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blondeulence · 10 days

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hot water

karlach/tav oneshot (lemon)

by me on ao3 !!!!!

used my tav Soleil !!

Karlach was taking her extra-sweet time getting to bed, spending most of her night in a rock-lined pool some previous adventurers had left to fill with river water. The water was cool, her muscles were sore from traveling and unpacking and then packing and then traveling. She was grateful for this new section of her life, and as unfortunate as the company of a brain parasite is, she couldn’t compare it to Avernus. Here, she had friends. She had no plan, a heart that was burning up and a whole lot of bad guys to run through, but she had friends.

There was sunshine and the moon and birds and wind and cold water, as short lived as it was with her condition. The years she’d spent trapped in Avernus made this feel as close to heaven as she could get. Maybe it was as close as she’d ever get. She couldn’t complain, not really. She felt as alive as she ever remembered feeling, ironic as it was.

Karlach rolled over to face the wall of the pool, lifting her arms out of the water to rest on the cool edge. Her chin rested on the back of her hand and she inhaled the steam rising from her skin. Her engine had begun burning hotter, and it was getting more difficult hiding how uncomfortable it was at times. She could deal with the impending doom, but leaving her friends behind was another thing. She couldn’t have them worry about her when there were brain worms, missing parents, evil ex-masters, lying gods, and so, so many devils to deal with.

Her friend Soleil had sacrificed a lot to be able to help them in the capacity she had. She never mentioned her own family, her own goals, really much of anything. Karlach could never tell if Soleil wasn’t mentioning it intentionally or if she just didn’t remember. A lot of them couldn’t remember a lot, for a variety of reasons. Maybe that's why they got along, and they were all much too proud to admit it.

When they had met Dammon at the Tiefling camp, Soleil had jumped at his offer to help Karlach before she could even open her mouth. She’d spent valuable time and expensive resources helping her get her engine tuned up and never once looked back expecting thanks from her, only “Hi Dammon, please fix my friend.” Of course Karlach hadn’t let the generous deed go unappreciated, she tells her as often as she can how grateful she is but Soleil shrugs it off with an “Of course!” or a “Don’t mention it” every time. How could she not mention her dramatically-increased lifespan thanks to her friend’s effort? She’d never stop, even if it got annoying.

The moonlight felt almost cold against her face. The feeling wasn’t common but it was very welcome, and Karlach closed her eyes.

She really, really did not want to die, but going back to Avernus wasn’t an option. The thought of the hellfire made a painful death on the surface sound like a warm embrace. She wasn’t sure how she could explain this to her friends. Astarion would definitely understand, one of the very few things they saw eye-to-eye on. Lae’zel might even consider a fiery death honorable of her. If she did choose to go back and live, would they visit her? Would they bother? Would the chance that they might make it worth it?

No, it wouldn’t, and she would spare herself the self-pity for tonight. She opened her eyes.

Dew had collected on the dense grass and the moonlight filtering through the trees made it glitter beautifully. The lake ahead caught the same light, stretching it into white ribbons over its gentle current. Halsin talked a lot about nature’s gifts and Karlach decided she should probably slow down to appreciate them, because she’d never been good at accepting gifts, and at least nature can’t suddenly decide it expects anything from her in return.

She’d never felt so cared for. She’d never been so cared for, and she’d never been so understood. Everybody here had their own bullshit and baggage to sort out but they had been helping each other through it - even Wyll, who had been so hell-bent on killing her sacrificed his humanity so she could live, and never let them know of his incoming consequence. She, Lae’zel and Soleil had gotten all the way through Shar’s trials with Shadowheart so she didn’t have to do it alone, even though she changed her mind after. Even Cazador was slaughtered without question, and that was a fucking fight. Astarion hadn’t even been anything but halfway-decent to them all before they’d marched in there with him.

She was getting better at accepting the same kind of love she gave every day. She was so, so grateful.

She might have been too focused on the fireflies to hear the soft footsteps approaching the pool, but when a sweet voice interrupted the silence Karlach did her best to not look too startled.

“Mind if I join you?”

Standing to her right was Soleil, waiting patiently for permission to be included in Karlach’s scheduled overthinking time.

“Hey, you,” Karlach smiled, leaning into the rocks to try and hide how brightly her heart lit up the water. “Come on in, water’s fine.”

“I’m sure it is now,” Soleil giggled, slipping her shoes off, “It looked cold earlier.”

Karlach smiled into her arm, turning back around so Soleil could undress without eyes on her, but mostly so she couldn’t see how her face burned. The water swayed gently and Soleil sighed into it.

