Yes, this is is typical behavior for someone who has been hurt but is too proud to admit it. I always interpreted his lines as him trying to get back up on the high horse. "Yeah, it was really better for you that we broke up, I would have just been horrible to you" But at the same time, as the survivor he is, he understands that you are better as a powerful ally than a powerful enemy, so he wants to get back on your good side.
This! He felt crappy about himself the whole time, and believed he had nothing to offer, but the moment he feels at his best, is grateful to Tav, finally has something (power, a castle, riches) and can take care of them, wants to give them the biggest honour a vampire could give to someone they loved, Tav just nopes out of it. No wonder he's crushed and becomes vicious.
Makes me remember that dialogue option where he snaps at Tav: "Spite made me who I am!".
Originally Posted by melgreg
It really does boil down to Tav’s facial expressions. Which look particularly weird because they also always enthusiastically participate during the actual kiss. It’s the before and after that feel way off.
The line between abuse and kink is consent. Given that Tav agrees to become his spawn, can leave him at any time before the epilogue, and is asking to be kissed, I’d like to think Larian was trying to show a domination kink and got some details wrong.
Although it does feel like at least one writer can’t wrap their head around why someone might be cool with being the submissive partner.
Yes, Tav's expressions are the crux of the matter and nullify the consent part. Larian is clearly sending confusing messages and it looks like the writers don't know how to handle Astarion with care.
