Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The stars shone brightly that night over their camp, but for the first time in a while, it wasn’t the stars that had his attention. No, that night, it was a different star that had him enraptured.

Everlith was moving about the campsite, checking in with their companions as she always did before going to bed. Sometimes they all had something to say depending on what had happened that day, other times it was nice to check in, making sure people were getting along as well as their ragtag group could.

By this point in their travels, Gale had grown accustomed to having them at his side, each bringing their own expertise and knowledge that made sure they got through every battle or task relatively unscathed.

To his surprise and delight, Everlith had consistently asked him to join in their adventures each day and he began to relish those days. All the things they had learned! The monsters they had fought to help others! And most of all following someone that was as kind and gentle as he could ever hope for in a friend, a companion.

It was almost too much to be true with his condition, and after today, he worried it may be the end.

The bomb lodged in his chest had threatened to explode earlier that day. Again, he had gone to Everlith for something to satiate it’s hunger, which she had generously obliged him. This time though it was different, the bomb wasn’t sated, and he knew he had to come clean, explain what was going on.

He opened up to her, the first person in awhile that he had felt comfortable revealing the depths of his secret. Fear and shock had overtaken her face when she saw what he had done. But when he explained the true extent of his condition, instead of anger, she showed only concern and a desire to help him.

It was almost too much for him to bear when he had expected her to cast him out. Others in the group had been split with some wondering why she had let him stay, though once Everlith had made her decision, they all were inclined to accept him.

But that didn’t stop him from worrying the moment she turned to him and started to walk over. He wanted to be there, to be with her. How he had found himself thinking of her more and more each night did not escape him, that desire for what could be sitting there in the back of his mind.

He pushed those feelings aside when she approached.

The moonlight bathed her in an almost silver glow, the shades of blue, pink and purple in her hair were shimmering, silver eyes glistening as she smiled up at him.

Deciding the best approach was to stick with his usual one, Gale smiled at her and said, “Always a pleasure to speak with you. What can I do for you this evening?”

She greeted him with the same kindness she had shown him thus far in their travels. A good sign if he ever saw one, getting his hopes up.

“I wanted to see how you were doing?” She asked with such concern, it took a moment for him to realize he could still be honest with her.

That he wanted to be honest with her.

“I’ve certainly stayed in more comfortable places, but nothing quite beats an evening amongst friends next to a warm campfire with the stars glittering in the sky.” He spoke with a flourish, unable to stop himself from falling into his usual routine of how they chatted.

“It is a beautiful evening,” she murmured, looking to the stars and smiling softly.

Gale gazed over her face, wondering what it would be like to have the chance to look at it in calmer environments.

“Everything alright?”

Her question interrupted his thoughts, but he quickly recovered.

“Of course, my friend. Now, what brings you over to my humble tent?”

The corner of her lips curved even more, eyes squinting as if she wanted to laugh. Better and better, he was starting to realize how things would go, but in this moment, what she said would speak louder than her actions.

“I was wondering how you were doing?” She gazed up at him in earnest, wringing her hands in front of her.

Gale glanced at them and hid a smile when she quickly brought her hands to her sides. “If you are referring to what I revealed earlier, then yes, I am doing rather well for my predicament. Though we will probably want to figure out a solution sooner rather than later.”

He waited for her to answer, watching as she started to bite her bottom lip in thought.

“Very well. But you promise you won’t leave?” Everlith asked, taking a timid step forward, “I want to help you. I mean,” she started to stammer, looking away. “You’ve helped me already, it’s the least I can do.”

The question took him back and he felt the magical energy flare up in his chest. Here she was, worrying about him and his needs, when she was not alone in having her own things to worry about. Becoming a mind flayer being one of them and who else knows what she went through before being kidnapped about the Nautiloid.

“I…” he began, stumped for the first time in a very long time with what to say. “Truly, it is an honor to be worried about by one such as yourself. But please, do not fret about such things Evie.” He had to stop himself from taking his own step forward, wanting nothing more than to hold her hand in comfort.

At his words, Everlith looked up, her happiness at his words evident in the moonlight.

“I have no intentions of leaving and as long as you will have me, I plan to fight by your side to the very end.” Gale meant every word. If his was to come, then he would reach it knowing he went on one last adventure, one that would at least end well for her.

That he would make sure of if only to keep her smiling at him like that.

“I am very happy to hear that Gale,” Everlith continued to smile up at him, the light twinkling in her eyes. “I would be quite upset if you did leave. And then come find you to make sure you were alright anyways.”

“Of that I have no doubt,” Gale nodded in agreement, chuckling. Movement around the campsite showed the others beginning to move into their tents for the evening. “But it is getting late and I’m sure you want to be up bright and early to continue searching for a way to remove our friends,” he motioned to his head.

“That would probably be for the best,” Everlith agreed, taking a step back. “Make sure to get some rest yourself, I expect you by my side. Is that clear?” In any other person, those words could have been cruel and forceful, but coming from her, it was all he could do to not laugh as she tried to look stern.

“As you wish, my lady,” Gale said in amusement, making her laugh by giving her an animated bow.

As he watched her walk away, Gale thought upon their conversation. What luck fate has given him! Whatever more it may bring, Gale was happy to know that his time was spent in such wonderful company.

Chapter Text

The night was young as Everlith made her way out of her tent, dressed and ready for bed. But sleep was just out of reach, as it had been for many nights since she had fallen out of the Nautiloid. The terrors of what happened there, what was happening now to her and her companions, kept her up at night and wishing for the comfort of home.

Home.

