#and for the first to be gale/eve smut?

[wildskissed]

Abandoning all caution and running with the idea that @dragonagitator put in my mind. Probably not what they had in mind exactly, but I always have to put my own spin on things, so here is what I'm considering a writing prompt.

[pixel7777]

Batstarion's New Groove: Ch. 1/10

This art was commissioned from the incredible @vetochkarowan, the single best illustrator of Batstarion in all his fictional forms ever. Check out her Modern Bat series (pinned to her page) and consider supporting her Patreon, as I do!

Work Summary: There's a time and a place to turn into a floofy white bat. This is not it.

One minute, Astarion is a suave, unflappable vampire spawn. The next, he's small, white, fluffy, and squeaking indignantly from Zelara's cleavage. While Gale scrambles to solve the magical mystery and floof-obsessed Zelara insists on calling him Batstarion, Astarion has bigger concerns—like how to chair a political summit when he can’t hold a quill. A throuple romantic comedy with spells gone sideways, bureaucracy under siege, and just a little bloodletting.

This story can be enjoyed alone (betas confirm!) but is technically a sequel to Threefold Returns (Tumblr/AO3). See the notes below the break for more info.

Canon compliance: Mostly plausible as post-canon fanfic, with some magical realism non-strict 5e magic rules.

Work Content Tags: Post-Canon, Polyamory, Explicit Sexual Content, Explicit Language, POV Multiple, Threesome - F/M/M, Fluff and Smut, Happy Ending, Humor, Bloodweave+Tav, PIV sex, Oral Sex, Rimming, Anal Fingering, Anal Sex, Batstarion, Floofy snuggles ~32K words.

Read this chapter below the break or the full work (already completed) on AO3!

Chapters will be posted nightly on Tumblr - head to AO3 if you're impatient to finish!

Notes:

This fic happens after Threefold Returns (Tumblr/AO3) but can be enjoyed without reading Threefold first. A few points to keep in mind:

Astarion, Gale, and Zelara (Tav in the story) are in an established Throuple relationship

They live in Gale's Tower in Waterdeep, which is sentient and has a particular affection for Astarion.

The Tower connects to the Underdark, where Zelara's semi-sentient Workbench is forced to reside, since Tower dislikes being exploded.

Zelara is a Dhampir Drow Alchemist.

Astarion released the spawn at the Ascension ritual, and he and Zelara have spent time since then in the Underdark helping them survive.

I had amazing beta-reader for this fic from the Bloodweave Brainrot Discord server: domestic_cryptid and @gewhanaa. Thank both so much for your inputs!

Chapter 1 - Gale

Gale lifted his glass of wine, watching the sunset play across the rooftop garden Tower had crafted for their gathering. The space was remarkably pleasant – cushioned seating arranged in a semicircle, all self-warming despite the cool evening breeze, with potted herbs and flowering plants creating a lush atmosphere. A table laden with an assortment of foods and drinks stood within easy reach of everyone.

"To the eve of a new dawn," he toasted, smiling at his companions assembled around them.

Lae'zel scoffed but raised her goblet nonetheless. "The metaphor is unnecessary. But I acknowledge the significance of tomorrow's proceedings."

Shadowheart rolled her eyes. "Always the poet, aren't you, Gale?"

Gale's attention drifted to Astarion, who sat between him and Zelara. The vampire was uncharacteristically quiet, his gaze fixed on the horizon where the sun was making its final descent. There was something in his expression – a tightness around his mouth, a certain distance in his eyes – that struck Gale as unusual.

Insecurity, perhaps? The thought seemed strange associated with Astarion, who typically projected nothing but confidence, but tomorrow was no small matter. Leading the committee that would oversee the distribution of Aureum Vitae would effectively change the future for thousands of vampire spawn. Cazador's former slaves would finally have the opportunity to walk in daylight, to rejoin society proper.

"You know," Gale said quietly, leaning toward Astarion, "I believe you're more prepared for tomorrow than you realize." 

Astarion turned to look at him, one eyebrow arched. 

"The spawn respect you," Gale continued. "You've lived their experience, understood their suffering in ways none of us could. That authenticity will carry more weight than any rehearsed speech."

Zel reached over and squeezed Astarion's hand. "What our wizard's trying to say is you've got this."

Astarion's expression shifted, but not toward relief as Gale had expected. If anything, the furrow between his brows deepened.

"We've rehearsed the opening statements," Gale assured him. "The research is solid, the logistics are sound. The committee simply needs direction, and you're uniquely positioned to provide it." 

He placed a hand on Astarion's shoulder, feeling the tension beneath his palm. "Two years ago, I wouldn't have believed we'd be here – planning the integration of vampire spawn into daylight society. It's rather remarkable, isn't it?"

Astarion shifted in his seat. "Yes, quite remarkable," he murmured, rolling his shoulders again.

Gale watched him curiously. Something about the way Astarion kept adjusting his posture seemed off. Perhaps his shirt was bothering him? The vampire was notoriously particular about his clothing – the fabric might be causing some discomfort. Gale made a mental note to ask him about it later.

