#Raven Queen x Vax'ildan

[onlyherefortheshowmances]

So, I'm literally not even caught up watching C3 yet, but I've been reading the summaries and watching clips of the current stuff, so I think now is the time to finally reveal my idea that I've had since I found out Vax was turned into an orb. I know the details don't quite line up with everything that's happened in the interim and what's transpiring now/in the future, but still.

Obviously, Keyleth and Vex convince the rest of Vox Machina to get the band back together so they can go save everyone's favorite rogue/paladin from his tiny spherical prison. They manage to obtain the orb and destroy the machine thingy, but they can't figure out how to get Vax out of the orb. Pike tries a greater restoration (because she's Pike), but she can't quiet pull his soul away from the binding. So Keyleth has Vax in her pocket for a little while as they try to figure out how to solve this final part of their problem (because obviously that's the safest place for her orb-shaped boyfriend to stay).

Eventually, they decide to go to Vasselheim and go to the temple of the Raven Queen there and ask the acolytes if they have any idea how to get him out of the orb. They're shocked to see the orb and know what it is, of course, but the suggestion is that someone take the orb with them into the communion pool. Percy volunteers because he's already been there once and doesn't want anyone else to have to do it, but Keyleth refuses to let anyone else do it and goes herself instead.

So, Keyleth takes the orb into the communion pool and comes face-to-face with her least favorite deity, explains the situation and asks for her assistance because she knows that the Raven Queen might care almost as much about the fate of his soul as she does. The Raven Queen agrees to assist in the ritual and they hold the orb in their hands together and Keyleth casts greater restoration (cause that's a thing Druids can cast, right?) and the Raven Queen 'helps' and together they're able to separate Vax's soul from the binding and free him from the his tiny spherical prison, so then Vax is there with them once they pop out of the spell and he's very confused for a minute, but then he sees Keyleth and does not care how this happened anymore.

Eventually, Keyleth knows she has to leave and go back to the mortal plane and is willing to do so now that she knows Vax is safe and back where he belongs. But, it's Vax that has more of a problem with this (letting her leave and staying there), so the Raven Queen takes them to the life line weave or whatever we're calling it. Threads of Fate thing and shows them both what she's been trying to avoid Vax figuring out for the past 3 decades which is their own threads. Vax's first winds closely with another nearly identical thread (his twin sister), but just as their threads come a bit apart, another two other threads appear (come into the same area). One begins slowly winding with Vex's (that's Percy's thread) and the other starts intertwining with Vax's (Keyleth's thread). [Basically a long drawn out way of saying soulmates exist, okay?] And at one point a little further along, suddenly Vax's thread is torn away from Keyleth's (when he died). But because, she's the Raven Queen and can pull the threads of fate or whatever, she just kind of waves her hand and Vax's thread pulls back into view and begins twining itself around Keyleth's once more. "I give second chances. Not thirds. Live well." And then she disappears and they're BOTH in the communion pool trying to get to the top and out.

Obviously, no one downstairs knows what's going on or even if the attempt was successful, but Keyleth and Vax are also confused by what just happened. Keyleth notices that Vax's heart rate sounds... normal again instead of barely beating at all like the last time the Raven Queen let him come back. They go downstairs and Vex immediately runs at her brother as soon as she sees him (obviously), but Pike is hesitant at first, but Vax lets her do a medicine check or whatever she wants and she determines he's not undead or whatever he was last time... he's just... alive. And so Keyleth and Vax go back to Zephrah and live their merry lives like they were always supposed to.

[eddiephobic]

since i’m such a whump addict i still love Vax’ildan with chronic back pain truly from his wings super good shit

[blorbologist]

Two for joy - Chapter 17

(“Do they ever go back?”)

(“Go back?”)

(“To Byroden. To see their hometown, their mother’s grave.”)

(Laura tips her head to Liam.)

--

It’s particularly good luck that Vex is just setting out when there’s a flash of the most obnoxious purple in the courtyard. 

“- See, dear?” says Gilmore with a flourish. “My way does have its perks.”

