(...) Instead of a throat grab I had also the idea of making it so he has his hand on Tavs cheek and his thumb under her chin pushing Tavs head upwards to meet his lips. I'm not sure if it would be acceptable to everybody, just a thought to make it more accessable but still with the kink. He would still be dominating with the potential to do a throat grab even though he doesn't in the scene.
Oh yes, there were many ways to make the kisses more mainstream, and I read some nice and great ideas. In Astarion's case Larian went for a harder "D/s" version (in quotation mark, because if it were consensual on Tav's side), which I'm honestly very grateful and happy about, because there are unfortunately hardly any other games where we could see or play a D/s (a few BL game novels perhaps, which cannot be compared to an RPG). I really do love the throat grab and Astarion shoving Tav away in the kneel and in the bite kiss, and would be happy only to change Tav to show consensus and enjoyment, so it would actually be D/s and in line with the chosen "Oh come on, let it hurt". In the romance scene to give the player a choice was perfectly done. <3
At the risk of repeating myself, I love Astarion's animation in the new kisses and hope Astarion himself stays the same or similar as he is there. And that Tav's sad, contempt and unlust expressions get changed, so that Tav acts as a partner, enjoys the kissing and doesn't act as if he suddenly would detest his lover or has no desire in kissing - in kisses which Tav himself is asking for.
"I would, thank God, watch the universe perish without shedding a tear."
