i am experiencing monthly astarion brainrot. i need him tickled bad. took matters into my own hands. oh and because i'm a fucking nerd i decided to write a short fic to accompany it. also click for better quality!
Warning: This is a tickle fic.
Features: lee!astarion, ler!tav and ler!karlach (with lee!tav and ler!karlach at the beginning, couldn't help myself)
Spoilers?: None! This does take place in Act 3, though.
Word Count: 885 (short... can you even call this a fic </3)
Karlach’s laughter rings through the camp, disturbing Astarion's tranquil, meditative state. Tav’s laugh follows. The vampire huffs and opens his eyes, rising from his bedroll. The sun has only risen minutes ago, he assumes, and it is not time for the party to set off yet. Any individual with a brain, whether it be infected with a parasite or not, would still be asleep, or awake and avoiding waking the others until they decide to wake themselves. And of course, as Astarion had learned long ago, Tav and Karlach lack said brain. What are they up to now?
Stepping out of his tent, sunlight hits Astarion’s face. The elf squints; he’s yet to get used to it. Tav’s laughter, by now, has risen an octave, assaulting his ears. A frown painting his face, he approaches the source of the noise – Karlach’s tent – to perhaps grasp what could be so funny this early in the morning. He is met with a sight that… he has not seen before.
“KAHAHARLAHAHACH!” Tav is red to the face, lying on the ground with their arms and legs flailing around helplessly. Karlach, clearly overpowering them, is sitting on their thighs, fingers mercilessly wiggling around their entire torso. Astarion barely registered their movement, as no spot on Tav’s torso was left untouched. The tiefling has a smile on her face, a devilish one, as her hands move, skillfully dodging Tav’s almost pathetic attempts at grabbing her wrists to cease their torment.
“What? You started this. Revenge is best served hot, my friend,” Karlach says, not stopping her hands for even a second. And there was Tav, losing their shit. Children, is all Astarion can think to himself at their behavior.
The elf clears his throat loudly, catching the attention of Karlach, who finally stops her hands, hovering them over Tav’s sides. They continue to giggle, panting to catch their breath as they open their eyes, wiping tears of mirth. Both look up at Astarion.
“What, if I may ask, in the Nine Hells, are you doing?” Astarion crossed his arms, an eyebrow raised. He wasn’t exactly mad with them, simply annoyed at how loud their antics can get.
Karlach released Tav, finally, standing up and dusting her hands off. “Tickling the shit out of Tav. That’s obvious, isn’t it, soldier?” She smirks, eyeing them as they sit up, rubbing tingles off their sides.
“I have two functioning eyes, darling, I can see that.” Astarion’s gaze follows hers, watching Tav recover. He never understood why some fold so quickly at something as silly as tickling. Not that he has experienced it in the past two centuries of his life, but that doesn’t change his stance. The act is ridiculous on its own. “My question is why you felt the need to do it now, and this early in the morning. The whole damn camp must be up in arms, thinking our poor Tav has been hit with Tasha’s Hideous Laughter by an enemy.”
“Sorry, Astarion,” Karlach replies, shrugging. “But blame Tav. They tried tickling me first.”
“To be fair, you have vampiric hearing,” Tav mutters as they sit up, dusting off their clothes. Seems they have finally recovered. “I didn’t laugh that loud.”
“Trust me, you laughed louder than an owlbear squeals,” Astarion retorts, earning a huff from Tav.
“You’d laugh too,” notes Karlach, backing up the one who was her victim a mere minute ago. “If I got my hands on you.”
“My dear, I am nearly two centuries old. Do you really think I’d succumb to tickling? Don’t make me laugh,” taunts Astarion, tilting his head to the side. Not that knows if he would succumb or not. He’d rather not wait here to find out, though. The vampire was not liking the look Karlach and Tav exchanged as he said that. “Anyway, as lovely as it was conversing with you… intellectually challenged individuals, I do believe our dear Wyll is making breakfast for us.”
“Won’t succumb, huh Astarion? Sure, let’s see about that.” Karlach’s voice sends a shiver down his spine. The elf spins to face the duo again, just for his arms to be caught by Karlach’s hands. He has to give it to her, she is one strong woman, and he can not pull his wrists from her grip. In an attempt to save himself, he steps back, only to feel Tav’s chest against his back. They were smiling too. Fuck.
“Seriously, this is childish- mmh!” His back arches as Tav’s hands meet his hips, earning them a panicked smile on Astarion’s face.
“If it’s so childish, you won’t laugh, right?” Tav adds on with a sing-song tone, and to Astarion’s demise, they begin to wiggle their fingers.
“Yeah, soldier. You can handle some silly tickling, can’t you?” Karlach’s voice did not make Astarion’s situation any better. Pulling away from her is no use, even if his body is fighting her hands on its own anyway, and he has too much pride to say anything that would get him out of this ridiculous position.
All he has left to do is pray to the gods that he can handle himself, or that someone will come to his rescue. Though, knowing the band of idiots he’s found himself with… they will only join in. “Ah!” Tav’s hands have found his sides. Gods, help him.
A/N- It's been a while since I've written anything or played BG3, so I wanted to write something for ler!Karlach and lee!Tav. The tav (male- uses he/him) is a durge ranger I made in game who has embraced the urge so far but could be redeemable depending on how his story goes and/or who he romances. I also have it in my head where he's the best friend of my durge cleric of Illmater named Phoebe. Anyways, I had fun writing it and I hope whomever reads it likes it too :D.
Fandom- BG3
Pairing- Karlach x Durge Tav (male- uses he/him pronouns in the story). Their relationship is platonic but Karlach does tease him quite a bit. Spoilers for Act 2 included.
WC- ~2,660.
Karlach's able to touch again and the one of the first things she asks for is a cuddle. Tav isn't going to turn down the free heat in the Shadow-Cursed Lands, but he also doesn't anticipate her tickling him.