Gilmore? And Keyleth, too. That means - 

“Stubby!” Fucker sneaks up on her, even in broad daylight, grabbing her around the middle to swing her up into a hug. Vex laughs - it uses all the air in her lungs and it’s perfect. Vax knows her well enough to put her down before she starts kicking at his legs. “Fuck - I missed you!”

As soon as her feet touch the ground Vex wraps him in a hug of her own. “I didn’t - was getting so used to not having you pop up out of nowhere or putting gross shit in my bed.” 

They turn as one to Keyleth and Gilmore, still bickering about magical transport - it’s like pieces of a broken plate, slotted together perfectly. Jagged and dangerous apart, maybe less so if you pretended they were whole. 

Vax hums. “Ah, you’ve discovered my motive. Look that way so I can slink off.”

“You can sure try-”

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

[arabella-strange]

oh man, eps4-6 were EXCELLENT.

[bloodinmymilkshake]

What pairings in LOVM do you like, besides Perc'ildan?

Hmmm... Let me think... Percivax, Percyvax, Vaxcy, Vaxpercy, Vax x Percy, Percy x Vax, Percival and Vax'ildan, Percival Fredrickstein von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III and Vax'ildan Vessar, Lord of Whitestone and Champion of the Raven Queen

[ofdarkestdesires]

The Canon Muse List of Of Darkest Desires and Darkest Desires Erotica

So many people have been asking about this...for years now. I specifically don't list the canon characters that I write for because that list is lengthy, and changes with the wind and my personal muse. However, since it is a new year, I suppose it's time we did a full canon character list for this blog. And, as an added note, I will also add at the end of each section notable OC muses that belong to these specific worlds.

Quick key before we get to the list, though: if a character is one of my favorites, they will be bolded and colored. If a character can be written genderswapped, they will be italicized. If a character is written non-canonically, they will be struck-through.

Avatar: Aang, Katara, Sokka, Prince Zuko, Toph Beifong, Suki, Jet, Azula, Mai, Ty-Lee, Princess Yue, Kyoshi, Korra, Mako, Bolin, Asami Sato, Kuvira

Bleach: Ichigo Kurosaki, Rukia Kuchiki, Orihime Inoue, Yasutora "Chad" Sado, Uryu Ishida, Tatsuki Arisawa, Yoruichi Shihoin, Kisuke Urahara, Kukaku Shiba, Sosuke Aizen, Rangiku Matsumoto, Toshiro Hitsugaya, Sui-Feng, Shunsui Kyoraku, Nanao Ise, Isane Kotetsu, Yachiru Retsu Unohana, Isshin Shiba-Kurosaki, Neliel tu Odelschwanck, Grimmjow Jaegerjacques, Tia Harribel, Francheska Mila Rose, Ulquiorra Cifer, Coyote Starrk, Lisa Yadomaru, Mashiro Kuna, Kensei Muguruma, Kirio Hikifune, Bambietta Basterbine, Meninas McAllon, Candice Catnipp // Ryuko Yorukitai

Critical Role: Vax'ildan, Vex'ahlia, Keyleth, Grog Strongjaw, Percy De Rolo, Pike Trickfoot, Scanlan Shorthalt, Allura Vysoren, Kima, Cassandra De Rolo, Delilah Briarwood, Sylas Briarwood, Caleb Widogast, Nott the (Thicc) Brave, Veth Brenatto, Jester Lavorre, Fjord Stone, Beauregard Lionette, Mollymauk Tealeaf, Kingsley Tealeaf, Yasha Nydoorin, Essek Theylyss, Reini, Queen Leylas Kryn, Imogen Temult, Laudna, Ashton Greymoore, Orym, Dorian Storm, Fearne Calloway // Scourge Maelstrom, Twilight Obsidia, Verdexis Sylvain

DC Comics: Bruce Wayne (Batman), Dick Greyson (Nightwing), Jason Todd (Red Hood), Barbara Gordon (Batgirl), Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, Selina Kyle (Catwoman), Clark Kent (Superman), Lois Lane, Supergirl, Powergirl, Starfire, Blackfire, Rachel Roth (Raven), Princess Diana (Wonderwoman), Darkseid, Aquaman

