Giggly cuddles with Karlach
I saw people yearning for fluff so I've decided to deliver some with our girl Karlach. She's so adorable... I can't. Just a quick one-shot, might have multiple parts but as of now this is all.
Summary: 1,375 word count. Karlach has finally found a fix for her infernal engine after years of suffering in Avernus, and it's all thanks to reader! The two share a wholesome evening under the stars for the first time.
Contains: Karlach x Reader, Baldur's Gate 3, soft fluff, wholesome romance, post-infernal engine repair, emotionally vulnerable, first physical contact, cuddling, hand holding, tickling and playful teasing, shared kisses, nose boop, Karlach experiences simple joys for the first time, reader is never gendered or described (so anyone can enjoy <3)
My content is intended for sapphic adults only. Do not interact if you are under the age of 18 or if this content isn't for you.
The moment you’d handed over the final piece of infernal iron everything changed in an instant. Karlach was immediately spinning around and reaching for you, beaming with the brightest smile upon her face.
Then she hesitated. Her hands began to tremble, mere inches from your head. Her eyes grew wide and lips slowly parted into a slight frown. Then her brows pinched together as she searched your gaze, trying to get the words out.
“What if…” she whispered, her voice wavering as she trailed off.
You don’t let her finish. Your hands grabbed both of her wrists. When nothing happened, you squeezed them before guiding them forward to press her hands on either side of your face, tightening around her firmly.
She squealed out as her mouth rushed into that big grin all over again. Her eyes wrinkled with her smile, warmth spreading through her, as if it weren’t already present enough.
“It worked.” Your tone was almost breathless, surprised by such a gentle touch from someone who would, at one point, melt the skin of anyone they grasped.
Karlach was practically bouncing on her toes. She squished your face between her fingers, pinching and tugging all while giggling adorably. “I can feel you, soldier!” Her tail swished to the side, curling with delight. “You aren’t hurting? At all?” And when you shook your head, she whispered, “promise?”
“I pinky promise, Karlach.” You lifted your hand, offering your pinky to her.
“Ohhh, you cheeky…” she chuckled, a rumbling sound of approval escaping her. Her lips curved up to reveal her jagged teeth, almost as dazzling as her smile. Karlach’s hands left your face and her pinky perked up to seal the promise. “This is all I’ve ever wanted.” Her voice was so soft it was barely audible, but you caught it without a doubt and it made your heart ache for the barbarian.
Later that evening the two of you were laid out on a blanket by the water at camp. The night was chilled, the perfect temperature for cuddling under the stars.
Karlach had both of her arms wrapped tightly around your body, refusing to release you for even a moment. She pressed her face into the crook of your neck, nuzzling with a fond smile. Her tail occasionally thumped contentedly against her thigh. She squeezed you tight, fiercely so, almost painfully so.
But you never complained. You held her with just as much devotion. Your arms were snug around her, one hand threading through her hair as you scratched her scalp soothingly.
“I never thought I’d get to do this.” The words were mumbled against the skin of your neck. It broke your heart to hear such a thing from someone so unbelievably beautiful. Inside and out. Karlach was such a pure soul to you. “I don’t ever want to let you go, soldier.”
“You better not.” You teased her with a little laugh, forcing your voice to lose the shaky edge that threatened it. Your nails scratched harder into her hair, causing her to practically purr as she melted under your touch.
“Mmm...” she hummed deep from the back of her throat. Her hand rubbed up and down the length of your arm. She just felt you. Squeezed you. Then she'd let her hand slide down to yours, pulling it up and interlocking your fingers together. “Would you look at that,” she mused while wiggling your hands. “Gods! Look at the difference!” Karlach was grinning all over again, comparing the sizes of your hand to her own.
You let out a snort of amusement while admiring her expression. So light and full of life. You circled your thumb into her hand, letting it brush across her knuckles steadily, causing her breath to hitch.
Karlach’s eyes softened, her entire face became tender. She caressed your hand in hers and massaged it with care. She pulled it closer to her face and kissed your knuckles while closing her eyelids, silence filling the space. When she inhaled your scent Karlach’s face contorted, lips peeled back as her jaw clenched.
“Hey… hey.” You don’t hesitate to pull her into your arms once again. You held her while she cried into your embrace. Quiet little whimpers and choked sobs were stolen from her despite her best efforts, yet you never let her go. The rest of your party were still sleeping peacefully at the very least, so, nothing to disturb your special moment together. “You’re okay, Karlach. I’ve got you.”
I’ve got you.
It had an entirely new meaning all of a sudden. It wasn’t a simple, “I’ve got your back”. No, now it was, “I’m holding you and I won’t let you go.”
The night went on, the chilly wind relaxing to make way for a warmer gust. Karlach had since calmed down, the two of you whispered together, often teasing one another over past mistakes during adventures together.
Then, she smirked while adjusting her hand, sliding it around to your ribs. “What if… I decided to…” She began to curl her fingers, letting them dance across the spot above your ribcage. Her hands were moving quickly on either side of your torso, tickling you mercilessly. “Oh-ho-oh! I’ve never tried this before!”
You barked out a fit of laughter, arching up to try and push her off to no avail. You ended up kicking your feet and flailing your arms, unable to escape her playful torment.
She rolled over to settle above you, straddling your hips with both legs while pinning you down beneath her weight. She was leaning over you with her tail swishing and a teasing grin on her face. Karlach’s hands didn’t stop, continuing to torment you playfully with the strange sensation.
“K--Karlach..!!” Her name hardly managed to escape at all, and even when it did, it was rough to make out. You were wheezing and heaving for air while squirming around beneath her. You retaliated, or tried to. Your hands had flown out, desperate to tickle her back. To get your revenge.
She was quick to jolt back, her body tensed up while her eyes widened in alarm. Karlach laughed and tossed her head back, jaw dropped with the biggest smile you’ve ever seen on her face. She didn’t fight it. Never bothered to try. Karlach just lifted her arms up into the air, eyes sparkling in awe as she gazed up at the stars while relishing in your tickling.
She looked so incredibly breathtaking at this very moment. Her hair was a mess, her face was contorted from suppressing her giggles and her arms were waving through the air.
Free. Karlach looked free. Finally able to truly enjoy the life she deserved. The life she’d craved for so long.
When you'd finally put a stop to the tickling, she was a panting mess. She pressed the tip of her index finger onto the top of your nose. Her shoulders shook with her wheezy laughter as she giggled. She could now boop your nose, something so simple, but to her, it was everything.
Karlach heaved for air, slowly slumping down onto you as if she were a teddy bear. Both of her giant arms encircled around your waist and she embraced you just like before. Her face soon nestled onto the warmth of your cheek, pressing a featherlight kiss to the skin before murmuring softly at the corner of your mouth, “thank you, sweetheart.”
“Always, my love.” Then you turned your head to gift her with a sweetened kiss on her lips. It was warm and filled with affection. You carefully brushed her hair back, letting your fingers slide through the strands while lying your head down again.
The two of you snuggled up together beneath the stars, limbs tangled together, both unable to suppress your smiles.
There’s something so special about this moment. Holding the love of your life, cradling them safely in your embrace for the first time while they allowed themself to truly relax. It means even more to Karlach, all those years in Avernus keeping her on her feet constantly, and the infernal engine forcing her to fear ever touching another being. These firsts will forever be cherished by her, protected within her infernal heart until its final beat.