( Hells, even the quick, chaste kiss to her lips is enough to satisfy Karlach from now until she dies. Which normally would be at least farther out than it actually is, but even then: all she wants is Astarion happy, Astarion free to do whatever he wants -- what he wants, not what he thinks he wants or feels like he needs. And there's a difference, though Karlach doesn't know if Astarion's aware of it yet.
There's something off, though, that dampens her excitement when he pulls away and doesn't meet her gaze. He looks back, and while she does want him -- she's not blind, and being pent up for ten fucking years doesn't help -- her brow is creased in thought, a hand pressing up at the corner of her lips as if she can decipher what the Hells was going through his head when he kissed her.
Damnit, she thinks. He's good, of course he's good, but -- something about it is off, as if whatever intimacy they'd gathered in their nights spent simply being had suddenly been yanked away. Shit. That isn't right, but maybe he just needs time? For what, Karlach doesn't know, but... She'll find out later.
She hopes. )
Don't need to tell me twice.
( She says, before finally giving into Tav's patient waiting to discuss with her more about what they've got to do next. And petting both Scratch and the owlbear, now that she can. Fuck yes; that makes it all worth it.
Karlach busies herself, poorly, counting down the hours and then minutes until one by one the rest of their companions make their way to their own tents and bedrolls after another one of Gale's dinners. It's not until Tav themselves retires that Karlach manages to get away from the now-faintly burning fire and towards Astarion's tent.
No matter how weird their last interaction might have been, she still can't help but smile warmly at him. Gods, and now she can touch him, if he wants -- to hold his hand or press her lips against his forehead, or -- if he lets her -- hold him while they sleep. They don't even have to do that, though she does want to, she can just simply... watch him, again, until she falls asleep or he falls into his trance.
Her warmth and affection color her tone, even as she does her best to be as subdued as possible. She's got this. )
Hey. ( She says, with a jerk of her chin in greeting. ) Nice night.
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There's something off, though, that dampens her excitement when he pulls away and doesn't meet her gaze. He looks back, and while she does want him -- she's not blind, and being pent up for ten fucking years doesn't help -- her brow is creased in thought, a hand pressing up at the corner of her lips as if she can decipher what the Hells was going through his head when he kissed her.
Damnit, she thinks. He's good, of course he's good, but -- something about it is off, as if whatever intimacy they'd gathered in their nights spent simply being had suddenly been yanked away. Shit. That isn't right, but maybe he just needs time? For what, Karlach doesn't know, but... She'll find out later.
She hopes. )
Don't need to tell me twice.
( She says, before finally giving into Tav's patient waiting to discuss with her more about what they've got to do next. And petting both Scratch and the owlbear, now that she can. Fuck yes; that makes it all worth it.
Karlach busies herself, poorly, counting down the hours and then minutes until one by one the rest of their companions make their way to their own tents and bedrolls after another one of Gale's dinners. It's not until Tav themselves retires that Karlach manages to get away from the now-faintly burning fire and towards Astarion's tent.
No matter how weird their last interaction might have been, she still can't help but smile warmly at him. Gods, and now she can touch him, if he wants -- to hold his hand or press her lips against his forehead, or -- if he lets her -- hold him while they sleep. They don't even have to do that, though she does want to, she can just simply... watch him, again, until she falls asleep or he falls into his trance.
Her warmth and affection color her tone, even as she does her best to be as subdued as possible. She's got this. )
Hey. ( She says, with a jerk of her chin in greeting. ) Nice night.
( Even Karlach knows that's bad. )