#Help I can't stop

[ubeb0nes]

hiiii could you also do pitfighter reader with sevika next?? i loveee your writing!

HECK YEA, i was lowkey pulling for this one to win on the poll anyway (i'm definitely invested in bar owner!reader now that i've written for her, though!)

Silco goes through henchmen like water through a grater. And of course- like everything else- it falls on Sevika to keep his forces topped up.

She gets a lot of the dumb bruiser types from the Pit Ring. Easy to come by and even easier to hire once you wave just a little bit of money and status in their faces.

The higher in the rankings you are though, the less likely you are to take Silco's second's deals. Life as a Pit fighter is never easy, but the top percent definitely make more than they would as lackeys.

You were one such. Sevika had seen you a few times in the ring when she'd come down to pick up new blood.

You swung like somebody had taught you with intention. There was the charming roughness of Zaun ingrained in your style, but you had clear skill. Every time Sevika came back, your name was a little higher in the rankings.

She always got good seats due to her social standing. Close enough to see the look in your eyes. Controlled, if a bit empty.

You'd made eye contact with her once, right after toppling the second-ranked fighter. You'd given her a once-over that nearly offended her, like you wanted to get in the ring with her. Sevika scoffed at the very notion.

She couldn't lie though, even she felt the buzz of excitement permeating the crowd leading up to your face-off for the champion seat. This time, she was just here to watch.

It was the first time she'd seen you struggle. First time anyone had. She could tell from the moment you walked into the Pit, something was wrong.

The champion is killing you. Literally. It stirs something in Sevika as she watches him pin your head to the gritty ground with one hand, and beat on your skull with the other.

She jumps in before she even realizes what she's doing. What the hell was she doing?

The whole arena held its breath as someone who wasn't nameless, wasn't just some violent nobody presented themself.

Sevika knew what it looked like. She knew that word would get back to Silco and he'd ask her what the hell she was doing in the very center of a place like the Pit. But all she could do was spit on the ground, and square herself to the champion as if to say "Come try it with me, I dare you."

And he was about to, until he saw the whirring glow of her metal arm beneath her cape. The champ shrugged her off, taking his own leave while Sevika slung one of your arms over her shoulder.

It's not like he had anything to gain from fighting her. You were the only one he needed to beat.

"Why the hell did you do that?" You muttered out of a broken jaw.

"Yeah, it was no problem, don't mention it."

She starts to help you towards the locker room, until you tell her to take you to your apartment since it's only a little walk away.

It was definitely nicer than a lot of other units in Zaun. It looked untouched though, like you barely spent any time in there. She… lets you kinda crumple on the couch, before rummaging a bottle of alcohol from your pantry and removing a vial of Shimmer from her holster belt.

"Get that shit the fuck away from me."

"You done it in the past?"

"Hell no!"

"It's not gonna trap you after one dose. Trust me, you need it. You look like shit."

You give her some more shit, but eventually take the vial and the shot of vodka. Something about her is undeniably warm. Honest. You had no reason to give your trust out freely, but she seemed to have gained it without your knowing consent.

A part of your heart clung to it, the authenticity and honor she possessed that hadn't existed in so much as a whisper in the Pits.

Even as your entire nervous system seized the moment the Shimmer touched your throat, you were wholly conscious of her hand gripping the back of your neck with gentle, grounding firmness.

Her thumb subconsciously massaged into your trap muscle, and you heard her smoky voice urging you to "breathe, it'll be over soon". When had someone last touched you without the intention to hurt?

Still, after the Shimmer had passed through and you were feeling much better, you gave her a similar once-over to the one you once had before.

"Bet I could beat your ass."

"And I bet you'd die. Actually, this time." Yeah, that shut you up.

"So… what do I owe you for this?"

"Hm?"

"I still get a share even though I lost. C'mon, what percent's your cut?"

"I don't need your prize money. Or consolation, I guess."

"Rub it in, why don't you?"

She's ignoring you now though, electing to peruse the not so short row of books on your wall. "A well-read Pit fighter, huh? Well, you're number one in something in the Pits."

"Okay, what the hell do you want? Why'd you step in to help me?"

