#VAX LET ME HUG YOU | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

critical-twenty · 1 year

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I'm kinda new to the cr fandom so i only know c1 stuff... could you write something with the prompt "is it okay to hug you?" from the part 2 list! Maybe something with the party having a s/o who struggles with touch and being vulnerable who has been having a very stressful day? Cries easily when they are frustrated or upset? 😢 If thats too much maybe just something with Vax or Percy cause i love them the most. 💖

sorry this is so late! it’s been sitting in my notes for ages, i’ve just been too busy to post it!

S/O who struggles with touch has a stressful day!

Vax

Vax never really has an issue with the lack of touch in your relationship

Sure, he likes to hold your hand, but it’s not the end of the world if you don’t want to

He’s able to fluster you with just his words anyway

But when you come home one day with tears in your eyes and tension in your back, Vax is unsure of what to do

His first instinct is to reach out to you. It’s what he does for Vex and the others, so why wouldn’t he?

He stops himself when he remembers how much you dislike being touched without express permission

Even when you start crying, Vax doesn’t want to make things worse, so he just stares at you as he tries to ask what’s wrong

You look up at him through tearful eyes and ask ‘Can I hug you?’

Vax is immediately scooping you into his arms, letting his warmth invade your senses and comfort you

He tentatively begins to rub a hand up and down your back, continuing when you don’t tell him to stop

He’s relieved, in all honesty. He’s relieved he can help you and he’s honored that you let him hug you in such a moment of need

When you finally calm down enough to talk, he draws away to give you some space

His fingers stay connected with yours though, as you won’t let him go

He smiles at this, before pressing a kiss to your head

‘I’m sorry you had such a hard day, sweetheart. I’ll be here as long as you need me to be’

And he is 🖤

Grog

It took Grog a while to understand your reluctance in touch

It wasn’t that he thought it was weird, he just couldn’t read the signals as to how uncomfortable you were with his physical affection and you didn’t want to say anything

Finally, though, you told him about how you weren’t the biggest fan of touching

He nods, but it doesn’t fully register

Still he tries his best to remember, but he forget sometimes

He apologizes when he forgets and you can’t really get mad at him when he’s so genuine

When you come back home from a really rough day, Grog can instantly tell that something is up

He’s not the smartest, but when it comes to your happiness, he’s learned to become more attentive

He also knows that you don’t always want to be touched when you’re like this

(Pike had reminded him enough that it stuck with him)

So he watches you until he really can’t stand the sight of it anymore

‘Can I hug you?’

You look up at him with tears ready to fall and nod

Grog gives the best comforting hugs. He’s gentle but firm and he won’t let go until you ask him to

He’s not perfect, but he’s trying

Percy

Percival Fredrickstein von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III was never a man who thrived in touch

He rarely initiated physical contact with you and whenever he did, he asked for your permission first

It was like he already knew about your dislike for touch without you even telling him

(He definitely did. He’s observant enough to see your subtle emotions and tells)

You were perfectly content with a dynamic mostly built on quality time and acts of service, rather than physical affection

This wasn’t always the case though

You had had a particularly hard day at work. There was so much to do and you felt like not enough time to do it all

So, when you walked into Percy’s Tinker Room, he instantly noticed your tense demeanor

He is the king of stress himself, he knows the signs

However he doesn’t know what to do. He knows that he likes to be alone when stressed, but by seeking him out you seem to want to be around him

He contemplates in his head for a moment as you tell him about your day, waiting for you to finish before he stands up and comes over to you

‘May I hug you, darling?’

You immediately look at him, before barreling into his arms

He’s quick to wrap them around you, pressing a light kiss to the crown of your head as he tries to ground you

He’ll hold you as long as you want. He’ll even offer cuddles

Needless to say, he’s done working for the day. You need him and that’s 10x more important than anything else

Scanlan

It took Scanlan awhile to adapt to your feelings on touch

He’s a naturally extroverted person and he’s usually the first to initiate physical contact with anyone, so it’s an adjustment for him

However, once he finds out that it’s even more fun to fluster you with his shitty pick-up lines and love songs, the physical touch thing becomes easier

He slips up every once in a while, but he tries to make it up to you (he is a secret romantic underneath that… sexual persona)

You go find him, sitting with his lute, after an awful day

You were tired, and stressed, and part of you just wanted to go to sleep and wake up when this project you were working on was over

Scanlan knew the minute you walked over to him that something was up

Not wanting to be obvious in his effort to comfort you, and not wanting to touch you when you were clearly already tense, he decided to do what he does best: talk

He began to make small talk, talking about his songs and his day and whatever was going on with his friends

He thought it was working, until you said his name and looked up at him with tired eyes

‘Can I have a hug?’

He was stunned for a moment, obviously not expecting it, but he got over it quickly

He lightly wrapped himself around you, holding you close and just letting it be

It was rare that Scanlan was so silent but, for once, the only sound was breathing

It was a small moment, but it was more than enough for you

Keyleth

Keyleth was awkward at first

Not because she had a hard time without physical affection, but more because she didn’t know what to do in general

Romance was still foreign to her

Still, she read your body language with perfection

You didn’t even need to tell her that you didn’t like physical touch… she just knew

You were thankful for that

It had been a stressful day and you were really just looking forward to hanging out with Keyleth

Sitting in the forest and listening to her talk to the plants always calmed you down

But even as you sat there, the stress didn’t go away

Keyleth noticed immediately, of course

She’s not great at words but she is more than adept at movement

‘…Is it okay if I hug you?’

You looked up with wide eyes and Keyleth immediately backtracks

‘We don’t have to, of course! You just seemed a bit tense and I thought maybe a hug might help be we don’t have to do that if you don’t-‘

She’s cut off by your arms gently wrapping around her waist

She freezes for a moment, before embracing you

It’s warm and comforting and Keyleth suddenly understands why people like doing this so much

She’ll hold you as long as you need. After all, she’s enjoying herself just as much as you are

Vex

Vex’ahlia is the queen of subtle touches

She loved resting a hand on the shoulders of her friends, or bumping into them playfully as they walked

It took a bit of self-control to not do those things with you

It wasn’t hard, per say. It just required a bit more focus and awareness of her movements

But, Vex would do anything for you, so she learned (quickly, as expected)

It was after a fight, while everyone was setting up camp, that Vex noticed the look on your face

It was the same look she saw when you were stuck on a particular puzzle, or when everything seemed to be piling on your shoulders

‘My dear, are you alright?’

You shrug half heartedly

‘Would you like to accompany Trinket and I on a walk? I think it will be quite relaxing and the moon is especially gorgeous tonight.’

Vex waits for your reply when finally you look up

‘Vex, will you hold me?’

Vex doesn’t even falter

Sure, she’s surprised, but the urge to comfort you overrides everything else

She hold you as close as she can without it being uncomfortable, rubbing circles on your back and whispering sweet encouragements into your ear

When you part, she tells you to take your time joining the rest of the party, before turning around and giving hushed threats to anyone who dares make a comment

You hear them, but it’s endearing. It shows that she care.

Pike

Pike is a very affectionate person

Not in the same flirty way as Vax or Scanlan, nor in the subtle way as Vex

Pike was just a very loving woman. Physical affection (including hugs) were just commonplace to her

Which is why she was a little stunned when you told her that you weren’t too fond of physical touch

It was hard for her, at first, because she had to find new ways to express all the love that she had for you, but your comfort came before everything

She always asked before initiating anything and you were always so thankful for that

One day, you came back to find Pike kneeling in the garden, mumbling under her breath

You assumed she was praying (for what, you weren’t sure) but you really needed her

Today had been hell and Pike had always known how to make you feel better

Sitting behind her, you gently rested your head on her shoulder

She tensed, knowing it was you, but confused by the display of touch

Still, she didn’t saying anything

‘Pike…’

She knew with that one call of her name what you needed

‘Do you want me to hug you?’

A small nod was all it took for Pike to spin around and gather you in her arms

Her hugs were like sunshine embodied

You felt all your stress and tension slip away as she held you close

Maybe she was a God herself, with the way she made you feel so safe in her embrace

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waltwhitmansbeard · 9 months

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Hello! I like your writing and I was wondering if I could request a post where Keyleth has died (set during campaign 1) and they have to do a resurrection ritual to bring her back. I love Kiki but I’ve always wanted to see what would have been said I’d she had needed to be brought from death after a fight.

