Shadowgast - Tumblr Posts
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Pros to having the wildemount gays all live together:
Gardening buddies
Empire sibs collectively dying from queer exposure
wlw mlm solidarity
xhorhass gays get to welcome empire sibs home after a long workday and honestly, i think we all need this
collective couch snuggles probably.
THERE ARE LIKE TEN CATS AND DOGS COMBINED HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE THIS CONSEPT I’M-
Cons:
There are none.
Everything is as it should be. UwU<3
essek is both my sad little meow meow man who deserves smooches every day and did nothing wrong, and a cunning extremely dangerous child prodigy arcanist capable of atrocities, depending on my mood and what I need from him at any given time.
[ID: A four panel comic of Caleb Widogast and Essek Thelyss from Critical Role.
In the first panel Caleb touches his face, complaining "I can't believe I forgot how fast I sunburn" while Essek stands next to him, wearing a robe and a wide brimmed, floppy hat.
In the second panel Essek boops Caleb on the nose and Caleb looks at Essek's finger on his nose with a surprised expression.
In the third panel Caleb exclaims "Hey!" while Essek laughs, muffled behind his hands.
In the fourth panel Caleb hugs Essek from the side, with his head under the brim of Essek's hat. Caleb says "This is a punishment hug, do not enjoy it". Essek laughs in Caleb's arms, no longer covering his face with his hands. End description.]
Please take this incredibly silly doodle of the wizards enjoying(?) the summer sun
Essek walks into the living room to find Caleb reading in his chair.
It's a large over stuffed thing they found at a thrift market a while back, Caleb was immediately in love with the soft green fabric and insisted they buy it for their apartment. Though they have little space, Essek couldn't find it in himself to say no.
Now he perches on the arm, pressing his legs to Caleb's side, silently demand his lover's attention. Without lifting his eyes from his book, Caleb presses a kiss go Essek's knee.
Something flutters in Essek's chest at the intimate gesture. "I've been thinking about the Dynasty," Essek begins softly. Caleb immediately sets down his book, dog-earing the page before looking up at Essek. Essek smiles at how quickly Caleb is listening to him.
"Ja?"
Essek nods, "I don't miss the people or the politics, but I do miss the traditions."
"Like what?" Caleb tugs on Essek's leg until he gives in and slides down so he's partially sitting in Caleb's lap, leaning his legs against Caleb's chest.
Essek takes a deep breath and looks down at his hands, "There's one in particular that's been on my mind as of late. It is one performed... performed by lovers when they are certain they've found their soulmate."
Caleb's eyes go wide for a split second. "This has been on your mind, liebling?" He asks tentatively.
Essek nods. "Traditionally it is done when one partner is of a higher social standing than the other. It is meant to symbolize that despite their noble rank, they still show reverence and...and fealty to their partner."
"Is this something you would like to do?" Caleb asks after a long moment.
Essek nods. "Though I understand if you feel uncomfortable partaking in Dynasty traditions-"
Caleb stops him with a light kiss to his lips. "It's important to you, it's important to me, ja? What is this tradition?"
"It'll be easier to show you," Essek says and he climbs off of Caleb's lap. With a wave if his hand he summons a bowl of steaming water, a soft towel, and one of their more expensive bars of soap. Caleb eyes him curiously.
Essek nervously takes a deep breath as he sinks to his knees before Caleb's chair, setting the bowl in Caleb's lap. He watches as Caleb's eyes go a bit wide at the display.
Gently, Essek takes Caleb's hand and removes his ring, it's something he stole from Essek's collection not too long ago. He presses a kiss to Caleb's knuckles before removing his own rings and setting them aside.
"Tell me if it's too hot," Essek says softly before taking both of Caleb's hands and lowering them into the water. Essek massages the back of Caleb's hands, feeling the tendons there.
He doesn't move his eyes from Caleb's hands, but he can feel Caleb's eyes on him, watching him.