Disney: Princess Jasmine, Genie, Jafar, Aladdin, Mulan, Esmeralda, Nani Pelekai, Moana, Maui, Queen Elsa, Pocahontas, Princess Ariel, Ursula, Merida, Princess Kida, Megara, Jessica Rabbit, Kim Possible, Shego, Pacifica Northwest, Dipper Pines, Mabel Pines, Wendy Corduroy, Eda Clawthorn, Lilith Clawthorn, Amity Blight, Luz Noceda, Willow, Hunter, Helen Parr, Violet Parr

Fairy Tail: Natsu Dragneel, Lucy Heartfilia, Gray Fullbuster, Erza Scarlet, Wendy Marvell, Mirajane Strauss, Lisanna Straus, Cana Alberona, Juvia Lockster, Gajeel Redfox, Laxus Dreyar, Ultear Milkovich, Jellal Fernades, Minerva Orland, Sting Eucliff, Rogue Cheney, Yukino Agria, Sorano "Angel" Agria, Erik "Cobra", Irene Belserion, Brandish // Nyx Sylvain

Final Fantasy: Tifa Lockhart, Cloud Strife, Aerith Gainsborough, Barret Wallace, Jessie Raspberry, Yuffie, Scarlet, Sephiroth

Harry Potter: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Luna Lovegood, Neville Longbottom, Draco Malfoy, Pansy Parkinson, Daphne Greengrass, Susan Bones, Hannah Abbot, Cho Chang, Parvati Patil, Padma Patil, Lavender Brown, Bellatrix Lestrange, Nymphadora Tonks, Fleur Delacour, Fred and George Weasley, Ginny Weasley, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, Voldemort // Romulus Antares Lestrange-Black

Marvel Comics: Spider-Man (Peter Parker), Spider-Gwen, Miles Morales, Black Cat (Felicia Hardy), Mary-Jane Watson, Scarlet Witch (Wanda Maximoff), Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff), Iron Man (Tony Stark), Captain America (Steve Rogers), She-Hulk (Jennifer Walters), Wolverine (Logan), Wolverine (X-22), Kitty Pride, Thor, Loki, Jean Grey, Storm, Rogue, Wasp (Janet Van Dyne), Nebula, Black Panther (T’challa), Black Panther (Shuri), Captain Marvel

My Hero Academia: Izuku Midoriya, Katsuki Bakugou, Toshinori Yagi (All Might), Ochako Uraraka, Momo Yaoyorozu, Todoroki Shoto, Mina Ashido, Kirishima Ejirou, Tsuyu Asui, Toru Hagakure, Yu Takeyama (Mt Lady), Nemuri Kayama (Midnight), Rumi Usagiyama (Miruko), Mei Hatsume, Itsuka Kendo, Camie Utsushimi, Keigo Takama (Hawks), Nejire Hado, Himiko Toga, Dabi, Nomu // Tetsuga Bushido (Iron Midknight)

Naruto: Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, Sasuke Uchiha, Kakashi Hatake, Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi, Ino Yamanaka, Hinata Hyuuga, Kiba Inuzuka, Shino Aburame, Kurenai Yuhi, Tenten Higurashi, Anko Mitarashi, Tsunade Senju, Gaara no Sabaku, Temari no Sabaku, Kankuro no Sabaku, Tayuya, Orochimaru, Mei Temuri, Raikage Ei, Samui, Mabui, Yugito Nii, Konan, Kushina Uzumaki

Nintendo: Princess Zelda (SS/TP/BotW), Link (BotW), Ganondorf (TP/BotW Rehydrated), Impa (SS/Warriors), Midna, Urbosa, Riju, Mipha, Sidon, Paya, Purah, Robbie, Princess Peach, Bowser, Bowsette, Princess Daisy, Pauline, Donkey Kong, Luigi, Samus Aran

One Piece: Nami, Nico Robin, Yamato, Boa Hancock, Luffy D. Monkey, Portgas D. Ace, Trafalgar Law, Roronoa Zoro

