Char snuggled her nose into her pillow as she started to wake up. She could feel the cold blanket Shadowheart fashioned for her ribs still, and she shivered. While it was helpful for the healing, she wished she could curl up under her bedroll like she normally did. Then she felt a larger blanket fall over her, even covering the cold wrap. She hummed approvingly as she relaxed. Then her eyes shot open, confused about who was in her tent.

"It's just me," Astarion whispered, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder when Char went to sit up. She tentatively laid back down, moving her head to face him this time. He was seated next to her with another book, smiling towards her.

"What time is it?" she asked, her voice a little hoarse.

"It's a little difficult to tell, but it's still pretty early in the morning I think," he replied. She stared up at him as he rubbed the uninjured part of her back. "You should get some more sleep."

"Why are you in my tent?"

"I'm just making sure you're recovering well," Astarion answered before he stilled. "I didn't mean for our spat to end in you getting hurt."

"It wasn't your fault. The damn wood was rotted through."

"Well, yes, but I still feel responsible," he argued, shaking his head. "If I hadn't run away and walked into that room, then-"

"We can talk about it later when you're ready. I shouldn't have pushed," Char interrupted with a half-smile. "It's too early to play the blame game, anyway."

"I'm glad to see that you're feeling better," he grinned as she chuckled lightly.

"Most of the pain has gone away, and the spiders are gone. I'd say I'm doing pretty well."

"I'm glad to say that Baldur's Gate is giant spider free as far as I know," Astarion informed as Char nodded.

"It better be because I'm done with the large spiders. I think I've met my quota for a lifetime," she complained as she fidgeted. "Gods, I can't wait until my back is healed. I don't like laying on my stomach."

"I'm sure the cleric will have you healed as soon as she wakes up."

"I hope so. Otherwise, I might be stuck in the temple for a day or two while you all get to have the fun adventures," Char sighed before putting her face on the pillow. Astarion shook his head and withheld a laugh.

"I'll carry you out of this dusty old place. This is hardly a good place for healing," he reminded as she groaned.

"I don't want to be carried out either," she complained.

"I'm not going to leave you here in the decaying building while we go enjoy the sun and fresh air."

"I'm a drow, I'm not supposed to be out in the sun."

"That's not the point," Astarion argued before taking a deep breath. Char hid her teasing smile in her pillow, enjoying their banter again. "And that's a lie, you grew up on the surface."

"In the Cloakwood. That place is basically in the shadows, that hardly counts."

"You still don't belong in a dingy temple that could collapse at any moment."

"Alright, fine, I'll give you that one. I just want to make sure that I don't use all the healing magic in the morning when we could be using it throughout the day," Char informed, resting her head on the side of her cheek, looking up at Astarion. "I want to make sure everyone is safe."

"And I'm pretty sure everyone here is rather worried about you right now, darling. You fell over twenty feet onto stone and hard dirt. You broke your bones, for fucks sake. I'm shocked that you didn't crack your skull open," Astarion scoffed. He wouldn't have forgiven himself if she had come back with a concussion or any sort of brain damage.

"Well, I didn't, so I can count my lucky stars I suppose," Char grumbled before she sighed. "I'm not feeling super lucky, though."

"You should get some sleep, darling, it'll help your body heal," Astarion suggested, fixing the blanket on her shoulders. Char hummed before she closed her eyes.

"You shouldn't stay up all night either," she mentioned. Astarion raised an eyebrow before he glanced around her tent. He went to ask if she minded if he continued to stay, but her breathing had deepened. She had fallen asleep.

With a huff, he placed the book off to the side before he laid down next to her bedroll. It wasn't as comfortable as his tent would be, but he felt the need to watch over her recovery until she could walk by herself again. He laid down and turned his head towards hers, seeing her face scrunched in the pillow, and he smiled.

~C~

Shadowheart yawned as she left her tent. She had forgotten that they had camped inside the old temple, and she wasn't exactly sure what time it was. She felt at least well rested, so she guessed it was morning. The rest of the camp seemed to be stirring as well with Gale starting on breakfast as usual. She waved to him as she grabbed a few things and walked over to Char's tent.

The cleric hoped that Char was able to sleep well during the night. Three broken ribs would be difficult to heal without proper medical care, and Shadowheart would do her best. Honestly, it would probably be best to have her be examined at the druids' grove when they get back just to make sure that she was healing correctly.

As she set her things down outside the tent, she lifted the flap slowly, calling out the drow to wake her up gently. She didn't want to startle the woman in case she tried to stand up too fast and made the fractures worse. She heard some rustling and a muffled voice inside before she stepped in. What she hadn't expected was to see the vampire sitting on the other side of the sleeping sorceress.

"Astarion," Shadowheart stated, her voice carrying a warning. "What are you doing in Char's tent?"

"I wanted to make sure that she was recovering," he replied evenly, keeping his voice down. Shadowheart glared at him, unsure about this development. "And I didn't sample even a drop of her blood, I promise. She needs it more than I do."

