#Shadowmauk

[mouseinthecastle]

Based off a cute cat picture I saw: Being the only elf in the relationship makes mornings a little complicated sometimes.

[quinn-of-aebradore]

CR Non-Endgame Ships Bracket Take 2

Hello my friends! Some of you may recall that just about 2 years ago now, I ran a series of polls for ships from Campaign 1, Campaign 2, and EXU Calamity that were not together at the end of their respective series. I excluded any Campaign 3 and modern era EXU ships, since at the time, those storylines were still open; Imodna weren't even together at that point. However, now that C3 has reached it's conclusion, I thought it was a good time to revisit the concept. I also didn't feature M/F pairings last time around and now is a good time to make that right too.

So! Let's get into the rules and paraments parameters:

The phrasing "non-endgame" was chosen as certain relationships present were together at some point in canon but are not longer (ex. Blumendrei) or there was an either mutual or one-sided attraction that did not result in a relationship (ex. Widojest). It doesn't feel right to me to simply call these ships "non-canon", though they are featured alongside plenty of purely fanon ships (ex. Verinwulf), so. Non-endgame. It's a little clunky, but it works.

I've reincorporated pairings from the first poll that lost in the very first round, potentially giving them an opportunity to shine further! Any ship from the first poll that made it further than that is not present this time around. These pairings are: Widofjord, Fjordwulf, Vaxmore, Fjolly, Jester x Reani, Polynein, Vexleth, Perc'ildan, Beaukeg, Vexahra, Beastrid, Beaureani, Polymachina, Beaujester, Lucigast, and Widomauk. Please do not ask me where they are.

Almost every ship will feature fanart of the characters in question, included of course with permission from the artist. Links to the original posts will be included and I highly encourage giving them some love if you vote! Any ship that doesn't have a piece of fanart has a little tableau designed in HeroForge by myself. Grogleth is the only exception, with a still from TLOVM.

This bracket is for fun. Ship hate will not be tolerated. You will be blocked if you act poorly in the tags.

Block “cr non endgame poll” if you don’t want to see this further!

Voting will begin this Friday, February 14th, at 3pm CST. All polls will run for 24 hours. The first round will take place over two days, split into Parts A and B.

Matchup links and breakdown below the cut.

Round 1 Part A:

Laudna x Dorian VS Widoyussa

Polyhells VS Blumenshadow

Scanvax VS Dashrym

Dariax x Deni$e VS Shadowmauk

Beauvasha VS Percylan

Ludinus x Liliana VS Laudna x Fearne

Yu x Laudna VS Orym x Dariax

Kashleth VS Imofearne

Chetanna VS Vaxlethmore

Verinwulf VS Grogleth

Liliana x Otohan VS Yashter

Percy x Tary VS PolyCrownKeepers

Fearnechet VS Imogen x Otohan

Jessek VS Veth x Devexian

Luciessek VS Jester x Calianna

Shadowmoore VS Fjeth

Round 1 Part B:

Fjarrow VS Dashrymwill

Fearne x Braius VS Pikeleth

Widobrave VS Doomstorm

Ashrym VS Percy x Pike

Shadowidomauk VS Laudmoore

Shadowfjord VS Fearne x Opal

Verleth VS Greystorm

Blumendrei VS Percleth

Bashter VS Rubygold

Grog'ildan VS Kashvax

Jestermauk VS Doriax

Essek x Ludinus VS Widoking

Widojest VS Zerxus x Azmodeus

Laerryn x Patia VS Lucien x Cree

Esswulf VS Mariking

Jestrid VS Goldenshadow

Round 2:

Widoyussa VS Blumenshadow

Dashrym VS Dariax x Deni$e

Beauvasha VS Laudna x Fearne

Orym x Dariax VS Imofearne

Vaxlethmore VS Verinwulf

Yashter VS Percy x Tary

Fearnechet VS Veth x Devexian

Jester x Calianna VS Shadowmoore

Dashrymwill VS Fearne x Braius

Widobrave VS Ashrym

Shadowidomauk VS Fearne x Opal

Verleth VS Blumendrei

Bashter VS Kashvax

Doriax VS Widoking

Zerxus x Asmodeus VS Laerryn x Patia

Mariking VS Goldenshadow

Round 3:

Blumenshadow VS Dashrym

Beauvasha VS Imofearne

Vaxlethmore VS Percy x Tary

Fearnechet VS Jester x Calianna

Fearne x Braius VS Widobrave

Shadowidomauk VS Blumendrei

Bashter VS Doriax

Zerxus x Asmodeus VS Mariking

Round 4:

Dashrym VS Imofearne

Vaxlethmore VS Fearnechet

Widobrave VS Blumendrei

Bashter VS Zerxus x Asmodeus

Round 5, Semi-Finals:

Dashrym VS Vaxlethmore

Widobrave VS Bashter

Round 6, Finals:

Dashrym VS Widobrave

[redstarcat]

Molly had a very fun night last night. No one is none the wiser (except maybe Caduceus and Yasha)

Bonus:

[wizardpostingworld]

WAHOO MORE ART!

wanted to do a little gift doodle for the AMAZING @quinn-of-aebradore’s lovely lovely new fic which is absolutely adorable and yall should go read it! As a performer I know HOW distressing it is to have glitter in just hair, so Glitter Slug Molly ™️ in bed was both a gift and NIGHTMARE to think about. Anyways hehehe I love drawing silly pictures :3 hope you enjoy Quinn!

[rainbowcaleb]

FICLET FRIDAY | Home Is Where The…

Prompt: warmth | Rating: G | Pairing: Shadowidomauk | CW: none | Words: 360

“Move over.”

The words came only seconds before a leg pushes into the lack of space between all the pillows, cats, and two bodies. The cats are the first to startle, Ava jumping down to the floor to arch her back in a stretch and swish her tail as she resettles on the carpet. Olly tumbles from the precarious cradle of someone’s knee and catches himself with claws on the blanket before hopping back into the jumble.

The leg belongs to a body that flops down in between the two others. “Any blanket to spare, or are you hogging it all for yourself?”

Caleb levels Mollymauk with a bemused expression. “Perhaps with a little warning, space would have been made.” He shuffles as much as he can on the small couch, pulling his legs in to let Molly lean back into the space.

“And what’s the fun in that?” They pat Caleb’s thigh, now easily in reach, and turn to the other couchfellow. “Oh hello, bedhead. Did I wake you? I didn’t know you actually slept.”

Essek huffs out a fond noise. “Then I guess we shall give away the large bed upstairs, if it seldom needs use by three.” He reaches up to try and smooth the mussed curls of his hair, his sideways position upon the pillows having squished any style down into a pancake.

Molly catches his hand. “I’m teasing. Leave it, you look cute like this.” They twine their fingers against Essek’s own.

“Well, I was going to make room for you, but you’ve rather taken away the ability of my hand.” Essek tugs on Molly, who repositions to let Essek drape his legs across their lap.

Caleb scoops up Olly, who mrrps in confusion before settling back to sleep in the crook of Caleb’s arm. “Want a cat blanket?”

“I’ll never say no.” Molly laughs as Olly is deposited without even waking; he simply flops to his back to show stomach fluff to the sky. “This little one loves people so easily, doesn’t he.”

“Reminds me of someone.” Caleb smiles, all years of fondness in the crinkle of his eyes.

[luddlestons]

gotta let the twink elf dom sometimes, for his enrichment

uncropped: pillowfort | bsky

[critter-rarepair-reccs]

Hello all! I hope you're having a lovely day. Today I bring you our very first recc list, featuring eighteen fluffy fics! Some are pure schmoop, some come with a side of angst, and a few with a touch of smut as well. You can find them below the cut and I highly encourage you to check them out, and leave kudoes and comments to spread the rarepair love 🩷

To Keep It All In by rabbitxheart (2071 words, Teen) Pairing: Fjord/Caleb Widogast (Widofjord) Warnings: Drug mentions

Fjord touches a weird mushroom thing that makes him high and sick and has to be babysat until the clerics can heal him the next day. While Caleb is sitting with him he tries to make a confession.

Reccer Says: It's really cute and Fjord has sweet moments with Beau and Nott too. Just great sickfic fluff

lips pressed to the palm of your hand by vietbluecoeur (2410 words, General) Pairing: Yussa Errenis/Marion Lavorre (Rubygold) Warnings: None

Yussa does Marion's makeup for her before a performance. She returns the favor. They kiss about it.

Reccer Says: It's just SO beautiful. Every word feels gilded or done up in the cosmetics that cover Marion's vanity. The whole thing is poetry, not least of all the relationship between Yussa and Marion. They're so sweet and you can feel the affection they have for each other in every sentence. The way they banter and tease each other is adorable and Viet's voice for Yussa is also just so fun (let that old man say fuck! XD) Also, the way the title ties into the fic is just so sweet.

a place for us to dream by glossolali (1105 words, General) Pairing: Mollymauk Tealeaf/Essek Thelyss/Caleb Widogast (Shadowidomauk) Warnings: None

Essek, Molly, and Caleb share a cozy and domestic summer afternoon.

