[ it's so sweet, feeling all of that fright siphon out of her as soon as they wrap themselves into each other. he lets her cry, lets all of his love and care and sorrow envelop her, tying them together. he doesn't start when she seems to make the connection—that he felt everything she did in her nightmare. he just kisses her skin where he can, murmuring beside her ear. ]

I'm here, sweetheart. It's the real me, and I love you too.

[ he remembers all of that pain, the grinding of the engine in his chest, the bloodlust and guilt in karlach's heart. he wishes he could have been there, even if there was nothing he could do to stop her. it was so overwhelming to live through that and being totally alone. ]

You're safe. You've got me and you've got your real heart. I ain't ever gonna leave you for as long as I live.