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A frustrating experience during a battle causes Julien and Occtis to reassess the argument that they had outside Obrimus Manor.
“What the fuck was that?” Julien’s voice was loud and clear and, most of all, more furious than Occtis had ever heard it before.
He grimaced slightly, but he wasn’t the one being yelled at, not this time, so he decided to take a few steps away from the group to begin the process of re-summoning Pin, who’d been destroyed in the battle.
“What was what?” Thimble asked, and she sounded genuinely confused. Human-sized again, and Occtis had almost gotten used to that. “Kattigan saved your life back there. Why are you so angry about it?”
It was an odd little reminder that Thimble hadn’t been along during Occtis’s trip with Julien to the old empire. She didn’t know Julien, not really. She knew some version of him that he’d been before his father had been murdered, but she didn’t know him now.
“I didn’t need any help,” Julien said, and Occtis could see him glaring around at the others. “I was fine.”
Bookmarked by Balk
05 Sep 2026
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it must be nice to finish when you're dead. by mr_charles for judypoovey
Fandoms: Critical Role: Aramán (Web Series)
15 Nov 2025
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Occtis has a problem.
Julien might be the solution.
(alternatively: deadging)
Bookmarked by Balk
31 Aug 2026
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- Words:
- 97,971
- Works:
- 2
- Bookmarks:
- 23
Bookmarked by Balk
29 Aug 2026
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The Bright Queen does find him again, eventually.
500 years after the Mighty Nein save Essek's soul, he has a conversation with his former queen. One shot. Episode 97 spoilers.
Bookmarked by Balk
25 Aug 2026
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Caleb and Essek's research trip to Aeor is going swimmingly - until it's not. Stuck in a region of the city where magic doesn't seem to work at all and surrounded by numerous dangers, things are liable to get worse before they get better...
Bookmarked by Balk
25 Aug 2026
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These are the facts. Essek Thelyss is a traitor to the Dynasty. He has collaborated with the Cerberus Assembly on dunamantic research. His loyalties are an entirely unknown quantity, and likely nonexistent. He is, above all else, a liar.
Also, he all but lives in the neighborhood now, and it’s very uncomfortable.
Bookmarked by Balk
24 Aug 2026
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“We would like to offer our sincere condolences regarding the passing of your husband,” Ethrand states in a lofty drawl.
Julien sees Aranessa’s jaw go taut. “Thank you for thinking of us in our time of mourning,” she grates out.
“Of all Houses, House Tachonis would never seek to downplay or invalidate the importance of a mourning period. However, certain circumstances warrant a loosening of the proscribed timelines.”
Julien’s jaw falls ajar. He can't possibly mean...?
“I fear I fail to understand you," Aranessa hisses. "Elaborate.”
“All this recent unpleasantness was the consequence of years of unfortunate misunderstandings between our two houses. In contravention of what one might expect, I am pleased to say that I am here with an entreaty of peace.”
Aranessa allows a long silence to transpire, one that seems to make even Ethrand uncomfortable. “I will hear the details.”
“In exchange for a lasting peace, we only seek to solemnize this new alliance with a vow.” Ethrand smirks. “Accordingly, my father offers you the hand of my brother Occtis in marriage.”
Julien looks down at the rug. If he doesn’t look down at the rug, he’s going to start shouting.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 157,670
- Chapters:
- 25/45
- Comments:
- 1,132
- Kudos:
- 748
- Bookmarks:
- 123
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- 20,522
Bookmarked by Balk
24 Aug 2026
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[SPOILERS TO C4E5.]
Occtis is still holding his head up high, but now that they’re in better lighting, Julien realizes he looks a bit unsteady. Nonetheless, the boy's voice is steadfast. “I have some work I need to get done this evening. If you want to stay in this stupid room while that happens, I can’t stop you, but I expect you to be polite about it.”
Deciding the unsteadiness is only to be expected, Julien tries to muddle past it. “What kind of work?”
Occtis’s jaw goes tight. “I… have to start making some adjustments, or else I won’t ‘heal’ properly. Is that going to be a problem for you?”
Julien doesn’t know what he’s supposed to respond to that, so he defaults to setting some parameters. “There’s a sorry excuse for a curtain that you may use as a partition if you desire. I’ll take this bed; that side of the room is all yours to do as you see fit.”
Occtis just stares at him. “You’re… fine with this?”
Julien rolls his eyes. “Yes. I am extremely fucking fine with everything that is happening. Everything is extremely fucking great with me.” He flops down on the nearer of the two beds. “Do what you must.”
“Thank you for being so kind.”
Julien’s eye twitches.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 53,317
- Chapters:
- 10/10
- Comments:
- 517
- Kudos:
- 785
- Bookmarks:
- 131
- Hits:
- 13,562
Bookmarked by Balk
23 Aug 2026
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In which Essek gets distracted, and then gets a sunburn. (Caleb lends a hand.)
Bookmarked by Balk
20 Aug 2026
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The Kryn stationed at the Vurmas Outpost in Aeor have noticed the Shadowhand receiving some strange visitors. Rumours and gossip, of course, have a way of spreading.
Post-CR2 Epilogue added!