Reccer Says: I am a sucker for cozy cuddly domestic fluff and for Shadowidomauk and this combines the two in the sweetest package. They're snuggly and in love and it's absolutely wonderful.

cheap wine and new beginnings by bunnymauk (2618 words, Teen) Pairings: Past Lestera/Mollymauk Tealeaf, Hinted Mollymauk Tealeaf/Essek Thelyss (Shadowmauk) Warnings: Referenced drug use, referenced car accident

Essek and Molly leave the club early and hang out at Molly's place together, there's cuddling <3

Reccer Says: I enjoyed it!

fledgling pledges by hanap (3100 words, Teen) Pairing: Astrid Beck/Eadwulf Grieve/Essek Thelyss/Caleb Widogast (Blumenshadow) Warnings: None

Caleb, Astrid, and Eadwulf go on a date with Essek, and each try to woo him.

Reccer Says: Its adorable

she said "take care", but i take more than i bring by MouseInTheCastle (3385 words, General) Pairing: Mollymauk Tealeaf/Essek Thelyss Warnings: None

Molly and Caleb are together, and Caleb and Essek are together, but Essek and Molly aren't - Essek gets sick and Molly takes care of him

Reccers Says: Warm and fluffy and cozy, very very sweet <3

December's Language is Imprecise Grief by Marvelouska (2688 words, Teen) Pairing: Mollymauk Tealeaf/Essek Thelyss/Caleb Widogast (Shadowidomauk) Warnings: None

Molly, Caleb, and Essek staying in the dorms over christmas break, and Molly and Caleb try to make it a great holiday for Essek.

Reccer Says: I enjoyed it!

someone as lost as you by floralprintshark (6500 words, Teen) Pairing: Beauregard Lionett/Jester Lavorre (Beaujes) Warnings: None

Jester asks Beau about her first kiss. The conversation leads to a question Beau didn't expect.

Reccer Says: It's very sweet and has a lot of mutual pining and disaster lesbian Beau

Thread by Crewe (2256 words, General) Pairing: Fjord/Caleb Widogast (Widofjord) Warnings: None

Fjord and Caleb develop a routine at night, Caleb reading his books and Fjord mending his and his friends' clothes.

Reccer Says: It's quiet and domestic Widofjord from the very beginning of campaign 2.

Maybe by Tulikettu (3389 words, Explicit) Pairing: Shaun Gilmore/Vax'ildan (Vaxmore) Warnings: None

Vax thinks a good cuddle will really set him right. And Shaun must give the best hugs. (Fluffy smut ensues)

Reccer Says: I enjoyed it!

Vivere, Ridere, Amare by noconceptoflife (20189 words, Mature) Pairing: Yeza Brenatto/Veth Brenatto/Caleb Widogast Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings, Anxiety

AU where Caleb meets the Brenattos soon after leaving the asylum and hides with them in plain sight. Pretend poly marriage turns real.

Reccer Says: I enjoyed it!

The Maps are Gone (So Are Our Footprints Too) by J (6514, Explicit) Pairing: Yeza Brenatto/Veth Brenatto/Caleb Widogast Warnings: Consensual voyeurism

Yeza knows Caleb and Veth have something special, and decides to show Caleb how best to take care of Veth on their travels.

Reccer Says: I enjoyed it!

Not Fancy Stuff by CriticalRolemance (3216 words, Teen) Pairing: Shaun Gilmore/Vax'ildan (Vaxmore) Warnings: None

Vax and Gilmore take a moment to forget about the looming existential threat of dragons and have a picnic dinner on the roof of Whitestone Castle.

Reccer Says: All the fics in this series are simple sweet fluff, but this one is probably my favorite. They're just a pair of romantic idiots and they deserve to get to be stupid in love together.

something sweet by roundtriptojupiter (4988 words, General) Pairing: Percy de Rolo/Grog Strongjaw Warnings: None

An oblivious, and very confused Percy, becomes subject to Grog's tribe-specific courting rituals when the goliath gets a crush on him. (He eventually gets the hint)

Reccer Says: It's a very niche ship written in a way that feels very authentic to the characters. It also completely got me onboard to the possibilities of said ship! As well as that, it's just a well written, very sweet fic. A great way to get acquainted with what is probably one of Vox Machina's rarest pairings.

The Scientist's Guide to Being Loved by tangereen (1237 words, Teen) Pairing: Eadwulf Grieve/Essek Thelyss (Esswulf) Warnings: None

Essek tries to figure out if Eadwulf is in love with him using logic.

