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green-fifteen · 2 months

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Day 8: Slow Blink

Prompt: Smile Fandom: The Witcher (TV) Pairing: Geralt & Jaskier Summary: Jaskier discovers something interesting about his companion. Word count: 1,404 read on ao3 instead

written for @fluffyfebruary

Jaskier had been traveling with Geralt for four years when he finally learned something absolutely fundamental about his friend. The witcher might disagree, but to Jaskier this was the most important discovery he'd made since he'd found the man himself.

It was a hot day and they were stuck in mud up to their ankles, trudging through some hovel right at the edge of a wide river.

"Why are we here, Geralt?" Jaskier had whined, lifting his hat to wipe the sweat from his brow. His companion had only grunted and walked on. "Geralt. Geralt! You know, I'm sure Roach would have a thing or two to say about you dragging her through this mire. We could catch a disease! What if we all get a parasite! And for what!"

He looked over at the horse in question to see what she thought of the situation, but Geralt moved in front of him to feed her a treat from the saddlebag.

"Roach is fine," he said. She did look fine-- crunching down on the hard, rooty end of a carrot and somehow making it through the mud like it was water instead of awful sludge that was trying to take Jaskier's shoes off his feet every time he took a step. He stopped walking, overheated and annoyed.

"That's it!" he cried. "I'm finding an inn--" he looked around at the sad little huts and gardens. "--or a tree stump, or somewhere I can go and wait for you to come back. This is ridiculous."

Geralt looked at him and said, "Okay," and gave him a look that clearly meant, Why should I care? It would be hurtful if Jaskier hadn't spent so much time with him. Geralt never wanted him to come with him on Witcher business. By now the bard was good at convincing himself it was solely because Geralt cared so much for his health and well-being.

Rolling his eyes, Jaskier made to turn around and stride away, forgetting for a moment that his shoes were firmly stuck in mud. He felt his bag drop first as he flailed his arms to steady his balance, and then he was tipping backwards as if in slow motion, gazing up at the unfairly blue sky as he finally landed on the ground. His lovely linen shirt squelched into the ground as his legs bent at the knee, his shoes still planted.

Roach stepped away, alarmed. Geralt patted her side reassuringly while his gaze was on Jaskier, who blearily noted how fetching his yellow eyes looked against the summer sky. As he watched, the witcher closed his eyes and opened them again, too long to be a blink but too short to be anything else.

Furrowing his brow, Jaskier stuck out an arm to Geralt, who sighed but heaved him out of the mud. His clothes and shoes left the ground with an awful sucking noise.

Subtly, he watched the witcher's face as he dragged himself back into order, wiping mud from his elbows and the backside of his satchel. After a few seconds, Geralt blinked, short and unremarkable. Jaskier was tempted to call it a fluke-- after all, blinking slightly longer than usual could mean anything, or nothing at all. On top of that, the bard was frustrated with Geralt, covered in mud, and wanted nothing more than to strip all his clothes off and plunge into a cold bath.

He simply said, "Right, well. I'll see you when you're finished, I assume." He tried to be subtle as he took Roach's sack of treats from the saddlebag, but it didn't work. The horse nosed at him and the witcher tilted his head and frowned even deeper.

"So you both come back," he quipped, trying to sound like he was joking even though he wasn't. "I'll just be taking this with me on my quest to find suitable lodgings. Don't be out too late, dear." He stuffed the sack into his own bag and carefully marched away.

Two days later, Geralt came back to the little riverside town, smelling truly awful and with the head of some hideous swamp-thing strapped to his saddle. Jaskier had been fortunate enough to find an old, unused stable and made himself a nice little bed out of smelly hay. He hadn't felt inspired to play (he wasn't sure anyone there would be able to pay him for the privilege) so he worked on composing new songs instead as he waited for the witcher to return.

When he did, Jaskier didn't notice at first, too busy staring into the distance and counting off lines of metered verse. He was sitting on a boulder on the riverbank with one foot on the ground and the other propped up on his seat. He had nothing with him but his lute and his leather-bound notebook.

He jumped when he felt something shove his shoulder. Roach was behind him, Geralt looming above on her back. He sprang to his feet.

"Geralt! The Lady Roach!" he said, then stopped. "What is that smell?"

Before Geralt could answer (or, more likely, not answer), Roach pushed him again with her nose. Then she pushed him again and he stumbled to keep his balance.

Geralt made a noise that might have been a sigh. "Where are her carrots, bard?"

Jaskier was trying to pet the horse into submission but she wasn't interested in being mollified and began to nose her way into his jacket.

"Is that what this is about? I have her little bag in the stable just there--," his voice cut off with a warble as Roach took a step forward, shoving Jaskier along with her, and he lost his battle to stay upright. For the second time in three days, Jaskier watched the earth turn to sky in front of his eyes as he fell backward, this time directly into the river.

When he came up spluttering, he saw Roach pawing the ground and the witcher standing next to her and staring at him. When their eyes met, Jaskier glaring in disbelief, Geralt closed his eyes again in that same long blink as before. Then he turned his head to look at Roach and did it again at her.

Jaskier stood up and dripped, looking around at the river. The water was cool and relatively clear. "There isn't an inn here, Geralt," he said. "This is probably the best place to bathe for several miles." He did want to grumble a bit at the hair plastered to his face and the soaked feathers in his hat, but the water felt like heaven in the summer humidity.

"Also, I can smell you from here."

Geralt huffed and looked away, but he tied Roach to a log and undressed. As he waded into the water and felt the grime and sweat wash away from him, he did it again. One moment his face was hard as the steel of his sword and the next his whole expression seemed to soften and his eyes fell closed, then opened again.

Jaskier felt epiphany close over him. Oh. He was reminded of the cats his sister had kept growing up. Their nurse had told them to watch and listen whenever they could because not every creature used words like they could. Pay attention to everything else, she'd said, and you'll get the message anyway.

Jaskier was paying attention. He was paying the most attention. He thought he might have just made the discovery of his lifetime. Namely, that the witcher Geralt, White Wolf and the Butcher of Blaviken, smiled. Not only that, but he did it often.

After that, Jaskier was on the lookout for Geralt's peculiar little smile. Unfortunately, he saw it most often directed toward Roach or whenever Jaskier managed to embarrass himself somehow. It wasn't until they'd been traveling together nearly ten years that he started to see it more regularly even when he hadn't just fallen over a tree stump or ripped his trousers.

When they met that spring, Jaskier spotted him at the stables before Geralt had turned around.

"Geralt!" he shouted, joy making his limbs feel light. He had stopped resisting the urge to hug Geralt somewhere around their seventh year, so he didn't hesitate before throwing his arms around the witcher, who simply looked down at Jaskier and blinked, long and slow.

He couldn't wipe the beam from his face for days.

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pain-in-the-butler · 6 months

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Dadbastian Week Day 1: Proud

Hello, everybody! I hope you all are as excited as I am for the first day of Dadbastian week! I have a handful of drabbles to share with you to celebrate one of my personal favorite Black Butler headcanons. This one is inspired a post that was made by @anawkwardlady over a year ago (linked at the end in order to avoid spoiling the drabble). It's 3.1k and takes place during the murders arc, shortly after Sebastian fakes his death.

Enjoy, and see you again soon for more!

Ciel wondered if he’d ever grow accustomed to the sight of death. It felt juvenile not to be — and yet when the smell was factored in, it was almost impossible not to run or freeze in its presence. Those instincts were pressing on him right now. Forcing himself to walk below-stairs to the place where the scent and sight of death both lingered was a task he could scarcely admit to himself was difficult.

He felt he’d done pretty well with Sebastian’s “death,” all things considered. He had really not wanted to throw a fit over the “corpse.” Death never made Ciel want to cry anymore, so the performance of sadness had indeed been just that: a performance. He’d even started laughing a little in the middle of it and had had to mask the laughs as sobs. Had he found the moment of Sebastian’s death exactly funny? He’d certainly wanted to. But he knew in his heart that some of the laughter was simply nervous energy begging to be expelled. The servants’ wailing in the background had been all too real. And then there was something else niggling at him that he couldn’t quite name…

Ciel winced lightly. Forget about it. Sebastian wouldn’t stay dead, those three servants would have their grief eased, and then he could put the mission behind him forever, never to address again. It wouldn’t be much longer now.

Two of the four servants were currently alongside him. Bard was leading the way to the cellar, guiding them with the orange ambience of a cold-blast lantern, and Finny was by his side, a subdued air surrounding him. Next was the professor and so-called “leader” in this investigation, as appointed by Ciel himself, Arthur Doyle. Ciel was fourth in line, and Lord Charles Grey took the rear.

Theirs was a quiet party, until Doyle just had to interrupt the morgue-like silence with, “In this setting, I half expect a ghost or the like to pop out at any moment.”

“HEY, CUT THAT OUUUT!!” Grey’s cry echoed loudly in the small, coiled space of the stairwell. Ciel resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Some knight of the Queen you are, getting scared of— wah! And now Grey had suddenly thought it would be acceptable to attach himself to Ciel’s arm like a person prone to fainting! “There’s no such thing as ghosts! ’Cause I only believe in what I can cut down with my sword!”