"I have concerns about quality control," Lae'zel interjected, pulling Gale's attention away from Astarion's fidgeting. "Your potion requires precise measurement. One mistake and we will have burning vampires in the streets."

"The dosage is quite stable," Gale assured her, grateful for her practical concerns. "We've refined the formula substantially. Any variance within five percent will still provide adequate protection."

Shadowheart cleared her throat. "It's not just about the physical safety. What of the reception these spawn will face? People have feared vampires for centuries. A potion won't erase that prejudice."

"Fair point," Gale conceded. "Integration will require more than technical solutions."

Minsc's booming voice cut through the conversation. "Boo says that all creatures deserve a chance at redemption! Even those with pointy teeth!"

Jaheira seemed less convinced. "Many of these spawn had been Cazador’s captives for generations. They have few trade skills, no understanding of surface customs. How will they support themselves? Without structure, desperate people make desperate choices."

"We've considered educational programs," Gale explained, warming to the topic. "Apprenticeships with sympathetic guilds. Blackstaff has already pledged support for – "

A sharp, abrupt movement caught Gale's eye. Astarion had adjusted his position again, almost flinching.

" – for transitional housing," Gale continued, trying not to lose his train of thought. "With proper discourse between community leaders, I believe we can create pathways for meaningful integration."

Through all this, Astarion remained notably silent. His fingers drummed against his knee, and occasionally he would rotate his shoulders as if trying to stretch out some discomfort. The behavior was so uncharacteristic that Gale found himself glancing over repeatedly, only half–listening as Jaheira and Shadowheart debated the ethics of blood supply chains.

"These challenges are significant," Gale admitted, "but not insurmountable. With careful planning and our combined resources, I believe we can address each concern methodically."

Astarion shifted again, more dramatically this time, then immediately stilled when he noticed Gale watching. His smile was tight, forced.

How strange, Gale thought. For someone who had fought so hard for this moment, Astarion seemed almost... reluctant now that it had arrived.

Gale watched as Zel interrupted the increasingly spirited debate about resource allocation with a wave of her hand.

"Honestly, you're all worrying about stuff Astarion's already thought of," she said, leaning back with the casual confidence she always displayed. "Calm down and pass the booze. Astarion's been working on this for months."

Gale nodded, appreciating her show of support. Astarion had indeed been meticulous in his planning, though his current demeanor suggested otherwise. The vampire's shoulders twitched again, more violently this time, and Gale was about to ask if he was feeling well when – 

His wine glass nearly slipped from his hand as Astarion abruptly ceased to exist.

In his place, there was a puff of mist, followed by a rush of displaced air. Astarion vanished. In his place, plummeting from chest-height toward the ground, was a small bundle of white fur.

Gale froze. Absolute stillness fell over the gathering.

Zel's reflexes proved faster than anyone else's. She lunged forward, hands cupped, and caught the creature before it hit the ground.

"What in the nine hells–" Shadowheart began.

Gale set his glass down carefully and leaned forward, peering into Zel's cupped hands. Gale gaped. The fur bundle turned out to be a small, white bat, with a distinctive curl atop its head that looked remarkably like Astarion's signature swoop of bangs. Its tiny nose and feet were pink, and when it blinked up at them, Gale recognized unmistakable ruby-red eyes.

"Astarion? Fascinating," he murmured, his mind already racing with possibilities. "I wasn't aware vampire spawn could transform like true vampires. This suggests a significant evolution in his powers." 

He mentally catalogued everything he knew about vampire physiology. Typically, only true vampires possessed the ability to transform into bats or mist. Astarion had deliberately chosen not to become a full vampire, yet here was evidence that he had somehow acquired new abilities.

"The implications are remarkable," Gale continued, reaching out a tentative finger toward the bat. "Perhaps Cazador's death has allowed for a gradual transference of power?"

But Zel wasn't listening to his theorizing. Her expression had transformed completely, her eyes wide with delight.

"Look at him!" she gasped, gently cradling the tiny bat. "He's so... fluffy!"

Gale watched, somewhat bewildered, as Zel's face softened into an expression he rarely saw on her. Her fingers carefully stroked the bat's tiny head, and she cooed in a voice utterly unlike her usual practical tone.

"You're just a little ball of floof, aren't you?" she said, her voice pitched higher than normal. "Look at your tiny ears!"

The bat stared up at Gale with those ruby eyes, and then it opened its tiny mouth and began squeaking frantically. The sound was high-pitched and rapid, almost as if it were trying to communicate something urgent.

"What's happening to him?" Jaheira leaned forward, her brow furrowed with concern.

Karlach crossed her arms. "Uh, he sounds kind of… freaked out. Did he do this on purpose?"

Gale pondered this question. It was indeed puzzling. Astarion had given no indication he possessed such abilities before today. More importantly, if this was intentional, why would he choose this moment, on the eve of such an important event, to demonstrate this skill?

"Astarion," Gale addressed the tiny creature, attempting to maintain a calm, rational tone despite the absurdity of the situation, "perhaps you could change back and explain what's happening?"

He reached toward the bat, but before his fingers could make contact, Zel yanked her hands away, pulling Astarion out of reach.