Reccer Says: Essek is a goofy little guy trying to use science to explain emotions. I think it's cute.

bifurcation of heart and bone by 917651827 (2372 words, Explicit) Pairing: Eadwulf Grieve/Essek Thelyss (Esswulf) Warnings: Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics

After his pregnancy, Essek can transform his body and fuck his partner the way he prefers.

Reccer Says: This esswulf focused entry in an Astrid/Eadwulf/Essek/Caleb series is so sweet! After he gives birth, Essek is able to get his dick back and fuck Eadwulf. They're both so loving and gentle with each other. It makes my heart burst!

Through the Years by piratesPencil (5649 words, Mature) Pairing: Yeza Brenatto/Veth Brenatto/Essek Thelyss/Caleb Widogast Warnings: None

Scenes of how Caleb and Essek and the Brenattos' relationship grows over several years and they eventually form a polycule.

Reccer Says: I love each one on one scene between Essek and the others. Also great demi Essek feels 💕

And we have two reccs for; Today I Love You Even More by wtgw (5687 words, Teen) Pairing: Yeza Brenatto/Veth Brenatto/Caleb Widogast Warnings: None

Yeza encourages Veth to pursue her crush and is surprised when he ends up developing one of his own. Takes place in Xhorhas between the time Yeza is rescued and the time they’re able to relocate him; a very sweet fic about Yeza slowly falling for and awkwardly romancing the Wizard boyfriend his wife picked up on the road.

Reccer 1 Says: I loooooove Yeza's characterization his dynamic with not just Veth and Caleb but the rest of the nein is great Reccer 2 Says: I always love any story fleshing out Yeza and his personality+motivations, and this one does it so well! His patience and kindness in letting Nott persue Caleb, and then his own developing feelings, are just so endearing and fun to read about.

Thank you for joining us for our very first recc list! We'll be doing these every Wednesday for the foreseeable future 🩷 All enclosed recommendations were submitted by the community via our submissions form, which you can find here. All fic information is as it was provided by the reccer, so it may not be accurate to the author's intent or the precise contents of the fic itself. Please assume good intent from all parties 🩷

Submissions for next week's list are already open! We'll be featuring Modern AUs. If you have any you'd like to highlight, you can send them in here. The week after that, the theme is Whump, and you can also submit fics for that now!

If you want more rarepair fic, check out @cr-summer-wildflowers and their event collections on ao3! If you want some friendship after all this romance, take a look at @critter-genfic-events and their recc lists! And if you're interested in everyone's favorite wizards, you can't go wrong with the lists at @aeor-is-for-reccing !

Thanks all and have a lovely day/night/timezone! 🩷

[jaskwritesthings]

@wanderingbasilisk asked: Prompt! 🎉👀 ehe. Hows about... curveball, obi-wan / quinlan downtime, or molly / essek showtime? If either of those pique inspiration :3

“Mister Tealeaf I appreciate-”

Molly groaned dramatically because when Essek used that tone and that kind of language then he was in for one of those lectures that was wholeheartedly designed to either confuse or bore the target to tears. He really didn’t have time for that, “Essek, starlight, darling, light of my life, do not pull the polite political, high and mighty voice on me, or you’ll be on the couch for the foreseeable future.”

Essek sighed, taking a moment to collect himself and no doubt remind himself why he loved Molly before levelling the tiefling with an unimpressed look and switching to a more blunt approach, “Mollymauk, I am not good with children.” 

“Love I’m not asking for you adopt a whole gaggle of orphans with me and skip off into cottage by sea, I’m asking you to do a few playful magic tricks for the kiddies in Caleb’s place,” Molly said gently, coaxing even, because the gods knew Molly was there, if Essek asked he’d have their bags packed a list of names ready to go and the deed for a cottage by the end of the day, but Essek was still a little... twitchy, when it came to committing.

In his defence he was still a wanted man and though the Empress of the Dynasty hadn’t tried all that hard to bring Essek in, (and frankly, if you asked him she wouldn’t make even a real attempt at it, she knew the Nein and what they were capable of, she seamed smart enough not to invoke their wrath) settling down in one place was still a big ask of a man who still prepared teleport every morning. 

Molly just had to be patient. Not his strong suit, but he could manage, for Essek. 

“Could you not postpone things until Caleb returns?” Essek said, a whine in his voice he’d vehemently deny existed.  

