I wanna preface this with how badly I do not want to cause fights over this here and humbly ask for no knee-jerk reactions. This is a game for adults, so let's behave like it. This post may contain Act III spoilers, but I'll try to keep it as vague as possible without full context.
TL;DR: Please give the companions some dialogue that explicitly states they want to be intimate with Tav and are okay with being intimate and being the subject of affection once properly romanced. It's implied, I understand, but dialogue coming from the characters theirselves leaving no room for question, or hidden through a massive web of dialogue options, would be nice.
This game is really great at capturing trauma, its effects, and how to move forward with it and grow, either with friends, with a partner, or by yourself. With that said, however, I come asking Larian Studios to allow for some leeway with those of us who experienced similar situations as the companions, who are still sex-positive and use it as a tool of empowerment and to regain control with fictional characters. Namely for Astarion, but even other companions such as Halsin, especially once we learn of his past in Act III. Too often am I accused of objectifying or sexualizing (???) and not understanding these characters because somehow, in the eyes of certain players, their trauma means they're never allowed to be intimate again or be paired with Tav, even if the character's stance changed with their growth or they've become closer with Tav. These people often use dialogue from romancing characters that state they aren't currently comfortable with intimacy, prior to this stance changing with their character growth. It doesn't feel right or fair to suggest that because of their trauma, they are not allowed to move forward from it or have intimate relationships.
I'm not about to dump my trauma onto the suggestions forum, nor do I need to for this to be a valid suggestion, but as a survivor, I would love to see the companions take back control of their own autonomy from their traumas and be "allowed" to change their mind from what they previously felt. And I feel adding dialogue that shows the character explicitly stating they want to be intimate with our Tav will be the best option. I can read through the vagueness and understand that interpretation is an incredible tool for storytelling, but I can only handle the harassment and attacks on my character and validity of my experiences for so long. Some players may just need more explicit dialogue that says hey, I suffered in my past, but I want to move forward with Tav.
I know this type of discourse is outside of Larian Studio's control and isn't necessarily their problem, but I feel writing the characters a little less vague or more than one off statements that aren't talked about again on the topic of sex regarding their traumas may help. It would be really nice to see the characters confirm that their stance has changed, or that it's okay for our Tavs to have their intimate attraction and be intimate with them. I know there are a few dialogue options you can get that DO state this, but it's one given via different option paths that sometimes do get missed.
As for the discussion I'm sure that'll come from this: Everyone is going to cope from their traumas differently, and no one way is the "only" or "best" way to do so. What you may do for yourself is not going to be the same for someone else, nor will it work the same. People are also allowed to interpret characters in ways you deem "wrong". Please keep this in mind when talking about your experiences.