“Then can you try your hand at walking without clinging on to me?” Ciel felt his posture slumping beneath the added weight of this overgrown child. “It’s hard for me to move like this…”

Grey’s miserably strong grip only loosened a fraction. “I figured you must be scared, so I was taking the trouble of comforting you…” Don’t try and pin your juvenile behavior on me!! You’re enough of a thorn in my side when you aren’t treating me like a security blanket!

“Gentlemen, we’re here,” Bard thankfully interrupted and pulled open the cellar door to permit them entry. About time. Doyle led the way inside while Ciel could feel Grey’s trembling hand still clutching his shoulder. Before them on the cold stone floor lay the three bodies covered in their white sheets. The center sheet belonged to Sebastian.

It smelled badly here in general, dank and musty, but the death scent didn’t linger quite as much as Ciel had anticipated, likely thanks to the cold. He took a deep breath and told his trepidation to desert him. His reputation was on the line here. He strode boldly forward.

A voice interrupted before he made it far. “Young master, hold on. Use these if you’re gonna touch the bodies.” Ciel turned to see Bard offering out a pair of rubber gloves. The chef’s blue eyes were steely; he was hardening himself against the presence of death too.

Ciel didn’t mention it. He hoped his own gaze looked aloof and unaffected. “Right.” He tugged the gloves on; they felt large and cumbersome on his hands. Doyle had already donned his pair and said while pulling back the middle sheet, “Then if I may beg your pardon, Sebastian…”

Ciel braced himself for the sight of blood. What caught his attention first was water.

“He’s wet?!” Doyle cried out, and Finny gasped too.

Bard glanced up to the ceiling. “I’ll bet it’s leakin’ in through the roof.”

No, it’s not that… Ciel kept his expression blank, but a little part of him wanted to laugh again. Sebastian had probably been running around in the rain mere moments before their arrival! What lengths he has to go not to be the one to spoil the game… Heh. Idiot.

Finny saw no humor in the situation. “Poor Mr. Sebastian! C’mon, let’s move him!”

Doyle soberly agreed. “Yes, let’s. The water will hasten decay, after all. Not to mention undressing him in order to investigate further will be quite troublesome since rigor mortis has set in. So let’s first turn him over and—”

“STOP IT!! Don’t treat Mr. Sebastian like a thing!”

Ciel was already crouching by Sebastian’s body when Finny suddenly leapt in front of Doyle to keep him from proceeding. Honestly, this outburst… Why did I think it would be a good idea to bring Finny again? Ciel ignored the pang of guilt and interrupted this silly little tantrum before hysterics could set in.

“Finny. If you’re going to carry on like this, get out. You’re in the way.” He waved his hand in a half-hearted shooing motion. “We can move him later. The key comes first.”

Ciel couldn’t look Finny in the eyes when he said it. He knew what he’d see: a whipped puppy expression as that child of a gardener struggled to cope with the death of a familiar person for the first time since he came to the manor. Never mind it. Maybe this was good for Finny. Get a little taste of mourning now, he’d only have to know it more intimately some other day…

Finny paced dejectedly away, and Bard offered a pat on the head. He’ll be fine. Meanwhile, Grey had joined them on the floor in searching Sebastian’s clothes for the key to the master bedroom. Ciel resisted the urge to glare at him. This whole farce of going through each article of clothing felt like such a waste of time when the actual murderer was still at large. But the Queen did love her games…

For the sake of playing along, Ciel said, “It doesn’t seem to be on his albert chain…”

Grey put a hand to his chin. “Did he maybe wear it around his neck?”

Ciel shook his head. “No, of course not. It would have to be in a less obvious place.” Then he went about helping Doyle remove Sebastian’s tailcoat. ‘Rigor mortis’ had indeed set in. Ugh, you didn’t have to make your muscles this stiff, damn demon…

Doyle took the clothing in his hands and began to dig through the external pockets. “Nothing here…”

“He has pockets inside the interior lining too.” Ciel knew all too well about the strange little mysteries Sebastian would occasionally pluck from the tailcoat’s depths. “Check those.”

“Ah, I see… Hang on. Oh! I might have found it.” Doyle dug into a bit of lining along the breast. There was a moment of hesitation. “Wait a minute—! This is—?”

“Hmm?” Ciel glanced up at the note of fear in Doyle’s voice. It couldn’t be the key he’d just discovered, so… what had him so upset?

Between gloved fingertips, Doyle had extracted a thin silver chain the approximate length of a bracelet. The chain bore no gems or charms. Instead, suspended from floral bead caps were four tiny bones of a particular shape and size—

Ciel blanched when the recognition struck him. Oh. Oh no.

“What the hell?” Grey was staring at the odd jewelry that Doyle clutched in his trembling hand. “What in the world am I looking at?”

“Ch-Ch-Ch-Children’s teeth!” Doyle stuttered. “These are definitely teeth once belonging to a child! But why?! And why were they made into jewelry?! For what purpose would a butler be carrying this?!”

“That’s what I’d like to know,” Ciel managed to bite out. He could already feel the heat coming to his face.

“Maybe he had more innocent victims than we imagined,” Grey said pointedly.

“Of course not! Mr. Sebastian isn’t so cold-blooded!” Finny cried.

“At least, not in this way he wasn’t…” Bard tacked on.

Doyle gulped. “So then where did such a collection come from…?”

“From me. They’re my teeth.”

Bard, Finny, Grey, and Doyle all stared at Ciel when he admitted it. Ciel tried not to look embarrassed from their attention. “Those are milk teeth I lost naturally a few years ago, throughout Sebastian’s time at the manor,” Ciel explained sourly, folding his arms. “It would be just like Sebastian to think he’s being funny with something like this… When really he’s being vile and disturbing…”

“‘Being’? Don’t you mean ‘been’?” Grey said.

Ciel narrowed his gaze, hoping it looked injured and not simply annoyed. “… Yes.”

“Well, that certainly gave me a fright…” Doyle sighed. He held out the chain, eager to be rid of it. “Um… Should I… p-put it back then…?”

Ciel thrust out his palm. “No, give it here. They’re my teeth in the first place, so I should be the one to decide what becomes of them! Honestly, if I’d known he’d done something like this…”

Ciel glared down at Sebastian’s ridiculous death expression and wondered if he detected just the barest hint of a grin. Idiot! Damn demon! You can expect some very specific dessert requests in the near future as payback for this!

But Sebastian would suffer his own humiliation in the undressing that followed — and between that and the rest of the winding events that led to clinking glasses of red perilla juice in a spare bedroom, by the next day’s debriefing with the professor in the greenhouse, the bracelet had nearly fled from Ciel’s memory.

“Ah, wait! That strange jewelry you had hidden in your tailcoat — were those really the Earl’s teeth?!”

At least until it was brought back by Doyle over elevenses.

Sebastian was able to answer for himself now, and unfortunately he did so promptly. “Oh yes, they are! They’re quite cute, aren’t they?” he said brightly. And then Sebastian was suddenly dangling the chain out—! “This molar here I pulled myself. A stubborn little thing, it was! It gave the young lord some trouble while he was trying to enjoy his favorite cake, but I was happy to remove it for him.”

Ciel’s hand automatically traveled to the pocket of his suit coat even though he already knew exactly what he would find: nothing. “Hey!! When did you take that back?!”

The question was ignored. “This one is my favorite.” Sebastian laid out the chain in his palm and pointed at the next in line. “Look at how sharp it is! Like a little fang. Delightful! Human canines are so amusing.”

Doyle blinked. “H-Human…?”

“Shut up! That’s enough!” Ciel launched his arm across the table to grab for it, but Sebastian only brought it out of reach. “Teeth aren’t cute! Something is wrong with you!”

“The young master has unfortunately nearly completed the growth of his permanent teeth,” Sebastian sighed with what sounded like real remorse, “so these four are all I shall ever have… but I will treasure them dearly for a long, long while.”

“Disgusting! Who gave you permission to treasure these?! I certainly didn’t!” Ciel gripped the armrests of his chair. “Get rid of that stupid thing! Better yet, destroy it!”

Sebastian smiled primly. “My, my, what a fuss. I ought to carry on with my explanation to Mr. Doyle now, don’t you think? Plenty more important ground to cover.”

“Bastard! You’re the one who paused the whole conversation with your terrible fawning!”

“What a fuss.”

Oh. Ciel felt the voice ring in his memory so crisply then. “What a fuss.” Right… He had said that back then too, hadn’t he?

“Why all these tears, little brother? Did you really still think that Santa Claus was real? Next you’ll say that the tooth fairy exists as well.”

She does! Of course she does!

“Of course she doesn’t, you mean. Nobody wants a child’s teeth but his mother and father.”

The tooth fairy does!

“Then tell me, what does she do with all the teeth she’s given? There must be millions.”

She… She…

She makes jewelry out of them!!

“Hey. Damn demon. Come here.”

It was later that night, after Tanaka had snuffed out the lamps and Ciel was settled down in bed in his pajamas. Sebastian had yet to confirm his existence back to the servants; he wouldn’t until the funeral. He came almost like an apparition to the bedside. “Yes, young master?” he spoke softly.

“Did you destroy that horrid bracelet of teeth like I told you to?”