“Considering the way Yasha was pouting around the garden earlier? It could be weeks before the Widogast-Lionett dream team return from their latest investigation, and the children were promised a show,” Molly pointed out. He loved Caleb, truly, hell he even loved Beauregard, but the two of them were a little obsessed with taking down a certain Assembly leader and a lot of things, important things sometimes, fell to the wayside in their single-minded approach to taking down corruption in their home country. The Nein really needed to stage an intervention soon. Until then, he had a Magician’s assistant position to fill, preferably with one of the few people he knew who could actually cast magic. He wasn’t going to let down the little tykes after all. 

“We are quite literally surrounded by magic on a daily basis, how is this different?” Essek questioned.

“There’s magic and then there’s magic, don’t you remember the awe, the wonder of it all when you were too young to understand how commonplace it all was?” Molly asked emphatically, and Essek smiled indulgently at him before his reserve returned again. Molly cheered internally, just a few more little pushes and he'd win Essek over.  

“Surely Jester would be able to provide the spectacle and awe you hope to inspire in these children?”

“One, I don’t want to spend an hour wrangling Jester into a semblance of a show schedule. Two, I want to spend an hour with you, doing silly magic tricks for an applauding audience,” Molly tapped Essek’s nose once and the twice to match his words. Essek wiggled his nose cutely. 

“That’s quite sweet,” he admitted. 

“I can be very sweet when the occasion calls for it,” Molly promised as he laid his head on Essek’s shoulder, staring up at the drow with imploring wet wide eyes that never failed to move Essek. 

“I still believe someone else would more suitable,” Essek said, but his heart wasn’t in it and Molly knew he had won Essek over when he started to twirl Molly’s hair around his fingers in that soft distracted way of his, like he was thoroughly enchanted by Molly and hadn’t noticed all his shields and guards falling away, it always made something snap and pop in Molly’s chest like a firework display but so much brighter and warmer. 

“You’ll do fine, perfect even, and you get to dress up,” Mollymauk stated knowing he well and truly had won the battle when he saw the interested spark in Essek’s eyes. All prim and proper and respectable but deep down, just like Molly, he liked a good look for every occasion. 

Hook, line and sinker. 

“What did you have in mind?” 

“Unfortunately something a little tame, can’t scandalise the children,” Molly tilted his head thoughtfully, “well, more so than normal. It is Veth’s camp after all.”

Essek snorted quietly, “I suppose I could spare an evening.”

“Wonderful! It’ll be fun!” Molly celebrated, darting off to begin preparations before he quickly spun on his foot, dived back in Essek’s space and gave him a peck on the cheek and a little whispered promise in his ear, “We’ll save the more scandalous attire for a private show later.”

With that, he ran off to find a hat and a defenceless bunny to hide in it, leaving Essek with plum cheeks and a few daydreams to tide him over for the next few hours. 

[belovedwizardsandpurples]

2023 Shadowidomauk Bang Masterpost

Here is a complete and total list of all of the pieces created for the first (but hopefully not last) Shadowidomauk bang. Our theme for the year was fall/dating, so expect spookiness and cosiness. You can find a good majority of the written works here in the collection. There are going to be a few additions as people finish up their pieces so be sure to check back here if you want more!

Apple Cider/Mulled Wine: New Family Traditions (Writing, 1944 Words - AO3 Link) by Riot_Fae

Apple Picking: Life is Just a Dream, You Know (Writing, 2954 Words - AO3 Link) by NayaZephronic / @languishedlaughing

Cozy: Cozy Cuddles (Writing, 1192 Words - AO3 Link) by AkizaDragonBane

Harvest Festival: On This Harvest Moon (Writing, 4119 Words - AO3 Link) by Harp_Turtle

Pumpkin Carving but with Cats: Pumpkins and Cats (Writing, 543 Words - AO3 Link) by ElphieBLW

Stealing Sweaters/Warm Clothes: Have You Seen My Sweater? (Writing, 1323 Words - AO3 Link) by Widogasp / @widogaspmauk

Taking Care of a Sick Partner: Stardew Stew (Writing, 3430 Words - AO3 Link) by AkizaDragonBane

Witch: Taming the Feral (Writing, 2364 Words - AO3 Link) by ElphieBLW Witch (Digital Illustration - Tumblr Link) by @devourm0us / devourmous / dev0urmous

[mouseinthecastle]

@ivelostmyspectacles is in my walls again!!!! Molly and Essek getting in some good good .....relaxation time in ch 4 of Family Obligation 🍃❤️

[quinn-of-aebradore]

Just as he’s spooning sugar into his steaming mug of coffee, the door to the room swings open and Molly bursts in in a flurry of shiny, jewel-toned fabric, jingling gaudy jewelry, and body glitter. They don’t glance over at him, heading straight for the bed and starfishing onto it facedown the moment they reach it. Another sigh immediately builds on Essek’s lips, spilling out tinted with concern. While on a publicity tour for their music career, Molly has an interview with Scanlan Shorthalt. It doesn't go well. Essek comforts them in the aftermath.

