Delulu realms

Ｏｖｅｒｒｉｄｅ ＆ Ｕｎｄｅｒｇｒｏｕｎｄ

Rating: Explicit 18+ Pairings: Durgetash (active pairing) | Gale/Durge (exes & endgame) (banner image by @fireflyeyes <3)

Chapter 7: Tilted Word Count: 8,538

“Heyo~” she greets with a cheery demeanor. “Be just a minute for Wyll; he’s in the middle of a check.” She holds out a hand, strong arms straining against the sleeves of her uniform. “I’m Karlach. You must be Gale.” Gale shakes her hand, expecting the firm grip and still surprised at the strength of it. “A pleasure to meet you—” he begins, but her head turns at the sound of the passenger door shutting. She looks over, face lighting up bright…before it twinges down a peg with a heaviness she tries to hide. “Tav!” She calls out, Gale already yesterday’s news. “By the gods, it’s incredible to see you again.” Gale turns to look at her. Tav stands on the other side of the car, posture looking like a cornered animal trying to discern if it needs to run or defend itself. Expression like stone. “Hey, Karlach.” There’s familiarity in her voice; little warmth, but not the frost she’d shown him. Slowly, she rounds the hood of the car to stand next to Gale. Not too close, of course. She crosses her arms, eyes flitting from the tiefling to the customs line and back. “You still doing this?” Though her smile is genuine, there’s a bittersweet edge to it. “Gotta keep bread on the table somehow. You know it’s not easy for us Cheapside kids.” Tav’s lips tighten, her gaze averts. She doesn’t argue it. Before the tension can escalate even further, Gale attempts to diffuse some of the pressure. “The two of you know each other?” He recalls various anecdotes Tav had told him about her past when they were together, though she very rarely mentioned names. Suddenly remembering his presence, Karlach looks back to him. “Tav and I grew up together back in Heapside. Same foster house, same shitty back alleys, same shitty neighbors.” She looks to Tav with what she intends as reassurance. “Wasn’t an easy way to spend our teenage years, but we got through it together.” Tavrin’s nostrils flare as she huffs a breath, but otherwise puts up no protest. Gale hopes this is a sign that even if it’s unlikely she’s forgiven, perhaps for the sake of the mission she can put aside her— “Gale, Tav! We’ve been expecting you.” The moment Wyll steps into the circle, Tav’s hackles raise. Her biceps flex as she clenches her muscles, arms crossed under her chest as if it’s the only way to keep them controlled. Her jaw is so tensed, the vein in her neck becomes visible.  “Wyll.”

Read the full chapter on AO3 Or start at chapter 1 HERE.