#karlachzel

Although she's only been there for two days, Lae'zel is certain that she hates the Shadow-Cursed Lands. Granted, most of Faerûn is not to her liking, but that place is positively the worst. Even the Underdark had its charm.

Seeing how fickle the atmosphere in Toril is, it's no wonder its inhabitants are so inconstant, so ridiculously emotional. They are a mere reflection of its changing weather and seasons, of its skies shifting from night to day. And while she scoffs at their weakness, at how easily influenced they are by their surroundings, even she has to admit that this horrible area is affecting her.

The shadow creatures lurking in every corner. The barren soil the color of ashes. The dead roots and tendrils, like clawed hands reaching for them.

The cold. The misery that hangs in the air seems to penetrate them to the very marrow to make them shiver.

No wonder all of her companions are the very picture of gloom and doom. They're all eerily quiet, dragging their feet along the treacherous path. And they hunch, as though the heavy permanent night were their burden to carry on their shoulders. Frowns are deeper, hands gripping their weapons tensely, on the lookout for any corrupted fiend sneaking up on them.

Only Shadowheart seems to be thriving. If she has to hear her once more going on and on about feeling the presence of her goddess and how this is a sign that Shar loves her, she swears upon Mother Gith she'll knock her out with the pommel of her longsword.

Thankfully, entering the Harpers' refuge, that Last Light Inn or whatever it's called, has given them a little respite. It's still dark and freezing, but at least the artificial moonlight creates a rather convincing illusion of safety. After setting up camp and speaking to the people in charge, they agree to take a well-deserved break to nourish themselves and rest their bodies.

So Lae'zel sits by the counter of the small, virtually empty tavern, a pint of ale in front of her. She's not as fond of alcohol as most istiki seem to be, but by the stars, she needs it tonight. Something to calm her down, relieve her from the perennial state of alert and warm her from the inside out.

“Lae, there you are!” a boisterous, cheerful voice exclaims. “Been looking for you everywhere!”

Looks like Shadowheart is not the only one who has overcome the dominating despair. Karlach bursts into the bar like a firebolt, shiny and energetic. Yet there's something different about her, something Lae'zel can't put her finger on.

“I'm fixed!” Karlach beams. “Dammon just upgraded my engine. I can finally touch people again!”

That must be it. The blaze of the infernal engine still flickers in her chest, where her heart should be, but no flames dance on her palms anymore. Her euphoria is contagious. In spite of everything, Lae'zel can feel her lips twitching, the ghost of a smile possessing them.

“That is good news indeed!” Lae'zel responds.

“Best news ever!”

Her triumphant laugh makes Lae'zel's smile widen. If there's one companion she has felt deep respect for from the very beginning, that'd be Karlach. She's powerful and fierce in battle, but she also has this infectious lust for life, this passion for everything around her. No-one deserves a victory more than she does.

“How will you celebrate your recovery?” Lae'zel asks.

“Oh, you bet I'm already celebrating! Been shaking hands with all my fellow tiefs, carrying Fringe over my shoulder like a potato sack, arm wrestling with a couple of Harpers. Now I need your help.”

“Oh?”

Curiosity stiffens Lae'zel's ears. Whatever Karlach has planned, she's certain that it will be exciting. Maybe she wants to test her unarmed combat skills on her. Or spar together with no fear of scorching her skin off. Perhaps-

“I wanna hug you,” Karlach says.

The gears in Lae'zel's mind screech to a halt.

“You wish to... what?!”

“Hug you,” Karlach repeats. “I won't hurt you too much. Pinky-swear.”

“But... here? Now?”

Lae'zel glances around anxiously, an instinctive, deep-rooted reaction. Such displays of affection would be frowned upon in K'liir. Granted, there are no githyanki – not living ones, at least – in sight to judge her, but the possibility of anyone seeing her in that situation makes her shudder. Even if the tiefling wizard behind the counter is intoxicated out of his mind, clinging to a bottle of wine for dear life, and the few refugee children in the corner of the tavern seem to be minding their own business, whispering conspirationally amongst them.