"How does this feel?"
"Fine. Now stop moving."
"Right, sorry."
…..
"It's been so long since I've done this," Karlach breathed a hushed giggle into Tav's ear. "I almost forget how."
"It's actually quite simple if you'd stop moving and shut up."
There was no true venom in Tav's words as he pressed his back into the tiefling's chest. He was used to the cold and dark. Spending his youth Underdark lended itself to that. But the cold brought on by the Shadow Curse was unnatural. Seizing. It was the kind of cold that seeped into the bones and weighed someone down as if with lead. Tav didn't get cold; but under the Shadow Curse, he was cold. He never thought he'd see the day where he'd be grateful for the appropriately named Last Light Inn.
That was until he realized that they did not have enough beds for everyone to get their own.
If it wasn't for Isobel's shield over the inn, he would've slaughtered everyone that he could get his hands on, including her. He's killed people for less. And honestly? The thought of it made the dark voices in his head purr with delight. Maybe if he coated himself in the Harpers' and tieflings' hot blood, he wouldn't be so cold.
The gentle hum of Karlach's cooled down engine brought him out of his happy, murderous thoughts. He exhaled through his nose. Fine, he grumbled to himself. He'd keep his hands off his scimitar and settle for the free heat he was getting from his companion. There was a tiny part of him that liked to see her happy, gods know why, and he didn't want to cut the moment short. It fascinated him that after spending ten years fighting in the Hells and finally being granted the ability to touch again, the first thing this tank of a woman wants is a cuddle.
"Don't be like that," Karlach huffed again. She moved herself closer when he backed into her. Tav bit back a content sigh when the heat hit his back. "You said it was alright to share the bed. Having second thoughts, soldier?"
Tav clicked his tongue. "No," he muttered. He took a breath before continuing, as her warmth comfortably rolled up his back. "But I would like to sleep."
"I know. I'm just so happy," Karlach's breath hitched as tears pricked her eyes. Gods above, Tav thought. Don't let her start crying. "Ten years is a long time to go without being able to touch someone. I never thought I'd be able to again. And now that I can? I'm buzzing. Things are finally starting to look up for me."
Tav pursed his lips. Dammon told them that her engine fix was temporary. That eventually, it'd burn out and take her with it if she didn't go back to Avernus. So what was one moment of happiness if it didn't last? Either Karlach would go back to the very hell she fought to escape from, or die. None of this mattered.
These words replayed in his mind, waiting for the opportunity to be free, but that moment didn't come. He swallowed them down and instead said, "…Glad you got what you wanted."
Ugh. That felt weird. Maybe the tadpole was starting to affect him.
"Heh, I'm just getting started," Karlach grinned. "The world's probably not ready for unleashed Karlach but it's getting it anyway. Shadowheart said she'd braid my hair next time we're at camp, and Wyll and I are going to wrestle at some point. He actually thinks he's got a leg up on me, and-"
Tav's eyes drooped closed while Karlach spoke. He was too tired to tell her to shut up again, and the likelihood of her actually doing it was slim to none anyway. He breathed heavier, lulled by the heat and the oddly soft pillow that cradled his face. Her voice faded into the background. He was just drifting off to sleep when—
"…Hey soldier?"
Gods dammit.
Tav groaned and begrudgingly opened his eyes. "What?"
He felt her shift behind him. The heat radiating off her got a little bit hotter.
"Could I hold you?"
Tav's brows furrowed. He propped himself up on one elbow and ungracefully turned to face her. "Are you serious?"
If this was a joke, she was gonna be the first person he killed, whether he had his scimitar or not. Surprisingly, there was some nervousness mixed in with her genuine smile.
"Yeah," she nodded. "I'll be honest, Tav. I love hugs. And cuddling. You probably wouldn't guess it by looking at me, but you'd never find someone desperate for a cuddle more than me. Pathetic, I know. But the engine wants what it wants."
Tav stared at her without a word. He was still waiting for her to say that she was joking so that he could wrap his hands around her throat. The dark urge was yearning for that. Karlach continued, smiling a bit wider.
"We're already close together anyway," she gestured to the small, almost nonexistent sliver of space between them. "And if I make you uncomfortable at all, I'll roll onto the floor and sleep there instead. So…can I?"
The tips of Karlach's flames turning blue told him that no, she wasn't joking. Far from it actually.
Now it was his turn to falter.
Sharing a bed was already something that typically wasn't in the cards for him. This wasn't from a lack of candidates; similar to Astarion, Tav had a high opinion of himself and could bed just about anyone. Karlach wasn't asking to get into his pants though. What she was asking for was innocent and sweet. And that is was gave him pause.
He felt the unfamiliar sensation of his pulse quickening. A butterfly in his stomach. He continued to stare, to remain silent, still looking for any indication that maybe she was in fact joking.
Nothing. Nothing but that same eager, almost puppy-like expression and hopeful smile.
Finally, Tav gave a slow nod. He was still feeling a bit cold anyways. Why not take advantage of the additional warmth?
"Alright," he agreed in a low whisper. He turned his back to her again and laid his head back down on the pillow. "Though try not to get too excited."
Karlach laughed at that. "Ooo, listen to you. 'I'm a dark and scary ranger who thinks a woman's brain will turn to mush the moment he gets a little close'." She even dropped her voice so that it was a lower baritone like Tav's. Then, she wrapped her big arms around him, holding onto him like a teddy bear. "Well too bad. I may enjoy a cuddle, but I am not—"
"Brain?"
Tav interrupted and peeked back at Karlach with a questioning expression. The tiefling mirrored that look. Tav smirked, "Ah, I forgot you had one of those."
Karlach laughed again, this time louder, while she absently prodded into Tav's side. "Fuck you."
