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1. characters of no illusion by Anonymous

   Fandoms: Critical Role (Web Series)  

   • Explicit
   • Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
   • M/M, Multi
   • Work in Progress

   02 Jan 2026

   Tags

   • Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
   • Essek Thelyss/Caleb Widogast
   • Essek Thelyss
   • Caleb Widogast
   • Mutual Pining
   • Demisexual Essek Thelyss
   • Touch-Starved Caleb Widogast
   • Courtesan AU
   • Or Is It?

   Summary

   It is a rare evening when Essek does not have any visitors. Tonight, he has time to rest, and to rouse himself early enough to watch the dawn break. Early enough to catch sight of a familiar head of rough red hair in the window across the street. Early enough that the rest of the world is still asleep, and Essek can be only Essek.

   He raises his hand, waving bashfully. “Good morning.”

   (In which a shop assistant teaches a courtesan a touch of magic, and a courtesan teaches a shop assistant the magic of touch.)

   Language:

   English

   Words:

   11,553

   Chapters:

   6/?

   Collections:

   1

   Comments:

   76

   Kudos:

   259

   Bookmarks:

   32

   Hits:

   2,791