If you end up ignoring this that’s ok but still love your work!💕

normally i like writing stuff that's canon compliant but this was such a fun idea i couldn't help but deviating, just a bit!

The black is the densest, heaviest fog Keyleth has ever encountered. The way it reminds her of the Water Plane sends prickles of fear up her spine—or, does she even have a spine? She looks down, and there are her hands, freckled and tanned as usual, and her legs beyond them, so she has a body. But when she looks out—black.

"Keyleth, Voice of the Tempest."

She whips around, and the fear is spiked anew as she sees the face she's seen just one other time, the day the Water Plane took the most important person from her.

Except it's not a face, but a mask, porcelain, featureless, expressionless. It is massive beyond words, the biggest thing Keyleth has ever seen, dragons be damned. Beneath the withering gaze, she feels as small as a blade of grass, tossed casually aside by a breeze.

"I...I think I fucked up."

The Raven Queen's mask remains neutral, though Keyleth swears she spies a twinkle in one eye. "Maybe so. I did not expect to see you for quite some time, Tempest."

She supposes that's true. "Be honest: where does diving off a cliff and turning into a goldfish rank on the list of dumbest deaths that brought people to you? It's gotta be top ten, right?"

"You'd be astonished what hubris you mortals are capable of."

Keyleth crosses her arms. "Now I know you aren't throwing around accusations of hubris."

A lofty, echoing chuckle. "Fair enough."

Something warm spreads slowly from a spot in the center of Keyleth's chest, as if someone has dropped wax and let it melt along her skin. She looks down, but nothing is different. "This is...strange." She looks back up at the mask. "Pike!"

"Yes, your friend is beginning the ritual. I do not imagine we will be together here long."

Keyleth supposes she should say something to her, while she has the chance. But what to say to the goddess your love serves? Treat him well? Don't take him from me? Thank you for making the wings so sensitive?

Before she can think of anything important or cool, a familiar, rumbling voice, sourceless and vast, sounds from somewhere above. "Oi Keyleth, first I gotta say, absolutely badass way to go out. Brave as hell and dumber 'n me, so obviously, I'm impressed. I know that if you ask this lot, they'd say you and me, we got the least amount in common of any of us. But I don't think that's true. I don't think any of these guys understand my rage like you do. I think you got that rage, too, and I think it's what makes you such a good leader. I don't have much to offer to entice you back, so uh...if you don't, I'll just kill Vax and let 'im join you that way."

"GROG!" Keyleth snorts at Vex's exasperated shout.

The next voice is thin, tremulous with some kind of emotion being held firmly at bay. "You know why I'm angry with you, Keyleth. You know what's been taken from me already. You know that I have had my share of mourning siblings. So it's rather fucking selfish of you to make me do it again. You're my family, and no one gets to take my family from me, not even you. So here."

Something heavy hits Keyleth in the chest, and she has to scramble to catch it before it falls away into the nothingness below: Percy's coat, the one with the de Rolo crest on the buttons. "You're a de Rolo, whether you like it or not. So get up and start fucking acting like one."

With a laugh, Keyleth buries her face in the jacket. It smells like Percy, even here in this nether realm, and she wishes she could hug him, squish his face into her shoulder until his glasses pop off.

The last voice is soft, so quiet that Keyleth has to strain to hear it. "You can't have her. If you want me, you can't have her." A shaky breath in, slow back out. "Kiki...you know that I would follow you anywhere. This great big world, and you'll never have to walk it alone, not while I draw breath. So don't go where I can't follow, please? These wings can take me far but they can't take me to where you are now, so you've got to come back to me."

And she feels them, his lips on hers, a phantom warmth in this cold expanse. She smiles, touching her fingertips to her lips.

"It is strange." The Raven Queen's voice, though still soft and measured, is suddenly jarring after Vax's words. "He may be my Champion, Tempest, but it is not me he worships."

Keyleth's not above feeling some type of way about that. "Can I go now?"

The mask is suddenly small, just in front of her, attached to a body of shadow and dark. "What a dance you and I will do, Tempest. Defying death in our own ways. I think you and I will be close companions in the years to come."

Keyleth wants to scream, or cry, or throw up, or laugh, oddly enough, but instead she just nods, and closes her eyes. When she opens them, she sees sky, and a curtain of dark hair along one side, framing wide, wet, brown eyes. "Hi."

There's lots of talking, relieved and worried and jovial and still angry at Grog, but Keyleth hears none of it. She lets Vax's arms pull her up and into a hug, crushing her to his chest so she can feel the thunderous pounding of his heart. "I'm okay," she murmurs, curling her fingers into his armor. "It's okay."

"Never where I can't follow," he breathes in her ear. "Promise me."

"I promise." And she does, because she knows that it is fate for him to one day go where she must wait a long, long time to follow.

#ask #angstygrocerystore #critical role #critical role fic #cr fic #my fic #vox machina #vox machina fic #keyleth #vaxleth #vaxleth fic

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tsunderetypea · 10 months

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Little Slayer| TLoVM x platonic!reader

Preface| Every party had its outlier. For some, most people would think it was Scanlan of the legendary group Vox Machina. Yet as we know fate has its own workings on the matter.

Enter amnesiac [Y/N] who happened to cross their paths. For the most part, they appeared utterly normal as a human could be but well as the party would soon realize there is more to them than meets the eye.

Word Count| 2148

Link to [Part 02]

[A/N]: I’ve been dying for a platonic!reader with the group even though I just started watching the animated series a couple of days ago. I apologize if at some point some of the character's seem out of character or I get something wrong.

Think of reader as the group’s Perrito or Groot in a sense.

I’m mostly making this for shenanigans so idk if this really has a plot or if this will be a couple of chapters ordeal.

This takes place after S2 of the show and I know next to nothing about what happens in Critical Role...

“Arghh! When are the others getting back! Grog hungry!..” whined the half-giant as he hugged his lower abdomen, his expression teary like that of a child as his best friend touched his bicep.

“Soon buddies, it shouldn’t be long now.” Pike assured with a smile that went away by the sounds of loud crunches heard nearby. “I’m telling you, this is the best sandwich I’ve ever made!” chomped Scanlan with a grin as he ate his meal while Grog growled at him, taking it that he was teasing him for his amusement.

“Gimme a piece!” Grog exclaimed with a lurch, trying to grab the food from him. “No! It’s not my fault you wasted your part of the gold on ale!” the bard argued back as he backed away from the bigger man’s grab.

“It was for good reason! I needed ale for my nuts-trucian!” the axe-wielder barked as he kept trying to take the sandwich from the gnome.

Pike could only watch as the two argued over the meal, Grog still trying to take the hoagie while Scanlan played keep-away.

She hoped it would not escalate.

—

“This is taking longer than I would like,” huffed Vex with a frown as she and Keyleth watched Percy and her brother negotiate the bounty they had made.

“You tell me,” the air Ashari sighed as she ran her fingers through her hair. “I just want to eat and… sleep.”

“No ale?” the half-elf questioned with a side-glance. “After the last time… no.” Keyleth nervously chuckled as she recalled their last drinking expenditure which ended mostly in vomit.

“But it was fun,” Vex teased with a nudge. “It was, the aftermath wasn’t.” she giggled.

“What, are we talking about our last drink?” interrupted Vax as he and Percy approached them. “You could say that,” answered his sister as she ushered them to leave to join the rest of the party.

Little did they know, something would change when they regrouped.

—

“For the last time Grog, I said no—“ were among the words Scanlan used in an attempt to get through his friend’s mind but fell through as the half-giant was successful in getting ahold of his meal.

“Ha, ha!” Grog said in triumph though no before Scanlan used his magic to propel himself as he managed to grab it back. “You were saying…” he said with a smirk though faded as Grog quickly lurched after him to get the delicious sustenance.

“Buddies, no!” Pike came forward in an effort to stop the two.

“Mine!” “No mine!” they both yelled as they both had their hands on the hoagie. “Let go!” Scanlan hollered though not before quickly thinking to use his bard power in kicking the sandwich out of both their hands.

“Nooo... my food!” cried the light-blue skinned half-giant. “Ha ha, smart thinking Scan,” snickered the gnome praised himself.

