Heart to Heart

Chapter 20

"We were able to get a few places in the inn," Shadowheart was telling me. "But there is one room where you have to share a bed."

"Figures," I said.

"I'm sorry, Y/N."

"Who is rooming with who?"

"Halsin and Wyll are rooming together. Astarion requested his own room. I am with Lae'zel and that just leaves you and Karlach."

"At least I know I won't get burnt tonight," I chuckled.

"She still seems pretty active," Shadowheart said, as we were watching her run around, greeting everyone she came across and giving some other tieflings high fives.

"That's Karlach."

"I'm going to turn in," Shadowheart yawned, walking towards the inn.

"Goodnight, Shadowheart."

When she headed into the inn, I walked towards Karlach. A huge smile was on her face as she turned towards me.

"Hey, soldier!" she smiled.

"Hey, Karlach."

"I can't thank you enough for getting ol' rusty fixed up. Even though I still am on limited time. But it's all the more to make what little time I have left more meaningful."

I nodded my head, "I am surprised you are taking this well."

"Am I upset? Of course I am. But is it going to ruin the mood that I can finally touch people again? Finally give them a hug without burning their face off. And certainly do what I haven't done in ten years since I got the engine in my chest."

"And that is?"

"Holding someone," she said. "I haven't been held by someone since my parents died. Speaking of, they're buried around here. Mind if we pay a visit?"

"Of course."

I followed her as we walked towards another area of the city. While we were walking there, I made a quick stop to a small stall that was still open despite it being late at night. Heading after Karlach, she was standing by a couple of gravestones. Walking beside her, she knelt down and let out a small sigh.

"Here lie Pluck and Caerlack Cliffgate."

Standing up, she eyed that I was holding a couple of flowers in my hands. I knelt down and placed them on the graves.

"Thank you," she smiled at me.

Turning to face the gravestones, she sadly smiled at them.

"Sorry I haven't visited. I was a bit busy with things. But I'm back now and," she stopped. Trying to think of the right words. I reached down and lightly grabbed onto her hand.

"And I've brought a friend. I've got some really important shit I've got to do. I hope you're doing well. I hope to visit again. Taters."

"Taters?"

"It meant 'I love you' in the Cliffgate household. I never knew how it started, but it was like one of those things you learned growing up. Call it lost family lore."

I chuckled, "It's cute."

She smiled, some fire emerging from her, heating up her hand slightly. While she was still hot, it was now more bearable. More bearable than the first upgrade she received.

"Come on. We should probably call it a night."

"Yeah. We've got some important things to do. Did you tell anyone yet?"

"I told Shadowheart."

"What did she say?"

"She wishes us luck on our journey."

"She's not going to stop us or anything?"

"Nope. It'll just be the two of us."

She smiled, "While I do enjoy the other's company, I mostly enjoy yours. Despite the rough beginning we had."

I chuckled lightly, "Yeah. I can say the same."

"Well, we should probably be heading back where the others are. Time to rest up before we head out to find Gortash."

I nodded and I led her back to where the inn was.

"There is something I should tell you."

"That is?"

"We were the only room to get a single bed," I said.

"I can sleep on the floor if you want."

"I don't want you sleeping on the floor."

"If anyone should have luxury while we have it, it should be you, Y/N. You're the one who has experienced less than everyone. All you ever knew was sleeping on the ground and in a bedroll."

"But we've all been sleeping on the ground technically. So I want everyone to experience some form of luxury and actually sleeping in a bed."

"If we ever find another inn on our adventures, I will take the bed. But I want you to take the bed this time around."

"There's no arguing on this is there?"

"Nope," she smiled.

We entered our room to find our things were there. Karlach changed into what she normally wears at night before getting her bedroll out, setting it on the ground. I sat down on the edge of the bed. Watching as she laid down, her hand rested on the back of her head. The tip of her tail flicked around as she closed her eyes, falling asleep. I laid down, my back facing away from her.

"Goodnight, Karlach."

"Goodnight, Y/N."

Throughout the night, I was tossing and turning in the bed. While luxury was something to get used to, so were the constant nightmares I still had. Sure I dealt with them whenever I had them, but I would usually walk around the camp and into the woods. Getting up, I quietly walked out of the room and headed into the quiet city. The torches were the only thing lighting my way aside from the moon hanging in the sky.

Heading down to a nearby beach, I sat down and buried my fingers into the sand. The waves slowly started to wash upwards before receding back. I let out a sigh as I remembered the nightmare. Of course it was about Zariel, but Karlach was in it. We were fighting together and right when she was about to strike Zariel, she grabbed her. I tried to save her, but her engine exploded, killing her and Zariel in the process. Tears slid down my face as I quickly wiped them away.

"Y/N?"

Turning, Karlach was standing behind me, a concerned look on her face.

"H-Hey, Karlach. I-I didn't wake you, did I?"

"A bit," she said and sat down beside me. "Everything ok?"

"I-I just can't sleep."

"Something bothering you?"

"Y-Yeah," I said, telling her of my nightmare I just had.

She reached over and wrapped her arms around my shoulders. Pulling me into her, her tail came up and wrapped around my waist.

"I'm here, Y/N," she whispered, pressing her forehead against the side of my head, wary of my horns. "I'm not going anywhere."

I turned and pressed my forehead against hers, taking in the smell of her. It smelt of ash and fire, with a hint of motor oil from her engine. It was oddly comforting, but her warmth and the sense of security I got from her was all the more comforting. I never wanted to leave her arms. I never wanted to leave her.