“You can’t sleep either?” Soleil asked after she’d settled in the water next to Karlach.

Karlach turned toward her but her answer caught in her throat when she realized how much closer Soleil was than she expected, and much more naked than what she was used to. It was certainly welcome, but now she had to use what was left of her day’s worth of concentration to not stumble over every word.

“Why can’t you sleep?” A non-answer. Karlach’s arms slipped back into the water.

“There’s too much to think about,” Soleil looked down at the water, “I want to do everything, and save everyone… and, we’re out of wine.”

Karlach laughed.

“And Shadowheart’s wailing from Lae’zel’s tent also isn’t helping,” Soleil giggled quietly, “I’ve heard Astarion very loudly rearrange his pillows twice now and I don’t think they’re getting the hint we’re all up.”

Karlach’s hand came up to her mouth to stifle a very loud laugh. Soleil leaned in and giggled quietly.

Once the hilariousness of their sworn-enemy friends’ involvement with each other had passed, Karlach answered Soleil’s initial question, “Yeah, I can’t sleep. It’s just… I’m just-”

“I know.”

“...Yeah.”

A beat passed before Soleil spoke up again, “Does this help?”

The cool water, the quietness of the edge of camp. It really did.

“Yes, a lot,” Karlach breathed, “It’s probably not as nice now, sorry, soldier.”

“That’s why I came over, I knew it wouldn’t be cold.”

Karlach laughed at that. She was such a small thing, so sweet and honest. An appropriate temperature. Karlach wished she could keep her warm forever. “It’s not too bad, is it?”

“It never is.”

Karlach felt her chest burn again. She hoped it wasn’t bright enough to notice.

Soleil’s eyes flicked down to her heart and quickly back up to her eyes and held them.

“...I’m also thinking too much,” Karlach broke the silence, “About everything. Right when we find a way out of one pile of shit we’re thrown into a deeper and even stinkier one.”

“We’re good at digging our way out, I think,” Soleil rubbed her fingers in the water, “Astarion said earlier that when the Devils start approaching you, you know you’re in deep.”

He’s right, as easy as it was to laugh at the absurdity of it. Even in Avernus she never encountered this many Devils. It had to mean they were close to something, if even the worst creatures imaginable were trying to interrupt them. Even Mizora swore she’d fight with them, and that she wouldn’t let the Duke get hurt, all in exchange for Wyll’s continued servitude. It was sickeningly confusing.

“We’re up to our tits in hot water,” Karlach had to laugh, “We have to be close to something, then.”

“That's what I’m thinking,” Soleil’s tone changed into the tone she uses when she’s come up with a plan, “What is Raphael trying to keep us from doing?”

She’s right, he had spent all kinds of breath explaining to them why they weren’t going to make it out of any of this alive without his help, and they’d managed fine, mostly, thus far. It sounded insane boiled down like that.

“I really think we can make it out of this,” Soleil continued, gesturing to her head to specify what she meant, “I think we can get rid of these worms, and we can free everyone, and we can be safe, and we won’t have to run anymore.”

She held Karlach’s gaze.

“I think we can fix your heart, Karlach.”

She spoke her name so sweetly, it was painful having to think about explaining to her again that it just isn’t possible, and even if it was, she couldn’t ask that of her. Every second counted now and she’d never be able to live with herself if they’d wasted any more valuable time on her.

That, and they hadn’t run into Dammon since the shadow curse was lifted. She wasn’t even sure he made it out of the Inn safely, or the slightest idea of where he might have ended up.

“I wish I could hug you,” Karlach exhaled, “You’ve done so much for me, soldier, much more than I’ve asked.”

“I wanted to,” Soleil shrugged, her hand reaching for Karlach’s under the water.

Karlach flinched when their fingers touched, expecting Soleil to pull back in pain, but she never did. She kept her hand held out. Karlach opened her mouth to ask if she’d hurt her, if she was okay, but the words fluttered from her mind when Soleil reached out again, this time linking their pinky fingers together, and then fully taking her hand.

“You okay?” Karlach held her breath, trying her hardest to concentrate on her engine.

“Yes, I’m fine,” Soleil smiled, reassuring her, “You said the water helps?”

“A hell of a lot more than burning up in my tent, yes,” Karlach hadn’t thought that it might cool her off enough for this, though. She was still so, so, scared of seriously burning her.