“Not really since you kept it away from yourself. Now you’re just feeding the rats.” pointed out Pike as the other gnome began to fully realize what he had done. “Oh shit, no!” he exclaimed as he ran toward the direction that he kicked the sandwich.

“No wait that’s mine! I’ll still eat it!” Grog followed running after him. “We can literally make another sandwich when the others get back!” Pike called after them but her words fell on death ears as they vanished from sight.

‘I better make sure they don’t do something stupid…’ were among the cleric’s thoughts as she also ran after them.

—

“Let’s see…” you whispered to yourself as you clambered down from the trash bins you had been searching in. “Not a bad haul if I do say myself [Y/N].” you said with a smile with your hands on your hips looking over the food you had managed to scavenge.

An orange looking fruit that was a bit mushy in some areas, some moldy bread, and the bone of a turkey leg with little chunks of meat here and there made up your score. You were truly feasting that night.

You slid down against the wall, grabbing the moldy piece of bread as you sat down to eat at last. Carefully you picked off the mold before taking a bite out of it, the staleness of the loaf entering your tastebuds as you looked up to the stars.

Normally you would have been chased off if people found you going through their trash even if it was for food, but tonight was the first time in a while that hadn’t happen.

‘Maybe my luck is finally changing…’ you thought with a small smile as you finished the last of the bread, though your stomach growled for more.

With only your name as the thing you truly knew for sure about yourself you had no idea who you were or where you came from as you wandered the land in search for… even you had no idea what you were doing.

Something you supposed.

But there was something inside you that urged you to go on despite your impoverished predicament you were in. So you had to continue, whatever it was.

That was until you heard a splat of something very close to you. “Ahh I’ve been hit!” you shrieked, thinking you were wounded as you felt something splatter on you, your eyes shutting close to brace the pain.

But you felt… nothing?

Carefully you opened one eye, looking around before looking at yourself to see if there was any sign of bodily harm on you. But all you found was a tomato slice on your cheek.

“Huh?” you uttered in confusion as you opened both eyes completely to look around at what had caused the noise from earlier and the origin of tomato slice only to find a somewhat squished sandwich on your right. It happened to land on the flipped crate you were using as a table to hold your dinner though now it was on top of it.

Seeing this as possibly a sign of some sort you quickly said a “Thank you!” before diving into the slightly pulverized sandwich.

You couldn’t stop yourself from slowly eating as you chowed down on the food, savoring each bite. Yet it was in your ignorance that you hadn’t noticed the rumbling sounds of something larger stomping close by.

“Hey let go of my sand—“ a loud voice boomed before feeling something grab the neck of your shirt as you were lifted to meet the eyes of a giant in your eyes. “AAH!” you screamed dropping the sandwich while Grog looked at you speechless at the sight of your scrawny form. He had expected to pick up a rat not a person which is why he cut off from speaking when he lifted you up.

“I’m sorry! I didn’t know it was yours!” you quickly apologized as you averted your eyes from him. Grog said nothing yet kept looking at you. You had no idea what he was going to do to you so you kept talking.

“I’ll get you a new one! I’ll sell my uh, my arm to pay you back!” you squeaked, your mind in panic over the situation you were in.

“You better pay me back..” said a new voice.

You looked up to see a gnome coming up beside the giant with an even more pissed off expression. Though his expression faltered slightly when he saw you being held up by his friend and even more so when he saw his sandwich splattered on the ground.

“My sandwich!” Scanlan cried at his now wasted meal, his knees buckling in despair at the sight of its ruin.

“I’ll-I’ll pay you back too!” he heard you utter, though confusion crossed his expression at your words. “Why would you have to pay me back kid?” he asked as he rose to his feet.

“Because I was eating it and then he grabbed me and I dropped it!” you quickly said as you tried your hardest not to cry.

“Aww Scan, they remind me of Pike. Can we keep them?” Grog now held you to his chest which made you jolt as you thought he would crush you. Now you were just trembling in his arms.

“Look they even vibrate!” he added with a grin.

“They aren’t a pet, Grog. Besides, we would all have to decide.” the bard pointed out.

“Decide what?”

Grog and Scanlan turned to see Vex and the others join them with Pike leading the way.

“Buddies!” Pike said in relief before running over to meet them closer and it was then she saw you in the half-giant’s arms.

“Who’s this?” she asked questioningly as the others approached behind her. “Are they another person in a bounty?” Vax queried all the while looking you up and down.

“It doesn’t appear so…” Percy was quick to offer his judgment and he was proven correct when Scanlan said, “no it’s some kid Grog picked up that was eating my sandwich.”

The four of them expect Pike sent confused glances their way before the cleric sent them a “it’s a long story” glance at them.

“But I was saying we should keep them! They even vibrate!” Grog spoke enthusiastically.

“Grog they are a person not a pet.” Vex spoke with her arms crossed. “Besides they are trembling from fear not because they actually vibrate.” she stated as she took a look at you. “… unless there is a creature that can do such a thing.”

“None that I have seen,” piped Keyleth as she went forward to the half-giant. “Yes, with that said put them down, Grog.” ordered Vax as Grog groaned, disappointed before taking heed in his command.

You could feel the smooth stone under your feet as you were gently put down, though it didn’t stop you from shaking as you now head yourself. You felt your throat blocked off as if you had swallowed a frog as no words exited your lips.

“Are you okay?” asked the air Ashari as she sent you a comforting smile. “Sorry about Grog, he means no harm… most of the time.” Pike had joined in and also sent you a comforting glance.

But she tried to hide the true face she wanted to make at the overall state you were in. They all were trying to not show their pity.

You were dirty and obviously malnourished, a state no one should be in especially someone as young as you. Percy obviously saw himself in you and looked away when you felt his gaze on you. There were some things of the past that still pained him.

“I’m… okay,” you managed to croak out. “I’m sorry about your sandwich,” she turned to Grog and Scanlan. “I’ll pay you back—“ “No it wasn’t your fault. You had every right to eat it. Right Grog?” the bard elbowed the strongest member of the party.

“Oh right! Well since I can’t keep you, I’ll give you some money to eat!..” Grog looked to Percy and the twins in response as they caught on and quickly got out some of the gold they were rewarded. “Right, here’s your half,” Vax tossed him his portion of the bounty. “Mine too, I don’t mind.” Percy quietly added this time actually looking at you and sending an empathetic look to you.

You quietly gasped recognizing that he had also been in your shoes even though in your eyes he hadn’t looked like he had been. In that moment you were trying to figure out why they were helping you when you had done nothing worthy for them.

But your thoughts were cut short when Grog pressed the gold coins in your hand, you looking up to meet his brown eyes.

“I can’t accept this,” the words spilled out of your mouth. “This is yours… you might need it than I do.” you said truthfully.

“But we want you to have it darling. It’s a gift. Please take it.” came the soothing voice of Vex as she assured you.

“Yeah, take it so you can eat… maybe another sandwich,” offered Scanlan with a wink.

“We have to go now but please take care of yourself,” Vax spoke directly at you, your eyes locking to his. He wished they could help you more but they had to worry more on the journey ahead of them with Tal’Dorei at stake.

They could at least do some good along the way.

“Yeah, be safe.” Keyleth sent you another smile before leaving you to join Percy and the half-elven twins. “Who knows we might meet again,” Pike encouraged as she also left to join them.

“Bye my little pet,” Grog patted your head before leaving with Scanlan. They all waved at you before leaving the alleyway as you stood watching them leave.

However, the air around you seemed different as they disappeared from sight.

Something had changed within you.

#tlovm fic #the legend of vox machina #TLoVM #critical role #critical role the legend of vox machina #x reader #tlovm x reader #platonic #the legend of vox machina x reader #Little Slayer #Little Slayer TLoVM Fic #The Legend of Vox Machina #Legend of Vox Machina #Vox Machina #Vox Machina x Reader

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romeoandjulietyouwish · 1 year

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Vex never believed she was good enough for their father. Vax always knew that wasn't true. In his eyes his sister is the most wonderful person in the world. She is kind, though Vax knows most people can't see that. She's beautiful, most people can see that.

And more than that, she's his other half, she is the best parts of all of him.

And now she's dead in his arms and he wishes that he was dead along side her. How can his heart keep beating when hers is still?