"Yes, she does," Shadowheart agreed before she pulled in a few potions and new wrappings. Astarion touched Char's shoulder and gently shook it, waking her up.

"Shadowheart is here, darling," he whispered. Char groaned as she turned her head to her friend. The drow smiled, lifting her head a little.

"Good morning," Char greeted with a yawn.

"Ready to see what these potions can do?" the cleric asked. The drow nodded. Shadowheart helped Char maneuver in the bedroll, still keeping her covered since it wasn't just the two of them in there now. As the blankets fell off her back, Astarion and Shadowheart both held their breath to hold in their gasps. Char's skin tone was generally a cool dusky charcoal color, but her back was decorated with deep blacks and indigos of bruises. Shadowheart cleared her throat as she reached for the potion.

"I'm hoping that this will help with the fractures," Char mumbled before she drank it down. Astarion stared at her damaged back, realizing that her usual freckles were practically invisible now with the bruising.

"I'm sure it will," Shadowheart reassured. The drow put down the bottle as she held the top of the bedroll to her chest. "Just in case, though, I want you to be examined by the healers at the grove before we move on."

"Are you sure?" Char complained. Astarion lifted his head at the mention of the druids, also not liking the idea that they would be more involved in their adventures.

"I just want a second opinion, and I want to make sure that you are ready to travel. The last thing we need is you rebreaking your leg on the way to Moonrise without any healing aid," Shadowheart reminded as Char sighed. She was right once again.

"Alright, as soon as I'm fit to walk, then we'll make for the grove and I'll be examined," Char relented.

"I'd be more than happy to carry you, darling. It's not that far, and we might be able to carry on with our journey faster," Astarion offered, glancing up at Shadowheart. The cleric stared at Astarion, shocked by his suggestion.

"I suppose that would be fine, as long as you are gentle," Shadowheart informed, emphasizing the careful part. Char rested her forehead on her knees, unsure if she should argue now. She had hoped that Shadowheart would think it was a bad idea, but it would be quicker than her limping through the forest. "First thing's first, let me make sure that your ribs are at least mostly mended."

Shadowheart held her hand gently against Char's now cold skin. Char flinched at the contact but made no noise as the cleric worked her magic. From what Shadowheart could see, it felt that the ribs had mostly mended as had her femur. As long as she took it easy for the next few days, her bones would be fine. Once the bruises went away, she would be back to her old self.

"So, the potions have done their job, which is good. I don't want you to take any more unless we run into more trouble, though. Your body needs to take care of the rest," Shadowheart explained before sitting back by the tent's opening.

"Understood," Char agreed with a nod.

"Good," the cleric smiled before she stood. "Gale has already started breakfast, so we should be good to leave as soon as you're ready."

"Thank you, Shadowheart," Char smiled as her friend left.

Char turned to Astarion, who seemed rather content to just sit next to her while she didn't have a shirt on. While she was face down on her bedroll with a few blankets over top, it was fine. Now, she was feeling a little more exposed. He had grabbed his book as Shadowheart left, intent on reading until they had to pack up. Char cleared her throat to get his attention.

"Yes, darling," he answered, barely taking his eyes off the page.

"I would like to get changed," she informed. He hummed at her before it clicked in his mind. Then he nodded.

"Oh, right, of course," he replied before he turned his body around, now lounging with his back turned towards her. Char gaped at him as he continued to read his book. It seemed that he had no interest in leaving her side for even a moment. She rolled her eyes at the back of his head as she reached for her robes, loosely tying them around her waist. She could wear her new drow armor on a different day.

"You know, most people leave when others mention that they need to change," Char mentioned as she started to put on her boots. Astarion rolled over onto his other side, now facing her with his book on her bedroll.

"You should have said that instead, darling. I would have left if you asked," Astarion replied as he leaned his head on his hand. Char glared over her shoulder back at him before she tied her laces.

"Does this mean you want to talk about last night?" Char wondered, her temper starting to rise a little. Astarion bit the side of his cheek before she turned around to face him. "You seem to be glued to my hip since the argument. Before then, you couldn't wait to get rid of me."

"I may have been acting rashly last night," Astarion admitted as she narrowed her eyes. "I was in a brooding mood, and I usually don't like being interrupted. But I certainly did not want to be rid of you."

"Oh, pray tell. You were fleeing away from me," Char reminded. "And you didn't want to be around me since we rescued the druid. One might call you a fair-weather friend."

"Said the kettle to the pot," Astarion scoffed, sitting up and folding his arms. Char raised an eyebrow before she took a deep breath. She sat across from him and grabbed his hand.

"This is what I mean. I don't know what's going on with you. First you can't wait to save the druid, and now you hate even the mention of him. Then you avoid me, and now you won't even let me change by myself," Char explained calmly, squeezing his hand. "I need you to talk to me, or I'll never understand what's going on inside that head of yours."

"Maybe I don't want you in my head."