Tav was already chuckling but the prodding had him flinching away, snickering louder. She paused, he paused, and the new discovery hung in the air. Then she grinned.
"Don't tell me you're ticklish, soldier."
She was still holding onto him, still facing his back, and her claws experimentally walked along his torso. Tav squirmed and grabbed at her large hands. All of a sudden, he wasn't feeling so tired. Before his companions, he wouldn't have had a clue what tickling was. It wasn't a violent act and didn't enter the equation when he took people's lives. As for who tickled who first, he couldn't remember. All he remembered was that he viewed it as an accessible weakness. Tav didn't have any of those. Or so he thought.
What a difference a tenday made.
"I'm noh-hot—," he lied. As much as he wrestled with her hands, her gentle scritching ended up on his lowermost ribs, where he jolted and chuckled louder. He tried to stifle his chuckling through sheer willpower, pursed lips, and gritted teeth. None of those helped him."Cut that ohout, Karlach!"
"But you said we could cuddle," she argued. He was strong, Karlach had to admit it, but him being tired was currently working in her favor. His movements were unpolished and sloppy and were much easier to counter. As carefully as she could, she pulled him flush against her body and draped one of her legs over his, pinning him. "Don't go, Tav. I just wanna cuddle!"
"Thihis isn't cuddling—" The butterflies in his stomach hit him like a carriage as he covered his mouth with one of his hands. His other hand fruitlessly tugged at her wrist. The realization of oh shit, this tickles fell on top of him and he didn't really know how to handle it. The chuckles were coming faster than he could stop them, so he settled for stifling them. He growled in between chuckles, "I-I'm gonna k-kihihill youhu—"
Karlach giggled. "Promises, promises . How do you expect me to be afraid when our grumpy leader's got these ticklish ribs?" She accentuated her teasing by giving a good squeeze to the side of his rib cage. Tav spluttered and writhed against her. "Makes me wonder if you've got any other tickle spots.."
Instead of answering her, Tav focused what little energy he still had into battling with her hands. He was gaining some ground and Karlach was quick to scribble her claws across his stomach. Tav bucked in her hold and bit his lip to trap the incoming laugh. Karlach brightened and gently drilled her thumbs into the sides of his stomach. This spot was much easier to get to with his thin camp shirt.
"Oh?" Karlach hummed, grinning. "Looks like I've got something…~"
Tav curled in on himself, as much as he could while pinned against her, and shook with the effort of keeping his laughter from breaking free. Half of his smile was buried in his pillow. Any threats he planned on making were also trapped. Karlach's tail thumped behind her as she worked through his defenses with every ticklish prod.
"Taaav," she crooned. "Are you sure that this doesn't tickle?"
Tav shook his head like the stubborn ranger he was. He turned his head so it was completely hidden in the pillow. He was still shaking with restrained laughter, and she was still tickling, poking at especially sensitive spots near his navel. She snickered.
"You're a tough one to crack, huh?" Karlach made him jump by squeezing his sides only to return to his stomach. "That's our Tav. The strong and silent type. Our very own lone wolf. If you weren't so grouchy, I may have had the hots for you. There's definitely something about you."
The dam was about to break. Tav's legs drummed against the bed. He seized her hands yet again, having an arguably good grip on them, but she wasn't letting go. A wobbly grin etched its way across his face. The quiet, but steadier laughter was easier to come by, though muffled by the pillow. Karlach teased him by swiping from his stomach, sides, and lower ribs like an enthusiastic kitten.
"Heh, you're definitely got some muscle to you, that's for sure," She continued yapping, her tickles finding their way to skin thanks to all of his squirming. "That's hot—"
Tav couldn't take it anymore. His head snapped up from the pillow, and what was supposed to be a growl was a series of choked laughter.
"Would youhuhu shuhut up!"
There was no reeling the laughter back in now. It wasn't a loud and chaotic sound. Instead, it was quieter and deeper, but still just as frantic. It fit him, Karlach noted, and there was something adorable in that.
"Nope, not a chance," she returned. She tickled him in earnest now, poking into those spots around the navel again that got him writhing. "You think you're so tough, huh? What's so funny? I thought you weren't ticklish."
"Sh-Shuht—" He tried to repeat himself but couldn't, bucking as one claw circled and scritched around his navel. He curled in on himself even more, but that somehow made it worse. 'OAhahaaha! Youhuhu're dehehead!"
"Nuh-uh! I've got a new lease on life," she teased. She nuzzled her head into the crook of his neck from behind, switching from quick scratching to kneading and pinching into random spots along his tummy. "Plenty of time to tickle my friends."
"Grrr-gohohonna cut that shohohohrt!" Tav's laughter picked up as he gripped her hands tighter. The ticklish sensations were settling into him and as much as he bucked in her hold, she wasn't letting go. There was another unfamiliar sensation of his cheeks flushing.
"Ooo I'm sooo scared," Karlach pretended to be terrified as she wrestled him onto his back with a decent amount of effort. Now he was pinned between her and the mattress. Her frame alone was enough to keep his arms and legs down. Tav grunted, and the playful grin still donning her face made the metaphorical butterflies in his stomach go wild. "Gonna get you now, soldier."
Tav took the opportunity to catch his breath during the lull, chest rising and falling with each breathe he took. "Karlach," he began, still trying to reign his chuckles in. "Let me up, and I promise not to—"
"Say you're ticklish then," she grinned. She held her hands just above his torso and wiggled her fingers. "Say it and I'll let you up."
Tav's cheeks flushed some more. "Why would I admit to something that you can clearly seeeehehehehe!" He jolted when she suddenly reached underneath his arms and buried wiggling fingers into his armpits. He brought his arms down over her hands and drowned in giggles that he'd surely deny later. Karlach cooed above him.