Even in the darkness, Ciel thought he could see Sebastian frowning. “Ah. Well, my lord, it wasn’t an order, so…”

“Tch. Cheeky as ever. Still needing as much instruction as you did on day one.” Ciel folded his arms over the comforter. Sebastian continued to look at him with hesitant disapproval. “What’s with that face? Why do you want to keep it so badly?”

There was a pause. Sebastian reached into his coat and removed this prized possession from the same hidden pocket it had been discovered in before. He seemed to study it in his hand. “I am not sure I could fully explain it myself,” he said eventually. “It is something irreplaceable… and I do not come across irreplaceable things very often in my existence. I suppose that makes it rather precious.” He smiled.

Ciel didn’t smile back. He narrowed his gaze at Sebastian, shrewd, before eventually closing his eyes. “Ugh… Listen. I don’t care if you were the one to pull them or find them or what have you. Those teeth are technically stolen goods, from me. So if you’re not going to give that stupid chain up, I do expect you to pay me what I’m owed.”

Sebastian blinked widely. “Oh? You want… money, sir?”

“That’s how the exchange works,” Ciel said, feeling a bit silly as he spoke it but trying not to betray this. “Even children are paid by their parents for their teeth, you know. Nothing in life is free.”

“Paid by their parents?” Sebastian snapped his fingers. “Ah, that’s right! Mr. Tanaka did explain this, didn’t he? You have something called the tooth fairy.”

Ciel sniffed. Right. Of course Tanaka had explained it. “Yes, the tooth fairy. When I was a child, I believe her rates were five pence per tooth, but I should say inflation has at least doubled the prices by now.”

“Is that so?” Sebastian said laughingly.

“I expect proper payment first thing tomorrow,” Ciel said, rolling over onto his side to finalize the transaction as well as the conversation. “And… go about your night duties with diligence. There are a lot of extra eyes around here now. Though their vision may be poor.”

“Of course, sir. Sleep well… and may good fortune find you in your dreams.”

It wasn’t good fortune that found him in his dreams, but that which he had been unable to name the morning of Sebastian’s “death.” The way the body lay on the floor, its chin tipped back at that uncomfortable angle, the blood spattered across its lips, dark hair fanned across the carpet, eyes staring at nothing… Had Sebastian known, somehow, that it was so much like how Ciel’s predecessor had looked in death? Had he known that Ciel would feel the cold hand gripping his heart at the sight? Ciel’s mind knew it. It played the images of the bodies across his eyelids until deaths of father and butler were indistinguishable from each other.

Ciel could not run away. He had to approach the body and sit upon its chest and look this amalgamation in its unseeing face. The Queen’s trial had given him no choice, and the dream behaved in kind. Death was right beneath him. Ciel could feel the pooling warmth of the body, could see the dull gloss of the blood. He longed, more than anything, to run from this. Instead, he leaned toward the head so his mouth was right next to the corpse’s ear.

The smell of death was in his nose. He didn’t remember what he was supposed to whisper. He wanted to scream. But then, suddenly, he felt a gentle pressure against the back of his head.

“Now, now, it is all right. You did very well, maintaining a brave front for so long. But now, you must simply rest.”

Then the hand pulled away with a sound like far-off bells. With its departure, Ciel was able to sit up again. But the corpse beneath him was gone. So was the blood and the smell. He whipped his head side to side, looking for who had touched his hair and reassured him, who had delivered him from fear, but he was answered only by that soft metal chiming that seemed to come from behind him yet far away…

7:30 sharp brought Tanaka.

Ciel rose slowly to the summons with the draining sense that he’d had suffered a terrible dream the night before. Or maybe it was just the whole gambit of events catching up with him… But it didn’t matter what it was. He had to get on with the morning, no matter what.

Tanaka was a quieter attendant than Sebastian could ever be. The silence seemed to cast a six-foot shadow across the room as Ciel drank his tea and read the paper. It was only broken when Ciel rose off the pillows to meet Tanaka in the dressing room, with a single little thump hitting the carpet.

Curious, confused, Ciel bent down to look at the floor. The culprit was winking up at him in the early sunlight. It was the shine of a ten pence coin.

For a moment, it puzzled him. Then his memory returned. The teeth… Ciel pulled back his pillow and, sure enough, there waited three identical coins. Exactly what he was owed and first thing in the morning, as promised. Ciel had nearly forgotten between the time of sleeping and waking. Of course Sebastian hadn’t.

Ciel sighed out his nose before plucking up each coin from the coverlet, feeling their edges dimple into his palm. It was a strange sort of reassurance. Metallic, cold. The coins were eventually tucked into his suit coat pocket, where they jangled together like far-off bells before settling.

That sound… Ciel strained but he could not place it. He only knew it was soothing somehow, and that the coins would stay with him for the rest of the day. Should his hand automatically travel to that pocket, he already knew exactly what he would find.

---

Note: This is the post that inspired the drabble. Thanks, Nana! 😊

#happy dadbastian week!

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i-miss-lotor · 8 months

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So I romanced Astarion and let him ascend and I'm not going to lie, I always had a bit of a hate towards people who look down on me and call me or well, my characters, pet and such. And Astarion didn't change that, especially with the degradation part

But

Imagining the future where my character slowly becomes miserable with Astarion because while he does love her, he doesn't see her as his equal. And I mean even if you want to break up with him after the ascension and defeated brain he just doesn'tlet you (though im not there yet, i just read it somewhere). Imagining him slowly becoming furious, compelling my character to do things, to love him and then anger turns into desperation and hell, he just wants her, what can he do to make her love him again, what does she want, he will give it to her

Anyway I just want them to be happy, then miserable, then to slowly learn to love each other again with Astarion begrudgingly being a tiny bit nicer to others (cause my character mostly likes being nice but also she was an urchin, she's not above blackmail and deception and such. Ohh plus she's a bard, imagine Astarion wanting her to sing again but she doesn't so he makes her and it just breaks the trust again and again

And a scene where she escapes and then Astarion finds her and brings hell with him and kills whoever decided to help her and he's slowly breaking her spirit from the strong and defying woman she was, not realising at first that it's breaking him too.

(I especially like that little movement, swinging himself a bit when you ask if you can talk about your relationship with him and he responds "yes, my treasure?" *happy swingies, he's so happy and cute* and then cuts to him being angry and desperate and sad that his love doesn't look at him with adoration anymore, that the look he receives is not even angry but empty)

And the realization that oh no, did he became another Cazador? But no, he is better than him, he doesn't treat you like he was treated! ...does he?

#baldur's gate 3 #baldurs gate 3 #bg3 #astarion #idk what tav stands for so uh #also im just a sucker for... well i guess i can call this redemption?#sorry my thoughts just went haywire with the act 3 romance scene and i had to let it out #even if it is on tumblr #hhh i want to leave the bots are so annoying but im not going to twitter fuck that #ah wait i realised what words i was looking for!#its not redemption although i very much like that too #its me breaking him #i love when arrogant overpowered beings lose something and desper then finally realise they have to change #i want to make astarion cry like he did over cazador's corpse #it was heartbreaking and beautiful and it would be so delicious if it was over his lover #the first person he ever truly cared about - gone and empty because of Him

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wheretheharekissesthefox · 4 months

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All I want for winter solstice is to see you smile

Everyone's excited for Gale's feast. Astarion feels a bit sad he can't eat any of it, but the wizard has a surprise for him.

Notes:

To avoid confusion: In one of my other fanfics Halsin and Tav had named the owlbear cup Naïlo, which means 'night breeze' in the Elven language.

Another fic is mentioned.

Also: Merry Christmas, Hanukkah, Holidays, Winter Solstice, Yule, or whatever else you're celebrating! Take this little sweet, fluffy, wholesome fanfic as a gift, snack, or treat :)

Waterdeep was covered in snow, looking peaceful and jolly. Gale was rotating in the kitchen, preparing the feast for Winter Solstice. Everyone else had been shooed out so that he could work his other type of magic by himself.

Astarion helped Shadowheart decorate the fir tree in the living room while Tav sat on the floor and tried her best to weave a wreath. Scratch and Naïlo seemed a tad confused about the fuss everyone was making and observed the bustle in interest. Tara, on the other hand, napped on top of the piano, utterly unbothered by everything that was going on.

"I thought you're a gentleman who places the star on top of the tree for me," Shadowheart teased.

"It's not my fault I'm too short to reach it," Astarion retorted, miffed.

"Our lovely Mount Halsin would be useful now," the cleric grinned. "Maybe he can save the day when he comes back from shopping."

Astarion glowered.

"Need help?" Tav chuckled.

"Yes, darling."

The bard got up, wiped her hands on her trousers, walked over, and picked Astarion up with ease. The vampire spawn couldn't hold back an excited giggle. Smirking, the cleric handed him the star ornament and Astarion put it over the top of the tree.

"Perfect," Shadowheart smiled and the vampire spawn preened.

With a grunt, Tav put Astarion down again and he wrapped his arms around her neck to kiss her.

"Thank you, darling."

"You're welcome, love."

"Aww," Shadowheart cooed, grinning from ear to ear.

As soon as Astarion had let go of Tav, she pulled the cleric into a kiss too. Then, they went back to work.

Gale had overdone himself. The table was beautifully decorated and he'd placed a small menu card at each seat. Impressed, Halsin picked his up and read the four-course meal.

