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I've seen the world, done it all, had my cake now
Diamonds, brilliant, and Bel Air now
Wisps of lights come to life as the sky turns to a waterfall of reds, oranges, and yellows. Soon to follow was a sea of purples, dark blues, and sparkling night. An array of aromas dance on the wind as you lean further over the wooden railing of your modest home. Baldur’s Gate is vibrant with life for tonight’s festival.
Hot summer nights, mid-July
When you and I were forever wild
The crazy days, city lights
The way you'd play with me like a child
Your gaze follows young faces filling the streets. Their eyes bright with that look oh so familiar to you now. Hands held. Kisses stolen. Secret devotions whispered. The celebration of Sune was truly for lovers. Tonight was for them, the young and beautiful…
Memories of your own adventures flood your mind. You recall the feel of his arms around you and the tease of gentle nibbles along your neck. Chaos seemed to chase you both in those days, but you thrived in it. Risking life and limb somehow added to the passion shared. It was magical. He used to look at you like you were his world.
He was yours…
Is yours…
However, all the world was your stage. Both of you had parts to play, but you did them well. Yesterday a villain. Today a hero. Tomorrow would be whatever was needed. A small smile comes to your lips before looking at the mirror on the wall. You were thespians of life. ‘How long until the final curtain falls?’ you wonder, ‘How long before our duet becomes a solo act’?
Will you still love me when I'm no longer young and beautiful?
Will you still love me when I got nothing but my aching soul?
I know you will, I know you will, I know that you will
Will you still love me when I'm no longer beautiful?
I've seen the world, lit it up as my stage now
Channeling angels in the new age now
You study the lines on your face, fingers tracing the creases and valleys. They were most prominent at the corners of your eyes and the edge of your lips. A thousand smiles and infinite laughter at both your antics had been carved by time into your skin. Your hand travels to twirl graying hair between your fingertips. The sand in the hourglass was sifting to the last grain.
“Sunset already, Darling?” Astarion’s voice interrupts your silent contemplation.
“Yes. They’ve already lit the lanterns.” you answer softly.
Your lover stands before you now, still as handsome as the day you met him. Silver elves were already considered beautiful by most, especially themselves. Astarion’s lips move up to reveal the point of a single fang as he grins mischievously.
“Excellent. We should hurry to get to the musicians before they start to play. I can hardly wait to enjoy the music or throw insults surrounded by various scenes of debauchery,” he says as he takes your hand.
Hot summer days, rock and roll
The way you'd play for me at your show
And all the ways I got to know
Your pretty face and electric soul
Will you still love me when I'm no longer young and beautiful?
Will you still love me when I got nothing but my aching soul?
“Go on without me…” you say softly.
“Hm? Need more time to get ready? You could wear that new outfit we got on our last…outing.” Astarion says with a little laugh.
“No. You should go without me. Hopefully, you’ll meet someone new tonight,” you reply as you squeeze his hand tight before letting go.
“Oh. Shit. Did I do something wrong?” Astarion stares down at where your hands were once linked. His crestfallen expression pulls at your heartstrings. You reach out and gently touch your palm to his cheek. His red eyes meet yours once more.
“Nothing. You’ve done nothing wrong. You’re perfect as always.That’s the problem. I’m the problem. You deserve so much more than I can give you. You deserve to be surrounded by beautiful things and beautiful people,” you shakily admit.
I know you will, I know you will, I know that you will
Will you still love me when I'm no longer beautiful?
Dear Lord, when I get to Heaven
Please let me bring my man
When he comes, tell me that you'll let him in
Father, tell me if you can
Astarion says nothing for a moment. He looks so unsure, contemplative. Your lover moves to place his cool hand on top of yours. His lips part as if to speak, but no sound comes out. Astarion’s dark silver brows lower to create shadows over his eyes in the candlelight.
“I dream of you,” he says finally.
“What?”
“When I close my eyes, it’s only you I see…” Astarion says as he moves your face closer. Your lip trembles as he leans his forehead on yours. You don’t even realize you had started crying until he wipes a tear away.
All that grace, all that body
All that face makes me wanna party
He's my sun, he makes me shine like diamonds
“You said your kind don’t dream,” you comment barely above a whisper.
“No, we don’t. Not exactly–” Astarion starts, “we relive moments in our lives. As you can imagine, two-hundred years of that was pure shit. It was a hell I couldn’t escape from. Then you came into my life.”
“Yes?”
“And I want to walk through those memories with you a thousand times or more. Over and over until I run out or cease to be. So, please… please keep making them with me,” Astarion pleads before closing the gap between you with a deep and needy kiss.
Will you still love me when I'm no longer young and beautiful?
Will you still love me when I got nothing but my aching soul?
I know you will, I know you will, I know that you will
Will you still love me when I'm no longer beautiful?
“I love you so much,” you breathe as you break from the kiss.
“And I love you, my beautiful soul.”
Will you still love me when I'm no longer beautiful?
Will you still love me when I'm not young and beautiful?