All Taash, All Trash

Harding regained consciousness slowly. People were speaking around her, but she couldn’t make out the words. They were muffled, as if her head was underwater. She was able to discern the severity of the conversation, and it sounded bad.

She was also able to discern her stomach hurt like a mother fucker, sharp pain shootingnup and down her body from two places near her stomach and she let out a low groan.

All talking stopped and silence filled the room.

“Shit.” Was that Bellara?

“She’s awake.” Emmrich?

Hands, warm, rough, and familiar, gently grasped one of her own. “Lace?”

Taash.

Despite the headache, Harding forced her eyes to open. That was a mistake. Even in the dim room (Taash’s room?) and the red hue of the eclipse, Harding’s eyes ached and she slammed them

shut with another low groan. “What happened?” she finally managed. Her throat stuck with the words and when she swallowed, she tasted copper.

There was a shuffling, and after a moment one of Taash’s hands left hers. A moment later, she felt dampness on her lips.

“Drink, Lace,” Taash said softly. “Please.”

Harding licked her chapped lips and tried to raise her head but whimpered in pain before settling back into the mattress. A gentle hand, one smelling of tobacco, gently cupped the back of her head to help steady her.

Neve.

Harding kicked her lips again and peeked her eyes open just enough to see Taash holding a cup to her lips. She parted them and a trickle of cold washed down the back of her throat.

It was the best thing she’d ever tasted.

After taking a few sips, Neve gently laid Hardings head back into the pillow. A second later, both of Taash’s hands were holding hers again.

“What happened?” Harding asked again.

Silence. Then—

“You died,” Emmrich said softly. “Twice.”

“We didn’t think we were going to get you back that second time,” Bellara added just as quietly.

Taash’s hands held hers more tightly, almost painfully so.

“And Ghilan’nain?” Harding asked.

“Dead,” Lucanis said, proud.

Harding smiled, despite the pain. Then her joy faltered. There was one voice she hadn’t heard. “Where’s Rook?”

“Gone,” replied Davrin. She heard Assan squawk sadly. “Trapped in the Fade.”

Harding’s eyes opened, and she squinted at Davrin. “Trapped?”

“Yes,” replied Emmrich. “And Solas is free. He managed to swap their places.”

“We’ve been trying to find her,” said Bellara. “But it’s been two weeks. The Fade is a big place.”

Harding’s brows raised. “…two weeks?”

Neve cleared her throat. “Why don’t we let Harding rest? She’s been through a lot and needs rest.”

“Ah, yes. That’s a good idea,” Emmrich agreed. “Taash? You’ll of course stay as this is your room, correct?”

Harding turned toward Taash, still sitting by her hip and holding her hand. Taash’s gaze was intense and Harding is sure they never took their eyes off her after sitting down.

Taash gave a small grunt in reply.

“Excellent,” Emmrich said. “Please come fetch me if Harding needs attention. All right?”

Another short grunt in response.

Everyone shuffled out the door. Neve was the last to leave, gently running the back of her knuckles along Harding’s scarred cheek with a soft smile. She didn’t say anything before turning to leave with the others, closing the door behind her with a soft click.

Harding watched them go before turning to look up at Taash. “Hey, Legs,” she said with a smile, trying to keep the conversation light.

Taash’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly. They often looked mad on a good day. Harding knew that this wasn’t a good day.

“Taash—“ Harding began, but was swiftly cut off.

“You died,” Taash said softly. Their voice was even and that scared Harding. “You left and I didn’t get a chance to… We didn’t—”

Their breathing grew heavier and heavier and despite her vision being not the best currently, Harding could tell Taash’s eyes were shiny with tears.

Taash cleared their throat. “You left before I could say—“

“Hey,” Harding said softly. Despite the severe pain it caused, she pulled her hands from Taash’s and reached for them and gently tugged at their arms. “C’mere.”

Taash’s expression crumpled and they let Harding pull them forward. They buried their face in Harding’s chest and after a few hitching breaths began sobbing.

Harding felt their hands fisting the sheets on either side of her ribs. She cradled their head close and pressed kisses to their hair and horns. “I’m here,” she whispered. “I’m okay. I’m he—“

“But you weren’t,” Taash snarled through their crying. “You were gone and I didn’t think you were coming back.” They growled, pushing their face harder into Harding’s chest.

Harding flinched at the pain, but she didn't push Taash away. She couldn’t. “But I did,” Harding insisted. “I’m here.”

Taash sobbed harder. They released the sheets and wrapped their arms around Harding instead. After a long moment, Taash lifted their face and rested their chin on Harding’s chest. Though their eyes were open, Harding knew Taash wasn’t seeing her.

She brushed her hands gently across Taash’s face, wiping away their tears. “I’m here,” she said again, quietly.

“You fell,” Taash whispered. “Into a blight pit. I didn’t think I’d find you.”

“But you did,” said Harding. She tried for levity. “See? Your sense of smell was finally good for something.”

Taash chuffed despite themselves. “Dumbass,” they said, trying to hide their smile in Harding’s chest. Harding giggled, and after a moment, Taash looked up at her, expression once again serious. “Don’t do that. Ever again.”