"Wow, this sounds better than anything served in a restaurant," he praised.

"He's a genius in the kitchen," Morena, Gale's mother, replied proudly.

"Indeed. Nobody cooks fish quite as deliciously as Mister Dekarios," Tara chimed in, already licking her mouth in anticipation.

Everyone at the table snickered amused.

Astarion felt a bit wistful. He wasn't able to stomach anything other than blood, thus, he hadn't had the pleasure of eating solid foods for over two hundred years. Usually, that wasn't a problem, he was used to seeing his loved ones eat, but today, he was hit by a wave of melancholy. He watched as Gale served everyone a small bowl of clear broth with a few vegetable chunks in it, decorated with fresh chives. Astarion was jolted out of his thoughts when Gale placed a soup plate in front of him.

"Uhm..." Dumbfounded, the vampire spawn stared at it. "You know I can't eat anything without getting violently ill, do you?"

"Of course, but I have created this soup especially for you – a whole menu to be precise. Made only from blood, of course. As a gift. For the solstice. I hope you can stomach and enjoy it."

Astarion was overwhelmed.

"Really?" he muttered. "Just for me?"

"Yes," replied Gale, smiling warmly. Bashfully, he leaned down and kissed the vampire spawn's cheek. "Happy Winter Solstice, Astarion."

The addressed blinked away the tears that threatened to spill over and nodded silently. The wizard gently brushed his hand along Astarion's shoulder before sitting down next to him.

"Enjoy your meal. I hope it's to everyone's liking."

They started with their soup and showered Gale with praise who blushed prettily.

"Wyll and Karlach are truly missing out on this," Tav remarked.

"Well, they're at a fancy dinner party at the Ravengard Mansion. After all, Karlach must impress her soon-to-be father-in-law," Shadowheart grinned.

"That poor thing's surely suffocating in her fancy dress and bored to death," snickered the bard and everyone burst into laughter.

Hesitantly, Astarion dipped the spoon into the soup plate and tried the dish. It was pig's blood, but it was spiced.

"Did you use pepper and nutmeg?" he asked, pleasantly surprised.

"Yes. Plus, salt and a bay leaf. I tasted it to make sure it's palatable."

At that, Astarion laughed.

"You ate it? No way!"

Flustered, Gale cleared his throat and averted his gaze. Smiling, the vampire spawn placed his hand on the wizard's arm.

"It's wonderful. Thank you."

Astarion finished his soup happily, letting it warm his belly. He could almost trick himself into imagining that it was fresh blood straight from a vein.

The next dish was a salad with fresh lingonberries and garden cress. Astarion got a blood jelly instead.

"It's made with lamb's blood, gelatine, cinnamon, clover, and orange peel" Gale explained to him.

The vampire spawn cut off a piece of the jelly with the fork and tried it. When he started chewing, the typical flavours associated with the Winter Solstice exploded in his mouth.

The next dish was a lovely plate of turnips, beetroot, mushrooms, and venison with a spicy pepper sauce. Astarion's main course was a blood sausage. Carefully, he cut it open and let the silky smooth texture linger on his tongue. He tasted deer blood, salt, pepper, rosemary, and thyme. Astarion felt like crying.

"Everything alright?" whispered Tav, caressing his hand.

The addressed nodded silently, he didn't trust his voice at the moment. The bard gave him a knowing look and squeezed his hand gently before continuing to eat. Shortly after, Astarion felt Gale's warm hand on his thigh. It wasn't a sexual gesture but a comforting one. The vampire spawn took a deep breath and finished his meal.

For dessert, Gale served them apple ice cream and cookies. Astarion got a blood sorbet and when he took the first spoonful, he tasted the unmistakable bouquet of Tav's and Gale's blood as well as a hint of peach.

"You remembered my favourite fruit?" Astarion murmured. His heart hurt.

"Of course. Why wouldn't I?" Gale replied with a smile.

The vampire spawn swallow thickly.

"Because I don't eat. Why would you remember such a trivial thing when I'm not -"

Astarion burst into tears, startling everyone at the table. With a whine, Scratch placed his head in the vampire spawn's lap and started licking his hand. Naïlo chirped in concern, observing Astarion from across the room with big, yellow eyes. Gale was frozen in place, not knowing how to react, thus, Tav pulled the vampire spawn into a hug.

"In two hundred years, no one has ever - Nobody cared enough to -"

"It's alright, love," the bard whispered, stroking his hair, and Astarion kept crying bitterly into her shoulder.

"I - I didn't mean to make you cry. I'm sorry," Gale muttered.

"No, no." Astarion barked a watery laugh. "I'm not - not hurt. I'm - happy."

He detangled himself from Tav to turn around and fall around Gale's neck.

"You made me very happy," he mumbled.

The wizard sighed a breath of relief and pulled Astarion closer.

"Good," he told the vampire spawn.

"It's so heartwarming how you all treat each other," remarked Morena, smiling softly. "I can feel the love you share for one another. It's a beautiful thing."

"Forsooth, Miss Dekarios," purred Tara.

When the celebration was over, Morena had gone home, and everyone was ready for bed, Astarion lay down next to Gale and pulled him into a passionate kiss.

"Thank you, for everything. I'll never forget what you've done for me. I love you."

"I love you too," Gale replied with a heated face.

Smiling, Astarion kissed him again until the wizard was breathless. Then, he snuggled even closer to him, basking in the calming, comforting scent of Gale and lavender.

"Happy Winter Solstice, darling."

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rizs-briefcase · 3 months

Text

‼️FHJY EP 3 SPOILERS‼️

all my thoughts of episode three

AS PER MURPH LOOKS SO GOOD

as does lou

Riz literally biking to school with everyone’s files to make sure they can make it through the year !! stop he’s so cute

and then you and Adaine are nerds

actually for the wizards I’m super chill

riz literally finding out what college they could all get into!!!

figs multiclassing appears to be undocumented, how would her bard teacher know that she multiclassed if she never goes to class

me and riz would write three essays each

the lone wolf. his record is not as bad as it should be

‘i cast friends on both of you just to get you in the car’

‘it’s a 10 and i’ll give you the help action’

‘fluffier than mine?’

LYDIA IS MY LOVE, MY FAVOURITE MORHER (except u sklonda)

‘you guys missed this, song of the summer! kids are going nuts’ ‘this emo song starts over the radio’ proceeds to play the hardest song i’ve heard in ages

riz making adaine her own folder for fun that he signed inside ,, i will sob over this little goblin

a dragon with a receding hairline

the thistlespring sex binder stop

gorgug is such an awkward little guy

fabian not knowing how to make food, stop my baby has been abandoned

‘a little hobgoblin with a brass lollipop’

sorcery teacher jace, i would die for you. ur the teacher i would fancy in school

big shoes to follow

figs bad luck continues

‘should we sign up for student government? there’s gotta be a cabinet right?’

mazey is a highland cow stop i love her

stop she’s a dancer, was she at the camp fabian was meant to be at??

‘oh you’re in the buttcrushers?’

she’s worse than kalvaxus

badidas

FABIAN IS OLDER BECAUSE HE WAS ADVENTURING WITH HIS DAD??

‘that would impact you as well’ ‘yeah’

‘i’m going to go to bard class, you’re going to love this, but not as myself’

im going to cast disguise self on myself to look like an emo girly

wanda childa

here girlie

porter is hot shut up

gorgug getting told he can’t do the mcats because he’s a barbarian. basically being told he’s not smart enough to do artificer classes because he’s inherently stronger, angrier and ‘less smart’ stop

im going into a worry

fig taking fabian to a wizard class because she doesn’t know where bard classes are

‘fabian, you said something alarming and it made me curious’

riz’s entire interaction with jawbone

Kristen chillis applebees

KRISTENS BROTHER

the way it’s never really spoken about how kristen, as the oldest, protected her younger brothers from her parents but she’s been gone a long time and she’s now seeing that. behavioural pattern continued to them treating her oldest younger brother the same she was treated

BUD CUBBY STICKING UP FOR KRISTEN BY TELLING HER PARENTS THEYRE AWFUL PEOPLE STOPPP

‘a hard couple months?’ ‘in the dark? where’s your god? he’s the sun god right?’

‘that’s what you think’ ‘bye girlie’

adaine realising she can’t even afford her school supplies now is so sad

‘what smell would be enticing to emo kids? maybe cigarettes and peach schnapps’

i just wanda’d in

they’re investigating all of figs disguises???

figs agent is rubens agent too fuck off

kristen adhd confirmed

also kristen deflecting all of her trauma with humour is so sad

‘maybe i could just have a tiny little religion of weirdos who wanna gamble’

cassandra i love you but kristen is a literal child

WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN CASSANDRA IS WITH KALINA

#dimension 20 #fantasy high #intrepid heroes #fhjy #fantasy high junior year #riz gukgak #fabian seacaster #fig faeth #kristen applebees #adaine abernant #gorgug thistlespring

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fshhtac0s · 2 years

Text

How Do Genshin Characters Show Physical Affection?