Pokemon: Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, Misty, Lt. Surge, Sabrina, Lorelei, Bruno, Lance, Giovanni, Gold, Silver, Krystal, Whitney, Jasmine, Clair, Karen, Brenden, May, Roxanne, Brawley, Flannery, Winona, Tate, Liza, Maxie, Archie, Admin Shelly, Admin Courtney, Phoebe, Drake, Steven, Wallace, Lucy, Anabel, Lucas, Dawn, Cheryl, Gardinia, Fantina, Volkner, Commander Mars, Commander Jupiter, Lucian, Cynthia, Hilbert, Hilda, Rosa, Ashley (B/W Mom), Lenora, Cheren, Bianca, Roxie, Elesa (B2W2), Skyla, Brayden, N, Caitlyn, Grimsley, Shauntal, Marshall, Iris, Professor Kukui, Professor Burnet, Olivia, Guzma, Lusamine, Sonia, Leon, Bede, Marnie, Nessa, Kabu, Bea, Gordie, Melony, Raihan, Oleanna, Klara, Honey, Burgundy (Scar/Vi Mom), Cylene, Adaman, Irida, Arezu, Mai, Ingo, Palina, Gaeric, Lady Cogita, Nemona, Penny, Arvin, Dendra, Saguaro, Raifort, Brassius, Katy, Iono, Tulip, Grusha, Professor Sada, Professor Turo, Mela, Giacomo, Atticus, Eri

RWBY: Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna, Yang Xiao-Long, Jaune Arc, Nora Valkyrie, Pyrrha Nikos, Lie Ren, Glynda Goodwitch, Professor Ozpin, Cardin Winchester, Coco Adel, Fox Alistair, Velvet Scarletina, Yatsuhashi Daichi, Roman Torchwick, Cinder Fall, Emerald Sustrai, Mercury Black, Neopolitan, Hei Xiong, Miltia Malachite, Melanie Malachite, May Zedong, Arslan Atlan, Sun Wukong, Adam Taurus, Qrow Branwen, Raven Branwen, Taiyang Xiao-Long, Summer Rose, James Ironwood, Salem, Oscar Pine, Kali Belladonna, Ghira Belladonna, Sienna Khan, Ilia Amiitola, Saphron Cotta-Arc, Terra Cotta-Arc, Winter Schnee, Willow Schnee, Harriett Bree, Elm Ederne // Stark Ryker/Fall, Fenris Silbern, Russet "Rusty" Vulcan, Hozukimaru Wukong, Cherrybomb Alistair, Baelfieyr Zirconia, Zephyr Zirconia-Nikos, Scarlet Zirconia-Nikos, Lupin Zirconia-Nikos, Bast Zirconia-Belladonna, Shrike Zirconia-Branwen, Kyrstal Zirconia-Schnee, Sirius Silbern, Orion Braith, Clay Taurus

Skyrim: Yngvelja Ashkeeper (Dragonborn), Serana Volkihar, Lydia, Aela the Huntress, Mjoll the Lioness, Maven Black-Briar, Astrid, Queen Elisif, Thalmor Ambassador Elenwen

Xenoblade: Shulk, Reyn, Fiora, Dunban, Sharla, Melia, Rex, Pyra, Mythra, Malos, Jin, Nia, Mòrag Ladair, Brighid, Vandham, Eunie, Mio // Gairic Dáraig

Other: Chel Dorado, Ember McClain, Desiree, Danny Phantom, Gwen Tennyson, Charmcaster, Ben Tennyson, Kevin Levin, Gwen (TDI), Courtney (TDI), Bridgette (TDI), Heather (TDI), Bulma Briefs, Android 18, Android 21, Bayonetta, Lara Croft, Daenerys Targaryen, Sansa Stark, Jon Snow, Melissandra, Sandor Clegane

[ask-ladyofrosefire]

After his death, Vax'ildan finds a place in the realm of the Raven Queen

[english-professor-wraith]

Anything it Takes (Vax x Reader)