Everlith sighed and made her way over to the campfire in the middle of her camp. She rested on a one of the wooden logs, letting the warmth of the fire wash over her, fighting the chill of the evening wind that rustled through the area. At least the evening was calm, a much needed rest after the events of that day.

She closed her eyes and leaned back on the log, listening to the sounds of the world around her. The rustling of wind in the leaves, the crackling and pop of the fire, the whispers of her companions who rested at their own tents, each one doing whatever they needed to to unwind.

How she wished she could.

“Ah Everlith, how are you this evening?”

Everlith opened her eyes, looking up to see Gale standing next to her, a curious look in his eyes. Her heart skipped a beat, but she quickly calmed her nerves. Now was no time for…whatever that was.

“I’m doing fine, thank you for asking.” Everlith smiled up at him. “Do you want to sit down?”

“Why yes!” Gale gave her a charming smile as he moved to sit in the log next to her. “What a day it’s been! With this tadpole in my head, I had never imagined I’d make it this far. Let alone be with someone I could trust so completely.”

He winked at her and Everlith felt a different heat rise up her cheeks. She stared at the fire, smiling at his words.

“I never thought I’d make it this far either. We all know the stories of Mindflayers and their evil.” Everlith watches as a few sparks came from the fire, her mind drifting back to that moment on the mindflayer’s ship as the tadpole crawled into her eye. A shiver went up her spine. “I am sorry there isn’t more I can do to assist us.”

“What?” Gale gave her a look of surprise. “Why would you be sorry?”

“I’m a cleric,” Everlith sighed. She held up her hands, letting her faith in Selune fill her body, causing a soft golden glow to form in her hands. “It’s my duty to help others and yet I am unable to do that when it matters most. Everything I worked for and yet…”

She trailed off, letting the magic fade and the fire casting a reddish glow on her hands instead. She waited for Gale to say something, the wizard always had something to say when they spoke, though at this moment she hadn’t expected those words to escape him.

The thoughts were part of the reason sleep had been so difficult to achieve. The guilt she felt at being unable to live up to her duty that she had trained for her whole life. It had been the first question Gale had asked her and she hadn’t been able to stop chastising herself for being unable to help then…or now.

“Everlith, I’m flabbergasted!” Gale exclaimed, a slight laugh showing in his shocked tone. “Without you we probably wouldn’t even have gotten this far. And all the help you have given to those in need, those that others would have ignored or even hurt, you helped them.”

Gale moved to sit next to her, reaching out a hand to her. Everlith looked at it, wanting nothing more than to take it but letting her guilt stop her. After a moment, Gale whispered something under his breath and sparks of white light shot up from his hand, like little fireworks shooting into the sky. Only this time it was a few inches above his hand.

Everlith smiled, watching the lights jump about. For a moment, she let herself be transfixed by the lights, until she glanced at Gale and saw him watching her. There was something in his gaze that made her blush, whether it was the intensity or the way it made her feel like he was seeing her, truly seeing her.

“Gale—”

“I’ll hear none of it.” Gale interrupted her. With a flick of his wrist, the magic stopped and he pulled it away. “If you can accept me, let me continue to travel by your side after everything I’ve revealed to you, then I can accept you. The one who has saved us more times than I can count.”

“I… I don’t know what to say,” Everlith admitted.

“Then don’t say anything, but realize you are wanted.” Gale stood up and motioned his head towards the others. “By all of us, to lead us on and save the day.” He reached out with his fist, grabbing at air, but the Everlith understand his gesture.

She looked around, seeing the others milling about their tents. Lae’zel sharpening her sword, Astarion reading, Karlach lounging on her pillows, Wyll drinking as he seemed to mull over things, and Shadowheart on her knees praying to Shar.

Each of her companions had agreed to come along, join her band of merry adventures to figure out what it was that was keeping them from turning into the Illithid. At the thought, the small creature in her mind squirmed making her flinch, but it quickly settled down.

They trusted her, or they wouldn’t be there, that much she knew. Gale was right and now it was only time for her to believe the words he spoke.

“I’ll leave you to your thoughts,” Gale said, pulling Everliths attention.

He was already starting to walk away when she called out to him, moving from the campfire to catch up to him. She didn’t know what compelled her to do it, but she didn’t want his kindness to not be recognized.

Reaching him, Everlith took a leap of faith and wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him. Gale froze for a moment, then immediately relaxed and wrapped his arms around her.

“Thank you, Gale.” Everlith whispered, enjoying his warmth and the feeling of safety from being wrapped in his arms. “For your kind words and being there for me.”

“Always, Everlith.” Gale whispered back, holding her tightly.

They stayed in each other’s embrace, as if neither one wanted to let go. Until a cough from across the way made them jump and step apart.

To Everlith’s surprise, she could have sworn she saw a hint of pink on Gale’s cheeks, but she looked away to see the others around camp looking in their directions. The smirks on their faces were clear even from this far away.

“Well then,” Gale coughed awkwardly before smoothing out his shirt. “If you’re ever in need of another reminder about how much you matter, you know where to find me! Or if…”

Everlith waited for him to continue, but when he didn’t, she leaned forward and asked, “If what?”

Gale swallowed, hesitating for only a moment before he gave her a welcoming smile. “If you ever need another… intimate moment, all you have to do is ask.”

The thought of being close with him again filled her with such excitement, something she hadn’t felt in a long time. And the fact that he was offering…

“I will, thank you Gale.” Everlith nodded, giving him a small wave as he walked back to her tent.

A new thought started to form as she thought on Gale's words, the warmth from his embrace soothing her as she lay by the fire. She may never be able to return to the home she had once known, however brief that was, but the world was always full of new possibilities.

And the possibility that she could have a new home with the very people traveling her, was a welcomed thought indeed.