Karlach cocks her eyebrow in amusement. A shrug is her only answer.

“We could find ourselves a cozier place, get some privacy, but I'm afraid that'll be hard,” she says. “C'mon, Lae! I've hugged all the others. Not gonna leave my favorite soldier out!”

Her favorite? Chk. She's just buttering her up, most likely. That knowledge, however, can't prevent a tingle from invading Lae'zel's belly.

What harm could it possibly cause, on second thought? She might as well humor Karlach. At least none of their companions are there to mock her for allowing herself such vulnerability.

“Fine, I accept,” she relents. “Make it quick.”

“Fuck yes!” Karlach pumps her fists in celebration. “Thanks a lot! I'll make it worth your while.”

Reluctantly, Lae'zel hops from her stool and takes a step closer to Karlach. Those muscular arms wrap themselves around her immediately, pulling her close, squeezing her.

As an intense yet comfortable warmth surrounds her, Lae'zel finds her breath hitching. Karlach's aroma, a mixture of smoke, leather and the deceptively sweet musk of her skin, enters her nostrils and fills her brain with a pleasant, dizzying fog.

Suddenly, the numbing cold imprisoning her muscles melts away. Karlach's fiery light, brighter than a million stars, makes the looming shadows cower in fear. Her grip is tight and strong, but soft as a blanket at the same time.

Everything else disappears. For a moment, silence envelops them except for the buzzing and whirring of the contraption in Karlach's chest, a soothing melody to Lae'zel's ears. For a moment, nothing matters, nothing exists outside that embrace. An embrace Lae'zel finds herself returning.

With her own arms snaking around Karlach's waist, holding onto her as if she were the only thing keeping her from flying away and vanishing into thin air, Lae'zel feels a single tear slide down her cheek. This sensation, this new and confusing haze she's never experienced before, is far more intense than she could have ever anticipated.

For the first time ever, Lae'zel feels safe. Nothing, no creature or god or phenomenon in any of the planes, could hurt her. Karlach is a fortress, an impenetrable shield that won't let any evils in.

A home. A wondrous place she never ever wishes to leave.

“Was it that bad?” Karlach's hot breath caresses her cheek as she speaks.

It takes her more than a few seconds to return to reality. When Karlach slowly pulls away from her, every part of Lae'zel's anatomy weeps, already longing for that loving touch. With a pang of shame, Lae'zel steels herself.

“It was acceptable,” she responds.

“Aw, high praise coming from you!” Karlach teases. “Thanks, Lae. That was lovely.”

It is done. It's happened.

Tendrils of silver are spread across her breasts and a soft pale arm is draped around her ribcage. Shadowheart sleeps peacefully by her side, barely stirring. Her scent, sweet and musky all at once, is all over those sheets and seems to fill every corner of the bedroom.

And yet, Lae'zel can find no rest. She remains there, motionless, nailed to the pillow under her head, eyes wide open and staring at the ceiling. Lost in thought. Processing.

She should be elated. After seven years of loneliness, of grief, of hiding away from the rest of the world and throwing herself completely into work and parenthood, she has finally found a beautiful woman who truly cares about her. Or rather, a beautiful, the kind that's worth letting into her life, woman has found her.

She should be satisfied. Even if it's the first time they've slept together, Shadowheart seems to know her body better than she does herself. She brought her to ecstasy easily, instinctively, a generous lover eager to please. An appreciative, demonstrative lover who erased away all of her insecurities with one single look, one single moan of pleasure. The first orgasm she's had in years. The first one she's given in years.

She should be happy.

Instead, the juicy taste that still lingers on her tongue is mixed with the bitterness of guilt that creeps from the pit of her stomach, from the hole in her heart she has been refusing to fix for so long. A part of her knows it's irrational. Ridiculous, perhaps. All of her friends have been telling her to move on, to seek joy and put herself first for once. Hells, she would probably tell her the same if she could. And yet-

“Soldier.”