Soleil stepped closer to her, her eyes flicking from her glowing engine to her lips and then her eyes, her fingers fully intertwining with her’s on the way over. Gods, she was lovely. The water was much warmer the closer Soleil was to Karlach, and she prayed it wasn’t too uncomfortable. Every second more Soleil held her gaze the warmer it got, too, and the brighter she burned.

“Are you okay?” Soleil smiled again.

“Never been better,” Karlach exhaled, and the small vents on her shoulders lit up blue. Soleil watched intently, bringing herself closer yet and studying the light burning from her. The soft blue light reached the irises of her eyes and little wisps of silent flame flickered from her skin above the water. Still, she wasn’t too hot to touch.

Soleil found her so beautiful, and even more beautiful the closer she brought herself to fully touching her. She felt ethereal, the moonlight as bright as it can be this time of night with the fireflies slowly dissipating as if to offer them the privacy. Karlach smelled of cedar and leather and the palms of her hands were as rough as such, but her gaze was so soft, and she handled her so gently. Soleil had never experienced the fires of Avernus herself but if they were to surprise her as being anything like her companion she’d consider a visit.

“Karlach, you’re allowed to touch me, if you’d like,” Soleil spoke, almost against her lips.

Karlach hummed softly in response, her callused hands coming to rest on Soleil’s hips. It was a very welcome heat, intense, but not overwhelming.

She pulled back briefly, “Is this okay?”

“Yes, please,” Soleil moved Karlach’s hands back into place, and her touch was more firm this time. Soleil shivered.

The light in Karlach’s chest grew brighter and then dimmed into the same soft blue in her eyes, dancing in the ripples on the surface of the water between them.

Soleil had been honest about the noise keeping her awake, although not completely. She’d never been a good liar, and she’d been kicking herself in her tent every night that week for chickening out of every opportunity she had to tell Karlach how much she liked her. As a friend, as a companion, yes, but she really really liked her. She couldn’t believe she hadn’t caught on. It was one of her more endearing traits.

It had taken nearly an entire bottle of wine for Soleil to be able to verbalize these feelings to Wyll, who had never asked for them, but who had sat so patiently and listened while the heart of his friend was splayed in front of him, quietly topping their glasses when they were low.

“I’m not afraid of her, or the rejection, or… or of losing her, but she makes me so nervous,” a long sip of wine, “I freeze up every time I talk to her, not even about my feelings, just because she’s talking to me, and she’s so cool, and she trusts me, everything I do or say she trusts me…”

“Do you trust yourself?”

“I… think so?” Soleil hadn’t thought of that, “I don’t know what the right way to go about any of this is.”

“I don’t either,” Wyll shrugged, “We’re taking things one day at a time, and that’s how you should take this.”

Soleil looked down into her cup.

“Yes, I think you should tell her, or show her, or write her a poem or a song or make her a gift,” Wyll leaned forward, “And I can certainly help you with those things, but your heart is here tonight, and whatever your heart’s instinct is I think you should listen.”

Soleil nodded.

“You’ve done a lot for her, your acts of service have not gone unnoticed.”

“You have too.”

“Something tells me this might be different.”

And it might have been, and it might be, and Soleil had convinced herself that she’d been imagining things, that she’d convinced herself that maybe Karlach was being more than friendly to her, when she was really just being friendly.

Maybe Wyll knew something she didn’t. Maybe they’d talked, in the same way she’d talked to Wyll, and maybe he said the same things to Karlach. Maybe she was as nervous as Soleil was, right now, in the hot water, with her strong hands touching her with nothing in between. Nothing in between them but water, and steam, and the soft glow of the engine behind Karlach’s ribs.

“Is this still okay?” Karlach’s hands gently slid up her back, her fingers lingering where Soleil’s flesh dipped over her spine.

A shiver ran through her, the physical contact as well as the warmth being things she hadn’t felt this deprived of until now. She craved it deeply.

Soleil leaned into Karlach, letting Karlach’s leg slip between hers. She raised herself up on her toes.

Karlach had promised herself she wouldn’t act like a desperate freak if her dreams had ever come true like this, if she ever found out that Soleil felt the same way about her. It was taking every ounce of strength she had to not grab her and squeeze her and kiss her and touch her, everywhere, all at the same time. She cared for her deeply and she didn’t want to scare her, but she wasn’t sure Soleil knew what this meant to her right now.

It had been ten years since anyone had touched her, especially like this. Ten years since she’d tried, and ten years since she’d decided it wasn’t worth trying anymore. Either this was some kind of miracle pool, or she’d failed to consider every option. She almost felt stupid, but she couldn’t blame herself. She’d only escaped Avernus months ago.