"Wrong answer, soldier," she snickered. "Say ittt~."
She pulled her hands free and kneaded her knuckles down his rib cage. She lingered in between the bones as his giggling deepened.
"Kahahaharlach!" Tav twisted his torso from one side to the other, belting out a louder laugh whenever she pinched a rib or dug in just a little more. He heard her giggle right before she honed back in on his stomach. She didn't tickle right away, just poking at the now exposed skin and marveling in the fact that she wasn't burning him. Tav spluttered again, his giggling jumping to short bursts of frantic laughter. "D-Dohohohn't you dahahahare!"
"I dare," she smiled. "But I'll give you five seconds to change your mind. Five,"
She pinched one side of his tummy, snorting when he squirmed in the opposite direction. The smile on his face was wide enough to metaphorically split his face in half.
"Leheheht mehehe uhuhp!"
"Four," She brought both of her thumbs down and kneaded both sides of his stomach. The bed creaked as he began bucking, laughing harder.
"KAhahhahaha!"
"Three. Better hurry Tav," She was smiling almost as much as he was while she kept up the ticklish onslaught. "You're running out of time."
In truth, Karlach wasn't really good at waiting. Or count downs. So she definitely got ahead of herself when she started raking her claws up and down his stomach in a steady rhythm, only letting up when she blew raspberries just above his navel. Tav's deep cackling threatened to wake up any of their sleeping neighbors.
……
By the time Karlach stopped tickling him, he was exhausted. He was tangled back up in her arms while coming down from his laughter. Karlach nestled her head back onto his shoulder, and the ranger mumbled sleepily.
"Prick," he again said without any true venom. Karlach snickered.
"Takes one to know one, soldier," she returned, finally yawning. She paused for a moment before adding, "You don't hate me though, right?"
Tav shook his head. He chalked it up to his sleepiness but, for the moment, his urge was quiet. He guessed he could tolerate her cuddles and let her live to see another day.
could you write me + jesus anon for the requests? i'm too shy to come out of anon😌
[Requests open]
Instructions unclear, pipebomb delivered to your mailbox
“What’s wrong, soldier? Can’t stand your ground anymore?!” Karlach teased, her voice almost as loud as your laughter while you flailed and thrashed under her. If it weren’t for your screeching cackles, one could mistake the scene by some sort of murder attempt as Karlach’s tickles were anything but soft or gentle.
As if the weight of her massive body on top of you wasn’t enough to keep you from going anywhere, you also had to deal with the sheer strength of her grip, stopping your arms from lowering a single inch.
You felt your head spinning, your throat dry and your cheeks wet from the tears. You planted your heels into the ground, lifting your back from the ground just to have it slammed back down again.
The rest of the party was surely hearing your maddened giggles and you didn’t even need to look at their faces to know you were being judged or mocked. Still, none of those you dared to call allies dared to step in or help you escape from Karlach’s ticklish onslaught.
You thrashed your head left and right, pressing your eyes shut as your smile nearly tore your face apart. “K-KARLAHAHACH!!” You cried to deaf ears, feeling her fingers tickling down from your painfully outstretched armpit to your exposed sides. “I Y-YIEHEHELD!! AHAHA, LEHEHET GOHOH!!”
The tiefling snickered - or something like that, you weren't so sure since the only sound you could hear was your own laughter. “There’s no going back, soldier, you wanted a fight, right? So show me what you got!”
Unfortunately, the only thing you could show her was how awfully ticklish you were. Poor thing, if only you had rolled a 20 instead of a 2 when you decided to start a tickle fight with the party’s barbarian…
im so gay for karlach so have this jankily written silly scenario wheee (gender neutral reader ♡) (some very mild bg3 spoilers if you care about such things)
cuddling up with her at the end of the day after you've fixed her engine
gently tracing her back and getting to close to her side so she flinches
playfully tracing that spot again, expecting her to tell you to cut it out
feeling your heart melt as she visibly relaxes with a soft smile on her face
gently tickling her while giving her little kisses wherever you can reach
teasing her for not even trying to pretend she isn't loving this
getting butterflies as she giggles happily and cuddles closer to you, making no real moves to stop you
letting out a squeak as she accidentally brushes against one of your tickle spots
biting your lip and grinning in anticipation as you watch it click for her
giggling and blushing as she playfully maneuvers you both into a position that lets her tickle you
feeling her gentle fingers and kisses while she teases you for not moving away either
being in a giggly cuddly heap together before falling asleep under the moonlight
Check out this and more on my AO3! A fluffly little tickle fic between Lee!Durge and Ler! Karlach. A fun one to write and is kind of a mash-up of like 4 abandoned fics....
Setting: Act III, Baulder's Gate
Durge: a half-elf Drow named Lilk who has been fighting the urges as best she can.
Lilk was happy for Karlach. Really. It was great to see Karlach get what she wanted and has waited so very long for; her engine has been adjusted for the second time and Karlach is finally able to touch others. For Karlach the day was filled with high-fives, hugs, wrestling with her companions and that’s been so wonderful to see- really. And now the companions are winding the day down with some wine and celebration, for today is and should be a happy one.
It would just be a little easier to be happy for Karlach if it wasn’t that today was the same day Lilk found out she was the sister of Orin and the spawn of Bhaal. These dark urges were not a curse bestowed upon her as an innocent; they were exactly who she was destined to be. She was bred to be a murderer, and despite every attempt at hiding or downplaying how she longed to be drenched in blood that she’s spilled, Lilk cannot deny the truth.
It is because of Lilk’s love for Karlach that she let her friends celebrate Karlach’s newly returned ability to touch in peace, free from her presence. Like sense everyone's unease around her, their fear. It will inevitably turn to hatred, there is no other way. I should show them all right now who I am- slaughter them for daring to--
No. Breath. In. Out.