That familiar voice, that greeting she used to know so well, startles her. Careful not to wake Shadowheart, she sits up slowly and turns to the side, searching for its source. Her breath catches on her throat at the sight of her.

Karlach. Her Karlach. Her one and only.

She's sitting there, on the armchair by the window, smiling at her. Slouching, resting her chin on her fist, like she used to. Looking as beautiful and strong as she remembers her, as she was before their whole world burst into flames. Not caring that Shadowheart's clothes occupy the backrest. She leans forward and gestures towards her, asking for her hand.

“Karlach,” Lae'zel whispers, blood racing in her veins at the warmth that envelopes her fingers. “I am so sorry.”

“What for?”

As if that were all the answer she needs, Lae'zel's glance points down at the bulge under the covers. Karlach shakes her head.

“You have nothing to apologize for,” she says.

Lae'zel's chest tightens. Her eyes well up. Normally, she would blink back the tears, swallow her pain and push it down. But she can't do that. Not in front of Karlach.

“Hey.” Karlach pouts, moving closer so she can touch her face, catching her tears with her thumb like she did so many times. “S'alright, baby.”

Baby. It's been a while since anyone called her that. Last time, when Shadowheart did, she snapped at her unfairly. It sounded like an intrusion, like a boundary being overstepped. That territory belongs to Karlach, no-one but her.

“I miss you.”

Her voice, weak and strangled, breaks as she pronounces the last syllable. Those strong, tattooed arms, pull her into an embrace. One she'd been longing for forever.

“I miss you too,” Karlach responds.

Sobs shaking her whole body, Lae'zel presses herself against the love of her life. She breathes in the earthy, smoky smell with hints of beer, vanilla and pine needles. The same she used to fall asleep surrounded by every night, the same that used to welcome her home after a long day of work. She can almost hear her heart, drumming in her ear, like all those times she rested her head on Karlach and let her braid her hair while they both sat quietly on the couch. The way things were before it started failing, before that merciless condition took her away.

“Wish I could've stayed with you,” Karlach sighs, “and I'm always there, even if you can't see me.”

“I know. But it is-”

“Hard? I know it is. But I hate seeing you so lonely, Lae.”

By instinct, Lae'zel's fingers close around the silver ring that's been hanging from a chain around her neck for the past few years. It hurt too much to wear it on her finger, but it hurt even more to put it away. The tip of her index traces the inscription etched on the inner side: My joy. Brushing some strands of hair away from Lae'zel's face, Karlach points to Shadowheart with her chin.

“Got yourself a good one, y'know?”

“She is no you.”

“Obviously! Who knows, she might end up being better than I ever was. If you give her a chance.”

Lae'zel opens her mouth to say something. To protest, maybe. Then closes it again, like a fish gasping for breath out of the water. Karlach is right, and she knows.

“I do not wish to replace you,” Lae'zel retorts nevertheless. “Besides, Xan-”

“Xan barely knew me. And he just wants his mom to be happy. So if this Shadowheart lady brings you joy, then let her. You deserve it. You deserve all the good things that come to you.”

“You are my joy, Karlach.”

“I know. But I also know that heart of yours is big enough, full enough of love, for both of us.”

She knows what's coming next. Those words, that sentence she's heard so many times from those lips, she hears them before Karlach utters them.

“If you're happy, I'm happy, Lae. That's all I want.”

Then she turns her gaze towards Shadowheart. Lae'zel's girlfriend is still in deep slumber, completely oblivious to the scene happening inches away from her. Karlach cracks a soft smile and blows a kiss into the night air.

“Take good care of her, will ya?”

Lae'zel is not sure which one of them she's speaking to. And as Karlach's image fades in front of her eyes, as though swept by the wind that sneaks from the gaping window and makes the orange curtains flutter, neither is she sure if this has all been a dream or just her own imagination telling her what she needed to hear.

