knightdelt

[knightdelt]

yes i’m a gatekeeper and a hater. i’m also God’s favorite princess and the most interesting girl in the world

[knightdelt]

Durgeheart Week - Day 2: Tender loving care

Thanks to @godofdystopia for starting this! I only wrote enough for one day but I'm glad I managed to write anything at all. This was supposed to be more than one scene, but I prefer keeping it on the shorter side so y'all are getting one part of it (approx. 1k words). Think of it as a snippet of what I'll end up putting in the next chapter of my Durgeheart longfic, I Bet on Losing Dogs.

(Note: Durge's name is Tav at this point in the story)

Anyway, enjoy!

___

Water met wood in splashes as Tav soaked a rag into the basin until it was thick and dripping. Then, clenching it tight, she twisted the fabric and wrung it out. Her movements were almost reverent while she dabbed and wiped at Shadowheart’s face, blood and grime and the salt-tracks of tears dissolving under her careful ministrations, and with them, perhaps, some small measure of the day's brutality.

Shadowheart was still shaken, her eyes vacant and unfocused. Tav had guided her to sit down on the stool, wrapping the cloak that was still around her closer together as she went to work. There wasn't time for luxury—no proper bath, no rose-scented oils—but that didn’t mean Shadowheart couldn’t have some semblance of normalcy and return an iota of dignity that was robbed of her.

She sat silently, feeling the warmth of Tav’s hand gently brushing aside her bangs and the soothing sensation of the wet cloth. Some part of her felt this was unfitting for her, like using communion wine to wash dishes. But to be…taken care of like this—Shadowheart found herself almost weeping anew.

Eventually, Tav had convinced Shadowheart to let her braid her hair. She sat behind her, deftly working as she weaved the long, dark strands with practiced ease. After a few moments, she tied off the braid with a thin strip of leather.

Shadowheart touched the braid carefully, a small flicker of pleasant surprise from someone who’d forgotten how to expect kindness. “Where’d you learn how to do that?”

There was a long pause, Tav’s expression unfocused and clouding with a damaged memory. Fractured impressions, at most. Of pale, golden hair, held between her own nimble fingers. Two young girls seated cross-legged on the temple floor, robes haphazard and blood-stained, but grinning anyway. But then, just as she almost had a clear picture, the mist started rolling in again.

“I…” Tav’s brows furrowed, lingering on Shadowheart’s hair before withdrawing. “I haven’t the faintest,” was all she could say.

Shadowheart knew what she meant, understanding passing between them wordlessly. The shared weight of stolen histories.

But Shar, it seemed, was not finished being the spiteful goddess she was and would go on to torment Shadowheart all night. The wound on her hand pulsed like a second heartbeat, one that belonged entirely to Shar's vindictive rhythm, each throb a reminder that apostasy came with its own particular brand of punishment. She'd counted seven spasms in the last hour alone.

When the next wave struck and Shadowheart became a study in controlled agony, Tav's patience finally snapped. She’d let it go all those other times, but enough was enough. Shadowheart needed her, now more than ever. They both knew there was no true remedy for something like this, not without divine intervention. But if she could spare Shadowheart even a few moments of pain, then it was worth the effort.

“I’ve an idea,” Tav said, her voice carrying the resolute tone of someone about to do something inadvisable. A spell. Something she’d been practicing. “Warding Bond.”

“No.”

“But you haven’t even-”

“No.”

“Gods dammit, don’t be so stubborn. You cannot keep going on like this!” Tav growled, finally raising her voice in frustration, before slumping back down and rubbing her face dejectedly.

Shadowheart attempted what she hoped was a withering look, but suspected it came across more as resignation. “I know what you’re trying to do.” Which was either the most romantic gesture or the most idiotic. “Please…don’t.”

Tav's smile carried the particular sadness of someone who'd found their hill to die on. “I can’t let her keep doing this to you. If I can just—if I can get this one thing right!” She raked her hand through her hair, before her voice softened. “You don’t have to carry this burden alone. Let me help you. Please.”