"No!" she exclaimed with unexpected ferocity. "He's mine! I'm going to love him and squeeze him and pet him and hug him and feed him and call him Batstarion!"

Gale blinked in astonishment. He'd adventured with Zelara, had been romantically involved with her for years now, and yet he'd never seen this particular expression on her face – a mixture of fierce protectiveness and childlike delight. It was as if the sight of Astarion in this tiny, vulnerable form had activated some deeply buried maternal instinct.

"Zel," he said carefully, "I understand he's quite... charming in this state, but we need to determine if he can transform back. Tomorrow's meeting–"

The tiny bat flailed in Zelara’s hands, flapping its wings furiously and screeching with all the righteous indignation of a prince whose royal decree had been ignored.

“Oh my gods, you’re so cute when you’re mad!” Zel gushed.

The bat screamed louder.

Lae'zel stood up abruptly. "This form is inappropriate for tomorrow's proceedings," she declared. "We cannot have the leader of the committee present as a rodent."

"Bats aren't rodents," Gale corrected automatically. "They're of the order Chiroptera, which–"

The Githyanki shot him a withering look, and he decided taxonomy lessons could wait for another time.

"This is clearly the work of our enemies," Lae'zel said, her yellow eyes narrowing as she surveyed the rooftop with suspicion. "A curse inflicted by those who oppose the liberation of the spawn. They seek to undermine tomorrow's proceedings by removing its leader."

"A fascinating theory," Gale replied, unable to keep the excitement from his voice, "but I believe we're witnessing something far more remarkable – an arcane anomaly that suggests evolving vampiric physiology! Perhaps killing Cazador has allowed Astarion to inherit certain dormant abilities. The timing is odd, this developing two years later but–"

The bat squeaked furiously at this, tiny wings flapping in what Gale interpreted as disagreement.

"Or it is a sign that he has overexerted himself," Jaheira interjected, her voice calm but concerned. "There are records of druids losing control of Wild Shape under duress. While Astarion is no druid, the principle may be similar. Stress can manifest in unexpected physiological responses, particularly in beings with magical natures."

Halsin blushed.

Shadowheart leaned forward, studying the small creature with narrowed eyes. "Perhaps this is an undiscovered side effect of the Aureum Vitae? The potion allows vampires to withstand sunlight, but we've only been testing it for a short time. It stands to reason that a formula powerful enough to protect against a vampire's greatest weakness might have other effects – perhaps heightening other vampiric powers, like transformation abilities."

Gale found himself nodding. "That's a reasonable hypothesis. The potion works by temporarily altering the fundamental magical essence of vampiric physiology. It's not inconceivable that such alterations could trigger latent abilities."

"He looked all itchy before it happened," Karlach pointed out, scratching her own arm absently. "Are you all using a new soap? Because I got the weirdest rash this one time when Wyll brought back this fancy Calimshan soap. Turned me bright purple for three days."

The bat in Zel's hands stopped squeaking and stared at Karlach with what Gale swore was pure exasperation.

"While I appreciate everyone's theories," Gale said, stroking his beard thoughtfully, "what matters most is determining if Astarion can transform back. The committee meeting is scheduled for tomorrow morning, and his presence – in his humanoid form – is rather crucial."

Zel clutched the bat closer to her chest. "But look at his tiny little nose! And the way his ear twitches when he's annoyed!"

Gale sighed. Getting Zel to focus on the problem rather than Astarion's admittedly adorable appearance was going to be challenging. He leaned in, examining the bat more closely.

"Can you understand us, Astarion?" he asked.

The bat nodded vigorously, its ruby eyes bright with intelligence.

"Can you transform back at will?"

The bat flailed violently, squeaking at Gale with a level of distress that could mean anything from “obviously not, you idiot” to “I refuse to dignify that question.”

Gale watched as Zelara nuzzled Batstarion against her cheek, her eyes closed in pure delight. For a moment – so brief he might have imagined it – Astarion seemed to lean into the affection, his tiny bat body relaxing against her lavender skin.

Then, as if catching himself in this moment of vulnerability, Batstarion swatted at her with one leathery wing, his ruby eyes narrowing in what could only be described as vampiric indignation.

"Please," Gale said, spreading his hands in a gesture of desperate appeal. He looked back and forth between his lovers – one transformed into a fluffy white bat, the other seemingly content to keep him that way indefinitely. "This isn't getting us anywhere."

Zel merely giggled as Batstarion continued his ineffectual protest. Gale's shoulders slumped, and he fixed them both with a pleading gaze. Was he truly the only one taking this situation seriously? They had responsibilities, obligations – and Astarion was currently incapable of doing anything more threatening than squeaking angrily.

"We need to focus," he implored, though his voice betrayed his growing certainty that neither of his companions was listening to reason.

Halsin, who had been observing the situation with quiet interest, rose from his seat. "Perhaps I can help," he offered. "I can speak with him if I cast–"

He began the familiar gestures of the Speak with Animals spell, his fingers weaving through the air in practiced motions.