Bookmarked by Balk
19 Aug 2026
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by the corner of your mouth by lakrisrot (enheduane)
Fandoms: Critical Role (Web Series)
13 Jul 2022
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Caleb Widogast is going to perish right here in the warmly lit library of his own mind’s creation, and the cause will be Essek—deep in thought, pale brows furrowed —and the way he keeps touching his fucking mouth as he thinks.
Bookmarked by Balk
18 Aug 2026
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Jester sighs, staring into space with her chin cupped in her hand. “So romantic, Essek. Imagine knowing someone like that. You don’t even have to say a word. You just… work so well together, you know?”
[Or: the Nein try to tease some secrets out of Essek.]
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 2,069
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Collections:
- 1
- Comments:
- 59
- Kudos:
- 715
- Bookmarks:
- 86
- Hits:
- 3,899
Bookmarked by Balk
18 Aug 2026
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- Words:
- 10,021
- Works:
- 2
- Bookmarks:
- 39
Bookmarked by Balk
18 Aug 2026
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Caleb and Essek have settled down post-campaign, and have adopted a handful of cats. Caleb knows that Essek isn't much of an animal person in general, so he's not particularly hurt when Essek avoids getting too involved with the animals for fear of being overwhelmed.
Or so Caleb thinks-- until he's gifted a bracelet enchanted with Speak With Animals, and Essek's secret is revealed.
Bookmarked by Balk
17 Aug 2026
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just listen to the rhythm of my heart by kmackatie for Loekazz
Fandoms: Critical Role (Web Series)
21 Aug 2021
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“What if I didn’t care.” The words surprise Essek for how true they actually are. He wouldn’t care if the Nein saw them kissing, they all knew they did anyway. What difference did it make if they had some actual evidence of it?
Caleb’s eyes darkened.
“Essek.”
“What if I decided that I don’t care, that all I’ve been able to think about for the last hour is your hands and I’ve had to sit there and converse—” He breaks off, licking his lips as his mouth is dry. “I want you. I want you and it’s distracting, and you have utterly broken my ability to sit there and pretend that I am not thinking about anything but your hands and skin. What have you done to me.”
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In which Essek's concentration is tested, the wizards have feelings, and discover that maybe they should pay a slight bit more attention to their surroundings.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 8,859
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Collections:
- 1
- Comments:
- 55
- Kudos:
- 728
- Bookmarks:
- 128
- Hits:
- 7,343
Bookmarked by Balk
17 Aug 2026
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“Ouch, I— fuck.”
“Gods, I’m sorry—”
“Oh for the love of—” It’s followed by a huffed sigh, and another bang. An elbow this time, hitting a door. “This is not going to work.”
----
Or, the one where they have car sex.
Bookmarked by Balk
15 Aug 2026
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luminous worlds by essektheylyss (divinationwizard)
Fandom Critical Role: Exandria (Web Series)
14 Nov 2025
- Words:
- 2,787
- Works:
- 1
- Bookmarks:
- 32
Bookmarked by Balk
12 Aug 2026
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Essek doesn’t date, and for good reason. It’s exhausting, the dance around feelings and pleasure, made worse by the shadow of his ill health. He’s perfectly content with the company of his Guides, their platonic exchange of intimacies fully serviceable. He doesn’t need anyone else.
Caleb Widogast is the Empire human making a valiant attempt towards involving himself in Rosohna’s kink scene. He shouldn’t be as charming as he is but Essek finds himself drawn to Caleb, caught in his gravity well, pulled past the event horizon against his will. He doesn’t quite mind, especially when Essek connects Caleb Widogast to Bren Ermendrud, the researcher on loan from Soltryce studying time travel under Essek’s purview here in the Marble Tomes.
Don’t we all have mistakes we wish to correct?
Essek has made many and, caught up in a whirlwind romance with a Dom perfect in all the ways he didn’t know he wanted, he makes many more.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 259,463
- Chapters:
- 35/?
- Comments:
- 767
- Kudos:
- 855
- Bookmarks:
- 173
- Hits:
- 47,634
Bookmarked by Balk
07 Aug 2026
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“He is staring at me,” said Essek. “Why is he staring at me?”
Molly sat sandwiched between Beau and Yasha. The girls turned towards him in unison; Beau narrowed her eyes; Yasha smiled and patted Molly’s shoulder.
“I think he’s figuring you out,” mused Yasha. “You’re the only one at the table who’s a total stranger to him.”
Beau’s scrutiny melted away and was replaced by a broad grin. “I bet he’s trying to decide what card you are, Essek.”In the aftermath of their most emotionally draining day yet, Jester checks in with Essek.
Set after 140 but written before 141 aired. A sequel to Where Kindness Shines.Bookmarked by Balk
06 Aug 2026
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Summary
She quite liked his sugar-white hair and long eyelashes and his funny little smile. She liked his fancy earrings and gentle accent. She liked how he floated, like the balloons they would send up over the rooftops of Nicodranas at every new year festival.
Jester frowned at Essek. Confused, Essek frowned back.
“Is something wrong?” he asked.
“Your earrings, Essek!” exclaimed Jester, distraught. “Where’d they go?”Jester and Essek have a conversation about jewellery in the frozen North.
Set during the short rest in episode 132.Bookmarked by Balk
06 Aug 2026