Karlach stood at the threshold of her humble home, her scarred hands gripping the doorframe as she gazed out into the night. The flickering flames of nearby torches cast a warm, golden glow on her deep crimson skin. A soft sigh escaped her lips—one that mixed both nervousness and anticipation. The air outside was crisp, and the quiet of the evening seemed to mirror the inner turmoil she had been wrestling with for days.

She hadn't expected to feel this way. After everything she’d been through—after the infernal heat of Avernus, the torment, the endless battles—she thought she was beyond it all. But somehow, the feelings had crept in, soft and insistent, until they became a raging fire inside her chest. She wasn’t sure when it had happened, but the truth was undeniable now.

Karlach had fought many battles in her life, but this one was different. This wasn’t about enemies or weapons; this was about the heart. And the heart had a way of making even the strongest warrior feel small, vulnerable, and uncertain.

She took a breath, squared her shoulders, and opened the door wider. The smell of spiced stew lingered in the air, the warmth of a crackling fire welcoming whoever stepped inside. Her voice was steady, but the slight quiver in her words betrayed her nervousness.

"Come on in," Karlach said, her grin a little lopsided, her eyes betraying the raw sincerity behind them. "I’ve got something I need to say, and… well, I think you should hear it. But first, you’ve got to promise me one thing: no matter what I say, don't go runnin' off, alright?"

She gestured to the cozy space inside, her hands still trembling ever so slightly. "I think I’m ready to say it... ready to admit it, at least."