Gale watched with academic fascination as Halsin completed the spell, his hands glowing briefly with druidic energy. The transformation was subtle but immediate – the bat's squeaks should now be comprehensible speech to the druid. Halsin leaned in close, his expression gentle as he addressed the tiny creature.

"Astarion, can you explain what happened? Was this transformation voluntary?" Halsin asked. 

The bat opened its mouth, but instead of answering, it closed its mouth again and went completely still. Its tiny body froze, wings pulled tight to its sides, ruby eyes narrowed in thought. Gale frowned, leaning closer to examine this new development. Had something gone wrong with the spell? The bat's chest still rose and fell with rapid breaths, so it wasn't unconscious, merely... unresponsive. Gale glanced at Halsin, whose confusion mirrored his own, then at the others who had fallen into an uneasy silence. Shadowheart raised a skeptical eyebrow, Lae'zel's hand drifted toward her weapon as if expecting treachery, and Karlach simply scratched her head in bewilderment. Even Zel's delighted cooing ceased as she studied the suddenly petrified Batstarion with the first hint of concern crossing her features.

Then the bat – Astarion? Batstarion? – suddenly launched itself from Zel's hands with surprising force. Its wings beat frantically as it first fell and then gained altitude, circling once above the gathered party before darting away toward the city.

"No! Batstarion, come back!" Zel cried, springing to her feet and reaching futilely toward the retreating form.

Shadowheart knocked over her wine glass in the commotion, Minsc bellowed something about tiny winged justice, and Boo scurried under a cushion. Jaheira was already on her feet, attempting to track the bat's trajectory, while Lae'zel muttered something that sounded suspiciously like a Githyanki curse.

Gale stood in the midst of the chaos, knowing with absolute certainty that tomorrow's committee meeting was now the least of their concerns.

[readingbcilovecrying]

Introduction & Fic Masterlist

Hi there! I’m Mem (she/they). Haven’t been on tumblr in over a decade, but these are the things I do for Gale brainrot. On that note:

I write fanfic on ao3 under this same name (readingbcilovecrying). The last time I wrote fanfic was more than a decade ago and it was for Naruto (lmao). But now I write BG3 fanfic featuring the wizard man/fem!tav or fem!durge (Gale/Tav & Gale/Durge). I love angst and romance and hurt/comfort and smut and everyone is traumatized always. As they say, write what you know ;)

Below is a list of my currently published fanfics with summaries! Hope you’ll check them out <3

One-shots

Devotion (21k words; explicit)

His agenda has always been clear: to be a different kind of god—a god among people, a god who responds to the ephemeral beings of Faerûn and their needs. And with the help of his friends and trusted advisors, he’s accomplishing exactly that. He has everything, can do anything, and nothing is missing except that which he will soon take.

Or: sometimes, the God of Ambition walks around Baldur’s Gate in a semblance of his human form. On one such walk, he begins to learn that he is very, very wrong about something very, very important.

-

[A very long one-shot directly spurred and heavily inspired by giveon’s beautiful fic “glory to the god of mercy”]

Safeguarding (9k words; explicit; pt. 1 wizard foreplay series)

Tav already likes that Gale casts Mage Armor on her at the start of each day. Loves it, actually.

…She’d still like to know the full reason *why* though. And, once the moment arrives, Gale is happy to explain himself—along with a few other things.

—

Or: in a slightly altered timeline where Gale and Tav fall in very horny, very intense love right away, they struggle with the possibilities of the Crown of Karsus. And the future after the Elderbrain. (And Tav really just wants to fuck her wizard in PEACE!)

Beloved - (7k; explicit; pt. 2 wizard foreplay series)

It is their first Simril together.

It has been three months since they defeated the Netherbrain. It has been three months and a day since Shadowheart married them on the eve of Enver Gortash’s death.

And Tav is three and a half months pregnant.

To The Point of Invention - (13k; explicit; pt. 3 wizard foreplay series)

He’s concerned. It’s just how Gale is. He loves her and their growing child, so he can’t help but be at least a little frantic at all times about her and the pregnancy.

She knows. She knows he means well. She does…

But he’s driving her insane.

—

At Tav's insistence, Gale goes away on a trip to Candlekeep and begins to work through some pregnancy-related anxieties with the help of a certain… tool.

Multi-chapter fics

Tonight I can write the saddest lines (complete; 200k+ words; explicit)

He isn’t much of a partygoer, but he’s fairly certain that this—Tav, on her knees in front of a postdoc, with his cock buried in her mouth—is not how these things usually go.

—

Gale’s only concerns are pleasing his advisor and setting himself up well for an elusive tenure-track job… and then Tav transfers into his doctoral program.

Regression (complete; 50k words; explicit)

They were close once, during college. So years later, when Gale runs into Tav at a bar, he's happy to see her. She’s a widow, his divorce proceedings are in full swing, and hey, maybe they get drunk and sleep together, but do they really need to make a whole thing out of it? It's not like they can remember it anyway.

Or: They don’t pick up from where they left off so much as they bulldoze a new path entirely.

ABD (in progress; act 1 complete; 31/? published; 140k+ words; currently on hiatus until Summer 2025)

“It’s different from Waterdeep. Good. But it’s still a university. And being an academic is still a job, no matter how much some like to pretend it is much more.”