*Warning: fluff fluff fluff, swearing because funny*

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Kaeya:

He doesn't care where yall are at, he's gotta be touching you or holding you at all times

He's a teasing ass but he's a touch starved man who want to make sure you know he loves you regardless of what teasing words spews out of his mouth

I feel he'd be more sentimental when it's just the two of you, whether it be outside at Starsnatch Cliff or in his quarters

He'll hold you close from the front or from behind, rubbing small circles into your sides while whispering loving words into the crevasse of your neck

"You must be the best thing that has happened to me, and it'll stay that way for a very long time."

Diluc:

Diluc Diluc Diluc, the man of the grape juice

He prefers to keep intimate touching private, but with few exceptions

Diluc will put a warm hand to the small of your back and rub it gently with his thumb so that you're still getting some physical love

However, if some monkey man/woman/person/thing flirts with you when he's around, he'll grab your hand and gently kiss it while dragging you away while glaring respectively at them

Might even toss them out of the tavern if willing

"Dearest, I think your new friend had to many drinks tonight. Let me take care of them while you rest your pretty feet at the bar."

Childe:

This man

It doesn't matter where or who you're with, he's touching you as much as he can (hell he might even smack your ass)

He's loving towards you but boy if someone even looks at you with slight interest, all touches intensify ten fold

He's hugging you, making out with you, holding your hand, you name it

In all the while, he's looking right at whoever the person with a dark glint in his eye that only changes when he interacts in conversation with you

"Baby! Let's go get something to eat, my treat! After all, I gotta show my sweetheart some lovin~"

Zhongli:

Mr fancy big booty broke ass man

He's a man who sticks to old mannerisms

Grandpe Zhongli will open doors for you, hold your hand to guide you somewhere, pull your chair out then push it in, all while giving you his sweetest smiles (except he's still forgetting his money you're paying)

Mans will take your hand and take you to different places in liyue that he'd think you'd like, and he'll especially lead you away from some person who is trying their hardest to flirt with you to no avail

Once he does, he'll cup your cheek gently and kiss you lovingly and ask if you're alright and if the rat person made you uncomfortable

"Are you alright my love? Did their words make you uncomfortable? Someone should take care of them so it doesn't happen again, in the meantime, let us go for a walk to clear your mind."

Venti:

This mini man (he never came home and I'm still salty about it kdbsjsj)

The only time you're getting something sentimental is if your sad, he's tired, or you fluster him somehow

Venti will be holding your hand everywhere and showing you off to everyone and I mean everyone and you don't even have to be there

Kisses spam from normal kisses, making out, teasing hand kisses, and him peppering your face in quick small sweet kisses with the goal in making sure you know for sure that he loves you

Venti would take you to Windrise or to see Dvalin and cuddle you while striking conversation about the wind, weather, and your commissions

He might even play you some songs and sing because he says "I am a bard after all~"

"Do you know my beloved windbloom? They're amazing! They've saved Mondstat, Liyue, and even Inazuma! I sure am lucky someone with that much bravery chose to love a bard like me huh?"

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I have returned, but probably for a brief while. Summers almost here lovelies! I hope those who are already out for the summer are having fun and those who aren't the best of luck for finals or whatever you're doing right now.

I hope you enjoyed my little headcannon list, it's another one of my middle of the night thoughts lmao

I JUST REALIZED I FORGOT A PIECE OF THE TITLE I AM DUMB SORRY I NEED SLEEP LMFAO (If you didn't see it, it said How Do Show Affection)

I'll see you when I see you next, goodbye until then :))♡♡

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#genshin impact smut #zhongli x reader #childe x reader #diluc x reader #kaeya x reader #genshin kaeya #genshin impact x reader #genshin childe #genshin zhongli #genshin impact #genshin smut #genshin headcanons #venti x reader #genshin impact venti

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moonsplit · 1 year

Note

HIIIIIIIIIIIIII

i was wondering if i could request some fluffy or angsty toh hunter×gn!bard!reader headcannons.

that's the overall request, but if i can get a little specific, i would like if you'd include something about the reader being an actual half witch half human, maybe they get angry/sad because everyone uses the term half-a-witch as if it's something to be ashamed of being.

seeing hunter being so appreciative of willow in for the future made me get back into my hunter brainrot and honestly your fluffy hunter hcs were one of the only good hunter×reader work i could find here, i got SO SAD when i realized that was the only work you had published, so here i am, begging for more.

anyway, thx byeeeeee!

↠ "Half-a-witch, huh?" ↞

* pairing ↠ TOH - Hunter x gn!bard!reader * word count ↠ 881 * tags ↠ fluff, soft angst,

* notes ↠ This is the biggest compliment ever omg!! Thank you anon :D

You had a rough time growing up, hearing everyone use what you were as an insult

"Half-a-witch" this and "half-a-witch" that

It wasn't fun having everyone berate and doubt you for it either

People with better intentions would praise you for basic spells

Things you learned in grade school

Even if it did take you a bit longer to learn, they didn't have to treat you as if your existence was weird and wrong

Joining the bard track at Hexside was a choice you'd never regret, but some days people would get insufferable

As if using an instrument was "easier" than spell circles and didn't take even more training and practice just to get right

But noooo, the only thing easier than the bard track was potions, clearly

Meeting Hunter for the first time was certainly.. an experience

Why was this guy camping out at school?

The Boiling Isles was unique, sure, but as far as you knew there weren't many people living in the hidden areas of school

He stumbled over his introduction before running off, you chasing after him

Through a series of convoluted events, you got wrapped up in everything

It started with Hunter, you bringing him snacks and trying to pry any information from this weirdo you could

But, well, the whole school got covered in illusions

You managed to run into him and Gus, the three of you joining forces

Music was useful after all, while Gus could see through the illusion, you could use what was essentially echolocation

The panic attack he had.. wait-

He was the freaking golden guard??

Okay, okay, more important things to think about

But still, pretty important revelation that you're definitely gonna ask about later

And.. the day of unity? It was a sham?

You learned so much in the past day it was hard to digest

You went home, sulking into the familiarity of your bed

And the next day, or, next few days- leading up to the day, you joined the CATS, and their plans-

You were too deep, even if you didn't want to help, which you did, you also probably had a target on your back from being seen with Hunter

When the day came, you were shaken to your core

Everything was happening so fast, so many people to their knees-

Not to mention you were in the freaking human realm

You had been told by your mom that she managed to wander through a door, getting trapped in the demon realm

So you'd only ever heard stories of rain that was cold, the lack of magic..

You had always wanted to see it, your other parent had too- but the two of you only ever got stories from your mom

The victory of it was overshadowed by the fear

Everyone was badly injured, only one of you had been here before, and oh yeah, let's not forget to mention, you had no way of knowing what happened after you left!

It was high tensions for everyone

You spent the months growing close to the group, particularly Hunter

He was the first person you had made your friend, it was only natural you gravitated towards him

You ended up spilling your life's story to him, just a smidge

He listened as you told him about your parents, a brief complaint about "half-a-witch" sending him into a rant

"That insult is stupid, you have some of the most unique bard magic I've seen despite being half human! Luz beat me in a duel with her glyphs, and she's not even half witch, Willow's plant magic is seriously powerful, even-"

He cut himself off, faltering and putting his hands back in his lap. "Sorry."

He shook his head, when you tried to get him to keep going. Well, that was alright- baby steps, I guess.

"You think my technique is unique?"

"It's similar to old wild magic, your spell circles- were they plant or construction? They could both be useful with bard magic now that I think about it..." he trailed off, mumbling as he tried to work it out in his head.

"You saw those? I thought I was subtle! They were so tiny too,"

"It's my job to be observant, I'm the Golden Gua-"

It went silent

Hunter fiddled with his hands and shirt.

You put a hand over his own, causing him to flinch harder than you had seen someone flinch before and push your hand away

"It's okay, it takes time."

"How long is this going to go on? I can't take it."

Neither of you had an answer, of course.

Sure, you guys were safe- relatively, at least

But you couldn't stay in the human realm with no way back

And neither of you had gone through what Hunter was going through

You didn't even know the full extent of it

You spoke up after a few moments of pure silence, save for breathing

"I don't know, but I'll stay by your side. If you'll let me."

"I think I'd like that. Is that weird? That feels weird?"

"Nah, I think Luz made a bet on it though."

"A bet on what?"

You shrugged. "Who knows? It's Luz."

If you could capture the snicker that came from him for eternity, you would.

#I didn't edit this because I was too eager to post it #so I hope it isn't too bad!#the owl house #toh hunter #hunter toh #gender neutral reader #hunter x reader #hunter x gender neutral reader #fluff #x reader #soft angst #i hope this works well!#ALSO GENUINELY THANK YOU #THAT WAS SUCH A COMPLIMENT #today on: Sol wrote more than he thought he was going to and now you have to deal with it #toh

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goddness-lunafreya · 5 months

Text

My OC/Tav reaction during Astarion's "My Little Treat" scene

Hi, how are you? I'm here to post something cute. My Tav's reaction to Astarion's scene where he quotes his "Favorite Lines".

Astarion: "When I'm with you, I feel practically alive, yet I crave only to die again with you."

Here, Philrath(The Tav) gave this cute little smile. It looks like she's thinking something like, "Him trying is adorable." I like to imagine that she's loving watching him try, wanting to see how far Astarion can go in this little game. As a bard, she knows how to write elaborate poems to win someone over, and she understands that our beloved vampire is doing that, so she'd love to see him try more.