Lilk wraps her arms around her legs and tries to admire the landscape of Baulder’s Gate. Tries to be present in the moment. She sits atop the highest part of the building, trying not to imagine throwing everyone she knows off the edge and watching them splatter like pumpkins, but the image soothes her. Lilk peers right over the edge, looking at the jagged rocks below…
“Hey, you. Alright?” Karlach’s voice pulls Lilk from her thoughts, mercifully. She would plummet so nicely to the ground… NO!
Breath. In. Out. Say something normal.
“Yeah. Great- just getting some air. How’s the party?” Lilk mentally congratulates herself on a perfectly regular response and hopes Karlach leaves soon. She’s not sure how many more normal responses she has room for.
“It’s great! Wrestled La’zel and that scrawny little Gith nearly took me down! You’d have loved to see it… we miss you down there. I miss you.” Karlach is so sincere, so capable of holding sadness and joy in equal measure that Lilk’s heart breaks. I cannot be happy like her. I can only be happy like me and it comes at the greatest, most beautiful cost. I must end every single one of my companions and purge myself of this struggle-- NO!
BREATH! In! Out!
“Hey, hey!” Karlach says soothingly and squeezes Lilk’s shoulders gently, trying to interrupt the oncoming panic attack Lilk is slipping into, “It’s going to be fine. What we found out today doesn’t change anything— you’ve been fighting this darkness inside of you every step of the way and have only gotten better at it. You’re so much more, so much stronger than what you’re afraid of becoming.”
“You shouldn’t have to try to cheer me up, Karlach. I’ll be alright. Really. You should go back and celebrate.” Lilk is eager for Karlach to leave, eager to make sure Karlach is safe from her…
“Or else what? You’ll succumb to your little urges and slaughter me? I think I can handle you, pipsqueak.” Despite herself, Lilk cracks a smile. “Aww, there she is. There’s that adorable smile. Our little maniac...” Karlach’s tone is affectionate as she ruffles Lilk’s hair, striking the perfect note between teasing and sincerity. Lilk is so massively grateful and so massively undeserving of a friend like her.
“Oh, shut up.” Lilk replies, trying to suppress her growing smile.
“Never. Now, let’s get you off this ledge…” Suddenly, Lilk is hoisted into the air, and her world is tilted upside down as Karlach carries Lilk over her shoulder, walking down the stairs.
“Karlach! Put me down!” Lilk insists, but the giggle that escapes her betrays the thrill she feels.
“No! No more brooding for you. You have to come and play with me now.” Karlach squeezes the flesh on Lilk’s thigh right above her knee to adjust her hold as they continue down the stairs, and what can only be described as a squeal erupts from Lilk. “What in the hells was that, soldier? Don’t tell me you’re ticklish…?”
“I’m not!” Lilk protests.
“If you’re going to lie to me, you’re going to have to do a lot better than that, Giggles. I think I just thought of a way to cheer you up…”
Karlach brings Lilk all the way to the campgrounds. The rest of the companions are relaxing by the fire, the party winding down. Lilk worries Karlach will make her join the party and feels a sense of dread—some one-on-one time with Karlach is one thing, but Lilk is hardly in the mood to pretend to make merriment with everyone at the same time. Karlach seems to know this somehow and walks right past the campfire, waving at their friends.
“Karlach, darling, don’t use her all up at once.” Calls Astarion over his wine, “We have enemies that need slaughtering in the morning.”
“No promises!” Karlach shouts over her shoulder and adjusts Lilk again, squeezing right behind her knees. Lilk laughs again and kicks her legs, twisting around. Of course, Lilk could be fighting quite a bit harder if she wanted to…
Karlach flops Lilk down on her bedroll in her tent. Karlach’s set-up is furthest from the campfire, giving the two of them some privacy. Lilk sits up on the bedroll directly across from Karlach who sits in the same position, legs crossed in front.
“You could’ve just asked me to follow you down here, you know, you didn’t have to carry me.” Lilk says. She’s been blushing, she realizes.
“I could’ve. But I think words alone are a bit overrated now that I can touch you all again, to be honest.” Kalach reaches out and touches Lilk’s leg. Her skin is still extraordinarily warm, but doesn’t hurt. “Talk to me, soldier. What’s been going on?”
“Same old, same old. Thoughts of ripping people apart with my teeth, watching the life drain from their faces, bathing in their blood, that sort of thing.”
“Gross.”
“It is gross.” Lilk agrees, “I hate the thoughts, but they come to me like air. By the time I even notice them, I’ve had maybe a dozen, and it’s that much harder to come back to reality. Come back to you.” Lilk says. She can feel the thoughts and urges waiting for the first lapse in concentration to break through the mental barrier Lilk tries so desperately to keep up at all times.
“Come to me now, then.” Karlach opens her arms and Lilk crawls over, allowing Karlach to hold her. Karlach’s arms and legs encompass Lilk who rests her head on Karlach’s chest. Karlach rests her head on top of Lilk’s and smells her hair. “Oh wow… holding you is even better than I imagined.”
“You’re incredible, Karlach. Everything about you... we- I don’t deserve you.”
“Fuck that!” Karlach says loudly, squeezing Lilk tightly, “Come here, we’re chasing those ridiculous thoughts of yours away because guess what, soldier? I am incredible and you do deserve me.”
Karlach’s fingers wiggle in Lilk’s underarms making her squeal again and twist in Karlach’s lap.
“Karlach!! Hahaha cut it out!!” Lilk says and tries to tickle Karlach back by squeezing her sides. Karlach jumps and laughs, giving Lilk the edge to strike- crawling her fingers up Karlach’s side and into the hollows of her underarms. Karlach laughs hard enough that she tilts backward, and Lilk quickly pushes Karlach all the way to the ground, straddles her hips, and tickles her all over her torso. Karlach’s laughter is boisterous and beautiful as she barely tries to cover where Lilk is tickling her. After a short while, Karlach easily snatches Lilk’s wrists in her hands, stopping the assault. It’s clear that Karlach was never not in full control of the situation, and Lilk’s stomach does a little flip as she is so quickly rendered helpless.