He sobs and it's the only thing he can do, the only thing his body will let him do.

He remembers standing in the rain, clinging to his sister as tight as he could, crying as he begged her not to go far from him. And how just last night he had made her make the same promise.

Vex put her arm around him, pulling him towards where she had made camp. She'd made quite a meal for herself, he noted. More evidence that she didn't need him.

But Vex sat him down by the fire, she pressed a piece of meat into his hands, urging him to eat. He didn't even have to ask, she sat pressed to his side, leaning her head on his shoulder.

"I always need you," Vex told him softly, her voice very audible over the rain.

He shook his head, "You don't need to lie to me. It's alright, I've...come to terms with it by now. I know you love me just as much as I love you."

Vex hugged him tight, "I love you too. Want some more food?"

He shook his head again, "No, you take some more."

She'd given him a look, but took more, settling back against him. He held her tight when they slept that night, half terrified that she would leave him in the middle of the night.

She didn't, of course she didn't.

All Vax can do is sob.

#critical role #vox machina #tlovm #the legend of vox machina #tlovm spoilers

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kerubimcrepin · 3 months

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Episode 15 - Teeny Keke

I think it's interesting that there are ruins just outside the city. Goes to show, that even in these times, there were layers upon layers of history...

And that's not to mention how many layers there are by Dofus MMO times.

Or the way all this history is at the bottom of the ocean by Wakfu times.

He has an upside down ad.

why.

His mood swings continue to be the show's highlight.

Oh no. It's his weakness:

Women.

This is, to my knowledge, the only real item among the ones that he shows.

He's NEVER beating those Waven Bonta Cannibalism Allegations.

Are the Cannibalism Allegations canon? I hadn't played Waven, so I can't say for sure what the fuck Joris (and by proxy, Kerubim and Atcham) are doing at the helm of Bontarian government, and whether it involves cannibalism besides all the other warcrimes apparently committed.

Is it funny to mention them right after Kerubim spoke of eating sentient species? Abso-fucking-lutely.

Also, there's an emergency exit in the back, behind the two women. Luis is confirmed OSHA-compliant.

(edit: nvm it's a "this is not an emergency exit" sign. This house is gleefully OSHA non-compliant.)

He's a gross, gross old man, but god, his enthusiasm for selling things is so contagious.

This is an item in both of the MMOs. A timeless classic in the World of Twelve, I suppose.

Never let it be forgotten that this fucking map has known Joris for 600 years. And neither of them even brought it up. Very cunty.

Not a Dofus item, but a reference to Dragon Ball.

Yesss queen use your son as a guinea pig.

(Also, these wands are real items in the games, just so you know.)

I need to kill him so bad, and I don't even know why.

Anyway, another Joris salute moment.

I just want to hug Joris. So bad.

I know it could just be Simone being cool, which is a likely thing for her to be — but it always struck me as odd, the fact that she can last in combat for at least little bit, and how fast she is to grab, and use, a weapon.

I guess it might not be too strange, considering the setting. Maybe she used to be an adventurer, as a hobby, and realized she doesn't like that sort of lifestyle. Maybe something else. But it really makes one wonder where she came from, when coupled with her cryptic answers of "Oh I'm from afar."

Mind you, she doesn't seem to be a Warrior Lady. It's just that she has some skill, but not masterful skill, and that leaves a lot of theories on the table.

They are literally so special.

And their first instinct is to hug. I can't do this anymore. I can't do this anymore. 😭💕

I love how in sync they are, to the point of even saying this together.

Yeah, Keke. I also love staring at Joris when he's happy.

Seasonal depression ass. Also, not-so-seasonal depression ass, considering how he was acting just like this in the Vax's Art episode too.

It is nice to get a confirmation that Kerubim is prone to mood swings like that, and that I was right that he mostly seemed like... unwell in that episode, even before his 30-50 art related panic attacks.

However, even on our worst days, we all still have to fuckin' clean. Sad.

#ep15 #wakfu #dofus #krosmoz #ro liveblogs dofus

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blueseachelle · 1 year

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Can you write a Vax x reader smut. Where they have beat the concave and helping rebuild Tal dori and Vax is getting stressed and the reader helps de stress him.

Another Vax request!! I’m so happy for this one. So, the keep will be rebuilt in this. We love a de stressing fic! If this was not up to standard, let me know! Rewrites can always happen! No problem! So, anyway, enjoy!

Use Me.

Critical Role Vox Machina

Vax x Fem! Reader

MINORS DO NOT INTERACT

It has been extremely busy around. You and the rest of Vox Machina were trying to piece back together what was destroyed by the Concave that started this shit show. You have been helping Vox Machina ever since the first Vestige they acquired. You may be the latest to join but, it seemed like you have been there forever. During your travels with them, Vax gained feelings for you and confessed them. You returned those feelings back. You have been with him ever since.

When you first got to the keep(after it was rebuilt, or course), Vax told you that you will be sharing a room with him. You didn’t mind. As long as he didn’t mind “nerd books” lying around everywhere. You are an (High Elf) Artificer. Arcana and books are your thing. You are amazing at your work and help the team get out a lot of tight situations. You were excepted immediately among them.

You have been helping rebuild for about 3 months now. There is always a problem and situation. All of you are happy to help but, sometimes you need a break. You finally caught one. After many sleepless nights and traveling, you finally got a second. You locked yourself in you and Vax’s room and took a long rest. I know Elves don’t “Sleep” but, in this case it seemed like you were actually sleeping instead on being in a meditative state.

Vax walked down the corridor to his and your’s room. He stretched as he walked. He didn’t know how much more of this helping he could do before he would snap. He just spent all day helping a kid find his cat. Of course he isn’t a monster, helped the kid but, if you can’t even describe the color of your cat, is it really your cat? He just sighed. All he wanted to do is finally relax. It’s been weeks since he even got to relax with his beloved. He just hoped she was waiting for him on the other side of that door.

He got to the door and twisted the handle. It was locked. He groaned and grabbed his key. He swore under his breath as he unlocked it. If it was on of Scanlan pranks again, he was gonna lose his shit. He swung the door open. He breathed a sigh of relief. There were no goats or an Orc prostitute. His keen eyes picked up on the shape in his bed. It was you. He smiled and closed the door behind him. As he made his way to the bed, he mindlessly took of his armor, lazily dropping it to the floor will dull thuds and a tick every now and then because something metal hit the cold floor.

You have been asleep for a good 5 hours. Now, you were in your meditative state. The soft thuds and ticks from Vax’s armor woke you up. You felt a weight on the side of the bed. You peeked one eye open and say the raven locks of your lovely rogue. You smiled and adjusted to lay on your side, facing him. He was taking off his boots as you watched him. After he finished taking off everything, has just left in his boxers. He finally turned to you. His eyes met yours. He gave you a loving smile,

“I’m sorry, Darling, I didn’t mean to wake you.”

You returned his smile,

“It’s okay. I’m just happy that you’re here now. I’ve missed you.”

Vax chuckled and crawled into bed with you. He laid on his side facing you and gave you a hug,

“I’ve missed you too. This whole building and fixing thing has been such a fucking mess. I don’t know how much more of this I can take.”

You nodded,

“I get it. It’s stressful. Everyone relays on us so much. It’s a lot.”

Vax gave you a long kiss full of longing. After the kiss ended, he looked down and smirked,

“No bra today?”

You blushed,

“Yeah. All this working and walking around is making my boobs ache. I needed the relief.”

Vax’s hand came up and found it’s way to one of the squishy mounds,

“I think I know how to de-stress both of us. Only if you’re up for it, of course. I know you must be tired.”

You shook your head,

“I’m not tired at all. I love you, Vax. I want you to relax too.”

Vax smiled and squeezed her exposed chest,

“I love you too, Y/n. Thank you.”

With that, he leaned down and captured her lips with his. The kiss was filled with hunger and lust. He snaked his tongue into your mouth. You let out a slight moan. Your hands found there way to his hair, tugging slightly.

Vax readjusted your positions to where he was on top of you now. The new position made the kiss even deeper as he trailed his hands down your body. After the kiss finally split, he moved to his lips down to your jawline. He nipped and kiss his way down your neck, of course, he abused that one spot that always made you let out a slight squeak. He smirked into your neck as he continued his way down. He slowly kissed down your body, abusing the areas that he knew that would make you quiver in pleasure.