Astarion: "Every part of your perfect body whispers temptation - it's as of the Gods made you just to ruin me."

Here she reacted more seriously, as if she was uncomfortable or wanted to see what would come out next. I generally think this line is kind of cute, but it's... Too sexy? I don't know, I imagine Philrath not taking that line seriously, it's so horny. Still, you can see the naughty face on her, as if it were a provocation.

Astarion: "How about if I said these little words... Everyone's favourite..." Astarion: "I love you."

And finally, defeat. This line broke Philrath's defenses (and mine, seriously, I couldn't help but be shocked).

She expected anything from Astarion but that. Instead of embellishing her words, he was direct, short and sweet. It may even be a lie, but it was so frank and direct that it sounds sincere.

Remembering that at this point they hadn't yet told Astarion's confession, which makes everything seem even more complex. Still, Philrath was already in love with him at that point. So she took this phrase very positively. However, like a flash, she remembers and her response is: "You'd be lying."

With that, she remembers that maybe it really is a lie. Philrath is very afraid of Astarion abandoning her in the end. If all of these statements, until the last one, were a lie, it would mean that the guarantee of having him for the future was uncertain. Even though she is sad, she decides to continue, smiling.

After all, if she felt that little spark of truth in his speech, it was worth trusting.

Conclusion:

This scene left both me and my Tav dead inside. 💀💀 And I love that she reacted exactly like me while playing.

#baldur's gate 3 #bg3 #fanfic #astarion #bg3 prints #bg3 oc #bg3 tav #tav #astarion x oc #astarion x tav #icy serenade #philrath #astarion romance

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violent-backed-starling · 9 months

Text

Okay, this one is a bit odd, but bear with me. What if Lapin was one of Joren's partners, and thus one of Liam's many parents.

There are several spoilers for a Crown of Candy under the cut, proceed at your own discretion.

So my thoughts are that in this AU Lapin never messed with the SPF and thus isn't a Warlock, but I think he would make an awesome College of Lore Bard. That way he could still have access to fly at the sixth level and that he is a charisma based spellcaster. Basically Lapin would be getting magic by preserving the stories of the ancestral spirits of each of the different countries in Comida.

I personally think that he would have a special focus into the spirits of the Dairy Isles and the Sweetening Path. The Sweetening Path is obvious, given where he's from. The Dairy Isles is because they are Candia's allies and that they ate receptive to his work in a way that Vegetania for sure wouldn't be. He also occasionally goes over to the Meatlands, but not as much as the Isles.

I think that since Lapin visits the Dairy Isles so much he does get to know young Annabelle Cheddar and maybe Duchess Primsy. He grows close to them and is kind of a family friend. I think he would also be keeping his ears open for news on the Witch Queen of the Dairy Sea when whe grows more prominent. Maybe he is even pencils of sorts with Saccharina, but he doesn't know she is Amethar's kid, just that she cares for magic and that is something he can get behind.

Now Lapin's relationship to Joren, his other partners, and his kids is sort of complicated. He isn't dating many of Joren's partners. Just Spearia and maybe one other, an orange person, I think. But he does get on with all of them. He does have favorites of the children and Liam is up there, he might be the favorite, but Lapin does like some of the children that got married pretty well. Liam is for sure his favorite that still lives at home which is why he volunteered to go with him and Preston to Castle Candy to be Amethar's ward.

Lapin spends a good amount of time with Liam when he is at Castle Many-Licks. He spends time walking in the woulds with Liam and treats his scrapes and bruises with magic. He tells Liam bedtime stories after he has nightmares as well they are just pretty close whenever Lapin is home and when he isn't he sends many letters to Liam as well as his lovers.

Lapin is not widely known as one of Joren's partners as they aren't in a Bulbian marriage, but they aren't hiding it. So most people assume that Lapin is one of Joren's advisors or an ambassador to the Dairy Isles. So that is the guise he uses to go with Liam. He just pretends that he is there to help Liam learn and is like his personal tutor. Lapin likes to go under the radar and also it means that he Theo can snipe at each other freely. If Theo knew Lapin was partners with Joren you know they wouldn't be getting in those arguments.

So there are two ways I see this AU going. The first is pretty similar to the events of Canon, where Lapin still dies and all that but Liam is sadder and they have to explain the loss to Joren. So Liam sending Preston after Lapin is also a little more tragic because in this AU I headcanon that getting Liam a pig was Lapin's idea. Like Spearia wanted to get him an animal but didn't know which animal and Lapin suggest a pig that was known for rooting which was something that Liam was passionate about. So in the Cathedral both of Liam's ties to his home and childhood are effectively ripped away from him.

But everything else is relatively the same. Liam still runs into him and Preston in the SPF's lair post battle, that reunion is just a little more soft and them leaving is a little more sad. Also Saccharina finding out what happened to her kind penal might make it even harder to dissuade her from absolutely destroying the Bulbian Church, not that she doesn't have a good enough reason already.

The other way is more fun and I think it means everyone lives because they deserve happiness dammit! So my thoughts are that in the cathedral fight he still casts fly on Theo, but he could cutting words one of Keradin's attacks and survive that first round and then disengage with that fucking carrot. He could get in a mass healing word with a bonus action, that is if he retains concentration on fly on Theo. If he keeps concentration then Theo could come back and get him and they all get away from the cathedral. If he doesn't then he can cast fly on himself and they all get away from the cathedral.

I think that since they all survive, but Lapin did step in and take hits that were meant for Liam that he would keep close to his dad. And after they made it back to Castle Candy that if both he and Jet didn't want to go the the lingerie shop that Ruby wouldn't have gone and thus Jet lives. (They would still meet Cumulous during the attack on Primsy) The kids, Lapin, Theo, Cumulous, and Caramelinda all get out through the secret passages and meet Amethar at the base of the tower before totally slipping away to Manta Ray's ship.

They still meet Saccharina the same way, but she is met with a better reception because Jet is still alive. Ruby and Jet would be thrilled to have another sister and Saccharina is so cool. Amethar is happy to have another daughter. Caramelinda is still fairly cold, but you know her entire life had been turned upside down so I think she is allowed to be a little distant. Also Saccharina already has a friend amongst the party in Lapin. Also the other boys were happy enough to accept her in the campaign as it was.

The rescue mission for Joren leads to the rest of the party (apart from Liam) finding out that Lapin and Joren slam it down big style. (Theo practically implodes when he finds out that he was sniping at one of Joren's lovers.) I think this whole seen would be hilarious. (Also after the rescue Joren totally kisses Lapin in front of everybody.)

I think that everything else is pretty similar except that final battle goes by a little quicker and is more in their favor because of Lapin and Jet.

That's all folks!

#a crown of candy #d20 #lapin cadbury #acoc #d20 acoc #lapin is one of jorens partners au #icarus speaks #au #acoc spoilers

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bardcore-jaskier · 1 year

Text

♡ My thoughts on Veskier + headcanons ♡

- One of the rarest rare pairs in the Witcher fandom for sure! And guess what? I LOVE IT!!!

- They chose the perfect actor to play Vesemir in season 2! Kim Bodnia is a charismatic Danish actor with a charming accent, his performance was AMAZING!

- As of season 2, I personally am a bit cross with most characters in the series for the way they treated Jaskier. Geralt used Jaskier for his loyalty and his apology was shit, so Geraskier prompts/ideas don't come to me as quickly as they used to.

- Lauren went and killed off Eskel, so to cook up some Jaskel content it would have to be an AU where he doesn't die and would require a LOT of creativity not only to make it possible for him to be alive, but also mix and match his personality from video clips of his game counterpart on YouTube, since Eskel didn't get enough screen time on Netflix to show the entirety of his character.

- Lambert was an absolute dick to Jaskier, so Lambskier is rocky too, Lambskier's only saving grace is that Lambert and Jaskier didn't have a lot of scenes together, leaving a lot of room for thinking up ways in which those two could bond.

- WHICH BRINGS ME TO MY CURRENT FAVORITE JASKIER SHIPS: Yennskier (I already made a post about) and of course Veskier!

- Veskier, being a ship of a younger pretty man and an older witcher warrior, has mostly gotten attention from the extremely kinky side of the fandom. Daddy kink, BDSM, dom/sub, breeding kink and other kinks galore. Even more often, this ship is mixed with others in a M/M/M/M/M setting, you know, I know you know, we all have seen the witchersexual!Jaskier tag on AO3. And while I do enjoy a little well written smut from time to time, most of the Veskier fanfics out there do not quite suit my taste.

- Vesemir and our beloved, adorable, brilliant walking sunshine trouble maker of a bard, did not interact in season 2 at all, I doubt that they will ever, with both being side characters. HOWEVER, that makes this pairing FREE REAL ESTATE! Who is to say what is likely and what is not? Who is to say they won't work? Who is to say that they couldn't have gotten together at some point off screen?

- It makes me a little sad that people don't realize just how much potential there is with Veskier! Much like Yennskier, the theoretical romantic relationship between these two, at least going off of Netflix canon alone, would be surprisingly healthy and wholesome.

- Every time I imagine them together, I headcanon Jaskier as not entirely human. Either part-fae or of elder blood.

- Veskier is a perfect ship for emotional healing, for fluff, for the kinky side, for the crack, for happiness!

