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Yaza lay awake. She didn’t know how long it had been since the camp had settled down. Across the dying fire, Karlach and Astarion occupied their bedrolls. Karlach snored in a loud (yet strangely soothing) rhythm, her toned abdomen rising and falling along with her breaths. Astarion was motionless, laying on his back in a deep elven trance. A meter to Yaza’s right was Shadowheart. She was sleeping peacefully on her side facing Yaza, the moonlight illuminating her pale face. Her lips were parted slightly and her eyelashes cast long shadows down her cheeks. The Tiefling watched her. She wondered what she was dreaming about. Even in her waking hours, she wondered what went on in Shadowheart’s mind. They had kissed two nights prior, after the party at camp. Shadowheart had been saying that she wanted to have time alone leading up to that night.
Yaza had felt Shadowheart’s gaze upon her the whole night of the party. As she spoke to the other Tieflings and especially when Astarion loudly proposed that he and Yaza “spend a night of passion together”. The man seemed surprised that she wasn’t interested, but understood when she explained that she didn’t enjoy the company of a man in… intimate settings. She had made a promise that she would find Shadowheart after everyone was asleep, and she did. They spoke that night until the sun began to peek over the horizon. Nothing too serious, just memories from Baldur’s Gate. The kiss they shared was sweet and gentle. It felt like it meant something, but Shadowheart seemed nervous to talk about it. Now, Yaza’s luminous green eyes shone in the darkness, fixed intensely on the woman she felt for.
Something stirred across the fire. It was Astarion silently getting up to hunt, but he noticed the light of the Tiefling’s open eyes and looked at her. Following the line of her gaze until his eyes met the spot where the half-elf slept. He raised his eyebrow before looking back at Yaza and giving her a knowing smirk. She squeezed her eyes shut in embarrassment and by the time she opened them, the vampire had already stalked off into the darkness of the forest.
Little to Yaza’s knowledge, Shadowheart was awake. She was able to open her eyes just enough that she could see a blurry version of the world whilst still looking like she was asleep. Through that blur, she saw Yaza’s glowing green eyes piercing through the night. She knew she had been distant from the Druid since she kissed her. She had noticed every glance that came her way. She just needed to find the words that she needed to say to Yaza. She did like the Tiefling, a lot . She was sweet and selfless. It had been a long time since Shadowheart met somebody like her. She watched Yaza roll onto her back, looking up at the stars. They lit up her dusty-gray skin in an ethereal way.
“Yaza..” the cleric whispered, causing a surprised reaction from the other woman. “Are you alright?” Her voice was soft, genuine.
“Just some trouble sleeping, that’s all.” Yaza sounded so tired. Shadowheart moved towards her, dragging her bedroll with her. They soon were only inches apart. Yaza’s breath hitched as she looked over to see Shadowheart’s big eyes looking at her in a way she couldn’t understand. “Hello-“ she said, surprised, before Shadowheart’s hand moved to the Tiefling’s face.
“I’m sorry.” The half-elf spoke so quietly it was almost a whisper.
“For what?”
“I haven’t spoken to you about us. I want you to know that I don’t regret our kiss… not at all. It made me the happiest I’ve felt in a very long while.” She smiled softly, Yaza returned the expression.
“I’d have to say the same.” The Druid responded. Shadowheart draped an arm over Yaza’s side and pressed her forehead to the Tiefling’s, looking into her luminous green eyes. Their noses brushed together, causing them to giggle like schoolgirls. During the day they acted as pillars of strength within the party. Yaza was their fearless leader . Shadowheart was the voice of healing and support. But here, they were like lovesick teenagers. There was a beat of silence before Shadowheart’s lips were pressed to the Druid’s. The kiss was soft. Less desperate than the one they had shared just days before. Yaza pulled the other woman in by her waist until there was no possible way they could’ve been any closer, smiling against her lips. Shadowheart jolted away with a stifled laugh. “Are you okay?” Yaza asked, concerned.
“Yes,” the cleric chuckled softly. “You just bumped my head with your horn.” She reached out to run a finger along one of the ram-like horns that decorated the tiefling’s head. Yaza felt a sense of embarrassment, there were many times in her life when she felt that the appendages got in the way, but Shadowheart seemed to find this particular situation endearing. It made Yaza feel giddy . She had never really had the company of somebody she could feel flustered around, she led a more solitary life before the tadpole. Now she had a person to laugh with and talk to. Someone she could share a kiss with.
A twig snapped and the two looked up, their arms still lazily draped over each other , to see Astarion walking back towards the fire. He froze for a second before easing back into his usual persona.
“My my, don’t mind me.” He smirked and Shadowheart glared at him, shooting daggers. Yaza just laughed. Next time she saw him slink off to Gale’s tent she would give him an extra hard time about it for this. “You can get back to… whatever it is you’re doing.” He laid back down on his bedroll, sending them another look before he slipped back into his trance.
Shadowheart rolled her eyes, bemused. Yaza buried her face into the crook of the half-elf’s neck to stifle her laughter (and to plant a gentle kiss on the skin there). It wasn’t long before they fell asleep in each other’s embrace.