When the morning comes, it's not just the golden light of dawn that wakes her, but impossibly tender lips covering her in kisses. Shadowheart's face – hair disheveled, traces of last night's make-up around her eyes, a grin brightening her features – is the first thing she sees. And a million butterflies are released in her ribcage.

“Good morning, beautiful,” Shadowheart purrs. “How are you today?”

“I have never been better,” Lae'zel replies.

They inch closer until their lips almost find each other. She can smell that sweetened cherry wine in them, virtually taste it. After all the times Shadowheart cured her physical wounds, it makes sense that she'd be the one to ease her soul's torment. After breaking her, it's only fitting that she'd be the one to mend her.

"No," Lae'zel murmurs, turning her face away in the very last instant.

For a moment, it had felt like turning back time. As if Shadowheart had never left. As if the past few years had been nothing but a bad dream.

Unfortunately, they're not those people anymore.

Lae-Lae (wifey!) calling me "My strapping girl" will live in my head rent free forever. Not only because of how my clitbrain misinterpreted it, but because SHE WAS SO FUCKING CUTE HOLY HELLS. And she smiled so much. And the admiration she showed while she was talking about me killing even more demons/devil than her. And how she said being there with me and seeing me happy was the absolute highlight of the past few months for her ASDF ES SFGR HE SSD *dies a million times*

💜 Karlach/Minthara 💜

I really wish I could say something about this ship, but Minthara has died in all of my saves, so I don't know anything about her 😅 I'm soooo sorry!

🩷Karlach/Shadowheart 🩷

I FUCKING LOVE THEM. The only thing better than my favorite lady is my two favorite ladies together. And canonically Shadowheart has a crush on Karlach from the very moment they meet (we all know that one line, and her face when she says it is the gayest thing since OFMD season 2). Soooo...

They're fond of each other right away. I mean, Karlach is pretty easy to like and she tends to be quite trusting. Besides, she can see through Shadowheart's aloof front. Already the first evening after Blighted Village, they share one of the looted bottles, as they agreed in that banter line.

There are more "pajamas parties" like that one. Unfortunately, there's no touching due to Karlach's condition, but the sexual tension is legendary. They kiss for the first time at the tiefling party. Shadowheart is a little tipsy and feeling adventurous, and Karlach is way too pent up to restrain herself any longer. Thank you, Create Water spell!

I've hinted at it in the latest (not yet published) chapter of A Moment In Your Lips, but the Sharran wound doesn't attack Shadowheart when she flirts with Karlach (unlike whenever she has a bonding moment with anyone else), which they do constantly to the point of being annoying to the rest of the party. This gives Shadowheart a sense of safety and makes her fall deeper and deeper. If only she knew the truth! Her asshole of a goddess doesn't punish her for getting close to Karlach because she's on borrowed time, which means their romance will lead to loss, which leads to pain and grief, which leads to seeking comfort in darkness and isolation. The usual Sharran crap reasoning, you know.

As you can expect, their real first time only happens after Dammon's second upgrade. They do masturbate together and briefly make out before that, but it's not the same, so that night is absolutely wild. They sneak into the Last Light Inn basement and spend hours going at it. They take turns to eat each other out and somehow manage a makeshift strap-on (initially for Karlach, but Shadowheart gets curious and ends up using it too; not her thing, but it was a fun experience).

Unfortunately, the news that Karlach is going to blow up soon and the closeness to Sharran influences take a toll on Shadowheart, who starts pushing Karlach away after that. It hurts like hell, but as usual Karlach is a total sweetheart about it and gives her some space even though deep down she just wants to grab her by the collar and shake her. Wyll, who became her bestie after not killing her, is the one who comforts her and lets her vent it all out. Also tells her to be patient and trust Shadowheart to make the right decision.