- FLUFF × CRACK × SMUT × HURT/COMFORT

Let me set the scene

- After Voleth Mier, Jaskier realizes that he somehow ended up in a situation where he lost his precious lute, became a wanted man in Oxenfurt (a city he considered his home), got tortured for information about his ex-bff, then said ex-bff came to bail him out of jail because he needed him, not for the sake of making amends, essentially using Jaskier to find Yennefer and then sending him off with Ciri as a glorified nanny. And here he is, at the top of another mountain, in Kaer Morhen, where Geralt is too busy with Ciri to talk while the other witchers are rude to him. He is penniless, injured, has nothing but the bloodied clothes on his back and is suffering from nightmares about Rience.

- Vesemir is a tired old man who has witnessed too much bloodshed in his lifetime. His body may be enhanced and therefore he doesn't feel the physical effects of aging (if at all) as much as he does the mental. All witchers were human at some point, he can actually feel the psychological toll of living much longer than humans are designed to. Still, he has to be strong as the master of the keep, to set an example and to be a dependable source of wisdom and guidance for his pups. He will never admit it out loud, but the things he has to deal with after Voleth Mier overwhelm him. There's Geralt's whole elder blood child surprise thing, constant repairs of a crumbling fortress, honoring and mourning the fallen witchers, processing the fact that new mutated mosters are appearing and they don't have the mutagens to create more of their kind to protect the continent and survive. There is nothing he can do about it except deal with the anxiety of knowing these stone cold facts.

- In this whole mess, two broken souls might just be what the other needs. Where Vesemir could do with a break, with a little joy, Jaskier is more than enough to help with that. And where Jaskier could do with being taken care of after everything he's been through, after everything he lost, Vesemir is a perfect candidate for that job. Their relationship would be yin and yang, balance and harmony personified.

- Honestly, please tell me that you see it too! They have a lot in common, Jaskier is a professor, mastered the seven liberal arts, grammar, logic, rhetoric, arithmetic, geometry, music, astronomy and according to canon, he passed every exam with flying colors!

- Vesemir is wise, he has lived for centuries, he has witnessed history, he was trained as an alchemist, has extensive knowledge about many things. He is a bottomless pit of knowledge.

- They could talk for hours together and never run out of topics to discuss.

- And the sex? OH BROTHER! Jaskier fucked his way across the continent countless times, while Vesemir is so ancient there is no way that he hadn't bedded a considerable amount of people. Yeah, the sex would be mind blowing I should think.

- Jaskier is a hopeless romantic and Vesemir is a traditional gentleman (when he is wooing the damsels, according to game!canon Lambert.) They would probably be very fluffy and affectionate with eachother. Verbose compliments, music, cuddling, kissing.

- LMAO, imagine everyone else's reaction!!!

- Geralt would be mortified seeing his friend making out with his father figure on the kitchen table 🤣🤣🤣

- The other witchers would probably feel uneasy, shocked at first too, until they get used to it. HAHA ONCE THEY DO LAMBERT IS GONNA FUCKING MILK IT

"Morning papa Vesemir, papa Jaskier"

- KAER MORONS!!!

- Also, the theoretical adventures a witty traveling part fae bard and a silverfox witcher could have, make me beyond giddy!

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mistresspandorawritesthings · 9 months

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Stats tag game

@narastories tagged me and this seems like a fun way to procrastinate for a few minutes 💖. (Also please go to Nara's post and read those fics of hers! You're in for such a treat, seriously.)

I'm limiting my answers to my Outlander fics. I haven't removed my old SPN stuff, but we don't need to talk about them.

most hits (15,878): Whatever it Costs, co-authored with @iihappydaysii, which is a multi-chapter Jamie/John canon divergence, so yeah. It's the most hits BY FAR. My solo fic with the most hits is More Eloquent Than Words (number 2 on my stats page) and has 6,725 hits.

fewest hits (89): Hot Patootie, from my Songs about Getting By series. Huh. That one is kind of a surprise.

most kudos (515): Whatever it Costs, again by a country mile. My solo fic with the most kudos is No More Should, (255 kudos) which I gotta say is a little surprising that it's that high up the list, but it makes me happy that that one got so much love.

fewest kudos (6): With Kaleidoscope Eyes, which is a drabble from the Songs About Getting By encore set.

most comments (259): Take a Sad Song! Now, it might be because that's my fic with the most chapters and some very wonderful readers commented on more than one chapter.

fewest comments (0): With Kaleidoscope Eyes again, not surprising. It's a drabble, there's not much to comment on lol.

most bookmarks (162): Whatever it Costs

fewest bookmarks (0): The Bard and Lady Fair. 😂 What, no one wants to come back and revisit Harry Quarry/Benedicta Grey? I can't imagine why not

most words (105,980): Take a Sad Song, my chonky baby

fewest words (100): Friends Can Kiss, officially, based on sorting my stats page. I have a bunch of drabbles though, which are all 100 words precisely and in this series.

Zero pressure tags for: @meditating-honey-badger, @iihappydaysii, @saltybenchday, @faccal, and anyone else who'd like to play 💖

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fandom-junk-drawer · 11 months

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The Witcher Headcanon (Modern AU) - Imaginary Friend: Bonus Scene - Part 3

Potoo Head Geralt apparently wasn't going anywhere, and they all stood there wondering what the f**k they were going to do now.

"F**k it! I say we keep him!" Jaskier said, "There's plenty of cursed people walking around, and-!"

"And most people shun them, and treat them like they have a communicable disease." Geralt interjected.

"And most people find a mage and get the curse lifted," Yenenfer added, "so people will eventually start asking uncomfortable questions."

Jaskier's face fell. Yennefer and Geralt both started screaming internally at the sight of their bard having a sad. D*mn how he just wore his heart on his sleeve like that! Potoo Head Geralt immediately started preening his hair in an attempt to comfort him.

"He can't live with us for ever," Yennefer sighed, scratching Potoo Head Geralt under his chin. "It's not fair to him, making him stay locked up in doors, and always worrying if someone is going to try to hurt him."

"He could live with my Grannie..." Jaskier suggested, hopeful.

Geralt had met Jaskier's Grannie, and the woman was terrifying. It was rumored that she had put a Bear over her knee and thrashed his a*se for telling her to 'push off'. Plus, she was nobility, and well-respected, and she had connections. Potoo Head Geralt would definitely be safe with her.

"But she can only do so much, love," Yennefer said gently. "She can't fight off a crowd of angry people, or stop the police if they decide to take him."

"He could live at Kaer Morhen..."

Yennefer and Jaskier blinked at Geralt in surprise.

"It's remote, so he'll be safe there. Vesemir will be glad of the company, and we can go visit anytime we like."

Jaskier's face had lit up like the sun.

Geralt discussed things with Vesemir over the phone that evening, and they made plans for the roadtrip. Yennefer could have just portaled them over, but she knew Jaskier would appreciate the extra time with their friend.

Less than a week later, they piled into Geralt's vintage creeper van and started their journey. Geralt was not really looking forward to the long drive stuck in Roach with Potoo Head Geralt. He was fine with him at the house because Geralt could just go to another room. But in a confined space like a van? There was no where to go.

There was plenty of room, however, since Yennefer had done her 'Mage-y' thing (as Jaskier put it) and made the inside bigger than the outside. The space changed depending on the number of people, and right now, the inside was as spacious as an RV. But there was still little to no privacy, or places to go to get away from everyone.

The sleeping arrangements were awkward too. There was only one bed, and they all had to share. It was a huge bed, but it was still just weird when everyone just crawled into bed at the same time. At least to Geralt it was weird.

Geralt had never had a problem sharing a bed with Yennefer or Jaskier. H*ll, the three of them had been cosleeping for weeks becuase of Jaskier's nightmares. But now, Geralt felt uncomfortable sharing. He knew it was because of how touchy-feely his namesake was with Jaskier.

Potoo Head Geralt would cuddle up with Jaskier, practically sleeping on him like a large dog. Geralt tried not to growl.

Yennefer laid awake at night, feeling very much like a meme. Ah Yes. Me, my husband, our wife, and his six foot tall, Potoo Headed dream guardian.

Yennefer had almost laughed out loud when, as Geralt was falling asleep, she'd heard him mentally grumble to himself that Jaskier and Potoo Head Geralt should just get it over with and f**k already. Yennefer put her arm over him and rested her head on his chest, and used their mental link to start teasing him about being jealous. Geralt, of course, couldn't let that slide, and they started telepathically bantering back and forth.

Jaskier's voice piped up grumpily from the darkness. "What are you two doing? You're huffing like water buffalos-! You better not be f***ing! I swear to Melitele, if you two are f***ing right beside me-!"

"You'll what?" Yennefer asked, mildly, "Join in?"

There was a gagging noise, then, "You're disgusing, Yennefer!"

"Says the man who likes to use our telepathic link to heckle me and Geralt during our private time!"

"Hmmmm!"

"Both of you bugger off!"

"Well, if you insist!"

"HoE, dOn'T yOu dArE!!!!"

They finally made it to Kaer Morhen. Word traveled fast, and the other Wolves had wanted to see this strange creature for themselves. And they didn't want to let a chance to tease Geralt go to waste.

