I think it's unfair to bypass any particular group of fans when it comes to fanservice. After all, if there were no hugs and kisses with the companions in the epilogue at all, there probably wouldn't be any questions about it either. But if you're doing it for one, do it for all.
I agree. Spawn Astarion already has much less content than AA, so Larian should add to Spawn Astarion first to even things out before adding anything else to AA. That way they are not bypassing spawn Astarion fans. Shadowheart has an equal amount of kisses for both her paths. Improvements I want to see with Spawn Astarion are:
The same number of unique-to-him kisses as AA has
More epilogue conversation about what he and player have been up to together
Repeatable epilogue hug
Let us run after Astarion on the docks and cast Darkness if someone in the party has it
Better reaction to that infamous Durge scene
More responses when answering what Tav/Durge is to him, to be equal with AA
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As for the authors, Stephen Rooney would hardly be opposed to displays of love for “his boy” on the part of the player, nor would he be opposed to the player receiving joy, “ evil and fun” while in a romantic relationship with Astarion. Those authors currently working in Larian - I don't think they wish the romance in the game to be bad in any way either. Lawrence Schick, if I'm not mistaken, is now the Principal Narrative Designer and under his leadership, great improvements have already been made to Astarion's romance - the player characters in the kissing scenes have had their facial expressions fixed, beautiful smiles made.
That is your speculation on what the writers might think, not fact. So please don't present it as factual. For all we know, Rooney could be uphappy with the changes. We don't know for sure what they think if they don't tell us. I don't see the new expressions as "fixed" or "beautiful". I find them extremely triggering, as do other people. Seeing the new faces threw me into a traumatic depressive episode that STILL hasn't ended. If Larian was going to mess with the expressions, they should have added a choice between both sets. That would very much improve this romance for me.
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The choice to go to Avernus with Karlach is a plot choice, plus Tav-friend can also go to Avernus with Karlach, it's not a matter of romantic fanservice.
I do view it as romantic fanservice that goes against AA's character. You said yourself AA is possessive. I also think that, and that's why I don't believe he would realistically want to let Tav/Durge disappear for 6 months. I think he would miss them too much and want them to remain by his side.
