[she soaks those emotions in, feels them so intensely - he pulls her close and kisses her like he means it, and she sighs a shivery sound into his mouth as she leans up to meet him. kisses him to match, slow and deep, until she can't really breathe and then past that, until she's lightheaded.

karlach tangles their legs together, not bothering to keep track of which limbs belong to who. she's got so much love to give that it almost hurts, so she lets herself feel it, lets it mingle with his, twines her joy in his. and along with that - she takes the fear, the possibility of pain, and gives him reassurance in return. comfort, and a little resolve. it's been hard, the past ten years, to care at all about what happened to her. the worst that could happen was that she'd die, and even that wouldn't stick. zariel would never allow that. it's a learned habit to put herself up front to take the damage, because she was invincible and because nobody would miss her if she was gone.

but boothill would. so many people would, now, but she knows - if something happens to her, it'd just be proof to shut off and away. so she won't. instead, karlach takes his hand, and brings it up to her neck. presses his fingertips against her pulse, letting him feel the steady thud-thud-thud of her heartbeat. her real heartbeat.]

Yeah. Yeah, of course. [she says, soft.] I'll always come back to you.

[that's a promise.]

You hold a little of my love and I'll hold a little of yours. That's what you do with it. Here, where it's easiest. [taps his chest, over his heart, with her free hand.]