He finally made his way to your thighs. He kissed and nipped on your quivering thighs. You let out whimpers as he took his time teasing you.

“V-Vax. P-Please.”

He let out a deep chuckle.

“I know, My Love.”

Vax relented his sweet torture. He moved his curious lips to your clothed entrance. He could taste your wetness through your black panties. He lapped at you through the cloth. You arched your back off the bed below you. Your hands descended immediately down to his dark locks.

After a couple more seconds, Vax removed the cloth finally. His lips made contact with the warm, wet flesh. His tongue prodded at the entrance. You let out a moan. His hand moved from your thigh and joined it with his tongue. A single digit entered. You gasped,

“V-Vax!”

He smirked and continued. He slowly moved the finger in and out. Soon, adding a second finger into the mix. He twisted and turned his fingers expertly. He knew exactly how to make you unravel. You felt the familiar coil in your abdomen. You arched your back even more and gripped onto your beloved’s hair for dear life. He felt how you started to tighten around his fingers. You didn’t have to say one word.

Vax started to curve his fingers more and started to suck more. The coil in you abdomen began to get larger and larger. Your hands gripped onto his hair and thighs tightened around his head,

“Vax’ildan!”

With a shout of his name, you came into his awaiting mouth. He removed his fingers and licked up the wonderful nectar that seeped from your quivering hole. You slowly came down from your high as he cleaned you up. You released your thighs and hands finally after relaxing. You heard a chuckle from between your thighs. You locked down to see Vax wiping your slick from his chin.

“Babe, you really thought I would be done with you?”

He crawled towards you before continuing,

“I have a lot of pent up stress and I think you do too, My Love, and,”

He brushed her hair from her forehead and pushed his hard on against her thigh,

“We have all night to get rid of it.”

With that, Vax brought you into a deep kiss and his tongue sneaked into your mouth. You wrapped you arms around him. After the kiss parted finally, you pushed your thigh against is clothed cock. You made eye contacted with him as you caught your breath,

“Use me.”

Vax immediately lost self control. He would live up to your request. He loved you and you loved him. He would always leave you satisfied (after every time you make love) yet wanting more, as he should.

I hope you enjoyed this! I will see you in the next one!

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critical-roll-fanfics · 1 year

Text

Bandages (Grog Strongjaw x reader)

Looking around at the group of assholes around me. Dragging our asses back to whitestone after kicking some serious ass.

Pike tried her best to heal us all from the brink of death but in doing that she exusted herself. She is now in Grogs arms, being cradles against his chest. He is stroking her hair as she rests, regaining her strength.

Grog is the best out of us all he has a sadness in his eyes, looking amongst all of his wounded friends, knowing he can't help them.

Vex is helping Percy limp along.

Vax clinging to Kelith for dear life.

Scanlan, mourning the lute that is now snapped in two.

Me, well, I'm clutching my still bleeding side. Walking behind the rest of my friends, making sure no one gets left behind.

Whitestone is visable just being in veiw.

-----------------------------------------------

Walking through the crowded streets we aproch the castle.

Some servents help the rest off the group get inside to Keeper Yennen and her staff. One of the comes up to me and try to put his arm around me.

"No thank you, I can deal with myself." I snap at him, making the others look at me in shock. I shake my head and walk swiftly past everyone into the castle.

Walking through the gaurd lined halls and up the steps, I make my way into my room. I open my drawer and rumage through the shit in it, looking for the bandages that I keep in there. It takes a minute before my hand finally finds one. "Fuck yeah." I say as I bring the bandages out of the drawer. I walk into my bathroom to draw myself a warm bath, setting the bandages on the table at the side of the bath.

I strip off all of my armor and place it down gently in a bin to be cleaned by the door to my room before walking back into the bathroom and setting myself down into the warm water, allowing the water to engulf my body. The water seeping into my fresh wounds, the blood still trickling out, giving the water a slight read tint. I hiss as the water seeps further into my wound, stinging the flesh inside of them.

I sit there and wash myself before fully submerging my head into the water. I sit there fully submerged untill I need to come up for air. I sit up and take a deep breath. I stand from the water to dry myself off.

Wrapping myself in a towel I grab the bandages while walking past the table into my room.

A heavy knock comes from my door just as I walk into my room. "Ugh." I walk over and place my hand on the door knob, debating on weither or not to open it. I turn the knob and open the door a little bit to see who it was. Grog stood there looking down at me with those innocent eyes.

"Are you ok Y/N?" He says looking me over, noticing that my hair was wet. "Am I interupting something?" He tilts his head

"No Grog. Actully I could use your help." I say smiling at my great idea. I open the door wider and invite him in. He closes his eyes when he notices my lack of clothing.

"Should I give you a minute?"

"Let me throw some pants on and you'll be good love" I go over to my dresser and pick out the baggeist pants I have, putting them on and completely dropping my towel, looking down at my still gaping wound. "Alright Grog, you can open your eyes." He opens his eyes, that soon find my bare top half, scanning over it, eyes eventully finding the gash on my side.

"You should get that checked out." He says point down at the wound.

"Nah, I heal fast, I just need some help bandageing this up." I say giving his a smile and holding out the bandage. He walks over and takes the bandage out of my hand, unraveling it, and wrapping it around my body until the wound is fully covered. Stepping back to admire his work, giving me a thumbs up. "Thank you Grog." I say reaching for a shirt that was laying on the floor, pulling it over my head and going up to him, and hugging him. I feel is strong arms wrap around my as he picks me up and gives me a bone crushing hug.

"Y/N, I'm glad that your ok."

"I'm glad I'm ok to, but I need to go to bed."

"Oh ok." He looks sad as he puts me down. I grab onto his hand.

"Stay?"

"Yes." As he says this he swoops me up and lays me down on my bed, laying next to me he uses on arm to pull the blankets up onto us and the other wraps around me.

#grog strongjaw x reader #grog x reader #vox machina fic

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blorbologist · 9 months

Text

Two for joy: Chapter 38

The earth titan teleporting in Vecna’s place leaves room for a long descent as Vox Machina slowly drift back down to earth. Clearly the horrors in its bowels were not included in the spell, resulting in quite a splatter of rotting flesh and bone. Zahra and Kashaw wave them down in a less gorey patch, the latter pumping healing into them both.

Ravens descend as fog onto the corpses, merrily getting to their goddess’ work. Mortal in every way, squabbling and poking for anything edible. There’s a flash of white among them - one magpie, or perhaps two.

Vex’s legs shake when she touches down, gratefully putting Percy on his feet. His arm remains around her waist, tight even against what might be a broken rib. She leans into the living ache.

It takes a moment for her numb fingers to summon Galdric from the necklace. Fate-gold glow and lupine eyes match perfectly as they open. “Sorry you didn’t get to kill a god, buddy.”

“Rrrrf,” he huffs, ears twitching at that last bit. Right - still not on a buddy basis, yet. There’s something a bit resigned to him as he limps closer, arranging himself at Vex’s side.

“You got that big nasty vampire, though,” Vex points out, drawing her knuckles under his chin. That gets a reluctant wag of his tail.

Velora, busy pestering Kashaw ‘the human’ (oh, that’s going to be an ordeal, isn’t it?), gasps. “A puppy?!”

Galdric does not make a move to evade the child bounding over, her exhaustion forgotten. He does give Vex the most pathetic look, begging for her to call off Velora. No such luck.

“The Slayer's Take is in desperate need,” Zahra is saying. “We should check on the sphinx.”

Vex abandons the wolf to her sister’s fussing and cooing. “We can't thank you enough - again,” she says. “I'm so glad you're alright.”

Kashaw has his arm slung over Vax’s shoulder and is muttering something to him, pausing just long enough to go “I’m totally kidding, that’s never going to happen” and spurring them and a nearby Keyleth into laughter. Ravens scatter at the sound.

Zahra rolls her eyes, fond, and leans towards Vex conspiratorially. “We’ll get a Sending stone,” she promises. “If you need me- well, I won't come, because I'll be away, but -”

“Yeah - yeah.” Vex waves her free hand around (Percy still hasn’t let go, though he seems content to just listen). “You'll be a little busy with the - child and all.”