“That’s…” Tav breathed in no small amount of surprise, “not what I was expecting.”

“Hm?”

“You just strike me as someone who is very… attached to their academic persona. I was sure you’d rank ‘Doctor Dekarios’-ing quite highly among your favorite pastimes.”

-

Tavelle is a disillusioned grad student on the cusp of finishing her doctorate in Interdisciplinary Magics. Gale is a new Wizardry professor looking for happiness after his life falls to pieces.

Inside and outside of the university apparatus, they find their way. Together.

Tav of Somewhere (in progress; 1/13 published; on hiatus until I finish TICWTSL)

Sceleritas says her father gave her a gift. Tav wants him to take it back.

Unfortunately, traveling long distances with the constant impulse to murder is even harder than you might think. Thank the gods she meets an entirely-too-handsome and nice prince, as well as a few other weirdos, to ease the way.

-

A Resist!Durge/Gale adaptation of the movie Ella Enchanted (2004)

The Warm Quiet (in progress; 7/~20 published; on hiatus until I finish TICWTSL)

Gale is infatuated with Tav... and then he starts noticing things.

--

A canon-ish retelling of the Gale/Durge romance.

[ghost-proofbaby]

ATTENTION: YOU HAVE BEEN INVITED TO A SUMMERTIME WRITING EVENT!

hey you. yeah, you. has the summer heat got you down? have you been looking for all the right vibes in all the wrong places?

same.

which is why i invite you to join me, your friendly neighborhood ghost, in a wonderful and excellently vibey event to cure all that summertime sadness and turn it sickeningly sweet.

through the month of july and august, i will be talking requests based on guidelines listed below, with the only real theme being summer. i'll be writing for all our favorite fictional crushes, so just follow the rules, submit a request, and vibe with me <3

IN ORDER TO BEGIN, you'll first need to pick your poisons: the muse, and the flavor.

for this event, i will be writing for the following characters:

♡ eddie munson (stranger things)

♡ steve harrington (stranger things)

♡ robin buckley (stranger things)

♡ astarion ancunin (baldur's gate 3)

♡ gale dekarios (baldur's gate 3)

once you've chosen the lover of your summertime fantasies, you're going to need to choose your flavor of sweetness. for these dog days, our menu includes:

♡ strawberry: fluff

♡ blueberry: hurt/comfort

♡ lemon: smut

♡ blackberry: angst

with your muse and flavor now chosen, you must choose what time of day you'll be enjoying your summer sweet treat. we have two options for this category, with two different sets of rules, so please read carefully!

summer solstice: the solstice that marks the onset of summer, at the time of the longest day.

if you submit a summer solstice request, you are requesting for a longer fic, 2k words minimum. these requests will take me longer, and should be reserved for more descriptive/specific requests. when you submit one, you will need to include a full description of what you are looking for.

i.e.: "could i please have a strawberry summer solstice with eddie munson, where reader and eddie meet for the first time at a bonfire and spend the entire night getting up to sheenanigans like stealing wine from others, skinny dipping in lover's lake, star-gazing on the shore, and eddie ends up walking reader home at the end of it all?"

you must have a description of what you are looking for in the request for this specific type. if you give nothing for me to go off of, i can't write you the minimum of 2k words of sweetness! this is for anyone who may have a specific vision for a story, but can't execute it/find it across the appropriate tags already.

midsummer's night: the eve of the longest day of summer, marked as the shortest night of summer.

if you submit a midsummer's night request, you are requesting for a shorter fic, under 2k words (500-1k words most likely). these are requests i will be able to fulfill more quickly, and work best for anyone who wants to submit but doesn't have a very specific idea in mind!

i.e.: "could i please blueberry lemon midsummer's night with astarion? maybe including an argument about a recent fight or something where one of them nearly got hurt!"

these requests have a lot more leniency, and will be more about what my mind will conjure from vague descriptions! try to avoid giving too many details when requesting this kind - if you have a more specific vision, just hit me with a summer solstice (and some patience) <3

alright. whew. now that we've gotten through all the guidelines regarding requests, feel free to drop into my inbox and let the party begin! again, i'll be taking these requests and fulfilling them all the way through august.

if there's a specific character you want to see not listed on here but i have expressed interest in before (i.e. joel miller, spencer reid, karlach from bg3, etc.), feel free to still request them but be wary that there's no guarantee i will fulfill the request!

as always with these events, be sure your requests abides by my rules, and once again, please be patient with me. these type of events in the past have spurred on enough responses i don't get to even half of them, but i'm prolonging this over two months to try and ensure i can get a bulk of whatever lovely ideas you all send in written! <3

aight. okay. let's party on, for real now. happy summer, y'all!

[tavyliasin]

Festive BG3 Treats!