(Set centuries after the events of C1, and Vax has been serving as the Raven Queen's champion for far too long. You found a dagger years ago that allows him to appear in physical form when used to kill someone. You have fallen into an easy habit of finding victims, just to see your lover again. TW: blood and death, obviously. Genderless reader. #40 in the Tumblr Kiss Prompt List)

Curls of black smoke spiral around the shoulders of a figure, feathers drifting in the air from where he appeared in the room. Large, black wings sweep the air around him, disturbing the dust on the ground and causing small plumes to roll away from him. He is faced away from you towards a man laying on the ground, wheezing out his final breaths around the blade lodged between his ribs. Vax’ildan looks at the handle emerging from the man’s chest, a smirk spreading across his face as he recognizes the detailing. You are almost bouncing from the excitement of seeing him again, and you finally exclaim “Vax!”. You watch as he spins towards you, the faint light glinting off his teeth as he opens his arms to you. “Darling”, he chuckles as you run towards him. “You spoil me! Barely a day since I was last here, and already I get to see you again.”

He wraps his arms around you, spinning with you in his embrace as you both laugh with the joy of seeing each other again. “I missed you”, you mutter, pressing your face into his shoulder. The feathers on his armour tickle your nose, and as he sets you carefully back on your feet, you brush them back into place on his pauldrons. He holds your elbow for a moment, ignoring the wet coughing of the man still behind him, and guides you to a bench he sees by a near wall. He sits down with you on it, pulling you against his chest and wrapping his arms around you. You relax against him, the ridges of the armour comforting in their familiarity, and smile up at him. “I’m glad you got just the right spot on today’s victim: It will give us plenty of time with each other.” You grin proudly, starting to tell him the story of today’s murder, and the time passes happily, you wrapped in his arms and the two of you talking of everything and nothing. As the dying man on the other side finally reaches his end, you can see Vax’s expression tighten slightly, the pull of his Matron increasing as a soul emerges from the corpse. “My Lady needs me back”, he murmurs in your ear, and you sigh in resignation as you sit up. He stands, shaking out his legs after sitting for so long, and turns back towards you. His hand reaches up, the skin of his fingers pale against the black of his gloves, and brushes your jaw, bringing your eyes to his. They shine their usual hazel, though a flash of black covers them as the Raven Queen pulls him back to her. Before going to escort the soul to the other side, he takes a soft step towards you and brings his lips to yours. His kiss is cold, as it always is, but you melt against him anyways, wrapping your arms around his waist. When he finally pulls away from you, black almost covering his eyes completely now, he takes your hand in his. “Be careful, my darling. The Duskmaven watches me always, and should we meet too often she may find that you are tampering too much with fate. I cannot have you taken from me.” You can see tears well in his eyes, and you know he is thinking of those he has lost in the centuries before you met him. You reach up and wipe away the tears, and assure him that you will be careful. It is hard to promise, knowing that it means you will see him less often, but you understand his wish. He takes a step back, still holding your hand in his, and brings it to his face. Resting a soft kiss on your knuckle, he reaches back and takes hold of the soul behind him, then vanishes with a small flurry of smoke and feathers. You pick up the feathers left behind, carefully braiding them into your hair, though you know they will vanish by nightfall. You gather your blade from the now-cold corpse, wiping off the blood on the man’s clothing before walking from the room, almost disappearing into the shadows before exiting onto the street.

[pocketgalaxies]

percy: just so you know, it is your duty to have some joy in the meantime. you do know that, right? you're no use to her a wreck. she needs a man. have a fucking beer. *slaps vax on the ass*

[linzer-art]

"Forever. And ever and always."

Celebrating Critical Role 's return with the End.

[vaxyl]

Thinking about an angry 17yo Vesper Elaina de Rolo having heard about what happened to her Uncle and going to a temple of The Raven Queen, demanding an audience with The Matron, then chewing The Raven Queen out for taking Vax away like she did.

This followed up by The Raven Queen and Vax both trying to calm her down while explaining things to her, while simultaneously they're smirking at each other and holding hands.

And Vesper doesn't catch on, only getting more upset when Vax says he's happy with The Raven Queen in her domain.