Inspite of the heads up Geralt had given them, they were still taken aback when Potoo Head Geralt followed Geralt into the Great Hall

The Hall fell so silent, Geralt could hear his brothers blinking. They stared at Potoo Head Geralt as they slowly approached to greet their brother.

"D*mned thing looks just like Geralt!" Lambert laughed as he embraced Geralt warmly. He and the other Wolves crowded around the unfortunate creature.

Potoo Head Geralt *eyes looking in two different directions*: "Mwwaaaawwwp?"

"No it doesn't!" Geralt grumbled.

The Witchers inspected the new arrival.

"He could be your f***ing twin!"

"Or his son. F**ked a gryphon, did you? Never pegged you as a monsterf**ker, Geralt!"

"You know the quiet ones are always the kinkiest b**tards!"

"Shut up, Jaskier!"

Lambert pulled out his phone and made Geralt stand next to the dream guardian so they could take pictures and say things like "I can't tell them apart!"

"It's weird looking, but it kind of grows on you!" Ceon said.

"Potoo Head Geralt," Jaskier said in an offended tone, "His name is Potoo Head Geralt!"

"That's brilliant!" Eskel laughed, "He's even named after you, Geralt!"

"Meh, it's a bit cumbersome to say, if you ask me." Lambert commented.

"No one asked you," Jaskier said defensively, giving Potoo Head Geralt a head scratch.

"It is kind of a mouthful, Nightengale," Yennefer said diplomatically.

"We can give him a nickname," Eskel suggested. Vesemir nodded . He agreed that the name was cumbersome, and 'Jacek' didn't really suit him.

They sat around the tables, eating and drinking while they came up with a list of possible names. They bickered back and forth until they whittled the list down to their top picks.

Winkerpeeps, Blinkie, Deadlights, Orbs, Facetits, and Peepers were all suggested.

Lambert wanted to go with 'Facetits' Jaskier started giggling when Yennefer read the name 'Facetits', which made Geralt start giggling. They ended up muttering 'Facetits' back and forth to each other and giggling for twenty minutes. 'Facetits' was promptly removed from the list.

Lambert sulked after his top pick was struck from the list, and argued that it was a perfectly good name. And it fit him perfectly! I mean, look at the size of his eyes! Those were some impressive facetits!

Yennefer argued that Potoo Head Geralt needed a name that Jaskier and Geralt could say without giggling, or at least look at him without giggling.

Arguments were made back and forth until Vesemir decreed that it should be put to a vote.

Geralt decided to vote for 'Deadlights', because it sounded bada**, and was more dignified than the cutsey names on the list. Might as well give the poor f**ker a repectable name.

Lambert wanted 'Winkerpeeps'.

Aiden went with 'Orbs'.

Coen and Vesemir both voted for ' Blinkie'.

They were all out voted by Yennefer, Eskel, and Jaskier, however, and Potoo Head Geralt was officially nicknamed 'Peepers'.

They stayed a few days to help Peepers settle in, and then returned home. Jaskier was worried for him at first, wondering how he was doing, and if he liked his new home. His worries were for naught, though, judging by the sh*t ton of videos and photos of Peepers that Vesemir started sending them.

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allthecastlesonclouds · 4 months

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hi giving you an opportunity to infodump about wips and fic ideas <3

AGADSGFJHASDFJKH bird got my fic rambles so. you get my OCs sorry i don't make the rules they are forever a wip and i refuse to shut up about them

SO they're technically backgroundish characters for a DnD world bc Teary is part of the Pantheon for the world but. it's not about them it's about my guys!!

so teary is the son of Light and Shadows. his full name is tearithus, because why the hell not he can have some drama as a treat, he starts as a funky little imp, a bard-esque guy, who's kind of the comedic relief? he's the least toxic-masculinity-ified man you've ever met, though, because. his mother refused. their story is in three arcs and between one and two he gets mass promoted from imp to archdevil bc. yknow. saving the world and all that jazz. anyway he gets some body issues deals with that for a While. he deals with them by creating a magic circle that creates a 'permanent' shape change on his body to send his actual form to the ethereal plane. (he does not deal with them for a While.) he's loud and dramatic until literally anyone in the party starts talking, and then. he just sits and listens.

and his bestie my bestie chara. it's not her actual name (that's barely shared bc. points. fae). her title is the lady of fire, keeper of memories and watcher of time, but she doesn't try to get into that much. she's just a sad gay phoenix woman who misses her wife. she is So Self-Sacrificing and for what? Self hatred?? anyway she lost her wife in the First War, got her wife's Orb, and realized that she's possibly never going to see her wife again because her soul is nowhere. she's a fae (bc phoenix) and so struggles a lot in transitions between realms, but the transition that hit her hardest was, naturally, faerie to material. her wife helped her then. a millenia later, teary shows up at her doorstep, bleeding out, and she helps him just how she was helped. she has innate magic (sorcerer!!) and absolutely loves fucking with her own appearance. her spellcasting focus is her wedding ring– when she realized teary set up the Circle to hide his appearance, she said she wouldn't tell if he hid her ring too– focuses are targeted, she points out, and she'll be damned if she ever loses that. she can die and 'be reborn', but it's based on deals: if she dies, she gets sent to Liminality, too far from where she knows safety, and a Demon or Angel pops up to offer her a deal. she haggles and returns to life with some benefit or disadvantage. towards the end of arc two, she gets hung, and returns in a blaze of fire with true sight, but her Actual Vision is taken– her eyes are pure flame.

if duos were made of my guys, chara and mini would get paired up a lot just because teary and august are Love Interests TM. this whole friend group are Friends With Each Other, and these two have that good good sapphic/aroace bonding. they're besties. they're competitors. they have completely different views on the gods. mini, if i had to sum them up in a 'describe your character like Shit challenge,' would be: an amnesiac ghost wakes up in the Liminality with a sword and decides to solve a mystery. mini is self named– short for minutia– and they're a paladin of the Innkeeper, one of the Pantheon (Time). Mini's title starts as 'The Sword of the Innkeeper' and they are a damn good paladin. they don't have control over too many things at the start– their main motivation is to know Who They Are– but, really, their main arc is finding themself in the world itself, figuring out that they are not defined by who they were in life. it helps that, being a ghost and a dead elf, they have almost complete resistance to magical effects on physical forms and non-magic weapons– they will refuse to die. they're not naïve, but they are optimistic, which pairs them and teary together against chara and august pretty often, who are a bit more pessimistic/pragmatic.

and! speaking of august! my darling augustine, High Angel of Mercy. she begins the story serving under Life, but ends up just serving the cause, the belief of Mercy. She, of all Immortals, is the one pushing closest to Godhood without being one. she doesn't want to be one. she died half a decade into the First War– she was followed home from a town square performance and shot twice– and she's been Working In This Vein of Bullshit for the longest. if i had to give her a dnd class it would be monk: she does the punches, not the magics, but thoroughly diverts the 'magics person is the leader, punchies are the henchman with no thoughts' idea by Being So On Top Of Her Shit. she's got portals set up to each Plane, commissions Sending Earrings/Rings for the group, does a lot of Heaven's paperwork, and is too much of a perfectionist to not Have Her Shit Together. she's not, exactly, go-with-the-flow as much as the rest of the group is, because she is Terrified Of Fucking Up, but she is ruthless and impulsive in battle once she knows the people she's fighting have Wronged in a way that cannot be reprieved. also, she likes to dance. wonder what that's about? couldn't be her Life.

teary and chara have known each other the longest: legends build, you see, and townsfolk are afraid, and so when Teary came to the Material he got shot. a couple times. and a kind soul in the woods told him of the Firebird in the Mountains, so you best believe he hightailed it up there. he found her, and she helped him, and they have tea every Tuesday, where they absolutely gossip and are happy to admit it.

teary and august met next: teary works in hell for a Long While– being an imp, not a god, where would he go?– and august is basically the Deal With Anything Anywhere department of heaven, so when some trappings of Uncanny Necromancy starts to pop up on the material– and they're summoning from both Heaven and Hell– august goes Give Me One'a You Guys and gets teary to help her out. they become friends and just. keep working together.

then there's something messing with faerie, their souls being trapped in heaven instead of melting into the Being Of The World, and teary goes 'gustie i know a guy' and drags in chara. chara and august are DELIGHTED with each other and bond over lightly ribbing teary and also pretty women and also the world is fucked up and we lost Too Much to War, didn't we? anyway they get that cleared up :)

mini comes along last– it's 6 years into the Second War when heaven and hell stop receiving souls and august realizes there's a backup at the Inn at The End of The World. the innkeeper goes Help Me Please the Inn Isn't Made To Hold This Many People and mini, being one of these souls and being nosy and also knowing 'hey i worshipped this one. that's my Diety Right There' goes how can i help? and! the party is complete!

i'll shut up now but there may be a post about the Pantheon if i'm ever prompted with anything because. these ones are my guys but the Pantheon lets me weave words yknow?

#castles ocs #ren <3 #listen. i love them. theyre my darlings.#and i'm talking i guess #i did art of teary and mini and august a while back (not cassie. she's hard) but. the designs aren't up to date so :/ as of now unposted!#this ask was likely about fanfics bc it was a wip ask game but. my GUYS. it's my GUYS. i don't care how tropey they are i LOVE them

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