Before Shadowheart could answer, another spasm returned with renewed viciousness, lightning trapped beneath skin around the stigmata scar, and all she could manage was a weak snivel through gritted teeth.

“Bloody hells, give me your hand,” Tav insisted. It was desperation that had Shadowheart reach out and finally allow Tav to grasp it, letting her cover the top of the wound with her palm as she began to invoke the mantra of the abjuration in a hushed but determined tone. “Begone, foul crone. Resisto.”

The spell went into effect with surprising smoothness, a warm current flowing between them like shared breath. The relief was almost immediate and visibly so. Not complete, of course, but the sensation was dulled just enough that Shadowheart could finally unclench muscles she hadn't realized she was holding.

”Shite, is this what you have to deal with all the time?” Tav grunted, grimacing not just at the sudden pain, but the knowledge that even this was merely a fraction of how it actually felt. “Why didn't you say anything sooner?” Her voice cracked, eyes welling at how long this must’ve been going on. “I could’ve done…I don’t know, something.”

“This was never yours to bear. I never wanted you to have to experience this.”

“Oh bollocks,” Tav immediately said with an eyeroll. “You really think I’d let you do this alone?”

Shadowheart wanted to be angry, but she was something else, something she couldn’t put into words until Tav caressed the back of Shadowheart’s hand so affectionately in a way nobody else ever had. As though she were something precious rather than something broken.

“You’re so weird.”

“I get murderous urges I have to constantly suppress and you're drawing the line at this?” Tav's eyes crinkled with fond amusement, no real bite to her words, and Shadowheart had to work her jaw very hard to make it look like she wasn't smiling.

She was, of course. The sort of subtle movements you only learned after spending so much time in battle with someone, sharing the kills and spoils and the snarky, good-natured barbs between friends.

Shadowheart almost told her then, how she really felt, how much Tav had grown to mean to her. The way this impossible woman held her together by a thread; here is what was done to you. Now keep going, girl, and look alive. Even the moon waned during phases of emptiness before becoming whole again. The hurt would lessen eventually, unlearning not to hope for more.

“…Thank you,” she breathed, vision fading from the exhaustion.

Tav nodded. She would endure this, for her. “Get some rest.”

[knightdelt]

ARCANE X BG3: CAITHEART !!! 🗡🗡🗡

[knightdelt]

short-haired shadowheart ‼️

i love her sm 😭

[knightdelt]

For those who might have been wondering where the fics and new chapters are…

What a game! Jen English you star, you’ve done it again!!!

[knightdelt]

Chapters: ½ Fandom: Baldur’s Gate (Video Games) Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Shadowheart/Tav (Baldur’s Gate) Characters: Shadowheart (Baldur’s Gate), Tav (Baldur’s Gate), Shar (Dungeons & Dragons) Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Alternate Universe - Rock Band, Romance, Angst, Emotional Hurt, Implied/Referenced Abuse, Eventual Smut, Fluff and Humor, Protective Tav (Baldur’s Gate) Series: Part 6 of Minor Fall, Major Lift Summary:

Jen wants nothing more than to propose to Tav, but her plans go awry with the sudden re-emergence of her ex, Shar- leading to a massive confrontation.

[knightdelt]

last chance

[knightdelt]

Seven Deadly Sins: OC Tag Game

Thank you @eliteseven for tagging! <3

No Pressure tags to @strugglingcomet2, @shadowfalllen, @bonechillen :)

This was a good oppurtunity to think further about (and introduce to this blog) Esmeray Kenafin, the drow Paladin of Selune who leads, beside Shadowheart's side, the very long-fic I'm writing!

Prologue chapter this week (maybe (I hope lol))

Rules: Highlight each thing that applies to your OC.

OC: Esmeray Kenafin

LUST. desire for connection. pursuit of pleasure. emotional intelligence. obsessive. lovesick. one-night stands. seductive encounter. flirtatious conversation. erotic party. seductive attire. revealing clothing. passionate gaze. provocative makeup. sensual expressions. suggestive gestures. flirtatious smiles. lingerie. love letters. perfumes. provocative behavior. love poems. erotic art.