After a long moment, Essek moves on to the next step.
"Traditionally," Essek tells him as he picks up the soap, "the soap would be lavender but I know you detest the scent so I have chosen lilac instead." Essek submerges the bar of soap in the warm water as well.
"Thank you," Caleb says softly.
Once there's a nice lather, he begins to wash Caleb's hands, starting with Caleb's right. He takes his time, cleaning under his fingernails. Essek loves the feeling of Caleb's hands, they're rough and scarred, they're perfect.
"Have you done this before?" Caleb asks softly.
Essek freezes and then shamefully nods, avoiding Caleb's eyes. "Once. I was very young then. I couldn't tell the difference between love and admiration." He swallows, "I don't wish to talk about it."
"Of course," Caleb tells him. He squeezes Essek's hand. "You don't need to. I was simply curious."
They fall back into comfortable silence as Essek moves to his left hand. Once both of Caleb's hands are clean and soft, Essek draws them from the water and lovingly wraps the towel around them.
He moves the bowl of water and squeezes his hands around Caleb's, drying them with the thick towel. Essek pulls the towel away and presses kisses to the back of each of Caleb's hands before gently sliding his ring back on.
Essek moves to do the same, but Caleb's stops him. "Let me." Essek meets his eyes for the first time in several minutes and finds Caleb looking down at him with complete and utter adoration. Essek nods shyly and Caleb takes his hands, putting Essek's rings back on exactly how he had them before.
When he's done, Caleb slides a hand through Essek's hair and pulls Essek's head over so he can plant a kiss on his forehead. "You look lovely on your knees, liebling, though I'd much rather have you up here," he whispers.
Essek flushes deeply and rises before sinking back into the chair and Caleb's arms. This time he sits completely in Caleb's lap, slouched so he can put his head on Caleb's shoulder. The ceremony left him saturated with love and happiness and feeling delightfully warm.
Caleb holds him, rubbing his arm. "It's a beautiful tradition." Essek nods his agreement. "And the part about... soulmates?"
Essek lifts his head to meet Caleb's eyes and quietly explains. "In the Dynasty, soulmates is a more literal concept. Consecution means that you can be born with someone your soul is matched with." Essek takes a breath, "But for me a soulmate is the person I love more than all other people. The person I couldn't imagine my life without." He meets Caleb's eyes tentatively. "That's you, Caleb."
Essek suddenly finds himself yanked back against Caleb's chest as Caleb squeezes him, peppering kisses to his face. Essek laughs gayly and traps Caleb's face in his hands, pulling him in for a long kiss.
When the pull their lips apart, Essek keeps his forehead pressed to Caleb's.
"It seems a great destiny that we met," Caleb whispers against his lips.
"I don't believe in destiny," Essek whispers back.
"Neither do I." Caleb kisses Essek again, winding his hands through his hair, holding him so tight Essek thinks he's trying to meld them into one. When Caleb pulls back, Essek is left breathless. "But I believe in luck," Caleb continues. "And I am so lucky to have met you, Essek Thelyss."
i am resuscitating a year-old shadowgast comic wip and felt like posting some faces I redrew last night
it's a very happy comic, as you can tell. only the best things for my favorite characters
i am resuscitating a year-old shadowgast comic wip and felt like posting some faces I redrew last night
it's a very happy comic, as you can tell. only the best things for my favorite characters
“Hey, Cay-leb!!”
The breath is knocked clean out of Caleb when Jester throws herself into his arms. He only narrowly manages to keep his balance as he laughs and ruffles her hair, his heart swelling with affection.
“Blueberry, it’s good to see you,” he says, grinning at Fjord, who claps a hand on his shoulder. Sun and sea and a new child have put a few more wrinkles around Fjord’s eyes and mouth. It suits him very well.
