Chapter Text
The night after rescuing the tieflings and vanquishing the goblin camp was supposed to be a one for celebration, and maybe even relaxation. Instead, Gale had found himself sleepless during the nights and restless in the days after.
Sick of staring up at his tent, he thought a bit of fresh air would do him better. Or at least cause him to think clearer. He chose to sit by the glow of the smoldering embers of the campfire.
His back was hunched and a palm covered his mouth in thought as he let his mind untangle the puzzle that had been keeping him awake.
It wasn’t that he hadn’t thought of her as beautiful. Tav had sharp eyes and a steady hand that could send an arrow through the skull of a goblin from half a mile away.
And it was obvious she was intelligent. He admired a great deal how she could produce useful herbs from a tangle of what he thought of as weeds, and brew a potion that not only healed him, but tasted of sweet honey. herbs unnoticed by him to brew potions with ease.
Her kindness drew him to her as well. His trust in her each time they paused on their journey to help someone in need.
Of course, the thought had crossed his mind that he might just be another charity case that just hung on too long.
Gale had thought she had been standoffish. There was a quietness about her that he picked up from their first meeting. After her hand gripped his and pulled him from the portal, he’d tried to crack a few lighthearted jokes, and to his dismay, she’d offered a tight placating smile, which quickly dropped into solemnity again. He’d brushed it off.
He’d thought she was worried about something, but then he’d learned her history. They’d been huddled around the campfire as a group, spoons dipping into Karlach’s tomato and pepper soup (one she swore could warm a person to the bones). The night had been rainy and cold. A few people were sharing blankets spread over their laps as they ate. He and Tav shared one. The full stomachs and soft glow of the fire invited intimacies.
Karlach shared her tragic background first, regaling how she’d suffered in the Hells for ages. Gale noticed Wyll’s expression drawn into a sympathetic frown.
“-And that’s how I got here. How about you Tav?” Karlach offered with a nudge.
Gale watched as Tav shifted and put her bowl and spoon to the side.
“I was happy. Then I was widowed. Now I’m here.”
She’d spoken plainly, with no emotion, but Gale recognized the way that people speak of the things they keep locked up tight.
Gale’s heart went out for her, but he wasn’t one to pry, especially since he had his own secrets to keep.
“I’m sorry for your loss,” Gale spoke up, and the rest of the group nodded along.
Tav had dipped her head in thanks, and then spent the rest of the evening silent.
Since then, she’d been off limits in the romantic sense. Not that he’d thought of her in that way. Gale was still licking his own wounds, and with the orb nestled deep in his chest, he wasn’t sure there could even be much room for anyone else.
Friendship it was, and once she had laid some of her burden on the shoulders of friends, Tav seemingly let some of her sorrow slip away. The first time she laughed at one of his wisecracks, he thought he’d misheard it. It was a hiss and a huff, but he caught a smile that she pursed her lips to try to hide.
Things really started changing when they’d discovered a gloriously vicious combo for their enemies. Nothing compared to the confusion on a gang of goblin’s faces when he’d drop a grease spell under their feet, and then the realization and fear on their wretched little faces when they spotted Tav’s flaming arrow launching their way.
All of that changed when he offered to show her a bit of magic, and she’d revealed to him what had really been on her mind.
It was only an image, but the more he thought about it, the more he could feel it.
Her lips on his, gentle, then more persistent, passionate-
“Thinking of your goddess?”
Gale startled as Tav’s voice brought him back to reality.
“I- uh-” Gale shifted as she moved to sit next to him, closer than usual, “Not quite.”
“You were miles away again,” her gray eyes left him and gazed over the remains of the fire. There was a fine string of tension between them.
“I’m not always thinking of her,” Gale admitted, carefully leaving out his true thoughts.
Tav’s perception never ceased to amaze him, “Care to share?”
Gale considered lying to save himself. It would be understandable if he told her his mind was on the Netherese orb and the gratitude he felt when she had accepted him and his condition. Perhaps pushing them back into the direction of friendship…
But is that what he wanted?
His heart was pulling him elsewhere.
“I was thinking about the other night…”
“The night where you told me of your relationship with your goddess?”
Gale felt a pang of embarrassment. Was she teasing him?
“No, not that night…” It hit him that perhaps it wasn’t the most gentlemanly thing for him to do, to tell her of another woman right after a near confession.
“Ah,” her eyebrows rose in understanding, “Was it about what I pictured when we connected by the weave?”
Gale felt nervous all of a sudden, “Yes.”
“And what did you think of it?” Tav goaded. It wasn’t often that anyone tried to keep him speaking. He might as well continue.
“I was surprised,” he answered honestly, “But pleasantly so, just as I said.”
“Good,” Tav took a deep breath.
“Amid the madness that has befallen us, it seems almost out of place to think of a kiss,” Gale continued, noticing how her eyes dipped down to his lips again, and he didn’t need the weave connection to know what she was picturing.
“A stolen glance- that sudden heartbeat… Sometimes the little things are worth more than kingdoms.”
He was tempted. So tempted. It would be easy to lean in and press his lips to hers-
But there he felt it- The tell tale clawing of the dark magic in his chest. Pinching, biting, threatening to rip until he closed his eyes and focused. As the Netherese orb retreated, a purple glow pulsed from the mark, illuminating them with faint light. A threat. It was far from romantic candlelight.
Tav quickly glanced down and back up. As realization set in, disappointment was clear on her face.
No no…
Not again.
Gale reached down and placed a hand over hers.
“Things like the thought of a kiss…They promise things to come.” He concluded, finishing his thought.
Tav seemed to brighten a bit at that, and Gale thought, that maybe, perhaps if he made it quick-
Purposefully without thought, he leaned in for just half a second. Just enough to feel the warmth of her lips on his. As expected, the orb pulsed furiously, but he was able to quickly subdue it.
It was worth it to see Tav’s eyes soften on him.
“I’m going to need time,” He explained, squeezing her hand in his, “I need to practice controlling the orb while my mind is focused elsewhere.”
“Take all the time you need,” she squeezed back and Gale felt a tightening in his chest, not from the orb this time. She was so patient where he was undeserving.
“Look, I-'' Gale brushed a thumb over her knuckles, “I want to thank you for all you’ve done for me. For gathering artifacts, for accepting me and my condition, for your tolerance of my physical trepidation-”
Tav gave a short laugh at the last part, but Gale continued on.
“-You’re interested in magic, yes? Let me teach you a few more things. I have a few spells in mind that you may be interested in.”
“I’d like that,”
“You have a natural gift. With some study and repetition, you could become an adept mage if you wanted.”
Another laugh from Tav, “Me? A mage? Are you sure?”
“Well, if you don’t want to be a mage that's fine of course, but the potential certainly is there,” Gale raised a finger for emphasis, “So, if you have an interest, choose any evening you feel refreshed and you have a spare bit of energy, and find me for a private moment.”
“Alright then,” Tav’s hand slipped from his, and the night air felt a touch colder than previously, “I’ll take you up on your offer.”
She then stood, and made her way back to her tent. Gale watched as the flaps closed shut behind her.
In his own tent that night he lay awake, one hand a cage over the glow in his chest, the other pressed to his lips.