A spontaneous prompt from Tav'ern Discord inspired some spicy festive cards from all of our favourites! These are messages they might leave in a greetings card at this time of year - if there's anyone I missed that you want me to add, or if you'd like to throw your own ideas in, please do comment and reblog! I'd love to see what you all come up with too~ Smut below the cut~

--- MAIN COMPANIONS --- Gale: On the eve before the celebration, some traditions include a hot drink and a bedtime story... Well, dearest, how about I read you something hot and drink from you at bedtime instead? --- Astarion: Darling, you would look so beautiful dressed all in red and white...clothing not required~ --- Wyll: You are the greatest gift I could wish for, let me unwrap you carefully and give you a gift of my own. --- Halsin: My heart, I have heard that it is customary to bring a tree indoors at this time of year. While that does sound intriguing, I have another kind of wood that you can bring "inside"... --- Shadowheart: You know that I'm the only gift you need, but I should like to give you something in return... You decide where the mistletoe goes, and I will decide how to kiss you beneath it. --- Lae'zel: Tchk. If anyone attempts to invade my chimney I will fight them. However, you are welcome to try. I relish the thought of our "battle". --- Karlach: You don't need a fire, I brought my own! Hurry up and lay on the rug by my fireplace, I've been waiting all bloody year for this. --- Minthara: A trade, is it? I will not be outdone, but you will find yourself undone before the season is over. --- OTHER FAVOURITES --- Raphael: No I am not dressing up as Santa. However, there might be allowances made for a Little Mouse to sit upon my knee and whisper all their dirty little desires into my ear. All you need do is sign right here- --- Haarlep: If you wanted to sit on the lap of one dressed all in red, Little Thief, you need only ask. You can choose the form of the gift I deliver, and I will enjoy the taste of your "milk and cookies"~ --- Abdirak: Pain is a gift I will give or receive, gladly...I long for our flesh to be decorated with the colours of the season. Holly is sharp, is it not?... --- Alfira: There's lots of singing this time of year, isn't there... How about you and I compose our own duet? --- Rolan: I've been studying a while and this tower is cold...would you care to visit and warm it up? I have something new to show you, a kind of magic that you won't soon forget. --- Dammon: Do drop by the Forge soon, I've been working on something special... --- Gortash: If you do not wish to be beneath my heel, I suggest you place yourself beneath my tree instead. --- Isobel: I might not be a tree, but I want an angel on top of me. --- Aylin: None shall tie me down ever again...unless you ask nicely first. --- Emperor: I already know everything on your wish list, and I can tell you would rather be naughty than nice... --- Ansur: Why did you ask this of me? I am a dragon, and dead, and you carry my ex in your pocket. Is this some kind of sick joke? --- Geraldus: You gifted me another chance to show the honour of the Harpers. Would you allow me to return the favour? --- Jaheira: You are quite certain? Then you should come, cub...more than once. --- Nine Fingers Keene: I see you are Keene to feel all of my Nine Fingers. Earn the right, and I will consider it. --- Mizora: Such an eager little pup; forget the festive feast, taste the hells with me instead. --- CURSED LIST TO FOLLOW IN A REBLOG (I ran out of space? I kept getting errors...)

[cinderella-ish]

Fic Recs: Other Fandoms

This list is for fanworks I enjoyed in fandoms other than Fruits Basket and JuJutsu Kaisen! More fandoms to come eventually!

The Hunger Games

Body for Body, by hungryhungryhanachan E | Haymitch/Katniss | Short Story | angst, dark, hurt/comfort The mission to rescue Peeta from the Capitol has failed. President Snow is willing to release him, in exchange for something from Katniss. Just how far is everyone willing to go to rescue Peeta?

The Miner's Wife, by MockingJayFlyingFree E | Katniss/Peeta | Epic Novel | angst, dark, hurt/comfort, & smut In an alternate universe in which Prim was never reaped, Katniss married Gale at the age of 18, as a good Seam girl should. 12 years later, she has two children with him. Peeta Mellark, the lone victor of the 74th Hunger Games, is a failed mentor and a prostitute in the Capitol. When he is home in District 12, he is self-destructive and on his way to becoming an alcoholic. What happens when their paths cross for the first time since that fateful incident with the bread?

Ouran High School Host Club

Due Diligence, by galaxysoup G | Gen - Haruhi & Kyoya | Short Story | fluff Kyouya is the last person Haruhi expects to find standing outside her door at three in the morning.

ichigo ichie, by me T | Tohru/Kyo, Akito & Haruhi & Tohru | WIP | drama & romance Fruits Basket crossover & Your Name AU The Zodiac Curse has trapped members of the Sohma family in a cycle of reincarnation. If Tohru Honda doesn't find a way to break it, she'll lose them forever. The students at Ouran Academy have been stuck in a time loop, never advancing grades or graduating. If Haruhi Fujioka doesn't find a way to break it, she'll never become a lawyer. One morning, Tohru and Haruhi wake up in each other's bodies. Will they be able to break the cycles that keep them and their found families trapped?

suppliant on your curious knees, by driedvoices E | Haruhi/Kyoya | Short Story | smut "I've been thinking about your lesson." Coda to the beach episode, mild D/s themes.

She-Ra and the Princesses of Power

of cats and curses, by faerialchemist T | Tohru/Kyo, Adora/Catra | Short Story | fluff Fruits Basket crossover “I’ve only seen these cats get so excited about someone sitting outside a pet store with one other person in my entire life,” a warm and almost suffocatingly kind voice said, snapping Catra out of her thoughts. “And he had that same disgruntled expression that you do. Poor kitties try to make friends with the very people who don’t want to be made friends with.”

