars would peak through the dark blue of the night sky and then you'd meander over and pick him up for a few minutes while showering him with affection which he usually either deflected or didn't acknowledge in some show of self loathing. Though you refused to let it deter you.

What he hadn't been expecting was when you'd begun doing it more openly in front of your companions who he could've sworn were trying not to laugh when they saw their cold, stoic vampire spawn friend stand quietly as his lover gently hoisted him up and over their broad shoulders. Years of labor and wild living meaning that the cold curve of his hands rested on your scarred but toned back as he attempted to hold himself up slightly. He huffed and brushed the strands of hair from his face, though it was clear that he didn't wasn't upset by your gesture as evidenced by the Cheshire grin that tugged at the corner of his lips as he spoke with feigned annoyance "Are 'hellos' a thing of the past for you then?"