A/N: This story takes place in an AU where after the Order defeats Xykon, Vaarsuvius tries to atone for their actions by resurrecting the dragons they killed (using Wish or scrolls or something). Also Belkar doesn't die in this AU, and decides to join V in their mission.
Stars glittered in the sky, the bright lights dimmed slightly by a column of smoke. The campfire slowly burned down, leaving only a small flame licking at charred wood.
"Are you going to grab some more wood?"
The halfling turned his head slightly to look at the elf as he said this, a small smirk on his lips.
They lay in their sleeping bags a few feet apart. Vaarsuvius, who had been looking upwards towards the night sky until the halfling spoke, shot him an annoyed glance.
"You were the one boasting about your superior strength and carrying abilities. It is evident that you should be the one to gather additional firewood." The elf shifted further into their sleeping bag, drawing the material up to their chin.
"I got it last time!"
"I assisted."
"You got like five twigs!"
"I believe it was closer to twenty."
"Still twigs!"
"I have a strength penalty." Vaarsuvius closed their violet eyes, sighing softly. "Cease your complaining, I would like to trance soon."
"You've been saying that for the past hour, but you're still awake."
"Hmm."
Belkar raised an eyebrow at the unusually terse response. The elf was looking at the stars again, an unreadable expression on their face. Or it would have been unreadable a few months ago, but Belkar was getting better at deciphering their expressions. As much as Vaarsuvius tried to put on a facade of being cool and composed, the halfling knew the elf was pretty emotional. That emotion usually just manifested itself as explosive runes in his face, but still.
"Hey. Everything's going to go fine tomorrow. Piece of cake." His tone was less mocking and more gentle than usual.
"I am not concerned about that." Vaarsuvius' head turned to the side, away from Belkar.
"Sure you're not, Ears." He stretched his arms and rested his hands underneath his head. "Maybe you'll get another wicked scar, that last one was pretty cool."
The elf remained silent.
"Come on, Dr. Bitterleaf can patch you up again if anything happens." He waggled his eyebrows at the elf, despite them being turned away from him. "Hey, if you get one across the back again, you'll have a 'V'-shaped scar. That's pretty badass, V."
No response.
"Vaarsuvius..."
"These ones are... they-," the elf's voice broke and they took in a shuddering breath.
"They're a family, yeah, I know. Mommy and daddy dragon and their two baby lizards." He frowned. "Still feeling guilty about the whole genocide thing?"
"..."
Silence filled the air again. The halfling watched the elf, who stayed facing away from him. The fire had burnt down to nearly nothing and the night air was much more biting without it.
Vaarsuvius shivered.
"You cold, Ears? I told you to get more firewood."
Belkar smirked suddenly. He grabbed his pillow and rolled, still inside his sleeping bag. He stopped just short of Vaarsuvius and tossed his pillow down beside the elf's.
"What are you-?" Vaarsuvius turned to look at the halfling.
"I'm freezing my ass off here. Rebuild the fire or shut up." Belkar relaxed next to the elf, feeling their tenseness.
Vaarsuvius looked ready to argue, but shut their mouth after a moment and huffed. Looking back at the sky, Belkar could feel them slowly relaxing.
Eventually, the elf's breaths evened out as they slipped into a trance. Belkar grinned to himself, enjoying the feeling of V's warm body next to him. He drifted off soon after, a peaceful night before what would surely be a wild day.
