Heart to Heart

Chapter 25

I was sitting in the river as Karlach was behind me, tending to the wounds on my back. Holding my tattered shirt, I covered my chest with it. I'd get my legs later since I could tend to those wounds without the help of someone.

"Tell me what happened," she said.

"I heard rustling and found the baby owlbear taking food from my bag. I followed it to make sure it was going to be safe and when I found it was, I tried to get out of there."

"Then what happened?"

"I stepped on a stick and alerted the mother."

"That's how you got in that situation?"

"Yes. I tried to communicate to it."

"You're not Halsin, Y/N."

"But animals can understand basic motions. I tried to make it seem like I was small and meant it no harm."

"An owlbear is not the same as a bear, Y/N. In my eyes, they'll kill anything that moves. They're vicious creatures, but also, misunderstood. Sure you can raise it, but you'd have to have the baby at that point then. But, that was kind of stupid for you to do that. I don't blame you, I would have done the same thing."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I love little animals. Very cute and adorable."

"Yeah," I smiled.

As Karlach raised the rag to clean off the wound, an immense stinging sensation crawled over my back.

"Ah, ah, K-Karlach," I breathed out. "Ow, ow, ow."

"Sorry," she pulled the rag back. "Is it stinging?"

"Yeah. Very much."

"Here," she put the rag back in the water to wash off the blood that was already on it. She wrung it out and placed it on her chest for a bit before placing it on my back.

"Better?"

I nodded my head, "You're like a personal heating pad."

"I guess the engine has its perks," she said quietly.

"But the consequences outweighs those perks," I said, turning my head over my shoulder.

She nodded her head, "Yep. Sadly they do."

Removing the rag, she placed it on the ground before she started to stitch up the wound. Patting my shoulder, I threw the shirt over top of me as I stood up.

"Uhm, Y/N," Karlach turned away from me, shielding her eyes.

"What?"

"Did you forget you got into the river without your clothes?"

"Ah shit," I said and grabbed the one towel I brought with me. Drying off and quickly changing, I reached over and tapped Karlach's shoulder.

"You're good to look."

She removed her hands from her eyes and turned to face me.

"That was very reckless of you, Y/N."

"I just wanted to make sure the baby was alright."

"What would you have done if it wasn't alright? If it was alone?"

"Bring it in, I suppose."

"Halsin is not here to look after the creature. Remember, we have a goal to achieve."

I nodded my head, "Yeah."

"Hey, what's with the long face?"

"I tried so hard to fight like you. To be strong like you. To achieve the same level of strength you had to where I know I can hold my own without--"

I was shoved by Karlach and fell into the river, water splashing into my face. I coughed slightly and picked my head up, looking up at Karlach.

"What in the hells was that for, Karlach?"

"Gotta knock some sense into you before we spar one another once more."

"Why?"

"If there is one thing I want to teach you, is how to fight with your own unique fighting style. I am a brawler. I am aggressive when I fight and I had to perfect that style overtime. But for you to immediately try and master that fighting style, it's going to backfire for you. You have to discover what kind of fighter you are. Are you more of a sneak attack fighter? More of one where you can go in there, cause havoc, and get out of there without getting a scratch on you? We have yet to know and you have to discover that for yourself. So no more of this trying to be like me ordeal. Time to be more of being you."

"H-How am I going to figure that out when I have no clue who I am to begin with?"

"Well," she reached down and picked me up. "That's a road you've got to walk down on. I can help you, too, Y/N. I can help you discover what you like and what you don't like."

"How can you help me discover something about myself?"

"What? You thought self-discovery was all about being alone and trying to think on the level a monk does?"

"Kinda."

"It's also based on your interactions with other people too that you discover something about yourself. Along with past experiences."

"I see."

"Now, I apologize for the shove, but I couldn't think of any other way to get you to stop talking."

"So you thought shoving was the best option?"

"You know me, Y/N. Fighter until the--whoa!"

It took my entire strength to shove her into the water.

"Payback," I said.

Karlach smirked as she stood up. She crouched down and dipped her hands into the water. Quickly pulling them up, she sent water in my direction.

"Hey! Karlach!" I yelled, blocking the water from my face.

"You asked for it, Y/N."

She splashed more water upwards and I started to run, despite my legs still slightly bleeding.

"Where are you going, Y/N?" Karlach ran after me.

"Catch me if you can, Karlach!"

She ran after me, which I knew she would catch up with me in no time due to her height. But I was going to use mine to my advantage. Once she caught up, she got in front of me, ready to pull me into one of her bear hugs. I quickly turned on my feet and went the other way.

"Ah come on, Y/N!" she laughed, running after me.

It was like this, back and forth, getting Karlach to chase after me and I'd quickly turn around before she ever got to me. But as I was about to turn back, my foot slipped in the water from the cold numbing my feet. Karlach grabbed onto my wrist and pulled me into her embrace, saving me from falling into the cold river and possibly saving me from further damage. Breathing heavily, my head was resting against her chest, the whir of her engine was growing louder as my heavy breathing started to cease. Reaching underneath my chin, she lifted my head up so I could find her fire like eyes.

"You ok, Y/N?"

I took in a deep breath, completely breathless just by seeing her glowing eyes against the darkness of the sky.

"I-I'm alright," I said.

She smiled and pressed her forehead against mine, "Good."

I smiled, knowing that whatever is to come next from this adventure, I'm glad I am with her. I'm glad I am with Karlach. That is a first among many.