[ He winces slightly. Jaskier speaks of missing that feeling of being unafraid, and of course it strikes a chord with Astarion. To have the power to defend himself, to protect his freedom - protect those he's grow to care about. Why should he be made to feel guilty for still wanting to reach for that? He will do better - and it mollifies him that Jaskier seems to at least agree.
His gaze flits to those shaking hands. He's already initiated touch quite a few times now, and so he reaches for one of Jaskier's hands without much hesitation, squeezing it gently before half bowing to bring it closer to his lips, placing a chaste kiss against his knuckles. ]
You owe me nothing, dear friend - [ he lifts his gaze, releasing his hand and offering a rakish look at odds with the sincerity of his gesture, a shield risen up in a moment of vulnerability even as he realizes that, perhaps, he may not have need of it anymore ]
- but I'll gladly accept nonetheless, once this latest hellish disaster has passed...
wrap?
His gaze flits to those shaking hands. He's already initiated touch quite a few times now, and so he reaches for one of Jaskier's hands without much hesitation, squeezing it gently before half bowing to bring it closer to his lips, placing a chaste kiss against his knuckles. ]
You owe me nothing, dear friend - [ he lifts his gaze, releasing his hand and offering a rakish look at odds with the sincerity of his gesture, a shield risen up in a moment of vulnerability even as he realizes that, perhaps, he may not have need of it anymore ]
- but I'll gladly accept nonetheless, once this latest hellish disaster has passed...