Until finally The Raven Queen really just spells it out for Vesper and removes her mask before kissing Vax.

And Vesper just fucking- expires on the spot, speechless, as her uncle flusters at the sudden kiss before kissing RQ back.

And then The Raven Queen is like, "Do you understand now?"

And Vesper just nods weakly, stunned as hell, Vax laughing.

Vesper then asks about Vax and Keyleth, growing more confused now.

Vax explains that he is very much still in love with Keyleth, that he's waiting for her, but that it will be eons before they see eachother again and both had spoken about it.

That they agree it's okay to love others in the meantime until they reunite.

And Vesper soaks this in before asking if The Raven Queen genuinely loves Vax.

The Raven Queen assures her that she most definitely does, claiming she'd be a fool not to.

This followed by Vesper asking Vax the same about RQ, Vax telling her that he very much does love his queen.

And this followed up with Vesper giving The Raven Queen a shovel talk that would give Pike a run for her money.

Vax then tells Vesper that she's allowed to mourn and be angry, but that she cannot blame The Raven Queen for the actions of others.

Vesper saying it's still not fair, reminding Vax of the circumstances that lead to him ending up here in the first place, cursing the whole Fate Touched thing as she does.

And Vax admits he was angry and scared, too, in the beginning, but that as he learned more about RQ over time he grew to trust and then eventually love her.

And The Raven Queen confesses that, yes, she is quite greedy over and possessive of her "Darling Champion Dearest", but that she has no ill intentions.

She's just scared of being left all alone again.

And Vesper relinquishes at last, seeing how her uncle comforts The Raven Queen, how she treats him like he's the most delicate and most precious thing to exist.

She doesn't necessarily understand how it is they happened, nor does she stop feeling angry about her uncle dying so young when surely something could had been done to save him, but she recognises that maybe...

Just maybe...

Her uncle wants this.

And she says as much, telling them what she feels and thinks, heartbroken but fond and so, so very happy for her uncle as he was genuinely happy and loved here.

And Vax thanks her for coming to understand the truth, kissing her forehead and saying she has to go back now.

Vesper saying wait and asking him one more question, thinking about something The Raven Queen had said before.

And Vax cannot answer, instead giving a sad smile and telling Vesper that she and all of their family are loved, watched over and protected.

Then Vesper wakes up gasping for air, floating in a pool of icy cold blood, a raven nearby.

And she cries.

[annemarieyeretzian]

keyleth stating “even if we found a way, you wouldn’t take it. to reverse the deal.” and vax telling her “I don’t want to leave, but there are some things that I will not test. I do have faith in her. and I have faith in you.”

[ahmoseinarus]

Vivisepulture

Whumptober 2023 Day 5

Storm | Buried Alive | "He's not breathing!"

Vivisepulture - Ahmose_Inarus - Critical Role (Web Series) [Archive of Our Own]

[blorbologist]

Two for joy - Cut Content

[These short scenes were originally going to be included in the Two for joy timeskip, however after some change of plans they never really Fit anywhere well. So I’m tossing this one here, given it’s not quite worth a oneshot of its own to me. Enjoy!]

Vax’ildan is starting to get a bit of a tan from being in Zephrah.

There just isn’t much reason to cling to the shadows here, even if the mountaintop offers a massive one he can follow if it really mattered. But Keyleth’s usually in the sun - tending to duty, dispute or otherwise. Gilmore’s basking like a content lizard, taking to the vacation with great pleasure when not nursing the enchanting projects he brought with him. What kind of a boyfriend would he be if he skulked inside while his partners rivaled the sun for radiance outside? 

So, he’s pretty sure Vex will tease him for this when they next meet. Worse, if she catches the flaky remnants of his first sunburn in a decade on his ears. Which is extremely unfair - he doubts she’d heckle Percy for finally getting more color to his skin. 

There are other reasons to be out and about, too.

Vax is doing his best to show Hunin how to handle a dagger - his stance is so wrong, he really should have given Kynan more credit - when Keyleth swoops in. Not literally, in this case - though he has come to expect her darting in as a great golden eagle. Her usual form is just as splendid, as far as Vax is concerned.