"Then maybe I'll have Halsin come here and carry me to the grove instead," Char threatened. Astarion got quiet, realizing that she had backed him into a corner. "Either talk or don't, but you don't get to toss me around with your emotions like this."

"Fine," the vampire hissed through his teeth. "I did feel… jealous when you looked at him with such awe when he first transformed. We've been travelling for over a tenday now, and you've never looked at me like that. I was feeling a little envious of that, and I didn't know how to deal with those feelings, so I isolated myself. Happy?"

"I'm glad that you told me, if that's what you mean," Char replied, still holding his hand as he looked to the side. He waited for her inevitable teasing or prodding. She always used it to lighten the mood, but it didn't come this time. He saw her staring at his hand instead.

"You aren't going to poke fun at me?" he asked, his voice lighter. She chuckled but shook her head.

"No, not when you're that sincere," she answered, looking up at him. Her eyes were watery as she smiled, and Astarion immediately wondered if he had said something wrong. "I didn't realize that you cared about what I thought so much."

"I told you a few times that I care about you more than just your blood," Astarion reminded. He cared that she was going to help him kill Cazador. He also cared that she wanted to be with him more than the archdruid. She wiped her eyes before laughing.

"I know, it's my own fault. Most people say one thing, but never follow through. I'm not used to the follow through part," Char admitted. "So, you were afraid that I would trade you for Halsin over a small encounter?"

"Honestly? A little."

"Well, you don't have to worry about that. Halsin might be attractive, but he isn't you," Char reminded, patting his hand. "That archdruid hasn't saved me from spiders or gnolls. He hasn't helped me heal several times at this point."

"He doesn't need to drink your blood, though," Astarion pointed out with a teasing smile.

"I already told you, I don't mind, as long as you know that restoration spell," Char chuckled. "I don't know what this is between us, but I'm not going anywhere, Astarion. I promise."

"Good, because I find that I prefer you right where you are," Astarion smiled. Char stared at him for a while before Gale called for breakfast. "You better go mingle with the others to let them know you're okay. I'm going to catch up on my reading."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely. Besides, I don't feel like getting lectured by Gale about the importance of letting you get enough sleep," he groaned as Char started to stand. "I'll be here when you get back."

~C~

Char did her best to limp her way into the center of camp. Karlach was the first to see her, and she bounded over to lend her battleaxe as a crutch. As much as she wished to lend a shoulder, her engine was still burning her up from the inside. Another thing on Char's to-do list. Although, Dammon said that he was making some progress last time they checked in. They just needed to find the second piece of infernal metal.

The drow settled onto a broken stone pew as she set the battleaxe on the floor next to her. Gale was still serving up an apple crisp he had made with the crate of apples the goblins had stolen. With some chef's magic, Gale managed to make another delicious meal.

"So, how're you feeling?" Karlach asked Char once the tiefling sat down. The drow shrugged gently, careful not to jostle her body too much.

"Still pretty sore, but Shadowheart said that the potions have mended the bones at least. I should be able to make it back to the grove," Char replied, which was met with sighs of relief and reassurances. The drow smiled, glad to have these strangers turn into her support system.

"That's very good. There are a few things that I'd like to trade back at the grove, and then we can make for these Moonrise Towers, and stopping at the creche on the way," Gale added, glancing at Laezel towards the end. Char nodded. It was good to have a game plan again that didn't involve fighting or killing. "Halsin said that he knew the way, didn't he?"

"Yes, he said that he would show us the way at least," Shadowheart answered. Char glanced back at her tent, wondering how Astarion would react to having Halsin along for the ride. The truth was that they needed the druid to guide them to Moonrise since none of them had been there before. Astarion would have to deal with it, and hopefully he would eventually get along with the druid along the way. Doubtful, but Char had to hope for some resolution.

After breakfast, they started to pack up camp. Astarion was able to pack up both his tent and Char's in record time as Char leaned on Karlach's axe. Char had explained that to not slow the group down, Astarion was going to carry her, so Karlach could have her axe back before they even left the temple.

"Are you sure you want to carry me all the way back to the grove? It's a long way," Char reminded, still unsure about this. She would expect his back to start to hurt after a while.

"Darling, I'm positive. The faster we get there, the faster we can leave and head to Moonrise," he reasoned. She grimaced, still not sold. While she agreed that she wanted to get there as soon as possible, she also didn't want to tire him out.

"Alright," she exhaled just as they started to move out of the temple chamber. Char turned to give Karlach her axe back, and she had expected to jump on Astarion's back for him to carry her that way. She had misinterpreted his intentions.

He scooped her up, holding her firm under her knees and lower back as her arms quickly looped around his neck in surprise. Once she was stable, Astarion followed the others with a proud smirk while Char glared up at him.

"I thought you were going to carry me on your back."

"We never specified how I was going to carry you, darling. If you want something, you are going to have to be more specific in the future."

"I hate you," she grumbled, resting her head on his chest. He leaned down and kissed the top of her head.

"No, you don't."