Her silence says she doesn't know, but you don't know that. You just think she's being an ass. Before you can tell her such though, she speaks up. "You know who I am, right?"

"Everybody in the Pit knows who you are. I saw the champ almost shit his pants."

"Then you know why I come to the Pits at all?"

"To play superhero, apparently."

"No. To recruit."

[toointojoelmiller]

Joel Miller...

impatiently waitin'

takin’ a shortcut

bear huggin'

hurlin' small child

doomin' humanity

[ck-art20]

Help.

Help. I can't stop.

@callimara and @therentyoupay :)

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME?!?!?!

Elsa's is next, I have to get started on it. It might take a while...

....

I'm supposed to be studying...🥲

Help.

[fallen---alien]

Rook telling Emmrich she's pregnant by making Manfred wear a "big brother" shirt and Emmrich completely missing the point, thinking Manfred's purchased himself a shirt without knowing what it says.

[jessicafangirl]

Copia has become my coping mechanism of late. And as I told my beautiful Ghestie, that's why that's his name.

Hi emotional support creature.

[ineadhyn]

Gortash's life features far too many meetings:

[nivasichakano]

With Open Arms

This is just a little brainworm I had to get out of my head before finishing the next chapter of Driven. It's based on some riffing we did in the Bloodweave Brainrot Discord, about a post-canon story in which Gale is engaged to Tav but Tav invites Astarion to come and stay with them back in Waterdeep, unaware of the deep-seated attraction between the vampire and her fiancé.

*

Astarion is in the main library when Gale walks in. He’s perusing the lore alcove and doesn't seem to register the wizard’s arrival, pulling a huge, heavy tome from a shelf and taking it over to Gale’s book rest, where he sets it down and starts to flip through the pages with one hand. 

Gale finds himself leaning against the doorframe to watch, curious as to which manuscript has the vampire so captivated that he hasn’t realized he has an audience. That and Gale is mesmerized by the way Astarion’s other hand is drifting, seemingly absent-mindedly, to his neck, his fingertips ghosting over the nasty imprints left there by Cazador’s fangs. In the flickering light of the wall sconces, his skin looks almost iridescent. 

Astarion sighs and his fingers meander lower as he reads, sliding down his neck and then back and forth along his collarbone. Is it a self-soothing motion? Or is he reading something saucy? Gale usually keeps those books under lock and key in the walk-in library by his bedroom. Still, the thought has Gale’s mouth going dry as his eyes follow the path of Astarion’s fingertips, first along his clavicle and then, to Gale's shock, down the pale skin that's exposed by his open shirt. Gale can't tear his eyes away, can’t help but wonder how it would feel to trace the same lines with his own hands-

“How long would you keep watching me for if I didn’t call you out, Gale?”

The wizard’s heart gives an almighty thump in his chest as Astarion turns to lean his back against the book rest, a wicked smile on his face, no doubt highly amused by his own antics. 

“Would you have kept watching as I did this?” A long, pale hand slips under the neckline of his shirt. “Or this?” Astarion's other hand slides up a leather-clad leg, moving towards his crotch…

“Don’t be ridiculous!” Gale scoffs, eyes to the ceiling. “You looked lost in thought, I didn’t want to disturb you. Besides,” the wizard risks a quick glance at the book on the lectern. “I doubt even you are so self-involved as to touch yourself while reading The Curse of the Vampyr.”

Astarion utters a filthy laugh. “Touché, if you’ll pardon the pun.” He turns again and closes the book. “I heard you come in, I was only having you on.”

You still watched though. The sentiment lies heavy and unspoken in the air.

“Is there a reason you chose that tome in particular?” Gale attempts to mask his embarrassment with sarcasm. “In the mood for some self-reflection? If you’ll pardon the pun.”

“Very droll,” Astarion rolls his eyes. Then it's his turn to look embarrassed. “It was just a thought I had about… nothing. It's nothing.”

“Go on,” Gale moves closer, first into the room and then to lean an arm on the book rest, trying to ignore the thrill he feels when Astarion doesn't move away. “You can tell me.”