Livvy raises her chubby arms toward Caleb, squirming out of her father’s arms. Fjord hands her over, and Caleb receives an armful of warm sleepy baby, the soft heft of her settling against his chest. He presses a kiss to the top of her head. No, not a baby anymore, Caleb corrects himself, his throat constricting. She’s growing up so fast. The small blunt ends of her brand-new horns are already starting to poke through her black hair.
“I gotta go now, but I’ll come by as soon this whole thing is over,” Jester says, apologetic. “Then we can all have dinner together, okay?” She taps Livvy on the nose. “Behave for your uncle Caleb!”
Caleb laughs as Livvy lets out a murmur in response, cuddling closer and burying her face against his neck. “We’ll be waiting. Are you sure you don’t need me to teleport you there?”
“Nah, I’ll take the scenic route.” Jester kisses Fjord and waves goodbye without further ado. “See you later!”
“I wasn’t expecting you so early,” Caleb says, embarrassed at being such a poor host. There isn’t anything edible in his house save for a couple of shriveled apples and a half-empty cask of beer, but Fjord doesn’t need to know that. “I meant to go and pick up a few more things for dinner–”
“Not at all,” Fjord says easily. “A walk sounds nice.”
It’s a very pretty day, the late afternoon sunlight turning everything it touches to gold. Livvy is properly awake now, chattering as she plays with Caleb’s amulet. She likes the way it glitters when it catches the sun.
“How have you all been?” Caleb asks.
“Not bad. The seas are pretty rough this time of year, so we’ve been home the past few weeks. Between us, it’s a bit of a relief to stretch my legs,” Fjord says, chuckling. “How have you been? Teaching going well?”
“Ja. As well as can be expected.” Caleb smiles as Livvy coos, fascinated by the gold chain around his neck. “Maybe you will think about coming to the Academy again, one of these days.”
Fjord shakes his head, a rueful smile on his face. “Not to be too on the nose about it, but that ship has sailed for me, you know? It’s a nice thought, though.”
“The offer for private tutelage is still on the table, if you’re interested,” Caleb says, raising an eyebrow. “You know you and Jester are always welcome. And Livvy, of course,” Caleb says, laughing as a chubby hand bats at his nose. “Then you and Beauregard and Yasha can go for a couple of rounds in the fighting pits in the evenings.”
“Tempting. But it won’t be any fun if you and Jester aren’t there to cheer us on.”
“Who else is going to look after this one?” Caleb smiles at Livvy, who makes a surprised oh and pokes the dimple in his right cheek. “Besides, if you ask me, you all deserve a break.”
“And you don’t?” Fjord’s tone is teasing, but his eyes are entirely serious.
Caleb takes the out he is offered. “You know me. I like to keep busy.”
Keep reading
Caleb has 10 strenght. Essek weights 20 pounds when wet. He might be able to lift him up (struggling, but Essek’s closeted romantic heart loves it so it’s worth it) me and @japanne did an impromptu shadowgast collab! I did the sketch and the shading and she did those amazing lines and flats! :D This was so fun, thank you!
just essek, having a little look.
it's a thumbnail redraw, technically.
So something possessed me to go and check symbolism and deeper meaning for sloe (or blackthorn, same thing) and..... @road-rhythm I need to know if this was on purpose
I swear I’ll lose my mind before the end of this
Hard Mouth sticker-like designs from @road-rhythm incredible fic because it has me in a chokehold
I loved my friend.
He went away from me.
There's nothing more to say.
The poem ends,
Soft as it began-
I loved my friend.
What if we caught each other's eye as we crossed the frozen wastes of Aeor, and we were both wizards?
“If nature and history has taught us anything, eventually, there’s just one left.”
you were not born with venom in your veins
deeply convinced that essek in an angry sleeper. disgruntled kitten energy.
There is something’s wrong with the anatomy in this and it makes me angry, so I’m putting the wider crop under the read more 😐
*jazz hands*
I am now absolutely obsessed and will be posting only them for the foreseeable future