“I didn’t know I was ticklish!” Karlach says happily, “I figured 10 years in Avernus burnt that right out of me. And this is great fun- don’t get me wrong, but I think you’re the one that needs the laughs tonight.”
“I really don’t know if—”
Karlach effortlessly pulls Lilk to the side and straddles her so their positions are switched; both of Lilk’s wrists are held by one of Karlach’s hands. Karlach gives Lilk a mischievous grin and tickles her underarms and sides. Lilk yelps and squirms under Karlach but is no match for the teifling.
“Hahahha, Karlach!! Get o-hahah-ff!”
“Awww, you’re so cute like this.” Karlach coos, “Our little maniac is so ticklish!”
For all of Karlach’s strength and power, her touch is light as a feather as one hand flutters around Lilk’s face and neck before moving down to her belly, fingers wiggling just an inch above hovering for a moment before digging in.
“Nononono- Karlach! Wait! Wait! EEEK! AHAhaha!! Stop it!! Karlach!” Lilk squirms frantically beneath the teifling, hips trying to buck Karlach off, but to no avail.
“Darling, if you think listening to you shout my name is going to get me to stop, you’ve got another thing coming.” With one hand, Karlach raises the fabric of Lilks' shirt, exposing her midriff and lazily running a finger all around. Lilk giggles still but is able to catch her breath with the lighter touches, “Aww, such a soft little tummy you’ve got here, Lilk…. I think I’m just going to tickle the shit out of you until you can’t think any more of your nasty thoughts.” Suddenly, Karlach blows a big wet raspberry on Lilk’s belly, causing her to shriek and thrash around.
“KARLA-ahaha-CH!” Lilk shouts as Karlach blows several smaller raspberries. Karlach lets go of Lilk’s wrists and tickles up and down her sides while licking and nibbling playfully at Lilk’s belly. The two wrestle, though Karlach has every advantage- she is faster, stronger and- apparently- not as ticklish as Lilk who is doing her best to turn the tables back.
Lilk’s cheeks are aching from her smiling, and to Karlach’s credit, there is no hint of any dark thoughts. Lilk’s mind is entirely captivated by the moment, the nearly overwhelming sensations in her body being dictated by the person she trusts most in this world. It’s thrilling for Lilk to be in the hands of someone else who wants the best for you and put in a position that forces submission.
“Poor little baby.” Karlach says. The little teases and taunts amplify the ticklish sensations coursing through Lilk’s entire body, “You’re not a menace, are you? How could you be, when you’re just so sweet like this!”
“Hehehe- Karlach! Fucking st-hahahah-op!!”
“Alright, alright.” Karlach says and gradually stops her tickling, though she remains firmly on top of Lilk. “First, repeat after me: I am loved.”
“Oh for the love of--- Ah! KARLACH!! Stop!! Hehehe” Lilk’s eye roll was interrupted but nails skittering up and down her sides.
“’For the love of Karlach…’ I do like the sound of that, actually.” She muses, “ But you’re not getting up until you do what I say.”
“You’re a lot meaner now that you can touch us.” Lilk says teasingly
“Oh yeah, way meaner. Now enough distractions: say it-‘I am loved’- or you’ll see just how mean I can get.” Karlach wiggles her fingers threateningly over Lilk who giggles again.
“Okay, okay! I am loved.” Lilk says. She expects it to feel like an acquiescence rather than a genuine statement, but it is true: this daughter of Bhaal does feel loved.
“Very good. Another one now: ‘I am not alone.’” Karlach slides off of Lilk now, helping her sit up. The two sit on their feet as Karlach takes Lilk’s hands in hers.
“I am not alone.” Lilk’s voice cracks a little on this one, tears threatening to spill.
“That’s my girl. One more: ‘I deserve Karlach.” The teifling smiles sweetly at Lilk, who lets out something between a laugh and a bittersweet sob. Karlach wipes the tears that fell from her cheeks.
“I deserve Karlach.” Lilk repeats obediently but can’t help but wonder if she really is worthy of such a presence. Then again, who is? Karlach is a light like no other, falling in love with the world every day, with such authenticity and magnitude. It’s hard to imagine anyone measuring up to such a standard.
“Damn right. And you know if you ever need to squash those stupid thoughts, you can come to me. I’m here for you- a chat, a cuddle, or to tickle the piss out of you. Now, shall we get back to the others, or do you want to turn in for the night?”
“Let’s head back to the others,” Lilk says, standing and offering a hand to Karlach to do the same. As low as Lilk was feeling so recently, she feels just as high up now. The dark urges are nowhere to be found in her head for once, and all Lilk wants is to spend time with her friends.
Lilk knows the darkness will creep back in. It’s not gone for good, and it likely will always be there, a part of her very being. For now, Lilk can enjoy the peace in front of her. When the darkness comes again, Lilk will remember: she is loved, she is not alone, and she deserves Karlach, who can help her restore the balance.
Could I request a Karlach x Tav reader? Where Karlach accidentally discovers Tav who normally acts tough is actually embarrassingly ticklish?
Put 'Em Up
Fandom- Baldur's Gate 3.
Pairing- Karlach Cliffgate x Reader (lee!reader, ler!Karlach, tiny bit of lee!Karlach at the end). Reader puts on a tough personality and is strong like Karlach. Reader and Karlach are also in a romantic relationship.
Word Count- 2,216.
Warnings- None really, besides tickling and swearing.