“Hmm,” Astarion tilts his head, as though considering the idea, eyes not leaving Gale's. One of his hands remains on the book, almost touching Gale's forearm. “Well… I need to do something with my life. My unlife, rather. I can't stay here forever with you and your wife.” 

“Fiancée,” Gale corrects him automatically, trying not to question why it's important for him to note the difference. “And of course you can!”

Astarion raises an eyebrow, the faintest hint of a smirk flickering around one corner of his mouth. “I'm sure Octavia would have something to say about that.” 

“Pish posh! I love- we love having you here.” 

“Much obliged,” Astarion is studying him through narrowed red eyes. “Regardless, I find myself… rudderless. I would like to find a purpose. I would like to find a cure.”

“A cure…” Gale breathes. “For your vampirism?”

“No, darling, for the common cold,” Astarion snipes.

“And how do you intend to go about finding a cure?” Gale glosses over the sarcasm. He has a wedding to organize, a new semester to plan, but his interest is piqued, despite himself. 

“Oh, well, you know,” Astarion waves a hand vaguely. “Read some things, travel to some places, ask some people.”

Gale laughs. “You're hopeless.” He doesn't mean for it to come out as fondly as it does. 'Travel to some places' is irking him though. “You're missing a key ingredient.”

“Oh?”

“Me.” 

Astarion's eyes narrow again. “...You?”

“Yes,” Gale nods. “I don't mean to toot my own horn but you're standing in front of one of the finest academic minds in Waterdeep, perhaps in Faerûn entirely.”

“Gosh,” Astarion snorts. “I don't know how your horn hasn't rusted from such a lack of tooting.” 

Gale feels his cheeks color slightly at Astarion talking about his horn, but he blusters through it. “Jest all you like, friend, but the point remains. If anyone is going to be able to discover a cure for your affliction, it's me. You're far more likely to reduce yourself to dust in the process of trying.”

“Your confidence in me is flattering,” the vampire scowls. Then his face softens. “You've helped me enough, Gale, letting me stay here these past months. Why waste your time helping me further?”

Because I don't want you to leave. At least, not unless I'm going with you.

“Because it would be a celebrated achievement if I can manage it- if we can manage it! The inventor of the cure for vampirism… it would no doubt come with great renown.”

“Aha,” Astarion nods, eyes on the floor. He looks disappointed. “Yes.”

“And it would hardly be a waste of my time—” Gale tries to make it better. “—helping a- a dear friend.” 

The vampire smiles at that at least, and Gale's jaw clenches and unclenches. 

“Besides,” he blurts out before his conscience can stop him. “I'd miss you if you went gallivanting off on some quest without me.”

Both of Astarion's eyebrows shoot up into his hairline now. “Really?” 

Gale nods, swallowing again when Astarion moves closer, red eyes roaming over the wizard's face in suspicion. 

“You'd miss me…” It's not clear if it's a statement or a question, his voice a whisper of woodsmoke on a summer night breeze. This close, every detail of his face unfolds like a once-hidden map. A masterpiece of contradictions. The mole on his left cheek that he hates but is actually so very sweet, an imperfection that only serves to highlight the perfection of the rest of his face. The thick cluster of his lashes, startlingly black in comparison to the whiteness of his hair. The small lines around his mouth that betray the tension underneath his impassive expression.

Why is he tense?

Entirely without thinking, Gale reaches up to trace one of those lines with his finger, his thumb coming to a stop on Astarion's lower lip. The vampire's mouth parts at his touch, wetting the top of Gale's thumb, leaving it resting against one of his fangs-

“Gale?” Tayvi’s voice echoes down the stone corridor outside, startling the wizard. He jumps and nicks his thumb on Astarion's sharp canine, drawing blood. 

“Ow! Shit!” Gale hisses. He's looking around for something to wipe it on, resigning himself to ruining his favorite winter robes, when Astarion grabs his wrist with both hands. 

Not breaking eye contact, the vampire lifts Gale's hand back up to his mouth, closing his lips around the wizard's thumb and sucking on the cut. 

It's an entirely normal thing for a vampire to do, Gale supposes as he stares, slack-jawed, at his friend. But the way Astarion's tongue is moving over his skin feels… unnecessary. As though the vampire wants Gale to remember what he can do with it. 