A little after the Nightsong and Myrkul incidents, Shadowheart finally snaps out of it. Besides, seeing Aylin and Isobel being happy and cute together makes her a little jealous, so she apologizes to Karlach and they become close again. Oh, and of course Karlach gives her the night orchid she's been saving for her. Bye, purple panties!

They're still deep in the reconciliation euphoria when they get to the city, only briefly interrupted by Gortash showing up again. Karlach shows Shadowheart all her favorite places around town, they go shopping together and generally have a fun time until they visit the House of Grief.

Karlach comforts Shadowheart after letting go of her parents. I'll just say Shadowheart is lucky to be with the woman who gives the best hugs in all of Faerûn, who also happens to know what being orphaned is like. Once she's had a reasonable time to recover, they go together on the famous hot date.

All of this helps Shadowheart make the decision to go to Avernus with Karlach once the Netherbrain is done for. She won't lose the only family she has now. Plus she knows the Sharrans will be after her, so trading one hell for another doesn't sound so bad, especially when one of them includes the love of her life.

A few months later, they find the map to Zariel's forge in one of the cambions they slay together. Their quest is successful, so the Infernal Engine is finally fixed. They go back to Faerûn and settle in a cute cottage near Reithwin, where they open a tavern. Please don't let me go on and on about how they grow their own vegetables and animals, brew their own beers and wines, cook their own delicious food and especially don't let me mention the happy relationship pounds

💚Karlach/Lae'zel💚

I love the three main ladies in every possible combination including the three of them together, and though Karlach/Lae'zel is the one I've explored the least, they still make a lot of sense to me. They clearly have a lot in common and nothing but respect for each other.

Lae'zel feels attracted to Karlach from the very first time she sees her raging and comes on to her the minute after. Too bad Karlach has to say no because of the whole Infernal Engine situation.

Oh boy, she doesn't know who she's messing with! Lae'zel will comb every single place they venture into for pieces of infernal iron and leave no stone unturned. Dammon better get to work soon and quickly lest he wants to get some motivation the good old githyanki way. She'll also pester Gale into finding magical remedies for her. Karlach is a little overwhelmed, but flattered to have someone so invested in her.

It's not just about the sex, though. Adventuring together brings them closer. Besides, Lae'zel sees Karlach as the only truly competent fighter in the squad (apart from herself, obviously) and a kindred spirit. They often train together and learn new fighting techniques from each other, discuss cultural differences and go hunting or exploring. As I read in some other post, spending time with Karlach teaches her that it's possible to be both badass and full of love and joy of life.

Karlach is super supportive of Lae'zel after the crèche. She reassures her that none of Vlaakith's motherfuckers will touch her as long as she's breathing and offers to spar with her so she can let off some steam. She even takes Lae'zel to a small goblin settlement she finds nearby so they can both be entertained by a good fight.

When Karlach gets her second upgrade, it is ultimately confirmed that they're perfect for each other also in the sexual department. Karlach is a service top and Lae'zel, as dominant and aggressive as she seems, is a bit of a pillow princess. Karlach gives her a night she will never forget and Lae'zel doesn't even need to order her around as she usually does with her lovers because she knows exactly what to do. At the end of it, Karlach introduces her to the concept of cuddling. Lae'zel enjoys it a lot more than she'll ever admit.

Lae'zel doesn't really like the city, but having Karlach as her guide makes everything more bearable. Especially when she gets all nostalgic and enthusiastic about the places she used to visit as a teen. Also, they get kicked out of a couple of taverns for starting brawls.

When they meet Gortash for the first time, the only thing holding Lae'zel back from tearing him a new one is that she knows how important it is for Karlach to kill him herself and that's something she can absolutely respect. Just like when Vlaakith shows up at camp to try and manipulate Lae'zel with the whole ascension thing, the rest of the companions have to remind Karlach that it's only an astral projection so that she doesn't charge her.

In the final battle, they obviously side with Orpheus, who gets turned into a mindflayer. Liberating him has to be one of the party's main priorities unless they want those two to storm the House of Hope all by themselves.