Hello all! My first fic of the year is my contribution to the Soup Cult's holiday/winter potluck event, as well as a very longstanding WIP of mine; the musician Molly AU, aka Glitter Slug Molly (you will see XD). I am terribly fond of this one and I hope you enjoy it!

[redstarcat]

✨Sparkles✨

[rainbowcaleb]

FICLET FRIDAY : Witless

Prompt: wet | Rating: T | Characters: Essek and Molly (Caleb offscreen) | Words: 502 | CW: None

“I’ll just be one moment, please make yourself comfortable.” Caleb walks down the short hallway and disappears into what Essek assumes is his private room.

Essek absolutely wasn’t expecting Caleb to invite him inside his room, he wouldn’t even know how to react if he saw a bed— is it large? cozy? are there abundant pillows, or is Caleb spartan with just one? are the sheets rumpled or— the thought of just the bed sends Essek into a quickly tamped down spiral. He can't handle seeing a whole bedroom full of personal artifacts all at once. His mind will try too quickly to gather all the presented information to solve this Widogast puzzle, and this year Essek is very much trying to discover friendship the natural way, not with the help of research or second eyes.

And so Essek perches on the edge of the couch, not quite allowing himself to settle, as Caleb retrieves the notes from that morning’s lecture. Curse Verin for dragging Essek out to breakfast halfway across town. He’ll never believe another ‘emergency’ text from his brother again.

There’s rapid footsteps sounding from the hallway then a small crash as someone runs into the room and bumps into the corner, almost toppling the floor lamp.

“Caleb! I’ve got an idea for where we should take Beau for her surprise birthday next— oh hello.”

Essek does not have his wits about him. If he has any wits in hand at all he wouldn’t be staring mouth agape at the tiefling that has just entered the room. The figure is dripping wet, which explains the clumsy entrance, assumingly having run from the shower. And naked. Which could also be explained by a shower. Essek’s mind is frozen on the full expanse of nude skin before him and, witless as he is, cannot move on past the logical assumption—

“Did you just run out of the shower?”

The tiefling laughs. “I might have. I thought I heard Caleb’s voice and assumed he was home and willing to hear my great plans.” A wink is sent Essek’s way. “I don’t suppose you’d like to brainstorm a party with me? If you’ve come home with Caleb, I’m sure you’re just as smart. He does know how to pick them.”

“I haven’t come home with him.” The scandal is starting to catch up in Essek’s mind but his focus is still a bit left of target. “He is simply lending me class notes.”

“Ah, a shame.” The tiefling approaches and Essek’s gaze is very determinedly trying to stay on the face. It’s a very nice face, wet black hair now curling in front of the eyes. “If you were sticking around I might risk pissing off my roommate by stealing you away. I’m Mollymauk.” A hand is stuck out towards Essek. Years of polite upbringing has Essek taking the hand despite the nearby nudity. “Can I still tempt you to stay awhile? I don’t think I’ve seen you around before, and I’m always happy to make a new friend.”

[luddlestons]

Not pictured: Caleb Widogast standing 30 feet away, bright red and staring at this whole situation.

I still have no idea whether they actually meet in canon (no spoilers please i'm making my way slowly) but of course my gay brain went "what if the purple tiefling and the purple elf did a purple smooch"

[glossolali]

The boys' heroforges from my SWM scifi cyberpunk h/c fic! t'was a soup cult winter's crest gift exchange fic for beloved @wanderingbasilisk and fun as hell to write. enjoy 💜🧡💜

[critter-rarepair-reccs]

Hello and happy Friday to you all! Midway through May now and this week we have mighty list for you all; twenty-one fics that feature a variety of different and unique AUs! As always, you can find them below the cut and if you check any of them out, I encourage you to leave kudoes and comments to spread the rarepair love 💕

The Changeling by maybetwice (5,899 words, Teen) Pairing: Queerplatonic Fearne Calloway/Orym Warnings: None

Orym is given to the feywild as a child, and grows up as a changeling in the service of Morrigan, companion to Fearne. Its so funnn, the speculative feywild and its politics (pre canon-Morri), Orym's desparate grip on his identity, and how things change and shift, Fearne trying to help but not quite understanding