“There you are!” Octavia appears at the door and, quick as a flash, both Gale's and Astarion's hands are at their respective sides, as though nothing has happened at all. 

“I was thinking of going to the market for dinner, my love,” she smiles, apparently blissfully unaware of the charged atmosphere in the air. “Astarion, do you need me to pick up any animal blood from the butcher?”

“No, thank you, darling,” Astarion clears his throat. “I'm feeling quite… sated, at present.” 

To Gale's disbelief, the vampire has lifted his fingertips to Gale's lower back, hidden from Octavia's view. He lazily begins to draw circles up and down the wizard’s spine and Gale is suddenly grateful he's wearing his heaviest robes. 

This is too much. It's too unfair of Astarion to toy with him like this, all while remaining utterly unaffected himself. Gale subtly reaches behind himself to bat the vampire's hand away only to feel that Astarion, also partially hidden behind Gale, isn't as unaffected as the wizard had assumed. 

Good god. 

“Okay!” The ranger is smiling again, turning back to Gale. “Do you want to come with me, love? I thought you'd appreciate the break from lesson planning, I know you've been having a hard time of it today…”

Gale makes a strangled sound that he turns into a cough, trying to ignore the way Astarion's hand clenches in the back of his robes as the vampire presumably tries not to laugh. 

“I was actually thinking of having a bath…” he manages, guilt piling on guilt when his fiancée nods in earnest. 

“Oh, of course! You go and relax, you've earned it. I won't be long.” With a friendly wave, she's gone, and Gale slumps against the book rest. 

“Astarion…” he gasps, mind reeling. What just happened between them? Why did it feel so good? Why does Gale want it to happen again?

“You know,” the vampire stretches with a yawn, like a cat. “That's a splendid idea. I must just go and have 'a bath' myself.”

He slinks out of the room with a sinful wink, leaving Gale wondering if it's an invitation to follow.

[puggedup25]

More Rox X Fink Doodles

Silly me made more doodle of robo and fox. Ignore the silly line at the bottom:)

[indestinatus]

last 5 posts on the tiva tag are mine lmao

[a-cabin-in-midgard]

[insert caption here]

[moshywoosh]

Slaying their dresses :) ✨🌼🖤

@eminsunnytoons @s4gefr0g @peaceforpeople

[kairolan]

ANOTHER ONE

[aladaylessecondblog]

More for that Gortash/good aligned Tav idea I had

Prepare for some BS:

Give Ketheric's stone to Karlach. Go talk to ya boy Balthazar and get Mizora into a soul cage to tether her to Karlach so she doesn't die...permanently, anyway

Tav takes Orin's stone and wears it in a tiara or necklace or something idk

Halsin, Astarion, Lae'zel (the one Orin replaced in my file), are all kaput

Tav is severely depressed since Halsin/Astarion are gone

Gortash makes a proposal. He's annoyed by ladies at court angling for his hand or something. He wants to rule, not deal with this petty shit dammit. Also this would be a good way to cement this strange alliance.

It's a way for Gortash to further show himself off to the populace

"Look at Lord Gortash, he fell for the druid-cleric of Ilmater who defeated Ketheric Thorm!" The papers will love it. And her goody-two-shoes shtick always wanting to help people would be excellent free PR

"I don't love you, and you don't love me, and it's really better that way. We wouldn't want your heart torn asunder like it was when Orin took out your vampire and bear, now would we?"

Something something Tav imagined herself beside Astarion or Halsin, saddest bride ever

I'm sorry Tav but this is good plotting

Feel free to imagine your own Tav

[soshinysochrome]

Am I the only one that can't stop fuckin tweaking and editing my orbiter or dojo decor?

[christiecandor]

My logical cranial hemisphere to my emotional one: "So do I do the next super obvious thing and draw Mr Nimbus as The Deep?"

My emotional cranial hemisphere: *Looks up from said drawing, half-done* "Did you say something?"

[qmabailor]

So Wriothesley is a new hyperfixation but I just want to say that when I read his name I read it as:

Wario Parsley