Somehow that feels more ludicrous than the fact they just defeated a god. Her friends are having a baby.

“A little busy, yes. But come and visit if you get a chance. Who knows?” Zahra grins sharp. “Twins run in my family, so you never know.”

“Really?” Correction: her friends might be having two babies.

Vex slides her hand free of Percy’s hold to envelop Zahra in a hug. It’s something weak and shaky, and she’s half sure their blood smears together across their arms. Wings curl around them, brushing the tips of Zahra’s horns, and pressure around Vex’s wrist reveals itself to be Zahra’s tail, looping lightly around it.

“I love you, darling.”

“I love you so much. Congratulations.”

As Zahra drifts away to offer goodbyes to Scanlan and Grog in turn, Vex finds Percy’s fingers drift from her shoulder, down her arm, back into her grasp. Still hanging on.

“You’re being very literal,” she notes, soft.

He shrugs. “Figured there’s no harm to it.”

Vex squeezes back. Enjoys the muted quiet of the space, the hum of her friends and little sister talking over eachother. No, enjoy is a lie - she’s too tired for real joy, she’s writing a memoir with this hum. Her whole life could be distilled to Vax and Grog bickering, Velora asking something of Keyleth, Percy’s thoughtful presence, and Zahra’s -

“Percy.” Both of them jump to see Zahra sashaying her way back to them. She leans heavily into the gunslinger’s side, effectively sandwiching him.

Without pupils, it’s quite hard to tell - but Vex is sure she glances up at him from where she’s tucked her head against his shoulder, horn pushing into his jaw. “Take care of our girl.”

Percy softens. A debate breaks out among the carrion birds, almost drowning his words: “I’ll try -”

“Take care of her,” says Zahra, with no room for debate.

(Vex’s heart, too slow, wonders how long he will have to.)

[One for sorrow] [Ch1] [Keep reading on AO3]

#posting to tumblr a little early too. while I Hide #if it's any comfort... I cried writing this. I love them so much. I hope I did this justice. I just hope. fuck #critical role #campaign 1 #cr 1 #vox machina #vex'ahlia #vax'ildan #perc'ahlia #cr fanfic #critical role fanfiction #my writing #my art #The Raven Queen #cr1 spoilers #vex and vax

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ravendruid · 3 months

Text

Be In My Eyes - Chapter 26

You can read the previous chapters here or on AO3. This chapter will forever be one of my favorite things I've ever wrote. Summary: It's Karaoke hour at Glorious (check the end for the songs).

Glorious was already full by the time Vox Machina arrived, although it was not as crowded as the last time Keyleth went out drinking with the girls. Coincidentally, Keyleth realized it had been a month since her “date” with Kashaw and that she hadn’t seen or heard from him ever since. Maybe he wasn’t that interested in her or getting to know her if he was waiting for Keyleth to message him. Regardless, Keyleth was at the bar with her friends and things had changed since the last time. She had no desire to pursue Kash or even talk to him other than to order drinks.

Gilmore received them at the door, looking incredible as always, wearing a purple wizard costume, a long, pointy hat and a white beard that reached his navel. He greeted them with flair immediately as soon as the group set foot past the door, holding a tray of drinks emitting white smoke. The bar had been appropriately decorated with masks on the walls, streamers of different colors, tealight candles that looked like they were floating, and glowing stars on the ceilings and curtains. It looked whimsical.

Vex’ahlia was the first to step up to hug Gilmore, saying, “Gilmore, you look—”

“Glorious, darling?”

“Obviously,” Vex replied, taking a glass from the tray with a wink. Gilmore winked back and started handing out drinks to everyone, observing and commenting on each one’s costumes. The man stopped in his tracks once he reached Keyleth and Vax (who were still holding hands), and his face opened up in a broad grin.

“Well, well, well. What do we have here?” He asked knowingly. Keyleth was shocked to see Vax’s embarrassment as he rubbed the back of his neck and looked away.

“We picked randomly to dress up as each other,” Keyleth replied, taking her drink from Gilmore’s hand. “We happened to get each other.”

“I see that,” Gilmore looked up and down at her. “I have to say, you look good in black, little dove. Or should I call you ‘little raven’ tonight?”

Keyleth laughed and shook her head, “Thank you, Gil.”

“And you,” Gilmore turned to Vax, handing over the last drink. “Don’t you look… something alright.” Gil’s eyes drifted down Vax’s body, stopping where he and Keyleth were still holding hands between them. When the man looked back up with a glimmer in his eyes, Vax’s cheeks were red. “I see you have something to tell me.”

Keyleth finally realized she was still holding onto Vax’s hand, so she let go and shoved her hand in the pocket of her jacket. Gilmore’s expression changed at that, the smile turned upside down and the glimmer of joy in his eyes had died when he looked between the two.

“Or maybe not. We’ll talk later. I need to go make sure Kashaw isn’t bankrupting me,” Gilmore said with a small nod before he turned to return to the bar, but just as he was leaving, he stopped and turned his head above his shoulder, grinning at the group in general, and at Scanlan in particular, “Oh, and we have Karaoke tonight. Make sure you sign up upstairs!”

Gilmore’s mention of karaoke was more than enough to spark a few flames within the group (especially Scanlan and Grog), so instead of doing their usual look-around for a booth downstairs, the group climbed up the steps in search of an empty alcove, which they luckily found without issue. Scanlan and Grog were gone before Keyleth even crossed the curtain, running to the other side of the dancefloor to pick up a songbook. Without them, there was enough room on the big, white sofa for everyone else, but as soon as the two men returned, Keyleth found herself pressed hard against Vax’s side to make room.

“Is this okay?” Vax asked her, draping his arm over the back of the couch behind Keyleth’s shoulders. He was right at the edge of the seat, and the entirety of Keyleth’s right side was glued to his left. It felt cozy and intimate, and she didn’t mind it at all for a second. Keyleth nodded, finally taking a sip from the drink Gilmore had handed them since the smoke was completely gone. It was sweet and spicy, and it burned going down her esophagus. Between the heat of the drink and pressed bodies, it didn’t take long for Keyleth to start sweating, so while her friends were distracted pouring over the songbook and arguing about who got to duet with whom, Keyleth took off her—nope, Vax’s—jacket.

“Here, give it to me,” Vax made a grabbing motion. Keyleth handed Vax the jacket and he set it on the back of the couch behind him, but when his arm returned to the back of the couch, he let his hand fall to Keyleth’s shoulder, with his fingers sliding under the short sleeve, and he started drawing circles on her skin. “Still okay?” He asked softly. Keyleth gulped another sip of her drink and nodded, ignoring the twist and turn of her stomach at the touch.

The songbook found its way into Keyleth’s hands after everyone was done selecting songs. She looked at Vax inquisitively, but he shook his head as if to say no way I’m singing. Keyleth shrugged and opened the book between them, making sure Vax could still read in case he changed his mind. There were a few songs in the book that she knew and felt comfortable singing, but one in particular caught her attention. She listened to it for the first time the afternoon after Vax picked her up from the coffee shop and immediately related to the lyrics, so much so that she lost count of how many times the song played on repeat during the past month. Keyleth was almost completely sure that Vax was attracted to her, especially after the moment they shared after the snow battle, but there was still that tinge of doubt inside her that she needed to clear, and what better way than through music?

I’m going to make a fool of myself if this doesn’t work, Keyleth thought, passing the book to Vax, who gave her a surprised look as she got up. Keyleth shrugged as she followed the rest of her friends to the sign-up sheet (receiving another incredulous look from Vex’ahlia), not surprised to see that only Vax and Percy stayed behind.

The karaoke machine was all set up on the small stage on the other side of the dancefloor, next to a table where a woman in her early twenties with thick glasses took note of the participants. Scanlan was obviously the first to approach the woman, greeting her with a charming smile that turned her cheeks bright red even under the colored spotlights.

“Hello,” She greeted the rest of the group as they spread out around Scanlan.

“Hi! Are you Gilmore’s new employee?” Pike asked nicely. The woman nodded timidly.

“My name is Sherri. Nice to meet you all. Would you like to sign up for our karaoke night?”