GLUTTONY. indulgence in experiences. savouring moments. hospitality. generosity. hedonism. culinary expertise. wine-tasting. excessive snacking. overloaded plates. excessive portions. bloated stomachs. messy eating. greasy fingers. full tables. indulgent spreads. overflowing cups. satisfied expressions. wine bottles. just can't get enough. fast food wrappers.

ENVY. motivation. competitive spirit. strategic planning. observational skills. bitter rivalry. contest. envious gossip. resentment-filled argument. social media jealousy. furrowed brows. clenched jaws. side-eye looks. pursed lips. tense posture. whispering behind backs. crossed arms. gossip magazines. keeping up with the joneses. the grass is always greener. feeling inadequate.

GREED. resourcefulness. entrepreneurial spirit. negotiation. materialistic. aggressive investment. lavish spending spree. resource-hoarding. get-rich-quick schemes. auction-bidding war. property acquisition. piles of money. overflowing wallets. luxury items. locked safes. penny-pinching. rare collectibles. selfishness. unwillingness to share.

SLOTH. calmness. stress management. nonchalance. relaxation techniques. lethargic. apathetic. inactive. lazy weekend. binge-watching marathon. neglected chores. skipped workout. long nap. lounging on the couch. missed deadlines. unkempt appearance. messy hair. pajamas. blankets. slippers. procrastination station. self-care routines.

WRATH. assertiveness. decisiveness. strength. intensity. boundary setting. courage. indignant. heated arguments. road rage incident. physical altercation. angry outburst. clenched fists. glaring eyes. tense muscles. raised voices. reddened faces. aggressive gestures. stormy demeanor. intense frowns. destructive actions. broken objects. punching bag. out for blood. fists. simmering anger.

PRIDE. confidence. self-assurance. self-respect. dignity. public speaking. self-promotion. arrogant. conceited. egotistical. self-important. vain. boastful speech. puffed chest. raised chin. smug smiles. spotlight. tooting your own horn. showing off. refusing to admit mistakes. feeling entitled. personal branding. leadership

[knightdelt]

Heartlines - Chapter 2

Fandom: BG3

Pairing: Shadowheart x named Tav

Summary: When Shadowheart walks the path of a Dark Justiciar, but refuses to let go of her family, she must learn to live with the memories she once craved that now haunt her. In addition, she is left with the fallout of the havoc she wrought upon those who stood between her, and what she wanted.

[knightdelt]

favourite moments of bg3 -> (6/?)

[knightdelt]

some Durgeheart silliness

[knightdelt]

slept on it and reworked this pic into not having lineart actually lol

made it a print also<3

[knightdelt]

Last Line Game

Thank you for tagging @bonechillen !

From the long-fic prologue; Funeral March for Ketheric Thorm. Tav has just survived a gnarly scuffle with a justiciar, and gained a new scar. Thank Selûne for healing magic!

"Aye," was all she could think to say, lost in the grisly sight before her. "We should not linger here, the square awaits."

No pressure tags to @shadowfalllen, @eldritchelfwriter, @callmelyrus :)

[knightdelt]

You are cordially invited to witness the joining of

the Houses:

Tavyndír &Hallowleaf

19 Mirtul, 1494 D.R.

Private reception & feast to follow for family and close friends.

Please present this invitation in front of the guards to be admitted entry. See postscript for details:

thank you to the wonderful brilliant showstopping @noeldressari for creating the emblem of my dreams!!! And helping every step of the way!

Link to Nobleheart Community for all things Serena x Shadowheart

Link to Kofi

[knightdelt]

speaking of patreon sketches, here's a Nocturne assortment through the months

[knightdelt]

you know once you make a supplementary OC for your main OC's backstory you're doomed

[knightdelt]

Selûnite Tav x DJ Shadowheart lol

ladies, if the girl you want to have sex with is "too far gone" and "beyond saving" or maybe even "lost her grip on humanity" then you have to do the only sensible things and flip sides! betray your comrades to have sex with her!