Karlach asked to train with you, but she isn’t taking it very seriously. Instead, she uses it as an opportunity to flirt and get closer to you. You try to stay focused, but she accidentally finds out that you’re ticklish. It’s going to be a long match..
“Alright, babe. Hit me with your best shot.”
Karlach circled you with a bright grin, fists up. The two of you were training, and she was only too excited to tussle with you. Sure, she knew how important training was to you, but she’d take any excuse to get closer to you. You sized her up and hummed.
“I don’t want to hurt you.” You took a swipe at her when she got too close, and she parried your blow. Karlach huffed.
“I should be saying that to you,” she chuckled. “But fine, just know that just because you’re playing nice doesn’t mean that I will.”
You smirked. You and Karlach were still early in your relationship, and there was a lot that she didn’t know about you. Although she was much taller and muscular than you, you could hold your own in a fight. In fact, you were known for your fighting prowess in Baldur’s Gate. You didn’t buy into the hype; you could rarely tolerate the company of others. But, Karlach was the exception. And she was in for one hell of a surprise.
“Damn, you’re strong.”
Karlach grunted as you pinned her on her back. Both of you were out of breath from wrestling each other. It wasn’t easy to get her down, but you managed. You straddled her waist and had her arms pinned above her head. “Way stronger than I thought..”
“I know,” You forced her arms back down when she tried to pull away. “I've flattened more people than I can count in Baldur’s Gate.”
Karlach breathed out a laugh. “At least you’re modest about it, huh?” She continued fidgeting in your grip, making it harder for you to keep her down. “I’ll be honest, I can’t remember the last time anyone’s pinned me. Usually it’s the other way around, heh. But, I could get used to this…”
The tiefling gave you a cheeky grin. One that made you exhale slowly through your nose.
“Karlach,” Your cheeks flushed slightly. “Don’t start.”
“Ooo, bossing me around now?” Karlach’s grin widened, and her engine glowed. “That’s hot..”
You shook your head, your blush darkening. “Shut up.”
Karlach craned her head up to you with a challenging smirk. “You gonna make me?”
You stared at her, flustered, but you didn’t back down. Instead, you met her halfway and kissed her lips deeply. She hummed in surprise and happily returned the kiss. Her lips were warm, soft, and familiar. You got lost in that kiss. And, she had the opportunity to flip your positions.
When your back hit the ground, you grunted softly. Karlach pinned your wrists by your sides and gave you a triumphant grin.
“Gotcha.”
You groaned. “I should’ve known you would cheat.”
“Hey, all’s fair in love and war! And, I uh, really love you.” Karlach’s voice softened as she gazed down at you. “A lot.”
“I love you too.” The love she expressed to you was still overwhelming. Not in a negative sense, but it still felt a bit foreign to you. Before the nautolid, you were content to spend your days alone. Now, you weren’t sure what you’d do without Karlach’s bright presence, even if you didn’t express it. You ended the tender moment by adding, “Now let me up so I can kick your ass.”
Karlach threw her head back with a laugh. “I don’t think so. Maybe I like you here, with me on top.” She shot back, wiggling her eyebrows. You bit back a smile, giving her your best stern look.
“We’re supposed to be training,” Your voice came out strained as you tugged against her grip. Your arms moved a couple of inches, but Karlach held on tighter, now using much more of her strength. “Not goofing off.”
“I know, but who says we can’t have a little fun too?” Karlach leaned down towards you. You leered at her. “Don’t give me that look, (Y/N). Gimme a smile.”
She kissed your cheek. Your forehead. Your nose. Your other cheek. You wiggled your head as she attacked your face with kisses, unable to stop your smile.
“Thihis isn’t training!” You protested. You continued squeaking and struggling until she moved the kisses to your neck. The kisses got sloppier, and each one ended with a loud ‘mwah’. You shivered and inadvertently squealed when her lips found a ticklish spot.
Karlach froze. There was a curious glint in her fiery eyes.
“What was that?”
“Er, nothing.”
“Nothing? Are you sure?” A worried look came over Karlach’s features. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
“No.” Your cheeks flushed again, but this time for a different reason. One of your closely guarded secrets was how ticklish you were. And it was for a good reason; you, alongside Karlach, were the muscle of your party. It was often said that you learned how to fight before you could walk. Any enemy that wasn’t afraid of you changed their tune when they saw the thrashing you’d given their friends. You didn’t want anyone to know that you could be taken down by something as embarrassing and childish as tickling.
With a deep breath, you pulled down hard against Karlach’s grasp, freeing your wrists. Your feet found purchase on the ground and you sat up. You parried her attempts to grab and re-pin you and, after minutes of back and forth grappling, Karlach suddenly hoisted you in the air. Her claws dug into your sides with enough pressure to tickle, and you inadvertently wheezed. Karlach froze again and turned you around in her arms so that you faced her.
“Am I tickling you?” The curious glint in her eyes turned playful as she held you in the air. Your heartbeat quickened as you stared back at her.
“No, you aren’t. You’re just squeezing a bit hahard—” A slight giggle escaped you, and you coughed to mask it. Karlach held you in a gentler grip, giving your sides a much softer squeeze. You gasped, “P-Put me down..”
“I don’t know,” Karlach obliged by setting you back on the ground. But she kept her hands on your sides, squeezing just below your rib cage. You batted her hands away with another concealed giggle. “That sounded like a laugh to me.”
“It wasn’t!” You held one arm closer to your torso protectively and resumed your fighting stance. “Enough talk, let’s keep at it.”
“Right, sure.” Karlach chuckled. There was something about her tone and the way she now sized you up that made you feel wary. But, you pushed the feeling away, charging her and initiating another grappling session.
Instead of responding how you thought she would, where maybe she’d drag you back to the ground or pick you up again, her hands ended up on your torso again. She gripped your hips, squeezing and prodding them, and you choked back more laughter.