“Yes, please, Sherri,” Vex’ahlia replied, also kindly. The woman seemed to relax a bit as she started to write down their names and songs. Scanlan demanded to go first—obviously—then Grog and Pike signed up as a duo, then Vex’ahlia, and lastly Keyleth.

“I’m going downstairs to grab us some drinks,” Vex informed the group. Pike, Grog and Scanlan volunteered to help, so once Vex took note of Keyleth’s drink, she added two more for Percy and Vax, and left Keyleth to return to their alcove alone.

“Where did everyone go?” Percy asked when Keyleth sat in the middle of the boys. She noted the closed songbook on the table and wondered if Vax had found any songs that interested him. Maybe she could convince him to sing if she worked her charm or gave him enough drinks. She was certainly curious to know if singing was one of his mysteries.

“They went downstairs to grab drinks. Don’t worry, Vex will bring you both a drink.” The boys nodded and Keyleth leaned back into the couch, feeling Vax’s arm around her shoulders, even though it wasn’t necessary at the moment. She relished in the feeling though. “Did you find any songs you like?” Keyleth asked him quietly enough so Percy wouldn’t hear them.

“There are a few good ones, but I’m not singing,” Vax gave her a charming smile.

“We’ll see about that,” Keyleth replied, winking, and finished the rest of the drink Gilmore had given them at the entrance. Vax’s stunned expression was all she needed to know her first hit had landed perfectly, just as planned.

“You won’t believe who’s downstairs,” Vex said when she and Pike returned a few minutes later, setting their drinks on the table in front of them. Vex sat next to Keyleth, so close to Percy that she was practically on his lap. Pike leaned her head forward from the man’s other side, giving Keyleth a knowing look with wiggly eyebrows as she sipped her drink.

“Who?” Keyleth asked even though she had a feeling she knew the answer. She took a sip of her drink and smiled in thanks to the other girls. They had brought her a sweet cocktail, none of that awful tequila stuff Vex loved.

“Kashaw,” Vex grimaced. Keyleth felt Vax tense next to her, his glass pausing halfway to his lips, waiting as if he knew his sister wasn’t done sharing bad news. “He asked if you were here.”

“What did you tell him?”

Vex’ahlia paused. She took a long, slow swig of her margarita—from the color, it looked like she had asked for a flavored version—and sighed. Keyleth’s fingers became suddenly cold, something she knew was not due to her drink. One of her hands started shaking and she tried to hide it by hugging herself before anyone noticed the tremor. What had Vex told Kash? If he wanted to know that badly if Keyleth had come to the party with her friends, why hadn’t he texted her? He could have invited her or at least told her about the party, but he didn’t. Would whatever Vex had told him even matter? Did Keyleth really care what Kashaw thought of her after he asked her out, behaved like an ass, and then ignored her? Vax shifted, leaning closer against Keyleth (which she didn’t think would be possible considering she was able to feel the entirety of his side pressed against her) as if he was trying to make his presence even more known to her. His hand grabbed her shoulder, and he gave her a reassuring squeeze. Keyleth didn’t have to turn her head to know Vax was looking at her with that adoration he always had, the look that filled her with warmth, safety and joy. No. Keyleth decided that whatever Vex told Kashaw and whatever he thought about her afterward meant nothing.

“I told him you were here on a date,” Vex’ahlia finally said, glancing at her brother’s hand on Keyleth’s shoulder and giving them both a wink.

Oh shit. Keyleth didn’t need a mirror to know she looked dumbfounded. She also heard Vax hold his breath at her side like he was waiting to react to his sister’s information depending on whatever Keyleth said or did next. No pressure or anything. “That sounds good,” Keyleth avoided looking at Vax as she grabbed her drink and took a large gulp. “He had his chance and threw it away. I’m not going to sit around and wait for him to man-up and fight for me.”

“That’s the right spirit,” Vex patted Keyleth’s knee and turned to Percy, who was gawking—not at Vex’ahlia, but at Vax, as Keyleth realized when she turned to see Vax’s stunned face. Keyleth bit the end of her straw nervously and closed Vax’s open jaw with the knuckle of her index finger with a wink.

Vax was still staring at Keyleth in disbelief when Sherri’s soft-spoken voice sounded through the speakers, “Good evening, everyone! Let’s open up Karaoke night with our first performance by Scanlan Shorthalt.” Keyleth finally tore her eyes from Vax to cheer at her friend, who picked up the microphone and bowed at the few people gathered on the dancefloor so expertly that it was obvious to anyone that Scanlan loved the stage lights.

Scanlan could sing, everyone knew that, but knowing and seeing it in action was different, and even more shocking to them was that he had picked a ballad. Not just any ballad, though. It was almost like a love declaration. A song that he sang with his gaze fixed on Pike, who squirmed in her seat between Percy and Grog in embarrassment.

“Does Scanlan have a crush on Pike?” Keyleth found herself whispering to Vax.

“Worse. I think he might be in love with her,” Vax replied, equally as quiet.

“I didn’t think Scanlan could feel love,” Keyleth thought out loud. Vax gave her a look and they both started laughing. It wasn’t entirely wrong, but it wasn’t exactly true. Scanlan loved women of all shapes and sizes, but they never thought that he would ever lower his walls enough to allow his heart to be stolen. Although, thinking about it, if anyone were to steal Scanlan’s heart, Pike Trickfoot was the best contender.

Once the song ended with a soft note, the small crowd that had gathered on the dancefloor clapped and cheered—some ladies even fanned themselves—and Scanlan bent down in a shallow bow before he left the stage. He looked surprisingly timid, especially when he finally reached the alcove and sat by Pike’s side, who was trying hard to look everywhere but at him with flushed cheeks.

Sherri grabbed the microphone calling for Grog and Pike, the former practically dragging the small girl by the collar of her blazer toward the stage. Keyleth’s stomach leaped as she realized that after them, there would only be one other person before her turn to sing. That realization alone was more than enough for Keyleth to take a large gulp of her drink as she ignored her frigid and shaky hands.

“Are you cold?” Vax asked. Keyleth looked at him, confused. Somewhere on the stage Pike and Grog sang the first lines of a cheerful song. “You’re shaking,” Vax explained.

“I’m okay,” Keyleth replied, trying to hide her trembling voice. “Just nervous.”

“It’ll be okay,” Vax leaned in and kissed her temple. “You’ll be okay.” Keyleth nodded and looked at the stage. Vex’s words came back to her, I told him you were here on a date. Was it too forward for Keyleth to act like Vex’s implication that she and Vax had come to the party together was not a big deal? She hadn’t thought about Vax’s feelings over what his sister implied —although he didn’t seem to mind it—or what it would mean for his relationship with Gilmore if word got out. Shit. What does it mean? Keyleth tensed as a new wave of anxiety filled her. The increasing heartbeats in her chest did not help her calm down.

“Hey,” Vax held Keyleth’s face back to him. Fuck, does he have to look at me like that all the time? “You don’t have to sing. You can just tell them you changed your mind.” He tried to reassure her. Keyleth shook her head. How was she supposed to tell him she was more scared of ruining his friendship with Gilmore than singing in front of a crowd—which by itself was already dreadful? She couldn’t.

“I’ll be okay,” She tried to reassure him instead, but Vax didn’t buy it.

“Just pretend you’re singing to me. No one else is in the room but me.”

Oh no, he doesn’t know. Vax didn’t know the song she had picked. He didn’t know she already intended on doing exactly that, singing for him—to him—and him alone.

Keyleth was so distracted freaking out on the inside that she didn’t even realize Pike and Grog had finished their song and were hugging each other and sobbing on the stage, the large man on his knees so he could be at a relatively decent height to hug his adopted sister and best friend. Once they cleared the stage—and were safely sniffling on the couch next to Percy—Vex raised to her feet as Sherri called her name and sauntered over.

Keyleth wasn’t surprised by Vex’s song choice, nor was she surprised when the woman sang without needing to look at the screen with the lyrics since Keyleth had heard Vex sing the song countless times as she got ready for the day. It was a pretty powerful song with a strong message that made Keyleth admire her roommate even more—as if Vex’ahlia could be more of a badass.

“What’s the deal with this song?” Keyleth turned to Vax, ignoring the dip in her stomach as she saw his concerned gaze on his sister.

“It’s a long story,” Vax replied. Not entirely his story to tell, then. “She had a really shitty boyfriend, is all I can say.”