Reccer Says: The characterization *chefs kiss, the world building, its very fun. Atmospheric, fairy tail esque? The sworn oaths and loyalty *chefs kiss chefs kiss, you love to see it every time. And! It's part of a series!!! So there's more >:D

your touch's so sweet (throw me in the water) by quinn_of_aebradore (1,872 words, Teen) Pairing: Fjord/Caleb Widogast (Widofjord)

Evil AU polyam, Bren visits Fjord for the night and they discuss things (and also have a fun night)

Reccer Says: Sexy evil au brain go brrrrrrrr

steady lodged between beast and god by Junkyard_Rose (6,737 words, Mature) Pairing: Lucien Tavelle/Essek Thelyss (Luciessek) Warnings: Suicidal ideation (first half)

After cognouza, Lucien is the one who comes back. The M9 leave him with Essek, who convinces Lucien to (take a second chance) work as his bodyguard. They sort of start to figure things out

Reccer Says: Its kind of a little Lucien's worst nightmare, but also a soft third(?) beginning? Essek trying to be the mirror that Caleb was, and extending the hand, and Lucien is taking it, extremely brrrrrrrr

Shame on a martyr claiming friends by thought (1,641 words, Teen) Pairing: Dorian Storm/Verin Thelyss Warnings: None

Crack played straight, arranged marriage between two second sons who have older, overshadowing brothers, and a desire to carve out a place outside their family's expectations (heheh)

Reccer Says: Its just fun! And honestly, yeah? Yeah! They have a lot of common ground on siblings and their desires to prove themselves to their family's legacies. Also sharing the wish to sidle out of a very awkward room lol

first bloom by flappingduster (3,484 words, Teen) Pairing: Queerplatonic Beauregard Lionett/Essek Thelyss Warnings: None

Essek and Beau are together (romantic) but then they figure things out at separate, but are still close friends (qpr). Essek has complicated feelings when Beau asks for dating advice for a girl she's met

Reccer Says: Complicated Relationship and Feelings brrr

a home where my heart is by DesertLily (1,252 words, Teen) Pairing: Jester Lavorre/Beauregard Lionett (Beaujes) Warnings: None

Jester sends Beau a text asking her out. Beau over analyzes it and goes to Fjord for advice.

Reccer Says: Very cute!!! Beau is a disaster and I love her.

this is a promise (with a catch) by Anonymous (42,357 words, Explicit) Pairing: Orym/Dorian Storm/Will (Dorymwill) Warnings: Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics

Orym and Will are together in an alpha/alpha relationship. It’s perfect, except that Orym’s ruts are difficult and he can’t stand to be around Will during them. And then, set up by Fearne, Orym mets Dorian, an omega in need of a heat partner, and things spiral out from there.

Reccer Says: The sex is hot, the relationships are so wonderful and sweet, the world feels so real around them, and the twist at the end is incredible.

burn, scourger, burn by Anonymous (1,362 words, Teen) Pairing: Mollymauk Tealeaf/Essek Thelyss (Shadowmauk) Warnings: None

Witcher AU, Essek is Yennefer, Molly is Jaskier, and they both have been cast aside by Caleb as Geralt. Allied with Astrid and Wulf, Essek seeks out allies and finds himself watching one of Molly’s performances.

Reccer Says: It’s such a brilliant AU in so few words, the history built perfectly in that small space. The emotion, the layers of it, are so delicious.

warm, unalone (come settle down) by Meridas (20,811 words, Teen) Pairing: Queerplatonic Mollymauk Tealeaf/Yasha Nydoorin Warnings: None

A modern AU in which queerplatonic partners Molly and Yasha move to Zadash to start a soft, domestic life.

Reccer Says: Truly one of the sweetest, fluffiest series out there. QPP Circus Kids are soooo important to me and this series is a large reason for that. You can FEEL the love between Molly and Yasha, the depth to which they care about and for each other. It’s just. So so tender. Also! Baby the Cat beloved. And a very nice side of Widomauk fluff!!!

Something Happened On The Way To Heaven by SweetSilentSteps (24,014 words, Explicit) Pairing: Orym/Dorian Storm/Will (Dorymwill) Warnings: Minor Depictions of Violence

A retelling of Ladyhawke (1985), featuring Orym/Will as the cursed couple and Dorian as the jail escapee.

Reccer Says: Absolutely amazing character voices! It's such a fun read! I enjoy this more than the original movie.

(sing another) song for the lost ones by elanoides (21,453 words, Teen) Pairing: Fjord/Caleb Widogast (Widofjord) Warnings: None

Fjord crashes in a small seaside town, meets The Mighty Nein, and finds he isn't lonely anymore.