“Whahat the hell ahare you doing?” You grabbed her wrists, fighting with her grip, but she didn’t let up. Your laughter was getting harder to hold back. You accidentally stumbled backwards during your attempt to free yourself from her grasp. Karlach happily followed you down.
“Not ticklish my ass, you’re laughing!” She accused, poking randomly along your torso. You frantically grabbed at her wrists and grit your teeth.
“Noho I’m not!” You arched your back when she prodded at your belly, squealing again. “Stop thahat!”
“Then why’re you laughing, huh? What’s so funny?” Grinning, Karlach straddled your waist, trapping your flailing arms at your sides. Her hands descended onto your ribs and she scritched up and down the bones. You bit your lips to halt your impending giggle fit.
“N-Nohot laughing…” You gasped, trying to tug your arms free. Now, Karlach was utilizing her full strength on you, and she was determined to keep you down. You arched your back when her hands scampered back down your sides. She alternated between poking and squeezing and you pinched your eyes shut. It tickled so badly, but you were determined to hold out. Your partner’s giddy, teasing voice echoed in your ears.
“(Y/N), baby, I know you wanna laugh..” Karlach smirked. She pinched your hips again, kneading them, and you wheezed. She giggled. “Better admit it before I really start tickling you.”
You tried to ignore her, your feet drumming against the ground as she kept tickling. A silly grin spread across your face. She clawed at your belly again, and the dam finally broke.
You tossed your head back, giving in to your loud, wheezing laughter. “FUHUAHA! KAhaharlach, stahahahp!”
Karlach’s eyes brightened. “Oho, I knew it!” She cheered. She drilled her thumbs into the sides of your belly, and you wheezed again.
You were laughing too hard to answer her. You shook your head back and forth as you fell into a deeper pit of laughter. Eventually, you were able to give her a minimal response. “FAHahahaha offhahaha! Gehehehet off of mehehehehehe!”
“Mm, maybe later,” she snickered. She eased off your stomach and pulled your arms above your head with one hand. You tried to yank your arms free before she could fully pin them, but she moved fast, and your squealing fell flat. She wriggled her claws at you tauntingly. “All this time, and I had no idea you were ticklish!”
“Youhuhu wehehehren’t suhuhposed tohohoho!” You fired back, still giggling from the previous attack. You watched her claws and squirmed under her. “Dohohn’t you dare! Let me up!”
“Oh, I dare, soldier,” Karlach chuckled. She hovered her hand just inches away from your torso. “Besides, I still got a match to win here.”
Again, you shook your head. You were nothing if not stubborn. “Karlach,” you started warily. “Let me up. This isn’t what wehehehe agreehehed toohoo-”
Karlach alternated pokes between your sides, earning yelps and squealing giggles. “Say uncle!”
You squealed louder as she suddenly reached up and scribbled into your underarms. You tugged at your arms with all of your strength, but they didn’t budge. You made a poor attempt to hold back the giggle fit that overtook you.
“Kahahaharlahahach!” You whined, giggling harder when she increased her efforts. “Nohohoho tickling! Youhuhuhu chehehater!”
“Say uncle,” she repeated, smiling widely. Your underarms didn’t seem all that ticklish, so she went back to your torso. Your giggling turned frantic, and when she poked into your tummy, you wheezed. Her tail wagged behind her as she did it again, again, and again.
“NOHOHO-” You snorted, which amused Karlach even further. She switched from poking to kneading her thumbs into the sides of your stomach. You laughed loudly and bucked your hips.
“Damn, no wonder you were able to pin me,” Karlach was saying as she squeezed and scritched over your tummy. “You’ve got all this muscle!” She added to her comment by kneading her thumbs back into your skin, which earned her another wheeze. You blushed deeply.
“NOHOHOT FUHUHUNNY!”
Karlach snorted. “I’m serious! You’re the whole package: strong, smart, attractive. Oh, and adorable. Heh. It’s a miracle my engine hasn’t given out sooner ‘cause of you.” She slowed down the tickling, stroking her claws just above your belly button. Your laughter died down to heavy giggles, and you were able to catch your breath. “I’m still waiting on that ‘uncle’ by the way.”
You didn’t plan on giving it to her; you were nothing if not stubborn. During her tickle attack, she’d eased up on her grip on your arms. You were tired, but your tenacity gave you just enough energy to pull yourself free from her hold. What you did next was out of your norm, but as far as you were concerned, it was completely warranted.
“You wanna play like that, huh?” You threw yourself at her, sending both of you crashing on the ground. It was harder to get her pinned down like you did earlier. But, once your fingers dug into her sides, Karlach burst into loud laughter.
“It wahahahahs wohohohohrth ihihihihit!” Karlach squealed and bucked her hips as your hands darted all over her torso. She was hot to the touch, but it didn’t burn, and you were gonna have your revenge. Soon enough though, Karlach was able to reverse your positions again, aiming straight for your belly. She held you in her arms this time, and she didn’t let up. She buried her head into the crook of your neck, kissing and nuzzling into your skin, and you finally tapped out.
“ALRIHIHGHT! Okay! Uncle!”
The tickling stopped and you laid your head back to catch your breath. Karlach held you flush against her chest. The sparring session was a workout for her too, and she was almost as breathless as you were.
“That was fun,” Karlach said after a while, chuckling. “We’ve gotta do this sparring thing more often. I haven’t had that much fun in, well, ever.”
“I don’t think our enemies would expect us to tickle them, Karlach.” You answered, shaking your head affectionately. There was a small part of you that wanted to be angry at a sparring session turned tickle fight, but it was difficult for you to be angry with her. “You, on the other hand, are in for it once I catch my breath.”
Karlach grinned, and you could feel her engine glow behind you. “Bring it on, (Y/N)."
A/N: I'm sorry this took so long to post, but I hope you like the story!