“Please tell me your sister didn’t actually set a bed on fire,” Keyleth joked, but her smile faded when Vax looked at her earnestly. Oh shit.

The song was short—too short, in Keyleth’s opinion. Vex ended it with a mic drop (which made Sherri squeal), and she returned to the group, high-fiving Scanlan, Grog and Pike. Keyleth noticed the look Vex and Percy shared as if they were having some sort of mental conversation before her roommate sat beside her and patted Keyleth on the knee, saying, “It’s your turn. Go get them.”

“You can do it,” Vax whispered. She gave him one last long, apologetic look even though he didn’t know why—yet—and she crossed the room. Sherri handed her the microphone after making sure it was still working after Vex’ahlia had dropped it, and Keyleth took a long breath in as the screen changed in front of her.

You can do this. It’s just you and him. No one else. Fuck.

The music started, the familiar tune sounding through the speakers. Keyleth counted the beats, looking at the bar and the lyrics on the screen, avoiding looking up at the alcove where her friends cheered—avoiding looking up at Vax. Keyleth knew the crowd could see the same thing she did reflected on the TV behind her, and the first verse itself was more than enough to reveal her intentions. Keyleth’s voice was horse and shaky when she sang the first line, but she didn’t let it get to her. Instead, Keyleth kept singing, daring to glance at the crowd that was cheering almost as loud as her friends. Her face opened in a slightly relieved smile and she became bolder, lifting her gaze even higher as she sang, “There’s two of us, we’re certain with desire.”

Vax’ildan was standing with his arms crossed by the opening of the alcove, staring at her with a smirk. The room blurred when their eyes locked. It was just them, no one else. It was him, in all his flaws and perfections, in all his mysteries, unspoken words and feelings. It was Vax in her sweater and jeans, much too bright for his personality. It was his hair braided back in a perfect imitation of her favorite hairstyle, her bow fastening it behind his head. It was his soft eyes full of love, care, kindness, fire and desire. It was his smile, sexy, sassy and reassuring. It was him in his entirety and no one else. Never anyone else, and certainly not someone who couldn’t be bothered to want to know more than her name. It was him, who always asked so carefully, who waited patiently for her to open up, who had nothing but gentle touches, even though he looked like he could kill someone without a second thought.

“We were meant for one another, come a little closer,” Keyleth sang, and much to her surprise, Vax seemed to obey. He was confident in his stride, not bothering to look behind him at his sister’s incredulous face or Pike and Scanlan’s heads so close to each other, whispering. But instead of stopping in front of the stage, Vax stopped by the top of the stairs, leaning against the railing.

Keyleth tracked him like a predator tracks its prey. “I got all I need, when you came after me,” She went on. She noticed the presence of another man next to Vax and her heart leaped as Vax leaned in to whisper something in the man’s ear. Gilmore gave Vax a short nod, not taking his eyes away from Keyleth, who was still singing and looking at them. She didn’t care if the crowd noticed. It didn’t matter. This song was for Vax and Vax alone. It didn’t matter that Gilmore left Vax’s side to whisper something to Sherri. It didn’t matter that everyone was now looking between the two, certainly connecting the dots. It didn’t matter because Vax was so close to her, looking deeply with a soft smile. Keyleth’s fears returned, but the song was almost over. She didn’t dwell on her thoughts as she sang the last verse, burn with me tonight, only daring to look away from Vax at the last word.

In her haziness of focusing on Vax, Keyleth hadn’t noticed the two women who ran in her direction and tackled her into a hug. She didn’t even have the opportunity to return Sherri the microphone before they dragged her out of the stage, but her hands were suddenly empty, nonetheless. Keyleth couldn’t see Vax anywhere from where she was buried against his sister’s embrace, and she didn’t get to look around for him before a familiar male voice spoke.

“Well, then! Is everyone having fun?” The small crowd cheered in response. “Alright, we will interrupt our karaoke time for a very special performance. I promise you will not regret it,” Gilmore assured. Keyleth was still surrounded by Vex’s arms around her shoulders and Pike’s around her arm when the lights dimmed. Gilmore rolled the karaoke machine to the side and set up a single microphone stand, a high chair and an acoustic guitar.

“What’s happening?” Keyleth asked her friends. Vex and Pike shrugged.

Someone walked onto the stage—not just someone. It was Vax’ildan. He wiped his hands nervously on his jeans—Keyleth’s jeans that she had thrifted and embroidered—sat on the chair and grabbed the guitar. He adjusted the microphone height and tapped it to make sure it was working, and with one final breath, he plucked the second string of the guitar.

“What?” Keyleth looked at Vex, who seemed about just as shocked as her. “Vax can play?”

“Oh yeah,” Vex answered as if it was widely known. “What is he—” Vex stopped talking because her brother finally played through the intro and started singing.

He wasn’t Scanlan-level good, but he was a good singer nonetheless. From what little musical ear and singing lessons Keyleth had, she could tell he also had been instructed in singing, but it was what he was singing that made her legs tremble more than his voice. It was a soft ballad, like a love song from what the first verses sounded like.

“Oh shit,” Vex said, letting her arms fall from Keyleth’s shoulders to her free arm, holding her tight. “Is he—”

He was. Vax’s eyes fixed on Keyleth as he sang, “I was born to tell you I love you,” Oh. This is a love song. “And I am torn to do what I have to, to make you mine,” A love song for— “Stay with me tonight,” —me?

“Keyleth, with all due respect,” Pike said from her other side. “If you two don’t kiss already, we will all lock you in a bedroom until you make out.”

“What?” Keyleth broke her gaze from Vax for a second to look at her roommate.

“Pike’s right, darling. I’m tired of seeing my brother pine for you,” Vex rolled her eyes. She was tapping her feet with the beat of the music as if she wanted to help her brother stay in time.

When the second chorus came around, Keyleth found herself smiling foolishly. He loves me? But why? Keyleth was clumsy and shy. She was a ball of anxiety at risk of self-destruction. She spent more time with her nose in the books than hanging out with people. Her nails were more often covered in dirt and fertilizer than pretty, shiny nail polishes. Her clothes were all hand-me-downs or thrifted, old and stained from years of use or dirt. She was lithe and out of shape—she didn’t even remember the last time she ran—and while she wasn’t ugly, she wasn’t entirely beautiful either. What had Vax seen in her? He was handsome and talented. He was smart and kind, and so sexy. Keyleth had seen him shirtless several times, she had seen the strong build of his muscles work whenever he picked up Trinket—who by itself weighed almost as much, if not more than Keyleth. He was experienced in all the things she wasn’t—with women and men—and wasn’t afraid to wear his feelings on his sleeve (even if it took her longer than everybody else to realize the way Vax looked at her). Keyleth felt herself lacking compared to what Vax’s standards would surely be, so why? Why would he love her?

Keyleth released a breath she didn’t know she was holding as Vax sang the last notes. She took a step back, getting free from Vex and Pike’s hold, and ran down the stairs before anyone—before Vax—could see the tears sliding down her cheeks. She bumped into someone at the bottom of the stairs, a familiar smell of alcohol reaching her before Kashaw’s voice asked, “Keyleth? Are you okay?” Keyleth tried to nod. She tried to run past him, but the man gripped her arms tightly. He said something about wanting to talk to her, but before Keyleth could say no, Kash dragged her somewhere she couldn’t discern due to the blur of tears in her eyes. However, Keyleth felt the curtain of beads and then cold. Freezing cold on her arms. Panic filled her chest and ran through her blood, sending a sharp pain to her brain and making her gasp in fear. She was outside with Kashaw and none of her friends had seen where she went.

Keyleth’s danger sense kicked in as if she was about to die.

If you want to listen with music: Scanlan sang She's Always a Woman by Billy Joel; Pike and Grog sang You're My Best Friend by Queen; Vex'ahlia sang Kiss With a Fist by Florence + The Machine; Keyleth sang Fire Meets Gasoline by Sia; Vax'ildan sang Your Call by Secondhand Serenade.

#critical role #cr fic #vox machina #vaxleth #modern au #college au #be in my eyes #nothing bad will happen #it'll all be fine #apropos of nothing happening: next chapter is the longest piece of fanfiction I've ever wrote at almost 11k words long

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