Dammon steps back from his handy smith work, and Karlach stands there, breathing- actually breathing. Without feeling like she might burn up from the inside, without her blood pumping through her veins like tumbling lava. Her hands shake as she lifts them, staring in disbelief. And then her wide, teary eyes flick to you.

Before you can say a word, she lunges forward, wrapping you up in the tightest, most desperate embrace you’ve ever felt. It’s all-consuming, her arms squeezing around you like she’s afraid you’ll vanish, her face buried against your neck, warm breath shuddering against your skin. She smells like iron and embers and home.

For the first time, there’s no searing heat, no fear of her bursting into flames.

A sob wracks through her chest. "You’re the first person I’ve been able to hold since- since-" Her voice breaks. She clutches you tighter, fingers digging into your back as if making up for years of touch touch stolen away from her by Zariel and Gortash.