Karlach sighed as Soleil’s hands ran up her chest to her neck where she held her face, her thumbs running softly over her cheeks. Karlach leaned into her small hand, the cool moisture evaporating from her skin.

and Soleil kissed her.

and Karlach expected a sharp pull away, a wince in pain, but it never came, and instead Soleil pushed into her gently. When she did pull away it was slow, she lingered in the dense heat and smiled sweetly when Karlach was tugged forward by the lingering feeling.

Karlach exhaled a held breath against Soleil’s lips. She was a live wire with excitement, she wanted to grab her and ravish her, if she even remembered how. She’d probably end up scaring Soleil away.

“You're so beautiful, Karlach,” Soleil remarked softly.

She hadn’t scared her away yet, she thought, and there’d been plenty of times she was sure she had.

“Gods, you should see yourself.”

Soleil was soft, mostly unscathed, save for the scar over her nose and the chip in one of her horns. Her hands had also seen some wear since they’d met. Karlach’s tendency to dive head-first into confrontation left her skin littered with scars, something she never fully disliked, but was much more aware of now that she occasionally caught Soleil’s gaze trailing over them. They sliced through her tattoos and some even formed patterns, reminders of the beasts she’s found herself trapped under.

The way Soleil’s touch paralyzed her, though, she’d never be able to wiggle out of it.

She felt Soleil’s tail curl around her thigh, willing her back in. Karlach held her tighter, still waiting for any sign of a third-degree burn where her hands pressed into her but the water kept them at bay. Soleil was a tough one, she knew, but she hoped she’d tell her if it was ever too much. Karlach wanted to spend a long time with her in this quickly-heating puddle.

Soleil hadn’t ever thought about what she’d do after she kissed Karlach, the fantasy in her head had always ended there. The roof of her tent usually became entertainment for the rest of the night, as well as the company of her right hand. She never let it get far enough to where her hopes might get too high, and she was okay depriving herself of the delusion if it meant it would keep her heart from shattering completely. Their game plan to the end of the world wasn’t entirely free of impending danger at every step.

“Can I kiss you again?”

Karlach’s question got stuck in the steam between them. Soleil’s hands fell to Karlach’s chest, hovering over her blue engine, letting the heat seep into her fingers. She could feel the air between them vibrate in its constant whirring and ticking.

Without a word, as if she could have come up with one at all, Soleil nodded briefly and kissed her again.

Karlach’s arms wrapped tightly around her and she leaned into her, so much that Soleil’s feet were pulled from the ground and she drew her legs up to wrap around Karlach. Soleil inhaled the thick steam around them, almost struggling to get enough air in but her head was so clouded with the feeling of Karlach’s hands under the water she paid it little mind. One of Karlach’s hands slid to Soleil’s leg to hold her up, and she tilted her head to not break the kiss. Soleil’s hands came up again, her thumbs brushing Karlach’s cheeks softly. She gently squeezed Karlach’s leg with her tail still coiled twice around it.

Soleil ran her wet hands down Karlach’s neck again, the trail of water quickly drying and she threw her arms over her shoulders, clutching onto her tightly. Karlach moved at a similar speed and crushed her against her, spinning them around so Soleil was backed against the stone wall of the pool.

Karlach broke the kiss to trail hot kisses down Soleil’s neck and collarbones, her hands gliding lower under the water until one hovered between her thighs. She pulled back again when she felt Soleil’s legs tighten around her.

“Karlach, I’m okay, I promise,” Soleil smiled, her chest rising and falling quickly, struggling to take in air in the dense heat.

“You promise to tell me if I hurt you?” Karlach spoke into the shell of her ear.

Soleil rolled her hips forward into Karlach’s hand, “Yes, I promise.”

The direct heat into Soleil’s core was intense. Karlach’s fingertips ran gently over her and slowed down at her clit, rubbing softly over it in small circles, not pressing too hard, treating her with care.

Soleil unraveled into her. Her arms around her relaxed and Karlach held her against the wall with her own weight.

“Gods, soldier…” Karlach breathed. Her strokes were steady and controlled. With a second finger, she ran both over the sides of Soleil’s clit, squeezing it in between while she stroked back and forth.

Soleil matched Karlach’s movements, her hips in perfect time. Her legs trembled every time Karlach ran over her clit. Slowly, Karlach slid her middle finger inside her, and Soleil gasped at the heat, bringing a hand up to the back of Karlach’s neck where her fingers tangled in her hair.

“Yes, my love.”