“Two gnomes!” Keyleth exclaims, breathless. 

“I don’t follow?” Kyor offers from the sidelines, nursing a lightly bruised wrist. 

Vax’s eyes brighten. “One of them ours?”

“If you could call Scanlan anyone’s, sure!” Keyleth says, flicking her hair away from her face. The shorter cut means it won’t stay back behind her ear when she goes flitting about - it’s adorable. 

“Well - what are we waiting for? Let’s go!”

Now she turns into an eagle. 

“Class dismissed!” Vax says with a feigned salute. He laughs - maybe due to the sudden takeoff, maybe from how the twins sag against eachother in dramatic relief. 

They have no reason to complain - they’re not decked out in black leather. 

Keyleth’s eagle shoulders bunch as she brings them into a dive, and the savage wind is just perfect beneath the summer sky.

--

“How’s fatherhood treating you?”

Scanlan squints at Vax over his beer. “How hoppy is this? Does it even count as beer?” 

Vax takes a long, long draught of his, shrugging. “When in Zephrah. If you don’t like it, you can walk down the mountain -”

“Nooooo siree, no thank you.” Scanlan takes a gulp and makes a face at it. Drinks more all the same before wiping the foam away with his shirtsleeve. 

“How’s fatherhood treating you?” he tosses back. 

Vax pokes at his boots on the table - Scanlan does not remove them. “Actually? Pretty good - I don’t think either of them would call me a father. Or Shaun or Keyleth, for that matter. But we’ve moved past sir, and should be considered their legal guardians - moreso for their benefit than ours.”

“They’re, what? Fifteen, sixteen? You sure you’re getting your money’s worth?”

“Vex’s, not mine,” Vax points out. “And she’s yet to take the boots from me.”

Scanlan grins. “She will.”

“Oh, she will.” It’s easy to agree to that. A little less to force the next gulp down - took it a touch too fast. “We were just about that age, maybe younger, when we ran away from Syngorn. So, you know - just hoping history doesn’t repeat itself.”

The gnome’s grin broadens. “See, I get to skip all the teenage angst and turmoil - Kaylie’s a perfectly fine, grown woman.” He sobers. “Capable of calling me out for my bullshit, seeing through the rest of my bullshit, and critiquing my eating habits. Did I tell you she’s talking about putting me on a diet?”

“Several times.” Vax knows Kaylie, for her part, has been enjoying their stint in Zephrah greatly - an isolated audience with limited familiarity of common jigs and barroom songs, she’s become an overnight celebrity. If he drowns out Scanlan’s babble he can still hear her from here.

“- and of course I said yes, because she’s my daughter, and I love her, but Vax I don’t think you understand just what that much salad does to a man’s psyche-”

“We could go see Grog,” Vax says, unperturbed, a finger tracing the rim of his tankard. “It’d be a boys' weekend.” Taps a drop clinging there - it escapes at a leisurely pace. “Plus Pike. I hear she’s been giving baking a shot, lately. Makes a mean sponge cake.”

Scanlan pauses. Puts on his best thinking face. “So, like. A cheat day?”

“If you want it to be. There’s also cage matches.”

“If you fight, I’ll sneak you some magic - so long as you don’t snitch to Kaylie that I bailed on the veganism.”

They shake on it. Scanlan’s grip matches his, in the dark, half-drunk. “Deal!”

--

“You shit!” Vax cries, betrayed, when he hears the tell-tale hum of Scanlan’s magic around Grog, bearing down on him. “Oy, Scanlan, you bastard!” That last part comes a little shrill as he ducks into Grog’s space, under one arm and away. 

He’d love to take a moment to shoot the bard a fuck-you, but one of the privileges of being small is the ability to vanish in the crowd. 

And in this case choosing not to because he’s sitting with Pike, and Vax doesn’t quite feel like giving her the finger. That’d be more dangerous than the - oh SHIT ax -

--

Vax snitches on Scanlan.

[alistairing]

vax’ildan speedpaint in procreate

[endurcandsurvive]

vax tag drop ⚔️