Spy X Family

About Midnight, by CSHfic, VSfic G | Loid/Yor | Short Story | fluff & pining The Forgers are invited to a party on New Year's Eve.

Fic Recs Masterpost

[javistgs-ficlibrary]

Unforgettable Fics

Last year I posted my first Unforgettable Fics List (you can find it HERE). In that list, I included the stories that had left their mark on me as a fangirl, writer, and reader.

Those were the stories that pulled me into fan fiction, the first ones I read, the ones I think back on when I remember my earlier days in the fandom.

The fics in this year’s list are the ones that keep me here; the ones that inspire me, that prove that this fandom is still kicking, alive and well.  

Some of the fics you'll find here are very new, others are well-known classics I read (or re-read) this year.

Go ahead, take a look, you might find a new favorite among them.

Happy reading!

All the World Drops Dead by @andthisisthewonder

Peeta’s voice has been inside her head since she turned 14. She doesn’t know why they share a connection, and she doesn’t care. She likes having him with her. They comfort each other. Protect each other. Until he goes where she cannot follow. Until he enters the arena. (Based loosely on the film “In Your Eyes.”)

Peeta is reaped. Katniss stays behind in Twelve and follows his struggles on TV. Sounds a little bit like One Victor, doesn’t it? Well, that part of the premise might be similar, but the rest of the story is completely different. In this fantastic fic, Katniss and Peeta share an extraordinary gift that keeps them connected. Even though they’re miles apart, Katniss guides and comforts him. Spending her days glued to the TV screen, she stops him from eating poisonous berries and keeps him updated on his enemies' whereabouts. I’m really intrigued to see how this story is going to end.

Cadavres Exquis by @andthisisthewonder, @mtk4fun, @finnicko-loves-anniec, @xerxia31, @nancymay, @titaniasfics, @peetabreadgirl, @hutchhitched, @sandyeyes, @burkygirl, @geekymoviemom, @i-roaring-girl, @mega-aulover and @javistg 

After six years of radio silence came the call Katniss Everdeen had been dreading for years. Her mother, the last living member of her family, was dead.

Though it had been six years since Katniss had fled her hometown of Panem, she knew she had no choice but to come back and take care of her mother’s possessions, sell her house, get rid of the last vestiges of the life she once knew.

Organised by @loveinpanem. The principle behind this challenge was very simple. Each author was given a very tiny amount of world-building, (that summary you see above) and the last two sentences the previous writer created. From there, the sky was the limit. The resulting story was charming and funny, with unexpected twists and multiple visits to the bank while Everlark tried to solve a riddle they didn’t understand.

An awesome example of what it means to be a member of a creative community. I loved being a part of this!

Camp Mockingjay by @peetabreadgirl, @katnissdoesnotfollowback, @hutchhitched, @javistg, @appleblossomgirl0305, @titaniasfics, @xerxia31 and @burkygirl 

When Katniss agrees to spend the summer working with Gale at a summer camp, every choice brings her closer to an opportunity she thought she'd missed forever.

Another collaborative fic. This one was organized by @everlark-your-own-adventure. Following the principle behind the Choose Your Own Adventure books we read as children, readers were asked to choose between two options at the end of each chapter. Writers had to follow the story and adapt to the readers’ demands.

The resulting fic is as sweet as a summer adventure. Each chapter closely follows the storyline while showcasing its author’s personality and writing style. The last installment --an epilogue written by @burkygirl​ and @xerxia31-- is one of my personal favorites.

Cinders by @ghtlovesthg

Canon-Divergent AU. As rebellion starts sweeping through Panem like wildfire, Katniss quickly learns it will take all she has to keep her loved ones from getting scorched. Submission to PIP. Everlark. WIP

Katniss and Peeta find common ground when Gale and Delly are reaped. Defiant, stubborn, and too consumed by anger to think about the consequences, Gale challenges the Capitol.  In a shocking twist of events, his family pays the price. An intriguing fic, full of twists and turns that still has me at the edge of my seat.

Destiny by @xerxia31

“This would have happened anyway." Canon-divergent Everlark.

In the cave scene in THG Peeta implies that being reaped was the best thing that ever happened to him. Well, in the case of this fic, it is. The dread I felt while reading the introduction, quickly turned to excitement when I found the surprise @xerxia31​ had in store for us. A must read.

Dominion by @muttpeeta

Killing me would be a waste when you could leverage something much more useful out of me.“ Captain Peeta Mellark strikes a deal with his captor, the Empress Katniss Everdeen.

This intriguing one-shot shows Peeta as Katniss’s prisoner. I love the way their relationship evolves here, how they gradually learn to trust and care for each other despite their circumstances. 

Elaborate Lives by @booksrockmyface

Katniss had a normal life, two kids, a husband, and a great job. But it all turned upside down when she shook hands with Peeta and got the literal shock of her life. So how can they handle this delicate situation without destroying their lives in the process?