Reccer Says: This is such a cozy comfort read for me. 10/10.

Advanced Book (And Heart) Stealing by Attila (2,776 words, Teen) Pairing: Kima/Allura Vysoren (Kimallura) Warnings: None

The first time Allura checks out a book Kima needs for her thesis is an accident. The second, not so much.

Reccer Says: This is a hilarious story with fantastic character voices and several laugh out loud moments! Also very cute.

a hundred years still in my pocket by burningafterdark (3,360 words, Explicit) Pairing: Fjord/Caleb Widogast (Widofjord) Warnings: None

Fjord and Caleb have sex in Caleb's office.

Reccer Says: I love the post-canon vibes, I love how the established background Polynein colors their conversation, I love how comfortable the two feel together. It's also just well written sex!

Shut Up And Take My Money by Attila (14,024 words, Teen) Pairing: Jarrett Howarth/Vex'ahlia Warnings: Descriptions of blood, off-screen violence, off-screen healing of a gun shot wound

Vex needs to hire someone for the (money laundering) coffee shop. Jarett is a perfect fit - and attractive to boot. The question remains: is he a fed?

Reccer Says: This fic is hilarious! It feels like Vox Machina!

Spitfire by kitthekazoo (1,352 words, General) Pairing: Scanlan Shorthalt/Vax'ildan (Vaxlan) Warnings: None

Vax meets Kaylie, Scanlan's 8 year old daughter.

Reccer Says: Lovely!

teakettle love (i'd do anything) by redhoods (6,360 words, Explicit) Pairing: Fjord/Caleb Widogast (Widofjord) Warnings: None

Fjord takes care of Caleb when Caleb forgets to take care of himself.

Reccer Says: It's so soft........ such lovely character voices!

houses, homes by Ffwydriad (2,414 words, Teen) Pairing: Yeza Brenatto/Veth Brenatto/Caleb Widogast Warnings: Implied off-screen transphobia, homelessness

Caleb and Veth are on the streets together, and then move in with Yeza.

Reccer Says: I really enjoy trans!Veth and how the Caleb/Veth/Yeza relationship builds!

and coffee the morning after by impossibletruths (2,546 words, General) Pairing: Keyleth/Pike Trickfoot (Pikeleth) Warnings: Blood*

Keyleth and Pike meet in their apartment building's laundry room. Their relationship builds from there.

Reccer Says: It's so cute! It just feels lovely!

*Keyleth meets Pike when Pike's scrubs have blood on them.

it starts with an earthquake by impossibletruths (13,520 words, Teen) Pairings: Percy de Rolo/Pike Trickfoot/Vex'ahlia, Kima/Allura Vysoren (Kimallura) Warnings: None

Vox Machina's Conclave Arc, but make it post-apocalyptic.

Reccer Says: Absolutely amazing character studies, great plot, and a wonderful way of making things feel hopeful even in the apocalypse.

Free as the birds that fly with weightless souls by impossibletruths (5,643 words, Teen) Pairing: Keyleth/Kashaw Vesh (Kashleth) Warnings: Prominent themes of grief and mourning

Keyleth and Kashaw fall in love during their art collaboration.

Reccer Says: Beautiful.

End Racism in the OTW; you and me and some l-o-v-e (all good things come in threes) by mischiefseven (8,594 words, Teen) Pairing: Shaun Gilmore/Keyleth/Vax'ildan (Vaxlethmore) Warnings: Off-screen violence, aftermath of violence

Vax finds Gilmore's Glorious Goods and finds himself in love with both Keyleth and Gilmore.

Reccer Says: This is one of my favorite fics of all time. I highly recommend it!

Thank you for joining us this week’s recc list! All the love to everyone who submitted a fic 💕 All enclosed recommendations were submitted by the community via our submissions form, which you can find here. All fic information is as it was provided by the reccer, so it may not be accurate to the author’s intent or the precise contents of the fic itself. Please assume good intent from all parties 💕

Submissions for next week’s list are already open! We’ll be featuring Hurt/Comfort. If you have any you’d like to highlight, you can send them in here. The week after that, the theme is PC x NPC and the weeks after that we’re taking recommendations for Proposals & Marriages and Oneshots! Submissions for all of these themes are currently open.

If you want more rarepair fic, check out @cr-summer-wildflowers and their event collections on ao3! If you want some friendship after all this romance, take a look at @critter-genfic-events and their recc lists! And if you’re interested in everyone’s favorite wizards, you can’t go wrong with the lists at @aeor-is-for-reccing !

Thanks all and have a lovely day/night/timezone! 💕