Heart to Heart

Chapter 19

"Can we rest? My dogs are barking," Karlach sighed.

"Seriously, Y/N, I think we need to call it a night here," Astarion said.

"I agree with the others. Not only is it dark as hell, but we've been walking for hours," Gale said.

"Y/N, unlike the other times, do you know where you're going?" Shadowheart asked.

"Yes, I know where we're going. I can see the gates in the distance."

"Can you really?" Halsin asked.

"Yes. Look," I dropped the map down and pointed in the distance. "We're almost there. Soon, we're going to be at Baldur's Gate in no time."

"Good," Karlach said.

"Once we get there, hopefully we can find an inn we can sleep for the night."

"That'd be ideal. I'd like to sleep on an actual bed and not on the ground," Astarion said.

"You mean to tell me you don't like looking at the stars?" I asked.

"I do, but not when I am constantly being bitten my mosquitoes," he sighed. "It ruins the skin, darling. Not to mention, there is only room enough for one blood sucker in this world."

"Noted," I said. "You better not go turning me into a vampire."

"I don't think we need a vampire tiefling," he said. "Not to mention, if I turn you into a vampire, you'll have to find your own way of conquering the sun."

"I don't think I need another issue to deal with," I sighed, focused on reaching Baldur's Gate.

"Is something the matter, Y/N?" Shadowheart asked me as we were closing in on the city.

"Can I trust you with something?"

"Of course."

"Karlach and I have come up with a plan after we get her engine tuned up."

"That being?"

"We're going to go after the guy who sold her to Zariel. So she can finally get the answers she has been seeking."

"And why do I need to keep this a secret?"

"We're going alone."

"Just the two of you?"

"Yes. Besides, while we're heading to who knows where he is, she's going to teach me how to fight properly. Not to mention it will be a great way for us to bond and create a friendship we struggled to start."

Shadowheart smiled, "Your secret is safe with me. But what should I tell the others if they ask?"

"If they ask, we'll probably be long gone by then. Just tell them the truth and that we'll be back before they know it. Simple as that."

Shadowheart nodded her head, "I wish you luck on your adventure."

"Thanks, but no need to bid farewell just yet. We still need to reach Baldur's Gate and get her engine fixed. Besides, it's not like we're going to be heading out right away. We're going to rest for a bit. But I think Karlach wants to get her engine fixed sooner rather than later."

"Y/N! Shadowheart! Get a move on!" Karlach said as she was running towards the giant gates.

"Hold on, Karlach! You're still flammable!" I ran after her.

Once we all reached the gates, Karlach's eyes glossed over, as if she was going to cry.

"I-I'm back home," she whispered.

"Let's go find Dammon," I said.

She raced off without a second thought. I sighed as I turned towards Shadowheart and the others.

"Are you ok with finding an inn? I have to make sure Karlach doesn't burn down a building by accident."

"We'll be fine. Go," Shadowheart said.

"Thanks," I said and ran after Karlach.

"Karlach! Come back here!"

She had already disappeared. Growling, I ran around, trying to find where she had run off to.

"Damn it Karlach," I sighed, heading towards the back part of Baldur's Gate. Finally, I found her standing by Dammon at a forge.

Walking towards her, she looked saddened, but there was a bit of a hopeful look in her eyes.

"Hey, everything alright, Karlach?"

"I informed her that while the upgrade can help her, her engine is still going to blow if it doesn't go back to Avernus."

"I am never going back," she said. "Zariel will have to drag me back herself to get me to go back. And even then I am not going down without a fight."

"Thank you, Dammon," I said.

"Karlach had given me the infernal iron," Dammon said.

I nodded and we stepped aside, letting him get to work. Once he was finished, he turned towards Karlach, handing it to her.

"There. You're going to have to install it yourself like last time," he said.

She reached inside her chest and inserted the iron to her engine. Some steam came out from the vents in her shoulders, making some sweat evaporate.

"There. So did it work?" she asked.

"Only one way to find out."

I turned towards Karlach as she turned to face me. A small smile was on my face. Even though her and I were still getting to know and be friendly towards one another, this was the least I could do to let her know she was able to touch people. I reached up and wrapped my arms around her neck, pulling her into a hug. Her arms wrapped around me. I heard her smile as she rubbed the side of her head against mine.

"Thank you."

We stood there for a bit before I pulled away.

"This is the best day! The best!" Karlach smiled from ear to ear.

"I am glad I can help you, Karlach."

"I have to go tell the others!" she ran off again.

"K-Karlach," I sighed, watching her disappear into the city. "I need to keep a leash on her."

"Be careful with her, Y/N," Dammon said. "She is still highly combustible."

I nodded my head, "I know."

"She's very happy, given her condition and the limited time she has here."

"Yeah. I-I think that's what I like about her," my heart was beating fast and my tail was wagging back and forth slightly without me realizing it.

"You think so?" Dammon chuckled, taking note of my tail.

I looked behind me to see it was wagging. Sighing, I walked out of the forge.

"Thanks again, Dammon."

"No problem. If there are any issues, you know where to find me."

As I was walking towards the local inns, trying to find where Karlach and the others were, I finally found them. Karlach was running around trying to hug Astarion while the others were laughing. I smiled, feeling my heart beat faster once more. We may have gotten off on the wrong foot, but I can tell there was something about her that I just adored.