#it'll all be fine

[ravendruid]

Be In My Eyes - Chapter 26

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

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

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

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

“Glorious, darling?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“What did you tell him?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[saurons-pr-department]

So what's the pr-department's official stance if Melkor returns? Will Sauron automatically demote to Lieutenant or will he stay on as Lord? Should we expect a fight over the crown?

It is not a demotion to serve Lord Melkor. It would be an honour to return to His service. Lord Melkor is the true Elder King of Arda. He is the only one with the Power to truely reign this world in and order it to his will. We are counting the days to His return.

[cloudd-nyne]

.

[fvedyetor]

you know how we were gaslighting ourselves into believing we'd get a sigzai kiss animated

i have to admit that ive been gaslighting myself that adam is gonna show up. yes thats right. adam frankenstein.

no i will not explain why. just trust me.

[shouting-at-the-telly-though]

[angeltism]

having emotions rn but don't wanna spam y'all w that . hrkffhgh .

[bixels]

tarpit site.

[saltpepperbeard]

is this anything

[another-goblin]

2.0 SPOILERS

This is what he felt he needed to apologize for.

[luna-loveboop]

Anyone notice how everything is getting worse?

'I doubt we'll ever have the need for all our abilities'- to 'no holding back'

'We've done well avoiding friendly fire!' To 'we're gonna kill each other'

Welp.

They lost that mentality quickly

I'm grateful for all the fluff and family bonding sprinkled in- because it's getting serious. Stories get more intense as you go yeah? Luckily they are families and heros ready to work forward through anything- but the progression looking back is interesting

Art by Jojo @linkeduniverse au :DD

[invinciblerodent]

btw yes, I'm also still stuck thinking about how in the cutscene at the start of the attack of Astarion's siblings, Astarion himself is standing right next to your bed.

Every time that scene is mentioned or brought up on my dash, I just keep thinking about how the bed the PC is shown using in the long rests (which seems to me like the top left one as you enter that side-room), and the one in which he's presumably been resting, are basically on the very opposite ends of the room.

like... sure, it already has me scratching at the walls to think about how, when unromanced, he probably felt something was wrong and went immediately to wake you and let you know (trust!!! friendship!!!), but it has me extra feral to think that he had abandoned the bed he had originally claimed in favor of yours, and was sprung from his lover's embrace by the arrival of his siblings. (Because you can't talk about cuddling, and cuddliness, and call yourself "cuddly Astarion" in the same scene, without actually cuddling sometimes lol.)

I kind of like to imagine that even on top of it being self-defense, springing to his feet so fast, there could also be something instinctively protective in the fact that he so quickly puts his own body between you and danger.

I mean,

right before the camera would focus on him, he's bent forward, snarling at them to get away, coiled to strike even unarmed (well. as unarmed as a vampire can be), and only relaxes into the conversation-pose when you stir, and Aurelia speaks.

And like, that doesn't feel like a conscious action, or even much of a purposeful decision from a mechanic standpoint (most likely the devs needed him to stand there-ish for there to be enough room for the PC to get up, and stand next to him for the conversation's camera angles to make sense), but I do like to imagine that at this point in the relationship, he just... acts without thinking, and puts himself into the more dangerous position on instinct. It lines up very nicely with that sweet, rather earnest line he says in the Wyrm's Lookout scene. (PC: "All that matters to me is that you're safe." Astarion: "I know you do. It matters to me, as well. I want to be able to protect you, too.")

... The rest of his "this is for us, this is to protect you, we're a team" lines are of course calculated, manipulative bullshit, and taking them at face value would be a mistake even if there is a kernel of truth at their core, but I think that one is genuine, and it's corroborated by this unthinking jump to your defense.

[stbot]

Cynthia & Lydia (Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies)

[revvethasmythh]

the thing about imogen saying that "if getting rid of delilah means getting rid of [launda] too, it's not worth it" is that it doesn't really change anything, does it? yes it provides laudna with reassurance that she is loved regardless of what lives in her head, but it doesn't mean that imogen doesn't still have negative feelings about delilah being there. "I love you more than I hate delilah" doesn't mean she isn't still disgusted by delilah. I get the sense that this is not an important distinction for imogen--she's said her piece, she's told laudna that she matters more, and that's the end of it for her. laudna matters more. her meaning is crystal clear: I love you and I'm choosing you.

but laudna has been obsessed with imogen saying she was disgusted by delilah watching them. she said herself she can't stop thinking about it, and marisha has said she can't stop thinking about it either, out of game. as far as they know currently, delilah's soul is twined in and around laudna's to the point where they are indistinguishable. the only way to get rid of delilah is to lose laudna. laudna doesn't know where she ends and delilah begins. imogen loves her, but imogen is disgusted by delilah. how does that work if they are one and the same? how does laudna cope with the fact that an inextinguishable part of herself is both genuinely evil and hated by the person she loves the most? at what point does being disgusted by delilah become being disgusted by a piece of laudna herself?

[a-dauntless-daffodil]

Vaggie @ Charlie: “Let me be your armor~!”

Charlie, the moment her relationship with Vaggie comes into doubt bc Vaggie kept something important from her: (binds her soul to vague deal with Alastor in exchange for important information he’s been keeping from her)

Vaggie: “FUCK!”

Vaggie: "FUUUUUUUUUCK!!!"

aka, Vaggie and reality check that if you’re gonna be someone’s armor, then leaving gaps between you and them (cough not mentioning your actual past ever cough cough) will make space for the very danger you’re trying to keep them safe from to slip through

also aka, Charlie and the gut feeling Alastor’s “little favor” between friends is something she WOULDN’T ever want to do, like hurt someone, because otherwise why would he need a deal to make sure she does it…? But also she's out of ideas and her girlfriend's not here  

mainly aka, tfw your long-term gf lied, and you worry she lied about believing in and loving you too, everything's falling apart, so you make a deal with a demon to regain some sense of control in your life

who hasn’t been there

[soulmvtes]

i love coming out of an everything shower and smelling of cocoa and hibiscus and using moroccanoil on my hair and putting on a perfume that smells of jasmine and using a rose toner and doing all my silly little skincare before getting into bed to watch a comforting movie :'))

[egberts]

feelin real foolish for stocking up on trick or treat supplies instead of groceries over the last two months