I’m a sucker for soulmate fics, and this is one of my favorites. Katniss and Peeta meet through their children, who are best friends. She’s married. He’s a widower. They want to be together, but they don’t want to hurt those they care about.

A lovely fic about friendship, love, and the inevitable pull of being with the one person who’s right for you.

Everything But Money by @mtk4fun

Katniss Everdeen learns how the other half lives, and finds love in this Everlark historical set in 1936 during The Great Depression.

@mtk4fun​ takes us through the toils and struggles of the Great Depression. In her fic, Katniss and Peeta face poverty, hunger, unemployment, and jealousy as they fight to find stability in a world that’s collapsing around them. Haymitch’s role as Katniss’s uncle is definitely worth reading!

First Love by @sothereff

Primrose Everdeen makes a friend in new neighbor Peeta Mellark and looks forward to spending her summer days with him at the creek. But when he finally meets her sister, Katniss, Prim finds she has some competition for Peeta’s time… and affections. Loosely based on the film The Man in the Moon.

 I love this version of Prim! She’s sweet and innocent at times, but she’s also as angry and hateful as only a teenage girl can be. And, while we don’t want to see her suffer, we all know this is a battle she just can’t win. 

Five kisses that should have been, and one that was by @muttpeeta

Katniss and Peeta keep meeting on New Year’s Eve. Unfortunately, it’s just never the right time.

Everything seems to conspire against Everlark in this fantastic one-shot. They date the wrong people, they wait, they drink, they cry. Somehow, they push through. A wonderful read with a very satisfying ending.

If I Have You by @everlarkeologist

Everlark, months after their divorce. Written for the F4LLS charity drive.

Katniss wants Peeta to be happy. Why is he in so much pain then? A beautiful story of sacrifice and love that shows us how the pressures we put on ourselves can drive us to hurt those we love.

Kindergarten by @heyyouao

Katniss and Peeta meet in kindergarten and develop a relationship that will last a life time. Modern day AU. Rated for teens initially, although the rating will change as the story develops. This work contains depictions of child abuse which may be difficult for some to read.

This incredibly cute story follows Katniss and Peeta as they grow up as best friends. I especially like Peeta’s connection with the rest of the Everdeen clan --who immediately adopts him as one of their own.

Love Letters by maddmaddworld

You are my best friend in the whole world, and I promise you that you will never feel this much pain ever again. You are my heart, and I intend to keep it safe.

Love, Katniss

Sometimes it’s easier to write what we feel than to say it out loud. I love Katniss’s  reaction to Peeta’s letters in this fic, and what he says is as beautiful as what he writes. 

The Murder Game by @deinde-prandium

College AU fluff. 

This fic is a lot of fun. Katniss and Peeta survive a Murder Game by hiding in his room. With great parallels to canon and the cave scenes, this story seamlessly blends the world of Panem with a modern day AU.

Museum Marriage Proposal by @badnovels​

This is such a Peeta thing to do.

A sweet drabble that makes me smile every time I read it.

The Percentage of Us by @badnovels

Katniss finally believes Peeta when he says he wants her to stay.

How can something so wrong feel so right? A fic that leaves you reeling; dazed as you try to remind yourself that this particular version of Everlark shouldn’t be together, and still.. how can they be apart?

The Playdate by @awhiskeyriver

When Peeta’s son is having trouble in school, he thinks the last thing they need is to plan a get together with the source of the problem.

Daddy!Peeta faces off against Mommy!Katniss in front of Principal Abernathy as they each try to protect their respective children. Just that scene is well worth a read! But, of course, there’s more. There’s friendship, and love, and loss; the frustration of divorce, and the loneliness that comes with being a single parent. And then, there’s also some smut.

Procreate by Loudmouth Lamb

In a version of Panem where young men and women are bred in an annual ceremony to produce the next generation of manual laborers, Gale and Madge try to make the best out of the worst. AU (no Hunger Games). Mild Everlark.

I haven’t read a lot of Gadge fics, but this one is one of my favourites. Inspired by A Handmaid’s Tale, Madge and Gale are chosen to provide a child for Panem.  I love the balance between the two characters’ voices. Madge’s quiet dignity and strength shine though this story as she stares an angry Gale down.

Ruse by @purple-cube

“I should have volunteered to take your place in the first Games,” Gale tells him. “Protected her then.”

“You couldn’t,” says Peeta. “She’d never have forgiven you.”

Friendship and loyalty are tested in this beautiful canon-divergent fic in which Gale and Katniss are crowned as co-victors of the 74th Hunger Games. Forced into marriage, the best friends help each other find love and happiness. 

Silver Thaw by @eala-musings

Set during the Dark Days rebellion. A Capitol hunting guide and Panem Games Biathlon champion is enlisted to hunt down and capture a mysterious rebel troublemaker in the snowy mountains of District 13.

Once again, Peeta finds himself acting as a pawn for the Capitol. As the story unfolds, he realises things are not what they seem. Gradually, Katniss’s strength and resolve draw him in, and they become allies and much more. With perfect pacing, beautiful descriptions, and believable interactions between the characters it’s no wonder I consider this an unforgettable fic.