Karlach softened at the name, a quiet and sweet sound slipping from her lips. Soleil felt her smile against her neck. Kissing her skin gently, Karlach slid another finger inside her, pressing the heel of her hand into Soleil’s clit again.

Soleil ground down on it, Karlach’s fingers inside her warming her thoroughly. Her head fell back as she rocked, pockets of cool air from above breaking through the dense steam and cooling her face. Karlach kissed her throat, letting Soleil grind onto her hand at her own pace, and meeting her in the middle. Slowly, she ran a hand down Soleil’s back and gripped the base of her tail, rubbing her underneath where it met her spine.

Soleil choked, using what strength she had left to lift her head and press her forehead to Karlach’s.

“Karlach,” She gasped, the name on her tongue as hot as the air around them.

“I got you, baby.”

Soleil crumbled at the softness of her words and shook at the roughness of her palm. The hot coil in her stomach tightened, further and further, and before she could utter a word of warning Karlach had kissed quickly down her neck, hovering between her breasts when she lifted Soleil to the edge of the pool and kissed her all the way down to her hips.

Soleil’s head spun at the quickness in the change of position but was pulled back to earth at the feeling of Karlach’s lips inside her thighs, kissing softly toward her. Karlach’s eyes fluttered open to meet Soleil’s and she melted fast, the blue flames flickering off of her and burning in her eyes so much richer than the cool moonlight they were bathed in.

Karlach kissed the soft folds between Soleil’s legs, and she was unable to tear her eyes away. Karlach’s tongue worked over her clit again, sensitive from the way she ground down onto Karlach’s hand moments before. Karlach brought one arm around Soleil’s leg to pull her close, and inched her other up Soleil’s body to softly palm her breast.

The attention, especially at this temperature, was overstimulating and heaven on earth at the same time. The cool air outside of the pool quickly became chilling on her wet skin and her focus shifted entirely to Karlach’s hand on her, and her arm around her leg, and her mouth around her heat. Soleil’s tail involuntarily coiled itself around Karlach’s bicep.

Soleil was quickly brought back to the edge of orgasm, her arms shaking in an attempt to hold her up and her legs spasming under Karlach’s touch. Karlach knew this too, and she sucked hard on Soleil’s clit, her tongue flicking over it slowly.

“Yes, yes…” Soleil exhaled into the sky. Her words seemed to float upwards, no longer trapped by the steam over the water.

Karlach hummed into Soleil, keeping her pace so as to not disrupt the building pressure. Her nails dug into Soleil’s flesh, something neither of them were aware of. Her other hand on Soleil’s breast rolled her nipple in between her fingers, pressing heat into her.

Soleil shook, the tension snapping. Her ears rang, her fingers and toes going numb as Karlach drank in her orgasm, drawing it out of her with her tongue. She lingered here for a long time, savoring the taste of her until Soleil’s breathing had slowed.

After what felt like minutes of rolling hills of ecstasy, Soleil sat back herself back and took Karlach’s face in her hands. Karlach smiled, turning to kiss Soleil’s palm and wrapped her arms around her, pulling her back into the hot water.

Soleil sighed at the sensation again, welcome and warm. Karlach’s hands trailed soft lines up and down her spine and she kissed her forehead, letting Soleil lean into her, supporting her weight.

“Did I burn you?” Karlach asked softly, in a half-joking tone.

Soleil shook her head, humming a no before lifting her head, “I’m okay, I promise.”

“Just okay?”

“I’m… deliriously happy.”

Karlach’s hands squeezed her gently. After a second, she spoke again.

“You can have me, completely, if you’d like,” Karlach spoke softly, her eyes flitting back and forth between Soleil’s eyes and her lips, red and puffy from the heat and roughness of her kiss.

Soleil searched her eyes, still dimly glowing blue from the heat of their exchange, and wondered if they’d gotten any brighter since she’d offered herself like that. Seconds had passed before Soleil nodded and pushed in again, Karlach leaning into her open hand.

“Yes, I would like that,” Soleil smiled, “and you can have me as well.”

“I would really, really, really, like that.”

Soleil felt the surrounding water heat up again and Karlach sunk lower into it, pulling Soleil close and kissing her again. The world was probably ending, the devil was after them and so were multiple different gods. They all still had tadpoles and heavy deals to consider but if everything had come crashing down right at that moment Soleil would be okay with that.

#afab tav #afab karlach #bg3 #baldurs gate 3 #oneshot #fanfiction #ao3 #reasart #nsft #lemon #do people still post fanfic to tumble !!!!!!!!!!

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